Emergency work continued Wednesday at a massive under-construction Midtown Manhattan high-rise after buckling columns and sagging floors triggered evacuations, street closures, and fears of a possible collapse.

The building, located at 235 East 42nd Street near Second Avenue, is the former headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. It is currently being converted into a massive residential complex in what developers have described as the largest office-to-residential conversion in New York City history.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday that the building has had no additional movement since Tuesday morning and was deemed stable late Tuesday after crews worked through the night to install emergency shoring.

“The building is stable and yet we are going to continue to prioritize the safety of all in that immediate area,” Mamdani said.

People inspect a buckled support beam inside 235 East 42nd Street, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Temporary supports and beams have already been installed on multiple floors, including the 18th through 23rd floors, where the most serious damage was found. Crews are expected to continue adding supports throughout the day, working upward toward the roof and downward toward the ninth floor.

Despite the progress, at least four nearby buildings remained under evacuation orders Wednesday, and several surrounding Midtown streets remained closed. A nearby school, the Israeli consulate, hotels, and other buildings had been evacuated after the structural emergency was first reported Tuesday morning.

Authorities were called to the site after construction workers noticed structural issues. Firefighters and inspectors found two badly bent support columns and sagging floors on the 21st floor, along with cracks and other signs of distress.

People inspect buckled support beams inside 235 East 42nd Street, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The FDNY said the concern was not necessarily a total building collapse, but rather a localized collapse in the damaged section. Still, the risk was serious enough for officials to clear a large area around the building, creating a “frozen zone” spanning several blocks.

Only construction workers were inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Once emergency stabilization is completed, the city’s Department of Buildings will conduct what officials described as a rigorous assessment before any non-emergency construction work is allowed to resume.

The developer, MetroLoft, said the structure was never at risk of collapse and insisted the issue was localized. The company said the affected area involves fewer than 30 apartments out of more than 1,600 planned units.

Sagging floors above a buckled support beam are seen inside 235 East 42nd Street, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

“Our team worked through the night stabilizing the affected columns, and the DOB has confirmed the structure is now stable,” MetroLoft said in a statement. “We have identified the issue and developed a clear plan to fix it.”

MetroLoft added that it plans to fully rebuild the affected portion of the building while continuing the broader project, saying the issue is not expected to delay completion.

However, structural experts said the damaged columns and sagging floors will likely require extensive repairs, including removal and replacement of compromised structural elements.

Experts told local outlets that buckled steel columns typically cannot simply be pushed back into place. Once steel columns bend and floors crack or sag, those elements usually lose their structural capacity and must be replaced.

One structural engineer said the damaged columns may now be carrying only a fraction of the load they were designed to support, placing additional stress on nearby columns and beams. Another expert said the emergency stabilization itself is a delicate process, requiring engineers to determine whether workers can safely enter the building to install supports.

People inspect a buckled support beam inside 235 East 42nd Street, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The likely cause remains under investigation. MetroLoft founder Nathan Berman told The Wall Street Journal that added weight from work on the upper floors may have contributed to the damage, particularly as the project involves widening the top portion of the tower and adding new stories.

The ambitious project calls for transforming a pair of 1970s-era office buildings into approximately 1,600 luxury rental apartments. Plans include adding more than a dozen stories to one tower and redesigning another.

City records show the project had previously received several safety violations, including violations related to falling glass and metal and an incident in which a worker fell from a ladder.

By Wednesday, some residents and hotel guests were allowed back into nearby buildings, and parts of the frozen zone were reduced. Still, city officials said closures and evacuations will remain in place until inspectors are fully satisfied that the area is safe.

The building sits in one of Manhattan’s busiest corridors, near Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the United Nations.

Officials said public safety remains the top priority as crews continue shoring up the structure and investigators work to determine exactly what went wrong.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

CARACAS (VINnews) – Israel’s delegation to Venezuela presented a comprehensive National Rehabilitation Plan to President Nicolás Maduro and senior government officials on Tuesday, which was immediately approved as efforts continue to assist areas affected by recent structural damage.

The presentation was made by Brig. Gen. Elad Edri, commander of the Israeli delegation, together with Israel’s designated Ambassador to Mexico, Yoav Magen, and additional officers from the delegation.

Earlier Tuesday, engineering teams from the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command conducted structural assessments alongside local Venezuelan authorities. The teams prioritized high-rise residential buildings in order to enable as many residents as possible to safely return to their homes.

“The delegation continues to implement the plan in cooperation with the local authorities and relevant local agencies,” the joint announcement from the IDF and Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated.

The Israeli mission is providing humanitarian and technical assistance following damage in the affected areas, focusing on rapid evaluations and rehabilitation efforts.

NEW YORK (AP) — After four years in exile, the prediction market platform Polymarket has begun a well-funded campaign to sell a new version of itself to the American public.

To do so, the company is trying to convince policymakers, regulators, the public and prospective customers that the business it is building onshore is a more disciplined operation than the freewheeling offshore exchange that has at times been the subject of unfavorable headlines.

Polymarket has hired social media influencers to produce viral marketing on TikTok and other platforms. Its account on X, formerly known as Twitter, is now followed by millions and posts about current events throughout the day. It has signed partnership deals with major sports teams and Major League Baseball, as well as news organizations ranging from CNBC to CNN. It’s all part of a pitch that its real-time markets are a more accurate read on the future than traditional polling or punditry.

The campaign is, effectively, an effort to sell Polymarket as something different from the Polymarket people know today.

What the American public knows as Polymarket has, at least by the letter of the law, been unavailable to Americans. In 2022, it was pushed offshore after settling federal charges that it operated an unregistered derivatives market. But Americans have regularly found ways around the prohibition, and the offshore business faced criticism over allegations of insider trading and allowing wagers tied to war and other violence.

Polymarket began operating again in the U.S. at the end of 2025 after buying the derivatives exchange QCEX to get the regulatory license to operate in the country. Executives say the U.S. exchange is walled off from the international platform, and they have hired a slate of compliance, surveillance and regulatory specialists in recent weeks to keep it that way.

“Trust is the product we are building here,” said Dan Lee, head of U.S. operations at Polymarket, in an interview. Lee started with Polymarket in February from Coinbase.

Among the hires, the company added Megan McGrath from Robinhood as its new chief compliance officer. Lee and another executive, Natalie Oblazny, were hired from Coinbase. It’s also hired former Department of Justice and FBI officials as the platform’s head of enforcement and new surveillance head. Lee said Polymarket’s successful reentry into the U.S. depends almost entirely on whether it can convince people that Polymarket U.S. can be a trusted prediction market platform, and the new hires are key to that effort.

Both Polymarket International and Polymarket U.S. provide the same service: trading on the likelihood of events, such as weather, sports, politics or news. But the underlying structures differ. Polymarket’s international platform is built on blockchain technology and requires users to trade with cryptocurrency, while Polymarket U.S. operates through a more centralized structure regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and funded with traditional U.S. dollars.

Customers using Polymarket U.S. versus Polymarket International won’t notice the difference, with the exception of how they fund their accounts. Also Polymarket U.S. is going to have a much narrower number of contracts, and more regulations, than its international counterpart.

“Polymarket U.S. is supposed to comply with U.S. law and regulations. Polymarket International is where anything goes,” said Todd Phillips, who has written extensively on prediction markets at the Roosevelt Institute.

The stakes are high for Polymarket. Between its departure in 2022 and return six months ago, the prediction market industry has changed and grown in popularity. The trading volume across the platforms for Polymarket and rival Kalshi is now $26.6 billion, according to blockchain analytics firm Dune. That’s up from $9.75 billion in volume across the platforms in October last year. About two-thirds of that activity is on Kalshi, which dominates the U.S. market on the strength of sports wagering. Kalshi was valued at $22 billion in its most recent funding round.

Both platforms are also benefiting from a more favorable treatment of the industry in Washington. The Trump Administration has been generally supportive of prediction markets. The CFTC has sued states to argue that federal law should preempt any regulations that state politicians have wanted to place on the prediction market industry. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is also an investor in Polymarket through his venture capital firm 1789 Capital.

Even so, it’s been a rough start for Polymarket’s reintroduction to American audiences. The Wall Street Journal found evidence that Polymarket’s advertising and marketing campaigns used allegedly deceptive strategies that showed hired influencers making money trading on Polymarket when the trades were fake.

Politico reported in June that a Polymarket executive paid at least 20 political content creators, many of which did not disclose those partnerships to the public. Both projects have been part of the campaign Polymarket was using to reintroduce to American audiences.

In response to the WSJ and Politico reports, the company says it is investigating its marketing and promotional campaigns.

It’s too soon to tell whether Polymarket U.S. will be able to differentiate itself from its international counterpart. Polymarket’s international platform has made headlines, often to public and political outrage.

When a U.S. Army sergeant was indicted earlier this year over bets on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, he was trading on Polymarket’s international platform. The Associated Press reported in April that 50 brand new accounts on Polymarket’s international platform placed substantial bets on a U.S.-Iran ceasefire in the hours, even minutes, before President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on social media, raising concerns of insider trading.

Lee said he believes the steps the U.S. business is taking will help further legitimize it, despite the issues the international platform has faced.

“I think having the international business being the bulk of the volume, it often sort of masks the progress we are making here in the U.S. to broaden Polymarket’s acceptance,” Lee said.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an immediate stop to all U.S. trade with Spain, giving the instruction out loud to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Seated beside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump called Spain a “wasted cause” and said the United States no longer wanted to do business with the country, including official visits.

The order followed the summit’s endorsement of a new alliance benchmark asking members to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense and related costs. Spain was the only NATO member to publicly reject the full target, instead negotiating flexibility in how it meets the alliance’s capability goals. Trump has singled out Madrid for months over that stance, arguing the country benefits from NATO protection while spending less than its share.

At the podium, Trump turned to Bessent and told him he did not want any trade with Spain. Bessent answered, “Yes, sir.” Trump then said to take care of it immediately and not to talk to Spanish officials, calling them “hopeless” and predicting they would come back asking to trade again. He also said Spain had treated Rutte poorly and that the secretary-general “shouldn’t carry” the country inside the alliance.

Rutte pushed back gently. He told Trump that Spain had raised its defense spending to 2% of GDP and had made a large step over the past year, though he acknowledged there were still issues to resolve. Figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute show Spain spent 2.1% of GDP on defense in 2025, up from 1.4% in 2021, still trailing many European members.

The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez played down the remarks, saying it viewed them as business as usual and had no plan to change what it called an excellent relationship with Washington. Sánchez, who leads a minority government, has repeatedly clashed with Trump, including over the U.S. war in Iran. Spain has refused to let the United States use the Rota and Morón military bases in the south for operations tied to that conflict, and Sánchez earlier called the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran a serious mistake.

Any actual trade cutoff faces a basic obstacle: Spain does not set its own trade policy. As a member of the European Union, Spain negotiates trade as part of a 27-nation customs union handled by the European Commission in Brussels. Individual member states cannot be singled out without affecting the entire single market, and such a move could trigger a coordinated response from the bloc. European Commission deputy spokesperson Olof Gill said the EU had been clear and consistent on the issue. It was also the second time Trump has instructed Bessent to halt commerce with Spain; after the first order in March, trade continued normally.

The numbers show a modest but real relationship. Trade between the two countries totaled roughly $48 billion in 2025, with the United States exporting about $26.6 billion in goods and importing about $21.3 billion, according to Census Bureau data, leaving Washington with a surplus. Spain is the world’s largest olive oil exporter and also ships auto parts, steel, chemicals, refined petroleum, and packaged pharmaceuticals to American buyers. Only about 4.9% of Spain’s goods exports go to the United States, a smaller share than for Italy or Germany, which analysts say leaves Madrid less exposed than other European economies.

Markets moved on the comments, though a separate Trump remark added pressure. Spain’s benchmark IBEX 35 index fell nearly 3% by midday in Madrid, and the yield on Spain’s 10-year government bond rose about 10 basis points to 3.5682% as prices dropped. The broader pan-European Stoxx 600 slid 1.9%, and oil prices spiked after Trump separately said he now considers the Iran ceasefire over.

Trump used the summit to press other allies as well, repeating his push for U.S. control of Greenland, which drew a firm response from Denmark, and suggesting he could pull American troops out of Europe if members did not spend more. The White House did not provide details on whether the administration is drafting formal trade restrictions against Spain or whether Trump was voicing frustration. For now, it remained unclear how an order to stop trading with a single EU member would be carried out in practice.

JBizNews Desk| Washington D.C © JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

The cost of mailing a letter will climb again this summer after federal regulators approved another round of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) price increases, including a 4-cent increase in the price of a Forever stamp.

The Postal Regulatory Commission on Wednesday approved USPS’ proposed mailing services price changes, clearing the way for the new rates to take effect on July 12. 

The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will increase from 78 cents to 82 cents, while mailing service prices overall will rise by about 4.8%, according to the Postal Service.

Other approved price changes include:

The additional-ounce charge for single-piece letters will remain 29 cents. USPS has said the latest increase is necessary as it continues grappling with rising operating costs and longstanding financial challenges.

“In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools… to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public,” USPS said when it proposed the increase in April.

The Postal Service generally receives no taxpayer funding for operating expenses and instead relies on revenue from postage, products and services.

While the Postal Regulatory Commission approved the rate changes, it also warned that USPS continues to face significant long-term challenges, including declining mail volume, service performance issues and a deteriorating financial outlook. The commission said it had no legal basis to reject the increase because it complies with current law.

The commission also said USPS used essentially all the pricing authority available for First-Class Mail under current regulations and remains concerned about substantial declines in market-dominant mail volume, ongoing service issues and the Postal Service’s overall financial condition as it reviews whether the current ratemaking system is meeting Congress’ objectives.

Forever stamps purchased before the increase will continue to be valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter regardless of when they are used.

The Viewing and Service for Chief Richard Wallace will be held at the George S. Hassler Funeral Home, 980 Bennetts Mill Road, Jackson, NJ 08527, on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a Fireman’s Service at 5:00 pm.

Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:30 am with a Funeral Procession following the service to Woodlawn Cemetery, Courtney Road & Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701.

A repast will follow the burial at Engine Company No. 1, 119 First Street, Lakewood NJ.

The funeral procession for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, entered a new phase overnight when his coffin was flown from Iran to the Iraqi city of Najaf, where it was received during an official ceremony attended by senior Iraqi government officials and Shiite religious leaders.

Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike after serving as leader of the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades, arrived at Najaf International Airport, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and other senior officials formally welcomed the coffin.

Najaf was deliberately chosen as a stop on the funeral route because it is considered one of the holiest cities in Shiite Islam. Iranian officials included the city in the itinerary because of its deep religious significance.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also traveled to Iraq to lead Iran’s official delegation of mourners and participate in the ceremonies alongside political leaders and senior clerics. However, after the United States launched overnight strikes inside Iran, he abruptly cut short his visit and returned to Tehran to oversee the country’s response to the developing security situation.

Meanwhile, Iraqi authorities deployed large numbers of security personnel throughout Najaf as tens of thousands of mourners were expected to arrive. Thousands of pilgrims from Iraq and neighboring countries gathered to participate in funeral processions and memorial ceremonies taking place across the city.

According to the official schedule, Khamenei’s coffin will next be transported to the city of Karbala, another of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites. Once the ceremonies in Najaf and Karbala are completed, the coffin will be flown back to Iran, where Khamenei is expected to be buried in the city of Mashhad within the next several days.

{Matzav.com}

By Y.M. Lowy

After days of heavy rain and flooding across parts of New York and New Jersey, it might be hard to believe we are still dealing with drought conditions.

Despite several inches of rain falling this week, experts say it wasn’t enough to make up for months of below-average rainfall. Much of the tri-state remains in moderate to severe drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.

Since January 1, Central Park has received just 19.31 inches of rain, about 5.3 inches below normal for this point in the year, according to the National Weather Service.

The timing is also important to note. Summer is when water demand is at its highest, with more people watering lawns, filling pools, and using water outdoors. While this week’s storms brought some much-needed rain, we still have a long way to go before the drought is erased.

TEL AVIV (VINnews) – Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a speech Wednesday at Tel Aviv University, accusing him of relying almost exclusively on military force and pushing Israel toward greater international isolation.

Speaking at the university, Emanuel praised Israel’s accomplishments since its founding in 1948 but warned that the country risks becoming “a prisoner of its own tools.”

“Your military is a hammer, such that, to the prime minister, Netanyahu, every security challenge is a nail,” Emanuel said.

He argued that successive U.S. administrations made “a mistake” by offering Israel support “without conditions, without demands, without consequences.”

Rahm Emanuel Remarks at Tel Aviv University https://t.co/NvucBmkt2I

— Rahm Emanuel (@RahmEmanuel) July 8, 2026

“Unconditional support has allowed you to deny food and medical relief to innocent Palestinians in Gaza, leaving the world to conclude that Israelis not only want to kill Palestinians, but they are completely indifferent to their death, to their destruction and completely indifferent to their suffering,” Emanuel said.

Emanuel also recalled clashes with Netanyahu during the administrations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama over Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, saying Netanyahu once publicly labeled him “a self-loathing Jew.”

The former ambassador called for closer cooperation with Arab nations and support for Palestinian self-determination. He also said that, if given the opportunity, he would support sanctions targeting new Israeli settlements, violent settlers, and Israeli officials who promote settlement expansion.

Addressing both sides of the conflict, Emanuel declared:

“Those chanting ‘from the river to the sea’ need to hear this. You will never have your way. But those calling for a ‘Greater Israel,’ you need to hear this. You will never have your way, either.”

The speech comes as Democratic support for Israel continues to decline. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Tuesday found that 58% of Democrats believe the United States supports Israel too much, while 20% said the current level of support is appropriate.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday issued warning letters to seven companies it says falsely marketed products as “Made in the USA,” and to an eighth that labeled goods “Made in Texas,” even though the products were imported in whole or in significant part.

Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said consumers who pay a premium for products marketed as American-made deserve confidence that those claims are truthful. He said the agency will continue holding companies accountable if they undermine that trust through misleading origin claims.

The warning letters, made public on July 6, were sent to companies selling a wide range of products, including drums, industrial laser machinery, coordinate measuring machines and e-cigarettes. The recipients were A&F Drum Company, Z-Tech Advanced Technologies, Vtron Inc. (doing business as Vtron Lasers), Helmel Engineering Products, NebTech, Lucky Bar Holdings, and My Vape Order.

At the center of the enforcement effort is the FTC’s Made in USA Labeling Rule, which requires that products advertised as American-made be “all or virtually all” manufactured in the United States. Simply assembling imported parts domestically generally does not qualify. The overwhelming majority of a product’s components and manufacturing must originate in the United States before companies can legally make an unqualified “Made in USA” claim.

The latest warnings are part of a broader federal enforcement effort.

In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Ensuring Truthful Advertising of Products Claiming to be Made in America,” directing the FTC to prioritize investigations involving deceptive domestic-origin claims. The order elevated enforcement of American-made labeling to one of the agency’s leading consumer-protection priorities.

The Commission has already begun acting on that directive.

Earlier this year, the FTC announced a nationwide enforcement sweep targeting companies marketing American flags, footwear and electronic dartboards using allegedly deceptive origin claims. Those cases resulted in enforcement actions requiring businesses to stop making unlawful claims and provide financial relief to affected consumers. Companies that continue violating the Made in USA Labeling Rule may face significant civil penalties.

For now, Monday’s letters stop short of formal enforcement.

Instead, they serve as official warnings urging the companies to review their marketing practices and bring their advertising into compliance. Historically, warning letters often precede stronger regulatory action if businesses fail to correct the alleged violations.

For manufacturers, retailers and distributors, the stakes are substantial.

Products marketed as American-made often command premium prices because many consumers intentionally choose to support domestic manufacturing and American jobs. If companies falsely claim domestic origin, they can gain an unfair competitive advantage over manufacturers that genuinely absorb the higher costs associated with producing goods in the United States.

The FTC emphasized that point in announcing the letters, arguing that enforcement protects not only consumers but also honest manufacturers that invest in American facilities, workers and supply chains.

The timing also carries symbolic significance.

The enforcement initiative comes as the United States approaches celebrations surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary, with renewed attention on domestic manufacturing and “Made in America” initiatives. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has repeatedly identified truthful country-of-origin advertising as a key priority for the Commission’s consumer-protection agenda.

For the companies receiving warning letters, the next step will likely involve evaluating whether their sourcing, manufacturing and supply chains fully support the marketing claims appearing on their products and websites. Many businesses manufacture products using a combination of domestic and imported components, making the distinction between “Assembled in the USA” and “Made in USA” increasingly important from both a legal and marketing perspective.

For consumers, the message is straightforward.

When shoppers choose to pay more for products advertised as American-made, regulators want to ensure those claims accurately reflect where the products were manufactured. Monday’s warning letters signal that the FTC intends to closely scrutinize those claims and, when necessary, take action to protect both consumers and businesses that play by the rules.

JBizNews Desk | Washington, D.C.

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

New York City is implementing emergency measures after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease on the Upper East Side sickened at least 28 people as of Tuesday. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday directed the city’s Department of Health to begin testing cooling towers across the affected area and mobilize more than 100 staff members for community outreach. In an unprecedented move, the administration will publicly release the addresses of buildings whose cooling towers test positive for the bacteria and order property owners to immediately drain, clean, and disinfect the systems to prevent further exposure.

“When there’s a public health threat, New Yorkers deserve urgency and transparency from their government,” Mamdani said. “That’s why we’re using every tool available to protect people by moving quickly to identify potential sources of exposure, requiring immediate remediation and making sure New Yorkers have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”

Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm, stagnant water. Symptoms typically develop two to 14 days after exposure and may include fever, chills, muscle aches, and a cough. The disease can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics, especially when diagnosed early.

Each year, between 200 and 700 New Yorkers are diagnosed with the disease. An outbreak in central Harlem last summer infected more than 100 people and killed seven before the Department of Health concluded its investigation into the source of the outbreak, according to the New York Times.

The deadliest outbreak in city history occurred in 2015 in the South Bronx, sickening 120 people and killing 12. The outbreak persisted for more than a month as authorities struggled to identify its source, eventually linking it to a cooling tower atop the Opera House Hotel.

Rooftop cooling towers used in building air-conditioning and refrigeration systems can provide ideal conditions for the bacteria to grow.

During the summer, cooling towers can release water vapor containing Legionella bacteria that may travel thousands of feet before being inhaled, according to the Times. The Upper East Side has a high concentration of cooling towers, with roughly 160 registered across the three ZIP codes under investigation.

Two cases of the disease were identified on July 2 in Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, ZIP codes 10028 and 10128. While a community cluster is typically defined as three or more cases linked by location and time, the city began its response immediately rather than waiting for additional cases.

On July 5, ZIP code 10075 was added to the investigation after another confirmed case involving someone who lives or works in, or recently visited, the area. As of July 6, 23 people had been diagnosed with the disease, and 17 had been hospitalized, including two who have since been released and are recovering at home. No deaths have been reported.

By that day, the Health Department had collected samples from 139 cooling towers and said the remaining towers would be tested within the next 24 hours, if they were operating.

As of Tuesday, July 7, there have been 28 cases and 21 hospitalizations.

During previous outbreaks, the city required buildings with positive PCR results to increase chemical disinfectant levels while awaiting confirmation through culture testing, a process that can take up to two weeks. Full cleaning and disinfection were typically required only after a positive culture result.

This time, the city has adopted a more aggressive approach. Any building whose cooling tower tests positive during initial PCR screening will receive a Commissioner’s Order requiring full remediation, accelerating the response and reducing the risk of continued exposure.

Several property owners have already completed remediation, while others are actively carrying out the work.

Anyone who has been to the affected area since late June and develops symptoms consistent with Legionnaires’ disease should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Residents in the affected ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook, and use their home air conditioners as usual.

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The post NYC to release addresses of Upper East Side buildings linked to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak first appeared on 6sqft.

A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing United Airlines of charging passengers extra for “window seats” that lacked actual windows, allowing the case to move forward.

U.S. District Judge James Donato ruled the plaintiffs plausibly alleged United breached its contractual obligations by selling seats identified as window seats even though some were positioned next to solid cabin walls rather than windows.

“These terms plausibly establish that United expressly agreed to provide a seat with a window to passengers who paid for one,” Donato wrote, adding that United’s reservation screens and boarding passes represented that customers had purchased window seats. “No more is needed at this stage for the breach claims to go forward.”

The lawsuit alleges United knowingly charged passengers extra for certain window seats on aircraft, including Boeing 737s, Boeing 757s and Airbus A321s, even though some seats lacked adjacent windows because of aircraft design. Plaintiffs claim passengers often pay premiums for window seats to enjoy the view or help alleviate anxiety, claustrophobia or motion sickness.

United argued the lawsuit should be dismissed, saying “window seat” describes a seat’s location relative to the aisle rather than guaranteeing an actual window and contending federal law preempts the claims. Donato rejected those arguments at this stage of the litigation.

United declined to comment on the lawsuit.

“As part of our regular review of united.com and the United App to enhance the customer experience, in 2025 we added more detail to our seat selection process, so customers can have more information about what to expect when they choose a seat,” a United spokesperson told FOX Business.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class of passengers who paid extra for window seats but allegedly received seats without windows. The case will now move forward in federal court.

President Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday that he would grant Kyiv a license to manufacture its own Patriot air-defense missiles, joking, “This way, you can’t complain that we’re not giving them enough.”

“One of the things I think we’re going to be talking about today, a little birdie told me this, about the fact that we’ll give them the right to make Patriots,” Trump said ahead of his closed-door meeting with Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey.

Patriot missiles have long been in short supply, and Ukraine’s stockpile has now grown critically low, forcing Kyiv in recent days to allow Russian missiles to strike the capital without interception. On Sunday alone, Russia fired a barrage of 23 missiles at Ukraine, none of which were intercepted due to the shortage, according to Ukrainian officials. At least 22 people were killed and 56 injured in those strikes.

Trump estimated that Ukraine could be up and running with domestic Patriot production by the fall. “We’ll show them how to do it. It’s very complex, actually, but it’s — you’ll figure out the complexity quickly, and we’re talking about that,” he said, adding that the American company that manufactures the missiles is currently building four plants and that “all of our companies will be able to do this in two to three months.”

The president also reflected on his improved relationship with Zelensky, referencing their contentious Oval Office meeting in February 2025, during which Trump told the Ukrainian leader he didn’t “have the cards.” Speaking Wednesday, Trump said, “We’ve actually developed a good relationship! Hard to believe, right? From the Oval Office to now.”

The war has pushed Ukraine to rapidly expand its own defense industry, which is now capable of producing long-range missiles and drones able to strike deep into Russian territory. Kyiv has long sought a license to produce Patriot missiles domestically amid the global shortage and reportedly feels confident it can scale up production quickly once the necessary approvals are finalized.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Civilian and navy searchers off Pakistan’s coast Wednesday located and recovered wreckage of a cargo plane that disappeared while approaching the southern port of Karachi while the search continues for five missing crew members, officials said.

The aircraft operated by the private carrier K2 Airways had departed from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and reported a navigational system problem before losing contact with air traffic control late Tuesday.

The Pakistani navy and civilian teams in planes and ships found the plane debris after about 12 hours of searching in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan’s Airports Authority said in a post on X.

Retired Rear Adm. Faisal Shah said searchers were dealing with rough seas and that they were still looking for the main wreckage of the plane, which could prove much more difficult to find because the area is believed to be about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) deep, requiring specialized equipment.

He said recovering debris does not necessarily reveal the aircraft’s exact crash site because ocean currents, waves and wind can carry the floating wreckage far from where the aircraft went down.

In a statement, K2 Airways identified the missing crew as Capt. Muhammad Rizwan Idris, First Officer Faisal Jatoi, flight engineers Muhammad Hamid and Muhammad Arif Siddiqui, and aircraft loader Muhammad Taufiq Khan.

