Thursday, November 28, 2019

To Even Close the Yeshivos?

Parshas Toldos, 5780


By Binyomin Feinberg, Contributor to The Jewish Press*

FeinbergBinyomin@gmail.com

*  The perspectives and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of The Jewish Press.


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Despite recent political disfunction, it was just reported that Israel may nevertheless be heading for some form of a limited-scope Unity Government (between both Likud and Blue and White mainstream blocks). That means the religious parties will be asked to, or seek to compromise to join. Will they compromise on the drafting of girls? The saintly Brisker Rov ZT"L [whom many of those elected officials acknowledge as a Gadol] held it was better to close all the Yeshivos than to draft girls, even into Sheirut Leumi, if indeed ever faced with such a dilemma ("The Brisker Rav," Vol.3, pp. 49–51, 56–57).* However, the religious parties, in contrast, now allow the drafting of girls to pass quietly, apparently under the pretext of helping their own institutions.  Additionally, the religious parties now have an increasingly resonant national-defense argument against expending resources on drafting religious girls, if they'd ever be inclined to use it. The Army needs the girls like a Katushya in the Knesset. Galei Tzahal Radio reported months ago that the IDF is encumbered with a 5-digit troop surplus. On the other hand, anti-missile defense is sorely inadequate. Several weeks ago, it was reported that Netanyahu recently requested four BILLION shekel for missile and drone defense, in light of the threat illustrated by the game-changing Sept.14 drone attack on Saudi oil production. The "HaKotarot" (Nov.25, in Ivrit) just reported a former Israeli Air Defense official in the Air Force, Tzvika Heimowitz, interviewed in The Jerusalem Post, warning about the inadequacy of Israeli missile defense in event of a serious conflict with Iranian proxies. R"L, thousands of missiles would rain down from multiple sources, and would overwhelm current defenses. [In that context, one could see the recent missile barrages not so much as practice runs, as much as merely testing Israeli responses, to feel out weaknesses, and prepare for a far graver mutlipronged assault, dwarfing anything Israel haa ever experienced (including the first Gulf War).] Thus, the entire "Equality-justified" emphasis on chasing teenage girls to fill up an already over-staffed army is easy to argue against, in context of geostrategic realities.

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To check for updates throughout the week please visit ("Updates for Cheshvan" at: )

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EUa2a_8OwXs7T1vMfek3MehHfC2Rd9mWt6NetNxLm0/edit?usp=sharing

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Female IDF Refuseniks - Cheshvan


Female IDF Draft Update: Parshas Toldos, 5780

Nov. 27, '19

By Binyomin Feinberg, Contributor to The Jewish Press*

FeinbergBinyomin@gmail.com


*  The perspectives and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of The Jewish Press.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was recently revealed that yet another Jewish girl, Donna bas Haddas, has been languishing in an Israeli military prison (number 4) - for over two and a half weeks - refusing to succumb to immense pressure to enlist in the IDF. Having just turned 20, and being engaged to be married, Donna was arrested on Nov. 10. She had had been represented by a public defender. She is facing an vigorous legal battle. (Her draft date was in March, '18.).

She very much needs our immediate support.  The Israeli government wouldn't persist in persecution of girls who refuse military service if there would only be sufficient protest from enough individuals in Diaspora (especially American) Orthodox communities.

Moreover, far more than she needs us to help her - WE need to help her. That is because her profuse tears are being carefully counted in the Heavenly Court, to determine precisely how much Divine Justice will rain down on us - and on whom specifically - for tolerating these ongoing travesties involving innocent girls suffering untold pain in the military justice system, all for their steadfast refusal to be forced into military service.  We know from our Sages that "He extends His Wrath," but, ultimately, "He collects His dues." 

B"H, another girl, O. H., a 19 y/o Chareidiah from the south, was just released this week, after languishing perhaps about two weeks in Military Prison number 6. She too had been incarcerated for a quite a while without public awareness of her plight. She still seeks to secure her military exemption.

°°°

While some may expect the government to be preoccupied with it's own dysfunction, and  unprecedented missile threats from multiple staging areas, the terrorization of young women seeking to avoid being forced into the military continues. As does the overall deafening silence of the ostensibly rightwing and religious parties.  Even when there was a Jewish military which operated al-pi-Torah, under a King and the Sanhedrin, immorality put our national security in grave danger. (See VaYikra 18). How much more so does that danger apply nowadays, given the rampant immorality within the IDF.

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To check for updates throughout the week please visit ("Updates for Cheshvan" at: )

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EUa2a_8OwXs7T1vMfek3MehHfC2Rd9mWt6NetNxLm0/edit?usp=sharing

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Sunday, November 24, 2019

Russian Propaganda Seen Fusing With Republican Ukraine Narrative | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Hayes Explains 3 Ways The ‘America First’ President Puts Americans Last | All In | MSNBC

Why Trump Is Bad for Business

https://fortune.com/longform/trump-policies-bad-for-business-trade-immigration-taxes-regulations-us-economy/

But wait—how can today’s environment be bad for business? Stocks have been hitting new record highs. Inflation is low. Interest rates are extraordinarily low. Though the labor market is ultra-tight, more workers are reentering the labor force in response, and consumers have more money to spend. Isn’t this close to business nirvana?

It ought to be, but look closer. Sentiment in some previously friendly quarters has turned powerfully against Trump. CEO confidence, which leapt in Trump’s early days, has since plunged to levels not seen since the darkest days of the financial crisis in 2009. “The Trump administration lost the C-suite in 2018,” says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a Republican who ran the Congressional Budget Office from 2003 through 2005 and now heads the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank. “I think the cause is mainly trade.” (Fortune interviewed several corporate executives who largely shared Holtz-Eakin’s view but were wary of saying so on the record. The White House, for its part, did not respond to several requests for comment.)



