Avoda Zara has Power?

Devarim (17:03) turning to the worship of other gods and bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, something I never commanded—

Sforno (Devarim 17:03)  which I had not appointed to act independently of My will. This is in contrast to the philosophers of idolatrous religions who believe that G-d had appointed His agents to be in charge of a city each, within which they have power over life and death without reference to their Master. The inhabitants of each such city are under the illusion that by pleasing the local agent of G-d, their “patron saint,” their fates will be affected beneficially. 

Trump administration’s antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard is dismissed

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/08/13/trump-administrations-antisemitism-lawsuit-against-harvard-is-dismissed/

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said the incidents were “too isolated and episodic” to support the claim that Harvard is not complying with federal law.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns found that the complaint largely detailed incidents in the 2023-2024 school year, when there was a pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard. It also listed three incidents in March 2025: one in which a Harvard employee allegedly tore down posters of Israeli hostages, and two cases in which the government said Harvard failed to take action against anti-Israel protesters who violated university rules, including breaching barricades outside an event featuring a former Israeli official and a “die in” on the steps of the main campus library.

Stearns, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, said the incidents were “too isolated and episodic” to demonstrate that Harvard is not complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by schools that receive federal money.

The judge wrote that the government’s complaint is “devoid of any factual allegations” that the university has failed to comply with the law since the administration formally notified Harvard that it needed to comply with the law in June 2025. He said the law was intended to bring entities into compliance with the law, not to punish them for past violations.

An Entirely New Understanding of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Kook by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

 https://vinnews.com/2026/08/14/661432/

The 3rd of Elul, which falls on Motzai Shabbos this week, marks the 91st yahrtzeit of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Kook. Most people view Rav Kook as the founder of a specific form of Religious Zionism. While that is certainly true, perhaps his greatest and most lasting contribution actually had nothing at all to do with Zionism.

Rav Yoseph Chaim Sonnenfeld embarked upon a famous trip with Rav Kook — across the width and breadth of Eretz Yisroel. How did that happen exactly? Could it happen now? Would, say, one of the Satmar Rebbeim take a tour across America with a leading Zionistic Rabbi — say Rav Shlomo Aviner?

Another question: how is it that the Chofetz Chaim had such a unique and special relationship with Rav Kook, and yet did not adopt his outlook on the Zionist movement? How was it that Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, who sat on the Moetzes of Agudas Yisroel, defended him publicly against his attackers? How was it that Rav Yitzchok Hutner had a picture of Rav Kook in his Sukkah in the early years? How is it that he initially printed Rav Kook’s Haskamah on his sefer?

Chofetz Chaim, Chazon Ish & Rav Kook

This account appeared in the Yated Ne'eman a number of years ago.

The Chofetz Chaim had a dream of making aliyah. He tried a number of times - but he wasn't successful. Toward the end of his life, there were again rumors that he was going to move to Israel. In fact someone came to the Chazon Ish and reported that he had inside information that the Chofetz Chaim would soon be landing in Yaffo. The Chazon Ish looked up from his gemora and said simply:

"It isn't true. The Chofetz Chaim will never come to Israel." He continued, "I don't say this because I am a navi with ruach hakodesh. It is simple logic. Everyone knows that there is a very close relationship between the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Kook. If the Chofetz Chaim came to Israel then they would visit each other. This would cause strong upset in certain circles. As a consequence of this backlash - the Mishna Berura would be abandoned and  thrown in the trash. It is clear that G-d does not want this happen to the Mishna Berura. Consequently it is impossible that the Chofetz Chaim will be coming to Israel."

 ====================
 Regarding the Chofetz Chaim's attitude to Rav Kook. The following letter was written 3 years after the dedication of Hebrew University by the Chofetz Chaim's son-in law. It has been alleged that the Chofetz Chaim expressed contempt for Rav Kook as the result of the dedication. It is clear from this letter that the Chofetz Chaim had a very high opinion of Rav Kook even after the incident.

