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Iran has delivered an updated proposal to the United States in an effort to ease tensions and bring an end to the ongoing confrontation between the two countries, but the White House reportedly dismissed the offer outright, according to a report by Axios citing unnamed sources.

The report said President Donald Trump remains interested in reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran, even as senior administration officials are simultaneously considering renewed military strikes following Iran’s reported refusal to accept several American demands connected to its nuclear activities.

According to Axios, Trump is expected to convene with his national security advisers on Tuesday to review possible military responses. The report cited two unnamed U.S. officials familiar with the discussions.

One source quoted in the report said that if Tehran refuses to soften its position, negotiations may continue “through bombs.”

Before receiving the latest Iranian proposal, Trump spoke by phone with Axios on Sunday and warned that time was running out for Tehran to change course.

Trump also cautioned that Iran would be “hit much harder” unless it became more flexible in negotiations.

According to the report, the revised Iranian proposal was transmitted Sunday night through Pakistani mediators and included new wording asserting that Iran has no intention of developing a nuclear weapon.

However, the proposal reportedly stopped short of offering specific commitments regarding uranium enrichment or Iran’s existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The report further stated that Iranian state-controlled media claimed the United States had agreed during talks to ease certain oil sanctions. But an unnamed source told Axios that Washington has no intention of granting sanctions relief unless Iran first takes reciprocal steps.

Axios reported that the United States and Iran are still not engaged in direct negotiations over the substance of a final agreement. Instead, the current discussions are indirect and largely focused on establishing the framework for future negotiations.

Some officials within the administration reportedly believe Iran’s decision to submit another proposal reflects growing concern in Tehran about the possibility of additional American military action.

Trump intensified his rhetoric Sunday, warning that Iran would be “hit much harder than before” if it does not quickly return with a stronger proposal aimed at ending the conflict.

The warning followed a Truth Social post earlier Sunday in which Trump wrote: “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”

{Matzav.com}

Lindsey Graham called Monday for President Donald Trump to take stronger military action against Iran, arguing that Tehran’s latest conduct and refusal to negotiate seriously require an immediate response from Washington.

In a message posted on X, Graham said Iran has continued escalating tensions across the region despite suffering significant military and economic damage during the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

“I have every confidence that President Trump fully understands the situation with Iran and will not continue to tolerate a refusal to negotiate in good faith along with Iran’s defiant aggression in the Strait of Hormuz and throughout the region,” Graham wrote.

The South Carolina Republican said Iran’s regime has only become more confrontational despite the pressure it has faced in recent months.

“A short but forceful response now would reset the conflict in all the right ways,” Graham added. “When it comes to Iran, it is imperative that we negotiate from a position of strength and dominance. We must finish what we started.”

Graham’s remarks came as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appeared to be stalling, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues tied to Iran’s nuclear program and regional aggression.

Trump warned Sunday that time was rapidly running out for Iran after rejecting what he reportedly viewed as an unacceptable response to a proposed peace framework from the White House.

“For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also recently characterized the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran as being on “life support” amid rising instability throughout the Middle East, according to a report by The Hill.

The ongoing confrontation has also shaken global energy markets, particularly following disruptions tied to Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. The tensions have driven oil and gas prices sharply upward.

According to AAA, the national average price for regular gasoline reached approximately $4.52 per gallon on Monday, compared to roughly $3.18 during the same period last year.

Drivers in California were reportedly paying an average of more than $6 per gallon.

Appearing Sunday on Meet the Press on NBC News, Graham reiterated his argument that military pressure on Iran should be intensified, saying the regime remains committed to sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the region.

“The longer the Strait of Hormuz is closed, the more we try to pursue a deal that never happens, the stronger Iran gets,” Graham said.

While praising Trump’s military decisions so far, Graham argued that additional targets and pressure options remain available to the United States.

“What President Trump has done has been amazing militarily, but there’s more targets to be had, and there’s things we can do to hurt [Iran],” Graham said.

Trump has consistently maintained that Iran must never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, even as some Republicans have privately expressed concern that a prolonged conflict could hurt GOP candidates politically ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Graham brushed aside those political concerns during the NBC interview.

“It’s worth losing my job,” Graham told NBC News. “If I had to give my job up to make sure Iran would never have a nuclear weapon, I would do it.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal jury on Monday dealt a major setback to Elon Musk in his closely watched courtroom fight against OpenAI, ruling that the billionaire brought the lawsuit after the legal deadline had already passed.

The decision was unanimous and came quickly, with the nine-member federal jury reaching its conclusion in under two hours after deliberations began Monday. Jurors determined that Musk’s claims were barred because the statute of limitations had expired before the case was filed.

Musk’s attorney told the court following the verdict that the legal team plans to preserve its ability to appeal. The ruling concludes three weeks of testimony and arguments that drew widespread attention throughout Silicon Valley and the broader technology world, featuring several of the industry’s most recognizable figures.

Among those who testified were OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Musk himself, Musk adviser and partner Shivon Zillis, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, and Satya Nadella, who leads Microsoft.

The jury’s ruling prevents what could have been a major upheaval in the artificial intelligence sector at a particularly sensitive moment. Musk is preparing a public offering tied to SpaceX after its merger with his AI company, while OpenAI is also moving aggressively toward an IPO of its own.

Musk, who contributed approximately $38 million to OpenAI before launching his separate AI venture xAI, had been seeking roughly $150 billion in damages. He also asked the court to dismantle OpenAI’s for-profit structure.

The lawsuit claimed that Brockman, Altman and OpenAI abandoned the organization’s original charitable purpose when they created a for-profit division and later secured billions of dollars in funding that transformed the company into one of the dominant forces in artificial intelligence. The complaint further alleged that Microsoft assisted the effort by investing approximately $13 billion into OpenAI’s commercial arm.

While testifying during the first week of the trial, Musk repeatedly summarized the case in blunt terms, telling jurors: “This lawsuit is very simple: It is not OK to steal a charity.”

At another stage of the proceedings, evidence showed Musk sending a message to Altman after details of one of Microsoft’s investments in OpenAI became public, describing the arrangement as a “bait and switch.”

Altman and the other defendants argued throughout the trial that Musk knew about — and even supported — OpenAI’s move toward a profit-driven model. Lawyers for Altman introduced evidence that appeared to show Musk agreeing that the company needed a structure capable of attracting traditional venture capital funding in exchange for equity in order to finance the enormous computing demands required to compete with companies such as Google.

