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.
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Baltimore, MD – May 29, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Goli Balakhani, a’h, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo and Yafa Balakhani and sister of Yitzchok Yair, Benyamin Balakhani and Shimon Balakhani. Shiva will be observed until Monday morning, June 3 at 6312 Ivymount Rd, Baltimore, MD 21209 Minyanim:• Shacharit: 7:45 AM• Mincha / Arvit : 8:05 PM• Mincha: Erev Shabbat: 2:00PMBreak Times:• 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM• No visitors after 10:00 PM, please.Share memories or lessons learned from Goli, a’h, in words, pictures and/ or videos at Goli...
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rabbi Aharon Garfinkel, z’l, brother of Rabbi Moshe Garfinkel.
The levayah will take place today in Lakewood,
Rabbi Moshe Garfinkel will sit Shiva in Lakewood through Tuesday.
BALTIMORE:Shiva in Baltimore starts Wednesday with Mincha/Maariv at 8:00PM at Mt. Washington Manor 6113 Berkeley Avenue, Apt. A2., Baltimore, MD, 21209.
Please park on street, not in assigned parking spaces.
Minyanim:
Shacharis Thursday & Friday 7:00AM
Mincha on Thursday & Friday: TBD.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2024 - Pre 1A students at Yeshivas Toras Simcha received their first siddur Sunday morning. The boys sang several songs and recited pesukim about the importance of Torah study. Rabbi Hillel Shepard, menahel, addressed the parents and students emphasizing the importance of tefillah and the prayers of the parents and teachers that all of the boys grow to be talmidei chochomim. Refreshments were enjoyed by all of the participants including siblings in older grades.
Crews in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday continued repairs to a series of water pipes that burst last week and prompted several businesses to close amid water outages and boil water notices.
Repairs to the burst pipes began Friday after water poured into the street in downtown Atlanta where three water mains intersect. Another water main break occurred separately in Midtown Atlanta, city officials said Saturday.
The breaks impacted services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta City Detention Center, and other “critical facilities” in the city, according to the Atlanta Mayor’s Office.
A stretch of downtown and Midtown Atlanta was subsequently placed under a boil water advisory, and the city handed out water palet...
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avraham and Rachel Sharaby on the birth of Ella.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Sharaby, Mrs. Michelle Sharaby and Shloimy and Yenty Halpert
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
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.
23 fire crews and eight airplanes are working to gain control over a large fire currently burning near the Israel Museum in the Valley of the Cross in Jerusalem, a few hundred meters from the Knesset.
In light of the situation, the museum was evacuated.
The fire department stated: "The fire spread toward the Israel Museum due to the extreme winds and weather, at the moment the fire is on the museum's external property. The firefighters are concentrating their efforts on preventing the fire from spreading into the museum."
A large police force from the Jerusalem District is in the area directing traffic away from the blaze.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political advisor Ophir Falk commented in an interview with the Sunday Times on the ceasefire proposal made by US President Joe Biden on Friday.
"It's not a good deal, but we dearly want the hostages to be released, all of them. There are a lot of details to be worked out and that includes there will not be a permanent ceasefire until all our objectives are met," Falk said.
According to Falk, the speech Biden gave on Friday was “a political speech for whatever reasons.”
Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir clarified on Saturday night that they would resign from the government if Israel agreed to Biden's latest ceasefire outline.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "I spoke with the Prime Minister and...
Israel's Supreme Court convened on Sunday to discuss the Conscription Law and drafting ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students, with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara seeking to draft 3,000 students by the end of 2024 as a starting number.
"We are in a fateful moment," said Attorney Eliad Sharaga, from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, one of the petitioners who demanded the government begin drafting members of the ultra-Orthodox community.
"This is an existential question," he said. "The country does not have enough soldiers to fight and to win. Everyone must serve and risk their lives."
Attorney Avi Malikovski, who represents the attorney general, said that the number 3,000 was just a start. "The attorney general believes that the army should strive to recruit as many Ye...
The Nahal Brigade Combat Team, under the command of the 162nd Division, is continuing to operate against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the Rafah area.
Over the past few days, the soldiers located large quantities of weapons, including a rocket launcher with six launchers aimed at Israeli territory, a weapons storage facility containing dozens of grenades, explosives, AK-47s, ammunition and vests.
In addition, the troops used a drone to scan a suspect location, during which they identified several explosive barrels that were ready to be activated.
The soldiers are locating multiple tunnel shafts in the area, as well as encountering and eliminating terrorists in underground combat.
