Haredi Yeshivot fear rising enlistment rates among their students

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412410

Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a prominent figure in the haredi community, recently held an emergency meeting at his home with leading rabbis from major yeshivot. The urgent gathering was convened to address growing concerns over a small but notable trend: yeshiva students from haredi backgrounds beginning to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Although the number of enlistments remains relatively low, senior haredi leaders fear that the trend may signal an erosion of the community’s long-standing opposition to IDF service.

Tevila – Bottles bought with Food and Drink

Igros Moshe (YD II #40) Question:Containers and bottles such as whiskey or juice that were bought with food and drink from non-Jews do they require tevila when reused? Answer  It is reasonable in my humble opnion that they don’t need tevila when they are reused to hold other liquids after the original content has been removed. The reason is that the container is subordinate to the liquid it was sold with. It is like the hide of an animal and thus it means it was never owned by the non-Jew as a container and therefore it first became a container  after it was bought by the Jew and thus it doesn’t require tevila. In a case where  it is possible that that the factory was owned by Jews and it was purchased from a Jewish store. But it is impossible to clarify the matter then the containers should be toveled without a beracha while if they are glass which is only a rabbinic obligation they don’t need at all to be toveled if their Jewish origin can not be clarified  when it requires great effort to tovel them. However if it is possible to clarify it is required to do so even just for the beracha.  

Tevilat Keilim

 https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Tevilat_Keilim

The Torah commands us to immerse metal[1] utensils that are purchased or otherwise acquired from a non-Jew in a mikva prior to their first use.[2] This mitzva is referred to as "Tevilat Keilim", the immersion of utensils.

The mitzva of tevilat keilim is often compared to the conversion of a Gentile to Judaism - just as a conversion to Judaism requires immersion in a mikva, so too a utensil which "converts" from Gentile to Jewish ownership requires immersion, as well.[3] One is not required to immerse utensils which one borrows from a non-Jew.[4]As we will see, the mitzva of tevilat keilim generally applies only to metal and glass utensils.

One of the most famous practical issues of tevilat kelim is glass bottles like Snapple. This seems to be a big issue as it is a vessel that we drink from (so it is klei Seudah), so it should require tevilah. Some think that one use would be allowed even without tevilah, but that seems to be made up. So just because we are richer than we used to be and throw out (or recycle of course) this perfectly good glass bottle, should that exempt us from tevilas keilim?

Rav Hershel Schachter (Ten Minute Halacha - Practical Tevilas Keilim Issues by Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, min. 8) says that in fact it is forbidden to drink from these bottles. Rather, when you open the bottle, you must pour the contents into another vessel before drinking. On the other hand, Rav Moshe (Igrot Moshe YD 2:40) writes that it is not an issue to drink from the Snapple bottle since the Jew who opens it is considered the one who created the vessel and then it would not require tevilah. Chacham Ben-Zion Abba Shaul (Or Litzion OC 1:24) agrees. Alternatively, R' Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (Sridei Esh YD 2:29) suggests a different solution. He says when you buy the Snapple, just have in mind not to acquire the bottle and then you have no issue as you do not own the vessel and you can drink from the bottle. Rav Menashe Klein (Mishne Halachot 4:107) writes that it is permissible since one doesn’t have in mind to acquire the bottle because nobody wants to buy something prohibited. For a similar idea, see Yabia Omer 7:9:3.

Mitzva to live in Israel

Igros Moshe (E.H. I #102) Question: Is there is a mitzvah to make aliyah today like the Ramban or is the halacha like Tosfos that there is no mitzva today? Answer  The majority of poskim rule that it is still a mitzva. However it is not an absolutely obligatory mitzva on everyone because that would mean it is prohibited to live outside of Israel.  It is similar to the mitzva of tzitzis. It is prohibited to wear a four corner garment without tziizis but there is no Torah command to wear a four cornered garment. . The mitzva is directed to those who live in Israel that it is prohibited to leave and settle outside of Israel.  Rather it means it is a fulfillment of a mitzva when a person lives in Israel . This mitzvah is “kiyumis” not “chiyuvis”. In other words there is no obligation to do it but if you do it it is a meritorious act for which you receive reward

