IDF Closes In on Bint Jbeil: The Fall of Hezbollah’s Most Symbolic City

 Hundreds of IDF infantry and armored troops have completely cut off Bint Jbeil, trapping hundreds of Hezbollah fighters inside, with forces now positioned near the site of Nasrallah’s infamous year 2000 speech. JFeed The Israeli army’s 98th Commando Division completed the encirclement of Bint Jbeil in the central sector of southern Lebanon in the early morning hours of Thursday.

The operation caught dozens of Hezbollah fighters who had taken refuge in the town by surprise. Some attempted to flee as Israeli forces closed in and were killed while escaping. Others remain barricaded inside as IDF units move slowly and carefully to locate them and clear the town of Hezbollah presence. 

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Sunday morning that Israeli troops “are still trying to infiltrate and take control of the remaining neighborhoods” in Bint Jbeil, and that the IDF was shelling the outskirts of the town with artillery. 

One of the most significant developments in the battle was a raid on a local hospital. The IDF said it identified Hezbollah infrastructure inside a government hospital in Bint Jbeil. Several Hezbollah fighters were spotted observing troops from a hospital window and opening fire. The IDF said forces eliminated the terrorists quickly, and later killed about 20 Hezbollah fighters in targeted strikes in the hospital area. Troops raided the hospital compound and discovered a cache of weapons on site. The IDF said Hezbollah had been using the hospital “systematically and continuously” for military purposes, including storing and transferring weapons and using the facility for observation, concealment, and shelter. 

Why Bint Jbeil Matters So Much
The operation carries major symbolic value, as Bint Jbeil is the largest Lebanese Shiite town near the Israeli border, located about 2.5 miles away. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Israeli forces failed to take control of the city despite intense fighting. That 34-day conflict ended under UN Resolution 1701, which called for the disarmament of southern Lebanon. 
The city’s most famous moment came in May 2000. After the IDF withdrew from southern Lebanon following an 18-year occupation, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah delivered a victory speech in Bint Jbeil, where he infamously compared Israeli society to a “spider’s web” — meaning it looks strong but breaks easily. 

Member of the Largest Reform Temple Sends a Devastating Resignation Letter to the "Rabbi"

 

'Rabbi Buchdahl" 

After reading the letter, I quickly realized that the letter could have been written to the Satmar Leaders, I couldn't believe the uncanny similarities that Reform and Satmar have politically in common!

 I highlighted in red the similarities and the message that Satmar ASS"kanim should read! 

(Just as an aside, "rabbi Buchdahl," is a "giyoris" I put "giyoris" in quotes because she never converted through a legitimate Orthodox Bais Din, and she subsequently became the "chazzan" of Central, then they promoted her to be the "rabbi")

Controversy erupted at Central Synagogue after the congregation's leadership offered only a belated, hedged response to Zohran Mamdani, the avowedly anti-Zionist mayoral candidate who had accused Israel of genocide, called it an apartheid state, and refused to condemn the slogan "Globalize the Intifada." As reported previously, Central's clergy, who had shown little reluctance to use the pulpit for progressive political causes, retreated behind the synagogue's 501(c)(3) status when the threat came from the left. Now, a longtime member has submitted a resignation letter, published here anonymously, that lays out in unsparing detail what that silence cost. The letter is a sweeping indictment of Central's leadership, arguing that the congregation has failed its members by treating antisemitism as a talking point rather than an emergency, and by extending moral clarity only in directions that carry no political risk.

April 6, 2026

To the Clergy and Board of Trustees of Central Synagogue –

I cannot in good conscious continue to support Central Synagogue financially with the payment of dues. So, it is with the deepest sorrow and extreme regret that I hereby resign from the congregation of Central Synagogue. Central has been a special place for me and my family. All three of my children became bar and bat mitzvah at Central. They all gained an appreciation and love for Judaism at Central’s religious school. Perhaps most importantly, the loving and uplifting services inspired them and drew them closer to the practice of Judaism. That is why I find it so painful to continue to watch the leadership of the congregation commit the most serious of shogeg despite all evidence to the contrary.

I have reached the point, however, where for the sake of my children, grandchildren, and our community, I can no longer allow myself to be complicit. The rising tide of antisemitism did not start on October 7^th, 2023. It started many years before. After the terrorist attack of September 11^th, educated people responded uniformly with a defense of freedom, democracy, and Western civilization. Twenty years later, after the savagery of October 7^th, they responded with a defense of the horrific atrocity and, in many circles, with a celebration of it. What changed?

Bnei-Brak Assemblyman Yaakov Vider Wants Bnei-Brak to have their very own Army!

