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.
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Kesser Torah is proud to announce that on June 5th-6th it will be launching its CROWN Funding Campaign!
The monumental growth which Kesser Torah has undergone in the last few years, from a nascent yeshiva to a well-established one of over 125 bochurim, is unparalleled! Kesser Torah is a true asset to Baltimore as it provides a local yeshiva on its own 44-acre oasis just minutes from the heart of the community.
For the many who attended the yeshiva’s Chanukas ha’Bayis in November, it is apparent how the ambiance of the newly constructed Kesser Torah Bais Medrash has brought the shteiging of the bochurim to new heights. The Kol Torah emanating from the Bais Medrash has not only made an impact upon the talmidei ha’yeshiva, but also the community at lar...
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Baltimore, MD - May 28, 2023 - We are thrilled to announce our special Israel real estate event for the Baltimore community!
Our events are designed to provide you with comprehensive information on every aspect of the real estate process, from searching for the right property to navigating Israeli real estate law, mortgage rates, currency transfers, property management, and more.
Whether you are in the early stages of your property search or actively looking to make a purchase, we highly recommend attending one of our events.
For those actively looking to buy, we will be showcasing unique market opportunities and off-plan properties.
The event will take place on Monday June 5th at 7:30 PM at Shomrei Emunah
To register for the event, visit:
www.israelevent.live/baltimore
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Baltimore, MD - May 23, 2023 - Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim - Talmudical Academy is proud to announce its upcoming “Hadran Aloch” Campaign, which will infuse our talmidim with a chashivus Hatorah and an increased sense of accomplishment, and at the same time raise much-needed operating funds for TA through our the crowdfunding campaign..
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Our Torah, Our Key”, and symbolizes TA's mission of imbuing our talmidim with a love and geshmak for learning and living Torah. The campaign will take place on June 14th and 15th, and will feature weeks-long learning, chazara, and Siyumim by our Talmidim, which begins this week.
TA is also thrilled to announce the opportunity we have to recognize four disti...
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Baltimore, MD – May 27, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mr. Manny Sadwin, z’l, husband of Mrs, Loretta Sadwin and father of Rabbi Ariel (Pessi) Sadwin, Mrs. Elisheva (Avrohom Shmuel) Shnidman, Mrs. Rivka (Ari) Kahn and Rabbi Moshe (Ruchama) Sadwin.Shiva will be observed at 407 Neale Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901Minyanim:Shacharis - Monday-Friday: 7:30amMincha/Maariv: Sunday-Thursday: 8:10pm Mincha Erev Shabbos: 3:00pm Bila HaMaves Lanetzach…
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Baltimore, MD – May 24, 2023 – Have you noticed all the publicity – the lawn signs, the press coverage, sporting an angelic sleeping baby girl dressed in pink -- for the AIM Event, and wondered what AIM is?
AIM is a much-needed Baltimore-based organization that will be holding its inaugural annual event, a dairy dessert reception at its Gala Chinese Auction, on Tuesday, June 6, at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Pikesville, at 7:30 p.m. It will feature a musical performance by Chayala Neuhaus and promises to be an exciting and entertaining evening – AND a purposeful one, knowing that you are helping numerous families of newborns in our community by helping them raise happy and healthy generations of Klal Yisroel! As Mrs. Shayna Meiselman, AIM Event Coordinator, ex...
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.
This week’s Parsha continues with the theme of counting the tribal families and enumerating their responsibilities and tasks. The Torah begins with what appears to be a simple phrase, “Naso Es Rosh Bnai Gershon, Count the sons of Gershon …. (Bamidbar 4:22).” It is interesting that this mirrors the verbiage found in last week’s Parsha, “Se’u Es Rosh Kol Adas Bnai Yisroel, Count all the congregation of the Children of Israel …. (Bamidbar 1:2).” In each of these instances, the Torah uses the word, Rosh, head. The Shelah HaKadosh (Rav Yishaya Horowitz, 1565-1630), explains that in the eyes of God we are each considered a Rosh, a head, someone exceptionally significant. Society has many metrics by which it measures the success, value, and ...
Baltimore City Public Schools announced that due to high forecasted temperatures on Friday, June 2, schools without air conditioning will close early.
District offices and schools that do have air conditioning will remain on their regular schedules.
The district re-emphasized their commitment to install A/C in every school.
According to BGE and city officials, a widespread power outage occurred Thursday in Annapolis.
