Yeshiva World News

Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita has called for an atzeres tefilla on behalf of Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Mordechai [Tzemach ben Mazel] Eliyahu Shlita, whose condition took a sharp turn for the worse, now listed as critical in Shaare Tzedek Medical Center.

Rav Kanievsky stated the most appropriate place for the atzeres is the Rav’s shul in Kiryat Moshe, where he regularly disseminated Torah to the tzibur. In addition to that main tefilla event, others will be held around Eretz Yisrael, as per Rav Kanievsky’s call. Tefillos were recited at the Kever of the Chid’a on Har Menuchos on Sunday afternoon. 
 
An speacial atzeres tefilla was held in the Rav’s shul on Sunday evening for women.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

The Brazilian Jewish community is busy concerning itself with the dibuk according to a Kikar.net report. The bizarre report adds that HaRav Dovid Batzri, a known Mekubal, tried to remove the dibuk via Skype, without success, and now, the ‘infected’ avreich it is on its way to Israel.

The mysterious voice penetrated the Brazilian shul, “I smell many aveiros” and “the end is very near”, prompting mispalalim to look around for the source of the worrisome statements, but there was none to be found. When the voice was heard again, this time in Yiddish, shouting “Get out sinners!” it was recognizable, an avreich from the community. To the astonishment of the mispalalim, his lips were not moving, and those who know him insist he only knows the local language, not Yiddish, Hebrew or any of the other language that was heard emanating from his body.

The gabbai approached him, hoping to halt the shouts, but he was greeted with Hebrew messages, “you look like you are in pain. It appears that you are worshiping avoda zara. I am truly happy to see you”.

The avreich’s abdomen exhibited movement, but not his lips. In the meantime, the ezras nashim emptied as the frightened women fled. The avreich was taken home. He has become the hot topic of conversation in the kehillah. When questioned, the avreich explains he simply does not remember any of the event described to him by members of the community.

His wife however heard him shouting in his sleep, this time in German, but she did not understand what he was saying. The question asked is that even if we assume he lost his mind, how did he learn the other languages?

It’s A Real Dibuk

Days have passed but the community is not calming down. The avreich appeared totally normal until that “cursed moment” when something overpowers him, each time in a different language. When the event ends, he does not remember a thing.

His wife has demanded a ‘get’ since she is simply afraid, but then it remains uncertain if he is capable of giving one in his current [temporary] state.

The community rav was notified, and he contacted HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, with whom he maintains contact. Rav Chaim was briefed at length, leading to many questions, until he began probing seforim, ultimately announcing “this is a real dibuk”. Rav Chaim explained that the Chafetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish knew how to expel a dibuk, but in our generation, there is only one man, sending them to Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita. “Tell him that by all the signs, this is a genuine dibuk. Perhaps he will know what to do,” Rav Chaim is quoted as saying.

Rav Shteinman also probed and questioned, as well as investigating in seforim, coming to the same conclusion, adding there is a man in Yerushalayim by the name of Rav Batzri who knows how to remove a dibuk, and “perhaps he will know what to do”.

After it was determined that it would be extremely difficult to bring the avreich to Eretz Yisrael, arrangements were made to attempt to remove the dibuk using Skype and a computer, permitting the rav and the avreich to see one another.

Rav Kanievsky was approached again, asked if perhaps he could recite or perform a tikun, but he declined, explaining he lacks the expertise, explaining the best he can do is to sincerely wish a total recovery. Family members continued to address R’ Chaim to assist, asking if the bring the avreich if he would be able to help. They began explaining the concepts of the modern electronic communications devices, but Rav Chaim stated “it will not do any good since he must be physically present to assist him”.

Rav Chaim explained that he can give the same bracha from here to Brazil as he can in person, but this is all he is capable of doing. The family however is working to bring the avreich here since R’ Chaim did state that one never knows with absolute certainty and perhaps, in front of the patient, a tikun may have an impact.

As of now, the avreich is going to come to Israel and the mekubalim led by HaRav Dovid Batzri Shlita will do what they can to free him from the dibuk.

