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Opposition leader Yair Lapid launched a fierce attack today against participants of the Atzeres HaMillion tefillah gathering in Yerushalayim, held to protest the drafting and imprisonment of lomdei Torah.

Lapid referred to the tens of thousands of bnei yeshiva who took part in the massive demonstration, saying: “I want to say to all the young people traveling to the ‘We will die and not enlist’ protest in Yerushalayim and marching in the streets; If you’re able to travel to a demonstration, you’re able to travel to the induction base. If you’re able to march in the streets, you’re able to march alongside your friends in the IDF.”

Lapid’s comments immediately sparked outrage across the political spectrum and on social media. In the chareidi sector, his remarks were met with anger, with many saying they reflect total ignorance of the Torah community and its values. “This is a disgraceful attempt to incite against an entire public that dedicates its life to Torah study,” said one community representative.

Political figures on the right accused Lapid of deepening the divide within the nation. “Instead of trying to understand the chareidi community, Lapid chooses to humiliate it,” one of them said.

{Matzav.com}

Tension has erupted between the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and Yeshiva Ateret Shlomo after the forum accused the institution of misusing its well-known campaign imagery.

The organization has demanded that Ateret Shlomo issue a public apology and pay 400,000 shekels in damages for what it called an “unauthorized and offensive” use of its materials in connection with the ongoing protest against the imprisonment of bnei Torah who refused to enlist in the army.

In a sharply worded statement, the forum explained that it had sent a formal legal warning to the yeshiva on Wednesday night, stating that it was taking action “following cynical, forbidden and derogatory use of symbols, designs, messages and materials belonging to the families’ struggle for the return of their loved ones.” The letter alleged that the yeshiva’s campaign “used the forum’s campaign to outrageously compare the standing of draft dodgers to that of the civilians and soldiers who were abducted because of the massive disaster that befell the people of Israel on October 7, 2023.”

“It’s hard to accept such insolence from an institution that pretends to teach the values of the Torah,” the forum declared in its message, condemning what it viewed as a distortion of a sacred national cause.

The Hostages Forum emphasized that as part of its mission, it holds exclusive rights to the phrases, images, recordings, and designs associated with its movement — including the recognizable yellow ribbon and the “Bring Them Home” posters bearing the names and faces of the abducted.

According to the complaint, Ateret Shlomo produced a parody version of these posters to advocate for the release of one of its talmidim, Ariel Shamai, who had been arrested for refusing army service. The altered poster featured the same yellow ribbon and the familiar slogan “Until the last hostage,” but replaced the words “Bring Them Home” with “Bring Him Back to Yeshiva,” alongside the yeshiva’s logo.

The forum argued that such imitation not only breached copyright protections but also crossed ethical boundaries by “utilizing plagiarism and false advertising to falsely connect the yeshiva’s message to the forum.” The letter described this as especially inappropriate given that “a yeshiva like Ateret Shlomo receives government funding.”

The document demanded immediate cessation of all use of the forum’s materials, a public apology, and financial compensation of 400,000 shekels. The forum added that if the yeshiva failed to comply within three days, it would “take further legal action against the institution as well as its leaders,” holding them personally responsible.

{Matzav.com}

During his evening broadcast on Thursday, popular Israeli radio personality Yankele Friedman addressed the massive atzeres tefillah in Yerushalayim, attended by Gedolei Yisroel from across the spectrum in solidarity with lomdei Torah. While praising the unprecedented unity and kiddush Hashem the event created, Friedman sharply criticized the dangerous behavior of dozens of young men who scaled cranes, rooftops, and construction scaffolds during the gathering.

“I want to say a word about the disturbing scenes I witnessed at this rally,” Friedman began. “These are our own people — young bochurim and avreichim. I don’t know what they were thinking. They put their lives in real danger, climbing cranes that are dozens of meters high, walking on rooftops and scaffolding. It’s a miracle, baruch Hashem, that this didn’t end in a mass tragedy.”

