'Black kippah doesn’t exempt one from IDF service': says senior Shas haredi Mk Challenging His Own Torah Leaders

 Interior Minister Moshe Arbel of the Shas party emphasized the importance of equal conscription into the IDF, declaring that wearing a black kippah does not exempt one from military service

Speaking at the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy annual conference at Reichman University on Wednesday, Arbel underscored the need for every eligible individual to be drafted, highlighting the necessity of upholding state laws.

This stance is particularly notable given the traditional position of the Shas Party, which has historically opposed mandatory IDF service for haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Torah students.

 Arbel’s remarks, which courageously challenge the views of Shas chairman Arye Deri, who has firmly stated that “no one will be drafted into the army, not even one Torah student,” and that the party will fight against such measures with all its strength, are a source of inspiration.

Arbel addressed the broader societal context, stating, “The citizens of Israel are not merely tools for creating GDP (gross domestic product) and GNP (gross national product) – beyond economic importance, Israeli society also holds significant spiritual value, and we must not ignore this aspect when discussing Torah scholars.”

DESPITE THE IDF’s calculation that it needs 7,000 new troops, Monday’s vote to revive an older haredi draft bill was approved by the majority of the Knesset members. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

He emphasized the utmost importance of understanding and respecting the haredi community’s perspective, especially regarding segregated academic studies, and the necessity of allowing haredim to pursue bachelor’s degrees in segregated environments to prevent their disconnection from Israeli society.

This statement marks a significant departure from Shas’s established stance, reflecting internal tensions within the party and the broader haredi community. Shas has long fought against changes to conscription laws that would mandate IDF service for haredi yeshiva students, viewing such measures as an attack on their religious lifestyle and values. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled existing exemptions unconstitutional, leading to ongoing legal and political battles.

Moshe Arbel, a member of the Knesset for the Shas Party, has had a notable political career. Born in 1983, Arbel is a lawyer and has served as the legal adviser for the Shas Party and the Interior Ministry.

He entered the Knesset in 2019 and has been involved in various legislative activities, mainly focusing on issues affecting the haredi community. Arbel’s recent remarks highlight his willingness to address the contentious problems head-on, even if it means challenging the traditional positions of his party.

Britain’s Newly Elected Prime Minister and His Jewish Wife Abandon Support for Israel

The British have returned to their ancestral roots of deep seated Jew Hating. 

From its persecution of Jews in the Middle Ages and onward to the cursed British Mandate, Britain has performed crimes of Genocide against the Jewish people. 

Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to drop the challenge to the ICC's jurisdiction over Israeli PM Netanyahu, supports Palestinian statehood, calls for a Gaza ceasefire, and reinstates funding to UNRWA, signaling a shift in UK foreign policy towards Israel.

Britain’s newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be faltering in his commitment to stand with the Jewish state.

According to the Guardian, Starmer’s Labour government is expected to abandon its bid to delay the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The previous British government under Rishi Sunak filed a challenge on June 10, questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israeli nationals. Following Sunak’s petition, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber had given the UK until July 12 to submit its full claim, but now under Starmer that challenge is being tossed away along with any hope he would side with the Middle East’s lone democracy.

In a conversation with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, the British leader expressed his belief that the Arabs have an “undeniable right” to an independent state. During the call, Starmer also addressed the “ongoing suffering and devastating loss of life” in Gaza, seemingly placing the blame squarely on Israel’s shoulders while ignoring Hamas’ guilt in starting the war following its October 7 massacre.

In a separate call with Netanyahu, Starmer emphasized the “clear and urgent” need for an immediate ceasefire and his desire to see a two-state solution that ensures the PA has the financial means to operate effectively.

Moreover, the appointment of David Lammy as foreign secretary raises further concerns regarding the UK’s foreign policy under Starmer’s leadership. On Monday,  Lammy announced his intention to reinstate funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an organization that has been repeatedly found collaborating with Hamas

 

IDF Drafting the Lying Charedim Who Work and Receive Salaries Despite Declaring ‘Torasam Umanusam’

 

In a dramatic change in strategy, the IDF is preparing to send draft notices to 3000 young charedim who are working and receiving salaries despite lying and  declaring that Toratam Umanutam (i.e. they are solely involved in Torah study).

