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}
President Donald Trump on Thursday called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant an immediate pardon to Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, sharply criticizing Herzog and calling him a “disgrace” as he intensified his public support for Netanyahu during the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial.
Herzog’s office responded by emphasizing that any decision regarding a presidential pardon will be made independently and without outside pressure.
Trump made the remarks during a phone interview with Axios as he continued a series of media appearances related to the joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran. During the conversation, he also said he believes he must personally play a role in determining Iran’s next leader and expressed backing for a Kurdish offensive against Iran.
Trump told Axios that Herzog should issue Netanyahu a pardon “today,” explaining that he believes the Israeli prime minister should be able to focus solely on the military campaign against the Iranian regime without being distracted by legal proceedings.
The president said he has raised the matter with Herzog repeatedly over the past year and claimed the Israeli president assured him on five separate occasions that Netanyahu would eventually receive a pardon. Trump added that he is unwilling to meet with Herzog until such a pardon is granted, though there have been no reports that Herzog has attempted to arrange a meeting with him.
Trump further alleged that Herzog has been using the possibility of a pardon as leverage over Netanyahu for roughly a year, despite the fact that Netanyahu only formally requested clemency in November. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in the three corruption cases against him, arguing that he has been framed by the police and state prosecutors.
Trump has publicly advocated for Netanyahu to receive a pardon since June 2025, when Israel and Iran were last engaged in direct conflict. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that Netanyahu ever asked Trump to intervene on his behalf.
Thursday’s comments marked the second time in less than a month that Trump has criticized Herzog on the issue. In February, Trump said Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is currently standing trial on allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Trump also raised the issue when he addressed the Knesset in October, dismissing the significance of gifts Netanyahu allegedly received in one of the cases. “Who cares about cigars and champagne?”
Following Trump’s latest remarks, the President’s Residence issued a statement that praised Trump’s support for Israel while underscoring that Herzog will ultimately make his decision based on legal considerations.
“President Herzog greatly respects and appreciates the tremendous contribution of Donald Trump to Israel’s security. He views him as the leader of the free world, a central ally of Israel, and particularly values his firm stance against Iran,” the statement said.
Herzog’s office also stressed that Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” noting that Netanyahu’s pardon request is currently being reviewed by the Justice Ministry, which will provide a legal recommendation in accordance with Israeli law.
“After the process is completed, the president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the country, and according to his conscience, without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office added.
Netanyahu is currently facing trial in three separate corruption cases. In Case 1000 and Case 2000, he has been charged with fraud and breach of trust, while Case 4000 includes charges of bribery as well as fraud and breach of trust.
{Matzav.com}
Iran has delayed publicly naming a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid concerns that whoever is chosen could become the next target in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
According to Iranian officials, the hesitation stems from fears that identifying the next supreme leader could expose that individual to possible assassination attempts.
Ayatollah Khamenei was eliminated in American and Israeli strikes that also killed several senior military commanders and figures associated with Iran’s defense establishment. Despite those losses, the heads of Iran’s three branches of government—the presidency, judiciary, and parliament—remain alive.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s 56-year-old son, has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace his father. However, concerns about his safety intensified after reports surfaced suggesting he could become the next face of Iran’s leadership.
Iranian officials said that once Mojtaba Khamenei’s name began circulating publicly as the preferred successor, the United States indicated that he would not be considered an acceptable choice and could also be targeted.
President Donald Trump dismissed the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei assuming power.
“They are wasting their time,” Trump told Axios on Thursday, adding that the former Supreme Leader’s son is “a lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice.
“I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela,” Trump said, referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who became interim leader after Washington captured the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro.
Israel also signaled that any future Iranian leader would remain a potential military target. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that whoever is chosen to replace Khamenei would be “an unequivocal target for elimination.”
{Matzav.com}