Praiseworthy is the man who has made Hashem his trust, and not turned to the arrogant and to strayers after falsehood. (תהלים מ ה) The Midrash states that the first half of this verse refers to none other than Yosef, who placed absolute faith in G-d. Yet, the Midrash also says that the admonition in the second half — not to rely in human instruments of power, also alludes to Yosef who lapsed in his trust of G-d by requesting of the chief wine steward to remember to intercede on his behalf. Yosef was destined because of this flaw, to be imprisoned for an additional two years Was Yosef’s hishtadlus — lobbying on his own behalf a lack of faith? Was he expected to rely on miracles alone in being saved from the dungeon? There is a fascinating law associated with the ...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 3, 2021 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Adina and Chezky Kosman on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi &Mrs Chaim Kosman and Mr. & Mrs Larry Ribakow and great-grandparents Mrs. Marcia Ribakow, Mrs. Anita Benoliel, Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Mintz יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Throughout the Covid era, passengers traveling to the United States have been required to present a negative Covid test. Until recently, these tests may have been performed as early as three days prior to flights.  On November 8, the United States changed the guidelines. Non-vaccinated travelers became required to present results of Covid tests taken within one calendar day of departure. Vaccinated travelers continued to be allowed to present tests taken within three calendar days.  Now, the CDC has announced changes to these rules. Beginning Monday, December 6, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to present Covid results taken within one calendar day of travel. The new rules will take effect at 12:01 AM EST on Monday, Dece...
What is Chanukkah? The Sages taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Canukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary, they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the Menorah candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred, and they lit the Menorah from it eight days (Tractate Shabbos 21b). We have heard this story since our youth. The one cruse of oil which miraculously remained lit for eight days. This little m...
The Senate on Thursday night passed a short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown after a days-long fight over President Biden’s vaccine mandate threw the legislation into limbo. Senators voted 69-28 to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government through Feb. 18. The legislation, which passed the House earlier in the evening, now goes to Biden’s desk where he has until the end of Friday to sign it. The quick votes are a U-turn from Thursday morning, when the path to avert a shutdown was far from clear. Leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations committees announced a stop-gap deal, but hurdles remained in the Senate amid a standoff with a group of conservatives. Those lawmakers wanted to use the short-term funding bill, known as a continuing...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 2,  2021 - It is with regret that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petira of Mr. Daniel Arnold, z’l, husband of Mrs. Jane Arnold and father of  Shmuel Arnold. Shiva Information The family will be sitting shiva in Connecticut on Monday, and in Baltimore at  6528 Sanzo Rd, Apt D, 21209, from Tuesday through Sunday from 7-11 AM and 4-7 PM.   Minyanim Shacharis 7:30 AM Mincha 4:30 PM Bila HaMaves LaNetzach…
Jerusalem, Israel - Dec. 2, 2021 - With travel to non-Israelis limited, and thousands disappointed not to be in Yerushalayim for Chanukah, BJL went from Yaffa Gate through the Old City to the Kotel to share some of the Chanukah magic with readers. The Hurva Synagogue in the Rova is a tourist highlight with the Temple menorah replica illuminated in front of the building. There are new steps by the new Western Wall Heritage Center building where the large flames are lit each evening with various dignitaries. Progress on the elevator is more visible, but baby strollers still are being schlepped down the stairs. Mincha minyanim are easy to find before the Chanukah festivities begin with various musical performers and singers. On the ...
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday evening held a situation assessment on how the Omicron strain is being handled in Israel, with the participation of Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and professionals from the relevant government ministries. During the discussion, it was decided to impose fines on persons arriving from overseas who will not undergo a second PCR test on the third or seventh day after their arrival (as demanded). The Health Ministry and the Israel Police will synchronize their data systems so that tickets will be issued automatically. The fines will not exceed 2,500 shekels. The decision will take effect in several weeks, upon completion of the technical preparations necessary for its implementation. "Vaccinated community" pilot program The ministries of Educatio...
Dr. Moshe Feldman z”l, longtime physician in Crown Heights who served as the doctor of the community for many years, passed away today. He was 80. Dr. Feldman was a beloved community doctor for decades, who was always available to care for others, no matter the time or day. He was a devoted and skilled physician who cared for generations of patients in his 48-year career as a pediatric specialist. For many years he provided medical care to the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin. He and his wife were known for having an open home, which was always filled with guests, simchas and shiurim. Dr. Feldman passed away just two days shy of his 81st birthday on 30 Kislev. He is survived by his children, Sorah Shemtov – Riverdale, NY, Dovid Feldman – Crown Heights, Chanan Fel...
