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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Dear Friends, I hope this e-mail finds you well and that you are staying cool this summer. We are managing and busy. R' Dovid is stable, thank G-d, and enjoying his family. Our fundraiser has migrated to a new platform, The Chesed Fund. Though we did run a small campaign before Purim we did not reach our goal and as funds are dwindling, we have to continue our efforts. Expenses are constant and sometimes overwhelming. As you are the special people who have kept us going until now, we hope it is not too burdensome to ask if you could participate and help spread this urgent campaign via e-mail and social media (i.e. Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to your friends and other groups, community and synagogue bulletins with a personal note asking others to join the ca...
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As the Yamim Noraim are upon us, we are reminded of the oft-quoted dictum
ותשובה ותפילה וצדקה מעבירין את רֹע הגזירה
“Repentance, prayer and charity averts the severity of the decree”. At this time of year, it is customary to increase charitable giving.
The Agudah Scrip program, which Talmudical Academy of Baltimore participates in, is by far the easiest way to manage your charitable giving. It is safe, convenient, and approved by the Va’ad HaRabbonim as the recommended method of keeping a portion of your tzedakah dollars in Baltimore. Here’s how it works:
You purchase Agudah Scrip that can be given to anyone collecting tzedakah in lieu of cash or checks. If you purchase Scrip through TA, the school receives 20% of your ...
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Baltimore, MD - Sept. 14, 2018 - Kolainu Boys Choir was established January of 2009 with boys from all different mainstream Yeshivas. Kolainu's sole purpose is to provide Yeshiva students with an opportunity to gain self confidence, have fun, make new friends and enjoy their love for music.
Kolainu was designed for Yeshiva students as an extra curricular activity. There are no tryouts and every child is a star. The choir has one grand preformance annually for family and friends.
The choir is led by Elchonon Majeski. Elchonon has many years of experience conducting , composing and singing for large audiences.
Kolainu offers a once in a life time rewarding experience for your child. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about our program.
Kolainu Choir is...
Gov. Larry Hogan enjoys an 22-point lead among likely voters in a poll out Wednesday
The latest Goucher College poll finds the well-funded Republican incumbent leading Democrat Ben Jealous, 54 percent to 32 percent.
Read the Goucher Poll results here.
Jealous, who only started running television ads this week, has earned support from national figures like Bernie Sanders but struggled to earn endorsements among Maryland Democrats. Comptroller Peter Franchot, who earlier said he would stay neutral in the governor's race, recently said he wouldn't even cast a vote in the contest.
Jealous, who upset establishment pick Rushern Baker in Maryland's primary, has the support of just 48 percent of Democratic likely voters, while 38 percent said they would cross the ...
A Towson man and two Texas men were indicted last week on conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges related to an alleged $364 million investment fraud scheme.
The indictments were unsealed Tuesday with their arrests, federal prosecutors say.
Kevin B. Merrill, 53, of Towson faces charges, as do Jay B. Ledford, 54, of Westlake, Texas and Las Vegas; and Cameron R. Jezierski, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas. Merrill and Ledford each made an initial appearance in federal courtrooms on Tuesday in Baltimore and Las Vegas, respectively, and were ordered detained. Jezierski was released under supervision after an initial appearance in Las Vegas. Merrill is set to have a detention hearing Thursday in Baltimore. Jezierski is expected to appear in Maryland on Sept. 24, with Ledford to follow on a date yet ...
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.
Jerusalem - Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a time when many non-regular Israeli synagogue-goers take time to pray. It is also an annual opportunity for children to ride their bicycles on deserted streets.
Almost all Israeli road traffic stops on Yom Kippur as most of the country’s Jewish majority refrains from driving. Roads and main highways are deserted and left clear for children to enjoy without much fear of encountering a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday, scores of children went out to ride their bicycles, scooters and skateboards on a main road that separates the Israeli urban settlement of Pisgat Zeev from the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina, both in East Jerusalem.
Israeli children rode freely on the main road that leads into the heart of Jerus...
Brooklyn, NY - A 4-year-old boy is in critical condition after being struck by a car in Brooklyn Wednesday.
It happened around 2:30 p.m. on 13th Avenue in Borough Park.
Authorities say it appears that Ari Fisher ran into the street and was hit by a Dodge Caravan.
Ari was conscious and alert but suffered serious head trauma.
It does not appear the injuries are life threatening, and the child was rushed to Maimonides Hospital in critical but stable condition.
The driver, a 20-year-old woman, stayed at the scene and is cooperating with police.
The exact circumstances of the accident are unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
At this point, there appears to be no criminality.
Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Israel’s offer to share detailed information on the Israeli airstrike in Syria that triggered fire by Syrian forces which downed a Russian reconnaissance plane, the Kremlin said Wednesday.
Syrian forces mistook the Russian Il-20 for Israeli aircraft, killing all 15 people aboard Monday night. Russia’s Defense Ministry blamed the plane’s loss on Israel, but Putin sought to defuse tensions, pointing at “a chain of tragic accidental circumstances.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Putin on Tuesday to express sorrow over the death of the plane’s crew and blamed Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad sent Putin a telegram Wednesday offering his condolences and putting the blame on Israeli ...
