The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday continued the hearing begun Thursday, hearing Israel's counter-arguments detailing why the State of Israel is not, in fact, guilty of genocide, as South Africa has claimed.
South Africa is now demanding that the ICJ order a ceasefire in Gaza.
Tamar Kaplan-Tourgeman, one of Israel’s legal team, noted that "Israel takes extraordinary measures in order to minimize the harm to civilians in Gaza."
Dr. Gilad Noam, Deputy Attorney General (International Law) at the Justice Ministry, began by stating that the claims made by South Africa are completely unconnected from the reality of what is happening on the ground.
He also noted that Hamas is not a party to the 1948 Genocide Convention, and therefore an order for Israel to end ...
Baltimore, MD - May 17, 2024 - They are inside the ship that's been plastered on television screens across the globe for weeks on end. But none of us have seen or heard from them.
As massive cranes lifted pieces of the Key Bridge out of the Patapsco River around them, as divers searched the debris-filled waters for bodies below them, and even as explosive charges detonated, breaking apart millions of pounds of steel right above them, the 21-man crew has remained on board the Dali.
Their only face-to-face interactions have been with investigators and salvage crews.
"I've been communicating with them via WhatsApp about weekly. The last time I was in touch with them was this morning," Reverend Messick, port chaplain and Executive Director for Baltimore International Seafare...
IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed in a statement on Friday that IDF forces recovered the bodies of three hostages from the Gaza Strip.
The bodies are of Shani Louk, Amit Bouskila, and Itzik Gelernter.
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2024 - As BJL reported here, yesterday morning, a BZD member reported antisemitic graffiti at Northern Parkway and Roland Ave—the second incident at this location. BZD immediately collaborated with Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer’s office to address this. The Jewish community should never have to face such hate and falsehoods. Thanks to the swift actions of BZD dedicated members, Councilman Schleifer’s office, and city officials, the graffiti was removed this morning.
Baltimore, MD - May 17, 2024 - (WBALTV) Former mayor Sheila Dixon has formally conceded the race for Baltimore Mayor to Brandon Scott in a statement released on Friday. In a statement, Dixon said:
"I have called Mayor Brandon Scott to congratulate him on his victory in the mayoral primary. His success leading our city is success for us all, so I sincerely wish him all the best in his second term."
"While this isn't the outcome we hoped for, I'm profoundly grateful to God and to each and every one of the Baltimoreans who stood with me in this race. I am thankful for the long-time supporters who put their trust in me once again, and the new supporters who joined the diverse coalition that powered our campaign. Serving as your candidate has truly been one of the greate...
Content Creator Nas Daily Teams Up With Jerusalem-Based Educational Institution To Share Jewish Wisdom With the World
Jerusalem, Israel - May 17, 2024 - Over Pesach in the Old City of Jerusalem, Israeli-Palestinian content creator, known the world over for his prominence in creating engaging videos for social media, Nuseir Yassin, known by his social media handle as Nas Daily, walked into the Dan Family Aish World Center and sat down to have a four-hour conversation with a rabbi, senior Aish educator, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen.
Dov Ber, who is an accomplished author, had just cut short a family vacation in Tiberias, to have the conversation with Nuseir. The result is the newest video from Nuseir, whose various social media platforms have upwards of 60 million followers from ar...
This week’s Parshah discusses the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem (22:32). Regarding this mitzvah, the Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 296) states: “a person was only created to serve his Creator” and he goes on to explain that someone who does not perform a Kiddush Hashem has not fulfilled their (life’s) mission. The Sefer HaChinuch then spends many pages discussing the many details of the tremendous Mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem. However, the cases that he discusses are ONLY cases of giving up one’s life al (for) Kiddush Hashem.
Nowadays, where Baruch Hashem our lives are usually not openly & literally threatened over keeping Torah & Mitzvos – do we have any opportunity to fulfill this Mitzvah to the height of perfection, in any sense equal to that of those wh...
Every American kid (ok fine, not every, but many!) dreams of making it to the big leagues, the MLB. However, once the reality of not making it settles in for most kids, the dream changes from making it to the big leagues to attending an MLB game and catching a foul ball as a spectator. But even that is no easy task. According to FanGraphs, the odds of catching a foul ball are roughly 1-in-1,000 based on the number of foul balls hit each year into the stands and the number of fans who attend games.Recently, the sports world witnessed one of the rarest events possible. A Seattle Mariners baseball fan, Josh George, caught two foul balls on back-to-back pitches! The chances of that happening were only .00001 percent; that’s a one in 10 million possibility!Almost instantly, the story of J...
Baltimore, MD – May 15, 2024 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Jack Kranton, z’l, father of Mrs. Deena Perelmuter.
