And Abram came up from Egypt, he, and his wife and all that was his, and Lot with him, to the south. And Abram was very heavy with cattle, with silver, and with gold. And he went on his journeys, from the south and until Beth El, until the place where his tent had been previously, between Beth El and between Ai. (Bereishis 13:1-3)  Avraham was the prince of the pivot. He handled all that came his way with a sense of belief and confidence. Upon arriving in Canaan, he finds himself in the midst of a regional famine and so together with Sarai and Lot, he travels down to Egypt. After the drama of Egypt, Avraham makes his way back, and it is at this moment that the Torah shares with us a peculiar detail, “And he went on his journeys …”  Rashi comments, “When ...
Washington, D.C. - Nov. 7, 2024  - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed removing oral phenylephrine as an approved active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) medications for temporary relief of nasal congestion. Following a comprehensive review, the FDA determined that oral phenylephrine, which is commonly found in products like Sudafed PE and Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, is not effective for this use. Despite this proposal, these products remain on the market for now, as this is not a final decision. Oral phenylephrine has been widely used in many OTC products for nasal decongestion. Some medications contain phenylephrine as a sole ingredient, while others, like Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, include it alongside other active ingredients, such as acetami...
US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that his campaign manager Susie Wiles will serve as his White House chief of staff when he assumes office in January and will be the first woman to hold the role. “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,” he added. Wiles, the daughter of the late NFL broa...
Hundreds of fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team reported that they were attacked overnight Thursday by Arabs in Amsterdam, as they left the stadium following Maccabi’s game against AFC Ajax. The fans testified that an ambush had been prepared for them in advance at various points outside the stadium. According to the reports, at least five fans were injured and others barricaded themselves in shops and other points in the city. The local police escorted some of the Israelis back to their hotels. Maccabi Tel Aviv was informed about the situation, called forces to the areas where the violence took place and involved the Israeli embassy as well.
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024 - Baltimore's entire subway line will close Friday night for equipment testing, according to the Maryland Transit Administration. All Metro Subway stations will close at 8 p.m. Friday so that the MTA can test a new Communications Based Train Control system. The subway will reopen at 4 a.m. on Monday. The MTA said free shuttle bus service will be available, and riders can get real-time shuttle bus information online here. The MTA said CBTC is a critical piece of infrastructure that will support the new Metro Subway railcars that will begin service in mid-2025.
Although Avraham was already promised that G-d would make him into a great nation, greatening his name, and be a source of blessing, it was only after being commanded to enter the Covenant of Milah that he was promised two additional blessings. והפריתי אותך — And I will make you fruitful, במאד מאד — exceedingly, ונתתיך לגוים — and I will make you into nations, ומלכים — and kings, ממך יצאו — will emerge from you. That Avraham would develop into 'nations', and that kings would emerge from him, was omitted in the earlier blessings conferred on him. Rashi tells us that the additional nation intimated here is none other than Esav. Why would the 'blessing' of Esav developing into a nation be relevant ...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 7, 2024  - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shua & Elisheva Feintuch on the birth of twin sons. Mazel Tov to grandparents Shea & Shuly Ambush יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
The shivah is over for Baltimore’s esteemed First Lady of Chesed, Mrs. Hannah Storch, a”h, and her passing symbolizes the end of a generation of Baltimore greats, those who laid the foundations of the community we enjoy today. But more than a symbol, Mrs. Storch was a warm, kind, and generous individual, the quintessential eishes chayil, who fulfilled the ideals of the Torah and led by example. Hannah’s impeccable character spoke volumes to all who knew her and even to those who only heard of her. I, personally, have known her “forever” as the Storches and my parents were devoted friends. I am honored to have this opportunity to recount her praises. Hannah was inculcated with the important values of Yiddishkeit and chesed by her parents. Her father, Rabbi Abr...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024 - Attention Tehilim in Tishrei Participants: A. Personalized Tehillim pickup today, Thursday, Nov. 7, anytime, or tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 8, after 1:30 - 6313 Winner Ave. B. Bungee Rocket Pickup - Anyone who did not receive their Bungee Rocket may go to The Candy Store this week only. C. For the handy-dandy lights, please call 443-465-4201. Thank you to all the Tehilim in Tishrei-ers for making this the most participated Mitzva Mo program in 25 years! — Mitzva Mo
The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced its second consecutive interest rate cut, lowering the benchmark rate by 25 basis points amid economic data showing signs that inflation and the labor market are cooling. With the 25-basis-point cut, the benchmark federal funds rate will sit at a range of 4.5% to 4.75%. The Fed's move follows a larger-than-normal cut of 50 basis points at its September meeting, which was the first rate cut since March 2020 and brought rates down from a range of 5.25% to 5.5% – the highest level since 2001. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed's policymaking arm, noted that "labor market conditions have generally eased, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low. Inflation has made progress toward the Committee&...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024  - Maryland officials are dismissing pushback from a state transportation group and substantial budget concerns in announcing a new million-dollar initiative to purchase electric school busses. The Maryland Department of the Environment last week announced it was accepting applications for $3 million in state grants to replace old diesel school busses with electric ones. It came on the heels of a public comment period for another program offering to award an additional $17 million to purchase these vehicles. Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain cheered the initiative as a decisive move toward reducing hazardous emissions. “Transportation accounts for more than 40 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions, so it is critical to supp...
