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by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Monday that President Donald Trump’s recent social media activity raises serious concerns about his mental fitness, arguing that his statements warrant closer scrutiny.

Speaking on CNN’s “The Source” with host Kaitlan Collins, Greene reacted to a controversial post by the president and clarified how she interpreted it.

Host Kaitlan Collins said, “I have to ask you if you believe that the president, thought he was depicting himself, as as a doctor, not Jesus in that post?”

Greene said, “No absolutely not. I thought that was blasphemy. As a Christian, I was very offended. And and a doctor, President Trump is not a doctor. And that picture had him in a robe as Jesus is often portrayed with light coming out of his hands. And he talked about, healing people like a Red Cross worker. I think there would be many people that would argue with that, you know, saving lives. So I think it was blasphemy. I was offended. I think he should apologize.”

Collins then referenced Greene’s earlier response to another post, in which she invoked the 25th Amendment, and pressed her on whether she believes the president should be removed from office.

Collins said, “You responded to that post about a whole civilization will die with an all caps 25th Amendment and three exclamation points. Do you really think that the president should be removed from office?”

Greene said, “I think we have to really question the mental stability of any president that threatens to wipe out an entire civilization of people. That would include all the innocent people in that country that have nothing to do with the war, especially after President Trump said this was about freeing the Iranian people from the Iranian regime. So for him to call to wipe out an entire civilization of people is absolutely wrong.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Republican lawmakers to act against President Donald Trump, warning that his actions could cause lasting harm to the United States if left unchecked.

Speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Clinton argued that Trump’s behavior could become increasingly dangerous, citing a concept she teaches about leadership decision-making.

Clinton said, “I teach a course at Columbia University with the dean of the School of International Public Affairs. We’ve been on your program. And among the things we teach is behavior of of leaders. And there’s something called domain of loss, which means when a leader feels that he’s losing, he actually becomes more reckless. And I fear that with Trump, you know, he’s found the joy of ordering our military to go do things that give him a lot of, dopamine. I guess when he’s in the Situation Room watching them, you know, take out Maduro from Venezuela or attack Iran or whatever. I just worried that he’s going to become more reckless.”

She followed with a direct appeal to Congress, including members of Trump’s own party, urging them to intervene.

She continued, “And this is a call to the Congress, including the Republicans, to step up and do your constitutional duty, rein in this president before he causes absolutely irreparable damage to our country, to our military standing, to our authority and leadership. Do not let him continue to be a rogue player in the international arena, because I fear he will get more reckless.”

Clinton also linked her warning to upcoming elections, expressing confidence that Democrats could regain control of Congress and hold the president accountable.

Clinton added, “And I will tell you when we win these midterm elections, because look at the elections were today or next week or the following week, we would win both the House and the Senate and I hope that’s what happens in November. Both because I want to see change, but also I want to see him held accountable. And so let’s do it now because I’m not sure we can wait and allow him, you know, free range to along with his buddy Hegseth to tell our military to go do things that are not even in the interests of the United States, as well as breaching, you know, the laws of war.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rabbi Pinchas Reuven z”l, a well-known figure in the olam hateshuvah and a driving force behind large-scale spiritual gatherings, who was niftar Tuesday morning at the age of 66 following a decline in his health in recent weeks.

Rabbi Reuven, who headed the Malchus Dovid organization and was known for distributing seforim and sifrei Tehillim, was also the longtime operator of a well-known store on Rechov HaShomer in Bnei Brak.

Many had davened for the recovery of Pinchas Reuven ben Malya, but he ultimately was niftar.

He was among the founders of the Hidabroot organization and spent years organizing large tzibbur events, including major gatherings at Yad Eliyahu and events affiliated with the Shas movement. Through Malchus Dovid, he made seforim and sifrei Tehillim widely accessible at reduced cost, and his store became a familiar landmark in Bnei Brak.

Rabbi Reuven was the central figure behind many of the large atzaros teshuvah, arranging dozens of major gatherings during the aseres yemei teshuvah leading up to Yom Kippur, as well as large-scale events for women throughout the country.

He maintained a deep personal connection to his rebbi, Rav Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi, to whom he was closely devoted.

About a decade ago, he suffered two serious strokes, but with chasdei Shamayim he recovered and underwent a difficult rehabilitation. Even after enduring those medical challenges, his dedication to Klal Yisroel and his passion to be mezakeh es harabbim never waned.

In recent weeks, his condition worsened once again, and this morning he passed away.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}

Opposition leader Yair Lapid indicated he is open to the possibility of forming a broad political alliance within Israel’s center-left bloc, including potential cooperation with former prime minister Naftali Bennett and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot.

During a closed Zoom call with senior campaign staff from his Yesh Atid party, Lapid addressed future political strategies and suggested that a large unified party could be on the table.

