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The Shatz-Ashdod Rebbe, who serves as head of the Shatz Badatz and the international SKS kashrus organization, is urging the chareidi public to think carefully before traveling through Sinai, citing troubling experiences of harassment at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and the Taba border crossing.

Speaking from personal experience, the Rebbe—who has traveled extensively around the world for over four decades, including in many Muslim countries—described the airport in Sharm el-Sheikh as an especially difficult environment for religious Jews. According to his account, Egyptian security personnel show no tolerance for visible religious practices or even brief moments set aside for prayer.

“At the airport in Sharm, it’s forbidden to stand even for a minute for Shemoneh Esrei, and forget about putting on tefillin,” the Rebbe said. He recounted an incident in which three security officers approached a yeshiva student who had begun to daven Maariv, shouting at him until he fled to the restroom to avoid being detained. The Rebbe added that security staff insist on the removal of a yarmulke during inspection and strictly prohibit photography in the area. “Anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to go through this experience should avoid it,” he warned.

Similar reports have emerged regarding the land crossing at Taba Border Crossing, where travelers have described deliberate mistreatment of official documents. Testimony obtained by a Hebrew-language outlet detailed an incident in which an Egyptian official forcefully handled a traveler’s passport, tearing a page in half and forcing the individual to later obtain a replacement passport in Israel.

According to reports, officials at Israel’s Interior Ministry are familiar with such cases. In the incident described, the traveler was immediately asked upon arrival whether the damage occurred at the Taba crossing, suggesting a recurring pattern. Observers say this may reflect a quiet but consistent form of harassment directed at Israeli citizens, despite the longstanding peace agreement and steady tourism between the countries.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

It’s that time again.

The carts are full. The aisles are jammed. The conversations revolve around menus, meats, wines, and which brand of this year’s overpriced everything is “worth it.” Homes are being turned upside down in a frenzy of cleaning, kashering, and preparation for zman cheiruseinu.

And in the middle of all this noise, something is being buried.

Not the chometz. Our conscience.

Because while we are obsessing over every crumb, there are people among us who are drowning financially.

Not hypothetically. Not in some faraway community. Right here. In our shuls. In our neighborhoods. Sitting next to us, nodding politely, saying “Gut Yom Tov” as if everything is fine.

It isn’t.

But they won’t tell you that.

They won’t show up at your local distribution. They won’t sign up for assistance. They won’t let their name be whispered in the right ears. They still have too much dignity for that.

And we, if we’re being honest, are relying on that.

We hide behind the comforting fiction that “the organizations are taking care of it.” That “no one falls through the cracks.” That “there are funds, drives, and campaigns.”

Let’s stop pretending.

There are cracks. Wide ones. And people are disappearing into them quietly, respectfully, and completely unnoticed.

Because they don’t scream.

And we don’t look.

We have built a system that responds beautifully—to those who ask. But what about those who don’t? What about the family that will cut corners on food, on clothing, on basic dignity, just to avoid becoming “a case”?

Do they not count because they suffer silently?

Or is it just more convenient that way?

We pride ourselves on being a community of chesed. We tell ourselves that we take care of our own.

Do we?

Or do we take care of the ones who make it easy for us to take care of them?

Because real chesed is not reactive. It is not a response to a flyer, a campaign, or a publicized need.

Real chesed is uncomfortable. It requires noticing. It requires asking. It requires stepping into spaces we would rather not enter, because doing so shatters the illusion that everything around us is fine.

And maybe that’s the real problem.

It’s easier to scrub a kitchen for hours than to confront the possibility that someone you know—someone you respect—is quietly breaking under the weight of Yom Tov.

It’s easier to check lettuce three times than to check on a neighbor or friend once.

We search our homes with candles and flashlights, hunting down the smallest trace of chometz.

But we somehow miss the most obvious thing of all: people who are struggling to make Pesach with even the most basic sense of dignity.

What exactly are we so busy removing, if not the very sensitivity that Pesach is supposed to awaken?

We speak about cheirus. About freedom. About what it means to leave Mitzrayim.

Tell me: What kind of freedom is it when a family sits at their Seder table with forced smiles, knowing that no one thought of them, knowing that they have growing credit card debt?

What kind of redemption is that?

We didn’t forget them.

That would be too innocent.

We chose not to see them.

And until we are willing to admit that—to let it bother us, to let it disrupt us, to let it cost us something—then all the cleaning, all the preparations, all the talk of zman cheiruseinu is just noise.

