Matzav

During a dinner meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. plans to send additional military aid to Ukraine, citing the severity of the current situation. “We’re going to send some more weapons,” Trump stated. “We have to; they have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now. They’re getting hit very hard, we’re going to have to send more weapons — defensive weapons, primarily. But, they’re getting hit very, very hard.”

Trump’s remarks came in response to a reporter’s question about whether the administration intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. This follows earlier reports that the Trump administration had paused some arms shipments to Ukraine at the start of the month.

According to a report from the Washington Post, the temporary suspension in deliveries was due to a Defense Department assessment that revealed shortages in U.S. military reserves. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly confirmed last week that the Pentagon had made the call after reviewing inventory levels. “Trump said the shipment would include ‘defensive weapons primarily,’ remarking that ‘so many people are dying in that mess.’ White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said last week that the Defense Department decided to halt some shipments to Ukraine after a review found American military stockpiles to be low.”

Trump’s push to continue supplying arms to Ukraine reflects a broader strategy of helping the country protect itself while continuing to press for diplomatic solutions. He has repeatedly stated that both sides should pursue a peaceful resolution to the war.

Earlier in June, Trump disclosed that he had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Though he described the talk as productive, he acknowledged that it did not result in any immediate breakthrough. He said the discussion was “good,” but admitted it would not “lead to immediate peace.”

This past Monday, Trump shared his dissatisfaction with Putin’s failure to bring the conflict to an end. As reported by the Hill, Trump expressed he was “disappointed” that Putin had not stopped the war against Ukraine.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Many in our community are still reeling from the shocking story of R’ Binyomin Kubani—a devoted yungerman, a kind-hearted friend, a beloved father and husband—who, without warning, found himself thrown behind bars in what can only be described as a baseless and bewildering bilbul.

How does something like this happen? How can a man like this  be dragged into such an absurd nightmare? It’s the kind of thing you read and hear about and shake your head—“Crazy story, no?”—until it hits close to home and you realize it could happen to anyone.

But as I sat with the story and tried to make some sense of it, a thought came to me, unsettling as it may be:

Maybe this wasn’t random. Maybe it was a kapparah.

Recently, we’ve watched as gedolim, rabbonim, dayanim, and others have been targeted by vicious bilbulim. We’ve seen their names dragged through the mud. We’ve allowed the honor of Torah to be trampled in the name of “accountability,” gossip, or public curiosity.

We’ve seen bizayon haTorah. To gedolei Torah. Rabbonim. Dayanim. Poskim.

And maybe Hashem, in His infinite justice, gave us a mirror. Perhaps He showed us what it feels like when someone we know, someone innocent, becomes the victim of a fabrication, of a smear campaign.

Maybe He gave us this bilbul—so absurd, so public—to stir our hearts and shake us awake.

Because if R’ Binyomin Kubani could be accused and shackled, maybe people will think twice before nodding along to a bilbul about a gadol or believing that next whisper about a rov or dayan.

Maybe now, we’ll feel the pain just a little deeper.

Maybe now, we’ll cry out for the honor of the Torah itself.

Just a thought.

P.S. I am not referring to anything specific. But if you think I am, or you know something I don’t, then I am. 

A Yid

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{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

In the aftermath of the disgraceful arrest of R’ Binyomin Kubani — a father whose only “crime” was trying to hire help at a car wash — I’ve been hearing disturbing whispers. Not just from the news or social media. From real people. From my own cleaning lady. From the streets. From those who see what happened and are already preparing to exploit it.

They saw that a 15-year-old boy made up a wild story — no evidence, no investigation, no common sense — and within minutes, an innocent man was behind bars. No due process. No questioning. No presumption of innocence. Just a quick arrest, because it was easy.

Because he was a religious Jew.

Now, immigrants and others in the Lakewood area know just how simple it is to weaponize the system. They’ve watched how the police responded to a baseless accusation by tossing a frum man into jail with barely a second thought. And they’ve taken notes.

I’ve heard it with my own ears: “That’s how you get a U visa.”

“Say a Jew tried to take you — they’ll arrest him right away.”

They know exactly what buttons to press and what stories to tell. And who to target.

This isn’t a theory. It’s a threat I’ve heard with my own ears.

