Tefilin Chol Hamoed

Igros Moshe (OC V #24.6) Question What is halacha about teffilin on Chol HaMoed? Those who do not wear tefillin on Chol HaMoed what should they do if they are praying at a synagogue that wears Tefillin on Chol HaMoed? Answer The Mishna Berura says that Achronim say that in a single synagogue it is not correct that some should wear Tefillin and some don’t because of the prohibition of Lo Tisgodado (not to make disputes.)  It is important to note that he says it is not correct which implies that possible in terms of the halacha it is not actually prohibited because there are actually two conflicting courts and in such cases there is no halachic problem of following the rulings of only one of them in one city and perhaps this would be true of one synagogue. The implication is that he is inclined to permit it in a single synagogue. Since he didn’t say it was prohibited. Perhaps because if a person is not wearing Teffillin it doesn’ necessarily mean that it is because he thinks it is not required but perhaps he simply forgot to bring his Teffillin to synagogue and he left them at home even though this is not common it possible to happen. Nevertheless it is unlikely that those who see he is not wearing Teffillin will assume that is the reason. They will typically assume that it is because he doesn’t think there is an obligation to wear tefillin on Chol HaMoed. Consequently the permission comes from it being well known that there are two valid conflicting views on this matter and therefore there is no prohibition in a single minyan. Therefore insisting that everyone do the same thing is clearly only optional not obligatory. In conclusion where there is a well known dispute in halacha there is no prohibition from lo tisgodadu to have some people wearing and some not wear Tefillin on Chol HaMoed. This is consistent with the language of the Mishna Berura that it is not correct to have different practice but he doesn’t say it is prohibited. Nonetheless if a person finds himself in a city  where everyone wears tefillin on Chiol HaMoed, it is reasonable to say that is prohibited not to wear tefillin. Because perhaps not everyone knows that there are two opposing views on the issue.  But it is not prohibited to follow a different ruling. Especially in large cities such as New York where it is common to go to a synagogue near your house  and there are many diverse customs found in a neighborhood as well as many synagogues, there would not be the slightest reason not to keep with one own customs even if it is different from the synagogue since every one knows that there are a wide range of legitimately different customs. Hoewver it is obvious that the shliach tzibor should wear teffilin in a synagogue that wears tefillin. If anyone is permitted to be shliach tzibor than it is permitted to have one that does not wear tefillin. . A person whose family custom is not to wear tefillin on Chol HaMoed who asks what is best if he must pray in a synague that does wear tefillin. He should be told that it is best to wear tefillin.  That is because the majority view through the ages was to wear tefillin though without a beracha.  Even the Sefardim wore tefillin until it became known that the Zohar was opposed. The Ashkenazim always wore tefillin  as did the majority of European countries.  

Half of American Jewish voters believe Trump is antisemitic

 https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-853936

About half of American Jews describe President Donald Trump as antisemitic, while only a minority think his campus crackdown is reducing antisemitism, according to a new survey.

American Jews are also broadly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and fewer of them say they feel an attachment to Israel than before the current Israel-Hamas war, according to the survey.

The survey of Jewish registered voters, conducted by the polling firm GBAO Strategies, found that 52% of respondents say the word “antisemitic” describes the president very or somewhat well.

In addition, 74% of respondents disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president, while 26% approve. Close to 70% said the words “fascist” and “racist” describe him very or somewhat well.

Trump’s crypto conflicts keep piling up. He’s not even trying to hide them

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/14/business/trump-family-crypto-nightcap

The Trump family’s crypto empire is expanding rapidly, and it’s making earlier ethics debates over his hotel and casino business interests look downright quaint.

There are only so many rooms a foreign diplomat can book to curry favor with the president, and that might total into thousands of dollars, at most. And even President Donald Trump might have a limit on how many luxury Qatari jets he’d accept as gifts.

But in the opaque world of cryptocurrencies, where transactions are often anonymous and unbound by national borders, there is virtually no cap on the amount of money a person or government could funnel to the president, his family and the growing list of entities they control.

Don Jr. Just Can’t Take Being Compared to Hunter Biden Anymore

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-jr-seriously-wants-the-hunter-biden-comparisons-to-stop/

Donald Trump Jr. would like everyone to stop comparing him to Hunter Biden, despite both men allegedly cashing in on their fathers’ proximity to the White House.

Earlier this week, a Business Insider report described how 1789 Capital, the tiny venture capital firm that Don Jr. joined a week after President Donald Trump’s re-election in November, has suddenly been granted investment access to major defense contractors.

The piece was headlined “Don Jr. Is the New Hunter Biden” and reported that the president’s oldest son is doing the same thing Republicans have long accused Hunter Biden of doing: profiting off his father’s presidency.

