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Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein spoke out forcefully against efforts to assign blame to Israel’s attorney general for the recent tragedy at a Yerushalayim daycare facility, stressing that such an approach is fundamentally mistaken and contrary to Jewish belief.

In recorded remarks broadcast Tuesday evening on the Siach Yitzchok hotline, Rav Zilberstein addressed public claims that the disaster was the result of policies pursued by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, which critics say have restricted the chareidi community and led some parents to place children in unlicensed childcare settings.

According to the recording, Rav Zilberstein’s student, Rav Yaakov Ben Serouk, told listeners that when the rav learned of the tragic incident and heard the accusations circulating in the media, he reacted sharply and rejected them outright. Rav Zilberstein made clear that it is forbidden to speak in such terms or to attribute a tragedy of this nature to the actions of specific officials.

“Do not say such things,” Rav Zilberstein said. “A person must know that everything is from Shomayim. Our obligation is to strengthen ourselves and improve our ways, not to search for others to blame.”

Rav Zilberstein further explained that tragedies are meant to serve as a spiritual awakening. He said that such events are intended to prompt self-examination and repentance, with each individual reflecting on personal conduct and considering what message is being conveyed from Above.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on Thursday, saying the terror group will be “blown away very quickly” if it fails to disarm in the near future. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump claimed that Hamas has already agreed to give up its weapons, despite public statements from the […]

As tensions simmered between the United States and Europe this week over President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, Russian officials, state-backed media and pro-Kremlin bloggers responded with a mixture of glee, gloating and wariness. Some touted Trump’s move as historic, while others said it weakens the European Union and NATO — something that Moscow would seem […]

Yaakov and Chani Katz, the parents of the baby Ari, z’l, who passed away in the daycare disaster in the Romema neighborhood of Jerusalem, slammed the incitement against the Chareidi sector and specifically against the daycare owner. Speaking to Kan News only hours after their baby’s levaya, they expressed full and unconditional support for the […]

A severe Arctic air mass is poised to sweep across the eastern United States in the days ahead, bringing life-threatening cold that will drive temperatures well below zero in some areas and into the single digits in others, prompting warnings for residents to remain indoors to avoid hypothermia.

Meteorologists say the cold wave will intensify as the week progresses, with major impacts expected across the Midwest and Northeast. Chicago, large parts of Michigan, and upstate New York are among the locations forecast to experience the harshest conditions.

“It is dangerously cold,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told The NY Post. “This Arctic air — an Arctic blast — is coming. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

According to Kines, the Northeast will bear the brunt of the frigid conditions over the weekend, as temperatures plunge to roughly 30 degrees below what is typical for late January.

As the Arctic air pours south from Canada, residents in the most affected regions — including parts of Minnesota and Illinois — could face serious health risks if they remain outdoors for extended periods without adequate protection, Kines warned.

“If you have to go outside, respect the cold,” he said, urging people to dress in layers and limit time outdoors to essential trips only.

“When it’s that cold, it actually hurts sometimes when you first breathe in,” he said. “It’s nothing to sneeze at.”

The extreme cold could also strain power systems, as households increase heating use and potentially overload local electrical grids, Kines added.

In New York City, temperatures are expected to tumble into the low teens over the weekend, coinciding with a snowstorm forecast to arrive on Sunday, according to Kines.

The storm is expected to bring several inches of snow — “at least enough to shovel and plow” — to the city, he said.

Before the cold fully sets in, conditions in the city are expected to remain milder on Thursday, with a high near 45 degrees and a low around 29, forecasters said.

By Friday, skies will be partly sunny, with temperatures reaching a high of 36 and dipping to 12 overnight. Shabbos is expected to be even colder, with a high of just 19 degrees and a low of 12.

On Sunday, as snow falls across the city, temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 20 degrees and a low of 15, forecasters said.

Relief from the deep freeze is not expected until sometime after next week, Kines said.

“So if you don’t like the cold, you better jump on a plane soon,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Trump is now pulling back from his decision to slap tariffs on European countries over Greenland acquisition.

The Gerer community is mourning the passing of Reb Yosef Chaim (Yossel) Roshitzky z”l, an elder and respected figure among Gerer Chassidim, who passed away today at 95.

Reb Yossel was niftar after a long and full life marked by deep devotion to Torah, chassidus, and unwavering attachment to the rebbes of Gur. His levayah is scheduled to take place Wednesday evening, departing from his home on Simtas Menashe 3 in Bnei Brak, proceeding past the Gerer Beis Chassidim on Or Hachaim  and continuing to the cemetery in Ashdod.

