During Chanukah, ArtScroll rolled out 8 extraordinary deals at 33% off, one each day. If you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of them, now’s your moment. These are the lowest prices of the year on each of these sets!
For 48 HOURS only — from Motzei Shabbos until Monday at midnight — every one of those 8 best-selling deals return in one final encore.
Whether you’re building your library or stocking up on gifts for months to come, this is a rare opportunity. There are no purchase limits — just a firm deadline — so act fast.
Here are the sets that are on sale:
Hurry! These deals end this Monday, 12/29 at midnight. Don’t miss your chance – shop now at ArtScroll.com or your local Hebrew bookseller.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rabbi Nachman Sonenzon zt”l. He was 55.
Reb Nachman’s formative years were spent immersed in Torah and avodah within the walls of the bais medrash. For many years, his life revolved around hasmadah in learning that left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Approximately twenty years ago, Reb Nachman suffered a heart attack at Bais Medrash Govoah on Purim morning, a tragic medical episode that abruptly altered the course of his life. In a manifestation of remarkable Hashgocha, he survived the ordeal, but he never fully recovered. From that moment on, his life became one of daunting nisayon for him and his family.
Throughout these long and challenging years, Reb Nachman was surrounded by unwavering devotion and love. His family and friends tended to him with extraordinary mesirus nefesh, providing round-the-clock care with patience, dignity, and compassion. Their steadfast commitment was a living testament to the chessed and loyalty that define Klal Yisroel at its finest.
Reb Nachman is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Rochel Sonenzon, and their wonderful family, who stood by him with remarkable strength and faith through every stage of his prolonged illness.
The levayah will take place today at 1:00 PM at the Bendheim Bais Medrash of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ followed by kevurah in Lakewood.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
The news that emerged from Sydney on Sunday night, December 14, 2025, was devastating. A Chanukah menorah lighting organized by Chabad of Bondi turned into a scene of terror when an attack claimed the lives of 15 innocent people. Among those murdered was the widely loved Chabad shaliach, Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY’D. Scores of others were wounded. The shock reverberated throughout Australia and across Jewish communities worldwide, leaving Rabbi Schlanger’s family, kehillah, and friends stunned and brokenhearted.
Thousands of miles away in South Florida, one of Rabbi Schlanger’s closest friends struggled to absorb the loss. Geography had never weakened their bond; they spoke often, shared life, and leaned on one another. The moment the reality set in, he knew with certainty that he had to attend the Levaya—no matter how daunting the journey.
At the time, nothing was clear. The aftermath of the attack was chaotic, and there was no confirmed funeral date. Rumors spread that the Levaya might be arranged on only a few hours’ notice. Many friends questioned whether flying at all made sense. The attack had occurred on Sunday night; perhaps the funeral would be over before anyone from the United States could even land.
Two mutual friends, Levi and Mendel, made a bold decision. They booked flights from Los Angeles to Sydney for Monday night, accepting the risk that they might not arrive in time. The Florida-based friend wrestled with the same choice. It was Chanukah, and leaving would upend his family’s Yom Tov entirely. Torn, he turned to his wife and told her plainly, “You have the final say.”
She did not hesitate. “It’s the right thing to do.”
What followed was a race against time. At 3:20 PM, he secured a last-minute American Airlines ticket from Miami to Los Angeles, departing at 5:35 PM, with a connection on United Airlines from LAX to Sydney at 10:40 PM. On paper, the plan worked. In reality, almost nothing did.
In Miami, boarding suddenly stopped. A vague “service issue.” A gate change. Minutes stretched into hours. By the time the plane finally left the gate—more than two hours late—it was obvious that his international connection was hanging by a thread.
While the plane was taxiing and then climbing into the air, a message arrived with the first concrete detail: the Levaya was set for Wednesday at 11:00 AM in Sydney. There was still a chance—but only if everything else went perfectly.
He prepared himself for disappointment. If he missed the connection and arrived too late, then so be it. “Whatever happens, happens,” he thought. If he would travel halfway around the world only to turn around again, that too was part of Hashem’s plan.
What he did not know was that, behind the scenes, others were already moving. Friends realized he was unlikely to make the Sydney flight. Calls were made. Messages sent. Somewhere along the way, people with the authority to act became aware of the situation—and chose to act quietly, decisively, and without telling him a word.
Roughly two-thirds of the way to Los Angeles, a flight attendant stopped at his seat.
“Is this seat 36A?” she asked.
When he nodded, she handed him a handwritten note from the captain.
