Sunday, August 31, 2025
Trump dispels health rumors, hits golf course
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5478949-donald-trump-health-media-rumors
President Trump on Saturday spent time on the golf course, dispelling rumors that health issues were keeping the president out of the public eye.
He was spotted at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., after his schedule was void of public events for several days in a row. The empty agenda set off a flurry of social media posts raising questions about the president’s health after a photograph of bruising on his hand during a White House Cabinet meeting went viral.
GOP rehabilitates ‘thoughts and prayers’ after Minneapolis shooting
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5477870-democrats-criticize-gop-prayer-response
Democrats and liberal pundits in particular have seen expressions of thoughts and prayers, particularly coming from the GOP and prominent commentators on the right, as an empty gesture when uncoupled with specific actions on gun control to prevent mass shootings.
Those arguments were reignited this week after two children, aged 8 and 12, were killed by a lone shooter targeting a mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Wednesday.
Former White House press secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki was in the middle of the discussion for a series of posts on the social platform X in which she said “enough with the thoughts and prayers” as she expressed frustration with another senseless shooting that left young people dead.
FBI chief’s girlfriend sues podcaster for claiming she’s an Israeli ‘honeypot’ agent
“He’s got a girlfriend that is half his age,” he said, claiming that “she’s also a former Mossad agent.But I’m sure that’s totally because, like, she’s really looking for like a cross-eyed, you know, kind of thickish built, super cool bro who’s almost 50 years old who’s Indian in America,” the podcaster quipped.Anyway, I’m sure that’s totally just, like, love,” he said. “That’s what real love looks like.”
Saturday, August 30, 2025
The CDC is falling deeper into crisis. What it means for the nation’s health.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/30/cdc-vaccines-rfk-jr-future
Months of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have undercut the agency’s work, employees said, and put the future of vaccines into doubt.
Senior officials resigned this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revolting against efforts to upend U.S. vaccine policy that they warned could lead to resurgences of preventable disease. But months of upheaval at the agency have already undercut its work to shield Americans from harm, officials and public health experts said, with the worst possibly yet to come.
Under the Trump administration, the agency has slashed billions in funding, shed hundreds of employees and rolled back programs to help Americans quit smoking and to prevent infant and maternal deaths, including support for monitoring sudden unexpected infant deaths. Funding for programs to prevent drowning, youth violence and sexual assault is in limbo, while they are under review by the U.S. DOGE Service.
Federal appeals court rejects Trump’s emergency tariffs
https://thehill.com/homenews/5478213-trump-tariffs-rejected-appeals-court
A federal appeals court on Friday rejected President Trump’s assertion that emergency powers justify his worldwide tariffs, a blow to his efforts to refashion global trade.
In a 7-4 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court’s ruling that the tariffs were not authorized by the statute Trump cited to justify them.
The ruling does not take effect immediately, as the court withheld the mandate for its decision until Oct. 14, so the administration can appeal to the Supreme Court.
What happens next after Trump tariffs ruled illegal?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy983g8jr5do
A federal appeals court has ruled that most of Donald Trump's tariffs are an overreach of his use of emergency powers as president.
The so-called reciprocal tariffs - imposed on nearly every country the US trades with - are being illegally imposed, the US Court of Appeals said on Friday.
The decision upholds a ruling in May from the Court of International Trade, which also rejected Trump's argument that his global tariffs were permitted under an emergency economic powers act.
Many of the tariffs that would be affected by the ruling stem from an announcement in April of a flat 10% rate on imports from all countries, which Trump said would even out "unfair" trade relations with the US.
The court did not halt the tariffs but instead said they would remain in place until mid-October, setting up a further legal challenge in the US Supreme Court.
Trump, 79, Fundraises Off His Desperate Push to Get Into Heaven
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-79-fundraises-off-his-desperate-push-to-get-into-heaven
President Donald Trump is now fundraising off his newfound push to make it into Heaven.
The 79-year-old president’s Super PAC fired off an email to supporters on Saturday morning with the opening line, “Friend, I want to try and get to Heaven.” That sort of talk is not entirely out of the blue for Trump,
Psak of Baltimore Beis Din for the morons who are either ignorant or afraid
‘His inexperience shines through’: Steve Witkoff struggles to manage Russia as Trump peace envoy
Witkoff’s solo approach has led to repeated miscues with Russia, leaving Trump’s pledge to quickly end the war between Russia and Ukraine adrift.
President Donald Trump’s surprise Anchorage summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin could have been a signature achievement for Steve Witkoff, the developer-turned-diplomat who facilitated the meet up.
But promised follow-up meetings between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have not materialized, ceasefire demands were dropped, threats of tough action have disappeared and Trump’s team has offered no clear road ahead.
Some frustrated U.S., Ukrainian and European officials say part of the problem is the go-it-alone style of Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for peace missions and go-to negotiator on Ukraine. He has refused to consult with experts and allies, leaving him uninformed at times and unprepared at others, according to seven people familiar with internal discussions. Two said he misses the mark by viewing the conflict through a real estate lens, like a land dispute.
Common heart attack drug doesn’t work and may raise risk of death for some women, new studies say
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/30/health/heart-attack-beta-blockers-wellness
A class of drugs called beta-blockers — used for decades as a first-line treatment after a heart attack— doesn’t benefit the vast majority of patients and may contribute to a higher risk of hospitalization and death in some women but not in men, according to groundbreaking new research.
“These findings will reshape all international clinical guidelines on the use of beta-blockers in men and women and should spark a long-needed, sex-specific approach to treatment for cardiovascular disease,” said senior study author Dr. Valentin Fuster, president of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City and general director of the National Center for Cardiovascular Investigation in Madrid.
Houthi Prime Minister Ghalib al-Rahawi, eight ministers killed in IAF Thursday strike
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-865760
Houthi Prime Minister Ghalib al-Rahawi and several other ministers were killed in the IAF strike in Sanaa on Thursday, the news agency run by the terror group said on Saturday, citing a statement by the head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat.
The Houthis' director of the political bureau, the prime minister's chief of staff, the cabinet secretary, the justice minister, the economy and trade minister, the foreign minister, the agriculture minister, and the public relations minister were killed in the strike, Army Radio reported, citing Israeli security sources.
