Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

There is the Satmar of unsurpassed chesed. No one parallels Satmar when it comes to charitable causes. Whether it is lending a helping hand to the less fortunate, or it is bikur cholim – visiting and providing for the sick – no organization surpasses Satmar. Satmar has also created two wonderful communities in Williamsburg and Monroe. They are communities rich in services and charity. They also have batei midrash – study halls – in which there is a constant presence of men sitting and learning Torah.

Monday morning’s terrorist attack in Yerushalayim was horrendous. A custodian in a yeshivah, a newly married oleh, a yeshivah bachur, and a middle-aged woman were among those killed. Thankfully, a yeshivah student with a gun and an off-duty soldier from the chareidi brigade were able to “neutralize” the terrorists.

I must begin by mentioning Rabbi Moshe Hauer z”l. Rabbi Hauer, National Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union (OU) for the last five years, died suddenly in his home on Sh’mini Atzeres night. His loss is incalculable. Although I had frequent disagreements with Rabbi Hauer over policy issues, he nevertheless was a first-class gentleman.

The New York Times has become an unrelenting source of criticism of the State of Israel. Why? What did Israel do to The Times that it deserves such treatment?

In truth, I knew nothing about Charlie Kirk. Yes, I had heard his name, but I thought he was just another influencer with not much to peddle. Then came that horrific moment when Charlie was assassinated. My kids reacted as though they had lost a personal friend, and so did countless others. I was immediately sent numerous clips of him engaging students in debates, with Charlie advocating conservative ideals. Afterwards, I saw Charlie fiercely debate in favor of Israel during the Gaza War.

Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of Great Britain, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, have distinguished themselves as being naïve leaders on the world scene. They have both announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state. They both ignore the fact that such a move rewards Hamas for its terrorism and disincentivizes Hamas from seeking peace. Hamas has, indeed, suddenly stopped going to the negotiating table once these intentions were made known. Why should they? If they hold out any further, they will reap even greater rewards.