Dear Friends,
It’s the day after.
The day after an election that brought forth passion, emotion, heart…and worry.
It also spawned tefillah, achdus, and achrayus.
And as Yidden, we know exactly how to behave on a day after. Three words, in this week’s parshah, tell us: V’Avraham shav limkomo, And Avraham went back to his place (Bereishis 18:33).
Avraham launched the campaign of campaigns, advocating, petitioning, negotiating and pleading for the people of S’dom. He did serious hishtadlus. And then he lost.
And the next day, he went back to his place.
Nothing had changed.
Avraham thought that one way was best, and so his job was to do the maximum hishtadlus possible, but ultimately, decisions are made not by humans, but by their Borei, and He thought differently.
Today, we dust ourselves off, and we remind ourselves of the advice in R’ Yisrael Salanter’s famous letter to askanim: not to grow tired, not to become angry, and nisht vellen oisfeeren, not to have a need to “win.”
Campaigns come with wins and losses, ups and down, and the need to instantly triumph can break a person.
Now, we hold on to the tremendous acquisitions we made: every tefillah is a gift that will serve as well. The achdus and cooperation between organizations, communities and individuals is a wall of protection that surrounds us. The extraordinary numbers of people that went out, both in New York and in New Jersey, sent a resounding message about our community, their loyalty and their values. The askanim, including those from Agudath Israel, who drove the “get out of the vote” campaign, the schools and kehillos that urged registration – they have created a force to be reckoned with, and that is a more significant win than getting one candidate or another in office.
And finally, we have to hold on to the emunah- the conviction that we don’t know what is ultimately best for us, and that our projections and forecasts mean nothing.
The askanim, those who represent our interests in the halls of power, will, b’siyyata dishmaya, figure out how to work with this administration as well, just as they always have, and if it is with a bit more reserve and humility – remembering that we are, after all, in galus- then we are only stronger as a result.
Avraham did accomplish with his seemingly unsuccessful campaign. Lot was saved. From Lot, came Dovid Hamelech, whose music plays for us through this long galus, from whose offspring will come Mashiach.
Dovid Hamelech wrote Sefer Tehillim, the greatest source of comfort to Yidden!
Ki tov Hashem, le’olam chasdo. The Chidushei Harim says that the world is called an “olam” because the truth is “ne’alam”, hidden: we see so little, but we know it’s all chassadim, and so we sing on.
May we always have reasons to give thanks!
Shloime Werdiger
Chairman of the Board, Agudath Israel of America
The voters have spoken, and Agudath Israel of America congratulates those elected this election cycle.
Amongst the stories in this election is the remarkable turnout of the Orthodox Jewish community in New York City. Hundreds of thousands participated — including many first-time registrants and voters. Community organizations in Flatbush, Queens, Borough Park, Far Rockaway, and throughout the city galvanized, with Agudath Israel, in a proactive, multi-pronged get-out-the-vote effort. This significant level of engagement, which even exceeded the already higher turnout in the general population, reflects a deep sense of responsibility. It demonstrates a firm understanding that our community’s voice, expressed at the ballot box, is both meaningful and necessary.
These hundreds of thousands of voters were driven by profound concerns. They were animated by rising antisemitism, and the safety and security of their families, their institutions, and their neighborhoods. Their robust participation was an emphatic statement that these issues must not be ignored.
In his victory speech last night, Mayor-elect Mamdani vowed to “build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism.” Agudath Israel — representing the concerns of hundreds of thousands of community members — will work with the administration to ensure that this commitment is fully honored. We will engage with the incoming administration constructively, as we continue our decades-long advocacy on behalf of our families, our schools, and our way of life.
At the same time, while we must do our part and participate fully in civic life and perform our hishtadlus as we did, as Torah Jews we place our ultimate trust in the Creator. We recognize that, even as we act responsibly, our future remains fully in His hands.
{Matzav.com}
Robert Tucker, New York City’s Jewish fire commissioner, submitted his resignation Wednesday morning—less than 24 hours after anti-Israel Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani secured his win, according to The New York Post.
Tucker, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, informed city officials that he will officially leave his post on December 19, concluding a little over a year of service. Sources indicated that he intends to return to his previous role overseeing his private security company, T&M, which he founded and led prior to joining Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
The timing of his resignation drew attention, coming just hours before Tucker was scheduled to depart for Israel to meet with a senior fire commissioner there. His decision to step down so suddenly sparked questions, though The Post reported that his reasons remain unclear. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Appointed as the FDNY’s 35th commissioner in August 2024, Tucker succeeded Laura Kavanagh, whose leadership was marked by controversy and internal turbulence within the department.
Mayor Adams praised Tucker when he assumed the role, saying, “Commissioner Tucker brings decades of experience in protecting public safety to this role, as well as strong personal ties to the FDNY.”
Before entering public service, Tucker built his reputation in both law enforcement and business. He launched T&M in 1999 after serving as a special assistant in the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Beyond his professional career, Tucker has been deeply active in philanthropy, notably as secretary of the FDNY Foundation. He has been recognized by the New York Board of Rabbis and Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City for his communal and charitable contributions.
