Rav wonders why emperor won't put on clothes ....The shidduch initiative and army debacles return

R Binyomin Cohen

by Daas Yochid

DY: "Someone sent me a great article in Hamodia (motto: “more boring than Yated”) from the Pesach supplement ‘Front Burner 3’.

 In it, they asked a chashuve rav, R Binyomin Cohen, a lot of pretty hard-hitting questions.

I missed it, and I imagine many others did too - I don’t know who still reads anything but Mordechai Schmutter there.

 Here are two standout questions:

There is a certain type of person who was once very committed to asking a daas Torah, followed rabbinic guidance faithfully and then felt he was led in the wrong direction. He’s now disillusioned and hesitant to ask again or to follow a decision. What would you say to someone like that?

RBC: Answer: I have to be honest: the phrase “asking a daas Torah“ is one I don’t particularly care for. The phrase implies that only some talmidei chachamim are capable of dispensing the Torah’s view on matters of hashkafah. The truth is that “daas Torah“ is the Torah’s view on a subject and is not its own category of Torah. It’s applying one’s chochmas haTorah in areas of hashkafah and public policy. It’s not the purview of a “specialist” in daas Torah.

That said — the answer I would give to someone who has been disillusioned is this: find a Rav or a Rebbe or a Rosh Yeshivah you can have a real relationship with, and ask him your questions directly. Not what you heard this one says in a shiur, not what that one posted online. A personal and sincere question deserves a clear answer.

Try to engage the person and try to understand what’s bothering him in his question. Try to answer his question and have a discussion with him about it. When we talk in learning, sometimes there’s a clear answer and sometimes there’s not. But one of the most important things a Rav can do is simply say: “I don’t know.” I cannot overstate how much comfort those words can give. If someone who had been stung by what he felt was overconfident guidance were to go to a Rav and ask a genuinely hard question, and if the Rav were to sit with it for a moment and say, “I don’t fully understand this either — let me think about it,” that person would feel validated in a way that years of confident declarations never could accomplish.

The starting point on issues of public policy and hashkafah is that we should implicitly trust and accept what the Gedolei Yisrael are saying about these issues. That doesn’t mean that I understand everything that is being said by them or in their names. My confidence in them doesn’t require me to understand every decision and every nuance. That doesn’t mean questions should be stifled or explanations shouldn’t be given. In general, the tzibbur is entitled to ask questions respectfully and sincerely, and we should do our best to answer their questions.

The Pope's Perfidy Against His own Faith

The Pope signing the “Golden Book” ceremonial guestbook in the Great Mosque in Algiers

When US President Donald Trump sent Vice-President JD Vance to negotiate with members of the Iranian regime in Islamabad, people initially thought that Vance — reportedly the most outspoken voice in the Trump administration against going to war with Iran — would be a soft touch.

When the talks in Pakistan broke down, however, Vance’s position could hardly have been tougher. Having seen the Iranian regime up close, he said, he was absolutely certain that these people must never be allowed to get nuclear weapons.

In recent days, he has again taken a position which contradicted previous assumptions about his worldview.

The MAGA movement is currently convulsed by a faction of poisonous, unhinged Jewish-conspiracy theorists, led by podcaster and political commentator Tucker Carlson. Believing that Israel drags America into needless foreign wars, they’ve been inflamed to the point of hysteria by the war against Iran.

A number of these people are Catholics who have positioned themselves against Christian Zionism, largely associated with evangelical Protestantism. Younger Catholics, particularly recent converts who reject modernity, are leaning into older, more “authentic” versions of the faith — and are thus embracing its earlier virulent antisemitism.

Vance, a passionate Catholic convert, has caused great unease among the Jewish community by refusing to distance himself from this tendency.

This past week, an explosive row was detonated between Trump and Pope Leo XIV that played straight into the MAGA convulsions.

Is the "mezizia be'peh" practice an actual requirement of a Bris! Not so fast!

