Korach , Meraglim & The Anti-Zionist Tzaddikim

 

It is important to understand  that Korach was no common rabble-rouser, and his supporters were no common street-urchins. The two hundred and fifty people who rallied to Korach’s call were “princes of the congregation, those called to the meetings, men of renown” (16:2).

That is to say, “they were the most distinguished of the community; ‘those called to the meetings’ – they were skilled in determining leap years and months; ‘men of renown’ – famous throughout the world” (Sanhedrin 110a).

Rashi (commentary to Sanhedrin 52b, s.v. למה תלמיד) states unequivocally that these 250 men were תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, talmidei chachamim; and the Metzudat Zion (commentary to Ezekiel 23:23) calls them “gedolim” – Torah-leaders of the generation.

But maybe this should not be all that surprising: after all, Korach and his gang were continuing in the footsteps of the meraglim, who were also among the greatest Torah-leaders of the generation, and who so recently had led the nation into disaster by rejecting the Land of Israel.

Rabbi Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal Hy”d (1885-1945), in his seminal work “Em ha-Banim Semeichah”, has fascinating insights into the spies’ character and the implications for today.

Rabbi Teichtal, who was initially fervently anti-Zionist, changed his views entirely during the Holocaust; he wrote “Em ha-Banim Semeichah” while on the run from the Nazis in 1943, and was murdered on a train transporting prisoners from Auschwitz to Mauthausen on 10th Sh’vat 5705 (24th January 1945).

He wrote:

“The holy Zohar and the Shelah explain that selfish motives caused the spies to commit [their sin]. They feared that they were fit to be princes [only] in the desert, but once they enter the Land of Israel new princes would be appointed. Let this be an instructive lesson.

"Even the greatest gadol in Torah and righteousness should not trust himself when he opposes the movement to build the Land. He should not think that his intentions are fully for the sake of Heaven, for he is certainly no greater in Torah and righteousness than the princes whom Moshe sent. Consider and study this well and you will see that it is the truth” (Chapter 3).

Watch Turkish & Israeli Agents nab Iranian cell planning attacks on Israelis

 

Turkey has detained several people allegedly working for an Iranian intelligence cell that planned to assassinate or snatch Israeli tourists in Istanbul, local media reported Thursday.

The news of the bust came weeks after Israel ordered its citizens in Istanbul to leave immediately, warning of an imminent Iranian attack plot targeting Israelis in Turkey.

Among those who were being targeted for kidnapping were a former Israeli diplomat and his wife, Hebrew media reported, citing Turkish outlets. The diplomat’s name was not published.

Israel’s Mossad spy agency chartered a private plane to immediately bring the pair and others back to the country, reports said.

The suspects, who were not all Iranian nationals, were detained in a raid last week in three houses in Istanbul’s popular Beyoglu district, the IHA news agency reported. The outlet said eight people had been arrested.

Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper reported on Thursday that Turkish authorities detained five Iranian nationals on Wednesday suspected of involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate Israeli citizens in Istanbul.

Reports of the detentions came as Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid arrived in Turkey Thursday for high-level talks, amid a recent rapprochement between the countries after years of frayed ties.

The terror warnings had both strained ties as Ankara chafed at being portrayed as an unsafe tourism destination in international media reports, but also allowed the two countries to showcase newly revived ties by cooperating on intelligence and security.

According to Channel 13 news, Israel was considering somewhat walking back its warning following Lapid’s visit, with the travel advisory revised to state that only non-essential travel should be canceled rather than all visits.

The warning, however, remained in force as of Thursday evening.

“We will complete the work [of thwarting attacks] and we won’t hesitate to lower the travel warning, maybe in a few days,” a security source was quoted as saying by Channel 12 news.

“We’re at the beginning of the end [of the crisis],” the source added.

The network, without citing a source, also reported that there were believed to be three more Iranian cells in Istanbul.

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a years-long shadow war but tensions have ratcheted up following a string of high-profile incidents Tehran has blamed on Israel.

The Islamic Republic claimed Israel was responsible for the killing of Revolutionary Guards Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in his Tehran home on May 22.

Khodaei’s assassination was the most high-profile killing inside Iran since the November 2020 killing of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

IHA said Iran sent agents disguised as businessmen, tourists and students to Istanbul to assassinate Israelis in retaliation for Khodaei’s murder and other attacks.

It said the Iranians had split into four groups of two assassins who could better track their Israeli targets.

The suspects rented apartments and hotel rooms in the area, and had $30,000 to set up a network of agents.

Police seized two pistols and two silencers in searches conducted in houses and hotels where the suspects were staying, according to the Hurriyet report.

“The hitmen in the assassination team, who settled in two separate rooms on the second and fourth floors of a hotel in Beyoglu, were [detained] with a large number of weapons and ammunition,” IHA said.

Channel 12 reported that the Mossad and Turkish security forces were working in full cooperation, and that some of the people arrested in the operations were Iranians and others were locals.

