Matzav

A stormy confrontation broke out Wednesday during a Knesset Finance Committee session, as MK Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party and MK Iman Khatib-Yassin of Ra’am exchanged sharp accusations, prompting a Knesset security guard to physically separate them.

The dispute unfolded during deliberations over a bill to amend the Income Tax Ordinance to provide tax benefits for residents of threatened communities.

During the discussion, Khatib-Yassin argued, “On the one hand, they ask to bring money into the state treasury from citizens who pay taxes, and on the other hand, they give money to citizens who don’t really pay taxes…”

Sukkot interjected, saying, “Don’t pay taxes like there was no massacre, you’re insolent.”

“Speak to me with respect! Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin responded.

Sukkot continued, “No, you denied the October 7 massacre, insolence.”

“Did you hear what he said?” Khatib-Yassin repeated.

“Yes, you denied the massacre,” Sukkot replied.

“He called me insolent,” she said.

“Of course you’re insolent. You say that we don’t pay taxes? You denied the massacre, you support Hamas, you are a terrorist, a female terrorist, that’s what you are,” Sukkot shot back.

“Insolent, you are insolent,” Khatib-Yassin responded.

In the background, Arab lawmakers shouted at Sukkot, “You support terror.”

MK Ahmad Tibi joined the fray, shouting, “You piece of nothing. The sole of her shoe. You’re nothing. Don’t call her terrorists.”

Sukkot responded, “You are Hamas supporters, a bunch of terrorists, all of you. Not once did you condemn the massacre. You said it didn’t happen at all, insolence. You call us ‘they also don’t pay taxes!’ You brought the terror!”

“Shame!” Khatib-Yassin yelled.

Sukkot concluded the exchange by telling her, “Go to Gaza.”

The altercation intensified to the point that a Knesset guard intervened to separate the lawmakers as shouting continued around the committee table.

Efforts to advance the draft law remain stalled, as chareidi parties said that a recently submitted preliminary draft does not provide sufficient grounds to resume negotiations. Sharp disagreements over canceling tens of thousands of draft orders already issued and lowering the exemption age have left talks at an impasse.

Earlier this week, coalition officials believed the legislation was back on track after chareidi lawmakers issued an ultimatum demanding that the legal adviser to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee produce a written version reflecting clauses that had already been agreed upon. Although the draft was delivered a day later than expected, a preliminary text was submitted Monday, seemingly clearing the way for renewed committee discussions.

However, it has now emerged that the chareidi parties do not view the draft as adequate to return to the negotiating table. According to sources familiar with the discussions, United Torah Judaism faction chairman MK Uri Maklev remarked, “We have nothing with which to go to the rabbis.”

Negotiations remain stuck primarily over two key issues. First, chareidi representatives are demanding that approximately 80,000 draft notices already sent out be annulled. Second, they are insisting that the exemption age be set at 26 rather than 29.

Ariel Atias, often described as the “architect” of the draft law, visited the Knesset again Tuesday and met with legal advisers in an effort to bridge the gaps. The meeting, however, did not produce a breakthrough, and both sides reportedly maintained their positions.

At the same time, chareidi parties are weighing the possibility of submitting a revised version of the bill that would exclude the two disputed clauses. They are currently consulting legal experts to assess whether the Supreme Court would invalidate the entire law if it lacks those provisions, or instead instruct the Knesset to amend the problematic sections while allowing the rest of the legislation to stand.

{Matzav.com}

A brief moment in the Knesset today drew widespread attention after Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock politely declined to shake the hand of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the conclusion of his address, an interaction that many observers described as creating a kiddush Hashem.

After delivering what was described as a historic and passionate speech before the Knesset, Modi stepped down into the plenum to greet lawmakers and attendees personally.

As he made his way among members of Knesset, the Indian leader shook hands with those present. An unusual exchange occurred when he naturally extended his hand to Minister Strock, a member of the Religious Zionism party who is religious. She did not take his hand.

Video footage of the encounter, which quickly circulated online and sparked discussion, shows Strock raising her hands respectfully and explaining to Modi that, according to Jewish law, she refrains from physical contact. Modi appeared to accept the explanation without incident.

{Matzav.com}

Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Dov Landau delivered a pointed message Tuesday night to yeshiva bochurim, warning them not to endanger themselves in response to recent arrests and stressing the importance of listening to their roshei yeshiva and remaining focused on Torah learning.

The rosh yeshiva spoke during a shmuess at Yeshivas Zichron Yaakov, where he addressed how bochurim should conduct themselves in light of a series of arrests carried out over the past 24 hours.

