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February 3, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 31, 2023: Tu B'Shvat 5783
This year, TU B'SHVAT (15 Shvat) will occur on Sun. Night Feb. 5-Mon. Feb. 6.
Please refer to the STAR-K Checking Fruits chart below for guidance.
Click on the image for a larger, printable copy of this chart.
Click on the image below for a larger, printable copy of the STAR-K's full guide to checking for bugs
Click HERE or on the image below to download STAR-K's Shemita Primer for Chutz La'aretz.For SHEMITA DATES OF COMMON FRUITS imported from Eretz Yisroel: refer to the chart below, since Shemita times include fruits one might purchase for Tu B'Shvat.
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February 3, 2023 at 11:59 am
We have a series of parshiyos describing the development of Klal Yisroel into a nation, and in many ways, Beshalach is the bridge-parsha between Yetzias Mitzrayim and Kabbolas HaTorah.
Let us go back to the beginning of Golus Mitzrayim. In Parshas Vayigash, Yaakov and Yosef lay out a plan to keep Klal Yisroel separate in Egypt. The goal is to avoid assimilation into Egyptian culture and their immoral way of life by having Jews live in a Jewish ghetto of Goshen. The Jews are coming from a corrupt but primitive culture of Canaan to a very advanced and sophisticated culture that was attractive. The posuk in Parshas Bolok says that the vision of Yaakov is that Klal Yisroel are safe and secure when they are separate. Yosef was well aware of the dangers of living in Egypt, so he decided to sett...
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February 3, 2023 at 11:39 am
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 3, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yehuda and Basya Raczkowski on the birth of Twin Sons.Mazel Tov grandmother Sarah Raczkowski and great grandmother Shaine Spolter .
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
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February 3, 2023 at 10:53 am
In honor of Parshas Bshalach which contains the Song of Az Yashir, I decided to write this week’s Dvar Torah in a lyric style. Enjoy the timeless message of Nachshon, the great man who jumped into the sea, and caused the sea to split before the eyes of the Jewish people:
Standing by the seashore
Nowhere to go.
Enemies surround me,
I feel so alone.
But I know
There’s a G-d in Heaven,
Who wants me to know,
“My dear son, have faith in Me.”
The people all around me
Standing so still;
I look into my soul,
Trying to find the will.
And I know
There’s a G-d in Heaven,
I want Him to know,
“My dear G-d, I trust in You.”
Nachshon ben Aminadav
When no one else will jump
I’ll be the one.
Bmakom Sh’ein Ish, I&rsq...
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February 3, 2023 at 10:42 am
Baltimore, MD – Jan. 31, 2023 – As temperatures drop to a low of 14 degrees this Friday and only 23 degrees on Shabbos, residents are urged to take steps to prevent their pipes from freezing. The freezing weather can cause significant damage to pipes and homes, leading to costly repairs. To avoid this, residents should follow the below tips:
Slow water flow: The best way to prevent pipes from freezing is by letting water flow continuously through them. Go to the lowest faucet in the house and turn on the cold water tap, letting it flow very, very slowly throughout Shabbos. This will keep water moving and help prevent pipes from freezing.
Maintain indoor temperature: If you plan on being away, be sure to keep the temperature in your home at a minimum of 55 degrees. This will p...
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February 3, 2023 at 10:26 am
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 3, 2023 - Have you ever wondered how National Geographic photographers are able to capture the most exquisite and picturesque footage? It's not their expensive cameras; rather, it's the risks that they are willing to take to get the breathtaking footage. We learn a life lesson about seeing "risks" as entrance ways into a life of greatness. Nachsho, the man - the legend - who jumped into the Yam Suf, teaches us exactly this.
Powered by TYA
Click here to listen or on the below to watch:
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February 3, 2023 at 10:20 am
As Israelis Are Murdered in Jerusalem, AFL and Its Clients Demand President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken Stop Enabling Palestinian Terrorism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) proudly represents Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Stuart and Robbi Force, parents of West Point graduate Taylor Force murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in Tel Aviv, and Sarri Singer, the survivor of a suicide bombing on a Jerusalem bus, in their lawsuit against President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken. Filed this past December, this lawsuit demands the U.S. government abide by the Taylor Force Act and cease certain funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which encourages and incentivizes terrorist attacks on Israelis and Americans by paying terrorists and their families for com...
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February 3, 2023 at 10:03 am
The U.S. military reported that a Chinese reconnaissance balloon was spotted over Montana, while China claimed that the balloon was a civilian airship used for meteorological research that deviated from its planned course due to winds, according to the WSJ. The U.S. government is taking steps to shield sensitive sites as the balloon crosses the country. U.S. officials are confident the balloon was sent by China, but have not provided specific evidence. High-altitude balloons have also been reported over Taiwan and Japan, two other military rivals of China, but have been said to be used for scientific purposes. There is debate over the usefulness of the balloons in intelligence gathering as China has a large fleet of surveillance satellites. Some experts view the balloons as more of a psych...
