As many of you know, Israel is deep in a war right now. Sirens go off day and night, interceptions happen overhead, and missile fragments fall back down to earth. What’s less obvious from abroad is how much this affects air traffic. In short: most planes in the skies aren’t passenger or cargo aircraft — they’re military jets flying to and from missions over Iran and Lebanon. Passenger flights have dropped to a tiny fraction of normal levels.

If you check the Ben Gurion arrivals/departures board, you’ll see the difference immediately. Instead of one or two dozen flights per hour, we’re seeing one or two dozen per day, almost all Israeli carriers (El Al, Arkia, Haifa Air) or occasional charter flights. (BTW, my niece managed to snag a seat on one tonight. If all goes well she’ll be home in New York for Shabbos. But a lot of would-be travelers are finding it hard to leave.)

How things normally work

In calmer times, express couriers like UPS, DHL, and FedEx (we use UPS) operate their own planes. They’re independent and don’t need to rely on passenger airlines. International mail, however — First Class, Priority Mail, EMS — travels in the spare cargo space of passenger flights.

How things are working now

Right now, the situation is flipped. The express carriers aren’t flying their own planes at all… but they’ve been remarkably resourceful in finding alternative ways to get parcels out of Israel. Surprisingly, their delivery times remain pretty solid.

Israel Post, on the other hand, doesn’t have those kinds of logistical tricks available. At first, we honestly assumed international mail wouldn’t be going anywhere for quite a while. But then we received this hopeful update from our Israel Post liaison:

אנו שמחים לעדכן כי משלוחי היצוא התחילו להישלח מדואר ישראל לחו"ל באופן הדרגתי וגובר, ככל שהמצב יאפשר. בימים האחרונים אנו עמלים על מנת לתת שירותי מיטבי וכבר החלו לצאת משלוחים ראשונים לחו"ל, נמשיך ונשלח בכמויות גדולות ככל הניתן גם במהלך השבוע. המשלוחים יוצאים ברובם בשיטת FIFO (ראשונים להיקלט – הם הראשונים לצאת) עם העדפה למשלוחי האקספרס EMS.

That notice, in English, reads: “We are pleased to update that export shipments have begun to be sent abroad from Israel Post, gradually and increasingly, as the situation allows. In recent days we have been working hard to provide optimal service, and the first shipments abroad have already begun to go out. We will continue to send in as large quantities as possible throughout the week. Most shipments are being dispatched using the FIFO method (first received – first sent), with priority given to EMS express shipments.”

Encouraged by that, we pushed hard to get all outgoing orders processed on schedule — even knowing things would move slowly — because with FIFO handling, getting parcels “into the line” early could help.

Unfortunately, despite that update, we’re still not seeing movement. Even parcels we shipped 10 days ago are still sitting at Ben Gurion.

Our customers’ patience means a lot

The vast majority of you have been incredibly understanding. You know what we’re living with here — air-raid sirens, missile barrages, an entire country half shut down — and no one writes in saying, “Not my problem, where’s my order?” Still, it takes real patience to accept that this isn’t the usual “add a week to the shipping time.” It’s an open‑ended delay: potentially 2–3 weeks of mail sacks gathering dust, then a bottleneck as the backlog gets cleared, and then the regular shipping time on top of that.

A bright spot

Express shipping continues to shine. Reviewing our data, even in the middle of a war zone, UPS deliveries are usually arriving in about 3–4 business days after dispatch. Truly impressive.

Bottom line

We’re frustrated — just like you — to see international mail stuck at the airport with no clear timeline. But at the same time, we’re encouraged by how well UPS is coping under intense pressure, and incredibly grateful for your patience and empathy as we navigate this very unusual moment.

As soon as Israel Post starts getting mail sacks onto planes again, you’ll be the first to know.

Over the past 24 hours, the situation has shifted in an unexpected — and very positive — direction.

