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IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari held his third press conference on Monday evening to address the rising conflict in Lebanon.

He revealed that Israeli Air Force planes, guided by the Intelligence Unit and Northern Command, carried out strikes on around 1,300 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

Hagari detailed the weaponry Hezbollah possesses, explaining that the Air Force targeted a range of their strategic arms, including cruise missiles with ranges extending hundreds of kilometers, powerful rockets with warheads weighing roughly 1,000 kilograms, short-range missiles, drones, and Sayyad-2 armed aircraft.

He emphasized, “These are Hezbollah’s strategic weapons capabilities, which the terrorist organization placed in the hearts of the villages, in civilian homes and from there intended to launch them to harm the citizens of Israel, while at the same time endangering the residents of Lebanon.”

Hagari concluded by noting that, “according to the situation assessment, tonight the Minister of Defense expanded the special status in the home command to include the entire country. At this stage, there is no change in the defense guidelines and if there are any changes we will immediately update the public on all official platforms.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

CLICK HERE TO JOIN Everyone knows Agudah does a lot for the Klal. But not everyone understands what Agudah means to their personal life. From daf yomi shiurim to safe schools, mortgage assistance, business entrepreneurship and end-of-life concerns, Agudah’s work impacts every Jewish person living in the USA. With all the lobbying, legal advocacy, political partnerships, court happenings, and day to day tasks, the Agudah works for you every single day of the year. Please help us this year so that we can continue to build and strengthen Klal Yisroel. Transportation In the past year, Agudah procured millions of dollars in funding for busing to and from school in state across the country. Whether it’s creating school routes on the MTA system in Baltimore, the first-time-ever busing in Lakewood and Florida, or fighting to keep busing in Rockland, Agudah is committed to ensuring every child gets to school on time, safely, and efficiently.  Learning Programs Pirchei Agudas Yisroel launched Mishna Rishona, a phone learning system for boys to finish Shishah Sidrei Mishnah at their own pace – with over 20,000 mishnayos learned monthly. Pirchei also ran a Hasmadah Challenge over Chol Hamoed Sukkos and Pesach and celebrated the many boys who finished the entire Mishnayos before their bar mitzvahs.  PCS Professional Career Services (PCS) provides career courses, job placement, and business consulting services. PCS offers highly rated courses for men and women in a variety of competitive fields and provides consulting services to both new and existing businesses. PCS also makes objectively well-suited matches between individuals looking for a job with employers looking to hire.  Yeshiva Services As a member of the Committee, Yeshiva Services has secured tens of millions in Title funds to benefit our schools. These funds allow for updated school facilities, counseling and mentoring, professional development, and extracurriculars – all to guarantee our children a complete and well-rounded education.  Security This year more than ever, we have needed our security to be top notch. Agudah advocated for an increase of funding from the national Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), in addition to advocating for an increase in security budget in specific states. Agudah’s advocacy secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to increase the security of our communities across the country.  Lunch Programs In the tri-state area and beyond, Agudah is constantly working to expand the National School Lunch Program to cover more students and more food in more states. Chief among this year’s accomplishments is the NJ Legislature expanding free lunches to children in public schools – thanks, Agudah!  CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Israeli security officials have confirmed that Hezbollah #3 commander Ali Karaki was not eliminated in a recent airstrike in Beirut. Initial reports from Lebanon claimed Karaki was killed in the strike, but Hezbollah later claimed Karaki was alive and taken to a ‘safe’ location.

The Israeli security officials say Israel believes the assassination attempt failed due to the small munitions used int he attack. In the strike, the Air Force aimed to prevent nearby buildings from collapsing, therefore it only targeted the floor of the building which Israel believed Karaki was staying.

In the elimination of senior Hezbollah terrorist Ibrahim Aqil last Friday in Beirut, Israel used more powerful munitions, which brought down a nearby building.

Following the report, MK Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party slammed the decision to use smaller munitions, saying: “The fact that Ali Karaki wasn’t eliminated because they were afraid of collateral damage is nothing short of madness. Those who show mercy to the enemy are directly harming the citizens of Israel.”

“I submitted an urgent inquiry to the Defense Minister this morning to find out what the policy is on this and who is responsible for this terrible decision.”

Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are moving Tuesday to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress after a contentious back-and-forth with the Cabinet secretary over an appearance to testify on the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken, in a letter to Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said that he was “profoundly disappointed” in the chairman’s decision to advance contempt proceedings and urged him to find a resolution in “good faith.” “As I have made clear, I am willing to testify and have offered several reasonable alternatives to the dates unilaterally demanded by the Committee during which I am carrying out the President’s important foreign policy objectives,” Blinken wrote in a Sunday letter. The contempt of Congress charge is the latest in a series of moves by McCaul and other House Republicans over the past 18 months to hold the Biden administration accountable for what they have called a “stunning failure of leadership” after Taliban forces seized the Afghan capital far more rapidly than U.S. intelligence had foreseen as American forces pulled out in 2021. “Let the record reflect that for four months, I patiently asked for and waited on his availability in September,” McCaul said in his opening statement. “But instead of working with me, Secretary Blinken made false promises and accused me of politicizing this important issue.” McCaul had first set a hearing for Blinken to testify last Thursday, while the secretary was in Egypt and France. He then changed the date to Tuesday, when Blinken was at the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders in New York and attending President Joe Biden ’s speech at the time of the hearing. As all secretaries of state have in the past, Blinken will spend the entire week in New York holding dozens of meeting with his counterparts on a variety of issues but this year with a focus on the Mideast situation and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Democrats on the committee blasted Republicans’ contempt efforts as purely partisan. “It’s not difficult for the American people to see this for what it is: political theater,” New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, said in an opening statement. “Another attempt to put another senior Biden administration official name into negative headlines.” Last week, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller accused McCaul and the committee of repeatedly calling for hearings on days they knew Blinken would be unavailable to appear. McCaul has repeatedly said the department has been “disingenuous” because it had declined repeated requests to pick a date in September for Blinken to testify. “If we are forced to hold Secretary Blinken in contempt of Congress, he has no one to blame but himself,” he said in a statement last week. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly brought up the disastrous exit from Afghanistan in the campaign, trying to link it to his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. Several watchdog reviews and a more than 18-month investigation by House Republicans have failed to pinpoint an instance where the Harris had a particular impact on decision-making on the withdrawal. Blinken has testified about Afghanistan 14 times, including four times before McCaul’s committee. Miller said Blinken was willing to testify again if a mutually convenient time could be arranged but noted that Congress will be […]

The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday carried out a second precision strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district in as many days. The target was reportedly Ibrahim Qubaisi, who heads Hezbollah’s missile array.

The strike came less than 24 hours after the attempted assassination of Hezbollah’s No. 3 terrorist commander, Ali Karaki, in the same area.

At least six people were killed and several others were injured in the Israeli airstrike, according to Lebanese reports. Reuters cited two local “security sources” as confirming that Qubaisi was among the dead.

Following the strike in Beirut, Hezbollah launched a massive rocket barrage at Israel’s north, triggering air-raid sirens, including in the Upper Galilee city of Tzfas. No injuries were reported in the attacks.

Israel’s Channel 12 said that more than 100 projectiles were launched at the Jewish state within one hour, with the Golan Regional Council telling residents to stay near bomb shelters and avoid public gatherings.

On Monday night, Israeli Air Force jets targeted Karaki, Hezbollah’s highest-ranking remaining commander following Friday’s targeted killing of Ibrahim Aqil. Karaki commands Hezbollah’s southern front, which is responsible for the terror army’s cross-border attacks on Israel.

In an official statement issued three hours after the strike, Hezbollah claimed that the top terrorist was still alive and “moved to a safe place.”

Unnamed Israeli officials told Israel Hayom on Tuesday that Karaki survived the strike, saying that the use of smaller bombs with the goal of minimizing civilian casualties contributed to the operation’s failure.

Tuesday’s aerial attack marked the fifth time that the Israeli army struck the Lebanese capital since Hezbollah joined the war against the Jewish state in support of Palestinian Hamas in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre.

On Friday, the IDF took credit for a targeted airstrike in the Dahiyeh neighborhood that killed more than a dozen Hezbollah terrorist officials, including Aqil, who was also wanted by the United States over his involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut.

On July 30, Israeli Air Force jets carried out a targeted killing in south Beirut of Hezbollah’s No. 2 “military” commander, Fuad Shukr.

Hezbollah has attacked Israel nearly daily since Oct. 8, 2023, firing thousands of rockets, missiles and drones. The attacks have killed more than 40 people and caused widespread damage. Tens of thousands of Israeli civilians remain internally displaced due to the violence.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force struck over 1,600 Hezbollah terror targets in Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley as part of “Operation Northern Arrows,” according to the Israeli military.

