In a powerful new kol koreh issued by leading gedolim across Eretz Yisroel, the Torah leadership strongly warns against the dangers of smoking and urged the public to refrain from this harmful practice.
The statement, signed by a prominent group of gedolim, underscores the serious health risks associated with smoking and reinforces the obligation to protect one’s health in accordance with Torah hashkafah.

Kiamesha Lake, NY – The Vizhnitzer kehillah is mourning the tragic passing of Rabbi Mordechai Zafir z”l, 55, who was killed early this morning in a devastating car accident on Route 17 in Orange County, New York.
Rabbi Zafir was returning home to Kiamesha Lake from a wedding in Monsey—celebrating the marriage of a granddaughter of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey and a grandson of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha—when his vehicle was involved in a head-on collision at approximately 2:00 a.m.
His son, Kalman Yehoshua, (Kalman Yehoshua ben Esther Malka Bracha), who was in the vehicle with him, sustained serious but stable injuries and is currently hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center.

As is customary with the complex and unexpected shailos that frequently reach the desk of HaGaon Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the rov of Ramat Elchonon and posek known for addressing the most intricate and unconventional cases, another question has surfaced, challenging both his halachic acumen and the very nature of modern-day tzedakah.

Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malkieli stated on Monday morning that his party, Shas, is closely aligned with Degel Hatorah, a faction that constitutes half of the United Torah Judaism party.
“There is a connection between the homes of the Torah sages, and in 99% of cases, we vote together,” he told Kol Barama Radio.
Malkieli took aim at Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of deliberately complicating the passage of the Draft Law. He argued that her involvement has created unnecessary obstacles in the legislative process.
“If the Draft Law were handled as every other law, then we could reach agreements,” he explained. “There are people who wish that a law should not pass.”

A granddaughter has been born to the the esteemed Mashgiach of Mir, HaTzaddik Rav Binyamin Finkel. The new arrival is the first daughter of his son, Rav Yosef Finkel, a distinguished yungerman in the Orchos Yosher Kollel in Bnei Brak. The baby girl was born on Friday night at the Ma’ayanai Hayeshuah Hospital in Bnei Brak.
It is the couple’s first baby after ten years of marriage.
In honor of the occasion, Rav Yosef got an aliyah on Shabbos at the Minyan Avreichim in the Pardes Katz neighborhood of Bnei Brak, under the leadership of Rav Yaakov Weinfeld. Hundreds of congregants warmly approached him to offer their mazel tov brachos.
The baby was named Mina after Reb Yosef’s late mother, Rebbetzin Mina A”H, wife of Rav Binyamin Finkel.

An unusual moment was captured on Sunday at the lounge in Ben Gurion Airport, where the Rebbe of Dushinsky and his wife arrived on their way to London for the wedding celebration of their granddaughter.
The Dushinsky Rebbe, known for his simplicity and lack of formalities—often traveling without attendants and even previously seen carrying his own luggage—encountered mentalist Meni Hollander. Hollander approached the Rebbe and began sharing details about his work as a performer.

Rav Dov HaKohen Kook, the noted mekubal and Tzaddik of Tiveriah, fell on Shabbos morning at his shul in Tiberiah. The fall, which took place during Shacharis, resulted in significant injuries, leaving the rov in great pain.
Rav Kook was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Doctors administered pain relief and prepared him for surgery.
The hospital staff, led by Dr. Noam Yehudai, and spokesperson Shir Persai Barneiv, worked tirelessly to ensure that the rov received the highest level of care.

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka Yeshiva, was discharged this afternoon from Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital.
The Rosh Yeshiva had been hospitalized since Thursday due to a severe case of pneumonia. After receiving treatment and care, he was released to return to his home in Bnei Brak.
Rav Hirsch will now rest at home. In the coming days, b’sha’ah tovah, he is expected to resume his regular schedule of shiurim and receiving visitors.
All are asked to continue davening for the complete recovery of Rav Moshe Hillel ben Mindel.
{Matzav.com Israel}

In the wake of the recent Tefillin controversy in Ramat Gan, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi, expressed deep concern over the troubling developments in Israel.
Speaking to a delegation from Mexico, Rav Bergman addressed the incident where the principal of the Ohel Shem High School in Ramat Gan forbade a student from wearing Tefillin within the school’s premises.

Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch is in need of urgent tefillos for a full recovery after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia. The rosh yeshiva of Slabodka Yeshiva was admitted to Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital following a sudden onset of breathing difficulties after a public meeting in the afternoon.
Rav Hirsch, diagnosed with acute pneumonia, is being treated by a team of expert doctors.
Despite the severity of his condition, he has not required intubation or sedation at any point.
In response to the news, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi, halted his own public meetings to recite Tehillim for Rav Hirsch’s refuah.
All are asked to daven for Rav Moshe Hillel ben Mindel.