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. 27, 2022 - For more information click on the graphic below.
The Senate voted Thursday to avert a costly nationwide rail strike next week that lawmakers in both parties worried would shut down much of the economy and further add to inflation.
Senators voted 80 to 15 for a House-passed bill to implement the labor agreement between freight rail carriers and unionized workers brokered by an emergency board President Biden established in July.
But senators rejected a proposal to add seven days of paid sick leave to the agreement, which four rail unions demanded.
By intervening, Congress will avert the threat of a national rail shutdown that would have ravaged supply chains and brought significant portions of the economy to a halt in the middle of the holidays.
Roughly one-third of U.S. cargo is transported by ra...
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to review the Biden administration’s effort to reinstate its student debt relief plan, but the justices declined to immediately revive the program.
In a brief unsigned order, the court indicated it would hear arguments in the case in February.
The move comes after the administration urged the Supreme Court last month to clear one of the legal obstacles blocking the policy.
The administration is currently fending off two separate rulings issued in recent weeks that have effectively halted President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which would give federal borrowers making less than $125,000 a year up to $10,000 debt relief.
The appeal to be heard by the justices arose after the St. Louis-based U.S. Court of Appeals f...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 27, 2022 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Shana Hirsch, a’h, daughter of Mr. Michael Hirsch and Mrs. Rona Hirsch and sister of Mrs. Aliza Feinstein and Miss Dina Hirsch.
The Levaya will be Monday at Sol Levinson's at 12:30pm.
Rona Hirsch will be sitting Shiva with her daughters at 2800 Damascus Court, Apt A, Baltimore, MD 21209 with visiting times from 10am-6pm and 7-10pm through Sunday morning EXCEPT Thursday evening, Dec. 1, only until 8:45PM.Michael Hirsch will be sitting Shiva on Monday only at the home of his daughter, Aliza Feinstein, 2712 Willow Glen Dr. 21209
Bila Hamaves Lanetzach...
For more details as available click here
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 – Dec. 1, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dani and Ora Zuckerbrod on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents, Dr. Shalom and Syma Kelman and David and Sharon Zuckerbrod.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Anyone who owns a phone knows what it's like to get unwanted calls.
A new study shows Baltimore residents are bothered by them more than most.
According to the analysts at All About Cookies, Baltimore ranks second Per Capita among cities receiving the most weekly scam calls.
The study found that Baltimore residents alone received nearly one billion unwanted calls between January 2021 and September 2022.
More than 60 percent of unwanted calls nationwide during that time period turned out to be scam attempts.
To read more on the study, click here.
In recent days, a high level delegation from Misrad HaPnim (Interior Ministry) visited Chaim V’Chessed. The delegation was led by Mr. Erez Melamed, the recently installed manager of the Shlomzion Hamalka branch of Misrad HaPnim. It should be noted that this is the busiest branch in Israel and serves, by far, the largest number of English-speakers in the country.
Accompanying Mr. Melamed were the heads of each department in his office. The visitors were introduced to all segments of Chaim V’Chessed’s expansive work, with a particular focus on issues which relate to the Interior Ministry. Mr. Melamed spoke for the entire group when he commented that he and his staff view Chaim V’Chessed as the yada arichta (extended arm) of Misrad HapPnim in serv...
It’s a process!
“If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.” A quote from food author Michael Pollin.
It’s crunchy, it’s tasty, it’s mouthwatering, it smells great and you always want more. But it can make you sick or even kill you. A study released only a few weeks ago shows us, once again, the harm of eating ultra-processed foods. These processed foods have become extremely prominent in the western diet. As a matter of fact, the estimates in a country like the United States is that it makes up more than 60% of the food consumed on any given day. What is processed food ? Why is the ultra-processed variety so harmful to our health and what’s keeping us from eating real, whole foods?
Processed...
Givon Man Suffers Cardiac Arrest, Regains Full Consciousness After EMTs Resuscitate Him
Givon HaYeshana - Tuesday just after midnight in the community of Givon HaYeshana near Jerusalem, a man in his fifties started complaining of chest pains and requested his relatives call an ambulance.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Raziel Sade was at his house when his communications device beeped, alerting him about the emergency in the close vicinity. The first responder ran out to his car and just 15 seconds later, Raizel was already in front of the patient’s house. As he came inside, the volunteer found the quinquagenarian on the floor. “Relatives told me the man had said he needed to lie down and suddenly collapsed,” the volunteer relayed after the incident. “When I g...
