Monday, December 15, 2025
Yeshiva students and the Tribe of Levi's obligation to serve
The Question:
I have heard that members of the Haredi community claim that yeshiva boys are exempt from military service because they are considered like members of the Tribe of Levi, who dedicated themselves to Torah study, and did not divert their minds to anything else.
And even though many in the Haredi community are not descendants of the Tribe of Levi, any Jewish person may choose to conduct himself like the Tribe of Levi, as the Rambam wrote:
“And why did Levi not merit an inheritance in the Land of Israel and its spoils together with his brothers? Because he was set apart to serve the Lord, to minister to Him, and to teach His straight ways and His righteous laws to the public, as it is said: ‘They shall teach Your judgments to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel.’ Therefore, they were set apart from the ways of the world-they do not wage war like the rest of Israel, and they do not inherit or acquire for themselves by the strength of their bodies.
"Rather, they are the Lord’s Legion, as it is said: ‘Bless, O Lord, his army.’ And He, blessed be He, provides for them, as it is said: ‘I am your portion and your inheritance.’
"And not only the Tribe of Levi, but any person from among all the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously moves him, and whose intellect understands to set himself apart to stand before the Lord, to serve Him, and to worship Him, to know the Lord, and who walks uprightly as God made him, and who throws off from his neck the yoke of the many calculations that people seek-behold, he becomes sanctified as Holy of Holies. And the Lord shall be his portion and inheritance forever and ever, and He will grant him in this world that which is sufficient for him, as He has granted to the Kohanim and the Levites. As David, peace upon him, said: ‘The Lord is my portion and my cup; You maintain my lot.’” (Hilchot Shemittah ve’Yovel 13:12-13).
Answer: Two Errors
There are two fundamental errors in the position that claims that the sons of the Tribe of Levi did not take part in the wars of Israel:
1. In practice, numerous Kohanim and Levites participated in the wars of Israel like all other soldiers; among them were great righteous men, such as Benaiah son of Yehoiada.
2. Moreover, before the Kohanim and Levites took part in the wars as regular fighters, they led the soldiers of Israel in their battles: as the Kohen anointed for war, as bearers of the Ark that went out with the fighters, as those who blew the trumpets, as officers responsible for exemptions from the draft, and as officers who harshly punished those who fled the battlefield.
In other words, they served as the “Military Rabbinate Corps,” “Education Corps,” “Military Police,” and “Military Prosecution,” and afterward, still participated as regular fighters. Thus, in practice, they participated in the wars more than all the other tribes.
Since the damage caused by an error in such an important issue is very serious, and as our Sages said: “A mistaken ruling in learning is counted as intentional wrongdoing” (Avot 4:13), I will expand upon these foundations.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Body of Aba Shaul of Bnei-Brak Has Been Retrieved
A body was found in the Yarkon River Sunday afternoon, during extensive searches for the missing Eliyahu Aba Shaul, a 19-year-old from Bnei Brak.
Aba Shaul was last seen on Wednesday, and since then, intensive search efforts have been underway.
The body was located by ZAKA volunteers in coordination with the Israel Police and the Fire and Rescue Service's Lehava Unit, in the area around the Yarkon River and its environs.
Police are currently verifying the identity of the body, and no official announcement has been made regarding its identification.
On Thursday evening, Aba Shaul's clothes were found alongside an electric bicycle near the Yarkon River, from the direction of Rokah Street in Ramat Gan, which led to a focused search effort in the area.
On Sunday morning, a reassessment of the situation was held by the police, led by Dan District Commander, Deputy Commander Elad Klein, along with all relevant parties involved in the field operations.
The Satmar Opposition to the Daf Yoimie
In the above video R' Eli Stefansky reads an email from a Satmar chusid who says that the Satmar SHIT'ah is against Jews learning the Daf!
I've written many times about this and I still cannot wrap my head around this!
Rav Meir Shapiro stands before the Congress. His proposal: one page of Gemara a day, studied by Jews everywhere.
Until then, only a few tractates were learned regularly — Berachot, Shabbat, Eruvin. Others, like Zevachim and Temurah, were ignored. Rav Shapiro’s vision was bold: every Jew, every tractate, every day.
On Elul 10, 5683, the resolution passed. A new era began. Daf Yomi wasn’t just about study. It was about unity. As Rav Shapiro told the delegates: one people, one page, one heartbeat.
R’ Meir’s idea was greeted by the six hundred delegates present at the Knessiya with a standing ovation, later described by the Bluzhever Rebbe in the Artscroll book Five Great Leaders as similar to Ma’amad Har Sinai and by the Chofetz Chaim as something that “would hasten the coming of Mashiach.”