 Rael Levinsohn suggested the following links to translations:

letter-from-the-son-in-law-of-the-Chofetz-Chaim-to-Rav-Kook-1928/

Rav-Kooks-relationship-with-giants-of-his-time/

the-view-of-the-Chazon-Ish-on-Rav-Kook-another-perspective/

The-relationship-between-Rav Kook-and-the-Chofetz-Chaim-part-2/

update-on-Rav Kook-letter/

history-of-the-Rav-Kook-Rav-Sonnenfeld-dispute-and-its-relevance-for-modern-times-part-1/

history-of-the-Rav-Kook-Rav-Sonnenfeld-dispute-and-its-relevance-for-modern-times-part-2/

Snarky Karoline Leavitt has stumbled into a Trump trap — and will take the fall

 Snarky Karoline Leavitt has stumbled into a Trump trap — and will take the fall

She's let herself become the face of the Trump administration — and doesn't have the experience to avoid taking the fall when things get bad.

Leavitt has already made two major unforced errors that really highlight the dangers ahead. Just a few weeks ago she made the single most tone deaf and hypocritical comment, appropo of nothing, noting something about Gen Z being lazy and having silver spoons in their mouths, seemingly unaware of the fact that she is: A) Gen Z, B) Married to an old rich guy, C) Got a job from a rich guy who won't shut up about her lips, probably only to keep him from commenting about the rest of her body, and D) she takes time off to have the babies her sister Gen Zers cannot afford. Now, that was bad enough when self-limited to mere hypocrisy. Imagine a similar blind spot rearing its ugly head again as "affordability" and healthcare become center stage starting this September, issues impacting every generation.

GOP MAGA supporters are used to Trump not caring. They assume he's too busy making America great to notice that they're actually not that great.

But even Republicans will notice the entitled podiumcaster insisting that things actually are great, and if not, it's someone else's lazy fault. What happens when she faces pressure due to questions with no easy answer, like, "How can we justify cuts from DOGE and healthcare while still spending billions a day in Iran months after Trump assured us we won the war?" (Those will only get more intense as the war becomes increasingly stagnant.)

LevinAt11-Eclipsing Elections/ Shoftim86

 Linked below is this week's LevinAt11 radio broadcast of Aug. 13, '26, Parshas Shoftim.

מצורף: תכנית ראדיו רב יהודה לעוין שליט"א, פרשת שופטים, תשפו

Primary Topics Covered:

1. Expanded opportunities for us, in these very special times; see Gemara Sukka 29;

2. Sefer Emes leYaakov Al Nach (on Sefer Shoftim 11):

a very belated clarification of what Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky O.B.M. did NOT say about Avoda Zorah, having being previously misquoted in the third edition of Sefer Emes leYaakov Al HaTorah (p.474) about A.Z. having the ostensible ability to help or harm people on the basis of its' own (imagined) "will," afar lePihem;

See Seforno on this week's Parsha (quoted below);

why not to take all statements of Chazal superficially literally;

not to be taken in by reckless imputations of heretical statements to Gedolim;

why it's harder to combat heresy when its' proponents misattribute it to widely respected Rabbonim;

3.  Letter in MonseyMevaser.com p.10 on one Torah based insight into a lesson to be drawn from Wednesday's rare solar eclipse, based on the Aruch LeNair on Sukka 29a;

allowing ongoing vote-block manipulation in the thousands of preventable votes;

we cannot allow self-focused real-estate developers to fully eclipse the elections;

4. Focusing on the candidacy of NY Gov. Hochul: 

no excuse to allow vote blocks to be misled to vote for her, especially after she signed Physician Facilitated Poisoning; 

e.g. see: https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/01/open-letter-vs-assisted-suicide-in-ny.html;

This is especially true if we want to send a message elsewhere regarding such lethal legislation;

5.  Anti-semitism/Jew-hatred, briefly continued from last-week;

~~~

Last week's broadcast (Parshas Re'aih), with links to broadcasts of the month of Menachem Av:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/08/levinat11-reversepartisanism.html

Thematic to the Parsha and Ellul, also see:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/04/growing-authentic-leadership-yahrtzeit.html

Have a good Shabbos and a good Chodesh, and a Kesivah Vechasimah Tova,

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

Tomim Tih'yeh [countering "New-Age" infiltration]: 

Tomim1679@gmail.com

Presentations on New-Age dangers: 605-313-6831 ext. 2

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