According to a report by Kan News, Lapid said he does not rule out joining forces with Bennett or Eisenkot, who currently leads the Yashar party.

“Everything is possible between the three of us, there could be a full or partial union,” Lapid said during the call, which took place on Monday.

However, earlier in the day, Lapid was also reported to have sharply criticized those same figures, highlighting tensions despite the talk of unity.

“In contrast to Bennett, who ran away before the elections, Eisenkot who ran away in the middle of the term and in the middle of the struggle over the draft law, and Golan who is not a member of Knesset — we stayed in the Knesset and did not run away,” he said.

Lapid added that until now his party had refrained from responding publicly out of a sense of solidarity within the broader political camp, but had now decided to change its approach.

“Today we are saying what we have not said all along, because we are tired of the fact that in return the camp has gone after us,” he said.

Ukraine has announced what it describes as a groundbreaking battlefield achievement, saying its forces captured a Russian position without deploying any infantry, relying solely on robots, drones, and other unmanned systems.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation marked the first time since the war began that Ukrainian forces were able to take control of an enemy position without sending soldiers into direct combat.

According to Zelensky, the mission involved a coordinated effort using unmanned aerial and ground platforms until the Russian forces at the site surrendered. “For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was captured exclusively by unmanned platforms,” he said, in remarks cited by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. He added that the operation was carried out “without the involvement of infantry and without any losses on our side.”

Zelensky’s remarks come as Ukraine continues to expand its use of robotic and unmanned systems on the battlefield, amid ongoing manpower challenges and the high risks faced by troops along active front lines. He noted that several unmanned ground systems — including Ratel, Termit, Ardal, Lynx, Zmiy, Protector, and Volia — have conducted more than 22,000 operational missions in just the past three months.

Ukrainian media described the development as both a technological and conceptual milestone. Rather than being limited to support roles such as evacuating the wounded or transporting supplies, unmanned systems are now being used to directly capture enemy positions and determine the outcome of engagements without requiring soldiers to physically advance.

From Kyiv’s standpoint, the operation illustrates the direction in which modern warfare is heading — with reduced reliance on manpower at the front and increased emphasis on automation, remote control, and advanced systems. If the operation proves to be a successful precedent, it may represent not just an isolated achievement but an early indication of how future conflicts will increasingly be fought.

A new survey suggests that more Americans believe businessman Mark Cuban would have a better chance of defeating a Republican candidate in the 2028 presidential election than Kamala Harris, though several other Democrats are seen as even stronger contenders.

The Yale Polling survey found that 58% of respondents said Cuban would likely prevail in a general election matchup, compared to 55% who said Harris would.

Among all potential candidates tested, California Gov. Gavin Newsom received the highest level of confidence, with 72% of respondents saying he could win. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly followed at 70%, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker each garnered 64%. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came next with 61%.

The poll also highlighted generational divides within the Democratic Party. Voters aged 18 to 34 showed stronger support for Harris, with 61% favoring her in a hypothetical primary, and 47% backing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Older Democrats, by contrast, leaned toward Newsom at 28% and Buttigieg at 19%.

Earlier this month, Harris indicated she may consider entering the 2028 race, saying she was “thinking about” a potential campaign.

Newsom is already widely viewed as a leading possible candidate and has taken on a visible role in opposing President Donald Trump.

Cuban, however, has made clear he has no current intention of running unless circumstances change dramatically.

“I’m not going to do it,” Cuban said. “I’ve said the only way I would do it is if Trump tried to run for a third term. Because then that’s just changing everything, right? And that’s a true threat.”

“But other than that, I’m not going to put my family through that, you know?” Cuban added, noting that his three children are between the ages of 15 and 21.

“When I’m 95 and taking — or 105 and taking — my last breaths, right? I don’t want to say, Well, gee, I ran for president. Maybe won, maybe didn’t,” he said.

The Yale Youth Poll was conducted online between March 9 and March 23, sampling 3,429 registered voters, including an oversample of 2,008 respondents under the age of 35.

The margin of error is plus or minus 1.4 percentage points for the full sample and 2.0 percentage points for the younger cohort.

Senior officials in the Trump administration are considering the possibility of holding another face-to-face meeting with Iranian representatives before the current ceasefire expires next week, according to a source familiar with the discussions, though it remains uncertain whether such talks will ultimately take place.

The source said internal conversations are underway regarding potential timing and venues for another round, should ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran and regional intermediaries show signs of progress in the coming days. At this stage, the planning remains in its early phases.

“We need to be prepared to stand something up quickly should things head in that direction,” the source said.

The lengthy meeting held over Shabbos in Islamabad followed weeks of negotiations involving senior U.S. officials and multiple mediators, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Oman.

