Matzav

Extraordinary meetings unfolded this week as incoming U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a rare visit to the homes of gedolei Torah in Bnei Brak, the result of a long-standing friendship and a shared commitment to the Jewish people. The initiative for the encounter came from Rav Dovid Hofstedter, founder and president of Dirshu, who has maintained close ties with Huckabee for over a decade. Following Huckabee’s request to personally meet Gedolei Yisroel, Rav Hofstedter arranged the visit.

The visit began at the famed Slabodka Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where bochurim were surprised to see a convoy of black, armored vehicles pulling up to the yeshiva campus after Mincha. Under tight security, the ambassador entered the yeshiva grounds.

The friendship between Huckabee and Rav Hofstedter dates back more than ten years, originating when the Dirshu president sought Huckabee’s help in defending the independence of chareidi education in America. Huckabee has since become one of the organization’s staunchest allies, calling himself “the greatest non-Jewish supporter of Dirshu.”

In 2018, Huckabee penned a passionate op-ed in Fox News expressing admiration for Dirshu’s international Torah-learning initiatives tied to the yahrtzeit of the Chofetz Chaim. He praised the “Day of Jewish Unity” as a “brilliant Jewish innovation,” and declared he would join Jews worldwide in praying for peace in Israel. He described the day as a time when “people commit to being more patient with one another and refraining from lashon hara.”

Huckabee has also written about the importance of reinforcing Jewish identity in the face of growing antisemitism in the U.S., repeatedly highlighting Rav Hofstedter’s Torah projects and Dirshu’s massive worldwide siyumim that, in his words, “restore Torah learning to its pre-Holocaust prominence.” On other occasions, Huckabee has publicly hailed Rav Hofstedter’s work as “a powerful example of Jewish unity and spiritual mobilization against hatred.”

It’s no surprise, then, that upon being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Huckabee chose Rav Hofstedter as the recipient of his first official meeting. That meeting was widely covered in the American media and touched on pressing issues facing Israel and global Jewry. At the time, Huckabee remarked, “There are many ways to serve the public that don’t involve the military,” and suggested that Israel might explore alternative approaches to the draft similar to those used in the U.S. He added, “Without the biblical foundation, there is no basis at all for Judaism or the State of Israel,” underscoring his belief in the Torah as the root of the Jewish people’s connection to the land.

Following his appointment, Huckabee asked Rav Hofstedter to introduce him to Torah leaders in Eretz Yisroel. The first stop of the high-profile visit was the home of Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka. The rosh yeshiva warmly welcomed the ambassador and engaged in a thoughtful conversation, expressing interest in Huckabee’s views and finding that many of them aligned surprisingly closely with the chareidi worldview.

Through Rav Hofstedter’s translation, Huckabee shared that his perspective on the Jewish people and Torah was deeply shaped by their long relationship. Rav Landau asked whether it was Rav Hofstedter who influenced his pro-Jewish stance, to which the ambassador replied, “Absolutely.” Huckabee elaborated on his belief in the intrinsic link between Torah, the Jewish nation, and Eretz Yisroel. Before parting, Rav Landau asked how to say “thank you very much” in English and practiced the phrase several times to the ambassador’s delight, expressing gratitude for the kindness of the American government. The three then met privately for a personal conversation.

The next stop was the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch on Rechov Rav Sher 17. As Huckabee and Rav Hofstedter made their way there, hundreds of bochurim from abroad—mostly Americans—surrounded them. Huckabee took great interest in speaking with them and was struck by the simplicity of their living and learning conditions.

The meeting with Rav Hirsch took place entirely in English and lasted over thirty minutes. Huckabee was amazed to discover that the rosh yeshiva had been born in New York. “I’m the ambassador of the United States government in Israel,” Huckabee told him, “but you’re the true ambassador of American Jewry in Israel.”

The discussion ranged widely, with Huckabee asking thoughtful questions about the lives of bnei Torah and expressing admiration for Dirshu’s efforts. He spoke with enthusiasm about his ongoing work for Israel and the Jewish people, including initiatives undertaken in coordination with Rav Hofstedter to combat antisemitism and advocate for Jewish causes within the American administration.

Later, Rav Hofstedter and the ambassador sat down for a private meeting where Rav Hofstedter offered a broad overview of the chareidi community, describing the world of yeshivos and the deep respect that the Torah world holds for acts of kindness and the values championed during President Trump’s leadership. He emphasized the admiration many in the Torah community have for Huckabee’s firm stance in support of Torah principles and his sincere respect for the guidance of the gedolei Torah.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Eight people were hurt Thursday morning in a vehicle-ramming incident at a bus stop located near the entrance to Kfar Yona, in Israel’s central region.

Among the injured, two sustained moderate wounds while the others were lightly hurt. All victims remained fully conscious as they were transported to Laniado, Hillel Yaffe, and Meir Medical Centers with injuries primarily to their extremities.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom (MDA) were at the site providing initial care. All of the wounded had been waiting at the bus stop at the time of the attack.

Authorities are actively examining the details surrounding the assault. Police have officially classified the incident as an act of terrorism.

The attacker, who drove a white Toyota during the ramming, fled the location on foot after the impact. Police launched a wide-scale manhunt, with aerial assistance from a police helicopter. The vehicle believed to be used in the attack was later found near the Beit Lid military base, abandoned. Following the discovery, authorities sealed off nearby roads, including those heading toward Tulkarm.

