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Iranian officials are reportedly considering an unusual airborne funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as preparations continue for what is expected to be one of the largest public mourning events in the country’s history.

Khamenei, 86, was killed at his residence on Feb. 28 during “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The conflict continued for four months before Washington and Tehran agreed to an uneasy ceasefire two weeks ago.

According to The New York Times, Iranian authorities expect approximately 20 million mourners to participate in the six-day series of funeral ceremonies honoring the longtime supreme leader.

The newspaper reported that the official ceremonies are scheduled to begin on July 4 with a 24-hour memorial service in Tehran.

The funeral procession is expected to conclude on July 9 in Khamenei’s hometown of Mashhad, where he will be laid to rest, according to Iran International.

While few details have been released about the proposed airborne procession, the idea reportedly emerged after security officials raised concerns about crowd control and safety. The funeral had originally been planned for March but was repeatedly postponed because of the ongoing war between Iran and the United States.

Iran International reported: “Authorities are considering holding slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral procession airborne to reduce crowding and improve security, the governor of Razavi Khorasan province said on Saturday. Gholamhossein Mozaffari said the proposal, put forward by the provincial security council, was likely to be implemented because it would ease crowd management and provide safer conditions. Officials have announced that Khamenei is due to be buried in the northeastern city of Mashhad on July 9.”

In addition to ceremonies in Tehran and Mashhad, the funeral procession is also expected to pass through the holy city of Qom, according to Al Jazeera.

Khamenei is slated to be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly succeeded him as supreme leader but has remained largely out of public view since assuming power, is expected to oversee the final ceremonies.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump responded last night to former President Barack Obama’s recent claim that he occupies “a suite” in Trump’s mind by posting side-by-side photos comparing the two men during their younger years.

The social media exchange came after Trump shared several posts on Truth Social, including an AI-generated image depicting himself holding the Earth while carrying an American flag over his shoulder. He also posted a photo from the recent UFC event held outside the White House before turning his attention to Obama.

Among the posts was a pair of vintage photographs—one showing Trump during his years at the New York Military Academy and another showing Obama in his college days holding a cigarette.

Trump captioned the images simply: “D. Trump, 20” and “B.H. Obama, 18.”

Critics quickly questioned the accuracy of the age listed for Trump’s photograph. His niece, Mary Trump, who has frequently criticized him publicly, noted that Trump attended the New York Military Academy as a teenager and graduated in 1964 at age 17.

Trump’s post followed comments Obama made earlier in the week during an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast, where he joked that Trump’s repeated criticism of him reflects an ongoing fixation.

“The obsession,” Obama told the podcast this week. “I obviously have a room in his head. A suite in his head.”

Obama added that he approached the presidency differently.

“First of all, when I was president, the last thing I had time to do was worry about what somebody said or my predecessor did. They’re gone. I’ve got work to do,” he added.

Trump has frequently criticized Obama during campaign rallies and public appearances. More recently, he has also used AI-generated images to mock the former president, including posts depicting Obama’s presidential center as a giant dumpster.

{Matzav.com}

Senior officials in the chareidi parties are dismissing Isreli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s latest assurances regarding legislation aimed at preventing the arrest of bnei yeshivah, insisting that only concrete action—not public statements—will restore their confidence.

A senior source within the chareidi factions responded to Netanyahu’s recent remarks and to a letter issued by Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs outlining proposed arrest legislation. “We’ve had enough words and promises,” the official said. “Netanyahu will be judged only by his actions.”

The sharp criticism reflects growing frustration among chareidi lawmakers over what they view as repeated delays in advancing legislation important to the Torah community. On Friday, Fuchs sent a formal letter to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth detailing a proposal intended to prevent the arrest of lomdei Torah who are studying under what he described as “effective supervision.”

The senior official argued that Netanyahu has made similar commitments before, only to abandon them when it mattered most.

“We’ve seen him stand at the Knesset podium several times explaining why the draft law had to pass, but when the decisive moment came, he was the one who buried the draft law,” the source said. “He did the same thing with the daycare law—plenty of talk, but in practice nothing happened.”

The source then delivered a blunt warning to the coalition, saying the patience of the chareidi parties has run out.

“Now we’ve had enough words and promises. We want to see action. Until we see action, no legislation will move forward in the current Knesset until it is dissolved, including the bill to split the attorney general’s position and the communications law.”

