Yeshiva World News

This is how Reuters covered this morning’s deadly shooting in Jerusalem, saying simply that “police described [it] as a ‘terrorist attack'”. Sickening.

A resident of Yatta, previously released in the recent hostage deal, was arrested by police and the IDF for continuing to incite terrorism and encourage attacks on security forces through social media. During a search of her home, authorities seized her mobile phone and two computers suspected of being used to spread the incitement, and she was transferred for interrogation.

FACES OF EVIL: The terrorists who carried out this morning’s shooting attack at the Ramot Junction have been identified as Methna Naji Amro and Mohammed Bassem Taha. Both were killed at the scene.

The IDF has demolished yet another high rise building in Gaza used by Hamas terrorists.

Following this mornings deadly shooting attack in Yerushalayim, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered increased forces in the West Bank and the encirclement of villages linked to the attackers, while stressing that Gaza remains the military’s main focus; he also postponed a ceremony for outstanding soldiers due to the attack and other operational developments.

YWN regrets to inform you of the tragic petira of Yisroel Mordechai Goldstone ben HaRav Yitzchak, z”l, at the young age of 34. R’ Yisroel Mordechai tragically drowned on Sunday evening in Puerto Rico, where he lived most of the year together with his wife, Sarah Medina Goldstone, as part of the growing frum community. He was very close to the local Chabad Shliach, Rabbi Mendel Zarchi. The Niftar was born in Chicago and moved to Far Rockaway, where he grew up with his 12 siblings. He was the grandson of Rav Moshe and Chana Goldstone and Rav Marvin and Phyllis Needle. Known as a tremendous baal chesed, he was constantly helping others — often quietly covering financial crises for those in need, never seeking recognition or repayment. His last act of kindness was done literally minutes before he Petirah, when he was asked to be Mashlim a minyan even though he had already Davened earlier. Arrangements are being made by the Achiezer organization to have the niftar flown to New York for the levaya and kevura. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Israel on Monday delivered an ultimatum to Hamas, warning the terrorist group to free hostages and disarm or face total destruction of Gaza City. “A mighty hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City today, and the roofs of the terror towers will shake,” Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declared in a post on X. “This is a final warning to the murderers and rapists of Hamas in Gaza and in the luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and lay down your weapons — or Gaza will be destroyed, and you will be annihilated.” Katz said the IDF is preparing to “expand the maneuver to defeat Gaza,” signaling an escalation of operations ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month to capture the city and wipe out Hamas’s remaining strongholds. The threats came just one day after President Donald Trump, who has been mediating cease-fire talks, issued his own ultimatum to Hamas. “The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!” He did not clarify what the terms entailed. Hamas, under mounting pressure, has said it may release some hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. Netanyahu, however, has rejected partial deals, insisting the group must free all captives and surrender. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Police in Kathmandu opened fire Monday on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 17 people and wounding 145, officials said. The death toll was announced by police official Shekhar Khanal. He said that 28 police officers were among the wounded, as smaller protests continued into late Monday evening. Rallies swept the streets of Kathmandu around the Parliament building, which was surrounded by tens of thousands of people angry over the decision by authorities to block most social media platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube. Officials said the companies had failed to register and submit to government oversight. Protesters pushed through barbed wire and forced riot police to retreat inside the Parliament complex. Police eventually opened fire at the protesters. The situation remained tense and the government announced a curfew for Monday around Parliament, the government secretariat, presidential house and key parts of the city. Seven of those killed and scores of wounded were received at the National Trauma Center, the country’s main hospital located in the heart of Kathmandu. “Many of them are in serious condition and appear to have been shot in the head and chest,” said Dr. Badri Risal, a physician. Families waited anxiously outside for news of their relatives while people lined up to donate blood. “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media,” the crowds outside parliament chanted, waving the red and blue national flags. Monday’s rally was called the protest of Gen Z, generally referring to people born between 1995 and 2010. About two dozen social network platforms that are widely used in Nepal were repeatedly