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Rav Avrohom Pinzel visited the home of the Ponovezh rosh yeshiva, Rav Berel Povarsky, as a representative of the administrators of the talmudei Torah in Eretz Yisroel. He came seeking words of guidance and encouragement that could be conveyed to the tens of thousands of tinokos shel beis rabban during this time of war.

The following is the full dialogue from the visit:

Rabbi Pinzel: How is the rosh yeshiva feeling?

Rosh Yeshiva: Boruch Hashem.

Rabbi Pinzel: What does the rosh yeshiva say about the situation?

Rosh Yeshiva: Hashem will help.

Rabbi Pinzel: Is there reason to worry? People are under great pressure and are asking what they should strengthen themselves in.

Rosh Yeshiva: To strengthen themselves in Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Rabbi Pinzel: Perhaps the rosh yeshiva could say something to the children of Klal Yisroel about their role during this time.

Rosh Yeshiva: Listen—Hakadosh Boruch Hu loves the children of Yisroel more than anyone else, the tinokos shel beis rabban. Hakadosh Boruch Hu said that as long as they exist, He is with them. He is their Father.

Rabbi Pinzel: And then what? What should they do?

Rosh Yeshiva: If Hakadosh Boruch Hu is their Father, a father does not ask for anything. When something is taken in the house it is not theft, because the father is happy that his son has it. So if Hakadosh Boruch Hu is our Avinu Malkeinu—He is our Father and also our King, as it says tenah lanu melech l’shofteinu—the king is also a judge. Therefore, the best situation, during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah and during times when there is judgment, is when the judge is a king. A king can sit on a throne of mercy. A judge cannot sit on a throne of mercy; he can only carry out the strict law. But a king sits on a throne of mercy. That is why during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah we ask Hakadosh Boruch Hu, Avinu Malkeinu—You are our Father and our King, and You are also our Judge. When the king judges, he can sit on the throne of mercy. We ask Kel Melech yosheiv al kisei rachamim, that He should have mercy on us and give us everything we ask for.

Rabbi Pinzel: So now, during such a time of war, what does the rosh yeshiva say to the children in the cheder, the children of Klal Yisroel?

Rosh Yeshiva: Just think about what your Father wants, and do what He says. Then you will have success. He will give you everything—just as He promised that if you listen to His voice, He will listen to yours.

Rabbi Pinzel: With Hashem’s help, it will be fulfilled that “Layehudim haysa orah v’simcha v’sasson vikar.”

The rosh yeshiva: Exactly.

Rabbi Pinzel: There is a well-known midrash that the children of Klal Yisroel sat and learned with Mordechai during the decree of Haman. Hakadosh Boruch Hu asked the angels, “What is the sound of sheep that I hear?” And they answered, “These are not sheep—these are the young of Your nation, the House of Yisroel.” Immediately Hakadosh Boruch Hu was filled with mercy. He broke the seals and tore up the letters, and “Layehudim haysa orah v’simcha v’sasson vikar,” and everything was reversed.

Rosh Yeshiva: That’s it.

Rabbi Pinzel: So this year as well, with Hashem’s help.

Rosh Yeshiva: With Hashem’s help.

Rabbi Pinzel: But the children of Yisroel should say a lot of Tehillim, correct?

Rosh Yeshiva: Yes.

{Matzav.com}

U.S. intelligence assessments shared with President Donald Trump suggested that Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had serious doubts about his son Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding him as the country’s next ruler. The concerns, described by individuals briefed on the matter, reportedly stemmed from Ali Khamenei’s belief that his son lacked the qualifications needed to […]

Antisemitic graffiti discovered at San Jose State University has rattled the campus Jewish community, after messages calling for the “eradication of Jews” were found written on walls across university property. The graffiti appeared on March 11 and 12 and included several threatening slogans, among them “Kill all Jews,” “Make Osama proud,” and “Avoid SJSU 4 […]

The city of Bnei Brak is mourning the petirah of Mrs. Yaffa Eisenstein, wife of Rav Tzvi Eisenstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion and the longtime legendary chazzan of Yeshivas Ponovezh. She passed away at the age of 89.

Mrs. Eisenstein was born in Yerushalayim on the 30th of Nissan, 5696, to her father, Rav Yaakov Sirota of the Batei Nitin neighborhood, and her mother, Mrs. Devorah Miriam.

