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 – Mar. 19, 2023 - It is with deep regret and sorrow that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Rabbi Moshe Juravel, z"l, husband of Mrs. Shulamis Juravel, and father of Pinchas Ephraim Juravel, Yisrael Meir Juravel, Hadassah Shifra Yaged, Sora Leah Matthew, Shmuel Z. Juravel, Yehudis Brocho Schreiber, Esther Rivkah Stern, Miriam Rochel Aron, Devorah Malka Gruskin, and Shoshanna Tova Klein and brother of Mrs. Shulamis Schmeltzer, Rabbi Dovid Juravel, Rabbi Avrohom Juravel and Mrs. Leah Israel Shiva will be observed at 6018 Clover Road, Baltimore, Md, 21215Shacharis: 7:00AM Thursday, Rosh Chodesh: 6:40AM)Mincha: 7:05PMMaariv: 8:10PM
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach...The family of Rabbi Juravel, Z'L, is requesting that if anyone has a...
Hagalas Keilim Around the Baltimore Community
This Sunday, Mar. 26, 2023 - Aish Kodesh (6207 Ivymount Road, 21209) 6:00PM - 7:15PM (You can also make birkas ha’ilanos while you’re here)
Sunday, Apr. 2, 2023:
Agudah Park Heights:
Limited to 10 items or less - 9:30AM -10:30AM
Any number of items:1030-Noon
Suburban Orthodox: 10:00AM - Noon - Please bring the items you wish to kasher to the fleishig kitchen for hagalah.
Shearith Israel: 9:00AM-1:00PM.
Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion: 8:30AM -11:00AM
Fruit trees at Aish Kodesh
DAILY DVAR HALACHA. MAR 23. Nissan 1. Why not just have one Bracha for the 4 cups at the seder?.mp4 from Yitzchok Dinovitzer on Vimeo.
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Baltimore, MD - Mar. 21, 2023 - See below for a comprehensive list of resources prepared and compiled by STAR-K to get you Pesach-ready!
The STAR-K 2023 Pesach Guide, including Passover Medicines & Cosmetics prepared by Rav Gershon Bess, is available in your local Judaica store, or you can purchase it online here.
To view or download a complimentary PDF of the abridged version of the STAR-K Pesach Guide, click here.
To access our fully updated Passover page to view relevant articles, charts and lists for 2023, click here
For the 2023 Quick Pick Medicine List: Click Here
For the 2023 Quick Pick Personal Care List: Click Here
For the "Ben Yomo" How to Kasher Video Series:
Click here to watch
To access the STAR-K 2023 P...
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_Hadran Alach Mesechta Nazir_
Suburban Orthodox Invites all Men of the Community to a Siyum & Seudah Kumzitz with guest musician Eli Beer on Thursday, Mar. 30, 2023
Reserve here: https://t.ly/0Zsx
Sponsorships Available
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.
Annapolis, MD - Mar. 24, 2023 - The Maryland Senate voted this morning to fund the $10 million state budget allocation for the BOOST (Broadening Options & Opportunities for Students Today) program, a nonpublic school scholarship initiative. The House of Delegates had previously approved their budget containing a 20% reduction to the program and to prevent scholarships from going to new students. The Senate's decision is seen as a significant step forward in supporting BOOST, which helped over 3,000 students attend 200 nonpublic schools in Maryland in 2022-23 (including 1,100 in Jewish schools). Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudah Maryland said, "This is a program which has been successful year in, year out for seven years now, and today's vote by the Senate is a very encouraging ste...
The Book of VaYikra, introducing the full gamut of laws as they pertain to most elevated service of the various offerings in the Mishkan, begins with a simple summons: ויקרא — And He called, אל משה — to Moshe, and G-d spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying, going on to teach the details of these laws.
Rashi quoting the Midrash, notes the seeming repetition — He called, and G-d spoke, and explains that this indicates that every time G-d communicated with Moshe — whether when it says וידבר, and He spoke, or ויאמר, and He said — it was always preceded by G-d 'calling' — קריאה — to Moshe, as an expression of חיבה — affection, the same expression employed by the ministering angels when addressing each...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Jossi Steimetz & Natasha Finkelstein on their engagement.