Jerusalem has escalated attacks on Hezbollah since adding the return of evacuated Israeli civilians to the north as an official war goal on Sept. 17.

(JNS)

The UN 79th annual summit “Summit of the Future” begins today and lasts all week in New York. Dozens of world leaders have gathered in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly.

Watch President Biden address the gathering:

Hezbollah rocket scores direct hit on home in Rosh Pinah. Bichasdei Hashem, all occupants were in the bomb shelter, and no injuries are reported.

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.

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Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have significantly weakened Hezbollah, potentially setting the Iran-backed terror group back two decades, according to US officials speaking to CNN. “They’ve probably been taken 20 years backwards,” an unnamed US official told CNN, reflecting on the impact of Israel’s recent attacks on Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Despite the damage dealt to Hezbollah, US officials are urging Israel not to escalate the situation further. While some Hebrew-language media outlets reported that Israeli defense officials estimated 50% of Hezbollah’s rocket capabilities were destroyed in the recent strikes, military sources told The Times of Israel that those figures are likely exaggerated. The IDF reported that it targeted approximately 1,600 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon yesterday, focusing on homes where the terror group stored munitions. These included cruise missiles, short-range heavy rockets, medium-range rockets, and explosive drones. However, the IDF has not yet confirmed the destruction of Hezbollah’s long-range rockets and precision-guided missiles. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that “tens of thousands of rockets were destroyed” in the airstrikes, with military sources adding that the strikes have hindered Hezbollah’s ability to carry out even larger attacks on Israel. Before the conflict began in October last year, official IDF assessments estimated that Hezbollah had over 200,000 rockets, mortars, and missiles. This included 400 long-range rockets, hundreds of precision-guided missiles, 4,800 medium-range rockets, and 65,000 short-range rockets. Hezbollah also reportedly possessed hundreds of explosive drones, anti-ship missiles, and anti-aircraft systems. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

As the use of artificial intelligence is expands, more small firms say they’re harnessing AI to help their businesses. In a survey by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Teneo, nearly every small business — 98% — said they are utilizing a tool that is enabled by AI. Forty percent said they’re using generative AI tools like chatbots and image creation, nearly double from last year’s survey. Small business owners say finding the right AI tools helps them save on personnel costs and frees up time. But they also stress that human oversight is still a necessity. “AI allows small businesses — who many times do not have the staff or resources of their competitors — to punch above their weight,” said Jordan Crenshaw, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center. “It’s encouraging to see small businesses embrace technology and express optimism for the future as these platforms serve as a catalyst for innovation and resilience.” Randy Speckman, who owns San Diego-based web design agency Randy Speckman Design with seven staffers, found the right AI tool for his business by trial and error. He tried a few tools that didn’t provide high enough quality copy before settling on tools including Conversion.ai and Copy.ai to generate blog posts, email newsletters and social media content. The tools save Speckman’s staff a lot of time while allowing for a consistent volume of higher quality content. The improvement in production means he hasn’t had to hire more writers. “The only downside is needing to review and tweak the AI’s initial drafts,” Speckman said. The survey also found that 91% of small businesses using AI say it will help their business grow in the future. Seventy-seven percent of small business owners said they plan to adopt emerging technologies, including AI and metaverse. Amanda Reineke owns Notice Ninja, a digital compliance company that helps tax professionals automate their incoming tax notices in Phoenix, Arizona, with 15 employees. Her company built an AI-powered platform that scans and captures data from tax notices, then automatically routes each notice to the right department and person to handle it. “When implemented thoughtfully by domain experts, (AI) can drive major efficiencies,” she said. “AI won’t replace human work, but will augment and lift it.” The survey found more businesses are using technology platforms in general. Forty-seven percent of business owners surveyed said they use four or more technology platforms — up from 39% last year — and more than a quarter said they use six or more technology platforms. Jan Watermann, owner of marketing agency Waterman Consulting in St. Petersburg, Florida, uses AI tools such as Jasper AI and SurferSEO. “Jasper helps us quickly generate blog posts, ad copy, and other written content, while SurferSEO ensures it’s optimized for search engines,” Watermann said. Watermann says that for all its promise, AI still needs human oversight. “It’s great for efficiency but still requires human creativity and strategy to get the best results,” he said. (AP)

