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Iranian authorities are still holding 10 Jews in prison who were arrested after the war with Israel last month. At least 35 Jews, residents of Tehran and Shiraz, were arrested for questioning about their ties with relatives in Israel following the end of the war. Although 25 were subsequently released, 10 of them remain in prison. International efforts are being made to save them. In a conversation with sources in the Iranian community in the United States, B’Chadrei Chareidim was told, “The detainees are held in harsh conditions, completely cut off from their families. We appeal to Am Yisrael—daven for them. Recite Tehillim. Mention them in your tefillos. Only through the zehcus of Rachamei Shamayim will they be able to return to their homes.” Meanwhile, the cycle of Jewish life in Iran continues. On Monday, the Chief Rabbi of Tehran, Rav Yehudah Gerami, served as the mohel at a bris in Tehran: (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

A stabbing attack occurred overnight Wednesday in the Jenin area when a terrorist stabbed a soldier who entered with a large force for a military operation. “During an operational activity of an IDF force in the village of Rummanah in the Menashe Brigade, a terrorist stabbed an IDF soldier and moderately wounded him,” the IDF spokesperson stated on Wednesday morning. “The terrorist was neutralized by the forces. The soldier was evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital, and his family was informed.” “Security forces will continue to work to thwart terrorism in Yehudah and Shomron and bring the terrorists to justice in order to maintain the security of the residents of the sector and the citizens of the State of Israel.” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Shas leader Aryeh Deri responded on Wednesday to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara’s stance during deliberations in the High Court of Justice regarding the proposed draft law and the government’s intention to impose stricter penalties on chareidi yeshiva students who do not enlist in the IDF.

Deri’s comments triggered a heated confrontation with opposition head Yair Lapid, after Deri launched a fierce criticism of the attorney general’s approach.

“The draconian directives issued today by the attorney-general against Torah scholars in the Jewish state are a disgrace and a loss of composure,” he said. “The use of extreme measures, treating yeshiva students as if they were criminals, should shock every Jew who loves and respects the Torah. We will not allow any authority to interfere with a yeshiva student’s dedication to Torah study.”

Lapid did not hold back in his response, pushing back against Deri’s attack on the attorney general and accusing him of avoiding his own responsibilities.

“Minister Deri, instead of attacking the attorney-general who is merely upholding the law, your duty is to tell the yeshiva students: ‘Israel is fighting for its existence; there is no choice but for you to enlist alongside your brothers on the battlefield.’ Anyone who sits in the cabinet and sends soldiers to die in Gaza has no moral right to encourage draft evasion,” Lapid countered.

The Shas party issued a rebuttal to Lapid’s remarks, calling out inaccuracies in his statement and defending Deri’s role.

“Mr. Opposition Leader, you are disconnected. Rabbi Deri is not a minister and not a cabinet member. He participates as a guest in select forums due to his judgment as a responsible figure. He does not ‘send soldiers to their deaths,’ as you offensively phrased it, but contributes to Israel’s security and saves lives, as he did during the operation in Iran and other security events, as attested by security officials.”

The party’s statement went on to rebuke Lapid for misrepresenting Torah students and their role in national life.

“It is time you internalized,” the Shas statement read. “Torah students are not draft dodgers—they are the foundation of our existence, as we saw in the miracles during the Iranian missile attack. They make a decisive contribution to Israel’s security. The real draft dodgers are in the areas you represent—in Tel Aviv, where enlistment rates are low. Enough with the shirking.”

Lapid, in turn, condemned the Shas statement and accused the party of desecrating the memory of IDF soldiers who gave their lives.

“Since the start of the war, 29 fallen soldiers have come from Tel Aviv,” Lapid fired back. “This statement by Shas is a disgrace to the memory of IDF soldiers. Not only do they promote draft evasion and refusal, but now they are also dishonoring the memory of our heroes. I expect Aryeh Deri to apologize for Shas’s shameful statement.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a piercing address following the end of the conflict with Iran, Slabodka rosh yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch offered powerful reflections on the events of recent weeks. While expressing profound gratitude for the miraculous salvation experienced by Klal Yisroel, Rav Hirsch warned that we must not overlook the underlying message: that we were struck with a punishment—a makah b’alma—and that our responsibility now is to correct the sin that led to it.

