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 - Oct. 14, 2021 - Last year, Hashem closed our shuls, yeshivos and schools. It caused us great spiritual pain and led to communal soul searching and personal introspection. Rav Reuven Leuchter asks rhetorically whether Hashem is ‘angry’ with us? Rav Leuchter answers that Hashem is not angry, but that Hashem wants something different from us.
The newest kehillah in Baltimore, Netzach Yisroel, currently located in the Heather Ridge Clubhouse, and led by Rabbi Yisroel Roll, is rising to the challenge by offering a shir chadash in our Avodas Hashem. Geared for families with children and grandchildren who are seeking spiritual growth, Netzach Yisroel offers passionate Carlebach minyanim, shiurim with a geshmack for hashkafa and inspired Avodas Hashem, an...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 15, 2021 - Due to the critical blood shortage in our local hospitals, Misaskim is hosting a number of blood drives. Please click here or on the graphic below to sign up for the next blood drive with Delmarva Blood Bank this Sunday, October 17th, at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion from 10AM-4PM.
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The Rebbe has successfully revived a nearly 200-year-old chassidus, which descends from the Rebbes of Lechovitch and Karlin/Stolin
Baltimore, MD - October 9, 2021 -The Baltimore community is honored to host the Koidenover Rebbe, shlit"a, from this Monday, October 11th- Tuesday, October 19th. The Rebbe last visited Baltimore 2 years ago, and those who were privileged to see the Rebbe then, know that he is a captivating speaker who conveys a message relevant to our generation. In addition, the Rebbe is known for and much sought after for his wise counsel and brachos. Those who have had a private audience with the Rebbe can tell you how truly electrifying the experience was, replete with chizuk and inspiration.
The Rebbe has successfully revived a nearly 200-year-old chassidus, which ...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 12, 2021 - The Baltimore City Health Department will be hosting two COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC on Thursdays, October 21st and November 11th from 11am-3pm on both days, in the Early Childhood Center wing. All three vaccine options will be available, Pfizer (ages 12+), as well as Moderna and J&J/Janssen (both for ages 18+) through LifeBridge Health staff. Walk-ins are welcome or you can also pre-register at COVAX.BaltimoreCity.Gov Stop in for a short time to get this important health care matter taken care of…bring your friends and family and support them in making the decision to get vaccinated now. To “sweeten” the decision, you can choose from either a $10 FREE Kosher Dunkin Donuts Gift Card *or* a FREE 1-Week Pass...
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Baltimore, MD - Oct. 12, 2021 - Watch Rebroadcast of the 1st Hannah Storch, A'H, memorial lecture with Rabanit Yemima Mizrachi.
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.
On August 6th, 2019 the human race achieved a feat never completed by mankind. I think part of the reason it was never achieved is because no one ever even thought it was a thing to attempt. 2,019 people (presumably because it happened in the year 2019) from Ortobom Globo Comunicacaoe in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil participated in a Guinness World Record for the largest human mattress domino effect to ever take place. Literally thousands of people were placed in front of twin-size mattress, and one after one, they fell backwards onto each other. The whole record attempt lasted 11 minutes and 13 seconds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, after the feat was achieved, the 2,019 mattresses were donated to charities.
If you need to stop reading for a moment and grab a tissue to...
The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my father, Reuven Pinchas ben Chaim Yaakov, a"h.
The Weekly Shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmas my Oma, Chaya Sara bas Zecharia Chaim, a"h.
When Avraham and Sarah, then Avram and Sarai, come to Mitzrayim, Avraham asks her to tell the Mitzri’im that she is his sister "l'ma'an yitav li ba'avureich, v'chaysa nafshi biglaleich" (12:13), so that they will do good to me and I will live because of you. Rashi comments on "l'ma'an yitav li," that they will give him presents. The obvious question that many ask is why Avraham seems to be so interested in gifts. We know from later in the parsha that Avraham was not one to desire gifts in the least. Why is this differ...
Agudath Israel of America, along with seven other national Jewish organizations, filed an amicus curiae brief on Thursday asking the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear a case with significant ramifications for religious freedom. The case, Marvin Gerber and Miriam Brysk v. Herskovits, et al., involves the rights to worship and free speech, and nearly two decades of protests and harassment affecting members of a synagogue in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Two members of the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue brought the case against a group of people who have been appearing every Shabbos morning since 2003 in front of the synagogue and harassing its members by protesting and carrying signs with anti-Jewish slogans. The case was also brought against the city of Ann Arbor and various ...
Trials and travails are a reality of Galus. Over the past 18 months, Klal Yisroel and Reb Yisroel have faced challenges and through it all we survived and we thrived.
COVID-19, loss of our gedolim, shuls shuttered, families suffering through illness and tragedy, schools closed, challenges to the chinuch and self esteem of our children, financial woes, Meron, Stolin, Surfside… we faced an unending stream of tests.