Vice President JD Vance stated early Sunday that the discussions broke down after the United States failed to secure Iran’s commitment to forgo pursuing nuclear weapons.

Following the collapse of the talks, Vance and the American delegation departed Pakistan. Shortly afterward, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would move forward with a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a measure that took effect on Monday.

Despite the setback, a regional source told CNN that another round of negotiations remains possible, with Turkey actively working to narrow the differences between the two sides.

Before Islamabad was selected as the site for the most recent talks, several other cities had been considered, including Geneva, Vienna, and Istanbul. According to the source, both Geneva and Islamabad are once again being discussed as potential venues for future negotiations.

Officials within the administration continue to believe that a diplomatic resolution may still be within reach, sources familiar with the matter said. They added that, depending on how discussions unfold in the coming days, Washington and Tehran could agree to extend the ceasefire deadline to allow more time for negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance said Monday that while negotiations with Iran in Islamabad did not produce a final agreement, the discussions marked meaningful progress and clarified the conditions required for a potential deal.

Speaking to Fox News anchor Bret Baier, Vance pushed back on the notion that the talks were unsuccessful, emphasizing that both sides advanced in understanding each other’s positions.

“I wouldn’t just say that things went wrong, I also think things went right. We made a lot of progress, but we also made very clear, and I think this is part of the progress we made, what the terms where the United States could make some accommodation, what terms we were flexible on, and what things we absolutely needed to see in order for the President of the United States to feel like he was getting a good deal,” Vance said.

"I think it was the first time that you'd ever seen the Iranian government, the U.S. government meet at such a high level, maybe in the history of the current leadership of Iran. So that's, I think, a positive—and again, we did make some progress in the negotiation," says @VP.… pic.twitter.com/PGN6tNZag8

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026

He added that the meeting itself was significant, noting the high-level engagement between the two governments.

“And so we laid those things out, we had some good conversations. I think it was the first time that you’d ever seen the Iranian government [and] the US government meet at such a high level, maybe in the history of the current leadership of Iran. So that’s, I think, a positive. And again, we did make some progress in the negotiation.”

Looking ahead, Vance said the key issue is whether Iran is prepared to meet U.S. expectations.

Vance explained that “the big question from here on out is whether the Iranians will have enough flexibility, whether the Iranians will accept the critical things that we need to see in order for things to get done.”

He stressed that all American demands stem from a central requirement set by President Donald Trump: Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.

“So all of our red lines flow from that fundamental premise, because it is one thing for the Iranians to say that they themselves are never going to have a nuclear weapon. They are willing to say that, and that’s good. But you have to, of course, verify these things,” said Vance.

Vance outlined two areas where the United States is unwilling to compromise, beginning with Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

“On the first of those things, what some people call the dust, which is the enriched uranium that the Iranians currently possess, we have said that we want that to come out of their country, and we would like to take possession of it. Now, why does that matter? That doesn’t matter, of course, because they have access to that material now. That access, that material is actually buried underground by Operation Midnight Hammer. But if you think about this over the long haul, the President doesn’t want to leave the next President or the President after that to be worrying about this program and so we would like to get that material out of the country completely so that the United States has control of it. That’s number one.”

The second non-negotiable issue, he said, involves verification mechanisms to ensure Iran cannot advance toward nuclear weapons capability.

The second issue, Vance continued, relates to verification. “It’s one thing for the Iranians to say that they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. It’s another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that’s not going to happen. Part of that is, of course, to ensure that they don’t have the ability to enrich uranium, which is how they got so close to a nuclear weapon before.”

Despite some movement by Iran during the talks, Vance said it was not sufficient to finalize an agreement.

“So those are really the two things where, frankly, the Iranians, I think, did make some progress,” the Vice President added. “They moved in our direction, which is why I think we would say that we had some good signs, but they didn’t move far enough. And so what we decided is, you know what, given that we don’t think this current team and this current timeline is going to be able to make a deal, let them go back to Tehran. We’re going to go back to Washington. And that’s where we are today.”

Vance made clear that responsibility for the next step lies with Iran.

The Vice President made clear that “the ball really is in [the Iranians’] court. We’ve made clear where we’re willing, again, to be accommodating, and we’ve made clear where we absolutely need to see the nuclear material come out of the country of Iran.”

He also noted that the talks provided new insight into Iran’s negotiating approach and internal decision-making process.

He also said that “in the process of doing this negotiation, I do think that we acquired some knowledge about how the Iranians are negotiating, and this is ultimately why we left Pakistan, because what we figured out is that they were unable, I think, the team that was there, was unable to cut a deal, and they had to go back to Tehran, either from the Supreme Leader or somebody else, and actually get approval to the terms that we had set.”

Vance reiterated that the possibility of future talks or a final agreement depends on Tehran’s response, emphasizing that the United States has already laid out its position clearly.