Brockman also testified about a 2017 gathering at one of Musk’s homes attended by senior OpenAI executives, including Altman, Murati and Zillis. Brockman recalled that it was “clear there was a party there the night before,” with the home scattered with “confetti and cups.”

According to Brockman, whiskey was served during the meeting, and discussions surrounding a for-profit structure took place in what he described as a “celebratory” setting.

One attorney who frequently represents major technology companies, though not involved in the case, said he believed Musk’s position appeared to improve as the trial unfolded. The lawyer specifically pointed to Altman’s cross-examination, during which Musk’s legal team aggressively challenged his credibility.

“Musk has more of a case here than previously thought,” said the expert, who attended most of the proceedings. “The first 15 minutes of Altman’s cross-examination were devastating.”

Questions surrounding Altman’s honesty became a central issue for Musk’s legal team. Attorneys for Musk relied heavily on testimony from former OpenAI insiders, including former board members Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, along with former chief technology officer Mira Murati, all of whom suggested Altman was not always truthful.

“My concern was about Sam saying one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another person,” Murati said in prerecorded testimony played before a packed federal courtroom in Oakland, California.

During closing arguments last week, Musk attorney Steven Molo attempted to reinforce that point with a vivid analogy directed at jurors.

“Imagine that you’re on a hike, and you come upon one of those wooden bridges that you see on a trail and it’s over a gorge,” Molo said inside the federal courtroom.

“There’s a river that’s 100 feet below and it looks a little scary, but a woman standing by the entry to the bridge says, ‘Don’t worry, the bridge is built on Sam Altman’s version of the truth.’”

“Would you walk across that bridge? I don’t think many people would,” the lawyer added.

Altman pushed back on Musk’s repeated accusation that OpenAI had improperly transformed a charitable organization, responding during his testimony last week: “It feels difficult to even wrap my head around that framing.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have arrested a San Diego County man accused of attacking a Jewish individual during a heated anti-Israel protest outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson section of Los Angeles, where an event promoting Israeli real estate was taking place.

According to the United States Department of Justice, 28-year-old Zaid Gitesatani of Carlsbad, California, was charged by federal grand jury indictment with one count of committing a hate crime. He was scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles.

“The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law – every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.”

Federal prosecutors said the indictment, returned on May 5, stemmed from a June 23, 2024 gathering organized by a company known as “My Home in Israel,” which held an event at Adas Torah Synagogue to market property available for purchase in Israel.

Authorities said several pro-Palestinian organizations publicized demonstrations against the event, including one group that urged supporters to “stand against settler expansion.” Investigators allege Gitesatani traveled to Los Angeles specifically to participate in the protest.

According to prosecutors, a Jewish man identified in court papers only as “Victim A” was walking his dog near the synagogue during the protest when Gitesatani allegedly came up behind him and struck him in the jaw. The victim reportedly suffered pain, swelling and redness from the blow. Investigators said the suspect then blended back into the crowd after the alleged attack.

The indictment further alleges that Gitesatani later uploaded to Instagram a screenshot related to the incident alongside the statement, “Whooped the Zios today and we took their flag,” while also posting photographs of bruises on his knuckles.

Federal prosecutors also cited additional Instagram conversations allegedly sent by Gitesatani in the days afterward, in which he wrote, “I whopped 2 zios,” “whooped,” “I swung good on them,” “It was satisfying,” and “I [sic] hand it [sic] numb from punching him so hard.”

Court documents additionally allege that he shared another image from the confrontation on Instagram with the caption, “The Chosen People sometimes need a good smack to wake up.”

If convicted on the federal hate crime charge, Gitesatani could face up to 10 years behind bars.

Accounts from the June 2024 demonstration said anti-Israel protesters surrounded the synagogue and blocked Jewish attendees from entering. Pro-Israel demonstrators also arrived at the scene, and tensions escalated into physical confrontations involving pushing, shoving and punches between members of both groups.

Authorities also alleged that one anti-Israel protester used bear mace against counterprotesters and an independent journalist covering the scene. Police officers wearing riot gear eventually moved in and arrested one individual accused of carrying a “spiked flag” during the unrest.

Following the clashes, President Joe Biden denounced the violence in a post on X, writing, “I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.” He added, “Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship – and engaging in violence – is never acceptable.”

After the incident, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California had opened a formal investigation into the violence outside the synagogue.

{Matzav.com}

A federal jury on Monday ruled against Elon Musk in his closely watched legal battle over the future of OpenAI, concluding that the lawsuit had been filed after the legal deadline had already passed.

The decision came swiftly, with the nine-person federal jury reaching a unanimous verdict in under two hours of deliberations. Jurors determined that Musk waited too long to bring the case, causing it to fall outside the applicable statute of limitations.

Following the ruling, Musk’s attorney told the court that the legal team intends to preserve its option to challenge the outcome on appeal. The verdict brings an end to a three-week courtroom showdown that drew intense attention across Silicon Valley and the tech industry, with several major figures taking the witness stand.

The trial included testimony from OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, company president Greg Brockman, Musk himself, Musk adviser and partner Shivon Zillis, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, and Satya Nadella, the head of Microsoft.

The outcome spares the artificial intelligence industry from a potentially massive disruption at a pivotal time for the sector. Musk is preparing a public stock offering for SpaceX following its merger with his AI venture, while OpenAI is likewise moving toward its own anticipated IPO.

Years before launching xAI, Musk contributed roughly $38 million to OpenAI and later sued the organization seeking approximately $150 billion in damages, along with a court order reversing the company’s transition to a for-profit structure.

The lawsuit accused Altman, Brockman and OpenAI of abandoning the nonprofit mission on which the organization was founded by creating a for-profit arm that later secured billions in investment funding. The complaint also alleged that Microsoft helped facilitate the arrangement by investing around $13 billion into OpenAI’s commercial operations.

During testimony in the opening week of the trial, Musk repeatedly framed the case in stark terms, telling jurors: “This lawsuit is very simple: It is not OK to steal a charity.”

At another point during the proceedings, evidence showed Musk messaging Altman after one of Microsoft’s investments became public, describing the arrangement as a “bait and switch.”

Altman and the other defendants argued throughout the trial that Musk fully understood — and at times encouraged — OpenAI’s shift toward a profit-driven structure. Attorneys for Altman presented communications suggesting Musk agreed that attracting conventional venture capital investment in exchange for equity was necessary to finance the enormous computing infrastructure needed to compete with companies such as Google.

Brockman also testified about a 2017 gathering at one of Musk’s homes attended by senior OpenAI leadership, including Altman, Murati and Zillis. According to Brockman, it was “clear there was a party there the night before,” with the residence covered in “confetti and cups.”

