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Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania made a stunning appearance at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas tonight, appearing by video to praise President Donald Trump’s efforts on behalf of the American steel industry, reject the left-wing direction of his own party, and introduce Republican Sen. Dave McCormick.

The highly unusual appearance by a sitting Democratic senator at a major Republican campaign gathering comes less than eight weeks before the November midterm elections and marks perhaps the most dramatic sign yet of Fetterman’s growing estrangement from the Democratic Party.

Fetterman appeared in a prerecorded video standing in front of a U.S. Steel facility in western Pennsylvania, wearing his trademark hoodie.

“Yes, I’m Senator John Fetterman, Pennsylvania. Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common-sense Democrat,” Fetterman told the Republican gathering.

“I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life,” he said.

Fetterman used the appearance to introduce McCormick, his Republican Senate colleague from Pennsylvania, whom he described as a friend despite their sharply different political affiliations.

“Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend,” Fetterman said.

But it was Fetterman’s praise for cooperation with President Trump that made the appearance especially striking.

Pointing to the steel plant behind him, Fetterman said that he and McCormick would join forces with the President to protect one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic industries.

“We’ll work together and we’ll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way right here in the Steel Valley,” Fetterman said.

When the video concluded and McCormick walked onto the convention stage, the Republican senator enthusiastically acknowledged his Democratic colleague.

“How great is John Fetterman, right?” McCormick said, thanking Fetterman for his “friendship” and “courage.”

Fetterman’s cameo was particularly remarkable because the two-day Dallas convention is not a bipartisan policy conference but a major Republican political event intended to rally GOP voters and candidates ahead of the November 3 elections. President Trump is the centerpiece of the gathering, which has informally been dubbed “Trumpapalooza.”

The convention is designed in large part to help Republicans defend their congressional majorities. The GOP currently holds a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, making Fetterman’s increasingly independent political posture particularly noteworthy as Democrats attempt to regain control of the chamber.

Fetterman’s appearance did not include an announcement that he was leaving the Democratic Party, and the Pennsylvania senator has repeatedly rejected speculation that he plans to become a Republican.

Nevertheless, Wednesday night’s move immediately intensified questions about Fetterman’s political future.

Once regarded as one of the Democratic Party’s more progressive figures, Fetterman has increasingly broken with Democrats on several of the most contentious issues facing Washington, particularly Israel, the war with Iran and immigration. He has also become an outspoken critic of what he regards as the extreme left flank of his party.

The divide has been especially pronounced over Israel. Fetterman has emerged as one of Israel’s most forceful supporters in the Senate and has frequently found himself at odds with Democrats who have become increasingly critical of the Jewish state.

In July, Fetterman went so far as to identify a circumstance under which he could leave the Democratic Party, saying that his “red line” would be if the party became “the anti-Israel party.”

Despite those clashes, Fetterman continues to vote overwhelmingly with Democrats and has insisted that he is not preparing to become a Republican.

“I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats,” Fetterman wrote earlier this year.

His political standing in Pennsylvania, however, has undergone an extraordinary reversal. A recent New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College poll found Fetterman viewed favorably by 79% of Pennsylvania Republicans, compared with just 21% of Democrats. Sixty-seven percent of Democrats viewed him unfavorably. Remarkably, Fetterman’s favorable rating among Republicans was higher than McCormick’s.

The relationship between Pennsylvania’s two senators has itself become increasingly unusual. Fetterman and McCormick have appeared together publicly and recently established a bipartisan fundraising committee, Common Ground PA, a move that generated criticism from Democrats.

Fetterman’s convention appearance centered largely on the steel industry and the controversial acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel.

Trump initially opposed the takeover but ultimately approved an arrangement after securing a series of commitments intended to protect American steel production and workers. The agreement included a U.S. “golden share” providing the federal government with special powers over certain corporate decisions.

Fetterman and McCormick have both emphasized preserving Pennsylvania’s steel industry despite their partisan differences, and Fetterman presented that cooperation Wednesday as an example of his willingness to work across party lines.

Still, appearing in a promotional video at a Republican convention represents a substantially different political step from cooperating with Republicans on legislation.

The episode drew immediate comparisons to Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, who appeared at the 2004 Republican National Convention and delivered a blistering speech supporting President George W. Bush while attacking Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.

Fetterman stopped far short of endorsing Republican candidates generally or announcing a change in party affiliation. But his presence on the giant screens at a convention built around President Trump provided Republicans with one of the night’s most unexpected moments — a Democratic senator telling a Republican audience that he would reject “extremes and socialism” and work alongside Trump.

With the midterm elections less than two months away and control of Congress hanging in the balance, Fetterman’s surprise cameo is certain to further fuel one of Washington’s most persistent political questions: Just how much longer can one of the Senate’s most unconventional Democrats remain comfortable inside the Democratic Party?

{Matzav.com}

In an unusual departure from his longstanding practice, Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, is expected to spend Rosh Hashanah this year in Uman, Ukraine, after a major American donor reportedly pledged a multimillion-dollar contribution to the Ateres Shlomo institutions on condition that the rosh yeshiva spend the Yom Tov with him there.

The highly unusual visit will bring one of the prominent roshei yeshiva in the Lithuanian Torah world to Uman, home of the tziyun of Rav Nachman of Breslov, where tens of thousands traditionally gather for Rosh Hashanah.

According to Kikar HaShabbat, the trip is connected to Rav Sorotzkin’s extensive fundraising efforts on behalf of the Torah and chesed institutions under his leadership.

In previous years, Rav Sorotzkin has spent the Rosh Hashanah period in the United States, remaining close to major donors and supporters as part of his efforts to shoulder the enormous financial burden of maintaining the Ateres Shlomo network.

Rav Sorotzkin has become known over the years for personally undertaking extensive fundraising efforts to sustain the institutions, raising substantial sums from supporters around the world.

This year, however, those plans reportedly changed following an extraordinary commitment from a wealthy American supporter who is close to Rav Sorotzkin.

According to the report, the donor pledged tens of millions of shekels to the institutions but attached an unusual condition to the contribution: Rav Sorotzkin would spend Rosh Hashanah together with him in Uman.

The amount involved is reportedly equivalent to several million dollars, making the pledge a particularly significant contribution toward the operating expenses of Ateres Shlomo.

As a result, Rav Sorotzkin is expected to fly to Uman and spend the days of Rosh Hashanah there alongside the donor.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned Wednesday in a conversation with the NY Post that the growing influence of democratic socialists and other left-wing figures within the Democratic Party poses what he described as a threat to the country, singling out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Johnson also predicted that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will face serious difficulties managing an influx of left-wing lawmakers in the next Congress.

Speaking to The Post on the sidelines of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Johnson was asked whom he considered the “most dangerous” politician in America. Rather than naming one person, he pointed to a broader faction of the Democratic Party.

“I would say there’s a type,” Johnson told The Post when asked about the “most dangerous” politician in the country. “It’s the Mamdani, El-Sayed, AOC wing of the party that is a danger to the whole country, because they do not believe in the founding principles of America.”

Johnson argued that the political movement represented by those figures extends well beyond any single candidate or elected official.

“They have disdain for American principles, and they want to take us down a dark, dangerous road,” the speaker further warned on the sidelines of the Republican midterm convention. “And it’s not just one individual; it’s that trend that we’re seeing. There are many Mamdanis who popped up all around the country, and they don’t understand history.”

Johnson and other congressional Republicans used the Dallas gathering to promote their legislative record during President Donald Trump’s second term, including tax cuts, while warning supporters about the consequences they say would follow if Democrats gain control of the House. The convention comes less than two months before the November midterm elections.

The Democratic Party’s left flank has gained ground during the 2026 primary season, with a number of democratic socialist and progressive candidates defeating more moderate rivals. The trend has fueled an internal debate among Democrats over the party’s direction heading into November.

Johnson, who has spent much of his speakership navigating narrow Republican majorities and occasional defections from GOP lawmakers on major votes, argued that Jeffries will confront an even more difficult leadership challenge.

“Jeffries is going to have a nightmare on his hands, but it’s a very different challenge than the one I have in the Republican conference,” he said. “My task every day is to get all the conservatives together, the rugged individualists, and all their ideas, and find a consensus.”

Johnson contended that the ideological disagreements within the Democratic conference would be fundamentally different from those he has faced among Republicans.

“Hakeem has the opposite approach. He is going to have people in his conference who hate America, hate its founding principles, and want to blow it up — figuratively, in legislation,” the speaker went on. “They want to tear down all the foundational principles of the country.”

