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WATCH: Former White House press sec. Jen Psaki claims she never suspected Biden’s mental decline until the infamous presidential debate against Trump.

Do not do this! A driver stopped in the middle of Interstate 71 in Ohio after they missed their exit, causing a multi-car pileup before driving off.

Sen. Bernie Sanders slams Chuck Schumer for claiming the Democratic Party is united: Trump won the election because he laid out a vision that involved “smashing the system.”

END OF AN ERA: Warren Buffett announced at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha that he will soon propose Greg Abel as his successor as CEO by year-end, surprising shareholders despite Abel’s designation as successor in 2021, with the decision to be discussed at a board meeting with his children, Howie and Susie, already informed.

General Mike Flynn told Matt Gaetz that he would “absolutely” return to his role as National Security Advisor if President Trump “was to give him a call.”

After an uplifting Shabbos in Kerestir, Havdalah tonight at the new “Kerem Yeshaya” tent, built by Reb Yaakov Eliezer Shisha.

A major shortage of air traffic controllers has caused dozens of flight disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport. There is concern that the flight disruptions could stick around for weeks to come.

According to local sources, tonight’s U.S. airstrikes on the outskirts of Deir ez-Zor targeted equipment and positions in the vicinity of the Al-Omar Oil Field, left behind by the U.S-led Coalition during their recent drawdown of forces in Northeastern Syria.

Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to expand Gaza military operations to pressure Hamas for a hostage deal, mobilizing thousands of reservists starting Sunday, with half to Gaza and half to other fronts, pending security cabinet approval.

Singing Acheinu in Kerestir for the hostages still languishing in Hamas captivity

The IDF released footage of last night’s airstrikes in Syria, where 12 Israeli Air Force fighter jets targeted multiple sites, including anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile infrastructure, according to the military.

On Shabbos morning at around 6:30 a.m., missile alert sirens echoed across Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in, the Negev, and the Dead Sea area as a missile, launched by the Houthis in Yemen, targeted Israel, following two similar attacks on northern Israel the previous day; Israel’s missile defense forces successfully intercepted the projectile, though a 26-year-old man sustained light injuries while hurrying to a protected area.

Two rebbes, the admorim of Vizhnitz and Erlau, were hospitalized over Shabbos in separate incidents.

On Leil Shabbos Kodesh, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Menachem Mendel Hager, was transported from his lodgings in Arad—where he had gone for rest—to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer after feeling unwell.

After undergoing a series of medical evaluations, the Rebbe is expected to be discharged from the hospital as early as Sunday.

Senior medical advisor Rav Yaakov Shakol arrived at the Rebbe’s residence in Arad on Friday night and advised immediate medical transfer for further observation.

All are asked to daven for the complete recovery of Rav Menachem Mendel ben Leah Esther.

Meanwhile, on Friday, before Shabbos, the Erlauer Rebbe, Rav Moshe ben Miriam, was taken to Hadassah Hospital after suffering a fall earlier in the week at his home. According to sources, the decision to hospitalize the Rebbe was made after his condition worsened and the pain intensified. As Shabbos began, the Erlauer kehillah held special tefillos for his recovery, and the Rebbe remained under medical supervision throughout the day.

The rebbe had planned to depart for a period of rest in Switzerland on Sunday, but that trip has now been postponed, and he will remain in Eretz Yisroel for the time being.

All are asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Rav Moshe ben Miriam.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Yerushalayim’s Ezras Torah neighborhood is in mourning following the passing of one of its founding pillars, Rav Zev Hakohein (Velvel) Kopshitz zt”l. He was 71 years old and had been battling illness over the past year.

Rav Kopshitz passed away on Leil Shabbos Kodesh, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to Torah, community, and kedushah. He was among the early builders and shapers of the Ezras Torah neighborhood and played a key role in its spiritual development.

Born in Yerushalayim on the 10th of Elul in 1953, Rav Zev was the only son among daughters to his father, the eminent gaon Rav Avraham Hakohein Kopshitz zt”l, a leading rosh yeshiva at Kochav MiYaakov-Tchebin and rav of the Neve Tzvi neighborhood in Yerushalauyim. His mother, Rebbetzin Mina a”h, was a daughter of Rav Chaim Shraga Feivel Frank zt”l, the rav of the Yemin Moshe neighborhood.

Through his father, Rav Kopshitz was a descendant of the mara d’ara d’Yisroel, Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt”l.

He was raised in a home filled with Torah and yiras Shamayim, and as a young man, he studied at the Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, where he developed into a true ben Torah.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed the daughter of Rav Aharon Teitelbaum zt”l of Tiveria. Together, they built their home in Ezras Torah, where Rav Kopshitz became a distinguished and respected member of the community.

