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With this year’s Lag BaOmer gatherings at the kever of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron significantly restricted, Yerushalayim is preparing to serve as the main hub of celebrations, with numerous hadlakos planned throughout the city.

The central hadlaka led by Rav Meilech Biderman is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on Rechov Shefa Chaim. A designated area for women will be available at Ginat Ezrat Torah.

A major hadlaka will also take place at Yeshivas Oryasa on Rechov Strauss at 8:30 p.m., featuring Bentzi Stein, Arele Samet, and others. The Hachnasas Orchim Rashbi organization has made large-scale preparations, including providing significant amounts of food and meat for participants.

At Kikar Zaks on Rechov Shmuel Hanavi, the hadlaka of Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter will take place at 8:00 p.m.

Additional celebrations are expected at the kever of Shimon Hatzadsik, at Rav Shalom Arush’s shul, and at Toldos Aharon in Meah Shearim.

In Beitar Illit, the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak rebbe will light at the Kavim parking lot at 10:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Meron, only three hadlakos will take place in a limited format: the Boyaner Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Amar, and a hadlaka organized by the Dati Leumi community, each limited to approximately 200 participants.

A wide-ranging recycling proposal in New York would require many companies to significantly reduce their use of plastic packaging, a move supporters say is necessary to address mounting waste, but critics warn could lead to damaged goods and higher costs for consumers.

The measure, known as the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, would apply to companies earning more than $5 million annually that sell or distribute certain products. It mandates a gradual elimination of packaging considered harmful or non-reusable, replacing it with materials that are reusable or more environmentally sustainable.

Similar initiatives have already been adopted in several states, including Maryland, Maine, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Minnesota, as well as in a number of countries. The push comes as New Yorkers generate nearly five pounds of waste per person each day.

Under the proposal, businesses would need to cut their use of non-environmentally friendly packaging by 10% within three years and by 30% over a 12-year period.

The legislation also sets benchmarks for reusable packaging, requiring at least 5% of materials to be reusable or refillable by 2032, increasing to 10% by 2040 and 20% by 2055.

In addition, a growing share of packaging would need to be recyclable, with a minimum of 25% by 2032, rising to 50% by 2040 and 75% by 2055.

“New York State must follow suit to meet the moment for environmental accountability,” said a memo supporting the bill, which is sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and state Sen. Peter Harckham.

“This legislation shifts the onus of recycling and waste hauling for packaging from municipalities and residents and ensures that producers of products are serving our interests by establishing solutions to sustainable packaging,” the memo said.

Companies that fail to meet the new requirements would face financial penalties, with funds directed toward improving recycling systems and infrastructure.

Industry representatives and supermarket groups, however, argue the changes would force a shift away from protective plastic materials toward less effective alternatives, potentially leading to product damage.

“Even with its recent amendments it will eliminate the plastic film packaging that keeps essential products like toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers dry and sanitary,” said Dan Felton, president and CEO of the Flexible Packaging Association.

“Without it, retailers and consumers face increased product damage, higher replacement costs, and less reliable shelf availability.

“We agree that we must improve recycling systems and reduce waste, but good public policy will also avoid higher costs and keep critical packaging in place to protect public health,” he said.

Nelson Eusebio, director of government affairs for the National Supermarkets Association, said the impact would be especially felt in lower-income communities.

“For independent supermarkets serving New York City’s working-class and minority communities, even modest shifts in packaging policy can quickly translate into higher costs for families.

“When changes move forward without scalable, commercially viable alternatives, those costs ripple through the supply chain and affect prices at the register.”

A similar version of the bill cleared the state Senate last year but failed to pass in the Assembly amid strong opposition from plastics manufacturers.

The renewed effort comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul continues discussions with lawmakers over adjusting deadlines tied to a 2019 climate law aimed at transitioning the state away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.

Glick and Harckham said the current proposal has undergone extensive revisions, including roughly 150 changes that extend deadlines and adjust restrictions on certain materials.

“The underlying challenge has not changed. New York is facing a growing solid waste and pollution crisis, and the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is a real solution that must be passed this year,” Glick said.

Harckham added that industry concerns were taken into account during the revision process.

“We have forged a middle ground with these amendments to our bill, and now we are working to finally gain the necessary legislative and executive approvals that will save New Yorkers millions of dollars each year while helping to protect our environment,” he said.

The bill has received support from multiple environmental organizations, as well as the state Association of Counties, which argue that excessive plastic use is overwhelming landfill capacity.

“New Yorkers are drowning in plastic waste, and for too long, taxpayers have been stuck with the bill while multi-billion-dollar companies pump toxic chemicals into our communities,” said Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and a former regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“These amendments are a major concession to the plastic industry, but the foundation of the bill remains important, necessary and impactful. We cannot afford another year of inaction.”

