Shatnez Alert

 

­ אדר-ניסן תשפ"ו Shatnez Notice! Shatnez found in Daniel Tissu Woolen Suits! ­ Dear Friend,   It's essential to exercise caution with your wool garments and linen garments, even when purchased at a Jewish owned store. Please ensure they're tested for shatnez at a certified shatnez laboratory. Pictured above is a linen armhole tape from a Daniel Tissu brand woolen jacket, that has been discovered at the Flatbush Shatnez Laboratory. The Flatbush Shatnez Laboratory has released the following notice: "Many local merchants have recently started selling clothing made in Turkey. Turkish clothing is more likely to contain shatnez. A new men's suit brand, "Daniel Tissu," sold in Boro Park and Flatbush, has been found to have linen armhole tapes. As you may know, armhole tapes are very difficult to completely remove." ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ Pictured above is the fabric label of the Daniel Tissu suit. This finding underscores the importance of testing for shatnez, even when purchased at a Jewish owned store. Important: It is essential to have shatnez testing done only at a qualified shatnez laboratory. Proper garment testing and shatnez removal, as indicated in this notice, can be very challenging and should only be conducted by a qualified shatnez laboratory. Please share this information widely!   Vaad L'Mishmeres Shatnez

The Lakewood "Freezer" Policy: Torah, Science, and the Shidduch Crisis Rabbi Yair Hoffman

 https://dusiznies.blogspot.com/2026/03/how-lakewoods-freezer-fatwa-goes.html

The Lakewood "Freezer" Policy: Torah, Science, and the Shidduch Crisis Rabbi Yair Hoffman

There are several thousand more young women than young men currently in shidduchim — daughters of yungeleit, struggling baalei batim, and ordinary families, many of whom have not received a single shidduch inquiry in months. The Torah commands us not to stand idly by. The time to act is now.

What the Science Shows

The Midrash teaches: Chochma baGoyim — taamin. The empirical wisdom of the nations is to be taken seriously. Three world-class scientists have produced findings that apply with precision to the shidduch crisis.

Nobel Laureate Alvin Roth (Stanford, 2012 Nobel Prize in Economics) documented a phenomenon called "unraveling" — when one side of a matching system is held back and released in a synchronized wave, the result is catastrophic congestion. Participants are stranded not due to any shortage of partners, but purely because of structural timing failure. The parallel to the Freezer is not metaphorical — it is exact.

MIT's John D.C. Little proved mathematically that once a timing imbalance is introduced into a matching system, the backlog will grow inevitably — regardless of the goodwill, effort, or intentions of any participant. No amount of harder work by shadchanim or families can overcome a structural distortion. The math is the math.

How the Pipeline Breaks

The primary cause of the crisis is the age gap — bochurim typically marry girls several years younger, and since the Jewish population grows each year, more girls enter shidduchim than boys. The Freezer compounds this: while bochurim are restricted from dating for three and a half months, girls continue entering the pool unimpeded. When the boys are released, they gravitate toward the newest, youngest entrants, bypassing girls who have been waiting longest. Over thirty years, the Male Dating Start Date has crept from roughly 20 to 23 or 24 — and each incremental delay, compounded over a growing population, has left exponentially more young women without prospects.

The Halachic Record Is Unambiguous

The greatest poskim of the previous generation — the Chazon Ish, Rav Shach, Rav Elyashiv, Rav Shteinman, Rav Kanievsky, Rav Gershon Edelstein, and others — all ruled that a yeshivah Freezer policy constitutes masneh al mah shekasuv baTorah — a condition contradicting a Torah obligation — and is therefore null and void. Rav Shach stated plainly: "You cannot make a bas Yisroel wait three months. If a good shidduch comes your way, you are obligated to pursue it." Rav Kanievsky wrote in his own handwriting that no bachur in any yeshivah is obligated to adhere to such a restriction.

It Has Been Done Before

In 1160, a structural shidduch crisis gripped medieval Jewry — young women could not find matches because of dowry laws that followed from the devastation of the Crusades. The Gedolim of Shum convened in Troyes, enacted a takanah, and resolved the crisis. It is codified in the Shulchan Aruch. They identified the structural cause, legislated a fix, and saved their daughters. We need a Takanas Shum 2.0.

