Vance’s tough talk on Israel is alienating some Jewish GOP donors

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/13/vance-israel-alienating-jewish-gop-donors-00994154

JD Vance has an Israel problem.

The vice president’s pugnacious defense of a ceasefire agreement with Iran that rattled Israeli diplomats — and his tough talk on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government — has damaged his standing with some pro-Israel GOP donors who have backed the party under President Donald Trump.

“It’s hard to find any support for him at all in the Jewish community,” said Eric Levine, a prominent GOP fundraiser and board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, a group aimed at strengthening ties between the Jewish community and party leaders. Levine was speaking for himself and not the coalition.

Pro-Israel conservatives have cast doubt on Vance’s leadership — pundit Mark Levin blasted the Vance-negotiated memorandum of understanding with Iran, and former Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl said he won’t support Vance in 2028 unless he breaks with Tucker Carlson. Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, penned a Jerusalem Post op-ed criticizing Vance’s stance toward Israel and Iran.

Soul Health

 Rambam (Shemoneh Perakim (03) The ancients maintained that the soul, like the body, is subject to good health and illness. The soul’s healthful state is due to its condition, and that of its faculties, by which it constantly does what is right, and performs what is proper, while the illness of the soul is occasioned by its condition, and that of its faculties, which results in its constantly doing wrong, and performing actions that are improper. The science of medicine investigates the health of the body. Now, just as those, who are physically ill, imagine that, on account of their vitiated tastes, the sweet is bitter and the bitter is sweet—and likewise fancy the wholesome to be unwholesome—and just as their desire grows stronger, and their enjoyment increases for such things as dust, coal, very acidic and sour foods, and the like—which the healthy loathe and refuse, as they are not only not beneficial even to the healthy, but possibly harmful—so those whose souls are ill, that is the wicked and the morally perverted, imagine that the bad is good, and that the good is bad. The wicked man, moreover, continually longs for excesses which are really pernicious, but which, on account of the illness of his soul, he considers to be good.  

Study Science

 Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 30:12) “it is not in heaven,” mean that Torah is not to be found amongst haughty, arrogant people. The words: “it is not beyond the ocean,” mean that Torah is not to be found among people who constantly journey from place to place to make their livelihood, i.e. hawkers. Samuel said that Torah cannot be found among astrologers or professional astronomers, seeing that the Torah writes: “it is not in heaven.” The Torah may be found only among people preoccupied with the pursuit of matters which are oriented toward heavenly concerns. People challenged Samuel, saying to him that seeing he himself was an astronomer how could he make such a statement? He answered: “in all my days I have never looked at science  except when I was relieving myself” 

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 30:12)  Our sages said: “go and study Greek philosophy at a time which is neither day nor night.” What they meant was that preoccupation with any disciplines other than Torah study exposes the student to the danger of being influenced by the theologically unsound element, some of which is always found scattered in those texts. This is the reason these disciplines have been compared to silver, seeing that silver invariably contains some impurities unless it has been refined over and over again. Our Torah is compared to such silver, i.e. כסף צרוף. This is what David meant in Psalms 12,7 when he wrote: “the words of the Lord are pure words, silver purged in an earthen crucible, refined sevenfold.”

Menachos (99b) May one such as I who have studied the whole of the Torah learn Greek wisdom? He thereupon read to him the following verse, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Go then and find a time that is neither day nor night and learn then Greek wisdom.

Sciences lost

 Moreh Nevuchim (01:71) KNOW that many branches of science relating to the correct solution of these problems, were once cultivated by our forefathers, but were in the course of time neglected, especially in consequence of the tyranny which barbarous nations exercised over us. Besides, speculative studies were not open to all men, as we have already stated, only the subjects taught in the Scriptures were accessible to all.