This is the first time that the IDF is attempting to conscript charedim, since most of the previous soldiers who enlisted from charedi backgrounds were at-risk youth or those who had ceased to maintain religious practices. The current target group are those who are working in tandem with their yeshiva studies or instead of studying in yeshiva, and who are receiving official salaries according to the National Insurance Institute.

The charedi parties are maintaining silence at present, since they have not yet received instructions from the gedolim on how to react if thousands of draft notices are submitted to charedim.

Some members of Agudas Yisrael believe that if draft notices are sent, the charedi parties should create a coalition crisis and even topple the government.

“The IDF had never demanded the conscription of thousands of charedim in a few months, next year they want 5000 more, how can we accept this?” one Aguda MK questioned.

“We already know that in the current coalition we won’t be able to pass an acceptable law to regulate the status of Torah learners, so what are we waiting for? We need to get answers from the gedolim.”

Shas MKs also didn’t respond, preferring to wait for the gedolim to decide. One of them said that “We heard a clear ruling from the head of the Sephardi council of Torah sages Rabbi Moshe Maya, who said that it is forbidden to conscript even those charedim who aren’t learning and they shouldn’t show up at the base. The rabbi stressed this in the past, we are now waiting for his decision on the matter.”

In a recorded discussion of the matter, Rabbi Maya stressed that even those not studying should not enlist: “Even if you have no framework [don’t go], you will become secular there, it is a shmad- a coercion to leave religion. One who causes to sin is greater than one who kills others, this is clear.”.

Rabbi Shlomo Machfoud, another member of the council said that “We must fight this with all our power, as it will lead to a spiritual holocaust like they did to us when we immigrated to this country. They used to tempt us in different ways and now they come with this- another way to cause sweet bachurim to abandon their faith.”

Rabbi Machfoud warned all charedim who had studied in yeshiva- even those who have left – not to agree to be drafted to the IDF.

Gimmel Tammuz ..Rabbi YY Jacobson talks about what it was like growing up with Rebbe Schneerson as a mentor

A YOUNG “YY” Jacobson, seen with his father, receives a blessing from Rebbe Menachem Schneerson.

 Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak “YY” Jacobson does not seem to ever stop. With a popular YouTube channel featuring videos which reached millions of viewers worldwide, one of the largest Jewish online learning centers, TheYeshiva.net, and its new Hebrew version, lilmod.net, books, and his Chassidic Heritage Institute (CHI), he is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Jewish world today, lecturing to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences across the globe.

A teacher and mentor to tens of thousands, Jacobson is considered to be one of the premier Jewish scholars in Torah and Jewish mysticism and one of the most successful communicators of Judaism today, culling his ideas from the entire spectrum of Jewish thought and making them relevant and accessible to contemporary audiences across the world, using his unique sense of humor and emotional intelligence.

IN MONSEY, New York, a vibrant ultra-Orthodox community awakens. Rabbi YY’s lavish home reflects the prosperous neighborhood, where I was graciously welcomed by Esti, his beautiful wife. It is almost inconceivable that this young-looking woman is a mother of seven.

Fifteen minutes later, in a whirlwind, Rabbi YY enters the room exuding energy and warmth, full of vibrant optimism.

His schedule is dizzying. He had just finished giving a morning lesson, and in one hour will be leaving to the airport on his way to attend a weekend gathering in Israel with survivors of the Supernova music festival massacre.

The rabbi was assigned the role of being one of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s transcribers at the age of 17. I asked YY whether such a role was too heavy and stressful a burden on such young shoulders.

“So I was there from a very young age,” he said. “My father was in close relationship with the Rebbe. And when I was a teenager, I had the merit of joining the team of oral scribes. It was a small team of people, and their job was to memorize [the Rebbe’s public addresses on Shabbat and Jewish holidays] and then transcribe [them afterward] throughout the week. I did it for a few years until the Rebbe fell and had a stroke in 1992.

“The pressure was profound. But there was a tremendous sense of privilege and a historic thrill because the Rebbe’s talks were, first of all, very brilliant, profound, intricate; they also covered all segments of Jewish thought. He would bring the Talmud and the Zohar and the Kabbalah and Hassidism and philosophy and psychology and biblical studies and midrash and all of the different commentators. And then he would apply it psychologically to life and would talk about the contemporary issues.

How significant was this experience in your life?

