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 7, 2024 - Rabbi Boruch Neuberger shares his voting preferences for the upcoming election.Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable version
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Baltimore, MD – May 2, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rabbi Moshe Davids, z’l, husband of Mrs. Shula Davids, father of Chanie (Efraim) Silberberg, Yaakov Davids, Yosef Davids, Leib (Fran) Davids, Itta (Mendy) Weinfeld, and Chaim (Batya) Davids and brother of Lucille Hamet.
The levayah was held Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00AM at Levinson’s. Click here to watch video
Shiva will be observed at Clubhouse Condominiums 6711 Park Heights Avenue #309, Baltimore, MD, 21215The family respectfully requests no visitors before 10:00 am, between 12:30-2:30 pm, between 5:30-7:30 pm, and after 10:00 pm.
Friday visiting: 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm - Mincha 5:00 pm
Motzaei Shabbos: Maariv 8:45 pm
Sunday: Shacharis ...
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Baltimore, MD – May 6, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Matthew Rosenblatt, z’l, husband of Tova Rosenblatt and father of Andrew Rosenblatt, Edward Rosenblatt, and Shmuel Rosenblatt.
The levayah will take place tomorrow morning, May 7, at Levinson's at 9:00 AM.
The kevurah will be held at Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652. Shiva will be observed through Monday morning, May 13 at 6625 Chippewa Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21209
The family respectfully requests no visitors from 5:00PM-7:00PM or after 9:30PMMinyanim:Shacharis:Wed & Thurs: Rosh Chodesh 7:00AM Fri & Mon: 7:15AM Sun: 8:30AMMincha/Maariv: 7:50PM (Erev Shabbos Mincha 5:00PM)Maariv Motzaei Shabbos: 9:...
Baltimore, MD - May 8, 2024 - The Key Bridge Response Unified Command is scheduled to use precision cuts made with small charges to remove a large section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage from on top of the M/V DALI.
The exact time of the precision cuts will depend on multiple environmental and operational factors.
The small charges, a standard controlled demolition tool, will split the large section of truss at specific locations to create multiple, smaller sections, which allows salvors to use cranes and barges already on scene to remove these sections of the bridge and ultimately remove the M/V DALI from the channel.
“We remain focused on restoring the Marine Transportation System, while ensuring the protection of the public and the environment,&rdqu...
Baltimore, MD - May 8, 2024 - Yesterday, Unified Command salvage teams located the sixth victim and promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police.
Maryland State Police investigators along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene and recovered the body of a sixth construction worker. The victim is identified as José Mynor López, 37, of Baltimore, Maryland.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police, along with an FBI Victim Specialist and linguist, and a team of mental health professionals notified family members after a positive identification was confirmed.
Assistance was also provided by the Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team and Crime Scene Unit. The inve...
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.
Baltimore, MD - May 8, 2024 - Mazal Tov to Rabbi Gershon Riselsheimer, Ohr Chadash Academy (OCA)’s Middle School Rebbe and 6th Grade Advisor for receiving the Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator for Excellence in Jewish Education award. The Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator award perpetuates Sam Kahan’s legacy of personal commitment to Jewish education and to strengthening Baltimore’s Jewish educational institutions. The recipient is a master Jewish educator who serves as an inspiration to both students and peers. The OCA staff and administration were honored, along with representatives from Jewish Educational Services, to surprise and present Rabbi Riselsheimer with this award!
Background and a DansDeals special investigationCourtesy of Dan's Deals
On Sunday, I read about an incident on American flight 4447 on the DansDeals Forums that seemed too strange to be true. A veteran poster alleged that his brother was kicked off of an American Airlines flight from Cleveland due to being visibly Jewish.
People often send me stories to write about and I’ve reported on many over the years, though I don’t cover the majority of them. However, this one seemed like it was worth investigating.
Over the past 2 days I’ve spoken with 2 passengers who were removed from the flight, Reuven (Reuvi) Scheinerman and Yehudah Roffman. Reuvi is a minor, so I also spoke with Reuvi’s father Motti.
Were you on AA flight 4447 on 5/5? Please email ...
Baltimore, MD - May 7, 2024 - With Early Voting already underway and just one week until Primary Election Day, the Vaad HaRabbonim (Rabbinical Council) of Baltimore and leaders from local Jewish day schools met on Monday with leading candidates in Baltimore’s most crucial races.
As in past years, the forum was coordinated by Agudah Maryland’s Rabbi Ariel Sadwin and took place at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation.
The leading mayoral candidates, current Mayor Brandon Scott and former Mayor Sheila Dixon, who are neck-and-neck in recent polling, both participated, sharing their vision and goals, making the case for their candidacies. The contenders for presidency of the Baltimore City Council, current Council President Nick Mosby, City Councilman Zeke Cohen, and former...
