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 – May 19, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Nomi Gordon, a’h, daughter of Drs. Daniel and Beth Gordon, and sister of Zacharya (Mijal) Gordon, Josh Gordon, Moshe Gordon, Avraham Gordon, Sara Riva Gordon, Zahava Gordon, and Michoel Gordon.
The levayah will be held at Levinson's today, May 19, 2025 at 3:00PMThe kevurah will take place at the Agudah Cemetery 6300 Hamilton Ave, Rosedale, MD 21237
Shiva will be observed at 3311 Labyrinth Road, Baltimore, MD 21215The family respectfully requests no visitors from 12-2pm or after 10pmMinyanim:Shacharis 7:30AMMincha/Maariv 8:00PM Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim they will enforce a “naval blockade” of Haifa port, warning that ships heading there are now “targets.”
The Houthis will “begin working to enforce a naval blockade of the port of Haifa,” says military spokesman Yehya Saree. “All companies with ships present in or heading to this port are hereby notified that, as of the time of this announcement, the aforementioned port has been included in the target bank.”
The Houthis have claimed a similar blocked of Ben Gurion Airport, but have not come close to such a goal, even in light of a recent missile attack on the airport that caused a slew of foreign carriers to cancel their routes.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba is charging Rep. LaMonica McIver for her alleged misconduct toward law enforcement in front of Delaney Hall earlier this month, but she is dismissing the trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
"Today my office has charged Congresswoman McIver with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1) for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement," Habba said in a post on X on Monday.
In a letter posted with the comment, Habba announced that after extensive consideration, she was dismissing charges against Baraka.Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was charged with class C misdemeanor trespassing at the facility, which is privately operated by the GEO Group, last week, and he had his first court a...
Washington, D.C. - May 19, 2025 - Close to 130,000 Marylanders could lose some amount of Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp, benefits under the plan, according to one estimate, with 71,000 at risk of losing benefits entirely. Because it is one of the 24 states with error rates of over- and underpayments above 10%, the changes could mean Maryland would be on the hook for up to 25% of the cost of SNAP, which is currently !00% federally funded.
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee approved, 29-25, Wednesday evening its portion of Republicans’ major legislative package that includes a provision that would shift to states some of the responsibility to pay for a major nutrition assistance program.
The bill&...
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A mother’s letter. A child’s fight. Shira urgently needs life-saving care. You can help - but only if we act now.
My name is Bracha, and I’m writing not only as a mother, but as someone who deeply believes in the quiet power of kindness.
My daughter Shira is a bright, tender-hearted little girl. She’s been diagnosed with leukemia — a cancer of the blood. Her eyesight has already been affected, and the emotional toll on our family has been immense.
Shira is currently receiving care in a local hospital in Poland, but doctors have urged us to transfer her to a specialized children's hospital in Vienna. There, she can receive the advanced, life-saving treatment she urgently needs.
The cost of this treatment is over $150,000 — far beyond anything we ...
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 – May 19, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shalom Dovi Rotberg (Lakewood) and Yehudis Froehlich (Baltimore) on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe and Miriam Rotberg and Mr. & Mrs. Doni and Estie Froehlich
Mazel Tov to Grandparents Mr. Mrs. Myron & Miriam Froehlich and Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok & Dina Steinharter
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2025 – 6:38PM – 95 South is shut down at exit 80 in Aberdeen.
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Monday, 19 May 2025):
"By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.
The war began on October 7 when Palestinian terrorists stormed our borders, murdered 1,200 innocent people and abducted over 250 more innocents to the dungeons of Gaza.
Israel accepts President Trump's vision and urges all European leaders to do the same. The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders...
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada issued a joint statement Monday condemning Israel’s handling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and calling on the Jewish state to immediately halt military action in the enclave and allow in more aid, threatening “further concrete actions in response” if Jerusalem refuses.
The three leaders called Israel’s announcement Sunday to allow a limited amount of aid into Gaza “wholly inadequate” and said the country’s failure to assist the Gazan civilian population “is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law.”
Netanyahu hit back in a statement, saying London, Paris and Ottawa were “offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel...
