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A strongly worded letter from former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef denounced the recent assault on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur and condemned the escalating campaign of incitement against Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri. The attack on Ben-Tzur occurred outside the Yazdim shul in Yerushalayim following his weekly shiur, when a group of extremists confronted and assaulted him amid growing tensions over the proposed Giyus Law.

Rav Yosef also addressed those who have attempted to misrepresent his view on the general Giyus matter.

In his letter, Rav Yosef expressed outrage over both the physical attack and the broader smear campaign targeting Shas representatives. “The instigators who spread slander and falsehood against public representatives are the same individuals who have sown division within the chareidi community for decades and who persecuted my father, Maran zt”l, during his lifetime,” he wrote. “It is clear that their intentions are not for the sake of Heaven, and one must distance themselves from them and their harmful ways.”

Rav Yosef’s remarks come amid intensified protests against Shas lawmakers and gedolim and rabbonim involved in the ongoing deliberations over the Giyus Law, legislation that seeks to formalize the status of bnei yeshiva and protect the framework of full-time Torah study while complying with court directives.

In defense of the process, Rav Yosef voiced full confidence in the rabbinic committee overseeing the matter, emphasizing that the responsibility for drafting the law rests with those appointed by the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. “We have already expressed our position on regulating the status of bnei yeshiva,” he wrote. “Everything has been entrusted to the special committee appointed by the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, which is carrying out its task faithfully and ensuring that the integrity of the Torah world is safeguarded.”

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are being sent home, and those who will remain will continue to stay off the streets amid court battles over their domestic mission by the Trump administration, a defense official said Monday. The withdrawal of soldiers — sent from California and Texas — is […]

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The United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party issued a scathing statement on Monday condemning recent assaults on chareidi Members of Knesset, calling the attacks a “disgraceful display of violence” that only serves to harm the Torah community and fuel animosity against it.

The statement followed a wave of verbal and physical attacks against MK Yaakov Asher of Degel HaTorah and MK Yoav Ben-Tzur of Shas, both targeted in recent days by extremists protesting the advancement of the new draft law. Behind the scenes, UTJ officials have pointed fingers at activists associated with the Yerushalmi faction for orchestrating the assaults.

In its official declaration, UTJ wrote: “The United Torah Judaism faction strongly protests and denounces the violent incidents that have taken place in recent days against the shluchie derabbonon, the chareidi Members of Knesset.”

The party rejected attempts to frame the incidents as mere demonstrations, stating: “Members of the faction utterly repudiate the baseless claim that these are ‘protests.’ These are severe acts of violence that have no place anywhere, under any circumstances.”

UTJ lawmakers further warned that “these violent outbursts provide ammunition to those who seek to harm and persecute lomdei Torah, giving them yet more excuses to attack while portraying the Torah community as violent.”

The statement concluded: “Our representatives reaffirm their unwavering commitment to continue working on behalf of Torah learning and Torah scholars throughout Eretz Yisroel, in accordance with the guidance of gedolei Yisroel.”

During the Shas party meeting held the same day, party leader Aryeh Deri also condemned the recent assaults, referencing the attack on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur outside a shiur given by Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef on Motzoei Shabbos.

“We all denounce in the strongest possible terms the serious assault on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur,” Deri said. “When we hear how Liberman now speaks disparagingly about lomdei Torah as a result of this event, we understand the magnitude of the chillul Hashem caused by those rioters. The attack was a real danger to life and could easily have ended far worse. To our dear friend Reb Yoav we say: Chazak ve’ematz, Hashem imcha gibor hachayil!”

Meanwhile, police have raised security precautions for several chareidi MKs following the surge in threats and protests. Israel Police Operations Chief, Commissioner David Filo, officially designated MKs Moshe Gafni and Yaakov Asher as being under Level 4 threat, meaning regular police patrols will monitor their homes and security cameras will be installed on-site.

In addition, the Knesset Guard recently offered personal protection to Aryeh Deri, though he declined the proposal.

