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The Artemis II mission reached a defining milestone Monday as its crew began a sweeping flyby of the moon, offering both the astronauts and observers on Earth unprecedented views of previously unseen portions of the lunar far side.

The Orion capsule initiated its maneuver at approximately 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time, embarking on a trajectory that will carry it around the moon for more than six hours, with its windows facing the far side of the lunar surface.

During this phase, all four astronauts are expected to become the first humans ever to directly observe certain regions of the moon’s far side, areas that remained hidden during the Apollo missions more than five decades ago.

Unlike the Apollo flights, which orbited much closer to the lunar surface and therefore had a limited field of vision, the Artemis II spacecraft is maintaining a significantly higher altitude.

By traveling between roughly 4,000 and 6,000 miles above the moon, the crew is able to view the entire far side illuminated by sunlight, providing a broader and clearer perspective than was previously possible.

From inside the Orion capsule, the moon appears relatively small—comparable to a basketball held at arm’s length—though at the beginning of the maneuver, astronauts reported that it appeared three to four times larger than Earth.

Throughout the flyby, the astronauts are conducting research by photographing the lunar terrain and making direct visual observations of the far side.

Midway through the maneuver, at around 6:44 p.m. Eastern Time, communication with Earth is expected to temporarily cease as the moon blocks the signal between the spacecraft and ground control.

Contact is anticipated to resume at approximately 7:25 p.m., shortly after the capsule reaches its closest point to the moon at an altitude of about 4,000 miles.

Earlier in the day, at around 2 p.m., the crew surpassed a long-standing record by traveling farther from Earth than the Apollo 13 mission, which reached 248,655 miles in 1970.

That distance record is expected to be extended further, with Artemis II projected to reach approximately 252,757 miles from Earth during the mission.

The flyby is scheduled to conclude around 9:20 p.m., after which the spacecraft will begin its return journey to Earth.

Rather than relying on propulsion, the capsule will utilize the moon’s gravitational pull to slingshot back toward Earth.

The return trip is expected to take four days, with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 8:07 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

Looking ahead, if the mission proceeds successfully, NASA plans to follow up with another crewed mission in 2027 that will orbit Earth, followed by a lunar landing mission in 2028 as part of the Artemis program.

A large kabbalas pnei rabo gathering held Sunday evening in Bnei Brak in honor of Pesach, attended by thousands, was ordered dispersed by police after public criticism and claims that the event violated Pikud HaOref regulations.

The event took place in a protected beis medrash, where participants gathered and listened to remarks from Hagaon Rav Dov Landau that were broadcast to the crowd. Organizers emphasized that the venue included a designated protected space for attendees.

After media outlets began criticizing the gathering and asserting that it contradicted Home Front Command guidelines, police announced that the event would be shut down, stating that it had not received prior authorization.

“Not long ago, police became aware of a large gathering taking place in an underground structure on the second level in Bnei Brak where there is no apparent danger,” the police said in a statement.

According to the statement, officers immediately engaged with event organizers, seeking either to reduce attendance in line with Pikud HaOref directives or to bring the event to an immediate halt. At that point, the dispersal process had begun.

The police announcement came against the backdrop of a recent High Court ruling that required the state to permit demonstrations in Habima Square involving hundreds of participants, despite opposition from Pikud HaOref.

The judges stated that enforcement of gathering restrictions appeared inconsistent, noting that such rules were being applied to some groups but not others. “It is difficult to reconcile such a situation,” the court ruled, instructing authorities to allow the protest to proceed.

A wave of joy has filled the Roteloy family of Arad, as twins—a boy and a girl—were born just two weeks after their young son, Yedidya, miraculously survived being thrown from a fourth-floor apartment during a missile strike.

The birth took place on Chol Hamoed Pesach, bringing a powerful sense of yeshuah and comfort to a family that recently endured a frightening and traumatic ordeal. Family members and local residents described the moment as a deeply emotional turning point after weeks of anxiety.

Roughly two and a half weeks ago, on Motzoei Shabbos, the family’s residential building—home to members of the Gur community in Arad—was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile. The force of the explosion sent three-year-old Yedidya, who had recently celebrated his upsherin, flying out of his bedroom window along with collapsing debris.

