Malbim (Vayikra 16 :16) There are two types of impurity: the impurity of the body—which is the opposite of purity—and the impurity of deeds—which is the opposite of holiness. When we examine the entire Bible, we do not find the community of Israel being ascribed the first type of impurity; rather, the impurity ascribed to them is that which is the opposite of holiness—namely, becoming impure through abominable deeds, or the impurity of the Sanctuary itself (i.e., defiling the Tabernacle and the Temple). A close examination reveals that the matters for which impurity is ascribed to the community as a whole are limited to idolatry, sexual immorality, and bloodshed.
Friday, September 18, 2026
Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, zt"l: Zealotry is necessary - but only if guided by a clear understanding of Torah
Emes L’Yaakov (Bereishis 49:7): ... Look at what I wrote previously in Bereishis (34:5). There I explained that it is certain that that this represents a punishment for Shimon and Levi, nevertheless Yaakov specifically appointed these tribes to these exalted responsibilities of educating the children and supervision of holy food. That is because only Shimon and Levi manifested the kano’as (zealotry) required for these jobs. This was seen by their response to Yaakov concerning the rape of their sister Dinah (Bereishis 34:5): “Is our sister to be a prostitute?” They alone were referred to as the brothers of Dinah because they were willing to sacrifice themselves for her welfare. Thus for these positions to be fulfilled successfully it is necessary to appoint people who have the attribute of kano’as (zealotry) and mesiras nefesh (total devotion) to serve G-d and His Torah. These positions require men who when they see something irregular, will immediately be aroused for the sake of G-d like an inferno and they will serve their position well. Therefore Yaakov specially appointed Shimon and Levi for this work.
However if we look carefully to see whether they in fact did these jobs according to their father’s expectations, we see that only the tribe of Levi actually did the work of education but not the tribe of Shimon. It was only the tribe of Levi that served as a strong barrier against those who arose to nullify the covenant with G-d. In contrast we don’t find that Shimon was involved in this work. The reason for this is clear. Only the tribe of Levi was exempt from working for Pharaoh during all the years of slavery. Thus only the tribe of Levi was able to sit and be immersed in Torah study. Only when kano’as (zealotry) is grounded and defined by Torah parameters - is it successful. That is why when the Leviim saw the terrible chilul HaShem that resulted from the sin of the Golden Calf they immediately expressed their zealotry for G‑d and killed even friends and relatives who were participating in the sin. Similarly when there were Jews in the Wilderness who wanted to return to Egypt, it was the Leviim who were in the vanguard against them. During the entire time that passed from the events concerning Dinah until the Redemption from Egypt they maintained their zealotry - but it was always bounded and guided by their deep knowledge of Torah.
In contrast, while the kano’as of Shimon was also strong it was not guided by Torah and thus did not have proper nature. When did his “kano’as" manifest itself? It was in the events of the worship of Baal Peor. It was Zimri who expressed this “kano’as” against the rule of Torah provided by Moshe. It was used to uproot the attribute of modesty which was then prevelant amongst the Jews. He expressed his zealotry by his open involvement in sexual immorality with the non‑Jewish woman. Therefore it was only the kano’as of Pinchus, from the tribe of Levi ,who was guided by the laws of the Torah who was able to attack Zimri and defeat him and stop the plague that was punishing the Jews. Kano’as which is not guided by halacha does not have the ability to be successful because it ultimately just destroys the kanoi. It is only the gedolim in each generation who have the proper intuition and sensitivity to know and decide when it is necessary to be a kanoi and to protest and when it is best to remain silent. This ability is only acquired by those who have the keys to Torah in their hands.
The Climb to Greatness
THERE is no way to capture the phenomenon that was Rav Yehoshua Max, neither in words nor with pictures. He was an ish peleh, a fiery meteor that illuminated our generation — and then was gone. We will try, however, to present a partial portrait of this gaon and tzaddik, so as to bring an aliyah to this special neshamah and to connect in some way to that great tzaddik that was amongst us and aspire to reach loftier levels of greatness.
When Rav Yehoshua was yet a bachur, his Rebbi muvhak, Rav Aharon Schechter, declared that he was destined to be among the future gedolei hador. In his early years as a yungerman, his rebbi Rav Yaakov Drillman attested that he was an illui in the league of the legendary Meicheter and Visker illuyim. Rav Yaakov Drillman remarked at the levayah that there should have been 600,000 people in attendance, in honor of a gaon of his unparalleled stature. Those who truly knew Rav Yehoshua were not shocked by these statements. Who was this singular adam gadol, and how did he become the gaon and tzaddik that he was?