Business groups, including the Business Council of New York State and the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment, maintain that the legislation would impose heavy burdens on companies and consumers alike.

“This proposal includes requirements – such as stringent source reduction targets, material restrictions, and limited flexibility – that go well beyond those in EPR laws adopted by other states, most recently Minnesota, Washington, and Maryland,” the groups said in a joint statement.

“If adopted, this bill would impose significant operational challenges on business and result in significant impacts on consumer costs and product availability.”

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu placed a phone call to the Belzer Rebbe in recent days to inquire about his condition, following reports that the Rebbe had been experiencing weakness.

According to those familiar with the conversation, the Rebbe’s condition has been improving after a recent period of illness, as chassidim continue to follow updates and daven for his continued recovery. Amid that concern, Netanyahu reached out personally to check on his well-being.

The prime minister contacted the Rebbe’s residence and spoke with him for several minutes. Netanyahu asked about the Rebbe’s health, and the Rebbe responded briefly, expressing thanks and answering amen to the prime minister’s wishes.

During the conversation, Netanyahu also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of the Belzer community’s leadership, particularly praising the work of the Rebbe’s son, Rav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach.

Toward the end of the exchange, after it was recently reported that Netanyahu himself had undergone a medical procedure, the Belzer Rebbe extended a brocha to the prime minister, wishing him continued good health.

A senior Iranian lawmaker warned Sunday that any attempt by the United States to intervene in maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a breach of the current ceasefire, as tensions rise following a new U.S. initiative in the region.

Ebrahim Azizi, who heads Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, issued a series of statements cautioning Washington against involvement in what he described as Iran’s maritime framework for the strategic waterway.

“Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” he said in a translated message posted on X.

Azizi also dismissed remarks by President Donald Trump regarding the situation, writing, “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump’s delusional posts!”

He further rejected accusations directed at Tehran, stating, “No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!”

In a separate post, Azizi reiterated that the region should not be used for political messaging. “The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are not a place for rhetoric,” he said.

The comments followed President Trump’s announcement of “Project Freedom,” a plan under which U.S. forces would begin escorting vessels through the strait starting Monday to ensure safe passage.

Trump’s move came after he voiced skepticism about a 14-point peace proposal put forward by Iran over the weekend.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions are mounting over transportation arrangements for a major Lag BaOmer gathering in Yerushalayim, where tens of thousands are expected to attend the lighting ceremony led by Rav Elimelech Biderman, but may face severe shortages in public transit.

Critics warn that without adequate service, participants could be left stranded or forced to pay high private travel costs, even as other large events receive extensive transportation support.

In an interview on Kol Chai Radio, Yisrael Gefner, head of the Emes L’Yaakov organization, described a growing crisis in planning for the event. He noted that while the situation in Meron is being handled separately, the large-scale gathering in Yerushalayim has not been matched with sufficient transportation infrastructure.

“We are essentially operating under two separate processes,” Gefner said, explaining that the Yerushalayim event requires its own dedicated logistical response.

Gefner pointed to a past case involving Israel Railways, which initially halted service during a mass protest near the entrance to Yerushalayim over the draft law, prompting a petition to the High Court of Justice. “The trains only resumed operation after the petition,” he said, arguing that the current dispute reflects the same broader issue — equal access to public services.

According to Gefner, while left-wing demonstrations and major entertainment events receive significant transit reinforcements, the chareidi tzibbur is often left without comparable support. “When a well-known secular singer performed, they added 14 trains,” he said, adding that protests and sporting events routinely receive expanded service. By contrast, for Lag BaOmer events, “not only is there no reinforcement — we are at risk of a shutdown.”

He also challenged the claim that the restrictions are based on genuine security concerns. “They conducted a review and found that the police actually requested increased security personnel, not a halt to train service,” he said, suggesting that the policy reflects systemic discrimination rather than operational necessity.

Gefner warned that without organized public transportation, many attendees will be forced to seek costly alternatives. “People are paying over 100 shekels for private rides — they don’t deserve that,” he said, emphasizing that public transit offers a safer, more affordable, and better-regulated option that also helps reduce congestion and risk.

In response, an urgent petition was filed with the High Court, seeking to establish a permanent policy requiring expanded transportation services for large chareidi events. “We want to ensure there is no situation where some receive and others do not,” Gafner said.