Because a community that prides itself on seeing every crumb, but refuses to see its own people, has missed the point entirely.

This Pesach, the question isn’t whether we got rid of our chometz.

The question is whether we got rid of our blindness.

L. G.

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Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey is delivering a blunt message to aspiring homeowners: getting into the housing market is still possible, but not without first tackling overwhelming personal debt.

In a recent interview on Fox Business, Ramsey argued that many younger Americans have been put at a disadvantage by rising debt levels across the board.

“I’m afraid I have to tell you the truth, and that is that corporate America has screwed you,” Ramsey said.

He pointed to record-breaking debt burdens weighing on younger generations. “Car debt is at an all-time high… Student loan debt is at an all-time high… And of course credit card debt, thank you to the big banks, is at an all-time high,” he continued. “When you’re drowning in personal debt, you can’t afford to buy a house!”

Recent data from Experian underscores his point. As of November 2025, the average Gen Z borrower carried $34,328 in debt, while millennials owed an average of $132,280.

Ramsey placed much of the blame on large institutions and policymakers, arguing that multiple forces have contributed to the financial strain facing these age groups. “That’s what’s happened. We’ve had these big companies, the car companies, the banks, and Congress with the student loan debt screwing these two generations [millennials and Gen Z] at a record like never before.”

Despite the bleak outlook, Ramsey said younger buyers are not shut out of the market entirely, but only if they make significant financial changes.

“What we’re finding is lots of Gen Zers, lots of millennials able to buy a home when they fight through and sell the stupid car and get rid of these debts. Our message to Gen Z and to millennials…is clear this debt, get rid of the stupidity, chop up the cards, and work your way through it,” Ramsey said. “Once you do that, you can get there.”

Still, he acknowledged that personal debt is only part of the problem. Broader market forces are also making it difficult for first-time buyers to break in.

“We’re still recovering from this huge spike in house prices following Covid,” he said. “We had the most unrealistic real estate market in 100 years following Covid.”

Ramsey noted that once pandemic restrictions eased, buyers rushed into the market, taking advantage of initially lower prices. That surge in demand ultimately drove prices sharply higher.

“Now we’ve got a shortage of inventory,” Ramsey continued. “Supply-demand has not allowed those prices to come back down. We’re seeing these spikes in prices, and that’s pushed this age [group] out.”

A senior Iranian naval commander who ordered the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz was killed Thursday in an Israeli airstrike, Israeli officials confirmed, marking the latest in a series of high-level eliminations.

Alireza Tangsiri, who led the naval division of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in a strike targeting the port city of Bandar Abbas along the strategic waterway, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Tangsiri, 64, joins a growing list of top Iranian figures recently killed, including IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini, senior regime figure Ali Larijani, and Gholamreza Soleimani, known for his role in suppressing protests.

Beyond authorizing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — Tangsiri had pledged to enforce the blockade following directives from Iran’s current leadership under Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

“In response to the order of the commander-in-chief, we will deliver the harshest blows to the aggressor enemy while maintaining the strategy of closing the Strait of Hormuz,” he had said.

The disruption to oil shipments has sent energy markets into turmoil in recent weeks, with political leaders and industry officials urging that the waterway be reopened. Earlier this week, Brent crude was reported at $100 per barrel.

Iran has also issued broader warnings, signaling it could escalate further by targeting another key maritime chokepoint — the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — if U.S. forces move against Kharg Island, a small but vital hub responsible for the majority of Iran’s oil exports.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, carrying approximately 12% of global oil supplies.

“If the enemy wants to take action on land in the Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands or to inflict costs on Iran with naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported, citing IRGC sources.

“We will open other fronts for them as a surprise so that their action will not only be of no benefit to them but will also double their costs.

“The Bab al-Mandab Strait is considered one of the world’s strategic straits, and Iran has both the will and the ability to create a completely credible threat against it.”

The warning came after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Central Command had carried out a major strike on Kharg Island, describing it as having “executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”

According to reports, Iran has bolstered its defensive posture around Kharg Island, deploying additional air defense systems and laying naval mines amid concerns over a possible invasion.

U.S. allies are said to be uneasy about the prospect of American ground action, with fears that Iran would retaliate forcefully.

An Israeli source cautioned that any such move could result in American casualties, noting that Iran is likely to respond with drone attacks, according to a report in the Jerusalem Post.

“The hope is that they won’t take that risk and will instead fire at the oil fields, but there is no way to know,” they said.

