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this is amazing

Hanan Ben Ari wrote the following message upon releasing the live clip from his concert:

Everything that happened with this song under the radar over the past year is crazy.

Jews from all over the world singing and praying it in all sorts of places as if it is an ancient tune, hundreds of years old!! And I, who pretty much does not compose psukim, who so believes that people should write with sincerity of himself and not the words of others, exposes again and again how much I don't understand anything, how genius God is, and how much the songs are so much bigger and wiser than me.....

I am excited to release Hashiveinu to you in its live version from the Hindikim 360 concertand take this opportunity to wish that we should all have a chatima tova and a good year full of new creativity and with a happy heart!

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and now for Ami's voiceover version...

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everyone talked about 1 thing he said (about 13 minutes in), here is the full interview...

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honestly I am not usually a fan of these types of conversations,  but when I finally watched this I actually found it interesting...

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  -- Tzvika Mor, candidate for Knesset in the Tzionut Haditit party

wow, that sounds pretty bad.... far worse than just sanctions should qualify for, as bad as sanctions are... like, I think "worst" at that level of Nazis and Nuchbot should at least include some wanton murder...

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Speaking of Hatzibbur HaCharedi, they did just make a good move officially putting Dr Nechumi Yafeh  (sp?) in at the second slot of their party list.. I dont know if it is enough to give them a big enough boost, and they still need at least two more candidates if they expect to get in. And today is the last day of party registration, so it is now or never...

Yafeh is a good selection because she comes with an impressive resume and has been int he public eye for a while, plus it solves their problem of not differentiating themselves from UTJ regarding female candidates - after all that talk, now they have a female candidate in a realistic position, if they can get past the threshold.

Hatzibbur HaCharedi is another party I am considerin voting for. I think this is an initiative that needs to be supported. I wish they had a better chance of getting in (that wont be my deciding factor), but even if they do not, supporting them now helps for such initiatives in the future. We'll see what happens... they should have joined up with another party, and Hakahal-Noam might be the right party for that - it is synergetic and together they seem to be pretty close to the threshold...

Right after they, the leaders of Amcha Yisrael, announced their entry into the fray, they explained that they did not accept offers from the Likud to abandon their party and take reserved slots in the Likud, nor would they join up with other existing politicians and platforms because the people want something new, and they did not want to join toether with anyone connected to the failures that led to the massacre of October 7. 

That makes sense, and this is an apparoach I actually value and think is worthy of supporting.

I think it was the next day, maybe two days later, Vinter gave in to extreme pressure from Netanyahu and Smotritch and promised that he would support Netanyahu and only Netanyahu for Prime Minister. Netanyahu and pothers in the Likud were attacking Vinter and saying he would be "Bennet 2.0" and bring down the Right and support the Left and Eisenkot, etc. To counter that Vinter announced he would support Netanyahu and not bring the Left to power.

Now, it was kind of obvious that unless something unusual and unexpected would happen, Vinter all along was going to eventually support Netanyahu. nobody expects him to win enough seats to become Prime Minister, so eventually it would come down to making a choice, and Vinter is unabashely on the Right side of the map in Israel (from a security perspective - I dont know much about what thinks on other issues). I think it is obvious he would eventually choose to recommend Netanyahu for Prime Minister. But then he said it, and just a day after saying he wanted nothing to do with anyone connected to the failures of October 7. Later he clarified that a bit saying that he wont team up with anyone and run together on a list with anyone connected to October 7, Israel wants new and fresh faces, etc... but being on the Right, Netanyahu is his only choice for PM just because that's what there is available now. 

Despite Vinter saying explicitly that he would only support Netanyahu for PM, Netanyahu and the Likud, and other Right parties have only attacked Vinter, trying to get him to drop out of the race. Even today, after Vinter submitted his official party list (with no "joint" arrangement), both the Likud and Smotritch have attacked him and are pressuring him to drop out.

So, Vinter announcing at the start that he would support only Netanyahu has not helped relieve himself from their attacks. I am not sure why he would even want to support Netanyahu considering the relentless pressure they are putting on him, and even blaming him for their eventual loss, if they will lose to Eisenkot or anyone else. But he is. 