More than half of the reported Annapolis-area power outages were restored as of 8 p.m. Thursday. Remaining outages are expected to be restored later Thursday night into Friday morning.
BGE's outage map showed over 40,000 customers affected across the entire service area as of 4 p.m. Thursday. But at it's peak, BGE said around 72,000 customers were affected.
The outage began at around 3:15 p.m., according to city officials. In a statement, they said, "Our best information is that a power disruption at the Cedar Park substation has impacted the Annapolis peninsula and surrounding communities."
BGE spokesperson Nick Alexopulos also released a statement saying, "At 3:15 p.m. an equipmen...
The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office on Friday launched a new way in which they will pursue some criminal cases.
Starting June 12 police will issue criminal citations rather than make arrests for quality of life crimes.
For now the initiative will only impact adults committing offenses such as panhandling, public urination, and dirt bike violations.
It aims to get away from the practice of mass incarceration while maintaining accountability.
"Ultimately, the hope is that this approach will help to shift us away from the history of brutal criminalization that has been tied to the enforcement of low-level offenses while not letting these quality-of-life concerns go unaddressed," said Mayor Brandon Scott.
Each citation given by a law enforcement officer will have an ini...
Jerusalem, Israel - June 1, 2023 - After more than a decade of planning and three years of construction by a multidisciplinary team that included archaeologists, architects, curators, researchers, designers, and creators, the new Tower of David Museum of Jerusalem opened today to the general public.
United Torah Judaism MK Rabbi Meir Porush as Minister of Jerusalem and Israel Tradition was the first speaker at the opening event program. MK Zev Elkin who served in that position in a previous government attended along with the dozens of invited guests.
The Tower of David Citadel, located by the Old City Jaffa Gate, is layered with almost 3,000 years of history. It is a unique location to tell the story of Yerushalayim to the world.
The visito...
Baltimore, MD - June 1, 2023 - On Tuesday, May 23rd, a group of Bais Yaakov High School STEM students traveled to American Dream Mall in New Jersey to participate in the CIJE Annual Innovation Day. Since January, students from grades 10 through 12 worked in groups to build capstone projects featuring a new innovation that they designed, engineered, and coded themselves. They also conducted market research and put together pitches to sell their products. At Innovation Day, the groups presented their pitches to an audience of fellow students and adult judges. There were 1200+ students and 450 innovation projects.
Aside from the pitches, the students were able to enjoy the shops and amusement park at the mall, and participate in the CIJE award ceremony at the end.
Mazel Tov to our Bais Yaak...
After the participation of all the tribes in the inauguration of the Tabernacle, the Torah tells of Moshe's entry into it to hear the word of G-d.
Several perplexing details regarding the way G-d communicated His words are enumerated.
Firstly, is the fact that the voice emanated from between the two cherubim atop the ark cover. What is the significance of specifically projecting from between the cherubim?
Secondly, G-d is depicted as a מִדַבֵֵּר — in the reflexive form, literally, 'speaking to itself', as Rashi explains, the voice would speak to itself, and Moshe would listen to it. Does G-d talk to Himself?
Additionally, the verse emphasizes how G-d spoke to 'him', Moshe, excluding expressly Aharon from the 'conversation'. Why is it ne...
So, there I was, standing and talking with my brother-in-law outside of Shul one evening. He pointed to a car driving nearby and said, “Hey, there’s a car driving without his headlights on.”
At that moment, an idea occurred to me. You see, the Jewish people are called, “A light unto the Nations.” This statement is not just a fact; it is a calling of our destiny. We are a light, and as such, we are meant to shine that light to the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, however, so many Jews don’t realize their sense of value and holiness, and as such, so many of the Jewish people today are simply driving “without their headlights on.” They are driving in the dark, clueless of their identity and unknowing of their spiritual potential. ...
It was with a great deal of mixed emotions that I learned of the decision by Diversified Business Communications (Portland, ME), producers of Kosherfest since 2003, to cancel Kosherfest 2023 and beyond. It was nearly 33 years ago that I launched Kosherfest with great trepidation. Looking back, I can proudly say that the show was an amazing run and the impetus for a glorious chapter in the growth of kosher and the Jewish community. I very much cherish all the relationships I have made over the years and am particularly grateful to the wonderful people at Diversified who went beyond the call of duty to assure Kosherfest’s success.
The exponential growth of kosher in all categories is extraordinary. The last three plus decades of the show was a period when tens of th...