Friday, November 22, 2019

No, That Mac Factory in Texas Is Not New

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/us/politics/trump-texas-apple-factory.html
President Trump said on Wednesday that he opened a facility that makes computers for Apple. It’s been operating since 2013.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/21/20975979/donald-trump-apple-plant-austin-texas-tim-cook

Tim Cook is just letting Trump lie about Apple

Trump keeps saying Apple just opened a plant in Texas. The problem: The facility in question has been around since 2013.

On Wednesday, Cook accompanied Trump, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and the president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, on a tour of a manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas. Both at the plant and after, the president suggested that the plant had just opened and that it was the result of his presidency. No one at Apple corrected him, even though it’s not at all the case: The plant, which is run by a company called Flex, has been making Mac Pro computers there since 2013.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s false claim about Apple plant


President Donald Trump tried to take credit Wednesday for opening a plant that’s been in business for years.

He also tried to blame House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for closing Congress, but she didn’t.

TRUMP: “Today I opened a major Apple Manufacturing plant in Texas that will bring high paying jobs back to America. Today Nancy Pelosi closed Congress because she doesn’t care about American Workers!” — tweet early Wednesday evening.

THE FACTS: Neither happened.

Trump visited a factory in Austin, Texas, that has made the Mac Pro for Apple since 2013.

Apple announced in September that it would continue having the Mac Pro line made in Austin, after the Trump administration agreed to waive tariffs on certain computer parts from China. It also plans to expand its already deeply rooted business in Austin and said Wednesday it has started construction of its new campus in the city.

Rav Malinowtiz zt"l Levaya Recording



Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu will be indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust


https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/21/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-charges-israel-intl/index.html

Charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust have been unveiled against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three separate corruption cases, the Attorney General announced on Thursday evening, marking the first time in Israel's history that a sitting PM faces indictment in criminal investigations.

During a final pre-indictment hearing last month, Netanyahu's high-powered legal team tried to convince prosecutors to close the cases, including the most serious charge of bribery. But Avichai Mandelblit, a Netanyahu appointee who once served as his cabinet secretary, is moving forward. "It is a very sad day for Israel and for me personally," said Mandelblit, adding that the decision to indict "is not a matter of politics, of right and left."
Speaking in Jerusalem on Thursday night, Netanyahu described the charges as "an attempted coup against a Prime Minister."


Thursday, November 21, 2019

Levaya Of Hagaon HaRav Chaim Zev Malinowitz ZATZAL


https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/boruch-dayan-emmes/1803045/levaya-of-hagaon-harav-chaim-zev-malinowitz-zatzal.html


The Levayah will be held at 9:30AM at 34 Nachal Refaim in Bet Shemesh. Kevurah will take place in Rechovot.

Boruch Dayan HaEmmes…

https://matzav.com/rav-chaim-zev-malinowitz-ztl/
https://www.kikar.co.il/337621.html


The levaya for HoRav Malinowitz will take place at Beis Tefillah Yonah Avraham on Erev Shabbos.

Hespedim will begin at 9:45 AM.

WOMEN: In Ulam Shabsai (with audio and visual connection to the hespedim) with chairs. Speakers will be set up outside for overflow.

MEN: In the Beis Medrash and Ezras Nashim/Vasikin. There will be some chairs set up for the older men. Speakers will be set up outside for overflow.

The Kevura will take place in the Rechovot Cemetery, on Yehuda Gorodiski street (בית העלמין רחובות רחוב גורודיסקי).

Plan to finish by 1 PM, the latest.

Gordon Sondland’s impeachment testimony on Trump and Ukraine adds up to bribery

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/11/20/trump-impeachment-sondland-quid-pro-quo-bribery-column/4248092002/

Sondland not only confirmed the Ukraine quid pro quo, he unequivocally tied it to Trump and his requirements for personally beneficial investigations.


Sondland declares quid pro quo, pundits call testimony damaging to Trump


https://www.foxnews.com/media/sondland-declares-quid-pro-quo-pundits-call-testimony-damaging-to-trump

The Donald Trump mega-donor who was awarded with an ambassadorship stepped into the impeachment spotlight Wednesday and said the president basically did what Democrats are accusing him of doing.

Gordon Sondland, who had already changed his testimony once, delivered a torrent of words, but none more important than these: “Was there a quid pro quo?...The answer is yes.”

What’s more, the ambassador who was once cast as a pro-Trump witness provided a road map to the Ukraine mess, made clear many top officials were involved, and said it was done at the “express direction” of the president. “Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret.”

The high-decibel rebuttals from the GOP could not drown out the fact that Gordon Sondland’s appearance was, to put it mildly, not helpful to the president.

Ingraham: Storytime with Adam Schiff

Judge Napolitano: Sondland gave the most compelling testimony of any Trump impeachment witness to date

Judge Andrew Napolitano claimed Wednesday that U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland was the most compelling witness of the Trump impeachment inquiry hearings to date.
Napolitano told Neil Cavuto on "Your World" that Sondland "painted a picture" that described President Trump's overtures to Ukraine in a negative light.

Wallace On Sondland's 'Blowtorch' Testimony: 'Today Changed Everything' | MSNBC



Gordon Sondland May Have Just Sealed President Trump's Impeachment




https://time.com/5735157/gordon-sondland-trump-impeachment/



Fox's Chris Wallace rips Trump over Sondland's bombshell testimony

A Pentagon official unexpectedly blew up Trump's defense in the Ukraine scandal and Gordon Sondland threw everyone under the bus. Here are the biggest takeaways from Wednesday's impeachment hearings.


Sondland was initially believed to be the key witness on Wednesday, but Cooper took the spotlight when she revealed damning new information that undermined President Donald Trump's entire defense in the snowballing Ukraine scandal.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Wednesday's hearings:
Cooper revealed that her staff received two emails from the State Department on July 25 asking about US military aid to Ukraine.

Petur Nafshi At Risk?