Igros Moshe (YD III #122) Question: Is there is a mitzvah to make aliyah today like the Ramban or his the halacha like Tosfos that there is no mitzva today? Answer  I want to clarify what I have written previously concerning living in Israel. I am not saying it is only a Rabbinic decree to live in Israel today. There is no reason that such a rabbinic decree should be made since we are widely dispersed around the world in exile. Consequently it is impossible for most Jews to fulfill it. It is well known that for many years after the period of Tanaim that very few people lived in Israel and never reached a level more than one out of a thousand. It is only in modern times after the main settlement of Jews was destroyed by the Nazis and the persecution by those haters of religion in Russia that a significant population developed in Israel.  So even if someone wants to claim there was a rabbinic decree it would be meaningless since it obviously was never accepted by most Jews or even a significant minority. Therefore there is only a Torah mitzva and no rabbinic one. But it is possible to at least say it is an important and desirable thing

US begins preparing Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy5lp4v594o

News that the US was accepting the Qatari plane earlier this year sparked fierce and immediate backlash from both sides of the US political spectrum - including from Trump's conservative base.

"I think the technical term is 'skeezy'," said conservative Daily Wire commentator Ben Shapiro on his podcast.

"Qatar is not allegedly giving President Trump a $400m jet out of the goodness of their sweet little hearts," he said. "They try to stuff money into pockets in totally bipartisan fashion."

Laura Loomer, an influential right-wing social media influencer, has said that accepting the plane would be a "stain" on the administration.

Trump and the EU Dodge a Trade War

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-and-the-eu-dodge-a-trade-war-tariffs-policy-economy-0064e989?mod=hp_opin_pos_5

The U.S. and Europe stepped back from the brink of a trade war Sunday, as the two sides announced a deal that avoids tit-for-tat escalation that could do larger damage to both economies.

President Trump and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the deal as a major event, but that’s true mainly as a relief. Mr. Trump had threatened a 30% tariff on European Union goods, while Europe had armed for a retaliatory strike on U.S. aircraft, cars, poultry, steel and much more. Europe also could have fired a bigger bazooka that included limits on U.S. investment and a big tax on U.S. companies operating on the continent.

‘You can’t fake that’: Trump sees ‘real starvation’ in Gaza, says Israel must do more

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/you-cant-fake-that-trump-sees-real-starvation-in-gaza-says-israel-can-do-more/

Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, July 28, 2025. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he is “not particularly convinced” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assurance that there is no starvation in Gaza, and later asserted there was “real starvation” in the Strip, adding: “You can’t fake that.”

Trump’s comments, along with promises to set up “food centers” in the Strip, came amid global condemnations of Israel for the humanitarian situation in the enclave, after images circulated last week of emaciated children in the war-torn territory.

Israel has said there is no widespread famine in Gaza, asserting that the photos are of isolated cases or are misleading, but started yesterday to pause all fighting in large swathes of the Strip for 10 hours each day, while facilitating a surge of aid by land and air.

Trump says there’s ‘real starvation’ in Gaza, contradicting Netanyahu

 https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-hamas-gaza-news-07-28-25

• Trump promises aid: President Donald Trump said there was “real starvation” in Gaza and said the US will set up “food centers,” although he didn’t offer details. The US president also said Israel “has a lot of responsibility” for limiting aid, but again called for Hamas to release the hostages to ease negotiations.

Judge Hit With Complaint Over Making 'Improper' Comments About Trump

 https://www.newsweek.com/judge-hit-complaint-over-making-improper-comments-about-trump-2105446

According to the Associated Press (AP), Boasberg's alleged remarks stem from comments he made to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and other federal judges that the Trump administration could trigger a constitutional crisis if they intentionally sidestep rulings.

"Today at my direction, @TheJusticeDept filed a misconduct complaint against U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Trump and his Administration. These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that," Bondi said on X.

