During the Second Temple, the Greek empire reigned (over Israel),1 and they (the Greeks) passed decrees against the Jews and (tried) to erase their religion, and did not allow them to carry out Torah (study) or the commandments. They put their hands on their property and their daughters. They entered the Temple, destroyed and made the pure unclean. The Jews were in great distress because of them and were much oppressed, until the G-d of their fathers had mercy on them, delivering them from their hands and saving them. Then overcame, the sons of the Hasmonean High Priest, (the Greeks) and killed them and saved the Jews from their hands. They appointed a king from the Priests, and the kingdom of Israel was restored for more than 200 years until the destruction of (the) second (Temple). When the Jews overcame their enemies and destroyed them, it was the 25th of Kislev2 when they entered the Sanctuary (inner room) and did not find pure (olive) oil in the Temple, except one jar sealed with seal of the High Priest, and it did not contain enough to light except for one day only. But they lit from it the lamps of the Menorah3 for eight days, until they could crush olives and produce a (new quantity) of pure oil. For these reasons, decreed the Sages of that generation that these eight days that begin on the 25th Kislev, will be days of joy and praise. One lights on them lamps at evening at the entrance to the houses, every evening of the eight nights to show off and demonstrate the miracle. These days are called ''Hanukah'' that is to say ''they rested'' (chanu) on the ''25'' ('th of the month) because on the 25th they rested from their enemies. and also because of those days they (re)-dedicated the house (Temple) which their foes had defiled. Also some say that it is a commandment to increase slightly the festive meals on Hanukah. Another reason is because the work of (building) the Sanctuary (in the desert) was completed in these days. One should tell one's children the story of the miracles that were done for our fore-fathers in those days, (see Josephus) However, these meals are not considered as part of the commandment unless one says at the meal songs of praise. One should increase charity in these Hanukah days, for this can help mend any defects in our souls. This charity, should be given particularly to poor Torah scholars. (KSA 139:1)
1) 352 BCE until 70 CE
2) 139 BCE
3) The Menorah was made of gold and had seven branches.
After hundreds of anti-Israel protesters swarmed buildings and set up barricades in them at the University of California, Irvine, local law enforcement agencies responded and students were ordered to "shelter in place" on Wednesday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a UC Irvine spokesperson said that the campus erupted into chaos after several hundreds of protesters entered the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall on the California campus and began to barricade the building at 2:30 p.m. PST.
The university said that they put out a call to local law enforcement and received immediate assistance from the Irvine Police Department and Organge County Sheriff's department.
Footage from the campus showed law enforcement, dressed in protest gear and holding machine guns, clashing with anti-I...
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday that the negotiations on an agreement to release hostages have reached an impasse and that the Israeli entry into Rafah threaten the talks even more.
"The occupation responded to Hamas' agreement to a ceasefire proposal by taking over the Rafah crossing and invading Jabalya and the Zeitoun neighborhood," Haniyeh said.
Hamas, he claimed, responded positively to the efforts of the mediators, Egypt and Qatar, to reach a ceasefire agreement and a hostage release deal, however "the behavior of the occupation shows its intentions to continue the war against our people and that it is not interested in its prisoners (hostages -ed.)".
He noted that Hamas is in talks with Egypt and both sides believe that Israel should immediately withdraw from t...
UPDATE on BJL Traffic Alert: Reisterstown Road in front of Seven Mile Market
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 – 7:33PM - Southbound Reisterstown Road is closed at the intersection of 7 Mile Market & Reisterstown Road
Cars are being diverted onto Milford Mill. Only right turns being allowed out of 7 Mile market.****************************Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 – 7:10 PM - A head-on collision on Reisterstown Road, directly in front of Seven Mile Market, has traffic in the vicinity slightly congested. Approach with caution.
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Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rand Feinstein , z’l, son of Rochelle Feinstein and brother of Louis Feinstein.
The family will sit shiva at The Imperial 3601 Clarks Lane #236, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, beginning Tuesday.
There will be no minyanim at the shiva home.
Shiva visiting:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Family will get up from Shiva Sunday morning.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Yesterday (Tuesday), on Israeli Independence Day, the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, held a situational assessment in the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, along with the commanding officers of the 162nd Division, Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, MG Yaron Finkelman, Commanding Officer of the 162nd Division, BG Itzik Cohen and additional commanders.
Chief of Staff Halevi said, "We are striking widely and strongly in the north of the Gaza Strip in Jabaliya. And once again we see there attempts [by Hamas] to hold on and rebuild, therefore we need to deal with this again, and prove that we will return each time."
"We’re determined, we won’t let Hamas rebuild itself and they will pay a price," Halevi vowed. "In my opinion, in the last day or two, the...
BaltimoreJewishLife.com (BJL) is proud to partner with STAR-K CERTIFICATION that realizes that there is no substitute for a person’s own Rav. In an effort to offer a possible solution, it has launched its Institute of Halachah as a public service. Over the years, the agency’s Kashrus Hotline has answered generic halachic questions from kosher consumers the world over, including inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances. The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues.
The Institute of Halachah is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K’s Rabbinic Administrator. It is an invaluable resource for a diverse array of rabbis to discuss general halachic matters, as well as gain access to source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants’ questions.
Shailos for regular or Kashrus shailos may emailed or discussed using this widget.
The IRS owes tens of thousands of Maryland residents money from 2020, but people need to act fast to make sure they don't miss out on their unclaimed cash, agency officials said last week.
In all, Maryland residents are owed more than $26.3 million in unclaimed tax refunds from 2020. Further instructions are available at the IRS website or by calling 800-829-3676.
The IRS said earlier this year that nearly a million people nationwide haven't claimed their refunds for the 2020 tax year. That includes 22,000 Marylanders owed $26,365,400, or about $991 each, according to the IRS.
