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“I can’t breathe!” — chaos erupted on Motzei Shabbos on the road to Kever Rochel as large crowds of Chareidim were blocked by security personnel from continuing their way.

President Trump rebuffs reports that the U.S. will strike in Venezuela. On resuming nuclear testing: “We’re going to do some testing, yeah. Other countries doing, if they’re going to do it, we’re going to do it.”

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A remarkable display of kavod haTorah unfolded in Los Angeles as a delegation of Gedolei Yisroel arrived on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah. The delegation, which arrived early Tuesday, October 21, was led by Harav Dov Landau, shlit”a, accompanied by Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a, Harav Chaim Peretz Berman, shlit”a, Harav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, shlit”a, Harav Yerucham Olshin, shlit”a, and Harav Yosef Chevroni, shlit”a.

Upon landing, Rav Dov proceeded to the home of the R’ Zev Hertz and family, his hosts during the visit, where he davened Shacharis. Simultaneously, Harav Yaakiv Hillel, shlit”a davened at the home of R’ Shlomo Gurwitz and family, his hosts.. Both tefillos drew groups of local baalei tzedakah and supporters who came to greet the Gedolim and draw chizuk from their presence.

Following Shacharis, many tomchei Torah from across the Los Angeles area visited the Gedolim, expressing their deep appreciation for the monumental work of Keren Olam HaTorah and engaging in discussions about the dire financial realities confronting the Olam HaTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

That evening, the primary fundraising dinner was hosted at the home of R’ Itsik Unger, where members of the Los Angeles kehilla gathered to commit to the mission and pledge generous support.

Speaking at the event, R’ Reuven Wolf, a noted baal tzedakah, said: “We, as American Jews, are being given an incredible opportunity—not just to donate, but to be real partners in the Torah being learned with simcha, even in poverty. It’s our privilege to stand with these ameilim baTorah, who are carrying the future of Klal Yisroel on their shoulders.” The host, R’ Itsik Unger spoke about the great zechus it is to support Torah and to be counted on by the leaders of the generation to fill a pressing need for Klal Yisrael. 

Later that night, a massive community-wide asifah took place at the Saban Theatre, drawing thousands of men, bochurim, and women from every part of the kehilla. The event was one of unparalleled achdus and hisorerus, as the Gedolim addressed the crowd with powerful divrei chizuk.

Rav Dov Landau, shlit”a, delivered a fiery message: “Now is the time for achdus. Every Jew must recognize his responsibility in this mission. Those who can give—must give; those who can inspire others—must do so; those who can daven—must pour their hearts out before Hashem for the protection of Torah v’lomdeha.”

Earlier that day, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman delivered a shiur at the Los Angeles Kollel, where avreichim later spoke to him personally in Torah and for hadracha.

The following morning, Shacharis was held at the home of Rabbi Boruch Gradon, Rosh Kollel of Merkaz HaTorah Community Kollel in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood.

 “It is clear from Chazal that it is our connection to Torah that affords us the resilience to survive the challenges of this long Golus—but that connection must be under the guidance and leadership of Beis Rebbi v’chachmei hadoros, the eynei ha’eidah,” Rabbi Gradon remarked.

Philanthropist R’ Baruch Jeremias noted, “What we are seeing here is true achdus—Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Chassidim—all standing together for one sacred goal: to preserve Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel.”

Later that day, Rav Yaakov Hillel visited the kollel of Rabbi Yehoshua Millman in Valley Village, where he spent time with the avreichim and offered divrei chizuk and hadrachah.

Throughout the visit, Rav Yosef Chevroni, shlit”a, made time to speak in many of the yeshivos and schools throughout the Los Angeles region. His message to the children was clear and empowering: “You have the zechus to be a part of a chain—a link in the mesorah of Klal Yisroel. Never forget the pride of being someone who is upholding the Torah in this generation.”

The final event of the trip was the wedding of the daughter of R’ Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz, a long-standing tomeich Torah for mosdos around the globe.

Shortly after the chasunah, the delegation returned to Eretz Yisroel and to their respective cities, concluding what will surely be remembered as a historic visit—one that brought tremendous chizuk, unity, and renewed commitment to the mission of Keren Olam HaTorah.