Born in Lodz, Poland, on the 21st of Sivan 5690, Reb Yossel was the son of Reb Yitzchak and Mrs. Chaya Roshitzky. In 5695, his parents immigrated to Eretz Yisroel, settling in Yaffo. During his youth in Tel Aviv, he absorbed chassidus and Torah from the Rav of Wieruszow, Rav Shaul Moshe Zilberman, whose teachings left a lifelong impression on him.

When the Imrei Emes arrived in Eretz Yisroel, Reb Yossel forged a deep bond with the Rebbe, regularly entering to seek guidance, advice, and brachos. On one occasion, when he submitted a kvittel, the Imrei Emes read his name aloud as “Yosef Chaim.” Reb Yossel viewed this as a clear blessing for long life, a brachah that was fulfilled.

Throughout his life, he remained deeply attached to the successive Gerer rebbes, including the Beis Yisroel, the Lev Simcha, the Pnei Menachem, and the current Rebbe. He would describe the awe he felt before entering the Rebbe, recalling how his teeth would chatter from reverence. He once recounted entering the Pnei Menachem and momentarily forgetting what he wished to ask. The Rebbe smiled and encouraged him to remember, and when Reb Yossel finally spoke, the Rebbe immediately blessed him for everything he had intended to request. Reb Yossel later said he felt the Rebbe had known all along but wished to give him a sense of comfort.

In the first year of the Beis Yisroel’s leadership, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5709, travel conditions were extremely difficult. Nevertheless, Reb Yossel journeyed with great mesirus nefesh to be with his Rebbe. When he arrived, the Beis Yisroel remarked warmly, “Yossel is here as well,” words that Reb Yossel cherished for the rest of his life.

He enjoyed a particularly close relationship with the Lev Simcha, in part because his son, Reb Mordechai Shmuel, served the Rebbe faithfully. The Rebbe, in turn, showed him great affection and appreciation. Reb Yossel was also among the last members of the close circle of Rav Zev (Vove) Zilberstein.

Even in his advanced years, Reb Yossel continued to serve as a living example of a true chassid. During the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, he made a point of coming at least one day to learn in the beis medrash together with younger men. For many years, he learned b’chavrusa with his close friend Reb Yechezkel Eisenberg. When a kollel for working men was established, the two of them were the first chavrusashaft to arrive and learn together.

Until just two weeks ago, Reb Yossel was still walking the streets of Bnei Brak on his own, despite his advanced age. He also attended the levayah of the Rav of the Gerer community in Bnei Brak, Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Zilberstein, who passed away recently at the age of 67.

He is survived by a distinguished family devoted to Torah and communal service. His sons include Rav Yisrael Roshitzky, Rav of Mevo’os HaChermon, and Rav Mordechai Roshitzky, who served as an aide to the Lev Simcha and later as manager of the Satentzia of Gur. He is also survived by his daughter, Mrs. Zelman, wife of Rav Berel Zelman, manager of the Gerer consumer cooperative in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo discusses why the Supreme Court may be delaying its decision on President Trump’s tariffs and the legal uncertainty surrounding the case.

An Israeli court on Wednesday moved to release the driver suspected of killing 16-year-old bochur Naftali Zvi Kramer z”l in a traffic incident near Kiryat Gat, even as police immediately challenged the decision and secured a temporary delay.

The Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court ruled that the suspect be transferred to house arrest, but prosecutors filed an appeal on the spot. The court granted a 24-hour stay of the release, meaning the driver will remain behind bars until the appeal is heard.

Investigators are examining allegations that the driver caused Kramer’s death through negligence, along with other possible offenses. In his statement to police, the driver said he never noticed the bochur before the crash. During the hearing, police argued that the suspect posed a danger to the public, with a representative telling the court, “Instead of accelerating toward a crowd of people, one should brake. That is the proper course of action.”

Judge Yariv Ben David nonetheless determined that the driver could be released to strict house arrest with supervision and limitations on his movement. While acknowledging the fatal outcome, the judge pointed to a range of considerations weighing against continued detention, including findings from the investigation, video footage shown in court, the driver’s cooperation, his decision to stop the bus immediately after the collision, and the absence of any prior criminal history.

Summarizing his reasoning, the judge wrote, “Despite the severe outcome, I find that in these specific circumstances, an alternative less harmful than detention is appropriate and proportionate to both the act and the individual involved,” referring to the incident, which took place amid demonstrations at the Komemiyus Junction.

