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The investigation into the murder of Rav Amos Guetta zt”l in Netanya continues to unfold, with police actively pursuing multiple lines of inquiry as they work to determine both the circumstances surrounding the killing and the motive behind it. Investigators are also examining aspects of the suspect’s background and his activities in the period leading up to the attack.

According to veteran chareidi journalist Yair Levy, the suspect was raised in a chareidi family in London and later studied in yeshivos in France before eventually becoming affiliated with the Chabad movement.

One of the theories being examined is whether the suspect harbored resentment over the fact that some people referred to Rav Guetta as “Moshiach,” and whether that may have played a role in the crime. Police are reviewing that possibility as part of the broader investigation, although authorities have not concluded that it was the motive for the murder.

Detectives are also exploring another theory—that a third party may have taken advantage of the suspect’s condition and possibly influenced or directed him to carry out the killing. Investigators are continuing to examine that possibility, but no evidence has yet been released confirming or disproving the hypothesis.

Another aspect of the investigation that has drawn attention involves several security-door keys found in the suspect’s pocket at the time of his arrest. According to the report, the suspect did not have a permanent residence, raising questions about why he was carrying the keys. Police are attempting to determine which apartment or property the keys belong to and whether they have any connection to the murder.

Police were asked to comment on the reported details of the investigation. As of publication, no official response had been issued.

{Matzav.com}

A new public opinion poll released Thursday indicates that Israel’s right-wing bloc would secure a parliamentary majority if elections were held today, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has widened his lead as the public’s preferred choice for prime minister.

According to the survey, the right-wing bloc would win 63 seats in the 120-member Knesset, enough to form a governing coalition. The left-wing bloc would receive 47 seats, while the Arab parties would capture the remaining 10 seats.

The Likud Party remains the largest faction, polling at 33 seats. It is followed by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party with 21 seats, an increase of one seat compared to the previous poll. Shas is projected to win 10 seats, tying the Democrats with the same total.

Further down the standings, the Beyachad Party, led jointly by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, is projected to receive 8 seats. Yisrael Beiteinu is also forecast to win 8 mandates, as is United Torah Judaism. Otzma Yehudit would secure 7 seats, while the Religious Zionism Party is projected to win 5. Among the Arab parties, both the Joint List and Ra’am are expected to receive 5 seats each.

Several parties would fail to cross the electoral threshold under the current polling. Those projected to remain outside the Knesset include Blue and White, Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut Party, and Yesodot Yisrael, led by Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser.

The poll also found Netanyahu maintaining a commanding advantage in the race for prime minister. According to the results, 55% of respondents said Netanyahu is the most suitable candidate for the position, marking an improvement from the previous week’s survey. Eisenkot ranked second with 31%, followed by Naftali Bennett at 9%, Avigdor Lieberman at 4%, and Benny Gantz with just 1%.

The survey was conducted by NEXT DATA on July 9, 2026, among a representative sample of 752 adult Israelis. The data was analyzed by Shlomo Filber. As with all public opinion polls, the findings reflect respondents’ views at the time the survey was conducted and are not necessarily predictive of the outcome of a future election.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shmuel Yehuda Kohan z”l, one of the senior and most respected members of the Belzer community, who passed away at the age of 94.

Renowned for his lifelong devotion to Torah, chesed, and taharah, he played a pivotal role in helping establish the Belzer World Center in Yerushalayim and was instrumental in building dozens of mikvaos throughout Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Shmuel Yehuda was born in Sivan 5692 (1932) in Budapest, Hungary, to Rav Yaakov Chaim z”l and Mrs. Leah a”h. Before his parents married, his father sought the guidance of Rav Yeshaya of Kerestir zt”l regarding a proposed match. Although two suitable suggestions had already been presented, the tzaddik, through his ruach hakodesh, instructed him to wait for another proposal. The following day, the Kerestirer Rebbe was nistalek, and shortly thereafter the match that ultimately led to the birth of Rav Shmuel Yehuda was arranged.

During the Holocaust, while the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon of Belz zt”l, was in Budapest, Rav Shmuel Yehuda’s father obtained hadasim for the Rebbe to fulfill the mitzvos of Sukkos. In appreciation, the Rebbe honored him with a dance during the sixth hakafah on Simchas Torah. Before departing the city, the Rebbe distributed protective coins to every member of the Kohan family. Rav Shmuel Yehuda, then a 14-year-old boy, survived the horrors of the Holocaust together with his family in what they regarded as miraculous circumstances.

As the war raged, the Kohan family was relocated to so-called “protected houses” in Budapest, but safety remained elusive. Rav Yaakov Chaim was deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, while his wife and children found refuge at the Swiss Consulate, where nearly 2,000 Jews were crammed together under unbearable conditions. At one point, the Nazis marched them to the banks of the Danube River with the intention of executing them, but in a stunning turn of events they were spared at the last moment and returned to the consulate. Nine months after the war ended, Rav Yaakov Chaim returned to Budapest broken in body but alive, thanks in part to the efforts of Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Ungar zt”l, the rav of the Chug Chasam Sofer community.

