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A crane that can lift 1,000 tons, described as one of the largest on the Eastern Seaboard, appeared near the site of a collapsed highway bridge in Baltimore as crews prepared Friday to begin clearing wreckage that has stymied the search for four workers missing and presumed dead and blocked ships from entering or leaving the city's vital port. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the Francis Scott Key Bridge's collapse following a freighter collision an “economic catastrophe" and described challenges of recovering the workers and clearing tons of debris to reopen the Port of Ba...
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 27, 2024  - Misaskim of MD Blood Drive, This Sunday. To register, click here
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We're thrilled to announce our return to Baltimore, Pikesville. A fantastic team of experts from Israel will update you on buying real estate in Israel. Ben Levene, CEO of CapitIL Real Estate, is proud to reach nearly his 200th event globally. "Our events and expert have greatly assisted in helping Anglos purchase property in Israel, with October 7th and its impact these events are even more important today " he says. At the event we will be presenting a special feature on buying Real Estate in Jerusalem, Netanya and Ramat Beit Shemesh for less than 1 Million Dollars . For security reasons only general event location will be made public; specific venue details will be shared privately with verified registrants 24-28 hours before the event. We are looking forward to welcomi...
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Baltimore, MD  - Mar. 28, 2024: Dear Friends, Our hearts and souls have been with our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel since the start of this war on Simchas Torah. We have supported our people and our land with our teffilos, talmud Torah, chessed and ahavas chinam. This coming Wednesday, April 3rd will mark the 180th day of the war, which means 180 days that our precious hostages have been away from their families and nation.  The OU has initiated a campaign to deliver 180,000 letters to the White House on the 180th day of the war. I have been asked to be part of the delegation delivering these letters to the White House and will have the zechus to personally bring our kehilla’s letters to the leadership of the United States. I am...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 29, 2024 -  BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Elisha Shoob (Baltimore) & Chana Malka Baver (Chicago) on their engagement.  יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel, The Washington Post reported on Friday. The approval came amid recent tensions between the US and Israel over the American opposition to an Israeli military offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza. The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war’s conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Neta...
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 29, 2024  - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a “very long road ahead” to recover from the loss of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved $60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse. Massive barges carrying cranes streamed toward the site to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete as a first step toward reopening a key shipping route blocked by the wreckage of the span. Moore promised that “the best minds in the world” were working on plans to clear the debris, move the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge from the channel, recover the bodies of the four remaining workers presumed dead and investigate what went wrong. “Governm...
Parsha Hashavua
Parshas Tzav - Checkmate?

When instructing the Kohanim regarding the details of bringing an עולה — elevation-offering, G-d departs from using the verb most often used when communicating to Moshe to 'say' or 'speak' to them, and instead tells him צו — to 'command' them.


Rashi adds that this more emphatic term is intended to urge extra zeal in dispatching this duty and should be conveyed constantly to future generations.  


This verb is used in the very first command in the Torah — after the creation of Adam — where it describes how, ויצו — And G-d commanded, the man… The Zohar says that embedded in the verse are the original seven commands incumbent on mankind, with this very first צו — 'command' referring to idolatry. In the words of the Zohar, לית צו אלא עבודה זרה — the word 'command' alludes only to idolatry.


It would seem there is a difference of opinion whether צו implies simply 'zeal' or an accentuated avoidance of the sin of idolatry.


Further adding to the intrigue is a teaching of the great and loyal disciple of the Arizal, Rav Chaim Vital, who reveals that the word צו is numerically equivalent to המן — the evil Haman, when adding 'one' for the כולל — its 'whole'.


What are we to make of all this?


When Haman plotted to annihilate the Jewish people the Megillah records that he sought to accomplish that remarkably difficult undertaking ביום אחד — in one day!aman=Ha


In another display of the ונהפוך הוא — 'and it was turned about' principle, the Jews gathered on Haman's intended day of genocide and did away with 75,000 of their enemies in 'one day', gaining relief and celebrating the following day.


There clearly seems to be an intended contrast between the hateful zeal of Haman and his 'divine' mission to destroy the Jewish people, and the loyal eagerness of the Jews to fulfill their 'command' to quash their enemies.


The Olah sacrifice requires an extra measure of zealousness in getting it done. Rashi quotes in the name of Rebbi Shimon who taught that the Scripture especially needs to urge people to meticulously fulfill commandments במקום שיש חסרון כיס — 'monetary loss' in involved.  


There is much discussion about what loss they are referring to. Perhaps it reflects the fact the Kohen does not consume any part of the offering, as an Olah is totally burnt upon the Altar and the Kohen is only entitled to its hide.


The first Rebbe of Gur, Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter, popularly known as the Chidushei HaRim, offers a novel understanding of what type of חסרון כיס Rebbi Shimon is referring to.


An Olah we are taught atones for several types of sin, and more specifically for הרהורי הלב — improper thoughts of the heart. (תרגום יהונתן)


The Rebbe observes that our bodies' physical portals that are exposed to sin; our mouth; our eyes; our ears; each have a barrier to prevent infiltration. We can close our mouths by shutting tight our lips and prevent speaking inappropriately. We can shut our eyelids in avoiding sightly temptations. We can take the lobe of our ears and plug up our ears from hearing seductive words. Only the mind is vulnerable to open thoughts with nothing to obstruct them from influencing us.


