In light of the severe and security situation facing Israel, Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, offered hadracha to the public in a video shared by Kikar HaShabbat.
The rosh yeshiva spoke with characteristic sweetness and calm, emphasizing that despite the fear and uncertainty, Hashem is fully in control. “This story—this entire situation—is very unusual,” Rav Landau said. “Hashem runs the world. He gives people different thoughts, so they think they’re doing things. But the steering wheel is in the hands of the Creator.”
Sitting beside him was Rav Ulman, who posed questions that reflect the concerns of many families across the country.
“What should a father say to his children? They’re afraid. How should he lead his home?”
Rav Landau responded: “Hashem runs the world. He loves us and has mercy on us.”
When Rav Ulman added, “And everything will be for the good,” the rosh yeshiva affirmed, “Certainly.”
“Hashem loves us, and we will continue doing good things so that He will continue to love us and shower us with kindness,” Rav Landau added.
Rav Ulman asked, “Should we strengthen ourselves in Torah and mitzvos?”
“Only good things,” Rav Landau replied. “Only sweet things.”
“What does that mean—sweet things?” Rav Ulman asked.
“That it should be pleasant to hear,” the rosh yeshiva explained. “Speaking kindly to one another—that too. Everything should be sweet, not something sharp like a bitter drug. Sweet. Hashem will help…”
In a separate directive issued due to the current dangers, Rav Landau spoke with the Rav of Bnei Brak, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and ruled that this time is to be considered an eis sakana, a period of danger. He instructed that the public increase their tefillos and tachanunim, even on Shabbos Kodesh, and recite chapters of Tehillim after each of the tefillos on Shabbos.
{Matzav.com}
As Shabbos approached, IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee revealed that the Israeli military had begun mobilizing reservists from several branches as part of a broader initiative to strengthen both offensive and defensive capabilities across the country. This mobilization came in tandem with the launch of Operation Rising Lion.
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the public as Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear program continued to unfold.
“The first question people ask is, ‘Why now?’” Netanyahu said at the outset of his remarks. “But it’s not really ‘now’—this directive was issued over half a year ago, in November 2024. I ordered the elimination of Iran’s nuclear program.”
He explained that this decision came shortly after the targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “It was clear to me—and to others—that with the collapse of the Iranian axis, which formed one base for Israel’s destruction, Iran would rush to advance its nuclear program. That’s exactly what it did.”
Netanyahu elaborated on the urgency of action. “There was a need to act,” he said. “I set the operation date for late April 2025. For various reasons, that date was not feasible. The precise timing was ultimately determined based on IDF recommendations and my consultations with the Chief of Staff and Defense Minister. This wasn’t due to trivial factors—it was a clear necessity. I said: if Iran acquires nuclear weapons—we simply won’t be here.”
In Tehran, the newly instated commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Pakpour—who took over following the death of Hossein Salami—delivered a stark warning in his first remarks since assuming the role. “A painful fate awaits Israel.” He added, “The gates of hell will soon open.”
{Matzav.com}WATCH:
According to a report published by Axios today, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu directed the country’s defense and intelligence branches to start preparing for an assault on Iran after Iran and its allied forces launched attacks on Israel in October.
Netanyahu’s urgency was reportedly driven not only by the events of October but also by Iran’s expanding missile capabilities and its compromised air defense systems following earlier Israeli counterstrikes. Intelligence also suggested that Iran was closer than ever to being able to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to proceed.
While President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States had no part in Israel’s military operation against Iran, Israeli officials insist that coordination between the two allies did in fact take place.
To maintain the element of surprise, Israeli authorities deliberately downplayed any signs of an impending strike, hoping that key Iranian figures would not relocate.
“We had a clear U.S. green light,” one Israeli official told Axios.
In the aftermath of the operation, U.S. officials reiterated that they were not directly involved in the Israeli offensive and issued a strong message to Tehran warning against any retaliation targeting American personnel or assets. Nevertheless, Iranian leaders asserted that Washington would be held “responsible for consequences.”
Prior to the Israeli assault, Trump expressed optimism that a new agreement with Iran over its nuclear development was “fairly close,” though he cautioned that any Israeli military intervention could derail the diplomatic progress.
CNN reported that Netanyahu was expected to hold a conversation with Trump on Friday.
During a brief call with the network that morning, Trump voiced his full backing for Israel and described the strikes as “a very successful attack.”
“We, of course, support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,” Trump said.
“Iran should have listened to me when I said — you know I gave them, I don’t know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61.”
Posting earlier on Truth Social, Trump urged Tehran to come to terms with the United States on its nuclear ambitions, cautioning that “Israel’s attacks will only get worse.”
{Matzav.com}
As tensions escalate in Eretz Yisroel, Keren Olam HaTorah has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Torah institutions across the country, urging Klal Yisroel to intensify their efforts on behalf of yeshivos and kollelim.
In a phone call Friday morning, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch conveyed a powerful message to the organization’s leadership: the zechus of supporting Torah learning serves as a shield for the entire yishuv in Eretz Yisroel. The roshei yeshiva emphasized that American Jewry has a unique responsibility to bolster Torah support at this critical time.
“They told us that we must continue working to raise money for the yeshivos and kollelim in whichever way we can,” said the Keren in a statement signed by board members Mr. Shimon Glick, Mr. Reuven Wolf, Mr. Ezra Erani, Mr. Yitzchok Rokowsky, and Mr. Boruch Jeremias.
Accordingly, the fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, June 15, in Baltimore will proceed as planned, with the participation of the Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, Rav Dovid Cohen.
Keren Olam HaTorah noted that it will continue to follow the direction of the Gedolei Yisroel and will notify the public if there are any changes to the schedule of planned events.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump revealed in an interview with The New York Post that he knew Israel would take military action against Iran if the Islamic regime failed to agree to a reworked nuclear deal with the United States.
“I always knew the date,” Trump said during the phone call. “Because I know everything. I know everything. I know everything.”
Explaining further, Trump said, “I gave them 60 days and they didn’t meet it. Today’s 61, you know. Today’s day 61.”
Trump had welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to the White House on April 7, just over sixty days before Israel executed strikes targeting key Iranian nuclear scientists and senior military officials.
In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of 100 drones toward Israeli territory, though the Israel Defense Forces later announced they successfully intercepted the aerial assault.
When asked whether Netanyahu had shared intelligence with him regarding Iran’s nuclear advancements—and if there had been a shared understanding of a 60-day deadline—Trump replied, “I know what’s going on. Someone informed me of it.”
Washington has consistently urged Tehran to dismantle its uranium enrichment efforts in exchange for being reintegrated into the global financial system.
Still, Iranian leadership remained defiant. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on June 4, “Who are you to tell us whether we should have a nuclear program or not?”
Reflecting on the missed diplomatic opening, Trump said, “They had a great chance to make a deal. Iran did. They had a great chance to make a deal and they didn’t make it.”
Despite the failed timeline, Trump noted on Friday that the U.S. remains open to negotiations, with indirect discussions between the two sides reportedly scheduled to resume this weekend.
“I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there,” he posted on Truth Social. “Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”
{Matzav.com}
Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva and the zekan roshei haeyshivos, was taken back to the hospital overnight due to low hemoglobin levels.
The rosh yeshiva remained so that additional tests could be conducted to evaluate other health concerns.
At the time of this writing, it remains unclear whether the rosh yeshiva will be able to return home before Shabbos or if he will need to remain hospitalized.
All are asked to continue davening for the complete refuah sheleimah of Rav Shmuel ben Itta Ettil.
{Matzav.com}