The first Daf Yomi cycle began on Rosh Hashana of 5684, which coincided with September 11, 1923. The Gerrer Rebbe was just one of the tens of thousands in Europe, Israel and America who took upon himself to learn Daf Yomi and his many followers hastened to follow his lead.
All this is true except if you dare walk into a Reform Temple or a Satmar Bais Medrish!
R' Yoel Teitelbaum, the founder of Satmar Chassidius opposed learning the Daf Yoimie because this idea originated from Harav Meir Shapiro a member of the Agudah! Even though this was a way to "unify the Jewish people" the Satmar Rebbe would have nothing to do with that!
Why?
Because the proposal was made by the Aguda!!
A frum Jew a leader of tens of thousands was against this idea, was against unity!
I cannot understand this at all.
We just went to the beach to celebrate Chanukkah
They say you never know when it’s going to be your last. It’s 8:07 p.m. The hell began apparently just one hour ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago. I am writing on my sister-in-law’s iPad because I don’t have my phone, I don’t have my keys, my pram or anything, everything has been left there. I feel naked without my phone and I can’t stop fixating on it, yet I am so grateful for my life. Most importantly, my baby’s life. I can’t even believe I am writing this. I am in shock, in disbelief. I want to vomit.
All I remember is one minute everything is nice and grand. I’m chatting to my friend about joining her beach plans on Friday, and then I hear fireworks. Huh, I thought to myself as I look up at the sky, confused. I don’t see fireworks. Suddenly I hear everyone and see the CSG guys saying, “Down, down, everyone down.”
Rabbi Eli Schlanger Originally of Beit Shemesh Murdered in the terrorist attack in Sydney Recently Sent a Letter to PM Albanese after Australia Recognized a Palestinian State
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad rabbi and emissary, had recently sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In the letter, written after Australia recognized a Palestinian state, Schlanger urged Albanese not to betray the Jewish people and called on him to reverse the decision. Today, Rabbi Eli Schlanger was murdered along with 10 others at a Hanukkah event he organized, killed in cold blood for being Jewish in Australia.
Today he was murdered in the terrorist attack in Sydney during Hanukkah, leaving behind a wife and four children.
Watch:
The COWARDS used shot guns, fired from a bridge above and sheltered themselves behind concrete in order to murder defenseless and innocent men, women and children… who were peacefully celebrating their faith.
The 2 dogs in Bondi Beach have been neutralised pic.twitter.com/lTeEyrVyv7
— Sam E (@Sm137023) December 14, 2025
Arab activist Ahed Tamimi Stuns Satmar Stooges With Her Statement "I am against Judaism, not just Zionism"
Satmar activists love to parade around with the slogan “Judaism is not Zionism.” But history tells a different story. Hitler didn’t care — he murdered Satmar Chassidim right alongside Zionist chilonim.
The truth of Eisav soneh le’Yaakov seems absent from the Satmar lexicon. Instead, they pin every misfortune on Zionism. And so, it’s no shock that on their holiest day of the year, Chooooooof Alef Kislev, a day marking the rescue of Satmar Founder R' Yoel Teitelbaum from the nazis by a Zionist, they invite a vicious hater of the only Jewish state — home to over 7 million Jews — a man who has openly said he wishes Israel would disappear. Ahed Tamimi would like to see the demise of Satmar also!
The hypocrisy is staggering. The Romanian hangers‑on, the Satmar crowd, will find out very quickly — right after the non‑Jewish New Year — who really calls the shots. And as crazy as this sounds, I agree with Tamimi, Judaism =Zionism!
Palestinian Arab activist and instigator Ahed Tamimi recently stated that she is against Judaism, not just Zionism, and that she continues to view Jews as terrorists.
In remarks made this past July, Tamimi declared that she is not represented by people who seek peace with Israel and that she does not want peace with Israel.
She also delivered a scathing criticism of the Palestinian Authority, saying it is the greatest obstacle to the “Palestinian national struggle”.
The remarks, posted online by the Watan News Agency, were translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
"Who said that we want peace with the occupiers? I reached a point when I cannot live in peace with these occupiers, even if they would prove that they are better human beings than me. They themselves brought me to this point. I am not going to keep making excuses to this occupier and say that I am against Zionism, not against Judaism,” said Tamimi.
“I am against Judaism, and against anyone who... Just as I am defending my Islam from ISIS, you defend your Judaism from Zionism. I am going to continue to view Jews as terrorists and say that they are terrorists until they defend their religion like I defend my religion.”