Friedman continued with emotion: “What’s happening to us? What is this urge to climb up and risk your life? Do you know how much a crane operator is paid to work up there? It’s a very high salary because it’s dangerous work. Do you realize how much preparation he undergoes before climbing that crane?”

He urged the public not to ignore the problem or dismiss it as minor. “Please, don’t tell me, ‘Don’t air our dirty laundry.’ This is our laundry — and it’s dirty. But we have to talk about it. Every person must warn himself, parents must warn their children and educators. What’s going on here? We came to a rally for chizuk and hisorerus, and it turned into, chas v’shalom, a situation of sakanas nefashos. It’s truly shocking.”

As the massive atzeres tefillah today in Yerushalayim concluded, MK Meir Porush — one of the key organizers of the gathering — issued a sharp warning to the government, declaring that if the campaign against bnei Torah continues, the chareidi community will be forced to escalate its response.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Mahadura Hamercazit, Porush opened with words of gratitude: “First and foremost, we must thank the public who responded to the call of the gedolei Yisroel and came to stand in support of lomdei Torah. It was a tremendous event, a true kiddush Hashem.”

Porush stressed that the enormous turnout was a clear message to those seeking to undermine the Torah world. “Those who are trying to harm us saw today a massive public standing against them — a public that will not allow anyone to harm lomdei Torah,” he said. “To harm lomdei Torah is to take on the tens of thousands who filled the streets of Yerushalayim this evening.”

Addressing the transportation issues that arose before the rally, Porush revealed that the challenges stemmed from last-minute changes by Israel Railways. “The announcement by the train company came as a complete surprise, contrary to everything that had been agreed upon,” he explained. “We held countless meetings with the authorities to arrange travel logistics for the atzeres. In the end, we managed to partially reverse the decision, and trains operated until 2:00 p.m.”

Porush concluded the interview with a warning to government officials: “Today’s rally came after red lines were crossed and lomdei Torah were kept under arrest for too long. If the persecution of lomdei Torah continues, we will have no choice but to take further action.”

Two political surveys released Thursday evening painted completely different pictures of Israel’s political landscape, sparking debate over which channel’s polling can be trusted.

According to a poll conducted by Mano Geva for Channel 12 News, if elections were held today, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s coalition would win just 51 Knesset seats—an outcome that would leave the right-wing bloc far from a governing majority. Channel 14’s right-leaning survey, however, told a very different story, giving the same coalition a commanding 66 seats.

The Channel 12 poll showed Likud with 26 mandates, Bennett’s party at 21, Yair Golan with 11, Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid at 10, Shas and Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu each at 9, Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit also at 9, Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar at 8, Yitzchok Goldknopf’s United Torah Judaism at 7, Hadash-Ta’al with 5, and Ra’am also with 5.
When grouped into blocs, the opposition received 59 seats, the Arab parties 10, and the coalition only 51—signaling, according to Channel 12’s framing, a serious decline for the right.

Channel 14’s poll, on the other hand, produced dramatically different numbers. It placed Likud far ahead with 35 seats, followed by Bennett’s party at 12, Shas at 11, the Democrats at 10, Yisrael Beytenu at 9, United Torah Judaism at 8, Otzma Yehudit at 7, Eisenkot’s Yashar party at 7, Yesh Atid at 6, Religious Zionism at 5, Ra’am at 5, and Hadash-Ta’al at 5. Both Blue and White (2.4%) and Balad (1.7%) failed to cross the electoral threshold.

In total, Channel 14’s results showed the right-wing bloc with 66 seats, the left-wing bloc with 44, and the Arab parties holding 10.

When asked who is most suited to serve as prime minister, the Channel 14 poll found 56% backing Netanyahu, compared to 22% for Naftali Bennett, 12% for Gadi Eisenkot, 5% for Yair Lapid, 4% for Avigdor Liberman, and just 1% for Benny Gantz.

