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 7, 2024 - Rabbi Boruch Neuberger shares his voting preferences for the upcoming election.Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable version
PINNED
Scroll for more news
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...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
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 13, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shlomo Feltman & Miriam Feldman on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Avrumi & Aada Feltman and Avraham & Karen Feldman
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Zev Willner on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Naftoli Willner
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.
Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yaakov and Leah Rokowsky on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Nesanel Jakobovits and great grandparents Dr. & Mrs. Yoel Jakobovits
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 12, 2024 - Yesterday morning at around 4:00 a.m., surveillance cameras captured thieves breaking into vehicles in Heather Ridge. The video shows attempts to access several cars, succeeding when vehicles are left unlocked. This underscores the importance of always locking your car doors and avoiding leaving valuables or spare keys inside.Remember, if you notice anything suspicious, promptly report it by calling 911 and Shomrim at 410-358-9999.
While we may instinctively classify observance of Yom Hazikaron as a nationalistic or Zionist experience, perhaps this year, when so many are grieving their raw and fresh losses, we can pull it out of that realm and place it where it now belongs: as an opportunity for pure and unadulterated empathy, nesius b’ol im chaveiro
This article was written with the sincere tefillah to HaKadosh Baruch Hu that its words generate unity and healing and not chas v’shalom argument and division. Dear readers, there is little in our fractured world that is “shaveh l’chol nefesh” and works for everyone. If you find these words worthy, please act upon them yourselves, and do not use them to question, challenge, or rebuke others.
“Sharing the burden.&rdqu...
Baltimore, MD - May 12, 2024 Johns Hopkins University and student protesters reached an agreement on the dismantling and conclusion of the protest-related encampment on the Beach at the Homewood campus. Effective immediately, protesters have agreed to take down the encampment on Sunday, May 12, and not to restart it. Non-university affiliates taking part in the encampment are directed to vacate the premises.
Since the protest began April 29, the university has sought a peaceful resolution to the presence of the encampment, which violates university policies designed to protect freedom of expression and ensure campus safety.
Under the agreement, the university promised a timely review of the protesters' key question of divestment, using the university's existing process. T...
Jerusalem, Israel - May 9, 2024 - Something happened to me yesterday and I have to admit, I was shocked. I am ashamed to say it, but I was shocked!
I was on the way back from Toronto to Israel. Actually I was back in Israel getting off the plane.
We were all walking down that long corridor leading into Ben Gurion airport. It was basically a single file line. Nothing out of the ordinary.
But a few people in front of me, there were some people arguing. It looked like they were arguing about who was before whom in line…
Things were getting heated.
One of the people was an elderly secular lady, probably in her early 70s. The other was a chareidi (ultra orthodox) family, a husband, wife, and two kids.
“Oh boy, I did not miss this, seeing Je...
Baltimore, MD – May 11, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dovi & Lauren Gluck on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Pirkei Avos is a collection of the ethical writings of our Sages. The ethical guidelines attributed to each Sage were particularly important to him, and often formed the cornerstone of his life. By examining how a Sage "lived" his ethical principle, we can learn more about what the principle can mean to us. This approach is particularly striking when one looks at Rabbi Tarfon's aphorisms and his life.
Rabbi Tarfon's Aphorisms
Rabbi Tarfon's contribution to Pirkei Avos is two Mishnayos at the end of the second chapter. The first is well known by us all:
Rabbi Tarfon says: The day is short, the task is great, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master of the...
As we have mentioned many times, Kedoshim contains the most mitzvos per pasuk of any other parsha – 51 mitzvos in only 64 pesukim. The potpourri of various types of mitzvos really runs the gamut. However, there is one aspect of the parsha that stood out to me, going through the parsha. With the apparent lack of direct connection between the mitzvos discussed, one might have expected more divisions between the pesukim with a samech or peh. However, you have to go quite far in the parsha before you encounter the first break. Contrast this with Mishpatim, for example, where there are many breaks between the pesukim.
I wasn’t quite sure where to even look for someone who discusses this but I have come up with a basic, rough idea as a theory of my own. There is a well-known discuss...
The Biden administration has offered Israel both intelligence and supplies, if Israel will agree to end its ground invasion of Rafah, the Washington Post reported.
The intelligence would help Israel locate both Hamas' leaders and hidden tunnels, four people familiar with the offer told the Post.
The US has also offered to help provide shelters so that Israel can build tent cities for Gazans, and have offered to help with the construction of delivery systems for food, water, and medicine for Gazans in Rafah, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two people familiar with the discussions told the Post that US officials are working closely with Egypt to locate and cut off tunnels crossing the Egypt-Gaza border near Rafah, which Hamas has bee...
Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza, is not in Rafah, Israeli sources told The New York Times.
Previously, it was believed that Sinwar was hiding in one of the many tunnels beneath Rafah in southern Gaza.
However, the two sources said that the most recent intelligence points to Sinwar hiding in underground tunnels near Khan Yunis, which the IDF exited about a month ago.
Meanwhile, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Saturday night that, "IDF forces are at the height of an operation in the Zeitoun neighborhood in the Gaza Strip. In recent hours, they located a significant underground network, and in the past hour, IAF planes are attacking terror targets throughout Jabaliya in northern Gaza. As part of our preparations for an operation in the area, this morning we began a tempo...
Baltimore, Md - May 11, 2024 - We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, we have decided to postpone our upcoming Stand with Israel event, which was scheduled for Monday, May 13, at 6:00 PM.
This decision results from recent security concerns raised by various sources, including credible intelligence about potential disruptions and the history of violence associated with the organizations affiliated with the counter-protest. We have learned that a counter-protest, scheduled for the same day and time as our event, poses potential safety risks to our community members.
While we are dedicated to standing for the Jewish community and the State of Israel, we want to reassure you that the safety and well-being of our members remain our utmost priority. We cannot, in good c...
Battles are continuing in Zeitoun and Rafah. Reuters is reporting that on Friday Israeli tanks took control of the main road separating the eastern and western halves of Rafah.
The IDF Spokesperson updated earlier in the day that the 401st Brigade eliminated several terror cells in battles and in air strikes. Several tunnel shafts were located in Rafah, and aircraft struck several targets in the area from where rockets and mortars were launched.
The IDF Spokesperson also stated that over the past day, Air Force aircraft struck and destroyed approximately 40 terror targets in the Gaza Strip. Among the targets that were struck were military structures, lookout points, terror cells, and other military infrastructure.