{Matzav.com}

CCTV captured the moment a storm surge flooded the dining room of an Italian seafront restaurant in Sicily’s Catania as Cyclone Harry struck the region.

A federal agent was involved in a shooting in Los Angeles. No one was struck by gunfire, and all suspects are in custody.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary to support construction of a massive “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, arguing that the project would also safeguard Canada and underscoring his view that Ottawa relies heavily on American security.

Addressing participants at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the proposed defense network would automatically extend protection north of the U.S. border. “We’re building a Golden Dome that’s going to, just by its very nature, going to be defending Canada. Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also,” he told the audience.

Trump went on to criticize Canada’s leadership, saying he was unimpressed by remarks delivered a day earlier by the Canadian prime minister. “But they’re not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful. They should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s appearance at the forum.

Whether Canada will ultimately join the Golden Dome initiative remains uncertain. The White House first revealed the missile defense concept in May, and while participation from allies has not been finalized, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that the administration has formally invited Canada to take part.

Speaking in Davos during an interview with CNBC, Bessent emphasized Greenland’s central role in the plan. “Greenland is strategically important for [Trump’s] Golden Dome project to protect the U.S. and he’s invited Canada into that if they want to pay their share,” he said.

According to administration estimates, the Golden Dome system would cost about $175 billion and rely on a network of space-based sensors, interceptors, and other cutting-edge missile defense capabilities.

Those figures could climb substantially over time. In a report released in May, the Congressional Budget Office projected that deploying space-based interceptors alone could run anywhere from $161 billion to $542 billion over a 20-year period.

Carney, in his own Davos address, avoided naming Trump directly but cautioned that the global, rules-based system is eroding as “great powers” increasingly apply economic and security pressure to influence allies.

He said countries that fall into the category of “middle powers,” including Canada, should treat the moment as a “wake-up call,” arguing that cooperation alone does not ensure security. Instead, he urged nations to strengthen themselves through diversification, collective efforts, and respect for national sovereignty.

Carney also reiterated Canada’s backing of Greenland and Denmark’s right to decide the island’s future, signaling resistance to any attempt to tie security arrangements to territorial claims or economic coercion.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. military said Wednesday it began transferring detainees from the Islamic State group who were held in northeastern Syria to Iraq to ensure they remain in secure facilities. The move came after Syrian government forces took control of a sprawling camp housing thousands of IS detainees following the withdrawal of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces as part of […]

Construction beats promises They say Tzfat is having a hot moment. Real estate market ups and downs aside, let’s be honest, Tzfat has pulled at the heartstrings of Jews everywhere for centuries. The cobblestone alleys where kabbala was transmitted, open vistas where Lecha Dodi was born, and mountain air breathing history. Shabbos and every day […]

President Donald Trump on Wednesday delivered remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, outlining his views on a range of international developments, including Venezuela, Greenland, Israel, and the situation in Gaza.

Speaking about events following the recent capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro earlier this month, Trump said the country was now positioned for success and praised the cooperation his administration received. “Venezuela is going to do fantastically well. We appreciate all of the cooperation we’ve been given. We’ve been given great cooperation. Once the attack ended. The attack ended, and they said, ‘Let’s make a deal.’”

Trump also returned to the issue of Greenland, reiterating his belief that the massive Arctic island should become part of the United States. He described Greenland as strategically vital, saying, “This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America, on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere. That’s our territory.”

Emphasizing security concerns, Trump argued that only the United States is capable of protecting Greenland effectively. He said the U.S. needs control of the territory to “make it so that it’s good for Europe and safe for Europe, and good for us.. And the fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.”

At the same time, Trump stressed that he does not intend to use military force to obtain the island. “People thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he said, adding that he prefers diplomacy. “I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, just as we have acquired many other territories,” he said.

Turning to Israel, Trump credited the United States with major contributions to its security and defense capabilities. “What we did for Israel was incredible,” he said, while pledging to pursue even more advanced missile defense technology for North America.

He recounted a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “We did it for Israel. And by the way, I told Bibi: ‘Bibi, stop taking credit for the dome. That’s our technology, that’s our stuff.’” Trump added that Israel’s military efforts were decisive, saying the Israelis “were good fighters and they had a lot of courage and we wiped out the Iran nuclear threat.”

After concluding his prepared remarks, Trump was asked about the creation of the Gaza Board of Peace and whether he believes the current ceasefire can last. He expressed optimism, responding, “I do. I think we have peace in the Middle East.”