He was later found beneath the rubble and rushed to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. In extraordinary Hashgachah, he was released after just four days. When reunited with his parents that night, he said, “I didn’t get hurt at all, and suddenly people came and took me in an ambulance.”

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, Yedidya’s father, Reb Tzvi Meir Roteloy, described racing toward the children’s room and discovering that two of his children had survived—but Yedidya’s bed was empty. Trapped inside the shattered apartment, he said he drew strength from a deep sense of emunah even in those terrifying moments.

The direct hit on the fourth floor caused massive structural collapse, yet despite the devastation, the child emerged with barely any injury. The story spread widely and was described by many as a clear neis golui, strengthening the emunah of many who heard how, from such a destructive scene, no lives were lost.

Now, with the birth of the twins, relatives say the family has begun to heal, even as their home is still far from being rebuilt. The new arrivals have brought renewed light and hope to a household that recently witnessed both danger and open nissim.

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In a record-setting undertaking, tens of thousands of families all across Israel will enter Pesach with full tables and full hearts, thanks to a massive distribution by Oneg Shabbos V’Yom Tov, the organization led by R’ Ephraim Stern.

The Pesach distribution, unmatched in size and scope, consists of boxes handed out to needy households, each filled with meat, grape juice, matzohs, eggs, fruit, vegetables and pantry essentials. It was made possible through the support of the renowned Rechnitz Family, along with other ba’alei chesed around the globe.

The packages are valued at over $500 per family and include everything a family needs for Yom Tov, bringing the total cost of this pivotal operation to an astonishing $10 million.

This year, the need was bigger than ever. With the ongoing war and a tighter economy, many families who were getting by until now suddenly found themselves lacking. Rabbi Stern and his team responded to the growing need by expanding the program and adding thousands of new families to their rolls so that every home can welcome Pesach with dignity and simchas Yom Tov. 

Lots of work and effort was poured in to set up the distribution in a way that makes receiving help easier for those in need. Instead of a few crowded distribution centers, 150+ pickup points were spread across the country, including dozens in Yerushalayim alone. In many neighborhoods, families were able to pick up their packages just a short walk from home. This cut down on the waiting, made the process more convenient and ensured that it was much more dignified for those on the receiving end.

With a shortage of kosher-for-Pesach meat this year and prices climbing, the organization took extra steps to secure supply, importing livestock and arranging for shechita in Israel to make sure families still received meat as part of their package. The costs ran into the millions but the results were well worth it for the Oneg Shabbos V’Yom Tov team, and the Rechnitz family and other major donors behind them. 

This famed distribution has been part of life in Eretz Yisroel for 47 years. What started as a small chesed mission has over the decades grown into one of the largest relief operations anywhere, with ongoing weekly support for families throughout the year and expanded efforts before every Yom Tov.

But on Pesach, when costs rise and we are obligated to share Simchas Yom Tov with the less fortunate, the organization shines brightest, ensuring that every family and every child participates in a festive Zman Cheiruseinu.

כל דכפין ייתי וייכול!

The Torah world is mourning the petirah of Rav Yosef Sholom Halevi Weinfeld zt”l, a distinguished mechaber seforim whose lifelong work opened the door for countless Yidden to access and understand foundational sifrei kodesh. He was niftar Thursday night at the age of 82.

Rav Weinfeld zt”l was widely recognized for his acclaimed “Yesod Malchus” commentary, as well as for his leadership of the historic “Eshkol” publishing house, which for generations has played a central role in the dissemination of Torah literature.

He was born on ט”ו אייר תש”ד (1944) to his father, Rav Yaakov Shaul Weinfeld zt”l, author of Mishnas Yaakov and founder of the Eshkol publishing house, and his mother, Mrs. Rachel Goldberg a”h, daughter of Rav Tzvi Hirsch Goldberg zt”l.

In his younger years, he learned under the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Yeshuos Moshe zt”l, from whom he later received warm haskamos on his seforim.

After the petirah of his father in תשמ”ט (1989), the publishing enterprise was divided among the brothers. His brother, Rav Shmuel Yehuda Halevi Weinfeld, went on to establish the Shai L’Mora publishing house, while Rav Yosef Sholom zt”l continued at the helm of Eshkol, where he significantly broadened its scope and impact.