The stark contrast between the two polls quickly reignited Israel’s ongoing debate over media bias—whether Channel 12 is amplifying perceptions of right-wing weakness or Channel 14 is overstating its strength. As one political commentator quipped online: “It depends which channel you trust—and which reality you choose to believe.”

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Yerushalayim on Thursday for a massive atzeres tefillah in support of the Olam HaTorah. The event, filled with heartfelt tefillah and unity, ended in unspeakable grief when news spread that a 17-year-old bochur had fallen to his death from the framework of a high-rise building near the entrance to the city during the gathering.

According to messages circulating online attributed to the boy’s classmates, the teenager may have suffered from emotional distress, possibly linked to mistreatment or feelings of rejection from his peers. “We have to take responsibility,” they wrote in a note of anguish, urging others to recite Tehillim for his neshamah and to seek his forgiveness at his kever.

The heartbreaking incident, along with similar recent events, has sparked urgent discussion about how to recognize warning signs in struggling youth. Parents, educators, and friends are all asking the same question: How can we notice emotional pain early enough to prevent disaster?

To explore this vital issue, Kikar HaShabbat spoke with Chaim Luria, a psychologist specializing in clinical work and a lecturer at the Open University’s Department of Psychology. Matzav.com presents portions of the interview, which was conducted in Hebrew.

The Adolescent’s Vulnerable Years

“Human beings are social creatures,” Luria began. “Our environment — the people around us — plays a critical role in our mental well-being. Friendship and social connection aren’t luxuries; they’re basic human needs.”

He explained that during adolescence, a young person’s emotional world shifts dramatically: “The center of gravity moves from parents and family to peers and the outside world. This transition is natural — it’s meant to help the child grow into an independent adult. But it’s also a fragile stage because it happens gradually. The teen begins loosening the strong bonds of dependence on family before new social supports are fully in place. That’s when they’re most emotionally exposed.”

Teachers and educators, Luria said, play an essential bridging role: “They represent adult authority, but in a setting that’s part of the teen’s social world. They must be alert, observant, and sensitive to changes among students. Even small signs of alienation or humiliation shouldn’t be ignored. And chavrei ha’eshiva also bear responsibility — though they may not realize how deeply their behavior can affect a peer.”

Offering Support, Not Sarcasm

When asked what to do upon noticing signs of distress, Luria emphasized empathy and simplicity: “Complex cases need professional help, but everyone in a teen’s life can make a difference. Sensitivity is key. Avoid sarcasm — what sounds like harmless teasing may cut deeply. Show genuine interest, ask how they’re doing, and listen. Sometimes a friendly, sincere conversation can make all the difference — it can literally save a life.”

After a Tragedy: What Not to Do

As communities search for meaning and accountability after such an event, Luria cautioned against blame: “It’s wrong and harmful to point fingers at teachers, friends, or anyone close to the victim. These situations are always complex. Assigning guilt won’t bring healing; it will only deepen the pain. Our goal must be to learn, to grow, and to create environments where no teen feels unseen or unheard.”

The tragedy that shadowed a day of kedushah and unity in Jerusalem has left an entire community shaken and has reignited an urgent call to look closer, listen harder, and never ignore the quiet signals of a heart in pain.

{Matzav.com}

The tragic end to Thursday’s massive atzeres tefillah in Yerushalayim has left a nation reeling and asking painful questions.

The event—marked by unity and heartfelt tefillah on behalf of the Olam HaTorah—ended in heartbreak when 17-year-old Menachem Mendel Litzman fell to his death from a high-rise under construction in the Migdal Marom complex near the rally site.

Witnesses say Litzman fell from roughly the 11th floor of what is slated to become the tallest tower in the city—around 40 stories high. Police are investigating the circumstances of his death, including the possibility of suicide.

Moments after the fall, clashes broke out between police officers and protesters who tried to prevent security forces from clearing the area. Some people threw stones and bottles, and one officer was filmed drawing his weapon into the air after a colleague was struck by an object.