 

 From 

 EMAILIM BATORAH <friedmanmoishe771@101211442.mailchimpapp.com>

The Most Controversial Teshuvah of the Chasam Sofer Of the 1,246 printed Teshuvos Chasam Sofer, there is one Teshuvah that stands out as the most controversial ever written by the Chasam Sofer. This Teshuvah was intentionally omitted from the original printed editions of Teshuvos Chasam Sofer and remained unpublished until recently, when it appeared in the Biton edition. In this Teshuvah, the Chasam Sofer writes that מציצה בפה is not mentioned anywhere in Halacha, but is practiced only according to קבלה. He then adds, “אין לי עסק בנסתרות”—“I do not involve myself in mystical matters”—indicating that he does not attach particular importance to Kabbalistic practices. He further states that even if the משנה had explicitly required מציצה בפה, it would not necessarily apply today, since מציצה is not part of the מצוה of מילה itself, but rather a medical procedure. Therefore, if it can be safely performed in another manner—without using the mouth—it would be entirely permissible to do so. When this Teshuvah first became known, some Gedolim claimed that it was a forgery fabricated by opponents of מציצה בפה. However, this was later proven false. The original manuscript of the Teshuvah still exists and is currently in the possession of descendants of R. Yisroel Stern זצ״ל of London. The מהר"ם שיק and others argued that the Teshuvah was a הוראת שעה—a temporary ruling made under exceptional circumstances—and therefore cannot be used today as a היתר (leniency) to refrain from מציצה בפה. Although the Chasam Sofer himself does not describe it as a הוראת שעה and the wording of the Teshuvah does not suggest that it was one, Chassidic and Hungarian (Heimish) communities accepted the Maharam Schick’s interpretation. As a result, they do not rely on this Teshuvah as a basis for permitting Milah without מציצה בפה. On the contrary they are the biggest opponents of those not requiring מציצה בפה

Fragile Ceasefire: Strikes in Lebanon and Escalating Iranian Moves

 

IDF forces carried out multiple strikes in southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah ceasefire violations. Several militants were eliminated.

Iran announced a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the American naval blockade violates the ceasefire terms. At least two vessels reported being attacked over Shabbos.

The United States is warning that military action could resume within days.

The bridge used by Hezbollah that the IDF destroyed just yesterday has already been rebuilt by the Lebanese Army

 

Question: This bridge was only a benefit to Hezbollah, why did the Lebanese Army rebuild it?

Could it be that the entire "peace talks" are fraudulent?

Zera Shimshon Parshat Tazria - Metzora

 

Video of Reb Shayele of Krestir

Some of my nephews from the USA planned a trip to Europe to visit our Kever Avos and to visit the grave of Reb Shayele of Krestir, and they invited me, and we were to meet in Budapest! 

Because of the war, my tickets were cancelled, but my nephews were kind enough to send me the video of Reb Shayele! I had no idea that the rebbe was still alive, and here I thought we were going to his Kever! Everyday I learn something new, B"H!

Shout out to Sendy, Binyamin, Chesky

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Open Letter to the Roshei Yeshivos and to the Chareidie Community

An open letter to the Roshei Yeshivot and to the entire Chareidie public.

We are now on vacation from the yeshivas, your students are flooding the north, vacationing, bathing and having fun until they return to school. And we saw them this week in droves in the Sea of Galilee and in the north in general.

It could have been done differently. An entire country has been at war for two and a half years, more than 100,000 reservists are enlisted, their families are collapsing, businesses in the north are collapsing, farmers and residents of the conflict line are crying out for help.

One would have expected someone with a Jewish neshama to stop and say:

This year we will doing it differently.

This year, my students, won't go buy snacks and go to the Kinneret. This year we will volunteer, we will take part and inherit together with the people who sustain and protect  this country.

Tens of thousands of Rabbi Akiva's students died in the plague at this very time because they did not show respect to each other.

 Learn from the punishment they received from Heaven.

Hoping someone will hear this message and understand!