“We continue to pray earnestly for the safety of our colleagues,” it said.

Ghulam Nabi Bahrani, the father-in-law of co-pilot Faisal Jatoi, said the family was in regular contact with him while he was in Sharjah, and that he had called his wife shortly before departure Tuesday. Bahrani said government officials have been in contact with the family since the aircraft disappeared.

“All we can do is wait and pray for a miracle,” he said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif released a statement expressing sympathy with the families of the five crew members, and directed the government to deploy all available resources for the search effort.

Pakistan’s Airports Authority said earlier on X that radar data showed the aircraft making a sharp change in heading and rapidly descending before radar and radio contact were lost at about 9:21 p.m., approximately 155 nautical miles (287 kilometers, 178 miles) west of Karachi.

Aviation expert Imran Aslam told local broadcaster ARY News late Tuesday that it remained unclear what caused the aircraft to disappear from radar. He said that even if an aircraft suffered an engine failure, it would normally continue gliding rather than plunge suddenly. He said the exact cause would become clear only after investigators gathered more evidence.

In May 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines flight carrying 98 people crashed into a densely populated neighborhood near Karachi airport while attempting to land. All but one of the 99 people on board were killed. A government investigation later concluded that human error by the pilots and air traffic controllers caused the crash.

A portion of the roof of the Economy Inn in Wall Township partially collapsed Wednesday morning after sustaining damage during last week’s severe storms, authorities said.

At approximately 7:27 a.m., officers from the Wall Township Police Department, along with the South Wall Fire Department, EMS, and the Wall Township Building Department, responded to the Economy Inn at 2035 State Highway 35 after receiving reports that part of the building’s exterior façade had fallen and that additional sections appeared unstable.

Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered an active partial roof collapse caused by damage from the severe weather over the past week. While crews were assessing the structure, a second section of the roof also collapsed.

Crews from New Jersey Natural Gas and Jersey Central Power & Light responded to safely disconnect utility services to the building.

Authorities said the motel was vacant at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported.

Police established a safety perimeter around the building and surrounding parking lot using tape, cones, and barricades to keep the public away from the unstable structure.

Township officials have notified the property owner and will continue monitoring the site to ensure the damaged building is properly secured and any hazards are addressed.

Yisroel R.

The NYPD’s 66th Precinct announced that officers removed a loaded illegal firearm from the streets Tuesday evening.

According to the precinct, the firearm was recovered by members of the 66th Precinct Night Q-Team as part of their ongoing enforcement efforts in the area.

The NYPD said the recovery was part of continued efforts to take illegal firearms off the streets and keep the community safe, praising the officers for remaining proactive and vigilant.

A photo shared by the precinct showed the firearm, along with a magazine and ammunition recovered during the incident.

photos: Avrumi Berger

A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Monsey, New York, community this morning when 7-year-old Baila Weber was killed after being struck by a school bus on Blauvelt Road.

The accident occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. Hatzalah of Rockland County paramedics and EMTs, officers from the Ramapo Police Department, Rockland Chaverim volunteers, and additional emergency personnel rushed to the scene.

First responders performed extensive life-saving measures and fought to save the young girl’s life. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Baila was a daughter of Reb Yisroel Efraim and Esti Weber.

Following the tragedy, volunteers from Chesed Shel Emes, Misaskim, and Rockland Chaverim also responded to the scene to ensure proper kavod hameis and to assist the grieving family during their time of immense loss.

Levayah details have not yet been announced.

Elon Musk is making one of his boldest promises yet — and a famous market skeptic has already shot it down.

Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, wrote on X on Thursday, July 2, that machines will soon handle so much of the world’s work that people will no longer need jobs to get by. “AI+Robots will be able to do everything, resulting in universal high income,” he wrote. “Work will be optional.”

The pushback came fast. Michael Burry, the investor made famous by The Big Short for calling the 2008 housing crash, replied with a single word: “False.” Then he added, “There will be revolution first.”

Musk was responding to an essay posted the same day by fellow billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya, a venture capitalist and former Facebook executive. The piece, titled The Great Descent, argued that the cost of expertise is falling toward zero as AI tools let ordinary people tap skills that once required hiring a lawyer, an accountant or a consultant.

Musk has made a version of this pitch for years. His argument is that AI and robots will drive down the cost of nearly everything — food, housing, healthcare, energy — until governments can afford to hand citizens enough money to live well. He calls it “universal high income,” a step beyond the “universal basic income” that former presidential candidate Andrew Yang campaigned on in 2019 with his $1,000-a-month plan. Musk’s version promises not just survival, but comfort.

He has pushed the idea even further. Musk has said saving for retirement could become “irrelevant” within 20 years because there will be so much wealth to go around that no one will need a nest egg.

Burry is not buying the timeline. On Substack last week, he disclosed that he is betting against Tesla stock. Back in late January, he called Musk “an American treasure but also a desperately incentivized futurist” — a jab at the billionaire’s habit of predicting a future that happens to line up with his own companies. Burry knows something about early calls: his bet against the mid-2000s housing bubble proved right, but years too soon.

His warning about revolution points to the gap between Musk’s rosy end state and the difficult transition that could come first. The concern is that if AI displaces large numbers of workers before any broad safety net is in place, the result could be widespread social unrest rather than a smooth transition into leisure.

He is not the only heavyweight worried about the handoff. Ray Dalio, founder of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has warned that AI could widen the gap between rich and poor and raise the risk of internal conflict — even civil war. On The Diary of a CEO podcast last fall, Dalio said governments will need a redistribution plan for the AI era and that it must give people more than money, since idleness itself breeds anger. JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon has likewise spoken about how sharply AI could reshape the workplace.

For everyday workers, the debate is not academic. Some companies have cited AI as one factor in workforce reductions, and the promise of a comfortable government income remains a long way from any paycheck. The question sitting under the billionaire back-and-forth is simple: who pays, and when.

A “high income” for everyone would mean moving trillions of dollars from the companies and investors who own the AI to the workers it replaces. That is a political fight, not a technical one — and critics doubt the same billionaires cheering the technology would line up to fund the redistribution. As analysts have noted, the whole vision rests on wealthy backers agreeing to a massive transfer of their own money.

Governments have tested small versions of the idea. Cash-transfer pilots and one-time stimulus checks have come and gone. But turning that into a permanent, comfortable income for entire populations would demand a rebuilt tax system and a level of political agreement that does not exist right now.

For now, the two men stand at opposite poles: Musk promising abundance and Burry warning of upheaval before it arrives. The workers caught in between are left watching the machines improve every month — and wondering which billionaire has it right.

JBizNews Desk

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WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its outlook for the world economy on Wednesday, July 8, trimming its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0% and raising its inflation projection, even as it argued that the world had absorbed the shock of the Middle East war better than many had feared. Deniz Igan, who leads the World Economic Studies division of the Fund’s research department, presented the newly released update during a morning briefing in Washington.

The new figure marks a slight downgrade from the 3.1% growth forecast the IMF issued in April. The Fund expects global growth to recover to 3.4% in 2027, though that would still remain below the 3.5% average pace recorded in 2024 and 2025. On prices, it raised its 2026 headline inflation forecast by three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.7%, before projecting inflation to ease to 3.9% in 2027.

The Fund’s cautiously optimistic outlook rests on one critical assumption. Its forecast is built on expectations that the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow Persian Gulf shipping lane through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply travels—will begin reopening in mid-July and gradually return to normal conditions by March 2027. Based on that assumption, the IMF credited releases from strategic petroleum reserves, ample commercial inventories and resilient demand from the technology sector with helping the global economy withstand the conflict better than many economists had expected.

That assumption appeared to come under pressure almost immediately.

The report was released the same morning that President Donald Trump, speaking in Ankara ahead of a NATO summit, declared that the understanding between the United States and Iran was “over.” His remarks followed overnight military action after attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response, while the U.S. Treasury Department revoked the license that had allowed Iran to continue selling oil on global markets.

The contrast between the IMF’s assumptions and rapidly changing geopolitical developments was striking.

While the Fund’s baseline forecast assumes the energy shock will gradually ease, renewed tensions threaten to keep oil prices elevated and increase the risk of additional supply disruptions. Brent crude traded above $76 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) remained above $72 per barrel, extending gains as traders monitored developments in the Gulf. The IMF noted that energy prices were already running roughly 25% higher than before the conflict began on February 28. Should disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue, the Fund’s baseline projections could prove overly optimistic.

The regional outlook reflected those risks.

The IMF left its 2026 U.S. growth forecast unchanged at 2.3% and slightly increased its 2027 estimate to 2.2%. It reduced its outlook for the euro area to 0.9% from 1.1%, lowered Japan to 0.6%, and trimmed India, while still among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, to 6.4%. The largest downgrade came in the Middle East and Central Asia, where projected 2026 growth fell by 1.2 percentage points to just 0.7%, although the IMF expects a stronger rebound in 2027 if regional conditions stabilize.

Global trade is also expected to cool.

The IMF projects world trade growth will slow to 3.5% in 2026, down from 5% in 2025, a year boosted by companies accelerating imports ahead of higher U.S. tariffs. Trade growth is then expected to recover to 4.3% in 2027.

One subtle but significant change also stood out.

In its April forecast, released shortly after the conflict began, the IMF outlined multiple economic scenarios, including a severe case in which prolonged energy disruptions pushed inflation above 6% and significantly weakened global growth. In Wednesday’s report, however, the Fund returned to a single baseline forecast and removed those alternative downside scenarios, even as geopolitical uncertainty appears to be increasing.

For American businesses and consumers, the report offers both reassurance and caution.

The IMF continues to see the U.S. economy expanding at a healthy pace while inflation gradually moderates over the next two years. At the same time, much of that outlook depends on energy markets remaining relatively stable. Higher oil prices eventually ripple through transportation, manufacturing, shipping and retail prices, affecting everything from gasoline to groceries.

The IMF’s message is that the global economy has shown greater resilience than many expected. Whether that optimism proves justified will depend largely on events unfolding in the Middle East. As markets digested the report, investors were already watching developments in the Gulf that could reshape the very assumptions underlying the Fund’s latest forecast.

JBizNews Desk | Washington

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LONDON (VINnews) – The U.K. government has approved plans for what would be China’s largest embassy in Europe, brushing aside fierce opposition from local residents and activists who are now taking their fight to court.

A legal challenge to the project is scheduled to be heard July 14.

Hong Kong dissidents who fled Beijing’s crackdown on the former British territory expressed deep concern that the proposed “super embassy” could heighten surveillance and intimidation against Chinese exiles already living under threat in the U.K.

A U.K. government spokesperson told CBS News that national security remained the top priority in the decision-making process, with intelligence agencies involved throughout.

“Any attempts by a foreign state to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm individuals on U.K. soil will never be tolerated,” the spokesperson said.

The Chinese embassy in the U.K. did not respond to a request for comment.

The approval comes amid broader worries about Chinese influence operations in Britain and Europe. Activists have warned that the expanded diplomatic footprint could provide greater cover for intelligence activities targeting dissidents, including pro-democracy advocates from Hong Kong.

The story was first reported by CBS News.

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran on Wednesday, warning that the United States could launch another round of military strikes as tensions continue to rise following Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is behaving very badly,” Trump said. “We hit them very hard last night. They fired on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and we may hit them hard again tonight.”

Earlier in the day, Trump declared that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement was effectively over, saying he no longer had any interest in dealing with the Iranian regime. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over,” Trump said. “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. It’s a waste of time.” He added that Iran continues to violate the ceasefire and suggested the United States could ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon even without a negotiated agreement.

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Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump further intensified his criticism, calling the Iranian regime “cancer” and “a bunch of scum.” He also claimed Iran has long sought to assassinate him, saying, “I’m number one on their list. We have to eliminate the cancer early.”

When asked whether diplomacy had completely ended, Trump replied that, in his view, the ceasefire was finished but acknowledged that negotiations could still continue.

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Iran responded with a sharp warning of its own. A spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters declared that “the era of containing crises is over, and the era of breaking the rules has begun,” warning that any further U.S. military action would be met with a response that would “change the balance of power across the region.” The spokesman added that Iran’s next strike “will not come from where the enemy expects” and would differ from any previous confrontation.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth canceled his planned visit to Israel amid the rapidly developing security situation.

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(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Intel confirmed Monday, July 6, that it is increasing prices on several of its computer processors, citing rising supply chain costs and continued strong demand as the artificial intelligence boom reshapes the global semiconductor industry. The move marks a significant shift for an industry where chip prices have historically fallen over time as technology improves and manufacturing becomes more efficient.

The price increases affect both consumer processors and high-end server chips used in corporate data centers, underscoring how AI-related demand is now influencing virtually every segment of the semiconductor market.

For consumers, Intel raised suggested prices on several processors in its Core Ultra 200S Plus desktop lineup. Depending on the model, prices increased by roughly $30 to $50, representing increases of approximately 10% to 17% over previous suggested retail prices.

The larger increases came in Intel’s data-center business. Several Xeon server processors now carry price hikes ranging from hundreds of dollars to well over $1,000. Intel’s flagship Xeon 6980P processor, for example, increased from $12,460 to $13,955, reflecting one of the largest price adjustments in the company’s enterprise lineup.

The reason extends far beyond Intel itself.

Artificial intelligence has triggered an unprecedented wave of investment in data centers around the world. Technology companies, cloud providers and governments continue spending billions of dollars expanding AI computing infrastructure, dramatically increasing demand for advanced memory, storage and semiconductor manufacturing capacity.

That surge has tightened supplies throughout the semiconductor industry.

Although many of Intel’s processors are not specifically designed for AI workloads, they compete for manufacturing capacity, advanced packaging and critical components with chips produced for AI applications. As demand continues rising, component costs have increased across much of the electronics supply chain.

Industry analysts say Intel is not alone.

Several semiconductor manufacturers have recently announced or signaled price increases tied to higher production costs and ongoing shortages of advanced memory components. Suppliers throughout the industry continue facing pressure as demand outpaces available manufacturing capacity for many high-performance technologies.

The ripple effects extend well beyond semiconductor companies.

Computer manufacturers, enterprise technology providers and cloud-computing companies all depend on processors whose production costs continue rising. Higher component prices eventually work their way into desktops, laptops, servers and enterprise technology purchases made by businesses around the world.

For consumers, the timing could matter.

Retail prices do not always increase immediately because many stores continue selling inventory purchased before manufacturers raised prices. However, analysts expect higher wholesale costs to gradually reach retailers over the coming weeks and months as existing inventory is replaced.

Businesses planning major technology upgrades may also face higher costs.

Organizations purchasing servers, upgrading office computers or expanding data-center capacity could see larger hardware budgets as semiconductor pricing adjusts to current market conditions.

The broader significance highlights one of the unexpected consequences of the artificial intelligence revolution.

While AI promises enormous productivity gains, it is also increasing demand for the components that power modern computing. That competition is pushing prices higher not only for specialized AI hardware but also for products used every day by businesses, schools and consumers.

Intel’s decision reflects growing confidence that demand remains strong enough to support higher pricing despite continued competition throughout the semiconductor industry. The company left prices unchanged on many products, suggesting it is focusing increases on processors experiencing the strongest demand rather than implementing broad price hikes across its entire portfolio.

As AI investment continues accelerating worldwide, industry observers expect semiconductor pricing to remain one of the most closely watched indicators of supply-chain conditions. Whether additional manufacturers follow Intel with further price increases may help determine how much more consumers and businesses ultimately pay for technology over the coming year.

JBizNews Desk | Santa Clara, Calif.

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Tzedek Association announced three significant advocacy updates this week, spanning federal prison conditions and reproductive healthcare policy.

The Bureau of Prisons officially began launching its new inmate tablet initiative today, a development Tzedek called a “tremendous step forward.” The organization expressed gratitude to BOP Director William Marshall and Deputy Director Josh Smith for their leadership on the initiative, noting that Tzedek representatives met with Director Marshall on Monday in Washington, D.C., where they said they saw firsthand his “genuine desire to continue moving the Bureau in a positive direction.”

“The rollout of inmate tablets marks a meaningful step toward strengthening family connections, expanding access to educational opportunities, and improving rehabilitation throughout the federal prison system,” Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President and Founder of Tzedek Association told Belaaz. “We are grateful to Bureau of Prisons leadership for making this initiative a reality and are honored that Tzedek had the opportunity to advocate for this important improvement. Every positive step that helps prepare individuals for a successful return to their families and communities benefits not only those incarcerated, but society as a whole.”

The tablets are expected to substantially improve conditions for incarcerated individuals and their families. Most notably, the devices will allow inmates to participate in video calls with loved ones, giving parents what Tzedek described as a “priceless opportunity” to see and interact with their children face-to-face. Unlike phone calls, which are constrained by limited minutes, the video calling feature will be available with unlimited minutes during designated periods of the day. The tablets will also provide access to First Step Act programming, educational materials, and digital books, allowing incarcerated individuals to use their time for learning and preparation for reentry into society. Tzedek said it was proud to have played a role in encouraging the initiative and commended the BOP for bringing it to fruition.

With this summer’s extreme heat, Tzedek also reported continued progress on its campaign to expand air conditioning access inside federal prisons. Following its earlier donation of air conditioning units to the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution, the organization said it is now working with the BOP to expand air conditioning to additional housing areas at Otisville and to other facilities nationwide. Tzedek is also working to donate ice machines and ice boxes to provide relief during periods of extreme heat. These efforts were among the topics discussed in Monday’s meeting with Director Marshall, alongside First Step Act implementation issues and furlough expansion. Tzedek said it remains committed to improving “the health, safety, and dignity of those in federal custody.”

Separately, Tzedek announced it submitted comprehensive comments this morning to the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services regarding the Administration’s proposed “Excepted Fertility Benefits” rule, which the organization said has the potential to expand access to affordable fertility treatment for millions of Americans. Tzedek’s submission strongly supports the proposal while offering recommendations to ensure necessary fertility treatments remain a central component of the final rule, to encourage broader participation by insurance companies, and to maximize meaningful access for couples struggling with infertility. The organization credited its Advisory Board, particularly Dr. Kaylen Silverberg and Dr. Joshua Klein, along with Alan Hahn, Esq., for their expertise in preparing the submission.

The Lakewood Township Committee congratulates Municipal Manager Patrick “Pat” Donnelly upon being recognized as “2026 Municipal Manager of the Year” in the July 15th issue of Gov Business Review Magazine. The recognition was first reported by TLS.

The Magazine reaches a national audience of over 85,000 subscribers – primarily governmental and other public policy officials – in addition to countless others who view the publication online.

Pat began his career at Lakewood Township as a rank-and-file Department of Public Works (DPW) employee; and was appointed to serve as DPW Director, prior to being appointed to his current position in 2018. As the Manager of one of the fastest growing and most diverse municipalities in the Nation – the fourth largest in NJ – Pat manages over 570 employees, and a $167 million annual budget.

Gov Business Review highlighted Pat’s unique leadership style, which enables him to effectively manage Township operations in a fiscally responsible manner; remain on the cutting edge of technological advances; and build positive relationships with Township officials and employees alike.

“I was not surprised to learn that Pat was given this tremendous honor,” said Mayor Ray Coles. “Over the ten years that he has been with Lakewood, Pat has consistently been at the forefront of the programs and technology that have allowed us to flourish. I’m glad to see that the rest of the country now knows what an amazing manager he is.”

“Pat invested much time and effort to understanding the unique needs of Lakewood’s diverse communities,” said Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller. “Snow removal and pre-Passover garbage pickup are just some minor examples of the unique challenges that affect Lakewood communities; and Pat has risen to the challenge.”

“As one who rose through the ranks from performing manual labor to his current supervisory role, Pat has a unique understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of the inner workings of government at every level,” says Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. “These experiences, along with his professionalism and character, have enabled Pat to see great success in his work and earn national recognition.”

“Pat was an asset to Lakewood from the day he joined our staff; and he constantly develops his skills – and uses his talents – to improve our town,” said Committeeman Isaac Akerman. “His innovation and willingness to adopt new methods, as they become available, continue to help us make Lakewood more service-oriented and efficient. Pat works behind the scenes without fanfare, so I’m grateful that he’s finally receiving some well-deserved public recognition.”

“Congratulations to our Municipal Manager of the year Patrick Donnelly,” said Committeewoman Debbie Fuentes. “Well deserved! It’s a pleasure to work with such an incredible professional on issues of importance to Lakewood residents. “

A wave of outrage has erupted in Austria after authorities approved plans to build a massive logistics center and a Lidl supermarket on the site of the former Hirtenberg women’s concentration camp, one of the country’s largest Nazi camps for female prisoners during World War II.

The controversial project received approval from Austria’s Federal Monuments Office, which ruled that the remaining walls of the former camp do not qualify for designation as a protected historic site. The decision has sparked widespread public criticism and has been described by Austrian media as a “major scandal.”

At the center of the controversy is Andreas Ramharter, the mayor of Leobersdorf, a town located about 40 minutes south of Vienna, who is reportedly set to profit substantially from the project.

According to reports, a company owned by Ramharter sold the property to an investor for more than €15 million.

After the municipal council, which he leads, approved rezoning the land for commercial use, Ramharter reportedly received an additional €1.34 million.

He also secured exclusive rights to install solar panels on the roof of the future complex, a move expected to generate ongoing income for years to come.

The planned development includes a sprawling industrial facility designed to serve as a refrigerated warehouse and logistics center, complete with loading docks, freezer facilities, and shipping infrastructure for food distribution companies. A branch of the German discount supermarket chain Lidl is also slated to be built on the site.

Beyond concerns over preserving Holocaust history, the project has also drawn opposition from local political leaders. Current plans call for traffic changes that would route approximately 1,200 trucks each day through the former concentration camp grounds, raising fears of severe congestion and transportation problems throughout the surrounding area.

Jewish leaders and Holocaust memorial officials have sharply condemned the decision.

Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna, said, “To profit from the memory of tortured women who were murdered is a disgrace. This dark chapter of our history cannot simply be covered over with a shopping center.”

Barbara Glück, director of the Mauthausen Memorial, also denounced the plan, saying, “It is a shame and a disgrace to destroy the remains of a concentration camp in this way.”

For months, local activists campaigned to preserve the site and establish even a modest memorial honoring the victims who suffered there. Their appeals, however, were ultimately rejected.

The Hirtenberg concentration camp operated during the final years of World War II as a satellite camp of the Mauthausen concentration camp. Approximately 400 women, many of them deported from Auschwitz, were imprisoned there.

The prisoners were forced to work 12-hour shifts in a nearby weapons factory under brutal and inhumane conditions. The youngest inmate held at the camp was just 16 years old.

Lidl declined to confirm its involvement in the project but stopped short of denying the reports.

“We are always looking for new and attractive locations to further improve our local offering, and that includes the Leobersdorf area. However, at this stage we cannot provide details about a potential project,” the company said.

A former spokesman for Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital claimed this week that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became seriously ill about seven years ago and that the Mossad sent an Israeli doctor to treat him and save his life.

The claim was made by former Ichilov spokesman Avi Shushan during an appearance on Channel 14, where he said that when Erdogan became seriously ill, the Mossad asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to approve sending an Israeli physician to Turkey. According to Shushan, Netanyahu agreed, the doctor was dispatched, and Erdogan’s life was saved.

The report comes against the backdrop of Erdogan’s repeated threats and attacks against Israel in recent years. Shushan did not identify the doctor by name during his remarks, but the report pointed to a January 2022 report in Israel that said Erdogan had received medical advice from an Israeli physician, Prof. Itzhak Shapira, deputy director-general of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, better known as Ichilov Hospital.

According to that 2022 report, Prof. Shapira advises world leaders on medical issues and treatment. Shapira is a cardiologist by training, which led to speculation at the time that Erdogan may have been dealing with heart-related problems, though no official diagnosis was ever made public.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Wednesday that it had carried out a sweeping missile and drone assault against 85 U.S. military bases and installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, saying the operation was in direct retaliation for American airstrikes conducted overnight inside Iran.

According to a statement published by Iranian state media, the IRGC said its naval and aerospace units launched the coordinated attack after accusing the United States of breaching a ceasefire. The announcement came after U.S. forces reportedly struck 80 targets across Iranian territory overnight, an action Tehran characterized as a “decisive response.”

The IRGC also asserted that its air defense systems successfully downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over southern Iran, calling the incident part of its response to what it described as ongoing U.S. military activity over the Gulf. In a separate report, Iranian state media said one member of the IRGC Navy was killed in an attack allegedly carried out by “enemy drones.”

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, claimed that President Trump is preparing for additional military action against Iran. “We believe the United States intends to resume its military operations, but we are prepared for all scenarios,” Rezaei said in remarks carried by Iranian media.

The latest escalation has fueled growing anxiety throughout the Gulf region. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, said Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, along with repeated strikes directed at Bahrain and Kuwait, showed that Tehran was not genuinely seeking to reduce tensions.

Writing on X, Gargash said countries across the region “cannot remain targets of Iran’s wavering between the logic of escalation and the path of reason, stability and peace,” adding that Iran’s recent actions had severely damaged prospects for ending the conflict.

At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry argued that alleged violations of agreements regulating maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, combined with ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, had effectively rendered the interim agreement meaningless.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. housing market continues showing signs of improvement in inventory, but for many Americans, homeownership remains financially out of reach as mortgage rates remain stubbornly high. According to the latest housing data from Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage continues hovering around 6.5%, keeping monthly payments elevated even as more homes become available for sale across much of the country.

Higher borrowing costs have become the single biggest obstacle facing prospective homebuyers.

At today’s mortgage rates, financing a $400,000 home requires monthly principal and interest payments exceeding $2,500, hundreds of dollars more each month than buyers would have paid just a few years ago when mortgage rates were near historic lows.

That difference has dramatically reduced affordability, particularly for first-time buyers struggling to save for down payments while managing higher living costs.

Although housing inventory has gradually increased this year, demand has remained relatively subdued.

More homeowners have begun listing their properties, and builders continue adding new homes to the market. Sellers are also becoming more willing to negotiate prices, offer mortgage-rate buydowns and provide additional incentives to attract buyers.

Even so, elevated financing costs continue limiting affordability.

Mortgage rates closely follow movements in the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, which remains influenced by inflation expectations. As long as inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s target, economists expect mortgage rates to remain relatively elevated.

Another challenge continues restricting supply.

Millions of homeowners refinanced during the pandemic when mortgage rates fell below 4%, with many locking in rates closer to 3%. Those homeowners now have little incentive to sell because purchasing another home would require accepting significantly higher financing costs.

Economists refer to this as the “lock-in effect,” and it continues limiting the number of existing homes entering the market.

Despite those challenges, there are encouraging signs.

The National Association of Realtors recently reported existing-home sales improving from earlier this year, while inventory continues expanding in many markets. Slower home-price appreciation is also allowing incomes to gradually catch up after several years of rapid housing inflation.

Builders have responded by offering more incentives, including mortgage-rate assistance, closing-cost credits and upgrades designed to improve affordability without reducing advertised home prices.

Housing analysts believe those concessions could create opportunities for financially prepared buyers willing to enter the market despite higher interest rates.

For many households, however, affordability remains the deciding factor.

Higher mortgage payments affect not only purchasing decisions but also how much home buyers can qualify to finance. Even modest changes in mortgage rates can significantly alter monthly payments and purchasing power.

Financial experts generally caution buyers against waiting indefinitely for mortgage rates to return to pandemic-era lows, noting those historically low borrowing costs were largely the result of extraordinary economic conditions unlikely to return soon.

Instead, many advisers recommend purchasing when personal finances allow rather than attempting to predict future interest-rate movements.

For business leaders, the housing market remains an important economic indicator because residential real estate influences consumer spending, construction activity, banking, home improvement retailers and numerous related industries.

The next housing reports later this month will provide additional insight into whether improving inventory and moderating home-price growth are beginning to stimulate stronger buyer activity.

For now, the housing market remains caught between improving supply and stubborn affordability challenges.