They’ve seen how easy it was — how one teenager could make up a story, no evidence needed, and walk away with credibility, while a Jewish father of seven was handcuffed, humiliated, and jailed.

Now, others are watching. Talking. Planning. They understand the formula: say the right few words, cry a little, and the system will do the rest. No one will question them. No one will check the facts.

Not if the accused is wearing a yarmulka.

Some are openly discussing how they’ll use this tactic to gain legal immigration status — especially through U visas, which are handed out to those who claim to be victims of certain crimes. All they need is an arrest. Not a conviction. Just an arrest. And if it’s a visibly Jewish man? Even better. They know the climate. They know the fear of backlash. They know that law enforcement would rather quietly take someone in than risk being accused of ignoring a minority accuser.

What we’re dealing with isn’t just one false accusation. It’s the beginning of a trend. There are already whispers in immigrant communities: “Just say he tried to touch you.” “Say he offered you money to get in the car.” “Say he threatened you.” They’re crafting scripts. Swapping stories. Learning what works. They’re strategizing, because the rewards are real — and the consequences, for them, are nonexistent.

If this isn’t stopped now, frum men will be picked off one by one, victims of calculated lies. And every time, the headlines will say “Arrested,” the damage will be done, and even if the truth comes out later, it will be too late to undo the pain.

The playbook has been written. Now it’s just a question of how many innocent Jews will pay the price.

Sincerely,

Worried Sick

Lakewood, NJ

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{Matzav.com}

A new psak from Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein is making waves, particularly among yeshiva bochurim and others who have adopted the popular practice of enjoying cholent on Thursday nights. In a sharply worded response, the prominent posek rules that eating Shabbos foods during the week — especially cholent, a dish traditionally prepared for Shabbos day — is inappropriate and undermines the honor due to Shabbos Kodesh.

The psak was published this week in Divrei Chemed, the widely circulated Torah pamphlet that shares halachic insights from Rav Zilberstein.

The question addressed to the Rav came from several bnei yeshiva, who noted the growing trend of Thursday-night cholent gatherings: “We wanted to ask the Rav shlit”a, since there is a great inyan to eat chamin [cholent] on Shabbos Kodesh, and this dish has historically been reserved for the seudas Shabbos morning, and some would fulfill Toameha chaim zachu by tasting it on Friday night. But recently, many have begun ‘being mehader’ to taste this dish already on Thursday night, preparing large pots specifically for that purpose — not to honor Shabbos, but for their own enjoyment. Some even eat it on Thursday day and on other weekdays. Our question is: Does this diminish the uniqueness of a food that was traditionally reserved for Shabbos? Should Shabbos foods remain special to Shabbos?”

Rav Zilberstein responded with a detailed analysis. He cited numerous sources from Chazal and the poskim that emphasize the importance of designating special foods for Shabbos, rather than making them common during the week. These sources include the Midrash Tanchuma, Tikkunei Zohar, the Ramban, Radak, and others.

Among his points, Rav Zilberstein referenced the Yam Shel Shlomo, who suggests that one should avoid eating fish on Friday night so they can enjoy it more during the Shabbos day meal, since kavod yom takes precedence over kavod laylah. The Rav then applied this concept even more strongly: “If one should avoid eating a beloved food on Friday night to honor the daytime meal, then all the more so one should not eat special Shabbos foods during the weekdays. That way, when Shabbos arrives, they can truly honor it as is fitting.”

Rav Zilberstein also cited the example of the Arizal, who was stringent never to cook any dish during the week that was typically made for Shabbos, such as pashtida. He mentioned a story about the Baal Shem Tov, who told a child eating onions and eggs: “This is a food that Jews eat only on Shabbos.” Similarly, the Chasam Sofer once refused to eat a dish made with cinnamon during the week, saying, “That’s a Shabbos food, and we don’t eat it on weekdays.”

He further noted that cholent was created specifically to honor Shabbos, as it allows for the fulfillment of oneg Shabbos through a hot dish, even on Shabbos morning. As the Ba’al HaMaor writes, eating chamin on Shabbos is part of a takanas chachamim, and one who refuses to eat it requires investigation to determine if he is a heretic or apikores.