United, the note explained, would not hold the Sydney-bound flight.
American Airlines would.
There was another plane headed to Sydney—and it would wait. Relief washed over him as the weight of the moment finally lifted.
From then on, nothing unfolded in a normal way. Shortly before landing, he was moved from the very back of the aircraft to seat 9C near the front. The plane itself, originally assigned to a distant domestic gate, was rerouted to an international gate just two gates away from the Sydney flight.
As soon as the aircraft stopped, an American Airlines manager boarded, cutting past every standard procedure.
“I’m here specifically for the Sydney passenger,” he announced. “Is that Mr…?”
He was taken off the plane before any other passenger. As they hurried through the terminal, the manager explained that American Airlines had made a decision. The international flight had been held. His seat had been comped. And then, quietly and sincerely, the manager added, “And, on behalf of American Airlines, we are so sorry for your loss.”
They stopped for a photo—airline staff standing together with one grieving traveler while an entire plane waited. Still stunned, he asked them to take a picture on his own phone as well. “I needed proof,” he later said. “Or one day I might think it was all a dream.”
The extraordinary care continued on the other side of the world. When the plane touched down in Sydney at 8:40 AM, he was again escorted off first. An airline representative met him at the jetway and sped him through the airport. At immigration, an officer looked up, offered a soft “Shalom,” and waved him through.
Minutes later, he was outside. Levi and Mendel—also rushed through—were waiting. Together, they headed straight to the shul, arriving just moments before the Levaya began. The Niftar, Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY’D, was already there.
For his friend, the message was unmistakable. So much had aligned, against every reasonable expectation, that it could not be coincidence alone. Human kindness had played its part—but something more was at work as well.
“No doubt,” he later reflected, “Eli was pulling strings. He wanted his friends there.”
Based on a report by Shaina Glick for CrownHeights.info.
{Matzav.com}
Israeli security officials confirmed that the assailant responsible for Friday’s deadly ramming and stabbing attacks was Ahmad al-Roub, a 37-year-old resident of the Palestinian Arab village of Qabatiya. After fleeing the scenes of the attacks in his vehicle toward Afula, he was located and neutralized.
The attacks left two people murdered: 19-year-old Aviv Maor and 68-year-old Mordechai Shimshon. A third victim, a 16-year-old boy, sustained light injuries.
In response, combined forces from the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Security Agency, and the Israel Prison Service launched a counterterrorism operation on Friday in and around Qabatiya. The activity followed the sequence of attacks that unfolded near Beit She’an, and later in Ein Harod and Afula.
As part of the operation, Israeli forces carried out a targeted operational search at the home of the terrorist. Security personnel also questioned suspects connected to the case while IDF soldiers and ISA agents began mapping the residence in advance of a possible demolition.
According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the operation remains ongoing, with forces continuing to sweep additional locations in the area as part of broader efforts to thwart further terrorist activity.
Senior military leadership traveled to the region throughout the day to oversee developments on the ground. Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment, alongside Central Command head Avi Bluth and 96th Division commander Oren Simcha, during visits to Beit She’an. Additional assessments were held by Judea and Samaria Division commander Kobi Heller, who was present with IDF forces operating in the Qabatiya area.
Security officials emphasized that operations in the region will continue as long as necessary to prevent additional attacks and maintain stability.
{Matzav.com}
Negotiations aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia have picked up pace in recent weeks, with U.S. officials saying progress has accelerated after months of stagnation. One senior American official characterized the recent discussions as “positive and constructive,” asserting that more has been accomplished in the past two weeks than during the previous year of stalled diplomacy.
As part of that momentum, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to meet Sunday in Florida, according to officials familiar with the planning. Ukrainian sources told Axios the meeting is scheduled for that day, though the White House has not publicly confirmed the timing.
The talks are expected to take place at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump would host Zelenskyy as both sides work toward finalizing a U.S.-backed framework designed to bring the nearly three-year conflict to a close. Axios reported that the meeting is being viewed as a significant sign that negotiations have advanced to a critical stage.
Trump had previously indicated that he would only meet with Zelenskyy if an agreement was close, adding to the sense that the discussions have reached a pivotal point. Behind the scenes, talks have intensified over the past two months, including weekend sessions in Florida involving Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with senior negotiators from Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy appeared to signal that a meeting was imminent in a Friday post on X, written after a briefing from his chief negotiator, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. “We are not losing a single day,” he wrote, adding that “a lot can be decided before the New Year.”
