Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science

 Hi – I'm reading "Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science" by Peter Watson and wanted to share this quote with you.

"Convergence is a history of modern science but with a distinctive twist. The twist has been there for all to see, but so far it has not been set out as clearly as it deserves. The argument is that the various disciplines—despite their very different beginnings, and apparent areas of interest—have in fact been gradually coming together over the past 150 years. Converging and coalescing to identify one extraordinary master narrative, one overwhelming interlocking coherent story: the history of the universe. Among its achievements, the intimate connections between physics and chemistry have been discovered. The same goes for the links between quantum chemistry and molecular biology. Particle physics has been aligned with astronomy and the early history of the evolving universe. Pediatrics has been enriched by the insights of ethology; psychology has been aligned with physics, chemistry, and even with economics. Genetics has been harmonized with linguistics, botany with archaeology, climatology with myth—and so on and so on. Big History—the master narrative of the trajectories of the world’s great civilizations—has been explained and is being further fleshed out by the interlocking sciences. This is a simple insight but one with profound consequences. Convergence is, as Nobel Prize–winning physicist Steven Weinberg has put it, “the deepest thing about the universe.” This story of the convergence of the sciences—their synthesis, symphysis, and coherence—turns out to offer one timeline of history on which all of the major discoveries that have ever been made can fit. It is not a straight line by any means but a definite line nonetheless, not unlike a very long and complicated backbone, or spine, which curves and is made up of vertebrae of different sizes. I further argue that the order that emerges from this convergence—and the way one science supports another—gives scientific understanding an unrivaled authority as a form of knowledge and that we should therefore expect it to extend its reach in the years ahead, into fields not traditionally associated with science. In truth, it is already doing so and we should welcome that fact. The proven interlocking nature of science now helps to guide future research. Not all the links and overlaps in the story are equally strong. Niels Bohr’s amalgamation of physics and chemistry was fundamental, as was the later linking of quantum chemistry to molecular biology, by Linus Pauling and others (chapter 9). In more recent decades, the linking of fundamental particles to the early history of the evolving universe (chapter 11), and the “hardening” of psychology—the links between behavior and brain chemistry, for example—are no less fundamental (chapter 16). The same too goes for the overlaps that have also been revealed between genetics and archaeology, and between genetics and archaeology and language (chapter 12). At other times, the overlaps—while not exactly trivial—are more helpful and intriguing than fundamental. The example of tree-ring chronology is a case in point, as are some of the other scientific dating technologies that have been developed, the potassium/argon method, for example (chapter 12). They show that not just botany but also physics, molecular biology, and genetics can help us reconstruct history. Importantly, the different dating mechanisms are consistent with one another, so that ancient history in particular is now an interdisciplinary branch of science.""But—and this is the underlying point—all the connections and overlaps, all the patterns and hierarchies that have been revealed, whether fundamental or otherwise, dovetail together conceptually. There are no exceptions, no important ones anyway. Scientific discoveries repeatedly come together, in all manner of ways, to support one another, to tell one coherent, interlocking story. In an important sense, and to use another analogy, it is as if this story has its own form of gravity as—like particles in cooling gases—the different chapters come together to form a solid narrative."

The idea that the sciences are linked in some hierarchical way is not new, of course, and is known as reductionism. Although reductionism has been criticized—especially in the last twenty to thirty years, even as the evidence in its favor has grown stronger than ever—for the most part, leading scientists themselves have overridden these objections. Such figures as George Gaylord Simpson, Philip Anderson, Ilya Prigogine, Abdus Salam, Steven Weinberg, and Robert Laughlin (the last five being Nobel Prize winners) have all described themselves as wholehearted reductionists. Edward O. Wilson, the noted sociobiologist, put it this way: “Reductionism is the primary cutting tool of science.” 

Start reading this book for free: https://a.co/08AZNJv3

Entering a Church

 Shulchan Aruch YD (150:1) Entering an actual house of avodah zarah is clearly prohibited.

Igros Moshe (Y.D. 3:129.6) Question: Is it permitted to enter a church? Answer: It is clearly prohibited to enter a church which is a place of worship even if only to look at things made solely for decorations which  Tosfos says there is no prohibition to look at them as there is to a place of idolatry or the idols themselves. However a building where they actually worship is prohibited under all circumstances  The status of a courtyard where no worship takes place which serves merely as a transit before a house of worship and the concern is arousing suspicion of others is permitted. Also this that Tosfos says that the things made solely for decoration are permitted, this means decorations made for non religious purposes such as statues of the kings or forms on coins or pictures or illustration in manuscripts. However all that is made to enhance idolatry or the place of idolatry is prohibited to benefit or obtain pleasure from as idolatry itself. Aside from the prohibition of idolatry there is harm caused to faith by the mere desire to go there. In addition my son Rav Dovid said that the decorations were made solely to seduce and attract people to idolatry and that is clearly prohibited to let them accomplish their desire. Therefore G-d forbid! That anyone should go there. 

Clothing that has a cross?

 Teshuvos V’hanhugos (2:411) Question: Can clothing which has a cross on them be worn? Answer: According to the letter of the law it would be permitted even though it is prohibited to make. Therefore if one already bought it, he does not have to abstain from wearing it since it was not made to worship. While there is a dispute between the Rema and the Shach and Gra whether to be machmir in a case that it is not worshipped, perhaps the Rema would agree in modern times when they are not so fanatic about their religion  and it is merely part of the style and not considered a religious symbol it is permitted especially if it doesn’t physically stand out. Nevertheless it is still disgusting and should at least initially be avoided and not bought. Rav Yakov Kaminetsky had the practice to be strict and not even write a cross or any notation that looked like a cross. Even though he did this as an act of piety I was told he once said he wasn’t sure that this was not required by halacha.My opinion is not to be strict in modern times for a decrative cross but if it is obvious because there are many it is disgusting and it should not be purchased. In Medrash Rabba it says that the wagons that Pharoh sent to Yakov had idolatry carved in them and therefore Yakov did not want to use them and wanted to use only the wagons that Yosef sent. Therefore today when the crosses under discussion are not created for idolatry but it is recognized as a symbol of Christianity which is idolatry even though there was no intent to make a religious object. It is still appropriate to avoid and not buy such clothing. I heard from a talmid chachom, that the Chofetz Chaim when he traveled by wagon he would bend over sleep and periodically in those days they would pass a cross at every intersection. Every time they passed a crucifix he would wake and lift his head and straighten up. After they passed it he would go back to sleep. You should also know that there are times that a cross is deliberately added to the design to attract  the purchase by religious Christians and that intent would make it a religious object and not just decoration, This varies from country to country and the nature of the cross. If the cross in your location is typically made purely for decoration it would be permitted

Everything Controlled by G-d?