Cruz: Gift of Qatari jet to Trump ‘poses significant espionage’ concerns

 https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5297715-cruz-trump-qatar-air-force-one/?tbref=hp

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is warning that Qatar’s gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 to the Trump administration to serve as the new Air Force One poses “significant espionage and surveillance problems,” a concern voiced by other lawmakers.

“I’m not a fan of Qatar. I think they have a really disturbing pattern of funding theocratic lunatics who want to murder us, funding Hamas and Hezbollah. And that’s a real problem,” Cruz said in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Tuesday.

Donald Trump Compares Qatar Gift to Statue of Liberty

 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-compares-qatar-plane-gift-statue-liberty-2071915

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, said, per Punchbowl News: "I don't think it looks good or smells good."

How Qatar Bought America

 https://www.thefp.com/p/how-qatar-bought-america-9df?utm_campaign=email-post&r=3q7hun&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

It’s not just the 747. A Free Press investigation reveals that the Gulf state has spent almost $100 billion across Congress, colleges, think tanks, and corporations. What does it want in return?

And what we found was astounding: Qatar, long a refuge for and a financier of Islamist terrorists, has spent almost $100 billion over the past two decades to influence our schools, our universities, our media, our Congress, and even the White House itself. In return for all that cash, it has won the affection of leading lawmakers, Washington dealmakers, powerful journalists, and White House officials.

Like many great scandals, this one has been hiding in plain sight, with Qatar openly throwing cash around to buy allies in America while actively supporting groups that push Islamist radicalism in the Middle East.

Truth Ktzos:Relative Truth

Ktzos (Introduction): The Torah was not given to angels but rather to human beings who have limited intelligence. G d gave us the Torah because of his great mercy and kindness. He wanted it to be observed according to the understanding of human intelligence – even if this interpretation is not true in the absolute sense. The Ran (Derashos HaRan #7) has discussed this in detail based upon the Bava Metzia (86a) Now, they were disputing in the Heavenly Academy thus: If the bright spot preceded the white hair, he is unclean; if the reverse, he is clean. If the order is in doubt — G-d, ruled, He is clean; whilst the entire Heavenly Academy maintained, He is unclean. Who shall decide it? said they. — Rabbah b. Nahmani; for he said, I am pre-eminent in the laws of leprosy and tents. The Ran questions why if G d had stated that it is tahor, how could the Heavenly yeshiva dispute this and say that it is tamei and thus require Rabbah to resolve the dispute? The Ran answers that since according to their human understanding it is tamei than even though this the opposite of the truth – they are required to follow human understanding. In fact it is prohibited according to the Torah to do differently from that which human intelligence dictates. The case of Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol is similar. Even though a voice came from Heaven to announce that the halacha is always in accordance to his view and no one doubted that the voice was actually from G d- nevertheless the halachic authority is not in Heaven. Therefore Rabbah was needed to resolve the dispute between G d and the Heavenly yeshiva. It was obviously not needed to ask him in order to ascertain the absolute truth, since this was already known from what G d had said. The reason that they had disagreed with G d was either because they were relying on human understanding or because they had not been diligent enough in their studies during their life times. Who ever sees this is shocked and his heart trembles. If elite people such as these who have merited to be members of the Heavenly yeshiva before G d have not perfected their human intellect because the topic is so profound and their comprehension is limited or because they weren't diligent enough in their Torah studies during their lifetimes. If the early generations were like angels – we with our weak minds who are overwhelmed with the stress of existence and in our free moments are blanketed with the cloud of laziness and we have only weak grasp of our Torah knowledge that even simple things in Mesechta Kalah we have mastered – woe is to us from the embarrassment of Torah.

Emes L’Yakov (Devarim 25:1) Before Man was created, the attribute of Truth complained that since Man was full of lies, he shouldn’t be created. G d threw Truth to the ground and then created man. This act was the creation of relative Truth in addition to the Absolute Truth that had existed before. This relative Truth is truth according to the person’s comprehension. He extends this concept also to the term Tzadik . This term which is normally used to described a person on a high level - is also used to describe someone who has Truth. This is found in the verse (Devarim 25,1) dealing with Aidem Zommim. - V’Hatzdiku es HaTzadik.

