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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024 - Baltimore County police are urging drivers to prioritize student safety. Since citations began to be issued on November 4, the Baltimore County Department has issued 7,437 citations. This is because school bus cameras continue to capture drivers failing to stop as the buses are picking up or dropping off students. Maryland law requires drivers traveling in both directions to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights. Drivers who don't stop are subject to a $250 fine.
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“Help my daughter live”  I am Esti, Lali’s mother. Our Lali is a child we longed for and waited for five years. She is all the light and joy of our home, and all I want is for her to stay here with us. Not long ago, she started feeling unwell. We took her to doctors, and what they discovered simply broke our hearts—she has cancer. Since then, nothing has been the same. We are trying to stay strong for her, but inside, we are falling apart. Her treatments cost a lot, far beyond what we can manage alone. I am asking you, anyone who can contribute, to help us save Lali. Every donation, every bit of support—it’s for her and for us. Please daven for Leah bas Esther for a full recovery. May you never know such pain, Esti  Donate now https://...
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Baltimore, MD – Dec. 9, 2024 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Rabbi Michoel Glazer, z’l, son of Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Glazer, father of Sara Esty (Naftoli) Silberberg, Bassie (Shlioime) Tendler, Yossi Glazer,  Eli Glazer, Moshe Glazer, and  Chayala Glazer, and brother of Mrs. Devory (Rabbi Moshe) Matz, Mrs. Leah (Rabbi Elchonon) Ciment, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe (Shoshana) Glazer, Rabbi Dovid (Shani) Glazer  and Shoshana (Binyomin) Rubinfeld. The levayah will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 2:30PM at Levinson's, 8900 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208. Kevura will take place at the Agudah Cemetery in Rosedale.Shiva through Monday morning, Dec. 16, will be observed at 427 Yeshiva Lane, Pikesville, Maryland ...
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024: Dear Friends, Rabbi Michoel Glazer, z’l, tragically passed away at the young age of 47 due to an unexpected health crisis, leaving behind six grieving children who now face the overwhelming challenge of continuing their lives without him. In the wake of this devastating loss, we must unite as a community to provide essential support during their time of need. This campaign is critical to ensuring the Glazer family receives the help they need to navigate this difficult period. All funds raised through this platform will be carefully and responsibly managed, both now and in the future, by a dedicated committee of professionals with expertise in legal and financial planning. This committee will work in close collaboration with the Glazer family’s ...
The IDF announced on Tuesday evening that it has struck 320 “strategic targets” in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime over the weekend. The operation is meant to destroy much of Syria's arsenal to prevent it from falling into the hands of Islamist and terrorist forces. Over 350 fighter jets took part in the operation, which has been given the name "Bashan Arrow." As much as 70 to 80 percent of the Assad regime's military capabilities have been destroyed. The IDF attacked 320 targets from Damascus to Tartus, including advanced tanks, aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems, missile ships, rockets, weapons production sites, weapons depots, Scud missiles, cruise missiles, coastal missiles, drones, and more. Activities in Syria are still continuing on the grou...
Police confirmed on Tuesday night that the ramming incident in Bnei Brak that occurred earlier in the day and lightly wounded one person was a terror attack. Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said its paramedics treated and transferred to the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in  Bnei Brak one person in his 20s who had suffered light wounds.  Terrorist arrested The police said that the terrorist, an Israeli Arab, had been arrested in an underground car park after having initially fled the scene of the attack.  Police added that forces were deployed in the area.
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Hamas has provided the mediators a list of the hostages it is holding, according to a report by Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya on Tuesday evening. Earlier today, IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head, Ronen Bar, returned from a trip to Cairo. According to Kan News, the two visited the Egyptian capital to discuss "regional security issues." Last week, Egypt proposed a new agreement that includes a graded cessation of hostilities in Gaza, according to which the IDF will withdraw from the Rafah Crossing in exchange for a declaration of a 60 day temporary ceasefire. One week after the temporary ceasefire comes into effect, the return of live Israeli hostages will begin. Simultaneously, hundreds of Palestinian terrorists will also be released from Israeli prisons...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024  - The Baltimore region could see its wettest day in months Wednesday as a rapidly strengthening storm is expected to sweep across the eastern United States, according to forecasters. A developing bomb cyclone fed by an atmospheric river — a narrow plume of deep moisture originating from the tropics — is predicted to unleash torrential rain and powerful winds from the Appalachians to the Atlantic, snarling travel and triggering possible flooding and power outages, Accuweather meteorologists warned. As downpours and thunderstorms soak the Southeast into Tuesday night, rains will move northward into the central Appalachians, mid-Atlantic and southern New England regions, according to Accuweather. "The storm will quickly reorgan...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 10, 2024 - Thank you to the many people who showed up today—your presence most definitely impacted the outcome. Proceedings began with the defense attorney attempting to call for a mistrial and requesting a new trial. B"H, the Judge denied that request and proceeded with the sentencing. After hearing Efraim's mother speak, as well as two cousins and some voices from the defense, the Judge announced a sentence of 50 years. As the Judge said, there are no winners today, but justice will be served. She also noted that listening to the 911 call recording was one of the most difficult things she has ever had to hear. The Judge stated that she read every single impact statement and even quoted a line from one of the many submitted, highlighting the power ...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 10, 2024  - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avraham Mordechai & Rochel Segall on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Biyomin Segall and Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Rhine  יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Parsha Hashavua
Rabbi Moshe Taragin: At the Edge of Doubt and Faith