Under his guidance, Eshkol produced a vast array of seforim, many featuring clear and structured explanations that greatly assisted lomdim in their limud and tefillah.

His most well-known contribution, the Yesod Malchus system, offered a unique word-by-word explanation printed alongside the original text, allowing readers to immediately grasp the meaning without needing to search through multiple mekoros. This approach provided both clarity in understanding and ease of use, making it especially valuable for a wide range of learners.

Over time, this commentary was published on many central sifrei kodesh, including Tehillim, siddurim, machzorim, Chumash, Nach, and zemiros of Shabbos, and was widely regarded as an innovative and practical format that enhanced accessibility to Torah.

Among the many seforim distributed by Eshkol are the well-known siddur Tefillas Kol Peh, and menukad editions of the Shishah Sidrei Mishnah, all of which found their way into kehillos around the world.

The levaya took place on Friday in Yerushalayim, and he was brought to kevurah on Har HaZeisim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

The Chabad community is in mourning following the petirah of Rav Yechiel Yerachmiel Nafrestek zt”l, one of the elder chassidim and longtime residents of Kfar Chabad, who passed away Monday morning at the age of 93.

A beloved and respected figure, Rav Nafrestek zt”l was among the earliest settlers of Kfar Chabad and played a central role in building the community from its earliest days. He was widely known for his decades of devoted service as the secretary of the famed Beis Rivkah seminary.

He was born on the 12th of Tammuz 1933 in the town of Siedlce, Poland, to his father, Rav Reuven Dovber Nafrestek zt”l, a talmid of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Warsaw, and his mother, Rebbetzin Chaya Gittel a”h.

With the outbreak of World War II, the family fled to Russia, where under the harsh conditions of Soviet rule, he learned Torah in secret together with his brother, with true mesirus nefesh. During those difficult years of war and starvation, his mother passed away from hunger, leaving the family bereaved.

After the war, as Polish nationals, the family received permission to leave and joined the famed “Great Escape” of Chabad chassidim. They made their way to the displaced persons camp in Pocking, Germany, then to Paris, before ultimately coming to Eretz Yisroel, where they were among the founding residents who established Kfar Chabad in 1949.

In his youth, he learned in the yeshivos of Tomchei Temimim in Pocking, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Lod. After his marriage, he settled in Kfar Chabad and began his lifelong role as secretary of the Beis Rivkah seminary, a position he fulfilled with dedication for many decades.

Rav Nafrestek zt”l was known as a deeply connected chossid to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He was actively involved in the Rebbe’s mivtzoim, especially tefillin, which he carried out with enthusiasm and devotion well into his later years.

Just six months ago, his older brother, Rav Yisroel Aharon Nafrestek zt”l, one of the elder residents of the village, was niftar. The two brothers, who endured the hardships of the war together and later helped build Chabad institutions in Eretz Yisroel, stood as a living symbol of a remarkable generation.

He leaves behind a distinguished family following the path of Torah and chassidus.

His sons: Rav Shmuel Yaakov, Rav Shlomo Dovid, Rav Yisroel, and Rav Yosef Yitzchok.

His daughters: Mrs. Bloy, Mrs. Halperin, Mrs. Nafrestek, and Mrs. Weinberg.

The levaya was held at his home at 19 Toras Shmuel Street in Kfar Chabad, and at the Shamgar Funeral Home en route to Har HaZeisim in Yerushalayim.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

Three chareidi teenagers who became stranded overnight on the cliffs of Nachal Darga were safely rescued Monday morning in a coordinated aerial operation involving emergency and rescue forces.

The rescue was carried out by an airborne team from the Lehava unit, working together with a police helicopter from the aerial division, after the teens were stuck for hours on a steep and dangerous slope at a location known as Point 12 in the Darga cliffs.

The boys had set out on a Chol Hamoed hike despite the ongoing war and found themselves unable to continue along the route, leaving them stranded in difficult terrain throughout the night.

