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Gedolei Yisroel gathered in Bnei Brak for an emergency meeting to address the growing shortage of qualified melamdim in Talmudei Torah. Participants discussed the increasingly difficult challenge of finding capable educators for chadarim, particularly in the younger grades, where the need has become especially acute in recent years.

Among those in attendance were Harav Dov Landau, Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Harav Dovid Segal, Harav Chaim Feinstein, Harav Shraga Steinman, and Harav Shimon Galei.

During the gathering, Rav Chaim Feinstein spoke passionately about the unique role of melamdim, emphasizing that those who teach young children occupy a place of extraordinary importance in the transmission of Torah.

“The dissemination of Torah by melamdim in chadarim is no less important than that of Roshei Yeshiva and ramim. The Roshei Yeshiva and ramim teach the Torah Sheba’al Peh, while the melamdim in chadarim are the transmitters of the Torah Shebiksav, and they are an inseparable part of the chain of transmission that passes the Torah from generation to generation. The special halachah in the laws of aveilus regarding one who ‘tani u’masni’—one who teaches others—applies equally to those melamdei tinokos.”

The Rosh Yeshiva concluded by urging families and community leaders to recognize the tremendous significance and sacred responsibility carried by those who devote themselves to teaching the youngest talmidim.

{Matzav.com}

Addressing approximately 4,000 bochurim preparing to enter yeshivah gedolah, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch delivered an inspiring and wide-ranging address at a special Dirshu gathering in Bnei Brak, urging the talmidim to seize the opportunity before them, guard against the unique spiritual challenges of this new stage of life, and strengthen themselves through unwavering dedication to Torah. During his remarks, the Rosh Yeshiva shared a remarkable personal story about a talmid he once caught going to a movie theater, who ultimately became an outstanding mechanech.

The event was organized by Dirshu as a special preparation program for bochurim transitioning from yeshivos ketanos to yeshivos gedolos. Before the Rosh Yeshiva spoke, the program’s moderator introduced him with words of profound reverence, saying:

“With awe and trembling we incline our ears to hear Daas Torah, offering clear guidance on the path that ascends to the House of Hashem, from the great shepherd of the Torah world and the yeshivos, who faithfully transmits the mesorah from generation to generation, who carries upon his pure heart the burden of this generation and the continued existence of the world of bnei Torah and the holy yeshivos. We will engrave upon our hearts the living words of Torah from the holy mouth of Maran, the great gaon, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch.”

The Rosh Yeshiva opened by emphasizing that the move into yeshivah gedolah is one of the defining moments in a person’s life and that the habits developed during these years will shape his future in Torah, avodas Hashem, and personal growth.

“My masters and teachers, you are now entering a stage that can be said to be the most important in your lives. The period when one goes from yeshivah ketanah to yeshivah gedolah is the foundation. You are now building the spiritual foundation for your entire lives. The diligence you develop in yeshivah gedolah is the foundation for a lifetime of diligence; your tefillah, your middos tovos, your precision in halachah—the more you grow and elevate yourselves in these areas, the more they will become the foundation of your entire lives.

“The purpose of all our lives is to cleave to the Holy One, Blessed is He, and the path to that is through Torah study. The more Torah there is, both in quantity and in quality, the greater the deveikus. It all begins now, and the way you conduct yourselves in yeshivah gedolah will build the foundation for your entire lives. Therefore, one must be extremely careful not to belittle even a single moment: utilize every moment in yeshivah gedolah, go to sleep on time, wake up on time, and never neglect Torah study.”

The Rosh Yeshiva then warned the talmidim about the new spiritual tests that accompany the greater independence of yeshivah gedolah.

“There is a new yetzer hara. Until now you were in yeshivah ketanah, under the supervision of the yeshivah and the mashgiach, and most of you lived at home under the guidance of your parents. Now there is a feeling of freedom. At night, nobody knows what you are doing. The very feeling that a person is free is, in itself, a reason that the yetzer hara can seize a person.

