It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shlomo Edelstein zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ahavas Aharon. He was 79.
A week ago, Rav Shlomo suddenly collapsed after a lung infection complicated matters. He passed away at Maayanei Hayeshuah Medical Center.
Rav Shlomo was born in Ramat Hasharon on the 12th of Elul, 79 years ago to his parents, Rav Tzvi Yehuda Edelstein, the city rov, and Rebbetzin Rochel.
In 1951, his father passed away, and in 1953 his mother remarried to Rav Chaim Yosef Dinkels, author of Da’as Yosef. Together with his sister, Mrs. Shoshana Rivka Breitstein, they were raised in Bnei Brak. Rav Shlomo published the writings of Rav Dinkels, who raised him as his own.

This morning, a large crowd gathered for the bris of the newborn son of fallen IDF soldier Staff Sergeant (res.) Elisha Yehonatan Lober Hy”d, who lost his life in battle in the Gaza Strip.
Chagai Lober, the grandfather, was the sandek.
The baby was given the name Amatziya.
Rav Dovid Dudkevitz, the rov of Yitzhar and rosh yeshiva of the Ro’eh Yisrael Yeshiva, recited the brachos.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Chagai Lober remarked, “I don’t think this is a family celebration – it’s a national celebration. Yehonatan gave his life for the nation, and in a way, he and the baby belong to the nation.”
WATCH A CLIP OF THE BRIS:

Zvi Tal, 64, of Ramat Shlomo, shared his harrowing experience following today’s stabbing incident in Neve Yaakov, in northern Yerushalayim, from his hospital bed at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital.
Describing the events, he recounted, “This morning I was waiting for a bus en route to the Atarot industrial zone. A young person stood behind me at the bus stop. I noticed their presence but paid it no mind. Suddenly, I felt a forceful impact on my back, as if someone had struck me.”
Initially unaware of the nature of the assault, Tal continued, “It didn’t register as a knife at first. Only after witnessing the assailant fleeing did I turn around to find a knife lodged in my back.”

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Meir Hertz z”l. He was 75.
Rabbi Hertz was the founder of Tashbar Boys Elementary School in Lakewood, NJ.
Rabbi Hertz was also a devoted askan who brought LTRAP (HUD) housing assistance to Lakewood, ultimately assisting thousands of families.
Rabbi Hertz is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chani Hertz; his children, R’ Avrohom Hertz, R’ Mordechai Hertz, R’ Yitzchok Hertz, R’ Dovid Yosef Hertz, R’ Chaim Hertz, R’ Yechezkel Hertz, Mrs. Gitty Eisenberg, Mrs. Rivky Bimbaum, Mrs. Matti Marcus, Mrs. Tzippy Colton, and Mrs. Hadassah Glantz; and grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, R’ Boruch Hertz and Mrs. Rochel Lazarowitz.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated his stance on Sunday, urging lawmakers to address legislation regarding the military draft exemptions for members of the chareidi community, despite facing criticism from within the coalition.
“The army requires manpower urgently. This is not a matter of politics but simple mathematics,” he emphasized.
Gallant’s remarks followed his earlier statement that he would support legislation on this issue only if it gained the endorsement of centrist ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. This stance significantly reduces the chances of the coalition passing a bill favoring Haredi interests without bipartisan support.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yekusiel Yehudah Meisels zt”l. He was 94 years old.
Rav Meisels, knows as the Sea Gate rov, led his bais medrash, Khal Yereim, in the seaside community of Sea Gate, Brooklyn, for decades.
Rav Meisels was a son of the Veitzener Rov, Rav Tzvi Hersh Meisels, and Rebbetzin Henya Zisel, a daughter of the Liminover dayan, Rav Chaim Yaakov Teitelbaum. Rav Meisels was born in Wodzisław/Veitzen and later learned in Uhel before being captured by the Nazis and experiencing the horrors of the Nazi torture and persecution.

Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the senior member of Degel Hatorah’s Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah and Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi, tackled the issue of yeshiva student enlistment in the IDF, firmly asserting his opposition to any legislative measures mandating such enlistment.
His stance came to light during a gathering l’illui nishmas Rav Moshe Tzivyon zt”l at Kollel Chazon Ish.
Rav Bergman took the opportunity to articulate his stance: “I wish to emphasize, especially now, that we categorically reject any proposals regarding the conscription of yeshiva students, a stance aligned with the beliefs of luminaries such as the Chazon Ish and Rav Shach.”

Recently, while scrolling through youtube I came across a series of videos labled HOMEBOUND To Eretz Yisroel. Now while I never actually entertained the thought of making Aliyah to Eretz Yisroel, this particular series of videos may have changed that somehow.
To me, and probably most other frum jews living comfortably in America, making Aliyah simply isn’t an option. Now this isn’t necessarily for any one big reason, but here in America we are living quite comfortably, with virtually every single thing that a Jew needs to live a spiritually and physically productive life. So why jeopardize this?

Israel Defense Forces soldiers stationed in the Gaza Strip should celebrate Purim on the 14th of the month of Adar II, which this year falls out on March 24, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef ruled on Sunday.
Most places celebrate Purim on the 14th, but cities that were surrounded by walls during Yehoshua’s conquest of Eretz Yisroel—primarily Yerushalayim—observe the Yom Tov a day later.
However, halachic uncertainty exists regarding Gaza, Chevron, Shechem, Yaffo, Chaifa, Tzefas, Tiveria, Lod and Acco.
In a lengthy psak published Sunday, Rav Yosef states that IDF soldiers in Gaza should fulfill the mitzvos of Purim, including Megillah and the seudah, on the 14th.

Rav Shmuel Dovid Gross, the rov of the Gerer kehillah in Ashdod, has announced that people must make sure not to buy shaitels sourced from idolatrous practices.
In light of this concern, Rav Gross directed his kehillah members to exclusively purchase shaitels from manufacturers that have a hashgacha, which he asserts will guarantees the shaitels’ kashrus.
The announcement sparked significant discussion within the city, given the rov’s previous silence on this issue.
While controversies over shaitels have arisen in the past, Rav Gross had refrained from issuing such directives until now.