More homes may finally be available, but until mortgage rates move meaningfully lower or household incomes rise further, many Americans will continue finding that owning a home remains one of the biggest financial challenges they face.

JBizNews Desk | Washington

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks closed lower on Tuesday, July 7, after the U.S. Treasury Department revoked the license that had allowed Iran to sell oil on the world market, sending crude prices sharply higher and adding fresh pressure to a market already struggling with a broad selloff in semiconductor stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 130.76 points, or 0.25%, to 52,925.15, surrendering gains after reaching another all-time intraday high earlier in the session. The S&P 500 lost 0.45% to finish at 7,503.85, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.16% to 25,818.69, weighed down by another steep decline in chipmakers.

Technology once again led the market lower.

Micron Technology fell 4.7%, while KLA Corp., Marvell Technology, Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices also posted notable losses. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF, a closely watched benchmark for the industry, dropped more than 3%, extending a retreat that has accelerated over the past week.

The weakness came despite Samsung Electronics reporting record quarterly operating profit earlier in the day. Under normal circumstances, strong results from one of the world’s largest memory-chip manufacturers would have lifted sentiment across the sector. Instead, investors continued rotating out of the semiconductor companies that have fueled Wall Street’s artificial intelligence rally throughout much of the year.

Mike Bailey, director of research at FBB Capital Partners, said expectations for many AI-related companies have climbed so rapidly that even strong earnings are no longer enough to satisfy investors. As valuations have expanded, markets have become increasingly sensitive to any sign that growth may be slowing.

Energy markets added another layer of pressure.

Oil prices surged after the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked the general license that had permitted Iranian oil exports. The move followed a series of attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping lanes.

Brent crude rose more than 5% to above $76 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed more than 5% to above $72 per barrel. Higher oil prices boosted energy shares but raised fresh concerns that rising fuel costs could eventually reignite inflation and weigh on consumers and businesses.

There were several notable company-specific moves.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals surged 98.8% after Vertex Pharmaceuticals agreed to acquire the biotechnology company in a deal valued at approximately $10 billion. Vertex shares slipped about 2% following the announcement as investors weighed the cost of the acquisition.

Meanwhile, SpaceX, which made its public market debut on June 12, fell nearly 7% during its first trading session as a member of the Nasdaq-100 Index, a difficult start for one of the market’s newest high-profile technology stocks.

Despite Tuesday’s decline, market strategists noted that the selling remains concentrated in the companies that led the market’s gains for much of the past year. Rather than a broad-based exit from equities, investors have increasingly shifted capital into sectors such as healthcare, financials, insurance and other areas that had previously lagged the technology rally.

That rotation will be closely watched in the weeks ahead. If money continues flowing into other sectors, it could help support the broader market even as technology stocks undergo a correction. If selling spreads beyond semiconductors, however, broader market volatility could increase.

The other major variable remains oil.

As long as tensions involving Iran continue to push crude prices higher, the effects are likely to ripple well beyond Wall Street. Higher energy costs eventually feed into transportation, manufacturing, shipping and consumer prices, creating additional challenges for businesses already navigating an uncertain economic environment.

Tuesday’s trading reflected those competing forces. Investors continued taking profits in high-flying technology names while weighing the economic impact of rising geopolitical tensions and higher oil prices. Whether the current market rotation proves temporary or marks the beginning of a more sustained shift away from technology will likely depend on corporate earnings, inflation trends and developments in the Middle East over the coming weeks.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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Nikkei Asia reported Monday, July 6, that Apple is preparing its most ambitious iPhone rollout in years, with plans to introduce at least five new iPhone models between late 2026 and the first half of 2027. The expanded lineup comes as the technology giant works to stay ahead of a global memory chip shortage that is driving up costs across the electronics industry and putting pressure on smartphone manufacturers worldwide.

According to the report, Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a lower-priced iPhone 18e, and the company’s long-awaited foldable iPhone, marking Apple’s first entry into the rapidly growing foldable smartphone market.

Unlike previous years, Apple is expected to split the launches into two phases. The premium Pro models and the foldable device are expected to debut during the company’s traditional fall product event, while the standard iPhone 18 and 18e models are reportedly scheduled for release during the spring of 2027.

The strategy reflects more than product planning. It also demonstrates Apple’s ability to navigate one of the semiconductor industry’s biggest challenges: securing enough memory chips during an unprecedented supply crunch fueled by artificial intelligence.

The explosive growth of AI data centers has dramatically increased demand for advanced memory chips used in servers and high-performance computing. As cloud providers and technology companies race to expand AI infrastructure, competition for memory components has intensified, pushing prices higher throughout the global electronics supply chain.

Apple has largely insulated itself from those shortages by leveraging its enormous purchasing power. According to Nikkei Asia, the company has already secured components for approximately 80 million iPhones scheduled for production during the second half of 2026. Total iPhone production this year is expected to exceed 220 million devices, giving Apple one of the strongest supply positions in the smartphone industry.

That scale has become a major competitive advantage.

While Apple continues securing production capacity, several Chinese smartphone manufacturers—including Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo—have reportedly reduced production targets after struggling to obtain sufficient memory supplies at acceptable prices. Industry executives told Nikkei that Apple’s purchasing leverage gives it priority access to critical components that smaller competitors often cannot match.

Even Apple, however, has begun feeling the effects of rising semiconductor costs.

The company recently increased prices on portions of its MacBook and iPad product lines as memory and storage expenses climbed. Analysts say similar cost pressures could eventually affect future iPhone pricing, particularly if semiconductor shortages continue into next year.

Much of the excitement surrounding Apple’s roadmap centers on its first foldable iPhone.

Industry reports indicate Apple has spent years refining the device, focusing heavily on reducing the visible crease that has affected competing foldable smartphones. The premium model is expected to feature a titanium frame, advanced display technology supplied by Samsung Display, and a book-style folding design with separate inner and outer screens.

Because of its complex manufacturing process, analysts expect initial production volumes to remain relatively limited. Early estimates suggest the foldable iPhone could carry a price exceeding $2,000, making it Apple’s most expensive smartphone ever.

For consumers, the broader story extends beyond new devices.

The AI boom reshaping Silicon Valley is also changing the economics of everyday electronics. As technology companies invest hundreds of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence infrastructure, competition for advanced semiconductors continues pushing manufacturing costs higher across phones, tablets, laptops and personal computers.

Apple’s ability to secure long-term supply agreements gives it advantages many competitors lack, allowing the company to continue launching products even as shortages affect other manufacturers. Whether that advantage ultimately translates into higher market share or higher consumer prices will become clearer as the new iPhone lineup begins reaching customers.

Apple has not officially confirmed the reported product roadmap and traditionally does not comment on unreleased products before its annual launch events.

JBizNews Desk | Cupertino, Calif.

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

By Y.M. Lowy

This week’s Dee Voch features comprehensive coverage of the major events throughout the world, including the Belzer Rebbe’s l’chaim tish after Shiva Asar B’Tammuz; the Satmar Rebbe’s departure for New Hampshire; the hanachas tefillin of the first grandson of the Rachmastrivka Rebbe; the Dushinsky Rebbe reciting Tikkun Chatzos; the wedding of a grandson of the Sanz-Zvhil Rebbe in Kiryas Sanz; the yahrtzeits of the Kapishnitz, Kretchnif, Bluzhev, and Zutchka Rebbes; the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of London at a Melaveh Malkah in Kiryas Skver; and an asifas rabbanim organized by the TAG International organization.

This week’s Shrift issue features an in-depth conversation with askanim R’ Chaim Fisher and R’ Chaskel Rosenberg about the ongoing effort to save Maimonides Medical Center in Boro Park. They discuss why the campaign is so critical, the challenges and opportunities ahead, the likelihood of success, and the impact the “Save Maimonides” campaign has already had.

This week’s Business Shrift features an interview with the founder of Air Seal Insulation. He shares how he built the company into a trusted name serving homeowners across the Tri-State area, helping protect homes from both extreme heat and cold through modern insulation solutions.

This week’s Fink magazine is filled with meaningful personal stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking features for heimishe women. Covering family, growth, health, and everyday life, the magazine offers engaging reading and uplifting content to enjoy throughout the week.

Get ready for another action-packed Kinder Shrift! This week’s edition is filled with exciting adventures, amazing discoveries, fun interviews, fascinating places, and plenty of surprises along the way.

Get your copy at grocery stores and local retailers, or subscribe via WhatsApp or the website!

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Children attending Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim in Russia uncovered what organizers described as a rare antique pocket watch and centuries-old Russian ruble coins while participating in an archaeological excavation at the historic courtyard of the Chabad Rebbes in Lubavitch, according to the Chabad news sites.

The discovery came during a visit to the birthplace of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, where campers joined restoration and excavation work at the site of the original Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva and the former residences of several Lubavitch Rebbes. According to Chabad, the children broke into Chassidic dancing after the artifacts were unearthed.

The items were turned over to Rabbi Gabriel Gordon, who oversees the restoration and maintenance of the historic complex. After a preliminary examination, Gordon said the craftsmanship and quality of the pocket watch suggest it may have belonged to a member of the family of the Chabad Rebbes, although additional study will be needed to determine its origin.

The discovery was one of the highlights of Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim, held at the Raminskaya complex outside Moscow and directed by Rabbi Avraham Sachs. The camp brings together children of Chabad emissaries serving Jewish communities across Russia, many of whom spend the school year in remote cities where they are among the only observant Jewish children in their communities.

The camp also hosted a visit by Rabbi Berel Lazar, who founded the camp network. During the visit, he was presented with an original red necktie once worn by Soviet communist youth camps alongside a modern green Camp Gan Israel necktie. the presentation symbolized the revival of Jewish life in Russia after decades of Soviet efforts to suppress religious practice.

Addressing the campers, Rabbi Lazar told the children that alongside the responsibility of serving as children of Chabad emissaries, they should remember the privilege of representing Judaism throughout Russia. He also praised the camp’s educational staff, saying, “The greatest success in shlichus is when people see how we care for our children,”.

Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim is one of dozens of Jewish summer camps operating across Russia this summer, bringing together thousands of children for programs focused on Jewish learning, Chassidic values and strengthening their connection to Jewish heritage.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Tuvia Blau zt”l, one of Chabad’s senior rabbinic figures in Eretz Yisroel and longtime rav of the Chabad community in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Rav Blau was 90 years old.

His petirah comes just a few weeks after the passing of his wife, Rebbetzin Chana Frumit Blau a”h, who was niftar on 2 Tammuz after both had been hospitalized in serious condition.

Rav Blau was born in Yerushalayim in 1936 to Reb Boruch Yehudah Blau z”l, a prominent leader of the Yerushalayim branch of Poalei Agudas Yisroel (PAGI). His grandfather was the legendary Agudas Yisroel leader Rav Moshe Blau zt”l, with whom the young Tuvia shared a particularly close relationship. As a youth, he learned with his grandfather regularly and often accompanied him on his public activities.

He received his Torah education in the renowned Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah and Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, where he was considered one of the yeshiva’s outstanding talmidim. During those years he developed a deep attachment to the teachings of Chassidus and became devoted to Chabad and to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, remaining a deeply connected chossid throughout his life.

In 1966, Rav Yisrael Leibov z”l, then chairman of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Eretz Yisroel, appointed Rav Blau as director-general of the organization’s activities division. He served in that role for more than two decades, until 1987, overseeing numerous nationwide educational and outreach initiatives and playing a major role in spreading Chassidus throughout Israel.

Rav Blau enjoyed an especially close relationship with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In 1972, during celebrations marking the Rebbe’s 70th birthday, he was personally selected by the Rebbe to serve on the prestigious “Committee of Seventy Institutions,” which was established to help create dozens of new Torah and educational institutions around the world.

Perhaps his greatest contribution came in the field of education. In 1975, Rav Blau was appointed director of the renowned Beis Chana Seminary for Girls in Yerushalayim, a position he held for more than 40 years. Under his leadership, thousands of students passed through the institution, many of whom went on to become mothers, educators, and community leaders. Former talmidos regarded him as both a spiritual mentor and a steadfast guide in Torah, emunah, and Chassidus.

Alongside his educational work, Rav Blau earned a reputation as one of Chabad’s foremost writers and thinkers. Known for his sharp intellect and powerful pen, he became a leading defender of Chabad philosophy and Torah values. When the official Chabad weekly Kfar Chabad was founded in 1980, he joined its original editorial board and spent the following decade writing hundreds of essays and opinion pieces that helped shape the movement’s public voice.

For many decades, Rav Blau also served as the spiritual leader of the Chabad community in Neve Yaakov, where he established Torah classes, provided halachic guidance, strengthened community life, and became a trusted address for countless people seeking advice and encouragement.

In recent months, his health deteriorated and he was hospitalized as Chassidim around the world davened fervently for his recovery. This morning, he was niftar, leaving behind a tremendous void in both the broader Torah world and the Chabad community.

Rav Blau is survived by a distinguished family dedicated to Torah, chinuch, and Chabad shlichus. Among them are his son, Rav Peretz Uriel Blau, a member of the administration of Beis Chana Seminary in Yerushalayim; his son-in-law Rav Mordechai Menashe Laufer, an author and one of the shluchim in Ashdod; and another son-in-law, veteran educator Rav Aharon Halperin of Kfar Chabad.

The levayah will take place at 2:00 p.m., departing from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim and proceeding to the Chabad section of Har HaZeisim, where Rav Blau will be laid to rest beside his wife.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

ATLANTA (AP) — Delta Air Lines is introducing a lower-cost “Basic Business” fare that removes several premium benefits from its long-haul Delta One cabin as airlines continue expanding fare options for travelers.

The new fares, which go on sale Wednesday for select flights beginning in September, will not include airport lounge access, advance seat selection, or same-day confirmed or standby flight changes. Passengers will receive seat assignments at check-in, earn fewer frequent flyer miles, and pay fees for most ticket changes or cancellations.

Delta is also introducing similar “basic” fare options for first class and premium economy on certain routes.

The move follows a similar strategy adopted earlier this year by United Airlines, which introduced stripped-down premium fares in its Polaris business-class cabin. Airlines have increasingly segmented premium cabins, offering lower entry prices while charging extra for benefits that were once included.

A report released by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate warns that American households are on track to pay the highest summer electric bills ever recorded, as soaring temperatures combine with rising electricity prices to strain family budgets across the country. The report, released in June and highlighted again as a dangerous heat wave grips much of the United States, projects the average household will spend approximately $792 on electricity for cooling between June and September, up more than 10% from last summer.

The increase comes as millions of Americans battle another stretch of extreme heat. Large portions of the country continue experiencing above-normal temperatures, forcing air conditioners to run longer while utilities struggle to meet growing demand.

According to NOAA, above-average temperatures are expected across much of the United States throughout the summer, increasing electricity consumption at the same time energy prices continue climbing.

“Families are getting hit from both sides,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of NEADA. “Electricity prices continue to rise, and hotter summers mean households need to use more electricity simply to stay safe.”

The report estimates that summer cooling costs have climbed nearly 40% since 2020, reflecting both higher electricity prices and increased demand driven by longer and more intense heat waves.

Several factors are contributing to the rising cost of electricity, but one of the fastest-growing pressures comes from the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.

Across the country, technology companies are building massive AI data centers that require enormous amounts of electricity to operate. Those facilities consume power around the clock, increasing demand on regional electric grids and requiring utilities to invest billions of dollars in new generation capacity, transmission lines and infrastructure upgrades.

Industry analysts say those investments are increasingly finding their way into customer utility bills.

Additional pressure comes from higher fuel costs, continued infrastructure improvements and growing electricity demand from homes, businesses and electric vehicles.

For many families, the financial strain is becoming difficult to manage.

The report estimates millions of households remain behind on their utility payments, while total consumer utility debt continues climbing nationwide. Lower-income families are particularly vulnerable because cooling is no longer considered simply a comfort but an important public health necessity during prolonged periods of extreme heat.

Health experts warn that reducing air conditioning too aggressively can create dangerous conditions, particularly for seniors, young children and individuals with chronic medical conditions.

Rather than turning cooling systems off completely, energy experts recommend practical steps that can reduce electricity consumption without compromising safety.

Simple measures include raising the thermostat by one degree, replacing dirty HVAC filters, sealing air leaks around windows and doors, closing blinds during the hottest parts of the day and using ceiling fans to improve air circulation. Even modest efficiency improvements can lower monthly electricity costs while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.

Federal and state assistance programs may also help qualifying households.

The U.S. Department of Energy continues supporting energy-efficiency upgrades through various grant programs designed to improve insulation, replace older cooling equipment and reduce household energy consumption. Many states also offer utility assistance programs for qualifying low-income families during periods of extreme weather.

NEADA is urging Congress to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), arguing that current funding has not kept pace with rising energy costs and more frequent extreme heat events.

The organization also recommends stronger consumer protections to prevent utility shutoffs during dangerous heat waves, particularly for vulnerable populations.

For businesses, higher electricity costs present another challenge.

Restaurants, retailers, manufacturers and office buildings all face rising operating expenses as cooling costs increase during the busiest months of the year. Many companies are responding by investing in energy-efficient lighting, upgraded HVAC systems and smart-building technology designed to reduce long-term utility expenses.

The report highlights how one of the biggest economic stories of 2026—the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence—is affecting Americans in unexpected ways. While AI promises major productivity gains, the enormous electricity required to power advanced computing facilities is adding new pressure to an already strained electric grid.

For households, the message is straightforward: expect another expensive summer.

With temperatures expected to remain above normal across much of the country and electricity demand continuing to grow, energy experts encourage consumers to prepare for higher monthly utility bills while taking advantage of available conservation measures and assistance programs wherever possible.

JBizNews Desk | Washington

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Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu strongly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday after the mayor said he could not support Israel because he believes the country gives preferential treatment to Jews over followers of other religions.

Appearing on CNN’s Inside Politics with Dana Bash, Netanyahu rejected Mamdani’s characterization of Israel and defended the country’s democratic system.

“He conveniently forgets that the only democracy in the Middle East is Israel. Twenty percent of our citizens are in fact Muslims. … but they sit on the Supreme Court. They’re in the Knesset, our parliament. They share every walk of life,” Netanyahu said.

The exchange follows remarks Mamdani made last month, when he said he supports Israel’s existence only if it guarantees equal rights to all citizens regardless of religion.

“I think any state that privileges one religion over the other is one that I can’t tell you I support, whether it be Israel or Saudi Arabia or anywhere else,” Mamdani, who is Muslim, said during an interview on ABC News’ This Week.

According to the Pew Research Center, Jews comprised approximately 77% of Israel’s population as of 2020, while Muslims accounted for 14.7% and Christians represented 1.9%.

Although Israeli law provides equal legal rights to all citizens, several international human rights organizations have argued that disparities continue to exist between Jewish and non-Jewish Israelis.

A 2025 report by Freedom House stated that, “long-term discrimination against Arab and other ethnic and religious minorities has resulted in systemic disparities in areas including criminal justice, local government budgets, education, and economic opportunity.”

The report also said, “Although the law protects the religious sites of non-Jewish groups, they face discrimination in the allocation of state resources as well as persistent cases of vandalism or harassment by Jewish extremists.”

Mamdani has repeatedly criticized Israel’s military operations in Judea and Samaria and Gaza. During last year’s mayoral campaign, he also said that if Netanyahu were to visit New York City, he would instruct the NYPD to arrest the Israeli prime minister under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes.

According to an October report by Brown University’s Cost of War project, more than 10% of Gaza’s population was either killed or seriously wounded during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas between October 7, 2023, and October 3, 2025.

Netanyahu dismissed Mamdani’s criticism, insisting that Israel remains the only nation in the Middle East that provides the equal rights the mayor claims to support.

“His supporters have supported Hamas, these people who murder people, who beheaded our men, who raped our women, and then murdered them, burned babies alive and so on,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister also acknowledged that no democratic system is flawless but argued that Israel should not be singled out.

“This is not mere cynicism,” the prime minister later added. “I mean, it’s ridiculous. It’s absurd. There are always imperfect democracies. Israel is an imperfect democracy. The United States is an imperfect democracy.”

Earlier this year, Mamdani publicly condemned pro-Hamas demonstrators who gathered outside a synagogue in Queens, New York.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The City-Wide Learning Program is returning for its 12th year, once again giving boys across Lakewood the opportunity to continue their Torah learning during the weeks between the end of school and the start of camp, as well as after camp concludes.

Organizers say more than 3,000 boys are expected to participate this summer, making it one of the community’s largest seasonal learning initiatives.

The program will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at dozens of participating shuls throughout Lakewood.

Before Camp Schedule

• Friday, July 10
• Sunday, July 12
• Monday, July 13
• Tuesday, July 14

After Camp Schedule

• Wednesday, August 12
• Thursday, August 13
• Friday, August 14
• Sunday, August 16
• Monday, August 17
• Tuesday, August 18

Participating locations include Albert Shul, Arlington Shul, Ateres Yeshaya, Bais Dovid, Bais Medrash D’Manchester, Bais Medrash Kol Yaakov, Bais Medrash of Kelmwoods, Bais Medrash of Woodlane, Bais Shabsi, Bais Medrash Pine Lake Park, Brookwood 3, Bunker Hill, Cedarwood Hills, Chanichei Hayeshivos, Chesterfield Commons, Eitz Chaim Brookwood 4, Elmwood Village, Harmony Farms, Hearthstone Shul, Heichal Yehuda Tzvi, Khal D’Brookwood, Khal Glen Arden, Lakewood Commons, Lutzk, Ohel Shulamit, Ohr Yaakov, Ohr Yoel Meir – Williams Street, Old Shul, Prospect Park, Prospect Vines Shul, Sterling Forest Shul, Tiferes Pinchos, Westgate Shul, Zichron Meir and Zichron Pinchas.

The program is open to boys entering 2nd through 9th grade. Boys entering 2nd through 4th grade are welcome to attend with a parent or other adult, while boys entering 5th through 9th grade should bring their chavrusa and seforim. Each location is supervised by a rebbe.

Participants will also have the chance to earn a variety of incentives throughout the program, including City-Wide basketballs, daily raffles and treats, Sky Zone tickets, and pizza vouchers for boys entering 5th through 9th grade.

For additional information or sponsorship opportunities, call or text 732-814-2591.

According to comments made Monday, July 6, by Panmure Liberum strategist Joachim Klement during CNBC’s Squawk Box Europe, investors are beginning to view parts of the defense industry less like traditional weapons manufacturers and more like technology companies. The shift reflects the growing importance of electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, advanced software, drones and next-generation battlefield systems in modern military operations.

For decades, defense contractors were valued primarily on their long-term government contracts, predictable cash flow and large backlogs of aircraft, ships, missiles and armored vehicles. Today, analysts say the industry’s fastest-growing opportunities are increasingly centered on technology rather than conventional hardware.

“Electronic warfare is a tech phenomenon,” Klement said during the interview, arguing that companies developing advanced software, electronic surveillance, communications systems and autonomous technologies deserve higher valuations than traditional defense manufacturers.

The comments come as defense spending continues rising around the world. Governments across Europe, North America and Asia are committing billions of dollars to modernize their militaries following growing geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts. Those investments are creating new opportunities for companies developing advanced military technology while also supporting established defense contractors with large order backlogs.

Investors have responded by pouring money into the sector. Shares of several major defense companies have climbed sharply over the past several years as governments increased military budgets and accelerated procurement programs. While traditional manufacturers continue benefiting from demand for aircraft, missiles and defense systems, companies with strong exposure to artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity and electronic warfare have attracted growing investor interest.

Analysts say the nature of warfare itself is changing. Modern conflicts increasingly rely on real-time intelligence, satellite communications, unmanned aircraft, electronic jamming, cyber capabilities and software-driven command systems. Those technologies often evolve much faster than conventional military platforms and require continuous innovation rather than decades-long production cycles.

Klement also noted that investors are becoming more selective when evaluating defense companies. Rather than treating every contractor as a beneficiary of higher military spending, investors are paying closer attention to where governments are directing new funding. Businesses positioned in rapidly growing technology segments may receive higher valuations than companies focused primarily on legacy defense programs.

He pointed to the cancellation of certain large defense programs in Europe as an example of how changing military priorities can reshape industry expectations. Even with rising defense budgets, governments continue reviewing projects to ensure they align with future operational needs and evolving battlefield requirements.

Another factor influencing recent trading has been the broader technology sector. According to Klement, some recent weakness in defense shares reflected investment flows moving into artificial intelligence-related stocks rather than deteriorating business fundamentals. Portfolio managers continue balancing exposure across sectors while seeking companies positioned to benefit from long-term technology trends.

For investors, the distinction matters. Traditional defense companies often trade based on predictable earnings and government contracts. Technology-focused defense firms may command higher valuations because of faster expected growth, recurring software revenue and continued innovation.

The broader business implications extend beyond defense. Increasing collaboration between aerospace, software developers, semiconductor companies, communications providers and artificial intelligence firms is creating new opportunities across multiple industries. As governments invest in advanced defense technologies, suppliers throughout those ecosystems also stand to benefit.

Industry observers expect defense modernization to remain a major theme over the coming decade. Whether developing autonomous systems, electronic warfare capabilities, advanced sensors or secure communications, companies delivering next-generation technologies are expected to play a growing role in military procurement.

For business leaders and investors, the message is clear: the defense industry is no longer defined solely by tanks, ships and fighter jets. Increasingly, it is being driven by software, data, artificial intelligence and electronic systems, changing how Wall Street values the companies shaping the future of national security.

JBizNews Desk | London

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Justice Minister Yariv Levin on Wednesday called for defying the High Court’s unprecedented ruling invalidating the appointment of Michael Rabello as state comptroller.

Levin’s call came after the Cabinet on Sunday announced that it will not recognize the High Court’s ruling reinstating the Second Authority Council appointed by the previous government. In response, High Court justices threatened government members, saying that anyone who fails to obey their decision could bear civil liability and be exposed to lawsuits.

Levin said: “There can be no hesitation. A new election for the position of State Comptroller cannot be held. Rabello should simply take up his position.”

Levin added, “The one creating a constitutional crisis is the court, not us. At no point have we said that we are taking powers that we do not have or doing anything unlawful, nor have we said the court should not intervene. On the contrary, if the government acts unlawfully, there is room for the court to intervene.”

“State employees will receive our full backing. Public servants are subordinate to the government. If the court believes the government has issued an unlawful directive, it can issue an order to the government.”

Levin further stated, “The law explicitly provides that the police are subordinate to the government, so when the police commissioner, on his own initiative, says, ‘I am subordinate to the court,’ that is unacceptable and contrary to the law. It reflects the view that there aren’t three equal branches of government, but rather that the court stands above everyone else. That cannot exist in a democratic state.”

Levin also addressed the audacity of the High Court in an interview with Galey Yisrael on Wednesday morning: “The High Court justices are acting like the worst dictators. I believe that ever since I forcefully put judicial reform on the table, people’s eyes have been opened. Today, people see the unacceptable situation that has developed here—the anti-democratic reality, the trampling of the government’s and the Knesset’s authority, and, as a result, the trampling of the voters’ will and the entire democratic process.

“The result of all this is that the court has moved to the stage of making threats. What branch of government resorts to threats? A branch of government that does not have the public’s trust and believes it can impose its authority and its decisions through intimidation. That is exactly what characterizes the worst dictators—those who have neither the people’s confidence nor public support, and who try to impose their will through force and threats.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

According to analyst reports released Tuesday, July 7, following SpaceX’s IPO quiet period, Wall Street is sharply divided over just how valuable the company can become. Brian Gesuale of Raymond James initiated coverage with a “Strong Buy” rating and an $800 price target — the highest on Wall Street and roughly 430% above where the stock traded during Tuesday’s session. If shares ever reached that level, SpaceX would carry a market value of roughly $10.5 trillion, more than double the current value of Nvidia, the world’s largest publicly traded company.