Following the war, Rav Shmuel Yehuda studied in the yeshiva of the Rav of Chust before continuing his learning under Rav Shimon Yisrael Pozen zt”l of Shopron. He remained deeply devoted to his rebbe throughout his life and hosted a monthly Mishnayos shiur in his home on every Rosh Chodesh in his memory.

As Communist rule tightened its grip on Hungary in 1948, the family received permission to immigrate to Australia. On their way, they stopped in the United States, where relatives urged them to remain. They sought the guidance of the Frierdiker Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn zt”l, who instructed them that their mission was to continue on to Australia and spread Yiddishkeit there.

Their arrival in Australia became a source of widespread admiration. Landing in Sydney just minutes before Shabbos, the family left all of their belongings at the airport and walked seven miles with six young children to reach their hotel rather than violate the sanctity of Shabbos. The remarkable display of commitment generated significant publicity in the local press and created a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. The family later settled in Melbourne, where they were among the pioneers who established the city’s first minyan and laid the groundwork for its Jewish community.

In 1960, Rav Shmuel Yehuda married the daughter of Rav Moshe Friedman z”l of Melbourne, who maintained close ties with the courts of Belz, Sanz, and Stropkov. Rav Shmuel Yehuda himself enjoyed close relationships with many of Melbourne’s leading rabbonim, including Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Neiman, Rav Betzalel Stern, and Rav Elimelech Ashkenazi.

Eleven years later, in 1971, he fulfilled his dream of settling in Eretz Yisroel, making his home in Bnei Brak. His residence became known as a welcoming destination for anyone in need. He was recognized for his heartfelt tefillos, rose before dawn each day to immerse in the mikvah, and spent hours learning in the Chug Chasam Sofer bais medrash before Shacharis.

He maintained a close relationship with Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, visiting the Rosh Yeshiva together with his brother, Rav Meir, before every Rosh Hashanah and Purim to receive a brocha.

Rav Shmuel Yehuda was deeply attached to the great tzaddikim of his generation, particularly the Bohusher Rebbe zt”l, whom he served with complete devotion, and, yibadel l’chaim, the Belzer Rebbe. He dedicated enormous energy to strengthening the cause of taharah, overseeing the construction of numerous mikvaos throughout Eretz Yisroel. His crowning achievement was the magnificent mikvah built as part of the Belzer World Center in Kiryat Belz, Yerushalayim. He invested extraordinary financial resources and personal sacrifice into the project and stood at the Belzer Rebbe’s side throughout its development. The first office established to oversee construction of the Belzer bais medrash operated out of the building where his brother and partner in the undertaking, Rav Meir, lived. Together, the two brothers traveled extensively overseas to raise the funds necessary to bring the vision to fruition.

At the dedication of the mikvah during Chol Hamoed Sukkos in 1991, the Belzer Rebbe delivered special remarks praising the Kohan brothers, describing them as renowned for their relentless pursuit of tzedakah and chesed. The Rebbe noted that they had built dozens of mikvaos across Eretz Yisroel and blessed them with long life and many good years.

In his later years, Rav Shmuel Yehuda retired from business and devoted himself entirely to Torah. Together with his brother, he established an evening kollel for working men at the Chug Chasam Sofer bais medrash, where participants eventually completed Shas. Six years ago he suffered the loss of his beloved brother, with whom he shared an exceptionally close bond, and four years later his wife passed away. Even during his final years, as his health declined, those around him marveled at his extraordinary nobility, graciousness, and constant expressions of gratitude toward everyone who assisted him.

The levayah departed from his home on Baal Shem Tov Street in Bnei Brak before stopping at the Chug Chasam Sofer shul, where the community’s rav, Rav Moshe Benedikt, delivered brief words of farewell. The procession then continued to the Bohusher bais medrash. In accordance with the niftar’s request, the levayah paused at the gravesite of the Bohusher Rebbe zt”l in Nachalas Yitzchok Cemetery in Givatayim before continuing to Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah, where he was laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said the United States needs a new generation of political leadership, arguing in a newly released interview that elected officials over the age of 80 should no longer be serving in the nation’s highest offices.

Speaking with the Deseret News, Romney said he believes advanced age should disqualify candidates from leading the country.

“I basically think people who are 80 and above really should not be running the world or running the country,” he said.

Romney pointed to scientific research on aging, citing journalist Bill Bryson’s book The Body as support for his position.

“He points out that the human brain shrinks by 20 percent by the time you’re 80 years of age,” Romney said, referring to Bryson’s book.

The remarks came during a lighthearted exchange with McKay Coppins of The Atlantic, who hosts the “Deseret Views” podcast. After being asked jokingly whether he would consider another presidential campaign, Romney responded with humor.

“The reality is, sure, I’d love to do it again, and this time I might get it right, you know? Third time’s the charm,” he said, laughing.

Romney sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 before winning it in 2012, when he ultimately lost the general election.

