Matzav

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Rabbi Aharon Shmuel HaCohen of Stepin (1739 – 1813), was a prime disciple of both the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz and he quotes them in his sefer. He also brings down Torah teachings from the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Zev Wolfe of Zhitomir and Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Koritz, author of Bris Kehunas Olam. He was a descendant of the Maharal of Prague and Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of Smichas Chachamim, and he also quotes them.

President Joe Biden shared a cheerful selfie on Monday morning, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of kindness following his disclosure that he is battling an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer.

“Cancer touches us all,” the 82-year-old posted on social media, accompanying a photo of himself alongside his wife, Jill Biden, and their cat.

“Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” he added.

“Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

The message came shortly after news broke that Biden had received his diagnosis last Friday, following the discovery of a “small nodule” on his prostate during a recent exam.

Doctors later determined the cancer had metastasized to his bones and gave it a Gleason score of 9 — an indication of a highly aggressive form of the disease.

According to his spokesman, Biden began experiencing urinary issues, prompting further evaluation and ultimately leading to the diagnosis.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said.

“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

{Matzav.com}

Senator Rand Paul appeared on ABC’s This Week Sunday and challenged the notion that trade deficits reflect any meaningful economic concern, calling the idea an “economic fallacy.”

Host Jonathan Karl brought up the issue of tariffs, noting, “Let me turn to tariffs. The president also announced a temporary reduction to those big China tariffs, still 30% tariffs on goods coming in from China as he negotiates, tries to negotiate a new deal. Walmart has warned this will result in higher prices. What is your assessment?”

In response, Paul pushed back against the rationale behind tariffs, explaining, “Well, tariffs are taxes and when you put a tax on a business, it is always passed through as a cost. There will be higher prices.” He then went on to clarify that trade isn’t something done by countries, but by individuals and companies. “What is important to know, people talk about, oh, this is America versus China. The U.S. doesn’t trade with China, you trade with Walmart, you trade with Target, you trade with Amazon. Americans go in and buy a product, it might come from China.” He illustrated his point with a simple example: “Think about it this way, think about the entire trade with China, was all TVs, a million people go to Walmart and all buy a TV, they like the quality, they like the price, they happen to come from China. Then you draw a circle around China and the U.S. and say, my goodness, it is a trade deficit, we buy all of our TVs from over there. But each individual transaction, each individual who bought a TV was happy, but how can you draw a circle around a million happy people and say they all got ripped off?”

Paul concluded that the common understanding of trade deficits is misguided. “There is an economic fallacy here and the fallacy is that trade deficits actually mean anything. They’re an artificial accounting. The only trade that means anything is the individual who buys something. That’s the only real trade and that, by very definition of its voluntary is mutually beneficial or the trade doesn’t occur.”

He closed by offering historical context to support his argument: “We had a trade deficit with China ever since 1976 and yet we got richer and they got richer.”

{Matzav.com}

On this week’s episode of Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the longstanding allegations that President Donald Trump’s 2016 victory was aided by Russian interference. He revisited the origins of the debunked collusion narrative and suggested new information would soon be made public.

Although the window for bringing criminal charges has closed due to expired statutes of limitations, Patel revealed to host Maria Bartiromo that Americans should brace for an incoming “wave of transparency” in the coming weeks.

Here is a portion of their exchange:

BARTIROMO: I watched it with you and Devin Nunes, when you were truth-tellers on all of this, and you were as well, Dan, throughout the Russia collusion story and the rest.

PATEL: Look, I can speak to the folks that were in our seats, our predecessors, and they intentionally failed the American public by putting on the biggest D.C. deception game we have ever seen. They said the FBI was the most storied institution for law enforcement, and it was. And it will be again very soon.

Patel criticized past FBI leadership, asserting that individuals such as Comey, McCabe, Strzok, and others knowingly misled the courts and manipulated the truth. He accused them of orchestrating a massive fraud using taxpayer funds in an attempt to sway the results of a presidential election and suppressing key exculpatory evidence in courtrooms where Patel himself once prosecuted terrorist suspects.

PATEL: But when the likes of Comey and McCabe and Strzok and company came in here with the James Bakers of the world and intentionally lied to a federal court, only to rig a presidential election by lying to the American public and using taxpayer dollars, likely illegally, to fund this entire operation, and then withholds sculptor information from a federal court that I used to appear before to manhunt terrorists, that’s what broke the FBI.

He emphasized that, once exposed, these officials doubled down on the deception. Patel commended Bartiromo and others for covering the scandal from the beginning and highlighted the momentum now building as unedited records from the Crossfire Hurricane investigation are being released to lawmakers.

PATEL: And then, when they were caught, they lied about it. And you and a few others like Dan and others were brave enough to cover it six, seven, eight years ago. And we’re still talking about it today, because, as Congress is working rigorously with us, the Crossfire Hurricane documents are coming fast and hard. And they’re being sent there unredacted, so we can have full accountability.

