Matzav

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon today (Thursday) presented outside the Security Council chamber parts of an Iranian Shahed-136 attack drone, which was used in Iranian attacks in the region.

Ambassador Danon stated: “This is not a prop, this is an Iranian terrorist weapon. Now imagine if this came to your home, your living room, your children’s room. This is the terrorism we are dealing with.”

Danon said that Iran’s missile and drone capabilities are being degraded while Israel vows to dismantle Tehran’s terror network and nuclear ambitions.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said that political commentator Tucker Carlson has “lost his way,” sharply criticizing the former Fox News host in remarks made to ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl.

Karl reported Thursday in a post on X that Trump told him he had long reached that conclusion about Carlson and no longer considers him aligned with the MAGA movement.

According to Karl, the president said Carlson “knew that a long time ago, and he’s not MAGA. MAGA is saving our country. MAGA is making our country great again. MAGA is America first, and Tucker is none of those things. And Tucker is really not smart enough to understand that.”

Trump also told Karl that the United States intends to have a role in determining Iran’s leadership following the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“We don’t want them to put anybody in there unless it is approved by us.”

The president’s comments come amid renewed controversy surrounding Carlson after remarks he made about Israel’s war with Iran. Critics said Carlson crossed the line from political criticism into openly antisemitic rhetoric.

During an episode of the “Tucker Carlson Show,” Carlson suggested that Israel’s war against Iran may be tied to a supposed effort to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and construct the Third Temple in its place.

He asked, “How did all these guys wind up wearing patches suggesting the point of this war was the destruction of one of the holiest places in Islam and the rebuilding of a temple that is totally anathema to Christianity?”

Carlson then added, “This has been going on a long time in public through, in part, the efforts of a group called Chabad, C-H-A-B-A-D.”

{Matzav.com}

Following the fall of missile fragments in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak on Purim, the neighborhood’s rov and renowned posek, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, addressed the incident on Thursday morning and called on residents to recognize the great miracles that occurred.

Speaking briefly in the central shul of Ramat Elchanan after Shacharis at neitz, Rav Zilberstein reflected on the events and shared words of perspective relevant to the current situation.

At the beginning of his remarks, Rav Zilberstein spoke about the broader miracles being witnessed in recent days.

“We have such a great illumination of favor from Hakadosh Baruch Hu—it is impossible to describe how great this illumination is. Today we clearly see the finger of Hashem in a very great way. The very fact that we remain alive after so many bombs that occurred during this night…”

In an unusual moment, the rov also shared a personal experience from the night of the attack.

“I sleep in Ramat Gan. What sirens there were during the night, without end… Now we come to the shul and say to Hakadosh Baruch Hu: even if there will be sirens from today until tomorrow, we are not shaken—we continue to do Your service.”

His talmid and close associate, the writer Rabbi Moshe Michael Tzoran, then raised a question that many residents had been asking: What should people do in response to what happened with the missile that fell in the neighborhood, even though clear miracles took place?

Rav Zilberstein responded directly.

“First of all: it is an enormous miracle that we all remained alive… Secondly: what happened here, simply speaking, must have been some sin that caused it.”

Talmidim of Rav Zilberstein later noted that at the moment the missile debris fell, the rov cited the words of Rashi on the verse in Bereishis (32:11). Although Hakadosh Baruch Hu promised Yaakov Avinu, “I will guard you wherever you go,” Yaakov still feared that a sin might cause the promise not to be fulfilled and that he might fall into the hands of Eisav. A similar idea is mentioned in the Mishnah Berurah (siman 158:38), which explains that even someone who is careful about netilas yadayim yet does not become wealthy—despite the promise of Chazal—may be prevented by his own negative actions.

Rav Zilberstein then surprised the kehillah with a remarkable display of humility. Standing before the community of Ramat Elchanan, he said: “We do not know whose sin it is… perhaps I am to blame… most likely I am to blame!”

Members of the shul immediately protested out of respect and affection for their rov and for the honor of Torah. Several people responded, “Chas v’shalom,” and one individual even raised his voice and declared, “I protest… I protest.”

Rav Zilberstein smiled and replied: “I will receive reward for what I said, and you will receive double the reward from me.”

He then continued: “What happened here is something that requires explanation. If we had someone today with ruach hakodesh, he would tell us what we must do—but we do not have that today.”

Rav Zilberstein went on to describe the remarkable miracles that occurred during the incident on Purim.

“But we must remember that there were miracles here that were beyond the natural order… As I heard, the gas pipe exploded and could have caused a massive fire. Immediately afterward the water pipe also burst, and the water extinguished the fire.”