MDA released a statement saying: “MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and evacuating a young man and woman, both around 20 years old, in moderate condition and fully conscious, with limb injuries, to Laniado Hospital. Several others with light injuries are being treated at the scene.”

MDA emergency medical technician Idan Haras shared: “We were called to a bus stop near Kfar Yona after receiving a report that a vehicle had struck several people. There was chaos and destruction at the scene, with multiple people injured. We immediately began providing medical treatment, including bandaging and stopping bleeding for two young people around 20 years old whose condition was moderate, as well as treating several others with light injuries. We quickly evacuated them to the hospital.”

Later in the day, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the involvement of military personnel in the incident, stating: “IDF: Earlier today (Thursday), two IDF soldiers were moderately injured and six additional soldiers were lightly injured in a ramming attack at the Beit Lid Junction.”

“The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment and their families have been notified.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a stark and impassioned warning, the renowned Sephardic posek, Rav Bentzion Mutzafi, cautioned against the widespread practice of serving food during memorial gatherings ( .

During a recent exchange with one of his talmidim, the talmid asked, “Our master and crown of our head, if the 12-month azkarah for my late mother falls on Sunday itself, when should the meal be held?”

Rav Mutzafi responded with unusually sharp language: “One should not hold a meal at an azkarah. It brings the deceased down to Gehinnom, because people eat without making a berachah, without washing their hands, without Birchas Hamazon, and without any concluding berachah.”

He concluded his response with a decisive declaration: “Nowhere is it mentioned that one should eat at an azkarah.”

In a separate query, another talmid sought guidance on gravestone inscriptions following the recent passing of his mother. He explained that she was buried above his father, whose tombstone had broken. “Should we inscribe the same praises and verses that were written before, or create a new inscription?” he asked.

Rav Mutzafi advised: “Write the shortest possible wording. For his benefit. Because there, every letter and word is judged precisely.”

{Matzav.com}

Tzefas Chief Rabbi Rav Shmuel Eliyahu released a striking video message this week directed at Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the nation’s religious authorities, after Iranian outlets suggested that Israel’s recent battlefield successes were fueled by mystical or paranormal powers.

Rav Eliyahu rejected the accusation that Israel had utilized demonic forces during the conflict, responding plainly: “That is simply a mistake. We do not use demons. There is wisdom that deals with demons, but we do not use them. Why? Because we have holy angels that help us in these wars.”

He explained that Israel’s victories are not dependent on dark arts or hidden powers, but rather on divine intervention—a pattern that has repeated throughout its history. “How did we win alone in the Six Day War of 1967 against Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and all the countries that supported them? How did we prevail in 1948, practically without weapons, against ten nations? We are not angels. G-d sends angels to us, because He promises and fulfills.”

Citing verses from the Quran, Rav Eliyahu urged Iranian leaders and scholars to acknowledge the scriptural evidence supporting the Jewish people’s return to their land. “It says in your own books—Surah 2, Surah 5, Surah 7, Surah 10, Surah 28—that G-d gave the Land of Israel to the People of Israel,” he said. “If you truly believe in G-d and do not falsify, read what is written.”

He elaborated further, explaining that the Jewish people’s return to their homeland after millennia in exile is a direct fulfillment of divine promise. “There is only one Torah, and it is written in it that G-d swore to give the Land of Israel to the People of Israel. After 2,000 years of exile, He brought us back. The Land was desolated, and now it is blooming. Jerusalem has been rebuilt, wisdom and prosperity have been granted to us. This is not from our own strength but a gift from G-d.”

Rav Eliyahu also cautioned the Iranian regime that resistance to Israel equates to rebellion against divine intent. “Anyone who goes against G-d has no chance in this world. It is a danger to oppose us, because G-d promised the Land to us. If you want to save your lives, go with G-d. Follow what He wrote in the Torah, and even in the words of your prophet Muhammad.”

The rabbi’s message, spoken in Hebrew and accompanied by Farsi subtitles, ended with a final plea to the leaders of Iran to align themselves with eternal truths. “Whoever walks with G-d will live. Whoever goes against Him will not succeed. It’s a shame for you. Walk with G-d and live.”

{Matzav.com}

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

As we move through the summer, enjoying the slower pace, the warmer weather, and the reduced pressure, life as a Yid continues. Our responsibilities don’t lessen just because the pace of life slows. The mitzvos remain the same and our obligations remain unchanged. Only the setting shifts. What changes is how we approach what we are meant to do.

When the weather warms and people ease into vacation mode, everything takes on a more relaxed feel. Work changes, home life is altered, and the kids are in camp. Often, mitzvos are viewed as duties that can be done with less energy and focus.

But we must recognize that just as breathing, eating, and sleeping are not burdens, they are how we stay alive, so too are mitzvos. They are the essence of a Jew’s existence. Yet, just as with food, there’s a difference between merely surviving and thriving. We can live on bland, uninspired meals, or we can make the effort to prepare food that is nourishing and enjoyable. The choice is ours.

If we want our lives to be meaningful and vibrant, we have to invest in them. Apathy doesn’t destroy overnight, but it leads to a dull and disconnected life. Just as the body needs proper nourishment, so does the soul.