Among his many contributions, Rav Kopshitz was instrumental in establishing rabbinic leadership for the neighborhood. He played a central role in bringing Rav Simcha Bunim Waldenberg zt”l to serve as the community’s rav. Rav Kopshitz personally traveled to the home of the Steipler Gaon zt”l to obtain his signature on the appointment letter.

Over the years, Rav Kopshitz was deeply involved in public struggles for kedushas Shabbos and other values dear to Torah Yidden. One of his most notable efforts was his leadership in the battle to close the Ramot road on Shabbos, an effort that gained widespread attention. He was known as a fierce advocate for the sanctity of klal Yisrael.

A meticulous observer of mitzvos and a man of great yiras Shamayim, he was also widely known for distributing top-quality esrogim—the “Zev Kopshitz esrogim”—sourced from the prestigious Kirshenbaum orchards. His matzah chaburah was equally well known, producing meticulously prepared Brisker matzos, carefully supervised from the harvesting of the wheat through every stage of production with the highest standards of hiddur.

He merited to leave behind sons, daughters, and many grandchildren, all following in his path.

The levayah was held this evening at his home at 31 Rechov Ezras Torah in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har HaZeisim for kevurah.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A baby girl was born on Friday to the widow of Rav Refoel Mordechai Fishoff Hy”d, the yungerman who was murdered in a terror attack in Chadera on Erev Yom Kippur.

The newborn is the seventh child in the family and will never have the chance to meet her father.

Rav Refoel Mordechai was just 35 years old when he was killed by a terrorist in a brutal attack in Chadera. He left behind six young orphans and a grieving wife.

Known for his exceptional prishus, piety, and unwavering dedication to limud haTorah, Rav Refoel Mordechai immersed himself in learning day and night. In his youth, he studied at the Derech Moshe Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He continued his learning at Yeshivas Knesses Yitzchok in Chadera, where he remained a model of consistency and depth in learning.

During the brief shiva that took place before Yom Kippur, Rav Fishoff’s widow shared a deeply personal detail with Rav Yehoshua Ehrenberg, the rosh yeshiva. She revealed that throughout his life, her husband would often say that he wished to merit dying al kiddush Hashem.

Now, within the year of mourning, the family’s sorrow is tempered by the birth of this new child. As Chazal teach in the Yerushalmi Maseches Moed Katan, during the year of mourning, middas hadin hovers over the bereaved family. But if a son is born within that year, it is a sign that the family has been healed. Many poskim explain that this applies not only to a son, but also to a daughter, and indeed to any source of joy within the family. In the words of the Gemara, “Nisrapa kol hamishpacha.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Gadi Mozes, who was previously held hostage in Gaza, is urging Israeli leaders to bring the war to an end in order to secure the release of the remaining captives.

Mozes delivered his message during a rally in Kiryat Gat held in support of a hostage release agreement.

“For the first time in my life, I could not say ‘Glory of the State of Israel,’… on Independence Day,” Mozes lamented.

He harshly criticized what he described as a “evil” leadership that failed to prevent the October 7 massacre, saying the government “led us like sheep to the slaughter” and refuses to take responsibility for what occurred that day.

Mozes accused Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s administration of undermining Israel’s institutions, including the IDF, the High Court of Justice, and the Attorney General’s Office.

“This war is pointless and wastes the state’s resources,” Mozes said. “The two million Gazans will not disappear.”

While he affirmed that the army should take action against threats, Mozes insisted that rescuing the hostages must be Israel’s highest priority.

“The military conflict must end and everyone must be brought home,” Mozes said.

{Matzav.com Israel}

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to travel to Israel shortly ahead of President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East later this month.

According to Axios, Hegseth is scheduled to land in Israel on May 12, a day before Trump begins his regional tour, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

This visit will mark Hegseth’s first time in Israel since taking on the role of defense secretary, and during his stay, he is set to hold meetings with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Legendary investor Warren Buffett said today that he plans to step down from his role leading Berkshire Hathaway.

Buffett, 94, serves as the conglomerate’s chairman and chief executive. He said today that he will recommend to the Berkshire Hathaway board that longtime executive Greg Abel become CEO at the end of 2025.

“I think the time has arrived where Greg should become the chief executive officer of the company at year end,” Buffett said onstage at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in Omaha.

Buffett has previously signaled that his successor as CEO would be Abel, who already oversees Berkshire’s Wall Street investments. Abel has spent more than two decades at Berkshire.

Although Buffett will give up his official duties, he plans to keep his large stake in the company and plans to remain an informal presence there. “I would still hang around and conceivably be useful in a few cases, but the final word would be what Greg said,” Buffett said.

