Posts by Channel 613
Love of Hashem
The Gemorah in Shabbos (133b) discusses a fascinating pasuk, “Zeh Kaili V’anveihu..” The Gemorah inShabbos understands it to mean that part of love of Hashem is that we must attempt to liken ourselvesto Him. Just as He is kind and merciful, so too must you be kind and merciful.Rav Yitzchok Isaac Sherr zatzal explains (Leket…
Read MoreBelief in Hashem
The Chofetz Chaim writes: It is a positive commandment to believe that there is a G-d who exists. As itsays (Shmos 20:2), “I am Hashem your G-d…” He (may He blessed and elevated) caused everything thatexists to exist as well as all of the worlds. By virtue of His power and desire, may He be…
Read MoreHow Trump Can Respond to Honduras-US Tensions: Navigating the Military Base Standoff
Special to Channel 613.com In a bold diplomatic move, Honduran President Xiomara Castro has threatened to expel U.S. military forces from the strategically important Soto Cano Airbase in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans. The threat comes as Honduras faces the potential return of approximately 250,000 of its citizens in 2025, raising…
Read MoreSouth Korea: Police Attempt Arrest, Secret Service Prevents It
The drama in South Korea continues, even after the court ordered the arrest of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who attempted a military coup last month. Currently, police and senior officials from the anti-corruption agency are attempting to enforce the court’s ruling and arrest the ousted president on suspicion of rebellion. However, they have been…
Read MoreWhy President Biden Should Pardon Trump Before He Is Sentenced
A Channel613.com Op-Ed When President Joe Biden took office, he promised to dedicate his “whole soul” to healing the country, ending what he called our nation’s “uncivil war,” and “bringing America together.” However, rather than fulfilling that pledge, his administration has instead deepened divisions. His sharp criticism of Republicans—accusing them of supporting “Jim Crow 2.0”…
Read MoreWhy Would an Irish-American Want to Join Hezbollah?
Special to Channel613.com Why would an Irish-American Join Hezbollah A key motivation for Western recruits to terrorist organizations is a deep sense of alienation from their home societies, combined with a search for purpose and belonging. The recent case of Jack Danaher Molloy, a 24-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, illustrates this pattern. Molloy, who traveled…
Read MoreRav Yerucham Olshin Shlita on Zos Chanukah
Introduction to the Connection Between Chanukah and Klal Yisroel’s Special Status At the beginning of Parshas Bereishis, the Medrash tells us that in the very first pesukim of the Torah, the Borei Olam alludes to the four goluyos (exiles) that Klal Yisroel would one day suffer. With the words “v’choshech al pnei sehom,” says the…
Read MoreWatch Roy Neuberger on the Month of Taives
Yahrtzeits of the Week
Yahrzeits and Jewish history is created by Manny Saltiel, under the auspices of HaRav Yitzchok Summers of Kehillas Anshe Emes of Los Angeles. For sponsoring opportunities or to receive a weekly email, please contact [email protected]. All brief biographies listed are of gedolei Torah with no intended differentiation between them in regards to degree of greatness. A lengthier…
Read MoreThe UN Asks The Palestinian Authority to Reverse Suspension of Al Jazeera
In an ironic move, the UN is asking the Palestinian Authority to reverse their recent suspension of Al Jazeera operations in the West Bank. The suspension follows PA allegations that Al Jazeera engaged in incitement. Al Jazeera is a news site that is backed by Qatar and has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Six Al…
Read MoreGallant Resigns from Knesset Over Haredi IDF Exemption Bill
Former defense minister Yoav Gallant, a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, announced his resignation from the Knesset today, citing opposition to an imminent bill that would exempt Haredim from mandatory military service. Gallant’s decision comes amidst heightened tensions over Israel’s judicial overhaul and contentious debates surrounding the role of the ultra-Orthodox…
Read MoreNew “Wealth Tax” Targets Eretz Yisrael’s Richest
Beginning today, January 1, 2025, a new law has come into effect in Eretz Yisrael, requiring the country’s wealthiest households to pay additional taxes. The Ministry of Finance introduced this measure to reduce the national deficit, especially in the wake of the recent war. This “rich tax” targets the top 0.01% of families in Israel,…
Read MoreTerror Attack in New Orleans: Driver Kills 10, Injures 30 Including 2 Israelis
A horrific act of violence struck New Orleans early this morning when a driver deliberately rammed his vehicle into crowds on the bustling Bourbon Street, tragically killing 10 people and injuring 30 others. The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Terrorists around the world seem to be copying…
Read MoreGerman Family Ordered to Vacate Home Taken from Jews in the Holocaust
A German court recently ruled that an 85-year-old woman and her son must vacate a house that had been forcibly sold by its Jewish owners during the Nazi era. The property, located in Wandlitz near Berlin, belonged to Alice Donat and Helene Lindenbaum, two Jewish women who ran a children’s home before being deported and…