Additional senior chareidi officials reportedly said this past week that although they generally support changes to the office of the attorney general, they will not back legislation dividing that position unless the coalition first delivers on two key priorities: passage of the Basic Law: Torah Study and the proposed law preventing the arrests of bnei yeshivah.

The latest dispute follows a high-level meeting reported last week between Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni, and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

During that meeting, Deri and Gafni reportedly demanded immediate progress on the two flagship pieces of legislation sought by the chareidi community—the Basic Law: Torah Study and the arrest bill.

According to the report, the two party leaders also insisted that Netanyahu personally guarantee a parliamentary majority to pass both measures. They reportedly warned that if the coalition failed to move forward with the legislation promptly, the chareidi parties would seek the immediate dissolution of the Knesset.

At a press conference Friday, Netanyahu addressed the arrests of lomdei Torah, expressing strong opposition to the current policy.

“If they told you that Torah learners were being arrested in Europe, you would be horrified,” Netanyahu said. “We are arresting young men inside the yeshivah. That cannot happen. I strongly oppose it.”

In his letter, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs explained that the proposed legislation would apply only to bnei yeshivah studying under “effective supervision” by their yeshivos.

Fuchs wrote that, following the High Court’s ruling, government funding was cut off to yeshivos enrolling students subject to military service, while those students and their families were also subjected to various financial sanctions. He added that the Attorney General subsequently instructed the IDF to carry out repeated arrest operations “without distinguishing between yeshivah students who are actively learning and those who are not.”

According to Fuchs, the current situation has created significant unrest even among chareidi families whose sons serve in chareidi combat units or attend hesder yeshivos. The report noted that if the coalition intends to advance the arrest bill, the legislation must be formally circulated immediately—a step that, as of now, has yet to take place.

A plain white envelope arrives in your mailbox with your name on it. It may even include a tracking number, making it appear completely legitimate. But when you open it, it’s empty—no letter, no product, and no explanation. Consumer protection experts say that what looks like a harmless mystery could actually be the first step in a scam designed to exploit your personal information.

Investigators have linked these unexplained deliveries to a scheme known as “brushing,” in which scammers use fake shipments to create fraudulent online purchase records. In some cases, the envelope may also contain a QR code that directs recipients to malicious websites designed to steal personal or financial information.

The real danger begins if the recipient becomes curious enough to scan a QR code, click a link, call a phone number, or provide personal information. What starts as an odd delivery can quickly become an identity theft or financial fraud case.

The empty-envelope tactic is frequently associated with brushing scams. In these schemes, dishonest online sellers mail inexpensive items—or even completely empty envelopes—to real addresses to create shipping records showing that an order was successfully delivered.

Once the shipment is marked as delivered, scammers can use the tracking confirmation to post fake “verified buyer” reviews on online marketplaces, making low-quality products appear more popular and trustworthy than they actually are.

Recent reports indicate that recipients have received small padded envelopes bearing unfamiliar or fictitious sender names. Some have received multiple deliveries, while others found only worthless trinkets, packing material, or nothing at all inside.

Although these deliveries may seem more annoying than dangerous, cybersecurity experts warn that the larger concern is that someone already possesses your name and home address.

Scammers don’t need to send anything valuable. All they require is proof that a package was delivered to a legitimate address. They typically obtain names and addresses through data brokers, public records, data breaches, or information leaked online. Using that information, they create fake purchases and mail inexpensive items or empty envelopes to unsuspecting recipients.

After delivery is confirmed, dishonest sellers can falsely claim that you purchased their product and may even publish fabricated positive reviews using your identity or account information. The scheme not only inflates product ratings but also demonstrates that your personal information is already circulating among scammers.

A newer and more dangerous version of the scam involves including a QR code inside the package. The message may urge recipients to “scan to see who sent this gift” or “scan to verify delivery,” but experts strongly advise against doing so.

Unlike a printed web address, a QR code conceals its destination until it is scanned. Cybercriminals take advantage of natural curiosity, especially when an unexpected package arrives bearing the recipient’s name.

The hidden link may lead to a counterfeit website requesting personal details such as your name, address, phone number, credit card information, bank credentials, shopping account passwords, or one-time verification codes.

Once scammers obtain that information, they may gain access to financial accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or compromise payment applications.

Experts recommend several precautions if you receive an unexpected envelope or package.

