The order failed to mention female access to education or work outside the home Afghanistan’s Taliban government released on Friday a decree on women’s rights, stating that women should not be considered “property” and must consent to marriage. The order failed to mention, however, female access to education or work outside the home, Reuters reported. "A woman is not a property, but a noble and free human being,” the decree, released by Taliban spokesman Zabihillah Muhajid, said. “No one can give her to anyone in exchange for peace… or to end animosity.” The government set out rules governing marriage and property for women, proclaiming that women should not be forced into marriage and that widows should have a sha...
Did you know that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States of America? Fascinating, right? But wait, it gets even better. Rhode Island’s claim to fame is not just that it is the smallest state in the U.S; it also happens to have the longest name out of all U.S. states. The official name, used on all state documents, is “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” This is actually crazy. I’m telling you. You cannot make this stuff up. As it turns out, Rhode Island is the smallest state with the longest name!  There is a valuable insight and lesson to be learned from here. That is, the greatness of being small. The Jewish people are promised in the Torah to be “the smallest of nations.” Yet, despite our smallness, the Jewish people have ...
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 3, 2021 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yehuda and Naema Tenenbaum on the birth of a son. Mazel Tov to grandparents  Beth and Morty Tenenbaum and Yehuda and Shoshana Fishkind and great-grandparents Stanley and Renee Fishkind and Rom Sones. יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
As traffic jams worsen in world's most expensive city, light rail builder says relief is on the way Tel Aviv is embarking upon one of the world's most ambitious mass transit projects and relief could not come soon enough for commuters stuck in endless traffic jams in Israel's commercial and cultural capital. The Red Line light rail is set to start operations in one year, forming the backbone of an integrated network that will eventually include three light rail lines and three metro subway lines branching out across the Gush Dan region. The project's slogan in Hebrew is קשה עכשיו, קלה אחר כך (hard now, easy later).  However, at least one transportation expert interviewed by i24NEWS asserts that relief is possible sooner, and the...
Four more cases of the ‘Omicron’ variant of the coronavirus have been identified in Israel, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to seven. Of the seven total carriers of the Omicron variant in Israel, one was vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine who returned to Israel recently from Malawi. Another was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, including a booster shot, and was found to be infected with the Omicron variant after returning from South Africa. Another infected person who received all three shots of the Pfizer vaccine recently returned from Britain. Four others were unvaccinated and had recently traveled to South Africa. Israel’s Health Ministry reported Friday morning that there are an additional 27 likely cases of Omicron in Isra...
Two Israeli Border Police officers were injured Friday morning when an Arab driver rammed into them in the Israeli Arab city of Umm al-Fahm. The terror attack occurred as Israeli security forces worked to quell rioting which broke out in the city, the result of a feud between two local families. Emergency first responders were dispatched to treat the injured officers and evacuate them for treatment. One officer is listed in moderate condition, while the other is listed as lightly injured. Officers present at the scene opened fire on the car which ran down the officers, wounding two terrorists in the vehicle. One of the terrorists later succumbed to his wounds and died. After the car came to a halt, Border Police officers found a pistol in the vehicle. Six buildings were tor...
An Israeli Air Force fighter jet was forced to carry out a complex emergency landing operation Friday, after one of its three landing gear failed to extend. The incident occurred Friday morning when an IAF F-15I ‘Thunder’ (Ra’am) fighter jet suffered a malfunction while preparing to land at an air base in southern Israel. One the two members of the F-15 flight crew noticed that one of the landing gear had failed to lower into place, leading the crew to attempt to correct the malfunction. Once it became clear, however, that the malfunction could not be corrected while in flight, the flight crew was forced to notify the nearby air base that they had no choice but to make a difficult two-wheel landing. Emergency teams were placed on stand-by at the base ahead of the land...
U.S. job growth significantly undershot expectations in November, suggesting that difficulty in attracting new workers is weighing on the labor market's recovery from the pandemic, even as COVID-19 cases dissipate nationwide. The Labor Department said in its monthly payroll report released Friday that payrolls in November rose by just 210,000, well below the 550,000 jobs forecast by Refinitiv economists. The unemployment rate (which is calculated based on a separate survey) dropped more than expected to 4.2% from 4.6% — the lowest level since the pandemic began. The figure marks a significant drop from October's upwardly revised number of 546,000 and September's upwardly revised 379,000. There are still about 3.9 million fewer jobs than there were la...
On Wednesday, former Baltimore City District Court judge and ex-first lady of Maryland Katie Curran O'Malley (D) announced run for Attorney General. O'Malley, 59, is quite familiar with attorney generals in Maryland. Her father, J. Joseph Curran (D) was the longest-serving Attorney General in the state from 1987 to 2007. Her husband, Martin O'Malley (D) served two terms as mayor of Baltimore from 1999-2007. He also served two terms as the governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015. "I am running to be Maryland’s next Attorney General because I want to continue to help people here in Maryland, as I have for my entire career," O'Malley said in a statement. "I have the experience and knowledge of our criminal justice system that our Attorney General needs to do the jo...
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...
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