An IDF airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Thursday killed Aziz Salha, a Palestinian man notorious for his involvement in the lynching of two Israeli soldiers in Ramallah in 2000. Salha gained global infamy for his role in the brutal attack, during which he was captured on video waving his blood-soaked hands to a cheering crowd after the murders of two Israeli reservists. The incident, which took place on October 12, 2000, during the early days of the Second Intifada, shocked Israelis and became a symbol of the violence associated with the collapse of the Oslo Accords. The two soldiers, Cpl. Vadim Norzhic, 33, and Sgt. First Class Yosef Avrahami, 38, had accidentally entered the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Ramallah, where they were brutally beaten, stabbed, and mutilated by a mob. The lynching occurred at the Palestinian Authority’s police station in the twin city of el-Bireh, where Salha stood at a window displaying his bloodied hands. Salha, 43, was arrested by Israeli authorities a year after the attack but was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal to secure the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza. The IDF confirmed that Salha was killed in an airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, and noted that in recent years, he had been actively involved in coordinating terrorist activities in the West Bank. “He continued to engage in terrorist activity even in these past days,” the IDF said in a statement. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A storm system that was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico strengthened into Tropical Storm Milton on Saturday, and forecasters warned that it could intensify into a hurricane and slam into the west coast of Florida next week. Tropical Storm Milton was about 220 miles (355 kilometers) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in an afternoon advisory. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was heading toward the north-northeast at 3 mph (6 kph). Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 35 counties ahead of the storm’s potential landfall. Since many of those counties are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, DeSantis asked the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available resources and personnel to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal. Though no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, the hurricane center said the Florida Peninsula, the Florida Keys, Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and the northwestern Bahamas should monitor the system’s progress. The storm is forecast to strengthen and bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to parts of Florida, with hurricane and storm-surge watches likely in effect from Sunday. Parts of the state are expected to have heavy rainfall beginning that day, threatening flash, urban, and areal flooding, along with some river flooding. “There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the west coast of the Florida Peninsula beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday. Residents in these areas should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, follow any advice given by local officials, and check back for updates to the forecast,” the center said. Looking further east, Leslie has strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean but isn’t threatening land, forecasters said. The storm was located Saturday about 725 miles (1,170 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Meanwhile, Hurricane Kirk remained a Category 4 major hurricane, and waves from the system were affecting the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles, forecasters said. The storm’s swells were expected to spread to the East Coast of the United States, the Atlantic Coast of Canada and the Bahamas on Saturday night and Sunday. Forecasters warned the waves could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Kirk was expected to weaken starting Saturday, the center said. Though there were no coastal warnings or watches in effect for Kirk, the center said those in the Azores, where swells could hit Monday, should monitor the storm’s progress. Kirk was about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (209 kph). The storms churned as rescuers in the U.S. Southeast searched for people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving behind a trail of death and catastrophic damage. (AP)
YWN regrets to inform you of the sudden petirah of Chaim Tzvi (Chatzi) Katz, z”l, at the age of 28. Chatzi, a beloved baal menagen and musician, brought joy and spirit to countless simchos over the years. Tragically, Chatzi collapsed on the second day of Rosh Hashanah in Mountaindale, NY, where he had served as chazzan. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was niftar shortly afterward. Chatzi was the son of Rav Elya Nota Katz, the rov of Khal Lev Avrohom in Lakewood, NJ, formerly of Monsey. He is survived by his father, his three sisters, extended family, and countless friends and acquaintances. Details of the levaya will be announced once finalized.
