Feed aggregator

The IDF announced Tuesday morning that a reservist soldier was killed and several others were wounded in separate incidents tied to ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that Sergeant Major (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, 30, from Katzrin, who served as a firefighting vehicle driver in the 188th Brigade, was killed during combat in the region.

In the same incident in which Bianco was killed, the military reported that one reservist sustained moderate injuries, while two others were lightly hurt.

All of the wounded were transported to a hospital for treatment, and their families were informed.

Separately, on Monday evening, the IDF disclosed that eight soldiers were injured during operational activity in southern Lebanon after an explosive drone struck the area.

According to the report, the drone crashed and detonated near IDF troops, causing injuries to those stationed nearby. Two soldiers were reported to be in moderate condition, while six others suffered light wounds.

The injured soldiers were treated at the scene before being evacuated to a hospital for continued care. Their families have also been notified.

At the same time, IDF forces from Division 98 — including units from the Paratroopers, Commando, and Givati brigades — are continuing efforts to broaden the security zone in southern Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}

As tensions mount over Israel’s draft policies, Israeli commentators warned that the real objective behind recent legal and political moves is not military enlistment, but a broader campaign targeting the chareidi ציבור and the עולם התורה.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s main program, analysts Avi Blum and Yaakov Rivlin discussed the wider implications of current events, from President Donald Trump’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz to political developments in Hungary, focusing on what they described as an existential threat to the Torah world and what they called the judiciary’s silence in the face of escalating incitement.

Host Avi Mimran opened the discussion by drawing a comparison to developments abroad: “We are seeing what is happening in Hungary. A newly elected prime minister wakes up in the morning and asks the president of the Supreme Court and the attorney general to resign. Here it doesn’t work that way — the High Court preserves its power.”

Rivlin outlined what he described as a troubling logistical and moral scenario following the issuance of arrest orders for tens of thousands of yeshiva students: “Where exactly are they going to put all these detainees? We are talking about close to 43,000 people. Member of Knesset Lieberman suggested reopening the Ktzi’ot detention camp. I served there in the reserves 30 years ago — I remember the barbed wire fences, the concrete grounds, and the tents. We are talking about Holocaust Remembrance Day, and they want to open detention camps here for tens of thousands of people? The connotation cries out to the heavens. When the state was established, is this what Holocaust survivors dreamed of? That this is what would await them here?”

He went further, sharply criticizing both the petitioners and the judiciary: “When a lawyer sits and smiles and says, ‘We will dismantle the Torah world,’ he is expressing what the judges are thinking. The goal is to starve chareidi families, so that children will look for food in garbage cans. This is an all-out war led by Justice Yitzchak Amit.”

Blum argued that the court must publicly condemn such statements: “We saw letters from coalition leaders warning that if Ben Gvir is removed or the prime minister is declared incapacitated, there will be a constitutional crisis. But why isn’t any chareidi MK getting them to sign a demand that Yitzchak Amit publicly condemn the statement about dismantling the Torah world? This needs to be leveraged in our favor.”

He also expressed shock at what he described as silence from the incoming Supreme Court president: “Someone sits and says, ‘I am coming to dismantle the Torah world,’ and there is silence from those sitting on the bench. If such a statement had been made about the Arab or Ethiopian community, the world would be outraged. This is outright antisemitism. When the president of the Supreme Court does not publicly condemn this the moment he hears it, he is giving it legitimacy. The coalition must stand up and demand a complete condemnation. Our blood has been made permissible.”

{Matzav.com}

The brother of two boys swept out to sea off the coast of Netanya delivered an emotional appeal to the public, urging increased tefillah and personal growth as the family endures an agonizing ordeal.

Since Friday, when the two Spiegel brothers were pulled into the water at Sanz Beach, their family — along with many across the Jewish world — has been davening continuously, hoping for the recovery of the brother who drowned and the healing of the one who was injured. In an interview on Kol Chai’s main broadcast, their brother, Chaykel Spiegel, spoke about the difficult days the family is facing.

Asked how to describe the current moment — a stretch of time filled with tension, uncertainty, and hope — he responded candidly: “I don’t know how to define these days. It’s not simple at all. What we are going through is what all of Klal Yisroel is going through — difficult days. Hashem wants us to draw closer and closer and is asking for it. If you had asked me two days ago what He wants, I would have said prayer, and that’s how I see it — He wants more and more, that we should pray even more. It is written that Hashem desires the prayers of the righteous, He loves the tefillos of the Jewish people so much, and if He wants more — then we will daven and daven.”

Amid the pain, Chaykel described the remarkable character of his brothers and the lessons he draws from their daily conduct: “I saw them so many times — my older brother and my younger brother — that they always thought: what does the other person want me to do for him? They would help me with my young children, they always thought about others. So much thought for other people, in matters between one person and another. They have so many good traits, on a level that is truly exceptional. A complete personal example.”

Toward the end of the interview, he asked the public to take on a practical commitment in their merit, centered on love for fellow Jews: “Anyone who can should take upon themselves to say every morning, ‘I accept upon myself the positive commandment of loving your fellow as yourself.’ Each person should pause for ten seconds before saying it — whether in shul or anywhere — and run through in their mind where they are going to be that day, and with whom they will fulfill this mitzvah. If I will be at a wedding in the evening, who will I meet there? Just quickly run it through once — a few seconds of thinking about the other person.”

Chaykel concluded with a message of unwavering faith, expressing confidence in the power of prayer and good deeds: “Everyone who hears this should continue to believe and strengthen themselves in faith. There is no power in the world that can determine what will be with them except for our Father in Heaven.”

{Matzav.com}

A heated city council meeting in Bnei Brak ended with a unanimous decision to step up enforcement against nighttime food vending machines after residents and educators warned that the machines are harming local youth and disrupting the city’s character.