NOTE: As written in the opening sentence of the above article, this story is a Kikar report. YWN has not been able to verify the story.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

For the past three years, Rebbitzin Batsheva Kanievsky has undertaken to light her own Chanukah candles.

Kikar reports that the rebbitzin is not lighting her own menorah in secret, but in the presence of her followers and friends who wish to join.

The question being asked is why for only the past three years? It appears that an American Jew gave HaGaon HaRav Chaim Shlita a menorah, one that was far more impressive than the simple one the Rav has been lighting for many years, the menorah that he inherited.

The Rav was unwilling to forgo his long-standing minhag, but then again, he did not wish to offend the givir who has always given generously to support the proper causes. The Rav lights his old menorah the first day and then, the rebbitzin begins lighting it herself , (the one the Rav lit in previous years, before receiving the gift).

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Family members report the condition of askan Rav Micha Refael [ben Rosa] Rothschild has taken a sharp turn for the worse.

The rav was a passenger in a vehicle traveling from Bnei Brak to Yerushalayim when it spun out of control due to inclement weather conditions. He sustained a serious head injury and was transported to the trauma unit of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

Last week, as his condition deteriorated, the name Refael was added as mispalalim gathered at the home of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita.

During the night, reports from the hospital point to yet another decline in the rav’s condition. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

[UPDATE BELOW] Well-known Chareidi askan, R’ Micha [ben Rosa] Rothschild was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident on Monday night on Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway in the Shar HaGuy area. The accident occurred as he was driving from Bnei Brak to Jerusalem. He is a son of Dr. Moshe Rothschild, the president and founder of Maynei HaYeshua Medical Center. Dr. Rothschild headed for the Haddassah Jerusalem Trauma Center after receiving the news of the accident.

Bnei Brak official R’ Yehuda Gelbar, who was driving, was injured lightly. It appears the inclement weather was a contributory factor to his losing control of the vehicle on a curve. His father is the well-known mohel and mechutan of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita, R’ Shmuel Meir Gelbar. The Citroen vehicle spun out of control, striking a roadside barrier.

Preliminary reports indicate that Rothschild was not using his passenger restraint belt and he was the most seriously injured. He is listed in very serious condition with multi-system trauma and head injury. Others were less seriously injured as well. The injured were transported to the trauma unit of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.

Upon hearing of the accident, Deputy Minister of Health R’ Yaakov Litzman and MK Uri Maklev headed to Hadassah Hospital.

UPDATED: 2:21PM IL: Officials in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital report the condition of Rav Micha Rothschild has deteriorated and demanded an urgent surgical procedure.

As the life-saving effort takes place, an additional name is being added in the home of Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, now Micha Refael ben Rosa. The family is calling on Am Yisrael to be mispalel on his behalf.

The rav underwent a complicated neurosurgical procedure during the night as a result of his serious head injuries, resulting from a car accident.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

It is a well-known fact that HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita does not seek to derive pleasure from this world, distancing himself from items of comfort. It is also known that the Rav has on many an occasion distanced himself from gifts for the same reason.

Rav Kanievsky came to the realization that his kiddush becher was no longer suitable to perform the mitzvah. HaRav Aaron Binah, the rosh yeshiva of Netiv Aryeh heard of the decision, jumping at the opportunity to purchase a new becher for the Rav, and he did just that.

According to a Chareidim report, Rav Chaim used the new large sterling becher on motzei shabbos Bereishis to make havdalah. The report adds the Rav is stringent to use wine and not grape juice for havdalah, which is a special segulah for those who join him, seeking a bracha for a son. The Rav is also stringent to drink a ‘rov kos’, a majority of the cup, which according to the report is no simple task since the new becher is considerably larger than its predecessor. Doing so would without a doubt compel one to head directly to bed to rest due to the volume of wine involved.

It was realized that the new becher was simply too large to drink a ‘rov kos’ and on erev shabbos, R’ Binah returned with two other cups, the same style as the new one, but both smaller, permitting the Rav to make havdalah this week and to drink as is his custom and head for melave malka.