Rescuers executed a complex extraction under challenging conditions, with the helicopter hovering low to the ground in a maneuver known as “hovering,” allowing the team to lift the teens into the aircraft.

Once the rescue was completed, the helicopter transported them to a designated evacuation point, where medical personnel were waiting. The teens were found to be in good condition and did not require hospitalization, leaving the scene on their own.

Police said the incident was first reported at 1:30 a.m., when it was learned that three youths were stuck along the southern slope of Nachal Darga with no ability to proceed. A small team of volunteers from the Megillos Dead Sea Rescue Unit established contact with the teens and pinpointed their location. It was then decided that the rescue would be carried out at first light.

At daybreak, a police helicopter was dispatched to locate and extract the teens, while an additional support team from the unit’s technical rescue division was positioned at the Nachal Darga landing zone as backup.

The operation was conducted in coordination with multiple agencies, including the IDF’s height rescue division, the Israel Police air unit, the Lehava unit, regional fire and rescue services from the Binyamin station, United Hatzalah, and volunteers from the regional rescue unit.

IDF forces from the Nachal Brigade have eliminated the three terrorists responsible for the deaths of four elite reconnaissance soldiers in southern Lebanon, in close-range combat operations, the IDF confirmed.

Troops from the Nachal Reconnaissance Unit have been continuing operations in the southern Lebanon sector, where they are engaged in targeting terrorists, locating weapons, and dismantling terror infrastructure as part of ongoing military activity.

During these operations, the unit successfully tracked down and killed the three terrorists responsible for the deaths of Capt. Noam Madmoni, Sgt. First Class Ben Cohen, Sgt. First Class Maxim Antis, and Sgt. First Class Gilad Harel z”l.

The terrorists were eliminated in direct, face-to-face combat, and subsequent intelligence verification confirmed that they were indeed the individuals behind the deadly attack on the four soldiers.

The IDF emphasized that its forces will continue operating in southern Lebanon with the goal of protecting Israeli civilians, particularly residents of the northern communities.

Commenting on the developments, Nachal Brigade Commander Col. Erik Moyal said, “Our mission is clear — to defend the residents of the north. We paid a heavy price in recent days with the loss of four reconnaissance soldiers, but we succeeded in eliminating those terrorists and will continue moving forward.”

Iran has shifted to a decentralized, guerrilla-style method of warfare similar to Hezbollah, increasing attempts to target aircraft with dispersed missile launches, according to an Israeli Air Force official, as aerial operations continue under heightened risk.

The development comes in the wake of last Friday’s downing of an American fighter jet over Iran and the subsequent rescue of its crew, underscoring the dangers facing air forces operating in the region.

A senior source in the Israeli Air Force told Walla that from the very beginning of Operation “Shaagas HaAri,” and continuing through the present, the missions have involved significant and ongoing danger. He noted that new threats are constantly emerging, requiring continuous effort to detect and neutralize them.

“There is relentless, difficult, and deep work in the Air Force, 24/7, to identify and locate threats (surface-to-air missiles). Every day, new threats appear like mushrooms after the rain, with new capabilities that the Iranians are bringing into the arena during the war. We experience this constantly. We are in a learning race with a smart enemy.”

He added that Israeli aircraft continue to operate under persistent threat conditions. “We are flying under threat. We flew throughout March and April, and we continue to fly under threat. This is a daily war. We must be able to reflect the threats and not fly into them — not to send our pilots and aircraft into danger — all while understanding that there are missions that must be carried out.”

According to the official, Iran has increasingly adopted a guerrilla-style approach, launching missiles from multiple dispersed locations rather than relying on centralized systems. “In the end, such a missile can hit an aircraft. Its efficiency as a system is lower, but in the end, one missile hitting a plane is enough to bring it down.” He noted that Israeli aircraft are indeed facing numerous surface-to-air missile launches from the ground.

Addressing the effort to neutralize these threats, the source said that the campaign against Iran’s surface-to-air missile systems is ongoing and far from complete. “It was not decided in the opening strike. The opening strike gave us an excellent starting point, but there are risks, and just as an American aircraft was downed, we too could lose an aircraft.”