An unusual scene unfolded during the session when a large group of mechanchim, neighborhood rabbonim, and resident representatives entered the council chamber, voicing urgent demands to halt the spread of automated food machines operating throughout the night. They argued that the machines are damaging both the spiritual atmosphere and quality of life in the city center, while also negatively influencing young people.

The discussion focused on a proposal introduced by city council member Zev Lipshitz, who raised concerns about what he described as a serious loophole on Rechov Ezra and Rechov Harav Shach. While local regulations require businesses to close by 11:00 p.m., he noted that vending machines continue operating without restriction, drawing teenagers late into the night. Lipshitz warned that the phenomenon is causing significant environmental and spiritual harm.

During the meeting, remarks were delivered by youth leaders in the city, including Rav Yisroel Roth and Rav Eliezer Zilberzweig, along with resident representative Rav Goel Turgeman. “They are destroying our lives, they are ruining our children,” one speaker cried out. The speakers described a noticeable spiritual decline around the machines, which they said have become gathering points for youth during late-night hours.

Residents presented troubling accounts of noise, filth, fear of going outside at night, and harassment affecting elderly residents. “The buildings have turned into a garbage dump,” one representative said, adding that many residents feel effectively trapped in their homes during nighttime hours.

Mayor Chanoch Zeibert expressed full support for the residents’ concerns and made clear that the municipality would act decisively. “Places that do not close after 11 at night will not operate earlier either,” he declared.

At the conclusion of the meeting, council members voted unanimously to increase enforcement immediately, with the goal of restoring quiet and preserving the city’s character in affected areas.

{Matzav.com}

The Machnovka Belzer Rebbe offered a sharp and unsettling response to questions surrounding missile strikes in Bnei Brak, linking the attacks to a serious spiritual failing and calling for deep self-reflection.

A follower posed the question directly: “Where is the promise that missiles would not fall in Bnei Brak?” — referring to assurances attributed to the Chazon Ish and other gedolim figures that the city would be protected.

The Rebbe responded with a pointed explanation: “A serious incident occurred during the winter, when during a protest in the city, a pair of tefillin and a prayer siddur book were burned when a police motorcycle was set on fire. One must engage in self-reflection.”

His remarks refer to an incident that took place during protests in Bnei Brak over the winter, in which tashmishei kedusha were burned. According to the Rebbe, such an act demands serious communal introspection.

During Operation Sha’agas HaAri, Iran launched 540 missiles toward Israel, with warning sirens in Bnei Brak activated 182 times, highlighting the intensity of the attacks.

Eight yeshiva bochurim, ages 16 to 18, were safely rescued after becoming disoriented during a hike in Switzerland Forest near Tiveriah, authorities said.

The group lost its way while trekking through the wooded area and eventually required assistance. Emergency medical teams from United Hatzalah were dispatched to the scene, where they provided initial treatment and coordinated the rescue operation.

Following efforts to reach the stranded bochruim, all eight were evacuated safely from the area using an off-road utility vehicle operated by the rescue team.

Officials said all of the bochruim were in light condition and did not require further hospitalization.

Earlier in the day, rescue teams were already dealing with additional complex incidents in the northern Dead Sea region, where hikers encountered difficulties along challenging routes.

In one case, three rappellers became stranded at the top of a waterfall approximately 72 meters (236 feet) high in Nachal Tamarim after experiencing a technical malfunction when their rope became stuck, cutting off communication with them due to poor reception in the area.

At the same time, emergency crews were called to a separate incident in Nachal Darga, where seven hikers were reported missing after losing their way.

The cost of raising a child in the United States has climbed past $300,000 over an 18-year period, reflecting a sharp increase of nearly 30% in just the last three years, according to a new financial analysis, the NY Post reports.

A report by LendingTree found that, after accounting for tax breaks and credits, the total average expense to raise a child has reached $303,418. That figure represents a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year.

On a yearly basis, parents are spending about $16,857 per child, with costs rising significantly during the early years. In fact, the first five years of a child’s life come with an average annual expense of $29,325, largely due to the high price of infant and toddler child care.

Despite the overall upward trend, the study noted a slight drop in expenses during those early years, attributing it to “a dip in day care costs.”

Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst and the report’s author, said families are already adjusting their lifestyles to cope with the financial strain. Some are cutting back on discretionary spending, while others are weighing more significant decisions, such as whether one parent should leave the workforce.

“We all wish that we didn’t have to crunch numbers and take finances into account when thinking about having a first kid or expanding your family, but the way costs are today, you’re doing yourself a bit of a disservice if you don’t,” he told The Post.

The financial burden of raising children comes as U.S. fertility rates fell to historic lows in 2025, continuing a downward trend that has lasted roughly 20 years. Much of that decline has been driven by a steep drop in births among teenagers and women in their 20s.

Among the various expenses analyzed — including housing, food, clothing, transportation, and insurance — infant day care emerged as the single largest cost, averaging $17,264 per year.

In certain states, those costs are even higher, with annual infant care reaching $22,628 in California and $20,439 in New York.

“When you factor in costs like infant day care that has seen practically hockey-stick growth in previous years … it all adds up to a really, really daunting situation for parents,” Schulz said.

Erica Sandberg, a consumer finance expert at CardRates.com, said families are increasingly finding ways to cut costs, including buying secondhand clothing or exchanging goods through social media groups instead of paying retail prices.

Some states far exceed the national average cost of raising a child. Hawaii ranks as the most expensive, with total costs reaching $412,661 over 18 years.

Alaska and Maryland follow as the second- and third-costliest states, with totals of $365,047 and $326,360, respectively, while California ranks fourth at $312,300.

New Jersey comes in fifth at $312,295, and New York State ranks 14th, with a total cost of $278,051.