Rav Zilberstein added an additional point from the Bnei Yissaschar, who wrote that although some feared the effects of cholent on health, on Shabbos there is a special berachah in the food, which protects those who eat it. He quoted the Mishnah Berurah, who writes, “Shomer mitzvah lo yeda davar ra” — one who observes the mitzvah is protected. However, that protective blessing does not apply during the week.

The psak concludes: “Cholent is a dish created specifically for Shabbos. Therefore, it is very appropriate to refrain from eating it on weekdays, in order to properly honor Shabbos with this special dish. Especially since it is not considered a healthy food, and only the sanctity of Shabbos imbues it with blessing and delight, as well as protection for the one who eats it.”

It remains to be seen whether this ruling will influence yeshiva bochurim and the wider public to give up their beloved Thursday-night cholent. But one thing is certain: Rav Zilberstein has drawn a clear halachic line in defense of kavod Shabbos.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) issued a fierce condemnation on Monday in response to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington, D.C., for a high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump.

Calling the event “a shameful day in America,” Sanders pointed to the International Criminal Court’s recent decision to issue arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of perpetrating “war crimes.”

Although the United States and Israel are not members of the ICC, Sanders wrote, “Today, a war criminal under indictment from the ICC will be welcomed to the White House.”

Sanders did not limit his remarks to the current administration. He blasted both Trump and his predecessor, stating, “Trump, like Biden before him, has aided and abetted the extremist Netanyahu government as it has systematically killed and starved civilians in Gaza.”

The senator, who is Jewish, has consistently spoken out against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2023, terror attacks launched by Hamas in southern Israel.

In November, Sanders introduced a resolution aimed at stopping the sale of offensive weapons to Israel, citing growing concern over the number of civilian deaths in Gaza. The Senate ultimately rejected that measure.

A few months later, in March, Sanders made another attempt to block military support to Israel—this time opposing a $9 billion arms deal. That effort was also defeated, with both resolutions failing in an April vote.

Sanders remains one of the most vocal critics of Israel within Congress. Last year, he refused to attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress, labeling the Israeli leader a “war criminal.”

He has previously described the Israeli government as “racist” and has repeatedly called for placing conditions on U.S. aid to Israel.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

“A beautiful and exceptional discourse from Rabbi Yehudah ben Bezalel” –  the famed Maharal of Prague.

This drush was delivered in honor of Shabbos HaGadol in the year 1589. In it, the Maharal masterfully weaves together many themes from all parts of the Torah. He does this according to the four methods of Torah study – pshat, remez, drush and sod – known by the acronym ‘Pardes.’ The Maharal concludes his drasha with a focus on the subject of the sukkah and the Arba Minim!

President Donald Trump’s border enforcement leader, Tom Homan, announced that immigration arrests in New York City are set to rise sharply as part of a broader campaign targeting sanctuary cities that obstruct cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“We’re going to be in New York City,” Homan said during a Monday press briefing at the White House. “President Trump said it two weeks ago — we’re going to double down and triple down on sanctuary cities. Why? Not because it’s a blue city or a blue state, but because we know that’s where the problem is.”

His comments follow recent statements from New York City mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman and vocal advocate for left-wing policies, who pledged to completely sever coordination between local agencies and ICE if he wins in November.

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, has publicly supported cutting off ICE’s access to city buildings, halting the sharing of data with federal officials, and increasing taxpayer-funded legal support for undocumented immigrants. In response, Homan previously issued a stern warning: any interference with ICE operations by Mamdani would mean “game on.”

While immigration enforcement actions in cities like Los Angeles have included visible public arrests of vendors and workers, the approach in New York has so far been more subdued, often focusing on detentions at immigration offices or court appearances. But Homan indicated that’s about to change.

“If they don’t let us arrest the bad guy who comes to jail, we’re going to arrest him in the community,” he said. “We’re going to increase community operations.”

Since President Trump took office, over 1,900 individuals have been detained by ICE agents in New York City — an increase of 11% from the same period last year, according to data compiled by the Deportation Data Project and reviewed by Bloomberg. By contrast, Los Angeles saw a 69% jump, Chicago 57%, and Miami a staggering 161% rise in arrests.

New York is one of several sanctuary cities across the country that limit the flow of information between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. Homan voiced frustration over the city’s policy of ignoring ICE detainer requests, which ask local jails to hold individuals for pickup by federal agents.