Opening his remarks, Rav Landau said, “We are learning Torah. One must understand that today the situation is not simple. They are pursuing bnei Torah. May Hashem protect us from them, from all their accusations and from all these matters. But one thing must be understood: do not do anything dangerous, do not engage in dangerous actions. Everything should be done according to what the rosh yeshiva says. Do not act on your own, do not be overly clever. Be wise in Gemara, not in these matters. Listen to everything you are told.”

He continued with a strong warning against risky behavior. “And it is very bad,” the rosh yeshiva added, “that people act and endanger themselves and others. All kinds of actions that are being done are very bad things. They accomplish nothing. It is not fear of Heaven and not anything.”

Rav Landau further instructed the students to adhere closely to the guidance of their rabbinic leadership. “In the yeshiva, you must listen to what the rosh yeshiva says, to the one who guides you. Obey him in every matter. Do not endanger yourselves with all these things. These are very bad matters. Nothing good comes of them.”

He emphasized the importance of following direction and not acting independently. “There are people,” he said, “who do very improper things. Hashem should have mercy on us. There is no need to elaborate. Whatever you are told — listen. In every single matter. Do not initiate things on your own. Do not endanger yourselves in any way. And if you take risks, afterward you bring problems upon yourselves and upon others.”

Concluding his address, Rav Landau returned to the central theme of immersion in Torah study. “We have nothing but learning — to learn, to be immersed in learning. That is everything. May Hashem help us to be immersed in learning, and we will all be saved from all the harsh decrees, and there will be only good for Israel, until the coming of the righteous redeemer speedily in our days, Amen.”

As previously reported, five yeshiva students were arrested over the past day in different locations across the country and transferred to the military police for further processing.

Among those detained was a yeshiva student arrested Tuesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport, as well as another student who was taken into custody at the draft office in Tel Hashomer. The latter had arrived with documents intended to arrange a service exemption but was arrested due to a three-day period of alleged draft evasion.

The student arrested at the draft office was sentenced to 20 days in prison and is receiving legal assistance from support organizations. A similar 20-day sentence was imposed on Itai Ben Merav, a student at Yeshivat Ateret Yaakov, who was arrested at 2 a.m. at his home in Beit Shemesh.

During the Beit Shemesh arrest, 12 military police officers arrived at the residence, six of whom entered the home and conducted what family members described as an extensive search. Relatives said the officers left the house in significant disarray after concluding their operation.

Two additional young men were arrested at 4 a.m. in the same city by civilian police and later handed over to military authorities. The detainees were identified as Menachem Mendel Ben Esther Sheindel, who was sentenced to 20 days in prison, and Yehuda Shimon Ben Sheindel Leah, who is classified as a prosecutorial draft evader.

{Matzav.com}

MK Yoav Ben Tzur sharply criticized what he described as selective enforcement against chareidi draft evaders during a speech Wednesday in the Knesset plenum, accusing authorities of unfairly targeting law-abiding members of the chareidi community.

Ben Tzur addressed the chamber during a debate on an urgent motion submitted to the justice minister regarding enforcement policies toward chareidi draft evaders. In his remarks, he charged that a community with low crime rates and strong civic commitment was being stigmatized.

“You have taken a quality, law-abiding public, a public that loves the country and contributes enormously to all segments of society. You have taken the community with the lowest crime rate and turned it into a leper society, a society whose finest sons are being arrested for the ‘sin’ of learning Torah. Who are you fighting against? Your own people?” Ben Tzur said.

He went on to question the focus of recent arrests. “Who are you arresting?” he asked. “Outstanding young men who have never encountered the police, because they are law-abiding? The chareidi community and its leadership respect IDF soldiers. There are chareidi soldiers within the IDF who have fought, and to all our sorrow, chareidi soldiers have also fallen in battle. The enemy did not distinguish between us and did not carry out selection against us in war, but there are those who, for small political reasons, are carrying out selection within our own people.”

Ben Tzur further accused political opponents of placing partisan interests above national concerns. “You are not lovers of the land, you are lovers of politics! The good of the IDF is not before your eyes, nor the good of the state, only divisive rhetoric guides you. What I, as labor minister — a chareidi with a kippah and beard — have done for reservists, most of those who shout here and in the media against the chareidi community have not done. In fact, you have done nothing, not even passed a single benefit for them.”

{Matzav.com}

Kamala Harris said she has yet to determine whether she will pursue another campaign for the presidency, offering a brief but notable response during a podcast interview that is expected to fuel renewed discussion about her political future.

Speaking with podcaster and author Sharon McMahon, Harris stated, “I haven’t decided — I might.”

