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Shipping companies FedEx and UPS say they will return money to customers following a February court decision that struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

UPS confirmed Wednesday that it is coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which has begun accepting refund applications through an online system, to process reimbursements tied to those duties.

The initial stage of refunds will apply to “certain tariff payments made starting Jan. 30, 2026, in addition to pending tariff payments,” according to UPS.

A company spokesperson outlined its approach to handling repayments. “UPS is processing refunds for eligible shipments where we served as the importer,” spokesperson Natasha Amadi said in an email. “We will expand our efforts as CBP launches future phases. We are committed to supporting our customers during the refund process.”

Customs officials have indicated that approved refunds could take between 60 and 90 days to be issued. Government filings show that about 330,000 importers paid more than $166 billion in tariffs subject to potential reimbursement.

During a recent earnings call, UPS CEO Carol Tome said the company had collected roughly $5 billion in tariff charges from customers.

“We are working with the Customs Border Protection to apply for those refunds,” Tome said. “We think it’s going to take some time before the Treasury remits money to us, but as soon as we get that money, we’re going to remit it right back to our customers.”

FedEx, which previously filed suit against the federal government seeking recovery of the import taxes, said it has already begun submitting refund claims through CBP.

A spokesperson emphasized the company’s position, saying, “Supporting our customers as they navigate regulatory changes remains our top priority.” The representative added, “Our intent is straightforward: when refunds are issued to FedEx, we will isse refunds to the shippers and consumers who originally bore those charges.”

The tariffs had affected many consumers after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in July 2025 suspending the “de minimis” exemption for imports valued at $800 or less, leading to additional fees on smaller purchases.

One customer in Florida described the impact, telling The Associated Press that his shipment of fragrance oil from Toronto “wasn’t worth the $10 tariff for a $27 purchase.”

In a 6–3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court determined last April that Trump had overstepped congressional authority by setting import tariffs under IEEPA, citing the trade deficit as a national emergency.

Although the Supreme Court did not directly address how refunds should be handled, a judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade later ruled that businesses subject to the tariffs are entitled to reimbursement.

While the decision marked a setback for the administration’s broader trade policy, other tariffs remain in place, including those enacted under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.

Officials have also indicated that additional tariffs could be introduced in the future.

Trump has criticized companies warning of price increases tied to tariffs and has at times used the possibility of new duties as leverage in negotiations. He also recently commented on companies that have not yet sought refunds.

“I think it’s brilliant if they don’t do that,” Trump told CNBC of companies that hadn’t yet sought reimbursements. “If they don’t do that, they got to know me very well.”

Most agencies within the Department of Homeland Security are set to resume full funding after the House approved a spending bill Thursday, ending the longest funding gap in U.S. history.

Lawmakers cleared the measure by voice vote, allowing operations at most DHS components to be fully financed again. The approval comes 75 days after Democrats initially blocked the spending package, triggering the prolonged lapse.

Under the bill, agencies including the Coast Guard, Secret Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration will receive complete funding once President Donald Trump signs it into law.

However, immigration-related agencies were left out of the measure. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are expected to be addressed separately in a future budget resolution.

The legislation had earlier passed the Senate by unanimous consent in the early morning hours of March 27. At that time, House Republicans declined to advance it, citing concerns that it did not adequately fund border security.

{Matzav.com}

With less than one week remaining until the annual Lag BaOmer pilgrimage to the kever of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, early visitors have already begun arriving in large numbers at Mount Meron, even as uncertainty continues over the official framework for this year’s event.

In recent days, conflicting reports have circulated regarding whether a formal plan will be implemented to manage the crowds, and if so, what it will include. Amid the confusion, reporters visited the site to provide a clearer picture of conditions on the ground and how preparations are unfolding just days before the hilula.

By midweek, buses were already arriving at the entrance to Meron, unloading dozens of groups who made their way toward the site. Police have begun restricting access for private vehicles, signaling the early stages of crowd control ahead of the expected influx.

Thousands of visitors are already present on the mountain, some planning to remain until Lag BaOmer itself, while others are taking advantage of the quieter days before any possible restrictions take effect.

In the courtyard near the kever, young boys celebrating their upsherin ceremonies have also begun arriving early, amid concerns that they may not be able to attend on Lag BaOmer due to potential security limitations.

Meanwhile, preparations continue throughout the complex, including in the rear areas, where infrastructure appears to be nearing readiness—though it remains unclear whether it is being finalized for a full-scale event or scaled back due to ongoing uncertainty.

For now, regardless of what will unfold in the coming days, large numbers of visitors are already making their way to the site, seizing the opportunity to spend time at the resting place of Rav Shimon bar Yochai in advance of the traditional celebration.

{Matzav.com}

A new musical initiative is underway following the composition of a special Mi Shebeirach by Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, with a competition now launched to create melodies for the tefillah dedicated to those who study and toil in Torah.

The project was introduced on the radio program hosted by Menachem Toker, who announced a public contest inviting listeners to submit original tunes for the newly written Mi Shebeirach.