On the lower end of the spectrum, states such as New Hampshire, Washington, DC — which provides free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds — and South Carolina are among the most affordable, with totals of $201,963, $202,115, and $204,213.

Families with young children are facing particularly heavy financial pressure, spending an average of 21.9% of their income on essential yearly costs. The analysis is based on a dual-income household with one child earning a median family income of $99,999.

Federal guidelines consider child care affordable only if it consumes no more than 7% of a household’s income.

In New York City, child care costs are especially steep. Data from City Comptroller Mark Levine’s office shows that in 2024, families paid an average of $26,000 annually for infant and toddler care. To afford care for a 2-year-old, a household would need an income of $334,000.

That figure is four times the median family income and roughly equivalent to earnings from 10 minimum-wage jobs, according to Levine’s office.

The price of child care has surged in recent years, particularly after the pandemic, with day care providers repeatedly raising rates. From June 2024 through last month, child care costs increased by an average of 8%, outpacing overall inflation, which rose 4% during the same period.

In less populated areas, a shortage of high-quality child care options has allowed providers to charge higher prices, Schulz explained.

He added that New York City presents its own challenges, as elevated labor and real estate costs make operating child care facilities especially expensive.

Sandberg pointed out that rising wages for child care workers — necessary to keep up with increasing living expenses — are another factor driving costs higher.

As more household income is directed toward child care, families are left with less money for other financial obligations, such as housing, transportation, small business investments, retirement savings, and emergency funds, Schulz said.

The issue of affordability has also entered the political arena, with some candidates — including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — advocating for free child care.

In March, Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $73 million in funding to create 2,000 free 2-K seats in the city beginning this fall.

Financial experts advise families to begin saving for child care as early as possible to ease the burden of rising expenses.

“I don’t think that it’s cause for alarm,” Sandberg told The Post. “I think it should be more of a call to action.”

Schulz recommended setting aside a small portion of each paycheck into a high-yield savings account designated as a “family fund.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to open a city-run grocery store in East Harlem is drawing criticism over its steep projected cost and potential impact on local businesses, with officials confirming the first location will require $30 million in taxpayer funding to build, the NY Post reports.

The proposed store will be constructed from scratch at the long-standing La Marqueta marketplace, a city-owned property, and will be operated by a yet-to-be-selected vendor. According to City Hall, that operator will benefit from a rent-free and tax-free arrangement, an incentive officials say is intended to lower prices for shoppers.

Mamdani introduced the initiative during a celebration marking his first 100 days in office, arguing that the favorable financial terms would allow the store’s operator to pass along savings to residents struggling with rising food costs. Still, nearby grocers are questioning both the scale of the investment and its practicality.

“How can they manage something like that? A small supermarket?” said Shaher, who owns and manages Healthy Choice near La Marqueta, laughing with disbelief.

Industry analysts are also raising concerns about the unusually high construction estimate. Adam Lehodey of the Manhattan Institute said that even in New York’s expensive, union-driven construction environment, a typical 25,000-square-foot supermarket should cost far less.

“Thirty million dollars for one store is exceptionally high, considering land prices are a significant part of the capital costs of new construction, and the city has announced that rents will be waived,” he said.

The East Harlem location is part of a broader proposal by Mamdani to invest $70 million in building five municipally owned grocery stores across the city. While La Marqueta has been identified as a key site, officials indicated that other locations—particularly those not requiring full construction—may open sooner.

City officials said a second store is expected to launch before the end of the year, with all five planned locations scheduled to be operational by the conclusion of Mamdani’s first term in 2029. In the meantime, the administration is actively searching for additional sites that would not require building from the ground up.

The grocery initiative was a central component of Mamdani’s campaign platform, aimed at addressing affordability concerns. However, critics have warned that publicly run supermarkets could undermine private businesses, with some likening the concept to “Soviet”-style markets. Billionaire grocer John Catsimatidis had previously warned he might shut down or sell his Gristedes chain if Mamdani took office.

Skeptics have also pointed to past failures of similar ventures, including a city-operated grocery in Kansas City, Missouri, that ultimately closed. Mamdani, however, has defended the concept by citing successful examples, including a government-run store in St. Paul, Kansas.

New York City already operates several public retail markets, including La Marqueta, which adds symbolic importance to the chosen location. Mamdani highlighted that history during his remarks marking his first 100 days.

“We will continue his legacy,” Mamdani said.

“We are building a brand-new store on city-owned land currently sitting empty in East Harlem, a neighborhood where nearly 40% of households received public assistance or SNAP in the past year.”

La Marqueta, along with Essex Market and Moore Street Market, is managed by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, which will also oversee the design and construction of the new grocery. Other public markets, including Gourmet Glatt, Jamaica Farmers Market and Arthur Avenue Market, are run by tenants under EDC supervision.

Local business owners near the site say they are bracing for a hit to their bottom line if the city-backed store opens.

Still, some residents say the neighborhood lacks access to quality groceries and welcome the idea of a new option, provided it proves sustainable.

City officials said the stores will be run by experienced third-party operators who will be required to pass along any subsidies directly to consumers through lower prices. Those operators will also be subject to strict oversight, including pricing controls, labor requirements, and reporting standards.

Tanya Sanchez, who owns Tanya’s Herbal Cabinet and has lived in East Harlem for years, acknowledged both the need for healthier options and the concerns of local shop owners. She said she does not expect the city’s store to completely displace existing businesses, pointing to past retail patterns in the neighborhood.

“People were going there first when it was brand new, but then a lot of people just kept continuing, going to their regular grocery stores,” Sanchez said. “So, it balances off.”

Fiscal watchdogs warn that the plan could become more expensive over time, especially given the city’s broader financial pressures.

“New York City has a challenging budget landscape; so far we have yet to see an analysis that shows this is the most cost-effective way to promote food security,” said Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission.