“There were two distinct elements here,” Rav Hirsch began. “There was the blow and the salvation. And while we must express boundless hakaras hatov for the salvation, we are not absolved of the obligation to respond to the punishment—unless we do teshuvah.”

According to the rosh yeshiva, although the physical damage from the war was largely prevented by Divine mercy, the nation was not spared from intense emotional distress. “The fear, the uncertainty, the anxiety that people felt as they lay down to sleep not knowing what the morning would bring—that was the punishment,” he said. “Hashem could have brought the same salvation without instilling that fear in our hearts. But He chose not to. That fear was a message. It was a punishment from Shamayim.”

Drawing a parallel to malkos given by beis din, Rav Hirsch explained that just as lashes require not only physical endurance but also teshuvah, viduy, charatah, and kabbalah al ha’asid, so too here, we must search for the cause and rectify it.

And what was that cause? Rav Hirsch left no room for ambiguity. “What was the sin that brought about this fear? Bitul Torah! It is clear. The sin of neglecting Torah learning is what brought this upon us. And therefore, the teshuvah must directly address that.”

To that end, Rav Hirsch issued a clear and urgent directive to bnei Torah: to commit, with full force, to increasing their diligence in learning as both an expression of gratitude and as tikun. “There are five weeks left until the end of the zman. Every bochur must accept upon himself to learn at least ten hours a day.”

He stressed that this is not a suggestion. “Mechuyav! Absolutely obligatory!” he exclaimed. “Just as it was in Elul. And if someone feels he truly cannot manage ten hours, then bedieved, let him commit to nine. But lechatchilah, it must be ten. And whoever can do more—kol hamosif harei zeh meshubach.”

As for Fridays and Shabbos, the rosh yeshiva directed that there be at least eight hours of Torah learning, focused primarily on Gemara.

Rav Hirsch concluded with words of chizuk and encouragement: “May Hashem accept this teshuvah, forgive the sin that was committed, and draw us closer to Him. That closeness will bring with it brachah, hatzlachah, and siyata diShmaya in all areas of life.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to outline the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the military enlistment of yeshiva students. Attendees included top figures from the IDF, the Justice Ministry, the Treasury, and national security sectors.

Data shared at the session revealed that, according to IDF records, 1,721 soldiers from the chareidi community were drafted between June 2024 and July 2025, marking the beginning of the current conscription year.

Officials used the meeting to present an extensive roadmap for the 2025 recruitment cycle, designed to increase the draft rate and boost compliance through tougher enforcement measures. These include the following initiatives:

• Draft Summonses – The army reported that approximately 54,000 induction notices are to be distributed by the end of July to all eligible candidates up to the age of 16.5. Additionally, men with existing deferments will now be summoned to appear for enlistment procedures.

• Tighter Enforcement – Beginning next month, the military will accelerate its tracking and prosecution of draft dodgers. The time span between a missed enlistment date and the issuance of an arrest warrant will be shortened—from the current two months to around six weeks, with a further goal of compressing it to four months from the initial notice.

• Border Control Crackdowns – Military authorities outlined plans for increased scrutiny at border crossings in conjunction with the Population Authority, Israel Police, and immigration officials. Anyone identified as a draft dodger at the border will be taken into custody for enlistment.

• Active Search and Intelligence Campaigns – Military police units will conduct regular raids and set up roadblocks in areas with high rates of draft evasion. The army pledged to carry out more targeted arrests, using updated intelligence to locate and detain those avoiding service.

The IDF also announced that throughout September, those who are currently evading enlistment will be given one final chance to voluntarily report for duty. Those who do so will begin their service immediately, and only afterward will the possibility of legal action or criminal prosecution be considered. Officials noted that expansion of military detention infrastructure is being explored to accommodate the expected surge in enforcement.

During the meeting, the need to broaden enforcement methods was stressed, including the revocation of state benefits for those refusing to serve. Treasury officials were urged to collaborate in this effort, and participants emphasized the importance of moving ahead with supporting legislation.

