Feed aggregator

In an unprecedented move, every Rav in London’s Golders Green neighborhood has signed a joint letter directing all mosdos haTorah not to begin the upcoming school year until every child has been accepted into an appropriate educational institution. The extraordinary directive comes amid an ongoing placement crisis that has left more than 20 children without schools for the new academic year.

The letter, addressed to principals and administrators of the community’s mosdos, instructs that neither the boys’ Talmudei Torah nor the girls’ schools may open their doors as long as even one child remains without a proper educational placement.

Widely viewed as a historic step within Britain’s Chareidi community, the directive calls for postponing the start of the zeman until every student has secured a suitable place to learn. The Rabbanim said the decision reflects their commitment to stand with families who have spent months enduring the anguish of not knowing where their children will study.

The letter opens by expressing profound appreciation to the principals and administrators who devote themselves tirelessly to maintaining the community’s educational institutions, praising their unwavering dedication to the chinuch of the community’s children and to strengthening its mosdos haTorah.

The Rabbanim then explain the reason for their extraordinary ruling. They note that more than 20 children, for various reasons, still have not been accepted into an appropriate school for the coming academic year. They write that these children and their parents have spent months waiting in deep distress for a solution that has yet to come. Therefore, acting together under the authority of the city’s Rabbanim, they are instructing that the doors of the schools and Talmudei Torah for the new classes remain closed until every child has found a suitable place to learn.

The Rabbanim openly acknowledge that postponing the opening of schools will inevitably result in lost Torah learning for thousands of other students. Nevertheless, they explain that the severity of the situation justifies such a step, writing that this is a time when extraordinary measures are required for the sake of Heaven.

The letter concludes with a heartfelt tefillah that peace and truth will prevail within the community, that every child will merit an education according to his or her proper path in the traditions of Yisroel Saba.

{Matzav.com}

The Belzer community is mourning the petirah of the dayan Rav Shmuel Pinchas Traube zt”l, who passed away Tuesday morning in Bnei Brak after enduring nearly two decades of severe illness. He was 64.

Rav Traube served for many years as the dayan of the Belzer Bais Medrash Beis Pinchas in Bnei Brak and as the senior rav hamachshir for the Machzikei HaDas kashrus organization in Eretz Yisroel.

He was also one of the foremost talmidim of the late posek, Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner, author of Shevet Halevi, who held him in exceptionally high regard.

The levayah was held at Beis Pinchas Belz on Rechov Yoel in Bnei Brak. A second procession was held at the Sanhedria Funeral Home in Yerushalayim, passing the Belzer bais medrash in Kiryas Belz before continuing to the Machzikei HaDas section of Har HaMenuchos for kevurah.

Rav Traube was born on the 10th of Adar 5722 (1962) to Rav Ephraim Traube z”l, affectionately known in Belz as “Reb Ephraim Krakover.” His father served as a trusted aide to the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon Rokeach zt”l, and for many years was the baal tefillah and baal koreh in the Belzer court.

He was educated in Belzer educational institutions in Yerushalayim before continuing to the Belzer yeshivah on Rechov Agrippas, where he quickly distinguished himself as one of the outstanding bochurim. At just 14 years old, while still in the Belzer yeshivah ketana, he was tested on the entire Maseches Chullin.

After his marriage to a daughter of Rav Shmuel Tzvi Greenwald z”l, one of the veteran and respected Belz Chassidim of Bnei Brak, Rav Traube’s extraordinary scholarship became even more evident.

He initially served as rosh kollel for Belzer avreichim before studying practical hora’ah under Rav Wosner. The famed posek later remarked during a visit to the Belzer Rebbe that throughout the many years he had examined and ordained dayanim and rabbanim, he had never encountered anyone who grasped complex halachic matters as quickly as Rav Traube. Rav Wosner predicted that he was destined to become one of the leading poskim of his generation.

