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Bismuth: “I Revised the Drafting of the Draft Law to Meet Legal Demands”

Matzav -

The chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Boaz Bismuth, revealed Motzoei Shabbos that he has implemented a series of adjustments and stricter provisions in the updated version of the draft law, working hand-in-hand with the committee’s legal advisers. According to Bismuth, the goal was to reduce legal vulnerabilities and create a workable balance between the IDF’s manpower needs and the preservation of the Olam HaTorah.

Bismuth addressed the newly released text ahead of committee deliberations scheduled for this week, stressing that an “intensive and meticulous” drafting process was carried out with the full involvement of the legal team.

He explained that the latest version includes “a number of changes and tightened clauses” designed to fully comply with legal requirements and minimize the risks that plagued earlier iterations. “I worked in recent weeks on the wording of the law in full cooperation with the legal advisers of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee,” he said. “I made precise adjustments and changes to meet the legal demands and to prevent any future legal exposure.”

The committee chair emphasized that the updated draft seeks to strike a carefully calibrated compromise. With the IDF dealing with manpower shortages while the chareidi sector insists on safeguarding full-time Torah study, Bismuth described the proposal as “a responsible, balanced and stable law — a law that will return to the State of Israel the stability it has been lacking.”

Bismuth also made clear that the legislative process is already too far along to shift course. “The train has already left the station, and it will not stop until the law is approved in the Knesset plenum,” he declared.

His comments come amid reports over the weekend that the committee’s own legal adviser, Miri Frenkel-Shor, opposes portions of the draft Bismuth unveiled. The committee is expected to begin detailed discussions on the legislation in the coming days.

{Matzav.com}

Trump Threatens Biden With ‘Charges of Perjury,’ Says Auto-Penned Orders ‘Terminated’

Matzav -

President Trump issued a sweeping declaration Friday, announcing that he is voiding every document signed through the use of an autopen during Joe Biden’s presidency and threatening legal consequences if Biden insists he personally approved the signatures. Trump claimed he is prepared to have his predecessor “brought up on charges of perjury” if Biden says he was involved in authorizing aides to use the device.

For months, Trump has insisted that Biden was largely absent during his term, portraying the administration as one run by unelected staffers. In his latest Truth Social post, Trump asserted, “Any document signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the Autopen, which was approximately 92% of them, is hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect. The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States.”

He went on to accuse Biden’s advisers of usurping authority, writing, “The Radical Left Lunatics circling Biden around the beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office took the Presidency away from him. I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally.”

Trump concluded his message with a direct warning: “Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Although Trump has already undone many of Biden’s directives, he has also implied that a number of Biden’s pardons may be invalid. Biden, however, told the New York Times this year that he personally authorized the use of his name in his final clemency decisions. Historically, autopen signatures have been recognized as fully legitimate when used by staff under presidential direction, and presidents of both parties have relied on the device for decades — including in rare instances to enact legislation.

Legal precedent supports the practice. A Justice Department opinion issued in 2005 during the George W. Bush administration concluded, “the President need not personally perform the physical act of affixing his signature to a bill he approves and decides to sign in order for the bill to become law.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas Terrorist Surrenders to IDF After Crossing Yellow Line

Yeshiva World News -

A Hamas terrorist surrendered to Israeli forces today after crossing Gaza’s yellow line. He told the IDF he had been recently recruited by Hamas but now regretted the decision. The IDF also reported that three Palestinians who crossed the yellow line in southern Gaza today were killed.

Trump Shuts Down Venezuelan Airspace ‘In Its Entirety’ As Drug Trafficking Surges

Matzav -

President Trump unveiled a sweeping new directive today, declaring that no aircraft may traverse Venezuela’s skies as part of an intensified campaign against narcotics flowing out of the region. In a sharply worded Truth Social message, he announced: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.” He ended the post with: “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

This latest move follows Trump’s pledge earlier this week to target drug operations on land. Speaking with reporters, he said, “The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon,” hinting that the airspace shutdown is only the beginning of a broader escalation.

Since September, the administration has focused heavily on maritime strikes, hitting what it describes as narcotics-carrying vessels departing from Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America. The White House says the maritime strategy has sharply curtailed drug movements, with Trump insisting that trafficking by sea has fallen by “85%” since the operations began. Critics—including human rights groups, academics, and Democratic lawmakers—have condemned the policy as a form of extrajudicial killing.

