Search Results for “mispallel” – Page 4

WATCH: HUGE NEIS: Terrorist’s Gun Jams After Shooting From Point-Blank Range

April 18, 2023 1:30 pm 3 Comments

The moments of the terror attack on Tuesday morning which injured two Brelover chassidim can be seen in footage from security cameras. The terrorist walked up to the car, stopped at the light, and shot at the car from point-blank range. In a huge neis, the terrorist’s gun apparently jammed, preventing him from continuing to fire. The victims of the attacks were regular mispallelim at Kever Shimon HaTzaddik. One of them is a well-known figure at the tzion who has been delivering a shiur in Kabbalah at the tzion for the past 20 years. In another neis, seconds before the attack, the chavrusah of the victim passed by the site riding a bike. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In An Arab Village: Cholent From Beitar In The Middle Of The Night

April 17, 2023 8:30 pm 2 Comments

Thousands of mispallelim visited the kevarim of Yehoshua Bin Nun and Kalev ben Yefunah in the village of Kifl Charis in the Shomron overnight Sunday for the yahrtzeit of Yehoshua bin Nun on Chav Vav Nissan. The entry to the kevarim took place under the direction of the Shomron Regional Council and the directorate of Kever Yosef and the Mekomos HaKedoshim of the Council and was secured by the IDF and security forces. Pots of cholent were brought to the village from the city of Beitar and distributed to the mispallelim. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

FLATBUSH: Levaya of Rebbitzen Sarah Zakheim A”H

March 28, 2023 2:30 pm 1 Comment

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Rebbitzen Sarah Zakheim A”H. She was 105. Rebbitzen Zakheim was the wife of HaRav Yaakov Zakheim Zt”l, a longtime Rov in Flatbush. Rebbitzen Zakheim was born in Palestine, and at a young age immigrated to the United States. As a girl, she was a secretary in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. When she left her position, it was said that they had to hire three people to replace her. She married in the late 1940’s and moved to Trenton, NJ, where they became Rav and Rebbitzen. Before the birth of her first child, she realized that Trenton was not the place to raise a family, so HaRav Yaakov got a new job as a Rav in East Flatbush at Beth Medresh HaGadol of East Flatbush. They remained there there until 1976 when the community changed. They moved their shul to Bedford Avenue and Avenue J in Flatbush, where she gave her heart and soul to the shul and to its Mispallelim. She did everything and anything to make the Shul run smoothly. Nothing was below her dignity, and she treated everyone in the Shul like her family. Even after the Petira of her husband 14 years ago, and even in her advanced age, she still ran the Shul. She was known to all as an “old time Rebbitzen” who had a certain regal demeanor about her. Her children are Moshe Zakheim, Rachelle Klein, Devora Hamada, and her son who was Niftar 10 years ago Shlomo Zakheim Z”L. her sister is Mrs. Malka Rennert. The Levaya will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:00pm at the Shul at 3120 Bedford Avenue and Avenue J. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

TRAGEDY IN LOS ANGELES: Petira of Dr Julian Mirman Z”L, Struck By Vehicle On Friday Night

March 13, 2023 4:53 pm No Comments

YWN regrets to inform you of the tragic Petira of Dr Dr Julian (Yehuda) Mirman Z”L, a well-known doctor in Los Angeles. He was approximately 63 years old. As YWN had reported, Dr Mirman and another doctor were walking home frum Shul on Friday night, when they were both struck by a vehicle outside Rabbi Rubin’s Shul on 3rd and Citrus. One victim suffered minor injuries, but Doctor Mirman suffered critical injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in grave condition until his Petira on Monday. The Niftar lived on Citrus, and was a Mispallel in Rabbi Bess’ Shul and occasionally near his home by Rabbi Rubin’s Shul. He leaves behind a wife and four married children. Levaya details will be published when they become available to us. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes…

TEHLLIM: Lakewood Mashgiach HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon Flown By Medevac To Hospital

January 20, 2023 1:28 pm 1 Comment

Harav Mattisyahu Salomon shlit”a, the longtime mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, was airlifted to a hospital in Pennsylvania, Friday afternoon. Over the past few days, the Mashgiach suffered numerous medical incidents, including seizures and aspirating. Hatzolah transported him to the hospital earlier in the week and he was released the following day. Hatzolah was back at his home on Wednesday after he suffered a seizure. On Friday he again suffered seizures, and a decision was made to airlift him to an appropriate medical facility for treatment and testing. Rav Mattisyahu shlit”a has been the mashgiach of BMG since 1998, when he succeeded Harav Nosson Wachtfogel zt”l. Prior to that, he served as mashgiach in Gateshead Yeshiva for three decades. The tzibur is requested to be Mispallel for Matisyahu Chaim ben Etel bsoch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

TEHILLIM: BMG Mashgiach HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon Shlit”a Hospitalized

January 16, 2023 6:00 am 3 Comments

Harav Mattisyahu Salomon shlit”a, the longtime mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, was hospitalized on Sunday night after suffering a medical incident at his home. As reported by Lakewood Alerts, Hatzolah was called to the famed mashgiach’s home on Sunday night, with paramedics transporting him to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood. Rav Mattisyahu shlit”a has been the mashgiach of BMG since 1998, when he succeeded Harav Nosson Wachtfogel zt”l. Prior to that, he served as mashgiach in Gateshead Yeshiva for three decades. The tzibur is requested to be Mispallel for Matisyahu Chaim ben Etel bsoch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Is Your Loved One Buried in Eretz Yisrael? This Is He Next Best Thing To Being There.