Brockman said whiskey was served during the gathering and testified that discussions about creating a for-profit entity took place in what he described as a “celebratory” atmosphere.

One attorney who regularly represents large technology firms but was not involved in the litigation said the case appeared to gain momentum for Musk as the trial progressed. The lawyer pointed specifically to Altman’s cross-examination, during which Musk’s legal team aggressively challenged his credibility.

“Musk has more of a case here than previously thought,” said the expert, who attended most of the proceedings. “The first 15 minutes of Altman’s cross-examination were devastating.”

Questions surrounding Altman’s honesty became a major focus for Musk’s attorneys. The legal team relied heavily on testimony from former OpenAI insiders, including ex-board members Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, as well as former technology chief Mira Murati, all of whom suggested Altman was not always forthcoming.

“My concern was about Sam saying one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another person,” Murati said in taped testimony played before a packed federal courtroom in Oakland, California.

Musk attorney Steven Molo returned to that theme during closing arguments, using a vivid analogy to challenge Altman’s credibility before the jury.

“Imagine that you’re on a hike, and you come upon one of those wooden bridges that you see on a trail and it’s over a gorge,” Molo said inside the federal courtroom.

“There’s a river that’s 100 feet below and it looks a little scary, but a woman standing by the entry to the bridge says, ‘Don’t worry, the bridge is built on Sam Altman’s version of the truth.’”

“Would you walk across that bridge? I don’t think many people would,” the lawyer added.

Altman responded directly to Musk’s repeated accusation that OpenAI had effectively stolen a charitable organization, telling jurors last week: “It feels difficult to even wrap my head around that framing.”

President Trump indicated Monday that negotiations with Iran may be nearing a breaking point, saying he is “not open” to any new concessions after Tehran’s latest response failed to satisfy the White House during ongoing discussions over a possible agreement.

In comments to The NY Post, Trump also issued a vague but pointed warning, suggesting Iran is aware that significant developments could soon unfold.

The president appeared to dismiss Iran’s proposal from Sunday aimed at reviving diplomatic discussions, signaling a tougher stance as tensions continue to rise.

When reminded of his statement Friday that he could consider a 20-year freeze on Iranian uranium enrichment, Trump cut off the idea quickly, saying: “I’m not open to anything right now.”

He declined to elaborate further on the administration’s plans or the current state of discussions.

“I can’t really talk to you about it. Too many things are happening,” he said.

After returning from a fast-paced trip to China, Trump reportedly spent much of the weekend meeting with members of his national security team at his golf club in Virginia to discuss possible next moves regarding Iran. Additional discussions are reportedly scheduled for Tuesday, as several allies pushing for a more aggressive approach — including Sen. Lindsey Graham — continue urging the administration to restart military action if negotiations collapse completely.

Despite the stalled diplomacy, Trump insisted he is not irritated with Tehran, though he stressed that Iranian leaders understand the consequences the United States is capable of imposing.

“I can tell you they want to make a deal more than ever, because they know we’re—what’s going to be happening soon,” Trump said.

Asked about reports from regional sources claiming Iran may be trying to delay both nuclear negotiations and discussions over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said he was unfamiliar with those claims.

“I’m not hearing anything,” he said. “I can’t talk to you about it.”

Trump added that the high-stakes nature of the talks requires caution and restraint in public comments.

“It’s a negotiation. I don’t want to be stupid.”

A special rischa d’Oraisa gathering took place this week at the home of Rav Dov Landau, as talmidim of the younger division of Yeshivas Heichal Shmuel, led by Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Prober, arrived together with their rabbeim for an uplifting Torah discussion with the Slabodka rosh yeshiva.

The room came alive with energetic Torah debate as the bochurim engaged with the Rosh Yeshiva in spirited back-and-forth learning. Rav Landau challenged the talmidim with questions, and the talmidim responded with enthusiasm and depth.

During the gathering, Rav Landau delivered strong guidance about the proper approach to learning Torah.

“This is a major yesod in learning — to think,” the rosh yeshiva told the young bochurim. “Someone who thinks knows how to learn. Someone who doesn’t think only knows how to shout. A person has to think. Even if someone thought and made a mistake, that’s not terrible. But if he never thought in the first place, what was accomplished? A lamdan is someone who thinks. He can make mistakes. It’s permitted to make mistakes. It is not an avlah to make a mistake. The real avlah is not admitting to the truth.”

At the conclusion of the gathering, Rav Landau again stressed the importance of slow, thoughtful iyun and becoming immersed in Torah.

“Hashem should help that they should learn and delve deeply into learning, to be completely immersed in learning. The less rushed a person is, the healthier it is. Think about everything. And if someone makes a mistake once or twice, that is not terrible. What is terrible is when a person refuses to admit the truth,” he said.

“Learning has to be with immersion, the way a person becomes immersed on the night of the Seder. Completely absorbed. To be fully involved in the learning — that is the essence of learning. To think again and again. Making mistakes is not terrible. The Chazon Ish wrote to someone who did not want to admit the truth: ‘I am full of mistakes — sometimes in Gemara, sometimes in logic — and mistakes do not diminish the honor of the learner.’”

Rav Landau continued by emphasizing that genuine Torah understanding comes through straight thinking and honest pursuit of truth.

“To know how to learn means to think, to analyze, and then to think again. The main thing is what Rav Chaim Volozhiner already said: ‘The earlier generations were praised only for straight reasoning.’ The straighter a person is in his thinking, the greater he is,” the rosh yeshiva said.

“There can be arguments over what is considered straight thinking, but a person must strive for sevara yesharah. Cleverness and sharp ideas are wonderful — but only if they are grounded in deep thought and iyun. One must seek the truth. Sometimes you are right, sometimes the other person is right. The important thing is that the truth is right.”

The rosh yeshiva also urged the bochurim to listen carefully to one another and to their rabbeim.

“You must listen well to what the rabbeim teach you. Even when arguing with another person in learning, hear what the other person is saying. ‘Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha’ is not a song. It is a major rule in Torah learning,” he said.

He pointed to Rav Akiva Eiger as an example of a gadol who readily admitted when another talmid chochom was correct.

“How many times did Reb Akiva Eiger admit that the other side was right? The main thing is seeking truth,” Rav Landau said. “Hashem should help us learn Torah with a search for truth and succeed in that.”

Rav Landau also encouraged the talmidim to remain focused on Torah despite outside distractions.