Toker explained that the initiative began when Rav Shlomo Raanan of the Ayelet HaShachar organization approached him with the new wording. That same night, Toker forwarded the text to composer Bentzi Stein, who quickly committed to producing a melody. Singer Shmulik Sukkot has already agreed to perform the composition.

Announcing the contest, Toker encouraged widespread participation. “Let’s create as many melodies for this as possible,” he said, noting that the goal is to strengthen those engaged in Torah study. He also revealed a series of prizes for participants, including a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, headphones, and a speaker system.

Among the first to join the initiative was composer and creator Moshe Walder, who appeared on the program in a surprise segment alongside singer Ephraim Mendelson. Walder said the text moved him deeply. “Yeshiva students feel persecuted, and Rav Nebenzahl is dedicating to them such a beautiful and moving text,” he said. He added that the melody “poured out naturally,” noting that he incorporated AI tools to produce a quick vocal demo.

Toker aired two of Walder’s vocal renditions during the broadcast and invited listeners to submit their own compositions via email or the program’s voicemail system.

{Matzav.com}

The Karlin-Stolin kehillah has unveiled its Lag BaOmer arrangements for this year, introducing major changes due to restrictions at Mount Meron, including relocating most central events to Givat Ze’ev and significantly limiting access to the mountain.

According to the plan, the main gatherings traditionally held at Meron will instead take place this year in Givat Ze’ev. The shift marks a notable departure from past years, when thousands would travel to the site of Rav Shimon bar Yochai’s kever for the annual hilula.

Despite the changes, Maariv on the night of Lag BaOmer will still be held in Meron at the customary location near the top of the mountain, led by the Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe. A tish in honor of the hilula is also scheduled to follow.

However, participation on the mountain itself will be sharply limited. Entry permits will be distributed in very small numbers, with priority given to parents of children celebrating upsherin. Registration is being handled through transportation coordinators in each city, and families are required to submit detailed information about the child, including name, ID number, date of birth, and school.

If additional slots remain, organizers may consider extending access to grandparents, though officials emphasized that the plan could still change depending on decisions by authorities.

The primary Lag BaOmer events will take place later in the day in Givat Ze’ev, at the central Beis Aharon VeYisrael Bais Medrash. These will include a tish, lighting ceremony, and upsherin celebrations, accompanied by live music.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump hosted the crew of the Artemis II mission at the White House on Wednesday, honoring their recent journey around the moon in what has been described as a landmark moment in space exploration.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen joined Trump in the Oval Office, where they appeared before reporters following their successful mission.

Trump praised the astronauts for their achievement, saying, “We have some people that have captivated the attention of the whole world, not just our country, the whole world, and they’re very brave, and that was a lot of rocket under them.” He added, “I never saw anything like that.”

Reflecting on the difficulty of space travel, Trump remarked, “I don’t know how they do it. I wouldn’t want to do it. But it takes people like this to make our country great,” noting that many Americans closely followed the launch and were eager to see the mission conclude safely.

During the event, Trump jokingly asked Jared Isaacman whether a sitting president could participate in a future mission. Isaacman responded with a lighthearted remark: “We can get working on that, Mr. President.”

The press event lasted about 22 minutes, but drew criticism from administration officials after reporters largely declined to question the astronauts. White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr expressed frustration on social media, writing, “Four American heroes are standing behind the President and reporters haven’t asked them a single question about their HISTORIC mission.” He added, “Truly shameful.”

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung echoed those sentiments, stating, “These astronauts are heroes for what they’ve accomplished. They deserve to be celebrated. Yet, the press didn’t have one question for them. It goes to show how out-of-touch the press is.”

One reporter did briefly acknowledge the crew, telling them, “It’s a great honor to meet all of you,” and welcomed them to the White House. The reporter also referenced a past interview with astronaut Gene Cernan and asked, “Is that what you would like to do, and Mr. President, do you think that will happen during your second term?” It was unclear whether the first part of the question was directed at the astronauts or the president.

Trump responded cautiously about future lunar missions, saying, “Well, we have a shot at it. I mean, we don’t like to say definitely, because then you’ll say, Oh, we failed… I think we could say we’re ahead of schedule.”

The conversation also turned to unidentified flying objects when another reporter asked about the possible release of related government files. Trump said, “It’s been in the minds of people for a long time… They want to find out about the UFOs and anything having to do with UFO or related material,” adding, “And we’re going to be releasing a lot of things… that we have, and I think some of it’s going to be very interesting to people.”

He concluded by referencing past conversations with pilots, saying, “I’ve interviewed people, my first term, primarily, but I interviewed some pilots, very solid people, and they said they saw things that you wouldn’t believe.”

WATCH:

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rabbi Dovid Tyner zt”l, a longtime rebbi at Yeshiva Toras Emes in Los Angeles who, in recent years, made his home in Lakewood. He was 72.

