Sifra (Shemini Introduction) "And he said to Aaron: Take for yourself a bull-calf for a sin-offering": We are hereby taught that Moses said to Aaron: Aaron, my brother, even though G-d has consented to forgive your sins in the episode of the golden calf, you must "place something in Satan's mouth." Send your gift before you before entering the sanctuary lest he condemn you upon your entering the sanctuary. And lest you say: Is it only I who need atonement? Israel, too, needs atonement, "And to the children of Israel shall you speak, saying: Take a kid of goats for a sin-offering, and a calf, etc." And why was it Israel's lot to bring more than Aaron? He said to them: You are culpable in the beginning and culpable in the end. In the beginning at the sale of Yosef "And they slaughtered a kid of goats, etc."; in the end "They have made for themselves a molten calf." Let a kid of goats come and atone for the "act" of goats, let a calf come and atone for the "act" of the calf.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Kodshim was prohibited because of Golden Calf
Mechilta (Yisro Bachodesh 2) From "a kingdom of Cohanim" it is derived that all of Israel were fit to eat of the offerings — until they made the golden calf. Once they made the golden calf, the status of Cohanim was taken from them and given to the official Cohanim, as it is written "A scattered sheep is Israel, harried by lions … first it was devoured by Nevuchadnezzar, king of Bavel, etc." It (Israel) is compared to a sheep. Just as a sheep, when one of its lambs is smitten, all of its lambs feel it, so, Israel, if one of them is smitten, all of them feel it. As opposed to the nations of the world. If one of them is killed, all of them rejoice in his downfall.
America Is Getting Sicker, Not Healthier, Under Trump and RFK Jr.
Americans entered 2026 facing a terrifying reality: we are more at risk for illness today than we were a year ago. Why? Not because diseases have become more contagious or dangerous in one year. Rather, it's because President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., are systematically dismantling the public health infrastructure that helps keep Americans safe.
The evidence is stunning. In 2025, measles crossed 2,200 cases nationwide—the highest number in 34 years. Cases continue to rise, with over 1,280 cases so far in 2026. The United States is even at risk of losing the measles elimination status we earned in 2000. Seasonal flu also continues to rise across nearly half of our states, causing an estimated 340,000 hospitalizations and over 21,000 deaths so far this season as of the first week of March. In Massachusetts alone, flu has already killed over 300 people this season, including eight children.
Amid these dangerous outbreaks, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are relentless in their anti-science crusade. Last September, we held a press conference the day after Secretary Kennedy promoted his anti-vaccine views, which reject decades of science supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines, in front of the Senate Finance Committee. In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced sweeping, unvetted and unprecedented changes to children’s vaccine recommendations, eliminating six vaccines from the list routinely recommended for all children.
Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/13/pete-hegseth-iran-was-us-press
Despite assertions of near-total battlefield dominance, the Pentagon has acknowledged that the strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route for Gulf oil, not least Iran’s own – remains partly closed to commercial shipping, and that it has yet to begin naval escort operations.
Addressing the issue of the strait, Hegseth disparaged reporting that the US had not been prepared for Iran’s effective closure of shipping route. “The only thing prohibiting transit in [Hormuz] right now is Iran shooting at shipping,” Hegseth said. “It is open for transit should Iran not do that.”
Measles patient identified at major synagogue in Bnei Brak
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/423994
The Health Ministry issued a public warning after a person carrying the measles virus attended the central synagogue in the Shikun Heh neighborhood on Zevulun Hammer Street in Bnei Brak.
According to the ministry, the individual was present at the synagogue during his infectious period, raising concerns that worshippers and others who were present at the location may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease.
Health officials urged anyone who was at the synagogue at the relevant time to monitor for symptoms and verify their vaccination status. Individuals who develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, or rash were advised to contact medical services and avoid public places to prevent further spread.
