Matzav

StopAntisemitism announced that podcaster Tucker Carlson has been selected as its “Antisemite of the Year,” a label the Jewish civil rights organization said followed an internal vote that passed by a wide margin.

According to the group, the designation reflects what it views as Carlson’s repeated use of his platform to spotlight individuals it characterizes as antisemitic extremists. The organization said this recognition is meant as a condemnation, not an accolade, describing it as a “distinct dishonor” reserved for those it considers especially bigoted.

Liora Rez, the group’s founder and executive director, said in an interview that Carlson has conducted what she called “glowing interviews” with people who deny the Holocaust or espouse antisemitic views, thereby offering them significant exposure.

In explaining its decision, StopAntisemitism released a video statement saying, “Carlson has built a reputation for giving a platform to dangerous ideas, allowing guests to spread falsehoods and antisemitic narratives.” The group added, “He is obsessed with Israel, and repeats blatant lies about the Jewish state and its people.”

Carlson was chosen over two other finalists, mixed martial arts fighter Bryce Mitchell and conspiracy theorist Stew Peters. The organization also said that children’s podcaster Ms. Rachel and actress Cynthia Nixon appeared among its top ten vote-getters.

The announcement follows earlier criticism of Carlson by the group. In October, StopAntisemitism named him its “Antisemite of the Week,” a step that preceded his inclusion on the year-end list.

The group’s latest action also comes amid continued backlash over an interview Carlson conducted in October with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes has promoted conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control of politics, media, and finance, denied the Holocaust, and advocated what he described as a “holy war” against Jews.

During that conversation, Fuentes told Carlson that he admired Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, whose regime implemented policies that discriminated against Jews. In the same interview, Carlson criticized “Christian Zionists” who support Israel, saying they had been “seized by this brain virus,” and he singled out former President George W. Bush, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

StopAntisemitism has also accused Carlson of helping normalize antisemitic ideas by amplifying the “great replacement” conspiracy theory and by directing rhetoric at pro-Israel Jewish conservatives that the group says echoes the “dual loyalty” trope.

Rez said that influential figures with large audiences can contribute to an atmosphere in which harassment and threats against Jews become more prevalent, even if they stop short of making explicitly antisemitic statements themselves.

In previous years, the organization has applied the same designation to other public figures, including the rapper Ye, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Last year, Candace Owens was named “Antisemite of the Year.”

Carlson has not publicly responded to the announcement.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Rand Paul made clear Sunday that Vice President JD Vance would not have his support if the Republican presidential field takes shape in 2028.

Pressed directly during an appearance on This Week about whether that stance applied to Vance, Paul gave an unambiguous reply. Asked by host Jonathan Karl, “And that’s not JD Vance?” Paul answered simply, “No.”

Paul’s remarks came as he reflected on what he sees as a shrinking commitment within the GOP to long-standing conservative economic principles. He said he intends to keep pushing for a free-market faction inside the party, even as others move in a different direction. “So I’m going to continue to try to lead a conservative free-market wing in the party, and we’ll see where things lead over time,” Paul said.

During the interview, Paul pointed to his ongoing disagreement with the Trump administration’s tariff and trade agenda as a central reason for his resistance to elevating Vance as a future standard-bearer. He argued that free trade, limited government, and low taxes have been pushed aside in recent years. “I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes,” Paul said, responding to suggestions that Vance is widely viewed as a leading contender for the next election cycle.

The Kentucky senator also contrasted today’s policy debates with earlier ideological divides, saying fiscal restraint once defined conservative thinking. “It used to separate conservatives and liberals that conservatives thought it was a spending problem — we didn’t want less revenue, we wanted less spending,” Paul said.

He went on to criticize Republicans who now champion tariffs, arguing that such policies amount to tax increases that run counter to conservative doctrine. “But now all these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. And so they tax, tax, tax, and then they brag about all the revenue coming in,” Paul continued. “That has never been a conservative position.”

While many Republicans still voice support for smaller government and lower taxes, Paul has been among the few willing to openly challenge the president on trade policy and oppose major legislation on fiscal grounds. He voted against the administration’s flagship domestic package, citing concerns that it would add to the national debt, and said those disagreements would shape his approach to the party’s future leadership.

{Matzav.com}

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moved Monday to address mounting anger within the Jewish community, issuing a public apology following intense criticism over his handling of rising antisemitism in the country.

The apology came a day after Albanese was met with loud boos while attending a vigil commemorating the 15 people murdered in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, carried out during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration. The hostile reaction reflected deep frustration among mourners who say the government failed to stem escalating antisemitic violence.

Speaking after the event, Albanese acknowledged the fury directed at him and said he understood why emotions boiled over. “Emotions were raw, and a lot of people in the community are hurting and angry, and some of that anger was directed towards me, and I understand that,” he said.