In the meantime, discussion is underway as to who will merit receiving the Rav’s old becher.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

After the turmoil created by the response to the p’sak halacha released pertaining to the prohibition against the use of shabbos elevators, based on a report in the Hebrew edition of Yated Neeman and on an in-depth follow-up on Kol Chai Radio, it is now being explained that Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita did not affix his signature are first indicated, but his comment from the past was attached to the publicized signatures of the other gedolei yisrael.

As reported earlier by YWN, Zomet Institute’s Rabbi Yisrael Rosen maintains the technology of the elevators remains unchanged since the ruling permitting their use were issued by Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurbach ZT”L, questioning how the change in the ruling came about while none of the rabbonim close to the gedolei yisrael contacted him or his institute. It appears Maranan V’Rabanan Gedolei HaDor Shlita, Maran Rav Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita, Maran Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita and Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita did indeed sign the p’sak as reported earlier by YWN and others. The change is that Rav Elyashiv did not sign at present, but the inclusion of his past remarks on the issue led to a misunderstanding.

HaGaon HaRav Levi Yitzchak Halprin, who heads the Jerusalem Institute for Technology & Halacha is quoted as saying he has written a book on the matter, and the ruling permitting the use of a shabbos elevator is based on decisions by gedolim, and since that time, there have not been changes.

Rav Halprin confirms hearing a “certain engineer” did make an appearance before one of the gedolim and stated the elevators are indeed a cause for chilul shabbos, adding in his (Rabbi Halprin) opinion, “he does not know what he is talking about”.

Rabbi Halprin adds that Rav Elyashiv did not come out against shabbos elevators but against elevators on shabbos (in Hebrew – “ma’aliyot b’shabbos” and not “ma’aliyot shabbos”, insisting Rav Elyashiv did not come out against the ruling, adding he learned the posek hador did not wish to affix his signature to the ruling that carries the names of the other gedolim.

Rav Halprin concludes that until such time he learns of a change in the p’sak halacha, he does not see a reason not to use the shabbos elevators where applicable.

Click on the following link to see the P’sak posted earlier this morning by YWN http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/elevator_psak.jpg

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

[Copy of P'sak in Extended article] Maranan V’Rabanan Gedolei HaDor Shlita, Maran Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita, Maran Rav Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita, Maran Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita and Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita are signed to a p’sak halacha circulated on Tuesday stating the use of shabbos elevators may indeed constitute chilul shabbos min ha’torah, not just d’rabbonon.

The information released indicates the gedolim have ruled that due to changes in the operation  of the elevators, based on expert information provided by elevator technicians and engineers, the ruling has been handed down prohibiting their use, including those under the supervision of halachic organizations. The ruling states the chilul shabbos is caused while going up or down in the elevator.

Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, of the Zomet Institute on Monday stated he does not back down from his ruling, permitting the use of the elevators, stating that he and his colleagues, and many others, base the permission for the elevators on the rulings of Hagon Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach ZATZAL, and those who follow his decisions. Rabbi Rosen added a number of points, explaining for one thing, the technology since Reb Shlomo Zalman’s rulings were handed down has not changed, and therefore, there is no reason for the new ruling prohibiting the shabbos elevators.

In addition, Rabbi Rosen questions those in the “court of the rabbonim”, explaining gedolim are obviously called upon to affix their signatures by rabbis who have access to them deciding to bring this specific issue to their attention. He asked how such a decision can be reached, quoting experts in the field, when Zomet, which is one of two institutes in the field working to find technological advances that can be incorporated into permitted shabbos use, was not contacted by any of the rabbonim who brought this to the attention of gedolei yisrael shlita. He stated, “I am not a ‘bal plugta’ with any of the gedolim” but question how such a ruling can be issued without even conferring with rabbinical experts such as those at Zomet.

Rabbi Rosen added that it is difficult for him to comment since the p’sak circulating in chareidi circles is not detailed.

Rabbi Rosen told Kol Chai Radio that he feels the gedolim at times are led by those who have access to them, pushing certain issues before them and in this case, opting to ignore the experts who address the issues for the past years, relying on torah giants such as Reb Shlomo Zalman.

