Nineteen days after the Ramot terror attack in which Asher and Yaakov Paley, h’yd were murdered, their father, Reb Avraham Noach Paley, was informed of their deaths. On Wednesday morning, Reb Paley’s wife, mother and brother, together with the Hadassah Hospital support staff, informed him of the bitter news. Reb Paley responded by immediately reciting the bracha of Baruch Dayan Emes amid his tears. He then requested to tear kriyah and said he now needs to sit shiva until Purim. Following the attack, Reb Paley was sedated and ventilated until earlier this week, when he regained consciousness. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Protesters against the government’s judicial reform plan blocked highways and train service on Wednesday as part of what they dubbed a “National Disruption Day.” The protests began early in the morning when members of “Brothers in Arms” and other protesters blocked Highway 1 in the Sha’ar HaGai area with barbed wire, blocking the entrance to Jerusalem. About an hour later, the police dispersed the protesters and Highway 1 was opened to traffic. However, protesters continued to try to block highways throughout Israel and at about noon, clashes between the police and protesters took place as hundreds of protesters broke through police barriers in Tel Aviv and tried to stop traffic on the Ayalon Highway at the Shalom Interchange. Protesters also blocked Derech Begin in Tel Aviv.

In a stunning revelation, FBI Director Christopher Wray has publicly stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was most likely caused by a lab leak in Wuhan, China. Speaking to Fox News in an interview that aired on Tuesday, Wray stated that the FBI has been assessing the origins of the pandemic and the most likely scenario was a “potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab.” These comments from Wray carry weight as he is one of the highest-ranking officials in the US government responsible for ensuring national security. Wray’s assessment of the origins of COVID-19 is significant because it contradicts the narrative put forward by the Chinese government, which has repeatedly denied any involvement in the pandemic’s origins.

Although there were some indications in mid-January that inflation might be easing, the kosher consumer has not yet seen any relief, as food prices continue to surge, Kosher Today reports. Food industry executives anticipate a bleak Pesach season, with kosher food prices expected to rise by approximately 12% compared to last year. For example, prices for essential Pesach staples such as eggs and potatoes are predicted to remain high. A pound of potatoes is expected to cost around 50 cents, while a dozen eggs may average over $3. This is still an improvement over the recent $5 price tag for eggs, but experts caution that bird flu could still result in further shortages, despite moderated demand and increased supply.

The death penalty bill for terrorists is being brought for a preliminary vote in the Knesset on Wednesday following the passing of the bill in the Knesset’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday. The vote on the bill poses a dilemma for Chareidi MKs, who are opposed to the bill due to halachic issues. According to Hebrew reports on Tuesday, sources in the UTJ party say that the party will refrain from voting for the bill on Wednesday. The Shas party is expected to vote in favor of the law in the preliminary reading to allow it to pass, but will not participate in the final vote. However, Kikar H’Shabbat reported that both UTJ and Shas will vote in favor of the bill in a preliminary reading in order to show their support for the fight against terrorism.

Devorah Paley, the mother of the kedoshim Asher and Yaakov, h’yd, spoke about the murder of the Yaniv brothers, h’yd in an interview with Kol B’Ramah on Monday evening. “We hoped that our sons would be the last victims but unfortunately there is once again a mother who is bereaved of her two sons. I hope that I can make it to the Yaniv family to pay a shiva call,” she said. Paley also spoke about her husband, Avraham Noach, who b’chasdei Hashem is now conscious and communicating with those around him. “He’s no longer in a life-threatening situation and there’s been a significant improvement in his condition,” she said. “Of course, he’s unaware of the terrible tragedy. It will be difficult but we’ll get through that too.” “We’re busy thinking now about how we’ll tell him.

Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that he is resigning from his position as minister in charge of the Lag B’Omer event at Meron in 2023.

There has been further improvement in the condition of Reb Avraham Noach Paley, the father of the kedoshim Asher and Yaakov, h’yd, a statement from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital said on Monday. Reb Paley has regained consciousness and is interacting with those around him. However, he is still in serious condition and has not yet been told about his sons’ deaths. “Paley has been treated since the attack by an large team at Hadassah and has undergone surgeries due to the complex injury he is suffering from,” the medical center said. The public is asked to continue davening for a refuah sheleimah for Avraham Noach ben Yehudis b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Torah U’Mesorah has released a letter outlining a plan to have yeshivos end their zmanim earlier in the summer and begin their new zman earlier in the fall. The letter states that the proposal, originally presented at a recent meeting of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah U’Mesorah, would resolve the issue of there being a very limited Elul zman in years such as the upcoming one, in which Rosh Chodesh falls out early. The letter notes that such a schedule makes it difficult for boys to properly learn about the Yomim Tovim; children and parents are on “vacation mode” until selichos; and there is too much unstructured time for bochurim after camps end.

Shalom and Esty Yaniv, the parents of Hillel and Yigal, h’yd, who were murdered in a terror attack on Sunday, spoke to the media on Monday prior to their sons’ levaya in Jerusalem. Standing with the head of the Shomron Council Yossi Dagan at the entrance to their home on Har Bracha, Esty tearfully spoke in a broken voice. “There are no words to describe this tragedy,” she said. “What can be said? The price we paid is too heavy to bear. Instead of taking our children to the chuppah, we’re burying them.” “I grew up in Gush Katif,” she continued. “I received a slap in the face from the State. I sent one son to the army and my second son wanted to join the combat forces. I love Israel, we love the IDF, we want security and unity. We want unity. We’re brothers. We want security.