Prayer to Angels

 Rashi (Sanhedrin 44b) A person should always pray that all the heavenly beings strengthen his power of prayer – in other words that the angels should assist him in prayer and that he have no enemies in Heaven

Rashshash (Sanhedrin 44b) The gemora states a person should always pray for mercy that all heavenly beings should strengthen his power of prayer. From this we can bring support for the prayers addressed  to angels which many criticize. However perhaps this is permitted for the individual as is stated in Sotah (33a)

Shulchan Aruch (O.C.101) One may pray in any language one desires; and this applies when one is praying together with a congregation. But when one is praying alone, one should only pray in the Holy Language. And some say that this requirement to only pray in Hebrew only applies when one is asking for one's own personal needs, for example: one who has prayed for someone who is ill, or for some affliction in one's household; however, when reciting the regular liturgy established for the congregation, even an individual may recite it in any language. And some say that even an individual requesting his own personal needs may request them in any language one wishes, except for in the Aramaic language. 

Sotah (33a) A man should never pray for his needs in Aramaic. For R. Johanan declared: If anyone prays for his needs in Aramaic, the Ministering Angels do not pay attention to him, because they do not understand that language!  There is no contradiction, one referring to the prayer of an individual and the other to that of a Congregation.

Yerushalmi (Brachos chapter 9:1) If a human is in trouble, he should cry neither to Michael nor to Gabriel, rather he should cry to Me and I shall answer him immediately 

Angels criticize G-d

Sanhedrin (44b) Rav Dimi explained as follows: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Ezekiel: Go say to Israel: “Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite” (Ezekiel 16:3), the spirit Paskonit, which is another name for the angel Gabriel, said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, were the patriarch Abraham and the matriarch Sarah to come now and stand before You, would you speak to them in such a manner and put them to shame? Is it not stated: “Debate your cause with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of another”? But does the angel Gabriel have so much authority that he can reprove God in such a manner?  Yes, as Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: He, the angel Gabriel, has three names: Piskon, Itmon, and Sigron. He is called Piskon because he splits [sheposek] words and argues with God on High. He is called Itmon because he conceals [she’otem] the sins of the Jewish people. And he is called Sigron because once he closes [shesoger] his arguments on behalf of the Jewish people, no one reopens the discussion. 

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/06/15/iran-never-won-a-war-but-never-lost-a-negotiation/

The deal gives the Iranian regime a lifeline from the lowest point it has reached and resources to rebuild its capabilities. Instead of forcing Tehran to sever its ties with Lebanon, it strengthens Iran's hold there. With an outcome like this, the Trump administration is making itself a laughingstock in the countries of the region.

According to reports, the memorandum of understanding offers the Iranians far more than that. It heralds the beginning of the end of the severe economic distress that sent masses of citizens into the streets in protest and fueled the internal threat to the regime's survival. Opening the Strait of Hormuz to Iranian oil exports will allow Tehran to earn millions of dollars every day. Added to that are the billions expected to flow to Iran once the memorandum of understanding enters into force and during its implementation.

Including the Lebanese front in the framework of the deal is a gift to Iran. Not only will it ensure a space of immunity for Hezbollah, the most important proxy organization from Iran's perspective, but it will also gain recognition of its status as a player in the Lebanese front. If the expectation was to dismantle Iran's hold over the proxy organizations, this agreement actually tightens it. This is happening as the administration of Gen. Joseph Aoun is singing a different tune and desperately needs to remove the suffocating patronage of the ayatollahs' regime.

And not only that. As far as is known, the deal makes no reference to the issue of ballistic missiles. Iran's progress in this field created a strategic threat not only to its neighbors and the countries of the Middle East, but also to Europe.

There is an agreement, but when and what will Iran and the US receive? | ynet explains

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyctifp11fg

For now, the official text of the agreement has not been published. Iran’s deputy foreign minister clarified overnight that the text of the memorandum of understanding will be released after the official signing. Nevertheless, Iran is actively trying to present the provisions most favorable to it, and state-affiliated Iranian news agencies are continuously publishing different versions of the agreement. In Tehran, for example, it is claimed that the United States has committed, among other things, to halt sanctions on oil sales, present a reconstruction plan worth at least $300 billion, and release $24 billion in frozen funds. As noted, the full text has not been published — and there is no certainty that the memorandum of understanding indeed includes such clauses or under such conditions.

U.S. and Iran reach deal to extend ceasefire and open strait

 https://www.axios.com/2026/06/14/us-iran-ceasefire-extended-hormuz-reopen-trump

The U.S. and Iran agreed to a framework extending their ceasefire for 60 days, with a formal signing ceremony expected Friday and nuclear talks to follow.

Graham ‘concerned’ that Iran views deal with U.S. differently than Trump administration

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5923946-lindsey-graham-iran-deal/ 

“I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” the South Carolina Republican added.

