Matzav

In a move with far-reaching implications for the kedushah and hanhagas hamakom at the Kosel, Knesset members voted 56–47 on Wednesday in favor of the preliminary reading of legislation granting the Chief Rabbinate full authority over tefillah arrangements at all areas of the Kosel.

The proposal immediately drew fierce criticism from “progressive” and leftist Jewish organizations, which denounced the measure as “patronizing and antisemitic.”

The bill, introduced by Noam MK Avi Maoz, seeks to counter last week’s ruling by the High Court of Justice requiring the state to proceed with upgrading the egalitarian plaza at the Kosel. That area, referred to as Ezras Yisroel, has been designated for non-Orthodox prayer services. The long-delayed renovation was part of the so-called Kosel compromise approved by Netanyahu’s government roughly a decade ago, which envisioned a pluralistic prayer platform at the site.

Under the new legislation, the two Chief Rabbis of Israel would be granted ultimate authority over Jewish holy sites, including Ezras Yisroel, and any activity conducted in opposition to their directives — such as non-Orthodox prayer services — would be defined as a “desecration.”

Current law stipulates that desecrating a holy site is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu canceled a session of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation in what was seen as an effort to avoid official government backing of the bill and potential backlash from Diaspora Jewry. In the end, Netanyahu allowed coalition members to vote according to their own judgment. Several Likud lawmakers, among them Yuli Edelstein and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, did not participate in the vote.

After the bill cleared its preliminary stage, Maoz hailed the legislation as safeguarding the kedushas hamakom and said it would “unify the Jewish people, both those in Israel and those in the Diaspora.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who also holds the religious services portfolio, voiced strong support for the proposal and urged swift passage in order to “put an end to the High Court’s interference in the management of the Kosel.”

The Shas party welcomed the bill, describing it as a necessary stand against “attempts to desecrate and violate the rules of the place that have been practiced for generations.” United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni framed the measure as a defeat for the Reform Movement, which he labeled “the destroyers of the Jewish people.”

According to a Telegram post by Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told members of his Otzma Yehudit faction that the bill would strengthen Jewish control over Har Habayis. However, the legislation itself makes no mention of Har Habayis, which, despite its centrality in Yiddishkeit, is not formally defined under Israeli law as a Jewish holy site.

Following the vote — which now sends the bill to committee for further deliberation ahead of the three readings required for final passage — progressive Jewish leaders issued strong statements condemning the move as an affront to non-Orthodox Jews and Diaspora communities.

Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, declared that the bill is “patronizing and antisemitic.” She added, “The State of Israel is about to criminalize non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall. What hypocrisy. If such a law were to be passed in the United States, Australia or Britain, and prevent Jews from holding their prayers under threat of imprisonment for up to seven years, the State of Israel would immediately launch a fierce fight against antisemitism.”

The Women of the Wall organization described the Knesset vote as a “black day for the Jewish people,” asserting that the State of Israel had “divorced Diaspora Jewry and declared outright that they are not welcome and are not accepted in the home of the Jewish people.”

The group further warned that a government prepared to imprison women for reading from the Torah at the Kosel is “taking giant strides toward becoming Iran.”

Democrats MK Gilad Kariv, himself a Reform rabbi, sharply criticized the bill, stating: “Avi Maoz’s crazy law approved in a preliminary reading turns anyone who disobeys the Chief Rabbinate into a criminal who must be thrown in jail.” He added, “We will not allow Avi Maoz and Binyomin Netanyahu to spit in the face of our brothers around the world, who, while they are dealing with an unprecedented wave of antisemitism, are being stabbed in the back by the government and the coalition.”

World Zionist Organization Vice Chairman Yizhar Hess, formerly CEO of the Masorti movement, echoed those concerns. “Today’s approval of moving forward with legislation to imprison Jews who pray at the Egalitarian Kotel will always be remembered as a dark day in the history of Zionism and the nation-state of the Jewish people,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro is accusing Apple CEO Tim Cook of misleading the administration about shifting iPhone manufacturing out of China and into the United States, arguing that similar assurances were made during President Trump’s first term and never fulfilled.

In an interview with Miranda Devine on “Pod Force One,” set to air Wednesday, Navarro sharply criticized Cook’s approach to tariffs and overseas production. He described the Apple chief as “the king of evading tariffs.”

“We let him get away with it in the first term, because he promised he would basically bring his iPhone production here — or out of China — and he lied through his teeth,” said President Trump’s senior counselor on trade and manufacturing.

Navarro suggested that the pattern is repeating itself under Trump’s current term. “And he’s doing it again. That’s quite par for the course,” Navarro also claimed.

Devine pressed Navarro on whether American industry is seeing a revival during Trump’s second term, pointing out that Apple maintains facilities in the United States and has announced plans to grow its domestic operations.