Boasberg's comments were reportedly made at a meeting of the Judicial Conference, as first reported by The Federalist, citing a memo obtained of the meeting.

According to the AP, Bondi's complaint calls for Boasberg to be reassigned from the deportation case amid the investigation and possible impeachment if the allegations are substantiated.

Image of Gazan child with genetic illness being used to falsely smear Israel, COGAT charges

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/image-of-gazan-child-with-genetic-illness-being-used-to-falsely-smear-israel-cogat-charges/

A widely circulated image of an emaciated Palestinian child has been used to falsely accuse Israel of starving children in Gaza, charged the Defense Ministry body overseeing civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories on Monday, as Israel continued to combat accusations of having deliberately starved the population of the Gaza Strip.

According to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the subject of the viral photo, 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab, suffers from a serious genetic illness that is unrelated to the ongoing war, and is currently undergoing treatment abroad.

On June 12, Israeli authorities coordinated his exit from Gaza via the Ramon airport, along with his mother and brother, and he is receiving medical treatment in Italy, COGAT said.

Donald Trump Says His Name May Have Been Planted in Jeffrey Epstein Files

 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-name-planted-epstein-files-relationship-conspiracy-2105171

Trump was asked in Turnberry, Scotland, "You had said you had not been briefed that your name was in the Epstein files, doesn't the AG have to tell you?"

The president responded, in part, "Well, I haven't been overly interested in it. It's a hoax that's been built up by those, way beyond proportion. Those files were run by the worst scum on earth. They were run by Comey, they were run by Garland, they were run by Biden. Those files were run for four years by those people."

"The whole thing is a hoax. They ran the files. I was running against somebody that ran the files. If they had something they would have released."

He continued, "Now, they can easily put something in the files that's a phony. As an example, Christopher Steele, wrote a book, we call the 'fake news dossier.' The whole thing was a fake. The whole thing was a fake. They can put things in the file that was a fake. Those files were run by sick, sick people."

Reform Jews are all Heretics

 Igros Moshe (Even HaEzer III #3):…Question: A convert by a Reform Rabbi who married a Jew and he left her – does she require a get from him? Answer It is clear and obvious to me that the conversion had no significance and he remains a goy as he was originally and therefore the marriage had no significance. Even if he had mila and tevila he did not have a valid beis din and at the minimum when he was accepting mitzvos  and he needed two valid witnesses for the mila and tevila. All the Reform Jews are invalid witnesses since they are deny Torah is from Heaven. So even if there are not witnesses that they have transgressed all the mitzvos of the Torah, the affiliation with the Reform itself is evidence that they are heretics which is at a lower level than a non Jew and there is no need to have witnesses that they are heretics. Consequently the mila and tevila are not valid. The acceptance of mitzvos is also invalid. As a result there is no need for a get and I think it is even prohibited to be strict and require a get. .

Trump fumes as Epstein scandal dominates headlines, overshadows agenda

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/27/justice-epstein-memo-bondi-blanche-patel-trump/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq&utm_campaign=RH-ACQ&utm_content=dtpmonthly_202507028_RH_it&campaign_id=14378209

The White House and Justice Department’s response has been driven by no clear strategy other than asking the country to move on, people close to the situation told The Post.

Bongino and Patel were included in drafting, approving and advocating the release of the memo that detailed their decision not to release more from the files, according to emails reviewed by The Post and three people close to the president.

But since the backlash intensified, both have privately groused that if they were in charge, they would have released the Epstein files, redacting identifying information about victims, according to two people familiar with private conversations.

Bongino, a former Secret Service officer turned podcast host with a large right-wing following, was furious about the fallout over the memo and video release, the people said.

Tevila – Disposable Aluminum utensils

Igros Moshe (YD III #23) Question: Do disposable one time use pans require tevila if used more than once?Answer Something which is not durable and exists only for a short time does not become impure. Therefore these pans which can not be used more than three times can not become impure. It is a problem only for very inexpensive utensils which are disposed because they are so inexpensive. Therefore they don’t need tevila.