BS"D

By Binyomin Feinberg, Contributor to The Jewish Press*

FeinbergBinyomin@gmail.com

* The perspectives and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of The Jewish Press.

~~~~~~~~~~~

To check for updates throughout the week please visit ("Updates for Cheshvan" at: )


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

We received late word of the incarceration of yet another innocent Orthodox girl, Adel bas Ilana Naavah, a 19 y/o languishing in Military Prison number 6. We hope to provide more details as confirmation becomes available.

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

Parshas Chayei-Soroh, 5780 °° Nov. 21, '19 (ver.2)


Major News Relevant to IDF Female Draft: Psychological Military Exemptions Under Fire


Just about a week after Maariv reported on the IDF goal of targeting 40% of national religious high school girls for military service (see https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2019/11/online-updates-in-culture-wars-parshas.html ) -- Maariv reported (Fri., Nov.11) on another major development that could have a massive impact on religious girls of all sectors seeking IDF service exemptions. In the wake of the recent difficulties in obtaining Religious Exemptions (Petur Dat), many girls have been advised by some organizations (like Bnos Melech) to seek the primary alternative legal avenue - heretofore more acceptable to the IDF - a "Petur Nafshi," an exemption for psychological reasons. The IDF has been particularly accommodating of this type of exemption. That government policy has encouraged many, many religious girls, via many of the activists helping them, to avail themselves of this legal provision, especially where the alternative is a frequently uncomfortable dispute with the government over a Religious Exemption.


However, as repeatedly warned about by a leading Giyus Banos opponent, Rabbi Laizer Yehuda Weiss, the government accommodation of a Petur Nafshi (PN) may be short lived, and, worse, serve as a trojan-horse method of calling into question the exemptions already granted to hundreds of religious girls, girls who were unwilling or unable to fight for their Religious Exemptions, or, in many cases advised not to bother.


The IDF claims that in 2018CE, applications for PN rose 30% from 2017, from about 3,500 to 4,500. According to the Army numbers, over 53% of those 4,500 [total] PN 2018 exemptions were for religious youth.

Moreover, over a TWO year period, in the secular community, PN exemptions rose about 30%, while among religious boys they rose about 50% (from 262 to 391 religious boys) in just one year. Interestingly, the statistics for religious girls weren't provided in that report. (If indeed the IDF plans on targeting past exemptions of girls en masse, R"L, it is feared that they may now opt to draw public attention to the boys, and away from girls.)

The article indicated that the IDF plans on vigorously investigating this PN phenomenon, a trend which until now they've actively encouraged, while sometimes illegally denying Religious Exemptions to girls seeking that conventional path. The government now may likey crack down on the PN exemptions, not only going forward, but even retroactively. Such a policy shift could potentially endanger the status of many, many hundreds of girls who were advised or compelled by circumstances to seek a PN exemption. This could spell disastrous for untold numbers of families. (We're informed that roughly about 45 years ago the IDF had disqualified a large number of IDF exemptions retroactively, and required their recipients to redo the exemption process. If that would recur nowadays, given recent human and religious rights abuses perpetrated under the "rightwing" government of Netanyahu in their forced enlistment of girls, the scenario could become one of bedlam.)

At this point, it's imperative for any draft-age girl in Israel, including dual citizens from Chutz La'Aretz visiting Eretz Yisroel, to ensure that she obtain sound advice in securing her IDF exemption, if at all possible by securing her legal rights to a religious - rather than psychological - exemption. (She should also ensure she obtain her permanent exemption, not just a temporary deferment).


The "Chomosaich" volunteer network has been providing advice on such an approach, recently attaining a 95% success rate of obtaining Religious Exemptions. Call them 24/6 (in Israel: ) 03-545-6770 for free expert assistance anytime day or night. Chomosaich provides information for girls regardless of their religious affiliation or background.

Israel May Hold New Elections After Netanyahu's Rival Fails To Form Government


https://www.npr.org/2019/11/20/781260650/israel-may-hold-new-elections-after-netanyahus-rival-fails-to-form-government

Israel is set to continue without a government and may be heading to new elections after Benny Gantz, rival of longtime Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Wednesday that he missed a deadline to form a government.

Netanyahu, who is facing the possibility of imminent indictment on corruption charges, also failed to form a coalition following the hotly contested election in September.

Gantz's announcement that he could not meet the deadline set by President Reuven Rivlin doesn't automatically trigger new elections. Rather, it kicks off another wave of political haggling — Israel's parliament has 21 days to nominate another lawmaker to try to form a majority government. If no other lawmakers are successful, it could usher in a third and unprecedented election this year, which Netanyahu has described as "institutional insanity."

Gantz, a longtime military leader and relative political newcomer, said his Blue and White party did everything it could.

Get Me'usa explicit threat only?


On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 11:39 PM Rav Shalom Chaim Spira ; wrote:
Shalom Aleikhem Ha-Rav ha-Ga'on R. Daniel Eidensohn, shlit"a,
Thank you for the honour of the question. In response, I am enclosing a scan of Be-Netivot ha-Halakhah Vol. 1 (KTAV Publishing, 1996), pp. 47-52, where R. J. David Bleich answers your question [in the specific context of the 1992 New York Get Law] by arguing that even an implicit threat of financial coercion - if understood as such by a typical husband - will disqualify the resulting get. Of special interest is footnote 16, where Rav Bleich raises a havah amina that perhaps his "implicit coercion" thesis is at odds with Chazon Ish, but then answers Chazon Ish in such a manner to be consistent with his thesis. To this student, it seems intuitive that Chazon Ish is in harmony with Rav Bleich's thesis; see Section L of my prenup essay <http://www.scribd.com/doc/176990434/Prenuptial-Agreementswhere I present Chazon Ish as such. 
Now, although you did not specifically ask me about the South African Get Law identified by Iggerot Mosheh, Even ha-Ezer IV, no. 106, I see that in your post you raised the issue, so allow me to refer you to Section J of my aforementioned where I offer different approaches to that South African responsum. 
[N.B. My prenup essay assumes that Vol. 7 of Iggerot Mosheh (which includes the South African Get Law responsum) represents the considered ruling of R. Moshe Feinstein - delivered while he was in good health - and therefore needs to be carefully studied-and-applied like the first six volumes of the same work. However, after I already published my prenup essay (which I am no longer at liberty to modify since it is now being studied by a secular Canadian court, and be-Ezrat Ha-Shem Yitbarakh this will result in a very positive blessing for Canadian Jewry), this student discovered that Rav Bleich has issued contradictory indications on whether he accepts the provenance of Vol. 7 of Iggerot Mosheh. I refer to this concept in footnote 239 of my brain death essay at <http://www.scribd.com/document/375175373/Halakhic-Bioethic >. In any event, I don't think this will result in a practical halakhic difference: neither for coerced gittin nor for brain death. It's more of an academic fascination. And, of course, Kevod Torato ha-Rav has publicized this academic fascination at http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2019/01/who-wrote-late-volumes-of-igrot-moshe.html ]