“This really shaped a lot of my identity as a Jew, as a human being, my thought process. And today I feel that I have the privilege of sharing a lot of that wisdom and experiences with many people.”

How did it work exactly?

“These talks went on usually for six to seven hours; on holidays they could even reach 15-20 hours. I would usually stay up the whole of Saturday night and very often Sunday night. We would sit together, the group, and review [the talk]. There were a lot of arguments and debates, and then it would be transcribed into different languages. Sometimes, if there were questions, I would send to him a letter with different questions, and he would address [the questions] in writing.

You got to the top at such a young age. How do you continue from there?

“You’re asking a very interesting question. It almost felt like I was on top of the mountain before I climbed it. So, after the Rebbe passed away, I had to start climbing the mountain.”

What do you think is the secret of the Rebbe? What made him so appealing to so many people?

“After the Holocaust, everybody was just looking for a little peace, a little security, a little comfort. It was a crisis that shook the Jewish world on so many different levels, physically, spiritually, socially, psychologically, emotionally, societally, and religiously, and after the Holocaust, I think God gave the Jewish world two smiles. One was Israel, and the second one was the Rebbe.

“I have ever met a person so self-effacing, no ego. The Rebbe saw himself completely as a channel, and because of that he was successful in identifying the spark and the greatness within the people. His greatness is because of the greatness of the people.

“He managed to revive a nation in unprecedented ways. And he did it through selflessly becoming a channel, a channel for history, for faith, for love, for empathy, and for hope, and for the unshakable belief and conviction that the goodness in the human spirit is much more powerful than the evil and the toxicity.

“I would say that since the destruction of the Second Temple, we don’t know of, I don’t know of, another leader who had such an impact on every Jewish community in the entire world.”

Where do you see the Rebbe’s influence today, 30 years later?

“I can sum it up to three major things. Number one, he represents a voice of hope, the unshakable faith in the potentiality of an individual and the Jewish people as a collective. No despair. No surrender. A belief in the indestructible spirit and destiny of the Jewish people, in Israel and also in the whole world, after so many years of exile, war, persecution, and pain.

“Number two, he represents, more than anybody else, unity and ahavat Yisrael. Because there are so many different types and different opinions and perspectives, it’s so easy to divide us. He strongly believed that the unity of the Jewish people is the core of our success. He believed that if you go to the deepest soul, you’ll find connections. So I think he embodies that very powerful idea.

“The third element that represents the Rebbe is that he was a voice that made Judaism as relevant as could be. If it’s relevant, it’s alive.”

JACOBSON WAS born in 1972 in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, to a Chabad hassidic family. Both his parents are emigrants from the former Soviet Union; both grew up under the tyranny of Stalin. Their families suffered horrifically but ultimately made it out to the United States. He is the youngest of five children. His father, Gershon, was a journalist for 50 years; he was the UN correspondent of Yediot Aharonot.

YY married Esti when he was 27. They have seven children between the ages of nine and 24.

About two years ago, he founded CHI in israel, which introduces hassidic Torah to journalists and influencers in Israel through a journey to the roots of the Hassidic movement in Poland.

Rabbi YY, an enthusiastic supporter of Israel, said that since October 7 “half of my heart is in Israel.” He comes frequently to Israel, visiting families of the hostages and helping the Supernova music festival survivors.

In sharp contrast to his open and inclusive stands in matters of education, where he maintains a very liberal approach that sees each child’s soul as unique and urges the parents to find and encourage its strengths, the rabbi’s stands on the subject of Judaism and the Land of Israel are uncompromising.

And he has clear and decisive conclusions about the events of October 7.

“I think one of the biggest lessons is that every concession that Israel makes and has made based on goodwill and good intentions has proven to be a disaster and catastrophic for the Jewish people and a complete misunderstanding of reality. So I think that a major lesson from October 7 is that the entire approach has to be changed.

“The second conclusion is we will never appease the world by stretching out our neck. On the contrary, the world respects Jews who respect Judaism and respect their faith and respect their homeland. And the more Jews have the ability to be able to stand proud as Jews, the world will respect them.

“I think another major lesson is that all the secular arguments that we made to explain why the State of Israel is ours have not worked. And I think we have to tell the world that God, the Creator of the world, gave one piece of land to Abraham, even if they don’t care.

The fact that they know that the Jewish people believe it, that’s powerful.”

