Israeli aviation authorities have approved an increase in passenger capacity on certain flights in an effort to speed up the return of citizens still abroad, particularly those stranded in Bangkok, with the aim of completing the operation by the end of the week.
In a directive issued Tuesday, the Israel Airports Authority informed local airlines that, beginning the following day, narrow-body aircraft would be permitted to carry more passengers than previously allowed. The updated policy raises the cap from 100 travelers per flight to as many as 120.
As part of the ongoing effort, President Isaac Herzog visited Ben Gurion International Airport on Monday, joined by Israel Airports Authority Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yiftach Ron-Tal, CEO Sharon Kedmi, and El Al CEO Levy Halevi.
During his visit, Herzog met with passengers who had just landed on a special El Al repatriation flight, personally welcoming them upon their arrival.
“We are very proud of the Israel Airports Authority and of all the activity taking place at Israel’s airport terminals. This is an especially challenging time, and I want to emphasize the civilian aspect-the return of Israelis home. Here is Israel’s main gateway, the place where Israeli citizens enter and exit, the gateway through which they come home.”
Reflecting on the broader significance of the effort, Herzog said, “This is an inspiring phenomenon-people want to come home, to enter Israel, and to bear the burden together, even amid shelling, sirens, shelters, reinforced rooms, and many threats. And yet, we overcome the challenges and succeed in doing so in an extraordinary way.”
{Matzav.com}[COMMUNICATED]
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
your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!
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 –
Beyond the Grave
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.
The IDF announced that a group of terrorists who had taken part in the October 7 massacre and were planning another imminent attack against Israeli forces were eliminated in a targeted strike.
According to the military, Israeli forces identified an armed terror cell from Hamas on Sunday that was preparing to carry out an attack against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF carried out a strike on the group, successfully neutralizing the threat.
Military officials later confirmed that several of those killed were directly involved in the October 7 massacre. The individuals were identified as Rami Ibrahim Harb and Musab Ziyaz Dara, both members of Hamas’ Nukhba unit who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attacks and were actively planning additional terror operations against IDF forces in the immediate timeframe.
Also eliminated was Abd Muhammad Amtsi, a terrorist affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees, an organization that operates in coordination with Hamas to advance terror activity.
Another operative killed in the strike was Taufik Khaldi, a member of Hamas.
In addition to those named, three other Hamas terrorists were killed in the operation.
The IDF stated that forces under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with operational directives and will continue working to eliminate any immediate threats.
“IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat,” the military said.
{Matzav.com}IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said during a visit to the Northern Command that Israeli forces have eliminated more than 400 Hezbollah terrorists and are preparing to strengthen operations in the region with additional troops.
The visit, which was only cleared for publication afterward by the IDF, included Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and other senior officers. Zamir toured the area, held a situational assessment, approved future operational plans, and met with division commanders involved in the fighting.
Speaking during the visit, Zamir emphasized that Iran remains the primary arena, noting that weakening the regime and its capabilities has a direct impact on Hezbollah as well.
“Iran is the main arena. Weakening the regime and its capabilities will weaken the entire radical axis, including the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The campaign against Hezbollah is another central front. Every blow to Iran’s military buildup and the Revolutionary Guards also harms Hezbollah’s weapons supply and funding. The impact of the strikes against the radical regime in Iran is also being felt in the campaign against Hezbollah.”
He added that in recent weeks, Israeli forces launched a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at pushing threats away from the border and ensuring long-term security for residents of northern Israel.
“In the past two weeks, we initiated a focused ground operation in southern Lebanon with the goal of removing the threat from the border and ensuring long-term security for northern residents. Northern Command is conducting a determined campaign against Hezbollah, during which more than 400 terrorists have been eliminated so far, including senior figures in the organization.”
Zamir stressed that the military intends to continue intensifying its efforts until all objectives are achieved, while simultaneously strengthening defensive measures.
“We are determined to deepen the operation until all our objectives are achieved. At the same time, we are reinforcing our defenses and strengthening Northern Command with additional forces. Hezbollah is currently fighting a war for its very existence. It is paying a heavy price for entering this conflict, and the pressure on it will only increase.”
Concluding his remarks, the chief of staff praised the troops for their efforts and underscored the need to remain focused on eliminating threats and protecting Israeli communities.
“In the past week, the forces in Northern Command have been operating with determination and strength—I greatly appreciate that. Now we must focus on removing threats, strengthening the defense of the communities, and continuing to intensify the damage to Hezbollah.”
{Matzav.com}
At a joint press briefing in Jerusalem on Tuesday with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed the recent killing of two senior Iranian figures, presenting the strikes as part of a broader effort to counter regional threats posed by Tehran.
“Last night, the IDF took out Commander of the Basij Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani,” Sa’ar said.
He continued by asserting that their removal also benefits Iranian civilians, pointing to their roles in suppressing dissent. “the Iranians are also safer without them,” he said.
Brilliant speech by @gidonsaar – take a listen.
