https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5418546-donald-trump-approval-gallup/?tbref=hp
President Trump’s approval rating dropped to its lowest level of his second term, a shift fueled by a decline in support among independents, according to a new survey.
The latest Gallup poll found 37 percent of U.S. adults say they approve of the president’s performance in office — down from 40 percent in June, 43 percent in May and 44 percent in April.
Igros Moshe (YD II #141.3) Question Can a mezuza be worn for protection? Answer It seems even the Rambam agrees that a mezuza protects as an amulet. Rabbi Yehuda sent a mezuza to a goy as a present for protection. It is not prohibited if he wants to wear it on a chain on his neck.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412218
Netanyahu condemns French President's decision to recognize a Palestinian state: “Palestinians don’t want a state beside Israel—they want one instead of it.” Sa’ar: "A Palestinian state will be a Hamas state."
Igros Moshe (YD II #141.1) Question: Is it permitted to write the names of angels and verses on a mezuza? Answer It states in the Sefer Yeraim that it is a widespread custom to add the names of angels for the sake of protecting the house. The problem is that it looks like a amulet for the purpose of protection of the house and not a mezuza but there is no problem of baal tosif. Rashi clearly holds that a mezuza ptrotects the house and therefore there is no problem adding protection as long as it doesn’t violate baal tosif and doesn’t look like an amulet.
https://www.kikar.co.il/israel-news/children-accident-neve-yaakov
אח ואחות בני 5 ו-8 נפצעו בינוני וקל בתאונה בשכונת נווה יעקב בירושלים, לאחר שאיבדו שליטה על בימבה והידרדרו לכביש - שם נפגעו מרכב. הילדים פונו לבית החולים שערי צדק (הצלה)
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/trump-alina-habba-new-jersey-nomination-00476033
As part of the gambit, a Justice Department official described a process that involves President Donald Trump withdrawing Habba’s nomination to permanently take the post. Then, Attorney General Pam Bondi would appoint Habba as First Assistant U.S. Attorney — typically the second-ranking official in the office. Because the U.S. attorney’s post is vacant, Habba would automatically fill the role on a temporary basis; she can’t simultaneously be the president’s nominee and serve as acting in this way.
The multi-step maneuver came as Habba — who has been leading the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office on an interim basis since March — was approaching a Friday deadline to depart the post. That deadline triggered a little-used provision of law allowing the federal district court judges in New Jersey to appoint a successor until Trump could get a permanent U.S. attorney confirmed by the Senate.
Habba is perhaps uniquely controversial because of her close ties to the president before taking office and her actions after — she led an aborted prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver and an investigation of Gov. Phil Murphy, all Democrats. Habba had no experience as a prosecutor until Trump installed her as the interim U.S. attorney.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/24/world/macron-france-palestinian-statehood-trump-latam-intl
The surprise announcement tells us two things.
Firstly, that Emmanuel Macron feels this is the time to act. Leaders from France, the UK and Germany are due to speak Friday to seek urgent action over the new lows of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-862134
The Health Ministry warned on Thursday that parents should complete their child’s routine measles vaccinations as outbreaks have been reported in the Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh area.
Over the past three months, 245 measles cases have been diagnosed, and there are currently 91 active cases. Of the active cases, almost half were diagnosed over the past week.
A large majority (87%) of new cases were diagnosed in children.
Israel on Thursday blamed a “lack of cooperation from the international community” for the limited aid entering the Gaza Strip while dismissing Hamas’s “famine narrative” as a tactic used in the hostage talks.
Speaking to reporters on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, Col. Abdullah Halabi, head of COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza, said that approximately 1,000 trucks’ worth of aid are piled up inside the Strip, awaiting collection by the United Nations and aid groups.
The senior officer in the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said truckloads are waiting on the Gaza side of the crossing “due to a lack of cooperation from the international community and international organizations.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5416848-wsj-doj-trump-epstein-files/
Attorney General Pam Bondi informed President Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a bombshell report The Wall Street Journal published Wednesday.
Bondi and her deputy told the president that Justice Department (DOJ) officials reviewed what she described as a “truckload” of documents on Epstein and discovered the president’s name appeared multiple times, according to the report, which cited senior administration officials.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/bondi-trump-epstein-list-files
When Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed President Donald Trump in May on the Justice Department’s review of the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, she told him that his name appeared in the files, sources familiar with the discussion told CNN.
The conversation, which also included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was characterized by two White House officials as a “routine briefing” that covered the scope of the Justice Department’s findings. Trump’s name appearing in the files, they said, was not the sole focus of the discussions.
Bondi also raised in the meeting that several names of high-profile figures were also mentioned, and that investigators did not find evidence of a so-called client list or evidence refuting that Epstein died by suicide, the officials said.