Mazel Tov David & Sari Steimetz and Kalman & Gina Finkelstein
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
For many people, the commencement of Sefer Vayikra marks a distinct departure in the Torah from the telling of the history of the world and our becoming an Am, to the more technical details of the Avodas Hamishkan and Korbanos. Indeed, without a Bais Hamikdash, it is all too easy to “read through” much of the Sefer as not relevant to our place in Galus. After all, what possible use could we have for learning the difference between a Korban Tamid and a Korban Mincha or the precise method in which a Kohen was to sprinkle the blood from an offering? Such an approach misses the obvious – Sefer Vayikra represents the same word of Hashem as Sefer Bereishis or Sh...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 23, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Saadia and Shiffy Schneider on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to grandparents: Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Schneider and Fishel and Saralee Gross.
Special Mazel Tov to the great-grandmothers: Mrs. Beverly Gross and Mrs. Raiselle Snow
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Alexander Pope wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” From the moment we are first introduced to Adam in the beginning of Genesis, it is clear that man is prone to falling and failing. In this week’s Parsha the Torah begins the lengthy section detailing sacrificial law. There are offerings brought for thanksgiving and celebration, and there are offerings brought for atonement in the aftermath of sin. There are sacrifices for the mistakes of the common man, and there are special sacrificial rites for the sins of the leader.
“If a leader [of Israel] sins and unintentionally commits one of all the commandments of the Lord, which may not be committed, incurring guilt; if his sin that he has committed is made known to him, then he shall bring his offering: an un...
An Israeli child is born in a Ukrainian bomb shelter -- and United Hatzalah brings her home under fire ... A United Hatzalah volunteer scales a 12-foot-wall – and is the first to respond to the tragedy of Meron ... Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, slips and breaks his leg racing to an emergency -- and manages to crawl to the choking child and save her life ... The amazing work of Israel’s United Hatzalah began, incredibly, when five-year-old Eli Beer witnessed a terror attack and dreamed of being the one to save the victim. While still a young teen, Eli set out to make that dream come true, creating an underground network of pioneering EMTs who were determined to bring their life-saving skills to victims in only 90 seconds, no matter where they were. Eli Beer’s book,...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 23 March 2023), at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, made the following remarks:
"Citizens of Israel,
Several months ago, as soon as the results of the elections became known, I said: I intend to be the Prime Minister of all citizens of Israel. I meant it then and I also mean it today.
We have one country and we must do everything to defend it from external threats, and from irreparable internal rifts. We cannot allow any disagreement, as sharp as it may be, to endanger our common future. Not only must we reject violence and hooliganism, we must also reject and condemn incitement and provocation.
Opponents of the reform are not traitors; supporters of the reform are not fascists. The overwhelming majority of the ci...
Jerusalem, Israel - Mar. 23, 2023 - Israel will switch to daylight saving time tonight, moving clocks forward one hour at 2:00 AM.
As a result, Israel will once again be 7 hours ahead of Baltimore, MD.
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 23, 2023 - Please note that effective December 2022, STAR-K changed the status of the entire line of Ceres 100% Juice from "STAR-K Kosher for Passover" to STAR-K for year-round use only. This was due to a change in a processing aid used by the manufacturer that does not meet STAR-K's standards for Pesach.
Consumers who find containers of Ceres Juice on store shelves bearing a STAR-K P symbol should note that while these items are no longer certified Kosher for Passover according to STAR-K standards, they are halachically Kosher for Pesach.
New productions of Ceres Juice will bear only a STAR-K symbol.
The week began with a red-carpet reception, a celebration between what Chinese President Xi Jinping called "good neighbors and reliable partners."
But to much of the rest of the world, it was a snapshot of an emboldened opposition.
China’s apparent endorsement of Russia’s war in Ukraine was laid out in a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified Thursday before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that, "when it comes to China, this is a generational challenge for us."
China is spending more and more on its military, preparing for what many believe is an imminent goal — the invasion of Taiwan, where most of the world's semiconductor chips are manufactured.
“Imagine if China invaded Taiwan tomorrow and controll...
The BWI Airport is getting $15 million in federal funds to upgrade some of the runway.
Maryland's congressional representatives announced today that $15.6 million is going toward reconstructing 1,800 feet of aging "taxilane" pavement at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
The funding is coming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The lawmakers said in a collective statement:
“This federal investment in BWI, a vital economic and transportation hub for Maryland, underscores the importance of modernizing our airport infrastructure for the safe and efficient operation of our national aviation system into the future."
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