When choosing a topic to write about, I typically reflect on issues that resonate deeply within my heart. I sometimes spend hours contemplating my ideas with the hope that my writing is honest and heartfelt. I often spend more time choosing and pondering a topic than writing the actual article.


The past three weeks have been an emotional whirlwind as we have devoted ourselves to helping our son recover from the serious wounds he sustained while bravely defending our people and our land. My mind has been a torrent of emotions—gratitude and worry, pride and pain—making it challenging for me this week to settle on a topic to write about. Thoughts flitted through my mind, each vying for attention, yet none felt like the absolute and complete reflection of my emotional core.


Typically, I write with literary confidence, assured of my chosen subject, but this time, lingering doubt and uncertainty shadowed my writing, leaving me searching for clarity amidst the chaos of my thoughts. Amid the doubt and uncertainty of my situation, I struggled to find the clarity I usually rely on to begin writing.




Life Itself


And then it struck me—perhaps I should write about doubt and uncertainty itself. It occurred to me that my hesitation over what to write about mirrored my broader state of being: the doubt and uncertainty that have come to define my life in this moment. How do I navigate these unfamiliar feelings and how can embracing doubt, enrich my life and possibly offer a different form of clarity?


Parshat Vayishlach vividly portrays Ya'akov as a man grappling with profound uncertainty. He faces the looming threat of Esav, who approaches with a band of mercenaries, armed to the teeth. Likewise, Ya'akov is unsure how the surrounding nations will respond to the devastating massacre at Shechem. This sense of instability persists as his life unfolds in unexpected ways.  After the crisis of Dinah’s abduction subsides, Ya'akov hopes for a semblance of peace and stability. Yet, he remains unaware of the brewing storm within his own family—sibling rivalries that will fracture his household and hurl them into two decades of chaos and suffering.




The Haunting


Ya'akov's doubts extend beyond external events; they gnaw at his soul. He remains haunted by the specter of having seized the blessings from Esav’s, wrestling with the morality of his actions. Additionally, though he acknowledges Hashem's fulfillment of the promise to protect him, he worries that his heavenly merits have been depleted. As the Gemara suggests, Ya'akov also fears that his extended years in exile may have led him to sin, further fueling his inner turmoil.


Ironically, life with Lavan, though challenging, offered the strange comfort of predictability. Returning to Eretz Yisrael to reclaim his spiritual legacy introduces a cascade of doubt and complexity.


Ya'akov’s journey, steeped in uncertainty, unfolds across uncharted terrain, where doubt and certainty collide, and clarity remains tantalizingly out of reach.




Misty Doubt


After our son's injury my life has suddenly been enveloped in a fog of doubt and uncertainty—on every front. I have no idea how long his medical recovery will take or where it will ultimately unfold. Since his injury, we have been far from home, living between hospital corridors and modest motels, caught in the whirlwind of an unpredictable and exhausting routine. My entire life has been put on hold – all my plans suspended as I try to be the best parent that I can possibly be.  Even catching a minyan feels like a rare achievement, as the strain of the daily schedule leaves little room for stability or normalcy.


