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Establishment of the Vizhnitz Torah Rescue Fund marks a new phase in the worldwide campaign to rescue and sustain the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel

With those living a life of Torah in Eretz Yisroel facing unprecedented hardship and recent harsh decrees, Jews in the diaspora are rallying with strength and resolve. The crisis has deepened with the imprisonment of bochurim and avreichim who stand firm in their commitment to Torah study in the face of military draft demands, leaving families in anguish and the Torah world feeling under siege. Particularly hard hit are the kollelim of Vizhnitz, where thousands of avreichim and their families are confronting deep financial instability. 

A New Fund for Vizhnitz 

In response to this dire situation, Gedolei Torah, shlit”a established Keren Olam HaTorah. The creation of this fund sparked widespread awakening among Jews worldwide to stand in defense of the Torah HaKedosha, which has been degraded under these difficult conditions. 

Now, these rescue efforts are expanding with the establishment of the Keren Hatzolas Olam HaTorah Vizhnitz – The Vizhnitz Torah Rescue Fund. This new initiative addresses the dire plight of thousands of avreichim who remain in extremely difficult circumstances and whose rescue is most urgent. Most notably, the campaign seeks to ensure the survival of Vizhnitz’s vast kollel network, which spans communities throughout Eretz Yisroel. 

Haskamos from the Rebbe 

The founding gathering of this fund was held in Eretz Yisroel, led by the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlit”a. At this historic event, the Rebbe issued a heartfelt cry, writing in his own holy handwriting: “Whoever exerts effort in this matter will have eternal merit, and he will lack nothing because of it, and his offspring will be blessed.” 

Hundreds of participants at the gathering undertook to each support one avreich in the Vizhnitz kollel network. Representing the global Keren Olam HaTorah, the mashgiach, shlit”a, attended, delivering words about achrayus that Klal Yisroel bears to ensure that Torah study continues without interruption, and the absolute unity required among all yirei Shamayim to withstand the trials of this era. 

Despite his physical weakness, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe personally blessed every individual who accepted upon himself the sacred responsibility of supporting avreichim and pledged to “adopt” an avreich family, expressing deep emotion and heartfelt gratitude. 

The First Step in a Significant New Phase 

The survival of the kollelim—and the continuity of full-time Torah learning—now rests on the willingness of Klal Yisroel to shoulder this burden together. Thanks to the efforts of the new fund, combined with the support of Keren Olam HaTorah worldwide, monthly stipends were successfully distributed last month, b’chasdei Hashem, to 1,500 avreichim across the Vizhnitz kollel network throughout Eretz Yisroel. This accomplishment has raised strong hope for stabilizing the situation of the kollelim as the fund’s work continues on a global scale. 

At present, efforts are intensifying to ensure the fund’s continuation. The roshei kollel of Vizhnitz are preparing to travel abroad to give voice to the cry of the Torah world in the diaspora. The eyes of thousands of lomdei Torah are turned toward them, strengthened by the holy mission and the unique bracha of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, together with the encouragement of all Gedolei Yisroel and the luminaries of our generation, shlit”a. 

A shooter opened fire with a rifle through the windows of a Catholic church in Minneapolis and struck children celebrating Mass during the first week of school, killing two and wounding 17 people in an act of violence the police chief called “absolutely incomprehensible.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter — armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol — approached the side of the church and shot dozens of rounds through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School just before 8:30 a.m. Police believe the shooter then killed himself. The children who died were 8 and 10, and 14 other kids were among the wounded, the chief said. Dozens of youngsters were inside. The police chief said the shooter was in his early 20s, did not have an extensive known criminal history and is believed to have acted alone, but did not release the name or information on possible connections to the school. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press authorities have identified the shooter as Robin Westman. That official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. “This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” the police chief said as church bells rang out. He noted that a wooden plank was placed to barricade some of the side doors, and that authorities found a smoke bomb but no explosives at the scene. The police chief said officers immediately responded to reports of the shooting, entered the church, rendered first aid and rescued some of the children hiding throughout the building as other emergency responders arrived. The school was evacuated, and students’ families later were directed to a “reunification zone” there. Outside, amid a heavy uniformed law enforcement presence, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears. The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a biological male who identified as a female. In a YouTube video posted by Westman before the shooting, he expressed his desire to die, and showed off his guns – which had on them scrawled the names of previous mass shooters and one that said, “Kill Donald Trump.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, toured the Gaza Strip today alongside senior IDF leadership, including Southern Command Commander MG Yaniv Asor, Head of the Operations Directorate MG Itzik Cohen, Gaza Division Commander BG Barak Hiram, as well as the commanders of the Etzioni Brigade, the Southern Brigade, and other senior officers.