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman While everyone is concerned about the war in the north and Israel’s retaliation against Iran, we have to keep in mind that there are still numerous hostages and their remains being held in Gaza. They are our brothers and sisters, and even though we daven for their safe return three times daily, we must do more. What follows is a three-phase suggestion as to how to get the hostages held in Gaza released. Israel has the capability now to hold a referendum or a plebiscite in Gaza, where Palestinians can vote on an issue, and each individual’s vote can be counted. The following idea should be put to a referendum to all residents of Gaza that are 18 years old and above. America, England, France, Canada, and Saudia Arabia should commit to a rebuilding of Gaza on the scale of the Marshall Plan in Germany after World War II. For every living hostage released, one billion dollars will be committed by these nations. These funds will be given as a grant – and will not have to be paid back. For the remains of every deceased hostage that is released, there will be a grant of one million dollars. There are 101 hostages currently being held in Gaza. If the plebiscite is refused then a significantly lower amount will be allocated to rebuild Gaza and will be given as a low interest loan. The Marshall plan, let us keep in mind, was a loan not a grant. If the plebiscite is approved – then those Hamas people that are holding on to the hostages will be able to “save face” so to speak and release the hostages in their people’s interest. In addition, those individuals holding onto hostages will be given amnesty by Israel for the kidnapping provided they sign that they will no longer engage in terrorism. As an additional incentive those individuals holding onto hostages will be given a grant of $50,000 in which to launch a business. If those holding onto the hostages refuse to give up the hostages a reward will be given to anyone who turns in those people. A second plebiscite could eventually be held, along the lines of the denazification plan of General Lucius Clay – where each German citizen was rated on a scale of 1 to 5. To determine who should lead the future governing body of Gaza. It is questionable whether it is wise to have the Palestinian Authority be in charge of Gaza for the time being. Some may ridicule the feasibility of this idea, but this seems to be the best approach to releasing the hostages. May Hashem grant us yeshu’os and nechamos. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com
Donald Trump was onstage at a rally on Long Island last month, talking about taxes, when he appeared momentarily spooked by something he had spotted over his shoulder. “I thought this was a wise guy coming up,” he explained, joking that he was getting his elbow ready to fight back. “You know I got a little bit of a yip problem here, right?” he added to laughs, using a term familiar to golf aficionados to describe a phenomenon once blamed on performance anxiety where players suddenly lose the ability to make easy shots. “I was all ready to start duking it out.” It was a fleeting moment passed off as a joke. But as he returns to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday for a rally at the site where a gunman opened fire in July, grazing his ear with a bullet, the scare underscores the lasting fallout for the candidate and his campaign even as much of the national attention has shifted to other crises. Beyond the two attempts on his life in as many months, the former president and GOP nominee faces ongoing death threats from Iran, which has also been blamed for hacking top campaign officials and allies, exacerbating anxieties already heightened by a stepped-up security apparatus and new restrictions on how he can campaign. Trump’s allies insist he was not fundamentally changed by the gunman who fired from an unsecured roof at the rally in July or the would-be assailant in September who shoved a rifle barrel through the fence at his West Palm Beach golf course. The picture of Trump standing, with blood streaked across his face, as he raised his fist and shouted “Fight!” has become the indelible image of the campaign. “When you almost lose your life, it stays with you. It stays with him,” said Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, a close Trump ally. “But that doesn’t change his resolve. His resolve is just as strong as it ever has been.” Threats have reshaped how he campaigns Trump staffers are on edge. There have been death threats directed at his aides, and his team isn’t as able to quickly organize the mass rallies that have always been the signature of his campaigns. Armed security officers now stand guard at the campaign’s Florida headquarters, and staff have been told to remain vigilant and alert. Events have been canceled and moved around because the U.S. Secret Service lacked the resources to safely secure them. Even with the use of glass barricades to protect Trump onstage, there are concerns about holding additional rallies outdoors due to fears about drones. Trump has accused President Joe Biden’s administration of intentionally denying security resources to help Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, by preventing him from addressing large crowds. “They couldn’t give me any help. And I’m so angry about it because what they’re doing is interfering in the election,” he said in a recent Fox News interview. U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that Trump “is receiving heightened levels of U.S. Secret Service protection” and that “our top priority is mitigating risks to ensure his continued safety at all times.” Biden expressed concern for Trump after both assassination attempts, saying in September, “Thank God the president is OK.” Trump also now travels with a larger […]