{Matzav.com}

Russia has begun transferring drones to Iran in recent weeks and is expected to complete a staggered delivery of the equipment by the end of the month, according to a report citing Western intelligence assessments.

The Financial Times reported that, in addition to the drone shipments, Moscow is also supplying Iran with food and medical aid.

While Russia has already been assisting Tehran with intelligence sharing and satellite imagery, the delivery of drones marks the first instance of direct weapons transfers from the Kremlin to Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

Responding to the report, a Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the claims, saying, ““There are a lot of fakes going around right now. One thing is true — we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership,” according to FT.

The report also noted that Russia has been producing drones based on Iranian designs for use in its war in Ukraine since 2023. The current shipments are believed to be aimed at strengthening Iran’s military position and helping stabilize its government.

Recent Israeli strikes targeting sites near the Caspian Sea were reportedly intended to interfere with logistical links and transfers between Russia and Iran.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Defense Forces Staff Sgt. Ori Greenberg, 21, was killed in action fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon, the military announced on Thursday morning.

Greenberg, from the central Israeli city of Petach Tikvah, served as a combat soldier in the in Golani Infantry Brigade’s Reconnaissance Battalion, the IDF said, adding that his family was informed.

The death toll among Israeli troops since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border terrorist massacre now stands at 928, according to IDF figures.

“My wife and I, together with all the citizens of Israel, share in the deep sorrow of the family of Golani Reconnaissance Unit fighter Sgt. Ori Greenberg, of blessed memory, who fell in battle in Southern Lebanon,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ori’s family. He fought with bravery and courage to defend our northern border,” added the premier, “May his memory be for a blessing.”

On Wednesday, two troops were seriously injured in separate attacks on forces operating in Lebanon, the military said.

One soldier was wounded by mortar fire. In an earlier incident, a reserve soldier was seriously hurt by an enemy rocket.

Both soldiers were evacuated to hospitals, the military said, adding that the family of one of the men had been notified.

IDF chief visits wounded soldiers

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Wednesday visited soldiers wounded in fighting in Southern Lebanon as part of “Operation Roaring Lion,” the army said.

During a tour of the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Zamir met with wounded troops and their families, praising their determination and resilience. He also thanked the medical staff and military support teams for their work treating the injured.

Zamir said the IDF remains committed to supporting soldiers wounded in combat, calling it a “moral and ethical responsibility.”

Hezbollah began firing rockets and suicide drones at Israel on March 2, in retaliation for the Jewish state’s targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury” against the regime on Feb. 28.

In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the U.S.-brokered Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement with Lebanon, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered IDF troops to advance and take control of additional areas in Southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks. JNS

Delta Air Lines announced that it will continue to suspend its flights from New York and Atlanta to Tel Aviv through September 5, citing security concerns tied to the ongoing conflict in the region.

The airline said the decision was made as conditions remain unstable. “Delta is extending its pause of service to Tel Aviv (TLV) as we continue to closely monitor conditions in the region and prioritize the safety of our customers and employees,” the company stated.

The routes had already been halted earlier this year after Israel closed its airspace on February 28, when fighting broke out between the United States and Iran. At that time, Delta initially suspended service to Tel Aviv through May 31, while flights connecting Tel Aviv and Atlanta were later postponed until August 4.

Passengers booked on the affected non-stop flights from New York’s JFK Airport and Atlanta will be formally notified of cancellations on March 28, when the airline processes the changes in its system.

In addition, Delta has put plans for a new Boston-to-Tel Aviv route on hold. The service had been scheduled to begin in late October, but the airline said the launch is now delayed indefinitely.

{Matzav.com}

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday for the first time since his arrest, as he moves to have the drug-trafficking case against him dismissed.

Maduro, 63, is arguing that U.S. government actions are undermining his defense in the narcoterrorism case, saying sanctions have prevented the Venezuelan government from paying for his legal representation.

His attorney, Barry Pollack, who previously represented Julian Assange, said the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had initially granted permission for Venezuela to fund the defense, but later withdrew that authorization.

Federal prosecutors counter that Maduro has access to personal resources that could be used to pay legal fees, though he maintains that he lacks the means to do so.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, have remained in custody at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since their arraignment in January. Flores is also expected to be present at Thursday’s hearing.

During earlier proceedings, Maduro told the court: “I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.”

The couple was charged with narcoterrorism following a dramatic operation in which U.S. forces removed them from their residence in Caracas and transported them to the United States.

