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it is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yisroel Eliezer Hager zt”l, Av Beis Din of Seret Vizhnitz in Yerushalayim, who was niftar at the age of 74.

Rav Hager was born in Haifa to his father, Rav Moshe Hager, Rosh Yeshivas Seret Vizhnitz and mechaber of Birchas Moshe, and his mother, Rebbetzin Alte Perl, daughter of Rav Chaim Menachem Dovid Horowitz, the last Rebbe of the Dzhikov dynasty.

As a child he was raised under the illuminating presence of his saintly grandfather, the Mekor Baruch, who showered him with love and warmth and formed the foundation of his avodas Hashem. At his bar mitzvah, his uncle, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, placed tefillin on him for the first time while in Tzfas.

Rav Yisroel Eliezer later married his rebbetzin, shetichyeh, the daughter of Rav Shmuel Shmelke Rubin, the Solitza Rebbe in the United States.

After living for a time in Haifa, he eventually settled in Yerushalayim, where he established the Seret Vizhnitz beis medrash on Grossberg Street. There he delivered shiurim, uplifted mispalleli, and published sefarim drawn from the Torah of his holy forebears.

Despite his illustrious yichus—his brother and cousins all serving as Rebbes—Rav Yisroel Eliezer consistently declined any form of leadership or public position. Even as prominent Rebbes became his mechutanim, he continued to avoid the spotlight, choosing instead to live with sincerity, tznius, and quietness.

In recent years, despite enduring harsh yissurim, he accepted everything with love and unwavering emunah. On Rosh Hashanah, as in previous years, he stayed by the Vizhnitz Rebbe, his mechutan and shvogger, where he was accorded great kavod and honored with aliyos and other kibbudim.

Only two weeks ago, on Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, he was still zocheh to participate in the tenaim of his grandson, the son of Rav Menachem Mendel Hager.

In the last days, his condition suddenly deteriorated. After being hospitalized in critical condition, surrounded by his family, he was niftar as they stood at his side.

Rav Yisroel Eliezer leaves behind a distinguished dor of bnei Torah. His rebbetzin survives him, as does his only brother, the Shatz Vizhnitz Rebbe. His sons are Rav Menachem Mendel, a son-in-law of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe; Rav Baruch, a son-in-law of the Kretchnifer Rebbe; Rav Yaakov, a son-in-law of the Pittsburgh Rebbe zt”l and the mashgiach ruchani of Yeshivas Vizhnitz in Ashdod; and Rav Meir Emanuel, Rav of the Ratzfert kehillah in Beit Shemesh. His sons-in-law include Rav Yehuda Aryeh Halberstam, son of the Gorlitzer Rebbe; Rav Yisroel Tzvi Lemberger, son of the Makover Rav of Ashdod; and Rav Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz, son of the Biala-Yashri Lev Rebbe. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The levayah will take place today at 4 PM from the Seret Vizhnitz Beis Medrash in Yerushalayim, proceed to the main Seret Vizhnitz beis medrash in Ramat Vizhnitz, Haifa, and from there continue to the ancient beis hachaim in Tzefas for kevurah.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A major public outcry erupted in Yerushalayim after shocking internal documents were found on municipal servers, containing degrading and racist descriptions of students attending frum girls’ high schools in the city. The Movement for Quality Government sent a sharply worded letter on Thursday to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding immediate disciplinary action against Chaya Mashaan, […]

A new survey shows that 27% of Israelis are considering emigrating, even though most of them believe mass emigration would endanger the state’s future. The findings come after 18 months of war on multiple fronts and at a time when Israel is still recovering from conflict with Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The study, released Sunday […]

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir arrived in the Bedouin town of Lakiya overnight together with a massive police force, as part of an intensified campaign aimed at restoring governance and cracking down on crime across the Negev. Hundreds of Southern District officers, special units, and dozens of patrol vehicles took part in the operation, launched under the government’s “New Order” initiative.

Ben Gvir reached the area between Sunday night and Monday morning to oversee the activity firsthand and to meet with the forces deployed on the ground. He was accompanied by Southern District commander Maj.-Gen. Chaim Bublil, Deputy Police Commissioner Maj.-Gen. Avshi Peled, and additional senior commanders involved in the effort.

As the convoy entered Lakiya, tensions flared when MK Walid Al-Hawashla and the head of the Lakiya Regional Council attempted to create a confrontation. Ben Gvir responded sharply, telling them, “Governance is returning — and we are the ones in charge here.”

Throughout the tour, small-scale clashes broke out in several areas, but police continued the operation as planned. The sweep is part of a broader push to reestablish law and order in Negev communities, an issue the minister has repeatedly placed at the top of his agenda.