He added that this process is critical in rebuilding the public’s confidence in the FBI after years of institutional damage.

PATEL: And that’s how you restore what the — the trust that was lost to the American public when it comes to the FBI.

BARTIROMO: Yes, but, come on, Director. With all due respect, we have been talking about this for a long time, and I have been demanding accountability for many, many years.

Bartiromo challenged the lack of consequences for the key players involved, noting their continued presence in the media and absence of legal repercussions.

BARTIROMO: One of the — you mentioned Comey, Strzok and the rest. They have got TV shows. They have got media platforms. They’re fine. There’s been no accountability.

In response, Patel acknowledged the criticism and agreed that more could have been done in earlier years when the legal avenues were still viable. He explained that his team is limited now by expired legal timelines but remains committed to revealing suppressed information.

PATEL: Well, look, it’s a fair criticism. But what I will tell people is, we weren’t here in the FBI in the last five years, when we had statute of limitations that were still in play, where we could have investigated criminal conduct. Most of these statute of limitations are 5 years old.

He reiterated that investigations will still move forward when justified by law, but the agency’s current focus is transparency—uncovering what previous leadership buried and making that information available to Congress and the public.

PATEL: And we will investigate criminal conduct where we find a righteous case to do so and the law and the facts allow us to. But a lot of it, we’re precluded from. So we will take the criticism, and it’s rightfully so, that could we have done more in the past? Sure, people before us could have.

PATEL: But what we can do now is continue to put out the documents and the information that these people withheld from the American public. And I’m just telling you, right now, as much as we know about Crossfire Hurricane, he and I just found out more last week. And we’re continuing to work with Congress to put those documents out.

He further revealed how deep the deception went, describing how records were stashed away to prevent their discovery. Patel praised the current team’s efforts to uncover and publicize these materials.

PATEL: That’s how vindictive and vicious the former leadership structure here was. Not only did they bastardize the FISA process and lie to the American public. They withheld and hid documentation and put it in rooms where people weren’t supposed to look. And it’s a good thing we’re here now to clean it up, and you’re about to see a wave of transparency.

BARTIROMO: What do you mean?

PATEL: Just give us about a week or two.

{Matzav.com}

Protesters are preparing to mark President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday with a now-familiar display of opposition — a coordinated demonstration meant to disrupt planned celebrations.

Those organizing the protest say their intention is to overshadow the military parade scheduled for June 14 in Washington, D.C., which Trump’s team is arranging in honor of the day.

A group called Refuse Fascism has taken responsibility for the effort. The organization has previously staged anti-Trump protests in locations such as downtown Los Angeles, according to a Sunday report from ABC’s Channel 7.

Sunsara Taylor, a member of Refuse Fascism, told the station:
“Donald Trump is trashing the rule of law, he’s disappearing immigrants, he’s threatening to do the same without any due process (for) legal citizens. The other day on television he said he didn’t know if he has to abide by the Constitution. This is an emergency. Not just for people in this country, but for all over the planet.”

The protest has been branded “No King’s Day” by the group.

However, Newsweek noted that the real driver behind the event is a coalition called “No Kings,” supported by organizations like Black Voters Matter and the Declaration for American Democracy.

The coalition is organizing efforts to mobilize people “everywhere Trump isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” according to the Newsweek article. Whether that call will lead to widespread participation remains uncertain.

Protests against Donald Trump have been a consistent feature of his presidency, beginning with his first inauguration. Demonstrations erupted repeatedly throughout his time in office, though few have matched the size or intensity of those that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd.

Meanwhile, on June 14, Washington will host a parade organized by the administration in celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

The event is expected to include military tanks, thousands of service members on foot, and an aerial display of military aircraft flying above the capital.

{Matzav.com}

Speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in New York City on Sunday, National Unity Party Chairman Benny Gantz delivered an impassioned plea for solidarity — both in battling Israel’s enemies and in deepening the connection between Israel and Jews around the world.

He opened by acknowledging the support of New York City and its mayor, Eric Adams, particularly in light of the Celebrate Israel Parade that had taken place earlier that day. “The fact that Israel is marching all over this place is very meaningful. So thank you, Mayor Adams, and thank you to the people of New York.”

Gantz centered his remarks on the Israeli hostages who remain in Hamas captivity. “Today marks 590 days. 590 days since the most murderous day in Jewish history after the Holocaust…58 of our brothers and sisters are still held captive in the hands of the monsters of Hamas.”

He commended the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, giving full credit for the rescue to the U.S. president and his envoy. “His freedom was made possible only through the efforts of President Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.” Yet Gantz was adamant that more must be done: “We cannot and must not stop there… Bring them home now.”

Touching on the broader military campaign, Gantz emphasized that the struggle against Hamas is not nearing its end and may persist far longer. “Our fight with Hamas is far from being over. It will endure for years… whether it takes a year, five years, or even a decade. This is a long campaign requiring determination and time — time that the hostages simply do not have.”