“Other things are hevel havolim,” he declared. “We know that the truth is Torah. That is everything. That is our essence. Learn, succeed, and grow in Torah learning, in Yiras Shomayim, in proper behavior, in listening to your rabbeim and honoring them.”

Toward the end of the gathering, Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Prober shared a well-known story about Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz. He recounted that Rav Boruch Ber once answered a question immediately, then retracted the answer, thought deeply about it, and afterward repeated the exact same answer — explaining that now it was an answer that came through genuine thought.

Rav Landau reacted warmly, saying, “Tanya nami hachi — Reb Boruch Ber says the same thing. Extraordinary. A person has to think.”

The rosh yeshiva concluded with heartfelt brachos for the talmidim as they prepare for entrance exams to major yeshivos.

“All yeshivos are good,” he told them. “But each person needs the place that fits him. One place fits this person, another place fits someone else. Hashem should help that each person should find the place suited for him. Kol tuv to everyone — rabbanan and talmideihem.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Dear Community Members,

We are reaching out on behalf of a family in our Lakewood community who is facing an urgent crisis that requires immediate assistance.

A local family is currently going through an eviction (in three days from now!) while simultaneously dealing with serious medical challenges. The father is experiencing health issues that have affected the family’s ability to maintain stability during this difficult time. They are in immediate need of approximately $13,000 to prevent displacement from their home.

Out of respect for the family’s dignity, we are not sharing all details publicly, but those who know the situation understand this is a genuine emergency involving real people in our community who need our help right now.

This is more than just a financial crisis, it’s about keeping a family together and housed during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. No family should face homelessness while also managing serious health concerns.

How You Can Help:

• Financial contributions of any amount will make a direct difference

• Share this appeal with others who might be able to help

Time is critical. This family needs our help now.

For those wishing to contribute or learn more about how to help, please visit: https://thechesedfund.com/oht/save-a-mishpacha-from-eviction

Please see the letter of support from the Roshei Yeshiva below.

May we all be blessed with health, success, and the ability to help one another in times of need.

Your fellow community members 

During his weekly shiur on Motzaei Shabbos, Rav Yitzchak Yosef spoke at length about the holiness of Shavuos night and the importance of remaining awake to learn Torah throughout the night with focus and dedication. The rav urged the public to treasure every moment of the night and avoid wasting time with unnecessary interruptions or conversation.

Drawing from the words of Chazal and the introduction to the Zohar, Rav Yitzchak explained the tremendous greatness of Leil Shavuos. According to the Zohar, the early chassidim would remain awake throughout the night immersed in Torah study with joy and enthusiasm.

“Anyone who learns Torah on this night is written and recorded in the Book of Remembrance before Hashem, and Hakadosh Boruch Hu Himself blesses them with seventy blessings and crowns from the upper world,” the rav said. He added with a smile, “There is no need to travel to rebbes or mekubalim — the Ribbono Shel Olam Himself blesses the person who learns.”

The rav also cited the Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer, which explains that learning throughout Shavuos night serves as a rectification for Klal Yisroel having overslept on the night before Mattan Torah, requiring thunder and lightning to awaken them. Rav Yitzchak encouraged listeners — especially yeshiva bochurim — to rest properly on Erev Shavuos so they could arrive fully alert and spend the night learning seriously without bitul Torah.

The Rishon Letzion then discussed the longstanding debate among the poskim regarding the preferred form of learning on Shavuos night. On one side stand the Chok Yaakov and the Vilna Gaon, who favored intensive study of Gemara and Shulchan Aruch over reciting the traditional Tikkun Leil Shavuos. On the other side are the Chida and the mekubalim, who emphasized reading the established tikkun based on the teachings of the Arizal.

Rav Yitzchak suggested a practical compromise that he said was followed in his yeshiva and approved by his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef.

According to that arrangement, the first half of the night — from after the Yom Tov meal until midnight — should be devoted to serious Gemara and halacha learning while a person’s mind is strongest and sharpest. The second half of the night — from midnight until sunrise — should then be dedicated to reciting the traditional tikkun together with a group, which helps keep people awake and energized.

The rav also clarified that women are completely exempt from both Sefiras HaOmer and the custom of reciting the tikkun on Shavuos night, adding that there is no reason for women to force themselves to remain awake all night.

During the shiur, Rav Yitzchak also addressed a practical halachic question involving tea and coffee consumed during the overnight learning session. Referring to a ruling that appears in Chazon Ovadia, he noted that the accepted ruling had been that a person who leaves to use the restroom in the middle of drinking tea or coffee must recite a new shehakol upon returning, since the interruption was viewed as a complete break.

However, Rav Yitzchak revealed that during one of his private learning sessions with his father, he pointed out a Ramban in Maseches Pesachim that appears to indicate clearly that using the restroom does not constitute an interruption regarding eating or drinking.

“My father read the Ramban twice, looked at me, and said: ‘Correct, you are right. Tell them that you showed me the Ramban and I agree with you,’” Rav Yitzchak recalled emotionally.

As a result, he ruled that someone who leaves באמצע drinking a cup of tea or coffee and later returns to continue drinking from the same cup does not make a new bracha, since using the restroom is not considered a halachic interruption for that purpose.

The rav also expanded on the halachos of changing rooms during a bread meal and the principle of safek brachos lehakel. He explained that although the Shulchan Aruch, Rif, and Rambam maintain that moving from one room to another during a meal can require a new hamotzi, the Rema and Tosafos disagree.

Rav Yitzchak ruled that despite the general practice of following Maran, because there is uncertainty in the matter, the rule of safek brachos lehakel applies and one should not make a new bracha after changing rooms.

He further rejected the extreme interpretation that eating without a bracha in cases of uncertainty constitutes “misappropriating holy property,” explaining in the name of the Rivash that such expressions were intended only to emphasize the seriousness of the matter. In practical halacha, he said, whenever doubt exists, the Torah’s rule is to refrain from making an unnecessary bracha.

Israeli police arrested five suspects Sunday in connection with an alleged large-scale fraud operation that investigators say targeted elderly victims, banks, credit card companies, and communication providers in a scheme estimated at roughly 10 million shekels.

The arrests were carried out in a joint operation involving the Tel Aviv District Fraud Unit together with Border Police forces operating in the Tel Aviv area. According to investigators, the suspects are believed to have committed serious fraud offenses, conspiracy, identity theft, burglary, and forgery on a massive scale.

Police say the investigation, which had been conducted covertly for several months, uncovered an elaborate operation focused primarily on vulnerable elderly individuals — including both living victims and deceased individuals whose identities were allegedly exploited by the suspects.