The Obligation Is Now

Torah and science speak in unison. We call upon yeshivos to eliminate the Freezer entirely — or at minimum allow bochurim traveling home for Chanukah to date. The halacha is clear. The science confirms it. We have no excuse to stand by.

V'ahavta l'rei'acha kamocha — this is not merely a suggestion. It is a chiyuv.

U.S. Supreme Court — Case Alert

 

Galette v. New Jersey Transit Corp. Decided March 4, 2026 | Justice Sotomayor | Docket 24-1021

In a significant ruling affecting public transportation liability, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that New Jersey Transit Corporation is not an arm of the State of New Jersey and therefore cannot claim sovereign immunity to shield itself from personal injury lawsuits filed in other states.

The case arose from two separate incidents — one in New York, one in Pennsylvania — where individuals were struck by NJ Transit buses. NJ Transit sought dismissal of both suits by arguing it was entitled to New Jersey's sovereign immunity as a state entity. The two state courts reached opposite conclusions, creating a conflict that the Supreme Court agreed to resolve.

The Court's ruling turned on a straightforward but consequential point: NJ Transit is structured as a legally independent corporation that is responsible for its own debts and judgments. New Jersey's own founding statute for NJ Transit explicitly states that its liabilities are not the State's liabilities. That separation, the Court held, is decisive — you cannot claim a state's immunity if the state itself has disclaimed responsibility for your obligations.

Practical Impact: Injury victims struck by NJ Transit buses in other states may now pursue their claims in their home state courts without facing dismissal on sovereign immunity grounds. The New York ruling was affirmed and the Pennsylvania dismissal was reversed, with both cases sent back for further proceedings.

ילקוט שמעוני- ישעיה

 אמר רבי יצחק: שנה שמלך המשיח נגלה בו, כל מלכי אומות העולם מתגרים זה בזה. 

מלך פרס מתגרה במלך ערבי, והולך מלך ערבי לארם ליטול עצה מהם, וחוזר מלך פרס ומחריב את כל העולם כולו.

 וכל אומות העולם מתרעשים ומתבהלים ונופלים על פניהם, ויאחוז אותם צירים כצירי יולדה.

וישראל מתרעשים ומתבהלים ואומרים: 'להיכן נבוא ונלך? להיכן נבוא ונלך?' 

ואומר להם: 'בניי, אל תתיראו! כל מה שעשיתי לא עשיתי אלא בשבילכם. מפני מה אתם מתיראים? אל תיראו, הגיע זמן גאולתכם!'"

Kosher Consumer alert

 

THE KOSHER CONSUMERS UNION, INC.

⚠ CONSUMER ALERT ⚠

APEEL COATING ON FRESH PRODUCE

SERIOUS KASHRUS CONCERNS

 WHAT IS APEEL?

Apeel (also marketed as Edipeel) is an invisible, plant-based edible coating applied directly to fresh produce to extend shelf life. It works by sealing the outer layer of the fruit or vegetable, slowing moisture loss and blocking oxygen. It is designed to withstand normal rinsing and cannot simply be washed off — it is intended to be consumed along with the produce.

AFFECTED PRODUCE

Apeel is currently being applied to the following produce items:

•      Avocados, Cucumbers, Limes, Mandarins, Apples

The concern is most acute for produce where the skin is eaten — cucumbers, apples, limes, and mandarins — as the coating is designed to be consumed along with the fruit.

KASHRUS CONCERNS

1.  No Kosher Certification

Apeel carries no kosher certification of any kind. While the manufacturer has stated that its ingredients are not derived from animal sources, there is no rabbinic supervision or hashgacha of any sort over the production process.

2.  Stam Yeinam / Yayin Nesech — The Grapeseed Issue

Industry reports indicate that Apeel frequently uses grapeseed oil — a cheap byproduct of the commercial wine industry — as its fatty acid source. Uncertified grapeseed derivatives raise a severe Stam Yeinam / Yayin Nesech concern, which is among the most serious kashrus issues in this matter.

3.  Mono- and Diglycerides

Apeel’s active ingredients are mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids — the same emulsifiers that are routinely derived from non-kosher animal fat (tallow) in commercial production. Even where a plant-based source is claimed, physical verification of the facility and supply chain is required before any hechsher can be granted.

4.  Shared Equipment and Processing Solvents

The chemical extraction and purification process uses heat, solvents, and catalysts. Without verified supervision of the processing facilities, there is no assurance that the equipment is free from cross-contamination with non-kosher oils or animal fats.   

