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NYC: Timely Letter From Kalman Yeger
Satmar Rebbe Harshly Criticizes Israeli Government: Without a State, There Would Be No Decrees, No Wars, and No Draft of Bnei Yeshiva
In a fiery speech delivered Sunday night, the Satmar Rebbe, launched a scathing rebuke of the Israeli government and those who express admiration for Israel’s military might in its current war against Iran, known as Operation Am K’Lavi.
Speaking at a siyum on Maseches Bechoros organized by the Satmar Zichru learning initiative in Boro Park, the Rebbe warned against falling into the trap of believing in kochi v’otzem yadi—human power and might—rather than in Divine salvation.
“Our holy Rebbe, the Vayoel Moshe, had a heart that ached with the suffering of Klal Yisroel. He mourned every Jewish soul lost in war,” the Rebbe said. “But what pained him even more was when sincere, G-d-fearing Jews were misled into putting their faith in human strength. He would plead: do not prolong the golus by believing in their power. In every generation, we face great challenges that tempt us to fall into this mistake, but we must constantly remind ourselves—we are not impressed by their actions, not in the least.”
The Rebbe quoted the posuk, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness’ (Shmuel I 24:13), emphasizing, “Acts of violence are the traits of the wicked. Our path is not to admire them. The Medrash on Birkas Kohanim explains the brocha of ‘Hashem shall bless you and guard you’ as protection from harm and from the yetzer hara. These two—physical harm and spiritual danger—go hand in hand.”
Continuing his critique, the Rebbe stated, “The minim and apikorsim—heretics and deniers—are worse than the yetzer hara itself. We see this clearly in recent years, as they attempt to destroy Klal Yisroel from within by drafting yeshiva bochurim into the army. Their goal is to sever Jews from belief in Hashem and His Torah. These people cannot be the source of yeshuah. They are the greatest mazikin—spiritual destroyers.”
The Rebbe then posed a rhetorical question: “If we were truly in such danger in recent years, under threat from enemy nations, why did no one urge the public to flee Eretz Yisroel? The answer is clear—they caused the danger themselves. Without a state, there would be no decrees, no wars, and no draft of bnei yeshiva. As I’ve said before, these are the agents of the Satan, working to uproot emunah from the Jewish people.”
“There is only one way to withstand these trials,” the Rebbe declared. “We must study and internalize the teachings of our holy Rebbe, Vayoel Moshe. He was anguished by the suffering of Klal Yisroel, wept bitterly for every soul, and yet he battled against the forces of secularism with sword and spear.”
The Rebbe concluded with a powerful message: “We must instill within ourselves the truth of ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ Salvation will not come from them—they are the emissaries of the yetzer hara.”
{Matzav.com}
Fed Chair Powell Rebuffs Trump, Says No Immediate Rate Cuts Planned
AN INSIDE LOOK: Tens of Thousands of Dollars to Escape Israel Amid the War
With Israeli airports shuttered due to the ongoing war with Iran, a wave of travelers sought unconventional and costly means to leave the country, many through the Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt. Some have paid staggering sums, often upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, for private jet charters.
Among those who flew in was the Gerrer Rebbe, whose travel arrangements have drawn particular attention.
In an unusual scene in Williamsburg, one of America’s top frum travel agents was summoned to the private residence of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe. The agent had just received a call from the Rebbe’s personal assistant and promptly closed his office to make his way over. Unsure of what urgent matter awaited him, he entered the Rebbe’s room with curiosity.
The Rebbe quickly put him at ease and got straight to the point: “Several people, chassidim and businessmen alike, are asking me about traveling to Eretz Yisroel. They say the only way is through Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. I want to know before I advise them: What is this place? Who works there? Do Jews normally travel through it? And how long is the journey from there to Israel? That’s why I called you. I want to give an informed answer.”
The agent remained in the Rebbe’s room for some time, offering detailed explanations about the routes, organized shuttles from Eilat, and the current travel infrastructure. He reassured the Rebbe that even senior admorim and rabbanim were choosing this path, which was deemed safe under the circumstances.
As for the Gerrer Rebbe himself, he too traveled by private jet—both on his initial flight to the U.S. and now on his return—thanks to the generosity of a major American philanthropist eager to assist the Rebbe and his entourage during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, scores of Israelis have been flocking to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh airport and Jordan’s Aqaba airport to escape or return to Israel. Some chose to charter private jets, spending fortunes to leave what they viewed as a danger zone. One group of just 13 passengers reportedly paid about $38,000 per person to charter a private jet to New York over the weekend.
