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Sen. Tim Kaine says he will move immediately to try and pass a War Powers Act resolution again if the U.S. carries out military action in Venezuela.

At a Motzoei Shabbos dinner held in Boro Park in support of Satmar institutions, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, offered candid impressions from his recent visit to Israel and expressed deep concern over the state of many American bochurim learning there.

The Rebbe addressed what he described as a troubling spiritual decline among American boys who travel to learn in Eretz Yisroel. Rather than gaining from the experience, he warned, many are losing ground.

The Rebbe recounted what he witnessed firsthand: “When I was in Yerushalayim, I would sometimes be out at 9:00 in the morning, sometimes at 10 or 11 or even later. I saw them in Yerushalayim—with a hat, without a hat, with wet peyos—wandering here and wandering there, not knowing what to do. I saw the hefkeirus of the American bochurim who are walking around in Yerushalayim. They aren’t going up. They’re going down,” he said.

He then turned directly to parents who currently have sons learning in Israel. “I want to tell the people here who have boys in Eretz Yisroel that their children are roaming the streets of Eretz Yisroel,” he cautioned.

{Matzav.com}

Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Beirut on Sunday set the tone for a visit the Vatican is portraying as crucial for a nation weighed down by crisis. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received him at Rafic Hariri International Airport, where crowds came out to greet the pontiff and listen for signals about how he intends to engage with the region’s most urgent challenges.

Before even touching down in Lebanon, the pope outlined his regional outlook while speaking to reporters aboard his flight from Turkey. There, he reiterated that “the only solution… must include a Palestinian state.” He acknowledged the current geopolitical reality, saying, “We all know that at this time Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution.” He added that the Vatican hopes to serve as a bridge, explaining, “We are also friends with Israel, and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two parties that might help them close in on a solution with justice for everyone.” He also noted that his discussions with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan focused heavily on conflicts roiling the region and on Ankara’s potential influence in efforts toward peace.

Upon landing in Beirut, the pope immediately turned to the Lebanese public with a message meant to uplift a society worn down by economic strain and uncertainty. He urged them to remain “peacemakers,” and praised Lebanon as a place still capable of renewal and coexistence. His sentiments aligned with the Vatican’s longstanding belief that Lebanon stands as a unique crossroads of civilizations and faiths.

Later in the day, the pope spoke before Lebanon’s political and religious leadership, offering an extended meditation on the meaning of peace in a fractured environment. He referred to the Lebanese people as those who “do not give up,” and called on officials to elevate peace above every competing priority. Their history of resilience, he said, must continue to define them as they navigate a path forward.

Emphasizing that recovery requires a spirit of optimism, the pope encouraged the country’s leaders to speak “the language of hope,” reminding them that Lebanon’s strength has always rested on bonds of perseverance, mutual affection, and the willingness to rebuild. He warned that no society can move toward real harmony without honest efforts at reconciliation, stressing that healing—whether personal or national—depends on confronting one’s past with sincerity. Peace, he said, means “knowing how to live together, in communion,” and requires institutions committed to the common good rather than narrow interests.

The pope also highlighted the pressing need to stem the outflow of Lebanon’s youth, urging steps to ensure that those who wish to remain in their homeland can do so securely and with dignity. He noted that women, in particular, serve as pivotal builders of peace, reinforcing the social fabric and guiding communities toward renewal.

Drawing from Lebanon’s rich cultural tradition, he concluded with a poetic reflection on the country’s deep connection to music, describing peace as a harmony shaped by divine love. He expressed hope that this spiritual melody would continue to define how the Lebanese live together in a land “that God deeply loves and continues to bless.”

{Matzav.com}

In a wide-ranging interview, MK Yair Golan, who leads the Democrats party, unleashed fierce criticism at the chareidi factions, arguing that their political flexibility comes at the expense of the country’s wellbeing. Although he insisted, “as long as they get their pound of flesh, they’re willing to sit in any government,” Golan simultaneously claimed he might align with those same parties if a future political reality forced such cooperation.

Golan described what he views as the ideal governing structure, maintaining that, “What’s good for Israel is a coalition ranging from [Naftali] Bennett to Mansour Abbas of Ra’am… led from within by the liberal-democratic camp — not the Right.” According to him, meaningful leadership must move away from narrow ideological blocs and toward what he calls a broad, values-based alignment.