Despite those sharp political differences, Johnson said his personal relationship with Jeffries remains friendly.

Johnson revealed that he has “a very cordial relationship” with his Democratic counterpart, adding that “I like Hakeem as a person, and I obviously have great empathy for the challenge that he has to deal with.”

Jeffries played an important role in helping Johnson survive an effort to remove him as speaker in 2024 after then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sought to oust him over his decision to permit a House vote on aid to Ukraine. Democrats declined to support the removal effort, allowing Johnson to remain speaker.

Other members of the House Republican leadership also questioned how Jeffries will manage the changing composition of his party in the next Congress.

“He can’t control his caucus now,” House GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) told The Post. “How’s he going to control it next year if all these crazies get in; if all these communists get in, the writing’s on the wall.”

McClain also questioned whether Jeffries will remain the Democratic leader after the elections.

“Who even knows if he’s going to be [leader] next year?” she added.

The Post said it contacted the offices of both Jeffries and Mamdani seeking comment.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer also rejected the terminology commonly used to describe the Democratic Socialists of America and its candidates, offering his own characterization of the movement.

“They are communists. DSA is a nonsense term,” he said. “They both have the same goal: it’s to control human beings. It’s authority. It’s just that one does it by the ballot box, and the other one does it by force.”

Johnson, McClain and Emmer all expressed confidence that Republicans will retain control of the House in November. Their statements were partisan predictions made in the context of the midterm campaign; control of the chamber will be decided by voters in the November 3 elections.

Johnson said Republican recruitment, messaging and fundraising have left the party well positioned heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

“We recruited extraordinary candidates. [We have] a very strong message,” Johnson said. “They have a fundraising advantage right now in the entire Republican ecosystem. We’ve raised far more funds than Democrats for the first time in a decade.”

He concluded with a prediction about the GOP’s House majority.

“I believe we grow the majority.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yosef Shlomo Lisitzin zt”l, the renowned talmid chochom who served as rosh habekius at Yeshivas Bais Medrash Elyon and rosh kollel of Kollel Morashah V’Daas in Bnei Brak. Rav Lisitzin was niftar at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center after his condition deteriorated due to a serious illness. He was just 55 years old.

The levayah was held Wednesday evening from his home at 8 Rashbam Street in Bnei Brak and proceeded to the Ponevezh cemetery for kevurah.

Rav Lisitzin was born on 21 Tammuz 5731 to his father, Rav Tzvi Yaakov Lisitzin zt”l, rosh kollel of Heichal HaTalmud, and his mother, Mrs. Mina Miriam Lisitzin.

As a bochur, he learned at Yeshivas Ponevezh, where he acquired his Torah from the yeshiva’s roshei yeshiva and rabbanim. His connection to Ponevezh remained a defining part of his life, and those close to him said that he regarded himself as a talmid of Ponevezh until his final day.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, Mrs. Tzirel Lisitzin, daughter of Rav Chaim Noach Cohen zt”l of Bnei Brak.

Throughout his life, Rav Lisitzin was known for extraordinary hasmadah and encyclopedic knowledge of Torah. Those who learned alongside him recalled a talmid chochom who seemed never to lift his eyes from the Gemara and whose entire existence revolved around Torah learning.

At Ponevezh and Bais Medrash Elyon, acquaintances described him simply as an adam gadol, saying that his extraordinary brilliance and breadth of knowledge had marked him for greatness. His mastery extended across virtually every area of Torah, including obscure and rarely studied subjects that are exceptionally difficult to acquire through ordinary study.

Alongside his extraordinary scholarship was remarkable humility. Those who encountered him recalled his warm and pleasant manner toward every person, qualities that stood in striking contrast to the enormous breadth of Torah knowledge he possessed.

Rav Lisitzin devoted many years to harbotzas haTorah at Yeshivas Bais Medrash Elyon, where he served as rosh habekius and helped guide talmidim toward a broad mastery of Shas.

He simultaneously served as rosh kollel of Kollel Morashah V’Daas-Gertler in Bnei Brak.

His attachment to Torah knew virtually no interruption. Even during bein hazmanim, Rav Lisitzin would not leave the bais medrash. He would sit and learn from morning until night, reportedly without even leaving for breaks.

Rav Lisitzin was also the author of the Yefeh Mareh series of Torah works on Shas, incorporating the teachings of the Rishonim, Acharonim and poskim.

One acquaintance, describing the extraordinary scope of Rav Lisitzin’s Torah knowledge and the intensity with which he continued learning until the end of his life, wrote:

“In breadth of Torah knowledge across all of Shas, it would appear that even among the greatest and most towering Torah scholars, he was exceptionally unique and outstanding, as reflected in his many seforim and the enormous body of Torah work he left behind as a blessing. His extraordinary diligence began from the dawn of his youth and continued until his final day and literally his final breath. He continued delivering shiurim to the kollel avreichim and yeshiva bochurim from his sickbed while his life was literally in danger every moment, with depth and breadth as though he were sitting in the bais medrash, until the final moment before he lost consciousness during his last days.”

The acquaintance also described Rav Lisitzin’s conduct outside the bais medrash and his lifelong attachment to Ponevezh:

“His brisk walk in the street was like that of the most elevated servants of Hashem, with exceptional guarding of his eyes and fear of sin, his eyes fixed on a small Gemara or his writings. His avodah of tefillah engaged all his senses. All his life, he davened within the walls of the holy Ponevezh Yeshiva and never casually davened elsewhere. He was so young, and he was destined for such greatness, as one of the truly exceptional gedolim of the generation.”

Rav Lisitzin’s final years were marked by extraordinary personal suffering.

In Teves 5785, he endured the devastating loss of his son, Rav Chaim Noach Lisitzin z”l, one of the distinguished young avreichim of Kollel Ponevezh. Rav Chaim Noach was suddenly niftar after failing to awaken from his sleep. He was only 28 years old.

Yet even amid his own illness and the crushing loss of his son, Rav Lisitzin continued his Torah learning and harbotzas haTorah with remarkable strength.

Just approximately two weeks before his petirah, Rav Lisitzin experienced one final family simcha when another of his sons became engaged.

Despite his severely weakened condition, Rav Lisitzin rose from his sickbed and participated in the engagement celebration.

His petirah leaves the Torah world bereft of an extraordinary talmid chochom whose combination of encyclopedic knowledge, relentless hasmadah, humility and devotion to harbotzas haTorah distinguished him throughout his life.

Rav Lisitzin leaves behind his family, talmidim and an enormous legacy of Torah learning and written Torah works.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a forceful call Wednesday for Americans to maintain “moral clarity” about the September 11 terror attacks, warning against efforts to erase the distinction between the terrorists who carried out the massacre and the first responders who risked their lives to save others. Her remarks came two days before the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Tisch delivered the message with Mayor Zohran Mamdani standing alongside her during the unveiling of an expanded September 11 Memorial Wall at NYPD headquarters at One Police Plaza.

The memorial now includes the names of 469 additional NYPD members who died from illnesses connected to their service following the attacks. The wall serves as a permanent reminder both of the devastation inflicted on New York City and of the extraordinary response by police officers and other first responders.

“Preserving that history also means preserving its moral clarity,” she said.

“The men who attacked this city were terrorists. The men and women who ran into the towers to save innocent lives were heroes. Twenty-five years cannot be allowed to blur that distinction and shame on those who do.”

Tisch did not identify anyone by name as the target of her comments. Her remarks came, however, amid renewed attention to past comments by political streamer Hasan Piker, who drew widespread criticism after saying in 2019 that “America deserved 9/11.” Piker, who has supported Mamdani politically, subsequently said that his remark was intended as commentary about what he viewed as the consequences of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

Mamdani showed no visible reaction as Tisch delivered her comments.

Later Wednesday, the mayor and police commissioner appeared together for a security briefing detailing preparations for Friday’s 25th anniversary commemorations of the September 11 attacks.

The NYPD is planning an extensive security operation in Lower Manhattan for the anniversary ceremonies, including an expanded police presence, counterterrorism officers, specialized units and coordination with federal, state and local agencies.

Piker has since sought to clarify his controversial 2019 statement, explaining that he was arguing that American actions in the Middle East can produce consequences that ultimately rebound against the United States.

{Matzav.com}

Former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen, the No. 2 candidate in Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party, said that chareidi parties will have no place in a future coalition led by his party unless they accept a requirement for military or civilian service for all Israeli citizens, declaring that Yashar would maintain that position even at the cost of another election.