Rabbi Tyner devoted decades of his life to chinuch, shaping generations of talmidim with warmth, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility for each individual. During his many years at Yeshiva Toras Emes, he was known as a rebbi whose genuine care for his students left a lasting imprint on those who passed through his classroom.

As a bochur, Rabbi Tyner learned at Yeshiva of Philadelphia, where he was a talmid of the roshei yeshiva, Rav Elya Svei zt”l and ybl”c Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. The values and derech halimud he absorbed there remained with him throughout his life and were evident in his teaching and in his personal avodas Hashem.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rochel Tyner, and their children: Yitzchok Tzvi, Zev, Yaakov, Moshe, Aharon, Malka Cherrik, Leah Gordon, Baila Bursztyn, Rivka Zions, Fraidel Zelman, and Shoshana Perlow, along with many grandchildren and descendants who continue his legacy.

The levayah is being held at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood. Following the levayah, the aron will be transported to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli soldier was killed Thursday morning in southern Lebanon after a Hezbollah explosive drone struck IDF forces, marking another fatal incident in a series of recent aerial attacks along the northern front.

The fallen soldier was identified as Sgt. Liem Ben Hamo, 19, from Herzliya, who served as a combat soldier in Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade.

The attack took place at around 10:20 a.m., when Hezbollah launched explosive drones toward Israeli troops. One of the drones directly hit a unit from Battalion 13 that was operating in an exposed area near the village of Qantara.

The impact of the strike killed Sgt. Ben Hamo, while another soldier sustained moderate injuries.

Military assessments indicate that the drone was likely guided by fiber-optic technology, a system that has posed significant interception challenges for the IDF in recent weeks along the northern border.

Following the strike, an Air Force helicopter was sent to the scene to evacuate the wounded soldier to a hospital. He remains hospitalized, and his family has been notified.

Sgt. Ben Hamo is the 47th soldier from Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade to be killed since the beginning of the war. His death also marks the third fatality in southern Lebanon within the past five days, all resulting from explosive drone attacks carried out by Hezbollah.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Seth Moulton said Wednesday that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had engaged in actions amounting to war crimes, making the accusation during a televised interview on CNN.

During an appearance on “OutFront” with Erin Burnett, Burnett asked Moulton directly whether he believed the defense secretary was guilty of such offenses.

Moulton responded, “Absolutely. I mean, he’s clearly behind the operation to shoot all these boats in the Caribbean when it’s very unclear that we actually have any confirmation that these so-called narco terrorists, a term the administration invented to justify this action, are even on the boats. I mean, in fact, there’s a lot of evidence that these are just fishermen, you know, getting jobs, piloting these boats, trying to feed their families. There’s been press reporting on some of these individuals who have been killed, who are clearly not war criminals.”

He went on to cite a specific incident involving a follow-up strike. “And on top of that, we then have the strike where they came back in and hit it again, a double tap, just purely to kill these survivors who were clinging to wreckage. You know, it’s interesting, Erin, another historical analogy back in World War II, the Allies tried Nazi submarine captains for doing this exact same thing. And guess what the conclusion was? They got executed.”

Sen. Ron Johnson said Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration misrepresented the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, alleging that the agency withheld key risk information and disregarded internal concerns.

Speaking on Newsmax’s “Carl Higbie: FRONTLINE,” Johnson claimed the FDA failed to disclose potential dangers linked to the vaccines, including myocarditis and ischemic strokes in individuals over the age of 65.

Citing a report, Johnson said that Dr. Peter Marks, who led the FDA’s vaccine program, had been alerted that the agency’s safety monitoring system had shortcomings that might prevent certain risks from being detected.

“He thanked them. Twenty-six days later, they came back with the analysis from this new system that showed 49 cases of extreme masking, 25 safety signals of incredibly serious adverse events like sudden cardiac death, pulmonary infarction, Bell’s palsy, different types of strokes,” Johnson said.

Johnson alleged that instead of addressing those concerns, the agency sidelined the employee who raised them. “Now, did they pin a badge on that FDA employee’s chest? No, no. They shunted her off to the side. They called her a distraction. They told her to cease and desist,” he said.

He pointed to the timing of the events, noting they occurred in March 2021, shortly after the vaccines received emergency-use authorization. “This is March 2021, less than three months after the emergency-use authorization. And what was even sicker is that same month, they started treating about 23 vaccine COVID injection-injured people.”

Johnson further claimed that individuals involved were instructed to remain silent, with assurances that a study would eventually be released. “They never did that. This is evil what occurred within the FDA under Peter Marks,” he said.

Referencing data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, Johnson said nearly 39,000 deaths had been reported following COVID-19 vaccination, while noting that federal health officials have cautioned that such reports do not establish causation.

“I think they breathed a sigh of relief when they realized our system, our algorithm is going to cover this up, so we can keep pushing and mandating this vaccine and claim we’re not seeing safety signals,” he said.

“They lied boldface. They knew better. They lied. It’s a massive cover-up, and people paid for that cover-up with their lives and permanent disabilities.”