I asked the rabbi whether he is worried about the faith of the Jewish people in light of the growing antisemitism.

“I am extremely optimistic about the Jewish people if they are open to becoming the people they’re supposed to be. We define nature. I’m not afraid of nature; we defeated all our enemies. I’m not afraid for the Jewish people. I’m afraid for us not knowing who the Jewish people is. We don’t understand our power. When people make fun of tefillin or Yom Kippur, we’re stripping ourselves of our power, of our infinity.

“If we can each transcend our ego and tune in to our deepest truth as individuals and as a collective, we have an amazing way forward. Miracles will happen.”

In the USA Aguda US will appeal Core Studies curriculum to New York Supreme Court'

 

The New York State Court of Appeals ruled that the state may require haredi yeshivas to include core studies.

The decision was made by a majority of four judges to one who supported the original ruling in favor of the yeshivas.

In response, haredi educational institutions plan to appeal the decision in the New York Supreme Court.

The court decision allows the state to continue enforcing regulations that could require parents to remove their children from yeshivas that do not pass government inspections.

The court based its decision on the Felder Law from 2018, which gave the state the authority to determine which yeshivas meet legal requirements.

Nevertheless, the court ruled that the PEARLS organization representing haredim in the US and the yeshivas that joined the lawsuit have standing to file a lawsuit against the law.

Additionally, the court noted that the state's requirement to remove children from yeshivas is only a "recommendation" to parents.

The haredim hope that this determination can be used to limit state actions against parents who continue to send their children to institutions that are deemed illegal.

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, leader of Agudath Israel of America and CEO of PEARLS, said: "We are disappointed with the decision, but determined to continue the legal struggle to protect the educational rights of our community. We believe that ultimately, justice will prevail."

Shas Ready to Surrender to Hamas Fumes At Ben-Gvir ...Religious Parties Would Join the Left Just so They get $$$$$$$$!

 

None of the Religious parties can be trusted to keep Israel safe! They would and have sat with the Left with Arabs as long as they get funding! 

A political drama played out on Monday evening, ending with the members of Shas leaving the Knesset in protest and later issuing a statement saying they have to “consider their continued path.”

The incident began with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s anger at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu regarding his party’s lack of influence on government decisions on the ongoing war and ceasefire negotiations.

Ben-Gvir accused Netanyahu on Monday of running a “one-man government” and making important decisions himself without consulting his coalition partners. He threatened to refrain from voting with the coalition until he is granted a seat on the war cabinet

Ben-Gvir’s statement wasn’t an empty threat and he refused to vote with the coalition in the Knesset on Monday evening, forcing Shas to withdraw a bill regulating the budget for religious councils.

The Shas members were furious, and warning that Ben-Gvir’s behavior will lead to the dissolution of the government, they left the Knesset in protest.

Shas later issued a dramatic statement: “Shas views the irresponsible conduct of Minister Ben-Gvir with great severity, a systematic and blatant violation of the coalition’s commitment and a vote against laws approved by the Ministers’ Committee. Due to his behavior, Minister Ben-Gvir once again gave a reward to the opposition which jumps at every opportunity to overthrow the right-wing government.”

“In light of this, Shas MK Yinon Azoulay ordered the members of the Knesset to leave the plenary session. Shas will meet soon, consult with its Rabbanim and decide on the continuation of its path.”

Ben-Gvir then issued a statement in response, accusing Deri of idolizing the left and opposing Ben-Gvir’s appointment to the war cabinet because he “supports surrender and weakness.” In return, Shas called Ben-Gvir an inflated balloon and warned that his irresponsible behavior will bring down the government.

Earlier on Monday, a separate incident occurred with UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni, who serves as the head of the Knesset’s Finance Committee. The committee was discussing increasing the budget for protecting Israeli citizens and Yesh Atid MK Naor Shiri asked Gafni to intervene and ensure that the budget increase is approved.

Gafni responded: “I don’t have that much power.” Yesh Atid MK Naor Shiri retorted: “If you’re weak, you can disperse this building.”

Gafni: “That’s where we’re going.”

Shiri: “To where?”

Gafni: “To what you said now.”

Litvishe Gedoilim Seeking to keep Bnei-Torah in Poverty Slam Belz-Boyan-Karlin & Sanz Who Want to End This Vicious Cycle!