The heightened security comes amid intensifying demonstrations outside the homes of chareidi lawmakers—particularly those of Deri and Asher—over the proposed draft law to regulate the status of yeshiva students. The bill includes higher enlistment targets and sanctions, drawing fierce opposition from parts of the chareidi community.

Last night, dozens of protesters affiliated with the Yerushalmi faction gathered outside MK Asher’s home, prompting a large police response and several arrests after clashes broke out.

On Motzoei Shabbos, MK Yoav Ben-Tzur was violently attacked after leaving Rav Yitzchak Yosef’s weekly shiur at the Yazdim shul in Yerushalayim’s Bucharim neighborhood.

President Yitzchak Herzog condemned the wave of violence, declaring: “Violence against public representatives is a red line that must never be crossed. Israeli society is already in a tense and sensitive period, and it is incumbent upon all of us to denounce any expression of violence, incitement, or humiliation—from any side. This is a test of the character of our nation. I call on Israel Police to bring all those involved to justice.”

{Matzav.com}

The driver charged in the devastating Flatbush crash that killed a mother and her two daughters has accepted a plea deal and faces three to nine years in prison. Prosecutors say Miriam Yarimi, 32, pleaded guilty Monday, months after the March 29 tragedy that claimed the lives of Natasha Saada 34, and her daughters Diana, […]

Israel is moving forward with a major project to build a new visitor education center on Har Hazeisim, part of a broader effort to upgrade security and deepen public understanding of one of the world’s most significant religious and historical sites. The 1,500-square-meter complex — a joint initiative of the Israeli government and the International […]

The UN Security Council voted Monday to approve a U.S.-sponsored resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s blueprint for ending the war in Gaza, while also granting authorization for an international stabilization mission in the region. The resolution’s passage marks a significant step toward implementing the first phase of Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which Israel and Hamas agreed to last month — including a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The UN move is viewed as key to establishing an interim governing authority and providing assurance to countries weighing participation in the rebuilding of Gaza.

The adopted resolution invites UN member states to join the Board of Peace, a transitional body that will oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and economic revival. It also formally approves the creation of the stabilization force tasked with ensuring demilitarization — dismantling weapons networks and eliminating military infrastructure. Trump’s 20-point framework is attached as an annex to the resolution, outlining the full roadmap for Gaza’s postwar future.

Russia, a permanent Security Council member with veto power, had earlier signaled skepticism toward the measure but ultimately abstained, allowing the resolution to move forward. The Palestinian Authority publicly voiced support for the American-led initiative in a statement released on Friday, calling it an essential step toward recovery and governance reform in the enclave.

However, the decision has sparked heated debate within Israel. Many government figures are concerned that the resolution implicitly leaves room for a potential Palestinian state. The text itself states that “conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” once the Palestinian Authority completes its reform process and Gaza’s reconstruction advances. It adds that “The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.”

Facing pressure from right-wing members of his coalition, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu made clear that his government remains firmly opposed to Palestinian statehood, reaffirming that Israel will move forward with Gaza’s demilitarization “the easy way or the hard way.”

Meanwhile, Hamas and its allied factions have categorically rejected the resolution. In a statement issued late Sunday, the Hamas-led coalition denounced the measure as “a dangerous step toward imposing foreign guardianship over the territory,” accusing the United States of advancing Israeli interests under the guise of peace. The group has refused to lay down its arms, signaling that despite the UN endorsement, the path to lasting calm in Gaza remains fraught with tension.

{Matzav.com}

United Airlines is asking a federal judge to dismiss a class-action lawsuit accusing the carrier — along with Delta Air Lines — of deceiving passengers by charging extra for “window” seats that offer no actual window. In a striking legal argument filed on Nov. 10, United insists that the term “window seat” refers only to […]

Gunmen attacked a high school in northwestern Nigeria before dawn on Monday, taking 25 schoolgirls and killing at least one staffer, authorities said of the latest abduction of students in the region. No group immediately claimed responsibility for abducting the girls from the boarding school in Kebbi state and their motivation was unclear. Nigeria is […]

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Lately, a question keeps echoing in my mind—softly at first, then more insistently: Is this really where I’m meant to be?

