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A heavy pall of mourning has descended upon the Chassidic world, and the courts of Lelov in particular, following the sudden passing of Rav Yissachar Dov Biderman, the Lelover Rebbe zt”l. The Rebbe collapsed while immersing in a mikvah. He was 84 years old.

The Rebbe arrived earlier today, as was his custom, to immerse in the private mikvah located at the Lelover beis medrash on Rechov Tzefania Street in Yerushalayim. After he remained in the water longer than usual, those accompanying him raised the alarm. Emergency medical teams were summoned and carried out prolonged resuscitation efforts, but tragically, doctors were forced to declare his petirah.

Paramedic Naftali Sofer of Hatzalah, together with emergency medical technicians Yosef Herpaz and Kobi Marder, described the scene: “When we arrived, we found a man unconscious, without a pulse or respiration. Witnesses told us he had been pulled from the water in that condition. Together with additional paramedics and EMTs from MDA and Hatzalah, we immediately began advanced resuscitation efforts, including chest compressions, assisted ventilation, and life-saving medications. Sadly, despite all efforts, MDA paramedics were forced to pronounce his passing at the scene.”

Reb Bentzi Oiring, commander of the Yerushalayim district of ZAKA, stated: “The Rebbe collapsed in the mikvah of the Lelover Chassidus on Rechov Tzefania in Yerushalayim. His attendants, noticing that he was delayed for an extended period, called emergency services. MDA teams confirmed his passing. ZAKA volunteers are operating at the scene, ensuring that kavod hameis is fully preserved.”

Following his petirah, the niftar was brought into the Lelover beis medrash, where the paroches was removed and candles were lit around him.

The levayah is scheduled to take place this evening, departing from the Kedushas Mordechai Lelov beis medrash at 39 Rechov Bar Ilan in Yerushalayim, and proceeding to Har Haceisim. The levayah is expected to begin after 8:00 p.m., following the arrival of the Rebbe’s son on a flight from London.

Rav Yissachar Dov Biderman was born in Yerushalayim on the 10th of Kislev, 5702 (1941), to his father, the Lelover Rebbe, Rav Moshe Mordechai Biderman, and his mother, Rebbetzin Ettel, of the Schwartz family.

At his bris, he was named Yissachar Dov after the Belzer Rebbe. As a young child, he moved with his family to Tel Aviv, where his father relocated from the Batei Varsha neighborhood of Yerushalayim. He studied at the Belzer cheder and later in the Belzer yeshivah, eventually learning in the Lelover yeshivah in Yerushalayim’s Beis Yisrael neighborhood, where he distinguished himself as one of its outstanding talmidim.

After his marriage, he continued to immerse himself in limud haTorah and supported his family by writing Sifrei Torah. Known for his ascetic lifestyle, the Rebbe was entirely devoted to avodas hakodesh. Those close to him described him as exceptionally gentle and refined, visibly carrying forward the sacred path and spiritual bearing of his father. He was especially renowned for his profound ahavas Yisrael, in the tradition of the Lelover rebbes from the dynasty’s founder, Rav Dovid’l of Lelov, onward.

In later years, he assumed the mantle of leadership as Lelover Rebbe and headed the Kedushas Mordechai Lelov beis medrash on Rechov Bar Ilan in Yerushalayim, which was established in 2007. His chassidim reside throughout Israel and around the world, and many would travel to participate in his tishen on yahrtzeits and Yomim Tovim. On Motzaei Shabbos, following Havdalah, the Rebbe was known to distribute cigarettes to those present, a custom remembered fondly by his followers.

The Rebbe’s sudden passing comes just two days before the yahrtzeit of his brother, the Lelover Rebbe Rav Avraham Shlomo Biderman, who passed away on the 16th of Shevat in 5760.

He is survived by his family and many descendants who continue his sacred path, as well as his brothers, the Lelover rebbes of Nikolsburg and Lelov Ezras Torah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

The East African country of Somalia is holding up permits for Israeli airline Arkia to continue flying over it to and from the Far East, the Israeli Transport Ministry says.

The delay comes amid tensions between the two countries over Israel’s recognition on Dec. 26 of the breakaway Republic of Somaliland as an independent state. Somalia views the autonomous region as an integral part of its territory.

“The reason for not granting the approval to Arkia is not clear because the authorities in Somalia did not specify the reason for their refusal,” the Transport Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. “This refusal constitutes a violation of the Convention on International Aviation to which Somalia, a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is a signatory.”

The ministry added that it is working with “all relevant parties” and using “all means at its disposal” to assist the Israeli carrier in resolving the issue.

Arkia said that it has not received a renewal of its permit to fly over Somalia airspace, which expires at the end of January, and may be forced to alter its flight route to Thailand.

“As part of international aviation procedures, airlines submit periodic requests for air transit permits on various routes,” Arkia said in a statement. “As of now, Arkia has not yet received the renewal of the periodic permit for air transit over Somalia for February.”

“If approval is not received by the beginning of February, the company will operate flights on an alternative route, without any change to flight times and without harming passengers,” the carrier said.

