The IDF Spokesman announced that in line with directives from Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, soldiers in the engineering corps working with Israel Police troops destroyed the homes of two terrorists in Jerusalem. The homes of Naif Jaabis and Abu Jamil Jason were razed. Jaabis was involved in the 8 Menachem Av 5774 terror attack that claimed the life of avreich R’ Avrohom Wallis HY”D near Kikar Zvill in Yerushalayim.  Seven others were injured in that attack before Jaabis was shot dead. Jason was responsible for the 18 Marcheshvan 5775 attack along with Abu Jamal Udi Ben-Abed in Kehillas Bnei Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim. In addition the room that was used by Ibrahim Halil Hajazi was sealed with concrete by security forces. He was responsible for the 5 Marcheshvan 5775 attempted assassination of Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a Har Habayis activist. The IDF statement adds that in line with directives from the government, security agencies will not hesitate to use all legal means at their disposal to strike out at terrorists and those who assist them. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Published on isru chag in Israel)  

Laura Warton, who heads the Meretz faction in Jerusalem, called for the firing of the heads of the Ramot area talmid torah that cancelled Sunday’s planned presidential visit on the first day of school in the chareidi sector. The heads of the school informed Jerusalem City Hall that they do not want President Reuven Rivlin to visit as planned following the president’s remarks following the fatal stabbing attack at the Jerusalem toeiva parade. The president’s logistical and security personnel have already visited the school to lay out the details for the visit, which was called off just days before it is to have taken place. In her letter to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Warton writes “We were shocked to hear of the Kehillas Yaakov chareidi school’s refusal to have the president visit at the beginning of the school year”. She criticized the school’s disrespect for the president, expressing anger, especially following the murderous stabbing attack. The letter adds “the school’s refusal to host the president highlights senior officials do not understand the gap that exists between the chareidi community and Israeli society after the era of enlightenment that free society from prejudice and ignorance of many types”. As such, Meretz is calling on the city to immediately fire the school’s principal and launch an investigation to determine just who pressured the school to act as it did. The letter concludes “The state and its laws are under attack from offensive repulsive fanaticism. We must not surrender to those threatening the government and we may not compromise those seeking to undermine our values. We hope that your will act immediately and without compromise. We demand red lines in dealing with extremists in the city, something that has been lacking in recent times. Standing firmly behind the president must be the beginning of new red lines that will signal the beginning of a new policy”. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

President Reuven Rivlin was scheduled to visit the Mishkenos Yaakov Talmid Torah in Yerushalayim on Sunday, Rosh Chodesh Elul. The talmid torah is located in the Ramot neighborhood of the capital. The president was going to make an appearance as is customary for the opening of the new school year for the chareidi tzibur. Last year the president visited a school in a chareidi area of Beit Shemesh. However, the school sent a message to the president via City Hall requesting that he not come and visit another venue, Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reported on Tuesday, 26 Menachem Av. City Halls officials explain that pressure from rabbonim led to the cancelation of the presidential visit. Unnamed officials are quoted explaining that the president’s harsh statements following the stabbing attack perpetrated by Yishai Schlisel at the toeiva parade in the capital led to the rabbonim pushing for the cancelation. Security and logistical personnel assigned to the president have already visited the talmid torah in preparation for the visit. A ‘chareidi source’ in City Hall was quoted by Galei Tzahal reporters Oriyah Elkayam that “President Rivlin is viewed as persona non grata” by the talmid torah. Officials in the President’s Residence expressed sorrow over the cancelation, stating all that remains is the hope that a shiur in ahavas chinam will have many participants. Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat commented “I am sorry over the erroneous decision of the Kehillas Yaakov School. We are blessed with a president with deep Yerushalmi roots, a true friend of the city who works all the time for unity among the people and we are honored to host him in Jerusalem at any place and at any time. The school’s decision is inconsistent with our duty, especially in these days, to educate our children in all sectors about ahavas chinam, to accept one another, tolerance and bringing one another closer”. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

In response to a High Court ruling to raze Kehillas Ayelet HaShachar in Givat Ze’ev, a rally is set for Sunday evening to express opposition to the demolition order. Mispallalim explain that they have already paid out Arabs in the past who claimed the shul was built on their land but the High Court would not hear this, preferring to accept the position of left-wing organizations including ‘Yesh Din’. Mispallalim point out the shul is used by 400 mispallalim. Residents of the community and mispallalim of the shul are calling upon the general public to join the battle to save the shul. The rally on Sunday is set to begin at 19:00. The court on Sunday agreed to hold off with the demolition until 2 Elul after shul officials in an urgent appeal showed papers documenting the shul legitimate ownership of the building. It is also reported on Sunday, hours before the start of the rally, that Shas leader Economy Minister Aryeh Deri and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon reached agreement by which the state will ask the High Court to place the demolition order on hold to permit the sides to reach agreement. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agreed to the move. The agreement calls on mispallalim to vacate the shul within one week and the shul will be sealed for a half year during which time efforts will continue to reach agreement with the Arabs who claim ownership of the land. In the past, efforts to reach agreement with the Arabs failed as they were unwilling to accept any sum, demanding the demolition of the shul. Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita also turned to PM Netanyahu to become personally involved to prevent the demolition. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

