Bamidbar: Why did the divsion into groups only happen a year after they left Egypt?

 Emes L’Yakov (Bamidbar  1:11) Question Why was the division into different groups only done a year after they left Egypt In addition the banners served to divide the nation into unique groups and thus undermine unity?Answer  The counting was to arrange the tribes according to their banners.  However since they now had a common center – the Tabernacle there was no longer a danger of factionalism as there would have been when they first left Egypt.  This is like a person who in spite of having specialized parts such as ears and eyes remains a single entity. 

Concern in Israel over US administration shakeup of pro-Israel officials

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byduenimee

Dismissals of top pro-Israel officials in Washington spark Israeli concern as Trump’s 'America First' agenda sidelines allies; Netanyahu allies say figures like Donald Jr. and JD Vance now shape US policy, deepening rift over Iran and Gaza

Israeli officials are expressing growing concern over a series of unexpected personnel changes within the U.S. administration, particularly involving individuals widely seen as strongly supportive of Israel. 

Agudat Israel will submit a bill to dissolve the Knesset

 https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-856767

Agudat Yisrael, the hassidic faction of the haredi United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party, announced on Thursday that it would submit a bill to dissolve the Knesset.

The Trump-Musk ‘War of the Roses’

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-trump-musk-war-of-the-roses-543065a0?mod=hp_opin_pos_1

It certainly makes for entertaining political theater, at least for Democrats. First came Mr. Musk’s broadside against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as an “abomination.” Mr. Trump replied that he was disappointed but that his buddy Elon knew what was in the bill all along.

Mr. Musk raised the bidding with a demand sent to his followers on X.com to “KILL the BILL.” The President suggested Mr. Musk suffered from “Trump derangement syndrome,” to which Mr. Musk replied that the President wouldn’t have won without him.

Since these guys only know how to escalate, Mr. Trump then posted on Truth Social that “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” Tesla shares plunged. Defcon 2.

Elon Musk Says Donald Trump 'Is In Epstein Files'

 https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-says-donald-trump-epstein-files-2081653

Musk, in a post Thursday on X, wrote, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!" He followed with, "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out."

The most explosive charge in the feud came with Musk's claim that Trump is listed in Epstein-related files that have not yet been made public. While it is known that Trump and Epstein were acquainted and photographed together in the early 2000s, Trump has long denied any involvement in Epstein's criminal conduct.

GOP Rep. tells Elon Musk the Trump bill ‘is just the beginning’ amid concerns over the deficit

Musk urges lawmakers to ‘kill the bill’, but Republicans aren't walking away

Women guns

Igros Moshe (OC IV 75.3)  Question Can women carry guns in those Israeli settlments close to Arab who hate Jews or is it prohibited as being male items being used by women? Answer It would seem clearly appropriate in this life threatening situation to carry a pistol. However if the Arabs are afraid of Jews and it is not viewed as life threatening or it is possible to travel safely in Israeli controlled areas or it is possible to be accompanied by an armed escort perhaps not, Nevertheless since it is difficult for them to act differently then what is considered normal it can be permitted since it clearly serves a purpose other than decoration and it is not for going to war. 

Everywhere and Nowhere - first shudduch crises

 https://mishpacha.com/everywhere-and-nowhere/

And then we can ask harder questions: What happened when the ghetto gates swung open? Which centrifugal forces splintered communities, and which held them together? Why was it that by the year 1900, only 15 percent of Jews in Central Europe were shomer Shabbos? What went wrong then? And what can hold us together today, when we fight assimilation not only of the Jewish People at large, but the drifting away that takes place within our neighborhoods, schools, communities, our very homes?

When equipped with a substantial dowry and trousseau, a young woman could expect to have her future — that is, her marriage — arranged for her. But what of those who were not so blessed? In 1895, an editorial in the Orthodox family weekly Die Laubhütte stated: “Dowries are getting higher every year…. Soon middle-class girls will no longer be able to buy men and poor girls already have no chance to get married.”