The Houthis further announced that several other ministers who were present were seriously and moderately injured in the strike and are receiving medical treatment.
Friday, August 29, 2025
Brain Death or permission to take organs
I'm reading "Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole: A Renowned Neurologist Explains the Mystery and Drama of Brain Disease" by Allan H. Ropper, Brian David Burrell and wanted to share this quote with you.
Mishpatim 76 – Questioning Authority [ Kaminetsky-Greenblatt Heter] by Allan Katz
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Susan Monarez Firing as CDC Director Sparks Outrage: 'Grave Danger'
https://www.newsweek.com/susan-monarez-cdc-director-outrage-grave-danger-2120718
The White House's decision to remove Dr. Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has triggered backlash from health officials and lawmakers, and a former CDC leader warned of "grave danger."
Monarez was fired because she was "not aligned with the President's agenda of Making America Healthy Again," White House spokesperson Kush Desai announced on Wednesday night.
Her attorney, Mark Zaid later said in a statement that Monarez "has neither resigned nor received notification from the White House that she was fired."
Several health officials and lawmakers have spoken out against the firing, including Dr. Tom Frieden, who was CDC director from 2009 to 2017.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Chanifa(Hypocrisy) is bad?
Shemos (25:10-11) 10. And they shall make an ark of shittim wood; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.11. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and shall make upon it a rim of gold around it.
Yoma (72b) Within and without shalt thou overlay it. Raba said: Any scholar whose inside is not like his outside, is no scholar. Abaye, or, as some say, Rabbah b. ‘Ulla said: He is called abominable,.
Vayikra (11:4) Nevertheless these shall you not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those that divide the hoof; the camel, because it chews the cud, but its hoof is not parted; it is unclean to you.
Kli Yakar (Vayikra 11:4) For he chews his cud. Why does the Torah always begin with their sign of purity first? The explanation is because their pure sign adds extra impurity to their impurity, as we find that Chazal compared Esov to a pig that sticks out its hoofs when it lies down to make it appear as if it is kosher, but its innards are full of deceit. This represents anyone whose inside is not like his outside, in the manner of the hypocrites … Therefore, the pig’s split hoof is a sign of impurity because the split hoof can deceive people and make it appear as if it is kosher.
Bava Metzia (85a): Rabbi chanced to visit the town of R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon. ‘Did that righteous man leave a son?’ he inquired. ‘Yes,’ they replied; ‘and every harlot whose hire is two zuz, hires him for eight.’ So he had him brought before him, ordained him a Rabbi, and entrusted him to R. Simeon b. Issi b. Lakonia, his mother's brother to be educated. Every day he would say, ‘I am going to my town; to which his instructor replied, ‘They have made you a Sage, spread over you a gold trimmed cloak at the ceremony of ordination and designated you "Rabbi", and yet you say, I am going back to my town!’ Said he, ‘I swear that my desire has been abandoned.’ When he became a great scholar, he went and sat in Rabbi's academy. On hearing his voice, Rabbi observed: ‘This voice is similar to that of R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon.’ ‘He is his son,’ his disciples told him. Thereupon he applied to him the verse, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. Thus ‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life’ — this refers to R. Jose, the son of R. Eleazar, the son of R. Simeon; ‘And he that wins souls is wise’ — to R. Simeon b. Issi b. Lakonia. When he died, he was carried to his father's burial vault, which was encompassed by a snake. ‘O snake, O snake,’ they adjured it, ‘open thy mouth and let the son enter to his father;’ but it would not uncoil for them. Now, the people thought that one was greater than the other,19 but there issued a Heavenly Voice, proclaiming: ‘It is not because one is greater than the other, but because one underwent the suffering of the cave, and the other did not.
Menoras HaMe'or(Chapter 20 Derech Eretz): A person should always mix properly with others. That means rejoicing with those who are celebrating, worrying with those who are upset, and suffering with the sufferers. He should not jest with those who are crying nor cry with those who are jesting. He should not be awake amongst those who are sleeping nor sleep amongst those who are awake. He should not stand amongst those who are sitting not sit amongst those who are standing. The general rule is that a person should not exhibit characteristics that differ from others if his intent is for good and for the sake of heaven. He should be tolerant and forbearing and nullify his will before the will of others.
Ksav Sofer (Bereishis 28:20): If You give me bread to eat and clothes to wear…Medrash Rabba (70:5) explains this verse in various ways. For example “bread” is referring to Torah, while “clothing” is referring to a talis. Meaning that if a person merits Torah he will also merit a talis. See Yafes To'ar which says that the garment referred to here is the rabbinic clothing which had tzitzis in it. In my opinion it is best explained according to Shabbos (114a), “Who is a talmid chachom? One who knows he should always wear his garments right side out. This is in accord with the view of the Chovas HaLevavos (Shaar Prishus 4), “Intelligent people have joy on their face while they mourn in their heart.” That is because those who are intelligent despise the nonsense of this world. Nevertheless it is necessary that they mingle well with others and are not isolated and therefore they have to show a cheerful face to the world and not reveal their inner feelings of mourning. Thus we see a talmid chachom has to appear properly to others but he should not reveal what is truly in his heart. This is actually the intent when Chazal said, “Who is a talmid chachom? One who knows to reverse his clothing i.e., that he should be different and separate from those who are invested in the mundane world and he should keep his heart away from them. Thus his thoughts are not their thoughts and he needs to be able to reverse his garment (exterior) so that it doesn’t reveal what is in his heart before the masses and they should not even be aware that he thinks and feels differently than them – as the Chovas HaLevavos has explained. This is the explanation of the medrash, “When a person merits Torah he merits a talis.” He learns to conceal his true feelings so that others have no idea what is going on in his deepest thoughts – in order that he can participate in human society (me’urav im habrios). G-d in fact helps him that he should not be influenced by them but rather his heart should be completely with G-d and His Torah. This in fact is what Yaakov was asking from G-d, “If You give me bread to eat and clothing to wear.” Bread is referring to Torah. However you must understand that it is impossible to be isolated from other people when you are with them. That is why Yaakov also requested “clothing to wear” as we mentioned before. Perhaps we can use this to explain the words of Hillel (Sukka 53a), “If I am here then everyone is here.” In other words one should not separate himself or act differently in the presence of others. He should not look depressed and bitter so that others avoid him. However when he is by himself he should think “Who am I? What is this worthless life? And when I am by myself what am I truly?” There is much more to discuss on this topic.
