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 – June 21, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Raymon Sauer, a’h, brother of Moshe Sauer.
Shiva will be observed at 5818 Narcissus Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215, on Sunday and Monday (June 22–23) from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
No minyanim.
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
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Baltimore, MD - June 19, 2025 - O’Fishel’s Mitzvah Motivators is entering the second quarter century with the ever-popular Summer Masmidim Program!Make it a family project! Program is open for boys and girls, men and women, any age, which includes you!
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Baltimore, MD - June 22, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Rabbi Mendle Dickstein, z”l, father of Nechama Rochel Felzenberg and Leah Palmer, and brother of Mrs. Dena (Rabbi Binyamin) Friedman and Mrs. Rivkah Lipshutz.The levayah will be held at 12 Noon on Tuesday June 24th at Crestlawn Cemetery in Atlanta, GA. Nechama Rochel Felzenberg will observe shiva at 1125 Justin Douglas Court, Clarksville, TN 37042 (404-617-0664)Dunwoody: Mrs. Dena (Rabbi Binyamin) Friedman and Mrs. Rivkah Lipshutz will observe shiva at 2090 Westover Plantion, Dunwoody, GA 30338 Tuesday evening - Monday morning Minyanim: Shacharis 7:00 am weekday / 8:00 am Sunday Mincha Maariv 8:30 pm Shiva hours 10 am - 10 pmBaltimore: Leah Palme...
Alert is in effect through Thursday (6/26)
Baltimore, MD – June 23, 2025 – Baltimore officials have declared a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert as dangerously high temperatures threaten public health across the region. The alert signals a period of severe heat and humidity, prompting coordinated efforts to keep residents—especially the elderly, infants, and those without air conditioning—safe and hydrated.
What a Code Red Means:
A Code Red alert activates a network of cooling centers, expanded outreach to vulnerable populations, and critical health and safety reminders. For real-time updates or to confirm if a Code Red is in effect, residents should call 311 or 443-263-2220
Baltimore, MD - June 23, 2025 - The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration announced that work hours will be extended for the resurfacing project on I-83, also known as the Baltimore-Harrisburg Expressway, in northern Baltimore County.
The project, which affects both northbound and southbound lanes between Middletown Road and Downes Road, begins today, June 23, and is expected to continue through mid-summer.
The decision to extend work hours follows recent rainstorms that left previously milled sections of asphalt pavement exposed to the elements, necessitating accelerated paving efforts.
Motorists should anticipate temporary single-lane closures during both daytime and overnight hours, as well as on weekends, whenever weather conditions permit.
Drivers are ...
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 – June 23, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Mrs. Rita Lazofsky, a’h, sister of William Lerner.
The Levaya will be held Wednesday in Montifore Cemetery in Queens, NY
Shiva will be observed at the Lerner home; 3104 West Strathmore Ave, Baltimore, Md 21215 starting Thursday Morning until Tuesday morning.
Minyanim: Shacharis 7:00AM
Mincha/Maariv: 8:20PM
Mincha Erev Shabbos: 3:00PM
Maariv Motzaei Shabbos: 9:38PM
Please, no visitors after 10pm.
The Lerners can be reached via phone at 410 764 7720
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
Baltimore, MD - June 23, 2025 - One Maryland school district finds itself in federal court again over a hot button political issue.
A middle school teacher in Montgomery County is accusing her principal and the board of education of "unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."
Hibah Sayed teaches science and coding to sixth and seventh grade students at Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring.
On her classroom door, Sayed had several flag stickers, including of Palestine.
Last October she noticed the Palestinian sticker had been taken down.
When asked about its removal, the school's principal allegedly told her the flag could be construed as “antisemitic” or “supporting terrorism.”
As one of only t...
Let's take a trip back in time exploring the mesorah of birds. R' Chaim Loike - Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher, made it his life's mission to ensure that certain birds don't lose their mesorah. Let's take a look at the various birds he's brought in today to share with us.