The Trump administration is preparing to begin issuing refunds on previously collected tariffs by around May 11, according to a filing submitted Tuesday to the U.S. Court of International Trade, marking the first wave of repayments more than two months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the duties unlawful.

In the court order, Judge Richard Eaton noted that approximately 21 percent of import entries subject to tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) have been approved for duty removal through a newly implemented system known as CAPE, or Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries.

Eaton, who is supervising the refund effort, reported that roughly 3 percent of IEEPA-related entries have already been processed through CAPE and have reached the refund phase, which includes payments being issued by the U.S. Treasury.

The Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 decision, which found that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to impose the tariffs under IEEPA, did not specify how reimbursements should be handled, leaving significant uncertainty surrounding the repayment process.

As of April 26, court documents indicate that about 1.74 million qualifying entries had been finalized and were moving through the refund pipeline.

The total scope of the repayments could be substantial, potentially covering about $166 billion in duties paid by more than 330,000 importers across approximately 53 million entries.

Following the court’s 6–3 ruling against the tariffs, Trump sharply criticized the decision, calling it “terrible” and “totally defective,” and moved quickly to impose a new 10 percent global tariff.

{Matzav.com}

A new national survey indicates that most American voters support President Donald Trump in his handling of rising tensions with Iran, with broad approval for both military and diplomatic moves and a prevailing view that the United States is ahead in the conflict.

The poll points to a strong perception among voters that the U.S. is currently in a favorable position. A clear majority—74 percent—say the United States is winning against Iran, while 54 percent believe Washington also has the upper hand in negotiations.

According to the survey, conducted between April 23 and April 26, 2026, among 2,745 registered voters, 52 percent support U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran, and 54 percent say those strikes were justified. The results suggest that more than half of respondents are comfortable with the use of military force in response to the ongoing situation.

Support for Trump’s diplomatic approach remains high as well. The survey found that 78 percent of voters believe Trump was right to agree to a temporary ceasefire with Iran. In addition, 57 percent back the administration’s decision to impose a naval blockade on vessels headed toward Iran, reflecting support for a strategy that combines pressure with restraint.

The findings also show significant backing for maintaining pressure if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program. Sixty-three percent of voters say the blockade should continue under those circumstances, and 74 percent agree that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is in the best interest of the United States. These positions appear to draw support across political lines.

Voters also favor strict terms in any potential agreement with Iran. Large majorities said certain conditions should be required, including 79 percent who believe Iran must end its support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and 78 percent who say Iran must stop executing protesters. Overall, 66 percent of respondents say Trump should insist on all major conditions in negotiations, signaling a preference for a firm stance.

On the international stage, 66 percent of voters support forming a multinational naval force to keep shipping lanes open through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

Taken together, the April survey suggests that the electorate broadly approves of the administration’s approach toward Iran and believes the United States is operating from a position of strength. While questions remain about how the conflict will ultimately unfold, the data indicates that voters favor a mix of military readiness, economic pressure, and tough negotiating demands.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll, conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll and HarrisX, is released monthly and provides insight into public opinion on major domestic and international issues.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the United States may scale back its military footprint in Germany, escalating tensions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as disagreements deepen over the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

The warning came after Merz publicly criticized Washington’s handling of the conflict earlier in the week, saying the United States was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership and questioning the overall strategy guiding the war effort. Trump has also voiced repeated frustration with NATO, accusing member countries of failing to support the U.S. during the conflict.

“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump said in a social media post.

Earlier Wednesday, Merz struck a more measured tone, saying his relationship with Trump remained “as good as ever,” while reiterating his skepticism about the war. He said he had “had doubts from the very beginning about what was started there with the war in Iran.”

The possibility of reducing American forces in Germany is not new. During his first term, Trump sought to lower troop levels, arguing that Berlin was not contributing enough to its own defense. In June 2020, he announced plans to withdraw approximately 9,500 of the roughly 34,500 U.S. service members stationed there, although the plan was never implemented. President Joe Biden later halted the proposal after taking office in 2021.

Germany remains a central hub for U.S. military operations overseas, hosting key installations such as the headquarters of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, along with Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest American military hospital outside the United States.

Merz met with Trump at the White House in March, shortly after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. During that meeting, Merz expressed Germany’s willingness to cooperate with Washington on long-term strategy, particularly regarding the future of Iran’s leadership. He also warned that a prolonged conflict could have serious global economic consequences.

Those concerns have intensified across Europe as efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have stalled. The critical shipping route, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply previously passed, has remained effectively closed since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

“We are suffering considerably in Germany and in Europe from the consequences of, for example, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Merz said Wednesday, hours before Trump posted his message online. “And in that regard, I urge that this conflict be resolved.”

Despite the tensions, Merz said his administration remains “on good speaking terms” with Washington.

Trump, however, has continued to escalate his rhetoric toward the German leader. In a social media post Tuesday, he wrote: “The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” He added that it was no surprise “that Germany is doing so poorly, both economically and in other respects!”