כתב פתוח לראשי הישיבות ולציבור החרדי כולו.

יש עכשיו חופשה מהישיבות, תלמידיכם מציפים את הצפון, נופשים, רוחצים ומבלים עד שיחזרו ללימודים (בין הזמנים). וראינו אותם השבוע בהמוניהם בכנרת ובצפון בכלל.

אפשר היה לעשות את זה אחרת. מדינה שלמה במלחמה כבר שנתיים וחצי, מעל 100 אלף אנשי מילואים מגויסים, משפחותיהם קורסות, עסקי הצפון קורסים, החקלאים ותושבי קו העימות משוועים לעזרה.

היה מצופה ממי שנשמה יהודית באפו לעצור ולומר:

השנה עושים את זה אחרת.

השנה תלמידי אל תלכו לקנות חטיפים ולכנרת לכו להתנדב, קחו חלק ונחלה יחד עם אנשים שמחזיקים את המדינה הזו.

עשרות אלפי תלמידיו של רבי עקיבא, מתו במגפה בדיוק בתקופה זו משום שלא נהגו כבוד זה לזה. תלמדו מהעונש שקיבלו מידי שמיים.

אני מקווה שאוזניים להם וישמעו.

 

Israel’s economy surges past $700B despite war

 New IMF data for 2026 shows Israel’s GDP has crossed $719.85 billion for the first time, marking a historic milestone. 

Despite over two years of war, the  economy continues to expand at a rapid pace, with projections pointing toward $800 billion within the next year and a potential $1 trillion economy by the end of the decade.

Court Refuses to Fire Ben-Gvir but curbs his powers in major ruling

 The Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, published a ruling on Thursday significantly limiting National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in all matters related to managing the police, appointing senior officials, and his freedom of speech on operational matters.

The judges' decision follows a hearing held a day prior and seeks to settle the tense relationship between the Minister and Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara.

The most significant part of the ruling concerns two court orders, which are effective immediately and until another decision is made.

This being said, the court denied the Attorney General's more extreme demands to order the minister's total impeachment or completely suspend his authority over appointments.

The Supreme Court has ordered Ben-Gvir not to comment on the use of police force on citizens, including the issue of interrogations.

Restriction on senior appointments: The promotion and appointment of officers at the rank of superintendent and above, especially in sensitive positions affecting investigations, law enforcement, freedom of expression, and protest, will be carried out only in accordance with the recommendation of the General Command staff.

Additionally, the Minister must give seven days' prior notice to the Attorney General about every such appointment to allow her to submit her opinion.

In addition, the court granted validity to the outline of principles submitted previously and clarified that the sides are permitted to raise claims in the event of a violation of the outline or procedures.

Per the ruling, it was determined that the Attorney General will submit to the court by April 19 the drafts of the procedures exchanged between her and the minister's representatives, in a sealed envelope.

It was also determined that the Prime Minister, the Minister, and the Attorney General will continue dialogue to complete the work on the procedures, and will submit a joint statement by May 3 detailing whether agreements have been reached. In the event of disputes, the parties will be required to specify the content within the statement.

Moshe Deri is the Bnei-Brak Mohel that infected a baby with a virus ... the baby died

 

The court finally allowed the release of the name of  the Mohel , suspected of causing negligent death of a baby during the Breit to Mila. He is Moshe Deri, 66-year-old from Bnei Brak

According to the suspicion, Moses, who was the Mohel, infected the baby with a virus while doing "mezizia be'peh" , he then tightened  the incision site which significantly blocked the flow of blood. 

The same blockage apparently led to the development of mucus in the baby's genitals. 

After getting infected with the bacteria, the doctors fought for three weeks to save the  baby's life, but in the end they had to determine his death.

Police spokesman RSD Moshe Gerstazang said in the discussion: 

In a separate incident, not related to this fatal procedure, this Mohel was appointed as a "toen" one who does arbitration in Bais Din procedures, two years ago,  and was fired there as well

According to the police spokesman, the initial opinion from the Institute of Forensic Medicine points to an induction to negligence.