Berachos (28a) Rabban Gamaliel issued a proclamation saying. No disciple whose character does not correspond to his exterior may enter the Beth ha-Midrash.
Pele Yoetz (Chanufa): The great evil of chanifa (flattery) is explicitly expressed in the Talmud and medrashim. A pure man – Rav Chaim Vital – has collected the relevant material in his holy sefer Sha’arei Kedusha. A G-d fearing man who studies his sefer will strongly oppose chanifa and this will be firmly implanted in his mind. Nevertheless it is necessary to clarify precisely what chanifa is. That is because there are types of flattery which are not prohibited as chanifa but those who lack proper halachic understanding insist that they are prohibited. For example they mistakenly consider a person who honors a wealthy man as being a flatterer while someone who protests against and ridicules the rich takes pride in his disparagement and claims that he does not know how to flatter. However he greatly errs in what he says because it is in fact proper and fitting to show respect to the wealthy – as we see that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and Rabbi Akiva honored the rich (Eiruvin 86a). The reason is that because G-d desires that this man be valued and He therefore has bestowed upon him an abundance of blessings from Above – we are also obligated to honor him. This is especially true for any person who has been the beneficiary of the rich person that he is clearly obligated to honor him. Furthermore the rich person since he has more possessions he is more likely to increase the amount of mitzvos and good deed that he does – compared to the less wealthy and this in turn reverses the spiritual damage done by his sins. Therefore it is appropriate to show him some respect - even if he has done something inappropriate and has deviated slightly from the correct path - and consequently he shouldn't demean the rich man as much as a poor man. We learn this from Pesachim (53a) where the Sages say, "If it were not that you are Todus we would excommunicate you." It is explained that they moderated their criticism because he provide food for Torah scholars.
Igros Moshe (O.C. II #51) Question: To honor a sinner whose services are needed by many such as a doctor? Answer: Concerning a Jewish doctor who is needed by many and he is a good person who is also generous in giving tzedakah as well as many important favors to the community but he married a non-Jewish woman. He was very offended when not given honors for his intermarriage and has distanced himself from the community The leaders of the community want to know whether they can honor him occasionally to stop the harm that has resulted from his distancing himself? While there is a problem of honoring a sinner because of chanifah, but there is not a prohibition to allow him to open or close the Ark. If he sins only from temptation and not in defiance it is possible to give him an Aliyah. However there is still the problem of chanifah. Tosfos says this is permitted to avoid danger. It seems that the prohibition of chanifah is that it is understood as saying that that which is prohibited is really permitted. Therefore when it is clear that you are honoring him to get benefits and not to indicate you agree with his sins this would not constitute chanifa. It would still seem a problem since it is false flattery. However since it is because of peace it is not prohibited. Since the community leaders feel there is an important need for his services it is permitted to honor him with honors other than an aliyah
Kiruv can be dangerous to marriage
From my book Child and Domestic abuse vol II
There was a very well known kiruv personality. Perhaps you could say that he was a poster boy for kiruv. Warm and wise and very articulate in expressing the wisdom of the Torah. He was much in demand as a speaker - and as a consequence he spent much time flying between speaking engagement. Wherever he went he brought the light of Torah. It warmed his heart to see all the people he was influencing and he was a role model of humility and service of G-d. One day he was flying the long and boring stretch across the Atlantic when the stewardess asked him if he needed anything. He suspected that she might be Jewish so he engaged her in light banter – hoping to influence her to become more religiously observant. He stated in a joking tone that he was an outreach rabbi and that she probably should avoid him since he was a fundamentalist ultra-orthodox rabbi. She had never met such a charming and intelligent religious fanatic so she decided to play along. It turns out she wasn't Jewish - but she really enjoyed the discussion. The conversation deepened and she was really taken with this man. There was something about him that was different than all the men she had ever met. He of course told himself that he was motivated solely by altruistic reasons. The fact that she was stunningly beautiful and was quite intelligent and asked really good questions – simply made it a more interesting challenge. By the end of the flight they exchanged phone numbers and promised to stay in contact.
To make a long story short - he realized that she really made him feel alive. It was a wondrous thing watching her come up with a really deep question about the Ramchal that he had told her and the joy on her face when he took the question and connected it with Chassidic stories and Kabbala. It was an amazing thing realizing how much this beautiful woman benefited from everything he said. He realized that he once had that relationship with his wife of 20 years - but they hadn't had a deeper issue than who was coming for Shabbos - for at least 10 years. Besides his wife wasn't so beautiful anymore.
After much soul searching he realized that for the sake of his spirituality and hers he needed to drop his wife and marry her. The stewardess had readily agreed to convert - to marry him. Nonetheless it wasn't easy breaking his wife's heart and destroying his kids - but he was willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of G-d. After all isn’t spiritual growth the prime value? Besides all his wife could do was have babies and keep house. His interaction with this stewardess pushed him to spiritual heights and understanding. He just couldn't believe the profound Torah insights coming out of his mouth when he spoke with her. He decided he would abandon his family. He was young enough to start over again with a new family.
He did in fact divorce his wife, the stewardess converted and they married. Of course his former wife, family and community were totally devastated. But he moved elsewhere and is happily starting life over again with his beautiful student – purely for the sake of Heaven of course.
Another Missionary family Outed in Yerushalayim
https://anash.org/another-missionary-family-outed-in-yerushalayim
A special investigation carried out by Yad L’Achim in recent months has culminated in the exposure of a non-Jewish Messianic family living for the past year in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in Yerushalayim.
The story began, according to information provided by an organization that is active against missionaries in Spanish-speaking countries, some time ago when a Christian youth by the name of Goncalo Cabral, who lived in Argentina, decided to move to Israel. He made contact with an elderly Jewish woman in his country, and told her of how he had been abandoned by his parents and was helpless. She took mercy on him, brought him into her home and raised him like a son.