Age became a central issue during the 2024 presidential campaign, with both President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden facing persistent questions about whether they were physically and mentally capable of handling the demands of the presidency.

On the Democratic side, concerns over Biden’s age intensified after a widely criticized debate performance, ultimately leading him to withdraw from the race and endorse then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who was 60 years old, as his replacement.

President Trump became the oldest sitting president during his second term in office and marked his 80th birthday last month by attending a UFC event at the White House. He has also faced continued scrutiny over his health following visible swelling and multiple visits to Walter Reed Medical Center.

Following his annual medical examination in May, however, Trump declared that “everything checked out PERFECTLY!”

In addition to that examination, Trump traveled to Walter Reed in October for a physical and cognitive assessment and underwent his routine annual medical evaluations last April.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing mounting criticism after his administration unveiled a map highlighting the city’s “immigrant enclaves” that excludes historic Jewish, Italian, and Irish neighborhoods—communities that played a central role in shaping the city’s identity over the past two centuries.

The map, released in May as part of a city initiative celebrating New York’s ethnic neighborhoods, is titled “New York City Immigrant Enclaves.” It identifies 30 communities representing a wide range of immigrant populations, including Yemeni, Pakistani, Egyptian, African, Palestinian, Chinese, Korean, Albanian, Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadoran, Indian, Haitian, Polish, and several others.

Critics, however, say the project overlooks some of New York’s most iconic immigrant communities. They point to the absence of neighborhoods such as Little Italy, as well as longstanding Irish and Jewish enclaves that helped build the city during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Queens Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola sharply criticized the omission, telling the New York Post that the map suggests the mayor’s office does not view Jews, Italians, and Irish immigrants as worthy of recognition.

“They were able to get a Little Bhod-Tibet in there, but what about the original ‘Little neighborhood,’ Little Italy?” Ariola asked. “And what about areas like Woodlawn, in the Bronx, which are home to plenty of Irish immigrants? Do the Irish and Italians not count for the Mayor’s office?”

State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger also condemned the map, accusing Mamdani of deliberately excluding the Jewish community.

“Mr. Mamdani’s erasing Jews is an essential part of his brand. No surprise.”

Joseph Scelsa, founder of the Italian-American Museum on Mulberry Street, called the omission of Little Italy a serious error.

“Italian-Americans are still a major population in New York City. To not recognize where Italian-Americans came from and settled is a terrible mistake. I don’t understand why Little Italy isn’t included. I hope it’s an oversight,” Scelsa said.

Jewish author Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt also criticized the map in a post on X, writing, “The Mayor’s Office made a map of NYC’s immigrant enclaves: Little Africa, Little Poland, Little Palestine. But they just couldn’t figure out how to represent 11% of the city. Couldn’t decipher where the Jews are from.”

Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo argued that the controversy fits a broader pattern, noting that Mamdani has previously advocated removing public recognition of Italian heritage.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt likewise accused the mayor of engaging in “deliberate subversion” by excluding Jewish, Italian, and Irish neighborhoods from the map.

In response to the backlash, the mayor’s office defended the project, arguing that it focuses on immigrant communities rather than religious groups. A City Hall spokesperson said the map “does not highlight religious groups,” adding that the campaign “highlights neighborhoods in New York City that have substantial foreign-born populations from regions and countries around the world.”

The administration also emphasized that the map was designed as a tourism resource and noted that the “immigrant enclave series began during the [Eric] Adams administration.” Officials added that additional neighborhoods are expected to be incorporated into the project “in the upcoming months.”

The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, marking the latest effort to eliminate the twice-a-year clock changes that have long frustrated many Americans.

According to a notice released Thursday, lawmakers will consider the Sunshine Protection Act after the House Energy and Commerce Committee overwhelmingly approved the measure in May by a 48-1 vote. Although the Senate unanimously passed similar legislation in March 2022, the bill stalled in the House amid growing opposition.

The version of the legislation scheduled for a House vote would give individual states the option of opting out of permanent daylight saving time.

Most of the United States has observed daylight saving time since the 1960s, advancing clocks by one hour each spring before returning to standard time in the fall.

Backers of the legislation argue that eliminating the biannual time changes would improve public health and safety. They contend that switching clocks contributes to sleep disruption, increases workplace accidents, and leads to more traffic crashes. They also believe longer daylight hours in the evening during the winter months would encourage greater economic activity.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for ending the twice-yearly clock changes. In May, he declared that it was “time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not to mention all of the work and money that is spent on this ridiculous, twice yearly production.”

Even if the bill clears the House, it would still require Senate approval before reaching Trump’s desk. The proposal faces opposition from Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and several other lawmakers.

Cotton has argued that permanent daylight saving time would produce unusually late winter sunrises, forcing many children to travel to school before daylight for much of the year.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who has introduced versions of the legislation nearly every year since 2018, once again sponsored the measure this session. The proposal has drawn strong support in his home state of Florida, where advocates say additional evening daylight would benefit golf courses, parks, and other recreational facilities.

