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 - Oct. 7, 2019 - Get a FREE Shot on Wednesday, October 16 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (1st Day Chol HaMoaid Succos) **While Supplies Last!**
Injectable flu vaccine will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone six months and older.
Residents are asked to wear short-sleeve or sleeveless shirts for quick and easy access to the portion of their arm where the vaccination
Complete a Form
Fill out a form for each
family member. The form will be reviewed to determine eligibility to receive the vaccination.
If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, or have a severe allergy
to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get vaccinated at this clinic.
Location
Pikesville Volunteer Fire Department
40 E Sudbroo...
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 15, 2019 - Due to unforeseen circumstances, the shiur by Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlit"a, scheduled for Wednesday, the 1st Day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos at the Yeshiva Bain Hazmanim of Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek has been canceled.
50-year-old mother and her 14-year-old daughter rescued after being lost all night without water or phone reception in Eilat Mountains.
Volunteers from the Eilat-Eilot police rescue unit rescued a mother and her daughter who lost their way on a trip and remained overnight in the Red Canyon.
The 50-year-old mother and her 14-year-old daughter went on a hike yesterday in the Red Canyon in the Eilat Mountains, lost their way and stayed all night in the desert without water.
It was only in the morning, after walking further, that they managed to obtain cellular reception and called the police, with only eight percent battery life remaining on the phone.
Ten volunteers from the rescue unit managed to locate the mother and daughter. They were treated at the scene, as they were dehydrated, ...
Pence told reporters that President Trump received a commitment from Erdogan not to attack the city of Kobani. "President Trump was very direct on that point," said Pence.
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump released an executive order on Monday authorizing the imposition of sanctions “against current and former officials of the Government of Turkey and any persons contributing to Turkey’s destabilizing actions in northeast Syria,” according to a White House statement.It added that steel tariffs will be increased back up to 50%, the level prior to reduction in May.“The United States will also immediately stop negotiations, being led by the Department of Commerce, with respect to a $100 billion trade deal with Turkey,” said the president.“Th...
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Trump that Turkey will never declare a ceasefire in northeastern Syria and informed the US president he is not concerned about any US sanctions.
U.S. Democratic lawmakers, joined by some of President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans, introduced a resolution on Tuesday opposing Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, the latest sign of deep disapproval in Congress of his action.
Now with US troops gone, Erdogan and his Turkish soldiers have begun an invasion into northeastern Syria. Since the invasion into Syria, the Turks have begun fighting with US-ally the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which is made up mostly of Kurds.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Trump that Turkey will never declare a ceasefire...
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 — The Baltimore City Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it is launching a rebranding campaign for the Charm City Circulator.
As the Charm City Circulator quickly approaches its 10-year anniversary, the city of Baltimore would like to celebrate the success of the unique service by rebranding its current logo and slogan.
The Department of Transportation is seeking input from the community to determine the new look for the CCC, and is encouraging the public to vote for its preferred logo and catchphrase.
Starting at noon Tuesday, members of the public can choose which CCC logo and slogan they favor by visiting http://charmcitycirculator.com/vote. Residents will be able to choose from three exclusive logo designs along with several slogans.
The public votin...
SILVER SPRING, MD — The death of a Montgomery County police officer was ruled a suicide Tuesday, officials said.
According to officials, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia ruled Officer Thomas J. Bomba's death as a result of a self-inflicted injury.
On Monday, Bomba, 38, was found shot on the top level of a parking garage located at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street in Silver Spring, police said.
Bomba was wearing his body-worn camera, but it had not been activated, officials said. He was transported to the Washington Hospital Center where he died from his injuries.
Police said they will continue to evaluate evidence collected at the scene as part of their commitment to completing a thorough and exhaustive investigation.
Memorial servi...
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Fort Worth’s police chief reiterated Tuesday that a white officer’s killing of a black woman in her home was inexcusable, as an arrest warrant was released quoting the victim’s 8-year-old nephew as saying she pointed a gun at a bedroom window after hearing suspicious noises outside.
Interim Chief Ed Kraus said 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson behaved as any Texas homeowner would have if he or she had heard a prowler. Also, the arrest warrant gave no indication that Officer Aaron Dean would have even been able to see the weapon through the glass.
Kraus declared there was “absolutely no excuse” for the shooting, which happened while Jefferson was staying up late playing video games with her nephew.
The new details were released a ...
Officials are reviewing plans to evacuate up to 50 U.S. nuclear bombs that have long been stored at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in the wake of Ankara's military offensive in northern Syria, according to a report.
The weapons are now essentially "hostage" to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a senior official told The New York Times on Monday.
The Cold War-era B61 nuclear bombs are said to be 100-250 miles from the Syrian border, according to The Guardian. A former U.S. official told the outlet that Turkish diplomats responded to suggestions about moving the bombs by saying Turkey would start to develop its own.
"The potential problems have been discussed for over a decade," the former official said. "And ...
A motion to censure House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for his “parody” reading of President Trump’s July phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a hearing last month is gaining steam with House Republicans, as Fox News has learned 135 lawmakers have now signed on as co-sponsors.