He went on to connect the tragedy directly to his leadership, stating, “As prime minister, I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened while I’m prime minister.”

In a separate expression of regret, Albanese added, “And I’m sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced.”

The prime minister has been under heavy fire since last week’s massacre, with critics accusing his center-left government of allowing antisemitism to spiral since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Jewish leaders and community figures have argued that repeated warnings were ignored.

In response to the attack, Albanese announced the launch of a formal review into Australia’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The inquiry will be led by a former head of the country’s national spy service and will examine whether federal police and intelligence bodies have the “right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.”

Despite the announcement, Jewish leaders have pushed for a full royal commission — the strongest form of inquiry under Australian law — to probe the failures surrounding the attack.

Albanese rejected that approach, arguing that a targeted review would allow the government to act more quickly. “The … review will enable action to take place,” he said.

He emphasized that the goal was immediate accountability and reform, adding, “What we want to do is, if there are any holes, any findings, any actions that are required, we want that to occur.”

{Matzav.com}

Kerry Kennedy escalated her criticism of President Donald Trump, publicly calling for his name to be removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts once he leaves office. In posts shared on X and Instagram, Kennedy pledged dramatic action to reverse the decision.

“Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickax and pull those letters of that building,” she wrote.

She followed up with another post inviting supporters to join her effort, adding, “But I’m going to need help holding the ladder. Are you in? Apply for my carpenter’s card today, so it’ll be a union job!!!.”

The naming decision has drawn sharp criticism from several Democrats and members of the Kennedy family. Among those objecting was JFK’s niece Maria Shriver, along with multiple Democratic lawmakers, all of whom argue that placing Trump’s name on the building violates federal law.

“The Kennedy Center was named by law. To change the name would require a revision of that 1964 law,” Ray Smock, a former House historian, told the Associated Press. “The Kennedy Center board is not a lawmaking entity. Congress makes laws.”

Congress designated the performing arts complex as a living memorial to President Kennedy in 1964, a year after his assassination. The statute explicitly bars the board of trustees from transforming the center into a memorial for anyone else or placing another individual’s name on the exterior of the building.

Despite those objections, Trump’s name was added after the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees — reportedly selected by Trump — voted unanimously in favor of the change. Officials at the Kennedy Center said the vote was intended to acknowledge Trump’s efforts to revitalize the institution.

Kennedy expanded her attack a day earlier with a separate post on X sharply criticizing Trump and his administration. She wrote: “President Trump and his administration have spent the past year repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians, and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just.”

She contrasted that record with the legacy of her uncle, writing: “President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”

Kerry Kennedy is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, who served as a U.S. senator and attorney general. Her brother, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., currently serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration and has not commented publicly on the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center’s name.

{Matzav.com}

A growing trend in recent years of placing handwritten notes with personal requests inside or beneath the Chanukah menorah—particularly on Zos Chanukah—is coming under sharp criticism from rabbinic figures, who say the practice has no source, no tradition, and no basis in Torah.

The practice, widely circulated each year on social media and various websites, claims that one should write a note beginning with the verse “Min hameitzar karasi Kah, anani bamerchav Kah,” add one’s name and mother’s name, list personal requests, and then place the note in the menorah after the candles go out. According to the claim, the note is left there until the following Chanukah, when it is opened to see whether the requests were fulfilled.

Rabbinic authorities say the so-called segulah is entirely fabricated.

Rav Chaim Fuchs, head of the Segulas Emes Institute, addressed the phenomenon this week, calling the practice “nonsensical” and stressing that it has no connection to authentic Jewish tradition. He said the idea was invented only in recent years and falsely presented as a spiritual tool. “If a person asks Hashem sincerely, Hashem can answer,” he said, emphasizing that the power lies in tefillah itself, not in placing slips of paper in ritual objects.

Concerns have grown as variations of the practice have emerged, including suggestions to place notes in Pesach utensils after the Yom Tov or even inside the oil cups of the menorah from night to night. Rabbinic figures warn that such trends risk shifting people’s faith away from tefillah and toward superstition, creating the impression that salvation comes from a mechanical act rather than a relationship with Hashem.

Years ago, Rav Reuven Zakaim, head of the Zichron Yaakov Beis Medrash for Halachah and Dayanus, wrote a detailed critique of the practice. He said he researched the matter extensively and found no mention of such a segulah in any authoritative sefer, nor any record of it being taught or endorsed by recognized Torah leaders. “It is entirely new,” he wrote, adding that it was unheard of throughout Jewish history, even dating back to the miracle of the oil itself.

Rav Zakaim acknowledged that while there may not be a formal halachic prohibition against placing a note in a menorah, the practice should not be attributed any spiritual significance. He warned against confusing the essentials of avodas Hashem with practices that lack any authentic source. He cited the irony noted by earlier gedolim that if mitzvos themselves were written up as segulos, people might be more meticulous in observing them.

