Matzav

Talmidim, followers, and bnei Torah connected to the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Asher Deutsch zt”l, are expected to gather overnight and tomorrow at his kever on the eve of his first yahrtzeit.

Since his passing a year ago, the absence of Rav Asher has been deeply felt among his talmidim. Many are preparing to make the pilgrimage to his tziyun.

Late Wednesday night, a large crowd of close students and family members gathered for the ceremonial placement of Rav Asher’s matzeivah. This was done in strict adherence to his personal custom: Just as he waited the full twelve months before erecting the headstones of his own parents, so too was his matzeivah established only after the completion of the twelve months since his passing.

Alongside the pilgrimage to the cemetery, the Bnei Torah community announced a series of memorial gatherings to be held in yeshivos and shuls., These events will feature divrei hisorerus from the Peleg’s current leaders, Rav Azriel Auerbach and Rav Yonah Zelishinsky.

A newly published memorial booklet in honor of the rosh yeshiva includes essays on his lifelong dedication to teaching Torah and shaping students in the spirit of earlier gedolei Yisroel. Among the items reprinted is a letter (below) from Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, written as a heartfelt brocha on the occasion of Rav Asher’s wedding many decades ago.

{Matzav.com}

A BBC news team visited Yeshiva Kisei Rachamim as part of a broader report examining the proposed legislation that would formally regulate the status of lomdei Torah in Israel. After touring the batei midrash and observing the intensity of the learning, the journalists sat for an extended conversation with the rosh yeshiva, Rav Tzemach Mazuz, who addressed a wide range of issues dominating the public debate — from the arrests of yeshiva students, to extremist disruptions, to budget cuts for Torah institutions, to chareidi support for the prime minister.

Torah funding cuts: “For two thousand years of exile, did we ever get government money? No — and Torah endured.”

Asked about reductions in funding for yeshivos in the absence of a legal framework, Rav Mazuz responded with confidence rooted in faith. He noted that Chazal assure us that Torah will never be forgotten, and insisted that lomdei Torah would persist regardless of decrees. “Anu mivtachim mipi Hakadosh Boruch Hu shelo sishkach Torah mipi zaro,” he emphasized, explaining that parnassah ultimately does not come from budgets or ministries but from the Ribbono Shel Olam alone.

In a later recording, the rosh yeshiva recounted his exchange with the BBC reporters. They had asked: What will happen if the government cuts off all funding? Rav Mazuz said he answered simply: for two millennia in exile, Torah survived without government assistance. Pointing to ancient manuscripts in his office, he said, “The Torah endured! Even if the state provided nothing, Hakadosh Baruch Hu would provide. One who truly believes that the Almighty controls all forces can remain calm.”

Arrests of yeshiva students: “Even the Ben Ish Chai and the Vilna Gaon sat in prison — and they came through it.”

The BBC journalists also questioned what would happen if the High Court were to mandate jail time for anyone refusing army service. Rav Mazuz told them he laughed. “Baruch Hashem, an Israeli prison is not like a Soviet prison, no. During those twenty days, you receive glatt kosher food under badatz supervision — not Bagatz supervision,” he quipped. He noted that inmates are allowed to daven with a minyan and maintain a Torah lifestyle.

He reminded them that great Torah sages endured imprisonment and emerged unbroken. “The Ben Ish Chai was in prison. The Gaon of Vilna was in prison. They went through it — and so will we. But should that make us despair of Torah learning? Absolutely not. And I hope we never reach that point.”

The value of Torah learning: “This is our army — Torah and tefillah protect the soldiers.”

Rav Mazuz stressed that Torah learning is not merely spiritual practice but national protection. “Come here at one in the morning — half the yeshiva is still learning,” he told the BBC. “Through Torah, we protect the soldiers wherever they are. This is our army.”

He added that this belief has long been accepted by Israeli leaders: Torah and constant prayer are essential to the country’s success, no less than tanks or fighter jets. But, he said, “today, many in government and the Knesset have distanced themselves from religion. They say yeshiva boys are slackers — but in Tel Aviv there are tens of thousands who evade the draft. Why don’t they take them? Why target yeshiva students?”

On rising hostility toward religious Jews: “Hashem directs everything for the best.”

Asked how he views the intensifying hostility toward lomdei Torah, Rav Mazuz shared a broader perspective of emunah. He pointed to the unexpected political trajectory of President Donald Trump as an example of Divine planning. Though many were disappointed when Trump did not win a second consecutive term, Rav Mazuz said, “Hashem knew Hamas’s plans. Hashem wanted Trump in office now. He preserved him for the period in which we would need him most.”

“The world is directed by the Creator, and He runs everything in the best way.”

On extremist violence: “This is not our way — these are fringe elements who will disappear.”

The BBC also raised the recent violent behavior of fringe youths targeting shluchai derabbanan. Rav Mazuz responded firmly: “Violence is not our path. You will not find one student from a yeshiva like ours in those protests.” He described the perpetrators as marginal extremists whose influence will fade. He emphasized that the chareidi public is committed to derech eretz, honoring Torah, and avoiding all forms of aggression.

On support for the prime minister: “He acted with wisdom on seven fronts of war.”

When asked whether it was better to support the current draft-law proposal even if it meant preserving Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, Rav Mazuz refrained from giving a specific political instruction. But he did praise Netanyahu’s conduct during the war, saying the prime minister managed simultaneous crises with intelligence and clarity.

He added that his family’s relationship with Netanyahu goes back decades: long before his first premiership, Netanyahu visited the office of Rav Mazuz’s late brother, the revered rosh yeshiva Rav Meir Mazuz zt”l, in the very room where the interview took place, to seek his blessing before an election. Rav Meir received him warmly and presented him with a Tehillim.

{Matzav.com}

A new Channel 14 survey released Thursday night paints a shifting political landscape, showing Naftali Bennett’s new party climbing sharply while United Torah Judaism loses strength and Yesh Atid remains stuck at the bottom.

