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
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.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
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
More than 100 people were arrested by New York Police Department officers on a preliminary charge of criminal trespass, as police entered Columbia University on Thursday to disperse a pro-Palestinian Arab protest that began a day earlier, CNN reported.
The individuals were detained with no resistance, and the university is named as the complainant since the incident occurred on its property, a law enforcement official told CNN.
The arrests come one day after clashes erupted at competing rallies of pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian Arab groups on Columbia’s campus.
Several people waving Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flags had verbal confrontations with police officers, who had begun boxing the protesters in with barricades, CNN affiliate WCBS&nb...
The US on Thursday vetoed a Security Council resolution to admit the Palestinian Authority as a full member state of the United Nations.
12 countries voted in favor of the resolution: Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Russia, South Korea, Mozambique, Malta, Japan, Guyana, France, Ecuador, China, and Algeria.
Two countries abstained – Britain and Switzerland.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said following the vote, “The proposal to recognize a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism.”
“I commend the United States for vetoing this shameful proposal, which was rejected today at the UN Security Council. It is outrageous th...
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.
Washington, D.C. - Apr. 18, 2024 The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging and sold at Trader Joe’s stores in AL, CT, D.C., DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC, a total of 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states. Seven of eight cases with information available reported exposure to fresh organic basil purchased from Trader Joe's before becoming ill. Additionally, traceback data collecte...
The secrets of the miracles which happened on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Tazria - 6th of Nissan 5784 when Iran shot 350 ballistic missiles on Eretz Yisroel and they were all intercepted, most on the way on top of Jordan. An in depth Torah vision of this specific day throughout history of the Tanach.
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 18, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Barry Fader, z’l, brother of Pinchas Fader.
Pinchas is sitting shiva in Israel (Nahal Lachish 22/3 Ramat Beit Shemesh א) through Monday morning, Apr. 22 and can be reached at 058-631.3253 or (667) 309-1399.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Last year, Baltimore lost a giant, Rabbi Moshe Juravel zt”l. I had the zechus to write an article about him, which was warmly received. He inspired so many in various ways. In the article, I shared that before Pesach, Rabbi Juravel wanted to teach the boys about family minhagim and gave out a questionnaire for the boys to fill out. (Click on the graphics below for a larger, printable version.)My brother, who was in his class, brought this home and my father excitedly filled it out. Years later, my other brother used this as a springboard to write a kunteres for our family of its minhagim, all from a handout to a fifth-grader!
In the opening, he writes: "To the parents of my talmidim. Yiddishkeit has survived the galus intact because of our ability to transmit the mesorah of ou...
Rabbi Labish Becker - Pesach 5784 Part 4 -A Bird's Eye View- from Agudath Israel on Vimeo.
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 18, 2024 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Thursday, 18 April 2024), visited Mossad headquarters where he met with Director David Barnea and – afterwards – with the forum of division heads. They discussed regional developments in the various sectors. The Prime Minister and the Mossad Director also referred to the continuing efforts – and the importance of doing everything possible – to return the hostages back home as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Netanyahu then visited the ISA headquarters where he held working meetings with ISA Director Ronen Bar and – afterwards – met with the senior management forum chaired by Director Bar, his deputy and additional senior officials.
The Prime Minister received a co...
Israel prepared for and then aborted retaliatory strikes against Iran on at least two nights this past week, three Israeli sources told ABC News on Wednesday.
According to the report, a range of responses to the drone and missile attack have been presented to the Israeli War Cabinet. The potential responses include options ranging from attacking Iranian proxies in the region but not on Iranian soil to a potential cyber attack, the sources said.
Israel is unlikely to carry out a strike on Iran until after Passover, which begins at sundown on Monday, a senior US official told ABC News, although that could always change.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other leadership are still on a high state of alert, with some in safe houses and underground facilities, ...
Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton, Florida, once remarked that Pesach is like Disney World for kids. Here is his important message regarding the coming days, which holds true even during these challenging times:Passover (Pesach) is the Holiday of Freedom. It’s our opportunity to communicate our values and the Story of Passover to the next generation. On Pesach, it’s important to keep in mind that we are supposed to eat Maror (bitter herbs) not become as bitter as Maror. In the days preceding Pesach and on Seder night itself, our guiding principles should be those of joy, enthusiasm, and meaning. Here are some examples: The Search for Chametz is a holy game of “hide and seek.” It is supposed to be fun and not a burden. The same applies to the Burning of Chamet...
Baltimore, Md - Apr. 18, 2024 - In many ways the main mitzvah of the Seder is to tell the story of the Exodus. Yes, we eat matzah, and yes, we drink wine, and yes to all the customs and rules and all of that. Yet, from a certain perspective, all of these moments are in service to our telling the story. We start with the bad times, we end with the good times. We have questions and answers, and we try to feel like we were really there during the times of slavery and were really there when we marched out, saved, proud, and so obviously beloved by the Creator.
From time to time, a student will ask me why it is that in olden times there were so many miracles and nowadays, we don’t have miracles like that. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to have faith and keep the mitzvot ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 18, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Abraham Weinberger, z’l, brother of Mrs. Lori Pollak (443 844 1250).
Shiva will be observed tomorrow, Friday, Apr. 19, 2024, from 10:00AM - 4:00PM at 3909 W. Strathmore Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215
It’s All A Matter Of Perspective
Potatoes. A staple for Pesach in most homes. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Avraham Juravel - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU, and the chief Rabbi of Idaho Falls, as he talks about potatoes and the kashrus related issues.
The daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar claimed that she has been suspended from Barnard College over her participation in anti-Israel activity.
Isra Hirsi posted on X today (Thursday), "I’m an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings. I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide."
"Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. we will stand resolute until our demands are met. Our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbia’s investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression," she added.
Hirsi's suspension...