He dismissed the traditional left-center-right political map, arguing instead that the true divide in Israel rests between two clashing worldviews. “Clinging to the outdated left-right-center paradigm is wrong and locks us into obsolete frameworks. The real story in Israel today is the corrupt and authoritarian camp versus the liberal-democratic camp,” he asserted.

While he categorically rejected entering any coalition that includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben Gvir, or Bezalel Smotrich, he noted that he would not automatically rule out working with chareidi parties if the numbers demanded it. In his words, “We all understand that we need each other. We don’t want any of the current coalition parties. They are destructive: a corrupt Likud, the extreme nationalists Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and the charedim who are destroying the country.”

Golan also turned his attention to centrist figures — Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, and Gadi Eisenkot — urging them to rally behind what he calls a unified ideological alternative. He appealed to them to help form “a strong, large liberal-democratic camp that will provide a real governing alternative.”

When discussing Naftali Bennett’s record, Golan issued one of his harshest attacks. He expressed disbelief that anyone would treat Bennett as a partner after his role in shifting national direction. “Bennett brought the Kohelet Forum into our lives, attacked the Supreme Court, and introduced religious content into education. What are we talking about? Have you lost your minds?”

{Matzav.com}

Wizz Air signaled Thursday that it is prepared to move aggressively into the Israeli aviation market as early as March or April, setting the stage for a political and regulatory fight that could reshape — and sharply lower — the cost of air travel for Israeli consumers. After meeting with Transportation Minister Miri Regev in […]

Reb Elazar Tzadok Kaufman, who was released on Sunday after 138 days of solitary confinement in Prison 10, was welcomed with joyous dancing in the streets of Bnei Brak. Kaufman was arrested in July at a protest in Yehud against chillul kevarim, together with two other bnei yeshivos from the Yishuv Hayashan. The three were […]

Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas announced Saturday that he will retire from Congress after his term ends in 2026 to focus on family. Nehls, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump who has sported his mug shot on a T-shirt, said he called Trump to inform him of his plans. “President Trump has […]

A Russian missile barrage struck the Jewish cemetery in Kharkiv over Shabbos, causing significant damage and reinforcing a troubling pattern of Jewish sites being hit amid the ongoing war. The cemetery, located in Kharkiv’s Saltivka district—an area repeatedly targeted throughout the conflict—took direct hits during one of the latest waves of Russian fire. Community members […]

Sen Tim Kaine: These two Guard members should’ve been at home at Thanksgiving celebrating Thanksgiving with their families, not deployed in a political deployment to do law enforcement in DC that the DC police and other local law enforcement agencies can do… I mourn for them.

BREAKING: Congress is now considering impeaching Federal Judge James Boasberg.

At a Motzoei Shabbos gathering marking the completion of Seder Moed by the Oraysa learning program, Rav Yitzchak Yosef delivered an emotional and forceful address about the draft crisis and the recent arrests of yeshiva students by military police. Speaking with visible pain, he declared that “almost all” of those being detained are Sephardi bochurim and urged the community to strengthen Torah study as a means to overturn the harsh decrees.

Opening his remarks, Rav Yosef asked, “The detainees? Almost all of them are Sephardim, unfortunately. We need many merits so that Hashem will cancel all these decrees upon us — the legal advisers, the judges… may He nullify their counsel and disrupt their plans.”

Rav Yosef stressed that the most powerful response to the crisis is an increase in Torah learning. “These merits must come through Torah study,” he said. “When a person learns Torah, Hashem will help ensure that all of these decrees will be canceled as if they never existed.”

He concluded with a brocha that the yeshiva world continue to grow despite the pressure and upheaval. “May we all merit to expand our borders with more students, and may all the rabbanim and roshei yeshiva see true nachas from their talmidim, who are like their own children,” Rav Yosef said.

