Dear Matzav Inbox, 
I am writing in sheer disbelief at the absurdity of what has become of our community’s values, exemplified by the craze for $10 Chanukah donuts, now offered in some 30 different varieties.
I cannot begin to express how utterly ludicrous this is. What has happened to us? What a busha. A society that once prided itself on avoiding unnecessary extravagance, we are being sold overpriced donuts as if they’re some kind of status symbol. And for $10, no less! This is a joke.
Actually, I wish it was. It’s not.
This is an embarrassment to our people. It’s a disgrace.

ניחום אבלים בבית הגאון רבי אשר דויטש זצ”לצילום: באדיבות המצלם
ניחום אבלים בבית הגאון רבי אשר דויטש זצ”לצילום: באדיבות המצלם
ניחום אבלים בבית הגאון רבי אשר דויטש זצ”לצילום: באדיבות המצלם

This year’s annual 21 Kislev celebration of the miraculous Holocaust rescue of Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l (1886-1979), founding Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel, was celebrated on Motzoei Shabbos by Satmar Rebbe Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar’s kehillah in a massive tent on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg. The followers of Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe and third son of the Beirach Moshe, marked the event on Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
On this day in history, December 4, 1944, the Satmar Rebbe zt”l was aboard a train that crossed the border into Switzerland and to freedom. The deliverance was made possible by Dr. Rudolf Kastner, who bribed the Nazis and thus saved 1,685 Jewish souls.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, addressing the Knesset on Monday, accused Defense Minister Israel Katz of holding a confidential document that lays out the principles of a chareidi draft law. According to Lapid, this document was presented to chareidi political groups to secure their backing for the budget, with the promise that it would exempt all chareidi youth from compulsory military service.
“Without this document, the Chareidim weren’t going to vote for the budget last week,” Lapid stated. “Then they voted, unanimously, for the budget. Why did they change their mind? They weren’t persuaded. They received the commitment they asked for.”

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I have absolutely no problem with anyone holding a shitah that is anti-Tzioni. I understand fully the perspective of those who oppose the medinah. Every individual and kehillah is entitled to their views on this matter, and we should not forget that there are many legitimate reasons to question or oppose the modern state of Israel and its government. This is a topic that has many layers. We must be able to have these discussions, respectfully and thoughtfully.

A fire that erupted on Monday morning at a Yerushalayim seminary dormitory on Rechov Dovid Yellin caused injuries to almost 50 people, including three in critical condition, according to the Magen David Adom emergency medical service.
Firefighting teams worked to put out the fire raging in the upper floors of the dormitory and rescued scores of female students who were trapped inside the building, Hebrew media reported.
The volunteer-based emergency response service United Hatzalah reported that an additional two individuals were listed in moderate condition and the rest suffered light injuries. All were evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

Israel’s State Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation to determine whether statements made by a number of prominent gedolei Torah regarding the prohibition of chareidi young men enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces could constitute criminal offenses.
According to a report by Yuval Segev on Galei Tzahal, the rabbonim whose names were brought up by Knesset member Efrat Reiten in a letter to the government’s legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, include Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of the Slabodka Yeshiva of Bnei Brak, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of the Slabodka Yeshiva of Bnei Brak, and Rav Yitzchok Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi.

A historic event took place today at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in honor of Chof Alef Kislev, as the kehillah of Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the miraculous salvation of the Divrei Yoel of Satmar.
The event was graciously sponsored by mega philanthropist R’ Yoel Landau, whose support of Satmar institutions is well know. His generosity and dedication to the growth of Torah institutions in Satmar have made him a beloved figure within the community.

This year’s annual 21 Kislev celebration of the miraculous Holocaust rescue of Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l (1886-1979), founding Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel, was celebrated last night by Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar’s kehillah in a massive tent on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg.
On this day in history, December 4, 1944, the Satmar Rebbe was aboard a train that crossed the border into Switzerland and to freedom. The deliverance was made possible by Dr. Rudolf Kastner, who bribed the Nazis and thus saved 1,685 Jewish souls.
Throughout the years, the 21 Kislev event was always a unifying occasion as Satmar chassidim from around the world sat together and held hands singing and dancing.

On Friday, just before 7:00 a.m., Chaya, a resident of the Gan Varsha area in Bnei Brak in her 80s, was expecting it to be another ordinary day. However, shortly after her husband left for Shacharis, a routine doorbell turned into a terrifying moment she will remember for the rest of her life. Two men, who pretended to be gas company workers, broke into her home, attacked her violently, and stole large sums of money and valuable jewelry.
The police are still working to track down the violent robbers. From the details of the incident, it appears the robbers had been surveilling the house and may have been waiting for the right moment before committing the robbery.