Matzav

A former deputy mayor of Los Angeles who once held responsibility for the city’s public safety has agreed to plead guilty to fabricating a bomb threat that falsely claimed an anti-Israel motive and targeted City Hall in 2024.

Federal prosecutors in California revealed that Brian K. Williams, 61, has been charged with one felony count of issuing a bomb threat involving explosives. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, Williams sent a message on October 3, 2024, to Mayor Karen Bass and other senior city officials, claiming he had received a threatening phone call. In the message, he wrote that someone was angry over the city’s support for Israel and had allegedly placed a bomb in City Hall, possibly in the rotunda. Williams texted:

Bomb threat: I received phone call on my city cell at 10:48 am this morning. The male caller stated that “he was tired of the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda.” I immediately contacted the chief of staff of LAPD, they are going to send a number of officers over to do a search of the building and to determine if anyone else received a threat.

Authorities later determined that Williams had made the call himself using a Google Voice number on his personal phone.

Williams had been selected by Mayor Bass in 2023 to serve in a key role overseeing the police and fire departments, placing him in a position of considerable trust.

This fictitious threat came just months before massive wildfires swept across parts of the Los Angeles region in January, devastating communities, destroying thousands of residences, and claiming 30 lives.

In the aftermath of the disaster, some accused both Mayor Bass and the Los Angeles Fire Department of being inadequately prepared. It remains unclear what role, if any, Williams played during the critical days leading up to the fires, when weather warnings indicated extreme fire danger.

Williams is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the near future.

Federal prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of the offense given the tense political environment fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“In an era of heated political rhetoric that has sometimes escalated into violence, we cannot allow public officials to make bomb threats,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “My office will continue its efforts to keep the public safe, including from those who violate their duty to uphold the law.”

“Mr. Williams…not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but responding officers, and the integrity of the office itself, by fabricating a bomb threat,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city.”

Prosecutors have not provided a specific motive behind Williams’ actions, but Davis noted that he was “relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions.”

Williams’ attorney, Dmitry Gorin, told the Los Angeles Times that his client accepts full responsibility, echoing the FBI’s remarks.

“This aberrational incident was the product of personal issues which Mr. Williams is addressing appropriately, and is not representative of his character or dedication to the city of Los Angeles,” Gorin added.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will postpone the start of a planned 50% tariff on imports from the European Union, pushing the implementation date from June 1 to July 9 to allow additional time for trade discussions with the EU.

The decision followed a phone conversation earlier in the day between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump said von der Leyen expressed a strong desire to move forward with serious negotiations.

“I told anybody that would listen, they have to do that,” Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, before heading back to Washington. According to Trump, von der Leyen promised to “rapidly get together and see if we can work something out.”

Just two days earlier, Trump had used social media to warn that he would impose the steep tariffs starting June 1, accusing the EU of being uncooperative in trade matters and criticizing what he described as stagnant negotiations.

Despite the tough rhetoric on Friday, Sunday’s conversation between the two leaders appeared to ease tensions, at least temporarily.

“I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so,” Trump wrote on Truth Social following his remarks to the press.

Von der Leyen, meanwhile, struck a diplomatic tone, highlighting the importance of the transatlantic partnership.

“Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively,” she said. “To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”

She also noted that the EU and the U.S. “share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship.”

{Matzav.com}

A former staff member who worked closely with President Joe Biden has disclosed that individuals within the White House felt it was acceptable to cross democratic boundaries in their efforts to prevent Donald Trump from returning to office.

During an appearance on Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream, Axios reporter Alex Thompson shared that insiders within the Biden administration believed they were the ones truly steering the country, often insulated from the president’s direct input or awareness.

“If you believe — and I think a lot of these people do sincerely believe — that Donald Trump was and is an existential threat to democracy, you can rationalize anything, including sometimes doing undemocratic things,” Thompson explained.

Thompson also recounted that one White House aide confided in him that the primary goal was simply to secure a Biden win — after that, they assumed the president could largely fade from view.

“Just had to win, and then he could disappear for four years,” the aide reportedly said. “He’d only have to show proof of life every once in a while,” Thompson quoted the aide as saying. “His aides could pick up the slack.”

The same aide added, “When you’re voting for president, you’re voting for the aides around him.”

This comes as President Biden faces a serious health challenge. He has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to an official statement provided to CNN and CBS.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the statement said.

“On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the update continued. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

{Matzav.com}

According to a report from Egypt’s “Al-Ghad” news channel, Hamas has agreed in principle to release ten living hostages and return the bodies of sixteen Israeli captives as part of a developing ceasefire agreement.

