At the Sea The Angel asked Why the Jews were saved since they were sinners like the Egyptians and had no special merit of their own
Mechilta (beshalach 6) The Jews were only redeemed from Egypt because of the reward for their faith
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The Worst First 100 Days of Any Administration in History
https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-worst-first-100-days-of-any-administration-in-history/
That is not to contradict the White House’s assertion that it has been a record-breaking first 100 days. Indeed, it is inarguable that no administration has done more damage, more quickly, to the U.S. economy, to the rule of law, to America’s standing in the world and to important institutions at home and abroad than Trump’s second tenure has.
Look at Trump’s campaign promises. Ending the war in Ukraine in 24 hours? No. Revitalizing the economy? No. Beating inflation? No. Restoring America’s standing in the world? No. No. Making sure we no longer have an addled old man in the White House? No.
In fact, in each of these areas—and many more still—Trump has made matters worse.
US Economy Shrinks: Wall St Drops, Trump Blames Biden
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-administration-immigration-tariffs-live-updates-2066077
The U.S. economy contracted for the first time in three years, with new data showing a 0.3% decline in gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2025. The surprising drop, driven largely by a spike in imports ahead of steep new tariffs, sparked fresh market jitters and political finger-pointing, including President Donald Trump, who blamed the downturn on the "Biden overhang."
Trump blames Biden as US economy goes into reverse
President Donald Trump pointed the finger of blame at former President Joe Biden after data showed the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in three years.
"This is Biden's Stock Market, not Trump's," Trump posted to his Truth Social platform after the economic news dropped, and markets braced to open lower.
"I didn't take over until January 20th. Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers.
"Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden 'Overhang.' This will take a while, has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS, only that he left us with bad numbers, but when the boom begins, it will be like no other. BE PATIENT!!!"
Flood and Geologists
Malbim (Bereishis 7:23) All existence on earth was blotted out While life was blotted out, many of their bones which were as strong as iron bars and did not disintegrate. Most of the carcasses were carried by the flood waters into deep crevices. They were thus buried deep in the earth. Consequentlt when Noach left the Ark, he found no trace of the carcasses of animals or the big bones of of the large animals or giants that existed before the Flood. The testimony of G-d is reliable and enlightens the fool. And is the response to the scholarly geologists who dig in the depths of the Earth where they find the large bones of giants and large animals. That were lost from the earth and have not existed after the days of the flood, They claim this is proof that the world is very old. That is because that the world is composed of different materials and that different distinct depths there is a different type of earth and they calculate based on these layers the age of the bones. They believe that the world is thousands of years old and that there were already animals from ancient times before the time of our creation. And this is nonsense, because at the time of the flood the earth opened up because of the earthquakes and they overturned the layers bring the lower levels to the top and the top layers to the bottom as well as lowering the carcasses to the lower levels. This process of overturning the layers which continued for 150 years confounds the scientists . They should only be aware of the deeds and wonders of G-d as to how he obliterated the world and drowned them to the depths.
Netziv (Bereishis 7:23) All existence on earth was blotted out That means that their bodies were removed from the surface of the world. But many of the bodies were covered with dirt by the Flood but remained intact. In fact these are source of the bones that have been found by those who dig in the dirt and find bones of creatures which don’t exist now in the world. The many scientist conclude from them that there must have been a different world in existence proior to the creation of this world. In fact in Bereishis Rabbah it clearly states that there were worlds created before this one which G-d destroyed. This idea is also found in the Zohar. Nevertheless I find this problematic as we see in Shemos Rabbah that what came before is not significant and nothing remained of them. I think that these bones are from those that existed before the Flood and no longer exist. Even though they flourished in a different climate but they deviated from their previous life prior to the Flood and moved to a different place. They continued to exist by breeding with different species and produced strange offspring like a horse breeds with a camel. It is the result of Divine supervision that these bones remain so that the contemporary generation can learn the secrets of Nature and the Glory of G-d. .
Engagement - interfere
Igros Moshe (E.H.I #91). Question Is it permitted for someone to try and become engaged to a women who is engaged to another. Is this a case of Ani Hehapech becharara? Answer It is clear that if the first couple has not yet decided to finalize the engagement there is no problem. However if they have decided but are still lacking the customary kinyan there is a dispute among the poskim whether it is permitted. Once the kinyan is made there is a cherem against nullifying the engagement.
Harvard head apologises as scathing reports on campus prejudice released
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0eljwdp545o
The reports included testimony from students who described feeling alienated and pressured to conceal their identity from their peers and educators.
In response to the findings, Harvard pledged to review its academic offerings and admissions policies - a key demand of the White House, which accuses the Ivy League institution of failure to stamp out campus antisemitism.
Canadians united against Trump, but are divided about almost everything else
The resurrection of Canada’s Liberal Party was as close to miraculous as you can get in modern politics. Its savior: Prime Minister Mark Carney, a political rookie but also an experienced tactician and one of the world’s most highly regarded economists.
But in a farmer’s field on the eve of the election, Canada’s Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre continued to nurture a robust political movement that won the Conservative Party its largest share of the popular vote in decades.
Both leaders promised to vigorously stand up to the threat to annex Canada that came early, loudly and often from US President Donald Trump.
Israeli convicted of plotting assassinations for Iran sentenced to 10 years
Court notes Moti Maman twice traveled to Iran while Israel was fighting Iranian proxies; defense says it will appeal ‘disproportionate’ sentence
The Beersheba District Court on Tuesday handed a 10-year prison sentence to Moti Maman, an Israeli man convicted in December of contacts with Iranian agents, some of them inside Iran, and discussing with them a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Maman, 73, of Ashdod, was convicted on charges of contact with a foreign agent and entering an enemy state without authorization, after he visited Iran twice and met with Iranian intelligence officials to discuss assassinating senior Israeli public figures including Netanyahu, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, or then-defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Medicine: Are there patients whose life should not be prolonged
Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #73.1) Question: Are there patients who should not be given medication to prolong there short life expectendcy? Answer We see concerning the death of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi that the prayers of the rabbis did not cure him but just kept him alive (Kesubos 104a).When his maid servant saw his great sufferering she first prayed that they stop praying but this didn’t stop them so she made a loud noise and that distracted them from their prayers and he died. This gemora shows that there are times to pray for a person to die who is in great suffering but can not be cured either through medicine or prayers. The Ran in Nedarim (40) also says there are times to pray that a sick person die.based on the gemora in Kesubos. Thus for thse cases that are incurable and he is suffering his life should not be prolonged with medical tratments. He can not be given treatment to shorten his life even a little bit because it is considered murder. Thus only passive methods of withholding treatment are allowed not active ones that kill him. Therefore if there are pain killers which are not harmful he should be given them because he is not considered a gosais. A seriously sick patient who is able to breathe needs to be given oxygen even if he can’t be cured by this.It is viewed as easying his suffering. Nevertheless to see whether he has died he should be checked every hour or two whether he is still alive. This should be continued until the oxygen tank is finished .
Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #74.1) Question You requested I clarify what I wrote about treating incurable patients who are suffering Answer I don’t see the need for additional explanation as I dont understand why you think my original answer can be mistaken. I simply said if the doctors know no cure for his sickness or treatment to ease the pain but can only prolong his painful life – he should not be given that treatment. This is like the case of Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi (Kesubos 104a) where prayer did not cure him or stop the suffering but helped only to prolong his life of suffering. When his maid servant saw she could not stop these prayers through her prayers she distracted them by making a loud noise and then he died. This gemora is cited by the Ran as proof that one can pray for a person in incurable pain to die. We should not learn from this that we should pray that a person die.G-d forbid! We learn that if the person is incurable and can not reduce his suffering that at best they can prolong his life of suffering that they should not give treatment to prolong his life. It is obvious that if it helps him survive until he can be given a real cure that this should be done. The patient doesn’t even need to be asked whether he wants it nor is he listened to if he says he doesn’t want it. However it is best if wants the treatment since forcing treatment might be harmful. . The Remah also says that it is permissible or even required to remove all things that are preventing death even if this hastens death just a small amount. Obviously this is because of the suffering of the gosais. If there is no suffering there is no reason to remove what is impeding death. .Treatment can also be done in these cases if it makes the patient feel better.