In a White House outpouring Tuesday, President Trump accused President Obama of “treason,” calling him the “ringleader” of efforts by U.S. intelligence officials to steal the 2016 election. On Sunday his Truth Social account posted a fictitious video depicting FBI agents handcuffing Mr. Obama in the Oval Office, to the tune of “YMCA,” while Mr. Trump looks on and laughs.
The impetus was a batch of documents that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released and handed to the Justice Department, so it can deliver what she called “accountability.” She claims they show “a treasonous conspiracy” to subvert Mr. Trump’s win in 2016. “It’s time to go after people,” the President said. “Obama’s been caught directly,” and what happened was “criminal at the highest level.”
White House initially calls WSJ report ‘fake news’ before official doesn’t deny the US president’s name appears in investigative documents related to the convicted sex offender
Bondi also told president at the meeting that Justice decided to not release more Jeffrey Epstein documents because of the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims
When Justice Department officials reviewed what Attorney General Pam Bondi called a “truckload” of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, they discovered that Donald Trump’s name appeared multiple times, according to senior administration officials.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5415258-epstein-brother-white-house-claim-blatant-lie/
Mark Epstein, the older brother of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, refuted the White House’s claims that President Trump never visited the disgraced financier at his office.
“That’s just another blatant lie,” the older Epstein said during a Tuesday appearance on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.”
“Because he was there. People that worked for Jeffrey in his office, they could testify that they saw Trump in Jeffrey’s office on numerous occasions,” he continued, “So for him to say he wasn’t there, all I can say is that’s just just another lie.”
Remember when they used to tell us to never say the word "divorced" in your home, it's terrible for a marriage?
Of course they meant not to throw the word around when you're arguing with your wife because it's very mean and makes her worry that it is, indeed, the end. But what we as kids took away from it was the idea that we shouldn't talk about misfortune and that would somehow protect us from it, like some sort of secret forcefield against harm. Similarly, we say " machala" to somehow insulate us from getting sick. And now, as adults, we subconsciously avoid divorced people. Tell me, this isn't true? You don't approach them. Don't ask how they're doing or if they need anything. Don't get involved. You're "staying safe".
Perhaps you're afraid you'll plant the seed of divorce into your home by having a divorced person over for a Shabbos meal. Perhaps your wife might get some ideas from a divorced female after hearing the joys of attending singles events and speed dating. Perhaps your wife might get ideas from a divorced male at the table, ideas of how exciting it might feel to have a different kind of man in her life. Perhaps your wife is afraid you'll be inappropriate with the divorced single mom while her back is turned. So the divorced neighbor learns to meditate and perhaps figures out how to make Shabbos meals for themselves, sometimes getting together with other singles, other times just staying home. Shabbos is long and they're lonely and disconnected, feeling shunned. Perhaps they had a bad experience in beis din and forfeited getting any support in order to be released from an abusive man, leaving them literally destitute with no food in their fridge. Perhaps they're currently being dragged through court by the ex husband who's trying to alienate the kids and keep her half of the house that he bought while she raised his kids, did his laundry and served him supper for decades. Perhaps her own parents think she embarrassed them and don't speak to her anymore. Perhaps the man suffers from bipolar and misses his family who put up with it for 25 years until it was too much. He ruminates. Perhaps the phones come out on Shabbos. Perhaps they start making friends outside of the community. Perhaps they checked out of Judaism altogether and put on the requisite clothing in order that their kids can have some dignity and so that they can still work in the community.
You probably shouldn't have even read this far. You're getting ideas. What if it happens to you? Nah, you know what you're doing, and she would never leave you anyway, especially not with all these kids in tow. Sure, you haven't really been nice to each other in a few years. You push eachother's buttons and avoid each other as much as possible. Sometimes you fight but she gets over it, right? And you have a cute secretary so you're not feeling such a lack of human connection; you can survive. She wants you to go for couples counseling. You think you know what they're gonna say, that you should probably get divorced or perhaps make major changes and who needs to be scolded and threatened? So you refuse. The rabbi might suggest you see someone but those therapists are all the same and you saw something about this in the Lakewood Voice and the therapist was just a big fat yenta who told everyone about the person's private matters so you tell the rabbi to forget about it.
What if one day your wife demands a Gett? Are you gonna be shocked? How did she pull it off? Where's she gonna go? How's she gonna pay for stuff?
What if she's smarter than you and already put all your money in another account and hired a lawyer who's not going to let you see the kids more than every other Shabbos? How's that feeling now?