Israel is currently reviewing Hamas’ conditions, which reportedly include the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Gaza who were arrested before or after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Sources familiar with the negotiations, which are taking place in Doha under Qatari, American, and Egyptian mediation, told the Cairo-based outlet that significant progress has been made. The proposed deal reportedly centers around a 60-day comprehensive ceasefire, during which hostages would be released in stages.

As outlined in the report, the plan involves the release of five Israeli hostages on the first day of the ceasefire’s implementation, followed by another five on the 60th day. In addition, Hamas is expected to transfer the remains of sixteen Israeli captives in accordance with a pre-arranged schedule. This timeframe would allow Hamas to locate and retrieve the bodies during the ceasefire period.

One of Hamas’ central demands is the release of all Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip who were detained either before or after the October 7 massacre. Israel has yet to issue an official response to this condition.

{Matzav.com Israel}

What began as a May 30 tribute to America’s fallen service members has, since 1971, been officially recognized as Memorial Day—a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May each year.

While originally intended as a solemn day of remembrance, the holiday has increasingly become associated with commercial activity, with many businesses choosing to stay open and offering large-scale sales. Today, Memorial Day weekend is also one of the busiest times for travel and retail in the United States.

Here’s a rundown of what’s open and closed this Memorial Day:

Government Services
All federal, state, and local government offices—including courts, post offices, and public schools—will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Banks and Financial Markets
Both the U.S. stock exchanges and major banking institutions will not operate on Memorial Day. In addition, most regular FedEx and UPS delivery and pickup options will be unavailable. However, certain specialized services may still be provided.

Retail Outlets
Costco, the popular membership-only warehouse chain, will shut its doors for the day. Nonetheless, the majority of other retailers will be open, many of them offering Memorial Day promotions and discounts. Customers are encouraged to check local store hours as they may differ by location.

Travel and Transportation
Memorial Day weekend also serves as the informal kickoff to the summer vacation season, and this year is shaping up to be a record-breaker. Despite ongoing issues in the travel sector, Americans are planning to hit the road—and skies—in historic numbers.

According to AAA, more than 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, an increase of 1.4 million from last year. If predictions hold true, this will surpass the previous record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers set two decades ago.

The organization’s fuel pricing tool indicates that drivers will see some relief at the pump compared to last year. As of Wednesday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.18—down from $3.60 at the same time in 2023.

AAA forecasts that 39.4 million people will be traveling by car, the highest ever recorded for Memorial Day since the group began tracking travel patterns in 2000. Air travel is also expected to see a bump, with 3.61 million passengers projected to fly—an increase of nearly 2% over last year’s 3.55 million.

However, some fliers remain uneasy due to recent aviation concerns. In January, a tragic midair collision involving a commercial jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over Washington, D.C. resulted in 67 fatalities. Other close calls have kept the spotlight on aviation safety.

Compounding the issue, travelers have faced delays and cancellations caused by staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and equipment failures, particularly at the busy Newark, New Jersey, air traffic control center. These complications have left some would-be fliers reconsidering their travel plans.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Dina Bracha Dvorkes a”h, the wife of Rav Elyakum Dvorkes, one of Givat Ze’ev’s most prominent rabbonim and a widely recognized morah horaah. She was 74 years old.

Mrs. Dvorkes was born in Romania to her father, Reb Yehoshua Avraham z”l, and her mother, Esther a”h.

She married Rav Elyakum Dvorkes, who today stands among the senior rabbinic leaders of Givat Ze’ev, Yerushalayim, and serves as a posek on the Bais Din of She’eiris Yisroel. He is the author of various popular seforim on halacha.

Together, they built a home founded on Torah and yiras Shamayim. Mrs. Dvorkes was known as a woman of deep modesty, sincere chesed, and noble character.

In recent times, she endured a difficult illness and accepted her yissurim with bitachon.

Her levayah was held on Sunday night, beginning at her home on Re’em Street in Givat Ze’ev, and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim for kevurah.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that recent discussions with Iran were highly encouraging, as the fifth round of indirect negotiations took place between the two nations.

Addressing the press, Trump conveyed optimism regarding a potential breakthrough in the talks. “We had some very good talks with Iran yesterday and today, and let’s see what happens. But I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,” he said.

