Matzav

Speaking at an event in Toronto, Rav Yaakov Bender, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, NY, delivered a sharp warning about the growing culture of alcohol consumption in frum communities, singling out Friday afternoon toameha gatherings as a dangerous and destructive trend.

Rav Bender opened his remarks with a stark assessment. “The drinking is a shrecklich problem. It’s a terrible, terrible problem. I blame the parents for that. I really do. Very heavily.”

He then shared a tragic example to underscore the consequences. “There was a boy that, I’ll explain to you, a boy was in a car accident, Rachmana litzlan, and he killed somebody, in one of our prominent communities, and he’s looking at jail time of a very, very, very long time. You know where he got it from?”

According to Rav Bender, the boy’s first exposure to drinking came through a toameha group. “He went to a Toameha, I think, in a very chashuva city. Toameha should be stopped.”

Rav Bender then described the gatherings bluntly. “Those who don’t know, Toameha means you get together, seven, eight men get together, and they drink, they buy very fancy— not the women, they’re wonderful. Erev Shabbos, when a wife should be going home to his wife, helping her out, unless the wife doesn’t want you home, you know— helping her out and doing what you got to do, they go to a party, AND they call it Toameha.”

With biting irony, he added: “It’s a mitzva d’oraisa. And they eat kugel and they fress cakes and zachen, and they drink to their hearts content.”

Rav Bender said the fallout reaches the home. “I have mothers who have told me, again, not many, but [some] have told me that the husband comes drunk to the Friday night, to the Friday night Shabbos table. And Toameha is a mitzva? You got to ban it.”

He urged communities to take action. “If you find out that there’s a Toameha in your neighborhood, go and protest against the family. Put up signs. The kids are going to kill a kid afterwards.”

Parents, he said, often complain about their children drinking, without acknowledging the source. “They come to me complaining about, my kid is drinking. I said, Daddy, do you drink? And Daddy says — that means you’re drinking.”

Rav Bender broadened the critique to communal norms. “We have a society, why do we have Kiddush clubs? Kiddush clubs is bad because in the middle of davening. Why should we serve anything at a Kiddush on Shabbos? Why? You want to give beer by a Shalom Zachar? …We have made a society where drinking is chashuv.”

He expressed astonishment at the luxury liquor culture that has become common. “I don’t believe it. I haven’t gone into a liquor store maybe 30, 40 years. I haven’t ever went in also. There’s bottles today that sell for five to ten thousand dollars, and people are buying it.”

He described the status culture surrounding these bottles as hollow. “The gadlus by a Toameha club is the guy who knows he could tell the difference between a $10,000 bottle and a $5,000 bottle. I don’t believe him for a second. He thinks he can tell the difference. And we glorify these things.”

Rav Bender then made a bold proposal. “There should be no kiddushim in shuls, I’m sorry. You’re very quiet. I liked it better when we talked about the kids. So I’m telling you the kids are seeing this.”

He insisted the drinking problem among teenagers is learned behavior. “I’m telling you right now, the kids by us in yeshiva who drink, let’s say on a Friday night sometimes, there are a few, right? On a Friday night or during the Shabbos and they put them together, they’re getting it from home. They’re seeing it by their parents.”

The problem then spreads socially. “Then other kids do it, other kids see it, they also become, yeah, it spreads from kid to kid. I blame the parents.”

Rav Bender emphasized that his criticism was not directed at the host community. “I’m not talking about this shul right now. I think you don’t know, you don’t know me, you do know what you have over here. You have a posek acharon. You have someone I hope should become the posek acharon in this town for all yeshivas. He should be that. Don’t let him get away with it. He should be doing it.”

He then added, “We glorify drinking. I blame it on the parents, I’m sorry.”

Rav Bender described the calls he receives. “Am I wrong? The kids who drink, I have parents who call me, my kid is drinking.”

Often, he said, the problem begins at home. “The mother calls me and her husband gets shikker every week. I can’t tell it to the wife, you know why? I’m causing shalom bayis problems. I’m sure the wife is already screaming at the husband already. That’s why he’s drinking, because she’s screaming at him.”

WATCH:

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The Agudah National Action Summit: Turning Ideas into Action

Join us for two days of meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and impact. Professionals and leaders come together to learn, connect, and take action on Klal Yisroel’s most pressing challenges.

Featuring a slate of distinct professional and communal specialized tracks, the Summit ensures that every participant can gain relevant insights tailored to their area of influence. Tracks will include:

• Rabbanim & Morei Derech
• Emerging Communities
• Special Needs Professionals
• Mental Health Professionals
• Shadchanim
• Kallah Teachers
• Legal Professionals
• Women in Leadership

Click here or see below to view the speaker lineup.

December 1-2

Marriott, Newark Airport

Register at https://www.agudahaction.com/

For more information email actionsummit@agudah.org, or call 212-363-8941.

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Otzma Yehudit set off intense debate on Tuesday after sharing the outline of its proposed death penalty legislation for terrorists in the National Security Committee’s WhatsApp group. The circulated draft lays out the party’s vision in stark, uncompromising terms.

The document explains that the penalty would be applied solely in cases where a Jew is murdered because they are Jewish. It mandates that a simple majority be sufficient to impose the sentence, that no appeal be permitted, and that lethal injection be the method of execution. The responsibility for carrying out the penalty would fall to the Prison Service, and the execution would have to occur within 90 days.