That’s how it is with mitzvos. When we perform them with geshmak, we begin to appreciate how they give our lives meaning and depth. But when we go through the motions, treating them like a burden, we strip them of their beauty. The difference isn’t in the mitzvah itself. It’s in our attitude. If we do them with simcha, they uplift us. If we approach them with resentment, they become heavy and draining.

When we open a Gemara or any sefer with excitement, the Torah we learn energizes us. But if we see our learning as a chore, it weighs us down. The yeitzer hora takes advantage of this season, seeking to distance us from the very things that bring our lives meaning, strength, and vitality.

This time of the year also gives us a unique opportunity. With fewer distractions and a calmer pace, we can step back and recalibrate – not necessarily what we do, but how we do it. When we daven, when we learn, when we do mitzvos and acts of tzedakah and chesed, we can use the quieter atmosphere to be more present in heart and mind.

There is a special beauty in the consistency of mitzvos. The same Shema we said during the hectic days of winter, we now say as the summer sun streams through the window. The words haven’t changed, but we can. The way we say them, the kavonah we bring, the care and attention we give, these are in our hands.

Like food that is lovingly prepared, mitzvos done with intention are more fulfilling. The experience becomes richer. When we perform mitzvos with meaning, instead of routine, our lives become deeper and more elevated.

There’s a story told about a man who visited a small town in Europe and decided to stop by the local cheder. He walked in and saw a rebbi sitting on a low bench, surrounded by young boys, patiently teaching them Alef-Bais. The children were squirming, the room was stuffy, and the rebbi looked tired, yet he spoke with warmth and smiled at each child.

After class, the visitor approached the rebbi and asked, “Tell me, with all your effort and how little you’re paid, how do you keep going?”

The rebbi smiled and said, “When I was younger, I thought that my job was to teach children Alef-Bais. As time went on, I realized that I wasn’t just teaching them letters. I was building neshamos. I was creating a foundation for a life of Torah and mitzvos in each one of them. With that realization, I stopped viewing what I do as a job and started seeing it as a zechus. It is an honor and privilege for me to be here every day with these kinderlach, building neshamos and giving them the tools they need to live successful, productive, Yiddishe lives.”

Summer gives us a moment to reflect, to reset, and to refocus. It’s the perfect time to shift from seeing mitzvos as obligations to appreciating them as opportunities. The choice is ours: Do we want a bland, mechanical life, or one filled with richness, joy, and connection?

The answer lies not in the calendar, but in our mindset.

With this in mind, we can draw a powerful lesson from this week’s parshiyos of Mattos and Masei, which recount our nation’s travels through the midbar and the various encampments along the journey to Eretz Yisroel.

Sifrei Kabbolah and drush are filled with deeper meanings and hidden insights regarding each location along Klal Yisroel’s path. This journey – with all its twists, turns, highs, and lows – was essential in preparing the nation to enter and inherit Hashem’s land, Eretz Yisroel. As we study these parshiyos, we pay attention to the mussar and chizuk encoded within them. As we revisit the moments of hardship and triumph, we discover guidance for the masa’os in our own lives.

We go through life experiencing ups and downs. We know that everything along our personal journey is orchestrated by Hashem. Some chapters have concluded, and many more are still to be written. As we move forward, we cannot allow temporary failures or setbacks to throw us off course. Just as our ancestors in the midbar faced challenges and setbacks, they also had moments of greatness and achievement. But their destination and their resolve never changed.

Adam le’amal yulad – man was created to toil. Each of us has our own masa’os, journeys toward our personal destination. Some are smooth and pleasant; others are filled with obstacles, detours, and roadblocks. No matter the nature of the path, our mission is the same: to keep moving forward.

Following the tragic episode of the Eigel, Hakadosh Boruch Hu informed Moshe of His displeasure with Klal Yisroel and His intention to eliminate them, describing them as an am keshei oref – a stiff-necked people (Shemos 32:9). Moshe pleaded on their behalf and they were granted forgiveness. He then asked Hashem, “Please go in our midst, as they are an am keshei oref” (34:9). The very trait cited as justification for their punishment was now invoked as a reason for mercy.

One explanation offered is that Moshe argued that this same middah – their stubbornness – could also serve as the key to their success. He was saying that this trait would be necessary for a nation that pledged itself to Torah and mitzvos to carry faith in their hearts through a long and bitter golus, remaining steadfast in their mission and focused on the ultimate goal.

They were forgiven and have been persistently striving for perfection ever since. We haven’t reached it yet, but with each passing day, we get closer, remaining committed to following Hashem’s path in all situations, whether pleasant or difficult, during busy seasons or quiet ones, in times of work or times of rest.

The Nine Days offer a fitting time to read about Jewish suffering through the ages. While secular historians often depict Jews in golus – in ghettos or concentration camps – as feeble, submissively led to slaughter by their Nazi tormentors, books written by bnei Torah paint a very different picture. These works leave the reader astonished by the unbreakable spirit of our people. The Jew, it becomes clear, was stronger than any Nazi beast. That strength came, in part, from their acceptance of Hashem’s will, His plan, and His design.

When we read the accounts of religious survivors who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, we are struck by a dual emotion: profound sadness and deep admiration for the majesty of the Jewish spirit. Their stories provide a broader perspective on the tragedy of our entire exile since the churban, while simultaneously revealing the greatness of Am Yisroel, the eternal people.