Maybe it's good for families to see divorced people. Perhaps you can be nicer to your wife. Perhaps she can be a bit more nurturing to you. Perhaps you can benefit from a good couple's therapist? Perhaps reality is that divorce isn't some " loser option", but rather a gift from God to remind us to cherish what we have and to be thankful for our spouse? And to allow us to move on and find someone else if it's no longer possible to serve Him with joy with that person?
https://rabbisacks.org/archive/marriage-is-a-metaphor-for-our-relationship-with-god/
Marriage is not just living together, a temporary partnership for mutually beneficial ends. Heaven help us if that is all we see in it. It is the point at which the “I” of self meets the “Thou” of another, transforming us into something larger, more spacious, more generous and tender than we could ever be on our own. In marriage at its best you see humanity at its best, and in a loving home you can almost touch the Divine Presence.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/22/politics/tulsi-gabbard-russia-trump-obama-analysis
When President Donald Trump sided with Vladimir Putin over his own intelligence community on the topic of Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, then-Sen. Marco Rubio sharply rebuked Trump.
The Florida Republican said in 2018 that the intelligence community’s “assessment of 2016 is accurate. It’s 100% accurate. The Russians interfered in our elections.”
He added: “I think it was not a good moment for the administration, obviously. Hopefully, something like that never happens again.”
But seven years later, it just keeps happening — over and over again — as Trump and his most loyal allies seek to sow doubts about that 2016 episode and punish their political enemies. That’s now taken the form of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard threatening criminal referrals and even floating allegations of treason for key officials in the Obama administration.
Her argument is full of holes, as even critics of the Russia investigation such as the National Review’s Andrew McCarthy have noted. (Basically, the whole thing conflates Russia’s attempts to influence the 2016 election with nonexistent attacks on election infrastructure that changed votes. )
But just as notable is that Gabbard’s move to cast doubt on Russia’s 2016 interference is wholly at odds with several top Trump administration officials, most especially Rubio, along with a pair of congressional investigations spearheaded by Republicans.
“The Committee found that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian effort to hack computer networks and accounts affiliated with the Democratic Party and leak information damaging to Hillary Clinton and her campaign for president,” the report said. “Moscow’s intent was to harm the Clinton Campaign, tarnish an expected Clinton presidential administration, help the Trump Campaign after Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee, and undermine the U.S. democratic process.”
Criminalizing a spat over interest rates is an Argentina-level mistake.
Ramban (Devarim 21:12): The reason for all the rules and procedures required for the Yofas To’ar (beautiful captive) is that she is being converted against her will. She is not asked if she wants to leave her religion and become Jewish as is done with other converts. She is told by her captor that she must keep the Torah whether she likes it or not and must abandon her religion. That is why the verse says she must cry for her father and her mother because she is forced to leave her people and deity. This is the derasha of R’ Akiva that “her father” refers to idolatry as it says in Yermiyahu (2:27), “They say to the tree ‘you are my father’ and to the rock “you gave birth to me.’ ” In sum, she is mourning over leaving her religion and becoming part of another nation. It is plausible that the court forces her to immerse in a mikveh and is done with slaves. Consequently since she is not becoming Jewish in the normal way the Torah distances her during this time. Our Sages say that the reason for having her mourn and and cry is that she should become repulsive and her captor will lose his lust for her. The Ibn Ezra says it is out of respect to her parents who died in the battle. In contrast the Rambam(Moreh Nevuchim 3:41) says it is to be merciful with her so that she can come to grips with her new situation because it is known that crying and mourning ultimately bring tranquility. The Rambam says during this period of mourning she is not forced to leave her religion and he is not to have sexual relations with her. However in my view this time is not to show kindness to her. Rather it is to uproot the name of her deity from her mouth and her heart as well as remove the pain of separation and loss of her father and mother and her people. That is because it is wrong to have sexual relations with a woman who is being forced and is in mourning as our Sages (Nedarim 20b) prohibited concerning a women that the husband has already decided to divorce her. So obviously in this case where she is crying in her heart to her deity to save her and return her to her people and deity (Ruth 1:15). Therefore when she is informed that she is being forcibly separated from her people and her land and being converted to Judaism, she is also told that she should give up any thought about her father and mother and her land because she will never see them again. She is told that now she will be the wife of her captor following Jewish custom (daas Moshe and Yehudis) (Kesubos 72a) Judaism. At this point she is given time to cry and mourn in order to calm down from her anguish and hopes. Mourning eventual brings acceptance and tranquility. During this time she will come to grips with the reality of conversion and this will partiall uproot idolatry from her heart as well as concern for her people and nation. She will let go of them and attach herself to this man (who captured her) as she becomes accustomed to him. That is why the Torah says that she is to be brought into his house… in the hope that she will accept her lot. All the above is only relevant when she is converted through force. However if she willing converts before a beis din according to the normal procedure for conversion – she is permitted to her captor immediately or to his father or brothers. This is stated explicitly in Yevamos (47b), “She shall cry for her father and mother for a month.” However this is only true when she doesn’t accept Judaism willingly. However if she accepts Judaism then she immerses herself in mikve and she is permitted at once. It is possible that this procedure is done with all female captives of war. In other words everyone is knows that they will be subject to this procedure – if they don’t agree to convert. Therefore because of fear of this procedure she will agree to convert from the beginning to avoid the procedure. That is why Devarim (21:14) says that in the end of he doesn’t want her she is set free – that she is free to return to her religion and she is not forced to observe the Jewish religion. That is because only the person who willing accepted conversion to Judaism is forced to observe it. Therefore only if she accepted Judaism willingly and yet violated Shabbos she is subject to stoning and if she ate pork she is subject to lashes. In other words the willing convert who ends up violating Jewish law is treated as any Jew who violates Jewish law. to send her. Furthermore if she converted willingly without being forced – she is not sent free if her captor rejects her. Because if she is viewed as being motivated to convert out of fear - she still has the status of a full Jew. This is stated in Yevamos (24b) that in cases of questionable motivation that they are still considered full Jews.