Goncalo used his association with her, including her Jewish family name, to trick the Israeli authorities into thinking he was a Jew and granting him entry to the country. He later changed his name again, this time to Ariel Katzenberg.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Conservative Judaism – taking a teaching Job in their school
Igros Moshe (YD I #139) This that you took a job as a principal at a school for young children under the auspices of heretics and you were told by one of my principals that it was inappropriate. The fact is that even if the job was kosher such as teaching them G-d’s Torah and praying with them properly. In another location it would be proper to have such a job since it is necessary to teach Torah to their children so that perhaps they will grow up to keeping Torah and mitzvos as proper Jews. However it is still inappropriate to accept this position which involves also being a teacher there because it is possible that the students there will come to view their school as a legitimate place to learn since they have such a nice religious teacher and this can lead to serious damage. However this that you write that they pray an inappropriately abbreviated pray and they don’t say all the Berachos in the Amida and consequently instead of educating them properly in prayer and mitzvos you are teaching them that which is prohibited. That is because all the Berachos of the Amida are required. It is surely a problem if the beracha they say has been altered from the original text it would certainly be prohibited to take this job. Even if it is possible that you might be able to influence some of the students to be better. But the possibility similarly exists that it is more likely that the opposite is true that this will cause some to not be properly religious. That is because heresy is attractive and thus must be avoided.
Igros Moshe (YD II #107) To take a job as teacher and principal in a religious school of the Conservatives in something which is displeasing to Sages. However you cannot say it is prohibited if he is allowed to teach G-d’s Torah and to pray properly and that the school is located away from their synagogue. Consequently don’t object against those who need a livelihood and want to take such a job. .It is also a positive thing since the children of the Conservative Jews need to learn G-d’s Torah and perhaps this will aide them to acquire Torah as proper Jews. However because of this possibility it doesn’t make taking the job something pleasing to the Sages. That is because it is uncertain whether he will have a positive influence on them and this means he will be closely associating with heretics. Our Sages have stated that we should distance ourselves from heresy and to be greatly concerned with their danger even if it is only a small problem. Therefore this can only be tolerated if needed for a livelihood. So in this case where the job is sought not because of livelihood but for idealistic reasons you were correct to object and his time better spent with helping children who are properly observant and already attend a proper shul. While it is important to attract those children of the irreligious but not to take an official position with them.
Igros Moshe (Y. D. V #38) Question Teaching Torah to the daughter of a Conservative Rabbi and other children of Conservative Jews in a class. You feel It is necessary to explain to them the great damage done by Conservative rabbis even though this will cause them embarrassment by saying their fathers are evil people and cause them to cry and possibly leave the school. But you feel if you don’t tell them they will think that the Conservative approach is a valid Jewish one. So your question is how to deal properly with this. Answer I think you need to deal with this intelligently and explain that there is one Torah that was given to all Jews at Sinai through Moshe in written form while the details were transmitted orally and that this is attested to in the Talmud and commentaries. Furthermore you need to convey the idea that the Conservative and Reform religious faith is false and is heresy, however not to use words like evil or wicked. She already is aware that the Orthodox claim that the faith of the Reform and Conservative is heresy but she will surely object to the terms evil or heretic and thus saying such is not beneficial or productive Furthermore these terms have acquired a new meaning. They used to simply indicate a person who has transgressed a mitzva but now they are understood to mean a bad or cruel person. Therefore it is not appropriate to call her father or other Conservative or Reform by these terms In fact you should first explain what a rasha connotes in the Torah. Nonetheless you need to explain that the faith of the Reform and Conservative is not true without using the terms such as rasha.
Mesira (Informer): Butcher selling treif as Kosher Meat?
Igros Moshe (CM I #8) Question: A butcher has been found to have sold unkosher meat as kosher meat, is it permitted to have him arrested by the secular government who claim they follow the same rules as required by Jewish law? Answer The question is primarily the concern that he will be punished more harshly by fines and imprisonment than Torah Law would punish. Therefore should the matter be dealt with instead entirely by Rabbis and beis din? In my view even though he has done a terrible transgression and seems to not have any regrets, neverless as long as it is not clear that the rabbis can not stop him he is not to be turned over to the government for two reasons. 1) It is prohibited to utilize the secular courts. 2) They will punish him with jail and fines that exceed that provided by Jewish law thus getting into the problem of moser.That is because it is prohibited to cause a Jew to be taken by non-Jews whether physically or financially even if he is a rasha and sinner. It is only if it is clear that the rabbis can not stop him is it permitted. It is only after he is warned first that if he doesn’t stop he will be arrested. There is also the concern he will deny the accusation in civil court and even make a fale oath. In conclusion, he should first be judged by a beis din and they should try to stop him from selling meat. If he doesn’t comply then he should be turned over to the secular government
Mesira (Informer): Tax Auditor?