Trump's Iran deal stirs Israeli anger

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/06/14/trumps-iran-deal-stirs-israeli-anger/

The US President and his advisers are convinced that without reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing down oil prices, the global economy will slide into recession. For this reason, Trump is approving a memorandum of understanding whose only practical significance is the reopening of the strait. All other issues will be discussed afterward. The White House has told Israeli officials that in the final agreement, if one is signed, the US will achieve all the original goals for which it went to war.

Israel is deeply unhappy with the move, but is refraining from criticism out of an understanding of the predicament in which the president finds himself. At the same time, Israel blocked an Iranian demand that it withdraw its forces from Lebanon as part of the understandings.

JCPOA 2.0: Trump's deal risks undercutting efforts against the Iranian threat - editorial

 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-899266

It is not enough for Israeli officials to say that Trump understands Israel’s position. This is not a great deal. It is a dangerous one.

What’s worse than giving Iran $6 billion? Giving it two $6 billions.

The United States and Iran signaled last week that they were close to a deal, with reports suggesting it could be signed in Geneva this week.

Alongside those announcements came accounts of what the framework may entail: a memorandum of understanding that would open another 60-day period of technical negotiations; the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; possible access to frozen assets; discussions over dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and disposing of enriched uranium; and broader understandings affecting Lebanon.

Furthermore, Israel has not been a party to the talks, while Israeli officials have been left to repeat that US President Donald Trump understands Israel’s concerns and conditions.

If those reports are true, Trump’s Iran framework is a disaster.

Ahead of signing, confusion swirls over Trump’s Iran deal

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h18ytwozmx

Trump says a framework agreement with Tehran will be signed Sunday, but major questions remain over uranium, sanctions relief, missiles and whether the deal would constrain Israel's actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon

The agreement would not formally end the conflict but would instead establish another 60-day ceasefire period during which the sides would negotiate a final accord on Iran's nuclear program and other issues.

Tehran has not yet confirmed that the agreement will be signed Sunday. However, Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator, announced that the signing would take place "digitally," meaning both sides would sign remotely without a face-to-face ceremony.

The emerging agreement has sparked concern in Israel, where officials fear it may fail to eliminate the threats posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and could also restrict Israel's freedom of action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran MOU would cap self-defeating ceasefire for Trump, marks huge problem for Israel

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-mou-would-cap-self-defeating-ceasefire-for-trump-marks-huge-problem-for-israel/

On Thursday night, Donald Trump did what he has done repeatedly during the 65 days of his two-week ceasefire with Iran that began on April 8: The US president issued new and bombastic threats against the Islamic Republic, only to call off the ostensible attack in the wake of an impending breakthrough in talks.

Trump insisted that the “final points” of an agreement — which were discussed in “great details” — were approved by a range of US allies, including Israel, and that a signing ceremony could take place over the weekend in Europe.

He did not reveal the details of the alleged memorandum of understanding, but according to Axios, it would extend the ceasefire for another two months, during which time the Strait of Hormuz would be fully reopened and a US blockade gradually lifted. Talks would take place on Iran’s nuclear program, but no action would be taken until a second deal is reached.

Why Israel stopped when Trump said stop: Understanding the 12-hour Iran war

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899173?utm_source=jpost.app.android&utm_medium=share

Israel waged the Six Day War in June 1967. The 12-Day War with Iran in June 2025. And now, in 2026, the 12-hour war. Again with Iran. Again in June.

To help make sense of what happened, what the country experienced, and what it means going forward, it is useful to look at other examples.

In a Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security Zoom briefing this week, former National Security Council head Yaakov Amidror and Eran Lerman, a former senior NSC official, turned to two seemingly unlikely examples: North Korea and Google.

The week’s events made it clear to everyone in Israel that there is no free lunch. US President Donald Trump’s support for Israel – the steps he has taken across the board over the years to assist the country – is not without a cost. And the cost is that he gets a say, a big say, in what Israel can and cannot do.

Trump lies about Vietnam War dead in a desperate attempt to justify troops killed in Iran

🫵Who brought the missiles to Bnei Brak? Maran Rabbi Zilberstein breaks his silence and reveals in...

Angel of Sea

 Bava Basra (74b) At the time when G-d desired to create the world, He said to the angel of the sea: Open thy mouth and swallow all the waters of the world. He said unto him: Lord of the Universe, it is enough that I remain with my own. Thereupon, He struck him with His foot and killed him; for it is written: He stirreth up the sea with his power and by his understanding he smiteth through Rahab. R. Isaac said: From this it may be inferred that the name of the angel of the sea was Rahab. And had not the waters covered him no creature could have stood his foul odour; for it is written: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy mountain etc. as the waters cover the sea. Do not read: They cover the sea, but in the sense: They cover the angel of the sea.