Watch Rabbi Shmuel Silber's Virtual Drasha: Shoftim - Absolute Monarchy (Video)
Rabbi Shmuel Silber
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Baltimore, MD - Aug. 31, 2025 - R’ Larry Katz, zt”l, transformed Baltimore’s Jewish community through decades of devoted askanus. He guided Talmudical Academy through critical challenges, while channeling tens of millions of dollars from the broader Jewish community to local day schools and opening the doors to over $250 million annually in federal aid for yeshivos nationwide through AARTS (the accreditation association for yeshivos). As head of the Crane Foundation, he channeled over $3 million each year to vital communal organizations.He was the driving force in establishing Agudath Israel of Baltimore, became the first Orthodox President of The Associated’s Baltimore Jewish Council and founded SHEMESH, a lifeline for children with learning differences....
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 2 September 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:"I stand by you, and express my deep appreciation for you, IDF soldiers and reserve soldiers, and your families.I know that you have paid a heavy price – at work, with studies and at home.We are fighting a stubborn and just war without peer. We do not forget for a moment what they did to us on October 7, the beheadings, the women who were raped, the babies who were burned and the hostages who were taken into the tunnels in Gaza. We are working to bring them all back.We are acting to defeat Hamas but together we have, so far, done wonders in breaking the Iranian axis, both in Gaza and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and with the Assad regime that collapsed, and with Iran itself that threate...
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 2, 2025 - I can’t recommend the fried chicken at “Bunny’s Buckets and Bubbles,” a restaurant on the Baltimore waterfront, even though the food served there has garnered rave reviews. It’s not kosher.
Similarly treif, as so deemed by its owners, was a Palestinian pin worn by one of its servers. Which judgment initiated a series of events that recently placed the Fells Point eatery in the news.
According to a social media post by the restaurant, a customer complained about a staff member wearing a “Pro-Palestine” pin on their uniform. The customer claimed it was disturbing their dining experience.
When asked to remove the pin, the employee complied and continued working. But a week later, another employee, wearing a similar p...
A federal judge ruled Tuesday morning that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law when they used troops in Los Angeles to protect federal agents during an aggressive immigration crackdown.
“The evidence at trial established that Defendants systematically used armed soldiers (whose identity was often obscured by protective armor) and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles. In short, Defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act,” Judge Charles Breyer wrote.
The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes and aims to prevent military i...
President Donald Trump is promoting the success of the federal crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C.
He is now setting his sights on other troubled cities, including Chicago, promising he'll clean up their streets, too.
During Labor Day weekend, at least 54 people were shot in Chicago, with seven people killed.
Residents and the Chicago Police Department welcome any federal law enforcement. But Democratic leaders -- including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson -- continue to refuse help and have even ordered city police to not work with ICE on any operations.
Jody Weis, who is the former head of the Chicago Police Department, said the work that’s being done in D.C. is the blueprint of how federal authorities can work with federal aut...
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.
The 2nd annual People's Conference in Palestine in Detroit saw toned-down rhetoric compared to last year's conference in terms of support for violence and terrorist organizations, but the August 29-31 event attended by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, streamer Hassan Piker, Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein, and leaders of the anti-Israel activist community still saw elements of pro-terrorist and anti-American sentiment during panels and speeches.
The event centered mostly around concerns about a supposed genocide being conducted in Gaza by Israeli forces, with discussions on destruction to infrastructure, deaths of journalists during the war, and providing medical aid. Several speakers, including the masters of the ceremony, expressed a sense of ...
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 2, 2025 - The city of Baltimore is experiencing a significant decline in violence, with the mayor declaring it the least-violent period in 50 years. The city's homicide rate has dropped by 29.5% compared to the same time last year, which the mayor attributes, in part, to the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS).
"Now that we're proving GVRS works, we're diving all the way in," the mayor said during his state of the city address this spring.