Read MoreThe Children of Lev Tahor: A Crisis Calling for Torah Community Action
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for Channel613.com A spiritual and humanitarian crisis unfolds in Guatemala as approximately 200 Jewish children from the extremist Lev Tahor cult face an uncertain future following a recent raid by security forces. While individual activists have worked tirelessly to rescue these vulnerable souls, the broader Torah community’s organized response remains notably…
Read MoreDisagreeing With Rabbi Michael Broyde New Book re New Years Parties
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman Rabbi Michael J. Broyde is an exceptional scholar whose ability to integrate traditional Jewish texts with contemporary ethical issues sets him apart in his field. His insightful analyses and engaging teaching style inspire both students and colleagues, fostering a deeper understanding of complex legal concepts within the Jewish community. Nonetheless, with…
Read MoreIsrael’s Target Assasination of October 7th Commander and the Protection of Innocent Lives
In the shadow of relentless terrorist threats, Israel wages a lesser-known war: the fierce struggle to protect innocent lives during military operations. This commitment was dramatically tested on December 31, 2024, when Israeli forces eliminated Abd al-Hadi Sabah, the Hamas commander behind the catastrophic October 7 massacre, in an operation that showcased both lethal precision…
Read MoreWhat Trump Can Do
Drawing from Trump’s New Year’s Eve statement that “they better let the hostages come back soon” and his December Truth Social post warning of “ALL HELL TO PAY” after January 20, 2025, here’s an analysis of the economic tools available to a US president: Presidential sanctions authority represents one of the most powerful tools in…
Read MoreThe End of an Era: Economic Implications of Ukraine’s Gas Transit Halt for Russia
Channel 613.com The recent cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine marks a significant shift in European energy dynamics, with substantial economic consequences for Russia. The termination of this agreement, which previously facilitated the transit of 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually, presents several challenges for the Russian economy. This historic change, announced by…
Read MoreSisi’s New Palace: A Symbol of Egypt’s Renaissance and Global Diplomacy
Born on November 19, 1954, in Cairo’s historic El-Gamaliya district, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi grew up in an area known for its Islamic architecture and rich cultural heritage. His early life was shaped by traditional Egyptian values and a strong sense of military discipline. After completing his secondary education, Sisi joined the Egyptian Military Academy in…
Read MoreJUDICIAL WATCHDOG GROUP SOUNDS ALARM
By Channel 613.com In a groundbreaking effort to combat rising antisemitism in Europe, The Lawfare Project continues its relentless pursuit of justice, even as the Dutch legal system stumbles in its response to coordinated attacks that shocked the Netherlands last month. The prestigious legal advocacy organization, which has emerged as a beacon of hope for victims…
Read More35,000 Made Aliyah since October 7th
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas perpetrated an unspeakable attack on the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael, approximately 35,000 Jews from around the globe have made Aliyah according to the Jewish Agency. These new olim are from over 100 countries, with 31,000 arriving in 2024 alone. Many are young adults aged 18 to 35 who…
Read MorePrime Minister Netanyahu is out of Surgery and Called UTJ about Exemption Law for Yeshiva Students
In a recent development that called for tefillos from Klal Yisroel, Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu underwent a medical procedure at Hadassah Medical Center in Yerushalayim on Sunday evening. Boruch Hashem, the surgery was completed successfully without complications. The Prime Minister’s Office reported that the Prime Minister is in stable condition and fully conscious following the procedure.…
Read MoreIsraeli Company Run:ai bought by AI Chip Giant Nvidia
The American corporation Nvidia has completed its acquisition of the Jerusalem-based technology firm Run:ai. The transaction, valued at approximately $800 million (roughly 3 billion shekels), received the necessary governmental approvals after 8 months of delays. Run:ai, established by two Israelis, has developed specialized systems that help organizations better utilize their computing resources in a more…
Read MoreWhy a Two State Solution In Syria is Necessary
Special to Channel613.com Historical Context The devastation that has occurred in both Israel and Gaza has shown that Palestinian Arabs will not be placated with land here and there next to Israel. Palestinian Arabs deserve to have self-determination in a democracy that is free of the totalitarianism that was Hamas. Historically, there was once a…
Read MoreDid AI Cause Israel’s Unpreparedness on October 7th?
