Matzav

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}

The latest interview given by MK Boaz Bismuth, head of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, set off a firestorm across the political landscape, especially within circles closely following the ongoing debate over the giyus issue. His remarks to Mishpacha magazine, released Thursday morning, immediately triggered sharp backlash and heated discussion.

In the interview, Bismuth pushed back strongly against the idea that the state could force yeshivah bochurim into military service. “You can’t force people to enlist in the army. What, are you going to put them in jail? Such nonsense,” Bismuth told Mishpacha in the Thursday morning interview. He emphasized that his stance stems from genuine regard for the chareidi tzibbur, saying, “I am someone who loves and respects the haredim. I will not allow us to reach such extremes.”

His comments drew immediate condemnation from the activist organization Mothers at the Front, which demanded his dismissal within hours of the interview’s release. Their statement, issued publicly, insisted, “Perhaps he should internalize that you absolutely can force people to enlist in the army – it’s called the Security Service Law, and draft dodgers go to jail under that law.” They accused Bismuth of being unfit to speak on behalf of soldiers or their families, declaring, “Bismuth, now that you’ve revealed your true opinions, you cannot represent us or the soldiers. Either retract your statements – or resign.”

The uproar unfolded in parallel to growing governmental scrutiny over the latest draft bill. On Wednesday night—just hours before the interview dropped—the Deputy Director of the Budget Department sent a pointed letter to the committee’s legal adviser. The letter argued that the bill’s current formulation falls short of its stated purpose, raising serious doubts about its effectiveness. The official warned, “There is a significant concern that the outline might appear to as a mechanism which includes effective sanctions, but in practice, does the opposite, and instead weakens the system of incentives.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul and top MTA officials continue to praise congestion pricing as a major win for New York City, insisting that the tolls are reshaping Manhattan’s core for the better. Yet nearly a year into the program, analysts and everyday motorists are pushing back, saying the celebration is premature—and deeply disconnected from reality.

Many drivers insist that nothing has improved except the size of their bills. After months of paying the tolls, they say traffic still crawls through Midtown and downtown, leaving them wondering why they’re shelling out more money for the same miserable commute.

Adding fuel to the frustration, MTA leaders have declared publicly that “polling” shows motorists are increasingly embracing the new fees—even as the agency hears constant complaints that congestion pricing has made little difference on clogged streets.

In September, Hochul delivered one of the program’s most glowing endorsements, proclaiming, “This program has been nothing short of transformational, making streets safer, reducing gridlock across the region, and unlocking generational upgrades to mass transit, benefitting millions.” She added another line that infuriated many commuters: “Congestion pricing is working, it is legal, and the cameras are staying on.”

But workers on the road every day paint a far darker picture. Taxi driver Mohammad Haque summed up what many of his colleagues say: “It hasn’t changed anything, especially south of 60th.” He didn’t hold back, adding, “From what we’ve seen, the traffic is even worse. In my opinion, they’re just taking the money and not helping the city at all. Traffic is still there and we’re losing time – and the MTA, they’re just taking the money.”

The MTA projected that the $9 daily fee would bring in $500 million during its first year. That milestone has already been passed. At the same time, the agency claims traffic has fallen 11% inside the tolling area.

But several independent analysts argue the MTA is exaggerating the results. Port Authority counts at the Hudson River crossings—which feed directly into the congestion zone—show drops of less than 5% in the spring, calling the MTA’s numbers into question.

Some experts say the discrepancies stem from how the MTA has chosen to measure its success. Nicole Gelinas of the Manhattan Institute criticized the agency’s approach, calling it a “crude way of doing it, and it hurts confidence in the program.” She pointed out that “the cameras were set up ages before congestion pricing started,” arguing that the MTA should have collected fresh pre-toll data rather than relying on projections of what traffic would have been.

Others noted that the agency pulled key baseline numbers from just a single day in October. CUNY engineering professor Alison Conway said the one-day snapshot leaves “room for a lot of uncertainty in how representative that day is.” She added that she assumed the day was “carefully selected by [the New York MTA Council] to avoid any atypical conditions,” but still called the method “basic, but reasonable.” Even so, she warned that unusual weather or construction “might make that adjustment factor unusually high or low, leading to an over- or under-estimate of a true baseline value.”

The Port Authority’s own year-over-year data shows mixed trends: declines of 6.7% at the tunnels in January and 10% in February, with smaller drops in March and April. But overall New York–New Jersey crossing activity dipped by only 0.4%, and traffic actually increased at the George Washington Bridge as motorists dodged the congestion zone entirely.

Meanwhile, the MTA has reported declines of 8%, 12%, 13%, and 12% in vehicles entering the toll zone from January through April—dramatically steeper than the tunnel data alone shows, leaving major questions about what exactly is being counted and how the numbers align.

Responding to criticism, the MTA said it adjusted its October sample using data from its own bridges and tunnels, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority.