Ben Gvir said during the visit, “We will not back down. We are doing what hasn’t been done for 30 years. Those who behave properly — we will be good to them, and those who don’t — will be dealt with harshly. I understand that some residents find this difficult — they’ll have to overcome it. We came to remind everyone who is the boss in the State of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

A man driving a stolen car struck 11 people in Tokyo on Monday, killing one and seriously injuring a woman, Japanese media reported. The driver was arrested after fleeing. Police didn’t immediately comment. Kyodo News reported that a seriously injured man in his 80s was confirmed dead. A woman in her 20s was seriously injured […]

The targeted killing of Hezbollah’s military chief, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, on Sunday surprised not only the terror organization but also officials in Washington, who were not told in advance whom Israel planned to strike, when it would happen, or where the operation would take place. According to a Channel 12 News report, the Trump administration learned the key details only after the mission had already concluded.

U.S. officials had received earlier indications from Israel that the northern front was sliding toward a security escalation due to delays in Hezbollah’s disarmament. Still, while they understood the direction Israel was heading, they had no knowledge of how that would translate into specific military action.

Even so, the lack of advance warning did not dampen Washington’s approval. Senior figures in the Trump administration — described as the most supportive Israel has ever had — openly welcomed the outcome of the strike. One top American official said, “We are pleased with the elimination of Hezbollah’s number two. We think it’s an excellent development. Congratulations. Mabrouk. Mazel tov.”

Officials also noted that in conversations held after the strike between U.S. representatives and the Lebanese government, Beirut did not voice sharp objections and did not ask Washington to pressure Israel in response.

{Matzav.com}

A special peter chamor ceremony drew thousands of participants on Motzaei Shabbos in the Givat HaAntenna community of Bayit Vegan, with leading rabbonim, dayanim, and roshei yeshiva joining the event.

The ceremony, held under the leadership of Rav Shimon Zafrani and Rav Avraham Dayan, was sponsored by Reb Yitzchak Kafif of Brazil. The gathering attracted prominent Torah figures from across Eretz Yisroel and abroad.

Among those in attendance were Rav David Attiya, member of the Bais Din Hagadol and son of Chacham Ezra Attiya zt”l; Rav Nissim Harari of Yeshivas Chida; Rav David Berdugo of the Bais Din Hagadol; Dayan Rav Yisroel Zar; Rav Moshe Vaknin of Orchos Meir; Rav Shalom Pinhasi of Darkei David; Rav Yosef Ades of Maalos Yosef; Rav Avraham Nochum Vig of Torah Ohr; Rav Asher Wiener, mara d’asra of Kiryat Yovel; as well as Rav Eli Mansour, rav in the Syrian community in NY, and Rav Chaim Dishi of Brazil.

The evening opened with remarks from Rav Yosef Shushan, Av Beis Din of Mishpetei HaTorah, who spoke about the significance of the mitzvah. Rav Avraham Dayan then addressed the crowd, elaborating on the halachic foundations and principles of acquisition related to the ceremony.

Rav Zafrani led Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, with the massive crowd responding.

The actual pidyon was then performed by the kohen, Rav Yitzchak Cohen, mara d’asra of the Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood and rosh yeshiva of Torah Vodaas. Before the main ceremony, a special Avos U’Banim learning session took place in the community’s beis medrash, drawing hundreds of fathers and children.

Rav Yosef Niyazoff served as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Photographer Yaakov Cohen captured the scenes from this uplifting gathering:

European officials said Monday they were comforted by the outcome of discussions on U.S. peace proposals for Ukraine that they had viewed as tilted in Russia’s favor, but they didn’t disclose details of the weekend talks and warned of a long road to peace in Ukraine. “The negotiations were a step forward, but there are still major […]

Al Jazeera reported on Monday that the remains of an Israeli hostage were recovered in the northern area of the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. According to the report, the body had been held by the Islamic Jihad terror group. The Hamas or Islamic Jihad terror groups have not issued any official announcements […]

Old Brick Farm, where Larry Doll raises chickens, turkeys and ducks, was fortunate this Thanksgiving season. Doll’s small farm west of Detroit had no cases of bird flu, despite an ongoing outbreak that killed more than 2 million U.S. turkeys in the last three months alone. He also avoided another disease, avian metapneumovirus, which causes turkeys to […]

A 15-year-old boy was rescued on Monday morning from the counterweight of a crane 36 stories high in Jerusalem after being trapped there since midnight. The boy climbed onto a crane located on the roof of a 44-story building. At one point, when he was about 100 meters high, he slipped. He grabbed onto a […]

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The IDF raised its alert level on Israel’s northern border in preparation for possible Hezbollah retaliation for the elimination of top Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabataba’i on Sunday, Army Radio reported on Monday morning. The IDF said it significantly bolstered its air defenses along the border. According to senior military officials, Hezbollah may respond by […]

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At a special event in Yerushalayim on Monday night, Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar delivered an emphatic message about the closeness of the geulah, asserting that the arrival of Moshiach is imminent. His remarks came as he participated in a mezuzah-placement ceremony for the new headquarters of “Banim Atem – Genetics and Halacha,” an organization dedicated to offering halachic and medical support for couples navigating fertility issues.