Her remarks are likely to add momentum to speculation surrounding a possible 2028 run and keep her name circulating in discussions about who will lead the Democratic Party in the next presidential cycle.

Harris, who previously served as vice president and as a U.S. senator representing California, became the Democratic nominee in 2024 after President Joe Biden chose not to run for a second term. She was defeated in the general election by President Donald Trump, a loss that triggered widespread internal debate among Democrats over campaign messaging, coalition strategy, and the party’s broader direction.

In the months following the election, Harris has kept a relatively restrained public profile. She has appeared at a limited number of events and participated in policy-related conversations but has largely refrained from publicly dissecting her defeat or outlining her long-term political ambitions.

During the same podcast appearance, Harris discussed her recently released book and dismissed the notion that it was designed as a stepping stone for another campaign.

“The book was about a specific period in time,” she said. “There was no agenda beyond what we’ve discussed already, which is just sharing with people the reality of the experience and hopefully allowing people to see something of themselves.”

Political observers note that even a cautious or noncommittal statement about a potential presidential run can influence early groundwork, including fundraising networks, activist engagement, and behind-the-scenes organizing well in advance of the primary season. A number of Democratic governors and lawmakers are already being mentioned as possible 2028 candidates, though the prospective field remains unsettled.

Harris did not indicate when she expects to reach a decision about another White House campaign, nor did she specify which considerations would ultimately guide her choice.

Party strategists say Democrats continue to analyze the 2024 results and are weighing how best to expand their support in future national elections.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ reacting to Democrats either skipping the State of the Union address or heckling President Trump and refusing to stand on key issues.

WATCH:

Rep. Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that she does not regret shouting at President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, dismissing repeated efforts by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer to get her to reconsider or apologize for her actions.

Omar made the remarks during an appearance on “The Situation Room,” after video circulated online showing her yelling toward the president while he discussed federal immigration enforcement during Tuesday night’s address.

Sitting next to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Omar repeatedly interrupted, accusing Trump of bearing responsibility for the deaths of two Minneapolis residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in January.

One of the individuals Omar brought as a guest, Aliya Rahman, was reportedly taken into custody by Capitol Police after allegedly causing a disturbance during the event.

During the interview, Blitzer referenced comments from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who had advised Democrats opposed to the speech either to skip it entirely or to register their objections silently.

“Should you have just boycotted the address? And do you think you violated the guidelines set out by your own leader?” Blitzer asked.

Omar rejected the notion that she should have stayed quiet or stayed away.

“No, I think it was really unavoidable,” she said. “The president talked about protecting Americans, and I just had to remind him that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents.”

Blitzer continued pressing the issue, noting that Democrats had previously criticized Republicans who disrupted President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech.

“Many members of your Democratic Party criticized their Republican counterparts when they interrupted President Biden’s State of the Union address, as a lot of us remember,” he said. “Do you have any regrets at all about the interaction we played between you and President Trump just last night?”

“I do not,” Omar said. “And I think many people look at that moment when the president says it is our responsibility to protect Americans, and he does not acknowledge the fact that two Americans, two of my constituents, two of our neighbors, were killed.

“And it was important for me to just remind the American people that the president and his administration was responsible for killing two American citizens.”

Blitzer made a final attempt to ask whether, in retrospect, she might have handled the situation differently, including by boycotting the address altogether. Omar remained firm, maintaining that her presence in the chamber — along with her guests — was deliberate and meaningful.

She said she attended the speech with four guests from Minnesota and insisted that it was important for the people she represents to see her there.

“It was important for us to be there to bear witness, to hold the space for our constituents that have lived through an occupation from federal law enforcement, that have been terrorized, that have seen our neighbors been killed and traumatized in so many ways,” Omar said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the United States has obtained information indicating Iran is attempting to reconstitute its nuclear program, while emphasizing that President Donald Trump is pursuing a diplomatic resolution but retains additional options if talks fail.

Speaking about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Vance made clear that preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central U.S. objective.

“The principle is very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us. In fact, we’ve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. So the President is sending those negotiators to try to address that problem,” Vance said.

NOW – Vance says, "we've seen evidence," Iran is trying to rebuild nuclear weapons. pic.twitter.com/dCw7aMcQYq

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 25, 2026

He underscored that the administration’s preferred course is negotiation, while noting that other measures remain on the table if diplomacy does not succeed.

“As the President has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the President has other options as well.”