Navarro dismissed the idea that Apple is leading a manufacturing comeback. “Not with Apple. I mean, they’re going to India, and to me, that’s not a whole lot better than being in China,” Navarro fired back. “But, that’s the exception, I think, that proves the rule.”

President Trump has also publicly criticized Cook — at times referring to him as “Tim Apple” — over the company’s decision to expand production in India rather than bring more operations back to American soil.

Last May, Trump warned Apple that it could face a 25% tariff if it failed to relocate production to the United States. Analysts have estimated that an iPhone built entirely in America could carry a price tag as high as $3,500.

Shortly after returning to the White House, Apple unveiled plans to invest $500 billion in U.S.-based projects.

In February 2025, the company announced it would enlarge its footprint “in Michigan, Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina, and Washington” and construct “a new factory in Texas.”

At the time, Apple said the initiative would create as many as 20,000 jobs in the United States.

“Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’re proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini starting later this year,” Cook also said in a Tuesday statement.

“We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we’re excited to accelerate that work even further.”

Over the past year, Apple’s pledged investment in the United States has climbed to $600 billion.

The company has also committed that by the end of 2026, all new “cover glass for iPhone and AppleWatch” will be manufactured at a facility in Kentucky.

The administration’s tariff strategy recently faced a legal setback when the Supreme Court ruled against the use of certain emergency authorities to impose import duties. Still, Navarro indicated that the White House has alternative tools at its disposal.

The court, in a 6-3 decision, found that Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to levy tariffs aimed at correcting trade imbalances.

“It did strike down the IEEPA tariffs, the emergency tariffs — it did not strike down [Sections] 232, 301, 122, 338, all the different powers that the president has been delegated by Congress and can use.”

Navarro has long criticized Apple’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing, once describing the company’s overseas production strategy as “the longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley.”

Reiterating his argument on “Pod Force One,” Navarro underscored what he sees as the broader impact of the administration’s trade policy.

“I mean, we have, Miranda, this is like mind boggling,” he said on “Pod Force One.”

“We have $18 trillion of new investment pledged since the tariffs and because of the tariffs,” he added. “I mean, as President Trump has said, you don’t pay the tariffs if you produce here.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to warn that Iran has built missiles capable of striking American bases in Europe and the Middle East and is pursuing weapons that could eventually reach the United States, while also confirming that diplomatic talks with Tehran remain underway.

Speaking before a joint session of Congress, Trump sharply criticized Iran’s leadership and outlined what he described as escalating threats from the regime. “This is some terrible people,” Trump told lawmakers in reference to the Tehran regime, which rejected what it called “big lies” from the president. “They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”

The president said that even after U.S. forces carried out airstrikes in June on three significant Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran continues to push forward with its atomic ambitions. According to Trump, the Islamic Republic is attempting to restart its nuclear program “all over … and are, at this moment, again pursuing their sinister ambitions.

“We are in negotiations with them,” Trump went on. “They want to make a deal but we haven’t heard those sacred words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon.’”

Another round of negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is leading the American delegation, drew attention last month when he told Fox News that Iran was “probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material.”

During his address, Trump also cited reports alleging that Iranian authorities killed 32,000 people during a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted in December and January over the country’s struggling economy.

That number has circulated widely on social media but has not been echoed by major Western governments or international human rights organizations.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency, which gathers information through contacts inside Iran, reported Monday that slightly fewer than 6,500 demonstrators had been killed, with an additional 11,744 cases “under review.”

Referring to the unrest, Trump said: “Just over the last couple of months with the protests, they’ve killed at least, it looks like 32,000 protesters, 32,000 protesters in their own country,” the president said Tuesday night. “They shot them and hung them. We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence.”

Iran swiftly rejected the president’s claims. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry, characterized Trump’s comments as part of a “disinformation and misinformation campaign” Wednesday, saying: “Whatever [the US is] alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of big lies.”

Ahead of the speech, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with congressional leaders at the White House to discuss possible military options involving Iran.

Following that briefing, lawmakers from both parties expressed unease about the prospect of renewed conflict in the region. “This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told reporters following the briefing, without elaborating on its contents.

“I’m very concerned,” added House Intelligence Committee vice chairman Jim Himes (D-Conn.). “Wars in the Middle East don’t go well for presidents, for the country, and we have not heard articulated a single good reason for why now is the moment to launch yet another war in the Middle East.”

Earlier this year, on Jan. 2, Trump warned that Iran would face bombing if it executed anti-government demonstrators. A planned strike was later put on hold after Tehran said it would cancel 800 scheduled executions, and subsequent discussions between the two sides have centered on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, Trump has directed two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups to move into the region, positioning them in case military action becomes necessary.

Although the president has voiced support for regime change in Iran, it remains uncertain whether any potential American military operation would be designed to remove the country’s leadership, either by targeting senior officials or by weakening the government to pave the way for its collapse.