Truth and Lying

 Emes L’Yakov (Bereishis 27:12) My father perhaps will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. Our Sages called our forefathers yeshorim  (straight and honest). And that is why Sefer Bereishis is referred by our Sages as Sefer HaYashor. The explanation is that they lived before the Giving of the Torah so how did they know how to behave? It is because as it states in Koheles (7:29) that G-d made Man inherently Yashar (honest). Thus they were able to fulfill the requirement of the Torah even before it was given.  This is also expressed by saying Derech Eretz preceded the Torah. So while the Torah has laws that don’t make sense to the human mind, man’s intellect is inherently ethical. Thus our forefathers fulfilled the Torah because they inherently understood the ethical and moral way to act. This reality makes what Yakov did in order to receive the Berachos all the more difficult to understand since it was far from being ethical behavior. It is even more difficult as Yakov was especially concerned with Truth. We learn from this a major principle regarding the nature of truth. We note that Yakov’s behavior in this matter is described by Onkelos as wisdom . The explanation is that the truth is dependent on deliberate calculation and isn’t simple right or wrong. For example if Reuven is being pursued to be killed and  Shimon hides him to save his life. If the pursuer asks Shimon if he knows where Reuven is and Shimon states that he is hiding him because he doesn’t want to lie. Is this confess called the Truth? Obviously there are times when it is permissible for a person to act with cunning in order to accomplish the greater good. Therefore if one is dealing with a dangerously dishonest person such as Esav it is sometimes necessary to act with him in a sly and deceitful manner. This occurred many times to Yakov and thus his behavior in those circumstances is not a contradiction to being a truthful person. This was clearly the basis of Yakov causing his flock through the use of rods to save his flock from Lavan. Or his statement to avoid Esav. In fact we lean from Yakov’s behavior that it is permitted to make false statements to avoid being killed by a potential murderer Similarly in the case of Yakov and Shechem of the weakening of the enemy by demanding circumcision in order that they could be killed. Thus to deviate from the truth in these cases did not diminish or contradict his standing as a paragon of truth. However even though it is sometimes permitted to lie nevertheless a person should avoid making lies habitual even if they are permitted because of the danger that this might be his normal response. This is less of a problem for a talmid chachom  

Gur Aryeh  (Bereishis 47:29) Whatever is appropriate to be done is called True.

Michtav M’Eliyahu (I page 94): What is emes (truth) and what is sheker (lie)? At the beginning of our education our understanding is that emes (truth) is describing events as they are while sheker (lie) is deviating from this. That is correct only on the most elementary level. There are many circumstances where this definition is incorrect. There are times when it is prohibited to describe things as they are such as describing shortcomings to another when there is no benefit or need. Sometimes in fact one actually needs to alter the description from the facts when the truth is not only not beneficial but is harmful. In such a case that which appears to be true is in fact a lie because it produces bad consequences and that which appears to be a lie brings the goal of emes. We see in fact that emes is that which brings to the good and fulfills that which G d wants. …Yaakov's deception of Esav therefore was revealed to be G d's desire and thus we see from the Torah sheker (lie) done for the sake of emes (truth) is in fact emes (truth).

Luxury skyscrapers, golf courses and cryptocurrency: The Trump family’s rapidly expanding Middle East business

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/13/politics/trump-middle-east-business-invs

 The Trump family’s business ties to the Middle East have more than tripled since the president’s first term in office, a CNN tally of the deals has found, including a slew of new projects announced since he reclaimed the White House.

Amid the ongoing plans for luxury skyscrapers, golf courses and cryptocurrency deals in the region, Donald Trump is traveling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week not only as US president, but also as the patriarch of a family whose business empire continues to expand in that part of the world.

His financial ties to the Middle East have prompted concerns among government ethicists who say it’s difficult to determine whether he’s acting in the best interest of the United States or his pocketbook.

Mr. President, don't forget your greatest ally: Israel!

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408328

As someone who has long admired President Donald Trump for his unmatched support of Israel, I find myself at a rare and uncomfortable crossroads.

President Trump is, without question, the most pro-Israel American president in modern history. He moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, withdrew from the flawed Iran nuclear deal, and brokered the Abraham Accords—historic agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. For these actions, he earned both gratitude and admiration from millions of Jews and Christians around the world, myself included.

But this week, I was puzzled. And frankly, so were many others here in Isra

While President Trump toured Qatar and Saudi Arabia—receiving a jaw-dropping gift of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet from the Qatari royal family—he did not make a stop in Israel. No diplomatic handshake in Jerusalem. No address to the Knesset. No symbolic nod to the Jewish state that has stood by him when few others did.

As a Newsmax contributor currently reporting from Israel, I’ve spoken with numerous Israelis—citizens, analysts, rabbis—who feel confused and even disappointed. These aren’t critics or fence-sitters. These are the very people who praised Trump as a modern-day Cyrus, a man raised up to defend the people of God and the land of Israel. Today, they’re asking: “Where is he now?”

To be clear: I don’t believe Donald Trump has abandoned Israel. I don’t believe he has turned his back on the Jewish people. But I do believe this moment demands clarity, and perhaps a little course correction.

President Trump, of all people, knows the power of perception. He built an entire political movement by cutting through the fog of double-speak and presenting reality plainly. That’s why this apparent snubbing of Israel stings.