US Drone Observes Aid Truck Looted by Hamas in Gaza On Oct. 31, the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) observed suspected Hamas operatives looting an aid truck traveling as part of a humanitarian convoy delivering needed assistance from international partners to Gazans in northern Khan Younis. The coordination center was alerted through video surveillance from […]

NEW: Erika Kirk reacts to the defense’s attempt to block cameras from the trial of the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. “Why not be transparent? There’s nothing to hide. I know there’s not, because I’ve seen what the case is built on.” “Let everyone see what true evil is.”

Since the Gaza ceasefire began earlier this month, the IDF says troops in Rafah have been demolishing a large Hamas tunnel network and discovered a multiple rocket launcher with 15 barrels and other military equipment. The Nahal Brigade, operating under the Gaza Division, has been stationed on the eastern side of the “Yellow Line” marking […]

Lebanese media report that an Israeli drone strike on a car in Kfar Roummane, southern Lebanon, killed four people and wounded three others. Israeli defense sources said the target was a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force.

Two doctors at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv contracted measles after treating an unvaccinated child with the disease. According to a statement released by the Health Ministry on Motzei Shabbos, the doctors are currently in isolation. Both doctors were vaccinated and developed only a mild form of the disease.

Trump administration must pay SNAP benefits despite government shutdown, judge rules • A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked the Trump administration from ceasing to pay SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. • The ruling came a day before the administration was set to cut off those food stamp benefits from 42 million Americans. • […]

Ukrainian forces hit an important fuel pipeline in the Moscow region that supplies the Russian army, Ukraine’s military intelligence said Saturday, as Russia kept up a sustained campaign of massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The operation was carried out late Friday, according to a statement on the Telegram messaging channel. The […]

A pair of federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must draw on emergency funding to ensure that at least part of the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues — just one day before the Department of Agriculture warned the program’s funds would run dry amid the prolonged government shutdown.

The rulings, issued separately in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, determined that the USDA may decide whether to provide full or partial benefits for November, but that cutting off the program entirely would be unlawful. SNAP, which provides food aid to roughly 42 million Americans, costs about $8 billion each month.

Earlier in the week, 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed suit against the USDA in Boston federal court, charging that the agency’s claim that the “well has run dry” violated federal law. Similar arguments were raised in Rhode Island, where a coalition of cities and nonprofits joined the legal challenge.

The administration countered that it lacked authority to use the roughly $5 billion contingency fund reserved for emergencies. The plaintiffs argued otherwise, maintaining that the Food and Nutrition Act compels the government to use such funds when necessary, since it mandates that “assistance under this program shall be furnished to all eligible households.”

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the issue alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Capitol Hill, saying, “There is a contingency fund at USDA, but that contingency fund, by the way, doesn’t even cover, I think half of the $9.2 billion that would be required for November SNAP.” She added, “It is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded. If Hurricane Melissa or one of the hurricanes hits, that’s the contingency fund that we would use to send more money into the vulnerable communities that are harmed by a specific event, like a hurricane — but it is a contingency fund that can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved.”

However, a previously released — and later deleted — USDA “Lapse in Funding Plan” from September 30 suggested that “multi-year contingency funds” were, in fact, intended to address temporary shortfalls in SNAP financing. Despite this, subsequent correspondence from the administration asserted that the $6 billion reserve could not be used for routine monthly payments, insisting that such funds were meant strictly for emergencies.

Boston U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani disagreed. In her 15-page decision, she wrote, “At core, Defendants’ conclusion that USDA is statutorily prohibited from funding SNAP because Congress has not enacted new appropriations for the current fiscal year is erroneous.”

She continued, “To the contrary, Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds as detailed below.” Talwani ordered the USDA to report by Monday whether it could “authorize only reduced SNAP benefits” using disaster-response money “or to authorize full SNAP benefits” by combining emergency and other available funds.

Talwani further noted that “there shouldn’t be an outright suspension of the program while some funds are available.”