Moshe Deri's lawyer informed that he has no criminal past and that "any person can be a mohal".

When Jews in Chutz Le'aaretz turn against Israel

 

A dangerous rupture may be opening in Jewish life. For decades, Diaspora Jews defended Israel instinctively. They did not always agree with Israeli policies, yet they understood that Israel’s strength and security mattered to Jews everywhere.

That instinct is now eroding.

Recently, thousands of Diaspora Jewish leaders signed public letters urging Israel to restrain Jewish "settlers" in Judea and Samaria from attacking Palestinian Arabs, although that is a fringe phenomenon and the accusation borders on a blood libel. Former British foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind and other prominent Jewish figures warned that Israeli actions were harming global Jewry and increasing antisemitism abroad.

There is some Jewish lawlessness in Judea and Samaria, as in every population, yet Palestinian Arab attacks on Jews there dwarf the reverse by a factor of at least 20,(ed. note: be sure to read the hyperlinked article) so it is difficult to understand how a handful of thuggish Jews are the primary driver of instability unless one has a fundamentally distorted view of the conflict.

Jews have criticized Israel before. That is neither new nor unhealthy. Yet something about this moment feels sharper, louder, and more consequential.

The argument is no longer that Israeli policies are misguided, but that Israel itself is becoming a liability.

That is a bold and dangerous claim.

Part of this shift is driven by what can only reasonably be described as Netanyahu Derangement Syndrome.

Criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has increasingly blurred into something more obsessive and emotionally charged. Netanyahu is not merely seen as wrong. He is portrayed as uniquely malevolent, dangerous, and responsible for nearly every negative development in Israeli and Jewish life.

Netanyahu is polarizing. Many on the Left oppose his judicial reforms and his coalition agreements with far-right parties. These are legitimate political disagreements for Israelis to have, though it is unclear what Diaspora Jews gain that is helpful by holding them.

Netanyahu’s place in Israeli history will perhaps be shadowed by the October 7 massacre happening on his watch. Yet any fair reading of history must also acknowledge the extraordinary strategic and military gains Israel has made under his leadership during the subsequent war.

Unfortunately, nuance has largely disappeared from the discussion. Netanyahu is not just criticized; he is pathologized.

Ami Magazine continues with their Hate Against Millions of Jews giving a platform to Reshaim ...

 

Yitzy Frankfurter the Editor of this Jew Hating Magazine 

Yisroel Meir Hirsch, ym"s, a figure in the anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta, is drawing criticism and support following a podcast interview in which he defended controversial positions on Palestinian groups.

Hirsh appeared on the Yiddish-language podcast “Teef Teef,” hosted by by Ami Magazine’s Senior White House Correspondent Shloime Zionce, a clueless dunce, who acknowledged at the outset that many listeners would likely object to featuring such an interview.

During the discussion, recorded at his home in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood, Hirsh, a rasha merusha, spoke about the group’s ideology and addressed his past interactions with Yasser Arafat as well as comments regarding Hamas, rejecting their designation as terrorist organizations and describing them as “freedom fighters.”

Zionce, the clueless dunce, challenged Hirsh on those views, at one point asking whether he saw himself as being used as a “token Jew” to advance the Palestinian cause.

The episode has generated strong reactions, with some criticizing the decision to feature Hirsh, while others praised the program’s willingness to air a wide range of perspectives in Yiddish-language media.

The interview took place at Hirsh’s home in Mea Shearim on February 19 and was released on Wednesday April 15.

Zionce, the dunce, said it had originally been scheduled to air earlier but was postponed after consultation with a rabbinic adviser, who suggested delaying it until after the war with Iran.

DIN: He "consulted with a rabbinic advisor", who didn't tell him not to air this antisemitism but "suggested delaying it until after the war?"

Who is this "rabbi?" This "rabbi" needs to be exposed and thrown out of the community! This "rabbi is a מסית ומדיח!