Elevator Shabbos
Igros Moshe (OC II #80) Question: There is a large building in which most of the space is rented for offices which are used on Shabbos and Yom Tov and there is an elevator operated by a non Jew. Now the owner wants to change this so the elevator is self service Is this change prohibited because it is causing Jews to sin? Answer Before the elevator was operated by the non Jew there was no concern for lifnei Ivair since there were other offices elsewhere that could be rented. And thus it was only a question of allowing sin and the Magan Avraham says this is not a problem since most use does not involve sin. However now that a non Jew has been hired to run the elevator and it would require a major effort for the tenants and might be impossiuble to move elsewhere it is now a problem of lifnai ivair if you switch to self service and thus it seems it should be prohibited. However I have shown regarding Sheviis that whenever the work involved can be sometimes prohibited and other times permitted it is permitted to sell a field or an animal that will sometimes be involved in sin but not all the time. Thus it is not viewed as causing or supporting of allowing sin. But merely being a minor causation that sin is done and this is not prohibited. However while I was inclined to permit based on this reasoning I didn’t actually pasken that it was permitted since I couldn’t find anyone who actually ruled according to this principle. Nevertheless if not permitting will result in a large financial losss it can be relied on to permit. Even the use of the non Jew violates a Rabbinic prohibition if he is acting entirely because he was hired to work for the owner. It is better that he work primarily for himself. For example if he get paid a specific amount for each trip and thus the prohibition is not caused by the owner
Igros Moshe (OC II #95) It is prohibited to enter an elevator on Shabbos that an evil person entered into first. However if a goy enters first for his own needs it is technically permitted but is prohibited because of maris haaiyen. In addition it is prohibited because additional people that enter increase the work done by the motor. Furthermore if he is known as a G-d fearing person and surely as a talmid chachom use of the elevator is also a chillul haShem
Igros Moshe (OC IV #64.1) It is prohibited to use electricity on Shabbos and Yom Tov even though it doesn’t make a fire . Similarly a refrigerator or freezer is prohibited and obviously it is prohibited to turn on electric lights.
Igros Moshe (OC V #18.27) It is prohibited to comb hair on Shabbos because it is impossible without pulling out hair. The Magen Avrahan says even according to the view that an inevitable action which is unwanted is permitted this is prohibited because you want to separate the hairs and it is impossible do do it without pulling out some hair. This Magen Avraham supports my view regarding the sparks produced when an electrical circuit is completed or disconnected with any electrical device. Similarly when increasing the load on an electric motor such as in an elevator. So even saying that the sparks serve no necessary purpose and you don’t want them however since it is impossible to obtain the use of electrical power for the elevator without them so the sparks are not considered an inevitable side product but rather are viewed as an integral part of the elevator and are prohibited
Lashon Harah Teacher asks student to tattle on others?
Igros Moshe (YD II #103) Question Can a teacher to tell a student to inform on misbehavior of other students?Answer: This is a repulsive and disgusting thing because it minimizes the seriousness of lashon harah. If this is merely to chastise them for the sake of Heaven because this might improve their behavior then it is possibly permitted. However that is only when the student volunteers to tell the teacher the information but not when the teacher commands him to tell. We are not on the level that this information can possibly be considered as given for pure motivation (for the sake of Heaven) even for adults and surely not with children.
Igros Moshe (YD IV #30.1) Question The teacher's request that students inform on other students is obviously because the teacher thinks the information is needed to benefit the students so why is that disgusting and causes lashon harah to be minimized? This is what the Chofetz Chaim permits Answer I had written this would be pernitted if done for pure motivation but this is true only if the informer spontaneously gives the information but not when the teacher commands it and because of the fear of punishment. In addition it should be possible to correct the misbehavior without demanding the serious sin of lashon harah to know the identity of the one who misbehaved.
Rav Moshe Sternbuch(Teshuvos v'hanhagos 1:839): Question: A a teacher asks his students to reveal who did something wrong. - is this permitted? Answer: It would seem that the teacher first has to say to his student that the prohibition of lashon harah is very severe. However since this is l'toeles there is no prohibition of lashon harah. (See Chofetz Chaim 4 and the statement of the Alter of Kelm in Marpeh Lashon said in the name of Rav Yisroel Salanter with clear proofs that whatever is for to'eles is not prohibited as lashon harah). In this case it is clearly for the benefit of the chinuch of the student and therefore there is no concern that this is lashon harah. In fact just the opposite because just as there is a prohibition to speak negatively about others - there is an obligation to inform the teacher so that he is able to properly chastise the student and thus it is not considered lashon harah at all.
Review of The Beys Din System Today by R’ Ari Marburger (published in Dialogue) -[ Kaminetsky-Greenblatt Heter]
Guest post by Yehuda
“It’s common when someone loses in Beys Din that he tells his friend his innocence and says, “You can see that I’m correct and Beys Din got it backward. If my case would have been in front of So-and-So who’s know as a wise man, he certainly would have seen who’s correct and wouldn’t have reached such a terrible backwards verdict!” He then continues cursing the Beys Din because of this in ways that aren’t fit to print.”
Frustration with Beys Din is not a new phenomenon, as the above quotation from the Chofetz Chaim (L”H 6’ 8’) indicates. No one likes to lose, and it’s a lot easier to blame the Beys Din than to admit to being wrong. Yet there are legitimate complaints about the modern Beys Din system in the United States, and recognition of the problem is always a prerequisite for finding solutions. Therefore it is a pleasure to see the issue discussed in Dialogue in what is promised to be the first of several articles. R’ Marburger is the director of the Business Halacha Institute and therefore focuses on Choshen Mishpat, but most of his discussion applies to Beys Din in general.
The article begins with a very important disclaimer: The fact that Beys Din has issues does not mean secular court becomes automatically permissible. We have had an illustrious visitor to this blog argue that Tamar Epstein was justified in going to secular court because Beys Din has problems. It was noted at the time that no Rabbonim permit such an indiscriminate amendment to the Shulchan Aruch, but the misconception is unfortunately widespread.
Before we get to the legitimate complaints, it is important to define several terms. A Beys Din Kavua is a Beys Din established with the consent of the community. A Zabla Beys Din is a process in which each litigant chooses one Dayan and then the two Dayanim choose a third Dayan. A Zabla Beys Din is more problematic than a Beys Din Kavua in all of the issues at hand.
R’ Marburger primarily discusses four issues: The cost of a Din Torah, the inability to appeal the Psak, private communication between the Dayanim and litigants, and the lack of a written explanation of the Psak. All four are against the Shulchan Aruch. Yet all four are common practice and therefore justified by the Acharonim on various grounds. However, the real question is not how is it permissible, but why are we looking for loopholes? Regarding cost, the answer is simple: Dayanim don’t get paid by the community or the government, so if they wouldn’t charge the litigants they would starve. R’ Marburger notes that Zablas cost more than a Beys Din Kavua and tend to take longer (the beauty of charging by the hour). The lack of appeal is also justified by the legal requirement that arbitration agreements be final. However, the other two problems are a lot harder to justify. R’ Marburger does not present a reason per se why a Beys Din would want to communicate privately with a litigant (other than the obvious, which we’d rather not think about), rather he presents a Halachik justification for Zablas to engage in this behavior. This leads to two important ramification: A Beys Din Kavua has no such Heter, and even a Zabla can be forced to abide by the original Halacha if a litigant insists beforehand. Finally, the most difficult issue to explain is why Beys Din often does not provide a written explanation of its psak. R’ Marburger provides three possible reasons: Cost, potential embarrassment to the losing party, and the possibility that someone will make fun of the psak. This third concern seems to be based loosely on the Gemora Avodah Zarah 35a or Igros Moshe Y’D 4’ 38’ 7’, which is primarily a concern that someone will not follow the psak, not that he’ll make fun of it. Whatever the reason for the custom, in today’s climate when people already have questions with the system, it seems counterproductive to ask for blind trust from litigants.
