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 – Nov. 28, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Helen Broder, a’h, mother of Mrs. Robin (Jay) Schwarz, Mr. Glenn Broder and Mrs. Joy (Steven) Graber.
The levayah will be held at Levinson's on Wednesday, November 29th, 10:30 am. Shiva will be observed through Tuesday morning at 2600 Steele Road Baltimore MD 21209. No visitors please: 12:30 -1:30, 6 -7 and after 10 Shacharis at 7:00 am, Mincha/Maariv 4:25 pm. The family is asking for any stories of Mrs. Bubby Broder to be sent to mrsbrodermemories@gmail.com
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Robert Birnbaum, z’l, father of Zvi Birnbaum
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 11AM November 30 at 11:00 in Montreal.
Zvi Birnbaum (443.683.9387 )will sit shiva in Montreal through Wednesday morning and can be reached at 443-683-9387.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
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Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023 - I first heard of Khal Chassidim about two years ago. I had been living in Baltimore all my life, and I knew there was a Chassidishe Kollel group of families that had moved in the Pinkney area of town, but that's about it. I saw some chassidim at Seven Mile every once in a while, but that was pretty much the extent of my exposure.
The time came that I needed a preschool for my 3 year old twins (one of whom needed a specific style of learning). A few people told me some very positive things about Khal Chassidim, so I decided to do some research and find out more. Originally, we were just looking into the preschool, which is run by the amazing Mrs. Shoshana Sofer. My brothers had been in the TI preschool, under the capable care of Mrs. Sofer&r...
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 25, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Harriet Penfil, a’h, mother of Mrs. Rochel (Rabbi Dovid) Bernstein, Rabbi Yitzchak (Rivky) Penfil and Mrs. Miriam Shulamis (Rabbi Naftoli) Eisemann.Shiva will be observed at 6307 Greenspring Avenue , Baltimore, MD , 21209Shacharis: 7:30AM Mincha/Maariv: beginning Monday- 4:25PM
No Minyanim on Thursday & FridayRabbi Yitzchak Penfil will be leaving Baltimore on Wednesday after Mincha/Maariv. He will resume shiva Thursday and Friday at 3 Branchwood Drive, Lakewood, NJ, 08701.Miriam Shulamis Eisemann will remain in Baltimore until Thursday morning. She will resume shiva Thursday afternoon and Friday at 3 Branchwood Drive, Lakewood, NJ, 08701.Roch...
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.
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 30, 2023 - As November ends in Maryland, temperatures are expected to warm up over the next couple of days, but two storm systems are also on the horizon, according to Pikesville Patch. Thursday will bring milder weather with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50s. On Friday, the first of the two storms will arrive, bringing rain and fog, causing potential travel disruptions. Despite the rain, temperatures will remain relatively mild, with highs in the lower 50s. The rain is expected to continue throughout Friday night. A second storm is possible on Sunday, bringing more rain to the region. Cooler air will return on Monday with brisk winds from the northwest. Sprinkles may linger in the morning, with clearing later in the day, and highs reaching the lo...
NCSY’s JSU Supports Jewish Public School Students Facing Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism on Campus
In the Houston suburb of Dickinson, Texas, 14-year-old Talya H. was expecting to begin her regular English lesson when she entered her public school classroom. Instead, Talya was accosted by her teacher, who had scrawled “No Justice, No Peace” and “Justice 4 Palestine” on the whiteboard.
“The teacher asked, ‘Oh, you still have family in Israel?’ I said, 'Yes, of course. All my family is over there. And I'm from there too,'" Talya recounted to FOX 26 Houston.
As the only Jew in her school, the confrontation left Talya shaken and scared to return.
Upon learning of the incident, Houston Jewish Student Union (JSU) Director Rabbi ...
Agency Providing Resources to Ensure Older Drivers Continue to Drive Safely
Glen Burnie, MD - Nov. 30, 2023 – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration is highlighting tips and resources for older drivers and their families as part of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Monday, December 4, through Friday, December 8, to empower those who can drive safely to continue to do so.
Aging impacts everyone’s confidence to be safe behind the wheel. Each decade brings changes to an individual’s physical, mental and sensory abilities that can challenge one’s driving abilities. Yet for many drivers aged 65 and older, having a driver’s license means freedom and the ability to stay engaged in their community. As the number of older drivers con...
The terrorist organization IHH has been observed operating in Jerusalem
The Turkish terrorist organization IHH, which cooperates with Hamas on the basis of ideology, was recently observed distributing humanitarian aid in the heart of the fighting in Gaza. Last week, the organization distributed large sums of money to Gazan residents staying in East Jerusalem.