Shiva is being observed through Tuesday morning at 6350 Red Cedar Pl. Apt. 100, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Visiting Hours
Friday:
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday, Monday:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm / 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
There is a long standing tradition of learning Pirkei Avos on Shabbas afternoons between Pesach and Shavuos. Some attribute this custom to helping prepare for Matan Torah and others simply point to it as a way of making good use of the long extended Shabbos afternoons. Regardless of the etiology, Pirkei Avos represents the most often cited Jewish literature outside of the five books of the Torah. This is hardly a wonder. Pirkei Avos contains some of the most profound and absolute truisms of Judaism - “Who is a wealthy person? Some one who is happy with what he has. Who is a wise person? One who can foresee the consequences of his actions.” And many more. Simply put, Pirkei Avos contains some of Judaisms wisest insights. Neve...
A man without a name.
That would seem to be the fate of the disgruntled מקלל —Blasphemer, who is only identified as the 'son of the Israelite woman', with the Torah mentioning only that 'the name of his mother was Shlomis the daughter of Divri, of the tribe of Dan.
Why the mystery?
At first glance it would seem reasonable to suggest that the blasphemer's identity is hidden and his mother's exposed in order to emphasize that this pour soul — who was fathered by the Egyptian taskmaster; denied membership in the tribe of Dan; not entitled to a portion in the promised land — is not to be spotlighted for his livid blasphemous behavior, and rather placing the blame for his misfortune on his promiscuous mother.
The Midrash breaks down the detail...
Jerusalem, Iarael - May 17, 2024 - On the evening of May 16, 2024, the impressive artwork of young artist Eitan Rosenzweig, z'l, H'yd, now on display in the temporary gallery, was celebrated with an opening event hosted by executive director Dr. Risa Levitt at The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem (BLMJ).
BLMJ aims to combine the historical and aesthetic connections of the past and interweave them with the present. It was opened in 1992, founded by Dr. Elie and Batya Borowski, who donated a priceless collection of ancient artifacts. “The future of mankind has its roots in the past, and only through understanding our history can we build a better future,” stated Elie Borowski (1913-2003).
Eitan Rozenzweig’s “Kuma”...
Despite the US administration's threat to freeze arms shipments to Israel, due to the IDF's ground maneuver in Rafah, the arms shipment that had recently been delayed has arrived in Israel, Kan 11 News reported on Thursday.
A US official said that the decision to resume the transfer of weapons was made after Israel undertook to inform the United States in advance before expanding the ground maneuver in Rafah.
The decision to unfreeze the shipment was made after a visit by the commander of the US Central Command, General Michael Kurilla, to Israel at the end of last week.
The shipment of weapons arrived in an American transport plane from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses US troops, to the Israel Air Force Base in Nevatim.
Last week, the White House c...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Adam & Allison Steinmetz on the birth of a daughter.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
No non-Kohen may eat holy things; a Kohen’s resident and his hireling may not eat holy things. And if a Kohen acquires a person, an acquisition through his money, he may eat of it, and those born in his house they may eat of his food (Vayikra 22:10-11).
The Kohanim led lives devoted to serving the Jewish people. They were our emissaries in the Temple and served as spiritual role-models for the nation of Israel. We were charged with supporting them through different types of tithes and portions. These portions were sanctified and could not be consumed by another other than the Kohen– with some significant exceptions. If a Kohen purchased a servant, the servant is permitted to eat from the same sacred items his Kohen master...
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shlomo and Toni Loeb on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yeruchum Giniger & Gitty Lefkovitz on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Rabbi Yaakov & Malkie Giniger and Rabbi Yisrael & Zehava Lefkowitz and grandparents Rabbi Yehuda & Nusy Lefkovitz
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
The Gemara in Shabbos 117b discusses what to do in a case where a fire is devastating one’s home on Shabbos. It would be permissible to take enough food for three meals out of the burning house and bring it into his courtyard or “karmelis.” The Gemara explains that if the fire would happen at night, before any meals were eaten, he may take out food for three meals. If the fire would happen in the morning, he would be allowed to take out food for two meals. If the fire would start at Mincha, he would only be allowed to take out food for one meal.
The Rambam in Hilchos Shabbos 30:9 says that everyone is required to eat three meals on Shabbos; one meal in the evening, one in the morning, and one at Mincha...
Dazhon Darien, who’s accused of impersonating a principal with artificial intelligence, found his way into Baltimore County Public Schools with a litany of fake credentials and false qualifications.
The former Pikesville High School athletic director applied to the school system using resumes riddled with claims that are either questionable or untrue. He didn’t get degrees he claims to hold. He never worked for a Division I college football team. He didn’t have a teaching license or meet the minimum qualifications for his job.
Baltimore County Public Schools still hired him, seemingly unaware of the lies.
The falsehoods appear to be part of a pattern by Darien, 31. A Baltimore Banner investigation found at least 29 false claims on four job appl...