The IDF has so far destroyed over 2,000 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including weapons caches, military facilities, and underground infrastructures, according to IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. The IDF has also uncovered and destroyed 250 meters of underground tunnel infrastructure believed to be part of Hezbollah’s terror operations in the region. “Hezbollah invested many efforts and resources to locate its military means under the ground and inside civilian buildings in villages adjacent to the border. Now, we are fiercely operating to dismantle those,” Hagari said in a statement. Hagari added that approximately 440 Hezbollah fighters, including 30 commanders, have been killed either in direct ground combat or through aerial strikes. The IDF has reported significant damage to Hezbollah’s command structure, which Hagari noted is a serious blow to the group’s Iranian backers. “This is painful to the Iranian leadership,” he added. Separately, Hagari confirmed that some of Iran’s ballistic missiles barrage on Tuesday struck air bases in Nevatim and Tel Nof. He noted that no aircraft were damaged and the strikes did not hinder Israel’s air force operations. “The manner in which we will respond to this criminal attack will be in the way, place, and time that we will decide upon,” he said. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
A survey by Kantar Insights and Kan reveals that nearly a quarter of Israelis have contemplated leaving the country over the past year due to the ongoing multifront war. According to the findings, just 1% of respondents have already left or are planning to return after temporarily moving abroad, but 23% said they have considered leaving, either temporarily or permanently, but have not yet acted on those thoughts. Meanwhile, 67% of respondents said they have not entertained the idea of leaving Israel, and 9% either didn’t respond or were unsure. The survey highlights significant political and demographic divides among those considering emigration. Voters who support opposition parties are significantly more likely (36%) to have considered leaving, compared to just 14% of voters who back the current coalition government. Secular respondents were also found to be more likely to contemplate moving abroad compared to their religious counterparts. Among those who admitted to having weighed leaving, 24% had researched housing options abroad, 21% had explored job opportunities, and 15% had either obtained or tried to secure a foreign passport or visa. A smaller percentage, 5%, had even looked into education options for their children. Interestingly, only 36% of those who considered leaving did not take any practical steps toward doing so. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
“Today, Israel is defending itself on seven fronts against the enemies of civilization. We are fighting in Gaza against Hamas, the savages who murdered, raped, beheaded and burned our people on October 7th. We are fighting in Lebanon against Hezbollah, the most heavily armed terror organization in the world, which was planning an even greater massacre than October 7th on our Northern border, and that has rocketed Israeli towns and cities for nearly a year. We are fighting against the Houthis in Yemen, and the Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, that together have launched hundreds of drones and missile attacks against Israel. We are fighting against terrorists in Judea and Samaria, who are trying to murder civilians in the heart of our cities. And we are fighting against Iran, which last week fired over 200 ballistic missiles directly at Israel and which stands behind this seven front war against Israel. As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet President Macron and other western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them. Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace! Israel will win with or without their support. But their shame will continue long after the war is won. For in defending ourselves against this barbarism, Israel is defending civilization against those who seek to impose a dark age of fanaticism on all of us. Rest assured, Israel will fight until the battle is won – for our sake and for the sake of peace and security in the world.”
An IDF soldier was killed in battle in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the IDF announced. He was identified as Cpt. Ben-Tzion Falach, H’yd, 21, from Nitzanei Oz, a moshav in central Israel. He served in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. His death increases the death toll of soldiers killed in the ground war in Lebanon to nine. On Tuesday, the IDF announced the deaths of eight soldiers who fell in combat in Lebanon. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Two IDF soldiers were killed by a drone that was fired from Iraq at northern Ramat HaGolan in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The soldiers were identified as Sgt. Daniel Aviv Chaim Sofer, H’yd, 19, from Ashkelon, a signals officer cadet in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, and Cpl. Tal Dror, H”yd, 19, from Jerusalem, a communications soldier in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. Another 24 soldiers were injured in the attack, including a soldier and non-commissioned reserve officer who were seriously injured, another soldier who were moderately injured, and 21 soldiers who were lightly injured. This is the first time that an Iraqi drone attack caused fatalities. An initial IDF investigation revealed that two suicide drones were fired in an attack. Alert sirens were sounded for the first drone, which was intercepted. The second drone, which hit an IDF base in northern Ramat Haolan, was not detected and no alert sirens were sounded. The IDF is investigating why the drone was not detected. The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