A bris took place in Kehillas Bnei Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem in which four people were murdered HY”D. The child was a grandchild of one of the kedoshim, Rav Kalman Ze’ev Levine HY”D, a sign that the life of the Torah community continues despite the heinous actions of terrorists. Many rabbonim from the community were on hand for the special bris of Kalman Levine שייכנס לתורה לחופה ולמעשים טובים. The other kedoshim murdered in the attack were Rav Aryeh Kupinsky HY”D, HaRav Moshe Twersky HY”D and Rav Avraham Goldberg HY”D. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Security authorities on Wednesday morning 14 Tammuz operated in Yerushalayim, sealing off the Jabil Mukhaber home of the terrorist responsible for the massacre in Kehillas Bnei Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim. A policeman was also killed in the attack, which left others wounded, some seriously. The terrorist entered the shul shortly before 7 AM, during shachris, opening fire and swinging a hatchet. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Jerusalem Chief Rabbis HaRav Aryeh Stern Shlita and HaRav Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita released a message regarding the city’s eruv. They rabbonim call on residents to report any breaks in the eruv. The rabbonim have established a hotline number, 02-621-4800, urging residents to report issues with the eruv. The rabbonim also report that restaurants and food establishments that remain open during the storm do have hashgacha as required. The rabbonim cite the kashrus unit is doing everything possible to reach restaurants that are operating in the storm but due to logistical limitations, consumers are urged to maintain a watchful eye. The rabbonim turn to rabbis of shul and kehillas in the city to monitor their congregants and be cognizant regarding which residents require special attention and see to it that they receive the assistance they require. They stress this applies to all residents, not just those attending shul. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein is one of the survivors of the Har Nof shul massacre, the attack which occurred in Kehillas Beis Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim. The photo shows R’ Goldstein returning to the shul for the first time since being released from the hospital following the attack. Four neighborhood residents HY”D were murdered in that attack, along with a Druse policeman who tried to stop the terrorists. Murdered in the attack were Rabbi Moshe Twersky, Rav Aryeh Kupinsky, Rav Kalman Ze’ev Levine, and R’ Avraham Goldberg. The policeman who fell in the line of duty was Advanced Staff Sgt. Major Zidan Sayif. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Har Nof terror victim Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein, who was seriously wounded when terrorists YS”VZ entered Kehillas Beis Torah in Yerushalayim and began swinging meat cleavers and firing a handgun at mispallalim, has been released from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. At one point during his hospitalization, Goldstein spoke with the media, detailing the horrors of that morning. Four neighborhood residents HY”D were murdered in that attack, along with a Druse policeman who tried to stop the terrorists. Rabbi Moshe Twersky, Rav Aryeh Kupinsky, Rav Kalman Ze’ev Levine, and R’ Avraham Goldberg. Efforts continue to raise funds for the almonos and their families. The policeman who fell in the line of duty was Advanced Staff Sgt. Major Zidan Sayif. Photo: Rav Goldstein alongside Hadassah National President Marcie Natan. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Hadassah Spokesperson’s Office)

MK Uri Maklev has turned to Public Security Minister Yitzchak Aharonovich to authorize handgun permits for Ichud (United) Hatzalah volunteers in light of the recent escalation in terror attacks. Maklev reminds the minister that Ichud Hatzalah were first on the scene at the site of the attack at the Kehillas Bnei Torah Shul in Har Nof and the shots were still being fired by terrorists when the EMS personnel rolled onto the scene. Maklev is not asking to set a precedent, but he is simply calling to include Ichud Hatzalah volunteers to the same category as Magen David Adom volunteers and workers, who are permitted to carry weapons due to the nature of their position. Maklev points out that Ichud Hatzalah has some 2,400 nationwide volunteers including 350 in Yerushalayim and their responsibilities and timely response places them in a position that they should be armed in light of today’s new realities. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Two weeks following the massacre in Kehillas Bnei Torah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim, policeman Yitzchak Weizman on Sunday afternoon 8 Kislev arrived at the Bnei Brak home of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita to share the play-by-play details with the gadol hador. He explained how he tried to neutralize the terrorists and bring the attack to an end. Weizman was injured in the attack as he tried rescuing mispallalim from the shul. He explained he heard about the attack on his radio on the other side of the city and headed towards Har Nof as fast as he could. “I fired at one terrorist and killed him. I also fired at and wounded the second terrorist” Weizman told the gadol hador. At the conclusion Rav Kanievsky gave Weizman a bracha for a speedy refuah shleima. Mr. Weizman was escorted during his visit by volunteers of Yad Sarah, who are assisting him in his recuperation. Four Har Nof residents HY”D and a policeman from the Druse community were murdered in the attack HY”D. On motzei Shabbos Rav Kanievsky took part in a kenos hisorarus at the Lederman Shul in Bnei Brak. Other prominent rabbonim and roshei yeshiva shlita were also in attendance and addressed the event including Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

On motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei an atzeres achdus will take place at the Lederman Shul headed by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita. The event is prompted by the mourning felt in the chareidi community following the barbaric attack in the Har Nof shul, Kehillas Bnei Torah. Hence the gadol hador will appear at the atzeres achdus to give a chizuk to the tzibur. The Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita is also expected to take part along with other prominent rabbonim and roshei yeshiva shlita. Organizers believe thousands of Bnei Brak residents will attend. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

More residents of the Jerusalem Har Nof neighborhood are joining the Shomrim organization in their neighborhood following the terrorist massacre of mispallalim and a policeman in the Kehillas Bnei Torah Beis Medrash on Agassi Street. Messages are being sent to young males in the community via WhatsApp groups, calling on them to join the ranks of the Shomrim. A special kenos was announced for Tuesday 3 Kislev, but it was postponed as a kenos hisorarus is going to take place in the shul, the site of the massacre, on Tuesday night. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

A kenos marking the end of shiva for the Har Nof Kedoshim HY”D is scheduled for Tuesday, 3 Kislev at the site of the massacre, Kehillas Bnei Torah, 5 Agassi Street in the Har Nof area of the capital. According to the ad in Yated, the kenos, which will follow maariv which begins at 20:00. Gedolei Yisrael Shlita will be attending including Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The following update on terror attack victims is from Sunday Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5775. Regarding the wounded from the Har Nof Kehillas Bnei Torah terror attack, the spokesman’s office of Shaare Zedek Medical Center reports that two victims remain in serious condition in intensive care units while a victim from another attack remains in light-to-moderate condition. The spokesman at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital reports four victims of the Har Nof attack remain hospitalized; with two listed in serious/stable condition in intensive care units. A third victim remains in intensive care in moderate condition and has regained consciousness. The fourth victim is a Har Nof paramedic who is in light condition with a fractured leg. Some of the names of Har Nof victims for tefilos are: Chaim Yechiel ben Malka Shmuel Yerucham ben Baila Eitan ben Sarah Yitzchak ben Chaya One of the soldiers injured in the vehicular terror attack at Gush Etzion Junction has taken a turn for the worse. The family calls on the tzibur to be mispallel for him – Moshe Yonatan ben Yikara bsoch cholei yisrael. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Speaking to Mordechai Lavi of Kol Berama Radio on Thursday 27 Marcheshvan, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Yosef Shlita spoke about the current worrisome security situation in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem. We begin with the rav’s conclusion, that anyone with a licensed weapon must carry it on Shabbos during this worrisome period of increased attacks and Arab violence. A person should not carry a mobile phone and it makes no difference if the phone is on or off. However, phones should be left on and left in strategic places in shuls in the event of an emergency chas v’sholom. Kol Berama: Following of the Har Nof attack may one carry a cellular telephone in one’s pocket or is one attack not sufficient to compel halacha to permit this on Shabbos? Rav Yosef: We must first check if the incident that we are discussing is similar to a case in halacha. We know that pikuach nefesh or safek pikuach nefesh take priority over Shabbos. Hence we must decide that if my actions will provide a 1 in 100 chance of saving a life should such an occurrence repeat itself. We do not argue that people are afraid as we can see they walk on the street looking from side to side. However, is this sufficient to transgress Shabbos? We can say that anyone with a licensed weapon must carry it on Shabbos. If there was a definite situation of pikuach nefesh there would be no doubt and this is now safek pikuach nefesh and this compels carrying one’s weapon too. There is no doubt that is one of the mispallalim in that shul on that day had a gun, it is entirely possible the tragedy would have been averted to some degree. We had a meeting of the Har Nof Council including rabbonim and they discussed the possibility of some residents taking courses and getting a gun license. I think this too is important and not only isn’t there a problem with this, it is important. For modesty reasons I think at present this should be limited to men. The neighborhood has been plagued with home robberies on Friday night when people are not home but that is far less dangerous than an assailant entering a home that is occupied. In burglary cases in which the perpetrator was apprehended, most were Arabs. Now think of a case that Arabs walk into a home on Shabbos what can occur. That is why Har Nof as the Hashomer organization and a Druse driver is constantly patrolling and that has reduced the break-ins by 90% and I think this must be replicated in other neighborhoods too. Kol Berama: What about protecting girl’s schools? Rabbi Yosef: They must have armed guards too and this is our right and we must demand this. The same for kindergartens. Regarding a cellular phone, if a shul as an accessible phone that is fine. If not, perhaps a gabbai can make sure there is a phone or two that remain accessible for any event, which we hope will not occur. I fear that if we begin permitting phones, tomorrow people will start driving their cars for a security patrol. We must be careful with what is and is not permitted. Hence I feel that one does not have to carry a

The Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita has recommended to his chassidim to stop employing Arabs for the time being but emphasized his words are just advice, his conclusion based on contemplating today’s situation. He added his words are not to not compel chassidim as he is just advising. The rebbe made his announcement while in Modi’in Illit. Those present state the rebbe’s tone was pained over the horrific events of this week, particularly the barbaric massacre in Kehillas Bnei Torah in Har Nof, Yerushalayim. “Our hearts ache and are pained over those taken Al Kiddush Hashem in the holy city of Yerushalayim by vile murderers from the Islamic race” stated the Rebbe. The rebbe spoke about how one of the murderers was employed in a nearby grocery store and “one should be wary of employing a member of the Yishmael community during the current climate” the rebbe added. The rebbe called on chassidim to do a cheshbon nefesh, to be mechazeik their limud and absolutely not to enter into any ‘sichos chullin’ in the beis medrash. Earlier in the week, the Karlin-Stolin Rebbe Shlita ordered the Arabs thrown out of the chassidus’ mosdos, explaining that their presence today represents sakonos nefoshos and this is not permitted. In 2008, YWN published an article following the Merkaz HaRav massacre, where Hagon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky said people should stop hiring Arab workers. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The following was sent by a YWN reader. We heard the ambulances. We heard there was a terrorist attack. Then we heard it was at our shul down the road. We got a phone call from Chaya Levine asking my husband to please look at the shul next door to see if Rav Kalman was there. My husband had dovened neitz with him just a short time ago. Rav Kalman gave him a hearty “yashar koach” for his duchening, and went back to learn. My husband came home to get Binyomin Dovid ready for the school bus. You see Tuesday morning is Abba day- Binyomin Dovid looks forward to Tuesday morning all week-. maybe because Abba puts ketchup on the cheese sandwich- or puts more pretzels in the bag than Ima does, or more salt on the salad. Or maybe because he so loves his Abba and their special morning together. And because Tuesday is their special day, my husband dovens at the neitz minyon next to our house,  instead of his regular minyon in Kehillas Bnei Torah. My husband might have gone to his regular minyon anyway. Since he was often the only Kohen, on Tuesdays he would pop in for chazaras hashatz  just to duchen for them. The carnage occurred during chazaras HaShatz. But Hashem had other plans for my husband. A few months ago a member of the shul, a Kohen, became an avel-a mourner- and he asked my husband if he could be the regular ba’al tefila. This Tuesday my husband did not go back to duchen, because he knew there would be a Kohen in his minyon. So after neitz at HaGra, he came home from shul. But Kalman- where was Kalman? My husband went back to HaGra to look for him. But he had left. Kalman had gone to Rav Rubin’s shul to ask the Rav a question. And Kalman did not come home. We heard names- we heard rumors- we didn’t want to believe they were true. Rav Moshe Twersky- the kind talmid chacham who always made time for those who came to him for guidance and halachic advice, and then taught and learned until late at night. He was the one to whom my husband would turn with questions that came up in the minyon. It was Rav Moshe who said at his son’s aufruf that this minyon was like mishpacha. We had lost a family member. R’ Aryeh Kupinski.  R’Aryeh? No- not R’ Aryeh? Haven’t they suffered enough? When his daughter Chaya died suddenly in her sleep he was mekabel the din with pure deep faith- and went on to be mechazek others.  R’ Aryeh- always running to help others; always a smile on his face- despite constant challenges. R’  Aryeh was the one who yelled “you run, I’ll fight”  using a chair against a gun and a hatchet to buy time so that others could flee. The ultimate chesed. The names to doven. Shmuel Yerucham ben Baila. Chaim Yechiel ben Malka. Eitan ben Sarah. Yitzchak ben Chaya. All still in need of tremendous Rachmei Shamayim. Please continue to storm the gates of rachamim on their behalf. Avraham Shmuel ben Sheina. Then the rumors turned to agonizing truth- Avraham Shmuel ben Aharon hy”d.  Mr Goldberg. That nice warm smiley gentleman who loved Torah