The resolution to censure Schiff -- who has become a favorite target of Republicans for his role in the Trump impeachment inquiry -- was first introduced late last month by Rep. Andy Biggs, the Arizona Republican who chairs the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and has the support of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wy...
Heavy rain accompanied by numerous thunderstorms struck in numerous places around Eretz Yisrael Tuesday, causing hundreds of Sukkos to collapse, with some causing damage to cars situated near them. The storms also led to the collapse of many trees hit by lightning, and a sukkah in Bnei Brak caught fire after lightning hit a cable nearby.
Five members of one family were also hit by lightning as they sat on a beach near Ashkelon. Asher Hazut(14) is in critical condition, while his sister-in-law Efrat (21) is in serious condition after they were hit by lightning and electrocuted while trying to escape the stormy weather. Three other members of the family, including Efrat’s husband Elazar, are in moderate condition.
The unusually stormy weather is set to continue in some regions of Isr...
Former US National Security Adviser called Trump lawyer a "hand grenade who's going to blow everybody up."
Former US National Security Adviser warned the White House against Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani's attempts to dig up dirt on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, according to The New York Times.
Former White House official Fiona Hill described Bolton's concerns during a nine-hour testimony before Congress on Monday as part of the impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump.
According to Hill, Bolton called Giuliani “a hand grenade who’s going to blow everybody up.”
Bolton also called Giuliani's actions "a drug deal" and said that he had no part in their dealings with Ukraine.
Bolton was reportedly incensed that Giuliani...
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu submitted an official request on behalf of President Reuven Rivlin to Russian President Vladimir Putin to pardon Naama Issachar and to allow her to return to Israel.
The request was submitted Tuesday evening.
Issachar was arrested at the Moscow airport for carrying 9.5 grams of cannabis and sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on the local RT news station Monday night that Putin would consider pardoning Issachar when he received an official request from Netanyahu.
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 11, 2019 - The entire Baltimore community is Invited to Baltimore's Community-Wide Simchas Bais HaShoeivah 5780/2019 on Tuesday evening, Motzaei Yom Tov, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 at 9:00 PM.
Come listen and dance to the music of the ZEMER Orchestra.
The Simchas Bais HaShoeivah is sponsored by The Agudah Park Heights, Cong. Shearith Israel and the Baltimore Shuls.
Refreshments will be served.
Men, women and children are invited to participate.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden, acknowledging that his family name created business opportunities, rejected assertions by President Donald Trump that he did anything wrong by engaging in foreign work in Ukraine and China.
But Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, conceded that he failed to take into account potential implications for his father’s political career.
“Did I make a mistake? Maybe in the grand scheme of things,” Hunter Biden said in an ABC News interview that aired on Tuesday. “But did I make a mistake based on some ethical lapse? Absolutely not.”
Joe Biden is a front-runner in the 2020 Democratic presidential contest, and the interview with his son aired hours before the fourth Democratic presidential debate.
Hunter Biden sa...
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Two researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a third from Harvard University won the 2019 Nobel Prize in economics on Monday for groundbreaking research into what works and what doesn’t in the fight to reduce global poverty.
The award went to MIT’s Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo and Harvard’s Michael Kremer. The 46-year-old Duflo is the youngest ever to win the prize and only the second woman, after Elinor Ostrom in 2009. The three winners have worked together.
They revolutionized developmental economics by pioneering field experiments — something like pharmaceutical companies’ drug tests — that generate practical insights into how poor people respond to educational, health care and other programs meant t...
Around 20,000 runners are expected to participate in the 19th Baltimore Running Festival on Oct. 19, and here's what you need to know.
With five distances to choose from, runners can see some of the most popular tourist destinations, including the race's start at Camden Yards and finish at the Inner Harbor.
Runners can choose to participate in a marathon, a half-marathon, a 5K, a team relay or the BaltiMORON-a-thon, in which runners complete the 5K and the half-marathon in one day!
Each race does require the runner to register ahead of time and pay a fee. Each fee helps fund many local and regional charities that support individuals and families going through a personal crisis. Since the festival's conception, the Baltimore Running Festival has helped raise more tha...
Police are investigating anti-Semitic fliers that were found on several vehicles parked outside an Evesham Township restaurant.
Three separate fliers have been passed around, but police are searching for one suspect. One of the anti-Semitic fliers references Jewish Hollywood producers and abuse, while the second flier makes racist statements about Israel and the Jewish state. The third is about world finances.
Mayor Jaclyn Veasy condemned the act.
“Evesham Township has absolutely zero tolerance for such flagrant anti-Semitism, or any other form of evil and bigotry in our town,” Veasy said. “I call on all of Evesham’s residents and businesses to come together at this time and join me in condemning such shameless displays of hatred. I also have full faith that...
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced after meeting with the House Democratic caucus on Tuesday that there will be no vote -- at least for now -- on the launch of formal impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
"There's no requirement that we have a vote, and so at this time we will not be having a vote," Pelosi said. "We're not here to call bluffs -- we're here to find the truth, to uphold the Constitution of the United States. This is not a game for us. This is deadly serious."
The move was seemingly a boon for moderate Democrats in swing districts, who have been reluctant to have a formal vote in favor of the proceedings as the 2020 elections approach -- even as they also have sought to appease liberal constituents by vocally backing...