Interestingly, the plan has not only gained traction among coalition partners but has also found backing from Yisrael Beiteinu, broadening its political reach.

According to the draft, the measure is framed as a deterrent “that looks to the future based on past (negative) experience,” insisting that such a law must be practical and fully enforceable, not merely a declarative statement.

As written, anyone who murders a Jew for being Jewish — whether by orchestrating, attempting, or committing the act — would automatically be sentenced to death. The legislation would remove judicial discretion entirely, prohibit appeals regarding the nature of the punishment, and bar plea agreements or pardons, consistent with existing legal limitations. To eliminate procedural delays, the proposal requires that executions take place within 90 days of a verdict becoming final. Lethal injection would be codified as the official method, with statutory adjustments to accommodate it.

Nonetheless, legal analysts warn that the bill, if advanced in its current structure, would likely encounter serious constitutional and procedural hurdles in the High Court, raising doubts about its ultimate viability.

{Matzav.com}

No GOP senator stepped in to derail a procedural move that would have forced an immediate vote on compelling the release of Jeffrey Epstein–related files.

Within hours of the House’s overwhelming approval of the resolution, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., followed through on his promise to push it forward, bringing the matter to the Senate floor.

Schumer insisted there was no reason for the chamber to stall, declaring that the Senate “should pass this bill as soon as possible, as written and without a hint of delay.”

He warned Republicans not to meddle with the language, saying, “Republicans must not try to change this bill or bury it in committee, or slow walk it in any way. Any amendment to this bill would force it back to the House and risk further delay. Who knows what would happen over there?”

Once the House formally sends the measure across the Capitol, it will head directly to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The resolution, authored by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., mandates that the Department of Justice publish every unclassified file, memo, communication, and investigatory document connected to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of enactment, making them “publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format.”

Unlike the House — where the push for disclosure upended schedules and even triggered a temporary recess earlier this year under House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. — the Senate has been far less volatile as the issue has moved forward.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted that Republicans were already evaluating the bill through the hotline process, the internal mechanism for vetting legislation before it reaches the floor. If it passed that stage, he said, the expectation was to bring it forward before lawmakers adjourn for the Thanksgiving break.

“We’ll see what the Democrats have to say,” Thune remarked. “But it’s the kind of thing, probably, that could perhaps move by unanimous consent.”

In the end, the measure advanced without needing a roll-call vote.

The landscape shifted considerably once President Donald Trump — who had spent months blasting efforts to force open the Epstein archives — unexpectedly embraced the Massie-Khanna proposal over the weekend.

He condemned the push as a “Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party.”

He added on Truth Social, “Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive and, if the Democrats had anything, they would have released it before our Landslide Election Victory.”

Many Senate Republicans have long said they are open to making more information public but stress that victims must not be exposed in the process. House Speaker Johnson has urged lawmakers to add protections ensuring that identifying details remain shielded.

But Senate leadership signaled that such revisions are unlikely.

“I think when a bill comes out of the House 427 to one, and the president said he’d sign it, I’m not sure that amending it is in the cards,” Thune said.

Israeli airstrikes hit a Hamas training compound in the Ein al-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon on Tuesday evening, in what Lebanese outlets described as an unusually deep strike into the area. Minutes after the initial reports surfaced, the IDF confirmed that its aircraft had targeted terrorists operating at the site.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that fifteen people were killed and many more wounded. Hamas, however, issued a denial, claiming in an official statement that “it was a soccer field where children were playing at the time of the strike.”

Lebanese media reported heavy Hamas security around the area inside the Ein al-Hilweh camp following the attack, as operatives worked to keep civilians away. One unverified report from Lebanon said more than twenty individuals were inside the targeted building and that the facility had been used for gatherings of senior Hamas figures.

According to additional Lebanese media coverage, the strike was aimed at a group that had just exited the Khaled Ibn al-Walid Mosque in the camp and was preparing to board vehicles parked nearby when the attack occurred.

In its formal statement, the IDF said the Air Force had struck terrorists operating “in a military compound used by the terror organization’s operatives for training and instruction to plan and execute terror routes against IDF forces and the State of Israel.” The spokesman added that precautionary steps were taken ahead of the strike “to reduce the chance of harming civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence.”

The IDF stressed that it is acting consistently against Hamas’s foothold in Lebanon and “will continue to act forcefully against terrorists of the Hamas terror organization wherever they operate.”

Military correspondents in Israel added further context. Yossi Yehoshua reported that dozens of Hamas members—mostly lower-level operatives—had gathered at the compound and were involved in preparations for future terror attacks. Intelligence assessments indicated that the site served as a coordination hub for local Hamas cells in Lebanon.

Journalist Itay Blumental noted that the IDF had been planning to strike the compound for some time, but only on Tuesday did the operational conditions align. Once surveillance confirmed the presence of numerous terrorists, a fighter jet carried out the strike. According to early assessments, those killed were relatively low-ranking operatives.