What is apparent is that this Zionce guy, would sell his own mother for clicks and views! 

In a time of war, when a Jewish soldier was killed just yesterday, this dunce, doesn't care if this episode will be watched by vicious antisemites and used as a tool to harass and murder Jews!

What did this dunce think was going to happen when these airs? Did he think that Goyim will now distinguish between the Hirsch Mamzeirim and the rest of us? 

Why didn't he ask this Rasha what he believes will happen when Moshiach is going to come? 

What will happen to the Palestinians that live in the land? 

What will become of the Al Aksa Mosque on the Har Habayis?

 Why didn't the dunce ask this Rasha why he isn't honest with the goyim?? And tell them once and for all, that he believes that there will a 3rd Bais Hamikdash built smack on the Al Aksa Mosque? 

And that the only difference between Zionists and Him is "TIMING"

Zionists believe we should start preparing now for the re-building of the Bais Hamikdash, and he, the rasha, believes that he has to wait, but ultimately he believes that the Al Aksa Mosque will be destroyed, so why didn't the dunce ask the rashe , "Why aren't you honest?"

What I found underneath the video of the interview, was astonishing ...the comments! 

Most of the comments, believe it or not supports this Nazi Hirsch and the interview....

Friends we are done!! The Chardeide Chassidishe world has been usurped by a bunch of haters of the only Jewish State, the State which is the home of the majority of the Jewish people! 

What a bunch of sick perverted haters! 

Chassidishe Boro-Park Yenta Doesn't Think That Jews Have a "Biblical Right" to Judea & Samaria!

 

I want that headline to sink in! 

Blima Marcus a Chassidishe Yenta from Boro-Park, married to a guy that wears a Shtrimal and has boys with peyos ,that attend Chassidishe Yeshivos, doesn't believe that the RBS"O gave All of Eretz Yisrael to the Jews, though this is a fundamental premise for any believing Jew! The very first Mitzvah given to a Jew was to come to Israel! 

What is ironic is that this is explicitly written in the Quran, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, Chapter 5, Verse 21. In that specific verse the Quaran writes that "Allah has intended this Land of Israel to the people of Israel!"

In the Torah, that Blima dismisses, the Torah in Bamidbar 34 discusses the boundaries of the Land, which include Judea & Samaria:

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

צַ֞ו אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־אַתֶּ֥ם בָּאִ֖ים אֶל־הָאָ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן זֹ֣את הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּפֹּ֤ל לָכֶם֙ בְּֽנַחֲלָ֔ה אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנַ֖עַן לִגְבֻלֹתֶֽיהָ׃ וְהָיָ֨ה לָכֶ֧ם פְּאַת־נֶ֛גֶב מִמִּדְבַּר־צִ֖ן עַל־יְדֵ֣י אֱד֑וֹם וְהָיָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ גְּב֣וּל נֶ֔גֶב מִקְצֵ֥ה יָם־הַמֶּ֖לַח קֵֽדְמָה׃ וְנָסַ֣ב לָכֶם֩ הַגְּב֨וּל מִנֶּ֜גֶב לְמַעֲלֵ֤ה עַקְרַבִּים֙ וְעָ֣בַר צִ֔נָה (והיה) [וְהָיוּ֙] תּֽוֹצְאֹתָ֔יו מִנֶּ֖גֶב לְקָדֵ֣שׁ בַּרְנֵ֑עַ וְיָצָ֥א חֲצַר־אַדָּ֖ר וְעָבַ֥ר עַצְמֹֽנָה׃ וְנָסַ֧ב הַגְּב֛וּל מֵעַצְמ֖וֹן נַ֣חְלָה מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה׃ וּגְב֣וּל יָ֔ם וְהָיָ֥ה לָכֶ֛ם הַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל וּגְב֑וּל זֶֽה־יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל יָֽם׃ וְזֶֽה־יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֣וּל צָפ֑וֹן מִן־הַיָּם֙ הַגָּדֹ֔ל תְּתָא֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם הֹ֥ר הָהָֽר׃ מֵהֹ֣ר הָהָ֔ר תְּתָא֖וּ לְבֹ֣א חֲמָ֑ת וְהָי֛וּ תּוֹצְאֹ֥ת הַגְּבֻ֖ל צְדָֽדָה׃ וְיָצָ֤א הַגְּבֻל֙ זִפְרֹ֔נָה וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו חֲצַ֣ר עֵינָ֑ן זֶֽה־יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם גְּב֥וּל צָפֽוֹן׃ וְהִתְאַוִּיתֶ֥ם לָכֶ֖ם לִגְב֣וּל קֵ֑דְמָה מֵחֲצַ֥ר עֵינָ֖ן שְׁפָֽמָה׃ וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּבֻ֧ל מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבֻ֔ל וּמָחָ֛ה עַל־כֶּ֥תֶף יָם־כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃ וְיָרַ֤ד הַגְּבוּל֙ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔נָה וְהָי֥וּ תוֹצְאֹתָ֖יו יָ֣ם הַמֶּ֑לַח זֹאת֩ תִּהְיֶ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם הָאָ֛רֶץ לִגְבֻלֹתֶ֖יהָ סָבִֽיב׃