Israeli security sources told Sky News Arabia on Motzei Shabbos that Hashim Safieddine, the presumed successor of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an IDF attack on the Dahieh suburb of Beirut overnight Thursday. A Lebanese security source told Sky News that the chances of anyone surviving the attack are “almost zero.” Three Israeli officials told the New York Times that the strikes targeted a meeting of senior Hezbollah intelligence officials, including Safieddine. The Saudi media outlet Al Hadath reported that Israel received confirmation of Safieddine’s death, adding that Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers were also killed in the strikes. “It was a ring of fire, Israel attacked 11 times consecutively,” a source close to Hezbollah told AFP. Safieddine was Nasrallah’s cousin and the son-in-law of slain Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani. (YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)
On this Erev Rosh Hashanah of 5784/85, we would like to thank the Ribono Shel Olam for all the Chesed He has shown us since the founding of YWN and allowing us to grow into a website our vast readership have all come to trust and count on. We thank our hundreds of thousands of devoted readers across the globe for visiting YWN, patronizing our advertisers, and continuing to make our platform your #1 stop for breaking news. We started YWN more than twenty years ago, and without your participation, we would not be entering our 21st year together. Through trust and dedication over the past two decades, YWN has been able to bring every major story of interest to our readers and has been able to stay far ahead of the curve. Thanks to our entire staff of reporters, the YWN Israel Bureau staff (led by Sara R.), office personnel, our photo & video staff – including: Lazer E., Baruch S, Yossi R, Yehuda Boltshauser (the ENTIRE STAFF at Kuvien Images & YWN Israel), PhotoDynamics, and the rest of the team – for capturing as many photos & videos as possible of anything of interest for the YWN readership. We thank our hundreds of advertisers, our superb sales, and all of you who click on the ads. We know they may seem annoying, but it allows us to keep bringing you news as it happens 24 hours a day. With offices in Baltimore, New York, Canada, Lakewood, Florida and Jerusalem, our staff is working around the clock to bring you the latest news in live time as we have proven over and over for 21 years. Special thanks to the staff at the Baltimore Headquarters (Chaim C.) and our tech team in Israel (headed by Daniel G.) for their incredible dedication and tireless work on the technical end to make sure YWN works at optimum levels. We thank the more than 100,000 that have signed up to our WhatsApp Groups and WhatsApp Status for breaking news, the more than 70,000 who follow @YWN on Twitter, the nearly 120,000 who follow @TheYeshivaWorld on Instagram, and the tens of thousands who follow us on on Facebook. On that note, I would like to personally thank everyone once again for reading Yeshiva World News, and making this site the largest Frum news website on the Internet. Sadly, this past year YWN had to report on some really tragic, horrific, and heartbreaking stories. News items that we never in our worst nightmares thought we would ever have to publish. It’s always tough to report on these incidents, as they hit so close to home and we appreciate the chizzuk we receive from our readership. May Hashem grant us all a year of prosperity, health, security, safety, and may we be Zoche to have the Zechus of reporting the arrival of Moshiach! Kisiva Vachasima Tova to all! ויהי רצון שתזכו לכתיבה וחתימה טובה לחיים טובים וארוכים בספרן של צדיקים גמורים YWN Editor. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Amid the growing tensions in the Middle East, the NYPD is on high alert, especially with Rosh Hashanah, which begins tonight. Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials held a briefing to let New Yorkers know about stepped up security measures in the coming days. Adams said New Yorkers can expect to see more NYPD officers in uniform at key locations. The NYPD says it has increased patrols around synagogues and other sensitive locations. Officials tell YWN security protocols will remain in effect beyond the holidays as the NYPD continues to monitor potential threats. Additionally, a security update and message for Rosh Hashanah was provided to YWN by NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
President Joe Biden on Tuesday made it clear that he does not support an Israeli retaliatory strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. When asked by reporters if he backed such a prospect, Biden simply replied, “The answer is no.” The president acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself following yesterday’s missile attack by Iran but emphasized the need for a measured response. “Israel has a right to respond, but it should do so proportionally,” Biden stated. Biden also revealed that the U.S. will be imposing new sanctions on Iran in response to the missile attack, though he did not provide further details. This comes a day after U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned that Iran would face “severe consequences” for the attack. Sullivan added that the U.S. is working closely with Israel to address the situation, though he did not elaborate on what those consequences might entail. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has sent a stark message regarding a potential retaliatory attack on Iran, warning that Israel has the means to “strike any target in the Middle East.” Visiting the Tel Nof Air Base on Wednesday, Halevi said Israel knows how to “locate important targets” and will respond to Iran’s attack with strikes of “precision and power.” “We have the capabilities to reach and strike any point in the Middle East. And those of our enemies who have not yet understood this, will soon understand,” Halevi said in a video clip filmed at the base.
