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In his annual message, released ahead of the vacation period, Rav Stern expressed deep pain over the growing phenomenon of travelers stopping at the kever of Rashbi while dressed in attire that is inappropriate for a makom kadosh.
“People go on outings in the Galil, hiking through the mountains and streams, and then stop to daven at the kever of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai,” Rav Stern said. “Some arrive wearing short and revealing clothing, and even bathing suits. It is profoundly inappropriate to enter such a holy place—the resting place of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai—in that manner.”
Rav Stern then recalled the well-known account of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, who trembled upon approaching the tziyun of Rashbi.
“Everyone knows the story of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh. When he reached the mountain and ascended toward the kever of Rashbi, he fell to the ground and exclaimed: ‘How can I, so lowly, enter a place of fire, a blazing flame? Hakadosh Baruch Hu and the entire Heavenly entourage are here!'”
While acknowledging that people today cannot fully perceive the holiness that the Ohr HaChaim experienced, Rav Stern stressed that the obligation to show proper respect remains.
“It is true that we do not have the eyes to see the tremendous kedushah, nor do we possess the awe and fear of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh. But we do have the intelligence and the heart to understand that when entering such a holy place, one should do so in respectable clothing appropriate to its sanctity. Bnei Torah should certainly enter wearing proper upper garments befitting the holiness of the site.”
Concluding his appeal, Rav Stern cited the pasuk, “Mechabdai achabed u’bozai yeikalu—Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who disgrace Me shall be held in contempt.”
“When a person honors the sanctity of this holy place,” he said, “then from Heaven he is honored in return, and his tefillos are received with mercy and favor.”
{Matzav.com}
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Trump administration official overseeing the federal Medicaid program, is accusing New York of allowing rampant fraud within its sprawling $110 billion Medicaid system, alleging that Chinese organized crime groups are exploiting the program through billions of dollars in fraudulent medical claims.
Speaking Sunday on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable,” the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services argued that abuse of taxpayer-funded safety net programs has become widespread and, in some cases, is being orchestrated by overseas criminal organizations.
“Social safety net programs are being defrauded. They’re being hurt oftentimes by foreign governments or foreign-run criminal syndicate organizations,” Oz, administrator of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Sunday on 77 WABC ‘s the “Cats Roundtable” program.
Oz recently visited Flushing, Queens, where he toured an area containing 64 adult social care centers that primarily serve elderly Chinese and Korean residents. Authorities have alleged that the facilities, together with nearby pharmacies, have generated enormous volumes of questionable Medicaid claims.
According to Oz, these taxpayer-funded social programs would not ordinarily receive government financing, noting that New York created a structure allowing them to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement. While Washington pays more than half of Medicaid’s costs, the remainder is funded by state and local governments.
“Normally, the government doesn’t pay for it. In New York, they’ve created a mechanism to pay for these programs,” Oz told host John Catsimatidis.
Oz went on to allege that organized Chinese criminal enterprises are behind many of the operations.
“These are run, we believe, under the auspices of the Chinese organized criminal groups that are also doing human trafficking in the East Coast.”
He did not identify any specific organizations or provide additional evidence supporting the allegation.
Accompanied during the tour by independent journalist Nick Shirley, Oz said he was struck by the unusually high concentration of pharmacies in Flushing, which he believes are exploiting Medicaid through fraudulent billing.
According to Oz, the alleged operation involves paying senior citizens for access to their Medicaid or Medicare identification cards, which are then used to submit false reimbursement claims.
“There are a dozen pharmacies on one block. Why? They’re all fake. They’re taking these Medicare beneficiary numbers and manufacturing huge businesses to fund illegal activities,” Oz said.
He claimed the fraudulent billing encompasses expensive medical equipment, unnecessary medications, and medical services that never occurred.
“They pretend they’re sending this really expensive wheelchair [to a patient],” he railed. “They pretend that they’re sending expensive random medications. They’re doing appointments they [patients] never go to. Tests they never get. Treatments they don’t receive or don’t need.
“And they begin to bankrupt all the legitimate people, because they make so much money … These programs have generated $2.1 billion against New York Medicaid.”
Oz argued that New York’s Medicaid structure not only permits such abuse but effectively encourages it, describing programs such as adult social day care and personal care services as a “feature” rather than merely a “flaw.”
Earlier this year, Oz launched a federal review of New York’s Medicaid program, which has the nation’s highest per-capita spending, alleging widespread waste, fraud, and abuse.
He also criticized New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which allows family members to be compensated for caring for loved ones at home, saying the program has expanded beyond reasonable limits.
Oz further alleged that the state has allowed SEIU Local 1199 to organize personal care attendants, creating what he described as an improper financial and political arrangement.