Attorney General Baharav-Miara expressed support for the army’s proposed plan and affirmed the necessity of ongoing monitoring. She called for a follow-up session in which updated enforcement statistics, detention logistics, and unresolved issues within the Education Ministry would be reviewed.

It was also decided that a comprehensive affidavit will be submitted to the Supreme Court, detailing all relevant data, current enforcement procedures, and guidelines for arresting draft evaders at Israel’s border crossings.

In reaction to the developments, UTJ chairman MK Moshe Gafni declared, “Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has declared herself the chief warrior against the world of Torah, Torah learners, and the Jewish people. We will not allow even one yeshiva student to be prevented from studying Torah and ending his studies. The Jewish people are taught by the trials of history, both near and far, that tried to prevent the study of Torah. We know what happened to them.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A major rift is widening between the chareidi parties and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the issue of yeshiva student enlistment, as political tensions rise amid new enforcement threats from the IDF. According to a Hebrew report on Kan News, top chareidi leaders tried to reach the prime minister—currently abroad in the U.S.—in protest of a directive from the army to ramp up draft enforcement, but Netanyahu did not take their calls. Instead, his aides relayed a message: “I’m pushing on this. I’ll deal with it upon my return.”

Meanwhile, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein has introduced yet another delay in the legislative process surrounding the draft law. A report by journalist Dafna Liel revealed that Edelstein is considering presenting the draft law to the IDF for review before formally submitting it to the committee—a move that could open the door to further changes and postpone the bill’s progression beyond the current Knesset summer session.

Edelstein, citing a severe case of the flu, postponed this week’s planned committee discussion. As a result, time is running out to pass the legislation before the Knesset recess.

In response to the delay, the chareidi parties—Shas and United Torah Judaism—have escalated their protest by intensifying their voting boycott in the Knesset, including against coalition-sponsored bills. A meeting between Edelstein and MK Ariel Attias reportedly ended in tension, with chareidi representatives accusing Edelstein of reneging on agreements made in the aftermath of the Iranian attack, when the draft bill was postponed.

MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, slammed the government’s handling of the crisis: “The persecution of Torah learners continues because the government is failing to uphold its coalition agreements. We demand that the prime minister immediately regularize the status of yeshiva students.”

Senior chareidi officials also criticized Edelstein’s dealings with the committee’s legal advisor. “He said the law’s language was finalized—and now it’s stuck. It’s a joke. They tried to distract us with the batei din bill—we didn’t fall for it,” one said.

On the other side, Likud MK Dan Illouz accused the chareidim of extortion: “This is political blackmail. They escalated the boycott precisely when Netanyahu left for a historic diplomatic mission.” Illouz urged Edelstein, “Don’t move forward with any legislation while the boycott continues. Let them work with the laws that already exist.”

Earlier today, Minister of Yerushalayim Affairs and Jewish Tradition Meir Porush took to the Knesset podium to lambast Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for authorizing what he called a “bizarre enforcement campaign” by the IDF against the Olam HaTorah.

Porush said, “If we look back—even before the State was founded—when the United Nations debated the establishment of a Jewish state, the voice of the religious public was represented by Agudas Yisroel. There wasn’t a consensus. There were disagreements. We didn’t then, and we don’t now, view it as a redemption or a solution to all problems. But our gedolim made one thing clear: We wouldn’t oppose the state as long as we could maintain our way of life—Torah, education, identity. The status quo.”

He continued, “We didn’t say that out of naiveté. We knew the government wouldn’t always be on our side. But we had the Knesset, elections, opposition, and a voice. A system with checks and balances. What do we have now? Who’s even asking us? Who’s asking Bibi? Is there still balance? Or is the country run by one person—by the attorney general?”

Porush’s voice rose in anger as he declared, “If back then we had been told that the day would come when Torah could no longer be learned in Eretz Yisroel, and yeshiva bochurim would be arrested for learning—just because that’s what the attorney general wants—I believe Agudas Yisroel would have said: we don’t want a Jewish state.”

He warned, “Anyone who thinks they can twist the arm of the chareidi community and say: go register, go enlist, change your path—they are terribly mistaken.”