Earlier this week, the White House pushed back on reports claiming that Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had cautioned Trump about the dangers of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

Candace Owens is facing fierce criticism after promoting a forthcoming video series focused on Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The preview has triggered widespread outrage, with critics accusing Owens of exploiting a grieving widow and escalating an already bitter feud.

Owens, 36, released a teaser on X for a project titled “Bride of Charlie.” The trailer begins with news footage covering Charlie Kirk’s assassination last September, then transitions to clips of Erika Kirk, 37, in the months following his death.

The preview includes pointed excerpts of Erika, who assumed the role of CEO of Turning Point USA after her husband’s killing. It also contains references to “Zionists” and Israel, adding to the controversy surrounding the production.

The trailer concludes with an image of Erika depicted wearing a crown.

Erika Kirk is scheduled to attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address as a guest of President Trump.

The trailer’s release Monday prompted immediate and emotional reactions from prominent commentators.

“Pure, unadulterated, …evil. Who in God’s name would put a woman whose husband was brutally assassinated in front of the entire world through this? I am so upset by this, I am just so deeply sorry Erika and her family have to be put through this,” media pundit Meghan McCain wrote on X.

Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro also branded Owens as “evil” in a 10-minute video he shared on X.

“What would Charlie have to say about this? And what would he think of his so-called friends who can’t summon the courage to say it for him?” Seth Dillon from the Babylon Bee wrote on X.

When asked about the backlash, a spokesperson for Owens told The Post: “We have no comment. The series will speak for itself, and you can watch the premiere episode [Wednesday].”

In a separate statement later provided to The New York Post, the spokesperson dismissed the criticism.

“LOL. There isn’t any backlash outside of the Zionist bubble—which has no influence. People are excited to watch, and we are looking forward to presenting what we’ve discovered about Mrs. Kirk,” the spokesperson said.

Neither Turning Point USA nor Erika Kirk has publicly responded to the announcement of the series.

Since Charlie Kirk’s death at age 31, Owens has repeatedly made controversial allegations about his widow, with tensions intensifying even after the two reportedly met at a summit in December.

The renewed dispute unfolds as Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, recently lost an attempt to remove senior prosecutors from his case.

Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder in connection with the September 10 shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem and could face the death penalty if convicted.

His defense team argued that the Utah County Attorney’s Office should be disqualified from handling the prosecution because one of the prosecutor’s daughters was present in the audience when Kirk was shot. A judge rejected the request, allowing the office to remain on the case.

[COMMUNICATED]

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

A powerful and emotional story emerging from the Gra Shul in Yerushalayim Rechavia neighborhood has touched thousands after revealing an extraordinary act of quiet kindness between two elderly mispallelim — men who, it turns out, were complete strangers.

Communications adviser Yareach Toker recently shared the account after witnessing what he initially believed was a remarkable example of filial devotion during daily Shacharis. Toker, who attends the shul each day for Shacharis, noticed two older men — one about 90 years old and the other in his 70s — davening side by side.

“I see them davening every morning in such a moving way,” Toker recounted.

What he observed appeared to be an outstanding fulfillment of honoring one’s father. The younger man carefully guided the older mispallel through every stage of the davening — pointing to the place in the siddur, indicating where the minyan was up to, and turning the pages for him.

“The younger one shows the older one where to daven, where they’re up to, where the cantor is holding, points it out in the siddur, turns the page for him. I saw it once, twice, three times, and I said, ‘Wow, this is amazing! What a merit he has in honoring his father,’” Toker said in the video he later published.

But the story took a dramatic turn when Toker approached the devoted mispallel to commend him.

“I went up to him and said: ‘What a merit you have in honoring your father, fortunate are you.’ So he says to me: ‘My father is no longer here, unfortunately.’ I said to him: ‘What? So who is this elderly Jew?’ He says to me: ‘I don’t know him,’” Toker recalled.

Stunned, Toker pressed further. “What?! Every morning, I’ve seen you for weeks davening with him every single day — who is he?”

The man, Dr. Yehuda Eliezeri, an octogenarian resident of Yerushalayim, then explained how it all began.

“I’ve been davening in this shul for three years. When I arrived, I saw this elderly man sitting and davening, and he didn’t really hear the chazzan well, he didn’t understand where we were holding, so I simply showed him in the siddur.”

The elderly mispallel turned out to be Reb Asher Kestenbaum, a 97-year-old man who, without ever asking, gained a devoted companion.

For three years — through rain and summer heat alike — the two have davened together daily for an entire hour, word by word. Each morning, Dr. Eliezeri sits beside him, pointing in the siddur and turning pages. During the silent Amidah, the younger man stands while the older remains seated, guiding him through the repetition as well.

“Every day he sits next to him, points in the siddur, for an hour turns pages with him. During the Amidah he stands, and the older Jew sits, and he shows him, turns the pages during the repetition, he shows him. It’s simply moving because he doesn’t know him. He says, ‘I know who the person is, I know his name, but he’s not my father — and I simply have the privilege of praying with him every day,’” Toker said.