Throughout the rally, numerous participants were seen climbing on unfinished building frames, cranes, rooftops, and billboards to get a better view of the massive crowd. Videos shared online showed young men dangerously scaling construction sites and heavy machinery.

Following Litzman’s death, organizers immediately dispersed the gathering. Magen David Adom paramedics confirmed the young man’s death at the scene. Police later announced the opening of a formal investigation.

Eyewitness Accounts Point Fingers at Police

In the hours after the tragedy, questions mounted over who bears responsibility for preventing the fatal incident. Witnesses accused police of ignoring multiple warnings and clear footage circulating online that showed hundreds of participants perched on scaffolding, cranes, and rooftops. Despite the obvious danger, critics say, the police neither instructed organizers to clear those areas nor used the loudspeaker system to issue safety warnings—until after the fatal fall.

According to Ynet, the police had expected between 200,000 and 300,000 participants but deployed only about 2,000 officers. Operational approval for the event was handled solely by the Yerushalayim District command, not by national police leadership, despite the clear safety risks.

One witness told Ynet: “Construction workers shouted at the boys to stay away and not climb, but once the crowds arrived, they couldn’t stop them.” Another added, “No policeman tried to stop us from going up the building.” A third said: “There was a construction lift that went up to the 20th floor. The police saw it and let people go into the site.”

Police Reject Accusations

Police sources, speaking to N12, presented a very different account. They claim they had advance intelligence that some demonstrators planned to break into the construction site and climb to high floors. Despite multiple layers of security—including fencing, an electronic access code system, and guards—the protesters reportedly breached the perimeter and entered the site.

An hour before the tragedy, police had already received reports of “a life-threatening situation” at the site and multiple emergency calls warning that people had climbed onto the tower. Yet despite numerous attempts to intervene, police said they were “unable to prevent” the break-in and ascent.

Authorities say hundreds of young protesters were involved in the security breach, even disabling the site’s electronic entry system.

The catastrophe has ignited fierce debate over the adequacy of crowd control measures, the conduct of law enforcement, and the safety oversight of mass demonstrations. As the investigation continues, both grief and anger hang heavy over a tragedy that many believe could—and should—have been prevented.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is keeping quiet about whether he’ll cast his ballot for socialist Zohran Mamdani in next week’s New York City mayoral race — a question he’s pointedly avoided despite mounting pressure from reporters.

When asked directly if he would support Mamdani in the November 4 election, Schumer sidestepped. “The bottom line is very simple,” he said. “I have a good relationship with him, and we’re continuing to talk.” His vague response did little to clarify where he stands as tensions grow inside his party.

The senator’s evasive answer came shortly after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made waves by publicly throwing his support behind Mamdani. Jeffries told The New York Times that while he and the socialist candidate have “areas of principled disagreement,” unity within the Democratic Party must take precedence at a time when President Donald Trump poses what he called an “existential” threat.

Jeffries praised Mamdani as someone who has “relentlessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and explicitly committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy.” He concluded, “In that spirit, I support him and the entire citywide Democratic ticket in the general election.”

The endorsement was widely viewed as Jeffries caving to the party’s far-left faction, which has spent months defending Mamdani’s radical platform. The candidate has championed sweeping socialist initiatives such as a publicly run grocery network, asserted that “queer liberation means defunding the police,” and argued that “mental health experts” should replace law enforcement in handling certain crises.

Mamdani has also come under fire for refusing to back resolutions honoring Israel and condemning the Holocaust. Nor has he denounced the inflammatory chant “Globalize the Intifada,” a stance that has drawn heavy criticism from Jewish organizations and civic leaders alike.

President Donald Trump has not held back in his assessment of the socialist contender, branding him a “Communist Lunatic.” That characterization prompted an angry reply from Jeffries, who posted on X: “Stop lying about Assemblyman Mamdani. He is neither a communist nor a lunatic. And New York City doesn’t need to be saved by a wannabe King. Besides, you are too busy destroying America with your One Big Ugly Bill to do anything else.”