“He had a $10 million price on his head in the US, we did it for free any how” – referencing Ali Larijani
The part where he turns to the Estonian Minister and says:
“We still haven’t seen anything from Mojtaba, wouldn’t you… pic.twitter.com/0e7QgnYr46
— Kosher (@koshercockney) March 17, 2026
Expanding on their records, Sa’ar described both men as key enforcers of internal repression. “The Basij, under Soleimani’s command, was responsible for the brutal repression of the Iranian people seeking their freedom. Soleimani was under US and EU sanctions for his role in repressing Iranians. Larijani was also under US sanctions, for the same reason, with a 10 million dollar prize on his head. We did it for free, anyhow. Our actions are weakening its repression mechanism. The regime can only be toppled by the Iranian people. Yet without external help, the Iranian people can’t liberate themselves,” Sa’ar said.
Sa’ar characterized Iran as a central destabilizing force worldwide. He referred to the regime as “the number one source of regional and global instability,” and accused it of exporting “extremism, terror and bloodshed” since 1979.
He further outlined Iran’s network of allied militant groups across the Middle East. According to Sa’ar, Tehran has established “a proxy network of terror states across the region,” including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Discussing recent violence, Sa’ar claimed the regime intentionally targets civilians. He pointed to specific incidents, stating that it “deliberately attacks civilian populations,” including what he described as a strike near a major Christian site in Jerusalem. “Yesterday, it hit by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem,” he said, adding that he spoke with the Patriarch to express solidarity.
He also cited attacks affecting both Muslim and Jewish communities, referencing “a Mosque on Ramadan” in the village of Zarzir and “a synagogue in Beit Shemesh, killing 9 Jews.”
Turning to Iran’s military capabilities, Sa’ar said ongoing efforts by Israel and the United States are aimed at dismantling key components of Iran’s strategic arsenal. “Israel and the United States are taking out Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, along with its missile infrastructure and broader military production capacity.
He emphasized that these threats extend beyond Israel. “These don’t just threaten Israel, but also other countries in the Middle East and Europe,” he said, adding that such operations would “directly impact European security for the better.”
Sa’ar also warned about disruptions to global shipping routes, attributing them to Iranian-backed forces. He described the situation as “modern piracy,” stating, “The Houthis… crippled the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” and added, “Now, the Iranian regime is blocking international shipping and the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.”
He cautioned that if left unchecked, these tactics could spread to other parts of the world.
{Matzav.com}Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a recent interview with Israeli outlet i24NEWS that Russia is providing Iran with drone technology, as tensions rise following Iranian warnings that Ukraine has become a “legitimate target” due to its support for Israel.
Addressing the threats from Tehran, Zelensky made clear that such messages do not intimidate him or his country.
“We are not afraid of such messages; we have been living with messages like this every day for the past four years,” the president said.
During the interview, Zelensky also discussed the evolution of Iranian drone capabilities, arguing that the weapons being used today are significantly different from those deployed earlier in the war.
“It is impossible to compare the ‘Shahed’ from the beginning of the war to the ‘Shahed’ of today. In 99% of cases, the ‘Shahed’ has been used against Ukrainian civilians,” he said, adding that he is “certain” Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed-type drones.
Zelensky pointed to physical evidence, saying that components recovered from a drone strike in the Middle East indicate Russian involvement in their production.
“We saw several components from one of the ‘Shahed’ drones that struck a country in the Middle East. These were Russian components, so we know the Iranians did not manufacture it,” he said.
In recent days, Iran escalated its rhetoric, warning Ukraine that it has become a legitimate military target because of assistance it has provided to Israel.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, wrote on X that Ukraine’s actions have placed it directly in the conflict.
“By providing support to the Israeli regime through drones, the collapsing Ukraine is effectively involved in the war. According to Article 51 of the UN Charter, this has made its entire territory a legitimate target for Iran.”
The warning followed comments earlier in the week from Zelensky, who confirmed that Ukraine had sent interceptor drones, along with teams of experts and operators, to Jordan in order to help defend U.S. bases in the country.
Separately, reports indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has sought to arrange a conversation with Zelensky regarding potential cooperation between Israel and Ukraine in countering Iranian drone threats.
{Matzav.com}Three individuals turned themselves in to authorities following a brutal daytime attack outside a San Jose restaurant that left two Israeli-American men injured and sparked widespread concern within the community.
Police identified the suspects as Ramon Akoyans, 18, Roma Akoyans, 20, and Bruneil Chamaki, 32. All three surrendered to the San Jose Police Department on Monday, about a week after the alleged assault took place outside Augustine, located in the Santana Row area.
The incident, which occurred in broad daylight and is being investigated as a possible hate crime, was captured on video and quickly spread online. Footage aired by KTVU shows three individuals dressed in black shirts repeatedly striking a person lying on the ground.
“The victims alleged that the suspects used antisemitic language during the altercation,” police said last week.