First, never scan any QR code included with a mystery delivery. If verification is necessary, visit the retailer’s or shipping company’s official website directly rather than using the code.

Second, avoid calling any phone numbers printed inside the package. Instead, contact companies such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay, USPS, UPS, or FedEx only through their official websites or mobile apps.

Third, review your online shopping accounts for unfamiliar purchases, suspicious reviews, unauthorized address changes, or unknown payment methods.

Fourth, update passwords for your email, shopping, and financial accounts using strong, unique passwords for each service. Security experts also recommend using a password manager.

Fifth, enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Authentication apps generally provide stronger protection than text-message verification.

Sixth, carefully monitor bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges, subscription renewals, or withdrawals, and report suspicious activity immediately.

Seventh, review your credit reports and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus if you believe your identity may be at risk.

Finally, report suspicious mailings to the US Postal Inspection Service and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. If the shipment appears to be associated with a legitimate retailer, notify that company directly through its official website.

If you have already scanned a suspicious QR code, experts say not to panic—but act quickly. Close the webpage immediately, avoid entering additional personal information, change any passwords that may have been exposed, enable two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts for unauthorized activity, contact your bank if payment information was submitted, scan your device with reputable security software, remove any applications installed through the QR code, and report the incident to both the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission. If particularly sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or banking credentials, was disclosed, freezing your credit may also be appropriate.

Cybersecurity professionals also recommend installing reliable antivirus and anti-phishing software capable of blocking malicious websites, fraudulent links, and dangerous downloads before they compromise your devices.

Another important protective measure is limiting the amount of personal information available online. Because brushing scams often begin with data purchased from brokers or obtained through leaks, reducing your digital footprint through data removal services can make it more difficult for scammers to target you.

Experts say the biggest takeaway is simple: An empty envelope may seem harmless, but it can be an early warning that your personal information is already in the hands of scammers. Resist the temptation to investigate through QR codes, unfamiliar phone numbers, or suspicious websites. Instead, slow down, verify information only through official sources, and secure your accounts before curiosity turns into a much larger problem.

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Friday that if Democrats regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, they will pursue an extensive investigation into President Donald Trump and his administration while simultaneously advancing their legislative priorities.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing, host Jen Psaki asked Ocasio-Cortez how Democrats should balance investigations into the Trump administration with policy initiatives such as health care and affordable housing if they return to power.

Psaki said, “I played a clip of little Mike Johnson, as I like to call him, laying out how a Democratic majority in Congress would investigate the president, the cabinet, donors and friends. It all sounds, I think, probably to a lot of people watching and a lot of people out there who were infuriated by the level of corruption. Pretty good. But you’ve also talked about a lot of things you deeply care about: health care and affordable housing. I know there are many other things. What do you see as the right priorities? Balance of things, especially as it relates to investigations and accountability? Where does that fall on how much time should be spent on that?”

Ocasio-Cortez responded by pointing to her previous service on the House Oversight Committee during President Trump’s first administration and argued that congressional investigations and legislative work can proceed simultaneously.

“I mean, I of course, some I spent many years on the oversight, and on the oversight committee in Congress, which is in charge of investigations during the first Trump administration. I helped on the investigation of Michael Cohen at the time, which led to a record setting settlement from, Attorney General Letitia James. But, I think that it really is — it genuinely is a situation of we can walk and chew gum at the same time.”

She continued by pledging that congressional committees would aggressively examine the administration if Democrats take control of the House.

“There are certain committees that I think will be spearheading real investigations into this administration. There has to be accountability, and it has to be because we cannot allow this level of corruption to consume our public service and our government ever again. And the only way that you allow that are the only way that you set that precedent is by aggressive investigation and consequence.”

Ocasio-Cortez added that congressional investigations can often lead to additional legal action outside of Congress.

“And often times, some of the things that do come out in congressional investigations sometimes yield to, either state pursuits, etc.. And, you know, Mike Johnson paints this as though it’s some partizan witch hunt but if you don’t want to be prosecuted for crimes, don’t do crimes.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance said Friday that Iran’s nuclear program has effectively been crippled, arguing that even if negotiations fail to produce a final agreement, the regime no longer has the capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Speaking on HBO’s Real Time, Vance maintained that the United States has already achieved its primary military objective by destroying Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, minimizing the importance of whether a final diplomatic agreement is ultimately reached.