According to the poll, conducted as part of the network’s main newscast, the right-wing bloc anchored by Likud continues to hold firm at 66 seats—unchanged from last week—while Bennett’s rising faction is drawing voters away from the Democrats led by Yair Golan.

Likud maintains its dominant position with 35 seats. The major movement is in second place, where Bennett’s new party, Bennett 2026, jumps by two seats to 12, overtaking several rivals. That gain appears to come largely at the expense of Golan’s Democrats, which fall back to 10 seats and slip into fourth place. Between them sit Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu, each holding steady at 11 seats.

UTJ loses one seat, dropping to 8. The centrist Yashar party remains unchanged with 7 seats, while Otzma Yehudit also rises slightly to 7. Religious Zionism stays stable at 5 seats. Ra’am and Hadash–Ta’al likewise receive 5 seats each. Yesh Atid continues to scrape the bottom with just 4 seats. Both Blue and White and Balad fail to cross the electoral threshold.

When divided into blocs, the overall picture mirrors last week: the right stands at 66 seats, the left at 44, and the Arab parties collectively reach 10.

In the question of who is most suitable to serve as prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu maintains a clear and commanding advantage with 54% support. Bennett follows with 23%, while Gadi Eisenkot polls at 11%. Yair Lapid receives 6%, Avigdor Lieberman 5%, and Benny Gantz trails the field at just 1%.

{Matzav.com}

During a visit to Yerushalayim for the wedding of a grandson of the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rov of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, paid a memorable call to the home of his brother-in-law, Rav Binyomin Dovid Elyashiv, rosh of the Tiferes Bachurim kollelim network, at his residence on Chana Street. The meeting quickly turned into a spirited exchange of Torah, memories, and captivating stories about Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l.

As Rav Zilberstein entered the study, he jokingly pointed to the well-worn shelves. “Who tore all the Gemaras?” he asked with a smile. Rav Binyomin Dovid responded that no one had done so—“they were worn through ameilus baTorah, from years of intense learning.”

He then recounted a visit of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Yeshuos Moshe zt”l, to the home of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. As they debated a point from the Minchas Chinuch, a new edition of the sefer was brought to the table. Rav Elyashiv refused to look at it, insisting, “I want to see it in the old Minchas Chinuch, because in the old one it’s written the way it should be.”

The rabbanim exchanged warm greetings, speaking of the longing for the Geulah and the open miracles seen “every minute.” They soon immersed themselves in deep Torah discussion on Parshas Vayeitzei, with Rav Zilberstein remarking, “I am privileged to hear such beautiful insights.”

The conversation turned to the Tiferes Bachurim kollelim. Rav Elyashiv described the network’s growth: “Today Tiferes Bachurim has many branches across Eretz HaKodesh—there’s even one in Tzfas.” Rav Zilberstein asked about the main beis medrash in Meah Shearim, and Rav Elyashiv explained that the central location hosts multiple kollelim throughout the day, from early morning until close to midnight, including programs in halacha, iyun, Zeraim, and Taharos.

Rav Zilberstein then recalled an incident from the beis medrash. He had gone down to the Yeshua’s Yaakov shtiebelach for Mincha, where the chazzan davened with such speed that he accidentally skipped Kedusha. Confusion broke out. The question was brought to Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who ruled, “Close your siddurim and go home.” When asked whether the tzibbur needed to repeat the tefillah or hear chazaras hashatz, Rav Elyashiv answered that they did not, adding the startling statement: “One who davens such a tefillah is exempt from tefillah.” Rav Zilberstein emphasized the clarity and force of Rav Elyashiv’s psak: “Everything he said was a jewel.”

During the visit, Rav Zilberstein greeted Rebbetzin Elyashiv, who had recently returned home after surgery. She thanked Hashem for His kindness and noted that a granddaughter’s wedding was approaching. She also offered mazal tov to Rav Zilberstein on his own recent simchos. Rav Zilberstein responded warmly, “We are all children of one father,” and blessed the kallah when she was brought in for a brachah.

He shared a remarkable episode illustrating Rav Elyashiv’s fierce protection of the Rebbetzin’s honor. A doctor who had treated one of the children made an insensitive remark to her as he left the house. Rav Elyashiv overheard it, turned to the doctor, and said firmly, “You will not enter my home again. You have offended the Rebbetzin.” Realizing the gravity of his mistake, the doctor removed his shoes, sat on the floor, and accepted a form of self-imposed niddui. Seeing his sincere remorse, Rav Elyashiv immediately forgave him. After the doctor left, Rav Elyashiv instructed his son-in-law: “Go buy the most beautiful esrog in Bnei Brak and bring it to the doctor as a gift of reconciliation.” When the seller heard why it was being purchased, he insisted on giving the esrog for free. Rav Zilberstein explained that Rav Elyashiv would not accept gifts for himself without payment, “but this was for the doctor.” In the end, the doctor received both a magnificent esrog and permission to continue entering the Elyashiv home—along with a lifelong lesson in respectful speech.

Later in the visit, a participant asked Rav Zilberstein for a blessing that his daughter find a shidduch. Upon hearing that she was 23, the Rav smiled and replied, “In Ramat Elchanan, at that age they’re still jumping rope. No need for panic.” He then gave a heartfelt brachah.

Rav Zilberstein went on to recount the well-known story of Rebbetzin Chaya Musha a”h, mother of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who remained childless for many years. After a renowned physician in Vienna told her she would not have more children, she wept bitterly in the cellar so as not to distress her father, the Leshem. He nevertheless heard her crying and understood why. In response, he declared that in the merit of her sensitivity, “Next year you will hold a son who will illuminate the world”—a prophecy fulfilled with the birth of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.

The conversation turned to the name Yosef Shalom itself. Rav Zilberstein asked whether the name hinted to the Ben Ish Chai and the Rashash. Rav Elyashiv noted that many people ask this question, and that Rav Elyashiv’s great-grandson had once asked him directly, to which he replied, “It’s very nice to say so, but if that is truly the reason, I do not know.” Rav Zilberstein observed that “the world says it,” and Rav Elyashiv added that the Ben Ish Chai himself tells a story of a chassid who named his son Yosef Shalom so that he should always bring peace. Rav Zilberstein suggested that in this sense, the name makes peace between Ashkenazim and Sephardim as well.