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., also endorsed the legislation, saying permanent daylight saving time is “better for safety and will boost New Jersey’s tourism industry. Let’s stop changing the clocks twice a year.”

The United States previously adopted year-round daylight saving time during World War II and briefly reinstated it in 1974 as an energy-saving measure. However, the experiment proved unpopular with the public, prompting Congress to repeal the policy later that same year.

{Matzav.com}

Donald Trump Jr. said Thursday that newly unsealed evidence presented during the preliminary hearing for the man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk leaves little room for doubt about who carried out the killing, arguing that the disclosures should put lingering conspiracy theories to rest.

Trump Jr., who was a close friend of Kirk and has long appeared alongside him at Turning Point USA events, attended this week’s court proceedings in Provo, Utah, where prosecutors unveiled evidence against 23-year-old Tyler Robinson.

After observing the testimony firsthand, Trump Jr. told Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Based on everything that I saw in that courtroom, it’s very clear to me that Tyler Robinson did this.”

Robinson is charged with fatally shooting Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

The preliminary hearing, which began Monday, is intended to determine whether prosecutors have established sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to trial on multiple criminal charges.

During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecutors introduced evidence alleging that Robinson admitted to the killing in text messages sent to his roommate shortly after the shooting, writing that he “had enough of his hatred.”

Reacting to the evidence, Trump Jr. said, “This stuff is very cut-and-dry at this point.”

He added, “The DNA evidence, the fact that… he turned himself in… to me, it puts so much of this at rest.”

While expressing confidence in the prosecution’s case, Trump Jr. raised concerns about the level of security provided at the Utah Valley University event where Kirk was killed.

“The biggest question in my mind at this point is not whether Tyler Robinson did this, or if it was some people from a foreign land, or another planet — it was, why were there only six police officers active at a major event on a university campus?” he asked.

Trump Jr. noted that Turning Point USA events on college campuses routinely attract large crowds and typically receive a much stronger law enforcement presence.

“These are big events,” he said. “I’ve done 100 of them with Charlie Kirk on college campuses all over the place… That there wasn’t an all-hands-on-deck kind of operation to prevent this very thing from happening is truly scary.”

He also said public opinion has shifted dramatically as more evidence has emerged. According to Trump Jr., what was once viewed as a “50–50” question regarding Robinson’s guilt has now become a “90–10” issue, with the overwhelming majority believing Robinson was responsible.

Although Trump Jr. dismissed the conspiracy theories that circulated following Kirk’s death, he said he understands why some people initially questioned the circumstances surrounding the assassination.

Prosecutors are expected to continue presenting evidence during Friday’s hearing. No trial date has yet been scheduled.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s ambitious proposal to construct a towering 250-foot arch in the nation’s capital moved one step closer to becoming reality Thursday after winning preliminary approval from a key federal planning commission, although officials postponed a decision on whether longstanding federal height restrictions apply to the project.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve the initial site and design plans for the massive structure, which Trump wants built at the traffic circle on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge entering Washington, D.C.

The vote marks another milestone for one of several high-profile projects Trump is pursuing as part of his effort to reshape the appearance of the nation’s capital.

Commission staff had recommended granting preliminary approval while requiring a number of design modifications to ensure compliance with the federal Height of Buildings Act. Among the proposed revisions were adjustments to the height distribution of the arch itself, the observation deck planned within the structure, and the statues that would sit atop the monument.

Instead, commissioners—led by Chairman Will Scharf—opted to delay deciding whether the Height of Buildings Act even governs the proposed project.

According to the commission’s staff report, the agency has historically applied the law when reviewing projects of this nature. Scharf, however, said the Interior Department, which submitted the application and oversees the federal land where the arch would be built, had provided a legal opinion making what he called a “compelling argument” that the law “is not binding on the federal government.”

“My view is that, today, we are just considering this project for preliminary approval and that, as a result, it’s not necessary for us to take up this broader issue of the applicability of the Height of Buildings Act to federal construction until our next meeting at the earliest,” Scharf said.

The preliminary approval passed with the support of eight of the commission’s 12 members, including Scharf and two other Trump appointees. One commissioner voted against the proposal, while the remaining three voted present.

“This is a complex project,” Scharf said before the vote. He added that commissioners could consider final approval as soon as their next scheduled meeting in September.

Before casting their votes, all 12 commissioners reviewed a summary of the staff’s recommendations and listened to testimony from dozens of members of the public who signed up to comment on the proposal.

The commission’s deliberations took place as work continued on another major Trump construction project at the White House, where crews are building a new $400 million ballroom while additional workers covered stone columns at the mansion’s north entrance as part of an ongoing restoration project involving the removal of old paint.

Several speakers urged the commission to reject the proposed arch, arguing that a celebratory monument should not be constructed so close to Arlington National Cemetery. Others suggested a location nearer the Capitol or Washington’s sports and entertainment district would be more appropriate.