“It’s a jobs program,” Oz claimed. “We learned that the unions are now unionizing these people, which means the federal government is paying salaries that go to union dues, and then the union dues fund the campaigns of the Democrats in the state. So now, you have political patronage on top of a jobs program,,
Taking a swipe at Gov. Kathy Hochul, Oz added:
“Is that a really smart thing to do if you lead the State of New York?”
He further accused state officials of relying on federal funding to sustain the system.
“They’re using the federal government as a piggy bank,” he added.
According to a recent analysis by the office of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, New York’s roughly $40 billion share of Medicaid spending has now exceeded the amount the state allocates to K-12 education.
Oz argued that government officials have failed to stop fraudulent activity.
“Fraud is rising because government wants it to exist,” he said.
He maintained that the Trump administration is moving aggressively to crack down on abuse and warned that states and those committing fraud have been put on notice.
Oz said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is working alongside the Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as Vice President JD Vance, the IRS, and other federal agencies through the White House Task Force on Fraud to identify and eliminate Medicaid waste.
Gov. Hochul rejected Oz’s criticism, saying New York had already taken substantial action to combat fraud before the Trump administration took office.
“Well before the Trump administration even took office, Governor Hochul was leading efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse – including sweeping CDPAP [Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program], reforms that shut down hundreds of wasteful Medicaid middlemen and saved over $2 billion for state and federal taxpayers while protecting home care for those who need it,” a Hochul spokesperson said.
The governor’s office also accused the Trump administration of using fraud concerns as a pretext to reduce healthcare funding.
“New York will continue to work with the federal government to identify bad actors — but let’s be clear about the real goal for Donald Trump and Washington Republicans: eliminating programs that support our most vulnerable and ripping away healthcare from everyday New Yorkers.”
Hochul’s office also noted that New York’s Social Adult Day Care program was established in coordination with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through a federally approved waiver, adding that comparable programs operate in other states.
{Matzav.com}
Following his return from a fundraising trip to the United States on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, received a visit at his home from the leadership of Yeshivas Mir. The delegation included Mir Rosh Yeshiva Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel and the mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, who came to express their appreciation for Rav Landau’s extraordinary efforts on behalf of the olam haTorah.
During the conversation, Rav Landau also spoke forcefully about members of the Religious Zionist community whom he said advocate military service and place the interests of the state above Torah values.
The following is a transcript of the exchange:
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “We came simply to thank the Rosh Yeshiva for his tremendous mesirus nefesh on behalf of the olam haTorah and for our yeshiva.”
Rav Landau: “Yasher koach.”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yasher koach to you.”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It strengthens all of us. It obligates us…”
Rav Landau: “I didn’t come to strengthen you. I came so that you would have money to pay.”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “That is our responsibility, and it obligates everyone.”
Rav Landau: “Hashem should help that we won’t have to travel again.”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Amen. May Hashem grant the Rosh Yeshiva strength for many years.”
Rav Landau: “I’m not becoming any younger…”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “It’s incredible—the level of mesirus nefesh.”
Rav Landau: “It’s true that it is very difficult, but there is no other choice.”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But even amid all these gezeiros, we see rachamim. We see Yidden opening their hearts. That gives us some encouragement.”
Rav Landau: “From America?”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes.”
Rav Landau: “Why shouldn’t it be that way? The gezeiros come from someone else. The wicked people are here. What can be done? There are wicked people… and among those who wear kippot serugot, no less.
“I’m referring to those with kippot serugot who insist that people must go [to the army]. If the state… I would ask them, according to their own approach—although they don’t really have any consistent approach, according to their foolishness—if the state sends soldiers to fight merely for the honor of the state, and people are killed, is that also permitted? That is actual murder.
“So they are inciting murder. That is what they are doing. They wage wars not only for the sake of saving lives, but also for the honor of the state.”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “It’s frightening.”
Rav Landau: “Certainly. This is nothing new. So is that permitted?”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Hashem yishmor.”
Rav Landau: “They act for the honor of the state, making it into a supreme value—or something of that sort.”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “But what should we daven for? That they should do teshuvah?”
Rav Landau: “I only mentioned that as a side point, but…”
Rav Binyomin Finkel: “Yes, yes. So should we daven that they do teshuvah? Regarding those who inform on others, what should we have in mind?”
Rav Landau: “I don’t know. It will be good—I don’t know. We should ask Hashem that things should be good. We are not going to give Him advice. It will be good.
“This is a difficult and very serious situation. Hashem should help through our tefillos. There are all kinds of ideas, all kinds of suggestions, all kinds of implications, as people say—but I don’t know. The situation… We should daven to the Ribbono Shel Olam that everything should pass like a dream, be blown away like the wind, and disappear like a vanishing cloud.”
The Roshei Yeshiva: “Amen, Amen.”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “The yeshiva accepted the strengthening of a taanis dibbur. Boruch Hashem, it has had a tremendous impact.”
Rav Landau: “Really?”
Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel: “Yes.”
Rav Landau: “Wonderful, wonderful. Ashreichem. That is something truly great.”