Before departing, Rav Zilberstein offered warm brachos that the household continue to bring honor to Torah and that the Rebbetzin merit much nachas. As he rose to leave, he began singing the niggun “Yehi hachodesh hazeh,” playfully changing the words to bless the home itself. Pausing by a picture of Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l, he remarked with a smile, “I see Reb Michel Yehuda telling me to stop singing and run home to learn Torah.”

As the visit concluded, Rav Elyashiv noted, “They say about my father-in-law that on Shabbos he looked like a different person—his face shone with the light of Shabbos.” Rav Zilberstein responded, “Certainly—everyone knew it.” The two then left together to daven Maariv at Tiferes Bachurim.

{Matzav.com}

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, widow of conservative leader and free-speech advocate Charlie Kirk, pushed back forcefully on claims that “gun violence” was the central cause of her husband’s assassination. She insisted that the tragedy points to something far deeper at work in American society. It’s “not a gun problem,” she emphasized, describing the underlying issue as “a deeply human” and “soul” problem.

During the closing segment of the New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday, journalist Andrew Sorkin broached the topic gently, asking, “I’m curious how you think, today, about gun violence in America, given what happened” to her husband. Erika Kirk responded with quiet resolve. “It’s a thoughtful question, and I wouldn’t wish upon anyone what I have been through, and I support the Second Amendment, as well. I do,” she said. “But there’s a bigger and much deeper conversation to all of that.”

She pointed to what counselors on college campuses repeatedly identify as the top struggles among students today. “If you go on a campus and you ask a counselor, ‘What is the number one or number two thing that these students are facing?’ They will always say, ‘Mental health, anxiety, depression.’ Those are usually the top three,” she explained.

According to Kirk, her husband spent years trying to help young people understand the central role of brain health in overall well-being. “What Charlie knew — and he was trying to explain to students on campus — was that you have to understand that brain health is so important,” she said, underscoring how he encouraged students to pay attention to daily habits. “How you eat, how you take care of yourself, how you nourish yourself, how you rest. And, to him, it was much more deeper and intricate.”

Reflecting on the broader implications of his death, she observed, “What I’ve realized through all of this is that you can have individuals that will always resort to violence.” She warned that the cultural climate has shifted in a dangerous direction. “And what I’m afraid of, is that we are living in a day and age where they think violence is the solution to them not wanting to hear a different point of view,” she said.

That tendency, she argued, has nothing to do with firearms themselves. “That’s not a gun problem. That’s that’s a deeply human problem. That is a soul problem. That is a mental, that is a very deeper issue,” she stated.

Her remarks come as many on the political left struggle with the implications of Kirk’s assassination. Despite years spent labeling him a “fascist” or “Nazi,” they have been reluctant to acknowledge that someone aligned with their worldview carried out the killing. In the wake of the murder, critics who normally reduce every tragedy to “gun violence” — often as a pretext to erode constitutional rights — openly celebrated the use of a firearm simply because the victim held conservative beliefs.

That reaction, observers noted, laid bare a moment of cultural and moral unraveling. It served as a sobering demonstration of what happens when political dehumanization mutates into justification for brutality.

Even more ironic were the examples of educators celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death — an alarming confirmation of the very problem he spent his career warning about: the rise of ideological radicalism throughout the American education system and the corrosive impact it has on students at every level.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump presided over a momentous diplomatic breakthrough on Thursday as he joined Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in signing a comprehensive peace pact known as the Washington Accords. The agreement, finalized at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, formally brings an end to one of the bloodiest and longest-running regional conflicts on the globe.

During the ceremony, Trump framed the moment as both historic and deeply significant, noting the timing amid the holiday season. “In this holy season we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we have come to the U.S. Institute of Peace, to sign a historic agreement that will end one of the longest-running conflicts anywhere in the world, with far more than ten million people killed,” he said. He continued by declaring, “Today, we commit to stopping decades of violence and bloodshed and to begin a new era of harmony and cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. I want to thank the two courageous leaders. They are courageous leaders.”

Prior to the formal signing, Trump met privately with Tshisekedi and Kagame in the Oval Office. He later described their discussion as focused on the implementation and durability of the deal. “We discussed the importance of upholding this new agreement — very detailed, powerful agreement,” he said.

A host of regional and international dignitaries were present for the ceremony, and Trump offered warm thanks to each. These included Angolan President João Lourenço, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Kenyan President William Ruto, Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbé, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, and senior diplomats from Qatar. He also expressed appreciation to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, adding, “All of these people, every one of them, were indispensable in forging this agreement.”

Trump emphasized that the Washington Accords go far beyond a cessation of fighting. They mandate a “permanent ceasefire, the disarmament of non-state forces, provisions for refugees to return to their homes, and justice and accountability for those who have committed illegal atrocities,” but they also establish a long-term economic partnership. According to Trump, “Very importantly, this agreement also creates a new framework for economic prosperity. There’s tremendous wealth in that beautiful earth… but it was stained badly with blood, tremendous amounts of blood. But in the region that will support a lasting peace.”

He went on to note that the two nations have agreed to integrate their economies more closely. “The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to more closely integrate their economies with each other rather than fighting, and they’ll be doing that,” he said.

Trump added that the United States would soon deepen economic ties with both nations. “We’ll be involved with sending some of our biggest and greatest companies over to the two countries, and we’re going to take out some of the rare earth, and take out some of the assets and pay, and everybody’s going to make a lot of money,” he said.

Following Trump’s remarks, Kagame addressed the audience, offering a pointed tribute to the president’s leadership. “The biggest word of thanks goes to President Donald Trump. No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines, but when the President saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it,” Kagame said. He noted that previous attempts at mediation had repeatedly failed over three decades, but Trump’s style created meaningful traction, explaining that his “forward-looking approach,” “even-handed” posture, and “pragmatic” involvement enabled “breakthroughs.” Kagame also acknowledged Rubio and Boulos for their roles.