According to the indictment, Maduro is accused of leading a “corrupt, illegitimate government,” which “leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking.”

A date for the trial has not yet been determined.

[Video below.] Comments by commentator Tucker Carlson comparing Western nations unfavorably to societies governed by Muslim Sharia law have ignited sharp criticism.

The remarks came during a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, where Carlson painted a bleak picture of Western cities. In the segment, he says: “There’s not a single Western city that’s thriving… They’re all in moral and physical decay because of self-hatred and a lost will to live.”

He then drew a direct contrast, stating: “Sharia Law has made Islamic societies more advanced than the West.”

“I think Sharia law is much better than western civilization. But please refer to me as a right-wing American patriot.” https://t.co/tR7Mu4i5N5

— liel leibovitz (@liel) March 23, 2026

Carlson expanded on his views by referencing his travels in the Middle East, describing what he sees as a stronger sense of identity and cohesion in those societies. “I travel a lot in the Middle East. It’s amazing. They’re Muslims. Countries governed by Sharia law.

“And you go there and it’s incredible to be in a place that has pride in itself, that believes in its religion and culture, that thinks ‘we’re on to something.’ That kind of self-confidence is what creates stability… and hospitality.”

The comments quickly drew pushback, including from figures aligned with the MAGA movement. Laura Loomer criticized Carlson, accusing him of “romanticising” jihadist societies and pointing to what she described as a pattern in his views. She also reiterated her claim that Carlson had effectively “converted to Islam” or become a foreign-influenced “Qatarlson” figure.

Carlson’s recent connections to Qatar have also drawn attention. He traveled to Doha several months ago to attend the Doha Forum, where he conducted an interview with the country’s prime minister. While speaking at the event, Carlson said he was considering relocating, noting his appreciation for the city and explaining that he was acting as a “free man” in deciding where he might choose to live.

{Matzav.com}

As the winter zman came to a close, Rav Tzemach Mazuz delivered a forceful address to his talmidim, connecting recent global events to the koach of Torah learning while sharply criticizing Israel’s attorney general over the ongoing draft controversy.

Speaking at Yeshivas Kissei Rachamim ahead of bein hazmanim, Rav Mazuz focused on current developments, pressures facing the עולם התורה, and areas he felt required strengthening.

At the outset, he addressed the reported elimination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, presenting it as part of a broader spiritual reality and attributing success to Torah study. He illustrated this with a parable.

“Last week, people came to tell me big news. What was the news? That, baruch Hashem, we merited to destroy and eliminate one of the great figures of the Iranians, and there was tremendous celebration. I saw that they wrote that the prime minister made a celebration. Can someone explain to me why he celebrated?”

“I’ll tell you,” he continued. “Because he was the brain behind all the missiles, all the attacks, and all the evil done to the Jewish people. And when that head is cut off, then with Hashem’s help the situation will improve. Just like with Haman—when Haman was killed, the Jewish people celebrated Purim, and we celebrate Purim until today.”

Expanding on the idea, Rav Mazuz compared the situation to a machine, explaining that the visible output depends on a hidden driving force.

“And I say this as a mashal. What is the lesson? Like every year, I went to visit the machine matzah bakery connected to the yeshiva. Someone who stands there sees how the machine works and the matzos come out within minutes. But what drives it all? The engine! Without the engine, there would be no matzos that we eat on Pesach. Everything has a driving force behind it.”

He then identified Torah learners as that driving force. “We are living in a very special time, we are literally seeing miracles and wonders… and who is the engine behind all these successes? You should know the truth—it is you! Israel is saved by Hashem with an eternal salvation. You sit and learn Torah.”

Turning to internal challenges, Rav Mazuz addressed the draft crisis and delivered a sharp critique of the attorney general.

“This legal adviser is constantly working on how to draft yeshiva students. In my humble opinion, she is from the ערב רב, she is not from the Jewish people! She wants to break the Jews by taking yeshiva students into the army—a place filled with very difficult spiritual challenges—and then, chas v’shalom, there is no protection for the Jewish people.”

Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the endurance of Torah, drawing from history.

“But with Hashem’s help we will overcome this as well—we have already gone through more difficult things than this. What did the Romans think when they combed the flesh of Rabbi Akiva with iron combs? They thought that would stop Torah learning. But no! The Romans are gone, and the Torah of Rabbi Akiva is alive and enduring. In the merit of the small group of yeshiva students, we are alive and we merit victories.”

As Pesach approached, Rav Mazuz urged his talmidim to remain committed during bein hazmanim.