In a similar ruling, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island directed the federal government to use emergency funding to sustain the program and demanded a progress update by Monday. McConnell also required that all previously granted work requirement waivers remain in effect after the USDA had moved to terminate them, which would have affected older adults, veterans, and others exempted during the shutdown.

While the Trump administration is expected to appeal both rulings, it remains uncertain how soon SNAP beneficiaries’ electronic benefit cards can be replenished — a process that typically takes one to two weeks.

Saturday marks what would be the first lapse in SNAP funding in six decades. Several governors, including New York’s Kathy Hochul, have declared states of emergency to help food banks prepare for possible shortfalls.

“Millions of families rely on SNAP — or food stamps — to survive,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said Friday, after joining the Boston lawsuit. “The administration tried to use the shutdown as an excuse to withhold food assistance from vulnerable Americans, but the court has made clear that the law requires those benefits to continue.”

She added, “The federal government cannot simply walk away from its obligation to feed the people it serves. We will keep fighting until every family in New York and across the nation can put food on the table.”

Eligibility rules for 2025 stipulate that a family of four may qualify for SNAP only if its net income after deductions does not exceed the federal poverty line, set at about $31,000 per year.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has once again put his personal stamp on the White House, this time revealing a striking transformation of the historic Lincoln Bathroom. The renovation, which he personally showcased on Truth Social Friday, replaces the decades-old art deco design with a look he says better fits the Lincoln era.

“I renovated the Lincoln Bathroom in the White House,” Trump wrote, sharing before-and-after photos of the project. “It was renovated in the 1940s in an art deco green tile style, which was totally inappropriate for the Lincoln Era.”

Trump added, “I did it in black and white polished Statuary marble. This was very appropriate for the time of Abraham Lincoln and, in fact, could be the marble that was originally there!”

The renovation comes amid broader controversy surrounding Trump’s extensive overhaul of the East Wing, where demolition is currently underway to make space for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom costing roughly $300 million. The ambitious project, funded entirely by private donors, has sparked a fierce debate nationwide.

Polling data suggests that most Americans are not on board with the plan. According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey, 56% of Americans disapprove of tearing down the East Wing for the ballroom, and 45% “strongly” oppose it. Only 28% expressed support for the construction, with 15% saying they “strongly” support the decision.

Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Bathroom follows earlier criticism he directed at President Harry Truman, who oversaw a major White House redesign in 1945, including updates to the Lincoln Bedroom and its adjoining bathroom.

“It’s a style that is not good. … It is actually art deco and art deco doesn’t go with 1850 and civil wars,” Trump said earlier this month when discussing his decision to redo the historic room.

Truman’s 1945 restoration, completed soon after he assumed the presidency from Franklin D. Roosevelt, featured a predominantly blue color scheme and modern art deco touches — a look Trump has now decisively erased in favor of a marble tribute to Lincoln’s time.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli authorities are reportedly making preparations for a possible scenario in which Hamas transfers human remains that cannot be definitively confirmed as belonging to Israeli hostages. Reports in the Israeli media on Friday night indicated that the government and the IDF are on alert for such a development.

According to the IDF, there is concern that some of the remains Hamas intends to hand over may belong to hostages whose bodies have already been brought back to Israel. Officials remain uncertain whether the handover could take place as early as Friday night or sometime afterward.

Just a day earlier, Hamas returned the bodies of two hostages, Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, whose remains were received by Israel following coordination with the Red Cross. Both men had been among the Israelis abducted into Gaza during the October 7 attacks.

The terrorist group continues to hold the bodies of eleven additional hostages inside the Gaza Strip, leaving their families in painful suspense nearly thirteen months after their abduction.

There is precedent for Hamas providing misleading information about returned remains. In a previous incident, the group claimed to have handed over the body of a hostage, but it was later discovered that the remains actually belonged to Ofir Sarfati, whose body had already been recovered and repatriated in November 2023.

