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 – Nov. 27, 2023 - Baltimore's Chanukah House, located at 101 Brightside Ave is back, starting tomorrow night, Nov. 28, offering a ray of light with mesmerizing displays during these turbulent times, featuring a special menorah lighting ceremony each night of Chanukah.
The display will be open daily from noon until 9 PM. The inaugural night's licht bentching on Dec. 7 is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with Chabad of West Pikesville and the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Co. as guest honorees. Lighting to take place on erev Shabbos, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m., and Motzaei Shabbos, Dec. 9, at 7:00 PM.
Each evening from Dec. 10-14, licht bentching will take place at 6 p.m. and will honor various guests, including Pikesville's first responders, local elected officials, Jewish W...
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Baltimore, MD - Nov. 26, 2023 - From their homes, mainly in the US, thousands of young children have joined the Tehillim Army to support the soldiers. Led by Morah Tziri Preis from Baltimore, the Inkredible Kids podcast on November 23rd, sponsored by the Wasserman family, featured a special guest with an inspiring story.
In the IDF reserves, Major Dr. Eitan Turgeman (38) was called up early in Operation Iron Swords and suffered serious injuries. He was evacuated by helicopter to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where he had worked as a dentist before the war. Severely injured, he was admitted with a broken hand, two broken vertebrae in his back, a facial injury, and shrapnel in both legs.
The timing couldn’t have been better for participants from all over the world from this year...
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Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023 - I first heard of Khal Chassidim about two years ago. I had been living in Baltimore all my life, and I knew there was a Chassidishe Kollel group of families that had moved in the Pinkney area of town, but that's about it. I saw some chassidim at Seven Mile every once in a while, but that was pretty much the extent of my exposure.
The time came that I needed a preschool for my 3 year old twins (one of whom needed a specific style of learning). A few people told me some very positive things about Khal Chassidim, so I decided to do some research and find out more. Originally, we were just looking into the preschool, which is run by the amazing Mrs. Shoshana Sofer. My brothers had been in the TI preschool, under the capable care of Mrs. Sofer&r...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 27, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Col. Erwin Burtnick, z’l, husband of Janet Burtnick and father of Scott Burtnick and Jason Burtnick.
The levayah will be held at Levinson’s on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, at 1:30 pm.
Kevurah will take place at United Hebrew Cemetery, 3901 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe, MD 21227.
Shiva will be observed at JUSA House, 2314 Sugarcone Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21209.Wednesday following kevurah, services at 7:30pm, family will not accept visitors past at 9:00pmThursday, 12-9pm, No visitors 3:30pm-4:30pm, services at 4:30pm, family will not accept visitors past 9:00pm.Friday, 11am-1pm.Sunday, 12-9pm, No visitors 3:30pm-4:30pm, services 4:30pm, family wi...
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 – Nov. 26, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mr. Jerry Goldberg, z’l, husband of Alice Goldberg and father of Sandy (Scott) Parsowith and Lenny (Yael) Goldberg.
Shiva will be observed through Motzaei Shabbos at The Arlington 6701 Park Heights Avenue, Apt. 3C, Baltimore, MD 21215Visiting:
Monday to Thursday
1:00 - 3:00 PM and
7:00 - 8:30 PM.
Friday
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Motzaei Shabbos
7:00 - 8:30 PMBila Hamaves LaNetzach...
Being part of the "third" generation is difficult. The first generation innovates. The second generation consolidates. The third generation often squanders the achievements of the previous two. It is never easy being third.
A well-known study discovered that financial wealth is generally squandered by the third generation. Through hard work and entrepreneurship, the first generation accumulates wealth. Appreciative of these efforts, the second generation preserves wealth. By contrast, the third generation, taking its privileges for granted, squanders wealth. The curse of the third generation.
Sefer Bereishit showcases the religious challenges of the third generation. Avraham was a revolutionary who introduced bold new ideas to the human imagination. He discovered a one G-d who was...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023 - Tonight, YahalomMD, a division of Agudah MD, will be hosting an opening event featuring Rabbi Baruch Rabinowitz and Mr. Yehuda Gelman for parents of children with special needs.Yahalom: A collaborative resource service for families of children with special needs. Watch this video:
A BBC report presents a worrying picture of how Hamas prepared for the October 7th massacre and hid their activities from Israeli intelligence services.
According to the report, compiled by the channel's specialized crew for verifying information, the first of four training sessions had been announced by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as early as December 29th 2020. The exercises were codenamed "Strong Pillar".
The training included 10 separate armed Palestinian factions, among them Hamas, who practiced invading Israeli territory and carried out war games that included creating a joint command center between all the factions. Haniyeh noted at the time that it was a powerful message and symbol of solidarity between the various factions in Gaza.
In the following ye...
