|
February 25, 2021 at 11:03 pm
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who just weeks ago excoriated former President Trump on the Senate floor, blaming him for the riot at the Capitol, on Thursday said he would back Trump if he wins the party's 2024 presidential nomination.
"There's a lot to happen between now and '24. I've got at least four members that I think are planning on running for president. ... Should be a wide open race," McConnell said during an interview with Fox News's Bret Baier.
Asked if he would support Trump if he wins the party's nomination in 2024, McConnell added: "The nominee of the party? Absolutely."
The statement represents a remarkable about-face for McConnell, who after the impeachment trial had signaled he wanted his party to turn ...
|
February 25, 2021 at 11:03 pm
The Senate parliamentarian on Thursday ruled against including a boost to the minimum wage in a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, arguing that it runs afoul of budget rules. The decision from the parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, is a significant blow to progressives, who viewed the plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour as one of their top priorities in the massive coronavirus relief plan. Because Democrats are trying to pass the coronavirus bill through reconciliation — a fast-track process that lets them bypass the 60-vote legislative filibuster — every provision has to comply with arcane budget rules.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join...
|
February 25, 2021 at 11:02 pm
The U.S. military hit facilities used by Iran-backed militants in eastern Syria on Thursday in retaliation for recent rocket attacks in Iraq targeting U.S. interests, the first known military action ordered by President Biden.
“At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join BJL on WhatsApp Groups: Click here to Join an official BJL WhatsApp group for breaking news as it happens
“These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against Am...
|
February 25, 2021 at 10:50 pm
Legend has it that Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, z’’l had a special custom when it came to receiving Mishloach Manot gifts on Purim. He would taste from the items no matter what the “hechsher” (as long as there was one).
Why would someone who was usually very personally stringent take such a different attitude when it came to Purim gifts?
To understand this let us take a look at the essence of Purim.
At the heart of the story of Purim is the evil decree, proposed by Haman, enacted by Achashverosh, and overturned through a miraculous series of events.
What terrible thing could the Jews have done to receive potential annihilation, G-d forbid?
According to many, the collective guilt lies in the exposure to the “zuhama (pollution)” that came from the Jews...
|
February 25, 2021 at 6:43 pm
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 23, 2021 - It is with regret that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petira of Mr. David Ference, z’l, father of Scott Ference.
Shiva will be observed from Motzaei Shabbos through Thursday morning: 443 604 7401.
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
|
February 25, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 25, 2020 – A year ago shortly after the publication of the Sefer Toras Michoel al HaTorah – Chelek Braishis, the main person responsible for its production and publication, Rabbi Benzion Bergman received a phone call. In an emotional, tearful voice, the caller declared: "Bergman? This is George _________. I don't know how to thank you for giving me the zchus to help in the financing of this sefer. I gave it out to several of my Rabonnim, and they got back to me saying, 'What an unbelievable sefer!' and how I was privileged to help produce it. Now, I want to know how long it will take to produce Shmos and how much will it cost?" After being taken aback with this unexpected compliment, Rabbi Bergman respo...
|
February 25, 2021 at 3:27 pm
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday called for an immediate halt in plans to ship surplus coronavirus vaccines in Israel to various countries, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of acting without oversight or transparency.
In a letter to the premier, Gantz said the decision to share vaccines was made without “discussions in the relevant forums.” He also questioned Netanyahu’s claim that Israel has surplus vaccines to give away.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join BJL on WhatsApp Groups: Click here to Join an official BJL WhatsApp group for breaking news as it happens
“We are talking about a significant diplomatic and security decision, and in accordance with tha...
|
February 25, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Los Angeles County on Tuesday passed an ordinance mandating an extra $5 an hour in “hero pay” for grocery store workers.
The mandate was passed in a 4-1 vote with the only Republican on the board voting against the measure, the Los Angeles Times reported. Workers will get an extra $5 in pay for 120 days starting on Friday.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join BJL on WhatsApp Groups: Click here to Join an official BJL WhatsApp group for breaking news as it happens
The mandate applies in unincorporated areas to stores like publicly traded grocery stores, retail drug companies and companies with more than 300 employees across the county with 10 or more employees at each location.
...
|
February 25, 2021 at 1:07 pm
When a handful of potential Republican presidential hopefuls convene on Thursday for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), there will be one notable absence from the speaking lineup: Nikki Haley.
Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a potential 2024 White House contender, has found herself isolated from former President Trump and the populist wing of the GOP that he commands after a scathing interview with Politico in which she denounced her former boss and wrote off his future influence in Republican politics.
The fallout from Haley’s remarks underscores the risks associated with her strategy of criticizing Trump’s actions and establishing a separate political identity while at the same time trying to appeal to his ba...
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 25, 2021 - Deception Burglary is a type of crime that involves individuals who attempt to enter homes through deception or diversion. This is a scenario that we see played out more and more frequently. Seniors are sometimes targeted, but all citizens need to be aware of this crime and how it is perpetrated.
