In a strongly worded response to what they see as an alarming trend, the roshei yeshiva of Ponevezh have launched a campaign against the increasingly lengthy “final meeting” between chassanim and kallos during the engagement period. The yeshiva leadership made their position clear at an urgent gathering with members of Vaad Beis (advanced bochurim in shidduchim), firmly drawing red lines regarding conduct between the engagement and the wedding.

For the first time since the devastating tragedy that struck the Karlin-Stolin community on Erev Shavuos four years ago, the chassidus is preparing to return to its grand beis medrash in Givat Ze’ev.
Massive renovation and safety efforts are currently underway to enable the building’s rededication in time for the upcoming Yom Tov of Shavuos.

In a significant development, the Sanzer Rebbe has agreed to join the upcoming Keren Olam HaTorah mission to the United States following a heartfelt request from Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Dov Landau. The campaign aims to bolster Torah institutions facing dire financial shortfalls due to budget cuts and economic challenges.
The pivotal meeting took place several days ago when the Sanzer Rebbe visited Rav Landau at his home in Bnei Brak. The Rebbe had come to participate in a special gathering focused on strengthening outreach efforts for children from non-religious backgrounds. The event was attended by many leading gedolei Yisroel.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Shimon Shatin-Shapira zt”l, a longtime yungerman at the Breslover kollel. He was 61 and had endured many years of intense physical and emotional suffering.
Rav Shimon, who became known as “Rav Shimon Ba’al HaYissurim” for the tremendous pain he bore with ahavas Hashem, was a fixture in the Breslov community. Despite frequent hospitalizations, he never allowed illness to separate him from his deep bond with Torah. Those who knew him often found him immersed in learning at all hours, even within hospital corridors.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rebbetzin Rus Devora Avidan (Zemel) a”h, widow of the renowned gaon Rav Avraham Moshe Avidan (Zemel) zt”l. She was 87 years old.
Rebbetzin Avidan was born in Yerushalayim to her illustrious father, Rav Yirmiyahu, and her mother, Mrs. Yocheved. She came from a storied Yerushalmi family that produced generations of talmidei chachomim.

Rav Dov HaKohen Kook, the Tzaddik of Tiveria, has issued a directive sharply criticizing a common practice among religious emergency responders—returning home by car after responding to Shabbos emergency calls. The prominent mekubal has labeled the practice a serious violation of Shabbos.
“I was shocked to learn that all the chareidi and religious responders are returning home by car,” Rav Kook was quoted as saying on Kol Chai Radio. He added that he had been unaware of the phenomenon until this week.

Rav Yisroel Bunim Schreiber, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Nesiv Hadaas, is in need of great rachamei Shamayim.
Rav Schreiber, who also serves as rav of the Ashdod kehillah and is the author of the acclaimed sefer Nesiv Binah, was hospitalized last week at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim after suffering from a period of illness. Medical examinations conducted there revealed serious health concerns, prompting widespread concern and tefillos on his behalf.

The noted posek Rav Ezriel Auerbach will soon embark on a chizuk mission to the United States.
Scheduled to begin immediately after Yom Tov of Shavuos, the weeklong visit will feature Rav Ezriel as the guest of honor at the Adirei HaTorah gathering of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, to be held at Wells Fargo Arena. Rav Ezriel will deliver the keynote address.
Rav Ezriel will also deliver shiurim in batei midrash and yeshivos across the country.

The political future of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government hangs in the balance this week, as Gedolei Yisroel issue a firm ultimatum: substantial progress must be made by Shavuos on the legislation of a new draft law and the formal recognition of yeshiva students’ status — or the coalition risks unraveling.
In a high-stakes gathering held in Bnei Brak ahead of the state budget vote, the Gerrer Rebbe raised the possibility of voting against the budget and toppling the coalition in protest over the stalled draft legislation. The emergency meeting took place at the home of Rav Dov Landau and was attended by Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and other leading roshei yeshiva.

In a visit ahead of Kabbalas HaTorah, the Mir Yerushalayim mashgiach, Hatzaddik Rav Binyomin Finkel, traveled from Eretz Yisroel to the United States to uplift and strengthen bnei hayeshivos in preparation for Matan Torah.
The central shmuess of the trip was delivered at Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, where Rav Binyomin spoke passionately before the roshei yeshiva and thousands of talmidim.