[COMMUNICATED]
A collective effort has been established to write four Sifrei Torah in memory of the four boys who were tragically niftar last Motzei Shabbos in the horrific accident: Aharon Nosson Lebovitz, Shloimy Cohen, Yaakov Kilburg, and Chaim Simcha Grossman.
The heartbreaking loss has deeply shaken Klal Yisrael. In response, Yidden across the country are coming together to dedicate new Sifrei Torah as an everlasting zechus — a living continuation of the Torah and kedusha these boys represented.
All are asked to unite in bringing menucha to their families and helping keep their Torah alive.
An emergency meeting convened today at the Badatz of the Eidah HaCharedis in its full composition under the leadership of Rav Moshe Shternbuch to discuss how to respond to the arrests of yeshiva students amid the ongoing draft controversy.
Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin of Ateres Shlomo took part in the session. Rav Sorotzkin has been leading efforts to unite the various communities on behalf of his talmid, Ariel Shamai, who was detained and is now being held in a military prison.
Participants considered a range of extraordinary measures not previously used by the Edah HaCharedit.
Opening the meeting, Rav Sorotzkin spoke emotionally about the imprisoned talmid, stressing that “this is a young man who sits and learns most hours of the day with great perseverance” and calling for determined action on his behalf. The discussion was then handed over to Rav Yitzchak Shlomo Beloya and ultimately to Rav Shternbuch.
Rav Shternbuch issued a forceful ruling, saying that the community must “go out to fight for the sake of Hashem with self-sacrifice.” He declared that protesting is a Torah obligation and urged the community to show extraordinary commitment so that, God willing, a yeshuah will follow. He stressed that although they do not seek conflict, they see no alternative but to resist what they described as an attack on Torah life.
At the end of the meeting, the Badatz issued a sharp written notice stating that they intend to wage a mitzvah war with complete dedication. The Badatz also announced that anyone who is enticed to join any of the army’s so-called chareidi tracks — whether military or civilian frameworks associated with service — will be boycotted: such individuals’ children will be barred from attending schools and institutions designated for the chareidi public in order to preserve the community’s “fortress wall” between the God-fearing public and the secular masses.
{Matzav.com}
Final preparations are underway for the massive “Million Man Atzeres” against the draft decree, which is scheduled to take place this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the entrance to Yerushalayim, centered around the String Bridge and the nearby streets.
The organizing committee, which includes representatives of all the chareidi parties, held a Zoom session following an earlier meeting at the Bnei Brak municipality. Participants included Chaim Bitton and Yosef Chaim Kalef of Shas, Chanoch Zeibert and Meir Porush of Agudas Yisroel, and Menachem Shapira of Degel HaTorah.
According to details obtained by Matzav.com, the rally will not feature a central stage or amplification trucks. Instead, leading rabbonim will be stationed at various points, with one balcony designated as the focal area from which selichos will be recited.
The program will consist solely of selichos, Tehillim, and the public declaration of Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shomayim.
During the committee discussions, organizers expressed their belief that the police have accepted that the event will indeed proceed and are preparing accordingly. The committee plans to tour the site on Tuesday, and an official notice about the event is expected to appear in the chareidi newspapers tomorrow.
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who last week approved the decision to hold the rally following the arrest of yeshiva bochru Ariel Shamai, was updated today by organizers on the logistical aspects of the event. Rav Hirsch instructed that the rally should take place “at any time and location possible, but only with full police approval.”
Earlier, representatives met with police officials, who are preparing for a crowd of at least half a million people. Police sources reportedly emphasized that their role is “to assist and prevent clashes, not to create unnecessary friction.” Officers even asked that the message be conveyed to the public that they “stand with the demonstrators, not against them.”
Among those attending today’s coordination meeting were Shmulik Shapira (Agudas Yisroel–Gur), Tzachi Barim (Deputy Mayor of Yerushalayim), Shimi Blau (Agudas Yisroel–Shlomei Emunim), Menachem Shapira (Degel HaTorah), and Yaakov Orgad (Shas).
Another round of meetings — both among the committee members and with police — is scheduled for tomorrow to finalize remaining details.
{Matzav.com}
Barely two weeks after the Gaza ceasefire took effect, Kan News revealed Sunday evening that the IDF is grappling with a serious internal security lapse, one that military officials have described as a grave breach of information security rules. Because of the classified nature of the incident, few concrete details have been released.
Security sources said the situation resulted from “a serious human error and gross negligence,” adding that the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Officials noted that “this incident is particularly severe and is being thoroughly examined to ensure that any damage, if caused, will be contained as much as possible.”