 Until a thorough review of Apeel’s specific manufacturing facilities has been completed and proper rabbinic supervision is obtained, produce bearing this coating should not be used without guidance from a competent halachic authority.

The Kosher Consumers Union, Inc.  •  EIN: 16-1719040  •  New Jersey

Pesach Hotels Update:

 A Pesach program with a private Seder,

Executive Suites, Reading areas, 24 Hr Tea-Room,

Flexible itinerary, On-site Parking, 

Shul seats for the entire Family, Familiar guests,

Your standard of kashrus, Very Heimish atmosphere.

                                                                    Called Home, sweet, home.

If it's a MUST that one has to go to a hotel for Pesach, 

Oppenheimer's Hotel is under the Hashgocha of KAJ  (Breuers) all year including PESACH

The Lakewood SESAME store does not remove all the insects from pineapple

 

Supreme Court of New Jersey Opinions- Employee without valid Social Security card-Labor & Employment Law

 

Lopez v. Marmic LLC Docket: A-27-24-Opinion Date: March 19, 2026 Judge: Stuart Rabner Areas of Law: Labor & Employment Law A realty management company in New Jersey hired an individual to serve as superintendent for two buildings. When the employee applied for the position, he provided an invalid Social Security number. Initially paid in cash, his compensation arrangement changed to a rent-free apartment in exchange for his labor after the employer learned of the invalid Social Security number. The employee continued to perform superintendent duties for several years without receiving regular wages. The employer did not maintain records of the employee’s hours or wages. After being terminated, the employee filed a claim alleging violations of New Jersey’s wage and hour laws for unpaid wages and overtime. The Superior Court, Law Division, following a bench trial, dismissed the employee’s claims with prejudice, finding that he was not credible due to his use of an invalid Social Security number and had not provided specific evidence of hours worked. The Appellate Division affirmed, concluding that the employee, as an undocumented worker, could not have an employee-employer relationship under federal law and was thus barred from relief. The court also found the barter arrangement established a relationship outside the scope of wage and hour protections. The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed, holding that neither the employee’s undocumented status nor the barter arrangement precluded his right to recover wages for work already performed. The Court ruled that federal immigration law does not conflict with or preempt state wage and hour laws in requiring payment for work actually performed. Employers have the statutory duty to keep records, and failure to do so results in a rebuttable presumption in favor of the employee’s claim. The Court also held that evidence of an invalid Social Security number should be carefully scrutinized for prejudice under evidence rules. The case was remanded to the trial court for a determination of damages.

Pros & Cons of "MUST go" to Seminary in Israel- BTW- The boys & their family doesn't care which "sem", nor if she went at all.

Bochurim, should not go to learn for a year or so in Eretz Yisroel, but should get married earlier.

There has been lately many that strongly oppose the ingrained concept that "must go to Seminary in Israel" in order to marry the right Ben-Torah.

The Pros are not so self evident.

The Cons;
Don't go to Seminary, get a job or training and get married earlier.

The huge expense that most can't afford.

That $20,000.00 plus [saved] can help the new young couple.

Training for a parnosah delayed by at least a year.

They don't receive the tools needed to prepare for a Torah marriage, etc.

Delaying marriage by at least a year.

A girl should be under the supervision of their parents (enough said!)

Pan-handling for a place for Shabbos, etc. at families that can't afford the basics.

We have heard of the tragic experiences in some Israel seminaries.

If we are talking about hashkofah, yahdus, etc in order to go into chinuch? Gateshead is more geared to that element.

Conclusion- It's advisable- not go to seminaries or yeshivas in Eretz Yisroel

KCL Atributes

 Insta cart does exactly what the holy KCL does in Lakewood and surrounding towns.

KCL allows pizza stores to allow the non-Jewish delivery drivers to have rolls of KCL tape, and seal the pizza boxes in their car at the delivery.

KCL allows shabbos catered affairs to have it delivered by non-jewish drivers unsealed.

KCL allows caterers to have shabbos goyim, do pick ups on shabbos of ice or anything they need from the commissary.

KCL allows the non-Jewish workers at the shabbos parties to fill urns, plug in urns, move urns to other areas.

KCL allows unchecked vegies at their affairs.