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

‘It was no secret’: Sondland says Trump ordered Ukraine pressure campaign


https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/20/gordon-sondland-impeachment-testimony-071708

President Donald Trump’s top Europe envoy Gordon Sondland told House impeachment investigators Wednesday that Trump conditioned a valuable White House meeting for Ukraine's new president on his willingness to launch investigations into Trump’s Democratic adversaries, including former Vice President Joe Biden.
“Was there a ‘quid pro quo?’” Sondland — a close Trump ally and longtime GOP donor — said in his opening remarks to the House Intelligence Committee. “The answer is yes.”

New Haven rabbi convicted of 4 felonies wants new trial, claims witnesses intimidated


https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/New-Haven-rabbi-convicted-of-4-felonies-wants-new-14846214.php

Lawyers for Rabbi Daniel Greer, who was convicted on four counts of risk of injury to a minor and is due to be sentenced Wednesday, have filed a motion asking for a new trial because, the attorneys allege, “an admitted agent of the state harassed and attempted to intimidate” two defense witnesses.

Attorneys David Grudberg and William Dow III have charged that Lawrence Dressler, whose blog, www.larrynoodles.com, has contained “hundreds of negative items regarding Daniel Greer,” confronted witnesses Jean Ledbury and Thomas DeRosa near the courtroom and at DeRosa’s home in Southbury.

Utah nanny convicted of all counts in childhood abuse of rabbi


https://www.deseret.com/2019/11/15/20965657/utah-nanny-convicted-of-all-counts-in-childhood-abuse-of-rabbi

His decision to come forward publicly in a February Deseret News article set off a #MeToo movement within the Orthodox Jewish world. He received an outpouring of messages of support and encouragement, including from over 20 people who said they were also survivors of sexual abuse.

Among those cheering the guilty verdicts Friday were Elizabeth Smart and Rabbi Peretz Chein, the co-founder of the Chabad House at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Rabbi Zippel’s disclosure inspired Chein to come forward forward as a survivor of sexual abuse earlier this year.

Smart, who was kidnapped at age 14 and sexually abused, said Friday she is “so happy to hear justice was served today.” She has advised Rabbi Zippel throughout the case and attended a February preliminary hearing.

“It takes a great deal of courage for a victim to share their story to anyone. It takes even more to take the witness stand to testify and be cross examined,” Smart continued.

Alexander Vindman: In The Country That I Served, Right Matters | The Last Word | MSNBC

<

Chris Cuomo: If GOP is desperate for truth, why hide witnesses?

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell 11/19/19 | Lawrence O'Donnell MSNBC News NOV 19, 2019




Fox's Neil Cavuto RIPS Trump for criticizing Chris Wallace in viral speech


Tuesday’s impeachment hearings were a disaster for Republicans

In theory, the makeup of Tuesday’s House Intelligence impeachment hearings could have led to a balanced day, with some good news for Democrats and some for Republicans.

The first part of the hearing featured testimony from two witnesses called by the Democrats: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council official who listened in on President Trump’s call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Jennifer Williams, a foreign policy adviser to Vice President Mike Pence. The second part was devoted to two witnesses called by the Republicans: former US ambassador to Ukraine Kurt Volker and former Trump foreign policy adviser Tim Morrison.

But Tuesday’s testimony was, from practically top to bottom, a disaster for the president and his Republican allies.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Republicans Smear And Slander Ahead Of Testimony | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Say Impeachment Hearings Won't Change Their Minds


https://www.npr.org/2019/11/19/780540637/poll-americans-overwhelmingly-say-impeachment-hearings-wont-change-their-minds?sc=tw
But 65% of Americans say they can't imagine any information or circumstances during the impeachment inquiry where they might change their minds about their position on impeachment. And 30% say yes, it's possible.

Shock at Yeshivah


https://ajn.timesofisrael.com/shock-at-yeshivah/

THE appointment of former Yeshivah Committee of Management (COM) member Michael Goldhirsch to the Yeshivah Centre Limited (YCL) board has been met with shock by sections of the community.

Chabad Institutions of Victoria Limited (CIVL) announced this week that Goldhirsch is a new member of its board, and that it has nominated him as one of three representatives on the YCL board, which is the roof board of CIVL and Yeshivah and Beth Rivkah Colleges.

Goldhirsch was a member of the COM until soon after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2015.

During the time he was on the COM, children were sexually abused within the organisation and victims were re-victimised when they came forward.

Israel's nurses bear brunt of teetering healthcare system


https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5622515,00.html

A report published by the OECD last week shows that in Israel there are five nurses for every 1000 citizens. This is far lower than the average for developed countries, which stands at nine nurses for every 1000 citizens.

"This is an unbelievable travesty," says Ilana Cohen, head of the Nurses' Union.

"The impossible overcrowding has finally reached the public consciousness," she says.



"There is no resemblance between how hospitals are told to operate by law and the facts on the ground. We are seconded for immunization campaigns with no replacements. It's time to settle the issue. We can't wait for a new government to form," she says.

West Bank settlements not illegal, Pompeo announces in historic shift


https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/West-Bank-settlements-not-illegal-US-decides-in-historic-US-policy-shift-608222

In a historic reversal of US policy, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it does not view Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal. The policy change was announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.
“After carefully studying all sides of the legal debate, this administration agrees with president Reagan,” Pompeo said in reference to Ronald Reagan’s position that settlements were not inherently illegal. “The establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not per se inconsistent with international law.

What Does Rudy Giuliani’s Son Do?


https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/11/andrew-giuliani-white-house/602110/

Yet for the differing opinions on the nature of Giuliani’s role, the officials I spoke to were certain that Giuliani had nabbed a White House post in the first place because of his father. A second former senior White House official plainly called it “a nepotism job.” But Munisteri said that anyone who frames it this way “has an ax to grind.” He added that Giuliani, a former professional golfer, was qualified on his own for this particular role, because “it’s the type of position where you need someone with an outgoing personality.” (Andrew Giuliani didn’t return a request for comment.)