{Matzav.com}
A tish led by the Ashlag Rebbe, author of Bnei Heichala, was violently disrupted on Friday night after a group of youths allegedly hurled stones at the bais medrash, shattering windows while the building was filled with mispallelim.
The incident occurred at the Ashlag–Bnei Heichala bais medrash in Bnei Brak, where chassidim had gathered around the Rebbe for the Friday night tish. As the chassidim sang zemiros and words of hisorerus were being shared, loud crashing sounds were suddenly heard from outside.
According to eyewitnesses, a group of youths began throwing stones at the building. Several of the rocks smashed through the windows, sending shards of glass flying and forcing those inside to move away from the affected area out of concern for their safety.
Although no injuries were reported, mispallelim said the incident could easily have ended in tragedy, given that the stones were thrown while the bais medrash was occupied.
For residents of the neighborhood, the troubling question was not merely how the incident ended without injuries, but how such an attack was able to occur in the first place.
The latest incident has once again highlighted what many Bnei Brak residents describe as a growing problem involving groups of at-risk youths who roam the city’s streets, allegedly engaging in harassment, threats, vandalism, fights, and at times physical violence.
Several months ago, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert convened a special meeting following a series of violent Shabbos incidents that were attributed to fringe youth. The meeting included representatives from the municipality, welfare services, municipal enforcement, police, and public security agencies. Following the meeting, the city announced plans to increase police visibility, expand security patrols, and strengthen operations at the municipal emergency center.
City officials also said that additional patrols would operate on Shabbos through non-Jewish personnel in accordance with the guidance of the city’s rabbanim. Police, for their part, pledged a policy of “zero tolerance” toward violence and threats to public safety.
{Matzav.com}
Following a series of fatal shootings involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, the agency will soon require officers conducting vehicle stops to wear at least one body camera, Trump administration border czar Tom Homan announced Sunday as ICE moves to increase transparency during enforcement operations.
“They exonerate more law enforcement than they convict, and I want officers to wear body cameras because I want the American people to see what the officers saw when they took that action,” Homan said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
The announcement follows two deadly traffic-stop incidents earlier this month involving ICE agents. Federal officers fatally shot two men in separate encounters just six days apart—one in Texas and the other in Maine. Neither incident was captured by ICE body cameras because the agents involved were not equipped with them.
Speaking separately on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Homan explained that the nationwide rollout of body cameras had been delayed after funding became tied up during the partial federal government shutdown earlier this year.
“The cameras have been purchased right now,” Homan said. “They’re training the trainer in deploying the cameras nationwide.”
The issue has drawn renewed attention after an ICE officer fatally shot a Colombian driver on July 13 during a traffic stop in Biddeford, Maine, roughly 15 miles south of Portland. Less than a week earlier, another ICE officer fatally shot a Mexican national during a vehicle stop in Houston.
In response to those incidents, Homan announced last week that ICE would temporarily halt most vehicle stops nationwide while the agency reviewed its procedures. However, within 24 hours of that announcement, President Donald Trump directed federal immigration officers to resume conducting the stops.
The two fatal shootings prompted demonstrations in Maine, Houston, and Boston, with critics questioning why ICE officers involved in such encounters were not equipped with body cameras.
ICE first introduced a pilot body-camera program in 2024, distributing cameras to officers in Baltimore, Buffalo, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Last year, however, the Trump administration sought to slow the program’s expansion by asking Congress to reduce its funding by 75%, according to a Reuters report published in January.
In February, following the deaths of two U.S. citizens during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that ICE body cameras would eventually be deployed nationwide “as funding is available.”
Since January 2025, when President Trump launched his mass deportation initiative after returning to the White House on promises of tougher immigration enforcement, at least seven people have been killed during federal immigration enforcement operations.
{Matzav.com}
Israelis planning vacations or business trips to Europe in 2026 will not have to worry—at least for now—about obtaining a new pre-travel authorization before departure.
The European Union has once again postponed the launch of its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which was expected to require travelers from visa-exempt countries, including Israel, to obtain paid online approval before entering much of Europe. According to current reports, the system is now expected to begin operating sometime in 2027.
Although multiple reports have indicated another delay, the European Commission has not yet announced an official new launch date. References to a late-2026 rollout have already been removed from some EU information pages, while others still display the previous timeline, leaving the official implementation date uncertain.
Once ETIAS becomes operational, travelers from visa-exempt countries—including Israel—will be required to obtain online travel authorization before boarding flights to 30 European countries.
The requirement will apply to travel to countries including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. It will also cover Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland will remain outside the ETIAS system.
The latest postponement is reportedly tied to ongoing problems with the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES), the new biometric border management platform on which ETIAS depends.
Although the EES entered full operation in April 2026, reports indicate that it has experienced technological issues, congestion at border crossings, staffing shortages, and infrastructure challenges, forcing officials to delay the launch of ETIAS once again.