I am not sure with Netanyahu's approach to Vinter. Some polls have him crossing the threshold and some have him failing to cross - I guess he is borderline according to the average poll. If Netanyahu takes the approach to ravage votes away from Vinter (as the reports say he is trying to do), Vinter will likely not pass the threshold and then the [tens of? hundreds of?] thousands of votes he does get will surely be a waste, but if Netanyahu would just let him run his campaign and maybe even encourage some to vote for him, he probably only needs a slight boost, and then Netanyahu has those mandates in his corner. Supporting Vinter seems to me to be a better move for Netanyahu, but he seems to be taking the opposite approach, which seems less sensible to me.

So even though it seems obvious, at least to me, that Vinter would eventually support Netanyahu for PM, I think he should have kept quiet about it for now and let it play out until closer to the elections or even until after the elections, and then he could have a stronger negotiating position for more influence in the government to be formed (if Netanyahu would win). I think a lot of the people who like Vinter want new faces in politics do not or will not like that he caved so early to support Netanyahu publicly, and will continue to not like that despite being attacked relentlessly by Netanyahu (et al) continues to support him publicly.

I think this was Vinter's early mistake, and I think it is a significant one, and I think it will hurt him.

זה קורה עכשיו בחצות: הדלק יורד בחצי שקל! ככה נלחמים ביוקר המחייה 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/6In5RgcP72

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) September 6, 2026

As you might recall, the monthly adjustment to the price of gasoline hit historic highs at the beginning of September, hitting the price of 8.25nis per liter of gasoline. The price is adjusted monthly based on the price of oil which fluctuates all the time. The past couple of years has seen the price of gasoline get very expensive due to the ongoing war/conflict with Iran which has the price of oil fluctuating wildly sometimes going unreasonably high due to closures of the Strait of Hormuz (Strait of Trump?). However, the price of oil is only what makes the price of gasoline fluctuate monthly - the factor that makes gas in Israel so expensive is the very high excise tax (aka the blu) levied on gasoline plus the VAT. The blu tax is about 3.66 per liter making up about 44% of the cost of the gasoline, plus the VAT being 18%... so about 60%, give or take, of the price of gasoline that you pay at the pump, in Israel, is pure taxes. 

So when gas hit the historic high of 8.25nis per liter, Smotritch decided he would issue an order to cut the tax and lower the price. This has been done before and is considered a legitimate method of easing the burden a bit. It hit a snag as it had to be decided if this decision is allowed during an election season or not. once it was approved, Smotritch signed the order and all is good. 

the problem with the above video is Smotritch talking about this being the way to fight inflation and to fight the cost of living increases, etc... Smotritch signed a temporary order for cutting the tax, not a permanent order. It is in place for just two months. he did not lower taxes, he lowered the tax until the election. And in doing so, he also did not cut spending anywhere else at the same time to pay for it, but just threw this deficit on to the next government (which he might or might not be part of) to figure out how to pay for. 

Smotritch can definitely walk around saying things like we cut the pain for you so you wouldnt have to poay so much at the pump right now and things like that but fighting inflation with a temporary two month order without any cuts to cover it?  This doesn't combat inflation in any way.

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כנכד של הרב רביץ אני קצת שמח על מה שקורה כעת בדגל. מצד שני אני לא כל כך מבין מה הבעיה בגפני ומקלב שתיפתר בהבאת צעירים.שניהם אנשים חרוצים לא נהנתנים, שבקיאים בעבודה הפרלמנטרית הרבה יותר מהממוצע במפלגות אחרות. הבעיה של המפלגה הזאת היא הניתוק מעם ישראל, והחשיבה שהתורה ניתנה בליטא.

— צבי רביץ (@tzviravitz) September 6, 2026

My translation:

For some background, the OP, Tzvi Ravitz, is the grandson of Avraham Ravitz, the founder of Degel Hatorah. Ravitz served in the Knesset for Degel Hatorah until 2008 when he resigned. Officially he resigned but supposedly was pushed out, but given the opportunity to resign so as to save face and to leave honorably (supposedly this opportunity was given to Gafni and Maklev as well last night but they thought they could fight the decision and change it but were unsuccessful).

I was a little surprised that Maklev was pushed out along with Gafni. Maklev is one of the hardest working MKs (and deputy ministers) in Knesset. He can regularly be found in his Knesset chambers working long after everyone else has left. In general I think he was well liked and got things done for his constituents.

