Friday, November 13, 2026
Resurrection for |Ignorant?
Maharal (Be’er HaGolah 7:03) In Kesubos it says that the ignorant will not be resurrected. Some find this fact that only Torah scholars will be resurrected and the rest of mankind is lost forever to be very upsetting. They say it is too much that not only are Jews the only ones resurrected but only the elite are ultimately successful and thus the majority of mankind is no different than animals. In fact this gemora should not be understood this way. The gemora itself clarifies that Rav Yochanon was upset with this declaration until it was explained that what was meant was not only Torah scholars but also those closely associated with Torah scholars will be resurrected. Thus the solution is very simple. It is clear that when G-d gave the Torah to the Jews it was mainly in order that it should be beneficial. Therefore any person who is not a Torah scholar and can not become one, can at least be of assistance to a Torah scholar. This is a great kindness for them from G-d. In fact a careful search reveals that the ignorant are not actually prevented from acquiring this high level nor are non-Jews since they also can obtain a portion of Olam HaBah as is stated in that Gemora which states that the pious of the nations can acquire Olam HaBah. In fact it is known from the gemora of Avoda Zara in the discussion of Antoninos and Rebbe that also the descents of Eisav who are enemies of the Jews can acquire Olam HaBah if they behave properly. Thus ultimate it depends entirely on a person’s deeds.
Reality
Klausenberger Rebbe (Divrei Yatziv O.C. 113):Concerning the view of Rabbeinu Tam and reality. Our holy faith is that Yiftach in his generation is like Shmuel in his and that rule applies to all generations. Look at the Divrei Chai in his discussion of the status of the Ohr HaChaim as well as the Beis Shlomo. See also the language of one of the great contemporary gedolim in the Letters of the Chazon Ish, “What difference does it make if the angel Gavriel or Michoel tells me – in fact weren’t all the Rishonim fiery angels?… and it was through the holy spirit which appeared in them that they knew how to decide issues – whether to push aside a gemora and establish the tradition of the Geonim or whether to push aside the tradition of the Geonim because of the decision of the gemora… We relate to the Gra in the line of Moshe Rabbeinu, Ezra, Rabbinu Hakadosh, Rav Ashi, the Gra…” Consequently it is known that all poskim whose words are accepted which were given to Moshe on Sinai as the Talmud. Therefore if someone, G-d forbid, should express himself against one of the poskim it is that he is criticizing a Tanna or denying the Torah of Moshe – G-d forbid! This is the root of heresy. Just as we saw the Karaites who believed only in the Written Torah so there are heretic that believe in the Talmud but G-d forbid – not in the poskim. But we view a continuous line from Ravina and Rav Ashi to the Chasam Sofer and the Divrei Chaim and other major poskim. One who is dismissive of a posek is included in what was written by the Divrei Chaim. Therefore when the poskim themselves disagree – we with dim eyes and for whom bribery and lust blind the eyes even of the wise – we simply can not see the underlying reality of the debate that enables us to decide the issue ourselves. For example, we can not decide on elementary kashrus issues such as “tato gavar” based on the scientific understanding of chemists… even though we can attempt to analyse their holy words from sources in the gemora. At best one who has great ability is able with his greatness in Torah to bring proofs from our Sages and to ascertain what the majority of poskim rule in this particular halacha. Look at the Divrei Chaim where he is very upset about the disrespect against the prince of Torah – Rashi. He says, “Even though his words are occasionally difficult for us to understand with our dense brains, nevertheless that which is distant from you is that way only because of our limited intellect. But the main point is, Who in our generation would we say are able to make halachic decisions against the great Rishonim such as these. We have only the ability to accept their words with love and to follow after the majority view – as was done by the Shulchan Aruch itself. Therefore we can not deviate from the rulings of the Shulchan Aruch just because we have some question since we are well aware of of how lowly we are in recent generations..” And since the words of the Rabbeinu Tam and the Geonim are the words of the Living G-d – they are able to disagree with each other regarding the appearance of which stars defines the beginning of night and what is the definition of night. Therefore if someone in our day comes says that one of the poskim erred in the definition of night – he is considered a heretic who has attacked the holiness of the poskim who have said otherwise. We are allowed, however, to say that the customs of which places follows which posekim. For example Shabbos states that in the place of R’ Eliezer they would cut wood to make charcoal.. However, G-d forbid to say that the custom in one place was different in this place from the other poskim because the reality that we see with our bleary eyes is different i.e., that the poskim erred in understanding the underlying facts. That is because obviously the Beis Yosef, the Pri Chodesh… saw the reality of the stars in Yerushalyim, Tzfas, and Tevirya and they ruled what they ruled…
Philosophy is Dangerous