"How can I be expected to sit at the table and resolve the [inter-Palestinian] split, with people who to this very day side with their own executioners, people who are mentally ill, stuck in their role as victims?” Tamimi said.
"I support changing the [Palestinian] Authority, I am sad to say. I always ask myself - what is the role of the Palestinian Authority? Does its very existence help the [Palestinian] cause? I am not talking about whether it is acting in a way that is right or wrong. What I am saying is that its very existence has become the greatest obstacle in the way of the Palestinian national and social struggle. I am represented only by the resistance."
In March 2018, Tamimi was convicted of four counts of assaulting an IDF officer and soldier, incitement and interfering with IDF forces, after she was filmed slapping an Israeli soldier during a protest of leftists and Palestinian Arabs in her town of Nabi Saleh. She was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment in practice and fined 5,000 shekels as part of a plea bargain.
In 2023, she was arrested once again over serious online incitement against the IDF and over her calls for the murder of Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.
In a post on her Instagram account a week earlier, Tamimi wrote, "Our message to the settlers - we are waiting for you in all the cities of the West Bank, from Hebron to Jenin. We will slaughter you and you will say that what Hitler did to you was a joke. We will drink your blood and eat your skulls, come on, we're waiting for you."
Massacre at Chanukkah celebration in Sydney At least 12 people dead
At least 12 people have been murdered and dozens wounded in a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.
Sky News Australia reported that 10 people were murdered in the attack. The death toll later rose to 12, police announced.
The incident occurred at Bondi Beach, where about 2,000 people were gathered to attend a Hanukkah celebration. The Daily Mail reported that eyewitnesses claim two individuals in black were firing weapons near the beach.
NSW Police confirmed a “developing incident” and warned the public to avoid the area and take shelter.
One witness told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere."
Another witness told 9 News that the wounded were being "carried out on surfboards because there weren't enough stretchers."
Videos posted to social media showed many people lying on the ground covered in blood while witnesses and first responders attempted CPR on several wounded people.
Police reported that two people are in custody in connection with the shooting. One of the attackers has been killed, according to some reports.
The celebration, titled 'Chanukah by the Sea,' was held near a playground and featured activities for all ages. It was held by the Chabad of Bondi.
The Chabad movement announced that one of its emissaries was among the fatalities in the shooting.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. Minister Sa’ar expressed his shock over the deadly shooting in Sydney, Australia, and sought to convey his support to the community during this difficult time. The President of the Board shared preliminary details of the severe incident with the Minister.
World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel stated in response to the incident: "The series of antisemitic attacks around the world is shocking and reminds us all of dark periods in history. Since October 7, a war has broken out not only against the State of Israel but against every Jew around the world, who have become the eighth front in this war."
"The World Zionist Organization will continue to stand by the Jewish community in Sydney and other Jewish communities around the world, supporting them in every way. We call on the Australian government to take a firm stance against any manifestation of antisemitism and are confident that it will do so. The Hanukkah holiday we celebrate this evening reminds us that the light of the Jewish people will ultimately triumph over the darkness," Hagoel said.
Another View of Rabbi Feldman's Ban of Efraim Palvanov!
DIN: I’ve listened to some of Palvanov’s podcasts, and I’m quite certain Rav Feldman hasn’t listened to a single one. That didn’t stop him from issuing his sweeping statement, of course.
The truth is, I regularly listen to podcasts and video clips from Charedi Gedolim, and I can say firsthand: their statements are often far more outrageous than anything Palvanov has ever said. In fact, some of Rav Feldman’s remarks about the State of Israel border on apikorsis and certainly qualify as loshon hara.
Now, I’m not saying I agree with Nochum Weiss, who chose to leave his community. But by sharing what he wrote, I’m opening up a conversation. Judaism, after all, is built on questions. The entire Talmud is a tapestry of contradictions, debates, and challenges — every other line is a question.
So why should we shy away from asking ours?
by Nochum Weiss
The house is quiet. I’m about to go to bed. I watch Aharon Feldman warn the public about Efraim Palvanov. Everyone asleep. Dishwasher humming. The kind of hour when doctrines loosen and truth sits down beside you. The Rav spoke with confidence. Absolute confidence. The kind that comes from a world where the internal logic is so complete, there’s no need to look beyond it. "Palvanov denies Torah sheb’al peh. Undermines Mesorah. Misreads Rambam. Treats halacha like a buffet." His presentations are “in color,” which somehow makes them suspect. I wait for an actual argument: why the archaeology is wrong, why textual history is irrelevant, how halacha is both human-shaped and also fixed at Sinai. Nothing. Just certainty. Thick, immovable certainty. |
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