Saturday, November 16, 2019

Injurious': Trump Attacks Impeachment Witness During Testimony | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC


HARVARD LAW PROFESSOR SAYS TRUMP ATTACKING WITNESS DURING IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS IS ANOTHER 'IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE

 https://www.newsweek.com/trump-attacking-witness-impeachable-offense-1472095

President Donald Trump attacking a witness during his impeachment inquiry hearings on Friday is a separate "impeachable offense," a Harvard Law School professor opined.

Trump tweeted attacks at ousted U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch—whom the president described as "bad news" in his controversial July 25 call with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy—as she offered her testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.

"Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad," Trump tweeted on Friday morning. "She started off in Somalia, how did that go? Then fast forward to Ukraine, where the new Ukrainian President spoke unfavorably about her in my second phone call with him. It is a U.S. President's absolute right to appoint ambassadors."

Harvard law professor John Coates noted, "the President of the United States is publicly attacking a witness in a Congressional impeachment hearing while she is testifying."

He is lying about her, her record, and the Constitution, and is threatening her—itself an independent impeachable offense," Coates concluded.

Coates added that "once caught in a crime, Trump's mob-schooled instinct is to intimidate witnesses—yet another crime," and shared a link on whether Trump committed witness tampering.


Roger Stone Found Guilty of Witness Tampering, Lying to Congress

https://time.com/5730128/roger-stone-guilty/

Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump, was found guilty Friday of witness tampering and lying to Congress about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 election bid.

Stone was convicted of all seven counts in an indictment that accused him of lying to Congress, tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election.

He is the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted of charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Rav Tendler's addendum to Igros Moshe

I was asked recently whether this is consistent with the view of Rav Moshe found in Igros Moshe קIV #106
שו"ת אגרות משה אבן העזר חלק ד סימן קו
בענין ההשתדלות לעשות חוק שיהודי הנפרד מאשתו בגירושין של המדינה יצטרך לפוטרה בגט כשר. 
כ"ב מר - חשון תש"מ מע"כ הרה"ג מהר"ר יעקב הכהן זעלצער שליט"א הגאב"ד דקה"י עדת ישורון ביאהאנעסבורג יצ"ו. 
הנה בדבר ההשתדלות שיעשו חוק בפרלאמענט שכל מגרש אשתו כשהוא בן ברית יהיה מחוייב לפטור את אשתו גם בגט כשר בב"ד כשר של ישראל, ודאי הוא ענין גדול מאד, ואין בזה משום עישוי ע"י נכרים מאחר דבידו שלא לגרש כלל גם לא בגירושין (דיווארס) של המדינה, ורק מחמת רצונו לקבל גירושין של המדינה להפטר מחיוביו לאשה זו ולהיות רשאי ליקח אשה אחרת והם לא יתנו לו בלא גט כשר של ישראל רוצה ליתן הגט, דדמי זה ממש לאחד שלא רצה ליתן גט וכשנתנו לו איזה אלפים שקלים נתרצה ליתן גט דלא נחשב עישוי מאחר דרצונו בהממון עדיף לו מרצונו שלא ליתן גט ומעשים בכל יום שמשחדים להבעל ליתן גט בכל תפוצות ישראל, ועישוי שהוא פסול הוא כשמכין אותו או מחזיקים אותו בבית האסורין או עושין לו יסורים אחרים כדי שיתן גט הוא נחשב מגרש באונס שפסול, וכן אף אונס ממון בכה"ג שיחייבו אותו המדינה ליתן לה משלו לעונש על שאינו נותן לה גט הוא נחשב מגרש באונס ממון שלא יפסיד, וכן כשאחד יחטוף מהבעל סך גדול ולא יחזיר לו עד אחר שיתן גט הוא נחשב מגרש באונס, אך יהיה הנידון אם אונס ממון הוא בדין מגרש באונס עיין בש"ע אה"ע סימן קל"ד סעי' ד' ברמ"א ובפ"ת ס"ק י"א, אבל כשנותנין לו ממון שירצה בשביל זה ליתן גט הוא פשוט שאינו אונס כמעשים בכל יום, וכמו כן ממש הוא כשיתן גט מחמת שרוצה להשיג גירושין של המדינה. ואף באסור בבית האסורים בשביל איזה ענין אחר, והאשה היה לה מי שישתדל להוציאו לחפשי כשיתן גט נמי אין זה בחשיבות מגרש באונס, דמאחר דלא היו היסורין שלו כדי שיתן גט אלא בשביל ענין אחר ונתינת הגט היתה להצלתו מהיסורין הוא רצון גמור והוא דבר פשוט ומסתבר, וזה גט כשר אף כשליכא חיוב גירושין. 
אבל יצטרכו לראות שהחוק יקבעו בצורה שלא יתנו גירושין של המדינה אלא אחרי שיפטרנה בגט בב"ד כשר ותהיה מותרת להנשא לאחר מצד התורה והאמונה, דאם יקבעו בלשון שבן ברית צריך להיתר נישואיו לאחרת לא רק לגירושין של המדינה אלא גם גט כשר מב"ד של ישראל ואם ישא אשה בלא גט כשר יענש כמו מי שנושא אשה בלא גירושין של המדינה, לא ברור אצלי להחשיב שהוא בלא אונס מאחר דלא היה הגט לעיכוב להשגת גירושין של המדינה אלא שקבעו חוק למי שהיה נשוי שאסור לו לישא אחרת אף שיש לו גירושין של המדינה כשאין לו גם גט אף שידע זה מתחלה ונתרצה לזה, הרי נמצא כשחזר בו ואינו רוצה לגרשה ומצד יראת העונש אינו חוזר בו ומגרשה שהוא נותן הגט מצד עונש הגוף דחוק המדינה שאפשר נחשב אנוס אף דמתחלה הבטיח ליתן מצד רצונו בגירושין של המדינה, ולכן צריך שיהיה לשון החוק דלא יתנו לו גירושין של המדינה עד שיגרש את אשתו בגט כשר. 
גם כיון שבעוה"ר איכא קהלות הרשעים שהם הרעפארמער וקאנסערוואטיוון צריך להשתדל שיהיה החוק שיתן לה גט כשר אצל ארטאדאקסי /אורטודוקסי/ ולהסביר להם שמה שהוא גט כשר שנעשה ע"י רב ארטאדאקסי יהיה כשר גם אצל הרעפארמער וקאנסערווטיוון וגט של ב"ד רעפארמער וקאנסערוואטיוון אינו כלום אצל כל ישראל. 
ובדבר שאלה השניה שאם השופט דמדינה יטיל על הבעל כשאינו רוצה לגרשה תשלום דכסף למזונותיה ולכל צרכיה עד שיגרשנה בגט כשר אם נחשב זה גט מעושה, הנה הא עד שתתגרש מבעלה הא הוא חייב במזונותיה ובכל צרכיה מדינה ורשאה לילך לערכאות שיכופו אותו ליתן לה מזונותיה וכל צרכיה, ואף שהם יוסיפו שצריך לזונה אף כשהיא עושה מלאכה ומרווחת נמי כשיחייבוהו שיתן לה למזונותיה ולכל צרכיה בכל אופן פשוט שאם יגרשנה ליפטר מחיוב זה אין זה בחשיבות גט מעושה ויהיה גט כשר לכתחלה. 
ודבר גדול הוא מאד והשי"ת יצליח אותם בדבר הגדול לתקנת בנות ישראל. 
ידידו, משה פיינשטיין. 
I responded it is dealing with a different question i.e. whether Get me'usa requires an explicit or implicit threat if husband does not give get and indicates only explicit threats are problematic







Turkish media paints White House visit as Erdoğan triumph over Trump


https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/470559-turkish-media-paints-white-house-visit-as-erdogan-triumph-over-trump


Turkish media are seizing on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s comments that President Trump had “no reaction” to his returning the American leader’s notorious letter to him, saying it shows a clear victory over Trump.

A headline in Sabah Daily, a pro-government media outlet, said that international media were reporting that Erdoğan returned the “scandalous” letter to Trump and the American president was “silent.”

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Rudy Giuliani’s Op-Ed Defense Of Donald Trump Backfires Spectacularly


https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rudy-giuliani-op-ed-wall-street-journal_n_5dcbc31ae4b0d43931cc8308

Giuliani, in the piece titled “The Case for the Impeachment Defense,” attempted to defend Trump by noting how the president spent only a fraction of his July phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky (which sparked the impeachment inquiry) asking him to investigate potential 2020 rival Joe Biden allegedly in exchange for withheld military aid.

“The focus was on Ukrainian corruption broadly speaking and out of a five-page transcript Mr. Trump spent only six lines on Joe Biden,” Giuliani wrote on the eve of the public impeachment hearings.

Online Updates in the Culture Wars - Parshas VaYaira, 5780 °° Nov.14, '19



BS"D

Online Updates in the Culture Wars

Parshas VaYaira, 5780 °° Nov.14, '19


By Binyomin Feinberg, Contributor to The Jewish Press*


feinbergbinyomin@gmail.com


* The perspectives and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of The Jewish Press.