“When a person is responsible, he does not abandon his role. You are protecting Eretz Yisroel and the entire Jewish people—do not leave your post. Bein hazmanim is meant to rest and regain strength, but one must continue to learn during these days as well. Someone who is careful about this returns to yeshiva with momentum, and the Gemara remains part of his life.”

He concluded by encouraging greater attention to kibbud av v’eim during the break and reminding his audience of the mitzvah of biur maasros and viduy maasros applicable this year, before awarding certificates to students who were tested on the halachos of amira l’nochri.

Iranian officials are pushing back against reports questioning the condition of Mojtaba Khamenei, insisting the country’s supreme leader is healthy and actively leading, despite continued speculation following a deadly Israeli strike.

Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, rejected claims that Mojtaba Khamenei had been killed or was seriously ill. Speaking in an interview with India Today, Baghaei said the Iranian leader is in stable condition and functioning normally.

He added, “We are pleased that the regime is operating efficiently, our armed forces are acting according to Iran’s defense plans, and most importantly, our people are united in the face of these aggressive and brutal actions.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership after his father, was wounded during an Israeli airstrike targeting his father’s compound in February 2026. That attack killed multiple members of his immediate family, including his father, mother, wife, and daughter.

Days earlier, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also sought to dismiss concerns, stating that Mojtaba Khamenei is “in excellent health,” “fully in control of the situation,” and carrying out his responsibilities as expected. The same assurances were echoed by the state-affiliated Mehr News Agency.

Even so, questions persist. While several official statements have been released in Mojtaba Khamenei’s name since the strike, there has been no recent visual confirmation of his condition, and he has not been heard speaking publicly.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has indicated in recent conversations with close associates that he is aiming to avoid a drawn-out war with Iran and is working toward bringing the conflict to a close in the near future, according to a report published Wednesday.

As the fighting approaches the one-month mark, Trump has privately told advisers that he believes the campaign is nearing its conclusion. He has encouraged them to remain aligned with the four-to-six-week timeframe he has previously outlined publicly, people familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal.

Officials at the White House have also been preparing for a mid-May meeting in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, operating under the assumption that the conflict with Iran will be resolved before that summit takes place, according to individuals briefed on the planning.

One source told The Wall Street Journal that Trump expressed concern that the war is pulling attention away from other key priorities on his agenda.

Another individual who recently spoke with the president said Trump appears eager to move on to his next major initiative, though he has not specified what that will be.

“President Trump is extraordinarily skilled at multi-tasking and works on multiple challenges at the same time,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “The President is laser focused on fully achieving the military objectives against the terrorist Iranian regime. The president’s sole focus is always victory.”

According to the report, one proposal Trump has discussed with advisers involves securing U.S. access to portions of Iran’s oil resources as part of a potential agreement to end the conflict. A senior administration official said, however, that no formal planning is currently underway for such an arrangement.

While Trump has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops on the ground in Iran, he remains hesitant to take that step, in part because it could prolong the war. Officials told The Wall Street Journal that he is also concerned that American casualties could rise if the conflict continues.

Earlier this week, Trump announced a temporary halt of five days on “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” in order to allow space for diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran. He added that the United States is in contact with “very solid” figures inside Iran.

Reports that followed suggested that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was involved in representing Iran in discussions with the U.S., though Ghalibaf publicly denied that any negotiations were taking place.

Speaking Wednesday night in Washington, Trump said he believes Iran is interested in reaching an agreement but is unwilling to acknowledge it openly.

“I’ve never seen anything like we’re doing in the Middle East with Iran. And they are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it, because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us,” the President stated.

He added a pointed remark about Iran’s leadership, saying, “There’s never been a head of a country that wanted that job less than being the head of Iran. We listen to some of the things they say, we hear them very clearly. They say, ‘I don’t want it, we’d like to make you the next supreme leader. No thank you, I don’t want it.'”

{Matzav.com}

The United States has crossed a significant threshold in its ongoing military campaign against Iran, with more than 10,000 strikes carried out since late February, according to a senior U.S. commander, as the conflict continues to intensify both on the battlefield and across global economic systems.

In an update posted Wednesday, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads United States Central Command, said American forces reached the 10,000-strike mark nearly four weeks into Operation Epic Fury.

Cooper reported that U.S. operations have exceeded that number since the campaign began on Feb. 28, adding that forces remain “on plan or ahead of plan” in efforts aimed at dismantling Iran’s capacity to project power beyond its borders.