This, he said, reminded him of an incident involving his father-in-law, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.

“It reminded me of something that happened with my father-in-law, Maran Rav Elyashiv zt”l. During the time when the Jordanians were shelling Yerushalayim, a shell fell on the roof of his home and a large fire broke out. Rav Elyashiv simply stood there and said: ‘Hakadosh Baruch Hu, help me.’ Immediately afterward another shell fell and struck the water boiler, which exploded, and the water spilled out and extinguished the entire fire. So we have a possibility—how can there be a fire that does not require firefighters? Rav Elyashiv…”

In closing, Rav Zilberstein urged the public to strengthen efforts to draw Jews closer to Torah, especially during this period.

“We must now see that the greatest thing is for anyone who interacts with secular Jews to speak with them pleasantly, and it is possible to accomplish wonders. Simply speak nicely and with proper respect, and ask for siyata d’Shmaya. Today we can do a great deal with our brothers, because this is a time of awakening—truly extraordinary. But what is required is a great deal of siyata d’Shmaya.”

He concluded his remarks with a brocha: “All the best to my dear friends. May we merit to sanctify the name of Heaven, and may we merit to see salvations and consolations.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

In recent weeks, as our hearts remain focused on the matzav in Eretz Yisroel, many have asked whether the upcoming Shuvu Dinner should be postponed.

After consulting with our Daas Torah, the answer was clear: now more than ever.

When times are difficult, the thousands of Shuvu children learning in our schools need stability, strength, and emunah. Chazal teach that the world stands in the merit of Hevel Pihem Shel Tinokos Shel Beis Rabban. Strengthening their Torah is not a distraction from the moment—it is part of the response.

For this reason, Shuvu will be moving forward with its 35th Annual Dinner, Be’H, on Sunday, March 15 at Bell Works in NJ. Please join our dinner campaign at by visting shuvusa.org/dinner or calling 718-692-3434.                                                                                                                                                                               

Many members of our team in Eretz Yisroel must remain there with their families and may not be able to travel to assist with fundraising. We therefore turn to you—our friends and supporters—to help ensure that Shuvu’s schools and the thousands of children who depend on them remain strong.

Please join us at the dinner and show the children of Eretz Yisroel that they are not alone. In this zechus, may we be zoche to see yeshuos and nechamos for Klal Yisroel. Please help us at shuvusa.org/dinner

President Donald Trump said the United States must play a role in determining who becomes Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arguing that the country needs a new direction after years of confrontation with Washington.

Speaking in an interview with Axios published Thursday, Trump said he intends to personally participate in the process of deciding Iran’s next leader and compared the situation to what he described as American involvement in Venezuela’s political leadership.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela,” Trump told Axios.

Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Iranian leader and a cleric closely tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, currently appears to be the leading contender to succeed his father. However, the president said he strongly opposes that possibility.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” he said.

Trump warned that if Iran’s leadership selects another figure who follows the hardline policies associated with the elder Khamenei, tensions between Tehran and Washington could escalate again in the near future.

“If they put someone like that in, we’ll be back at war in five years,” he said.

The comments come as Iran’s ruling clerical establishment considers its next steps after Khamenei was killed amid the escalating U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Tehran.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with choosing the country’s supreme leader, has not yet named a successor, though officials have indicated that an announcement could come soon.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is widely seen as a leading candidate despite never having held elected office, and his potential appointment has raised concerns about the possibility of a hereditary-style succession within Iran’s political system.

{Matzav.com}

Senior advisers to President Donald Trump are exploring options to reduce gasoline prices after military strikes on Iran set off sharp swings in global oil markets and pushed fuel costs higher for American drivers.

According to Politico, Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, has instructed administration officials to develop proposals that could ease energy costs and present them to the president in the Oval Office. Energy industry executives familiar with the discussions said the White House is actively seeking ideas to bring relief at the pump.

The White House is “looking under every rock for ideas on improving energy prices, especially gasoline prices,” one executive said.

The effort follows U.S. military strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran targeting energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, developments that have fueled a surge in oil prices worldwide.

Crude oil climbed by more than $10 per barrel in the days after the attacks, a spike that pushed gasoline prices in the United States to their highest point since Trump returned to office last year.

Officials involved in shaping energy policy, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, are now under significant pressure to identify measures that could steady the market and reassure consumers, according to people familiar with internal administration discussions.

The administration has already rolled out several actions intended to safeguard global oil shipments and stabilize supply.