This was the fourth Israeli strike in Lebanon on Tuesday. Around 16:50, Lebanese media reported a drone strike in the village of Blida in the south. Earlier, at about 10:00, another UAV strike was reported on a vehicle in Bint Jbeil. In the morning hours, a drone reportedly targeted an excavator in Blida as well, marking a full day of ongoing military activity in southern Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}

In a landmark moment for Orthodox Jewish representation in American politics, Michelle Weiss clinched the mayoralty of University Heights, Ohio, setting a national first as an orthodox Jewish woman elected to lead a U.S. municipality.

Weiss, who has spent years cultivating a reputation as a pragmatic Republican voice in a predominantly Democratic suburb of Cleveland, centered her bid on cooperation over partisanship. Her message of unity, coupled with her long record of public service, helped her secure the community’s confidence.

With 15 years on the city council and six more as deputy mayor, Weiss entered the race as a familiar and steady presence in local government. Her election stands out not only for its political significance but for breaking new ground—no other orthodox Jewish woman is known to have held a comparable mayoral role in the United States.

At the outset of her campaign, she spoke of her deep bond with the city. “I love University Heights – my husband and I raised our children here and now watch our grandchildren grow,” she said. “I feel a debt of gratitude to the city and a commitment to make a difference.”

Her platform highlighted her reputation as someone ready to “reach across the aisle” to build consensus. Throughout the campaign, she emphasized strengthening infrastructure, promoting commercial growth, and safeguarding the needs of longtime residents. Weiss is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2026.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking to attendees at the Tikva Jewish Leadership Conference, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz offered a rare glimpse into the strategic thinking guiding Washington’s expectations for how the Gaza conflict must ultimately conclude, Channel 12 News reported.

Waltz described the administration’s view of the crossroads bluntly. “Here are the choices: it was either Hamas, or it was the IDF in perpetuity (in the Gaza Strip). And if it was the IDF in perpetuity, then frankly I don’t think we had a way of expanding the Abraham Accords, which is the number one objective of this administration.”

His comments underscored a central tension in US policy: while Hamas remaining in control of Gaza is wholly unacceptable, the White House is equally unwilling to endorse a long-term Israeli military and civil presence there. A sustained IDF role, he stressed, would directly interfere with the administration’s diplomatic ambitions—particularly its push to broaden the Abraham Accords.

Waltz went on to credit the architects of the original regional breakthroughs, saying, “You don’t get that unless you have President Trump, his team – Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Marco Rubio and people in there fighting the good fight,” pointing to the individuals he believes laid the groundwork for any further regional realignments.

{Matzav.com}

A Brooklyn court case that has shaken an entire community took another dramatic turn when Miriam Yarimi accepted a plea agreement that sharply reduced her potential prison time. Judge Danny Chen approved the deal, granting a sentence of three to nine years after Yarimi pleaded guilty to manslaughter, according to court filings.

Prosecutors, who had pressed for a far steeper penalty, are preparing a detailed submission ahead of her Wednesday sentencing. They intend to outline why they believe Yarimi’s punishment should be closer to the 15-year maximum they originally requested.

The tragedy unfolded in March, when Yarimi’s Audi A4 hurtled down Ocean Parkway and smashed into an Uber before spiraling toward Natasha Saada and her four young children. Two of the children, Diana, 7, and Deborah, 5, were killed instantly, while 4-year-old Philip suffered devastating injuries.

“The lives of Natasha Saada and her young daughters were stolen by the callous choices of a chronically reckless driver on Ocean Parkway,” said Eric Gonzalez, district attorney for Brooklyn. “Though the proposed sentence falls short of the maximum we sought, it will still send a clear message that reckless driving that ends in tragedy will be met with serious penalties.”

The wreck rattled south Brooklyn’s Jewish community, where residents had long voiced fears about speeding along Ocean Parkway but say this disaster underscored how quickly disaster can strike.

Yarimi, known for her work as a wigmaker and even advertising it with the vanity plate “WIGM8KER,” had no valid license at the time of the crash. She had amassed an astonishing 93 traffic violations, among them 20 speeding offenses that together brought more than $10,000 in fines, records indicate.

Her behavior in the moments after the collision added another disturbing layer. First responders reported that Yarimi made erratic and alarming remarks, insisting she was “possessed” and “had the devil in me,” according to sources. A criminal complaint states she told officers, “The devil’s in my eyes. I’m haunted inside. I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t hurt anyone. Prove it. Show me proof.”

{Matzav.com}

The office of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas issued a fierce denunciation on Monday night, insisting that Israel bear full accountability for what it characterized as a direct provocation by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The uproar followed Ben-Gvir’s declaration that Abbas should be arrested and that senior PA figures should be assassinated if the United Nations advances recognition of a Palestinian state.

In its announcement, the PA leadership said it viewed Ben-Gvir’s remarks as nothing less than an open call to harm Abbas and other senior officials. The statement blasted what it described as “dangerous incitement” and argued that such rhetoric fuels violence, emboldens would-be attackers, and encourages Israeli civilians to target Palestinian Arabs, their communities, and their sacred sites.

The PA Chairman’s Office urged Washington and the broader international community to intervene, asserting that global pressure is needed to halt what it labeled a reckless escalation from the Israeli government. According to the statement, this kind of language only ratchets up instability, fans hostility on the ground, and drags the region further from any realistic attempt to restore negotiations.