Special to Channel613.com In what became the most devastating attack on Israel since the Holocaust, the events of October 7th, 2023, exposed a catastrophic intelligence failure. A groundbreaking Washington Post investigation reveals that this failure may have been partially rooted in the Israeli military’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence over human intelligence gathering. The Rise…
Read MoreSacred Obligation Under Strain: Haredi Family Size Drops from 7.5 to 6.1
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman At the heart of Jewish continuity lies a profound Mitzvah – one that has shaped our people’s destiny for millennia. The Shulchan Aruch (Even Ha’ezer 1:8) codifies an important obligation based on the Talmudic discussion in Yevamos and the verse in Koheles (11:6): “Ba’boker zera es zarecha, v’la’erev al tanach yadecha”…
Read MoreHERITAGE UNDER SIEGE: The Crumbling Legacy of the Hasmonean Palaces
EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: The Heritage Heist at Jericho In an exclusive investigation by Channel 14’s Elya Aviv, a groundbreaking investigation during Chanukah took place. Entitled, our “Heritage in Peril” expedition to the ancient Hasmonean palaces in Jericho took placed and has unveiled a devastating reality that strikes at the heart of Jewish historical preservation. What we…
Read MorePutin Refuses Trump’s Peace Initiative
Special to Channel613.Com Russia’s continued resistance to Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict was highlighted when Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected a proposed peace plan attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan reportedly included two major provisions: postponing Ukraine’s potential NATO membership for 20 years and establishing a demilitarized buffer zone monitored by…
Read MoreA Theory as to President Carter’s Extraordinary Longevity
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman Certainly the former president deserves credit for having contributed to the making of peace that has saved lives in the middle-east. But it is also well known that President Carter was one of the leading voices in trying to give legitimacy to Hamas. He also helped promote the fallacy that Israel…
Read MoreIs This Mishna Brurah Being Misread?
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman The Controversial Mishna Brurah Ruling The Mishna Brurah (672:11) states that if one arrive home before alos hashachar – and all are asleep – he should awaken family – in order to fulfill the Mitzvah with a bracha. Some cite this as proof to the importance of this Mitzvah that it…
Read MoreWhat Happens After Death?
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman It is a question that many ponder. Philosophers, scientists, and great men have explored this question since the dawn of time. What happens to the soul after death? The Torah sources teach us that the soul is immortal. This is a foundation of Torah-true Judaism. This can be seen from the…
Read MoreMitzvos 4-10
Mitzvah 4 The Mitzvah of sanctifying the new month: To sanctify months and intercalate [months into] years in the court [whose members are] great in wisdom and ordained in the Land of Israel, and to establish the year’s holidays according to that sanctification; as it is stated (Exodus 12:2), “This month shall be to you…
Read MoreMitzvos 1-3 of the 613 Mitzvos
Mitzvah 1: The Commandment of Procreation The commandment of procreation: [Parashat] Bereshit contains one positive commandment, which is the commandment to procreate, as stated (Genesis 1:28), “And Hashem blessed them and told them to procreate.” The fundamental reason for this commandment is that the world should be populated (Gittin 41b), because Hashem wants the world…
Read MoreWhat is the Story With Maccabees I & II?