According to Toker, Dr. Eliezeri views the arrangement as a personal brocha. He even told Toker that they have effectively become davening partners, and that helping Reb Asher actually strengthens his own concentration and connection during tefillah.

“The Jew is already 97, may he live long, and the Jew next to him, in his 80s, is performing kindness for another elderly Jew. Mi ke’amcha Yisroel!” Toker concluded.

WATCH:

Ahead of Purim, the rabbonim of Yerushalayim’s Ramot neighborhood have released a strongly worded public letter warning residents — particularly teenagers — against disorderly conduct that has disrupted the Yom Tov in recent years. The letter includes a clear and absolute prohibition on blocking roads and interfering with buses, as well as on using firecrackers and small explosives. The rabbonim describe such actions as theft from the public and a danger to human life.

The statement urges parents and community leaders to take responsibility and prevent a repeat of past incidents. The rabbonim note with concern that in previous years, individuals deliberately obstructed traffic and harassed bus drivers, actions that ultimately led to a complete suspension of public transportation services in the neighborhood.

They write that a troubling pattern of reckless behavior on the roads has developed, including humiliating drivers and acting violently, which resulted in halted bus service and harm to many residents. The rabbonim point out that last year the situation escalated to a total shutdown of transportation due to these actions, which they warn can amount to life-threatening danger.

Their ruling is presented as unequivocal and grounded in halacha. They make clear that there is absolutely no permission to stand in the streets and disrupt traffic. Anyone who does so, they write, is stealing from and harming the public in a way that cannot be repaid. They emphasize that the joy of Purim does not override responsibility toward the broader community and that obstructing public services constitutes a serious violation.

The letter also addresses the common use of firecrackers and other small explosive devices during Purim celebrations. The rabbonim warn that causing panic or frightening others is forbidden and can sometimes result in real physical injury or damage. They call on young people to channel their holiday excitement into positive expressions of joy, increased unity and proper fulfillment of the mitzvot of the day.

The letter is signed by several leading rabbonim of the neighborhood, including Rav Moshe Druck of Ramot Bais, Rav Menachem Mendel Fuchs of Kiryat Shomrei HaChomos, Rav Yisrael Guelman of the Shaarei Tevunah community and Rav Mordechai Dovid Fliegelman.

{Matzav.com}

Amid ongoing legal uncertainty following the expiration of the draft law, the Vaad HaYeshivos has issued an unusual and strongly worded letter to roshei yeshiva and roshei kollel across Eretz Yisroel, warning that most yeshiva students between the ages of 17 and 28 may be barred from leaving Israel during the upcoming Pesach break unless their status is properly arranged.

According to the notice, if no new legislation is passed regulating the status of bnei yeshiva before the Nissan bein hazemanim period, the majority of students in that age bracket will not be permitted to exit the country.

The Vaad clarifies that any student seeking to travel abroad must contact its offices in advance for an individual review of his status, in order to avoid distress or potential complications at border control. However, due to the rapidly changing legal situation, an early check will not remain valid indefinitely. Students are therefore instructed to conduct their status verification no more than two weeks prior to their scheduled departure.

Beyond the issue of travel, the Vaad HaYeshivos emphasizes the heightened personal responsibility of every bochur and avreich during this sensitive period.

The letter stresses that although there is currently no formal legislative framework in place, this does not lessen the binding principles under which the “Toraso umnaso” designation was granted. The Vaad warns that once new legislation is enacted, authorities may review whether students maintained compliance with the established criteria, and future status determinations could depend on that record.

The central focus of the directive is the strict maintenance of uninterrupted study and the avoidance of any outside engagement beyond full-time Torah learning within the yeshiva framework. Any deviation — including extended travel abroad beyond what had previously been permitted — could, according to the attached legal opinion, lead to significant and potentially irreversible complications in the future.

In closing, the Vaad HaYeshivos calls upon institutional leaders to communicate these instructions clearly and precisely to their talmidim and kollel members in order to prevent serious consequences during this particularly delicate period.

This is not just another story; it is a real case of פיקוח נפש! The Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Binyamin Finkel, Rav Yitzchak Ezrachi, and the “Chafetz Chaim of the Generation,” Rav Yitzchak Kolodetzky, issue a bone-shaking call: “The home is disintegrating. The medical crisis and distress have reached the level of פיקוח נפש. It is our absolute obligation to prevent the disruction of this home of קדושה and טהרה.”

Jeremy Corbyn is facing sharp criticism after circulating allegations that the Israel Defense Forces harvested organs from the bodies of Palestinian Arab women, claims that Israeli officials have strongly denied and labeled a “wild blood libel,” according to a report by the Jewish News.

The controversy erupted after Corbyn posted a video from the Instagram account of the We Are The Peace organization. In the video, he described a message he said he received from the director of Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital “last Thursday or Friday.”

