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 - June 16, 2025:
עת צרה היא ליעקבThe Vaad HaRobbonim is convening a communal Asifa for Tfila for Achainu Kol Bais Yisroel, this Motzaei Shabbos, Parshas Shlach, 10:30 pm, at Kol Torah (Rabbi Yosef Berger’s shul).
May Hashem answer our Tefilos.
Tel Aviv, Israel - June 18, 2025 - El Al operated the first repatriation flight this morning (Wednesday) from Larnaca to Israel, led by the haredi captain Nechama Spiegel from Beit Shemesh.
The flight landed in Israel in the morning hours as part of the Ministry of Transportation plan to return Israelis who were stranded abroad following the suspension of flights during Operation Rising Lion.
Spiegel, a mother of seven and the first haredi captain in El Al, made the flight as part of a series of flights approved by the government. According to the company's announcement, passengers on the flight were pre-assigned without additional cost.
The company announced yesterday that it will operate rescue flights from destinations Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, and Paris. The announcement no...
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is said to be in the most difficult mental state he has ever experienced, Reuters reported Wednesday morning.
The report states that Israel's attacks in Iran have had a severe impact on Khamenei's condition, leading him to worry about the possibility of strategic errors following the elimination of many senior officials around him.
Sources close to Khamenei claim that the massive strike against the security elite surrounding him, which occurred at the start of Operation "Rising Lion," and the rapid replacement of many key figures, could lead to serious mistakes in Iranian decision-making.
Iranian opposition channel Iran International reported in recent days that Khamenei was transferred by security forces to a ...
Baltimore, MD - June 18, 2025 - Gunfire in three different parts of the city injured five people within three hours on Tuesday, according to authorities.
The first shooting erupted near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street at 7:17 p.m.
That's when three officers shot a male who allegedly had a gun and he shot back at them, injuring one of the officers, police said.
That person was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the injured officer was taken to Shock Trauma.
Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley said during a press conference outside of Shock Trauma that there had been a brief struggle between the officers and the armed male prior to the shooting.
Two hours later, at 9:16 p.m...
Iran’s top cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, appears to have been the target of a significant cyberattack on Wednesday, resulting in losses estimated at over $48 million, according to blockchain analyst ZachXBT.
Shortly after news of the breach surfaced, a pro-Israel hacktivist group known as Predatory Sparrow (also called Gonjeshke Darande) claimed responsibility. The group accused Nobitex of aiding the Iranian government in evading international sanctions and alleged that the platform played a role in supporting Iran’s financial and military infrastructure.
Predatory Sparrow warned that it would release Nobitex’s internal source code and sensitive data within 24 hours, cautioning users that any funds remaining on the exchange could be at risk.
Nobitex tweeted it had ...
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The FBI has documents alleging Chinese ties to the production of fraudulent driver’s licenses and fake mail-in ballots intended to be used on behalf of then-presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden in the 2020 election, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Mr. Patel, in a late Monday post on X, said recently uncovered FBI documents “detail alarming allegations related to the 2020 U.S. election, including allegations of interference by the CCP,” the acronym for the Chinese Communist Party.
“I have immediately declassified the material and turned the documents over” to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley for further review, he said.
Mr. Patel posted a link to a news report that said an FBI intelligence report had raised concerns...
Tel Aviv, Israel - June 18, 2025 - The first repatriation flight from Larnaca as part of Operation “Safe Return” landed Wednesday morning at Ben Gurion Airport.
The Airports Authority reinforced staffing at the airport to expedite the processing of passengers, who underwent a fast-track entry procedure and baggage collection.
Returning Israelis were then transported to their vehicles in airport parking lots and via shuttles and trains to city centers across the country.
The Airports Authority emphasized that due to the current security situation, the public should avoid coming to the airport to greet passengers or ordering taxis for pickup.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev visited the control tower at Ben Gurion and spoke with the pilot of the first El Al repatriation fli...
Baltimore, MD - June 17, 2025: Dear All, Please be advised that the last day of the 2024-25 school year for Baltimore City Public School was yesterday. There are no plans for summer school at Cross Country Elementary Middle School this summer.
There are plans to replace the HVAC system in the building. There will be HVAC workers on the site in the daytime. Hopefully the worker's vehicles will be parked in the parking lot and not on the street.Please keep this in mind when you send your children out to play in the school play areas. Last year the counselors at backyard camps brought their campers to the school playgrounds. This year we recommend that camp counselors and daycare operators assess the area for safety before bringing the children to a possible worksite.
The IDF is continuing to strike targets in Iran as part of Operation Rising Lion. According to a defense official, the operation is in full swing, and the regime in Tehran took "a hard blow on its home field."
According to the official, "We can't give details yet about the achievements, but they are impressive. We know how to act in every part of Iran, not without dangers and challenges."