Others argue the city should instead focus on reducing barriers for established grocery chains to expand into underserved areas.

“I think the city is going to struggle to balance the delivery of a high-quality, affordable grocery store with all of the ancillary demands for above-market wages for store and construction workers and the city’s very slow procurement process,” he said.

“The grocery industry is low-margin, so heavy subsidy will be needed to counteract the these inherent inefficiencies, and I’m just not sure there’s going to be the political appetite for much of that for long.”

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a series of threats on Monday, warning that his group would kidnap Israeli soldiers “when the opportunity arises,” while sharply rejecting planned negotiations between Israel and Lebanon set to take place in Washington.

In remarks to the media ahead of the talks, Qassem denounced the diplomatic effort, declaring that “this negotiation is a surrender for Lebanon and takes away its strength. We reject negotiations with Israel. The negotiations are a series of unnecessary concessions.” He added, “Our decision in the resistance is that we will not rest and we will not surrender, and the battlefield speaks for itself.”

Qassem called on Lebanese officials to cancel the anticipated meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, urging what he described as a “historic position.” He appealed directly to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to stop making concessions and to join Hezbollah’s stance against Israel, saying: “After that, we will reach understandings on everything.”

Framing the situation as a stark choice, Qassem said that in the face of what he called Israeli aggression, there are only two options—fight or surrender—and insisted Hezbollah would never choose the latter. “Whoever wants to surrender can surrender alone, without us,” he said, adding that his group would continue fighting “until its last breath.”

He also reiterated demands tied to the existing ceasefire framework, including a complete halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, the return of displaced residents, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

In a more direct threat, Qassem warned that Hezbollah operatives would capture Israeli soldiers when conditions allow. He said the group has quietly prepared for confrontation, operating in a decentralized manner and engaging in what he described as “cat and mouse” tactics on the battlefield.

Addressing internal Lebanese tensions, Qassem said Hezbollah views all Lebanese—Muslims and Christians alike—as brothers, and accused unnamed parties of attempting to incite sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites, as well as to drive a wedge between Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement. He insisted such efforts would fail.

Qassem also pushed back against accusations from Gulf states, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, denying any Hezbollah presence in those countries. “What interest do you have in inventing things and accusing us?” he asked, claiming there is no evidence to support the allegations.

On Syria, Qassem stated that the Syrian people are free to determine their own future and said Hezbollah has no involvement in the country’s current phase. He added that both the Syrian leadership and public understand what he described as attempts by the United States, Israel, and others to create tensions between Syria and Lebanon. “We have no problem with Syria. Our only enemy is Israel,” he said.

In a message to Lebanese civilians displaced by the war, Qassem urged them to direct their anger toward Israel. Acknowledging the heavy toll of the conflict, he said the damage in Lebanon is significant but argued it would have been worse without Hezbollah’s actions: “If we had not fought, we would have paid a heavier price and lost everything.”

A new report indicates that negotiations between the United States and Iran have hit a significant obstacle, with Washington dismissing Tehran’s counteroffer on uranium enrichment limits following talks held in Islamabad over the weekend.

According to the New York Times, American officials proposed that Iran halt uranium enrichment for a period of 20 years during the discussions. In a formal reply delivered Monday, Iranian representatives said they would be willing to accept a suspension lasting no more than five years, according to two senior Iranian officials and one U.S. official. Trump has rejected that offer, the U.S. official said.

The report adds that the United States is also pressing Iran to transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium out of the country. Iranian officials, however, have refused to agree to that demand, maintaining that the material must remain within their borders. As an alternative, they have proposed significantly reducing its enrichment level to render it unusable for nuclear weapons.

The risk is that the Iranians would still have possession of the fuel and in the future might be able to re-enrich it to bomb grade.

While both sides are considering continuing the dialogue with another face-to-face meeting, officials say that no follow-up session has yet been scheduled.

{Matzav.com}

Klal Yisroel remains in deep mourning following the tragic petirah of habochur Yehoshua Raam z”l, a talmid of Yeshivas Grodna–Be’er Yaakov, who drowned at Ein Akev in the Negev. At his levayah, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein delivered words of chizuk and hisorerus, offering a perspective that moved all those present.

The niftar, the son of Rav Yisroel Noam Raam, a longtime talmid of Rav Zilberstein in Kollel Beis Dovid, was widely regarded as an exceptional ben Torah. His sudden passing has left the yeshiva world shaken, especially in light of the painful series of tragedies affecting bnei yeshivos in recent times.

Rav Zilberstein, who maintained a close connection with the family, expressed his anguish upon hearing the news and told the father earlier that day, “Everyone is sitting and crying; all of Klal Yisroel is crying together with you.”

On his way to the levayah, which began at the family’s home on Rechov Ben Zakai in Bnei Brak, the rav explained that formal hespedim would not be delivered due to the month of Nissan. Instead, he said he would offer words of nechamah. “To say words of eulogy is forbidden, since it is the month of Nissan, and to say words of strengthening and awakening for the generation — I am not worthy. Each person knows what he himself needs to strengthen and improve, and therefore I will say a few words of consolation to the dear parents.”

At the levayah, no formal hespedim were delivered — only divrei hisorerus, including remarks from the mashgiach of Grodna Be’er Yaakov, Rav Nechemia Friedlander. The procession went from the home to Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion, where the bochur had learned in his youth, and then to the beis hachaim in Elad, where he was laid to rest.

Rav Zilberstein opened his remarks by acknowledging the overwhelming shock. “We are standing here in astonishment. Words of eulogy are forbidden, and therefore we will not say them. But I want to share with this holy gathering a few thoughts that I heard from my rabbeim.”

