President Trump’s senior advisers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, walked into the Kremlin on Tuesday for a pivotal discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to push forward the recalibrated U.S. peace outline for Ukraine. Although Putin remarked in recent days that “Trump’s plan could be the basis for negotiations,” he has also signaled little movement from his entrenched positions, casting uncertainty over whether the talks will yield meaningful progress.
The high-stakes Moscow mission follows two weeks of hurried diplomacy that included back-and-forth negotiations between Washington and Kyiv. The revised U.S. proposal — trimmed from 28 items to 19 — was slated to be formally presented to Putin during the Kremlin meeting. For Kushner, it marks his first direct involvement in talks with Putin; for Witkoff, it is his sixth such sit-down in Russia and the first time Trump’s representatives have met Putin face-to-face since August’s Alaska summit.
American officials intend to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after leaving the Kremlin. Zelensky noted on Tuesday that he expects to speak with Witkoff and Kushner as soon as their meeting with Putin concludes. According to individuals familiar with the schedule, the two envoys are also set to see Zelensky in Europe on Wednesday to walk him through every detail of the Moscow discussions.
Much of the diplomatic wrangling centers on the future dividing line between Ukraine and Russian-held areas. Putin has repeatedly asserted that Russia will not halt its military campaign until it fully seizes the Donbas region. The U.S. has pushed Kyiv to contemplate territorial concessions to break the deadlock — a notion that would be agonizing domestically for Ukraine and potentially explosive politically.
On Sunday, Witkoff, Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Zelensky’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, leading a Ukrainian delegation in Miami. Zelensky later said that Ukraine’s top general updated the Americans “on the real situation at the front” and discussed “implementing various steps at the front…in the event of a ceasefire.” He added that the 19-point plan was “further revised” during the Miami session.
Witkoff continued discussions with Umerov late into Sunday evening and again on Monday morning before departing for Moscow. While Zelensky was in Paris on Monday, he and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint call with Witkoff and Umerov. Afterward, Macron briefed Trump directly, emphasizing “the importance of the security guarantees required for Ukraine and our determination to work on them together with the U.S.,” according to a French official.
As Trump’s envoys arrived in the Russian capital, Zelensky convened his own negotiating circle in Dublin. He said afterward that they covered matters “that cannot be said over the phone.” The Ukrainian leader also expressed openness to a direct meeting with Trump if the Kremlin discussions move the process forward.
Zelensky voiced cautious optimism Tuesday, stating, “The chances now to end the war are better than ever. … There will be no easy decisions.”
{Matzav.com}
The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee convened Monday for the first formal discussion of the new draft law, led by Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth. At the opening of the session, Bismuth delivered an unusually expansive and emotional address, emphasizing both the security needs the bill aims to address and the spiritual significance of Torah learning within the Jewish people.
Bismuth began by noting the weight of the moment. “On this day, the entire Jewish people are watching us,” he said. “I would dare say, even the generations before us and those that will come after us. This is a rare moment in the history of the nation. The Knesset is being asked to decide not only on a law — and not only on a historic law — but on a correction.”
He insisted that the bill should not be viewed through a partisan lens. “The draft law we bring today is not an issue of coalition and opposition. It belongs to the entire State of Israel. It was born from the existential need to strengthen national security, while preserving the delicate social fabric, the world of Torah, and the ability to live together.”
Bismuth went on to describe the sense of responsibility he feels not only as a committee chairman, but as a Jew. “At this time, my ancestors are also looking at me — those who gave their lives to preserve the Torah of Israel and our ancient heritage. Beyond the urgent security need, this law reflects a resounding statement: the study of Torah has immense value, because it guards the spiritual core of our nation.”
He argued that the legislation, even with the changes expected throughout the committee discussions, would ultimately reveal a simple truth: “Whoever votes for it is voting for the future of the State of Israel. Whoever opposes it shows that he prefers small political games over the security of the country — positioning over national interest.”
According to Bismuth, the law represents the first time the government is presenting a clear, stable, data-driven framework developed in coordination with the IDF. “This framework gives certainty — to the army, to the Torah world, and to every citizen. Finally, there will be order.”
He said the proposal will “restore trust, restore fairness, and ultimately strengthen unity among us. The era of confusion is ending.” He added that future generations will judge how today’s leaders fortified the army, strengthened society, and unified the country.
Bismuth acknowledged that critics will continue to argue that the law either does too little or imposes insufficient sanctions, but warned against absolutism. He referenced the painful lessons of history, noting that national ruin often followed an inability to compromise. “The zealots always rejected imperfect solutions; they drew their vitality from division,” he said.
Reflecting on recent years, he recalled “three turbulent years — one of internal conflict, and two of war against cruel enemies who committed the worst atrocities since the founding of the state.” The public, he said, now seeks calm, clarity, and truth. “We cannot leap from zero to one hundred after decades of delaying a decision.”
Bismuth also addressed the relationship with the chareidi community, urging reconciliation. “There are those among us who spent years urging peace with our most bitter enemies. All the more so, I expect them to make peace with our chareidi brothers. The world of Torah is central to our identity. We should not clash with them; we should advance together toward our shared goal, with mutual respect.”
