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The Prime Minister Spoke to the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, This Morning

Remedying the Sin of Theft Ahead of the Yamim Noraim

Charity Commission Points to Structural Vulnerabilities in the Regulation of Some Charity Services

The Hidden Work of Preparing for the Day of Judgment

Rabbi Akiva, Shir Hashirim and the Alter Rebbe’s Teaching on a Love of G-D Too Great for the Body to Contain

Netanyahu Seeks Fresh Mandate Amid Security Challenges, Domestic Divisions and Uncertain Polling

What Really Interests a Person and WHO Stole the Gold?

How wise women may be forces for good to influence their husbands to avoid strife and their downfall

The Bet HaMikdash Below and the Bet HaMikdash Above - Harnessing our energy and composing ourselves when fulfilling the mitzvot (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series The Parashah states, “Speak to Aharon and say to him, when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the Menorah”...

The Antidote to Anxiety

Joint Statement of the United States of America, Republic of Lebanon, and State of Israel on the Latest High-Level Trilateral Meeting The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America, Republic of Lebanon, and the State of Israel. Begin Text: The United States convened the fourth high-level trilateral meeting between Israeli and Lebanese representatives on June 2 and 3, 2026.  As a result of the U.S. led negotiations, Israel and Lebanon agreed...

Bureau of African Affairs Thank you Ambassador Gaspar for organizing today’s forum. As you all know, this will be my last engagement as Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs. As I conclude my tenure, I want to begin with appreciation for the professionalism and partnership of this diplomatic corps. Over this period, we have worked through a necessary shift away from inherited frameworks that too often viewed Africa through a development only lens, and toward a clearer, more...

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The Secretary commended President Aoun’s courage and vision in pursuing direct negotiations with Israel, even as Hizballah continues its attempts to derail those talks at the expense of the Lebanese people. He reiterated that Hizballah is entirely responsible for the ongoing fighting and emphasized the need for Hizballah to immediately cease its attacks and provocations to enable...

A nation cannot claim to welcome Jews while criminalising one of the oldest and most fundamental commandments of Judaism

Hebrew Synagogue Welcomes UK Court Clarity on Biologically Specific Facilities Hebrew Synagogue has today confirmed its support for the legal clarification provided by the United Kingdom Supreme Court and subsequent Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance regarding the use of single-sex facilities based upon biological sex under the Equality Act 2010. The organisation confirmed that this position will apply across all facilities operated by Hebrew Synagogue throughout the United...

To what extent will you go to try to study Torah and more so Halachah? The determination of the Gaon of Brisk, Rav Yosef Dov Bear Soloveitchik z”l (1820-1892) to study by Rav Shlomo Kluger z”l (1785-1869) (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series It states in Parashat Bechukotai, “If you will...

Norway Joins Pax Silica Initiative On May 6, the United States welcomed the decision by the Kingdom of Norway to join the Pax Silica initiative. As a member of Pax Silica, Norway will play a leading role to develop diversified critical mineral supply chains. Norway’s Ambassador to the United States, Anniken Huitfeldt, signed the Pax Silica Declaration in Washington, D.C., officially acknowledging Norway’s participation in the initiative. The United States and Norway affirmed their commitment...

Exploring why Am Yisrael as a whole and the Cohanim specifically, are expected to achieve high standards in their lives (HaRav HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, a grandson of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Emor This Shabbat we shall read the mitzvah that the Cohanim may not become ritually impure through contact with the dead (meaning, it is forbidden for a cohen to touch a cadaver, or remain in a...

Spiritual growth and holiness are not automatic and there is no quick-fix for them, rather they are achieved through tenacity and prayer (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Painting by Raphael Perez (Flickr)—not connected to the dvar Torah, but a beautiful work nonetheless It states in Parashat Kedoshim, “You shall be holy, since I am Hashem...

Finland Joins Pax Silica Initiative On April 16, Finland joined the Pax Silica Initiative, hailing a growing geopolitical consensus that economic security is national security and national security is economic security. Finland brings to Pax Silica key capabilities in trusted technology such as advanced mobile communications, AI, and critical mineral mining and processing. Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto signed the Pax Silica Declaration reflecting Finland’s joining Pax...