Rambam(Chovel u’Mazik 8:10) An informer may be slain anywhere, even at the present time when Jewish courts do not try capital cases. It is permissible to slay him before he has informed
Shulchan Aruch (C M 388:12) All those who inform against the community and distress it can be given over to the government through non Jews even though they will be beaten and imprisoned but it is prohibited for the sake of the disress of an individual
Semah (30) but it is prohibited for the sake of the disress of an individual – this is prohibited only for general distressing. However If the informant is causing a monetary loss and surely if he is causing torture or physical punishment it is permitted
Aruch HaShulchan (CM 388:7) Historically it is well known that in previous ages in times of old in far away places, no person had any assurance in the safety of his life or money because of the pirates and bandits even with government assurances. It is known that this is true even today in some places in Africa where the government itself is corrupt. One should remind people of the kingdoms in Europe and particularly our ruler the Czar of Russia and his ancestors as well as the the kings of England, who spread their influence over many lands in order that people should have confidence in the security of their body and money. The wealthy no longer have to conceal themselves so that they will not be robbed or killed. The prohibition of informing in fact depends on the existence of lawlessness in the Talmud and poskim. In other words the prohibition is only not to inform on another to bandits which endangers that person's money and life but not to a just legal system. Bandits chase after the person's body and money
TeachingTorah to Reform and Conservative Children
Igros Moshe (Y. D. V #38) Question Teaching Torah to the daughter of a Conservative Rabbi and other children of Conservative Jews in a class. You feel It is necessary to explain to them the great damage done by Conservative rabbis even though this will cause them embarrassment by saying their fathers are evil people and cause them to cry and possibly leave the school. But you feel if you don’t tell them they will think that the Conservative approach is a valid Jewish one. So your question is how to deal properly with this. Answer I think you need to deal with this intelligently and explain that there is one Torah that was given to all Jews at Sinai through Moshe in written form while the details were transmitted orally and that this is attested to in the Talmud and commentaries. Furthermore you need to convey the idea that the Conservative and Reform religious faith is false and is heresy, however not to use words like evil or wicked. She already is aware that the Orthodox claim that the faith of the Reform and Conservative is heresy but she will surely object to the terms evil or heretic and thus saying such is not beneficial or productive Furthermore these terms have acquired a new meaning. They used to simply indicate a person who has transgressed a mitzva but now they are understood to mean a bad or cruel person. Therefore it is not appropriate to call her father or other Conservative or Reform by these terms In fact you should first explain what a rasha connotes in the Torah. Nonetheless you need to explain that the faith of the Reform and Conservative is not true without using the terms such as rasha.
New York is 'sublime spiritual experience': Haredi politician urges Netanyahu to allow draft dodgers to leave country
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sj4d11l9fll
Following a ynet report that the government will allocate millions of shekels to fund flights for worshipers traveling to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine, and with police and the IDF preparing to intercept thousands of draft evaders who may attempt to fly to the annual pilgrimage, United Torah Judaism lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broaden the travel framework.
Monday, August 25, 2025
The UnHoly Mile - creating Homogeneity in the Community
New Square established a committee of Skverer Chassidim to buy houses within a one mile radius of New Square
They have purchased over 350 houses, which they refuse to rent to Jewish families
To finance this project, single family homes are illegally rented out by the room to multiple families.
Living Death
I'm reading "Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole: A Renowned Neurologist Explains the Mystery and Drama of Brain Disease" by Allan H. Ropper, Brian David Burrell and wanted to share this quote with you.
Horrifying testimonies seek to lift shroud of silence around ritual sex abuse claims
Police have opened an investigation into multiple allegations of organized ritual sexual abuse after accusers relayed harrowing testimony of torture, rape and other horrors to lawmakers late last month.
The July 27 hearing included testimony from alleged victims, now adults, regarding abuse they had experienced as children, primarily in the ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Haifa, Safed and elsewhere.
Double Sinks
Shemos (34:26) You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.
Igros Moshe (YD I #42) Question Washing dishes in the sink. Is a single sink permitted? Answer: Even if you want to claim that a Bal Nefesh should be strict and not wash dishes in a single sink this is not the normative halacha to a person who only wants to do the minimum because most sinks can not actually be prohibited and thus it is not prohibited even to a Bal Nefesh. Also most times the dishes are not actually touching the sink but rest on a racks which are separate for meat and milk. Even if occasionally that the sink water rises to touch the dishes. This is only a concern lechatchilah but bedieved it is not a problem even for a Bal Nefesh. Thus even though the custom is to have separate sinks it is not prohibited to have a single sink.
Rivka was afraid of her Husband Yitzchok
Bereishis (24:64) And Rivka lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Yitzchok, she fell off the camel.
Netziv (Bereishis 24:64): And Rivkah lifted her eyes – and she saw Yitzchok while he was still praying and he was at that moment like an angel of G d – extremely awesome. and she fell off her camel – Because of her great fear and awe. However she did not know who she was afraid of. If she had been sitting with Eliezer the servant on the same camel and she had been sitting behind him then she would have relaxed when she would have seen the man go and greet the servant and seen them talking together like all men. Then eventually when she would have been informed who it was – her fear would already have dissipated. But since she was sitting together with Eliezer she didn’t wait – but asked immediately who it was out of great fear. Who is that man - that makes me agitated and frightened? We see in Bereishis Rabbah that the term “that” implies someone fearsome and frightening. Therefore when she heard that it was her husband she took out her veil and covered her face out of her great fear and embarrassment because she realized she wasn’t fit to be his wife. From that moment on that fear was permanently planted in her heart and she was not able to have the relationship with Yitzchok that Sarah had with Avraham and Rachel had with Yaakov. In particular when the others objected to something their husbands had done they were not embarrassed to speak firmly with them. Rivkah was different. All of this served as a necessary preliminary to the events that would follow in Parshas Toldos when Yitzchok and Rivkah had strongly different views. Nonetheless Rivkah could not find the courage to stand up to Yitzchok and defend her views – even though it was true that Esav was a fraud. The same thing happened at the time of giving the berachos. In fact all of this was the means by which G d caused the berachos to be given to Yaakov in this manner as we will explain later. All was done with Divine Providence from the beginning - that Rivkah should arrive when Yitzchok was praying and thus she should see him as an awesome and frightening spectacle – it all happened according to G d’s Will.
Texas Senate approves new map, sending it to Abbott’s desk
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5464117-texas-senate-approves-gop-redistricting-map
The new district lines are likely to add up to five additional U.S. House seats for Republicans in next year’s midterms.
Abbott vowed Saturday to “swiftly” sign the map into effect, though court challenges are also likely to come soon after to try to stop it.
“The One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate. Despite Democrats’ petty stunts, we delivered on our promise,” the governor wrote Saturday on social platform X. “This map reflects Texans’ actual voting preferences, and I look forward to signing it into law.”
Suspect in plot to kill AG identified as British man residing in Jerusalem
At a hearing in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Ezagui’s lawyer forcefully argued his client’s case, claiming he had no intent to murder Baharav-Miara since he never received Yosef’s permission to do so.
“Even if this is an act that is loathsome on a moral and ethical level, we are still within the realm of criminal law,” said attorney Idan Butbul. “He contacted the rabbi via a sealed envelope and not with direct intent, and asked him a question. Under these circumstances, the act does not amount to a criminal threat.”