I have to laugh! They spend $175,000 on a plane ride to the US to schnor $100 Million (they came up 50 million short) and who are they schnorring from? From Business People!!! What utter Hypocrisy!! 

They preach that "hishtadles" is enough! But I guess they don't really believe in this concept from the Chovas Halevavois. Hishtadlus would have been to make to make a simple phone call, who wouldn't donate getting a phone call from Gedoiei Hador? Who wouldn't donate if Rav Landau or Rav Hirsch would make that personal phone call? 

But they, the Gedoilim unfortunately didn't practice what they preach! An "hishtadlus" phone call wouldn't do, they needed to spend $175,000 to travel halfway around the world; but Hashem had other plans. Not only couldn't they meet their goal but the news in Lakewood was dominated by two awful tragedies. And the Lakewood and other communities weren't in the mood to meet them properly! Even if they had met their goals, that would have been a drop in the Atlantic Ocean! The Israeli Zionists gave Mosdois HaTorah last year over $325 million dollars! They would have to be back in 3 months! 

And this whole campaign is disingenuous to begin with. The government only discontinued funding Yeshiva guys who were under 26, those over 26 in Kollilm continue getting their funds! In fact in the Kollel that I learn in, not one avreich was effected, not one!

Now they want to drag Belz and others who want to better their lives into their cesspool of poverty. Thankfully, Chasidim are much smarter and won't be influenced by this lunacy!

In recent weeks several Chasidic groups, including Belz, Boyan, Karlin and Tzanz, have decided to join the new State-Charedi educational system, which provides full funding in return for studying a core curriculum (designated for charedim) including English, Math and civic studies. Despite assurances that they would receive funding even if they maintained their own systems, the money has not been forthcoming and the chasidic groups decided of their own initiative to join the new system.

The heads of the Lithuanian charedi community, Rabbi Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, have strongly condemned those who joined the state charedi system. At a recent gathering for Degel Hatorah representatives, Rabbi Landau’s opinion was stated and a letter from him was read. The letter was published Tuesday in the Yated Neeman newspaper, as well as a similar letter from Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. Both the heads of the Slabodka yeshiva sharply opposed the moves to join the state charedi system.

Rabbi Landau wrote that “the matter of pure education was always the focal point of our teachers, the Gedolim of the generation and they stood firm not to allow foreign elements to be involved in it. I offer encouragement to the heads of institutions maintaining the pure and unadulterated education according to our tradition. They are bravely withstanding all the temptations despite growing economic difficulties. Everyone recalls the strong stand of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein in his last years against the attempts to place Talmud Torahs into the state charedi education.

“Now we have heard the sad news that some intend to accept the ministry of education’s programs. Heaven forfend that we place institutions in the state charedi network. Woe to us that this has happened. They should realize that besides the evil they are causing themselves and their children, they are causing great damage to the entire charedi community, making such a great breach in the house of Israel, that we don’t know the end of it. We therefore call upon all those who have veered towards this worrying and awful program, renege on all of your plans to change the face of the education, and Hashem will provide for you.”

Rabbi Hirsch added in his letter that the “State Charedi program being sponsored by the ministry of education has a dangerous involvement in the independence of our education, as is known from the severe results of this education until now. Therefore the Gedolim in every generation dedicated themselves to this basic concept, that there should be no influence and meddling in the education of our children.”

 

Sodom and Gomorrah in Israel? A week of moral distortions and sparks of hope*

 

by Moshe Feiglin translated from Hebrew!

We are currently living in a chronicle of madness. The last week in Israel looks like it was taken straight from a Sodom and Gomorrah newspaper. Events that were previously considered unimaginable have become a daily reality, and reflect a deep moral distortion that has taken root in the government and legal systems. 

But in the darkness, there were also sparks of hope.

I'll start with the basics:

 today's heroic generation, of which my beloved grandson Yair Hy"d was a part, had to clean up with his blood the legacy of Oslo's confusion generation. The big problem is that we entrusted this horrible cleaning job to these heroic young people, but we left the leadership in the hands of the confused and corrupt leadership, of Oslo, which holds on to power with all its might, without vision and without direction.

In the meantime, the war is being waged as an equation of pressures -- on the one hand, the goal is to defeat Hamas, and on the other, to free the hostages. Two goals that do not go hand in hand. This leadership does not have the courage to tell the truth to the public. Everything turns into populism, and everything deepens the strategic defeat of the State of Israel.

