Matzav

As the Knesset gradually returns to limited activity during the ongoing war, tensions within the coalition are rising over the long-delayed draft law, with chareidi parties insisting the legislation return immediately to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Chareidi political leaders have reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu over the past 24 hours that the draft law must be brought back to the committee as early as next week, provided the security situation allows it. They have also requested that the committee’s legal adviser, Miri Frenkel, expedite the completion of the bill’s final wording.

The demand comes as the Knesset prepares to reconvene next week after a week-long recess. At first, the Knesset is expected to deal only with urgent matters, particularly those connected to the war.

At the same time, the chareidi parties have continued their boycott of coalition votes. They have clarified that they will refrain from supporting government legislation, with the exception of measures directly related to the war effort, in order not to complicate matters for the government during the conflict.

The dispute raises serious questions about the fate of the state budget.

If the draft law is not passed by the end of the month, there is a strong possibility that the budget will also fail to pass, which could ultimately lead to new elections.

Sources within the chareidi parties estimate that the prime minister will attempt to persuade them to approve the state budget even without the draft law being finalized. Whether those efforts will succeed remains to be seen.

In light of the difficult security situation and its direct impact on couples preparing to marry, Israel’s Chief Rabbis have issued a special psak halachah regarding the scheduling of weddings.

The Chief Rabbis of Israel — the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, and the president of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rav Kalman Meir Ber — released the ruling addressing the challenges many couples are facing as a result of the current wartime conditions.

At the outset of their ruling, the rabbonim stressed that the establishment of a bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel at its proper time is of the utmost importance. According to the psak, whenever it is possible to hold the wedding on the originally scheduled date in accordance with the guidelines of the Home Front Command, every effort should be made to avoid postponing it.

The rabbonim wrote that even if security restrictions require a significantly reduced celebration and a smaller number of guests than originally planned, it is nevertheless preferable not to delay the chuppah.

At the same time, the Chief Rabbis addressed couples who were forced to postpone their wedding because of the security situation.

In an unusual step described as a temporary hora’as sha’ah for this year, the rabbonim ruled that such couples may conduct their weddings until Rosh Chodesh Iyar, including that date.

This leniency applies both to Sephardim and Ashkenazim, with particular sensitivity toward couples who have not yet fulfilled the mitzvah of peru urevu.

Despite this significant allowance, the rabbonim emphasized that this ruling does not constitute a permanent change in the long-standing minhag. Under normal circumstances, and in cases where no compelling ones exists, the traditional custom regarding weddings during Sefiras HaOmer remains unchanged.

The Chief Rabbis also made clear that, in their view, weddings should not be permitted on Motzaei Shabbos, even during this period, in order to prevent situations that could lead to chillul Shabbos.

Israel’s Chief Rabbis, the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, and Rav Kalman Meir Ber, president of the Chief Rabbinate Council, sent a sharply worded letter to Transportation Minister Miri Regev protesting the planned operation of government transportation services on Shabbos.

In their letter, the rabbonim expressed strong objection to what they described as unnecessary chillul Shabbos as part of the state’s transportation operations during the ongoing wartime situation.

The Chief Rabbis wrote that the planned move is being carried out at a time when there is no danger or concern of pikuach nefesh that would justify work on Shabbos.

They also emphasized that the decision to activate the transportation system was made unilaterally by government authorities without prior consultation with the Chief Rabbinate or receiving halachic guidance, as would normally be expected in public matters of this nature.

The rabbonim called on the minister to halt the plan and prevent unnecessary desecration of Shabbos, stressing that such decisions involving national public systems must be handled with proper sensitivity to halachah and with consultation from the appropriate rabbinic authorities.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Dovid Spiegel zt”l, the Ostrov-Kalushiner Rebbe of the Five Towns and rov of Bais Medrash of Cedarhurst, a devoted marbitz Torah and beloved rov who for decades built and nurtured a warm, vibrant center of Torah and Yiddishkeit in the community.

Rav Spiegel, a son of Rav Pinchas Eliyahu Spiegel zt”l, the Ostrov-Kalushiner Rebbe, was a distinguished talmid of two gedolei Torah of the previous generation, Rav Avrohom Pam zt”l and Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. His connection with Rav Aharon was especially close and deeply personal. As a bochur, Rav Spiegel was among those who would frequently drive Rav Aharon to various engagements and destinations. Those hours spent in close proximity to the rosh yeshiva allowed him to develop a profound bond with his rebbi, absorbing not only Torah but also the spirit and vision that Rav Aharon instilled in his talmidim.

On June 19, 1962, Rav Spiegel married his wife, Rebbetzin Devorah Esther Spiegel a”h, the daughter of the Pittsburger Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Abba Leifer, in Newark, New Jersey, beginning a partnership that would become the foundation of a life devoted to Torah, community, and chesed.

In the early years following their marriage, the young couple lived in Lakewood in modest circumstances, residing in a small one-bedroom apartment above the stores on Fifth Street. Those humble beginnings reflected the simple and devoted lifestyle that characterized Rav Spiegel throughout his life.