Sharon Aloni Cunio (34)
Emma Cunio (3)
Yuli Cunio (3)
Emma and Yuli’s father, David, is still being held captive by Hamas
Karina Engel (53)
Mika Engel (18)
Yuval Engel (11)
Mika and Yuval’s father, Ronen, is still being held captive by Hamas
Eitan Yahalomi (12)
Eitan’s father, Ohad, and his partner Merav Tal, are still being held captive by Hamas
Sahar Kalderon (16)
Erez Kalderon (12)
Sahar and Erez’s father, Ofer, is still being held captive by Hamas
Or Jacob (16)
Yagil Jacob (12)
Or and Yagil’s father, Yair, is still being held captive by Hamas
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The Red Cross confirmed that it has received the fourth group of eleven hostages who have been released by the Hamas terrorist organization this evening.
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said that the organization has enough hostages "to extend the truce by two days", and added: "We hope we can extend the ceasefire for a longer time."
The group is the fourth to be released by Hamas over the last four days as part of the hostage and ceasefire deal reached last week. Nine children and two of their mothers are being released.
The cabinet secretariat asked the ministers of the government to approve the increase of the pool of names of security prisoners who could be released under the hostage deal by 60 from its current 300. This is after Qatar announced that a deal had been...
Jerusalem, Israel - Nov. 27, 2023 - Near the end of summer, Matan Cohen left the Summit Chase neighborhood of Baltimore for an Israeli gap year program scheduled to start on August 30th.
However, his learning and volunteering year in Israel plans changed drastically on October 7, 2023. As Operation Iron Swords broke out, he decided to stay in Israel and not leave like some others in his educational program.
The Upper Galilee Leadership Academy, TUGLA, established in 1998, was initially in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch located near the border fence with Lebanon. The Academy's stated aim is for its graduates to take on national tasks and challenges in the fields of security, society, and education. The current mechina was at Kibbutz Amir which ...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023 - The average gasoline prices in Baltimore have decreased by 5.7 cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $3.21 per gallon, according to a survey by GasBuddy. Compared to a month ago, prices in Baltimore are 7.7 cents per gallon lower and 28.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Additionally, the national average price of diesel has fallen by 5.2 cents in the last week, reaching $4.23 per gallon. The continuous decline in gasoline prices, now lasting for the 10th consecutive week, is providing relief for motorists as they head into the holiday season. However, fluctuations in prices may occur depending on OPEC's decisions regarding oil production cuts in their upcoming meeting.
Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza and the planner of the Oct. 7th massacre, met with captured Israelis in one of the tunnels under Gaza, according to journalist Amit Segal.
According to the report, one of the women captured recounted how in the last days of captivity, she told her family that she had met Sinwar in the first days of the war. "He spoke fluent Hebrew to the cpatives, saying 'Hello, I am Yahya Sinwar. You are safest here. Nothing will happen to you."
Earlier, journalist Ben Caspit reported that during the last few years, Prime Minister Netanyahu was presented with six different operational plans to assassinate Sinwar, by the three most recent directors of the ISA: Yoram Cohen, Nadav Argaman, and Ronen Bar. Netanyahu declined them all.
The IDF's Arabi...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 27, 2023 - A cold air mass with gusty winds is expected to move across Maryland, bringing temperatures in the 20s Monday night into Tuesday, according to Pikesville Patch. Winds will increase on Monday as temperatures drop overnight, with the possibility of snow flurries on Tuesday. Highs on Tuesday will reach the mid-to-high 30s, with wind chills in the 20s due to gusty winds. Snow showers may occur in some areas, but any accumulation is expected to be light. Wednesday will also be cold, followed by a warm-up on Thursday with a chance of rain over the weekend.
Police have arrested a suspect in the shooting of three Palestinian Arab students in Vermont on Saturday.
Jason Eaton, 48, was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after he was identified as a suspect in the shooting of Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ali Ahmad and Kinnan Abdalhamid.
CNN reports that the three were wearing keffiyehs and speaking Arabic at the time of the attack. All three attend American educational institutions, and were on their way to a family dinner together.
Local police have begun investigating the incident as a potential hate crime. Police Chief Jon Murad has stated that Federal authorities and prosecutors have been alerted to the case and are prepared to enter the investigation if a hate crime is proven.
Foreign political sources told CNN in Arabic this afternoon (Monday) that more than 40 of the hostages who were kidnapped during the October 7 massacre are being held by groups other than Hamas.
Dozens of the hostages are reportedly in the hands of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, while an unspecified number are being held by Gazan citizens who are not affiliated with a terrorist organization.
The source also noted that there is an issue with the list of the hostages who are to be released today which may delay their release.
Israeli officials confirmed that there is an issue with the list and stated that Israel would not accept a situation in which Hamas violates the terms of the hostage deal.
The list presented by Hamas includes only eleven people, including nine c...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Elon Musk, today (Monday, 27 November 2023), at the Prime Minister's Knesset office, held a meeting following their tour of Kfar Aza this morning.The Prime Minister showed Musk sections of the film that was prepared by the IDF Spokesperson and which shows the horrors of the massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th.They then held an extended meeting on the security aspects of artificial intelligence.Senior security establishment officials in the fields of artificial intelligence and cyber participated in the meeting.