At the center of the U.S. proposal are security guarantees for Kyiv from both the United States and Europe. According to Axios, the language of those guarantees is modeled on NATO’s Article 5 commitment, and the package could be sent to the Senate for ratification. Zelenskyy has said such guarantees would trigger a military response and renewed sanctions if Russia were to invade again.
Still, major obstacles remain. Russia continues to demand control over the entire Donbas region, a position that remains the most serious sticking point in the talks. The U.S. plan reportedly envisions converting contested areas into a demilitarized “free economic zone,” but Zelenskyy has insisted that any territorial concessions would require approval by Ukrainian voters in a referendum.
Analysts at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War warned in a recent assessment that Moscow is pressing for terms it is unlikely to secure through military means, including control of territory it has not captured. ISW suggested Russia may be seeking to conserve manpower and resources while setting the stage for future aggression.
On the battlefield, the situation remains fluid. The New York Post reported that while Russia has taken most of Luhansk and large portions of Donetsk, Ukrainian forces recently scored a victory near Kupyansk. Pro-Russian military bloggers have accused Russian commanders of overstating those territorial gains.
That combination of military pressure and diplomatic urgency has strengthened Trump’s hand as he pushes for a deal. Russia is facing mounting costs, Ukraine is seeking firm and reliable guarantees, and American voters are increasingly demanding an end to an open-ended conflict that has drained resources with no clear endpoint.
{Matzav.com}
The mother of slain Israeli hostage Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili will accompany Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his trip to the United States for his meeting with President Donald Trump on Dec. 29.
Talik Gvili said in a public statement that she would join Netanyahu’s Dec. 28 flight as part of her campaign to secure the return of her son’s body from Gaza.
An Israeli delegation led by Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch met with senior Egyptian officials and international mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss efforts to recover the remains of Gvili, the last hostage being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli authorities, Gvili, 24, died of wounds suffered battling terrorists at the entrance to Kibbutz Alumim during the Hamas-led terrorist invasion of the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023. He was posthumously promoted from staff sergeant to master sergeant.
The 20 last living hostages were freed on Oct. 13, and the bodies of deceased hostages have been returned sporadically since that date.
Phase 1 of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan called for the return of all hostages, living and dead, by Oct. 13. Netanyahu and Trump are expected to discuss next steps in the Gaza ceasefire plan during their meeting at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. JNS
{Matzav.com}
In an unusual and highly emotional act of protest, the family of a fallen Israeli soldier dismantled their son’s military headstone and placed it outside the General Staff building at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.
The protest was carried out by the family of Sgt. Gur Kehati, who was killed in November 2024 alongside Maj. (res.) Ze’ev (Ze’evu) Erlich during an encounter in southern Lebanon. Kehati’s mother sharply criticized the military justice system, which recently handled the investigation into the incident in which the two men were killed.
According to the family, the decision to dismantle the headstone was symbolic. Kehati’s mother said the act was meant to release her son from what she described as “the Israel Defense Forces of the rank-and-file,” a bitter expression of her sense of abandonment and betrayal.
Family members physically removed the military gravestone and placed it outside the General Staff building at the Kirya shortly before a scheduled meeting with senior military prosecutors. Kehati’s mother, Maayan Agmon Kehati, later wrote that although the family had been summoned to the Military Advocate General’s Corps for a meeting with the Military Advocate General and the Chief Military Prosecutor, she herself did not attend due to what she described as an inability to do so emotionally.
She said her relatives went instead to what she called a “dubious meeting” with military officials, during which they were told that their son “was not killed in a fortress.” Following that meeting, the family decided to dismantle the headstone. “We released Gur from the IDF,” she wrote. “From a place where he gave his entire being, his entire life’s path that was built with blood, sweat, and tears.”
Parts of the mother’s remarks, which included harsh statements made in her grief, were censored by the news outlet for understandable reasons.
The protest comes about a week after the Military Advocate General’s Corps informed Col. (res.) Yoav Yerum, who served as chief of staff of the Golani Brigade at the time of the incident, that the investigation file against him had been closed without criminal charges. The decision did, however, include a recommendation for possible command-level disciplinary steps.
Sgt. Kehati and Maj. (res.) Erlich were killed during a clash in southern Lebanon after a Golani force was sent to an ancient fortress where Hezbollah operatives were present. In the aftermath of the incident, the IDF Chief of Staff ordered an internal probe to determine whether there had been a genuine operational need for the mission, or whether the soldiers had been dispatched primarily to secure Erlich, a reserve officer and archaeological researcher who had expressed interest in the ancient site.