given notices to register their companies officially in the country, the government said. Those which failed to register have been blocked since last week. TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered and operate without interruption. The move by the authorities came as the government sent a bill for a debate in Parliament that wants to ensure that social platforms are “properly managed, responsible and accountable.” It includes asking the companies to appoint a liaison office or point in the country. The bill has been widely criticized as a tool for censorship and punishing government opponents who voice their protests online. Rights groups have called it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and violate fundamental rights. Nepal in 2023 banned video-sharing app TikTok for disrupting “social harmony, goodwill and diffusing indecent materials.” The ban was lifted last year after TikTok’s executives pledged to comply with local laws. (AP)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the scene of the terror attack at the Ramot Junction in Jerusalem on Monday, in which six people were murdered and 16 people were injured. The murderous attack occurred a day after Israel’s Supreme Court issued an outrageous ruling that the state must improve the diet of imprisoned Nukhba terrorists. It should be noted that the ruling not only benefits heinous mass murderers and rapists, who are already being fed in accordance with international law, but also besmirches Israel by claiming that it was “abusing” Palestinians. Similar false reports have been used to incite Palestinians to commit violence against Israelis. “We’re at war,” Netanyahu said at the scene. “A powerful war against terror on several fronts.” The prime minister then issued a scathing message directly to the Supreme Court: “The court—you’re also in this war; you’re also part of this war. We don’t make it easy for our enemies. We’ll strike them hard—and so should you.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded a transformation in prison conditions for Palestinian security prisoners, also slammed the Supreme Court at the scene of the attack. The video of Netanyahu’s speech at the scene of the attack published on his social media accounts did not include his remarks against the court. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a man charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump while he played golf last year in South Florida. The court has blocked off four weeks for the trial of Ryan Routh, but attorneys are expecting they’ll need less time. Jury selection is expected to take three days, with attorneys questioning three sets of 60 prospective jurors. They’re trying to find 12 jurors and four alternates. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Thursday, and prosecutors will begin their case immediately after that. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon signed off in July on Routh’s request to represent himself but said court-appointed attorneys need to remain as standby counsel. Cannon confirmed during a hearing last week that Routh would be dressed in professional business attire for the trial. She also explained to Routh that he would be allowed to use a podium while speaking to the jury or questioning witnesses, but he would not have free rein of the courtroom. Cannon is a Trump-appointed judge who drew scrutiny for her handling of a criminal case accusing Trump of illegally storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The case became mired in delays as motions piled up over months, and was ultimately dismissed by Cannon last year after she concluded that the special counsel tapped by the Justice Department to investigate Trump was illegally appointed. Routh’s trial begins nearly a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted Routh’s attempt to shoot the Republican presidential nominee. Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations. Just nine weeks earlier, Trump had survived another attempt on his life while campaigning in Pennsylvania. That gunman had fired eight shots, with one bullet grazing Trump’s ear, before being shot by a Secret Service counter sniper. Prosecutors have said Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot. Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who prosecutors said informed officers that he saw a person fleeing. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses confirmed it was the person he had seen, prosecutors have said. The judge last week unsealed the prosecutor’s 33-page list of exhibits that could be introduced as evidence at the trial. It says prosecutors have photos of Routh holding the same model of semi-automatic rifle found at Trump’s club. Routh was a North Carolina construction worker who in recent years had moved to Hawaii. A self-styled mercenary leader, Routh spoke out to anyone who would listen about his dangerous, sometimes violent plans to insert himself into conflicts around the world, witnesses have told The Associated Press. In the early days of the war in Ukraine, Routh tried to recruit soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova and Taiwan to fight the Russians. In his native Greensboro, North Carolina, he was arrested […]