Other than Buffett’s children, most of Berkshire’s board of directors – including Abel – did not know of his intention to retire this year until his public announcement at the shareholder meeting, he said.

According to the Associated Press, Abel addressed the news onstage about an hour after Buffett’s announcement. “I just want to say I couldn’t be more humbled and honored to be part of Berkshire as we go forward,” he said.

Buffett, whose sustained success as an investor earned him the nickname “Oracle of Omaha,” is the fifth-richest person in the world, according to Forbes Magazine – amassing a net worth of some $168 billion. He became chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in 1970 and earned a reputation as a savvy stock picker whose investments outperformed the S&P 500 index more often than not.

Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio for decades included a stake in The Washington Post Co., then controlled by the Graham family. He stepped down from The Post board in 2011. The newspaper was sold to billionaire Jeff Bezos in 2013.

Though Buffett became famous for his stock picks, Berkshire Hathaway over the years became a conglomerate in its own right, with wholly owned subsidiaries that have a massive presence in industries such as insurance, cargo rail, utilities and energy production.

Abel is chair of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and vice chair of Berkshire’s operations excluding insurance.

Abel is ready to take over as CEO, company director Ron Olson told CNBC. Olson, who is poised to step down from Berkshire’s board himself, said he hoped Buffett could continue to play an advisory role, comparing him to former vice chair Charlie Munger, who was seen as Buffett’s closest business partner before his death in 2023.

“I am very anxious to see Warren become the Charlie Munger for Greg Abel,” Olson said.

Earlier in today’s meeting, Buffett criticized tariffs and defended global trade, arguing that the United States stands to prosper by continuing to trade with international partners freely.

Buffett had previously refrained from publicly weighing in on President Donald Trump’s efforts to levy sweeping tariffs on American adversaries and allies alike. Buffett did not directly reference Trump on today, but he told the Omaha audience that “trade should not be a weapon.”

“Trade can be an act of war,” Buffett said. “And I think it’s led to bad things, just the attitudes it’s brought out in the United States.”

A trade war threatens to isolate the United States from the rest of the world, Buffett said.

“It’s a big mistake, in my view, when you have seven and a half billion people that don’t like you very well, and you have 300 million that are crowing in some way about how well they’ve done,” he said. “I don’t think it’s right and I don’t think it’s wise.”

(c) 2025, The Washington Post · Maegan Vazquez 

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber Lipskar zt”l, rov of The Shul of Bal Harbour, Florida, as well as the founder of the Aleph Institute. He was niftar on Shabbos at the age of 77.

Rabbi Lipskar was one of Klal Yisroel‘s great and selfless askanim, humble, kind, soft-spoken, and always working to be mekadeish Sheim Shomayim.

Rabbi Lipskar received semicha in 1968 from the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva at 770. After marrying his wife, Chani, he was sent on shlichus to Miami Beach, where Rabbi Lipskar took on the role of principal at the Chabad Yeshiva. He later established the Yeshiva Gedolah and led it as Principal and Dean, overseeing all levels of education from elementary through high school.

In 1981, he founded The Shul of Bal Harbour, which would become a central and vibrant hub of Torah, tefillah, and community life.

That same year, he also launched the Aleph Institute, a groundbreaking national organization dedicated to providing Jewish education, support, and advocacy for those in prison, in the military, and for their families.

Rabbi Lipskar also served as the official chaplain endorser for the U.S. Department of Defense and led the Educational Academy for the Elderly, where he helped develop new educational frameworks to meet the needs of senior citizens.

He leaves behind his wife, Chani, and their children, Zalman Lipskar and Devorah Leah Andrusier.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Diplomatic-Security Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Sunday evening to finalize a proposal for intensifying military operations in Gaza and to approve a gradual but extensive call-up of reserve troops.

At the same time, tens of thousands of reservists are expected to receive emergency mobilization orders—marking the fifth such wave of call-ups since the war began.

These newly summoned reservists are slated to be deployed in various regions, such as along the northern border and in Judea and Samaria. Their presence in these areas will allow combat units currently stationed there to shift focus and spearhead the next stage of operations in Gaza.

The move has sparked strong opposition from families of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. They issued a statement saying, “Israel is on its way to immerse itself in Gaza’s mud in the name of an illusion that some victory can be achieved without returning our brothers and sisters from captivity. It will be mourned for generations.”

The families urged the government to reconsider its course of action, warning, “The families warn against the dangerous decision currently being made. The expansion of the fighting will endanger the hostages, both alive and dead, will cost lives of our soldiers and will exact a heavy price from tens of thousands of reservists and their families. We call on the government of Israel and the army commanders to stop this mistake. We have to make a deal that will bring everyone back.”

{Matzav.com Israel}