Ben-Gvir ignited the controversy during the opening of his Otzma Yehudit faction meeting on Monday, where he took aim at a UN Security Council proposal that includes the phrase “a path to a Palestinian state.” He claimed the concept keeps resurfacing in different formats and is once again being pushed forward.

Linking diplomatic advocates of statehood to terrorism, Ben-Gvir argued that those promoting such political moves are the very same players who support violence. He dismissed the notion of Palestinian nationhood as a project for a “fabricated people,” asserting that its champions hope to erect it “upon the ruins of the State of Israel.” He also tied the idea to the October 7th attackers, accused its supporters of paying stipends to terrorists, and claimed that those who deny the Holocaust share the same objective of establishing a Palestinian state.

Ben-Gvir then pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take decisive steps against the Palestinian Authority. He declared that Abbas “and his terrorist associates” should not be shielded from consequences. If the UN proceeds with recognition, Ben-Gvir insisted Israel must respond with targeted action against top PA leaders and order Abbas’ arrest, suggesting that a prison cell in Ktzi’ot Prison is already waiting for him.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia’s leadership signaled a massive expansion of its financial footprint in the United States, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman telling President Donald Trump that the kingdom will boost its expected investments from $600 billion to about $1 trillion. The dramatic increase reflects strong confidence in the direction of the U.S. economy and Trump’s aggressive focus on economic growth.

Their conversation at the White House on Tuesday began with Trump applauding the already-announced $600 billion commitment. But he wasted no time in urging the crown prince to go even further. “Because he’s my friend, he might make it a trillion, but I’m gonna have to work on him,” Trump said.

Mohammed bin Salman did not hesitate to meet the challenge. He told Trump that Saudi Arabia would raise its investment target to $1 trillion, a pledge he then restated publicly. According to Al Jazeera, the crown prince affirmed that the previously unveiled $600 billion plan “will increase to $1 trillion.”

Trump, prodding him to confirm the leap, asked: “You’re telling me now the $600 billion will be $1 trillion?” The crown prince answered plainly: “Definitely.”

Al Jazeera also highlighted a social-media message quoting the crown prince: “We will announce an increase in our investments in the United States to reach approximately one trillion dollars.”

The original initiative called for hundreds of billions to flow into American energy ventures, infrastructure projects, security cooperation, and technology partnerships over a four-year span. Some of that funding is already translating into major agreements—from multibillion-dollar weapons purchases to advanced AI-related deals as Saudi-aligned firms partner with chipmakers and cloud providers to construct data centers and artificial-intelligence hubs.

The exchange underscored Trump’s signature approach to global diplomacy, one that pairs political alliances with demands for tangible economic rewards inside the United States.

Saudi advisers have maintained that the enormous spending reflects their confidence in Trump’s tax and regulatory reforms, predicting they will unlock substantial opportunities for both the kingdom’s sovereign wealth entities and private-sector investors.

For the crown prince, the move fits neatly into his Vision 2030 blueprint, which seeks to broaden Saudi Arabia’s economic base beyond oil. Yet the bulk of this expanded investment is expected to pour into U.S. production facilities, energy infrastructure, construction, and frontier technology.

Uncertainties remain about the timeline for deploying a full trillion dollars and about how much of the total will come from public versus private Saudi sources.

Still, the understanding forged between Trump and Mohammed bin Salman points to a potentially transformative chapter in the relationship between Washington and Riyadh.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is pressing ahead with his broad restructuring of Israel’s media landscape, and his latest move targets the radio sector. According to a report in Yisrael Hayom, the minister’s office will today publish the draft of a new Broadcasting Reform Law that would reshape how radio stations operate in Israel.

Under the proposal, regional commercial radio stations—currently limited to specific geographic zones—would be allowed to broadcast nationwide, pending approval from the relevant regulatory authorities. The goal, officials say, is to modernize a system that has remained largely unchanged for decades.

The Attorney General’s office, however, has voiced strong objections to Karhi’s plan. Legal officials argue that the changes to the radio market, along with Karhi’s wider television and news-broadcast reforms, would “harm the reliability of the news.” The opposition tracks the same criticism directed at Karhi’s other media restructuring efforts.

If the legislation advances, several stations stand to gain from the expanded coverage, including Radio Tel Aviv, Galei Yisrael, Radio Darom, and others. Major beneficiaries would also include media magnates such as Eli Azur, owner of Radio 103, and Yitzchak Mirilashvili, owner of Channel 14 and of Radio Kol Chai.

The political maneuvering surrounding the reform continues within the coalition. Just days ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Minister Karhi and Coalition Chair MK Ofir Katz to address ongoing Likud infighting over who will control deliberations on the new media laws.

According to Kan News, Netanyahu—seeking to avoid a confrontation with MK David Bitan—told Karhi he has not yet decided whether the legislation will be handled by Bitan’s Economic Affairs Committee or by a new committee that would be under Karhi’s influence. Netanyahu reportedly said he needs several more days before determining whether to establish a special committee dedicated to the Broadcasting Law, a move that would bypass the Knesset’s legal advisers and proceed despite Bitan’s objections.

Last week, the Knesset plenum approved Karhi’s Communications Law in its first reading, with the chareidi parties voting in favor. Their support, sources said, stemmed from hakaras hatov for Karhi’s role in passing the komah k’sherah (kosher cell-phone) legislation, as well as part of a broader coalition understanding that included the advancement of the Rabbinical Courts Law shortly before the communications bill was brought to a vote.