For many years, Rav Traube headed the special beis din overseeing the Machzikei HaDas kashrus organization, serving as its chief rav hamachshir and supervising food production facilities throughout the country.

When the Beis Pinchas Belz bais medrash opened on Rechov Yoel in Bnei Brak, the Belzer Rebbe personally appointed Rav Traube to serve as its dayan. He fulfilled that role for many years while also serving as the congregation’s baal tefillah and baal koreh.

Approximately 20 years ago, Rav Traube was diagnosed with a debilitating muscular degenerative disease. His condition steadily deteriorated over the years. At the Belzer Rebbe’s instruction, his children and family began accepting Shabbos from midday each Friday as a zechus on his behalf, and those close to him credit that practice with extending his life for many years.

In recent weeks, his condition worsened significantly. He was hospitalized two weeks ago after developing a severe infection, and on Tuesday morning he passed away.

Rav Traube is survived by children who are accomplished talmidei chachamim, maggidei shiur, and mashpi’im within the Belzer community.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A longstanding bein hazemanim tradition in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, is facing an unprecedented downturn this summer, as widespread financial pressures and government sanctions have dramatically reduced the number of Chareidi families able to rent vacation apartments during the annual break from the yeshivos.

For decades, families living in Kiryat Sanz routinely rented out their apartments during bein hazemanim to visitors from other Chareidi communities. Depending on the size of the apartment and its proximity to the beach, daily rental prices typically ranged between ₪1,000 and ₪3,000, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement for homeowners and vacationing families alike.

This year, however, residents say the market has virtually dried up.

According to a report, telephones that would normally ring constantly with rental inquiries have remained largely silent. Even when prospective renters do call, homeowners quote the same prices they have charged in previous years—only to hear the same painful response.

“We simply have no way to pay those prices. They’ve cut us from every direction, our financial situation is extremely difficult, and we have no money at all.”

Some families attempt to negotiate, offering only ₪300 or ₪350 per day for apartments that ordinarily command several times that amount. Yet even at those sharply reduced prices, many deals never materialize, as the financial impact of sanctions and budget cuts has left many avreichim unable to afford even modest vacations.

As a result, many apartments throughout Kiryat Sanz are remaining vacant this summer, while both homeowners and would-be renters are grappling with an economic reality that has upended the familiar rhythm of bein hazemanim.

One resident of the neighborhood told the publication that the trend has become impossible to ignore.

“I know several families—even in my own building there are two or three families that were accustomed to renting out their apartments for the entire vacation period. Right now they have tenants for only a few days, and even then it’s at much lower prices.”

He added that the situation appears to be worsening with each passing day.

“Every day you see more and more families who simply can’t rent out their apartments.”

According to the resident, the slowdown extends well beyond the summer vacation season.

“Even on Shabbos you can see there aren’t nearly as many guests as there used to be. Many people say it’s become too expensive for them, so they prefer renting apartments a couple of blocks away from Kiryat Sanz rather than paying the much higher prices inside the neighborhood itself.”

{Matzav.com}

Retired Brig. Gen. Erez Winner is warning that Israel faces a growing and potentially catastrophic security threat in Judea and Samaria, arguing that the country’s greatest danger does not come from Iran, Gaza, or Lebanon, but from a dangerous combination of terrorism, weapons smuggling, criminal networks, and the Palestinian Authority. He cautioned that unless Israel changes course, the next October 7-style attack could be even more severe.

As Israeli security forces continue battling an increase in terrorist attacks throughout Judea and Samaria, Winner, who chairs the Israel Defense and Security Forum (HaBitachonistim), said the deteriorating situation reflects a much deeper strategic failure rather than isolated operational shortcomings.

Winner rejected the widespread characterization that Israel is experiencing a “new” wave of terrorism, insisting the violence has been building steadily for many months while authorities failed to confront its root causes.