In a blistering conclusion, Porush said, “This attorney general will be remembered for disgrace—for forcing the IDF to cross red lines and take steps that will irreparably tear apart our connection to the chareidi public. This crisis won’t be solved by court orders or decrees. It needs the spirit of Yitzchak Navon: listening, understanding, sensitivity, and caution.”

He ended with a powerful message: “With all due respect to the heritage center, if Yitzchak Navon were here today, he would say—Let us live together. Let Torah continue. Let bochurim learn. Respect the old agreements. Don’t drag this country into a crisis from which no one knows how we’ll emerge.”

Chareidi party leaders Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah) and Aryeh Deri (Shas) echoed that fury.

Gafni said, “Baharav-Miara has declared herself the chief enemy of the Olam HaTorah, of Torah learners, of those who uphold the Jewish people. We won’t allow even a single bochur to be stopped from learning. History has shown time and again what happens to those who tried to halt Torah study.”

Deri was no less forceful: “The draconian guidelines published by the attorney general against Torah learners in the Jewish state are a disgrace and a sign of governmental collapse. Treating bnei yeshiva like criminals should shock every Jew who loves and honors the Torah. We won’t allow anyone to interfere with a ben yeshiva’s right to immerse himself in Torah.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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An unusual and high-profile visit took place today in the Givat Slabodka neighborhood of Bnei Brak, drawing attention from passersby. The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak, Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, arrived with a small group of close associates to the home of the rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. The purpose of the visit quickly became clear: to express heartfelt appreciation for Rav Hirsch’s unwavering support for the founding of the new Shiur Alef program at Yeshivas Or HaTalmud.

The initiative to launch a new Shiur Alef at the yeshiva, under the leadership of Rav Ben Shimon, has seen remarkable success, with enthusiastic registration and strong communal backing. In light of this, Rav Ben Shimon, joined by his sons and leading yeshiva figures—Rav David Mizrachi, Rav Yosef Chaim Suissa, and Rav Shalom Sha’ar—went personally to thank Rav Hirsch for his vital encouragement and to receive his brachah for the upcoming zman.

Rav Hirsch welcomed the visitors with great honor and engaged in a meaningful Torah discussion with the Chief Rabbi, showing keen interest in the structure and curriculum of the yeshiva’s new program.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Rav Hirsch offered his warm brachos and shared his joy upon hearing about the yeshiva’s early success. “I’ve heard about the overwhelming response and how many are eager to gain entry,” he said. “Vechafetz Hashem beyadchem yatzliach—may the will of Hashem continue to bring success to your efforts.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A new poll released by political consulting firm Slingshot Strategies paints a grim picture for Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection prospects, with support for the incumbent barely cracking into double digits as voters look elsewhere in a crowded general election field. According to the survey, Democratic nominee Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani holds a commanding lead with 35% of the vote, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 25%. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa trails in third with 14%, while Adams sits in a distant fourth place with just 11%. “Mamdani’s lead is far from a majority, but it’s clear the momentum is his,” said Evan Roth Smith, founding partner at Slingshot. “The problem is the ballot is already set. And the most viable Mamdani alternative in this poll — Andrew Cuomo — just lost to him in the Democratic primary by nearly 125,000 votes.” Despite recent attempts by both Cuomo and Adams to position themselves as the strongest challenge to Mamdani, Smith noted that their efforts may be too little, too late. “Eric Adams appears to have lost credibility across the board. Even though he has some name recognition, polling barely in the double digits makes a comeback nearly impossible.” Sliwa, for his part, has focused on courting moderate and disillusioned voters, telling the New York Post that attempts by Adams and Cuomo to undercut Mamdani are alienating rather than persuading the Assemblyman’s supporters. He said he hopes to tap into the “anger and hope” fueling Mamdani’s rise. The poll reveals deep skepticism toward Mamdani among older white homeowners in the outer boroughs — a group that traditionally leans moderate — but also shows that neither Adams nor Cuomo has consolidated support among them. “You’ve got a sizable bloc of outer-borough, mostly white homeowners who don’t support Mamdani,” Smith explained. “But rallying them behind either Cuomo or Adams is still a tall order, especially since both are staying in the race and dividing that vote.” While Mamdani’s support remains strong overall, the poll highlights key demographic weaknesses. Voters between the ages of 45 and 64, men, and non-college-educated New Yorkers were the least likely to support the 33-year-old Queens progressive. Adams, meanwhile, has seen his base erode. Only 16% of Black voters — once a reliable source of support — say they would back him in a general election. Surprisingly, Adams’ strongest support now comes from Republicans, with 26% of GOP respondents expressing a preference for the Democrat. “There’s simply not enough Republican support to carry a sitting Democratic mayor to victory in a city like New York,” said Smith. “When you’re polling at 11% and the ballot is locked in, it’s hard to see a path forward.” Adams’ campaign brushed off the poll. Spokesperson Todd Shapiro dismissed the results as unreliable, citing Cuomo’s strong early polling ahead of the primary — a race he ultimately lost by a wide margin. “The latest Slingshot poll is just another example of how out-of-touch and unreliable political polling has become,” Shapiro said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