The article is certainly thought provoking, but something very curious appears after the article: an addendum from R’ Shlomo Miller that in some ways is more significant than the entire article. It represents the first time that a mainstream publication has published a rebuke of the actions of R’ Herschel Schachter and R’ Shmuel Kamenetzky against Aharon Friedman. No, R’ Miller does not say any names. But he states that no one other than a Beys Din Kavua can issue a Hazmana; in other words, Rabbis Schachter and Kamenetzky and certainly Martin Wolmark cannot issue a Hazmana to anyone, and if you can’t issue a Hazmana then you obviously can’t issue a Seruv for failure to respond. Ben Bno shel Kal V’Chomer that you can’t order that someone be beaten, as R’ Schachter stated publically about Aharon Friedman. R’ Miller also says that you can only force the opposing litigant to use Zabla when the Dayanim are distinguished people, but otherwise they do not have the status of what the Shulchan Aruch calls Zabla. This is a remarkable statement that allows more people who are leery of Zabla to avoid it.
So what are the Gedolim going to do to fix the problems? Ask not what the Gedolim can do for you; rather ask what you can do for the Gedolim(and klal yisrael)! According to R’ Marburger, the fix will have to come from the bottom-up. He states “Change will require… widespread grassroots insistence by the end-users of the system”. Sounds like a job for a blog!
Note: As per R’ Aharon Feldman, anyone who has something to add to the discussion is encouraged to write a Letter to the Editor of Dialogue.
Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity”
Psak Halacha Regarding attempts to pass “Death with Dignity” legislation: The chiyuv (Torah injunction) of “Lo sa'amod al dam re’echa”, obligates everyone to do what he or she can, to help prevent assisted suicide and/or euthanasia. Allowing the legalization of “assisted suicide”, even if this particular law in practice would only result in assisting a suicide and not euthanasia, is to allow shefichas-domim (bloodshed). Furthermore even rendering such actions not being subject to prosecution, is allowing shefichas-domim (bloodshed), al achas kama vekama (how much more so), in cases of assisted suicide leading to euthanasia. Voting on the basis of this issue. This obligation would include: 1) Thus, when voting for any public official, this issue must be considered as top priority, certainly overriding financial considerations, government programs, etc. By voting for people who support these laws, we become accountable for their actions. This ruling would still apply even if these laws were to be passed, we would still be forbidden to vote for legislators who voted for these laws. This is the most important way to fulfill our obligation. 2) Urging one’s legislators to vote against these bills, if and when they arise[1] and to urge the governor to veto such bill, were it to pass the legislature. 3) Helping in efforts to repeal such laws, in areas[2] where such legislation was already passed. Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public—sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws—as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote. We have seen in several recent races in Jewish neighborhoods, that even a handful of votes can make the difference in the outcome of the election[3] . Furthermore, some legislators keep track of the calls that are made to their offices on particular controversial issues, and vote according to their results. May the Creator of all life grace us with the merit to save innocent lives, fulfilling our role as an or legoyim (light unto the nations). In that merit, may we help usher in the Final Redemption by Moshiach Tzidkeinu. Rabbonim are listed alphabetically. Mordechai Chaim Auerbach Boruch Hirschfeld Avrohom Reich Monsey Ahavas Yisroel, Cleveland Hatzolas Yisroel < Eliyahu Ben-Haim Zalman Leib Hollander Dovid Ribiat RIETS/Kehillah Yotzei Mashad Khal Nachlas Moshe, Spring Valley, NY mechaber "The 39 Melochos" < Haim Benoliel Shmuel Kamenetsky Yosef Yitzchok Rosenfeld Bnai Yosef/Mikdash Melech Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia Monsey Dometz Gad Bouskila Yosef Meir Kantor Chaim Schabes Netivot Israel Cong. Agudath Israel of Monsey Knesses Yisroel Yitzchok M. Braun Elya Nota Katz Dovid Schustal Shaaray Zion Stamford Yeshiva Bais Medrash Govoha, Lakewood Shlomo Breslauer Eliezer Langer Yaakov Shulman Bais Tefiloh Cong. Israel, Poughkeepsie, NY Talmud Torah of Flatbush Eliyahu Brog Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman Moshe Silberberg Bais Yisroel Hisachdus Moetz, Kruleh Dometz Shuvu/mechaber “Zichron Tzvi Meir” Simcha Bunim Cohen Amram Klein Moshe Soloveitchik Khal Ateres Yeshaya Ungvar Chicago Yitzchok Cohen Shloime Ben Zion Kokis Yitzchok Sorotzkin Yeshiva University RIETS Zichron Mordechai Mesivta of Lakewood Moshe Donnebaum Grainom Lazewnik Tzvi Steinberg Hechel Hatorah/Adas Yisroel/Melbourne Khal Adar Gbir Kahal Zera Avraham, Denver Michoel Elias Philip Lefkowitz Shlomo Stern Kehilas Yisroel, Spring Valley Jackson, NJ; mult. congregations in US, UK & Canada Debreciner Rov Eytan Feiner Moshe Tuvia Lieff Elazar Mayer Teitz Kneseth Israel, (The White Shul) Far Rockaway Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin Chief Rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ Menachem Fisher Shmuel Miller Elya Ber Wachtfogel Vien Monsey Yeshiva Bais Yisroel Yeshiva of South Fallsburg Noson Yermia Goldstein Avrohom Yaakov Nelkenbaum Boruch Hersh Waldman mechaber of “Migdalos Noson” Mirrer Yeshiva Siach Yitzchok, Suffern Avrohom Gordimer Yechiel Perr Moshe Weissman Coalition for Jewish Values Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Ohel Moshe Shmuel Gorelick Steven Pruzansky Benjamin Yudin Mesivta Ohel Torah Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ Moshe Green Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff Yeruchum Zeilberger Yeshivah D'Monsey YU Gruss Kollel Stamford Yeshiva Yisroel Dovid Harfenes Gavriel Zinner Yisroel Vehazmanim Nitei Gavriel Institutions are listed for identification purposes only. [1] as is currently in New Jersey [2] such as Washington state and Oregon [3] most noticeably (demonstrated) in the Senate election between David Storobin and Lew Fidler, where Storobin won by less than 20 votes. Sponsored by Jews for Torah Values jewsfortorahvalues@gmail.com
RFK Jr.’s Wish Is Coming True: Everybody’s Getting Measles
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jrs-wish-is-coming-true-everybodys-getting-measles/
RFK Jr.’s vision for America is rapidly becoming reality, with the number of measles cases skyrocketing across the country, bringing the number of confirmed cases to a total of 884.
According to data published by the CDC on Friday, there have been 884 cases of measles reported across 29 states, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, New York and Texas.
Just last month, the Health and Human Services Secretary appeared to argue in an interview with Sean Hannity that natural immunity was the best defense against the highly infectious disease. In other words, Kennedy believes that it would be great if everyone got measles.
Murdoch Paper Gives Trump Dire Warning to Mark His 100 Days
https://www.thedailybeast.com/murdoch-paper-gives-trump-dire-warning-to-mark-his-100-days/
The Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has warned Donald Trump that a “major reset” is needed if his second term is to be successful.
The paper’s editorial board claimed the execution of some of the president’s priorities “hasn’t matched” his promises and warned that he will “fail unless he heeds the warnings” in an opinion piece published Monday.