I have a steady job here in the United States, a predictable routine, and the familiar comforts that come with stability. Yet beneath it all, something feels unfinished. I find myself thinking more and more about Israel—and about the possibility of dedicating myself to bringing our secular brothers and sisters closer to authentic Judaism.

It isn’t that my life here lacks meaning. It’s that I feel called toward a deeper one. Every time I visit Israel—or even just think about it—that feeling returns. There’s something about the land, the people, the rhythm of Jewish life that resonates with a different part of my soul. The mornings feel different there, the conversations feel different, and even the air seems charged with history and destiny.

Israel doesn’t just feel like a place I love—it feels like the place where I could become the person I’m meant to be.

Part of what draws me is the realization of how many Jews in Israel live without ever truly tasting Torah. Not because they reject it, but because they’ve never encountered it in all its depth and sweetness. I imagine what it might be like to help bridge that gap—with warmth, sincerity, and genuine respect. Something inside me whispers that maybe I could help ignite that spark in others.

Of course, leaving my job in the U.S. would mean giving up stability, family, and stepping into the unknown. So I’ve been thinking: what if I took a first small step? Perhaps I could spend a couple of weeks in Tel Aviv this summer—holding on to my life here, but dedicating some time to explore this dream.

Is there anyone out there who feels the same pull, the same quiet tug toward something greater? Maybe we could create something together—a kind of Yarchei Kallah of Kiruv.

Any interest?

A Yid

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

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The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is barely a week removed from celebrating Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory — and New York’s ascendant left is already threatening to take her down. At a raucous “Tax the Rich” rally in Union Square on Sunday, the Democratic Socialists of America and top progressive lawmakers delivered a blunt message to the governor: […]

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Eliyahu Raful zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Neveh Eretz in Be’er Yaakov. He was niftar this morning at the age of 95.

Rav Raful was one of the foremost marbitzei Torah of the past generation and a true pioneer of the Sephardic yeshiva movement in Eretz Yisroel. Following the storied legacy of Yeshiva Porat Yosef, he established Yeshiva Neveh Eretz, which became a spiritual lighthouse for generations of Sephardic bnei Torah, guiding them toward a life of Torah learning and yiras Shamayim.

Renowned for his extraordinary Torah knowledge, sharp intellect, and profound humility, Rav Raful exemplified the essence of a genuine Torah educator. He devoted his life entirely to spreading Torah and building the next generation of talmidei chachomim. Over the decades, he produced hundreds of talmidim, many of whom went on to serve as rabbonim, dayanim, roshei kollel, and roshei yeshiva across the Torah world.

After a period of declining health, Rav Raful passed away peacefully at his home in Bnei Brak.

The levayah took place today at his home at 5 Harav Hirsch Street in Bnei Brak, continuing to the Ponovezh Cemetery for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Postal Service can’t fix its finances through cuts alone, Postmaster General David Steiner said Friday. Steiner said the 250-year-old agency needs to expand its revenue base to restore prominence in the nation’s delivery network. It also should capitalize on its long-standing legal obligation to deliver to every address. One way it can do that, Steiner said during […]

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams received a rare bipartisan standing ovation in the Knesset today as he concluded his farewell visit to Israel. Adams, who will soon be succeeded by Zohran Mamdani—widely regarded as anti-Israel—was warmly welcomed by members of both the coalition and opposition during his appearance in the plenum.

WATCH:

Earlier, Adams met with Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana in the Speaker’s Office, joined by Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis. Ochana expressed gratitude for Adams’s “unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish people throughout his tenure, particularly in the days following October 7.”

Addressing the plenary session, Ochana publicly hailed Adams as “a true friend of Israel, of the Jewish people, and of the largest Jewish community in the world outside of Israel.” He added, “Your heartfelt words in your speech just days after October 7—‘We are not OK’—touched the hearts of so many here in Israel and reflected genuine moral clarity. Your leadership in the fight against antisemitism shows courage and true solidarity. Because of leaders like you, we will be OK.” Members of Knesset rose to their feet, applauding Adams for several minutes.