Just after posting our original update yesterday, we received confirmation from two separate UPS client support contacts that UPS has activated an alternative air‑export solution. They did not detail the mechanics, but the official UPS notice states:

Export: As previously published, the air‑export solution is already operating, and pickups can be scheduled. Due to the situation, timelines are flexible and delivery times to various destinations may be extended.

This is very encouraging news, especially considering that until yesterday it appeared that no packages at all would leave Israel until the airspace fully reopens.

When will Israel's airspace reopen?

While no one can give an exact timeline, based on both June 2025 precedent and current Home Front Command directives, the earliest estimate remains around a week from now — approximately 22 Adar / 11 March.

Typically the reopening is gradual:

• Step 1: 24–48 hours with zero long‑range missile launches
• Step 2: Another 1–3 days until full opening
• Step 3: El Al and Arkia typically resume first
• Step 4: Courier planes (UPS, DHL, FedEx)
• Step 5: Commercial airlines

That last step is of course what stranded would-be travelers have been waiting for, but it's also signficant for international mail, which relies very heavily on space in the cargo holds of commercial flights.

So How Is UPS Shipping Right Now?

UPS hasn’t shared operational details, but here is what we expect based on experience and logistics reality:

• Parcels may not be loaded onto outbound aircraft the same evening as pickup (which is very common during peacetime).
• Expect 1–2 additional business days inside Israel before parcels actually depart.
• Aircraft space will be limited, and routing will likely be less direct.

Under normal conditions, UPS worldwide deliveries take 2-4 business days. Realistically, we now expect 3-6 business days for most destinations.

Considering the circumstances, this is extremely good news — far better than the scenario where no outbound shipments leave Israel for one to two weeks.

To make this option available to more of our customers — especially with Passover on the horizon — we lowered our UPS shipping fee temporarily.

And What About the First Class and Priority Shipping Options?

First Class and EMS/Priority are international mail, not courier. That means for the first leg of the journey they are handled by Israel Post, and rely largely on cargo space in the holds of passenger planes. With passenger flights down to a bare minimum, that means mail parcels are trickling out very slowly. During periods of critical freight restrictions, Israel Post certainly makes an effort to do what they can, but they simply do not have the logistal resources and means which couriers like UPS have at their disposal.

• Mail sacks are getting picked up from our office three times per week, as usual
• Scanning an export clearance may take slightly longer than usual
• With aircraft space extremely limited parcels might be grounded at the airport for weeks

Parcels sent EMS/Priority are given...you guessed right: priority. But that still doesn't mean we can rely on them to get on a plane within a few days.

And even if air traffic is fully opened sometime soon, based on past experience, including the coronavirus and last's summer's Iran war, when the airspace does fully reopen there will naturally be a bottleneck for international mail as logistics teams work through accumulated volume.

Therefore, if your order is time sensitive, you'll definitely want to consider our UPS option, which has not been significantly slowed down. 

How We’re Preparing Your Orders

Besides the shipping issues above, our order preparation is very close to normal peacetime operations. We are continuing to:

• Tie tzitzit
• Sewing and embroidery work
• Pack orders
• Prepare shipping labels
• Arrange pickups

Order volume & customer awareness

Interestingly, order volume this week has been quite brisk. Many customers seem to understand that delays are unavoidable during national emergencies. Others may not have realized that Israel’s airspace has been largely shut and may not have seen the notices we posted on our website.

During Operation Rising Lion last year, many customers intentionally placed orders specifically to support Israeli businesses during difficult moments — something we’ve never forgotten and deeply appreciate.

If You Cannot Wait

We completely understand that some customers need their items quickly and cannot tolerate an uncertain timeline. If that applies to you, email us at customer.care@garsan-judaica.com and we can discuss the possibility of upgrading existing order to UPS.

Note: This post is somewhat dated. Refer to more up-to-date posts.