I dont really know anything yet about the new people taking their slots so will reserve judgement until I see them in action..

Truthfully I was surprised to learn from this tweet that Avraham Ravitz has a grandson who served in the army and is currently living abroad (nothing wrong with it, but it was new information to me)

I don't know if this really happened or if it is just someone's imagination...

אחד החברים שלי שעבר דרך סיני בדרך לאומן סיפר לי איך הם הצליחו לצאת מהארץ למרות צו הגיוס.

לדבריו, העריקים נכנסו למזוודות, והחברים שלא עריקים סחבו אותם דרך הצד הישראלי בטאבה, שבו אין שיקוף או בידוק לכבודה.

רק אחרי שעברו את הצד הישראלי הם יצאו מהמזוודות בצד המצרי.

הצו נשאר בארץ. https://t.co/wzyNJW6n6C

— בין הסדרים (@lhnn_w915) September 3, 2026

My Translation:

I dont know what luggage they used, but whichever brand it was should turn that into an advertisement showing the durability of their suitcases.

How small are these people? Can full size adults fit into suitcases like that? How did their friends shlep them - shlepping 60-80 kilo (or more?) is not that easy, even with wheels on the suitcases.

How do they plan to get back into Israel? They probably just worry about one step at a time and did not plan it that far in advance, but I am waiting to hear how this turns out. Whatever happens later you can be sure that they will be happy and smug that they were able to get to "Rabbeinu" despite the obstacles...

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While there is not much in the regular news media about this (other than Hamechadesh as of this writing), all day long there have been updates flying on the Haredi news Whatsapp groups about a shakeup in the Degel Hatorah faction list of representatives. Supposedly the leading Rabbis of Degel are considering replacing MKs Gafni and Maklev with some fresh names, but it keeps going back and forth.

I have a hard time believing it will happen, but even if it does, I am not sure why it would be such a big deal. They all supposedly just do what the rabbis say anyway and dont really do anything on their own, so why should it matter which people are the reps? Change the rabbis and maybe it will make a difference. All the noise there seems to me to be just noise and may be just a power struggle between the different factions (even within the factions there are more sub factions). In the end I dont think anything will happen, but even fi it does it wont be a big deal, and maybe it is not so bad to freshen things up a bit, get some new people in...

A party led by Ofer Vinter and Yoseph Haddad is one that could be very popular in the right wing side of the electorate. As a new party it will surely struggle with the minimum threshold leading up to the elections (so far they are refusing to even consider joining together with another party) but if it can get in and establish its base, it can grow into something big. That is a big if as they are and will draw a lot of opposition as opponents look for them to fail. 

Amcha Yisrael just had a wrench thrown into its works. 

Rav Shlomo Aviner, one of the leadng rabbis of the Religious Zionist sector, was asked during a shiur if one is allowed to vote for this new party, Amcha Yisrael, considering the number two slot is filled by a non-Jew, Yoseph Haddad.

Rav Aviner responded that people should definitely not vote for them. Rav Aviner explained that non-Jews that are friends of ours need to be treated well but, even if he would qualify as a ger toshav, or even as a "righteous person among the nations" he still cannot be given positions of leadership in the Land of Israel. Such a person can be a citizen and should be treated well, btu he cannot be a leader in Israel.

source: Srugim 

Vinter himself has responded to this saying that when he fought under fire in Lebanon, in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria, he was commanded over by, and he commanded over, Druze, Christians and Bedouin commanders and fighters. He referred to some specific commanders who were worthy of their command and were leaders who did not abandon their soldiers, alongside others who fell in battle defending the Land of Israel. They were worthy to fight for, get injured for, and sometimes die for, the State, they were worthy enough for us to follow them into battle, they are also worthy enough to be leaders.

The Likud has for many years, maybe always, included non-Jews on its list for Knesset and many have served as Members of Knesset and even as Minister. I dont remember hearing calls from Rabbis to not vote Likud (correct me if there were and I am not remembering correctly) so as to not be putting a non-Jew in position of leadership in Israel over the Jewish people. 

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Personally I had no interest in getting a gun, but it was not even anything to think much about because I had no way to qualify - living in Bet Shemesh, no police or army background, not working in a dangerous job, etc... it was a moot thought to even consider it as I had no way to get it even had I wanted one. Now that I can qualify just because I live in Bet Shemesh I am wondering what you think, if this is something important enough to do or not... let me know your thoughts but chances are high that I wont bother anyway, unless I hear a really strong argument.  