“There was once a Chassidishe bochur from America who arrived as a very strong bochur, and I caught him going to the movies. I felt I could be lenient with him, so I kept him in the yeshivah, and he began to learn. Today he is a very great mechanech. When I asked him how a bochur like him could do such a thing, he answered: ‘I came to Eretz Yisroel, I felt free, and therefore I did it.’ You should know that this feeling of freedom is a yetzer hara, and it is important to overcome it.”

He continued by cautioning against another common mistake made by bochurim entering yeshivah gedolah.

“A second yetzer hara is the feeling, ‘I am smart. I’m already in yeshivah gedolah, and I can decide for myself what is good for me. I don’t need to listen to what the Rosh Yeshiva or the mashgiach tells me.’ That is a great mistake. In reality, you still need to follow the guidance of the mashgiach and the Roshei Yeshiva, and not think that you are wiser than they are.”

The Rosh Yeshiva urged every talmid to leave behind any limiting perceptions formed during his years in yeshivah ketanah.

“The third point: A bochur entering yeshivah gedolah may think, ‘I’m not one of the masmidim’ or ‘I’m not one of the tzaddikim.’ Know that when you enter yeshivah gedolah—new faces have arrived here! You are completely different bochurim, a different cheftza. Forget all the weaknesses you had in yeshivah ketanah. Don’t think, ‘I’m that type.’ There is no such thing.

“Even bochurim who were average in yeshivah ketanah—in yeshivah gedolah you can become outstanding! On the other hand, a bochur who excelled in yeshivah ketanah must realize that learning in yeshivah gedolah is something entirely different. The learning is more difficult and demands much greater diligence. Don’t become discouraged if you are not number one in the shiur; do your very best, and you will succeed.”

He encouraged the talmidim to set lofty goals in every aspect of their spiritual lives.

“A bochur should enter yeshivah gedolah with very great aspirations: to know the entire Torah, to know halachah completely, to fulfill every mitzvah properly, and to reach the highest level in bein adam l’chaveiro. The Chofetz Chaim says that the yetzer hara tries to plant in a person the feeling that ‘this isn’t for me—it’s only for geniuses.’ That is the advice of the yetzer hara! Every person can learn with tremendous diligence and be meticulous in mitzvos.

“In addition, Maran Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l said that a person is afraid to accept upon himself the yoke of Torah, but one who accepts the yoke of Torah eventually finds the Torah sweet. Even when there is a difficult sugya that brings no immediate enjoyment, there is tremendous satisfaction in knowing that one is doing the most important thing in life.”

The Rosh Yeshiva also stressed that every talmid must know his own strengths and limitations while striving for greatness.

“One must aspire to the highest levels, but according to one’s own abilities and talents. If a bochur needs seven hours of sleep, he should not sleep only five and a half hours because his friend does so, because then he will collapse completely. The essence of iyun is wonderful clarity, not merely saying words. Rav Chaim of Volozhin zt”l says that if a person is going through a period of decline and has no desire to learn, he should not stop learning. If you are capable of learning at only 30%, then learn at 30%, and through that you will return to 100%.”

Concluding his address, Rav Hirsch turned to the challenges currently confronting the Torah world, emphasizing that the proper response to the draft decree and other pressures is greater attachment to Torah and to Hashem.

“We all know that there are decrees against the Torah world, the draft decree, and they are coming against us in every possible way. We must know that the way of bnei Torah to fight against this is through Torah study itself, meticulous observance of the mitzvos, and attachment to the Holy One, Blessed is He.

“If we are attached to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, it will bring us siyata d’Shmaya. If we live with the feeling of ‘V’yod’ei Shimcha,’ if we think about what Hashem wants and learn with diligence—nothing will happen, and we will defeat them completely! There is absolutely nothing to worry about. HaKadosh Baruch Hu will help each and every one of us reach the highest levels in Torah, tefillah, and middos, and may we merit to bring honor to Heaven and the coming of the complete Geulah, speedily in our days.”

{Matzav.com}

As talmidim prepare to leave for Bein Hazemanim after Tishah B’Av, Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dovid Levy delivered a powerful address urging them to avoid dangerous outings and instead use the break to strengthen others through Lev L’Achim. He warned that bnei Torah are under unprecedented public scrutiny and stressed that every talmid has a responsibility to create a Kiddush Hashem through his conduct.

