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 - March 19, 2025 - The boys of BCL had an incredible time at SkyZone celebrating their achievement of 3 consecutive chesed week wins! With endless pizza and non-stop jumping, it was definitely a night to remember. Week 4 of the Baltimore Chesed League was filled with impactful acts of kindness as teams visited assisted living facilities, bringing joy to the elderly, and cleaned up the costume Gemach after Purim. With Pesach approaching, the boys prepared food boxes for deliveries, organized a food pantry and even made matzah, providing for those who need extra support. Each act of chesed brought them closer to qualifying for the end-of-season banquet, where prizes sponsored by Chesapeake Urology and Union Bridge Family Dentistry await! Through their tireless effor...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.19, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Baila Mandel, a’h, mother of Alisa Mandel.
The levaya will be held today, Wednesday, March 19, in Lakewood, NJ
Shiva will begin in Lakewood (410.963.2977)
Bila Hamaves Lanetzach…
Baltimore, MD – Mar.18, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Moshe Melnick, z’l, brother of Mrs. Miriam (Elias) Rabinowitz.
The levayah will take place on Wednesday, March 19 at 1:00 pm at Lakeside Memorial.
Shiva will begin in Baltimore on Friday at 7805 Seven Mile Lane, through Monday evening. Visitors can park in the parking lot of Pikesville Middle School. Visiting hours: Friday - 9:30 am - 3:00 pm Motzei Shabbos - 8:45 pm - 11:00 pm Sunday and Monday - 9:30 am - 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Bila Hamaves Lanetzach…
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. —Stuck in space no more, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to close out a saga that began with a bungled test flight more than nine months ago.
Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf, in the early evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. Splashdown occurred off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, bringing their unplanned odyssey to an end.
Within an hour, the astronauts were out of their capsule, waving and smiling at the cameras while being hustled away in reclining stretchers for routine medical checks.
It all started with a flawed Boeing test flight last spring.
The two expected to be gone just a week or so after ...
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.
Baltimore, MD – Mar.18, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Jay P. Polovoy, z’l, husband of Anita C. Polovoy, father of Robert L. Polovoy, Steven D. (Sherry) Polovoy and Brian H. Polovoy and brother of Rona S. Polovoy.
The levayah will be held at Levinsons on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm.
Kevurah will take place at Hebrew Young Men's Cemetery
Bila Hamaves Lanetzach…
The IDF and the Shin Bet started at 2:10 a.m. Tuesday morning to conduct dozens of extensive air strikes specifically on mid-level Hamas commanders in Gaza and some senior Hamas political officials, but did not target senior Hamas military commanders like Mohammed Sinwar who might be holding Israeli hostages nearby.
The strikes ended a nearly two month ceasefire with Hamas since January 19 after the sides had failed for nearly three weeks to bridge disagreements about moving from Phase I of hostage negotiations to Phase II.
The air force struck around 80 Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in approximately 10 minutes from 2:10-2:20 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
In fact, most of the targets were hit in the first two minutes.
Throughout the day there were other waves...
Baltimore, MD – March 18, 2025 – 5:06PM An accident on I-83 North, just before Cold Spring (Exit 9), is causing significant delays and backups for several miles------------------------------------------------------------------
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President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for at least 90 minutes Tuesday about ending the war in Ukraine, the White House said, noting that the two leaders agreed that "negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East."
The two leaders also agreed to a ceasefire against energy infrastructure, both sides said. Trump described the call as "very good and productive" on Truth Social.
"Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end," Trump wrote on social media. "That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!"
The call began at 10 a.m. ET, ...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation from the Kirya in Tel Aviv this evening (Tuesday), following the surprise airstrikes launched by the IAF against the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip early this morning.
"We returned to fighting with strength, on the recommendation of security officials," Netanyahu stated.
"This is just the beginning. We will continue to fight to achieve the goals of the war and the promise that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel," he said. "From now on, negotiations will only take place under fire."
"We extended the ceasefire in the weeks in which we did not receive any hostages, we sent delegations to Doha, we accepted the proposal of US envoy Witkoff, but on the other hand Hamas rejected every proposal. I accep...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.18, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Joan Kikoen, a’h, mother of Mrs. Chana (Moshe) Turner.
The levayah took place yesterday in Chicago.