I know, I know—it sounds too absurd to be real! Who was it that said “truth is stranger than fiction”?

Apparently, Yaakov Vider wants the citizens of Bnei Brak to carry guns.

Why, you ask? To protect themselves from terrorists.

But wait—doesn’t the Torah מגני ומצלי—protect and shield? Isn’t Torah supposed to be our defense?

It seems that over the past two months, Bnei-Brak got reality hit hard. They realized they could no longer rely on the Chazon Ish’s assurances, as Bnei Brak itself suffered serious attacks.

So now, they’ve taken a page straight out of Ben-Gurion’s Zionist handbook—forming their own army. But of course, it would be their army, separate from the rest of Israel.

So it’s fine to arm Bnei Brak, but what about the rest of the country? Why not enlist in the army and protect everyone?

נמות ולא נסתגייס

 

Leizer Enden a Gerer Chusid beat the crap out of Rav Yizchak Dovid Alter Friday Night "Lekovad Shabbas"

 Violent incident in Bnei Brak: Rabbi Yitzhak David Alter, one of the sons of the Rebbe of Gur, was attacked on Friday night by a yeshiva student named Lazer Andaan, who approached him with the "Shabbat Shalom" greeting and began attacking him in front of the worshippers. 

According to the testimonies the attacker has been shouting for a long time that he should resign and establish an independent leadership.

 In the attack, his Spudik and glasses were blown away by the force of the blow, and he was rescued from the scene by yeshiva students.

 The police are familiar with the incident and the background in the investigation

Uganda ready deploy 100,000 troops to Israel to "defend the Holy Land"

Uganda’s army commander, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, says he is on his way to Tel Aviv, just a day after declaring he was ready to deploy 100,000 troops to Israel to “defend the Holy Land.”

U.S. Intel Reports China Preparing Massive Missile Shipments to Re-Arm Iran

New intelligence reports reveal that China is moving to send advanced surface-to-air missiles and anti-tank weaponry to Iran, potentially shattering the fragile ceasefire in the region. 

Despite Beijing’s public role as a mediator, these covert shipments are designed to replenish the Iranian military after weeks of devastating American strikes that killed much of their strategic hardware.

The delivery, which includes shoulder-fired MANPADS and sophisticated missile systems, is reportedly being routed through third-party countries to avoid detection. 

WILD - CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN MONKEYS

 WILD - CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT

The article below cannot figure out what exactly triggered the collapse, but I believe the chimpanzees were watching the civil wars in Satmar, Bobov, Ger, Ponovoitz, Sadeger etc.

 A rare and deadly split has erupted inside one of the world’s largest known wild chimpanzee communities in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, where a once-unified group fractured into two rival factions after years of internal tension. 

Since then, scientists have documented repeated attacks and at least 28 confirmed deaths, including adult males and infants, in what some reports are calling a chimp “civil war.” Researchers still do not know exactly what triggered the collapse, but theories include group size, competition, leadership struggles, and disease.

Iran threatens to attack US Navy ships entering Strait of Hormuz after first American vessels moved through channel

 US Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the start of the war — as Iran threatened to attack any US vessels that entered the strait. 

“Several” American military vessels crossed the channel Saturday in a move that “was not coordinated with Iran,” Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing intelligence officials.

At least two were US Navy guided-missile destroyers, according to reports.

President Trump seemingly confirmed the opening of the passage in a Truth Social post that claimed Iran was “LOSING, and LOSING BIG!”

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others. Incredibly, they don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves,” Trump wrote.

“Very interestingly, however, empty Oil carrying ships from many Nations are all heading to the United States of America to LOAD UP with Oil. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Trump reiterated the sentiment in a follow-up post, saying: “The United States has completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force, and everything else. Their Leadership is DEAD! The Strait of Hormuz will soon be open, and the empty ships are rushing to the United States to ‘load up.'”

The assertion serves as a massive message to Iran as it continues to demand sovereignty over the strait as a condition to end the war.

Tehran justified its threat to target the ships, saying the US was moving a destroyer toward Iran in a “possible cease-fire violation,” according to a report.

The fast-moving developments unfolded as US and Iranian officials met for negotiations Saturday in Pakistan.

Zera Shimshon Parshat Parshat Shemini

 

Could it be Possible that the "Rasha" of the Haggada is a Charedie???

DIN: I published the article below LAST Pesach, I just read it again and it feels like I just wrote it... since it is still very relevant, I am posting it again! 

What? Are You saying that Chardeim are "rashaim?"

Are you being serious?? 

So before we take this apart, let's ask the time-honored question!

What is really the difference between the "Chacham" and the "Rasha?' 

After all they are basically asking the same question!