However, City State's Attorney Ivan Bates suggested that his office's efforts in removing repeat violent offenders from the streets have also played a crucial role. "They're no longer victims or shooters, so you're gonna naturally see a decrease in violent crime and murder numbers cause they...
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 2, 2025 – 7:57AM - An accident at the entrance to Flora Park on Fallstaff Road is blocking one lane. Please use caution in the area
Posuk yud zayin in Perek chof heh in Chumash Devarim tells us that we should remember what Amalek did to Bnei Yisroel. That is why we have the mitzvah of Parshas Zachor, to be leined for all to hear.
The Gemara in Brachos, daf mem zayin, amud bais brings down a story about Reb Elazar who came to Shul and found that there were only nine people for the minyan. Reb Elazar freed his Eved Knani, Tevi, who then completed the minyan. The Gemara questions how he was allowed to do that if Reb Yehuda says that one who frees his slave is oiver an aseh that one should keep an Eved Knani forever. The Gemara answers that since minyan is a mitzvah of a rabim, it therefore was allowed.
The Rosh in siman chof s...
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 – On September 1, 2025, at approximately 11:25 a.m., Northwest District officers responded to the 3300 block of Clarks Lane for a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located a 43-year-old male inside a residence suffering from what was later determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Northwest District Detectives confirmed that this incident was self-inflicted. There is no indication of foul play, and no suspects are being sought.
Elul is here. Again.
I look for change. Again.
What can I do that I haven’t already tried?
I’ve got it — I’ll start saying Perek Shirah daily! Or maybe that new segulah tefillah on bitachon my friend posted that’s going frum viral. Or maybe...
Wait a minute. What about the dozens of brachos I recite daily? Do I ever truly think about them?
Maybe instead of accepting something new, I’ll try to work on some of the things I already do.
Listen to a story.
I was asked to perform a bris milah for a new baby boy born to a not-so-Jewish-looking couple. Upon investigation, I was informed that the mother had converted to Judaism about a year prior to the baby’s birth, and that it had been conducted by a certain rabbi known to allow conversi...
Baltimore, Md - Sept. 1, 2025 - On September 1, 2025, at approximately 11:25 a.m., Northwest District officers responded to 3300 block of Clarks Lane in reference to a reported shooting.Once at the scene, Officers located a 43-year-old male inside a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Northwest District Detectives are investigation this incident and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 410-396-2466. Those who wish to remain anonymous may utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may also anonymously text a tip by visiting the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland website.
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Lipoff on the birth of twins — a daughter and a son
Maze Tov to grandparents Larry & Chaya Tova Lipoff and Nathan & Beth Adler
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנותיהם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dov Chapman and Chany Kaufman on their engagement!
Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven & Janine Chapman
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Yale Newman, z’l, brother of Mrs. Gail Gerstman.
Shiva will be observed at 7121 Park Heights #110, Baltimore, MD 21215Visiting:
Wednesday and Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Motzaei Shabbos: 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM ...
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Dovid Bender and Miriam Tendler on their engagement!
Mazel Tov Avrohom & Yocheved Bender and Sholom & Rivky Tendler
Mazel Tov to grandparents HaRav & Rebetzin Yaakov Bender, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Abrams, Rabbi & Mrs. Hillel Tendler and Rebbetzin Feige Gruman
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Theodore “Ted” Chernak, z’l, father of Wendy (David) Hefter.
The levaya will be held at Sol Levinson today, Monday, September 1 at 2:30 pm.
Shiva will be observed at 101 Brightside Ave., Baltimore, MD 21208
Visiting hours: Monday 6:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 3:00-7:00 pm, Friday 1:00-4:00 pm, Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm
The family respectfully requests no visitors between 12:00PM-1:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm or after 10:00pm.
בלע המוות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – Sept. 1, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi & Kayla Wolasky on the birth of a daughter.Mazal Tov to Grandparents Jerry & Sora Wolasky and Oded and Alicia Jacobowitz יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנותיהם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 1, 2025 - FREE FOOD TODAY 11:00AM-1:00PM @ MitzvahMo Headquarters