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett faced pointed questions about past statements and policy reversals during a series of media interviews Wednesday evening, where he defended his record while sharply criticizing the chareidi community and political rivals.

In multiple appearances across Israeli media outlets, Bennett sought to outline his political positions and justify decisions made during his tenure, including the formation of a coalition government with parties he had previously ruled out. The interviews came as he begins a renewed political campaign ahead of upcoming elections.

During one exchange, a host confronted Bennett over what she described as contradictions in his positions: “You said you wouldn’t sit with Ra’am, and you did. You said – Yair Lapid, I won’t make him prime minister, and you did. You changed your position regarding Netanyahu’s trial – you said he was being persecuted because he leads the right, and today you think differently. Do you understand that there are people who don’t know which version of Naftali Bennett to believe?”

Bennett responded by shifting the focus away from the criticism and turning to broader national issues, including security and military manpower. “Look, I am aware of a thousand attacks on this issue. I don’t hear those same attacks. Netanyahu only said he would eliminate Hamas, and for 15 years he only transferred them suitcases of money—no one talks about that. Right now, the issue on the table is that the country is falling apart. The issue on the table is that, I have to say a very harsh sentence, draft evasion is killing our soldiers. I just returned from the north, yesterday I met soldiers along the border, they tell me we don’t have enough soldiers to meet the missions.”

When pressed further by the interviewer—“In the end, that’s a decision of the prime minister, so his decisions are causing the deaths of soldiers?”—Bennett replied, “The entire coalition, it’s not just him. This decision is costing us human lives, yes.”

Bennett also addressed the conduct of senior officials in Israel’s security establishment, issuing a warning against what he described as politicization. “I’m looking now at everything—at the police and at everyone. I suggest everyone remember you are under my watch. Anyone who behaves politically I will throw them down the stairs. Wherever I see places of political exploitation of the position instead of statesmanship, I will cut it off. Even in the police there are elements that are becoming political. Anyone who behaves politically I will throw them to the winds,” he said.

Observers noted that similar remarks directed at legal or judicial officials by other political figures have previously sparked significant public backlash.

Bennett has continued to draw attention for shifting positions on key issues. Just last week, in an interview with Army Radio, he expressed support for civil marriage in Israel, while in Wednesday’s interviews he stated that even if he leads the next government, marriage in Israel would remain exclusively according to Jewish law. The apparent contradiction has fueled criticism from opponents who question the consistency of his views.

In a separate dispute, Bennett claimed he had also offered to appear for an interview on Channel 14 but was declined. The network responded with a different account, stating: “Bennett is not telling the truth. The reason an interview did not take place is that he rejected the interviewers the channel proposed.”

{Matzav.com}

Knesset member Chaim Biton, director-general of the Shas movement, delivered sharp criticism of Israel’s attorney general in a wide-ranging radio interview Wednesday evening, while also addressing the draft law dispute and the political outlook ahead of upcoming elections.

Speaking on Kol Chai Radio, Biton accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of acting out of political motives rather than legal reasoning, particularly in connection with economic measures affecting the Torah community.

“She and her team have simply turned things upside down and say ‘no’ to everything – it’s almost laughable to call this legal advice,” Biton said. He added that the country is experiencing a period of harsh decrees, likening it to difficult eras in Jewish history, and argued that the attorney general’s actions are driven by politics rather than law.

On the contentious draft law, Biton said the final determination will be made by senior rabbinic leadership. “The final version is on the table of the leading rabbinic authorities, and they will decide,” he said, adding that a decision is expected once the Knesset returns from recess in the coming weeks.

He also described the current situation regarding draft evasion as dire. “It is an unprecedented catastrophe that in the State of Israel we have tens of thousands of draft evaders who cannot live normal lives,” he said.

Responding to criticism that Shas has not delivered sufficient results during its tenure, Biton pointed to several achievements, including budgetary measures that he said were advanced despite legal hurdles. He praised party leader Aryeh Deri for navigating around those challenges. “The brilliance of Rabbi Aryeh Deri in this matter… it was a smart amendment that placed the funding directly into the regulations. For the first time we told them: ‘Friends, you are not the sovereign here,’” Biton said.

He also highlighted what he described as major progress in religious appointments, including the installation of numerous city rabbis and religious councils, calling it something without precedent.

On the issue of housing, Biton said efforts are underway to bring prices down, pointing to plans for more affordable apartments near Kiryat Gat.

Turning to the political landscape, Biton dismissed current polling as meaningless. “A poll six months before elections is like a billboard trying to create an image. There is no connection between polls now and the real results,” he said, while warning that failure to pass a draft law could jeopardize the coalition.

