According to Globes, El Al is going to start a trial of making official minyanim on long haul flights, in an attempt to put an end to the ad hoc minyanim that disturb passengers and crew alike.

In the past few years Israel has been moving more towards a cashless society in its efforts to make it more difficult for criminals to function, and to prevent money laundering. The entire Western world is moving in that direction, and Israel has been going with it. A couple of years ago Israel passed a law to limit the size of business transactions allowed to be conducted with cash. Israel wants to be able to keep track of the flow of money, which it cannot do with cash.

War is never a good thing and not something we should ever want or support. Sometimes it might be necessary, at least from one perspective, but that doesnt make it good. I hope the world does not end up going to war over there with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine heating up. I don't feign to know or understand what is the real cause of the conflict over there.

I know everyone likes to complain about Israeli bureaucracy, and it can really be bad sometimes, but all governments have it. And sometimes the Israelis even get it more right than others and, yes I am going to say something shocking, the Americans can even learn from the Israelis.

honestly I find some of what is said to be somewhat distasteful.  First, what is considered vacationing moderately for me is different than what you might consider a moderate vacation and that might be different than what the next guy considers moderate. What I consider lavish and exciting is different than what you or the next guy consider it to be. Who is to say that some people are overspending and are too ostentatious and should vacation or enjoy leisure time only moderately? And second, if they arent with hookers and drugs and just going skiing or legal (and halachically legal) gambling or skydiving or whatever and flying to the vacation spot on a private jet, they earned their money and can spend it how they want. It does not mean the community should idolize them or whatnot. And if someone puts himself out there as a community model then he has a responsibility to live appropriate for a community model, but I think mostly we are not talking about people who are designated as our models.

It seems there is some fight between the Rabbinic Council of Bet Shemesh and the City of Bet Shemesh. I dont know why but the City of Bet Shemesh has announced that as of this Sunday they will shut down all the municipal mikvas in Bet Shemesh, except for 3 (the mikvas in Gimmel, Daled and Heftziba neighborhoods). According to the notice the mikvas are operating with no license. Until the situation is sorted out, women can use the mikvas in Gimmel, Daled and Heftziba, or any of the private mikvas around town.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, along with other members of government (including Prime Minister Bennett) announced a plan to slow the rise of the cost of living, or lower the cost of living or however you might want to put it. The plan largely includes the lowering of taxes on additional imports in various spaces, giving tax benefits to young working parents  and some additional adjustments.