In just a few days, thousands of Lomdei Oraysa from around the globe will be celebrating the completion of Maseches Sukkah with the Oraysa Amud V’Chazarah  program that has revolutionized the Torah world.  With its many practical sugyos relating to the mitzvos of the yom tov of Sukkos, the completion of Maseches Sukkah is truly a cause for celebration. Thousands of hours collectively spent toiling over this Masechta, with many people investing time into extra rounds of chazara are now coming to a culmination. In what can only be described as ‘perfect timing’ orchestrated from Above, the Masechta is slated to end just a mere few weeks before Sukkos this year, meaning that Lomdei Oraysa will experience the Yom Tov on an entirely new level, with new vistas being opened up into the Mitzvos Hachag through learning the many sugyos pertaining to hilchos Sukkah and Arba Minim. Success breeds success, Sukkah is yet another rung in the ladder, another brick in the edifice which is Talmud Bavli. Immediately following the final amud of Sukkah, Oraysa lomdim will begin the next step of the journey – Maseches Beitzah. Beitzah is especially exciting because it is a the shortest of all the Masechtos that have been learnt by Lomdei Oraysa since the inception of the groundbreaking initiative almost 5 years ago, making its completion in just over 3 months an achievable and manageable goal. The timing of this Masechta also coincides beautifully with the calendar, being that the Masechta that deals with Hilchos Yom tov begins right before the Yom Tov season of Tishrei. It is notable that many of the “original” lomdei Oraysa, who joined the program upon its launch almost five years ago, are still keeping up with the program, having completed Masechtos Berachos, through Yoma. This is a testament to how practical the program is and how it has made the goal of completing and thoroughly knowing entire Masechtos an attainable one. Participants describe the immense satisfaction and sipuk hanefesh that they receive from the innovative program that calls for the studying of one Amud a day, 5 days a week, in a thorough manner. Each day, one new Amud is learned and yesterday’s Amud is reviewed, with Friday and Shabbos is dedicated to reviewing the two-and-a-half blatt learnt over the week. With this format, each Amud of Gemara is learned, understood, and mastered.  Scores of lomdim say that the program has changed their lives and raised the bar of their learning to new heights. Many others have joined Oraysa with each new Masechta, with new chaburos and shiurim forming in more and more locations and cities around the globe.  As one Lomed Oraysa succinctly put it, “Oraysa has literally rejuvenated my learning and granted me a level of enjoyment in a blatt Gemara that I haven’t felt since I was in Yeshiva. I am proud to say that I not only learned several Masechtos and reviewed them several times, I truly feel like I acquired them and know them well.” Participants also have the option of taking an optional bi-monthly bechina, which is given every other Sunday on the five Blatt learned over the course of the past two weeks. The Mivchanei Oraysa bechina has become a valuable tool for testing one’s knowledge and promoting retention, motivating participants […]

Israeli airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah in southern Lebanon claimed at least 492 lives on Monday, with more than 1,645 others injured, according to Beirut’s report. Israel has warned of broader operations against Hezbollah, while urging Lebanese civilians to evacuate areas suspected of harboring the group’s weapons.

The IDF explained that their strikes targeted residences where Hezbollah had placed “rockets, drones, and missiles.” They stressed that civilians in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley should vacate homes containing such weaponry. The military also noted that a significant portion of those killed were Hezbollah operatives.

Meanwhile, Israelis sought cover as Hezbollah unleashed over 200 rockets towards Israel, triggering alarms in the northern region, around Haifa, and even as far as certain West Bank settlements near Tel Aviv. Although the attacks caused some destruction, they did not result in severe casualties. This latest assault came after the terror group launched at least 150 rockets the previous day, marking one of the most intense bombardments since hostilities escalated last October.

In Lebanon, footage circulating on social media showed large crowds fleeing major cities, with officials opening schools to accommodate thousands of displaced individuals.

The IDF reported that it had hit approximately 1,600 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Monday. These included homes allegedly used as storage for weapons capable of threatening Israel. The barrage, the deadliest since the 2006 Lebanon war, has heightened concerns about a potential full-scale conflict along the volatile border.

From a secure command center in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was shifting the dynamics with Hezbollah, making it clear the country would no longer remain passive after months of cross-border skirmishes.

“Hezbollah has taken advantage of the situation, and we are responding decisively,” Netanyahu stated. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced due to Hezbollah’s ongoing rocket attacks since October, and Israel’s government has prioritized the return of these individuals to their homes as a key goal of the current military campaign.

“We do not wait for threats; we preempt them. In every theater, at all times,” Netanyahu asserted.

Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed the casualty figures, with Monday’s strikes being the deadliest since Hezbollah began launching attacks on Israel last year. Women and children were among the dead and injured. While Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the extent of its losses, reports suggest the group has suffered significant casualties in recent days.