President Trump recently announced that the U.S. military will escort and protect commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran threatened oil tankers traveling through the vital maritime passage.

In addition, the White House directed the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to step in with insurance coverage for ships whose policies were withdrawn as the fighting in the region intensified.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration believes the president’s moves against Iran will ultimately strengthen the stability of energy markets by preventing Tehran from threatening one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

“I think it speaks to why this action was so necessary,” Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. “Ultimately, the energy industry is going to benefit from the president’s actions with respect to Iran.”

One proposal currently being examined is a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline tax. However, such a measure would require approval from Congress and might not immediately reduce prices if retailers do not pass the savings on to consumers.

Despite the recent jump in fuel costs, Trump has dismissed concerns about the short-term impact, arguing that prices will eventually fall once the conflict subsides.

“If we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, lower than even before,” Trump said earlier this week.

Energy analysts say fuel prices have climbed quickly since hostilities began.

According to AAA and industry analysts, the nationwide average price for regular gasoline rose above $3.25 per gallon this week, increasing by more than 28 cents within just a few days.

Oil markets have surged as traders respond to the possibility that supply could be disrupted across the Middle East.

Iran’s location near the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow maritime chokepoint through which more than one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — has intensified fears of further instability in global energy flows.

The ongoing violence has already slowed tanker traffic and temporarily shut down some oil production in neighboring Gulf states.

Analysts caution that prices could continue rising if the conflict widens, though they note that current fuel costs remain well below the historic highs reached in 2022, when gasoline prices nationwide climbed past $5 per gallon.

{Matzav.com}

Chaim V’Chessed continues to receive a high volume of inquiries from Israeli residents stranded abroad – who wish to return home – and from those urgently seeking to leave Israel. Below is the most current information available.

Returning to Israel

Close to 100,000 residents of Israel are believed to be stranded abroad due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. This morning, the first two so-called “repatriation flights” landed in Israel – one from Athens and one from Rome, bringing Israelis home.

At present, these flights are extremely limited. There are flights by El Al, Israir and Arkia from select destinations, on which passengers who already held tickets are being placed – or offered seats – at the airlines’ discretion. Airlines will reach out to their passengers to place them on flights. It is extremely difficult – if not impossible – for passengers to reach the airlines on their own.

There are very limited spaces available for travelers who do not hold tickets or who held tickets on other airlines.

During the previous round of conflict, repatriation flights were initially limited to Israeli citizens only. Chaim V’Chessed advocated strongly on behalf of Israeli residents who do not hold Israeli citizenship, and will do so again if this arises again. At this time, we do not yet know whether citizenship restrictions will again become an issue.

For those unable to secure space on these very limited flights, the only current alternative is to enter Israel via Egypt – essentially reversing the route being used by those exiting the country.

In addition to the option of flying into Sharm el-Sheikh Airport on regularly scheduled commercial flights, Israir is operating flights to Taba Airport from various destinations. Passengers can then enter Israel at the Taba Broder Crossing.

Leaving Israel

Currently, no outbound flights are permitted to depart from Israel. The Israeli government has announced that limited outbound flights are expected to begin departing Israel on Sunday.

However, several critical points must be emphasized:

• It remains to be seen how this plan will actually unfold.
• Based on what has been announced – mirroring the previous conflict – flights may be limited to 50 passengers per flight.
• Passengers may be permitted only a very limited amount of time inside the terminal.

Full operational details have not yet been released.

It is likely – though not yet confirmed – that available seats will again be offered primarily to those who previously held reservations. Even if these flights begin as announced, they will certainly not provide a solution for the huge number of people currently seeking to leave.

Ongoing Options

At present, the best functioning route out of Israel remains travel through Egypt, departing from:

• Taba Airport
• Sharm el-Sheikh Airport

Israir is operating a significant number of flights out of Taba Airport to various destinations.

Various agencies are offering complete packages for departing Israel via Egypt, including transportation to the airports in Egypt. These include Lalechet and Emes Travel.

As with all current developments, this remains subject to change.

Travel Through Egypt – What You Need to Know

Many have asked whether it is safe or recommended to travel via Egypt.

It is important to note:

• Israel maintains a standing travel advisory against travel to Egypt, which has been in effect for some time.
• At the same time, thousands of travelers have successfully transited Egypt in recent days, both entering and exiting Israel.

Without offering any recommendation, we can report the following practical realities:

The journey is arduous.

• 3-4 hour drive to Eilat
• Up to 2 hours at the border crossing
• Approximately 3 additional hours if continuing to Sharm el-Sheikh
• Those departing from Sharm or Taba must generally connect through Europe before continuing to their final destinations.