According to the allegations, members of the network broke into victims’ homes, impersonated them, and carried out financial transactions in their names, at times using the personal information of people who had already passed away.

The case reportedly began after complaints were filed by relatives of the victims as well as representatives of banks and credit card companies. Investigators gathered evidence from multiple incidents across the country, eventually connecting the separate cases and identifying the alleged members of the operation.

After the investigation moved into its overt phase, police raided homes in Hadera and Ashdod early Sunday morning. During the operation, officers conducted searches and detained five suspects for questioning, including two men in their 50s, two suspects in their 30s, and a 15-year-old minor.

All of the suspects were transferred for interrogation, and police said they are expected to be brought Monday before the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court for hearings on extending their detention as the investigation continues.

{Matzav.com}

The American-backed regional alliance aimed at countering Iran is showing signs of internal tension following a dispute between Israel and the United Arab Emirates over a reported meeting involving Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, according to a Middle East analyst, as concerns mounted Sunday over the possibility of renewed conflict with Tehran.

The controversy began on May 13, when Netanyahu’s office announced that the Israeli leader had held what it described as a “historic breakthrough” meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a “secret visit” to the city of Al Ain near the Omani border.

Shortly afterward, the UAE Foreign Ministry publicly rejected the Israeli announcement.

The ministry stated, “Its relations with Israel are public and were established within the framework of the well-known and publicly declared Abraham Accords. These relations are not based on secrecy or clandestine arrangements.”

The UAE added, “Therefore, any claims regarding undisclosed visits or arrangements are baseless unless issued by the relevant official authorities in the UAE.”

Middle East Institute analyst Natan Sachs told Fox News Digital that the fallout could carry significant consequences.

“The stakes are high,” Sachs said.

“I imagine the Israelis are working overtime to mend relations with the UAE, but it is too early to tell,” he added.

President Donald Trump spoke Sunday with Netanyahu as tensions involving Iran continued to intensify, with the Israeli premier declaring that Israel was “prepared for every scenario.”

According to the Times of Israel, the two leaders discussed the possibility of renewed military action against Iran as well as Trump’s recent trip to China.

Sachs, who serves as a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said the Israeli announcement appeared to create unnecessary diplomatic complications for the Emiratis.

“This seems like a diplomatic blunder because it embarrasses the UAE,” he said.

“This was an odd move to make since the UAE has been a close partner of Israel, even during this war,” Sachs continued.

“Either Netanyahu didn’t think, or he was thinking about something else — domestic politics. It would not be the first time he did that.”

Sachs also suggested that the leak itself may have damaged trust between the two countries.

“To the degree that the Emirati anger is genuine, it would have meant working to preserve trust with their Gulf Arab ally,” he said.

“I would also not rule out Emirati anger at the leak itself, which could be seen as a break of trust — something very important to the Emirati leadership.”

The Abraham Accords, arranged by the United States in 2020, reshaped diplomatic ties across the region by establishing formal relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

Since then, cooperation on security matters has grown considerably due to shared fears regarding Iran’s military capabilities and regional ambitions.

That partnership came under pressure after Iran reportedly targeted UAE military and energy sites during Operation Epic Fury.

According to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israel deployed Iron Dome defense systems and personnel to assist the UAE. Emirati officials confirmed Sunday that three drones approaching from the west had been intercepted.

“The UAE received much of the fire from Iran. It is the most vulnerable to Iranian short-range missiles, which are more plentiful and cheaper than the medium-range missiles fired at Israel,” Sachs explained.

“While short-range missiles can be intercepted, Iran has many more of them. The UAE took the most hits, yet it stood out by sticking most clearly to its strategy of open partnership with Israel.”

“But the public disclosure that Netanyahu himself visited may have just been seen as a step too far,” Sachs added.

{Matzav.com}

Firefighters were called to battle a blaze that erupted in a bochurim‘s dormitory at Yeshivas Tifrach in the town of Tifrach. Boruch Hashem, no injuries were reported.

According to Israel Fire and Rescue Services, emergency crews received reports through the 102 hotline regarding a fire that had broken out inside the dormitory building. Fire and rescue teams from the Netivot station, together with local volunteer units, were immediately dispatched to the scene.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames spreading through parts of the dormitory structure. Crews moved quickly to contain the fire, search the building for possible trapped occupants, and protect nearby structures from the spreading blaze.

Authorities said the incident ended without injuries, and firefighters succeeded in preventing the flames from causing even more extensive damage.

During a rare and fascinating discussion with members of Kollel Pnei Menachem, Rav Shaul Alter addressed a sensitive question touching on the relationship between a chossid and his rebbe, and whether learning differently from one’s rebbe reflects a lack of devotion or submission.

One of the avreichim asked whether a chossid who chooses a different style of learning than his rebbe is lacking in dedication to the rebbe or in his level of chassidus, particularly when he understands Torah differently from the approach taught by his rebbe.

Rav Shaul responded with unusual openness.

“Which rebbe today is directing people in methods of learning? Sanz? Boyan?” he asked. He explained that every person has his own personality, strengths, and connection to different styles of Torah study. According to Rav Shaul, a person must be honest with himself and find “his own understanding” within the vast sea of Torah.

The rosh yeshiva then illustrated the value of deep learning over speed by sharing a story about Rav Dovid Beharan. Rav Dovid’s chavrusa once noted that the Chofetz Chaim had written in one of his seforim — possibly Toras Habayis — a calculation estimating how many words of Torah a person can learn in one minute.

According to the calculation cited in the name of the Chofetz Chaim, a person can learn roughly 200 words per minute, and every word of Torah creates an angel.

The chavrusa questioned Rav Dovid about the fact that they had spent two full weeks learning a single Tosafos. Based on the Chofetz Chaim’s calculation, he argued, they had lost the opportunity to create a tremendous number of angels by not learning at a faster pace.

Rav Dovid replied with what Rav Shaul described as the essence of in-depth Torah study: “Yes, but from this Tosafos that we sat on for two weeks — a big angel comes out, not small angels.”

{Matzav.com}

A British Airways flight departing London’s Heathrow Airport for Washington was delayed for nearly three hours after a crew member accidentally opened an aircraft door and deployed the emergency slide just moments before takeoff, causing an estimated $136,000 in damages.

The aircraft was carrying approximately 336 passengers when the incident occurred shortly before departure. According to reports, a flight attendant who was only on his second flight on the job mistakenly believed he had been instructed to open the door, triggering the deployment of the emergency slide and bringing the flight to a halt.