When is the Israeli airspace likely to reopen? While no one can give an exact timeline, we can draw on both June 2025 precedent and current Home Front Command procedures. Our guess is that it will be around a week from now, at the earliest -- which takes us to 22 Adar / 11 March. And whenever it does happen, the process is gradual. Based on both June 2025 precedent and current doctrine the skies will open when we see zero long-range missile launches for 24-48 hours, then it'll be another 1-3 days until the airspace fully opens, with Israeli airlines (El Al and Arkia) typically lead the reopening, followed by courier planes and then commercial airlines.

For now, we're tying tzitzit and processing orders as best we can,so that once flights resume, your order will be among the first out the door as soon as shipping becomes feasible, based on the situation here on the ground. Customers should keep in mind that when flights resume, there's invariably some bottlenecking for a few days, 'til the shipping company can find plane space for all of the accumulated grounded shipments.

We noticed the rate of orders this week has actually been quite brisk. Our assumption is that most customers are aware that delays are inevitable, however it could be for others it didn't occur to them at all that the Israeli airspace is completely shut down and they did not come across the notices which we posted on our web store (here and here and here) explaining what to expect.

During Operation Rising Lion last year, we had customers who deliberately placed an order during tough times, as a show of support for Israeli businesses.

On the other hand, we realize that some customers simply do not have the luxury of waiting, so if that applies to you, please contact us at customer.care@garsan-judaica.com, and in most cases, assuming the tzitzit have not been tied, we will arrange a refund, minus the 4% payment‑processing fee charged by our provider.

Since then we've shuffled into the protected room so many times that even the kids lost track after the count went past 30. Last night I saw an interception, which is quite a sight. Once or twice fragments have fallen in town. I find it hard to believe that our town is listed on the Iranians' target bank, but after today's hit in Beit Shemesh, I think we ought to exercise an abundance of caution.

We're still hear combat planes overhead, flying fairly low upon return from their missions. Must be US Air Force planes making their way back to the USS Ford or IAF planes headed back to Ovda. (Come to think of it, the US has about a dozen of their F-22s parked at Ovda, too.) In fact, I can hear one now, as I write these lines. 

The grinch who stole Purim

Of course all schools are closed today, as per Home Front directives. Hey! But what about costume day?? Last night the kids heard the dreaded recorded announcement on the phone: indeed, no class.

Updated 7 Shevat 5786 (24 Feb. 26)

Never a dull moment under the current White House administration! Tariff developments over the weekend have been moving fast, and we want to keep you clearly informed about how this affects your orders from Israel.

The White House recently posted an extremely jargon‑heavy update titled “Continuing the Suspension of Duty‑Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries.” For our customers, the most important part is this paragraph from Section 3(b):

“A duty equal to the rate provided in the Proclamation of February 20, 2026 (Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payments Problems), shall be assessed on the value of each dutiable postal item containing goods entered for consumption. This duty rate shall be assessed until the expiration date of the temporary import surcharge… or until the effective date of the new entry process for postal shipments established by CBP, whichever date occurs first.” 

So what does that mean in plain English?

When we ship your order from Israel, the United States now charges a temporary import duty on every package. This is based on a new Presidential order issued on February 20, 2026. The import duty for the next 150 days will be 10%, rather than the 15% rate which has been in place for the past six months.

Here’s the simple version:

1. There is a temporary surcharge on all packages.

The U.S. President introduced a temporary import surcharge. Whatever percentage that surcharge is, the shipping company (USPS, UPS, etc.) must charge that rate on international postal packages. 

2. How long will this extra charge last?

The surcharge continues until whichever of these happens first:

A. The temporary surcharge itself expires, or
B. U.S. Customs (CBP) launches a new postal‑entry processing system. 

Once either of these events occurs, this temporary surcharge on USPS‑delivered packages automatically ends.

A Quick Look Back: What Happened Six Months Ago

When the U.S. eliminated the de minimis rule back in August 2025, every shipment—no matter how small—became subject to full import duty + customs processing fees. Postal and courier shipments alike.

For our U.S. customers, this meant a import duty on all of our products, plus processing/brokerage fees. UPS, in particular, charges significant administrative fees for this paperwork.