Corbyn relayed that the hospital director claimed the IDF had delivered between 60 and 70 boxes allegedly containing the skulls of Palestinian Arabs as well as the bodies of women from whom organs had been removed.

Reacting to the allegations in the video, Corbyn said, “It’s hard to describe this,” before adding, “That is what is happening to the people of Palestine.”

The IDF swiftly rejected the accusations. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, who serves as an international spokesperson for the military, rebuked Corbyn for amplifying what he described as “a wild blood libel” and urged greater responsibility in verifying information before sharing it publicly.

“IDF soldiers haven’t been anywhere near the Shifa hospital in months! Jeremy Corbyn’s claims are completely false,” Shoshani stated.

He further emphasized that the IDF operates in accordance with international law and strict internal guidelines that forbid such actions. Shoshani also noted that any transfer of bodies back to Gaza is carried out in coordination with international bodies, including the Red Cross.

Al Shifa hospital has been the focus of intense scrutiny and disputed narratives since Israel launched its military response to the October 7 Hamas attacks. Israeli authorities have alleged that the hospital functioned as a Hamas command and control center. Its director, Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, was detained in Israel for seven months in connection with those allegations, though he has denied any ties to Hamas.

Corbyn, who led the UK Labour Party from 2015 until 2020, stepped down after the party suffered its most severe electoral defeat since 1935. He has since established a new political movement together with former Labour MP Zarah Sultana.

Throughout his political career, Corbyn has drawn sustained criticism for his positions on Israel. While serving as Labour leader, he generated widespread controversy after referring to Hamas and Hezbollah as his “friends”. Though he initially declined to retract those remarks, he later distanced himself from them.

Members of Britain’s Jewish community have long expressed alarm over what they describe as Corbyn’s associations with various extremist figures and groups, including far-right Holocaust deniers, an antisemitic Christian cleric and Islamist terrorist organizations.

Following the release of a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which documented numerous instances in which Labour’s leadership under Corbyn was found to have minimized, dismissed or failed to properly address complaints of antisemitism by Jewish party members — and in some cases intervened to shield political allies — Corbyn was suspended from the party.

In November 2022, Labour permanently barred Corbyn from standing as a party candidate. In the most recent general election, he ran for office as an independent candidate.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Religious Services Ministry announced Tuesday that elections will be held next month to appoint a chief rabbi for Tel Aviv–Yafo, bringing to an end an eight-year period during which the city has not had a rabbi serving in the position.

The move comes after approval by the Tel Aviv City Council plenum, paving the way for the long-delayed vote. The election has been scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026 (8 Nissan 5786). On that day, the electing body will convene at the Tel Aviv Religious Council building on Uri Street to select the rov who will guide the city in the years ahead. Polls will be open from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by the counting of votes.

The election process is being overseen by an independent professional committee headed by Rabbi Yaakov Zamir, a retired judge of the Supreme Rabbinical Court. The committee’s work is being coordinated by its secretary, Tzuriel Porat.

Twenty candidates initially submitted their candidacies. Eighteen were approved by the election committee and will compete for the position. They are: Rabbi Oshri Moiel, Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Lau, Rabbi Ben Zion Shmuel Avidan, Rabbi Ram Moshe Raavad, Rabbi Zevadia Nissim Cohen, Rabbi Natan Nachman Zeidman, Rabbi Aryeh Levin, Rabbi Amos Chai Shoshan, Rabbi Dov Berkowitz, Rabbi Yitzchak Mordechai Bar Ze’ev, Rabbi Chaim Amsalem, Rabbi Eldad Yona, Rabbi Shimon Nissim Lagarsi, Rabbi Eldar Sami Levy, Rabbi Uziel Moshe Berkowitz, Rabbi Tomer Portal Biton, Rabbi Ben Zion Algazi and Rabbi Barak Cohen.

Religious Services Ministry Director-General Yehuda Avidan said following the decision that the ministry worked to ensure a democratic, transparent and dignified selection process befitting a major Israeli city. He thanked Rabbi Yaakov Zamir for chairing the committee and said the goal is to appoint a rabbi who will unite the city’s diverse communities and serve as a spiritual address for all sectors of the population.

{Matzav.com}

The New York City Police Department released surveillance images Tuesday in an effort to identify several men accused of hurling snow and ice at officers in Washington Square Park, an incident that unfolded just hours after Mayor Zohran Mamdani described those involved as “kids” and suggested they should not face criminal charges.

According to police, two uniformed officers responded Monday to reports of a large and unruly gathering in the Lower Manhattan park. During the response, two men allegedly “intentionally struck the police officers multiple times with snow and ice in the head, neck and face, causing injuries,” the NYPD said.

Authorities stated that emergency medical services transported the officers to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition. The suspects fled before officers could detain them.

The NYPD confirmed that the two primary suspects are being sought on charges of assault on a police officer, which constitutes a felony under New York law.

At a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, Mamdani characterized the episode as something less severe, saying the situation “looked like kids at a snowball fight,” despite a police image showing an individual with facial hair holding what appeared to be a large, packed snowball.