Defense officials acknowledge that at least 21 deadly strikes have taken place under the initiative. One of the most contentious incidents involved a boat near Trinidad, where survivors were reportedly killed in a second round of fire—an alleged “double tap” that prompted outrage. According to reports, the strike was carried out under direction from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to “kill everybody,” an allegation Hegseth dismissed as “fake news.”

Amid all this, Trump held a conversation last week with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. According to the New York Times, the discussion included the possibility of an unprecedented face-to-face meeting—something no U.S. president has ever pursued with the authoritarian head of state. Trump has long denounced Maduro, calling him illegitimate and accusing him of running the narcotics empire known as Cartel de los Soles.

The decision to seal off Venezuelan airspace marks the most dramatic step yet in the administration’s expanding campaign, signaling a readiness to widen the fight beyond sea and land—and into the skies.

{Matzav.com}

WAR DRUMS: President Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspaced “Closed” As US Prepares For Land Strikes

Yeshiva World News -

President Donald Trump on Saturday said that the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela should be considered as “closed in its entirety,” an assertion that raised more questions about the U.S. pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. His government accused Trump of making a ”colonial threat” and seeking to undermine the South American country’s sovereignty. The […]

Shoppers Spend Billions on Black Friday to Snag Holiday Deals, Despite Wider Economic Uncertainty

Yeshiva World News -

Despite wider economic uncertainty hovering above this year’s holiday season, shoppers turned out in big numbers for Black Friday — spending billions of dollars both in stores and online. Adobe Analytics, which tracks e-commerce, said U.S. consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online Friday, marking a 9.1% jump from last year. Traffic particularly piled up […]

Rabbi Gershon (George) Morgenstern z”l

Matzav -

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Gershon (George) Morgenstern z”l, a man whose life embodied determination, brilliance, and unwavering devotion to Torah and avodas Hashem. He was 92.

Born and raised in New York in an era and environment where authentic Torah life was far from the norm, young Gershon stood out for his quiet resolve and inner fire. While most of his peers drifted far from Yiddishkeit, he charted a different path, one of conviction, courage, and fierce loyalty to Torah.

His journey began at Rabbi Yitzchok Shmidman’s Yeshiva Toras Chaim in East New York, where the foundations of his lifelong identity were formed. From there, his love for learning and his refined intellect led him to Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, where he learned under the guidance of illustrious rabbeim. There, he forged a deep and enduring kesher with its legendary rosh yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l, whose teachings and worldview became the hashkafic backbone of his life. Until his final days, Rabbi Morgenstern was proud to call himself a Chaim Berliner, carrying its ideals with dignity and clarity.

Despite his humble beginnings, he became the living definition of a self-made man. Everything he achieved—spiritually, professionally, and personally—was earned through perseverance, grit, and a refusal to compromise on the values he cherished. He built himself into a ben Torah, and later built a family rooted in those same ideals, determined that his children and grandchildren live lives rich with Torah and mesorah.

As a young married man, after marrying his devoted wife Faigy, he assumed rabbinic positions in both Lynn and Lowell, Massachusetts, where his warmth, intellect, and genuine care for every Jew left a lasting imprint. Congregants who met him during those formative years never forgot the way he listened, guided, taught, and uplifted, leading with both head and heart, helping countless individuals draw closer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

In time, Rabbi Morgenstern moved from the rabbinate into the world of business, where his extraordinary brilliance came to the fore. Long before the computer revolution reshaped the world, he stood at its front lines as a pioneer and visionary. He founded multiple companies, including Data Systems & Software Inc. (DSSI) and Tower Semiconductor Ltd., breaking ground in areas no one else had yet imagined. His forward-thinking innovations were decades ahead of their time, and his creativity and acuity were unmatched. One of his company’s major achievements was its development of advanced sonar systems purchased by the Israeli government, a testament to the caliber of his technological contributions.

Yet, even at the height of professional success, parnassah was never merely a business objective for him. It was an opportunity for chesed. As chairman of Decision Systems Israel, he recognized the extraordinary potential of yeshiva students and began hiring them en masse, believing that their training in limud haTorah made them uniquely suited to programming. At one point, he employed approximately 200 yeshiva graduates, giving them a dignified means of support.

He would often explain, with a mix of clarity and pride: “In programming you need patience, a willingness to go into detail and the concentration to make sure you dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s and to go over it again and again. It’s the same thing with Gemara [study].”