Like Ya'akov, my doubts extend far beyond logistical concerns or future plans. I am haunted by deep, internal uncertainties. Why did this happen to my beautiful son? Why must he endure such profound struggle? Amidst all the pain and heartache, I am overwhelmingly and wholeheartedly grateful to Hashem for the miracle that, im yirtzeh Hashem, he will make a full recovery. The countless nissim that have paved the way for this outcome leave me in awe. But with this gratitude comes another layer of doubt: Why was I granted this miracle? What does Hashem now expect of me? Will I have the strength and courage to rise to these expectations—even if I can discern what they are? The weight of this reality presses down on me. How will this trauma reshape my family? How will it transform me? My life feels unsteady, as if I am standing on quicksand rather than solid ground, searching for balance amidst the instability. These questions follow me day and night, and I have no clear answer.




Always at the Door


Today, I was twice reminded of the fact that uncertainty always lurks at the door. Literally as I began to write this article, the news arrived: four more soldiers have been seriously wounded in Lebanon. A few minutes later a woman burst into the hospital Beit Knesset where I sat, her face streaked with tears, pleading to enter the men’s section. I quickly assured her that she could and watched as she stood before the Aron HaKodesh, sobbing uncontrollably.


Gently, I approached and asked if I could help. She cried out, her voice raw with anguish, that her daughter’s condition was dire. Hoping to offer some comfort, I told her I was a rabbi and offered to recite Tehillim with her and give her daughter a beracha. Together, we walked to the ICU, where her daughter lay fighting for her life—just a few feet from the very spot where my own son had been intubated and sedated for two long weeks.


During the past few days, having witnessed my son's steady recovery, I allowed myself a fleeting moment of relief, daring to glimpse the possibility of stability. Yet, I was swiftly reminded of the storm I had weathered just days ago—both physically and emotionally. Her anguish rekindled my awareness that the tempest of unpredictability still rages, enveloping countless others in its relentless grasp.




Uncertainty Brings Clarity


We are not accustomed to living with doubt. We crave control over our schedules and the ability to map out our lives with precision. Planning the future and dictating the rhythms of our days provide a comforting sense of stability. Human psychology thrives on certainty and predictability, while our natural biorhythms are aligned with the steady cycles of day and night, enabling us to function with consistency and purpose.


Ironically, when that stability is stripped away—when the schedules and plans we depend on dissolve—we are thrust into a more existential state. We are compelled to confront our identity in its most raw and stripped-down form. Deprived of the regularity of daily life and the predictability of the future, we must search for deeper meaning and reach for something more solid to anchor ourselves amidst chaos.




My Rock


I have tried to use this doubt to draw close to Hashem. In a world where everything can be stripped away in an instant, the only enduring foundation is faith. I have leaned heavily on countless people for support during this challenging time—friends from across the globe who reached out with heartfelt wishes, strangers who assured me they were praying for my son or singing his favorite Shabbat zemirot, tireless doctors who worked to heal him and uplift us with their optimism, and, above all, my extraordinary family—a blessing for which I can never express enough gratitude.


Yet, in my darkest and most uncertain moments, I turned to Hashem as my steadfast rock. Speaking to Him, confiding in Him, and feeling His guiding hand brought me a sense of comfort and reassurance that no human presence could provide.


Doubt has pushed me into a more profound and existential space, forcing me to confront life’s rawest truths and to anchor myself in something deeper. I hope that when this cloud of uncertainty eventually lifts, the clarity and strength I have found in this crucible will remain etched in my soul, fortifying my relationship with Hashem and deepening my own sense of purpose and selflessness.


Rambam Hospital, Haifa, Israel. Dec 8.


The writer is a rabbi at the hesder pre-military Yeshivat Har Etzion/Gush, with YU ordination and a master’s in English literature from CUNY. His most recent book, Reclaiming Redemption: Deciphering the Maze of Jewish History (Mosaica Press), is available in bookstores or at www.reclaimingredemption.com