KCL Shabbos Mashgichim, often get drunk, use their cell phones on Shabbos.

KCL allows the Non-Jewish managers to have keys to their certified kitchens, refrigerators, etc.

KCL allows their caterers to have shnitzel cooked fresh on shabbos and delivered to the shabbos job.

Etc, Etc, Etc.

All food service establishments know they have to give the KCL Rabbis their "bak'shish", food for Shabbos, for thei parties, etc.

As long as you pay your dues timely, you could do whatever you want.

Insta cart refuses to pay KCL their protection fees, so they malign them.

Rav Dovid Feinstein’s Guidance Re: Shabbos / Yom-Tov Affairs with a Party Planner

https://matzav.com/matzav-inbox-rav-dovid-feinsteins-guidance-re-shabbos-affair-with-a-party-planner/

The strengths of "Out Of Town Kollelim" V Lakewood's "BMG", according to Rav Shach, Z"L

 Rav Shach's outlook! 

Rav Shach was asked whether Yungerleit should go to an out-of-Town kolel or remain in Lakewood with a much larger group learning in the Bais Medrash Govoha’ s kolel.

Rav Shach's clear opinion was, that a yungerman can shteig the most by going to an out-of-town kolel within three to four months after their wedding. Some of the reasoning was that by remaining in Lakewood, they must attend various Simchas from both sides, visit the in-laws on a pretty steady basis, and the in-laws or other family members exchange Shabbos etc. , it does take away a considerable amount of time from learning. The Masmid will always outdo all others in success in shteiging and learning. Also, not getting enough rest is an area of concern.

Rav Shach said that going to an out of town Kolel, Is incredibly beneficial for Sholom Bayis overall. 

Out of Town kolel, one would have to be on time for Davening, and all Sedorim must be attended. In an out-of-Town kolel, each looks for the other to get them comfortably acclimated, the wives get friends much faster, etc. In addition, the wives will be able to get jobs as teachers in the local schools, which will impact the curriculum and the children learning in the schools.

Eventually, some of the yungerleit will become Rebbeim in the Schools, giving a different "Ruach" to the Schools.

The amount of time spent learning will be much more productive in an an-out-of-Town kolel. Rav Shach said it would save the Yah'hadus of America by having so many out-of-Town-Kolelim.

Rav Shach said that certain Gevirim, Roshei Yeshiva, etc. would insist that their children should remain in Lakewood and eventually become Roshei Chaburah, get a position as a Rosh Yeshiva, etc., so there has to be Roshei Yeshiva that will be able to make those decisions for the benefit of the yungerleit and the Yeshiva.

Next step, we spoke to some of the older Talmidim of Reb Ahron Kotler, who already had their own Yeshiva, to talk to the Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva to implement the program. They tried talking to them but were unsuccessful in convincing them of the program's benefits. Reb Elya, Z"L said ver fun zei hubben dem gushpanka tzu zugen du bleib, und du zulst gein; keiner nisht!

Update: Rav Breitowitz was asked to propose this initiative at an Agudah convention, He said the Balei Batim loved the Idea, but there was push back from BMG. 

Many dried fruits are infested and should not be used, unless you are an EXPERT trained in checking for infestation

 

Rabbinate Warns: Popular "RABANUT" Paraguay Beef Cuts Sold for Two Years Found Non-Kosher-

 

Rabbinate Warns:  Paraguay Beef Cuts Sold for Two Years Found Non-Kosher

 Israel’s Chief Rabbinate issued an urgent kashrut warning after inspectors found a major failure in nikkur (deveining) on frozen beef imported from Paraguay, leaving prohibited fats (cheilev) in commonly sold asado products. 

The concern spans multiple slaughter/production seasons over roughly two years, meaning significant quantities may already be in home freezers, butcher shops, and institutional kitchens. 

Two specific products:

 a premium frozen beef “asado” cut with bone under the Super Beef brand, and an asado-with-bone product marketed by Of Yerushalayim, produced in Paraguay. Consumers and retailers are instructed not to use the meat unless it is immediately corrected by a qualified menakker under kosher supervision, and to return affected product to the point of sale or through kashrut supervisors for reprocessing. 

This is a halachic/kashrut compliance issue—not a food safety recall—but the Rabbinate is treating it as an urgent “stumbling block” and says distributors and mashgichim have been directed to pull and fix inventory fast.  

