Baltimore, MD – July 31, 2025 – With Tisha B’Av falling this year on a Sunday, there are a number of unique halachos that arise not encountered in a typical year.
To assist our readership, we are zocheh to present four sets of halachic guidelines compiled by Rabbi Shalom Aryeh Greenfield (reviewed by Harav Moshe Heinemann), Rabbi Binyamin Marwick, Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, and Rabbi Yosef Friedman
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 2, 2025 - Baltimore marked another month in which fewer people were killed or shot than in years past.
So far this year, the city has recorded 84 homicides, which is down more than 24% over this time last year.
When it comes to non-fatal shootings, city police said there have been 190 so far this year, which is down more than 18% from this time last year.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott highlighted the city’s historic decline in violent crime.
“We’re through seven months of the year, and we have the lowest amount of homicides that we’ve seen on record — that’s historic progress for us, but, as I always say, that’s not a cause for celebration. This is for us to acknowledge the progress that we’ve made from where we were,...
The Israel Defense Forces defeated Hamas’s Beit Hanoun battalion, the military declared on Saturday, after three of the terror group’s operatives surrendered to troops of the Givati Brigade in the northern Gaza town.
The operatives emerged from a tunnel and surrendered to the forces in the area, the IDF said, adding that they told the troops they had sought to flee the area after another gunman with them was killed during a previous exchange of fire with the military.
The Hamas gunmen also led the forces to a weapons depot near the tunnel from which they emerged, where the IDF said the troops found numerous weapons and equipment.
The military stated that troops also discovered food, water, and other supplies inside the tunnel, suggesting it could be used for long-term underg...
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.
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Hamas on Saturday said it would not disarm “as long as the occupation exists,” denying reported remarks to the contrary by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and blasting him for visiting an aid site run by the controversial, US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
In a statement, Hamas vowed to continue its violent struggle, saying its right to do so was guaranteed by international law until Palestinians’ “national rights” were realized, “foremost among them… the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and Jerusalem as its capital.”
The terror group also assailed Witkoff’s visit to the GHF amid reports of soaring hunger in Gaza, and that hundreds of Palestinian aid seekers have ...
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday night responded to the publication of footage revealing the starvation and inhumane conditions in which Hamas is holding Israeli hostages.
"The faces of hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, say it all," Herzog noted. "Forced to dig their own graves. Tormented with execution. Starved, tortured, wasting away in Hamas’ terror tunnels."
"But Hamas doesn’t just starve the hostages. It starves the people of Gaza, by looting aid and blocking humanitarian deliveries which Israel has worked with its international partners to increase.
"Now Hamas spreads lies and libels, blaming Israel to exploit global compassion. Hamas rejoices as it succeeds in distracting the world from their own crimes against humanity."
"This...
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.
British journalist Piers Morgan caused an uproar on Saturday after publishing a controversial post on X in the aftermath of the video of hostage Evyatar David which was published by Hamas.
“It’s interesting that all the prominent pro-Israeli voices on here who refuse to believe any Gazan casualty numbers published by the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, accept the veracity of hostage pix/videos posted by Hamas without hesitation,” Morgan wrote.
Many users expressed outrage over the post. One user replied, “You do understand there's a difference between ‘numbers Hamas says’ and a video we see with OUR OWN EYES — where we know the hostage, we know his family, he's our brother. Right?”
Another user wrote in response,...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Saturday night at length with the families of the hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, after videos of the two of them in difficult conditions were released.
The Prime Minister expressed profound shock over the materials distributed by the terror organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and told the families that the efforts to return all our hostages are ongoing, and will continue constantly and relentlessly.
The Prime Minister conveyed, in his wife Sara's name, a great embrace to the families, telling them that she is heartbroken over the unbearable videos.
"The cruelty of Hamas has no boundaries. While the State of Israel is allowing the entry of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, the terrorists of Hamas are d...
Jerusalem, Israel - Aug. 2, 2025 - Thousands have been flocking to the Kotel on the night of Tisha B'Av for the reading of Eicha and the recitation of Kinot near the site of the destruction.
Baltimore, MD -Aug. 1, 2025 - I was leaving shul this week, chatting casually with someone about our recent games in a tennis league that benefits a prominent cause. I mentioned how I had lost a playoff match badly, and he seemed surprised – “What happened?” he asked. I shrugged and said, “My back was killing me. I got injured in a previous match.”
A third person walking alongside us gently chimed in. “You know,” he said softly, “you really shouldn’t complain like that... My grandfather just passed away, and he had terrible back pain.”
At first, I wasn’t sure what he meant. Was he saying that my minor injury paled in comparison to what his grandfather endured? Was it a gentle reminder to be more grateful?
But then it hit ...
I remember a Tisha B’av two decades ago. It was before five wars and thousands of missiles. Before October 7, close to two years of hostages and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Before 1000s of Israelis and 10,000s of Palestinians had died or children were starving for food. But twenty years ago, Gaza was still on our minds. The Tisha B’av twenty years ago was the day before the withdrawal.
I remember for months before Tisha B’Av, the battle in Israel between the “blues” and the “oranges”. The by-line of Yehudi Lo Migaresh Yehudi – Jews do not chase away Jews. I remember the picture of Israelis making a minyan through a fence – some on one side, supporting the withdrawal and some on the other, protesti...
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has "ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions" following "highly provocative statements" made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Medvedev said earlier this week that Trump's new deadline for Russia to end the conflict with Ukraine is an additional "step towards war."
A ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen at Israel a short while ago was intercepted by air defenses, the military says.
There are no immediate reports of impacts or injuries. Sirens had sounded in central Israel and the Jerusalem area.
Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 67 ballistic missiles and at least 17 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.
Baltimore, MD – Aug. 1, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov Mr. & Mrs. Shmueli Silver on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Dr. & Mrs. Moshe Silver
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
The White House announced on Thursday evening that a 15 percent tariff will be imposed on goods from Israel as part of the Trump administration’s new trade policy that has seen rates raised on countries across the globe.
The decision is part of an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, imposing higher tariffs on dozens of countries in his latest bid to reshape global trade in favor of US businesses. The measure will go into effect on August 7.
In response, Israel’s Finance Ministry tried to downplay the move, noting that the 15% rate is “at the lowest level among countries that have a trade deficit with the US,” which it said “reflects the ongoing dialogue between Israel and the administration with the aim of reaching an improved agreement.&rdq...
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 1, 2025 - Excitement was in the air yesterday at STAR-K Certification, when Kona Ice Truck owners, Brett and Linda Marcus, met staff members of the kashrus agency while signing on with the agency.
“We’ve been serving Pikesville and the Jewish community for more than 10 years,” explains Brett. “Our raw ingredients always had kosher certification on them, but we wanted to make sure that our truck that we serve the ices out of is also kosher certified. Taking that extra step to have STAR-K oversee and certify our actual truck with STAR-K Certification will give the kosher consumer peace of mind.”
Adds STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Sholom Tendler, “Brett and Linda have been a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to...
US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff says he spent five hours inside Gaza today “level setting the facts on the ground, assessing conditions and meeting with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.”
“The purpose of the visit was to give US President Donald Trump a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza,” Witkoff tweets.
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