Baltimore, MD – Dec. 13, 2024 – A water main break has been reported on Old Court Road near Naylors Lane, creating significant water flow that resembles a river. While the area is still drivable at the moment, drivers are advised to proceed with caution. No crews have arrived on-site yet to address the issue, and there is concern about potential freezing conditions if temperatures drop.
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“Help my daughter live”  I am Esti, Lali’s mother. Our Lali is a child we longed for and waited for five years. She is all the light and joy of our home, and all I want is for her to stay here with us. Not long ago, she started feeling unwell. We took her to doctors, and what they discovered simply broke our hearts—she has cancer. Since then, nothing has been the same. We are trying to stay strong for her, but inside, we are falling apart. Her treatments cost a lot, far beyond what we can manage alone. I am asking you, anyone who can contribute, to help us save Lali. Every donation, every bit of support—it’s for her and for us. Please daven for Leah bas Esther for a full recovery. May you never know such pain, Esti  Donate now https://...
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 9, 2024 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Michoel Glazer, z’l, son of Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Glazer, father of Sara Esty (Naftoli) Silberberg, Bassie (Shlioime) Tendler, Yossi Glazer,  Eli Glazer, Moshe Glazer, and  Chayala Glazer, and brother of Mrs. Devory (Rabbi Moshe) Matz, Mrs. Leah (Rabbi Elchonon) Ciment, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe (Shoshana) Glazer, Rabbi Dovid (Shani) Glazer  and Shoshana (Binyomin) Rubinfeld. The levayah will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 2:30PM at Levinson's, 8900 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208. Kevura will take place at the Agudah Cemetery in Rosedale.Shiva through Monday morning, Dec. 16, will be observed at 427 Yeshiva Lane, Pikesville, Maryland ...
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024: Dear Friends, Rabbi Michoel Glazer, z’l, tragically passed away at the young age of 47 due to an unexpected health crisis, leaving behind six grieving children who now face the overwhelming challenge of continuing their lives without him. In the wake of this devastating loss, we must unite as a community to provide essential support during their time of need. This campaign is critical to ensuring the Glazer family receives the help they need to navigate this difficult period. All funds raised through this platform will be carefully and responsibly managed, both now and in the future, by a dedicated committee of professionals with expertise in legal and financial planning. This committee will work in close collaboration with the Glazer family’s ...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 13, 2024  - If the latest consumer price index is any indication, inflation is once again rising. It's one reason why Baltimore City's Department of Public Works proposed a multi-year utility rate increase. The department says the price hike is needed to maintain "the financial sustainability of the City's aging water and wastewater system." DPW will officially make the proposal before the Board of Estimates on December 18, setting up a potential vote on January 22. If approved, by fiscal year 2027, most Baltimore City households would see their monthly sewer and water bills increase by $37.69. For example, during fiscal year 2025, a sewer and water bill normally costing $130.21 will go up $12.58 totaling $142.79. That's an overall increa...
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suffered an injury and has been admitted to a hospital in Luxembourg, Fox News has confirmed. The 84-year-old California representative was traveling to Luxembourg for Battle of the Bulge remembrances. The extent of the former speaker's injury is unknown at the time of this reporting.
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 13, 2024 – (BZD) Last night, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation hosted an event featuring speakers who perpetuated misleading and divisive narratives.One speaker discussed supposed “persecution” while also admitting to the full rights she enjoys as an Israeli citizen—attending university, renting apartments, and more. She also highlighted differences in airport questioning, framing Israel as discriminatory, without acknowledging the security realities that justify these measures.The most powerful moment, however, came when a brave Israeli woman stood up, emotionally demanding answers about October 7: Where are our babies? Our hostages? The panel remained silent, failing to address the atrocities committed against innocent Israelis by Hamas.BJL ...
Parsha Hashavua
Rabbi Zvi Teichman on Parshas Vayishlach: Reflections on Greatness

The long awaited showdown between Esav and Yaakov has finally come to fruition.


Thirty-four years have transpired from the moment Rivkah — after fearing Esav would take revenge against Yaakov for stealing the blessings — advises Yaakov to "flee to my brother Lavan, to Charan. And remain with him a 'short while' until your brother's wrath subsides."