{Matzav.com}
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a holiday address that blended religious tradition with a sharp denunciation of Russia’s actions, accusing Moscow of godlessness while expressing a collective Ukrainian longing for peace.
Overnight, Russian forces launched another wave of aerial attacks, firing drones and missiles across Ukraine. Zelensky pointed to those strikes as evidence of Russia’s moral bankruptcy, saying: “on the eve of [the holiday] the Russians once again showed us who they truly are, massive shelling, hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles… this is how the Godless strike. This is how those act who have absolutely nothing in common with Christianity or anything human, but we are holding on”.
The president spoke as Ukrainians marked the Christian holiday. In his remarks, Zelensky reflected on “love for our homes, our roots, our traditions,” and contrasted those values with what he described as the brutality of the Russian invasion.
Turning directly to the conflict, Zelensky said that attempts to strip Ukrainians of their traditions had become part of the war effort. “for the fourth year in a row there have been attempts to take [the holiday] away from us, and that is exactly what we are defending today, our land, our families, that longed-for feeling of peace, and calm in our own home… despite all the suffering Russia has brought, it is not capable of bombing what matters most, our Ukrainian heart.”
Without mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin by name, Zelensky made an implicit reference that suggested a deadly wish directed at Moscow’s leader. He said: “Since ancient times, Ukrainians have believed on [the holiday] night that the heavens open and if you tell them your dream, it will surely come true. Today we share one dream, and we make one wish for all of us. ‘May he perish’, each of us may think to ourselves.”
He quickly added that Ukrainians were also turning their prayers toward a broader hope. Zelensky said the nation was asking God for “something greater, we ask for peace in Ukraine.”
{Matzav.com}
Two people were killed in a series of terror attacks involving ramming and stabbing in northern Israel today.
According to Magen David Adom, a report was received at 12:31 p.m. at the MDA 101 call center in the Gilboa region regarding an injured woman on Route 71 near Kibbutz Ein Harod. The woman, aged 19, had been run over and then stabbed. She was later pronounced dead at HaEmek Medical Center in Afula and identified as Aviv Maor from Ein Harod.
Shortly beforehand, a man aged 68 was fatally struck by a vehicle in Beit She’an, in what police suspected was a terrorist attack. He was later named as Mordechai Shimshon.
A 16-year-old boy was attacked in a separate ramming incident in the city and was reported to have light injuries. A 37-year-old man was later wounded when the terrorist got out of his car and hit him with a rock outside Afula.
The single assailant in all four attacks—identified as a 37-year-old Palestinian man from Qabatiya, near Jenin—fled in his employer’s car after the attack on Route 71 toward Kibbutz Tel Yosef and was later shot and killed at the entrance to the city of Afula, police said. He had been working illegally in Israel, the Kan public broadcaster reported.
Defense Minister Yisroel Katz instructed the IDF to act forcefully against the village from which the murderous terrorist emerged.
“Every terrorist must be located and neutralized, and terrorist infrastructure in the village must be struck,” Katz said. “Anyone who assists terrorism or provides sponsorship or backing for terrorism will pay the full price.”
He added, “My heart is with the bereaved families at this most difficult hour. I send my deepest condolences and strengthen them in the face of this unimaginable loss. I wish to commend the security forces who acted swiftly, resolutely and professionally, and who neutralized the terrorist.”
Speaking to reporters at the scene of the ramming-stabbing attack in northern Israel, Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levi called it a “very serious incident” and thanked the security officer who killed the assailant.
“The incident is over. The terrorist was neutralized. We are continuing to investigate the facts together with the Shin Bet and other security officials,” Levi said.
Following the attacks, President Isaac Herzog spoke to Noam Jumaa, the mayor of Beit She’an, and Danny Atar, head of the Gilboa Regional Council, asking them “to convey words of strength, support and condolences to the residents of the area from the entire people of Israel in the face of this difficult event.
“I wish to express my deep shock at the horrific killing spree and the combined terrorist attack in northern Israel carried out by a despicable terrorist,” Herzog said. “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those murdered, and my wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.”
He continued, “Israel is committed to reinforcing and strengthening this challenging border and, of course, to bolstering the security response in the area for the full safety of the residents. I thank the security officer who neutralized the terrorist for his alertness and decisive action.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar tweeted on Friday, “I share in the deep pain and mourning of the families and send wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.
“The Palestinian Authority is deceiving the international community while continuing to pay salaries to terrorists and their families and encourage terror,” he wrote. “Terror will not win. We’ll continue to strengthen our hold on our land.” JNS
{Matzav.com}
Federal planners say the White House will outline its vision for rebuilding the East Wing during a public session early next month, offering the first official briefing on President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom since legal and political challenges emerged.
