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In an interview on Kol Chai’s main radio broadcast, Mishpacha editor Aryeh Ehrlich sharply criticized the handling of this year’s Meron framework, calling it a collapse of leadership and a retreat by authorities. He argued that the near-total cancellation of access to the mountain—limiting participation to just 200 people—amounted to an abdication of responsibility, masking the state’s inability to enforce control and maintain sovereignty at the site.

Despite police efforts to project an image of calm, Ehrlich described troubling accounts of police violence directed at those attempting to reach Meron through alternate routes and access roads. He pointed in particular to a disturbing incident in which an officer was filmed violently choking an older, respected man, Yeshayahu Gotfarb, saying it reflects a degrading attitude toward the chareidi public.

“Chareidi blood is not hefker,” Ehrlich declared, comparing the shutdown at Meron to large-scale sporting events in the north that have continued under similar security threats. In his view, the state should have implemented a structured “capsule” system to allow for safe and controlled access, rather than leaving tens of thousands to attempt reaching the site on their own under risky conditions.

Amid what he described as organizational chaos, a significant bright spot emerged in Yerushalayim, where a massive gathering took place led by the mashpia Rav Meilech Biderman. The event drew approximately 70,000 participants and was carefully organized by Minister Meir Porush and his team to provide a spiritual alternative, discouraging large crowds from attempting to reach Meron under dangerous conditions. Ehrlich praised the initiative as an important lesson learned, noting that dispersing the crowds to multiple locations is essential given the rapid growth of the chareidi population, which no longer allows for hundreds of thousands to be safely concentrated in one place at one time.

The conversation then shifted to the political landscape. Ehrlich argued that the early alliance between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid proved to be a strategic misstep that weakened their standing in the polls, while Gadi Eisenkot has been acting with greater political discipline. He said Bennett has been accused of “intoxication with power” and of issuing threats toward senior police officials even before being elected, while Eisenkot has managed to position himself as a more consistent and credible governing alternative. Ehrlich added that the Bennett-Lapid partnership also contributed to the weakening of Benny Gantz’s party, which is paying a political price for its emphasis on statesmanship.

{Matzav.com}

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a new federal effort aimed at reducing reliance on psychiatric medications, introducing the initiative during a Make America Healthy Again Institute summit focused on mental health and concerns about overmedicalization.

“Today, we take clear and decisive action to confront our nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the overuse of psychiatric medications —especially among children,” Kennedy said.

He added, “We will support patient autonomy, require informed consent and shared decision-making, and shift the standard of care toward prevention, transparency and a more holistic approach to mental health.”

As part of the plan, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will compile and release a report analyzing prescribing patterns across the country.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter issued Monday, senior officials at the Department of Health and Human Services stressed that psychiatric medications “should not be understood as the only treatment option.”

Kennedy has previously been outspoken in his criticism of psychiatric drugs, at times suggesting that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may be linked to school shootings. He has also claimed that such medications are more addictive than heroin, despite evidence contradicting that assertion. Kennedy has publicly spoken about his own past addiction to heroin.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 16.5 percent of adults in 2020 were taking psychiatric medications to manage their mental health.

The American Psychiatric Association, which represents more than 40,000 professionals in psychiatric care and research, responded Monday by expressing cautious support for aspects of the initiative while objecting to its framing.

“We are supportive of the Administration’s plans for further investment in research and clinician training on the issues of prescribing and deprescribing,” the organization said in a statement.

“That being said, while APA supports efforts to improve the quality, safety, and evidence base of mental health treatment, we strongly object to framing the nation’s mental health crisis as primarily a problem of ‘overmedicalization’ or ‘overprescribing,’” the APA added. “Deprescribing alone is not a sufficient response to this crisis.”

