[COMMUNICATED]
A collective effort has been established to write four Sifrei Torah in memory of the four boys who were tragically niftar last Motzei Shabbos in the horrific accident: Aharon Nosson Lebovitz, Shloimy Cohen, Yaakov Kilburg, and Chaim Simcha Grossman.
The heartbreaking loss has deeply shaken Klal Yisrael. In response, Yidden across the country are coming together to dedicate new Sifrei Torah as an everlasting zechus — a living continuation of the Torah and kedusha these boys represented.
All are asked to unite in bringing menucha to their families and helping keep their Torah alive.
An emergency meeting convened today at the Badatz of the Eidah HaCharedis in its full composition under the leadership of Rav Moshe Shternbuch to discuss how to respond to the arrests of yeshiva students amid the ongoing draft controversy.
Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin of Ateres Shlomo took part in the session. Rav Sorotzkin has been leading efforts to unite the various communities on behalf of his talmid, Ariel Shamai, who was detained and is now being held in a military prison.
Participants considered a range of extraordinary measures not previously used by the Edah HaCharedit.
Opening the meeting, Rav Sorotzkin spoke emotionally about the imprisoned talmid, stressing that “this is a young man who sits and learns most hours of the day with great perseverance” and calling for determined action on his behalf. The discussion was then handed over to Rav Yitzchak Shlomo Beloya and ultimately to Rav Shternbuch.
Rav Shternbuch issued a forceful ruling, saying that the community must “go out to fight for the sake of Hashem with self-sacrifice.” He declared that protesting is a Torah obligation and urged the community to show extraordinary commitment so that, God willing, a yeshuah will follow. He stressed that although they do not seek conflict, they see no alternative but to resist what they described as an attack on Torah life.
At the end of the meeting, the Badatz issued a sharp written notice stating that they intend to wage a mitzvah war with complete dedication. The Badatz also announced that anyone who is enticed to join any of the army’s so-called chareidi tracks — whether military or civilian frameworks associated with service — will be boycotted: such individuals’ children will be barred from attending schools and institutions designated for the chareidi public in order to preserve the community’s “fortress wall” between the God-fearing public and the secular masses.
{Matzav.com}
Final preparations are underway for the massive “Million Man Atzeres” against the draft decree, which is scheduled to take place this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the entrance to Yerushalayim, centered around the String Bridge and the nearby streets.
The organizing committee, which includes representatives of all the chareidi parties, held a Zoom session following an earlier meeting at the Bnei Brak municipality. Participants included Chaim Bitton and Yosef Chaim Kalef of Shas, Chanoch Zeibert and Meir Porush of Agudas Yisroel, and Menachem Shapira of Degel HaTorah.
According to details obtained by Matzav.com, the rally will not feature a central stage or amplification trucks. Instead, leading rabbonim will be stationed at various points, with one balcony designated as the focal area from which selichos will be recited.
The program will consist solely of selichos, Tehillim, and the public declaration of Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shomayim.
During the committee discussions, organizers expressed their belief that the police have accepted that the event will indeed proceed and are preparing accordingly. The committee plans to tour the site on Tuesday, and an official notice about the event is expected to appear in the chareidi newspapers tomorrow.
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who last week approved the decision to hold the rally following the arrest of yeshiva bochru Ariel Shamai, was updated today by organizers on the logistical aspects of the event. Rav Hirsch instructed that the rally should take place “at any time and location possible, but only with full police approval.”
Earlier, representatives met with police officials, who are preparing for a crowd of at least half a million people. Police sources reportedly emphasized that their role is “to assist and prevent clashes, not to create unnecessary friction.” Officers even asked that the message be conveyed to the public that they “stand with the demonstrators, not against them.”
Among those attending today’s coordination meeting were Shmulik Shapira (Agudas Yisroel–Gur), Tzachi Barim (Deputy Mayor of Yerushalayim), Shimi Blau (Agudas Yisroel–Shlomei Emunim), Menachem Shapira (Degel HaTorah), and Yaakov Orgad (Shas).
Another round of meetings — both among the committee members and with police — is scheduled for tomorrow to finalize remaining details.
{Matzav.com}
Barely two weeks after the Gaza ceasefire took effect, Kan News revealed Sunday evening that the IDF is grappling with a serious internal security lapse, one that military officials have described as a grave breach of information security rules. Because of the classified nature of the incident, few concrete details have been released.
Security sources said the situation resulted from “a serious human error and gross negligence,” adding that the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Officials noted that “this incident is particularly severe and is being thoroughly examined to ensure that any damage, if caused, will be contained as much as possible.”
In response, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir immediately ordered a formal inquiry, placing it under his personal oversight. He also instructed senior officers to draft tougher new regulations to safeguard sensitive military information and prevent future lapses of this kind.
According to the IDF, the initial findings from the probe are expected to be delivered to the top command within days. Military insiders indicated that disciplinary actions are likely for those responsible, emphasizing that Lt. Gen. Zamir is directly supervising and tracking the progress of the investigation to ensure full accountability.
