President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, after the first son was convicted in two separate federal cases earlier this year.
The announcement was made by the White House on Sunday night. The pardon applies to offenses against the U.S. that Hunter Biden "has committed or may have committed" from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 1, 2024.
"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter," Biden wrote in a statement. "From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted."
The president went on to claim that his son was "treated differently" by prosecutors.
Hunter Biden, accompanied by his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, arrives at federal c...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Aron Tendler on the birth of a son.
Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Hillel and Mashie Tendler and Rabbi & Mrs. Shlomo and Mindy Spetner
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
France has warned Israel about the risk of a ceasefire collapse in Lebanon on Sunday.
French diplomats have reported 52 Israeli violations in the last 24 hours, which were not reported via the planned surveillance mechanism, and have resulted in the death of three Lebanese civilians, allegedly. Paris has also noted the resumption of Israeli drone flights at low altitude over Beirut.
A high-ranking French official expressed Paris's concern about a possible collapse of the ceasefire. "The Lebanese are fully committed to maintaining the ceasefire and to prevent Hezbollah from returning to the south, but they need time to prove themselves," he said.
Minor violations reported on day two of Lebanon truce
Israel responded to these criticisms by indicating that the implementation mechan...
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the organization was pausing delivery of humanitarian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday, citing theft by Palestinians – but blaming Israel.
He said that the route has been unsafe for months, noting that the UN's Relief and Works Agency, which is tasked with the international aid given to Palestinians, had "a large convoy of trucks stolen by armed gangs" on November 16.
The organization tried to send food trucks through on Saturday, but this was also stolen.
He said this comes as humanitarian aid deliveries have become "unnecessarily impossible," blaming Israel.
The siege, hurdles imposed by Israeli forces, political policy to restrict aid, lack of safety provided by IDF troops, and the targeting of local police is to blame fo...
Hundreds of yeshiva students from the Gur hasidic sect were instructed Sunday to remain in Jerusalem and not to return to their yeshiva in northern Israel, Kikar Hashabbat reported.
The instruction comes despite the recent ceasefire deal signed between Israel and Lebanon, and the decision of many educational institutions in northern Israel to reopen their doors.
According to the report, the students evacuated their yeshiva, located in Hatzor Haglilit, at the start of the war- even before the Home Front Command issued instructions to do so.
Later, when bomb shelters were built for the students, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of shekels, their rebbe (hasidic leader) still did not support them returning north, due to what he perceived as an unnecessary risk.
The ...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 30, 2024 - Watch as the Shira Choir, joined by Yehuda Mond on the keyboard, along with the special story told by Rabbi Shai Scherer, create an unforgettable atmosphere during the Siyum on Seder Moed/Melava Malka held in honor of tomorrow's Hachnasas Sefer Torah. Fathers and sons came together for a heartwarming evening of achdus & simcha!
One Friday afternoon this past summer, Shlomo called. Shlomo is a close talmid of mine whom I have taught in various classes over the last three years. “Rebbe, you are going to be so proud of me,” Shlomo began. “I just got paid from my first-ever job as a counselor. I took off maaser and then went with my mother to the bank to open a high-yield savings account. Also, could you send me the maaser spreadsheet you once told us about? I want to keep track of my maaser.”
I was so moved that Shlomo called and shared these lessons that he had learned from the finance classes offered in middle school, as well as from the maaser discussions we’ve had. I told him that I was proud of him for putting into practice the lessons he learned in school.
Money! It’s a su...
President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he would pick Kash Patel, the former chief of staff to to the acting secretary of defense during the first Trump administration, to serve as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People," Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social, arguing Patel would "bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI."
Patel, who will have to earn Senate confirmation to become FBI director, has earned a reputation as the ultimate Trump loyalist who has called for a purge of perceived enemies in the Justice Department and intelligence agencies.
A former public de...
US President-elect Donald Trump is keen on achieving a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza before his inauguration on January 20, according to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who spoke to Axios in an interview.
Securing a deal in Gaza is a key priority for President Biden as he approaches the end of his term, but the lack of tangible progress in recent weeks suggests the task may fall to Trump.
Israeli officials speculate that the incoming Trump administration could take a different stance on Gaza, particularly concerning what happens in the aftermath of the war.
Graham, a close confidant and foreign policy adviser to Trump, emphasized that the President-elect is focused on resolving the hostage crisis and ending the conflict quickly, ideally before his term begins.
"Trump...
Hamas published a video on Saturday of Israeli-American hostage Eden Alexander entitled "Soon...Time is running out" on the Telegram channel of its military wing, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades.
The White House responded to the video on Saturday evening, calling it a "cruel reminder of Hamas's terror against citizens," in an official statement.
It also added that it has "been in touch with Eden's family" and said that the "suffering of Gazans would end immediately — and would have ended months ago — if Hamas agreed to release the hostages."
While it noted that Hamas has refused to release the hostages, it also emphasized that US President Joe Biden said last week, "We have a critical opportunity to conclude the deal to release, stop the war, and s...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Jacob & Ilana Dorfman on the birth of twin sons.
Mazal Tov to grandparents Matt & Diane Marks.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to CJ & Malki Elefant on the birth of a daughter
Mazel Tov to grandparents Dr. Yaakov & Bari Elefant, Esti Elefant and Ofer & Marcie Lurman
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Jerusalem, Israel - Nov. 29, 2024 - Thursday evening at the Nefesh B'Nefesh Campus in Jerusalem, Israel, over 400 lone soldiers and Bnot Sherut came together for a heartwarming Thanksgiving celebration. The Michael Levin Base hosted an event in gratitude for their service in partnership with Ori Bnot Sherut, FIDF, and Nefesh B’Nefesh.
The strength of achdut could be felt as the young men and women who voluntarily came from around the globe to serve in Israel shared in the celebration. Guests enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey and side dishes, salads, and color-themed donuts for dessert. The festive decor with a performance by the Solomon Brothers set the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening.
Often Thanksgiving is a time when being a...
The Insitute for the Study of War (ISW) called the ceasefire in Lebanon that went into effect yesterday (Wednesday) a "defeat" for the Hezbollah terrorist organization, as it did not achieve its goals of forcing Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza or secure an agreement that Israel would no longer carry out military attacks in Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild and rearm.
"This ceasefire and its terms are tantamount to a Hezbollah defeat," the ISW wrote in a report on the ceasefire. "Hezbollah has abandoned several previously-held ceasefire negotiation positions, reflecting the degree to which IDF military operations have forced Hezbollah to abandon its war aims. Hezbollah initiated its attack campaign targeting Israel in October 2023 to suppor...
ויגדל האיש – And the man became great, וילך – and he grew, הלוך וגדל – constantly greater, עד – until, כי גדל –- he grew, מאד – much. (בראשית כו יג)
Although the verse is referring to Yitzchok’s financial successes, it chose to describe him as האיש – ‘the’ man.
In next week’s portion, a similar expression is used to depict Yaakov’s achievements.
ויפרץ האיש – And the man became wealthy, מאד מאד – exceedingly. (שם ל מג)
Why the anonymity?
The term האיש – ‘the’ man, with use of the הא הידיעה – the definitive article, in the first three time it appears in the Torah is regarding the three Patriarc...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Chemi & Sara Leah Lefkovitz on the birth of a daughter
Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi Yanky & Shana Lefkovitz and great grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yehuda Lefkovitz
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