CLICK HERE TO HELP TODAY ONLY: ALL DONATIONS MATCHED 2X A kupah created and run by talmidei chachamim, a kupah backed by gedolim and talmidei chachamim and a kupah that provides for talmidei chachamim with dignity and respect. Twelve years ago, Kupas Zichron Moshe was established by Rav Aharon Nimerovsky to assist needy families in the Zichron Moshe neighborhood of Yerushalayim with their Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses. The kupah operates under the auspices of Rav Gamliel Rabinovich, Rav Moshe Elyashiv and Rav Yitzchak Soloveitchik. The Jews of Zichron Moshe have always been an inspiration to countless people, including the hundreds of American bachurim who flock each year to learn in Eretz Yisrael. Now is our chance to show this precious community that we care about them and that we stand by their side. Many of these families would simply not be able to make Yom Tov without our support. CLICK HERE TO HELP CLICK HERE TO HELP
“The main teshuva is Torah!” That is what Rav Aharon Kotler teaches us. On Rosh Hashanah we will say, “Teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah removed the evil decree.” What is teshuva? We say every day in davening Hashiveinu Avinu L’Sorasecha,” the primary teshuva is upgrading our limud Hatorah. The Chofetz Chaim’s sefarim are full of this. We must especially remember this in our times when Klal Yisrael needs so much rachamei shomayim!” These powerful words were said while overlooking the Kosel by HaGaon HaRav Nissan Kaplan, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Nesiv Daas, at Dirshu’s 10th Annual International Yom Limud and Tefillah, held on 24 Elul/September 27, the Chofetz Chaim’s yahrtzeit. Following the asifas tefillah, a gathering held at the hall of Yeshiva Aish HaTorah was addressed by Rav Kaplan and Rav Hofstedter. The outpouring of emotion just days before Rosh Hashanah highlighted the difficult matzav and uncertainty about the future that Klal Yisrael is facing. The Yom Limud and Tefillah was established by Dirshu to bring all of Klal Yisrael together specifically on the auspicious occasion of the Chofetz Chaim’s yahrzeit just before Rosh Hashanah in unified tefilla on behalf of Klal Yisrael and to encourage the continued learning of the Chofetz Chaim’s sefarim that have such power to invoke rachmei shamayim. This year, perhaps more than in any previous year, the Yom Limud and Tefillah resonated in a more profound way – as the world is in real danger. In Eretz Yisrael the danger is obvious, but in America and Europe, the rise of antisemitism and unapologetic Jew hatred in the mainstream is affecting the physical, spiritual and economic health of our community in an unprecedented way. This year’s Yom Limud and Tefillah featured a special videocast that began this past Motzoei Shabbos, 25 Elul, and ran throughout Monday. The videocast featured unique chizuk by leading Gedolei Yisrael including, Rav David Ozeri, Rav of Congregation Yad Yosef of Brooklyn, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi Dirshu, Rav Daniel Glatstein, Rav of Kehillas Tiferes Mordechai of Cedarhurst, and Rav Zev Smith, Maggid Shiur Dirshu, Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Irgun Shiurei Torah. One of the highlights of the videocast was the historical footage of HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, zt”l, wherein he gives detailed hadracha for Bnei Torah on how to succeed in learning. In addition to the Yom Tefillah and videocast, the special programing for schools on the Chofetz Chaim was a resounding success. Throughout diverse communities across the United States and Canada, a wide range of some 200 schools that represented the entire panoply of Orthodox Jewry, participated in the Yom Limud and Tefillah school programs. Whether it was Ashkenazim, Sefardim, Chassidim, Yeshiva types, Day Schools, Chadarim, Bais Yaakovs; all of them were represented at Dirshu’s Yom Limud and Tefillah. They include schools hailing from communities such as Monsey, NY; Lakewood, NJ; Brooklyn, NY; Manhattan, NY; Toronto, Canada; Houston, TX; Baltimore, MD; Cleveland, OH; Waterbury, CN; Phoenix, AZ; Passaic, NJ; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; and Providence, RI and so many more. In Johannesburg, South Africa, a citywide tefillah rally for children was held, where all of the children in the various Torah schools in the city gathered together at the Shaarei Chaim shul to storm the gates of Heaven on behalf of Acheinu Bnei Yisrael. “It was a deeply inspiring […]