“We know they’re releasing public safety threats and national security threats to the streets every day because they don’t honor our detainers,” he said. “We don’t have that problem in Florida, where every sheriff in the state is working with us.”

Mayor Eric Adams, running for re-election as an independent, has faced criticism for his efforts to bring ICE officers back into the Rikers Island jail system — a facility where federal immigration agents have been largely restricted since 2014.

Homan’s remarks come as ICE prepares for a massive boost in funding and manpower. The budget bill signed by Trump last week allocates $30 billion to ICE — triple its usual funding — for the hiring of 10,000 new agents and the expansion of detention capacity. This is part of a broader $150 billion package aimed at tightening border security and immigration enforcement nationwide.

At the same time, more counties and states are entering into 287(g) partnerships with ICE, allowing for closer collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agents. Florida, which leads the country in these agreements, recently saw Governor Ron DeSantis unveil a new detention site in the Everglades. Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the facility — composed of tents and trailers — was constructed in under a week to accommodate detained immigrants.

{Matzav.com}

Without naming a particular candidate as his pick, David Paterson, the former governor of New York, urged the centrist independents still in the mayoral race—specifically Mayor Eric Adams and ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo—to team up in a bid to stop Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. “It’s going to take a united effort, and it’s going to take some sacrifice that someone is going to have to make to make this work,” Paterson said, emphasizing that cooperation is the only path to victory.

Paterson noted that a solution likely wouldn’t come from the candidates themselves, pointing instead to financial and business figures to step up and invest in whichever contender is deemed most viable to defeat the democratic socialist. “If he’s the cure to heal the party, then cyanide is the cure for a headache,” he remarked, delivering a biting critique of Mamdani’s platform.

During a Monday appearance on CNBC, Adams shared that after Cuomo lost the Democratic primary, he approached Adams with a request to exit the race—despite still having his name on the general election ballot and not officially launching a campaign. “I said, Andrew, are you that level of arrogance? I’m the sitting mayor,” Adams recounted. “I’m the sitting mayor of the city of New York, and you expect for me to step aside when you just lost to [Mamdani] by 12 points.”

Cuomo’s defeat became official on June 24, the night of the primary, when he conceded to Mamdani after trailing in the final count, 56% to 44%. This outcome marked a turning point for a race in which Cuomo had held a polling lead after entering in March, only to fall short when it mattered.

Last week, another independent contender, Jim Walden—a longtime attorney who once worked in the Eastern District’s U.S. Attorney’s Office—put forward a plan aimed at consolidating support behind a single anti-Mamdani candidate. His idea was for all non-Democratic candidates—himself, Adams, Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa—to unite behind whichever among them polls strongest in a neutral survey taken ahead of the general election.

On Monday, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi reiterated the campaign’s position that Adams has no realistic shot at winning, saying, “nothing has changed” since Cuomo declared his independent bid. “We do not see any path to victory for Mayor Adams,” Azzopardi stated.

Still, while casting doubt on Adams’ chances, the Cuomo team conceded that a fractured field could ultimately deliver a win to Mamdani—something they called dangerous for the city. In that context, Walden’s plan gained some legitimacy as a potentially effective means of preventing a socialist victory. “This is the time to put aside the usual political selfishness and agree to do what is truly best for all New Yorkers. While we review this proposal, we call on other candidates to do the same,” Azzopardi added.

Meanwhile, Mamdani’s team brushed aside the political jockeying among his opponents, instead highlighting the grassroots momentum that brought him victory in the primary and the progressive ideas that fueled it. “More than 545,000 New Yorkers voted for Zohran Mamdani, the most votes any Democratic primary candidate has received in 36 years,” his campaign said in a statement. “In the coming months, Zohran looks forward to growing this coalition and reaching new voters with his vision for an affordable New York City and his plan to deliver universal childcare, fast and free buses, and a rent-freeze for more than 2 million New Yorkers.”

{Matzav.com}

A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Flatbush community Monday night, as Rabbi Beryl Boryde z”l, a beloved and respected member of the community, was fatally struck by a vehicle while returning home from Maariv. He was 70.

The fatal incident occurred at the intersection of East 5th Street and Avenue I, just one block from Rabbi Broyde’s home. Rabbi Broyde was on foot, heading back from shul, when he was hit by an oncoming car.