With commercial air travel from Israel largely frozen, a mini-industry has emerged to ferry passengers out of the country. Several chareidi travel companies are offering charter flights from Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba to Larnaca, Cyprus. One Beit Shemesh-based agency has sold one-way tickets from Aqaba to Larnaca for 2,990 shekel.
Some have tried leaving Israel by boat from Ashdod to Cyprus, but the sea journey proved nauseating. Many passengers reportedly turned back within 30 minutes, one quipping to his friend, “I’d rather buy a small apartment in Yerushalayim than ride this crazy boat through the open sea.”
But for others, cost was no object. They opted for the so-called “oligarch route”: a fully managed escape that included door-to-door service. These luxury packages featured pick-up from Yerushalayim, transfer to the Taba border, crossing into Sinai, security-escorted vehicles to Sharm el-Sheikh, and from there, a private flight to New York or other destinations.
One such jet—a Bombardier Global 7500 used by a group of 13—resembled a flying hotel. It featured a lounge area, full-size reclining beds, kosher catering, attentive flight attendants, and two pilots. The total cost: approximately $500,000.
Prices to European destinations were slightly lower, though still in the tens of thousands of dollars, making them viable only for businesspeople needing to return to their routines.
Several families flew to London for simchos last week. Upon returning to Israel, they reported seeing long lines of Israelis waiting to travel, a stark contrast to the near-empty flights they had taken earlier. Still, they emphasized that they encountered no antisemitism along the way and praised the airline staff for their courteous service.
In a time of chaos and closed borders, some are paying steep prices for mobility, but for others, the cost is worth it to remain close to home, family, and routine.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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IDF Lifts Nationwide Restrictions, Country Returns to Full Activity – Except Gaza Border Area
Trump Channels Dirty Harry In Blistering Truth Social Post Daring Dems To Impeach Him: ‘Go Ahead … Make My Day!’
President Trump unleashed a fiery attack on his political adversaries Tuesday morning via Truth Social, challenging them to once again attempt to remove him from office.
“So go ahead and try impeaching me again, MAKE MY DAY!” Trump wrote, directing his anger particularly at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a leading voice among the progressive “Squad,” who had demanded impeachment in response to his recent military strikes on Iran.
Trump referred to Ocasio-Cortez as “one of the ‘dumbest’ people in Congress” and accused her of being unable to accept that “our Country [is] being successful again.” He criticized Democrats more broadly, mocking their supposed unfamiliarity with success and their aversion to his leadership style.
The president also lashed out at other prominent progressive lawmakers, slamming Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) as “seriously a Low IQ individual” and delivering a harsh rebuke of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). He wrote that Omar “does nothing but complain about our country, yet the failed country she comes from doesn’t have a Government, is drenched in Crime and Poverty, and is rated one of the WORST in the world, if it’s even rated at all,” a clear reference to her Somali origins.
Ocasio-Cortez’s condemnation of Trump’s airstrikes particularly set him off. She had described the bombings as “a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” prompting the president to assign her the nickname “The Mouse” and ridicule her concerns over executive authority.
Trump went on to contrast his administration with what he called the “Radical Left experiment” under President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. “We’re just now coming back from that Radical Left experiment with Sleepy Joe, Kamala, and ‘THE AUTOPEN,’ in charge. What a disaster it was!” He added that Ocasio-Cortez ought to undergo the same cognitive evaluation he had taken at Walter Reed Medical Center, which he proudly claimed to have “ACED,” according to the attending physician.
In closing, Trump addressed rumors that Ocasio-Cortez might run against Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a future primary, issuing a mocking warning. “She better start worrying about her own Primary, before she thinks about beating our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, whose career is definitely on very thin ice!”
{Matzav.com}
Jeffries Accuses Republicans of Hiding Iran Briefing Facts, Warns of Middle East War Risk
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Gafni and Porush Slam Education Minister: “He’s Eager to Revoke Licenses from Chareidi Institutions”
A wave of anger swept across the chareidi political leadership on Monday after dozens of chareidi educational institutions were issued closure orders by Israel’s Education Ministry. The schools and chadarim had opened despite Home Front Command guidelines issued during the current security situation.
Minister of Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition Meir Porush blasted Education Minister Yoav Kisch for the move, accusing him of overstepping his authority and displaying a lack of understanding of the chareidi way of life. Finance Committee Chairman MK Moshe Gafni joined the criticism shortly afterward.