In an emotional moment at Yeshivas Chevron in Givat Mordechai, senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch delivered a powerful address to the thousands of bochurim gathered in the beis medrash, marking the yahrtzeit of the yeshiva’s rosh yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Moshe Chevroni zt”l, author of Massas Moshe.

But the highlight of the evening came when Rav Sternbuch revealed that he had come not only to inspire, but to finally fulfill a mission he had received seventy years earlier from the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon Rokeach.

Upon his arrival at the yeshiva, Rav Sternbuch was warmly welcomed by the roshei yeshiva, Rav Moshe Mordechai Farbstein, Rav Dovid Cohen, and Rav Yosef Chevroni, who expressed deep gratitude for his visit and the chizuk he was about to offer.

In his remarks, Rav Sternbuch spoke about the essence of a ben yeshiva, quoting Rav Chaim of Volozhin who insisted on referring to his talmidim not merely as talmidei hayeshiva, but as bnei yeshiva—because the yeshiva doesn’t just teach Torah, it shapes one’s very identity in Torah, yiras Shamayim, and refined middos.

But then, toward the end of the shmuess, Rav Sternbuch stunned the bochurim with a personal story and a sacred mission he had been holding onto for decades.

“I am about to conclude,” he said, “but first I must fulfill a shlichus that the holy Belzer Rebbe, Rav Aharon zt”l, entrusted to me nearly seventy years ago.

“I’ll tell you what happened. During the years I was learning in Yeshivas Chevron, I had the zechus to enter the presence of the Rebbe of Belz. He asked me where I was learning, and I told him, ‘In Chevron.’ He then asked me to deliver a message to the bnei hayeshiva: When learning a masechta, one must complete it—from beginning to end, without skipping a single daf.

“He explained that for every masechta a person learns in this world, he builds a corresponding house for himself in the World of Truth. If someone learns a masechta but doesn’t finish it, then his future home will be lacking—missing a window, or a door. It will be a blemished structure, and this deficiency will be a source of eternal shame, chas v’shalom. Only by finishing the masechta can one ensure that his home will be complete and beautiful. Therefore, he said, one must hurry to finish what he begins.”

With visible emotion, Rav Sternbuch continued, “Today, I am finally fulfilling that shlichus—encouraging you, the bnei hayeshiva, to complete your masechtos. One who wants to grow in Torah will find the time to learn both in depth and in breadth. Don’t waste a moment. Learn diligently, complete your masechtos, and may you all be zocheh to brachah, hatzlachah, and nachas.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A terrifying incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon in Monsey, as a young child riding his bike was struck by a truck — leaving his bike partially crushed beneath the vehicle. Hatzoloh EMS and Ramapo Police swiftly responded to the scene, where onlookers feared the worst. The mangled remains of the boy’s bicycle were pinned under the truck, painting a chilling picture of what could have been a tragedy. But in what witnesses are calling an open neis, the child miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. He was transported by Hatzoloh EMS to Nyack Hospital for evaluation and is expected to make a full recovery. The shocking incident left neighbors visibly shaken, many attributing the boy’s survival to clear Divine protection. The Ramapo Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED ON THE MONSEY SCOOP CLICK HERE SIGN UP TO THE MONSEY SCOOP WHATSAPP STATUS TO BE INFORMED OF MONSEY NEWS IN LIVE TIME (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