Shatnez Alert!

 

Shatnez Notice!

Shatnez found in Antonia Zander skirts! ­ Dear Friend,   It's essential to exercise caution with your wool garments. Please ensure they're tested for shatnez at a certified shatnez laboratory.

Several “Antonia Zander” A-line skirts in different colors were submitted for shatnez testing. Each skirt was constructed in two parts: the lower portion consisted of a standard pleated wool skirt, while the upper portion was made of a knit material sewn to the top, designed to fold over the waistband, see above.

­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ The upper knitted portion was labeled as containing 40% cashmere, 30% silk, and 30% hemp, see above. However, after careful testing, it was determined that the noticeable material listed as hemp was in fact flax.  Important note: Additional shatnez cases have recently been identified in woolen and wool-blend sweaters, specifically involving linen threads in the seams. Please share this information widely!!!   Vaad L'Mishmeres Shatnez

TU B'Shvat fruits

 

Which Bais Din should one go to?

 I have been A Toen in Botei-Din for Numerous years, I retired after seeing first hand the behind the scene of just about all of them.

In the past year, I had a Choshen Mishpat Din Torah, I only agreed to go to the Bais Din of America.

I lost at the Din-Torah, yet I still recommend to everyone, that  the Bais-Din to go to, is the Bais-Din of America.

Address

305 Seventh Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, New York, 10001-6008

Phone

(212) 807-9042

Email

info@bethdin.org

Shatnez sold in a Brooklyn Jewish-owned store!

 

Shatnez sold in a Brooklyn Jewish-owned store! ­ Dear Friend,   It's essential to exercise caution with your wool garments, including those purchased at Jewish-owned stores! Please ensure they're tested for shatnez at a certified shatnez laboratory. In the women's outfit shown above, the fabric is primarily wool, and the shoulders are reinforced with linen, as shown below. This DOLCE CABO brand item was purchased at a Jewish-owned store on Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn, New York. ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ What's particularly troubling about this shatnez finding is the following: There is no confirmation that the store has received any notification about the shatnez finding! Although this finding dates back over three months ago, only a total of two such garments have been tested at the local shatnez laboratory. Important note: Additional shatnez cases have recently been identified in woolen and wool-blend sweaters, specifically involving linen threads in the seams. Please share this information widely!!!   Vaad L'Mishmeres Shatnez

­ Did you know....   The דבר שמואל states in תשובה קעח that those in positions of Rabbinical authority must examine all types of garments and inform the public about shatnez concerns. He mentions that the של"ה הקדוש did so in his ספר, and alerted the public to shatnez garments. You can view the דבר שמואל by clicking here.    ­ Click here to subscribe to our emails.

A QUOTE FROM REB AHRON KOTLER Z"L

Reb Ahron Kotler said;

"The truth must be heard,

                         Even if the public doesn't like the sound of it.
Whatever the circumstances, regardless of the consequences.
                    The truth must be stated-loudly, clearly & unequivocally".
(Quoted by Bunim-Ob"m)

ENSURE Cholov Yisroel by Mehadrin

 

Ocean County Judge responded RE: All Lakewood issues- "Your remedy is at the ballot box," Judge Hodgson said. Lakewood keeps voting in for private interests

Central NJ Attorneys Experienced in Fighting Police Misconduct & Illegal Arrests

 Central NJ Attorneys Experienced in Fighting Police Misconduct & Illegal Arrests

Name	Firm	Location	Phone
Vincent J. Sanzone Jr.	Law Office of Vincent J. Sanzone Jr.	Elizabeth, NJ	(908) 354-7006
Shelley L. Stangler	Law Offices of Shelley L. Stangler, P.C.	Springfield / Roseland, NJ	(973) 379-9572 or (877) 267-9907
Brian J. Zeiger	The Zeiger Firm	Lawrence Township, NJ	(609) 215-7077
Christopher J. Keating	Keating Law Firm, LLC	Moorestown, NJ	(856) 519-5011
Clifford E. Lazzaro	Law Office of Clifford E. Lazzaro, P.C.	Freehold, NJ	(732) 780-5200
Jonathan F. Marshall	Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall	Freehold & Statewide, NJ	(732) 462-1197

As Rav Meir Kahana, OB"M said-The UN, USA, Egypt, Quatar, European Union Nations are behind these terrorist attacks