A pivotal moment in his life and in the development of the Five Towns Torah community came in 1970. His brother-in-law, Rav Binyomin Kamenetsky zt”l, approached him with a bold vision: to establish a warm and authentic shtiebel that would serve as a beacon of Torah life in the growing Five Towns community. Rav Spiegel accepted the challenge with dedication and determination.

What began as a modest undertaking soon grew into something extraordinary. Over the decades, the shtiebel became a center of warmth, Torah, and genuine Yiddishkeit. Rav Spiegel did far more than establish a shul. He built a kehillah in the truest sense of the word. Through his guidance, countless individuals and families found a place where they could grow in Torah observance and strengthen their connection to Yiddishkeit.

Rav Spiegel understood that cultivating Torah life in a community requires not only passion but also wisdom, patience, and a deep understanding of people. With quiet determination and thoughtful leadership, he helped shape the spiritual character of the Five Towns in numerous ways. His influence could be felt in the lives of those who turned to him for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration.

Throughout the years, he remained a steady presence, a rov who cared deeply for his mispallelim and whose warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression on all who encountered him.

Rav Spiegel is survived by an exceptional family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah, avodah, and devotion to Klal Yisroel.

The levaya is taking place now at Rav Spiegel’s shul, located at 504 W. Broadway in Cedarhurst, NY, followed by kevurah in New Jersey.

Yehi zichro boruch.

As Israel continues to operate under the pressures of Operation Roaring Lion, the Israeli Ministry of Transportation announced a significant expansion of public transportation services across the country.

Beginning today, bus service will increase to approximately 60 percent of normal operations. This follows several days during which the transportation network functioned at only 45 percent capacity due to the ongoing security situation.

The decision was made following a renewed situational assessment and updated guidance from the Home Front Command, with the goal of maintaining a measure of economic and daily-life continuity while the country remains under fire.

Alongside the expansion of bus services, the rail and light rail systems are still operating under strict limitations.

Israel Railways has concentrated its service in specific hubs that are suited to the current emergency conditions. The Yerushalayim Light Rail is operating on a limited emergency schedule, while the light rail system in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area remains completely suspended. The Haifa cable car system is also not operating at this time.

In addition, all in-person public transportation service centers across the country will remain closed until further notice.

Officials at the Ministry of Transportation stressed that despite the expanded service, the public is still urged to avoid non-essential travel and follow the instructions of security authorities.

“We call on the public to check the transportation apps and the operators’ information centers before setting out,” the ministry said.

For additional information or trip planning, travelers can contact the national transportation information hotline by dialing *8787.

Authorities noted that the public transportation system will continue to be adjusted as operational conditions evolve on the ground.

Four days after the devastating missile strike that shook the city of Beit Shemesh and the entire country, Rabbi Yitzchak Biton spoke in a heart-rending interview about the loss of his three children, who were killed when an Iranian missile struck their home directly.

Speaking with radio host Avi Mimran, Rabbi Biton described how he is finding the strength to cope with the unimaginable tragedy and how his emunah and devotion to Torah guide his response even in the face of such overwhelming pain.

Rabbi Biton lost his three children — Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah Hy”d — in the direct missile strike.

When asked where he draws the strength to endure such suffering, Rabbi Biton explained that the Torah provides guidance for every situation in life.

“The Torah illuminates a person’s path and gives him advice and understanding for how to respond to all kinds of realities in life,” he said. “Someone who truly believes in the Borei Olam and truly lives with the Torah understands how to relate to every situation.”

He added that despite the immense pain, a person must strive to accept even the most difficult moments with emunah.

“A person must bless for the bad just as he blesses for the good and reach a place where he can accept things with joy and know that the Hakadosh Boruch Hu does what is best for us,” he said.

Addressing the fear that has gripped many people after the unusual circumstances of the strike — in which even a protected shelter was hit — Rabbi Biton emphasized that everything remains in the hands of Hakadosh Boruch Hu.

“We must understand that we are in the hands of Hakadosh Boruch Hu, and every missile has an address,” he said.

He urged the public to strengthen themselves in emunah and in kvius ittim laTorah rather than allowing fear to dominate their thoughts.

“Hakadosh Boruch Hu speaks to us in every language,” he said. “Whether through terror attacks or ballistic missiles, He wants us to come closer to Him.”

During the interview, Rabbi Biton spoke with deep longing about the personalities of his children.

He described his son Yaakov Hy”d, who was sixteen years old, as an iluy in Torah. According to his father, already at the age of four and a half he would daven at the Kosel asking only for the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdosh.

“He would learn masechtos and Gemara with me, and sometimes he understood the sugya even better than avreichim,” Rabbi Biton said.

He described his daughter Avigail Hy”d, fifteen and a half years old, as “very wise and perceptive, someone who understood the nefesh of another person.”

His youngest daughter, Sarah Hy”d, he said, was always the first to volunteer for acts of chessed, doing so with a smile and genuine inner joy.