The bullish call came as several investment banks published their first research reports on the newly public company. Morgan Stanley assigned a $300 price target, highlighting SpaceX’s long-term potential in launch services, satellite communications and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Goldman Sachs set a $205 target, while UBS came in at $210. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities issued a $190 target. The company also joined the Nasdaq-100 Index, prompting billions of dollars in automatic purchases from index funds and exchange-traded funds that track the benchmark.

SpaceX completed its blockbuster initial public offering on June 12 under the ticker SPCX, becoming one of the largest IPOs ever. After an initial rally, the shares settled into a volatile trading range as investors weighed the company’s growth prospects against its lofty valuation.

The investment case extends far beyond rockets. SpaceX now combines its reusable launch business with the rapidly expanding Starlink satellite network and xAI, the artificial intelligence company merged into the business earlier this year. Chief Executive Elon Musk has outlined plans for space-based computing infrastructure capable of supporting next-generation AI workloads, while company filings describe an addressable market measured in the tens of trillions of dollars.

Not everyone believes those projections. Aswath Damodaran, professor of finance at New York University and one of Wall Street’s leading valuation experts, has argued that even a valuation above $1 trillion stretches reasonable assumptions. He has also questioned the company’s addressable market estimates, saying investors should distinguish between long-term vision and measurable financial performance.

The financial metrics illustrate the challenge. SpaceX generated approximately $18.7 billion in revenue last year while posting a net loss of roughly $5 billion. Even after its recent pullback, the shares continue to trade at a valuation far above most established technology companies on a price-to-sales basis. Morningstar analysts have likewise projected a more gradual revenue trajectory than many of the most optimistic forecasts currently circulating on Wall Street.

Investors also face structural risks. Additional insider shares are scheduled to become eligible for sale over the coming quarters, potentially increasing supply in the market. Meanwhile, Musk retains overwhelming voting control through the company’s dual-class share structure, limiting the influence of public shareholders on corporate decisions.

The debate carries consequences well beyond professional investors. With SpaceX now included in the Nasdaq-100, millions of Americans indirectly own shares through retirement accounts, pension funds and index funds. That broad ownership has renewed discussion in Washington over valuations, corporate governance and whether highly valued growth companies should become major components of passive investment portfolios so soon after going public.

For now, the gap between Wall Street’s highest and lowest expectations remains extraordinary. One respected analyst believes SpaceX could become the first company worth more than $10 trillion. Others believe investors have already priced in years of future growth. As the company begins life as a public corporation, the market will ultimately decide which view proves closer to reality.

JBizNews Desk | New York

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JERUSALEM (VINnews) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled a planned visit to Israel on Wednesday following U.S. military strikes against Iran, according to an Israeli source cited by The Jerusalem Post and Reuters.

Hegseth, who is accompanying President Donald Trump in Ankara for the NATO summit, had been expected to make a brief stop in Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The meetings were expected to focus on Iran and Israeli concerns over a possible U.S. sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Turkey, a move Israel has publicly opposed.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the visit had been scheduled against the backdrop of overnight U.S. strikes on Iran. United States Central Command said the strikes were launched in response to Iranian attacks on commercial tankers in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz, describing the operation as intended to impose “heavy costs” for targeting civilian shipping.

Iranian state media reported multiple injuries from the strikes, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it later targeted 85 U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation, claiming the attacks were a response to what it described as U.S. ceasefire violations.

The strikes came hours after Washington announced it was ending sanctions relief on Iranian oil sales, a measure previously included in a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, saying the move was intended to increase economic pressure on Tehran following the attacks.

The issue of a possible F-35 sale to Turkey has become increasingly contentious. According to Israel’s Channel 13 News, Netanyahu recently told senior officials that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan “is not a ‘frenemy’ — he is an enemy.”

In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu urged the United States not to sell F-35s to Turkey, arguing that “a regime that is infected with the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood… should not receive aircraft.” He also warned that Turkey has “aggressive aspirations” and said providing it with the advanced fighters would bring “aggression in its wake.”

Reuters, citing an Israeli source, separately reported that Hegseth canceled the meetings that had been scheduled to discuss the possible F-35 sale and regional security. No official reason for the cancellation has been announced.

A Story About Wine We Were All Told

For decades, we’ve been told a reassuring story. A glass of red wine a day is good for your heart. Most people would still say this is accurate.

I remember when I first opened my practice in the United States after returning from China. Around that time, I came across an entire book devoted to the health benefits of wine. Yes, a whole book.

Armed with this information, I felt better prepared to answer a question many patients asked me: how much alcohol, or how many cups of wine, is reasonable to drink in a week?

The idea sounded comforting. Wine comes from grapes, contains antioxidants, and has been woven into cultural and religious life for thousands of years. Many physicians, and many alternative health practitioners like myself, repeated this message sincerely. People were happy to believe it.

But as nutrition science matured, and as researchers began to look more carefully at how this belief became so widespread, the story began to change.

The “Healthy Drinker” Illusion

Much of the original evidence suggesting that moderate wine drinkers live longer came from observational studies. These studies follow people’s habits and outcomes over time, but they cannot establish cause and effect.

A major flaw later identified in many of these studies is what researchers now call the sick-quitter bias.

In older research, people who used to drink but stopped because of health problems were often grouped together with lifelong abstainers. As a result, the non-drinker group appeared less healthy, not because abstaining caused illness, but because illness had caused people to stop drinking.

This is known as reverse causation. Once researchers accounted for it, much of wine’s supposed heart-protective effect weakened significantly or disappeared altogether.

When Better Science Entered the Picture

To bypass these limitations, scientists turned to a method called Mendelian randomization.

Instead of asking people how much they drink, researchers studied individuals born with genetic variants that make alcohol unpleasant to consume. These people experience flushing, nausea, and discomfort due to acetaldehyde buildup, and as a result, they tend to drink very little or not at all.

The findings were striking. People who drank less because of their genetics had lower rates of heart disease, even compared to light or moderate drinkers. Because genes are assigned at birth and are not influenced by lifestyle or health later in life, this method avoids many of the biases that plague observational studies.

The implication is simple and uncomfortable. Less alcohol appears to be better for cardiovascular health, even at low levels of consumption.

This is one of those moments when careful science quietly overturns a popular belief.

Why the Message Spread So Widely

At this point, a reasonable question arises. If the evidence was always shaky, why did the message that moderate drinking is good for you become so dominant?

The answer is familiar to anyone who follows medical research. Industry funding.

There is now substantial documentation showing that the alcohol and wine industries played a major role in shaping research priorities, study design, and public messaging around moderate drinking.

A Turning Point

In 2018, the National Institutes of Health abruptly shut down a one-hundred-million-dollar clinical trial called the Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health study.

An internal investigation revealed that roughly two-thirds of the funding came from some of the world’s largest alcohol producers. More troubling was the finding that researchers and government officials had actively courted industry funding and reassured sponsors that the study was likely to show cardiovascular benefits, while downplaying known risks such as cancer.

The trial was terminated.

A Pattern, Not an Exception

This episode did not stand alone.

A 2021 analysis of systematic reviews examining alcohol and heart disease found a clear pattern. Reviews authored by researchers with financial ties to the alcohol industry consistently concluded that moderate drinking was cardioprotective. Reviews without industry ties produced mixed results, with many finding no benefit at all.

When funding sources and conclusions align this neatly, it raises difficult but necessary questions.

Marketing Health Through Science

The wine industry, in particular, invested heavily in promoting a cardio-protective narrative. Industry-funded organizations helped frame wine as part of a healthy lifestyle, often linking it to the Mediterranean diet.

A central pillar of this messaging was the so-called J-curve theory, the idea that people who drink a little are healthier than those who drink none at all. This curve collapses once the sick-quitter bias is removed.

Where the Science Is Now

Because of these revelations, global health authorities have begun to distance themselves from the one-glass-a-day narrative.

In 2023, the World Health Organization stated clearly that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health.

Red wine does contain antioxidants such as resveratrol, but the amounts used in laboratory studies would require drinking hundreds of glasses a day. Any theoretical benefit is overwhelmed by alcohol’s well-documented risks, including cancer, liver disease, and dependency.

What Actually Protects the Heart

What replaces the wine myth is not depriving yourself of wine, but simply clarity.

The most consistent evidence supports familiar, unglamorous strategies for supporting heart health and your health in general: eating whole, minimally processed foods, moving the body regularly but moderately, managing stress, sleeping well, and maintaining a healthy weight. These approaches reduce cardiovascular risk without creating new problems in the process.

A Clear-Eyed Conclusion

Wine has cultural, social, and religious meaning and many people enjoy a good glass now and then.

But from a health perspective, it’s important to be honest with yourself.

Wine is not medicine. It is not required for heart health. And the belief that it was protective was, to a significant degree, subsidized by industry influence rather than solid science.

So enjoy a glass occasionally if you choose. In moderation, the body can handle it. But drink with wisdom, knowing that the story we were told about healthy wine has quietly outlived the evidence.

New York (VINNEWS/Rabbi Yair Hoffman) On the twenty-third of Tammuz, the Torah world remembers one of the most towering figures of the world of Kaballah. Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, known by the acronym the Ramak, passed from this world in 5330 (1570) at the age of forty-eight, and yet in his short life he accomplished what generations of scholars had not dared attempt: he built a system.

Although name may be unfamiliar to some, but one of his works sits on the shelf of nearly every serious student of mussar: the slender, luminous Tomer Devorah, the Palm Tree of Deborah. So enduring is this little classic that more than three centuries after it was written, Rav Yisroel Salanter — the father of the entire Mussar movement — chose it as the vehicle for further launching his own life’s mission. In 1858, in Koenigsberg, Rav Salanter published a fresh edition of the Tomer Devorah, and appended to it, printed for the very first time, was his own now-famous Iggeres HaMussar — the Epistle of Mussar — the foundational document of a movement that would reshape the yeshiva world.

The story of the Ramak cannot be separated from the geopolitical earthquake that shaped it. In 1492, the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella signed the Alhambra Decree and expelled the Jews of Spain. Among the refugees fleeing the Iberian Peninsula were families from the city of Córdoba – including that of the Ramak.

Where does a shattered people go? For tens of thousands of Iberian Jews, the answer lay eastward, in the rising Ottoman Empire. In 1516–1517, Sultan Selim I defeated the Mamluks and folded Eretz Yisroel into his expanding dominion. The Ottomans, who left commerce largely to their minority subjects and distrusted their newly conquered Christian populations, welcomed the Jewish refugees. All that was asked was a poll-tax and acknowledgment of Muslim authority; in exchange, the empire became the largest haven for Jews in the world. By the end of the sixteenth century, the Ottoman realm held the largest Jewish population on earth.

Tzfas sat at the crossroads of this new order. Perched in the Upper Galilee along the vital Damascus–Acre and Damascus–Cairo trade roads, and blessed with the springs and rushing waters of Nahal Amud, the town possessed exactly the geological conditions needed for one industry above all: the manufacture of cloth.

The Sephardic exiles had carried with them the guarded secrets of high-quality Spanish wool production, and they transformed Tzfas into a booming textile capital. An Italian Jewish merchant named David de-Rossi, visiting in 1535, was astonished — he reported that more than fifteen thousand suits of clothing had been produced in the city in a single year.

This was Tzfas in its Golden Age: prosperous, self-confident, and swelling with newcomers.

Under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, a protective wall was raised around the city in 1549 and a garrison stationed to guard it. The Jewish population climbed from a few hundred families at the century’s opening to some seven thousand souls by mid-century, making it the largest Jewish community in Ottoman Syria. Wealth built yeshivos; wool financed Torah.

Into this crucible of commerce, refuge, and spiritual ambition, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero was born in 1522.

The Prodigy Who Thought He Was Asleep

From his earliest years, the young Moshe was recognized as an extraordinary genius — and his brilliance shone all the brighter against the hardship that surrounded it. Despite the poverty and financial strain that pressed upon him in his youth, he pored over the Babylonian Talmud, the codes of halachah, and philosophy with relentless diligence. He mastered the revealed Torah under the guidance of Rabbi Yosef Karo, the author of the Shulchan Aruch, whose court and yeshiva of two hundred students anchored the religious life of the city. So formidable was the boy’s command of Jewish law that already at the age of eighteen he was ordained to render halachic rulings by his teacher Rabbi Yaakov Beirav, the leader of Tzfas’s bid to restore the ancient semichah.

He married the daughter of Rabbi Moshe HaLevi Alkabetz — which made him the brother-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz, the composer of the Lecha Dodi, the inspiring song that Jews the world over still sing to greet the Shabbos bride every Friday night.

His awakening to Kabbalah  came in 1542. At the age of twenty, he heard what he described as a heavenly voice urging him to enter the hidden wisdom, the Kabbalah, and he began to study the secrets of the Torah at the side of his brother-in-law, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz. Again and again the two would walk out together to the graves of the Tannaim in the hills around Tzfas, reviewing and plumbing the mysteries they had learned as they went.

His devotion took on an almost ferocious intensity. He would seclude himself after midnight and labor over the pages of the Zohar in the still hours of the night. When distractions and disturbances rose up to break his concentration — and when they grew too fierce — he would invoke the holy Names and pray that whatever was interfering be driven away, so that nothing might stand between him and the wisdom he sought.

That awakening changed the course of Jewish thought.

The young man did not merely master the mysteries of the Zohar; he resolved to do something no one had accomplished before him — to take the Zohar and organize it into a single coherent structure. By the age of twenty-six he had completed his first great work.

The Orchard of Pomegranates

The result was Pardes Rimonim — the Orchard of Pomegranates — the most celebrated of the Ramak’s writings and one of the foundational works of systematic Kabbalah. In it he gathered the divergent schools of the earlier mystics, laid their views side by side, debated them, and rendered rulings among them.

But Pardes Rimonim was only the beginning. The Ramak wrote with uncanny productivity. He composed Or Yakar, a monumental commentary on the entire Zohar and the Tikunei Zohar — a work of sixteen volumes to which he devoted the greater part of his life. He wrote Eilima Rabbati, a soaring and abstract treatment of the Ein Sof and the sefiros. He wrote Shiur Komah on the structure of the spiritual worlds, and Or Ne’erav, a passionate defense of the very enterprise of studying Kabbalah — though with a stern warning that one must first master Tanach, Mishnah, and Gemara before entering the orchard.

In all, the Ramak composed more than thirty works, and the Kabbalists of his generation regarded his rulings in matters of the hidden wisdom as the most authoritative of all. He merited a revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi and was crowned with the title HaEshel HaGadol, — and yet, for all his towering stature, those who knew him remarked above all on his humility.

Tomer Devorah: When the Palm Tree Bends

Of all the Ramak’s writings, none has entered more deeply into the bloodstream of the Torah world  than a slender volume of mussar called Tomer Devorah — the Palm Tree of Deborah. Here the Ramak performed a quiet revolution. He took the loftiest and most abstract of Kabbalistic concepts — the thirteen attributes of Divine mercy, the sefiros themselves — and turned them into a practical guide for how a human being should live.

The central teaching is breathtaking in its simplicity: man is created in the image of G-d, and therefore man must strive to imitate the Divine attributes. Just as the Almighty is patient with the sinner, so too must a person be patient. Just as G-d bears no lasting grudge, so too must a person learn to forgive. Just as the Creator sustains even those who rebel against Him, so too must one extend kindness even to the undeserving. 

Around 1550, the Ramak founded an academy of Kabbalah in Tzfas, which he led for some twenty years until his passing. But his circle was not confined to the Beis HaMedrash. The tzaddikim of Tzfas lived their Kabbalah. Since the Shechinah, the Divine Presence, had gone into exile with the destruction of the Temple, they would leave their homes and walk out into the fields of the Galilee, meditating and davening among the hills, visiting the ancient graves of the Tannaim and Amoraim scattered across the countryside. The record of these mystical wanderings and the teachings that flowed from them was collected in a work called Sefer Gerushin, the Book of Banishments — a document in which the very landscape of the Land of Israel becomes the meeting place between Heaven and earth.

It was said that Eliyahu HaNavi himself revealed himself to the Ramak. And the students who gathered around him comprised the greatest of Kabbalistic authors: Rabbi Chaim Vital, who would later become the recorder of the teachings of the Arizal; Rabbi Eliyahu di Vidas, author of the classic Reishis Chochmah; Rabbi Eliezer Azkari, author of Sefer Chareidim; Rabbi Avraham Galanti; and Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Fano, who would carry the Ramak’s Torah across the sea to Italy and teach from Pardes Rimonim to the Kabbalists of Europe. Even Rabbi Yeshayahu Horowitz, the great Shelah HaKadosh, considered himself a disciple of the Ramak and quoted him constantly.

The Cloud of Fire

In the final year of the Ramak’s life, a newcomer arrived in Tzfas — the Arizal. He too studied under the Ramak, whom he reverently called “our teacher.” Only the Ramak, with his penetrating vision, seems to have perceived who this humble student truly was.

Before his passing, the Ramak spoke words that would echo through the centuries. He told his followers that after his death, someone would rise to replace him, and that although this successor’s teachings might appear to contradict his own, they should not oppose him — for both drew from the same holy source, and the newcomer’s soul was a spark of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai himself.

Then, on the twenty-third of Tammuz, 5330, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero passed away. The entire community of Tzfas — every Jew in the city — poured out to accompany him on his final journey, weeping bitterly as the eulogies were recited. Among the eulogizers stood the Arizal, who declared that the Ramak had no sin in him at all — that he had departed this world not through any fault of his own, but, in the language of the sages, “by the bite of the snake,” the primordial decree of mortality itself. To this day, the Ramak lies in the old cemetery of Tzfas, close to the resting place of the Arizal himself.

After his passing, Rabbi Chaim Vital revealed that the soul of Zechariah the Prophet had been reincarnated within him. And such was the hunger for his Torah that the great Italian Kabbalist Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Fano — the Rema of Fano — sent one thousand gold coins to the Ramak’s widow, that she might lend him the manuscript of Or Yakar so that it could be copied and brought to the printing press for the world to learn from.

The Arizal would live only two more years, until 1572, but in that brief span he revolutionized the entire conceptual system of Kabbalah with his doctrines of tzimtzum, the breaking of the vessels, and the cosmic repair. Lurianic Kabbalah swept the Jewish world, and in time the systematic Kabbalah of the Ramak was pushed into the background. Yet — precisely as the Ramak had foretold — it was never rejected. The Ramchal offered a beautiful reconciliation: the Kabbalah of the Ramak, he taught, describes the “World of Tohu,” while the Kabbalah of the Arizal describes the “World of Tikkun” — two stages of the same unfolding reality. Others, like Rabbi Shabsai Horowitz in his Shefa Tal, worked to weave the two systems together. The study of the Ramak’s works never ceased; to this day many consider his Torah the essential gateway through which one must pass before entering the deeper mysteries of the Ari.

In honor of his yahrtzeit, the author is appending a translation of the Tomer Devorah written for his students to introduce them to the world of Mussar.

The Palm Tree of Devorah – Tomer Devorah

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (the Ramak, 1522–1570)

Translated simply by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

This sefer has two main parts. The first three chapters explain how to imitate Hashem through the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy and the qualities of the highest spiritual level. The remaining chapters (four through ten) are more mystical and are organized around the sefiros — the ten spiritual channels through which Hashem relates to the world.

A Quick Guide

Keser is the “crown,” the highest and most hidden level. Chochmah is wisdom. Binah is understanding, linked to repentance. Chesed is kindness and love. Gevurah is strength, power, and sometimes strictness. Tiferes is beauty or harmony, linked to Torah, truth, and balance. Netzach and hod are two lower channels, associated with those who support Torah. Yesod is the channel that connects and delivers blessing into the world, linked to guarding personal Kedusha. Malchus is kingship — also called the Shechinah, Hashem’s presence dwelling in the world.

Contents

Chapter One — Becoming Like Hashem Through the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

Chapter Two — The Eight Qualities of Keser and the Path of Humility

Chapter Three — The Attribute of Chochmah (Wisdom)

Chapter Four — The Attribute of Binah (Understanding): The Power of Repentance

Chapter Five — The Attribute of Chesed (Kindness): Love of Hashem and Acts of Kindness

Chapter Six — The Attribute of Gevurah (Strength): Mastering the Evil Inclination

Chapter Seven — The Attribute of Tiferes (Truth): Torah Study Without Pride

Chapter Eight — The Attributes of Netzach, Hod, and Yesod: Supporting Torah and Guarding Kedusha

Chapter Nine — The Attribute of Malchus: Humility, Fear of Hashem, and the Shechinah

Chapter Ten — Binding Oneself to Kedusha Throughout the Day

Chapter One: Becoming Like Hashem Through the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

Why We Should Act Like Our Creator

A person should try to act the way Hashem acts. When someone does this, he taps into the deep secret of being made “in the image and likeness” of Hashem. The Torah says that people were created in Hashem’s image and likeness. But there is a catch. If a person’s body looks like the higher, spiritual “form,” yet his actions do not match it, then he is living a lie. People will look at him and say, “What a handsome shape — but what ugly deeds!”

The real meaning of being made in Hashem’s “image and likeness” is not about physical shape. It is about behaving the way Hashem behaves. So what good is it for a person to look the part if his actions do not copy his Creator? Because of this, a person should make his actions match the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy — the qualities that flow from the highest spiritual level, called Keser (“crown”). These thirteen qualities are hinted at in a passage from the prophet Michah.

The Psukim That List the Thirteen Attributes

The prophet Michah writes: “Who is a Hashem like You, who pardons sin and overlooks the wrongdoing of the remnant of His people? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He loves kindness. He will again show us mercy; He will conquer our sins, and You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea. Show faithfulness to Yaakov and kindness to Avraham, as You promised our ancestors long ago.” (Michah 7:18–20)

Since Hashem has these thirteen qualities, a person should try to have them too. The rest of this chapter explains each one and shows how a person can live by it.

Attribute 1: “Who Is a Hashem Like You” — Patience Even When Insulted

This attribute describes Hashem as a patient King who puts up with insults in a way no human could. Nothing is hidden from Hashem, and there is not a single moment when a person is not being kept alive by Hashem’s power.

Think about what this means. No one can sin against Hashem without Hashem, at that very moment, giving that person the energy and strength to move his own arms and legs. Even while a person is using that strength to do something wrong, Hashem does not shut off the power. Instead, Hashem accepts the insult and keeps the person’s body working — even during the very act of sin.

We cannot say that Hashem is unable to stop this. Hashem could freeze a person’s limbs in an instant, the way He once did to King Yaravam. Hashem could even say, “Since you are sinning against Me, at least sin using your own strength, not Mine.” Yet Hashem does not do this. He keeps giving the person life and strength anyway. This kind of patience is beyond description. This is why the angels call Hashem “the long-suffering King.”

The lesson for us: a person should copy this patience. Even when he is deeply insulted, he should not cut off his kindness from the people he normally helps.

Attribute 2: “Who Pardons Sin” — Carrying the Weight of Another’s Wrong

This quality is even greater than the first. Our sages taught that when a person sins, that sin actually creates a kind of harmful spiritual “accuser.” This accuser stands before Hashem and says, “So-and-so made me.”

Now, nothing in the world can exist unless Hashem keeps giving it life — including this harmful creation. By strict justice, Hashem could say, “I do not feed destructive things. Go get your life from the person who made you.” If Hashem said that, the harmful creation would immediately take the sinner’s life or punish him. But Hashem does not do this. Instead, Hashem patiently keeps even that harmful thing alive until one of three things happens:

First, the sinner changes his ways and, through his return to Hashem, cancels out the harmful thing. Second, Hashem cancels it through suffering or death that the sinner experiences. Third, the sinner pays his debt in the afterlife.

This is how the sages explained Kayin’s words, “Is my sin too great to bear?” Kayin was really saying, “You carry and feed the whole world — is my sin so heavy that You cannot carry it too, until I fix it?” Hashem shows enormous patience by “feeding” the harmful result of a sin until the sinner repairs it.

The lesson for us: a person should learn to be patient and to “carry” the burden of someone who has wronged him, tolerating that person until he changes or the harm fades away.

Attribute 3: “Who Overlooks Wrongdoing” — Hashem Personally Cleans Away Sin

This attribute is greater still. When Hashem forgives, He does not send a messenger to do it. Hashem Himself does the forgiving, as the pasuk says, “With You is forgiveness.” And how does this forgiveness work? Hashem washes the sin away, as the psukim describe: Hashem “washes away the filth” and “sprinkles pure water” on a person to cleanse him.

The lesson for us: a person should act the same way. He should never say, “Why should I be the one to clean up someone else’s mess?” After all, when people sin, Hashem Himself — not a messenger — cleans up the mess. There is also a deeper point here: a person should feel too ashamed to keep sinning, knowing that the King Himself personally washes the dirt off his clothes.

Attribute 4: “The Remnant of His People” — Treating Others Like Family

Hashem treats the Jewish people like close relatives. He says, in effect, “What can I do for Israel? They are My own flesh and blood.” Hashem calls them by loving family names. The sages taught that Hashem has a real, close relationship with His people, like a parent with children.

Because of this closeness, Hashem says, “If I have to punish them, it hurts Me too.” The pasuk teaches that Hashem shares in Israel’s pain and cannot bear to see them suffer or be shamed, because they are His own.

The lesson for us: a person should treat others this way, because all Jews are truly connected. All souls are linked together, and each person contains a piece of everyone else. This is why a group doing a mitzvah is greater than one person doing it alone — everyone completes everyone else.

The sages illustrated this with the reward for being one of the first ten people to arrive at the synagogue. Even if a hundred people come later, that early person receives a reward equal to all of them, because the souls of the first ten are included in one another. Since every Jew shares a portion of every other Jew, “all of Israel is responsible for one another.” When one person sins, he damages not only his own soul but also the piece of himself found in every other person.

So a person should want good things for others, be happy about their success, and care about their honor as if it were his own — because, in a real sense, it is. This is why we are commanded to “love your fellow as yourself.” A person should never speak badly about others or wish harm on them. Just as Hashem does not want to see us shamed or hurt, we should not want to see others shamed or hurt. Instead, we should feel their pain as if it were our own — and feel joy at their good fortune.

Attribute 5: “He Does Not Hold on to His Anger Forever” — Letting Go of Anger

This attribute is different from the ones before. Even when a person keeps on sinning, Hashem does not stay angry forever. And even when Hashem does become angry, He does not hold on to it. He lets go of the anger even if the person has not yet repented.

We see this in the days of King Yaravam ben Yoash, when Hashem restored the borders of the Land of Israel even though the people were still worshipping idols and had not changed. Why did Hashem show them compassion? Because of this very attribute of not staying angry. Hashem actually eases His anger on purpose, even while the sin still exists, and hopefully waits for people to return.

The lesson for us: even if a person has every right to correct his friend or child sharply, and even if the other person would accept it, that is no reason to stay angry or hold a grudge. He should let the anger go and not cling to it, even where he would be allowed to be upset.

The sages taught something similar from the pasuk about helping unload the donkey of “someone you hate.” They explained that this “hatred” comes from seeing the person do something wrong — but because you were the only witness, you cannot bring it to court, so you are technically allowed to dislike him for that sin. Even so, the Torah says to help him and to “let go” of the resentment in your heart. In fact, it is a mitzvah to pull that person closer with love, since kindness may fix what anger cannot.

Attribute 6: “Because He Loves Kindness” — Focusing on the Good in People

Certain angels are assigned to collect the acts of kindness that people do in this world. When strict judgment tries to accuse Israel, these angels bring out those good deeds, and Hashem shows mercy because He loves kindness. Even if the people are guilty, Hashem has mercy on them when they are kind to one another.

This is like the moment when the Temple was about to be destroyed. Hashem commanded an angel to bring judgment, and that judgment grew so severe it wanted to wipe everyone out. Yet the account also mentions “the form of a human hand” appearing to hold back the destruction. This teaches that Hashem said, in effect, “Since they still do kindness for one another, even though they are guilty, they will be spared, and some of them will survive.” Hashem remembers the kindness that people show each other and counts it in their favor.