As a precaution, the airline called emergency services to the aircraft. Passengers reportedly remained stuck onboard for close to three hours before finally being allowed to disembark, according to the British newspaper the Daily Mail.

A source described the incident as “a foolish mistake,” explaining that the crew member accidentally opened the door, activated the emergency slide, and completely disrupted the flight. The mishap reportedly caused major operational losses for the airline in addition to the lengthy inconvenience suffered by passengers waiting on the tarmac.

A spokesperson for British Airways said, “We apologized to customers for the delay to their journey, and our teams worked to get them to their destination as quickly as possible.”

The incident is not the first of its kind involving the airline. Last year, a similar mishap took place on a Heathrow-to-Brussels flight after an emergency slide was deployed on an Airbus A321 aircraft, forcing the cancellation of the flight and leaving passengers delayed for roughly three hours until a replacement plane was arranged.

Another similar mistake occurred in February 2024, when a captain preparing a flight to Romania accidentally activated an emergency slide while handing paperwork to crew members after failing to properly deactivate the aircraft’s door system. That incident reportedly caused damages estimated at approximately $50,000.

{Matzav.com}

A delegation of leading gedolei Torah visited Argentina last week as part of Keren Olam HaTorah’s global fundraising campaign to sustain the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel, drawing thousands of Argentine Jews to a series of receptions, gatherings and chizuk events across Buenos Aires.

The delegation, which included Rav Yaakov Hillel, Rosh Yeshivas Ahavat Shalom; Rav Avraham Salim, Rosh Yeshivas Meor Hatorah; Rav Yosef Chevroni, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron; Rav Chaim Peretz Berman, rosh yeshiva of Ponevezh; Rav Shimon Galai, and Rav Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, landed Tuesday afternoon and immediately went to the Alvear Hotel, where they davened Mincha before being escorted to a public kabbalas panim at the Shuva Yisrael kehillah.

The beis medrash of Shuva Yisrael was filled beyond capacity, with thousands of men, women and children spilling into an overflow hall outfitted with screens. Boys and girls lined the streets waving flags and balloons as the rabbanim entered.

Rav Avraham Antebi, president of Shuva Yisrael, opened the reception by noting the rarity of the moment. “It is remarkable that at the edge of the world, roshei yeshiva have gathered together,” he said, adding that the visit fell on the exact date, 25 Iyar, that Rav Aharon Leib Steinman zt”l visited the same beis medrash twenty years earlier. He thanked philanthropist Andy Meta, whose support, he said, made the visit possible.

Rav Yaakov Hillel spoke of the approach of Shavuos and the obligation to protect Torah and chinuch in every generation. “There are people who want to distance us from the Torah,” he told the crowd. “But Am Yisrael continues moving forward, protecting its children so they will guard and fulfill the Torah.” He praised the growth of Argentine Torah institutions, including local yeshivos ketanos, kollelim and chinuch mosdos.

Rav Malkiel Kotler delivered an address, building on the theme of Shavuos and ahavas haTorah. “We never dreamed that Torah would grow in such a way, even in places like these,” he said. He explained that the yom tov of Shavuos is named for the weeks of preparation rather than the day of Matan Torah itself because the yom tov reflects the love and yearning that Klal Yisroel demonstrates toward kabbalas haTorah. “When we truly love the Torah and genuinely desire it, the same energy that existed at the moment of maamad Har Sinai is awakened once again,” he said.

A formal gala dinner followed, chaired by Rav Dovid Basul. Tzipora Meta, mother of Andy Meta and the daughter of Holocaust survivors, spoke of her parents’ mesirus nefesh to maintain Yiddishkeit during the war years. “Yiddishkeit is with Torah,” she told donors. “Let every person contribute in whatever way they can.”

Dr. Paul Volosov, told the audience that the Israeli government’s longstanding support for Torah mosdos has ended, leaving a gaping void. “The Torah of Klal Yisroel deserves a permanent fund that guarantees its continuity,” he said, noting that he was among the first four donors to pledge towards the $100 million goal. “But it is still not enough.”

Philanthropist Barry Jeremias, addressing the assembled donors, said the trip had reversed the delegation’s expectations. “We thought that we were coming to strengthen the Argentine kehilla, but it was exactly the opposite,” he said, citing the thousands who came out to greet the rabbanim. He noted that Keren Olam HaTorah currently supports 1,650 yeshivos, with funds going entirely toward Torah institutions.

Rav Yosef Chevroni invoked the bracha given to Avraham Avinu, “ויוצא אותו החוצה,” explaining that Klal Yisroel has always been called to accomplish what appears impossible. “The olam haTorah is in danger,” he warned. Quoting his twelve-year-old granddaughter at his Pesach seder, he said the secret of Jewish continuity is captured in four words: “Ten li Yavneh v’chachameha.”

Rav Chaim Peretz Berman addressed why mosdos hatorah depend on the generosity of others rather than nissim. “Hakadosh Boruch Hu wants spirituality to rest within the hearts of Am Yisrael,” he said. “He does not merely want a mishkan or a divine presence in the world. He wants the nediv lev from every single Jew.” He added pointedly: “Would that the honor being shown here to the chachmei Yisrael would also exist in Eretz Yisrael itself.”

The following day, the rabbanim davened Shacharis at Kehillas Yeshurun, led by Rav Yosef Meta, and visited the Toratenu school, where they addressed its talmidim. Rav Berman told the children that they are the future leaders of Klal Yisroel and invoked the gemara about Mordechai gathering children to learn Torah during the gezeirah of Haman. Rav Galai told the talmidim, “It is through the voice of children who study Torah that the world is sustained.”

An assembly bringing together rabbanim from all Argentine kehillos closed out the public program. Rav Avraham Salim urged the assembled rabbanim to focus on chinuch and to address the dangers of technology. Rav Berman spoke about the achrayus of a rav, drawing on the exchange between Moshe Rabbeinu and Yehoshua descending from Har Sinai. “If you want to be a leader, you must know what the people need,” he said.

Rav Galai, who closed several of the events with energetic singing and dancing, shared at one point that doctors had told him 25 years ago he would never walk properly again following physical therapy. “Now you can all see that it was the doctor who was crazy,” he said. “Because we depend on the Borei Olam, not on the doctors.”

President Trump has agreed to withdraw his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS as part of a settlement that includes a formal apology and the creation of a $1.776 billion federal fund intended to compensate Americans who believe they were unfairly targeted by the government.