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Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 10, 2024  - On International Human Rights Day, December 10, President Isaac Herzog hosted a meeting at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem, Israel. Medical experts focused on the dire situation and deep concern for the well-being of the hostages being held captive for 431 days by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. The meeting was attended by hostages freed from captivity, including Noa Argamani who spoke briefly at the end of the hour-long program.  Families of freed hostages and other families waiting anxiously for their loved ones attended.  "During the meeting, President Herzog said: “We are marking 431 days of the most unimaginable violations of human rights. Today, on International Human Rights Day, not a single right has been upheld by the crimina...
Jerusalem, Israel -Dec. 10, 2024  - Elder of Ziyon (EoZ) has been blogging anonymously for over 16 years, with thousands of articles "providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed" about Israel. "Elder" chose his title name for its ironic reference to the antisemitic The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which claims Jews control the world. In February 2022, the Elder of Ziyon published the book Protocols: Exposing Modern Antisemitism reviewed by BJL in April 2022.   In time for Channukah gift giving EoZ has produced a new and very different book of his sharp political ironic and satirical cartoons, "He's an Anti-Zionist too!" "This is more than a cartoon book. This is a scathing critique of the ...
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024 - Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, today blasted Amnesty International’s new report, “‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza,” as antisemitic propaganda akin to that which led to the murder of six million Jews less than a century ago. In a post to X (formerly Twitter), CJV Managing Director Rabbi Yaakov Menken outlined numerous “obvious lies” packed into the report, which, in its opening sentence, tells readers: “On 7 October 2023, Israel embarked on a military offensive on the occupied Gaza Strip (Gaza) of unprecedented magnitude, scale and duration.” Amnest...
South African police are investigating reports of an explosive device that was found outside a Jewish community center in Cape Town on Friday morning. On Friday, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies informed police that an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was discovered outside the Jewish community offices around 10:30 a.m. Following some confusion, local media subsequently reported that the news was false. However, that was mistaken, and the serious crimes division of South African police, known as the Hawks, is now investigating.
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In a message to the new regime taking shape in Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel wants to establish relations, but won’t hesitate to attack if it threatens the Jewish state. “If this regime allows Iran to reestablish itself in Syria,” he says in a video statement, “or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons or any other weapons to Hezbollah, or attacks us — we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price from it.” “What happened to the previous regime will also happen to this regime,” he warns, adding that Israel has no intention of interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, but will do what is necessary to ensure its security. Netanyahu compares the widespread Air Force bombing campaign of Syria&rsquo...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024  - A long-time Maryland lawmaker is wrapping up his long career in politics. Retiring senator Ben Cardin will be delivering his parting speech from the floor of the U.S. Senate today. The 81-year-old announced last May that he would not seek another term after serving in elected office for 58 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, the U.S. House and the Senate. Cardin will remain the state’s senior senator until his term ends in 2025. He has said he was looking forward to enjoying more of everyday life with his family.
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Baltimore, MD - Dec. 10, 2024  - Have you ever walked or driven around Baltimore and noticed e-bikes/scooters left in random places? Apparently it's an ongoing issue the City is looking to address. On Monday the Department of Transportation opened a special 311 associated line for residents to report misparked e-bikes/scooters. Once a complaint is made through 311, the City says companies like Lime and Spin have 24 hours to correct the issue, despite there being no penalty if they don't "Our focus right now is on collaborating with the permit holders to ensure they understand the expectations and have solid processes in place to address the service requests as they come in," a DOT spokesperson told WMAR-2 News. DOT says the initiative itself is aimed at improving reside...
Israel pounded Syrian army bases on Tuesday in strikes it says aim to keep weapons from falling into hostile hands, but denied its forces had advanced into Syria beyond a buffer zone at the border. Regional security sources and officers within the now-fallen Syrian army who spoke to Reuters described Tuesday morning’s airstrikes as the heaviest yet, hitting military installations and airbases across Syria, destroying dozens of helicopters and jets, as well as Republican Guard assets in and around Damascus. The rough tally of 200 raids overnight had left nothing of the Syrian army’s assets, said the sources. The Israeli Air Force has carried out over 300 airstrikes in Syria since the collapse of the regime, destroying advanced weapons and other capabilities. Strikes rep...
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he was “astonished” when he was told he was being investigated over allegations he attempted to improperly use his position to gain positive media coverage. “I was astonished when they asked me in the investigations, I said, ‘Are you serious? This is in the indictment? The most basic democratic thing? The obligation to diversify different markets? That is seen as criminal?'” Netanyahu says during testimony on his corruption trial. “I said, ‘You are disconnected.’” Netanyahu says he first met Shaul Elovitch, the former head of telecommunications giant Bezeq, which owns Israeli news outlet Walla, “in 1996 or 1997… I met with economic leaders, he was among them. I didn’t know...
COGAT, the Defense Ministry body which coordinates Israeli activity in Gaza and the West Bank, says that 201 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Strip yesterday. In a statement, COGAT says that 55 of the trucks entered Gaza directly through Gate 96, entering the northern Strip near Kibbutz Be’eri. It also says that six tankers of cooking gas were also transferred into Gaza yesterday.
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