Cohen made the comments in his first interview with chareidi media, speaking with Yishai Cohen of Kikar HaShabbat. The former Shin Bet chief also addressed responsibility for the October 7 massacre, rejected claims that security officials deliberately withheld information from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that night, discussed his decision to enter politics alongside Eisenkot, and expressed confidence that Eisenkot will form the next government.

Explaining why he agreed to appear before a chareidi audience, Cohen said, “I think there is room for the chareidi public as well to hear what we have to say and what our plans are. Sometimes there is also criticism of us, but in my opinion, they should know what the facts are. And I also believe that a certain segment, which we cannot currently estimate, might even vote for us.”

Cohen was asked about a recent Haaretz report claiming that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu before October 7 about a possible major development involving Gaza.

“I don’t know any intimate details about this incident,” Cohen said. “Such a report could be true, but I think it would be preferable — let’s say, for everyone’s sake — for there to be confirmation from an international source that would verify it.”

Cohen then criticized Netanyahu’s credibility and said the prime minister had received other warnings before the war, although he stressed that they were not specific warnings about an attack from Gaza.

“The problem we have, I think, is Mr. Netanyahu, the prime minister, who has already been caught several times in lies and in not telling the truth about events that definitely occurred,” Cohen said. “And the second thing is that he did receive warnings both from the head of the Shin Bet and the head of Military Intelligence before the war — not warnings about Gaza, but warnings about war. And these things, either he dismissed them, as we saw on Channel 14, or he did not attribute importance to them.”

Asked how he apportions responsibility for the failures that culminated in the October 7 massacre, Cohen said the greatest immediate responsibility rested with the professional security establishment, particularly the IDF and Shin Bet.

“I think the weight of the responsibility first of all falls on the professional echelon — mainly the IDF and Shin Bet — because they failed to produce a sufficiently strong, good warning about Hamas’ intention to invade the State of Israel, and that is a very major failure,” Cohen said.

He said the Mossad also bore responsibility regarding intelligence connected to meetings in Qatar, Beirut and Damascus and the possibility of a coordinated regional attack that ultimately did not materialize.

“But the central failure is, of course, the failure to provide a warning,” Cohen continued. “The second thing: our defenses collapsed, and after that our fighting was not sufficiently effective.”

At the same time, Cohen said significant responsibility also belonged to Israel’s political leadership, particularly Netanyahu.

“But there is also significant weight on the political echelon, headed by the prime minister, because the prime minister intensively, over the course of years, shaped Israel’s security concept — both the concept of containment vis-à-vis Hamas and other things that were much worse, such as giving approval to the Qataris to fund Hamas for years on a very large scale,” Cohen said.

Cohen was also asked whether he agreed with Naftali Bennett’s call for a future government to designate Qatar an enemy state on its first day in office.

“I think they should have been defined long ago as a state hostile to Israel,” Cohen responded. He added that the precise designation should be determined through a formal discussion involving the Mossad, Foreign Ministry, National Security Council, Shin Bet and other relevant agencies rather than through a declaration made solely for the media.

The interview then turned to Netanyahu’s contention that had he been awakened during the early morning hours of October 7, the outcome could have been different.

“I think there was reason to wake him,” Cohen said.

But Cohen strongly rejected the contention that senior security officials recognized that a major Hamas invasion was imminent and deliberately decided not to inform Netanyahu.

“The problem was this: both the Shin Bet, or the Shin Bet leadership, and the IDF leadership, generally speaking, did not think we were facing an event like this,” Cohen said. “It’s not that they thought we were facing an attack and decided not to wake the prime minister. That is not true!”

Cohen said the available intelligence from Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet was transmitted to the National Security Council and the prime minister’s military secretariat at approximately 3 or 4 a.m.

“All the information that Military Intelligence had and the Shin Bet had was passed to the National Security Council and to the military secretariat of the prime minister at around three-four in the morning — all the information they had,” he said.

“The second thing: their assessments were also passed along, and those assessments were wrong. They were not correct assessments; they were wrong assessments. So they did not hide it from the prime minister.”

Cohen said he had personally seen the written summary prepared by then-Shin Bet director Ronen Bar after Bar unusually summoned his senior staff to Tel Aviv during the night.

“I saw the memorandum, meaning the summary Ronen Bar made after he brought his entire staff, unusually, to Tel Aviv,” Cohen said. “They discussed the matter, and at five in the morning he summarized all the alternatives they saw, and he instructed his chief of staff to send that summary to the prime minister.”

Cohen then discussed his decision to enter politics and explained why he chose to join Eisenkot’s Yashar party.

“I had meetings and offers from almost all the heads of the Zionist parties,” Cohen said. “I rejected them for various reasons. I think we are in a time of crisis following the war, with challenges both within Israeli society and in security.”

“I chose Gadi because I have known him for 30 years,” Cohen continued. “I know his personal capabilities, his character, his functional independence, the depth of his thinking, and especially two important qualities that today are almost no longer common currency: the first thing — he is a reliable person. I’m not saying others are unreliable, but his reliability is at a very high level. And the second thing — he sets a personal example that I very much appreciate.”

Asked whether he was seeking a particular senior ministry, such as defense or national security, Cohen said no position had been promised to him.

“It’s clear that I came into politics in order to have an influence, and in order to have an influence, you need to fill central positions,” he said. “I did not set any condition with Gadi, and I did not sign any contract or memorandum of understanding with him regarding a position or a number.”

“Our job, and we are working hard for it, is to win the election, lead the bloc, for Gadi to be prime minister — and he will be an excellent prime minister — and afterward we will see the results and the coalition.”

Cohen then laid out what he described as three fundamental conditions for parties seeking to join a Yashar-led coalition.

“We want to get above 61 so that we will have stability,” Cohen said. “But we want to do that and create or shape a coalition with parties that will stand with us on three important principles, which are also important to chareidi society: that they recognize that the state is a Jewish and democratic state; the values of the Declaration of Independence; universal service.”

“Universal service means universal service: men will serve three years, either in military service or civilian service,” Cohen continued. “And from our perspective right now, unfortunately — and I say unfortunately, I regret it very much — neither the chareidi parties nor, by contrast, the Arab parties accept these three principles, and therefore they are not relevant.”

Cohen sharply criticized the chareidi political and rabbinic leadership over its position on the draft, saying he believes it has failed to recognize the military’s manpower needs.

“I think this is a very serious mistake by the chareidi political leadership and even the rabbinic leadership, that they do not grasp the gravity of the hour and the need, and they do not come and say, ‘Something has changed. We need to enter negotiations and see how we can help a public that needs combat manpower.’ Combat! We don’t need kosher supervisors, and we don’t even need Army Radio.”

At the same time, Cohen said Yashar does not expect the transition to universal service to happen instantaneously.

“We did not come with a framework — I don’t want to use the word populist — but we know that going from zero to 100 is something that will take… it is a process; it will take a very long time.”

Cohen said Eisenkot’s proposal would allow exemptions for up to 3% of the overall annual cohort, including exceptional Torah scholars as well as outstanding individuals in other fields.

“That means that out of 150,000 people who enlist in a year, 3% of them will receive an exemption — these are the exceptional individuals,” Cohen said. “These exceptional individuals will probably mostly be chareidim, but there will be musicians, there will be athletes, and there will be other people whom a committee will determine are exceptional, and they will receive a deferment.”

“We, out of respect for Torah, see a need for this and see importance in it, not to cut down the entire tree from below,” Cohen said. “But we believe we have a need. We are not coming from a place of revenge.”

The interviewer then noted that while Shas has declared its loyalty to Netanyahu, United Torah Judaism figures have indicated that they could potentially negotiate with Eisenkot following the election. Cohen was asked directly whether Yashar’s door would be open to UTJ if the party refused to accept universal service.

“There is nowhere to go!” Cohen responded.

“Universal service for all citizens of the State of Israel, Jews and Arabs, is our central banner because it is an existential need,” he said.

Cohen described the issue as an essential condition for joining the coalition.

“On the security issue, which you asked about — this is the cornerstone of joining the coalition,” he said. “Whoever does not reconsider and engage in soul-searching, and excuse me for saying this — changes his ways on this matter, and combines the sword and the book rather than only the book, I don’t think he is part of the coalition.”

Asked whether that meant United Torah Judaism should understand that it has no alternative coalition option to Netanyahu under the current circumstances, Cohen answered, “Certainly.”

He then criticized what he described as political pressure over jobs and funding and raised concerns about the image of the chareidi community among secular Israelis.

“What, doesn’t it bother people?” Cohen asked. “What a bad image there is! We need to go back and do our homework on everything: on the image of the chareidim, on the partnership of the chareidim.”