These itineraries are long, complex, and often grueling. Nevertheless, many have completed them successfully, and for now, this remains the most viable mass option.

Travel Through Jordan – What You Need to Know

It is possible to exit Israel via Jordan and continue onward to other international destinations. However, during the June conflict with Iran, many travelers reported experiencing greater hostility and difficulty from Jordanian authorities than from Egyptian authorities.

It remains to be seen how this route will function in the current situation.

Option 1 – Amman (Queen Alia International Airport)

Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport offers numerous global connections, including nonstop flights to the United States.

Under normal circumstances, this airport is most easily accessed via the Allenby Bridge Crossing. However, this border crossing crossing is largely closed due to the ongoing conflict, making travel to Amman much more difficult at this time.

Option 2 – Via Eilat to Aqaba

Travelers may instead travel south to Eilat and cross into Jordan via the Yitzhak Rabin Crossing.

• The crossing is currently open, though it does not operate 24 hours a day.
• After entering Jordan, travelers can:
  • Travel north to Amman and depart from Queen Alia International Airport
  • Remain in the south and fly from Aqaba

Arkia is scheduled to begin operating special flights from Aqaba as of Sunday, providing an additional departure option for those seeking to leave the region.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump announced that he has removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her post, marking the first cabinet-level change of his second term.

The decision came shortly after Noem’s appearance before Congress earlier this week, during which she testified that Trump had authorized $220 million in advertising campaigns featuring the former South Dakota governor, a revelation that reportedly angered the president.

Trump revealed the personnel change in a post on Truth Social, where he also named the official who will take over leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.

“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

In the same statement, Trump said that Noem would not be leaving the administration entirely but would instead transition into a different role focused on security issues in the Western Hemisphere.

“The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland.’”

Trump devoted the rest of his statement to commending Mullin and highlighting his qualifications for the position.

{Matzav.com}

Police in the United Kingdom briefly detained and questioned a chassidishe man who dressed as a police officer as part of his Purim costume, after officers initially believed he might be impersonating law enforcement.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A brief but memorable encounter on Purim in Yerushalayim left several bochurim with a powerful impression of Rav Asher Arielli’s humility and sincerity.

Each year on Purim, Rav Asher Arielli receives many visitors at his home for hours of kabolas kahal. During those hours, people stream in to greet him, deliver mishloach manos, and receive a bracha.

This year, two bochurim arrived somewhat late and stood outside the door debating whether they should still go in. While they were hesitating, another man who had come to collect tzedakah knocked on the door.

To their surprise, the one who opened the door was Rav Asher himself.

Realizing the opportunity, the bochurim immediately introduced themselves and presented Rav Asher with their mishloach manos.

They then asked if he could give them a Birkas Kohein. Rav Asher gently declined, explaining that he is not a kohein.

The bochurim, who were Chassidish, responded that even rebbes who are not kohanim sometimes give such a bracha.

Rav Asher responded by directing them to go up one flight in the building, explaining that a kohein lives there and that they should ask him instead.

Seeing that the bochurim were hesitant, he reassured them and urged them to go, telling them that the man upstairs is “a true oveid Hashem.”

Before they left, Rav Asher gave them a bracha that they should be able to learn and grow in their limud haTorah.

Those present were struck by the simplicity and humility of the interaction, a moment that many said captured Rav Asher Arielli’s character in a remarkable way.

{Matzav.com}

Fox News’ Trey Yingst reports the latest on Operation Epic Fury as the U.S. and Israel continue to target Tehran’s military infrastructure.

WATCH:

[Video below.] Condoleezza Rice is calling on President Trump to finish the job against Iran following the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign that eliminated Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Speaking on Fox News this week, the former secretary of state voiced strong support for the operation — known as Operation Epic Fury — and said Washington should seize the opportunity to neutralize Iran’s military threat permanently.

Appearing Wednesday on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Rice argued that Iran has been hostile to the United States for decades and that the current conflict must be understood in that broader context.

“Iran has been at war with us for at least 47 years,” Rice said during the interview. “If you ask people about Iraq, what was the source of many of our casualties in Iraq, you’ll get estimates as high as 75 or 80% of them were due to Iranian-made roadside bombs.”

Rice, 71, said the purpose of the strikes was to cripple Iran’s ability to retaliate and to weaken the regime’s military capabilities before it could respond.

“If you can render Iran essentially incapable of military action against us and against our allies, that’s worthy, and I think what they’re trying to do is to neuter Iran as a military power in the region,” she said.