New York City will require employees at yeshivas, Catholic schools and other private schools to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, as part of the city’s latest push to expand vaccine mandates, the NY Times reports. The new directive, which was announced today, is expected to affect roughly 930 schools and 56,000 employees, city officials said. They will have to show proof they received the first dose of a vaccine by Dec. 20. “We’re doing everything in our power to protect our students and school staff, and a mandate for nonpublic school employees will help keep our school communities and youngest New Yorkers safe,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. Teachers and other employees at public schools were already required to get vaccinated, and mo...
Police are investigating an anti-Semitic incident at the Milton B. Asbell Center for Jewish Life at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. Someone placed stickers with Hitler’s image at the Jewish center, which has a student lounge and vegetarian kitchen open to all, reported ABC News 27 on Sunday night. Rabbi Marley Weiner, director of the Asbell Center, said the sticker had “two little young smiley face stickers, but with a little mustache, a little swoopy, so clearly indicating a cartoon iced version of Hitler’s face.” He added, according to the report, that “as a community, we have to take it seriously every single time. Because we don’t know whether it’s just somebody trying to shock or whether it’s truly a sign that something that is dan...
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 2, 2021  - Aventura Assisted Living Baltimore held a great community Chanukah party on Tuesday, November 30th. The menorah lighting was attended by the greater community and several local politicians including State Senator Shelly Hettleman, State Delegate Dalya Attar, and Councilmen Izzy Patoka and Yitzy Shleifer. The beautiful outdoor menorah could be seen by all who passed by on Park Heights Avenue near Aventura’s Heights (formally Tudor Heights) location. In the spirit of celebrating the magic of Chanukah guests of all ages enjoyed refreshments, music, games and more. To learn more about The Heights and The Park (formally Weinberg Park) please visit their respective websites: aventuraattheheights.com and aventuraatthepark.com
PCR Tests for Outbound Travel, Terminal Open Only to Passengers For much of the Corona era, there has been a requirement for all passengers departing Israel to undergo a PCR test before flying, irrespective of the destination country’s requirements. The exception to this has been vaccinated passengers or those recognized by Israel as recovered. For the past several months, enforcement of this requirement has generally been lax. Airlines mostly requested Covid tests only in accordance with requirements of the destination country.  In light of the newly discovered Omicron variant, the Ministry of Health has announced that beginning today, December 2, this requirement will again be strictly enforced. All passengers entering the Ben Gurion Airport terminal, will be required ...
Vaccine holdouts in Germany have been ordered into a new nationwide lockdown that will see them banned from entering all restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms, concerts, and non-essential shops—including the nation’s traditional holiday markets. The special measures for unvaccinated people were already in force in several German regions, but, on Thursday, outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that they will be extended to apply to the entire nation. “Culture and leisure nationwide will be open only to those who have been vaccinated or recovered,” Merkel said. “We have understood that the situation is very serious and that we want to take further measures in addition to those already taken.” According to Reuters, almost 69 percent of the German popula...
Amid the mass Q&As, keynote sessions, and packed daises, something BIG happened in a small room off to the side of Agudah Convention 2021. On Thursday night, over 50 Bnos leaders came for a special, star-studded session of their own. First, Ms. Leah Zagelbuam, former National Director of Bnos and current vice president of Communications for Agudath Israel, spoke. Rabbi Labish Becker, executive director of Agudas Yisroel, was next. They both emphasized to the girls how important their role is as part of Agudas Yisroel. Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky came to give the girls divrei bracha. She encouraged the girls to appreciate their inner worth as a Bas Yisroel. “The girls basked in her brachos,” says Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, National Director of Bnos. “They couldn’t ge...
The emergency regulations approved by the government on the use of cellphone tracking by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) of verified Omicron cases will expire at midnight tonight (Thursday, 2 December 2021). Pursuant to the policy that was defined in advance by the Corona Cabinet, according to which the ISA tracking would be used sparingly and would be re-evaluated on a daily basis, and in light of the updated assessment of the situation, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz – with the concurrence of the professional officials at the Health Ministry – have decided, at this stage, to discontinue use of the tracking, which contributed to the effort to cut the chains of infection in the past week. Use of the cellphone tracking in the future will b...
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