When the system eventually takes effect, travelers will be required to complete an online application providing personal information, passport details, and answers to security-related questions.
The authorization will cost €20 and will remain valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers under the age of 18 and those 70 and older will be exempt from the fee but will still be required to obtain travel authorization before entering participating countries.
For now, however, nothing changes for travelers.
The ETIAS system is not yet operational, applications cannot be submitted, and no fee is currently required. European Union officials have emphasized that the public will receive an official announcement several months before the system is activated. They also warned that any website currently claiming to issue valid ETIAS authorizations is not providing legitimate travel approval.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump declared Sunday that American forces struck Iran “very hard” once again, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it carried out military operations against the Islamic Republic for a ninth consecutive night.
Speaking to reporters after attending the FIFA World Cup final, Trump said Iran’s military capabilities have been devastated by the sustained U.S. campaign.
“Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They’ve lost everything, almost, militarily. They’ve got very little left. They’ve got some missiles. They’ve got some drones. They’ve got some manufacturing ability, not much.”
.@POTUS Trump on Iran: "We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honor of the probably three great patriots."
"Those great patriots were out there fighting [so] that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon."
"Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They've lost… pic.twitter.com/2nRlpujF0V
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 20, 2026
Trump also asserted that the United States now controls one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
“We control the strait. They don’t control anything. So, we’ll see what happens.”
The president added that Sunday’s strikes were carried out in honor of the American service members who were killed over the weekend.
“But we hit them very hard again tonight. And we did that in honor of the probably three – it’s probably three, as opposed to two – great patriots”, referring to US troops who were killed over the weekend.
{Matzav.com}Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, have welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy, in what is believed to be the first birth to a sitting U.S. vice president in more than 150 years.
Vance shared the news today on social media, announcing that the couple’s son, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning.
“Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother,” he wrote, while also expressing gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Walter Reed Medical Center for the care they provided.
According to the Associated Press, no sitting vice president has welcomed a child while in office in more than a century and a half.
The newest addition joins the couple’s three older children: Ewan, 9, Vivek, 6, and Mirabel, 4.
Usha Vance, whose maiden name is Chilukuri, grew up in the working-class suburbs of San Diego, California. Her father is a mechanical engineer, and her mother is a molecular biologist. Both immigrated to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India.
She met JD Vance in 2010 while the two were students at Yale Law School. Their relationship began after they participated together in a discussion group focused on “social decline in white America.”
The couple has frequently appeared together at official White House events, including a reception honoring military mothers earlier this year.
Throughout his time in national politics, Vance has been among the Trump administration’s strongest advocates for encouraging larger families and increasing the nation’s birth rate.
In his recently released book, Vance revealed that Usha had initially been hesitant about having a fourth child. He wrote that her outlook changed following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk last year.
“Not long after we buried my friend, she became pregnant with our fourth child, a boy,” he wrote. “One life was stolen from us, but another was given.”
{Matzav.com}The Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the plan in a 5-0 vote on June 30, concluding more than two years of research, public meetings, and community input.
Although the proposal emphasizes institutional reforms and policy changes over immediate financial compensation, county leaders stressed that direct payments remain an option that could still be pursued.
The vote comes even as Alameda County wrestles with significant financial pressures. During this year’s budget discussions, officials warned of a projected $91 million shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Despite those challenges, supervisors approved a balanced $6.7 billion budget in June, describing the county’s fiscal outlook as difficult.
Supervisor Nate Miley, who represents District Four and has been a driving force behind the reparations effort, said monetary payments have not been eliminated from consideration.
“We haven’t ruled it out. It’s one of the items in the action plan. It’s not the only item.”
Miley suggested that pursuing cash payments could prove more difficult than implementing other portions of the proposal.
“I think if it were the only item, or if it was a priority item, it might be more challenging,” Miley said. “But I do think there’s some low-hanging fruit — some immediate things we can do, and some things we’re already doing.
“And then there might be the more challenging things. A cash payment might be one of those more challenging things.”
The county’s reparations framework calls for expanding affordable housing, promoting Black-owned businesses and economic development, increasing investments in education and healthcare, and advancing reforms within the criminal justice system.
Supervisors also voted to establish a permanent committee charged with overseeing implementation of the recommendations.
“The committee now has an action plan. It’s in our ballpark,” Miley said. “We need to take it up and deal with it.”
According to Miley, the county’s highest priorities should include criminal justice reform, housing, education, and expanding economic opportunities.
“Clearly, economic opportunity is another important factor,” explained Miley. “It’s hard to balance those four and say which is more prominent, but I do think all four of those are significant.
“I see reparations as a path, an opportunity,” he added. “I wouldn’t say it’s a panacea, but I do believe it’s definitely a part of the equation that could help African Americans.”
Separately, Alameda County has partnered with the City of Hayward on a compensation initiative tied to Russell City, a once-thriving multiracial unincorporated community that was acquired through eminent domain and demolished during the 1950s and 1960s to make way for industrial development.