December 5, 2022 10:00 am No Comments

Chany sighed as she hung up the phone. She was trying to get through to her second cousin Shmuly unsuccessfully for the past few days. Shmuly lived in Yerushalayim, and she wanted him to assemble a minyan for her father’s yahrzeit that was coming up next week. She herself was unable to travel there this year, but she couldn’t bear to think of not having a minyan at the kever on the yahrzeit. Perhaps she would try calling him again later… Moshe sat in the hospital, numb with pain and grief. His dear mother had just passed away, and while the funeral and burial arrangements were already set he couldn’t move off his chair. His siblings were all flying to Eretz Yisroel for the kevura, but he was staying behind with his elderly father who couldn’t travel. If only there was a way for him to see the levaya, but he couldn’t ask this of anyone going. They were all grief stricken and definitely not tech savvy. His shoulders felt heavy as he sat in the cold hospital room, his head spinning. Shoshie’s daughter was sick, very sick. Family members were saying tehillim for her around the clock, and every word was appreciated. She herself sat over her tear stained tehillim, praying for her dear daughter’s refuah. An image of her dear grandmother suddenly came to mind, and Shoshie sighed, wishing she could visit her kever to beseech her to storm the heavens on behalf of her granddaughter, who was also her namesake. If only the kever would be more accessible, Shoshie thought to herself. Her grandmother was buried on Har Hamenuchos, and it had been years since Shoshie had been there. The shul is quiet. It is time for yizkor, and those fortunate enough leave the shul as those who stay remain lost in their thoughts. As each mispallel holds their own machzor and memories, they think of all their parents have done for them. And in the moment, they wonder if there is anything they can do in return to honor their memory. These scenarios are heartbreaking, but they occur in a similar form every single day. A dream of many members of Klal Yisroel is to be buried in Eretz Yisroel, the land of our forefathers. And yet, when the time comes, family members who want to honor their loved ones’ wishes have no idea where to turn. Who will take care of the matzeivah? Who will upkeep the area and ensure that it is groomed and cared for? Who will make sure there is a minyan there every year on the yahrzeit? B’tzror Hachaim is the answer to all these questions. Based in the USA and Israel, with decades of experience, B’tzror Hachaim takes care of every detail, from helping with the purchasing of the matzeiva, to yearly minyanim on the yahrzeit. They even will go on request for special needs, such as bringing an invitation to an upcoming simcha. For thousands of families, B’tzror Hachaim makes it feel like they have a family member close by who understands and cares for their needs as if it was their own. The language barrier is one that many find difficult to navigate when burying a loved one in Eretz Yisroel, but there is no such issue with

WATCH: Saved By His Hat: Dancing For Yeshiva Bochur Whose Life Was Spared

November 23, 2022 6:45 pm 15 Comments

A yeshivah bochur’s life was saved by his hat as the shrapnel that he found after the attack penetrated his hat rather than his head. The bochur, a resident of Givat Zeev, attends Yeshivas Pinsk-Karlin. After his life was saved, he davened Shacharis in a shul in Yerushalayim and afterward the mispallelim danced in honor of the neis he experienced. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

MAMA ROCHEL: 70,000 Jews Expected To Visit Kever Rochel For Yahrtzeit

November 4, 2022 8:15 am No Comments

The yahrtzeit of Rochel Emeinu falls out this year on Shabbos, Parshas Lech Lecha, and hundreds of Jews began visiting Kever Rochel on Thursday, with tens of thousands more expected to visit on Friday, Motzei Shabbos, and Sunday. Hundreds of Israel Police and Border Police officers were deployed to the area to ensure order and the safety of mispallelim. No visitors were allowed to visit the complex by foot or private vehicle, with entrance allowed only via organized shuttles from Teddy Stadium that began operating on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and will continue through Sunday evening. Shachar Fireman, the manager of Kever Rochel on behalf of Israel’s National Center for the Development of Holy Sites, told Kol Chai: “Mispallelim should remember that the capacity of the site inside and outside is limited to the number of people determined by the site’s engineer.” The preparations for the yahrzeit began months ago at a meeting between the IDF, Border Police, and Israel Police. The National Center for the Development of Holy Sites is maintaining a special telephone line for the transmission of names which will be mentioned at the kever. The service is provided free of charge by calling 02-6451142. Names can also be transferred through the website of the National Center for the Development of Holy Sites. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l and the Mi Sh’Bairach for President Eisenhower

November 3, 2022 3:16 pm No Comments

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com For a refuah shleima to a R’ Binyomin Zev ben Charna President Eisenhower needed a working vacation and flew to Denver in mid-August of 1955. The plan was to stay there until October. But on Friday, September 23rd, after a round of golf at the Cherry Hills Golf Club in southern Denver, he returned to the home of his shver and went to bed early. It was Shabbos Shuvah, and early Shabbos morning, on September 24th, he had severe chest pains. They called his personal doctor. A heart specialist from Fitzsimons Army Hospital was called to perform an EKG. The doctor’s suspicions were confirmed – the president had suffered a massive heart attack. The next day, Erev Yom Kippur, the nation heard the news, but the severity of the heart attack was downplayed. There was much concern. President Eisenhower had an empowered image as an effective world leader against tyranny. He had won the war against the Nazis, the decision was just made to allow West Germany to rearm and allow them to join NATO, and then there was the Cold War, with Khrushchev about to consolidate his power. There was another issue as well. The United States was the manufacturing power of the world. China had not yet come onto the world manufacturing team. Many in the United States stood to lose a fortune, because if someone else came to power and the manufacturing contracts between American businessmen were to be cancelled, well, that would be bad news. That evening, Sunday, September 25th, there was a gvir who davened every Yomim Norai’m with the Yeshiva in Lakewood’s BMG. The next morning, on Yom Kippur, he asked Rav Aharon zt”l whether he could make a Mi sh’bairach for the President. As it turned out, the market lost 14 billion dollars that day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.5 percent. Rav Aharon responded that he could recite the Mi sh’bairach. After that, the market did recover and there was a bull market until April of 1956. There are various heterim to allow the recitation of a Mi sh’bairach for an aino Yehudi, the limitation being lo sechanaim. We see from Parshas Vayeirah that Avrohom Avinu was mispallel for Avimelech, but that was before Matan Torah. One of the heterim is the TaZ in Yoreh De’ah 151 regarding an akum hamakiro. Another heter is for hakaras hatov. A third heter is l’tzorech. A 4th heter is aivah. In this case, heter 3 and 4 certainly applied. What follows is a brief overview of some of the halachos of reciting a Mi sh’bairach. The Aruch HaShulchan (OC 215:1) writes that if we answer Amain to a Mi sh’bairach for a sick person, we fulfill the Torah Mitzvah of V’ahavta laraiyacha kamocha. The Mi sh’bairach should be recited out loud so that the Rabbim can answer amain and that it will be counted a tefilas Rabbim. The Gemorah in Brachos (7b) states that the meaning of term ais ratzon in the verse, “vaAni, sefilasi, lecha Hashem ais ratzon, is when the tzibbur, the public is davening for someone or something. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo chapter 8, 22:61) explained that the benefit of having a Tzibbur pray for a person is when they hear who they