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita has recently issued his opinion on guidelines (see Vavei HaAmudim 28:1) for shuls as to what to do in order to commemorate the lives of the victims of the October 7th murder victims. His opinion was issued in response to a question on the topic put forth by Rabbi Yisroel Zev Cohen shlita, the Rav of Khal Adas Yeshurun in Chicago Illinois. Rav Cohen is a talmid of Rav Yitzchok Fagelstock zt”l and of BMG. The four questions posed were: What should our Shul do? Should we have a special Tefillah commemoration or should we inaugurate a special Mussar shiur in order to awaken hearts? On which day should it be done? According to the Hebrew calendar it would coincide with Simchas Torah, and we may not mourn on a Yom Tov. Furthermore, it would seem that we may not speak about such horrific things on Yom Tov because it would awaken tzaar on Yom Tov. In Chutz La’Aretz, where there are two days of Yom Tov, when should such a zaicher be made (assuming it was a shiur) – would it be on Shmini Atzeres or Simchas Torah? Is there any inyan to employ the secular date, October 7th, which in this year, 5785, would fall on the fifth of Tishrei? Rav Zilberstein responded to the questions with the following points: Rav Zilberstein further cited the Igros of the Chazon Ish (Vol. I #97) that – “establishing a fast day for generations is within the purview of a Rabbinic Mitzvah – which can only be established during the era of prophecy. And how can we, a generation where silence is preferable, dare to establish something for generations, the suggestion itself indicates that we are in denial of all of our sins and our lowly status. And, in a time that we are soiled in our sins and our faulty behaviors, that we are low and empty of Torah and naked of Mitzvos, let us not take actions beyond our stature – rather we should search within ourselves and repent. This is our obligation as its states (Yishayhu 58:8), “Is this not the fast I will choose? To undo the fetters of wickedness, to untie the bands of perverseness, and to let out the oppressed free, and all perverseness you shall eliminate.” Rav Zilberstein explained this to mean that establishing such a day of fasting indicates that we consider ourselves as “Gedolim” capable of establishing things for generations. He further explained that the underlying cause of this is not the day per se, but rather our sins which pushed the scale, and what we must do is Teshuvah for our sins. He further explained that all tragedies that happen in Eretz Yisroel are not new but a continuation of the exile (golus) and the Churban. WHAT WE CAN DO Rav Zilberstein further explained that we can do three things: When we recite Yizkor (YH: which is done in most chutz la’aretz congregations on Shmini Atzeres rather than Simchas Torah) they should also say Yizkor for the victims of October 7th. The congregation should say, “Av HaRachamim” in unison. The Simchas Torah Kiddush should be less than that which is done each year. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com
In the shadow of the launch of a ground operation in Lebanon Monday, thousands of Jews gathered at the Kosel for Selichos on Monday night. The crowd recited emotional tefillos for the welfare and safety of the soldiers and Klal Yisrael as a new phase of the battle against its enemies begins shortly before the start of the new year. Tens of thousands of mispallelim from throughout the country were expected to arrive at the Kosel on Tuesday night, Erev Rosh Hashanah, for the recital of Selichos and Hataras Nedarim, beginning at midnight. However, following the rocket fire in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning and the Home Front Command’s subsequent announcement about tightened restrictions in Jerusalem and other areas, the Selichos ceremony was canceled. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The Binyamin Regional Council has reported that Lt. Harel Ettinger HY”D, a resident of Eli, was killed during combat in southern Lebanon. He is the third soldier killed overnight, as the ground war to destroy Hezbollah begins. Tragically, in 2019, YWN reported that his father, Rabbi Achiad Ettinger HY”D was one of two victims killed by a Palestinian terrorist at the Ariel Junction. He leaves behind a mother and 11 siblings. Two other IDF Soldiers were killed overnight in Lebanon.
