Modesty goes viral: Israeli women turn covered fashion into faith, empowerment, and online influence

 https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rkfmc4a2le

From boutique owners who gift dresses to women embracing modesty, to viral TikTok videos blending humor and holiness—modest fashion in Israel is booming, reflecting a broader spiritual shift since the war and a new cultural trend

‘Military-Style’ ICE Raid On Chicago Apartment Building Shows Escalation in Trump’s Crackdown

 https://time.com/7323334/ice-raid-chicago-pritzker-trump

At around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, armed federal agents rappelled from helicopters onto the roof of a five-storey residential apartment in the South Shore of Chicago, according to witnesses and local reporting. As they worked their way through the building, they kicked down doors, threw flash bang grenades, and rounded up adults and screaming children alike, detaining them in zip-ties and arresting dozens, they said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker accused the federal agents of separating children from their parents, zip-tying their hands, and detaining them in “dark vans” for hours. Videos show flashbangs erupting on the street, followed by residents of the apartment building—children among them—being led from the building. Photos of the aftermath show toys and shoes littering the apartment hallways, evidence of those pulled from their beds by the operation that included FBI and Homeland Security agents.

We are clearly seeing madness pouring from the darkness of Donald Trump's mind

Chinuch: Divine Providence applies only to man

Chinuch (#169): There are some groups that believe that Providence applies to every living creature - both man and animal. There are also those who extend Providence further and say it applies to every entity in the world - living or non-living. In other words they say that the smallest entity only moves as response to G-d’s will and decrees. They go so far as to say that even when a single leaf falls off a tree that G-d decreed that it should fall. That it is impossible that its falling be delayed and advanced by an instant. However such a belief is ridiculous - extremely far from human intelligence. There are also evil groups that assert that there is no such thing as Providence for anything in the world whether for people or the rest of living creatures. This view is the view of heretics and it is evil and bitter. However we Jews believe that Providence applies to living creatures only in general – other than man. In other words, the different species are sustained so that the species themselves don’t become extinct. In contrast we believe that regarding man that there is Providence for each and every person which varies according to his deeds. This teaching we know by tradition passed down by the great sages - as well as many verses that teach these principles.

Does a victim have to forgive abuser if he asks three times?

UPDATE: I was recently asked regarding the well known halacha that if someone who has hurt another in various ways -  asks the victim three times to forgive and and the victim refuses - then the sinner is automatically forgiven and the victim becomes the sinner for bearing a grudge and holding on to hatred. It is claimed that this applies also to sexual abuse and furthermore that automatic forgiveness after 3 requests happens even if the abuser is not sincere in his apology! The simple answer is that according to most poskim it isn't so. Let me go through the sources.

================

 Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 606:1) based on the Rambam states: "Sins between men are not atoned by Yom Kippur but require that the victim be placated. This is true even if the sin was just verbal abuse.  If the victim is not placated by the first apology then the sinner should return two and even three times. Each time he should bring 3 men with him. If the victim is not placated after the 3 apology then the sinner is not required apology to him again but should go before 10 men and ask for forgiveness. However if the victim of his abuse is his teacher then it is necessary to continue going to him many times until he is placated. Rema: The victim should not be cruel and refuse to forgive unless he refuses because he thinks it is beneficial to the one asking forgiveness [or to himself - Mishna Berura]. However if the sinner slandered him then it is not necessary to forgive him [and he is not considered cruel - Taz].

However we find elsewhere in the Shulchan Aruch regarding physically hurting another that there is no mention of apology - but that the judges force the assailant to placate the victim and that includes significant monetary payments. No mention is made of automatic forgiveness after asking three times but rather there is a requirement to pay money and the assailant is placed in cherem until it is paid - and this is not dependent on whether the apology is accepted..  

Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 1:2): In the case of a man who hit another person, the judges lack the true semicha of Israel and therefore can not collect payment for nezek, tzar, pgam, boshes and kofer. However they can collect sheves and ripoi. Rema: And some say that even sheves and ripoi can not be collected anymore (Tur citing the Rosh). However I have not seen anybody observering this restriction. The standard procedure is that the judges force the assailant to placate the victim and the exact punishments according to that which seems appropriate to them.

Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 1:5): Even though that judges without the true semicha can not collect fines nevertheless they place the assailant in cherem until he placates the victim. As soon as he gives the victim an amount which appropriate then he is released from cherem  (and this is true whether or not the victim has been placated). Alternatively if the victim himself forcibly takes that amount of money that is appropriate for him - the judges don't take it away from him. [...]

Thus at least according to the Rema - physical assault does not have to be forgiven by the victim but the assailant is forced to pay that which the judges think is appropriate. Similarly slander does not have to be forgiven. That is because slander is difficult to undo since not everyone who heard the slander heard the apology. Finally, if the victim thinks it is beneficial either to himself or the assailant [Mishna Berura] not to forgive - he has the right not to forgive.

Furthermore the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch seem to go against the Yoma (23a) as pointed about by the Minchas Chinuch (241:1): Do not take revenge - Look at the Rambam (Hilchos De’os 7:7). However in Yoma (23a) it explains that this prohibition only applies in monetary matters but not matters involving bodily pain there is no prohibition of not taking revenge or not being spiteful. In the case of bodily pain it is only an act of piety not to hold a grudge. But the Rambam and also the Chinuch omit mentioning of this distinction and in fact it appears that they hold that one transgresses the prohibitions in all cases and this is a contraction to the gemora. Also look at the Rambam (Hilchos Talmid Torah 7:13) where he states that a talmid chachom that has been publicly embarrassed should take revenge and hold a grudge. See also the Kesef Mishna and the Lechem Mishna. Nevertheless no one commits a sin for taking revenge for personal suffering. I found in the Semag (11-12) who states that for personal suffering one does not transgress the prohibition of revenge and that this is learned from Yoma (23a).
[Updated section ]
It is apparently also the view of the Mishna Berura (156:4) that the prohibition of revenge and bearing a grudge applies only to monetary issues

Therefore the question remains why the Rambam and the Chinuch apparently rule contrary to the gemora.

Rabbi Dovid Castle states in his excellent source book (To live Among Friends 28.42 page 913): "Most Poskim maintain that the sins of taking revenge and of bearing a grudge apply only to offenses related to monetary issues, such as refusal to lend something, but not to physical pain which includes degradation, lashon hara and embarrassment. For such matters bearing a grudge and taking revenge are permitted even if the offenses were not committed in your presence. For these matters it is only a measure of extreme piety not to bear a grudge or take revenge, but not an obligation. "

 More relevant to the question of how the Rambam and Chinuch can ignore Yoma (23a) Rabbi Castle  notes (28.47 page 926) [that even though the Chinuch prohibits revenge and grudges even for physical offenses the Chinuch (#338) also states that the Torah does not expect one to remain like a stone]. "Some say that everyone forbids taking revenge even for physical pain and embarrassment, but everyone permits bearing a grudge in such cases [of physical assault] because it is too much to demand from a person not to bear a grudge in such situations...." [He has much additional discussion in his chapter 28 on "Returning Hatred, Gruge, Revenge" pages 877-1043]

Thus it is possible to understand that everyone - including the Rambam and the Chinuch - do not require forgiveness for non monetary abuse when it is too difficult. However that is only while the pain or embarrassment is still being experienced.  However when the pain subsides and the victim is able to forgive - then it is possible that he will accept a sincere apology in order not to be cruel. Obviously if the apology is not sincere there is no need to consider it. With sexual abuse that time might never happen.

In sum: The requirement to forgive after three sincere requests therefore only apply to monetary issues where the victim doesn't experience serious emotional upset and trauma. In the case of non-monetary issues in addition there is the requirement for compensation which is required whether or not the victim forgives.

G-d runs the world

 After Toras Moshe I am returning to my work about the nature of G-d vs idolatry and am trying to clarify the basis for the common belief that G-d runs the world. 