Baltimore, MD – May 7, 2024 - 4:12PM - Coming from the direction of Bais Yaakov, a fire truck, ambulance and police cars are blocking Park Heights at Hooks Lane forcing drivers to reroute.
Baltimore, MD – May 7, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Binyamin Berkowitz & Alexis Leibowitz on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Usher Berkowitz and Sara Federman and Gary & Dena Leibowitz and grandparents Ellen & Allan Federman, Gitty Berkowitz and Sara Rubenstein
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
US President Joe Biden delivered the keynote address today (Tuesday) at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the US Capitol.
"This ancient hatred of Jews didn't begin with the Holocaust and didn't end with the Holocaust either, or even after our victory in World War II. This hatred continues to lie deep in the heart of so many people in the world and requires our continued vigilance," Biden said.
"That hatred was brought to life on October 7th in 2023. On a sacred Jewish holiday, the terrorist group Hamas unleashed the deadliest day on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, driven by an ancient desire to wipe the Jewish people off the face of the earth," he said.
"Over 1,200 innocent people, babies, parents, grandparents, slaughtered ...
Jerusalem, Israel - May 7, 2024 - Ahead of Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror which falls on Sunday night, May 12, this year, President Issac Herzog and his wife Michal met on Tuesday morning with representatives of the families of fallen soldiers at Beit Hanasi, in Jerusalem, Israel.
Walking into the main hall of the President's Residence, the Herzogs first greeted all the families who stood as they entered. The President began with his remarks, "If I were required to describe all the stories and all the wonderful characters of your loved ones, I would say that this is the description of the State of Israel. The main qualities that emerge amazingly here are bravery, quality, integrity, and mission.&nbs...
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded that Israel end its military operation in Rafah, less than a day after the IDF launched an operation to destroy the final four Hamas battalions in Gaza.
"I am disturbed & distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah by the Israeli Defence Forces," Guterres wrote on X today (Tuesday). "I urge the Government of Israel to stop any escalation, and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks."
In a subsequent tweet, Guterres wrote, "I reiterate my appeal for Israel & Hamas to show political courage & spare no effort to secure an agreement now. To stop the bloodshed. To free the hostages. To help stabilize the region. This is a crucial opportunity that we cannot afford to miss."
Guterres has been criticiz...
In recent weeks, IDF soldiers, led by the engineering unit of the Gaza Division along with the Engineering Corps of the Southern Command, Yahalom Unit and the Northern Brigade have been mapping and dismantling two additional attack tunnels located in the Beit Hanoun area in the northern Gaza Strip. These tunnels had been under continuous intelligence and technological surveillance.
One of the tunnels was exposed in 2014 during Operation "Protective Edge". At that time, it was used by Hamas terrorists to cross into Israeli territory and was destroyed immediately afterward. Another section of the tunnel, located deep in the Gaza Strip and part of Hamas' extensive tunnel network, was targeted several times during the "Swords of Iron" War. After research and mapping work conducted in rec...
Prof. Shai Davidai, a lecturer at Columbia University, which recently suffered from violent anti-Israel protests, published an open letter to Israeli academics expressing his concern for their imminent harm.
"To all my friends who research and lecture in Israel, it's hard for me to say this, but it's important that you know. You will be the first to be harmed," Davidai
He mentioned that "The processes are already in motion and although you don't feel it yet, it's coming. And when it arrives, it will be too late to act".
"It will start almost without you noticing. Articles that won't be accepted for publication and lectures that won't be accepted at conferences. Professional organizations that will endorse boycotts. Seminar lectures that won't take plac...
For most people, Pesach is already a distant memory. The dishes have all been packed away. But those who participated in the outstanding pre-Pesach shiurim sponsored by Agra D’Pirka are no doubt still feeling the effects of the spiritually uplifting program even after Yom Tov is over.
Agra D’Pirka’s pre-Pesach shiurim were held in four locations – Flatbush, Queens, Baltimore, and Boca Raton. In all, close to 400 people participated in person, and many more were privileged to watch the shiurim on TorahAnytime.
HaRav Aharon Kahn at a recent legal holiday shiur
In Flatbush, Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO of the O-U, discussed many relevant and timely issues about Pesach, including post-Pesach kashrus issues. Rav Aharon Kahn spoke about concepts related to Purim, P...
While casting his ballot, Gov. Wes Moore made it clear who he’s supporting in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maryland, but also made it clear he’s not getting involved in another hotly contested race in the state – the Baltimore City mayoral primary.
Mayor Brandon Scott is seeking re-election and remains in a hotly contested primary as he faces several challengers, including former Mayor Sheila Dixon. Recent polling from FOX45 News, The Baltimore Sun, and the University of Baltimore, shows Scott has 38% of the vote, while Dixon has 35%; the margin of error was 4.7% in the poll, which was conducted April 7-11.
Monday, Gov. Moore voted early at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis. He was asked if he planned to endorse a candidate in the Balti...