Pele Yoetz (Love between husband and wife):The love between a man and his wife is something that of necessity must be strong. We will start with the love that a man should have for his wife because the statement of our Sages(62a)is well known that a man is obligated to love her as he loves himself and to honor her more than himself. . This seems unnecessary to say because he will not withhold his love for her in his service of G-d. Our Sages (Avos 1:5) also cautioned us. Don’t have a lot of superficial chatter with women and they said this about one’s wife. Because whoever has excessive chatter with women causes evil to himself and is idle from the study of Torah and will result in going to Hell. Our Sages (Bava Metzia 59a) also said, One who follows the advice of his wife will fall into Hell. Consequently all intelligent men should develop a balance as they says (Sanhedrin 107b) also say that it should be that the weak left hand pushes away while the stronger right pulls closer. The main love is spiritual love and therefore he has the responsibility to direct her gently and pleasantly regarding proper modesty and keep her away from lashon harah and anger and cursing as well as saying G-d’s name in vain. the finer details of mitzvos, prayers and berachos, Shabbos observing. and other similar things. It would also be a nice idea to teach her mussar and statements of our Sages that are relevant to her. If this is done she will develop a sensitivity to these things greater than that of a man It is unnecessary to say that someone who has an intelligent wife, a gift from G-d, has a good wife. Certainly a thread of grace is upon her and she is beloved to her husband. In contrast a man with a bad wife needs to be very careful. He needs to see this as a Divine test and he needs to strengthen his resolve to deal with her peacefully and with friendship to respect the Divine Presence. These are subjects of ancient wisdom. A person should be aware that even among eminent men the "fire has fallen". To the extent that our Sages noted (Yevamot 63a), "… It is enough that they save us from iniquity and raise our children to Torah." A person should also be aware of the saying of our Sages (Shabbos 33b), "The minds of woman are light." People say, "A woman's hair is long and her mind is short." Therefore, intelligence must originate with him. If she violates his will and angers him, he must control his emotions so that he does not become angry with her, and it need not be said to shame, curse, or strike her, G-d forbid! This is the practice of boors and frivolous and rash individuals – in actuality he hurts himself! Only chastise her with sweet and gentle words. In any case he should bear the yoke and be insulted rather than insulting, and accept upon himself the judgment of Heaven with joy – because each woman is sent to a man from G-d. According to what our Sages (Eruvin 41b) say, "Someone who has a bad wife will not see Hell", therefore it is even proper to want to have a bad wife, if he can withstand the test to avoid the severe judgment of Hell. If he passes the test, then he will not inherit two Gehinoms (one in this world and one in the World to Come)! Rather he should accept her with love and he will receive a good reward for his efforts. He also needs to arouse and strengthen his love for her in order that their children not be one of the nine categories "children of a hated one", Heaven forbid, and according to his efforts will be his gain. One of the ways to prevent arguments in his house is not to be so seriously concerned with every penny of household expenditures because harsh as the grave is the jealousy of one woman to another. Therefore, each man according to his material blessing must increase the honor of his home at the proper time, and by doing so, appease his wife. For blessing does not reside in a man's home except for the sake of his wife (Baba Metzia 59a). So great is domestic peace that the holy name of G-d was allowed to be erased for it (Nedarim 66b). Therefore, even by sheer force must a man stand up to and remove evil from his house so that the Divine Presence will rest upon his home. Included in this love is that a man should not frequently travel far away.[..] How great is the obligation of a wife to love her husband, to honor him as a king to fear him, and to fulfill his will and desire with all of her strength. […]. Besides the need for a woman to be modest – “All the honor of the daughter of the king is within herself (Tehilim 45:14) – she must not cause men to sin with her eye and her heart. She needs to beautify herself for her husband and be cautious in regards to cleanliness, purity, and financial expenses, so that her husband does not go astray and place his eyes upon another woman. […] Just as a woman is careful in regards to Nidda, challah, and the lighting of candles, so too she must be diligent in regards to respect for her husband, as such is the command of the King unto her. Our Sages said, “There is no finer wife than the one who does the will of her husband.”[…] Therefore, all women should respect their husbands, be they great or small. There are senseless women who make issue with their husbands over their inability to provide for the needs of the house. It is tremendous folly in any case! If the husband is truly poor and he does not have adequate means, his pain, depression, shame, and embarrassment at having to reveal to his wife his deficiency is clearly sufficient anguish. The woman needs to be wise and should not add grief to his pain.