He stressed that all ongoing military activity must remain focused on one overriding objective. “The ongoing expansion of military effort in Gaza is important, but it must unwaveringly serve the war’s objectives, and first and foremost, among them, bringing the hostages back home.”

Switching focus to diplomacy and broader regional dynamics, Gantz noted that the horrors of October 7 have also created a new strategic opportunity. “October 7th marked a tragedy we will not forget. But it also triggered a regional transformation we cannot miss.”

He pointed to President Trump’s renewed diplomatic engagement as a potentially pivotal moment to build on the Abraham Accords, describing them as “a regional game-changer, especially against the fundamentalist Iran regime and its axis.” Gantz voiced clear support for Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazan civilians. “The State of Israel and the nations willing to receive Gazan civilians must act to promote this plan… No more hesitation.”

Gantz also directed his attention to the global Jewish community, underscoring a renewed opportunity for connection born out of the crisis. “October 7th also highlighted another opportunity — the chance to strengthen Israel’s relation with the Jewish diaspora.” He praised the worldwide Jewish response to the war, from volunteers joining the Israeli army to major financial contributions.

“Israel must designate strengthening the bonds with the diaspora as a national objective,” he said, addressing Jews worldwide with a promise: “Israel will remain committed to strengthening the ties between our people and our land.”

“These are historic times,” Gantz concluded. “To overcome them, we must stand together — not in uniformity, but in unity.”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Margalit Nava Yefet a”h, daughter of Rav Shimon Baadani zt”l, rosh Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas. She was 70 years old.

Mrs. Yefet passed away at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak after a year-and-a-half-long battle with a severe illness. Her levayah was held Sunday afternoon in Bnei Brak.

Born on 8 Iyar 1955 in Bnei Brak, she was the eldest child of Rav Shimon Baadani zt”l and his wife, Rebbetzin Shulamit Salha a”h, daughter of Rav Chaim Abadi zt”l.

In her youth, she married Rav Eliyahu Yefet, who serves as the head of the Beis Din Toras Chaim V’Chessed. Together they built a home of Torah and yiras Shamayim in Bnei Brak.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Yefet was known for her unwavering faith, humility, and complete devotion to her family and to Hashem. Her greatest desire was that her children grow in Torah, and she devoted her life to supporting and encouraging them in that path. With heartfelt dedication, she educated doros of Jewish girls, doing so with love, warmth, and a sense of mission.

She stood steadfastly at her husband’s side, enabling him to immerse himself in limud haTorah. Rav Yefet is known as a tremendous talmid chacham and is a longtime mispallel at the Lederman Shul in Bnei Brak.

Mrs. Yefet endured personal tragedy, having lost her son, Rav Chananya Yefet z”l, who succumbed to illness during her lifetime.

She merited to see a beautiful dor yesharim, leaving behind ten children who are continuing in her path of Torah and avodas Hashem.

The levayah took place on Sunday from her home at 6 Rechov Rav Nachman M’Breslov in Bnei Brak followed by kevurah at the beis hachaim in Elad.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

LISTEN:

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​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

 

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The White House pushed back Sunday against claims circulating in Israeli media that Vice President JD Vance was planning a trip to Israel in the coming days.

“Media reports that the vice president will visit Israel are false,” a White House official stated, confirming that Vance is expected to return to Washington on Monday.

The official further explained that although the Secret Service had developed contingency plans that involved several countries, “no additional visits were at any point decided upon, and logistical constraints have precluded an extension of his travel beyond Rome.”

Earlier on Sunday, journalist Amit Segal of Channel 12 News reported that Vance was scheduled to land in Israel on Tuesday.

According to Segal’s report, Israeli leaders interpreted the rumored visit as a strong signal reaffirming the enduring alliance between Israel and the United States—particularly after President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East trip did not include a stop in Israel.

The report also mentioned that arrangements were supposedly underway to facilitate high-level meetings between Vance and top members of the Israeli government.

Although Trump opted not to travel to Israel during his recent regional tour, he rejected any suggestion of friction with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in an interview with Fox News.

“No, look, he’s got a tough situation. You have to remember, there was October 7 that everyone forgets. It was one of the most violent days in the history of the world, not the Middle East, the world, when you look at the tapes,” Trump said.

Speaking about Netanyahu’s leadership during the ongoing conflict, Trump remarked, “He’s an angry man, who has been hurt badly by the war, but he’s fought hard and bravely.”

{Matzav.com}

On Sunday, various reports emerged suggesting that Israel and Hamas are weighing a potential agreement that could result in the release of approximately 10 living hostages—roughly half of those still in captivity. In exchange, the plan would involve a ceasefire of around two months and the release of Palestinian security prisoners. While details differed between reports, the central framework remained consistent.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a high-ranking Hamas representative, dismissed one version of the proposal, reiterating that Hamas remains committed to freeing all the hostages in a single phase—if Israel agrees to permanently halt the conflict with international assurances.

