Baltimore, MD – Apr. 17, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Noach Feldman, z’l, father of Yehoshua (Josh) Feldman.
The levayah will take place on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024 at 11:00AM at
Harbor Lawn 1625 Gisler Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Shiva will be observed through Monday afternoon.
Shiva will begin at 4 Galileo, Irvine, CA, 92603 until Motzaei Shabbos and will continue in Eretz Yisroel Sunday night through erev Yom Tov at 23/2 Nachal Maor, Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph.
Cellphone number during shiva is 443.844.8613.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
As we bask in the afterglow of our Sedarim, where we retold the story of Yitzias Mitzrayim and we prepare for the last days of Pesach, where we mark Kriyas Yam Suf, it is easy to lose sight of the tumultuous days which occurred between these two amazing events. B’nei Yisroel leave Mitzrayim behind in the distance, only to realize that the Mitzrim have had a change of heart again and were in hot pursuit. Of course, we would assume that having just witnessed the Maccos and the Multiple Nissim that Hashem had done for them, that Bnei Yosroel would not be afraid – surely Hashem would protect them and punish the Mitzrim again. Yet, they were afraid, they were “very” afraid. The Torah tells us that they saw Mitzrayim chasing after them and they wer...
There are two major concepts which form the driving force of the Hagaddah and the Seder in general. First, is the Chiyuv Sipur Yitzias Mitraim, and the second is that one must feel as if he himself is being taken out of Mitzraim on the night of Pesach, an idea discussed more fully in the Hagaddah.
With these two concepts being the principal themes, how then does the final part of the Seder, Nirtzah, fit into this framework? These intriguing, yet seemingly unrelated songs, raise a significant question as to exactly what role they play in the Seder and by extension, the Yom Tov of Pesach.
On a simplistic level one could answer their function is similar to that of the Afikoman and Mah Nishtana - to heighten the interest and enjoyment of the Seder for the...
There is a long-standing tradition that the Shabbos before Pesach is referred to as Shabbos Hagodol – The Great Shabbos. Virtually every commentary relates this title all the way back to Yitzias Mitzrayim. The year Bnei Ysroel left Mitzrayim, Pesach fell on a Thursday. Hence, the preceding Shabbos was the 10th of Nissan. This was a particularly special day. It was on the 10th of Nissan that Bnei Yisroel were commanded to take the lamb which would eventually be used as the first Korban Pesach. (Shemos, 12:3) Accordingly, we mark the Shabbos which precedes Pesach as Shabbos Hagodol. (Tur Orech Chayim, Siman 430).
The Halachic authorities go into great detail as to the reason for the...
Have You Heard About Birkat Ha’Ilanot?
Have you heard about Birkat Ha’ilanot, the brachah over trees? We recited it yesterday in Jerusalem and anyone can recite it anywhere until the end of the month of Nisan. The brachah should be said next to two blossoming fruit trees of different kinds.
Rabbi Itamar Heiken, head of a premilitary academy in Kibbutz Be’erot Yitzchak went with his students to recite this brachah and returned with the following valuable insight:
“There is clinical death and psychological death, the latter afflicting a person while he is still alive. It happens when individuals lose their sensitivity and enthusiasm, when they are incapable of seeing the beauty of nature or experiencing the magic of life.
Our Sages say: ’An evil ...
Pesach is around the corner so time to jump into the captivating world of shmura matzah—specifically the crispy, thin, and oh-so-delicious kind made at Lakewood Shmurah Matzah. In this video, we explored the fascinating process of how this Passover staple is lovingly crafted. The matzah is more than just a cracker. Its process is all about preserving tradition and the deeper meaning behind this unleavened treat. That's why the meticulous supervision of matzah production, especially for the hand shmura variety, is so crucial. There is the machine matzah which comes out in perfectly shaped squares, but there's something extra special about hand matzah. It's like the artisanal approach to matzah-making, and at Lakewood Shmurah Matzah, they take this tradition seriously...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 2024 - Every Shabbos table offers every Jewish family an incredible opportunity by which they can share their joy for Shabbos, for Yiddishkeit and for HaShem with their children. Unfortunately, our schedules are hectic and many people don’t have the time to prepare themselves to utilize the Shabbos table to its fullest. Therefore, we at ACHIM created TableTalk as a pre-packaged talking points pamphlet which is attractive, fun and has something for everyone. Limited copies are distributed to many shuls on a weekly basis but they are snatched up very quickly. Get yours ASAP or click on the graphic below and print your own.What’s in it and what’s all the excitement about?TableTalk features:• Weekly halachic dilemma creating l...
Numerous sirens were activated along Israel’s northern border this afternoon, and several rockets were fired at Mt. Meron.
The sirens sounded, among other places, in Kiryat Shmonah, Meron, Safsufa, Hagoshrim, Beit Hillel, Avdon, Manot, and Eilon. Of ten rockets fired at Mt. Meron, some missed and some were intercepted.
Kiryat Shmonah reported four rocket strikes that caused infrastructure damage, light damage to property, and several cars struck by shrapnel. No one was wounded.
Another ten rockets were launched at the Western Galilee region, also causing no wounds.