He then shared a remarkable story. “I was walking in the street in Bnei Brak and saw a child standing with his father. The child said, ‘Father, you should know — in that house above they are giving shiurim, here they are reviewing, and here they are writing chiddushei Torah.’ The father stood there stunned and did not understand what was happening. He later met me, and I told him that I was going to my brother-in-law, Rav Chaim, the gadol hador, to tell him what happened and hear what he would say.”

He continued, recounting Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s response. “We came to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, and he said to me: I believe this child had already been in this world, and for some reason HaKadosh Baruch Hu decreed that he should return again. The meaning of this is that he had learned in this yeshiva in a previous gilgul. Usually a person forgets what was in a previous gilgul — but in this case, he did not forget. That is why the child was repeating things that had already taken place here. One must know that such a thing exists — that is what Rav Chaim told me.”

Speaking about the niftar, Rav Zilberstein praised both him and his family. “We are all learning in the same yeshiva with this great father — truly a glory, he and his family. And this righteous bochur was something extraordinary; he learned in a truly remarkable way. I have heard amazing things about him — that during this time of war, when others were not learning as much, he continued learning with incredible dedication. They say he sat and learned without interruption, and it is surely true. We know the father — may he be well — his mouth never stopped from learning.”

He then offered a deeply moving perspective. “It is possible — I am only sharing thoughts of the heart — that he may return again. I say this to the father: these are not words of consolation, but one must know that such a concept exists in Torah. He was here.”

Rav Zilberstein then delivered the line that left a profound impression on those present. “I want to tell you a fact: he did not pass away — he went away for a short time. It may be so. According to what my brother-in-law told me, this is not a permanent departure. He has gone for a short time and will return. This is temporary. You see the chevra kadisha here — it may be that what they are doing now is only temporary. He may yet return, whether you will know it or not.”

He continued in that vein: “This is not a case of someone who passed away and is gone forever. This burial is temporary. That is how one must look at it. This is not forever. This is the way HaKadosh Baruch Hu conducts His world with great mercy.”

At the end of his remarks, Rav Zilberstein proposed a meaningful initiative. “We, the members of the kollel, will do something. I will tell you my plan: We will publish a sefer of chiddushei Torah in his memory. You will write your pearls, and each of us will contribute as well. We will publish it, publicize it, and learn from it. We will accomplish great things in the world for the elevation of his neshamah. We will merit the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days, and you will have much nachas — amen.”

After Kaddish, just before the levayah departed, family members told Rav Zilberstein that they had discovered a personal notebook belonging to the bochur. For the past six months, he had written a daily cheshbon hanefesh, recording his personal spiritual reflections. At the beginning of the notebook, he had written “cheirem d’Rabbeinu Gershom.”

The rav was visibly moved and responded, “Now it is certainly permitted to read the notebook — and it is even a mitzvah to read it and strengthen oneself from it. In the sefer we will publish, we will include, bli neder, portions of the notebook, so that others will see and learn. From him, they will see — and so they will do.”

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between Israel and Russia have escalated sharply, with Moscow issuing an unusually severe warning following recent Israeli airstrikes near the nuclear facility in Bushehr.

According to a report aired Monday evening, the past month has seen repeated Israeli military activity in the area surrounding the reactor, triggering growing alarm within Russian leadership and marking a significant deterioration in relations between Yerushalayim and Moscow.

Sources say that in recent weeks — including in the days leading up to the ceasefire — Russia’s Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Israel repeatedly reached out to Israeli officials, cautioning that the strikes were placing Russian civilians and personnel stationed at the site in direct danger.

The tone from Moscow intensified after one particular strike that occurred in close proximity to Russian workers. It later emerged that Israeli forces were unaware of their presence at the time. Following Russia’s protest, the relevant locations were reportedly clarified.

In a highly unusual step, a senior Kremlin official sent a formal letter to a counterpart in Yerushalayim, delivering a blunt warning: “You are putting our people at risk. This is a dangerous game that could lead to a massive nuclear disaster with severe consequences for the entire Middle East. We call on you to stop.”

The message signaled that Russia is not merely voicing concern but is warning of the potential for a catastrophic nuclear outcome.

Israeli officials have maintained that the strikes were not directed at any Russian targets. Still, Russia has taken concrete action in response, evacuating nearly all of its personnel from the Bushehr nuclear facility and surrounding areas — a move reflecting the depth of concern in Moscow.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel today stands stronger than ever and is defending not only itself but the broader world, as he delivered a forceful address at the state opening ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem.

Speaking Monday evening, Netanyahu focused on the dramatic transformation of the Jewish people from the helplessness of the Holocaust era to the military and national strength of the present, while also addressing the ongoing confrontation with Iran and Israel’s alliance with the United States.

At the start of his remarks, the prime minister paid tribute to Holocaust survivors, noting that they are witnessing the Jewish state at its height. “We all embrace you with love – and we all salute this evening the torch-lighters of remembrance and heroism at ‘Yad Vashem’. The survivors, the victors of the Holocaust, merited to see the rebirth of Israel and contributed to it. But in these days they are witnessing something else of immeasurable importance.”

He contrasted the Jewish people’s condition during the Holocaust with the current reality. “In the Holocaust, the poet Uri Zvi Greenberg wrote that we were ‘a people being annihilated, like a wild animal being hunted’ – but in contrast to that, today our people are striking back fiercely against our enemies.”

Continuing that theme, Netanyahu said: “In the Holocaust we were a beaten animal that cried out in agony – but today we have a state stronger than ever, that roars with power. In Operation ‘Am KeLavi’, and even more so in Operation ‘Shaagat HaAri’, Israel stands with the United States at the forefront of the free world.”

The prime minister went on to outline what he described as major achievements in recent military operations, asserting that Israel has dealt significant blows to Iran’s leadership and capabilities. “Together we crushed to dust the regime of evil in Iran,” he said, adding that efforts to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles had been thwarted and that “This regime is weaker than ever. Most of its military assets have been lost.”