El Al announced it will significantly expand its U.S. flight schedule starting this October, adding more direct routes in what the airline called a response to “growing demand” from the business sector and Jewish and Israeli communities across America. Beginning in late October, El Al will operate 42 direct flights per week to four major American cities: 27 weekly flights to and from New York, six to and from Florida, six to and from Los Angeles, and three to and from Boston. The expansion marks one of El Al’s most ambitious U.S. schedules in years. While El Al did not immediately clarify whether its Florida-bound flights would serve Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the airline previously announced plans to phase out its Fort Lauderdale route by April 2026 and consolidate Florida operations in Miami. One flight is expected to shift to Miami as early as October. El Al’s announcement comes amid a sharp rise in the airline’s profits during the ongoing war with Hamas, as many foreign carriers scaled back or suspended service to Tel Aviv. While the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not issued warnings against flying to Israel, safety concerns have kept many international airlines on pause. El Al has been the only airline to maintain continuous service to Israel throughout the conflict, with the exception of the 12-day war with Iran in June, when Israel briefly closed its airspace. “Our expanded U.S. schedule, alongside strategic partnerships with Delta and other carriers, will give our passengers seamless access to and from a wide range of American cities,” El Al said in a statement. The announcement also comes as U.S. and European carriers begin to trickle back into Israeli skies. On Tuesday, United Airlines said it would resume daily nonstop flights from its Newark hub to Tel Aviv starting July 21 — becoming the first U.S. airline to restore service since the April escalation with Iran. By July 22, United plans to increase that to two daily flights. Delta Air Lines is scheduled to resume flights from New York to Tel Aviv on September 1 but may move up its timeline in response to United’s early return. American Airlines, meanwhile, has yet to announce a resumption of service to Israel and has not flown to the country in nearly two years. In Europe, Air France became the first major carrier to return to Israel, resuming service on Monday. Spain’s Air Europa is expected to follow suit on July 15, while Lufthansa is set to resume operations on August 1. The European Aviation Authority on Monday lifted its advisory against flying to Israel, a move Israeli officials say could help accelerate the broader return of European airlines this fall. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Self-driving taxis may soon take over New York’s streets, signaling a dramatic shift that could phase out the city’s legendary yellow cabs.

Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing company backed by Google’s parent firm Alphabet, rolled its high-tech vehicles into New York City this week—not yet offering rides, but beginning street-mapping missions. For now, a human remains behind the wheel as the company awaits a legislative green light for fully autonomous operations.

“We’re on the move in the Big Apple,” the company announced Monday night on X. “We’ve begun testing in New York – be sure to give us a wave and snap a pic if you see us in the city.”

Last month, Waymo filed a formal application with the Department of Transportation to begin testing, which includes a stipulation that a human safety operator must remain present during all operations, per state regulations.

“We are working hard to bring Waymo to New Yorkers in the future, starting with this testing and advocating for changes to state law,” a DOT spokesperson said.

Two proposed bills introduced in Albany back in January aim to lift the legal restrictions on fully driverless vehicles. Both measures, however, remain stalled in committee, leaving the future of autonomous travel in New York uncertain for now.

If the legislation eventually passes, it would mark the city’s first official autonomous vehicle testing program. For now, though, Waymo says its cars won’t be ferrying passengers as they collect data.

“The data to date shows that Waymo outperforms human drivers, significantly reducing the frequency of injury-causing traffic collisions,” a company representative said. According to Waymo, its trips lead to 78% fewer injury-related crashes, including a 93% drop in incidents involving pedestrians and 81% fewer accidents with cyclists compared to traditional rideshare services.

The looming presence of robotaxis also casts a shadow over the livelihoods of thousands of local drivers.

“What’s the plan for potential joblessness of over 200,000 New Yorkers and the plan to keep one million riders a day safe?” Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the NY Taxi Workers Alliance, said in an interview with Fox 5 before the testing kicked off.

