‘Trump chickened out’: Chinese social media mocks Trump on trade

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DOGE loses its biggest advocate as Musk exits Washington

 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/23/elon-musk-doge-trump-00306673

Elon Musk’s claim that his job in Washington is “mostly done” may calm Tesla shareholders — but his departure could sap the Department of Government Efficiency of its disruptive energy even as it continues to make major cuts to the federal workforce.

In an effort to reassure rattled Tesla shareholders after a bruising first-quarter earnings call, Musk told investors this week that his around-the-clock involvement in DOGE will soon be scaled back to just a day or two per week.

Trump’s Faith Adviser Says Women Should ‘Submit’ to Men in Bonkers Rant

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-faith-adviser-says-women-should-submit-to-men-in-bonkers-rant/

President Donald Trump in February signed an executive order establishing a White House Faith Office, pledging to “bring religion back” to the United States and “protect Christians.”

He appointed White, his longtime spiritual adviser, to lead the initiative. The two first connected in 2002, when Trump called her after watching one of her televised sermons.

Hegseth creates makeup studio in Pentagon

 https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5263819-hegseth-makeup-studio-pentagon/

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refurbished a green room as a makeup studio in the Pentagon for high-ranking officials to prepare before on-camera appearances

CBS News reported that the refurbishment cost several thousand dollars, which the Pentagon denied in a post on the social platform X. Officials said they were modest when making the changes to the space.

“For this upgrade we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand material solutions that provide the Secretary and other VIPs the needed support and space for on-camera press engagements,” the spokesperson added.

Is This Trump’s Mitterrand Moment?

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/francois-mitterrand-donald-trump-tariffs-trade-economy-markets-7e80c7e9?mod=hp_opin_pos_1

The French President saved his government by giving up socialism. It’s a precedent for tariffs.

President Trump continues to walk back his original tariff assault, and markets are pleased. They rose again Wednesday after Mr. Trump said he won’t fire the Federal Reserve Chairman and is likely to retreat from his highest China tariffs. Is this Mr. Trump’s François Mitterrand moment?

Readers of a certain age will recall how the French Socialist President swept into power in 1981 promising a far left agenda of government control over the private economy. The market reaction was brutal. Within a year he had put socialism on pause and by 1983 he had abandoned most of it. He went on to serve two terms.

Trump slams Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russian control of Crimea

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/23/europe/rubio-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-talks-intl-hnk/index.html

President Donald Trump slammed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday for his comments that Ukraine wouldn’t recognize Russian control of Crimea, calling the remarks “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia.”

“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” he posted on Truth Social.

Any move to recognize Russia’s control of Crimea would reverse a decade of US policy and could upset the widely held post-World War Two consensus that international borders should not be changed by force.

Women president of Israel

Igros Moshe (YD II #45) Question You claim that when I questioned the Rambam’s view that all positions of authority are only for men not women and that it was his innovation that this creates a problem in that it justifies appointing a woman president in the Israeli government. Answer  I am not responsible for the conduct of the Israeli government which unfortunately is controlled by heretics who have no interest in what I think in the slightest nor the view of the Rambam nor do they care whether something is permitted or forbidden by the Torah and therefore my views don’t create a problem for them in that they might therefore have a woman president. Nor is there a problem that my view will result in women being elected as presidents of synagogues and organizations in America. That is because they do not do anything without the ruling of a major rabbi and the fact of the Rambam’s ruling is enough to prevent this. For those who have deviated from proper religious observation they have no concern with this at all and we have no responsibility to what they do.  Consequently no problems are created by my ruling. 

Police confirm man killed in shark attack; victim named as Barak Tzach, 45

https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-confirm-man-killed-in-shark-attack-victim-named-as-barak-tzach-45/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2025-04-23&utm_medium=email

A man was killed in a shark attack off the coast of Hadera, police onfirmed Wednesday, after human remains were positively identified by forensics experts.

The victim was named as 45-year-old Barak Tzach, a father of four from the central city of Petah Tikva.

Tzach’s wife Sarit Tzach wrote on Facebook that her husband had gone to the beach on Monday after work so that he could document the sharks, and denied reports that he had been carrying dead fish that attracted the predator.

Wrist watch Shabbos

 Igros Moshe (OC I #111) Question Can a wristwatch on Shabbos? Answer  It is obvious that a pocket watch is prohibited.  Even those that are worn attached to clothing are  not regarded as jewlry or being worn. However a wristwatch that is actually on the wrist is like a garment. A proof that this is permitted is that a signet ring is permitted even though its use is prohibitd on Shabbos. Furthermore even if the signet ring is damaged and can’t be used for signatures it is permitted to br worn since it is worn on the body even though it is not viewed as a piece of jewlry. Its entire purpose is as a useful device. In a similar manner a scarf which is worn around the neck to clean the mouth and eyes (according to Rashi) and that is its basic reasoson for being worn. Thus it is merely the fact that it is useful that it is permitted to be worn and it is not considered carrying.  Thus a watch worn on the wrist should be  permitted even though it is only worn for the service it provides. While because of this reason there is no reason to protest against those who wear a wristwatch, it is appropriate for every ben Torah and G-d fearing man not to wear a wristwatch on Shabbos. This is to prevent others from thinking that all clocks (such as a pocket watch) are permitted even if attatched to the clothing. Because there is widespread ignorance and this is what I tell my students. 