Rice, who served as the nation’s top diplomat during President George W. Bush’s second term, also pointed to Iran’s longstanding strategy of cultivating proxy militias across the Middle East that operate on Tehran’s behalf.

“They also have developed the military capability to reach outside the boundaries of Iran, including Hezbollah and Hamas, which they both arm and equip,” Rice said.

She dismissed arguments suggesting the Iranian government posed little danger to the United States or its allies, calling such claims historically inaccurate.

“To say that this regime was not a threat … it’s ahistorical,” Rice said. “They have been a threat for a long time.”

Rice also cited several past attacks tied to Iran, including the 1979 hostage crisis in Tehran and the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 241 American troops, as evidence of the regime’s long record of hostility toward the United States.

“I myself negotiated four Security Council resolutions, calling them a threat to international peace and security,” Rice said. “Because of their nuclear ambitions.”

Before the weekend military operation began, the United States had been engaged in diplomatic talks with Tehran even as Iran insisted it possessed what it called an “inalienable right” to continue enriching uranium.

Trump had insisted that Iran fully halt its nuclear enrichment program, but negotiations stalled during meetings in Geneva while Washington simultaneously increased its military deployments throughout the Middle East.

Since the start of the strikes, Iran has responded with attacks targeting American and Israeli interests across the region. Those retaliatory actions have left six U.S. service members dead. Rice characterized Tehran’s decision to attack nearby Gulf states as a serious strategic error.

Rice also addressed reports suggesting the United States may have provided support to insurgent groups in Iraq for potential ground operations against the Iranian regime.

“The one thing I don’t know is the nature of the reports hearing about Kurdish incursions into Iranian territory and we ought to be circumspect about judgments and what that really means in terms of Kurdish activity,” she said. “It does speak to the complicated demographics of Iran and we have to keep that in mind.”

She emphasized that Iran is a diverse society composed of numerous ethnic minorities that have faced repression under the ruling regime.

“We do have to be aware that Iran is not a homogeneous population, it’s also a population of over 90 million people on territory that’s twice the size of Texas. So it’s gonna be a complicated set of circumstances,” she added.

Rice also framed the current confrontation with Iran as part of a chain of events stretching back to the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which were carried out with Iranian backing.

“Iran demonstrated that it probably wasn’t possible to deter their tentacles-like Hamas. I’m quite certain that October 7 with Hamas couldn’t have happened without Iranian training and equipment and even maybe planning,” Rice said.

In the weeks leading up to Operation Epic Fury, U.S. forces carried out a separate campaign in June known as Operation Midnight Hammer, striking multiple Iranian nuclear installations.

“The administration decided, along with the Israelis, to try and at least degrade and maybe even seriously set back Iranian nuclear capabilities.”

Rice said the moment presented a rare opportunity because Iran appeared temporarily weakened and unable to mount an immediate defense.

“I see it as a series of decisions and worthy goal. Of course, we’ll have to watch and see, but I do think taking care of Iranian military and nuclear capabilities is very important,” she said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] During his tish held on Purim Demukafin, the Pnei Menachem Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shaul Alter, shared a number of sharp and insightful remarks in his well-known style. At one point during the gathering, he related a story about a dream that one of the chassidim had told him about. With a smile, the Rosh Yeshiva explained why the fact that the question in the dream was specifically a question in learning actually proves the point he has been making throughout the year. The exchange, part of the shmuessen delivered by the Rosh Yeshiva on Purim, was published by the Machon Dvar Emes, which is dedicated to spreading the Torah of the Rosh Yeshiva.

The shmuessen delivered by Rav Shaul at the tishen he conducts every Shabbos are widely known for their depth and sharpness. On Purim, however, he has a special way of weaving witty and uplifting remarks into his words, bringing joy to those gathered in keeping with the spirit of the day. Indeed, at the Purim tish he held on Wednesday, Purim Demukafin, the Rosh Yeshiva told a story that drew smiles and laughter from those present, though the conclusion he drew from it was his familiar assertion that he is not a Rebbe.

In the course of the shmuess, which dealt with the cheit of the earth that was cursed for failing to produce trees with the same taste as their fruit, the Rosh Yeshiva mentioned a dream that one of the chassidim had recently shared with him. In the dream, the chossid said, he had asked the Rosh Yeshiva a question.

The Rosh Yeshiva, recounting the dream with his characteristic warmth and wit, explained that the story actually proves his point. From the fact that the chossid asked him a question in learning, he concluded that the message must already be deeply ingrained among the chassidim.