Hatzolah volunteers rushed to the scene and immediately began emergency lifesaving efforts. Rabbi Broyde was transported to Maimonides Medical Center, but tragically succumbed to his wounds shortly after arrival despite the valiant attempts to save his life.

The exact details of the accident are currently under investigation by the NYPD.

Rabbi Broyde was known in his community as a man wholly devoted to Torah and avodas Hashem. His sudden passing has left his family, friends, and neighbors in a state of shock .

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

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Five IDF soldiers lost their lives and fourteen others were injured following a roadside bomb explosion late Monday night in the northern Gaza neighborhood of Beit Hanoun, the military confirmed.

Among those killed were Staff Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, and Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, both residents of Yerushalayim. They served in the Netzach Yehuda Battalion, part of the Kfir Brigade.

The identities of the other three soldiers who died in the incident have not yet been made public and are expected to be released in due course.

According to preliminary findings from the IDF, the soldiers had been on foot during operations in Beit Hanoun when they were struck by an explosive device planted along the roadside shortly after 10 p.m. They were not traveling in an armored vehicle at the time.

While trying to evacuate the wounded, Israeli troops were met with additional gunfire from hostile forces in the vicinity, according to the same initial probe.

Of the fourteen injured, two are reported to be in critical condition.

Military officials noted that airstrikes were carried out in the area before ground forces moved in, in an effort to neutralize threats prior to their entry.

The Netzach Yehuda troops were working in coordination with the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division and were participating in a broader mission alongside the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade to eliminate terrorist infrastructure and operatives entrenched in Beit Hanoun.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday evening for their third meeting of the year.

Prior to the private discussion, both leaders took a few questions from the press. During the exchange, Netanyahu handed Trump a letter he had submitted to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in which he nominated the President for the prestigious award.

One of the topics addressed was Trump’s earlier proposal for Gaza, which encourages voluntary emigration for Gazans as the region undergoes rebuilding.

“I think President Trump has a great idea: free choice. If people want to stay, let them stay, and if they want to leave, let them leave. We are working with the United States to find countries that offer a better future for the Palestinians. We are getting closer and closer to finding such countries. The Palestinians should have the freedom to choose,” said Netanyahu.

He added a firm reminder of Israel’s security priorities. “The Palestinians should have the ability to lead themselves but not the ability to harm us. No one in Israel agrees to anything else – we want to live. The Palestinians had the Hamas state before October 7, and look what they did with it. They carried out a horrific massacre not seen since the Nazis.”

Addressing the matter of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, Trump noted recent developments: “We scheduled talks with Iran. They want to talk to us. They took a big drubbing when we hit the three sites.”

The President also touched on the situation with Hamas, indicating that he believed negotiations could be on the horizon: he said he “thinks Hamas wants a deal.” Adding to that optimism, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who was also present at the meeting, said, “We have an opportunity to finally get a peace deal…and I’m hopeful for it very quickly.”

Switching to the issue of Syria, Netanyahu pointed to shifting dynamics in the region: “I think that everyone understands that the situation has changed and that opportunity has been opened by the President and by the changed security situation after the collapse of the Assad regime.”

Trump, in turn, expressed admiration for Syria’s new leadership. He said he was “very impressed” by new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and explained that he had lifted sanctions on Syria to give the new administration a fair chance. He disclosed that multiple nations, including Israel, had approached him with requests to end those sanctions.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Today, after enduring a harrowing and unjust ordeal, R’ Binyomin Kubani returned home to his family and community. The yungerman, a devoted father of seven, was wrongfully arrested and held for days on baseless charges.

His return marks not only a personal relief, but a moment of collective triumph and reflection for a community that rallied behind him.

Tonight, at the Tress-Gleiberman wedding, R’ Binyomin arrived to express his deep gratitude to the two mechutanim, Moshe Gleiberman and Moshe Tress, for their instrumental help in securing his release. WATCH:

At a gathering at his home, Rav Yeruchom Olshin was mechazeik R’ Binyomin, praising this devoted father and community member. WATCH:

R’ Binyomin Kubani seen davening at his home shortly after his release. WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The European Union’s aviation authority confirmed Monday night that it has officially ended all flight bans affecting travel to Israel.

