Matzav

A public dispute between Rov Yosef Chaim Ohev Tzion and radio host Menachem Toker over women’s shaitelach took an unexpected turn Monday when the rov joined Toker live on the air, turning what had been a controversy into a cordial on-air reconciliation.

Rov Ohev Tzion, a prominent speaker at the Moussaieff Shul, appeared on Toker’s program Zman Avir after recently criticizing the host over remarks related to women’s wigs. The conversation, arranged by the show’s editor Kobi Segal, quickly developed into a warm and respectful exchange.

The rov emphasized that he had no intention of insulting Toker personally. “People tried to inflame the situation. We do not want to hurt any Jew. We know the good things you do,” he said. Toker immediately responded with respect, saying, “I forgive in advance. Who am I to speak about the rov?”

Much of the discussion focused on the controversy surrounding wigs that had sparked the original criticism. Rov Ohev Tzion explained that his concern was with how wigs are sometimes presented in magazines. “I was shocked to see a certain picture of wigs that were displayed in a very inappropriate way,” he said.

He also referred to the ruling of Rav Ovadia Yosef, who strongly opposed the wearing of wigs. Rov Ohev Tzion added that even authorities who permitted wigs did not have today’s modern styles in mind. “If they were living in our times, they would certainly forbid the wigs of today,” he said. He concluded by stressing that a mother’s modesty is an important key to raising righteous children.

Toward the end of the broadcast, the rov shared several segulos connected with the upcoming month of Nissan. Among them was an unusual suggestion for preventing migraines. “A person who gets a haircut on Wednesday, which is the eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, will not have headaches for the entire year,” he said.

He also encouraged people to daven for parnassah on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. “This is the time to ask for parnassah. The Ribbono Shel Olam renews the entire creation,” he said. Rov Ohev Tzion added that giving Kimcha D’Pischa charity before Pesach serves as protection from serious misfortune.

The conversation concluded on a positive note, with Toker thanking the rov for joining the program and expressing hope that he would appear again in the future. Rov Ohev Tzion, who lives in Ramat Shlomo and delivers shiurim on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ended by offering Toker a bracha: “Continue doing good for the Jewish people.”

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin delivered a public briefing Monday night updating the nation on developments in the ongoing war against Iran and its regional proxies. During the address, Defrin revealed that Israeli forces had struck key strategic targets in Tehran and announced that more than 100,000 reservists have been mobilized for the expanding ground maneuver in southern Lebanon. He also shared a moving story about a chareidi mother from Bnei Brak whose actions helped save her children during a missile strike.

Defrin reported that the Israeli Air Force destroyed a strategic naval headquarters belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the heart of Tehran, along with a facility used to develop satellite attack capabilities. “The Iranian regime used this headquarters to turn the maritime arena into a theater of terror,” the spokesman said, adding that the satellite development center posed a threat to Israeli and international space assets.

At the same time, the IDF is intensifying its operations along the northern border. Defrin confirmed that forces from the 91st Division have begun ground activity at key locations in southern Lebanon as part of efforts to strengthen protection for communities in northern Israel. Addressing reports about troop levels, he disclosed that an unprecedented number of reservists have been called up. “We currently have more than 100,000 reservists… IDF soldiers will stand as a barrier between every threat and the residents of the north,” he said.

He added that the 146th Division has now joined the campaign and that the maneuver is concentrating on areas around Metula, Margaliot, and Manara in order to prevent direct rocket fire at Israeli homes.

A particularly emotional moment in the briefing came when Defrin described a recent visit to the Kass family on Rechov Yerushalayim in Bnei Brak, whose home was struck by an Iranian cluster missile. “The mother was playing with her six children in the living room, and Yehuda, the two-week-old baby, was in her arms. The responsible behavior of this brave mother simply saved their lives,” Defrin said.

The spokesman condemned Iran’s use of cluster munitions, describing them as a violation of the laws of war, and warned that Iran is attempting to spread fear through propaganda and misinformation. “They are trying to spread terror and fear. The Israeli public is not listening to those threats,” he said.

In other sectors, Defrin noted that IDF forces continue counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria, where more than 250 terror suspects have been arrested over the past two weeks. Israeli forces are also continuing deep strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.

He also addressed a difficult incident involving the deaths of four members of a Palestinian family in the village of Tamun during an undercover operation. “Every harm to innocent people turns the stomach. The IDF does not act with the intention of harming civilians,” Defrin said, adding that the case is under thorough investigation by both military authorities and the Justice Ministry’s police oversight unit.

Defrin concluded by noting that the campaign has dealt heavy blows to Iran’s military capabilities. According to the IDF, approximately 70 percent of Iran’s launch capabilities have been neutralized and about 80 percent of its air defense systems destroyed.

“Our goal is to remove the threats against Israel for the long term,” Defrin said. “We still have many targets, and we are continuing according to our operational plans.”