Videos shared on social media depicted civilians fleeing in long lines of vehicles, some heading from mountainous areas to safer locations. One clip showed cars waiting on a highway lined with both Hezbollah and Lebanese flags, with black smoke from recent airstrikes visible in the distance.

In Sidon, a coastal city, all lanes of the Rafic Hariri Boulevard were congested with vehicles attempting to head north. Meanwhile, in Nabatieh, residents captured a large explosion blocking roads as civilians tried to escape.

During a briefing, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari pointed out that some of the recorded strikes led to secondary explosions, indicating Hezbollah weapons caches were hit. “What you’re seeing in southern Lebanon are Hezbollah’s weapons detonating inside residential areas,” Hagari said, reaffirming that each home targeted contained rockets, drones, or missiles intended to harm Israeli civilians. He once again urged Lebanese civilians in the Beqaa Valley to leave homes where Hezbollah stored its arms.

Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, had given a two-hour warning for civilians to evacuate the Beqaa area.

Netanyahu, after consulting with senior defense officials, stated that Israel’s goal was to eliminate Hezbollah leaders, operatives, and weaponry. “Anyone who tries to harm us will face consequences far worse,” he said. “We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli towns and citizens.”

As airstrikes continued across Lebanon, the health ministry urged hospitals in the southern regions and the Beqaa Valley to delay non-emergency surgeries to remain prepared for potential casualties from ongoing Israeli strikes.

Earlier on Monday, Israel called on residents of southern Lebanon to vacate areas where Hezbollah was believed to store weapons, warning of upcoming large-scale operations targeting the terror group. Lebanese media reported that citizens received text messages advising them to distance themselves from any building linked to Hezbollah arms storage.

“If your building contains Hezbollah weapons, evacuate immediately until further notice,” read a message, as reported by Lebanese outlets.

Despite these warnings, Lebanon’s Information Minister Ziad Makary urged citizens to disregard Israel’s instructions. He claimed that the messages were part of a psychological warfare tactic and advised people to stay calm.

Ahead of the mass evacuation, social media posts from southern Lebanon showed images of airstrikes and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed strikes in several locations, some of which were far from the border. For instance, airstrikes hit forested areas in Byblos province, located about 130 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border, though no casualties were reported. Additional strikes occurred in the Baalbek and Hermel regions, resulting in one death and injuries to two family members, as per the agency. The strikes overall left 30 people wounded.

On the Israeli side, sirens blared across dozens of towns as Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets toward Haifa and other northern areas for a second consecutive day. Rockets also targeted West Bank settlements northeast of Tel Aviv. While the strikes caused damage, no injuries were immediately reported.

Since last year, approximately 80,000 Lebanese have fled southern Lebanon, enduring nearly daily Hezbollah rocket fire and Israeli retaliation. Another 60,000 residents in northern Israel have also been forced from their homes.

Israel has long accused Hezbollah of converting entire communities in southern Lebanon into fortified terror hubs, complete with concealed rocket launchers and other military infrastructure.

On Monday, Hagari presented previously unseen footage showing Hezbollah operatives preparing to fire a cruise missile from a civilian house in southern Lebanon, a site that was later bombed by Israel. The missile, identified as a Russian-made DR-3 variant, was packed with 300 kilograms of explosives and had a range of up to 200 kilometers.

“Hezbollah is endangering you and your families,” Hagari told southern Lebanese civilians, warning them to keep their distance from the group’s weaponry.

While Israel is concentrating on air operations, an unnamed military official stated there are currently no plans for a ground invasion. The official emphasized that the primary goal of the airstrikes is to diminish Hezbollah’s ability to launch future attacks on Israel.

Hezbollah began its rocket attacks on Israel shortly after Hamas’s October 7 massacre in southern Israel. The group claimed that its actions were intended to divert Israeli forces and aid Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Israel has responded with a steady increase in airstrikes, leading to a drawn-out conflict.

In a separate incident, an Israeli strike on a Beirut suburb last Friday killed senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil and other militant leaders.

Additionally, last week saw multiple explosions across Lebanon that destroyed thousands of communication devices primarily used by Hezbollah, leaving 39 dead and nearly 3,000 injured. Lebanon blamed Israel, though no confirmation or denial was issued.

Israel remains determined to push Hezbollah back from the border, ideally through diplomatic means but with force if necessary. Hezbollah, on the other hand, has stated it will continue its attacks until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, though such an agreement seems far off as the conflict nears a grim anniversary.