The Brigade’s Fire Control Center destroyed dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites, in...
The Ideal Jewish Army
Soldiers are usually not associated with piety or theoretical studies. They are strong physically but often not spiritually or intellectually.
Judaism has a different conception. According to Rebbe Yossi HaGelili, soldiers who sin, even if only minor infractions, are sent home.[1] Interestingly, the example of a minor infraction that disqualifies a potential soldier is speaking between the laying of the tefillin shel yad and the tefillin shel rosh.[2] Many explain that the tefillin shel yad symbolizes our actions, while the tefillin shel rosh represents our thoughts, faith, and beliefs. A soldier in a Jewish army must ensure that he links his actions to his thoughts and beliefs.
A Purim skit at the Volozhyn Yeshiva emphasized the high spiritual bar set for Jewish ...
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2024 - The Maryland State Highway Administration will close multiple highway ramps in Baltimore County starting in early June.
Check traffic map here
Overnight closures will take effect for ramps between Interstate 70 and Interstate 695 on June 2-6 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night as follows.
The ramp from eastbound I-70 to northbound I-695 (inner loop of the Baltimore Beltway) will close from June 2-5 for traffic barrier upgrade work. A posted detour will take effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers will be guided on eastbound I-70 to the end, at the park-and-ride lot, to then proceed to westbound I-70 back to I-695.
The ramp from westbound Security Boulevard (Maryland Route 122) to southbound I-695 (outer loop of the Baltimore Beltway) will close from June 3-...
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2024 - A $350 million payment from Chubb, the company who insured the Key Bridge, is expected to come in the next 45 days.
WMAR first learned this on May 2, after a spokesperson with WTW, the brokerage firm handling the Key Bridge insurance policy, confirmed it.
"These insurance proceeds, federal funding and other reimbursements will bring a variety of resources toward the rebuild and recovery effort," the MDTA says.
A lawsuit was also filed against the owner and operator of the DALI container ship, who have denied any fault or neglect.
The federal government has already fronted $60 million towards recovery efforts.
The Hamas terrorist organization on Friday responded to the three-phase proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, which was presented by US President Joe Biden, saying it viewed the proposal “positively”.
"The movement affirms its position of readiness to deal positively and constructively with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, the return of the displaced to all their places of residence, and the completion of a serious prisoner exchange deal if the occupation declares its explicit commitment to that," Hamas said.
Biden earlier revealed the three-phase plan, the first of which “would last for six weeks ... [and] would include a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially been invited to deliver an address to Congress, according to a letter obtained by The Hill on Friday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent Netanyahu a formal invitation to speak during a joint meeting of Congress, and the invitation featured the signatures of all four Congressional leaders: Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), according to The Hill.
“We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability,” the letter reads. “For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan...
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Friday evening following US President Joe Biden's speech on a Gaza ceasefire.
"The Israeli government is united in the desire to return our hostages as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal. Therefore, the Prime Minister authorized the negotiating team to present an outline for achieving this goal, while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities," the statement said.
"The exact outline proposed by Israel, including the conditional transition from stage to stage, allows Israel to maintain these principles," it concluded.
The IDF's Arabic spokesman, Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, published a conversation between an officer in the Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza and a resident of the city of Jabaliya in the northern strip, who suddenly began to sharply criticize the terror organization Hamas during the conversation.
The conversation took place as part of efforts to evacuate uninvolved population for their protection, in light of the fact that the Jabaliya area is an active combat zone.
"Hamas are dogs, sons of dogs, may Allah burn the head of Ahmed Yassin in his grave. May Allah break Hamas and give you the strength to break Hamas and slaughter their children and women."
"May Allah burn the heads of Hamas, slaughter them and their children, and burn their bodies in graves. Hamas are dogs, ...
Today, 23 Iyar, is the 14th yahrtzeit of my great aunt, Lady Amélie Jakobovits, a"h. The shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmasah, Mayla bas Eliyahu.
Sunday, 25 Iyar, is the 23rd yahrtzeit of my mother, a"h. The shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmasah, Tzirel Nechamah bas Tovia Yehudah.
In the beginning of this week's parsha we are told of the blessings that will be bestowed upon us if we follow the mitzvos. We are told (26:8) that five of us will chase away 100 and 100 will chase a myriad (10,000). Rashi comments on the obvious discrepancy in the proportions. If five will chase 100, then 100 should only be able to chase 2,000. Rather, the merit of a small group of individuals who follow the Torah is incomparable to that of a large group that...