County hosting first ever government-focused career fair on December 15, 2022
TOWSON, MD — The Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development will host a first-of–its-kind government enterprise-wide career fair on Thursday December 15, 2022 at the Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville to provide career seekers a unique opportunity to explore current career openings throughout Baltimore County Government. The Baltimore County Government Enterprise-Wide Career Fair will mark the first time that career seekers will have the opportunity to meet directly with hiring managers from every County department to discuss highly sought-after positions. “This exciting event will connect residents with opportunities across...
World body to commemorate Palestinian 'Nakba' next year after 90-30 vote with 47 abstentions
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution to mark the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948 as a "catastrophe."
Palestinians consider the establishment of Israel and its existence to this day as the "Nakba" (catastrophe in Arabic) and the world body decided to acknowledge the Palestinian version of events with the resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 90-30 with 47 abstentions. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and most European Union countries including Germany voted against the anti-Israel resolution.
Israel's Abraham Accords ally the United Arab Emirates was one of the co-sponsors of the resolution.
The resolution calls fo...
Sources told i24NEWS that Hamas would try to prevent the attacks
Several army and intelligence sources told i24NEWS on Thursday that there is suspicion of possible rocket launches from the Gaza Strip after two Palestinian terrorists were killed in clashes with the Israeli military (IDF) in the West Bank.
The sources confirmed to i24NEWS correspondents that the IDF operation in the Jenin area earlier this morning which led to the death of two members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group, could prompt rocket attacks from Gaza. However, they noted that Hamas, which rules the enclave, is not currently interested in the confrontation with the Israeli army, and will try to stop PIJ.
Israeli forces conducted a counter-terrorism opera...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yoni and Jenny Schuster on the birth of a daughter.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
New York tops the list for the first time
Israel's Tel Aviv is ranked third most expensive city in the world after New York and Singapore, according to the EIU’s Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) index issued on Thursday.
The results are based on the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) analyzing the prices in 172 cities. According to the survey, the average cost of living rose by 8.1 percent, reaching the highest rate in 20 years since the beginning of digital collection of data.
Last year Tel Aviv topped the list, but this year America's most populous city, New York, took the pedestal for the first time tying with city-state Singapore. The Syrian capital of Damascus and Libya's Tripoli remain the cheapest cities, according to the survey.
Mayor Brandon Scott has decided to veto the council bill effecting when elected city officials would be eligible for their pension.
It's a bill that had quite a bit of pushback as it would allow city council and other elected officials to have an early pension.
Known as City Council Bill 22-0292, sponsored by City Council President Nick Mosby, it would reduce eligibility for pension from 12 years to eight for city officials that begin serving December 1 of this year.
In the decision to veto the bill, Scott sent a letter to Mosby stating "I cannot in good conscience sign a city council bill into law without the benefit of a complete and thorough analysis."
Also stating there is potential for ethical issues with the bill.
On Tuesday, Ethics Board Chairman Stephan Fogleman sen...
In two weeks, unpaid tolls for Maryland drivers are going to get a lot more expensive.
Maryland Transportation Authority’s board of directors voted to extend the grace period enacted back in February.
On December 15, MDTA will begin assessing a $25 fee per toll costing customers hundreds— if not thousands of dollars.
Traffic was flowing smoothly through the Fort McHenry Tunnel toll booths, but just on the other side of the highway, what drivers don’t see, is a major back up.
The lines packed out with customers extend beyond the wall of the E-ZPass Customer Service Center in Baltimore Wednesday.
Some customers were bundled up for the long wait with comfortable shoes, others with lawn chairs.
This was still not enough to calm frustrations.
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 28, 2022 - Last year, at the end of Chesvan TShP”B, or October 2022, something I thought I never would do, happened. I published a book. Having always liked to write as a teen, and then filling that outlet with my preschool newsletters, this somehow morphed into writing poetry, and then later on into essays.
It was on a trip to Eretz Yisroel that my husband took to visit our son who was learning there several years before the book was published, that my writing took on a whole new form. Like anyone who travels to the Holy Land and pours out their heart in prayer there, I joked with my husband after the book was official that I don’t know what window he opened up in the Heavens as that was when my writing took off.
In a ...