The Israel Defense Forces IDF reported that approximately 150 rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs were launched toward Israel overnight, most targeting the northern region. The IDF’s multi-layered aerial defense systems achieved high interception rates, preventing significant damage to the home front. While there were some instances of rockets hitting the ground and debris from interceptions falling in residential areas, the damage was limited.
On Friday, federal agents conducted a search of the residence of NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon, just over a week after his predecessor, Edward Caban, stepped down following an FBI raid at his home.
In a concise statement released by the department late Saturday, Donlon confirmed the search, stating that authorities “took materials that came into my possession 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department.” He also noted that the department would refrain from further comments since it does not pertain to the NYPD.
Donlon, who came out of retirement from a career in federal law enforcement to serve as the city’s police chief, did not clarify which federal agency carried out the search at his home.
Sources informed the Post that investigators are examining whether he improperly retained classified documents from his time with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
According to another source, the federal authorities are signaling to Mayor Eric Adams that “no one is safe,” with multiple members of his administration and inner circle under scrutiny.
“As we have repeatedly said, we expect all team members to fully comply with any law enforcement inquiry,” City Hall spokesperson Fabian Levy stated.
A law enforcement source reiterated to The Post that the feds are sending a message to Mayor Eric Adams that “no one is safe,” given the ongoing investigations involving several individuals in his administration.
Adams appointed Donlon, who is not an NYPD veteran, as New York City’s interim commissioner on September 12, following Caban’s unexpected resignation amid a federal investigation.
Federal agents seized electronic devices from Caban’s residence and those of other city officials in what sources characterized as an extensive corruption investigation related to possible influence peddling.
In his resignation letter, Caban referred to the media uproar surrounding the investigation and a separate inquiry into his twin brother as a “distraction” for the department.
Others in Adams’ close circle also caught up in the federal probe include Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, former NYPD official Tim Pearson, Schools Chancellor David Banks and his brother Terence Banks, as well as First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
On Friday, Molly Schaefer, the city’s head of asylum seeker services, was subpoenaed by federal authorities in connection with the investigation involving Pearson.
A Bronx native, Donlon has an extensive background in law enforcement at various levels, including local, state, federal, and international.
The 57-year-old has held positions such as New York’s director of the Office of Homeland Security and led the FBI’s National Threat Assessment Center and the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Upon accepting the role of interim commissioner, Donlon committed to “uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and support our dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”
{Matzav.com}
Israel President Herzog says that Hezbollah leaders killed on Friday were planning their own October 7-style attack in the north.
In the wake of a series of bold Israeli military operations in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Hezbollah will “get the message” following several targeted operations against the terror group. “Over the past few days, we hit Hezbollah with a string of strikes that it didn’t imagine,” Netanyahu said in a video statement in Hebrew. “If Hezbollah didn’t get the message, I promise you, it will get the message.” Netanyahu emphasized the country’s determination to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly in the northern regions affected by the conflict. “We are determined to return our [displaced northern] residents safely to their homes. No country can tolerate [rocket] fire at its residents, [rocket] fire at its cities. The State of Israel cannot tolerate it either,” he stated. Reiterating his stance, Netanyahu promised that Israel would “do everything necessary in order to restore security.” In a separate video in English, Netanyahu said: “On October 7th, the Hamas terrorist monsters burst into Israel, murdered our people, raped and beheaded our women, burnt babies alive, and took 255 innocent people hostage, including many Americans. A day later, on October 8th, another Iranian terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, attacked Israel completely unprovoked. They fired missiles and rockets into our cities. They made 60,000 Israelis leave their homes along the Lebanon border, becoming refugees in their own land. “In the subsequent months, they haven’t stopped for a single day attacking us. No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities. We can’t accept it either. We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safe back to their homes.” On Friday, Israeli airstrikes targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commanders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi in a residential building in Beirut. Aqil was believed to be overseeing a planned operation to invade Israel’s Galilee region. The assassination followed another attack, attributed to Israel but unconfirmed, in which at least 30 Hezbollah members were killed in pager and walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon last week. Israel has also conducted hundreds of airstrikes in recent days, focusing on Hezbollah rocket launchers poised to strike Israel. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Standing at the precipice of despair, your world crumbles beneath your feet. The whispers of darkness grow louder, drowning out any flicker of hope. This is the reality for countless individuals in our community—people grappling with the suffocating weight of mental health crises, addiction, trauma, and abuse. In these moments of utter darkness, when all seems lost, there’s one beacon that refuses to let the light go out: Amudim.Amudim: Not a Helpline, A Lifeline Amudim isn’t just an organization; it’s a constant presence, a lifeline that reaches into the abyss, grasping firmly to pull you back from the brink. When someone reaches out—voice trembling, spirit broken—they’re not met with cold statistics or impersonal advice. They’re embraced by a dedicated clinical case manager who becomes their unwavering ally in the fight for their life and hope for their future. Saving Lives, Every Case, Every day. For Amudim’s case managers, each ring of the phone is a new challenge, a new opportunity to make a difference. These dedicated professionals are more than just trained experts; they’re companions, confidants, and guides. They’re there every step of the way, providing support, important resources, and a listening ear. Meet Sarah, an Amudim case manager. Last month, she received a call from a young mother contemplating suicide. Sarah didn’t just talk her off the ledge; she became the ledge—a solid foundation of support that lasted well beyond that harrowing night. For weeks, Sarah was there, guiding not just the mother but her entire family through the turbulent waters of recovery, one day at a time. Take David’s story. Trapped in the merciless grip of addiction, he had lost his job, his family, and nearly his will to live. His Amudim case manager, Michael, didn’t just point him towards rehab—he walked every step of the journey with him. From late-night crisis calls to accompanying him to court dates, Michael was the constant presence that reminded David that he was worth fighting for. A Network of Support Amudim’s impact extends far beyond individual cases. With case managers stationed in communities across 66 countries, they’re a network of support that’s always within reach. Amudim is on the case to prevent crises and build stronger communities. Through education and awareness, they aim for prevention and to create our world as a place where lifesaving support for those struggling with mental health, abuse, addiction and trauma is easily obtainable. With thousands of new cases a year, our annual campaign is the lifeblood of our organization, fueling our ability to assign case workers to each person in need and to serve our people. The Power of You Now, imagine yourself standing not at the edge of that abyss, but at the precipice of change. The work Amudim does is monumental, but they can’t do it alone. It takes Amudim. It takes their tireless case managers. And it takes you—yes, you—to make miracles happen. Your support isn’t just a donation; it’s a lifeline thrown to someone drowning in despair. It’s the difference between a child lost to addiction and a family reunited. It’s the whisper of hope in the darkest hour that says, “You are not alone.” Get on The Case The time to act is now. Will you answer the call? Will you stand with Amudim and declare that in our community, […]
The campaign manager for Vice President Kamala Harris sought to calm concerns following remarks Harris made earlier this week during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she mentioned she would shoot anyone who broke into her home.
During the Thursday livestreamed interview, Harris was asked about both the recent school shooting in Georgia and her previous acknowledgment, during a debate with former President Trump, that she owns a firearm. “If somebody breaks into my house,” Harris said, punctuated with her signature laugh, “they’re getting shot.” Winfrey responded, “I hear that, I hear that.”
Harris then added, “My staff will deal with that later,” hinting at the possibility that she had strayed from her prepared talking points after months of carefully managed public appearances.
“Here’s my point, Oprah. I’m not trying to take everyone’s guns away. I believe in the Second Amendment,” Harris continued. She described her stance on gun control as supporting “just common sense” regulations. Her campaign manager, Keisha Lance Bottoms, clarified the remarks in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Friday, insisting that the vice president was joking.
“It was a joke, and she knew we’d still be discussing it today,” Bottoms said. “But what’s important to highlight is that the vice president respects the Second Amendment, supports responsible gun ownership, and is committed to ensuring our communities are safe.”
Since taking on the role of leading the Democratic ticket in place of President Joe Biden, Harris has worked to soften earlier statements that may alienate independent voters. For instance, in 2019, during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, she endorsed a gun buyback program. “A buyback program is a good idea. Now we need to do it the right way. And part of that has to be, you know, buy back and give people their value, the financial value.”
Harris’ evolving stance on firearms, coupled with her party’s internal struggle over the prevalence of guns in America, has created challenges for her campaign. To secure the critical “blue-wall” states, Harris must appeal to blue-collar voters in regions like Wisconsin and Michigan, where gun rights hold significant importance for many.
On Friday, The New York Times pointed out that although other Democrats, including Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jason Kander of Missouri, and Jared Golden of Maine, have highlighted their support for the Second Amendment during campaigns, none have gone as far as making light of shooting an intruder.