Rabbeinu Tam (Sefer Hayashor Shaar 6): Damage from learning non-Torah wisdom: Tenth Midah - Wisdom which is no good. There is wisdom which destroys faith for example external wisdom, heretical wisdom and philosophy. There is no need for one who serves G d to be involved in them rather he should distance himself from them with all his strength. Because before he receives any benefit from them he will have lost his faith. It is like one who loses his possessions in the attempt to acquire other possessions and ends up having nothing. There are many who think they are wise who think this is an exalted wisdom and they think they will acquire profound and esoteric secrets – but they don’t realize they are going away from their faith. It is like a healthy person who accustoms himself to eating unhealthy foods because they taste good but he ends up destroying his health and complexion without realizing the changes. He considers himself healthy when in fact he is close to death. When a person associates with a heretic, he destroys his faith little by little without being aware. Similarly a person who studies philosophy becomes alienated from his faith little by little without being aware. While the intent and concern of philosophy is to understand the unity of G d - but when you learn it you suffer a loss. Philosophy has words and axioms which from the very beginning weaken faith. No one can be certain that when he engages in its study that he won’t lose his faith – except if he has an expert and pious teacher that will guide him and protect from the places which weaken his faith. In such a case then he will be able to avoid the pitfalls of philosophy and accomplish the goals he desires. But if he reads books of philosophy on his own or has a teacher who is not completely pious – then there is no doubt that his faith will be destroyed and he will lose more than he gains. This is the general situation that stands before all those who fear G d and therefore he has to be very careful.
5 takeaways from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang scandal
https://thehill.com/homenews/analysis/6217604-nvidias-jensen-huang-resigned/
The vast company is at the epicenter of the artificial intelligence boom, primarily through its high-powered chips and the software that supports them. It also plays an increasingly important role in financing other elements of the AI build-out.
President Trump has often evinced enthusiasm for what Jensen Huang has accomplished at Nvidia.
His admiration appears to have been rooted in at least two factors: his belief that the company was keeping the U.S. in the lead in the AI “arms race,” and a keen appreciation of the eye-popping profits Nvidia is making.
As a New York Times timeline of the matter outlines, Trump was reportedly told in October 2025 that Jensen Huang was close to Alice Huang — they are, of course, not related — and that U.S. intelligence suspected she was a Chinese asset.
Elections: Looking Back, Moving Forward
בס"ד
Executive Director,
Help Rescue Our Children
Email: torahjewsfordecency@
Direct: 771.215.8892
Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337
Heard weekly on New Jersey's WSNR Radio 620AM, co-hosting the renowned Levin At Eleven program, every Thursday evening, 11pm to midnight (ET).
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בס"ד
Dear Editor,In light of the acute anguish the esteemed tzibbur is enduring over both the election process and results, it's all the more crucial to appreciate what's been so special about this election season. B"H, here in Rockland County, NY, about 20 Rabbonim took a public stand for Kovod Shomayim. They unequivocally declared that our votes are not for sale, especially when our most sacred Torah values are under assault (in truth, by elements of both major parties, particularly in regard to the Mabul-Movement and mail-order infant-poison -NSL). We do not exchange our Torah principles for government benefits, period.
We ought to thank the esteemed Rabbonim, as well as the Mevaser for their role in spreading their message. Serving as a Sh'lucha DeRabbonon on these and other matters for over two decades, I'm humbled to remind the tzibbur that their example of active engagement builds on the Kiddush HaShem legacy established by Gedolei Rabbonim for over 45 years - which, notably, was dominated by Chassidishe Rabbonim."But," many complain, "in certain communities, thousands voted for the clearly greater-evil candidates - from Governor to State Supreme Court - making a national Chillul HaShem." True - but they would have done so - in response to their bloc-vote prompters - in any case. And, if we would not have been as vocal, likely more so. At least many did speak out for Yosher; who knows how much Charon-Af HaShem they averted.Furthermore, no observer should ever forget this distinction: Those in our communities who voted against the Democrats generally voted out of personal conviction. Thus, those votes truly reflect the broader grass roots sentiment of various Orthodox communities.In contrast, those who voted in blocs for the Democrats generally followed the directives of their political leadership. Thus, those votes reflect nothing more than the political deals negotiated by a tiny handful of askunim and Real-Estate interests, who are experienced in marketing their personal financial and political interests as if they're somehow "community" imperatives, or even inexplicably mysterious "Da'as Torah," that no one familiar with the concept would ever believe.