Among those opposing the project was Michael Lemmon, one of three Vietnam veterans and an architectural historian who have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block construction at Memorial Circle. Lemmon argued that the monument would diminish the dignity of Arlington National Cemetery, while Trump has said the arch is intended to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

“As a combat veteran, I feel a duty to protect the memory and honor the sacrifice of my comrades and all those buried there,” Lemmon said. “This vainglorious monumental arch does neither.”

Other opponents pointed out that memorials honoring Vietnam veterans, World War II veterans, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. underwent years of public discussion before being approved, and they urged the commission to move more cautiously before advancing Trump’s proposal.

Critics also argued that the sheer size of the monument would disrupt the carefully planned visual corridor connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery—a view long intended to symbolize national reconciliation following the Civil War.

If completed, the arch would stand more than twice as tall as the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial and rise to nearly half the height of the 555-foot Washington Monument.

During Thursday’s hearing, opponents also raised concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety surrounding the proposed site, while others maintained that congressional approval should be required before construction can proceed—a position that Trump disputes.

The proposal has already received approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which signed off on the design in May. The National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees construction projects on federal property in Washington, first began reviewing the proposal in June.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joined a memorial ceremony Thursday at Moshav HaYogev in northern Israel, where a tree was dedicated in memory of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as part of the “My Tree in Israel” initiative. The event served as a tribute to the family, whose fate became one of the defining tragedies of the October 7 Hamas massacre.

Yarden Bibas and his sister, Ofri, attended the ceremony alongside Huckabee. The ambassador offered his heartfelt condolences to Yarden, telling him that people around the world had prayed for the safe return of his family. Huckabee also stressed that the horrors of October 7 and the immense suffering endured by Israel must never be allowed to fade from memory.

The abduction of Shiri Bibas and her sons—4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir—from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz became one of the most unforgettable images of the Hamas-led assault on October 7. Video of a terrified Shiri desperately holding her two red-haired children as Hamas terrorists forced them into Gaza stunned millions across the globe. As the youngest hostage taken during the attack, baby Kfir, together with his older brother Ariel, came to symbolize the innocence of the civilians targeted in the massacre and the anguish of the hostage crisis.

The ceremony also included an emotional meeting with Avi Harush, whose son, Reef Harush, was killed while serving as a commando in combat in the Gaza Strip in April 2024. Harush showed Huckabee and his wife the tree planted in his son’s memory, shared photographs, and spoke about his regular visits to the site, saying that he believes his son is “at peace.”

During his visit to the moshav, Huckabee toured a local olive oil press, where he observed the production process firsthand. He remarked that every year he purchases numerous bottles of Israeli olive oil to present to friends as holiday gifts.

Huckabee also revisited the olive tree he had previously adopted and updated its commemorative plaque, replacing the inscription “Governor Huckabee” with “Ambassador Huckabee.” He additionally adopted another olive tree in honor of his daughter, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

The “My Tree in Israel” initiative enables supporters of Israel around the world to back the country’s farmers by adopting olive trees, grapevines, or shares in whiskey casks. The program is designed to bolster Israel’s agricultural communities while providing direct support to the nation’s local economy.

{Matzav.com}

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman discusses the establishment of the Hasmonean Dynasty and its descent into corruption, strife, betrayal and fratricide.

Chapter Forty-Five: The Hasmonean Dynasty

Shimon proved to be an astute leader. After winning independence for Judea with his diplomatic maneuvering, he sent an enormous gold medal to Rome as a gift to ensure Judea’s status as a protected Roman ally. He besieged the Akra fortress in Jerusalem until its Greek garrison was forced to leave, then he leveled it to the ground. He also captured the pagan stronghold of Gazara and destroyed all its idols. Internally, he broke the power of the Hellenized Jews and consolidated the hold of the Hasidim at all levels of the government.

At long last, the chaotic horrors of war receded into memory. Peace and harmony descended on the land of Judea. Old men once again sat together in the street and chatted about pleasant matters. All the people sat under their own vines and fig trees, and there was none to make them afraid. Fathers once again circumcised their sons, studied Torah with them as they grew older and saw them reach adulthood without being sent off to fight on the battlefields.

Shimon’s thoughts turned to improving the economy. He captured the port of Joppa, giving the land-locked Judea access to the sea, and he developed it into a harbor for international trade. This allowed Judean agricultural products to reach the Mediterranean markets and brought in foreign currency and consumer goods. He also increased internal security by clearing the bandits and highwaymen who had taken over the roads during the years of strife and chaos. Farmers could now tend to their crops instead of standing guard over their fields. The hallowed earth yielded its abundance, and the Jewish people became prosperous.

Furthermore, Shimon used the increased revenue to fortify the major population centers of Judea. He also undertook a major renovation of the Bais Hamikdash, which had been stripped of its valuables and battered by decades of war. Hundreds of craftsmen labored to repair the breaches and to replicate the golden Menorah, Shulchan and Mizbeiach Hazahav of the Heichal; the Aron had been secreted long before during the time of the First Bais Hamikdash. These massive projects also drove the economy and contributed greatly to the growing prosperity.