Skyrocketing housing values and a shortage of homes on the market gave homeowners the upper hand for years when it came time to sell. That’s no longer a given. Across the country, it’s getting tougher for sellers to drive a hard bargain. A dearth of home shoppers who can afford to buy and uncertainty about the outlook for the economy, jobs and mortgage rates is putting pressure on sellers to give ground at the negotiating table. In some markets, mainly in the South and West, homeowners who are eager to sell are more likely to give buyers a better deal. This could include a lower price, up-front money to nudge down the buyer’s mortgage rate, and funds for closing costs and any repairs or improvements that may pop up after the home inspection. The reasons: Would-be buyers balk at what they view as unreasonable asking prices, while at the same time new construction is giving buyers more options and putting pressure on sellers to make their homes more appealing. As a result, while the national median home listing price rose slightly in July, some metro areas saw a decline, signaling a reversal in the power dynamic between buyers and sellers. It’s rare to see the type of eye-popping bidding wars that exploded home values by roughly 50% nationally earlier this decade. Low-ball offers are more common. Despite this hopeful trend, the housing market remains mired in a slump. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes are running about 1.3% below where they were through the first seven months of last year, when they sank to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. The national median home listing price rose slightly in July from a year earlier to $439,450, according to Realtor.com. The real estate listing company found the most a homebuyer who earns the median U.S. household income can afford to spend on a home is $298,000. The analysis assumes a 20% down payment and a 30-year mortgage at a fixed rate of 6.74%. By those criteria, 7 out of 10 home shoppers are priced out of the market. Homes linger on the market as sales slow The housing market has been in a rut since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from historic lows. The number of homes available for sale sank while prices kept rising. Nationally, more homes are going on sale and remaining unsold longer because buyers have been unwilling or unable to make a deal. Active listings — a tally that encompasses all homes on the market except those pending a finalized sale — increased in July for the 21st month in a row, climbing nearly 25% from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com. The tide turns slowly The inventory of homes for sale across the U.S. has increased gradually as the market has slowed and is now at a level where supply and demand are more balanced. But in states like Texas and Florida, the number of homes on the market has climbed sharply, partly because those states are hotbeds of new home construction. Home shoppers may now have more leverage relative to sellers in the South and West, where home inventory has risen in the single digits, compared to pre-pandemic levels. Conditions are tougher in markets in the Midwest and Northeast, where the supply of homes […]

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was at the scene of the terror attack in Jerusalem and made the following remarks: “I send condolences to the families, and we are all davening for the recovery of the wounded. One thing must be remembered, Mr. Prime Minister: this was an act of heroism — by a Chareidi soldier from the Hashmonayim Brigade, and by two Chareidim who had received firearms through the weapons reform. I’ve said it before — weapons save lives, and this must be remembered. I call on the citizens of Israel: go and arm yourselves.” “And one more thing: just yesterday, the Supreme Court eased the conditions of the Nukhba terrorists, ruling that their prison menu should be changed. My friends, this is no game. When the Supreme Court does something like this, it sends a dangerous message to terrorists. I say to the judges of the Supreme Court — do not do this. To interfere now with the menu of the Nukhba terrorists, after all security officials, Mr. Prime Minister, have said that harsh conditions add to deterrence — this must not happen. Prison conditions are a crucial part of deterrence.” “And one final point: we have the law allowing the expulsion of terrorists’ families. In recent weeks, I signed 35 such orders, and I believe that the new Interior Minister, Yariv Levin, will approve these requests. Expelling terrorists’ families, together with tough measures in the prisons, along with the efforts of the Shin Bet, the IDF, the police, the IPS, and the weapons reform — this is the way forward. I say again: go and arm yourselves.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

