Gilyonos for Shabbos attached

Major victory for parents’ rights and yeshiva advocates in decade-long battle

New York’s highest court ruled Wednesday that the State Education Department (SED) does not have the authority to shut down private schools it deems “non-equivalent” to public schools — a major victory for yeshiva advocates and parental rights.

The Court of Appeals sided with PEARLS (Parents for Educational and Religious Liberty in Schools), represented by attorney Avi Schick, and effectively reinstated a 2023 trial court ruling by Justice Christina Ryba. That decision held that while the state can assess educational quality, it cannot force parents to remove their children or close schools deemed lacking. Instead, parents retain the right to supplement any missing instruction through home or after-school programs.

In its ruling, the court also struck down the SED’s attempts to shutter six specific yeshivas that had been flagged for non-equivalency. Parents of students at those schools had received letters in 2024 telling them to transfer their children — directives now rendered void.

Although the Court of Appeals claimed to be upholding a later appellate ruling that had permitted closures, legal experts noted that the practical outcome aligns with Justice Ryba’s original view: parents are responsible for ensuring a sufficient education, not the schools themselves.

PEARLS responded with cautious optimism, saying: “Since schools can’t be closed by SED and children can’t be forced to unenroll, the practical effect is that parents can supplement any missing instruction… That is what we have been advocating since the outset of this litigation.”

Schick added that the court’s logic preserves both religious freedom and parental control over education.

Yeshiva leaders are now calling on the SED and local school districts to respect the court’s decision and halt all enforcement actions. If not, PEARLS vowed, “We will continue to fight for our mosdos and our mesorah.”

LUTON – Thursday: A travel crisis unfolded at Luton Airport when 20 visibly frum (Orthodox Jewish) passengers were denied boarding a flight to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt — their planned transit route into Israel amid the ongoing war and widespread flight cancellations to Ben Gurion Airport.

The group had intended to reach Israel through Egypt due to the near-total suspension of direct flights. According to sources, they planned to land in Sharm El Sheikh and then continue overland via the Sinai border crossing at Taba.

However, as the group approached the gate on Thursday, they were suddenly stopped by airline officials and informed that they would not be allowed to board without prearranged Egyptian visas. The travelers, who had relied on advice that visas could be obtained on arrival, were left shocked and stranded.

“It was humiliating and deeply frustrating,” said one passenger. “We were desperate to get to Israel — some of us have family in danger — and this was our only route. We weren’t given any prior warning that we’d be turned away.”

The group is now scrambling for alternatives, though options remain limited. So far, neither the airline nor Egyptian authorities have commented officially.

The incident highlights the growing chaos for Jews trying to reach Israel amid wartime restrictions and uncertainty.

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The hottest day of the year could be recorded for the second day in a row as temperatures are set to rise further today, the Met Office has said.

After a peak of 32.2C (89.9F) was reached yesterday at Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport in west London – making it the hottest day of the year so far – a new high of 33C (91.4F) is forecast for Friday.

British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer, on Thursday condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel which hit Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones following the appalling Iranian strike on a hospital in Be’er Sheva. Hospitals must never be targeted,” Falconer wrote in a post on X.

“This is a dangerous moment for the entire region. The UK and our allies are clear that diplomacy is the only solution,” he added.

One of the engines of the Air India plane that crashed last week was new, while the other was not due for servicing until December, the airline’s chairman has said.

In an interview with an Indian news channel, N Chandrasekaran said that both engines of the aircraft had “clean” histories.

“The right engine was a new engine put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023 and due for its next maintenance check in December 2025,” he told Times Now channel.

At least 270 people, most of them passengers, were killed last Thursday when AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport in western India.

Investigators are now sifting through debris and decoding recorded flight data and cockpit audio – from the aircraft’s black boxes which have been found – to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the cause of the incident.

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Interview with Abba Chiya Freed on His Journey to Yerushalayim During Wartime

In a rare and candid interview, with Maariv Lt. Col. (res.) H., a veteran F-15 fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, shared an insider’s perspective on the intense airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory as part of Operation Am KeLavi. The 50-year-old father of three, who has been in active reserve duty for some time, described years of preparation culminating in a moment of great national responsibility.

“This isn’t like Gaza or Lebanon,” he emphasized. “This is a five-hour flight with complex refueling, weather, and distance challenges. You don’t just drop a bomb — every target must be precise, because a single miss could mean another barrage of missiles on Israeli civilians.”

The operation, shrouded in secrecy, was carried out without even informing his own family in advance. “Maintaining surprise was crucial. Of course, I carried them in my heart, but I called only after landing to say I was safe.”

The mission, involving hundreds of Air Force personnel — from intelligence to technical teams — was executed with surgical precision. “Without the ground crews making sure every bomb was properly loaded, none of this could happen. It’s teamwork across every division.”

Asked about the emotional toll, H. acknowledged the pressure but remained composed. “We train not only physically, but mentally. You learn to stay focused, anticipate threats, and complete the mission. Every task has three goals: precision, responding to unknown threats, and returning home safely.”

Back on the ground, there’s no celebration. “There’s a quick handshake, maybe a hug — then we go straight into the debrief. What worked, what didn’t, what to improve.”