At this point, Shimon stood at a crossroads. According to Jewish law and tradition, dating back to Yaakov’s deathbed testament to his sons which blessed them and defined their roles, only descendants of the tribe of Yehudah could be anointed to serve as Jewish kings. “The royal scepter shall not depart from Yehudah.” Hashem had entrusted this scepter to Dovid Hamelech and his descendants forever. The Hasmoneans were Kohanim descended from the Shevet Levi and therefore disqualified …

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

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An unexpected vort with deep Chassidic roots highlighted a visit this week by talmidim of Yeshivas Kedushas Mordechai of Nadvorna to the home of Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau.

The bochurim visited Rav Landau to seek clarification on several complex halachic issues involving the laws of borer on Shabbos, topics they had found particularly challenging during their studies in yeshiva.

For more than an hour, the talmidim engaged in an in-depth discussion with the Rosh Yeshiva, carefully analyzing the practical applications and underlying principles of the relevant halachos.

The most memorable moment, however, came at the conclusion of the visit. After the halachic discussion had ended, Rav Landau turned to one of the roshei mesivta who had accompanied the talmidim  and inquired about his family lineage.

When the rebbi explained that he was a descendant of the founder of the Baal Shem Tov, Rav Landau immediately sought more details, asking, “Through which descendant of the Baal Shem Tov are you related? Through a son or a daughter?”

The rebbe replied that his lineage traces back through the Baal Shem Tov’s renowned daughter, Rebbetzin Adel a”h, and from her son, Rav Baruch of Mezhibuzh zt”l.

Upon hearing the response, Rav Landau surprised everyone present by sharing a well-known, centuries-old Chassidic vort. Smiling, he remarked, “The Chassidic world used to say that ‘Bava Kamma‘ is an acronym for ‘Baruch Ben Adel Kadosh Mi’rechem Imo‘—’Baruch, son of Adel, holy from his mother’s womb.'”

{Matzav.com}

Amid growing concern over the arrest of yeshiva bochurim and the possibility that they could be transferred to the military police, Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, has taken the unusual step of giving his personal cellphone number to his talmidim, instructing them to contact him immediately if they are detained by police.

Rav Sorotzkin told talmidim in the yeshiva gedolah that if they are ever stopped or arrested by police under circumstances that could lead to their being handed over to the military authorities, they should call him directly so he can become personally involved.

The new policy was recently put to the test when one of the bochurim was detained in a chareidi city following a traffic violation. During the incident, the student contacted Rav Sorotzkin to inform him that he was being held by police.

Upon receiving the call, Rav Sorotzkin personally contacted the Tzeva Shachor emergency response network, identified himself, and requested that bochurim immediately come to the scene out of concern that the talmid could be transferred to the military police.

Within minutes, the situation was resolved. The talmid was issued a traffic citation and released by police without being handed over to the military authorities.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Ber, has issued a strongly worded halachic letter rejecting the idea of a sweeping heter permitting chillul Shabbos to improve soldiers’ morale during wartime, stressing that such weighty questions must be decided only by the leading gedolei Torah and foremost poskim.

The letter was addressed to the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shvus Yisroel, Rav Yehoshua Ben Meir, and focuses on whether Shabbos may be violated for the purpose of strengthening morale among troops during combat.

At the outset of the letter, Rav Ber explains that he generally refrains from issuing psakim on military-related halachic matters because, in his view, “the Military Rabbinate, which is on the ground and is closely familiar with the operational reality, is the appropriate body to show the way in such cases.”

Nevertheless, Rav Ber writes that this situation is different because it involves “a general halachic provision that comprehensively permits Shabbos desecration to boost morale, and it could be used as a precedent for other cases,” making it necessary for him to publicly clarify the halachah.

Expressing his support for Rav Ben Meir’s position, the Chief Rabbi writes that “The aforementioned exemption poses a significant halachic and factual challenge and is not based on halachic sources and on an accurate examination of reality. Therefore, there is no place to allow Shabbos desecration to boost morale.”

He further cautioned that expanding such heteirim could “open the door to broadening the scope of permissible Shabbos desecration beyond the limits established by the sages and the leading halachic authorities throughout the generations.”

Drawing upon his own experience in military service, Rav Ber acknowledged that time away from duty undoubtedly helps soldiers recover physically and emotionally. However, he maintained that improved morale alone does not rise to the level of pikuach nefesh necessary to justify chillul Shabbos. He also warned that seeing observant soldiers traveling home on Shabbos could undermine the public’s appreciation for the kedusha of the day.

The Chief Rabbi also stressed that before issuing a broad and unprecedented psak with significant public ramifications, “it would have been appropriate to first submit it for the consideration and ruling of the foremost Torah scholars and leading halachic authorities, and only afterward publish it as a general directive.” He added that any future rulings of this magnitude should first be presented to senior gedolei Torah for their decision before being released publicly.