In the midst of the tense days of war and constant sirens, dozens of bochurim from Yeshivas Darchei Shlomo and avreichim from Kollel Beis Dovid have temporarily moved their limud haTorah to protected shelters in the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak. In recent days, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein descended to the shelter of the neighborhood’s central shul and delivered a stirring shmuess chizuk to the bochurim, speaking about the power of simchas haTorah to overcome fear and hardship.

The younger bochurim of Yeshivas Darchei Shlomo, under the leadership of Rav Avrohom Pollak—rosh hakahal of Ramat Elchanan and a close associate of Rav Zilberstein—have been continuing their seder halimud in the neighborhood during this period so they can remain close to protected spaces.

At the same time, dozens of avreichim from Kollel Beis Dovid, who normally travel daily from Bnei Brak to Cholon, have been learning during this period in the central beis haknesses of Ramat Elchanan. Rav Zilberstein’s presence in the neighborhood has brought a sense of calm and menuchas hanefesh to many residents and visitors who come daily to receive his bracha following Mincha Gedolah.

In recent days, the bochurim merited a special moment when Rav Zilberstein came down toward the end of the morning seder to the shelter beneath the beis haknesses and delivered an uplifting sichas chizuk, addressing the spiritual meaning of the current situation.

At the beginning of his remarks, Rav Zilberstein told the bochurim that although many people are frightened that the situation could escalate into a much larger war, he personally is not afraid. When he sees dedicated bochurim and a strong yeshiva, he said, it gives him strength and confidence.

“Today everyone is afraid that the situation may escalate into a world war… but I am not afraid, because when I see good bochurim like you and such a good yeshiva, I am not afraid.”

To illustrate the tremendous power of simchas haTorah, Rav Zilberstein shared a remarkable story about an avreich who traveled to Russia to give shiurim and spread Torah. According to Rav Zilberstein, the shiurim were so sweet and powerful that the bochurim eagerly absorbed every word.

For three years, the avreich delivered those shiurim. When the shiur ended, the bochurim would quickly open their notebooks and record everything he said.

After three years he returned to Eretz Yisroel with his wife. When they arrived, his in-laws came to greet them, having heard glowing reports about the tremendous impact he had made through his harbotzas haTorah.

However, something unexpected occurred. While davening in the beis haknesses at the airport and putting on tefillin, a small pill accidentally fell from his pocket. His father-in-law picked it up and brought it to a medical expert, who explained that the medication was used for someone suffering from epilepsy.

The family was devastated. Late that night, the wife’s parents came to Rav Zilberstein in tears. They explained that they had just discovered that their son-in-law suffered from this illness and did not know how to proceed.

Rav Zilberstein told them that he had his own reasoning. If the avreich had delivered shiurim for three years and had never once experienced an episode, it meant that the illness did not dominate him. The joy and sweetness of Torah—simchas haTorah—had the strength to overcome it.

To confirm his reasoning, Rav Zilberstein consulted a leading medical expert and presented the idea. The doctor agreed completely, explaining that if someone had exerted himself so intensely for three years teaching Torah without suffering an episode, it indicated that the illness was being subdued.

Because the wife’s father remained concerned that the original kiddushin might be considered a mistake due to the undisclosed illness, the family decided to perform a second kiddushin quietly as a precaution. The ceremony was held late at night, and they softly sang “Od Yishama,” so that the story would not become public knowledge.

Rav Zilberstein then told the bochurim the continuation of the story. The couple later had a son who grew up to be one of the finest children in the neighborhood, filled with tremendous cheshek haTorah and blessed with good health.

According to Rav Zilberstein, the child’s greatness came from the extraordinary love of Torah that filled the home.

He explained that Torah responds to love and devotion. Just as a wife responds when her husband truly loves her, Torah embraces and protects the person who truly loves it.

Turning to the bochurim in the shelter, Rav Zilberstein praised them warmly and said they were fortunate to have a rosh yeshiva and maggidei shiur of such quality.

At that point, Rav Avrohom Pollak asked how bochurim can maintain focus during such difficult days, when sirens interrupt the night and sleep is constantly disrupted, while the hanhalas hayeshiva still expects them to arrive on time and not miss even a moment of seder.

Rav Zilberstein responded that the previous night there had been several sirens while he was in Ramat Chen. The next morning he asked several bnei yeshiva how they felt after such a night.

Their answer, he said, was simple: they would overcome it, because Torah is their life and strength.

At that moment Rav Zilberstein began singing the well-known words declaring that Torah is the life and length of the Jewish people. The bochurim joined him, filling the shelter with heartfelt song.

He then described how one ben yeshiva told him that the explosions only strengthened their determination. Even without sleep, they remained happy because they knew they were spiritually stronger.

Rav Zilberstein concluded by telling the bochurim that they are the finest of the Jewish nation and beloved by HaKadosh Baruch Hu. They must feel proud of their role, he said, because bnei Torah are stronger than anything else.

Before leaving, he gave the bochurim a heartfelt bracha that they should continue rising higher and higher in Torah, and that their rabbeim should see much nachas from them.