Hezbollah has publicly mourned 506 of its members who have died in the ongoing clashes, with most of the deaths occurring in Lebanon and some in Syria. Among the casualties are 79 militants from other terror factions, a Lebanese soldier, and numerous civilians. Israel has lost 26 civilians and 22 IDF reservists to Hezbollah’s rocket and missile attacks.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu informed his cabinet meeting that Israel’s main objective in Lebanon is to sever the link established on October 8th between the Lebanese front and Gaza.

The meeting lasted nearly four hours, where ministers were briefed on all aspects of the security situation and the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, though no official decisions were reached.

Several ministers urged stronger military action against Hezbollah, stressing the importance of leveraging U.S. support.

The defense officials clarified that while Israel is not planning for an all-out war, it recognizes that such a scenario may become necessary.

During the session, Netanyahu highlighted that increased military pressure on Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah might help facilitate a hostage exchange deal with Hamas.

{Matzav.com Israel}

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Sefas Tamim Foundation QUESTION:  I am an administrator in a Yeshiva with the authority to make decisions as to when to remodel, when to repaint, which contractors to hire, and to negotiate prices.  I also hired one of the contractors that I used in the Yeshiva to paint the attic floor in my home.  When I asked him the price, he responded, “I am only charging you for materials and not labor costs.”  I feel kind of shabby doing this, am I allowed to take his generous offer or is it a form of bribery that could possibly affect my judgement as the admin of the Yeshiva? ANSWER:  Wow!  This is a remarkable question that involves three important sources: a Gemorah in Sanhedrin (27a and b) a ruling of the Rosh (Sanhedrin Zeh Borer Siman 17) and the words of Rabbi Yom Tov Heller in his Pilpulah Charifta. THE GEMORAH The Gemorah tells us of a man named bar Chama who allegedly killed a person. The Raish Galusa said to the Dayan – Rav Abba bar Ya’akov: Go investigate this case, and if he certainly killed him, let the government authorities put his eyes out (a fine that is extra-legal and not halachic – Rashi) . Subsequently two witnesses came and testified that he did kill him. Bar Chama then went and brought two other witnesses, who testified about one of the first witnesses that he stole. Rav Abba bar Ya’akov said to bar Chama: Why did you bring these witnesses? What do you hold? Do you hold like Rabbi Meir in his dispute with Rabbi Yossi, that one who is guilty of theft is disqualified from testifying in capital cases?    Rav Pappi who was present at the time then proved that we do rule like Rabbi Meir.  Based on this conclusion, bar Chama was acquitted. Bar Ḥama then arose and kissed Rabbi Pappi on his feet and accepted upon himself to exempt him of his karga-tax for the rest of his life. THE ROSH The Rosh (Siman 17) asks, “How is this at all permitted?  Isn’t this out and out post-facto bribery? (yh: See Ramah CM 34:18 that post-facto bribery is forbidden based on this Rosh). He answers that he didn’t give Rav Pappi any monetary compensation – rather he spoke to the king on his behalf to exempt him from a tax that he was technically exempt from paying anyway (a clergy exemption).  Therefore, it is not considered post-facto bribery.  Otherwise, it would be forbidden just like paying post-facto interest is forbidden.” THE PILPULAH CHARIFTA The Pilpula Charifta (letter Shin) on the Rosh writes: Come and see the great matter that our Master has taught us!  That bribery is forbidden even in matters that are not a Din Torah, but rather are a technical fine like Rashi explains.  And even still our Master (the Rosh) explains that he (Rav Pappi) took it upon himself to take care of the Karga tax in a manner that did not involve a bribe.  I wrote this to teach that those who have been appointed to the tzibbur (serving the public) that even though their decisions and responsibilities are not Din Torahs and they were not appointed as such – they must be careful not to […]

TikTok has removed accounts associated with Russian state media for engaging in “covert influence operations” ahead of the U.S. presidential election. The short-form video sharing company said Monday the changes affect accounts associated with TV-Novosti — the parent organization of the Russian state media RT — and Rossiya Segodnya, the entity behind Kremlin news agencies RIA Novosti and Sputnik. The U.S. Department of Justice has said that Moscow remains the primary threat to elections even as a hack by Iran this year has also targeted the presidential campaigns of both political parties. U.S. officials in recent months have used criminal charges, sanctions and public advisories to detail actions taken by foreign adversaries to influence the election, including an indictment targeting a covert Russian effort to spread pro-Russia content to U.S. audiences. TikTok’s announcement came a week after Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, said it banned Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities from its apps, drawing a rebuke from the Kremlin and the two media organizations. TikTok said on its website that the accounts associated with TV-Novosti and Rossiya Segodnya were already restricted in the United Kingdom, European Union and not allowed to appear on the app’s main “For You” feed. Separately, TikTok is also making some changes around its business. The company said in a undated notice posted on its website that it was shutting down its music service – TikTok Music – by November 28. The service, which launched just two years ago, was available in five countries, including prominent markets like Brazil and Australia. It was not available in the U.S. (AP)

