Israel’s Chief Rabbis, the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, and Rav Kalman Meir Ber, president of the Chief Rabbinate Council, sent a sharply worded letter to Transportation Minister Miri Regev protesting the planned operation of government transportation services on Shabbos.
In their letter, the rabbonim expressed strong objection to what they described as unnecessary chillul Shabbos as part of the state’s transportation operations during the ongoing wartime situation.
The Chief Rabbis wrote that the planned move is being carried out at a time when there is no danger or concern of pikuach nefesh that would justify work on Shabbos.
They also emphasized that the decision to activate the transportation system was made unilaterally by government authorities without prior consultation with the Chief Rabbinate or receiving halachic guidance, as would normally be expected in public matters of this nature.
The rabbonim called on the minister to halt the plan and prevent unnecessary desecration of Shabbos, stressing that such decisions involving national public systems must be handled with proper sensitivity to halachah and with consultation from the appropriate rabbinic authorities.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Dovid Spiegel zt”l, the Ostrov-Kalushiner Rebbe of the Five Towns and rov of Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst, a devoted marbitz Torah and beloved rov who for decades built and nurtured a warm, vibrant center of Torah and Yiddishkeit in the community.
Rav Spiegel, a son of Rav Pinchas Eliyahu Spiegel zt”l, the Ostrov-Kalushiner Rebbe, was a distinguished talmid of two gedolei Torah of the previous generation, Rav Avrohom Pam zt”l and Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. His connection with Rav Aharon was especially close and deeply personal. As a bochur, Rav Spiegel was among those who would frequently drive Rav Aharon to various engagements and destinations. Those hours spent in close proximity to the rosh yeshiva allowed him to develop a profound bond with his rebbi, absorbing not only Torah but also the spirit and vision that Rav Aharon instilled in his talmidim.
On June 19, 1962, Rav Spiegel married his wife, Rebbetzin Devorah Esther Spiegel a”h, the daughter of the Pittsburger Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Abba Leifer, in Newark, New Jersey, beginning a partnership that would become the foundation of a life devoted to Torah, community, and chesed.
In the early years following their marriage, the young couple lived in Lakewood in modest circumstances, residing in a small one-bedroom apartment above the stores on Fifth Street. Those humble beginnings reflected the simple and devoted lifestyle that characterized Rav Spiegel throughout his life.
A pivotal moment in his life and in the development of the Five Towns Torah community came in 1970. His brother-in-law, Rav Binyomin Kamenetsky zt”l, approached him with a bold vision: to establish a warm and authentic shtiebel that would serve as a beacon of Torah life in the growing Five Towns community. Rav Spiegel accepted the challenge with dedication and determination.
What began as a modest undertaking soon grew into something extraordinary. Over the decades, the shtiebel became a center of warmth, Torah, and genuine Yiddishkeit. Rav Spiegel did far more than establish a shul. He built a kehillah in the truest sense of the word. Through his guidance, countless individuals and families found a place where they could grow in Torah observance and strengthen their connection to Yiddishkeit.
Rav Spiegel understood that cultivating Torah life in a community requires not only passion but also wisdom, patience, and a deep understanding of people. With quiet determination and thoughtful leadership, he helped shape the spiritual character of the Five Towns in numerous ways. His influence could be felt in the lives of those who turned to him for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration.
Throughout the years, he remained a steady presence, a rov who cared deeply for his mispallelim and whose warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression on all who encountered him.
Rav Spiegel is survived by an exceptional family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah, avodah, and devotion to Klal Yisroel.
The levaya is taking place now at Rav Spiegel’s shul, located at 504 W. Broadway in Cedarhurst, NY, followed by kevurah in New Jersey.
Yehi zichro boruch.
As Israel continues to operate under the pressures of Operation Roaring Lion, the Israeli Ministry of Transportation announced a significant expansion of public transportation services across the country.
Beginning today, bus service will increase to approximately 60 percent of normal operations. This follows several days during which the transportation network functioned at only 45 percent capacity due to the ongoing security situation.
The decision was made following a renewed situational assessment and updated guidance from the Home Front Command, with the goal of maintaining a measure of economic and daily-life continuity while the country remains under fire.
Alongside the expansion of bus services, the rail and light rail systems are still operating under strict limitations.