If Karhi succeeds in advancing this next stage of the reform, audiences across Israel may soon be able to tune in to stations that until now were strictly local—including popular chareidi radio outlets—on a nationwide scale.

{Matzav.com}

Police have launched an investigation after anonymous individuals threatened to murder Rav Zevadia Cohen if he does not step back from his candidacy for chief rabbi of Tel Aviv.

According to a report by Kan News on Tuesday, officers arrived at the rav’s home in recent days to collect surveillance footage from the surrounding area. This morning, police also conducted a search of his vehicle. The threats allegedly warned that harm would come to him unless he immediately removed his name from consideration for the Tel Aviv rabbanus.

The incident comes just a week after it was reported that Shas is working to advance Rav Cohen’s appointment as the city’s next chief rabbi. That effort has faced resistance from within the Tel Aviv municipality, led by Mayor Ron Huldai, who is said to oppose the move—particularly due to the fact that Rav Cohen did not serve in the IDF.

A recent City Council meeting brought the tensions into public view. Protocols published in Yisrael Hayom, via journalist Yotam Dashe, revealed a heated exchange over the vote to approve representatives to the committee that will ultimately select the new chief rabbi.

During the debate, Huldai sharply criticized the initiative, telling council members that the proposed appointment does not serve the interests of the residents. “We’re talking about a free city. A city that is home to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or worldview. There is no room for religious coercion—not in this city,” he said. “The municipality has no intention of funding a position whose necessity in our day is questionable. We need to invest in education, welfare, transportation—not in politically motivated jobs.”

His comments prompted an immediate outcry from members of Shas and the Jewish Home, who accused the mayor of disrespecting tradition and disregarding the needs of religious residents. “Tel Aviv deserves a chief rabbi just like any other city. The rabbinate does not belong only to the chareidi public; it must serve everyone,” one representative said.

Another council member added that if a rabbi is ultimately chosen, he must be someone who reflects the broader Israeli experience. “If Tel Aviv is going to have a chief rabbi, he needs to be someone who understands Israeli society—who served in it and is part of it. In a city like ours, a rabbi who didn’t serve in the army cannot represent the public. This is an issue of values, not of religion.”

Police say the investigation into the threats against Rav Cohen is ongoing.

{Matzav.com}

The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, delivered a fierce denunciation of the proposed draft legislation during a special reception held in his honor at the headquarters of the Badatz of the Eida Hachareidis in Yerushalayim on Monday night.

Addressing the looming conscription law—commonly referred to as the Bismuth draft plan—the Rebbe warned that the legislation represents a spiritual threat of the highest order. He told those assembled that he traveled to Israel specifically to stand alongside “the warriors of Hashem” who are fighting against what he described as a disastrous decree.

The Rebbe emphasized that the Torah promises, “ki lo sishachach mi’pi zaro,” insisting that any attempt to enforce mandatory military enlistment on the chareidi public is nothing short of an effort to secularize religious Jews. “All those who impose the draft decree intend only to make the chareidim abandon their faith,” he said. “There are people who are prepared to vote for a law that would send half of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel into the army, which is shmad. Anyone who votes for the law is voting to uproot the religion, which is yehareg v’al ya’avor.”

He cautioned that the real danger comes not only from outspoken supporters of the law, but from those within the community who are willing to compromise. According to the Rebbe, such concessions pave the way for spiritual devastation.

The Rebbe also repeated a story he has shared many times over the years, something he heard from his uncle around seventy years ago. His uncle predicted that the day would come when a draft decree would be imposed in Eretz Yisroel and that no chareidi Jew would be able to live under such a “government of destruction.” “That day has arrived,” the Rebbe declared.

After the gathering at the Badatz offices, the Rebbe participated in a reception for the Satmar community in Yerushalayim, held in a large tent on Dorash Tov Street. The event also featured the completion of a new Sefer Torah, written in memory of two Sifrei Torah that were destroyed in a devastating fire two years ago in the Yona Street beis medrash. Following the final letters, the Rebbe lifted the newly completed Torah, and Rav Meir Hirsch, CEO of the Satmar institutions in Kiryas Yoel, was honored with rolling the Sefer Torah.

הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני

הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני

הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני הרבי מסאטמר בישראלצילום: א. אייזנבאך ודוד ארזני {Matzav.com}

The House voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to compel the Department of Justice to disclose its investigative records on Jeffrey Epstein, passing the measure in a 425–1 landslide. The effort drew broad bipartisan support even as some lawmakers raised warnings about the structure of the bill.

During a press conference earlier in the day, House Speaker Mike Johnson made clear that he would support the measure, saying, “I’m gonna vote to move this forward,” though he did not hide his objections, calling the legislation “recklessly flawed.” He added that the House GOP was prepared to back it for the sake of transparency while still insisting on major corrections, explaining, “I think it could be close to a unanimous vote because everybody here, all the Republicans, want to go on record to show for maximum transparency. But they also want to know that we’re demanding that this stuff get corrected before it has ever moved through the process and is complete.”