~~~~~~    ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

Broadcast weekly over: 

Davidzon Radio: davidzonradio.com 718) 303-8000

 Levin 08-13-2026_HQ.mp3

An expanded version of the letter in this week's MonseyMevaser.com, page 10, with an introductory cover letter:

בס"ד

Rosh Chodesh Ellul, 5786/ August 13, '26

Rabbossai,

Yet another crucial letter to MonseyMevaser.com appears this week (Parshas Shoftim, '86) on pg.10.  It addresses one of multiple Torah-based insights into Wednesday's Solar Eclipse, voting for/ supporting Sodomism proponents, and the looming block-vote scandal.

We focused, in first version of the letter published in the Mevaser, specifically on Gov. Hochul, running for reelection -- for the first time after she signed Physician-Facilitated Prescription-Poisoning into "law." (E.g. see: https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/01/open-letter-vs-assisted-suicide-in-ny.html.)

That lethal bill just went into effect in NY State on Aug. 5th.  Even if we would know that we certainly cannot unseat her, we still must make a public protest to send a message to any other politicians who consider promoting such deadly legislation.

As those who fought in the forefront of the Orthodox community against that Assisted "Suicide" bill, we know just how fatal faulty communal priorities have proven to be.  If we would have just sent such a message earlier - namely, that morality matters to us more than government money - who knows how much time we could have bought -- on stealth euthanasia; on the pro-LGBT "Dignity (Depravity) For All Students Act" (passed early in 2010); on abortion-at-whim, e.g. Cuomo"s RHA; on the spectrum of LGBTQ legislation; and (in a sense, most monumentally) on Cuomo's Marriage De-definition (passed in NY in June 2011).

Those who would like to partner in our society-salvaging work are asked to contact us ASAP, as below.  We could multiply our effectiveness perhaps a thousandfold - provided more labor-sharing from those whose capacity is not yet closely matched by their participation. See Sukka 29b.

Evil prospers when good men respond to it via a moment of silence - instead of with righteously indignant donations.

Whether we tangibly effect the electoral outcome or not, we send a message for future candidates, and to the anti-Torah financial interests within our communities, decimating us from within, just to advance their own financial narcissism.

We need to broadcast that, no, a herd of unelected, self-focused real-estate developers does not represent us, or our Torah principles.

Nor can we allow them to dictate voting or public policy decisions.

We can help do that by exposing their role in misleading/mal-directing block-voting communities to support our worst and most effective enemies - those subversives serving in office, rather than in prison.

Thereby, we also do our part in restoration of the fading legacy of recently departed, authentic Torah sages - who waged war against the selling out of our Torah principles for bribery, legal or otherwise.

The only regret most people will ultimately have is ... that they didn't heed the call to moral action sooner - and far more "energetically."

 

Thank you in advance.

Good Chodesh.