Finally, Biton addressed the Lag BaOmer pilgrimage to Mount Meron, expressing his personal connection to the site while emphasizing consideration for others. He said that if attendance is limited, he would refrain from going in order to allow someone else to take part. “I try to be there every year, but if there is a limitation such that someone else would not be able to go because of me – I will not go. Absolutely,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Families of victims of the Meron disaster are voicing strong opposition against government agencies and police, accusing them of imposing humiliating and burdensome restrictions as they seek to visit the kever of Rav Shimon bar Yochai on Lag BaOmer.

In a sharply worded letter sent by attorney Eran Becker to Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and the official overseeing the hilula, MK Meir Porush, bereaved families describe ongoing bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of sensitivity toward their situation as they prepare for the annual pilgrimage.

The letter, written on behalf of families who lost loved ones in the tragedy five years ago, depicts what it calls an unacceptable reality in which grieving parents are forced to stand for hours at checkpoints and plead with police officers and staff for access to the site.

“This is a humiliating and offensive spectacle, in which a mother who lost what is most precious to her is required to ‘prove’ her pain and beg for her basic right to commune with the memory of her sons on the day of the hilula,” Becker wrote. He added that the harm to the families’ dignity has continued year after year since the disaster and must be addressed.

Ahead of this year’s event, the letter outlines four immediate demands intended to ease access for the families.

First, Becker calls for the establishment of a pre-registration system, through which details of the families and their vehicles would be shared with all relevant authorities at least a week in advance.

Second, he requests clear instructions to police and personnel to allow direct and respectful access for family vehicles close to the gravesite, without requiring explanations at checkpoints.

Third, the families are seeking a designated parking area near the site reserved specifically for them.

Finally, Becker calls for renewed and stricter guidelines for all personnel on the ground, emphasizing the need to identify bereaved families and treat them with maximum sensitivity and respect.

In closing, Becker issued a pointed statement, noting that copies of the letter were also sent to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the police commissioner. “We cannot accept a situation in which the state, which bears responsibility for the failure that led to the loss of 45 pure souls, continues to place obstacles before the families at their most difficult moments,” he wrote.

The families are now awaiting an immediate response, expressing hope that their requests will be approved so they can visit the site this year with the dignity they believe is warranted.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

This week again, the news can lead a person to feel uneasy. Talks to end the war with Iran and curb their nuclear ambitions failed to materialize. The Israeli ceasefire with Lebanon was extended, but Hezbollah continued its attacks on Israel. The Israeli Supreme Court ramped up its war against lomdei Torah. The Washington shooting was a chilling reminder of the general sense of instability and the fragility of the world order.

And yet, as the world continues spiraling in an unsettling way, we continue counting the Omer, moving steadily from Pesach to Shavuos, as we approach the uplifting day of Lag Ba’omer.

The mitzvah of counting the Omer is found in this week’s parsha of Emor (Vayikra 23:15). This counting is not merely a tally of days, but a journey that leads us toward Kabbolas HaTorah.

The mourning aspects of the Sefirah period have so taken over the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuos that we can sometimes forget that there is more to Sefirah than refraining from cutting hair, celebrations, and music. Sefirah is a time of preparation, a gradual ascent, when we strive to make ourselves worthy of receiving the Torah anew.

In fact, the Maharal teaches that the period of Sefirah is blessed with an awesome light that is not present the rest of the year (Nesiv HaTorah 12). This ohr increases daily along with the levels of Torah, until it reaches a climax on Shavuos, when the Torah was given. He writes that as we count Sefirah, we say “Hayom,” because yom, day, is an expression of light, and we make the brocha and thank Hashem for granting us the light of this specific day of the Omer, as every day more light is revealed as we proceed along the path to Torah (Derech Mitzvosecha). Each day offers a new opportunity, a fresh measure of clarity and growth, as we move closer, step by step, to Torah.

This progression is reflected as well in the korbanos we bring. The Korban Omer, which is brought on Pesach, is comprised of se’orim, animal fodder. The shtei halechem of Shavuos is brought from wheat, which is much more refined. The message is clear: We are meant to elevate ourselves, to rise from more instinctive, physical levels to a more refined and spiritual existence.

We are all familiar with the Chazal (Yoma 9b) that the second Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed because of sinas chinom.

At the time the talmidim of Rabi Akiva perished, the churban was still fresh in the minds of the Jewish people, and the Romans who had destroyed the Bais Hamikdosh still ruled over them. No doubt they worked to repent over the sins that had caused the churban so that they would merit redemption and geulah. However, the plague that struck down the holy talmidim because “lo nohagu kavod zeh lozeh — they were lacking in respect for one another” indicated to them that the issues of sinas chinom still needed to be corrected in order to merit the geulah.

The people of that time realized that there was much more that remained to be done in order to end their golus under the Romans. The fact that the mageifah took place during the days of Sefirah, when there is increased ohr and daily introspection, perfection, and growth toward obtaining Torah, indicated that not only were the people not worthy of the Bais Hamikdosh, but they were also unworthy of Torah.