He said that sustained U.S. precision attacks have “overwhelmed Iranian air defenses,” created “tangible effects,” and significantly reduced Iran’s ability to target American forces and allied nations, noting that continued combat sorties are eroding Tehran’s offensive capabilities.

According to Cooper, U.S. strikes have crippled Iran’s naval strength, with roughly 92% of its largest vessels rendered inoperable. He also said that Iran’s use of drones and missiles has dropped by more than 90% following coordinated U.S. and allied operations.

He further stated that more than two-thirds of Iran’s facilities tied to missile, drone, and naval production—as well as key shipyards—have been hit or destroyed, while U.S. forces have maintained control of the skies and conducted over 10,000 combat flights throughout the campaign.

Cooper praised the role of long-range B-52 bombers and the involvement of more than 50,000 U.S. troops, saying they “embody the courage and resilience” of American service members.

Despite the scale of U.S. operations, Iran has continued launching retaliatory strikes, firing missiles and deploying drones at Israeli territory as well as U.S. and allied installations across the Middle East.

Several Iranian barrages have struck sites throughout Israel, including residential areas and civilian infrastructure. One such attack on March 1 resulted in the deaths of at least nine Israeli civilians.

Thousands of Israelis have been wounded in the attacks, with total injuries surpassing 4,000.

Iranian strikes have also reached U.S. bases and allied facilities in Gulf countries, with missiles crossing regional airspace and causing structural damage. In some instances, drone attacks have struck U.S. Embassy compounds, leading to minor damage.

By mid-March, U.S. officials reported that at least 13 American service members had been killed in the conflict, with approximately 232 wounded. More than 200 of those injured have since returned to duty.

Earlier casualty reports had placed the U.S. death toll at six, though subsequent updates reflected a higher number as the campaign progressed.

Beyond the battlefield, the conflict has sent shockwaves through global energy and shipping markets.

Following U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued warnings that effectively shut down commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a steep drop in maritime activity.

At least a dozen commercial vessels sustained damage during the crisis, and one tugboat was sunk. Traffic through the strait initially declined by about 70% and, at times, came to a near standstill.

The disruption has affected roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil supply, along with significant shipments of liquefied natural gas, forcing major shipping companies to halt operations or reroute along significantly longer paths.

Oil markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude prices climbing past $100 per barrel and reaching highs of approximately $126.

The dual impact of sustained military conflict and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up war-risk insurance premiums for shipping and contributed to broader economic strain, including supply chain disruptions, rising commodity costs, and increased inflation in energy-dependent economies.

While U.S. officials maintain that Operation Epic Fury is steadily weakening Iran’s military capabilities and limiting its ability to conduct external attacks, Tehran’s ongoing retaliation continues to cause casualties and damage to Israeli and American interests throughout the region.

At the same time, Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has underscored the far-reaching global consequences of the conflict, particularly in energy markets and international trade.

U.S. military leaders continue to express confidence that Iran’s offensive capacity is diminishing as American forces sustain air superiority and press forward with the campaign.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

WATCH:

Thousands gathered in Yerushalayim on Wednesday to accompany Rav Moshe Mordechai Chalkowski zt”l, a revered mechanech and man of chessed, to his final resting place. He was 86.

Rav Chalkowski served for decades as the spiritual director of Neve Yerushalayim Seminary and was among the founders and longtime gabbai of the Perushim Shul in the Givat Shaul neighborhood.

Born in England on the 9th of Teves 5698 (1938), he was the son of Rav Meir and Mrs. Devorah Chalkowski. From a young age, he displayed a deep commitment to Torah and avodas Hashem.

He later married Mrs. Rachel Chalkowski, know as “Bambi,” a well-known midwife who served for many years as the head of the delivery room at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. She is the daughter of Rav Yona Bamberger of France, who was involved in helping Jews escape Eastern Europe, at times facilitating their passage to neutral Switzerland before being captured by the Gestapo, after which his fate remained unknown.

Mrs. Chalkowski was awarded the Yakir Yerushalayim Honor in recognition of her decades of service and dedication to acts of kindness, having helped bring tens of thousands of children into the world over the course of fifty years.

Together, the couple built their home in Yerushalayim, which became a center of kindness and generosity. Rav Chalkowski was known as a devoted oveid Hashem, whose home was open to those in need and whose life was marked by genuine compassion.