 Rambam (#436): This that you say that not everything that a person does is determined by Heaven is absolutely true. That is why a person receives reward if he goes in the good path and is punished if he goes in the bad path. All of a man's deeds are included in the category of Fear of Heaven. Ultimately all actions are either mitzvos or sins. Therefore, this expression of our sages that "Everything is in the hands of Heaven" is referring the events of the world and nature. For example the world of vegetables, animals, spirits, mazel and spheres as well as angels are totally controlled by Heaven. We have already discussed this at length in the commentary to Pirkei Avos 1:13, 3:18–19, and 4:28 Shemonah Perakim #8 as well as in Mishna Torah [Beginning of Hilchos Teshuva Chapter 5]. Whoever ignores my explanation based on established principles and instead searches amongst agada and medrash or the words of the Gaonim until he finds something which seems to contradict my cogent exposition is committing suicide and deservedly suffers the consequences. … When he finds verses of the prophets or statements of our sages which seem to contradict the foundation he should examine and analyze carefully until he can properly reconcile them with the words of the Torah. If he fails to find reconciliation, he should simply say that he doesn't understand properly the words of the prophet or the sage and that their words are not to be understood literally. …

Rambam (Shemoneh Perakin 8) The Mutakalllimun are, however, of a different opinion in this regard, for I have heard them say that the Divine Will is constantly at work, decreeing everything from time to time. We do not agree with them, but believe that the Divine Will ordained everything at creation, and that all things, at all times, are regulated by the laws of nature, and run their natural course, in accordance with what Solomon said, "As it was, so it will ever be, as it was made so it continues, and there is nothing new under the sun".  

Rambam (Shemoneh Perakin 8) The statement found in the sayings of the Rabbis, "All is in the power of God except the fear of God" is, nevertheless, true, and in accord with what we have laid down here. Men are, however, very often prone to err in supposing that many of their actions, in reality the result of their own free will, are forced upon them, as, for instance, marrying a certain woman, or acquiring a certain amount of money. Such a supposition is untrue. If a man espouses and marry a woman legally, then she becomes his lawful wife, and by his marrying her he has fulfilled the divine command to increase and multiply. God, however, does not decree the fulfillment of a commandment. If, on the other hand, a man has consummated with a woman an unlawful marriage, he has committed a transgression. But God does not decree that a man shall sin. Again, suppose a man robs another of money, steals from him, or cheats him, and then uttering a false oath, denies it; if we should say that God had destined that this sum should pass into the hands of the one and out of the possession of the other, God would be preordaining an act of iniquity. Such, however, is not the case, but rather that all of man's actions, which are subject to his free will, undoubtedly either comply with, or transgress, God's commands; for, as has been explained in Chapter II, the commands and prohibitions of the Law refer only to those actions with regard to which man has absolute free choice to do, or refrain from doing. Moreover, to this faculty of the soul (i. e. the freedom of the will) "the fear of God" is subservient, and is, in consequence, not predestined by God, but, as we have explained, is entirely in the power of the human free will. By the word "all", the Rabbis meant to designate only natural phenomena which are not influenced by the will of man, as whether a person is tall or short, whether it is rainy or dry, whether the air is pure or impure, and all other such things that happen in the world, and which have no connection with man's conduct. 

Trump threatens to bomb Oman, says Hamas ‘giving up their guns’ under Gaza peace plan

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-threatens-to-bomb-oman-says-hamas-giving-up-their-guns-under-gaza-peace-plan/

Asked about his top aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner’s meetings with Hamas and Israeli officials in the region this week, Trump indicates progress on Hamas disarming under his Gaza peace plan, and says that Israel should not be striking Gaza right now.

“We have our own relationship with Hamas. They are giving up their guns,” he says.

Trump: Hamas agreed to disarm, Israel must cease strikes on Gaza

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/431826

US President Donald Trump on Monday told Fox News that he would bomb Oman if they "get in the way," and issued a warning to Israel.

In the interview, Trump said that the US is capable of continuing its attacks on Iran, and urged the IRGC to "put up the white flag of surrender."

Regarding the Hamas terror group's recent ceasefire violations and their attempts to regain control of Gaza and rebuild their weapons stores, Trump insisted that he had made progress in convincing the terror group to disarm.

He also demanded that Israel cease all strikes in Gaza, without detailing exceptions.

Dovid was born in Sin

  Tehilim (051:07):. Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.

Alshich (Tehilim 51:7): Behold in sin I was formed – From the time it decreed that I should be born by means of the sin of Lot’s daughter who had an incestual relation with her father which is disgusting and terrible sin – but that is how I was formed. As it says in Bereishis Rabbah (50:16), “I found Dovid My servant” where was he found? In Sedom. And in sin my mother conceived me - that is referring to Ruth who is referred to as mother as it says in Bava Basra (91b)... she was the mother of the Davidic monarchy. From the time when she got the idea of lying at the feet of Boaz which was the sin of chilul Hashem as we see in Ruth Rabbah (6:1) that Boaz prayed that no one would know that she came to the threshing floor. And You G‑d did not consider it bad since You knew the motivation was good....

 Kotzker Rebbe (Emes v’Emuna p635):The biblical prohibition on adultery included relations with one’s own wife if they involved sexual desire.

Rashi (Tehilim 51:7): Behold I was formed in transgression – So how could I not sin. The basis of my being formed was my parents sexual intercourse and through intercourse it is possible to be involved in a number of transgression. And alternative explanation, my principle formation was from male and female – both of them are full of sins. However there are other interpretive readings to this verse and they do not conform to the subject matter of the verse.