That effort, known as the Russell City Redress Fund, began with $900,000 and has since grown to approximately $1.3 million.
The fund is intended to provide direct payments to surviving former residents and their descendants.
The broader debate over reparations payments is also unfolding elsewhere in the country. In Evanston, Illinois, the nation’s first city to distribute reparations through $25,000 housing grants is now defending the program in federal court.
The U.S. Department of Justice entered the lawsuit in June, arguing that the race-based eligibility requirements violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Miley argued that simply distributing checks would not necessarily achieve the long-term goals county leaders hope to accomplish.
“And once again, that’s why a cash payment isn’t necessarily always the objective,” he said.
“The objective is: How do we get people to have housing? How do we get people to be economically stable? How do you deal with criminal justice reform?
“A cash payment doesn’t always mean that those things will occur. We have to change policies, and we have to change programs. I think that’s where we need to invest our resources.”
Steve Hilton, the Republican nominee for California governor, sharply criticized the reparations effort and instead blamed Democratic leadership for the state’s economic disparities.
“Thanks to 16 years of Democrat one party rule we have a massive and unacceptable racial wealth and opportunity gap in California, and I am determined to fix it.
“The best way to increase opportunity is not more of the same welfare state bureaucracy but my plan to make our state ‘Califordable.’ That’s the way to fight the racial wealth gap, not the Democrats’ divisive and unfair reparations scheme.”
Meanwhile, Santa Monica is moving ahead with its own initiative aimed at addressing historical injustices.
On Tuesday, the Santa Monica City Council approved the creation of a citywide Restorative Justice Program.
City officials said the initiative will be built around three components: a dedicated Restorative Justice Fund, a City Council-appointed Restorative Justice Commission, and an independent administrative structure designed to ensure transparency and fairness.
Santa Monica plans to launch the fund with $3.5 million, money the city expects to receive after approving a Second Amendment to its development agreement with the RAND Corporation in mid-2025. Officials said the funding will not affect the city’s operating budget.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yosef Tzvi Geffen zt”l, one of Bnei Brak’s distinguished marbitzei Torah, who was niftar Sunday at the age of 82.
Rav Geffen, the son of Rav Yissachar Berish Geffen zt”l, was renowned for his exceptional refinement of character, tireless hasmadah, and devotion to Torah. From his youth, he immersed himself in limud haTorah with extraordinary diligence and was beloved by all who knew him. Those close to him recall his warm smile, genuine concern for every individual, and his constant practice of greeting everyone warmly, reflecting his deep ahavas Yisroel.
As a young man, Rav Geffen had the privilege of becoming a close talmid of his rebbi, Rav Shmuel Rozovsky zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh. He faithfully transmitted his rebbi’s teachings and distinctive approach to learning, passing them on with remarkable clarity and dedication to thousands of talmidim over more than half a century.
For approximately 60 years, Rav Geffen served as a R”M at Yeshivas Heichal Avrohom Elimelech of Karlin and at Yeshivas Ahavas Aharon. Talmidim remember him not only as an outstanding maggid shiur, but as a compassionate father figure who carried each talmid in his heart, caring deeply for their spiritual, personal, and material well-being while inspiring them to grow in both Torah and middos tovos.
His petirah leaves a profound void for his distinguished family and for the thousands of talmidim who mourn the loss of the beloved rebbi who shaped their lives.
Among those he leaves behind is his son-in-law, Rav Shemaryahu Yosef Finkel, one of the rabbeim of Yeshivas Mir in Modi’in Illit.
The levayah took place at his home at 8 Rechov Breslov in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Dovid Berger zt”l, a distinguished sofer stam whose name became synonymous not only with excellence in safrus, but with exceptional yiras Shomayim, ehrlichkeit, and tzidkus. He was a beloved figure whose aidelkeit and ehrlichkeit left an indelible impression on all who had the privilege of meeting him.
A longtime resident of Georgian Terrace, Reb Dovid lived in Lakewood, NJ for decades, earning the admiration and affection of the entire community. His reputation as a master sofer extended far beyond the city, but those who knew him understood that his extraordinary skill was only one aspect of who he was. His true distinction lay in the purity of his character and the profound yiras Shomayim that permeated every facet of his life.
The greatest talmidei chachomim entrusted Reb Dovid with their Sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos, not merely because of his technical expertise, but because they recognized that his yiras Shomayim was on an altogether different plane. Reb Dovid’s name stood as a symbol of complete ne’emanus. His ehrlichkeit was beyond question, and his standards of precision and integrity never wavered.
Anyone who encountered Reb Dovid immediately sensed that they were in the presence of an exceptional individual. His refined demeanor, gentle nature, and unmistakable feinkeit reflected a life lived with constant awareness of the Ribbono Shel Olam. He carried himself with remarkable anavah, never seeking recognition or acclaim.
