POTUS: “We’re here today to announce a historic victory for American women, mothers, and families. With the actions I will outline this afternoon, we’ll dramatically slash the cost of IVF, and many of the most common fertility drugs… prices are going way down.”
A year ago, family members of hostages were moved to tears when they visited the home of Rebbetzin Leah Kolodetsky, the daughter of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, z’tl. The hostages’ relatives were in Bnei Brak as part of a Sukkos tour. The Rebbetzin told them that for months after the October 7 massacre, her husband, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Kolodetsky, 71, slept on the floor in solidarity with the suffering of the hostages. However, at the end of the winter, her husband caught a cold from sleeping on the floor so he placed a thin piece of plywood on a bed and slept on that. B’Chasdei Hashem, on Monday night (Simchas Torah in Eretz Yisrael), Harav Kolodetsky finally removed the plywood from his bed and slept directly on the mattress. Last year, Chareidi journalist Yisrael Cohen, who accompanied the families, said, “We arrived at the home of Rebbetzin Kolodetsky to get a bracha. She told us in a ‘by the way’ manner that her husband hasn’t slept on a bed since October 7, 2023.” “The son-in-law of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, z’tl, a Talmid Chacham and Rav in Yisrael, over the age of 70, decided to sleep on a board he placed on a bed. For a year already. Every night.” He added, “The Rebbetzin said, ‘You can go in the room and see. How can we sleep comfortably when we have no idea how and where the hostages are sleeping?” (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
YERUSHALYIM: Tens of thousands of Yeshiva Bochurim have filled the Arnona Arena in joyous dance honoring Lomdei Torah at the historic “Amudei Olam” event.
Spirit Airlines announced major cuts set to take effect in 2026, including the closure of its maintenance and warehouse operations in Chicago (ORD) and Baltimore (BWI) starting January 1. The airline expects to furlough up to 365 pilots, downgrade 170 captains, and implement staff reductions beginning in November 2025 as part of efforts to realign its operations for the coming year.
The IDF confirmed that its fighter jets conducted a series of precision airstrikes tonight against Hezbollah “terrorist infrastructure” in southern Lebanon. The strikes targeted a cement quarry reportedly used by Hezbollah to rebuild infrastructure destroyed during Operation Northern Arrows, as well as sites operated by the Lebanese group “Green Without Borders,” which the IDF says serves as a civilian front for Hezbollah activity.
by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.” It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them. Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year! Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)! YES! YOU CAN MAKE your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR! The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly: It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned. Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. Official Shtar from Shas Yiden Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim. All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528. The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – […]
On Thursday, the first day of Chol Hamoed, Rockland County Law Enforcement Liaison Hershy Margeratten once again opened his sukkah for what has become one of the county’s most anticipated Sukkos traditions, a heartfelt gathering bringing together law enforcement officials from across Rockland and beyond. The event, now an annual symbol of gratitude and unity, was held to thank local law enforcement for their year-round dedication and to strengthen the deep bonds between the Jewish community and those who serve and protect it. A wide array of agencies were represented, including the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Ramapo Police, Spring Valley Police, Clarkstown Police, Stony Point Police, Orangetown Police, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and even Upper Saddle River Police from neighboring New Jersey — reflecting the strong regional cooperation that helps keep communities safe. Chaverim of Rockland Coordinator Yossi Margeratten joined his brother Hershy in welcoming the guests, while Rabbi Aaron Dovid Gancz of Chabad delivered stirring and inspiring remarks highlighting the themes of unity, gratitude, and resilience — values that define both the Jewish community and those in uniform. The afternoon was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and mutual respect as officials, shared words of appreciation and friendship under the sukkah’s lights. YWN recognizes the continued dedication of Hershy and Yossi Margeratten, whose tireless efforts behind the scenes have become a cornerstone of Rockland’s strong community–law enforcement relationship — a partnership that continues to serve as a model for others across the region. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
WH Press Secretary on President Trump’s call with President Putin today: “They have agreed to convene a meeting of their high-level staff next week to continue these very important discussions, which may be followed by yet another meeting between President Trump and President Putin.”
WH Press Secretary on Zohran Mamdani’s refusal to call on Hamas to lay down its arms: “This interview proved that the Democrat Party’s main constituencies are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals — that is who the Democrat Party is catering to.”
Tami Breslavsky, the mother of freed hostage Rom Breslavsky, spoke with Ynet and shared new details about the two years her son spent in captivity. She noted that his captors wanted him to convert to Islam and promised to “compensate” him with food. They told him that if he read the Quran or fasted during Ramadan, he would receive small gifts and food. But it was important for Rom to maintain his Judaism, and according to his mother, he repeatedly said: “I’m Jewish, I am strong, I will not break.” She added, “As soon as he returned, he put on tefillin.” Tami: “Baruch Hashem, now we have returned to smiling a real smile, not a forced smile. We have returned to life. Rom went through a very difficult captivity, two very difficult years. But if there is anyone who can survive this, it’s Rom. He is strong; I believe in him. “He tells all sorts of terrible things that happened to him there, as if they were an everyday occurrence. I hear it, and my heart clenches.” “We still have a way to go. I am taking this path with him—from the first step until we see him truly smiling from the heart.” According to reports, Breslavsky endured severe torture and brutal daily beatings for months. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
