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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"For the Jewish students on campus it's comforting to know the local Jewish community cares and looks out for them in such a vulnerable time."-Efy FlammDirector Jewish Collegiate NetworkTowson Hillel would like to share that a deeply biased resolution calling for divestment has been introduced to Towson University (TU) Student Government Association (SGA) and will be voted on by SGA on Tuesday, May 7th. (The date has been chaged from the 2nd)The resolution's content can be viewed here.
BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is an antisemitic, anti-dialogue, harmful and dangerous movement that threatens the safety of Jewish students on campus, while also fracturing the campus community as a whole. You can learn more about BDS and its impact here and here. In 2017, fo...
Baltimore, MD – May 3, 2024 – 8:56 AM – An accident has resulted in significant traffic congestion extending from the ramp onto 83 South back to Sinai Hospital.
Consider taking alternate routes to avoid delays
There are many prohibitions in the Torah. It can be challenging at times to refrain from violating these prohibitions and maintaining our allegiance to God. Yet, there are other prohibitions that seem a bit less complicated and tempting.
“For regarding the soul of all flesh its blood is in its soul, and I said to the children of Israel: You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the soul of any flesh is its blood all who eat it shall be cut off.”
(Vayikra 17:14)
I don’t know of anyone who struggles with blood consumption. Yet the Torah hands down such a stiff penalty. Jewish law tells us that if an animal is slaughtered for sacrificial purposes, the blood must be applied to the altar, and if the animal is slaughtered for regular consumption, ...
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2024 - Johns Hopkins University and students protesting the conflict in Gaza are at odds over an agreement the school’s administration claims was made earlier this week.
A so-called “solidary encampment”, made up of dozens of tents and pro-Palestine signage, has taken over a campus common area known as “The Beach” for the last four days.
On Tuesday, University President Ron Daniels released a statement saying demonstrators agreed to dismantle their tents and signage every night, only allowing protests to take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. “This will ensure our students’ safety and reduce disruptions,” said Daniels.
However, on Thursday, the group organizing the protest called the ‘Hopkins Justice Col...
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 2, 2024 - An ongoing process to replace lead water pipes in Washington, D.C., reveals several warning signs for the Baltimore area as officials here check more than 275,000 pipes for lead.
Since 2019, D.C. officials have replaced 5,400 lead pipes mostly for free to customers — but it comes at a cost amid an uncertain future. Federal funding is set to run out and there will be more lead pipes than expected that need to be replaced at a cost of almost $2 billion.
DC has been replacing lead pipes for years
Lead pipes were found after a test a few months ago at a home at the corner of 14th Street and Arkansas Avenue, Northwest. Last week, a D.C. Water crew got to work as soon as the local noise ordinance lifted at 9:30 a.m. to dig up the pipes.
That was one ...
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2024 - Maryland plans to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in just over four years at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, a state transportation official said Thursday.
As salvage efforts continue, authorities also announced late Wednesday they had recovered the body of a fifth person who died in the March 26 collapse.
The state plans to build a new span by fall of 2028, said David Broughton, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Transportation. He said the cost estimate is preliminary, and detailed engineering specifics have not been confirmed.
Late Wednesday, authorities announced they recovered the body of a fifth person who was missing after the collapse of the bridge more than a month ago, shutting down the port of Baltimore...
A former US Army officer has confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is protecting himself and his family by using Israeli hostages as human shields.
Speaking to Sky News, former US Army Vice Chief of Staff General Jack Keane quoted sources as saying that Sinwar has a significant number of hostages - even as many as 20 - surrounding both himself and his family.
"My sources tell me that Sinwar, who is the number one leader in Gaza of the Hamas organization, has 15-20 hostages protecting him and his family," Keane told the news outlet.
He added, "That’s why they have these hostages to guarantee their survival."
In light of this, Keane stressed that, "Israel is absolutely right in putting military pressure on them to force the release of the hostages."
This is not the first t...
Baltimore, MD – May 2, 2024 – 5:30 PM – A driver lost control of their vehicle, causing traffic congestion at the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Bancroft/Patterson Roads near the RR Plaza. Approach the area with caution.
Baltimore, MD – May 2, 2024 - 4:25PM – An accident on Lightfoot at the intersection of Greenspring has a car blocking the road.
Please approach the area with caution.
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2024 - Former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is seeking a pardon from President Joe Biden prior to being sentenced for federal crimes she was convicted of committing while still in office.
Mosby was found guilty in separate trials of two counts of perjury and a single count of mortgage fraud.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Mosby withdrew $90,000 from her city Deferred Compensation Plan under false pretenses in order to buy two vacation homes in Florida. She also lied on the home mortgage applications.
Mosby claimed she withdrew the money due to financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court documents, however, said she not only received her full salary during that period but got a $9,000 raise as well.
The trials wer...
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2024 - Temperatures in Baltimore could reach 90 degrees Thursday, potentially setting a daily record for this time of May.
Many Baltimore City Public Schools remain without working air-conditioning systems. Others have A/C but need repairs.
The school system already announced students attending those schools would be dismissed early.
Here's a list of schools dismissing early Thursday:
Baltimore City College - (Early release at 11:30 a.m.)
Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove - (Early release at noon)
City Springs Elementary/Middle School - (Early release at 12:45 p.m.)
Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School - (Early release at 11:30 a.m.)
Furley Elementary School - (Early release at 11:30 a.m.)
Harlem ...
Baltimore, MD – May 2, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Eli Krug & Shifra Weiss on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Yakov & Esther Krug and Yisroel & Esti Weiss
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 2, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Gadi and Shira Brody on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandfather Mordechai Zev Margolese
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Washington, D.C. - May 2, 2024 - President Biden criticized certain aspects of protests on college campuses related to the war in Gaza, condemning vandalism and trespassing while defending the right to peaceful demonstration. He emphasized that violent protest is not protected, while dissent is essential to democracy but must not lead to disorder. Biden specifically mentioned incidents at Columbia University and other campuses where protests escalated. He stated that sending in the National Guard was not under consideration and that the protests hadn't prompted a policy rethink on the Middle East. The demonstrations, sparked by outrage over the Gaza conflict, have led to clashes with police and disruptions on campuses nationwide. Biden stressed the importance of uphold...
Petach Tikvah, Israel – Today, Ella Chaimi, the widow of the late Tal Chaimi of Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak, delivered a baby boy at Beilinson Hospital, one of Israel’s largest medical centers. Chaimi’s husband was kidnapped and murdered while in the line of duty on October 7 by Hamas into Gaza. This is the couple’s fourth child.
“This birth is filled with mixed emotions as I welcome into the world our child who brings with him lots of joy while also remembering Tal who was a wonderful husband and father,” said Ella Chaimi. “I wish he was here with us right now.”
“Every labor and delivery is special but this one was even more so as this baby brings joy to a family who has suffered so much tragedy,” said Idit Engel, a midwife at Beilins...