This summer, Waymo’s electric fleet—armed with artificial intelligence and self-navigation systems—will comb the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn to build out its internal mapping system. Neighborhoods included in the mission are Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, and Boerum Hill.

The company also plans to chart areas of New Jersey, specifically Jersey City and Hoboken, as part of its broader rollout across the metro region.

Waymo first explored Manhattan roads back in 2021, though that effort focused mainly on gathering weather-related insights. Now, the Waymo Driver software will log data on everything from jaywalkers and horse-drawn carriages to bike lanes, cab traffic, and road work.

“We have every intention of bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city in the future,” Waymo said in a statement.

Currently, Waymo runs around 250,000 fully autonomous rides weekly across five cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. The company has announced plans to debut its services in Miami later this year, with Washington D.C. targeted for a 2026 launch.

{Matzav.com}

A newly published psak by HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein is stirring discussion across the olam hatorah, particularly among bochurim accustomed to Thursday-night cholent. In a teshuva released this week in Divrei Chemed, the world-renowned posek sharply criticizes the growing trend of eating Shabbos-specific dishes — such as cholent — during the week, warning that it dilutes the kedusha of Shabbos. The question posed to the Rav came from concerned bnei yeshiva, who described the now-common scene of Thursday-night cholent gatherings. These events often include large pots of cholent prepared not for kavod Shabbos, but simply for enjoyment — with some yeshiva bochurim partaking as early as Thursday afternoon. Rav Zilberstein responded by drawing on a broad array of mareh mekomos, including Midrash Tanchuma, Tikkunei Zohar, Ramban, Radak, and others, to underscore the importance of preserving the uniqueness of Shabbos seudos. “If one should refrain from eating fish on Friday night to preserve its enjoyment for Shabbos day, as the Yam Shel Shlomo writes,” he noted, “then how much more so should one avoid weekday indulgence in foods traditionally reserved for Shabbos.” Rav Zilberstein cited additional examples: The Arizal’s practice of never preparing Shabbos dishes during the week, the Baal Shem Tov’s comment to a child eating onions and eggs that “this is a food Jews eat only on Shabbos,” and the Chasam Sofer’s refusal to eat cinnamon-flavored dishes on weekdays, declaring them exclusively for Shabbos. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The proposal to spread yeshiva tuition payments over 50 years is simple and compelling: instead of cramming 15 years of heavy tuition payments into the most financially stressful stage of life, why not spread them out evenly over half a century? After all, we pay property taxes for public school our entire adult lives—whether or not we have kids in school—so why not apply the same logic to yeshiva tuition? But let’s take a step back and think this through. The person who came up with this plan is likely in the thick of tuition-paying years, probably with a brood of young children and an inbox full of monthly statements. Understandably, this parent sees a mountain of bills and wonders how they’ll possibly make it through. The solution, in theory, is to break the mountain into manageable hills—extend the payments into the distant future, past the seminary years, past the weddings, past the kollel support. Maybe even into retirement. That’s where the theory starts to fall apart. The truth is, life is built in financial stages, and each one brings its own challenges. Tuition may feel crushing now, but once your children get older, you’re not off the hook. Seminary, college, support for married children, wedding expenses — these aren’t optional. They’re the next wave of financial responsibility. If you’re still paying off nursery and kindergarten when your son is ready to marry, what are you supposed to do? Take out another loan? Sell your house? And then there’s retirement. At some point, people stop earning. They live on savings, social security, and hopefully some investment income. Can we really expect a 70-year-old grandparent to still be paying off tuition bills for a child who’s already a parent himself? Even if a family could theoretically budget for decades of payments, life doesn’t follow predictable financial trajectories. People lose jobs. Health crises arise. Divorces happen. Income dries up. The last thing anyone needs in those moments is a contract obligating them to keep paying off a tuition bond signed 30 years ago. That’s not to say we don’t need bold thinking about tuition. We do. Desperately. Creative solutions, such as expanding communal scholarship funds, endowment-based tuition subsidies, or even realigning our educational models to operate more efficiently—these are all ideas worth exploring. And yes, the new federal tax credit for private school scholarships is a game-changer, but it won’t eliminate tuition altogether. The frustration fueling this “50-year bond” idea is real and valid. But we need to solve the tuition crisis in a way that reflects the actual financial rhythms of a frum family — not just the pain of today’s bills. Mortgaging our future isn’t the answer. Let’s focus on sustainable, communal solutions that don’t push the problem into the next generation — or into our own retirement. Because the only thing worse than struggling to pay tuition now is still paying for it when you’re walking grandchildren to cheder. Signed, A Realistic Bubby The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