Man clearly has free will to violate G-d's commands so in what sense does G-d run the world, Most seem to think that whatever happens is the direct result of G-d's intervention Is all sickness controlled by G-d? All wealth or even traffic jams?

"Trump, Hegseth put on embarrassing show before a distinguished military audience"

Trump STUNS Military Generals With Chilling Speech (ft. Christopher Hitchens)

Toras Moshe: Igros Moshe/ Parsha of Torah - Available on Amazon

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTG1QYDB

This is a compilation of my translations/paraphrasing of the tshuvos in Igros Moshe that people have asked me about as well as material from the Rabbinic literature that is about the Parsha. In general I have not translated the extensive reasoning that Rav Feinstein has presented but rather the main ideas. This is not meant as a halachic code of Rav Feinstein's rulings but merely as a quick way to find some topics. A person should always read the original Hrbrew and consult with his Rabbi for actual practical rulings.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTG1QYDB

Trump was 'on the verge of outright insanity' in deranged speech to military commanders

Charlie Kirk’s Letter to Netanyahu Revealed: Read in Full

 https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-democrats-government-shutdown-illegal-immigrant-health-care-10806174

Kirk’s letter, first published by the New York Post, did indeed start with the sentence: "One of my greatest joys as a Christian is advocating for Israel and forming alliances with Jews in the fight to protect Judeo-Christian civilization."

He went on to say: "I regret to report that anti-Israel and antisemitic trends are at record levels on social media. These negative sentiments then flow downstream into college campuses and even seep into the conservative MAGA community."

Kirk details the main questions and points he is often asked to answer during campus tours and warns that "Israel is getting CRUSHED on social media and you are losing younger generations of Americans, even among MAGA conservatives."

"I’m accused of being a paid apologist for Israel when I defend her," he wrote, "however, if I don’t defend Israel strongly enough, I’m accused of being antisemite. I know you’ve got a 7 front war and my kvetching pales in comparison."

"But I’m trying to convey to you that Israel is losing support even in conservative circles," Kirk said. "This should be a 5 alarm fire."

Now, some people are saying the full letter disproves Owens' narrative, including Pro-Israel activist Gideon Askowitz, who said in a post on X on Tuesday: "Charlie Kirk’s letter to Israel is one of the most damning indictments on Candace Owens ever. The letter is dripping with LOVE for Israel and a frustration for its failure on social media."

Similarly, Australian freelance filmmaker Nathan Livingstone, who runs MilkBarTV and is followed by prominent American conservatives such as Kelly and Ashley St. Clair, said: "Candace was COMPLETELY WRONG."

Yom Kippur: The gift of a clean slate

 https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/bkdbc11d2ee

The holiest day of the year is not about guilt; it is about freedom, renewal and the courage to begin again 

For many, Yom Kippur conjures images of long prayers, fasting and solemn rituals. But beneath the surface, it is not a day of heaviness. It is a day of release.

Yom Kippur offers something rare in our world: the chance to wipe the slate clean. Imagine carrying a heavy backpack filled with regrets, mistakes and disappointments. On Yom Kippur, you are invited to set it down. To breathe. To walk forward lighter than before.

Fact Check: Are Dems Shutting Government Over Illegal Immigrant Healthcare?

 https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-democrats-government-shutdown-illegal-immigrant-health-care-10806174

Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Democratic Senators have some “crazy ideas,” including funding healthcare for illegal immigrants, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also shared a similar message on X.

Republicans stating Democrats want to provide healthcare to illegal immigrants is not true, with minority party leaders insisting they want to keep lawful residents, and American citizens, covered by health plans while negotiations continue.

6th Child Passes Away From Measles Complications, 7 More In Intensive Care

 https://vinnews.com/2025/09/28/609410

Currently, 21 measles patients are hospitalized in Israel, most of them children under the age of six who were not vaccinated. Seven of them are in intensive care, and one is connected to an ECMO machine. The majority of the patients belong to the charedi community.