During the visit, LTG Zamir was briefed on the latest operational developments involving the Etzioni Reserve Brigade and the Southern Brigade in the Gaza Strip. He met with the soldiers and commanders of the Etzioni Brigade, whose reserve service has been extended due to the ongoing campaign, and expressed his deep gratitude for their commitment and resilience during this critical period.

From the remarks of LTG Eyal Zamir: “We are in a multi-front campaign and are operating on all fronts with full strength. There are arenas in which we have already operated and are prepared to operate again if required.

Our main effort at this time is in enhancing the operation in Gaza City. We are focused on this right now and are continuing operational moves on the ground. We are committed to bringing back the hostages, defeating Hamas, and ensuring that an event like October 7th never happens again.

Thanks to the reservists, Israel stands tall against every enemy, your sacrifice is an inspiration to us all. Conscripts, career soldiers, and tens of thousands of reservists are answering the call and sacrificing their personal lives, along with their families, for the security of the state. You embody the deepest expression of Israeli solidarity and of commitment to the future of the state.

We will do everything to create stability and to reduce the burden on the reservists, with the understanding that this is a precious national resource.

Against the backdrop of challenges across all arenas, we cannot accept a situation in which not all parts of society bear the burden. Israel’s security requires the full partnership of all parts of the nation. This is a civic duty and a national imperative. I call on everyone to enlist and contribute their share equally, this is the call of the hour, and we must all respond to it.”

{Matzav.com}

The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eden Bar Tal, held a press conference today addressing the international media, where he presented Israel’s detailed assessment of the recent IPC report.

The report that exposes the lies.

Bar Tal stated that, according to data taken directly from the organization itself, significant fabrications were discovered that appear to have been designed to advance a political narrative consistent with Hamas’s messaging.

He described the findings as evidence of a deliberate manipulation of facts, calling the document “the report that exposes the lies.”

During the briefing, Bar Tal also displayed an official letter sent by Israel to the IPC, demanding that the report be withdrawn immediately. “If the report is not suppressed,” he cautioned, “Israel will turn to donor countries requesting to stop funding the organization.”

Among the irregularities he revealed was the creation of 182 “virtual” fatalities — numbers that were artificially added to reach the required total of 188 deaths needed to declare a famine situation under IPC guidelines.

Bar Tal further noted that the IPC relied on the MUAC 15% index, a measurement that is explicitly prohibited for use in this type of assessment, and used clinic data that, by the IPC’s own rules, should have been excluded from consideration.

Additionally, he explained that the organization cherry-picked data to produce its conclusion. Out of a survey involving 15,749 children, only figures from 7,519 were included, deliberately selecting information that supported the predetermined narrative. Furthermore, one of two separate surveys conducted in Gaza — the one indicating there is no famine — was buried in the appendix and excluded from the main findings.