He concluded his remarks with a prayer that the nation overcome internal divisions “to put an end to our troubles and suffering, and to enact — together, coalition and opposition — a historic correction for the good of the entire nation.”
Bismuth then closed with the verse, “Vehi noam… May the pleasantness of Hashem our G-d be upon us, and establish for us the work of our hands; yes, establish the work of our hands,” and the committee officially opened deliberations on the proposed law.
{Matzav.com}
It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Yaakov Sofer zt”l after a difficult illness. Rav Sofer served as the Rav of the Erlau community in Beitar Illit and was the son of the previous Erlauer Rebbe, the Imrei Sofer. He was 77 years old.
Rav Yaakov was born in the town of Erlau, Hungary, on the 10th of Iyar 5708 (1948), to his illustrious father, the Erlauer Rebbe. He was a sixth-generation descendant of the Chasam Sofer. At two years old, he was brought to Eretz Yisroel together with his parents.
He received the foundation of his Torah from his father, learning in the Erlau yeshiva, Ohel Shimon, where his brilliance and diligence were already evident.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed Rebbetzin Sofer, the daughter of Rav Mordechai Davidovitz of Beis Meir.
The couple initially settled in Yerushalayim, where they raised their children in the mesorah of their forefathers. In 2003, he accepted the call to serve as the Rav of the Erlau community in Beitar Illit. There he established his beis medrash as a beacon of Torah for the entire region. Residents from all backgrounds flocked to him to hear halachic guidance, seek his counsel, and receive his warm blessings.
Several months ago, he was diagnosed with a severe illness and hospitalized in Hadassah Ein Kerem. His brother, the current Erlauer Rebbe, visited him nearly every day, offering encouragement and heartfelt support. Despite his suffering, Rav Sofer continued learning with remarkable strength and dedication.
Late last night, surrounded by brokenhearted family members and close talmidim standing by his bedside, he was niftar, leaving behind a grieving community and an immeasurable void.
His aron was brought to the Erlauer beis medrash in Beitar Illit.
The levayah took place today at the Erlauer beis medrash on Hisorerus Teshuvah Street in Beitar Illit and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim. He was buried beside his father, the previous Erlauer Rebbe.
Rav Yaakov leaves behind a distinguished family carrying forward his legacy, including his sons, Rav Mordechai Yehuda Sofer and Rav Moshe Sofer; his daughters, the wives of the Unsdorf–Modi’in Illit Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Zev Leifer, Rav David Rabinowitz, and Rav Shaul Gelbman; and his brothers, the Erlauer Rebbe, Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyomin Sofer, Rosh Yeshivas Ohel Shimon Erlau, Rav Akiva Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Bnei Brak, Rav Zalman Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Boro Park, and Rav Aharon Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Elad.
He was predeceased by his brother, Rav Shimon Sofer, Rav of the Erlauer community in Tzfas.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}
A delegation of senior members of the Nevah Tzion Beis Din traveled to Spain in recent days to personally supervise a special round of sheep slaughter, ensuring the highest standards of kashrus for the bnei Torah community. The mission was carried out under the direction of Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, Gaavad of Nevah Tzion and Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak.
The trip was part of an ongoing effort by Ashpar, a leading kosher meat company, to provide top-quality meat for consumers seeking the most meticulous levels of supervision. Spanish sheep are widely regarded as among the finest in the world, known for their exceptional taste, texture, and overall quality.
The visiting delegation included Rav Yaakov Ben Shimon, son of the Gaavad and son of the late Rav Shlomo Ben Shimon; Rav Chanoch Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud; Rav Yitzchak Zayat, a veteran member of the Badatz and son-in-law of Rav Shalom Cohen; and Ashpar CEO Rav Yitzchak Ovadia. Rav Cohen and Rav Ben Shimon are among the newest additions to the Beis Din.
Upon arriving at the Spanish facility, the Badatz members conducted thorough, hands-on oversight of the entire operation. They followed each stage of the slaughtering process, ensuring that all procedures adhered precisely to the strict halachic requirements and meticulously applied standards instituted by Rav Shalom Cohen.
The Gaavad personally assembled and approved the team of shochetim, bodkim, and supervisors after an extensive vetting process. Each team member was evaluated individually to confirm both professional skill and uncompromising yiras Shamayim — qualities the Gaavad emphasized as essential.
After observing the process, Rav Yaakov Ben Shimon and Rav Chanoch Cohen expressed deep admiration for the precision and devotion exhibited by the slaughtering teams. They noted that every element was carried out with the utmost hidur, in full accordance with the rigorous standards long associated with the Nevah Tzion certification.
Rav Chanoch Cohen added, “For years we have known that Badatz Nevah Tzion represents the highest level of mehadrin kashrus for bnei Torah. Since joining the Beis Din, I have been overwhelmed by what I have seen firsthand — the level of supervision, the meticulous observance of every stringency, and the care taken to uphold every halachic detail in the most exalted manner.”
The Spanish slaughter initiative is one component of Ashpar’s broader mission to supply premium-quality, mehadrin kosher meat. The company, together with the Nevah Tzion Badatz, aims to deliver the finest products to the community while maintaining the uncompromising halachic standards for which the certification is renowned.
חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם
חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם
חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם
חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם
{Matzav.com}