Their words, forged in the fires of suffering, are infused with spirit, blood, and tears, an elegy not only of death, but of life. So many stories tell of kedoshim marching to the outskirts of towns singing songs of emunah as they headed toward certain death. In the streets of shtetlach, in boxcars bound for Treblinka, Jews died alone and in groups, at forest pits and in ghettos, proclaiming Shema Yisroel and singing words of Hallel, of Ani Maamin, of emunah and bitachon, proud that they were the hunted, not the hunters.

The chevlei Moshiach swallowed them up. In their merit, we now live in freedom and prosperity.

Last week, Yeshivas Telz commemorated the 20th of Tammuz with heartfelt tefillos and stirring divrei chizuk, as it does each year. On that tragic day, the Jewish community of Telz – led by its revered rabbonim and roshei yeshiva – was marched to its death. The way the golus in Telz came to its horrific end is chilling and awe-inspiring, a haunting reflection of the depths of cruelty and the heights of emunah and dignity. It is a story that reveals the worst of what humanity is capable of – and the very best of what it means to be a Jew.

As we remember the kedoshim of Telz, we are reminded that their legacy did not perish in the forests of Lithuania. The blood of Torah giants and innocent neshamos cries out not only in sorrow, but in triumph, because their Torah lives on. The yeshiva they built with such devotion continues to illuminate the world. Their sacrifice obligates us not only to remember, but to live with the same clarity of purpose, the same unwavering commitment to Torah, avodah, and kedusha, especially in a world that so desperately needs it.

The survivors of the killing fields and concentration camps emerged broken in body but unbroken in spirit. If anyone had a reason to despair, it was they. And yet, with remarkable reserves of emunah and inner strength, they chose to rebuild. They carried much pain, but rarely let it show. They did not wallow in what was lost, but planted seeds for what could still grow. In their hearts, they understood that they had left one preordained stop in golus, only to continue the journey through yet another, and then another still, always moving forward, always holding on.

As a people, we have been moving about for thousands of years, from one city to the next, from one country to another. Now we have finally come so close to the redemption that we can hear the footsteps of Moshiach.

As we endure the chevlei Moshiach, the painful, turbulent days that precede the final redemption, we must strengthen ourselves and elevate our kedusha. We live in a time when the pull of distraction is constant, the challenges are relentless, and the temptation to slacken off is real. But now more than ever, we must hold tight. We have to raise our levels of kedusha so that we do not succumb to the forces that seek to hold back Moshiach from redeeming us.

The geulah is near, but only if we remain worthy of experiencing it.

Imagine that you’re on a long journey behind the wheel of a car. You’re tired. The road stretches endlessly ahead. For just a moment, you let go of the steering wheel or you close your eyes. What happens? You drift and veer off course. The same is true in avodas Hashem. Without constant focus on our learning, our tefillah and our mitzvos, we lose direction. We lose momentum.

Throughout history, there have been moments when the gates of geulah cracked open and we weren’t up to the task. We let them slip away.

This week, in Parshas Mattos, we encounter the request of the shevotim of Reuvein and Gad to remain on the other side of the Yardein, outside of Eretz Yisroel, so that they could better provide for their cattle. Moshe rebuked them sharply, for they prioritized what was secondary and minimized that which was important (Rashi 32:16).

The message is timeless. When we mistake the temporary for the eternal, we lose sight of our mission. And if we aren’t careful, we can end up outside the borders, not just geographically, but spiritually.

Parshiyos Mattos and Masei remind us of what it means to be a Jew on the move in golus without becoming disheartened and disoriented. We are never aimless, for we know that every step we take is another step of the journey toward geulah. Every stop, every move, is part of the story.

But for the journey to succeed, we must remain alert. We must know where we’re headed and what it takes to get there. We must keep our priorities straight and not allow ourselves to get detoured by things of temporary value and enjoyment.

So, as we breathe in the clean country air, ride bikes, play ball, shoot the breeze and enjoy the slow rhythm of summer days, let us remember that we are the am kadosh still in golus, but in the home stretch.

Let us not be like those who lost their way in moments of spiritual drowsiness. Let us hold strong to the wheel, with our eyes on the road and our hearts turned upward. And before we pack our bags and head back to the city, may Hashem bring us all the way home with the coming of Moshiach.

{Matzav.com}

A man from Oregon who confessed to issuing bomb threats targeting Jewish medical institutions in New York has been sentenced to a five-year prison term, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed on Wednesday.

Domagoj Patkovic, age 31, entered a guilty plea in February to charges connected to his threats against healthcare facilities located in Queens and Long Island. According to prosecutors, he was involved in a conspiracy to issue threats and intentionally gave false information about the presence of bombs.

Authorities reported that Patkovic began making threatening phone calls in May 2021. Over the course of the following months, he made six separate calls to Jewish hospitals and health centers, falsely claiming that he had planted explosive devices. One of these threats, in September 2021, resulted in a hospital being partially evacuated and placed under lockdown.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York noted that Patkovic didn’t act in private—he broadcasted the threatening calls live over a social media and messaging platform, aiming to publicly spread and glorify his hateful conduct.