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

845.642.1679

Direct: 771.215.8892

Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337

torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

~~~~~~    ~~~~~~   ~~~~~  

Below is an expanded version of the published letter:

BS"D

28 Menachem Av, Parshas Shoftim, 5786

Editor,

From a Torah perspective, what perhaps can we learn from the extremely rare, "one in several hundred million” convergence of three Heavenly events on August 12th, overlapping with the Yom Kippur Kotton preceding Rosh Chodesh Ellul?  They include a full solar eclipse, along with convergence of six planets, and a meteor shower.  Would it not stand to reason that such an astronomically rare heavenly spectacle - coinciding with Erev Rosh Chodesh - of Ellul - should prompt us to both introspection and repentance of a nature a bit more specific than other similar preceding events (one of which was a full solar eclipse striking parts of North America - also on the Yom Kippur Kotton - preceding Nissan, 2-1/2 years ago)?

Based on a few mekoros, I humbly submit the following suggestion - as merely one of many - for the consideration of the esteemed tzibbur.

Chazal teach us that "The Sun is "stricken" (eclipsed) on account of four sins ..." (Sukkah 29a).  They include the particular vice being mainstreamed - and even celebrated - by most of the representatives elected regularly in our areas (the act of sodomy).

In fact, that aveirah (sin) is identified by the Maharal on the Gemara in Chullin 92b (which Daf Yomi learned within the past two weeks) as "a To'aiva even amongst To'aivos,"* as indicated by it's uniquely individualized branding in VaYikra (Lev.) 18:22.

* an abomination even among abominations

Many of our politicians even support the  type of legitimization of said abomination - namely Marriage De-definition - which triggered the annihilation of civilization by the Mabul in the days of Noach - see Midrash Rabbah 23:9 on VaYikra 18:3 (and the Gemara Chullin 92b).

Now, to answer our question above, please see the Aruch L'Nair on that Gemara Sukka, 29, (including s.v. "Tonu Rabbonon Bi'Zman She'haChamah lokeh").  It's evident that the solar eclipse signals an oncoming period of Divine Judgment, during which said abomination, and the other enumerated sins, are more likely to be punished.  How much more so will the aforementioned legitimization of Marriage De-definition subject us to Divine Retribution, for not adequately pushing back against it.

The fact that recently we've all heard of multiple major earthquakes - which similarly strike due to sodomist sin (Jerusalem Talmud, tractacte Brachos, 9:2) - may support our thesis, suggesting a focus on the sin of sodomy, and, how much more so, on its' institutionalization, via Marriage De-definition, educational indoctrination, and the predatory legalization of sodomist "Adoption."

This all should prompt us to introspection and repentance, on both an individual and communal level in regard to these public policy concerns.

One Practical Example:

Let's be concrete.  I won't "beat around the ballot."  Although, thank G-d, many frum Jews did NOT vote for NY Gov. Hochul - unfortunately, some did.

Ominously, even after Hochul predictably signed the deadly Physician-Assisted Suicide legislation (euphemistically marked as "Medical Aid (sic) In Dying" (sic)) - that just went into effect on August 5th - we have reason to fear that some of the block-vote-led communities will yet again be misdirected into voting for her in November.  We cannot allow such a communal Chillul HaShem to be perpetrated by a few wealthy financial interests, who leverage their positions to consistently facilitate thousands of Yidden voting for Greater-Evil candidates (who generally tend to be Democratic).

Without even getting into details about specific positions on important issues, we should acknowledge that having any Orthodox- identified candidate in such a high position is definitely not at all ideal.  However, voting for a recidivist proponent of moral and societal subversion is inexcusable, al-pi Halacha.

Public Chillul HaShem:

No amount of government largesse - even if fully permitted otherwise, and truly vital - would permit committing any prohibition (Shulchan Aruch, Yorah Daiyoh, 157:1). How much more so is it prohibited to commit Chillul HaShem, for which there is generally no atonement until death.

And that's even just for individuals. How much more severe is the prohibition of facilitating swaths of entire communities to be herded into voting booths to vote for the abominators of choice, decided on by their community ashkunim.

Moreover, for such a capable and developed Orthodox community to routinely allow thousands of our fellow Jews living in block-vote-directed communities to be manipulated wholesale into doing so is absolutely intolerable. 

Narcissistic Achdus:

Face it: when it comes to authentic Achdus (unity) - where it really counts - we talk the talk far more than we walk the walk.

We love feelgood Achdus. However, when the going gets tough - we "keep doing" - doing things other than those we're most needed for.  It's called Shochad Mitzvah, aka diversionary Judaism.

Other Races:

It's not just the race for Governor.  How many of us wind up voting for morally-degraded candidates for judges, especially for the extremely influential State Supreme Court positions?  Even many who will not vote for the greater-evil candidates in well-publicized high- profile races will often mindlessly vote for anti-life, criminal-enabling, anti-Torah, anti-moral judicial candidates. There is no excuse for toleration of such a blight of communal irresponsibility.

It Need Not Be This Way:

Boruch HaShem, this recurring communal disaster is avoidable. A properly funded, scheduled, and executed PR campaign within the frum community could actually save thousands of naive, mal-informed Yidden from voting for the gubernatorial candidate who's voting record confirms that she is clearly the greater evil on the issues that matter most according to Halacha and Da'as Torah, specifically life and death issues, and foundational morality, as articulated by Gedolei HaDor - from across the Orthodox spectrum - for over 45 years. Many such psakim and statements are available. For more information, please email torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com.

Chazal exhort us in Shabbos (54b, 55a) that our responsibilities are proportional to our outreach capacities. In such a well-endowed community, how precisely do we tolerate the ongoing dereliction of duty that perpetuates this ongoing, public Chillul Shaim Shomayim? We can and must do better.

"Ma'arich Apei - VeGovei Dilei."

We cannot say we've not been forwarned.

It's a win-win proposition: even if we fall short of our expectations, we'll gain eternal reward for all of the Yidden we do save from such a terrible aveirah, a rebellion against HaShem.

If we really want to merit to see the Ge'ulah, why would we even consider passing up such a tremendous opportunity to reduce the ongoing desecration of the Divine Name being perpetrated in the name of Torah Jewry?  Our inaction suggests that our biweekly Tachanun supplications appealing to HaShem to save and redeem us "LeMa'an Shemo" - For His Name - are cheap lip service.  

How much more should we embrace such opportunities when, by taking a stand for authentic Kovod Shomayim, we also protest the very abominations which are, according to Chazal, factors in impeding the Final Redemption. For example, see Mishna Sotah 48a, as quoted in Sefer Yeraiyim, Issur Kishuf; since Z'nus caused the Churban, it impedes the Redemption.  How much more so does the communal sanction for institutionalization of the worst of the abominations.

Good Shabbos, and Good Chodesh. Kesivah VeChasimah Tovah,

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

Torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

771-215-8892

###

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

More details on the aforementioned false attribution to Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky O.B.M.:

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

כידוע, בפרשתינו, פר' שופטים, כתוב "וילך ויעבוד אלוהים אחרים ... אשר לא צויתי" (יז:ג). ע' רבינו הספורנו, בפרט מש"כ על "אשר לא צויתי:" [כנר' לפרש לשון 'לא צויתי' - הלא על עצם ע"ז ציוה לאסרו יותר מ40 פעמים.] 

"אשר לא מניתי בשום מינוי בחיריי שיוכלו לעשות כרצונם, אבל נתתי להם חוק ולא יעבור, על הפך מחשבת עובדי ע"ז, שחשבו שלכל עיר ועיר יש שר יכול כרצונו ולהיטיב ולהריע, ושהוא מטיב כשיעבדוהו." עכ"ל (מהד' חדש מקר"ג א. בלום). [הוא כתב כמו כן בשאר מקומות בספר דברים.]

לדאבונינו, דעת העובדי-ע"ז הזה כבר חדר לספרות ישראל, להרבה שנים, מאז שהדפיסו את המהדורא הג' "המתוקנת" של הס' "אמת ליעקב" עה"ת.  לדאבונינו, התחדש באותה מהדורא ציטוט מסולף של כפירה בענין כח בע"ז - כביכול - להיטיב ע"פ רצון עצמו, עפר לפיהם. והכל בשם רב יעקב זצ"ל, כמובן.

וגם כתבו שם שאמר הגר"י "שהרמב"ן סובר כן" (עפר לפיהם).  ודע שהמקורות שהביאו שם בתוך ההערות למטה, לא הוכיחו טענתם כלל, כמובן, כמבואר לכל בודק אחריהם.

הכפירה הבולטת שם מופיעה על פרשת ואתחנן, בדף תע"ד (בענין פסוק בספר שופטים, פרק יא), בסוף טור שני שם:

"... דודאי יש כח לכמוש אלוהיך להוריש לך מה שהוא ר-ו-צ-ה" (עפר לפיהם -נ.ש.ל.)

[Whereas, in reality, no Avoda Zorah can ever help or harm (1) people based on it's (2) own bechirah/ ratzon (will). - NSL]

מה שכתבו בשם הגר"י בסעיף הקודם "שביכולתו לעשות כן" אולי אינו מוכח כל כך שכיוון המעריך לכפירה הנ"ל. אבל מה שכתבו בסוף, בענין רצון, ודאי מוכח כן.

ודע שכפירה זו לא חדר להמהדורות הראשונה ושנייה של הספר "אמת ליעקוב עה"ת" שראיתי, ב"ה.

ובעצם הענין, ע' חזו"א יו"ד סב:יט, שסילוף זה הוא עיקר הסילוף של המאמינים בע"ז, כדמשמע מהספורנו כאן.  

יוצא, שעיקר הרעיון שאנו צריכים להתסייג ממנה - להבדל מהעובדי ע"ז לאלפי מיניהם - הופץ בינינו - בשם מי שנודע לגדול בין-לאומי - כמעט לעשרות שנים! והכל בלי מחאה חשובה ומפרוסמת מאת מנהיגי הציבור. והבן זה היטיב.  

וצריך להאריך בסיבת ה"סקאנדאל" הזה, ובאמת אכמ"ל. אבל נא הבן שהגענו למצב שמחשיבים מה שנאמר בשם גדול בתורה יותר מיסודות הדת. וע' מש"כ אב זקני הרב נתן נטע לייטער זצ"ל הי"ד, ממלא מקום האב ב"ד לעבוב, הודפס בסוף קונטרוס "דברי חיים אמת," בענין סכנת partisanism.

~~

וב"ה, "אמת מארץ תצמח," אחר עשרות שנים, הגיע תיקון-חלקי של הזיוף הנורא שעשו אז, אבל רק אחרי כל השנים של הפצת כפירה זו*, ותלייתו באילו גדול.  ובסוף, עשו תיקון - אבל רק תיקון במקצת.

{* הפעם הראשון שדיברתי עם המעריך של מהדורא ג',..., היה לפני בערך 21 שנה.} 

במהדורת תשפ"ג של "ספר אמת ליעקוב על נ"ך" הביאו מה שכן אמר רב יעקב זצ"ל.

העיקר מה להוציא ממש"כ בשם הגר"י על נ"ך הוא שמבואר שלא אמר רב יעקב כאן מה שכתבו בשמו בהמהדורא הג' עה"ת בענין הע"ז של כמוש, הנ"ל.

ואף אם אפשר - או נצרך - להתווכח על מה שהביאו שם, על נ"ך, מהרב יעקב - עם כל זה פשוט וברור שאין אלו אותן הדברי-כפירה שכתבו בשמו במהדורא ג' עה"ת.

ולענין הרמב"ן בעצמו, בודאי לא כתב הרמב"ן דבר או חצי דבר אפילו דומה לכפירה הנ"ל, עפר לפיהם. ובאמת כתב להפך, כמו שהבאנו בעבר במק"א.

