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Many Shuls decorate their Batei Midrashim with flowers, trees, each according to their own Minhagim. But this is spectacular – watch as Mispalilim in the Breuer’s Shul (KAJ) located in Washington Heights, NY, decorate their Bais Medrash for Shavuos. The tedious job starts 48 hours before Yom Tov starts.

BREAKING: Ukraine launches the largest attack against the Russian Air Force of this war. Drones smuggled into Russia have struck Russia’s strategic bombers at airfields deep in Russia. Up to 40 planes destroyed, including several A-50 (AEW&C) & Tu-95 & Tu-22 long-range bombers.

YERUSHALYIM: The Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry is gearing up to host over 100,000 people at hospitality tents along the route to the Kosel for Shavuos. The preparations include vast supplies: 150,000 water bottles, 30,000 popsicles, 150,000 pastries, 400 kg of sugar and coffee, 7,000 liters of grape juice, and 20,000 copies of Megilas Rus.

ELIMINATED: The IDF and Shin Bet reported that Khalil Abed al-Nasser Mohammad Hatib, a senior Hamas commander was killed in a targeted drone strike over the weekend. Hatib led a Hamas cell responsible for a deadly RPG attack on January 22, 2024, which killed 21 Israeli soldiers, marking the highest single-day death toll for IDF forces in the Gaza war. Hatib’s cell ambushed IDF troops by firing rocket-propelled grenades at two fortified buildings causing catastrophic losses. The IDF’s 414th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit identified Hatib on Friday, leading to a drone strike that eliminated him.

A Secret Service whistleblower says Biden used to get lost in his own White House closet.

With Shavuos being celebrated under the shadow of war, Israel’s Chief Rabbis have issued a heartfelt call to the public: bring even the youngest children to shul to hear the reading of Aseres Hadibros on the Yom Tov of Matan Torah.

The Rishon Letzion and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Dovid Yosef, wrote: “Lechu banim shimu li — Come, children, and listen to me. Gather in the batei knessios on the day of Shavuos, the day of the giving of the Torah, as one person with one heart — men, women, and children, even the very youngest.”

Rav Yosef referenced the well-known call of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who emphasized the importance of coming to shul on Shavuos to hear Aseres Hadibros, especially for children. “Especially in times of such great tzaros for Klal Yisroel,” Rav Yosef wrote, “this areivus, this collective merit of the Bnei Yisroel, will surely bring us added zechuyos, and may we merit a great yeshuah.”

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Rav Kalman Ber echoed this message in a letter, encouraging families to bring their “young lambs” to shul to hear the kriah of Aseres Hadibros together with the tzibbur.

“This,” wrote Rav Ber, “is how we instill in them emunah and embed in their hearts the foundation of Jewish belief. The Aseres Hadibros encompass the essence of the Torah — between man and G-d, and between man and his fellow.”

He added that “in the merit of our emunah in Hashem and His Torah, we will see days of calm and security. We pray for the success of those on the battlefield, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the return of the captives.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett blasts all world media that reported a “huge lie” that Israeli tanks opened fire and killed Palestinians at an aid distribution site in Gaza.

HAMAS LIES EXPOSED: Hamas claimed on Sunday that Israeli forces killed at least 31 Palestinians and wounded 175 others near a U.S.-backed aid distribution site in Rafah, Gaza Strip, alleging the shootings occurred as civilians sought humanitarian aid. However, security footage released by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the site, directly contradicts these claims, showing no gunfire or injuries at the time and location specified by Hamas.

The BBC has discontinued its relationship with Gaza-based freelancer Ahmed Alagha after mounting criticism over his deeply antisemitic and inflammatory social media activity, according to The Telegraph.

Alagha, a freelance contributor to BBC Arabic, came under fire for a string of online posts in which he vilified Jews and celebrated violence against Israelis. Among the most egregious, he wrote that “the Jews, they are the devils of the hypocrites” and praised the terrorist who murdered eight people near a Jerusalem synagogue, calling him a “martyr” who “stole my heart.”

Despite The Telegraph publishing revelations in April and again in May exposing Alagha’s extremist rhetoric, the BBC reportedly continued using him until recently. The posts cited in the reports date back to before the outbreak of the current war with Hamas, indicating a long-standing pattern of hateful commentary.

In response to the backlash, BBC management has now instructed its Arabic service to stop using Alagha in any capacity. The decision comes amid a broader inquiry into BBC Arabic’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, led by chairman Dr. Samir Shah. Shah announced in May that an independent figure would be appointed to assess the outlet’s editorial standards.

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), a media watchdog, has called on the BBC to conduct a thorough evaluation of its Arabic division’s contributor policies to ensure fair and unbiased reporting.