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February 3, 2023 at 10:02 am
Israel’s new government is challenging the transfer by American authorities of a rare artifact from ancient Israel to the Palestinian Authority, after the item was seized from the collection of a prominent American Jewish philanthropist.
In 2017, a multinational investigation was launched into the collection of billionaire hedge funder and Birthright Israel cofounder Michael Steinhardt, amid allegations he had illegally acquired numerous artifacts and works of art.
Authorities in New York began seizing items from Steinhardt’s collection in January, 2018.
In December 2021, Steinhardt reached an agreement with prosecutors to relinquish control of 187 artifacts out of his collection of over 1,000 items.
The artifacts, which Steinhardt is said to have acquired illegal...
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February 3, 2023 at 8:52 am
The U.S. economy showed mixed results in January 2023. Unemployment fell to 3.4%, the lowest in over 53 years, and hiring increased to 517,000 jobs, but wage growth slowed, according to the WSJ. Consumer spending and manufacturing activity are both declining and the economy grew 1% in Q4 2022, down from 2021. Average payrolls grew by 247,000 per month in Q4 2022, down from 418,000 in the previous 9 months. Wage gains remain elevated but have cooled. Economists predict a 61% probability of a recession in the next 12 months with the unemployment rate rising to 4.7% by the end of the year. The labor market remains tight with 11 million job openings and first-time unemployment benefit applications fell to 183,000 last week. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25% and predicts a coup...
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February 2, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 2, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Nechemia Elgamil & Milo Dwek on their engagement.
Mazel tov to parents Israel “Elgy” & Chava Elgamil
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
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February 2, 2023 at 10:50 pm
Finding themselves between a rock and a hard place, with the sea on one side and the marauding Egyptians quickly approaching from the opposite direction, — ויצעקו'the Children of Israel cried out to G-d'. Rashi explains that 'they seized the אומנות — art of their ancestors', implying that they prayed.
In the Selichos we recite on fast days and during Elul and Tishrei, we appeal to 'He Who answered our forefathers at the Sea of Reeds, may He answer us', alluding to the 'cries' that were expressed during that trying moment, that were responded to with the splitting of the sea.
Yet prior to the parting of the sea, almost in the same breath of their cry, the Children of Israel add an additional sentiment.
They said to Moshe, "I...
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February 2, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Baltimore, MD – Jan. 27, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Albert Rothschild, z'l, husband of Marilyn Rothschild, father of Cheryl (Boaz) Kotzer, Elliot (Diana) Rothschild, Ari Rothschild, and Shifi (Joel) Plotkin.
Shiva will be observed at 7510 Slade Ave., Baltimore, Md , 21208 Friday, Shacharis will be at 9am, and Mincha at 3:00PM. Visiting hours in between davening times. Motzei Shabbos, Maariv at 6:15PM, visiting hours until 10pm. Sunday morning , Shacharis will be at 8:00AM.
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February 2, 2023 at 10:36 pm
The overtime probe surrounding a school police officer is raising new questions about potential cases of overtime abuse in Baltimore.
Baltimore's Police Department routinely pays more than $40 million in overtime each year.
Two years ago, an inspector general's report found that one police employee had been paid $150,000 in overtime after he'd been stripped of his powers to police.
At the time, City Councilwoman Odette Ramos encouraged the city's top brass to be more 'proactive' when it comes to monitoring potential abuse.
"Right now, the city just doesn't know the extent of the problem. The last time they did an audit of this was in 2019," said David Williams, President of Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
"The first step is for the mayor and cou...
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February 2, 2023 at 10:25 pm
As young students in day school, we are often exposed to a basic appreciation for some of the importance of how carefully every word in the Torah is used. One example is in Parshas B’shalach where a striking contrast is noted in two places where the Torah discusses the fact that the Yam Suf was “dry land within the water” ( B’shalach, 14:29) and “in the water on dry land” (14:22). The most widely accepted explanation is the well known description of Nachshon ben Aminadav and some followers faithfully jumping into the threatening sea and upon it reaching their nostrils, the sea split. For Nachshon, he was in the midst of the sea and then on dry land. For the rest of B’nei Yisroel, when they entered the sea it was alread...
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February 2, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 2, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Michael & Michal Denise on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
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February 2, 2023 at 9:48 pm
Moses led Israel away from the Red Sea, and they went out into the desert of Shur; they walked for three days in the desert but did not find water.” (Exodus 15:22)
The Jewish people had seen miracle after miracle. The plagues and the splitting of the sea had culminated in the singing of the jubilant shira (song), Az Yashir. But now, it was time to travel forward and embrace destiny. It was time to journey to Mount Sinai, receive the Torah, and solidify our identity as the nation of God. Moshe told the people to ready themselves for the journey ahead, but they didn’t want to leave the banks of the Red Sea. The verse states, VaYasa Moshe es Ha’Am mi’yam suf, Moshe led Israel away from the Red Sea, and Rashi comments: “Moses le...