He would emphasize that it took six months to train a yeshiva student to excel in software, compared to one to two years for a typical high-school graduate. To him, this wasn’t merely a statistic. It was a celebration of Torah, of its rigor, its discipline, and its ability to shape extraordinary human beings.

Eventually, Rabbi and Mrs. Morgenstern settled in the then-young, blossoming community of Monsey, New York, where he immediately became a quiet, steady pillar of support for local mosdos. As a member of the tuition committee at Yeshiva of Spring Valley, he helped countless families ensure that their children could learn Torah without unbearable financial strain. He involved himself in supporting other institutions, always with discretion, respect, and boundless generosity.

His relationships with rabbonim—such as Rav Shmuel Faivelson, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash L’Torah, and Rav Zorach Shapiro, with whom he learned b’chavrusah for many years—were deeply meaningful to him. They reflected his appreciation for talmidei chachomim, his love of learning, and his lifelong quest for aliyah.

From his home on Shalvah Place, the very block he personally built during Monsey’s early days, Rabbi Morgenstern poured out chesed. People from every walk of life crossed his threshold seeking advice, support, guidance, employment, resources, or simply a listening ear. And in every instance, he gave with generosity, dignity, and a sense of mission.

He was a wellspring of memories, stories, and insights, recounting his years near gedolim, his experiences in the birth of the tech revolution, his time as a rov, and his personal journey of spiritual resilience. Anyone fortunate enough to hear those stories walked away richer, because every tale carried a message, a value, a surge of inspiration.

Together with his wife Faigy, he was zocheh to raise a distinguished family of bnei and bnos Torah who today make their mark across the world, carrying forward his legacy of integrity, perseverance, and ahavas haTorah.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Faigy Morgenstern; by his children, Mrs. Shoshana Schechter, Mrs. Reyce Krause, Mrs. Alisa Rokach, Rav Dov Morgenstern, and Reb Shloime Morgenstern; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Yehi zichro boruch.

White House Slams Media Over ‘Illegal Orders’ Coverage

Yeshiva World News -

White House blasts Boston Globe, CBS News and The Independent for coverage of ‘illegal orders’ video • The White House blasted the Boston Globe, CBS News and The Independent for their coverage of a video from Democratic lawmakers telling the U.S. military that they can disobey illegal orders. • The White House has denied that […]

Iranian Hackers Target Israeli Nuclear Scientist with Threat Video

Yeshiva World News -

Iranian Hackers Target Israeli Nuclear Scientist: An Iranian-backed hacker group known as Handala released video claiming they broke into the car of a senior Israeli nuclear scientist. The footage shows someone approaching the vehicle, opening the door, and leaving what they called a “heavy bouquet” inside as a threat. The group also published personal data […]

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, Suspect In Deadly National Guard Shooting, Expected To Survive, Setting Up Blockbuster DC Criminal Trial

Matzav -

The man accused of unleashing gunfire on two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House is expected to pull through his own injuries, even as one of his alleged victims remains in a critical and fragile state.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said the suspected gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is likely to recover. “I think the guy’s going to live. Nobody’s going to be able to say anything and he’s going to stand trial,” the official told The NY Post. The source added, “I know that he underwent surgery the night it happened,” while explaining that the DC court process limits what prosecutors can disclose about Lakanwal, who allegedly opened fire on the Guardsmen on Nov. 26.

One of the ambushed soldiers, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries the following day, passing away on Thanksgiving.

A representative for Joint Task Force — DC, which oversees the mission in the capital, said Saturday there were no new details regarding the condition of the second Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe. He remains hospitalized in critical condition after the attack.

“Andrew is fighting for his life right now,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick James Morrisey said in an interview on Fox & Friends.

On Friday, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced that prosecutors will pursue upgraded charges. “There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree,” she said after Beckstrom’s death.

Reports indicate that a fellow National Guard member—armed only with a pocket knife—managed to subdue the attacker during the chaos, preventing further harm.

Authorities say Lakanwal left his home in Bellingham, Washington, roughly two weeks before the shooting and traveled across the country. Neighbors reported that he had “disappeared” shortly before the ambush. Investigators believe he used a .357 Magnum-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver to shoot both Guardsmen, striking Beckstrom in the head and chest.

According to lawyer and strategist Mike Davis, who said he spoke with law enforcement immediately after the attack, one Guardsman “stabbed the suspect in the head multiple times,” while another “shot him in the leg and buttocks.” Lakanwal was nearly unclothed when first responders transported him to a hospital.