Bar Tal concluded by stressing that these issues amount to severe falsifications that fail to meet accepted research standards. He emphasized that Israel will not accept the report’s legitimacy and will oppose any use of its findings as reliable data.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A woman in Thailand sentenced to a prison term of more than four decades on a charge of royal defamation was released on Wednesday by a royal pardon after serving just under one-fifth of her term, said a human rights organization. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said 69-year-old Anchan Preelert was one of six political prisoners freed under a July 29 pardon on the occasion of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday. Anchan, a former civil servant, was sentenced in January 2021 by the Bangkok Criminal Court on 29 counts of violating the country’s lese majeste law for posting audio clips to Facebook and YouTube with comments deemed critical of the monarchy. She was initially sentenced to 87 years, at that time the longest such sentence ever handed down, but her term was reduced by half to 43 years and six months because she pleaded guilty to the offenses. Violating Thailand’s law on royal defamation is punishable by three to 15 years’ imprisonment per count. The law is controversial not only because it has been used to punish things as simple as liking a post on Facebook, but also because anyone — not just royals or the authorities — can lodge a complaint. The main criticism is that it is used as a tool to quash political dissent. Anchan, wearing a white t-shirt and face mask, was embraced by friends and family and received bouquets of flowers from supporters when she walked out of Bangkok’s Central Women’s Correctional Institution, where she spent eight years and four months in total, including pretrial detention, after her arrest in 2015. “I feel immensely happy. I want to be free for a long time because I’m getting old and my time is running short now,” Anchan told reporters. “For over eight years, it felt like it was all my life, it was bitter because it was not my place to be. It was torturous, it doesn’t matter whether it’s comfortable or not, but it isn’t my home.” Thai Lawyers for Human Rights has said that more than 270 people have been charged with lese majeste since early 2020, when there was a flurry of protests for reforms to Thailand’s monarchy. In 2024, an appeals court handed political activist Mongkhon Thirakot in the northern province of Chiang Rai a record 50-year prison term after finding him guilty of violating the lese majeste law. Public criticism of the monarchy, a linchpin of Thai identity, used to be rare, but student-led pro-democracy protests began to challenge that taboo in 2020, openly criticizing the institution. That led to vigorous prosecutions under what once had been a little-used law. More than 50 people remain in prison as political prisoners and 32 of them are charged with insulting or defaming the monarchy, said Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Last week, Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted of a royal defamation charge after the Bangkok Criminal Court found the witnesses and evidence against him were too weak to support a conviction. He was originally charged in 2016 over remarks he made a year earlier to journalists in South Korea The same court Tuesday acquitted Piyarat Chongthep, a lawmaker from the opposition People’s Party, of royal defamation for posting messages criticizing how protests in 2020 were dispersed and referring to the alleged […]

With Sukkos quickly approaching, PSI is once again stepping in to ease the burden on middle-income families in Rockland County (Monsey) by providing much-needed grocery assistance. Spearheaded by Philanthropist and Baal Tzedakah Reb Lazer (Louis) Scheiner, together with other local baalei battim, this initiative aims to alleviate financial strain and ensure that every family can celebrate Yom Tov with dignity. The program, which has already benefited thousands of families across Rockland and beyond, helps cover essential Yom Tov shopping expenses by distributing grocery cards to eligible households. This initiative is aimed specifically at families who often do not qualify for traditional assistance programs yet still struggle under the financial weight of preparing for Yom Tov. Important Dates: Signup Opens: Monday, August 25, 2025 Signup Closes: Friday, August 29, 2025 Cards Mailed Out: Thursday, September 11, 2025 (after Rosh Hashanah) Expiration Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 The PSI cards will be accepted at Bingo and All-Fresh, ensuring families can purchase their Yom Tov needs with dignity and flexibility. Program organizers emphasized that if a participant’s shul is enrolled, cards will be mailed directly following Rosh Hashanah. Those not receiving cards by mail will still be notified regarding their eligibility. Sources tell YWN that due to today’s difficult economy and the high demand for assistance, hundreds of Lakewood families have reached out to PSI requesting that the program expand to their community. Discussions are underway, and organizers are working on making it possible, hopefully in time for this Yom Tov, and if not, then for the next. “This program is about helping hardworking families who fall through the cracks,” said a PSI coordinator. “Sukkos should be a time of simcha, not financial stress, and we are grateful to provide support once again.” About the Pesach and Sukkos Initiative PSI provides significant grocery discounts to middle-class families facing high Yom Tov expenses. Funded by local balebatim, the program facilitates a 50% discount, helping families celebrate Yom Tov בדרך כבוד. SIGNUP HERE: https://psiyomtov.org/ (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke during an interview on Patrick Bet-David’s podcast last night, where he was asked about President Donald Trump’s influence on the ongoing war and how things might have unfolded differently under his leadership.