Vance said that “whether we have further conversations, whether we ultimately get to a deal, I really think the ball is in the Iranian court because we put a lot on the table. We actually made very clear what our red lines were. We also made clear that we actually would be very happy, the President of the United States has said he would be very happy if Iran was treated like a normal country, if it had a normal economy, if its people were able to prosper and thrive.”

He concluded by saying that Iran must change its conduct if it wants to achieve that outcome.

“But in order for Iran to be a normal country economically,” he added, “it’s going to have to be a normal country from the perspective of not pursuing a nuclear weapon, and it’s going to have to be a normal country from not pursuing terrorism. And so, there really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here, but it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step.”

A sharp diplomatic clash erupted Monday night after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized Israel’s policies in Judea and Samaria, prompting a forceful response from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Merz issued a social media statement condemning what he described as a “de facto annexation” of the territory and disclosed that he had pressed Prime Minister Netanyahu to prevent such a development during a recent conversation.

“I am deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories. In my phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I made it clear: There must be no de facto annexation of the West Bank,” the German Chancellor wrote on social media.

The timing of the statement—just hours before Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations—triggered immediate backlash in Israel, with Smotrich, who also serves in the Defense Ministry and heads the Settlement Administration, leading the response.

“On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the German Chancellor should bow his head and apologize a thousand times on behalf of Germany,” Smotrich wrote. “He should not dare lecture us on how to deal with the Nazis of our generation – who murdered, raped, slaughtered, and burned women, the elderly, and children in the most horrific massacre committed against the Jewish people since the terrible Holocaust.”

Smotrich expanded his criticism beyond Germany, accusing European leaders more broadly of moral failure and an inability to distinguish between right and wrong.

“We will not accept instructions from hypocritical European leaders who are once again losing their conscience and their ability to tell right from wrong.”

He then addressed the historical relationship between Germany and the Jewish people, delivering a pointed message rejecting any external pressure on Israeli sovereignty.

“Mr. Chancellor, the days when Germans dictated to Jews where they are allowed to live and where they are not – are over and will never return. You will not force us back into ghettos – certainly not in our own land.”

Smotrich concluded by emphasizing the Jewish people’s return to their ancestral homeland as a definitive answer to those who have sought their destruction throughout history.

“Our return to the Land of Israel – our biblical and historic homeland – is the resounding response to all those who have tried and continue to try to destroy us. We will not apologize for it even for a moment. Am Yisrael Chai.”

Iranian officials are warning of a potential escalation in military action, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indicating it may deploy previously unused capabilities if the conflict with the United States and Israel continues.

According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said Tehran has not yet brought its full arsenal into play. “We have not yet used our capabilities, and if the war continues, we will unveil capabilities that the enemy has no idea about,” he said.

Separately, a spokesperson for Iran’s Defense Ministry, Reza Talaeinik, stated that the country’s military strength continues to grow. Speaking as reported by the official IRNA news agency, he said Iran possesses ample supplies of missiles, drones, weaponry, and ammunition, enabling it to sustain both offensive and defensive operations going forward.

In addition, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticized recent U.S. actions, writing on social media that Washington’s move to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz amounts to a “revenge of choice” against the global economy.

The remarks came after the United States initiated a naval blockade of the strategic waterway at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday.

President Donald Trump announced the move following extended weekend talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations in Islamabad, which ended without reaching an agreement.

The IDF announced Tuesday morning that a reservist soldier was killed and several others were wounded in separate incidents tied to ongoing operations in southern Lebanon.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that Sergeant Major (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, 30, from Katzrin, who served as a firefighting vehicle driver in the 188th Brigade, was killed during combat in the region.

In the same incident in which Bianco was killed, the military reported that one reservist sustained moderate injuries, while two others were lightly hurt.

All of the wounded were transported to a hospital for treatment, and their families were informed.

Separately, on Monday evening, the IDF disclosed that eight soldiers were injured during operational activity in southern Lebanon after an explosive drone struck the area.

According to the report, the drone crashed and detonated near IDF troops, causing injuries to those stationed nearby. Two soldiers were reported to be in moderate condition, while six others suffered light wounds.

The injured soldiers were treated at the scene before being evacuated to a hospital for continued care. Their families have also been notified.

At the same time, IDF forces from Division 98 — including units from the Paratroopers, Commando, and Givati brigades — are continuing efforts to broaden the security zone in southern Lebanon.

{Matzav.com}

As tensions mount over Israel’s draft policies, Israeli commentators warned that the real objective behind recent legal and political moves is not military enlistment, but a broader campaign targeting the chareidi ציבור and the עולם התורה.