“If we don’t make the final deal, their nuclear program is still destroyed, they’re still much weaker as a country.”

Host Bill Maher challenged that assessment, responding, “But their program isn’t destroyed, the nuclear program isn’t destroyed.”

Vance immediately pushed back, asking Maher, “What part is not destroyed?”

Maher replied, “Well, we didn’t get in there. The whole thing was we have to get in there and see, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing this.”

Vance argued that the key objective was eliminating Iran’s enrichment infrastructure rather than inspecting every facility.

“Well, let me say, first of all, so a nuclear program — and I’m hardly a nuclear scientist, I’m a lowly politician — but the thing that you have to destroy is their ability to enrich uranium, which has been destroyed.”

After Maher interrupted to ask how the administration could be certain, Vance responded, “Well, because you need functioning centrifuges that can actually spin.”

Maher then pressed the issue further, asking, “But what was all the talk about, we’ve got to get in there and we’ve got to get the dust, and we didn’t get in there, so how do we get the dust?”

Vance acknowledged that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a separate issue but insisted that it poses little immediate danger because the regime no longer possesses the infrastructure needed to weaponize it.

“So, that’s actually a separate question. So, there’s the highly enriched stockpile, which, by the way, was allowed to accumulate over 20 years of previous administrations. That enriched stockpile is something that we want to get. But, Bill, if we never get it, and the president wants it, and we are going to get it, but if we never got it, it’s buried deep underground and they don’t have the ability to turn it into a nuclear weapon. So, the program is functionally destroyed. We’re just talking about, can we set them back even further through these negotiations.”

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities have captured one of the alleged architects of the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme after he spent four years evading arrest overseas. The Department of Justice announced Friday that the suspect was taken into custody in Somalia and now faces dozens of federal charges tied to one of the largest COVID-era fraud cases in US history.

Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was among the original defendants charged in 2022 for his alleged role in orchestrating the Feeding Our Future scandal. Prosecutors accuse him of helping divert hundreds of millions of dollars from the Federal Child Nutrition Program, which was intended to provide meals to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to investigators, the operation functioned as a pay-to-play enterprise in which operators of roughly 200 fraudulent meal distribution sites funneled a portion of their illegal profits back to insiders, including Eidleh. Prosecutors maintain that the meals billed to the government were never actually provided to children.

The 31-count indictment against Eidleh includes charges of “conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering,” according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.

Authorities said Eidleh was arrested Thursday in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, who oversees the Trump administration’s anti-fraud efforts, described Eidleh as “a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history.”

McDonald added: “He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed. Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners. The Department of Justice will continue to track down and prosecute fraudsters wherever they run and wherever they hide.”

Minnesota US Attorney Daniel Rosen also praised the arrest, saying: “Eidleh’s capture shows that, if you commit fraud against the American taxpayer, and try hiding across the globe, the long arm of justice will find you. We salute the FBI’s work in finding Eidleh, and are grateful to all our federal and international partners that help us hold accountable those who defraud our government.”

Federal prosecutors allege that Eidleh recruited and assisted individuals in establishing fictitious meal distribution sites and sham food vendors, which then submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims to the government for millions of meals that were never served.

The DOJ further alleges that Eidleh and other participants accepted bribes and kickbacks from individuals and companies seeking to operate fraudulent meal sites.

Investigators also contend that Eidleh established fraudulent meal sites of his own, falsely claiming they were feeding thousands of children each day.

Prosecutors said, “Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in kickbacks, bribes, and other fraud proceeds into accounts associated with his shell companies, using them to conceal the true nature and source of the illegally obtained funds.”

The Feeding Our Future case is one of several alleged public assistance fraud schemes linked to members of Minnesota’s large Somali community that remain under federal investigation.

In May, Aimee Bock, widely described as the mastermind behind the Feeding Our Future operation, was sentenced to 41 years in federal prison after being convicted on every count against her.

To date, authorities have charged at least 79 individuals in connection with the sprawling fraud scheme, and more than 60 have already been convicted.

{Matzav.com}

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A massive three-day search for a missing Bnei Brak resident ended on Sunday morning, when 25-year-old Yisroel Mordechai Stern was found alive near Modi’in Illit, exhausted but conscious.

Israel Police confirmed that Stern had been located safely and thanked the public for its assistance in sharing information throughout the search effort.