As he put it with a smile, the dream demonstrates that “what I say all the time, that I am not a Rebbe, is so firmly understood by the chassidim that even in a dream they know they can ask me a question of lomdus, but not questions for a Rebbe.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Media commentator Tucker Carlson recently told viewers during a broadcast that the Chabad-Lubavitch movement is working toward rebuilding the Bais Hamikdosh in Yerushalayim.

During the segment, Carlson briefly discussed the background of Chassidism and the leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He concluded the discussion by claiming that Chabad is the main group advocating for the physical reconstruction of the Third Bais Hamikdosh on the Har Habayis.

Carlson appeared to confuse the Chabad movement with sectors of Israel’s National Religious community. Some individuals within the Religious Zionist camp have taken practical steps related to preparations for a future Bais Hamikdosh, including efforts connected to institutions such as the Temple Institute in Yerushalayim.

Chabad, by contrast, is widely recognized as a worldwide Jewish movement focused primarily on outreach activities and the establishment of community centers serving Jewish populations around the globe.

Beyond the theological confusion, Carlson also framed the discussion in connection with claims involving the “Greater Israel” and “Al-Aqsa is in Danger” narratives.

In his remarks, he portrayed the idea of rebuilding a Third Bais Hamikdosh as part of what he suggested was a broader Israeli plan to expand control across the Middle East and remove the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the site.

Carlson further described these aspirations as inherently “anti-Muslim,” presenting the issue through a lens commonly associated with rhetoric used by political activists in the region.

Critics of the segment also noted that Carlson did not mention a central historical element of the site itself: that the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock were constructed centuries later above the remains of the Second Bais Hamikdosh following the Islamic conquest of Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}

In a moving and romemusdig gathering that left a deep impression in the hearts of all attendees, the Jewish Kehillah in Panama marked the significant expansion of “Dirshu” learning in the country. The event, held under the banner of “Ahavas HaTorah,” took place in the central Einstein Auditorium in the capital city.

Panama City was lavesh chag last week for the “Ahavas HaTorah” event—a historic Ma’amad that united the entire local Kehillah. The event sparked peak excitement among the Bnei Torah and local Baalei Batim, serving as a powerful Kiddush Hashem the likes of which Panama has never seen.

The many participants—men, women, and children—members of the “Dirshu family,” packed the hall, seeking to derive chizuk from the global Torah revolution of Dirshu, which has started taking root in Panama and connecting the Kehillah to the Torah HaKedoshah.

The highlight of the evening was the appearance of Gedolei HaTorah and Roshei Kehillos from across Panama, who came to give kavod to the Torah and encourage the tzibbur to join the various maslulei limud and strengthen the limud among members of the Kehillah.

During the Ma’amad, recorded words of chizuk and brachos were heard from Gedolei Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael: Hagaon Hagadol Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a. Hagaon Hagadol Rav Avraham Salim shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Maor HaTorah. Hagaon Hagadol Rav Dovid Cohen shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron. Hagaon Hagadol Rav Shlomo Yedidya Zafrani shlit”a.

A special guest who arrived from the U.S. was Horav Eli Mansour shlit”a, Rav of the “Edmond J. Safra” Shul in Brooklyn, who delivered a riveting speech on the greatness of Amalei Torah. The Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter shlit”a, praised Panama’s unique connection to the Dirshu revolution and the ribui HaTorah in recent years, noting that Panama is positioning itself as a “lighthouse” of Torah and Chesed in Latin America.

The Ma’amad marked the peak of Dirshu’s expansion in South America, following similar events held in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Brazil. While a Dirshu branch was established in Panama City about a decade ago, it saw a significant growth this past year and now operates regular shiurim and bechinos in “Daf HaYomi B’Halacha” and “Amud HaYomi,” which continue to expand.

The musical portion of the evening was led by Baal Menagen Naftali Kempeh, accompanied by an expanded orchestra conducted by Gershon Freishtat, who led the crowd in shira and dancing לכבוד התורה. Additionally, a special sale of Dirshu sefarim  for the benefit of the lomdim.

The first rescue flights carrying Israeli passengers landed at Ben Gurion Airport early Thursday morning, marking the reopening of Israel’s skies after five days of complete closure following the outbreak of the war with Iran.

An El Al flight arriving from Athens and an Israir flight from Rome were the first aircraft to touch down after commercial air travel to and from Israel was halted when the conflict began.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev came to Ben Gurion Airport to welcome the arriving passengers. “We wish you a safe landing. With God’s help, we will bring all Israelis home safely,” she said.