Arkia, which began flying to Thailand in November, added that the issue is being handled by Israeli authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority and the Foreign Ministry.

Israeli flag carrier El Al’s s permit renewal to fly over Somalia remains valid until March 1.

Israeli travel agents said Thursday that the delay in granting the permit is seen as Somalia’s revenge over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and was a diplomatic issue that will have little to no effect on flights to the Far East.

“The refusal of Somalia’s government to grant the approval due to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is more of a diplomatic issue than anything else,” Mark Feldman, CEO of Jerusalem’s Ziontours, told JNS on Sunday. “The additional 20 minutes required to bypass their airspace will have zero ramifications on Arkia marketing the route.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests occurring in cities led by Democrats unless local authorities ask for federal help amid mounting criticism of his administration’s immigration crackdown. On his social media site, Trump posted that “under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run […]

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday selected a former inmate who later became a prison reform advocate to serve as commissioner of the Department of Correction, signaling his administration’s intent to shift the jail system toward a rehabilitation-centered model.

Stanley Richards, who was incarcerated in the late 1980s on a robbery conviction, will become the first person with a prior prison record to head the city’s correctional agency. Announcing the appointment, Mamdani highlighted the historical nature of the decision. “Stanley will make history in this role as the first ever formerly incarcerated person to serve as commissioner,” Mamdani said. “I will turn to Stanley as we work to build a city where justice is at the heart of our corrections system,” the mayor added.

According to reports by Gothamist and NY1, Richards was convicted of robbery in the late 1980s, spending approximately two and a half years on Rikers Island followed by another four and a half years in state prison. He was released in 1991.

In his initial comments after being named commissioner, Richards echoed Mamdani’s reform agenda and criticized what he characterized as an overly punitive approach to incarceration. “Today we turn the page and we start a new era under Mayor Mamdani,” Richards said.

Richards also cited his professional background within the correctional system, noting his prior service as first deputy commissioner of programs and operations at the Department of Correction, as well as his role as vice chair of the Board of Correction’s Task Force to Close Rikers.

The appointment comes amid continued federal oversight of New York City’s jails. Earlier this week, a federal judge installed an external remediation manager to supervise reforms at Rikers Island following years of violence, staffing shortages, and court findings that city officials failed to adequately address unsafe conditions. Rikers had been slated for closure by August 2027 under former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

When asked whether he had already engaged with the remediation manager, Mamdani said contact had been made and stressed a collaborative approach. “My administration has, and we look forward to working with the remediation manager on improving conditions in our city’s jails, both for those in custody and for correction officers,” Mamdani said.

The move prompted a cautious response from the union representing correction officers, which warned against subordinating safety concerns to political goals. In a statement, Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association President Benny Boscio said the jails “cannot and will not operate as safely as possible if the concerns of our members are brushed aside,” adding that Richards must show a clear commitment to “putting safety and security before any political ideology.”

As Richards prepares to assume leadership of the embattled jail system, questions remain over whether his reform-driven experience will result in tangible improvements in safety and stability. Mamdani’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Richards is scheduled to begin his new role on Feb. 16.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Supreme Leader accused the United States of creating an “ISIS-like” group to stir recent unrest, claiming it carried out arson attacks and killings across Iran, and alleged that the same U.S. intelligence elements behind ISIS in Iraq and Syria are now targeting Iran.

Trump on Cuba: “We’re starting to talk to Cuba… A lot of people that live in our country were treated very badly by Cuba… They haven’t seen their family, their country, for many, many decades. I’ll be able to work that out.”

Trump on Iran: “We do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction, as you know… But I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable.”

TODAY IN HISTORY: On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry after a 16-day mission, killing all seven astronauts •⁠ ⁠Commander Rick Husband •⁠ ⁠Pilot William McCool •⁠ ⁠Payload commander Michael Anderson •⁠ ⁠Mission specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown and Laurel Clark •⁠ ⁠Payload specialist Ilan Ramon the first Israeli in space

Photos from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after it reopened today.

Movement of Palestinians through the Rafah Crossing is expected to begin tomorrow, according to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). COGAT said the Gaza–Egypt crossing has officially reopened, with a pilot operation underway today to test and assess its functionality. The agency added that travel in both directions — into and out […]

A bomb-cyclone nor’easter slammed the Carolinas and Virginia, delivering record snow, fierce winds, and over 12,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled.

A stirring miracle story has been electrifying the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak court—exactly one year after it began.

The story traces back precisely a year, to the 14th of Shevat, the yahrtzeit of the mekubal Rav Yitzchak Abuchatzira zt”l. That evening, a wedding was held in Beitar Illit for the Rebbe’s grandson, the son of his son, Rav Chaim Meir Kohn, who serves as the rav of the community’s chassidim in the city.

While the Rebbe was attending the celebration, one of his sons told him about the well-known segulah of Rav Yitzchak Abuchatzira involving arak. According to the tradition, bottles of arak are purchased and notes describing the desired salvation are attached to them. If the person is answered, the bottles are opened the following year on the yahrtzeit. The Rebbe listened attentively and immediately instructed his grandson to go out and purchase four bottles of arak so the segulah could be carried out on the spot.