~~~~~~~~~~~

To check for updates throughout the week please visit ("Updates for Cheshvan" at: )

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11EUa2a_8OwXs7T1vMfek3MehHfC2Rd9mWt6NetNxLm0/edit?usp=sharing

~~~~~~~~~~

Update on Ziva bas Mazal:

This week, the Army called Ziva yet again to harass her over her steadfast fidelity to Jewish Law and personal modesty in her unwavering refusal to enlist in the Israeli military. She responded with characteristic firmness, stating that she is religious and therefore cannot and will not enlist, and there is really nothing to talk about.*

{* Ironically, it is this demonstrably resolute young woman whom someone recently described as "weak," in regards to her ability to resist the religious persecution of IDF. That individual was seeking a pretext to propose that Ziva avoid fighting for her religious exemption (and instead, to obtain a different type of exemption, but in a quiet manner, which would allow the Army to continue to continue to deny religious exemptions with impunity).}


For background on her case, see:

Giyus Banos: The Outrage Continues

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2019/10/outrage-upon-outrage.html

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2019/10/making-racism-great-again.html

***

IDF ANNOUNCES MASSIVE CRUSADE AGAINST GIRLS IN THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMP:


The IDF is targeting a whopping 40 percent of the graduates of National Religious girls' high schools for the military draft by the year 2022, according to the military reporter for Maariv (Nov.5).

According to the IDF, the number of religious girls now being drafted is approximately 2,500 per year (which includes 27 percent of girls from National Religious schools).
The IDF recruits these girls with effective marketing techniques and appealing enticements often aimed at weaker girls. It should be emphasized that this agenda is aimed at Torah-observant girls who are legally exempt from serving.

°°°

In related news, Olga S., an 18-year-old baalas teshuva, reports that she was denied her religious exemption despite properly following procedures, at an August 14 hearing at the Tel HaShomer Draft Office.

The officer reportedly told her that the army decided not to provide her an exemption, without providing any legal rationale or pretext. Consequently, she was given a draft-date of October 27.
She refused to enlist, and thus lives daily under the threat of imminent arrest.

Her strength of character is inspirational to the activists helping her. There are multiple girls like her, about whom we don't hear - until an arrest, if then.

Is she being discriminated against because she's a baalas teshuvah without a support system?