[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] ABC News on Wednesday visited Kehillas Bnei Torah, located at 5 Agassi Street in Har Nof, where on Tuesday morning two terrorists killed 5 people in cold blood. 4 Kedoshim were murdered while they were Davening Shacharis, and one hero Israeli [Druze] police officer – one of the Chasidei Umos HaOlam – as he tried to kill the terrorists. The Shul, led by its mora d’asra HaRav Yitzchak Mordechai Rubin Shlita, the mechaber of the sefer Orchos Shabbos, was back in business, as people were back at their Gemaras, and the sound of Torah being learned filled the room. ABC also interviewed one of the members of the Shul, who describes the scene of the attack. (Chaim Shapiro – YWN)

Ravaad Eida Chareidis HaGaon HaRav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita announced his shul in Har Nof will be having Yom Kippur Koton davening on Thursday, 27 Marcheshvan, at 15:30, in light of the massacre in Kehillas Bnei Torah earlier this week R”L. Yom Kippur Koton will also be held at 13:00 in Kehillas Bnei Torah, the site of the massacre as per the announcement of the mora d’asra shlita, Rabbi Yitzchok Mordechai HaKohen Rubin. There is also going to be a special Yom Kippur Koton at the Kosel at 15:30, arranged by Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita in light of the massacre. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] As certain elements would be pleased to see the ongoing increase in violence and attacks in Yerushalayim turn into a religious war, others are acting to prevent this very occurrence. Religious leaders from different faiths gathered on Wednesday morning 26 Marcheshvan outside Kehillas Bnei Torah at 5 Agassi Street in the Har Nof community of Yerushalayim. This venue, a bastion of limud Torah and avodas Hashem on Tuesday became the site of the latest radical Islamic terror attack, the massacre of mispallalim while they were in tallis and tefilin davening shachris. Rabbani taking part in the event were Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, Chief Rabbi Dovid Yosef Shlita, Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita, Jerusalem Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar Shlita, the Bostoner Rebbe of Yerushalayim Shlita, and Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein of Tzohar Rabbonim and a mora d’asra in Har Nof. There were also clerics from other faiths, all uniting in a call for calm in the hope of deescalating the current situation. The letter was released by the Bostoner Rebbe of Yerushalayim to the tzibur at large (in English) sharing some words of Torah and reflection following the attack R”L. FULL TEXT OF LETTER: After attending a gathering of leaders of different faiths around Israel, who came to Har Nof, to the very place where the holy souls were murdered praying to Hashem, My prayer and hope is that the message go forth from Har Nof and Yerushalayim that all of us living in the Holy Land of Israel are doing so in a civil and democratic fashion that cannot be found anywhere else in the Middle East. Hopefully this message will help calm the tension not only in Eretz Yisroel but throughout the civilized world. The ‘day after’ in Har Nof, we are all in mourning. There is no one in Klal Yisroel – young or old – who does not feel the pain of the widows, orphans, and fellow family members of the Kidoshey Elyon who were murdered in cold blood Al Kiddush Hashem. May they – and we – be consoled among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim. All who we able, gathered to mourn the fallen Kedoshim, the pure Neshomos whose very life was Torah, Tefillah, and Ma’asim Tovim. Thousands upon thousands attended the funerals, or simply listened to the Hespaydim, or cried together as one nation, and as friends of the bereaved families. Everyone wonders: What can we do to prevent – Chas V’Shalom – this from happening in the future? Only Hashem knows how to intercede in Shomayim for our future, our children’s future, and the Jewish people’s future. May we see this peaceful prophetic future soon. B”H we live in a generation where our children study in Yeshivas and Seminaries that we choose for them. We have more than enough of the basics needed to keep Kosher and observe Shabbos. It always inspires me how fellow Jews participate in all the many good causes that are needed by any community – all without expecting anything in return. But there is still more that we can do to increase our love and interaction with our fellow Jew. How many of us know or say hello to our immediate neighbors? How many fail to answer in reply?

While the tzibur has returned to 5 Agassi Street in Har Nof, Kehillas Bnei Torah, things may never return to what they were prior to the slaughter R”L. Some of the signs of the barbaric massacre remain as mispallalim gathered for minyan Wednesday morning 26 Marcheshvan, the morning after. When the tzibur heard that Israel Police Master Sergeant Zidan Nahad Seif died of his massive wounds sustained trying to stop the attack, the decision was made to charter buses and enlist members of the community to make sure there is a respectable turnout representing the chareidi tzibur, wishing to show their hakoras hatov for the 30-year-old policeman who gave his life to save others. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