In 5717 she married her husband, Rav Tzvi Eisenstein, who served as rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion L’Tzeirim in Bnei Brak and for many decades was the renowned chazzan of Yeshivas Ponovezh. Rav Tzvi passed away this past Simchas Torah at the age of 97.

For many years she served as an mechaneches at the Merkaz school in Bnei Brak, where she taught and guided hundreds of Jewish girls, instilling in them a love for Torah, yiras Shomayim, and refined middos.

Throughout the years she stood steadfastly at the side of her husband, Rav Tzvi, supporting his efforts in spreading Torah with strength and dedication, demonstrating wisdom, understanding, and devotion.

She is survived by a large family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. During her lifetime she endured the loss of her daughter, Mrs. Yehudis Tabal, who passed away in the summer of 5761. She was the wife of Rav Yechiel Tabal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaarei Tzion.

Later this week, her son, the chazzan of Yeshivas Ponovezh, Rav Shaul Eisenstein, is scheduled to celebrate the wedding of his daughter immediately following the shivah for his mother.

The levayah took place in Bnei Brak, and she was laid to rest at the Ponovezh cemetery.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A remarkable miracle occurred Sunday evening at the home of Rabbi Moshe Kass on Rechov Yerushalayim in Bnei Brak after a large missile fragment struck the family’s residence directly. Despite the severe damage caused to the home, no one was injured. Family members had left the apartment just moments earlier after a siren warned of incoming rockets.

The incident took place at the Kass family’s home, located near the intersection with Chevron Street. Rabbi Moshe Kass is regarded as one of the prominent avreichim in Bnei Brak and serves among the rabbonim at Yeshivas Tiferes Mordechai. According to reports from the scene, the house sustained a direct strike from a large piece of shrapnel, yet all those inside managed to escape unharmed.

Witnesses described a scene of extensive destruction inside the apartment, emphasizing how close the family came to a tragedy. The mother and children had rushed out immediately when the siren sounded, leaving the home only minutes before the missile fragment tore through the structure.

The damage left the house resembling the aftermath of a terror attack, with debris scattered throughout the apartment. Those who arrived at the scene said that had the family delayed even briefly before seeking shelter, the outcome could have been far more devastating.

Srulik Kornik, a volunteer medic with United Hatzalah’s Bnei Brak rescue unit, described the scene in a message posted after the incident. “I have had the privilege of saving many lives through my volunteer work with United Hatzalah. The destruction caused and the great miracle from the missile strike in Bnei Brak today are enormous. Just a few minutes earlier, the mother ran to remove the baby from the crib.”

Kornik also recounted another incident in the building. “Another neighbor was in the middle of working from home. Her computer remained on, but the apartment was completely destroyed. The alertness to run to the protected room, with Hashem’s great kindness, saved everyone.”

When Rabbi Kass later entered the damaged apartment to retrieve his tefillin, he discovered that they had remained completely intact despite the powerful blast. His tallis, however, had been punctured by the shrapnel that entered the home. One person present at the scene remarked, “You could clearly see at every step that everything has an address.”

Another extraordinary escape occurred in a neighboring apartment. A young girl had been sleeping in her bed but woke up as soon as the siren sounded and ran to the building’s protected room.

Moments later, the missile fragment struck the building, and the window in her bedroom shattered from the force of the blast. A piece of metal from the missile slammed into the wall, leaving a hole exactly where the girl had been lying only moments earlier. She was saved in what witnesses described as an open miracle.

{Matzav.com}

A senior U.S. lawmaker said the American bombing raid targeting Iran’s Kharg Island — the country’s largest oil export terminal — represents a decisive strategic blow against the Iranian regime. Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas described the strike as “checkmate” against Iran’s leadership during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, praising President Donald Trump’s strategy […]

Israeli drone strikes targeting Iranian security checkpoints are sowing fear and confusion inside Tehran, as revealed by newly surfaced audio allegedly featuring a local Basij commander urging his forces not to abandon their posts. The recording, circulated on the Telegram channel Mamlekateh, captures a commander addressing Basij fighters through a messaging platform used by units […]

Israeli security officials are reportedly considering whether the goals of the war against Iran should be reevaluated, according to a report broadcast Sunday evening by Kan News.