{Matzav.com}

The Lag BaOmer hilulah of the Tanna Eloki Rashbi in Meron took place this year under extreme conditions, as winter-like weather and continuous rain accompanied the limited number of participants who were permitted to ascend the mountain. Police spokesman for the chareidi sector, Shabtai Gerberchik, spoke with Betzalel Kahn on the main broadcast of Kol Chai, explaining that despite the widespread impression that the hilulah had been canceled, small-scale events did take place under strict Home Front Command directives.

Gerberchik noted that inside the tziyun, stewards were assigned to maintain order, while police focused primarily on the outer perimeter and ensuring the safe management of crowd movement.

Road closures became a central issue during the interview, with Gerberchik stressing that access was legally restricted to local residents and those renting accommodations in the area. Despite repeated explanations, many attempted to bypass the checkpoints. “There are people who try to reach the site… and we must make it clear to them that the law limits entry.” He rejected calls to reopen the roads due to the reduced crowds, emphasizing that police are bound by Home Front Command orders, which remain in effect until Thursday at 8:00 p.m.

Addressing reports of confrontations on the roads, Gerberchik said that calm was maintained within the village of Meron itself, but clashes occurred outside the area as individuals attempted to force their way up the mountain. He urged people not to endanger themselves, stating, “This way of thinking puts them at risk… the decision to close Meron is a very painful one, painful for everyone.” He added on a personal note that it is far easier for police to manage an open event with large crowds than to enforce restrictions and limit access, but the security situation required it.

Despite the reduced scale and harsh weather, this year’s hilulah once again demonstrated the deep longing of Klal Yisroel for Rashbi. Even with roadblocks and heavy rain, efforts to reach the site continued until the last moment, requiring ongoing police action to remove people and transport them back to their points of origin by bus. Gerberchik also mentioned that officers were called upon to handle internal disputes that arose over signage associated with various chassidishe courts.

{Matzav.com}

A 72-year-old Yid from Moshav Azrieli experienced an extraordinary turnaround after being diagnosed with severe pre-Alzheimer’s symptoms that had progressed to the point where he could no longer recognize letters. After several months of steady limud haTorah in a local kollel, the symptoms receded completely. His treating physician later remarked in astonishment that the condition had reversed without conventional medical treatment.

One question weighs heavily on every person who is zocheh to arichas yamim: Will the memory—the most precious matanah we possess—remain with us into old age? For R’ Yefet of Moshav Azrieli, the outlook appeared especially grim when the diagnosis struck him and his family. Early Alzheimer’s symptoms had begun to chip away at his daily functioning to the extent that he could no longer identify even the form of letters.

Yet it was davka from that low point that the yeshuah came—mibein koslei beis hamedrash.

The transformation began at the Tiferes Zekeinim kollel in the community, established for retirees who wish to fill their days with Torah and meaningful ruchniyus. It is part of a broader project of Torah across the country serving thousands of members of the older generation.

R’ Yefet, who had been grappling with a sharp cognitive decline, decided to strengthen himself and join the fixed morning seder. “I reached a point where I could not recognize letters,” he recalled painfully. “But in the kollel, I found an approach that was exactly suited to our challenges.”

With time, the consistent framework of daily limud—at an appropriate pace and with close guidance—gave him a steady seder that began to impact his overall functioning.

Within just a few months, family members began to see open nissim. The clarity returned to his face, names that had been forgotten came back, and the fog lifted. When he returned to the specialist for a follow-up, what unfolded left everyone stunned.

The physician, upon reviewing the new tests, was left speechless. “The Alzheimer’s has completely disappeared,” the specialist concluded, struggling to understand how such a persistent condition could recede without any standard medical intervention. The results were clear: the cognitive measures had returned to normal, and the symptoms were gone.

Rav Yosef Taizi, the rosh kollel, described the transformation with visible emotion: “It was incredible to see how within a few months r’ Yefet became a new person. Not only did he return to himself, he became an active participant who asks deep questions and is involved in the life of the community.”

It became evident that for R’ Yefet, Torah was not merely study. It was truly a sam chaim, a magical “drug,” restoring his ability to live a full and meaningful life.