Later, police officials indicated that the individuals believed to be involved were estimated to be between 18 and 20 years old.

Investigators subsequently released additional photos of two more men suspected of participating in the confrontation.

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong told Fox News Digital that “many” of the individuals under scrutiny are “believed to be NYU students.”

A spokesperson for New York University, Joseph Tirella, told Fox News Digital that the school has found no evidence linking any NYU students to the incident.

“We have enormous appreciation for the NYPD officers who keep our community safe,” Tirella said. “Assaulting police officers is a serious offense.”

Police described the first suspect as having a “light complexion” and said he was last observed wearing a black jacket, black ski mask, and black sweatpants with white stripes.

The second suspect was described as having a “dark complexion” and was reportedly last seen wearing a green jacket over a blue sweatshirt, blue gloves, and partial facial hair.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran for mayor last year, criticized Mamdani’s response, saying the mayor, “who has a history of calling the police ‘racist, evil, wicked and corrupt’” had “set the tone.”

“Words have consequences,” Cuomo wrote on social media. “We are seeing that in the growing disrespect for law enforcement — just as we’ve seen it in the rise in antisemitism. Real leaders understand that. This mayor does not. @NYCMayor must denounce this at once.”

Vallelong also said that those responsible for throwing snow and ice at officers had “cross[ed] a clear line.”

“[Officers] are tasked with maintaining public safety in crowded public spaces, often while facing hostility simply for wearing the uniform,” Vallelong wrote. “When individuals choose to turn a park into a launching ground for attacks on police, they cross a clear line. Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the episode “disgraceful” and “criminal,” adding that detectives are actively investigating the matter.

As of Tuesday afternoon, police had not announced any arrests in connection with the snow-throwing incident.

{Matzav.com}

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[Video below.] President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to take aim at New York City’s leadership while offering surprisingly cordial words for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, blending criticism of Democratic policies with praise for the mayor personally as he outlined Republican priorities ahead of the midterm elections.

During his nearly two-hour speech at the U.S. Capitol, Trump referenced Mamdani directly, repeating a line he has used for months to describe the democratic socialist mayor.

“The new communist mayor of New York City, I think he’s a nice guy, actually” Trump said in the middle of his nearly two-hour speech at the U.S. Capitol. “I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy.”

Trump has frequently labeled Mamdani “a communist,” though the two men met amicably in the Oval Office in November. Since taking office, Mamdani has largely refrained from publicly sparring with the president. City Hall did not immediately issue a response Tuesday night, but the mayor has previously said that he regularly exchanges text messages with Trump.

The president sharpened his criticism later in the speech, accusing Democrats such as Mamdani of applying inconsistent standards when it comes to identification requirements. Trump pointed to a New York City emergency snow shoveling initiative that requires workers to present two forms of identification and a Social Security card before receiving payment, contrasting that with Democratic opposition to voter ID mandates.

“Yet they don’t want identification for the greatest privilege of all, voting in America,” Trump said.

Under current New York law, residents must provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, though they are not required to show identification at the polls when casting a ballot.

Trump’s renewed push for a nationwide voter identification requirement drew a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers, one of many moments of sustained applause as he revisited core elements of the GOP platform. He reiterated his calls to curb illegal immigration, described sanctuary cities such as New York as “deadly,” and highlighted the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year.

With congressional control at stake in the upcoming midterm elections, Trump also emphasized proposals aimed at reducing living expenses. He argued that Democrats in Washington contributed to rising costs and are now campaigning on “affordability,” a term that has been central to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s legislative program over the past two years and a key theme in Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral campaign.

The president said he had signed an executive order prohibiting Wall Street investment firms from purchasing single-family homes and urged Congress to codify the restriction into law.

“We want homes for people, not for corporations,” the president said. “Corporations are doing just fine.”

New York lawmakers also made their own statements through the guests they invited to the address. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brought a union ironworker from Long Island to attend the speech. Other members of the state’s delegation selected guests reflecting their policy priorities, including Rep. Dan Goldman, who invited a Lutheran pastor known for advocating on behalf of immigrants held in detention facilities in lower Manhattan.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remained seated for most of the address. Several Democrats opted not to attend at all, among them Reps. Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who joined dozens of colleagues in boycotting the speech.

[Video below.] President Donald Trump used his 2026 State of the Union address Tuesday night to highlight what he described as sweeping economic improvements, strengthened border enforcement and renewed American influence abroad, while also addressing tensions with Iran as his administration weighs possible military action.

Speaking for nearly two hours before a joint session of Congress, Trump reviewed his first year back in office, emphasizing domestic achievements and outlining his administration’s approach to key foreign policy challenges, particularly in the Middle East.

Opening his remarks on an upbeat note, Trump declared, “Our nation is back- bigger, better, stronger, and richer than ever before!”