Tshisekedi echoed those sentiments, offering his “deep thanks” to Trump and extending gratitude to the administration and the American people. Through a real-time translation, he stated that the Washington Accords “provide to the peoples of the region a new perspective, a new outlook, namely, to finally overcome the cycle of violence, of forced displacements, of mistrust, defiance, in order to begin a new era of friendship, cooperation, and prosperity, all shared together.”

With the signing of the Washington Accords, the Congo–Rwanda conflict — responsible for staggering loss of life and decades of instability — enters a new chapter, anchored by commitments to peace, accountability, regional integration, and economic revival.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Over the last few weeks, as the remaining living hostages returned home after two unbearable years in captivity, something became clearer than ever before. Healing isn’t one emotion or one chapter. It’s a journey made up of contrasts – grief and gratitude, darkness and unexpected moments of light, pain and the quiet reappearance of joy.

Listening to the stories these hostages have begun sharing has shown us how much can coexist at once. We heard how Omer Shem Tov made Kiddush every Friday night from a single bottle of grape juice that somehow never ran out. How Yosef Chaim Ohana and others managed to say Selichos in Elul and fast on Yom Kippur. How Matan Angrest and Gali Berman spent their days reviewing Chumash until they knew it by heart. And when those hostages were finally reunited with their families, the relief was overwhelming – a moment touched by joy, even as the horror that preceded it still lingers.

That mix of truth and emotion is something we see every day at Amudim as well. When someone comes to us facing abuse, addiction, trauma, or a mental health crisis, the beginning is often filled with pain. But that’s never the whole story. Over time, new chapters begin to unfold – chapters where strength appears, where hope starts winning, where the possibility of joy becomes real again. 

We see it in the father in recovery who tells his sponsor he spent two uninterrupted hours playing ball with his son, and didn’t once think about drinking.

We see it in the survivor who walks into our office after years of sorrow and, for the first time in a long time, laughs – really laughs – as their smile fills the room. 

These moments don’t erase what came before. They honor it. They remind us that healing is not the absence of pain – it is the emergence of life on the other side of it. And they remind us of something profound: we’ve become a community that doesn’t only respond to crisis. We build towards hope. We create space for people to rediscover joy. We help rewrite endings. 

This year’s Unite to Heal embraces that truth. It is informative, impactful, and yes – uplifting. It highlights the light that can break through even the hardest chapters, and celebrates the resilience of those who are still writing their own stories. Join the thousands of people who will be taking part in Unite to Heal on December 7th and 8th to support those whose stories are still being written, giving them the opportunity to really start living again, knowing that now more than ever, they are never alone, and that happy endings don’t just happen in storybooks. 

Zvi Gluck is the CEO of Amudim, an organization dedicated to helping abuse victims and those suffering with addiction within the Jewish community and has been heavily involved in crisis intervention and management for the past 24 years. Click HERE for more information.

The administration is moving ahead with plans for a sprawling new White House ballroom, and officials are preparing to deliver the project details to federal planners before the end of the month. Will Scharf, who leads the National Capital Planning Commission, told attendees at Thursday’s meeting that his panel expects to review the proposal soon. “Once plans are submitted, that’s really when the role of this commission, and its professional staff, will begin,” Scharf explained.

The proposed structure — a 90,000-square-foot event hall — would be nearly twice the size of the historic White House itself. President Donald Trump has already described the space as capable of hosting 999 people, a capacity far larger than any current venue on the grounds. The estimated budget for the project has climbed to roughly $300 million, exceeding early cost assessments.

Trump addressed financing questions directly on social media, insisting the massive expansion will not fall on taxpayers. He said the ballroom is being paid for entirely through private contributions from “many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly.”

Federal prosecutors suffered another blow on Thursday after a newly convened grand jury declined to approve fresh mortgage-fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to information confirmed by The NY Post. The development marks the second time authorities have tried — and failed — to advance a criminal case tied to a loan James secured five years ago.

The allegations stemmed from a 2020 transaction in which James, now 67, obtained a substantial loan to purchase a second residence in Norfolk. Interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan previously brought two counts against her in the Eastern District of Virginia, accusing her of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

Those accusations initially resulted in an indictment handed up in Alexandria on Oct. 9. However, the case was abruptly halted on Nov. 24 when US District Judge Cameron Currie dismissed the charges entirely, concluding that Halligan was improperly installed in her role and therefore possessed “no lawful authority” to pursue the prosecution.

Following that ruling, federal prosecutors in Norfolk attempted to revive the matter by presenting a revised version of the case to a new jury on Thursday. Despite empaneling jurors specifically to reexamine the allegations, the panel declined to issue an indictment, a source with knowledge of the proceedings said.

While the jury’s refusal once again leaves the government without a case, prosecutors still have an opening. Under procedural rules tied to Judge Currie’s dismissal, authorities are afforded a six-month window in which they may attempt to refile charges should they choose to try yet again.

{Matzav.com}

The New York Times has taken the Pentagon to court, filing a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to dismantle the restrictive media rules implemented by War Secretary Pete Hegseth — rules that prompted the mass exile of major mainstream outlets from the building. The paper argues that the policy violates constitutional protections for free speech and due process by granting Hegseth unilateral authority to decide which journalists may be barred. Rather than submit to the revised credentialing requirements, organizations such as the Times walked out.

With those outlets gone, the Pentagon briefing room now consists almost entirely of conservative-leaning publications that agreed to Hegseth’s terms, and their reporters were present at a briefing earlier this week led by his press secretary. Charles Stadtlander, speaking for the Times, condemned the policy outright, saying, “The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes.” The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington.

Pentagon officials did not immediately comment when asked about the litigation.