[..] Likewise, a woman needs to consider that when her husband gets angry at her for seemingly no reason, perhaps he suffered some disappointment in the marketplace, and in his overwhelming frustration and anger he spoke to her unbecomingly. As people are wont to say, “Whether he is able or not, a man will quarrel with his wife”. She needs to forbear, not to anger him, or cause him any more grief. This is a general rule – when there is an argument between people or between husband and wife, and one of them initiated the conflict by stepping out of bounds and opening his mouth without justification, the other individual must be strong enough not to respond at all – neither good nor bad – in the time of his anger. She must wait until his antagonism has passed, and, after a day or two, reprove him gently with soft speech. She should say to him, “Why did you do that to me? What are my crime and my wrongdoing that you pursue me with exceeding rage for no apparent reason? [..] A woman who has fallen in her lot unto an evil man – one who hits, curses, tramples, and violates her privacy, should accept upon herself the judgment of Heaven and suffer, never tiring of atoning for her soul, since great will be her reward in the World to Come. A woman of valor and profound intelligence will not reveal to others the disgrace of her husband, his bad character and nature, and her cry will not be heard. She thus saves her husband from disgrace, and he will not hate her more for having exposed his shame. Otherwise, his anger would smolder and his wrath would burn within him. He would strike her even more harshly than before. All the more so, she should not reveal to her father, mother, or siblings anything of her pain, oppression, and plight. [..] Therefore, if her father, mother, and relatives possess intelligence and understanding, even if her very difficult situation was told to them, they should pretend that they know nothing and greet him with a pleasant countenance for her good. Even if they want to voice their objection and to admonish him, they must seek a strategy to make it seem as if their information came from the neighbors who heard it by the window, etc. The best thing is that she should not reveal it at all, as we said, in order not to pain them and so that they will not hate him in their heart.[…] She should tell them that all is well in her home. It will be considered a meritorious act, for she will gladden her father’s, mother’s, and relatives’ hearts and she will be deserving of the ultimate good. It would be even better if she, herself reproved her husband at a favorable time with a pleasant, congenial, and kind voice. It will surely yield positive results, because, in truth, “Soft speech can break a bone” (Mishlei 25:15). She should pour out her soul before G-d day after day. Perhaps G-d will be gracious and answer her prayer to return her husband to the good path; and she, too, will find peace. Included in the love of a woman for her husband is that she should pray on his behalf to G-d. Since the heart of a woman is sensitive and her tears are near, if she prays to G-d from the innermost part of her heart, certainly her prayer will have an effect. A woman must also pray for her children, because in the well-being of her husband and children she will find peace. Who will have pity on them more than she?[…] A woman must be careful and vigilant not to cause Heavenly prosecution of her husband or to cry tears because of him. Granted that he is supposed to be more sensitive than she, as our Sages said (Baba Metzia 59a), “A husband must always be cautious in regards to hurting his wife, because since her tears are near, so is her pain. Quick is retribution to come upon one who causes her anguish and sorrow. ” Nevertheless, she too must consider that if evil befalls her husband, G-d forbid, she shares a primary responsibility and it is her life that is at stake.[…]She should be very careful in regard to the honor of her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and cousins for the honor of G-d who commanded her to be attentive to the honor of her husband. To the extent that she is respectful towards her husband’s relatives, she provides contentment to her husband and will find favor in his eyes: It will be considered a mitzvah for her.[...]
Igros Moshe (YD III #91) Question: Publishing a sefer with translations and final halacha from the Igros Moshe Answer I heard that someone is publishing a sefer in English citing the rulings from my Igros Moshe. It is clearly forbidden even if the translation is accurate.. Today there is no one who is able to publish halachic rulings without a clear explanation and sources. People have previously requested from me for permission to do this. I replied to them that I will not give permission. In addition I am concerned that it my words will not be described properly. There are many ways to err or to cause others to err. Even to translate the entire teshuva, it is obviously problematic to give to the unlearned masses material to make incorrect deductions and comparisons. I therefore strongly protest with the strongest protest against this.
The background to the tshuva.