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — The two Korean leaders took to the road for the final day of their summit Thursday, heading to a beautiful volcano considered sacred in the North and used in its propaganda to legitimize the Kims' three generations of rule. Their trip followed a day of wide-ranging agreements they trumpeted as a major step toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.
However, their premier accord on the issue most fascinating and worrisome — the North's pursuit of nuclear-tipped missiles that can accurately strike the U.S. mainland — contained a big condition: Kim Jong Un stated he would permanently dismantle North Korea's main nuclear complex only if the United States takes unspecified corresponding measures.
Kim and South Korean President Mo...
MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) — Officials at a Wisconsin software company say they're "heartbroken" one of their employees shot four people in the office.
WTS Paradigm Marketing Manager Ryan Mayrand said in a statement Wednesday evening that the company is "shocked and heartbroken" and is working to set up counseling for workers.
He asked the media to respect the privacy of the workers, particularly those who were among the victims.
Police say a WTS Paradigm employee opened fire in the office Wednesday morning in Middleton, a suburb of Madison. They say three victims suffered serious injuries, while a fourth suffered a graze wound.
The suspect died after being shot by police.
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4:50 p.m.
Police say a Wisconsin software company employee had a semiautomatic pistol and plenty of am...
MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) — A heavily armed man opened fire on his co-workers at a Wisconsin software company Wednesday, seriously wounding three people before being fatally shot by police as employees ran from the building or hid inside, according to investigators.
Middleton Police Chief Chuck Foulke said officers shot the man within eight minutes of receiving calls about an active shooter at WTS Paradigm. Foulke said the man was armed with a semi-automatic pistol and extra ammunition, and fired at officers before he was shot.
Foulke said three people were seriously injured during the attack, while a fourth person was grazed by a bullet.
"I think a lot less people were injured or killed because police officers went in and neutralized the shooter," Foulke said.
The police chief said t...
Thank You Home Depot for Once Again Opening Late for Baltimore Community's Last Minute Sukkah Shopping Needs
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 19, 2018 - Everyone in Baltimore recognizes that when Sukkos arrives they'll meet people they may not have seen in ages. And, where will they usually meet up? Home Depot at the Reisterstown Road Plaza, of course.
Through the efforts of the managers and associates, the hub of so many last minute Sukkah needs will be open until 11 PM this Motzoei Shabbos, September 22, 2018.
As long as you are in the store and shopping before 11 PM they will stay open. Thank you to the store manager Mr. Paul Kalinowski for arranging and allowing The Home Depot to be open again after hours.
Please be sure to show your hakaras hatov to the Home Depot personnel.
Yom Kippur 5779/ Baltimore Zmanim / Eruv is UP!
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 18, 2018
Yom Kippur
Today: 9 Tishrei
Chatzos: 1:01 PM
Hadlakas Nairos: 6:52 PM
Shkiah: 7:10:22 PM
Tzais HaKochavim: 8:01/8:23 PM
GMAR CHASIMA TOVA!
Kiddush Levanah Sept. 13 1:56 AM – Sept. 24 8:18 PM
Kiddush Levanah may only be recited at night
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 18, 2018 - In an effort to make Baltimore City streets safer, some City Council members are proposing a speed limit bill.
Councilman Ryan Dorsey has two theories: lower speed limits will lead to slower drivers and slower drivers will lead to fewer crashes.
Legislation was introduced to the full City Council Monday. If passed, it would cap the legal speed limit to 25 mph on several main streets, such as Harford and York roads. Local roads would be capped at 20 mph and alleyways would cap at 15 mph.
Dorsey said there is a culture of permissiveness that is creating unsafe driving conditions.
"There was a recent report from AllState Insurance that said Baltimore has the worst drivers in the country. If we look at other reports, there's one from th...
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 18, 2018 - 11:06 PM - Chaverim of Baltimore advises all drivers to avoid using the right lane on Park Heights Ave from Clarks Lane until after passing Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion due to massive flooding.
President Rivlin Pays A Shiva Call To The Fuld Family
&n...
Russian president Vladimir Putin has described the downing of a Russian military plane in Syria as “like a chain of tragic accidental circumstances”, in a measured statement that appeared to step back from earlier threats of direct retaliation against Israel made by his defence ministry.
“When people die, especially in such tragic circumstances, it’s always a disaster — for us all, for the country, for our close comrades,” Putin said in his first remarks on the incident.
The Russian president said that comparisons should not be drawn with the 2015 shooting down of a Russian fighter jet by Turkish aircraft, which prompted economic retaliation from Moscow and a freezing of diplomatic relations.
“As for your comparison with the well-known events, w...
North Dakota - The Republican Jewish Coalition launched a $1 million television and digital advertising campaign in North Dakota against its incumbent senator over her support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal..
The campaign targeting Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, was launched last week and will air throughout September in the Fargo and Minot markets.
Titled “Roots,” the ad says that Heitkamp abandoned her “North Dakota values” by “siding with liberals and her party to support the disastrous Iran deal.”
“Those are not our values, they are their values,” the ad continues, showing photos of Heitkamp and three key Democratic supporters of the agreement.
“Heidi Heitkamp voted for the Iran deal, putting party loyalty above American security a...