CNN, quoting an anonymous Hamas source, reported earlier in the day that the organization had given the green light to release nine captives as part of a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. The conditions reportedly include the IDF pulling back to the outskirts of the enclave and the freeing of 300 Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Zuhri firmly rejected the CNN report, labeling it misinformation. He accused Israel of deliberately spreading misleading claims to create confusion and exert pressure on Hamas.

A separate article by Axios indicated that President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is actively pushing a new initiative: the release of ten hostages in return for a 45- to 60-day truce in Gaza, alongside the liberation of a number of Palestinian prisoners.

That report, citing both an Israeli official and a well-placed source familiar with the offer, noted that the latest draft includes reworded clauses designed to give Hamas more confidence that the temporary truce could evolve into a lasting ceasefire.

These latest diplomatic efforts are unfolding even as Israel launches a heightened military campaign in Gaza, described by officials as broader and more forceful than past operations. The strategy includes taking control of the area, displacing civilians, and directly managing humanitarian aid delivery to prevent Hamas from seizing supplies.

Though Israel had halted the entry of humanitarian goods into Gaza in March, it announced Sunday that it would now permit a limited amount of food to be delivered—reportedly under IDF recommendation and influenced by American pressure. This move contrasts with previous statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders.

Israeli and Hamas representatives have been in Doha, Qatar, for several days along with Witkoff. However, Axios reported that despite appearances, the actual discussions are not taking place in the Gulf state. One Israeli official described the Doha talks as a “facade.”

“This is not where the real negotiations are taking place at the moment. If Hamas and Israel agree to the principles of the Witkoff proposal, the negotiations will move to Doha to discuss the details,” the official explained.

Witkoff has reportedly been in direct communication with Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. According to the report, Netanyahu “has given a positive response, but with many conditions and reservations.”

The U.S. mediator is also said to be engaging with Hamas leadership in Doha through a discreet backchannel. That channel is reportedly managed by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who played a key role in securing the recent release of hostage Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen and IDF soldier.

Axios added that Hamas was disillusioned with Washington’s role in the talks following Alexander’s release, expecting a more favorable stance from the United States.

The group’s frustration reportedly deepened after a series of Israeli airstrikes last week aimed at senior Hamas figures, including Muhammad Sinwar, the head of the group’s military wing. Some sources on Sunday claimed that Sinwar’s body had been recovered from a tunnel in Khan Younis.

On another front, Channel 12 reported Sunday night that Israel had offered its own framework for a ceasefire, proposing to release over 100 prisoners serving life terms in return for half of the remaining living hostages.

According to that report, the deal would also involve the return of the bodies of half the deceased hostages in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Palestinians detained in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, massacre.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Train engineers at New Jersey Transit have reached a tentative labor agreement that is expected to end the strike that brought the agency’s rail service to a standstill for three days, disrupting travel for approximately 100,000 daily passengers. The union announced that employees will resume work on Tuesday, at which point train service is scheduled to return to normal.

This strike, which began on Friday, marked the first labor action of its kind for New Jersey’s rail system in over four decades. With trains out of commission, commuters scrambled to find alternative ways to travel—using buses, ride-shares, ferries, or simply staying home. At the center of the standoff was a dispute over how to raise engineers’ pay without triggering a financial crisis for NJ Transit.

Initially, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen indicated that train operations would resume on Monday. However, union spokesman Jamie Horwitz later clarified that NJ Transit had told them the actual restart would be early Tuesday morning at 12:01 a.m.

NJ Transit released a statement explaining that the additional day was required to complete necessary safety checks and system preparations: “It takes approximately 24 hours to inspect and prepare the infrastructure before returning to full scheduled service.”

According to an email distributed by the union, the agreement will now be reviewed by the 450 engineers and engineer trainees who make up its membership within the passenger railroad system.

“While I won’t get into the exact details of the deal reached, I will say that the only real issue was wages and we were able to reach an agreement that boosts hourly pay beyond the proposal rejected by our members last month and beyond where we were when NJ Transit’s managers walked away from the table Thursday evening,” said Tom Haas, the union’s general chairman at NJ Transit.

He further noted that union negotiators had succeeded in showing management “ways to boost engineers’ wages … without causing any significant budget issue or requiring a fare increase.”

The tentative agreement must now go through two levels of approval: a ratification vote by the national arm of the union, and a formal endorsement by NJ Transit’s board, which is expected to meet on June 11.

“To offer the understatement of the year, this is a very good outcome,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy remarked during a press conference Sunday evening. He applauded both parties for coming to an agreement that is “both fair to NJ Transit’s employees while also being affordable for our state’s commuters and taxpayers.”

Kris Kolluri, CEO of NJ Transit, refrained from disclosing specifics of the agreement but called the outcome “fair and fiscally responsible.” He thanked the union for approaching the negotiations with integrity.