Stern disappeared Thursday from the Bnei Brak area, prompting an extensive search involving hundreds of volunteers, specialized search-and-rescue units, police officers, and emergency responders.

The breakthrough came early Sunday morning when an individual contacted emergency services after spotting a man matching Stern’s description in a forested area near Modi’in Illit. Teams from the Missing Persons Unit and ZAKA Tel Aviv’s Jeep Unit were immediately dispatched and located Stern conscious but suffering from exhaustion.

Yechiel Goldman, operations officer for ZAKA Tel Aviv, described the moment the search came to a successful conclusion.

“Early this morning, ZAKA’s emergency hotline received a report from a civilian who spotted a person matching the published description in a forest near Modi’in Illit. Our teams were dispatched immediately and located the missing man conscious but exhausted,” Goldman said.

The Israel Canine Unit (Yachal) also announced the successful outcome, noting that its volunteers remained in the field throughout Shabbos, without returning home, until Stern was found. The organization expressed gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the search and praised the close cooperation among the various emergency agencies.

Golan Chavni, commander of the Jeep Unit, said volunteers had been mobilized since the beginning of the search operation, combing large areas with off-road vehicles and drones.

“Baruch Hashem, this morning he was found fully conscious,” Chavni said.

After days of intensive searching, the operation concluded successfully with Stern’s recovery near Modi’in Illit. Emergency and rescue organizations thanked the public for its vigilance, cooperation, and assistance in publicizing the search, all of which contributed to the positive outcome.

{Matzav.com}

Mir Yeshiva has canceled the large atzeres tefillah that had been scheduled for Sunday in Yerushalayim after one of its talmidim was released from Military Prison 10 following efforts by Degel HaTorah lawmakers.

The gathering had been planned in response to the talmid‘s continued detention. However, with his release secured, the yeshivah hanhalah determined that there was no longer a need to proceed with the event.

As previously reported here on Matzav.com, the world’s largest yeshivah had planned to suspend its regular learning schedule on Sunday at 12:15 p.m., with tens of thousands of talmidim expected to leave the batei medrash and gather for a public atzeres tefillah and outcry in Kikar Zvhil and along Rechov Shmuel Hanavi. The event was to be led by the roshei yeshivah and conclude at 1:00 p.m., at the end of the morning seder.

The decision to organize the gathering followed consultations between Mir rosh yeshivah Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel and senior gedolei Yisroel, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, after the talmid remained in military custody.

Following the talmid‘s release from Military Prison 10, which was secured with the assistance of Degel HaTorah members of Knesset, the planned atzeres tefillah was deemed unnecessary. The yeshivah subsequently announced that the event had been canceled and that the regular learning schedule would continue uninterrupted.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu devoted part of his Motzoei Shabbos press conference to Israel’s ongoing military draft crisis, arguing that the government’s enforcement campaign against bnei Torah is producing the opposite of its intended effect and discouraging enlistment among the chareidi public.

Alongside his remarks on the new security agreement with Lebanon, Netanyahu said he had received a clear message from the heads of chareidi hesder yeshivos: arresting full-time bnei Torah does not increase military service but instead drives the chareidi community further away from cooperation.

Quoting what the roshei yeshivah told him, Netanyahu said, “When you send people into the yeshivos, take Torah students out, and put them in prison—no one enlists.” He added that they continued, “We received tremendous responsiveness from the chareidi public. Young chareidim want to enlist, but when you send arrests into places of Torah study, it produces the exact opposite result.”

The prime minister also compared the situation to what would happen in Europe, saying, “If I told you that in some country in Europe the police were entering yeshivos, taking young men who were learning Torah and putting them in prison—you would be horrified.” He said the comparison underscored both his opposition to the current enforcement policy and the damage it has caused in relations with the chareidi community.

In recent months, the chareidi public has been deeply shaken by the growing wave of arrests targeting bnei Torah, with many of the detentions resulting from planned enforcement operations rather than incidental encounters. However, unlike Netanyahu’s description, the arrests have taken place in homes and public areas—not inside yeshivah buildings—though critics argue that this distinction does little to lessen the gravity of the situation.

{Matzav.com}

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has continued to climb, with some reports estimating that as many as 1,400 people have been killed. Officials fear the number will rise significantly as rescue teams continue searching for tens of thousands of missing people amid severe shortages of manpower and emergency aid. The disaster is being described as the country’s most powerful earthquake in more than 125 years.