We did everything we could to negotiate or reduce those charges, but courier fees are set at the carrier level and we cannot alter them.

Israel Post's Surprising (and helpful) Role

Shortly after the U.S. rule change, Israel Post stepped up with an impressively fast and efficient system to handle all the required customs data.

Most importantly:

• Their processing fees were extremely low.
• We decided to absorb those fees ourselves, instead of passing them on to you.

As a result, our First Class and EMS/Priority shipping options have become much more attractive for our U.S. customers—while the UPS option has become less appealing due to its higher brokerage surcharges.

What Happens Next?

Based on our understanding of a notice sent by Israel Post, parcels entering the USA will now be subject to a 10% import duty instead of 15%. Note that for USA customers, we add the duty at checkout, so that our customers enjoy hassle-free delivery and to ensure the total amount they pay is transparent from the start. The change from 15% to 10% will go into effect for orders placed starting 24 Feb.

I can appreciate Adam's sentiments (assuming I picked up on them correctly). But even so, here I'd like to present a different perspective on the topic of expensive tallis bags. Much of what I write here may be bad for business, but so be it. I've always been a bit prone to indiscretions here and there. (For example, during parent-teacher meetings, I sometimes got kicked under the table by my wife for letting slip unflattering remarks about the kids.) But I'm not so worried about damage to my business; I'm counting on the fact that in today's age of "short-form" content consumption, very few readers will get even half-way through my wordy blog post.

Case 1 - My son's engagement

When my son got engaged, the kallah got him a tallis and tallis bag for Shabbos, but I insisted I'd be the one who provides him with a weekday tallis and tallis bag. So I sent him off to our tallis bag shelves. He came back with a genuine leather tallis bag set. With the shoulder strap it retails for nearly $200. Most of my customers buy a tallis/tefillin set in the neighborhood of $25-$50. I was about to pipe up with a remark about him having expensive taste, but I kept my mouth shut. Primarily because I suddenly recalled my own proclivity for a genuine leather tallis bag set. Which brings us to Case 2...

Case 2 - My birthday splurge

The first time I spotted a genuine leather tallis bag set it was being toted by Naftali. A lot of people might not have really noticed, but since I deal a lot with tallis bags professionally, I could immediately discern that it was real leather, not PU – like mine. Naftali was sort of a bigshot in shul, so I figured Naftali is one thing, but I’m fine with my budget bags...

Then about two or three years ago, when my birthday was approaching, I decided I’d finally spring for a real leather bag set of my own. Around the same time my wife started asking what she could get me as a present. I told her I’d buy it and she could gift it to me—a quirky plan she gladly accepted.

Now, two or three years later, I have no regrets. The bags look as good as new and have served me well. Had I stuck with PU bags, I probably would’ve gone through another two nothing-to-write-home-about bag sets that I could live with, but never truly enjoy.

Case 3 - Opulence in the tallis bag market

Nachum is a distributor for an established Judaica embroidery company in Jerusalem that caters largely to the chassidic community. He told me that since chassidim often go for grandeur and opulence when it comes to Judaica products, there’s now a strong market for high-end tallis/tefillin sets with fur elements, etc. that can retail for NIS 800 to NIS 1,500 (about $250-$470 at today’s exchange rate) – especially when there’s a wedding coming up.

Likewise we have some commercial ties with a local Judaica store here in town (with no online presence), which also caters largely to chassidim (around half of their customer base). Their sales workers once told me that when there’s a wedding on the horizon, the mechutanim knock themselves out when it comes to exchanging presents, including top-of-the-line tallis/tefillin bags.

Adding it All Up

These cases illustrate the point that maybe, just maybe, what appears to be over-the-top spending might be understandable in many cases. In the end, spending $200–$300 on a tallis bag may not be as extravagant as it seems. It’s a mitzvah item that can last a decade or more, and Judaism values beautifying mitzvot—zeh Keli v’anveihu. If we don’t blink at paying the same for a purse or briefcase, why hesitate here?