At the same time, Rav Kalman Ber emphasized that his comments should not be interpreted as criticism of the IDF’s unit rabbanim, battalion rabbanim, or the leadership of the Military Rabbinate’s Halacha Department. He explained that their responsibility is to apply existing halachic rulings within the realities of military operations, while establishing broad halachic policy “is entrusted solely to the foremost Torah scholars and leading halachic arbiters, whose rulings are authoritative.”

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich revealed Thursday that President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, told him shortly after his appointment that he would not allow Hamas-controlled Gaza to remain a threat to Israeli communities, recounting an emotional conversation that took place immediately after Witkoff visited Gaza and viewed footage of the October 7 massacre.

Speaking at MK Ohad Tal’s “Conference of Decision,” Smotrich shared details of the conversation, which he said occurred after Witkoff was appointed as President Trump’s envoy to Israel and just one day after the envoy toured Gaza and watched the graphic footage documenting the atrocities committed during the October 7 Hamas attack.

According to Smotrich, Witkoff was deeply shaken by what he had witnessed.

“When Witkoff was appointed, I met with him together with Ron Dermer,” Smotrich said. “The day before, he had been in Gaza, where they showed him the October 7 atrocity footage. He was still under the terrible impression of that video, and he told me, ‘Betzalel, I will not let two million Nazis live next to your children along the border.’”

Smotrich also addressed Israel’s ongoing military campaign in both Gaza and Lebanon, arguing that territorial losses are the only language Israel’s enemies understand.

“There is only one thing that hurts the enemy—land,” he declared. “Anyone who attacks us will lose territory forever. We need to establish a security zone in Lebanon that will remain in place for years.”

{Matzav.com}

Andy Burnham, widely viewed as the leading contender to succeed Keir Starmer as Britain’s next prime minister, signaled Thursday that he would adopt a significantly tougher stance toward Israel, apologizing for Labour’s initial response to the war in Gaza and pledging greater pressure on the Jewish state if he takes office.

Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, Burnham acknowledged that Labour’s early reaction to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza was inadequate and expressed regret over the party’s handling of the conflict.

“I know many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military action in Gaza, my party didn’t get it right, and I am sorry about that,” he said. “The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better.”

Burnham said a government led by him would pursue additional measures aimed at increasing pressure on Israel, including weighing further sanctions against Israeli individuals and organizations and considering a ban on trade involving products from what he called illegal settlements.

“We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government,” Burnham said. Although he acknowledged that Britain has already taken “some important steps,” he argued, “the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire in the war launched following the Hamas-led October 7th Massacre. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach.”

While sharply criticizing Israel’s military campaign, Burnham stopped short of labeling it a genocide, saying that such a determination should be made through the legal process rather than by elected officials.

“I have been absolutely appalled by what I’ve seen and read about the destruction of Gaza,” he said. “There’s increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed. There must be accountability for the depth of the suffering the people of Gaza have experienced. Ultimately, however, it must be for the international courts to determine, rather than politicians.”

The interview also touched on concerns raised by Britain’s Jewish community. Burnham reiterated his opposition to antisemitism while again condemning Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

“There is no contradiction between a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and holding the Netanyahu government to account,” he said. “I will always take a fair and balanced approach and stand up for what is right.”

Burnham further criticized what he described as escalating violence by Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem, as well as continued residential construction in those areas. He said his government would examine additional steps, including “looking at further sanctions” and “looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements.”

He also described conditions in Gaza as “a scar on our collective conscience,” pointing to ongoing civilian casualties, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and Israel’s continued military operations in the territory.

New intelligence gathered by Israel and shared with the United States indicates that Iran may be intensifying its efforts to target President Donald Trump, according to an exclusive report published Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. If the information is confirmed, it would represent a significant escalation in the already volatile standoff between Washington and Tehran.

Sources familiar with the intelligence told the newspaper that Israeli officials recently provided US authorities with updated information outlining what they believe is an active Iranian assassination plot directed at Trump.

Iran has openly vowed revenge against Trump ever since the US military strike during his first term that killed Qassem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force.

Asked about the report, the Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to provide additional details. Iran’s mission to the United Nations also did not immediately issue a response.

The White House referred The Wall Street Journal to comments Trump made earlier this week rather than offering any new statement on the reported intelligence.

Trump addressed the threats directly while speaking with reporters in Ankara, Turkey, warning that he believes he remains a top target of the Iranian regime.

“They want to take out the US leader – me,” he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

Iranian hostility toward Trump has continued to be displayed publicly. During the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, crowds repeatedly chanted for Trump’s death while waving a large banner bearing the message, “We Will Kill Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

Naftali Bennett has been in the United States since the end of last week, departing in the midst of a difficult stretch for his political campaign while declining to reveal details about the purpose of his visit, according to a report by journalist Michael Shemesh.

Bennett, who heads the Beyachad party, reportedly traveled to the U.S. to attend a professional conference while also taking a family vacation. However, despite public interest surrounding the trip, he has refused to provide any information about the conference or his itinerary.