Click on image to ENLARGE P’sak.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

During a meeting held in the home of Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita last Tuesday, the gadol hador approved the distribution of Shefa Shuk shopping vouchers to avreichim by the Vaad Le’Inyanei Tzedaka.

According to the Chareidim report, R’ Elyashiv expressed words of praise for David Weissman, who owns AM:PM and Shefa Shuk, for deciding to begin closing down AM:PM branches on shabbos. The report states that 5,000 NIS 500 vouchers were distributed ahead of the yomtov. Rav Aurdintlich of the vaad explained the distribution was not an official act of the vaad, and while he did not meet personally with R’ Elyashiv, he received approval for the move, apparently via Rav Azriel Auerbach. 

After Maran HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Leib Shteinman and Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky gave their approval, the distribution got underway, primarily to avreichim in Bnei Brak.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Men in our community are invited to attend Irgun Shiurai Torah’s Summer Dinner Event which will be held TONIGHT at the Young Israel of Avenue K in Brooklyn. The hot buffet dinner will begin at 7:00 PM with Mincha and the program beginning at 7:30. Keynote Speakers this evening will be HaRav Ephraim Shapiro, Shlita, Rav of Shaaray Tefilla of North Miami Beack and HaRav Shmuel Dishon, Shlita, Menahel of Mosdos Yad Yisroel Karlin Stolin.

The Dinner is also a unique opportunity to witness daas Torah in action.  HaRav HaGaon R’Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, HaRav HaGaon R’Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinmna, Shlita, and HaRav HaGaon R’Michel Yehuda Lefkovitz, Shlita, gedolei hador of Eretz Yisroel will answer vital questions which are significant for the year 5769.  It promises to be a riveting and awe-inspiring evening.

This event will honor over 700 Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim who gave shiurim as part of Irgun Shiurai Torah’s worldwide harbotzas haTorah projects, and many esteemed community  Rabbonim are expected to attend.  Dinner hosts Ari Parnes and Reuven Wolf look forward to greeting you personally, as do Campaign Chairmen Leibish Berkowitz and Abish Brodt.  Irgun Shiurai Torah would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Yanky Feuereisen of Classic Caterers for sponsoring the catering of this event in honor of the Flatbush community.  Irgun Shiurai Torah brings the light of Torah to hundreds of thousands of Jews worlwide through seminars and shiurim live and on tape.

Be a part of this tremendous kiddush Hashem!

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Women in Eretz Yisrael are undertaking learning shmiras haloshon on behalf of Gilad Shalit. An email was circulated among tens of women; an effort they hope will spread and include others, all learning on behalf of the IDF soldier now in his fourth year of captivity.

According to a Ladaat report, a daily email will arrive in the inbox of subscribers containing two halachos.

The end of the email states that HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita promises those who take part will merit many good tidings regarding health, matrimony and children.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Rebbitzin Kanievsky, the wife of Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita [and the daughter of Maran Hagon Rav Elyashiv Shlita], was released from the hospital on Thursday night. She was admitted a number of days ago for “heart related problems”.

According to reports, she underwent tests and treatment in Bnei Brak’s Maynei HaYeshua Hospital and was released to her home.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

A bachor facing traffic court next week after being apprehended driving without a license decided to turn to a Gadol HaDor for a bracha ahead of his court appearance, during the 9 Days. He turned to HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, seeking a bracha.

The Rav asked just why he was going to court and facing a jail term, and after hearing of the event, with the bachor explaining that he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a wall, the Rav called him a “murderer”, adding that “they should put you in jail” Chareidim reports.

The bachur explained that no one was killed or even injured, but confirmed he was driving without a license, to which the Rav is quoted as saying “then you are a murderer!”

The youth expressed remorse, but the Rav stated that he believes if given the opportunity tomorrow, he would drive again. “It is best that you sit in jail and learn not to be a murderer”.