Those who interacted with him were struck by his warmth, sincerity, and dignity. Every conversation, every interaction, and every aspect of his conduct reflected a man whose life was defined by Torah and avodas Hashem.
His sudden passing leaves a profound void.
Reb Dovid is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Rivky Berger, along with a wonderful family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shomayim.
Levayah details will be posted once they are finalized.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
A sweeping new law regulating electric bicycles is now in force across New Jersey, imposing new rules on riders that include licensing, registration, insurance requirements for certain models, and mandatory helmet use.
Effective July 19, 2026, the legislation establishes a minimum operating age of 15 for anyone riding an e-bike. Riders who are 17 or older may use a valid New Jersey driver’s license, while 15- and 16-year-olds—as well as adults who do not hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license—must obtain a dedicated e-bike or moped license through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
The new law also requires every e-bike, including low-speed models, to be registered with the MVC. Insurance coverage is mandatory for motorized bicycles, including throttle-powered e-bikes and pedal-assist models capable of speeds between 21 and 28 mph. However, low-speed pedal-assist e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph are exempt from the insurance requirement.
Another significant change is that every rider, regardless of age, must now wear a helmet while operating an e-bike. In addition, motorized bicycles are prohibited from traveling on interstate highways, divided highways, and any roadway with a posted speed limit above 50 mph.
State officials are encouraging riders to familiarize themselves with the new requirements before using their e-bikes. Registration forms, licensing information, and additional guidance are available through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
{Matzav.com}
The Gerer chassidus will hold a large tefillah and protest rally Monday night outside Israel’s Military Prison No. 10 following the arrest of a Gerer yeshiva bochur over military draft-related issues. The gathering will be led by the Gerer Rebbe after receiving approval from Israeli police.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will include Maariv, the recitation of Tehillim, and inspirational addresses on behalf of Yisrael Yehuda Fein, a talmid of Yeshivas Sefas Emes in Yerushalayim, who is currently serving a military prison sentence.
The demonstration comes in response to Fein’s arrest after he appeared at a military induction office on his scheduled reporting date in an effort to regularize his draft status and obtain a medical exemption.
According to sources within the Gerer community, Fein initially reported to the military draft office in Yerushalayim but was informed that his file was registered in Haifa and that he needed to report there immediately.
Family members and associates say Fein asked officials whether traveling to Haifa that same day could result in his arrest. He was allegedly told that because it was his official induction date, he had nothing to worry about.
However, after arriving at the Haifa draft office, Fein was informed that he had arrived too late and was transferred to the military induction base at Tel Hashomer.
He was subsequently brought before a military officer, convicted in a disciplinary proceeding, and sentenced to 20 days in Military Prison No. 10.
Gerer officials contend that the decision failed to take into account Fein’s medical condition or the fact that he had voluntarily appeared in an effort to complete the process of obtaining a medical exemption.
Members of the chassidus also pointed to the student’s difficult family circumstances, noting that his father is currently under house arrest in the United States following extradition, leaving the family to cope with an especially painful situation.
In recent days, Gerer community leaders, together with veteran prison advocate Rabbi Shimon Shisha, have been working with the relevant authorities in an effort to secure Fein’s early release.
{Matzav.com}Israel is preparing for the possibility of a significant escalation with Iran after the United States informed the Israeli government that it intends to broaden its military campaign against Iranian targets in the coming days, according to Israeli and American security officials.
Despite the planned expansion of the U.S. operation, Washington has made clear that it prefers to keep Israel out of the current phase of the conflict and avoid drawing it directly into the fighting.
During recent strategic discussions between Israeli and American officials, the possibility was raised that Iran could decide to “break the rules” by launching missile attacks against Israel, a move that would almost certainly trigger an Israeli military response. U.S. officials have indicated that they are seeking to prevent such a scenario and keep the conflict centered in the Gulf region.
Over the past 24 hours, the United States has transferred additional equipment and munitions to support American fighter aircraft operating in the region. At the same time, 10 more U.S. aerial refueling aircraft arrived in Israel from Europe and from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as part of preparations for potential Iranian attacks on American military installations throughout the Gulf.
According to senior Israeli officials, Turkey also warned that it could provide air support to Iran if Kurdish forces entered the country as part of a reported Mossad-backed ground operation. The officials said this was the scenario President Donald Trump was referring to when he recently stated that Turkey had come close to becoming directly involved in the conflict. Under the alleged Mossad plan, Kurdish fighters would have received aerial protection from the Israeli Air Force during the operation.
Meanwhile, Channel 13 News reported that Qatar has presented a new proposal aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Under the Qatari initiative, the United States would suspend its airstrikes, while Iran would commit to reopening two shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz for a period of 10 days.