Officials have not yet disclosed what procedures doctors performed on him, nor have they provided updated details on his medical status or potential motive.

In the aftermath of the shooting, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal previously worked with the agency in Afghanistan. He entered the United States in 2021 following the US withdrawal from the region, and investigators are now examining when and where radicalization may have taken place.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, suggested today that Lakanwal may have received training on American soil, pointing to the specifics of his immigration documentation. Mullin noted that the suspect’s Special Immigrant Visa “had a special number below it because he was trained and worked with the CIA. There’s actually … a good possibility that he came in and was here and trained on US soil. We don’t know that for a fact but there’s a good possibility,” he told Fox News.

{Matzav.com}

White House Posts Fake News Leaderboard

Matzav -

The administration has widened its running catalog of so-called “media offenders,” adding CBS News, The Boston Globe, and The Independent to a list it claims documents distorted or inaccurate coverage.

Officials accuse the three outlets of misleading the public in their reporting on a recently circulated video in which several members of Congress encouraged military personnel to resist what they termed “illegal” directives from President Donald Trump. The White House insists the coverage falsely implied that Trump had issued unlawful instructions.

In a statement posted online, the administration asserted, “The media misrepresented President Trump’s call for Members of Congress to be held accountable for inciting sedition by saying that he called for their ‘execution.'” It followed with another clarification emphasizing that, “Media Misrepresents and Exaggerates President Trump’s Calls for Democrat Accountability.”

The breakdown provided by the White House further argues that, “The Democrats and Fake News Media subversively implied that President Trump had issued illegal orders to service members. Every order President Trump has issued has been lawful. It is dangerous for sitting Members of Congress to incite insubordination in the United States’ military, and President Trump called for them to be held accountable.”

A growing portion of the White House tracker is devoted to what it calls the “Offender Hall of Shame,” described as “A record of the media’s false and misleading stories flagged by The White House.” At the top of that list are The Washington Post, CBS News, CNN, and MSNBC (MS NOW).

Another section, labeled “Repeat Offenders,” highlights outlets the administration accuses of multiple violations. The Washington Post currently leads with five entries, identified as involving “Bias, Lie, Malpractice.” CBS and MSNBC follow with four alleged offenses apiece.

Newsmax remains absent from the registry, while Fox News briefly appeared before an error surfaced regarding the attribution of a press-conference question. Fox objected, leading to an update noted by Washington Post media reporter Scott Nover, who wrote on X, “Update: The White House media tracker — intended to name and shame journalists for bias and errors — incorrectly attributed questions in a press conference to a Fox News reporter. Fox News asked the White House to correct it and now there’s a 404 error where the page once was.”

Outside critics have condemned the administration’s approach, including the American Civil Liberties Union, which frames Trump’s pushback against inaccurate reporting as an attack on fundamental freedoms. The ACLU argues that his strategy represents an effort to “dismantle our free press and violate the Constitution.”

Still, the ACLU’s own “Press in Peril” report acknowledges Trump’s legal victories against major media outlets. As the report notes, “He recently settled for $16 million in a lawsuit against Paramount and CBS News for the ’60 Minutes’ coverage of former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race. In December, he reached a $15 million settlement with ABC News over a misquotation by host George Stephanopoulos.”

{Matzav.com}

Adolf Hitler Secures Re-Election, Says Changing Name Is “Too Late”, But Does Not Support Nazi Ideologies

Yeshiva World News -

Adolf Hitler Uunona — a Namibian regional politician whose name inevitably ricochets around the world every election cycle — has secured another term in office, marking his fifth consecutive victory in the country’s far-north Ompundja constituency. Uunona, 59, a veteran member of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party, coasted to re-election, continuing a political run that has […]

“We Know What You Did!”: Jewish Boys Hunted in Uruguay Streets, Attackers Threaten Family at Home

Yeshiva World News -

Two Jewish boys were chased through the streets of Montevideo, Uruguay, and threatened with chunks of pavement. The victims, ages 13 and 14, were walking home Tuesday in the Punta Carretas neighborhood, wearing school uniforms from a local Jewish high school. According to police reports and community statements, two young men in their early twenties […]

ICE Protesters Clash With Cops At Manhattan Government Building After Reports Of Agents Rounding Up Illegal Migrants

Matzav -

A surge of more than 150 demonstrators gathered outside a federal building in lower Manhattan today, igniting a chaotic confrontation with police during a protest fueled by reports of immigration enforcement activity in the neighborhood.