The IHH, a radical, jihadist and pro-Hamas Islamic organization, has a history of assisting the global jihad organizations, which in recent years has been assisting the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria. One of the organization's activities was the transport of the Marmara flotilla. The IHH is defined in Israel and other countries like the Netherlands, Germany and the United States as a terroris...
In the next few hours, additional Israeli hostages are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross.
The IDF has announced that two released Israeli hostages have entered Israeli territory and are being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces to the Hatzerim Base. The Prime Minister's Office has announced that the two are Mia Schem (21) and Amit Soussana (40).
In the next few hours, additional Israeli hostages are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross. The families of the hostages are being updated by IDF representatives with the latest available information.
On Wednesday, 12 Israeli hostages and four Thai nationals returned from Hamas captivity as the sixth wave of released hostages. The hostages released in the sixth wave were: Yelena Trupanob (50), Irena Tati...
The IDF announced that based on information that was received from the Red Cross, two Israeli hostages have been transferred to them and are on their way to Israeli territory. In the next few hours, additional Israeli hostages are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross.
2 women and 1 man were murdered in the attack on Thursday morning near the entrance to Jerusalem
Rabbi Elimelech Vaserman, 73, was murdered by 2 terrorists on Thursday morning in a shooting attack on a bus stop.
Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli said Rav Vaserman had served as a judge in the Rabbinical Court of Ashdod, calling him one of the most important and senior judges in the rabbinical court system.
Hanna Ifargan, 60, was the second victim to be identified. She was the director of Beit Yaakov Bnos Hadassah, a religious day school for girls in Beit Shemesh. Libia Dikman, 24, a resident of Har Nof, and wife of Meir, an avreich in the Mir, and expecting her first child, was confirmed dead at the scene of the attack.
Two terrorists from East Jerusalem ca...
The terrorist was reportedly neutralized at the scene
A car ramming attack at Beka'ot Checkpoint in the West Bank has left at least 2 Israeli soldiers wounded, according to initial reports which have since been confirmed by the IDF.
The terrorist was reportedly neutralized at the scene.
The IDF released a statement shortly after the attack: "A short while ago, a ramming attack was carried out at an IDF checkpoint adjacent to Moshav Beka'ot, in the Jordan Valley area. IDF soldiers at the scene shot and neutralized the assailant. Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured in the attack. The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified.
The forces are searching the area for additional suspects."
One of the soldiers who helped neutralize the terrorists in a Thursday morning shooting attack in Jerusalem is Ro'ei Aizenbach, a resident of the town of Ofra.
The attack left three people dead, and several others injured.
Aizenbach was injured in his hand during the shooting attack, and is now in light to moderate condition, and stable.
Aizenbach, a soldier in the Golani Brigade, was at the scene of the terror attack after leaving Gaza for a short break.
Speaking from the hospital, his father said, "We understood that he acted in an exceptional fashion, and it does not surprise us. We are proud of him - that he came and initiated and aimed for contact - that is how we educate them at home - to love the people and the Land. We send warm, warm embraces and support to the ...
Two terrorists were neutralized at the scene of the attack which took place at the entrance to Jerusalem
Three Israelis were murdered Thursday morning, when two terrorists opened fire from their car at Givat Shaul junction, near the entrance to Jerusalem.
A 24-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene. Shortly thereafter a 73-year-old man was declared dead. A third victim, a 60-year-old woman was pronounced dead shortly after 9 am local time. Eleven additional people were wounded, five of them seriously, and were evacuated to Jerusalem area hospitals Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem.
Terrorists opened fire at civilians standing at a bus stop using an automatic weapon and a handgun. Nearby security forces and a civilian responded to the attack. One of the terroris...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Elozer and Riki Isbee on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Nechemiah Isbee and great-grandmother Mrs. Aviva Isbee
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yossi Lipnitsky & Basya Polsky on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Mr. & Mrs. Yaakov Lipnitsky and Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Polsky
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Henry Kissinger, a controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner and diplomatic powerhouse whose service under two presidents left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy, died on Wednesday, according to Kissinger Associates Inc.
Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut, Kissinger Associates said.
Kissinger had been active past his centenary, attending meetings in the White House, publishing a book on leadership styles, and testifying before a Senate committee about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. In July 2023 he made a surprise visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In the 1970s, he had a hand in many of the epoch-changing global events of the decade while serving as secretary of state under Republican President Richard Nixon. The German-born Jewish refugee's e...