President Trump delivered a similar message during his State of the Union address Tuesday evening. He said that last June’s military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had “obliterated” the country’s program, but added that Iran has since killed more than 32,000 protesters and is working to restart its nuclear activities. He also cautioned that Tehran is advancing missile technology capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.

“We’re in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

“No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve. We have the most powerful military on earth – hopefully, we seldom have to use it,” continued the President.

{Matzav.com}

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Vice President JD Vance is set to announce that $259.5 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota will be withheld while federal officials conduct a fraud investigation, along with a nationwide halt on new firms seeking Medicare subsidies for durable medical equipment such as canes and walkers, The Post has learned.

Vance will make the announcement alongside Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a day after President Trump declared a “war on fraud” during his State of the Union address.

The decision to suspend reimbursement payments to Minnesota affects nearly half of the claims submitted by the state for its Medicaid program serving low-income residents during the most recent fiscal quarter.

The action, described as a “deferment,” targets 14 state-run programs flagged as particularly vulnerable to fraudulent activity. These include services such as autism treatment, in-home rehabilitation, non-emergency medical transportation and overnight supervision. Some of those programs have previously been linked to a major fraud case in the Twin Cities area.

An administration official said Medicaid reimbursements for Minnesota will remain on hold until “further investigation is completed” into potential improper billing practices.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced a broader review of Medicaid payments, pausing certain future disbursements to multiple states while investigations were underway. In January, social-services funding was temporarily frozen for five Democrat-led states, including Minnesota and New York. The latest move, however, goes further by affecting claims that have already been submitted for reimbursement.

Separately, the administration is introducing a new policy that will block additional companies from newly enrolling in Medicare’s reimbursement system for durable medical equipment.

Federal officials reported that last year durable medical equipment billing carried an error rate of roughly 20%, amounting to about $1.5 billion in questionable charges. Of that total, approximately $1 billion is believed to involve fraudulent claims, according to officials.

The temporary freeze on new enrollments is intended to give regulators time to scrutinize companies already participating in the program and remove those engaged in improper conduct.

While the Minnesota Medicaid action centers on a Democrat-led state, officials noted that problems tied to Medicare equipment billing are largely concentrated in Republican-led states. One official pointed to elevated levels of suspected fraud in South Florida and in Harris County, Texas.

During his State of the Union address, Trump said Vance would oversee a nationwide campaign to combat misuse of federal benefit programs.

“I am officially announcing the war on fraud to be led by our great vice president, JD Vance,” Trump said, predicting, “we will actually have a balanced budget overnight. It will go very quickly. That’s the kind of money you’re talking about.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal agents returned to the Arizona residence of Nancy Guthrie on Wednesday, spending several hours combing through the property before determining whether her family would be permitted to move back in, sources told The NY Post.

The latest search indicates that the probe into the 84-year-old’s disappearance has stalled, as she has now been missing for 25 days and investigators have not publicly identified any suspects in the perplexing case.

Agents arrived at Guthrie’s Tucson home early Wednesday and remained at the upscale property for more than two hours as part of what sources described as a final review of the scene.

According to those familiar with the investigation, authorities were believed to be checking for any remaining evidence that may have been missed during earlier searches before potentially clearing the house for the Guthrie family’s return.

Guthrie — the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie — was first reported missing on Feb. 1 after she failed to attend church services that morning.

Video obtained from her doorbell camera showed a masked individual — or possibly two different individuals, as some observers have suggested — lingering outside her front door on the night investigators suspect she was abducted.

The footage shows the person carrying a black Ozark Trail Hiker backpack and attempting to obscure the camera’s view with tree branches.

Later that morning, on Feb. 1, Guthrie was officially reported missing.

Residents of the Catalina Hills neighborhood subsequently told authorities that they had noticed a suspicious young man spending time on the street near Guthrie’s home in the weeks before she vanished.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharply criticized Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib following their conduct during his State of the Union address Tuesday night, suggesting the two lawmakers “should be institutionalized” over what he described as disruptive behavior.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump reacted to the scene in the House chamber, taking aim at the two members of the progressive “Squad” caucus.

“When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event,” Trump began on Truth Social.

He continued with harsher language in the same post.

“They had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized,” he added.

Trump went on to question their fitness for office and called for their removal.

“When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came — as fast as possible.”

During the address, Tlaib (D-Mich.) was seated in the House chamber wearing a “[Curse] ICE” pin on her lapel. She and Omar (D-Minn.) repeatedly interrupted and heckled the president throughout portions of the speech before leaving the chamber prior to its conclusion.

{Matzav.com}

Dozens of demonstrators took to the streets of Yerushalayim on Wednesday evening following a rally protesting the arrest of yeshiva students over military conscription, blocking a major roadway and prompting police to use crowd-control measures, including a water cannon.