“The defendant endangered patients and diverted precious law-enforcement resources to advance his hateful agenda against people of the Jewish faith,” stated US Attorney Joseph Nocella. “His actions fed a rising tide of antisemitism in America.”

Nocella further underscored the gravity of the offense, vowing that his office remains committed to aggressively pursuing legal action against bomb threats and swatting incidents, particularly when they are rooted in bigotry.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

WATCH:

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-1551-Tocheles-Part-71-Faithful.mp3

​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Stories4Life-Shiur-461-Poison.mp3

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee addressed the ongoing impasse in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations on Wednesday evening, pushing back against claims that Israel is uninterested in ending the conflict. In a post on X, he dismissed such accusations as unfounded.

“Stop the nonsense saying ‘Israel doesn’t want war in Gaza to end…there is only ONE reason this has dragged on-Hamas! They are evil. And they are the cause of the prolonged suffering. Full stop,” wrote the Ambassador.

Huckabee’s comments came in response to a report by journalist Amichai Stein on i24NEWS, which disclosed that Hamas had reversed its position on several terms that had already been agreed upon during the ceasefire talks, including matters related to humanitarian assistance.

The report stated that Hamas, in its reply on Tuesday, insisted that all humanitarian supplies entering Gaza must now be funneled exclusively through the United Nations. This position contradicts earlier understandings that had called for aid to be distributed by neutral third parties not affiliated with either side.

Stein also noted that Hamas made further adjustments to previously accepted points, such as the terms concerning IDF troop movements during the proposed 60-day truce. The group is also now asking for a greater number of imprisoned terrorists to be freed, especially those with long-term sentences.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reported on Wednesday night that Hamas has presented a list of conditions it wants met before any ceasefire agreement with Israel can move forward, according to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations.

Hamas’s primary demands reportedly include changes to the way Israeli forces are positioned throughout the Gaza Strip. Specifically, the group is calling for IDF troops to pull back from densely populated areas and instead station themselves no closer than 800 meters from the eastern and northern borders of Gaza.

The report also states that Hamas is objecting to the current method of humanitarian aid distribution. The group insists that only United Nations agencies should be allowed to handle the aid deliveries, rejecting the involvement of the American firm that is currently managing food shipments to the civilian population in Gaza.

Additional stipulations from Hamas include a comprehensive guarantee that all military operations will come to a halt. The group also wants an assurance that, if a final agreement is not reached during the initial 60-day ceasefire, talks will continue. Moreover, Hamas is pushing for Egypt’s Rafah crossing to be reopened without restrictions, allowing displaced individuals to return and families to reunite.

As part of the next stage in the deal, Hamas is also pressing for an increased number of Palestinian prisoners—specifically those serving life sentences—to be freed for each living Israeli soldier they are holding.

An Egyptian mediator told the publication, “The ball is now in Israel’s court, and if its response is positive, the ceasefire will take effect immediately.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Gershon Ribner, rosh kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah and son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler, has succeeded in applying classical Talmudical analysis and methodology to understanding all areas of Yiddishkeit, bringing out its profundity and sense.

LISTEN:

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, blaming him for keeping interest rates too high and pressing the Fed’s board to intervene.

“Our Rate should be three points lower than they are, saving us $1 Trillion per year (as a Country). This stubborn guy at the Fed just doesn’t get it — Never did, and never will. The Board should act, but they don’t have the Courage to do so!” Trump posted on his social media platform.

Trump’s complete statement on Truth Social was as follows:

“Housing in our Country is lagging because Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell refuses to lower Interest Rates. Families are being hurt because Interest Rates are too high, and even our Country is having to pay a higher Rate than it should be because of ‘Too Late.’ Our Rate should be three points lower than they are, saving us $1 Trillion per year (as a Country). This stubborn guy at the Fed just doesn’t get it — Never did, and never will. The Board should act, but they don’t have the Courage to do so!”

{Matzav.com}

Columbia University has agreed to pay $200 million over a three-year period to resolve accusations that it discriminated against Jewish students. This settlement, according to the university, paves the way for the reinstatement of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that the Trump administration had either halted or revoked earlier this year.

“While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution’s leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed,” the university said in a statement.

As part of the settlement, Columbia will also pay $21 million to resolve investigations initiated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The university additionally agreed to federal oversight through a monitor who will ensure that Columbia adheres to regulations regarding its admissions and hiring policies. It will also be required to share certain information concerning foreign students with immigration authorities.

This resolution brings to a close a prolonged standoff between the university and the Trump administration concerning federal financial support.

Back in March, the Trump administration announced that it was revoking $400 million in grants and contracts to the university, citing what it described as “the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

Later that same month, Columbia consented to a list of nine requirements presented by the administration. These included a ban on face coverings during protests and stricter oversight of the university’s Middle East studies program.

The university stated that Wednesday’s settlement reflects and expands upon previous actions taken during negotiations, and “builds on Columbia’s broader commitment to combating antisemitism.”

Thanks to the agreement, Columbia noted that “a vast majority” of the federal funding that had been suspended or rescinded in March would now be restored. The university also confirmed that “Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.” This includes funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Just days ago, Columbia announced disciplinary action against over 70 students involved in two pro-Palestinian demonstrations held on campus during the spring semester—one of which included a May protest that saw students occupying Butler Library.