“Everyone is talking about a new wave of terror,” Winner told Arutz Sheva-Israel National News. “But I believe that this is not a new wave. For many months, there have been attempts to set farms on fire, poison livestock, and attack shepherds. The recent incidents simply received greater public attention, but this reality has existed for a long time.”

According to Winner, the October 7 massacre initially transformed the IDF’s approach in Judea and Samaria. He said the military reacted aggressively, particularly through reserve forces, adopting a policy of responding decisively to every act of violence, no matter how small.

“There was shock, and the IDF responded with force, primarily through reserve forces. We did not ignore any incident – not even a single stone-throwing attack. This determined policy significantly reduced the level of violence and friction.”

But Winner said that once security conditions improved, Israel gradually relaxed that aggressive posture, allowing hostile forces to regain momentum while incitement from the Palestinian Authority continued unabated through schools, the media, and public messaging.

He also argued that intensified debate over expanding Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria has fueled even greater Palestinian incitement. At the same time, he said, international organizations and Israeli advocacy groups have amplified allegations of so-called “settler violence,” creating an atmosphere that encourages additional attacks.

“The stronger the communities became, the more intense the Palestinian incitement against them became as well. At the same time, there is a broad campaign focused on ‘settler violence,’ promoted by Israeli organizations together with international NGOs and various UN bodies. All of these factors create an environment that fuels further violence.”

Winner called on Israel to return to the assertive security doctrine it employed immediately after October 7, combining military operations with civilian initiatives designed to restore deterrence.

“We must restore the firm approach that characterized the period following October 7 – not only through raids and arrests, but also through civilian measures. Ultimately, we are judged by the response we elicit from the other side.”

He maintained that the Palestinian leadership views control of territory as its overriding objective and argued that Israel should no longer continue operating under assumptions rooted in the Oslo Accords.

“If Abu Mazen has already declared that the Oslo Accords are dead, there is no reason that only Israel should continue operating as though those agreements still exist. We must understand that the Palestinian Authority is not a partner, but a hostile actor.”

Winner further accused the Palestinian Authority of actively promoting and financing terrorism while criticizing those who continue advocating for strengthening it or restoring its control over Gaza.

“This is an armed authority that incites terrorism, supports terrorism, and funds terrorism. And yet there are still those who continue to advocate strengthening it – and even returning it to power in Gaza. It is time to call things by their proper name.”

He added that numerous members of the Palestinian Authority’s own security forces have allegedly participated in terrorist activity over the past two years, saying Israel should abandon the notion that the PA serves as a security partner.

Drawing lessons from October 7, Winner warned against dismissing those who sound alarms before disaster strikes.

“Before October 7, there were people who warned about Hamas, but many dismissed them as extremists or alarmists. In hindsight, they were proven right. We must not repeat the same mistake with the Palestinian Authority.”

Addressing arguments that the IDF’s manpower shortages are limiting its ability to respond effectively, Winner said the real problem lies in strategy rather than troop numbers.

“The issue is not the number of forces, but the way they are used. We are spreading too few soldiers across too large an area. When forces operate offensively, with focus and initiative, they can achieve far more even with fewer personnel.”

He proposed concentrating military operations in selected areas, working closely with local Jewish communities, and launching focused campaigns to seize illegal weapons instead of attempting to tackle every challenge simultaneously.

“We do not need to do everything at once. We can begin in one area, or launch an operation to collect illegal weapons in a single city. The important thing is to make a decision and begin acting.”

Winner concluded with a stark warning that Israel must not underestimate the growing dangers developing closer to home.

“The real threat facing the State of Israel is not only Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran. It is also the hundreds of thousands of weapons smuggled into the region, the criminal organizations, and the Palestinian Authority. If we fail to address this in time, October 7 may prove to have been only a preview of what is still to come.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu held what Israeli officials described as a highly successful and productive meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, with the two leaders focusing heavily on Iran and reaffirming their shared determination to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.

A senior Israeli official traveling with the prime minister described the Oval Office meeting as a “very good and very positive meeting.”