Speaking on Kol Chai’s main program, analysts Avi Blum and Yaakov Rivlin discussed the wider implications of current events, from President Donald Trump’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz to political developments in Hungary, focusing on what they described as an existential threat to the Torah world and what they called the judiciary’s silence in the face of escalating incitement.

Host Avi Mimran opened the discussion by drawing a comparison to developments abroad: “We are seeing what is happening in Hungary. A newly elected prime minister wakes up in the morning and asks the president of the Supreme Court and the attorney general to resign. Here it doesn’t work that way — the High Court preserves its power.”

Rivlin outlined what he described as a troubling logistical and moral scenario following the issuance of arrest orders for tens of thousands of yeshiva students: “Where exactly are they going to put all these detainees? We are talking about close to 43,000 people. Member of Knesset Lieberman suggested reopening the Ktzi’ot detention camp. I served there in the reserves 30 years ago — I remember the barbed wire fences, the concrete grounds, and the tents. We are talking about Holocaust Remembrance Day, and they want to open detention camps here for tens of thousands of people? The connotation cries out to the heavens. When the state was established, is this what Holocaust survivors dreamed of? That this is what would await them here?”

He went further, sharply criticizing both the petitioners and the judiciary: “When a lawyer sits and smiles and says, ‘We will dismantle the Torah world,’ he is expressing what the judges are thinking. The goal is to starve chareidi families, so that children will look for food in garbage cans. This is an all-out war led by Justice Yitzchak Amit.”

Blum argued that the court must publicly condemn such statements: “We saw letters from coalition leaders warning that if Ben Gvir is removed or the prime minister is declared incapacitated, there will be a constitutional crisis. But why isn’t any chareidi MK getting them to sign a demand that Yitzchak Amit publicly condemn the statement about dismantling the Torah world? This needs to be leveraged in our favor.”

He also expressed shock at what he described as silence from the incoming Supreme Court president: “Someone sits and says, ‘I am coming to dismantle the Torah world,’ and there is silence from those sitting on the bench. If such a statement had been made about the Arab or Ethiopian community, the world would be outraged. This is outright antisemitism. When the president of the Supreme Court does not publicly condemn this the moment he hears it, he is giving it legitimacy. The coalition must stand up and demand a complete condemnation. Our blood has been made permissible.”

{Matzav.com}

The brother of two boys swept out to sea off the coast of Netanya delivered an emotional appeal to the public, urging increased tefillah and personal growth as the family endures an agonizing ordeal.

Since Friday, when the two Spiegel brothers were pulled into the water at Sanz Beach, their family — along with many across the Jewish world — has been davening continuously, hoping for the recovery of the brother who drowned and the healing of the one who was injured. In an interview on Kol Chai’s main broadcast, their brother, Chaykel Spiegel, spoke about the difficult days the family is facing.

Asked how to describe the current moment — a stretch of time filled with tension, uncertainty, and hope — he responded candidly: “I don’t know how to define these days. It’s not simple at all. What we are going through is what all of Klal Yisroel is going through — difficult days. Hashem wants us to draw closer and closer and is asking for it. If you had asked me two days ago what He wants, I would have said prayer, and that’s how I see it — He wants more and more, that we should pray even more. It is written that Hashem desires the prayers of the righteous, He loves the tefillos of the Jewish people so much, and if He wants more — then we will daven and daven.”

Amid the pain, Chaykel described the remarkable character of his brothers and the lessons he draws from their daily conduct: “I saw them so many times — my older brother and my younger brother — that they always thought: what does the other person want me to do for him? They would help me with my young children, they always thought about others. So much thought for other people, in matters between one person and another. They have so many good traits, on a level that is truly exceptional. A complete personal example.”

Toward the end of the interview, he asked the public to take on a practical commitment in their merit, centered on love for fellow Jews: “Anyone who can should take upon themselves to say every morning, ‘I accept upon myself the positive commandment of loving your fellow as yourself.’ Each person should pause for ten seconds before saying it — whether in shul or anywhere — and run through in their mind where they are going to be that day, and with whom they will fulfill this mitzvah. If I will be at a wedding in the evening, who will I meet there? Just quickly run it through once — a few seconds of thinking about the other person.”

Chaykel concluded with a message of unwavering faith, expressing confidence in the power of prayer and good deeds: “Everyone who hears this should continue to believe and strengthen themselves in faith. There is no power in the world that can determine what will be with them except for our Father in Heaven.”

{Matzav.com}

A heated city council meeting in Bnei Brak ended with a unanimous decision to step up enforcement against nighttime food vending machines after residents and educators warned that the machines are harming local youth and disrupting the city’s character.

An unusual scene unfolded during the session when a large group of mechanchim, neighborhood rabbonim, and resident representatives entered the council chamber, voicing urgent demands to halt the spread of automated food machines operating throughout the night. They argued that the machines are damaging both the spiritual atmosphere and quality of life in the city center, while also negatively influencing young people.