The Rosh Yeshiva spoke at the conclusion of the final shiur klali of the zeman, against the backdrop of the ongoing gezeiras hagiyus and what he described as the escalating incitement against the Torah world. He cautioned that many people are actively searching for opportunities to criticize yeshiva students and therefore urged the bochurim to be especially mindful of their behavior during Bein Hazmanim.

Continuing a tradition established by his late father-in-law, Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva explained that it has long been customary to offer words of encouragement before the yeshiva disperses for the break. He emphasized that every ben Torah should conduct himself in a manner that inspires admiration for Torah and those who learn it.

He also encouraged talmidim seeking a change of pace not to spend their vacation on potentially dangerous hikes, but rather to dedicate time to learning with Jews who are growing in their observance through Lev L’Achim. He advised that such learning should be conducted warmly and pleasantly, without arguments or debates.

The Rosh Yeshiva continues another practice of Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l by delivering his daily shiur throughout Bein Hazmanim. This year, he will continue teaching Maseches Bava Basra each day from his home in Kiryat HaYeshiva without interruption.

His remarks quickly spread throughout the yeshiva and became a major topic of conversation among the talmidim.

The full text of Rav Levy’s remarks follows:

“There is a tradition to say words of encouragement. I am not worthy of saying words of encouragement, but there is a tradition to say words of encouragement, so I will say words of encouragement. We already spoke during the previous zeman that before every Bein Hazmanim, a person has to prepare himself for how to leave the zeman and enter Bein Hazmanim, just as Moshe Rabbeinu did when leaving the Mishkan. Moshe Rabbeinu did not need preparation to leave the Mishkan because he was always in the Mishkan, but someone who leaves the Mishkan requires a special calling and special preparation for how to leave.

“We are in the beis medrash, and then there is no problem. Everyone is beloved, everyone is under the Shechinah, everyone is constantly with the Torah. But when one goes elsewhere, the first thing we must know and remember is what is written in this week’s parsha: ‘Ve’ahavta es Hashem Elokecha b’chol levavcha u’vchol nafshecha.’ What does ‘Ve’ahavta es Hashem Elokecha’ mean? Cause others to love Him! What does that mean? That people should see how a person behaves, how refined his deeds and conduct are, and then the Name of Heaven becomes beloved through him, when people say, ‘Look how bnei Torah conduct themselves.’ That is ‘Ve’ahavta es Hashem Elokecha’—causing others to love HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

“But if they see the opposite—and today especially, when they are looking for bnei Torah, examining them the way someone inspects an esrog, searching every point on the esrog—just as when buying an esrog they inspect every point, so too they search every point in bnei Torah, looking for any flaw. If they find the slightest defect, they invalidate the entire esrog. Today people are searching for blemishes in bnei Torah. If they see even a small weakness, they build mountains out of it. Therefore, one must ensure that, chas v’shalom, no chilul Hashem results from him.

“That is a major reason not to be with them, not to be in the places where they gather, not to be together with them. And not only not to be with them, but also not to follow their ways. I don’t know what there is in Nachal Amud, the Hexagon Pool, and all these foolish things. I’m telling you—believe me—I went through it, not for myself, but with groups from other yeshivos, and I won’t say which ones. It’s foolishness and emptiness. There is absolutely nothing to it.

“I am telling you, leave all these things alone. It’s only dangerous, and all you do is sweat. And if someone wants to recharge a bit or get a change of pace, I suggest—only suggest—that he sign up with Lev L’Achim. There are many people longing for someone to learn with them. And there, we don’t argue with them. We simply say: If you want to learn, come into an air-conditioned beis medrash, have a few candies and some treats on Wednesday or Thursday, and we’ll learn a beautiful pshat in the Gemara, a Mishnah, sweet Torah ideas—and through that we will create a Kiddush Hashem and bring people to love the Name of Heaven.”