The issue was also addressed this past week by writer Reb Dovid Daman in the Hebrew Mishpacha magazine. He expressed sympathy for those who followed the practice last year and were left disappointed when their hopes were not realized. Rather than doubling down on an invented ritual, he urged readers to replace it with meaningful tefillah, suggesting the recitation of the entire Sefer Tehillim on Zos Chanukah.

“I don’t promise salvations,” he wrote. “By Hashem, no one stands with a stopwatch. But Tehillim—especially the full sefer recited without interruption—is always a powerful and holy segulah. Tefillos do not return empty.”

Daman said the trend highlights how quickly unfounded practices can spread, especially among people searching desperately for yeshuah. He recounted being offered yet another “new segulah” this year involving placing a request note inside a cup of oil, calling it further proof that such ideas proliferate without restraint.

{Matzav.com}

The Belzer Rebbe addressed the challenges facing Torah learners during his Seudah Shlishis on Shabbos Chanukah, speaking before tens of thousands of chassidim who spent Shabbos in his presence.

In his divrei Torah, the Rebbe reflected on the current period as one of hester — spiritual concealment — and spoke about the decrees directed against those devoted to Torah study. Drawing on the parsha, he explained that Yosef HaTzaddik, during his exile in Mitzrayim, laid the spiritual groundwork that enabled later generations to endure exile. That preparation, the Rebbe said, empowered Klal Yisroel to survive not only the Egyptian exile but future exiles as well.

“Even in our times, everything is in concealment,” the Rebbe said. “There is an inner exile and an outer exile, similar to what existed in Mitzrayim. Then, Klal Yisroel was redeemed through Aharon HaKohen and Moshe Rabbeinu. Today as well, the power of Torah is what sustains us, and in the end, Hashem will help, and it will become clear that it is only the Torah learned by Bnei Yisroel in exile that keeps them standing.”

The Rebbe further connected these themes to the miracle of Chanukah, noting that even when Klal Yisroel was in a lowly and weakened state — akin to exile, despite the Beis Hamikdash still standing — it was the Kohanim who elevated the nation and drew them closer to Hashem.

“So too in our exile,” he said, “the hand of Hashem stands by Bnei Yisroel, and He illuminates the darkness, just as at the time of the miracle, through the study of Torah Shebichsav and Torah Shebaal Peh.”

{Matzav.com}

An extraordinary medical and spiritual story from Yerushalayim has resurfaced, as a prominent physician from Har Nof—once declared beyond hope—continues his recovery after what many are describing as nothing short of techias hameisim.

Yerushalayim’s Har Nof neighborhood is accustomed to the steady stream of visitors arriving at the home of the renowned posek, Rav Moshe Sternbuch, where daily audiences draw individuals seeking guidance and brachah. In recent days, however, the atmosphere there was markedly different, as songs of praise and thanksgiving filled the residence during a rare and emotional gathering marking a dramatic medical recovery that has stirred the city.

The gathering marked the visit of a well-known Har Nof physician who, nearly two years ago, was considered clinically “dead” by medical standards. During the COVID period, the doctor suffered a severe stroke after being infected with the virus, leaving him unconscious and in a vegetative state. Physicians told the family with certainty that there were “zero chances” of recovery, with one doctor reportedly stating that it would have been better had he passed away, as there was no hope he would ever awaken.

The full account was related by Reb Daniel Travis, a rosh kollel and close talmid of Rav Sternbuch, who served as the family’s emissary. Rav Travis explained that members of his kollel undertook daily tefillos on the patient’s behalf, maintaining the effort without interruption for a year and a half.

Eventually, family members raised a halachic concern, arguing that the patient was effectively considered dead and that continued tefillah might constitute praying for a miracle, which is generally not permitted. Rav Travis brought the question directly to Rav Sternbuch, seeking a clear halachic ruling.

After listening carefully and inquiring in detail about the medical circumstances for several minutes, Rav Sternbuch reflected deeply before delivering a decisive response. He ruled that continued tefillah was entirely permitted and encouraged, explaining that contemporary medical advancements leave room for recovery through natural means. He instructed Rav Travis to continue the tefillos and assured him that they would yet see a great yeshuah.

Rav Travis conveyed the ruling to the family, reinforcing Rav Sternbuch’s words that hope had not been lost. Remarkably, the very next day, the patient suddenly regained consciousness. He began communicating, speaking, and gradually recovering, in a development that doctors reportedly could not explain and for which there was no known medical precedent.

Rav Travis recounts receiving an emotional phone call from the patient himself, who wished to express gratitude for the brachah delivered through Rav Sternbuch. Hearing the voice of someone who had been considered dead left Rav Travis stunned, though he said he was not surprised after the clear ruling and assurance he had received from his rebbi.