Segulah Event: Preparations Underway for Historic Tefillah Event on Chazon Ish’s Yahrtzeit

November 2, 2022 11:00 pm No Comments

Gedolei Yisrael shlit”a, talmidim of the Chazon Ish zy”a, and hundreds of tinokos shel beis Rabban will daven for yeshuos for Klal Yisrael at the Chazon Ish’s kever on his yahrtzeit Preparations are underway for the upcoming massive tefillah event that will take place on the Chazon Ish zy”a’s 69th yahrtzeit which falls next week, Wednesday, the 15th of Cheshvan. This year, once again, Gedolei Torah and hundreds of talmidim from Talmud Torah Tashbar, which was originally founded by talmidim of the Chazon Ish in his home, will unite to daven and recite a special tefillah at the tziyun of the Chazon Ish on his yahrtzeit. This stirring tefillah event, which has taken place traditionally on his yahrtzeit, has engendered yeshuos and refuos for Klal Yisrael, individually and collectively. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR NAME The event will be graced by Gedolei Yisrael shlit”a and talmidim of the Chazon Ish zy”a who will daven together with hundreds of tinokos shel beis Rabban for yeshuah and hatzlachah for Klal Yisrael. The tefillos will be led by Hagaon Harav Shimon Galai shlit”a who will commence the event with Yud-Gimmel Middos followed by the recitation of Tehillim and Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim by hundreds of young children. The participants will then recite the special Tefillas Eim al Bna that the Chazon Ish composed, which appears in Igros Chazon Ish. Gedolei Yisrael shlit”a will address the assembly, imparting divrei chizuk and hisorrerus to the children, and in conclusion, the Tashbar talmidim will learn and complete Shisha Sidrei Mishnah fifteen times at the Chazon Ish’s tziyun l’iluy nishmaso. In the past years, many have reported experiencing miracles and salvations immediately after hundreds of tinokos shel beis Rabban davened and mentioned their names at the Chazon Ish’s tziyun on his yahrtzeit. Specifically, there were numerous cases in which parents and mechanchim witnessed astounding positive changes in the chinuch of their children after davening for their success at this awe- inspiring event. The event will be broadcast live and available for viewing in centers across Eretz Yisrael and around the world, enabling Yidden to join this historic tefillah event wherever they may be and merit the segulos of tefillah at the Chazon Ish’s tziyun on his yahrtzeit. The administration of Talmud Torah Tashbar, which coordinates this annual event, is engaged in fervent preparations to facilitate the safe entry of thousands of mispallelim into the Shomrei Shabbos Cemetery in Bnei Brak on the day of the yahrtzeit. Copies of the Chazon Ish’s special tefillah, along with the complete list of tefillos to be recited at the tziyun on the yahrtzeit will be distributed at the event. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR NAME

The Kitchen Sukkah with the Stuck Skylight

October 12, 2022 1:47 pm 1 Comment

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com One of the many positive things about teh Far Rockaway/Five Towns community are the shiurim that are arranged every chol haMoed in the various shuls, where Rabbonim, learned Baal HaBatim, yeshivaleit and others who are machshiv Torah gather together and hear shiurim from learned Talmidei Chachomim. Rav Daniel Asher Kleinman shlita delivered a lomdishe at the Agudah of Long Island this morning. He was introduced by Rav Meir Braunstein shlita. Rav Kleinman introduced a fascinating question in regard to a Sukkah inside a house kitchen where the skylight door was stuck and could not be opened. The kitchen Sukah had two skylight, where each skylight was 4 ft wide by 6 feet long. They open the skylight over the schach. There was also a peninsula, but it is not a wall that reaches the ceiling. The Gemorah discusses many fascinating halachic concepts that we have received as halacha dating back to Moshe Rabbeinu at Sinai. One of them is gud asik – which means the wall goes up. It legally considers a pre-established “wall” to figuratively continue upwards infinitely. For this to work, the wall must be a minimum of 10 tefachim from the ground and within 3 tefachim from the ground. Another one is dofen akumah. If on part of the roof of the Sukkah there is an area of less than 4 amos of invalid sechach but not empty space of air and it is between the top of the wall and the kosher schach, the concept considers it as if the adjacent wall is bent or moved. The Sukkah under the kosher schach remains kosher. One may not sit under the invalid schach, however. The Kitchen Sukkah with the stuck skylight would not be kosher unless one combines both of the above two concepts. However, this idea of combining two halacha l’moshe concepts is the subject of a debate. Rabbi Akiva Eiger learns that they cannot be combined, while the Mishna Brurah seems to say that it can. Rabbi Kleinman was trying to figure out a way in which a sofa could be employed as a third wall in order to allow the family Kitchen Sukkah of one of his congregants to be used. Ultimately, he employed the use of a couch with secular books underneath it to allow it. The shiur focused on the various halachic issues and hurdles, and whether such a fix could be employed through a gentile or on the other hand, perhaps even a Jew may do so under certain circumstances. The author can be reached at [email protected] Please be mispallel for Yair Nissan Ben Sara who is undergoing a procedure today beh.