Under the U.S.-mediated ceasefire arrangement, Hamas was obligated to return every hostage—living or deceased—within a 72-hour timeframe. While the organization did release the twenty living captives it was holding, it has failed to comply with the portion of the deal requiring the return of the bodies of the murdered hostages.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled that the Trump administration’s decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for tens of millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown likely violates federal law — though she declined to compel the administration to immediately reinstate the benefits.

In a detailed 15-page opinion issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston instructed the Department of Agriculture to clarify by Monday whether it could “authorize only reduced SNAP benefits” using disaster-response funds or instead “authorize full SNAP benefits” through both those funds and “additional available funds.” Her order left open the question of whether emergency reserves could be tapped to continue providing aid to families in need.

The lawsuit that led to Talwani’s ruling was filed earlier in the week by a coalition of 25 Democrat-led states and the District of Columbia. Their attorneys argued that the administration’s suspension of the program — which supports over 42 million Americans — directly contradicts the Food and Nutrition Act’s clear directive that “assistance under this program shall be furnished to all eligible households.” According to the complaint, the USDA had warned that “the well has run dry” and that funding could no longer be maintained during the shutdown.

If the payments lapse, it would mark the first time in six decades that SNAP funding has been interrupted, a situation the suing states said would harm vulnerable families who depend on the program for basic nutrition.

Earlier Friday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters that the department’s contingency funds couldn’t be used to bridge the gap — even if officials wanted to. “There is a contingency fund at USDA, but that contingency fund, by the way, doesn’t even cover, I think half of the $9.2 billion that would be required for November SNAP,” Rollins explained. “It is only allowed to flow if the underlying program is funded. If Hurricane Melissa or one of the hurricanes hits, that’s the contingency fund that we would use to send more money into the vulnerable communities that are harmed by a specific event, like a hurricane — but it is a contingency fund that can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved.”

With the shutdown dragging on and federal food assistance hanging in the balance, the court’s order stops short of mandating relief but places mounting legal and political pressure on the administration to find a way to keep SNAP benefits flowing.

{Matzav.com}

Speaker Mike Johnson has doubled down on his standoff with Senate Democrats, keeping the House out of session for a sixth straight week as the government shutdown creeps toward historic length. With the current impasse on track to surpass the record set by the 2018–2019 shutdown, pressure is mounting on both parties to strike a deal before critical programs lose funding.

The Senate once again adjourned without passing a funding bill, leaving Washington gridlocked and millions of Americans facing potential hardship. Democrats in the chamber have rejected the GOP’s stopgap funding proposal 13 times, with both sides showing little indication of softening their positions despite minor hints of back-channel discussions.

By the weekend, federal aid relied on by tens of millions could start to vanish. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to dry up Saturday, threatening food assistance for 42 million Americans. Support for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program — which provides aid for mothers and young children — is also at risk, even after the Trump administration earlier this month redirected funds to extend it temporarily.

The Head Start program, which offers childcare to low-income families, is also nearing exhaustion. Without new funding, it will likely halt operations this weekend.

At the heart of the impasse is a seven-week continuing resolution (CR) pushed by House Republicans that maintains current spending levels and adds $88 million for security enhancements benefiting Congress, the White House, and the judiciary — a provision that has drawn bipartisan nods. But Democrats are fuming over being shut out of negotiations and have accused GOP leadership of cutting them from the process entirely.

Democratic lawmakers have insisted on extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those benefits are set to expire at the end of 2025 without congressional intervention. Republicans, while open to discussing potential reforms, have refused to tie the healthcare issue to the short-term funding bill.

With open enrollment beginning Saturday, Democrats had hoped that looming public pressure would push the GOP toward compromise. Instead, Johnson has kept the House out of session since the chamber passed its funding package on September 19. Democrats have lambasted him for “keeping Republicans on vacation” while vital government functions remain frozen.

Johnson, however, has defended the decision, arguing that “the House cannot resume its work until Democrats end the shutdown.” He’s instructed members of his caucus to stay in their districts, assist constituents affected by the closure, and emphasize that Democrats are to blame for prolonging it.