Trump went on to link the Iran talks with efforts to calm the conflict in Gaza, noting ongoing diplomatic outreach in the region. “Likewise, with Hamas on Gaza. We want to see if we can stop that. And Israel, we’ve been talking to them, and we want to see if we can stop that whole situation as quickly as possible. But having to do with nuclear, we’ve had some very, very good talks with Iran, and I don’t know if I’ll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good. We’ve had some real progress, serious progress.”

Following these latest meetings, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi provided a similarly upbeat assessment of the dialogue, expressing cautious optimism about the trajectory of the discussions. “We have just completed one of the most professional rounds of talks,” Araghchi told state TV on Friday. “We firmly stated Iran’s position… The fact that we are now on a reasonable path, in my view, is itself a sign of progress.”

A high-ranking U.S. official echoed those sentiments, characterizing the latest nuclear negotiations as “constructive.” The official acknowledged that although headway had been made, challenges remain. “We made further progress, but there is still work to be done,” the official stated, confirming that both parties plan to reconvene “in the near future.”

Despite signs of movement, Iran has maintained its firm stance on uranium enrichment, declaring that its right to do so is not up for debate. This position stands in direct contrast to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has deemed enrichment a “red line.”

Ahead of the recent session, Araghchi underscored Iran’s unwavering position with a pointed message on social media. “Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science: Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal. Time to decide…”

Even as initial talks were broadly viewed in a positive light, skepticism remains. Just last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, voiced reservations about the likelihood of any real breakthrough.

{Matzav.com}

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Donald Trump delivered some of his most forceful remarks to date about Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday night, posting on Truth Social that the Russian leader had gone “absolutely” crazy and warning that his continued aggression could ultimately destroy Russia.

The comments followed a string of pointed criticisms Trump made about Putin earlier in the day while speaking with reporters in New Jersey.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!,” Trump wrote.

“He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump said.

“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”

After expressing alarm over Putin’s recent actions, Trump pivoted to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, a frequent target of his criticism. Zelensky had recently expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate responses from the United States and its allies following a Russian missile and drone attack that killed at least 12 people.

“Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does,” Trump said.
“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop.”

Trump reiterated a central theme of his campaign—that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine would never have occurred had he still been in office.

He closed his Truth Social post by emphasizing that the blame for the conflict does not lie with him.

“This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s,’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred.”

{Matzav.com}

Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas stated on MSNBC’s “Alex Witt Reports” that Democrats are poised to regain control in the 2026 midterm elections—and if they do, they intend to launch investigations into President Donald Trump and his family.

During the segment, host Alex Witt asked, “I’m curious if the Democrats take over after the midterms next year, the House and or Senate, do you think they’re going to push for investigations into Trump’s family and the whole crypto acquisitions that he has getting?”

Crockett responded, “Well, Alex, I’m glad you asked. Listen, so long as we end up taking the House, which I fully anticipate that we will do, and we are going to work hard to obviously help our senate colleagues as well, then as someone who serves on the Oversight Committee and hopes to lead the Oversight Committee, I can guarantee you that we will do what we are supposed to do as constitutionally sworn members of the House, which means that we will conduct oversight.”

She explained that this oversight would involve opening inquiries into potential misconduct. “That means that we will investigate. We will look at whether or not this president himself has violated the Emoluments Clause as it relates to say such things as getting a $400 million plane from the Qataris. We also will make sure that we’re looking into all these business deals that they have going on. I mean, think about it this way, Alex. they were going after Hunter because he sat on a board. Think about how much money they are raking, raking in, whether we’re talking about the next golf resort that they’re setting up in Qatar or whether we’re talking about them leveling Gaza, as they’ve talked about and talked about how it would be great beachfront property, whether we’re talking about this crypto scam, the scam that people didn’t even want to walk into and show their faces.”

Crockett concluded by emphasizing the breadth of what she believes demands examination. “Let me tell you, there is no shortage of things for us to dig into and determine whether or not there have been not only violations of the law, but definitely violations of our Constitution as a whole.”

{Matzav.com}

During a visit to Gaza on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized that Israel’s military campaign against Hamas would not drag on indefinitely.

“We are intensifying our activity in accordance with the orderly plan. Hamas is under tremendous pressure; it has lost most of its assets and its command and control,” Zamir said while touring Khan Younis in southern Gaza with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor.

Zamir made it clear that the military would deploy every available resource to secure the release of the hostages and bring about the downfall of Hamas. “We will activate all of our tools so that we can return the hostages home, defeat Hamas, and dismantle its rule,” he stated, according to a release from the IDF.