Over more than fifty years at Neve Yerushalayim Seminary, he guided and inspired generations of students, drawing thousands of young women closer to Torah and mitzvos with unwavering dedication. To many, he was not only a teacher, but a father figure, mentor, and trusted guide. His counsel was sought by countless individuals, and his words, delivered with calm and clarity, illuminated the path for many.

In addition to his work at the seminary, he played a central role in the Perushim Shul, where he was among its founders and served faithfully as gabbai for many years. He also delivered shiurim at other shuls in the neighborhood, building a devoted group of talmidim who remained closely connected to him.

Rav Chalkowski maintained close relationships with leading gedolei Torah in the community, including Rav Shlomo Wolbe and Rav Mordechai Zuckerman, from whom he drew inspiration and guidance.

Throughout his life, he bore personal suffering with remarkable strength and acceptance, serving as a living example of enduring hardship with dignity and faith.

The levayah began at 2 Rechov Panim Meiros in Yerushalayim, proceeded through the Perushim Shul on Rechov Rav Amram Gaon in Givat Shaul, and was attended by large crowds before continuing to Har HaMenuchos for kevurah.

The family is sitting shivah at his home, located at 3 Rechov Azriel in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}

Israel will move to daylight saving time overnight, with clocks set to advance by one hour between Thursday and Friday, affecting schedules across the country.

The time change will take place during the night of March 26–27, 2026. At 2:00 a.m., clocks will be moved forward to 3:00 a.m. Daylight saving time will remain in effect until the night between Saturday and Sunday, October 25, 2026, when standard time resumes.

Most modern smartphones update automatically, so users generally do not need to adjust their devices manually. Those who want to be certain can check their settings to confirm that automatic time updates are enabled.

The annual time change in Israel is governed by a 2013 law, which establishes that clocks are advanced by one hour starting on the Friday before the last Sunday in March and remain that way until the last Sunday in October. The goal is to better align daily routines with seasonal daylight hours and make more effective use of natural light.

The shift in time can also affect the human body. During the winter months, when daylight is limited, melatonin levels rise, often leading to increased fatigue.

Reduced exposure to light can also influence serotonin levels, which play a role in mood. Moving to daylight saving time helps synchronize daily activity with longer daylight hours, provides more light in the evening, and allows for more efficient use of the day.

Israel’s Health Ministry has issued an alert after a confirmed measles patient spent several days in a public shelter in a chareidi neighborhood in Kiryat Malachi, urging anyone who was present to ensure they are fully vaccinated.

According to the Health Ministry, the individual was in a public shelter located at 147 Sderot Yerushalayim in the Nachalat Har Chabad neighborhood between March 20 and March 24, 2026. The warning follows an epidemiological investigation conducted by the Ashkelon District Health Office.

Officials called on anyone who was in the shelter during those dates to verify that they have received the recommended two doses of the measles vaccine.

In recent weeks, multiple measles cases have been identified across the country, including in chareidi communities, prompting repeated calls from health authorities for the public to get vaccinated.

Last Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported that a 17-year-old boy who had not been vaccinated died after contracting measles. According to the ministry, the teen had underlying medical conditions and was hospitalized approximately two and a half weeks earlier, where he was diagnosed with the disease. His condition later deteriorated, and he passed away in the hospital.

Health officials also noted that among 16 additional reported deaths, most of the victims were infants and children who had no prior health conditions but were not vaccinated against measles.

“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, general malaise, runny nose, and a rash,” the Health Ministry said. “The illness can lead to severe and even life-threatening complications. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical care promptly, after coordinating arrival in advance.”

The ministry emphasized that vaccination—and preventive treatment even after exposure—can help prevent severe illness.

“We stress that the vaccine, as well as post-exposure preventive treatment, can prevent serious illness from measles. Therefore, individuals who were in this shelter on the specified dates are requested to ensure they are vaccinated in accordance with Health Ministry recommendations (two doses of the vaccine).”

Vaccinations are available through health maintenance organizations, local health offices, and maternal-child health clinics. The public can also contact the Health Ministry hotline (*5400) for further guidance. Officials reiterated their call for widespread vaccination, noting that measles is a preventable disease with a safe and effective vaccine.

{Matzav.com}

A sharp dispute has emerged between two Sephardic Chief Rabbis over the stature and approach of Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kaf HaChaim, highlighting a broader debate over the role of stringency in halachic decision-making.