He concluded by explaining that the highest level in Torah is for a person to become a moreh hora’ah, someone who can guide the tzibbur in matters of halacha. Such a person, he said, stands at the forefront of the Jewish nation and brings the Shechinah into the world.

Rav Zilberstein finished by bentching the bochurim that they should grow into gedolei Torah and bring pride to their rabbeim, their roshei yeshiva, and all of Klal Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar raised questions about the stability of Iran’s leadership, drawing attention to the unexplained absence of the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtba Khamenei. In a television interview, Sa’ar suggested that the Iranian regime may be experiencing internal turmoil, noting that the figure expected to lead the so-called “Axis of Resistance” has not appeared publicly while Iran faces intense military pressure.

His remarks have added to speculation that the power transition following the death of Ali Khamenei may be more unstable than Iranian authorities have acknowledged.

During his interview with Fox News, Sa’ar openly criticized the Iranian leadership and highlighted the unusual disappearance of the new ruler.

“Where is Mojtba? It’s starting to become embarrassing for the Iranian regime,” Sa’ar remarked.

He said that in the midst of a major war, the absence of a visible supreme leader raises serious questions about the regime’s strength and confidence. The Israeli foreign minister added that while Iran attempts to project power through its regional proxies, its own leadership remains unseen, creating what he described as a leadership void at the center of the Iranian state.

Saudi Arabia on Monday denied a report claiming that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had encouraged President Donald Trump to continue military strikes against Iran, insisting that the kingdom does not support prolonging the conflict in the Middle East.

The denial came after a report published in The New York Times suggested that the Saudi crown prince had pressed Trump to intensify the campaign against Iran.

A Saudi official rejected the claim, stating that Riyadh’s leadership does not seek an extended war in the region. “The leadership of Saudi Arabia does not encourage prolonging the fighting in the Middle East,” the official said. “Riyadh’s foreign policy is characterized by support for strengthening peace and promoting stability — something that stands in complete contrast to the content of the publication in The New York Times regarding extending the conflict.”

The official also emphasized that Saudi Arabia remains committed to defending its national interests and security.

According to the same source, the kingdom “reserves the full right to take steps to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to deter aggression, in accordance with the UN Charter.”

The New York Times report had claimed that the advice Trump was receiving from the Saudi crown prince was to continue striking Iran forcefully, echoing guidance once repeatedly given by Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah, who died in 2015. At the time, Abdullah had urged Washington to confront Iran decisively and “cut off the head of the snake.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior officials in Israel’s economic establishment estimate that the ongoing ground operation in Lebanon will cost the state several billion shekels, a development that may force the government to reopen the national budget and impose additional cuts on government ministries.

According to a report by Kan News, the updated defense budget approved only last week did not include funding for the ground maneuver in Lebanon. As a result, officials say new budget adjustments will likely be required in order to finance the expanded military activity.

Economic officials warn that the financial burden of the operation could reach billions of shekels. To cover those costs, the government may have no choice but to revise the state budget once again, a step that could lead to further reductions in civilian spending and services.

Just last Wednesday, the government approved reopening the state budget for the 2026 fiscal year. As part of that move, the defense budget was increased by approximately 40 billion shekels, while a sweeping reduction of about 3 percent was imposed across the budgets of various government ministries.

However, although the government announced the ground maneuver in Lebanon only a few days later, the anticipated costs of that military operation were not included in the most recent budget update.

Financial officials now believe that because the maneuver could ultimately cost several billion shekels, the government will likely need to reopen the budget once again, a decision that would almost certainly result in another round of cuts affecting government ministries.

The issue is also drawing sharp public criticism. Last week, even as ministries faced across-the-board budget reductions, the government distributed approximately six billion shekels in coalition funds, a move that has sparked backlash from critics who argue that the financial priorities are misplaced.

{Matzav.com}

The Iran war is testing the U.S. military’s ability to combat Iran’s drones in a cost-effective way. Emerging laser tech, designed to zap drones out of the sky, may help. 60 Minutes reports:

WATCH:

President Donald Trump said Monday that the ongoing war involving Iran is unlikely to conclude within the week, though he predicted that the conflict will end in the near future.

Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that while the fighting is continuing, he believes the outcome is approaching and that the result will ultimately strengthen global security.

“It’ll be wrapped up soon. We’re going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this… you want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes, okay?” Trump said.

Reporter: Can we wrap this war up this week?

Trump: Yeah, sure. I don’t think so, but it’ll be soon. It won’t be long. And we’re going to have a much safer world when it’s wrapped up.

It’ll be wrapped up soon. pic.twitter.com/oubG0q86Yt

— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026

Trump also argued that Iran’s longstanding hostile rhetoric toward the United States should be taken seriously, warning that Tehran would have used nuclear weapons if it had possessed them.

“When they (Iran) say ‘Death to America,’ you should believe them because if they had a nuclear weapon, they would’ve used it.”

According to Trump, the conflict has dramatically weakened Iran’s position in the region, stripping it of the influence it previously projected.

“Iran is a shell of itself, it’s no longer a bully…it’s the bully that got beat up. We beat the crap out of them – and they deserve that,” said Trump.