According to accounts shared by community leaders, the victims were attacked without warning. “While they were waiting for their table, three people came up to them out of nowhere and knocked one of the victims out cold and then three of them jumped on top of the other victim,” Jewish Silicon Valley CEO Daniel Klein told KTVU. Both of the victims are Israeli-American men, and one was reportedly knocked unconscious during the attack.
Authorities acknowledged the public reaction and emphasized their commitment to a careful investigation. “We recognize the community’s concern about this incident and appreciate the patience shown as investigators worked methodically to ensure the case was handled thoroughly and correctly,” the San Jose PD wrote on X. “Those responsible for this violent crime will be held accountable.”
The investigation is ongoing, with San Jose police continuing to coordinate with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office as the case proceeds.
{Matzav.com}
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The IDF announced Tuesday that Israeli forces carried out a targeted airstrike near Tehran a day earlier, killing Ali Larijani, a top Iranian national security official who had effectively assumed leadership of the regime’s operations. According to the IDF, the mission was executed by the Israeli Air Force based on detailed intelligence and specialized operational coordination.
Larijani had long been regarded as one of the most experienced and influential figures within Iran’s leadership and maintained a close working relationship with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over many years.
After Khamenei’s elimination, Larijani emerged as the central authority within the regime, taking charge of its military and strategic efforts against Israel and other countries in the region.
In his capacity, Larijani was responsible for overseeing Iran’s national security apparatus, including coordinating its global activities and maintaining ties with allied elements within the broader regional network.
During the latest wave of unrest inside Iran, Larijani played a leading role in enforcing the regime’s crackdown, directing harsh suppression efforts and personally supervising a deadly campaign against demonstrators.
The IDF stated that his killing is part of a broader campaign that has already resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking Iranian officials during Operation Roaring Lion, dealing another significant setback to Tehran’s ability to plan and execute hostile actions against Israel.
He was also deeply involved in shaping Iran’s national security direction, including direct participation in key strategic matters such as the country’s nuclear program.
Following widespread reports of his death, a message appeared on Larijani’s official Telegram account claiming that a statement would soon be released. Shortly afterward, the account posted a handwritten note prepared for a naval funeral, but made no mention of the assassination reports and offered no confirmation that he remains alive.
{Matzav.com}After a missile fragment struck Rechov Yerushalayim in Bnei Brak, thousands of residents rushed to the scene, creating a massive crowd that quickly became the most striking aspect of the incident. Beyond the physical damage, the overwhelming number of onlookers—far greater than usual—drew widespread attention.
Photos from the area showed clear destruction, but in a city known for its distinct character, it was the surge of curious residents that stood out most. While such gatherings are not uncommon in Bnei Brak, many said this time the scale appeared to break previous records.
To understand the phenomenon, local personalities described reactions that ranged from humor to discomfort. Some noted that the behavior reflects a deeply rooted cultural pattern within the city.
Despite the jokes, observers stressed that Bnei Brak is a city that consistently provokes strong reactions. Its intensity, constant movement, and unpredictability shape how residents respond to unfolding events.
On the ground, however, emergency responders described a far more difficult reality. The sheer volume of people created major obstacles for rescue and medical teams attempting to operate effectively.
Efi Feldman, head of the United Hatzalah branch in Bnei Brak, said the situation quickly became unmanageable as crowds poured into the area.
“When there are no schools or structured frameworks, the situation spirals out of control. Everyone who is outside ends up heading in the same direction. As time passed, the streets became so crowded that we had to use barriers to create controlled zones for medical and emotional care.”
He explained that although the number of injured was relatively small, the emotional toll was severe, particularly for families who lost their homes in an instant.
“Thank God there were only a small number of injuries, but entire families lost their homes in a single moment and had to pack up their lives into bags. When thousands of people are standing around watching you at your most vulnerable moment—it is extremely difficult.”
Feldman urged the public to act with greater responsibility in the future, emphasizing both safety and basic human dignity.
“Beyond the fact that staying in a protected area saves lives, I ask people to think about mutual respect. When someone sees a family being evacuated to a hospital or taken from their destroyed home to temporary housing and just stands there watching—it is a lack of respect. Everyone needs to ask themselves what matters more: their curiosity or ‘love your fellow as yourself.’”
Others pointed to a deeper cultural explanation for the phenomenon. Chilik Rosenberg, who leads guided tours of Bnei Brak for secular visitors, said the answer lies in the community’s intense appreciation for life.
“People in Bnei Brak truly love life. Not everyone in the world experiences life with that kind of intensity. Every event excites them, and they immediately come to experience it fully.”
He added that visitors are often surprised by the city’s nonstop energy, even late at night.
“Secular visitors are surprised to discover that Bnei Brak is the real city that never stops. At midnight, the city is still full and alive. Today, unlike in the past, Tel Aviv is no longer a nonstop city—it’s quiet at night.”
Rosenberg concluded that being a Bnei Brak resident reflects a lifestyle rooted in Torah, vitality, and a deep sense of belonging.
“It means living at the center of things, in a stronghold of identity. It gives children a sense of rootedness and connection.”
{Matzav.com}