“The deal itself reflects a series of concessions that came together by way of a work bill that will eventually end up paying for this fair wage that the union has asked for,” Kolluri stated during the same press briefing.

To accommodate commuters on Monday, bus services will be available, but both Governor Murphy and Kolluri encouraged employees to work remotely for one more day if possible.

“Please do that tomorrow so we can move essential employees through the system,” Kolluri urged.

Just one month earlier, union members had overwhelmingly turned down a previous contract offer, intensifying the standoff.

New Jersey Transit—America’s third-largest public transportation provider—runs both bus and rail services throughout the state, facilitating nearly one million weekday journeys. The strike brought all commuter rail traffic to a halt, including critical lines connecting Penn Station in Manhattan to northern New Jersey suburbs, as well as routes to Newark Liberty International Airport, which has already been experiencing unrelated disruptions.

Mark Wallace, president of the national union, previously argued that NJ Transit needs to raise wages to match the pay scale at Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road, noting that some engineers have already left for those higher-paying positions.

The union stated that its members have been earning an average of $113,000 per year and pushed for that number to rise to around $170,000 annually under a new deal.

NJ Transit officials, however, challenged those figures, saying the actual average earnings are closer to $135,000, with the top earners bringing in over $200,000 per year.

{Matzav.com}

As you know, President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has already metastasized to his bones.

The news, already devastating in its implications, has given rise to a far more disturbing scandal: growing evidence suggests that Biden and his inner circle may have known about his condition for years — possibly dating as far back as his 2020 campaign — and deliberately concealed the information from the American public.

Medical Experts Say Diagnosis Likely Dates Back Years

According to Dr. Steven Quay and other leading voices in elite medical diagnostics, it is almost inconceivable that a person receiving top-tier medical care — as a sitting president undoubtedly does — would not have had this cancer detected far earlier.

Aggressive prostate cancers like Biden’s (Gleason 9, Grade Group 5) often begin showing signs in bloodwork and imaging five to ten years before they spread to the bone. Biden, with routine access to frequent PSA testing, digital rectal exams, MRI scans, and even advanced genomic testing like Decipher or PSMA PET imaging, should have had clear warning signs long before metastasis occurred.

Medical analysis of the timeline supports this: “Under ideal conditions, aggressive prostate cancer could be detected 10–15 years before bone metastases… even 5–10 years earlier is likely under top medical care.”

So the key question becomes: What did the President know, and when did he know it?

A Breach of Trust With the American People?

The implications are profound. If the White House or Biden’s medical team knowingly withheld this information during the 2020 campaign and throughout his presidency, it represents a staggering breach of public trust.

There is longstanding precedent — if not outright obligation — for presidential candidates and sitting presidents to disclose serious health concerns. In Biden’s case, a diagnosis of terminal-stage prostate cancer would have clearly influenced voters’ decisions and raised concerns about continuity of government and national security.

If he knew, or if his team knew, and this information was suppressed for political purposes, then the American electorate was effectively misled.

Contradictory Public Records and a Suspicious Timeline

On February 28, 2024, just months before the apparent diagnosis became public, Biden’s personal physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, declared in an official memo that the President was “fit for duty” and “fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”

The physical reportedly showed no new concerns aside from peripheral neuropathy in both feet, a stiff gait, and common age-related issues. Cancer was never mentioned. In fact, the letter concluded: “Everything is great.”

But now we know that everything was not great — far from it.

If the cancer was detected after that physical, it means Biden’s team somehow missed what elite doctors and standard screening tools would almost certainly have flagged. If it was known before then — which experts say is far more likely — the American public was deliberately misled.

“Everyone Knew” — And No One Said a Word?

There are additional hints that Biden’s condition was known within his close circle long before any public disclosure. At one point, Biden himself reportedly slipped up and hinted at health issues. His brother Frank Biden previously told a reporter that the President was terminally ill — a comment largely dismissed at the time as offhand or exaggerated.

In hindsight, it may have been a rare moment of honesty.

The irony is that many Americans sensed something was wrong. For years, Biden has shown increasing signs of frailty — a stiff gait, frequent stumbles, slurred speech — all of which were routinely explained away as minor or unrelated to any serious illness.

The story is still developing, and key questions remain unanswered:

• When was Biden officially diagnosed?
• When did his doctors first detect elevated PSA or abnormal imaging?
• Who inside the White House, the DNC, and the Biden campaign knew?
• Why wasn’t the public told sooner?

Until those questions are answered, this is not just a health issue — it’s a scandal. A medical cover-up of this magnitude would be unprecedented in modern American politics.

And for a president who ran on transparency and restoring integrity, the silence is deafening.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF reported Sunday that it significantly ramped up its ground campaign in Gaza over the weekend, hitting 670 Hamas-related sites and eliminating numerous operatives from the terror group as part of a broadened military effort.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the IDF spokesperson, said that five divisions are now active inside the Gaza Strip—marking the first time since late 2023 or early 2024 that so many troops have been deployed in the territory simultaneously.