Earlier in the day, Adams met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Mayor Adams for his strong support of Israel and for being a true friend of the Jewish people.”

Adams also met with President Yitzchak Herzog at the Presidential Residence in Yerushalayim. “You are a dear and close friend of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people,” Herzog told him. “We will never forget your moving words and the solidarity you showed on and after October 7. I will personally never forget your historic visit in the early days of the war—meant to strengthen us and express confidence. Your contribution to the relationship between Israel and New York City is tremendous.”

Herzog continued, “You have done wonders for New York, and I have always admired the dignified way you led the city. Your presence here now is deeply meaningful. As you know, we are concerned about the situation following the recent mayoral elections in New York. I thank you for your friendship and solidarity over the years and wish you much success in all your future endeavors.”

In his remarks, Adams responded, “Like many of my colleagues, we want to send a clear message: 49% of New Yorkers made it clear they do not accept an anti-Israel philosophy. We still view Israel as an ally and a friend. I come here, as I leave office, to reaffirm that I will not abandon my commitment to Israel and to the Jewish people around the world. Your contributions through innovation and technology impact quality of life globally.”

Acknowledging rising antisemitism, he added, “We can’t deny that there’s an increase in antisemitism around the world, including some of what we hear in New York. I believe what we need now is clarity—clarity in our message—and I will continue to emphasize that message in the fight against hatred wherever it appears.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is suddenly signaling he’s open to a working relationship with New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — the democratic socialist he’s spent months portraying as a dire threat to America’s largest city. Speaking to reporters before departing Florida, Trump said Mamdani “would like to meet with us,” adding, “We’ll work something out.” […]

Bill Maher tore into Democrats and Republicans alike during an interview on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS on Sunday, arguing that both parties are increasingly out of step with the country they claim to represent. “Why can’t either one of them be normal?” Maher asked. Maher said President Donald Trump “could score points” with voters across […]

An unusual yet heartwarming scene was captured at a gathering in Bnei Brak last night. During a fundraising dinner for Keren Olam HaTorah, held at the home of philanthropist Yissachar Knoll, attendees witnessed a rare and touching interaction between two of the generation’s gedolim, HaGaon Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, and HaGaon Rav Don Segal, the renowned mashgiach.

In the midst of the formal proceedings, the two gedolim were seen engaged in a quiet, handwritten exchange, passing notes back and forth with deep concentration. A photo taken by Ezra Trabelsi shows Rav Segal initiating the correspondence, penning a message and handing it to Rav Landau, who promptly responded in his own handwriting.

The exchange continued for several minutes, even as the official program carried on around them. At one point, the intensity of their written discussion appeared to heighten, suggesting that a particularly weighty matter had come up for deliberation.

Observers were moved by the sight, a silent Torah dialogue unfolding between two towering figures, conducted with reverence and discretion amid a bustling event.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major summit as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet President Trump on Tuesday, with normalization with Israel listed as one of the key topics. “This visit is not ceremonial. It is consequential,” wrote Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief of the Saudi newspaper Arab News, over the weekend. “If […]

Foreign students enrolled at U.S. colleges in strong numbers this fall despite fears that a Trump administration crackdown would trigger a nosedive, yet there are signs of turbulence as fewer new, first-time students arrived from other countries, according to a new report. Overall, U.S. campuses saw a 1% decrease in international enrollment this fall compared with last year, according […]

It’s midnight in the holy city of Yerushalayim, and a group of exalted and illustrious mekubalim stream in, one by one, into the Beis Medrash overlooking the Makom HaMikdash—the site of our destroyed Beis HaMikdash—where they will spend the night immersed in holiness.   Each and every one of these carefully selected Yidden has already spent years in the study of the Zohar and the writings of the Arizal and his talmidim. Their faces […]