LevinAt11 ShabosShuva
בס"ד
Fri, Sep 17, '26
ערב שבת שובה, תשפ"זLinked* below is this week's LevinAt11 broadcast of Sept. 17, '26.
תכנית ראדיו רב יהודה לעוין, שליט"א, שבת שובה/ פרשת האזינו, תשפ"ז~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~Tefillah request, for refuah shelaima of:1. Rav Yehuda Ben Masha HaLevi (Levin);2. Shimon Ben Masha; &3. Lea Bas Freeda~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~Topics Included:1. Communal Teshuva on basic matters of public policy (in Israel) as the key to restoring hope in our troubled times;2. More on the most recent reportage on the White House house meeting with Rabbis from Orthodox communities that tend to be directed to vote in blocks.
Preface: Without an authentic acceptance, proper understanding, and correct application of these two key principles, some people will never be able to appreciate what we're doing here, on these and related topics:
(א.) "ושמואל אמר... כל מקום שיש חילול השם אין חולקים כבוד לרב"
- גמרא סנהדרין, סוף דף פ"ב ע"א
(ב.) "אמר להן הקב"ה: בכבודי - לא מחיתם -- על כבודו של בשר ודם מחיתם?!"
- גמרא סנהדרין, סוף דף ק"ג ע"ב (בענין פסל מיכה ופילגש בגיבעה, ערש"י ד"ה ועל דבר זה)
"אמר רבא... אמר {הקב"ה} להן: בכבודי - לא מחיתם -- בכבוד בשר ודם מחיתם?!"
- גמרא סנהדרין, סוף דף ק"י ע"א (בענין עבודה זרה לשמש ולירח, ומרד קורח נגד מ"ר)
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3. Brief mention was made of Giyus Banos (the female draft), including its' conspicuous absence from the advocacy priorities of those purporting to speak in the name of Judaism and Chareidi Jewry - as well as at the very end.*
{* although without enough time to address the latest news from Israel}
Here's one vital tidbit from Chomosayich, an established volunteer women's organization in Israel, which has saved and assisted thousands of girls from the ongoing IDF escalations against "easy-target" girls, over the years. (See their half-page ad in the new Upstate Jewish Business Directory!)
"הבת הזאת קיבלה זימון לראיון מצהירת דת. היא לומדת בביע''ק בפריפריה. הנה העקשנות - בלי שום עזרה של עו''ד - בלי פשרות - רק מסי''נ - ובסייעתא דשמיא מופלאה אנחנו משתדלים למטה והקב''ה עוזר מלמעלה.
צירפתי את הזימון..."
That girl successfully obtained an exemption - mailed to her - without recourse to comprising on Halacha - by succumbing to the Army order to appear for a "Rayon Dat," a Religiosity Interrogation, or by otherwise appearing at the IDF Draft Offices. Thus, she and her family greatly benefited by the vital guidance and chizuk provided by Chomosayich:
"... ובאמת תודה רבה מעומק הלב על כל העזרה והתמיכה הנפשית שנתתם לנו ובאמת ההכוונה מה לעשות ואיך לעשות ואיך לדבר איתם -- והנה ברוך השם אנחנו אחרי זה..."
[- from a thank-you note from the beneficiaries of the help of Chomosayich]
This is what's being done on a paltry budget.
Don't imagine what could be done with more money - demonstrate it: Call Today.
To Donate to Chomosayich:
The cost of saving these neshomos is, in many cases, so low that it's scandalous that we're not seeing far more donations.*
{* Although most Yidden are simply being kept in the dark, by corrupt financial interests seeking to obscure this issue.}
••• One Golden Tip before Yom Tov: Eat Less, Donate More. •••
It's certainly not the Ratzon HaShem to splurge so much on food for Yom Tov (or Shabbos) when neshomos are being lost - wholesale - for want of a hundred dollars here and there.
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Speaking of Middah Keneged Middah:
The Israeli Army has felt compelled to defend itself, by the following claim:
Isn't it interesting that the IDF -- long known as a bastion of abortion-at-whim, the female-draft, exploitation of women, and mixed-gender transgressions, not to mention tolerance of LGBT wickedness -- is being critiqued (for other reasons) over its' "morality."
See Nefesh HaChayim (of Rav Chaim Volozhin ZT"L) Avos 4:11/13 on
"תשובה ומעשים טובים כתריס בפני הפורענות"
In particular, see Rav Chaim's closing line:
If one repents for sins other than those his tribulations are signaling him to correct - then the tribulations will not stop.