The interviewer then cited MK Moshe Gafni’s contention that declarations excluding chareidi parties are campaign rhetoric and that after the election, a bloc without 61 seats would ultimately offer the chareidi parties at least as much as Netanyahu in order to form a government.

“I am prepared to commit that it will not happen,” Cohen responded. “I am prepared to commit that it will not happen!”

Asked explicitly whether he would maintain that position even if the alternative were another election, Cohen replied: “Even at the price of repeat elections!”

Cohen predicted that Yashar and its prospective partners would nevertheless secure enough support to form a government, while saying the party was also in contact with individuals currently aligned with the governing coalition.

“And there is an option… We will reach more than 61 and 63, and we will form a government,” Cohen said. “And I’m already telling you here that in the conversations we have, in the contacts we have — we also have contacts with people from within the current coalition. And I believe that under the circumstances today, some of them will also find a door to us the day after the election.”

{Matzav.com}

As in past years, Agudath Israel of America’s Washington Office has worked closely with agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help avoid potential problems for travelers carrying arba minim.

Both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have notified their respective field personnel about the upcoming Sukkos holiday and the increased level of travel by persons of the Jewish faith, many of whom will be carrying arba minim. The agencies have also made this information available to the public – the TSA notice here and the CBP notice here.

The notifications, which have been sent out to federal officials at airports and border crossings, emphasize the religious significance of these items and outline the rules and procedures that would help allay possible security and health issues that are of concern to the federal government. Prior to these agency steps, lack of familiarity regarding Sukkos and the arba minim had led to numerous incidents each year of inadvertent mishandling and mistreatment — including denial of entry — of these ritual objects.

The TSA Notice makes clear that the arba minim carried in airports, through security checkpoints or on aircraft, are not on the “prohibited items list” and provides instructions for travelers needing “special accommodations” in regard to checkpoint screening. The CBP Guidance sets forth detailed information regarding the inspection process for personal sets of arba minim brought into the United States from foreign countries at select ports of entry and points out that the agency is “committed to treating all travelers, including travelers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity at all U.S. ports of entry.”

“We are gratified by the ongoing sensitivity of these agencies to the religious concerns of our community,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s National Director for Government Affairs. “They are taking meaningful and appropriate steps to accommodate our religious needs.”

He also thanked his colleague Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudah’s Office of Federal Constituent Affairs for serving as the main Agudah point of contact with those federal agencies related to the annual guidance.

Agudath Israel of America once again produced a one-page handout that travelers can print out – or save to their phones – to familiarize themselves with the rules before traveling.

For travelers entering Israel: You will be allowed to bring in one esrog for personal use. The other 3 minim are not allowed and will be confiscated and replaced with Israeli grown produce. See guidelines from Agriculture Ministry here.

The Associated Press said Wednesday that it will continue referring to Lake Ontario by its centuries-old name, declining to adopt President Donald Trump’s new “Lake America” designation as its standard terminology despite an executive order directing the U.S. government to make the change.

Under new guidance issued by the international news organization, AP journalists will continue using Lake Ontario in news coverage while mentioning Trump’s chosen name when it is relevant to the story.

“The Associated Press will refer to Lake Ontario by its original name, including the name Trump has chosen when relevant,” the AP said. “As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are recognizable to broad audiences.”

The decision sets up another dispute between the Trump administration and the AP over geographic terminology, following a similar confrontation last year over the president’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”

Trump signed an executive order on August 27 directing the Interior Department, working with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, to change the federal designation of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” The order calls for the Geographic Names Information System to be updated and directs federal agencies to use the new designation in government maps, documents and communications.

The order applies to U.S. federal government usage. Because Lake Ontario is shared by the United States and Canada, Trump’s directive does not compel Canada to recognize the new name.

This is not the first time the AP has declined to fully adopt a geographic name change ordered by Trump.

In 2025, the news organization continued using “Gulf of Mexico” as its standard international reference after Trump directed the federal government to rename it the “Gulf of America.” That disagreement ultimately led the White House to restrict AP journalists’ access to certain presidential events.

Lake Ontario straddles the border between New York and the Canadian province of Ontario and is one of the five Great Lakes. Its traditional name long predates the founding of both the United States and modern Canada.

The name is derived from an Indigenous word, commonly traced to the Huron language. The province of Ontario, established at Canadian Confederation in 1867, itself took its name from the lake.

Trump said when signing the order that the change was intended to recognize the United States’ role in protecting and supporting commerce on the Great Lakes. The executive order specifically cited the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking operations and the importance of the waterway to the American economy.

“And this is official, effective immediately,” Trump said at the signing.

Canadian officials immediately rejected the new designation, maintaining that the lake will remain Lake Ontario in Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the name is more than four centuries old and predates both Canadian Confederation and the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

“We know that America is changing. Their trading relationships, their foreign policies, their national monuments, their hydronyms,” Carney wrote. “Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford similarly rejected the change.

“It’s Lake Ontario to Canadians and the rest of the world. Now and forever,” Ford said.

Major technology companies, however, have begun reflecting the new U.S. government designation on their mapping services.

Apple Maps changed the lake’s label to Lake America for users in the United States, while users in Canada continued seeing Lake Ontario. Google Maps similarly implemented the U.S. designation for American users while retaining the traditional name for Canadian users.

MapQuest has taken a different approach, opting to retain familiar geographic terminology for its users.

“We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they’re familiar with,” MapQuest general manager Doug Berger said.

The AP’s handling of Lake Ontario also differs from its approach to another Trump-directed geographic name change: Mount McKinley.

Trump ordered the Alaska mountain’s federal name changed from Denali back to Mount McKinley shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025. The AP adopted Mount McKinley because the mountain lies entirely within the United States, where the federal government has authority over the official federal geographic designation.

The Lake Ontario dispute is more complicated because the body of water forms part of the international boundary between the United States and Canada, with each country free to use its own terminology.

Trump’s Lake America order came amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Ottawa, particularly over trade. The United States and Canada have imposed new trade restrictions against one another following the collapse of negotiations in August.

The president has said the renaming is intended to honor American contributions to the Great Lakes rather than convey a particular geopolitical message. At the signing, however, he also criticized Canada’s trade and defense policies.

“Canada’s been ripping us off for a long time,” Trump said.

“We love the people of Canada,” he added. “I don’t think their representatives do, an appropriate job. Maybe they’ll change. I really don’t know. It doesn’t make much difference.”

For the AP, however, the traditional name will remain the default. Its reporters will continue writing “Lake Ontario,” while noting “Lake America” when Trump’s federal designation is pertinent to the story.

{Matzav.com}

WASHINGTON — The White House has removed a Tetris-style immigration-themed video game from its official online arcade just days after The Tetris Company publicly objected to the game and warned that it takes copyright infringement “very seriously.”

The game, titled “Build the Wall” and subtitled “Zombie Border Siege,” was part of a collection of retro-style browser games recently launched by the White House to promote various elements of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. Players stacked brightly colored falling blocks to construct a barrier along the southern border.

The game disappeared from the White House website this week, with its former page returning an error. The White House has not publicly explained why it was removed, and officials did not immediately respond to media requests for comment. The timing, however, came shortly after The Tetris Company said it had neither participated in nor authorized the game.

“The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall’ and did not authorize or license the Tetris brand or intellectual property for the game,” the company said after the White House arcade debuted. The company added that it was “currently reviewing the matter.”

In a separate social media statement, Tetris made its concerns even clearer.

“P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall’,” the company wrote. “P.P.S. We take copyright infringement very seriously.”

The company also sought to distance itself from the political message incorporated into the game, saying, “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them.”

The White House unveiled its online Arcade on September 3, introducing a series of games modeled on familiar video game concepts but redesigned around Trump administration initiatives. The launch represented an unusual effort by the White House to use video games as a means of communicating the administration’s political and policy messages.

“Build the Wall” was among the most conspicuous of the games. Its opening screen featured the words “Stack Bricks. Hold the Line,” while players were instructed to “Protect the border from the coming horde.” The game used falling geometric pieces closely resembling those associated with Tetris, with players attempting to assemble them into a wall.

The Tetris Company has a history of aggressively protecting its intellectual property. In 2012, it settled a copyright lawsuit involving the mobile game Mino, whose developer was accused of copying protected visual elements of Tetris. The settlement followed a federal court ruling that allowed copyright claims concerning the game’s particular visual expression to proceed, despite broader limits on copyright protection for basic game mechanics.

The disappearance of “Build the Wall” has not meant the end of the White House’s online arcade. Four other games remained available following its removal.