Rabbi Aharon Rakefet had written an index to the first 5 volumes which he summarized in English in the Introduction. Rav Moshe found out about it and mistakenly thought he was making a summary of the Igros in English or a new shulchan Aruch based on Rav Moshe's teshuvos. R Rakefet's index was never published except for his introduction in his pamphlet for Russian Jews [Rakafot Aharon page 58-71]. In fact this English introduction briefly summarized the Igros. Later a Sefer on Hilchos Shbbos was published which took the psakim of Rav Moshe summarized in English with those of the Debreciner and it had the written haskoma of Rav Moshe. Rabbi Goldberger wrote Rav Moshe asking him to explain his lenient attitude towards the latter and his extremely harsh attitude to the former (Rav Moshe had stated he was willing to go to court to stop its publication). The resulting tshuva was actually a composite tshuva - according to Tendler. A reply to Rabbi Goldberger's question and a general discussion about psak and in particular his own in the Igros Moshe.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.3) Question Is it permitted translating Seforim such as the Bible and Mishna since Moshe translated the Torah in 70 languages? Answer It is not relevant to learn from Moshe since he didn’t write the translation but said it.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.4) Question Translating the Hebrew Bible which is the Written Torah? Answer We see in fact that the Bible has many translations such as Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonason. Tosfos (Moed Koton 3b) also indicates that there is actually preference to Targum because of the principle that Written material is not to be said orally Writing and printing is clearly permitted because of the needs of the time (ais l’asos).
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.5) Question Should the translation of Mishnayos and halachic rulings be avoided because of concerns for of the accuracy of the translation? Answer There is no prohibition of translating mishnayos and halachic rulings. However the main concern is that the translator understands the importance of correctly translating. Even a small error in translating can lead to major consequences. Study the introduction to the translation from Arabic to Hebrew to the Rambam’s commentary to the Mishna. These concerns are even greater for an English translation Therefore it is best to avoid translations. However if a person knows that he is capable of proper translation in English and he is regarded as such by others as well as being a talmid chachom who is very knowledgable in Mishna and he desires to ranslate it is not prohibited. In spite of all this, I would advise not to be involved with translations. It is always better to first learn Hebrew or Aramaic first and study ther original text. None the less there is no prohibition in translating.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.6) Question Publishing translation of halacha seforim with the reasoning behind the rulings or just the final conclusions? Answer According to what I have written, works such as Rambam and Shulchan Aruch which are the final halacha – there is no problem to translate them. But it is important that all that they wrote should be fully translated without deviation from what they wrote. If the translator wishes to add an explanation, it should be added as a footnote to the main text and noted whether it is his explanation or that of someone else.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.7) Question: Translating halachic rulings which everyone needs to know and it is impossible to ask a Rav when an actual question arises? Answer As regarding the translating of halachic rulings for those matters needed by everyone and a Rav can not be asked when the question arises such as the laws of shema and prayer, these should be translated so that those who don’t know Hebrew can learn them. However it is sufficient to write withyout a full explanation of the reasoning and sources. Because the reasoning might interfere with the knowledge of the halacha and he might end up ignoring the halacha. This is true even for a very intelligent person who is very learned in secular ideas. Eventually he will start learning in a yeshiva where his rabbi will decide what is appropriate for him to learn. Concerning matters which seem strange to him, they should not be presented. Thus it is best that beginners should only be exposed to material that their rabbi think they can properly understand well. In these matters it is best to not produce books in English but rather he should receive a personal explanation from his Rabbi. However it could be that the benefits of such books is greater than their loss and therefore their publication should not be protested. It is best if the writersof such books should first consult with his rabbi or with a Gadol before publishing them.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #38.8) Question Is it permitted to produce an English sefer about kashrus for those just beginning religious observance without explaining the reasoning or books of ethical behavior and theology Answer Writing about topics such as the laws of washing hands (netilas yadayim), grace after meals. blessing of ahl hamichya, blessings on pleasure, salting meat and other laws of kashrus, such a book should be produced in English so that the basic laws of eating should be known. This is important especially since the beginner is spending extra money to keep kosher. Howver only the summary of the halacha should be written and to first explain the seriousness of eating or drinking prohibited things. The reasoning behind the halacha should be left out. And it should simply stated that this is what is said in the Torah which was given through Moshe at Sinai. Writing such a sefer is definitely a good idea. Even in mentioning halacha, only the minimal amount that is needed by the beginners that they must observe now should be written, while the finer details can wait to be studied later. This applies also if the sefer is in Yiddish There are other topics that need to be in English. That is because most women only know English and most did not acquire sufficient knowledge from their parent’s home for example the laws of Nidah and even prohibited food as well as muktzeh on Shabbos and Yom Tov or eating and drinking on Yom Kippur. All these need to be printed in English to prevent errors. It is also appropriate to produce books of ethics and theology which are also Torah and thus are not prohibited. All things that can influence greater religious observance are obligatory even if it requires citing verses and statements of Chazal.