In the weeks that followed, the recovering doctor was even seen at times learning in Rabbi Sternbuch’s beis medrash. When he first entered, those present reportedly looked on in disbelief as the man they believed had passed away stood on his own two feet.

Although the core events occurred nearly two years ago, the story is only now being widely publicized, as the doctor—now significantly stronger—recently returned to Rav Sternbuch’s home to formally express his gratitude. Overcome with emotion, he asked Rav Travis to recount the full story publicly.

To conclude, Rav Travis shared an additional insight that sheds light on Rav Sternbuch’s approach. He recalled witnessing a case years earlier in which Rav Sternbuch initially declined to issue a halachic ruling granting a young man success in finding a shidduch, only to do so months later. Within three weeks of that ruling, the young man became engaged.

When Rav Travis later asked whether a halachic ruling can truly determine future outcomes, Rav Sternbuch replied that he had received this tradition from Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer: when a genuine posek issues a ruling in this world, it is accepted in the Heavenly court as well and can draw down yeshuos.

{Matzav.com}

Politico first reported that the Trump administration has begun pulling back a significant number of U.S. ambassadors, a move that has prompted unease among some members of Congress and the labor union representing American diplomats.

The largest concentration of changes is in Africa, where ambassadors from 13 nations are being recalled: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.

Asia follows, with six countries affected by ambassadorial turnover: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Additional recalls span multiple regions. Four European countries—Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia—are included. Two countries each are affected in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt), South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka), and the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname).

According to two State Department officials who requested anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were notified last week that their assignments would conclude in January.

Those officials said all of the ambassadors in question began their overseas postings during the Biden administration. While they initially remained in place after President Donald Trump returned to office and an early round of removals focused largely on political appointees, that status changed this week. On Wednesday, they began receiving formal notifications from Washington that their tours were being cut short.

The administration has emphasized that the affected diplomats are not being dismissed from the Foreign Service. Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and generally hold their posts for three to four years. Those being recalled may return to Washington and take on other roles if they choose, the officials said.

The State Department declined to provide precise figures or name the ambassadors involved, but defended the action as routine, describing it as “a standard process in any administration.” The department added that an ambassador is “a personal representative of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.”

The recalls come as the Trump administration continues reshaping U.S. diplomacy abroad, seeking to ensure that senior embassy leadership aligns fully with President Donald Trump’s America First priorities.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance told a packed audience at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday that the most meaningful way to honor the late Charlie Kirk is to avoid the kind of exclusionary behavior Kirk himself rejected throughout his life.

Vance framed his remarks around the broad appeal of President Donald Trump’s political message, emphasizing that the slogan “Make America Great Again” is rooted in inclusion rather than gatekeeping. He said the strength of the movement lies in the idea that every American is welcome, regardless of background or circumstance.

VP VANCE: "President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests… I didn't bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform… The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here… pic.twitter.com/jyMQotlW1O

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 21, 2025

“President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests,” Vance said. “He says ‘Make America Great Again’ because every American is invited. We don’t care if you’re white or black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between. People of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better and they also know that the Democrats don’t care about anything other than maybe transing their kids.”

According to Vance, that open-door approach is precisely why the America First coalition has grown into a political force. He argued that Americans who love their country and want it to be “richer, stronger, safer, and prouder” naturally belong within the movement.

Vance also addressed criticism he expects to receive, saying he deliberately avoided attacking or excluding fellow conservatives. He stressed that Kirk’s legacy was built on bringing people together, not pushing them out.

“I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to deplatform, and I don’t really care if some people out there — I’m sure we’ll have the fake news media denounce me after this speech, but let me just say, “the best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life,” Vance said. “He invited all of us here.”

He concluded by reiterating that the America First movement remains a home for anyone committed to the country’s strength and future, echoing what he described as the core principle Charlie Kirk championed from the beginning.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

Mr. Barry Ray z”l, a devoted askan and pillar of the Chicago Torah community for more than four decades, was niftar, leaving behind a legacy of quiet dedication, steadfast leadership, and tireless service to Klal Yisroel.

For over 45 years, Mr. Ray stood at the forefront of communal responsibility in Chicago, where he was widely known as a trusted supporter, advisor, and builder of Torah institutions. With vision and unwavering commitment, he was instrumental in the founding, strengthening, and ongoing support of numerous mosdos, not only in Chicago but also in Baltimore, Florida, and Eretz Yisroel. His involvement was marked by humility and discretion; he worked behind the scenes, motivated solely by a sense of achrayus and love for Torah and its learners.