While the official government death toll has surpassed 920, health authorities believe the actual number of fatalities has already exceeded 1,400—a figure also cited by The New York Times.

Authorities reported that more than 50,000 people remain missing or out of contact, while hospitals across the country have treated over 3,200 injured survivors.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez declared the coastal state of La Guaira a national disaster zone after widespread collapses of homes, public buildings, and critical infrastructure.

The capital, Caracas, has suffered extensive disruption. The city’s subway system has been completely shut down, the country’s main international airport remains closed because of significant runway damage, and large sections of the capital are without electricity, cellular service, or natural gas.

Thousands of displaced residents have been forced to spend their nights in parks and open areas, fearing that continued aftershocks could bring down additional buildings. Maria Andreina Pernalet, whose home sustained major damage, described the terrifying experience: “We are deeply shocked and frightened. We hugged each other and prayed. It was truly horrifying.”

The powerful quake struck during a national holiday, catching many residents inside their homes.

Luis Colmenares said he was inside a movie theater when the earthquake struck. “Everything went dark and everything started shaking. People started running, children were screaming in fear. The earthquake lasted between two and three minutes—it felt endless.”

Countries around the world have begun dispatching humanitarian aid and specialized rescue teams, including experts and search-and-rescue dogs from the United States, Britain, Switzerland, and Chile.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the disaster consisted of two massive earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck just 39 seconds apart along the San Sebastián fault system, making it the strongest seismic event to hit Venezuela in well over a century.

{Matzav.com}

Amid mounting economic sanctions and the ongoing wave of arrests targeting bnei Torah, Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, rosh yeshivah of the Mir, asked Ateres Shlomo rosh yeshivah Rav Chaim Feinstein to deliver a special address of hashkafah and daas Torah to provide guidance and encouragement during this difficult period.

The special gathering drew thousands of avreichim from the Mir. With the main botei medrash filled to capacity, additional participants assembled in neighboring rooms, where the address was broadcast live.

During a lengthy shmuess that lasted approximately an hour, Rav Chaim spoke extensively about the Torah perspective on the current campaign of economic measures and arrests directed against the Torah world and those who devote themselves to full-time Torah study. His remarks focused on offering chizuk and clarifying the proper outlook in confronting the challenges facing lomdei Torah in the present climate.

{Matzav.com}

A violent confrontation broke out at Ben Gurion Airport on Friday after passengers from two delayed flights became frustrated by the late arrival of their checked baggage. The incident escalated into a physical altercation that left a ground crew employee and a security guard injured, while airport security personnel responded with their weapons drawn.

The disturbance began in the baggage claim area, where passengers waited for luggage from two flights that had landed behind schedule. Some travelers feared their bags would not arrive before the onset of Shabbos, raising the prospect of being stranded at the airport throughout the day.

As the delay continued, several passengers confronted ground staff, demanding answers about the whereabouts of their luggage. The exchange eventually turned physical, resulting in injuries to a ground attendant and a security guard stationed near the baggage carousel. During the confrontation, airport security officers drew their firearms as they worked to regain control of the situation.

The incident came to an end after security forces intervened. Police complaints were subsequently filed against those involved in the altercation.

According to an N12 report, both the Ben Gurion Airport administration and the airport police have launched separate investigations to determine exactly what transpired and what led the confrontation to spiral into violence.

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds of residents gathered in Tzfas on Shabbos for one of the city’s largest demonstrations in years, protesting the operation of public bus routes during Shabbos. The protest centered on buses departing for Haifa, Nahariya, and Kiryat Shmona approximately 90 minutes before the conclusion of Shabbos. Six demonstrators were arrested during the protest, while community leaders have begun efforts to engage in dialogue with the Ministry of Transportation in an attempt to end the service.

The demonstration took place at the city’s central bus station, where participants protested what they described as the public desecration of Shabbos. The routes at the center of the protest were Route 361 to Haifa, Route 511 to Kiryat Shmona, and Route 367 to Nahariya, all of which begin boarding passengers and depart at 6:00 p.m. while Shabbos is still in effect.

Participants included observant Jews from across the spectrum of Torah-observant communities in Tzfas, who gathered to express their pain over the public operation of transportation on Shabbos and to call on the relevant authorities to halt the service.