When the bottles were brought, the Rebbe gave precise instructions: On three of the bottles, the names of three of his grandchildren were to be written. These were the children of his daughter, Manche, who lives in the United States: a 32-year-old grandson and two daughters close to age 30. All three had been delayed in shidduchim for many years, and the request was clear and focused: that they should soon find their zivugim.

But the story did not end there. One bottle remained unassigned. For the fourth bottle, the Rebbe himself took a slip of paper and wrote something in his own hand—something no one else saw and no one knows. He attached the note to the bottle, and the secret remained sealed. The bottles were then set aside, as the ancient segulah prescribes, awaiting the salvation that would come over the course of the year.

Now, exactly one year later, the magnitude of the miracle has become clear. The Rebbe fulfilled the arak segulah—and was answered. In what chassidim describe as a Heavenly convergence, all three of the Rebbe’s grandchildren became engaged over the past year. Two have already married, and the third wedding will take place soon. All that remains is to wonder what was written on the secret note attached to the fourth bottle…

This evening, many across the Jewish world are holding yahrtzeit seudos in memory of Rav Yitzchak ben Rav Yaakov Abuchatzira. Many, too, are dedicating bottles of arak with their hopes attached, to be opened at next year’s yahrtzeit.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge rejects Minnesota’s request to block the ICE-led Operation Metro Surge.

A Hamas tunnel stretching hundreds of meters beneath southern Gaza’s Khan Younis has been destroyed by Israeli combat engineers, the military said. The IDF reported the tunnel contained three rooms used by terrorists and was stocked with weapons, including 45 grenades, Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs and launchers, explosive devices, and other military equipment. The tunnel, discovered […]

Border czar Tom Homan says 145,000 unaccompanied migrant children have been rescued from Biden-era neglect.

Iranian lawmakers chant “Death to America, Death to Israel” in military uniform, after President Trump said earlier that Iran is negotiating with the United States.

President Donald Trump said the United States was beginning to talk with Cuban leaders as his administration puts greater pressure on the communist-run island and cuts off key oil supplies. He made the comment to reporters on Saturday night as he was flying to Florida. It comes in the wake of his moves in recent […]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pushing new legislation that would limit cooperation between local law enforcement and US immigration officials, casting the measure as a message to the Trump administration in the wake of violent incidents involving federal agents in other parts of the country.

The new bills would overturn prior state provisions that enabled federal agencies to deputize local police resources for operations involving immigration operations. The proposal would also bar municipal jails from being used for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention.

“We’re sending a strong message to ICE,” Hochul said in a press conference Friday alongside New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and several district attorneys from around the state. The governor said the goal is to “fortify ourselves” as New York prepares for a potential increase in federal immigration activity in the state.

“You will not weaponize local police officers against their own communities in the state of New York,” she said. “You will not use our police tech to track people who have done nothing wrong. You will not throw innocent people into our jails and you will do everything only with a judicial order.”

Hochul emphasized that New York would continue cooperating with federal authorities on cases involving violent crimes. The legislation would allow information-sharing and custody transfers when a judge issues a warrant or when a person has been convicted of serious violent offenses.

President Donald Trump said this week that New York and other Democratic-led cities were “heading in the wrong direction.”

Hochul’s proposal comes less than a week after Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was protesting their operations in Minneapolis. Pretti was the second US citizen killed by federal agents in Minnesota, following the shooting death of Renee Good earlier in January.

The killings set off nationwide protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. On Friday, demonstrators have called for a nationwide strike, asking Americans to skip school and work and avoid spending at businesses.

In New York, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican expected to challenge Hochul in this year’s gubernatorial race, assailed her plan to bar local cooperation with ICE and said it would endanger public safety.

“These critical agreements have long helped remove violent offenders — including murderers, … traffickers, gang members, and other dangerous criminals — from our streets, and assisted police in keeping them in custody when Hochul’s bail law would otherwise force their release,” Blakeman said in a statement. “Now, local law enforcement’s hands are tied, and these criminals will be released back into our communities.”

But Democrats are pushing measures to curtail the White House efforts, arguing the efforts are necessary to protect the public from agents that they say have engaged in illegal actions toward civilians.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Wednesday that the state was setting up a portal for residents to upload cell phone video of ICE agents in the streets.

“Get your phone out, we want to know,” she said in an appearance on the late-night television program The Daily Show. “They have not been forthcoming. They will not tell us who they are.”

In New York, Hochul pledged to work with state lawmakers to pass her legislation “as quickly as possible” even as the state maintains a policy of cooperating with the federal government to apprehend violent criminals.

“Public safety must be pursued lawfully, transparently and with humanity,” Hochul said. “These very principles have been abandoned by our federal government and our immigration officers.”

{Matzav.com}

A yeshivah bochur from Ohel Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem was arrested on Sunday afternoon in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem, Kikar H’Shabbat reported. The arrest took place near the bochur’s home, in the heart of the Chareidi neighborhood in Jerusalem. A police vehicle stopped near the bochur’s house while he was outside after coming home […]