Certain aravos that were sold in a number of communities in Eretz Yisroel have been found to be of the tzaftzafa species and not the aravah species. Tzafzafa, which grows in hills, is disqualified for the daled minim, as is well known.
The news came via Kollel Ponovezh in Bnei Brak, with Rav Meir Hershkowitz making the revelation and stating that everyone should check their aravos.

The sukkah of Rav Yisroel Meir Druk, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Nesivos Chayim and Tiferes Yisroel, was consumed by a fire, burnt to a crisp.
It appears that a cigarette thrown from above in a building at 26 Givat Shaul Street in Yerushalayim caused the blaze that destroyed the sukkah in the building’s courtyard.
The sukkah, which had been painstakingly prepared on the eve of the Yom Tov, complete with air conditioning and even a refrigerator alongside tables and food, was completely engulfed in flames. The sukkah had been intended to be used for several events during the Yom Tov.
Miraculously, no one was inside the sukkah at the time; they were all in shul at the time.

שב”ה באלעד עם ר’ מיילך בידרמןצילום: דוד ארזני
 
שב”ה באלעד עם ר’ מיילך בידרמןצילום: דוד ארזני
 

Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef called secular Jews “pitiable” and “foolish” in comments made during a weekend drasha publicized on Sunday.
“I am in the rabbinical court, receiving cases and seeing what’s happening in the secular community. [The secular community is] suffering. They don’t find fulfillment in life. Everything is done for worldly desires,” Rav Yosef said.
“It’s unbelievable, but we need to bring them closer. What some organizations are thankfully doing — bringing them closer and returning them to repentance. This is what needs to be done and this is what [my father, Rav Ovadia Yosef] did,” he added.

Tonight! Watch Live!
Simchas Beis Hashoevah at Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo Achisamach and Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel Ofakim!
These Simchos Beis Hashevoah will be broadcasted live from the Yeshivah website!
The Simchos Beis HaShoevah of the Ateres Shlomo Network throughout Eretz Yisroel are famed throughout the country and thousands of talmidim, rabbanim, families and friends attend and participate.
For the first time ever, per the request of friends and supporters of the yeshivah, the central Simchos Beis HaShoevah will be broadcasted live every Chol Hamoed evening through Hoshana Rabbah.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Betzalel Edelstein zt”l. He was 68.
Rav Betzalel was the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ahavas Aharon and a son of the late rosh yeshiva of Ponovezh, Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l.
Two and a half years ago, Rav Betzalel fell ill and became bedridden. Doctors gave him only a few months to live, and the name Noach was added as a zechus.
On the first night of Chol Hamoed, he passed away at his home in Bnei Brak, surrounded by his family.

By Rabbi Doniel Neustadt
Discussed below:

Rav Meir Mazuz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kisei Rachamim, addressed the issue of rodents that have been causing problems in the city of Bnei Brak and how it impacts the observance of the mitzvah of sukkah.
Rav Mazuz pointed out that individuals whose sukkahs are run over by rodents are exempt from sleeping in them.
He emphasized the unique problem faced in Bnei Brak, where mice have become a rampant plague this year, making it practically impossible to sit inside a sukkah peacefully.
He quoted a Gemara and said, “Mice can harm someone who is sleeping. Imagine sleeping in a sukkah while mice come and bite you – that doesn’t constitute a proper sukkah experience. Such a situation is untenable.”

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Premier! Simchos Beis Hashevoah of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo will be broadcasted live from the Yeshivah website!
The Simchos Beis HaShoevah of the Ateres Shlomo Network throughout Eretz Yisroel are famed throughout the country and thousands of talmidim, rabbanim, families and friends attend and participate. The Simchas Beis HaShoevah at the Kiryas HaYeshivah is undoubtedly the height of these celebrations with thousands of bnei yeshivah in attendance.
For the first time ever, per the request of friends and supporters of the yeshivah, the central Simchos Beis HaShoevah will be broadcasted live each evening of Chol Hamoed through Hoshana Rabbah.

Like every year, crowds will descend upon the sukkah of the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, located at 15 Rechov Harav Rav Sher in Bnei Brak, during Chol Hamoed Sukkos. To accommodate the crowds, preparations have been made to ensure the safety of those entering and exiting the home.
This year, following the petiros of Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rav Gershon Edelstein, it is expected that more people than ever with visit Rav Landau on Chol Hamoed. Consequently, concerns have arisen regarding potential safety risks.