{Matzav.com}
During a recent White House press briefing, Jewish reporter Mr. Jake Turkeltaub — better known as Turx — surprised many when he asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether President Donald Trump was planning to build the Third Bais Hamikdosh in Yerushalayim.
Leavitt replied that such a topic “had not come up in any of the meetings held on President Trump’s construction projects.”
The question immediately drew mixed reactions online and in the media. Many observers dismissed it as inappropriate or misguided, calling it “foolish” and “an embarrassment.”
Others defended Turx’s boldness, noting that his question touched on deep religious and political symbolism rather than literal construction plans.
In response to the wave of criticism, Turx clarified his intent in an interview with Belaaz. “If there’s one thing Trump understands, it’s leverage. The problem is he couldn’t figure out how to get leverage over Hamas,” he explained, emphasizing that his comment was more about strategy than theology.
Turx elaborated that in his view, the solution is “very simple”: “To tell the Hamas terror group that if they won’t disarm, control of the Har Habayis will be transferred solely to the Jews.” He argued that Hamas leaders are indifferent to human life but deeply attached to the Temple Mount. “They don’t care about anybody’s kids, they’ll sacrifice everybody, but the one thing they will not sacrifice is Har Habayis,” he said.
Clarifying further, Turx added, “I’m not saying, ‘Let’s go up and build the Bais Hamikdash this second,’ I’m saying, ‘Let’s put Har Habayis on the table.’ And if that doesn’t work and Hamas does not disarm, then we’ll have to figure out about building the Beis Hamikdash, but for now, let’s just use it for leverage.”
The question came in the wake of President Trump’s announcement of several ambitious new building initiatives, including a ceremonial arch in Washington and plans to replace the White House’s east wing with an elegant ballroom — part of what he has described as “projects of lasting American greatness.”
{Matzav.com}As the highly contested New York City mayoral election approaches, many New Yorkers currently abroad in Israel wish to participate in this crucial race. While registration for new voters closed on October 25, 2025, Chaim V’Chessed points out that those who have registered to vote in New York, even in past elections, and who intend to return to New York, remain eligible.
Eligible voters must request their absentee ballot by 11:59 p.m. New York time on October 28. The process is simple: complete the FPCA (Federal Postcard Application) form available at this link and email it to voterreg@boe.nyc.ny.us. Ballots are typically received by email within a few days.
In a parallel initiative, Agudath Israel of America has established a dedicated ballot-collection service in Israel for New York City absentee ballots. Collection points are available in several Jerusalem neighborhoods, allowing New Yorkers abroad to submit their ballots locally and ensure they reach New York in time. Click here for details.
Summary: Instructions for voters abroadFill out the FPCA absentee-ballot request form.
Email the completed form to the voterreg@boe.nyc.ny.us promptly.
Watch for the emailed ballot; complete and return it according to instructions.
Use the Agudath Israel collection points in Israel to submit your ballot.
{Matzav.com}
With growing outrage over the draft law and the recent arrest of yeshiva bochurim, the long-discussed “million-man protest” in defense of Torah learning may finally be taking shape.
A key organizing meeting was held Sunday morning at the Bnei Brak Municipality, drawing representatives from all major chareidi parties, yet no final decisions have been made.
The meeting brought together Meir Porush and Chanoch Zeibert of Agudas Yisroel, Chaim Bitton of Shas, and Menachem Shapira of Degel HaTorah.
According to sources, the current plan under consideration is to hold the mass protest this Thursday afternoon at the entrance to Yerushalayim, the same location where a massive demonstration took place in 2014. However, the final date and details remain uncertain due to the significant funding and logistical coordination required, including arrangements with police and municipal authorities.
Meanwhile, members of the chareidi public, many of whom have already scheduled events for later in the week, are eagerly awaiting an official announcement. The sense in the community is that this time, the protest may indeed move forward after weeks of hesitation and internal debate.
The rally’s momentum stems from the recent arrest of Ariel Shamai, a yeshiva bochur from Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo — an incident that, for the first time, prompted Degel HaTorah to join public protests. Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, has been at the forefront of efforts to unite all factions of the Torah world around this cause.
Earlier today, Rav Sorotzkin participated in a session of the Eidah HaChareidis Beis Din in Yerushalayim, presided over by the senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch, to deliberate on an appropriate communal response to the continued imprisonment of yeshiva students. Among those present was the Beis Din’s emissary, Rav Shimon Shisha, who joined the discussion alongside Rav Sorotzkin.
In a related development, thousands of students from the Ateres Shlomo network of Talmudei Torah are expected to gather tomorrow outside Prison 10 in protest of the arrest. The demonstration is being organized under the direct instruction of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.
For now, the nation waits. Will this week finally see the long-promised “million-man protest”?
{Matzav.com}
