Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania made clear that he has no intention of leaving the Democratic Party, despite his disagreements with party leaders in Washington over their warnings of a government shutdown if Republicans refuse to make major concessions on health care funding.
“No, I’m not going to switch,” Fetterman told Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Bartiromo suggested that “real extremists” have attempted to “hijack the Democratic Party,” whether in terms of policies or rhetoric, and pressed Fetterman on whether that might drive him to change parties.
The senator replied that he takes issue with Democrats who demonize President Trump and his backers by labeling them “Nazis or fascists.”
“If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of things … I’m not going to be that guy,” he said.
Fetterman added that he gravitates toward “independent thinking and views,” regardless of whether they originate from “the Republican or the Democratic voice.”
That tendency to chart his own course has made Fetterman a tempting target for Senate Republicans, who would like to expand their majority to 54 seats by persuading him to cross over.
Despite those efforts, Fetterman has repeatedly rebuffed calls to abandon the Democrats.
In his conversation with Bartiromo, he also defended his strong pro-Israel record, arguing that U.S. pressure on Israel to stop military operations would have prevented it from taking out top Hezbollah figures in Lebanon and Syria, as well as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar a year ago.
“Now it’s endgame,” he said. “And this war does have to end, and that’s why [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu’s been forced to do this and go into Gaza City. That’s why I’m going to follow Israel, just as I’ve done for now going on two years.”
An extraordinary story recently came to light involving one of Israel’s largest esrog exporters, who ships tens of thousands of esrogim abroad, particularly to the United States. Each year, the complex process requires permits from the Ministry of Health and clearance from American customs. This year, however, a serious problem arose: word spread that a notoriously antisemitic customs officer had been assigned to inspect the shipments. With a single stroke, he could disqualify the entire consignment, causing losses of tens of thousands of dollars.
Faced with this daunting risk, and knowing the livelihood of many Jews hinged on the shipment, the merchant urgently reached out to close disciples of Rav Dov Kook of Tiveriah, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Schneider and Rabbi Yaakov Brizel of the Sifsei Kohen Institute. He asked to be brought immediately into Rav Kook’s home. The merchant traveled to Tiveriah, poured out his concerns before the tzaddik and begged for a bracha that the esrogim would pass inspection. Though Rav Kook is known to minimize speech during Elul, he listened, thought briefly, and then declared decisively: “אין מה לחשוש, משלוח זה יעבור!—There is nothing to fear. This shipment will go through!”
Incredibly, two weeks later, word arrived that the miracle had happened. All the other shipments on the same ship were rejected by the antisemitic officer, who cited a supposed dangerous insect that could harm American agriculture. The only cargo that cleared customs without issue was the esrogim that had received Rav Kook’s bracha.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the merchant rushed to Rav Kook before Rosh Hashanah to express his thanks and brought him a special matanah: an entire crate of the finest esrogim. Rav Kook rejoiced at the news of the miracle, but as he returned to his learning, he posed a simple question: “To whom are you selling these esrogim?”
When the merchant answered, “To all of Klal Yisroel,” Rav Kook gave him a surprising and serious instruction: “If so, do not forget to recite Tefillas HaDerech before you set out on the road.” The merchant and others who heard were puzzled but accepted the words with full faith.
On Motzaei Rosh Hashanah, the merchant set out from Yerushalayim to Modiin Illit to pick up another batch of esrogim, this time fully mindful of Rav Kook’s direction. He recited Tefillas HaDerech with great intent before setting off. As he drove on Highway 443, heavily loaded with boxes, the first rain of the season began to fall. With oil accumulated on the asphalt over the summer, the wet conditions made the road treacherously slick.
On an incline, the driver suddenly lost control. His vehicle, weighed down with cartons, began to slide backward. Helpless behind the wheel, he braced for catastrophe. Then, in what can only be described as a clear miracle, the car came to a complete stop—just half a centimeter from the reinforced concrete safety barrier. Neither he nor the cargo sustained the slightest damage.
Only then did the merchant grasp the depth of Rav Kook’s foresight. By instructing him to say Tefillas HaDerech, the tzaddik had foreseen the danger that lay ahead. Thanks to his bracha and guidance, not only had the esrog shipment been spared earlier, but the merchant’s own life had now been saved from certain disaster.
{Matzav.com Israel}
The National Histadrut and the Bus Drivers’ Union in Israel have announced that they plan to begin a general strike in the next two weeks to protest their employment conditions, raising fears of major disruptions just before the Yomim Tovim.
The strike would involve hundreds of drivers working for the Beit Shemesh Express bus company, which operates routes in Beit Shemesh, the southern Shephelah, and the Yerushalayim corridor, areas that include significant chareidi populations.
Union representatives said the move comes after months of failed negotiations. They accused company management of refusing to agree to collective arrangements on key issues, including unilateral changes to working conditions, recognition of the workers’ committee, and enforcement of an existing labor agreement.
According to the National Histadrut, they acted with restraint and patience, holding many meetings and making major concessions to avoid harming the public. But, they warned, unless management shows real willingness to resolve the urgent disputes, labor actions will continue and culminate in a full strike in two weeks.
A workers’ committee representative added: “We made every effort to reach an understanding, but management is dragging its feet. We have no choice but to fight through a strike to ensure enforcement of the collective agreement and recognition of the company as an organized workplace.”
If carried out, the strike is expected to cause widespread disruptions in heavily traveled regions, affecting commuters and residents during the busy Yomim Noraim travel season.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Dear Matzav Inbox,
How can we approach Yom Kippur with a clear conscience when there is such a terrible tragedy unfolding in our community?
At this very moment, there are 10,000 girls hoping to get married — yet BMG has only about 2,000 boys available. Just this summer alone, another 3,000 young women returned from Eretz Yisroel. This imbalance is devastating. We do not need more speeches, discussions, or well-meaning comments. We need action. Real, decisive action.
Can you not feel the pain? I always believed that Yidden care about each other. Do we truly care, or are we satisfied with endless commentary while thousands of our daughters continue to wait?
The newest initiative being promoted is the only practical path forward. It has the support of 99% of rabbonim and shadchanim. Why not give it a chance? What do we have to lose? It is our best — and perhaps only — option.
I write not only for myself but for my daughters, and for thousands of others. To underscore how desperate the situation has become: even a prominent shadchan in the tri-state area, who has three daughters in shidduchim, cannot succeed. One of their daughters is already 26 years old and still waiting. If a famous shadchan cannot manage to arrange suitable matches for their own family, what hope is there for everyone else?
This is a communal crisis. Please, do not dismiss our suffering with casual comments. Such remarks are deeply hurtful to parents and young women who are already carrying so much pain. Instead, join us. Be part of the solution. Help us get our daughters married.
In Chassidishe communities there are enough boys. In Eretz Yisroel, the Litvishe world does not face the same shortage. Only in America do we find ourselves in this impossible situation. Think carefully — use your head — and recognize why this is happening. Then, help us fix it.
And to those who present themselves as “ober chochomim” who claim they don’t agree with this initiative: I challenge you. Either put forth a different, workable plan that can gain the support of rabbonim across the board, or remain silent. Your opinions and criticisms, without solutions, only make things worse. And honestly, I ask: do you even have a daughter waiting for a shidduch? Or are you just another hocker offering empty words?
We cannot continue this way.
A Gut Yor to all who genuinely feel the pain of another Jew — and who understand that silence is sometimes the greatest act of kindness.
Y. C. G.
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{Matzav.com}
