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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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 2, 2023 - 2 Shevat 5783 - It’s only eight years since Khal Chassidim’s mosdos set foot in Baltimore – and already it’s made its mark.
It’s made its mark on the close to 150 kinderlach, it’s made its mark on the parents and it's made its mark on the wider yiddishe community. Their warmth and chassidishkeit spills over and everyone is benefitting from its existence.
The chassidishe parent body chose to move to Baltimore so that they could focus on Torah and chinuch undisturbed by the stress and pressures of unaffordable city life. Indeed, in Baltimore, they can bring up their children in a bucolic, spacious setting where there is nothing to distract them from their pure goals.
* The kollel is a thriv...
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Baltimore, MD – Feb. 3, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Renate Berzon, a’h, mother of Eleanor C. Naiman (Chaim Leventhal), Dr. Ellis J. Berzon (Dr. Tamara Sacks) and Marsha K. (Moshe) Goldstein.
The levaya will take place this Sunday, February 5 at 11:30 am at Sol Levinson.
Kevura will follow at the Chevra Ahavas Chesed Cemetery.
Shiva will be observed at 6531 Gardenwick Road, Baltimore, MD, 21209.
Minyanim:
Shacharis: Monday-Friday - 7:30 am
Mincha/Maariv: Sunday - Thursday - 5:20 pm
The family requests no visitors after 9:00 pm.
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
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Baltimore, MD - Jan. 31, 2023: Tu B'Shvat 5783
This year, TU B'SHVAT (15 Shvat) will occur on Sun. Night Feb. 5-Mon. Feb. 6.
Please refer to the STAR-K Checking Fruits chart below for guidance.
Click on the image for a larger, printable copy of this chart.
Click on the image below for a larger, printable copy of the STAR-K's full guide to checking for bugs
Click HERE or on the image below to download STAR-K's Shemita Primer for Chutz La'aretz.For SHEMITA DATES OF COMMON FRUITS imported from Eretz Yisroel: refer to the chart below, since Shemita times include fruits one might purchase for Tu B'Shvat.
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This is an incredible app that all communities should immediately download. If you are unaware of your exact location it will show your exact coordinates and give you a prompt to call the closest Hatzalah to you.Please Note: Even if you have this App, the best way to reach Hatzalah in Baltimore for emergency purposes is by calling 410.358.0000Baltimore, MD - Jan. 29, 2023 - Hatzalah has recently launched a new app to assist people globally in emergency situations. The app, available on both Android and Apple devices, helps people in finding their exact location and connecting them with the nearest Hatzalah volunteer or Hatzalah statewide.
With the increasing use of smartphones and technology, the Hatzalah app aims to make emergency assistance more accessible and convenient for those...
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Baltimore, Md - Feb. 4, 2023 - Abe Diamond, z"l, passed away 38 years ago, 13 Shvat, 5735. I still miss him - his humility - his guidance - his intelligence - his warmth - his sense of humor - the list can go on and on.
I was a few years younger than Abe - It may have been in my first year of college and I often met Abe on Strathmore Avenue on the way to Shomrei Emunah. Most married men would have very little patience for a college kid but Abe and I always had common areas of interest- photography, business, theater to name a few.
Our friendship grew over the years and we continued to discuss these common interests. His business was growing (eventually it became Food-A-Rama - the second or third largest chain of supermarkets in the State of Maryland), yet he always would find the time ...
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 post has elicited strong reactions from various parties, with the Likud party calling for immediate action by law enforcement against Raz for incitement. Benny Gantz, National Unity Party chairman, condemned the remarks and stated that the fight against the government must be done through lawful means. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also condemned the comments and called for peaceful demonstration, protest, and activism.
According to WMAR2NEWS The trial of former Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, which has been eagerly awaited, has been delayed for the third time. On Friday, both prosecutors and Mosby's newly appointed public defender submitted a joint status report indicating that the case would be postponed until June 6 at the earliest. This latest delay follows a week after the judge allowed Mosby's entire six-person defense team to step down due to potential conflicts of interest. James Wyda, Mosby's new public defender, has stated that he needs more time to familiarize himself with the case and prepare for trial. The trial was previously scheduled for March 27, but both parties are now seeking a conference to set a new trial date. Mosby is charged with falsely withdraw...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 4, 2023 – Baltimore City Fire firefighters are making efforts to put out a two-alarm fire in Northwest Baltimore. The fire started in a three-story duplex located on Florence Street in the 5200 block, approximately 3 miles from our community. The smoke is covering a large part of the city. Baltimore County units have been called on to help cover city stations while the City firefighters battle this blaze.