Alternatives to knee replacement surgery

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/11/knee-arthritis-replacement-nerves-ablation/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq-intl&utm_campaign=dr-may-25&utm_content=dtpannual_20250513

Although safe for healthy individuals and the gold standard for patients with knees as damaged as Herber’s, the procedure can be an arduous undertaking that requires up to a year for full recovery. Herber also knew that 20 percent of knee replacement patients are unhappy with their outcome. Even more ominous: A close friend died two weeks after the procedure of complications from an infection he developed because of the surgery.

The alternatives include procedures that target and at least temporarily silence the nerves that transmit pain signals emanating from the knee.

Physicians who perform the nerve operations note that they don’t permanently solve the problems of an arthritis-riddled knee joint. The three procedures described below are regarded as invasive, with requisite risks, although the risks are lower than with knee replacement.

Music prohibited

Igros Moshe, (OC I #166) Question What is the prohibition of listening to music because of the destruction of the Temple? Answer It seems from the gemora (Gitten 7) that there is no distinction between instrumental music and voice. Rashi says the prohibition is at a feast. This is also the view of Tosfos as well as the Mishna in Sotah(48). There is also the view of the Yerushalmi that music causes excessive joy. And Tosfos says this is even when there is no banquet if it is done on a regular basis which produces the same effect as a banquet The Rambam prohibits instrumental music in all circumstances even without a banquet while singing is only prohibited with wine. It is not clear the source of the distinction between instrumental music and singing as this seems inconsistent with the gemora in Gitten. . In conclusion that singing is only prohibited at a banquet for someone who does it regularly and this is the view of almost all Rishonim other than the Rambam. The Rambam seems to be inconsistent between his Teshuvos and Mishna Torah. Work songs seem permitted because a person is habituated to them. Nevertheless a bal Nefesh should be strict like the Rambam in his teshuvos. Instrumental music is prohibited in all circumstances as stated in the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch. It seems it is only permitted not at a banquet for someone who doesn’t do it regularly even though it is only a Rabbinic prohibition. It seems from Tosfos and Remah that if this is for a mitzva it is permitted even if not at a wedding. However a banquet done for the sake of charity I am uncertain if it is permitted as a mitzva purpose because the meal and the Simcha are not actually a mitzva but merely are done to gather people to make donations. But perhaps they are to be considered mitzvos since they honor those who are doing the mitzva of charity. Therefore it is best to be strict if possible but not to protest against those who are lenient. Concerning listening to music on a radio – If it is vocal than it is permitted while instrumental musicx is prohibited. During Sefirah instrumental music should be prohibited even to those who are normally lenient. 

Igros Moshe, (OC III #87) Question: Are music lessons permitted during Sefira? Answer If the lessons are for parnassah it is permitted even during Sefirah since for him it is not for joy. However if it is for pleasure it is prohibited during Sefira according to the custom.  The Rambam (Tanis 5:14) rules that it is prohibited the entire year. This is also the view of Shulchan Aruch (OC. 560:3). It is appropriate to be strict like the Rambam and Shulchan. Even the Remah cites a view that music is permitted if not at a banquet and for one who is not habituated. Therefore one should not protest those that are lenient This is also applicable to listening to instrumental music. However during Sefirah it is prohibited according to everyone. 

Rambam (Tanis 5:14) Similarly, they ordained that one should not play melodies with any sort of musical instrument. It is forbidden to celebrate with such instruments or to listen to them being played [as an expression of mourning] for the destruction. Even songs [without musical accompaniment] that are recited over wine are forbidden, as [Isaiah 24:9] states: "Do not drink wine with song." It has, however, become accepted custom among the entire Jewish people to recite words of praise, songs of thanksgiving, and the like to God over wine.

Shulchan Aruch (OC 560:3) Similarly they decreed not to play music with instruments, and musical devices, and all things that make music to rejoice with them.  There are those who say, the prohibition is specifically for those whom they regularly play them, like for kings who stand and rest to instruments or in the house of a feast. (Tur) It is forbidden to make them heard because of the destruction, and even song by mouth over wine is forbidden, as it says: "In song one may not drink wine" (Isiah 24:9). And all of Israel is already accustomed to saying words of praise or songs of thanks and remembering the goodnes of the holy one blessed be he over wine.  Similarly for the need of a Mitzvah, like for house of a Groom and Bride, all this is permitted. (Tosefot, Smug, and Hagehot Maymoni)

Music Lessons during Sefirah?

Igros Moshe, (OC III #87) Question: Are music lessons permitted during Sefira? Answer If the lessons are for parnassah it is permitted even during Sefirah since for him it is not for joy. However if it is for pleasure it is prohibited during Sefira according to the custom. The Rambam (Tanis 5:14) rules that it is prohibited the entire year. This is also the view of Shulchan Aruch (OC. 560:3). It is appropriate to be strict like the Rambam and Shulchan. Even the Remah cites a view that music is permitted if not at a banquet and for one who is not habituated. Therefore one should not protest those that are lenient This is also applicable to listening to instrumental music. However during Sefirah it is prohibited according to everyone.