When Patrick questioned whether Hamas would have carried out the October 7th massacre if Trump had been in office at the time, Netanyahu suggested that the outcome might have been different.

“Probably not, but it’s hard to say with these these maniacs. I think Iran would have been more careful.” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also addressed the partial arms embargo placed on Israel by President Joe Biden, which included stopping the supply of heavy munitions as leverage to push for a ceasefire in Gaza. He pointed out that the current president later reversed this decision immediately, a move Netanyahu praised.

During the same interview, Netanyahu publicly acknowledged for the first time that he recognizes the Armenian genocide carried out by the Turks. He was asked, “Why haven’t you yet recognized the Armenian genocide that the Turkish did?” while noting that many countries criminalize Holocaust denial but Israel had not previously recognized the Armenian genocide.

Netanyahu’s response was simple and direct: “I just did.”

{Matzav.com}

Gas stations have run dry in some regions of Russia after Ukrainian drones struck refineries and other oil infrastructure in recent weeks, with motorists waiting in long lines and officials resorting to rationing or cutting off sales altogether. Wholesale prices on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange for A-95 gas — the highest octane — spiked to record highs last week, soaring to about 50% higher than in January, as demand soared from farmers seeking to bring in the harvest and Russians hitting the roads for their last big vacation of the summer. Russian media outlets reported fuel shortages are hitting consumers in several regions in the Far East and on the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed from Ukraine by Moscow in 2014. Media outlets in the Primorye region, which borders North Korea, reported long lines and prices of about 78 rubles per liter (approximately $3.58 per gallon) at gas stations in the area, where the average monthly wage is about $1,200. Journalists at local news outlet Primpress found other drivers trying to sell gas online for as much as 220 rubles per liter (about $10.12 per gallon). In the Kurilsky district of the Kuril Islands north of Japan, shortages of lower octane A-92 gas forced officials to halt public sales outright Monday. In Crimea, a popular resort area, some companies sold fuel only to holders of coupons or special cards. Normal price increases are aggravated this year Russia is no stranger to gasoline price increases at the end of summer. But this year’s shortages have been aggravated by Ukraine’s attacks on oil refineries in the 3 1/2-year-old war. Larger, more concentrated attacks are causing more damage and hampering production, all timed to coincide with peak demand. Ukraine has targeted energy infrastructure before, but the recent strikes have been more successful, with more drones targeting a more concentrated group of facilities. “The Ukrainians are attacking an arc of refineries, starting from Ryazan, which is south of Moscow, all the way to Volgograd. That region is where people are driving through on their way to (resorts on) the Black Sea. That’s the region where most of the harvest operations are going on. And that’s also a rather densely populated region,” Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The Associated Press. Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 24, Ukraine attacked oil infrastructure at least 12 times, according to media reports. Of those attacks, at least 10 were targeting sites in the Ryazan-Volgograd arc in southwestern Russia. These attacks have damaged many oil refineries but have not destroyed them outright, Vakulenko said, adding that most of the facilities are extremely resilient against fires. But they can slow refinery activity, as shown by a fall in the intake of crude oil to be turned into diesel, gasoline or other products by roughly 200,000 to 250,000 barrels per day, said Gary Peach, oil markets analyst at Energy Intelligence. “That’s just enough to make their gasoline industry feel some pain, especially during the high consumption months in the summer,” he told AP. Gasoline production fell 8.6% in the first 19 days of August, compared with a year earlier, and diesel production was down 10.3%. Other war-related issues have caused even more consumer pain. Ukrainian drone strikes repeatedly have disrupted Russian transportation networks, particularly air traffic, causing […]