Blima has many followers and that's what makes her dangerous not only to the non-Jews that follow her, but to Jews who may believe her lies and distortions dressed in her fancy "bleeding heart" for Palestinian murderers and rapists! Therefore, it's vital to call her out and correct her ignorance of the entire history of the area! 

Mind you this "machshifa" is posting these ignorant lies while millions of Jews are running to shelters and dying.

In the above post she questions why Jews "choose to reside in new ongoing settlements in the west bank?"

Notice she calls Judea & Samaria by its Arab Name! 

Ami Magazine's Insane Uman Story!

 

Ami Magazine’s 2026 Pesach edition ran an 11‑page feature titled “The Many Miracles Home.”

It told the story of a father who took his two young children—ages seven and nine—to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, where his nine‑year‑old suddenly experienced a life‑threatening medical emergency.

This 11-page spread reported in detail the entire ordeal of what it took to stabilize this child until his airlift to the USA! 

First of all, this story should not have been in a section dedicated to "miracles" instead it should have been in a section dedicated to parental neglect, stupidity and questionable criminality! 

Who takes two children to a war zone, without their mother? 

CPS, the Child Protective Services need to take his children and put them up for adoption ASAP! 

The father relates that he first discussed this with an unnamed "mashpia" and what he answered him would make anyone sane person cringe,

“Your older son should certainly go… he needs his father to show him how to daven. As for your younger son, if you have help there, it’s a big inyan for him to travel to Uman before turning seven.”

Excuuuuuse me! It's a big "inyan" to take a child to Uman before turning seven?" 

It's a War Zone for heaven's sake?

 I know people that were there this Rosh Hashana and told me that to get there, was סכנת נפשות!

Who is this "mashpia?" and who made this insane "inyan" up???

This mashpia guy needs to be exposed as a dangerous charlatan!

He put a father and his minor children in a dangerous position that turned into a "life-and-death" situation. Everything that he predicted was absolutely a colossal failure and a disaster! 

The father describes that his 9-year-old sustained an aneurysm in Uman! 

The truth is that he would probably have had this aneurysm in his own home, but In is home town he would have excellent care and would be able to speak the language!

 Throughout the 10 page spread in Ami, the father describes how he contacted Refuah in New York and other Frum agencies and how everyone helped him navigate the Ukrainian Healthcare system! 

Not one of them told him that he was a "sick dangerous" meshiginar! 

The miracle was that this child somehow survived despite his reckless father! 

Record antisemitic violence in 2025 killed most Jews since 1995

 Violent antisemitic attacks in 2025 killed the highest number of Jews in 30 years, according to a new annual report collecting incidents around the world, which was released on Tuesday and cited by CNN.

