New numbers hurt Trump’s case at the Supreme Court

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/19/trade-tariffs-deficit-supreme-court/

President Donald Trump justified his tariff offensive last year as a way to address the trade deficit, but the new taxes barely moved the needle. In fact, the gap between the value of goods the U.S. imports and goods it exports increased by 5.7 percent in 2025, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released Thursday.

While tariffs didn’t affect the trade deficit, they did harm the U.S. economy. They have changed the composition of trade to make it less efficient, and Americans have been hit by over $200 billion in higher taxes. Instead of finding the best suppliers to serve their customers, companies are finding the best lobbyists to gain favor with the government.

The facts about the trade deficit are legally relevant. The Supreme Court could decide any day on the legality of the tariffs Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). That law gives the president special powers to “deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat.” Trump says trade deficits are such a threat.

The 2020 ‘stolen election’ obsession: Cynical? Delusional? Reptilian?

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/18/trump-election-stolen-biden/

Trump believes his losing at anything is impossible. Thus, Biden’s win must be fraudulent.

Donald Trump’s belief in widespread fraud in the casting and counting of 2020 ballots is entailed by his belief that it is theoretically impossible for him to lose at anything. His certitude infects millions of Americans, some of whom think it inconceivable that he could ever be mistaken. Others doubt that anyone could win the presidency while obsessing about a complex conspiracy for which there is no evidence.

It would be reassuring to think that Trump believes nothing he says about 2020: Cynicism in the presidency is less disturbing than delusion. But reassurance is not plausible. As the poet William Blake wrote, “The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”

Jerusalem rabbi gets to 20 months for using fake ID to dupe 12 women into sleeping with him

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-rabbi-gets-to-20-months-for-using-fake-id-to-dupe-12-women-into-sleeping-with-him/

Married father used alias ‘Jack Segal’ on dating sites between 2016 and 2023, posing as secular and single; also ordered to pay up to $4,800 compensation per victim

The prosecution originally requested a two-year prison sentence. During the arguments, Rinat Ben Yaakov of the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office stated, “This is a real hunter, who ensnared a large number of women.”

In handing down the sentence, Judge Amir Shaked said he issued a more lenient sentence because Paryzer pleaded guilty, sparing many of the complainants from having to testify in court, and because he entered a rehabilitation program after being exposed.

Trump Approval Rating Hits Rock Bottom in Four Polls

 https://www.newsweek.com/trump-approval-rating-rock-bottom-polls-11542252

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to second‑term lows across four major national polls, according to CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “The ultimate poll was November 5th 2024, when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump to deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda.”

Trump’s approval has been sliding steadily since the start of his second term, with recent surveys showing him deeply underwater across multiple polling firms at the same time.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten: "Where is the floor for Donald Trump? I'm not sure there is a floor because if there is one, Donald Trump, at least in term number two, has just fallen through it to another low level."

President Donald Trump, on Truth Social this month: "The highest Poll Numbers I have ever received. Obviously, people like a strong and powerful Country, with the best economy, EVER!"

Tzadikim are greater than Angels

 Tanchuma (Vayikra 1 ) When Israel stood before Mount Sinai, they were not capable of hearing the divinely spoken word, ‘if we continue hearing the voice of the Lord our God any longer, we shall die.’ But Moses was not harmed.” This is  in order to teach you that the righteous ones are greater than the ministering angels, since the ministering angels are not able to hear His voice. Rather they stand with excitement and dismay, while the righteous are able to hear His voice. …And who is stronger than the ministering angels? The righteous, of whom it is stated “for mighty is the one who fulfills His word,” i.e., a righteous person who does His bidding. And who is this? This is Moses, 

Hamas is reasserting control in Gaza despite its heavy losses fighting Israel

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98g1klxnpxo

When a US-imposed ceasefire halted the Gaza War last October, Hamas's war for survival against Israel switched into a battle for control at home.

The war had left the group's disciplined military units shattered into guerrilla forces, and most of its leaders killed; Gaza's buildings and infrastructure were largely destroyed, its population displaced, and its economic life in ruins. More than 72,000 Gazans were killed by Israeli attacks during the conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

Four months on, Gazans say Hamas is again extending its control over security, tax revenue, and government services, raising questions about its long-term strategy, and whether it is prepared to give up its weapons and authority, as now required under the second stage of Donald Trump's peace plan.

Parents notified of exposure risk after Ichilov neonatal ward guard tests positive for measles

 https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-887135

A security guard working at the neonatal department at Ichilov Hospital has been diagnosed with measles, the Health Ministry confirmed on Wednesday, prompting concerns of potential exposure to the virus for newborns and their parents.

