The Chairman of Israel’s Finance Committee, MK Moshe Gafni of United Torah Judaism, addressed the enlistment of charedi yeshiva students during a discussion on Thursday.
At the cornerstone-laying ceremony for a new charedi school, Gafni emphasized, “The presence of Torah scholars is indispensable for our existence in this land.”
He highlighted the historical context, noting, “After two millennia of dispersion, the Jewish people have reclaimed their status as a nation in their ancestral homeland, largely due to the dedication of Torah scholars who uphold our heritage.”

Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday issued an interim order prohibiting the government from providing stipends to some chareidi men who do not serve in the Israel Defense Forces.
Yeshivah students who did not obtain a military service deferral and who have failed to report for IDF service since July 1, 2023, will now be ineligible for the monthly financial stipends, according to the ruling.
The Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, also decided that an extended panel of nine justices will hear petitions demanding a universal military draft starting in May.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu wrote to the court asking for another extension—this time for 30 days—so he could reach a political agreement regulating the chareidi IDF draft.

Yoil Weingarten, Yakov Weingarten, and Shmiel Weingarten, leaders of Lev Tahor, an extremist radical sect based in Guatemala comprised of Jews who dress like Orthodox Jews, have been found guilty of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl and transporting the 14-year-old girl outside the United States to continue an inappropriate relationship with her adult male ‘husband.’
With this verdict, all nine Lev Tahor leaders and operatives charged for these heinous crimes have been held accountable.

Agudath Israel of America notes with sadness the passing of Joseph “Joe” Lieberman, former senator from Connecticut and vice-presidential nominee, at the age of 82.
Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew himself, was a friend of Agudath Israel and the Orthodox Jewish community, participating in Agudath Israel events and championing the needs of the community.
Senator Lieberman, dubbed the “conscience of the Senate,” was a strong supporter of Israel, and worked to ensure its security both during and after his tenure as senator.

Baltimore’s Jewish community is on edge after the armed carjacking of a Jewish man on his way to shul this morning in the Ranchleigh neighborhood of the city.
At about 7:15 a.m., two masked black thugs stole a Kia Optima on Clarington Road and then abandoned it near Kehillas Meor Hatorah on Pebble Brook Road.
Spotting a Jewish man en route to shul, the perps then gave chase. The man managed to escape, but the assailants proceeded to pummel another Jewish man, who had parked his car.
The motorist was thrown out of his vehicle, tossed to the ground, and attacked, with the thugs stealing his wallet before fleeing in their original car.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Dr. Yosef Walder z”l.
Dr. Walder was a renowned baal chesed and askan in his hometown of Chicago and well beyond. He and his wife founded the Walder Education Center, through which they enriched the community in so many ways. He was likewise involved in numerous initiatives, mosdos, and chesed undertakings.
The levayah will be held on Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Ateres Ayala located at 3412 W Touhy Avenue in Skokie, IL.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}

Prime Minister bibi Netanyahu joined the Purim Megilla reading alongside the commanders and soldiers of the Military Police Corps’ Erez Battalion.
Addressing the soldiers, Netanyahu expressed his deep admiration for their dedication, particularly amidst the heightened challenges they currently face. He lauded their intensified efforts and unwavering commitment to defending Israel and its citizens, acknowledging the risks they undertake, with some making the ultimate sacrifice.
Netanyahu told the soldiers: “I am very impressed with your work at all times, but especially these days. The challenges you face have increased significantly, to say the least.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the tragic petirah of Mrs. Serach Kagan a”h.
Serach and her husband, Yeruchem, were driving to Scranton, Pennsylvania on Erev Shabbos when their vehicle suffered a blowout and flipped over, falling down an embankment. Serach was killed in the accident. R’ Yeruchem suffered injuries, but will iy”H recover.
Their four children miraculously emerged unscathed.
Serach was a daughter of Rav and Rebbetzin Shmuel Flam, longtime R”M at Yeshiva Bais Moshe of Scranton.

Hundreds upon hundreds of people gathered at Beth Medrash Govoha’s Bais Aron in Lakewood, NJ, for the Purim mesibah last night. The gathering was an uplifting one, with beautiful singing and divrei Torah from the rosh hayeshiva, Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler.
For the first time, the event began with the recitla of Tehillim, led by Rav Aharon Schustal, in light of the current matzav in Eretz Yisroel and around the world.
At the mesibah, the music was once again directed by Shloime Friedman, with singing led by Mishpachas Brodt.
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it is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elimelech Chaikin zt”l, one of the prominent chashuvim of Kollel Ponovezh in Bnei Brak, after a recent illness. He was 73.
Rav Elimelech was born in France, a son of Rav Chaim Yitzchok Chaikin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Chachmei Tzorfas in Ex-Les-Bains, who dedicated over fifty years to harbotzas haTorah.
Rav Elimelech later immigrated to Eretz Yisroel and learned at Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he became closely attached to his rebbi and moreh derech, Maran Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach. He also became closely attached to the Steipler Gaon.