The same qualities that are necessary for Kabbolas HaTorah are necessary for geulah, so this special period of Sefirah was chosen as a time to improve ourselves and prepare not only for Torah, but also for geulah. By mourning the loss of the talmidim, we are reminded that to merit Torah, we must refine our character—how we treat each other, how we speak, and how we live together. We see what happens when there is sinas chinom and a lack of respect for each other.

During the Sefirah period, we work each day to perfect another of the 48 kinyanim of Torah and engage in raising ourselves from the nefesh habehami levels of se’orim, animal food, to the nefesh haruchni at the 49th level of kedusha. These attributes prepare us for Kabbolas HaTorah, when we stood united, k’ish echod beleiv echod, at Har Sinai. They also prepare us for the unity that geulah necessitates, when Hashem Echod Ushemo Echod will be recognized across the world.

At the time of the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, the Jewish people excelled in the study and observance of Torah, mitzvos, and chesed (see Yoma, ibid.). The only area in which they were lacking was ahavas Yisroel. That alone was enough to cause the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh and bring on golus and all that it entails.

Much the same, it seems that the talmidim of Rabi Akiva excelled in all areas of Torah, except in the realm of bein adam lachaveiro.

In our day, we note the explosion of Torah and frum communities. There is so much that we can point to with great pride. Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs are more plentiful and larger than ever. We have every conceivable type of chesed organization. There is unprecedented dikduk b’mitzvos. Yet, the fact that we remain in golus indicates that we are lacking in ahavas Yisroel and achdus. If sinas chinom were not prevalent among us, if there were no machlokes and division, golus would have ended.

During these days of Sefirah, we must work to end the hatred and dislike of others, including people who look different or see things differently than us. We need to take to heart the message of Sefirah and the passing of Rabi Akiva’s talmidim so that we can return again to where and what we were, and what we are meant to be.

The number of days in the Sefirah period is cited as connected to the 48 methods necessary to acquire Torah. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos teaches that to properly acquire Torah, we must excel in the 48 devorim through which Torah is acquired. Many of them involve matters that relate to the way we deal and interact with one another. Someone who has not perfected himself ethically and morally cannot properly excel in Torah. A person who is deficient in the way he deals with other people will also be lacking in Torah.

The Ramchal in Maamar Hachochmah discusses the idea that the Bnei Yisroel in Mitzrayim sank to the 49th level of depravity. After redeeming them from servitude, Hakadosh Boruch Hu provided for them the 49-day period between Pesach and Shavuos so that the freed slaves could raise themselves from the abyss of decadence and alter their behavior in a steady progression until they would be worthy of receiving the Torah on Shavuos.

This ability is evident every year during this time period, the Ramchal says. The Ohr Hachaim adds to this concept and writes (Vayikra 23:15) that the counting of the days of the Omer is akin to the count that an impure person performs to calculate the time remaining until he regains his purity. During this period, we must engage in introspection just as the unclean person would do during their period of counting.

These days involve more than a ritual counting and mourning. They demand a spiritual ascendancy to cleanse ourselves from the moral and spiritual imperfections that afflict all of us. During this period, we are to study and apply the 48 kinyanim of Torah in order to be worthy of accepting the Torah on Shavuos.

The mourning we engage in is directly tied to the introspection that this period obligates.

We mourn the loss of Rabi Akiva’s 24,000 talmidim, we emulate their accomplishments, and we seek to fill the void created by their absence. Rav Elchonon Wasserman taught (Kovetz Maamarim V’igros) that a person who is pretentious and egotistical cannot be successful in a leadership position. An effective leader can communicate with people because he relates to them, feels their pain, and does not consider himself to be on a higher level than the people he serves.

In order to reach people, you have to truly care about them and want to influence them. You have to address them with respect. Nobody likes being talked down to. Most people respond to positive reinforcement and tune out negativity.

If you rid your soul of sinas chinom, then you will behave with mentchlichkeit and treat people properly. If you live with ahavas Yisroel, people will respect you and listen to you. You will be able to help them improve their shemiras hamitzvos, Torah learning, understanding of life, and acceptance of what Hashem gives them.

The greatest teacher is not the one who knows the most, and the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who motivates people to accomplish the greatest things. The greatest teacher is the one who understands his students and is able to reach them. The greatest teacher is the one who loves his students.

A good teacher gives a child the feeling that he has confidence in him and recognizes his potential for achieving greatness. The quality rebbi or morah lets the students know that they share their dreams, hopes, and goals for the future, and will do everything they can to help the children attain them.

There are two ways you can seek to motivate people: either by appealing to their hopes or by playing to their fears. The one who excels makes sure to speak to people’s confidence and not to their doubts. People respond far better when they are treated as if growth is possible for them. When a person feels believed in, he begins to act in a way that justifies that belief.

For leaders and teachers, as well as parents and friends, communication is more than words. What matters is not only what we say, but how we say it. We can inspire and motivate when we communicate with love and care. By living the commandment of “ve’ohavta lerei’acha kamocha,” we show our children, students, friends, and acquaintances that they are valued, believed in, and loved.