MDA teams found several places where rocket strikes were reported. No one was found to be wounded. Two people were treated for shock. IDF forces attacked the sources of the rockets.
The attacks followed the assassinat...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 16, 2024 - The foundation for the Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh (SMH) Cheswolde Shul was laid on Friday, and today marks the commencement of grading and framing
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 16, 2024 - Faces of Orthodoxy is a social media initiative powered by the Orthodox Union. Launched in 2022, Faces of Orthodoxy puts a human face on Orthodox Jews by telling the day-in-the-life stories of diverse religious Jews through portrait photography, personal photos, and journal-style posts. Each season takes place in a different city in the United States. The account highlights everyday heroes of faith who share their journeys, struggles, and triumphs.
The mission of Faces of Orthodoxy is to expose the non-Jewish and non-Orthodox communities to the diversity within the Orthodox community while emphasizing the universal values we all share. The initiative also aims to inspire Orthodox Jews to be proud of who they are, what they do, and what they believe. F...
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 16, 2024 - President Isaac Herzog hosted at Beit Hanasi on Monday evening in Jerusalem, Israel, a ceremony honoring Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka, and Alon Shamriz, z'l, the three hostages who were killed by friendly fire in the Gaza Strip.
On December 15, 2023, IDF soldiers operating in Shuja'iyya, Gaza, mistakenly shot three Israeli hostages as they escaped from their captives in the active combat zone. During the Hamas October 7 invasion of southern Israel Haim and Shamriz were kidnapped from Kfar Aza and Talalka was kidnapped from the Kibbutz Nir Am and taken into Gaza.
At the event with their three families and supporters, there was a lot of hugging, plus a...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 16, 2024 - Thanks to the continued collaboration between Baltimore Shomrim, the NWCP, and the Baltimore City and County police departments, we are happy to announce that, similar to previous years, there will be a notable increase in police presence throughout the community during Pesach
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 16, 2024 - Ahead of next month’s International Nurses Day, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog hosted Tuesday morning, nurses from across the healthcare system being honoured for their dedication and excellence. The main hall of Beit Hanasi was filled with a capacity attendance. The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Uriel Buso, the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov, and the Chairperson of the Nurses Association, Ilana Cohen. Additionally, during the event, certificates of excellence were awarded to 30 distinguished nurses who, through their actions, exemplified bravery, courage, and selflessness in dedication to save lives. During the event, Michal Herzog had an emotional and open convers...
Rabbi Yonah Sklare is a Rosh Kollel in Baltimore, MD as well as Magid Shiur at Congregation Shomrei Emunah. His refreshingly creative approach to learning as well as his captivating presentation style, have attracted a diverse and beloved following. He lectures at numerous local institutions, including Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary, as well as out of town and online. Rabbi Sklare received semichah and his PhD in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel Rabbinical College. He can be reached at rabbisklare@gmail.com
I believe in listening to two sides to a story. Even as a supporter of Israel, I am always curious to hear and try to understand those who oppose it. I can feel for the Palestinian people and understand the horror of those seeing such terrible images and reflexively demanding a ceasefire. I know that no situation is simple and every dispute has complexity and nuance. One argument from the other side, however, I find a difficult nut to crack.
I have heard some of Israel’s opponents correctly and sensitively condemn what Hamas did as genocidal, racist, brutal and wrong. However, they claim that we cannot look at the actions in a vacuum. We must also look at what caused the Palestinians to cling to such a violent and morally bankrupt ideology. If we want to prevent Hamas or Hamas-like ...
Jerusalem, Israel - Apr. 16, 2024 - As is customary each year before the Passover holiday at the Western Wall - thousands of Kvitlach that were placed between the stones in the past six months were collected and transferred to a designated genizah (storage area for worn-out sacred texts)In honor of the Passover holiday, this morning (Tuesday), the Western Wall Heritage Foundation conducted the traditional clearing of thousands of prayer Kvitlach that were placed between the stones of the Western Wall over the past six months.The clearing was carried out according to halachic (Jewish law) guidelines using gloves and disposable wooden tools. The purpose of the clearing is to make space for new Kvitlach from visitors expected to arrive at the Western Wall in the coming months,...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 16, 2024 -The Unified Command recovered the body of another missing victim at the Key Bridge incident site on April 14, 2024.
At the request of the family, we are not disclosing the victim’s name at this time. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and was positively identified on April 15, 2024.
Unified Command salvage teams located what they believed to be one of the missing construction vehicles and promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police. The Maryland State Police, the FBI, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police responded and located a deceased victim trapped inside the vehicle.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police, along with an FBI Victim Spe...
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 16, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Alex Kasten, a’h, sister of Rabbi Mordechai Perlman, Rabbi Tuvia Perlman, and Mrs. Phyllis Tanzer.
The Levayah will be held graveside today, Apr. 16 at 2:30PM at Adas Israel Anshe Sfard Cemetery 6800 German Hill Rd. Dundalk, MD, 21222.
Rabbi Tuvia Perlman and Mrs. Phyllis Tanzer will be sitting shiva in Baltimore today only following the Levayah at 6602 Amleigh Rd until 9pm.
Mincha-Maariv today only: 7:30.PM
Rabbi Tuvia Perlman will continue the shiva in Lakewood.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