One of the six people murdered in the Ramot terror attack on Monday morning was identified as Reb Levi Yitzchak Pash, H’yd. He was evacuated from the scene in critical condition, and the hospital later pronounced his death.  Yeshivas Kol Torah, where the niftar worked for many years, issued a statement saying, “With deep sorrow and grief, Yeshivas Kol Torah Yeshiva announces the murder of its devoted staff member, Reb Levi Yitzchak Pash, H’yd, in the horrific shooting attack that took place this morning at the Ramot Junction in Jerusalem.  “Reb Levi Yitzchak, H’yd, a resident of Tel Tzion and longtime maintenance worker at the yeshivah, was well-known and beloved among the talmidei yeshivah and residents of the neighborhood. Over the years, he became known as a man devoted to acts of chessed, generous with his money, and constantly immersed in Torah study. He dedicated his life to serving the public and supporting the talmidim of the yeshiva.” Reb Pash, z’l, was on the way to Kol Torah and was standing at the bus stop with a Rosh Mesivta from the yeshivah when someone offered them a ride. He had already sat down in the car, but then someone who needed to get to the hospital for medical treatment asked for a ride. Reb Pash, z’l, willingly gave up his seat, left the car and was murdered minutes later. His levaya will depart from Yeshivas Kol Torah in Bayit Vegan at 4:30 p.m. Another victim was a newlywed avreich, Reb Yaakov Pinto, H’yd, 25, a resident of Jerusalem who got married only three months ago. He was born in Spain, and he is his parents’ only son. As a bochur, he moved to Israel to learn at Yeshivas Nehora, later transferring to Yeshivas Derech Emunah in Lod. He served as a madrich in Yeshivas Chedvas HaTorah in Jerusalem. The levaya is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at Yeshivas Derech Emunah in Lod. The third victim was a 31-year-old avreich, Reb Yisrael Mantzer, H’yd, of Jerusalem. He was born in Bnei Brak and as a bochur learned in Yeshivas Chevron. After his marriage to the daughter of HaRav Greineman, the menahel of the Taharos Kollel in the Ponvezher Beis Medrash, he began learning in the kollel of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Tzvi Rosenberg in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Jerusalem.  He was killed al Kiddush Hashem on the way to kollel, leaving behind his wife, three children, parents and siblings. A fourth victim was the chashuve avreich HaRav Dovid Yosef, H’yd, 43, a resident of Ramot, murdered al Kiddush Hashem with his sefarim in his hands while on the way to kollel. The fifth victim was identified as Reb Mordechai Steintzag, H’yd, 79, a resident of Ramot who made aliyah from the U.S. decades ago and was the owner of the well-known Dr. Mark’s Bakery in Beit Shemesh. A cardiologist by training, he made it his mission to spread the awareness of a healthy diet in Israel, of which there was little awareness at the time. The small home bakery he founded became a pioneer and leader in the field of healthy flours and breads and now has several branches, with the main one in Beit Shemesh. His neighbors in Ramot Bet told B’Chadrei Chareidim that 10 years ago, he donated a Sefer […]

A Chareidi avreich, armed with a firearm, was the first to charge at the terrorists during the deadly shooting attack at the Ramot Junction. He opened fire at the attackers and assisted in neutralizing them along with an off-duty IDF soldier who serves as squad commander in the IDF’s Chashmonaim Brigade for Chareidi soldiers. Security camera footage shows the avreich running toward the terrorists and shooting, while dozens of civilians can be seen fleeing the scene in panic. The avreich received his gun license a year ago.   (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

One of the victims injured in the brutal terror attack at the Ramot Junction in Yerushalayim is HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Sharabani, Rosh Yeshiva of *Maor HaTorah* in Yerushalayim and son-in-law of HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, shlita, member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah. The Rosh Yeshiva was struck in the back by a bullet and evacuated to Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. Rav Sharabani had been traveling by bus from his home on Mintz Street in Ramot to the yeshiva to deliver his daily shiur when the attack occurred. Bichasdei Hashem, the Rosh Yeshiva is fully conscious. The public is asked to daven for Yaakov Chaim ben Tamar Ivon. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