Mr. Ray understood that strong communities are built through consistency, reliability, and personal responsibility. He was always available when a cause needed backing, when an institution required guidance, or when a communal initiative demanded resolve and follow-through. His impact was felt far beyond the public eye, in the stability and growth of countless Torah endeavors.

He is survived by a distinguished family who continue his legacy of communal service. He was the devoted father of R’ Tzvi Ray, an active board member of Agudah of Illinois and the Midwest Bais Horaah; R’ Shua Ray, a steadfast supporter of Chicago mosdos and deeply involved in a wide range of communal activities; Mrs. Ahuva Feiler, wife of R’ Yanky Feiler, who worked for Agudath Israel of Illinois and continues to be active in political advocacy on behalf of the Jewish community; and Mrs. Shoshana Krupp, wife of R’ Ari Krupp, a prominent and active leader in the Baltimore Jewish community.

The levaya and kevura took place today in Chicago.

The family is sitting shiva at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shua Ray, located at 3118 W. Wallen Avenue. Tefillah times: Shacharis: 7:30 a.m. Mincha/Ma’ariv: 4:10 p.m.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday night in the Satmar neighborhood of Bnei Brak for a large procession marking the release of yeshiva students who had been detained.

The event drew vast crowds and unfolded as a celebratory march through local streets, accompanied by energetic dancing and singing.

At the same time, a parallel procession was held in Modi’in Illit, honoring the release of Binyamin Kreif, a talmid of Yeshivas Darchei Chaim. Kreif was freed from military prison after serving close to three months, including more than 50 days in solitary confinement.

In both cities, the atmosphere was jubilant. Participants danced in the streets as the bnei yeshiva being honored were lifted onto shoulders and escorted through the crowds.

PHOTOS:

{Matzav.com}

CBS’ 60 Minutes has pulled a planned report examining the deportation of migrants to El Salvador’s notorious maximum-security prison, CECOT, opting to delay the segment just hours before it was scheduled to air.

Late Sunday, the program issued an editor’s note on X announcing the change.
“The broadcast lineup for tonight’s edition of 60 Minutes has been updated. Our report ‘Inside CECOT’ will air in a future broadcast,” the note read.

In place of the delayed report, the broadcast aired a different segment, “The Kanneh-Masons,” which centers on seven siblings from Britain who “have become sensations in the classical music world.”

A spokesperson for CBS told Fox News Digital that the network “determined it needed additional reporting,” but did not elaborate further on the decision.

Before the postponement, the network had promoted the piece as an in-depth look inside El Salvador’s most severe detention facility. According to the original press materials, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi was set to speak with deportees who had since been released and who “describe the brutal and torturous conditions.”

“Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a country most had no ties to, claiming they were terrorists. This move sparked an ongoing legal battle, and nine months later the U.S. government still has not released the names of all those deported and placed in CECOT, one of El Salvador’s harshest prisons,” the press release for the segment read.

Around the same time the delay was announced, the show also made its promotional video for the segment private on YouTube. The preview had included Alfonsi questioning a former inmate about his experience during detention, referencing his account of “four months of hell.”

“Did you think you were going to die there?” Alfonsi asked.

“We thought we were already the living dead honestly,” one prisoner responded.

The deportations themselves have remained a flashpoint for controversy. Earlier this year, Donald Trump’s administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants—many alleged to be gang members—to CECOT. In March, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an emergency order blocking certain removals to El Salvador. Despite that ruling, hundreds of migrants stayed in the prison for months afterward.

Boasberg has since directed the Department of Justice to disclose the whereabouts and current status of the migrants who were transferred to the El Salvador facility.

{Matzav.com}

Amid widespread unease over household finances, a top economic adviser viewed as a leading candidate to chair the Federal Reserve says the administration anticipates a surge in tax refunds and stronger paychecks next year, arguing that improving data will soon be felt by families.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett outlined those expectations during an appearance Thursday on FOX Business’ Varney & Co., predicting an unprecedented refund season.

“We are going to see the biggest refund cycle ever in the history of America, and people are going to get massive refund checks,” Hassett said.

He added that the magnitude of the refunds could be substantial.

“We’re expecting just that part of it alone to be worth a couple-thousand-dollar refund … the numbers are striking.”

Earlier in the week, Donald Trump echoed that outlook during a Wednesday night address, saying the administration expects “the largest tax refund season of all time” next spring and asserting that many households would save between $11,000 and $20,000 per year.

Hassett also addressed recent polling that paints a more pessimistic picture of the economy. A Fox News Poll found that 44% of respondents say they are falling behind financially, while 74% describe economic conditions as “not so good” or “bad.” He argued that wage growth and inflation trends tell a different story.

“You saw in the jobs report that … wages for the typical worker were up 3.7%. So if you’re running 3.7% wage increases at 1.6% core inflation, then real wages are growing at a rate of about 2 [to] 2.5%. By our estimates right now, blue-collar workers have already seen an almost $2,000 raise this year after inflation, because wages are growing so much faster than prices,” Hassett explained.