Well, if there's one worthy accomplishment that this miserable "most religious & rightwing Israeli government" can claim at the end of its idiotically immoral and bloody term, it's that they've unrelentingly demonstrated the truth of those holy words of Rav Chaim of Volozhin ZT"L. What dedication to Emunas Chachomim...
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Last week's program: ערב ר"ה
...
An initial write-up and brief overview, w/ supplemental info appears here:
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Preceding week's broadcast: נצבים-וילךLinked here is the LevinAt11 radio broadcast of Sept. 3, '26.*An initial write-up and brief analysis/ overview appears here:~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~Broadcast over: Davidzon Radio: davidzonradio.com / 718) 303-8000 We extend to our supporters and partners a G'mar Chasimah Tovah, and a Good Shabbos,Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,Executive Director,
Help Rescue Our Children
Email: torahjewsfordecency@
gmail.com Direct: 771.215.8892
Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337
Heard weekly on New Jersey's WSNR Radio 620AM, co-hosting the renowned Levin At Eleven program, every Thursday evening, 11pm to midnight (ET).
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An improved version of last week's letter:
בס"ד
4 Tishrei, 5787/ Parshas Ha'azinu
Living the Legacy of the Chofetz Chaim
Perhaps the first week of the new year would benefit from the following insight on the legacy of the saintly Chofetz Chaim, who's Yahrtzeit just occurred, in the week prior to Rosh HaShona. His monumental Sefer was written in all of its' painstaking detail in order to guide us in how to speak out when necessary.
"Lo sa'amod al-dam rei'echah" (VaYikra 19:16) - immediately following the prohibition against Loshon Horah "Lo sai'lech ro'chil b'amecha" - requires us to speak out to save others.
From the heart-rendering consequences of silence in the face of real dangers - we learn how the proper, active observance of the shemiras ha'Lashon is vital to ensure hatzalos nefashos.
One practical application demanding communal improvement, as we approach the Yom Kippur, is this: Perhaps the most tangible, recognizable manner that we - as a community - help or harm society is via voting.
Everyone in the know realizes that too many in our community will help elect the lowest proponents of Mabul-class (LGBTQ) abomination, legalized infanticide, and stealth euthanasia - provided the latter throw enough money and zoning permits towards those financial interests who decide for whom "the community" should vote.
Those real-estate magnates and community-actors behind this claim they're seeking the benefit of "the community." Of course, even that would never justify selling out Halacha or Kovod Shomayim for government benefits.
Shulchan Aruch is very clear: we are obliged to sacrifice all of our our wealth to avoid committing a prohibition (Yoreh Daiyoh 157:1; also cited in Sefer Chofetz Chaim I:1:6). How much more so are we prohibited from committing the monumental sin of Chillul HaShem in order to obtain government funding. By voting for greater-evil candidates that's exactly what we're doing - on a public and communal level.
And even in where they'd ostensibly win without us - would you vote for the politician who murdered your parents just because they're supposedly a shoe-in?
Additionally, in reality, most such community actors routinely ignore the actual benefit of the community. Often, they're focused on their own profit and power.
Are we to believe that it's in our communal interest to:
1. elect leftwing judges who release dangerous murders, molesters and unrepentant scam artists, or
2. legislators who enable them to do so; or
3. to allow government to persecute parents, Rebbeim and Morahs for disciplining youth seeking to transition to the opposite gender or commit abortion; or
4. to allow dangerous abortion pills that any girl - or boy - can get;
5. to allow state government to infiltrate Alphabet-People (LGBTQ2S ad nauseam) ideological runoff into any school - or into our institutions.
In fact, that's the fare they've been electing ("all for the community") for the past several decades - for those who've been watching.
This ongoing communal Chillul HaShem cannot continue without communal Divine Retribution (see Akeidas Yitzchak VaYaira 20 on Sedom). Is there any wonder that we face accelerated Jew-hatred almost everywhere?
And we can intelligently do something about this kitrug against us.
1) Stop enabling it with our silence. If we tolerate evil - we pay for the very evil we enable (see Rashi Shabbos 54b).
2) Stop allowing the thousands of uninformed/ naïve voters - those whom we can reach - to be manipulated to participate in this massive Chillul HaShem. Intelligently and politely reach out to them via postcards, robocalls and flyers if their local heimishe periodicals persist in refusing to publish ads.
3) Stop undermining the Torah in the name of funding it (see Mishnas Rav Aharon, of Rav Aharon Kotler ZT"L, 1:2:3:6). The legacy of the Gedolim of the previous generation exhorts us that we cannot build kosher Torah or kosher communal institutions on unkosher money - money procured by violation of a prohibition.