At the conclusion of the interview, Rabbi Biton called upon Klal Yisroel to continue the legacy of his children.

“Think good, speak good, do good, and look at everyone with a good eye,” he said.

Mimran also encouraged listeners to accept upon themselves a small kabbalah in their memory, suggesting that people undertake to learn one Mishnah or recite a chapter of Tehillim each day l’ilui nishmas Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah bnei Tamar, whom Rabbi Biton said are in the category of harugei malchus, about whom Chazal say that no created being can stand in their place in Olam Haba.

When the siren sounds again and everything stops in an instant, families across Israel rush with their children into the reinforced security room. The sudden shift from ordinary life — laundry, emails, a cup of coffee that has gone cold — to the familiar dash toward safety can be jarring. Hearts race, parents gather their children almost automatically, and the mind begins racing through rumors: Did something fall nearby? Did anyone see a video of what happened?

The uncertainty drains energy and can make it feel as though the same frightening moment is repeating itself again and again.

Yet even in that tense reality, the home remains a place of protection. The reinforced room may feel like a small, cold space on an ordinary day, but in moments of danger it becomes the place where children form their memories of how their parents handled the crisis. Instead of allowing the room to feel like a place of fear, parents can transform those tense minutes into a calmer and even reassuring experience.

Here are several simple ways to replace anxiety with a sense of safety — and perhaps even bring a smile during those stressful moments.

Create a Warmer Atmosphere

Most reinforced rooms are lit by a single bright LED bulb that feels sterile and uninviting.

Adding softer lighting can immediately change the mood. Battery-powered strings of small lights or a warm night lamp can make the room feel more comfortable. Soft yellow lighting has been shown to reduce stress levels and help people relax more quickly.

Scent can also play a powerful role. When the heavy door closes and the atmosphere suddenly feels tense, a gentle room diffuser or small lavender sachets in a closet can help shift the mood. Familiar household scents signal to the brain that this is still part of the home environment — not a frightening bunker — and that normal life will soon return.

Prepare a Small Snack Station

If families must remain inside the room for an extended period, food can be a source of comfort for children.

Instead of keeping loose bags of snacks, parents can organize small transparent baskets. One basket might hold savory snacks, another sweets, and another disposable cups and utensils.

Including treats that children normally do not receive during the week can also create a positive association. Children may begin to think of shelter time as the moment when they receive their special candies or snacks.

Create a Dedicated Children’s Corner

Rather than tossing random toys into the room, parents can prepare a small “shelter kit” designed specifically for these situations.

Quiet activities work best — coloring books, sticker sets, puzzles, or simple card games that keep children occupied and focused.

If there is enough space, adding cushions or beanbags can turn part of the room into a cozy corner. Children may even experience the time together as something like family “camping” rather than a stressful interruption.

Choose Words Carefully

Perhaps the most challenging part for parents is controlling their own reactions.

When a loud explosion is heard outside, the instinct may be to shout, “Did you hear that? That was really close!”

But children are extremely sensitive to their parents’ emotions. When adults react with fear, it signals to children that something terrible has happened.

Parents can instead try to remain calm and choose reassuring language. Rather than talking about impacts or explosions, they might say that the interception system stopped the threat and that everyone is safe.

It is also wise to avoid playing voice messages or circulating videos from messaging apps while children are present. Rumors and dramatic footage can intensify anxiety for both children and adults. The shelter room should remain a space free of frightening background noise.

Turn the Moment Into Connection

Even during stressful moments, families can transform the experience into a small shared ritual.

Some families begin with a quick round of gratitude, where each person says something they are thankful for. Others play word association games or simple guessing games.

Reading a story aloud while everyone sits close together can create a feeling of warmth and intimacy.

If the situation allows, playing music and even dancing for a minute or two can release physical tension and help children relax.

In the end, the reinforced room is simply a room. What fills it — calm, reassurance, and love — comes from the parents inside it. While families cannot control what is happening outside, they can guide the atmosphere within their own walls.

Besuros tovos.

Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister, Idit Silman, publicly called on President Donald Trump to impose personal sanctions on Israel’s attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, and Supreme Court President Yitzchak Amit.

Silman’s appeal came following Trump’s sharp criticism of Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the issue of granting a pardon to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

In a message posted Thursday on her X account, Silman addressed Trump directly in English, praising his intervention regarding what she described as the legal cases against Netanyahu.

“Mr. President, your pressure regarding the pardon in the fabricated cases against Prime Minister Netanyahu is welcome. But it is important to understand who is blocking even a discussion of this request,” she wrote.

Silman argued that Israel’s attorney general is preventing the issue of a pardon from even being discussed, while the head of the Supreme Court is protecting her position and blocking efforts to remove her.

According to Silman, “The attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, is preventing any discussion of a pardon, while Supreme Court President Yitzchak Amit supports her and prevents her dismissal, while at the same time canceling laws approved by Israel’s elected legislature.”

She concluded her appeal by urging Washington to take punitive measures against both officials.