The university’s campus was rocked by unrest during the spring, sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict. In late April 2024, pro-Palestinian demonstrators barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall, resulting in multiple arrests. Those students later faced expulsion, suspension, or temporary revocation of their degrees.

{Matzav.com}

By Jonathan S. Tobin

For the true believers among the radical Israel-haters and antisemites that now dominate the American left, it was a betrayal. The vote Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) cast against an amendment to the annual U.S. defense spending bill that would have cut a $500 million allocation for Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system was harshly criticized by her friends at the Democratic Socialists of America. It even led some of its adherents to vandalize her district office in the Bronx, N.Y. As far as they were concerned, even a vote in favor of protecting Israeli civilians against terrorist rocket fire is tantamount to support for the “genocide” that the group believes is being perpetrated by a state that has no right to exist.

For AOC, it was yet another indication that she has her sights set on being more than just the leader of the left-wing congressional “Squad.”

Much like the Democratic Party nominee for mayor of New York City, 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani, the congresswoman wants to play both ends against the middle when it comes to Israel and antisemitism. Along with 204 other Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez voted against the entire spending bill that provided some aid to Israel as well as funding all of the nation’s defense appropriations. But she chose not to join four fellow “Squad” members—Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Al Green (D-Texas)—and two Republicans, the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), in seeking to end support for the Iron Dome.

The vote on the amendment seemed to signal the creation of a new cross-party group of the most hard-core Israel-haters. But no one should be deceived by AOC’s decision to strike a more moderate tone, even if it was unacceptable to the antisemites of the DSA.

The ‘progressives’ and Israel

If she and the rest of the Democrats’ Progressive Caucus, whose 95 members make up 45% of the Democrats’ 212 members in the House of Representatives, had their way, the United States would not only cut military aid to Israel, but it would also be condemned for defending itself against Hamas and isolated on the international stage. The Democrats’ base isn’t just “pro-Palestinian” but increasingly open to the intersectional left’s demonization of Jews and Israel, which has been normalized in academia, the arts and mainstream journalism. As a result, all of the energy in a divided Democratic Party that is still recovering from its stunning 2024 defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump and the GOP is now on the left.

And as early polls about the 2028 presidential race show, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro—the Democrats’ only leading moderate seen as a potential candidate for the White House—trails far behind former Vice President Kamala Harris and others, including AOC. While a survey three years in advance can be dismissed as meaningless, the numbers are encouraging for those who think that their party’s grassroots will ultimately be reluctant to recycle someone who was soundly beaten by Trump, like Harris, or nominate inauthentic figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or former U.S. Secretary of Transportation under the Biden administration Pete Buttigieg.

AOC is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who nearly led the Democrats’ left wing to victory in 2016 and 2020, only to be denied the nomination by the party’s establishment. That makes the 35-year-old a politician with a future, whether a run for the presidency or a challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer if he seeks to hold on to his seat in 2028.

She and Mamdani both seem to understand that if they are going to attain high office, then they need to position themselves slightly to the right of their leftist backers. In this way, they hope to avoid completely alienating liberals and moderates, including Jewish voters and donors who may not agree with their radical stands on economic policies and against Israel, but who can generally be relied upon to always vote for Democrats in this hyper-partisan era. Seen in that light, her vote for Iron Dome and the subsequent vandalism at her office by antisemites does her a lot of good.

That’s the same strategy that Mamdani is pursuing as he seeks to fend off challenges from Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, both running as Independents, in addition to Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani has tried to pretend that he is an opponent of Jew-hatred. Of late, he is even willing to say that he will “discourage” his supporters from chanting “Globalize the intifada”—a demand for international terrorism against Jews everywhere—that he has been reluctant to censure. Still, like AOC, he has consistently endorsed the most extreme rhetoric demonizing not merely Israel’s efforts to eradicate the Hamas terrorists who led the invasion of and massacre in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, as “genocide,” but also made clear his opposition to the continued existence of the one Jewish state on the planet.

He thinks all he needs to do to avoid being labeled as an extremist is to pay lip service to opposition to the surge of antisemitism that has led to both violence against Jews and the targeting of Jewish students on college campuses by Mamdani’s fellow anti-Zionists. Indeed, just a few years ago, Mamdani was one of them as chapter president of the anti-Jewish, anti-Israel Students for Justice in Palestine at Bowdoin College in Maine.

Seen in that light, his discouragement of the use of one of multiple antisemitic catchphrases chanted on college campuses is meaningless. Most Democrats have fallen in line behind his candidacy, lest they find themselves out of sync with their party base. He has been pressed by some of them to disavow just one of the litanies of slogans employed by those who don’t merely oppose Israeli policies but view the existence of the only Jewish state on the planet as immoral. The issue is not his position on the use of a single slogan; it’s his effectual anti-Zionism—something inextricably linked to antisemitism. Still, it’s alarming that the party leadership has chosen not to take a stand that makes it clear they think that such a position is disqualifying.

A ‘big tent” party

The fact that most Democrats seem to agree is a troubling sign of the times.

That was made clear earlier this month when Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin said on PBS’s “NewsHour” that his conception of the party as a “big tent” included those who advocate globalizing the intifada, even if he personally disagreed with it.

As appalling as that is, it is understandable given the current atmosphere inside his party.