When a full-on right wing coalition is leading  this whole mess -- devoid of any message, the reality is even more bleak. The Israeli Right, despite its absolute electoral majority, fails to translate its victory in the elections into real control. The reason? It has nothing to offer. The power to change comes not only from a majority in the Knesset, but from a real message. When there is no vision, there is no willingness to pay a personal price. And so the Right will always be the first to blink.

The legal reform was only an attempt to create a toolbox for correction, but did not present an alternative vision. Did the Right immediately say on October 7 "Conquest, Deportation, and Settlement because the entire Land of Israel is ours"? No. Even when talking about settlement in Gaza, the Prime Minister says it is "unrealistic".

The failure is that the leadership does not take the vision of the people of Israel, the Jewish vision, the vision that springs from our Jewish identity, and place it as a clear alternative ideology to Oslo and say, "The entire Land of Israel is mine from the river to the sea," and insist on ascribing equal importance.

But the Jewish vision and the weapon of justice are in the hands of the people who wake up and take responsibility for their destiny. Amidst the moral and legal fog that surrounds Israel these days, some sparks of hope were lit this week. These are apparently small victories, but they mark the beginning of a new trend -- the awakening of the people versus the establishment that has lost its way.

The most impressive victory this week was undoubtedly that of the Yudkin family, who won by the power of faith. Their struggle to add the inscription 'Hy"d' (May HASHEM avenge his blood) on their son's tombstone was more than just a struggle over letters. It was a battle over identity, over values, over the Jewish essence of the State of Israel.

The Yudkin family insisted on their principles, and was ready to pay a huge personal price -- even to exhume their son. They won not because of political power or connections, but because of their strong faith. Their victory shows that when a person or family stands by their principles with determination, even an entire system surrenders to them.

The impact of this victory goes beyond the specific case. The directive that came out as a result of the struggle will allow any family that wishes to add the inscription 'Hy"d' on the gravestones of their loved ones. This is a fundamental change in the landscape of military cemeteries, symbolizing a return to Jewish and national values.

The second victory in which justice won over bureaucracy was in the court in Tel Aviv, when the civilian fighters who defended civilians on October 7 were released. This case was one of the clear examples of the moral distortion in the legal system.

We are speaking about heroes who left home to fight terrorists, and saved lives when the army was not there. They traveled south on the morning of that dark Sabbath to fight for the country and save lives. What kind of moral perversion is it to arrest them because of a Nukhba terrorist who raped, murdered and massacred people? The magistrate and district court judges realized the depth of the delusion, released the fighters and threw the gag order in the trash. Their ruling was undoubtedly influenced by the presence of protesters in the court's corridors. It was the public pressure, the shock on social media and the demonstration in court that ultimately made the judges realize that the tide is coming close to them and the waves of the values ​​of the Israeli public are already washing their toes. This is a clear example of the power of the people to influence the judicial system.

The third victory was in the Supreme Court, when the petition to admit Gazans to medical treatment in Israel was rejected. The very fact that such a petition reached the Supreme Court during a war shows how far the legal system has become disconnected from reality. But this time, the public was not silent. People came to the courtroom and shouted the word "shame" in front of the judges.

As Knesset member Almog Cohen described, you could see the shame and comprehension in the eyes of the judges. This is another example of the power of the public to influence and change.

The fourth victory was the brave act of the mayor of Ariel. After pleading with the commanding general to block a road leading to a hostile Arab village that was endangering the city's residents, and he did not respond, the mayor decided to take matters into his own hands. He brought a bulldozer and blocked the road himself.

This act demonstrates the gap between the agenda-driven military leadership, and a local leadership that is willing to take responsibility and act for its citizens. This is an example of true leadership, one that is willing to pay a personal price for its principles.

These victories, however small, show that there is hope. They demonstrate the power of the people when they unite around common values ​​and stand by their principles. The thread connecting all the examples is the attempt to reassemble the moral coordinates discovered on October 7th. And it will gradually get worse and worse until it starts to moderate.

But the real change will not come from the elected leadership, but from the people themselves. And this, perhaps, is the most important point.