Even without credentials, the barred news organizations have continued covering defense matters. Over the past week, they led reporting that scrutinized Hegseth’s involvement in a series of U.S. strikes on boats allegedly used by drug smugglers — including one in which a second attack followed after survivors were observed.

Still, the Times maintains that exclusion from the Pentagon undermines its ability to operate effectively. The lawsuit argues that the new system chills reporting by allowing Hegseth to remove journalists whose work he disfavors, even if the reporting contains no classified material. Attorneys for the paper also warned that similar restrictions could spread to other agencies if left unchecked.

For its part, the Pentagon insists the guidelines are nothing more than reasonable safeguards aimed at preventing disclosures that might endanger military personnel. At Tuesday’s briefing, press secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed the legacy outlets altogether, saying, “The American people don’t trust these propagandists because they stopped telling the truth. So, we’re not going to beg these old gatekeepers to come back and we’re not rebuilding a broken model just to appease them.”

Several major organizations — including CNN, The Associated Press, and The Washington Post — attempted to join that same briefing and were told access was restricted to credentialed press only. The Times is now using Wilson’s “propagandists” remark as proof that the policy discriminates against journalists because of their viewpoints. That is the same legal theory the AP is using in its separate effort to stop President Donald Trump from excluding its journalists from Oval Office and Air Force One events; that case is ongoing in federal court.

The Times’ attorneys argue that their claim is even stronger because their reporters are barred entirely from the Pentagon, whereas AP staff can still enter the White House — albeit not all events. The suit was brought on behalf of the Times and reporter Julian E. Barnes, naming the War Department, Hegseth, and chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell as defendants.

The Pentagon Press Association responded by praising the challenge, calling it a necessary stand. The group said it was heartened by the Times’ willingness to act, stating that the Defense Department’s efforts to control access and limit what accredited reporters may publish “is antithetical to a free and independent press and prohibited by the First Amendment.”

The Times noted that while it moved forward alone to expedite the case, it welcomes other outlets to join the fight as it continues.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is preparing to head to Pennsylvania in the coming days, with aides saying he intends to spotlight his economic program as the country moves toward the 2026 midterm cycle. A White House spokesperson confirmed the plan to Newsmax, stating, “Can confirm the President will be traveling to PA to discuss how he and the Administration continue to focus on delivering on his Day One priority of ending Joe Biden’s inflation crisis.”

Reports circulating across several media outlets indicate that Tuesday is expected to mark the start of a broader national tour. Those stories come as political opponents and commentators attempt to paint a picture of Trump being distracted by world affairs rather than focusing on household economic burdens.

According to Axios, someone familiar with internal planning suggested that Trump may squeeze in an additional event later this month, with more scheduled after New Year’s. Officials argue that his economic policies are pulling the country out of the downturn they say Joe Biden created, though they acknowledge the administration’s messaging hasn’t yet landed with the force they hoped for.

NBC News quoted a White House official who said the Pennsylvania stop — slated for the northeastern region of the state — reflects an effort to clarify the narrative, even if the underlying policies haven’t changed. The official explained, “It’s more of a narrative thing than it is a substantive thing,” adding, “With the trip coming up here, it’s more to reiterate or underscore, ‘Guys, we’ve been working on this since Day One.’ That’s not changing anytime soon.” The official requested anonymity to offer a frank evaluation of the administration’s strategy.

With inflation shifting slightly from 2.8% to 3% since February based on Consumer Price Index data, Trump has been aggressively challenging Democratic messaging on the cost of living. He has repeatedly dismissed their warnings about affordability as a political stunt. While announcing an end to Biden-era Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules — which mandated a 50-mpg standard by 2031 — Trump declared, “Just about everything is down.”

He went on to argue, “They use the word ‘affordability.’ It is a Democrat hoax,” insisting, “They’re the ones that drove the prices up. … Biden had — because of his stupid ways and between his energy policies and his spending policies — the worst inflation in the history of our country. And now prices are coming down.”

Continuing his critique, Trump said: “Remember, when they use that word ‘affordability,’ they never say anything else. This election is about affordability, and they go on to the next subject.” He labeled the Democrats’ framing “a con job,” stating, “They caused the highest prices in the history of our country, the worst inflation in the history of our country. We are getting those prices down. They are coming down rapidly.”

He assured the public, “You will see those results very soon.”

Axios reported that Biden administration officials have privately conceded that they have failed to ease the financial pressures felt by many families. Those same officials — speaking off the record — suggested Trump’s upcoming Pennsylvania message will serve as an early preview of the more assertive, practical economic agenda he intends to bring back to Washington.

{Matzav.com}

Bibi Netanyahu moved to fill the upcoming vacancy at the helm of the Mossad by announcing that Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, his current military secretary, will become the intelligence agency’s next director. David Barnea, who now heads the Mossad, is scheduled to conclude his five-year term in June 2026. Channel 12 reported that by choosing Gofman — someone outside the Mossad’s senior ranks — Netanyahu sidestepped the contenders recommended by Barnea himself. The decision has already been forwarded to the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments for its required review.

Unlike the stormy process surrounding David Zini’s controversial selection to lead the Shin Bet — a move that triggered weeks of legal battles before Zini finally assumed the post in October — Gofman’s appointment is widely expected to advance without significant hurdles.

Gofman, born in Belarus, immigrated to Israel at age 14 in 1990 and built a career rising through the IDF’s Armored Corps. He eventually became a division commander before transitioning away from combat duties.

According to the prime minister’s office, “Gofman is a highly distinguished officer. His appointment as the prime minister’s military secretary in the midst of the war… proved that he possesses exceptional professional capabilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in the seven arenas of the war.” The PMO added that throughout this period Gofman “maintained continuous coordination with all intelligence and security agencies, especially the Mossad,” and praised his “creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality.”

“The prime minister believes that Maj. Gen. Gofman is the most qualified and suitable candidate to serve as Mossad director and wishes him great success in this important role,” the PMO declared.

Before a cabinet meeting on the budget, Netanyahu highlighted that Gofman cooperated closely with the Mossad during the war and commended his “initiative and willingness to engage.”