According to a notice posted by the National Capital Planning Commission, the administration will deliver an “information presentation” at the commission’s January 8 meeting, previewing plans tied to the East Wing reconstruction.
The proposed ballroom has drawn sharp opposition. Preservation groups have taken the project to court, while Democratic lawmakers have criticized it as an overreach of presidential authority and have begun probing which donors are backing the estimated $400 million construction. Trump has said the new structure would be significantly larger than the existing White House footprint.
Oversight of the process rests with the planning commission, which is chaired by Will Scharf, a White House aide who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney. The commission has so far declined to formally evaluate the demolition of the former East Wing, the preparatory work already carried out at the site, or the project’s potential impact on surrounding historic properties. If completed, the ballroom would represent the most dramatic physical change to the White House complex in decades.
Legal resistance is being led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argues that the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom would overwhelm the existing White House, estimated at roughly 55,000 square feet. Earlier this month, a judge declined to block the project on an emergency basis, citing the lack of finalized details on size, scale, and design. A further court hearing is scheduled for next month.
Much of the former East Wing was torn down in October, a move that occurred with little public notice or consultation. The limited transparency surrounding that demolition has fueled criticism from preservation advocates and lawmakers alike.
Trump, who built his career in real estate, has taken a personal interest in reshaping the White House and Washington more broadly ahead of next year’s celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the ballroom, he has floated plans for a new ceremonial arch near the capital.
Inside the White House, the president has overseen extensive decorative changes, including heavy use of gold leaf in the Oval Office and the installation of plaques reflecting his views on the legacies of past presidents.
Looking ahead, the planning commission said a formal review expected in the spring will examine issues such as sightlines, public access, and landscaping. That process will include opportunities for members of the public to submit written comments or offer testimony.
{Matzav.com}
U.S. forces carried out a military strike against Islamic State militants operating in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, American officials confirmed, following repeated warnings from President Donald Trump that continued attacks on Christians would prompt direct U.S. action.
Pete Hegseth announced the operation late Thursday night, saying the strike followed through on a clear message delivered weeks earlier. “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth posted on X. “The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come … Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation. Merry Christmas!”
The comments came after Donald Trump publicly stated that the United States had launched a direct attack on ISIS elements in Nigeria. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump wrote.
In earlier remarks, Trump had sharply criticized Nigerian authorities, accusing them of failing to protect Christian communities from Islamist violence and warning that American intervention was imminent if the situation did not improve. “Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria, and anywhere, must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote earlier.
U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the operation was carried out in coordination with Nigeria’s government. In a statement posted on X that was later deleted, the command said it had “conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists.”
“Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the command said.
Officials did not release details about the strike itself, including what weapons were used or the scope of the damage inflicted. Neither Hegseth nor Trump elaborated on casualties or follow-up operations.
In recent years, affiliates of the Islamic State have expanded their footprint in parts of Nigeria, carrying out attacks against civilians, security forces, and religious communities. Violence targeting Christians in particular has increasingly drawn scrutiny from religious freedom advocates and U.S. officials, intensifying calls for international action.
{Matzav.com}
U.S. immigration detention has climbed to its highest level on record, according to newly released figures from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency’s biweekly data shows that as of December 14, 2025, more than 68,400 people were being held in immigration custody across the country.
That figure surpasses all previous totals and edges past the prior record set just days earlier in early December, marking a rapid acceleration in detention levels.
Using ICE’s publicly available data, The Guardian has continued its independent tracking of immigration enforcement activity. Its most recent analysis, published December 22, examined the period from October 1 through December 14, 2025, and built on calculations the outlet has been compiling since the start of the year.
Based on that analysis, the administration has carried out more than 328,000 arrests since January 2025 and has deported nearly 327,000 people during the same period.
Despite repeated messaging from the administration that enforcement efforts would focus on “the worst of the worst” offenders, the data shows that people without criminal records still make up the largest share of those in immigration detention. Under U.S. law, being in the country without legal status is a civil violation, not a criminal offense.
At the same time, the Trump administration has taken steps to roll back or invalidate legal protections that previously allowed many immigrants to remain in the United States lawfully, further expanding the pool of people vulnerable to detention and removal.
Together, the figures underscore a sweeping shift in immigration enforcement, with record detention numbers and broad-based arrests extending well beyond individuals convicted of crimes.
{Matzav.com}