The discussion focused on a proposal introduced by city council member Zev Lipshitz, who raised concerns about what he described as a serious loophole on Rechov Ezra and Rechov Harav Shach. While local regulations require businesses to close by 11:00 p.m., he noted that vending machines continue operating without restriction, drawing teenagers late into the night. Lipshitz warned that the phenomenon is causing significant environmental and spiritual harm.

During the meeting, remarks were delivered by youth leaders in the city, including Rav Yisroel Roth and Rav Eliezer Zilberzweig, along with resident representative Rav Goel Turgeman. “They are destroying our lives, they are ruining our children,” one speaker cried out. The speakers described a noticeable spiritual decline around the machines, which they said have become gathering points for youth during late-night hours.

Residents presented troubling accounts of noise, filth, fear of going outside at night, and harassment affecting elderly residents. “The buildings have turned into a garbage dump,” one representative said, adding that many residents feel effectively trapped in their homes during nighttime hours.

Mayor Chanoch Zeibert expressed full support for the residents’ concerns and made clear that the municipality would act decisively. “Places that do not close after 11 at night will not operate earlier either,” he declared.

At the conclusion of the meeting, council members voted unanimously to increase enforcement immediately, with the goal of restoring quiet and preserving the city’s character in affected areas.

{Matzav.com}

The Machnovka Belzer Rebbe offered a sharp and unsettling response to questions surrounding missile strikes in Bnei Brak, linking the attacks to a serious spiritual failing and calling for deep self-reflection.

A follower posed the question directly: “Where is the promise that missiles would not fall in Bnei Brak?” — referring to assurances attributed to the Chazon Ish and other gedolim figures that the city would be protected.

The Rebbe responded with a pointed explanation: “A serious incident occurred during the winter, when during a protest in the city, a pair of tefillin and a prayer siddur book were burned when a police motorcycle was set on fire. One must engage in self-reflection.”

His remarks refer to an incident that took place during protests in Bnei Brak over the winter, in which tashmishei kedusha were burned. According to the Rebbe, such an act demands serious communal introspection.

During Operation Sha’agas HaAri, Iran launched 540 missiles toward Israel, with warning sirens in Bnei Brak activated 182 times, highlighting the intensity of the attacks.

Eight yeshiva bochurim, ages 16 to 18, were safely rescued after becoming disoriented during a hike in Switzerland Forest near Tiveriah, authorities said.

The group lost its way while trekking through the wooded area and eventually required assistance. Emergency medical teams from United Hatzalah were dispatched to the scene, where they provided initial treatment and coordinated the rescue operation.

Following efforts to reach the stranded bochruim, all eight were evacuated safely from the area using an off-road utility vehicle operated by the rescue team.

Officials said all of the bochruim were in light condition and did not require further hospitalization.

Earlier in the day, rescue teams were already dealing with additional complex incidents in the northern Dead Sea region, where hikers encountered difficulties along challenging routes.

In one case, three rappellers became stranded at the top of a waterfall approximately 72 meters (236 feet) high in Nachal Tamarim after experiencing a technical malfunction when their rope became stuck, cutting off communication with them due to poor reception in the area.

At the same time, emergency crews were called to a separate incident in Nachal Darga, where seven hikers were reported missing after losing their way.

The cost of raising a child in the United States has climbed past $300,000 over an 18-year period, reflecting a sharp increase of nearly 30% in just the last three years, according to a new financial analysis, the NY Post reports.

A report by LendingTree found that, after accounting for tax breaks and credits, the total average expense to raise a child has reached $303,418. That figure represents a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year.

On a yearly basis, parents are spending about $16,857 per child, with costs rising significantly during the early years. In fact, the first five years of a child’s life come with an average annual expense of $29,325, largely due to the high price of infant and toddler child care.

Despite the overall upward trend, the study noted a slight drop in expenses during those early years, attributing it to “a dip in day care costs.”

Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst and the report’s author, said families are already adjusting their lifestyles to cope with the financial strain. Some are cutting back on discretionary spending, while others are weighing more significant decisions, such as whether one parent should leave the workforce.

“We all wish that we didn’t have to crunch numbers and take finances into account when thinking about having a first kid or expanding your family, but the way costs are today, you’re doing yourself a bit of a disservice if you don’t,” he told The Post.

The financial burden of raising children comes as U.S. fertility rates fell to historic lows in 2025, continuing a downward trend that has lasted roughly 20 years. Much of that decline has been driven by a steep drop in births among teenagers and women in their 20s.

Among the various expenses analyzed — including housing, food, clothing, transportation, and insurance — infant day care emerged as the single largest cost, averaging $17,264 per year.

In certain states, those costs are even higher, with annual infant care reaching $22,628 in California and $20,439 in New York.