The change comes from the people, from the families, from the mayors who take responsibility after realizing that the expected change will not come from above, from the elected leadership. This is a wake-up call for every citizen -- to stand up, unite, and work for a better, more moral, and more Jewish future for the State of Israel.

And in the next step, replacing the leadership with a leader with a clear Jewish vision, who is willing to pay a personal price for its principles. Only in this way can we truly change reality and bring redemption to the people of Israel.

Rabbi Menachem Yaveh of Yerushalyim allegedly sexually abused boys while making them believe he was the messiah behind closed doors

 

Reader discretion is advised 

Rabbi Menachem Yaveh, 51, was arrested this week on suspicion of leading a cult in Jerusalem and sexually abusing boys who were part of the cult. Yaveh is a student of Rabbi Eliezer Berland and father of 17 children. At least four of Yaveh's former students filed police complaints against him.

One of the witnesses said, "Yaveh was allowed to do anything, including the most despicable acts written in the Torah. It could have gone on for nights and I wouldn't eat or drink." The student pointed to the old apartments where the acts took place in Jerusalem, and said, "The cover story was to open a yeshiva, but he wanted workers to serve him."

Mordechai (alias) claimed that Rabbi Yaveh sexually assaulted him. "He kept warning me, 'You know you mustn't tell this to anyone in your life because something could happen to you. This is something I did purely with you and for you, something that I don't do with anyone.'"

He said that Yaveh brought him into the room while sitting, closed all the doors and told him that his grandfather was "in very, very low places in heaven because you sin." The student said that he was frightened and felt that he was "going to die" from shame. After that, Yaveh told him that he would make sure that nothing happened to him. Yaveh then started hugging him and kissing him on the lips. "It was such intimate affection, he gave me the feeling that I don't need anything in the world, that I only needed him. And that's where my life's worst journey began."

Mordechai said that the sexual offenses were committed "in the name of our holy Torah", and Yaveh used verses from the Torah to justify his actions. According to Mordechai, "He constantly gave me the feeling that I need someone to support me and depend on someone. He simply took my innocence and exploited it for about four years."

Mordechai said that 80% of the acts were done to him in the same room which was "small, dark, and frightening to be in." He added, "I didn't understand anything about sex and all these things, he just took me and said to me, 'Tell me what other things you like, what other things you want.' I told him, 'We've already done everything,' and he asked, 'What else do you want me to do?'"

Mordechai added: "Menachem, let it be known that you hurt my soul and ruined my life and my family's life. The evil you did to me destroyed my life and trampled on it. You ruined my life on the day I realized that you were not righteous and used me purely for your personal interest. I know more people who went through it."

Another witness, Tzachi Zeitlin, gave up his anonymity and said he studied at a Hasidic yeshiva in Mea She'arim. According to him, Yaveh used to hang around the Hasidic Breslav synagogue and crown himself as the "true student" of Rabbi Berland. He claimed to have been brainwashed by Yaveh with "long hours of endless talking that creates dependency". Zeitlin said, "Yaveh used to start with the most serious sexual assaults, in every form and way." He described. "My family figured out there was a problem in this relationship and they broke us apart with great effort."

Moshe, who also chose to forego his anonymity, said "once I entered the room with him and he asked, 'Do you feel that I love you?' Then he started kissing me on the cheek, and it turned into kisses on the lips. He talked to me about intimate issues which I had no idea about. I was not supposed to be exposed to this as a 14-year-old Ultra-Orthodox boy."

According to Moshe, "He told me several times that if I get him innocent guys who don't ask questions, he will pay me NIS 2,000 for each guy. At some point I ask myself, 'Is this the rabbi who is supposed to guide you?'"

Nathan (alias) said that the rabbi used to look for 13-year-old guys because "at that age, they don't have any opinions. He used to say it directly that he was looking for guys like that, without any sense." In another testimony, it was claimed that "he cut the boys off completely from their parents and their surroundings, slowly marrying them off and building an entire community around him."

Another witness, Hodaya (alias), described that Yaveh would give his students huge pictures of himself as a gift after they got married. "The goal was to look at him and think about him all the time, so that the children would come out righteous like him. That he would be constantly in your thoughts," she said.

The police stated: "This is an ongoing investigation. We will continue to investigate the suspicions with the required professionalism." During the investigation, Yaveh continued to lead the yeshiva. The rabbi refused to comment on the investigation, but his wife claimed "he is a righteous man who is being slandered."