~~~  ~

Trump sued on First and Fifth Amendment grounds over paid Truth Social access

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/12/business/truth-social-lawsuit

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation jointly sued Trump and his White House social media team for restricting their access to the president’s posts on Truth Social. The plaintiffs claim Trump violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.

The government cannot limit access to speech without legitimate justification, said Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director at the Knight First Amendment Institute.

“There’s no legitimate government interest in doing this,” Fallow said. “Donald Trump and his company may have an interest, but not the government.”

Trump sued over Truth Social's $100,000 early access offer

 https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2026/08/12/trump-sued-over-truth-socials-100000-early-access-plan/91281414007/

The plan called Truth API would cost users up to $100,000 per month. USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment.

Inside the White House bet that Netanyahu’s peace plan rejection is for show

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/12/tolerating-netanyahu-two-step-why-white-house-can-live-with-israels-rejection-peace-plan-01033659

The Trump administration is giving Netanyahu leeway to message the latest Gaza peace for his domestic audience, so long as Israel continues to ease its attacks.

The administration says it’s less concerned with what Netanyahu says than what the Israeli Defense Forces do. A U.S. official, who, like others in the story, was granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking, said that the administration was initially “disappointed” that Israel responded to the 15-point peace proposal by ramping up attacks in Gaza — but is pleased that it has since eased its assault.

Now, the administration is willing to give the Israeli prime minister some leeway to message the peace plan in the way he needs to, the official said. There is broad understanding that he is two months from a tough reelection — and needs to please his own hard-right allies to win. Few expected the president’s roadmap to be wholesale embraced, even as Trump on Truth Social trumpeted it as a “major milestone” in the conflict.