The IDF announced that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with Gofman on Thursday to congratulate him for being chosen to take over the Mossad. During their conversation, Zamir “emphasized that cooperation between the organizations is important for the security of the state, and that the IDF will stand behind him and assist as needed in order for him to succeed in his role.”

Gofman’s nearly two years as Netanyahu’s military secretary have brought him into the prime minister’s inner orbit. In that capacity, he traveled abroad for sensitive missions and ensured that Netanyahu’s instructions were carried out within the military framework.

His IDF service began in 1995 in the Armored Corps, where he served as a tank commander in the 188th Brigade. His trajectory later included leading the 75th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, serving as operations officer of the 36th Division, and heading the Etzion Regional Brigade during a tumultuous period marked by repeated terror attacks.

He returned to the Armored Corps in 2017 to command the 7th Brigade. The following year, while speaking before senior commanders, he delivered a now-famous critique: “There is one problem, you’re not deploying us. Over time, a very troubling pattern is developing here, and at its core is avoiding the use of ground forces.”

In 2020, Gofman took charge of the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division along the Syrian frontier. His tenure included a controversial episode in which a teenage Israeli was given sensitive information — with Gofman’s approval — to share anonymously online as part of an unauthorized influence initiative. He has insisted he was unaware of the youth’s age, stressing that he ordered only unclassified material be passed along. The teen, Ori Elmakayes, spent 18 months in detention before charges were dismissed.

By 2022, Gofman was appointed commander of the Tzeelim training base in southern Israel. On October 7, 2023, he rushed toward the Gaza border and was severely wounded while fighting Hamas-led terrorists near Sha’ar Hanegev Junction. Netanyahu later remarked, “He was wounded there, recovered, and has been doing tremendous work for Israel’s security. I am confident that he will continue to do so even more strongly in his next role in the Mossad.” After recuperating, he briefly served as chief of staff within COGAT, the Defense Ministry unit overseeing Israel’s coordination with the Palestinian population.

In 2024, Gofman officially stepped into the role of military secretary to the prime minister. Before beginning that assignment, he authored a classified proposal arguing that Israel should maintain military control over Gaza following a victory over Hamas — a stance the IDF publicly distanced itself from, insisting that “this is an internal and classified document that presents the position of the officer only, and does not represent the official position of the IDF.”

Gofman now becomes the latest senior military figure to assume a major national-security post outside the army, following Zini at the Shin Bet and the appointment of retired police commander Yoram Halevi to run COGAT.

Appointing a general to lead the Mossad is uncommon but not unheard of. Meir Dagan, who rose to major general and served in the military from 1963 to 1996, was named Mossad chief in 2002 and remained in the role until 2011. Danny Yatom, another major general and a former military secretary to the prime minister, assumed leadership of the Mossad immediately after his army career ended and directed the agency until 1998.

{Matzav.com}

A new national survey shows that most Israelis reject the idea of granting Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu a presidential pardon under the conditions he has requested. While the proposal has generated intense debate, the data indicates that more than half of the public is unwilling to support such a move unless there is an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

The poll, carried out for Zman Yisrael — the Hebrew-language branch of The Times of Israel — was produced by Tatika Research and Media together with the Adgenda panel. Respondents were asked directly: “Do you support or oppose Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon without admitting guilt or expressing remorse?” The findings revealed that 53.2% said they oppose it, while 42.4% said they support it.

The survey also explored public attitudes toward the chareidi conscription proposal advanced by MK Boaz Bismuth. Participants were asked whether they favor or oppose the draft legislation he has put forward. According to the results, 53.8% said they oppose the law in any case, 24.8% said they support it in any case, and 13.8% said they would support it only if changes were made.

The poll was conducted between December 3 and 4, 2025 and drew on responses from 500 individuals, both Jewish and Arab. The study reported a margin of error of 4.4%.

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable act of honesty and kiddush Hashem unfolded today in the home of the Raavad of Bnei Brak, Rav Yehuda Silman, after an avreich from the Slabodka Kollel discovered 150,000 shekel in cash hidden inside the wall of the apartment he had just purchased — and returned every cent to the seller, a secular woman who had no idea the money even existed.

The young avreich bought an older apartment in Bnei Brak several weeks ago. The property had originally been purchased years earlier by a woman from Hod HaSharon, though the actual resident for the last period had been her brother, who suffered from health issues and lived there alone.

When the brother passed away, the apartment reverted to the woman’s possession, and she put it up for sale. The avreich purchased it for his young family, never imagining that a halachic dilemma of this magnitude was waiting inside the walls.

During renovations, workers broke through part of an old wall and uncovered a plastic bag stuffed with 150,000 shekel in cash. The discovery immediately raised complex questions: Did the money belong to the deceased brother who had saved it privately? If he had never mentioned it in his will, could it still belong to his heirs? Or was this a case of yei’ush shelo midaas, where the owner unknowingly abandons property and it could legally belong to the finder?

Seeking clarity, the avreich traveled to the home of Rav Yehuda Silman in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood. After reviewing the circumstances, Rav Silman instructed him unequivocally to return the money to the seller, who had been completely unaware that such a sum was hidden in the apartment her brother had occupied.

Determined to fulfill the mitzvah and sanctify Hashem’s name, the avreich arranged a formal maamad hashava in Rav Silman’s home on Thursday afternoon. A small group of his friends attended, along with the woman who had originally sold him the apartment and who suddenly found herself the recipient of an unexpected “inheritance” she never dreamed existed.

One of the attendees related that the woman, who is not religious, was moved to tears when she received the money. Overwhelmed, she kept repeating that she could not believe such integrity existed — that someone would willingly return such a significant amount rather than keep it quietly.

Rav Silman himself was deeply touched by the scene. He called for everyone present to say l’chaim, and he offered heartfelt brachos to the avreich. He blessed him that in the merit of this mitzvah, his home should be filled with abundant blessing, and that he should merit sons and daughters who follow the path of Torah and mitzvos.