The media analysts are abuzz and the experts are making appearances on the evening news offering their unsolicited advice as how to halt what many believe is the Third Intifada. Following the heinous barbaric attack in Kehillas Bnei Torah of Har Nof on Tuesday morning 25 Marcheshvan everyone is asking the same question – what do we do to halt the Islamic violence and attacks? A visit to the Kosel or a ride on the Jerusalem light rail may result in hospitalization or worse chas v’sholom. The police appear paralyzed and Israel Police Chief warns citizens that anyone taking the law into their own hands will be punished to the fullest extent of the law, not exactly what a city that is bleeding wished to hear during his visit to Har Nof following the latest Islamic terror attack. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu leads the calls to raze the homes of the terrorists responsible for the slaughter, both residents of the Jabil Mukhaber neighborhood of the capital. Netanyahu made the announcement late Tuesday afternoon after high-level security consultations The terrorists YS”VZ were cousins and live in the same community. A brother of one of them, another career terrorist, is serving a life sentence. One of them was released by the current administration in yet another Israeli ‘good-will’ gesture to the PA (Palestinian Authority). It appears Israel has used up its good will and the terrorists released some 18 months ago are back, hard at work murdering Jews. Police announce in the coming days there will be more checkpoints and less freedom of movement for residents of eastern Yerushalayim, which is their code word for “Arabs”, which they shutter to say. It would appear that after a number of fatal vehicular car attacks in the capital and other fatal acts of terrorism involving Arabs from Jerusalem, something is being done. Fearing chas v’sholom Islamic terrorists realize just how easy it is to carry out an attack, there will be increased security in Jerusalem schools with a focus on kindergartens. It remains unclear how long this will continue. Israel Police nationwide have moved to level 3 status, one level below a state of emergency. Israel Police is also going to work to give a boost to Mishmar Ezrachi (auxiliary police) units in various neighborhoods. Regarding Har Nof, community leaders have been calling to boost their Mishmar Ezrachi patrol for a long time but those calls were unheeded. Citizens and visitors alike are afraid, some thinking twice about taking the light rail while other think walking to and from the Kosel in the dark may be a life-threatening endeavor. Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich was on the scene of the latest Islamic act of terror and promised citizens that police would restore law and order. Unfortunately, the citizens of Yerushalayim are less than optimistic based on the minister’s track record since the summer. Aharonovich also instructed police to beef up security for shuls in the capital. This may prove difficult as potential terrorists are everywhere, from the shuk to hospitals and private stores. One of Har Nof terrorists worked in a grocery store down the block from the attack, and therefore no one was suspicious seeing him. Actually, hundreds of potential terrorists are on the streets of Har Nof every weekday morning as

HaRav Moshe Twersky HY”D : HaRav Moshe Twersky HY”D, 60, was a steady participant in the minyan for the past seven years or so. He was Rosh Kollel Yeshivas Toras Moshe. The levaya will begin at 14:00 from Yeshivas Beis HaTalmud to Har Menuchos. He was a grandson of Rav Yoshe Ber Solovechik ZT”L and a son-in-law of Rav Abba Berman ZT”L. The rabbi was a US citizen. He is survived by Rebbetzin Bashy, who is a prominent teacher in Hadar seminary, and their five children – three sons and two daughters – aged 23-33, and ten grandchildren. Rav Aryeh Kupinsky HY”D: Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky HY”D, 43, was a US citizen too. He was a regular at the minyan where the attack occurred. The family has known tragedy as Rav Aryeh’s 13-year-old daughter, Chaya Chana was niftar 3 years ago in her sleep. Rav Aryeh was known as a man of chessed and ran a gemach. He was known to never refuse anyone seeking assistance in any form, always seeking ways to assist others. His oldest son learns in Yeshiva Gaon Yaakov in Bnei Brak, headed by Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita. He is survived by his wife and five children, ages 5-16. Rav Kalman Ze’ev Levine HY”D: Rabbi Kalman Ze’ev Levine HY”D, 55, was born in the United States. After getting married he devoted his time to kollel in Har Nof. Relatives describe him as one who was always happy and upbeat. He was makpid to be mesamayach chosson and kallah when he attended weddings. His family was dear to his heart and he made a point of participating in all family events. Rav Kalman attended the Lev Avraham Kollel in Meah Shearim and the evening kollel in the shul, Kehillas Bnei Torah. He was known stop learning at 10:27 to have several minutes to prepare for maariv to enable himself to daven as he felt one must with proper Kavanah… He is survived by 9 children, some still unmarried Hashem Yirachem…. and 5 grandchildren. R’ Avraham Goldberg HY”D: Rabbi Avraham Goldberg HY”D, 68, was born in Britain. He made aliyah in 1991. He usually was makpid to daven neitz and he was among those in the shul when the attack occurred. He was an educational advisor in the chareidi community. Friends explain he was committed to the time he dedicated to limud, and always exerted himself to advance in his comprehension of his limud. He is survived by his wife and six children. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC / YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Following the massacre of mispallalim in Kehillas Bnei Torah in Har Nof on Tuesday morning 25 Marcheshvan, the Karlin-Stolin Rebbe Shlita has instructed his gabbaim to get the Arabs out of the chassidus’ mosdos; including schools, shuls and batei medrash. The rebbe explains that doing so today is tantamount to sakonos nefoshos. The rebbe is aware that there are Arabs employed in many areas of the mosdos but explains that none of this can justify placing the tzibur in a life-threatening situation. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

