by Moti Karpel, Makor Rishon, translated by Hillel Fendel
Netanyahu's Likud supporters love and admire him – preventing him from drawing the right conclusions.
"Netanyahu cannot quit; the public won't let him." So said recently a well-known nationalist journalist by the name of Avishai Ben-Chaim. "Even if [Netanyahu] would like to quit," continued the Channel 13 reporter, "the masses will not agree." In these short words, he summed up the trap in which the Likud Party finds itself.
by Sharona Cohen
Last week Israel celebrated the surprising wedding of Shuli Rand (Breslaver Hasidic actor, writer, and singer) and Tzufit Grant (non-religious actress and journalist). Their relationship had received much attention over the last couple years, mainly because Rand began dating Grant after a bitter split with his previous wife, Michal Rand, in 2016. Michal refused to accept the get [Jewish divorce], thereby locking Shuli into the marriage against his will.
Thus, even though Grant and Rand began a relationship over two years ago, they were not able to get married until Rand recently received a rare exemption signed by 100 rabbis that allowed him to remarry. His get is now entrusted with the Beit Din [Rabbinate] and Michal can take it whenever she chooses.
Grant, for her part, has also received much media speculation over her religious observance since she and Rand became an item. She reports that she has always kept kosher, and that since her relationship with Rand began she started keeping Shabbat as well. At their wedding she wore a wedding dress with long sleeves and a high neckline in accordance with Jewish laws of modesty.
It just goes to show, love can overcome many obstacles. As Grant notes, '"The greatest connection between us is how similar we are to one another." She adds, "We have very similar personalities. We set out on this path and there was just no other option; it was as if our souls met and fused into one."
by Hillel Fendel
The Yesha Council of Communities in Judea and Samaria reports that the sewage situation in Judea and Samaria (Yesha) is worsening, taking its toll not only on both Jewish and Arab residents of the areas, but also those in the Tel Aviv/Gush Dan region.
In the wake of the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, the assumption is that even if Israel takes legislative steps to keep in step with the climate-change winds blowing across the world, these will not affect some of the worst polluters in the area: towns under the aegis of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
by Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed, translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbi Melamed Cites Talmud: "Torah Scholars Increase Peace in the World"
The exact circumstances aren't germane, but a rabbi from the non-Hassidic hareidi movement Degel HaTorah recently wrote publicly and disparagingly about two outstanding Torah scholars and rabbinic leaders of the religious-Zionist camp. Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, Rosh Yeshivat Bet El and a senior rabbinic figure in the national-religious Torah camp, responded with words of peace.
A graduate of the Bet El Yeshiva of Higher Learning has launched a campaign to distribute mezuzahs across Gush Dan (ranging from around Rishon LeTzion on the south end to around Herzliya on the north end and from the coastline on the west to around Petah Tiqva on the east).
The former student is collecting spare kosher mezuzahs (and also mezuzahs that need to be checked) from seven cities and towns across Israel to hand out to families whose homes are lacking them.
Anyone interested in 1) providing mezuzahs, 2) serving as an area coordinator for collections, or 3) donating to cover the costs of delivery, checking mezuzot, and buying mezuzah cases can be in touch by emailing info@betelinstitutions.com!