While Trump adhered to more mainstream Republican policy objectives in his first term, the op-ed concluded, “This term he is indulging his trade and foreign-policy obsessions, and the early results are negative.”
“He’ll fail unless he heeds the warnings.”
At 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Is in Trouble
Presidential second terms are rarely successful, and on the evidence of his first 100 days Donald Trump’s won’t be different. The President needs a major reset if he wants to rescue his final years from the economic and foreign-policy shocks he has unleashed.
There’s no denying his energy or ambition. Mr. Trump is pressing ahead on multiple fronts, and he has had some success. His expansion of U.S. energy production is proceeding well and is much needed after the Biden war on fossil fuels. He has ended the border crisis in short order.
Russia Launches Massive Ukraine Attacks After Trump Tells Putin To Stop
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-drone-attack-ukraine-trump-putin-2064914
Russia has launched its largest wave of strikes on Ukraine since Thursday, when President Donald Trump urged his Russian counterpart to halt attacks on Moscow's neighbor, according to an independent investigative Russian news outlet.
Mark Carney Wins Canada's Federal Election as Trump's Shadow Looms - Trump runs the worls?!
https://www.newsweek.com/canada-prime-minister-election-results-mark-carney-wins-2065366
Although the election was initially expected to tilt in favor of the Conservative Party, Trump turned the tables by taunting Trudeau as "Governor Trudeau" and imposing steep tariffs on the U.S.'s closest trading partner, leading to a surge in popularity for Trudeau, Carney and the Liberal Party.
Monday, April 28, 2025
‘I Run the Country and the World’
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/06/trump-second-term-comeback/682573/
Donald Trump believes he’s invincible. But the cracks are beginning to show.
Aharon's sons why did they die?
Ksav Sofer (Vayikra 10:1): And they offered before G‑d an unauthorized fire which He had not commanded them. Question: The Tanchuma (Achrei Mos #8) says that Aaron’s sons died because they didn’t get married and didn’t have children. Furthermore it says that they walked behind Moshe and Aaron and said, “When are these old men going to die so that we can take over the leadership of the community?” It is necessary to understand this medrash since it does not seem to fit in with the Torah which gives the explicit reason for their death as being punishment for offering an unauthorized fire before G‑d? It is also astounding that these righteous men - who were in fact greater than Moshe and Aaron according to Rashi (10:3) – should transgress G‑d’s command and not fulfill the mitzva of having children and also that they would speak in such an arrogant manner – “when are these old men going to die?” Answer: It appears to me that the reason that they didn’t get married is that they saw that Moshe’s children did not turn out properly as is well known. If Moshe’s sons were not fit then they felt that a lesson could be learned that surely would apply to the masses. They ascribed the failure of Moshe’s children to the fact that Moshe was constantly preoccupied with the problems of the community and therefore he didn’t have the ability to properly supervise his children. (We see a similar judgment of Chazal regarding the children of Shmuel who did not go in his righteous path because he was constantly involved with community problems.) In contrast Aaron’s sons were great tzadikim because Aaron was not so much preoccupied with the community and thus was successfully able to supervise his children. On the other hand Aaron himself never reached Moshe’s spiritual level because his energy was devoted to his family. Being aware of this they decided that the best solution to the inherent contradiction between serving the needs of the community and the needs of the family - was not to get married. They were fully aware that with the death of Moshe and Aaron they would become the leaders of the community. They reasoned that if they had children they would not be able to supervise them properly and they would end up going in the wrong path. Or if they took the path of Aaron and properly supervised their children – then they would not be able to devote the needed time to leading the community. Consequently they decided the best way to serve G‑d and His people was not to get married. We need to add two other aspects from the medrash regarding their following after Moshe and Aaron and saying “When are they going to die?” It doesn’t mean chas v’shalom that they were looking forward to their deaths or that they were discussing between themselves that when they would die they would become the leaders. The medrash means to describe that they were concerned with understanding what Moshe and Aaron lacked. Moshe was very concerned with the needs of the community and therefore he had children who were not good. Aaron who supervised his children did not have so much time for the community and therefore he did not have the merit of serving the masses so much. Therefore Aaron’s sons concluded that they should get married. In truth they erred in this conclusion. Because “what business did they have with G-d’s secrets.” Their job was not to second guess what G-d wanted. Their job was to fulfill His mitzvos which clearly commanded them to have children. (We find a similar mistaken understanding described in Berachos (10a) concerning King Chezkiyahu. He also didn’t have children because he knew through the power of prophesy that his children would be wicked. However this was a mistake and his father-in-law, the prophet Yeshayahu, was sent to him with the message,”You will die now in this world and you will not have any portion in the next world because you didn’t have children.” Yeshayahu rejected Chezkiyahu’s justification that his children would be wicked people by saying, “What business do you have with G-d’s secrets?”). Thus we see that Aaron’s had a strong passion for loving G‑d and His people and therefore they decided that to be successful as leaders and serving G-d it was best not to have children. This in fact was the “unauthorized fire” which they had not received from G-d. They in fact had not been commanded to lead the people in a manner that differed from Moshe – but they were required to fulfill G‑d’s commandments and get married and have children. Thus this mistaken idea was the “unauthorized fire” and it was the reason why they died. So even though their motivation was for the sake of Heaven it was a mistake. This is my explanation and I think it is very correct.
Radio by Hatzala on the Sabbath
Igros Moshe (O.C. IV #81): Question Hatzala using walkie talkie on Shabbos? Answer The question posed to me concerns the wearing of a radio by members of the Hatzolah organization. If they could not wear the radio and be in contact with the central office while away from home, it would necessitate their staying in their apartments with a radio receiver turned on waiting for a call for their services. Not to be able to leave home on the Sabbath would be surely a great burden and would reduce the number of volunteers so necessary for the proper functioning of this organization. The Talmudic discussion in tractate Shabbos [63a] makes it clear that an object can be classified as an ornament even though it does not serve the usual function of clothing, namely, to protect the body from the elements. The controversy recorded there concerns a soldier wearing his sword or carrying his bow, and involves the aesthetic evaluation of these items. If they are regarded as a sign of his status and importance as a defender of society, he may wear it on the Sabbath. If, however, it is a degrading symbol of his association with killing and warfare, then he may not. Clearly, if the item under discussion has no negative connotations, it can be considered an accessory to clothing, even though it may not be made of anything more than base metal. The Hatzolah beeper certainly does not signify an individual involved in a degrading activity. On the contrary, it identifies someone who is waiting to serve his fellow man in time of need. Although there is a controversy in the Talmud as to whether weapons will be needed during the Messianic era, and those who believe they will not be needed (for there will be no wars) do not look upon the sword as a symbol that gives honor and importance to the wearer, this does not apply to a beeper. Even if we accept the opinion of Rebbe Eliezer that there will be no illness in the Messianic era, and hence there will be no need for the Hatzolah organization, this in no way casts aspersions on the social approval accorded those who wear the beeper because of their great mitzvah work. There are no negative connotations to the wearing of the beeper as there may be to the wearing of a sword. In my opinion, therefore, it is permissible to wear a beeper on the Sabbath. They may leave their homes with it attached to their belts, so that they may respond quickly to a call from someone in need. It would be too burdensome to expect these people to stay at home waiting for the call to come, and as I have said, this would surely reduce the number of volunteers for this important work. Someone has suggested that the Sabbath work should be done by hiring non-Jews to serve as Hatzolah members. This contravenes the halachah that says that activities should be performed only by Jews and not by non-Jews, even when a non-Jew is readily available. In addition, a staff which works for money cannot be expected to respond with the same alacrity, the same devotion as those who do it in order to perform the great mitzvah of .