Kupat Ha’ir is sending a minyan of representatives to pray for you every day, for 40 days, at ten holy sites: The Kosel HaMa’aravi, Kever Dovid HaMelech, Rashb”i in Meron, Rabbi Yehuda bar Ila’i, Amuka, Beit Yosef, the Ar”i HaKadosh, the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, Rabbi Leib Ba’al HaYissurim, and the Rebbe HaKadosh m’Zhvill – places from where the Shechinah has never left. These talmidei chachamim, masters of tefillah, will mention daily the names of donors, their mothers, and their requests, arousing Heavenly mercy during the most critical days of judgment – to merit a year that is good, sweet, and filled with light. To donate >>>

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by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

Beyond the Grave

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

A historic meeting took place in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, as three leading Gedolim in America traveled to meet with the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Yechiel Leiter. The discussion centered on the ongoing situation regarding yeshiva bochurim being drafted into the IDF, and the strong opposition voiced by the Chareidi community in both Eretz Yisroel and the United States. Traveling to the nation’s capital were HaGaon HaRav Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel; HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of BMG; and HaGaon HaRav Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva in the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn—all members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America. The meeting was arranged and attended by noted philanthropist Reb Shloime (Sol) Werdiger, Chairman of Agudath Israel. The Gedolim expressed that the Chareidi community in America stands fully united with the Chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel in their battle on behalf of Bnei Torah. Ambassador Leiter, a shomer Torah u’mitzvos, warmly welcomed the Gedolim at the Israeli Embassy, where the private meeting lasted for nearly an hour. In an interesting moment, the ambassador—who grew up in Scranton, PA—shared that his father was a talmid of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Ruderman zt”l. It should be noted that the Gedolim undertook significant mesiras nefesh by leaving their yeshivos on only the second day of Elul zman to make the trip to Washington for this crucial meeting. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, further details of the discussion remain confidential. However, Ambassador Leiter thanked the Gedolim for their efforts and assured them that he would remain in close contact as the situation develops. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman sent a formal letter to opposition leader MK Yair Lapid, seeking to establish a joint framework for shaping the principles that would guide the formation of the next government.

In the letter, titled “Formulating Guiding Principles for the Next Government,” Lieberman called for an urgent meeting “as soon as possible” with the leaders of the Zionist opposition parties, as well as with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.

“The State of Israel is currently facing security, economic, and social challenges that threaten the foundations of Israeli society. The national resilience of the state, in all its dimensions, requires responsible, balanced, and united leadership that can present a moral and practical alternative to the current government, which is leading the State of Israel to ruin and brought upon us the disaster of October 7,” Lieberman wrote.

He further explained his proposal, writing: “Therefore, I believe we must act together and formulate a common basis for action. The guiding principles that are formulated should reflect broad agreements on the central issues on the national agenda, foremost among them security, economy, drafting a constitution, the issue of military service, and the relationship between religion and state, while preserving the State of Israel’s founding values as Jewish, Zionist, democratic, and liberal. I believe that especially in this period, we have an obligation to take national responsibility and work together to strengthen public trust.”

Meanwhile, Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef and widely known as the “Green Prince,” told Arutz Sheva – Israel National News last week that internal conflict within Israel only benefits Hamas, since the terror organization thrives on deepening societal divisions and undermining the government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

He warned, “Protests motivate Hamas. Their goal is to divide Israeli society, force the government to collapse, and delay the mission. If we surrender to their demands and Hamas stays in power, the consequences of defeat will be deadly. This would ignite bloodlust everywhere and put Jews worldwide at risk.”