These restrictions were originally introduced back in April due to rising tensions and security threats, including the temporary closure of Israeli airspace after Iranian missile attacks and a missile launched by the Houthis that landed near Ben Gurion Airport.

Following those incidents, a number of European airlines halted their Israel-bound routes, citing the EASA directive that warned against flights into the region.

With that guidance now revoked, many European airlines are preparing to slowly reintroduce direct service to Ben Gurion Airport.

Lufthansa is planning to restart its Israel flights on August 1. British Airways, ITA Airways from Italy, and the low-cost carrier Wizz Air are also slated to resume flights after a prolonged pause.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Donald Trump took aim at New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during a high-profile meeting this evening with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the White House, denouncing the progressive politician in stark terms.

“He’s not a socialist — he’s a communist,” Trump said, referencing Mamdani’s ideology. “And he’s said some really bad things about Jewish people.”

“It’s a philosophy that this country is not ready for — and it NEVER will be,” the president added forcefully.

Trump’s latest comments come amid growing scrutiny of Mamdani’s past statements and associations, many of which have drawn accusations of anti-Semitism. Mamdani has previously expressed support for the BDS movement, equated Zionism with colonialism, and made inflammatory remarks on social media targeting pro-Israel voices.

In December, Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist and is the Democratic Party’s nominee for New York City mayor, said, “as mayor, New York City would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu.”

When asked whether he was worried about the possibility of facing arrest in America’s largest city, Netanyahu said, “I’m not concerned about that.”

The prime minister added, “I’m going to come there with the President Trump and we’ll see.”

He went on to say that Mamdani’s threat is “silly in many ways, because it’s just not serious.”

The meeting also touched on broader regional issues, with Netanyahu floating a controversial idea regarding the future of Gaza. Speaking to reporters, the Israeli leader suggested that Palestinians in Gaza should have the option to relocate to other countries, claiming that discussions were underway with international partners to make that possible.

“If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” Netanyahu said. “We’re working with the United States very closely about finding countries that will seek to realize what they always say, that they wanted to give the Palestinians a better future. I think we’re getting close to finding several countries.”

Trump, while initially deferring to Netanyahu on the subject, later expressed optimism. “We’ve had great cooperation from … surrounding countries, great cooperation from every single one of them. So something good will happen,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu announced on Monday that he had officially put President Trump’s name forward for the Nobel Peace Prize, personally handing over a copy of the nomination letter during their meeting in Washington.

“I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize committee,” Netanyahu said during a moment at the White House.

“It’s the nomination of you for the peace prize, which is well-deserved. And you should get it.”

Reaching across the table that separated the American and Israeli delegations, Netanyahu passed the letter directly to Trump.

“This I didn’t know,” Trump responded with surprise as he looked at the document. “Well, thank you very much.

“Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful. Thank you very much.”

The two leaders met in Washington for high-level discussions, which would be followed by a private dinner later that evening.

Topics on the table included Gaza’s future and potential diplomatic breakthroughs with Arab countries, though no significant updates were offered publicly following the discussions.

“I think our teams together make an extraordinary combination to meet challenges and seize opportunities,” Netanyahu said during remarks made before their meal.

“But the president has already realized a great opportunity to forge the Abraham Accords. He’s forging peace as we speak, and one country and one region after the other.”

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu held a long meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Blair House, the official residence for visiting dignitaries. No summary of the conversation was released.

Netanyahu also sat down with Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. As with the other meetings, officials offered no insight into what was discussed.

{Matzav.com}

As the registration season for yeshivos draws to a close across the Litvishe Torah world in Eretz Yisroel, attention now shifts to the handful of elite institutions that accept bochurim later in the cycle—among them, Ponovezh, Tifrach, and Torah B’Tifartah. Yeshivas Chevron, although still dominant, is not considered among the “latecomers,” as its admissions process is mostly determined in advance, with few bochurim failing the entrance exam.

Ponovezh is expected to announce its acceptance list at the end of Tammuz during a staff meeting. As in previous years, there is great anticipation—especially because many boys who applied to Ponovezh and other top-tier yeshivos will ultimately be rejected, creating a domino effect of “nefilos,” or spillovers, who will then be snatched up by second-tier institutions. However, many yeshivos have already finalized their rosters and don’t accept nefilos, further complicating placement for those still unaccepted.