{Matzav.com}

In a move that has left linguists scratching their heads and parents utterly baffled, Dictionary.com crowned “6-7” as its 2025 Word of the Year — even though, technically, it isn’t a word at all, the AP reports. The bizarre viral phrase has taken over classrooms, TikTok feeds, and text messages, leaving adults struggling to decode it while teenagers can’t seem to stop saying it.

The site’s annual pick is meant to reflect cultural shifts and trends through language, but even Dictionary.com admits it’s not entirely sure what “6-7” means. “Don’t worry, because we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” the site said when announcing the choice this week.

The origin of the cryptic term traces back to a 2024 song that began circulating on TikTok. Clips featuring basketball players, including the NBA’s LaMelo Ball — who happens to stand 6-foot-7 — helped propel the phrase into the digital mainstream. It reached full-blown meme status when a boy dubbed “The 6-7 Kid” yelled the phrase in a video while another child juggled his hands beside him. Within days, the sound and gesture were everywhere.

No one can quite agree on what “6-7” stands for. Some argue it means “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that,” especially when paired with the accompanying hand motion. Others use it as a playful jab to annoy adults. Even its spelling — “6-7,” “6 7,” or “six seven” — is up for debate. Merriam-Webster has labeled it “a nonsensical expression used especially by teens and tweens.”

“It’s meaningless, ubiquitous, and nonsensical. In other words, it has all the hallmarks of brainrot,” Dictionary.com said. “Still, it remains meaningful to the people who use it because of the connection it fosters.”

The trend has taken on a life of its own, spilling out from social media into schools, homes, and even the NFL, where players have adopted it as a celebration gesture. Parents and teachers, desperate to understand the craze, have made their own videos dissecting its meaning. Some suggest ignoring it until it fades away; others have tried to reclaim it by turning it into Halloween costumes in hopes of making it “uncool.” Teachers in some schools have even banned students from saying it during class.

Dictionary.com says its choice reflects how language evolves online and captures what people are talking about — or in this case, endlessly repeating. The site reviewed social media chatter, news stories, and search engine data before deciding on “6-7,” noting that online searches for the term have multiplied sixfold since June.

“The Word of the Year isn’t just about popular usage; it reveals the stories we tell about ourselves and how we’ve changed over the year,” the site said.

{Matzav.com}

In a stunning move that sent shockwaves through the region, an account on the platform X believed to be linked to Israel’s Mossad issued an unusually direct message to Iran’s leadership Thursday night—written entirely in Persian and tagging the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

The post alleged that two of the most senior commanders in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Amir Ali Hajizadeh and Mohammad Pakpour, have been operating without Khamenei’s knowledge and intentionally keeping him in the dark.

“Our agents on the ground report that Mr. Hajizadeh and Mr. Pakpour are not updating the so-called ‘Leader’ on the details of what is happening, and they are making decisions independently. They understand there is no point in holding conversations with him and have therefore established an alternative leadership,” the message read.

The post went on to mock the internal dysfunction within Iran’s military command, claiming that the leaders of the Revolutionary Guards are deceiving Khamenei about the country’s readiness. “To the ‘Leader’ they say that everything is excellent – that the air defense is active, the launchers are ready, and the country is fully equipped with all capabilities. Meanwhile, Iran’s airspace is wide open and defenseless.”

The message concluded with a pointed jab clearly meant to humiliate Iran’s top ruler: “For the attention of the honorable ‘sleepy gentleman.'”

{Matzav.com}

The Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump has officially scrapped a controversial policy that allowed automatic extensions of work permits for millions of migrants living in the United States.

According to Wednesday’s announcement, the updated procedure will require migrants applying for renewals to go through a full “screening and vetting” process before any extension can be approved.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said that the previous administration’s approach had prioritized migrants’ ease over protecting American interests, something the current administration aims to correct. “USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security,” Edlow said.