Alagha’s social media posts reveal a disturbing level of vitriol. In one since-deleted message on X, he declared: “The ‘Israelis’ are not human beings… perhaps they belong to a race for which no description can capture the extent of their lust and sadism.” He also referred to Israel as “the entity of filth” and a “swamp of wickedness.”

On October 7 — the day Hamas launched a surprise attack, murdering 1,200 people — Alagha published a post refusing to show sympathy for Israeli victims, writing: “Remove your emotions… no honorable blood is being shed for them… The truth is clear. The truth never dies. #AlAqsa_Flood.” In another post, he prayed for the downfall of Israel, saying: “O God, oppress the Israeli occupation and its supporters. O God, glorify Islam and Muslims.”

Even prior to that day, Alagha trafficked in classic antisemitic tropes. One post he amplified alleged Jews “break covenants,” “killed the prophets,” and “loved money more than God,” invoking centuries-old libels.

{Matzav.com}

In an interview with the Jewish Journal, Syria’s newly appointed president, Al-Julani, addressed the issue of Israel and spoke of a possible shift in regional dynamics.

“The era of endless tit-for-tat bombings must end. No nation prospers when its skies are filled with fear. The reality is, we have common enemies — and we can play a major role in regional security,” he stated, suggesting that continued hostilities serve no one and hinting at an interest in a more stable and cooperative future.

Al-Julani also voiced support for reviving the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, which followed the Yom Kippur War. He emphasized his commitment to the Druze population, saying, “Syria’s Druze are not pawns. They are citizens — deeply rooted, historically loyal, and deserving of every protection under the law. Their safety is non-negotiable.”

Turning to international relations, Al-Julani offered surprising praise for President Trump, stating, “I see him as a man of peace. We’ve both been shot at by the same enemy. Trump understands leverage, strength, and outcomes. Syria needs an honest broker who can reset the conversation. If there is a possibility of alignment that helps bring stability to the region — and security to the U.S. and its allies — I am ready to have that conversation. He is the only man capable of fixing this region, bringing us together, one brick at a time.”

When asked about Syria’s future, he acknowledged the profound challenges that lie ahead but maintained a cautiously optimistic tone. “We have inherited more than ruins,” he said. “We’ve inherited trauma, mistrust, and fatigue. But we have also inherited hope. Fragile, yes — but real.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s recent move to bar a high-ranking Arab diplomatic delegation from entering Ramallah drew harsh criticism from Jordan on Saturday, according to Arab News. The delegation had intended to meet with Palestinian Authority officials but was denied access by Israeli authorities.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry issued a forceful rebuke, characterizing Israel’s decision as a “blatant violation” of its duties as an occupying force. The ministry further accused the Israeli leadership of acting with “arrogance” and of flouting international norms.

The delegation, created as part of a joint Arab-Islamic summit focused on the Gaza conflict, canceled its planned visit after the denial. It included foreign ministers from several key nations in the region: Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

“It reflects the extent of the Israeli government’s arrogance, its disregard for international law, and its continued illegitimate measures and policies that besiege the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership, perpetuate the occupation, and undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace,” Jordan’s foreign ministry declared in its statement.

The visit was meant to advance diplomatic discussions around Palestinian statehood. However, Israeli officials rejected the initiative outright, warning of dangerous consequences.

“Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel. Israel will not cooperate with such moves aimed at harming it and its security,” an Israeli official stated.

The group of diplomats was to be headed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, Israel and Saudi Arabia were actively exploring steps toward normalizing relations. That process was suspended after the attack, halting U.S.-brokered talks between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia is now shifting its focus toward international diplomacy regarding the Palestinian issue. Alongside France, it is set to co-host a major conference next month at the United Nations in New York aimed at reviving the two-state solution.

French President Emmanuel Macron indicated in April that France could move to formally recognize a Palestinian state as early as June.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu strongly condemned the French proposal, telling Macron that “this would constitute a huge prize for terrorism.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Earlier today, Palestinian Arab reports claimed that an Israeli military operation in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah led to the deaths of over 30 individuals and caused many others to be wounded near a location designated for distributing humanitarian aid. These assertions were swiftly picked up by international news outlets and sparked a surge of condemnation toward Israel.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement clarifying their position. “The IDF is currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site. The matter is still under review.”

Later, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation released surveillance footage taken from cameras at the aid center at the time the attack was said to have happened. The footage clearly showed that no strike occurred in that area, directly refuting the initial claims made by Palestinian Arab sources.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Today, Erev Yom Tov, the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen fired a missile toward central Israel, interrupting Shavuos preparations for countless Israeli families. The projectile was successfully intercepted before causing harm.

Warning sirens were activated across multiple regions, including Yerushalayim , Tel Aviv, Gush Etzion, and the Chevron area, following the launch. Magen David Adom confirmed that there were no injuries or reports of shrapnel landing as a result of the incident.

