During the Second Temple, the Greek empire reigned (over Israel),1 and they (the Greeks) passed decrees against the Jews and (tried) to erase their religion, and did not allow them to carry out Torah (study) or the commandments. They put their hands on their property and their daughters. They entered the Temple, destroyed and made the pure unclean. The Jews were in great distress because of them and were much oppressed, until the G-d of their fathers had mercy on them, delivering them from their hands and saving them. Then overcame, the sons of the Hasmonean High Priest, (the Greeks) and killed them and saved the Jews from their hands. They appointed a king from the Priests, and the kingdom of Israel was restored for more than 200 years until the destruction of (the) second (Temple). When the Jews overcame their enemies and destroyed them, it was the 25th of Kislev2 when they entered the Sanctuary (inner room) and did not find pure (olive) oil in the Temple, except one jar sealed with seal of the High Priest, and it did not contain enough to light except for one day only. But they lit from it the lamps of the Menorah3 for eight days, until they could crush olives and produce a (new quantity) of pure oil. For these reasons, decreed the Sages of that generation that these eight days that begin on the 25th Kislev, will be days of joy and praise. One lights on them lamps at evening at the entrance to the houses, every evening of the eight nights to show off and demonstrate the miracle. These days are called ''Hanukah'' that is to say ''they rested'' (chanu) on the ''25'' ('th of the month) because on the 25th they rested from their enemies. and also because of those days they (re)-dedicated the house (Temple) which their foes had defiled. Also some say that it is a commandment to increase slightly the festive meals on Hanukah. Another reason is because the work of (building) the Sanctuary (in the desert) was completed in these days. One should tell one's children the story of the miracles that were done for our fore-fathers in those days, (see Josephus) However, these meals are not considered as part of the commandment unless one says at the meal songs of praise. One should increase charity in these Hanukah days, for this can help mend any defects in our souls. This charity, should be given particularly to poor Torah scholars. (KSA 139:1)
1) 352 BCE until 70 CE
2) 139 BCE
3) The Menorah was made of gold and had seven branches.
PINNED
Scroll for more news
PINNED
Scroll for more news
I am begging you, please help save my daughter
My name is Yitzchak, and I am writing to you as a broken and worried father. Our dear Avigayil, less than a year old now, was born with a small, heartwarming smile, but now she’s fighting a severe illness—cutaneous lymphoma. The word “cancer” is still too heavy for us to assimilate, and the fear is unrelenting.
A few years ago, my wife Tehillah and I went through a terrible time when our eldest daughter was fighting for her life after a severe accident. Somehow, we managed to get through it, but now we’re facing another painful battle, and we lose entire nights to worry.
For our baby Avigayil to overcome this illness, she urgently needs costly biological treatment. We need your help. I am reaching out from the ...
PINNED
Scroll for more news
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 2024 - Chai Lifeline, the Jewish community’s leading children’s health and crisis support network, will recognize the extraordinary contributions of Dr. David J. Hackam, Pediatric Surgeon-in-Chief and Co-Director at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, with the Maimonides Medical Achievement Award at its National Gala on December 17, 2024, at Pier Sixty in New York City. The evening’s theme, “Shining Together,” celebrates the remarkable dedication of individuals like Dr. Hackam, whose work brings hope and healing to countless families facing serious medical challenges.
Dr. Hackam is globally recognized for his pioneering work in pediatric surgery, specifically for his groundbreaking research on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)—a de...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 20, 2024 – 10:13PM - A tree is down near Rabbi Seidman's shul on Green Meadow Pkwy, blocking the street.
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 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...
BaltimoreJewishLife.com (BJL) is proud to partner with STAR-K CERTIFICATION that realizes that there is no substitute for a person’s own Rav. In an effort to offer a possible solution, it has launched its Institute of Halachah as a public service. Over the years, the agency’s Kashrus Hotline has answered generic halachic questions from kosher consumers the world over, including inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances. The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues.
The Institute of Halachah is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K’s Rabbinic Administrator. It is an invaluable resource for a diverse array of rabbis to discuss general halachic matters, as well as gain access to source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants’ questions.
Shailos for regular or Kashrus shailos may emailed or discussed using this widget.
A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday over an alleged plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to “reset” the U.S. government, according to unsealed documents.
Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, a South Florida resident, was charged with attempting to use an improvised explosive device to damage or destroy a “building used in interstate or foreign commerce,” according to court documents.
FBI agents started probing Yener in February after getting a tip that he was storing bomb schematics in an unlocked Coral Springs, Fla., storage unit. After getting a search warrant, FBI agents found “bombmaking sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics” that could be utilized to make an explosive, the crimi...