He explained that the change simply restores a common-sense safeguard to ensure proper review before a permit is extended. “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right,” he emphasized.

The shift comes after years in which, under Joe Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, newly arrived migrants captured the majority of new jobs, even as millions of American citizens stayed unemployed or left the labor force altogether.

Now, under Trump’s leadership, that trend appears to be reversing. Most new jobs are once again being filled by native-born Americans, while roughly two million migrants have exited the workforce entirely.

{Matzav.com}

Many Orthodox Jewish families benefit from WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), a federal program that provides “wholesome food […] for income eligible women […] infants and children up to five years old.” A challenge many frum families face is obtaining Cholov Yisroel milk through WIC, as each state has its own list of approved foods.

The Agudah has worked and continues to work with appropriate state agencies across the country to ensure that frum families can receive Cholov Yisroel and other Kosher items of foods that they are entitled to.

Recently, Missouri removed Cholov Yisroel milk from their list of approved items. Mrs. Botuck, director of government affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri, engaged with state officials to ensure that the product was swiftly reinstated.

{Matzav.com}

Two coffins containing the remains of Israeli hostages were returned to Israel on Thursday, following a transfer facilitated by the Red Cross in Gaza. The caskets, guarded by IDF soldiers, were brought across the border and received in a solemn military ceremony before being taken to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir for official identification.

Kibbutz Nir Oz later confirmed that one of the victims was Amiram Cooper. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the second identified hostage was Sahar Baruch. Authorities said that Hamas is still holding the bodies of eleven other hostages inside Gaza.

Earlier in the week, confusion surrounded a separate handover. On Tuesday morning, Hamas publicly reneged on its commitment to return another hostage’s body, claiming the IDF’s retaliatory strike in Rafah had violated their agreement. That strike followed gunfire from Hamas terrorists at Israeli forces performing engineering operations in the area.

Later that day, Israeli officials revealed that the remains delivered the previous night were not those of a newly identified hostage as promised. Instead, they were confirmed to be the remains of Ofir Sarfati — a hostage whose body had already been repatriated nearly two years ago.

A detailed forensic investigation by the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine verified Sarfati’s identity, closing yet another painful chapter in Israel’s ongoing efforts to bring every hostage home.

{Matzav.com}

Newly uncovered footage shows socialist New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani delivering a fiery speech against Israel just months before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre. The state assemblyman from Queens is seen at a July 2023 rally in Midtown Manhattan, vocally calling to defund what he termed “Israeli settler violence.”

Mamdani repeatedly led the crowd in chants of “not on our dime,” urging New Yorkers to stop supporting Israel. “That’s what we’re calling for. We are calling for it because we know that the days of inconsistency, the days of drawing the lines in Palestine, those days are over,” he told demonstrators. “What we are calling for is the end of our complicity as New Yorkers.”

The rally, organized to promote legislation Mamdani introduced in Albany, aimed to strip nonprofit status from New York charities that raise money for Israeli institutions or the Israeli military. Video of the event has resurfaced and circulated widely on social media this week, reigniting controversy over Mamdani’s anti-Israel record as he leads in the city’s mayoral race.

In his speech, Mamdani reflected on his upbringing in New York and the political double standards he claims to have witnessed. “When I grew up in this city, I grew up hearing a term ‘progressive except Palestine.’ I grew up hearing that it was normal to hold an inconsistency only when it applied to Palestinians,” he declared to cheers from the crowd. “I saw the politicians that I admired speak of universal rights and then draw the line right when it came to Palestinians. I was told that was simply how it is, that is how it has been, and it is how it will be.”

At one point, a heckler shouted at Mamdani, accusing him of hypocrisy for attacking Israel while holding public office. The assemblyman brushed off the criticism by rallying the crowd to chant louder, seemingly to drown out the interruption.