Horror In Israel: Man Asks For Quiet Outside Shul And Is Stabbed To Death

September 25, 2022 9:00 am 1 Comment

A horrifying incident occurred several minutes before the end of Shabbos in the southern Israeli city of Dimona when a man asked for quiet outside a shul and was stabbed to death. The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of the city was yelling expletives outside the shul during Maariv. When one of the mispallelim left the shul to ask him to quiet down, the suspect stabbed him on his waist, critically injuring him. Emergency medical forces who arrived at the scene carried out resuscitation techniques while evacuating him to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva. His death was declared upon his arrival at the hospital. The victim was later identified as Eliyahu Hazan, z’l, 59. The suspect, who reportedly is known to suffer from mental health issues, fled the scene. Police forces who arrived at the scene began carrying out searches of the area and located and detained the suspect about an hour later. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Where Does Avraham Fried Daven On Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur?

September 21, 2022 4:00 pm 5 Comments

Israeli Charedi journalist Sivan-Rahav Meir wrote a post this week entitled: “Three surprises about Avraham Fried,” based on an interview carried out via Zoom at a workshop for women in Israel. Rahav-Meir wrote: “When I asked Avraham Fried how he succeeds in renewing himself over the decades of his career, he answered that renewal is not doing something different every time but doing what you do better.” “‘People try to reinvent themselves instead of sticking to their mission and finding renewal where they are,’ he said. ‘It’s like tefillah. The words don’t change. You need to change, to find the ta’am. I sing in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, do duets, but I remain within my domain. And if I need to sing my song Tanya for the millionth time, I say to myself that through hashgachas pratis, I received another opportunity to sing Tanya at this moment.’” Rahav-Meir continued: “When I asked about ego and kavod and publicity, Fried said that he mamash doesn’t think that it comes from a person’s yetzer hara. ‘People want to succeed in every field and that’s natural, that’s perfectly okay,’ he said. “It’s not a negative thing. You just need to act and daven that we’ll make a Kiddush Hashem, that we’ll influence others for the good, that we’ll cause nachas ruach.’” The participants of the workshop then asked Fried where they could hear him as a chazzan on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “The answer was surprising,” Rahav-Meir wrote. “‘I daven in a corner of our shul in Crown Heights,” Fried responded. ‘Not in front of the amud – standing quietly as one of the mispallelim and not worrying about how my voice sounds. I had many offers over the years but I want to focus on my tefillos, on my intentions. The whole year I’m on the stage. On the Yamim Noraim, I appear only before the Ribbono shel Olam.’” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Ukraine Warns: “Russia Will Purposely Direct Missiles At Uman On Rosh Hashanah”

September 10, 2022 7:55 pm 16 Comments

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Israel’s Kan News that “Russia will deliberately fire missiles at Uman on Rosh Hashanah.” In an interview with Kan on Friday, Podolyak said that the Russian army will deliberately fire missiles at Uman when Jews are gathered there and therefore he doesn’t recommend that anyone travel to the area for Rosh Hashanah. “We have no doubt that some chassidim will make efforts to reach Uman on foot,” he said. “We understand that they won’t listen to our warnings that there is a danger of rockets being fired at Uman,” adding that there is a chance that Russia “will purposely do this to create global repercussions.” Podolyak added that Ukrainian security forces will try to ensure the welfare of mispallelim but it’s impossible to provide 100% protection. “We’re warning people but those who come are responsible for their own lives. We’re a free country, we can’t prevent people from coming to Uman. We’ll try to actively intervene to maintain basic security so that if there is missile fire, people can find shelter.” Last week, the Ukrainian security forces carried out intensive training drills in preparation for the arrival of Jews to Uman. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

WATCH: Over 20,000 Attend 1st Main Selichos At Kosel

September 9, 2022 8:15 am 1 Comment

Over 20,000 mispallelim attended Selichos at the Kosel on Thursday night at 12:30 a.m. It was the first of the 14 main Selichos that will be held at the Kosel this year. Due to the great demand, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation requested that the public come early to Selichos and not wait until the final ones before Rosh Hashanah in order to spread out the crowds and maintain the safety of mispallelim. Last week, a routine safety inspection of the Kosel stones was carried out with a special crane in preparation for the huge crowds expected during Elul and Tishrei. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Arabs Open Fire At Jews At Kever Yosef, Victim Evacuated By Military Helicopter

August 30, 2022 2:04 am 4 Comments

Five Jews traveled to Kever Yosef in Shechem in a private car overnight Monday and came under gunfire by terrorists near the kever. Two were injured, one severely and one moderately. The passengers did not coordinate their visit with the IDF. In the wake of the gunfire, the five passengers, two from Modiin Ilit and three from Jerusalem, abandoned their car, fled the scene, and hid on a nearby road. Their car was later set on fire by Arabs. IDF forces entered Shechem to rescue them and took them to a nearby checkpoint, where the 17-year-old severely injured victim was evacuated via military helicopter to Sheba Hospital in Tel HaShomer. The moderately wounded civilian was evacuated by a mobile intensive care unit to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah. The three uninjured passengers were taken for questioning to the police station as independently entering Shechem, which is part of Area A – under the full authority of the PA – is forbidden by Israeli law. At the same time, IDF forces entered Shechem and began carrying out searches for suspects. The head of the Shomron Regional Council Yossi Dagan, said: “Another barbaric terror incident from the Palestinian Authority, which due to its incitement and encouragement of terrorism, is responsible for this barbaric murder attempt.” “I am again calling – in the name of the Rabbanim of the Shomron – to enter Kever Yosef only in coordination with the IDF. There are arranged and coordinated tefillos at the kever every month. Unfortunately, every uncoordinated entry is sakanot nefashot. I call on the IDF to capture the terrorists and eradicate the killers’ dens in Shechem. Only the IDF’s full control of Kever Yosef can maintain the safety of mispallelim in Shechem.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

