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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This Pesach YOU can also bring HOPE to Rav David and his family by helping to support a father battling with ALS!
R' Dovid is the personification of HOPE to the world.
This Pesach please help Rabbi David Frid to receive the life-giving care he needs at home surrounded by his loving family.Due to extra medical expenses your generous support is urgently needed!
Chag Kasher V'Sameach from The Frid Family
They thank you in advance for your very kind and generous donation!
Click to watch the video. Access the donation page here.
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Baltimore, MD - Apr. 17, 2024 - Join the community in a new incentive to disconnect from digital life and reconnect with... life!
Commit to limit your screen time during Sefiras HaOmer, the special time of growth between Pesach and Shavuos, and win great prizes! See below for details.
To sponsor any part of this initiative, reach out to us at help@tagbaltimore.org or call 410-449-1824
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin remains among 133 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7th, has been honored as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2024.
This recognition comes as a testament to her unwavering advocacy and efforts to raise global awareness about the ongoing hostage crisis.
Rachel's journey into the spotlight began when her son Hersh, along with 132 others, was taken hostage by Hamas into Gaza. Since then, she, alongside her husband Jon Polin and countless other families affected by the crisis, has tirelessly campaigned for the release of all captives.
The inclusion of Rachel Goldberg-Polin in the prestigious TIME100 list acknowledges the significant impact she has had in galvanizing support fo...
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.
On the 7th day of Pesach, we commemorate the Greatest Nes done in the presence of man. 600,000 people witnessed the Splitting of the Sea and all of the other associated miracles. Indeed, the Nes was of such a magnitude that Moshe Rabbeinu and all of the men busrt out into Shira – song to commemorate, admire and appreciate what Hashem had just done for them. Then, the Torah diverts to tell us that Miriam Haniviya took drums and all the women sang Shira with her. In telling us that Miriam also sang Shira, the Torah repeats one Pasuk and one Pasuk only, in alluding to her having sung the whole Shira. The Pasuk says “Sus Verochvo Rama Vayam” – That the horse and its rider were drowned in the sea.
Why was this Pasuk chosen and associated with Mir...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 17, 2024 - On Wednesday morning, Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah had the zechus of welcoming Moreinu HaRav Yisroel Neuman, Shlita, the Rosh HaYeshiva of BMG. The R”H delivered a shiur on Inyonei Y”T to the overflowing crowd of mostly bochurim. Each year the Friedman Family sponsors a keynote shiur during Pesach Bain Hazmanin LZN their dear father, Rav Yerachamiel Baruch Ben R’ Eliezer.
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 17, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Noach Feldman, z’l, father of Yehoshua (Josh) Feldman.
The levayah will take place on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024 at 11:00AM at
Harbor Lawn 1625 Gisler Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Shiva will be observed through Monday afternoon.
Shiva will begin at 4 Galileo, Irvine, CA, 92603 until Motzaei Shabbos and will continue in Eretz Yisroel Sunday night through erev Yom Tov at 23/2 Nachal Maor, Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph.
Cellphone number during shiva is 443.844.8613.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
As we bask in the afterglow of our Sedarim, where we retold the story of Yitzias Mitzrayim and we prepare for the last days of Pesach, where we mark Kriyas Yam Suf, it is easy to lose sight of the tumultuous days which occurred between these two amazing events. B’nei Yisroel leave Mitzrayim behind in the distance, only to realize that the Mitzrim have had a change of heart again and were in hot pursuit. Of course, we would assume that having just witnessed the Maccos and the Multiple Nissim that Hashem had done for them, that Bnei Yosroel would not be afraid – surely Hashem would protect them and punish the Mitzrim again. Yet, they were afraid, they were “very” afraid. The Torah tells us that they saw Mitzrayim chasing after them and they wer...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 17, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Donald Orkin, z’l, father of Rabbi jeffrey Orkin.
The levayah wil be held on Thursday, Ap. 18, 2024 at Lindwood Cemetery, Randolph, MA.