~~~

Israel may be heading for a Unity Government, comanaged by the Likud and Blue & White mainstream blocks. That means that the religious parties will be asked to, or seek to compromise to join. On what will they compromise? Will they agree to sacrifice on the drafting of girls, for which they failed to properly advocate when they had the power in the government to meaningfully protest? The saintly Brisker Rov ZT"L (see "The Brisker Rav," pp. 49–51, 56–57), to whom many of them pay lip service as a Gadol, held that it was better to close all the Yeshivos if need be rather than to draft even one girl. But the political parties, in contrast, allow the drafting of girls to pass quietly, apparently under the pretext of helping their own institutions.

~~~

UK Clergy Push Back Against LGBT School Requirements


Recently, the British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy issued a statement in response to rules in Great Britain requiring UK schools to teach respect for conduct that the Torah regards as immoral.

It declares, in part: "Parents are the principal educators of their children and their right to teach their own children about matters of human intimacy and relationships must be maintained. The right to withdraw children from lessons parents judge to be age inappropriate, insufficiently tailored to their childs unique needs or against their own legitimate religious beliefs must be held as an unassailable principle." ( http://www.confraternityccb.org.uk/ )

We wish the Catholics in England success in their campaign to resist state overreach. On this issue, we are in the same boat. We, too, must be prepared to tell New York state that we will not go along with any educational requirements requiring us to teach our children values that stand in contrast to those of the Torah, particularly the LGBTQ agenda, which is the flagship crusade of the NYS Democratic Party Establishment -- which been pushing for the Educational Equivalency Regulations, and which has been advancing LGBTQ indoctrination in Public Schools since well before it enacted it in 2010 (in the Dignity for All Students Act).
~~~

According to the Akeidas Yitzchak on this week's parsha (VaYairoh, 20). Even Sodom didn't sink to the depth of depravity of celebration of sodomy. They employed Sodomy as a evil method of detering visitors, but did not revel in it as a normal mode of activity.
Even Sodom did not host Pride Parades. Even Sodomites didn't clamour for "rights" for flagrant practitioners of sodomy. But in what passes for modern Civilization, this abomination (VaYikra 18:22) is celebrated. Do we expect a favorable Divine Judgement?

Trump: I'm a fan of Erdogan


http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/271646

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday sidestepped the recent rows with Turkey, instead telling visiting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is a "fan."

"I would much rather focus on peace in the Middle East," he told a joint press conference with Erdogan, according to AFP, describing the impeachment process against him as a "hoax" and a "joke."

Trump was defiant over his close ties to Erdogan, saying, "We have been friends for a long time."

"I'm a big fan of the president," he doubled down.

US-Turkey ties have been strained in recent weeks in the wake of Turkey’s cross-border assault against Kurdish fighters in Syria which Ankara views as terrorists but which are allies of the US.

US rejects Israeli criticism of aid to Lebanon


http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/271651
A senior State Department official has rejected Israeli criticism regarding US assistance to the Lebanese armed forces, as well as the Israeli demand to condition the aid on the Lebanese government acting against Hezbollah’s precision missile factories, Barak Ravid of Channel 13 News reported on Wednesday.

The US gives the Lebanese army around $105 million a year and supports it with training and equipment. Israel is concerned that the Lebanese army is infiltrated by Hezbollah and that any US assistance to the Lebanese army will end up in the terror organization’s hands.

But David Schenker, the US assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs, said in a briefing with reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday that the Trump administration thinks giving aid to the Lebanese army is “a good investment."

Taylor's bombshell and 12 more big impeachment hearing moments

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/13/public-impeachment-hearings-live-highlights-and-updates-070279

One of the most important diplomats in the House’s impeachment inquiry revealed damning new evidence against President Donald Trump. Democrats tried to show U.S. foreign policy in chaos. Republicans zeroed in on Hunter Biden.

The first public impeachment hearings on Wednesday featured testimony from William Taylor and George Kent — two career diplomats who testified for more than five and a half hours before members of the House Intelligence Committee and largely appeared to bolster Democrats’ case that Trump abused the power of his presidency.




Fox's prime time stars are telling Trump that the impeachment hearings are a 'disaster' for Democrats

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/14/media/impeachment-hearing-fox-news-reliable-sources/index.html


Hannity dubbed day one "THE WORST SHOW ON EARTH." He said the Democrats are "a national disgrace." He said they are guilty of "an abuse of their power." (This is a classic case of "I know you are but what am I," flipping the charge against Trump back on his accusers.)
The Democrats are "corrupt idiots" who look "dumb, bad, stupid, and shallow" after Wednesday's "sham hearing," he said. House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff? A "congenital liar." Wednesday's witnesses? Just "self-important, uncompelling" bureaucrats. The hearing was so bad, Hannity said, that "I'm not so sure" that all the House Democrats will vote for impeachment. "It was that bad a day for them."
But even though the day was "a disaster for Democrats," and "the Republicans had a great day all the way around," Hannity said "this circus, this sham, this charade" should be "shut down immediately" for "the sake of the country."