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Trump Squeezes Iran As Nuclear Deadline Nears
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-sanctions-iran-nuclear-deadline-europe-2117621
In parallel, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was set to hold a phone call with his French, German and British counterparts on Friday, joined by the EU's foreign policy chief, in an effort to avoid the "snapback" mechanism that would reimpose U.N. sanctions on Tehran for its failure to comply with the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which terminates in October.
The three European powers had warned in a letter earlier this month that unless Iran found a "satisfactory solution" to address nuclear compliance, they would move forward with the process.
Shiur #21: Charity in Israel and the Diaspora
https://etzion.org.il/en/holidays/yom-haatzmaut/shiur-21-charity-israel-and-diaspora
The difference between the two explanations is clear, but both stand in opposition to the explanation proposed by the Ramban. According to the Ramban, "be-artzekha" does not refer on the strictly literal level to Israel, whereas according to both understandings of Rabbeinu Bachya, the "land" in question is indeed Israel, but the law stated nevertheless extends also to the Diaspora.
Trump’s Vendetta Campaign Targets John Bolton
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/john-bolton-fbi-kash-patel-donald-trump-f44e7756?mod=hp_opin_pos_1
This FBI raid makes clearer that second-term success for the President includes retribution.
His revenge campaign took an ominous turn Friday as FBI agents raided the home and office of Mr. Trump’s first-term national security adviser John Bolton. They brought two broad warrants to search the “premises.” Agents showed up unannounced at his Bethesda, Md., home at 7 a.m. They confiscated his wife Gretchen’s phone because it was visible and not on her person. Mr. Bolton had already left for his office, which is where FBI agents greeted him.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
The Intel deal is a mistake
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/08/22/intel-trump-deal-china-chips/
Congratulations, America: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that you are about to own a 10 percent share of Intel. Sure, our former world-beating national champion is now an aging also-ran in critical markets. Sure, taxpayers will be disgorging almost $9 billion to seal the deal. But in exchange you’ll get … shares in a company that has spent recent years stumbling on execution and missing one strategic opportunity after another.
The Trump administration agreed to disburse more previously awarded Chips Act money to Intel, along with a $3.2 billion grant through the Secure Enclave program; in exchange, the administration demanded, and got, roughly 10 percent of Intel’s equity. That will undoubtedly make a fine press release for the administration.
But like the agreement to allow Nvidia and AMD to export certain chips to China in exchange for 15 percent of sales, this kind of presidential dealmaking is a bad precedent: We should do things because they’re good policy, not because the government gets a cut. This particular policy also risks distorting the free-market system that has delivered better results for America, and the world, than any state-managed competitor has ever achieved. And it is unlikely to fix the deep problems with Intel, which have been decades in the making.
Kudlow on Trump Intel agreement: ‘I am very, very uncomfortable ‘
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5466937-kudlow-moore-criticize-trump-intel/?tbref=hp
Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow expressed concern on Friday over the Trump administration’s move to take a 10 percent stake in mega chipmaker Intel.
“I am very, very uncomfortable with that idea. I’m very uncomfortable with that one, but that’s a conversation for another meal on another day,” Kudlow told economist Stephen Moore, in an interview highlighted by Mediate.
Moore, earlier in the appearance, also criticized the administration’s decision, calling it “terrible.”
“I hate corporate welfare. That’s privatization in reverse. We want the government to divest of assets, not buy assets. So terrible, one of the bad ideas that’s come out of this White House,” Moore told Kudlow, who served under President Trump as the director of the National Economic Council during his first term.
Wall Street Journal hammers DOJ over Bolton raid: Trump ‘the real offender here’
The Wall Street Journal slammed the raid of President Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton’s home on Friday, labeling it a part of the president’s “vendetta campaign.”
Law enforcement said the investigation into Bolton was over classified records stored at his residence in Bethesa, Md. But, the Journal argued the probe reeks of political “retribution.”
“It’s hard to see the raid as anything other than vindictive. Mr. Bolton fell out of Mr. Trump’s favor in the first term and then wrote a book about his experience in the White House while Mr. Trump was still President. Mr. Trump tried and failed to block publication,” a Friday op-ed from the outlet reads, referencing Bolton’s 2020 book.
Western Wall Souvenir chips
Devarim (12:3-4) 3. And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and you shall cut down the carved images of their gods, and destroy their names out of that place. 4. You shall not do so to the L-rd your G-d.
Rashi (Devarim 12:4) It is a prohibition addressed to one who would blot out the Name of G-d from any writing, or would pull out a stone from the altar or from the forecourt.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #63.13) Question Is it permissible to take chips from the Kosel as souvenirs?Answer There is a clearly stated prohibition that contrary to the need to destroy idolatry. There is a reqirement not to destroy anything associated with G-d. This clearly prohibits chipping stones from the Temple or associated structures as the Rambam rules
Hegseth fires general over Iran strike assessment - Kill the messenger of dissenting facts
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413720
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired a US general whose agency’s initial intelligence assessment of damage to Iranian nuclear sites from US strikes angered President Donald Trump, The Associated Press reported on Friday, citing two sources and a White House official.
The firing of Kruse follows other recent shifts in U.S. military leadership, including the early retirement of Air Force Gen. David Allvin, and budget cuts to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Pikauch nefesh - reading tshuvos accurately
I just came across a discusion of a teshuva in the Igros Moshe by Rav Zilberstein - and he seems to cite it inaccurately First I'll quote his discussion of the issue - and then the relevant excerpt from the Igros Moshe. This is a caution that even such a great talmid chachom occacionly makes errors. It doesn't necessary invalidate the halachic conclusion but it does show that his conclusion can not be learned from the statement of Rav Moshe that he cites. He says that it deals with a married couple that would need to divorce. Rav Moshe in fact is dealing with two people who want to marry and he says that it is significant whether they are married or only contemplating marriage. Secondly the issue involves whether there is a heter for birth control - when there are lenient and stringent view among the rabbis for this situation. Because of danger to the woman Rav Moshe allows the use of the lenient in their case. Thus it would seem that even if it were a condition of pikuach nefesh - if there weren't lenient views - Rav Moshe would not permit birth control. But in his conclusion he prohibits the use of birth control because with total bed rest pregnancy is not dangerous for her condition. The fact that total bedrest for nine months is a very stressful thing does not enter into the evaluation. Thus Rav Zilberstein's statement that pikuach nefesh overrules the entire Torah - is not the view expressed in the Igros Moshe where he doesn't even use the word pikuach nefesh and he gives leniencies only on a very circumscribed basis.
