On the eve of Chag HaShavuos, Rav Dov Landau issued an urgent and strongly worded letter to bnei yeshiva, addressing their role at this critical juncture and warning of government threats to conscript lomdei Torah.
With the state dragging its feet on passing a draft deferment law, Rav Landau expressed grave concern over attempts to forcibly draft yeshiva students — and threatened consequences should such efforts proceed.
“If they force yeshiva students to enlist,” Rav Landau wrote, “we will be compelled to take actions that we do not wish to take.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of the longtime spiritual leader of the Johannesburg, South Africa Sephardic kehillah, Rav Aviyahu Levy zt”l, at the age of 80, after a period of illness.
Rav Levy was born and raised in the Musrara neighborhood of Yerushalayim. A close disciple of Chacham Yehuda Tzadkah zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Rabbi Levy received semichah at a young age and was also deeply connected to the Baba Sali zt”l.

In a political snub just days before a critical vote in the committee for appointing dayanim, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu attempted to mediate between Likud Minister Dudi Amsalem and the heads of the chareidi and religious parties—Aryeh Deri (Shas), Moshe Gafni (Degel HaTorah), and Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionism). But the effort failed, with all three leaders refusing Netanyahu’s invitation to meet, asserting that the process is already closed and that “you have no connection to it.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Dina Bracha Dvorkes a”h, the wife of Rav Elyakum Dvorkes, one of Givat Ze’ev’s most prominent rabbonim and a widely recognized morah horaah. She was 74 years old.
Mrs. Dvorkes was born in Romania to her father, Reb Yehoshua Avraham z”l, and her mother, Esther a”h.

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.