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The venerable gaon Rav Meir Greineman was released Monday afternoon from Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer after successfully undergoing a pacemaker implantation, b’chasdei Shamayim.
As previously reported here on Matzav, Rav Greineman was rushed to the hospital late Friday night after losing consciousness while learning with his grandson. Following the arrival of his eldest son, the decision was made to evacuate him to the hospital, where he was admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit.
Rav Greineman, the last living nephew of the Chazon Ish and known for his lifelong stringency of not eating food prepared outside his home, declined to eat the meals served by the hospital, despite their mehadrin kashrus. It was also learned that he did not allow food to be brought from his home, as he did not want anyone transporting food for him on Shabbos from Bnei Brak to Tel Hashomer, even though an eiruv could have been relied upon.
As a result, from approximately 2:00 a.m. on Friday night until noon on Shabbos day, Rav Greineman consumed only water, despite his advanced age and delicate medical condition. Only at around 12:00 p.m. did a non-Jew arrive with food brought from his home.
Rav Greineman has now returned to his residence in Bnei Brak, where he will continue resting and resume his regular learning schedule.
All are asked to continue davening for the complete recovery of Rav Meir ben Tzivia.
{Matzav.com}
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Fox News interview tonight that while negotiations toward a peace framework with Russia have made significant progress, surrendering Ukrainian territory remains a red line that would derail any agreement.
Zelensky said that roughly “90%” of the proposed framework has already been settled, but stressed that the remaining dispute over land is the most difficult issue still unresolved.
Speaking about the eastern Donbas region, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to seize, Zelensky warned that withdrawal would carry grave consequences. “All the parties have to understand that the worst way is to go out from the Donbas,” he told Fox News “Special Report” host Bret Baier.
According to Zelensky, any deal brokered with Putin — with President Trump acting as the intermediary — would ultimately require approval by the Ukrainian public through a national vote. He emphasized that moving forward with concessions he knows would be rejected makes no sense. “Of course, referendum — if we will go to referendum — is very important, but if we are not stupid, we can’t go to referendum after signing with President Trump … we can’t go to referendum knowing that the referendum will fail.”
He underscored that point bluntly, adding, “I mean, I think it’s stupid.”
Zelensky said handing the Donbas region to Moscow would be unacceptable to the public and dangerous for the country. “It will be a big risk for Ukraine,” he said of ceding the territory to Putin, calling such a move “not acceptable for Ukrainians.”
Summing up his position, the Ukrainian president argued that any agreement must reflect the will of the nation and lead to a lasting resolution. “We have to find real peace,” he said, “a real way to peace which is acceptable by the Ukrainian nation.”
{Matzav.com}
U.S. forces have now killed at least 106 suspected terrorist-linked drug traffickers in strikes aimed at smuggling vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, according to military figures released this week.
The latest operation is believed to be the first conducted under “Operation Southern Spear” since December 22, and marks the 30th such strike since September 2.
U.S. Southern Command said Monday that another suspected drug-running vessel was destroyed in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals described as “narco-terrorists.”
“On Dec. 29, at the direction of [War Secretary] Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters,” Southern Command posted on X.
According to the command, the target had been under surveillance and was moving through a well-known trafficking corridor. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the post continued. “Two male narco-terrorists were killed. No U.S. military forces were harmed.”
{Matzav.com}A milestone was marked this week in the rapidly growing chareidi community of Charish, with the formal appointment of a rav for the kehillah in the Choreish neighborhood.
Rav Reuven Miron was named rav of Kehillas Beis Hashem in Choreish during a ceremony attended by leading rabbonim and members of the community. Rav Miron is a close talmid of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and a son-in-law of Rav Tzvi Weber, rav of the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in Yerushalayim. He has also served for many years as one of the rabbonim of Kollel Ahavas Shalom.
The first ceremony took place at the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch as part of a series of gatherings held in the homes of gedolei Torah. The event was attended by members of the Charish community, Rav Weber, and rabbonim from other kehillos.