“When I decided to run for office, I was told to keep my thoughts on Palestine to myself if I wanted to win,” Mamdani said defiantly. “I want to make it clear. I spoke every day to my constituents about the need for us to stand up in a consistent manner for justice for every single person — whether they are in Astoria or in Palestine.”

The battle for New Jersey’s governorship has become a razor-thin contest, with a new Emerson College/Pix 11/The Hill poll showing Democrat Mikie Sherrill holding 49% support compared to 48% for Republican Jack Ciattarelli. When undecided voters were asked which way they lean, Sherrill’s edge ticked up slightly to 50% against Ciattarelli’s 48%.

The results mark a stunning turnaround for Ciattarelli, who has managed to erase what was once a commanding 20-point lead for Sherrill earlier in the summer. With Election Day rapidly approaching, strategists on both sides say the race could hinge entirely on turnout.

Demographic divides continue to shape the race. Women favor Sherrill by a significant 18-point margin, while men back Ciattarelli by 16 points — a gap that has widened on both sides since September. “Since last month, Ciattarelli’s lead among men increased by four points, and Sherill’s lead among women grew by eight points,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

Economic concerns are dominating voter priorities in the Garden State. A majority — 52% — identified the economy as their top issue, reflecting frustration with New Jersey’s notoriously high taxes and cost of living. Just 14% said “threats to democracy” were their main concern, while 11% cited housing affordability. Only 5% of voters pointed to immigration policy or health care as their biggest issue.

Both candidates appear to be evenly matched not only in polling but also in likability. Sherrill earns a 47% favorable rating among voters, with an identical 47% viewing her unfavorably. Ciattarelli’s numbers are virtually the same, with 48% viewing him positively and 48% negatively.

The poll also painted a grim picture for outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, whose approval numbers have sunk as he completes his final term. Only 34% of voters approve of his performance, while half disapprove and 16% remain neutral.

President Donald Trump’s ratings in the state are somewhat higher but still underwater. The survey found that 45% of respondents approve of his job performance, while 53% disapprove.

Emerson College conducted the survey between October 25 and 28, polling 1,000 registered voters using text messages, automated calls, and a vetted online panel. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Last month’s Emerson survey also placed the two contenders in a 43% tie, a result that initially stood out from other polls but has since been validated as the race tightened dramatically.

Overall polling averages now show Sherrill holding a slim 3.7-point advantage in the RealClearPolitics aggregate, down sharply from her 9.3-point lead at the start of September. Notably, the same polling averages underestimated Ciattarelli’s strength by roughly five points during his near-upset against Phil Murphy in 2021.

Still, there are warning signs for the GOP challenger. Early voting data compiled by Michael Pruser, Director of Data Science for Decision, indicates that 54% of ballots so far have come from registered Democrats, compared with 28% from Republicans — a turnout imbalance that could prove decisive in the final tally.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews gathered in the streets of Yerushalayim on Thursday in a massive atzeres tefillah and outcry before the Ribono Shel Olam, pleading for the annulment of the government’s draft decree and protesting the continued imprisonment of bnei yeshiva who refuse to report to army enlistment offices.

Under the banner “Nikhalu haYehudim al gezeiras ha-giyus,” the event brought together gedolei Yisroel and rabbonim from every community, united in their call to defend the sanctity of Torah and the right of its learners to study without interference.

Massive Turnout and Spiritual Unity

Beginning late Wednesday night, throngs began streaming toward Yerushalayim despite transportation difficulties, eager to arrive early for the historic gathering. Yeshivos across the country organized special early-morning sedarim in nearby batei medrash before heading to the site of the atzeres.

By morning, prominent gedolim had taken their places on balconies and platforms across the capital. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Berel Povarsky, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the Admorim of Kretchnif and Modzitz, Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi, Rav Dovid Cohen of Chevron, Rav Shraga Steinman, Rav Tzvi Drebkin, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, and many others were seen at the central balcony of the Yirmiyahu 33 hotel. Rav Dov Landau was seen on a balcony of one of the surrounding buildings.

