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.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
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...
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, ...
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.
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...
US President Joe Biden on Friday gave a speech on the situation in the Middle East.
According to Axios, Biden was expected to urge Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Biden began by briefly commenting on former President Donald Trump’s conviction in the hush money trial and said that he has the right to appeal his conviction, while also slamming Trump for claiming the trial was rigged.
On Gaza, he said he has been working intensively on a ceasefire and outlined the latest proposal put forward by Israel.
The first phase of the Israeli proposal will last six weeks with a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza.
During the six weeks of phase one, Israel and Hamas would negotiate to get to phase two, which is &ldqu...
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When a man expresses a vow, [pledging the] value of lives to the Lord …” (Vayikra 26:1-2)
Sefer Vayikra ends with a discussion of “erech” (valuation) vows. A person has the ability to pledge their “value” to the Temple. The Torah provides an objective framework based on age and gender, irrespective of a person’s abilities, profession, or skill set.
Why is this the concluding message of Vayikra? Furthermore, why this section after the jarring section of the “tochecha,” the list of curses for non-compliance with the will of Hashem? Lastly, a technical question; the verses state: “The [fixed] value of a male shal...
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2024 - Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer has secured a pop-up Rec Center at the Public Safety Training Center on the corner of Northern Parkway and Park Heights. But that's not all—he has also obtained resources to enhance the fields and add outdoor recreation options, including a brand-new playground at this location.
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2024 - We're thrilled to welcome our four new JCC board members who will be installed on June 5th at our Annual Meeting. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to our community are sure to help us continue to thrive and grow. Help us give a warm welcome to Azi Rosenblum, Stephanie Baron, Elliot Pepper, and Chet Wyman!
A senior official involved in negotiations for a prisoner swap with Hamas on Friday morning responded to Hamas' announcement that it will agree to continue negotiations only if Israel ends the fighting in Gaza.
On Thursday evening, Hamas issued an official statement, announcing, "We informed the mediators of our clear position - if Israel stops the fighting in Gaza, we are ready to reach a comprehensive agreement on an exchange deal."
"There will be no ceasefire and no end to the fighting which is not part of an agreement to free the hostages," the source told Ynet.
Ynet correspondent Itamar Eichner quoted the official as saying, "If they think that they will get a ceasefire and an end to the fighting before a hostage deal is implemented or as part of a deal - they are li...
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2024 - 11:02 AM - Construction on Park Heights Avenue between Fallstaff Road and Clarks Lane has traffic reduced to one lane in either direction.
Please plan accordingly and expect delays.
Baltimore, MD – May 31, 2024 – The Star-K reminds the community that after 2:00PM today, Friday, May 31, 2024, Sushi Sakura will no longer be Kosher.
France is canceling the participation of Israeli companies in the Eurosatory defense exhibition, the organizer said Friday.
“By decision of government authorities, there will be no stand from the Israeli defense industry at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition,” said the event's organizer of the event Coges Events.
As many as 74 Israeli companies were to exhibit their products at the annual event.
An anonymous source from a major French defense company told i24NEWS: "We are very disappointed with the situation. There is a historic relationship of trust with our Israeli partners. This is not acceptable but the decision was taken by the French authorities."
The national anthem is either played or sung prior to any athletic event in the U.S. – ranging from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA, and more. I was blown away (yes pun intended) when I found out that the national anthem was whistled at a recent Baltimore Orioles (an MLB team) game. That is right, the coveted national anthem was not played or sung; it was whistled!The whistler was none other than Chris Ullman, a four-time national and international whistling champion (apparently that’s a thing!). In 2012, Ullman was inducted into the International Whistling Hall of Fame. One of his greatest claims to fame is that he used his whistling prowess to serenade President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney in a private Oval Office concert.If you are reading this and thinking...
After becoming a convicted felon on Thursday, Donald Trump plans to speak Friday morning in front of Trump Tower.
Trump announced his plans to speak at 11 a.m. after he was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a scheme to cover up an extramarital affair with porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006 during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The sentencing phase is set for July 11. He faces up to four years in prison or probation.
Legal experts believe Trump will not serve prison time because he has no criminal history and the crimes are considered non-violent.
Trump took to Truth Social after the guilty verdict, with a caption stating: THIS WAS A DISGRACE—A RIGGED TRIAL BY A CONFLICTED JUDGE WHO IS CORRUPT. WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR CONSTITUT...