The Rav insisted he cannot give a bracha, wishing the bachor that he hopes Hashem will assist so that the verdict is the best thing for him in this case.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel) 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is expected to visit HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita in the coming days. It is being reported from Bnei Brak that the prime minister requested to meet with the Rav, and he was going to make the visit immediately following his Bar Ilan address on Sunday night.

The Rav’s gabbaim however did not want the prime minister arriving immediately following the address to avoid reports connecting the Rav to the political address or possibly having such a meeting interpreted as the Rav’s approval of the address. Therefore, the original Sunday night meeting was postponed and a meeting is expected to take place later this week.

Gabbaim announced that the meeting is apolitical and the prime minister is welcome as are all yidden, stressing brochos and politics are separate issues.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

A special Father and Sons tefilla will be held at the Kosel on Sunday, Rosh Chodesh Iyar at 6:00pm at the Kosel. Thousands are expected to participate, including maggidei shiurei daf yomi, participants in daf yomi, and children from around the country, as the special tefilla of the Shelah HaKadosh is recited.

The event will surround a hachnasas sefer torah at the Kosel in memory of HaGaon HaKadosh Rav Meir Shapira of Lublin Z”TL ZY”A, the father of daf yomi. After the hachnasas sefer torah, the tefilla of the Shelah HaKadosh will be recited, as is the minhag [usually on erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, this year Shabbos].

In preparation, on erev Shabbos, a delegation of the Me’orot Daf Yomi headed by Rav Chaim Dovid Kovalevsky visited Maran HaGaon Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita, who wrote a letter in the sefer torah.

Other gedolim who wrote letters in the sefer torah last week include Maran Rav Elyashiv Shlita, Sanzer Rebbe Shlita, Rav Shteinman Shlita, Nadvorna Rebbe Shlita, Rav Lefkowitz Shlita, Rav Kanievsky Shlita and Rav Karelitz Shlita.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

A child was born on Shabbos morning in Bnei Brak’s Maynei HaYeshua Hospital which in its own right is not truly significant since the hospital brings dozens of children into the world daily.

This baby however has lineage, connected to many of today’s Gedolei HaDor. The child is reported to be the first grandchild of a great-grandchild of Maran HaGaon Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita. If that was not enough, the baby is also linked to Maran Rav A. L. Shteinman Shlita and Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita.
 
The child is Baby ben Yonasan and Devorah Honigsberg. The father’s grandfather, HaRav Gedalyahu Honigsberg is the son-in-law of Rav Schrage Shteinman, son of Maran Rav Shteinman Shlita, and son-in-law of Rav Kanievsky Shlita. Rav Kanievsky is Rav Elyashiv’s son-in-law, bringing this little boy into a unique Torah yichus and lineage.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Hagon Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner was taken on Shabbos morning to Maynei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak after complaining of severe stomach pain. After being admitted to the hospital, it was decided that surgery be performed.

As word spread around Bnei Brak, Batei Midrashim and Yeshivos were Mispallel for the Posek Hador’s speedy recovery.

In Bais Medrash “Lederman”, Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita Paskened that Tehillim be recited after Mincha, and in Ponavez Yeshiva tehillim was recited following Mincha as well.

A statement by the hospital was issued after Shabbos saying that the condition of Rav Wosner is Boruch Hashem stable.

Please be Mispallel for Shmuel ben Rochel.

UPDATE 8:45AM IL: Officials at Maynei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak report that Rav Shmuel Halevy Wosner Shlita is doing well following surgery to correct a bowel obstruction. The tzibur is requested to continue tefillos for the Posek HaDor, Shmuel by Rochel.Hospital officials add the Rav will not be permitted to have visitors since he needs the time to rest and recuperate.

The Rav arrived at the hospital at 8:00am Shabbos morning. Rav Fuehrer and others were alerted as the decision regarding Rav Wosner’s condition was made, moving ahead with the surgery to clear the obstruction.

(Dov Gordon / Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Students of Bnei Brak’s Hadras Melech Yeshiva who recently returned from Mexico this week remained in an apartment separated from other bochrim. The decision was made by HaGaon Rav Elyashiv Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Wosner Shlita.