{Matzav.com}
The IDF’s Home Front Command increased its restrictions on public life in northern Israel, responding to continued overnight rocket attacks by Hezbollah on Sunday, escalating months of ongoing tension into a more serious confrontation.
As per the updated orders, all educational activities in areas such as the Golan Heights, Galilee, Haifa Bay, and northern valleys stretching south to Beit Shean, roughly 63 kilometers from Lebanon’s border, were suspended.
Gatherings were limited to 10 people outdoors and 100 indoors. Workplaces were only allowed to operate if there was a nearby shelter that workers could access quickly.
These guidelines took effect at 6 a.m. on Sunday and were to remain in place until Monday evening at 6 p.m.
Earlier directives over the weekend had allowed for larger gatherings of up to 30 outdoors and 300 indoors.
In contrast, less stringent restrictions remained in force near the Gaza Strip, where up to 1,000 people were allowed to gather, and work and educational activities were largely unaffected.
No additional rules were imposed on other regions of Israel.
The Home Front Command’s website offers real-time updates, including the option to search for specific instructions based on location.
The uptick in violence on Shabbos followed an airstrike by Israel the day before that targeted top Hezbollah commanders, Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi, in Beirut. The attack also claimed the lives of other senior members of the group as they met in an underground room of a residential building.
The clashes occurred shortly after a series of explosions involving Hezbollah members’ personal devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, which killed dozens and injured thousands, an act widely attributed to Israel.
These incidents have inched both sides closer to outright war after 11 months of Hezbollah launching frequent attacks on northern Israel.
Throughout Saturday night into Sunday morning, Hezbollah launched a series of rockets at northern Israel, while the IDF responded by targeting hundreds of Hezbollah rocket launchers, which the military said had been prepared for firing at Israel.
The Magen David Adom emergency service reported that three individuals sustained minor injuries from rocket strikes in Kiryat Bialik, near Haifa.
Many others sought treatment for anxiety or were hurt while rushing to bomb shelters, according to MDA.
The IDF reported that Hezbollah fired approximately 85 rockets from Lebanon during the morning, in addition to those fired overnight. Some rockets were intercepted, but others struck Kiryat Bialik, causing significant destruction, as well as Moreshet, a Lower Galilee community.
Video footage captured one of the impact sites in Kiryat Bialik.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting a Rafael defense company site located near Haifa.
On Shabbos, around 100 rockets had already been launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel, with Hezbollah again claiming responsibility for the attacks.
No injuries were caused by these rocket strikes, but police received numerous reports of damage and fires sparked by the impacts.
{Matzav.com Israel}
In a remarkable illustration of the power of collaboration, two Shomrim organizations and two law enforcement agencies successfully apprehended a suspect involved in a gunpoint robbery of a USPS postal worker in Crown Heights. The incident traces back to last week Monday night, when a USPS postal worker was accosted by two men on Union Street, between Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues, in Crown Heights. The suspects held the worker at gunpoint, stealing a large quantity of mail from her bag. The brazen crime quickly caught the attention of the U.S. Postal Police, who sought assistance from local law enforcement. Upon being notified, Crown Heights Shomrim obtained an image of the suspects’ vehicle and issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert, sharing the license plate and description with fellow Shomrim organizations. This crucial information set the stage for the next major development. On Thursday, the vehicle was spotted by Boro Park Shomrim as it passed through their neighborhood, heading back towards Crown Heights. Boro Park Shomrim began tailing the vehicle, also notifying Crown Heights Shomrim of the sighting. With real-time coordination, Shomrim volunteers provided minute-by-minute updates to the NYPD, who moved to intercept the suspect. The operation culminated in the arrest of the driver at 95th Street and Rutland Road in Crown Heights. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
US officials are hoping that increased Israeli military pressure on Hezbollah will lead the Iran-backed terror group to agree to a diplomatic resolution, potentially allowing civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to return to their homes after nearly a year of cross-border conflict, according to a report by Axios. The report notes that while US officials understand Israel’s strategy of “de-escalation through escalation,” they are concerned that this approach is a “delicate calibration” that could easily ignite an all-out war. “One of the key messages was that we want to keep a path open to a diplomatic resolution and therefore don’t want the Israelis to take steps that will close such a path,” one US official told Axios. Both US and Israeli officials said that the Biden administration has urged Israel to refrain from launching a ground invasion or conducting airstrikes in civilian areas – actions that could exacerbate the conflict and derail diplomatic efforts. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Israel’s Health Ministry on Sunday issued new instructions for hospitals in the north after Hezbollah pounded northern Israel with over 150 rockets and drones beginning in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning. For the first time, all of Rambam Hospital’s operations are moving underground, a step prepared after the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War. The hospital is transferring all patients to departments established in the underground parking lot until further notice. Additionally, elective procedures at the hospital have been canceled. Non-emergency surgeries can only be performed if approved by the hospital’s exceptions committee. The Home Front Command has ordered all hospitals in the north to operate only in protected areas. Also on Sunday, the Home Front Command issued tighter restrictions on the residents of northern Israel, shutting schools in the Haifa Bay area, Ramat HaGolan, the Galil, and northern valleys. Gatherings are restricted to only ten people outdoors and 100 indoors. The new restrictions began on Sunday at 6 a.m. and will remain in effect until Monday at 6 p.m. The underground department at Rambam Hospital: (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
An Ohio sheriff is under fire for a social media post in which he said people with Kamala Harris yard signs should have their addresses recorded so that immigrants can be sent to live with them if the Democrat wins the presidency. Good-government groups called it a threat and urged him to remove the post. Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, a Republican in the thick of his own reelection campaign, posted a screenshot of a Fox News segment that criticized Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris over their immigration record and the impact on small communities like Springfield, Ohio, where an influx of Haitian migrants has caused a political furor in the presidential campaign. Likening people in the U.S. illegally to “human locusts,” Zuchowski wrote on a personal Facebook account and his campaign’s account: “When people ask me… What’s gonna happen if the Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say … write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards!” That way, Zuchowski continued, when migrants need places to live, “we’ll already have the addresses of their New families … who supported their arrival!” Local Democrats filed complaints with the Ohio secretary of state and other agencies, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio wrote to Zuchowski that he had made an unconstitutional, “impermissible threat” against residents who want to display political yard signs. Many residents understood the Sept. 13 post to be a “threat of governmental action to punish them for their expressed political beliefs,” and felt coerced to take down their signs or refrain from putting them up, said Freda J. Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio. She urged Zuchowski to take it down and issue a retraction. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, meanwhile, called Zuchowski’s comments “unfortunate” and “not helpful.” Zuchowski defended himself in a follow-up post this week, saying he was exercising his own right to free speech and that his comments “may have been a little misinterpreted??” He said voters can choose whomever they want for president, but then “have to accept responsibility for their actions.” Zuchowski, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, spent 26 years with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, including a stint as assistant post commander. He joined the sheriff’s office as a part-time deputy before his election to the top job in 2020. He is running for reelection as the chief law enforcement officer of Portage County in northeast Ohio, about an hour outside of Cleveland. The sheriff did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. His Democratic opponent in the November election, Jon Barber, said Zuchowski’s post constituted “voter intimidation” and undermined faith in law enforcement. The Ohio secretary of state’s office said it did not plan to take any action. “Our office has determined the sheriff’s comments don’t violate election laws,” said Dan Lusheck, a spokesperson for Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose. “Elected officials are accountable to their constituents, and the sheriff can answer for himself about the substance of his remarks.” That didn’t sit well with the League of Women Voters, a good-government group. Two of the league’s chapters in Portage County wrote to LaRose on Thursday that his inaction had left voters “feeling abandoned and vulnerable.” The league invited LaRose to come to Portage […]
“Telling your wife your needs and wants” is a complete waste of time for married men who want happiness and I’ll tell you why. So many marriage experts claim they have the secret to a happy marriage and that it all comes down to communication, boundaries and bringing in more money. They tell you to help out more at home, talk about the past, go together to a marriage professional but never stop to take inventory of whether ANY of these methods are actually WORKING in creating happiness and joy! I am not saying those strategies don’t work at all, but they are the long… slow… painful way of having a happy home. And for the few that make it with these strategies, they’ve done it while he doesn’t get what he needs, and she doesn’t get what she needs. Meanwhile, we’re helping our clients connect with their wives on the highest level, living lives full of happiness and excitement and it gets more and more joyful by the day where both husband and wife feel happiness and excitement… … all without needing their wife to meet them halfway! To check out how they do this, click below to watch my free presentation where I share all the details … you’re going to thank me for it! 5 Steps Married Men Use to Get Rid of Friction and Create Happiness and Excitement… Without Needing Their Wife to Meet Them Halfway!