The protest followed a large gathering organized by the Eidah HaChareidis against what participants referred to as the “conscription decree.” After the rally concluded, groups of protesters moved onto Chaim Bar-Lev Boulevard, where they blocked traffic and clashed with police forces at the scene.

Demonstrators obstructed the roadway with their bodies, and some descended onto the nearby light rail tracks. During the unrest, trash bins and metal barriers were dragged into the center of the street in an apparent effort to halt traffic and disrupt normal activity in the area.

Yerushalayim District police units were dispatched to the scene and worked to disperse the crowd. Police said officers used crowd-dispersal methods in order to restore public order, push back those involved in the disturbances, and reopen the roads that had been blocked.

In a statement, a police spokesperson emphasized that “The Israel Police will act to allow protest and freedom of expression for every citizen, but will not allow a breach of public order, blocking of roads, and disruption of daily life.”

As a result of the events, heavy traffic congestion was reported along Chaim Bar-Lev Boulevard and surrounding streets. Drivers were advised to seek alternate routes.

{Matzav.com}

Two days before New York’s biggest snowstorm in a decade began, forecasters were still unsure how much snow would fall. One traditional US model had consistently predicted a major hit, while newer artificial intelligence systems weren’t so certain.

The long-running Global Forecast System, or GFS, signaled the storm would be a whopper for much of the Northeast. Because of lingering skepticism about the GFS’ past performance – and the fact that it stood alone in predicting massive impacts – many forecasters waited until Friday afternoon before declaring the possibility of more than a foot of snow for parts of New York.

The totals reported by the US National Weather Service have been staggering: Central Park saw nearly 20 inches, one of its biggest snowstorms on record. On Long Island, snowfall measured at more than two feet.

Forecasting powerful winter storms is a distinctive challenge, scientists said. Unlike hurricanes, which form at sea and spend days barreling toward land, nor’easter storms often build and strike the East Coast within 24 hours. Providing advance warning for this week’s storm meant forecasting where incoming waves of cold air and moisture would land and interact with a streak of low pressure in the jet stream, days in advance.

So far, AI models haven’t made that task much easier, said Bob Oravec, a senior branch forecaster for the US Weather Prediction Center in Maryland.

“There’s no perfect model yet,” Oravec said. “That’s the problem.”

In the US, storm warnings and alerts are issued by the National Weather Service and redistributed by commercial forecasters. A local office in Upton, New York, was responsible for safety advisories spanning New York City and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Forecaster David Stark said staff waited to issue the first alerts until Friday due to lingering uncertainty about the storm’s path.

“We don’t like to put out warnings early and give a false sense of alarm if it’s not needed,” Stark said.

While the GFS – developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal science agency – was ultimately correct about the storm’s impacts on New York City, scientists said it overstated the threat in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and was slightly off on the storm’s duration.

Those mixed results are giving forecasters pause as the GFS now sees the possibility of another significant storm early next week.

At times, the GFS has predicted heavy wintry precipitation in the Northeast beginning early next week. A similar signal has been picked up by a traditional European forecast model, which is generally considered the best of its kind. But as of Tuesday morning, a powerful new European AI model sees a lower threat.

Though the models may continue to shift in the coming days, Columbia Climate School researcher Andrew Kruczkiewicz said he’s watching how forecasters prioritize AI predictions before warning the public about incoming storms.

“We’re so trained to think anything AI is better,” said Kruczkiewicz. “Even if models are considered better or high quality, decision-making is not necessarily simplified.”

(c) 2026, Bloomberg 

President Donald Trump touted a program during his State of the Union address Tuesday that created investment accounts for children born during Trump’s second term seeded with $1,000 per child from the federal government.

Republicans created the program, officially dubbed “Trump accounts,” through the GOP tax-and-spending law last summer.

“Tax-free investment accounts for every American child. This is something that’s so special,” Trump said during the speech.

He claimed the accounts “could grow to over $100,000 or more” by the time the child turns 18 years old.

Here’s what you need to know about the program:

Young children are eligible
Children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, are eligible for the accounts, which are a type of traditional IRA that allows for investments in index funds.

They must be U.S. citizens and have a valid Social Security number. The account would receive a one-time contribution of $1,000.

Children born before Jan. 1, 2025, but who are not yet 18 years old can also open accounts, but they would not receive the federal seed money.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that families had already applied to open some 3 million accounts, though the program doesn’t officially begin until this summer.