Speaking later on FOX Business’ The Big Money Show, Hassett suggested that the benefits of recent policy moves may take time to show up in tax filings, recalling a similar lag during the administration’s earlier legislative push.

“I think that what happens in the end — and this is what happened in the first [Trump] term — is that people will see it in their wallets,” he said. “We didn’t pass the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ until the middle of the summer. And so a lot of the tax changes, which affect last year, weren’t in any tax forms that people filled out at the beginning of the year.”

Overall, Hassett struck an upbeat note on economic conditions, pointing to what he called a “blockbuster” November inflation report that came in cooler than analysts expected. He said supply-side growth is now exerting downward pressure on prices.

“What’s happened is, as we predicted throughout this term, that if you really put the pedal to the metal on aggregate supply, then that’s gonna put downward pressure on prices,” he said.

He concluded by drawing a parallel to earlier performance under President Trump, when growth and inflation appeared to settle into a favorable balance.

“And don’t forget, that’s where we were last time in President Trump’s first term. We were growing in the 3% range, and we had inflation in the 1% range. And it looks like that’s where we are again.”

{Matzav.com}

A proposal to send $2,000 rebate checks funded by tariff revenue could move to Capitol Hill early next year, according to remarks made Sunday by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett. Speaking on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Hassett indicated that President Trump is likely to press lawmakers to act.

“I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen,” Hassett said during the interview.

The administration has been publicly advocating for the rebates since last month, with President Trump calling for $2,000 checks to be distributed to most Americans while excluding “high-income people.” The White House has not released details defining which income levels would be eligible, but officials have said the funding would come from revenue generated by the president’s broad import tariffs.

Hassett emphasized that even if the White House advances the plan, Congress would control the outcome. “It could come from tariff revenue, but in the end, we get taxes, we get tariffs, we get revenue from lots of places, and then Congress decides how to spend those monies,” he said. “That’s an appropriation. And so, this would have to be money that would be an appropriation.”

Skepticism remains among some Republicans. Last month, Sen. Ron Johnson told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo that the nation “can’t afford” a rebate of that size.

Recent data show that tariff collections have surged. According to a September statement from the US Treasury Department, the government brought in $195 billion from tariff duties over the first three quarters of the year.

Economists say consumers are bearing part of the cost. The Yale Budget Lab reported that as of Nov. 17, the average effective tariff rate paid by consumers stood at 16.8 percent, the highest level since 1934 and an increase of 14.4 percentage points since early January.

The idea of tariff-funded rebates has circulated in Congress before. In July, Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a bill proposing $600 rebates for most Americans and their dependent children, a plan that would have provided $2,400 to a family of four.

{Matzav.com}

An emotional scene unfolded last night, the seventh night of Chanukah, at the main beis medrash of the Vizhnitzer chassidus on Shlomo Hamelech Street in Bnei Brak, when Yosef Chaim Ochana, recently freed from Hamas captivity, arrived together with his father to attend the Vizhnitzer Rebbe’s Chanukah candle lighting.

Ochana, who was released in the most recent hostage deal, entered the Vizhnitzer court accompanied by members of his family. Thousands of chassidim filled the beis medrash for the lighting, which took place amid heightened emotion and a strong sense of gratitude.

The bond between the Ochana family and the Vizhnitzer court was forged during the long months of captivity. Throughout nearly two years of uncertainty and anguish, Yosef Chaim’s father, Avraham Ochana, made frequent visits to the home of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe. During that period, the Rebbe offered encouragement, blessings, and chizuk, repeatedly urging the family to hold fast to hope and faith in salvation.

After the candle lighting, as powerful niggunim of thanks and joy filled the beis medrash, the Rebbe stepped forward and began a special dance together with Yosef Chaim and his father. The sight of the Rebbe dancing with the former hostage moved the assembled crowd, many of whom were visibly emotional.

At the conclusion of the dance, Avraham Ochana, overcome with tears, addressed the Rebbe before the gathered chassidim. “Rebbe,” he cried, “you promised me he would come out alive. And here we are — we have come to give thanks.”

Following the public gathering, Yosef Chaim and his father were received privately by the Rebbe in his room. The meeting lasted for over an hour, during which the family expressed their personal gratitude for the Rebbe’s support, the tefillos, and the ongoing spiritual backing of the Vizhnitzer community throughout the ordeal.

{Matzav.com}

A national auto service chain has agreed to pay a six-figure settlement after a federal investigation concluded that it improperly rejected a Jewish job applicant because of his observance of Shabbos. Mavis Tire will pay $304,000 to resolve the case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The matter stemmed from an interview for a management role in Central New York. During the interview process, the applicant requested a religious accommodation that would excuse him from working on Friday nights and Saturdays.