Israeli security forces will continue operating in Turkey for at least a few more days, the network said.

Later Thursday, Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which also handles operations outside of the country, announced that it was replacing the head of its intelligence unit Hossein Taeb, who had held the position for over a decade.

Taeb has been repeatedly named in Hebrew media reports as the man behind the planned attacks on Israelis in Turkey.

Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami appointed General Mohammad Kazemi to head the intelligence organization instead, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.

The reported arrests were the first time that Turkish media have reported on the subject of Iranian attacks that have been making headlines in Israel for over two weeks amid warnings from officials of Iranian cells on the loose in Turkey.

A report last week claimed that several Israelis visiting Istanbul were whisked out of Turkey the week before by Israeli security officials, who were acting on intelligence showing that the visitors were at immediate risk from Iranian assassins.

Media reports that Israeli and Turkish intelligence were cooperating in rounding up a network of Iranian operatives and that several attacks were foiled, were confirmed Monday by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Kathy Hochul to probe LI libraries that reportedly removed LBGTQ materials for kids

 

Gov. Kathy Hochul is launching an investigation following reports that the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees voted to pull LBGTQ materials from the children’s section at four branches – during Pride month.

“Public places are prohibited by law from engaging in discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Everyone — and particularly our state’s young people — deserves to feel welcome at the library. For many LGBTQ+ kids, libraries are a place of refuge and information where they can be welcomed and affirmed for who they are,” the governor said.

Hochul likened the policy to a Florida law restricting the discussion of LGBTQ issues with very young school children. 

“We will not tolerate a ‘Don’t Say Gay’ philosophy taking root in our state. I look forward to seeing the Division of Human Rights take prompt action to investigate these reports,” Hochul said in the Thursday press release. 

The move – which reportedly included removing LBGTQ books from the children’s section – also earned Smithtown libraries a rebuke from the New York Library Association. 

“This ban of any displays related to Pride sets a dangerous precedent for libraries across the state because it normalizes the victimization of LGBTQ+ youth in their schools and in their communities, which has dire consequences,” reads a statement from the association. 

A representative of the Board did not respond to a request for comment.

Biden Advisors Control Every Move…Even Remind Him to Say ‘Hello’ & "Take YOUR Seat"

 It seems that President Biden’s handlers are so concerned about his ability to perform in public, they control his every move.

A photo has surfaced of Biden at a recent gathering, holding a “cheat sheet” with specific instructions. Like, really specific.

The card title is “sequence of events”, and the word “YOU” appears in caps throughout the list. The list even reminds the president to say “hello” and take his seat.

The list of instructions includes:

-YOU enter the Roosevelt Room and say hello to participants

-YOU take YOUR seat

-YOU give brief comments

-YOU thank participants

-YOU depart

This man is supposed to be the leader of the free world. Is it any wonder why foreign leaders have zero respect?

Lakewood’s “Sary Wigs” Closes Instagram Account ‘To Make Space for Something Higher’

  Shaindy Braun has decided to close her “Sary Wigs” Instagram page, which has over 40,000 followers.

She wrote one final post, including this excerpt: “I am making this choice to close this page in order to make space for something higher. I want more אמת and more קדושה in my life and by extension for all of you my dear followers.”

The decision comes one day after Wednesday’s “Nekadeish” event for women warned of the dangers of technology and social media, although it’s not clear if there is a connection.

The Jerusalem betrayal by Biden

 

The US administration, led by Joe Biden, is trying to erase any achievement of the previous administration.

The Americans are interested in re-establishing the Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem alongside the American embassy, to the displeasure of Israel.

Jay Shapiro thinks that the Biden administration is trying to produce gestures to the Palestinians that will come at the expense of Israel's sovereignty over Jerusalem, and this has been done quite consciously.

Biden will do everything he can to help Lapid and sabotage Netanyahu

 

Despite outrage about interventions in its own elections, America has often sought to influence Israeli politics. Expect Washington to pull out the stops to try to sabotage Netanyahu

The latest developments in Israeli politics provided President Joe Biden with a good excuse to postpone his visit to Israel next month. With the collapse of Israel’s coalition government this week, the country is saddled with an interim government headed by an unelected prime minister in Yair Lapid who is about to launch his campaign to hold onto the office. Scheduling a visit by the leader of Israel’s sole superpower ally at the start of what promises to be a bitterly fought election campaign will make it clear that Washington is far from neutral when it comes to the outcome.

And that is exactly the impression that Biden is hoping to leave when he goes to the Jewish state in July.

Gloves Are Off as Maloney accuses Nadler of using Jewish faith to appeal to voters

 

Pass the popcorn watching DemonRats eat each other alive!

Rep. Carolyn Maloney accused her longtime-colleague-turned-opponent Rep. Jerry Nadler of using his religious faith as a “divisive tactic” in the heated primary race.