The newly created Justice Department initiative, known as the Anti-Weaponization Fund, will allow individuals and organizations to apply for financial compensation if they believe they were subjected to politically motivated treatment by federal authorities. Eligible applicants could include people prosecuted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as well as Hunter Biden, according to a senior administration official who spoke with The Post.

“The point of this isn’t to make every January 6-er a millionaire,” the official said. “The point is to compensate, and to give entitled people back some of their dignity and some of what they lost, including money, whether it’s for legal fees or other costs associated with what they went through.”

Although Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization were among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the IRS, none of them will be permitted to seek money from the compensation fund. Instead, they will receive an official apology from the federal government.

The agreement announced Monday does not impact Trump’s other legal claims tied to the FBI’s August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago or allegations involving the FBI’s investigation into supposed ties between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.

After returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump repeatedly pledged to dismantle what he described as the political weaponization of federal agencies. During his second inaugural address, he declared: “Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents — something I know something about.”

The settlement was finalized as both Trump and the Justice Department faced an approaching legal deadline requiring them to explain why the lawsuit against the IRS should continue moving forward.

Officials said applications to the Anti-Weaponization Fund will be evaluated based on several factors, including the merit of the claim, the claimant’s own conduct, legal expenses incurred, and whether the applicant has already received other forms of compensation or relief.

Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal tax and firearm charges before later receiving a pardon from his father, President Joe Biden, could potentially qualify to seek compensation because of the significant legal bills he accumulated. His legal team is reportedly still pursuing payment for millions of dollars in fees.

“I potentially expect it,” the official said when asked if Hunter Biden could file a claim. “Whether the commissioners will agree with that, and feel like he needs to be compensated, is something that, I think we’ll have to see.”

Administration officials emphasized that eligibility for the program is not restricted based on political affiliation or which administration carried out the alleged misconduct. Both individuals and organizations will be allowed to submit claims.

“We didn’t limit it in that way, because we really viewed it as, and actually this is what the president has said, which is that the Department of Justice was used as a weapon for reasons that are totally wrong, and if Hunter Biden believes that the Department of Justice was used as a weapon against him, he’s allowed to apply.”

The compensation program will be overseen by a six-member board. Five members will be selected by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, while another appointment will be made after consultation with congressional leadership. The president will retain authority to remove board members at any time.

“The whole point of why we’re doing this is because weaponization comes in many different forms, and having five commissioners, who kind of bring their own unique perspective to how to remedy it, was really our goal,” the administration official said.

According to another senior administration official, Blanche has not yet finalized his appointments to the board, though consultations with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are expected soon.

The board will have authority to issue apologies, approve financial compensation, or seek additional records and information from both applicants and government agencies before making determinations.

Any approved claims will remain subject to federal transparency laws, including FOIA requirements and government audits, and reports regarding payouts will have to be submitted to the attorney general.

The Anti-Weaponization Fund is scheduled to expire on Dec. 15, 2028. Any money left unused at that point will return to the federal government.

Federal compensation programs of this kind have existed before. In 2010, the Obama administration resolved the Keepseagle v. Vilsack lawsuit involving Native American farmers by creating a $680 million compensation fund and providing as much as $80 million in farm loan debt relief.

Trump and the other plaintiffs filed their lawsuit against the IRS on Jan. 29, accusing the agency of failing to safeguard confidential tax records that were leaked to The New York Times in 2019.

Chaz Littlejohn, a contractor working for the IRS, later admitted to illegally disclosing the tax information. He pleaded guilty to unauthorized disclosure charges and received a five-year prison sentence in January 2024.

Littlejohn was also responsible for leaking tax information belonging to thousands of affluent Americans to ProPublica, prompting additional lawsuits against the federal government from some of those affected.

{Matzav.com}

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the Department of Justice is actively investigating allegations of wrongdoing tied to the 2020 presidential election and promised that any findings uncovered by federal investigators would eventually be made public.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” host Maria Bartiromo referenced comments from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles suggesting that evidence may emerge showing President Donald Trump actually carried certain states in the 2020 race.

“So, [White House chief of staff Susie Wiles] just said that we’re going to find out that President Trump actually did win certain states in the 2020 election,” Bartiromo said. “Now, the president says all the time that the election was rigged. What have you done about that? Do you have any evidence that the election was rigged? What can you tell us?”

Blanche responded by claiming there is already substantial evidence supporting concerns about the election.

“Well, there’s a ton of evidence that the election was rigged. That’s not something the DOJ needs to tell you about. There’s been evidence about that for many, many years. What I can tell you is that we have multiple investigations going on in Arizona, in Georgia, in Fulton County, Georgia. And that’s exactly what we’re looking at, is, we’re — by the way, this is very difficult, because they’re very good. They’re very good at hiding up misconduct and hiding what they’re doing. And so that’s why we’re very focused on finding out whether the right people voted, whether people who were supposed to vote voted, whether there was one vote cast per voter. And that’s what we’re doing in multiple states. And I expect — and, again, people — you will say to me, how long is it taking? Why is it taking so long?”

The acting attorney general acknowledged that the investigations are taking significant time, saying investigators are relying on traditional law enforcement methods to examine what occurred during the election.

“And the reality of the answer to that is because it takes a lot of work to uncover what happened in 2020,” he continued. “It takes a lot of old, good old-fashioned law enforcement, police work, which is what we’re doing. And we have great prosecutors working on it as well. And I expect that — and I assure you, I assure the American people that as soon as we have something to say for it, whether it’s charges, whether it’s a report, whether it’s the results of an investigation, the American people will learn about what we uncovered.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Minister Dudi Amsalem spoke Sunday about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Draft Law, forcefully defending the olam haTorah and accusing opponents of unfairly targeting the chareidi tzibbur with what he described as exaggerated and unrealistic claims.

Speaking at the Association of Municipal Corporations conference in Eilat, Amsalem stressed the central role of Torah learning in the existence of Klal Yisroel and compared the contribution of lomdei Torah to that of soldiers fighting on the front lines in Gaza.

“Without the Torah, there is no Nation of Israel. I view anyone who studies Torah as contributing no less than a soldier currently fighting in Gaza. There is no difference between them. The IDF has a surplus of combat soldiers in whom billions have been invested – yet the military allows itself to be dragged along by the toxic rhetoric of the left. If all the haredim were to enlist tomorrow, the left would be protesting at Kaplan Square shouting ‘don’t draft them,'” Amsalem said.

He then launched a harsh attack against the Israeli left, blaming it for deepening divisions within the country.