“When you factor in costs like infant day care that has seen practically hockey-stick growth in previous years … it all adds up to a really, really daunting situation for parents,” Schulz said.

Erica Sandberg, a consumer finance expert at CardRates.com, said families are increasingly finding ways to cut costs, including buying secondhand clothing or exchanging goods through social media groups instead of paying retail prices.

Some states far exceed the national average cost of raising a child. Hawaii ranks as the most expensive, with total costs reaching $412,661 over 18 years.

Alaska and Maryland follow as the second- and third-costliest states, with totals of $365,047 and $326,360, respectively, while California ranks fourth at $312,300.

New Jersey comes in fifth at $312,295, and New York State ranks 14th, with a total cost of $278,051.

On the lower end of the spectrum, states such as New Hampshire, Washington, DC — which provides free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds — and South Carolina are among the most affordable, with totals of $201,963, $202,115, and $204,213.

Families with young children are facing particularly heavy financial pressure, spending an average of 21.9% of their income on essential yearly costs. The analysis is based on a dual-income household with one child earning a median family income of $99,999.

Federal guidelines consider child care affordable only if it consumes no more than 7% of a household’s income.

In New York City, child care costs are especially steep. Data from City Comptroller Mark Levine’s office shows that in 2024, families paid an average of $26,000 annually for infant and toddler care. To afford care for a 2-year-old, a household would need an income of $334,000.

That figure is four times the median family income and roughly equivalent to earnings from 10 minimum-wage jobs, according to Levine’s office.

The price of child care has surged in recent years, particularly after the pandemic, with day care providers repeatedly raising rates. From June 2024 through last month, child care costs increased by an average of 8%, outpacing overall inflation, which rose 4% during the same period.

In less populated areas, a shortage of high-quality child care options has allowed providers to charge higher prices, Schulz explained.

He added that New York City presents its own challenges, as elevated labor and real estate costs make operating child care facilities especially expensive.

Sandberg pointed out that rising wages for child care workers — necessary to keep up with increasing living expenses — are another factor driving costs higher.

As more household income is directed toward child care, families are left with less money for other financial obligations, such as housing, transportation, small business investments, retirement savings, and emergency funds, Schulz said.

The issue of affordability has also entered the political arena, with some candidates — including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — advocating for free child care.

In March, Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $73 million in funding to create 2,000 free 2-K seats in the city beginning this fall.

Financial experts advise families to begin saving for child care as early as possible to ease the burden of rising expenses.

“I don’t think that it’s cause for alarm,” Sandberg told The Post. “I think it should be more of a call to action.”

Schulz recommended setting aside a small portion of each paycheck into a high-yield savings account designated as a “family fund.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to open a city-run grocery store in East Harlem is drawing criticism over its steep projected cost and potential impact on local businesses, with officials confirming the first location will require $30 million in taxpayer funding to build, the NY Post reports.

The proposed store will be constructed from scratch at the long-standing La Marqueta marketplace, a city-owned property, and will be operated by a yet-to-be-selected vendor. According to City Hall, that operator will benefit from a rent-free and tax-free arrangement, an incentive officials say is intended to lower prices for shoppers.

Mamdani introduced the initiative during a celebration marking his first 100 days in office, arguing that the favorable financial terms would allow the store’s operator to pass along savings to residents struggling with rising food costs. Still, nearby grocers are questioning both the scale of the investment and its practicality.

“How can they manage something like that? A small supermarket?” said Shaher, who owns and manages Healthy Choice near La Marqueta, laughing with disbelief.

Industry analysts are also raising concerns about the unusually high construction estimate. Adam Lehodey of the Manhattan Institute said that even in New York’s expensive, union-driven construction environment, a typical 25,000-square-foot supermarket should cost far less.

“Thirty million dollars for one store is exceptionally high, considering land prices are a significant part of the capital costs of new construction, and the city has announced that rents will be waived,” he said.

The East Harlem location is part of a broader proposal by Mamdani to invest $70 million in building five municipally owned grocery stores across the city. While La Marqueta has been identified as a key site, officials indicated that other locations—particularly those not requiring full construction—may open sooner.

City officials said a second store is expected to launch before the end of the year, with all five planned locations scheduled to be operational by the conclusion of Mamdani’s first term in 2029. In the meantime, the administration is actively searching for additional sites that would not require building from the ground up.

The grocery initiative was a central component of Mamdani’s campaign platform, aimed at addressing affordability concerns. However, critics have warned that publicly run supermarkets could undermine private businesses, with some likening the concept to “Soviet”-style markets. Billionaire grocer John Catsimatidis had previously warned he might shut down or sell his Gristedes chain if Mamdani took office.