He reiterated that the campaign had clear parameters and would not continue without purpose. “This is not an endless war,” he said, “we will act to shorten it per the fulfillment of its objectives.”

The chief of staff stressed that the IDF was striving for a conclusive and efficient outcome. “We seek to achieve a decisive victory, and we will do so with determination, thoroughness, and while ensuring the safety of our forces,” Zamir added.

Zamir’s comments followed reports on Friday concerning Maj. Gen. David Zini, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pick to lead the Shin Bet, who allegedly told military associates: “I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war.”

Zamir removed Zini from the army on Friday after discovering that Zini had been in direct contact with Netanyahu without consulting IDF leadership. However, a subsequent military statement clarified that Zini “was not dismissed from the IDF,” but instead “agreed that he would retire.”

According to Channel 12, Zini also previously criticized Zamir’s predecessor, Herzi Halevi, for his approach to the hostage situation, accusing him of placing the rescue of hostages above military objectives: “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas.”

In addition to that critique, the network noted that anonymous high-ranking military officials reported Zini had repeatedly voiced opposition to any arrangements aimed at returning the hostages.

On Sunday, Netanyahu pushed back against claims that he had refused to make Zini his military secretary last year because he considered him “too messianic.”

Zini’s appointment to lead the Shin Bet remains unresolved due to ongoing legal concerns related to Netanyahu’s role in the selection, especially in light of a High Court ruling that said Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in removing current agency head Ronen Bar.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

The Gold family has suffered the unimaginable. After five years of fighting a brutal battle with cancer, their precious son Refael passed away this past Pesach.

In a strongly worded response to what they see as an alarming trend, the roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh have launched a campaign against the increasingly lengthy “final meeting” between chassanim and kallos during the engagement period. The yeshiva leadership made their position clear at an urgent gathering with members of Vaad Beis (advanced bochurim in shidduchim), firmly drawing red lines regarding conduct between the engagement and the wedding.

In recent years, extended outings and prolonged private interactions between engaged couples have become more common, a shift that deeply disturbs the leadership of the yeshiva. This is especially true regarding the so-called “final meeting,” which, according to reports, has ballooned into hours-long encounters.

In a meeting held at the home of Rav Dovid Miller, one of the roshei yeshiva, both he and Rav Chaim Peretz Berman delivered impassioned remarks to the bochurim, aiming to reestablish traditional boundaries and halachic norms.

Rav Miller opened by reminding the young men that the entire process of shidduchim must be approached with kedusha, and not as a matter for public discussion among peers. “These are not conversations to be passed around among friends,” he said. “Such decisions must be guided by a bar samcha, a person with authority.”

Addressing the issue of extended pre-wedding meetings, Rav Miller stated unequivocally: “There is no heter to casually gaze at a woman. There is no heter for frivolity. The only heter that exists is for what is necessary. Beyond that, there is no permission—none at all.”

He emphasized that clear guidelines exist for how an engaged couple may interact and that these were determined by the mashgichim and are available from them. “Every bochur should request the minimal set of rules from the mashgichim—those rules are designed to be universally applicable.”

Rav Miller issued a stark protest against the notion of a long, final meeting before the wedding. “I want to register a macha’ah. I see no heter in the world for this so-called last date. This indulgence in hours of interaction and mind-sharing is beyond comprehension. I don’t know who came up with this, but in my opinion, it is deeply inappropriate. I am concerned it could lead to actual issurim, and we may be dealing here with a safek d’Oraisa. How is this fitting for a ben Torah?”

Following him, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman expressed shock at how far the practice has gone. “A year and a half ago, someone told me about a meeting lasting more than two hours. Today I hear twelve hours? I said, ‘They’re lying.’ I didn’t believe it. It never occurred to me that such a thing could exist. It’s insane. What is this?”

He repeated with astonishment, “What is this thing?” emphasizing that such behavior is entirely foreign to a Torah lifestyle. “With this kind of conduct, how can one be mekadesh es amo Yisroel al yedei chuppah v’kiddushin?”

Rav Berman also decried the practice of constant gift-giving during the short period between engagement and marriage. “Why squeeze silliness and nonsense into such a short time? Another gift and another gift from the chassan to the kallah—in our day, such gifts were forbidden! Only the parents could give gifts. It was outright assur.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

For the first time since the devastating tragedy that struck the Karlin-Stolin community on Erev Shavuos four years ago, the chassidus is preparing to return to its grand beis medrash in Givat Ze’ev.

Massive renovation and safety efforts are currently underway to enable the building’s rededication in time for the upcoming Yom Tov of Shavuos.