One experienced registrar explained: “You have to understand something simple—when Ponovezh, Chevron, or Tifrach increase their acceptance numbers for shiur alef, they essentially eliminate another yeshiva. There’s only a limited pool of about 4,500 bochurim each year, and natural growth tends to flow to the newer yeshivos.”

This year marks a significant shift, as the three new yeshivos in Kiryat Sefer—headed respectively by Rav Partzovitz, Rav Falk, and Rav Polishuk—have, for the first time, sent graduates to major yeshivos. These three are collectively known in the yeshiva world as the “Three P’s” of Kiryat Sefer. True to local custom, the competition was fierce among them over who could send more talmidim to the most frum yeshivos.

Back in Ponovezh, sources suggest the shiur alef class may reach as high as 460 boys. According to insiders, the late Rosh Yeshiva Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l instructed the staff never to turn away a truly outstanding candidate. Observers are closely watching to see whether Ponovezh can maintain its standards while dramatically increasing enrollment—or whether quantity will come at the cost of quality.

Chevron, meanwhile, is staying in the race for top boys, especially those from Yerushalayim, even as its institutional framework limits how many new students it can absorb. “Chevron is a more structured institution,” one source said, “so it can’t balloon like Ponovezh. But this year, Ponovezh has cut into Chevron’s traditional Yerushalayim base in addition to its dominance in Bnei Brak.”

In the Yerushalayim neighborhood of Bayit Vegan, Yeshivas Wolfson—recently rebranded from Nesivos Chochmah to Nesivos Aviezer—has retained a prestigious position among the city’s yeshivos.

In Bnei Brak, Yeshivas Beis Mattisyahu continues to perform well, maintaining its reputation as a lomdus-focused yeshiva from the days of its late Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Baruch Weissbecker zt”l. The yeshiva only accepts 120 bochurim, in keeping with Rav Weissbecker’s directives, forcing them to turn away many strong applicants. The yeshiva has leased an additional dormitory building to relieve overcrowding.

Down south, Yeshivas Tifrach has surprised many by shifting its image toward a more “open” orientation. Analysts say this is an attempt to stay competitive with the large yeshivos dominating the landscape by stepping outside its traditional niche.

Yeshivas Torah B’Tifartah, which draws mainly from Bnei Brak and Kiryat Sefer, has found a sweet spot among boys seeking a “Bnei Brak style” yeshiva with strong frumkeit. Despite subpar physical conditions—especially evident during wartime tensions with Iran—the yeshiva has successfully attracted its target demographic.

In Rishon L’Tzion, Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo recorded impressive success, receiving strong groups of bochurim from its affiliated younger yeshivos, particularly from Ateres Shlomo Aryeh in Modiin Illit.

Yeshivas Nesiv HaDaas (Kaplan), which enjoys a high-tier reputation, has shifted its admissions strategy this year. They rejected some “quiet boys” before testing, aiming instead to attract more energetic, yeshivishe candidates and broaden their appeal.

At Mir Brachfeld, a major overhaul in admissions was introduced this year with Rav Shlomo Gliss heading registration. The focus shifted toward shmiras einayim and increased frumkeit, positioning the yeshiva as a strong brand in that sector.

Yeshivas Toras Zev (Soloveitchik) in Beit Shemesh continues to attract high-level students, maintaining a stringent admissions process and a reputation for top-tier learning.

In Yerushalayim, Yeshivas Daas Aharon (Kaplan’s newer branch) expanded significantly to 110 bochurim, moving beyond its former status as a “small-scale” yeshiva. Registration began in early Iyar and featured intensive interviews with careful vetting.

Yeshivas Kol Torah in Bayit Vegan will welcome 80 boys this Elul. Earlier this year, dozens of alumni rabbanim gathered during Bein Hazmanim in Nissan under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger to encourage top boys to apply. The initiative succeeded—demand was high, and Rav Schlesinger, along with Rav Avraham Kar, personally tested every candidate.

In Beit Chilkiyah, Yeshivas Shaarei Shmuos has gained traction, doubling its demand this year. The incoming shiur will number 112 boys, bringing the total enrollment to 650. The yeshiva has leased new dormitories and finalized permits to begin building a new dining hall and additional living quarters.