Israeli officials are also evaluating several scenarios that could pull Israel into a broader war, including a direct Iranian missile attack, intelligence indicating preparations for an imminent strike that would require a preemptive Israeli attack, or a request from President Trump for Israeli military participation. One senior Israeli official said the likelihood of escalation “has increased significantly over the past 24 hours.”
The heightened concerns come after Iran fired four missiles Sunday toward Jordan and other areas in the Gulf following overnight U.S. strikes inside Iranian territory.
According to reports, President Trump has informed mediators that unless a ceasefire is reached this week, they should prepare for a further escalation of military operations.
A senior Israeli military officer told Channel 13 News that had any of the Iranian missiles struck Eilat, Israel would have been obligated to respond militarily.
In the meantime, Israel is increasing its preparedness for the possibility of Iranian missile attacks while sending a clear warning to Tehran.
“Our strike plans are ready,” Israeli officials said.
Senior Israeli officials also told Channel 14 News that the confrontation with Iran appears to be on a course toward an almost unavoidable collision. They believe key decisions could be made within days, raising the possibility of renewed high-intensity fighting with Iran as early as this week.
Even as Iran’s confrontation with the United States intensifies, Tehran has not yet decided whether to expand the conflict by attacking Israel directly. Israeli assessments indicate that Iranian leaders have not reached a final decision but could do so in the near future.
Israel’s political and security leadership has already determined that if Iran launches attacks against Israeli territory, the country will respond aggressively to eliminate the threat.
Another possibility under discussion is that the United States could decide to broaden its military campaign and ask Israel to join the operation. Israeli officials indicated that Jerusalem would welcome such a request and view it as an opportunity to conduct coordinated military action against Iran.
Israeli officials continue to monitor U.S. decisions closely, acknowledging that uncertainty currently outweighs certainty and warning that the growing number of unanswered questions may itself point to an increasing risk of escalation.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 News that while coordination with Washington remains constant, President Trump remains difficult to predict.
“We are in continuous dialogue with the Americans, but one thing is clear: Trump is unpredictable. Right now it appears that the decision to increase the intensity of the strikes against Iran will indeed be carried out,” the official said.
At the same time, Israeli intelligence believes Trump’s envoys—particularly Steve Witkoff—are still attempting to halt the cycle of escalation and revive negotiations aimed at reaching a diplomatic agreement.
Israeli leaders were also informed in recent hours that Iran does not currently appear interested in launching missiles at Israel, recognizing the consequences such an attack would bring. However, officials cautioned that the situation could change quickly as Iranian military activity continues moving closer to Israel.
“We are preparing for every possible scenario and developing both immediate operational options and long-term strategic plans,” one senior Israeli official said. “If the Americans decide to escalate or involve Israel, or if the Iranians take an unexpected and reckless step against us, we will be ready.”
{Matzav.com}
Qatar is working to secure the release of members of Iran’s Jewish community who have been detained by Iranian authorities, serving as an intermediary between the United States and Tehran, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Several members of Iran’s Jewish community were recently arrested after criticizing the Iranian regime during the country’s confrontation with the United States and Israel. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Kan News correspondent Roi Kais that Qatar has been engaging with senior Iranian officials in an effort to obtain their release.
The mediation comes just days after Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since 2024. President Donald Trump publicly thanked the Iranian government following her release.
According to the report, Qatar’s involvement extends beyond efforts to free American citizens and also includes negotiations on behalf of the detained members of Iran’s Jewish community.
Officials noted that Qatar’s motivation is not purely humanitarian. Rather, the Gulf state is seeking to demonstrate to Washington that it is the most effective and reliable mediator in the region, outperforming rival countries in facilitating sensitive negotiations.
A total of five members of Iran’s Jewish community are currently being held on various charges, according to the report.
Despite coming under attack from Iran in recent months, Qatar continues to push for renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, hoping to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
{Matzav.com}
Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s office issued a scathing response Sunday after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would seek Netanyahu’s arrest if the Israeli leader visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office sharply criticized both Mamdani and the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the mayor of trying to divert attention from his own record while denouncing the court as illegitimate.
The statement described the ICC as “a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.” It further asserted that the “bogus arrest warrant” issued against Netanyahu was approved by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan “just days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public.” According to the statement, “it was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”
The Prime Minister’s Office also defended Israel’s wartime conduct under Netanyahu’s leadership, saying that “under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has taken unprecedented measures during wartime to minimize harm to civilians.” The statement accused Hamas of “using Palestinians as human shields while deliberately targeting innocent Israeli civilians.”
The response also took direct aim at Mamdani personally.
“Instead of supporting Khan’s criminal conduct, Mr. Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused New York City,” the statement said. It added that “like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention away from his own failures by attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”
The exchange follows remarks Mamdani made in an interview with The New York Times, in which he reiterated that he wants Netanyahu arrested if the prime minister visits New York.
“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we’ll do,” Mamdani said. “But we’re not going to write our own laws for that purpose.”