The incident, one of the most harrowing in recent memory, occurred in 5781 during an inaugural celebration at the nearly completed building on Rechov HaEsrog. In the middle of the festivities, eight of the sixteen rows of bleachers collapsed inside the new heichal. The structure, designed to serve as the central location for the Karlin-Stolin tishen, instantly turned into a disaster scene.

Emergency response teams, including helicopters and large contingents from Magen David Adom and other rescue units, worked for hours to evacuate the injured. Tragically, two members of the chassidus were pronounced dead, and 184 others were hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Since the collapse, the building has remained unused while the community mourned, investigated, and worked to meet all necessary safety standards. Now, after receiving full authorization and implementing extensive safety enhancements, Karlin-Stolin is finally preparing to reopen the beis medrash in all its splendor.

In recent weeks, a flurry of construction and finishing work has resumed at a rapid pace. The goal: to ensure the building is ready to accommodate the thousands of chassidim expected to gather under its roof this Shavuos, Zeman Matan Toraseinu.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a significant development, the Sanzer Rebbe has agreed to join the upcoming Keren Olam HaTorah mission to the United States following a heartfelt request from Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau. The campaign aims to bolster Torah institutions facing dire financial shortfalls due to budget cuts and economic challenges.

The pivotal meeting took place several days ago when the Sanzer Rebbe visited Rav Landau at his home in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe had come to participate in a special gathering focused on strengthening outreach efforts for children from non-religious backgrounds. The event was attended by many leading gedolei Yisroel.

Following the event, the two gedolim held a private meeting in Rav Landau’s home. During their conversation, which focused on the pressing state of the Torah world, Rav Landau made an earnest appeal to the Rebbe, urging him to join the U.S. fundraising mission on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah.

“I find it very difficult to travel,” Rav Landau confided, “but I feel it is my obligation.” He then turned to the Rebbe and said with deep emotion: “Join me—to help save the Torah world.”

Though the Sanzer Rebbe has not traveled abroad in several years, he was deeply moved by Rav Landau’s plea and has agreed to take part in the mission.

The upcoming trip will include major gatherings and meetings with leading philanthropists and central Jewish communities across the United States.

The mission will once again be led by the gadol hador, Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, as well as the mashgiach Rav Don Segal, the Rebbe of Rachmastrivka, Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Dovid Cohen, Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Yaakov Hillel, and Rav Pinchas Abuchatzeira.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Shimon Shatin-Shapira zt”l, a longtime yungerman at the Breslover kollel. He was 61 and had endured many years of intense physical and emotional suffering.

Rav Shimon, who became known as “Rav Shimon Ba’al HaYissurim” for the tremendous pain he bore with ahavas Hashem, was a fixture in the Breslov community. Despite frequent hospitalizations, he never allowed illness to separate him from his deep bond with Torah. Those who knew him often found him immersed in learning at all hours, even within hospital corridors.

Rav Shimon was a son of Rav Aryeh Leib Shapira zt”l, a prominent mashpia in Breslov and brother of the famed tzaddik Rav Shmuel Shapira zt”l. His entry into the world was marked by tragedy: his mother fell ill during childbirth and passed away a month later, leaving behind eight young orphans. Rav Shimon, just one month old at the time, was the youngest.

Rav Shimon was lovingly raised by his aunt, Rebbetzin Shulamis Shatin-Morris, and her husband, Rav Yosef Tzvi Shatin zt”l, a talmid of the Mir Yeshiva in Shanghai. They raised him as their own, nurturing him in Torah and yiras Shamayim and ensuring that all his needs were met.

After marrying, Rav Shimon settled in Bnei Brak and became known for his tireless devotion to Torah learning in the Breslover kollel, where he learned for decades. His diligence and love for Torah were legendary. Even during his rare breaks, he was seen deep in thought, engaged in Torah study or writing chiddushim. Some of his insights were printed in his sefer, Machsheves HaAvodah, which received a glowing haskamah from the renowned posek Rav Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber zt”l, author of Az Nidberu.

In recent years, Rav Shimon suffered greatly, enduring excruciating pain. Yet, he never voiced complaint. Instead, he embraced his suffering with ahavah, continuing to cling to his learning no matter the circumstances. He would hurry to the hospital’s shul for every tefillah, inspiring many with his unwavering resolve. Doctors treating him came to know that when he went missing from his hospital bed, he could reliably be found in the beis haknesses.