Netanyahu also revisited his longstanding position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Year after year I pledged – ‘We will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons’. I promised: ‘There will not be another Holocaust’. This year we fulfilled that promise in practice.”

In a pointed moment, Netanyahu raised the question of how history might have unfolded differently had a Jewish state existed during World War II or if Europe had acted sooner against the Nazis. Rejecting such speculation, he stressed Israel’s responsibility to act decisively now to prevent future threats, citing a series of recent military successes against what he called the “axis of evil.”

He also described a recent meeting with President Trump and a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor, Jake Wexler, recounting how the survivor stood in a synagogue in Miami wearing a yellow badge to the applause of those present. “I told Jake: following the Holocaust we promised ‘Never again’. We promised and we are keeping that promise.”

Highlighting Israel’s sovereignty and military capabilities, Netanyahu said: “We have changed the course of history. The independent State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces and Israel’s security arms express the renewed control over our destiny after hundreds of years of profound weakness.”

He added that while the establishment of the state did not end hostility or antisemitism, the consequences for Israel’s enemies are now dramatically different. “But unlike the past, those who seek to destroy us today bring upon themselves destruction on a scale they never imagined. And indeed we have destroyed large parts of the death industry that the regime in Iran developed over decades: the nuclear facilities, the missiles and UAVs, the naval fleet, the air fleet, and other weapons systems on a vast scale.”

Netanyahu warned that without Israeli action, key Iranian nuclear sites might have become synonymous with some of history’s most notorious death camps. “If we had not acted – the names Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan and Parchin might have been remembered in infamy just like Auschwitz and Treblinka, Majdanek and Sobibor. But we acted – and how we acted – in an unprecedented historic partnership with President Trump and with the United States.”

He emphasized the peak level of cooperation between Israel and the United States, saying: “On Holocaust Remembrance Day this year, we remember that the State of Israel stands at the height of its strength of all time. Who would have imagined 80 years ago that our brave Air Force pilots and American pilots would fly wing to wing to defend the Middle East, Israel, and of course the United States.”

Netanyahu also delivered sharp criticism of Europe, accusing it of failing to uphold moral clarity. “We are defending Europe. Europe that has forgotten so many things since the Holocaust. It can learn many things from us, and above all one essential lesson: the clear distinction between good and evil, which obligates one, at the moment of truth, to go to war for life.

Europe, which swore after World War II to defend what is good, is today afflicted with deep moral weakness. Europe is losing control over its identity, its values, its commitment to protect civilization from barbarism. But this eternal commitment – Israel does not forget.”

He concluded by reaffirming Israel’s broader mission alongside its allies. “Together with the United States, and together with other countries with whom we are forging alliances that will yet be spoken about – we are defending ourselves, and in fact we are defending the entire world!”

Closing his address, Netanyahu highlighted the unique achievements of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. “Dear Holocaust survivors, citizens of Israel, there is no other people that could have done what we have done: to bring about the tremendous transformation from Holocaust to rebirth – a rebirth rich with achievements that astonish the family of nations. The flourishing State of Israel will continue to serve as a beacon of freedom, progress and prosperity.

The fighters of Israel – who stand courageously on guard for the homeland – will continue to inspire, as it is said in the Book of Chronicles: ‘Mighty men of valor, men of war, prepared with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions.’ As a people of lions, we will continue, with Hashem’s help, to roar the roar of eternity: The people of Israel live!”

{Matzav.com}

The Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court has ruled in favor of a yeshiva bochur who filed a civil lawsuit against the Israel Police following a wrongful arrest and a mishandled criminal case that ultimately ended with his full acquittal.

The plaintiff, represented by attorney Barak Kedem, a partner at the Arbus Kedem Tzur firm, was awarded total compensation of approximately 414,000 shekels.

The incident dates back to December 2013, during protests in Yerushalayim against the conscription of yeshiva bochurim. The plaintiff, who was about 18 at the time and a recent immigrant from Australia, was taken into custody on suspicion of throwing a stone at security forces. According to the arrest report and testimony, Officer D. claimed he personally observed the bochur committing the act, maintained constant visual contact, pursued him, and ultimately apprehended him with the assistance of another officer.

However, that account unraveled when the bochur’s legal team presented photographic evidence and video footage contradicting the officer’s version. The materials showed that the officer was positioned at a considerable distance and was facing a different direction at the time of the arrest. In reality, the arrest was carried out by entirely different officers who were not mentioned in the official report. Furthermore, descriptions of a “chase” and “violent resistance” did not match what was seen in the footage.

In its decision, the court found that the officers were at minimum negligent in drafting the arrest reports and in providing testimony that did not accurately reflect what took place. The judge stressed that such reports form a critical foundation for prosecutors when deciding whether to file charges, making the discrepancies especially serious.

“The inevitable conclusion is, at the very least, negligence on the part of the officers… the content of the arrest report did not reflect the actual sequence of events.”

The lengthy legal ordeal and the arrest itself left a lasting emotional impact on the bochur. A court-appointed expert concluded that he suffers from Post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in a permanent disability of 10%. The court therefore granted damages not only for pain and suffering, but also for lost income and medical-related expenses.

Altogether, the police were ordered to pay 328,605 shekels, along with 23.4% in attorney’s fees (approximately 77,000 shekels), as well as reimbursement for expert evaluations and court-related costs.

Attorney Barak Kedem commented following the ruling: “The over-enforcement by the police against Haredi protests compared to other demonstrations was clearly evident in this unfortunate case. I am pleased that the court recognized the severity of the officers’ actions and awarded the victim appropriate compensation.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump handed a $100 tip to a delivery worker moments before delivering a major statement on the Strait of Hormuz, using the lighthearted exchange to highlight his push to eliminate taxes on tips.