Yousef underscored that national unity is a matter of survival, adding that “the global enemy is counting on one thing: division. This is exactly what Hamas identified before October 7th. This is why they chose that time and why they took hostages. Unity must be the priority.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

House Republicans have escalated their investigation into alleged antisemitism at California’s top medical schools, demanding reams of internal records from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, sent letters to the two institutions on Monday, giving them two weeks to turn over “all documents and communications” dating back to September 1, 2021. The requests specifically target records relating to antisemitic incidents and how administrators, faculty, and staff responded. “The Committee has become aware that Jewish students, faculty, and patients have been experiencing hostility and fear at the university, and it has not been demonstrated that the university has meaningfully responded to address and mitigate this problem,” Walberg wrote. In his letter to UCSF, Walberg cited testimony from Jewish students who said they concealed their religious identity while attending the school. The letter also pointed to disturbing incidents, including a student allegedly telling a peer that “Jews control the banks,” and a lab technician reportedly telling a Jewish student that “Israel deserved what happened on October 7.” Walberg also sent a similar demand letter to the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The congressional probe comes as UCLA faces an even bigger battle with the federal government. The Trump administration has already suspended $584 million in federal grants to the university, citing violations of the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in its handling of antisemitism complaints. Earlier this month, the Justice Department proposed a sweeping $1 billion settlement that would allow UCLA to regain its federal funding. The agreement would also require UCLA to establish a $172 million compensation fund for alleged victims of discrimination. UC President James Milliken pushed back, warning the massive penalty would cripple the system’s public mission. “Demanding $1 billion from a publicly funded, leading research institution is a misuse of tax dollars that will hurt the University’s mission of serving students and the public,” Milliken said. “UCLA, and the larger UC system, has taken meaningful steps to make it clear that combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish students, faculty, and community members on campus is a top priority.” The university is already facing legal fallout. In July, UCLA agreed to pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Jewish students and faculty over the school’s handling of anti-Israel protests. That case accused administrators of tolerating demonstrations that effectively created a “Jew Exclusion Zone” on part of campus. The new House investigation adds further pressure to the UC system, demanding transparency into how top medical schools have confronted antisemitism allegations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Taharas Hamishpacha is among the most sensitive and complex areas in Halacha, requiring deep clarity, careful application, and real shimush to properly understand and apply in real-life situations. While many bnei Torah have learned Yoreh Deah Chelek Beis in kollel, the opportunity to study Hilchos Niddah in an organized, structured, and practical way has remained out of reach for many—especially for those who didn’t learn the sugya in depth, or never had proper chazarah or guidance in applying the halacha. To address this need, Chavra Dehilchisa has launched a comprehensive program in Hilchos Taharah, covering the full breadth of the halachos—from classic sources to contemporary applications—with a strong emphasis on psak halacha and practical shimush. What the Course Includes: In-Depth Learning of the sugyos and primary poskim (Shulchan Aruch, Nosei Keilim, Acharonim). Practical Orientation for real-life questions that often aren’t addressed explicitly in the texts. Clear and Organized Curriculum with weekly shiurim and source materials Review Materials to ensure real retention and clarity. .The course is led by Rabbi Shmuel D. Bernath serves as a posek at the Bais Horoah of Lakewood, under the leadership of Rav Shlomo Miller Shlita with extensive experience in teaching Hilchos Taharah. This program is ideal for yungeleit who wish to gain serious mastery in Hilchos Niddah—whether for personal knowledge, future hora’ah, or simply to fulfill the mitzvah of learning these essential halachos al taharasan. If you’ve been seeking a way to truly understand Hilchos Taharah—this is the structured, serious, and practical framework you’ve been waiting for. The halachos of Taharas HaMishpacha demand absolute clarity.‍ Some halachos can’t be left to “I think so.” Learn it. Master it. Live it. 👉 Sign up now at https://www.chavradehilchisa.com/product/hilchos-niddah 📞 347.459.7352

IDF Arabic Language Spokesman Avichay Adraee released a message directed to the residents of Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, responding to claims circulating that there is no space available for evacuees in the southern part of the Strip. He firmly dismissed these reports, clarifying that they are incorrect.