 Vayikra Rabbah (14:05) In sin I was formed … Dovid said before G-d, did my father actually have intent to have me or was he was he focused on his own pleasure? Obviously it was for pleasure because when they finished, my father and mother both turned their faces away from each other.

Love Wife as Friend

  Chazon Ish (Igros Kodesh #01): It is important to note that our Sages are not saying to love one's wife with the natural love that man is attracted to a woman but rather to love her with the love that friends have for each other - as someone he knows and has a covenant with him and that they are partners in many things and each one helps and receives help from the other. In addition the love he feels for her should also come from gratitude. He needs to have the clear image in his mind that if he had not gotten a wife and would have remained alone and isolated - how much suffering and pain he would have from this. But now that he has a wife his life is in place and functioning. The significance of gratitude is immeasurably important. This type of love is what our Sages say a man is obligated to have towards his wife. And again this love does not come from the lust a man has for a woman at all but from one of the good attributes which he is obligated to have. He needs to have this type of love and feeling towards her when he strives to cause her rejoicing at the time of intercourse and well as before and afterwards. Such a relationship is not disgusting – chas v'shalom – but rather it is a mitzva. In fact he should conduct himself in this manner even if he were not obligated by the Torah and surely now that the Torah does obligated it - as we mentioned before.

Bill Cassidy Calls Trump’s Vaccine Plan ‘Stupid Policy’

 https://www.newsweek.com/bill-cassidy-calls-trump-vaccine-plan-stupid-policy-12329123

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy on Sunday labeled President Donald Trump's childhood vaccine overhaul a "stupid policy," escalating one of the sharpest clashes yet between a GOP lawmaker and the administration over federal health directives.

Appearing on ABC News' This Week, the Louisiana Republican and physician—who has repeatedly defended established vaccine science—criticized the president's executive order directing federal agencies to split the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into separate shots and alter appointment schedules for children.

"It's stupid policy," Cassidy said. "It's inconvenient for the parent."

Cassidy's criticism carries added significance given his role in the confirmation process of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite prior concerns raised regarding Kennedy's stance on immunization.

Hezbollah’s New Battlefield Strategy Is Bad News for Netanyahu and Trump

 https://www.newsweek.com/hezbollahs-new-battlefield-strategy-is-bad-news-for-netanyahu-and-trump-12308578

A resurgent Hezbollah armed with deadly, new tactics is putting severe pressure on Israel and the United States as they attempt to achieve diplomatic gains on the Lebanese front of the Middle East crisis.

The greatest shift in recent months has emerged in the longtime Iranian Axis of Resistance ally's use of fiber-optic first-person view (FPV) drones, a weapon made infamous in the Russia-Ukraine war and appearing in the hands of Hezbollah for the first time in March, when the Lebanese group resumed hostilities in response to the U.S.-Israeli war launched against Iran on February 28.

Trump loses another fight with reality; disgraceful mismanagement of U.S. troops undeniable

Two Israeli children eat chocolate spiked with hallucinogenic mushrooms, rushed to hospital

 https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-905645

The children, aged five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half, have been placed under close observation in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

Two toddlers were rushed on Sunday to the Galilee Medical Center's emergency room after consuming chocolate containing hallucinogenic mushrooms during a family vacation.

The children, aged five-and-a-half and six-and-a-half, have been placed under close observation in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

While both were physically stable when they arrived at the emergency room, they had been experiencing neurological symptoms, Galilee Medical Center said in a statement.

The awakening: Why the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about more than borders

 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-905291

For decades, a simple explanation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict took hold across broad segments of Israel’s Left and Center: at its core, the conflict was territorial.

The question they are asking today is far more difficult: What if the conflict is not only about where the border will be drawn, but also, and perhaps primarily, about the very legitimacy of a Jewish state existing in this region?

This does not mean that every Palestinian seeks Israel’s destruction, and a complex national conflict should certainly not be reduced to a sweeping generalization about an entire population. But it is no longer possible to ignore the enormous influence that Islamist religious ideology has gained in Palestinian society over recent decades.

Rare August Rain Showers Jerusalem, West Bank; Flood Warnings Issued

 https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-08-15/ty-article/.premium/rare-august-rain-showers-jerusalem-west-bank-flood-warnings-issued/000001a0-063a-dbfd-adfa-f77a8d680000

Rainfall of more than 20 millimeters in August has been recorded only four times since measurements began in Israel. More rain and possible flooding are forecast for Sunday

The Jerusalem area and the northern Judean Desert in the West Bank saw a rare August rain shower on Saturday, with 25 millimeters recorded in the settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim and five millimeters in Jerusalem, according to the Israel Meteorological Service.

'I'll go with you anywhere' | Why Mali and Liel vanished

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/431744

New evidence suggests Mali and Liel Yahalomi meticulously planned disappearance, with cash withdrawn, phones wiped, and AI allegedly used to help evade detection.

Investigators now believe that Mali Yahalomi, who had divorced and was facing financial difficulties, wanted to cut ties with her former life and make a fresh start far from Israel. Her daughter Liel was a full partner in the plan.

Joe SLAMS Hegseth for ‘abysmal’ conditions on USS Lincoln: treating our sailors 'LIKE TRASH'

Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/15/navy-weighs-major-warship-redesign-match-trumps-preferences/

The U.S. Navy is considering a major redesign of its new aircraft carriers to better match President Donald Trump’s preferred aesthetic for the warships, according to seven current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The service is evaluating the feasibility of moving the multistory tower that acts as the carrier’s command center farther forward, toward the middle of the ship, to resemble older vessels, the officials said. The review, which has not been previously reported, is in response to Trump’s concerns about the “look” of the new Ford-class ships, where the tower is near the rear, these people said.

Moving that command center, known as the “island,” would be the second major design change prompted by the president, who on Thursday issued a national security memorandum directing the Navy to develop a plan to revert to older steam-powered catapults on future carriers. The systems help launch jets off the ships’ flight decks.

‘Completely unacceptable’: UK slams Netanyahu for calling it an ‘Islamic republic’

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/completely-unacceptable-uk-slams-netanyahu-for-islamic-republic-comment/

Britain on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he called the country an “Islamic republic,” branding the remarks as “completely unacceptable.”

The UK additionally said it has “raised” the matter with Jerusalem.