Rav Zilberstein( Assia Nissan 5747): In the Igros Moshe (1:67) concerning a young couple who are so much in love that if their marriage would be ended the woman would be in danger because of her severe upset which is equivalent to a condition of pikuach nefesh. It is also know that a woman who doesn’t have children for 10 years that according to the law of the Torah it is permitted for the husband to divorce her so that he can marry another woman and fulfill the obligation to have children. Nevetheless if there is a real concern that because of being divorced the woman will go into severe depression and danger – then this is pikuach nefesh which overrules the entire Torah.
Igros Moshe(E.H. 1:67):This concerns a 40 year old man who has never had children and he wants to marry a young woman whom he finds attractive and she is Torah observant. This is something which is difficult for him to find. However unfortunately she has kidney disease and therefore according to the doctors it would be dangerous for her to become pregnant at the present time. However at a later time when her condition has improved it would not be dangerous to become pregnant. The question is whether they can get married and have permission to use birth control methods to prevent pregnancy?… However nevertheless if you see that they are so much in love until it would possibly be a danger to one of them if they didn’t get married. In particular the concern is for the sick and weak young lady - who besides that she would not be able to marry him but also there is concern because of her condition that she would be prohibited to marry everyone and thus be in an very unfortunate situation – there is a basis to permit them to marry with birth control. But this is only on the condition that they are modest and reliable with many warnings not to publicize that they received permission [to follow the lenient opinions]. But on the other hand I have heard that if there is total bedrest during the entire pregnancy – there is no danger to a woman who is sick with kidney disease. Therefore in fact there is no permission to use birth control. Rather they should be advised that if she becomes pregnant that she should have total bedrest.
Kristi Noem is living rent-free in home used by Coast Guard commandant
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem is living for free in a military home typically reserved for the U.S. Coast Guard’s top admiral, officials familiar with the matter said. The highly unusual arrangement has raised concern within the agency and from some Democrats, who describe it as a waste of military resources.
McLaughlin defended Noem’s living arrangement in an email to The Washington Post, saying it was necessary because the secretary had been “so horribly doxxed and targeted that she is no longer able to safely live in her own apartment.”
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Wife Should be Subordinate to Husband
Eiyahu Rabbah (10) They say that there is no proper wife except if she does the will of her husband
Menoras HaMe’or (Marriage Chapter 10 page 34): There was a certain woman who made a wedding for her daughter. When she took her to her chasan’s house she said to her, “My daughter you should stand before your husband and serve him with awe and then he will lower himself with you and will become like your servant and honor you as royalty. However if you insist on dominating him then he in turn will dominate you and will not consider you have any significance and he will act as your master and you will be in his eyes debased like as slave.”
Menoras Hame’or (2:176): Even though the woman is the mate of the man – she should not view her husband as an equal but rather as her master as it says in Tehilim (45:12), Because he is your master and you should bow down to him. And the woman should love her husband and he rules over her as it says (Bereishis 3:16), And your desire shall be to your husband and he shall rule over you. And if you view him as your master he will love you and you will be in his eyes as a sister as we see that Sarah refered to Avraham as master (Bereishis 18:12) and if you minimize talking to what is necessary then you will be even more beloved to your husband. And if you speak before him with grace and humility and if your eyes are attentive to him in the manner that a servant is attentive to her mistress – then you will be greatly valued and honored in his eyes. It relates in a Medrash that a certain Sage told his daughter when she was being taken her husband’s house, “My daughter, stand before him as you would before the king and serve him. And if you should act as a mother to him, he will be to you as a servant and will honor you as a privileged lady. However if you dominate him, he will be forced to act as your master and then you will be degraded in his eyes like a common servant. Embellish and praise him amongst his friends. And if guests come to him, whether relatives or friends – welcome them graciously and offer them generously in order to honor you husband in their eyes. Take good care of his house and all that he has and in this way you will find favor in his eyes and you will be the crown of your husband. Thus it says in Misheli(12:4), A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband.
Maharal (Bava Metzia 59a): Rav said that a person should always be carefully not to oppress his wife because since she is sensitive and readily cries it is easy to make her feel oppressed. Thus we see that it is only his wife that he needs to be exceedingly careful not to hurt her feelings since she is ruled by him and therefore is much more likely to cry than other people who are not so easily oppressed. In other words because his wife is under his control she is more likely to be hurt by his words and cry when he wrongs her. In contrast a non Jewish slave is by nature not so affected by oppression and even a female Jewish slave does not readily cry because she has accepted the servitude to her master. Furthermore a female slave was not created for the purpose of being under his domain. It is only the wife who was created to be under the rule of her husband and as it says (Bereishis 3:16), And he shall rule over you. Therefore when she is oppressed it has a very strong impact on her. Furthermore in truth a wife does not accept being ruled by her husband because she views herself as his equal. In contrast a slave fully accepts that his master rules over him and therefore is not impacted as much as a wife who views herself as important and therefore is devastated when she is not treated with care.
