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New evidence suggests Mali and Liel Yahalomi meticulously planned disappearance, with cash withdrawn, phones wiped, and AI allegedly used to help evade detection.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

Davidzon Radio: davidzonradio.com 718) 303-8000

 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

~~~~~~    ~~~~~~   ~~~~~  

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

###

~~~~~~  ~~~~~~  ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

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

~~~~~~  ~~~~~~  ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~   ~~~~~~

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.

~~

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.

~~~  ~

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.