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2025 – 5:38PM – Smith Avenue is currently closed in both directions just past the Beazer entrance due to an accident. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2025 - On Monday, with C4 and Bryan Nehman, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said historic reductions in violent crime across the city are the result of strategic partnerships, a shift in police culture, and strong leadership across multiple agencies.
Speaking in-studio, Worley highlighted the success of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy.
“I think it plays a huge part because it’s a partnership,” Worley said. “That’s the only way we’re gonna succeed in Baltimore. No one entity can do it themselves, so you’ve gotta have everyone working together. The group Violence Reduction Strategy has the mayor, police commissioner, and state’s attorney all working together, but under...
Can you rely on a kosher symbol you see online? Sometimes you buy something online, but the product has a different packaging when it arrives at your door. Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K gives us the rundown on what to look out for.
Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2025 - The Northwest District has seen an increase in residential burglaries since the beginning of April, including recent incidents on Labyrinth Road and Reisterstown Road. We understand the concern this has caused among residents, and BPD is actively working to address the issue.What We Know:- The incidents typically occur between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.- The suspect(s) are fully covered from head to toe and wears gloves, making identification challenging.- Entry is usually made through locked and unlocked back doors or windows.What is being done:- Increased patrols: Additional officers and Shomrim volunteers are deployed in the area, targeting the hours when incidents have occurred.- Investigative follow-up: Detectives are working to identify leads and pro...
Baltimore, MD- May 19, 2025 - They walked the red carpet with cameras flashing and cheers ringing through the air — a well-deserved moment in the spotlight for Baltimore’s educators. On Monday, May 12, Jewish Educational Services (JES), a program of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, hosted the Educator Awards Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring and uplifting the teachers who shape the future of our community.
While 10 outstanding educators and one exceptional student received formal awards, the evening was designed to celebrate all educators in Baltimore’s Jewish day schools, preschools, and congregational schools. Over 150 attendees gathered to show their support for the incredible work being done across our educational institutions.
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A US official denies a Washington Post report citing an unnamed source who claimed the Trump administration would abandon Israel if it kept the war going in Gaza.
The US official says that there may be disagreements, but “the idea that we would abandon Israel is preposterous.”
The newspaper quotes an anonymous individual “familiar with the discussions,” who says Trump’s representatives have informed Israel that Washington will “abandon” the country if it does not end the war.
“Trump’s people are letting Israel know, ‘We will abandon you if you do not end this war,'” the source is quoted as saying. “Politically, as in the past, Netanyahu has a way to do that, with a huge majority in the Knesset and in ...
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2025:Dear Baltimore Jewish Community,
Today, the 21st of Iyar, marks a very tragic date on our community’s calendar. Exactly 4 years ago Efraim Gordon, z’l, H’yd, was brutally murdered in the heart of the Jewish community.As most of you know, Efraim came from Israel for a wedding, a most joyous occasion, and his life was brutally taken.
Efraim was a gentle giant with the greatest heart someone can possibly imagine. He was humble and every person he met was his friend. Many community members joined our family in court for the last three years, while the state did a phenomenal job of catching all 4 culprits in the case and sentencing all of them to life in prison.
We are grateful to all those that showed our famil...
Jerusalem, Israel - May 19, 2025 - The World Jewish Congress (WJC) officially opened its 2025 Plenary Assembly with a moving gala event on May 18 at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, Israel, marking the organization’s first assembly in Israel since 2009. The three-day gathering brings together more than 300 Jewish leaders and representatives from over 70 countries to elect WJC’s senior leadership and set its policy agenda for the next four years.
Hosted by WJC-Israel Regional President Sylvan Adams and emceed by Israeli actress and singer Ester Rada, the evening blended powerful addresses with emotional tributes and musical performances. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a fiery keynote, warning of the threats posed by Iran and its regional proxies.
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The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to strip legal protections from 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially exposing them to deportation.
The court’s order, with only one noted dissent, puts on hold a ruling from a federal judge in San Francisco that kept in place Temporary Protected Status for the Venezuelans that would have otherwise expired last month.
The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.