“Before transitioning to the next phase in the war, I wish to confirm that there are vast empty areas in the southern Strip, just as is the case in the central camps and in Al-Mawasi. These areas are free of tents,” Adraee stated, emphasizing that the IDF has already examined these locations thoroughly and will provide this information to residents in order to assist with their evacuation in the most effective way possible.

Adraee also stressed the importance of leaving Gaza City, noting that relocation would bring significant humanitarian assistance. “Evacuating Gaza City is inevitable, and therefore, every family that relocates to the south will receive the most abundant humanitarian aid that is currently being worked on these days, as the IDF has begun working on introducing tents and preparing areas to establish complexes for distributing humanitarian aid, laying water lines, and more.”

He concluded by underscoring that the movement of residents to the southern Gaza Strip is being carried out for their safety, aiming to protect civilians ahead of the next phase of the ongoing conflict.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Democrats were plunged into political crisis, especially splintered on immigration and border security, after their thorough defeat last year in an election in which President Donald Trump made hard-line immigration action a centerpiece of his campaign. That may be changing. From New York to California, Democratic lawmakers are talking more about their immigration plans, showing up at detention centers to conduct oversight on the conditions and at times getting into confrontations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. It’s putting a spotlight on Trump’s agenda to deport millions of people, suggesting Democratic lawmakers are feeling emboldened to push back. Still, they have a ways to go before advancing a unified agenda of their own. Yet their actions show how the ground is shifting in the American immigration debate — away from border policies to questions about the future for millions of people who are already in the country without permanent legal status. “Is there an opening for Democrats? Yeah,” Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat who has pushed his party for years to emphasize border security, told The Associated Press. “Say strong on border security, focus on criminals and all that, but do not deport the folks with good records.” Democrats are ramping up visits to detention centers Across the country, Democrats have shown up — sometimes unannounced — at immigration detention centers to check on reports of unsanitary and unsafe conditions and draw attention to the Trump administration’s actions. Congressional Democrats have sued the Department of Homeland Security for blocking them from making unannounced site visits, saying they have a right to do so under federal law. “Transparency matters. Oversight matters. Accountability matters,” said Rep. Joe Neguse earlier this month after he and other Colorado Democrats visited a detention center in Aurora, near Denver. “You certainly can expect to see the Democratic members of Colorado’s House delegation continue to lean in on all fronts.” It’s a change of focus for some within the Democratic Party even from the beginning of the year, when many lawmakers were arguing that the party needed a new approach on immigration that emphasized stronger enforcement. Some Democrats even helped advance several Republican bills aimed at migrants who are accused of crimes. Yet as the Republican president’s deportation efforts ramped up this year and ensnared people without criminal backgrounds who were caught up in the fervor to remove noncitizens, Democrats began to mobilize. “Hardworking, middle-class individuals — all us just looking to earn the American dream,” said Rep. Lou Correa, a California Democrat, referring to Alejandro Barranco, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran whose father was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern California, where he lived for decades. Barranco was at the Capitol for a July event organized by Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee where they decried Trump’s administration as “unaccountable, unlawful and unconstitutional.” Republicans hold firm even as public opinion shifts Still, Republicans believe they continue to have the upper hand in the immigration debate. They are already pointing to Trump’s success in deterring migrants from coming to the U.S. border with Mexico. “We’ve never seen such — first of all — a horrible situation with the border as we saw under President Biden and the Democrats, only to see all that reversed after the election. Now it’s one of the most secure southern borders we’ve had in years,” said Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican. Daines […]

Israel’s Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat participated in a special gathering celebrating the approval of new communities in the Binyamin region. In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Barkat highlighted the importance of extending full Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and urged that the Palestinian Authority be dismantled.