MTA CEO Janno Lieber, speaking at NYU Law School this week, insisted that the program has boosted public satisfaction, saying unspecified surveys show motorists feel good about the changes. Lieber also touted broader gains: fewer vehicles citywide and improvements in both pedestrian experience and air quality. “You know, who loves congestion pricing? The drivers are now, in polling recently, are letting us know they love it because they’re saving so much time,” he said. “The people who drive to work in Manhattan who spend 50 bucks to park actually do value their time. I’m not shocked.”

Pressed to identify the surveys he referenced, the agency first pointed to a September poll of 800 New Yorkers—not only drivers—in which 59% expressed support. A more driver-specific poll cited by the MTA showed three-quarters of motorists reported quicker commutes, but that survey was completed in early February, when the initiative was only a month old.

Back on the ground, drivers insist those rosy portrayals don’t reflect the daily grind. “I don’t notice any difference,” Haque said. “Look at the traffic here – from morning until 8 p.m. every day, every single day. They took lanes away for buses, lanes for bikes – what’s congestion pricing doing?”

He added, “Someone should ask them what they’re doing with all this money. New York should do something about traffic, but not this. This is not good for us. This is not good for the city.”

Staten Island electrician Deacon Howard echoed the frustration, saying that the program, which charges most drivers $9 and charges more for trucks, “isn’t relieving traffic because people still have to drive.” He figures he’s paying about $2,000 more this year, only to sit in the same standstill. “It’s the same traffic, just more fees. I don’t see no difference. Four years ago it took me an hour and a few minutes to get to work,” he said. “Now it takes me an hour and five minutes to work. So where’s the difference?”

Construction foreman Rad Perez of Chinatown voiced similar complaints, flatly stating the new charges “hasn’t alleviated anything.” He said, “As contractors, we have to charge our clients to drive below 60th, so someone’s paying it and we’re still driving.” From his vantage point, “all that money is going nowhere I can see,” and congestion pricing simply added “more taxes, more fees, taxes on top of fees and fees on top of taxes.”

Some taxi drivers noted that when the tolling system first went live, traffic briefly lightened, but that relief evaporated fast. “In the beginning with the congestion it was good because there were less cars in the city. So the traffic was not that bad. But right now, it’s really bad,” said driver Eric Oppong. “People don’t care. They still come to the city and there’s traffic everywhere. Sometimes it takes an hour to go 1.5 miles. Us taxi drivers hate the commute, I mean, I thought the congestion thing was gonna help, but it really didn’t.”

{Matzav.com}

A stirring moment unfolded in Tiveriah on Wednesday as Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein, rov of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood in Bnei Brak and leading posek, attended the bris of his great-grandson, held in the home city of his son-in-law, the renowned tzaddik of Tiveriah, Rav Dov Kook.

The baby boy, named Eliyahu, is the grandson of Rav Shmuel Kook, son of Rav Dov Kook and a grandson of Rav Zilberstein.

Upon Rav Zilberstein’s arrival, Rav Dov Kook welcomed his revered father-in-law with great honor, singing “Yamim al y’mei melech tosif” as he escorted him into the simcha.

Following the bris, Rav Zilberstein delivered warm and powerful praise for his son-in-law and the group of followers surrounding him in Tiveriah. He spoke openly about their spiritual stature and their role in the unfolding destiny of Klal Yisroel.

“Eliyahu HaNavi will come from Tiveriah,” Rav Zilberstein said. “This is preparation for the arrival of Eliyahu HaNavi. My son-in-law and the entire holy community around him—this is the preparation for the coming of Mashiach, and we are moving closer to it.”

He added further praise, noting: “Fortunate is the person who sits and toils in Torah, and baruch Hashem my son-in-law is a great example of that.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has instructed his coalition to accelerate passage of the draft law, setting off a rapid-fire legislative push with late-night hearings and tight scheduling. According to officials familiar with the process, Netanyahu has decided to move “all the way” and push the legislation forward as fast as possible, demanding minimal delays and intensified committee work.

In recent days, the Prime Minister’s Office has conveyed that Netanyahu wants the bill to advance at the quickest pace attainable, signaling that the coalition must shift into high gear as the political pressure surrounding the draft law continues to grow.

Following Netanyahu’s directive, a high-level meeting took place on Wednesday, bringing together Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth, Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik, committee legal adviser Miri Frenkel, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, and Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz. During the meeting, Bismuth asked Afik directly to define the absolute minimum time required for full passage of the draft law.

Afik responded that it is indeed possible to set a binding timetable that still allows for substantive and thorough deliberations. She also agreed to Bismuth’s request to schedule additional sessions at night, after the Knesset plenum adjourns. With a clearly defined timetable, she said, the committee can work efficiently without compromising the depth of debate.

