By: Zvi Gluck

Ask a first grader in any yeshiva what Chanukah is all about and he/she will tell you how a small container of pure olive oil that had somehow been overlooked by rampaging Greek soldiers miraculously burned for eight days and nights.  But as the yom tov of Chanukah is upon us, I can’t help but wonder what the neis that took place so many years ago in the Bais Hamikdash truly means to us here and now in 2019.

By Steve Schorr
In light of the recent Jersey City tragedy, the New Jersey Attorney General, Gurbil Grewal, spoke with The Shopper about the attack, the rise of hate crimes in the state and what can be done to decrease tensions.
The Shopper: I understand you are extremely busy these days unfortunately, so your time is appreciated. I recognize that it is an ongoing investigation but are there any details or clarifications that you can provide at this time?

JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced a stabbing which took place a rabbi’s home in Monsey, NY to celebrate the seventh night of Hanukkah “Israel unequivocally condemns the recent expressions of anti-Semitism and the vicious attack in the middle of Hanukkah on the rabbi’s house in Monsey, New York,” Israeli Prime Minister […]

Israel’s security cabinet is expected to deliberate on the details of a proposed long-term truce agreement with Hamas, Israeli TV reported Saturday.
According to the Hebrew-language Channel 12 news, the deal could see Israel committing to increase the number of entry permits granted to Gaza residents seeking to travel to the Jewish State for work, an increase of the fishing zone off the coast of the Palestinian enclave, medical assistance and the construction of a natural gas pipeline.
Whereas Hamas, the Palestinian terror group that rules the territory, would commit to stepping up its efforts to stop rocket fire at southern Israel and curb the Friday border protests.

Rabbonim in London’s Golders Green neighborhood met this weekend after receiving reports of possul tefillin being sold to unsuspecting Jews.
“It’s strange, because if we would find non-kosher meat in a store, there would be a huge uproar, but when invalid tefillin or mezuzas are sold, no one says anything or makes any noise,” Rav Shlomo Frishwasser said.
Rabbi David Singer of Ilford, who has spent decades working in the field of tefillin and mezuzas, was sent to verify the reports and returned emphasizing how terrible the situation is. “There is basically no supervision of the market, and we all have a holy obligation to change this situation.”
Read more at Arutz Sheva.

President Trump’s adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump signaled in a new interview that she could leave the White House if her father is reelected in 2020.
Asked in a CBS interview whether she would remain in the administration if her father wins the election, Ivanka Trump said she is “driven first and foremost by my kids and their happiness.”
“My decisions will always be flexible enough to ensure that their needs are being considered first and foremost,” she said. “So they will really drive that answer for me.”
Read more at The Hill.
{Matzav.com}

Avraham Avinu (1638 BCE) (Bava Basra 91a). [According to others, his yahrtzeit is 1 Tishrei or Nissan (Moed Katan 28a)]

Reports from police source indicate that an arrest has been made in the stabbing attack that took place in the Forshay area tonight.
The suspect’s car was recorded crossing the George Washington Bridge at 11:02 PM. The 32nd Precinct was able to track down the perp’s car in the Bronx a short while later.
Only one person has been arrested so far. Another suspect is still on the loose.
{Matzav.com}

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/VIDEO-2019-12-28-22-42-22.mp4
Rav Chaim Leibush Rottenberg shlit”a made a Melave Malke for his Kehilla shortly after an attack in his home left four injured, including two of his children.
Yosef ben Perel is undergoing surgery after an attacker entered the home of the Forshayer Rebbe and stabbed the man up to six times.
Two of the Rebbe’s children were also injured in the attack. One of them was treated at the scene while the other was hospitalized for further treatment before being released a short while later.
{Matzav.com}

MONSEY, N.Y. (AP) — The NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau says it is “closely monitoring the reports of multiple people stabbed at a synagogue” in Rockland County, New York. The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey says it’s also aware of reports and is on the way to the scene in Monsey. Monsey is about […]