He continued by looking ahead to the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. “This July 4th, we will mark two and a half centuries of liberty and triumph, progress and freedom in the most incredible and exceptional nation ever to exist on the face of this earth – and you’ve seen nothing yet… this is the Golden Age of America,” he added.

Turning to economic matters, Trump sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s tenure, asserting that inflation had reached historic highs under the prior administration. “The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country. But in 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than 5 years – and in the last 3 months of 2025, it was down to 1.7%.”

He pointed to housing costs as further evidence of improvement. “Mortgage rates are the lowest in 4 years, and falling fast – and the annual cost of the typical new mortgage is down almost $5,000 dollars just since I took office.”

Recalling his address to Congress a year earlier, Trump contrasted what he described as a nation in turmoil with what he portrayed as a dramatically improved landscape today. “When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis. Today, our border is SECURE, our spirit is RESTORED, inflation is PLUMMETING, incomes are RISING FAST, the economy is ROARING, our enemies are SCARED, our military and police are STACKED, and America is RESPECTED again – perhaps like never before.”

He also highlighted investment figures, comparing them to those under Biden. “In four long years, the last administration got less than $1 trillion dollars in new investment in the United States… In 12 months, I secured commitments for more than $18 trillion dollars pouring in from all over the globe.”

On trade policy, Trump reiterated his long-standing support for tariffs, suggesting they could eventually reduce reliance on income taxes. “As time goes by, I believe that tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love.”

Adopting a celebratory tone, the President remarked on what he characterized as a string of victories. “We are winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, ‘Please, please, Mr. President, we are winning too much, we can’t take it anymore, we are not used to winning,'” stated Trump, who added, “I say, ‘No, no, no, you are going to win again, you are going to win big.'”

On immigration and election policy, Trump urged lawmakers to pass new restrictions. He called for legislation preventing states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens and advocated barring illegal aliens from voting in federal elections. He also pressed for voter ID requirements and tighter limits on mail-in ballots.

During his speech, Trump referenced New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, labeling him a “Communist” while noting that he remains in communication with him. The President said Mamdani “speaks a lot” with him and described him as a “nice guy” who has “bad policies.”

Addressing foreign affairs, Trump asserted that his administration had brokered the end of eight conflicts early in his term, including hostilities between Israel and Iran as well as the war in Gaza. He expressed appreciation for his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner for their roles in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Trump, the agreement resulted in the return of every hostage, both living and deceased, even though “nobody thought it was possible.”

Describing the recovery efforts, Trump said, “Believe it or not,” continued Trump, “Hamas worked along with Israel, and they dug, and they dug, and they dug. It’s a tough thing to do, going through bodies all over – sometimes passing up 100 bodies for each one they found. Tough job. And, uh, they finally got it back to 27. And then they found all 28.”

The President also revisited last June’s U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, stating they had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear capabilities. However, he claimed that Tehran has since killed more than 32,000 protesters and is seeking to revive its nuclear program, while developing missiles capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.

“We’re in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

He concluded that portion of his remarks with a warning and a show of strength. “No nation should ever doubt America’s resolve. We have the most powerful military on earth – hopefully, we seldom have to use it,” continued the President.

{Matzav.com}

[Videos below.] President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night was marked by sharp confrontations with Democratic lawmakers, as tensions flared over his comments on immigration and allegations of fraud.

As the president spoke about what he described as a fraud investigation involving members of the Somali community in Minnesota and broader concerns about illegal immigration, Democratic members of Congress interrupted with shouts from the chamber.

Trump fired back at his critics, declaring that Democrats should be “ashamed.”

‘You should be ashamed!” Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., could be seen shouting back at the president.

“Liar!” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., yelled at one point.

As the address continued, both Tlaib and Omar grew increasingly vocal in their objections, repeatedly interrupting Trump’s remarks.

“You have killed Americans!” Omar and Tlaib yelled.

Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., was also seen calling out toward the president during the speech.

Meanwhile, Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., displayed a sign featuring photographs of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — two U.S. citizens who were killed by immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.

In early January, Trump cited an ongoing fraud investigation in Minneapolis as justification for sending approximately 3,000 immigration officers into the state.

During Tuesday’s address, Trump said “Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception.”

[Video below.] President Donald Trump has established a new modern-era benchmark for the longest State of the Union address, exceeding the duration of President Bill Clinton’s 2000 speech.

The State of the Union serves as the president’s yearly message to Congress and the American public, functioning both as a report on the administration’s progress and a roadmap for future priorities. During Tuesday night’s address, Trump concentrated heavily on economic issues and emphasized what he described as the beginning of a national “golden age.”

“After just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before,” Trump declared from the dais Tuesday evening.

Clinton’s Jan. 27, 2000, address lasted approximately 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 49 seconds and had long been recognized as the longest televised State of the Union under modern recordkeeping.

Trump surpassed that mark shortly before 10:40 p.m. Tuesday night, officially moving into first place for length among modern addresses.