House Holds First Public Impeachment Hearing into Trump: A Closer Look


Douglas MacArthur Is One of America's Most Famous Generals. He's Also the Most Overrate


https://time.com/5724009/douglas-macarthur-is-one-of-americas-most-famous-generals-hes-also-the-most-overrated/

But it’s also true—and Veteran’s Day seems a fitting time to remember it—that MacArthur’s judgment, clouded by his gargantuan ego, was sometimes deeply, dangerously flawed. The men who fought under him, and the civilians who happened to get in his way, often paid a terrible price.



Wednesday, November 13, 2019

How to watch Wednesday's impeachment hearing


https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/13/politics/watch-impeachment-hearing-wednesday/index.html

What time does the hearing start?
At 10 a.m., on Wednesday, November 13, the House Intelligence Committee hearing will be gaveled in, according to an official working on the impeachment inquiry (All times are in Eastern Standard).
How can I watch the hearing?
CNN's coverage of the public impeachment hearing for President Donald Trump before the House Intelligence Committee will air with instant analysis on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Espanol and streamed live in its entirety, on CNN.com's desktop and mobile homepages, as well as across mobile devices via CNN's apps for iOS and Android. The live streams will also be available on CNN's YouTube channel.
Who is testifying on Wednesday?
George Kent — the deputy assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs
Bill Taylor — the charge d'affaires at the US Embassy in Kiev

WHAT IS CAUSING THE SPIKE IN ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS IN BROOKLYN?


https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/What-is-causing-the-spike-in-anti-Semitic-attacks-in-Brooklyn-607706

City officials say more than education is needed to stop the rash of attacks, which have spiked across this city in 2019. That’s because the problem is hard to diagnose.


Sirens in southern and central Israel


http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/271577


MainAll NewsDefense/SecuritySirens in southern and central Israel


Sirens in southern and central Israel
Sirens heard in Gaza envelope and Coastal Plain. IDF investigating.

Elad Benari, 13/11/19 06:06 | updated: 06:32
Share


After a quiet night with no sirens, Red Color sirens were sounded in the Eshkol and Sdot Negev regional councils in southern Israel at around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Sirens were also heard in the Latrun and Modi'in areas.

A barrage was also fired toward the city of Netivot.

There have been reports of some of the rockets being intercepted. So far there are no reports of explosions. The IDF is investigating.

Before Wednesday morning, the last siren was heard at 10:48 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council. There were no injuries or damages.

Breaking: Chairman Schiff Says Dems Can Impeach Trump For Bribery | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC



How Ukraine Propaganda Backfired On Trump In Impeachment Probe | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC


Fox Judge urges Republicans to impeach Trump in viral speech

HOUSE REPUBLICANS' DEFENSE STRATEGY FOR IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS REVEALS FLAWS: ANALYSIS


https://www.newsweek.com/house-republicans-defense-strategy-impeachment-hearings-reveals-flaws-analysis-1471255


House Republicans have geared up for the first public impeachment hearings in the Ukraine scandal, set to take place this week, by having GOP staffers send a memo to lawmakers that outlines the strategy to best defend President Donald Trump.

Democrats Look to Build Case That Trump Tried to Bribe or Extort Ukraine


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/politics/impeachment-strategy-republicans.html

With nationally televised hearings set to begin, Democrats described the president’s actions in the starkest terms yet, echoing the constitutional definition of behavior that warrants impeachment.

There’s a Surprisingly Plausible Path to Removing Trump From Office


https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/11/12/path-to-removing-donald-trump-from-office-229911

It would take just three Republican senators to turn the impeachment vote into a secret ballot. It’s not hard to imagine what would happen then.


Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Trump's team sinks to a new low after Laura Cooper REVEALS aid timeline





She went from a liberal non-voter to burning books with white supremacists. Here's why she finally left the movement


https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/10/30/us/white-supremacist-woman-reeve/index.html

In May 2017, Samantha went to a book burning in upstate New York. She had entered the inner circle of the modern white power movement called the alt-right, and it was the moment its activists see in retrospect as the peak of its power.

The home was classically suburban, with a picnic table and a fire pit in the backyard. The atmosphere was like a family barbecue, but she felt an air of intensity. They stood around the fire and cheered as books were tossed into the flames. Some gave Nazi salutes. Samantha did, too.

"It's all so surreal," Samantha says now. "You're literally standing there, going, 'I'm at a book burning at someone's house. Like, there are families that live next door. There's probably a nice person who lives across the street, and I'm burning books about Jewish people.' ... It doesn't even feel like it's wrong or right. It just feels unreal."

At the time, she texted a friend that it was the best weekend of her life.

Donald Trump’s Worst Deal


https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/13/donald-trumps-worst-deal

The President helped build a hotel in Azerbaijan that appears to be a corrupt operation engineered by oligarchs tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

John Kennedy Called out ON AIR after following 'main stream' FOOL to save Trump


Laura Cooper slams dunk Trump by her 'alarm bell' in his 'impeachment crisis'


Do you have to be braindead to be frum?

Rav JB Soloveitchik claims we sacrificed our intelligence at Mt Sinai
Also a similar point in 9th volume of Igros Moshe. YD, 17


Undercover in the Orthodox Underworld-Mendel Epstein FBI Case


https://gen.medium.com/undercover-in-the-orthodox-underworld-83c61ba3aa83

But aside from the occasional angry husband outside of Mendel’s home in Flatbush, where he lived with his wife and their nine children, and aside from the occasional slashed tire or dead fish on the porch, Mendel was considered a necessary if unpleasant feature of Orthodox life. “For Jewish fundamentalists, he was a hero because he made the system work,” said Susan Aranoff, a longtime get activist. “And the system has to work, remember, because if the Torah is right and just, then its law can’t be wrong.”