Among the divisions on the ground are the 143rd, 36th, and 252nd, which have been engaged since early March. The 162nd Division has since joined them. Previously, the 98th Division had also participated in operations within Gaza.

A typical division consists of between 5,000 and 10,000 soldiers. Following the IDF’s withdrawal from Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024, only a limited number of troops remained in Gaza until this renewed push.

A military presence of this scale had not been seen since the opening stages of the war with Hamas.

Throughout the weekend, the army reentered both northern and southern Gaza in substantial numbers, areas it had largely stayed out of since early 2024.

IDF strikes targeted Hamas fighters, tunnel infrastructure, weapons caches, and anti-tank units.

Notably absent from this wave of strikes were broad assaults on Hamas command centers—possibly a sign that the terror group has been unable to regroup into centralized leadership hubs since fighting resumed in March.

The tone of the IDF’s statements left the door open for future negotiations with Hamas that might result in a ceasefire and a hostage deal.

That said, military officials dismissed speculation that field commanders had been told to prepare for an imminent truce.

Still, the army did not disclose how much deeper the new offensive had pushed into Gaza territory.

In previous phases of the war, the IDF had already gained control over roughly 40 to 50 percent of the Gaza Strip.

The current wave of operations may increase that figure to as much as 70 or 80 percent, forcing much of the local population into designated humanitarian zones such as Al-Mawasi, as well as parts of Khan Yunis and central Gaza.

Certain regions remain off-limits to Israeli forces in order to minimize the risk to Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir entered Gaza to meet with senior officers, including Southern Command leader Major General Yaniv Asor, 162nd Division commander Brigadier General Sagiv Dahan, and troops from the 401st Brigade.

Zamir told the soldiers that their mission would crush any remaining morale within Hamas and strengthen Israel’s hand in negotiating the return of its captives.

According to Hamas and international outlets, more than 260 civilians have been killed and over 600 wounded in Israeli operations since the latter part of last week.

IDF sources said it was too early to verify those figures, but they acknowledged such numbers were not beyond belief given Hamas’s practice of embedding itself among civilians.

They stressed that the IDF continues to make every effort to limit collateral damage.

With the IDF confirming the deaths of dozens of Hamas terrorists, officials suggested the true civilian toll was likely below the reported 260.

Later on Sunday, Hamas launched two rockets from central Gaza toward Kissufim near the border.

One missile was intercepted, and the other landed in an empty area. It was unclear whether the second rocket was deliberately left to fall by the Iron Dome system due to its projected path posing no threat to people or infrastructure.

Since January 2024, Hamas has largely failed to sustain any significant rocket assault on Israeli territory, aside from a few brief flareups—most notably during the IDF’s initial assault on Rafah in the spring.

{Matzav.com Israel}

What initially appeared to be progress on Israel’s long-stalled chok hagiyus (draft law) has unraveled completely. A second meeting held Sunday between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, MK Yuli Edelstein, former minister Ariel Attias, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs ended in failure, with both sides acknowledging that instead of moving forward, negotiations have deteriorated significantly.

Just days ago, following the initial round of talks, reports indicated promising headway. Edelstein had laid out a list of demands for the draft law—including severe sanctions and specific enlistment targets—and sources suggested that Deri had expressed tentative agreement, pending approval from the United Torah Judaism party. However, UTJ has not signed off, and that tentative progress has now collapsed.

At the heart of the standoff is Edelstein’s uncompromising stance. As chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, he insists on a series of hardline provisions in the new law. These include ambitious enlistment targets—over 50% of the eligible chareidi population within seven years—and limiting acceptable forms of national service exclusively to combat soldiers and combat support roles. National civilian service or less significant IDF placements would not count toward meeting the quotas.

Further, Edelstein is pushing for strict enforcement. He wants both personal and institutional sanctions, with legal backing for any penalty approved by the Justice Ministry. One clause would remove the Defense Minister’s discretion entirely, ensuring that penalties would be triggered automatically without room for delay or modification.

During Sunday’s meeting, Edelstein rejected even the smallest compromise. When former minister Ariel Attias proposed including civilian service in the enlistment targets—as a possible bridge to bring UTJ on board—Edelstein flatly refused. Attias argued that civilian service is essential to make the law viable and noted that even Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had agreed in principle. Edelstein, however, held firm, and the meeting ultimately fell apart in mutual accusations over who was responsible for the breakdown.

Despite prior optimism, sources now say that the law is unlikely to be passed during the upcoming summer Knesset session. The distance between parties is simply too wide, and the atmosphere too volatile, for meaningful progress to be made in the near term.