Metaphysics is Difficult

 Moreh Nevuchim (01:34) THERE are five reasons why instruction should not begin with Metaphysics, but should at first be restricted to pointing out what is fitted for notice and what may be made manifest to the multitude.1) The subject itself is difficult, subtle and profound, 2) The intelligence of man is at first insufficient; for he is not endowed with perfection at the beginning, but at first possesses perfection only in potentiâ, not in fact. 3) The preparatory studies are of long duration, and man, in his natural desire to reach the goal, finds them frequently too wearisome, and does not wish to be troubled by them. 4) It has been proved that moral conduct is a preparation for intellectual progress, and that only a man whose character is pure, calm and steadfast, can attain to intellectual perfection: that is, acquire correct conceptions.5) Man is disturbed in his intellectual occupation by the necessity of looking after the material wants of the body, especially if the necessity of providing for wife and children be superadded: much more so if he seeks superfluities in addition to his ordinary wants, for by custom and bad habits these become a powerful motive. 

‘Islamic Republic of Japan’: Trump’s verbal flubs are piling up

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/12/politics/trump-gaffes-recap-nato

While recounting a clash in Iran, Trump inadvertently referred to the “Islamic Republic of Japan” — which isn’t a thing.

While seated next to Zelensky, Trump asked the reporters assembled if they had “a question for President Putin.”

Dangers of Metaphysics

 Moreh Nevuchim (01:33) You must know that it is very injurious to begin with this branch of philosophy, viz., Metaphysics: or to explain at first the sense of the similes occurring in prophecies, and interpret the metaphors which are employed in historical accounts and which abound in the writings of the Prophets. On the contrary, it is necessary to initiate the young and to instruct the less intelligent according to their comprehension: those who appear to be talented and to have capacity for the higher method of study, i.e., that based on proof and on true logical argument, should be gradually advanced towards perfection, either by tuition or by self-instruction. He, however, who begins with Metaphysics, will not only become confused in matters of religion, but will fall into complete infidelity. I compare such a person to an infant fed with wheaten bread, meat and wine; it will undoubtedly die, not because such food is naturally unfit for the human body, but because of the weakness of the child, who is unable to digest the food, and cannot derive benefit from it. The same is the case with the true principles of science. They were presented in enigmas, clad in riddles, and taught by an wise men in the most mysterious way that could be devised, not because they contain some secret evil, or are contrary to the fundamental principles of the Law (as fools think who are only philosophers in their own eyes), but because of the incapacity of man to comprehend them at the beginning of his studies: only slight allusions have been made to them to serve for the guidance of those who are capable of understanding them. These sciences were, therefore, called Mysteries (sodoth), and Secrets of the Law (sitre torah), as we shall explain.

Wisdom and Prophecy

 Bava Basra (12a) Since the day when the Temple was destroyed, prophecy has been taken from the prophets and given to the wise. Is then a wise man not also a prophet? What he meant was this: Although it has been taken from the prophets, it has not been taken from the wise. Amemar said: A wise man is even superior to a prophet, as it says, And a prophet has a heart of wisdom. Who is compared with whom? Is not the smaller compared with the greater? Abaye said: The proof that prophecy has not been taken from the wise is that a great man makes a statement, and the same is then reported in the name of another great man. Said Raba: What is there strange in this? Perhaps both were born under one star. No, said Raba; the proof is this, that a great man makes a statement and then the same is reported in the name of R. Akiba b. Joseph. Said R. Ashi: What is there strange in this? perhaps in this matter he was born under the same star. No, said R. Ashi; the proof is that a great man makes a statement and then it is found that the same rule was a halachah communicated to Moses at Mount Sinai. But perhaps the wise man was no better than a blind man groping his way through a window?  And does he not give reasons for his opinions

Bava Basra (12b) Since the Temple was destroyed, prophecy has been taken from prophets and given to fools and children.