Shortly before departure from Greece, El Al captain Roi Meir addressed passengers on board the rescue flight to Israel.

“Welcome to the El Al flight to Tel Aviv. This is the first rescue flight that will land at Ben Gurion. For all of us this is an emotional and meaningful moment. After more than five days in which the country’s skies have been closed to commercial flights, we are excited to host you on the flight that opens the rescue operation back to Israel,” Meir told passengers.

The Athens–Tel Aviv flight arrived after El Al completed extensive operational preparations in recent days. It is the first in a series of additional rescue flights expected to operate over the coming 24 hours.

El Al said in a statement that it will continue working to return its customers to Israel gradually and safely.

“El Al will continue to operate to bring its customers back in a gradual, safe and organized manner, and we are working to place all El Al passengers whose flights were canceled onto rescue flights, without additional cost,” the airline said.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Tim Sheehy helped Capitol Police subdue a protester who disrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

The man, later identified as Green Party Senate candidate Brian McGinnis, allegedly injured three officers while resisting removal.

Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, is seen jumping into the scrum and trying to yank the 44-year-old McGinnis, who was wearing a US Marine Corps uniform, out of the room. The situation only calmed down after a loud snap was heard, which appeared to be the sound of the protester’s arm breaking inside the Hart Senate Office Building.

WATCH:

Dear Editor,

Every year Purim comes and goes with its special simcha. But this year, I found myself overwhelmed by the unbelievable tzedakah that was given out on Purim, sums of money that are simply hard to comprehend. We are talking about literally millions of dollars that were distributed to help Yidden in need. Millions! Standing there and seeing it with my own eyes, I kept thinking to myself: Heilige Yidden! What a nation we are.

At one point during Purim, I happened to stop by Chuny Herzka’s house in Lakewood. There was a whole setup there with gabbaim sitting and distributing his checks. Yes, the line was long. People were coming through, one after another, and the gabbaim were handing out the checks with quiet efficiency.

But what struck me was not just the organization. It was the amounts.

I happened to glance at some of the checks as they were being given out, and I could not believe the numbers I was seeing. These were serious sums of money.

I stood there only for about an hour or longer, yet in those minutes I watched check after check being handed out. The gabbaim kept pulling from the stacks and giving them out calmly, almost as if this was routine. But to anyone watching, it was anything but routine. It was astounding.

And then it hit me: This was just one house.

Across Lakewood and in communities everywhere, similar scenes were taking place. Homes where gabbaim sat surrounded by envelopes and lists. Quiet – or noisy! – lines of Yidden coming in, many of them broken from the weight of parnassah pressures. And behind the scenes, individuals who had prepared enormous sums of money simply because fellow Yidden needed help.

Millions of dollars given out in one day. Millions.

Not for recognition. Not for kavod.

Just because it is Purim, and because a Yid cannot bear to see another Yid struggling.

That is the heart of Klal Yisroel. When the mitzvah of matanos la’evyonim arrives, something extraordinary happens. The Jewish heart opens wide. People give with a generosity that the outside world simply cannot understand.

And the most remarkable part was the quietness of it all. There were no speeches, no announcements, no publicity. The gabbaim sat there calmly doing their job, the people came and went with dignity, and the checks kept flowing.

Watching this unfold, I felt an enormous sense of pride to be part of such a tzibbur. The world may not see these moments. That dopey Youtuber who’s been hounding our communities didn’t bother catching this. They may never hear about the quiet rivers of chesed that flow through our communities. But anyone who witnessed it this Purim knows exactly what I’m talking about.

Standing there, watching the checks being handed out one after another, I kept thinking the same words over and over again:

Heilige Yidden! Look at the heart of our people.

May the Ribbono Shel Olam bench all those who gave with endless shefa and bracha, and may the incredible tzedakah of this Purim bring yeshuos to Klal Yisroel.

T. K.

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Political commentator Candace Owens sparked widespread outrage this week after promoting a conspiracy theory alleging that Israel was responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which killed roughly 3,000 Americans.

The controversy escalated Wednesday when Owens responded online to a video clip of Bibi Netanyahu speaking about the ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. The clip was captioned, “Netanyahu: You see the difference. The tyrants of Tehran target civilians. We target the tyrants of Tehran to protect civilians.”

Owens reposted the video and added a sharply worded accusation: “You murdered 3,000 Americans on 9/11. For starters.”