“The two talked about all arenas — primarily Iran — and reiterated the joint commitment to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons,” says the official.

Following the meeting, another senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that the discussions come at a pivotal moment, as the Trump administration weighs its next steps regarding Iran.

“We are in a critical period,” a senior Israeli official told Channel 12.

“President Trump will make a decision soon where he is heading,” says the official. “We are not pushing him, but also aren’t burying our heads in the sand. Netanyahu presented [Trump with] the Israeli perspective.”

According to the report, Netanyahu provided President Trump with fresh Israeli intelligence assessments regarding Iran’s nuclear activities and military capabilities, seeking to underscore the urgency of the threat.

The senior official said Netanyahu believes military action against Iran may once again become necessary.

“Netanyahu believes there is no choice” but to attack Iran again, the Channel 12 report continues, apparently still quoting the senior Israel official. These need to be “significant attacks — on nuclear facilities, capabilities that have been rebuilt, and sites that weren’t previously hit.” Such strikes, Israel believes, would have the potential to “shake the stability of the regime.”

The Passaic and Lakewood Torah communities are mourning the petirah of Mrs. Chani Eisgrau a”h, who was niftar after enduring years of profound suffering with extraordinary faith and dignity. She was in her mid-40s.

Mrs. Eisgrau was the wife of Reb Menachem Eisgrau and a daughter of Rav and Mrs. Benzion Kokis, mashgiach ruchani at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood.

For more than 15 years, Mrs. Eisgrau endured severe yissurim, accepting them with remarkable ahavah, unwavering emunah, and strength. Despite her immense physical suffering, those who knew her describe her as a true tzadeikes whose radiant spirit, optimism, and devotion to her family never diminished.

She was an exceptionally dedicated and loving mother who cared for her family with constant joy and selflessness. Even while facing tremendous challenges, she remained a source of warmth, encouragement, and faith, serving as a role model to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The levayah took place at Yeshiva Gedola of Passaic before continuing to the Lakewood Bais Olam for kevurah.

The family is sitting shivah at 288 Aycrigg Avenue in Passaic.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

There’s a remarkable new initiative making waves across the Jewish world.

The Power of a Million is an unprecedented initiative launched by Keren Tosafos Yom Tov to strengthen Kedushas HaTefillah throughout Klal Yisroel.

The goal is to inspire one million kabbalos, creating one million more focused, heartfelt tefillos. Yidden are committing not to speak during davening and taking on additional kabbalos that bring greater focus, respect, and meaning to every tefillah.

Every participant who accepts a kabbalah is also eligible for the largest prize ever offered in a campaign—a historic $1,000,000 prize toward their shul. The prize can be used for renovations, a new Sefer Torah, a mikvah, or other projects that enhance the beauty and kavod of the Makom HaTefillah.

Thousands of Yidden from every background and community have already joined this powerful movement and taken on Kabbalos to strengthen their tefillah.

Inspired by the powerful Mi Shebeirach of the Tosafos Yom Tov, which describes the extraordinary brachos promised to those who are careful not to speak during davening, this global initiative is bringing renewed respect to our batei medrash and elevating the power of tefillah throughout Klal Yisroel.

There is extraordinary power when Yidden unite in tefillah. Every individual kabbalah becomes part of something far greater, bringing together communities, shuls, and Yidden across the world through one shared commitment.

One million kabbalos means one million opportunities to strengthen our connection to Hashem and create an unprecedented collective zechus for all of Klal Yisroel.

A noted philanthropist funded the historic prize with one goal in mind: to help Yidden strengthen their tefillah and deepen their respect for the shul. At a time when so many are searching for zechusim and brachos, there is perhaps no greater zechus than honoring the Makom HaTefillah and protecting the sanctity of davening.