“Since the United States stands for democracy in Israel, the time has come to impose severe personal sanctions against them both,” Silman wrote, adding: “Thank you, Mr. President, for standing with the State of Israel and the free world.”

Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at President Herzog over Netanyahu’s pardon request, calling him a “disgrace” and insisting that he should grant the pardon immediately.

Trump said he had even refused to meet Herzog over the issue.

“I told him I wouldn’t meet with him. He’s been holding this over Bibi’s head for a year,” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Thursday called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant an immediate pardon to Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, sharply criticizing Herzog and calling him a “disgrace” as he intensified his public support for Netanyahu during the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial.

Herzog’s office responded by emphasizing that any decision regarding a presidential pardon will be made independently and without outside pressure.

Trump made the remarks during a phone interview with Axios as he continued a series of media appearances related to the joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran. During the conversation, he also said he believes he must personally play a role in determining Iran’s next leader and expressed backing for a Kurdish offensive against Iran.

Trump told Axios that Herzog should issue Netanyahu a pardon “today,” explaining that he believes the Israeli prime minister should be able to focus solely on the military campaign against the Iranian regime without being distracted by legal proceedings.

The president said he has raised the matter with Herzog repeatedly over the past year and claimed the Israeli president assured him on five separate occasions that Netanyahu would eventually receive a pardon. Trump added that he is unwilling to meet with Herzog until such a pardon is granted, though there have been no reports that Herzog has attempted to arrange a meeting with him.

Trump further alleged that Herzog has been using the possibility of a pardon as leverage over Netanyahu for roughly a year, despite the fact that Netanyahu only formally requested clemency in November. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in the three corruption cases against him, arguing that he has been framed by the police and state prosecutors.

Trump has publicly advocated for Netanyahu to receive a pardon since June 2025, when Israel and Iran were last engaged in direct conflict. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that Netanyahu ever asked Trump to intervene on his behalf.

Thursday’s comments marked the second time in less than a month that Trump has criticized Herzog on the issue. In February, Trump said Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is currently standing trial on allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Trump also raised the issue when he addressed the Knesset in October, dismissing the significance of gifts Netanyahu allegedly received in one of the cases. “Who cares about cigars and champagne?”

Following Trump’s latest remarks, the President’s Residence issued a statement that praised Trump’s support for Israel while underscoring that Herzog will ultimately make his decision based on legal considerations.

“President Herzog greatly respects and appreciates the tremendous contribution of Donald Trump to Israel’s security. He views him as the leader of the free world, a central ally of Israel, and particularly values his firm stance against Iran,” the statement said.

Herzog’s office also stressed that Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” noting that Netanyahu’s pardon request is currently being reviewed by the Justice Ministry, which will provide a legal recommendation in accordance with Israeli law.

“After the process is completed, the president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the country, and according to his conscience, without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office added.

Netanyahu is currently facing trial in three separate corruption cases. In Case 1000 and Case 2000, he has been charged with fraud and breach of trust, while Case 4000 includes charges of bribery as well as fraud and breach of trust.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has delayed publicly naming a successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid concerns that whoever is chosen could become the next target in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

According to Iranian officials, the hesitation stems from fears that identifying the next supreme leader could expose that individual to possible assassination attempts.

Ayatollah Khamenei was eliminated in American and Israeli strikes that also killed several senior military commanders and figures associated with Iran’s defense establishment. Despite those losses, the heads of Iran’s three branches of government—the presidency, judiciary, and parliament—remain alive.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s 56-year-old son, has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace his father. However, concerns about his safety intensified after reports surfaced suggesting he could become the next face of Iran’s leadership.

Iranian officials said that once Mojtaba Khamenei’s name began circulating publicly as the preferred successor, the United States indicated that he would not be considered an acceptable choice and could also be targeted.

President Donald Trump dismissed the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei assuming power.

“They are wasting their time,” Trump told Axios on Thursday, adding that the former Supreme Leader’s son is “a lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice.

“I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela,” Trump said, referring to Delcy Rodríguez, who became interim leader after Washington captured the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro.

Israel also signaled that any future Iranian leader would remain a potential military target. Defense Minister Yisroel Katz wrote in a social media post on Wednesday that whoever is chosen to replace Khamenei would be “an unequivocal target for elimination.”

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States is aiming to dismantle Iran’s current leadership structure but does not believe a ground invasion is necessary to achieve that goal.

During a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump explained that the objective is to prevent Iran from restoring its leadership and rebuilding power in the future.

“We want to go in and clean out everything,” Trump said. “We don’t want someone who would rebuild over a 10-year period.”

Trump also suggested that there are potential figures who could lead Iran after its current leadership is removed.

“We want them to have a good leader. We have some people who I think would do a good job,” he said, though he declined to identify any names and indicated that efforts are being made to ensure those individuals remain safe during the conflict.

“We are watching them, yeah,” Trump said.

The president also addressed comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who told NBC News that Iran is ready to confront a possible ground invasion by American and Israeli forces.