A day earlier, Owens published several additional posts suggesting that Israel had orchestrated the deadliest terrorist attack in American history. In one post, she shared a clip of Tucker Carlson discussing an anti-Israel conspiracy theory and wrote, “From 9/11 to the Lavon Affair and many [sic] inbetween, false-flags are the Israeli way. Mossad agents are taught that they will inherit the earth ‘by way of deception’. Bibi wants a third world war so they can hit a global reset— as they have done everytime people start noticing.”

Owens, who hosts a widely followed podcast, also used Tuesday’s broadcast to criticize Blake Neff, a producer for The Charlie Kirk Show and a close associate of a MAGA influencer who was recently assassinated. Responding to Neff’s criticism of her comments about Erika Kirk, Owens wrote, “Of everything I have said on the show— Blake Neff has chosen to author a long-winded response to my OBVIOUS joke about Erika’s Shabbat Shalom world tour.”

She continued by sharing a screenshot of Neff’s reply to her attacks on Erika Kirk, who has been promoting her late husband’s final book, Stop in the Name of God, a work that focused on his appreciation for observing Shabbos.

Owens added another comment criticizing the response to her remarks, writing, “This is what they NEEDED to clarify. They need the world to know that Charlie loved Shabbat. We are beyond parody.” Owens has previously suggested that Israelis may have been involved in the influencer’s killing.

The latest controversy follows a pattern of highly controversial claims from Owens, who has frequently drawn headlines for promoting conspiracy theories. At one point earlier in her career, she even publicly advanced the claim that France’s first lady is actually a man.

Her recent posts triggered an immediate wave of criticism, including from figures on the political right.

Brent Scher, editor in chief of The Daily Wire and a former employer of Owens, shared her comments and criticized them sharply, writing, “We need better conspiracy theorists. Israel did 9/11 is one of the most tired conspiracies in the playbook. Didn’t know we were stating it as fact now in the asylum.”

David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network also mocked the claims, responding with a satirical equation describing how Owens and Carlson relate to reality and concluding, “Take whatever they say and invert it.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Finance Ministry warned Wednesday that the ongoing war with Iran is costing the country’s economy an estimated NIS 9.4 billion ($3 billion) each week as long as strict nationwide limitations on economic activity remain in effect.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Klapper, Finance Ministry Director General Ilan Rom urged that some of the restrictions be loosened to allow a gradual and partial reopening of workplaces and businesses as early as Thursday. When approached by The Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command declined to comment on the request.

Rom stressed the need to balance security concerns with the country’s economic stability. “There is no dispute about the need to preserve a defense policy adapted to the security situation, but at the same time, shutting down the economy on a broad scale carries heavy economic costs,” Rom cautioned.

“We need a solution that addresses both the security needs of the Home Front and the needs of the economy, after two and a half years in which the economy has been paying a heavy economic price in light of the increase in security needs and the repercussions of the [Hamas] war,” he said.

The current restrictions were imposed after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran. In response, the IDF’s Home Front Command introduced nationwide emergency directives banning public gatherings, halting educational activity, and closing most workplaces aside from essential services. The rules also limit commuting to work, require many employees to work remotely, and keep schools closed.

Following a new security assessment on Monday as the conflict continued, the Home Front Command decided to extend the restrictions across the country until Saturday night.

In his letter, Rom asked Klapper to downgrade the alert status from the current red level — which allows only essential activity — to the orange level, which would permit limited economic operations. According to the Finance Ministry, the red-level restrictions are responsible for the estimated weekly economic loss of NIS 9.4 billion, factoring in school closures, workplace shutdowns, and the widespread mobilization of reserve soldiers.

Under the orange alert level, workplaces and economic activity would be allowed to resume on a limited basis as long as employees remain close to protected spaces, though schools would remain closed.

“n their workplaces and make it clear to employees that the door is open if they want to come back,” said Manpower Group Israel CEO Dror Litvak. “This is not a move to ignore the security situation, but rather an adaptation to it.”

“From the perspective of employees, work is both economic security and a psychological anchor,” Litvak said.

Rom noted that if the country moves to the orange alert level, the expected weekly economic damage would drop to roughly NIS 4.5 billion ($1.5 billion), less than half the losses incurred under the stricter red-level restrictions.

“This policy will enable the expansion of economic activity while maintaining Home Front security, in a manner that meets both economic and security needs,” Rom remarked.

“The cost that the economy is required to absorb as part of the activity under the orange alert level is expected to have significant economic implications, but we believe that it reflects a balance that is necessary in the current reality, and allows for the minimum necessary economic activity while maintaining required security restrictions,” he added.

{Matzav.com}