The report said security sources indicated that although Israel’s initial strike and the early phase of the conflict surpassed expectations, the overall campaign has not been progressing as quickly as originally planned. One major obstacle, the officials noted, has been the challenge of encouraging large-scale public protests inside Iran.

The sources added that both Israel and the United States are preparing additional significant actions within Iran that could influence the direction and pace of the war.

On Sunday, the IDF Intelligence Directorate released an overview of the first two weeks of the joint campaign with the United States, stating that many additional targets remain inside Iran before the military operation can be considered complete. No timeline was given for when the conflict might end, and the future plans discussed by Israeli officials appear to differ from comments by President Donald Trump suggesting the war could conclude “soon.”

During the opening stage of the conflict, a key priority for the Israeli Air Force was gaining control of the airspace over Iran. According to the IDF, roughly 100 air defense systems along with about 120 radar and detection systems have been destroyed during the fighting.

Over the first two weeks of the war, Iran launched approximately 360 missiles toward Israel. Military officials said the size of each missile barrage has declined significantly since the beginning of the conflict. Intelligence assessments indicate that about 70% of Iran’s missile launchers have been disabled by Israeli strikes, and that Iran currently has no ability to produce additional missiles.

The IDF has also targeted a wide range of regime-linked facilities. So far, about 2,200 sites connected to the Iranian government have been struck, including installations tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, government ministries, senior leadership networks, internal security organizations, and the Basij militia. Many of these operations have concentrated on Tehran, with intelligence units selecting targets based in part on which individuals were present inside the facilities.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas sent two separate letters over the weekend to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei—one public and diplomatic in tone and another secret document that the organization reportedly attempted to keep hidden, according to a report by Kan News.

The report said the publicly released message was written in restrained language and presented in a formal diplomatic style, while the concealed letter adopted a far more militant and operational tone.

In the secret communication, Hamas reportedly made clear that it has no intention of agreeing to any deal that would require it to give up its military strength. “We are aware of attempts to bind the hands of the resistance under the guise of agreements-the organization will not compromise its weapons under any circumstances.”

The letter also stresses the importance of coordinating multiple fronts in the region as part of the effort against Israel. Hamas urges Iran to mobilize what it describes as all elements of the regional alliance simultaneously. “All fronts must be activated to exact a price from the Zionists. We, together with our brothers in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, will create the next victories under your leadership.”

At the core of the document is a message declaring Hamas’ unwavering loyalty to Iran’s leadership and signaling readiness to advance Tehran’s goals even if doing so undermines broader regional stability.

The message also includes criticism of Arab countries that have pursued normalization with Israel. “The normalization camp is a losing camp,” the secret document states. “They did not even dare to protect those who sought refuge in their bases.”

{Matzav.com}

Much has been written in recent years about the threats facing Jewish communities in Britain, most often focusing on the dangers posed by the far left or Islamist extremism. While those concerns are real and should not be dismissed, I believe we may be overlooking another developing risk, one that is quieter, slower, and potentially […]

The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump administration is expected as soon as this week to announce that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz along the Iranian coast. U.S. officials are still discussing whether the mission would begin during the current hostilities or only after […]

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Sunday evening that Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran is aimed at dismantling the regime’s capabilities and removing what he described as an existential danger to Israel, as Israeli and U.S. forces continue coordinated operations across the region.

“Our goal is to strike all components of the regime – together with the US military – in order to remove an existential threat to the State of Israel,” Defrin said.

Defrin said Iran and Hezbollah have recently attempted to escalate their attacks on Israel by increasing rocket launches in response to the growing military pressure being applied by Israeli forces.

“In recent days we have seen attempts by Iran and Hezbollah to increase the firing toward Israel. This is a direct response to our military pressure,” he said. “Our objective is to damage all of the regime’s systems and capabilities, and we are doing this shoulder to shoulder alongside the US.”

According to the IDF spokesman, Israeli forces have carried out extensive strikes against Iran’s missile infrastructure, targeting hundreds of locations tied to the country’s ballistic missile program.

“More than 70 percent of the ballistic missile launchers have been taken out of service, and more than 80 percent of the air defense systems have been struck,” he said.

Defrin also indicated that the campaign is advancing more quickly than Israeli planners had originally anticipated.

“We are ahead of the original plan in the achievements of the war,” Defrin said. “We have an orderly and ongoing plan and we are deepening the damage, striking sites where Iran attempts to conceal its nuclear program. We still have thousands of targets in Iran. The regime is unstable and is hiding this from its own residents.”