Clearly, Rivkah, who we are taught possessed Ruach Hakodesh, was way off in her estimation of how long it would take for Esav to calm down.


How do we reconcile this most insightful woman's gross error in judgment?


A dear, and old childhood friend of mine, Reb Labe Twersky, recently shared with me his novel answer to this question.


Rivkah correctly suspected that Esav was 'angry'. But she also realized that anger dissipates with time. Surely, she thought, it wouldn't take that long to see the truth in the adage: מה שלא יעשה השכל יעשה הזמן —What logic cannot achieve, the passage of time can!


So ostensibly she was right, but that was only true if Esav was merely angry.  The problem was that Esav was filled with hatred.


וישטם עשו — Now Esav harbored hatred toward Yaakov. Hate is rarely quelled; it lingers and breeds more loathing. Hate fuels incessant anger.


So how indeed did Yaakov manage to succeed in stifling Esav's anger, and alleviate the animosity that fanned Esav's ceaseless wrath?


The formula to enable one to love another person begins with loving oneself.


ואהבת לרעך — You shall love your fellow, כמוך — like yourself.


This directive is not simply a yardstick to measure how much love we should extend toward our fellow — as much as you'd desire for yourself.


It is rather the prerequisite that enables us to love someone else. It must begin with a healthy dose of, כמוך — self-love.  


One who has a strong measure of self-appreciation, is capable of loving and appreciating another.


This equation is even more evident on its flipside.


Those who are filled with hate towards others are really displaying their unhappiness and resentment towards themselves. It is so much easier to direct their frustrations by lashing out to others, than to face themselves and wallow in their feelings of worthlessness.


When Yaakov finally approaches Esav, he 'bows earthward seven times until he reaches his brother.'


The Baal HaTurim directs us to a verse in Mishlei.


For a righteous man can fall seven times and rise, but the wicked shall stumble upon evil. (24 16)


This verse — which asserts that the righteous may falter even seven times, yet they will persevere in rising each time, never succumbing to defeat — corresponds to Yaakov's seven times 'falling down' before Esav.


He adds that the number seven alludes specifically to another verse in Mishlei that depicts the 'enemy' who feigns friendship but harbors 'seven abominations in his heart.' (26 25)


Perhaps Yaakov fathomed that Esav's hatred stemmed from his miserable self-image. He understood that the 'seven abominations' in Esav's heart was a grave disappointment with himself and his failure to live up to his father's hope for him.


Yaakov sought to convey his faith and belief in Esav, by encouraging him never to give up. He portrayed his own personal struggles of 'falling down' seven times yet pulling himself up by the bootstraps, to rise and shine once again.


With Yaakov's genuine appreciation for the essence of goodness within his brother that could blossom into greatness, Esav began to sense a rebirth of a seed of self-esteem restoring within his soul.


The self-hatred dissolved for a moment, permitting him to appreciate his own worth. In this fleeting moment of genuine satisfaction with self, the hatred towards Yaakov naturally disappeared.


Reb Itzele of Volozhin, the son of Rav Chaim Volozhiner, quotes in the name of his father a time tested technique to capture the heart of one's enemy. One should focus on the positive within his adversary, judging him favorably. This positive energy will result in a reciprocal display of camaraderie in return.


This is based on another verse in Mishlei.


As face reflects to face in water, so does one man’s heart to another. (27 19)


This would seem to be a metaphysical reality that enables a person to positively influence another with warmth, that ignites a reciprocal love in the heart of his former adversary — towards him.




But perhaps it is much simpler.




When one gazes into a still pool of water, one sees a reflection of one's physical self.




Similarly, when my antagonist views my heart, filled with appreciation for him, he begins to see a reflection of 'his' true self, allowing his heart to flow unencumbered by his former cloud of self-negation that existed before.




May we each reflect on the power we have to warm our world with an unparalleled spirit of camaraderie that can elevate an entire world in its wake.