🔥2ND ALARM FIRE🔥5200 blk Florence St 21215#Arlington@CouncilmanYitzy#BMORESBravest on scene with fire showing from a 3 story duplex home. A 2nd alarm has been requested. pic.twitter.com/j66CPf36Ur — Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 (@BCFDL734) February 4, 2023
The U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the Carolina coast on Saturday, after the high-altitude balloon spent the last week traveling across the country, according to the Pentagon.
“This afternoon, at the direction of President Biden, U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the high altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
An operation is reportedly underway to recover debris from the downed balloon, The Associated Press confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) paused flights from three airports in Nort...
The beginning of this week’s parsha briefly recaps the exodus of B’nei Yisrael from Egypt before going on to tell the events that followed. One previously unmentioned incident is recounted. Before leaving Egypt, Moshe Rabbeinu seeks out the body of Yoseif so that it may be carried to Eretz Yisrael for his eventual burial in Shechem. The midrash (Shemos Rabbah 20:19) says of this deed: "On him (Moshe) the pasuk (Mishlei 10:8) says, "The wise hearted grabs mitzvos," for when all of B’nei Yisrael were busy collecting silver and gold, Moshe was involved in the collection of Yoseif’s bones."
There is a commonly raised difficulty with this midrash. It’s not as if the rest of the nation was not also immersed in the fulfilment ...
A 17-year-old resident of Montgomery County has been charged with harassment for making antisemitic threats to the Jewish Rockville Outreach Center during Chanukkah, according to Arutz-7. The police received a call from the center and after investigating, determined that the suspect was the teen who made multiple threatening phone calls. The police have recommended to the Department of Juvenile Services that the teen be charged with telephone misuse.
Arutz-7 reports that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has taken steps to reform the firearms licensing process in order to increase the number of licenses issued. This includes hiring more employees, extending department hours and waiving interviews for those with prior security experience. Ben-Gvir aims to process 5-8 thousand licenses per month to clear the current backlog of 17 thousand applications. He believes having more armed citizens will increase safety and cites two recent incidents to support his stance.
The Orthodox Union’s Yachad New Jersey, along with Yachad’s Jewish Union Foundation’s (JUF) day habilitation program, help meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities. Through creative programming, trips, outings and volunteerism in the greater Jewish community, participants are engaged, inspired, and ultimately grow in their independence and confidence.
But many who would benefit from the program and also use wheelchairs have been unable to take advantage of the program due to transportation limitations. That is, until Lakewood-based M&M Chesed Mobility donated a wheelchair-accessible van. The organization’s mission is to provide the vehicles to benefit children with special needs, older adults, and those with illnesses who may not otherwise have ...
The Ohio state government plans to purchase $20 million in Israel Bonds, with a maturity date of 2028 and a 4.46% interest rate, states Arutz-7. Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague made the announcement and Ohio is one of the largest government owners of Israel Bonds in the US, owning $182.5 million in the bonds. Every Ohio state treasurer has purchased Israel Bonds since 1993 and 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel and 30 years since the first investment by Ohio.
President Herzog and OU Delegation Discuss Jewish Unity, Challenges; President Praises OU’s Work
Jerusalem, Israel – Feb. 3, 2023 - Orthodox Union (OU) Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer and OU Israel’s leadership recently met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog where they discussed the need for increased unity between the State of Israel and American Jewry.
The meeting, which took place Jan. 22 at President Herzog’s official residence in Jerusalem, also included OU Israel President Stuart Hershkowitz and OU Israel Executive Director Rabbi Avi Berman.
Rabbi Hauer affirmed President Herzog’s potential to increase unity amid increasing tensions between Israel and some American Jews, which are exacerbated by factors such as misinformation about the s...
We have a series of parshiyos describing the development of Klal Yisroel into a nation, and in many ways, Beshalach is the bridge-parsha between Yetzias Mitzrayim and Kabbolas HaTorah.
Let us go back to the beginning of Golus Mitzrayim. In Parshas Vayigash, Yaakov and Yosef lay out a plan to keep Klal Yisroel separate in Egypt. The goal is to avoid assimilation into Egyptian culture and their immoral way of life by having Jews live in a Jewish ghetto of Goshen. The Jews are coming from a corrupt but primitive culture of Canaan to a very advanced and sophisticated culture that was attractive. The posuk in Parshas Bolok says that the vision of Yaakov is that Klal Yisroel are safe and secure when they are separate. Yosef was well aware of the dangers of living in Egypt, so he decided to sett...