The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reject a resolution sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to block the sale of certain offensive weapons to Israel in protest of its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The Senate voted 18 to 79 to defeat S.J. Res. 111, which would have blocked the sale of 120-millimeter tank rounds. It was offered in conjunction with resolutions to block the sale of 120 mm high-explosive mortar rounds and the sale of kits to transform “dumb” bombs into precision-guided weapons.
Sanders emphasized the resolutions were aimed at “offensive weapons that have been used to devastating effects against the civilians of Gaza and Lebanon.” He argued the restrictions would not affect Israel’s ability to defend itself from atta...
Four years have passed since the loss of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, and one year since the outbreak of the Iron Swords conflict. In these turbulent times, we can only imagine the wisdom he might have shared, the guidance he would have offered. His voice is profoundly missed, especially now when his words could have offered clarity and hope. This longing to “hear” his perspective propelled me on a journey…
To Be a Jew is a booklet that was born from a deep desire to find meaning in the current historic moment. Distributed freely across the globe, with over a quarter of a million copies printed in Hebrew and English – and soon to be available in additional languages — it shares the timeless lessons of Rabbi Sacks with all who seek them. Below is a small select...
Hezbollah's Secretary General Naim Qassem threatened to target Tel Aviv in response to recent Beirut strikes, speaking in an address released on Wednesday.
"We will not leave the capital under Israeli enemy attacks. When Beirut is under attack by the enemy, the response must be in Tel Aviv." According to him, "The enemy must understand that things will not remain as such when Beirut is attacked."
An Israeli attack on Beirut earlier this week killed the group's media chief, Mohammad Afif.
Regarding the ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by the US, under envoy Amos Hochstein, Qassem said Hezbollah is awaiting Israel's response.
"We got the negotiation document, we examined the document and we transferred our notes about it," he said. This comes as Hochstein delay...
El Al’s record-breaking year continued in the third quarter with revenue just over $1 billion, or 20% more than the second quarter. Net profit was $187 million in the third quarter, compared with $52m. in the same quarter last year, El Al reported Wednesday.
Demand for El Al tickets has surged as foreign airlines have canceled flights to Israel due to the Israel-Hamas War, leaving El Al with near-monopoly status. Many Israelis are reluctant to book with other airlines even if tickets are available, fearing foreign carriers will cancel flights if the security situation changes.
El Al said it was able to increase its available seat kilometers (ASK), a measure of its passenger carrying capacity, by 15% in the third quarter as it worked to meet increased demand.
El Al&r...
Linda McMahon has been a constant presence in Donald Trump’s tumultuous orbit, serving in his first administration and supporting his presidential campaigns. Now he’s chosen her to serve as Education secretary.
Here’s a look at McMahon’s background, from business to politics.
McMahon went from wrestling to politics
McMahon is married to Vince McMahon, whose father was a prominent professional wrestling promoter. They followed him into the business, founding their own company that’s now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE. It became a juggernaut in the industry and American culture.
When Trump was the star of the reality show “The Apprentice,” he made an appearance at Wrestlemania in 2007. The billionaire entertainment ...
Donald Trump says he has chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO, the bedrock Western alliance that the president-elect has expressed skepticism about for years.
Trump, in a statement, said Whitaker was “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.”
The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is in law enforcement and not in foreign policy. Whitaker had been considered a potential pick for attorney general, ...
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he is naming former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his nominee for transportation secretary, as he continues to roll out picks for his Cabinet.
Duffy is a former reality TV star who was one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable news — a prime concern for the media-focused president-elect. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, was a member of the Financial Services Committee and chairman of the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019, and is co-host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.
In his announcement, Trump noted that Duffy is married to a Fox News host, calling him “the husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on Fox News.”
A spokespers...
US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated cardiothoracic surgeon and television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator.
“America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again. He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake,” Trump said in a statement announcing the move.
“Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country’s bu...
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 19, 2024 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Menachem Berry & Baila Deutsch on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Berry and grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Joe Berry
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Nov. 20, 2024 – 3:09PM – Major accident reported on Reisterstown Road Southbound, just before Woodholme Shopping Center (home to Trader Joe's).
Expect delays and proceed with caution
The United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without preconditions for the release of the hostages was blocked by a US veto today (Wednesday).
An American official told reporters ahead of the vote that the US would only support a resolution calling for a ceasefire if the ceasefire was conditioned on the return of the hostages. “As we stated many times before, we just can’t support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostage," the official stated.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon thanked the US for standing with Israel at the UN. "Today, a shameful attempt to abandon our kidnapped men and women by the UN was prevented. Thanks to the US, we stood firm with our position that there will be...