Throughout the year, 20 Jews were murdered in four different antisemitic attacks, including the Hanukkah attack in Sydney, Australia, in which 15 members of the Jewish community were killed, the report said.

According to the report from Tel Aviv University, the total number of antisemitic incidents in every Western country remained significantly higher than in 2022, the year before the Gaza war began. Last year saw a US-brokered ceasefire take effect in October that attempted to end two years of war in Gaza, while a 12-day war also erupted between Israel and Iran in June.

In New York and the United Kingdom, the report found that the end of the Gaza war was counter-intuitively followed by an increase in the number of antisemitic incidents. In the UK, where two people were killed in a car ramming and stabbing attack on Yom Kippur, the total number of antisemitic incidents increased from 3,556 in 2024 to 3,700 one year later.

In the United States, two staff members of the Israeli embassy were murdered in a shooting attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. The following month, a man used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktail to attack a demonstration for Israeli hostages held in Gaza in Colorado.

"High levels of antisemitism have become a normalized feature in societies with large Jewish minorities," the report’s authors wrote. In France, which has the third-highest Jewish population in the world behind Israel and the US, the total number of incidents fell slightly, from 1,570 in 2024 to 1,320 the following year. But the report found that incidents involving physical violence rose over the same period, from 106 to 126.

The Unbelievable Miracles Behind Closed Doors that Helped Establish the State of Israel

 

May 14, 1948. The Secretary of State has just threatened to vote against his own president. Seven Arab nations have armies massed on their borders. The State Department is in open revolt. And Harry Truman is about to make the most controversial decision of his presidency, in eleven minutes. 

What made an ordinary man from Missouri defy the most respected figure in American government to recognize a nation that didn't exist yet?

 It started with a failed haberdashery. And it ended with a signature that changed the Middle East forever.

Primary research sources: 

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, The National Archives, and contemporary diplomatic records from May 1948. 

Key Historical Figures & Turning Points: 

Harry Truman: The accidental president who defied his entire government 

George Marshall: Secretary of State, architect of European reconstruction, and Truman's most powerful opponent 

Clark Clifford: The young counsel who argued for recognition against impossible odds 

Eddie Jacobson: The old friend who walked past the Secret Service to change history 

Chaim Weizmann: The Zionist leader who would become Israel's first president 

David Ben-Gurion: The man who declared a nation and left its borders undefined 

The Oval Office Ultimatum: The threat no Secretary of State had ever made before 

Eleven Minutes: The time between declaration and recognition that created a nation 

The Pesach Programs From Hell!

Every year we hear about disastrous Pesach Programs, and this year is no different. There were at least 2 programs that we know were a complete failure and people literally went from חרות to עבדות!

One was in Albania and another in Morocco!

WARNING – PASSOVER PROGRAM ALBANIA

Runned by Koshertrip

We have just returned from what was, without exaggeration, the worst holiday experience we have ever had.

The gap between what was promised and what was delivered is simply shocking.

Food: repetitive, tasteless, often inedible – same meals every day. At times guests had to cook themselves just to have a minimally acceptable Pesach meal.

Organization: chaotic and completely unprofessional. The organizer was not even on site.

Hygiene: deeply concerning, especially in the kitchen.

Accommodation: hotel under construction, poor room service, no hot water at times, broken facilities.

Program: activities and entertainment repeatedly cancelled without explanation.

Location: remote, far from airport, causing additional costs and long travel times. It was not in Golem (Last Minute Change of the Location)

Religious standards: not consistently maintained.

The situation became so bad that many guests left early or moved to other hotels at their own expense.

This was not a “bad experience” – this was a complete failure of the entire program.

We are now pursuing the matter formally (chargeback, legal steps, and Beth Din).

If you are considering booking with this organizer – think very carefully.

This should not happen to any family, especially not during Pesach

And now to the Crazed Morocco Ripoff