This is what Rebbi Shimon is addressing. All the avenues for sin have a כיס — covering, a blocker. The most dangerous entry into our soul though, our mind and its wandering thoughts, have nothing to assist us in fending them off.        


The only way one can overcome invading thoughts is by remaining focused on relationship with G-d, reiterating our love for Him by carrying our His will with alacrity, that leaves no room for lapses of consciousness that leave us vulnerable to creeping thoughts of doubt.


We must take a lesson from Haman's playbook. His hatred was so powerful it blinded him to the consequences of his actions.


Why did he need to wipe them out in one day? 


The great ethicist, and disciple of the school of mussar of Nevardok, Rav Chaim Zaitchik, suggests that Haman knew that the Jews were experiencing a period of concealment from their G-d and thus vulnerable to the 'measure of judgment' befalling them. But he knew it may not last. He foolishly miscalculated thinking he could win the ultimate game of chess with G-d, and do them in. What was he thinking? Obviously when driven by blind hate one is incapable of clear thinking.


In the 'turnabout', the Jews regained a deepened appreciation of their Father who would never abandon them and came to the realization that their former rationalizations that led them to compromise their ideals is what nearly doomed them. With renewed zeal they ran blindly to the embrace of their loving Father, never leaving any lapses of consciousness that might allow poisonous thoughts to enter their minds.


The sinful impulses we sometimes submit to are mindless instincts we have yet to conquer. They do not, in and of themselves, represent an abandonment of G-d.


Our הרהורי עבירה — improper thoughts of the heart, though, are doubts that truly question G-d's providence and dominion. It is tantamount to worshipping other 'foreign forces' that defy His will. It is these dangerous invaders we can only defeat by submitting ourselves to His will with a blind and zealous love that leaves us no room for doubt.


We can never be checkmated. But we can certainly ride the rollercoaster of emotions when we veer off course, forgetting our Father in Heaven's ceaseless devotion to us.


We must embrace G-d with our eyes closed, knowing that in the game of life with our zealous devotion we can never lose!


באהבה,


צבי יהודה טייכמאן



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Baltimore, MD – Mar. 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...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 29, 2024 - The guide is two books in one: A) Rav Gershon Bess' Passover Medicine & Cosmetics Guide and the Star-K Product Guide  B) An abridged version of the Guide (which does not include Rav Bess' lists)
SimchasSimchas Simcha
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 29, 2024  -  BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Shimmy Goldstein on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Paul Goldstein and Dr. and Mrs. Ephraim Ovitshיה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 29, 2024  -  BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mordechai & Rivka Palmer on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov grandparents Chaim Tuvia & Sharmaine Palmer and Baruch & Chana Garry. יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Nichum AveilimNichum Aveilim Aveilim
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 26, 2024  -  BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Ariel & Rivka Ben-Sorek on the birth of  twins; a son and a daughter. יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם ובתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Subaru has recalled more than 118,000 vehicles due to a faulty sensor that can prevent air bags from deploying during a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday.  The recall includes 118,723 of the automakers’ 2020-22 Outback and Legacy cars, according to documents filed Tuesday by the NHTSA. Authorities said a capacitor in the sensors for the car’s occupant detection system “may crack and short circuit,” and could stop the front passenger air bag from activating during an accident. Subaru said it is aware of 23 technical reports and 253 warrant claims related to the issues, but noted it is not aware of any injuries resulting from this problem. Dealers will replace the sensor on the front passenger...
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At some point or another, we are all guilty of the following: We try using fancy, smart-sounding verbiage (sorry, language!) instead of using simple language. If you have ever written anything on a computer – say, a book report, an essay, an email, and so on – odds are you have done what many people do. You look around, make sure no one is watching, and then you hover your mouse over a few select words – until the “synonyms” box appears – and then you secretly change the previously used simple sounding words to some fancy words that you are honestly not sure makes sense in context, but you are sure will impress your audience. Here is a good example. The lyrics for the popular nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice” go like this: Three blind mi...
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 29, 2024:Star-K SPECIAL EDITION: Passover Products 5784 a discussion will take place on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 12 Noon ET Click here to register Join Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Boruch Beyer for an interactive Passover products webinar, during which they will: •             discuss what's new on Passover store shelves •             which products do and don't require Passover certification •             suggest how to save money with the rising cost of kosher food •             review baby ...
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 29, 2024 - At the YU Saracheck tournament, featuring the top high school basketball teams nationwide, Baltimore's Beth Tfiloh Warriors achieved an upset victory in the opening round by defeating Valley Torah, the two-time defending champions. With a final score of 66 to 59, they advance to face Yeshiva of Flatbush at 1:30 PM on Friday in the Tier I quarterfinal. For a recap of the game, click here  Today's 1:30 PM game will be livestreamed here.
A vehicle was attacked this morning (Friday) by an unmanned aerial vehicle in the town of Bazourieh in the Tyre district in southern Lebanon. At the same time, artillery attacks were reported in Kfarhamam and Rachaya Al Foukhar in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that the person who was in the vehicle that was attacked by a UAV in Bazourieh was killed. According to the reports, the target was a senior official in the Hezbollah terrorist organization responsible for launching rockets at Israel. Later in the day, the IDF confirmed that an IAF aircraft struck and eliminated Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, the Deputy Commander of Hezbollah’s Rocket and Missile Unit, in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon. Ali was considered to be a significant source of knowled...
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