WATCH: E-L-U-L! HaGaon HaRav Ezrachi Bangs On The Shtender

August 29, 2022 7:45 am 10 Comments

In the tradition of the age-old minhag, HaGaon HaRav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi banged on the shtender on Rosh Chodesh Elul and yelled out E-L-U-L! HaRav Ezrachi is the Rosh Yeshivah of Ateres Yisrael, located in Modiin Illit. The minhag of banging on the shtender on Rosh Chodesh Elul began as a way of instilling fear about the impending Yom HaDin in the hearts of mispallelim. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Near-Tragedy: IDF Soldier Accidently Discharges Bullet At Friend’s Chest

August 18, 2022 8:22 am 2 Comments

A near tragedy occurred near Kever Yosef in Shechem overnight Wednesday when a Givati soldier accidentally discharged a bullet from his gun at his friend’s chest while they were riding in an armored vehicle. B’Chasdei Hashem, the soldier was only very slightly injured thanks to the ceramic protective vest he was wearing. The IDF stated: “During the withdrawal of IDF forces from Kever Yosef in Shechem, where soldiers were protecting mispallelim, a security incident occurred in a vehicle when a bullet was accidentally fired from a soldier’s weapon. The bullet hit a soldier’s ceramic vest. There were no casualties and the incident is being investigated.” The incident happened after IDF forces escorted hundreds of mispallelim to Kever Yosef. Arabs opened fire at the buses and an intense gun battle ensued. According to Palestinian reports, an 18-year-old Palestinian was killed and 31 Palestinians were injured, three critically. B’chasdei Hashem, no mispallelim or Israeli security forces were injured in the incident. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

FLATBUSH: Levaya of Reb Luzy Steinmetz Z”L

July 30, 2022 10:17 pm 2 Comments

The Flatbush community as well as the rest of the world suffered a tremendous loss on Friday afternoon, when long time Flatbush resident Rabbi Luzy Steinmetz Z”L was Niftar after battling a long illness. Luzy may have just been in his mid forties, but his accomplishments surpassed his age. He was a long standing Mispallel at Khal Bnei Torah led by Rav Bentzion Shiffenbauer. He was a graduate of Yeshiva Torah Temimah and a talmid of Yeshivahs Mir in Yerushalayim and Yeshiva Torah Vodas in Flatbush. Luzy encompassed all 3 pillars that we learn about in Pirkei Avos; Torah-Avodah-Gemilas Chessed. He embodied Torah as a long time Daf Yomi Magid shuir, as well as always ready to enlighten his friends and those around him with a good vort. His Avodah was something to admire. His tefiila and kedushas Bais Hamedrish was admirable. His Simchas Hachaim was obvious to all who knew him, every day and especially on Shabbos. Lastly, Luzy was a tremendous Baal chessed without ever needing recognition. His chessed helped many people in need, all without mention that Luzy was behind it all. Rosh Chodesh Av is a day that the Mishnah writes “we begin to diminish joy” as we enter Aveilus for the 1st and 2nd Bais Hamikdosh. Rosh Chodesh in general is a day of celebration, and even though it’s the beginning of the 9 days of mourning, we still say Hallel and celebrate the day as we do every Rosh Chodesh. It is also the Yartzeit of Aron Hakoen, who was a rodef shalom. It is no coincidence that Luzy’s passing is on Rosh Chodesh and sharing the same Yartzeit as Aron Hakoen. Luzy was a true Rodeph Shalom, someone who always had a smile on his face and filled the room with joy. May this Rosh Chodesh be a new beginning, a beginning of Gueula, a beginning of building the Bais Hamikdosh quickly. Levaya for ר’ חיים אלעזר ע”ה בן ר’ שמשון אריה נ”י will take place Sunday at 11am at Shomrei Hadas and Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisroel. May His family, friends and all those that knew him have a Nechamah. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Arabs Open Fire On Jews Who Entered Kever Yosef

July 15, 2022 9:00 am 3 Comments

A car with four Jews entered Kever Yosef Hatzadik in Shechem overnight Thursday without coordinating with the IDF and came under Arab gunfire. One passenger was lightly injured on his head. They then tried to flee the area but their car overturned. They exited the car and managed to leave Shechem and hide nearby until IDF forces rescued them. An IDF medic administered emergency aid and they were transferred to Israel Police for questioning. Two weeks ago, mispallelim at Kever Yosef came under heavy gunfire at a tefillah held with the coordination of the IDF. Three people were lightly injured. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

This Shabbos: Enjoy A Sit-Down Shalosh Seudos At The Kosel

July 13, 2022 8:30 pm 4 Comments

After a successful pilot run this past Shabbos, a sit-down Shalosh Seudos will be available for mispallelim at the Kosel each week, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced on Wednesday. In recent years, volunteers have offered basic food, including challah and dips, for Shalosh Seudos, but there was no seating available. Additionally, the food was often not sufficient for those who wanted it. The foundation decided to take the initiative to solve the problem, and with the help of generous donors, arranged for an organized Shalosh Seudos to be served to anyone interested. Beginning this upcoming Shabbos, visitors to the Kosel can enjoy challah, salads, dips and fish served on tables at separate complexes for men and women. [It is unknown if family-style seating will be available.] The men’s complex will be located on the roof of the Beis Strauss building and the women’s complex will be on the porch of the Beis Moreshes HaKosel building. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