Here are some examples of how this type of crime is executed:
The suspect knocks on your door or approaches you while you are outside working on your yard, washing your automobile, etc. He or she claims to need your help or offers to do construction or maintenance type work outside your home. This offer requires you to accompany the suspect to look at your roof, fence, check property lines, etc. While the first suspect is diverting your attention outside, a second...
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore: Purim Protocols and Guidance [Feb. 17, 2021 5:38 AM]
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Rav Sheftel Neuberger z’l was a study in contrasts.
He was a born leader who spent his life following in the footsteps of others. He was always in the spotlight, but never needed to be the center of attention. His life revolved around his learning but he could converse effortlessly about the stock market or travel. He devoted himself to serving both Ner Yisroel and Klal Yisroel, but was still deeply involved in the lives of every member of his family.
In short, he was Rav Sheftel, doing the impossible, and making it look easy, day after day after day.
Growing Up Neuberger
It wouldn’t be totally accurate to say that Rav Sheftel grew up in Baltimore or Pikesville or even the state of Maryland. The son of Rabbi Herman Naftoli and Judith Neuberger ...
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Former President Donald Trump’s tax returns and underlying tax documents are now in the hands of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
The subpoena for Trump’s tax documents from Mazars USA was enforced on Monday and Vance’s office now has them, a spokesperson for Vance’s office, Danny Frost, told NBC News on Thursday.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join BJL on WhatsApp Groups: Click here to Join an official BJL WhatsApp group for breaking news as it happens
The subpoena was enforced after the Supreme Court declined on Monday to stop their production following an emergency application from Trump’s attorneys.
In that ruling Monday, the high court declined ...
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Frankfurt — 80 Israelis were stranded in Frankfurt airport Tuesday evening after a rescue flight which was due to bring them back to Israel left with only half of the 160 passengers who had intended to depart. The flight was due to depart at 6 PM but just 45 minutes beforehand, Lufthansa informed the passengers that the Israeli government had changed its requirements.
The aircraft closed the gates at 6:30 PM after 80 passengers had succeeded in boarding and removed the luggage of those who remained behind, leaving them to fend for themselves in the airport with very limited food and supplies, and no information about their next move. Lufthansa provided them with thin blankets but did not provide food or accommodation.
It was unclear to the passengers why they had been left behind. ...
|
February 25, 2021 at 12:08 pm
My Sunday Zoom shiur for the next several weeks will be in depth explaining what we do when Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos. Please note that this coming Sunday, February 28th, the shiur will begin a little later than it usually is, at 8:45pm, Israel time, which is 1:45pm EST!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87579473464?pwd=MUJCSDdDQUgzckE1OGdVa0FyU3ZmZz09Question #1:
When do we distribute shalach manos and matanos la’evyonim on different days?
Question #2:
When do we read Megillas Esther after a tefillah in which we did not recite Al hanissim?
Question #3:
When do we read the daytime Megillas Esther without first reading the Torah?
Question #4:
How can one bensch on the Purim Seudah without saying Al hanissim?
The answer to all these questions is: When the fourteenth of...
|
February 25, 2021 at 11:53 am
The rules: No intercity public transportation, intracity buses will be cut back and limited to 50% occupancy, public to stay within 1,000 meters of their homes.
In an attempt to avoid a surge in new COVID cases due to close contact at Purim parties and Adloyada celebrations, the cabinet has approved a nationwide curfew for this coming weekend. Starting
During the hours of curfew, the public is banned from visiting other people's homes and may not go farther than 1,000 meters from their own homes.
Intercity transportation will be stopped entirely for the hours of curfew, starting at 8 p.m. Thursday. Intracity public transportation will be cut down, and occupancy limited to 50%. Police will also be setting up roadblocks on intercity arteries and at entrances and exits to...
|
February 25, 2021 at 11:37 am
Rava said, It is one’s duty levasumei, to make oneself fragrant [with wine] on Purim until one cannot tell the difference between ‘arur Haman’ (cursed be Haman) and ‘barukh Mordekhai’ (blessed be Mordecai)
- Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 7b
Over the centuries, the “duty” to make oneself “fragrant” (drunk) on Purim has represented the great example of “the exception proves the rule” when it comes to Jewish practice. After all, while we Jews have been accused of many things over the centuries, no one has ever suggested that we do not strive to distinguish between good and evil. In fact, making that distinction between good and evil, right and wrong is essential to who we are. We are also well known for moder...
|
February 25, 2021 at 11:34 am
Filings for initial jobless claims dropped to 730,000, the lowest weekly level since late November
The number of workers seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, adding to signs that the job market could be stabilizing after layoffs edged higher earlier in the winter.
Initial weekly unemployment claims decreased by 111,000 to a seasonally adjusted 730,000 last week, the Labor Department said Thursday. It was the lowest weekly level of new applications to regular state programs since late November and the biggest weekly drop since last summer.
Join BJL on WhatsApp Status: Click here to Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more
Join BJL on WhatsApp Groups: Click here to Join an official BJL WhatsApp group for breaking news as i...