As previously reported by Matzav.com, institutions ranging from yeshivos ketanos to chadarim and girls’ schools in cities such as Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Tiveria, Rechovot, Modiin Illit, and Beitar Illit received formal notices to shut down for violating national emergency protocols.
In a public statement, Education Minister Yoav Kisch declared, “The lives of our children come first. Any educational institution that violates Home Front Command instructions will be dealt with immediately through the enforcement tools available to the ministry: sending inspectors, issuing closure orders, and freezing funding. There are no compromises when it comes to student safety. This is a national responsibility, and we will use every tool at our disposal.”
He added that the ministry would continue strict enforcement against any school that does not adhere to emergency directives.
In response, Minister Meir Porush stated: “I am not defending those who disregard Home Front Command instructions, especially when there are emergency alternatives near the school. I continue to urge the public to follow these life-saving guidelines.”
However, he sharply criticized the closures themselves, saying, “Minister Yoav Kisch’s decision to shut down these institutions reflects the condescending attitude of someone completely disconnected from the chareidi lifestyle.”
Porush emphasized the centrality of education in Jewish life and pointed out that most chareidi schools were established by private nonprofit organizations, not by the state. “If the Ministry of Education didn’t open these institutions, it has no right to close them,” he said.
With biting sarcasm, Porush added, “Clause 32 of the Supervision of Schools Law empowers the Education Ministry director-general to close a school if incitement against the state is taking place. I’d be happy to tour East Jerusalem with Minister Kisch to see whether all schools that promote incitement are being shut down. Apparently, in Kisch’s view, incitement to terrorism does not endanger lives.”
MK Moshe Gafni echoed Porush’s remarks, stressing that Home Front Command directives are essential for saving lives. Still, he called the ministry’s recent actions against chareidi schools “disproportionate and outrageous.”
“The Education Minister is not a law enforcement agency and lacks the authority to act as one,” Gafni said. “The sectoral affiliation of these institutions is clearly relevant here. It seems the minister is enthusiastic—almost gleeful—about revoking licenses from chareidi schools. He would do better to focus his efforts on improving education, budgets, teachers, and students rather than turning his staff into ad hoc judges and police officers casually issuing closure orders.”
Gafni concluded with a call for dialogue: “I urge him to immediately halt these harsh measures and sit down with school leaders to find mutually acceptable solutions, rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
In response, Minister Kisch’s office doubled down: “Pikuach nefesh overrides everything—there can be no compromises when lives are at stake. Contrary to Minister Porush’s claims, the Education Ministry will ensure that any institution that endangers students or staff by violating Home Front Command guidelines will lose its funding and be closed. Sectoral identity is entirely irrelevant.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
IDF Chief Zamir Urges Vigilance After Iran Ceasefire, Warns of Ongoing Challenges
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Israeli Forces Thwart Terror Attack, Uncover Explosives Near Hebron
Talmidim from Yeshivas Torah B’Tifartah Temporarily Relocated to Be’er HaTorah Due to War
Dozens of bochurim from Yeshivas Torah B’Tifartah, forced to vacate their Elad campus due to the war, have found refuge at Yeshivas Be’er HaTorah in Beit Shemesh, where they are continuing their learning.
The bochurim, residents of Beit Shemesh, joined Yeshivas Be’er HaTorah and took part in a shiur klali delivered by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Gavriel Yosef Levi. The shiur uniquely integrated sugyos from Maseches Sanhedrin, which the Torah B’Tifartah talmidim had been learning, with Maseches Bava Kama, the masechta being studied in Be’er HaTorah.
“It was a deeply uplifting scene,” shared one talmid. “The bais medrash was filled with intense hasmadah and the energy of Torah. Watching bochurim from both yeshivos engaging with each other, connecting the sugyos from both masechtos, created an extraordinary atmosphere of Torah growth.”
The relocation came after Yeshivas Torah B’Tifartah, which numbers around 1,200 talmidim, divided into four temporary branches around the country so the bochurim could remain close to home and near protected spaces. Locations included Bnei Brak (Beis Knesses Chanichei HaYeshivos on Rechov Rambam), Yerushalayim (Beis Knesses Chazon Ish in Ramat Shlomo), Beit Shemesh (Yeshivas Be’er HaTorah – Gil branch), and Modiin Illit
The roshei yeshiva, rabbeim, and ramim are making regular visits to each branch, delivering shiurim.
With the announced ceasefire, the talmidim of Torah B’Tifartah are now preparing to return to their main campus in Elad.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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