BDE: R’ Dovid Cohen, Z’l Davened At The Kosel On Shabbos, Collapsed & Died

June 19, 2022 4:30 pm 5 Comments

R’ Dovid Cohen, z’l, a resident of the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim, passed away suddenly over Shabbos at the age of 60. R’ Cohen, z’tl, was in the middle of davening Shacharis of Shabbos at the Kosel when he suddenly collapsed. Paramedics who were called to the scene carried out resuscitation techniques and rushed him to the hospital but unfortunately, doctors could do nothing but declare his death. The niftar was known among the regular mispallelim at the Kosel as he would daven at the Kosel each and every morning without exception. An acquaintance told Kikar H’Shabbat that HaRav Dovid, z’l, was moser nefesh to bring coffee and pastries every morning to distribute to the mispallelim and those attending shiurim at the Kosel. “He respected every Jew for who he was,” he said. “He assisted needy families with tzedaka, always quietly and pleasantly.” Yehi Zichro Baruch. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

EREV YESOD SHE’BAYASOD: Thousands Daven By Kever Yosef HaTzadik, Arabs Riot, Terrorist Killed

May 25, 2022 8:35 am 11 Comments

Thousands of Jews davened at Kever Yosef HaTzadik in Shechem on Tuesday night for the upcoming Sefiras Yesod Shebayesod of Sefiras HaOmer on Thursday night, which is the midah associated with Yosef Hatzadik. Chashuve Rabbanim attended the tefillah including HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Gross, Av Beis Din of Chanichei HaYeshivos. the Zvhiller Rebbe, and HaRav Shalom Arush. As Israeli security forces escorted the mispallelim into the kever, hundreds of Arabs began rioting, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at soldiers and some opening live fire. IDF soldiers returned fire and one terrorist was killed. The IDF spokesperson stated: “During the coordinated entry of mispallelim to Kever Yosef in the city of Shechem, a violent riot broke out with the participation of hundreds of Palestinians who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the forces. The soldiers responded by firing at a suspect who threw a Molotov cocktail. A hit was identified. In addition, gunshots were heard in the area.” The Zvhiller Rebbe spoke briefly and said that his grandfather, Rav Shlomo of Zvhill, was niftar on the sefirah of Yesod SheBayesod. “My holy grandfather regularly came to the tzion of Yosef HaTzadik, with whom he felt strongly connected. There are many wondrous stories about how he got there. One of the chassidim once asked that maybe the Arabs made it up to earn money from Jews and Yosef HaTzadik isn’t actually buried here. Rebbe Shloimke answered that you can undoubtedly feel the presence of Yosef HaTzadik.” The tefillah was arranged by the Shomron Regional Council and was secured by IDF soldiers with the assistance of volunteers of the Kever Yosef administration and the Holy Places of the Shomron Regional Council. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A YEAR AFTER THE DISASTER: Thousands Flock To Rebbe Shimon

May 18, 2022 8:30 am 4 Comments

A year after the worse civil disaster in the history of Israel, thousands of people began arriving at the Rashbi Kever in Meron on Wednesday. The police are prepared for the possibility of confrontations with extremists. Police officers have been dispersed throughout the area to prevent the arrival of extremists and to stop them before they even approach Har Meron. On Tuesday night, police thwarted the arrival of a group of extremists who were on their way to Meron equipped with wire cutters, utility knives, and other objects apparently intended to sabotage the infrastructure at the site. A large structure was set up on Tuesday night next to the hadlaka site as a zecher to the 45 kedoshim, with 45 yahrtzeit candles. The candles will be lit prior to the start of the Boyaner Rebbe’s hadlaka. There are already many complaints about the changes at the site, with people saying that it’s impossible to get close to the tzion and that everyone has to daven at the Toldos Aharon complex after waiting in impossibly long lines. Anyone who does get close to the tzion is only allowed to remain there for one minute before being pushed along. In addition, the women are standing in line in the heat, with no shade over them. There are also reports that security guards are not allowing families with baby strollers into the site, a policy that was apparently not announced beforehand. Families who purchased tickets and traveled for hours are being turned away. אף אחד לא אמר להם את זה.אבל כל מי שמגיע למירון עם עגלת ילדים לא מורשה להכנס.אנשים מגיעים ממרחק מצויידים בכרטיסים ואומרים להם:"תשאירו את הילד מחוץ למושב" pic.twitter.com/CAGjAjdwLh — אבי מימרן Avi Mimran (@avi1mimran) May 18, 2022 Close to midnight on Tuesday night, dozens of police officers began evacuating mispallelim from the kever compound in order to set up the passageways for the expected crowds. In the video below, the festivities begin at Meron. Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana can be seen dancing with a fierce critic of his, Chief Rabbi of Tzfas HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu. Four singers, Bentzi Stein, Ahrele Samet, Ari Hill and Chaim Israel, posted an achdus video ahead of Lag B’Omer: (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Meron Regulations Violators To Receive 3 Months Imprisonment & Fine

May 10, 2022 8:30 pm 6 Comments

The Knesset’s Public Security Committee on Tuesday approved the new regulations for Lag B’Omer at Meron. The regulations call for a three-month jail sentence and an administrative fine for anyone who violates the regulations, including those who arrive at Meron without a ticket or who fail to leave after four hours and anyone who operates an event at the site without the required permits. The committee’s chairman, Yesh Atid MK Meirav Ben-Ari, said: “The committee members toured Har Meron last week…over the past year 63 illegal structures were demolished. The last one was demolished today.” “The site is very small, too narrow to contain hundreds of thousands of mispallelim. Yesterday night, I checked and over 64,000 tickets had already been sold.” “I still can’t understand how Meron was safe in the past, there were probably many nissim, and unfortunately, last year’s disaster was inevitable. We as a country must do everything to correct this and ensure the safety of visitors.” Ben-Ari continued and said that she toured the area with the police and saw all the work that was done but she still doesn’t feel the area is completely safe. As Ben-Ari said, the last illegal structure at Meron, the Ohr Rashbi yeshivah building, was demolished on Tuesday – the 63rd building to be demolished over the past year. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Women Of The Wall Refuse To Hold Service At Designated Plaza

