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.
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Aaron Dovid and Rina Yablonovsky on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Roman & Rachel Yablonovsky and Aron and Elisheva Finkelstein
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - With a price tag ranging between $1.7 and $1.9 billion, not every state is enthusiastic about the idea of helping to fund the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
On Wednesday morning, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator, Shailen Bhatt, faced questions from lawmakers on the plans for the federal government to fully fund the construction. It was part of a larger hearing on the Key Bridge collapse held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
"My constituents are not willing to pay for this thing," Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) told Bhatt.
"If you're from Washington State, likely you're never going to travel across that bridge, but you're sure gonna pay for it," Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) s...
Baltimore, MD - May 16, 2024 - This Shabbos, May 18, is the annual running of the Preakness. In past years, following the race, there have been some rowdy individuals driving through our neighborhoods on their way home from the event. Most of this activity takes place on Park Heights and Greenspring Avenues, especially during the late afternoon/early evening hours. Although police will be out on patrol on Shabbos, pedestrians who will be on the main roads should be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially while crossing streets. Please also remind your children to be extra cautious when playing or walking near major thoroughfares.
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Baltimore, MD – May 13, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rand Feinstein , z’l, son of Rochelle Feinstein and brother of Louis Feinstein.
The family will sit shiva at The Imperial 3601 Clarks Lane #236, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, beginning Tuesday.
There will be no minyanim at the shiva home.
Shiva visiting:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Family will get up from Shiva Sunday morning.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Two IDF tanks killed five IDF soldiers and injured seven more in a friendly fire incident on Wednesday when they fired on a forward IDF battalion headquarters in Jabalya in northern Gaza. The IDF cleared for publication on Thursday.
The tanks were said to be under extreme pressure from dozens of rocket-propelled grenade attacks in the area.
All openings to the tanks, including the canopy on the top, were ordered to be kept closed to avoid any hole or vulnerability to the RPG attacks.
This, in turn, limited the tank's visibility.
Tank Unit 202 is a Haredi-integrated unit, and the soldiers said that they saw a potential threat emerge from the battalion headquarters, which was only 10-20 meters away from them.
It was unclear why they did not recognize the battalion he...
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.
A knife-wielding terrorist tried to stab Border Police officers near the Shalem police station in Jerusalem overnight Wednesday.
The suspect was neutralized by the officers before he could stab them. There were no injuries among the officers.
Additional police forces from the Jerusalem District arrived at the scene. The knife with which the suspect tried to carry out the attack was seized.
In later April, a 30-year-old Border Police officer was stabbed and moderately injured on Sultan Suleiman Street, near Herod's Gate in Jerusalem.
The officer was taken to Shaare Zedek Hospital and released a day later, after his condition improved.
The terrorist who carried out the attack, a tourist from Turkey, was shot by officers who were nearby and was eliminated.
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Elaine Brodsky Steppa, a’h, mother of Scott (Roberta Heyman) Steppa, Stacie (Rick) Gorinson, and Jamie (Howard) Wollner.
The levayah will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 9:30 am at Har Shalom Synagogue, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854
Kevurah wil be at Judean Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd., Olney, MD 20832
Shiva: The Grand apartments, 5801 Nicholson Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Shiva following kevurah:
2-9 pm Thursday (Community room, The Grand), minyan at 7:30 pm
Minyanim:
Shacharis:
7:30 am, Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Elaine's apartment, The Grand)
Afternoon visiting:
2-5 pm, Sunday (Community room,...
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Jack Cranton, z’l, father of Mrs. Deena Perelmuter.
Shiva is being observed at 6350 Red Cedar Pl. Apt. 100, BAltimore, MD 21209 through Tuesday morning.
Visiting Hours
• Thursday, Sunday, Monday:
o 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
o 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
o 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Friday:
o 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
o ...
Baltimore, MD – May 2024 - Every Shabbos table offers every Jewish family an incredible opportunity by which they can share their joy for Shabbos, for Yiddishkeit and for HaShem with their children. Unfortunately, our schedules are hectic and many people don’t have the time to prepare themselves to utilize the Shabbos table to its fullest. Therefore, we at ACHIM created TableTalk as a pre-packaged talking points pamphlet which is attractive, fun and has something for everyone. Limited copies are distributed to many shuls on a weekly basis but they are snatched up very quickly. Get yours ASAP or click on the graphic below and print your own.What’s in it and what’s all the excitement about?TableTalk features:• Weekly halachic dilemma creating li...