According to the report, Bennett traveled without members of his office or his campaign staff.

People close to Bennett offered only a brief statement, saying, “At these moments Bennett is working on the great repair of the State of Israel.”

The trip comes as Bennett’s political standing has weakened in recent polling. Recent surveys indicate that he has lost his position as the leading figure in the anti-government bloc to Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who has now overtaken him in the race to lead the bloc.

{Matzav.com}

The man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk confessed to the killing on three separate occasions—through a handwritten letter, text messages, and an in-person admission to his partner, according to testimony and evidence presented Thursday during a preliminary hearing.

The explosive evidence came through a prerecorded deposition from Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s roommate, who testified that Robinson returned to their Utah apartment the day after the Sept. 10 shooting, expressed remorse, and admitted responsibility for the murder.

The testimony, along with Robinson’s alleged written and electronic communications, offered prosecutors their clearest account yet of how the accused gunman described carrying out the fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. Court proceedings also revealed that Robinson allegedly made crude jokes related to the killing.

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, urged the court to release Twiggs’ full interview with prosecutors, arguing that making the evidence public would help put to rest the conspiracy theories that have circulated about the Turning Point USA founder’s assassination.

The courtroom became emotional as prosecutors read aloud text messages Robinson allegedly sent to Twiggs. Erika Kirk broke down in tears while listening to the messages.

Among the communications presented in court was one in which Robinson, now 23, allegedly referenced his grandfather’s old .30-06 hunting rifle, writing that it “does just fine.”

Twiggs, who has not been charged with any crime, testified under a limited immunity agreement granted by both the US Attorney’s Office and the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Appearing in a coat and tie, Twiggs casually chewed gum throughout much of the recorded deposition until investigators instructed him to spit it out.

According to testimony, Twiggs and Robinson lived together in St. George, Utah, about three hours from Utah Valley University.

Twiggs said the first alleged confession came immediately after Kirk was shot and killed before a crowd of thousands attending a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

According to Twiggs, Robinson had apparently scheduled a text message in advance that arrived shortly after the shooting, instructing him, “Drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.”

Confused, Twiggs replied, “what????????????” before adding, “you’re joking right????”

Robinson allegedly answered, “…..I TRIED TO DELETE THAT.”

Twiggs testified that beneath the keyboard he found a letter addressed to “Luna” in which Robinson allegedly wrote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

Prosecutors said Robinson later continued discussing the shooting through text messages, including his efforts to recover the bolt-action Mauser rifle he allegedly abandoned while fleeing the scene.

One message allegedly read, “Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.”

Twiggs responded, “You werent the one who did it right????”

According to prosecutors, Robinson answered with a direct admission: “I am, I’m sorry.”

Twiggs testified that the third confession came when Robinson returned to the apartment on Sept. 11, one day after the shooting.

When asked by prosecutor McBride, “Did he talk about what he had done?”

Twiggs responded, “Didn’t go into detail… I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before, and he said it was… started crying a little bit, and said he wishes he hadn’t done it.”

Twiggs added, “…Eventually he said he would talk to his parents or turn himself over.”

“I personally had never heard him talk about Charlie Kirk before specifically,” Twiggs testified.

Twiggs also recalled that approximately a month before Kirk’s death, Robinson asked whether they owned a Dremel engraving tool.

“I don’t remember exactly when, but he had said he was planning to go hunting with his family and he asked me… if we had like a Dremel, because he said he wanted to engrave messages on bullets,” Twiggs testified.

Brian Davis of the Utah State Bureau of Investigation told the court that Twiggs’ testimony was consistent with statements he gave investigators during an interview conducted on Sept. 12, 2025.

Davis said investigators reviewed text messages, Discord conversations, and a handwritten note that prosecutors allege were authored by Robinson.

Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during the Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

Defense attorneys argued that the court should prevent the media from publishing the deposition video and text messages, contending that widespread dissemination could prejudice prospective jurors and infringe upon Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Prosecutors, joined by Erika Kirk, urged the judge to release the evidence in full.

“The Kirk family has waited 10 months for this hearing… They have a right to see and feel what’s going on in this courtroom,” attorney Jeffrey Neiman told the court.

“To be here and not to see the evidence — what’s the point of being here?”

Members of the Kirk family have said they hope the public release of the evidence will finally dispel conspiracy theories promoted by commentator Candace Owens and others regarding the circumstances surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death.

Earlier in the week, prosecutors introduced surveillance footage that they say tracks Robinson’s movements across the Utah Valley University campus on the day of the shooting.

They also presented FBI forensic evidence that they claim connects Robinson through DNA recovered from a towel allegedly used to conceal the rifle.

Witnesses further testified that DNA believed to belong to both Robinson and Twiggs was discovered on a screwdriver allegedly left at the location where Robinson positioned himself before firing the fatal shot.

Robinson, who is now 23 years old, has not yet entered a plea. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

{Matzav.com}