May 2, 2022 1:30 pm 13 Comments

Like every Rosh Chodesh, the Women of the Wall group engaged in its monthly provocations at the Kosel on Monday morning, Rosh Chodesh Iyar. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation stated that the group refused to hold its service at the special plaza designated for them, which was established by the order of the Justice Ministry in order to separate the group from the other mispallelim and prevent conflict. “Despite repeated requests, they chose not to enter the plaza and instead disrupted the public order,” the foundation stated. “Furthermore, Mrs. Yochi Rappaport, one of the group’s leaders, decided to create a provocation and approach mispallelim standing at the upper plaza in order to rile them up and disturb public order.” “The foundation’s director Eden Shimon appealed to her personally to return to the plaza to prevent violence and not turn the Kosel into a place of protest but she chose to continue and again turned the site into a battlefield.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

VIOLENCE AT MERON: Conflict At Site Between Bochurim & Police

April 28, 2022 8:25 am 23 Comments

Conflicts broke out on Thursday at Meron between a group of yeshivah bochurim and police at the site. The bochurim arrived at the site for the last day of bein hazemanim, Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar, and began dancing and singing on the roof of the tzion. For some reason, the police ordered the bochurim to leave and that’s when the conflict began. A police statement said: “Young Chareidi extremists came to Kever Rashbi in Meron and began violent riots that included an attempt to destroy the new infrastructure that was built for the upcoming Lag B’Omer while disturbing the public and the mispallelim who were present. The extremist youth forcefully violated the police officers’ instructions, threw objects at them, and refused to leave. Many police forces were rushed to the site, four suspects were arrested and additional arrests are expected.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Thousands Daven By Kevarim Of Yehoshua Bin Nun, Rav Lau Leads Tefillos For His Wife

April 27, 2022 3:00 pm No Comments

Thousands of people davened at the kevarim of Yehoshua Bin Nun and Calev ben Yefunah in the Palestinian village of Kifl Haris in the Shomron on Tuesday on the occasion of the yartzheit of Yehoshua ben Nun. The tefillah was arranged by the Shomron Regional Council and the mispallelim were accompanied by IDF forces. Among the mispallelim were Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau, Rabbanim who immigrated from Ukraine in the past month, including HaRav Shlomo Wilhelm, the Rav of Zhytomyr and western Ukraine, and the Rav of the Shomron HaRav Elyakim Levanon. Rav Lau led tefillos for his wife, who is in serious condition after suffering a stroke on Pesach. The public is asked to continue davening for Feiga Tzipporah bas Hadassah l’refuah sheleima b’toch shaar cholei Yisrael. Tefillos were also held for the refuah of HaRav Chaim Druckman, the most senior Dati Leumi Rav in Israel, who is currently ill. The name for tefillah is HaRav Chaim Meir ben Milka b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Bittersweet Siyum HaShas at Lederman Shul

April 15, 2022 6:55 am No Comments

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman Maran Sar HaTorah Rav Chaim zatzal held that a siyum is actually preferable to fasting on Erev Pesach. Why is that? Because a Siyum is actually a seudas Mitzvah, while the firstborn fasting on this day is a Minhag – a strong minhag, but nonetheless a Minhag. Rav Chaim zatzal would conduct his siyum on the entire Bavli each year at the Lederman shul. He would then go home and make his siyum on the entire Yerushalmi. This year, the congregants and the Gabbai of the Lederman shul had requested that Rav Chaim’s eldest son, the b’chor, conduct the siyum in his father’s stead. Those in attendance heard the words of the Siyum Kaddish and could not help thinking that Rav Chaim zatzal would no longer be conducting the annual siyum on Shas, but were consoled by the fact that his son, yblct”v Rav Avrohom Yishayahu Kanievsky shlita would continue the tradition. It did involve a change, however. Rav Avrohom Yishayahu Kanievsky shlita would always conduct the siyum on the yartzeit of his grandmother, the Steipler’s Rebbitzen and sister of the Chazon Ish – Rebbitzen Pesha Miriam Kanievsky a”h, on the second of Nissan. In deference to the needs of the Mispallelim, he made the siyum on Shas and the Tosefta on Erev Pesach and then immediately began Meseches Brachos. Beside him at the siyum was the list of those who had sent in their names as for brachos and as a z’chus. Rav Avrohom Yishayahu shlita completed the Yerushalmi siyum at home. The author can be reached at [email protected]

WATCH: HaRav Lau Visits Moldovan Shul Transformed Into Refugee Center

March 10, 2022 7:30 pm No Comments

At the invitation of HaRav Pinchas Saltzman, Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Lau on Wednesday flew to Moldova, where hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have been arriving in recent weeks. HaRav Lau visited the shul in Kishinev, which has been transformed into a place to sleep for Jewish refugees. Prior to Shabbos, HaRav Saltzman told the mispallelim not to come to shul on Shabbos as he needed the space for the refugees. “I hope that the shul will revert to a place of tefillah but people are made to feel at home here – it’s simply moving,” Rav Lau said. Apart from providing chizzuk to the refugees, HaRav Saltzman also requested that HaRav Lau come to Kishinev to assist him with complex halachic shailos that arose due to the war. The beleaguered refugees were astonished to see the Chief Rabbi of Israel in Moldova and his presence provided them with much encouragement. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Moldovan Rav’s Shabbos Indistinguishable From Weekday Amid Countless Pikuach Nefesh Cases