Trump rejected that scenario, stating that such an operation would serve little purpose given the damage already inflicted on Iran’s military.

“It’s a waste of time. They’ve lost everything. They’ve lost their navy. They’ve lost everything they can lose.”

Trump added that U.S. military operations against Iranian targets will continue at the same level of intensity.

Earlier Thursday, the president said American strikes have dealt a major blow to Iran’s missile capabilities and warned Tehran not to threaten the United States or its allies.

“As soon as they set off a missile, within four minutes the launcher gets hit,” he said, explaining that the campaign has taken out a significant portion of Iran’s launch systems.

“Missiles are gone, launchers are gone – about 60% and 64% respectively.”

Despite the losses suffered by Iran’s military infrastructure, Trump said the country’s leadership is still taking a combative stance.

“They are tough and they want to fight,” he stated, while also saying that Iranian officials have begun making contact about potential negotiations.

“They are calling and saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’ I say, ‘You are being a little bit late.’ We want to fight now more than they do.”

{Matzav.com}

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has dismissed a Gaza school principal accused of taking part in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, according to a report by JNS.

The individual, identified as Hafez Mousa Mohammed Mousa, was recently added to a U.S. government blacklist under the administration of President Donald Trump.

“Upon the allegations made against Mr. Mousa by the Israeli authorities, on April 16, 2024, UNRWA immediately placed him on administrative leave without pay,” UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler told JNS. “Upon completion of the Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation, his appointment was terminated on Aug. 20, 2024.”

A report released in late February by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Agency for International Development stated that investigators uncovered what they described as decisive evidence that Mousa took part in the October 7 attack while serving as a captain in Hamas’s East Jabaliya Battalion.

The watchdog body, which functions independently from the State Department and monitors U.S. foreign assistance programs, said Mousa “coordinated communications with other suspected Hamas members during the Oct. 7 attacks while serving as an UNRWA school principal.”

According to The Washington Free Beacon, which cited information from the State Department, Mousa shut down his UNRWA school early on the morning of October 7 and then reached out to at least 20 Hamas operatives, instructing them to infiltrate Israel “with cars and weapons.”

A source familiar with the inspector general’s probe said investigators requested that UNRWA provide the names of employees who had been terminated for suspected links to terrorism.

The source said the agency declined to share that information and did not reveal the identities of staff members believed to have taken part in the October 7 attacks, actions that investigators said hindered their work.

Because of that, the State Department—which absorbed USAID last year—alerted UNRWA that Mousa had been placed on the U.S. government’s blacklist and would be prohibited from participating in American foreign aid programs for the next decade.

UNRWA has faced longstanding accusations that it maintains close ties with the Hamas terrorist organization, allegations that critics say have repeatedly been supported by evidence. Those concerns intensified in 2024 after Israel presented information indicating that several UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

After those claims were made public, the United Nations created a review panel led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to examine Israel’s allegations. In its findings, the panel said it had identified “neutrality-related issues” within UNRWA, but also stated that Israel had not yet provided proof that large numbers of the agency’s employees belonged to terrorist organizations.

Even as criticism of UNRWA continues, the International Court of Justice recently ruled that Israel must allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip through United Nations bodies, including UNRWA. Israel and the United States both criticized that decision.

{Matzav.com}

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How does one celebrate the happiest day of one’s life during a multi-front war? Every wedding requires careful preparation — clothing, a photographer and videographer, flowers, and of course the hall together with a singer and band who will bring joy to the chosson and kallah on their special day.

With the ongoing war, the entire world of weddings has been shaken, affecting every component of the process. A closer look shows how the current situation is reshaping weddings across Israel.

Although the war did not entirely take the public by surprise, many families who had weddings planned over the past week and in the coming weeks hoped that the fighting would pass over them and that their simcha would proceed as planned.

Instead, the war has created a major upheaval in the wedding world. In many cases, halls informed families at the last moment that their scheduled weddings were canceled. These sudden cancellations created confusion across the industry and affected nearly every service provider connected to weddings, many of whom received abrupt notices that the event had been called off.

At present, weddings are generally taking place in three different formats.

The first option is a standard wedding held in a hall. Many halls have chosen to keep weddings on schedule, relying on nearby protected areas in case of sirens. Some venues are located underground — something not uncommon in the chareidi public — and this offers an added measure of security. At these weddings, the regular arrangements remain intact, including the photographer, musicians, and other vendors who were booked in advance.

A senior wedding promoter in the chareidi world described the current situation, explaining that across the country most outdoor event gardens have canceled their weddings entirely, as owners are unwilling to take even minimal risk. In chareidi areas, however, halls are somewhat more flexible when there is a protected area nearby for the safety of the guests.

The second format that has become common is the afternoon wedding. Many families have moved their chasunah earlier in the day rather than holding it at night as is customary. In several weddings held in Bnei Brak this week, invitations were updated to inform guests that the schedule had been moved forward. One message sent to invitees read: “Dear guests, the chuppah has been moved up to 5:00 p.m. and the wedding will conclude at 9:00 p.m. We look forward to celebrating together.”

