Daily Dvar Halacha - Dec. 4, 18 Kislev - Uh Oh! I forgot Tal Umatar!
Rabbi Yitzchok Dinovitzer is a Rebbe in the Middle School of YCC/TA and is the Associate Regional Director of NCSY Atlantic Seaboard Region
The world is in turmoil. A war is waging in Ukraine. Cities are enraged over perceived injustices. Violence seems to be the only response to disagreement. Our little ancestral holy land seems to be the focus of the world, with nations blinded once again to the barbarity foisted upon our people, and exhibiting compassion for the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
On the last day of Moshe's life, he speaks of the 'Song' of Haazainu, which embodies the entire history and fate of the Jewish people.
He prefaces it with a prophecy.
For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly, and you will stray from the path that I have commanded you, וקראת אתכם — and it will befall you evil, באחרית הימים — at the end of days… (ד...
Someone once approached the Tchebiner Rav zt”l – HaRav Dov Berish Weidenfeld (1881-1965) – and told him that he has older children who have not found their shidduch yet. The Tchebiner Rav told him the following story: “One Erev Yom Kippur, before dawn, a yid was walking to do kaparos. He was holding a chicken in one hand and a machzor in his other hand. Right then, his eyeglasses began to slide off his nose and fell to the ground. The yid had quite a dilemma. What should he do? Both of his hands were occupied, how could he pick up his eyeglasses? If he put the chicken down, even for a moment, it would run away. And he certainly couldn’t put the machzor on the ground. The yid stood there perplexed, not knowing what to do.”“Nu, so what did he do...
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Baltimore, MD – Sept. 26, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Sarah Heiman-Nadav, a’h, sister of Rebetzin Nechama (Rabbi Yissocher) Frand.
The levayah is currently taking place in Lakewood at Sons of Israel Chapel 613 Ramsey Ave.
Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisroel on Sunday.
Shiva will be observed at 21 Nowlan Place, Lakewood, NJ. 08701Rebetzin Frand will be returning to Baltimore next week. Details to follow
בלע המוות לנצח
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 26, 2025 - Marilyn Mosby and federal prosecutors agree on something, according to newly filed court documents: the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit should hear the case of the former top prosecutor of Baltimore City.
While the opposing parties agree there should be a new hearing, that’s where the similarities stop.
In July, a 2-1 ruling vacated Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction, but upheld her perjury convictions. She was previously found guilty of lying about suffering a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic to qualify for a CARES Act exemption, allowing her to withdraw money from her city retirement account without paying a penalty.
Now, Mosby’s legal team are asking the entire Fourth Circuit to take up the case...
Live Broadcast of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Speech to the UN General Assembly in New York
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 26, 2025 – 8:35AM - Construction has begun on Greenspring Avenue between I-695 and Wood Valley Road (northbound toward Owings Mills). One lane is being closed in this area. Expect delays.
Baltimore, MD – Sept., 25, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Sally Friedman, a’h, mother of Terry Frank and Phillip Friedman. [Mrs. Friedman, a’h, grandmother of Rivka (Dovid) Weingot and Reuven (Gavi) Frank].
The graveside levayah will take place at 10:00AM on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ.
Shiva will be observed beginning Motzaei Shabbos at 2318 Smith Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209:
Minyanim:
Mincha/Maariv only on Sunday (9/28), Monday (9/29), and Tuesday (9/30) at 6:40 pm.
Visiting:
Motzei Shabbos, Sept. 27 – After Shabbos until 10:00 pm
Sunday, Sept. 28 – Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 9:00 am–12:00 pm, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm, and 6:00 pm–10:00 pm
Wedne...
After learning in Yeshiva full time for five years after High School, I was fortunate to be able to learn half days, several days a week when I was first married and a student. This was a significant help in bridging the time when I was learning in Yeshiva and constantly in that Seviva to when I was “in the world”, particularly around the time of the Yomim Noraaim. In Yeshiva we were used to truly having the entire Chodesh Elul to prepare for Rosh Hashana – with more intensified learning and studying Musar to help us achieve the proper frame of mind and lay the groundwork for proper Tefila and Teshuva.
Two years after I was married and I accepted a full time job, I remember the shock of “running into Rosh Hashana”. As a new employee yo...
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a grand jury on two counts, alleged false statements within jurisdiction of the legislative branch and obstruction of congressional proceeding, Fox News Digital has learned.
Comey will reportedly turn himself in on Friday and his arraignment is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 9, in Alexandria Courtroom 600 before District Juge Michael S. Nachmanoff.
Fox News Digital exclusively reported in July that Comey was under criminal investigation by the FBI. The probe into Comey centered on whether he lied to Congress during his Sept. 30, 2020, testimony about his handling of the original Trump–Russia probe at the FBI, known inside the bureau as "Crossfire Hurricane."
"No one is above the law," Attorney General Pam Bo...
Two Syracuse University students face hate crimes charges after authorities say one of them tossed a bag of pork into Jewish fraternity house during a Rosh Hashanah celebration.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house, where members had gathered to mark the Jewish New Year, according to the New York school's chief student experience officer, Allen Groves.
One of the two men charged is accused of entering the home and tossing in a clear plastic bag of pork against an interior wall, splattering the contents there and on the floor, university police said.
The man then fled the home and got into a vehicle driven by another man. The two, both 18, were soon captured and have been charged with burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance.
Onond...
Annapolis, MD - Sept. 25, 2025 - Senator Dalya Attar joined Governor Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones at a press conference announcing $200 million in energy rebate relief for Maryland residents.The relief will provide automatic bill credits to every Maryland household, helping families offset rising utility costs as colder months approach.“No one should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table,” said Senator Attar. As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, she played a key role in advancing the initiative and remains committed to ensuring Marylanders receive the support they need.
Yonah at Minchah
The Levush explains that we read Sefer Yonah during Minchah of Yom Kippur because it vividly demonstrates the incredible power of teshuvah.[1] We learn about the positive outcome achieved by two groups who reformed their ways: the sailors who escaped the storm and the citizens of Nineveh who reversed Hashem’s decree to destroy their city.
One question remains: Why do we read Yonah specifically during Minchah? As the sefer helps us appreciate teshuvah, why not read it after Shacharit — the time we read the megillot on other Yamim Tovim?
A better appreciation of Sefer Yonah’s message about teshuvah will help us answer this question.
Yonah’s Objection
Sefer Yonah opens with Hashem’s directive to Yonah to travel to Nineveh to tell them ...
Jerusalem, Israel - Sept. 25, 2025 - As the Sukkos holiday approaches, Chaim V’Chessed has issued a general travel advisory for the upcoming holiday travel season, available here. Now, we are pleased to provide important information regarding bringing Arba Minim into Israel and other countries.
Earlier this month, Chaim V’Chessed representatives were in contact with Shlomit Zioni, Director of Plant Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, who clarified the rules for travelers to Israel: Travelers to Israel are permitted to bring one esrog into the country. The other species of the Arba Minim – lulav, hadassim, and aravos – are not allowed. Travelers arriving with these species will have them confiscated. However, the Ministry of Ag...
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 25, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Alex and Blima Maged on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yehuda Zelinger.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 25, 2025 – 11:57AM - BGE work on Hillside between Greenspring and Stevenson has one lane closed.