{Matzav.com}
[COMMUNICATED]
by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler
The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”
It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.)
Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.
Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!
Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!
YES! YOU CAN MAKE
your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!
The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha
The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly: It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact.
All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.
Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year
The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own.
Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden.
Official Shtar from Shas Yiden
Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.
All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.
The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!
Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –
Beyond the Grave
The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon.
Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).
One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”
In the words of Gedolei Torah:
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:
“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).
“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.
“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”
Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:
“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”
Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:
“Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”
Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:
“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”
Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:
“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory.
New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani wasted no time setting a combative tone toward President Trump, warning that he would take legal action if the president makes good on his threat to strip federal funds from the city following his election win.
Appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, the 34-year-old Democratic socialist made it clear that his administration would not be intimidated by the White House. “The first thing is, you actually utilize the courts. You stop treating things as being law just by virtue of the fact that President Trump is saying them,” Mamdani declared, vowing to challenge any effort to punish the city.
He pointed to California as a precedent, highlighting how local officials had joined forces to fight federal interference. “You can look at the example of California, where you find the Attorney General, the governor and the mayor of LA coming together, filing a lawsuit in opposition to the deployment of the National Guard.”
Mamdani’s remarks came just a day after his fiery victory speech, during which he took direct aim at Trump — a move he later defended during interviews with NY1. “I have said time and again that I will work with the president if he wants to work together to deliver on his campaign promises of cheaper groceries or a lower cost of living,” he said.
“But for too long, what New Yorkers have seen is a mayor who has been willing to work with the president at the expense of those New Yorkers. I want to make it very clear that if the president looks to come after the people of this city, I will be there standing up for them every step of the way.”
Throughout the campaign, Trump repeatedly blasted Mamdani as a “communist” and warned that electing him would cost New York billions in federal aid. At his victory rally, Mamdani fired back directly into the cameras. “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up,” he shouted to a cheering crowd.
“If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”
Trump responded swiftly on Truth Social with a curt, ominous message: “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”
Later that morning, addressing Republican senators at a White House breakfast, Trump appeared to downplay the string of GOP setbacks in Tuesday’s elections, including Mamdani’s win. “We had that big, beautiful victory exactly one year ago,” Trump said.
“And last night it was, you know, not expected to be a victory. It was very Democrat areas. But I don’t think it was good for Republicans. I’m not sure it was good for anybody.”
“We had an interesting evening, and we learned a lot, and we’re going to talk about that, and I’ll say a few remarks, and then after that, I’ll ask the press to leave,” he added.
{Matzav.com}
WATCH:
CNN analyst Van Jones criticized New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s explosive victory speech, saying the newly elected Democratic socialist’s tone and demeanor were a complete departure from the calm and approachable image he projected during his campaign.
Mamdani, 34, delivered an impassioned and fiery address Tuesday night after securing a narrow win, celebrating what he called a mandate for sweeping progressive change while taking verbal jabs at President Trump. His speech, filled with intensity and volume, drew immediate reactions from political observers who said it clashed sharply with his usual composed style.
Jones, speaking live on CNN, remarked that the shift in tone was hard to ignore.
“I think he missed an opportunity. I think the Mamdani that we saw in the campaign trail, who was a lot more calm, who was a lot warmer, who was a lot more embracing, was not present in that speech,” Jones told a post-election CNN panel.
The former Obama administration adviser described the speech as abrasive and overbearing.
“I think his tone was sharp. I think he was using the microphone in a way that he was almost yelling. That’s not the Mamdani that we’ve seen on Tiktok and the great interviews and stuff like that.”
He went on to say the new mayor’s approach could alienate those still uncertain about his leadership.
“I felt like it was a little bit of a character switch here,” he continued, noting that the once “warm, open, embracing guy” had seemingly vanished.
Jones cautioned that Mamdani’s energy, while understandable, might have overshadowed his chance to build broader unity on election night.
“There are a lot of people trying to figure out, ‘Can I get on this train with him or not? Is he going to include me? Is he going to be more of a class warrior even in office?’ I think he missed a chance tonight to open up and bring more people into the tent,” he said.
Still, Jones acknowledged Mamdani’s historic accomplishment and potential for growth.
“He’s very young and he just pulled off something very, very difficult. I wouldn’t write him off, but I think he missed an opportunity to open himself up tonight and I think that that will probably cost him going forward.”
Mamdani, who will serve as New York’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first socialist mayor, declared victory about two hours after the polls closed. The city’s Board of Elections reported that he won 50.4% of the vote, compared to independent candidate Andrew Cuomo’s 42%, with nearly all precincts counted.
In his 20-minute address, Mamdani embraced his identity and ideology while mocking traditional political expectations.
“The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate. I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this,” Mamdani declared.
He concluded his speech by claiming a decisive mandate for transformation in New York City.
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city that we can afford and a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that.”
{Matzav.com}
