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IDF Releases Video of New Airstrikes Targeting Iran’s Surface-to-Surface Missiles
Iranian Media: Underground Missile Bases Activated for Retaliation
U.S. Repositions Forces, Deploys USS Thomas Hudner
IDF Issues Evacuation Warning for Gaza, Labels Red Zones as Dangerous Combat Areas
Rav Yitzchok Yosef, Now in NY, Urges: “Strengthen Torah and Tefillah, and Keep Shuls Open”
Following Israel’s recent strike on Iran and growing security tensions across the region, the nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, issued a powerful public message urging Klal Yisroel to strengthen itself in Torah and tefillah, and to ensure that batei knesses and batei medrash remain open unless the security forces issue explicit instructions to remain near protected spaces.
Speaking from abroad during a chizuk mission to North America, Rav Yosef emphasized the critical role of spiritual strength during turbulent times. “In these days, when ‘outside the sword bereaves, and within, terror,’ we have no one to rely on but our Father in Heaven. The strength of Am Yisroel lies in its mouth—its tefillah and its Torah,” he wrote.
Rav Yosef called on the public to recite Avinu Malkeinu following the Amidah, and to say chapters of Tehillim—specifically 121, 130, and 140—during the opening of the Aron Kodesh. He also encouraged an increase in the learning of Torah during these days.
He added that “as long as there is no directive from security officials requiring immediate presence in protected areas, one must continue with tefillah and limud, and increase zechuyos on behalf of Klal Yisroel.”
Rav Yosef concluded his heartfelt message with a tefillah: “May Hashem Yisborach see the suffering of His people and hasten our eternal redemption. May we merit that in our days Yehuda will be saved, and Yisroel will dwell securely in its land.”
Due to the escalating situation, Rav Yosef’s originally scheduled trip to North America was diverted and he landed in Rome, where, as previously reported, it was thought that he may have to spend Shabbos. However, he was ultimately able to continue on to New York. This coming Shabbos, he is expected to be with the Syrian Jewish community at Shaare Zion in Flatbush, where he will deliver divrei chizuk. The continuation of his visit in New York remains dependent on security developments in Israel.
{Matzav.com}
Shabbos Under Threat: Questions Arise Over Shul Attendance Amid Security Restrictions
Israel awoke Friday morning to heightened tensions following the country’s official acknowledgment of a large-scale overnight strike on Iranian territory. In response, Home Front Command issued sweeping emergency guidelines for Shabbos, raising urgent questions throughout the country, particularly regarding public gatherings and tefillos in batei knesses.
The new regulations mandate a shift to “essential activity only” status throughout the country, effective immediately and continuing until further notice. Among the closures: all educational institutions—including preschools, schools, special education programs, colleges, summer camps, youth groups, and extracurriculars. Additionally, all non-essential workplaces, businesses, and service centers are required to suspend operations.
The Home Front Command also strictly prohibited gatherings in locations without proper, accessible fortified shelters. This directive applies across the board: weddings, concerts, public events, and even tefillos in shul.
Regarding the burning question on many minds—can tefillos be held in shuls this Shabbos?—the guidelines clarify: tefillos are permitted only in locations with standard-compliant and accessible protective spaces. Shuls that lack proper fortified shelter are urged to consider limiting attendance, splitting into smaller groups, or even canceling portions of the davening altogether.
Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, head of Home Front Command, stated today: “Widespread alerts are expected. It is critical to ensure every individual knows where their nearest protected area is located. When an alert sounds, enter immediately and remain inside until official notice is given. We must all limit travel. Challenging days lie ahead, but we are prepared and resolute.”
As Shabbos approaches, citizens are being asked to take practical precautions:
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Identify the nearest protected space both at home and in shul
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Ensure that it is reachable within the designated warning time
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Instruct all family members, including children, on what to do in the event of an alarm
The orders remain in effect until further notice. Officials stress: follow instructions closely, take no risks, and act responsibly.
May Hashem protect us all.
{Matzav.com Israel}
WITH SIYATA DISHMAYA: How Israel’s Mossad Spy Network Infiltrated The Heart Of Iran Before Unprecedented Attack
Israeli spies succeeded in penetrating deep into Iranian territory ahead of Friday morning’s Operation Rising Lion, executing a series of clandestine missions that weakened Iran’s missile infrastructure and disrupted its aerial defense systems.
Mossad agents covertly transported weapons into Iran, where they were used to dismantle military defenses that posed a threat to Israeli forces and strategic interests.
According to Israeli security sources, the agents deployed “significant measures” involving large amounts of specialized weaponry, strategically placing them throughout the country to strike predetermined targets.
“Significant intelligence was gathered and surveillance was conducted to incriminate senior members of the Iranian defense establishment and nuclear scientists who were eliminated,” the source stated. “This was carried out alongside a covert operational campaign targeting Iran’s strategic missile array.”