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A tense and stormy discussion unfolded overnight in Israel’s security cabinet over the High Court’s involvement in decisions regarding large-scale protests and access for mispallelim at the Kosel against the backdrop of ongoing security threats and Home Front Command restrictions.

Several ministers sharply criticized the court’s intervention, insisting that such decisions must remain solely in the hands of security authorities. Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, “A decision must be made that it is not the court that determines, but only the Home Front Command.” He added that the police must follow the directives of security officials alone, stating, “It is inconceivable that a court ignores the security authority.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir echoed that position but stressed the importance of equal treatment. “Where the Home Front Command permits, there cannot be discrimination between Habima protesters and those ascending to the Mount or coming to the Kosel,” he said. He added that once demonstrations were permitted in Tel Aviv, authorities should explore ways to allow tefillah at the Kosel and Har Habayis in a secure and responsible manner.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar supported Levin’s remarks but emphasized that the ultimate authority lies with the government. “It is the government that decides, not the Home Front Command. Our considerations are broader,” he said.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu also criticized the High Court’s conduct, saying, “They have created a situation where everything is now open.” He added that he intends to convey a clear message that the Home Front Command must be the deciding authority on security matters, questioning, “How can a court intervene in this?”

Levin reinforced Netanyahu’s concerns, warning of the potential consequences. “They bear no responsibility — if civilians are harmed by a missile strike, that responsibility falls on us,” he said.

Ben Gvir expanded his criticism to include the state prosecution, arguing that it is not faithfully representing the government’s position. “The prosecution is also rebelling and is not presenting our position to the court,” he said, noting that he felt compelled to appear personally in order to present his stance. “This is not normal — the prosecution is supposed to represent us.”

Deputy Attorney General Sharon Afek responded by clarifying that no final ruling has yet been issued by the High Court and that an additional hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Iran is preparing for a sustained conflict and does not intend to accept the conditions being set by the United States and Israel, according to a report citing regional diplomatic sources.

An Arab diplomat involved in ongoing contacts between Tehran and Washington said Iranian leadership believes it can continue fighting for an extended period and ultimately end the war on terms more favorable to itself. The report was presented Monday morning on a news program on Israel’s Kan public broadcaster.

According to the diplomat, this assessment is not only being conveyed publicly but is also firmly held behind closed doors within Iran’s leadership. Officials in Tehran view the demands coming from Washington and Jerusalem as tantamount to surrender, and for that reason have not even responded to President Donald Trump’s reported 15-point proposal.

The same source said Iranian officials believe they have the capacity to withstand a prolonged military campaign while inflicting even greater damage on Israel, the United States, and other countries in the region.

As a result, diplomatic circles in the Middle East are increasingly pessimistic about the chances of de-escalation, with officials warning that only an extraordinary development is likely to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Two Republican election officials say they expect legal challenges to succeed against President Donald Trump’s executive order placing new limits on mail-in voting, raising doubts about whether the policy will withstand scrutiny in court.

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer both indicated that lawsuits already filed against the order are likely to prevail.

Speaking on ABC News’ “This Week,” Schmidt emphasized the importance of clarity and consistency in election procedures. “We want voters to know that the election is going to be free, fair, safe, and secure, and that everyone knows what the rules are prior to going into this,” Schmidt said. “So confusion is never a positive thing unless you are seeking to sow distrust in the outcome of an election,” Schmidt said.

Trump’s executive order calls for the federal government to assemble lists of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and to use federal databases to assist state officials in confirming voter eligibility.

The directive also instructs the U.S. Postal Service to deliver ballots only to individuals listed on each state’s approved mail-in voting rolls and mandates that election-related records be retained for a period of five years.

Opposition to the measure has quickly mounted. A group of Democratic state attorneys general announced Friday that they had filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston challenging the legality of the order. The case is one of several brought by Democratic organizations and voting rights groups seeking to block its implementation.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is also involved in litigation against the order, said the courts are likely to act swiftly. “We’re going to work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a free and fair election,” Jeffries said on “This Week.” “That executive order is unlawful and unconstitutional. We’ve already filed litigation, and we expect that it will be declared so in short order by the courts,” Jeffries said.