The yeshiva is home to some 50 Spanish-speaking bochrim from Mexico and other countries. Ten bochrim returned from Mexico this week following the Pesach break.

According to a report appearing in the daily HaMevaser, Rav Kovlevski, the son of the rosh yeshiva HaGaon Rav Aryeh Kovlevski was concerned as how to act regarding the returning students, prompting the query to Gedolei Yisrael.

The report states a delegation visited Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, who referred them to Maran Hagon Rav Elyashiv Shlita. He stated it could be a question of pikuach nefesh and until it is certain the bochrim returning from Mexico are not infected, they should remain separate from the others.

Another delegation asked Maran Hagon Rav Wosner Shlita, who convened his special beis din and it was decided they must adhere to Health Ministry directives to keep the bochrim separate.

When the youths arrived in Eretz Yisrael, the Health Ministry hadn’t yet implemented medical examinations at the airport.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Members of the mehadrin bus vaad last week visited Gedolei Yisrael in Bnei Brak, stopping at Maran Rav Kanievsky Shlita, Maran Rav Edelstein Shlita and Maran Rav Karelitz Shlita. According to a HaMevaser report, they received the support of the gedolim for their ongoing efforts to increase the scope of mehadrin separate seating bus lines.

Mention was made of the letter published in Elul 5753, some 2.5 weeks after the number 2 bus terror attack in which 22 people were murdered. It appears this is the impetus compelling the ongoing efforts to defy Egged and operate mehadrin service on this line, as was reported by YWN on Sunday (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=32103).

After the rabbonim published the kol korei following the attack, appeals were made to Egged to open the rear door to at least permit men and women to use separate doors, but their pleas fell on deaf ears, prompting the establishment of the vaad some two years ago. Members of the vaad include Rav Yosef Chaim Kupshitz Shlita, Rav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita, Rav Dov Landau Shlita and Rav Menachem Mendel Fuchs Shlita. They met with representatives of Egged and the transportation ministry many times, towards establishing a mehadrin service on the number 2 line, traveling by many chareidi families to and from the Kosel and the chareidi areas of the capital. To date, Egged has not complied.

A private service is operating a mehadrin service on that line today, free of charge, in compliance with ministry law which prohibits a ‘for fee’ service to compete with Egged on the line. The funds are presently coming from donations from givirim in Eretz Yisrael and abroad.

Vaad members’ report that transportation ministry officials are seeking to pressure the bus company to halt the free service, threatening failure to comply will result in the ministry sending agents of the Internal Revenue Service to scrutinize the bus company’s books. In actuality, agents of the IRS have indeed already contacted company managers, in addition to ministry bus safety inspectors, who now wish to run a fine tooth comb over every bus to make certain they comply with all safety regulations.

During their visit last Thursday to Bnei Brak, the rabbonim received brachos and Rav Kanievsky Shlita is quoted in the daily HaMevaser as stressing the absolute need for separation between men and women on the buses, praising the vaad for its efforts. These words were echoed by Maran Rav Edelstein Shlita and Rav Karelitz Shlita praised the vaad and took the time to receive a comprehensive update on their activities. Rav Karelitz explained the efforts to provide mehadrin service is in essence a battle with the yetzer hora (evil inclination) and therefore, we encounter much resistance and difficulty.

The rabbonim state that despite the difficulties encountered, they plan to continue with the number 2 mehadrin alternative that began running last week. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

10:30AM EST: Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita was hospitalized on Thursday after complaining of abdominal pains. According to reliable reports, testing has indicated the Rav is suffering from an intestinal obstruction.
 
It appears a doctor was summoned to the Rav’s home during the night, leading to the decision to transport him to a hospital.
 
Experts from Ichilov and Beilinson Hospitals visited the Rav in Bnei Brak’s Maynei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak to confer with physicians regarding the Gadol HaDor’s condition. After reviewing the case, including the results of diagnostic exams, it was decided to transfer the Rav to Beilinson Hospital but a final decision will not be made until another CT is performed.

(Click on image to ENLARGE) Please be Mispallel for Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim ben Pesha Miriam.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)