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.
U.S. equity markets rallied to session highs Wednesday with the S&P 500 exiting its bear market as Sen. Bernie Sanders suspended his presidential campaign. Stocks also saw support from a surge in oil prices.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained over 779 points, or 3.4 percent, while the S&P 500 rose by 3.4 percent as well and Nasdaq Composite 2.6 percent.
Sanders, I-Vt., suspending his campaign leaves former Vice President Joe Biden as the likely nominee to take on President Trump in the November election. It also opens the door for several females to potentially become Biden's running mate, as reported by FOX Business' Charlie Gasparino who lists Amy Klobuchar and Kamala Harris as front runners.
Another supporting factor for equities was oi...
Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rov of Ramat Elchonon in Bnei Brak, has called on Yidden throughout Eretz Yisroel to have their children got outside their homes and on to their porches tonight at 8:30 p.m. and to recite the Mah Nishtanah aloud for the benefit for the many Yidden having a Seder this year without their children or grandchildren.
This idea received the approbation of Rav Chaim Kanievsky.
After five days of searching, authorities found the body of the 8-year-old grandson of former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
Maryland Natural Resources police divers found Gideon McKean's body in 25 feet of water and 2.3 miles south of Townsend's home in Shady Side, where the canoe was launched with him and his mother, Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, inside.
They found his body 2,000 feet from where they found his mother's body on Monday, according to Gov. Larry Hogan's office.
Both were last seen last Thursday, when their canoe was apparently overtaken by strong winds. Read more at WBAL
At its very core, Judaism is community, and community service.
At its very core, Judaism is community, and community service.
So when the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic threated the very foundation of the Baltimore Jewish community, religious leaders across the county rushed to find ways to stay connected.
“This is an incredible moment of reinvention, a challenge like we have never seen and realities like we've never seen before. But our religion always teaches us that no matter what the circumstances: adapt, reinvent and then do something spectacular,” said Rabbi Shmuel Silber, leader of the Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Pikesville, Maryland.
“So our synagogue has kind of adopted [a saying of] physically apart but spiritu...
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.
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Yeshivos are closed.
Shuls are shuttered.
And chadorim have been shut down.
Yes, of course we’re all doing what we’re supposed to halachically and medically, but what about the fact that the world needs Torah learning for its very survival?
And what can we do to increase limud haTorah, which is the greatest shemirah possible, and the greatest zechus and koach for a yeshuah?
A new initiative is already gaining steam, seeking to ensure that no moment goes by without Torah being learned, the most powerful shemirah.
Through this program, participants in every Jewish city can choose a 30-minute slot and accept, beli neder, to learn during that time uninterrupted. Some are taking it on as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah for someone specific or Klal Yisroel in general. Thes...
Your blood can save lives!
Agudath Israel is coordinating with hospitals across the country to identify eligible donors and bring this potentially lifesaving therapy to COVID –19 patients.
Please complete the short survey below to see if you are eligible to donate blood plasma (the portion containing antibodies) to someone critically suffering from COVID-19.
Click here to fill out the survey!
Saving lives – it’s in our blood.
Among the many trying challenges we face in these dire times is the sorrow of disconnection from one another, added to the deeper one of personal loss, as we accompany those beloved to us to their resting places.
Just as the current times demand that we now pray and study at home, the way to give honor to the dead during this pandemic is by staying at home. That is what the niftar (departed) would have wanted and what Jewish law, which warns us to be extremely careful to guard one’s health, demands of us. We therefore must not congregate at funeral homes, shuls, residences or on city streets to pay our respects to the niftar and families.
While we honor the departed through proper Jewish burial despite the challenges entailed, we must maintain a balanc...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2020 - The following list of zmanim for the first days of Yom Tov and Shabbos Chol HaMaoid was prepared by Rabbi Dovid Heber for his kehila, Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzemach. [The Eruv is Up]For a printable copy of this zmanim chart, click here.
1st Days of Pesach 5780/April 8-11, 2020
Times for Baltimore, MD - All times are Eastern Daylight Time
Wednesday, Erev Pesach/1st Night, April 8
Latest Time to Eat Chometz – 10:24 am
Latest Time for Biyur Chometz – 11:38 am
REMEMBER TO PREPARE AN ERUV TAVSHILIN
Mincha Gedola/Earliest Time to Daven Mincha – 1:42 pm
Samuch L’Mincha Ktana- 4:22 pm
Candle Lighting Time – 7:20 pm
Begin Seder after 8:28 pm
Repeat Krias Shma if you daven Maariv before Tzais Hakochavi...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2020 - TODAY, we have the opportunity to perform an Eruv Tavshilin.A fundamental difference between Yom Tov observance and Shabbos observance is the allowance of ochel nefesh, food preparation on Yom Tov. “Ach Asher Yei’achel L’Chol Nefesh Hu Levado Yei’aseh Lachem…“1 The Torah permits us to cook, bake, and prepare food on Yom Tov proper, in order to eat the prepared food on that day of Yom Tov. One is not permitted to prepare from one day of Yom Tovfor the second day of Yom Tov or for after Yom Tov. This prohibition of hachana, of preparing from one day of Yom Tov to the next, presents a problem when the second day of Yom Tov...