Trump also revealed additional details about Iran’s military capabilities, stating that the country’s fleet of minelaying vessels has been eliminated.

The President also told reporters that Iran had 22 minelayers in total, and they have all been sunk.

During the same conversation, Trump also made comments about Cuba, suggesting the United States could take action there as well.

Trump hinted that Cuba could also be hit by the US, saying, “I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. That’s a big honor. I can free it or take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.”

{Matzav.com}

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran and criticizes Democrats for blocking Homeland Security funding on ‘Fox & Friends.’

WATCH:

Amid the ongoing war, the Yenuka, Rav Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, embarked on a special journey of tefillah at the kivrei tzaddikim in Yerushalayim, beginning at the kever of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh and continuing to the Kosel HaMa’aravi, where he davened intensely for the salvation and redemption of Am Yisrael.

Against the backdrop of the war with Iran, the Yenuka left his home in Rishon LeZion on Sunday night and traveled to the city of Yerushalayim in order to visit the resting places of great tzaddikim and to pour out heartfelt tefillos at the Kosel, which has stood unusually empty in recent days.

His first stop was the grave of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh on Har HaZeisim. At the site, he also delivered words of chizuk, speaking about the extraordinary holiness of the Ohr HaChaim.

He then continued to the grave of the Rashash, where he spoke about the greatness of the Rashash’s immense Torah scholarship. He also cited teachings from the sefarim hakedoshim about the spiritual significance of hishtatchus at the graves of tzaddikim.

From there, he proceeded to the grave of the Kaf HaChaim. He also davened at the grave of Rav Chaim Delarosa, a disciple of the Rashash, and at the resting place of the tzaddik Rav Gershon of Kitov.

At the largely deserted Kosel HaMa’aravi, the Yenuka davened Maariv with a small minyan of people who accompanied him. Following the tefillah, he stood facing the stones of the empty Kosel for a prolonged period, offering quiet and heartfelt tefillos for the salvation of Am Yisrael.

{Matzav.com}

A missile fragment struck the roof of the Boyaner beis medrash on Rechov Malchei Yisrael in Yerushalayim on Monday, causing damage to the building but no injuries.

The incident occurred just two days before the scheduled wedding of the Boyaner Rebbe’s granddaughter.

Members of the chassidus said the event was a clear miracle, noting that the beis medrash was completely empty at the time the fragment struck.

When the air-raid siren sounded in Yerushalayim, everyone who had been inside the building quickly went down to the protected shelter beneath the beis medrash. Moments later, the fragment hit the roof. The impact damaged part of the newer section of the building, which is not made of reinforced concrete.

Officials from Israel’s Home Front Command arrived at the site to inspect the structure and ensure that the building remained safe.

Yossi Goldstein, CEO of Gavast, the company that built the structural framework of the beis medrash ceiling, commented on the damage: “Fortunately, the damage is minimal. The high-quality and durable construction of Gavast proves itself even in moments like these.”

Preparations had already been underway in the Boyaner chassidus for the wedding scheduled for this Wednesday, celebrating the marriage of the Rebbe’s granddaughter, the daughter of his eldest son, Rav Yosef Breyer.

Following the incident, organizers began considering moving the wedding to a different location. The celebration will likely be relocated either to the underground complex of Karlin chassidus in Givat Ze’ev or to the Agroisseh Shtib hall in Kiryat Belz.

The chosson mohl gathering that had been scheduled for Monday evening was moved to the tish hall of Rachmastrivka chassidus in the Gush 80 neighborhood.

Later in the evening, after Maariv, the Boyaner Rebbe came out to address the chassidim and spoke about the need to thank Hashem for the miracle.

“Let them give thanks to Hashem for His kindness and for His wonders to mankind. We must give thanks for what happened today, and from now on there should be a sweetening of the harsh decrees, as it says, ‘For He has satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with goodness’ — and we should pray that the wedding as well should take place at a good and successful time.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly escaped death during the Israeli strike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, because he had stepped outside the compound for a brief walk shortly before the missiles struck, according to a newly surfaced report.

Details of the incident emerged from leaked audio of a private meeting discussing the February 28 attack on Khamenei’s compound. The recording indicates that Mojtba Khamenei had been with his father in Tehran but had stepped outside “to do something” just minutes before the strike occurred, The Telegraph reported.

The recording also described the devastating effects of the attack, including gruesome details about the destruction left behind. According to the audio, Iran’s military chief was killed so completely in the blast that the remains recovered amounted to only “a few kilos of flesh,” while Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son-in-law was discovered with his head split in two by the impact.

Moments after Mojtba left the building, Israel reportedly launched Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles that struck the compound. The attack killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with dozens of senior military officials and members of his family, but Mojtba himself survived.

“God’s will was that Mojtba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return,” Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Khamenei’s office, reportedly told Iranian leaders in a private meeting on March 12.

Hossein said Mojtba was outside the building and approaching the stairs when the strike occurred.