The legislative push was driven by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who have been pressing for the release of the Epstein documents for months. Their campaign reached a turning point when a majority of the House signed a discharge petition last week, forcing the issue onto the floor over leadership objections.

Freshman Democrat Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona provided the crucial 218th signature that finalized the petition. Her signature had been delayed while her swearing-in was stalled during the government shutdown, leading Democrats to accuse Johnson of intentionally slowing the process. Johnson rejected those allegations, insisting that her oath would not take place until the government reopened and that he intended to bring the vote anyway.

With the House now finished, the legislation heads to the Senate. Johnson told reporters he has already spoken to Senate Majority Leader John Thune in the hopes that senators will tighten the bill’s language. He recounted the conversation, saying, “I called my counterpart in the Senate, Leader Thune, and I talked him through this with him and shared our deep concerns, and of course, they share those concerns as well. And so I’m very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate – which it’s no certainty that that will be – that they will take the time methodically to do what we’ve not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure that these protections are there.”

At the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump expressed full support for making the documents public if the bill reaches him. He said he is “all for it,” adding, “We’ll give them everything. Sure. I would let them, let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it,” before cautioning reporters, “But don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want to take it away from us.”

Under the proposal, the Justice Department would be required to publish the Epstein investigative materials within 30 days, shielding the identities of victims through redaction.

{Matzav.com}

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ignited an immediate political and legal firestorm on Tuesday by declaring both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations to be foreign terrorist organizations as well as transnational criminal organizations.

According to the governor’s office, the action gives Texas law-enforcement agencies sweeping authority to escalate monitoring, investigations, and other enforcement measures. Officials said the designation blocks the two groups and any affiliated entities from acquiring land anywhere in the state and opens the door to further legal steps.

In announcing the order, Abbott accused the organizations of pursuing extremist aims, asserting that they “have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Shariah law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world.'” He insisted that their attempts to “subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment are unacceptable.”

CAIR pushed back sharply, telling the Houston Chronicle that it is weighing possible legal action and dismissing the governor’s move as a “publicity stunt” driven by election-year politics. The group condemned the order in strong terms, saying, “By defaming a prominent American Muslim institution with debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes, Mr. Abbott has once again shown that his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas.”

Civil-rights advocates noted that while certain offshoots of the Muslim Brotherhood — including Hamas — are designated by the federal government, neither the larger Muslim Brotherhood movement nor CAIR has been labeled a terrorist group at the national level, the Chronicle reported.

Supporters of Abbott’s move argue that it confronts what they describe as increasing risks from hostile foreign networks seeking influence inside the United States. They maintain the step is overdue and necessary to protect state security.

Opponents counter that the order undermines religious liberty and endangers Muslim communities across Texas. Earlier this year, CAIR accused Abbott of fueling hostility toward Muslims by referencing supposed “Shariah cities” and housing projects, saying that such rhetoric has intensified anti-Muslim sentiment statewide.

How this new designation will interact with federal classifications — or withstand judicial scrutiny — remains uncertain. Legal experts point out that states rarely attempt to label foreign terrorist organizations on their own, raising questions about enforceability and the likelihood of significant constitutional challenges ahead.

{Matzav.com}

Details of the terror attack at the Gush Etzion Junction has now been cleared for release, confirming that 65-year-old Aharon Cohen of Kiryat Arba was killed in the brutal stabbing and ramming assault. A respected and familiar presence in his community for decades, he leaves behind six children and grandchildren. His levayah is scheduled to depart at 21:00 from the eulogy hall in Industrial Zone A.

As word spread, the Municipality of Kiryat Arba-Hebron issued an emotional statement expressing the pain felt throughout the city: “The Kiryat Arba-Hebron community bows its head and shares in the grief of the Cohen family following the murder by evildoers of Aharon Cohen, may God avenge his blood, a resident of Kiryat Arba-Hebron and one of the city’s longtime members. On behalf of all the residents, we send our sincerest condolences to the dear family and embrace them warmly in this difficult hour.”

The casualties extended beyond the fatality. A woman in her 40s suffered severe injuries, while a man in his 30s and a 15-year-old boy were moderately hurt. Emergency teams transported the victims to Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem. Security forces confirmed that the two attackers—both from the nearby Palestinian town of Beit Ummar—were neutralized at the scene.

Investigators say the assault began when the terrorists attempted to ram pedestrians at the busy junction. After crashing, they emerged with knives and continued their attack on bystanders. Armed civilians, along with reservists from the IDF’s 7491 Battalion, responded quickly and shot the assailants. A subsequent search of their vehicle uncovered several pipe bombs, according to the IDF.

In the wake of the attack, Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal linked the violence to international developments, sharply criticizing the UN Security Council resolution supported by Washington. “Once again, terror raises its head—less than 24 hours after the UN passed a resolution intended to eventually legitimize a Palestinian state, which would benefit those seeking to destroy us. It is time to act against terror in Judea and Samaria just as we have done in Gaza,” he said.

The Yesha Council delivered a similarly stark warning, arguing that the government’s hesitation on applying sovereignty has emboldened extremists. “When the State of Israel silently allows a ‘pathway to a Palestinian state,’ terror resurfaces. We have said all along: it is either sovereignty or a Palestinian state. The Israeli government avoided sovereignty, and we now face winds filling the sails of a terror state in the heart of our land. We call on the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Boaz Bismuth, to immediately advance the sovereignty bill that passed its preliminary reading and must now be urgently promoted in his committee.”