During his address, Rav Amar stated with certainty, “It is clear and certain, according to all opinions, that we are very close to the coming of Moshiach.” He went on to underscore that this understanding leaves no room for hesitation, emphasizing, “We are in the days of Moshiach. It’s not a question or a matter of doubt.”

Drawing on what he heard from those close to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Amar shared a striking recollection attributed to the late gadol: “I heard from great individuals that he told them: ‘How can you travel abroad? He’s already here!’”

Rav Amar clarified that his message was not meant to be taken as poetic imagery or subtle allusion but as a literal assessment of our times. “These are decisive things. This is not politics or policy, but actual redemption. We are at the height of the birth pangs of Moshiach, and it is very near. It’s as clear as day.”

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping new report warns that Qatar has funneled staggering sums of money into major U.S. universities as part of a decades-long strategy by the Muslim Brotherhood to undermine American democracy from the inside. The investigation, released by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), alleges that the Qatar Foundation — […]

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will move to formally designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization — a decision he said will be executed “in the strongest and most powerful terms.” Speaking to Just the News, Trump confirmed that the process is already underway. “Final documents are being drawn,” he said, adding […]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled that Ankara is weighing whether to contribute troops to the proposed multinational force being assembled for Gaza, according to remarks he delivered on Sunday and cited by Reuters. He said the matter remains under review and that a final stance will be taken only after further conversations with international partners.

Addressing reporters after the G20 gathering in South Africa, Erdogan explained that discussions would shape Turkey’s eventual decision. His government was instrumental in brokering the ceasefire agreement and was one of the signatories at the talks in Egypt, positioning itself as a watchdog over the deal’s implementation.

Turkey has repeatedly expressed eagerness to take part in the stabilization mission. Yet Israel has made clear it will not accept Turkish participation in any post-conflict arrangement in Gaza, a point Israel has reinforced even as Ankara continues to press its case publicly.

Jerusalem’s refusal is rooted in the increasingly hostile rhetoric Erdogan has leveled at Israel since the war began on October 7, 2023. The tension spiked earlier this month when Turkish authorities issued sweeping arrest warrants targeting 37 Israeli officials on accusations of genocide linked to Israel’s operations in Gaza.

Those warrants named senior figures including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Naval Forces Commander David Saar Salama.

At the Sunday press briefing, Erdogan doubled down on his allegation that the campaign in Gaza constitutes “genocide,” insisting once again that Netanyahu bears responsibility.

{Matzav.com}

NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s sweeping pledges of no-cost services are already colliding with fiscal reality, the NY Post reports. A new analysis from the Citizens Budget Commission warns that Mayor Eric Adams’ latest financial blueprint leaves the incoming administration staring at a shortfall that could top $8 billion — and that figure doesn’t even factor in the price tag for any of Mamdani’s proposed giveaways.

On top of that, Washington is widely expected to scale back federal support for the city, adding yet another financial strain that Mamdani will have to address almost immediately.

To plug the projected multibillion-dollar deficit, the next mayor would need to carve out deep reductions from the already-approved budget — a politically explosive task before he even begins to pitch new initiatives.

Even if Albany agrees to both of the sweeping tax increases Mamdani wants — hikes on personal income and corporate levies — and even if the state lets him keep the full $9 billion those taxes might generate instead of spreading them across statewide programs, analysts say the money still wouldn’t cover existing obligations, let alone fund ambitious new policies.

And that’s assuming those taxes actually bring in what supporters promise. Higher levies on wealthy earners and major companies risk driving many of them out of New York — wiping out the very revenue the mayor-elect is banking on.

So the big question hanging in the air: How exactly does Mamdani expect to fund his agenda of complimentary buses, free child care, and expansive housing subsidies?

The numbers are staggering. His transit proposal would cost nearly $1 billion on its own. Universal child care could swallow another $6 billion. Some iterations of his housing vision would require tens of billions — amounts that make the city’s current deficit look minor.

Does Mamdani believe money simply materializes on cue?

Nor is Albany in a position to swoop in with a bailout. Gov. Kathy Hochul may now support ideas she once dismissed — including free buses and certain tax increases — but the state itself is bracing for substantial shortfalls as federal aid drops. New York could lose roughly $8 billion a year from reductions in Medicaid and food stamp funding alone.

Meanwhile, the city’s long-term outlook is worsening. Adams’ plan projects a $12 billion cumulative gap through 2029, but the CBC warns actual expenses are understated by around $4 billion — meaning the true hole could be even deeper.

Unless Mamdani has a hidden supply of miracle cash, the enthusiasm of his supporters is likely to collide quickly with an unforgiving balance sheet.

{Matzav.com}

Israel approved a plan to bring the remaining “Bnei Menashe” community from India to Israel. About 1,200 are expected to arrive by 2026 with a budget of 90 million shekels for immigration, conversion, housing in absorption centers, Hebrew studies, and employment support. A second phase aims to bring 4,600 more by 2030, completing the community’s […]