Shabbos save life of Goy
Igros Moshe (OC IV #79) Question Can doctor profane Shabbos to save non Jew? Answer The excuse stated in the gemora saying that he can’t do it since violates religious law would not be accepted in America. In fact if he is the only doctor available and he refuses to save the non Jew’s life he will be viewed as a murderer. Therefore if a non Jew comes to him on Shabbos in a life threatening condition he has to deal with him even if it involves violating a Torah law of Shabbos. To avoid treating the non Jew is not only a danger to the non Jew but also to the doctor from the patient’s relatives. Even if he thinks that his own life is not actually threatened, he needs to be concerned with the great hatred (aiva) to Jews this will produce in America from the people and government. It is necessary to understand that according to the way that today that there is a problem of his refusal to save a non Jew’s life producing great hatred even in countries in which there is legally religious freedom. I am astonished at the Mishna Berura (130.8) where the Chofetz Chaim wrote criticizing the doctors who violate Shabbos to save a non Jew’s life that even though not doing it causes aiva it is still considered a deliberate violation of Shabbos. I can certify that in Russia, in small towns where there was only a single physician for an entire district, a Jewish physician who refused to travel to care for a non-Jew on the Sabbath, regardless of his defense that his religion did not allow it, would surely have endangered his life and the lives of other Jews. Even the police would have made no effort to protect him from the wrath of the patient's relatives, who would have claimed that his failure to treat their relative had caused his death. It is obvious to me that the Chofetz Chaim was concerned with this problem, because he appended a footnote to explain that his position that the prohibition of a Jewish physician treating a non-Jew on the Sabbath applies "to the country of India, whose inhabitants are even today true idolaters." Even if there is only a small possibility, nevertheless since this is a matter of life and death (Pikuach nefesh) we are lenient. This is also the view of Chasam Sofer. Today there is a concern the world over especially with the instant widespread publicity through newspapers. There is a real concern that provacatours will magnify the hatred until there is will be massacres. Thus there needs to be concern that today this refusal to treat a non Jew will result in actual danger and therefore treatment is permitted. It has been reported, in the name of the Klausenberger Rebbe, that physicians should not take any fee for treatment rendered on the Sabbath. This ruling is right and proper. Surely, it is forbidden to profit from any Sabbath transgression, and therefore in this case, his entire motivation should be the saving of a human life and the performance of that mitzvah.
Trump Reveals Russia's 'Pretty Big Concession' in Peace Talks with Ukraine
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reveals-russias-pretty-big-concession-peace-talks-ukraine-2063802
President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Russia has already made a "pretty big concession" in the war against Ukraine by not attempting to seize the entire country. The president also said that Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks that could "stop the war" is a concession.
Trump's assertion has been met with strong resistance from Ukraine and many European nations, who argue that merely halting a full-scale land grab hardly qualifies as a meaningful concession.
Torah: Prizes for learning Torah
Igros Moshe (YD III:87.2) Question: Prizes of honor to encourage students for learning fixed amount?Answer This is a good thing to encourage learning and it is is possibly more effect than monetary prizes. .However my opinion is that every yeshiva needs to have the head of the yeshiva decide what is a good prize. It is also a good idea if several yeshivas join together. Nevertheless this should not be an obligation but should be done willingly and joyfully. The idea to make a program for all the yeshivas I think is not beneficial because what ever is publicized causes harm.
Torah What is proper Torah learning?
Igros Moshe (YD III:87.2) Question What is proper Torah learning in Yeshiva? Answer The mitzva of Torah study is to learn the entire Talmud and to to know all the Torah laws in addition to studying in depth each subject in the gemora as well as the Rishonim and Achronim which are indespensible even for a big Torah scholar. It is important also to understand the reasoning and the halacha as well as the explanations given by the Rosh Yeshiva
Education of girls Maaser money for tuitition?
Igros Moshe (YD II:113) Question: Can tuition for a daughter’s Beis Yakov be paid from Maaser? Answer There is certainly a distinction between sons and daughters in Torah study since the father has a clear obligation to educate his son in Torah even if he has to pay for it. And thus it is a Torah obligation and he should not use maaser money. In contrast there is no obligation to educate his daughter and if there is need then it is possible to pay from masser money. .However in America the law requires girls to be educated and due to G-d’s kindness they are allowed to study in proper religious schools. Thus if she doesn’t go to Beis Yakov then she would be required to attend public school where she will not get religious training. However he has an obligation that she get a proper religious education even if it costs him money and thus he actually has an obligation to send her to beis Yakov in America so Maaser money can not be used. However according to the Mishneh Berura the obligation is to save her from the goyim and thus it is not a special obligation on the father but a general one and accordingly maaser money could be used However this is problematic since the halacha is that the father is obligated to properly educate his daughter in proper faith mitzvos and avoiding sin. Therefore it is obvious that the father needs to pay for the education of both sons and daughters and therefore maaser can not be used for either. It is only if additional payment is required then for both sons and daughters maaser can be used.
Deception to get mitzvos & spiritual perfection
Shaarei Teshuva(482:2): It says in Bava Metzia (62a) that your needs come before that of other people even in a matters of life and death. This is learned by R’ Akiva in the case of two people in the desert with a single container of water from the verse of “Your brother shall live with you” - which means that his life is secondary to yours. So if this principle is true in physical issues then surely it is true in spiritual issues. (This is written in Igros Shmuel to Megila Ruth. He says that Boaz knew by ruach hakodesh that Ruth would be the ancestress of the Davidic kings and therefore he described her as a Moabite in order that she would be rejected for marriage and he could marry her and he would merit having the royal descendants. Even though it is prohibited for someone to deceive others even to take that which is rightfully his. But that prohibition is in monetary matters but not concerning mitzvos. Even though it is impossible to take a mitzva away from someone who already has obtained the rights to it such as mila, nevertheless if no one has actually claimed the mitzva yet then it is viewed as a wilderness and available to all and everyone has the obligation to perfect his soul and merit having mitzvos. We see this principle also with Yaakov and how he took the rights of the first-born and the berachos since he knew that Esav was headed to do evil and Yaakov needed them to reach spiritual perfection as is explained by the Akeidas Yitzchok…).
Dating Marriage – play house
Igros Moshe (Y.D. I #90): Question A boy and a girl want to get to know each other for the purpose of marriage to determine whether they will like each other. They want to know whether it is permitted to rent two separate bedrooms in one house where the owner and his wife also live. Answer It is clear that if it is known to the owner and his wife that they are not husband and wife – there is reason to be lenient. However if they have not informed then it is possible that they might mistakenly assumed that they are married and therefore it won’t help that the owner lives there. If the owner doesn’t know that they are not married it would thus be prohibited to rent the separate rooms because the owner is no longer a protection against sin because they are not embarrassed to be alone together and other similar problems. Regarding the issue of whether it is permitted for her to prepare meals for him, it seems that there is no concern that this is prohibited according to all authorities. That is because this is not included in the prohibition of utilizing a woman’s services. This type of service is permitted as is serving as a maid – even if she does it for free. All of this is permitted according to the strict letter of the law – however in actuality it is not worth doing. A person shouldn’t try to be too “smart” in these matters. It is sufficient if she finds favor in his eyes - regarding her appearance, her family and her reputation concerning her religious observance - that he can rely on that to get married with the hope that she was the one designated for him from Heaven. It is not necessary to examine her first. Furthermore this “test” is worthless to determine if she will be a good wife. Rather the Torah tells us to be “tamim” (to have simple trust) with G‑d.
Dating: What to look for in a spouse
Igros Moshe (YD I #90) Question Is it a good idea to be cautious in dating and that more is better to make sure it is “the right one”? Answer :Regarding a couple dating excessively to make sure it is ‘the right one’. “One should not be overly smart with regards to shidduchim. Therefore, one could marry the woman that finds favor in his eyes in her appearance and has a good family, and has a good reputation about her mitzvah observance, and assume that she is the one destined to him from heaven. He does not need to excessively tryout if they are compatible because it will not help, as the verse says “tomim tihiyeh im Hashem”, you shall be faithful with Hashem”.