Yeshivas Or Yisrael in Petach Tikvah stands apart, operating on a different model. Known for its military-like discipline, the yeshiva attracts a very specific type of boy and selects only the top among them.

Among newer institutions, Yeshivas Nesivos Chaim (Meirovitz) in Beit Shemesh marked its third straight year of growth, with 90 new bochurim joining. Yeshivas Migdal Oz (Esrog) in Givat Ze’ev maintains its strength, while Yeshivas Keser Torah (Avramov) in Kiryat Ye’arim—despite leadership changes and heavy investment in marketing—saw limited success.

One registrar noted, “A new yeshiva starts off with a clean slate. There’s no history to prove or disprove, so they’re attractive. But after a few years, we start to see who sustains that reputation and who struggles. It’s too early to rank most of them definitively.”

For instance, one new yeshiva in Yerushalayim that attempted to merge with another saw an initial wave of promising bochurim, but ultimately stumbled despite boasting an impressive roster of roshei yeshiva.

A particularly notable development came from Yeshivas Nachlas Avraham in Afula. With the blessing of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the yeshiva expanded to two shiurim this year, aided by a newly completed, state-of-the-art campus donated in memory of Reb Avraham Gantz z”l.

Finally, in Beit Shemesh, Yeshivas Be’er HaTorah launched a new initiative this year called “Be’er Shmuel,” through which advanced bochurim learn an additional daily shiur with Rosh Yeshiva Rav Gavriel Yosef Levi. This is in addition to a robust regular shiur of 40 boys.

Yeshivas Chochmas Shlomo, under the leadership of Rav Aharon Weiner and Rav Binyomin Dreyfuss in Bayit Vegan, concluded this year’s admissions with great satisfaction, having accepted over 30 outstanding bochurim following a rigorous selection process.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A wave of grief has swept through the Chareidi community of Kiryat Ata following the tragic petirah of Rav Menachem Moshe Weiskopf z”l. A prominent figure in the city’s kehilla, Rav Weiskopf passed away on Monday afternoon at the age of 75 after losing consciousness while swimming at the separate “Quiet Beach” (Chof HaSheket) in Haifa.

Emergency medical teams from Magen David Adom rushed to the scene and immediately began resuscitation efforts. “We found him unconscious on the shore, without a pulse or breathing,” said MDA emergency medic Chai Takatch. “We were told he had been spotted floating in the water, unresponsive. He was pulled out right away, and we began CPR and administered medication as we transported him to Rambam Hospital. His condition was critical, and unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead.”

Rav Menachem Moshe Weiskopf was born on 9 Cheshvan in 1949 to his parents Reb Tzvi z”l and Mrs. Zisl a”h. After his marriage, he settled in Kiryat Ata, where he became one of the esteemed members of the local Torah community.

He was known as a tamim and yashar, a man of humility, calmness, and unwavering yiras Shamayim. He was a steady kove’a itim laTorah, raising his children with selfless dedication to Torah and avodas Hashem. Rav Weiskopf was a longtime mispallel at the Chaneichei HaYeshivos shul in Kiryat Ata, a true talmid chacham who lived quietly and modestly, always avoiding honor.

For his livelihood, he worked as an accountant at the institutions of Migdal Ohr, under the direction of Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman in Migdal HaEmek.

His sudden passing has plunged the community into mourning.

Tragically, this is the second blow to the Weiskopf family in just one week. Rav Weiskopf’s nephew, Rav Tzvi Hirsch Weiskopf z”l of the Givat Shaul neighborhood in Yerushalayim, passed away at the age of 48 after a lengthy illness. Rav Eliezer Weiskopf of Haifa, brother of Rav Menachem Moshe and father of Rav Tzvi Hirsch, is now sitting shivah for a second time in the span of days.

Rav Weiskopf leaves behind an exemplary family. His wife is one of the veteran teachers at the Bais Yaakov in Kiryat Ata. His sons include Rav Mordechai and Rav Tzvi of Bnei Brak, and Rav Yaakov of Yerushalayim. His son-in-law is Rav Nesanel Raskin of Rechasim.

The levayah and kevurah took place Monday night at the Eretz HaChaim cemetery near Kiryat Ata.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}