“What a pleasure, the end of summer, and we’re celebrating during a historic moment,” Barkat said. “The crisis we faced during the October 7th massacre was severe—there is still work to be done, hostages to bring home, and the operation in Gaza to complete. But we also have a tremendous opportunity. Now is the time to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Now is the time to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.”

Barkat laid out his alternative approach based on what he calls the “Emirates model,” starting with Hebron. He has presented this concept before and is currently working to advance it in collaboration with Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz and other government officials.

“God willing, we will succeed in dividing and dismantling the Palestinian Authority and moving toward a model of autonomous Palestinian emirates,” Barkat explained. “This model includes full Israeli recognition of the territories of Judea and Samaria.”

He went on to share that he has been holding direct discussions with leaders in Hebron. “When the sheikhs of Hebron say they want nothing to do with the corrupt Palestinian Authority, and they recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people—something the PA has never done—it shows a path forward,” he said. “They oppose terrorism and are ready to cooperate with the State of Israel. They aren’t seeking statehood and have no national aspirations. They simply want to live alongside us peacefully.”

Barkat noted that his proposal has gained significant traction among settlement leaders and within various branches of government. “This is a model backed by leaders of the settlement movement—Israel Ganz, Samaria governor Yossi Dagan, and ministers throughout the government, including, of course, the Prime Minister,” he said. “It’s a question of timing—when and how to implement it.”

Looking to the near future, Barkat cautioned about an approaching diplomatic challenge. “At the end of September, we expect a diplomatic tsunami against Israel. But imagine if half the Palestinians stand up and say: ‘Don’t recognize them—recognize us. We are the true Palestinians, the people of Chevron. We’ve lived here for 700 years. We know how to live in peace with Israeli communities.’ That would be a dramatic moment on the international stage.”

Barkat concluded by expressing his confidence in Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s backing of the initiative. “I have no doubt the Prime Minister supports this direction. It’s just a matter of timing and coordination. I hope we’ll move forward with it as soon as possible.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.” It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.)  Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them. Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year! Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)! YES! YOU CAN MAKE your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR! The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact.  All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned. Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own.  Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden.  Official Shtar from Shas Yiden Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim. All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: […]

SpaceX successfully launched Starship on its 10th test flight Tuesday after weather conditions had delayed an earlier attempt Monday to lift off from the company’s South Texas launch site.

During the test, Starship reached space, deployed a set of mock satellites, endured the intense heat of re-entry, executed a flip maneuver, and completed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

“Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting tenth flight test of Starship!” SpaceX announced on X following the milestone launch.

“Great work by the SpaceX team!!” Elon Musk wrote on X in celebration of the success.

Tuesday evening’s accomplishment marked a significant step for Musk’s broader goals of using Starship to land astronauts on the moon and, eventually, to pave the way for missions to Mars.

The successful liftoff came after multiple delays. On Monday, SpaceX was forced to postpone the launch, posting on X, “Standing down from today’s flight test attempt due to weather. Starship team is determining the next best available opportunity to fly.”

One day earlier, on Sunday, the company explained that the initial attempt to launch had been called off due to technical issues with ground systems.

Starship’s development journey has been marked by numerous challenges, including several fiery explosions during testing.

Flights 7, 8, and 9 ended in failure after liftoff earlier this year, and in June, a separate rocket suffered an explosion on a test stand.

Despite those setbacks, SpaceX remained optimistic heading into this week’s launch. Before Monday’s delayed attempt, the company posted an update on X saying, “Counting down to Starship’s tenth flight test. Weather is currently 55% favorable for launch at the start of the window.”

SpaceX has emphasized that each failure provides valuable lessons in refining the performance and reliability of Starship, which at 403 feet tall is the most powerful rocket ever built.

Tuesday’s mission primarily focused on testing the spacecraft’s upper stage, which is designed to carry cargo and crew into orbit before making a controlled descent back to Earth, splashing down in the Gulf of America.

A successful test marks another critical step toward proving the system’s reusability — a central part of Musk’s vision to make space exploration and future travel more cost-effective and accessible.

{Matzav.com}