By no means are the Chassidishe bloc votes for Democrats at all reflective of the actually position - or even desires of the actual voters in those very communities. While we cannot justify or whitewash violations of Halacha in voting, we also cannot allow the results to be misinterpreted.When we do the right thing under our limitations, we should not be overly anguished about that which is beyond our control. On the other hand, imagine how much more Kovod Shomayim - and disincentive to vote incorrectly - could have been generated with an even more substantial formal outpouring of concern. May we utilize all accomplishments to build on them going forward, BE"H. Now is the time to start holding the handful of Democratic enablers personally responsible - for whom they empowered - and for masking their own personal interests as communal ones.
Rabbi Noson Shmuel LeiterExecutive Director,Help Rescue Our Children,Monsey, NY
'I could become prime minister': Trump claims 99% approval rating in Israel
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-914781
US President Donald Trump claimed he is the "most popular person" in Israel and suggested he could become the country's prime minister, citing what he described as a 99% approval rating among Israelis during a telephone interview with Fox News' Fox & Friends on Tuesday, November 3.
Trump's remarks came during a discussion about his administration's reported plan to end nearly $4 billion in annual US military assistance to Israel by the end of 2026. He cited Israel's economic strength and the political criticism Republicans face over continued American support for the Jewish state.
However, it remains unclear which polls Trump was referring to or whether any publicly available polling supports his claimed 99% approval rating.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Trump threatens to double Mexico tariffs if it does not stop migrants heading toward border
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-914748
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recognized that a group of people were walking northward toward the United States, but said that no migrant caravans have arrived at the US border since Trump returned to power last year.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to double tariffs on Mexico if it does not stop more than a thousand migrants walking north toward the United States after last week's US election, warning that they would not be allowed to enter.
"Here we go again!" Trump wrote on social media. "They will not be accepted! MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED. MEXICO, THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, THE VERY LIBERAL NEW GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, OUR GREAT BORDER PATROL, & ICE, HAVE BEEN SO INFORMED. There will be no leniency!"
Politics
Shabbos (11a) And Rava bar Meḥasseya said that Rav Ḥama bar Gurya said that Rav said: Even if all the seas would be ink, and the reeds that grow near swamps would be quills, and the heavens would be parchment upon which the words would be written, and all the people would be scribes; all of these are insufficient to write the unquantifiable space of governmental authority, i.e., all the considerations with which a government must concern itself and deal. Rav Mesharshiya said: What is the verse that alludes to this? “The Heavens on High and the land to the depth and the heart of kings are unsearchable” (Proverbs 25:3).
Servitude
Shabbos (11a) And Rava bar Meḥasseya said that Rav Ḥama bar Gurya said that Rav said: It is preferable to be under the yoke of Ishmael and not under the yoke of a stranger, the Romans; under a stranger and not under a Ḥabar, a Persian Zoroastrian fire priest; under a Ḥabar and not under a Torah scholar, as if one offends a Torah scholar who is greater than he, the scholar will be exacting with him and he will be punished at the hand of Heaven; under a Torah scholar and not under an orphan or a widow, as they are easily insulted and God promised to hear their cries and punish those who offend them.
The man standing in the way of a government with the haredim isn't even in the Knesset
The Madness of Therapy Culture
https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-madness-of-therapy-culture/
Somewhere along the way, the boundaries between mental health and mental illness had become blurred until the former meant the latter.
Well, not everyone. Even as we are all being told we belong somewhere on the “mental health” spectrum, the World Health Organization is calling for an end to “coercive practices in mental health.” The UN Disability Committee is urging states to pursue “the abolition of substitute decision-making regimes” in favor of “supported” alternatives for those we once called “mentally ill,” but who are now variously “people with mental health conditions” or “psychosocial disabilities.” These are people whose suffering often expressly means they are unable to make decisions for themselves. The rest of us are presumed fragile, but the psychotic is increasingly presumed sovereign. As deBoer writes, it has become “our transcendent obligation to pretend that a man in the grip of psychosis [is] somehow still free.”
DeBoer and Liu both show that attempts to flatten out the experience of suffering, disability, and mental illness fail to accomplish their purported aims, such as “destigmatizing” and expanding access to care. This is because reality, whether in the form of the severity of impairment or of social class, eventually asserts itself, with the consequences falling on those least able to bear them.