The stands of major Democratic constituency groups, such as the Young Democrats of America, which recently approved a platform falsely accusing Israel of “genocide” and the North Carolina Democratic Party’s call for an arms embargo on Israel, have tied the hands of Martin and the party’s congressional leadership when it comes to ostracizing Israel-haters. Indeed, they know that these symbolic statements, which have no impact on the Trump administration’s pro-Israel policies or the facts on the ground in the Middle East, represent normative opinion among Democrats these days, as polls have repeatedly shown.

So, while it is an understandable concession to the sentiments of what is starting to seem like a plurality, if not a majority, of Democratic voters, it also demonstrates how the Overton Window on acceptable discourse about Jews and Israel has moved in recent years.

Much like the stands of the administrations of many academic institutions that have tolerated and even encouraged antisemitism on their campuses, Martin’s statement is both shocking and an example of the Democrats’ hypocrisy. It goes without saying that he wouldn’t declare that racists who called for violence against African-Americans or Hispanics belonged inside the tent. Moreover, he and other members of his party have always been vocal about the need for their Republican opponents to disavow and condemn any of their members who are extremists and/or bigots.

A GOP problem

Nevertheless, it’s fair to ask whether—given Taylor Greene’s stand on Iron Dome funding and the steady drumbeat of antisemitic agitation from right-wing podcast hosts like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens—the Republicans now have their own Jew-hatred problem.

The Georgia congresswoman’s speech on the floor of the House demanding an end to funding for the missile-defense system that has saved countless Israeli lives was an eye-opener to those who may have thought that hatred for the Jewish state is confined to AOC’s “Squad” mates. Much like the stand of her fellow Republican Massie, MTG’s position can be dismissed as pure isolationism—“America alone” as opposed to Trump’s “America first.” The malevolence toward Israel that she demonstrated was a reminder that antisemitism is the place where the far left and the far right come together.

Given her well-known ignorance of most issues and propensity for saying outlandish things—like talk of Jewish “space lasers” that can only be characterized as stupid—most Republicans have little use for her. But, much like Carlson, she has often been included in Trump’s circle of friends and supporters in recent years. That’s something that ought to worry the vast majority of conservatives and Republicans who remain steadfast supporters of Israel as well as of the president’s tough response to the post-Oct. 7 surge in Jew-hatred that most Democrats oppose.

That said, the question to ask about the willingness of Republicans like Tayler Greene and Massie to make common cause with notorious Democratic antisemites like Tlaib and Omar is whether their faction of the GOP is significant enough to give it any hope of leading it in the foreseeable future. And that is where the real contrast between the two parties’ anti-Israel factions can be found.

The intersectional and virulently anti-Israel faction of the Democrats may not yet be in control of the party, but as the comments of the DNC chair and the refusal of party leaders to disavow an open Israel-hater and an avowed hard-core Socialist like Mamdani demonstrate, they are clearly afraid of them. While Taylor Greene’s stands and the comments of Carlson, Owens and others on the far right can’t be ignored, there is little danger of anyone who shares their views being in control of a GOP that remains, outside of a few outliers, a lockstep pro-Israel party.

That leaves supporters of Israel with the unfortunate reality of a situation where the Jewish nation has become a partisan issue rather than a matter of a bipartisan consensus. This is a disturbing development for a pro-Israel community that has always sought to build support on both sides of the aisle. But that ideal is simply no longer possible in a political universe in which people like AOC and Mamdani have—unlike Taylor Greene—a far from insignificant shot to ascend to high office underneath the Democrats’ banner. JNS

{Matzav.com}

As thousands prepare for the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has taken steps to address the growing logistical challenges surrounding flights to the Ukrainian city. During his current visit to Ukraine, Sa’ar met with Jewish community leaders and pledged to work toward removing travel restrictions that have complicated charter flight arrangements for the upcoming holiday.

The meeting, organized by Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, brought together several key figures from Ukraine’s Jewish leadership, including Rabbi Moshe Azman, Rabbi Yaakov Jan (Chief Rabbi of Uman), Rabbi Meir Stambler (Chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine), and Rabbi Raphael Rotman (Deputy Chairman of the Federation).

A central topic discussed was the need to secure permission for charter flights to land in Chișinău, Moldova — a key transit point for those heading to Uman. Due to security and regulatory hurdles, access through Moldova has faced increasing difficulties. Sa’ar publicly expressed his full commitment to intervening with the Moldovan government to help lift existing limitations and enable smoother travel for the tens of thousands of Jews planning to spend Rosh Hashanah at the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov.

Rabbi Yaakov Jan thanked both Minister Sa’ar and Ambassador Brodsky for their dedicated efforts and voiced optimism that their involvement would help clear bureaucratic obstacles and ensure the spiritual needs of the Uman pilgrims are met.

The meeting was described as productive and encouraging, with participants noting the deep understanding and cooperation shown by Israeli officials. Community representatives expressed appreciation for the Foreign Ministry’s direct involvement and Sa’ar’s personal promise to advance a practical solution with the relevant authorities.

The annual pilgrimage to Uman draws tens of thousands of Jews from around the world, and organizers are hopeful that this year’s logistical challenges can be resolved in time for a safe and meaningful Rosh Hashanah.

