Sunday, August 16, 2026
Two Israeli children eat chocolate spiked with hallucinogenic mushrooms, rushed to hospital
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-905645
The children, aged five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half, have been placed under close observation in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).
Two toddlers were rushed on Sunday to the Galilee Medical Center's emergency room after consuming chocolate containing hallucinogenic mushrooms during a family vacation.
The children, aged five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half, have been placed under close observation in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).
While both were physically stable when they arrived at the emergency room, they had been experiencing neurological symptoms, Galilee Medical Center said in a statement.
The awakening: Why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about more than borders
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-905291
For decades, a simple explanation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict took hold across broad segments of Israel’s Left and Center: at its core, the conflict was territorial.
The question they are asking today is far more difficult: What if the conflict is not only about where the border will be drawn, but also, and perhaps primarily, about the very legitimacy of a Jewish state existing in this region?
This does not mean that every Palestinian seeks Israel’s destruction, and a complex national conflict should certainly not be reduced to a sweeping generalization about an entire population. But it is no longer possible to ignore the enormous influence that Islamist religious ideology has gained in Palestinian society over recent decades.
Rare August Rain Showers Jerusalem, West Bank; Flood Warnings Issued
Rainfall of more than 20 millimeters in August has been recorded only four times since measurements began in Israel. More rain and possible flooding are forecast for Sunday
The Jerusalem area and the northern Judean Desert in the West Bank saw a rare August rain shower on Saturday, with 25 millimeters recorded in the settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim and five millimeters in Jerusalem, according to the Israel Meteorological Service.
'I'll go with you anywhere' | Why Mali and Liel vanished
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/431744
New evidence suggests Mali and Liel Yahalomi meticulously planned disappearance, with cash withdrawn, phones wiped, and AI allegedly used to help evade detection.
Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences
The U.S. Navy is considering a major redesign of its new aircraft carriers to better match President Donald Trump’s preferred aesthetic for the warships, according to seven current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The service is evaluating the feasibility of moving the multistory tower that acts as the carrier’s command center farther forward, toward the middle of the ship, to resemble older vessels, the officials said. The review, which has not been previously reported, is in response to Trump’s concerns about the “look” of the new Ford-class ships, where the tower is near the rear, these people said.
Moving that command center, known as the “island,” would be the second major design change prompted by the president, who on Thursday issued a national security memorandum directing the Navy to develop a plan to revert to older steam-powered catapults on future carriers. The systems help launch jets off the ships’ flight decks.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
‘Completely unacceptable’: UK slams Netanyahu for calling it an ‘Islamic republic’
Britain on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he called the country an “Islamic republic,” branding the remarks as “completely unacceptable.”
The UK additionally said it has “raised” the matter with Jerusalem.
“These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli government,” a UK government spokesman said.
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—
Friday, August 14, 2026
Trump administration’s 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
"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.
Executive Director,
Help Rescue Our Children
Email: torahjewsfordecency@
845.642.1679
Direct: 771.215.8892
Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337
Tomim Tih'yeh [countering "New-Age" infiltration]:
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).
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,
Executive Director,
Help Rescue Our Children
845.642.1679
Direct: 771.215.8892
Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~
BS"D28 Menachem Av, Parshas Shoftim, 5786Editor,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.
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.
This all should prompt us to introspection and repentance, on both an individual and communal level in regard to these public policy concerns.
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.
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.
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.
"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
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 LeiterExecutive Director,Help Rescue Our Children