Young men shouldn’t wait to think about heart health, study suggests
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/03/15/age-heart-attack-risk-increases/
Most people don’t spend their 20s, 30s or even 40s worrying about heart disease. You might think it’s something you can safely ignore until midlife and beyond. But new research suggests that for many men, the risk of heart disease may begin rising sooner than they — or even their doctors — realize.
A decades-long study led by Northwestern Medicine researchers, published this year in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed that men start developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) years earlier than women, with cardiac risk differences beginning as early as their mid-30s.
“Our findings show that differences in cardiovascular disease risk between men and women emerge by age 35,” Freedman said, suggesting that young adulthood is a critical time to start taking cardiovascular risk seriously — and implementing prevention strategies into your life.
If Trump has already won the Iran war, why does he need foreign ships to help him end it?
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/16/politics/trump-iran-war-israel-strikes-strait-of-hormuz-analysis
A week ago, President Donald Trump told Britain not to bother sending ships to the Middle East because he’d already won the Iran war.
Now, he’s calling on America’s “special relationship” ally; fellow NATO states; and even China to dispatch vessels to open the Strait of Hormuz. He implied that if help didn’t arrive, Europe’s US defense umbrella and his planned summit this month with Chinese leader Xi Jinping could be at risk.
Trump’s salvo, in an interview with the Financial Times, was a fresh sign that despite his multiple Iran victory laps, the war is far from over.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
US intelligence says Iranian regime not at risk of collapse
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/423793
US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran’s leadership remains largely intact and is not at risk of collapse following nearly two weeks of sustained US and Israeli bombardment, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing three sources familiar with the findings.
One of the sources said a “multitude" of intelligence reports provide “consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger" of collapse and “retains control of the Iranian public." The sources spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss classified intelligence assessments.
The most recent report was completed within the last few days, the source said.
Trump administration lashes out at CNN over Iran war
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260313-trump-administration-lashes-out-at-cnn-over-iran-war
Hegseth spent part of a news conference on US military operations against Tehran criticizing the media and CNN in particular, urging for what he called an "actual patriotic press."
The former Fox News host was particularly incensed by a story the channel ran suggesting Washington had underestimated Iran's ability to disrupt global oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Patently ridiculous," Hegseth told reporters, before adding: "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better."
The reviews are in. It's not looking good, America.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/14/america-allies-divided-reviews-democracy-stability-00803863
The POLITICO Poll, conducted across five countries, reveals a stark disconnect between how Americans see their country and how several top allies do. As the Trump administration’s aggressive posture abroad disrupts the longstanding world order, the United States’ global reputation appears far worse than Americans realize.
It’s not just that allies no longer see the United States as a force for stability. Sizable shares, including a 43 percent plurality in Canada, say the country is mostly a threat to global stability.
The most common view among the close allies surveyed, in fact, was that the U.S. cannot be depended on in a crisis. That’s the opinion of a 57 percent majority in Canada, 51 percent majority in Germany, and pluralities in France (47 percent) and the U.K. (42 percent).
Their concerns come as the Trump administration has clashed with allies over defense spending, trade and the scope of collective security agreements. Trump has repeatedly cast doubt over America’s commitments in Europe, fueling questions about whether Washington can be relied upon.
FCC chief threatens broadcasters as Trump criticizes coverage of Iran war
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said Carr’s statement is a “clear directive to provide positive war coverage or else licenses may not be renewed.”
American Jews balance Democratic party loyalty with concerns over Iran
American Jews balance Democratic party loyalty with concerns over Iran
Compared with the broader Democratic electorate, American Jews appear somewhat more receptive to the strategic argument for military action against Iran. Yet compared with Israelis – including Israelis on the political left – they remain far more cautious.
And so American Jews once again find themselves where they have often been before – somewhere between Israel and America, navigating the distance between the two.
In the end, many appear to have reached the same conclusion as Israelis across the political spectrum: whatever their reservations about the politics surrounding the war, Iran represents a threat too serious to ignore.