The IDF stated that the IAF will soon begin striking "new families" of targets. "The next step will be painful and surprising. Layer after layer, with orderly operational logic, which was planned out over the past year and a half at the Operations Directorate. We have plans for many days ahead."
Operations Directorate Chief Maj. Gen. Oded Basyuk stated: "Yesterday, we neutralized the Iranian regim...
Baltimore, MD - June 17, 2025 – 3:24PM – (BJL) A car is currently blocking the northbound lanes of Reisterstown Road at Seven Mile Lane.
A tow truck has just arrived on scene.
Baltimore, MD – June 17, 2025 – It is June, and instead of being bright and sunny, the weather is rainy and cool. The heavens are pouring. Maybe this is how the skies act in the Diaspora as we watch from afar at what is happening in the Holy Land. The clouds reflect our tears that are streaming from within, and they cry with us from above.
The school year is almost over. It was a strange one. Strange in that I still went about my daily routine and taught my preschool students. Strange that I still go about my life, B”H, almost normally, with errands and exercise and the blessed little things that are really big ones indeed. Strange that I continue to do all this while we are almost two years into the nightmare of October 7th. We take care of our families and friends, mak...
Exit Plan May Involve Air or Sea Travel; Information Collection Underway
Jerusalem, Israel - June 17, 2025 - In a new development, Israeli authorities have begun preliminary preparations to assist foreign nationals who remain stranded in Israel due to the ongoing security situation.
While no official exit plan has yet been announced, Chaim V’Chessed has learned from sources that the developing arrangement may include evacuation by air or sea to a third country. At this stage, the government is focused on collecting data from those affected.
Tourists and other foreigners currently in Israel who wish to return to their home countries are encouraged to submit their personal details using this online form.
This move comes as part of broader efforts to support...
Baltimore, MD - June 17, 2025 - With heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing, up to 5 inches of rain may fall Tuesday as storms push through Maryland. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for portions of the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” according to NWS. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”
The flood watch will be in effect from 2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. More severe weather looms for Thursday.
Areas in the flood watch include: Frederick, plus Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
A hazardous weather outlook...
US President Donald Trump stated that America and Israel have control over the skies of Iran in a post on Truth Social today (Tuesday).
"We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff.' Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA," Trump wrote.
In a separate post, Trump wrote, "We know exactly where the so-called “'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this m...
Annapolis, MD - June 17, 2025 - Ed Hale, in July, plans to officially file his candidacy to challenge Wes Moore in next year’s Democratic primary for Maryland Governor. As the Baltimore businessman prepares his campaign, he says his political platform will include improving public education.
Hale, in 1958, was in sixth grade in Baltimore County Public Schools. And one lesson he learned that year was so important, it’s framed on his wall.
“’I wish you would speak to Edwin concerning his behavior in class,’” read Hale from his sixth-grade report card. “‘His behavior has been not good.’”
“The response from my mother,” Hale continued. “‘I'm sure you will see a change in Eddie.’ Punishment ca...
Balimore, MD - June 17, 2025 - Baltimore's City Council approved the mayor's $4.6 billion budget proposal, which aims to address an $85 million deficit without raising property taxes. However, the plan includes significant increases in city fines and fees, sparking debate among council members.
Councilman Yitzy Schleifer voiced his opposition to the timing of the tax and fee hikes, saying, "Now is not the time to raise tens of millions of dollars in taxes and fees, especially on our most vulnerable population like our older adults who say they're choosing between their oxygen tanks and their utility bills."
The budget proposal includes a 20% increase in ambulance transport fees, a 50% increase in taxi ride taxes, and a doubling of landfill tipping fees. Despite t...
Jerusalem, Israel - June 17, 2025 - President Isaac Herzog today, Tuesday, visited the site of an Iranian missile attack on the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot.
The Weizmann Institute is one of Israel—and the world’s—leading science and research institutions on the cutting edge of medical advances.
President Herzog said: “For almost 100 years, the Weizmann Institute of Science—one of the great life ventures of the first President of Israel, Professor Chaim Weizmann—has advanced science, advanced humanities has advanced the development of humanity at large and universal values. And the Iranians, with their cruel missiles launched at civilian populations, have targeted also the Weizman Institute of Science, so they did hurt buildings on ca...
Baltimore, MD – June 17, 2025 – Maryland residents are being targeted in a growing nationwide scam in which fraudsters impersonate the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) and similar agencies in other states to trick people into paying fake tolls and fines.
The scam comes in the form of both text messages and emails that appear highly legitimate. Victims report receiving alerts claiming they owe money for an unpaid toll or violation, along with threats of license suspension, late fees, or even jail time unless immediate action is taken.
“It looks like it’s coming straight from the MVA,” one Baltimore resident said, “and it says if I don’t pay today, I could be arrested.”While the scam is hitting states acros...