Instead, our main supplier for genuine leather tallit and tefillin bags is a company called Jerusalem Leathers. Their Israel distributors have brought their products to our attention for several years and they were groundbreakers in introducing genuine leather Judaica.

Although most of our products are made in Israel, we're making an exception in this case, because there aren't a lot of tanneries out that. Beyond the dairy industry, you won't see cows roaming the hills of Israel much. On the other hand, Argentina is renown for its tanneries, and indeed Jerusalem Leathers is based not in Jerusalem, but rather Argentina.

I've been impressed with their product line for quite a while. In fact, when my wife wanted to get me a gift for my birthday, I told her I want a leather tallit/tefillin set. I've been using it for close to two years now, and it still looks good as new. So it's the type of purchase that costs a pretty penny, but lasts, so you're not going to have to go out and replace it after a few years.

I know that for a fact, because previously I had PU leather tallit/tefillin bags, and they didn't last long. Also, I didn't like the grip handle. Walking back and forth to Shacharit is about 10 minutes' walk for me. I've never liked clutching bags under my arm for that long, so the grip handle is important. And the thing is most companies make grip handles that lay flat and are quite uncomfortable to grip. The Jerusalem Leathers handles are another story; they're ergonomical and quite comfortable to grip. 

Note that most Jerusalem Leathers bags are available with the hand-grips as an add-on, as well as a clip-on shoulder strap option. 

While watching their public statements, you might have been focused on Trumps face as he was flanked by Vance and Rubio and Hegseth, and then while watching Bibi, maybe your eyes were drawn to the Kotel. 

Not me. I was looking at Bibi's tallis.

Actually, it might not really be his. Maybe when he hooked up with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch (seen flanking the Prime Minister) he brought Netanyahu a tallis. But let's say it was his. If, like me, his tallis choice piqued your curiosity, FYI that's a Har Efraim he's wearing.

Here's what he said:

“When I first took office, I participated in the March of the Living at Auschwitz. I felt a strong need to wrap myself in a tallit and said: שמע ישראל ה’ אלוקינו ה’ אחד.

“Ten days ago, just hours before launching the historic mission against the evil regime of Iran, I visited the Kotel and again felt a strong urge to wrap myself in a tallit. I prayed for the success of our heroic pilots, our soldiers and commanders, for the security of our nation, and for the peace of our people. I placed a note in the Kotel that read: הן עם כלביא יקום ‘Behold, a people rises like a lioness and lifts itself like a lion.’” The verse is Bamidbar 23:24.

Photo credit: Western Wall Heritage Foundation

Speaking of tips, the first question was about tzitzit strings tips: 

We're not in the business of manufacturing tallits. We're a tallit seller. We sell tallits made by a half-dozen different manufacturers. That means we do a bit of finishing work, namely tying on the tzitzit for most orders, and sometimes sewing on a special atara and adding custom letter embroidery to a tallit bag.

So when a customer says they'd like a certain tallit, just modified so-and-so, we tell them that may be doable, but we'd have to contact the manufacturer, put in an order for around 5,000 and then wait six months or so. (The one exception is our handwoven tallits, see below.)

We used to have an option for custom name embroidery on the tallit, but we no longer offer that service. Most tallit sellers just embroider straight on the tallit. I never liked that, because it means the letters show in reverse writing on the back of one of the corners, and since tallits flip around constantly that's going to show a lot. We did come up with a solution, but it's quite labor intensive and increases the fulfillment time considerably, so it's not really a viable option. So for personalization, the only option we offer is name embroidery on velvet tallit bags. 

Most traditional tallits sold today are production-line wool tallits. They are made in very large batches, and cannot be customized. On the other hand, we also sell handwoven tallits. Since these are made on a hand-loom, one piece at a time, we can take a design and modify it, and can easily adjust the sizing. And we can also customize the lettering on the atara (neck band).