What began as a simple renovation became a moment of soaring kiddush Hashem — the kind of story that reminds the world of the beauty and loyalty to halacha that define the Jewish heart.

{Matzav.com}

A chaotic confrontation inside an Israel-controlled section of eastern Rafah ended Thursday with the killing of Yasser Abu Shabab, the head of an Arab militia that had been cooperating with Israeli forces. Defense officials believe simmering tensions within the ranks erupted violently, culminating in the deadly clash.

Investigators say the altercation quickly spiraled as members of Abu Shabab’s own group turned on him, delivering blows that left him fatally injured. Authorities emphasized that “Hamas terrorists were not involved,” distancing the incident from outside interference.

During the melee, his deputy, Rasan a-Dahini, was also hurt. Both men were rushed to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where a-Dahini was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and is reported to have suffered only minor injuries.

Not long after the event, the militia known as the Popular Forces publicly acknowledged its leader’s death. Their statement insisted that “he was hit by gunfire while attempting to resolve a clan dispute,” and firmly rejected claims blaming Hamas, calling those reports “not true.”

The group’s announcement reaffirmed their mission, declaring that “the Popular Forces will continue on the same path until the final elimination of the terrorists in Gaza and the building of a safe future for our peace-seeking people.”

In an interview he once gave to KAN News, Abu Shabab described his fighters as young Gaza residents disconnected from any established faction. “We tasted the bitterness and injustice caused to us by Hamas and took upon ourselves to deal with this aggression,” he said. “We will become a support for our people to remove this injustice.” He added: “We support any legitimate force that adopts the idea of removing injustice and corruption.”

He outlined the group’s commitment to confrontation if necessary, saying, “We have young people and we have an army. We are conducting training in the field. We have undertaken to work for the liberation of the people from injustice and violence. We have strength, and there will be victims and bloodshed. We will pay the price to liberate our people. There is no prohibition against direct confrontation with Hamas and no prohibition against civil war, whatever the cost may be.”

Abu Shabab described the militia as primarily operating in Rafah under the umbrella of full IDF control. “We move easily in Rafah, but there are other areas in the southern Gaza Strip where we move with caution. We entered Khan Yunis, the Nasser Hospital – which was previously held by Hamas – without security in these areas, like the areas under the control of the IDF. We entered these areas and carried out operations beyond the expected.”

He had also asserted that the Popular Forces would assume leadership once Hamas is pushed aside. “Hamas knows and understands this; we will be the heirs in Gaza after the defeat of Hamas.”

When questioned about a Hamas-issued warrant demanding he surrender within ten days, Abu Shabab responded sharply: “Instead of Hamas issuing arrest orders, they should judge those who committed the October 7th massacre. They are the cause of the Palestinian people’s plight, the persecution of civilians, and the killing of the innocent. They should put themselves on trial, not the rest of the people.”

He dismissed Hamas’ threats as empty rhetoric, saying, “As for me, their threats and their slanderous trial did not move me. Hamas is only an illusion, a hot air balloon. Hamas is fighting for its life, it is going for a deal that is the last way to preserve its existence. They are near their end both in morale and material worlds, and I am pursuing them in the material world.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities revealed on Thursday that a suspect has finally been arrested in connection with the pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic and Republican national committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said that a Virginia resident, Brian Cole Jr., had been taken into custody after years of investigative dead ends.

During her press briefing, Bondi explained that Cole is facing serious federal charges. “He’s been charged with violating 18 U.S.C. 844, which is use of an explosive device,” she noted, adding that the operation is unfolding rapidly. “This investigation is ongoing; as we speak, search warrants are being executed, and there could be more charges to come.”

Bondi emphasized how long the case had stagnated. The “cold case languished for four years,” she said, until FBI Director Kash Patel and his team were tasked with reopening it after President Donald Trump entered office. Patel described the shift in direction once the bureau reassessed the file. “We did not discover new information,” Patel stated. “What we did, an investigation spearheaded by the deputy director and the Washington field office, [was] brought in investigators and experts, reexamined every piece of evidence, sifted through all the data — something that the prior administration refused and failed to do. As a result of that, we generated numerous investigative leads, executed multiple legal processes with our U.S. attorney partners, and came to this conclusion today, and that is why we’re able to safely secure this individual into custody.”

Court documents indicate that investigators linked Cole to the crime by following purchases of materials made two years before the attack. Relatives listed in public records were contacted but did not respond, according to The Associated Press.

Neighbors watched as unmarked vehicles filled the cul-de-sac near Cole’s Woodbridge home just hours after his arrest. FBI agents were observed going in and out of the residence and searching a nearby vehicle as law enforcement secured the area.

The explosive devices were planted the night before the Jan. 6 Capitol protest. Thankfully, they were neutralized before anyone was harmed, though the FBI has said both bombs were fully capable of causing lethal damage. Yet for years, authorities had struggled to identify even the most basic details about the masked individual caught on video placing the devices.

Hoping to shake loose new clues, the FBI released additional footage and information last January, including an estimate that the suspect stood about 5 feet, 7 inches tall. The earlier surveillance clips had shown the individual roaming the neighborhood for nearly an hour — sitting briefly on a bench, walking through an alley, and pausing as a passerby with a dog went by. The figure’s attire, consisting of a light sweatshirt, dark pants, and sneakers with a dark backpack, obscured nearly everything about their identity. Although investigators believed the suspect’s gait pointed toward a male, the mask and hood concealed any defining facial features.

Digital data collection became central to the probe. Agents pieced together cellphone information from the vicinity and subpoenaed tech companies — including Google — for location records matching the suspect’s movements. They also dug into credit card histories from various retailers and hobby shops in search of customers who bought items similar to those used in the pipe bombs, which were about a foot long and filled with metal and gunpowder, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the case.

Another track of the investigation centered on the suspect’s footwear: Nike Air Max Speed Turfs. After Nike confirmed that thousands of pairs had been distributed across multiple retail chains, investigators issued subpoenas to major stores such as Foot Locker, attempting to match sales records with suspect profiles.

