Shas chairman Aryeh Deri claimed that the recent downfall and arrest of Chief Military Prosecutor Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi stemmed from her own efforts to push for the arrest of yeshiva students who refused to enlist in the IDF.
During a private conversation with one of his party’s rabbanim, Deri reportedly remarked that “the true reason for her great downfall” was that “she was among those who led and pushed for the arrest of bnei yeshivos.”
As quoted in the party’s publication, Deri said: “See how the Creator runs the world. That same Military Advocate General was one of the foremost drivers behind arresting bnei yeshivos. She stood at the forefront of the fight against lomdei Torah, pressing the army authorities to detain more and more bnei yeshivos. She ended up, unintentionally, causing the great prayer rally to be organized. She herself created the power of public tefillah that pierced the heavens—and through that, she brought about her own downfall.”
Tomer-Yerushalmi was released from custody over the weekend and placed under ten days of house arrest by the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court. At the police’s request, she was also barred from contacting other suspects in the case for 55 days.
The embattled general, who admitted to involvement in leaking classified information, appeared at her hearing via Zoom from Neve Tirtzah Prison. She faces allegations of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of authority, obstruction of justice, and providing confidential information as a public official. She posted bail of 20,000 shekels but was not restricted from leaving the country or required to surrender her passport.
According to police testimony presented to the court, investigators have conducted dozens of actions and interviews in recent days. “Since the first remand extension, the investigative team carried out numerous measures and collected multiple statements,” a police representative said. “The suspicions against her have significantly strengthened. The concern over obstruction has hovered over the case throughout, even before her arrest.”
{Matzav.com}
Hitchhiking Israeli bochurim speak candidly to their driver about the current giyus/draft issue, a dignified conversation about one of the most divisive issues in Israel.
WATCH:
Federal authorities are examining a troubling outbreak of infant botulism that has surfaced in ten states, with investigators tracing the infections back to a recently recalled baby formula.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, at least thirteen infants have been diagnosed with the rare illness after consuming ByHeart Inc.’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Each of the affected babies required hospitalization following exposure.
Officials said the cases were linked specifically to two production lots of the formula—identified by codes 206VABP/251261P2 and 206VABP/251131P2—that have already been pulled from store shelves.
The FDA emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing as they work with state health departments to determine how the contamination occurred and to prevent additional illnesses.
{Matzav.com}
After more than a decade in Hamas captivity, the remains of IDF officer Lt. Hadar Goldin, Hashem yikom damo, have finally been returned to Israel for burial. His body was brought to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, where experts confirmed his identity a short while ago.
Hamas announced in the morning that it was returning Goldin’s body as part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage agreement. The group had claimed to have “located” his remains in Rafah the previous night. This development marks the end of an 11-year ordeal for Goldin’s family, who waged a tireless campaign for his return since his death and abduction in 2014.
Lt. Hadar Goldin was born in 1991 in the Galilee community of Ashchar, into a family of educators and scholars. He was a twin to Tzur and had two additional siblings. After graduating high school, he attended the Bnei David pre-military academy in Eli, where he strengthened his faith and sense of mission to serve Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.
He later enlisted in the IDF and joined the elite Givati reconnaissance unit, quickly rising to command. His soldiers described him as both resolute and deeply compassionate — a leader who infused operational intensity with moral conviction. “He always sought to find meaning and humanity, even amid the battlefield,” one friend recalled.
On August 1, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, Goldin led his unit in Rafah shortly after a humanitarian ceasefire was declared. A sudden Hamas ambush erupted, and during the battle, Goldin was killed and his body dragged into a terror tunnel. Despite extensive rescue operations, he was never recovered, and the IDF later declared him fallen with his remains held by Hamas.
For eleven years, his parents, Simcha and Leah Goldin, became a national symbol of moral clarity and persistence, demanding that Israel adopt a firm policy ensuring the return of all soldiers and hostages. Their advocacy shaped national discourse on the ethics of prisoner and hostage negotiations.
Beyond his military service, Hadar was known for his creativity and love of art. His journals and sketches, discovered after his death, were later exhibited and published, offering a glimpse into the inner world of a young man of faith, courage, and reflection. In one letter, he wrote of his belief that “light and love are the forces that drive the world forward” — a line that became the emblem of his parents’ campaign.
In his memory, educational programs and memorial initiatives have been established, including a pre-military academy near the Gaza border that bears his name.
After eleven long years, Lt. Hadar Goldin has finally come home.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}WATCH:
Popular secular Israeli singer Miri Mesika opened up this week about her personal connection to faith and Judaism, saying that although she considers herself “very secular,” she is careful to recite the berachah of “Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro” before taking the stage — a habit she maintains despite teasing from her friends.
Speaking to Shachar Tangy at the Tanya Study Center, Mesika said, “I’m very secular, but before I go on stage, I say ‘Shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro,’ because everything I have in life belongs to Hashem.”
She explained that her religious friends sometimes laugh when she mentions it. “When I say that berachah, what I mean is that I’m nothing — even my voice and everything I have, it’s not mine, it’s Yours. After that, I go on stage without ego. Ironically, it’s that place of not believing that brought me to a much stronger kind of belief.”
Several years ago, Mesika performed at a special evening of inspiration and song marking the yahrtzeit of Rochel Imeinu at Yerushalayim’s Sultan’s Pool. She shared the stage with Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi and fellow singers. The event drew thousands of women from across the religious spectrum.
Following the concert, Margalit Deri — daughter of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri — sent an emotional message to Mesika expressing how deeply the performance had moved her.
“Hi Miri, you don’t know me,” Deri wrote. “My name is Margalit Deri, I’m Aryeh Deri’s daughter — I’m sure you’ve heard of him. I have to tell you from my heart, I was at your concert last night, and the whole time I had chills. It was such a powerful, emotional evening — uniting and connecting. I feel like I’ve been your friend for years.”
She described the atmosphere of unity among women of all backgrounds: “We sat next to completely secular women and mainstream chareidi women, and everyone was together in such love. Next to me sat a totally secular woman, and I was so moved to put my hand on her shoulder and bless her, ‘May Hashem bless you and keep you…’ It was so special!”
Deri praised the collaboration between Mesika and Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi, calling it “perfect” and saying it gave chareidi women the confidence to attend. “When you and Eti sang ‘Tzama lecha nafshi,’ you broke us to pieces,” she wrote. “I think Hashem turned off Rebbetzin Yemima’s microphone at the end because He didn’t need her to speak — the whole evening itself was holy. Just seeing all my daughters together like that — there was no need for anything else.”
She concluded, “Thank you. Please keep doing more of this. I work for Kesher Yehudi, an organization that pairs secular and chareidi women to study together once a week. Seeing that kind of spontaneous connection last night made me so happy. You really moved me — thank you, dear.”
Mesika later responded warmly to Deri’s note: “Thank you, dear Margalit. Above all the wonderful women who filled the Sultan’s Pool, above all the different principles and beliefs, hovered the greatest principle of all: ‘Ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha — love your fellow as yourself.’ Thank you for letting me be part of that immense display of love — a sisterhood of women like I’ve never experienced before. Shehechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.”
{Matzav.com}