4) Stop being fooled by political propaganda, regardless of political party. Rav Shach ZT"L exhorted: it's assur to be a tipaish (fool).
Some readers may be particularly responsive to this insight regarding the Mesiras-Nefesh imperative, words perhaps never as relevant as they are now:
"... The greater the difficulty, the more biting the ridicule and sarcasm, and the more numerous the opponent -- then the holier is the principle, and the more sacred is our duty to defend it.
In my opinion, the halachic dictum bishas gezeras ha-malchus afillu mitzvah kallah ke'gon le-shinuyei Arkesa de-mesana, ye'hareg ve'al Ya'avor ... applies not only to political and religious persecution originated by some pagan ruler, but also to situations in which a small number of G-d-fearing and Torah-loyal people is confronted with a hostile attitude on the part of the majority dominated by a false philosophy."*
(Emphasis added here.)
* from: Rav Joseph Dov Soloveitchik, O.B.M. (reprinted in Baruch Litvin, The Sanctity of the Synagogue, p. 111) {quoted by Rabbi Mayer Twersky, in a landmark article entitled "Judaism and Deviant Behavior," appearing in Dialogue, Fall 2013, #4, page 239-240}
So why the deafening silence - as tens of thousands of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel are routinely misled and malinformed into voting for some of the most dangerous people around?
We repeat this lethal cycle of communal silence - and worse - every election, in clear violation of the directives of dozens of Gedolei Rabbonim - including many chassidish ones (including the previous Satmar Rebbe ZT"L) - who started protesting the sellout of Torah principles for material gain well over 40 years ago (documentation available).
The K'lallos we recently read were meant to be feared - in order to be avoided - not experienced. Lately, Heavenly warnings have been incoming fast and furiously: "Repent!" Which word didn't we understand?
We all want a better year for ourselves and Klal Yisroel. So let's try this: "Lo sa'amod al-dam rei'echah." It works.
For more information, please email torahjewsfordecency@
May we merit a G'mar Chasimah Tovah by eliminating its' impediments. Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,
Executive Director,
Help Rescue Our Children
771-215-8892 (C/T)
###
Moderation and Pe4rfection
Chazon Ish (Letters 3:61): Just as the unvarnished facts and truth are synonymous so are uncompromising perfectionism and greatness. Perfectionism means to develop something to the ultimate degree. One who advocates moderation and despises perfectionism, his lot is with the frauds or with those lacking understanding. Without perfectionism, there can be no completion and if there is no perfection, there is no beginning. The beginning is with constant questions and replies. The perfecter is the brilliant respondent who orders everything in its rightful place. We regularly hear announcements from well known groups that they have nothing to do with uncompromising perfectionists. They nevertheless describe themselves as being the true Jews with appropriate faith to Torah. We simply note, however, that just as there is no such thing amongst lovers of wisdom as love for minimum knowledge and hate for the very wise there is similarly no such thing as loving Torah and mitzvos moderately and hating the uncompromising perfectionists. All the foundations of emuna, the 13 principles and their derivatives, are inherently incompatible with the lightweight wisdom and superficial life that exists in this world. In contrast clear recognition, energetic involvement; high precision in emuna is the hallmark of the perfectionist. Those who proudly testify on themselves that they have not tasted the sweetness of uncompromising perfection are simultaneously testifying that they are missing emuna in the foundation of religion both intellectually and emotionally. Their attachment is only lukewarm. The perfectionists, who despite their genuine wish to have pity on these doctrinaire moderates, do not honor and respect their opponents. The yawning abyss that separates them is naturally only widened as the result of the disputes that occur when they interact with each other. The only true moderation that can exist is that which results naturally to those who love the perfection and strive towards it and educate their children to strive for the peak. In contrast how unfortunate are those “moderates” who cast aspersions on the perfectionists. The obligation of our education is to perfection. The only genuine protection of the educational system is to be contemptuous and to ridicule those who denigrate perfection. However given the burning spirit of youth it is not appropriate to strongly condemn specific individuals amongst the unfortunates. Instead, the youth should be developed to have true love of Torah that requires personal effort and heavenly pleasantness and they should not have obstacles placed on this road. Those schools that are labeled as moderate schools, they are not successful because of the fraud that is inherent in moderation…
G00d and Evil
Ramchal (Ikkarim 03) However the truth of the existence of good and evil is that the Master placed holiness and impurity into the world. The explanation of holiness is the existence of closeness to Him and that of impurity is the existence of distance from Him. Holiness is the impact that the Master effects upon someone who is fitting for it and the influence that descends upon him. And impurity is the distancing that the Holy One, distances Himself, and the absence that He so produces. However the truth is that the Master created various spiritual powers for this purpose. And darkness and pollution are effected by them, such that in every place that you find this pollution, He will remove His holiness from there and remove His light from there, may He be blessed. And these are called the powers of impurity (kochot hatumah).