He stressed that Israel’s operations are not intended to directly remove the Iranian leadership from power.

“Our objective is not to topple the regime, but rather create the conditions that will allow the Iranian people to take their country into their own hands,” he said. “We will continue to strike the Basij and the security forces and deepen our attack on them. What the Iranian people choose to do is in their own hands.”

{Matzav.com}

✈️ Dubai-based flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport through April 30 due to the ongoing war with Iran and the security escalation in the region. The airline joins a growing list of foreign carriers canceling flights to Israel after the country’s airspace was closed on February 28 following […]

The South Korean and U.S. militaries on Saturday held a joint training exercise at a river in Yeoncheon, north of South Korea’s capital, as part of their annual Freedom Shield combined exercise.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcast licenses over news coverage of the war with Iran, accusing networks of spreading “hoaxes and news distortions” and warning they must “correct course” before license renewals. The comments came after President Donald Trump criticized media reporting on the war.

According to Amichai Stein, Israel recently struck a site near the Bushehr nuclear reactor without knowing that Russian scientists were present at the location. The scientists were not harmed, but the incident reportedly brought Israel and Russia close to a diplomatic crisis.

Two brothers in France have been placed under formal investigation for allegedly planning a “deadly and antisemitic” attack, according to the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office. The suspects a 22-year-old engineering student and his 20-year-old brother were arrested after police found a semi-automatic firearm, a bottle of acid, and an ISIS flag in their car during […]

Channel 14 reports increasing defections within Iran’s IRGC and police. A source told senior Iran analyst Dror Balazada that growing numbers including some beyond lower ranks are leaving their posts in cities such as Isfahan and Tabriz, citing lack of clear leadership from Tehran, fears of being used as “human shields,” and severe economic hardship.

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said Sunday that members of his own party should support U.S. military strikes against Iran if they believe Tehran must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons, citing comments made by Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign as he continued to distance himself from the Democratic Party’s stance on the issue.

Speaking during an interview with John Catsimatidis on WABC radio, Fetterman said he stood alone among Senate Democrats in backing the operation known as Epic Fury. “I became the only Democrat, certainly in the Senate, to support the mission of Epic Fury,” he said, urging fellow Democrats to acknowledge what he described as a successful effort that damaged Iran’s nuclear program.

Fetterman pointed to remarks Harris made while running for president in 2024, when she described Iran as the United States’ most significant foreign adversary. “When Kamala Harris ran for president … she identified Iran as her top international concern,” Fetterman said. “And now, here we have a situation where the Trump administration through Epic Fury has effectively broken the Iranian nuclear apparatus. Why can’t we agree that that’s a good thing for international security?”

Harris had made that assessment during a 2024 interview on “60 Minutes,” where she said Iran was the United States’ “greatest adversary.”

Fetterman also suggested that even if the military campaign leads to higher energy prices, the strategic benefit of weakening Iran’s nuclear program would outweigh the economic costs.

“If the administration creates the kind of outcome that we all agree and wanted … why can’t we support that?” he said.

During the same interview, Fetterman criticized Democrats over the ongoing dispute surrounding funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

“The Coast Guard people … and the TSA agents … they all deserve to be paid,” he said. “This shutdown has had zero impact on ICE. So, why should we punish all of these workers … who are keeping our nation more secure?”

According to CBS News, nearly every Senate Democrat voted against advancing a DHS funding measure on Feb. 13, with Fetterman standing as the only member of the party to oppose the shutdown effort.

“I [was] the only Democrat to vote against that DHS shutdown,” he told Catsimatidis.

Reports from The Associated Press said Democrats were willing to approve funding for much of the department but were seeking changes to the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Reuters reported that the impasse continued as of March 12, contributing to longer security screening lines at airports as TSA agents went unpaid.

Fetterman framed the standoff as a departure from the party’s traditional support for workers.

“Don’t shut the government down. We used to be the party that refused to do these things,” he said. “I thought we are the party of union workers.”

“[Now] we are constantly voting to prevent them from being paid for their work,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday released a short video mocking viral conspiracy theories circulating online that falsely claimed he had died and suggested his hand appeared to have six fingers during a recent press conference. The rumors began spreading after footage from a press conference last week prompted some social media users to […]