According to the Health Ministry, the employee was on duty on Saturday, February 14, from 6:52 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, February 15, from 2:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Upon receiving the report, the Health Ministry coordinated with its local offices and the hospital to identify and contact all affected families. Parents have been notified personally and are being provided with guidelines for further investigations and preventive treatment.

Passenger on El Al Flight From NYC to Tel Aviv Infected With Measles, Health Ministry Says

 https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2026-02-18/ty-article/.premium/passenger-on-el-al-flight-from-nyc-to-tel-aviv-infected-with-measles-health-ministry-says/0000019c-6fc4-d631-a3de-7fcca6030000

The ministry said that passengers on the flight who are not vaccinated should contact their regional health bureau to consider receiving a vaccine

Israel's Health Ministry said on Tuesday that a passenger infected with measles traveled on El Al flight LY026, which departed New York City on Sunday, Feburary 15, at 9:15 P.M. local time and landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday, February 16, at 2:30 P.M.

What sparked the nation's worst measles outbreak in decades

 https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718380/what-sparked-the-nations-worst-measles-outbreak-in-decades

Nearly 1,000 people in South Carolina have been infected in a measles outbreak that started in a largely unvaccinated community in October. Dr. Martha Edwards, president of the South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, explains how this outbreak has spread so quickly.

This Is How a Child Dies of Measles

 https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/02/child-dies-measles-vaccines/685969/

When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak

The birthday-party invitation said “siblings welcome,” which means you can bring your 11-month-old son while your husband is out of town. You arrive a little disheveled and a little late. Your 5-year-old daughter rushes into the living room, and you make your way to the kitchen, wearing your son in a sling. You find a few moms around a table arrayed with plates of fruit, hummus, celery sticks, and carrots—no gluten, no nuts, no Red 40. These parents care about avoiding pesticides, screen time, and processed foods, and you do too.

A Welcome FDA Walkback on a Flu Vaccine

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/fda-vinay-prasad-moderna-flu-vaccine-marty-makary-44f9fb31?mod=hp_opin_pos_2

The agency overrules Vinay Prasad’s refusal to consider Moderna’s shot.

Is the White House putting a leash on Food and Drug Administration vaccine chief Vinay Prasad? Americans can hope so after the agency on Wednesday walked back Dr. Prasad’s startling summary refusal last week to review Moderna’s new flu vaccine.

The FDA rarely refuses to consider an application for a new drug or vaccine, but that’s what Dr. Prasad did last week in a move that shocked the industry. He said Moderna’s late-stage trial wasn’t “adequate and well-controlled” because the control arm did not reflect the “best-available standard of care,” which he deemed a high-dose flu vaccine.

Tucker Carlson claims he was 'detained' at Ben-Gurion over standard pre-flight questioning

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887171

Tucker Carlson claimed on Wednesday that he was detained during his visit to Israel, according to a statement he provided to The Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel told The Daily Mail that Carlson's claims were inaccurate and clarified that he only received the same passport-control questions that many visitors to Israel encounter.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Carlson did not leave Ben-Gurion Airport during his visit and conducted the interview with Huckabee while still at the airport.

Tzadik Decrees and G-d fulfills

 Tanchumin (Vayera 19) Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing. What is meant by this verse? Whatsoever G-d desires to do, He may do, and none may stay His hand. What then can be the meaning of And who may say unto Him: “What doest Thou?” whoso keepeth the commandment, etc.? These words whoso keepeth the commandment allude to the righteous men who perform the commandments of the G-d. And it is their decree that He fulfills, as it is written: Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee, and the light shall shine upon thy ways. An example of this is what occurred after they made the golden calf. Though G-d desired to destroy them, our master, Moses, restrained G-d as though that were possible, just as a man restrains his companion. Hence G-d said to him: And now let Me be.

Bamidbar Rabbah (14:4) When the tzaddikim decree, Hashem fulfills their words.

Orthodox Response to Same-Sex Marriage

 https://advocacy.ou.org/ou_resp_same_sex_marriage/

It is high time for a statement asserting and explaining the traditional Jewish position on homosexuality. Various Jewish groups have left the impression with the public at large that Judaism is supportive of homosexual behavior to the extent of endorsing same sex marriage. Thus it is imperative for the Orthodox world to make our position clear once more.

The position of traditional Judaism on homosexual behavior is clear and unambiguous, terse and absolute. Homosexual behavior between males or between females is absolutely forbidden by Jewish law, beginning with the biblical imperative, alluded to numerous times in the Talmud and codified in the Shulchan Aruch.

The position of Judaism on marriage is equally clear. Judaism recognizes marriage as a fundamental human institution, and affirms marriage only between a man and woman.