Investigators found that after the applicant raised the issue, the company stopped considering him for the management position and instead offered him a lower-paying job as a tire technician, citing the greater flexibility of that role. When the applicant reiterated that he could not work during the Sabbath, the company rescinded the offer entirely.

The EEOC concluded that the company’s actions ran afoul of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars religious discrimination and retaliation against individuals who seek accommodations or raise complaints related to their faith.

“Employers may not refuse to hire a job applicant to avoid approving a request for religious accommodation,” said Arlene Nieto, the commission’s acting director in New York. “Employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate the employee’s sincere religious beliefs, unless such accommodation would cause an unreasonable hardship.”

Under the terms of the settlement, Mavis Tire committed to revising its policies on religious accommodations. The company also agreed to provide training for retail managers in the Central New York region, as well as for national human resources staff involved in hiring decisions and the handling of religious accommodation requests.

{Matzav.com}

A wide-ranging panel addressing issues at the forefront of the yeshiva world was held during the Chanukah mesibah at Yeshivas Kiryat Melech in Bnei Brak. The discussion featured Rav Yisroel Meir Weissenstern posing questions from the talmidim to the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shlomo Kanievsky, on topics including concerns over the draft, the growing trend of bochurim leaving yeshiva for Shabbos, and whether yeshivos should prepare talmidim to become observant baalei batim.

Question:
A bochur asks: With all the uncertainty surrounding the draft — whether arrests will take place, whether laws will pass or not — is there real reason for a ben Torah to be afraid? Some bochurim view the situation lightly, but others, and their parents, are genuinely worried. How should we relate to this entire issue and to the lack of clarity surrounding it?

Answer – Rav Shlomo Kanievsky:
This is a question that people are already tired of discussing — it has been ground over for months.

The truth is that the situation has not fundamentally changed since galus began, from the time the Torah was given until today. Jews were always hated, and wherever they could, they caused us trouble. From the founding of the state, there were attempts to uproot Torah — we all know the stories of the children brought from Yemen, from Tehran, from other places, and the efforts to secularize them. That has always been the approach, and it has not changed. There may have been quiet understandings at times, but the essence never changed. So there is no new reason to be afraid.

As for prison — of course prison is not pleasant. Anyone who tells you it’s not a big deal is wrong; it can be very difficult. But people don’t live their lives constantly afraid of prison for all sorts of actions. All the more so here. Bochurim should sit and learn calmly, without panic.

There are three things to avoid: not getting a driver’s license, not traveling abroad, and not going to the police. Beyond that, one can sit and learn peacefully, daven properly, and live as a good Jew should.

Question:
Shabbos in yeshiva is challenging for many bochurim. There is a growing phenomenon of bochurim going home or eating by host families on Friday night or Shabbos day. Some miss home; others find Shabbos in yeshiva difficult. Can the Rosh Yeshiva speak about the importance of continuity and remaining in yeshiva for Shabbos?

Answer – Rav Shlomo Kanievsky:
This question really has two parts, and they are not the same.

The first question is about a bochur leaving yeshiva entirely for Shabbos. On this we have spoken so much already that our throats are dry, but it must be repeated. A bochur who goes home for Shabbos loses retzef — continuity. Even missing one week breaks the flow.

We saw something frightening during the corona period. Bochurim were not necessarily in bad environments; they were in good homes. But they were not in a framework. And because they were not in a framework, we lost a tremendous number of bochurim from the yeshiva world. I don’t think anyone even knows how many. The absence of a misgeres alone caused spiritual collapse.

A bochur at this age must be in a greenhouse, a yeshiva environment. Whether he is strong or weak makes no difference. Chazal say, “Lehevei tzavsa lechavrei.” Even if he is not learning much, he is carried along by the environment. Once he leaves the greenhouse — no matter where he goes — he is alone. And once he is alone, it is a different story entirely.

Even if a bochur’s home is the home of great people, it does not change this reality. A person is influenced by his surroundings. That is human nature.

Therefore, until marriage, a bochur should be in yeshiva as much as possible — during the week and on Shabbos. This does not mean he can never go home, but the effort should be to stay in yeshiva as much as possible.

Question:
What about eating Shabbos meals by host families?

Answer – Rav Shlomo Kanievsky:
This is a more complicated question.

In earlier generations, when we learned in Ponovezh, Shabbos meals were very simple. You ate, bentched, and left. No zemiros, no program — nothing. The focus was only on learning. Even Shabbos did not change that, other than slightly longer tefillos.

Today the generations have changed. A bochur needs warmth. He needs some atmosphere — what was once called a tish, today maybe a zitz. The name doesn’t matter; the idea is the same. Because of this, yeshivos today sing zemiros and say divrei Torah at the meals. There is no choice; it is necessary.