Maloney said Nadler, who is Jewish, was playing identity politics as a method of appealing to voters when the race should be focused on the issues that affect voters.

“It’s a strange way to run, it’s sort of like, ‘Vote for me, I’m the only woman, or I’m the only white person, I’m the only Black person,’” Maloney told the New York Times. “Why don’t you put forward your statement, your issues, what you’ve done and the merit you bring to the race?”

The Times article focused on the decline in New York City’s Jewish representation in Congress over the year — with the city at risk of losing its last remaining Jewish congress member, Nadler, should Maloney win.

Allies of three decades, Nadler and Maloney, found themselves facing off head-to-head in the primary race for the 12th Congressional District when a court-appointed special master redrew the district to include portions of Nadler’s current 10th district.

Maloney’s accusation of Nadler using identity politics as a divisive tactic was at least the second time she fired an attack at her former ally this month. In early June, she accused Nadler of sexism for allegedly asking her to step aside and let him run for their newly-combined district.

She told the Post that she believed Nadler would not have asked a male rival to do the same.

The pair each started their Congressional careers in the ’90s with Nadler representing a district running down the Upper West Side in the 10th District and Maloney holding down the Upper East Side in the 12th District.

In May, the special master combined the neighborhoods into one district, the new 12th District. Despite the new district being 60% Maloney’s, Nadler jumped into the race, rather than potentially face alien territory in his newly redrawn 10th district — which has now become a fiercely competitive open seat.

The political careers of the two Democrats, who are each longstanding powerhouses and committee chairs in Congress, desperately hinge on who wins the Aug. 32 primary.

The new 12th district they are both hoping to win is believed to be the most Jewish in the country, according to the Times.

While Nadler was raised Jewish and worships at B’nai Jeshurun, a historic synagogue in the Upper West Side, Maloney, who is Presbyterian, has attempted to appeal to Jewish voters throughout her campaign.

For instance, her campaign highlighted her bill promoting Holocaust education in schools as well as her vote against former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal — which Nadler supported.

The "Children of Korach Didn't Die" ..... All Mosdos Ha'Torah Endorse Hochul for Governor!

 

I'm wondering what would happen if Hocos-Pocus lost the general election?

I'm reminded of what the Yaavetz said about the Inquisition. He remarked that it was the leaders and the gedoilim that were the ones who converted, the "Poshiteh Yid" stood by their Creator and were steadfast in their beliefs.

For a couple of $$$, these Torah leaders will endorse people that stand against all Torah values, and just yesterday Yitzchok Fleischer the "Chief Tuchis-Lekker" invited that sick woke dog, DeBlassio to Boro Park to clear the path to endorse him for a congressional seat; how pathetic!

The leaders of prominent Chassidic sects and school administrators in Borough Park have endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul and her running mate, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado for re-election on Tuesday. 

The endorsement is signed by a coalition of congregations calling itself “Borough Park United” that includes the Bobov, Belz, Satmar, Sanz-Klausenburg, Bobov 45, Gur, Viznitz, Pupa, Svker, Spinka, Rachmastrivka, among other sects. The heads of Bais Yaakov, Bnos Chaya, Bnei Torah, Tomer Dvora, Vien and other major schools have also added their signatures. 

“In these critical and challenging times, it is important to have sympathetic representation in the halls of government so that we can continue with our religious practices without interference, have our streets and neighborhoods safe and protected, and see our needs addressed in a respectful manner,” the statement reads. 

The leaders stressed that Gov. Hochul has managed to develop positive working relationships with the Jewish community and has been proven as a reliable and sympathetic ally in her years in government.  

The endorsement comes a week ahead of the June 28 Democratic primary for governor and lieutenant governor, giving the incumbent a major boost and locking up support in the Orthodox community, who historically have proven to be an influential voting bloc in local elections.

Recent polls show Hochul with a large lead over her primary challengers. The letter urges community members to come out to vote as a token of appreciation and to show the governor and the state’s leadership that they have earned the community’s trust and have their back. 

The primary is on Tuesday, June 28. Early voting started on June 18 through Sunday, June 26.

Unbelievable : Boro-Park "Tuchis-Lekkers" Invite the Anti-Chareidie De Blassio for an eventual endorsement for a Congress Seat

 

Seeking the endorsement of Borough Park Orthodox leaders in his run for Congress, former mayor Bill de Blasio apologized for a 2020 tweet berating Jews for large gatherings held during the pandemic.

In a video of Sunday’s meeting, called by an activist of the Bobov Hasidic movement, de Blasio is seen being asked about the tweet. In the tweet, he blasted “the Jewish community” following the packed funeral for a rabbi who died of COVID-19, and said the NYPD had been instructed to “summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.”

“It was a mistake and I shouldn’t have done it,” de Blasio said in the video. “It was a moment of passion and pain over what was happening in the city.”