Israel Railways has concentrated its service in specific hubs that are suited to the current emergency conditions. The Yerushalayim Light Rail is operating on a limited emergency schedule, while the light rail system in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area remains completely suspended. The Haifa cable car system is also not operating at this time.
In addition, all in-person public transportation service centers across the country will remain closed until further notice.
Officials at the Ministry of Transportation stressed that despite the expanded service, the public is still urged to avoid non-essential travel and follow the instructions of security authorities.
“We call on the public to check the transportation apps and the operators’ information centers before setting out,” the ministry said.
For additional information or trip planning, travelers can contact the national transportation information hotline by dialing *8787.
Authorities noted that the public transportation system will continue to be adjusted as operational conditions evolve on the ground.
{Matzav.com}Four days after the devastating missile strike that shook the city of Beit Shemesh and the entire country, Rabbi Yitzchak Biton spoke in a heart-rending interview about the loss of his three children, who were killed when an Iranian missile struck their home directly.
Speaking with radio host Avi Mimran, Rabbi Biton described how he is finding the strength to cope with the unimaginable tragedy and how his emunah and devotion to Torah guide his response even in the face of such overwhelming pain.
Rabbi Biton lost his three children — Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah Hy”d — in the direct missile strike.
When asked where he draws the strength to endure such suffering, Rabbi Biton explained that the Torah provides guidance for every situation in life.
“The Torah illuminates a person’s path and gives him advice and understanding for how to respond to all kinds of realities in life,” he said. “Someone who truly believes in the Borei Olam and truly lives with the Torah understands how to relate to every situation.”
He added that despite the immense pain, a person must strive to accept even the most difficult moments with emunah.
“A person must bless for the bad just as he blesses for the good and reach a place where he can accept things with joy and know that the Hakadosh Boruch Hu does what is best for us,” he said.
Addressing the fear that has gripped many people after the unusual circumstances of the strike — in which even a protected shelter was hit — Rabbi Biton emphasized that everything remains in the hands of Hakadosh Boruch Hu.
“We must understand that we are in the hands of Hakadosh Boruch Hu, and every missile has an address,” he said.
He urged the public to strengthen themselves in emunah and in kvius ittim laTorah rather than allowing fear to dominate their thoughts.
“Hakadosh Boruch Hu speaks to us in every language,” he said. “Whether through terror attacks or ballistic missiles, He wants us to come closer to Him.”
During the interview, Rabbi Biton spoke with deep longing about the personalities of his children.
He described his son Yaakov Hy”d, who was sixteen years old, as an iluy in Torah. According to his father, already at the age of four and a half he would daven at the Kosel asking only for the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdosh.
“He would learn masechtos and Gemara with me, and sometimes he understood the sugya even better than avreichim,” Rabbi Biton said.
He described his daughter Avigail Hy”d, fifteen and a half years old, as “very wise and perceptive, someone who understood the nefesh of another person.”
His youngest daughter, Sarah Hy”d, he said, was always the first to volunteer for acts of chessed, doing so with a smile and genuine inner joy.
At the conclusion of the interview, Rabbi Biton called upon Klal Yisroel to continue the legacy of his children.
“Think good, speak good, do good, and look at everyone with a good eye,” he said.
Mimran also encouraged listeners to accept upon themselves a small kabbalah in their memory, suggesting that people undertake to learn one Mishnah or recite a chapter of Tehillim each day l’ilui nishmas Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah bnei Tamar, whom Rabbi Biton said are in the category of harugei malchus, about whom Chazal say that no created being can stand in their place in Olam Haba.
{Matzav.com}When the siren sounds again and everything stops in an instant, families across Israel rush with their children into the reinforced security room. The sudden shift from ordinary life — laundry, emails, a cup of coffee that has gone cold — to the familiar dash toward safety can be jarring. Hearts race, parents gather their children almost automatically, and the mind begins racing through rumors: Did something fall nearby? Did anyone see a video of what happened?
The uncertainty drains energy and can make it feel as though the same frightening moment is repeating itself again and again.
Yet even in that tense reality, the home remains a place of protection. The reinforced room may feel like a small, cold space on an ordinary day, but in moments of danger it becomes the place where children form their memories of how their parents handled the crisis. Instead of allowing the room to feel like a place of fear, parents can transform those tense minutes into a calmer and even reassuring experience.