“These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli government,” a UK government spokesman said.

Avoda Zara has Power?

Devarim (17:03) turning to the worship of other gods and bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, something I never commanded—

Sforno (Devarim 17:03)  which I had not appointed to act independently of My will. This is in contrast to the philosophers of idolatrous religions who believe that G-d had appointed His agents to be in charge of a city each, within which they have power over life and death without reference to their Master. The inhabitants of each such city are under the illusion that by pleasing the local agent of G-d, their “patron saint,” their fates will be affected beneficially. 

Trump administration’s antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard is dismissed

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/08/13/trump-administrations-antisemitism-lawsuit-against-harvard-is-dismissed/

U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said the incidents were “too isolated and episodic” to support the claim that Harvard is not complying with federal law.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns found that the complaint largely detailed incidents in the 2023-2024 school year, when there was a pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard. It also listed three incidents in March 2025: one in which a Harvard employee allegedly tore down posters of Israeli hostages, and two cases in which the government said Harvard failed to take action against anti-Israel protesters who violated university rules, including breaching barricades outside an event featuring a former Israeli official and a “die in” on the steps of the main campus library.

Stearns, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, said the incidents were “too isolated and episodic” to demonstrate that Harvard is not complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by schools that receive federal money.

The judge wrote that the government’s complaint is “devoid of any factual allegations” that the university has failed to comply with the law since the administration formally notified Harvard that it needed to comply with the law in June 2025. He said the law was intended to bring entities into compliance with the law, not to punish them for past violations.

An Entirely New Understanding of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Kook by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

 https://vinnews.com/2026/08/14/661432/

The 3rd of Elul, which falls on Motzai Shabbos this week, marks the 91st yahrtzeit of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Kook. Most people view Rav Kook as the founder of a specific form of Religious Zionism. While that is certainly true, perhaps his greatest and most lasting contribution actually had nothing at all to do with Zionism.

Rav Yoseph Chaim Sonnenfeld embarked upon a famous trip with Rav Kook — across the width and breadth of Eretz Yisroel. How did that happen exactly? Could it happen now? Would, say, one of the Satmar Rebbeim take a tour across America with a leading Zionistic Rabbi — say Rav Shlomo Aviner?

Another question: how is it that the Chofetz Chaim had such a unique and special relationship with Rav Kook, and yet did not adopt his outlook on the Zionist movement? How was it that Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, who sat on the Moetzes of Agudas Yisroel, defended him publicly against his attackers? How was it that Rav Yitzchok Hutner had a picture of Rav Kook in his Sukkah in the early years? How is it that he initially printed Rav Kook’s Haskamah on his sefer?

Chofetz Chaim, Chazon Ish & Rav Kook

This account appeared in the Yated Ne'eman a number of years ago.

The Chofetz Chaim had a dream of making aliyah. He tried a number of times - but he wasn't successful. Toward the end of his life, there were again rumors that he was going to move to Israel. In fact someone came to the Chazon Ish and reported that he had inside information that the Chofetz Chaim would soon be landing in Yaffo. The Chazon Ish looked up from his gemora and said simply:

"It isn't true. The Chofetz Chaim will never come to Israel." He continued, "I don't say this because I am a navi with ruach hakodesh. It is simple logic. Everyone knows that there is a very close relationship between the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Kook. If the Chofetz Chaim came to Israel then they would visit each other. This would cause strong upset in certain circles. As a consequence of this backlash - the Mishna Berura would be abandoned and  thrown in the trash. It is clear that G-d does not want this happen to the Mishna Berura. Consequently it is impossible that the Chofetz Chaim will be coming to Israel."

 ====================
 Regarding the Chofetz Chaim's attitude to Rav Kook. The following letter was written 3 years after the dedication of Hebrew University by the Chofetz Chaim's son-in law. It has been alleged that the Chofetz Chaim expressed contempt for Rav Kook as the result of the dedication. It is clear from this letter that the Chofetz Chaim had a very high opinion of Rav Kook even after the incident.

 Rael Levinsohn suggested the following links to translations:

letter-from-the-son-in-law-of-the-Chofetz-Chaim-to-Rav-Kook-1928/

Rav-Kooks-relationship-with-giants-of-his-time/

the-view-of-the-Chazon-Ish-on-Rav-Kook-another-perspective/

The-relationship-between-Rav Kook-and-the-Chofetz-Chaim-part-2/

update-on-Rav Kook-letter/

history-of-the-Rav-Kook-Rav-Sonnenfeld-dispute-and-its-relevance-for-modern-times-part-1/

history-of-the-Rav-Kook-Rav-Sonnenfeld-dispute-and-its-relevance-for-modern-times-part-2/

Snarky Karoline Leavitt has stumbled into a Trump trap — and will take the fall

 Snarky Karoline Leavitt has stumbled into a Trump trap — and will take the fall

She's let herself become the face of the Trump administration — and doesn't have the experience to avoid taking the fall when things get bad.

Leavitt has already made two major unforced errors that really highlight the dangers ahead. Just a few weeks ago she made the single most tone deaf and hypocritical comment, appropo of nothing, noting something about Gen Z being lazy and having silver spoons in their mouths, seemingly unaware of the fact that she is: A) Gen Z, B) Married to an old rich guy, C) Got a job from a rich guy who won't shut up about her lips, probably only to keep him from commenting about the rest of her body, and D) she takes time off to have the babies her sister Gen Zers cannot afford. Now, that was bad enough when self-limited to mere hypocrisy. Imagine a similar blind spot rearing its ugly head again as "affordability" and healthcare become center stage starting this September, issues impacting every generation.

GOP MAGA supporters are used to Trump not caring. They assume he's too busy making America great to notice that they're actually not that great.

But even Republicans will notice the entitled podiumcaster insisting that things actually are great, and if not, it's someone else's lazy fault. What happens when she faces pressure due to questions with no easy answer, like, "How can we justify cuts from DOGE and healthcare while still spending billions a day in Iran months after Trump assured us we won the war?" (Those will only get more intense as the war becomes increasingly stagnant.)

LevinAt11-Eclipsing Elections/ Shoftim86

 Linked below is this week's LevinAt11 radio broadcast of Aug. 13, '26, Parshas Shoftim.