I would like to raise an important topic—one that perhaps Klal Yisrael as a whole can consider returning to, for the sake of bringing yeshuos to so many who are still waiting. For generations, it was a minhag in Klal Yisrael to wish one another mazel tov at simchas. These words are not just a polite formality—they are true brachos. And when the recipient answers amen, it draws bracha and mazel into their life. At a wedding, when people would wish mazel tov to the chassan or kallah, the proper response was for the chassan or kallah to give a bracha back in return. Someone making a simcha has a unique koach at that time, and their heartfelt brachos can bring yeshuos to others. Chazal teach us that when we give someone a bracha, the words themselves rise to shamayim, and when answered with a sincere amen, they have the power to bring bracha down to this world. About twenty years ago, when the “shidduch crisis” became more pronounced, some older singles felt hurt by certain phrases that were being said—comments that didn’t always come across as sincere, or words like “IY”H by you” said without enough sensitivity. Out of respect for their pain, many in Klal Yisrael pulled back from this beautiful minhag, not wanting to cause discomfort. But as an older single myself, I want to give voice to what many of us who are still waiting feel but rarely say: we want your brachos. We need your tefillos. When they are offered with sincerity and energy, they mean more to us than you can imagine. Please don’t hold back from davening for us, from telling us you are davening, from giving us brachos, and from allowing us the privilege of answering amen. Let us bring back this old minhag—with sincerity, with warmth, and with the knowledge that every bracha, every amen, has the power to open gates of yeshuos. Signed, S.J. The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

Shmuel Meidad, the head of the Honenu legal aid organization, revealed that he was warned by a senior official that the Shin Bet collected personal information about him after a senior official in the agency decided to “take Honenu down.” Meidad founded Honenu in 2001 to provide legal assistance to Israeli soldiers and civilians embroiled in legal trouble after defending themselves against Arabs due to Israel’s left-wing Israeli judicial system and foreign-funded radical left “human rights” groups. The Shin Bet’s Jewish Department collected information on the organization’s activities, including personal information about Meidad. Meidad said that this is “the crossing of a red line and the first case of the Shin Bet acting against a civilian and legal aid organization.” Meidad elaborated that after “a very senior figure from the system called me and said he had something urgent to tell me,” he came to the meeting accompanied by his attorney, Yossi Ben-Baruch. The senior official told him, “Listen, I know, and I confirmed it with an authorized source that the Shin Bet has made a decision to take Honenu down.” When Meidad asked if the intention was towards him personally or the organization, the senior official clarified: “No, no. You personally too.” When he asked how the Shin Bet planned on “taking him down,” he received a disturbing answer: “In any way.” “I was in shock,” Meidad said. “I remembered what happened 25 years ago when I founded Honenu. Many friends warned me, ‘Aren’t you afraid that the Shin Bet will harass you?’ and I would always answer that my wife told me not to be afraid. And I’m much more afraid of her.” Meidad said that after the decision was made to target him, Shin Bet investigators questioned suspects represented by Honenu lawyers about the organization and its lawyers. “This is an improper and forbidden practice, as investigative bodies should not act against legal representation in a case,” Meidad said. “Threats will not deter us,” Meidad asserted. “We will continue to do everything in our power to assist soldiers and civilians who find themselves in legal distress due to the security situation.” No response to the report has been received from the Shin Bet so far. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Trump on Gaza: “I think we’re going to have a deal on Gaza very soon. It’s a hell of a problem… I think we’re going to get [all the hostages].”

NANUET NEAR MONSEY: An MVA occurred next to Exit 14 southbound on the NYS Thruway when a vehicle lost control and rolled over multiple times, knocking down an electric pole and exit sign; two occupants were trapped and extricated by the Nanuet Fire Department. Hatzoloh EMS, Nanuet EMS, Rockland Paramedics, and NYSP are all on scene. The accident is causing heavy traffic on the NYS Thruway and the closure of the southbound entrance ramp at Exit 14.