Yeshiva World News

“Abandoned” Jewish Baby In Monsey With Note Attached Sparks Speculation And Panic – But It’s A Hoax

Panic spread through Monsey and on social media Wednesday morning after messages claimed a newborn named “Malkie” was found with a handwritten Yiddish note begging someone to care for her. The note reads: “This child is named Malkie. She is Jewish! Please care for her! Us, her parents, didn’t have the ability to do so. Thanks!” However, Monsey Scoop confirmed the entire story is false. Law enforcement agencies across Rockland County and Hamaspik officials all stated they have no record or investigation of any such incident. Authorities say the viral post is a complete fabrication and urge the public to verify information before spreading unconfirmed rumors. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Practical Halacha: Staying Late at Work? Here’s When It Becomes a Yichud Concern

Rabbi Chaim Frances & Rabbi Yitzchak Elefant  Question: An employee regularly stays late at the office to meet project deadlines. Over time, he observed that he is often the only male present, with just a few female colleagues also remaining. At what point does this situation raise concerns of Yichud, and what practical steps should be taken to address it in accordance with halachic guidelines? Answer: To address the question, we first must determine whether this is a scenario of Yichud, we can then address some of the practical solutions. 1] If there is one man and only 1 or 2 women present this would constitute Yichud[1]. If there is one man and 3 women present, one should still act stringently, however, as long as they are all[2] not leeboi gas buh (see section 6 for a classification of when a relationship is considered leboi gas buh) in cases of necessity it would not constitute Yichud[3]. Generally, if two men are present, the situation is not considered yichud[4]. However, if the men are porutzim, the prohibition of yichud applies regardless of their number (see footnote[5]). 2] If the situation does constitute Yichud, it may be permissible if one of several halachic exemptions (heterim) applies. The heter of yotzei v’nichnas (intermittent entry)[6]. It is a scenario of Pesach Pesuach (an open or accessible door). The heter of baalah ba’ir (the woman’s husband being present in the same city). 3] The heter of yotzei v’nichnas applies when there is a reasonable likelihood that someone may enter the room or office at any time—such as another employee returning to retrieve materials or finish work. The fear of someone walking in creates a natural deterrent, thereby removing the Yichud concern (however, this only serves as a valid heter if the individual who may enter would resolve the Yichud problem—such as another male or a third female[7]) This heter applies even in a case where there is a libo gas bah relationship amongst the parties[8]. 4] If no one is expected to enter, the heter of pesach pasuach[9] may still be relevant. This principal —literally “an open door”—means that the concern of being seen can deter inappropriate behavior, even without an actual person entering.  However, there is significant debate among the Poskim about the parameters of this heter.  According to the strictest opinion [10] it only applies if the door is physically open and faces a public area where people can see inside. If the door is closed, or if the location is one where people generally do not pass by, the heter would not apply. Therefore, in our scenario, for the Heter to apply, there must be other individuals who regularly occupy the building and have a direct line of sight into the office .A more lenient opinion[11] that even a closed but unlocked door is sufficient[12]. The reasoning is that the fear of someone walking in serves as a sufficient deterrent. There is a debate on how to understand the more lenient opinion regarding how likely it must be for someone to walk in for this heter to apply. Some[13] maintain that it must be common for people to enter homes or offices without explicit permission; otherwise, the deterrent factor is minimal. Others are more lenient and rule that as long as an […]

Tucker Carlson Slammed for Airing Antisemitic COVID Conspiracy Theory

Tucker Carlson is facing widespread backlash after he gave airtime to a baseless and antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming Jewish people were genetically immune to COVID-19. “There was a finding in a scientific publication that two different populations … of people of Jewish ancestry — depending on which line they’re from — one was more heavily impacted than the others,” Huff said. Carlson replied, “You mean Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews.”

Tucker Carlson Slammed for Promoting Insane Antisemitic Claim That Jews Were Immune to COVID [VIDEO]

Tucker Carlson is facing widespread backlash after he gave airtime to a baseless and antisemitic conspiracy theory claiming Jewish people were genetically immune to COVID-19. During Monday’s episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host echoed and expanded on an earlier claim by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that COVID-19 was “tailored” to harm certain ethnic groups more than others. Carlson’s guest, author and self-styled whistleblower Andrew Huff, told Carlson the claim was “scientifically true,” referencing a “finding” that people of Jewish ancestry were affected differently by the virus. “There was a finding in a scientific publication that two different populations … of people of Jewish ancestry — depending on which line they’re from — one was more heavily impacted than the others,” Huff said. Carlson replied, “You mean Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews.” The claim that Jewish people were immune to COVID-19 — a theory first spread by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2023 and discredited by scientists worldwide — has its roots in a long history of antisemitic myths that falsely cast Jews as both the cause and the cure for global calamities. Historians note that similar rumors fueled deadly pogroms in medieval Europe, where Jews were accused of poisoning wells during outbreaks of plague. Public health experts have repeatedly emphasized that no scientific evidence supports the idea of COVID-19 being genetically “targeted” toward or against any ethnic group. The exchange triggered immediate outrage across the political spectrum, with Jewish groups accusing Carlson of legitimizing age-old antisemitic tropes — and even conservative commentators blasting him for reviving conspiracy theories once used to justify persecution and violence against Jews. The Anti-Defamation League called Carlson’s remarks “dangerous and disgraceful,” warning that framing Jews as genetically distinct or biologically protected from disease “feeds directly into centuries-old antisemitic myths that fueled massacres and pogroms.” Arynne Wexler, a right-wing commentator, drew the historical parallel even more sharply. “Europeans blamed the Jews for the Black Death,” she wrote on X. “That led to massacres. We’re talking thousands of Jews slaughtered, burned alive, entire communities annihilated. Tucker isn’t creative — he’s recycling blood libel.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) mocked the notion that “the Jews were running the Wuhan Institute for Virology,” calling it absurd. RedState columnist Bonchie dismissed Carlson’s segment as “clownish,” writing that “anyone still peddling the idea that COVID was engineered to spare Jews should be laughed out of public life.” The controversy marks the latest in a string of incidents in which Carlson has been accused of promoting antisemitic or extremist ideas. Just last month, Israeli outlets and U.S. Jewish groups condemned Carlson for promoting conspiracies surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel: Hamas Still Has Up to 20,000 Fighters, 80% of Tunnel Network Intact