Fact-Checking What Donald Trump Said in His ‘100 Days’ Interview With TIME
https://time.com/7280129/donald-trump-fact-check-2025-interview/
What Trump Said: “We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada.”
The Facts: Trump has often made the claim that the U.S. is “subsidizing” Canada—it’s a key reason behind his desire to annex the country. In his interview with TIME, he mentioned Canadian cars, lumber, and energy, so it’s possible was referring to the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, which in 2024, amounted to $63 billion for goods.
But that number still is far short of $200 billion. In the interview, Trump also mentioned “taking care of their military.” Trump officials have often highlighted military spending as part of the $200 billion. The Department of Defense requested a budget of $849 billion for the 2025 fiscal year—though the request does not break down spending by region. In March, a White House official pointed The Washington Post towards North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a shared air defense program between the two countries. The U.S. is responsible for 60% of the cost of the radar system—though the system costs just $20 billion, an expert told the Post.
3 children who are US citizens — including one with cancer — deported with their mothers, lawyers and advocacy groups say
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/27/us/children-us-citizens-deported-honduras/index.html
Taken together, the families’ advocates say their removals from the United States underscore concerns about a lack of due process amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Trump First 100 Days Approval Rating Double-Digits Below Biden, Obama—Poll
New polling released by CNN on Sunday shows that Trump's approval rating stands at 41 percent. That is 18 points under his disapproval rating, which stands at 59 percent—including 45 percent who disapprove strongly.
Comparatively, former Democratic President Joe Biden's approval hovered at 53 percent at the same point in 2021, according to CNN. That puts Biden's approval at the 100-day mark 12 points ahead of Trump's.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, a Democrat, and George W. Bush, a Republican, had even higher marks at the same point. Obama enjoyed a 63 percent approval rating and Bush was nearly the same, at 62 percent. That's 22 points and 21 points ahead of Trump respectively.
Notably, Trump's current approval rating is even lower than it was at the same point during his first term in office. At the end of April 2017, Trump's approval rating stood at 44 percent—3 points higher than it is now.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Rav Moshe Feinstein: Prohibition of social dating
Igros Moshe(E.H. 4:60): 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 but 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 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…
Trump approval rating underwater in Fox News survey
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5265210-trump-approval-rating-fox-news-poll/
The poll showed Trump with an approval rating of 44 percent, down 5 points from the 49 percent he had in March. Fox noted the latest number is lower than where all of his most recent predecessors were at this point in their presidencies.
Former President George W. Bush had the highest rating among 21st-century presidents with 63 percent approval, followed by former President Obama with 62 percent and former President Biden with 54 percent. Trump also had a rating 1 point higher at this point in his first term than his current one.
CNN Data Guru Touts Historic Poll Showing Trump Most Unpopular Prez Since 1953
An overwhelming majority of Americans say the president is botching the job just months into his second term.
“These numbers are just horrible—there’s no way to sugarcoat it,” CNN data guru Harry Enten said while diving into the results of a new survey the network released on Saturday
Trump Tore Up Obama’s Iran Deal. Is He Now Negotiating Something Worse?
https://www.thefp.com/p/trump-obama-iran-deal
“The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into,” President Donald Trump declared in 2018 as he withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He has always claimed that President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement was terrible. And he has always been right.
But if Trump lets Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, continue to negotiate with Iran along the current lines, he will end up with an agreement even weaker than the JCPOA. Witkoff is driving Trump on the road to Obamaland.
A stunning reversal of fortunes in Canada's historic election- Trump saves the Liberals
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78jv246n91o
Last year, the Conservatives held a 20-point lead in national polls over the governing Liberals for months. Poilievre's future as the country's next prime minister seemed baked in.
Then a series of shockwaves came in quick succession at the start of 2025, upending the political landscape: Justin Trudeau's resignation, Carney's subsequent rise to Liberal leader and prime minister; and the return of Trump to the White House with the threats and tariffs that followed.
By the time the election was called in mid-March, Carney's Liberals were polling neck-and-neck with the Conservatives, and by early April they had pulled slightly ahead, national surveys suggest.
Trump's late-March announcement of global levies on foreign automobile imports allowed Carney to step away from the trail and take on the prime minister's mantle, setting up a call with the president and meeting US Cabinet ministers.
Poilievre, in contrast, is a veteran politician and polished performer. But on the shifting political ground, Conservatives appeared to struggle to find their footing, pivoting their message from Canada being broken to "Canada First".
Poilievre had to fend off criticism from political rivals that he is "Trump lite", with his combative style, his vows to end "woke ideology", and willingness to take on the "global elite".
American Battleground: Trump dreams of empire while struggling to keep some promises
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/26/politics/donald-trump-immigration-foreign-policy/index.html
For months, the Danes have effectively said the only threat is from the United States. They’ve pointed out that Greenland, an autonomous land under the Danish umbrella, has happily hosted American military forces for decades. They note that Vance’s stop is at a US base established in 1943 and still operating. They argue the White House can easily keep an eye on Chinese and Russian movements in northern waters from the island and can even expand America’s military footprint there without owning the earth beneath it. Anyway, Denmark says, Greenland is not for sale. Locals give an icier answer to Trump, Vance and their representatives: “We don’t want you here.”
Judge says 2-year-old US citizen appears to have been deported with ‘no meaningful process’
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/25/us-citizen-deportation-donald-trump-00311631
A federal judge is raising alarms that the Trump administration deported a two-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras with “no meaningful process,” even as the child’s father was frantically petitioning the courts to keep her in the country.
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, a Trump appointee, said the child — identified in court papers by the initials “V.M.L.” — appeared to have been released in Honduras earlier Friday, along with her Honduran-born mother and sister, who had been detained by immigration officials earlier in the week.
George Santos, who conned his way to Congress before getting booted, sentenced to more than 7 years in prison
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/25/george-santos-prison-sentence-00309522
The disgraced former New York lawmaker pleaded guilty to felony charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
A federal judge on Friday sentenced disgraced former Rep. George Santos to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a case that resulted in his expulsion from Congress and capped a colorful flameout for the first-term Republican.
Three U.S. citizens, ages 2, 4 and 7, swiftly deported from Louisiana
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/04/26/us-citizen-children-deported-ice/
The cases have renewed concerns that the Trump administration’s expedited deportations are violating the rights of both citizens and noncitizens.
Three U.S. citizen children from two different families were deported with their mothers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the early hours of Friday morning. One of them is a 4-year-old with Stage 4 cancer who was deported without medication or the ability to contact their doctors, the family’s lawyer said.
Constantly in Motion, Trump’s Cabinet Portrays a White House That’s Always Winning
On social media, top officials stream an intimate window into their work that runs counter to the obstacles facing the White House agenda
On any given day, Americans on social media can hope to glimpse Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pounding push-ups with the troops. They might catch FBI Director Kash Patel alongside agents as they cinematically rappel from helicopters and blast their way into a building. Or they’ll find Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, dairy cows pacing behind her, pledging to rescind a government ban on whole milk in schools.
President Trump faces growing obstacles to his agenda from the courts, investors and world leaders. But on social media, his top officials are using their influence to tell Americans a different story, one in which Trump is securing victory after victory on his main goals. The strategy gives his cabinet the most robust public presence of any in recent memory.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Majority of Voters Find Trump’s Second Term ‘Chaotic’ and ‘Scary’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/majority-of-voters-find-trumps-second-term-chaotic-and-scary/
According to a New York Times/Siena College poll released on Friday, 66 percent described Trump’s second term as “chaotic,” while 59 percent opted for “scary.” Many of those same voters, the Times notes, nevertheless approved of Trump’s job performance.