?חכם: מה הוא אומר? מה העדות והחוקים והמשפטים אשר צוה ה' אלוקינו אתכם

 "What are the testimonies, decrees and ordinances which Hashem, our G-d has commanded YOU!"

?רשע: מה הוא אומר? מה  העבודה הזאת לכם

"Of what purpose is this work to YOU?"

Yes the Chacham added "Hashem Elokeinu" but he like his brother the Rasha says the word  "YOU" meaning he is excluding himself!

Now, one could possibly say that the "Chacham" is no "Tzaddik" after all the Baal Haggada on purpose doesn't call him a "Tazadik" "righteous' but calls him a "Chacham" "Smart "so it is no wonder that he says "YOU", he is excluding himself as well, he is "Smart" enough to know what would trigger his father at the seder table and so to pacify him, he mentions G-D, that's why he is called "The Chachem" but he is no "Tzadik!" 

The Givonim also said to Yehoshua "Hashem Elokecha" when they were deceiving him!

There are probably a million explanations for this dilemma; every single year a hundred brand new Haggadas are published with another thousand new ideas on what the author of the Haggada meant! 

This year I walked into shul, and a little charedie boy was clutching his homemade haggada which he colored in school. When he got distracted, I picked it up and saw lo and behold 4 cartoons of the "arba banim" ... the four sons! 

The "Chacham" wore a Shtreimel" of course, and the Rasha was wearing a Kippah but was holding a smartphone in his hand! 

Now, I'm confused, because I know that his father has a smartphone. I'm wondering when the child colored the Rasha and made sure that he didn't color out of the lines, if he for one second gave thought that his own father with the Shtreimel could also be a Rasha!

Wow! A Rasha and Chachem all rolled into one!  I am certain that the father did not notice the caricatures of the 4 sons, but if he didn't, someone in the household will, and then what?

Which got me thinking, going back to the question, what is the difference between the Rasha and the Chacham, I thought that there must have been more to the statement of the Rasha that the Baal-Haggada left out! 

To find out what else he could have said, I figured out that the answer must be on how we respond to the Rasha, which would tell me the difference! 

And sure enough, the response is as clear as day!

לכם ולא לו, ולפי שהוציא את עצמו מן הכלל כפר בעקר

He says "To YOU" thereby excluding himself. By excluding himself from the community, he denies the basic principle of Yiddishkeit"

Wow! Pretty strong words "Koifer Be'ikar!" 

The hagadda talks about Paro, talks about Lavan, yet here when we are talking about a "SON" the Baal Haggada uses language that I only saw in the Vayoel Moshe vis-a-vis the Rabbanim that support the Zionists in the Knesset! 

The Baal Haggada doesn't even call Paro a "Koifer"!

So what's up with that?

It looks as if "excluding one's self from the community," which the Shulchan Aruch frames as someone being  פורץ גדר "breaking the fence," is called a Rasha!

 Shloime Hamelech says in Koheles פורץ גדר ישכנו נכש ..... "A snake should bite a poirtz geder"

The "Chacham" the smart one, though he too took himself out of the community, the tone of his question was possibly not as defiant, and by adding "Hashem our G-d" ...the father gave him the benefit of the doubt, but know that he is no "Tzadik!"

What does all this have to do with us??

Those of us who live in Israel ran to the shelters yesterday on the first day of Pesach! In fact, fragments fell in Chevron!

We are still at war with savages that want to kill us all, only because we are Jews! 

Just over the weekend, an Imam based in Jordan told the entire world that the war has "nothing to do with land," it is about killing all infidels, and he added that if the Jews gave back the entire Land of Israel, it would still incumbent on Muslims to either convert them or to murder them! The only ones that don't believe this Imam, is the Israeli Left, Satmar, Neturi Karta and BMG in Lakewood 

Last week, the week before Pesach, people on the local chats were asking families to invite the widows and orphans of this war for the seder. They were asking people to invite the "Living" widows the living "orphans" whose husbands and fathers will not be at the seder because they are at the front! All the Dati publications were asking families to not forget them and include them.

However, I perused the Hebrew Yated, the Chareidie Chadash, Hapelas, etc and couldn't find an honorable mention of the widows and orphans! In fact reading the Charedie news media, you would not even know that we are at war! They are totally disconnected! Not only won't they do anything to help the country that is so good to them, not only won't they show Hakaras Hatoiv to those on the front, they call them  "Garbage Cleaners" 

They are being "moitzeh themselves from the klaal"; they are excluding themselves from the community, they are being פורץ גדר and to fool the Father they mention G-d! .... אשר צוה ה' אלוקינו!

וכאן הבן שואל

 What is the difference between the Chacham and the Rasha?