Despite years of exhaustive review — thousands of video files, hundreds of interviews, and countless tips — investigators had repeatedly run into dead ends. The arrest of Cole marks the first significant breakthrough in a case that had frustrated federal agents and captivated public attention for nearly four years.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials traveled to Cairo on Thursday for urgent discussions aimed at securing the return of the final hostage, the fallen Master Sgt. Ran Gvili. The delegation’s mission followed the directive of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who instructed that every possible step be taken to advance immediate movement on the case.

Leading the group was Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, who was joined by senior representatives from the IDF, Shin Bet, and the Mossad. Their mandate was to engage with mediators and push forward any path that could bring about closure for the Gvili family and for the nation.

By the end of the Cairo meetings, the participating parties reached a shared understanding about the next steps. It was determined that efforts must now be concentrated on “an intensive and immediate effort that will lead to the full completion of the mission regarding the hostages and the missing,” with all sides agreeing to accelerate the process until the goal is achieved.

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A wave of condemnation swept through Los Angeles on Wednesday after a protest outside the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Koreatown escalated into vandalism, arrests, and open displays of virulent anti-Jewish hostility.

The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the confrontation began around 10 a.m., when demonstrators assembled outside the synagogue. Dozens of protesters chanted, “Palestine will live forever,” “stop the occupation,” “baby killers,” “Zionist pigs,” and “scum of the earth.” Officers responding to the scene ultimately detained two individuals — one for battery and another for vandalism.

Mayor Karen Bass sharply criticized what unfolded, labeling the episode “abhorrent and has no place in Los Angeles.” She noted that officials had informed her of the disruption that spilled into the shul itself, writing, “I received reports that individuals interrupted a private event at the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Koreatown, calling attendees anti-semitic names and damaging property inside the temple.” Bass said she reached out directly to the congregation’s leadership: “I spoke with Rabbi Nickerson to ensure he and his congregation know that the City of Los Angeles stands with them and fully condemns these attacks. I am grateful to the LAPD officers who addressed this disturbance. Additional LAPD officers have been deployed to patrol near areas of worship.”

Rabbi Joel Nickerson explained that the temple had been hosting a program “focusing on advancing public safety in Koreatown” when the demonstrators intruded. He expressed appreciation for the swift backing from authorities and public officials, stating, “We appreciate the strong support we have received from elected leaders and law enforcement and look forward to working with them to ensure that those responsible for this hateful and illegal conduct are held accountable.” He reiterated that such behavior threatens every Angeleno: “No one should be targeted in the City of Los Angeles on account of their faith.”

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles likewise issued a forceful denunciation. Spokesperson Aram Goldberg wrote, “We are outraged and condemn this antisemitic behavior in the strongest of terms. There is no place in our community — or anywhere — for antisemitism and hate disguised as dissent.”

As police continue to investigate, city and community leaders are urging stronger protections around houses of worship and a resolute response to rising antisemitic agitation.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a stark warning about the intentions of radical Islamic ideologies during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night. Speaking plainly about the threat landscape facing the United States and the broader Western world, Rubio said the danger remains far greater than many realize.

Rubio explained that extremist movements across the globe share a unified view of America as their ultimate adversary. “All radical Islamic movements in the world identify the West writ large but the United States in particular as the greatest evil on the Earth,” he told Hannity, emphasizing that these groups have long rejected the idea of remaining confined to any one region. “And every chance they have – the notion that somehow radical Islam would be comfortable with simply controlling some province in Iraq or Syria is just not borne out by history. Radical Islam has shown that their desire is not simply to occupy one part of the world and be happy with their own little caliphate; they want to expand. It’s revolutionary in its nature. It seeks to expand and control more territories and more people.”

He continued by underscoring that the ambitions of these groups are not theoretical. “Radical Islam has designs, openly, on the West – on the United States, on Europe….And they are prepared to conduct acts of terrorism – in the case of Iran, nation-state actions, assassinations, murders, you name it. Whatever it takes for them to gain their influence and ultimately their domination of different cultures and societies.”

Rubio described this ideology as not merely a distant concern, but a looming danger directly targeting American interests worldwide and within the country itself. “That’s a clear and imminent threat to the world and to the broader West, but especially to the United States….They hate Israel. But they also hate America, and they hate anywhere in the world that we have influence; they seek to attack it, including here in the homeland. If you look at the attacks that have happened here domestically, the overwhelming majority of them have been inspired by radical Islamic viewpoints.”

The Secretary of State’s comments come as U.S. officials continue to assess ongoing threats from extremist networks abroad and their supporters at home, with Rubio asserting that vigilance must remain high as these groups continue to seek opportunities to strike.

{Matzav.com}

At Maariv tonight, residents of chutz la’aretz begin to say Vesein Tal Umatar during the Shemonah Esrei in the bracha of Boreich Aleinu. Residents of Eretz Yisroel already began saying Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of Cheshvan.

If one became aware after completing the bracha of Mevareich Hashanim that one omitted Vesein Tal Umatar, one should wait to insert it right before “Ki atah shomeiah” in Shema Koleinu.

If one has already completed the bracha of Shomeiah Tefillah, one may insert Vesein Tal Umatar before saying Retzei. If one has already started Retzei, one must return to the bracha of Boreich Aleinu, which is the proper place for Vesein Tal Umatar. If one already completed the Shemonah Esrei and stepped backward, one must repeat the entire Shemonah Esrei (Shulchan Aruch with Mishna Berurah 117:5. See also Bi’ur Halacha).

(It is advisable to repeat 101 times [and at the very least 90 times] “Ve’es kol minei sevu’asah letovah vesein tal umatar” so as to make the inclusion of Vesein Tal Umatar habitual and fluent, thus eliminating any future doubt as to whether one included Vesein Tal Umatar in Shemonah Esrei or not.

Please feel free to print this out and hang it up or distribute it in shuls and yeshivos.

{Matzav.com}