For weeks, Republicans have largely rallied around the Speaker’s approach, but as the shutdown continues, discontent is slowly surfacing within the ranks. During a private GOP conference call Tuesday, several members voiced frustration over the drawn-out strategy.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Kevin Kiley of California reiterated their opposition to Johnson’s plan — criticism they’ve aired publicly for weeks. Joining them was Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, who for the first time questioned whether the tactic is working.

“I’m no longer convinced that staying out of session has benefits that outweigh the costs,” Crenshaw said, according to Fox News Digital.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Police have completed extensive preparations ahead of the yahrtzeit of Rochel Imeinu 5786, which will take place at Kever Rochel beginning Motzoei Shabbos through Sunday (November 2).

Hundreds of police officers and Border Police troops will be deployed around the site, together with ushers, to maintain public order, direct traffic, and ensure the safety of the many visitors expected to arrive. Authorities emphasized that special attention has been given to minimizing disruption to daily life in the area while facilitating a smooth and secure pilgrimage for all.

Public Transportation and Access

Parking for the public will be available at Teddy Stadium, from which paid shuttle buses will run directly to Kever Rochel. Beginning Motzoei Shabbos at 8:00 p.m. until Sunday evening, access to the site will be exclusively via bus lines 663 and 664, operating frequently from the western Teddy parking lot.

Private parking will be available only in the eastern (Arena) lot. Teddy Stadium can also be reached via the following bus lines: 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18, 31, 33, 35, 77, 504, 506, 509, 516, 531, and 540. During nighttime hours, line 6א will run directly from Binyanei HaUma to Teddy.

It should be noted that lines 163 and 238 will not operate at all, and stops at the Chevron Road/Rosemarin intersection will be canceled — there will be no access to or from Kever Rochel from that area.

Shuttle and Access Guidelines

Private buses will be directed to park at Teddy, where passengers will transfer to the public shuttle service. Entry to the Kever Rochel complex will be permitted only for pre-arranged organized groups and for individuals with disabilities who require wheelchair access. Pedestrian movement along the bus route between the Rosemarin junction and the site will not be allowed.

Traffic Arrangements and Expected Delays

Due to heavy traffic anticipated in the area, motorists heading to Gilo are advised to approach via Route 50 (Begin South). The Chevron–Rosemarin intersection will be closed, and drivers heading to Har Choma should use Hebron Road. Vehicle access from the Rosemarin junction toward Kever Rochel will be blocked.

Parking on Rosemarin Street and Chevron Road will be strictly prohibited. Police will carry out intensified enforcement, including ticketing and towing of illegally parked vehicles. The Rosemarin, Tunnel, and Tantour junctions will be intermittently closed depending on traffic volume.

Police Advisory

Police urge the public to follow instructions from officers and ushers, avoid standing or walking along traffic lanes, and note that flying drones in or around the Kever Rochel compound is strictly forbidden.

Israel Police emphasized that every effort will be made to ensure that visitors can reach Kever Rochel safely and securely, while maintaining public order and steady traffic flow for all.

{Matzav.com}

Federal investigators are examining whether the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation misled donors who contributed millions during the nationwide protests that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Sources familiar with the matter told the AP that the Justice Department has issued subpoenas and executed at least one search warrant as part of its investigation into the organization that became the central force behind the wave of demonstrations that swept across the United States in the summer of 2020. Some of those protests later devolved into violence, arson, and widespread looting.

The Associated Press noted that “it was not clear if the investigation would result in criminal charges, but its mere existence invites fresh scrutiny to a movement that in recent years has faced criticism about its public accounting of donations it has received.” The report added that the new round of federal activity comes “at a time when civil rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for the Trump administration to target a variety of progressive and left-leaning groups that have been critical of him, including those affiliated with BLM, the transgender rights movement and anti-ICE protesters.”

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to offer any comment on the report released Thursday.

Although the probe has gained renewed focus during the Trump administration, one of the AP’s sources said it actually originated under the Biden administration.

Following Floyd’s death—captured on a viral video showing him pinned beneath a white Minneapolis police officer’s knee—the Black Lives Matter foundation reported receiving over $90 million in donations. The incident ignited outrage and became a catalyst for one of the largest protest movements in modern American history.