The delivery was made by Sharon Simmons, who brought a McDonald’s order to the president just outside the Oval Office at the White House. As she handed him the food, she told him it was “your favorite food,” prompting Trump to joke to reporters, “It doesn’t look staged.”

Trump used the moment to promote his proposal to exempt tips from taxation, emphasizing its importance. “Tax-free tips are something special, very special,” he said. When asked whether the delivery worker had received an appropriate tip, Trump pulled out a $100 bill from his pocket and handed it to her. She responded briefly, “Yes.”

According to the report, Simmons — a grandmother of ten from Arkansas — earned about $11,000 in tips over the past year and has completed more than 14,000 deliveries since joining the platform. After the exchange, Trump invited her inside for a brief tour of the Oval Office.

The interaction comes as part of a broader proposal backed by Trump that would exempt up to $25,000 in tip income from federal taxes for individuals earning up to $150,000 annually, along with additional relief measures related to overtime pay.

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports is striking at a critical vulnerability for Tehran and could push the regime to reengage in negotiations with Washington, according to a former senior Pakistani official following unsuccessful talks over the weekend.

Retired Lt. Gen. Muhammad Saeed said he believes Iran will ultimately be forced to respond to what has been presented as a firm U.S. proposal. “This may prove totally wrong, but it’s my assumption that whatever option has been given to them as ‘Take it or leave it,’ they will come back on it — either saying ‘We accept it,’ or they will say, ‘We totally reject it,’” he said. “Or they will say, ‘These are adjustments we seek in your option.’”

Saeed added that Tehran has strong incentives to return to the negotiating table due to the mounting pressure on its population. “they know what economic hardships their people are facing.”

Iran’s economic troubles predate the current war, which began on Feb. 28. Years of international sanctions have battered the country’s finances, contributing to a sharp devaluation of its currency and sparking widespread protests that turned deadly in late December and early January.

“Irrespective of their perception of victory,” Saeed said, “they know what economic hardships their people are facing. They know the level of inflation. They know how terribly their own currency is.”

He also pointed to the regime’s military limitations as a key factor influencing its next move. “While they would keep firing drones and missiles for a few more days, they don’t have compatible military means” to counter the United States and Israel, “and they don’t have cost-effective military options to fall back on.”

The diplomatic standoff intensified after Vice President JD Vance presented Iran on Sunday with what he described as a “best and final offer,” leaving the next step in Tehran’s hands.

So far, Iranian officials have not publicly issued a clear response to the proposal, the details of which have not been formally disclosed. However, President Trump indicated Monday that there are signs of renewed interest in talks. “We’ve been called this morning by the right people, the appropriate people and they want to work to do, they would like to work,” he said at the White House, adding that Iran wants a deal “very badly.”

Former State Department official Mark Kimmitt suggested the blockade could encourage negotiations, though he cautioned that Tehran is unlikely to accept Washington’s terms outright. “The blockade of the Strait [of Hormuz] should bring the Iranians back to the negotiation table, but not immediately,” he said.

“While the Iranians might express a willingness to discuss uranium enrichment, it is highly unlikely the current Iranian leadership would ever seriously consider terminating the program.”

Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery emphasized that the blockade’s success will depend on how aggressively it is enforced. “This blockade only works if the US Navy is persistent and stops and detains enough Iranian ships to deter the regime’s ability to export fossil fuels,” he said. “If the Navy is successful at that, they have a chance to force Tehran back to the table for meaningful concessions.”

{Matzav.com}

Ari Fleischer is accusing John Kerry of making up a claim about Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s efforts to push the United States to strike Iran, igniting a fresh dispute over past U.S.-Israel discussions as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions remain high.

Fleischer, who served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush, forcefully rejected Kerry’s account, arguing that the timeline alone makes the claim impossible. “Kerry is the biggest fool and fabricator I’ve ever met. He says Bibi tried to get Bush to attack Iran. Small problem. Bibi wasn’t Prime Minister when Bush was president. Sharon and Olmert were. Kerry made this up out of whole cloth.”

Kerry’s remarks came during an interview in which he described conversations with Netanyahu about potential military action against Iran. In the exchange, he said: “I was part of the any number of conversations with Netanyahu.”

Jen Psaki asked him, “Pitching the US strike Iran?”

Kerry responded, “Yes, he wanted us to strike. He came to president Obama. He made a presentation to ask to strike. President Obama refused. President Biden refused. President Bush refused. The only president who has agreed to this, obviously, is President Trump.”

The disagreement centers on a long-running and highly sensitive issue — whether and how the United States should confront Iran’s nuclear program. Netanyahu has spent years warning that Iran’s nuclear efforts pose a direct threat and has repeatedly called for strong measures to prevent Tehran from obtaining a weapon.

Successive U.S. administrations, however, have taken differing approaches, ranging from diplomatic negotiations to economic sanctions and, at times, military pressure. The question of whether to carry out direct strikes on Iran has been debated behind closed doors for years, involving multiple leaders and shifting geopolitical realities.

Fleischer’s criticism focuses squarely on Kerry’s reference to President Bush, pointing out that Netanyahu was not serving as prime minister during that period. Netanyahu’s earlier tenure ended in 1999, and he did not return to office until 2009, after Bush had already left the White House.

Crime inside New York City’s transit system is on the rise, with new NYPD figures showing a notable increase in robberies on subways and buses, raising concerns among law enforcement officials and commuters alike, the NY Post reports.

According to police data, there have been 128 reported robberies in the transit system through April 5, marking a 21% increase compared to the 106 incidents recorded during the same timeframe last year. Experts warn that the upward trend may continue in the coming months.

While felony assaults dropped slightly by 6%, declining from 171 to 160, that figure does not account for three particularly violent attacks that took place Saturday, when a machete-wielding assailant targeted unsuspecting riders. Compared to 2019, felony assaults are still significantly higher, up 60% from pre-pandemic levels.