Among them is “Rio Run,” a game based on mechanics reminiscent of the classic Snake game. Players patrol an area along the Rio Grande and collect figures representing migrants. At the end of a round, the game displays a “Deported” count showing how many characters the player collected.

Another game, “Flappy Bill,” takes inspiration from the viral mobile game Flappy Bird. Instead of controlling the original game’s bird, players guide a bald eagle carrying a piece of legislation through obstacles around Washington’s National Mall.

“Supply Line” focuses on the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, challenging players to sort foods moving along an assembly line and reject items that do not meet the game’s standards for healthy school meals.

“Trump Savings Tycoon,” meanwhile, has players collect money to fill children’s “Trump Accounts,” referring to the savings accounts established under Trump-backed legislation.

The arcade’s launch also borrowed imagery and design elements associated with several well-known video game companies. Promotional animations mimicked startup sequences associated with major gaming systems, while one animation transformed the familiar Sega-style presentation into the word “MAGA,” an abbreviation of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

Thus far, The Tetris Company has been the most prominent gaming rights holder to publicly object. Other companies whose products or branding appeared to inspire portions of the arcade had not announced copyright challenges as of the days following the launch.

The arcade has also drawn political criticism unrelated to intellectual property.

Connecticut Democratic state Sen. Matt Lesser criticized the administration’s priorities in a social media post, writing: “Heating oil is near an all-time high but hey you can play Border Tsar Tom Homan in a video game.”

The games are part of a broader pattern by the Trump White House of incorporating video game and entertainment imagery into its social media messaging.

In October 2025, for example, the White House posted an AI-generated image depicting President Trump in armor associated with the Halo video game franchise. More recently, administration social media content related to U.S. military action against Iran incorporated imagery and references from video games and entertainment.

The use of gaming imagery has occasionally generated objections from people associated with the original works. Steve Downes, the voice actor known for portraying Halo protagonist Master Chief, criticized the use of his voice in a White House video, according to published reports.

The Pokémon Company International has also previously objected to the White House’s use of its imagery in political social media content.

The removal of “Build the Wall,” however, represents a particularly notable instance because it came only days after the arcade’s launch and after an explicit warning from the company controlling the intellectual property on which the game appeared to be modeled.

Neither the White House nor The Tetris Company has announced a lawsuit, and the White House has not confirmed that copyright concerns were the reason the game was removed. For now, the precise reason for the takedown remains officially unexplained.

{Matzav.com}

New details have emerged about how senior Hamas officials were evacuated following the Israeli strike in Doha, with a Qatari report claiming that a security team activated a prearranged escape plan, helped the Hamas leaders change their clothing, and transported them separately to different hiding places.

According to a report aired by the Qatari Al-Araby channel, the evacuation plan had been prepared in advance and was put into action immediately following the first explosion.

The report also revealed that when the initial strike took place at 3:46 p.m., the senior Hamas officials were not actually inside the building that was targeted. Instead, they were reportedly in another structure located only several meters away.

The Qatari official responsible for protecting the Hamas leadership told the channel that emergency procedures had already been established before the attack, including a plan for moving the delegation to a secure location. Once the first strike occurred, the security team rushed into action and began carrying out those procedures.

According to the report, security personnel helped the Hamas officials change their clothes in an effort to conceal their identities and movements as they made their way toward waiting vehicles.

The officials were then evacuated individually rather than as a group. Each was placed in a different vehicle, with the cars traveling separately toward different safe locations away from the site of the strike.

The Qatari security official said he did not know the emotional state of the Hamas officials during the evacuation, but said they cooperated with the security personnel. He noted that the Hamas leaders had previously been briefed about what they should do in the event of an emergency.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said that shortly before the strike, the organization’s leadership had received a five-point American proposal for a hostage agreement and ceasefire in Gaza. According to Naim, Qatari officials told Hamas that the proposal constituted an official message from President Donald Trump and that the terrorist organization had 48 hours to respond.

“We understood from the Qataris that this was an official message from the American president, and we treated it as an initiative for an agreement to end the war. We had 48 hours to respond to the proposal,” Naim said.

Naim said Hamas had already suspected that Israel might carry out a military operation targeting the terrorist group’s senior leadership.

“We had an assessment that Israel was not interested in reaching any agreement, and might take military action that would target Hamas leaders, first and foremost, of course, the head of the negotiating team, Khalil al-Hayya. However, it was not clear to us when or how.”

Security-camera footage broadcast as part of the report showed stairwells and nearby streets in the aftermath of the strike. A Qatari eyewitness interviewed by the channel said he heard at least ten explosions in the area.

Naim also described the moment when he realized that his life could be in danger. He said his first request was that members of the Hamas delegation recite the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, believing that those could be their final words.

The evacuation plan, however, was quickly activated.

“Immediately, the delegation began to be evacuated from the location one by one,” Naim recalled. “Each person went in a different direction.”

{Matzav.com}

Nearly a year after emerging from the darkness of Hamas captivity, freed hostage Matan Angrest stood at the tziyun of Rav Yeshayale of Kerestir, fulfilling an emotional promise made by his family when his freedom appeared far beyond reach.

Angrest joined survivors of the Nova massacre and others on a moving Elul journey through Poland and Hungary organized by Kesher Yehudi. Many of the young men and women participating have undergone a remarkable spiritual transformation over the past year, taking upon themselves shemiras Shabbos, regular chavrusa learning, and participation in the shiurim of Rav Yaron Ashkenazi.

Participants described the trip as a “journey of victory, faith and gratitude,” combining remembrance of the horrors of the Holocaust with a renewed connection to Jewish roots and the tzaddikim of previous generations. The journey culminated in emotional tefillos of gratitude and supplication ahead of the new year.

The group began its trip in Poland, visiting Warsaw and the city’s Jewish cemetery, where participants learned about the vibrant Jewish life that existed there before the Holocaust. Rav Yisrael Goldwasser related the harrowing stories of Jewish children who survived the Nazi inferno by hiding for two years inside pits in the cemetery.

It was there that one of the journey’s most poignant moments unfolded.

Angrest, who was abducted from his military post and held in Hamas tunnels in Gaza, stood above one of those pits almost exactly a year after he himself had emerged from the darkness of underground captivity.

The symbolism was overwhelming for those present: a survivor of Hamas captivity standing beside the hiding pits used by Jews fleeing the Nazis, alive and free, strengthening his emunah and standing as a symbol of survival. Participants were visibly moved to tears.

From Warsaw, the group traveled to the Majdanek extermination camp. On the grounds where thousands of Jewish kedoshim were murdered al kiddush Hashem, the participants joined together for an emotional Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shomayim.

Throughout the journey, Rav Yisrael Goldwasser accompanied the group with songs and niggunim of inspiration and deveikus, along with words of reflection designed to prepare the participants for the Yomim Noraim.

Leaving the sites of destruction behind, the group continued to Lizhensk, where they visited the tziyun of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk. Emotional tefillos were recited there on behalf of Klal Yisroel, for personal and communal yeshuos, and for a year of blessing and growth both beruchniyus and begashmiyus.

Following the visit to Lizhensk, the group embarked on a lengthy overnight journey to Kerestir, Hungary, arriving early Friday morning.

One of the most emotional moments of the entire trip took place at the tziyun of Rav Yeshayale of Kerestir.

Exactly one year earlier, Angrest’s father and his brother Ofir had stood at that very spot while Matan remained in Hamas captivity, with no apparent prospect of his release. Brokenhearted, they made a promise: If Matan returned home, they would come back to Kerestir to give thanks.

Now, one year later, Matan himself stood at the tziyun, alive and well.

Having taken upon himself shemiras Shabbos and strengthened his belief in Hashem and His Torah, Angrest stood together with his friends and offered thanks to Hashem for the extraordinary nissim that had brought him from captivity to freedom.

Kesher Yehudi chairwoman Rebbetzin Tzili Schneider, who initiated the journey, reflected on the powerful scene.

“Without a doubt, if the tzaddik of Kerestir, who possessed such an extraordinary love for every Jew, were here with us, he would derive tremendous nachas from this breathtaking sight: young people who witnessed all the horrors with their own eyes, yet whose mouths are filled with song and gratitude to Hashem, with spiritual strengthening and growing closer to Him, and with the observance of Torah and mitzvos.”

The group spent their final Shabbos near the tziyun of Rav Yeshayale of Kerestir. Participants described an uplifting Shabbos that provided an intense period of spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah. Rav Yaron Ashkenazi, the rov of Gedera, traveled especially from Israel to accompany the group and provide spiritual guidance throughout this portion of the journey.