The scene unfolded near the U.S. General Service Administration building on Centre Street, where officers rushed in after a 911 call reported that protesters were blocking the entrance to a garage that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had entered, according to the NYPD.

Police repeatedly ordered the crowd to disperse, but several participants refused, leading to multiple arrests on charges that included disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration.

At the height of the tension, some individuals attempted to scale the metal-grated windows of the garage, only to be pulled down by responding officers. Others remained on the ground chanting, “ICE out of New York! ICE out now!”

“There were people climbing up trying to see who ICE had inside,” one participant recalled after the standoff. “They were arresting people for no reason.”

According to sources at the scene, a handful of highly agitated protestors hurled planters and police barricades toward officers as tempers flared.

The shouting intensified when demonstrators unleashed expletives and accusations, yelling “you are corrupt!” while officers continued pleading with them to “back up” behind the barricades.

Some protestors shoved and repositioned the metal barriers toward police, while others stepped into Centre Street in an effort to disrupt traffic.

Among onlookers, reactions were mixed. A New Jersey visitor, Peter Suh, criticized the police response, saying, “It’s not right what they’re doing. People should be left alone to protest.”

An Australian tourist watching the turmoil described a hostile atmosphere on both sides. “A lot of people were shoved to the ground,” she said.

This flare-up followed a recent incident in which ICE agents arrested an illegal immigrant accused of selling counterfeit goods on Canal Street — part of what officials say may be a series of upcoming enforcement operations along the well-known strip.

{Matzav.com}

New Draft of the Conscription Law Lifts Chareidi Spirits

Matzav -

A sudden wave of optimism swept through the chareidi political parties this week as discussions on the latest draft of the conscription law began. After months of tension, harsh rhetoric, and political pressure, senior leaders Aryeh Deri and Moshe Gafni were seen moving through the Knesset noticeably relaxed and smiling — a stark contrast to their somber demeanor in recent months.

Deri appeared especially confident. After successfully neutralizing the campaign accusing him of caving on the draft issue — and pulling Degel HaTorah deep into the negotiations so he would not be left alone bearing the political cost — he projected certainty at every turn. Anyone who hinted that elections were looming received the same crisp response: there are no elections on the horizon. From Deri’s perspective, the conscription bill is back on track, and the coalition is stable enough to run its full course. Even issues long stuck in limbo, such as funding for food vouchers, have returned to his desk.

At the same time, Gafni has allowed himself to quietly envision a return to his longtime power base — the chairmanship of the Knesset Finance Committee — the position from which he has effectively shaped major parts of Israeli governance for nearly 30 years. The two leaders, once cornered by public backlash, are now walking through the building with the buoyancy of politicians who believe the tide has turned in their favor.

Within the chareidi factions, plans for a structured return to the coalition are already taking shape. Step one: lifting their voting boycott in the plenum, potentially as early as next week. Step two: reclaiming parliamentary posts — particularly committee chairmanships — perhaps within two weeks. Step three: once the law is formally passed, a full return to the ministries and the coalition leadership table.

The breakthrough came with the draft law published yesterday, which ended months of internal chareidi debate. The core dispute centered on whether to accept, for the first time, legislation that includes enlistment targets and sanctions. One camp argued this was the lesser of evils — a way to secure the status of the yeshiva world for the foreseeable future. The opposing camp warned that once the chareidi parties agree to any form of benchmarks, it would set a dangerous and irreversible precedent.

But the political reality played out differently. As one insider put it, “the genie went back into the bottle.” The Bismuth draft — unveiled this week — marks a dramatic retreat from the far tougher “pre-Iran war” outline. Although the chareidi parties had previously agreed to a certain threshold, they nevertheless succeeded in rolling back the framework significantly, and did so in a period of intense public scrutiny. The lesson was clear: in Israeli politics, strength is everything. If the coalition needs you badly enough, previous agreements can be undone. You simply say: Yes, we agreed — but we are withdrawing that agreement. If that is unacceptable, deal with the fallout.

This is essentially what happened once Boaz Bismuth was appointed chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The chareidi parties promptly demanded that the “Iran outline” be reopened. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office attempted to stop it — explaining, persuading, calming — but ultimately failed. In the power struggle between the Prime Minister’s Office and Shas and Degel HaTorah, the PMO lost. The outline was reopened, softened, and pushed several steps backward.