On that point, the president’s approval rating sits at 42 percent, and he’s also underwater on a host of issues: immigration, managing the federal government, the economy, international trade, foreign conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Friday’s poll—conducted of 913 voters nationally from April 21 to 24—echoes a Fox News poll from earlier this week. It, too, showed Trump underperforming in many areas. Only 33 percent supported the president’s tariffs, for instance, while 51 percent predicted his policies will hurt the country in the long run.
Trump responded by lashing out at owner Rupert Murdoch and the network’s “Trump Hating, Fake Pollster.”
President Donald Trump admitted Saturday that he may have been wrong to believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace in the war against Ukraine and threatened further sanctions.
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” the president wrote.
Friday, April 25, 2025
Why Does the Chazzan Repeat the Amidah?
Why is the repetition said even when there may not be such people present?
The sages instituted that it be said after every Amidah,5 since otherwise we’d need to interrogate each individual in attendance to ascertain whether there is a congregant who fits the criteria for the repetition.6
Nowadays, virtually no one fits the criteria. But there is another reason for the repetition—we recite the Kedushah and Modim prayers during this time.7
Torah Learning during repetiotion of Amida
Igros Moshe (OC IV #19) Question: Is it permitted to be studying Torah during Repetition of Amida? Answer It seems that Magen Avraham doesn’t object as long as amen is said at end of each beracha. However others object because others might learn from this to ignore selichos and other prayers as well as not to answer amen. This is true if there are 10 people listening to the full repetition. However if there are less than 10 it is prohibited since according to the original decree there needs to be 10 people listening to the entire repetition. Therefore if there are only 9 people participating fully and answering amen, it could be that the beracha said by the shliach tzibor is considered in vain Therefore everyone should view himself as part of the essential ten. Consequently it is forbidden to learn during the repetition of the amida
Rav Moshe and Gedolim
A major point of interest was Rav Moshe's influence on gedolim. Concerning wearing a plastic rain covering on a hat Rav Moshe said it was prohibited. In contrast Rav Aharon Kotler viewed that it was permitted. However Rav Aharon told people not to use it in deference to Rav Moshe. Similarly I once visited Ner Yisroel and observed Rav Ruderman learning from a sefer during the repetition of the Amida. When I came the following year he didn’t pick up a sefer and learn during that time. I asked one of his students who said that Rav Ruderman had heard that Rav Moshe was against the practice so he stopped. The son of a major rabbi from California told me that his father had gone to Rav Moshe a number of times regarding cases of Aguna and that he had got a heter based on mekach ta'os. After Rav Moshe was niftar he had a new but similar case so he went to Rav Eliashiv to get a heter. Rav Eliashiv told him that he didn't agree with the heter and would not give it. But those given by Rav Moshe were valid in spite of his disagreement with the justification.
Heart Transplants are Murder!
Igros Moshe (YD II #174) Question Heart transplant from another person – a new procedure that a number of Doctors are now starting to do. Answer I don’t want to show a lot of proofs and analysis because all those who add analysis and proofs are simply making the issue worse. That is because it seems to be saying that proofs are needed since it is a complicated matter. As a consequence it will lead to leniencies when some of the proofs are refuted even though the proofs were not genuine. Thus they serve to weaken the case against transplants because people will conclude it is simply a matter disputed by great authorities and it is legitimate to choose either side. G-d forbid!. Therefore I will respond to this issue in this letter in a clear ruling clearly and absolutely and will avoid all dialectics and analysis stating unambiguously that this procedure of heart transplants that doctors have recently started to do is simply the killing of two people. The doctors are killing with their own hands the one who is donating the heart since he is still alive not only according the Torah for which it is a capital crime , but also according to the doctors since there are some who are truthful and say the donor is alive when the heart is removed. However because of their wickedness they are not interested in preserving the donor’s life because he is not expected to live much longer anyway. In addition they are killing with their own hands the recipient who can live for many more years sometimes even for decades with his heart condition. It is well established that heart disease patients can live long lives. This that a heart transplant is done results in the deaths of the donor and recipient in a short time sometimes even hours. Others linger for a few days. While it is true there is a case in Africa that the recipient is still alive after 6 months, nevertheless the consensus is that it is impossible for him to continue living. It is astounding that countries around the world permit the evil doctors to kill two people since it is known that neither typically lives. Therefore the governments should punish these doctors who are literally murderers even though the patient consents. The agreement is a mistake because of the seduction of the evil doctors. Beside that a person is not allowed t to kill himself. My response to this question should be publicized without modifying my language
Igros Moshe (YD II #146) Question: Heart Transplant from a murdered person who was definitely dead before the heart is removed and obviously doesn’t mean killing the donor is it permitted? Answer It is prohibited because we don’t trust at all two claims of the doctors. 1) That the sick patent can’t live with his own heart 2) That he will live with the transplanted heart. We have seen that they are not accurate in their claims in these areas as we see that all the transplant recioients have died in a short time and with his own heart it is clear that he can live for a much longer time than if he got a transplant. Therefore all doctors who do heart transplants are real murderers. In most cases even if the patients heart is weak and sick he is not considered a treifa and therefore these doctors are also deserving the death penalty
Igros Moshe (Choshen Mishpat II #72) Question Are heart Transplants permitted?Answer They are considered that the doctor is killing them – the donor and the recipient as I have written a number of times. I have also said this is not a matter to continue to debate since there is no basis for leniency. I have discussed this with my son in law Rav Moshe Dovid Tendler and I looked at the Medical Journals and it is clear that there have been no improvements in that a recipient has survived for a number of years and even the time he lives is very painful and he needs constant medical attention. This procedure is prohibited in America except in one place for one very expert doctor. This makes no sense. There are also many countries which have prohibited this as as unnecessary murder The doctors are lying when they claim that transplants are good for the patients.The opposite is true and the doctors that perform transplants should be punished as cold blooded killers because they know that there is no benefit. .
Igros Moshe (YD II #174.1) Question : Can a transplant be done from a person who was decapitated but he is still moving? Answer A decapitated person even if still moving is halachicly dead.
‘Boomerang in a Very Bad Way’: How Trump’s Antisemitism Push Could Backfire
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/04/22/trump-antisemitism-backfire-00301548
“By directly linking billions of dollars of federal research funding to ostensibly combating antisemitism, I think it plays very much into long-standing tropes about Jews wielding financial leverage to pursue their so-called interests,” he said in an interview with POLITICO Magazine.
Pascal said the problem of antisemitism in America is very real — on campus and off — but argued Trump’s approach was not the solution in the long run.
“We need to be very vigilant about the erosion of the rule of law and our civil liberties,” Pascal said, “because that is the best defense against antisemitism, not the protection of the strongmen.”
Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal
https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-dirty-internet-line-6a64707f10ca553eb905e5a70e10bd9d
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press.
The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseth’s use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance.
Known as a “dirty” internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the user’s information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’s secured connections maintain.
Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’s a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked.
Trump’s own strange and tepid wording illustrates his one-sided Ukraine peace plan
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/25/politics/trump-russia-ukraine-peace-efforts-language/index.html
“When Zelensky dares to speak the truth, Trump truly slams him,” John Herbst, the former US ambassador to Ukraine told Paula Newton on CNN International. “When Putin murders civilians with ballistic missiles he’s merely corrected. Or slightly chastised.”
“Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession,” Trump said.
This answer betrays a strange misunderstanding of what happened in the war and shows just how comprehensively Trump views the war through Putin’s lens.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Trump Reveals Russia's 'Pretty Big Concession' in Peace Talks with Ukraine
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-reveals-russias-pretty-big-concession-peace-talks-ukraine-2063802
President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Russia has already made a "pretty big concession" in the war in Ukraine by not attempting to seize the entire country. The president also contends that Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks that would "stop the war" is a concession.