Richer, who oversaw elections in Arizona’s Maricopa County for several years, described the executive order as unnecessary, noting that his state already incorporates many of the safeguards the administration is seeking to implement nationwide. Arizona has “some of the underlying features that President Trump aspires to have in all elections,” Richer said. “While I agree with some of the elements in the executive order and some of the aspirations, the form does matter.”

The White House, however, has defended the move, maintaining that the order is designed to bolster election security and ensure that only eligible citizens are able to vote.

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President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that deploying U.S. ground forces in Iran remains a possibility if Tehran refuses to agree to terms that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring escalating pressure as negotiations appear uncertain.

Speaking to The Hill, Trump declined to rule out the use of ground troops when pressed on the issue. “Normal people would make a deal. Smart people would make a deal,” Trump said. “If they were smart, they would make a deal.”

Earlier in the day, the president issued a stark warning to Iran, giving its leadership a 48-hour window to either reach an agreement or reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital route through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one in Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the … Strait, you crazy …., or you’ll be living in Hell, JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

The warning followed another post the day before in which Trump emphasized the narrowing timeline for a resolution. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out, 48 hours before all Hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

Trump also made clear that, absent an agreement, potential U.S. targets would not be limited, suggesting a broad range of infrastructure could be struck if diplomacy fails.

In a separate, brief post Sunday, Trump added to the tension with a cryptic message: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time.” The White House has not yet clarified the meaning of the statement.

While continuing to issue strong warnings, Trump has at times offered a more optimistic outlook on the prospects for a deal. In remarks to Fox News on Sunday, he suggested an agreement could be reached as soon as Monday, while telling Axios that a resolution might come by Tuesday, even as he maintained a hardline stance.

“There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there,” he told Axios.

Last week, Trump projected that the confrontation with Iran could conclude within two to three weeks, aligning with an earlier administration estimate of a four- to six-week timeframe following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.

However, the potential introduction of U.S. ground forces could complicate those expectations. While many Republicans have backed the administration’s approach, some have expressed reservations about committing American troops on the ground in Iran, according to The Hill.

A former hostage held by Hamas in Gaza has shared a powerful and deeply moving account of his captivity, describing moments of intense suffering alongside unwavering emunah and clear experiences of hashgacha pratis, in an interview with the Hidabroot Channel.

Rom Braslavski spoke candidly about one of the darkest points during his captivity, when he grappled with thoughts of ending his life, but ultimately held back due to his understanding of Torah values. “I had a suicide mission. I told myself that if the war ends and I’m still here, I won’t commit suicide, because suicide is forbidden, but I will make a suicide party.”

He described a chilling incident in which he briefly had access to a weapon belonging to one of the terrorists. “I grabbed the Kalashnikov, I cocked it. I had about four minutes alone with the gun, I just got cold feet; I couldn’t continue.”

Throughout his time in captivity, Braslavski said he endured severe hardship and repeatedly found himself on the brink of death, yet saw clear signs of Yad Hashem guiding him. “From October 7th until my release, I experienced with my own eyes divine providence. I saw death before my eyes, I even experienced clinical death, and the moment you are saved time and again, I’m alone, and I’m beaten, and I stand in front of a wall, without eyes, without legs, without arms, nothing, you can’t do anything, a hostage.”

Despite everything, he emphasized that his emunah remained strong throughout. “I know that G-d is here with me, and I know that there is a reason for these beatings. That is the price I accept on myself.”

He also reflected on how he observed Yom Tov under impossible conditions, choosing not to eat chometz on Pesach despite extreme hunger and pressure from his captors. “I decided not to eat pitas. When I told him that, he refused, he said I had to eat that pita and a half, and that he wasn’t asking me. What I did was, I was with a Thai hostage. When he brought the food, the Arab would leave, and I would give my pitas to the Thai.”

Asked how he managed to survive with so little sustenance, Braslavski answered simply: “I wasn’t really nourished. I lived on a plate of rice, maybe a bit of beans.”

His account stands as a powerful testament to the strength of emunah and mesirus nefesh even under the most unimaginable circumstances.