Chasam Sofer (Orech Chaim 1:208): Bava Basra (12a) even though prophecy was taken from the prophets but not from the sages. However, your understanding of this gemora to be that wisdom was not taken from the sages is incorrect. Rather it is that prophecy was not taken from the sages. In other words, that type of prophecy which is attainable through the wisdom of one who studies Torah for pure motivation merits many things [Avos 6:1] with his intellect and his wisdom even though he doesn’t have the natural ability for it. The gemora wants to prove this from the common fact that a talmid chachom comprehends something on his own which in fact is according to the understanding of Rabbi Akiva. We know that this person’s level is not up to Rabbi Akiva’s heels. This proves that it happened by the prophetic ability we mentioned. Moreover, we also find that he says things which in fact are Halacha L’Moshe m’Sinai. The gemora questions this proof by saying that perhaps this occurs by chance like a blind person groping through a window. However, the gemora concludes that it is not by chance since he gives justifications for his views and thus it is like a prophetic form of wisdom.

Chasam Sofer (Orech Chaim 1:208): This idea can explain the gemora in Megila (16a): “Whoever says wisdom even if he not Jewish is called a wise man.” The obvious question is why shouldn’t he be called a wise man? Don’t we in fact even say a beracha on the wise men of the non Jews “who gives of His wisdom to human beings” (Berachos 58a)? The answer is that without this gemora we would have mistakenly thought that Divinely inspired wisdom only comes to Jews while if a non Jew said something brilliant that seems to transcend his intellectual capabilities - we would have thought it was just blind chance….

Golden Opportunities To Save Neshomos In E"Y!

Untold numbers of girls in EY are crying out for help in fighting off the Army

Draft Office and Courts seeking to force them into the exploitive Army environment!

As Rav Yosef Altman Shlita writes in a letter, when you save a girl from falling into the Army,  besides הצלת נפשות - you;re also saving their zivug*!  Middah-Keneged Middah, thats a tremendous zechus to for Shidduchim (and childbirth, and success in raising children as Yirei Shomayim)!

{* their ideal match)

LevinAt11 Matos: Identifying Da'as Torah

 Sun., July 12, 2026

‪Linked below is this past week's LevinAt11 radio broadcast of July 9, '26.

 תכנית ראדיו הרב יהודה לעוין, מטות מסעי תשפו

Topics covered include:

• מושג דעת תורה - DA'AS TORAH IDENTIFIED - see Chiddushei Rav Michel Feinstein ZT"L on Negayim 11:7.

• Wicked legislation

 ומלחמת התורה נגד גזירות רציחה והשחתה 

• Perfidy In NJ: Are we not better off without Aguda INTERFERING in efforts to combat anti-Torah antireligious edicts?

~~~`

Contact Information to urge the Governor of NJ to veto the antireligious abortion-at-whim/transgender-tyranny edict S2260/ A2218, ASAP:

Gov. Mikie Sherrill

Governor of New Jersey

V: 609-292-6000 (9-5PM) {in case you manage to actually get through...}

E: constituent.relations@NJ.gov

W: www.NJ.gov (go to contact page)

~~~~~~~

• The 250th Anniversary of America should direct national attention to this prescient warning of Rav Shamshon R. Hirsch OBM (D. 1888CE) --

 "... Woe to the time when sexes do not keep themselves holy! Countries and states in vain seek for the cause of their decline and do not see that they cease to be states as soon as their homes are ruined."

(-- Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch (Germany, 1808-1888 CE), "Horeb" (translated by Isidor Grunfeld, 1962, Soncino Press, Eleventh impression 2016), Section 4, "Chukim," Chapter 65, p.307, paragraph 1)

• Here's a pre-passage Open Letter to NJ Pediatricians, still relevant to said legislation:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/06/open-letter-to-nj-pediatricians-to.html

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

Email:  torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

845.642.1679

Direct: 771.215.8892

Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337

Heard weekly on New Jersey's WSNR Radio 620AM, co-hosting the renowned Levin At Eleven program, every Thursday evening, 11pm to midnight (ET).

~~~~~~   ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

Previous Broadcast and Wrap-Up:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/07/july-4-urge-nj-gov-veto-s2260.html