"The Roots of Appeasement" by Martin Gilbert

 "In this book I trace the origins of appeasement, and follow its course from 1914–39. Often those who sought a lenient peace in 1919, or tried to bring Britain and Germany together during the inter-war years, are seen as misguided men who mistook weakness for charity. This was not so: appeasement was a policy of optimism and hope, even at times of strength. Those who believed that every possible effort should be made to improve Anglo-German relations did so, not because they feared German""territorial ambitions, but because they respected German national aspirations and admired German cultural and scientific achievements. The arguments for and against appeasement were never simple ones, nor did the debate which raged with acerbity for twenty years fall into any clear categories of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. My aim is to examine the wide range of the appeasement argument, and to show that appeasement, both as an attitude of mind and as a policy, was not a silly or treacherous idea in the minds of stubborn, gullible men, but a noble idea, rooted in Christianity, courage and common sense."

Avoda Zara has Real power?

Avoda Zara (55a) Rav Yehuda said to Rava bar Rav Yitzḥak: Now, were I dead I would not have been able to tell you the explanation of this matter. It is therefore good that you reminded me of this matter while I am alive. The explanation is as Rav says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heavens, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the Lord your God has allotted [ḥalak] to all the nations under the whole heaven”. The verse teaches that God allowed the nations to be misled by matters that seemingly indicate that idol worship is effective in order to expel the nations from the world due to their decision to engage in idol worship.

Ramban (Devarim 04:19) This means that every nation is assigned a star or mazal and above them is an angel. Because of this they made them into gods and worshipped them. In contrast Jews were not given a star because they are G-d’s portion and He took them from the iron crucible of Egypt against the mazzel of Egypt.  

 Emes LiYakov (Devarim 04:19) And lest you lift up your eyes to the skies, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of the skies, should you be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord your God has allotted to all nations under the whole sky Looking at the Torah commentaries you will see two approaches to explain this verse. One says it means that the sun and the moon were given to all people to provide them with illumination and the Torah is prohibiting worshipping them. In contrast the Ibn Ezra and Ramban explain it to mean that each nation has its own unique star and mazzel. Likewise there is a unique mazzel for every city which is the conduit for the good. This is also the view expressed by the Ramban in explaining Bereishis (01:18). It appears that this reflects a basic disagreement about the nature of idolatry. The view of Rambam  which is expressed in a number of places is that Idolatry has no real power to influence or do anything so those who worship idols or pray to them not only are sinning but they are wasting their time. In contrast the view of Ramban is that G-d created in Nature that each people has a unique celestial conduit to provide benefit to that people  as long as it is not relevant to Jews. since Jews are not influenced by mazzel. However there is still a Torah prohibition to pray to this source of bounty since ultimately G-d is the source of all bounty and therefore prayer and devotion can only be directed to G-d not to His servant. However if this source is worshipped and prayed to it can actually provide benefit. Thus the verse is saying that G-d gave each nation a unique source of bounty and guidance.

Emes LiYakov (Devarim 17:03) turning to the worship of other gods and bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, something I never commanded—  Rashi explains “I never commanded to worship them” And that is also how the Rashbam Ibn Ezra explain a previous verse concerning the verse.  And perhaps you will lift your eyes to the Heavens and you will see the sun and the Moon and the stars and all the Heavenly Host which G-d distributed to all the nations. The plain meaning of “which G-d distributed to all the nations.” is like what Rashi explains there that the Heavenly bodies were distributed to all the nations to provide light for them. However as I explained there that many Rishonim disagree with this and says it means that each nation has a special heavenly power. I explained that this dependent on the dispute of the Rishonim whether idolatry has any actual power.

Megila (09a) It is related of King Ptolemy that he brought together seventy-two elders and placed them in seventy-two separate rooms, without telling them why he had brought them together, and he went in to each one of them and said to him, Translate for me the Torah of Moses your master. God then prompted each one of them and they all conceived the same idea and wrote for him, God created in the beginning, I shall make man in image and likeness, And he finished on the sixth day,and rested on the seventh day, Male and female he created him, Come let me descend and confound their tongues, And Sarah laughed among her relatives; ….Which the Lord thy God distributed to give light to all the peoples;

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim (04:19) “not to raise your eyes skyward.”Seeing that certain such constellations appear to presage certain happenings at certain times, some people err in ascribing powers to these constellations. This is why the Torah warns the Jewish people not to raise their eyes to such parts of the sky and the constellations visible there. The “seeing” the Torah speaks of is not with the physical eye but with the mental eye, i.e. the conclusions derived from this “seeing.” 