Organizers said the protest remained orderly throughout. Demonstrators sang Shabbos songs and voiced their opposition peacefully, despite several attempts by individuals opposed to the demonstration to provoke confrontations.

During the protest, six demonstrators were taken into custody. Efforts are currently underway to secure their release as quickly as possible.

Following the demonstration, organizers issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the turnout.

“We are filled with satisfaction over the tremendous success of the gathering of such a large ציבור to cry out publicly before all that our holy Shabbos will not become trampled in the streets of the city, and over the kiddush Hashem that atones for the sin of chillul Hashem. Our intention is to continue these demonstrations and increase the number of participants as long as the transportation lines continue to operate.”

At the same time, local community activists have opened discussions with the relevant government officials in hopes of reaching an agreement that will end the ongoing Shabbos bus service in the city.

In advance of the protest, large notices posted throughout Tzfas called on residents from all of the city’s kehillos to participate in the demonstration.

“Toward Shabbos, let us go! The masses of Bais Yisroel, residents of Tzfas from all the holy communities, old and young alike, will gather in great numbers this Shabbos, Parshas Balak, for a protest against the chillulei Shabbos being carried out by Netiv Express at the instruction of the Ministry of Transportation through the operation of public transportation routes: Route 361 to Haifa, Route 511 to Kiryat Shmona, and Route 367 to Nahariya, departing at 6:00 p.m. in the midst of Shabbos, trampling the honor of Shabbos into the dust. The protest will begin at 5:45 p.m. at the central bus station in Tzfas. Let us cry out from the depths of our hearts that the chillulei Shabbos in our city come to an end. All of us together for the honor of Heaven—let no one be absent! Association of Lovers of Shabbos, Tzfas, representing all the holy communities.”

Hundreds of residents responded to the call, gathering to publicly express their anguish over the ongoing desecration of Shabbos through the operation of the bus routes.

Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs has urged Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth to fast-track emergency legislation that would suspend for three months the arrests and criminal proceedings against yeshivah bochurim and bnei Torah subject to military conscription. Fuchs warned that the ongoing arrests are deepening tensions with the chareidi community and could lead to an unprecedented national rift.

In a letter sent to Bismuth, Fuchs argued that arresting bnei yeshivah has failed to advance enlistment and is instead producing the opposite effect.

“These arrests of Torah learners do not advance enlistment among the chareidi public; rather, they distance enlistment, and there is a real concern of severing the bond with the chareidi public to the point, chalilah, of reaching a civil war, and this less than a week before the beginning of the Bein HaMetzarim period,” he wrote.

Fuchs said recent developments have shown growing unrest even among chareidi families whose sons already serve in chareidi military frameworks, including combat units and chareidi hesder yeshivos. According to him, many parents had previously accepted military service by some of their sons as long as other children were able to remain in yeshivah learning. Now, however, the prospect that full-time bnei Torah could be arrested at any moment has caused many of those same families to oppose additional enlistments.

He also pointed to a letter issued last week by 12 heads of chareidi hesder yeshivos, who warned that the wave of arrests has “caused a profound shock within the chareidi public.” They wrote that “instead of bringing people closer, it drives them away. Instead of building trust, it destroys it, and instead of allowing responsible dialogue, it creates a feeling of persecution, pain, and radicalization.”

According to Fuchs, the roshei yeshivah called for immediate passage of temporary legislation that would halt the arrests of bnei yeshivah and allow a long-term solution to be reached through agreement rather than coercion.

Fuchs also addressed the situation of married avreichim between the ages of 26 and 29. He explained that with the expiration of Chapter 3A of the law, the provision establishing age 26 as the exemption age also expired. As a result, even married avreichim whom the IDF has no interest in drafting are now vulnerable to arrest. He argued that such arrests serve no practical benefit to the state and only intensify public anger.

Recognizing that comprehensive legislation regulating the status of bnei yeshivah cannot realistically be completed before the upcoming elections, Fuchs proposed advancing a narrower measure dealing solely with criminal enforcement. Under his proposal, a temporary three-month order would remain in effect throughout the election period, freezing arrests and criminal proceedings against full-time yeshivah students whose Torah study is their full-time occupation, provided they can demonstrate that they are actively enrolled in a yeshivah and are subject to effective oversight. The proposal would not apply to chareidim who are not yeshivah students.