The decision to move weddings to earlier hours is not necessarily always due to security concerns. In some cases it is simply a technical solution that allows families whose original hall canceled their wedding to use time slots that suddenly became available in other halls.

A third format that has become increasingly common is the improvised wedding — held in private homes, parking garages, shelters, or school buildings. These weddings strongly resemble the small and improvised chasunos that took place during the days of the coronavirus pandemic. In most cases this happens when a hall cancels the wedding shortly before the event and the family is unable to find an alternative venue.

At these smaller weddings, the singer and band are often canceled, together with many of the usual arrangements. The photographer and videographer generally remain, though often with a much smaller crew.

Across social media, organized lists have circulated offering private homes throughout the country that can host weddings for families suddenly left without a hall. One person offered a garden apartment with a yard of about 200 square meters, another offered a villa with a large pool and waterfall, while another offered a school shelter of about 600 square meters that could host weddings of up to 400 guests. Many have described these efforts as a powerful expression of Mi k’amcha Yisroel.

One such example took place earlier this week when a wedding originally planned for an event garden was moved into the beis medrash of Yeshivas Ohel Yosef (Heichal Tzvi) in Bnei Brak, where the chosson had learned. The emotional chasunah drew widespread attention.

While families struggle to adapt, the sector that has suffered most from the cancellations is the wedding music industry — including singers, keyboardists, and orchestras.

A message that has become common in the industry reads: “Due to a cancellation, a singer and orchestra are available this Monday,” reflecting the wave of canceled weddings. Large concerts have also been canceled or are at risk of being canceled.

Unfortunately for the musicians, it is not customary in the wedding industry to sign formal contracts between the mechutonim and the artists. As a result, when weddings are canceled due to circumstances such as the current war, the artists usually receive little or no compensation and lose an entire day of work without warning.

A senior promoter in the industry described the situation as deeply frustrating. When a performer must cancel an event for legitimate reasons, he often has to compensate the client or risk public criticism. But when families cancel the musicians, he said, it is widely accepted and no compensation is expected.

He recounted one wedding he was managing that changed time and location three times within a single day. The event was originally planned at an event garden in central Israel. After the venue canceled all events, the wedding was moved to an afternoon slot in a hall in Yerushalayim. Later, when the schedule no longer worked for the families, the wedding was moved again to an evening chasunah at another hall in the city.

“I can say that this particular event was not canceled,” he said, “but there are many, many events that are being canceled everywhere. I’m getting constant reports from singers, keyboardists, and orchestras that families decided to hold a smaller wedding instead, and they feel it no longer makes sense to bring the band they originally planned.”

He noted that families are adjusting their plans in different ways. Some reduce the band to just a keyboardist and singer, while others cancel the musicians entirely.

His frustration was clear when speaking about the impact on the music industry. “Most of the time they simply don’t pay anything. They cancel without any compensation at all, even though the musicians lose a day of work.”

He concluded that the situation strongly reminds him of the early days of the pandemic.

“It’s a real déjà vu from the coronavirus period,” he said. “Exactly the same thing happened then. People booked expensive bands and then, at the last moment, canceled them and brought someone much cheaper who fit their budget.”

Yehuda Chayon, a bochur currently imprisoned in Military Prison 10 for refusing to enlist in the IDF, says he was not permitted to hear the reading of Parshas Zachor from a Sefer Torah on Shabbos.

Chayon, who has been held in the military prison for nearly two weeks, told friends during a phone call from the facility that prison authorities did not allow him to hear the special kriah.

“For the first time since I was 10 years old, I did not hear Parshas Zachor from a Sefer Torah, which is a mitzvah d’Oraisa,” he said.

Following the report, Knesset member Meir Porush issued a sharply worded statement condemning the situation and criticizing the IDF, the judicial system, and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

“This is another incident proving that the army is in no way prepared to incarcerate bnei yeshivos, and yet, under criminal legal guidance, they continue to arrest lomdei Torah,” Porush said.

He added that while the military may be highly capable in other areas, it falls far short when it comes to accommodating religious needs.

“It is possible that there are areas in which the army is among the best in the world, but when it comes to adapting to religious requirements, it is very, very far from that,” he said.

Porush also demanded immediate action to address the situation.

“It is an absolute disgrace that in a Jewish state, under Jewish leadership, bnei yeshivos are arrested for limud haTorah, and it is far worse when they are forced to violate mitzvos haTorah. Situations like this, which would be unthinkable in any democratic country, require immediate attention. Even in the midst of the war with Iran, this cannot be delayed.”

The lawmaker also called on the judicial system to intervene.

“One would expect that the same judicial system that, even during wartime, searches for ways to punish lomdei Torah would hurry to stop this wrongdoing that is taking place under its responsibility,” Porush said.

Porush added that parliamentary inquiries he submitted to Defense Minister Katz regarding the accommodation of religious needs in military prisons have so far gone unanswered.