France’s New Far-Left Leader Promises to Recognize ‘Palestine’ Immediately*

 

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Insoumise extreme left-wing party, following his surprise French election victory: “We will recognize the state of Palestine as it is one of the available means for us to exert pressure.”

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, which won the first round of elections, was defeated in a crushing blow in the second round of the French parliamentary election.

According to the exit poll, Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally Party will win 132-152 seats, while Mélenchon‘s extreme left-wing alliance Popular Front will get 172-192 seats.

This likely means a coalition government between  President Macron (LEFT) and the left wing Popular Front.

In 1948 Agudas Yisroel called on all men ages 17-25 to serve in the Israel’s War for Independence.

 

In 1948 Agudas Yisroel called on all men ages 17-25 to serve in the Israel’s War for Independence. pic.twitter.com/Iz7TTGeLUd

— David/Dovid Bashevkin (@DBashIdeas) July 7, 2024

Special Place in Hell for Ilana Glazer @ilazer

Warning: Foul Language!

There’s a special place in hell for a woman who builds her career by capitalizing on her Jewish identity and Holocaust jokes, only to sell out her people so she can remain popular with the antisemites who want to kill them.@ilazer, you think we didn’t notice how silent you were… pic.twitter.com/RrAiaOlZCc

— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) July 7, 2024

Watch "innocent" Children in the West Bank Stab Jewish Soldiers and Get Shipped to the Virgins

 

The "innocent" children of the West Bank.

pic.twitter.com/AcP686Tp1L

— Eli Afriat 🇮🇱🎗 (@EliAfriatISR) July 7, 2024

Now watch the "innocent " Gazans celebrate the murder of a Jew on October 7 

If you live in a place or a society that this can happen, then you have only yourself to blame when sh*t goes sideways. #October7massacre pic.twitter.com/kCMHVGoq9R

— AP (@APbrooklyn_NY) July 7, 2024

Hostages' families warn: Proposed prisoner swap deal will leave most hostages in Gaza

 

Relatives of some of the hostages held in Gaza, members of the Tikva Forum, on Monday afternoon held a press conference, calling for Israel not to agree to the proposed prisoner swap deal and warning that the proposal would only harm their loved ones.

Zvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, warned: "Such a deal buries my son there, and will leave him behind, along with dozens of other hostages. Such a deal will endanger the State of Israel's security and bring the next massacre."

Eliya Abutbul, Eitan's brother-in-law, added: "After nine months, it is time to change tactics. It's time to think in another fashion about how to bring the hostages home. If this way is not working, then it obviously needs a change."

Talik Go'ili, mother of Yassam officer Ran, stressed: "We oppose this deal, because if it takes place, they will construct a building on top of my son's body in one of the streets in Gaza."

Boaz Miran, whose brother Omri is held captive by Hamas in Gaza, said, "We oppose [this] deal because it will leave most of the hostages inside [Gaza], including my brother. The best deal is defeating Hamas and increasing the pressure which will bring about the release of all of the hostages."

Riki Baruch, sister-in-law of Uriel Baruch, who was murdered on October 7 and whose body is held by Hamas, said, "If such a deal is implemented, in another few months the Baruch family will request permission to enter Gaza in order to recite Kaddish and Psalms near Uriel's body."

Avigdor Liberman to French Jews "GET OUT NOW!"

 

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman has urged French Jews to move to Israel following the left-wing rise in yesterday’s elections.

Although no party won a majority in the second round of France’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, in which all 577 seats of the National Assembly were in play. According to Le Monde, the left-wing New Popular Front alliance won 182 seats while the centrist Ensemble, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, won 168.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the French far-left leader, has promised “to recognize the State of Palestine.” Liberman’s address to French Jews pointed out Mélenchon’s history of statements against Jews and Israel, calling it ‘pure antisemitism.’

Liberman has avoided the question of whether elections or unity with the current coalition, are on the horizon in Israel. Growing tensions regarding a hostage exchange agreement between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have led many to speculate that Netanyahu will seek new partners to avoid elections if the government disbands.

Liberman also dismissed the claims about an Israeli murdering a captured Hamas terrorist, saying the case was a “theater of the absurd” and calling on the State Attorney’s Office to offer “an apology and release all the detainees.”