Every person has the ability to impact the world. If we maximize the abilities Hashem has given us by immersing ourselves in limud haTorah, using our strength to build rather than destroy, and channeling our blessings toward helping others, we can make a difference. We can change the world.

Sefirah is a time to focus on this growth—to refine not only how we learn, lilmod, but how we teach and uplift others, lelameid. It is a time to develop the sensitivity, awareness, and optimism that allow us to bring out the best in ourselves and in those around us.

On Lag Ba’omer, with achdus, brotherhood, and love, people gather, light bonfires, sing songs, and dance. They show that they have taken to heart the obligations of Sefirah and aveilus, and are preparing themselves for Torah and geulah, k’ish echod b’lev echod. They stand together, firing up their neshamos as they reach for light and holiness.

Lag Ba’omer brings a welcome interruption to the Sefirah mourning. We take haircuts, shave, trim our beards, and allow music to once again lift our spirits. The customs of aveilus, observed in memory of the passing of the talmidim of Rabi Akiva, are set aside, and a measure of simcha returns.

Rabi Akiva was the greatest of his generation. He was the shoresh of Torah Shebaal Peh. The line of transmission of the Torah from Har Sinai to future generations ran through him and his talmidim. When those students perished, the loss was staggering. A grieving nation, already battered by Roman persecution, was left to wonder how the mesorah would endure. Who would carry the Torah forward and who would teach the next generation? They wondered if they could ever be consoled for the loss of so many great men, crucial to the spiritual survival of the nation.

But Rabi Akiva did not yield to despair. He recharged the people and helped them recover from the devastating loss. He gathered a new group of talmidim and began again, ensuring that the chain of Torah would remain unbroken.

On this day, which marked a cessation of the deaths of Rabi Akiva’s talmidim, we commemorate the renewal. We celebrate the resilience, as we foresee a future bright with hopefulness and optimism. On this day, Rabi Akiva’s talmid, Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai, revealed the secrets of Toras Hasod, which infused all future generations with added dimensions of kedusha, depth, and understanding.

Through the centuries, as the Romans of every era sought to weaken and destroy us, we look to Rabi Akiva and Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai for inspiration. We note how they faced down the enemy and persevered, ensuring that our nation and Torah are alive and flourishing to this day. In the wake of a tragedy that would have felled lesser people, they strengthened themselves and set about ensuring that the chain would remain unbroken.

Lag Ba’omer rejects despair. It declares that the Jewish people do not give up or allow the chain of mesorah and greatness to break. The fires of Lag Ba’omer burn vibrantly, proclaiming that the Torah endures, the future is bright, the mesorah will continue, and our people will continue to rise.

The longer our exile is prolonged, the more we turn to days like Lag Ba’omer for inspiration and encouragement, and the more popular their observance becomes.

But it is not enough to just light a fire. It is not enough to sing and dance. We must live the message of Lag Ba’omer, the lessons of Rabi Akiva and Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai. We have to perfect our middos and achieve the 48 devorim that Torah acquisition requires. To merit Torah, we must truly care for one another, treat each other with dignity, and uproot any trace of sinas chinom from within us.

In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, Sefirah and Lag Ba’omer remind us where our focus must be. By refining ourselves, by strengthening our commitment to Torah and deepening our connection to one another, we prepare for Kabbolas HaTorah and for geulah.

Each of us has the ability to bring light to the world through Torah, through maasim tovim, and through the way we live our Torah lives.

Let us daven that the fires of Lag Ba’omer ignite within us a lasting flame comprised of a commitment to kedusha and growth, and a dedication to proper middos, the eternal mesorah and Torah, so that we may bring about the geulah sheleimah bekarov.

A sharp change in weather is expected over the coming days in Israel, with unseasonably warm conditions giving way to cooler temperatures and possible rainfall just as Lag BaOmer approaches.

After a stretch of mild spring weather, temperatures are set to climb significantly over the weekend before dropping quickly early next week, accompanied by strong winds and scattered showers.

On Thursday, 13 Iyar, skies will be partly cloudy to clear, with temperatures remaining seasonal and comfortable for outdoor activity.

Friday, 14 Iyar, Erev Shabbos, will bring similar conditions, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures typical for the season—favorable weather for Shabbos preparations.

On Shabbos, Parshas Emor, 15 Iyar, a noticeable shift will begin. Temperatures will rise sharply, bringing hotter-than-usual conditions across much of the country, with near-heatwave conditions expected. Hazy conditions may also develop in southern areas.

By Sunday, 16 Iyar, the heatwave is expected to break. Temperatures will drop significantly to below seasonal averages, with partly cloudy skies, gusty winds, and the possibility of light, localized rain in northern and central regions.

On Monday, 17 Iyar, Erev Lag BaOmer, cooler weather will continue. Skies will range from partly cloudy to overcast, with intermittent rain expected in the north and possible showers in central areas. Temperatures will remain lower than usual for this time of year, accompanied by brisk winds.

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