Shortly after the meeting, MK Bismuth announced that the committee will hold three major discussions on the draft law next week: two sessions on Sunday and another on Tuesday night, immediately following the close of the plenary. Those close to him say this is only the first step in a broader, intensive effort to push the legislation toward completion.

The rapid escalation signals that the coalition is preparing for a decisive moment. Netanyahu aims to demonstrate concrete progress both to his chareidi partners—who expect clear movement on the draft arrangement for bnei yeshiva—and to the opposition, which has been watching the process closely.

Across the political system, all eyes are now on the accelerated legislative sprint. The pace of the marathon may ultimately determine not only the fate of the draft law but also the stability of the government in the critical weeks ahead.

{Matzav.com}

A wave of speculation surrounding comments attributed to Rav Ben Tzion Mutzapi prompted the prominent Sefardi posek to issue a strong clarification. The rav firmly rejected claims that he had sharply attacked Shas leadership over the ongoing controversy surrounding the draft law and the status of yeshiva students.

Reports circulating online suggested that the rav had used harsh language toward Shas figures amid the political storm. Rav Mutzapi, however, insisted that the allegations were completely fabricated. He emphasized that his remarks were directed only at the pain he feels when shluchai derabbanan fail to adequately protect bnei Torah and that he never mentioned names nor hinted at any individuals.

In the written clarification released to the public, Rav Mutzapi opened with a firm statement: “The clarification: I hereby make known publicly, before all, regarding the rumors being spread in my name by people of ill intent, as if in my protest over the draft law regarding yeshiva students I mentioned names of askanim from the chareidi sector, or described them using terms taken from the lexicon of marketplace peddlers.”

He then stated unequivocally, “Every one in its entirety is founded on a vile falsehood.” Rav Mutzapi continued: “I only expressed my pain regarding the shluchai derabbanan, without mentioning any names or allusions. Their role is to safeguard bnei haTorah so they do not suffer harm; and to our sorrow, they are being harmed—nothing more.”

The rav concluded his letter with the words, “And love truth and peace. Ben Tzion Mutzapi.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox, 

I want to say something that I never say out loud because it feels pathetic, embarrassing, and small, but it’s the truth clawing at me from the inside.

I feel like a nobody.

Not in a poetic way, not in a “we’re all humble servants” way. I mean in the literal, suffocating sense of being just a regular guy—too regular—who wakes up, grinds through the day, tries to support a family, and barely manages to keep his head above water. I look around and see a world where everyone seems to have a thing. A talent. A platform. A following. A fire. And me? I’m just a guy trying to keep the bills from eating me alive while pretending that everything is fine.

I’m not a gvir. I’m not one of those people who can just write a check and command respect. I’m not a speaker who gets applause. I’m not a singer who brings crowds to tears. I’m not a rebbe (not even a rebbi!), not a mashpia, not an influencer, not a “WhatsApp king” with armies of followers hanging on every forwarded quote. I’m not a mover. I’m not a shaker. I’m not a name people whisper with admiration in the hallway. I’m not even a story.

I’m the guy standing quietly in the back at every simcha, smiling politely, praying no one asks me what I do, what I’ve accomplished, how life is going. I’m the guy who tries to convince himself that being a good, normal, working man should be enough, even though deep inside it feels like it isn’t. Because in today’s world, it feels like being “just a regular person” is the same as not existing at all.

Everyone is something. And I… I’m not.

I’m the guy who goes to work, comes home exhausted, and tries to pretend that he’s not drowning. I’m the guy who says “Baruch Hashem, all good,” while knowing full well that the numbers don’t add up and the pressure is suffocating. I’m the guy who watches other people shine while trying to convince himself that he’s lucky just to be standing in the same room.

I show up, but no one remembers that I was there. I’m in the crowd, but never on the stage. I’m always the listener, never the one being heard.

And maybe it shouldn’t bother me. Maybe it shouldn’t tear me apart the way it does. But it does. Because I’m human. Because I’m tired. Because I feel like no matter how hard I try, I’m always falling short. I work and work and work, and still feel like I’m barely holding my family together with fraying threads. There’s no glory in it. No spotlight. No appreciation. Just endless pressure and the quiet fear that maybe I’m not doing enough, not being enough, not becoming enough.

People talk about purpose. Mission. Impact. Destiny. I hear those words and I feel a stabbing ache, because what if my entire identity is just… survival?

I don’t want kavod. I don’t want awards. I just want to feel like I matter in our frum world. Like who I am is enough. Like being a simple, honest, hard-working father should count for something. But right now, it feels like I’m standing at the bottom of a mountain watching everyone else climb while I’m stuck holding a backpack full of bricks.

And the worst part? No one sees it. No one even knows. Because the world sees titles, influence, charisma, money, not the quiet guy fighting with everything he has just to stay afloat.

I feel invisible. Replaceable. Forgettable.

A nobody.

And I’m tired of feeling this way.

M. N. 

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

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The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

{matzav.com}

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