I recently received the following question
It's been a discussion and I'm hoping you can point me to sources as to how singles should understand the actual halacha about :singles having sex
Singles going to mikva
There's all types of people throwing around their opinions and thoughts and feelings but some folks want to live as close to God as possible given the circumstances. They don't want to be above and beyond at this point.
I appreciate it.
I replied
It is not a simple question and depends whether halacha is decided by the bean counting approach or the holistic approach
The standard approach for many years is that of Rav |Moshe
Igros Moshe (EH IV #60) Question:Is dating for social not marriage permitted?Answer Concerning the issue of a young man who is not ready to get married and has no interest in getting married and he is interested in having social dates with young women who also are not ready to get married and have no interest in getting married. They say that since they are careful to avoid the prohibition of yichud (seclusion) there is no prohibition in dating. Even though they know that this is not nice, they say they are not interested in issues of piety and extra measures of modesty and they don’t want to listen to lectures of mussar and rebuke. However they say that they will stop if they hear from me that this is prohibited according to the halacha. Therefore I am forced to respond immediately because this applies to a current activity… There is also a severe prohibition from the Torah in close friendships between a young man and woman. That is even if they avoid hugging and kissing as well as touching and yichud. The problem is that he talks with her for extended times in expressing love and he gets pleasure from this and stares at her. Even according to the Ramban who disagrees with the Rambam and holds this is only a rabbinic prohibition nevertheless agrees that this is a severe prohibition since it has an asmachta from a verse and that it is punished with rabbinic flogging. It is clear that dating is done because of the love of women and not because of ordinary friendship since he clearly prefers being with a woman then with male friends. Why is he interested in this woman when it doesn’t give him greater respect or a good name? It is obviously because of love of a woman because she is a woman. In addition even though she is unmarried, she is a nidah which is prohibited with the punishment of kares…
However others say that this approach is just producing intermarriage in present times.
Rav \yakov exemplifies the holistic approach
Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky(Emes LeYaakov Parshas Yechi page 237): A practical example of zealousness which is not based on a correct reading of the halacha is found in the following question. A person has the choice of marrying a Jewish woman who doesn’t observe the laws of family purity or a non‑Jewish woman. Which is preferable? A student who has not properly served an apprenticeship with an experienced posek will say that it is obvious that the person should choose to marry the non‑Jewish woman. That is because sexual relations with a nidah is punished by kares while sexual relations with a non-Jew is only a violation of a negative commandment of the Torah which is not punished by kares. The truth is not this way. Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 12:7-8) states that even though sexual relations with a non-Jewish maidservant is only a rabbinic prohibition he rules that, "This sin [of sexual relations with a non‑Jew] even though beis din does not impose the death penalty should not be viewed as minor because there is a loss associated with it. Contrary to all other sexual transgressions in which the son of the relationship is still his son in every respect and has the status of a Jew – even if the child is a mamzer – but the child from a non‑Jewish mother is not his son as it says in Devarim (7:4): For they will turn away your son from following Me.” That means that the son has been removed from following after G‑d. This activity causes him to attach himself to non‑Jews which G‑d has separated us from them so that we would follow after Him and thus he is rejecting G‑d. “ It is clear from this that the person should choose the relationship with the Jewish woman even though she doesn’t observe the laws of family purity.
The issue is whether this is a monogamous relationship and whether she becomes a zona. There is also the issue of common law marriage which was a dispute between Rav Moshe and Rav Yakov. There is also the issue of pilegesh vs marriage
In sum everyone will say it is prohibited but there are a wide variety of reasons why while others will say it is not so bad especially if the issue is a goy or zera l'vatala.
"what is worse: a married jewish woman who does not always cover her head in public or a jewish man who has sexual relationship with a person to whom he is not married?"And this ex-kolelnik's answer was:
A woman who does not cover her hair is worse, since she openly rejects part of the halacha, while the poor guy just is not able to restrain himself momentarily. So he would not trust the woman who does not cover her hair for kashrut (since all her standards are lower), but he would have no problem in trusting a man who occasionally uses the services of prostitutes as far as kashrut is concerned.===============================
Is going to see a prostitute really less a sin than masturbating.========================================
Rab Judah said in Rab's name: A man once conceived a passion for a certain woman,3 and his heart was consumed by his burning desire [his life being endangered thereby]. When the doctors were consulted, they said, ‘His only cure is that she shall submit.’ Thereupon the Sages said: ‘Let him die rather than that she should yield.’ Then [said the doctors]; ‘let her stand nude before him;’ [they answered] ‘sooner let him die’. ‘Then’, said the doctors, ‘let her converse with him from behind a fence’. ‘Let him die,’ the Sages replied ‘rather than she should converse with him from behind a fence.’ Now R. Jacob b. Idi and R. Samuel b. Nahmani dispute therein. One said that she was a married woman; the other that she was unmarried. Now, this is intelligible on the view, that she was a married woman, but on the latter, that she was unmarried, why such severity? — R. Papa said: Because of the disgrace to her family. R. Aha the son of R. Ika said: That the daughters of Israel may not be immorally dissolute. Then why not marry her? — Marriage would not assuage his passion, even as R. Isaac said: Since the destruction of the Temple, sexual pleasure has been taken [from those who practise it lawfully] and given to sinners, as it is written. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/01/us-rabbis-boycott-court-that-allowed-priest-convert-nuptials/
Leading rabbis published a sharp letter in which they declared that from today until they respond to their demand to fully clarify the matter, "the Beth Din Beth HaVaad of Lakewood is not presumed to be a valid rabbinical court, and there is no obligation to respond to summons from the court, and any document testifying to a rabbinical court action that might have been performed by one of the aforementioned judges is not presumed to be a valid rabbinical court action."