At midnight on Motzoei Shabbos, another emotional highlight took place as the group gathered at the tziyun for Selichos.

Freed hostages, Nova survivors and the rabbinic leaders accompanying them joined together in tearful tefillah for the coming year. Amid the emotional Selichos, participants also accepted new personal commitments to continue strengthening their observance of Shabbos and Torah.

{Matzav.com}

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Erev Rosh Hashanah 5787

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, we look back with profound gratitude to Hakadosh Baruch Hu—and to His emissaries, our partners and supporters— for another year of extraordinary growth, accomplishment, and kavod haTorah in the Kollelim Shas Yidden. 

134 Gaonim. One Shas.

This past year once again brought the remarkable sight that has become synonymous with Shas Yidden: 134 avreichim geonim gathering together for a public farher on Kol HaShas Kulo—the entire Shas.

The farher, held at Yeshiva Ohr Hachaim in Yerushalayim, took place alongside a siyum on Shas by each of the participating avreichim. Gedolei Torah “strolled” through Shas with question after question, and the answers came with astonishing speed, clarity, and precision.

Questions ranged across the entire Shas, touching on the Chachmei Yisrael and the Tzedokim, darkei shalom, dreams mentioned throughout Shas, forgotten Torah that Abaye reminded Rav Yosef of, and countless other topics. The rapid-fire responses demonstrated not merely knowledge, but a remarkable bekius, depth, and command of the vast expanses of Torah.

“I Have Never Seen Talmidei Chachomim Such as These”

Hagaon Rav Reuven Elbaz, Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim, was visibly moved by the scene. Seeing 132 true gaonim together, he remarked that he was nearly convinced that the berachah of “Baruch Shecholak Meichachmaso Lirei’av” should be recited.

Hagaon Rav Menachem Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Nesiv Hada’as, testified that despite having spent years among the greatest batei midrash and alongside outstanding talmidei chachomim, he had “never seen Talmidei Chachomim such as these.”

A Torah Revolution Across the World

Today, seven Kollelim Shas Yidden—in Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Beitar, Kiryat Sefer, London, and Flatbush—are cultivating a generation of lomdei Shas whose accomplishments are inspiring the entire Torah world.

In Flatbush alone, the Kollel continues its demanding daily regimen of nine blatt of Gemara, studied five times each together with Rashi and Tosfos, in addition to Yerushalmi, monthly written examinations, and rigorous farheren.

The impact reaches far beyond the Kollelim. Those who witness these farheren are inspired to take on new shiurim, deepen their own limud haTorah, and raise their aspirations for what can be accomplished through unwavering dedication to Torah.

As we enter the new year, we extend our deepest hakaras hatov to each and every supporter who makes this Torah empire possible.

May the zechus of supporting such unparalleled yegias haTorah and Torah mastery stand by you and your families for a year of brachah, hatzlachah, yeshuos, and kol tuv—a year in which all your tefillos are accepted b’rachamim u’v’ratzon, and you are blessed with birkas Hashem b’ruchniyus u’v’gashmiyus.

                                                 Kesivah v’chasimah tovah,

A Gut Gebentsht Yor,
and with heartfelt gratitude,
Kollel Shas Yidden

ShasYiden.com

A major controversy erupted at Yeshivas Chevron ahead of Rosh Hashanah after special “kosher” cellphones distributed to the yeshiva’s bochurim — and designated as the only devices they are permitted to use — were discovered to contain a loophole that reportedly allows users to bypass the phone’s restrictions and install virtually any application.

The devices, known as “Fig” phones, operate on Android 11 and were designed to provide several functions not ordinarily available on standard kosher phones approved by the Vaad Harabanim L’Inyanei Tikshoret. Among the permitted features are an app providing bus information, an app containing seforim, and music.

It has now emerged, however, that the restrictions built into the devices can apparently be circumvented, potentially giving bochurim access to unrestricted content and allowing them to install apps of their choosing.

One Chevron talmid told Matzav.com that the loophole involves creating an additional user profile on the device.

“The bochurim discovered that if you open a new user on the device, it is possible to access unwanted content,” he said.

Ironically, the vulnerability was reportedly discovered because bochurim were trying to download shiurim from Kol Halashon.

“The big story is that bochurim wanted to download shiurim from Kol Halashon, but they could not copy the shiurim with a cable to the station that is in the yeshiva,” the talmid explained. “So the yeshiva put up notices saying that it is possible to open a new user in the device’s settings, and then it would be possible to copy the shiurim. What became clear is that the new user has no filtering at all and no blocking.”

The discovery has reportedly caused considerable confusion inside the yeshiva, particularly because there are concerns that the loophole may not be easily resolved.

“This created tremendous confusion and a mess in the yeshiva, and apparently there is no way to overcome it,” the talmid said. “Even if they do a software update, the bochurim will find an option to bypass it. The yeshiva itself has still not issued a response on the matter, and the bochurim are waiting for a decision.”

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, yeshiva officials are expected to collect all of the devices from the bochurim, although no official announcement has yet been issued.

The special phone had originally been introduced as a solution to the problem of the so-called “kosher Xiaomi” — devices that outwardly resemble kosher phones but are actually smartphones that can be completely unrestricted.

The Chevron phone initiative itself had already generated controversy before the latest discovery.

When the phones were first distributed approximately a year ago, they were given only to the younger bochurim in Vaad Alef. The devices were provided at no charge, but each recipient was required to submit two deposit checks.

One check, for 600 shekels, was to be cashed if the device was damaged. A second check, for 1,500 shekels, was intended as a deterrent against deliberately breaking through the phone’s restrictions and would be cashed if a bochur was found to have done so.

The introduction of the device prompted opposition from several Gedolei Yisroel and roshei yeshiva, who spoke out against its use. Ultimately, however, the phone received the approval of the yeshiva’s leadership.

At the beginning of the current Elul zman, the program was expanded and the phones were distributed to all of the yeshiva’s bochurim, with recipients required to provide the two deposit checks.

Now, just weeks after the expanded rollout, the discovery that the supposedly restricted devices can apparently be opened to unrestricted applications has thrown the program into turmoil, with bochurim awaiting a decision from the yeshiva regarding what will happen to the phones.

{Matzav.com}

A bitter dispute over the right to use the name “Stutchin” has taken a dramatic new turn following the leak of an internal recording that purportedly discusses a strategy to shift an ongoing din Torah from the United States to Israel, replace appointed borerim, and potentially drag out the proceedings for years while continuing to build institutions under the disputed name.

The recording, which surfaced Wednesday from an internal group associated with the Toldos Yehuda community led by the well-known mashpia, Rav Mordechai Menashe Zilber, the Toldos Yehuda Rebbe, known as Reb Mottel, has reportedly caused an uproar among leading batei din involved in the case.

At the center of the controversy is a longstanding dispute between the Stutchin chassidus and Rav Zilber’s community over the latter’s use of the “Stutchin” name.

Rav Zilber has longstanding ties to Stutchin. He grew up and studied in English-speaking, modern-oriented institutions in the United States before being drawn close to chassidus by the previous Stutchiner Rebbe, zt”l. Following the Rebbe’s petirah, however, Rav Zilber established a separate community, with a group of Stutchin chassidim joining him.

In recent years, Rav Zilber’s group began once again operating under the name “Stutchin,” while establishing a community and institutions associated with that name. The move prompted strong opposition from the existing Stutchin chassidus and ultimately led to proceedings before prominent batei din over who has the right to use the name.

The din Torah process began approximately nine months ago, initially before the Hisachdus Harabanim in the United States and later before the bais din of the Eidah Hachareidis in Yerushalayim.

Over the ensuing months, numerous summonses and letters were reportedly sent to Rav Zilber’s representatives directing them to appear for a din Torah. According to those involved in the proceedings, they did not appear, leaving the process at a standstill.

Both Hisachdus Harabanim and the Eidah Hachareidis subsequently issued kisvei siruv and restrictions concerning Rav Zilber’s continued use of the Stutchin name. Those directives, too, were reportedly not acted upon.

Only ahead of Reb Mottel’s visit to Eretz Yisroel did representatives of his community announce that they were prepared to reenter the din Torah process.

The Eidah Hachareidis then directed the two sides to proceed through zabla arbitration, with each side selecting its own borer and a mutually acceptable third dayan. When the parties were unable to agree on the third member, the bais din appointed Rav Shimon Yitzchok Schlesinger to serve in that role.

Stutchin selected Rav Yekusiel Zalman Gross as its borer, while Rav Zilber’s side chose Rav Eliyahu Wydyslawski.