An Israeli military official said Tuesday that Hamas retains between 10,000 and 20,000 trained fighters, despite losing roughly 20,000 during the war, according to a report by NBC News. The official added that Israel has destroyed as much as 90 percent of the terrorist group’s rocket arsenal and crippled its ability to rebuild heavy weapons. “The manufacturing sites and smuggling routes that Israel struck are extremely important,” the official said. “It’s not just taking away the fish — it’s taking away the rod.” Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, told NBC that while Hamas has absorbed heavy losses, the group remains capable of reasserting control in the Gaza Strip. “It is easy for Hamas to regain power and very easy for them to recruit more and more people to replace those who were killed,” Eiland said. “Although they’re younger and have less military experience, there’s no doubt Hamas still has a lot of capability and enough personal weapons like small arms and RPGs.” Eiland estimated that between 70 and 80 percent of Hamas’s tunnel network in Gaza remains intact, including many tunnels still undiscovered by the Israel Defense Forces. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that following the ceasefire, Israeli forces are focusing operations on dismantling the remaining tunnels as part of efforts to disarm Hamas. In one such operation, Maj. Yaniv Kola and Sgt. Itay Yavetz were killed by Hamas anti-tank fire. Since the IDF’s partial withdrawal to the so-called “yellow line,” Hamas operatives have begun to reemerge in parts of Gaza, attempting to signal a return to normal life. Israeli intelligence assessments also indicate that Hamas has publicly executed several Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11 reported Tuesday that Hamas is quietly participating — with the awareness of Arab mediators — in forming a technocratic government that would administer Gaza once the war ends. According to the report, Hamas handpicked about half of the proposed cabinet members, choosing individuals aligned with its ideology, while the Palestinian Authority selected the remainder under an informal arrangement allowing Hamas to influence the process. Egyptian mediators reportedly shared the full list of candidates with Hamas before final approval, a move that analysts say could help the group retain indirect control over Gaza even after a new governing framework is in place. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Vice President JD Vance Meets With Prime Minister Netanyahu In Jerusalem [VIDEOS]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Good morning. A few days ago we had a historic visit by President Trump that will be etched in the annals of our nation’s history. We’re fortunate today to have a visit by the Vice President, JD Vance. And I want to tell you a few things about that. First, in the last year we’ve had an unmatched alliance and a partnership with the United States. That is changing the Middle East, and it’s also changing the world. It creates opportunities not only for security, but for the expansion of peace, which we’re working on very, very diligently. And it’s just unmatched. I’ve been here a few years. I’ve been through several administrations. I welcome the partnership and the assistance we’ve had. But there’s never been anything like it. When President Trump said that, it’s a partnership that’s never happened before. Well, that includes a close circle, both on our side and on the American side. And President Trump knows who he picks for that circle. One of the members, to put it mildly, is the Vice President. And we’ve had the opportunity to make decisions jointly in a very tight-knit and trusting partnership. And I was impressed. I was impressed with your clarity, with your incisiveness, with your solidarity for our common cause, and just a genuine friendship that I saw both in conference meetings and also in our private meetings. And it’s in that spirit that I very much welcome you to Jerusalem in these days of destiny. We’re changing the face of the Middle East. And I have to say, I was going to say, bring your family ‘next year in Jerusalem,’ but welcome this year in Jerusalem, our great friend, JD Vance”. US Vice President JD Vance: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and thanks to your entire team for your hospitality and for having us. As the Prime Minister said, these are days of destiny, and we’re very excited to sit down and work together on the Gaza peace plan. We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza to make life better for the people in Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel. That’s not easy. I think the Prime Minister knows that as well as anybody, but it’s something that we’re committed to in the Trump administration. And I think we’ve, even in the past 24 hours, had a lot of good conversations with our friends in the Israeli government but also, frankly, with our friends in the Arab world who are stepping up and volunteering to play a very positive role in this. So we’re going to keep working at it. I didn’t know what to expect, honestly. The President was here a week ago to welcome the hostages home and actually sign a deal. A week into it, there’s a lot of work to do, but I feel very optimistic about where we are. So thank you for the partnership. Thanks for your willingness to continue to work on this, and I think we’re going to do great things here. It’s not going to be easy. I know that there are some folks in the media who […]

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