Flights en route to Ben-Gurion Airport experienced delays, including EL AL aircraft arriving from London and Boston, due to the heightened security situation.

This attack marks the 43rd ballistic missile fired at Israel by the Houthis since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a powerful address delivered just days before Zeman Matan Toraseinu, Rav Shneur Kluft, one of northern Israel’s most respected rabbanim and the Av Beis Din of Adas Yisrael in Haifa, sharply criticized the misplaced priorities surrounding Shavuos observance in some segments of the Torah world.

Rav Kluft, who also serves as Rosh Kollel of Daas Yoel and Rosh Yeshiva of Nachlas Naftali in Tzefas, devoted his derashah to what he described as a troubling trend: “People are making the ikkar the tofel, the main thing secondary, and the secondary thing into the main thing.”

Referring to the widespread custom of remaining awake all night on Leil Shavuos, Rav Kluft acknowledged the long-standing nature of the practice, but warned against allowing it to overshadow the core obligations of the day.

“The entire reason for staying up at night,” he explained, “is to prepare ourselves for tefillah, krias haTorah, and Megillas Rus. But if someone is dozing off during krias haTorah—especially when we read the Aseres Hadibros—then they have missed the point entirely.”

Quoting the Ramchal and Pesikta d’Rav Kahana, Rav Kluft emphasized that the most significant spiritual impact of Shavuos comes during the Torah reading itself. “According to halachah, if you won’t be fully alert for what you are obligated to hear, there’s no reason to stay up at night,” he stated.

He went on to lament: “They’re tired from the all-nighter, half asleep, and end up missing the Torah reading and Megillas Rus. They are forfeiting the very essence of the yom tov. The Aseres Hadibros were given on this day—and that’s what we’re here to receive again.”

With pain in his voice, the Rav concluded: “We are taking the essence and treating it as trivial, and taking the trivial and turning it into essence.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel is gearing up to intensify its military campaign in Gaza, with a particular focus on the northern sector, following Hamas’s rejection of the Witkoff-brokered ceasefire framework. Israeli officials viewed the group’s refusal as a clear sign of its unwillingness to seriously engage in negotiations.

Sources suggest that the move toward heightened military pressure comes in response to intelligence indicating that Az al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of Hamas’s Gaza Brigade, currently wields substantial authority within the enclave and is believed to be directing the group’s strategic decisions.

Alongside military operations, Israeli authorities are expected to implement adjustments to the distribution of humanitarian assistance. These changes include reducing the number of food trucks permitted entry and modifying distribution mechanisms. Security experts believe such steps weaken Hamas’s influence by targeting the logistical systems that underpin its control. “Undermines Hamas’s foundations,” one official said regarding the impact of restructured food delivery channels.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, dismissed Hamas’s latest response as wholly unacceptable, asserting that it “only takes us backward.” He maintained that his plan represents “the only path to agree on a 60-day ceasefire during which half of the living hostages and half of the deceased would return to their families, allowing continued good-faith negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.”

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, officials reiterated Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire outline presented by Witkoff, while faulting Hamas for standing in the way. “While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff framework for the release of our hostages, Hamas persists in its refusal. As US Presidential Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has said, Hamas’s response is totally unacceptable and is a step backward. Israel will continue its efforts to return our hostages and defeat Hamas.”

Gal Hirsch, alongside the Hostage and Missing Persons Headquarters, communicated a similar message to families of those captured, confirming the joint U.S.-Israeli rejection of Hamas’s stance. “Dear families, Hamas’s response has reached us and is unacceptable to both the U.S. and Israel. While Israel agreed to the updated Wietkoff framework for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to adhere to its obstinacy. As President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, officially announced this evening—Hamas’s response is unacceptable and sets the situation back. Israel will continue its efforts to return all our hostages and defeat Hamas. We will continue to update you as negotiations with the mediators progress.”

A senior source involved in the diplomatic process disclosed that a thorough examination of Hamas’s reply made it clear that their terms remain vastly incompatible with Israel’s. Hamas’s demands reportedly include a ceasefire lasting as long as seven years, a complete Israeli military withdrawal from areas taken since March, dismantling of the Gaza Assistance Fund’s new aid model, and a reversion to the previous distribution system. “This is not a response—it’s a door slam,” the official remarked.

{Matzav.com Israel}

As tens of thousands prepare to walk to the Kosel this Shavuos, a series of hospitality tents have been erected throughout Yerushalayim to serve the crowds en route to the site.

The initiative, now in its third year, is led by the Ministry for Yerushalayim and Jewish Tradition under the direction of Minister Meir Porush.

The tents are strategically positioned across the city, providing pedestrians with a place to pause and refresh as they make their way to and from the Kosel on the night and day of Shavuos. Every year, multitudes from all neighborhoods of Yerushalayim walk to daven and learn at the makom kadosh, and the tents offer support along the way.

