Crime and Capital Punishment So accustomed are we to incarceration as punishment that it’s easy to forget that punitive confinement is entirely absent from the Jewish mesorah. To be sure, the Torah allows for – and even describes two cases of – the jailing of suspects, but only as a temporary measure, until guilt is established or ruled out. The idea of prison as punishment is a relatively recent one, usually traced to the 18th century British philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham. And, at least in the U.S., prisons often seem to harden criminals. I have often wondered if corporal punishment might present a less onerous and more effective deterrent. That idea might be shocking, but, the concept of long-term confinement with other crim...
Parshas Va’Eschanan/Nachamu/Baltimore Zmanim / Eruv is UP!   Baltimore, MD – Aug. 16, 2019 Parshas: Devarim Tu b'Av Chatzos: 1:11 PM Hadlakas Nairos: 7:43 PM Shkiah:                   8:01:19 PM Tzais HaKochavim:  8:52 PM
Our community is blessed with youth who are passionate about Eretz Yisroel and can articulate their connection and appreciation clearly. As a result, each entry in the first annual Libi BaMizrach essay contest was emotional, creative and well-thought out, making it difficult to select just one top essay in each age category.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit your outstanding work! A special Mazal tov to Tova Rachel Paige in the middle school category and Rivka Benyowitz in the high school category! Their essays were selected by a panel of judges and the winners will each be receiving a free ticket to Israel for their exceptional essays.  Middle School winner:My Heart is in the East and I am at the End of the West.By: Tova Rachel PaigeGrade 8, Bais ...
 Much has been written about the relatively minor differences between the Aseres Hadibros given by Hashem in Parshas Yisro and those repeated in this weeks Parsha.  Some of the commentaries add beautiful thoughts and reasons for these distinctions.  Nevertheless, we cannot lose sight of the fact that in something as significant as the Aseres Hadibros, each word, each letter requires the utmost concentration in study and analysis so that any slight changes are not glossed over or Chas V'Shalom, lost on us.              In the final commandment, Lo Sachmod, there are three such changes.  First, in this weeks Parsha we are told initially “not to covet your neighbors wife and not to desire your friend...
Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has announced that she will not visit her grandmother after all. In a Friday morning tweet, Tlaib wrote: "My sity wanted to pick figs w/ me. I broke down reading this & worry every single day after I won for my family's safety. My cousin was texting me which photo of @IlhanMN & I they should put on a welcoming poster when I heard the news. I couldn't tell her." "When I won, it gave the Palestinian people hope that someone will finally speak the truth about the inhumane conditions. I can't allow the State of Israel to take away that light by humiliating me & use my love for my sity to bow down to their oppressive & racist policies," she added. Tlaib concluded, "Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what...
Two teenagers were seriously injured Friday afternoon in a ramming attack near the entrance to the Gush Etzion town of Elazar, Magen David Adom (MDA) reported. The victims have been identified as a 19-year-old sister and her 17-year-old brother from Gush Etzion. The boy was seriously injured, while his sister was moderately injured. Both victims were treated by MDA and have been transferred to Jerusalem hospitals. Professor Yoram Weiss, Medical Director at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, described the boy's injuries as "very serious." "He has a brain injury and a fracture in his skull," Prof. Weiss said. "His life is in danger." The boy's sister suffered injuries and is currently hospitalized in the trauma department at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Shaare Zedek Director-Gener...
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s interior minister said Friday he has received and granted a request by Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib to enter the Israeli-occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds. The decision marked the latest sharp reversal over what had been a planned visit by Tlaib and fellow Democrat, Rep. Ilhan Omar, to Jerusalem and the West Bank. On Thursday, Israel had announced it is barring the two from entry — an unprecedented move targeting members of the U.S. Congress. Israel’s decision came after President Donald Trump said in a tweet it would show “weakness” to allow in the two Muslim members of Congress who have been sharply critical of him and of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Neta...
Two teenagers were seriously injured Friday afternoon in a ramming attack near the entrance to the Gush Etzion town of Elazar, Magen David Adom (MDA) reported. The victims have been identified as a 17-year-old boy, who is seriously injured, and a 19-year-old girl, who was moderately injured. Both victims were treated by MDA and have been transferred to Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The terrorist has been neutralized. MDA paramedic Lior Levi said: "When we arrived at the scene we saw a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old youth in the ditch behind the bus stop. The boy was unresponsive and suffered a head injury as well as injuries to multiple bodily systems, and the girl was partially conscious." "We administered lifesaving medical treatment, including sedating the boy an...
A van carrying bochurim traveling in Virginia has overturned. The bochurim have sustained injuries. The bochurim are in Virginia as part of a bein hazemanim camp there. All are asked to say Tehillim for the boys.
On the evening of August 14, 2019 on a quiet street in the Cheswolde neighborhood of Baltimore City, dozens of emergency personnel and vehicles convened.  It was not the scene of a large emergency response, but quite the contrary. Members of multiple law enforcement, fire, rescue and volunteer groups came to participate in the 5th annual Cheswolde Neighborhood Association’s National Night Out tradition highlighting and celebrating the first responder-community partnership. The family-oriented event attracted over 1,000 members of the community, who were able to interact with many of the unique units of the Baltimore City Police Department including the crime lab, mounted, K-9, motorcycle and bomb squad. There was also strong representation present from the Maryland Transit Admin...