After hundreds of anti-Israel protesters swarmed buildings and set up barricades in them at the University of California, Irvine, local law enforcement agencies responded and students were ordered to "shelter in place" on Wednesday.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a UC Irvine spokesperson said that the campus erupted into chaos after several hundreds of protesters entered the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall on the California campus and began to barricade the building at 2:30 p.m. PST.
The university said that they put out a call to local law enforcement and received immediate assistance from the Irvine Police Department and Organge County Sheriff's department.
Footage from the campus showed law enforcement, dressed in protest gear and holding machine guns, clashing with anti-I...
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday that the negotiations on an agreement to release hostages have reached an impasse and that the Israeli entry into Rafah threaten the talks even more.
"The occupation responded to Hamas' agreement to a ceasefire proposal by taking over the Rafah crossing and invading Jabalya and the Zeitoun neighborhood," Haniyeh said.
Hamas, he claimed, responded positively to the efforts of the mediators, Egypt and Qatar, to reach a ceasefire agreement and a hostage release deal, however "the behavior of the occupation shows its intentions to continue the war against our people and that it is not interested in its prisoners (hostages -ed.)".
He noted that Hamas is in talks with Egypt and both sides believe that Israel should immediately withdraw from t...
UPDATE on BJL Traffic Alert: Reisterstown Road in front of Seven Mile Market
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 – 7:33PM - Southbound Reisterstown Road is closed at the intersection of 7 Mile Market & Reisterstown Road
Cars are being diverted onto Milford Mill. Only right turns being allowed out of 7 Mile market.****************************Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 – 7:10 PM - A head-on collision on Reisterstown Road, directly in front of Seven Mile Market, has traffic in the vicinity slightly congested. Approach with caution.
Yesterday (Tuesday), on Israeli Independence Day, the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, held a situational assessment in the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, along with the commanding officers of the 162nd Division, Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, MG Yaron Finkelman, Commanding Officer of the 162nd Division, BG Itzik Cohen and additional commanders.
Chief of Staff Halevi said, "We are striking widely and strongly in the north of the Gaza Strip in Jabaliya. And once again we see there attempts [by Hamas] to hold on and rebuild, therefore we need to deal with this again, and prove that we will return each time."
"We’re determined, we won’t let Hamas rebuild itself and they will pay a price," Halevi vowed. "In my opinion, in the last day or two, the...
The IRS owes tens of thousands of Maryland residents money from 2020, but people need to act fast to make sure they don't miss out on their unclaimed cash, agency officials said last week.
In all, Maryland residents are owed more than $26.3 million in unclaimed tax refunds from 2020. Further instructions are available at the IRS website or by calling 800-829-3676.
The IRS said earlier this year that nearly a million people nationwide haven't claimed their refunds for the 2020 tax year. That includes 22,000 Marylanders owed $26,365,400, or about $991 each, according to the IRS.
Every year, IRS officials say, about $1 billion to $1.5 billion in refunds goes unclaimed, compared with about $300 billion in refunds paid.
"We want taxpayers to claim these refunds...
Annapolis, MD - May 15, 2024 - 4:54PM - The Maryland State House is on lockdown Wednesday due to a bomb threat. The building was also on lockdown Tuesday for a bomb threat that was later deemed unfounded."This afternoon, a call was made to the Annapolis Police Department with a bomb threat to the Maryland State House," Maryland Department of General Services spokesperson Nick Cavey told Patch in a Wednesday email. "State and local law enforcement agencies are on-site to conduct a search of the campus following standard security protocols. The public is advised to remain off premises and to heed advice from law enforcement agencies."
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Hillel & Kayla Kraines on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to the grandparents, Nechama Kraines and Mickey & Basi Lowenthal
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
War incident in Gaza - (Official) 10 seriously wounded. Evacuations to Bellinson, Ichilov, Shaare Tzedek. Please daven for:at Bellinson1. Itai Avraham Biton ben Rachel2. Gal Bani ben Iris3. Shalu Ayala ben Tekloat Ichilov4. Omer Aharon Lotan ben Tal5. Akiva Shalom Kudish ben Devorah6. Yeshua Levi ben Hanaat Shaare Zedek7. Ili Ketar ben Hagit8. Lidor Buskila ben Merav9. Shagiv Sharabi ben Yifat10. Eliran Yitzchak Morday ben Patria
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Frances Levine, a’h, mother of Mrs. Sheryl (Ben) Seidemann.The levaya will be at Chesed Shel Emes in Detroit at 1:00PM.
Shiva will be observed through Wednesday morning at 21601 Radcliffe Pl , Oak Park MichiganBila Hamaves LaNetzach...