Amid the 140 rockets and drones that Hezbollah fired at northern Israel beginning in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday morning, one rocket hit a two-story residential building and several cars in Kiryat Bialik, near Haifa. The impact injured three people, two elderly men and a 16-year-old girl, and caused significant destruction. New footage from a dashcam camera was posted on social media, showing the moment the rocket exploded in the residential neighborhood. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman Is this headline true? Is there actually a halachic obligation to visit FVAP.gov? Would Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, the Steipler Gaon zt”l, the Slonimer Rebbe zt”l and the Vishnitzer Rebbe really say that this is a halachic obligation? Well, let’s list two qualifications: 1] It particularly applies to American citizens over 18 studying or living in Eretz Yisroel. But it does include Seminary girls and Yeshiva Bochurim. 2] There is an alternative to FVAP.gov and that is visiting the OU Israel Center in Jerusalem. They will provide overseas voters all the tools and information needed so they can vote in the upcoming election. In the past – these absentee ballots made a difference. The OU-Israel Office is located at 22 Rechov Keren Hayesod (between Sokolov Street and Mendel Mocher Seforim Street). Their dates and hours to help you register to vote are: Sunday September 22, 2024 11AM to 2PM Monday September 23, 2024 10AM to 2PM Tuesday September 24, 2024 10AM to 2PM Wednesday September 25, 2024 11AM to 2PM Sunday September 29, 2024 11AM to 2PM Monday September 30, 2024 10AM to 2PM Tuesday October 1, 2024 10AM to 2PM Wednesday October 2, 2024 11AM to 2PM Thursday October 26, 2024 11AM to 2PM They can also visit: https://www.ou.org/votefromabroad THE OBLIGATION Is there an actual halachic obligation to vote? The short answer is – yes. THE OBLIGATION – RAV FEINSTEIN’S VIEW Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l discusses the obligation to vote in an English letter, and finds the source of such an obligation in the notion of Hakaras HaTov—expressing our gratitude. In 1984, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York was conducting a voter registration campaign. Rav Moshe Feinstein was approached and responded that, in fact, Jews should vote. Subsequently, a letter was released signed by Rav Feinstein delineating the obligation to vote. The letter stated: “On reaching the shores of the United States, Jews found a safe haven. The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights have allowed us the freedom to practice our religion without interference and to live in this republic in safety. A fundamental principle of Judaism is hakaras hatov — recognizing benefits afforded us and giving expression to our appreciation. Therefore, it is incumbent on each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which guards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote. Therefore, I urge all members of the Jewish community to fulfill their obligations by registering as soon as possible, and by voting. By this, we can express our appreciation and contribute to the continued security of our community.” RECTIFYING AN URGENT MATTER On the other hand, the Steipler Gaon zt”l seems to view the obligation of voting as a means of fulfilling the need to rectify an urgent matter. Indeed, he is cited in Orchos Rabbeinu p. 141 in Cheshvan of 5726, as even having permitted a mourner within the seven days of mourning to vote when the need to vote is urgent. RESPECTING THE VIEW OF THE GEDOLEI TORAH The Slonimer Rebbe zt”l and others (See Bais Yaakov Yerichon L’Inyanei Chinuch 027-028 p. 30) have proposed an entirely different reason for the obligation. They write that the obligation to vote stems from […]
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed the United States in part on Thursday for the surge in cartel violence terrorizing the northern state of Sinaloa which has left at least 30 people dead in the past week. Two warring factions of the Sinaloa cartel have clashed in the state capital of Culiacan in what appears to be a fight for power since two of its leaders were arrested in the United States in late July. Teams of gunmen have shot at each other and the security forces. Meanwhile, dead bodies continued to pop up around the city. On one busy street corner, cars drove by pools of the blood leading to a body in a car mechanic shop, while heavily armed police in black masks loaded up another body stretched out on a side street of the Sinaloan city. Asked at his morning briefing if the U.S. government was “jointly responsible” for this violence in Sinaloa, the president said, “Yes, of course … for having carried out this operation.” The recent surge in cartel warfare had been expected after Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, landed near El Paso, Texas on July 25 in a small plane with Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Zambada was the cartel’s elder figure and reclusive leader. After his arrest, he said in a letter circulated by his lawyer that he had been abducted by the younger Guzmán and taken to the U.S. against his will. On Thursday afternoon, another military operation covered the north of Culiacan with military and circling helicopters. Traffic was heavy in Culiacan and most schools were open, even though parents were still not sending their children to classes. Businesses continue to close early and few people venture out after dark. While the city has slowly reopened and soldiers patrol the streets, many families continue to hide away, with parents and teachers