How they work
Parents can file to open the accounts beginning this tax filing season using IRS Form 4547, named for Trump’s presidential terms.

The authentication process begins in May, and the administration says the seed money would be available in accounts July 4. The child would own the account, while the parent can act as a custodian until they turn 18.

Withdrawals would be taxable until they reach retirement age, unless the beneficiary is using the money for education, a first-time home purchase, birth or adoption costs, or medical expenses.

Who can contribute
In addition to the federal seed money, any adult can contribute to the accounts up to $5,000 annually.

Employers can also contribute to their employees’ children’s accounts up to $2,500 per year per employee as part of the $5,000 annual limit.

But states, local governments and nonprofit organizations can also contribute to the accounts, and doing so does not count toward the annual cap.

Trump calls on billionaires and companies to give
Late last year, the administration called upon ultra-wealthy people to donate to the program.

Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, have said they would contribute $6.25 billion.

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio has said he would contribute $250 per account for babies in his home state of Connecticut, an approximately $75 million donation.

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, as well as BNY, Charles Schwab, SoFi and Charter Communications have also announced programs to match employees’ contributions to the accounts.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

President Donald Trump, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, suggested a major new retirement benefit for tens of millions of American workers, embracing an economic policy that proponents say could bolster the federal retirement safety net.

Speaking to congressional lawmakers, Trump pledged to extend to private-sector workers the same type of retirement plan already available to federal employees. He also said the government would kick in up to $1,000 per year to their accounts, presumably in matching benefits. Roughly 54 million workers in the private sector have no workplace retirement benefits and do not benefit from stock market gains, according to research cited by the Economic Innovation Group, a Washington-based think tank, as part of what some experts have termed a “retirement crisis” in America.

“Half of all of working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer,” Trump said. “To remedy this gross disparity, I’m announcing that next year, my administration will give these often forgotten American workers – great people, the people that built our country – access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker. We will match your contribution with up to $1,000 each year.”

The announcement was celebrated by Trump supporters as a major new economic policy heading into the 2026 midterm elections, but critics pointed out some problems with Trump’s pledges, and are skeptical it will substantially boost savings for working-class Americans.

The most obvious challenge is that it’s not clear how much Trump can do on his own. Under existing authorities, the administration can create portable retirement accounts – modeled on the Thrift Savings Plan used by federal employees – and make them available to workers who currently lack a workplace plan. But the government cannot compel employers or workers to automatically enroll, nor can it unilaterally appropriate funds to provide a universal $1,000 match to all eligible workers.

Instead, the administration can facilitate take-up of a benefit that already exists. The bipartisan Secure 2.0 bill, signed by President Joe Biden in 2022, created a “Saver’s Match” – a federal contribution of up to $1,000 annually for qualifying workers who put $2,000 in an eligible retirement account. One problem has been that many eligible workers have had nowhere to put their contributions. Trump’s executive action could create additional account infrastructure, but eligibility would still be constrained. Only workers who make less than $25,000 per year, or roughly $41,000 for couples, are eligible.

More impactful would be if Trump’s comments spur congressional action. A White House official suggested that the administration will support bipartisan legislation to automatically enroll eligible workers in federal accounts, provide the $1,000 federal match for low- and moderate-income workers, and make those accounts portable across jobs. One bill is backed by a coalition that spans Charles Schwab, AARP, DoorDash and Uber.

White House economist Kevin Hassett has backed a similar kind of approach. Of the more than $200 billion in annual income tax expenditures related to retirement savings, less than 1 percent flows to workers in the bottom income quintile, according to the Economic Innovation Group. This would move some of those benefits down the income distribution.

“Since we’ve had the 401(k) system this has always been the problem: A huge share of the workforce has not been participating and doesn’t have access to these benefits. Closing that gap is a big first step,” said John Lettieri, co-founder of the Economic Innovation Group. “It’s a long-run exercise to get people into the market, engaged in long-term savings and investment behavior with matching benefits. That’s a proven way of building wealth over time, including for low-income savers.”

That said, there are reasons to doubt that even the legislation being debated in Congress would do much to increase retirement security for low-income workers. Low-income Americans often do not have enough to live on already, much less an extra $2,000 per year to put into retirement accounts, said Matt Bruenig, founder of the People’s Policy Project, a left-leaning think tank.

The Survey of Consumer Finances suggests that fewer than 12 percent of people who earn below $43,000 save for retirement.

“Almost no low-income people have retirement accounts. This is not because they are disallowed from having them,” Bruenig said. “It’s because they can barely pay their bills. Nothing in the president’s plan changes that.”