14:03: Israel Police nationwide move to level 3 alert, one below its highest level. The names of the three other Kedoshim HY”D: The levayas of the three kedoshim will begin in front of Kehillas Bnei Torah, the site of the attack, at 3PM and proceed to Har Menuchos. 1. Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg 2. Rabbi Kalman Ze’ev Levine 3. Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky The levaya of the fourth victim, Rabbi Moshe Twersky will take place at 2PM at Yeshiva Beis HaTalmud and then to Har Menuchos. 13:33: Eight attack victims remain hospitalized in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Three of the victims in Hadassah are listed in serious condition. 13:30: The levayas of three of the kedoshim will begin in front of the site of the attack, Kehillas Bnei Torah, 5 Agassi Street in Har Nof. The three levayas will proceed from the shul to Har Menuchos for kvura. The levayas will get underway at 3PM. 13:25: The condition of the policeman who was gravely injured in his head by gunfire has reportedly improved slightly, now showing “a measure of stability”. He is in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. 13:00: Israel Police Chief Yochanan Danino orders the cancelation of all vacations of members of the force. HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita: 12:55: Rabbi Shalom Cohen Shlita, head of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael explains that the bitul Torah and complacency are contributory causes to such horrific acts calling on the tzibur to add additional limud Torah and tefilos to their daily schedules. 12:52: Arab violence and attacks against security forces in clashes taking place in the Ramallah area, Jabil Mukhaber (Jerusalem) and Adam Junction in the southern Shomron. 12:48: Names of victims for tefilos bsoch cholei Am Yisrael: חיים יחיאל בן מלכה איתן בן שרה שמואל ירוחם בן ביילה אברהם שמואל בן שיינה אריה בן ברכה Rav of the Kosel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita: 12:41: I call on Muslim leaders to work to halt the bloodshed and incitement, especially amid the realization they too are aware there is no reason for the last wave of incitement. 12:37: Police surveillance balloon operating over the Shuafat area of the capital. Former Jerusalem Police Chief Aryeh Amit 12:15: Every citizen who has a gun should carry it. The way the government has been handling the escalation in attacks is not satisfactory and one cannot be surprised that attacks continue for the matter is not being handled as it should be. The policy making it close to impossible to get a legal handgun today is nothing more than hysteria and it does nothing to better the situation. There is an enormous amount of illegal handguns in the Arab and criminal sectors but my son who is a paratrooper cannot get a gun permit. We live in the Mideast here, not Hawaii and citizens should be able to get a weapon. Those who have one must carry it everywhere. 12:05: Terrorists waited at the scene for a period of time until there were about 20-25 mispallalim in the shul. The shot and swung their hatchets for about seven minutes before they were neutralized by police. Statement from US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro via Facebook: 12:03: Today’s vicious terrorist attack at Kehilat Yaakov synagogue in Har Nof in Jerusalem represents a barbaric new low

On Thursday night the eve of 24 Iyar, there will be Hespeidim for HaGaon Harav Zundel Kroizer ZT”L. The event is being held in Batei Broida, Kehillas Beis Yaakov, following Maariv. Maariv begins at 20:05. The shul’s address is 11 HaNatziv Street. Expected to attend are the Mora D’asra HaGaon HaRav Moshe Fisher Shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Auerbach Shlita, the niftar’s talmid HaRav HaTzaddik Nachum Cohen Shlita, HaRav HaGaon Mosher Braverman, and a grandson HaRav HaGaon Tzvi Sirota. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] As part of its effort to serve the community, the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC) distributed almost 2000 cases of grape juice as part of its Pesach distribution. The grape juice, obtained through the efforts of the Met Council on Jewish Poverty, was in addition to the close to $100,000 in food vouchers that had been previously distributed. “During these difficult times when so many people in our community are still struggling financially, Pesach becomes an even extra burden and so the JCC was glad to be of some assistance,” said Isaac Stern BPJCC president. The Grape Juice was allocated through the various kehillas and shuls for their membership. Joining JCC in assisting were a host of elected officials including Public Advocate Letitia James, Brooklyn Boro President Eric Adams, Assemblymembers Dov Hikind and Felix Ortiz, and Councilmembers David Greenfield, Brad Lander, Mathieu Eugene and Carlos Menchaca. BPJCC, an affiliate of Met Council, was founded to serve Boro Park and surrounding areas with all their social service needs, including Medicaid and Health Insurance enrollment, food stamp enrollment, employment services, crisis assistance and services to seniors and holocaust survivors. (YWN Desk – NYC)    