The stakes are growing more serious. The gedolei Yisroel of United Torah Judaism—representing both Agudas Yisroel and Degel HaTorah—have already instructed their representatives to exit the coalition if no substantial progress is made by Shavuos. With the deadline fast approaching and no clear path forward, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to act quickly if he hopes to keep UTJ, and possibly even Shas, from leaving the government.

Meanwhile, the question looms: Will Netanyahu find a political lifeline in time, or will the chareidi parties follow through on their threat, potentially toppling the coalition?

Edelstein’s Key Draft Law Demands:

• Enlistment quotas exceeding 50% of eligible draftees from the current chareidi age group, phased in over less than seven years (a timeline even shorter than one proposed by Defense Minister Gallant).

• Only combat and combat-support service will count toward meeting these quotas—excluding civilian service or non-critical IDF positions.

• Harsh personal sanctions for individuals, plus sweeping institutional penalties against chareidi schools and yeshivos.

• No authority granted to the Defense Minister to delay or modify the sanctions once triggered.

With Shavuos set as the final deadline by chareidi leadership, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining the future of the Netanyahu coalition and the delicate relationship between Israel’s government and the Torah world.

{Matzav.com Israel}

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered remarks today at the Arutz Sheva–Israel National News Jerusalem Conference, held in Manhattan.

“Marching today in honor of Israel’s 77th year was deeply moving,” Adams said. “This event shows Israel’s resiliency, patience, and ability to make the right calls. A lot of people do not know what it takes to stabilize after a crisis. Israel’s resiliency is unmatched.”

He spoke about how New York has drawn strength and tools from Israel, adopting aspects of its mindset and security approach. “The technology they use to go after Hamas, we use to fight dangerous gangs here. We do not run from hate, we do not fear, and we do not give in.”

Concluding his speech, Adams addressed the surge in antisemitism and the disturbing responses to Hamas’s attack on Israel. “After the October 7th massacre, many people tried to justify what happened. I did not do that on October 8th and will not do it now. Hamas must be destroyed, and every hostage must come home. Anything else is tinkering around the edges, and we cannot tinker around with the level of violence and hate against Israel.”

To honor his unwavering support for Israel, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion—who Adams said has been a close friend for years—presented him with the Jerusalem Prize.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has authorized the immediate renewal of humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, following a security cabinet session held earlier this evening.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office explained the move, noting that it was “at the recommendation of the IDF and due to the operational need to enable the expansion of intense fighting to defeat Hamas.”

Netanyahu emphasized that the aid would be limited to basic food supplies aimed at avoiding a hunger emergency in Gaza, warning that such a crisis “would endanger the continued operation to defeat Hamas.” He added, “Israel will act to deny Hamas the ability to seize control of the distribution of humanitarian aid in order to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas terrorists.”

This development follows mounting global calls for Israel to ease its restrictions on aid to Gaza, as humanitarian conditions in the region continue to deteriorate.

Up until now, Israel has resisted opening the aid corridors, arguing that Hamas has been diverting the supplies for its own use. Israeli officials maintained that aid could not resume until a reliable method to bypass Hamas was established.

According to reporting by Walla, the resumed aid transfers will now be managed by various international groups, such as the UN World Food Programme and the World Central Kitchen, until the new distribution mechanism supported by both the U.S. and Israel becomes operational later this month.

Ynet reports that Netanyahu informed cabinet members that he had made the decision in response to growing pressure from the United States. Notably, he bypassed the usual procedure of calling a vote and simply announced the move to the cabinet.

Netanyahu’s decision has provoked fierce backlash from the political right, with opponents accusing him of endangering the war effort.

“Every humanitarian aid that enters the Strip, and definitely all parts of it, will fuel Hamas and give it oxygen while our hostages languish in tunnels,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who previously left the government in protest over a ceasefire deal, only to return once combat resumed. “The prime minister is making a grave mistake with this move, which doesn’t even have a majority,” Ben Gvir added. “We must crush Hamas and not simultaneously give it oxygen.”

Ben Gvir also posted on X, writing: “Mr. Prime Minister, our hostages have no humanitarian [aid]!”

Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu, from Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party, voiced similar frustration, stating: “This is our tragedy with Netanyahu’s approach. A leader who could have led to a clear victory and been remembered as the one who defeated radical Islam, but who time after time lets this historic opportunity slip away. Letting humanitarian aid in now directly harms the war effort to achieve victory and another obstacle to the release of the hostages.”

The Tikva Forum, representing families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, condemned the aid decision in harsh terms. “We are shocked by the decision to give Hamas a gift without getting anything back, while our loved ones have been starved for almost 600 days,” the forum declared.

They urged Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to intervene, warning: “If a drop of supplies gets to the enemy, this isn’t only a betrayal of the hostages, but also a stab in the back of the IDF fighters who are currently risking their lives in the war.”

Some members of Netanyahu’s own Likud party have also criticized the policy shift. MK Avichai Boaron remarked, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We mustn’t hand humanitarian aid to the enemy, we mustn’t hesitate.”