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

A heavy cloud of mourning descended upon the Vizhnitzer kehillah in Montreal with the news of the petirah of Rav Asher Greenfeld zt”l, who served for four decades as the rav and av beis din of Vizhnitz in Montreal. He was 82.

The levayah is scheduled to take place today at 5:30 p.m. at Beis Medrash Imrei Chaim-Vizhnitz in Montreal. His aron will be brought to Eretz Yisroel, where the levayah will be held on Friday. He will be laid to rest in the Vizhnitzer beis hachaim in Bnei Brak.

Rav Greenfeld was a living symbol of hasmadah and unwavering shteiging in Torah. His vast bekius and iyun in Shas and poskim, acquired during his formative years in the great yeshivos and refined throughout his life, established him as a respected talmid chochom and marbitz Torah who raised many talmidim. He was renowned as a peh mapik margoliyos, an exceptional darshan who illuminated aggadah and maamarei Chazal with sweetness and clarity, inspiring his listeners with depth and warmth.

In every fiber of his being, Rav Greenfeld was a devoted chassid, deeply connected b’lev v’nefesh to the holy chain of Vizhnitzer tzaddikim. The fire of chassidus burned within him in his tefillos and hanhagos, and he served as a living example of total hisbatlus to the tzaddikei hador.

Beyond his gadlus baTorah, Rav Greenfeld possessed an expansive Jewish heart that beat constantly for others. He was a true baal chesed, tirelessly assisting almanos, yesomim, and brokenhearted individuals. His tzedakah was most often given quietly, with extraordinary sensitivity to the kavod of the recipient. Those close to him would say that there was no lack that did not find an address by him and no tear that did not find comfort.

Rav Greenfeld was born on the fourth of Adar in 1944 into a home steeped in Torah and mesirus nefesh. He was named after his grandfather, Rav Asher of Ober-Epsach. From his earliest years, he was bound with a deep spiritual kesher to the Vizhnitzer dynasty.

As a young child living with his family in Switzerland, he merited a rare experience when the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Imrei Chaim, came to raise funds for the establishment of Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe stayed in the Greenfeld family’s modest two-room apartment. Despite the cramped quarters, Rav Greenfeld’s father, Reb Baruch Greenfeld, joyfully gave up an entire room for the Rebbe, while the family crowded together for two weeks. That mesirus nefesh and hiskashrus were etched into the young boy’s soul and shaped the course of his life.

Rav Asher merited to sit on the Rebbe’s lap during that visit. The Rebbe remarked with affection that when he himself had been young, he sat on the lap of Rav Asher of Ober-Epsach, saying, “When I was small and you were big, I sat on your knees; now that you are small and I am big, you sit on mine.”

In his bochur years, Rav Greenfeld learned at Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin in Bnei Brak. He was distinguished by his diligence and refinement, but above all by his deep hiskashrus to his rabbeim. He did not miss a single tish of the Imrei Chaim and later forged a particularly close bond with the Rebbe’s son, the Yeshuos Moshe, who served as rav of the neighborhood at the time.

Rav Greenfeld was among the select few who remained after the tish to participate in the late-night bateh conducted by the Yeshuos Moshe in the shul, where he absorbed the inner teachings of chassidus and the depth of Aggadah. Over time, he became one of the Rebbe’s closest and most trusted talmidim. The Yeshuos Moshe would say affectionately that the name Asher was an acronym for “Ratzon Avinu Shebashamayim.”

In 1986, at the behest of the Yeshuos Moshe, Rav Greenfeld undertook a great shlichus: to relocate to Montreal and lead the developing Vizhnitzer kehillah there. With remarkable hisbatlus and mesirus nefesh, he accepted the mission, initially traveling alone and leaving his family in Eretz Yisroel during the first year.

In Montreal, he founded the kollel that became the vibrant spiritual heart of the community. For 40 years he stood at its helm, teaching Torah and raising generations of talmidim. In addition to serving as rosh kollel, he functioned as rav of the kehillah, guiding his flock with chochmah, tevunah, and an ayin tovah.

His relationship with the members of the kehillah was personal and heartfelt. From small children to respected elders, each felt a genuine closeness to him. He loved every Yid with sincerity, and that love was returned in full.

Upon the histalkus of the Yeshuos Moshe in 2012, Rav Greenfeld was shattered with grief. Yet even in his pain, he demonstrated complete hisbatlus to the continuation of the dynasty’s leadership, publicly affirming his allegiance to the new Rebbe and strengthening the kehillah with clarity and resolve.