Once the arbitration panel had been assembled, however, the process again stalled. Rav Zilber’s representatives allegedly stopped appearing for proceedings, prompting the Eidah Hachareidis to recently issue another ksav siruv concerning the Stutchin name and impose a deadline for their return to the process.

On the final day of that deadline, representatives of Toldos Yehuda appeared before the bais din. Upon returning to the proceedings, however, they presented a new request: They sought to replace the borer they themselves had previously appointed.

Instead of Rav Eliyahu Wydyslawski, they asked to appoint Rav Chaim Aharon Munderer, the Kossover Rebbe of Beit Shemesh, as their representative on the arbitration panel.

The bais din had determined that the arbitration proceedings would take place in the United States. It is against that backdrop that the newly leaked recording has generated particular controversy.

In the recording, a member of the Toldos Yehuda community is purportedly heard discussing a plan through which the arbitration could ultimately be moved from the United States to Israel.

The speaker reportedly argues that a borer based in Eretz Yisroel might be less familiar with the history of the dispute and with the standing of the Stutchin name in America.

In the United States, he says, the established Stutchin chassidus is widely recognized, the Stutchiner Rebbe enjoys significant support, and there is a general understanding that Rav Zilber does not represent the Stutchin name. In Yerushalayim, by contrast, Rav Zilber enjoys support within certain circles, potentially creating a more favorable environment for his side.

The most explosive portion of the recording reportedly comes later, when the speaker discusses the possibility of replacing the newly appointed borer yet again at a later stage, potentially allowing the proceedings to continue for an extended period.

According to the apparent strategy described in the recording, the Kossover Rebbe could initially be used as the community’s borer while the proceedings are prolonged, after which he, too, could eventually be replaced. Meanwhile, the speaker reportedly suggests, Rav Zilber’s community could continue developing its institutions and conducting its activities under the Stutchin name while the arbitration remained unresolved.

The recording has reportedly generated anger among senior figures in the batei din overseeing the dispute.

A senior rabbinic figure affiliated with the Eidah Hachareidis who heard the recording Wednesday sharply condemned what he described as a deliberate scheme, saying it followed nine months of brazen disregard for and harm to the authority of the batei din.

“לא נעבור על כך בשתיקה” — “We will not allow this to pass in silence,” he warned.

Rav Zilber’s community rejected the allegations, maintaining that the individual heard on the recording is not an authoritative representative of the community and that no such strategy or plan exists.

Stutchin representatives, for their part, said they do not believe the opposing side will go so far as to implement the alleged plan. They added that should any such steps be attempted, they are confident that the batei din overseeing the dispute will intervene and prevent them.

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Iran will continue to face military and economic consequences if Tehran persists in attacking American naval vessels, saying the United States intends to keep up its pressure campaign against the Iranian regime.

Speaking to reporters in Ecuador, Rubio said Iranian attempts to strike U.S. Navy ships have repeatedly failed to hit their targets while prompting American retaliation against Iranian tankers.

“They continue to fire on naval ships, and when they fire at our naval ships, they pay a price in tankers. They don’t hit our ships, but they lose five tankers.”

Addressing the latest U.S. strikes carried out Tuesday night, Rubio said another group of Iranian vessels had been hit and warned that additional consequences would follow if Tehran continued its attacks.

“They lost five more last night. Four were damaged, and one was sunk. They’ll continue to pay a price for that. In the meantime, we’re going to continue to strangle them economically.”

President Donald Trump also addressed the ongoing conflict with Iran while speaking to reporters Wednesday, saying he expects the fighting to conclude shortly after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

“I think the war will end immediately after the election,” Trump said, arguing that Iran “can’t hold out any longer.”

Trump accused the Iranian regime of trying to keep the conflict going in an effort to influence the upcoming American elections.

“They’re desperate to try and affect the election so that we could get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon.”

The President also warned that the latest round of American strikes would not mark the end of the U.S. response, signaling that further military action could be forthcoming.

“You’re going to see a lot more.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Her treatment costs approximately 30,000 NIS every month. After crushing medical expenses, this family of 11 is struggling to put even basic food on the table.

As Klal Yisrael prepares for Rosh Hashanah, one family is facing a reality no family should have to experience.

A mother of nine children is battling Stage 4 cancer.

Her condition is extremely serious, requiring ongoing treatment that costs approximately 30,000 NIS ($9,000) every month.

Month after month, the family has somehow found a way to keep going. But the enormous medical expenses have depleted their resources and pushed them to the breaking point.

Now, just before Rosh Hashanah, there isn’t even enough money for basic necessities and food at home.

DONATE NOW — HELP A MOTHER OF 9 FIGHT FOR HER LIFE

Nine Children Are Watching Their Mother Fight

Behind the medical bills are nine children living with the fear and uncertainty of their mother’s illness.

While children everywhere look forward to the simanim, Yom Tov meals and the sound of the shofar, these children are hoping for something far more basic:

They want their mother to be there for them.

Their mother is fighting with everything she has. But this is a battle the family can no longer carry alone.

An emergency campaign has been opened to help cover her lifesaving treatment and provide basic support for her children during this devastating period.

The case comes with the recommendation of Rabbi Yaakov Zilberman.

DONATE NOW — HELP A MOTHER OF 9 FIGHT FOR HER LIFE

Before We Ask for Life

In just days, we will stand before the Ribono Shel Olam and say:

“Zochreinu L’Chaim.”

Remember us for life.

Before we ask Hashem for another year of life, we have an opportunity to help a Jewish mother who is fighting for hers.

$36 can help put food on the table.
$180 can help ease the family’s immediate burden.
$360, $500, $1,000 or more can help shoulder the enormous cost of her care.

Nine children need their mother. And right now, their family needs Klal Yisrael.

Please open your heart before Rosh Hashanah and give as generously as you can.

DONATE NOW — HELP A MOTHER OF 9 FIGHT FOR HER LIFE

May the zechus of supporting this mother and her children stand for every donor and their family in the Yemei HaDin.

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Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has categorically denied a Haaretz report claiming that Hamas offered in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 massacre to release all civilian hostages without receiving anything in return, but that Israel refused to discuss the proposal.

Blinken issued the denial in response to American journalist Ryan Grim, who cited the Haaretz report by journalist Shlomi Eldar. Blinken responded briefly and unequivocally: “For the record, this is false. Complete fiction.”

According to the Haaretz report, Hamas conveyed a message through Qatar as early as October 7 indicating that it was prepared to return all civilian hostages without demanding anything in exchange. The terror group’s only request, according to the report, was that a mediator arrange the transfer and establish a channel for subsequent negotiations over the release of captured soldiers.

The report further alleged that Israel refused to discuss the proposal or even hear its details, prompting Qatar to approach Blinken and inform him of Hamas’ purported willingness to release the civilian hostages.

According to the account now flatly denied by Blinken, when Qatari officials sought to advance the proposal, the then-secretary of state told them that he planned to travel to Israel within three days and would personally discuss the matter with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

When the Qataris reportedly pressed for immediate action, Blinken was quoted as responding: “Right now, the situation is complicated. Israel is still under attack, and there is no one to talk to. We’ll wait three days.”

Citing the Haaretz account, Grim leveled a sharp accusation against Blinken, arguing that the secretary of state had been presented with an opportunity to secure the release of all civilian hostages and help de-escalate the situation, but instead chose war.

Blinken has now rejected not merely a specific detail of that account, but the story in its entirety.

“For the record, this is false. Complete fiction,” Blinken wrote in his direct response to the report.

{Matzav.com}

Conflicting accounts have emerged over whether UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu before the October 7 massacre of the possibility of a major escalation involving the Palestinians, with a new report claiming that bin Zayed later described such a conversation to then-CIA Director Bill Burns while former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer insists the conversation never took place.

The controversy follows a report in Haaretz alleging that bin Zayed warned Netanyahu before October 7 that Hamas was planning a significant move.

According to information reported by Kan News, several months after the October 7 attack, bin Zayed told Burns that he had spoken with Netanyahu before the massacre and conveyed a general warning about the possibility of a “violent explosion” involving the Palestinians.

Bin Zayed reportedly also told senior figures in both Israel and the United States about the conversation.

It remains unclear precisely when the alleged conversation between Netanyahu and bin Zayed took place. According to the details attributed to the UAE president, the message was not a specific warning of an impending Hamas attack. Rather, it reflected broader concern over the deteriorating situation involving the Palestinians in both Yehudah and Shomron and Gaza.

That account, however, has now been directly contradicted by Dermer, who says no such conversation between Netanyahu and bin Zayed ever occurred.