A decision from the court is expected by Tuesday morning, a delay that drew criticism from radio host Avi Mimran. “The same High Court that saw fit to convene in the middle of Shabbos to urgently discuss a protest in Kaplan suddenly shows surprising patience when it comes to the rights of the chareidi tzibbur. Even though the hilula begins tomorrow night, the court has until tomorrow morning to calmly deliberate the petition for increased transportation,” he said. Gefner added that even if the ruling does not impact the upcoming event, establishing a clear principle for the future remains the primary goal.

Shortly after the interview, Justice Yitzchak Amit ordered the relevant authorities — including the transportation minister, the Ministry of Transportation, the national transport authority, Israel Railways, the police, and the Yerushalayim municipality — to submit responses by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday regarding the petition, which argues that insufficient transportation poses a risk to public safety.

{Matzav.com}

Member of Knesset Meir Porush announced that he will not travel to Meron for Lag BaOmer this year following the cancellation of the annual hilula and called for serious reflection and lessons to be drawn from the situation.

In a personal column published late Sunday, Porush opened with a clear declaration: “I will start from the end. This year as well, unfortunately, I will not take part in the hilula of Rashbi at the holy site of Meron.”

Porush wrote that since childhood, attending the annual gathering had been a constant in his life. “Since I was a small child, there was almost no year in which I missed participating in the holy hilula. Meron, throughout the year, and especially on Lag BaOmer, is truly part of my very being — a feeling I am certain many people from Yerushalayim share.”

He added that in recent years he had played a central role in organizing the event, describing it as a significant merit. “My merit grew even more over the past three years, during which I had the privilege of leading the preparations for the holy hilula, and in the years 5783 and 5785, with the help of Heaven, we succeeded in holding these elevated gatherings with great crowds and dignity, attended by tens of thousands of the Jewish people.”

Even after stepping down from his government role, Porush said he continued to be involved in planning efforts under the guidance of senior rabbinic leadership. “In the past year, after my departure from the government, under the directive of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, I continued, with the blessing of our revered admorim, to assist in my role as a member of Knesset in the preparations for the hilula, alongside those engaged in this sacred work.”

Porush described being taken aback by the government’s decision earlier this month to cancel the event. “However, last Friday, the 7th of Iyar, we were astonished to hear about the cabinet’s decision to cancel the hilula. Those involved in the work at the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Heritage did not give up in the face of this decree, and with great creativity formulated an interim plan that was approved by the Home Front Command.”

He claimed that certain elements within government authorities worked to block that compromise plan. “On the other hand, certain parties within the government authorities acted with all their strength against this plan, placing obstacle after obstacle in order to prevent the arrival of the thousands to the hilula. The matter ended with the new decision of the Home Front Command last Friday, the 14th of Iyar, to further tighten the restrictions, which in practice do not allow the hilula events to take place.”

Porush said he would refrain from publicly detailing his full position on the decisions. “At this time, I will refrain from expressing my opinion regarding the decisions that were made. What I heard in the discussions of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, I heard, and what I said in the discussion with the prime minister, I said. I was not a partner to the decision that was later made, and I am not at peace with it, and I will not elaborate further.”

He acknowledged the deep disappointment caused by the cancellation, noting the personal significance the event holds for him. “The current situation is that the hilula of Rashbi in Meron will no longer take place in a format that meets the outline I established — ‘with prayer, with safety, and with joy.’ This pains me very much, the memories of the hilula in the years 5780, 5781, 5782, and 5784 are deeply etched in me, and the knowledge that once again we will not hold the hilula in its proper form is very distressing.”

Despite the situation, Porush stressed the importance of learning from past experiences. “I expect that nevertheless, the lessons that can be learned will indeed be learned. As I said in the Knesset plenum during a discussion on the Meron law, even before the security situation in the north became clear: ‘I want to emphasize that what happened in 5784 cannot repeat itself. The professionals, together with the police, must formulate a more balanced framework, one that does not end with unbearable scenes of violence and chaos.’ I very much hope that the message has been heard and will continue to be heard.”

He emphasized that he would stand in solidarity with the broader public who will be unable to attend. “The majority of the Jewish people will not merit this year to fulfill their desire to participate in the holy hilula, and I will share in their pain. Even though I have the ability, as someone who ‘benefits’ from parliamentary immunity, to go up to Meron — I do not feel it is appropriate for me to do so when you, my dear brothers, the people of Meron, cannot do so.”

Porush concluded with a message encouraging unity and introspection, even from afar. “Together with you, each person in his own city or by his rov, we will try to rejoice in the joy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, even from a distance, with closeness of heart, and we will examine our deeds and make an accounting of the soul as to why the ascent to Meron on Lag BaOmer — something that was once so natural — has over the years become such a great challenge, and sometimes even impossible.”

{Matzav.com}