Murders within the transit system have also risen, with three reported so far this year, compared to none at this point in 2025.

Other categories have also seen increases. Misdemeanor assaults rose 12%, from 395 to 441 incidents, while petit larceny climbed modestly by 4%, increasing from 46 to 57 cases.

An NYPD spokesman noted that last year’s unusually low robbery numbers partially explain the current rise, adding that there have only been two more incidents this year than during the same period in 2019.

In an effort to address safety concerns, the NYPD had previously deployed an additional 300 officers to patrol trains in January 2025 under then-Mayor Eric Adams, focusing especially on overnight hours with two officers assigned per train.

That initiative led to a decline in crime, but subsequent overtime reductions introduced in February under Mayor Mamdani’s administration resulted in a pullback of those patrols.

“It’s concerning because summer is coming,” said former NYPD Detective Michael Alcazar, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“I think that just shows that the police department is really short on uniformed officers,” he said.

“I’m sure the bad guys are realizing that too,” he said. “They can almost predict where police are going to be and they’re timing it.”

Despite these concerns, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted an overall decrease in crime across the city, reporting a 5.3% drop citywide and a smaller 1.3% decline in subway-related offenses as of March 29.

“It’s really bad because people are pretty much forced to take the subway because of congestion pricing,” a longtime Bronx police officer said. “Now they’re forced to walk around with their heads on a swivel.”

Police officials say a significant portion of transit robberies involve younger offenders, with juveniles responsible for 34% of incidents so far this year. Authorities also noted that arrests have been made in 63% of those cases.

The spike was most pronounced earlier in the year, with robberies jumping 54% in January and February compared to the same period in 2025. Officials attribute part of that surge to harsh winter conditions that drove more commuters into the subway system. By March, the numbers had begun to ease somewhat, according to police.

Recent violent incidents have left riders increasingly uneasy. In one case, three friends riding a Bronx subway were assaulted by a group of eight individuals, who beat, kicked, and slashed them with a knife before stealing their electronic devices.

Mayor Mamdani had campaigned on reducing the NYPD’s budget, including plans to dismantle the department’s Strategic Response Group, which is tasked with handling protests and counter-terrorism operations.

As Israel celebrates 78 years since its founding, President Isaac Herzog is set to present the “Presidential Medal of Honor” to Argentine President Javier Milei, citing his outspoken and consistent backing of Israel since taking office in 2023.

Milei has repeatedly shown firm support for Israel in international forums, stood with the families of hostages, and voiced a strong personal bond with the Jewish people and their heritage. His administration has taken concrete steps to strengthen Argentina’s alliance with Israel, including diplomatic and security initiatives and the decision to move Argentina’s embassy to Yerushalayim, underscoring a clear commitment to Israel’s safety and global standing.

His actions reflect a deep personal dedication to Israel and to combating antisemitism. As part of his upcoming visit, Milei is expected to participate in the official Independence Day ceremony by lighting a torch and formally opening the Argentine Embassy in Yerushalayim.

The medal will be awarded by Israel’s president during Milei’s visit to the country, with the ceremony scheduled to take place at the President’s Residence. Additional details about the event are expected to be announced later.

The decision followed a unanimous recommendation from the Presidential Medal of Honor advisory committee, led by retired Supreme Court Justice Dr. Yoram Danziger. The Argentine president was formally notified of the decision through his country’s ambassador to Israel, with the message delivered by the Director-General of the President’s Office.

President Herzog accepted the recommendation and stated: “As early as the beginning of 2024, just a few months after the October 7th massacre, President Milei chose to make his first state visit as president to the State of Israel while a war was still underway. Together, we toured Kibbutz Nir Oz and together we wept at the sight of the destruction. Faced with the profound grief and trauma experienced by all of Israeli society, the President of Argentina offered courageous friendship and genuine partnership at some of the most difficult moments we have ever known.

“At a time when one campaign follows another and turning one’s back on Israel has become more prevalent than ever, President Milei represents bold leadership and pursues a clear and unequivocal policy of standing with the State of Israel, as an ardent Zionist, through thick and thin. He holds a warm place in his heart for the people of Israel, and I have therefore seen fit to honor all of his efforts on our behalf.”

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council passed a formal resolution on Monday expressing gratitude for what it described as extraordinary divine kindness during the ongoing war, while also offering support to national leaders, soldiers, and allies.

During a council session, Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who serves as president of the Rabbinate Council, publicly read the text of the resolution.

The statement conveys appreciation to the Prime Minister, members of the IDF, and U.S. President Donald Trump “for being eloquent ambassadors for the defense of the people of Israel,” and extends wishes for their continued success.

Highlighting a spiritual perspective, the resolution declares, “The Chief Rabbinate Council sees the providence of the one who sits in heaven over his nation who sits in the Holy Land, and gives thanks for the miracles that we see during these difficult days of war.”

The council also praised Israel’s military personnel, recognizing both soldiers and officers of the IDF “for fighting with dedication and for standing steadfast for our brothers, the entire House of Israel,” while voicing encouragement for the Prime Minister and cabinet members “who guide the policy of protecting the people.”

In addition, condolences were extended to bereaved families, with the resolution stating: “Both families of IDF soldiers gave their lives for the nation and land, and for the families who lost their loved ones in attacks that aimed to harm the citizens of Israel.” A tefillah was also offered on behalf of those wounded in the conflict.

The Rabbinate Council further acknowledged the support of the United States, thanking President Donald Trump “and all those who surround him who defend our land and the world, as well as the soldiers of the US Military who are also in full cooperation with Israeli soldiers fighting against evil and wickedness.”

The resolution concludes with a heartfelt prayer: “May the blessing be granted: ‘And I put peace in the Land of Israel and the world, and eternal joy on all its inhabitants.”