“He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms Haddad, was martyred instantly,” Hosseini added.

According to Hosseini, Mojtba sustained only minor physical harm in the blast, reinforcing earlier claims about the extent of his injuries.

Hosseini maintained that Mojtba only suffered “a minor injury to his leg,” echoing recent reports about the new leader’s wounds.

The official also informed senior Iranian clerics and commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that multiple missiles were involved in the strike on the compound.

According to the leaked recording, at least three missiles hit the site. One reportedly struck the area where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was located, while another hit Mojtba’s residence on an upper floor as well as the home of his brother-in-law, Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani.

“The missile was so powerful that it went downstairs where Mr Misbah was, it went to Mr Misbah’s room,” Hosseini said. “The missiles were struck in a way that cut his head in half.”

Hosseini also reported that Mostafa Khamenei, the late leader’s eldest son, survived the attack along with his wife and emerged from the scene without injuries.

Hosseini noted that Mostafa Khamenei, Khamenei’s eldest son, survived the attack with his wife, coming out of the destruction “unharmed.”

The recording also described the condition in which Iranian military chief Mohammad Shirazi was found after the strike.

“He was blown to pieces – they could find nothing from him, and at the end they found a few kilos of flesh and identified it as his body,” Hosseini said, according to the leaked audio.

The audio recording surfaced as speculation continues regarding Mojtba Khamenei’s health and whereabouts, as the new supreme leader has not appeared publicly since the conflict began.

Rumors have circulated that his injuries may be more severe than what Iranian authorities have publicly acknowledged. President Trump also addressed the uncertainty surrounding Mojtba’s condition.

“A lot of people are saying that he’s badly disfigured. They’re saying that he lost his leg, one leg, and he’s been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he’s dead,” Trump told reporters on Monday.

“We haven’t seen” him “at all,” Trump said, adding that US officials don’t know “if he’s dead or not. Nobody’s seen him, which is unusual.”

A federal judge in Boston on Monday issued a temporary order preventing federal health authorities from reducing the list of vaccines recommended for children nationwide. In the same ruling, the judge said U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely failed to follow required federal procedures when he reorganized a key advisory panel that provides guidance on vaccination policy.

The ruling suspends a directive Kennedy announced in January that would have eliminated the universal recommendation that children receive several routine vaccines, including those protecting against influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain meningitis strains, and RSV.

Major medical organizations quickly raised concerns about the policy shift. The American Academy of Pediatrics and several other groups revised a lawsuit they had originally filed in July, urging the court to intervene and block the government from reducing the standard childhood immunization schedule used across the country.

In addition, the judge determined that Kennedy’s restructuring of the federal vaccine advisory committee likely did not comply with federal law. As a result, the court ordered that the new appointments to the panel — along with any decisions made by the reorganized group — be paused until further legal review.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said Monday that Israel’s recent military moves against Hezbollah were required after diplomatic efforts failed to prevent the terror group from launching rockets from southern Lebanon in violation of international agreements.

Speaking at a press briefing, Danon said Israel had taken steps overnight to broaden its defensive posture along the northern border in response to ongoing attacks.

“Overnight, Israel expanded the forward defense area in southern Lebanon. This step was taken to remove immediate terrorist threats near our border and create an additional layer of security for the residents of northern Israel,” Danon said at a press briefing this morning (Monday).

Danon stressed that Israel had not sought the confrontation, blaming Hezbollah for initiating the escalation through repeated rocket launches targeting Israeli communities.

He emphasized: “Israel did not choose this situation. Hezbollah did. For weeks, Hezbollah has been launching rockets at Israeli communities from southern Lebanon. It has been doing so from areas where it is not supposed to be present at all.”

He also questioned the continued reliance on diplomacy by the United Nations when Hezbollah has repeatedly ignored existing agreements meant to prevent its presence in southern Lebanon.

Danon referenced remarks made during a recent visit to Lebanon by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and challenged the notion that dialogue alone could resolve the situation.

Danon questioned the UN’s continued focus on diplomacy when Hezbollah has failed to abide by any diplomatic agreements until now. “On Friday, last week, during his visit to Lebanon, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, and I quote, ‘There is no military solution, only diplomacy and dialogue.’ Israel supports diplomacy, but diplomacy only works when agreements are enforced. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Hezbollah is not supposed to operate south of the Litani River. That area was meant to be free of Hezbollah weapons. Yet Hezbollah is operating there. Hezbollah is firing from there. And the Lebanese government has not taken sufficient action to stop it.”

According to Danon, commitments made through diplomatic channels only months ago have gone unenforced, leaving Israel with little choice but to respond to continued rocket fire.

“Diplomatic commitments were made only last November. They were not enforced. When rockets continue to be fired from areas that were supposed to be free of weapons, Israel cannot sit back and pretend that diplomacy is working,” he said.

Danon further accused Hezbollah of deliberately targeting Israeli civilians while operating from populated areas in Lebanon.