Mrs. Turner will observe shiva - tomorrow thru Erev Shabbos - at her home, 4002 Brookhill Road,.
There will be one minyan for Maariv on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m.Visiting Hours
Wed. & Thu.
10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Friday
10:00 a.m.–12 Noon
Bila Hamaves Lanetzach…
Annapolis, MD - March 18, 2025 - Gov. Wes Moore’s recent national appearances have raised concerns among some Maryland residents and lawmakers about whether he is sufficiently focused on pressing state matters.
With the Maryland General Assembly running out of time to address the state’s historic $3.3 billion deficit, Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, R-Carroll and Frederick Counties, told Spotlight on Maryland on Monday that he is frustrated about the governor's failure to answer important budget and tax proposal questions directly this session.
My concerns are the decisions he’s made or, more accurately, the decisions he’s not making,” Sen. Ready said. “Instead of finger-pointing, Maryland taxpayers need him to roll up his...
President Trump spoke for nearly three hours on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid the U.S. push to secure Moscow’s agreement to a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.
Putin had held back endorsing the U.S.-led ceasefire following meetings in Moscow with Trump’s special envoy for Russia, Steve Witkoff.
Ukraine accepted the terms of the ceasefire during high-stakes talks with Trump administration officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11.
DEVELOPING
Yemen's Houthis launched a missile toward Israel, triggering rocket sirens to sound across the northern Negev, starting at 6:56 p.m. on Tuesday.
The military said it had intercepted a ballistic missile before it crossed into Israeli territory.
Sirens blared in Beersheba, Merhav Am, Nevatim, and Revivim, among other locations.
Israel's emergency response service, Magen David Adom, said no injuries had been reported.
US strikes on Houthis
On Saturday, the US launched widespread strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, continuing its attacks during three consecutive days.
A US official told The Jerusalem Post that the strikes were a message to Iran at a time when the administration is proposing to open negotiations on its nuclea...
A new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Center for Technology and Society (CTS) has uncovered systematic antisemitic and anti-Israel bias on Wikipedia, revealing an orchestrated effort to manipulate content related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The investigation found that a coordinated group of editors has been actively distorting Wikipedia entries in apparent violation of the platform’s policies.
According to the report, at least 30 Wikipedia editors have collaborated to introduce misleading narratives about Israel while downplaying Palestinian antisemitism and violence. These editors were found to be significantly more active than comparable groups, with twice the average number of total edits over the past decade. Additionally, their internal communication was up...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday morning with senior defense officials at the Kirya Base in Tel Aviv for a situational assessment after the surprise attack in the Gaza Strip.
In the past few hours, Hamas has conveyed messages that the terror organization is interested in restoring the ceasefire and negotiating the release of hostages.
A Hamas spokesperson told Reuters that communication with ceasefire negotiation mediators was ongoing and it is keen to complete the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
In the meantime, IDF and ISA are continuing to strike terror targets belonging to the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations across the Gaza Strip.
The IDF stated that the targets struck over the past few hours include terrorist cells, launch pos...
The French government on Tuesday condemned Israel for the airstrikes launched overnight against the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.
The French Foreign Ministry claimed that the airstrikes have caused “numerous civilian casualties" and demanded that Israel return to being in a state of ceasefire with Hamas and restore the humanitarian aid to Gaza that was recently stopped.
"France condemns the Israeli strikes carried out since yesterday on the Gaza Strip, which have caused numerous civilian casualties," the foreign ministry stated.
"France calls for an immediate end to hostilities, which are jeopardizing efforts to free the hostages and threatening the lives of the civilian population in Gaza," it added.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has cla...
Over the past day (Tuesday), the IDF struck dozens of terror targets and terrorists throughout the Gaza Strip, including mid-level and senior-ranking terrorists in Hamas' Political Bureau. The strikes were conducted to damage Hamas' governmental and military capabilities, and to remove threats to the State of Israel and its citizens.
In these strikes, the IDF and ISA eliminated the terrorist Essam al-Da'alis, Head of the Hamas Government and the most senior figure of authority in the Gaza Strip. Essam al-Da'alis replaced Rawhi Mushtaha in this position after he was eliminated in July 2024. In his role, al-Da'alis was responsible for the functioning of Hamas' terror regime in the Gaza Strip and oversaw the integration of all of Hamas’ branches in Gaza an...