How To Ruin a Country's Image, Economy, and Global Standing in Six Easy Steps | Opinion

 https://www.newsweek.com/how-ruin-countrys-image-economy-global-standing-six-easy-steps-opinion-2080454

President Donald Trump's first four months in office have brought a whirlwind of unprecedented actions. There have been so many missteps, fumblings, cruel implementations, and pure folly, it would take an entire column to list them all.

While this column has often analyzed methodologically precise polling data, today I set out to synthesize, very unscientifically, what I've been hearing from business and legal colleagues, along with social contacts, about the Trump presidency's most consequential—and egregious—actions to date. The following list is by no means exhaustive of this administration's horrendous policies and ridiculous conduct. But these six items are perhaps the most destructive of our country's image, economy, and contributions to the rest of the world.

Drafting Women.

 Igros Moshe (YD IV #9) Question Drafting Women Answer  Drafting women – whether it is is for military service  or other types of service is against G-d’s Torah. Therefore if any government passes such a law it is prohibited for women to obey such a law. It is basically a decree against Judaism which can not be obeyed.  Therefore since it seems that there are those in America who want to pass such a law,it is obligatory to do all that is possible  to inform everyone that this is against the Torah , and that therefore all Jewish women are forbidden to comply with it.  I am certain that we will be heard  and such a law will never happen in this country that we love and thus we will remain faithful citizens as we have been. 

Obligation to learn and Know the Entire Torah

 Igros Moshe (YD IV #36.9) Question: Is it an obligation to learn the entire Torah? Answer It seems from the Rambam that there is a mitzva for everyone to learn the entire Torah. However this is just a superficial knowledge such as we find with daf Yomi.

Igros Moshe (YD IV #36.10) Question What is the mitzva of Torah study? Answer  There is also an obligation to know the entire Torah and be a genuine talmid chachom and to be able to decide halacha. This applies to all Jews so that every generation will have many great talmidei chachomim that know all of the Torah.and be able to poskim even for those things things which aren’t relevant today such as kodshim and taharos and new moon as well as sanhesdrin and kings.  . 

Prohibited to stop Torah study for secular studies?

Igros Moshe (YD IV #36.3) Question  Is it prohibited to stop Torah study in order to study secular subjects?  Answer  I have discussed this a number of times.  There are two obligations  in the mitzva of Torah study. 1) The obligation to learn and know all the Torah – both written and Oral. 2) There is a prohibition to forget Torah kearning. 3 ) Some say there is also the obligation to learn Torah everyday. 

Minimize parnossa in order to study Torah

Igros Moshe (YD IV #36.5) Question: Is a person obligated to minimimze his parnosa to the bare minimumum in order to study Torah? Answer I do not see a single source that anyone is exempt from the obligation to learn the entire Torah and know it properly and it is forbidden to forget it. In fact the Rambam states  because of this that a person is obligated to learn everyday his entire life.because otherwise he will forget it.  It is only because of the necessity to eat and drink and dress and have a home that he is exempt for a period of time  from study.  There is even time when it is prohibited from learning. That is because the need to work to obtain minimal food and drink and dwelling not only for himself but also for his wife and children. During that time it is prohibited to study. However it is permitted to work in addition to acquire  money that enables him to eat and drink above the absolute minimum  for pleasure or health if that is normal. Eating meat and other foods for example. However  he minimizes eating just to feel good.  This is also true for his wife and children. Raising the standard above what the average is prohibited since he has the obligation to study Torah. In addition he needs to be aware that being rich is not because of natural efforts but is only by G-d’s blessing. It is important to note that the Rambam doesn’t say that it is prohibited to work more than the minimum that is needed and that one who does work more nullifies  the mitzva of Torah study. It seems from other sources  that it isn’t an issue of prohibition but of an ideal that only a few are capable of reaching. Thus it is not prohibited to work even for the sake of wealth, it means however that the person is unlikely to become a talmid chachom or even achieve his potential in Torah study.