Responding from abroad, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the assault and voiced solidarity with Israel. “Terrorists murdered an innocent man – may his memory be a blessing – and injured several others in a vicious attack near Gush Etzion Junction today. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and fully condemn these cowardly acts of savage violence. Janet and I pray for the victims and their families.”

The attack has deepened grief across the region and reignited debate over security, diplomacy, and sovereignty—questions that now intensify in the shadow of yet another act of terror.

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stepped into the White House on Tuesday for a high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump, a conversation framed by shifting alliances and a major new weapons agreement.

The sit-down came just 24 hours after Trump publicly confirmed that the United States would move ahead with Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase advanced F-35 stealth jets—an approval that immediately reverberated across the region.

Before the meeting, Trump addressed reporters and offered sweeping praise for the crown prince, commending his record on “human rights” and saying he is “very proud” of the changes bin Salman has overseen.

Pressed by an ABC correspondent about the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trump pushed back at criticism. He argued that Khashoggi was “extremely controversial” and insisted that the crown prince “knew nothing about it.”

The same reporter later asked bin Salman about the role of Saudi citizens in the September 11 attacks. The crown prince responded by explaining that one of Osama bin Laden’s objectives was to damage ties between Washington and Riyadh.

During the broader media exchange, Trump pivoted to the Israeli-Palestinian arena, declaring that “the Palestinians like me” and claiming they are “doing very well.” He added that U.S. policy in the region is leaving Israelis and Palestinian Arabs “Very happy.”

When questioned about whether the F-35s bound for Riyadh would match the capabilities of Israel’s fleet, Trump replied, “I think they will be pretty similar, yeah.”

He went on to emphasize the importance of both nations, saying Saudi Arabia “is a great ally, and Israel is a great ally.” Trump noted that Israelis would prefer Saudi Arabia receive jets “of reduced caliber,” adding, “I don’t think that makes you too happy.”

Still, Trump said he believes that both Israel and Saudi Arabia “are at a level where they should get top-of-the-line” aircraft and insisted that “Israel is aware and they’re going to be very happy” with the arrangement.

During the conversation, bin Salman made clear that Riyadh is seeking a diplomatic breakthrough of its own: “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path for the Two State Solution.”

Trump offered his own assessment of the crown prince’s intentions, noting that he believes bin Salman has a “very good feeling” about advancing the Abraham Accords.

{Matzav.com}

Financial planners are urging Americans to take immediate steps before December 31 to prepare for major tax code changes that will take effect in 2026. “Taking action before the end of this year can be a huge benefit to your financial health in 2026,” said Dan Snyder, director of financial planning at the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). “There have been many changes in the tax and financial planning space this year and now is the time to educate yourself and make changes that can affect your tax bill before April 15, 2026.”

One of the most notable changes announced by the Trump administration is the discontinuation of IRS Direct File, the free electronic filing system created under Joe Biden. Officials confirmed earlier this month that the program will not return next year, arguing that private companies can better handle online tax services. Treasury Secretary and IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent explained at the White House, “It wasn’t used very much. And we think that the private sector can do a better job.” He added that there are “better alternatives” available.

The Direct File platform, despite its limited reach, had grown in popularity among taxpayers who praised its simplicity and cost-free approach. The Center for Taxpayer Rights obtained an internal report showing that 296,531 taxpayers successfully submitted returns for the 2025 filing season — more than double the 140,803 accepted through the system in 2024. The findings suggest that interest in a government-run filing option was increasing before its cancellation.

Republican lawmakers long criticized the initiative as an unnecessary government expense, arguing that free filing tools already exist, even if they are complicated to use. The private tax-preparation industry, which earns billions annually from software fees, also opposed the program’s expansion, lobbying heavily against it throughout Biden’s term.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has introduced sweeping new provisions under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation raises the standard deduction and adds a $6,000 bonus deduction for qualifying seniors, offering substantial relief for older taxpayers. However, it also reshapes the rules for charitable donations and itemized deductions, meaning many filers will need to reexamine their strategies before the year closes.

Snyder and the AICPA are advising filers to consider “bunching” — combining multiple years of charitable or medical expenses into one tax year — to determine if itemizing might yield greater savings than taking the standard deduction. According to the Tax Foundation, roughly 86 percent of taxpayers are expected to claim the standard deduction in 2026, which could make timing especially important.

Charitable giving will also face new restrictions. Beginning in 2026, taxpayers can take an above-the-line deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for joint filers, even if they don’t itemize. Higher-income earners who do itemize will encounter new limits, including a requirement that only donations exceeding 0.5% of their adjusted gross income can be deducted. For many donors, making contributions before December 31 could help them avoid the stricter rules.

Another new provision allows Americans who purchased U.S.-assembled cars to deduct up to $10,000 in interest from their auto loans, though that benefit phases out for individuals earning above $100,000 or couples earning more than $200,000.

As the landscape grows more complex, Snyder cautioned that professional guidance is critical: “Taxpayers should work with a CPA or CPA personal financial specialist as soon as possible to craft a tax and personal finance strategy for 2026.”