מצורף: תכנית ראדיו רב יהודה לעוין שליט"א, פרשת שופטים, תשפו

Primary Topics Covered:

1. Expanded opportunities for us, in these very special times; see Gemara Sukka 29;

2. Sefer Emes leYaakov Al Nach (on Sefer Shoftim 11):

a very belated clarification of what Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky O.B.M. did NOT say about Avoda Zorah, having being previously misquoted in the third edition of Sefer Emes leYaakov Al HaTorah (p.474) about A.Z. having the ostensible ability to help or harm people on the basis of its' own (imagined) "will," afar lePihem;

See Seforno on this week's Parsha (quoted below);

why not to take all statements of Chazal superficially literally;

not to be taken in by reckless imputations of heretical statements to Gedolim;

why it's harder to combat heresy when its' proponents misattribute it to widely respected Rabbonim;

3.  Letter in MonseyMevaser.com p.10 on one Torah based insight into a lesson to be drawn from Wednesday's rare solar eclipse, based on the Aruch LeNair on Sukka 29a;

allowing ongoing vote-block manipulation in the thousands of preventable votes;

we cannot allow self-focused real-estate developers to fully eclipse the elections;

4. Focusing on the candidacy of NY Gov. Hochul: 

no excuse to allow vote blocks to be misled to vote for her, especially after she signed Physician Facilitated Poisoning; 

e.g. see: https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/01/open-letter-vs-assisted-suicide-in-ny.html;

This is especially true if we want to send a message elsewhere regarding such lethal legislation;

5.  Anti-semitism/Jew-hatred, briefly continued from last-week;

~~~

Last week's broadcast (Parshas Re'aih), with links to broadcasts of the month of Menachem Av:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/08/levinat11-reversepartisanism.html

Thematic to the Parsha and Ellul, also see:

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/04/growing-authentic-leadership-yahrtzeit.html

Have a good Shabbos and a good Chodesh, and a Kesivah Vechasimah Tova,

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

Email:  torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

845.642.1679

Direct: 771.215.8892

Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337

Tomim Tih'yeh [countering "New-Age" infiltration]: 

Tomim1679@gmail.com

Presentations on New-Age dangers: 605-313-6831 ext. 2

Heard weekly on New Jersey's WSNR Radio 620AM, co-hosting the renowned Levin At Eleven program, every Thursday evening, 11pm to midnight (ET).

~~~~~~    ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

Broadcast weekly over: 

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 Levin 08-13-2026_HQ.mp3

An expanded version of the letter in this week's MonseyMevaser.com, page 10, with an introductory cover letter:

בס"ד

Rosh Chodesh Ellul, 5786/ August 13, '26

Rabbossai,

Yet another crucial letter to MonseyMevaser.com appears this week (Parshas Shoftim, '86) on pg.10.  It addresses one of multiple Torah-based insights into Wednesday's Solar Eclipse, voting for/ supporting Sodomism proponents, and the looming block-vote scandal.

We focused, in first version of the letter published in the Mevaser, specifically on Gov. Hochul, running for reelection -- for the first time after she signed Physician-Facilitated Prescription-Poisoning into "law." (E.g. see: https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/01/open-letter-vs-assisted-suicide-in-ny.html.)

That lethal bill just went into effect in NY State on Aug. 5th.  Even if we would know that we certainly cannot unseat her, we still must make a public protest to send a message to any other politicians who consider promoting such deadly legislation.

As those who fought in the forefront of the Orthodox community against that Assisted "Suicide" bill, we know just how fatal faulty communal priorities have proven to be.  If we would have just sent such a message earlier - namely, that morality matters to us more than government money - who knows how much time we could have bought -- on stealth euthanasia; on the pro-LGBT "Dignity (Depravity) For All Students Act" (passed early in 2010); on abortion-at-whim, e.g. Cuomo"s RHA; on the spectrum of LGBTQ legislation; and (in a sense, most monumentally) on Cuomo's Marriage De-definition (passed in NY in June 2011).

Those who would like to partner in our society-salvaging work are asked to contact us ASAP, as below.  We could multiply our effectiveness perhaps a thousandfold - provided more labor-sharing from those whose capacity is not yet closely matched by their participation. See Sukka 29b.

Evil prospers when good men respond to it via a moment of silence - instead of with righteously indignant donations.

Whether we tangibly effect the electoral outcome or not, we send a message for future candidates, and to the anti-Torah financial interests within our communities, decimating us from within, just to advance their own financial narcissism.

We need to broadcast that, no, a herd of unelected, self-focused real-estate developers does not represent us, or our Torah principles.

Nor can we allow them to dictate voting or public policy decisions.

We can help do that by exposing their role in misleading/mal-directing block-voting communities to support our worst and most effective enemies - those subversives serving in office, rather than in prison.

Thereby, we also do our part in restoration of the fading legacy of recently departed, authentic Torah sages - who waged war against the selling out of our Torah principles for bribery, legal or otherwise.

The only regret most people will ultimately have is ... that they didn't heed the call to moral action sooner - and far more "energetically."

 

Thank you in advance.

Good Chodesh.

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

845.642.1679

Direct: 771.215.8892

Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337

torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

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Below is an expanded version of the published letter:

BS"D

28 Menachem Av, Parshas Shoftim, 5786

Editor,

From a Torah perspective, what perhaps can we learn from the extremely rare, "one in several hundred million” convergence of three Heavenly events on August 12th, overlapping with the Yom Kippur Kotton preceding Rosh Chodesh Ellul?  They include a full solar eclipse, along with convergence of six planets, and a meteor shower.  Would it not stand to reason that such an astronomically rare heavenly spectacle - coinciding with Erev Rosh Chodesh - of Ellul - should prompt us to both introspection and repentance of a nature a bit more specific than other similar preceding events (one of which was a full solar eclipse striking parts of North America - also on the Yom Kippur Kotton - preceding Nissan, 2-1/2 years ago)?

Based on a few mekoros, I humbly submit the following suggestion - as merely one of many - for the consideration of the esteemed tzibbur.