“This is very puzzling. One would expect him to act and condemn this conduct,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

The United States Postal Service could exhaust its available cash within the next year unless Congress allows the agency to increase its borrowing authority, Postmaster General David Steiner warned.

Steiner said the Postal Service could reach a point where it cannot meet payroll or pay vendors by February 2027 if lawmakers do not act, raising concerns about potential disruptions to mail service. He discussed the situation in remarks to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

“How long are employees going to work and vendors going to show up if we’re not paying them?” Steiner said.

Steiner is expected to appear before Congress later this month to address the Postal Service’s worsening financial condition and to urge lawmakers to revise long-standing policies he believes have placed the agency at a disadvantage. Among the issues he highlighted is a borrowing limit of $15 billion that has remained unchanged since 1990.

Although the Postal Service operates as an independent federal entity, it relies primarily on revenue generated from postage and the services it provides rather than direct funding from Congress. Steiner noted that the agency is required to function like a government service — including delivering mail six days a week to every address in the country — but without the benefit of annual appropriations.

“We have to have a conversation with the American public,” Steiner said. “If you want us to deliver everywhere, every day, we’ll do it. That’s not a problem. But who is going to pay for it?”

Steiner, who previously served as chief executive of the country’s largest waste management company and also sat on the board of FedEx, assumed leadership of the Postal Service in July. He said the most immediate relief Congress could provide would be raising the agency’s borrowing limit.

“That will buy us the time to make the fixes we need to make, and we can sail on down the road,” he said.

Beyond borrowing authority, Steiner has suggested expanding the Postal Service’s sources of revenue. One proposal involves increasing the use of the agency’s “last-mile” delivery network — the final stage of transporting packages from a local distribution hub to a customer’s home — for more outside organizations and businesses.

Financial figures show the Postal Service recorded a net loss of $9 billion in fiscal year 2025, even as operating revenue rose by $916 million, or 1.2%, driven largely by its Ground Advantage shipping service. In fiscal year 2024, the agency posted a net loss of $9.5 billion.

Steiner said deeper structural changes will ultimately be necessary, including granting the Postal Service greater flexibility to raise postage rates high enough to offset its losses. According to Steiner, increasing the cost of a first-class stamp from the current 78 cents to 95 cents would be sufficient to stabilize the agency’s finances. A decade ago, the same stamp cost 47 cents. Postal officials maintain that even at higher prices, U.S. postage would remain the lowest in the industrialized world while covering delivery distances far greater than those in other countries.

However, Steiner said the Postal Regulatory Commission — an independent body created by Congress to oversee the agency — has not approved the pricing framework proposed by the Postal Service.

“If the Postal Regulatory Commission adopted our pricing model, problem solved,” he said, adding how the package delivery side of the business could then subsidize the mail side.

Postal Service leadership has also advocated for changes to the agency’s pension system and retiree health benefit obligations, including allowing those funds to be invested in assets other than Treasury bills.

Over the past two decades, several postmasters general have urged Congress and regulators to revise the rules governing the Postal Service. In 2022, lawmakers enacted the Postal Service Reform Act, which eliminated the requirement that the agency pre-fund retiree health benefits. Still, other restrictions remain in place.

At the same time, traditional mail volume has sharply declined. Annual mail volume has fallen from roughly 220 billion pieces to about 110 billion today as more Americans handle bill payments and communication online.

“Take those 110 billion and put a 78-cent stamp on them. That’s $86 billion of revenue that evaporated in 15 years,” he said. “If either FedEx or UPS lost $86 billion of revenue, they would have no revenue.”

Steiner argued that instead of easing the agency’s burdens, regulators and lawmakers have imposed additional costly requirements.

“I like to say we sort of got thrown overboard on a ship into the cold water, right? And instead of throwing us a life preserver, we get thrown an anchor,” he said.

Several members of Congress who oversee the Postal Service did not immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment. A message was also left with Keep Us Posted, an advocacy organization formed in 2021 amid concerns over postage increases and service reliability.

Last month, the group warned that the Postal Service was “headed for a taxpayer bailout” due to ongoing cash flow problems. The organization has called on Congress to pass legislation that would limit rate hikes to once a year and tie them to improvements in service performance, among other proposals.

Steiner said he did not fully appreciate the severity of the Postal Service’s financial condition until he stepped into the role last year.

“Interestingly, I’m not sure some of the people at the Postal Service realized how dramatic it was,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant responded Thursday to false reports circulating on social media claiming that he had been killed in an Iranian attack.

The report, which appeared on the Twitter account “China live,” spread widely online and prompted Gallant to address the claim directly on his X account. Rejecting the report, Gallant wrote: “The rumors about my death were greatly exaggerated. Am Yisroel chai.”

The incident comes just weeks after authorities revealed details of a spy case involving an Israeli resident accused of gathering intelligence near Gallant’s home on behalf of an Iranian handler.