The lesson for us: a person should do the same. Even if someone is treating him badly and making him angry, if that person has some good quality — he is kind to others, or he has some other virtue — that should be enough to melt the anger away. He should tell himself, “It is enough for me that he has this one good quality.” This is even more true about one’s spouse, and it applies to everyone: focus on the good, and take pleasure in the kindness a person does.

Attribute 7: “He Will Again Show Us Mercy” — Loving Someone Even More After They Return

Hashem does not act the way people usually do. When a person is offended, he often cannot bring himself to love the offender as much as before, even after they make up. But Hashem is different. When a person sins and then sincerely returns to Hashem, his standing before Hashem becomes even higher than it was before he sinned.

This is the meaning of the sages’ statement that “even the completely righteous cannot stand in the place” reached by those who return from sin. The sages explained this using the shape of the Hebrew letter hei. The letter is open at the bottom, like a porch with no wall — meaning the world Hashem made has plenty of openings for a person to go astray. Wherever a person turns, temptation is available, and someone who wants to leave the right path can find an exit anywhere.

But the letter hei also has a small opening at its top. That opening stands for the path of return, which Hashem accepts. Why not simply come back through the same door you left by? Because, the sages answer, that would not work. Someone who has already sinned needs stronger protection than someone who never did. A person who has never broken through the “fence” needs only a small guard rail. But a person who already smashed through that fence once needs many strong safeguards, because if he goes back the same way, his weakness might trap him again.

So a person who returns does not sneak back through the hole he broke. Instead, he climbs up to the narrow top opening — which stands for the extra self-discipline and hard work he takes on to rebuild what he damaged. Because of this extra effort, those who return actually rise higher than the righteous who never fell, reaching a more elevated spiritual level.

There is also a wordplay here: the word for repentance, teshuvah, can be read as “return the hei” to its place. When a person returns the letter to where it belongs, Hashem returns His presence to that person — and He restores His love in an even greater measure than before.

The lesson for us: a person should behave the same way toward others. He should not keep old anger burning. When he sees that someone wants to make peace, he should show that person even more love and closeness than before, treating him like one who has returned and now stands on higher ground. In this way, he draws that person closer than even those who never wronged him.

Attribute 8: “He Will Conquer Our Sins” — Not Letting the Bad Cancel Out the Good

Good deeds are compared to a climbing grapevine that shoots upward without limit and enters Hashem’s presence. Sins, however, are not allowed in. Hashem holds them back and blocks their entry, as the pasuk teaches that “no harm will dwell” in Hashem’s presence.

Because mitzvot rise up into Hashem’s presence, their true reward is spiritual and cannot be fully paid out in this physical world — the whole world is not worth even a single mitzvah’s true value. This also means Hashem does not “trade” mitzvot to cancel sins. Hashem does not say, “You did forty mitzvot and ten sins, so I’ll subtract ten and leave you with thirty.” Instead, a person is held accountable for his sins, and separately he receives full reward for every mitzvah he did. Hashem does not subtract from a person’s mitzvot, because they are precious and rise straight up to Him. Sins, whose consequence is something low and shameful, cannot cancel mitzvot, whose reward is the glow of Hashem’s presence. So Hashem collects what is owed for the sins, and still gives full reward for all the good.

This is what “conquering sin” means: sins are not allowed to win out or rise up the way mitzvot do. Hashem watches all of a person’s ways, both good and bad, but He does not suppress the good — the good rises up and combines into a beautiful spiritual “garment.” Sins do not get that treatment; instead, they are held down and blocked.

The lesson for us: a person should do the same. He should not “bury” the good qualities of others while remembering only their faults. He should do the opposite — push down the memory of the wrong, let it go, and keep the person’s good qualities in front of him. He should always remember the good and let it outweigh any harm the other person did. He should not shrink that good in his heart by saying, “Yes, he helped me, but he also hurt me,” and then forget the good. Instead, he should let himself be calmed about the wrongs and never lose sight of the good. As much as possible, he should look past faults, just as Hashem “conquers” our sins.

Attribute 9: “You Will Throw All Their Sins into the Depths of the Sea” — Mercy Even Toward the Punished

This attribute shows Hashem’s goodness. When Israel sinned, Hashem sometimes let enemies punish them. But once the people returned to Hashem, why should those enemies — like Pharaoh, Sancheriv, or Haman — go free? It is not enough for Hashem to simply tell Israel, “Return to Me, and no more harm will come.” Instead, the harm that those enemies planned comes back onto their own heads.

There is a deeper idea connected to the goat used in the Yom Kippur service, which “carried away” the sins of Israel. This is hard to understand: if the people sinned, why should the goat bear it? The explanation is this. When a person confesses and truly wants his sin cleaned away, he hopes his correction will be gentle — not the kind of harsh suffering that would stop him from serving Hashem and learning Torah. King David expressed both ideas: he asked to be cleansed of wrongdoing, and he also showed willingness to accept even harder consequences for sins that can only be cleaned that way.

Hashem has set a rule in His world that those who harm Israel will eventually be brought down. This is why, in certain Torah laws, even an animal or an object used to carry out a sin or a punishment is afterward removed, so that its role ends once the judgment is done. In the same way, the nations that punished Israel are eventually judged themselves.

A famous example is the giant statue that King Nevuchadnetzar saw in his dream. Its head of gold, chest and arms of silver, and legs of iron and clay stood for one empire after another that ruled over Israel. In the end, Hashem will bring judgment in Israel’s favor and shatter the whole statue — meaning He will judge the wrongdoers and their agents. Hashem’s “arrows” will be spent, but not against Israel.

This is the meaning of “throwing their sins into the depths of the sea.” The “depths of the sea” refers to the wicked, who are compared to a restless, churning sea that tosses up mud. Hashem sends judgment against those who harmed Israel and returns their deeds onto their own heads. After Israel has received its own correction, Hashem feels compassion and regrets, so to speak, having let them be shamed — all the more so because the nations went too far in causing harm.

The lesson for us: a person should act the same way toward others. Even if someone is guilty and already crushed by his own suffering, one should not look down on him — for once he has “taken his punishment,” he is like a brother again. On the contrary, a person should draw close those who are down and punished, have compassion on them, and even help save them from harm. He should not say, “His own sin brought this on him.” Instead, he should have mercy.

Attribute 10: “Show Faithfulness to Yaakov” — Fair and Honest Treatment

The name “Yaakov” stands for average, ordinary people — those who do what the law requires but do not go beyond it. Hashem deals with such people through the quality of “faithfulness,” meaning honest, straight fairness. To people who live correctly, Hashem also acts with steady fairness, showing them compassion by treating them justly.

The lesson for us: a person should treat others fairly and honestly. He should not twist what is right or cheat anyone of the justice owed to him. He should be reliable and fair, just as Hashem treats ordinary, decent people with faithful fairness in order to help them grow.

Attribute 11: “Kindness to Avraham” — Going Beyond the Bare Minimum

The name “Avraham” stands for people who go beyond what the law strictly requires — people of extra generosity and devotion, like Avraham himself. For such people, Hashem also goes beyond the strict letter of the law. He does not insist on exact, measured justice with them; instead, He treats them with extra kindness, matching the way they treat others.

The lesson for us: even though a person should deal fairly and correctly with everyone, when it comes to people who are especially good and devoted, he should go beyond the minimum. Wherever he is patient with ordinary people, he should be even more patient with the truly righteous — showing them extra compassion, treating them as especially important and beloved, and keeping them among his close friends.

Attribute 12: “As You Promised Our Ancestors” — Compassion Even for the Undeserving

Some people simply do not deserve good treatment — and yet Hashem has compassion for everyone. The sages explained a pasuk where Hashem says He will show kindness “to whomever I choose.” They taught that Hashem has, so to speak, one storehouse of goodness for people who do not deserve it, given as a free gift. Hashem says, “They have the merit of their ancestors. I made a promise to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. So even if these people are not deserving on their own, they will still receive good, because they are descendants of the ancestors I promised. I will guide them until they are made whole.”

The lesson for us: a person should act the same way. Even when he meets people who are behaving badly, he should not be cruel to them or insult them. Instead, he should have compassion, telling himself, “After all, they are the children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Even if they themselves are not acting properly, their ancestors were good and worthy. Whoever disgraces the children disgraces the ancestors too — and I do not want to be the cause of that.” So he should cover up their shame and help improve them as much as he can.

Attribute 13: “From Days of Old” — Remembering Early Goodness

This is the attribute Hashem uses when every other reason for mercy has run out — when a person truly seems undeserving. What does Hashem do then? He remembers the early days, as the pasuk says: “I recall the kindness of your youth, your love when you were like a new bride.” Hashem remembers the love from long ago, and His compassion is stirred. He recalls all the good a person did from the very beginning, and from all of that He forms a kind of special treasure of merit and shows compassion. This attribute includes all the others.

The lesson for us: a person should do the same. Even if he cannot find a single present-day reason to love and have mercy on someone, he should say, “Surely there was a time, back in earlier days, before he went wrong, when he was worthy.” He should remember the person’s early goodness, like the innocence of a young child. In this way, he will never find anyone who is completely undeserving of kindness, prayer, and compassion.

Summary of Chapter One

These are the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, and a person should try to copy each one in how he treats others. There is a powerful principle here: the way a person acts down here in this world opens up that same quality of mercy from Above. In other words, when a person is merciful, he causes mercy to flow into the world. For this reason, a person should keep these thirteen attributes in mind and not let them slip away. Whenever a situation calls for one of them, he should recognize it and tell himself, “This moment needs this particular attribute — I will not walk away from it, so that this quality does not fade from the world.”

Chapter Two: The Eight Qualities of Keser and the Path of Humility

What This Chapter Is About

To act like Hashem according to the deep secret of Keser (the “crown,” the highest spiritual level), a person needs to develop several inner qualities. These qualities describe the very way Hashem runs His world. There are eight of them, and they all connect to different “limbs” or parts of a person — the head, the mind, the forehead, the ears, the eyes, the nose, the face, and the mouth.

Quality 1: Humility — The Quality That Contains Them All

The first and most important quality is humility, which includes all the others because it flows from Keser. Even though Keser is the highest of all spiritual levels, it does not act proud or lift itself above the others. Instead, it always “looks downward.”

There are two reasons for this. First, Keser is, so to speak, humble before its own Source: rather than staring “upward” at what is above it, it looks down to help what is below it. In the same way, a person should not stare upward and puff himself up. He should lower his gaze and see himself as small. This quality is connected mainly to the head, because a proud person lifts his head high, while a humble person lowers it.

Second, no one is as patient and humble as Hashem. Hashem is complete compassion. No fault, sin, or harsh judgment stops Him from watching over people and constantly giving them good. A person should be the same way: nothing should stop him from doing good to others at all times, and the faults of undeserving people should not stop him from helping those in need. And just as Hashem sustains every creature — from the greatest to the smallest — and looks down on none of them, a person should do good to everyone and look down on no one. Even the lowliest beings should matter to him, and he should care about them and help all who need his help.

Quality 2: Pure Thoughts — Keeping the Mind Clean

A person’s thoughts should copy the way Keser “thinks.” The wisdom of Keser never stops thinking good thoughts, and because it is pure compassion, it lets no evil in. In the same way, a person’s mind should be free of anything low or ugly. And just as the wisdom of Keser holds all the secrets of Torah, a person’s mind should be filled with Torah thoughts — thinking about the greatness of Hashem, His kindness, and how to do good. As a rule, strange or unworthy thoughts should not be allowed in. This was the high level of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his students; the Zohar records how sharply Rabbi Shimon corrected Rabbi Yose when his thoughts drifted even a little from Torah.

Quality 3: A Calm Forehead — No Harshness on the Face

A person’s forehead should show no hardness or harshness. Instead, it should show acceptance and good will toward everyone. Even when certain people make him angry, he should calm them and win them over with kindness. This is what Hashem does: He calms the forces of harshness that come with anger, gently softening them with great wisdom so the anger does not “break out” and cause damage. A person should copy this by always being pleasant to others, because if he is harsh with people, he will not find favor Above. As the sages taught: “Anyone whom people are pleased with, Hashem is pleased with too.”

Quality 4: Ears That Listen Only to Good

A person’s ears should always turn toward hearing good, and refuse to take in lies or ugly talk. Just as the higher spiritual “listening” does not accept accusations or harmful gossip, a person should not listen to anything but good and helpful things. He should not listen at all to talk that stirs up anger. The Torah’s command “do not accept a false report” teaches this. And if false or harmful reports should be refused, then all the more so should other ugly speech be kept out of one’s ears — a person should listen only to good things.

Quality 5: Eyes That Look for the Good

A person’s eyes should not gaze at anything shameful. Instead, his eyes should be open to notice people who are suffering and to have as much compassion for them as he can. He should not shut his eyes to the pain of the poor. Rather, he should think hard about their situation and stir up compassion — both his own and that of others — on their behalf. He should keep his eyes away from noticing evil, just as the higher spiritual “eye” is always open and always looking at the good.

Quality 6: A Nose Free of Anger

In Hebrew, anger is linked to the nose (as in “flaring nostrils”). So a person should keep any breath of anger out of his “nose.” Instead, his breath should carry life, good will, and patience — even toward those who do not deserve it. He should always try to fulfill others’ wishes, grant their requests, and lift up the brokenhearted. He should always be ready to forgive and to overlook wrongdoing. He should not stay angry at those who offend him; instead, he should always be willing to make peace and eager to do kindness, pleasing everyone.

Quality 7: A Face That Always Shines

A person’s face should always be bright and welcoming, and he should greet everyone with a cheerful expression. The pasuk says, “In the light of the King’s face there is life.” Just as no flash of anger enters the higher source, a person’s face should stay steady and pleasant, so that everyone who looks at him finds only joy and warmth. Nothing should be allowed to spoil this.

Quality 8: A Mouth That Speaks Only Good

A person’s mouth should express only good. What comes out of it should be Torah and constant good will. No ugly words, curses, angry outbursts, or empty chatter should escape his lips. His mouth should be like the higher spiritual “mouth,” which is never shut and never stops speaking good. So a person should speak well of everything, always expressing kindness and blessing.

When to Use These Qualities

These are eight good qualities, and all of them fall under the umbrella of humility. They match the spiritual “limbs” of Keser. So whenever a person wants to come close to the higher worlds and copy Hashem in order to bring blessing down to the world, he needs to be skilled in the ideas of these two chapters.

Now, we know a person cannot always live purely by these gentle qualities, because sometimes other qualities — including a measure of strictness — are needed too. But there are special times when strictness is not called for and Keser’s gentle influence rules. At those times, a person should use all the qualities described above and set aside the harsher ones, because the light of Keser overrides them.

Shabbat is one such time, when the world is “sweetened” by the special peace of the day (which is also why courts do not judge cases on Shabbat). On Shabbat, festivals, Yom Kippur, and during prayer and Torah study, a person should focus his mind on all these gentle qualities. If a person prays with his mind on the lights of Keser but then acts in the opposite way — harshly and angrily — he blocks the very blessing he is trying to draw down. In fact, acting out anger at such a time is a kind of arrogance, as if the person were claiming a spiritual level he has not earned. At other times of the year, a person may make use of other qualities in his service of Hashem, but never the negative ones, since letting those rule is always to his own harm.

Humility Is the Master Key

Every person should slowly train himself in these qualities. The master key to all of them is humility, since it is the highest quality of Keser and contains all the rest.

True humility means a person does not see any special value in himself — he considers himself as nothing. This was the level of Moshe, the humblest of all, who said, “What are we?” A person can even reach the point of seeing himself as the lowest of creatures. When a person works to gain this humility, all the other good qualities follow after it. Just as Keser sees itself as nothing before its Source, a person should see himself as nothing. As a result, when people insult him, he will treat them as if they were right and he were at fault — and this becomes a path to acquiring good qualities.

A Three-Part “Medicine” for Pride

Rabbi Cordovero offers a remedy to help a person slowly cure himself of arrogance and enter the gates of humility. It has three parts.

First, a person should train himself to run away from honor as much as possible. If he lets people honor him, he will get used to feeling proud, and by nature he will always crave honor — and then he will be very hard to heal.

Second, a person should train himself to notice his own weaknesses and lowly side. He should tell himself, “Even if others don’t know my shortcomings, so what? I myself know the ways in which I fall short.” Thinking honestly about his own limits will keep him humble.

Third, a person should regularly recall his mistakes and actually want a gentle form of correction. He should ask himself, “What kind of hardship is best — one that will not pull me away from serving Hashem?” The answer is being scorned or insulted, because that kind of hardship does not drain his health, take away his food and clothing, or endanger his life or his children. So he should even welcome the sting of insults, telling himself, “Why should I fast and weaken my body, when being insulted corrects me without harming my strength?” When people insult him, he should actually feel glad — the opposite of how people usually react.

From these three “ingredients” a person can make a healing medicine for his heart, and he should practice this approach throughout his life.

A Second, Gentler Remedy

Rabbi Cordovero adds another excellent remedy, though not as strong as the first. It has two parts.

First, a person should respect every creature, recognizing that the greatness of the Creator shines through them. Hashem formed everything with wisdom, so all creatures deserve real honor. If a person looks down on any creature, it is as if he is insulting the Creator who made it. This is like a master craftsman who builds something with great skill; if someone mocks his work, he is really mocking the craftsman’s skill — and that hurts the craftsman. In the same way, Hashem is pained when His creatures are looked down upon. The pasuk “How many are Your works, O Hashem — You made them all with wisdom” teaches that since Hashem’s wisdom is in everything, a person should look for the wisdom inside creatures rather than despise them. This is also why the sages warned against treating food disrespectfully.

Second, a person should train his heart to love others — even the wicked. He should keep working on this until love for all people is settled in his heart. About the wicked he should say, “I only wish they were righteous and would return to Hashem, so they could all become great people, dear to Him,” just as Moshe, who loved all Israel, said, “If only all of Hashem’s people were prophets.”

How does a person come to love others? By focusing on their good qualities and covering over their flaws, refusing to dwell on their faults. He might tell himself, “If this poor, looked-down-upon person were rich, I would enjoy his company — just as I enjoy the company of someone respected. And if he were dressed in fine clothes like that respected person, there would be no difference between them. So why should he have less honor in my eyes? In truth he may be greater in Hashem’s eyes, because his poverty and suffering cleanse him of wrongdoing. Why, then, should I dislike someone whom Hashem loves?” In this way, a person turns his heart toward the good and trains himself to focus on people’s good qualities.

Chapter Three: The Attribute of Chochmah (Wisdom)

Wisdom That Reaches Everywhere

How should a person train himself in the quality of chochmah (wisdom)? Even though this wisdom is hidden and extremely lofty, it spreads out over all of creation, as the pasuk says, “How many are Your works, O Hashem — You made them all with wisdom.” In the same way, a person’s own wisdom should reach into everything he does. He should be ready to share and use his wisdom to benefit others — each one according to what they can handle — and let nothing stop him.

Two Directions of Wisdom

The quality of wisdom Above has two sides. Its higher side “faces upward” toward Keser and simply receives from above. Its lower side “faces downward” to opasuke and give to the levels below it.

A person should have these two sides as well. The first is to spend quiet, private time connecting with his Creator, in order to grow and perfect his own wisdom. The second is to teach others the wisdom that Hashem has given him. And just as the higher wisdom gives to each level exactly according to what it can hold, a person should share his wisdom with each individual according to how much that person’s mind can grasp — no more than the listener can absorb, so that it helps rather than harms.

Watching Over Others Like a Wise Guide

Wisdom is the “Supernal Thought” that watches over everything that exists. Fittingly, the psukim describe Hashem’s thoughts as loftier than ours, as planning ways to bring back those who are pushed away, and as “thoughts of peace and not harm, to give you a future and hope.”

In the same way, a person should keep a caring, watchful eye on the wellbeing of others in order to help them. His thoughts should be about bringing back those who have strayed and thinking well of them. Just as Hashem’s wisdom plans the good of all creation, a person should plan the good of those around him. He should give wise, caring advice on both personal and community matters. And when someone has wandered off the right path, he should gently guide him back, acting as his advisor and leading him toward good, honest behavior — just as the higher wisdom guides the worlds.

Wisdom Gives Life

The pasuk says, “Wisdom gives life to those who have it.” In the same way, a person should teach the whole world the ways of life — helping others gain life in this world and the next, and giving them the means to live. In general, a person should be a source of life to others.

Being a Father to All Creation

Wisdom is also the source of all existence: “You made them all with wisdom.” Since everything comes from that source, a person should act like a loving father toward all of Hashem’s creatures — and especially toward Israel, whose holy souls come from that source. He should constantly pray for mercy and blessing on the world, just as our Father Above has compassion on His creatures. When people are suffering, he should pray for them as if they were his own children.

Moshe, the faithful shepherd, once said, “Did I give birth to this nation, that You tell me to carry them in my arms?” The lesson is that a person should indeed carry all of Hashem’s people the way a nurse gently carries an infant. As the pasuk describes, he should “gather the lambs in his arms and lead them softly.” He should care for those who are lost, seek out the young, heal the broken, feed the needy, and bring back the ones who have wandered. He should have compassion for people, carry their burdens cheerfully — just as the merciful Father carries all — and never grow tired, hide away, or give up. This is the quality of wisdom: a father who is merciful to his children.

Compassion for Every Creature

A person’s compassion should reach all creatures, and he should not look down on them or destroy them, because the higher wisdom flows into all of creation — rocks, plants, animals, and people alike. This is why the sages warned against wasting or disrespecting food. Since the higher wisdom looks down on nothing (because everything was made with wisdom), a person should be compassionate toward all of Hashem’s works.

The Talmud tells a striking story. Rabbi Yehudah the Prince once showed no pity to a calf that tried to hide behind him to avoid being slaughtered; he said, “Go — this is what you were created for.” Because he lacked compassion in that moment, he suffered for many years, since compassion is what shields a person from strict judgment. Later, when he showed mercy to some small creatures and quoted the pasuk “His mercy is on all His works,” his suffering ended, because the light of wisdom — which brings compassion — spread over him again.

So a person should not look down on any creature, since all were made with wisdom. He should not pull up plants unless he needs them, or kill animals unless there is a need. And when there is a genuine need, he should choose a humane death for the animal, using a carefully checked knife, in order to be as merciful as possible.

The General Principle of Chochmah

Here is the rule: having compassion on all beings and not hurting them flows from wisdom. However, there is an important exception. If the purpose is to lift a creature to a higher level — raising a plant into an animal by becoming its food, or raising an animal into a human being by nourishing a person — then it is allowed to pull up the plant or slaughter the animal. In that case, what looks like taking from them is actually elevating them and doing them good.

Chapter Four: The Attribute of Binah (Understanding) — The Power of Repentance

Repentance Is the Path to Binah

How should a person train himself in the quality of binah (understanding)? The way to do it is through complete repentance — sincerely returning to Hashem. Nothing is as important as repentance, because it repairs every kind of flaw. Just as binah “sweetens” harsh judgments and takes away their bitterness, a person’s repentance repairs all his flaws.

Someone who keeps the idea of repentance in mind every single day fills all his days with the light of binah. In effect, his whole life becomes a life of repentance, and he joins himself to binah — which is repentance itself — so that all his days are “crowned” with this high spiritual level.

Repentance Reaches Even Into the Darkness

All of existence is rooted in repentance. Even the source of the harsh, “outer” forces — which the Kabbalah calls the “River of Fire” and describes as the outpouring of Divine anger — is rooted there and can be traced back to that same place. And through the deeper meaning of the pasuk “Hashem smelled the pleasing scent of the offerings,” that outpouring of anger “returns to its source,” the harsh judgments are sweetened, the anger stops, and, as the Torah says, “Hashem held back from the harm.”

A person reaches this same effect through repentance. So one should not think that repentance only helps the good parts of a person. It repairs the bad parts too — just as binah sweetens even the harshest judgments.

Turning Evil Into Good: The Lesson of Kayin

Kayin himself came from a bad, low place. And yet Hashem told him, “If you do good, will you not be lifted up?” In other words, Hashem was saying: “Do not think that because you come from a bad root you have no hope. That is not true. If you do good and anchor yourself firmly in repentance, you can rise up — reaching the good that is hidden even in your own root and doing yourself real good.”

This is because every bitter thing has a sweet root high above. So a person’s bad actions can be turned into good, and even his deliberate sins can be turned into merits. When someone returns to Hashem completely, those very same wrong deeds — which used to stand as accusers against him — rise up, take root in Kedusha, and are transformed into good rather than simply erased. This is exactly what Kayin was told about how he could better himself. Had Kayin repented, even the circumstances of his flawed beginning could have been turned to his credit. But Kayin chose not to repent.

The Lesson for Us

When a person purifies his evil urge and turns it into good, that good takes root in Kedusha. This is the high level of repentance that a person who wants to live this way should think about every day. He should also do some act of repentance each day, so that all his days are spent in a state of return to Hashem.

Chapter Five: The Attribute of Chesed (Kindness) — Love of Hashem and Acts of Kindness

The Foundation: Loving Hashem Completely

How should a person train himself in the quality of chesed (kindness)? The main gateway to chesed is to love Hashem so completely that nothing will ever pull him away from serving Him. Compared to the love of Hashem, no other love has any real value. So a person should take care of his religious duties first, and only then use whatever time is left for his other needs.

This love should be firmly fixed in the heart whether Hashem sends good things or hardship. Both should be seen as expressions of Hashem’s love, as the pasuk says, “The wounds of a loving friend are faithful.” The Torah’s command to love Hashem “with all your might” is explained by the sages to mean “with whatever measure Hashem gives you” — accepting good and hard alike with love. This is why even strictness, which comes from the channel of Malchus (kingship), is ultimately tied back to kindness.

This was the practice of the sage Nachum Ish Gamzu, who would always say, “This, too, is for the good.” He trained himself to connect everything to the side of kindness — even things that looked harsh — seeing the good hidden inside them. This is a powerful way to keep oneself constantly bound to chesed.

“Doing Kindness to the Creator”

The Kabbalistic work Tikkunim asks, “Who is a truly kind, devoted person?” and answers, “One who does kindness to his Creator.” The idea is that when a person does an act of kindness here in this world, he should have in mind that he is also strengthening the matching spiritual channel of kindness above. To do this, a person needs to know the different kinds of kind acts people do for one another, because he must also “do” each of them, in a spiritual sense, toward his Creator. The following eight acts of kindness are the classic examples.

Kind Act 1: Caring for a Newborn

When a child is born, a person should provide everything the baby needs. Spiritually, this points to the “birth” of Tiferes (harmony) out of binah (understanding). If that birth is “difficult” — pulled toward harsh judgment — it is a problem. So a person should aim, through his good deeds, to “ease the birth,” keeping Tiferes on the side of kindness and light rather than harshness. Almost all the Torah’s prohibitions connect to this idea: keeping harshness from overpowering the flow of goodness. The practical point is to help every “new beginning” come into the world cleanly and on the side of kindness.

Kind Act 2: Circumcising the Child — Removing What Blocks Goodness

Circumcision stands for doing the mitzvot perfectly and “cutting away” anything harmful that clings to yesod (the channel that delivers blessing into the world). A person should work to bring back those who cause spiritual “blockage,” helping them repent so that the blockage is removed. This is why Pinchas earned the priesthood: through an act connected to circumcision, he “did kindness to his Creator” by removing what was blocking the flow of goodness. From this example, a person can learn all the other forms of chesed.

Kind Act 3: Visiting and Healing the Sick

The Shechinah (Hashem’s presence in the world, linked to Malchus) is described poetically as “lovesick,” longing to be reunited with the higher channels, as in the pasuk “I am sick with love.” Her “healing” is placed in human hands, through Torah and good deeds. When a person visits and helps the sick down here, he is also, in a spiritual sense, “sustaining” and “healing” above — helping to reconnect and comfort the Shechinah, who is “ill” because of the sins of the people. In the same way, Tiferes is described as restless and separated in this world, like “a bird wandering far from its nest.” The healing of both is in our hands, and we bring it about through Torah study and the mitzvot. So visiting the sick and tending to their needs is far more than a simple kindness — it repairs something on high.

