Israel’s Health Ministry recorded 1,640 new coronavirus cases as of Wednesday in the previous 24 hours. There are currently 23,548 active coronavirus cases, with 401 seriously ill patients, of whom 118 are ventilated. The death toll has risen to 772. Israel’s infection rate remains worryingly high, with the percentage of Israelis testing positive for the coronavirus between 10% -11%, said Health Minister Yuli Edelstein on Tuesday. Edelstein’s concerns were reiterated by Health Ministry Deputy Director-General Prof. Itamar Grotto in comments on Tuesday to the members of the coronavirus committee. In the course of the meeting, Chairwoman Yifat Shasha-Biton, claiming that Israel is experiencing a decrease in the infection rate, asserted that cultural events should be allowed to resume.

The IDF conducted airstrikes on Hamas terror sites in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night in response to the launching of a rocket into southern Israel early on Tuesday evening as well as the continuous launching of incendiary and explosive balloons from Gaza for the past two weeks. The launching of the rocket caused rocket alert sirens to blare in Ashkelon and Zikim, sending thousands of residents into bomb shelters. The rocket fell into an open area and fortunately, there were no reports of serious injuries or damage. Two young girls were slightly injured when running toward protective rooms and were evacuated to the hospital for treatment. A rocket & explosive balloons were launched from Gaza into Israel today.

Due to the severe overcrowding of COVID-19 at both Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem, the Health Ministry is opening up a  new ward for Corona patients in Herzog Psychiatric Hospital. The new ward will open in the newly finished underground segment of the psychiatric hospital in the Givat Shaul neighborhood. It is expected to contain 160 beds for Corona patients. Both Shaare Zedek and Ein Kerem hospitals have had their Corona wards overflowing for some time now and are way beyond 100 percent capacity. The overflow has impinged upon other wards as well. Hadassah Ein Kerem even closed their E.R. for a few hours last week due to the overflow. This caused the Health Ministry to create this new ward.

Now debuting is the Sefer “Shabbat” compiled by Avichai Samimi, which provides a concise yet thorough rendition of these halachot le’maaseh according to Minhag Sepharadi.   The Sefer is divided according to daily study, comprised of 2 to 4 halachot each day. It is intended to serve both the novice and the advanced student, whether for personal use, to learn with one’s students, or together with one’s own family. The Sefer took over 6 years to put together, and was given careful attention to its design and format for optimal learner experience. Such a project is quite innovative and we would like this Sefer to reach as many people as possible. Dedications are available at a 100 dollars for each day of halachot, reserved towards the merit of your choice.

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com One girl needs to get to seminary.  A boy needs money for clothing.  A Yeshivah needs money.  The Mikbah!  A Kiruv organization.  Our shul needs money! Who do we give to first?  Are there halachos? The answer is yes, but first, more questions. There are many organizations in Eretz Yisroel and throughout New York that are also in need of funds.   Do these organizations and aniyim have precedence over our local yeshivos, schools, and Bais Yaakovs? Where does one’s brother-in-law who works in chinuch fit in to all this? What are the best tzedakahs in terms of halachah? Do the poskim enumerate a hierarchy or order as to which tzedakos or which aniyim (poor people) we should give to first?

The condition of the Pittsburger Rebbe, HaRav Mordechai Mottel Yissachar Leifer, 64, who was hospitalized on Shabbos morning due to the coronavirus, has deteriorated further, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported. The Rebbe is currently hospitalized in critical condition in the ICU of Laniado Hospital in Netanya, sedated and ventilated. The Rabbanim of Ashdod, where the Rebbe lives, called to the public to hold a public tefillah on Wednesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, and the Belzer Beis Din Kehal Machzikei HaDas also published a notice to daven for the Rebbe. The Rebbe’s sons and sons-in-law delivered words of chizuk on the Pittsburgher phone hotline encouraging the public to continue davening and accept personal kabbalos for the zechus of the Rebbe’s refuah sheleimah.

HaRav Yaakov Ben Shimel, the head of the group of shochtim who traveled from Israel to Paraguay is seriously ill with the coronavirus, Kikar H’Shabbos reported. Despite the fact that South America has been seriously affected by the coronavirus, the mashgichim traveled there to ensure the public has an adequate supply of mehudar meat. But HaRav Yaakov is now hospitalized in a local hospital, sedated and ventilated. According to the Kikar report, all the mashgichim returned to Israel after HaRav Yaakov was diagnosed due to fear of an internal outbreak of the coronavirus among the staff. HaRav Yaakov’s family has requested that the public daven for Yaakov ben Esther l’refuah sheleimah b’toch shaar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Chezy Levy said on Monday that Israel is working on a plan to allow tourists into Israel beginning in September. Levy said at a meeting of the Knesset State Control Committee that the Health Ministry will present a plan to reopen Israel’s skies to tourists by the end of August. The plan will allow tourists from “green countries” to enter Israel in “controlled groups” as well as enable Israelis to travel for business even to “red countries.” On Sunday, the Health Ministry signed an order retroactively exempting Israelis returning from 20 countries from the requirement to quarantine upon arrival back in Israel.

ER Medical, PC is looking for a well-trained, qualified Nurse Practitioner, NP to join a multi-provider, busy, primary care, pediatric practice in central Brooklyn, serving primarily the Orthodox population. This job is for a candidate who is interested in forming a long-term relationship, caring for a stable and loyal patient population, starting immediately. Extremely competitive salary and benefits, for the right candidate. The office is a ½ block walk from the subway (3 train). Job Type: Full-time Pay: $160,000.00 – $200,000.00 per year ER Medical, PC: 864 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Please contact: Michael Furman  e:michael@elirosenmd.com | p: 718-208-1215

Hagaon Rav Yechiel Disseldorf, a Rosh Mesivta in Yeshivas Be’er HaTorah, contracted the coronavirus about a month ago during an outbreak in the yeshiva and unfortunately, his condition has deteriorated in recent days, according to a Kikar H’Shabbos report. Shortly before the end of the summer zeman, there was a coronavirus outbreak in Be’er HaTorah, with several staff members contracting the virus as well as dozens of bochurim. HaRav Disseldorf was one of the Rabbanim who contracted the virus. He was already on the way to completely recovering from the virus when he unfortunately developed a serious infection. His condition subsequently deteriorated and he is currently hospitalized in serious condition in Shaarei Tzedek hospital, sedated and ventilated in the ICU.