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A 64-year-old man was indicted Thursday on the federal charge of making threats to a synagogue. Between May 12 and May 13, Stephen Lyle Orback made multiple telephone calls to an employee of a synagogue in Owings Mills, Md., threatening to kill many members of that Jewish congregation, the indictment said. He was specifically indicted on the federal charge of making threatening communications, multiple telephone calls threatening the synagogue. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. He is currently being detained in Colorado on unrelated state charges.
Moshe makes one last pitch in attempting to undo the decree that he not enter the land. G-d asks him to refrain from making that request as it is not in the cards.  Yehoshua realizing he is now destined to lead them into the promised land, questions whether he is up to the task. After all his great Rebbe, Moshe, sinned, what guarantee is there that he won’t succumb to weakness? He wonders, could he possibly eclipse Moshe’s abilities?   G-d aware of this crippling fear instructs Moshe, חזקהו ואמצהו, Strengthen him and encourage him!  Rashi teaches that G-d told Moshe to encourage Yehoshua, בדבריך, ‘with ‘your words’, lest he become discouraged. Rashi goes on to explain that his message shall be I assure him [says God] tha...
Baltimore, MD, Aug. 15, 2019 — The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 1000 traditional rabbis in matters of public policy, today commended the government of Israel for refusing entry to Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), under the Israeli law that bars entry to noncitizens who advocate for a boycott of Israel.  "Besides the fact that they requested no meetings with Israeli officials, wishing only to travel to 'Palestine,' these are not people who would be convinced by seeing 'the facts on the ground,'" said Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Vice President of the CJV. "Omar says that Israel's careful self-defense is 'hypnotizing the world' regarding its 'evil doings,' and that her colleagues only support...
With great sorrow we inform you of the petirah of Judge Michele Loewenthal's father, Amor Lane. Funeral and Shiva information to follow. 
For thirty-two years, Ner Tamid has been blessed with the leadership of Noa Goldman, affectionately known to the whole community as “Ms. Noa.” From envisioning a child-centered, Jewishly-stimulating, Israel-loving environment, to training teachers and nurturing each and every child – and often the entire family – in her care, Miss Noa has ensured that Ner Tamid Montessori has thrived and flourished.  Miss Noa began with one room and 23 children and over her tenure has educated upwards of thousands of children. Among those children are multiple generations of families both within the congregation and across the entire community. Her sweet demeanor and unwavering advocacy for the unique capabilities of every child are the hallmark of our school. She ascribed t...
One person was wounded in a terrorist stabbing attack in the Old City of Jerusalem Thursday. According to initial reports, the incident occurred near the Temple Mount’s Iron Gate at just after 6:00 p.m. Thursday, when two terrorists attacked security personnel near the holy site. The victim, a 30-year-old police officer, was stabbed in his arm, and is said to be in light condition and fully conscious. MDA emergency first responders have been dispatched to the scene, and are treating the victim. Following the attack, Israeli security personnel opened fire on the terrorists, killing one and seriously wounding the second. Additional security forces have been deployed to the area following the attack. “At 18:08, a report was received in MDA's Jerusalem Regional Dispatch ...
Erie, PA - A fire chief says there weren’t enough working smoke detectors at a Pennsylvania home day care center where a fire killed five children. Fire Chief Guy Santone told a Tuesday news conference that state officials who inspect home day care centers do not check for smoke detectors. City authorities and state legislators are working on legislation that would make home day care centers register with the city, so it can deploy inspectors. A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Human Services. Santone said fire officials suspect the blaze that broke out Sunday morning at Harris Family Daycare was accidental. An adult and two adolescent boys were able to escape the fire. Five children ranging in age from 8 months to 7 years died.
London - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that getting a free trade deal with the United States would be “a tough old haggle,” after U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton promised the U.K. quick sector-by-sector trade deals once it leaves the European Union. Bolton said after meeting Johnson on Monday that “it might be possible to reach a bilateral agreement very quickly, very straightforwardly” in some areas of trade after Brexit. Bolton said that “in the Trump administration, Britain’s constantly at the front of the trade queue — or line as we say.” The comments could be interpreted as a boost to Johnson, who has vowed that Britain will leave the EU on Oct. 31, with or without a divorce deal. Supporters ...
Berkely Heights, NJ - Trying to hold support in the manufacturing towns that helped him win the White House in 2016, President Donald Trump is showcasing growing efforts to capitalize on western Pennsylvania’s natural gas deposits by turning gas into plastics. Trump will be in Monaca, about 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh, on Tuesday to tour Shell’s soon-to-be completed Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex. The facility, which critics claim will become the largest air polluter in western Pennsylvania, is being built in an area hungry for investment. The focus is part of a continued push by the Trump administration to increase the economy’s dependence on fossil fuels in defiance of increasingly urgent warnings about climate change. And it’s an embrace of plastic at a...
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