He acknowledged remaining challenges, particularly regarding Hamas. “There are some little situations,” he said, “like Hamas. And Hamas has agreed to give up their weapons. They were born with a weapon in their hand, so it’s not easy to do. When they were born, they were born with a rifle in their hand. It’s not an easy thing for them, but that’s what they agreed to. They’ve got to do it. And we’re going to see over the next two or three days, certainly over the next three weeks, whether or not they’re gonna do it. If they don’t, they’re going to be blown away very quickly.”

{Matzav.com}

A protester was struck by a vehicle on Wednesday evening during a protest by IDF veterans near the Chords Bridge in Jerusalem, leaving three people injured. According to reports, the main victim was lightly injured, while two additional protesters also required medical treatment. Police forces were called to the scene and launched a search for […]

An awe-inspiring encounter took place in Tiveriah, as the venerable mashgiach Rav Don Segal paid a special and uplifting visit to the home of the tzaddik Rav Dov Kook. The meeting revolved around yearning for the geulah and the deep spiritual chain connecting the great ones of past and present generations.

Rav Segal, who is spending time in Tiveriah for rest, made a point of going to Rav Kook’s home for a private meeting. Despite Rav Kook’s relatively young age, Rav Segal is known to accord him exceptional kavod. Conversely, those close to Rav Kook note that the rare expressions of praise he voiced regarding Rav Segal are almost never heard within his home.

A transcript of their conversation reveals fiery words concerning the pursuit of geulah and the enduring spiritual bond between generations. At the heart of the discussion stood the towering figure of the legendary mashgiach of Lakewood, Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zt”l, whose entire life was bound up with constant anticipation of Mashiach.

Rav Segal shared emotionally, saying, “He was here once, the mashgiach Rav Nosson zt”l. He lived with anticipation for Mashiach literally every moment.” Rav Segal recalled what he declared at the levayah: “When he passed away, I said at the levayah, ‘Now Mashiach can already come.’ The reason is that Mashiach comes only with hesach hadaas. As long as Rav Nosson was alive, there was no such thing in the world as distraction from Mashiach, because he thought about it every moment. Now that he has passed, there is hesach hadaas, and Mashiach can come.”

Rav Kook listened intently and asked in earnest, “Who was the mashgiach of Lakewood?” Rav Segal then continued, elaborating on the wondrous conduct and inner world of Rav Nosson Wachtfogel.

Rav Segal recounted a rare meeting between Rav Nosson and the mekubal Rav Yaakov Hillel. “I asked Rav Yaakov Hillel after their meeting what they discussed,” Rav Segal said, “and he answered me in astonishment: ‘For two hours he spoke with me about only one thing — how to bring Mashiach.’ Again and again, back and forth, constantly just that one question: how to bring the geulah.”

Rav Kook responded with a stirring statement: “And I, the small one, add that even now he continues like this in Shamayim.” Rav Segal immediately agreed, replying, “That is absolutely correct. That is why I mentioned it. I did not come here to tell stories for their own sake.”

During the visit, Rav Segal inquired with concern about Rav Kook’s health, asking, “Is the Rav feeling better now?”

Rav Kook answered with his characteristic sincerity, “Just now I received another bout of suffering.”

Rav Segal immediately responded with a warm brachah: “First and foremost, there should be a complete refuah sheleimah, and may the yissurim be separated from him.”

As the conversation neared its conclusion, the two gedolim reflected on the wondrous timing of Rav Nosson Wachtfogel’s petirah. “It was truly a פלא of ‘r’tzon yereiav ya’aseh,’” Rav Segal said. “He passed away on the very yahrtzeit of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. Over the years, the powerful bond between them may not always have been spoken about, but on the day of his passing, the heavenly connection was revealed — on that very same day.”

{Matzav.com}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir addressed the horrific incident that occurred Tuesday night on Route 3533 at the entrance to the moshav of Komemiyut, in which a Satmar yeshiva Bochur Naftali Tzvi Kramer z”l, was killed after being struck by a bus. In a video statement, the minister sought to both strengthen the grieving […]

About 4,000 buildings in Kyiv remained without heating Wednesday, and nearly 60% of the Ukrainian capital was without power, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, after days of Russian bombardment of Ukraine’s power grid. With temperatures falling as low as minus 20 C (minus 4 F) in Kyiv, Ukraine is seeing one of the coldest winters […]

Mike Woods with the latest on a potential significant snowstorm that could impact multiple states, including New York and New Jersey, Sunday going into Monday.