In the years since, BLM’s leadership has faced persistent criticism regarding its financial transparency. In 2022, public outrage intensified after it was revealed that roughly $6 million in donor funds were used to purchase a luxury home in Los Angeles that boasted six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a pool.

As previously reported by Breitbart News, co-founder Patrisse Cullors admitted that she had used the property for personal gatherings. Cullors stepped down from her leadership role in 2023 amid mounting controversy.

According to the Associated Press, earlier reviews of the foundation’s financial practices failed to uncover definitive evidence of wrongdoing. The organization’s most recent IRS filing showed $28 million in assets as of the fiscal year ending June 2024.

The current inquiry is being overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles.

In a statement provided to the Associated Press, the foundation insisted that it “is not a target of any federal criminal investigation.” It added, “We remain committed to full transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to building a better future for Black communities.”

The Black Lives Matter slogan first surfaced in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida under the state’s “stand your ground” law. The phrase gained national traction a year later, following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, when the 18-year-old was shot while charging a police officer—an event that sparked mass protests and cemented “Black Lives Matter” as a global social justice movement.

{Matzav.com}

A pediatric resident at the Dana Children’s Hospital, part of the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv, has been diagnosed with measles after exposure to an unvaccinated infant.

According to the hospital, the doctor had been fully vaccinated against measles but nonetheless contracted the illness. Fortunately, her symptoms are described as mild.

Following the diagnosis, Ichilov immediately contacted all parents whose children may have been exposed. Several of the children who came into contact with the doctor before the illness was identified are now receiving preventive treatment.

Hospital officials stated that all necessary steps have been taken to prevent further infection:

“All measures were implemented to isolate those exposed and prevent additional cases. The details of non-hospitalized children were transferred to the Ministry of Health, and they too are receiving preventive care.”

Ichilov reiterated the importance of vaccination, warning that avoiding the measles vaccine endangers not only unvaccinated children themselves but also others around them — including those who are vaccinated but may still be at risk.

Dr. Ronen Ben Ami, Director of Infectious Diseases at Ichilov, explained: “The phenomenon of contracting the illness despite vaccination is known. Fully vaccinated individuals can sometimes develop the disease, though it is generally mild. It’s important to emphasize that vaccination remains highly effective, preventing about 95% of cases. During outbreaks, when many people are exposed, occasional infections among vaccinated individuals can occur — but they are much rarer and far less severe.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Rafael Yehuda Berdugo zt”l.

Rav Berdugo was a beloved marbitz Torah and rov who served for many years as the spiritual guide of his community in the city of Migdal HaEmek. In recent years, he resided in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he continued to radiate his light and inspiration.

Rav Berdugo’s petirah marks the loss of one of the last remaining links to the illustrious sages of Morocco’s Knesses HaGedolah.

He was born in Morocco to his father, Rav Avraham Berdugo, and was a grandson of Rav Chaim Berdugo, rosh yeshiva of Etz Chaim in Meknes.

From his youth, Rav Rafael Yehuda was deeply attached to the great rabbonim of Meknes, among them Rav Yosef Messas and Rav Rafael Baruch Toledano. He also served as a mashgiach in the Chabad Yeshiva of Meknes, where he inspired generations of young talmidim.

After making aliyah to Eretz Yisroel, Rav Berdugo settled in Migdal HaEmek, where he devoted his life to spreading Torah and nurturing talmidim. He founded the city’s first shiurim and Torah programs, served as rov to several kehillos hakodesh, and dedicated himself with self-sacrifice to the spiritual growth and guidance of his talmidim and community members.

In his later years, he moved to the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he continued to share his wisdom and warmth with all who crossed his path.

Rav Berdugo leaves behind sons and sons-in-law who are distinguished talmidei chachamim, along with a remarkable family that carries on his noble legacy and the proud traditions of the distinguished Berdugo rabbinic dynasty.

The levayah took place at Yeshivas Bris Yaakov in Bayit Vegan, headed by his son-in-law, Rav Shimon Toledano, and continued to the Ponovezh Cemetery in Bnei Brak, where he was laid to rest.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}