{Matzav.com}

In a deeply emotional encounter, the Rebbe of Belz was moved to tears as he listened to the heartbreaking challenges faced by parents raising children who have strayed from the path of Torah observance.

Leaders of Kanesher Al Gozalav, an organization established to provide emotional support, guidance, and practical tools to families dealing with this painful reality, visited the Rebbe at his home. The group’s chairman, Rabbi Avigdor Stiegel, was accompanied by the prominent mashpia and rabbinic leader of the organization, Rav Yehuda Deutsch.

During the visit, the representatives described the organization’s far-reaching activities, particularly the support groups for struggling parents that have been established in chareidi communities across the country. They shared stories of pain and resilience, highlighting the toll such situations can take on families, and the powerful relief these support systems have brought.

As the Belzer Rebbe listened, tears streamed down his face, and he broke into open weeping. Those present requested words of chizuk to pass along to the many parents who feel broken and alone.

The Rebbe responded with heartfelt words of encouragement and guidance. He also promised to send a personal written letter to be shared with the affected families, offering them chizuk in their difficult journey.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an emotional wedding ceremony, IDF Staff Sergeant (res.) Boris Baruch Shtonda, who was severely injured in battle in Beit Hanoun during Operation Iron Swords, stood under the chuppah with his kallah, Anna. In a symbol of perseverance and victory, Boris broke the wedding glass using his prosthetic leg.

The chuppah was attended by Boris’s parents; his close friend Elisha Medan, who lost both his legs in the same battle and served as an eid (witness) under the chuppah; and the widow of Master Sergeant Yosef Hershkowitz Hy”d, who was killed alongside them in the same combat that claimed the lives of six Israeli soldiers.

The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Menachem Kutner, director of Chabad’s Terror and War Victims Project, who has worked for decades with wounded soldiers and victims of terror. “I’ve officiated hundreds of weddings,” said Rabbi Kutner, “but this was one of the most moving I’ve ever witnessed. This chuppah symbolizes the heroism of our fighters, who continue to build lives despite all the pain.”

Boris, 27, had been vacationing in Japan on October 7, 2023, when war erupted. “I felt a deep obligation to come back,” he recalled. On October 11, he landed in Israel and immediately rejoined his unit. The very next day, October 12, he was wounded by shrapnel to the neck during battle, but refused evacuation and kept fighting.

During the battle in Beit Hanoun, a blast severed his leg. He woke up five days later in the hospital, where his parents informed him of the amputation. The early days were filled with suffering and daunting physical challenges. “At 27, I became dependent, like a baby,” he previously shared. But thanks to his family and close friends, he began the long road to recovery, gradually regaining his strength and independence.

Now, standing under the chuppah with Elisha by his side and the widow of Yossi Hershkowitz watching on, Boris showed the enduring strength of the Jewish spirit. And so, in front of tearful eyes and hearts overflowing with emotion, another bayis ne’eman was established—rooted in sacrifice and unshakable faith.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Muslim socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani is currently ahead in the New York City mayoral race, surpassing contenders Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and sitting Mayor Eric Adams, according to new polling data.

Poll results shared during Mark Halperin’s podcast, Next Up with Mark Halperin, revealed that a survey conducted by WICK found Mamdani leading the four-person race with 39 percent support. Cuomo trailed with 21 percent, followed by Sliwa at 18 percent, and Adams at nine percent.

The head-to-head matchup between Mamdani and Cuomo was far tighter, with Cuomo pulling in 42 percent and Mamdani just behind at 41 percent. The breakdown showed Mamdani earning strong support from Democratic voters at 55 percent, with independents at 27 percent and Republicans at 10 percent.

Cuomo, in contrast, held only 34 percent of the Democratic base but drew a majority of independents at 56 percent and Republicans at 61 percent, highlighting his broader appeal beyond his own party.

Another scenario showed Mamdani outperforming Adams in a two-way contest, drawing 47 percent of the vote compared to Adams’s 37 percent. Among Democrats, Mamdani attracted 66 percent support, with 28 percent from independents and nine percent from Republicans. Adams, meanwhile, was backed by just 21 percent of Democratic voters, though he held stronger support among independents (63 percent) and Republicans (65 percent).

Cuomo launched an independent bid for mayor following his resignation as New York’s governor in 2021 amid harassment allegations. He has emphasized that he’s “in it to win it.”

Adams, who first took office in 2021 as a Democrat, recently left the party’s primary and announced that he would seek reelection as an independent candidate.

Mamdani, who secured the Democratic nomination, has advocated for municipal grocery stores funded with money redirected from large chain supermarkets. He has also faced scrutiny for remarks made on a July 2020 podcast, in which he argued against police involvement in certain emergency responses and criticized the institution more broadly. “Police do not create safety… there are so many responsibilities we’ve given to police that, frankly, should have nothing to do with their departments… if somebody is jaywalking, if somebody is surviving, going through domestic violence — there are so many different, different situations that would be far better handled by people trained to deal with those specific situations, as opposed to an individual with a gun.”

The New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) recently submitted a letter to Congress demanding that Mamdani be barred from taking office under the Insurrection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Section Three. The group accused Mamdani of offering “aid or support to enemies” of the United States, claiming that his “words and actions” — including participation in rallies alongside groups identified as pro-Hamas — make him ineligible to serve.

{Matzav.com}