MK Moshe Saada denounced the decision as both wrong and immoral, especially when considered alongside the IDF’s current large-scale mobilization. “We should be totally eradicating Hamas and not helping it survive,” he said.

Opposition figure Benny Gantz of the National Unity party accused Netanyahu of shirking responsibility by hiding behind military recommendations. “When it’s uncomfortable — ‘The IDF recommended.’ In successes — ‘I gave the order.’ This is a frightened leadership that is incapable of standing behind its own decisions, and national irresponsibility during wartime. Israeli citizens deserve a different leadership that knows how to stand before the public and speak the truth, even when it’s difficult,” said Gantz.

Meanwhile, the activist group Tzav 9, known for physically blocking aid shipments to Gaza, has urged its members to restart those efforts. “Netanyahu, this is on you. Hamas can’t be pampered and given aid until the last hostage is back here,” said the organization, which was previously sanctioned by the Biden administration before the Trump administration reversed the decision.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump expressed sympathy following the announcement that Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer.

“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Despite their long-standing political rivalry and Trump’s frequent criticism of Biden’s mental acuity and age, the statement struck a notably compassionate tone.

{Matzav.com}

In a heartfelt and inspiring message, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rov of Ramat Elchonon, offered words of chizuk and encouragement to hundreds of people coping with speech difficulties.

In a rare and moving disclosure, Rav Zilberstein shared that as a child, he too had struggled with stuttering, describing himself during that period as k’vad peh and k’vad lashon. He reassured his listeners that, just as he overcame the challenge, they too would, offering a warm brachah to all those navigating similar difficulties.

The message was broadcast on the Siach Yitzchok hotline in a special segment presented by Rav Chaim Malin, a grandson of Rav Zilberstein. Rav Malin introduced a new initiative aimed at helping those who suffer from stuttering, describing it as a beacon of hope for many.

“There are so many people today who suffer from stuttering,” Rav Zilberstein began. “They can’t speak properly or fluently, and it causes them tremendous anguish and fear. They are afraid to speak in public or even open their mouths in front of others. They feel incapable of delivering shiurim or speaking before a crowd, which in turn chips away at their self-worth.”

He lamented the lack of an organized body to address the issue. “This area has largely been neglected,” he said. “But now, a talmid chacham named Rav Chaim Acker, himself a respected yungerman who suffers from this difficulty, launched a new support line called He’emanti Va’adabeir.”

The line brings together a large group of yungeleit and bochurim who struggle with stuttering. The goal, Rav Malin explained, is for members to speak with one another, share tips, give mutual encouragement, and hear from professionals. The aim is to strengthen their confidence and uplift their spirits.

“They asked me to pose the question to Saba (grandfather),” Rav Malin said, “to hear some words of encouragement for those who stutter and struggle to speak properly.”

Rav Zilberstein responded: “Let me tell you, there was one person, the greatest of humanity, whose name was Moshe Rabbeinu. He stuttered. Oh, how severely he stuttered! There were letters he couldn’t even pronounce. He said to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, ‘ki k’vad peh k’vad lashon anochi’. And yet, he reached the highest level—he became the transmitter of the Torah! His stutter was severe. He had put a burning coal in his mouth, which damaged his tongue. And look how he succeeded. The one who gave the Torah to Am Yisroel was a man who stuttered.”

When Rav Malin asked whether people should strive to be like Moshe Rabbeinu, Rav Zilberstein replied: “First, we have to tell them who Moshe Rabbeinu was—the pinnacle of mankind—and that he told Hashem he couldn’t speak because he was k’vad peh uk’vad lashon. And Hashem responded to him (Shemos 4:11), ‘Mi sam peh la’adam oy mi yasum ilem oy cheireish oy pikayach oy ivair—halo anochi Hashem.’ And Moshe Rabbeinu became the giver of the Torah, with his speech impediment and all.”

Rav Malin replied, “I’m sure that will be a tremendous source of strength for them. I’ll pass it on in Saba’s name.

“They also asked if Saba can give a brachah to the entire group,” he added.

“Of course,” Rav Zilberstein responded. “And tell them something else: When Tel Aviv was being bombed by the Italians during World War II, I lived there with my parents. There were sirens and heavy bombing. That’s when I began to stutter—I became k’vad peh uk’vad lashon. But Baruch Hashem, I overcame it. So they’ll overcome it too…”

“Can I tell them that, can I share it with the group?” Rav Malin asked.

“I want you to tell them that,” Rav Zilberstein affirmed.

Rav Malin continued, “I’m certain this will uplift and empower them tremendously.”

He then asked if there was a known segulah that could help those dealing with this struggle. “Someone suggested that learning the halachos of shemiras halashon might help, mida keneged mida, and Hashem will heal the mouth.”

Rav Zilberstein replied, “I haven’t heard that, but it could very well be true.”

{Matzav.com Israel}