~~~~~~   ~~~~~~ 

PS: Horrific News from UK: English MP Life- Advocate Murdered:

https://lifenews.msnd41.com/tracking/lc/086d520b-7200-447c-8ebc-4e6ad9086557/8b0bc9c2-d73c-4e00-8805-935978fcf386/4493e4d8-5762-2bf6-d318-a3e37b755744/

  ~~~~~~

From Agudath Israel, again downplaying anti-Torah antireligious edicts vis-a-vis government funding:

---------- Emphasis added by me, NSL

"... Schorr also thanked Senator Joe Lagana and Assemblymembers Gary Schaer, Lisa Swain and Chris Tully for their longstanding support.

"These legislators have consistently been champions for ensuring that nonpublic school students receive the services they need to succeed,” Schorr said. "We sincerely appreciate their partnership and continued commitments to these vital programs."

1) Absent is any hint that Aguda cares if the NJ Gov. signs S2260/A2218. Certainly there's no urgency - or even awareness - being conveyed to the tzibbur to call her to urge a veto.

2) Aguda's praise for some terrible reps includes supporters of said bill A2218/S2260,  who seem to have atoned for their support of anti-Torah, anti-baby, anti-child, anti-parent and pro-Death legislation - by facilitating government cash flow towards receipts of preference for Agudath Israel.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>

Date: Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 11:46 AM

Subject: Bi-Weekly News From Agudah Update

July 8, 2026 - 23 Tamuz, 5786 In today's newsletter; Agudah Legal: The Supreme Court to hear a case about an at home minyan, and Agudah's statement on a Supreme Court decision in a religious liberty case. New Jersey: Senator Andy Kim visited the Agudah's New Jersey office and Agudah's statement on the NJ budget for the upcoming year. Torah Projects: Bringing Chullin to life with nationwide tour featuring Rav Amitai Ben-David’s live Shechitah demonstrations. Upcoming Events: Zahav/BHI Halachic Will events next week in Chicago; and save the date for the Agudah Action Summit 2026!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The LevinAt11 program is broadcast weekly over: Davidzon Radio davidzonradio.com / 718) 303-8000

 Levin 07-09-2026_HQ.mp3

Trump promotes ‘Freedom Fuel’ stations that sell cheap gas. How they’re able to do so is unclear

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/09/business/trump-freedom-fuel-stations

Station owners set their own fuel prices, and the overwhelming majority of gas stations in the country are small businesses that run on thin margins, not the major oil companies that often have their brands on the stations. Many make most of their money on the convenience store items sold inside, like snacks and drinks.

There is no way the stations can be profitable – or even sustainable – charging that much below cost, according to Jeff Lenard, spokesperson for the National Association of Convenience Stores, which represents stores that sell about 80% of the fuel sold nationwide.

“There’s no way those stations could operate the way a traditional retailer would, without at least breaking even on fuel,” said Lenard.

Elder fraud is surging. Here are three simple steps to combat it.

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/07/07/three-step-fix-halt-epidemic-elder-fraud/

In 2025, according to the FBI, Americans 60 and older reported a total of $7.7 billion stolen. That is roughly eight times the 2020 figure. Older adults filed 20 percent of internet-crime complaints last year but absorbed 37 percent of the losses. And research cited by the Federal Trade Commission suggests that only about one in 20 fraud victims ever even reports it.

If our ledger proves anything, it is that awareness of elder fraud is the one thing the U.S. does not lack. There is no shortage of warnings from sheriffs, attorneys general and agencies. What older Americans need — and what can make the difference — is one number to call, one rule to remember and one day on which the system moves as fast as the money does.

Bipartisan housing bill becomes law after Trump’s signature snub

 https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5963773-bipartisan-housing-bill-now-law-donald-trump-signature-snub/

“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, is a comprehensive measure aimed to address housing affordability by increasing the supply of homes and lowering costs by limiting major investors from purchasing single-family homes, among other aspects.

His inaction was largely symbolic. The Constitution allows a bill that has passed both chambers of Congress to automatically become law if the bill is not signed or vetoed by the president within 10 days, excluding Sundays.

Army service

Bamidbar (32:7-8) Moses replied to the Gadites and the Reubenites, “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?  Why will you turn the minds of the Israelites from crossing into the land that GOD has given them?