Skeptics have also pointed to past failures of similar ventures, including a city-operated grocery in Kansas City, Missouri, that ultimately closed. Mamdani, however, has defended the concept by citing successful examples, including a government-run store in St. Paul, Kansas.

New York City already operates several public retail markets, including La Marqueta, which adds symbolic importance to the chosen location. Mamdani highlighted that history during his remarks marking his first 100 days.

“We will continue his legacy,” Mamdani said.

“We are building a brand-new store on city-owned land currently sitting empty in East Harlem, a neighborhood where nearly 40% of households received public assistance or SNAP in the past year.”

La Marqueta, along with Essex Market and Moore Street Market, is managed by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, which will also oversee the design and construction of the new grocery. Other public markets, including Gourmet Glatt, Jamaica Farmers Market and Arthur Avenue Market, are run by tenants under EDC supervision.

Local business owners near the site say they are bracing for a hit to their bottom line if the city-backed store opens.

Still, some residents say the neighborhood lacks access to quality groceries and welcome the idea of a new option, provided it proves sustainable.

City officials said the stores will be run by experienced third-party operators who will be required to pass along any subsidies directly to consumers through lower prices. Those operators will also be subject to strict oversight, including pricing controls, labor requirements, and reporting standards.

Tanya Sanchez, who owns Tanya’s Herbal Cabinet and has lived in East Harlem for years, acknowledged both the need for healthier options and the concerns of local shop owners. She said she does not expect the city’s store to completely displace existing businesses, pointing to past retail patterns in the neighborhood.

“People were going there first when it was brand new, but then a lot of people just kept continuing, going to their regular grocery stores,” Sanchez said. “So, it balances off.”

Fiscal watchdogs warn that the plan could become more expensive over time, especially given the city’s broader financial pressures.

“New York City has a challenging budget landscape; so far we have yet to see an analysis that shows this is the most cost-effective way to promote food security,” said Andrew Rein, president of the Citizens Budget Commission.

Others argue the city should instead focus on reducing barriers for established grocery chains to expand into underserved areas.

“I think the city is going to struggle to balance the delivery of a high-quality, affordable grocery store with all of the ancillary demands for above-market wages for store and construction workers and the city’s very slow procurement process,” he said.

“The grocery industry is low-margin, so heavy subsidy will be needed to counteract the these inherent inefficiencies, and I’m just not sure there’s going to be the political appetite for much of that for long.”

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a series of threats on Monday, warning that his group would kidnap Israeli soldiers “when the opportunity arises,” while sharply rejecting planned negotiations between Israel and Lebanon set to take place in Washington.

In remarks to the media ahead of the talks, Qassem denounced the diplomatic effort, declaring that “this negotiation is a surrender for Lebanon and takes away its strength. We reject negotiations with Israel. The negotiations are a series of unnecessary concessions.” He added, “Our decision in the resistance is that we will not rest and we will not surrender, and the battlefield speaks for itself.”

Qassem called on Lebanese officials to cancel the anticipated meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, urging what he described as a “historic position.” He appealed directly to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to stop making concessions and to join Hezbollah’s stance against Israel, saying: “After that, we will reach understandings on everything.”

Framing the situation as a stark choice, Qassem said that in the face of what he called Israeli aggression, there are only two options—fight or surrender—and insisted Hezbollah would never choose the latter. “Whoever wants to surrender can surrender alone, without us,” he said, adding that his group would continue fighting “until its last breath.”

He also reiterated demands tied to the existing ceasefire framework, including a complete halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, the return of displaced residents, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

In a more direct threat, Qassem warned that Hezbollah operatives would capture Israeli soldiers when conditions allow. He said the group has quietly prepared for confrontation, operating in a decentralized manner and engaging in what he described as “cat and mouse” tactics on the battlefield.

Addressing internal Lebanese tensions, Qassem said Hezbollah views all Lebanese—Muslims and Christians alike—as brothers, and accused unnamed parties of attempting to incite sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites, as well as to drive a wedge between Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement. He insisted such efforts would fail.

Qassem also pushed back against accusations from Gulf states, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, denying any Hezbollah presence in those countries. “What interest do you have in inventing things and accusing us?” he asked, claiming there is no evidence to support the allegations.

On Syria, Qassem stated that the Syrian people are free to determine their own future and said Hezbollah has no involvement in the country’s current phase. He added that both the Syrian leadership and public understand what he described as attempts by the United States, Israel, and others to create tensions between Syria and Lebanon. “We have no problem with Syria. Our only enemy is Israel,” he said.

In a message to Lebanese civilians displaced by the war, Qassem urged them to direct their anger toward Israel. Acknowledging the heavy toll of the conflict, he said the damage in Lebanon is significant but argued it would have been worse without Hezbollah’s actions: “If we had not fought, we would have paid a heavier price and lost everything.”