Shiva will be observed in Baltimore through the afternoon of Mon, Apr. 22 (Erev Pesach) beginning Friday, Apr. 19, 2024 at 3908 West Strathmore, Baltimore, MD 21215
Minyanim:
Shacharis: Fri. / Sun. / Mon. 7:30AM
Mincha: Erev Shabbos: 5:00PM
Maariv Motzaei Shabbos: 8:40PM
Mincha/Maariv: Sunday 7:30PM
Mincha: Monday :2:00PM
Visiting Times:
Friday 8:30AM-Noon and 2:00PM-5:00PM
Sunday: 8:30AM – Noon and 2:00PM-6:00PM
Monday: 8:30AM – 2:00PM
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
There are two major concepts which form the driving force of the Hagaddah and the Seder in general. First, is the Chiyuv Sipur Yitzias Mitraim, and the second is that one must feel as if he himself is being taken out of Mitzraim on the night of Pesach, an idea discussed more fully in the Hagaddah.
With these two concepts being the principal themes, how then does the final part of the Seder, Nirtzah, fit into this framework? These intriguing, yet seemingly unrelated songs, raise a significant question as to exactly what role they play in the Seder and by extension, the Yom Tov of Pesach.
On a simplistic level one could answer their function is similar to that of the Afikoman and Mah Nishtana - to heighten the interest and enjoyment of the Seder for the...
There is a long-standing tradition that the Shabbos before Pesach is referred to as Shabbos Hagodol – The Great Shabbos. Virtually every commentary relates this title all the way back to Yitzias Mitzrayim. The year Bnei Ysroel left Mitzrayim, Pesach fell on a Thursday. Hence, the preceding Shabbos was the 10th of Nissan. This was a particularly special day. It was on the 10th of Nissan that Bnei Yisroel were commanded to take the lamb which would eventually be used as the first Korban Pesach. (Shemos, 12:3) Accordingly, we mark the Shabbos which precedes Pesach as Shabbos Hagodol. (Tur Orech Chayim, Siman 430).
The Halachic authorities go into great detail as to the reason for the...
Have You Heard About Birkat Ha’Ilanot?
Have you heard about Birkat Ha’ilanot, the brachah over trees? We recited it yesterday in Jerusalem and anyone can recite it anywhere until the end of the month of Nisan. The brachah should be said next to two blossoming fruit trees of different kinds.
Rabbi Itamar Heiken, head of a premilitary academy in Kibbutz Be’erot Yitzchak went with his students to recite this brachah and returned with the following valuable insight:
“There is clinical death and psychological death, the latter afflicting a person while he is still alive. It happens when individuals lose their sensitivity and enthusiasm, when they are incapable of seeing the beauty of nature or experiencing the magic of life.
Our Sages say: ’An evil ...
Pesach is around the corner so time to jump into the captivating world of shmura matzah—specifically the crispy, thin, and oh-so-delicious kind made at Lakewood Shmurah Matzah. In this video, we explored the fascinating process of how this Passover staple is lovingly crafted. The matzah is more than just a cracker. Its process is all about preserving tradition and the deeper meaning behind this unleavened treat. That's why the meticulous supervision of matzah production, especially for the hand shmura variety, is so crucial. There is the machine matzah which comes out in perfectly shaped squares, but there's something extra special about hand matzah. It's like the artisanal approach to matzah-making, and at Lakewood Shmurah Matzah, they take this tradition seriously...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 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 l...
Numerous sirens were activated along Israel’s northern border this afternoon, and several rockets were fired at Mt. Meron.
The sirens sounded, among other places, in Kiryat Shmonah, Meron, Safsufa, Hagoshrim, Beit Hillel, Avdon, Manot, and Eilon. Of ten rockets fired at Mt. Meron, some missed and some were intercepted.
Kiryat Shmonah reported four rocket strikes that caused infrastructure damage, light damage to property, and several cars struck by shrapnel. No one was wounded.
Another ten rockets were launched at the Western Galilee region, also causing no wounds.
MDA teams found several places where rocket strikes were reported. No one was found to be wounded. Two people were treated for shock. IDF forces attacked the sources of the rockets.
The attacks followed the assassinat...