Yichud : Elevator Minimum time Prohibited

Igros Moshe (E.H. IV #65.22): Question What is the minimum time that yichud is prohibited? Answer Acording to Chazal it is the time it takes for sexual intercourse (Sotah 4), however time needs to be added to this for additional preparations such as getting undressed and getting dressed and also time for seduction if they are strangers and thus it is difficult to state  a definite amount of time. Nevertheless even with a  woman who is easily seduced the time of prohibited yichud is much more than the time for intercourse even if she is not Jewish who also require seduction. This is true even if she is a prostitute.  . .  Thus the amount of time prohibited is much greater than the all the times spent traveling between floors in an elevator even in a building of 25 floors. However with a non-Jewish woman controlling the elevator who we assume is licentious and with whom he is already familiar he should not take long trips with her in the elevator. However this is not a common situation. If there are two women in the elevator than yichud is not prohibited since we are not concerned he might seduce both of them in a short time and therefore there will not be transgression even with one of the two women . 

Igros Moshe (EH IV #65.16) Question Is yichud always prohibited? Answer  There is no prohibition unless if lasts  longer than the time prohibited. However in an elevator if someone enters who thinks any amount of time is prohibited than yichud would be prohibited. In such a case the only permitted case would be where there are already two women in the elevator and one leaves even if there is less than the minimal time. This is a problem also for tall buildings of many floors with an elevator . If a man is alone in the elevator with a woman, than going one floor is not a problem.  The prohibition of yichud with an unmarried woman is only Rabbinic and the decree against yichud is only if there is enough time for intercourse. For anything less than this time there is no prohibition of yichud .

Yichud Car

Igros Moshe (EH IV #65.3) Question Is it permitted to travel alone with a woman in a car ? Answer As a first choice is definitely not permitted. This is even if the majority of the trip is on a major highway that even at night there are always many people in cars. That is because it is always possible to leave the highway to a quiet side street. Even travel during the day is problematic since he can easily go to a secluded area and be intimate and this is clearly a concern at night where intimacy can easily occur in the car itself. Nevertheless in time of great need such as a woman of his neighborhood requests a ride or needs to get to his destination  and if he refuses to give her a ride he is viewed as a selfish or cruel person. If a non Jewish women makes the request and he refuses than he might cause hatred to Jews. Therefore there is a basis to permit it because there is no halachic requirement to be concerned that he might go to a secluded place with a normal religious person but only that he might be overwhelmed with lust. While this seems to be a halachic dispute, one can rely on the lenient view in time of need.  

Interview with Rav Ephraim Greenblatt from 1990

 When I lived in Har Nof I met with Rav Ephraim Greenblatt in July 12 1990. I asked him questions regarding Rav Moshe and the Igros Moshe. He was very open with his comments. The question is whether I should publish them now. They might shock some while others will say this is well known or at least assumed. I have asked a posek and am waiting his decision. 

I just received psak that I should publish the interview.  which I will when I reformat it for greater readability.

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Reb Moshe believed that if you understood the gemora properly it was possible to posken directly from it. That the Shulchan Aruch itself was written for people that did not have time to learn the gemora properly. His avoidance of achronim was not because he didn't have the seforim but because he felt they were not necessary for him to posken. When confronted with a contradiction to his psak from the Yavetz he answered that his psak was meant to be from shamayim.

Reb Moshe told on himself that he had a strong temper by nature but that he worked on himself not to express it and to remain calm.

Reb Moshe held that what he poskened was valid and he had no problem with his views being publicized. There were issues he felt however should not be made known to the general public such as his views on Hatzola returning on Shabbos which were eventually published in the Igros.

Reb Moshe viewed his main halachic work to be the Dibros Moshe not the Igros Moshe. He felt that it was necessary to have a record of his opinions available- the Igros Moshe. Reb Moshe was aware that non Talmidei Chachamim read the Igros.That is why he did not posken on Gas on Yom Tov there because of the possibility of confusing gas with electricity.

He mentioned that Reb Moshe always emphasized the importance of understanding Metzius to posken properly. He assumed that Reb Tendler was the source of medical issues and was surpirsed when I told him that Reb Tendler said that he was not the sole source of this.

He was not aware of Reb Moshe being against going to a doctor for preventitive check ups but said that it was possible that there was such a position since his uncle nevers goes to doctors.

There were times that Reb Moshe poskened on a personal level against the Igros. For example in Memphis, he allowed a short mechitza because he felt that that was all they would take and that he hoped that later it would be possible to increase the hight. Similarly he allowed mixed classes up to sixgrade for Memphis. He agreed that the level of observance today might mean that Reb Moshe would be more machmir l'maaseh than for tshuvah's from 40 years ago.