Rav Greenfeld was held in high esteem by gedolei Yisroel of his generation. He maintained close ties with Rav Shmuel Wosner and with the Skverer Rebbe, who received him with special honor. He was often welcomed for extended yechidus, where they discussed Torah, stories of tzaddikim, and matters of chizuk hadas.

His mastery of Torah was extraordinary. Shas Bavli and Yerushalmi were clear to him, as were Tanach and the words of Chazal. He delved deeply into Toras hachassidus and pnimiyus haTorah, extracting pearls of machshavah and guidance. His drashos combined depth, clarity, and fiery hislahavus, making him one of the most sought-after speakers among Vizhnitz chassidim. He addressed major gatherings, including global hisvaaduyos and memorial asifos honoring his Rebbe.

Rav Greenfeld was equally known as an amud hachesed. Large sums of tzedakah passed through his hands and were distributed quietly. When the kollel faced financial crisis, he once mortgaged his private home to ensure the avreichim could continue learning without worry. For him, personal assets were merely tools in the service of Klal Yisroel.

Each year before Pesach, he organized extensive maos chittim distributions for dozens of families, ensuring that the assistance was given with maximum discretion and dignity. At fundraising events, after delivering stirring words, he would often conclude with a gentle smile and declare by example, contributing a substantial amount himself to encourage others.

Rav Greenfeld leaves behind a dor yesharim, children and grandchildren who are engaged in Torah, chinuch, and askonus.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli woman of Turkish descent who had recently completed her military service was detained in Turkey on allegations of “service in a foreign military” and later released following diplomatic efforts involving Israeli officials and assistance from the United States.

The young woman had traveled to Turkey to visit her parents when she was taken into custody. According to reports, Islamist groups in the country publicized her personal details and filed a complaint with authorities, urging them to block her from leaving Turkey.

She was held for several days before authorities decided to transfer her to house arrest.

Channel 12 reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stepped in shortly after her detention, acting swiftly and coordinating parallel efforts to obtain support from the U.S. administration. Both sides worked to marshal the necessary channels to secure her release.

After sustained behind-the-scenes activity, the woman was released in what was described as a discreet and dramatic operation. She was placed on a flight back to Israel through a third country and accompanied by Israeli representatives during her return.

{Matzav.com}

The New York Times did not feature President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on the front page of its Wednesday print edition, instead leading with other domestic and international stories.

Although the paper’s well-known slogan proclaims it publishes “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” the most prominent headline across the top of the page focused on technology and global supply chains: “Reliance on Taiwan Chip Endangers U.S. Economy.”

Also displayed prominently on the upper portion of the front page was a large photograph of a Ukrainian soldier accompanying a report on the ongoing war with Russia, along with coverage of developments in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”

The only clear reference to the president appeared in a smaller sub-headline connected to the Mexico article, which included the name “Trump,” just hours after he had delivered a nationally televised address to Congress.

Additional front-page stories included “Epstein Sought Customs Perks For Private Isle,” focusing on late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; “They’re for ICE, But Go NIMBY on Warehouses,” examining opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s use of warehouse facilities for illegal immigrants; and “A.I. Literacy Test: Don’t Let It Think for You.”

Another eleven articles were previewed at the bottom of the page, none of which addressed Trump or his speech.

The absence of coverage stood in contrast to the length and breadth of Trump’s Tuesday night remarks, which lasted more than an hour and outlined his administration’s priorities on border security, economic performance, energy production and America’s standing abroad.

During the address, Trump pointed to what he called record improvements in immigration enforcement, asserting that unlawful border crossings had dropped sharply since his return to office.

He reiterated his demand for stricter immigration measures and greater resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, drawing sustained applause from Republican lawmakers present in the chamber.

Turning to the economy, Trump cited higher wages, slowing inflation and a rallying stock market as proof that his policies are working.

He attributed those developments to tax reductions, regulatory rollbacks and increased domestic energy output, which he said have encouraged investment and bolstered the strength of the U.S. dollar.

On foreign affairs, the president reaffirmed support for Israel, described ongoing efforts to help end the war in Ukraine and emphasized a doctrine of “peace through strength” aimed at deterring adversaries including China and Iran.

While television networks and cable news channels led their coverage with highlights and analysis of the speech — and critics rapidly fact-checked portions of it — the Times’ choice not to prominently feature the address drew reaction from conservative commentators online.

Backers of the president argued that overlooking a State of the Union speech reflects what they see as a pattern of media bias against Trump and his policies.

Others responded that print newspapers frequently emphasize investigative reporting and international developments on their front pages, particularly when speeches receive widespread digital and broadcast attention.

{Matzav.com}