Chanukah is coming! What is the story with the Book of Maccabees I and II? The history of Maccabees I and II is certainly an interesting one. It is not part of Tanach, of course, and it seems lehavdil that Martin Luther, the deeply anti-Semitic founder of Lutherism hated the book with a passion (along…
Read MoreCan We Pray For Miracles on Chanukah?
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman The Gemorah in Brachos 60a seems to imply that one may not pray for a miracle. One reason given is that doing so causes one’s merits to be lessened. The Maharal in Chiddushei Agados (Shabbos 32a) explains that since the reward for Mitzvos is above and beyond – when one prays…
Read MoreNEW DETAILS EMERGE: Inside the Assassination of Hamas Leader Haniyeh – The Air Conditioner That Almost Changed History
JERUSALEM — In a stunning revelation that reads like a Hollywood thriller, Channel 12 has uncovered dramatic new details about the July assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, exposing how a broken air conditioner nearly derailed one of Israel’s most daring operations in recent history. The meticulously planned operation, now acknowledged by…
Read MoreHamas Newspaper Hinted to October 7th Attack
They alluded to it in their newspaper on page 15. Just one month before the October 7th massacre, Hamas’s official newspaper devoted extensive coverage to the refusal phenomenon in the IDF and its impact on military readiness. The Hamas reporters described how the Air Force suspended training due to the fight against judicial reform. Most…
Read MoreIsrael’s Air Force Breakthrough: A Modern Miracle of Technology and Divine Providence
Special to Channel613.com In a dimly lit room at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, mission officers sat staring at their computer screens in disbelief. The dense web of red lines and warning icons that had marked Syrian anti-tank missile positions for years had suddenly vanished. The skies that had been cluttered with enemy…
Read MoreWatch Roy Neuberger on the Bibi Netanyahu Trial
Cardiology, BMWs, and Shabbos
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman What follows is a halachic discussion about a device that has been described by some cardiologists as the financial equivalent of implanting a BMW in the heart. Other cardiologists have described it as the financial equivalent of a Tesla implanted in the heart. The device can be called in layman’s terms,…
Read MoreThe Pictures That Never Existed
Special to Channel613.com The National Archives’ recent release of photographs from 2013 adds significant documentation to a complex narrative about presidential transparency and family business dealings. The images, which show then-Vice President Joe Biden meeting with Chinese business associates connected to his son Hunter’s ventures, raise important questions about public disclosure timing and official accounts…
Read MoreEl Al Offers Significant Help in Points to IDF Reservists
Israeli Airline Launches Points Program for War-Time Reservists In a significant move to recognize military service during ongoing conflicts, El Al Israel Airlines has announced a new initiative converting reserve duty days into travel benefits for soldiers who served extensive periods since the October 7 attacks. The program, launching December 29, will award 100 Matmid…
Read MorePope’ Outrageous Statements Sparks Letter from Rabbi Mark Dratch
Special to Channel 613 The Jewish community’s outrage at Pope Francis’ criticism of Israel’s Gaza operations echoes a deeply troubling history of Vatican antisemitism. While Rabbi Mark Dratch’s letter diplomatically challenges the Pope’s remarks, it carries the weight of centuries of painful Catholic-Jewish relations. From Pope Pius IX’s 1858 kidnapping of six-year-old Edgardo Mortara –…
Read MoreWorse Than Animals: The Murder of an 80 Year Old
Special to Channel 613 In a chilling act of terror that has shaken Israel, 83-year-old Holocaust survivor Ludmila Lipovsky was brutally murdered in Herzliya. Having already survived humanity’s darkest chapter, Lipovsky’s life was tragically cut short in this senseless attack. “Only monsters are capable of murdering an 80-year-old woman in cold blood,” declared National Unity…
Read MoreIranian Regime Kidnaps Again! This Time a Female Italian Journalist
Special to Channel613.com As Iran continues its support of Hamas and other militant groups threatening Israel’s security, the detention of 29-year-old Italian journalist Cecilia Sala highlights Tehran’s broader pattern of hostility toward Western interests. Her arrest at this critical time, when Iran’s proxy forces are actively engaging in attacks against Israel and Western shipping in…
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