Ahead of the speech, Trump had signaled it would be extensive, telling reporters, “It’s going to be a long speech because we have a lot to talk about.”

Tuesday’s event marked the first official State of the Union of Trump’s second term. Earlier, in March 2025, he delivered a joint address to Congress that functioned in much the same way but was not formally designated as a State of the Union because it came early in his term.

That March 4, 2025, address lasted roughly 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 32 seconds—longer than Clinton’s 2000 address—though it did not count as an official State of the Union under traditional classification.

Clinton’s final State of the Union in 2000 focused on the economic expansion and budget surpluses of the late 1990s, while outlining proposals on education, healthcare, Social Security, and climate change for the coming century.

“My fellow Americans, each time I prepare for the State of the Union, I approach it with great hope and expectations for our nation. But tonight is special—because we stand on the mountaintop of a new millennium. Behind us we see the great expanse of American achievement; before us, even grander frontiers of possibility,” Clinton said in his final State of the Union speech.

Historical trends indicate that modern presidents tend to deliver far longer State of the Union addresses than those given in earlier decades. During the 1960s and 1970s, many speeches ran under an hour, whereas contemporary addresses frequently extend well beyond that timeframe.

President Richard Nixon delivered the shortest average State of the Union speeches at approximately 35 minutes. By contrast, Trump’s first term featured some of the lengthiest, with an average runtime of about 80 minutes.

Trump has consistently delivered extended speeches throughout his political career, from lengthy campaign rallies to major presidential appearances.

For instance, he spoke for two hours and two minutes at the 2019 Conservative Political Action Conference. He also holds the record for the longest presidential nomination acceptance speech, delivering a 93-minute address at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, surpassing his previous 75-minute acceptance speech in 2016.

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More than a dozen states filed suit Tuesday against the Trump administration, contesting its decision to scale back federal vaccine recommendations for children and arguing that the move unlawfully endangers public health.

In their complaint, the states contend that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jeopardized children’s safety when it revealed last month that it would no longer advise universal immunization for all children against influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, certain strains of meningitis, and RSV.

The updated policy, which drew objections from segments of the medical community, now limits recommendations for those vaccines to specific high-risk populations or situations in which physicians and families engage in what is termed “shared decision-making.”

According to the states — among them Arizona and California — the revised guidance disregards decades of established medical standards and will force state governments to allocate additional resources to guard against potential disease outbreaks.

“The health and safety of children across the country is not a political issue,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, at a news conference. “It is not a culture war talking point.”

Neither the CDC nor the Department of Health and Human Services immediately issued a response to inquiries regarding the legal challenge.

The lawsuit intensifies a broader dispute between Democrat-led states and President Donald Trump’s administration concerning shifts in federal public health policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has reduced staffing levels across federal public health agencies, decreased financial support for scientific research, and revised federal recommendations on matters including fluoride and other health-related issues.

Last year, Kennedy removed all members of a federal vaccine advisory panel and appointed new members of his choosing, a move that Tuesday’s filing claims violated the law.

The legal action follows an initiative launched months earlier by the Democrat governors of California, Washington state, and Oregon to coordinate their own vaccine guidelines. Those governors argued that the Trump administration was putting public health at risk by injecting politics into the CDC’s work.

While states possess the legal authority to mandate vaccinations for students attending public schools, federal guidance from the CDC has traditionally played a significant role in shaping state-level vaccination requirements.

{Matzav.com}

Ghazi Hamad, a senior figure in the political bureau of the Hamas terrorist organization, has dismissed demands from Israel and the United States that the group relinquish its weapons.

Speaking in an interview with the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Hamad indicated that the question of disarmament cannot be easily settled, citing what he called “many sensitivities.” He further stated that attempts to pressure the organization into surrendering its weapons are “disrespectful to the efforts of the mediators.”

A Palestinian Arab source told the newspaper that the disagreement over the issue remains at a standstill. The source argued that objectives Israel did not accomplish during more than two years of fighting will not be achieved now, and said the immediate focus should be ending the “aggression and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation.”

An Egyptian source also addressed the matter, saying Hamas’s disarmament has come up in discussions that include Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the “technocrat committee.” The source expressed optimism that understandings could still be reached, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s determination to see his political initiative succeed.

According to the newspaper, analysts believe that Israeli warnings about potential military steps to strip Hamas of its weapons are intended as psychological pressure ahead of upcoming Knesset elections.

Hamas has consistently rejected calls to disarm, despite Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza requiring the organization to give up its arms. The group maintains that its arsenal serves as “self-defense against the occupation.”

Senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal recently reiterated the organization’s position in response to Trump’s appeal for disarmament, declaring, “As long as our people are under occupation, talk of disarmament is an attempt to turn our people into victims, to make their elimination easier and to facilitate their destruction at the hands of the Israeli side, which is armed with every international means of warfare.”

{Matzav.com}