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In a highly unusual and disturbing incident, a two-week-old Israeli infant was abducted from the neonatal unit of Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Yerushalayim and later found abandoned in a hotel in Yericho, within Palestinian Authority territory.

According to details released by authorities, the baby’s mother, an Israeli Jewish woman, removed her child from the hospital’s neonatal ward and traveled with him to Yericho. Upon arrival, she checked into a local hotel, where she left the infant alone in one of the rooms before fleeing.

Israeli security officials immediately alerted their counterparts in the Palestinian Authority. In coordination with Israeli authorities, Palestinian security forces launched a search operation and successfully located the child in one of the hotel rooms.

The infant was handed over to the Israeli Civil Administration around 2:00 a.m., bringing the tense ordeal to a safe conclusion. The child was returned to Israel in stable condition.

The mother was subsequently arrested and is being interrogated by Israeli police.

{Matzav.com Israel}

After a recent psak halacha suggesting that cholent should ideally be reserved for Shabbos, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein has now clarified that there is no prohibition against serving the dish during the week in yeshivos or at simchos. He emphasized that his earlier statement was intended as guidance for enhancing Shabbos, not as a sweeping ban.

The clarification was published by Rav Zilberstein’s grandson, Rav Chaim Malin, who noted that “in response to many inquiries” following the widely circulated ruling on Matzav.com. Rav Zilberstein wanted to make clear that it is certainly permissible for yeshiva students to enjoy cholent during the week.

Following the original psak, numerous questions were raised regarding whether it would be appropriate to serve cholent at family celebrations like weddings and bar mitzvahs. Rav Zilberstein responded unequivocally: meals that are considered seudos mitzvah—where it is customary to serve cholent—may certainly include the dish.

One particular question involved yeshivos ketanos (mesivtos) that traditionally serve cholent on Thursday nights. Rav Zilberstein stated firmly, “Of course they should eat and be satisfied,” adding that bochurim are expected to rely on their roshei yeshiva in all matters. “If the yeshiva serves cholent as part of the weekday dinner menu, there is certainly no reason not to eat it,” he said.

The grandson further explained that the initial statement was a response to a private query from several avreichim and yeshiva bochurim who felt it may not be respectful to eat cholent during the week. Rav Zilberstein referenced several halachic sources suggesting that keeping certain foods special for Shabbos enhances the honor and pleasure of the day. However, he made it clear that in the context of yeshiva life and joyous occasions, there is no issue with enjoying cholent during the week as well.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Yaakov Fruchter z”l, the longtime editor of Olomeinu magazine and a devoted member of the Torah Umesorah team, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, warmth, and unwavering dedication to chinuch.

For decades, Rabbi Fruchter resided in Kensington, Brooklyn, where his presence was a fixture of the neighborhood’s Torah atmosphere. In recent years, he moved to Lakewood.

Rabbi Fruchter played a pivotal role in shaping Olomeinu, the beloved children’s magazine that captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of Torah-observant youth. As editor, writer, and visionary, he helped elevate the publication into a foundational chinuch tool for classrooms and homes alike.

In a heartfelt statement, Torah Umesorah paid tribute to his lifelong contributions: “B’lev u’nefesh, he poured his time, talent, and energy into transforming Olomeinu into a b’chinuch staple, inspiring generations of children. Through his authorship, editorial leadership, and unwavering dedication, he expanded Torah Umesorah Publications to provide schools across the globe with impactful chinuch resources.”

Rabbi Fruchter’s gentle pen, principled voice, and tireless efforts in the world of Torah education will continue to inspire for years to come.

The levayah will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel in Lakewood, followed by kevurah at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.

The family is sitting shivah at 609 West Kennedy Boulevard in Lakewood.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}