Each hospitality station is stocked with cold and hot drinks, light refreshments, grape juice for Kiddush, popsicles for children, and chairs for resting. Staff will be present to assist visitors.

The project is managed by the Yerushalayim Development Authority and, this year, is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Eyal Chaimovsky z”l, the late CEO of the Authority, who was deeply involved in the city’s growth and development. Large signs at each tent will include berachos for the food and a printed Kiddush text, all in tribute to Eyal Yitzchak ben Moshe Aharon Chaimovsky z”l.

The five tent locations are:

1. Schneller Parking Lot – Rechov Malchei Yisrael

2. Shamgar Funeral Home Parking Lot

3. Chords Bridge

4. Har Chotzvim Intersection

5. IDF Square (Kikar Tzahal)

Minister Porush stated, “It is a tremendous privilege for us to act on behalf of the tens of thousands of mispallelim at the Kosel during Shavuos. …We warmly welcome all those ascending to Yerushalayim for Shavuos and invite them to stop at the hospitality tents for light refreshments and a moment of rest. May we all be zocheh to receive the Torah with joy and see all our heartfelt tefillos answered for the good.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Just days before Shavuos, in the midst of the wheat harvest, a meaningful tradition played out once again: Reb Aharon Yosef Kornitzer, a devoted askan and chossid, personally delivered the first of the year’s gleaming wheat stalks to Gedolei Yisroel. The wheat was freshly harvested for matzos mitzvah to be baked for Pesach 5786 and was presented as a symbolic gift to adorn the Yom Tov tables of gedolei Torah.

Rabbi Kornitzer, affiliated with the Tiv HaMatzos bakery, has long been involved in the preparation of shmurah matzah. He ensures that the initial yield of the harvest is shared with the gedolim, linking the harvest of Shavuos with the preparation for the next Pesach.

This year, once again, these first fruits of the field were laid on the Yom Tov tables of gedolei Torah. Photographer Shuki Lehrer captured the touching moments:

The IDF and Shin Bet announced on Sunday that a senior Hamas commander responsible for the deadliest assault on Israeli forces during the current war in Gaza was killed in a targeted drone strike over the weekend. The commander, Khalil Abed al-Nasser Mohammad Hatib, led a Hamas cell in the terror group’s Maghazi Battalion. He was behind a devastating RPG attack on January 22, 2024, that claimed the lives of 21 Israeli soldiers—the highest single-day death toll for Israeli forces in the ongoing conflict. According to the IDF, Hatib’s cell fired rocket-propelled grenades at two buildings near the Israeli border that had been fortified and prepared for demolition, as well as at a tank providing cover for the troops. The ambush resulted in catastrophic losses for the Israeli unit. Troops from the IDF’s 414th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit identified Hatib on Friday. Following confirmation, a drone strike was called in, successfully eliminating the operative. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Two bridges in Russian regions bordering Ukraine collapsed on Sunday following explosions that Russian officials attribute to Ukrainian sabotage. The attacks, which killed at least seven people and injured 69 others, occurred in the Bryansk region, a strategic area near the Ukrainian border. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian airfields, including one housing strategic bombers. According to Reuters, a road bridge in the Bryansk region collapsed onto railway tracks due to an explosion. Russian authorities reported that the incident killed seven people and injured dozens. Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the defense committee of Russia’s lower house, told the SHOT Telegram channel that the attack was “definitely the work of the Ukrainian special services,” aimed at derailing diplomatic efforts. Ukraine has not officially commented on the incident, though it has claimed responsibility for similar attacks in the past. A second bridge collapse was reported in another Russian region bordering Ukraine, though specific details on its location and impact remain scarce. Russian politicians have pointed to Ukraine as the culprit, framing the incidents as deliberate sabotage. Parallel to the bridge incidents, Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes on Russian airfields, including the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region and the Belaya airfield, destroying strategic bombers. Recent history provides context for such claims. On March 20, Ukrainian forces struck the Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov region, a key facility housing Russia’s Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers. The attack, verified by multiple outlets including Reuters and The New York Times, caused secondary detonations of ammunition and damaged warehouses believed to store missiles like the Kh-101. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the strike, noting it disrupted Russia’s ability to launch attacks on Ukraine. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showed extensive damage to ammunition bunkers, though no major aircraft damage was confirmed. Russian authorities have downplayed the extent of damage from past attacks, with the Defense Ministry claiming to have intercepted 54 Ukrainian drones in the Saratov region during the March 20 strike. However, the declaration of a state of emergency in Saratov after a January 8 attack on a fuel depot serving Engels-2 underscores the significant logistical challenges posed by Ukraine’s deep-strike operations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)