Every year, IRS officials say, about $1 billion to $1.5 billion in refunds goes unclaimed, compared with about $300 billion in refunds paid.
"We want taxpayers to claim these refunds...
Annapolis, MD - May 15, 2024 - 4:54PM - The Maryland State House is on lockdown Wednesday due to a bomb threat. The building was also on lockdown Tuesday for a bomb threat that was later deemed unfounded."This afternoon, a call was made to the Annapolis Police Department with a bomb threat to the Maryland State House," Maryland Department of General Services spokesperson Nick Cavey told Patch in a Wednesday email. "State and local law enforcement agencies are on-site to conduct a search of the campus following standard security protocols. The public is advised to remain off premises and to heed advice from law enforcement agencies."
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Hillel & Kayla Kraines on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to the grandparents, Nechama Kraines and Mickey & Basi Lowenthal
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
War incident in Gaza - (Official) 10 seriously wounded. Evacuations to Bellinson, Ichilov, Shaare Tzedek. Please daven for:at Bellinson1. Itai Avraham Biton ben Rachel2. Gal Bani ben Iris3. Shalu Ayala ben Tekloat Ichilov4. Omer Aharon Lotan ben Tal5. Akiva Shalom Kudish ben Devorah6. Yeshua Levi ben Hanaat Shaare Zedek7. Ili Ketar ben Hagit8. Lidor Buskila ben Merav9. Shagiv Sharabi ben Yifat10. Eliran Yitzchak Morday ben Patria
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Frances Levine, a’h, mother of Mrs. Sheryl (Ben) Seidemann.
The levayah will take place on Thursday at 1:00PM in Detroit.
Shiva details to follow
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - BJL has received reports of many individuals within the Baltimore Jewish community encountering hacking attempts on WhatsApp. It appears that these incidents start with a message from someone in your contacts, asking you to send them a picture of a verification code you will receive via WhatsApp.Be wary of any message that seems to be out of the ordinary.
Inflation slowed in April after several months of faster-than-expected price increases, according to data released Wednesday by the Labor Department.
The consumer price index, a closely watched inflation gauge, rose 0.3 percent in April and 3.4 percent over the previous 12 months, in line with economist expectations. Both monthly and annual inflation fell 0.1 percentage points from their March levels.
The new inflation numbers come amid increasing concern among policymakers and investors over the path of price increases in the U.S. After falling sharply throughout the past two years, inflation had appeared to plateau with plenty of room left to fall toward the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent annual price increases.
Higher-than-expected inflation has forced the Fed to delay p...
Former President Carter’s oldest grandson said Tuesday that his grandfather is “coming to the end” after spending more than a year in hospice care.
Jason Carter, who also serves as chair of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, spoke about his grandparents at the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, noting it is the first such forum the center held since his grandmother, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, died in November at the age of 96.
“First of all, as you all have expected, I’m sure, my grandmother’s passing was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather,” Jason Carter said, addressing the audience. “And this is of course, the first of these forums since that day, but the outpouring...
Former President Trump said Wednesday that he is “ready and willing” to debate President Biden after the Biden campaign proposed holding two debates, one in June and one in September.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, derided Biden as “the WORST debater I have ever faced” and said the two should discuss border policy, electric vehicles and inflation, among other topics.
“I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September,” Trump posted. “I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds – That’s only because he doesn’t get them. Just tell me when, I’ll be there. ‘Let’s g...
Baltimore, MD - May 15, 2023 - This Shabbos, May 18, is the annual running of the Preakness. In past years, following the race, there have been some rowdy individuals driving through our neighborhoods on their way home from the event. Most of this activity takes place on Park Heights and Greenspring Avenues, especially during the late afternoon/early evening hours. Although police will be out on patrol on Shabbos, pedestrians who will be on the main roads should be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially while crossing streets. Please also remind your children to be extra cautious when playing or walking near major thoroughfares.
A group of several dozen anti-Israel student protesters occupied and "renamed" a library at the CUNY Graduate Center last night (Tuesday).
The demonstrators, many wearing masks hung Palestinian flags and a red flag that read, "long live armed resistance" at the Mina Rees Library, which they dubbed "The Al Aqsa University Library” after a Gaza university that has been seriously damaged in the war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.
They chanted, “Disclose. Divest. We will not stop, we will not rest,” and "From the Sea to the River, Palestine will be Free."
30 protesters occupied the library, while over 100 remained outside the library.
The demonstrators demanded that CUNY divest from companies “complicit in zionist settler-colonialism and genocid...
Dozens of protesters, including Knesset member Almog Cohen, demonstrated on Wednesday against students from the Hadash cell at Tel Aviv University, who were celebrating the Nakba Day.
The students who marked the Nakba day wore kaffias and dozens of protesters demonstrated opposite them. The police separated the two groups.
MK Cohen was attacked and called a “nothing.” He responded by saying: "While you were busy shopping on October 7, I was fighting."
MK Cohen condemned: "While hundreds of Tel Aviv University students are fighting on all fronts as reservists, and the nation is still tormented by the pain of October 7, the president of Tel Aviv University feels comfortable allowing this disgrace to take place right here."
The organizer of the demonstration, Major Shai Roseng...
The Biden administration notified Congress on Tuesday that it is moving forward with more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, US and congressional officials told The Wall Street Journal.
The latest weapons package includes the potential transfer of $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and $60 million in mortar rounds, the officials said.
The munitions are intended to replenish stocks used during the war against Hamas, according to the report.
The news comes less than a week after the White House paused a shipment of bombs to Israel due to US opposition to a planned Israeli attack on the Gazan city of Rafah.
The shipment which was paused was supposed to consist of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, a US official t...