Speaking at the MEAD Conference in Washington, Dermer was asked about the alleged exchange and categorically denied it.

“Was there a conversation? No. Had there been a conversation, I would have been in it, because one of the tasks assigned to me was expanding the Abraham Accords and strengthening the partnership with the United Arab Emirates,” Dermer said.

“So I don’t know where they got this story from. I think the Emiratis were clear that it didn’t happen. We are clear that it didn’t happen. So it’s basically fiction. Just a made-up story,” he added.

Meanwhile, Channel 13 reported another potentially significant development, claiming that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said in private conversations that bin Zayed personally informed him about the alleged warning he gave Netanyahu before October 7.

According to the report, Bennett said, “Bin Zayed asked not to talk about it.”

Bennett’s office rejected the report, calling it “false” and adding that Bennett “does not comment on his conversations with leaders.”

An Emirati source, however, offered a sharply different account to Channel 13 and dismissed the Israeli denials.

“Netanyahu’s denial is ridiculous. Many messages were conveyed indicating that Sinwar was going to do ‘something different,’” the source said.

Apple on Wednesday unveiled the iPhone Duo, the company’s first-ever foldable iPhone, marking one of the most dramatic changes to the iconic smartphone since its introduction nearly two decades ago.

The new device combines a conventional 5.4-inch outer screen with a large 7.6-inch flexible display that appears when the phone is unfolded. Apple says the iPhone Duo is the thinnest iPhone it has ever produced when fully open and features the largest display ever offered on an iPhone.

The iPhone Duo will not come cheap. Prices begin at $1,999 in the United States for 256GB of storage, with 512GB, 1TB and 2TB configurations also available. The top-of-the-line 2TB version will cost $3,199. Preorders are scheduled to open October 16, with the phone going on sale October 23 in the United States and more than 70 other countries and regions.

The phone will initially be offered in two colors, Star White and Night Sky.

Apple designed the two halves of the Duo so that they form a continuous frame, with the inner and outer displays sharing the same aspect ratio. The idea is to allow content to transition naturally from the smaller exterior screen to the much larger interior display when the device is opened.

The 5.4-inch outer Super Retina XDR display provides roughly 90% of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro. Opening the Duo reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display that Apple says is 50% larger than the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Both screens feature ProMotion, Always-On display technology and peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits. Apple also announced that Apple Pencil support will be added to both displays later this year.

One of the biggest engineering challenges with foldable phones has been the visible crease where the screen bends. Apple says it developed a special nano-textured surface for the Duo that reduces reflections while helping minimize the appearance of the crease.

Underneath the flexible screen is an elaborate multilayer structure. Apple says custom adhesives allow the layers to move against one another as the device folds, while a titanium plate and other support structures provide stiffness and durability.

The folding mechanism itself contains more than 100 precision components. The hinge is designed both to support the center of the display when the Duo is completely open and to provide a controlled opening and closing motion. Magnets help keep the phone securely shut when folded.

The exterior frame is made from polished Grade 5 titanium. Ceramic Shield protects the rear, while Ceramic Shield 2 covers the outer display. Despite the moving hinge and foldable screen, Apple says the Duo carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Unlike Apple’s other flagship iPhones, the Duo uses Touch ID integrated into its side button. Users can also unlock the phone through a paired Apple Watch.

Apple has extensively modified iOS 27 to take advantage of the unusual form factor. Controls have been moved toward the sides of the screen so they remain within reach, while the Home Screen dock and Dynamic Island have been redesigned for the larger display.

The software automatically responds as the phone is folded, opened, rotated or propped up. Content can move away from the crease when the phone is partially folded, while apps can transition between the outside and inside displays without forcing users to start over.

Perhaps the biggest change is multitasking. For the first time on an iPhone, users can run two applications side by side using Split View. They can also open two windows of the same app — such as two Safari windows — and save frequently used pairs of applications so they can be reopened together.

Several third-party developers have already optimized their apps for the new design. Apple says Netflix, Zoom and Slack are among the apps taking advantage of the folding screen.

The Duo also introduces an expanded StandBy mode. When placed on a surface, the foldable phone can function as a bedside clock, photo frame or information display, with calendar, weather, music and other widgets available.

Under the hood, the iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple says the chip is manufactured using 2-nanometer technology and provides up to 35% better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro when paired with the Duo’s new thermal-management system.

The company has also fitted the phone with its new C2 cellular modem, which supports 5G mmWave in the United States, along with an Apple-designed N1 networking chip supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. The iPhone Duo will be eSIM-only worldwide.

The phone includes two batteries, one housed in each half of the device, but software manages them as a single power source.

Apple rates the Duo for up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the exterior screen. When both screens are used equally, Apple says the phone can provide up to 24 hours of use on a charge. Fast charging can bring the battery to approximately 50% in about 20 minutes.

The Duo also incorporates a redesigned camera system built around a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera and a 48-megapixel Fusion Ultra Wide camera, the latter shared with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Because the phone can remain standing while partially folded, users can position it on a surface without a tripod for photos, FaceTime calls and time-lapse videos. The main camera supports 4K video at up to 120 frames per second in Dolby Vision, while time-lapse video can be recorded in 4K Dolby Vision HDR.

The outer screen contains a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera. A separate FaceTime camera is concealed beneath the inner display, leaving the large screen uninterrupted when the camera is not being used.

The unusual two-screen configuration also gives Apple several new photography options. Users can take high-quality selfies with the rear cameras while previewing themselves on the outer display. Another feature, Duo Preview, allows the person being photographed to see the live image on the outside screen.

A feature called Smart Take uses on-device artificial intelligence to monitor a group and automatically snap a picture when the subjects are ready, eliminating the need for someone to race into position before a timer expires. Kid Cue can display animations on the outer screen to encourage children to look toward the camera.

The Duo can also capture the front and rear views simultaneously. A new Duo FaceTime mode even allows someone standing with the phone’s owner to participate in the same FaceTime conversation using the exterior screen.

The iPhone Duo will also be one of Apple’s showcase devices for its expanding artificial-intelligence features. It supports Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI experience, with the larger screen designed to allow users to interact with Siri while simultaneously viewing other content.

Apple is introducing two dedicated accessories alongside the phone: a two-piece protective iPhone Duo Case and a Duo Folio featuring a built-in kickstand. The case will cost $79, while the Folio will sell for $129.

The iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1. Customers in the first wave of more than 70 countries and regions will be able to preorder the phone beginning at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16, before its official release one week later, on October 23. Another 28 countries and regions will receive the device on October 30.

With the Duo, Apple is entering a foldable smartphone market years after several of its major competitors, but it is doing so with an unmistakably Apple approach: a premium titanium design, extensive hardware-software integration, and an equally premium price tag.

At $1,999 for the least expensive version and as much as $3,199 for maximum storage, the iPhone Duo is positioned not simply as another iPhone model but as a new ultra-high-end category within Apple’s smartphone lineup.

A long-awaited project to install a permanent roof over a central courtyard at Meoras Hamachpeilah in Chevron has finally been completed, providing protection from the elements for the many mispallelim who come throughout the year to daven at the resting place of the Avos and Imahos.

The new roof covers approximately 300 square meters over the inner courtyard known as Chatzer Yaakov. The project was completed and inaugurated on Wednesday, ahead of Rosh Hashanah, when large numbers of mispallelim traditionally visit the holy site.

Efforts to advance the project date back more than two decades. In 2007, plans for the roof were promoted together with the elevator and accessibility pathway intended to make Meoras Hamachpeilah more accessible to all visitors.

The roofing project, however, remained stalled for years amid opposition from Muslim officials.

Authorities subsequently went through a lengthy process to transfer the necessary jurisdiction away from the Chevron Municipality so that the work could proceed. A building permit was ultimately issued approximately one year ago, clearing the way for construction to begin.

Until now, Chatzer Yaakov remained exposed to the elements, leaving mispallelim vulnerable to heavy rain during the winter and intense heat during the warmer months. The permanent covering will now allow tefillos to take place in the courtyard throughout the year with considerably greater comfort.

The improvements went beyond the installation of the roof. The drainage infrastructure at Meoras Hamachpeilah was upgraded as part of the work, and air-conditioning systems were installed to improve conditions for the many visitors and mispallelim who frequent the site.

The Civil Administration oversaw and financed the project at a cost of approximately NIS 11 million. The actual construction was performed by the Defense Ministry’s Engineering and Construction Department, with preservation and archaeology professionals participating in the work to ensure that the improvements were carried out appropriately at the ancient and revered site.

{Matzav.com}