Washington, D.C. - Nov. 7, 2024  - 7News has learned new details on what Maryland U.S. Senator-Elect Angela Alsbrooks owes on unpaid property taxes in the district. She has not received an extension to pay off her unpaid property tax in Washington, D.C. and she is not currently on a payment plan. She originally owed more than $47,000 after receiving a deal from the District that removed a 10% penalty and 25% of the bill's interest that grew over a decade.  It got so big because she didn't pay her fair share of property tax over 13 years. She said she never knew about the two tax discounts she had on the house that she didn't qualify for when she was deeded the home by her mother in 2003. Her new deadline is Nov. 30. The D.C. Tax Office confirms she can make pay...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024  - With Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski elected to Congress Tuesday, the Baltimore County Council will begin the search to fill the position for the remainder of the term, until 2026. Thise expressing interest include: Former state Sen. Jim Brochin, Former state Del. Jon Cardin, Real estate firm owner Yara Cheikh, Former CCBC professor Tara Ebersole, State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, Former county official Barry Williams As Olszewski is expected to start his new job in January, the Baltimore County Council is hoping to find a replacement around that time. The County Council is responsible for filling the position. Since Olszewski is a Democrat, based on County procedures, they are required to fill the position with another Democrat. If the Count...
The Israeli-Palestinian peace plan advanced by President-elect Donald Trump during his first term will likely be back on the table when he returns to office, according to a former senior aide who reportedly has been tapped to help lead the transition team. The Trump peace plan envisioned Israel being able to annex all of its settlements in the West Bank while granting the Palestinians a pathway to a semi-contiguous state on the remaining territory. The plan was swiftly rejected by the Palestinian Authority, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the plan with reservations. His settler allies, who are now part of his coalition, rejected the proposal due to its inclusion of a potential Palestinian state. In an interview with CNN, Brian Hook, who served as Trump’s special en...
I have always been amazed by how what I was learning on a particular week had direct relevance to what was going on in my life or the world at the same time.  As one example, eight years ago when my first grandson was born. It just happened that three weeks later in the Parsha Hashavua was the mitzvah of Pidyan Haben, exactly while we were planning that event for our new grandson.  Or how Shaluach Hakan appeared just as we went camping and happened upon a bird on its eggs.  People that learn Daf Yomi find this happening with startling regularity.  So this week I learned a Pasuk which I have certainly learned no less than 50 times.  Avram and Lot are conducting themselves in different ways.  Avram was careful to muzzle his cattle as they crossed others land whe...
Jerusalem, Israel - Nov. 7, 2024  - In recent weeks, travelers arriving in Israel have faced increased scrutiny on personal items, particularly jewelry and baby strollers when going through Ben Gurion Airport Customs. Chaim V’Chessed has been contacted in numerous cases where travelers have been questioned and fined by customs officials over these items. Furthermore, in multiple inquiries, travelers faced substantial fines or confiscation for carrying jewelry, even though it was for personal use and not intended for sale.  After consulting with officials at the Israeli Tax Authority, Chaim V’Chessed has learned that travelers carrying jewelry should follow specific guidelines to reduce the risk of suspicion. The Tax Authority advises travelers to ...
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 7, 2024  - Seven hospitals have been ranked the best in Maryland in a new report from Newsweek. The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore is the top-ranked hospital in Maryland in Newsweek and data partner Statista’s America’s Best In-State Hospitals 2025 ranking of more than 700 medical centers nationwide. Other Maryland hospitals, listed in ranked order, include: University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore Saint Joseph Medical Center, Towson MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore Mercy Medical Center - Baltimore The 2025 best in-state hospitals list features medical facilities in all 50 states and the District of Columbi...
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