Chazal teach us that "The Sun is "stricken" (eclipsed) on account of four sins ..." (Sukkah 29a).  They include the particular vice being mainstreamed - and even celebrated - by most of the representatives elected regularly in our areas (the act of sodomy).

In fact, that aveirah (sin) is identified by the Maharal on the Gemara in Chullin 92b (which Daf Yomi learned within the past two weeks) as "a To'aiva even amongst To'aivos,"* as indicated by it's uniquely individualized branding in VaYikra (Lev.) 18:22.

* an abomination even among abominations

Many of our politicians even support the  type of legitimization of said abomination - namely Marriage De-definition - which triggered the annihilation of civilization by the Mabul in the days of Noach - see Midrash Rabbah 23:9 on VaYikra 18:3 (and the Gemara Chullin 92b).

Now, to answer our question above, please see the Aruch L'Nair on that Gemara Sukka, 29, (including s.v. "Tonu Rabbonon Bi'Zman She'haChamah lokeh").  It's evident that the solar eclipse signals an oncoming period of Divine Judgment, during which said abomination, and the other enumerated sins, are more likely to be punished.  How much more so will the aforementioned legitimization of Marriage De-definition subject us to Divine Retribution, for not adequately pushing back against it.

The fact that recently we've all heard of multiple major earthquakes - which similarly strike due to sodomist sin (Jerusalem Talmud, tractacte Brachos, 9:2) - may support our thesis, suggesting a focus on the sin of sodomy, and, how much more so, on its' institutionalization, via Marriage De-definition, educational indoctrination, and the predatory legalization of sodomist "Adoption."

This all should prompt us to introspection and repentance, on both an individual and communal level in regard to these public policy concerns.

One Practical Example:

Let's be concrete.  I won't "beat around the ballot."  Although, thank G-d, many frum Jews did NOT vote for NY Gov. Hochul - unfortunately, some did.

Ominously, even after Hochul predictably signed the deadly Physician-Assisted Suicide legislation (euphemistically marked as "Medical Aid (sic) In Dying" (sic)) - that just went into effect on August 5th - we have reason to fear that some of the block-vote-led communities will yet again be misdirected into voting for her in November.  We cannot allow such a communal Chillul HaShem to be perpetrated by a few wealthy financial interests, who leverage their positions to consistently facilitate thousands of Yidden voting for Greater-Evil candidates (who generally tend to be Democratic).

Without even getting into details about specific positions on important issues, we should acknowledge that having any Orthodox- identified candidate in such a high position is definitely not at all ideal.  However, voting for a recidivist proponent of moral and societal subversion is inexcusable, al-pi Halacha.

Public Chillul HaShem:

No amount of government largesse - even if fully permitted otherwise, and truly vital - would permit committing any prohibition (Shulchan Aruch, Yorah Daiyoh, 157:1). How much more so is it prohibited to commit Chillul HaShem, for which there is generally no atonement until death.

And that's even just for individuals. How much more severe is the prohibition of facilitating swaths of entire communities to be herded into voting booths to vote for the abominators of choice, decided on by their community ashkunim.

Moreover, for such a capable and developed Orthodox community to routinely allow thousands of our fellow Jews living in block-vote-directed communities to be manipulated wholesale into doing so is absolutely intolerable. 

Narcissistic Achdus:

Face it: when it comes to authentic Achdus (unity) - where it really counts - we talk the talk far more than we walk the walk.

We love feelgood Achdus. However, when the going gets tough - we "keep doing" - doing things other than those we're most needed for.  It's called Shochad Mitzvah, aka diversionary Judaism.

Other Races:

It's not just the race for Governor.  How many of us wind up voting for morally-degraded candidates for judges, especially for the extremely influential State Supreme Court positions?  Even many who will not vote for the greater-evil candidates in well-publicized high- profile races will often mindlessly vote for anti-life, criminal-enabling, anti-Torah, anti-moral judicial candidates. There is no excuse for toleration of such a blight of communal irresponsibility.

It Need Not Be This Way:

Boruch HaShem, this recurring communal disaster is avoidable. A properly funded, scheduled, and executed PR campaign within the frum community could actually save thousands of naive, mal-informed Yidden from voting for the gubernatorial candidate who's voting record confirms that she is clearly the greater evil on the issues that matter most according to Halacha and Da'as Torah, specifically life and death issues, and foundational morality, as articulated by Gedolei HaDor - from across the Orthodox spectrum - for over 45 years. Many such psakim and statements are available. For more information, please email torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com.

Chazal exhort us in Shabbos (54b, 55a) that our responsibilities are proportional to our outreach capacities. In such a well-endowed community, how precisely do we tolerate the ongoing dereliction of duty that perpetuates this ongoing, public Chillul Shaim Shomayim? We can and must do better.

"Ma'arich Apei - VeGovei Dilei."

We cannot say we've not been forwarned.

It's a win-win proposition: even if we fall short of our expectations, we'll gain eternal reward for all of the Yidden we do save from such a terrible aveirah, a rebellion against HaShem.

If we really want to merit to see the Ge'ulah, why would we even consider passing up such a tremendous opportunity to reduce the ongoing desecration of the Divine Name being perpetrated in the name of Torah Jewry?  Our inaction suggests that our biweekly Tachanun supplications appealing to HaShem to save and redeem us "LeMa'an Shemo" - For His Name - are cheap lip service.  

How much more should we embrace such opportunities when, by taking a stand for authentic Kovod Shomayim, we also protest the very abominations which are, according to Chazal, factors in impeding the Final Redemption. For example, see Mishna Sotah 48a, as quoted in Sefer Yeraiyim, Issur Kishuf; since Z'nus caused the Churban, it impedes the Redemption.  How much more so does the communal sanction for institutionalization of the worst of the abominations.

Good Shabbos, and Good Chodesh. Kesivah VeChasimah Tovah,

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

Torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

771-215-8892

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More details on the aforementioned false attribution to Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky O.B.M.:

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כידוע, בפרשתינו, פר' שופטים, כתוב "וילך ויעבוד אלוהים אחרים ... אשר לא צויתי" (יז:ג). ע' רבינו הספורנו, בפרט מש"כ על "אשר לא צויתי:" [כנר' לפרש לשון 'לא צויתי' - הלא על עצם ע"ז ציוה לאסרו יותר מ40 פעמים.] 