באהבה,


צבי יהודה טייכמאן
















     










 



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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 13, 2024 - Maryland's ICE Director Matthew Elliston is warning of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua (TDA). The gang has been responsible for violent acts across the country. However, according to Elliston, the gang is making its way into Baltimore City. But Mayor Brandon Scott's stance has been not to cooperate with ICE. “We’re not just gonna be targeting people because they’re immigrants," Scott said. According to Elliston, however, that is not his agency's intent. “We’re not asking them to help us enforce immigration laws. We’re asking to help them make a safer Baltimore," Elliston said. National Police Association spokesperson Betsy Smith calling the gang very dangerous. “Tren De Aragua, TDA as they&r...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 12, 2024 - Outside his Falls Road office, Dr John Parkerson examines the few threads that are still dangling from a bent flagpole. "There's no reason to hate and steal to be mad at me," Parkerson said. Just before sunrise Monday morning, surveillance video shows a thief ripping the Israeli flag off the front of his porch. All other flags remained untouched. "He knew he was doing something wrong, it was deliberate and angry," Parkerson said. He began flying the Israeli flag 15 months ago as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began to escalate. During that time, the Israeli flag has been stolen five separate times. "I'm not out to get anybody or say the other side is wrong. I support Israel and have a right to my opinion.," Parkerson said. Surveillance vi...
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After the dramatic encounter with Esav, Yaakov continued his journey back home. The journey took longer than expected due to the large family and flock and Yaakov made camp in a few different locations.  And Jacob traveled to Succoth and built himself a house, and for his cattle he made booths; therefore, he named the place Succoth.  And Jacob came “shalem” (safely) to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram, and he encamped before the city (Genesis 33:17-18)  The Torah relates that Yaakov arrived “shalem” to the city of Shechem. The Hebrew word “shalem” is translated by many of the commentaries as “safely” but the basic definition of this word is “complete” or &...
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Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 12, 2024  - "I am here today to thank God because, three years ago, I came here to pray that I would be granted the position of president and the opportunity to serve my country. It is an honor for me to say thank you here and to renew my commitment to do good for Paraguay, for Israel, and for the Jewish people." As part of his solidarity visit to Israel, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña arrived at the Kotel this morning (Thursday, 12 December 2024), with a delegation, including the president of Parliament, ministers, additional parliament members, and his family. The delegation was welcomed by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. They express...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 12, 2024 - Rebbe Avraham Dov of Avritch-Tzfas, the mechabeir of the Bas Ayin, was niftar on 12 Kislev, 5601 (November 24, 1840). His yahrzeit, observed tonight – 12 Kislev – is being commemorated with a yahrzeit seudah and kumzitz in Baltimore at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Ori Strum with Rabbi Menachem Goldberger and others participating in this meaningful event.
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 12, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dovid Yaakov Green & Hanna Bluth on their engagement!    Mazel Tov to Daniel & Candi Green and Eli & Naomi Bluth (Boca Raton)     יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!  
Waterbury, CT. -- Dec. 12, 2024 - The Krohn family thanks everyone for their tefillos and the zechusim that they have taken upon themselves. We are grateful to the many individuals who have gone above and beyond to help.  Rabbi Krohn has left Stamford Medical Center and is now in a rehab center where his recuperation will iy"H continue. He has a journey ahead, but with all of the tefillos he will hopefully have a complete recovery.  Please keep davening for Paysach Yosef Ben Hinda.
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 12, 2024 – 8:35PM - The intersection of Shellydale Road and Lincoln Avenue is closed due to a gas line being hit. Crews have been working throughout the day and plan to continue repairs through the night. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.
The long awaited showdown between Esav and Yaakov has finally come to fruition. Thirty-four years have transpired from the moment Rivkah — after fearing Esav would take revenge against Yaakov for stealing the blessings — advises Yaakov to "flee to my brother Lavan, to Charan. And remain with him a 'short while' until your brother's wrath subsides." Clearly, Rivkah, who we are taught possessed Ruach Hakodesh, was way off in her estimation of how long it would take for Esav to calm down. How do we reconcile this most insightful woman's gross error in judgment? A dear, and old childhood friend of mine, Reb Labe Twersky, recently shared with me his novel answer to this question. Rivkah correctly suspected that Esav was 'angry'. But she also realiz...
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