{Matzav.com}

A violent neo-Nazi from the country of Georgia, who called himself “Commander Butcher,” has confessed to planning a horrifying terror campaign targeting Jews and other minorities in New York City.

Twenty-three-year-old Michail Chkhikvishvili admitted guilt to federal hate crime charges after he sent detailed instructions for producing bombs and the deadly poison ricin, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Investigators revealed that Chkhikvishvili’s plan included distributing poisoned candy to children at Jewish schools in Brooklyn, alongside other acts of violence aimed at minority groups.

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg condemned the acts in the strongest terms, saying, “Chkhikvishvili’s monstrous plots and propaganda calling for racially motivated violence against civilians, including children, posed a grave threat to public safety.”

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi credited the swift and coordinated response of law enforcement with preventing tragedy, noting that their efforts had “saved untold lives.”

Known by several aliases—including “Mishka,” “Michael,” and “Butcher”—Chkhikvishvili was a key figure in the Maniac Murder Cult (MKY), a global neo-Nazi network that advocates brutal violence against Jews and others. The group, prosecutors said, operates primarily in Russia and Ukraine but maintains followers in the United States and elsewhere.

Authorities uncovered a manifesto authored by Chkhikvishvili titled the Hater’s Handbook. The document glorified murder, promoted “ethnic cleansing,” and urged adherents to record violent acts, including school shootings and suicide bombings. In it, Chkhikvishvili claimed he had “murdered for the white race.”

The extremist traveled from his home in Tbilisi, Georgia, to Brooklyn in June 2022, where he stayed with his grandmother. During his time in New York, he boasted of committing hate crimes.

By that summer, he began using encrypted messaging apps to recruit and direct others to carry out attacks for MKY. He shared footage of assaults and provided materials on making explosives and biological weapons, urging participants to seek recruits with military or chemical expertise.

One of the people he contacted was, in fact, an undercover FBI agent posing as a potential recruit. In conversations with the agent, Chkhikvishvili proposed a large-scale New Year’s Eve attack in New York City in which someone dressed as Santa Claus would distribute poisoned candy to minorities.

He instructed the agent to strike specifically at Jewish schools, saying, “Jews are literally everywhere” in Brooklyn and suggesting that “some Jewish holiday” would provide the ideal time to target “Jewish schools full of kids.” He then added chillingly, “Dead Jewish kids.”

In messages with another extremist from the Feuerkrieg Division (FKD), Chkhikvishvili bragged, “Mky is only group so far that done so many kills,” claiming to have attacked and attempted to murder a Jewish victim in Brooklyn.

Members of New York’s Joint Terrorism Task Force later discovered that Chkhikvishvili had once been employed at a rehabilitation center in Brooklyn and had worked for an Orthodox Jewish family, caring for one of their relatives.

Prosecutors said he sent the FBI’s undercover agent detailed instructions for creating chemical weapons, along with video manuals urging the filming of violent acts. He even borrowed tactics from radical Islamist groups such as ISIS, praising jihadist ideology while blending it with neo-Nazi extremism.

Chkhikvishvili was captured in Chișinău, Moldova, on an Interpol warrant, extradited to the United States, and brought before the federal court in the Eastern District of New York.

His online incitement was later linked to multiple deadly attacks, including a school shooting in Tennessee in January, in which a 17-year-old gunman—who cited MKY—killed one person and then himself while livestreaming the rampage.

Chkhikvishvili faces a maximum prison sentence of 40 years when he is sentenced in March. Federal officials say his arrest prevented “a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.”

{Matzav.com}

In an unusual move, the Shas faction convened on Monday at the Knesset rather than at the party’s Har Chotzvim headquarters, where meetings have been held since the beginning of the war. The session, chaired by party leader Aryeh Deri, was called amid recent tensions and incidents involving attacks on chareidi lawmakers.

Deri gathered all Shas Members of Knesset for a briefing following a series of assaults and demonstrations by extremists, including an attack on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur and protests outside the home of MK Yaakov Asher of Degel HaTorah.

During the closed-door meeting, Deri expressed optimism that the long-debated Giyus Law would soon reach its conclusion. “I hope that today or tomorrow the matter will be finalized, one way or another,” he told his colleagues. “As of yesterday, I was informed that the Litvishe Gedolei Yisroel will rule in favor of the Bismuth proposal. If they indeed decide in favor, an official announcement will be published in Yated Ne’eman,” he said.

Deri further predicted that “Porush and Eichler will join Shas and vote in favor,” signaling growing support for the compromise version of the draft law.

Addressing the ongoing wave of protests and attacks, the Shas chairman suggested that the demonstrations could paradoxically strengthen their cause. “They’re only helping us,” Deri remarked. “The legal advisors now see that the chareidim are paying a heavy price, and that increases the likelihood that the law will pass in the High Court.”

He also strongly condemned the violence targeting public representatives. “We all completely denounce and reject the severe attack on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur that took place on Motzoei Shabbos,” Deri declared. “When you hear Lieberman today, and the disgraceful way he speaks about those who study Torah in response to the incident, you understand the tremendous chillul Hashem caused by those rioters. The incident itself was a real danger to life and could easily have ended much worse. To our dear friend, Reb Yoav, we say: Chazak ve’ematz, Hashem imcha gibor chayil!”

{Matzav.com}