“We have been through four horrific, terrible years, and I have come to the conclusion that the left in Israel is the most violent and anti-democratic element in the country,” he said.

Addressing the issue of judicial reform and the coalition’s plans moving forward, Amsalem said the government intends to continue pressing ahead with the legislation despite opposition.

“There are three or four million David Zinis in this country. The same goes for [Roman] Gofman. We will pass the reform by both force and intellect,” he stated.

Amsalem also offered his prediction regarding the timing of the next elections, saying he believes Israelis will likely head to the polls shortly after the Yomim Noraim if the current political timetable remains unchanged.

“The elections will take place after the Yomim Noraim, if they are held on schedule. A month here or there doesn’t matter. In my opinion, it will be sometime in September,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Chareidi filmmaker Tali Avrahami pushed back against calls to protest a women-only screening of her latest film in Herzliya, accusing critics of engaging in what she described as “anti-liberal bullying.”

The event, scheduled to take place Sunday evening at the Herzliya Cinematheque, will feature a screening of Avrahami’s new film for women only. Controversy erupted after activist Naor Narkis announced online that he and several others had purchased tickets and planned to attend in protest of what he called “gender separation.”

Narkis wrote that “it is impossible in the name of pluralism to allow a dark policy of gender separation.”

Responding to the criticism, Avrahami said the evening was intended as “a cultural event for women who want to enjoy themselves in an environment that is comfortable for them.” She added that intentionally coming to the event in order “to provoke or ruin an evening women were looking forward to” ultimately harms women themselves.

According to Avrahami, “If a woman wants to attend a women-only evening, that is her full right. True equality does not mean everyone has to live the exact same way.”

Despite the backlash and online calls to protest the screening, Avrahami said the event will go ahead as planned.

One of the most historically significant properties connected to the Vizhnitzer Chassidic dynasty in Eretz Yisroel is poised to be sold in a major real estate transaction worth more than 32 million shekels. The historic building at 13 Feirberg Street in Tel Aviv — where the Damesek Eliezer of Vizhnitz established the first Vizhnitzer yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel during the dark years of World War II — is expected to be sold to the “Teri Finansi” company, controlled by Eti Richman.

The deal, which is currently awaiting final approval from the Tel Aviv District Court, comes on the 90th yahrtzeit of the Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz, father of the Damesek Eliezer. The nearly century-old property is slated to be sold for the full appraised value of 32.25 million shekels.

The building itself, known for its classic architecture, high ceilings, and vintage windows, occupies a revered place in Vizhnitzer history. The Damesek Eliezer originally received the structure as a gift from the wealthy philanthropist Reb Ephraim Fishel Feldman, one of the great supporters of Vizhnitzer chassidus.

In 1944, the Damesek Eliezer, son of the holy Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz, arrived in Eretz Yisroel after escaping war-torn Europe. During the height of the destruction sweeping across European Jewry, the rebbe established a major center of Torah within the Tel Aviv building and founded the “Bais Yisroel V’Damesek Eliezer” yeshiva there — the institution that would later become the foundation for the Vizhnitzer Torah empire in Eretz Yisroel after the war. Only two years later, in 1946, the rebbe was niftar without leaving children.

During that period, the Damesek Eliezer granted his nephew, the Vizhnitzer rebbe Rav Chaim Yehuda Meir, permission to live in a special apartment that had been constructed atop the building.

Around 1958, ownership of the property began changing hands. The heirs of the Damesek Eliezer — his brothers, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz and the Mekor Boruch of Seret-Vizhnitz — sold their shares in the property to Reb Simcha Ernster and to the widow of the Damesek Eliezer.

The building’s rooftop apartment continued to house Rebbetzin Retza Hager, wife of the Visheva rebbe. Following her husband’s passing, she later remarried Rav Schlesinger. In 1974, the rebbetzin amended her will and directed that ownership of the building remaining under her control eventually pass to the “Tiferes Menachem V’Ohel Meir” kollel. To facilitate the implementation of the will, the “Hekdesh Hager” trust was formally established in 1978 in memory of Rav Chaim of Visheva and Rebbetzin Retza.

Over the next fifty years, the aging structure deteriorated significantly. When the current trustees, attorneys Nimrod Teper and Shmuel Appel, were appointed in 2021, they discovered a severely neglected property plagued by major financial and maintenance problems. According to reports, there were no organized rental agreements, the trust was operating with ongoing deficits, and the building suffered from major plumbing leaks, collapsing sewage lines, and municipal safety concerns serious enough to place it on Tel Aviv’s dangerous structures list.

To stabilize the property and pay off mounting municipal tax debts, the trustees reportedly took out a mortgage of 750,000 shekels. At the same time, the building became the center of complicated legal battles involving former trustees, including Rav Boruch Hager and Rav Mordechai Lustig, members of the Hager family seeking trustee appointments, and a tenant who attempted to purchase the property at a reduced price.

Today, the property contains ten residential apartments along with the “Damesek Eliezer” bais medrash, which spans roughly 204 square meters and is currently undergoing renovations.

In 2024, the District Court formally authorized the trustees to move ahead with the sale. Based on an appraisal prepared by real estate assessor Motti Zeid, the minimum price was fixed at 32.25 million shekels. Although twelve companies reportedly purchased the bidding documents, only “Teri Finansi” submitted an offer meeting the required amount and has already deposited ten percent of the purchase price.

Much of the current discussion surrounding the sale centers on the fate of the enormous proceeds. According to the rebbetzin’s will, the beneficiary is the small Yerushalayim-based “Tiferes Menachem V’Ohel Meir” organization, whose declared purpose is operating batei knesses and Torah and chesed institutions. Financial records reportedly show that the organization’s annual operating budget in 2024 was only about 146,000 shekels — meaning the sale proceeds equal more than two centuries of its ordinary yearly funding.

In court filings, the trustees stressed that the funds will not immediately be distributed. “The trust will continue to exist regarding the net financial proceeds that will be received,” the filing states. The trustees are expected to later submit a separate request determining whether the funds will be preserved as a permanent endowment, used to purchase a replacement property, or directed toward Torah institutions — all subject to consultation with Israel’s Registrar of Trusts and final court approval.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the story involves speculation over whether any of today’s major Vizhnitzer courts will ultimately benefit from the sale. According to the report, none of the present-day Vizhnitzer factions in Eretz Yisroel or abroad are expected to receive any portion of the inheritance, since the elder Vizhnitzer rebbes of previous generations already sold all of their rights to the property decades ago in 1958.

{Matzav.com}