Time and time again, with the help of Hashem, we emerge from the kur habarzel resilient and unbreakable.
Join us as we celebrate our accomplishments and growth, and let us reflect on what makes it all possible.
From where do we get this strength, how can we become stronger, and how can we pass it on to the next generation? Join us at The Agudah Convent...
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 15 2021 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Ditza and Yaakov Friedlander on the birth of Riva
Mazel Tov grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Aaron Blackman
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
A top administrator with the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake advised teachers last week that if they have a book about the Holocaust in their classroom, they should also offer students access to a book from an “opposing” perspective, according to an audio recording obtained by NBC News.
Gina Peddy, the Carroll school district’s executive director of curriculum and instruction, made the comment Friday afternoon during a training session on which books teachers can have in classroom libraries. The training came four days after the Carroll school board, responding to a parent’s complaint, voted to reprimand a fourth grade teacher who had kept an anti-racism book in her classroom.
A Carroll staff member secretly recorded the Friday training ...
Baltimore, MD – Oct. 15, 2021 - It is with regret that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petira of Natalie (Nechama) Schreiber Greenfield, a’h, mother of Esther (Jackie) Newman, Phyllis (Jeff) Oppenheim, Rabbi Steven "Butchy" (Sharon) Axelman and Norman "Bucky" (Pam) Axelman and sister of Barry Schreiber.
The levayah will take place at Levinson’s 1:00 PM on Sunday Oct. 17, 2021
Kevurah at Chevra Ahavas Chesed Cemetery
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
Nikolas Cruz is prepared to plead guilty on all counts connected to the 2018 Parkland school shooting massacre in Florida that left 17 people dead and 17 others injured.
The 23-year-old confessed gunman will cop to 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder, according to WSVN in Miami.
The plea deals, which are expected to be announced by lawyers today, would allow the defendant to circumvent an emotional trial and proceed to the sentencing phase, which would be decided by a jury, the report said.
Cruz would also plead guilty to an assault on a Broward County jail guard which was caught on camera, the station reported.
A British lawmaker who on Friday was stabbed multiple times in a meeting with his constituents has died from his wounds, CNN reported.
David Amess, a 69-year-old member of Parliament from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative Party, was stabbed as he met constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, a coastal town in Essex, reports said. He was reportedly treated at the scene but later died.
Essex Police, without naming Amess, said a man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the fatal stabbing.
"We were called to Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm. Sadly, a man later died. A man was arrested at the scene. We are not looking for anyone else," the police department added.
"A 25-year-old man was quickly arrested...
The Biden administration told the courts late Thursday that it plans to reimplement the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy in mid-November if it can get buy-in from the neighboring government.
The move comes after an initial victory by Texas and Missouri in a suit that argued the Biden administration too hastily withdrew the policy, under which the U.S. transported 70,000 asylum-seekers to Mexico to await a determination in their case.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has appealed the case and is working on a memo to rescind the program anew, but it is still required to reimplement what was formally termed the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) “in good faith.”
The announcement follows a series of meetings with high-level officials from the Mexican government.
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The U.S. Marine who posted videos on social media criticizing military leadership and the Biden administration’s withdrawal of military assets from Afghanistan was issued a letter of reprimand and a forfeiture of $5,000 worth of pay for one month, after pleading guilty to all charges during his court-martial hearing this week.
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller Jr. pled guilty to all six misdemeanor-level charges Thursday, including willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, dereliction in the performance of duties and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
The judge, on Friday, said he would have given a two-month forfeiture of pay, had it not been for the nine days Scheller spent in pre-trial confinement. Scheller was freed from t...
Pick up the phone — nostalgia is calling!
Nokia is releasing an updated version of its classic 6310 “brick phone” two decades after the original model went on sale.
The 6310 came out back in March 2001, and quickly became one of the most popular devices that the Finnish telecommunications company ever manufactured.
Owners adored the phone for its sturdy design and long-lasting battery — both of which are features of the new edition.
While many modern cell phones smash upon dropping, Nokia claims the new 6310 is tough enough to “take life’s bumps.”
And with users often complaining that their contemporary smartphones run out of battery life within hours, the 6310 reportedly won’t have you running for a power outlet.
Former President Donald Trump has been ordered to give testimony under oath Monday in a lawsuit brought by a group of demonstrators who say his security guards roughed them up outside Trump Tower in New York.
The suit is one of at least 10 civil cases pending against Trump. The videotaped deposition — which will be played as Trump’s testimony when the case goes to trial — will be his first since he was elected president in 2016.
The demonstrators' suit was filed in late 2015, and Trump's attorneys have tried many times to block him from testifying since then, including arguing in 2019 that he was too busy with his presidential duties.