Still, it must be noted: for the first time in chareidi political history, at the instruction of the gedolei hador, Maran Rav Dov Landau and Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the community has agreed to legislation that includes enlistment targets and related enforcement mechanisms — provisions that would have been considered unthinkable only a short time ago. However, most understand that this is likely just to kick the can down the road, as most of these targets and quotas will likely never come to fruition.

For chareidi politicians who spent months on the defensive, this week felt like a turning point — one that brought with it something they haven’t experienced in quite some time: smiles.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Mishkovsky zt”l

Matzav -

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Mishkovsky zt”l, a towering talmid chacham who spent decades strengthening Torah in Rechasim. He was 75.

Rav Mishkovsky, who once served as deputy head of the local council and long held a position as maggid shiur in the Makova Yeshiva in Kiryat Ata, was regarded as one of the central figures shaping the spiritual life of Rechasim.

Rav Mishkovsky was born in Haifa on 8 Cheshvan 5711 to his father, Rav Shlomo Mishkovsky, and his mother, Mrs. Penina, daughter of Rav Yehoshua Meir Schwartz. His mother tragically passed away in a car accident during his youth.

As a young man, Rav Mishkovsky learned in Yeshivas Knesses Chizkiyahu in Rechasim, where he forged a deep bond with his rabbeim, led by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Eliyahu Mishkovsky, and the mashgiach, Rav Elya Lopian. Those years shaped his path of avodas Hashem and unwavering dedication to Torah.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed his wife, Bruria, daughter of Rav Uri Shraga Halevi Klerman, rosh yeshiva of Knesses Chizkiyahu in Rechasim.

For decades, Rav Mishkovsky was known as a man of expansive chesed, deep yiras Shamayim, and quiet leadership. He built Torah within the community of Rechasim and became one of its foundational pillars.

“He was the first to step forward for anything connected to kedushah,” residents said. “He was a marbitz Torah, one of the key pillars of the community, and among the builders of Rechasim from its earliest growth. He carried the burden of the public tirelessly for many years. He served as deputy head of the council and as a council member for many years, taking part in numerous committees. He did everything with devotion, humility, and complete modesty, greeting every person with warmth.”

Rav Mishkovsky taught as a maggid shiur at the Makova Yeshiva in Kiryat Ata for two decades.

Today, the levayah set out from his home, passed through the Shivtai Yisroel beis medrash, and proceeded to the local cemetery, where he was laid to rest.

The niftar is survived by twelve children and many grandchildren.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Analyst: Undisclosed Provision in Agreement Safeguards Hamas

Matzav -

Arab affairs analyst Ohad Hemo is raising sharp questions about Hamas’ sudden willingness to comply with President Donald Trump’s Gaza framework, suggesting that the terror group must have received significant guarantees that have not been publicly revealed. In a Hebrew-language video, Hemo stressed that Hamas’ behavior is wildly inconsistent with its usual strategic playbook, especially its decision to release every living hostage and only hold back the bodies of two victims.

Hemo underscored how unusual the organization’s actions have been over the past week. “Hamas gave up the only card it had,” he said. “The question is, why did they do this? It goes against their DNA. There are various assessments, both in Israel and in the territories, that there is a secret clause — some guarantees or assurances that Hamas received from the mediators, maybe from the Americans, maybe from others.” He argued that the return of nearly all hostages simply does not align with Hamas’ long-standing doctrine unless there is an unseen incentive woven into the agreement.

According to Hemo, a widely discussed theory in Gaza connects Hamas’ cooperation to the demilitarization demands being pushed by Israel and the United States. He explained that Hamas views the threat of being stripped of its weaponry as an existential red line, prompting speculation that the group may have secured promises ensuring that its fighters will not be fully disarmed. “Yes, they will give up the tunnels, yes, they will give up the rockets,” he said, “but at least personal weapons, Kalashnikovs, they will continue to hold on to.”

Hemo added that some voices inside Gaza believe the organization may even be positioning itself to retain influence within future security structures. He noted reports circulating in the Strip that Hamas operatives could ultimately be folded into official Gaza security institutions as part of the broader understandings. “The American mediator, Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American, said that they will also be integrated into the Palestinian security mechanisms. That is, it’s not that Hamas militants will be disarmed or expelled, but some of them, at least, will be integrated into the security mechanisms in the Gaza Strip.”

Hemo concluded that this theory — that Hamas is negotiating for its survival, its weapons, and its role in Gaza’s future — is the prevailing explanation among residents and observers in the region. “And that’s the explanation in Gaza for why Hamas is cooperating and returning our deceased hostages,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

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