Intensive diplomatic efforts are underway involving the United States, Iran, and regional intermediaries to secure a 45-day ceasefire that could open the door to ending the ongoing conflict, according to a report published Sunday night.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the likelihood of reaching even a short-term agreement within the next 48 hours remains low. Still, officials involved view the talks as a last chance to prevent a sharp escalation that could include widespread attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and retaliatory strikes targeting energy and water facilities across the Gulf.

President Donald Trump recently adjusted his timeline for a deal, extending the deadline to “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time” after previously giving Iran a 10-day window to reach an agreement.

Trump said the United States is actively engaged in negotiations and expressed cautious optimism that a resolution could still be achieved. “There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump has made clear that failure to secure an agreement could lead to strikes on infrastructure vital to Iranian civilians. Iranian officials have responded with warnings that they would retaliate by targeting critical facilities in Israel and Gulf countries.

According to the report, a coordinated U.S.-Israel military plan aimed at Iran’s energy sector is already prepared, though the extension of the deadline is intended to allow one final attempt at diplomacy.

Negotiations are being carried out through mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, along with indirect communication between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

A U.S. official involved in the process said that several proposals have been put before Iran in recent days, but none have been accepted so far.

Diplomats are working on a two-stage approach, beginning with a 45-day ceasefire that would allow for broader negotiations, with the possibility of extending the pause if progress is made. A second stage would aim at reaching a permanent resolution to the conflict.

Among the main obstacles are the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the issue of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Mediators are attempting to secure initial, limited concessions from Iran on these matters while also seeking assurances from the United States that any ceasefire would lead to a more lasting agreement.

Iranian leaders, however, have continued to project a defiant stance publicly, signaling reluctance to agree to major concessions under the current circumstances, the report said.

Emergency teams recovered the bodies of two victims early Monday from the ruins of a residential building in Haifa that was struck directly by a heavy Iranian missile, as rescue operations continue for two additional missing individuals believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Search-and-rescue personnel, together with the Home Front Command, remain actively combing through the collapsed structure in an effort to locate the remaining missing victims. The four individuals initially unaccounted for include an elderly couple, their son, believed to be around 40 years old, and a caregiver.

Home Front Command Chief, Major General Shai Klapper, who arrived at the scene, underscored the severity of the situation and said, “This is an extremely complex site, and there is serious concern for the lives of the missing. We are operating with extreme caution due to the significant engineering and security challenges.”

One of the central challenges complicating the operation is the concern that a portion of the missile that struck the building may not have exploded. The impact caused three floors of the structure to collapse, and while crews have cleared nearby tree-lined streets to allow heavy equipment access, the steep and unstable terrain continues to hinder safe entry to the exact impact zone.

To navigate the dangers, specialized rescue teams and Home Front Command forces are constructing a controlled access passageway—a “tunnel”—using advanced equipment, aiming to reach those trapped without triggering further structural collapse or detonating any unexploded material.

Efforts have recently been concentrated on a specific area within the rubble after a cellphone belonging to one of the missing individuals was discovered. The son, who is from Herzliya, has not responded to repeated calls, and the discovery of the family’s vehicles in a nearby parking area has reinforced the assessment that they were inside the building when it was hit.

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, responders evacuated several victims, including an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition and a toddler who sustained light injuries. Additional individuals at the scene were treated for shock.

MDA Senior EMT Shevach Rothenshtrych reported from the scene: “When we arrived at the street, we saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents who were there told us there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. We managed to move large pieces of concrete with our hands and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris, who was in serious condition but conscious. We provided him with initial treatment at the scene and evacuated him to the hospital in an MDA mobile intensive care unit ambulance while in serious condition. Large MDA teams at the scene are providing medical treatment to several people in mild condition and are prepared to provide medical care to additional casualties if they are located during the searches”

MDA Paramedic Lamas Salameh added, “This is a 7-story building that sustained a direct hit, causing extensive damage. We arrived at the scene with large MDA teams, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycles, and began searching the scenes. During the searches, we located an 83-year-old casualty in serious condition who was injured by the destruction. In addition, we treated 3 other casualties in mild condition, as well as several people suffering from anxiety symptoms. We are continuing to search the scenes to ensure there are no additional casualties and will remain on site as required.”

