Despite growing frustration among the general public over the lack of answers regarding tickets and transportation to Meron for Lag Ba’omer, preparations on the ground are already well underway ahead of the hilula of Rav Shimon bar Yochai.
Photographer A. Eisenbach traveled to Meron early and captured striking images of the fully prepared “Area 89” compound, one of the primary sites of the annual gathering.
This year, Area 89 will host a series of major lighting ceremonies. Among them will be the renowned mashpia Rav Elimelech Biderman, as well as various admorim and rabbanim.

At a major press conference held Wednesday at “Compound 89” in Meron, officials presented the comprehensive operational plan for the upcoming hilula of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai on Lag BaOmer 5785. Leading the announcement were Minister of Yerushalayim Affairs and Jewish Tradition Meir Porush, Northern District Police Commander Chief Superintendent Meir Eliyahu, Hilula Project Coordinator Yossi Deutsch, along with senior figures from the Ministry of Yerushalayim Affairs, including Director-General Shimon Alboum and Deputy Director and Head of the Meron Division Chaim Rosenshtein.

Despite recently undergoing a medical procedure, Rav Yitzchok Ezrachi, rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim, displayed remarkable mesirus nefesh by delivering his weekly shmuess to talmidim via a live Zoom broadcast from his hospital room.

On Tuesday night, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the military’s Human Resources Directorate to significantly ramp up efforts to conscript chareidim in light of the expanding Gaza ground operation and the broader demands of the ongoing war.
Since the summer of 2024, the IDF has issued 24,000 draft notices aimed at tens of thousands of eligible chareidi men. However, only a small percentage have responded positively and agreed to enlist.

In a development Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi issued a directive to IDF Human Resources Head Maj. Gen. Dudu Bar Kalifa, instructing him to immediately present a detailed plan for significantly expanding the distribution of draft notices to the chareidi community.
The directive comes amid the intensification of military operations in Gaza, with Israel’s political leadership pushing for heightened manpower and mobilization. Against this backdrop, the Chief of Staff’s demand for an immediate and structured plan marks a notable shift in policy toward the enlistment of chareidim.

In an emotional address delivered at a preparatory gathering at the home of Rav Dov Landau ahead of the renewed fundraising drive for Keren Olam HaTorah, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch explained the dire necessity of extending the initiative for another year. The campaign, which last year provided critical financial support to yeshivos and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel, is being relaunched following overwhelming demand and continued financial strain.

it is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Chaim Binyomin Goldberg zt”l, author of Pnei Baruch on the halachos of aveilus and other important seforim. Rav Goldberg was niftar at the age of 79.
Rav Goldberg was born on 28 Teves 5706 to Rav Boruch Pinchos Goldberg zt”l and Rebbetzin Chana Shprintza a”h. From a young age, he stood out as an exceptional talmid chacham, marked by humility, diligence, and deep yiras Shamayim.
He married Rebbetzin Nechama Toiba, daughter of Rav Chaim Zwebner, and together they built a home of Torah and chessed.

In a deeply moving visit, the mashgiach, Rav Moshe Dovid Lefkowitz, paid a visit to the home of Rav Moshe Tzadkah, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef in the city of Yerushalayim.

Following two decades of stalled proposals and unrealized plans, restoration efforts officially began Monday morning at the Kosel Hakotton, nestled in the Muslim Quarter of Yerushalayim’s Old City. The project moved forward after receiving direct authorization from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
The Kosel Hakotton, situated just north of the main Kosel plaza near the Iron Gate, has long been revered for its spiritual and historical importance. Despite repeated calls for its renovation over the years, progress had been hindered by ongoing political sensitivities and security challenges.