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 04:19) A Midrashic approach: the word “allocated” is connected to the word smooth, slippery. G’d flattered the nations with words in order to eventually drive them out of the world..

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 04:19) We have a similar statement by the sages in Avodah Zarah 55: Rabba bar Yitzchak said to Rabbi Yuda: “there is an idol in our town, and whenever there is a drought with us it appears to a priest in a dream and says: ‘sacrifice a human being to me and you shall have rain.’ When the people of the town offer a human being as a sacrifice to this idol it really does begin to rain.” Rabbi Yuda commented: ‘if I had already died I would not have been able to explain the matter to you.’ Rav explained the words of the verse, to mean that G’d misled these idol-worshippers by letting them think that their idols had some power. By making them fall victim to that illusion He expedited their disappearance from this world.

Rashi (Devarim 04:19) WHICH THE LORD ASSIGNED to give light to them to all peoples. — Another explanation: which God assigned to them as deities; He did not prevent them from going astray after them, but He allowed them to err  through vain speculations, in order to drive them out from the world. Similarly it states, " God made him err through his eyes until his iniquity be found and he be hated” 

Sanhedrin (090a) The Torah understood the extreme depths of depravity inherent in idolatry, therefore the Torah gave him the false prophet power therein, that should he even cause the sun to stand still in the middle of the heavens, thou must not hearken to him. R. Akiba said; God forbid that the Almighty should cause the sun to stand still at the behest of those who transgressed His will, but the Torah refers to one as Hananiah the son of Azur, who was originally a true prophet and only subsequently became a false prophet.

US allies say they’re worried about Trump’s clout after Netanyahu rejected deal

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/11/americas-allies-doubt-us-negotiating-tactics-in-israel-after-netanyahu-rejected-peace-plan-01034498

U.S. allies see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of Washington’s 15-point plan for Gaza as undermining confidence in the Board of Peace — and in the Trump administration’s ability to influence the Middle East more broadly.

It increasingly appears that the U.S. either doesn’t have — or isn’t willing to exercise — the leverage needed to deliver on Gaza, a number of diplomats and others familiar with U.S. strategy in the region told POLITICO. And that has them concerned about U.S. efforts at negotiations across the region.

Netanyahu’s defiance adds to the growing list of woes Washington faces as it struggles to reshape the Middle East, from ending the Iran war to winding down the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Diplomats fear Trump is losing influence

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/08/12/diplomats-fear-trump-is-losing-influence/

According to Politico, diplomats warn that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of the 15-point plan could undermine confidence in the Board of Peace and US President Donald Trump's ability to exert influence. The concern is that the Trump administration has lost leverage and may be unable to influence Israel and other nations in the Middle East.

US allies fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of the American plan for Gaza is undermining confidence in the Board of Peace and the Trump administration's ability to shape developments in the Middle East, Politico reported.

Meanwhile, Israeli public broadcaster Kan's Reshet Bet radio reported that the Board of Peace had decided to provide Hamas with $400 million to "cover debts" to suppliers and other expenses. According to the report, the board insisted that the money would not be used to cover debts stemming from corruption within the terrorist organization.

Voting in a Church

 Teshuvos V’hanhagos (2:410) Question: Is it permitted to vote in a room associated (a hall or basement) with a church? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch says not to enter a house of worship of idolatry. The commentaries say to avoid even the direction of idolatry 4 amos. So it would seem that a room of a church is prohibited as well as the usage for all types of gatherings  which have nothing to do with idolatry, However in our case where one can only vote there and there is no intent of idolatry there would seem to be no basis to prohibit voting there especially since the entrance to voting is not the same as the church. Nevertheless it would seem best to try and convince the  government to change the location since it is problematic for us. However in the present case since it is too late to change it would be permitted to vote there ,since it is clear that it is only for voting