Here are several simple ways to replace anxiety with a sense of safety — and perhaps even bring a smile during those stressful moments.
Create a Warmer Atmosphere
Most reinforced rooms are lit by a single bright LED bulb that feels sterile and uninviting.
Adding softer lighting can immediately change the mood. Battery-powered strings of small lights or a warm night lamp can make the room feel more comfortable. Soft yellow lighting has been shown to reduce stress levels and help people relax more quickly.
Scent can also play a powerful role. When the heavy door closes and the atmosphere suddenly feels tense, a gentle room diffuser or small lavender sachets in a closet can help shift the mood. Familiar household scents signal to the brain that this is still part of the home environment — not a frightening bunker — and that normal life will soon return.
Prepare a Small Snack Station
If families must remain inside the room for an extended period, food can be a source of comfort for children.
Instead of keeping loose bags of snacks, parents can organize small transparent baskets. One basket might hold savory snacks, another sweets, and another disposable cups and utensils.
Including treats that children normally do not receive during the week can also create a positive association. Children may begin to think of shelter time as the moment when they receive their special candies or snacks.
Create a Dedicated Children’s Corner
Rather than tossing random toys into the room, parents can prepare a small “shelter kit” designed specifically for these situations.
Quiet activities work best — coloring books, sticker sets, puzzles, or simple card games that keep children occupied and focused.
If there is enough space, adding cushions or beanbags can turn part of the room into a cozy corner. Children may even experience the time together as something like family “camping” rather than a stressful interruption.
Choose Words Carefully
Perhaps the most challenging part for parents is controlling their own reactions.
When a loud explosion is heard outside, the instinct may be to shout, “Did you hear that? That was really close!”
But children are extremely sensitive to their parents’ emotions. When adults react with fear, it signals to children that something terrible has happened.
Parents can instead try to remain calm and choose reassuring language. Rather than talking about impacts or explosions, they might say that the interception system stopped the threat and that everyone is safe.
It is also wise to avoid playing voice messages or circulating videos from messaging apps while children are present. Rumors and dramatic footage can intensify anxiety for both children and adults. The shelter room should remain a space free of frightening background noise.
Turn the Moment Into Connection
Even during stressful moments, families can transform the experience into a small shared ritual.
Some families begin with a quick round of gratitude, where each person says something they are thankful for. Others play word association games or simple guessing games.
Reading a story aloud while everyone sits close together can create a feeling of warmth and intimacy.
If the situation allows, playing music and even dancing for a minute or two can release physical tension and help children relax.
In the end, the reinforced room is simply a room. What fills it — calm, reassurance, and love — comes from the parents inside it. While families cannot control what is happening outside, they can guide the atmosphere within their own walls.
Besuros tovos.
{Matzav.com}Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister, Idit Silman, publicly called on President Donald Trump to impose personal sanctions on Israel’s attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, and Supreme Court President Yitzchak Amit.
Silman’s appeal came following Trump’s sharp criticism of Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the issue of granting a pardon to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
In a message posted Thursday on her X account, Silman addressed Trump directly in English, praising his intervention regarding what she described as the legal cases against Netanyahu.
“Mr. President, your pressure regarding the pardon in the fabricated cases against Prime Minister Netanyahu is welcome. But it is important to understand who is blocking even a discussion of this request,” she wrote.
Silman argued that Israel’s attorney general is preventing the issue of a pardon from even being discussed, while the head of the Supreme Court is protecting her position and blocking efforts to remove her.
According to Silman, “The attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, is preventing any discussion of a pardon, while Supreme Court President Yitzchak Amit supports her and prevents her dismissal, while at the same time canceling laws approved by Israel’s elected legislature.”
She concluded her appeal by urging Washington to take punitive measures against both officials.
“Since the United States stands for democracy in Israel, the time has come to impose severe personal sanctions against them both,” Silman wrote, adding: “Thank you, Mr. President, for standing with the State of Israel and the free world.”
Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at President Herzog over Netanyahu’s pardon request, calling him a “disgrace” and insisting that he should grant the pardon immediately.
Trump said he had even refused to meet Herzog over the issue.
“I told him I wouldn’t meet with him. He’s been holding this over Bibi’s head for a year,” Trump said.
{Matzav.com}