fearing they’ll be caught in the crossfire. “Where is the security for our children, for ourselves too, for all citizens? It’s so dangerous here, you don’t want to go outside,” one Culiacan mother told the Associated Press. The mother, who didn’t want to share her name out of fear of the cartels, said that while some schools have recently reopened, she hasn’t allowed her daughter to go for two weeks. She said she was scared to do so after armed men stopped a taxi they were traveling in on their way home, terrifying her child. During his morning press briefing, López Obrador had claimed American authorities “carried out that operation” to capture Zambada and that “it was totally illegal, and agents from the Department of Justice were waiting for Mr. Mayo.” “If we are now facing instability and clashes in Sinaloa, it is because they (the American government) made that decision,” he said. He added that there “cannot be a cooperative relationship if they take unilateral decisions” like this. Mexican prosecutors have said they were considering bringing treason charges against those involved in the plan to nab Zambada. He was echoed by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, who said later in the day that “we can never accept that there is no communication or collaboration.” It’s the latest escalation of tensions in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Last month, the Mexican president said he was […]
A tragedy occurred in Israel early Sunday morning amid heavy Hezbollah rocket fire at northern Israel when a deadly car accident occurred amid blaring rocket sirens. An Israeli driving near Ramat Yishai apparently panicked at the sound of the sirens and veered off the highway, hitting the barrier. The accident killed one of the passengers, a 17-year-old yeshivah bochur, and injured three others. MDA paramedics were forced to declare the death of the bochur at the scene. A 20-year-old passenger was moderately to severely injured and was evacuated to Rambam Hospital in Haifa. The two others were lightly injured. Israel Police stated: “Israel Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of a single-vehicle accident that occurred on Route 77 between the Yishi Interchange and the Zarzir Interchange. As a result of the accident, one of the vehicle’s passengers (a 17-year-old resident of central Israel) was pronounced dead, and four other passengers were injured, with wounds ranging from mild to moderate. “Officers and traffic accident investigators from the Northern District are currently at the scene and have begun investigating the circumstances of the case, with initial suspicions suggesting that the accident may have happened while the alarms were sounding in the north this morning.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
By Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber
The following is a letter that I shared with my talmidim to help them have a proper perspective on the upcoming Yomim Noraim. My hope is that others could be inspired as well.
Dear Talmidim,
As we approach the Yomim Noraim, I want to share a thought with you to help with your Tefillah. We begin to daven more during these days as we approach the new year. Boys, your Tefillos actually matter and are so powerful. You have the ability to bring calmness to the turmoil all around us. Many of you hear the news from Eretz Yisroel and from around the world. You may be anxious as you hear so much devastation and sadness. But you also have the power to change that. Your Tefillos could actually bring the geula we are all waiting for.
There is a famous mashal brought from Rabbi Uri Klughaft of Strelisk (1757- 1826) that could help you:
There was once an enormous tree with a huge amount of branches and leaves. The king wanted the tree uprooted, so he promised a tremendous amount of money for anyone who would be successful. Strong people from throughout the world came to uproot it, but they were unsuccessful. The tree was too firmly implanted in the ground. Weeks and months passed without anyone succeeding.
One night, a young child innocently leaned against the tree. Out of nowhere, the whole tree toppled over with a thunderous bang. The tree that the king had wanted to fall, finally fell! Everyone was shocked that such a little child had succeeded in uprooting the sturdy tree!
We all understand that the child wasn’t so strong and for sure not as strong as those men who had tried before him. But this child came after dozens had tried, who although had not toppled the tree, had weakened the tree. All it took was that last push to uproot that deeply rooted tree.
Boys, our Tefillos are the same. The geula is almost here. Better times are within view. Great people for generations have davened, and we are lucky to have the zechus to topple the tree.
It has been a long year. K’lal Yisroel has been davening and connecting to Hashem in the most special ways. We could each build on that and have the most special Tefillah.
When you daven for yourself, your family and for K’lal Yisrael, imagine that you are leaning on that tree, giving the final push! Never underestimate the power that you hold with your Tefillah.
Daven like never before, Hashem is waiting and listening to you. I will have you in my mind in my teffilah, please have me in yours.
Be’ahava,
Rebbi
Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber is a Middle School Rebbi in Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury, the Director of the Mishmar Evening Program in Waterbury and Division Head in Camp Romimu. Rabbi Heber can be reached via email at mdheber@ykwaterbury.org.
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