One of his brothers recalled visiting him in the hospital, only to be met by a frustrated doctor who said, “Tell your brother Shimon he’s not in kollel. He can’t keep running off to shul. We need to treat him.”

His levayah at the Vizhnitzer Bais Hachaim in Bnei Brak drew many gedolei Torah and bnei Torah. Among those who eulogized him was the mashgiach, Rav Moshe Dovid Lefkowitz, who movingly quoted Chazal: “Kol sheHaKadosh Baruch Hu chafetz bo medaka’o b’yesurim—Whoever Hashem desires, He afflicts with suffering.” He spoke of the home Rav Shimon came from, a legacy of greatness. Rav Shimon’s son-in-law, Rav Yehuda Berman, who had been deeply devoted to him during his illness, delivered a heartfelt hesped recounting the years of pain, his unparalleled hasmadah, and the boundless tzedakah and chesed he performed throughout his life.

Following the kevurah, Rav Yaakov Koenig, Rosh Kollel of Breslov, offered a final tribute to “this gavra rabba,” who had been a steadfast pillar in the kollel for decades.

Rav Shimon leaves behind a family continuing in his path of Torah, avodah, and yissurim b’ahavah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Rus Devora Avidan (Zemel) a”h, widow of the renowned gaon Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan (Zemel) zt”l. She was 87 years old.

Rebbetzin Avidan was born in Yerushalayim to her illustrious father, Rav Yirmiyahu, and her mother, Mrs. Yocheved. She came from a storied Yerushalmi family that produced generations of talmidei chachomim.

Her father, Rav Yirmiyahu Ralbag zt”l, was a distinguished talmid chacham and author of the sefer Asos Chesed, which deals with the laws and spirit of tzedakah. Her grandfather, Rav Raphael Eliyahu Yitzchak Halevi Katzenelbogen, was one of the leading rabbanim of the Yishuv HaYashan and a prominent figure in the Poalei Agudas Yisroel movement.

Throughout her life, Rebbetzin Avidan stood loyally at the side of her husband, Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan, with dedication and faith. Her husband served as the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Hesder in Shalavim and held the position of Deputy Chief Rabbi of the IDF. He was one of the closest disciples of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l and was beloved by all the gedolei Yisroel. He authored numerous halachic works, including Ahavas Tzedakah, Amaros Melech, Shemiras HaNefesh KeHilchasah, and Shabbos UMo’ed B’Tzahal.

Rebbetzin Avidan was known for her warmth, strength, and quiet nobility. She was the foundation of her family and a source of unwavering support to all who knew her. In her final years, she faced severe health challenges, which she bore with faith and acceptance. A painful chapter in her life was the passing of her daughter, Rebbetzin Michal Freiman a”h, 25 years ago.

She leaves behind a distinguished family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who follow her example of Torah, chesed, and yiras Shamayim.

The levayah took place tonight, departing from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation voted on Sunday to greenlight a proposed law aimed at creating a designated criminal tribunal to handle the prosecution of individuals involved in the October 7 atrocities.

This legislation, co-sponsored by MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party and MK Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beytenu, outlines a plan to establish a specialized judicial body tailored to address the horrific crimes perpetrated by Hamas during the deadly attack.

According to the draft, the envisioned court would deal exclusively with grave offenses such as genocide, sexual violence, homicide, and widespread pillaging. Judges serving in this court would be chosen by a specially formed committee that would include delegates from the justice, defense, and foreign ministries.

The bill’s explanatory introduction emphasizes the limitations of the conventional court system, stating: “The regular judicial system is not equipped to handle such a scale of serious crimes, committed simultaneously by hundreds of perpetrators.”

Rothman argued that Israel’s legal framework remains stuck in outdated approaches when confronting the perpetrators of the massacre. “When it comes to the Nukhba terrorists, legally, the State of Israel is still deeply entrenched in the mindset that preceded October 7. The legal tools are neither suitable nor relevant for an event of genocide and murder, and anyone who tries to force it into the framework of criminal law undermines the entire process. As evidence, not a single indictment has been filed to this day. Therefore, we must fundamentally change the structure.”

He noted that the proposal is designed to facilitate timely and effective legal action that is properly aligned with the extraordinary nature of the crimes, while still grounded in international legal standards.

Malinovsky added her own remarks following the committee’s approval: “The Ministerial Committee on Legislation expressed support for my bill to prosecute the Nukhba terrorists. On Wednesday, the bill will be brought for a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. The road is still long, but the first step toward justice begins now.”

{Matzav.com Israel}