What Is Yom Kippur?
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/What-Is-Yom-Kippur.htm
What: Yom Kippur fast day is the holiest day of the year, when we are closest to G‑d and to the essence of our souls. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” as the verse states, “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d.”1
Beyond specific actions, Yom Kippur is dedicated to introspection, prayer and asking G‑d for forgiveness. Even during the breaks between services, it is appropriate to recite Psalms at every available moment.
Mike Johnson Blows Up Trump’s Biggest Claim About Strait of Hormuz
House Speaker Mike Johnson just shattered President Donald Trump’s lies about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
At a rally in North Carolina Wednesday night, Trump insisted—as his administration has claimed for weeks—that the Strait of Hormuz was open. But hundreds of miles away on Capitol Hill, Johnson revealed that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Now that ongoing conflict obviously has had an effect on gas prices, for example, because the Strait of Hormuz is not completely open safely for commerce yet, and the Red Sea is affected as well,” Johnson said at a press conference.
“Of course gas prices are too high,” he continued. “When we get that thing resolved in the Strait of Hormuz, that will have a direct effect on that, and it will help to bring down grocery costs.”
Why probiotics don’t usually help your gut — and what to do instead
Fiber-rich plants, not supplements, are the best fuel for your gut microbiome.
Probiotic supplements, on the other hand, are often marketed for gut health. But there’s little evidence that they can improve or benefit gut health in healthy people, and studies suggest that, in some cases, they can actually disrupt the composition of your gut microbiome.
Fermented foods are similarly good for your gut because they contain beneficial microbes. Studies have found that eating fiber-rich plants and fermented foods can increase the diversity of your gut microbiome, which is a good thing. Having a wide variety of microbial species in your gut helps to crowd out harmful pathogens and is associated with a lower likelihood of developing chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Trump administration okays sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia as part of $24.3B military package
State Department insists sale ‘won’t alter the military balance in the region,’ referring to US policy of ensuring Israel retains a military edge over potential adversaries
Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel — currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets — have voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh despite a push for the kingdom to normalize relations.
The State Department has notified Congress about the proposed sale, which would require the approval of US lawmakers. It did not provide a time frame for the delivery of the jets.
Canada’s Carney embraces tighter ties with E.U. despite Trump warning
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed European lawmakers after E.U. officials said Canada could become the bloc’s first “associate member.”
Brushing aside new threats from President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday made a forceful case for pulling closer to the European Union in the face of Washington’s hostility.
Asked about Trump’s remarks, Carney told reporters in Strasbourg, “Canadians are united that nobody is going to tell us what language we speak, nobody is going to dictate our culture, or with whom we can strike agreements.”
Carney Says Canada and E.U. 'Are Not Fair Weather Allies' as Trump Threatens Europe Over 'Hostile Act'
https://time.com/article/2026/09/17/canada-european-union-membership-carney-trump-tariff-threats/
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed the prospect of Canada becoming an “associate member” of the E.U., just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the proposal as “laughable.”
When speaking about forging closer ties with the E.U., Carney referenced seeking strategic autonomy through “deep co-operation in the full range of strategic capabilities, including critical minerals, defense industrial capacity, AI and compute, energy security, space and payments.” He insisted Canada and Europe must not be dependent on “individual nations or individual companies” as this “creates vulnerabilities, particularly when supposedly global companies prove national in the breach
RFK Jr. signals vaccine skepticism will continue
https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/rfk-vaccine-safety-anti-vaccine-gathering
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday returned to the the anti-vaccine group he founded, using a keynote address to signal the Trump administration isn't done questioning the safety of routine shots and expanding carveouts to federal mandates.
He again questioned the safety of routine childhood vaccines and asserted they play a role in the development of chronic illnesses — questions that ignore decades of science supporting the vaccines' safety.
The big picture: A pre-midterm pause on Kennedy's vaccine rhetoric ended weeks ago, when he stood with the president as Trump signed an executive order calling for fewer childhood vaccinations, splitting the childhood MMR vaccine into three shots and delivering vaccines at separate medical visits.
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