He described life as a reservist today as living in two worlds: “You’re in the military, then suddenly back to civilian life — and then called up again. It’s a constant cycle.”

His final message: “We’ve been preparing for this day for over 20 years. When the order came, we were ready. It’s an honor to serve — and we’ll be here as long as the country needs us.” 

For Yiden, as maaminim bnei maaminim, we know that no mission succeeds through strength or skill alone. “כִּי לֹא בְחֵיל וְלֹא בְכֹחַ” — without Siyata Dishmaya, nothing is possible. The pilots may fly, the intelligence may guide, but it is Hashem who protects Am Yisrael and ensures every bomb hits its mark and every soldier returns safely. The true Commander-in-Chief is above, and in Him we place our trust.

Israel has decided to eliminate Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as soon as it has an opportunity, with or without US approval, a security source told Belaaz Thursday afternoon.

“Something big is going to happen tonight”, the source added.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has remained reticent when asked about whether or not Israel would target Khameni, telling reporters that it would “solve everything” but stopped short of saying he would give the order.

US President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty as to whether he would join Israel’s military operation in Iran, and urged Iran to make a deal quickly. The White House announced earlier Thursday that Trump will make a decision within two weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday evening that Israel is “ahead of schedule” in its military campaign against Iran, exceeding prior expectations and poised for further success.

In a rare Hebrew-language interview with the Kan public broadcaster, Netanyahu said Israel has destroyed at least half of Iran’s missile launchers, eliminated key military leaders, is targeting paramilitary forces and will hit all of Iran’s nuclear sites — including the heavily fortified Fordo nuclear facility.

“We are ahead of the schedule we set, both in terms of timing and results,” the premier said, nearly a week after Israel launched what it says is a preemptive campaign to neutralize an existential nuclear threat from Iran.

At the end of his regular shiur klali on Wednesday, the Gaon HaRav Moshe Shternbuch, shlita, Rosh Av Beis Din of the Eidah Hachareidis, spoke from the heart about the terrible matzav unfolding in Eretz Yisroel.

“We’re in an eis tzarah,” the Rav said solemnly. “Missiles are raining down on Eretz Yisroel, Rachmana litzlan, and there have been korbanos and many injured. Everyone understands that this isn’t just some natural event—this is the kol Dodi Dofek, the Ribono Shel Olam knocking and calling out to us: ‘Pischi li achosi, rayasi.’ We need to do some real soul-searching and cry out to Hashem.”

“But,” Rav Shternbuch continued, “we mustn’t panic or fall into fear. A Yid has emunah and bitachon. My rebbe, the holy Rav Moshe Schneider, zt”l, used to say during the Blitz in London—when the Nazis were bombing the city—‘Every bomb has an address.’ Nothing happens by chance. A missile doesn’t fall just anywhere—Hashem Himself sends it. There’s nothing to fear but the Eibershter.”

He quoted the passuk: “Hinei Keil yeshuasi, evtach velo efchad – Hashem is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid.”

“This is the foundation of Yiddishkeit,” he said. “A Yid believes that everything—down to the smallest stub of a toe—is from Hashem. There’s no such thing as coincidence.”

Before ending, Rav Shternbuch gave heartfelt hadrachah to his talmidim: “Be careful with your time—learn Torah with hasmadah. Beware of bittul Torah. Hashem is watching every second, and every word we say is written down L’Maalah. Nothing is lost. Be careful not to say empty words.”

“During this eis tzarah,” the Rav concluded, “our protection is Torah and kedushah.”

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, Nasi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, issued a halachic ruling on Thursday addressing the unique challenges faced this year regarding chasunos during the Three Weeks. His letter comes as the ongoing war with Iran and missile attacks across Eretz Yisrael have led to the cancellation or postponement of many weddings, causing great distress to families and chassanim.

With the Home Front Command banning large gatherings in many areas and a severe shortage of available wedding halls, especially after Tisha B’Av, HaRav Yosef responded to numerous shailos by ruling that it is not only permissible but even a mitzvah to hold chasunos during the Three Weeks this year.

HaRav Yosef clarified that for Sephardim, who follow the psak of the Shulchan Aruch, it is permitted in all years to marry during the Three Weeks, as has been the custom in Yerushalayim for generations. This applies even if the chassan has already fulfilled the mitzvah of pirya v’rivya. He emphasized that this year, when delays can lead to great hardship, there is an even greater need for leniency.

Addressing Ashkenazim, who generally follow the Rema and refrain from weddings during this time, HaRav Yosef ruled that this year—due to the extraordinary circumstances—those who have not yet fulfilled pirya v’rivya may be allowed to marry even before the Nine Days. He cited the Aruch HaShulchan and Lev Aryeh as halachic sources for permitting weddings b’shaas hadchak (in pressing circumstances).

“The one who is stringent in this matter,” he wrote sharply, “will end up losing more than he gains—המחמיר בזה יוצא שכרו בהפסדו.”

HaRav Yosef concluded by urging Klal Yisrael to strengthen themselves in Torah and tefillah: “Eis tzarah hi l’Yaakov u’mimena yeiVashea.”

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