by Rabbi Yair Hoffman As a person whose life was saved by Hatzollah, I can attest to the critiical role these volunteers pl

This is a difficult letter to write, but it is even harder to stay silent. I am a bochur in a typical, mainstream yeshiva, and I believe there is a significant crisis quietly affecting many young men like me. The challenges in kedusha that we face daily are overwhelming, yet they remain largely undiscussed and, as a result, unmanaged. Many of us feel alone in this struggle, wondering if we’re the only ones facing these difficulties. I am certain I’m not alone in thinking that something urgently needs to change. As it is, most yeshivos only have a handful of sefarim on the topic of kedusha, and they often lack the openness and guidance needed to address the real struggles contemporary bochurim face. Simply having sefarim and books available isn’t enough.

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) are publicly lobbying for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, to fill the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Marco Rubio. Rubio is anticipated to join Trump’s administration as Secretary of State. Following the announcement of Rubio’s cabinet appointment, speculation grew over who might fill his Florida Senate seat. In an interview with Axios, Britt voiced her support for Lara Trump, lauding her recent success as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, a role in which she helped secure Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. “She understands the America First agenda,” Britt said.

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has hinted that annexation of the West Bank, which he refers to as “Judea and Samaria,” could be a possibility during Trump’s upcoming term. In an interview with Army Radio, Huckabee underscored his support for Israel’s sovereignty over the territory, rejecting the term “West Bank” in favor of its Biblical name. “There is no such thing as the West Bank — it’s Judea and Samaria,” Huckabee stated. “I have been a frequent visitor to Judea and Samaria and believe it is part of sovereign Israel,” he added, reiterating his long-standing belief that the area belongs to Israel.

Violent protests erupted in Paris on Wednesday against a gala organized by pro-Israel figures which was intended to raise funds for the IDF, and included Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich among its invited guests. The demonstrations came on the eve of a high-stakes soccer match at France’s national stadium against the Israeli national team, overshadowed by tensions around the wars in the Middle East. Authorities in Paris announced that more than 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for the game. Smotrich, a vocal advocate of Israeli yishuvim, had been expected to attend Wednesday’s gala, dubbed “Israel is Forever,” which was planned by an association of the same name.

In the wake of a sweeping Democratic loss on Election Day, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is being touted as a potential future leader for the Democratic Party, with some insiders suggesting he could be a viable candidate for the White House in 2028. Shapiro, who was reportedly on Vice President Kamala Harris’s shortlist for a running mate, has built a reputation as a bipartisan leader popular in Pennsylvania—a critical swing state that played a pivotal role in this year’s election outcome. His history of winning statewide races and his appeal to both Democrats and Republicans have positioned him as a figure to watch. Shapiro, a former state attorney general, won Pennsylvania’s governorship in 2022 by a decisive margin, defeating his opponent by nearly 15 points.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has been at the forefront of two federal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, plans to leave his position before Trump’s upcoming inauguration, sources familiar with the matter told The New York Times on Wednesday. The decision comes amid Trump’s repeated declarations that he would dismiss Smith immediately upon taking office, prompting the special counsel to wrap up his work before the new administration begins. Smith, appointed two years ago, has been aiming to complete his investigations and avoid leaving unfinished business that could be disrupted by a quick dismissal. Last week, Smith’s team requested a deadline extension in Trump’s 2020 election interference case, with the goal of finalizing by December 2.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, to serve as director of national intelligence, continuing to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities complimentary to his own, rather than long-term professionals in their requisite fields. “As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Trump said in a statement. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign quietly funneled half a million dollars to Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) just weeks before her softball interview with the antisemite on MSNBC. Federal Election Commission records reveal that Harris’s campaign made two payments of $250,000 to NAN on Sept. 5 and Oct. 1, just days before her Oct. 20 sit-down with Sharpton on PoliticsNation. During the interview, Sharpton lavished Harris with praise, at one point comparing her to trailblazing politician Shirley Chisholm.

Republicans have elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune as the next Senate majority leader, completing a momentous shift in their leadership that elevates a top deputy of Mitch McConnell into a key position as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Thune, 63, is in his fourth Senate term and has promised to work closely with Trump, despite differences the two have had over the years, and will be a crucial part of the incoming president’s efforts to push through his policy agenda. In a statement, Thune said he was “extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues.” “This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today,” he said. Thune beat out two other competitors, Sens.