A raging fire swept through a shul in Florida, leaving the building uninhabitable just days before the Yomim Norarim. The Chabad of Greater Orlando in Maitland was engulfed in flames around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, prompting a response from more than 30 emergency units, the Seminole County Fire Department told McClatchy News. When firefighters arrived, they were greeted by “a column of smoke” billowing from the roof, officials said.

Rabbi Sholom Dubov of Chabad of Greater Orlando shared with McClatchy News that the shul’s security guard was the first to spot the smoke and immediately alerted authorities. “The entire roof had smoke coming out of different parts,” Rabbi Dubov explained. “It really went through the building really quickly.” Thankfully, no one was harmed, according to the fire department. Rabbi Dubov mentioned that the shul typically holds a Shacharis minyan concluding at 10 a.m., followed by a children’s program that starts in the early afternoon. The fire broke out between these events, leaving the building empty at the time.

Despite the extensive destruction, six Sifrei Torah were miraculously preserved, including one almost 200 years old that survived the Holocaust, according to Rabbi Dubov. He explained that the shul had recently acquired the Holocaust Torah as a donation, but it was being kept in his office because it was too large to fit in the aron kodesh. When firefighters entered the building, they found the other five Sifrei Torah in the main sanctuary unharmed as well.

Rabbi Dubov recounted the fire chief’s words: “I’m not a believing man. I’m not Jewish. I’m not a believer. But I saw a miracle.” Many expressed their gratitude on social media, with several commenting on the Seminole County Fire Department’s Sept. 22 Facebook post. One person wrote, “Thank you all for respecting the importance of this place to our Jewish community, and the Torah scrolls were saved.”

Rabbi Dubov indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical issue in the Yahrzeit board. Each name on the board has a light bulb that illuminates around the anniversary of their passing. Currently, 200 out of 300 names on the board are filled, Dubov shared. “They said it wasn’t faulty, so it wasn’t like something you could have prevented,” he added. The fire department has stated that the exact cause is still under investigation.

With Rosh Hashanah approaching on Oct. 2, Rabbi Dubov and other community leaders are working to find a solution for celebrating the Yomim Tovim. “That’s the biggest challenge right now,” Rabbi Dubov said. “We don’t have access to the building, we don’t have access to the books, we don’t have access to a location.” The Rabbi also mentioned that the fire destroyed the supplies intended for holiday meals that would have served over 300 people.

In a Facebook post, Chabad leaders wrote, “We are still processing everything and hope to update everyone on our immediate plans for services, classes, programs, and our Hebrew school very soon.” The post also announced that a fundraiser had been launched to support the rebuilding efforts. Rabbi Dubov expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support, saying, “We’re really grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Jewish and non-Jewish people have rallied around and really encouraged us to continue.”

{Matzav.com}

New details about the IDF’s attempted assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki on Monday were revealed on Tuesday. According to Hezbollah, the attempt failed and Karaki has been transferred to a safe place. However, Army Radio reported that Israeli security officials are confident that Karaki was in the building that was attacked and was likely even injured during the strike. Unlike the IDF’s assassination of Hezbollah’s second-in-command Ibrahim Akil in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday, the airstrike targeted only one of the upper floors of the building, where it was believed Akil was located. Fighter jets dropped three to four relatively small munitions that hit that specific floor without collapsing the entire building. The report also noted that the decision was made to avoid causing a complete collapse of the building out of fear that nearby buildings might also fall. Friday’s strike on Akil caused a nearby building to fall due to damage to its foundations and the IDF decided that Monday’s strike would be carried out more cautiously. According to a security source, the building where Akil was located in Dahieh was largely cleared of civilians who had evacuated the area. This means that even if they had collapsed the entire building, it would not have resulted in mass civilian casualties. On Tuesday morning, Religious Zionism MK Tzvi Sukkos slammed the fact that the elimination failed due to the IDF’s fear of causing collateral damage. He wrote: “The fact that Ali Karaki wasn’t eliminated because they were afraid of collateral damage is nothing short of madness. Those who show mercy to the enemy are directly harming the citizens of Israel.” “I submitted an urgent inquiry to the Defense Minister this morning to find out what the policy is on this and who is responsible for this terrible decision.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)  

In this episode of Inside the Agudah, Rabbi Ari Strulowitz, Director of Operations of Agudath Israel of Illinois, sits with Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, Agudath Israel’s Director of Torah Initiatives, to discuss his work on behalf of the Agudah.