Danon accused Hezbollah of “indiscriminate fire” in its rocket attacks, while using civilians as human shields. “That is their method: Launch rockets at Israeli communities, hide behind civilians, and then blame Israel.”

During the briefing, Danon urged the Lebanese government to take responsibility for restraining Hezbollah and preventing further escalation.

He called on the Lebanese government to “step up” and fulfill its obligations to confront Hezbollah and stop the terrorist organization from repeatedly dragging Lebanon into conflicts with Israel. “Lebanon must restrain Hezbollah now, or we will.”

To illustrate the scale of the attacks, Danon presented a map documenting the volume of rocket fire directed at Israel in a short period of time.

During the briefing, Danon presented a map showing that 213 rockets were launched by Hezbollah at Israel in just 16 hours, all from southern Lebanon south of the Litani River, in blatant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

The map that was presented highlights the scope of the firing and Hezbollah’s systematic violation of UN resolutions. At the same time, Israel is working to expand its buffer defense area following ongoing threats on the northern border.

Danon concluded by pointing to the figures as evidence that Hezbollah continues to operate freely in areas where it is prohibited under international agreements.

Danon said: “213 rockets in 16 hours prove that Hezbollah continues to fire freely from south of the Litani in clear violation of UN resolutions. Israel is working to remove the threat of terrorism from its border and expand its defense area to protect its citizens.”

{Matzav.com}

Below is the latest information regarding outbound travel from Israel for American citizens. Read on to learn about several important clarifications from Chaim V’Chessed.

State Department Flights Suspended; El Al Evacuation Flights

The U.S. State Department has suspended its special evacuation flights following its arrangement with El Al. In response, El Al has increased its planned flights to the United States from six to eight.

These flights are intended for passengers with existing El Al tickets, as well as those with no tickets or tickets on other airlines. At this time, however, only El Al ticket holders have been placed on these flights. Non–El Al passengers have not yet been successfully ticketed, though El Al has reportedly committed to the U.S. State Department.to accommodate all U.S. citizens.
All passengers seeking to travel are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible using this link.

Important Clarifications

Ticket Eligibility
Primarily, passengers holding a one-way ticket to the United States, or those on the final leg of an itinerary returning to the United States, are being placed on these flights. Often, passengers with round-trip tickets originating in Tel Aviv, traveling to the U.S., and returning to Israel are not being accommodated. The chief purpose of these flights is to return American citizens who are currently stranded in Israel – not to provide round-trip travel. Passengers in this situation who have purchased tickets from travel agencies should reach out to their travel agent for assistance.

Family Members of U.S. Citizens
El Al has stated that only passengers holding U.S. passports may fly on the so-called “rescue flights.” There remains some uncertainty regarding spouses and family members of U.S. citizens who are not themselves American citizens. Based on current information, those who can demonstrate legal residence in the United States with their American family members will likely be permitted to travel. Individuals without clear proof of U.S. residency may not be allowed to board.

Additional Flight Options
Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa continue to operate flights to various destinations. In some cases, experienced travel agents may be able to secure seats for passengers, though availability is severely limited and fares are often high.

The Igud/Eretz HaKodesh flights from Taba began operating today, with two additional flights scheduled later this week. These flights are already fully or nearly fully booked. Separately, Lalechet continues to operate flights from Sharm al Sheikh.

{Matzav.com}

A man was moderately wounded Monday evening after being struck by shrapnel at Kabri Junction in the Western Galilee, as emergency forces across the region responded to several impact locations following launches from Lebanon.

The injured man was treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital in Nahariya for additional medical care.

דיווח על פגיעה ישירה בנהריה, תיעוד: רגע הנפילה בעירhttps://t.co/0imLHwZUoA | @OrRavid pic.twitter.com/dETGhyzxnL

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) March 16, 2026

At the same time, police units from the Coastal District, along with Israel Border Police officers and police bomb disposal teams, were dispatched to several sites in Nahariya where projectiles had landed.

Authorities reported that at one of the locations, a residential home sustained a direct strike that ignited a fire. Emergency responders managed to rescue members of the family inside the building and evacuated six individuals to the hospital due to smoke inhalation. Those hospitalized included two children and four adults.

The Israel Defense Forces is investigating whether an interceptor missile malfunctioned during an attempted interception and subsequently struck the house in Nahariya. Officials said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review.

Tal Volovitz, spokesperson for the Israel Fire and Rescue Services, told Kan Reshet Bet that emergency crews are having difficulty reaching some of the sites due to ongoing waves of sirens.

A wave of dangerous winter weather combined with staffing problems tied to a TSA pay freeze caused widespread travel disruptions across the United States on Monday, forcing more than 2,000 flight cancellations and bringing operations at several major airports to a standstill.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that major hubs were heavily affected as ground stops were issued early Monday morning. Flights were halted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, while George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston experienced significant ground delays.

Beyond the thousands of canceled flights, the disruptions spread nationwide, with more than 9,500 additional flights delayed, Duffy said.

The aviation turmoil coincided with a powerful round of late-winter storms striking large portions of the country Monday and Tuesday.

