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!
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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!
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Commander of the 932nd Battalion Lt. Col. Dotan told his troops at the end of a raid by the 162nd Division on the outskirts of the Nusirat Refugee Camp, that in the future they would enter Rafah.
He opened his address to his men: "Let's look at the past half year and think what have we learned? What did we learn from October 7th? What did we learn about ourselves? What did we learn about the battalion? What did you learn about yourselves and about your peers?"
The commander summed up the operations of the past half year and said: "We learned most of all to love each other, to fight beside each other, to be tolerant to each other, to work together, and to do it with the power that you have now."
Lt. Col. Dotan concluded: "Let's conclude that the people of Israel trust you to do...
US and Israeli officials have clarified that it is not certain how many of the 133 hostages still in Gaza are alive, NBC News reported.
Around one-fourth of the hostages in Gaza are no longer alive.
According to US officials, though it is "difficult to say for certain," far fewer hostages may be alive than is publicly known.
A former senior Israeli official told NBC that there is no firm estimate regarding how many hostages are still alive, adding, "No one reliable has this information. It’s all speculation."
A relative of one of the hostages, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Israeli security officials have shown Americans that they know where many of the hostages are, but that the hostages are kept on the move.
Though the Biden admini...
Senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk has said that as of now, he does not know how many hostages are alive and how many are dead.
Abu Marzouk also said that the Hamas terror group is demanding first a ceasefire and the provisio of immediate aid to "Palestinian refugees." Hamas is also demanding that Gazans currently in southern Gaza be allowed to return home.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abu Marzouk said that Hamas "will not compromise on a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but we will not back down from the negotiations."
According to him, the negotiations "have not reached a dead end," but Hamas' insistence on a ceasefire is in line with the United Nations Security Council's position, which demands that Israel cease its attempts to end the terror group's control ...
The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unarmed aerial vehicle production after its attack on Israel, and U.S. President Joe Biden said G7 leaders were committed to acting together to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
Biden said the United States and its allies had helped Israel beat back the April 13 missile and drone strike and were now holding Iran accountable with the new sanctions and export controls.
"The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone program that enabled this brazen assault," Biden said in a statement.
"And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 18, 2024 - With about one month until the Primary Election, the four top-polling Democratic candidates for mayor in Baltimore City squared off during a forum Wednesday held on the campus of Morgan State University.
The forum was hosted by WBAL-TV in partnership with WBAL NewsRadio, and Maryland Public Television. Incumbent Mayor Brandon Scott, former Mayor Sheila Dixon, Thiru Vignarajah, and Bob Wallace participated.
According to a recent FOX45 News/The Baltimore Sun/University of Baltimore poll shows Scott and Dixon remain in a tight race, with 38% of likely primary voters indicating they will support Scott and 35% said they plan to support Dixon. According to the poll, Vignarajah has 10% of the vote and Wallace trails with 4% of the vote. The poll was conducte...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 18, 2024 - Three weeks after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, new information is surfacing surrounding the moments leading up to the crash and potential warning signs that might have been missed.
In an exclusive interview with Fox45 News, a long-time crane operator for the Port of Baltimore claims the ship was experiencing electric failures even before left the dock. Those claims come as FBI agents boarded the vessel this week to conduct a criminal investigation into the catastrophe.
Minutes before crashing, chilling video captures the Dali losing power, lights flashing on and off. Crews made a desperate mayday call mid-departure, but it was too late to save the bridge or the six construction workers who lost their lives in the collapse. Now, ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 18, 2024 - Travelers to Virginia for Pesach must be aware that traffic laws here are among the strictest in the U.S., rigorously enforced with a high presence of law enforcement. It's nearly impossible to avoid being pulled over. Moreover, speeding here can be considered a criminal offense, potentially leading to up to 6 months in jail. Sadly, every year, many are unaware of this and pay a heavy price. We strongly advise caution while driving and always ensure not to exceed the speed limit by more than 9 mph.
In the fall of last year, Noach Lurman was just starting his third year at University of Maryland where he was studying Biology. Then, October 7 happened and Lurman, with only a year and a half left until graduation, decided to leave the school.
"After Sukkot, I went back to school and was greeted by pro-Hamas protests on campus. It felt like it came out of nowhere. Before, I thought nobody cared that I was Jewish, and now, there was antisemitism all over our school's social media feeds, I saw a Magen David spray painted on a trash can. It was clear to me then that I needed to make aliyah," Lurman said.
Lurman made aliyah with Nefesh B'Nefesh and its partners Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA and...
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...
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.