MDA Senior EMT, Tal Shustak, recounted, “Immediately upon receiving the reports at MDA’s emergency dispatch center about a building being hit, we were dispatched in large forces to the scene and saw extensive destruction, including glass, smoke, and concrete scattered across the ground. We rescued an 82-year-old man from the building’s rubble who was in serious condition after being struck by debris. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital. In addition, we treated three people in mild condition – a 77-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, and a 10-month-old baby who suffered a head injury. They were injured by shrapnel, and we provided them with medical treatment. We also treated several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene, and we are continuing to search the area.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Doris (Devorah Leah) Fine a”h, the devoted wife of Rav Mordechai Dov Fine, longtime beloved rov of Congregation Machzikeh Hadas in Scranton, Pennsylvania, who passed away after a prolonged illness.

The rebbetzin had battled health challenges in recent years, and was most recently cared for at Dr. Chuna Liebowitz’s wing at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, NJ.

For over five decades, Rebbetzin Fine stood at her husband’s side as the rebbetzin of Scranton, playing a central role in building and nurturing the kehillah with unwavering dedication.

She was widely known as a remarkable woman whose warmth, kindness, and genuine concern for others left a lasting impression on all who encountered her.

Those who knew her speak of her exceptional chein and her deep ahavas Yisroel. She had a kind word for everyone, a welcoming presence, and a heart that was open to every Yid.

An unforgettable isha kesheirah, she raised an extraordinary family of bnei and bnos Torah, continuing a legacy of commitment to Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Her petirah leaves a profound void in the greater Scranton community and among the many whose lives she touched so deeply.

The levayah will take place Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel, located at 613 Ramsey Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom will be available. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84080126400?pwd=qjdCpeENqqI8tKb1cWWd5eQkUYdJDP.1, with passcode 469642. Participants may also join by phone at +1 (301) 715-8592 using Webinar ID: 840 8012 6400.

Following the levayah, the aron will be transported to JFK Airport for departure to Eretz Yisroel at approximately 12:00 p.m. from 75 North Hangar Road, Queens, New York, at Cargo D Building 75. A Tehillim gathering is expected to take place at the airport location, with exact timing to be determined based on the arrival and departure schedule.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that the number of mispallelim permitted to daven at the Kosel may be increased to 100 at any given time, up from the previous limit of 50, while also issuing a conditional order and scheduling a further hearing for Thursday, stating that the earlier discussion “was not exhausted.”

The upcoming hearing will require the state to explain whether current security policies regarding access to the makomos hakedoshim properly balance safety concerns with the right to freedom of tefillah and religion.

The ruling comes amid ongoing restrictions from the Home Front Command, which generally cap gatherings at 50 people. However, in a separate decision, the court allowed a protest in Habima Square in Tel Aviv to proceed with up to 600 participants, creating a sharp contrast between limits placed on demonstrations and those placed on tefillah.

During earlier proceedings, Yonatan Mozes of the High Court petitions department outlined the state’s position, noting that a professional inspection had been conducted that morning to explore possible leniencies. He said experts concluded that the number could be raised to 100 individuals, including staff, based on the capacity of two protected areas at the site, calculated according to a density of 2.5 people per square meter.

Justice Ruth Ronen questioned how many of those permitted would be staff members, but Mozes responded that he did not have that information. He also explained that regarding the Kosel tunnels, the Home Front Command maintains there is concern over blast impact and potential structural collapse, even while recognizing the importance of tefillah.

Justice Yitzchak Amit addressed the tension between competing considerations, noting that while the Home Front Command carries responsibility for safety, broader administrative law principles and the realities of an ongoing war must also be taken into account. He described the issue as one of balance across different locations, emphasizing that freedom of religion is a central value. He added, “I watched the live broadcast of Birkas Kohanim, and it was embarrassing to see the Kosel, the very soul of the Jewish people, standing empty.”

A representative for the petitioners argued that in the past, mispallelim were directed into the Kosel tunnels during sirens, calling into question current claims of danger. He said that Home Front Command guidelines can vary depending on circumstances and suggested that a framework should be developed to allow for broader participation. “The easiest position to take is to forbid,” he said, adding that calculated risks should be weighed alongside the importance of tefillah.