In the Midwest, communities were contending with blizzard conditions, while states across the eastern United States faced severe thunderstorms expected to produce powerful winds and possible flooding, according to AccuWeather.

Meteorologists warned that the storm system could impact roughly 200 million people.

Air travelers were already struggling with airport delays before the storms intensified, as a pay freeze affecting airport security officers created staffing shortages. Because security personnel were working without pay during the partial government shutdown, roughly 300 TSA workers resigned.

The funding lapse occurred on Feb. 13 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement changes sought by Democrats.

Scenes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport showed long lines of passengers waiting outside the terminal early Monday morning as travelers attempted to pass through security checkpoints.

Airport officials advised passengers at the time to arrive at least two and a half hours before domestic departures. By late morning, however, security lines had returned to normal levels, according to a post from Austin-Bergstrom’s X account.

The Trump administration has laid the blame on the TSA hiccups on Democrats for the partial funding stop.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a pair of lengthy social media messages late Sunday sharply criticizing the Supreme Court and a federal district judge, accusing members of the judiciary of political bias and condemning a recent ruling that struck down tariffs he imposed under emergency economic authority.

Trump’s comments followed a Supreme Court decision issued last month that invalidated key tariffs he enacted using national emergency powers. The justices ruled by a 6–3 margin that the tariffs went beyond the authority granted to the president under a 1977 emergency economic law, determining that the Constitution assigns Congress—not the president—the authority to impose import duties.

In his first post on Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with the court and took aim at justices who, in his view, fail to support the presidents who appointed them.

“The Democrats on the Court always ‘stick together,’ no matter how strong a case is put before them — There is rarely even a minor ‘waver,'” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “But Republicans do not do this.

“They openly disrespect the Presidents who nominate them to the highest position in the Land, a Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and go out of their way, with bad and wrongful rulings and intentions, to prove how ‘honest,’ ‘independent,’ and ‘legitimate’ they are.”

Trump emphasized that the ruling on tariffs was particularly significant to him, arguing that the decision could ultimately benefit foreign competitors that he says have exploited American markets for years.

“The decision that mattered most to me was TARIFFS!” Trump wrote. “The Court knew where I stood, how badly I wanted this Victory for our Country, and instead decided to, potentially, give away Trillions of Dollars to Countries and Companies who have been taking advantage of the United States for decades.”

Despite the ruling limiting the specific emergency powers he had relied upon, the decision noted that the president still has the ability to impose tariffs through other statutory avenues. Following the decision, administration officials began examining additional trade actions and potential investigations aimed at reinstating tariff protections and responding to foreign trade practices.

Trump also voiced appreciation for the three justices who dissented in the case—Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh—praising what he described as their “Wisdom and Courage,” while accusing the court’s liberal members of voting in lockstep for political reasons.

“Our Supreme Court has made these Countries very happy,” Trump wrote, adding that he will “fight hard” to ensure American interests are protected.

In a separate Truth Social post, Trump shifted his focus to the federal court system and criticized a judge who recently blocked a Justice Department investigation related to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

The case involved subpoenas connected to a probe into Powell’s congressional testimony about the Federal Reserve’s costly renovation of its Washington headquarters. On Friday, a federal judge ruled that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the subpoenas, writing that investigators produced “essentially zero evidence” of wrongdoing.

Trump responded by condemning the ruling and directly attacking the judge who issued it, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of partisan hostility.

“I strongly criticized Jerome ‘Too Late’ for his horrible performance throughout his tenure, which is either gross incompetence, total dishonesty, or both,” Trump wrote, “and, in return for this well justified criticism, get viciously and wrongfully blamed by, as usual, a Wacky, Nasty, Crooked, and totally Out of Control Judge, named James Boasberg, a man who suffers from the highest level of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), and has been ‘after’ my people, and me, for years.”

Trump argued that the renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters had ballooned into an expensive and unnecessary project that deserved further scrutiny by investigators.

He concluded by accusing the judge of allowing politics to shape his decisions from the bench.

“What Boasberg has done on the ‘Too Late’ Powell case, and many others, has little to do with the Law, and everything to do with Politics,” Trump wrote.

{Matzav.com}

Agudath Israel of America is pleased to announce the opening of its Holocaust collection on the Agudah Archive website (https://agudaharchive.org/holocaust/351).

The thousands of documents in this collection paint a picture of the Holocaust’s impact on the history of European Orthodox Jewry and World Jewry’s valiant rescue efforts during and immediately following the horrors of the Holocaust. This aspect of Holocaust history has been neglected in most public archives and collections.

Until now, these documents have only been available in physical form, in the Orthodox Jewish Archives at Agudah headquarters. With assistance from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance, these documents are being digitized, organized and uploaded, in many themed collections.

