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 - Feb. 2, 2023 - 2 Shevat 5783 - It’s only eight years since Khal Chassidim’s mosdos set foot in Baltimore – and already it’s made its mark.
It’s made its mark on the close to 150 kinderlach, it’s made its mark on the parents and it's made its mark on the wider yiddishe community. Their warmth and chassidishkeit spills over and everyone is benefitting from its existence.
The chassidishe parent body chose to move to Baltimore so that they could focus on Torah and chinuch undisturbed by the stress and pressures of unaffordable city life. Indeed, in Baltimore, they can bring up their children in a bucolic, spacious setting where there is nothing to distract them from their pure goals.
* The kollel is a thriv...
Arutz-7: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly expect that Operation Break the Wave, which was launched in response to a series of deadly terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians in March 2022, will persist for some time to come, according to Israel Hayom. The report states that while the IDF has achieved substantial success, including the elimination of the terrorist organization Lions Den, other groups have emerged to continue perpetrating attacks. Despite objections from the Palestinian Authority, the IDF is continuing its counterterrorism efforts, with 35 Palestinians killed in combat with the IDF in January, 95% of whom were terrorists. This rate could result in more fatalities in 2023 than the previous year, which saw the highest number of Arab deaths sin...
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Baltimore, MD - Jan. 31, 2023: Tu B'Shvat 5783
This year, TU B'SHVAT (15 Shvat) will occur on Sun. Night Feb. 5-Mon. Feb. 6.
Please refer to the STAR-K Checking Fruits chart below for guidance.
Click on the image for a larger, printable copy of this chart.
Click on the image below for a larger, printable copy of the STAR-K's full guide to checking for bugs
Click HERE or on the image below to download STAR-K's Shemita Primer for Chutz La'aretz.For SHEMITA DATES OF COMMON FRUITS imported from Eretz Yisroel: refer to the chart below, since Shemita times include fruits one might purchase for Tu B'Shvat.
According to the Baltimore City Liquor License Board, there are 1,221 liquor stores in the city. One of these stores was where 13-year-old Kesley Washington was shot and killed. Retired FBI agent Tyrone Powers believes that liquor stores contribute to the issues that city leaders are concerned about. "We don't talk about these open-air liquor stores, which attract drug dealing and the violence we are talking about," he said.
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 – Feb. 5, 2023 – 7:05PM - A right turn out of the Seven Mile Market parking lot cannot be made now as Reisterstown Road in front of Seven Mile Lane is closed down.
Chag Tu B’shvat
At first glance, Tu B’shvat seems to be a mere technical halachic marker for the new year of fruits (as pertaining to fruit-oriented mitzvot).[1] Surprisingly, though, we treat Tu B’shvat as a holiday by skipping tachanun[2] and avoiding fasting.[3] What are we celebrating?
In addition to the holiday atmosphere, we also have the minhag to eat Israeli fruits on Tu B’shvat.[4] What is the reason for this custom? What is the significance of eating Israeli fruit?
Yearning For Israel’s Fruit
The Al Hamichyah berachah recited after eating grain products or one of Israel’s special fruits also attributes significance to eating Israeli fruit. In the berachah, we ask Hashem to return us to Israel so we can “eat its fruit and be sa...
The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today (Sunday, 5 February 2023), approved the proposal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf to establish a new community in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip.Prime Minister Netanyahu:"The most important thing in order to give an answer to terrorism is give a proper response and the second thing is strengthen settlement – and this is what we are doing now. We decided on the establishment of the community of Hanun during our previous government and today we are completing its establishment by budgeting for the planning of the community. We will thereby put the establishment of the community into action.Setting up the community is additional testimony to the resilience of the area adjacent to th...
When I got up in the morning several days ago, I noticed a WhastApp message that had been sent at 2:17 a.m. I quickly checked to see what it was all about. "Shalom Sivan, I need a video greeting for my youth movement contingent. Is there any chance you can do this?" First of all, I was relieved that this was not an emergency matter. But then at 6:55 I received an additional message from the same source: "???" Not one question mark, but three.I have not come here to complain about the "state of our youth" since we are really all like this. I hear numerous stories of this kind regarding people of all ages and professions. We are living in an era where everything is constantly accessible, from information to human beings. So if it's possible to order a couch or a food item at three o...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 5, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Wendy Linder, a’h, mother of Bonnie Linder.
The levayah will be tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 6 at Sol Levinson's, @1:00 pm.
Kevurah will take place at Oheb Shalom Memorial Park, 430 Berrymans Lane, Reisterstown, MD, 21136.
Shiva will be observed through Motzaei Shabbos, Feb 11, at 1902 Tadcaster Road, Catonsville, MD, 21228
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
In an effort to upgrade their different systems and improve their customer service, the Jerusalem Municipality has announced that their Collections Department, which includes Arnona, will be closed to the public this month, from February 5-26. They will not be providing service by phone during this time, either. Arnona discount applications can still be submitted online during this time.
As you may have noticed, the Municipality has sent out Arnona bills for the 2023 calendar year, due to be paid by January 31. Failure to pay by this date causes the bill to accrue interest and may eventually lead to lawyer fees and other penalties including liens on bank accounts. It is important to note that the Arnona bill must be paid, or at least a payment plan put in place...
Update as of Sunday, Feb.5: The children of R’ Aryeh Leib Goldstein a”h will be at the shiva home in Baltimore until after Mincha & Maariv on Sunday. They will complete shiva in Lakewood.
Mincha/Maariv on Sunday will be the last minyan at the shiva home, however, Mrs. Shaina Shifra Goldstein will continue to obeserve shiva in Baltimore on Sunday night and Monday until 9:00PM. Please do not visit between 1 & 2 p.m. and 6 & 7 p.m.###Baltimore, MD – Jan. 31, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of R’ Aryeh Leib Goldstein , z’l, husband of Mrs. Shaina Shifra (Shelley) Goldstein and father of R’ Bentzy Goldstein, Manny Goldstein, Mrs. Tova Goodman, and Mrs. Tammy Riegler.Shiva will be...
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 5, 2023 - Was at a concert last night and was approached by a “Stranger” named Frank Storch from Baltimore.
He told me a crazy story. He had heard of Ari’s murder but before that, he didn’t know him.
Frank has been working in security helping educational institutions with their security needs for 50 years.
He’s also a tremendous philanthropist.
He had been building a synagogue and as soon as he heard about Ari, he decided on the spot to dedicate the synagogue in Ari’s memory. Somehow he felt a strong connection to Ari and his legacy.
He created a plaque for the synagogue and hung it up. A few months ago, the plaque fell so he created a new one. He then decided to bring the old plaq...