Rabbi Strulowitz first got involved in Agudath Israel of Illinois in 2013 with Camp Nageela Midwest, then a project of Agudath Israel of Illinois. In 2016, Rabbi Strulowitz began as Executive Director for Nageela, focused on growing the camper enrollment and kiruv impact.

Over the years with the Agudah, Rabbi Strulowitz has worked on several projects and events, including the Midwest Convention, the H3 Business Halacha Summit, and the Midwest Siyum Hashas. Rabbi Strulowitz is now Director of Operations of Agudath Israel of Illinois, overseeing the Agudah’s various programs and initiatives, helping the Jewish community of Chicago and beyond.

WATCH:

The IDF on Tuesday afternoon carried out a targeted airstrike in Beirut for the second consecutive day. The IDF did not yet provide details on the strike but two sources told Reuters that the target is a senior Hezbollah commander. According to Israeli media reports, the target was Abu Jawad Haraki, the head of Hezbollah’s rocket unit. Arabic media reports said that several people were killed in the strike. On Monday, the IDF carried out an airstrike on Beirut in an attempt to eliminate senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki. The attempt failed and Hezbollah stated that Karaki has been moved to a “safe place.” Reports on Tuesday said that the attempt failed because the IDF used relatively light munitions and targeted only the floor Karaki was believed to be on due to fears of collateral damage.   (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Nearly a year after FBI agents seized his phones, New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces an expanding constellation of federal inquiries involving his administration. In recent weeks the investigations have produced a drumbeat of subpoenas, raids and whiplash-inducing developments for the first-term Democrat. Federal investigators have visited more than a dozen members of his administration, taking devices from the police commissioner (who then resigned), the head of the public schools and other trusted confidantes both in and out of City Hall. At least one high-ranking mayoral aide received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury. Federal prosecutors have declined to discuss the investigations but people familiar with elements of the cases have described multiple, separate inquiries involving senior Adams aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising and possible influence peddling at the police and fire departments. Adams, a former police captain, has not been accused of wrongdoing and adamantly denies any knowledge of criminal activity. Below, a look at what we know about the investigations: A nightlife company run by the top cop’s twin On the morning of Sept. 4, as federal agents fanned out across New York City to seize devices from some of the mayor’s closest advisors, they also traveled to Rockland County, roughly an hour north of the city. There, they visited the home of then-NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, as well as the nearby residence of his twin brother, James Caban. Devices were taken from both homes. James Caban used to be a cop, too, but he was fired by the NYPD in 2001 after he was heard on a recording threatening a cab driver. More recently, he has run a nightlife consulting business. After the searches came to light, a Brooklyn juice bar owner publicly accused a mayoral aide, Ray Martin, of trying to extort him by claiming he would receive better police treatment if he hired James Caban as a consultant. As part of the investigation, police seized phones from several precinct-level NYPD officials. A week after the searches, Caban announced his resignation, telling officers that he didn’t want the investigations “to create a distraction.” The same day, Martin was fired from his job at City Hall. James Caban “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” his lawyer, Sean Hecker, said in a statement. An email sent to Martin was not returned. A lawyer for Edward Caban didn’t respond to phone and email messages. The Banks brothers and a consulting firm After taking office in 2022, Adams turned to a pair of brothers to help oversee two of the city’s most important institutions, the public schools and the police department. He made Philip Banks, formerly a top NYPD chief, his deputy mayor for public safety. He made David Banks, who had run a network of boys’ schools, the schools chancellor. The same day they appeared at the homes of the Caban brothers, federal investigators seized devices from Philip and David Banks, as well as from First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who is David Banks’ domestic partner. Agents also took a phone from the Banks’ youngest brother, Terence Banks. Formerly a mid-level supervisor in New York City’s subway system, Terence Banks launched a consulting firm that promised to connect businesses to key government stakeholders. The firm represented companies seeking work with city agencies, including the education and […]