The threat of sleeper cells in the U.S. has “never been higher,” though there are no current specific threats, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
A memo sent Saturday from CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, obtained by The Hill’s sister network NewsNation, said “thousands of Iranian nationals have been documented entering the United States illegally and countless more were likely in the known and unknown got-a-ways.”
“Though we have not received any specific credible threats to share with you all currently, the threat of sleeper cells or sympathizers acting on their own, or at the behest of Iran has never been higher,” Scott added.
The memo urged CBP personnel to remain “vigilant.”
On Saturday, Preside...
The Iranian Parliament has approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil choke point, after the United States bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, according to Iranian state media on Sunday.
While the Parliament has voted in favor of closing the strait, the final decision rests with the country’s Supreme National Security Council, according to state media.
Closing the strait, located between Iran and Oman, could have serious implications for both the global and U.S. economy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News on Sunday morning that China should ask Iran to keep the shipping lane open because of Asia’s need for oil delivered through the strait. He warned Iran against the action.
“If they do that, it...
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador then returned to the U.S. amid a legal battle, was ordered released from jail on Sunday by a Tennessee judge while he awaits federal trial.
The government, however, is expected to quickly detain him upon his release, which U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes scheduled a Wednesday hearing to discuss.
The Justice Department has filed a motion to appeal the judge’s release order.
At a detention hearing on June 13, prosecutors said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would take Abrego Garcia into custody if he were released on the criminal charges, and he could be deported before he has a chance to stand trial.
The new charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee. Abreg...
Our recent pieces have focused on the relationships we are meant to develop — with Hashem and with other people. We now turn to a third type of relationship — our relationship with ourselves. How are we meant to relate to ourselves over the course of our lives?
We are tasked with improving ourselves, and this is the most fundamental aspect of our mission.
Not Necessarily Good
Hashem created man last, as the climax of creation. The Torah tells us that Hashem saw what He created before man’s arrival as “good.” He put everything in place in preparation for man’s arrival in the world, which He created for him.[1]
Surprisingly, though, Hashem does not describe man as good.[2] Rav Yosef Albo[3] attributes this to a fundamental difference between m...
The Knesset building was illuminated in the colors of the American flag as a tribute to President Donald Trump "for his historic decision to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities".
The Knesset said that "At the initiative of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, the facade of the Knesset was illuminated with the colors of the American flag and the official ceremonial plaza was filled with Israeli flags alongside American flags".
"In the name of the Knesset, which represents all the citizens of Israel, I wish to thank President Trump for a historic, courageous and moral move of the highest order, which will be remembered in the annals of history as the day when the United States saved the world from the enormous danger of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the ayatollah regime", said Ohan...
Baltimore, MD – June 22, 2025 – 3:51PM - A traffic accident on Seven Mile Lane, midway between Park Heights Avenue and Reisterstown Road, has completely shut down Seven Mile. A responding fire truck is currently positioned across both lanes.
Today (Sunday), the Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with members of the General Staff Forum.
"We are on day ten of Operation "Rising Lion". So far, we have achieved many objectives, including significantly damaging Iran’s nuclear program. We’ve reached a turning point in the campaign, following last night’s very precise and impressive strike by the U.S. military on key nuclear sites," he began.
"This strike was made possible thanks to the courageous leadership of our American partners and due to a combined diplomatic and military effort," Zamir noted.
He emphasized cooperation with the USA: "Throughout the months of planning, and especially in the past week, I have maintained close contact with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of...
Washington, D.C. - June 22 - An advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned on Sunday of a "heightened threat environment in the United States" following overnight U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.
Rights advocates have already noted heightened Islamophobia and antisemitism in the U.S. since the start of U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza following an October 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The DHS issued Sunday's bulletin, opens new tab through its National Terrorism Advisory System and said the ongoing Iran conflict was causing the heightened threat environment.
Low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by "pro-Iranian hacktivists" are likely, the bulletin said, adding cyber acto...
Baltimore, MD – June 22, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Yonah Sklare on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!