Be Part of Something Historic

Join thousands of fellow Yidden. Make a kabbalah not to speak during davening, strengthen your tefillah, and help bring Klal Yisroel closer to one million pure tefillos.

Visit KTYT.org and make your kabbalah today.

A massive fire tore through the Agri Star meat processing facility in Postville early Tuesday, sending towering plumes of smoke into the sky as firefighters from across northeast Iowa rushed to contain the fast-moving blaze. Officials have urged the public to stay away from the area while emergency crews battle the fire.

Numerous fire departments responded to the scene and are working together to bring the flames under control at the sprawling processing plant.

The blaze erupted during the early morning hours at the Agri Star Meat and Poultry Plant, the largest employer in Allamakee County, triggering a major emergency response.

As the fire continues to burn, smoke has been carried toward neighboring Fayette County, where authorities warn it may reduce visibility, particularly in and around the Clermont area.

Officials are asking both motorists and local residents to avoid the vicinity if possible and to exercise caution as firefighters and other emergency personnel remain on the scene.

Authorities have not reported any injuries, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined or released.

Agri Star is among the world’s largest kosher meat processing facilities. The company was purchased by Mr. Hershey Friedman in 2009 from the Rubashkin family and serves as a major employer for many Orthodox Jewish residents of the Postville community.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities have launched an investigation after Channel 12’s headquarters in Tel Aviv was targeted for the second time in less than a month, with vandals leaving behind a chilling letter threatening to continue the attacks and warning that “someone will die.” Police are also investigating a similar act of vandalism at the offices of the Haaretz newspaper to determine whether the two incidents are connected.

Employees arriving at Channel 12’s offices Tuesday morning discovered that the glass entrance door to the building had once again been smashed. Around the same time, officials reported nearly identical damage at the Haaretz headquarters elsewhere in Tel Aviv, prompting investigators to examine whether both attacks were carried out by the same suspect.

After the latest attack, a handwritten letter addressed to Channel 12 journalists was found at the scene containing explicit threats. It stated, “Until you ask for forgiveness for the Sde Teiman case, I won’t stop. Next time, the brick will be aimed at one of your heads.”

The letter escalated its warning with an even more ominous message: “Even an apology without meaning it is fine. Take this letter seriously, it’s too bad, because in the end, someone will die.” It also listed the names of current and former Israeli defense officials, branding them “dangerous traitors,” before ending with the declaration: “G-d’s judgment will be upon all of you.”

In response to the attack and the death threats, President Isaac Herzog spoke directly with Police Commissioner Danny Levi, emphasizing the seriousness of repeated acts of violence against Channel 12 as well as the growing threats directed at journalists and media organizations. Herzog stressed that violence and intimidation cannot be permitted to silence voices in Israel’s public discourse.

Levi assured the president that the police view the matter with the utmost seriousness and said he would convene an urgent meeting to address the escalating situation and determine the next steps in the investigation.

The Israel Police confirmed that detectives have opened a criminal investigation into the vandalism.

“Officers from the South Tel Aviv Police Station have opened an investigation into an incident involving damage to the entrance door of an office building in southern Tel Aviv. A short while ago, during a routine patrol, officers identified damage to the entrance door of a building on Haskalah Street in southern Tel Aviv.”

Police said investigators are already working to identify those responsible for the attack.

“Officers have begun collecting evidence and investigating the incident in an effort to identify those responsible.”

Channel 12 strongly condemned the latest assault, warning that the repeated attacks represent a dangerous escalation against the Israeli press and calling on both the government and law enforcement authorities to act decisively.

“We are waking up to another morning-the second in less than a month, in which dangerous violence has struck and smashed the entrance to our newsroom. This is a real alarm bell. The blood of Channel 12 journalists is not expendable. The Government of Israel and the communications minister must stop their inflammatory and unrestrained attacks on the free press, which also lead to serious acts. The Israel Police must act immediately to prevent this dangerous violence. We will not be deterred by the legislation, the incitement, or the violence.”