"אשר לא מניתי בשום מינוי בחיריי שיוכלו לעשות כרצונם, אבל נתתי להם חוק ולא יעבור, על הפך מחשבת עובדי ע"ז, שחשבו שלכל עיר ועיר יש שר יכול כרצונו ולהיטיב ולהריע, ושהוא מטיב כשיעבדוהו." עכ"ל (מהד' חדש מקר"ג א. בלום). [הוא כתב כמו כן בשאר מקומות בספר דברים.]

לדאבונינו, דעת העובדי-ע"ז הזה כבר חדר לספרות ישראל, להרבה שנים, מאז שהדפיסו את המהדורא הג' "המתוקנת" של הס' "אמת ליעקב" עה"ת.  לדאבונינו, התחדש באותה מהדורא ציטוט מסולף של כפירה בענין כח בע"ז - כביכול - להיטיב ע"פ רצון עצמו, עפר לפיהם. והכל בשם רב יעקב זצ"ל, כמובן.

וגם כתבו שם שאמר הגר"י "שהרמב"ן סובר כן" (עפר לפיהם).  ודע שהמקורות שהביאו שם בתוך ההערות למטה, לא הוכיחו טענתם כלל, כמובן, כמבואר לכל בודק אחריהם.

הכפירה הבולטת שם מופיעה על פרשת ואתחנן, בדף תע"ד (בענין פסוק בספר שופטים, פרק יא), בסוף טור שני שם:

"... דודאי יש כח לכמוש אלוהיך להוריש לך מה שהוא ר-ו-צ-ה" (עפר לפיהם -נ.ש.ל.)

[Whereas, in reality, no Avoda Zorah can ever help or harm (1) people based on it's (2) own bechirah/ ratzon (will). - NSL]

מה שכתבו בשם הגר"י בסעיף הקודם "שביכולתו לעשות כן" אולי אינו מוכח כל כך שכיוון המעריך לכפירה הנ"ל. אבל מה שכתבו בסוף, בענין רצון, ודאי מוכח כן.

ודע שכפירה זו לא חדר להמהדורות הראשונה ושנייה של הספר "אמת ליעקוב עה"ת" שראיתי, ב"ה.

ובעצם הענין, ע' חזו"א יו"ד סב:יט, שסילוף זה הוא עיקר הסילוף של המאמינים בע"ז, כדמשמע מהספורנו כאן.  

יוצא, שעיקר הרעיון שאנו צריכים להתסייג ממנה - להבדל מהעובדי ע"ז לאלפי מיניהם - הופץ בינינו - בשם מי שנודע לגדול בין-לאומי - כמעט לעשרות שנים! והכל בלי מחאה חשובה ומפרוסמת מאת מנהיגי הציבור. והבן זה היטיב.  

וצריך להאריך בסיבת ה"סקאנדאל" הזה, ובאמת אכמ"ל. אבל נא הבן שהגענו למצב שמחשיבים מה שנאמר בשם גדול בתורה יותר מיסודות הדת. וע' מש"כ אב זקני הרב נתן נטע לייטער זצ"ל הי"ד, ממלא מקום האב ב"ד לעבוב, הודפס בסוף קונטרוס "דברי חיים אמת," בענין סכנת partisanism.

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וב"ה, "אמת מארץ תצמח," אחר עשרות שנים, הגיע תיקון-חלקי של הזיוף הנורא שעשו אז, אבל רק אחרי כל השנים של הפצת כפירה זו*, ותלייתו באילו גדול.  ובסוף, עשו תיקון - אבל רק תיקון במקצת.

{* הפעם הראשון שדיברתי עם המעריך של מהדורא ג',..., היה לפני בערך 21 שנה.} 

במהדורת תשפ"ג של "ספר אמת ליעקוב על נ"ך" הביאו מה שכן אמר רב יעקב זצ"ל.

העיקר מה להוציא ממש"כ בשם הגר"י על נ"ך הוא שמבואר שלא אמר רב יעקב כאן מה שכתבו בשמו בהמהדורא הג' עה"ת בענין הע"ז של כמוש, הנ"ל.

ואף אם אפשר - או נצרך - להתווכח על מה שהביאו שם, על נ"ך, מהרב יעקב - עם כל זה פשוט וברור שאין אלו אותן הדברי-כפירה שכתבו בשמו במהדורא ג' עה"ת.

ולענין הרמב"ן בעצמו, בודאי לא כתב הרמב"ן דבר או חצי דבר אפילו דומה לכפירה הנ"ל, עפר לפיהם. ובאמת כתב להפך, כמו שהבאנו בעבר במק"א.

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Trump sued on First and Fifth Amendment grounds over paid Truth Social access

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/12/business/truth-social-lawsuit

The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation jointly sued Trump and his White House social media team for restricting their access to the president’s posts on Truth Social. The plaintiffs claim Trump violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights.

The government cannot limit access to speech without legitimate justification, said Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director at the Knight First Amendment Institute.

“There’s no legitimate government interest in doing this,” Fallow said. “Donald Trump and his company may have an interest, but not the government.”

Trump sued over Truth Social's $100,000 early access offer

 https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2026/08/12/trump-sued-over-truth-socials-100000-early-access-plan/91281414007/

The plan called Truth API would cost users up to $100,000 per month. USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment.

Inside the White House bet that Netanyahu’s peace plan rejection is for show

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/12/tolerating-netanyahu-two-step-why-white-house-can-live-with-israels-rejection-peace-plan-01033659

The Trump administration is giving Netanyahu leeway to message the latest Gaza peace for his domestic audience, so long as Israel continues to ease its attacks.

The administration says it’s less concerned with what Netanyahu says than what the Israeli Defense Forces do. A U.S. official, who, like others in the story, was granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking, said that the administration was initially “disappointed” that Israel responded to the 15-point peace proposal by ramping up attacks in Gaza — but is pleased that it has since eased its assault.

Now, the administration is willing to give the Israeli prime minister some leeway to message the peace plan in the way he needs to, the official said. There is broad understanding that he is two months from a tough reelection — and needs to please his own hard-right allies to win. Few expected the president’s roadmap to be wholesale embraced, even as Trump on Truth Social trumpeted it as a “major milestone” in the conflict.

