It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yitzchok Isaac Prag zt”l, who Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaTorah in Yerushalayim for more than three decades and as the rov of the Izby Shul in the Mattersdorf neighborhood. He was 92 years old and had just returned from his granddaughter’s wedding in Yerushalayim when he was niftar.
A true Yerushalmi and a scion of a distinguished rabbinic dynasty, Rav Prag descended from generations of towering Torah personalities, including Rav Moshe Nachum Wallenstein, Av Beis Din of Yerushalayim, the Nesivos, Rav Yaakov M’Lisa Loberbaum, the Chacham Tzvi, and the Shaar Efraim.

Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, accompanied by his aide Rabbi Mordechai Tzion, traveled on Monday to Tel Kudna, located within Syrian territory.
“The goal of the special visit to our holy soldiers at Tel Kudna in Syria was to strengthen their fighting spirits as reservists of the Military Rabbinate,” Rabbi Tzion explained to Arutz Sheva.
Rabbi Tzion shared the inspirational message Rabbi Aviner conveyed during the visit: “The rabbi said that it is not clear from the Torah that the location we were in is considered ‘Syria,’ but it is probably the land of Israel.

At Sunday’s cabinet meeting, israeli Housing Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf launched a scathing verbal attack on Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli after Chikli publicly called for Goldknopf’s dismissal.
“Chikli chose ahead of the primaries to devour the chareidim without realizing that his public is disgusted by that. For that, we already have Yair Lapid,” said Goldknopf.
Goldknopf didn’t hold back, accusing Chikli’s office of failing in its core responsibilities. “Your ministry is supposed to fight anti-Semitism, unfortunately, it is not doing so successfully,” the housing minister charged.

From Yerushalayim comes the sad news of the petirah of Mrs. Chana Rochel Weingert a”h, a renowned mechaneches and baalas chesed. She was 80.
Mrs. Weingert was a great-granddaughter of Marah d’Ar’a d’Yisrael Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt”l.
She was born on the 15th of Elul 80 years ago to her father, the tzaddik Rav Shmuel Kleinerman zt”l, and her mother, Mrs. Esther a”h.
Upon reaching marriageable age, she married her esteemed husband, Rav Yitzchok Weingert.

Brooklyn, NY — The levayah for Natasha (Sara) Saada a”h, 35, and her two daughters, Diana a”h, 7, and Debra a”h, 5, who were tragically killed in a horrific crash on Shabbos in Flatbush, will take place today, Sunday, at 4:30 PM at Shomrei Hadas Chapels, located at 14th Avenue and 38th Street in Boro Park.
The tragedy occurred just after 1:00 PM on Shabbos afternoon along Ocean Parkway near Quentin Road in Gravesend. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, an Uber driver operating a Toyota Camry collided with an Audi. The impact caused the Audi to continue forward and plow into a crosswalk, where it struck Natasha and her three young children. The mother and her two daughters were killed instantly.

On Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan, a special Yom Kippur Katan atzeres tefillah was held at the central Gerer Shul in Arad, dedicated to davening for the safe return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Hundreds of people from the city, along with members of the Kalfon family, whose son is still held captive by the terrorists, participated in the Atzeres.
The gathering began with Mincha and the recitation of the fourth sefer of Tehillim. The attendees recited the Yud Gimmel Middos before the open aron kodesh, fervently davening for the swift and healthy return of all the hostages, including Shagav Kalfon, who has been held by Hamas since Simchas Torah 5784.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Moshe Gedalia Schwab zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Degel HaTorah and Mesivta Maamar Mordechai in Monsey. He passed away after a battle with a dreaded illness.
Rav Moshe was a son of the Tzaddik of Monsey, Rav Mordechai Menachem Schwab zt”l, mashgiach of Mesivtah Bais Shraga.
He carried on the legacy of his illustrious father with dignity, while forging his own unique path in the world of chinuch and harbotzas haTorah.

Israel is currently looking into online reports alleging that the United Arab Emirates has issued death sentences to three Uzbek nationals in connection with the killing of Chabad-Lubavitch shliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan Hy”d.
The suspects were apprehended in Turkey shortly after the incident and were later handed over to UAE authorities.
A recording of a phone call between one of the accused men and his mother was posted on X, in which he tells her about the punishment he was given.
From the time of their arrest, the three were believed to be involved in extremely serious offenses that could result in capital punishment.
Rabbi Kogan served as a close assistant to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Duchman, the chief rabbi of the United Arab Emirates.

A tragic crash in Brooklyn, NY on Shabbos claimed the lives of a mother and her two young daughters after a driver, whose license had been suspended, plowed into them following a collision with an Uber. The family had been walking home from shul at the time.
The woman’s 4-year-old son was also hit in the chaos and was hospitalized in critical condition, according to police. In total, nine people suffered injuries in the devastating incident.
The deadly sequence of events began shortly after 1 p.m. near the intersection of Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn. Authorities said a Toyota Camry operating as an Uber and an Audi collided, setting off the chain reaction.

Pesach is a time to reconnect, reflect, and rejoice. As we prepare for the Seder and the beautiful days of Yom Tov, ArtScroll has just released a collection of brand new books that are sure to enhance your Pesach experience, whether at the table, in the Beis Medrash, or relaxing with family.