Last month it was cleared for publication that in a joint operation by the Central Unit of the Menashe region in the Coastal District police and the Shin Bet security service, a suspect named Fares Abu al-Hija was arrested for questioning. Abu al-Hija, a resident of the northern local council of Kawkab Abu al-Hija, was apprehended while carrying out an intelligence-gathering mission targeting the former defense minister.

During questioning by police and the Shin Bet, investigators determined that the suspect had been in contact with a foreign operative whom he believed to be connected to Iranian intelligence. According to the investigation, he received payment in exchange for carrying out various assignments, including gathering information intended to harm Israel’s national security. Authorities later confirmed that the foreign contact had indeed been identified by the Shin Bet as an Iranian intelligence operative.

Investigators also determined that earlier this year, in January, Abu al-Hija had been instructed to travel to the community of Amikam and photograph streets located near Gallant’s residence. Shortly after completing the assignment and sending the images to his handler, he was arrested at the scene.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Haifa District Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against him in the Haifa District Court.

Since the start of the war on Shabbos, Iran has launched approximately 200 missiles toward Israel, far fewer than Israeli intelligence had anticipated before the conflict began.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, Israeli security officials estimated that the Islamic Republic could fire roughly 150 missiles each day. Based on those assessments, Israel prepared for a much larger barrage. In reality, the number of missiles launched so far is about 80 percent lower than those projections, according to a report published Thursday evening by Ynet.

Officials attribute the dramatic decline in missile launches to the heavy blows inflicted by the joint military campaign carried out by the IDF together with the United States against Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure.

Since the beginning of the war, Israeli and American forces have dropped more than 8,500 munitions across Iran. Of those strikes, approximately 2,700 targets were attacked by the United States alone. In addition to the missiles fired toward Israel, Iran has launched another 300 missiles toward other targets throughout the Middle East.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed the situation earlier Thursday in remarks to the media regarding the war with Iran.

“For six days we have been striking the Iranian terror regime without pause. Israeli Air Force pilots have so far carried out about 2,500 strikes and dropped more than 6,000 munitions. We destroyed about 80 percent of the air defense systems and achieved near-complete air superiority over Iranian skies.”

Zamir added that Israeli forces have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to launch ballistic missiles.

“We have neutralized and destroyed more than 60 percent of the ballistic missile launchers — a very significant achievement that reduces the damage to the home front and saves many lives. The threat has not yet been removed — every missile is lethal and poses a danger.”

Discussing the next phase of the campaign, Zamir indicated that additional actions are planned.

“Now we are moving to the next stage, in which we will intensify the strike against the foundations of the regime and its military capabilities. We have additional surprise moves, which I do not intend to reveal. We will pursue our enemies, all of them, and reach them.”

{Matzav.com}

A terrible tragedy struck at Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim on Thursday when Shimon Mendlowitz z”l, a member of the Zvhiller chassidus and one of the distinguished bochurim connected to the Vizhnitzer court in Beit Shemesh, was killed after falling into a pit while visiting his grandfather’s kever on his first yahrtzeit.

According to sources, the bochur had come together with family members to Har HaMenuchos to mark the yahrtzeit at his grandfather’s kever. At some point during the visit, he went aside to a secluded area and slipped, falling into a deep pit. Tragically, he was niftar at the scene.

Bentzion Oering, commander of ZAKA’s Yerushalayim district, together with volunteers Dudi Pines and Yehuda Hanfling, described what they encountered upon arriving at the scene.

“When we arrived at the scene, we were directed to the multi-level burial area at Har HaMenuchos. The deceased had come to his grandfather’s grave with family members to mark the first anniversary of his passing. According to relatives, while he was in a dark area of the cemetery he slipped and fell from a significant height. Sadly, MDA teams were forced to confirm his death. ZAKA volunteers from the Yerushalayim district are handling the deceased with dignity and collecting the findings at the scene.”

The levayah was held tonight, departing from Beis HaLevayos Shamgar in Yerushalayim and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos, where he was brought to kevurah.

Shimon, 26, was born on the 18th of Adar 5760 to his father, Reb Binyamin Yitzchak Mendlowitz, a respected member of the Zvhiller chassidus and a melamed at a Talmud Torah in Beit Shemesh, and to his mother, Mrs. Malka Rachel of the Binder family.

His grandfather, Rabbi Mordechai Shmerel Mendlowitz, was among the leading transmitters of the mesorah of safrus for decades. He was widely known for his efforts in strengthening the field of safrus and was the first to initiate the project known as Shulchan HaSoferim, which serves thousands of sofrim. He passed away one year ago on the 16th of Adar 5785, and now his grandson was niftar on the very day of his grandfather’s first yahrtzeit.

In his youth, Shimon learned in the yeshivah of Zvhil and later continued his limud haTorah at Yeshivas Mir. He was closely connected to the Vizhnitzer chatzer in Beit Shemesh.

Friends related that just the night before the tragedy he had participated in the Purim tish at Zvhill in Yerushalayim.

“He went to the Rebbe for a bracha, and we are in shock from his sudden petirah,” friends said.

Yehi zichro boruch.