During his most recent weekly shiur, the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, addressed the halachic question of whether a posek may rule against the Shulchan Aruch, even in a stricter direction. In the course of his remarks, he delivered pointed criticism of Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer, grandson of the author of the sefer Kaf HaChaim, who has been known to cite his grandfather’s teachings in support of adopting chumros.

Rav Yitzchok Yosef responded to a passage quoted by Rav Sofer from Kaf HaChaim (siman 158, se’if katan 25), which states that “anyone whose soul is more refined desires to pursue greater stringencies and piety, while one whose soul is not properly rectified desires to follow leniencies.” Based on this idea, Rav Sofer has explained his general approach of favoring chumrah in many areas.

Rejecting this interpretation, Rav Yitzchok Yosef said: “Did Beis Hillel, who were generally more lenient than Beis Shammai, have flawed souls, Heaven forbid? Did Maran Beis Yosef, who ruled leniently in many places, have a flawed soul, Heaven forbid? Rather, these are words of nonsense.”

He went on to clarify his understanding of the original teaching, explaining that a person of elevated soul does not rush to issue lenient rulings without careful analysis, but instead hesitates and says, “I do not know, I must investigate,” and only after proper consideration rules according to halachah—whether leniently or stringently.

According to a report, one of Rav Sofer’s sons responded to the criticism, arguing that a careful reading of Kaf HaChaim shows that the statement refers to personal conduct and not to psak halachah for the public. “Anyone who studies the original Kaf HaChaim will see that the statement was said only regarding appropriate personal conduct for each individual, and has no connection to private piety versus public halachic rulings. The quote is accurate and faithful to the original wording,” he said.

He further maintained that there is no comparison between Rav Yitzchok Yosef’s argument regarding Beis Hillel and the Beis Yosef and the concept of personal spiritual conduct, adding that his father based his approach on earlier authorities, including the Rosh and the Pele Yoetz.

The controversy is further underscored by contrasting remarks made recently by Rav Dovid Yosef, the current Rishon LeTzion and brother of Rav Yitzchok Yosef. At a recent dinner for alumni of Yeshivas Kaf HaChaim, Rav Dovid Yosef spoke in glowing terms about Rav Sofer, referring to him explicitly as “פאר הדור והדרו” and emphasizing that he meant every word.

Rav Dovid Yosef also recited the blessing “שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו” in honor of Rav Sofer, stating that “Maran the great gaon, the rosh yeshiva of Kaf HaChaim, is certainly worthy according to all opinions of the blessing ‘שחלק מחכמתו ליראיו’.”

In light of the ongoing security situation, with many residents displaced and others frequently moving between home and protected spaces, Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Kalman Meir Ber, has issued a comprehensive set of psakim addressing how to properly fulfill the mitzvah of bedikas chametz this year.

The guidelines clarify obligations for evacuees, those staying in temporary housing, and the use of public shelters.

Regarding evacuees, the ruling distinguishes between those who have permanently left their homes and those who still intend to return during Pesach. If one has fully vacated their residence and does not plan to return, the obligation of bedikas chametz no longer applies there. However, if there is any intention to return during Pesach, even briefly, the home must be checked before departure or arrangements must be made for someone else to perform the bedikah.

For individuals staying in temporary accommodations—such as hotels, host homes, or other residences—they are required to perform bedikas chametz in the place where they will be residing for Pesach. The obligation rests on the person using the space, even if they are not the owner.

A significant portion of the guidelines addresses public shelters. The responsibility to check for chametz in a shared or public shelter falls on those who regularly use the space. In practice, this obligation may be fulfilled by a representative of the residents, a designated individual, or local authorities. A berachah is generally not recited when checking such shared spaces unless it clearly qualifies as one’s primary dwelling for Pesach.

In situations where sirens may interrupt the bedikah, the ruling is clear: safety takes absolute precedence. If an alarm sounds during bedikas chametz, one must immediately stop and proceed to a protected area. Upon returning, the bedikah should be resumed without a new berachah, provided the interruption was not excessively long or distracting.

The Chief Rabbi also emphasizes that even under these unusual conditions, one should strive to perform bedikas chametz properly, using a candle or flashlight as appropriate, and ensuring that all areas where chametz may have been brought are checked.

At the same time, the tone of the psak underscores sensitivity to the realities on the ground. In cases of uncertainty, danger, or significant difficulty, one should rely on leniencies where appropriate and consult a competent rav.

These guidelines aim to ensure that the mitzvah of bedikas chametz is fulfilled responsibly and safely, even under the challenging circumstances facing Klal Yisroel this year.

{Matzav.com}