Nearby, the Gerer Rebbe and Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman led tefillos from the Shmuel Hanavi–Yirmiyahu intersection, joined by the Admor of Sadigura. Other Admorim observed from various locations across the city: the Admor of Belz from the balcony of his grandson’s home on Shmager Street, the Admor of Vizhnitz—who came specially from his lodging in Ora—reciting Tehillim in the nusach of the Yamim Nora’im, the Admor of Slonim on Malchei Yisroel Street, the Admor of Boyan from his kloiz balcony, and the Admor of Sanz at  the Yirmiyahu Junction.

The Rosh Yeshiva of Mir, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, stood together with thousands of bochurim and rabbeim of the yeshiva, while gedolei Torah from across the Sephardic world gathered in the Bais Yisroel building under the leadership of Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef and members of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

Tefillos, Tehillim, and Selichos

The gathering, characterized entirely by solemn tefillah rather than speeches or political addresses, opened with Minchah led by Rav Avishai Mandel. Tehillim was then recited following the Seder HaShlah, with the mashgiach, Rav Don Segal, leading one segment. Additional kapitlach were recited by Rav Shalom Baruch Prizand and Rav Mordechai Shepsel Eisenberger.

Selichos and the Yud-Gimmel Middos Harachamim followed, led by Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Eliyahu Man, and the mashpia Rav Elimelech Biderman. Rav Reuven Elbaz then led Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, followed by Kaddish recited by the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades. The gathering concluded with Tekias Shofar, symbolizing a collective cry to Shomayim.

Gedolei Yisroel Declare: “The Torah Is Our Life”

At the close of the event, the official declaration of the atzeres—approved by the gedolei hador—was read aloud to the masses. Its central messages were:

1. “The Torah is our life and the source of our existence,” the declaration stated. “Our fathers sacrificed their lives for its study and preservation. We demand that every Jew who wishes to devote himself to Torah be allowed to do so freely and without limitation, as halachah dictates.”
2. The atzeres expressed “deep anguish over the terrible chillul Hashem caused by the shameful imprisonment of bnei Torah who dedicate their lives to learning. The chareidi community will never accept this intolerable situation.”
3. It condemned “the judicial and bureaucratic systems that act with arrogance against the Torah and its learners,” urging them to “retract their evil plans, for they will not succeed.” The statement also rebuked the government for “failing to prevent this disgrace.”
4. A heartfelt appeal was made “to all our brothers in Israel—especially those distant from Torah—how can it be that only in Eretz Yisroel are lomdei Torah persecuted, while in every other country one may learn freely?”
5. Finally, the declaration praised and blessed the bnei yeshivos and avreichim “who dedicate their days and nights to the holy Torah. Be strong and courageous, and may the blessings of all Klal Yisroel accompany you—continue learning with strength, for you are the pride and hope of the Jewish nation.”

As the sun set over Yerushalayim, the thunderous sound of Tehillim and cries of Shema Yisroel echoed through the city, a historic show of unity and spiritual defiance declaring that Am Yisroel will never relinquish its most sacred treasure—the eternal Torah.
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{Matzav.com}

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman issued a scathing condemnation of the chareidi leadership following the tragic death of a young participant during a mass protest, accusing rabbinic and political figures of exploiting their followers for power.

“The rotten chareidi leadership is directly responsible for the painful death of a young boy in a despicable and unnecessary demonstration,” Liberman charged in a blistering statement. “He came out on the orders of that leadership to be a human shield for the power and influence of the chareidi activists.”

Lieberman, a longtime critic of Israel’s chareidi establishment, has frequently accused religious leaders of manipulating their followers for political gain.

Chareidi representatives have yet to respond directly to Lieberman’s statement, though sources within several factions described his remarks as “a new low” and “a cynical exploitation of tragedy for political purposes.”

{Matzav.com}