Netziv (Bereishis 2:24): Therefore a man should leave… and cleave to his wife. From that time on there is no way to get a help mate as intended by creation and according to how a man feels when he doesn't have a help mate - except by leaving his father and his mother and cleaving to his wife. And then they will be one flesh as he loves her since they are now as one being. As is stated in Yevamos (62b). And if he loves his wife as himself…[he will have domestic tranquility]. But even so she is not totally subordinate as the first woman who was considered to be part of Adam and but rather they will be one flesh. Just as he is concerned with his own good and he wants her to totally fulfill what he wants so it is with her that she wants her own good and that he will totally fulfill what she wants. Nevertheless it has already been established with the first woman and it has become part of the female nature that women remain helpers even though it is not like the original circumstances but rather it is like what happened after eating from the Tree of Knowledge as we will explain in Bereishis (3:2) and it is included in the sixth day of Creation. But it is only someone who merits it will get the love of his wife with total subordination as it was with Eve before the Sin. Because of this there were two manners of the cleaving of Adam and Eve in order that there be in future generations two different ways that a woman would be supportive of her husband. Therefore on the sixth day of Creation there were two ways that Eve loved Adam in order that that there should be two ways that a woman loves a man and as we explained that there are two different manners of serving G-d. All of this was done on the first day that they were created as we explained on verse 4. This created the nature of love of a woman and her life with her husband. This is like what Ben Azai said at the end of Kiddushin [(82a)] , "I was created to serve my Master and they were created to serve me." And to the degree that he serves G-d, will his wife serve him. Or alternatively she will serve him according to his mazel - as all events in the life of man happens according to Divine Providence according to his deeds. And this with either a good mazel or bad. Because this is the say G-d established His Kingdom in the world.
Rambam (Hilchos Ishus 15:20): And thus our Sages have commanded that the woman honor her husband to an extreme degree and the fear of him should be on her and she should do all her deeds according to what he says and he should be in her eyes as a ruler or king. She should orient her activities according to that which he desires and stay away from that which he hates. This is the manner of the daughters of Israel and the children of Israel who are holy and pure in their marriages. In this way the community will be pleasant and praiseworthy.
Shulchan Aruch (E.H. 69:7):...Our Sages said that there is no proper woman except the one who does the will of her husband.
Zohar (1:22a): A woman can not doing anything without the consent of her husband.
Free Will
Devarim (30:19) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live.
Avos (4:2): Ben Azzai said that one should run to perform an easy mitzva just as he would to do a more difficult one and he should flee from transgression. That is because doing one mitzva brings a second mitzva and doing one transgression brings a second mitzva. That is because the reward of a mitzva is a mitzva while the reward of a transgression is transgression.
Rambam (Shemona Perakim Perek 8) Men are, however, very often prone to err in supposing that many of their actions, in reality the result of their own free will, are forced upon them, as, for instance, marrying a certain woman, or acquiring a certain amount of money. Such a supposition is untrue. If a man marries a permitted woman legally, then she becomes his lawful wife, and if he does this for procreation then he has done a mitzva. God, however, does not decree the fulfillment of a mitzva. If, on the other hand, a man has married a forbidden woman he has committed a sin. But God does not decree that a man shall sin.
Rambam(Teshuva #436): … For example the apparent contradiction to free will represented by the gemora which indicates that one’s spouse is predestined is to be understood as being dependent upon merit. In other words if this man or woman does a mitzva which gives them the merit of having such a spouse—then G‑d arranges that it happen that they marry each other. On the other hand if they do something which merits the punishment of having a marriage without peace and harmony—that will also occur…
Michtav M’Eliyahu(1:113): Point of free‑will- When two peoples are fighting each other their war is at their point of contact. Whatever is behind the army of one side – it is totally under their control and there is no opponent at all. Similarly whatever is behind the second army is entirely under the control of the second nation. If one side defeats the other side and pushes them farther back – then the renewed battle takes place where the armies now meet each other. However at the former point of confrontation – there is no longer battle taking place because it is now under one sides control. Therefore in reality there is only one front but potentially the entire area of the two countries can be the place of battle. The same thing can be said about free‑will. Everyone has free‑will – which is the point of meeting of his truth with the imagined truth – the outcome of falsehood. However most of his deeds are not at a place where truth and falsehood meet each other at all. For example there is much truth that man is educated to do and it would never occur to him to do the opposite. Similarly there are is much evil and lies which he is not aware that it is not fitting to do. Free‑will is only applicable at the point of contact between the armies of the yetzer hatov and the yetzer harah. Many people are constantly transgressing the laws of lashon harah because of habit and it never occurs to them that this is bad behavior. At the same time these people have no temptation to transgress Shabbos or not to pray or to ignore tzitzis or tefillin and other such things. That is because they have been educated and habituated in Shabbos, tefillin, tzitzis and other such things to such a degree that the yetzer harah has no chance of influencing them. However this point of free‑will does not stand constantly at one place. That is because if a person choses good a person goes up in level. Therefore by choosing good – those places that were previously under the influence of the yetzer harah – now come under the domain of the yetzer hatov. Those good deeds will now be done without any war or free‑will choice at all. This is what is meant by “mitzva causing mitzva”. Similarly the reverse is true. If he chooses bad, it pushes the yetzer hatov away from its place. Then when he continues to do bad, it will be done without free‑will choice because the yetzer tov had no presence in that place. This is what is meant in Avos (4:2) that “sin causes sin” and also “If a person does a sin and repeats it is because like it was permitted” (Yoma 86b).
Rabbeinu Bachye (Devarim 11:26): You can see that I am placing before you this day a blessing and a curse. … This verse teaches that man has freedom and absolute choice. If he wants to, he can conduct himself either in an upright or wicked manner. Everything is given to him to do as he wishes and is dependent upon his free choice… We learn from this that G d does not decree that a person should be either a tzadik or a wicked person but the choice is entirely his. If G d did decree that a person should be righteous or wicked … than how could He command us through His prophets how we should act? … What would be the significance of the entire Torah to punish the wicked or reward the righteous? Absolute free will is thus a critical principle and is the basis of faith.
Arvei Nachal (#23): G d created man for His honor and in order that there be reward and punishment in this world. This is the result of man having free will to do good or evil. However it is impossible to have free will unless man himself is a combination of good and evil. It is because of this man has the ability to turn from evil. Therefore when the good overcomes the evil – the evil turns to good and the reward is very great. The Zohar (2:184a) states that good exists only in turning from evil. In other words, even though the good is inherently good, however the evil which is turned to good has a much higher quality. This is stated in Bereishis Rabbah (9:5): “very good” is referring to death. In other words that evil that is turned to good is very good and it is called “very good”. Consequently this is what G d wanted in the creation of man. It is impossible to accomplish unless man is a combination of good and evil.