{Matzav.com}

A major snowstorm in the Midwest and Great Lakes brought winter to some Thanksgiving travelers, and forecasters said the northeast U.S. could get its own early winter storm next week. Winter storm warnings and advisories extended from Montana to Ohio, the National Weather Service said. Forecasters warned there could be airport delays and slowed traffic […]

Lakewood Apartment Rentals has quickly become the fastest-growing listing platform in the Lakewood area. In just a year and a half, the platform has already featured hundreds of rental listings, helping landlords and tenants connect quickly, easily, and efficiently. With an impressive 5,000+ views on WhatsApp and thousands of website visitors every week, listings receive […]

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request to President Isaac Herzog for a pardon on Sunday caused a furor in Israel. Predictably, while right-wing politicians supported Netanyahu’s request for a pardon, decrying the trumped-up charges against Netanyahu, which have not only completely collapsed in court but have also exposed severe crimes committed by prosecutors and investigators in […]

Dancing and singing tonight in Yerushalayim, as crowds held a large welcome-home celebration for a chareidi Yeshiva Bochur who was released from military prison.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside President Isaac Herzog’s residence in Tel Aviv on Sunday, calling on him to reject Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon. The rally was organized under the slogan “Pardon = Banana Republic.” Participants stood behind a large display of bananas stacked on the ground, topped with a sign reading […]

Israel is bracing for a political showdown over the new draft law, as Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has instructed the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee—led by MK Boaz Bismuth—to begin a marathon of deliberations this week on the proposal that would formally define the status of yeshiva students and shape the future of military conscription.

The coalition’s goal is ambitious: to pass the bill through its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum within just six weeks. To reach that target, the coming days will feature three separate committee sessions aimed at finalizing the legislation.

But even within the coalition, cracks are emerging. Senior coalition members—including Yuli Edelstein and Sharren Haskel—have already begun quietly rallying internal opposition that could block the bill from securing a majority when it reaches the floor.

In response, senior figures in the charedi parties have turned to an unusual strategy: engaging in discreet conversations with Arab party leaders, hoping they will simply skip the vote and effectively lower the threshold for the law’s passage. Thus far, however, Arab factions have rejected the idea, making clear that their top priority is bringing down the Netanyahu government rather than helping it pass critical legislation.

MK Boaz Bismuth announced last night that the committee has already made substantial revisions to the legislation. “I worked over the past weeks on the draft of the enlistment law in full cooperation with the legal advisers of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee under my leadership. I made several changes in order to fully meet legal requirements and prevent any future legal risk,” he said.

He defended the bill as balanced and pragmatic. “This is a responsible law that creates equilibrium between the needs of the IDF and the preservation of the Torah world, and restores stability to the State of Israel.” Bismuth added confidently, “The train has already left the station, and it will not stop until the law is approved in the Knesset plenum!”

The controversy has also triggered objections from unexpected quarters. Tzachi Hanegbi, the former National Security Council chief who was recently dismissed, sharply condemned the current version of the bill. “The burden still falls on the shoulders of relatively few. The IDF needs thousands more combat soldiers, certainly in light of the most recent war and its consequences. The proposed law, as published, does not advance this goal, it legitimizes draft-dodging and endangers the state’s future,” he said.

Hanegbi emphasized that supporting Torah study does not contradict national defense. “The Torah has preserved Israel throughout the generations, and Torah learning is precious to the Jewish people. It must be combined with the value of defending the state and its citizens,” he said.

He concluded by warning that the government cannot afford to delay. “Many years in the Cabinet, in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and in the National Security Council taught me that the IDF knows how to integrate these two values successfully. Now the government and the Knesset must ensure this without any further postponements.”

{Matzav.com}

A driver in Haifa accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake. Luckily, the vehicle didn’t drive off the ledge.

A הכנסת ספר תורה was held at a Paratroopers training base in Shomria, in memory of several soldiers who were killed in Operation Swords of Iron.

A deeply emotional scene unfolded last week in Beitar Illit during the wedding of a granddaughter of the Rebbe of Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. The event took an unexpected and stirring turn when the Rebbe addressed the crowd and spoke candidly about his declining health.

The kallah is a daughter of Rav Yisroel Kahn, rov of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok kehillah in Boro Park, and a granddaughter of Rav Dovid Schwimmer, a senior dayan in the Vizhnitzer kehillah of Beit Shemesh.

The chosson is a son of Rav Naftali Stein and a grandson of Rav Dovid Shlomo Stein, dayan of the Faltishaner kehillah in Williamsburg. He is also a grandson-in-law of the Karlsburger Rebbe of Williamsburg.

In the midst of the celebration, the atmosphere shifted when the Rebbe rose to speak. His voice was weak but full of emotion as he reflected on his health challenges and shared a message that deeply touched the crowd. “We must make use of the time we are still here together in this world. I am very weak now because of the illness in my legs and I have no strength. I ask the public to thank Hashem on my behalf,” the Rebbe said.

{Matzav.com}