Kind Act 4: Giving Charity to the Poor

Giving charity to the poor connects to yesod and Malchus above. The Tikkunim describes the “charity” that fits here through daily spiritual acts: answering “amen” many times in prayer, saying the Kedushah, reciting one hundred blessings a day, and learning from the five books of the Torah each day. Beyond that, a person should “draw down” spiritual sustenance for those in need, each according to his ability. The Torah’s laws of leaving gifts for the poor — the gleanings, the forgotten sheaf, and the corner of the field — all carry deeper meanings about supporting and repairing these higher channels. The tithe given to the poor also “raises up” these channels. Many spiritual repairs are bound up in the simple act of giving charity.

Kind Act 5: Welcoming Guests

Offering hospitality to travelers and guests connects to giving the higher channels (Tiferes and yesod) a “resting place” in Malchus. In the deeper meaning, these channels are like wayfarers in exile, searching for what they have lost, and welcoming them “home” helps restore them. This is also linked to those who leave home to travel and study Torah. Anyone who works to reunite these channels — for example, by setting fixed times for Torah study — is, spiritually, “hosting” them.

Just as a good host prepares food and drink for guests and then walks them out on their way, a person should, in his intentions, “feed” and “escort” these higher channels. The psukim from Shir HaShirim about eating honey and drinking wine and milk are read as pointing to this spiritual “nourishing” and reconnecting. The general rule is this: a person should do whatever the ordinary, physical act requires — preparing the food, hosting the guest — while at the same time keeping in mind the deeper meaning it points to. Better still, once he has learned these ideas, he can even speak the intention out loud, fulfilling the pasuk “the matter is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.”

Kind Act 6: Caring for the Dead

Explaining how caring for the dead connects to the higher worlds is very deep and difficult. It touches the secret of the sefiros as they “withdraw” and are hidden away above. Just as we must cleanse a body and dress it in white, there is a parallel idea of “cleansing” and “clothing” these channels through good deeds, lifting them up and binding them together in unity. Carrying the deceased on one’s shoulders points to lifting the sefiros, one after another, to higher and higher levels until they reach a place beyond human understanding. Even the word for “valley,” in the pasuk describing where Moshe was buried, is read by the Tikkunim as a hint to the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, which are rooted in Keser. From there, the one being buried rises to the highest level of Eden. Understanding this fully takes long, careful study.

Kind Act 7: Bringing a Bride to the Chuppah

Helping bring a bride to the wedding canopy stands for all the “unifications” in the spiritual world — which is really the deeper meaning of prayer. Prayer rises in stages, each higher than the last: the passages about the offerings, then the psukim of praise, then the seated prayers including the Shema with its blessings, and then the Amidah and the rest of the service. Each stage is, in a sense, an act of kindness to the “groom” and “bride” above — helping tend to their needs and bring about their union.

Kind Act 8: Making Peace Between People

Making peace between two people who are at odds connects to Tiferes and yesod, which sometimes become “separated” from each other. A person must, through good deeds, restore harmony between them so they are bound together again in love. When these channels fall out of alignment — or when sin creates a blemish in the world — there is, so to speak, “conflict” and disconnection above. The same idea applies to making peace between any two channels, one on the “right” and one on the “left,” and to making peace between a husband and wife, which parallels Tiferes and Malchus. Every act of peacemaking down here is also an act of kindness that repairs something above.

Chapter Six: The Attribute of Gevurah (Strength) — Mastering the Evil Inclination

Why Arousing the Evil Urge Is Dangerous

How should a person train himself in the quality of gevurah (strength, and sometimes strictness)? The key idea is this: whenever a person stirs up his yetzer hara (evil inclination), he is actually stirring up powerful forces of gevurah above. So a person should be careful not to awaken the evil urge, because doing so awakens harsh strictness in the higher worlds.

Two Inclinations, Two Sides

A person is created with two inclinations: the yetzer hatov (good inclination), which is connected to chesed (kindness), and the yetzer hara (evil inclination), which is connected to gevurah (strength). The Zohar explains something striking: the good inclination was created for a person’s own sake, while the evil inclination was created for the sake of his wife and family life. In spiritual terms, Tiferes leans to the “right” (the side of kindness and the good inclination), while Malchus leans to the “left” (the side of strength). So the right approach is not to arouse the evil inclination, because doing so awakens harsh strictness above and can damage this world.

Every time a person stirs up the aspect of gevurah and the evil inclination inside himself, he creates a matching flaw in the higher worlds. Seen this way, it becomes clear how ugly and harmful anger and similar feelings are: they cause harsh forces of strictness to take over.

Binding the Evil Urge — With One Exception

Ideally, the evil inclination should be tied down so tightly that it cannot be activated at all — not for craving physical pleasure, not for chasing money, not for anger, and not for honor. There is one important exception: for the sake of his wife and household, a man may gently arouse his drive in a “sweetened,” proper way — for example, to provide her with clothing and a home.

When he does this, he should tell himself, “By providing for my wife, I am helping to restore the Shechinah.” The Shechinah is “adorned” by binah, which also includes an aspect of strength — but binah’s great compassion sweetens that strength. So taking care of the household needs helps “restore” the Shechinah, and the evil inclination, in this narrow case, is used only to carry out the will of the Creator.

Redirecting Desire Toward Kedusha

For this reason, a man should not aim to squeeze selfish pleasure out of the evil inclination. Instead, when his wife dresses up and they enjoy their home together, he should focus his mind on the restoration of the Shechinah — a repair brought about through the beneficial powers of the “left” side, which is also the source of wealth and honor. For the sake of that repair, he may arouse the drive, but he should direct it toward “loving” the Shechinah rather than toward selfish desire.

The pasuk “His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me” is read as a two-step process: first the Shechinah is drawn near through the “left” (the aroused drive), and then everything is “sweetened” and completed through the “right” (the good inclination). In this way, a person literally helps reconnect and gladden the Shechinah through a mitzvah done for the sake of a higher unity, and all the harsh forces are sweetened and repaired through the side of kindness.

The General Principle of Gevurah

This is the rule for every kind of desire that comes from the evil inclination: it should be used mainly for the good of the wife whom Hashem gave a person as his fitting partner. And afterward, a person should redirect all of these drives toward the service of Hashem, binding them firmly to the “right” — the side of kindness and Kedusha.

Chapter Seven: The Attribute of Tiferes (Truth) — Torah Study Without Pride

Torah Learning and the Danger of Pride

How should a person train himself in the quality of Tiferes (harmony and truth)? Tiferes is found mainly in the study of Torah. But there is a serious danger to avoid: becoming proud and aloof because of one’s learning. When a scholar holds himself above others because he is learned, he causes Tiferes — which is the Torah — to “withdraw” and rise away, out of reach. By contrast, someone who stays humble in his Torah study causes Tiferes to come down and flow into the world (to Malchus). Below Tiferes are four channels and three matching lessons, which follow.

Lesson 1: A Teacher Who Looks Down on His Students

A teacher who exalts himself above his students causes Tiferes to rise up and away from netzach and hod, which are called “the students of the L-rd” — the “students” of Tiferes. But a teacher who humbles himself and teaches his students with love causes Tiferes to come down and flow to them. So a teacher should be pleasant to his students and teach them at the level they can absorb. Through this, the flow of Torah reaches “the students of the L-rd” in the right measure.

Lesson 2: A Scholar Who Looks Down on the Poor

A scholar might, because of his learning, feel superior to a poor person and look down on him. The Talmud tells that the prophet Eliyahu once appeared to Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar disguised as an ugly, lowly pauper, precisely to teach him this lesson: caught up in pride over his learning, Rabbi Shimon insulted the “pauper,” who then rebuked him sharply for this flaw. A scholar who exalts himself over the poor causes Tiferes to stay aloof from yesod instead of flowing into it. But when a scholar pays attention to the poor and draws them close, Tiferes flows into yesod. So scholars should hold the poor in high regard and bring them near.

Lesson 3: A Scholar Who Looks Down on Ordinary People

A scholar who, because of his knowledge, holds himself aloof from ordinary, unlearned people causes Tiferes to soar above Malchus rather than flow into it. Instead, a person should be warm and pleasant toward all of Hashem’s creatures, seeing every decent human being as worthy. He should never call people “donkeys” or the like, Hashem forbid, because that pushes them down toward the “outer forces.” The Talmud even teaches that someone who does this will not merit a son enlightened by the light of Torah.

Rather, a person should treat others kindly, according to their level, just as Tiferes flows down to Malchus and works with it gently. Included in this is never being arrogant toward anyone simple-minded, since even such a person has real value. This is why the earlier generations never grew proud over their Torah learning, as the Zohar and Tikkunim illustrate with stories of great sages who fled from honor — one even running away when Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai wished to kiss him, so that he would not become proud of his learning.

Debating Torah for the Sake of Heaven

When a person debates matters of Torah, he should have in mind the goal of “beautifying” the truth and reaching the correct ruling. This is the real meaning of “a dispute for the sake of Heaven”: two opposing forces (kindness and strength) argue in order to arrive at the truth. But a person should keep far away from any argument that is not for this pure purpose. Tiferes does not want to be dragged into pointless quarrels, even quarrels about Torah, if they are really about winning; such disputes end badly. The only argument that does not damage this quality is one about Torah for the sake of Heaven, “whose ways are all peace” and “whose end is love.”

A person who uses Torah for personal gain damages this holy quality by mixing something sacred with selfish ends. Happy is the person who works hard in Torah purely to bring delight to Hashem. Most important of all is to purify one’s motives — to examine his own thoughts honestly during a debate. If he notices even a trace of an impure motive, he should take back his words and always admit the truth, so that Tiferes, the quality of truth, can be found in him.

Chapter Eight: The Attributes of Netzach, Hod, and Yesod — Supporting Torah and Guarding Kedusha

Supporting Those Who Study Torah

How should a person train himself in the qualities of netzach and hod? These two channels are closely related. The main way to connect with them is to help and support those who study Torah — with money or with effort — giving them what they need, preparing their food, and taking care of their wishes so they can keep learning without interruption. A person should be careful never to belittle their learning, which would discourage them; instead, he should praise their good deeds so they are strengthened in their service. He should provide them with the books they need, a place to study, and so on.

Anything that strengthens and supports those who toil in Torah — whether through words, actions, or money, and whether by inspiring people’s hearts toward Torah or by helping them hold fast to it — is rooted in these two channels, which are called “those who support the Torah.” Every person should contribute whatever he can, whether a little or a lot.

Learning From Everyone

A person who studies Torah must be willing to learn from everyone, as the pasuk says, “From all my teachers I have gained wisdom.” Complete Torah knowledge cannot come from a single teacher alone. By learning from everyone, a person becomes fit to be a “vehicle” for netzach and hod, the “students of the L-rd,” while the one who teaches Torah stands at the level of Tiferes. So when a person sits and learns, Tiferes flows into netzach and hod, and he reaches their level.

There is a further pattern: learning Scripture (which comes from the “right”) connects especially to netzach, and learning Mishnah (which comes from the “left”) connects especially to hod. Talmud includes everything, since it brings proofs from Scripture for the laws of the Mishnah, completing both.

Guarding Yesod: Purity of Speech and Thought

How should a person train himself in the quality of yesod? Yesod is linked to guarding personal Kedusha and purity. A person must be extremely careful about the kind of speech that leads to impure thoughts. It goes without saying that he should not use foul or crude language; but he must also guard against otherwise “clean” speech that still stirs up impure thoughts.

This is learned from the pasuk “Do not let your mouth bring sin to your flesh.” The pasuk continues, “Why should Hashem be angry at your voice?” Now, if the “voice” meant outright obscenities, then those are already sinful on their own — so why does the pasuk speak of words that “bring sin”? The answer is that even words that are technically permitted, if they lead to impure thoughts, must be guarded against. Because such words “bring sin” — even though the words themselves were allowed — Hashem is, so to speak, “angry at the voice” that spoke them, since the resulting harm traces back to the speech that caused it. This is how careful a person must be to guard his Kedusha, keeping impure thoughts far away so as not to cause spiritual damage.

The Image of the Bow

Yesod is also linked to “the covenant of the rainbow.” A rainbow is shaped like a drawn bow. In the spiritual meaning, the “bow” is only ever drawn when it is aimed at its proper “target” — which here refers to guarding the Kedusha of marital life within its proper bounds. Just as the higher “bow” is never drawn except toward its proper target, a man should keep his own drives directed only where they belong: toward his wife, in purity, at the proper time. He should never cross that boundary, so that the quality of yesod is not damaged. This takes great care, above all in guarding oneself from impure thoughts.

Chapter Nine: The Attribute of Malchus — Humility, Fear of Hashem, and the Shechinah

Never Let Wealth Make You Proud

How should a person train himself in the quality of Malchus (kingship)? First of all, wealth should never make a person arrogant. He should always carry himself like a poor person, standing before his Maker like a beggar, humbly asking and pleading. Even a wealthy person should train himself in this attitude, remembering that nothing he owns truly belongs to him, that he depends entirely on Hashem’s ongoing mercy, and that he has nothing except the bread he eats. He should humble his heart, especially during prayer, because this is a very powerful help.

The Torah warns of the opposite: “your heart may grow proud, and you may forget” — because forgetfulness of Hashem often comes with pride. King David trained himself in this humble attitude, saying, “I am alone and humbled.” After all, when a person stands in judgment before Hashem, and when his soul finally leaves this world, what help will his wealth — or even his wife and children — be to him then? So a person should humble and perfect himself according to this quality.

Accepting a Kind of “Exile”

A second, very important practice is taught in the Zohar: a person should, for the sake of Heaven, sometimes uproot himself and wander from place to place, becoming a “vehicle” for the exiled Shechinah. He should think to himself: “Here I am in exile, but I still have all my belongings with me. What about the honor of Heaven — for the Shechinah is in exile with nothing?” So he should get by with as little as possible, letting the discomfort of travel humble his heart while he binds himself to Torah. Then the Shechinah is with him.

He should also “banish” himself from the comforts of home, just as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his companions withdrew from comfort in order to toil in Torah. Better still, he should tire out his legs going from place to place on foot, without a horse or wagon. About such a person the pasuk says his “hope is in the L-rd his Hashem” — the word for “hope” also hinting at “breaking,” because he “breaks” his body for the honor of Heaven.

The Right Kind of Fear of Hashem

Another aspect of Malchus — and one of the most important, since it is the gateway to serving Hashem — is fear of Hashem, the glorious and awesome One. But fear itself can be dangerous if aimed at the wrong thing. If a person is afraid of suffering, death, or punishment, he is really fearing those harmful forces themselves. Proper fear is fear of Hashem, and it is reached by reflecting on the following things.

First, the greatness of the Creator fills all of existence. A person is afraid of a lion, a bear, a robber, fire, or a falling wall — yet these are only minor “messengers.” How much more, then, should he stand in awe of the great King Himself? He should say: “How can a lowly person dare to sin against such a great Master? If he angered a bear, it would devour him. Yet just because Hashem patiently overlooks the insult, is that any reason not to be in awe of His greatness?”

Second, Hashem’s watchful care is constant. A servant is always careful in his master’s presence — and a person is always in the presence of Hashem, who examines all his ways. So he should be careful and in awe never to disregard Hashem’s commandments.

Third, Hashem is the root of all souls, which are rooted in the higher channels. When a person sins, he damages, so to speak, Hashem’s own “sanctuary.” Should he not fear soiling the King’s sanctuary with his wrongdoing? And fourth, flawed deeds push away the Shechinah. A person should fear causing this great harm — driving the King’s love away from the Queen. Reflecting on these kinds of fear sets a person on the right path to perfecting this quality.

Keeping the Shechinah Close in Married Life

A person should take great care to live in a way that keeps the Shechinah close and does not drive her away. Until a man marries, the Shechinah does not rest with him in the same way, because a person stands, spiritually, between two “female” aspects: his wife below, whom he provides with sustenance, clothing, and marital rights; and the Shechinah above, who blesses him with all these things so that he can continue to give to his wife. This parallels Tiferes, which stands between binah (which provides for all its needs) and Malchus (which receives). But the Shechinah rests with a person only when he mirrors this higher pattern in his own life.

Sometimes a man is separated from his wife for one of three reasons: during her period of ritual separation (niddah), while he is immersed in Torah study on weekdays, or while he is traveling and guarding himself from sin. At these times, if he conducts himself properly, the Shechinah draws close and stays with him, so that he is never abandoned but always “complete.” Because of this, a man should be especially careful while traveling not to drive the Shechinah away — reciting the traveler’s prayer and holding fast to Torah, so that the Shechinah guards his way. Likewise, when he keeps the laws of separation properly, the Shechinah stays with him.

The proper times for marital union — the night his wife returns from her separation, Shabbat night, or his return from a journey — are times when the higher worlds are open to receive holy souls. So a man should be with his wife at these times, according to the secret taught in the Zohar. He should approach marital life only when the Shechinah is “in place,” and not, for example, at a time when the community is in distress, when such union is not fitting.

“Adorning” Oneself to Draw the Shechinah Near

To bind oneself to the Shechinah (“the King’s daughter”) so that she never departs, a person must first “dress himself” in fine spiritual garments — which means perfecting all the qualities described in this book. After perfecting himself this way, he should always aim to “receive” the Shechinah through Torah study and the mitzvot. In practical terms, this means three things. First, through all his good deeds he should draw down the blessing of kindness (the “right”), which “sustains” the Shechinah. Second, he should “protect” the Shechinah through the discipline of gevurah — doing every mitzvah purely for the sake of Heaven, with no trace of the evil inclination, not for physical pleasure or imagined honor, since such motives drive the Shechinah away. Tefillin and tzitzit are described as especially powerful protections here, and a person should wear them constantly. Third, he should “unite” with Tiferes through reciting the Shema and setting fixed times for Torah study, keeping in mind that these set times are dedicated to the Shechinah, the King’s daughter.

Chapter Ten: Binding Oneself to Kedusha Throughout the Day

The Idea: Match Your Service to the Time

In the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai gives wonderful advice for how a person can stay bound to Kedusha at all times and never become separated from the higher channels. The key is to act at the right time — that is, to recognize which spiritual quality is “dominant” at a given part of the day, and then to bind oneself to it and do the work that matches that quality. This chapter walks through a full day, from night to night.

Night and Sleep

The cycle begins at night, as a person prepares for sleep. At night the dominant quality is Malchus, and sleep itself is compared to death — a time when the “Tree of Death” holds sway. What should a person do? Before sleeping, he should prepare to bind himself to Kedusha by focusing his heart on fully accepting the “yoke of Heaven” — completely committing himself to Hashem.

If a person rises at midnight, he should wash his hands, remove the impurity that has settled on them, recite the blessing, and then “restore the Shechinah” through Torah study. Of this the pasuk says, “When you lie down, it will guard you” from harmful forces, “and when you wake, it will speak with you.” In this way a person travels, together with the Shechinah, from the state of sleep-and-death into the secret of higher life, becoming bound up in Kedusha so that the light of Tiferes, which shines on the righteous, begins to shine on him.

Morning: Entering the Synagogue

At dawn, a person prepares to enter the synagogue, binding himself to the three Patriarchs. At the entrance he should recite the pasuk, “And I, through Your abundant kindness, will enter Your house; I will bow toward Your holy sanctuary in awe of You.” This pasuk merges a person with the three fatherly qualities: “Your abundant kindness” corresponds to Avraham; “I will bow toward Your holy sanctuary” corresponds to Yitzchak (bowing represents lowering oneself before strict judgment); and “in awe of You” corresponds to Yaakov, who said, “How awesome is this place.”

In this way a person joins himself to these qualities in thought, speech, and action all at once: the thought is his inner focus, the speech is reciting the pasuk, and the action is entering the synagogue and bowing. Then, standing in prayer, his mouth becomes like a flowing wellspring, and he “repairs” the Shechinah with all the concentration of his prayer.

Daytime: Torah, and the Rhythm of the Prayers

When a person leaves the synagogue, he rises to the “secret of Torah” and binds himself to it, according to the quality of “day.” He continues this way through the day until the afternoon prayer. The three daily prayers follow a pattern: in the morning he binds himself to chesed (kindness), during the day to Tiferes, and toward evening, at the afternoon prayer, to gevurah (strength) — coming to the synagogue to “unify” gevurah just as he did with chesed in the morning.

Between the prayers, a person also binds the Shechinah to himself through his meal, showing kindness to his own “animal soul.” As Hillel the Elder taught, “A righteous person knows the soul of his animal.” The point is that even eating can be done with holy intention — to care properly for the body’s needs for the sake of serving Hashem.

Evening Again: Completing the Cycle

After the afternoon prayer, when a person has bound himself to gevurah, he waits for night, when Tiferes descends to Malchus. So from the start of the night he is again with Malchus. He binds himself to it and enters the evening prayer with this in mind. When he leaves, he unites himself with Malchus alone, according to the secret of accepting the “yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

This is a person’s daily schedule, matched to the cycle of the spiritual channels, so that he always clings to the light of whichever quality is dominant at that moment. This advice is drawn mainly from the Zohar, gathered together into one complete system. By living this way, a person can bind himself to Kedusha at all times, with the “Crown of the Shechinah” never departing from his head.

A Closing Word

In the closing lines of the original work, the one who brought the book to press offers praise and thanks to Hashem for the privilege of beginning and completing this awesome book. Though the work is small in size, it is described as “the head of the tribes of Israel” — small, yet a leader — because through it a person comes to understand that all of his actions, whether good or, Hashem forbid, the opposite, leave a real mark in the higher worlds. He also records that he heard this teaching from the author’s own son, Rabbi Gedaliah, one of the “seventy palm trees” whom his father the author had planted. He closes with a prayer that, like Moshe, he should merit to bring merit to the many and to produce many worthy books — amen, so may it be His will.

— End of Tomer Devorah —

The author can be reached at [email protected]

JERUSALEM (VINnews)  — An emotional full-circle moment took place on Tuesday at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, as Sarah Yahav, the daughter of MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Jewish Force), gave birth to her first child in the same hospital where she herself was born nearly 23 years ago, just hours after her father, Shuli Har-Melech, was murdered in a terrorist attack and her mother seriously injured.

On August 29, 2003, Shuli Har-Melech was killed in a shooting attack. His wife, Limor, who was six months pregnant at the time, was seriously wounded and rushed to Hadassah Ein Kerem, where she underwent emergency surgery to save both her life and her unborn child.

The operation was performed by a team that included Prof. Asher Shoshan, Prof. Avi Rivkind, and Prof. David Shweiki. The surgery saved Limor’s life, and her daughter Sarah was delivered prematurely.

Sarah spent an extended period in the neonatal intensive care unit, where medical staff cared for her during her fight for survival. At the same time, the family was coping with the devastating loss of her father, who had been murdered in the terrorist attack.

Today, Sarah returned to the same hospital, this time to become a mother. Together with her husband, Natan, she welcomed their first son into the world in the very place where she had once fought for her own life as a newborn.

MK Limor Son Har-Melech said the occasion was a moment that filled her heart with gratitude.According to her, nearly 23 years after she arrived at the hospital gravely wounded and gave birth to Sarah prematurely, she had the privilege of seeing her daughter hold her own firstborn son in that very same place.

“This is a moment that illustrates the victory of the Jewish people over their enemies and the triumph of the life force of the people of Israel over the death wish of those who seek our destruction. Out of pain grows hope, out of loss a family is built, and life continues to prevail,” she said.

After her first husband’s murder, Har-Melech married Yehuda Son and rebuilt her family, subsequently giving birth to eight more children besides the two from her first marriage.

Tesla and BYD reported strong second-quarter delivery results in figures released during the first week of July, underscoring the continued strength of the global electric vehicle market despite intensifying competition and shifting consumer demand. The latest delivery numbers show the world’s two largest electric vehicle manufacturers continuing to battle for market share as automakers race to expand production, lower prices and introduce new technology.

The quarterly results highlight a dramatic turnaround from the cautious outlook that surrounded the EV industry earlier this year. Concerns over slowing demand, higher borrowing costs and increased competition had weighed on the sector, but second-quarter deliveries indicate consumers continue embracing electric vehicles across many major markets.

BYD once again finished the quarter as the world’s largest seller of battery-electric passenger vehicles, delivering more than 557,000 fully electric vehicles during the April-through-June period. Tesla followed with more than 480,000 vehicle deliveries, marking one of the strongest quarters in the company’s history and reinforcing its position as the world’s leading pure electric vehicle manufacturer outside China.

Although BYD maintained its lead in total battery-electric deliveries, Tesla significantly narrowed the gap compared with previous quarters. Industry analysts said the improvement reflects stronger global demand for Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, continued production efficiency and renewed consumer interest following recent pricing adjustments.

The rivalry between the two automakers continues to reshape the global automotive industry. Tesla remains focused exclusively on battery-electric vehicles, while BYD also sells large numbers of plug-in hybrid models, giving the Chinese automaker an even larger presence across the broader new-energy vehicle market.

Competition is expanding well beyond those two companies. Traditional manufacturers including Volkswagen, Hyundai, General Motors, Ford and several emerging Chinese brands continue investing billions of dollars in new electric models as governments around the world tighten emissions standards and consumers seek alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles.

Pricing has become one of the industry’s biggest competitive weapons. Tesla has repeatedly adjusted prices across key markets while introducing lower-cost model configurations designed to attract additional buyers. BYD continues leveraging its vertically integrated manufacturing strategy, including in-house battery production, allowing the company to aggressively price many of its vehicles while maintaining healthy production volumes.

Industry experts say battery technology remains one of the biggest competitive advantages. BYD’s proprietary Blade Battery has helped lower manufacturing costs while improving safety and driving range. Tesla continues investing heavily in battery development, manufacturing efficiency and software capabilities, areas many analysts believe remain among its strongest long-term advantages.

The growing competition ultimately benefits consumers. Buyers today have more electric vehicle choices than ever before, with expanding model lineups across nearly every price category. Improved driving range, faster charging technology and declining battery costs continue making electric vehicles increasingly practical for both families and businesses.

Global expansion also remains a major focus. BYD continues increasing exports across Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America while Tesla maintains manufacturing operations serving North America, Europe and Asia. Both companies are expected to remain aggressive as they compete for market share in regions where EV adoption continues accelerating.

For investors, the second-quarter delivery reports provide another reminder that the electric vehicle market remains one of the fastest-changing sectors of the global economy. Quarterly delivery figures have become one of the industry’s most closely watched performance indicators because they offer an early look at consumer demand before companies release their full financial results.

The broader business impact extends far beyond the automakers themselves. Strong EV sales support manufacturers of batteries, semiconductors, charging equipment, software, mining companies supplying critical minerals and thousands of suppliers throughout the global automotive supply chain.

While challenges remain—including pricing pressure, trade policies and continued competition—the latest delivery results suggest demand for electric vehicles remains resilient. As more manufacturers enter the market and technology continues improving, consumers are expected to benefit from greater innovation, increased affordability and a wider selection of electric vehicles than ever before.

JBizNews Desk | Global Auto Markets

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

The Trump administration is escalating its crackdown on immigration-related fraud, launching its first major investigation into alleged H-1B and PERM visa abuse, labor trafficking, and the displacement of American workers, Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito told FOX Business on Wednesday.

D’Esposito announced the probe exclusively on “Mornings with Maria,” calling it the latest step in the administration’s expanding anti-fraud campaign ahead of Vice President JD Vance‘s nationwide fraud initiative event in Milwaukee set for later in the day.

“This is another example where fraud is fueling violent crime,” he said. “Much of the visa and the human trafficking that we see when it comes to this foreign labor is tied to cartels, is tied to transnational gangs, and this is the work that we should be doing, not only to make America safe again, but to make America more affordable again.”