President Donald Trump has approved a long-awaited nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could eventually allow the kingdom to enrich uranium for its civilian nuclear energy program, according to two people familiar with the decision.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not yet been formally announced, said the administration is expected to unveil the deal publicly as early as Wednesday.

The proposed agreement would remain in effect for 30 years and would include significant participation by American companies in developing Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program. It also envisions the possible construction of a uranium enrichment facility inside the kingdom following a joint U.S.-Saudi feasibility study.

The White House did not immediately comment on the reported decision, which was first disclosed by The Wall Street Journal.

Both President Trump and President Joe Biden previously pursued agreements that would enable the United States to share civilian nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia.

However, nuclear nonproliferation experts have expressed concern that allowing Saudi Arabia to operate uranium enrichment centrifuges could create a pathway toward a future nuclear weapons capability. Those concerns have been heightened by previous remarks from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince indicating the kingdom could seek nuclear weapons if Iran were to acquire an atomic bomb.

Regional tensions have further intensified those fears. Following Israel’s attack on Qatar targeting Hamas officials, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan entered into a mutual defense pact. Pakistan’s defense minister later stated that his country’s nuclear arsenal “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if necessary, a remark widely interpreted as a warning directed at Israel, which is widely believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed nation.

While enriching uranium alone does not produce a nuclear weapon, it represents a significant step toward that capability. A country must also master additional technologies—including the use of synchronized high explosives—but enrichment is widely viewed as opening the door to weaponization. That concern has long been at the center of Western objections to Iran’s nuclear program.

The agreement would differ from the arrangement previously reached between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Under its so-called “123 agreement,” the UAE built the Barakah nuclear power plant with South Korean assistance while agreeing not to enrich uranium domestically. Nonproliferation experts have long regarded that model as the “gold standard” for nations seeking civilian nuclear energy without increasing proliferation risks.

{Matzav.com}

Ben Gurion Airport could be forced to cancel scheduled flights if additional American aerial refueling aircraft are brought in, according to Israel Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi, who warned that the airport is operating at its limits.

In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, Kedmi said airport officials are working to keep commercial traffic moving despite the strain. “We are doing everything to avoid canceling flights,” Kedmi stated. “There are American refuelers here and in other places. We are in contact with the Air Force and everyone is doing their job.”

Kedmi stressed that the airport does not have room to accommodate any more refueling aircraft without affecting civilian operations. “We cannot allow even one more tanker into Ben Gurion Airport. If it does, we will start canceling flights. The public needs to prepare for cancellations and delays. We need to remember that this is a civilian airport.”

{Matzav.com}

In a landmark decision following months of discussion and deliberation, members of the Toldos Aharon community overwhelmingly voted to move forward with the construction of the chassidus’ new central beis medrash on Rechov Meah Shearim. An impressive 83% of participants supported the project, clearing the way for one of the largest building initiatives in the community’s history.

The decision came after the Building Fund Committee took the unusual step of placing the matter directly before the entire community in a referendum. The move was prompted by growing concerns that the global economic slowdown, declining overseas donations, and the weakening U.S. dollar would require members in Eretz Yisroel to shoulder a significantly larger share of the project’s cost than originally anticipated.

In a letter distributed before the vote, the committee explained that the project had reached the point of no return. Once demolition of the existing beis medrash begins and construction gets underway, stopping the project would no longer be feasible. For that reason, the committee sought a final mandate from the community before proceeding. It also pledged that if the majority opted to delay the project, it would cancel the entire undertaking and refund all donations collected for the new building.

The vote was conducted under the supervision of the dayanim and rabbanim of the community, who oversaw the counting of the ballots and certified the final results. When the votes were tallied, 83% favored moving ahead with construction, while 17% voted to postpone the project.

Following the vote, the results were conveyed to the Toldos Aharon Rebbe, who is currently vacationing in Hungary. The Rebbe expressed satisfaction with the community’s decision and gave his brachah for the project to proceed.

With the referendum now complete, preparations are already underway for construction to begin, be’ezras Hashem, immediately after the upcoming Tishrei Yomim Tovim. The vote officially launches what is expected to become one of the most significant building projects ever undertaken by the Toldos Aharon community.

{Matzav.com}