Today, he serves as a source of chizuk and inspiration for those around him and for all who hear his remarkable story, a powerful reminder that even at an advanced age, and even when facing difficult medical challenges, limud haTorah has the koach to transform and bring back light into a Yid’s life.

Thousands gathered Monday night in the city of Rechovot for a central Lag Ba’omer hadlakah led by the Yenukah, Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri.

The event began with a profound shiur delivered by the Yenukah in Zohar and in the teachings of the Tanna Rav Shimon bar Yochai, after which the maamad hadlakah commenced.

Later, during the day of the hilulah, the Yenukah received the joyous news of the birth of his son, b’shaah tovah u’mutzlachas.

Rabbonim and public figures were in attendance at the maamad, during which the Yenukah fulfilled the custom of throwing a bow and arrow. Following this, the Yenukah began a spirited rikud in honor of the Tanna Eloki Rashbi, joined by the large crowd that had come to participate in the event in Rechovot.

In his remarks, the Yenukah addressed the unique situation this year, with many being unable to travel to Meron to participate in the hilulah at the resting place of the Tanna. He emphasized that the main focus is the study of the Torah of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, and that this is the greatest maalah.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday granted its first authorization for fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes aimed at adult smokers, signaling a notable change in federal policy following sustained lobbying from the vaping industry directed at President Donald Trump.

The move is expected to draw strong criticism from public health advocates and parent groups, who have long argued that flavored products fuel underage vaping. The decision comes, however, as teen vaping has fallen to its lowest level in a decade and as manufacturers have pressed the Republican administration to ease restrictions.

Companies in the vaping sector have consistently argued that e-cigarettes can reduce the harms of traditional smoking among adults, which is linked to roughly 480,000 deaths annually in the United States from cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. Although these battery-powered devices have been sold since 2007, their reputation has been overshadowed by widespread use among middle and high school students.

The newly authorized products include flavors such as mango, blueberry, and two menthol options. Glas Inc., a vaping company based in Los Angeles, said it plans to sell them under the names Gold, Sapphire, Classic Menthol, and Fresh Menthol, according to the FDA announcement.

Until now, the FDA had limited approvals to tobacco- and menthol-flavored vaping products. Most authorized e-cigarettes have come from major companies, including Juul and Altria.

Officials emphasized that Tuesday’s action does not constitute an endorsement of vaping products. The agency reiterated that the Glas devices are intended solely for adults seeking to quit or reduce cigarette use.

The FDA pointed to the company’s digital safeguards, saying they reduce the likelihood of underage access. Users must verify their age using a government-issued ID on a smartphone, and the devices can only function when connected via Bluetooth to that verified phone.

The agency’s decision is likely to serve as an important precedent, according to anti-tobacco advocates. “a key test case,” said Kathy Crosby of the Truth Initiative.

“Ultimately, it’s critical that we remain vigilant in protecting young people, including closely monitoring the use of authorized products,” Crosby said in an emailed statement.

During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to “save” vaping and received support from e-cigarette companies, retailers, and users.

Under President Joe Biden, the FDA rejected more than one million applications for flavored vaping products, particularly those resembling candy or fruit, as part of a broader crackdown credited with reducing youth vaping following its surge in 2019. During his first term, Trump imposed initial restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes and raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

In recent months, vaping and tobacco policy have not been at the forefront of the agency’s agenda under FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who has instead focused on other issues, including COVID-19 vaccine policies, eliminating artificial food dyes, and accelerating approval of certain new medications.

Industry groups, including the Vapor Technology Association, have recently met with administration officials to push for expanded approval of flavored products.

In March, the FDA issued its first formal guidance on flavors, indicating that options such as menthol, coffee, mint, and spice may have a role in attracting adult smokers. At the same time, the agency reiterated concerns about sweeter flavors—such as fruit, candy, and dessert—that tend to appeal to younger users.