In response, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir immediately ordered a formal inquiry, placing it under his personal oversight. He also instructed senior officers to draft tougher new regulations to safeguard sensitive military information and prevent future lapses of this kind.
According to the IDF, the initial findings from the probe are expected to be delivered to the top command within days. Military insiders indicated that disciplinary actions are likely for those responsible, emphasizing that Lt. Gen. Zamir is directly supervising and tracking the progress of the investigation to ensure full accountability.
{Matzav.com}
During a recent White House press briefing, Jewish reporter Mr. Jake Turkeltaub — better known as Turx — surprised many when he asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether President Donald Trump was planning to build the Third Bais Hamikdosh in Yerushalayim.
Leavitt replied that such a topic “had not come up in any of the meetings held on President Trump’s construction projects.”
The question immediately drew mixed reactions online and in the media. Many observers dismissed it as inappropriate or misguided, calling it “foolish” and “an embarrassment.”
Others defended Turx’s boldness, noting that his question touched on deep religious and political symbolism rather than literal construction plans.
In response to the wave of criticism, Turx clarified his intent in an interview with Belaaz. “If there’s one thing Trump understands, it’s leverage. The problem is he couldn’t figure out how to get leverage over Hamas,” he explained, emphasizing that his comment was more about strategy than theology.
Turx elaborated that in his view, the solution is “very simple”: “To tell the Hamas terror group that if they won’t disarm, control of the Har Habayis will be transferred solely to the Jews.” He argued that Hamas leaders are indifferent to human life but deeply attached to the Temple Mount. “They don’t care about anybody’s kids, they’ll sacrifice everybody, but the one thing they will not sacrifice is Har Habayis,” he said.
Clarifying further, Turx added, “I’m not saying, ‘Let’s go up and build the Bais Hamikdash this second,’ I’m saying, ‘Let’s put Har Habayis on the table.’ And if that doesn’t work and Hamas does not disarm, then we’ll have to figure out about building the Beis Hamikdash, but for now, let’s just use it for leverage.”
The question came in the wake of President Trump’s announcement of several ambitious new building initiatives, including a ceremonial arch in Washington and plans to replace the White House’s east wing with an elegant ballroom — part of what he has described as “projects of lasting American greatness.”
{Matzav.com}As the highly contested New York City mayoral election approaches, many New Yorkers currently abroad in Israel wish to participate in this crucial race. While registration for new voters closed on October 25, 2025, Chaim V’Chessed points out that those who have registered to vote in New York, even in past elections, and who intend to return to New York, remain eligible.
Eligible voters must request their absentee ballot by 11:59 p.m. New York time on October 28. The process is simple: complete the FPCA (Federal Postcard Application) form available at this link and email it to voterreg@boe.nyc.ny.us. Ballots are typically received by email within a few days.
In a parallel initiative, Agudath Israel of America has established a dedicated ballot-collection service in Israel for New York City absentee ballots. Collection points are available in several Jerusalem neighborhoods, allowing New Yorkers abroad to submit their ballots locally and ensure they reach New York in time. Click here for details.
Summary: Instructions for voters abroadFill out the FPCA absentee-ballot request form.
Email the completed form to the voterreg@boe.nyc.ny.us promptly.
Watch for the emailed ballot; complete and return it according to instructions.
Use the Agudath Israel collection points in Israel to submit your ballot.
{Matzav.com}
With growing outrage over the draft law and the recent arrest of yeshiva bochurim, the long-discussed “million-man protest” in defense of Torah learning may finally be taking shape.
A key organizing meeting was held Sunday morning at the Bnei Brak Municipality, drawing representatives from all major chareidi parties, yet no final decisions have been made.
The meeting brought together Meir Porush and Chanoch Zeibert of Agudas Yisroel, Chaim Bitton of Shas, and Menachem Shapira of Degel HaTorah.
According to sources, the current plan under consideration is to hold the mass protest this Thursday afternoon at the entrance to Yerushalayim, the same location where a massive demonstration took place in 2014. However, the final date and details remain uncertain due to the significant funding and logistical coordination required, including arrangements with police and municipal authorities.
Meanwhile, members of the chareidi public, many of whom have already scheduled events for later in the week, are eagerly awaiting an official announcement. The sense in the community is that this time, the protest may indeed move forward after weeks of hesitation and internal debate.
The rally’s momentum stems from the recent arrest of Ariel Shamai, a yeshiva bochur from Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo — an incident that, for the first time, prompted Degel HaTorah to join public protests. Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, has been at the forefront of efforts to unite all factions of the Torah world around this cause.