D’Esposito said investigators have already begun to issue dozens of subpoenas.

“This is not just people working in factories or actual labor,” he said. “These are people working in medical facilities and doctors’ offices that are actually putting people in harm’s way.”

This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.

Ireland’s parliament has taken another step toward adopting one of Europe’s toughest trade measures targeting Israel, approving legislation that would prohibit the import of goods produced in Israeli communities in eastern Yerushalayim and Judea and Samaria.

The proposed measure, known as the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, would ban agricultural products, commercial merchandise, and other goods originating from what the legislation describes as “certain Israeli settlements.”

Although Ireland was among the first European Union countries to champion such restrictions, Spain became the first EU member state to implement similar import limitations last October.

Ireland’s center-right coalition government drafted the legislation following a 2024 advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which claimed that Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, eastern Yerushalayim, and Gaza is contrary to international law.

The measure first advanced through Ireland’s parliament in November 2025, prompting criticism from the U.S. State Department, which cautioned that the legislation could “adversely affect American businesses operating in Ireland.”

Ireland has emerged as one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Europe since the outbreak of the Gaza war, which began after Hamas launched its October 2023 terrorist attack against Israel.

In April 2024, then-Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris came under criticism from Israel after omitting any mention of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas during his first address as the country’s new leader.

Harris later condemned Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, accusing the Jewish state of a “pattern of flouting international law and disregard for rules of engagement.”

The following month, Ireland joined Spain and Norway—and later Slovenia—in formally recognizing a Palestinian state. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the closure of Israel’s embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israel policies.”

Relations deteriorated further last month when the Irish government barred National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country.

Even if the legislation ultimately becomes law, its economic impact is expected to be minimal. Irish imports from Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria—primarily timber, fruits, and vegetables—totaled less than €1 million between 2020 and 2024.

The bill now moves to Ireland’s upper house of parliament, where it must receive final approval before becoming law.

{Matzav.com}

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – A deeply personal essay by a young haredi Israeli explaining why he decided to enlist in the military has drawn widespread attention on social media, adding a human dimension to Israel’s ongoing debate over military service among the ultra-Orthodox community.

The essay, published on X by Yehuda Ben Saadon, traces his decision from the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, through the war that followed and a personal family experience that he says transformed his sense of responsibility.

Ben Saadon wrote that he grew up in a life centered on Torah study, prayer and family and acknowledged that military service would present significant religious challenges, including maintaining regular prayer, Torah study and strict standards of kashrut.

הריאות שחייבו אותי להתגייס

אני בחור חרדי.

כל החיים שלי היו תורה, תפילה ומשפחה.

בצבא אין לי מניין קבוע, אין לי סדרי לימוד, קשה לשמור על רמת הכשרות ועל אורח החיים התורני שאני חי לפיו.

אך כשהסתכלתי סביבי בשנים האחרונות, וראיתי את המחירים העצומים שאנשים שילמו עבור עם ישראל, הקושי… pic.twitter.com/AHJVN7SOXV

— יהודה בן סעדון (@YudaleBen) July 5, 2026

He said the first seeds of his decision were planted on the morning of Oct. 7, when he fled home to protect his wife and daughters after hearing gunfire near his community. Witnessing the attack and the months of war that followed, he wrote, left him feeling he could no longer remain on the sidelines while others bore the burden of defending the country.

According to the essay, he decided in May 2025 to close his business and begin the enlistment process.

His resolve strengthened after a personal tragedy became intertwined with the war. Ben Saadon said his father-in-law, who had suffered from severe lung disease for years, received a lifesaving lung transplant from Asael Babad, an Israeli reservist who died from wounds sustained during combat in southern Gaza. Babad’s family donated his organs after his death, allowing Ben Saadoon’s father-in-law to receive the transplant.

Ben Saadon wrote that the experience changed his motivation from one of solidarity with fellow Israelis to what he described as a personal moral obligation.

“Not every family needs a lung transplant recipient to understand this truth,” he wrote. “We are all breathing today because of those who went out to defend us.”

He said he is scheduled to begin mandatory military service in August despite the religious sacrifices he expects military life will require.

The essay has been widely shared online as Israel continues to grapple with the contentious issue of military service for haredi men. The debate has intensified during the nearly three-year war, with supporters of broader enlistment arguing that the burden of military service should be shared more equally across Israeli society, while many haredi leaders continue to oppose compulsory service for full-time yeshiva students.

Below is full English translation what Ben Saadon wrote:

I am a charedi man. All my life has revolved around Torah, prayer, and family.

In the army, I won’t have a regular minyan. I won’t have fixed Torah study sessions. It will be difficult to maintain the level of kashrut and the Torah lifestyle by which I live. But when I looked around over the past few years and saw the enormous price that people have paid for the Jewish people, those difficulties almost disappeared.

The decision to enlist began to take shape in my mind on the morning of October 7. When I left for synagogue that morning, I knew nothing about the massacre taking place just five kilometers from the city where I live. The faint, almost unbelievable rumors that reached us were met with complete disbelief.

During the prayers, when a rocket struck the street opposite the synagogue and no emergency responders arrived, we began to realize that something major was happening. A few minutes later, a burst of gunfire rang out. I ran home in a panic to my wife and my daughters.

That run, and the horrific day that followed, never left me.The feeling of helplessness,the realization that while my brothers were being murdered and massacred, I was running to hide in my home with no way of helping them, struck me mercilessly. That was when the first thought entered my mind: Things cannot continue this way.

During the year and a half that followed, I saw again and again the price that the people of Israel were paying so that my wife, my daughters, and I could continue living here. I saw hundreds of soldiers leave their homes and never return. I saw parents bury their children. Young women become widows overnight. Small children who would grow up knowing their fathers mainly through photographs and stories. I saw young men who had already set a wedding date but never lived to stand beneath the chuppah. Some left behind pregnant wives. And that is without even speaking about the countless wounded, both physically and emotionally.

As the months passed, the question that had first flickered inside me that Simchat Torah morning became harder and harder to silence. Then, in May 2025, I made my decision. I closed the business that I had built with blood, sweat, and tears, and went to the military recruitment office.

For personal reasons, the enlistment process took much longer than expected. Then something happened that changed everything. A few months ago, the war entered my own family.

My father-in-law, Amram Hazan, the father of nine children, had been battling severe lung disease for more than a decade. In recent years his condition had steadily deteriorated until only a lung transplant could save his life. Day by day, we watched him fade before our eyes. No donor was found.

We had already begun the complicated process of arranging a transplant in the United States, but G-d had other plans. On 21 January 2026 (3 Shevat 5786), Master Sgt. (Res.) Asael Babad, of blessed memory, passed away. Asael, a father of five, had been critically wounded several months earlier during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip and later died from his wounds.

Asael Babad HYD

After his death, his family made the extraordinarily noble decision to donate his organs and save lives. Asael’s lungs were transplanted into my father-in-law. They saved his life.

Suddenly, the price paid by the people of Israel was breathing inside my own home. Every breath my father-in-law takes today is a life that was given to him because a soldier went out to defend the people of Israel and never came home. Because a family lost a husband and a father and, in the darkest moment of their lives, chose to give life to my family.

It is difficult to describe what that realization did to me. Until then, I wanted to enlist out of a sense of mutual responsibility and solidarity. I felt I could not stand aside while my brothers were paying such a heavy price. But suddenly it became something else.From serving out of solidarity……to serving out of a profound, personal, moral obligation.

Then another realization struck me, one that was immediate, tangible, and impossible to ignore. This story does not begin and end with my father-in-law. Not every family needs to have a lung transplant recipient who received the gift of life from a fallen soldier in order to understand this simple truth:All of us are breathing today because of them.

My father-in-law breathes with Asael’s lungs.We breathe with our own lungs.But the air inside them…The homes we return to…The children we tuck into bed each night…All of these exist because people went out to fight on our behalf. And some of them never came home.

Asael gave his life for the people of Israel. And after his death, he gave my father-in-law the ability to breathe. Many others gave their lives so that you and I could breathe.

This coming August, I will begin my compulsory military service.Yes, it will be difficult. It will be difficult with finding a minyan. It will be difficult with kashrut. It will be difficult to maintain my Torah way of life.

So what. I am breathing.

Toyota Motor North America announced Monday, July 6, that it will invest $3.6 billion to expand its San Antonio, Texas, manufacturing campus, adding a new vehicle assembly line and shifting production of its popular Tacoma pickup truck from Mexico to the United States. The company said the project will create approximately 2,000 new jobs, significantly expand production capacity and further strengthen its long-term commitment to U.S. manufacturing.

The investment represents one of Toyota’s largest manufacturing commitments in recent years and comes as automakers continue adjusting their production strategies amid higher tariffs, evolving trade policies and growing political pressure to manufacture more vehicles in the United States.

The expansion will add a new 2.5-million-square-foot assembly facility to Toyota’s existing San Antonio campus. Once completed, the company expects the site to become one of its largest truck manufacturing operations in North America, producing the Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia under one roof.

Toyota said the transition from Mexico will occur gradually over the next several years, with Tacoma production moving from its older assembly plant in Baja California to Texas. The company emphasized that it is not abandoning Mexico, noting that Tacoma production will continue at its newer Guanajuato facility while the transition takes place.

The announcement reflects broader changes taking place throughout the global automotive industry. Rising tariffs on imported vehicles, steel, aluminum and automotive parts have encouraged manufacturers to reconsider where they build vehicles destined for American consumers. Producing more vehicles inside the United States reduces exposure to changing trade policies while shortening supply chains and transportation costs.

Toyota’s San Antonio plant already serves as one of the company’s flagship truck facilities. The campus currently assembles the full-size Toyota Tundra, including hybrid models, along with the Toyota Sequoia SUV. Adding Tacoma production transforms the facility into Toyota’s primary North American truck manufacturing hub.

The company also continues investing elsewhere on the campus. A new rear axle manufacturing facility is expected to begin operations later this year, allowing Toyota to produce additional components closer to final vehicle assembly and further localize its supply chain.

With Monday’s announcement, Toyota’s total investment in the San Antonio operation climbs to approximately $8.3 billion since construction first began in 2003. Employment at the facility is expected to grow to roughly 6,000 workers once the expansion is fully completed.

The project also delivers a major economic victory for Texas. State officials, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio assembled an incentive package valued at more than $300 million, including infrastructure improvements, tax incentives and workforce development assistance designed to secure the investment and the thousands of jobs accompanying it.

Construction is expected to begin this year, while hiring will occur in phases through the end of the decade. According to state filings, Toyota plans to add hundreds of workers annually before reaching approximately 2,000 new employees by 2030.

For consumers, the shift is unlikely to produce immediate changes. Tacoma production will continue uninterrupted during the transition, and Toyota has not announced any pricing changes related to the move. Instead, the investment reflects a long-term strategy designed to position the company for future growth while reducing manufacturing risks associated with international trade uncertainty.

Industry analysts say Toyota’s announcement could influence decisions by other global automakers evaluating where to build future vehicles. As manufacturers invest billions of dollars in new factories, electric vehicles and advanced technologies, production location has become an increasingly important competitive and political consideration.

The expansion also reinforces Texas’ growing position as one of America’s leading automotive manufacturing states. Along with Toyota, numerous suppliers and related manufacturers continue expanding throughout the region, creating additional employment opportunities beyond the assembly plant itself.

For business leaders and investors, Toyota’s decision highlights an ongoing trend reshaping American manufacturing. Companies are increasingly prioritizing domestic production, not only because of tariffs but also because of supply chain resilience, workforce availability and proximity to customers.

Whether additional automakers follow Toyota’s lead remains to be seen, but Monday’s announcement represents another significant step toward expanding vehicle manufacturing inside the United States while creating thousands of well-paying manufacturing jobs expected to support the Texas economy for decades.

JBizNews Desk | San Antonio, Texas

© JBizNews.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.

Denmark on Wednesday vowed to defend its territory after President Donald Trump insisted again that the United States should control Greenland, upending a NATO summit in Turkey meant to be a show of strength and unity.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country is “ready to defend every inch of NATO including our own territory” in the event of an attack, and would rely on NATO allies to honor their commitment to defend each other.

“We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenland people’s right for self-determination,” Frederiksen said ahead of the meeting of NATO leaders. “Greenland is of course not for sale.”

Trump had reopened old wounds on the eve of the meeting by insisting that the United States should control Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory.

Arriving at the summit on Wednesday, Trump said he was “not happy with NATO” for its member nations’ pushback against his earlier efforts to take over Greenland, adding that the territory “is very important for the United States, but it’s not important for Denmark.”

Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland could put at risk the entire future of NATO, which was founded in 1949 to counter the threat to European security posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The organization is normally focused on outside threats such as that posed by Russia. It is not designed to deal with threats from within.

Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said Greenland “belongs to the people of Greenland,” and called for unity in the face of Russia, which she called “the biggest threat.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said from Ankara on Wednesday that he believes the United States is fully committed to the alliance. He praised Trump for the series of U.S. strikes on Iran overnight, after Tehran struck three merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I think what you did last night was absolutely necessary,” Rutte said to Trump. “It was a very strong response, and I’m with you on this.”

The U.S. strikes, as well as the revoking of a license allowing Iran to sell its oil on global markets, underscored the fragility of an interim deal to end months of fighting.

Trump said Wednesday the interim agreement with Iran is “over” after the strikes, but that he will allow talks to continue.

“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”

The meeting in Ankara was meant to focus on progress made toward meeting the alliance’s spending targets — something Rutte highlighted by noting numerous countries that are already investing more.

“The commitment is there, no doubt,” Rutte said before chairing the summit, but noted the Trump administration expects “the Europeans and Canadian will equalize their spending with the United States.”

In an attempt last month to mollify the U.S. leader, Rutte went to Washington to hail the “Trump Trillion” — the $1.2 trillion that European allies and Canada have added to defense spending since Trump came to power in 2017.

Yet Trump has demanded “loyalty” and branded NATO a “paper tiger” after some allies refused to grant open access to their bases for U.S. forces to attack Iran.

Trump on Wednesday blasted NATO member Spain for its refusals to allow U.S. forces to use its bases to attack Iran, saying it was a “terrible partner in NATO” and renewing his threats to cut off trade with Spain.

As leaders converged on Ankara, Rutte hosted a “big reveal” event to showcase the many deals planned for the increased spending — much of it to be spent on U.S. companies, creating thousands of jobs for Americans.

NATO diplomats and officials had hoped that Trump would take the win, but judging by some of his remarks since arriving in Turkey, they are in for yet another dressing down.

Trump has long argued that the U.S. carries more than its fair share of the defense burden for NATO. At last year’s summit, the allies agreed to invest 5% of their gross domestic product on defense — 3.5% on their defense budgets and 1.5% on infrastructure so troops and equipment can move faster in times of conflict.

Yet new figures released by NATO on Tuesday showed that Slovenia, Belgium, Spain and the Czech Republic could be in hot water with the Trump administration as they struggle to meet the alliance’s old spending target of 2% of GDP.

The Trump administration wants to see a more lean and lethal “NATO 3.0,” with Europe taking responsibility for its own security, including Ukraine, with conventional weapons while America would continue to provide its nuclear umbrella.

However, the Pentagon has launched a six-month review of U.S. military presence in Europe, leaving allies to seek clarity on just how deeply Trump intends to cut U.S. force numbers.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a fresh appeal Tuesday for Ukraine to be allowed to join the alliance, saying Ukrainian armed forces are highly experienced and would only boost NATO’s defense capabilities.

Zelenskyy, who is expected to meet with Trump in Ankara on Wednesday, highlighted Ukraine’s adaptability and its ability to strike deep inside Russia, hit Moscow’s oil refineries and other energy targets. He said Ukraine’s armed forces are “eliminating” on average 30,000 Russian troops every month.

Concern has been mounting among some northern, central and eastern European countries that Russia might be preparing a hybrid attack — a combination of conventional warfare with tactics like cyberattacks — on the continent as President Vladimir Putin struggles to secure victory in Ukraine.

U.S. Sen Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), one member of a congressional delegation attending the NATO summit, said at a news conference Wednesday that she hoped there would be a “recommitment” to Ukraine, and that the momentum on the battlefield favored Kyiv.

“We need to do everything possible to ramp up pressure on Russia to come to the table,” she said.

Trump will also meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former insurgent who led the offensive that unseated autocrat Bashar Assad in December 2024. Despite having once been an al-Qaida fighter, al-Sharaa has won Trump’s backing as he seeks to rebuild Syria and restore its long-shattered ties with the West.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that al-Sharaa would do a better job of rooting out Hezbollah in Lebanon than the Israeli army, raising alarms in Lebanon and Israel alike. The Syrian leader has said he has no interest in doing so.

(AP)

WATCH:

Apple announced Wednesday it is investing more than $30 billion in chip manufacturing in the U.S. 

The investment, in partnership with Broadcom, is set to produce 15 billion chips, creating hundreds of U.S. jobs. Broadcam’s facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, is expanding its capabilities to produce the chips. 

“This is another major win for America and another sign that the Trump administration’s economic agenda is delivering results,” a Trump administration official told Fox News Digital. “Apple has made investing in the United States a clear priority, and we hope other companies will follow its lead. We commend Apple for recognizing this opportunity and taking meaningful steps to strengthen America’s chip supply chain.”   

Apple CEO Tim Cook touted its partnership with Broadcom and both companies’ “commitment to American manufacturing and innovation.”

“The cutting-edge components built in Fort Collins are essential to delivering the incredible performance and connectivity our customers expect, and we’re proud to deepen our investments in U.S.-based suppliers that share our commitment to excellence and innovation,” Cook said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the President and his administration for supporting important projects like this.”

“Broadcom is proud to continue to work with Apple after decades of success together, and we share a strong commitment to American innovation,” Broadcom president CEO Hock Tan stated. “With Apple’s newest commitment, we’re pleased to expand our manufacturing footprint in Fort Collins, where we create groundbreaking technology that connects people around the world.”

Apple announced a whopping $600 billion investment in a four-year period since the beginning of the second Trump administration, including the manufacturing of AI servers at a facility in Houston. 

Apple previously told Fox News Digital in October that it was partnering with local contractors to build the facility, and is working closely with Houston City College to recruit and hire local talent.

A source familiar with the conversations told Fox News Digital that President Donald Trump made a direct appeal to Cook to “go big” on American jobs and reshoring its manufacturing base, and that Cook told the president he would “step up,” which led to a commitment to the $600 billion investment in America.

Housing affordability is expected to improve with the pace of home price growth slowing to a rate that’s lower than inflation, a new report finds.

Realtor.com on Wednesday released a midyear update to its 2026 housing market forecast that estimates home price growth will slow to 1.2% this year, a rate that’s slower than the original forecast for the year and is slower than the pace of inflation. That means home prices would be effectively declining in real, inflation-adjusted terms.

“Against a backdrop of both familiar and new challenges, the economy has proved resilient. As a result, the first half of 2026 delivered stability more than momentum in the housing market,” said Realtor.com senior economist Danielle Hale.

“The housing market is inching forward as sellers reset expectations, price growth cools, and buyers gain more negotiating power,” Hale said. “Looking ahead, we expect momentum to build through the second half of the year as more sidelined buyers and sellers find terms that will work for both sides.”

Mortgage rates are projected to hold steady at 6.3%, the same level they were at when 2025 ended, as a resurgence of inflation caused by the Iran war undercut the prospects of interest cuts in the first of the year that could’ve helped mortgage rates decline.

The slower pace of home price growth is expected to help lower monthly mortgage payments on a year-over-year basis, which the updated forecast suggests will decline 1.9% this year – more than the initial projection of a 1.3% dip.

By contrast, the average monthly mortgage payment rose 1.9% in 2025 and was up 7% on average from 2013 to 2019.

Existing home sales are expected to see modest improvement from a year ago, rising from 4.06 million in 2025 to an estimated 4.1 million this year – though the growth is projected to be lower than the original forecast of 4.13 million homes sold in 2026.

“Buyers and sellers have shown a lot of staying power this year,” Hale said. “This is a market where people are adjusting and showing up rather than giving up. Sellers are meeting the market with more realistic asking prices, which is helping deals get done.”

Inventory of existing homes for sale is also expected to grow at a slower rate than previously anticipated, rising 3.6% year over year rather than the 8.9% gain projected under Realtor.com‘s initial forecast for this year.

New home sales have softened as mortgage rate buydowns and price cuts that helped encourage buyers to approach builders have lost their pull amid the stabilization of prices.

Builders have pulled back on permits and new home starts the most sharply in the South and West, which had driven much of the national construction and have recovered more fully from supply shortages.

Across the country, the homebuilding deficit remains at an estimated 4 million homes, with the biggest opportunity in the Northeast and Midwest, which face the most significant shortages.

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-1816-Seiver-Part-16-Overcome.mp3

​​For more info, email [email protected].

A heated confrontation erupted Tuesday in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a discussion on freezing the arrests of bnei yeshivos

During the debate, the kippah-wearing Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern said, “How can you not hate the Chareidim when you see them in the Galil during Bein HaZemanim?”

The remark drew sharp reactions from the Chareidi MKs present at the meeting.

Shas MK Yinon Azoulay retorted, “I don’t recognize Jews who hate other Jews. If you hate Jews, your Judaism needs to be examined.”

MK Moshe Solomon (Religious Zionism) also interjected, saying: “It’s forbidden to hate Jews. Elazar, my friend, I think it is forbidden to hate Jews, no matter what.”

Stern was later heard saying: “I don’t hate people at all, not just Jews.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tefila4Life-Shiur-1106-Nature-Vayevarech-Dovid.mp3

New York (VINNEWS/Rabbi Yair Hoffman) And with that line — spoken through a shut door to a German soldier, with the Shabbos candles burning behind her — Frieda Neuwirth saved herself and her children from being discovered by the Nazis. But the account is best told from the beginning – particularly, because this is the first time this information is being published.  [CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS ARTICLE]

Frieda Neuwirth and her husband Yehudah owned a jewelry shop in a fashionable district of Budapest, Hungary. They lived with their two children in District VI, at Nagymező utca 21.

Following the German occupation of Hungary on March 19, 1944, they were forced to leave their apartment at Nagymező utca 21 under the restrictive decrees and regulations of the Nazis. The Nazis worked in three stages: first isolation, then ghetto concentration, and finally deportation and murder.

After the Neuwirths were isolated and no longer permitted to own and operate their jewelry store, they were forced to move to District VII, at Király utca 27, into a building designated a “Yellow Star House.” They moved in with their parents.

The “Yellow Star Houses” were modeled on the Judenhaus system instituted in Germany in 1939, and were, in essence, a network of mini-ghettos. Nearly two thousand buildings across Budapest were marked with the Yellow Star, and the city’s Jews were ordered to crowd into them, so that the population could be held and watched in readiness for deportation. While the majority of Hungarian Jews outside Budapest were deported and mostly murdered by early summer, the deportations of Jews from the Yellow Star Houses were planned to begin in early July.

 Following international protests, Admiral Horthy, the Hungarian head of state, moved to suspend the deportations from Hungary. He announced the decision to his ministers on June 26, 1944, formally vetoed further expulsions on July 7, and the mass deportations actually ended on July 9 — the very day the Kasztner Train reached Bergen-Belsen. The reprieve came too late for the provincial Jews, but in time to postpone the destruction of the Jews of Budapest.[1]

The situation of the Jews in the Yellow Star Houses grew more and more precarious under the intensified, almost daily raids, searches, seizures, and acts of terror. By this time Frieda’s husband had been permanently called up for labor service and sent on a death march toward Austria. Frieda was left alone with two young children and expecting her third.

The Demand for Two Kilograms of Gold — June 1944

 From the earliest meetings with the Eichmann-Kommando, Kasztner and his committee had been granted official SS protection: they were the only Jews in Hungary exempt from wearing the Yellow Star, and were permitted to keep their automobiles and telephones. Within a month of the occupation, Kasztner had become the only Jew in Hungary with official permission to travel freely from the capital to the provinces.[3]  A man so privileged could walk into a marked Jewish house that others could not leave.

***CLICK HERE TO SEE EVIDENCE THAT KASZTNER KNEW OF EICHMANN’S MASS DECEPTION ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST MEETING***

Aware of Frieda’s former ownership of the jewelry store, Kasztner entered her apartment and told her that a train of people who would be permitted to leave Hungary was in the planning. She begged him to place her two older children on the train. He answered that the train was filled to absolute capacity and that it was impossible — but that he and the others involved in the negotiations had to supply the Nazis with gold immediately. She was to bring him two kilograms of gold at once.

This demand fits exactly what is known of how the transport was financed. The ransom for the train had been fixed at $1,000 per head, a figure personally stipulated by Himmler.[4]  To raise that sum, 150 places on the train were sold to the wealthy, and by the end the rescue committee handed over $1,684,000 in money and valuables to the SS for its 1,684 passengers.[5]  Kasztner’s appearance at the home of a former jeweler, in the last days before a June 30 departure, demanding gold “immediately,” was one small transaction within that larger scramble to meet the SS price before the train could leave.

Frieda answered that her husband had not been around, that the jewelry store had suffered during the war, and that she could not assemble any gold at all, much less the impossible two kilograms he demanded.

Kasztner responded angrily: if she did not bring the two kilograms of gold, he would report her at once to the Black Hand, and she would be deported immediately.

Into Hiding

Frieda Neuwirth had to disappear, and to do so immediately. She moved her family to a different residence.

Hitler was not pleased. He orchestrated a coup on October 15, 1944, through the German-backed Arrow Cross movement, led by Ferenc Szálasi.[6]

Then, in late November — just days before the decision was made to consolidate a single, entirely enclosed central ghetto — she was able to obtain false documentation stating that the family were Transylvanian refugees fleeing the rapidly advancing Red Army.[7] With these papers they were able to move to Rákosszentmihály, one of the outlying eastern suburbs of Pest, from which by this time all the Jews had already been deported.

Frieda approached the mayor of Rákosszentmihály — in that place and time the office was held by the chief notary, Dibusz Sándor, who had led the village’s administration for more than a decade[8] — and explained that there were empty homes formerly occupied by Jews, and that as a refugee she wished to occupy one of them. The mayor agreed.

Toward the end of December, shortly after they had settled, they were forced to move once more. One Friday afternoon they noticed a Wehrmacht lorry with soldiers and artillery in tow pass by, then return and stop in front of their lodging. The soldiers had chosen the open space before the house as a suitable emplacement for their field gun, and the house itself as a place to warm up. From time to time through the night they sent a salvo of artillery toward the advancing Russians. Everyone was frightened by the loud blasts — and the mother and the other women were more frightened still that their Jewish identity might be discovered by the German soldiers.

Soon a Wehrmacht contingent took over the house altogether, relegating Frieda and her children to the maidservant’s quarters. Frieda was made to serve tea to the German soldiers. On a Friday near sundown, behind the shut door of that small room, she lit her Shabbos candles. A German soldier knocked — most likely wishing her to bring more tea. Afraid that he would discover the Shabbos licht, the quick-witted Frieda called out through the door, “Gentlemen soldiers of the Wehrmacht do not wake up sleeping children.” The soldier withdrew at once. With that single response, Frieda saved her entire family.

The next morning, using the excuse that they had been terrified by the bursts of artillery, Frieda and the aunt who was staying with her went to search for another place, and fortunately found one with an acquaintance of the aunt — the local pharmacist. Despite his fear of the consequences of sheltering Jews, he agreed to let all four of them stay in one of the rooms of his house; the family there kept themselves prepared each night to take their own lives should they be raided by an Arrow Cross gang. There the family remained until the arrival of the Russians in early January 1945. They stayed in Rákosszentmihály until the spring, when it became possible to return to Budapest.

The Neuwirths immigrated to North America shortly after the Hungarian Revolition in the 1950’s.  Mr. Neuwirth was a first cousin of the famed author of the Shmiras Shabbos K’hilchasa, and BJJ halacha instructor Rabbi Yehoshua Neuwirth zt”l.  For the rest of their lives, the Neuwirths considered Rudolf Kasztner as the embodiment of evil, who threatened her and her family with death.  Boruch Hashem, Frieda’s family survived and they are blessed with children, eineklech, and urr-eineklich who are remarkable Bnei Torah.