As for eating meals outside the yeshiva, I cannot give guidance. In my own home, my father wanted all the children to eat at home every Shabbos, no matter where they learned. I don’t know if that was guidance for everyone or only for his household. Therefore, I refrain from expressing an opinion. But one thing is clear: a bochur must be in yeshiva for Shabbos. The yeshiva protects him from the street.

Question:
There are bochurim who will not remain full-time learners after marriage. Why doesn’t the yeshiva provide tools for becoming a Torah-true baal habayis — how to conduct business properly, give maaser, and set aside fixed times for learning?

Answer – Rav Shlomo Kanievsky:
The yeshiva educates everyone how a Jew must live according to the Torah. That is our chinuch.

The yeshiva does not dictate what a bochur must do after marriage. But a bochur who already plans, while still in yeshiva, to leave learning — his place is not here. That is not why the yeshiva was established.

We educate every talmid to aspire to be like Moshe Rabbeinu — to be great in Torah and yirah. Even if circumstances later require a person to work, his foundation must be that of a ben Torah. And if he is fortunate, at some point he will always be thinking: when can I return to learning?

We have seen many such people — they worked for decades, and when they retired, they returned to kollel and learned with young avreichim as if nothing had changed. That was because the yeshiva implanted in them that the main thing in life is to sit and learn.

A Jew must always aspire to be a ben Torah. Even a baal habayis must aspire to be a ben Torah. That is the kind of baal habayis we educate.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of residents poured into an Ashkelon venue for a major Chanukah gathering led by the Yenuka, Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, prompting organizers to close the gates and erect an outdoor projection screen to accommodate the overflow crowd.

The Yenuka arrived in the southern city for a large public event that included the lighting of Chanukah candles and a special shiur focused on matters of the day. The gathering drew rabbonim, public figures, and a massive turnout from the local community.

As the evening progressed and thousands streamed toward the hall, organizers were forced to shut the doors once capacity was reached. A large screen was set up outside, allowing those who could not enter to follow the program.

For more than an hour, the Yenuka delivered a wide-ranging shiur on the greatness of the miracle of Chanukah and the revelation of the Ribbono Shel Olam in the world. He then led the crowd in niggunim.

הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים הינוקא באשקלוןצילום: יוסי רוזנבוים

Israeli intelligence officials believe Tehran is accelerating efforts to restore its missile capabilities, pushing harder than at any point since the 12-day conflict in June. According to Israeli assessments, Iran’s arsenal was significantly reduced during that war, with missile stockpiles dropping from roughly 3,000 to about 1,500 and the number of launchers cut in half, from around 400 to 200.

Against that backdrop, Western intelligence agencies have detected activity that has raised fresh concern. Iran International reported on Shabbos that intelligence services observed “unusual aerial activity” involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force. The report said the movements and coordination were “beyond normal patterns” among drone, missile, and air-defense units, prompting increased scrutiny.

Israeli and American officials cited by Axios said one working assessment is that the activity could still be part of a military exercise. However, they stressed that the scale of the maneuvers and the level of synchronization among different forces have attracted particular attention and fueled anxiety.

Israeli officials have conveyed those worries directly to Washington. According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, Israeli representatives warned the Trump administration that recent IRGC missile exercises might be more than routine training and could serve as preparation for an attack on Israel. The report cited three Israeli and US officials with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Sources familiar with the intelligence said that, so far, the information collected points mainly to force movements within Iran rather than clear attack preparations. Even so, Israeli officials remain on edge, noting that Israel’s willingness to assume risk has sharply diminished since the Hamas invasion on October 7, 2023.

One Israeli source told Axios that similar alerts were issued about six weeks earlier, after Iranian missile movements were detected but ultimately did not lead to action. “The chances for an Iranian attack are less than 50%, but nobody is willing to take the risk and just say it is only an exercise,” the source said.

American intelligence officials, meanwhile, told Axios that the United States currently does not see signs that Iran is preparing an imminent strike.

Behind the scenes, coordination between the two militaries has intensified. According to the report, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir spoke on Saturday with US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper to outline Israel’s concerns about the IRGC missile maneuvers that began several days earlier. Zamir warned that the missile activity, together with other operational movements, could be used to mask a surprise attack and pressed for close US-Israel cooperation on defensive steps.

Cooper then traveled to Tel Aviv on Sunday, where he met with Zamir and other senior IDF officials to review the situation. The IDF declined to comment publicly on the meetings, and CENTCOM did not respond to a request for comment.

Diplomatic discussions are also looming. Israeli sources said Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in Miami on December 29. NBC News reported on Saturday that Netanyahu plans to raise concerns about Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and the possibility of another Israeli strike against Iran in 2026 during that meeting.

{Matzav.com}