However, that claim has been met with strong resistance from Ukraine and many European nations, who argue that merely halting a full-scale land grab hardly qualifies as a meaningful concession.
Trump’s peace offer on Ukraine is generous to Russia, and may not even be enough for Putin
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/24/europe/trump-putin-peace-ukraine-analysis-intl/index.html
Imposing a deadline on a negotiation for a deal you desperately want is a risky tactic if your only move is to walk away.
President Donald Trump has threatened just this, and emphasized on Wednesday it is proving easier to make a deal with Russia than Ukraine. Yet that seems a perilous misreading of his own predicament. It is easier for Trump to pressure Kyiv, yes, because they are dependent on US aid and intelligence for their mere survival. But that does not mean Russia is more amenable to a deal. In fact, they are palpably dragging their feet.
This is where the gulf between a life in business deals and one steeped in geopolitical negotiation yawns desperately. Now, Trump is not in the world of real estate – he is not trying to get Putin to buy something. Trump is pushing hard and fast for the Kremlin to agree to terms to end the war that Putin has clearly divined will improve, not worsen, over time.
Here’s the most dangerous concession to Putin in Trump’s peace plan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/24/trump-ukraine-russia-crimea-stimson/
Accepting Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea would upend a core tenet of U.S. foreign policy.
In its well intentioned but rushed and ham-handed attempts to end the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration is flirting with disaster. Apparently, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, has crafted a peace plan after traveling to Moscow for three lengthy meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin — but never once going to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The one-sided plan is now being presented to the Ukrainians on a “take it or leave it” basis, with Trump on Wednesday writing online that Zelensky “can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”
Wristwatch electronic Shabbos
Igros Moshe (OC V #22. 25) Question Is it required to cover the buttons on an electronic watch on Shabbos which constantly shows the time even without pushing the button and is it permitted to move it on Shabbos? Answer It is permitted to move it and the buttons do not need to be covered. The need for some reminder or cover is only for an actual fire because of concern it might be tilted to burn better. That is why there is no need for a light switch on the wall. However if you might push the button on the watch it is best to cover it or make some reminder on the button
Trump accuses Zelensky of sabotaging U.S. peace plan for Ukraine
https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/trump-attack-zelensky-response-ukraine-peace-plan
A source close to the Ukrainian government told Axios that Kyiv sees Trump's proposal as heavily biased toward Russia, with Moscow getting clear-cut wins and Kyiv only vague promises.
Giggling Putin Pals Celebrate Trump’s ‘Shocking’ Ukraine Surrender
https://www.thedailybeast.com/giggling-putin-pals-celebrate-trumps-shocking-ukraine-surrender/
The generosity of President Trump’s unprecedented Ukraine peace proposal has stunned and delighted the Kremlin’s premier propagandists. Instead of the supposed Art of the Deal, they are celebrating President Putin’s “art of the steal.”
On Wednesday, state TV show 60 Minutes broadcast the clips of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on repeat. The Russian networks are thrilled with their words, which carry an enormous propaganda value for the Kremlin. Writer Sergey Strokan marveled, “Who could have imagined this?” Beaming ear-to-ear, host Olga Skabeeva replied, “No one ever—they can’t believe it even now—if you’re talking about Donald Trump. It’s shocking, it really is. Completely incredible!”
Trump criticises Zelensky as Ukraine refuses Russian control of Crimea BBC agrees with NY Post!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78jx68d922o
Recognising Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea would not only be politically impossible for Zelensky to accept, it would also be contrary to post-war international legal norms that borders should not be changed by force.
He has consistently rejected the suggestion that his country give up its claim to the Crimean Peninsula.
"There's nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution," he said.
Why Ukraine is in an impossible spot with the White House peace deal
Bottom line: Trump is asking Zelensky to make massive national-security concessions while abandoning hopes of a more realistic treaty and concrete security that might make such concessions strategically tenable — and allow him to try and sell the Ukrainian people on the bargain.
Trump can’t simply blame the war on Joe Biden and wash his hands of responsibility for what happens on his watch.
Trump’s Ukraine Ultimatum
The President puts pressure only on one side—not on Russia.
President Trump on Wednesday unleashed another broadside against Ukraine, and his dislike for President Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t news. But what matters to U.S. interests—and Mr. Trump’s Presidency—are the terms of a negotiated settlement. Mr. Trump’s current offer looks more like an ultimatum than grounds for a durable peace.
“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process,” Vice President JD Vance said from India on Wednesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sounded similar notes last week, and by “walking away” the Administration seems to mean abandoning Ukraine to Vladimir Putin’s designs.
DOGE loses its biggest advocate as Musk exits Washington
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/23/elon-musk-doge-trump-00306673
Elon Musk’s claim that his job in Washington is “mostly done” may calm Tesla shareholders — but his departure could sap the Department of Government Efficiency of its disruptive energy even as it continues to make major cuts to the federal workforce.
In an effort to reassure rattled Tesla shareholders after a bruising first-quarter earnings call, Musk told investors this week that his around-the-clock involvement in DOGE will soon be scaled back to just a day or two per week.
Trump’s Faith Adviser Says Women Should ‘Submit’ to Men in Bonkers Rant
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-faith-adviser-says-women-should-submit-to-men-in-bonkers-rant/
President Donald Trump in February signed an executive order establishing a White House Faith Office, pledging to “bring religion back” to the United States and “protect Christians.”
He appointed White, his longtime spiritual adviser, to lead the initiative. The two first connected in 2002, when Trump called her after watching one of her televised sermons.
Hegseth creates makeup studio in Pentagon
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5263819-hegseth-makeup-studio-pentagon/
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refurbished a green room as a makeup studio in the Pentagon for high-ranking officials to prepare before on-camera appearances
CBS News reported that the refurbishment cost several thousand dollars, which the Pentagon denied in a post on the social platform X. Officials said they were modest when making the changes to the space.
“For this upgrade we were deliberately conservative and opted for several less expensive, on-hand material solutions that provide the Secretary and other VIPs the needed support and space for on-camera press engagements,” the spokesperson added.
Is This Trump’s Mitterrand Moment?
The French President saved his government by giving up socialism. It’s a precedent for tariffs.
President Trump continues to walk back his original tariff assault, and markets are pleased. They rose again Wednesday after Mr. Trump said he won’t fire the Federal Reserve Chairman and is likely to retreat from his highest China tariffs. Is this Mr. Trump’s François Mitterrand moment?
Readers of a certain age will recall how the French Socialist President swept into power in 1981 promising a far left agenda of government control over the private economy. The market reaction was brutal. Within a year he had put socialism on pause and by 1983 he had abandoned most of it. He went on to serve two terms.
Trump slams Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russian control of Crimea
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/23/europe/rubio-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-talks-intl-hnk/index.html
President Donald Trump slammed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday for his comments that Ukraine wouldn’t recognize Russian control of Crimea, calling the remarks “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia.”
“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country,” he posted on Truth Social.
Any move to recognize Russia’s control of Crimea would reverse a decade of US policy and could upset the widely held post-World War Two consensus that international borders should not be changed by force.
Women president of Israel
Igros Moshe (YD II #45) Question You claim that when I questioned the Rambam’s view that all positions of authority are only for men not women and that it was his innovation that this creates a problem in that it justifies appointing a woman president in the Israeli government. Answer I am not responsible for the conduct of the Israeli government which unfortunately is controlled by heretics who have no interest in what I think in the slightest nor the view of the Rambam nor do they care whether something is permitted or forbidden by the Torah and therefore my views don’t create a problem for them in that they might therefore have a woman president. Nor is there a problem that my view will result in women being elected as presidents of synagogues and organizations in America. That is because they do not do anything without the ruling of a major rabbi and the fact of the Rambam’s ruling is enough to prevent this. For those who have deviated from proper religious observation they have no concern with this at all and we have no responsibility to what they do. Consequently no problems are created by my ruling.
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