Like with herd immunity people who dont vaccinate are nostly safe because of everyone who does, with guns if I dont get one I and everyone around me will still be pretty safe because of the other people who have guns... but I am still interested in hearing arguments....

As far as Haredi parties go, Shas always, sice its formation, participated fully in governance by taking ministerial positions UTJ refrained form taking ministerial positions, claiming an inherent problem with being a partner in things the government might do that go against the Torah. They could be members of the coalition in the Knesset but, they felt, by not taking ministerial positions they were not really members of the government and did not bear any shared responsibility for decisions taken that might involve chilul shabbos or other violations of halacha. Eventually they started taking deputy minister positions, still claiming lack of shared responsibility as long as it is not  a full miniterial position (and sometimes they even basically ran the ministry with a puppet minister from another party holding the ministerial position on behalf of UTJ. Eventually the Agudat Israel faction of UTJ also started taking full ministerial positions while Degel continued to only take deputy minister roles at most.

And now, according to news reports yesterday, Degel is considering taking full ministerial roles just like Shas and Aguda. I have not seen any explanation as to what changed in their policy to consider this other than their ongoing competition with the Aguda faction as this would allow them to demand the top position for their faction in the next government and not let Aguda have it. Degel's rabbis might or might nto approve the change, but thew that they are considering it is noteworthy enough.

Personally I support this. Their lack of shared responsibility is a farce and just something to make themselves feel better. Fuller participation makes less of a joke of the government and more direct involvement on their side.

That being said, in recent weeks I have heard the argument (raised when talking about the draft law) they like to raise of "ten li yavneh vchachameha" - give me Yavneh and its sages - like the famous request of Rav Yochanan Ben Zakkai of the Roman general Vespasian where he said just leave us alone to learn torah and we wont bother anyone. In Israel it is used as well regarding the draft law - just leave us alone and let us learn torah and we wont bother anyone, ten li yavneh vechachameha, just leave us alone dont bothe rus and we wont bother you. You cannot really say ten li yavneh vechachameha when you are involved in running the government and deciding how the country should function and how people's lives are affected. A true Ten Li Yavneh Vechachameha argument would work if they pulled out of politics and said just leave us alone to learn torah, dont bother us and we wont bother you. When they are increasingly involved in governance, the argument ten li yavneh regarding one aspect of life in Israel when there is involvement in everything else is a false narrative. 

History was just made as the price of gasoline went up to the price of 8.25nis per liter as of today, September 1 2026. 8.25nis per liter, is, at least according tot he reports I have seen, the highest ever price of gas in the history of Israel!

For those not familiar, I asked Google's Gemini to do all the conversions of liters and shekels to gallons and dollars and the price of 8.25nis per liter is equivalent to roughly $10.43 per gallon at current conversion rates.

It is always fun being part of Israel making history!

The Rabbis discourage participation in such events and also call on the public and public offices to not arrange them or support them or fund them. They call such musical selichot "inappropriate" and in clear opposition to the actual purpose of the days of selichot being to arouse people to teshuva, to cheshbon nefesh, taking an accounting of one's behavior, for the Days of Judgement upon us. They say that these events, by their very nature, corrupt the concept of the prayers. It takes a holy and elevated concept and turns it into a form of entertainment and a show, besides for all sorts of other breeches of kedusha and tzniyut that accompany such events.

source: Hamechadesh

Far be it from me to support or argue against the above psak. I would just note from my my own experience that the "musical selichot" events I see happening (within the Haredi community at least) are all designed to be musical in the way that they think inspires the crowd to teshuva, not a form of concert or the like. 

And that being said, my shul is hosting (not arranging as it is not a shul event, just hosting) a chazzanut selichot (if that is what you might call it), this Motzash at 10pm (regular shul selichot after a shiur/sicha by Rav Ahron Pessin at 12:10) 

The event, as you can see by the logo, is sponsored by the City of Bet Shemesh. As far as I can tell this is chazanut, no musical accompaniment. I do not know if this falls into the category of musical selichot of whch the rabbis above spoke out against. I suspect not, but you can each decide this for yourselves. .