The Midrash states (Midrash Rabba, Parashat Beshalach) that Pharaoh regretted having freed the Jewish people. Why was this so? From a Sermon of Maran zt”l for the Holiday of Pesach The Vines in Blossom Give off Fragrance We can use a parable to illustrate this point: Once, a man owned a field that, after a long period of time of not being maintained, fell into a state of disrepair and was no more than a mere pile of dirt and rubble. This man sold the field to another. The buyer invested time,...

The significance of Shabbat HaGadol – Preventing the “Final Solution” in Egypt (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Tzav – Shabbat HaGadol Our Chachamim z”l said (Tur and Shulchan Aruch siman 430), that the Shabbat prior to Chag HaPesach is called “Shabbat HaGadol” – “The Great Shabbat”, in commemoration of the great miracle that...

Sanctioning a Global Network Supporting Hezbollah Financing Today, the United States is imposing sanctions to disrupt a global financial network that supports Hezbollah . This action targets individuals and entities involved in laundering and raising funds for Hezbollah ’s finance team through a range of companies and projects operating across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. By cutting off these financial channels, the United States is taking concrete steps to limit Hezbollah ’s...

Shiny Happy People – How Moshe Rabbenu’s humility led to his radiant complexion (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Vayikra Our Parashah opens with the Pasuk, “Hashem called to Moshe, speaking to him from the Communion Tent saying”” (Vayikra 1:1). In Parashat Ki Tissa it states, “Moshe came down from Mt. Sinai with the two Tablets of...

State Department Partners with El Al Airlines to Return Americans to the United States The State Department has partnered with El Al Airlines to arrange non-stop flights, designated exclusively for American citizens, from Tel Aviv to the United States. These flights have already allowed more than 2,000 American citizens to return to the United States from Israel. Tickets for these flights were provided at a discount rate to ensure that Americans wishing to leave Israel have the opportunity to...

From “Board of Peace” to “Bored of Peace”: WireNews’ Satirical Range Gains Attention The satirical “ Bored of Peace ” product range created by WireNews and sold exclusively through Mayside Market is gaining increasing attention following its quiet introduction earlier this month. The range includes a selection of premium casual items such as organic cotton T-shirts, oversized high-neck T-shirts, printed hats and embroidered zip hoodies. The collection currently consists of eight items...

Small aggravations gradually and accumulatively atone for our sins From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat, we shall read, “These are the accounts of the Mishkan (the Mishkan of Testimony), which were calculated by Moshe’s order by the Levi’im under Itamar, son of Aron the Cohen” (Shemot 38:21). Rashi, in his...

A Person is Their Thoughts From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat we shall read, “When you take a census of the Bnei Yisrael to determine their number” (Shemot 30:12). Rabbenu the Orach Chaim HaKadosh a”h (Rav Chaim ibn Attar or Rav Chaim ben Moshe ibn Attar c. 1696-1743) explains in his commentary on the Torah...

Department of State Charter Flight Departs Middle East to United States Today, a Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East in route to the United States as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans’ return home. Additional flights will be surged across the region. American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel interested in the Department’s charter flight or ground transportation options should complete the Crisis Intake Form at...

U.S. Assistance to Ensure the Safety of American Citizens Overseas The U.S. Department of State is taking historic action to assist American citizens, who wish to depart the Middle East, return to the United States. In the past several days, over 9,000 American citizens have safely returned from the Middle East, including over 300 from Israel. The Department is facilitating charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for American citizens, and will continue to...

The unity of Am Yisrael is an antidote to evil decrees (Based on the Ma’amar of HaRav HaGoan Rav David Shaltiel Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Tetzaveh - Shabbat Zachor It states in the Parashah, “You, [Moshe], must command Bnei Yisrael to bring you clear illuminating oil, made from hand crushed olives, to keep the lamp constantly burning. Aharon and his sons shall arrange for [the lamps to burn] from evening until morning in...

It isn’t enough to study Torah and observe the mitzvot ourselves, we must also merit others (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Terumah It states in the Parashah, “[Separate **] your brother Aaron and his sons from amongst Yisrael [and] bring them close to you, to be Cohanim to Me” (Shemot 28:1). Meaning that Hashem said to Moshe,...

What is the connection between Shabbat Shekalim and a vaccine or antidote? From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Mishpatim - Parahsat Shekalim This Shabbat, Parashat Mishpatim, is also Shabbat Shekalim. We will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. In the first we will read the Parashah of the Week, Mishpatim, and in the second Parashat Shekalim, which appears in Parashat Ki...