The first three collections are now up on the website. The first, Holocaust interviews, contains over 70 audio interviews with Holocaust survivors. The second and third collections feature two periodicals, Jewish Opinion and Orthodox Tribune (originally Orthodox Youth or Agudah Youth), which were published by Zeirei Agudath Israel of America in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. These publications, over 50 issues with hundreds of pages of news and articles, give a window into the progression of the war and its aftermath. For example, the Adar 1942 issue includes a front page with the headline “On Nazi Atrocities,” news about rescue and about Agudah’s efforts to help with religious education for children that were sent to the land of Israel, and an op-ed by Jacob (Moreinu Yaakov) Rosenheim, ”The Right Answer to Hitler’s Challenge.”

These collections are the first of many that will be available to readers and scholars in the Holocaust section of the Agudah archives.

Agudath Israel’s executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel welcomed the on-line publication of the three collections as “an important milestone in the area of Holocaust education.”

“Our Gedolei Yisroel have encouraged us to know for ourselves what transpired during the Holocaust, and to teach it to our children, so that we will never forget this dark era, and so that we will forever be inspired by the spiritual heroism displayed by so many holy Jews . With the on-line publication of these three archival collections – and b’ezras Hashem many more collections to come — Agudath Israel is making a treasure trove of primary source materials accessible to the broad Jewish public. This is a truly historic achievement.”

Rabbi Zwiebel expressed Agudath Israel’s gratitude to the many people who were involved in this project, including Rabbi Moshe Kolodny, Agudah’s Archivist Emeritus, responsible for the founding and growth of the Orthodox Jewish Archives; Rabbi Yossi Aszkenazy, who has been funding and digitizing thousands of hours of historic Agudah recordings; the Levy and Cohen families, sponsors of the online archive; the Claims Conference and the German government, who are funding the Holocaust digitization project; Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director of Agudath Israel and Administrator of the Holocaust digitization project; and Ms. Judith Dinowitz, Project Lead.

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Before raising the concern that follows, it is important to make something very clear. The overwhelming majority of the Torah community conducts the shidduch process in a thoughtful, balanced, and healthy manner. Young men and women are introduced through shadchanim, they meet several times, they have the opportunity to speak and learn about one another, and when they become engaged they continue to communicate and prepare for marriage in appropriate and dignified ways. For most of our community, the system works remarkably well and has produced generations of strong Jewish homes.

The concern I am raising here does not refer to that mainstream shidduch system.

Rather, it refers to a much smaller number of insular communities that follow what is commonly referred to as the “bashow” model, where the process functions in a dramatically different way.

In those circles, a boy and girl may meet for an hour — sometimes even less. They sit together briefly, often with little privacy and under significant pressure. Shortly afterward, families and intermediaries push for an answer. Within a very short period of time, they become engaged. Then, astonishingly, the couple do not see one another again until the wedding day itself.

This is not the traditional shidduch system that most of Klal Yisroel recognizes. It is a highly compressed version of it, one that leaves two people making the most consequential decision of their lives with almost no meaningful opportunity to know each other.

Marriage is not a casual undertaking. It is the creation of a bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel, the foundation upon which an entire life will be built, emotionally, spiritually, and practically. It is difficult to understand how such a life-altering commitment can responsibly be made after a single short meeting. In many cases, it is a churban. I speak from experience.

Even more troubling is the expectation that once the engagement takes place, the couple must essentially remain strangers until the wedding. In many of these situations, they are discouraged or even prevented from seeing or meaningfully speaking with each other during the engagement period.

One must ask: What purpose does this serve?

The engagement period should be a time when a couple deepens their understanding of one another, discusses expectations, learns how the other thinks, and begins forming the communication that will sustain a lifetime together. Preventing that process does not strengthen a marriage. It risks weakening it before it even begins.

There is also reason to question whether such a structure truly reflects the spirit of halachah. The Gemara teaches that a person should not marry someone without seeing and knowing them in order to avoid later resentment. The Rambam emphasizes that marriage must be entered willingly and with clarity. The purpose of the shidduch process is not merely to arrange a match but to allow two individuals to determine that they can build a life together.

That requires some measure of real familiarity.

None of this is a criticism of the values these communities seek to protect. Modesty, dignity, and the involvement of family are all important elements of our mesorah. But good intentions alone cannot justify a system that places enormous life decisions on the shoulders of young people who barely know one another.

Too often, couples who went through such a process later admit privately that they entered marriage without truly understanding the person they were marrying. Some grow into compatibility over time, but others face enormous challenges that might have been avoided with a healthier and more thoughtful approach during the courtship period.

We must acknowledge when certain practices drift too far from both common sense and the values the system was meant to uphold.

The mainstream shidduch process, when conducted with care and wisdom, provides young people with guidance, structure, and the opportunity to build marriages grounded in understanding and respect.

But the “bashow” model — where a couple meets briefly, becomes engaged almost immediately, and then remains essentially separated until the wedding — deserves serious reflection.

Our community prides itself on building strong families and stable homes. If that is truly our goal, then we must ensure that the systems we create actually help young people build those homes, not force them into life-altering decisions with almost no opportunity to know the person they are about to marry. This leads to broken marriages, broken people, broken children – and broken pieces for others to pick up.

Respectfully,

Burech Yida F.

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