He also declared, “I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He is a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. That is a view many people hold simply because of what his actions have brought about over many years.”
{Matzav.com}
A new report claims the FBI has instructed agents that it will no longer investigate allegations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were assaulted, a move that critics warn could reduce independent oversight of immigration enforcement. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, however, insist no such policy change has occurred.
According to The New York Times, FBI managers received written notification of the reported change on Thursday. Sources told the newspaper that FBI personnel also informed ICE agents in various parts of the country about the new guidance.
Previously, when ICE agents were involved in fatal shootings, the FBI was responsible for determining whether the officers had been assaulted before using deadly force. Information uncovered during those investigations could later be used in civil rights inquiries or criminal prosecutions involving the agents.
The Times reported that under the new guidance, Homeland Security Investigations—the investigative branch of ICE—would likely assume responsibility for examining assault allegations involving its own personnel. Sources told the newspaper that such an arrangement could reduce independent accountability for immigration officers.
Because the Department of Homeland Security does not have authority to investigate federal civil rights violations, critics cited by the report argued the change could make it less likely that ICE agents who fatally shoot unarmed individuals would face federal civil rights investigations.
Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security strongly disputed the report, maintaining that no changes have been made to the existing oversight structure.
In a joint statement provided to CNBC, the agencies said, “The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are partners in addressing crime and upholding the rule of law, while securing the safety and security of American communities.”
The statement added, “The relationship between DHS and DOJ in investigating assault on federal officer cases has not changed, and FBI will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy.”
The report surfaced only days after an ICE agent fatally shot Colombian national Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. According to the report, the incident marked at least the seventh fatal shooting involving ICE agents since January 2025 and the second this month, following the July 7 shooting death of Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.
{Matzav.com}
The Mamdani administration has permanently adopted a controversial initiative that pays people cash for turning in used syringes, prompting critics to argue the policy rewards drug users instead of helping them overcome addiction.
The program, which had previously operated as a pilot, is now a permanent part of New York City’s budget. The city’s $126 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1 earmarks $3 million for the Health Department’s Community Syringe Redemption Program, which pays participants 20 cents for every used syringe they return.
The decision received little public attention. It was disclosed in budget documents submitted by the Health Department to the New York City Council on June 30, just before lawmakers approved Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first budget.
The program will continue to be managed by Addiction Response Resources, a nonprofit organization that introduced a similar syringe buyback initiative in Boston in 2020. The group is operating New York City’s program under an $11.1 million contract that extends through the end of next year.
Participants are permitted to turn in as many as 50 used syringes each day, allowing them to earn up to $10 daily. Collections are accepted at eight designated locations across the city, including five in The Bronx and one site each in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
City officials say there are no plans to expand the initiative beyond its current footprint. The program was first authorized in 2022 through legislation backed by progressive members of the City Council and officially launched in March 2025 with the stated goal of removing hazardous needles from streets, parks, and other public areas.
Funding for the initiative comes from more than $189 million New York City received through legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, blasted the program, arguing the settlement money is being spent in the wrong place.
“should all be going toward addiction treatment services — not for paying users to turn in their needles for cash.
“All this is doing is putting money in the pockets of addicts, so they can continue to fuel their habits, rather than helping them break free of their disease.”
According to the Health Department, the program has collected more than 2.3 million used syringes since launching nearly 16 months ago. During its first year, officials said more than 1,700 participants received a combined $292,000 in cash payments.
The Department of Sanitation has reported a dramatic decline in the number of discarded syringes its crews are collecting, although officials say staffing and cleanup efforts have remained unchanged despite the reduced volume.
As of Wednesday, sanitation workers had picked up 26,229 needles in 2026, compared to 64,560 during the same period last year—nearly three times as many.
Councilman Oswald Feliz, a Bronx Democrat whose district includes two of the collection sites in Fordham Heights and Tremont, acknowledged the improvements in street cleanliness while expressing concern about the broader message the program sends.
“Too often, used syringes end up in front of schools and children’s parks, and this is an issue that should be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” he said. “We should not recklessly create conditions that can threaten the safety of vulnerable communities.”
Some participants welcomed the continuation of the program and said they wished the city would increase the number of collection sites and eliminate the daily cap on syringe returns.
“It’s definitely a side hustle for me. Yeah, definitely!” crowed Tamia Wright, 43, after returning needles at Walter Gladwin Park in The Bronx on Thursday. “Right now, I’m gonna buy some weed with [the earnings] and cigarettes.”
Health Department spokeswoman Rachel Vick defended the initiative, saying it provides cleaner neighborhoods while connecting participants with services.
“everyone deserves to live in a community free of syringe litter” in public spaces.
“The city’s syringe redemption program allows New Yorkers in neighborhoods where we see the most complaints to help keep their communities clean, while safely disposing of medical waste and connecting people in need to nearby care,” said Vick.
“We look forward to continuing this important work in the years to come.”
{Matzav.com}