I asked that Reb Moshe's attitude towards psak be written down. He replied that his uncle Reb Notah Greenblatt would be the one to do that and that he would ask when he returns to Memphis. He said that there has been much talk about collecting stories and Hashkofa from Reb Moshe's talmidim but that no one is willing to take charge and get it done. He said he once asked Reb Moshe what had been decided at an Aguda Convention. He replied, like always that we should have another meeting next year. He said that he is planning to retire soon to Yerushalayim and that perhaps he would be able work on the project.

On a related point, he mentioned that he was recently in Lakewood and was asked to speak about Reb Moshe. When he said he wanted to learn something in the Igros, they told him that everyone know the Igros and that they wanted to hear some stories. He took out an Igros and asked them what Reb Moshe held on a particular Issue. He said that he got 20 different versions of something stated in the Igros.

Reb Moshe felt that there was nothing he could do to help a person with cancer. In general he would not accept a kvittel for such a person unless he felt it would upset the family.For other illnesses however he would pray for recovering.

It was not unusual for people to understand Reb Moshe in different ways. There for he always tried to taperecord his sessions with Reb Moshe. There were instances where he was able to demonstrate to people that they had misunderstood Reb Moshe's position from these tapes.

Validity of the Igros. There is a definite problem with the last two volumes. He has been told by a number of big talmidei chachamim that there is there are things written which are definitely not Reb Moshe's language. In addition the last couple of years in which Reb Moshe's replies were typewritten by Mordechai Tendler are not reliable. People also got confused when Mordechai Tendler said things and assumed that it was from Reb Moshe when in fact some things were not. 10 years ago when he went to get a Beracha for his son-in-law Reb Moshe had to send Mordechai Tendler out of the room because he kept answering their questions - not letting Reb Moshe reply. Mordechai Tendler felt that he knew Reb Moshe well enough that he could provide the same answer as Reb Moshe- which was not always true. The problem of editing -have words or sections left out - could easily change the meaning of a tshuva.

Reb Moshe used to write over a copy of his tshuva before sending out a reply. When he was asked why not let a bachor do the copying, he replied that copying provided a chance for chazora and that here were times that he changed the original ruling based upon his chazora.

Newspapers: Rabbi Tendler claimed that Reb Moshe read the newspaper regularly. He replied that he never saw Reb Moshe read a newspaper. Reb Moshe did buy Der Tag regularly from a poor Jew who used to come into M.T.J. but then he would put in on a bench. He said he only bought the paper to provide parnosa for the Yid and that anyone could take the paper.

When I told him the problem of time of death, he agreed it was a major problem. He agreed that Rav Tendler feels that he knows what Reb Moshe would have said and that there is no actual evidence to support his interpretation as being what Reb Moshe held or would have held.

Rain Hat cover on Shabbos

Igros Moshe (OC I #108) Question: Can a thin plastic hat cover be worn when walking outside on Shabbos to protect from rain? Answer. Any thing worn as a garment is permitted according to Nedarim (55) even if the intent is just to protect against dirt. But simply to cover the hat and not the body at all is prohibited. It is clear from the Taz and Magen Avraham that the meaning of “wearing as garment” requires at least partial direct covering of part of the body or head. The old practice of wearing a hat on a hat was to provide greater warmth and is thus permitted while a rain hat cover does not increase the warmth nor is it even for appearance and in fact looks worse wearing only the hat alone. Its only purpose is to protect the hat from damage which is prohibited. This is not the same as wearing galoshes which are permitted because they add warmth and thus they not only protect the shoes but also the person from discomfort of water soaked shoes and cold. In conclusion the wearing of the plastic rain hat cover is not permitted. This is what I tell all those who ask me.

It is important to know that others such as Rav Menashe Klein disagreed. Rav Ahron Kuler also disagreed but he said to all that asked that the halacha was that it was prohibited because everyone should submit to  the ruling of Rav Moshe

Rav has no Portion in Olam Habah

 Avos Derav Nosson (36:5) These seven have no share in the World to Come: the scribe, the schoolteacher, the best doctors, the city judge, the magician, the sexton, and the butcher.

Shabbos (139a) It was taught. R. Jose b. Elisha said: If you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles, go forth and examine the judges of Israel, for all retribution that comes to the world comes only on account of the Judges of Israel, as it is said, Hear this, I pray you ye heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, etc

Kiddushin (82a) The best of doctors are destined for gehenna, and the worthiest of butchers is amalek's partner

Rashi (Kiddushin 82a) 'The best of doctors are destined for gehenna' - They do not fear disease. They eat the food of the healthy, and they do not act humbly before God. Sometimes they kill, and sometimes they are able to heal a poor person but do not do so.

Sheailas Yaavetz (# 71) This that you view the statement in Avos DeRabbi Nosson as difficult as smoke in the eyes or vinegar to the teeth since it says that a person who renders judgements and decides halacha has no Olam Habah. I have previously explained this in my commentary to the Talmud. It simply means that these seven have no Olam Habah only when they don’t do their jobs properly, which in fact most of them do in fact act properly.