"The Roots of Appeasement" by Martin Gilbert

 "In this book I trace the origins of appeasement, and follow its course from 1914–39. Often those who sought a lenient peace in 1919, or tried to bring Britain and Germany together during the inter-war years, are seen as misguided men who mistook weakness for charity. This was not so: appeasement was a policy of optimism and hope, even at times of strength. Those who believed that every possible effort should be made to improve Anglo-German relations did so, not because they feared German""territorial ambitions, but because they respected German national aspirations and admired German cultural and scientific achievements. The arguments for and against appeasement were never simple ones, nor did the debate which raged with acerbity for twenty years fall into any clear categories of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. My aim is to examine the wide range of the appeasement argument, and to show that appeasement, both as an attitude of mind and as a policy, was not a silly or treacherous idea in the minds of stubborn, gullible men, but a noble idea, rooted in Christianity, courage and common sense."

Avoda Zara has Real power?

Avoda Zara (55a) Rav Yehuda said to Rava bar Rav Yitzḥak: Now, were I dead I would not have been able to tell you the explanation of this matter. It is therefore good that you reminded me of this matter while I am alive. The explanation is as Rav says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heavens, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the Lord your God has allotted [ḥalak] to all the nations under the whole heaven”. The verse teaches that God allowed the nations to be misled by matters that seemingly indicate that idol worship is effective in order to expel the nations from the world due to their decision to engage in idol worship.

Ramban (Devarim 04:19) This means that every nation is assigned a star or mazal and above them is an angel. Because of this they made them into gods and worshipped them. In contrast Jews were not given a star because they are G-d’s portion and He took them from the iron crucible of Egypt against the mazzel of Egypt.  

 Emes LiYakov (Devarim 04:19) And lest you lift up your eyes to the skies, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of the skies, should you be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord your God has allotted to all nations under the whole sky Looking at the Torah commentaries you will see two approaches to explain this verse. One says it means that the sun and the moon were given to all people to provide them with illumination and the Torah is prohibiting worshipping them. In contrast the Ibn Ezra and Ramban explain it to mean that each nation has its own unique star and mazzel. Likewise there is a unique mazzel for every city which is the conduit for the good. This is also the view expressed by the Ramban in explaining Bereishis (01:18). It appears that this reflects a basic disagreement about the nature of idolatry. The view of Rambam  which is expressed in a number of places is that Idolatry has no real power to influence or do anything so those who worship idols or pray to them not only are sinning but they are wasting their time. In contrast the view of Ramban is that G-d created in Nature that each people has a unique celestial conduit to provide benefit to that people  as long as it is not relevant to Jews. since Jews are not influenced by mazzel. However there is still a Torah prohibition to pray to this source of bounty since ultimately G-d is the source of all bounty and therefore prayer and devotion can only be directed to G-d not to His servant. However if this source is worshipped and prayed to it can actually provide benefit. Thus the verse is saying that G-d gave each nation a unique source of bounty and guidance.

Emes LiYakov (Devarim 17:03) turning to the worship of other gods and bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, something I never commanded—  Rashi explains “I never commanded to worship them” And that is also how the Rashbam Ibn Ezra explain a previous verse concerning the verse.  And perhaps you will lift your eyes to the Heavens and you will see the sun and the Moon and the stars and all the Heavenly Host which G-d distributed to all the nations. The plain meaning of “which G-d distributed to all the nations.” is like what Rashi explains there that the Heavenly bodies were distributed to all the nations to provide light for them. However as I explained there that many Rishonim disagree with this and says it means that each nation has a special heavenly power. I explained that this dependent on the dispute of the Rishonim whether idolatry has any actual power.

Megila (09a) It is related of King Ptolemy that he brought together seventy-two elders and placed them in seventy-two separate rooms, without telling them why he had brought them together, and he went in to each one of them and said to him, Translate for me the Torah of Moses your master. God then prompted each one of them and they all conceived the same idea and wrote for him, God created in the beginning, I shall make man in image and likeness, And he finished on the sixth day,and rested on the seventh day, Male and female he created him, Come let me descend and confound their tongues, And Sarah laughed among her relatives; ….Which the Lord thy God distributed to give light to all the peoples;

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim (04:19) “not to raise your eyes skyward.”Seeing that certain such constellations appear to presage certain happenings at certain times, some people err in ascribing powers to these constellations. This is why the Torah warns the Jewish people not to raise their eyes to such parts of the sky and the constellations visible there. The “seeing” the Torah speaks of is not with the physical eye but with the mental eye, i.e. the conclusions derived from this “seeing.” 

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 04:19) A Midrashic approach: the word “allocated” is connected to the word smooth, slippery. G’d flattered the nations with words in order to eventually drive them out of the world..

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 04:19) We have a similar statement by the sages in Avodah Zarah 55: Rabba bar Yitzchak said to Rabbi Yuda: “there is an idol in our town, and whenever there is a drought with us it appears to a priest in a dream and says: ‘sacrifice a human being to me and you shall have rain.’ When the people of the town offer a human being as a sacrifice to this idol it really does begin to rain.” Rabbi Yuda commented: ‘if I had already died I would not have been able to explain the matter to you.’ Rav explained the words of the verse, to mean that G’d misled these idol-worshippers by letting them think that their idols had some power. By making them fall victim to that illusion He expedited their disappearance from this world.

Rashi (Devarim 04:19) WHICH THE LORD ASSIGNED to give light to them to all peoples. — Another explanation: which God assigned to them as deities; He did not prevent them from going astray after them, but He allowed them to err  through vain speculations, in order to drive them out from the world. Similarly it states, " God made him err through his eyes until his iniquity be found and he be hated” 

Sanhedrin (090a) The Torah understood the extreme depths of depravity inherent in idolatry, therefore the Torah gave him the false prophet power therein, that should he even cause the sun to stand still in the middle of the heavens, thou must not hearken to him. R. Akiba said; God forbid that the Almighty should cause the sun to stand still at the behest of those who transgressed His will, but the Torah refers to one as Hananiah the son of Azur, who was originally a true prophet and only subsequently became a false prophet.