I had the zchus, for over 35 years, to work closely with the Novominsker Rebbe ztvk'l in the vineyards of Agudas Yisroel. Many of those interactions were memorable, and I had frequent occasion to marvel at the brilliance, compassion and vision of this great leader.
But perhaps the project the Rebbe undertook that will remain with me most vividly is the very last one I had the privilege to work with him on: the letter of brocha and chizuk issued by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah earlier this week, on Monday 12 Nisan, in advance of the upcoming Yom Tov of Pesach.
One of the ways the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah communicates with Klal Yisroel is through written statements. For many years, the Novominsker Rebbe served as the primary draftsman of such statements. His mastery of Loshon Hakodesh, ...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2020 - Rabbi Zvi Goldberg and Rabbi Chananya Jacobson witnessed Rav Moshe Heinemann, Shlit"a, conduct a much larger Mechiras Chometz than normal this year. Hundreds of people utilized the STAR-K / Agudah Baltimore online Mechiras Chometz forms, in addition to STAR-K certified companies and local Rabbonim.
Others from around the country also sent in their Shtaros. The Mechira was conducted with full social distancing guidelines. The Chometz was sold again this year to Mr. Clarence Horsey, a neighbor of the Rov. All of the contracts were put together in a box and given to Mr. Horsey as they are each year. STAR-K and Agudah of Baltimore are grateful to Duvys Media for assisting in establishing an online sale with an integrated DocuSign to facilitate...
For a printable copy of the below, click hereBaltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2020 - As the number of COVID19 cases continue to increase and spread through our community, it has become critical that we take a methodical and strategic approach to planning for and treating this terrible illness on a communal level.
With that in mind, a number of medical professionals within our community have developed a survey to help identify and track potential cases across the Orthodox Jewish community of Baltimore. This survey is strictly confidential and anonymous. But the data collected will provide our Rabbonim, doctors, and first responders with valuable information as they prepare supplies, develop strategies, and work to understand the full extent of the needs of our community. With this knowledge, they w...
Officials say 21 Marylanders have died from coronavirus since Tuesday, and more than 1,100 new cases have been confirmed.
MARYLAND — More than 1,100 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Maryland in the past day, according to data released Wednesday morning. There are 5,529 confirmed cases of the virus statewide, the Maryland Department of Health reported, versus 4,371 cases Tuesday.
Authorities said 124 Marylanders have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, as of Wednesday — an increase of 21 deaths since Tuesday.
So far 32,933 negative tests results have been reported; 1,210 people have ever been hospitalized from COVID-19 in Maryland; and 365 people have been released from isolation after contracting the illness, according to state heal...
Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign on Wednesday, clearing Joe Biden's path to the Democratic nomination and a showdown with President Donald Trump in November.
Sanders made the announcement in a call with his campaign staff, his campaign said. Read more at CNN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pick-up basketball games. Crowds gathering at an outdoor fish market. Family hikes along trails in Rock Creek Park. The warmer weather is bringing violations of social distance guidelines in the nation’s capital, even as health officials predict the city could become one of the next U.S. hot spots in the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 1,200 people have tested positive, with 22 deaths, in Washington. But national and local health officials predict that the worst is yet to come.
Last week, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that models predict the virus would peak in the District of Columbia in May or June and would result in nearly 1 in 7 Washington residents infected by the end of the year and a high-end death toll over 1,000.
“We are conce...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2020 - In an effort to consolidate flights during the coronavirus pandemic, JetBlue has suspended all flights at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport though June.
The airline announced Wednesday that it will temporarily consolidate operations in five major metropolitan areas in the U.S between April 15 and June 10. The revised schedules are aimed at reducing excess flying during a time of unprecedented low demand for air travel while maintaining a critical level of service across the airline’s network for those who absolutely must fly.
JetBlue also intends to file an exemption request with the U.S. Department of Transportation to temporarily suspend flying at other airports where the airline typically operates only a handful of daily ...