The secret missions unfolded in parallel with Israel’s aerial assault, divided into three distinct operations, each focusing on specific components of Iran’s defense and weapons infrastructure.
Special forces units placed precision-guided munitions in close proximity to Iran’s surface-to-air missile installations, directing attacks at those systems.
In a separate phase, technological strike equipment was mounted onto vehicles, which were then used to launch targeted attacks against Iranian air defense units.
The third element of the operation focused on Iran’s surface-to-surface missile arsenal, striking a key site located near Tehran.
Drones packed with explosives had been smuggled into Iran and hidden in key locations. When activated, these unmanned aircraft flew to the missile base and successfully destroyed launchers that, according to Israeli intelligence, had “posed a threat to Israeli strategic and civilian targets.”
These coordinated sabotage missions paved the way for Israeli fighter jets to take out critical radar systems and additional surface-to-air defenses.
Key nuclear installations, including uranium enrichment sites, were also among the targets of the broader operation.
In the course of the mission, three senior Iranian military officials were reportedly killed, along with two nuclear scientists.
Those killed include Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer; and Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader.
{Matzav.com}
IDF Releases Graphic Detailing Targeted Sites in Iran Airstrikes
FIRST TIME SINCE COVID: Chief Rabbis: Do Not Hold Minyanim in Shul
In light of the current matzav, the chief rabbis and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas have issued a call, providing guidance on how to conduct ourselves during these perilous times and stressing the need for complete adherence to the instructions of the security establishment.
In their letter, the gedolim ruled that all tefillos b’tzibbur in batei knesses must be suspended. Under the heading “Eis tzarah hee l’Yaakov u’mimenu yivoshea”, and invoking the posuk, “Ki savo’u milchamah b’artzechem al hatzar hatzorer es’chem…vaharei’osem b’chatzotzros, unizkartem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem venoshatem mei’oyveichem”, they called upon the tzibbur to increase their tefillos this Shabbos. They specified the recitation of kappitlach Tehillim 20, 121, and 130, and Avinu Malkeinu.
The letter makes it clear: “There should be no gatherings in open areas or in buildings,” which means that batei knesses across Eretz Yisroel should remain closed this Shabbos and people are to daven in their homes.
The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas added a moving plea to “be marbeh tefillah u’techinah to Avinu shebaShomayim, that He should have rachamim on His am segulah … and that our chayalim succeed in their shlichus kodesh and return home safely.”
They also emphasized that “it is obvious that every directive of the government … must be strictly followed,” clearly stating that tefillos in batei knesses should not take place if they are not in line with security instructions.
The gedolei Yisroel further underscored the unmatched power of limud haTorah, urging bnei hayeshivos “to strengthen themselves in hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, day and night, without any interruption, for it is the Torah hakedoshah that stands as our protection in times of sakanah.”
Rav Dov Landau, upon being updated last night on the evolving security situation, stated, “We are in a sha’as sakanah and must increase both limud haTorah and tefillah for the shemirah of Am Yisroel.” He immediately canceled a scheduled asifah of roshei yeshivah, took a sefer Tehillim in hand, and began to daven.
{Matzav.com}
IDF Video Shows IAF Jets, Navy Boats Downing Iranian Drones Today
Mossad Unveils Footage of Strikes on Iranian Air Defenses, Missile Launchers from Secret Drone Base
Israeli Airstrikes Obliterate Tabriz Airport in Northwestern Iran
Iran Releases AI-Generated Video Threatening Israel’s Downfall Amid Attack Response Failure
Israel Confirms Strikes on Iranian Missile Forces, Destroying Key Ballistic Assets
NY Post Front Cover Today!
Fires, Secondary Blasts at Tabriz IRGC Missile Sites After Israeli Airstrikes
Video Shows Israeli Aircraft Flying Low Over Syria’s Suwayda Desert This Morning
Israeli Airstrikes Hit Fuel Depots Near Tabriz Airport in Northwestern Iran
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch Urges Yeshivos to Remain Closed Following Iran Strike
In the wake of Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a powerful wave of hisorerus has swept through the olam haTorah, with urgent tefillos and Tehillim being recited in yeshivos and batei medrash across the globe.
At the forefront of the response is a directive from the Slabdoka rosh yeshiva, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. In light of the escalating security situation, Rav Hirsch instructed that chaderim, yeshivos ketanos, and all other Torah institutions should remain closed until further notice, in compliance with the guidance of security authorities.
At Yeshivas Ponovezh, the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades opened the Aron Kodesh in the early morning hours and cried out in heartfelt tefillah, joined by hundreds of bochurim learning in the beis medrash, who poured out their hearts in unison.
Similarly, at Yeshivas Chevron, the netz minyan was followed by the recital of Tehillim.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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