Despite regulatory efforts, most American teenagers who vape continue to use unauthorized fruit- and candy-flavored products, according to government data. Although these items are technically illegal, they remain widely accessible, often sold as inexpensive disposable products imported from China.

The United States has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading exporter of crude oil over the past nine weeks, driven by disruptions to Middle Eastern shipments caused by Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a report by Bloomberg News, the U.S. delivered more than 250 million barrels of crude oil to international buyers during that period, drawing from both production sites and storage reserves, effectively serving as a “lifeline for global consumers.”

At the same time, the report warned that “record American exports also come with warnings that this supply cushion is rapidly being pushed to its limits.”

“Many energy experts are questioning how long shipments can be sustained at such levels. US domestic inventories are quickly depleting, with total oil and fuel stockpiles drawing down for four straight weeks to below historical averages. Meanwhile, America’s oil producers are struggling to keep up,” Bloomberg said.

The sharp increase in exports has also contributed to higher gasoline prices across the United States, creating a potential political challenge for President Donald Trump, who has highlighted the country’s export strength as “amazing” and beneficial to the economy.

“We have more oil production right now than at any time in history. And if you take a look at the ships, they’re all coming up to Texas, Louisiana, Alaska,” Trump gushed on Friday.

The administration has also drawn attention to gasoline prices, recalling the spike to $5.00 per gallon following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. With current prices averaging about $4.40 per gallon, the direction of fuel costs—and whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens—could influence the outcome of the November midterm elections.

Over the longer term, shifting demand patterns—particularly from traditional Middle Eastern buyers such as Japan and Southeast Asia—could work in America’s favor, provided U.S. producers can meet those needs. Analysts cited by Bloomberg noted that some Asian buyers may be nearing the end of their stockpiles, potentially fueling a surge in demand that could prove difficult to satisfy given current U.S. supply constraints.

Domestic oil production is already operating close to its maximum capacity, though experts differ on where that ceiling lies. Since the onset of the Hormuz crisis, U.S. reserves have declined by roughly 52 million barrels, reducing available supply should demand spike further. Some analysts have also cautioned that logistical systems—such as pipelines and port facilities—may face strain before production levels themselves reach their limit.

Bloomberg noted that the surge in American exports during March and April was made possible by the widespread adoption of fracking and the shale oil boom, which ultimately led to the lifting of export restrictions in 2015 and positioned the U.S. as a dominant player in global energy markets. This transformation has also expanded Washington’s foreign policy options, reducing reliance on overseas oil sources.

Trump expressed confidence that the U.S. energy sector can continue meeting international demand without significantly raising prices at home.

“Everybody was wrong. They thought that energy would be at $300, right? Three hundred dollars a barrel. And it’s, like, at $100, and I think it’s going down,” he said Monday at a White House small business summit.

“I see it going down very substantially when this is over,” he continued. “I think very rapidly too at levels that you’ve never seen, because there’s there’s a lot of energy out there. Ships all over the world that are loaded up with it. They can’t do much with it because they got kidnapped by a pretty evil place, but we’re taking care of it.”

However, the New York Times reported that fewer U.S. drilling rigs are currently in operation compared to the start of the conflict with Iran, and Energy Department forecasts suggest that total domestic production in 2026 may fall below 2025 levels. Much of the industry’s long-term investment planning predates the current crisis.

Oil executives are reportedly wary of rapidly expanding production capacity, fearing that if tensions ease and Middle Eastern supplies return to the market, prices could drop sharply, leaving them with costly overproduction.

For this reason, major firms such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron have held back on expanding output, citing both market caution and concerns about their assets in the Middle East. Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner described this approach as the “discipline” needed to play the market over the long term.

By contrast, ConocoPhillips has moved forward with increased production plans for the remainder of 2026, including the addition of a new drilling rig in the Permian Basin spanning Texas and New Mexico.

{Matzav.com}