March 6, 2022 4:30 pm 3 Comments

Chief Rabbi of Moldova HaRav Pinchas Saltzman turned his shul into a refuge for Ukrainian refugees and before Shabbos told his regular mispallelim to stay at home due to lack of room in the shul, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported. “There was no choice,” HaRav Saltzman told B’Chadrei. “I told the Jews in the city not to daven or eat here because we had no other place to put the people who fled from Ukraine. We had cases of pikuach nefesh mamash that couldn’t wait until after Shabbos. Whatever we could push off until after Shabbos, we pushed off.” HaRav Saltzman traveled on Shabbos to the Ukrainian border, received dozens of phone calls and text messages, paid money if necessary, and gave orders to cook on Shabbos for women and children. Rav Saltzman’s rescue activities involved difficult humanitarian cases of vulnerable refugees arriving in Moldova on Shabbos, including those who were wounded by shelling, the elderly, babies, and pregnant women. “If these people had remained in Ukraine, their lives would have been endangered, there were cases of pikuach nefesh,” HaRav Saltzman said. Members of the kehilla and United Hatzalah volunteers provided Shabbos meals for the refugees who had arrived in Kishinev, as well as hundreds of hot meals to refugees still at the border crossing. I’m at the Moldova/Ukraine border crossing to provide emergency assistance to thousands forced to flee the country, following the escalation in hostilitiesI’m seeing An unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Families fleeing, children suffering.Keep on praying for Peace in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/cVDtGM9ui1 — Yaakov Flitchkin (@Yaakov_Flitch) March 1, 2022 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Rav Aharon Motoz, Head of Dirshu In Ukraine: “No One Wants To Live Under Putin Dictatorship, We Are Fleeing”

February 28, 2022 1:00 pm No Comments

“It Is Our Fervent Hope That the Zechus of the Chofetz Chaim Will Protect Us!” Yidden around the world are bring requested to be mispallel for our brethren in Ukraine. An exclusive Interview with Rav Aharon Motoz, Head of Dirshu in Ukraine, as he, together with 200 Members of the Odessa community flee the area Rav Aharon Motoz is a Rav in Odessa and heads all of Dirshu’s operations in Ukraine. As Russian troops began bombing and encircling large parts of Ukraine, Rav Motoz consulted with Gedolei Yisroel and was told to flee. His hometown of Odessa, one of Ukraine’s largest cities, is strategically located on the Black Sea and is a very important city that the Russians are certainly planning on conquering. Rav Aharon spoke to a senior member of Dirshu’s hanhala in Yerushalayim this past erev Shabbos, from the bus on which he was fleeing with his wife, children and a convoy of more than 200 members of the kehillah. Rav Aharon. Where are you now? How are you and your kehillah faring? We have been in transit for twelve hours already. The plan is to travel for another full two days until we reach the most western part of the country. The entire kehillah has fled together with me. Many goyim who live near us begged us to let them come along, but we simply did not have room. People are sitting in the aisles and in every available inch of the busses. I must admit that right now, the mood is one of great despair. Odessa is located right near the Black Sea and the Russian forces are gathering en masse for an invasion. We know that they have no problem killing civilians. That is why we have fled. At first, we tried to get into the nearby country of Moldavia, but many of us did not have the proper papers to be allowed entry. We are now traveling to the West where we hope to stay in a refugee camp until things quiet down. Why didn’t you stay in Odessa? The Russian Army says that they do not plan on targeting civilians? Even if that would be true, we felt we must flee. The Ukrainian government is planning on drafting every male between the ages of eighteen and sixty. My brother is already fighting in the army. Those of us who cannot fight have decided that it would be safest to flee. Our primary fear is that we will be stopped and forced to return. That is why we will be travelling straight, day and night, until we reach our destination. It will soon be Shabbos, but we have been told by our poskim that we must continue traveling, even on Shabbos. It is truly pikuach nefesh to get as far away from the war zone as possible. The truth is everyone who can find a way to leave is leaving – Jews and non-Jews. Everyone knows that during war, human life is considered worthless. Are you worried about what life will be like under a government that is effectively controlled by Putin? No one wants Putin. We don’t want to be under Russia in any shape or form. We view Putin as another Stalin type of dictator. He is an enemy of humanity. He

DISGRACING THE KOSEL: Reform MK Breaks Promise, Joins Women Of Wall, Woman Violates Sefer Torah

February 2, 2022 4:00 pm 24 Comments

Labor MK Gilad Kariv broke his promise to President Yitchak Herzog and came to the Kosel together with the Women of the Wall on Wednesday morning for Shacharis of Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph. One woman in the group smuggled a Sefer Torah into the women’s section by hiding it underneath her clothing, in complete violation of its kedushah, a move decried by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which called it a “horrific and severe chillul hakodesh opposite the avnei kodesh.” “A small group of Reform women of Women of the Wall headed by MK Gilad Kariv arrived at the Kosel plaza and dug in their heels in their battle, like they declared last week that their goal is to come and demonstrate at the Kosel on their world view regarding the nature of religion in the state of Israel,” the foundation stated. “Unfortunately MK Kariv chose to attend this event despite President Herzog’s appeal to him because his presence stirs things up and turns the Kosel plaza into a battlefield.” “The group violently broke out of the area designated for them, again violating all the agreements reached with them by the president and the Justice Ministry. The group acted violently against Orthodox mispallelos and pushed them in order to reach the Kosel.” Blue and White MK Alon Tal also attended the Women of the Wall’s demonstration. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Israel’s “Omicron” Shabbos: Minyanim For COVID Patients Only

January 10, 2022 12:00 pm 4 Comments

Due to the soaring number of Omicron cases in Israel, many minyanim for COVID positive mispallelim only were held over Shabbos, BChadrei Chareidim reported. In the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem, a simcha hall was used for a COVID minayn. In Yeshivas Mir Brachfeld, a special Beis Medrash and dining room was set aside for bochurim and staff who tested positive. The same scenario was reported in frum cities and neighborhoods throughout Israel. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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