Earlier today, Rav Sorotzkin participated in a session of the Eidah HaChareidis Beis Din in Yerushalayim, presided over by the senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch, to deliberate on an appropriate communal response to the continued imprisonment of yeshiva students. Among those present was the Beis Din’s emissary, Rav Shimon Shisha, who joined the discussion alongside Rav Sorotzkin.
In a related development, thousands of students from the Ateres Shlomo network of Talmudei Torah are expected to gather tomorrow outside Prison 10 in protest of the arrest. The demonstration is being organized under the direct instruction of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.
For now, the nation waits. Will this week finally see the long-promised “million-man protest”?
{Matzav.com}
A moving reception was held in Bnei Brak on Sunday for Bar Avraham Kupershtein, who was recently released from Hamas captivity in Gaza after months of nationwide tefillos on his behalf. The emotional highlight of the day was his visit to the home of Slabdoka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.
Kupershtein first arrived with his mother, Mrs. Julie Kupershtein, at City Hall, where Mayor Chanoch Zeibert, Deputy and Acting Mayor Menachem Shapira, and City Director Yisroel Ehrenstein welcomed him at a special session of the City Council. Speaking before the gathered officials and residents, Bar expressed his gratitude for the tefillos that, he said, led to his miraculous release. “I know that it’s because of your tefillos that I am here today,” he said.
Later, Bar visited Rav Hirsch at his home, where he recounted his experiences in captivity beneath Gaza. He described how he observed Shabbos even in the darkness of the tunnels, making Kiddush over water and singing zemiros. Journalist Yisroel Cohen, who accompanied families of the hostages and was present during the meeting, related that Bar told Rav Hirsch about a terrifying moment in captivity: a terrorist entered their holding place and announced that he would kill three of the six hostages, allowing them to decide who would die and who would be wounded. “I said Shema Yisroel and wasn’t afraid,” Bar recalled. “I felt I was in the hands of the Creator.” Miraculously, all of them survived.
During the City Council ceremony, Mayor Zeibert told Bar, “Everyone did their part for the hostages, but the greatest campaigner was your mother, Mrs. Julie. Thank you, and thank you to all the residents of Bnei Brak who prayed and united in tefillah and good deeds. Your joy, Bar, is the joy of us all. Welcome home.”
Deputy Mayor Menachem Shapira added that thousands of residents accompanied Julie through her long and painful ordeal. “It was a journey of kiddush Hashem and emunah that strengthened us all,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who took part in the prayers, initiatives, and acts of kindness.”
Councilman Lama Elharar said, “Not only have you come home, but you have brought home with you a spirit of faith that has inspired tens of thousands. Your mother’s words, ‘Always in Hashem’s hands,’ have become a symbol for so many.” He concluded by leading the audience in an emotional recitation of Mizmor l’Sodah.
Mrs. Julie Kupershtein thanked the mayor and residents for their boundless support. “Thank you to the mayor and to everyone in this city. What an incredible welcome! Thank you for every tefillah, every bit of strength, and every tear. Let’s continue to daven together for the safe return of all those still held captive,” she said.
When Bar rose to speak, many in the hall were moved to tears. “I just want to say thank you to all of you,” he said. “I’m sure that because of your prayers and those of all of Klal Yisroel, I’m here today. Without you, I might still be there.” Removing his cap, he showed the words embroidered on it: Always in the hands of the Creator.
City Director Yisroel Ehrenstein, who emceed the event, told Bar, “You’re returning today to a city that prayed for you. Thousands of minyanim recited Tehillim, children took on kabbalos tovos, schools and shuls organized days of prayer and spiritual growth—all with one heart and one goal: your safe return. Every week, city employees gathered here in this very hall to say Tehillim for the hostages. Every Rosh Chodesh, we held gatherings of inspiration and commitment. Today, we are privileged to see the circle completed.”
Mayor Zeibert presented Bar with a beautifully bound Sefer Tehillim on behalf of the city’s residents. Inside was an inscription that read: “I present you with this Sefer Tehillim as a symbol of the prayers, tears, and faith that accompanied your name every day, in every corner of the city, and in every heart that beat with hope for your safe return. In our darkest moments, we lifted our eyes to Heaven and cried, ‘Me’ayin yavo ezri? Ezri me’im Hashem oseh shamayim va’aretz.’ And now, with heartfelt gratitude to the Creator, we are blessed to see you home, healthy, and whole, reunited with your family.”
{Matzav.com}