Fuchs stressed that the proposed temporary order would not exempt bnei yeshivah from military service, would not grant them official draft deferments from the IDF, and would not eliminate the financial sanctions imposed following the High Court’s ruling. Rather, he said, its sole purpose is to temporarily suspend criminal enforcement and arrests in order to prevent the crisis from escalating further while allowing time for a negotiated legislative solution.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shlomo Binyomin Schreiber zt”l, a former senior inspector in Israel’s Ministry of Education who was widely respected for his unwavering support of yeshivos and seminaries. Rav Schreiber passed away on Shabbos at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim at the age of 87.

The levayah took place on Motzoei Shabbos, departing from Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos, where he was laid to rest.

Rav Schreiber was born in Galicia on the fifth of Teves 5699 (1938) to Rav Ephraim Schreiber zt”l and Mrs. Devorah Schreiber a”h. He was a descendant of the Chasam Sofer.

After arriving in Eretz Yisroel as a teenage orphan, he was taken in by Rav Aharon Cohen zt”l, the longtime rosh yeshivah of Chevron Yeshiva, who raised him as one of his own sons.

When he married, Rav Schreiber became the son-in-law of the renowned Ger chossid Rav Yaakov Zalman Kurlansky zt”l. He also enjoyed a close relationship with the Gerer Rebbe, the Bais Yisroel.

Professionally, Rav Schreiber served as a senior inspector in Israel’s Ministry of Education. Throughout his years in that position, he became well known for assisting the administrators of yeshivos and seminaries, who deeply appreciated his dedication and steadfast advocacy on their behalf. Following his retirement, he devoted himself to Torah study with the enthusiasm and diligence of a young bochur, spending long hours immersed in learning each day.

In recent months, as his health declined, he regularly davened in the home of his neighbor, Rav Shmuel Mintzer zt”l, R”M at Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud, who was niftar just last week at the age of 75.

Rav Schreiber is survived by a distinguished family. His sons are Rav Ephraim Schreiber of Ramat Shlomo, Rav Aharon Schreiber of Bnei Brak, and Rav Yisroel Schreiber of Bnei Brak. He is also survived by his daughter, Mrs. Greenwald of Modi’in Illit–Rechasim.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

Nearly three days after 25-year-old Yisroel Mordechai Stern of Bnei Brak disappeared, hundreds of volunteers and rescue personnel continue an around-the-clock search effort amid growing fears for his safety. Search operations have remained underway since Thursday and even continued throughout Shabbos under special halachic authorization due to the serious concern that his life may be in danger.

Stern, who has special needs, left his home on Thursday morning and has not been heard from since. As the hours have turned into days without any sign of him, concern among his family, emergency responders, and volunteers has intensified.

The Aleh Siach organization, which works with individuals with special needs, emphasized that Stern has significant communication difficulties, making the situation especially urgent and increasing fears for his well-being.

Search efforts began Thursday evening and have expanded steadily ever since. Dozens of volunteers from multiple emergency and rescue organizations have been combing the area using advanced search techniques, including drone units and other specialized equipment. Teams have repeatedly searched open fields, city streets, buildings, and any other locations where Stern may have traveled.

The search continued uninterrupted throughout Shabbos after rabbonim ruled that the serious concern for Stern’s life warranted ongoing rescue efforts. Hundreds of yeshivah bochurim from Ger joined police officers and United Hatzalah volunteers in extensive searches across numerous areas.

At the same time, Aleh Siach established a special command center in cooperation with Israel Police to coordinate the large-scale operation. The headquarters, located at 41 Yarkon Street in Bnei Brak, continues to receive volunteers, provide briefings, and dispatch search teams based on operational needs.

Rescue officials involved in the effort stressed that every passing hour increases the urgency of the search and renewed their call for broad public participation. Volunteers continue expanding their search areas in the hope of finding any clue that could lead to Stern’s whereabouts.

Yisroel Mordechai Stern is 25 years old, approximately 1.76 meters (5 feet 9 inches) tall, has a fair complexion, and wears eyeglasses with clear frames.

Police and emergency organizations are urging the public to remain vigilant. Anyone who has seen a person matching Stern’s description or has information that could assist in locating him is asked to immediately contact the Israel Police emergency hotline by dialing 100.

As of late tonight, search efforts remained ongoing, with Stern’s family, hundreds of volunteers, and rescue personnel continuing to hope that new information will soon lead to his safe return.

{Matzav.com}