Donald Trump, who openly campaigned in 2016 against Hillary Clinton on chants of “lock her up” but was ultimately persuaded to not pursue her prosecution, now appears to be fantasizing about throwing his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, in jail. And his Administration is actively taking steps in that direction.
The current President shared on his Truth Social platform on Sunday a video from TikTok user @neo8171 that starts with a montage of Democratic politicians, including Obama, saying, “No one is above the law,” to the tune of Luciano Michelini’s “Frolic” (made famous as the theme song of sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm). After about 40 seconds, the soundtrack changes to the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.,” as apparently AI-generated video depicts Trump and Obama sitting in the Oval Office and FBI officers handcuffing Obama while Trump smiles and laughs. It ends with an AI-generated depiction of Obama pacing around a jail cell.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/21/trump-epstein-distractions/
Over the past 48 hours, President Donald Trump has asked his Truth Social followers “How did [former USAID administrator] Samantha Power make all of that money?”
He said he might scuttle a stadium deal if the Washington Commanders football team doesn’t change its name back to the Washington Redskins.
He highlighted a memo from his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, that said Obama administration officials planned a “treasonous conspiracy in 2016” aimed at Trump. Emphasizing the point, he posted an AI-generated video of Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office.
During a fusillade of posts on the social network he owns, Trump even released a three-minute mash-up of clips that would seem more at place on-screen at a sports bar than in a president’s official feed: a woman snatching an approaching snake from the grass, a car sliding under a truck barreling along a highway, and no fewer than four people doing tricks on motorcycles and jet skis.
On Monday, Gabbard added another item to the list — announcing the release of hundreds of thousands of documents related to the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Igros Moshe (YD I #223) Question Can the mitzva of visiting the sick be accomplished with a phone call? Answer While a phone call can accomplish the mitzva of visiting the sick, it is clearly not the best way of doing the mitzva fully. Thus it should only be done if it is impossible to go in person. If he can go in person he is obligated to do so. So even though a major component of the mitzva is to pray for the sick and that can be done anywhere, the prayer is more likely to be better if he first sees the condition of the sick person.
Igros Moshe (OC Iv #40.11) Question: Can the mitzva of comforting a mourner be done with a telephone call? Answer The mitzva has two components. 1) Helping the living mourner who is deeply suffering by saying words that comfort him. In order to do that one is obligated to go to the house of the mourner where he is. 2) Helping the deceased as is decribed in Shabbos (152b). Therefore the Rambam says that the mitzva of comforting mourners takes precedence over visiting the sick since it is providing kindness to the living and the dead. It seems to me that the first component can be accomplished with a telephone call while the second component can be done only by going to the house of mourning. Or the place of the deceased. However it is definitely better to comfort the mourner in person which gives honor to the mourner. In conclusion if it is possible he should go in person to the house of the mourner in oder to do the mitzva in the best manner. And not rely on a telephone call. However if he can’t go for example if he is sick or involved in a different mitzva than he can at least utilize the phone. This is what I wrote concerning visiting the sick . It is permitted for the mourner to speak on the telephone for what he needs and thus there is no problem calling and speaking to him on the telephone.
Netziv (Bereishis 02:18.1)Ezer Kenegdo – We discussed the plain meaning. There is a well known medrash that Rashi cites which interprets this phrase to mean if he is deserving she will help him but if not she will be opposed to him. However even according to this medrash the wife as not created to distress him so how is it possible to understand this phrase as being either a helper or opponent? It means the she should provide helpful opposition. For example if a person is prone to show anger and upset. If his wife supports and encourages him in this, even though at the time of anger he enjoys her agreement and support but later when he calms down he will be upset that his wife added fire and wood to his anger and upset and thus she actually was detrimental(kenegdo). In contrast if she would have opposed him initially and attempted to calm and placate him, even though it appears at that moment as opposition but she is in fact providing him with true help. The same can be said with all his other traits.Thus the meaning of ezer kenegdo is she should provide him with helpful opposition