[Halachically Speaking appears on YWN weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays]  Written by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits of KOF-K Kosher Supervision   The Gemorah[1] says since our shuls (bais hakenesses) and batei midrashim are called mikdashei me’at[2] one has to treat them with proper respect.[3] Hashem gave us these mikdashei me’at, and if we treat them properly the shuls will merit going to Eretz Yisroel.[4] TheGemorah in Berochos[5] says Hashem can always be found in shuls and batei midrashim. Therefore, not treating a shul with the proper respect is denying the existence of the Shechinah.[6] The Gemorah[7] says our tefillos are more likely to be accepted when said in a shul.[8] Whoever comes to shul (or bais medrash) in this world will merit coming to them in the world to come.[9] People who enter shuls and batei midrashim full of sins can leave them full of mitzvos.[10] The Yalkut[11] says davening in a shul is like davening in the Bais Hamikdosh. One should treat a shul with the utmost respect and with great awe, since it is a place where we connect with Hashem.   The poskim are in dispute whether the mitzvah to honor the shul and bais medrash is a mitzvah d’rabanan or a d’oraisa.[12]       Shul or Bais Medrash A building which was originally designated as a place for adults to learn with a chavrusa on a steady basis (i.e. at least an hour or two a day) is classified as a bais medrash,[13] which has greater kedusha.[14]   Talmid Chachum Except as noted below, all the dinim discussed in this issue also applies to a talmid chachum who may consider a bais medrash his home since he spends most of the day there.[15]   Treating a Shul Properly When leaving a shul one should walk with his back to the door to avoid turning his back to the sifrei Torah in the aaron kodesh.[16] If the exit is on the side of the shul then turning ones back when leaving is permitted.[17] Accordingly, if there is no sefer Torah in theaaron kodesh it is permitted to turn ones back to it when leaving.[18]   There is a mitzvah to run to shul.[19] However, in the shul itself one should walk in a manner which demonstrates fear and awe of Hashem.[20] Therefore, children should not be allowed to run in a shul. One who is running in shul in order to hear a kaddish is allowed to do so.[21]   Many poskim say that one should not raise his voice in a shul.[22] However, one who is learning may raise his voice since doing so is needed for the learning.[23]   One should not spit in a shul,[24] especially if one does not spit in his house.[25] It goes without saying that one should not spit in front of other people because doing so disgusts them.[26]   One should not throw garbage[27] such as candy wrappers or tissues on the floor of a shul. [28] There is an uncertainty if one has to pick up garbage that he sees on the floor of the shul.[29] It would seem that the right thing to do is to pick up the garbage from theshul’s floor.[30] One should keep the garbage cans outside of the shul.[31]   There is a discussion in the poskim if one who cuts or bites his nails in shul may throw them onto the floor.[32] L’maseh, doing so is permitted since it is a small thing which is not a disgrace to the shul.[33]   Touring a Shul One is not allowed to take a walk in shul without a specific purpose.[34] Many people tour old shuls to see the beauty of them. There is uncertainty in some poskim if this is permitted.[35] The minhag seems to be that doing so is permitted, since it is an honor for theshul that people come to see its beauty.[36]   Entering a Shul for personal reasons The Gemorah in Megillah[37] says one who goes into a shul (or a bais medrash) to call his friend should read a halacha, Mishnah[38] or posuk before calling his friend.[39]  One who is not a learned person should either tell a child to read a posuk for him or should sit down for

While there is achdus in the chareidi community around the reelection bid of Beit Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbul, the Kehillas HaChasidus list (Koach – כח) of Shlomei Emunim, Meir Porush, is not getting the backing it hoped to receive. On erev Shabbos Parshas Vayikrah 5774 Hamodia includes a letter of support for the Agudas Yisrael list. The letter is signed by the senior Admorim Shlita who make up the Agudas Yisrael Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael; Gur, Belze, Vishnitz. Biala, Moditz and Boyan. The rabbonim write on 9 Adar II there will be reelections in Beit Shemesh and the success of the city depends on the chareidim, upon whom we call to vote for “Agudas Yisrael – Gimmel” and for Rav Moshe Abutbul for mayor”. “כאשר ביום ג’ הבא – ט’ אדר ב’ תשע”ד, יתקיימו בחירות חוזרות בעיר בית שמש, וההצלחה בעיר זו הינה הצלחתה של היהדות החרדית כולה, על כן אנו מבקשים בזאת מכל אחד ואחד שביום הנ”ל ילכו להצביע ולבחור בעד רשימת “אגודת ישראל” – אות ג’ למועצת העיר, ובעד הרב משה אבוטבול הי”ו לראשות העיר”. The tzibur is also asked to work to bring additional people towards making sure all eligible voters get out and vote as instructed. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)