Rav Hirsch, who has accompanied and guided the Charish community since its founding, spoke at length in praise of Rav Miron, highlighting his personal qualities and his suitability to lead a kehillah. He recalled his long-standing personal connection with Rav Miron, noting that Rav Miron transcribed his shiurim during his years in yeshiva. Rav Hirsch offered heartfelt brachos to the newly appointed rav and to the community, expressing his hope that they will continue to strengthen and expand Torah.
At the home of Rav Dov Landau, the rosh yeshiva joined in extending warm brachos, wishing Rav Miron great siyata diShmaya in his leadership role and success to all members of the community.
Charish in general, and the Choreish neighborhood in particular, is widely viewed as having tremendous potential for Torah growth. The city’s rapid chareidization, relatively affordable housing, proximity to central Israel, strong mosdos, quality kollelim, employment opportunities, and convenient transportation to major chareidi centers have made it an increasingly attractive destination for young families seeking a strong Torah environment.
{Matzav.com}
Voluntary departures from the United States have surged during President Donald Trump’s second term, with the Department of Homeland Security reporting that close to 2 million illegal migrants left the country on their own initiative this year.
In a year-end summary of DHS activity released in mid-December, the department said 1.9 million people departed voluntarily between January and December 2025, a figure officials say reflects the administration’s intensified approach to immigration enforcement and deterrence.
According to the Washington Examiner, the numbers are being cited by the White House as proof that its strategy of encouraging illegal migrants to leave without formal removal proceedings is having an impact, despite sharp criticism from Democrats and activist organizations who argue the approach relies on intimidation.
Administration officials counter that the policy restores order while saving taxpayer dollars after what Republicans characterize as years of lax border enforcement. “President Trump is delivering on his promise to make America safe again and deport criminal illegal aliens,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the Examiner, describing the effort as the “largest mass deportation operation of criminal illegal aliens in history.”
Beyond voluntary departures, the Examiner reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has removed an additional 600,000 illegal migrants, most of whom had criminal records. Together, the figures point to a dual-track strategy combining arrests with pressure for migrants to exit the country on their own.
Analysts quoted by the outlet said ICE’s limited staffing — roughly 6,500 deportation officers nationwide — makes large-scale arrests impractical, increasing reliance on self-deportation as a release valve for a system strained during the Biden administration. Former immigration judge Andrew Arthur said consistent enforcement sends a signal that many migrants understand. When the law is applied steadily, he said, people “get the message and leave on their own.”
That message, according to the report, has been reinforced through frequent social media posts and high-profile arrests. The Examiner pointed to a White House post highlighting the apprehension of an illegal migrant previously deported and later convicted of fentanyl trafficking, emphasizing the administration’s focus on criminal offenders.
Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks dismissed claims that the campaign is designed to instill fear, saying the goal is clarity. “Do not come,” he said, summarizing the administration’s warning to would-be migrants.
CBS News reported last week that DHS has also expanded incentives for voluntary departure, tripling the so-called exit bonus from $1,000 to $3,000 for undocumented migrants who enroll through the revamped CBP Home app and leave the country by Dec. 31. Those who participate may also qualify for free airfare and relief from certain civil penalties related to unlawful presence.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS that migrants who decline the program will be “found,” “arrested,” and “never [allowed to] return” to the United States. DHS has said the initiative significantly reduces costs, with ICE estimating that a full arrest, detention, and deportation process averages about $17,000 per migrant — far more than airfare and a stipend.
While DHS said “tens of thousands” have used CBP Home to coordinate departures, officials have not released detailed figures showing how many received government assistance versus those who left independently.
Some analysts remain skeptical of the headline number. The Examiner reported that Cato Institute researcher David Bier cautioned the 1.9 million total could include some legal residents leaving voluntarily and may be influenced by incomplete survey data.
Even critics, however, acknowledge the underlying trend. As enforcement intensifies, departures — voluntary or otherwise — continue to climb.
{Matzav.com}