The author and interviewer can be reached at [email protected]

[1]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. Horthy officially vetoed further expulsions from Hungary on July 7, 1944; the mass deportations actually ended on July 9. He had announced the decision to his ministers on June 26, but it was not enforced until July 7-9 – too late to save the provincial Jews, but in time to postpone the destruction of the Jews of Budapest.

[2]Paul Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime (London: Routledge, 2016). The Kasztner Train departed Budapest on June 30, 1944, and reached Bergen-Belsen on July 9, 1944.

[3]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. From the second meeting with the Eichmann-Kommando, Kasztner and his committee were granted official SS protection. They became the only Jews in Hungary exempt from the Yellow Star and permitted to retain their cars and telephones; within a month of the occupation, Kasztner was the only Jew in Hungary with official permission to travel from the capital to the provinces.

[4]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. The ransom for the transport was fixed at $1,000 per head, a figure personally stipulated by Himmler, resolving a dispute between Eichmann (who had demanded first $200, then $500 per head) and Becher (who would accept no less than $2,000 per passenger).

[5]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. To meet the $1,000-per-person departure fee, 150 places on the train were sold to the wealthy. The final passenger count was 1,684, and the rescue committee ultimately handed over $1,684,000 in money and valuables to the SS.

[6]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. The Arrow Cross, the Hungarian fascist party led by Ferenc Szalasi, seized power on October 15, 1944, initiating a new reign of terror against the Jews.

[7]Bogdanor, Kasztner’s Crime. Among the first decrees of the Arrow Cross was the establishment of a ghetto around the Dohany Street synagogue; by December 2, 1944, some seventy thousand Jews had been packed into it, more than a dozen to a room. The Red Army began its siege of the city on December 26, 1944, overran Pest on January 18, 1945, and took Buda on February 13, 1945.

[8]Rakosszentmihaly was not a city with a mayor but an independent large village (nagykozseg), incorporated into Budapest only on January 1, 1950; its senior official was the chief notary (fojegyzo). Magyarorszag tiszti cim- es nevtara (Budapest: Central Statistical Office), the official state directory, lists Dibusz Sandor as the chief notary of Rakosszentmihaly continuously through the volumes of the 1930s and into the 1940s, up to the final edition of 1944. He is in all likelihood the official the family remembers as “the mayor.”

Exclusive recordings published by i24NEWS on Tuesday show Shin Bet chief David Zini saying he agreed to take the job because of his “ability to be loyal to the elected leadership,” while also sharply criticizing the legal establishment. Zini said he believes the elected echelon often lacks the ability to properly manage the systems under its authority, and argued that ministers can issue directives that then take months to implement. He said he has his own worldview and agenda and is “not a marionette moved by the wind,” adding that this sense of responsibility was part of why he accepted the position.

In another portion of the recordings, Zini lashed out at lawyers and the broader legal system, saying “monsters” emerge from it that harm human rights, individual rights, economic growth, prosperity and national security. He said lawyers and jurists are supposed to be a tool to assist decision-makers, not dominate the process, and argued that “common sense” should come before procedure.

The report was met with so-called “outrage” by the left, despite the fact that Zini’s remarks are in accordance with Israeli law.

Democrats chairman Yair Golan said the recordings exposed one of the most dangerous statements ever made by someone leading a security body, arguing that the head of the Shin Bet must be loyal only to the State of Israel, its security and the law. MK Naama Lazimi said the comments showed the government’s judicial overhaul mentality had already penetrated the Shin Bet and warned that a security service driven by political loyalty ahead of elections would pose a direct threat to democracy and the integrity of the vote.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich responded by saying: “The Shin Bet chief stated the obvious: In a democracy, the security services and civil servants are subordinate to the elected officials who derive their authority from the people. Those attacking Zini for speaking the truth invoke the name of democracy in vain and seek to trample the law, which states that the Shin Bet is subordinate to the government.”

“The attacks against him are taking place solely because this is the first time someone in his position has loudly voiced the truth— that bureaucrats and legal advisers make it difficult for elected officials to govern the State of Israel.”

“This is dangerous, and it will become even worse if, chalila, the left returns to power and entrenches the rule of the legal establishment, which will continue to trample the people and their elected representatives.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote, “At last, the head of a senior security agency is saying the most basic thing in a democratic state, something that has become extraordinary thanks to the madness of the High Court and the Attorney General: ‘I am subordinate to the elected leadership.’

“Now watch the left-wing lunatics and the cult of the judicial junta’s sycophants attack him with furious rage.”

Chairman of the Constitution Committee MK Simcha Rothman stated: “The Shin Bet chief is stating something that should be obvious to anyone who genuinely cares about the rule of law or democracy.

“Governmental authority belongs in the hands of an elected government, not in the hands of a closed clique of bureaucratic and judicial oligarchs.

“Look at who is attacking him, and you’ll understand who the dangerous fascists are who should never be allowed anywhere near power.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Border Police officers neutralized a terrorist who threatened them with a knife at the Rachel Crossing in the Etzion Brigade sector overnight Tuesday.

The terrorist arrived at the Rachel Crossing area late at night and attempted to cross into Israel illegally. After realizing he could not get through, he began throwing stones at the security forces at the crossing in an attempt to strike them.

In response, Border Police officers were dispatched to the scene. The terrorist pulled out a knife and waved it threateningly at the officers, posing an immediate threat to their lives. The officers acted in accordance with the suspect arrest procedure and employed riot dispersal measures.

Israel Police

After the terrorist continued to approach the officers with a knife, they fired at his lower body and neutralized him. He was arrested by the security forces for further investigation. No members of the security forces were injured.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Samsung Electronics reported preliminary second-quarter results on Tuesday that shattered its own profit records, yet the numbers set off a global selloff in chip stocks that pulled U.S. markets down from record highs.

In an earnings guidance filing, Samsung said operating profit for the April-to-June quarter reached roughly 89.4 trillion Korean won, about $58.4 billion — a nearly 19-fold jump from the 4.7 trillion won it earned a year earlier. Revenue came in around 171 trillion won, roughly 130% higher than the same quarter in 2025. The surge was powered by record sales and soaring prices for memory chips — DRAM, high-bandwidth memory and NAND flash — that feed the world’s artificial-intelligence servers.

It was Samsung’s third straight record quarter, and the profit figure cleared Wall Street’s consensus of about 87.3 trillion won. But investors sold anyway.

Samsung shares closed nearly 7% lower in Seoul, and South Korea’s KOSPI index tumbled more than 7%. The reason was simple: the stock had already run up roughly 150% this year, so a blockbuster quarter was baked into the price. “The stock had priced in a historic quarter for months,” said Zavier Wong, a market analyst at eToro, adding that confirmation of good news is often what people sell into.

The selling crossed the Pacific. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.16% to 25,818.69, while the S&P 500 slid 0.45% to 7,503.85. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 130.76 points, or 0.25%, to close at 52,925.15 after earlier touching a new all-time intraday high.

Chipmakers led the retreat. Micron closed down 4.7%, with KLA, Marvell Technology, Broadcom and AMD also falling, and the VanEck Semiconductor ETF dropped more than 3%. Adding to the pressure, Reuters reported that China’s DeepSeek is building its own AI chip, a potential new threat to Nvidia.

Beneath the one-day move sits a bigger worry: whether the AI spending boom that has driven memory prices to extraordinary levels can keep going. Samsung’s results were “dragged down by concerns that AI infrastructure spending can’t keep growing at the pace that has been driving memory prices,” Wong said. The chip rally has been the engine of this year’s stock gains, so any doubt about its staying power hits the broad market, not just tech.

Analysts flagged how high the bar has climbed. Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge noted that second-quarter earnings are likely to be strong in absolute terms, but expectations are now far more bullish than they were heading into the first-quarter season, leaving little room to disappoint. Albert Yong, managing partner at Petra Capital Management, said Samsung’s strong results had largely been priced in after the share rally, and that investors remain worried about the durability of the AI boom.

For everyday Americans, the connection runs through retirement accounts. The biggest 401(k) and index-fund holdings are heavily weighted toward the same handful of chip and technology names that swung Tuesday. When a single earnings report in Seoul can knock a percentage point off the Nasdaq, it shows how concentrated the market has become around the AI trade — and how much ordinary savers are riding on it.

There were pockets of strength. Samsung’s foundry business returned to monthly profitability in June for the first time in three years, and the company has secured a $16.5 billion contract from Tesla to manufacture AI chips. Rival SK Hynix has seen its market value more than double this year on the same memory demand.

Samsung releases full second-quarter results on July 30, when investors will see exactly how much of the record profit came from the memory business and whether the mobile division absorbed higher chip costs. Until then, the market’s message is clear: even a historic earnings report is no guarantee of higher share prices when expectations have already reached extraordinary levels.

JBizNews Desk | Seoul, South Korea

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[Video below.] Prosecutors unveiled new surveillance footage Tuesday that they say meticulously tracks the movements of Tyler Robinson across the Utah Valley University campus in the hours before and after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as the accused gunman faces a hearing to determine whether he will stand trial.

The evidence was presented during a preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, where prosecutors laid out what they described as a detailed timeline of Robinson’s actions on the day of the killing.

Investigators testified that Robinson approached members of Turning Point USA—the organization founded by Kirk—hours before the shooting. They also revealed that, shortly after the attack, Robinson had a brief encounter with a police officer who had been assigned to provide extra security on campus.

Robinson, 23, has been charged with aggravated murder, a charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea.

Among the most significant evidence presented Tuesday was surveillance footage showing a gray Dodge Challenger approaching an intersection less than a half-mile from the crime scene while police were searching for the gunman on the evening of Sept. 10.

According to Sgt. David Hull of the Utah Department of Public Safety, who led the investigation while serving with the State Bureau of Investigation, the driver of the vehicle was Robinson. The footage showed the car attempting to turn onto campus before pulling away after the driver briefly spoke with a police officer directing traffic.

Hull testified that the officer recorded the vehicle’s license plate after the encounter, apparently relying on what he described as his “cop intuition.”

Although investigators do not know exactly what was said during the conversation, the officer later identified the driver as Robinson, and records confirmed the vehicle was registered in his name.

Roughly 22 hours later, Robinson surrendered to police after being persuaded to do so by his parents and a family friend.

Prosecutors also reconstructed Robinson’s movements throughout the day, arguing that surveillance footage demonstrates careful planning leading up to the shooting.

Video shown in court depicted a man wearing gray shorts, a red T-shirt, and a backpack arriving at a campus parking garage at approximately 8:30 a.m. He was later seen walking throughout the campus and stopping for lunch at a Chick-fil-A.

Prosecutors identified the man as Robinson, arguing that his seemingly ordinary appearance concealed a plan to assassinate Kirk.

Hull testified that Robinson visited the amphitheater where Kirk had been scheduled to speak and also interacted with representatives of Turning Point USA before leaving the campus.

According to investigators, Robinson later returned on foot wearing jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt. Hull testified that Robinson walked with a noticeable limp, suggesting he may have been concealing a firearm beneath his clothing.

Additional surveillance footage introduced in court showed a person investigators identified as Robinson moving across the gravel-covered roof of a campus building before lying down in what prosecutors described as a sniper position moments before the fatal shooting.

The footage then showed the individual moving to the opposite side of the roof while apparently carrying a long object before jumping to the ground and fleeing into a wooded area bordering a nearby neighborhood.

Prosecutors also presented forensic evidence they say further ties Robinson to the crime.

An FBI laboratory report concluded that Robinson’s DNA was found on a towel wrapped around a rifle recovered in the wooded area near the university.

The report also stated that Robinson’s DNA was discovered on a screwdriver left on the rooftop from which prosecutors allege the shots were fired. Investigators have not yet explained how the screwdriver was used.

Defense attorneys vigorously challenged the DNA evidence, calling FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker to testify and questioning her extensively about the laboratory’s testing methods and conclusions.

Bakker was the fourth witness to testify during the hearing, which is scheduled to continue this afternoon.

The U.S. men’s national team saw its World Cup run come to an end in front of the largest soccer audience the country has ever produced. Fox Corp. said on Tuesday, July 7, that its coverage of Monday night’s USA-Belgium round-of-16 match in Seattle drew 30 million viewers, the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history. Add the 12 million who watched the Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock, and the total American audience reached 42 million, according to preliminary Nielsen figures and Adobe Analytics data released by the networks.

That is a staggering number for a sport that spent decades on the margins of American television. It topped the record set only a week earlier, when the USA-Bosnia and Herzegovina group-stage game pulled in 26.4 million on Fox. The Belgium match peaked at 36.9 million viewers between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. Eastern, right as Belgium pulled away in a 4-1 win that knocked the U.S. out of the tournament it is co-hosting.

The audience tells one story. The money behind it tells another.

Fox paid a reported $485 million for the English-language U.S. rights to the 2026 World Cup, a price several industry analysts have called two to three times below what those rights would fetch in an open market. The reason Fox got a bargain and is now cashing in comes down to geography. This is the first World Cup in 30 years played in U.S. time zones, which means marquee games land in prime time instead of at breakfast. Team USA’s run gave Fox its most valuable inventory of all.

Advertising rates climbed with each round. During the group stage and early knockout matches, spots ran around $300,000, sources told Front Office Sports. For later rounds, prices reached an estimated $1 million to $2 million. Fox charged close to $1 million for some commercials in Team USA’s opening games and could command more as the tournament advanced.

A new wrinkle added even more. FIFA introduced two three-minute hydration breaks per match this year, officially to protect players from summer heat. For Fox, they became a windfall. The breaks let the network run full-screen commercials inside the match itself, something soccer never allowed before. The Hollywood Reporter estimated those in-game spots sold for $200,000 to $750,000 each, and pegged the total value of the breaks across the tournament at $250 million to $600 million.

Put it all together and the two U.S. rights holders are on track for a combined $850 million in ad sales, according to estimates cited by Sportico. That is more than double the $384.3 million Fox and Telemundo booked during the 2018 tournament in Russia, the last summer World Cup.

For the sport’s American backers, Monday’s number is validation. Telemundo called its 12 million audience the largest for any U.S. men’s national team soccer match in Spanish-language history, with 6.7 million streaming on Peacock and 4.8 million watching the linear broadcast. Streaming, not just traditional TV, is carrying more of the load than in any prior tournament.

Still, it helps to keep the World Cup’s place in the American advertising market in perspective. Luke Stillman, managing director at consultancy Madison & Wall, put it bluntly: in the U.S., the World Cup is a $400 million to $500 million event inside a $60 billion to $70 billion television ecosystem. For comparison, the 2025 Super Bowl averaged 127.7 million viewers, and last month’s NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs averaged 20.6 million on ABC and ESPN. Soccer is growing rapidly in the United States, but it has not yet reached football’s scale.

The brands showed up anyway. Official FIFA partners including Coca-Cola, Visa, Hyundai and, for the first time, Lenovo anchored the sponsor roster, while Bank of America, Verizon and American Airlines signed on as tournament sponsors. On the advertising side, Michelob Ultra, Lay’s, Home Depot, Budweiser and Quaker all ran national campaigns tied to the games.

The commercial question now is what happens without the home team. Team USA’s elimination removes the single biggest draw from Fox’s remaining schedule. The tournament runs through the July 19 final in New York and New Jersey, and later-round matches will still command premium advertising rates. But the network no longer has the one storyline that turned casual American viewers into a record-breaking audience.

For one night in Seattle, though, 42 million people proved the American appetite for soccer is real—and worth a fortune to whoever owns the broadcast.

JBizNews Desk
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[Video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel’s military campaign against Iran was launched because the Islamic Republic was dangerously close to obtaining nuclear weapons, while also warning that providing advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey would threaten regional stability.

Speaking during an appearance on Newsmax’s The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Netanyahu said Iran’s nuclear program had reached a critical stage that left Israel with little choice but to act.

“We pushed that immediate threat away. We destroyed a lot of their infrastructure, a lot of their centrifuges, a lot of the associated factories and facilities that they use for manufacturing nuclear weapons,” the prime minister said.

Netanyahu also highlighted Israel’s efforts to cripple Iran’s nuclear program by targeting the scientists leading it.

“We knocked out 20 of their top nuclear scientists – 20 of their top nuclear scientists. So we pushed it back considerably.”

Even so, he cautioned that while Iran’s immediate capabilities have been significantly degraded, the regime’s determination to acquire nuclear weapons has not disappeared.

“It’s like when you excise a lump of cancer from your body, you know it may come back. But you know one thing: If you wouldn’t do it, you could die,” he remarked. “And Israel was obviously placed with an existential threat. And America was threatened with a very great danger.”

Netanyahu warned that a regime whose supporters openly chant “death to America” cannot be allowed to possess intercontinental ballistic missiles, especially if those missiles could eventually carry nuclear warheads, saying such a development would endanger “every single American.”

The prime minister also expressed strong opposition to reports that the United States is considering supplying Turkey with F-35 stealth fighter jets.

“I think it’s a mistake,” Netanyahu stated to Newsmax.

He pointed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s policies toward Greece, Turkey’s continued control of northern Cyprus, and repeated hostile rhetoric directed at Israel.

“His number two a few days ago said the Jewish state has no place among the nations,” Netanyahu added. “If this regime that often condemns America and often attacks America verbally should have the weapons like the F-35, I think it will greatly destabilize the region.”

Despite disagreeing with President Donald Trump on that issue, Netanyahu emphasized that the relationship between the two leaders remains exceptionally close.

He noted that Trump has “said it couldn’t be better.”

“But as you say, friends can have agreements and disagreements,” he acknowledged. “We agree on just about everything, but there are areas of disagreement. I just mentioned one of them, which is providing F-35s to Turkey.”

Netanyahu said the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance allows both leaders to speak candidly with one another.

“I feel confident enough in our friendship, in our alliance, that I can tell him what I think is important for the interests of protecting Israel,” he explained. “And he tells me what he thinks is important for the interests of the United States. This is a real friendship, a real alliance.”

Turning to the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel and the United States remain united in rejecting any arrangement that would leave Hamas in power.

“They don’t want to disarm, and they certainly don’t want Gaza to be demilitarized. They just want to continue tyrannizing the Gaza population there and launching terrorist raids into Israel,” he observed. “They can’t do that right now because we’re enveloping them with our brave soldiers.”

Netanyahu concluded the interview by praising the United States for what he described as its historic role in defending freedom around the world.

“The United States of America has been the sentinel of security and peace and freedom,” he declared. “And if it weren’t for the United States, Nazism could have won. Stalinism could have won,” he said, adding, “And we would have entered into a dark age for God knows how many hundreds of years.”

He closed by expressing Israel’s appreciation for America’s longstanding support.

“The United States has been the guardian of freedom, and we in Israel, a free democratic country, we salute the United States.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

LOS ANGELES (VINnews) – The FBI and U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday unsealed three indictments charging 37 defendants linked to three India-based transnational organized crime groups with a wide range of violent crimes, including racketeering, targeted killings, extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking and more.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Hard Ball,” resulted in 24 arrests worldwide, including 11 in California, three in Canada and one in Spain, authorities said. Seven defendants were already in custody, and law enforcement is seeking 10 fugitives — seven in the U.S., two in India and one in Europe.

“These criminal organizations have engaged in widespread violence including targeted killings, extortions and kidnappings,” officials stated.298462

Among the charges is the alleged ordering of the June 18, 2023, assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist and president of a Surrey, British Columbia, gurdwara. Lawrence Bishnoi, an imprisoned Indian gangster, and his alleged associate Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, face charges related to directing the killing outside the temple.

Bishnoi and another leader, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, are said to run their global syndicates from Indian prisons. The groups allegedly used high-profile violence to terrorize and extort members of Indian diaspora communities.

A second indictment targets members of Bhagwanpuria’s group for murder-for-hire, drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortions and weapons offenses. The third involves Ravinder Singh Dhanda and associates accused of smuggling and distributing large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine between the U.S. and Canada.

Authorities seized approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and multiple firearms during the investigation.

FBI and Justice Department officials praised international cooperation with Canadian and European authorities.

“Transnational criminal gangs who spread fear, drugs, and violence will face the full force of justice,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

The defendants are expected to make initial court appearances in federal court in Los Angeles. All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Speaking during a moving bein hametzarim shiur, member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein urged listeners to reflect on the tzaar haShechinah and shared remarkable personal memories from his youth in Yerushalayim during Israel’s War of Independence, describing open miracles that he says continue to strengthen his emunah to this day.

Addressing the challenge of mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash nearly 2,000 years later, Rav Zilberstein asked, “People ask me, how is it possible to mourn something that happened 2,000 years ago? How can a person mourn today? Certainly one must cry, but how can a young bochur today cry over events that took place so long ago?”

He then recalled the well-known story of Napoleon passing a shul on Tishah B’Av and finding Jews sitting on the floor in mourning.

“As is well known, it is told that Emperor Napoleon passed by a shul on Tishah B’Av and saw people sitting on the floor crying. He asked what was happening, and they told him they were mourning the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash. He was amazed and said, ‘A nation that remembers for so long what it has lost is guaranteed to receive it back.'”

Rav Zilberstein explained that the tears shed during bein hametzarim are not only for the destruction itself, but for the pain of the Divine Presence.

“Everywhere you look during bein hametzarim, and on Tishah B’Av, you see talmidei chachamim sitting and crying with all their hearts. Why are they crying? They are crying over the tzaar haShechinah.”

He continued by describing the anguish caused when Jews act contrary to the will of Hashem despite the countless miracles bestowed upon them.

“Look, the Ribono Shel Olam has so much pain. He performs miracles for us that are completely beyond nature, and there are Jews who anger Him מאוד. What does that mean? They do exactly the opposite of what He wants—the opposite.”

“They imprison bnei Torah, and they do things that are the opposite of Hashem’s will. The Kadosh Baruch Hu cries very much. He says, ‘I perform such miracles for them, beyond the natural order, and this is how they behave’… It is truly terrible.”

Rav Zilberstein then reflected on his own childhood during the War of Independence, describing the extraordinary miracles he witnessed firsthand.

“I was a young boy when the State was declared. We lived in Yerushalayim. It was impossible to travel. Seven nations wanted to destroy us, and they were throwing bombs and shells. I was staying with my uncle—my parents were overseas because my mother was ill—and simply walking from my home to my uncle’s house was life-threatening. There was constant gunfire, yet all the children walked. Everyone went to daven.”

“We all stood there crying, ‘B’zochreinu es Tzion.’ We were young. How could we possibly travel back and forth? All of my friends from Yeshivas Etz Chaim went to yeshivah. How did they get there? They told us, ‘Nothing will happen.’ I don’t know whether it was permitted, but nobody asked questions.”

The senior posek also recalled asking his grandfather, the famed tzaddik Rav Aryeh Levin, about his regular visits to patients suffering from leprosy, and later discussing the matter with his father-in-law, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.

“Our grandfather, the great tzaddik Rav Aryeh Levin, as is well known, regularly visited people suffering from leprosy. I asked my father-in-law, the great posek hador, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, how that could have been permitted. Rav Elyashiv answered that generally the public is forbidden from doing so, but Rav Aryeh Levin was permitted… because everything he did was solely for Hashem, without any personal interest whatsoever, with only the honor of Heaven before his eyes.”

Returning to the war years, Rav Zilberstein marveled at the open miracles that protected the city’s residents.

“I don’t understand how we had the strength to walk to yeshivah and back. Seven nations were against us, all armed with tremendous military power. I don’t know how it happened, but one thing I do know—Baruch Hashem, nobody was killed. Everyone kept going. The bullets flew over our heads. Seven nations were against us, seven great and wealthy nations. It instilled tremendous emunah. The children kept walking without hesitation.”

“No one dreamed we would remain alive after everything that happened here. Seven nations were against us, and the Gedolei Yisroel greatly strengthened the people. Today, Baruch Hashem, we are here. These were miraculous miracles. I have never seen miracles like these.”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Zilberstein urged his listeners to recognize that the Jewish people continue to live under extraordinary Divine protection.

“So we must know, my dear friends, that we are living in a reality that is beyond the laws of nature by every measure. If someone had told us back then that one day we would all be sitting here together learning Torah, we would not have believed him… We would have felt like dreamers. We constantly witness the wonders of the Creator. It is beyond belief. Our responsibility now is to serve the Creator, blessed be His Name, with love, unity, and emunah.”

Despite mounting pressure on the Torah world and the ongoing challenges facing bnei Torah, this year’s enrollment season for Israel’s leading yeshivos is breaking records, with unprecedented demand driving historic growth. Ponovezh Yeshiva is expected to welcome approximately 450 new talmidim—the largest incoming class in its history—while Chevron Yeshiva is preparing to admit around 320. At the same time, Sephardic yeshivos continue to expand, even as roshei yeshiva struggle with severe shortages of dormitory space and classroom capacity.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s News of the Torah World program with Nati Kalish, journalist Efi Lerner said the remarkable growth comes at a time when many outsiders assume the Torah world is under strain.

“At a time like this, when people from the outside might think the Torah world is weakening, the exact opposite is happening,” Lerner said. “The Torah world is growing stronger than ever before.”

According to Lerner, one of the most difficult decisions facing roshei yeshiva each year is determining how many talmidim to accept. While a large applicant pool reflects a yeshiva’s reputation and prestige, physical limitations—including dormitory space, dining facilities, and the ability to provide personal attention to each bochur—force administrators to set limits.

Ponovezh, for example, is expected to accept roughly 450 new talmidim this year, a historic record. However, the yeshiva is simultaneously grappling with a severe housing shortage and is moving forward with plans to construct an additional dormitory. Other institutions have chosen a different approach. Yad Aharon, for instance, plans to admit only about 40 talmidim, allowing the roshei yeshiva to devote greater individual attention to each bochur.

Lerner noted that many yeshivos also consider the social makeup of their talmidim in addition to academic excellence. This year, Nesiv HaDaas (Kaplan) is seeking applicants with more energetic and outgoing personalities, while Mir Brachfeld is looking for talmidim with a more conservative temperament.

Chevron Yeshiva is expected to enroll approximately 320 new talmidim this year, representing a substantial increase over recent years. To accommodate the expansion, the yeshiva has added dormitory space, classrooms, and modifications to its bais medrash. Yeshivas Wolfson is projected to admit about 200 talmidim, while Shaarei Shmuos will welcome 112 new bochurim, bringing its total enrollment to roughly 650.

Lerner emphasized that the rapid growth is not limited to the Lithuanian yeshiva world. Sephardic yeshivos are also experiencing significant expansion and attracting increasing numbers of applicants each year.

Yeshivas Rechasim, which currently has approximately 800 talmidim, is expected to admit around 180 new talmidim. Other growing institutions include Me’or HaTorah, Yesodos, Be’er Yehudah, Beis Shmaya, and several additional yeshivos that continue to expand their enrollment.

“The bochurim who choose Sephardic yeshivos feel they are attending outstanding yeshivos,” Lerner said. “They do not feel like they are second-class.” He added that the growing variety of yeshivos and educational styles enables each talmid to find the environment best suited to his needs.

Addressing the admissions process itself, Lerner explained that entrance exams and acceptance notifications vary from one yeshiva to another. However, once the admissions decisions from Ponovezh and Chevron are finalized, “the entire market opens up again,” as talmidim who were not accepted into their first-choice yeshivos find places at other highly respected institutions.

He encouraged applicants not to become discouraged by a rejection.

“Even a bochur who happened to struggle on an entrance exam is not a less capable bochur,” Lerner said. “Many outstanding talmidim go on to other excellent yeshivos, where they continue to thrive and grow.”

According to Lerner, this year’s enrollment figures underscore a clear trend: despite the many challenges confronting the Torah world, the yeshiva system continues to expand at an extraordinary pace.