Watch: HaRav Zev Leff, Morah D'Asra of Moshav Matityahu on Tisah B'Av (Video)
By: BJLife Israel Newsroom
Every year, hundreds of people gather at Ohel Wosk on Moshav Matityahu to hear HaRav Zev Leff, Morah D'Asra of the Moshav, expound on various aspects of the kinnos on a relevant theme.
HaRav Zev Leff, Morah D'Asra of Moshav Matityahu, expounds on various aspects of the kinnos on a relevant theme (Photo Credit: Yehuda Boltshauer)
Every year, hundreds of people gather at Ohel Wosk on Moshav Matityahu to hear HaRav Zev Leff, Morah D'Asra of the Moshav, expound on various aspects of the kinnos on a relevant theme.
Baltimore, MD - May 17, 2026 - Lev HaTorah Academy is proudly opening its doors for the 2026 - 2027 school year, providing a premium Jewish preschool, elementary and middle school education for children in the Baltimore community. With separate boys’ and girls’ divisions, we partner with parents to raise the next generation of Jewish leaders, innovators and contributors.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Serena Stern, M.Ed., a seasoned educator with over 20 years of broad educational experience, Lev HaTorah Academy is guided by both expertise and vision. With more than a decade of successful school leadership, she brings a depth of knowledge and clarity of direction to the school. Mrs. Stern engages teachers in rigorous professional development, regular data meetings, a...
Baltimore, MD - May 20, 2026 - Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim – Talmudical Academy of Baltimore is proud to announce its upcoming Hadran Aloch: All In! campaign, taking place on June 10th and 11th. The annual campaign will bring together TA parents, grandparents, alumni, staff, and friends in support of the Yeshiva and its talmidim.
As in previous years, Hadran Aloch will connect the campaign to a powerful learning initiative, infusing the talmidim with chashivus haTorah, a sense of accomplishment, and the joy of reaching meaningful milestones in their learning.
This year’s theme, All In, reflects the spirit that defines TA every day. TA’s talmidim are all in, learning, growing, reviewing, and striving. TA’s rebbeim and teachers are al...
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.
Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2026 – 12:39PM (BJL) – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Baltimore area in effect until 8:00PM this evening.Stay alert for the possibility of strong storms, including heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning throughout the afternoon and evening hours
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Shoshana Miriam Sanders, a’h, wife of Mordechai Sanders, mother of Yehuda (Sarah) Sanders, Bracha Sanders, and Aharon (Ashley) Sanders, daughter of Malka and Avroham Lasker, and sister of Michel (Naomi) Lasker, Rizkah (Yitz) Martin, Dovid (Adina) Lasker, Aryeh (Michal) Lasker, Shira (Shuie) Dreyfus, and Shimon (Rubie) Lasker.
The levayah will be held at Levinson’s on Monday morning, May 18, at 8:30AM.Shiva will be observed at 2725 Woodcourt Road, Baltimore, MD, beginning Wednesday at 1:00PM and continuing through 2:00PM Thursday.Wednesday: Mincha/Maariv - 8:05 pm
Thursday - Shacharis: 7:00 am. Mincha (end of visiting) 2:00 pm
בלע המות ...
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.
Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2026 – Many in the Pikesville community were unaware of a disturbing incident that reportedly took place Monday involving several Pikesville Middle School students. According to a letter sent Tuesday by Pikesville Middle School Principal Bridges to staff and families, students from the school allegedly assaulted another student who does not attend the school during an incident at a home in the community. The assault was reportedly captured on video and circulated on social media among students. Authorities say the victim was transported to a local hospital, and three suspects have since been arrested and charged. The school says students involved will also face serious disciplinary consequences.Below is the full letter distributed by the principal to sch...
Baltimore, MD – May 17, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Phyllis Heller, a'h, mother of Todd (Ruth) Heller. The levayah will be held in New York on Wednesday.
Shiva will be observed at 2922 West Strathmore Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209 on Thursday. Shacharit: 7:00am
Mincha: 6:00pm
בלע המות לנצח
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mordechai & Chaya Rochel Silber on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Rebetzin Shmuel & Aviva Silber
Mazel tov to the great-grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Barry & Judy Silber and Dr. & Mrs. Gabriel & Florence Gurell.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 19, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shlomo and Gila Pollack on the birth of a daughter.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - May 19, 2026 - Rav Mordechai Shuchatowitz, Rav of Agudah Greenspring and head of the Baltimore Beis Din, spoke today to the middle school talmidim at Yeshivas Toras Simcha.He shared a story about the young Rav Mordechai Gifter, later the Telshe Rosh Yeshiva. When Rav Gifter’s father brought him to Rav Shimon Shkop for a bracha, Rav Shimon asked what bracha he wanted for his bachur. His father answered, “That he should become a big talmid chacham.”Rav Shimon replied that such a bracha depended on the young man himself: if he learned with diligence and hasmada, he could indeed become a talmid chacham. Rav Gifter then asked for a bracha to have a geshmak in learning. “Ah,” Rav Shimon answered, “that kind of bracha I can give.”Rav Shuch...
A growing safety concern across the Baltimore communityBaltimore, MD - May 19, 2026 - It’s a familiar sight on sidewalks and streets throughout our community: a teenager zipping silently past on an electric scooter, weaving through traffic or dodging pedestrians with a flick of the wrist. Whether they are heading to a friend’s house or rushing to Shul for davening/learning, these "e-mobility" devices have become a staple of local teen life.
While these scooters are convenient, a new safety awareness campaign in New York is sounding a loud alarm about a growing trend of "scooter entitlement" among young riders. In NYC, officials recently launched a sobering campaign with the tagline: “One Choice Can Change Everything. You Can’t Rewind a Crash.”While...
Baltimore, MD – May 18, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Levi Yitzchak Lowenbraun (Boro Park) and Rachael Nelkin (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Mr. Avraham Lowenbraun and Mr. & Mrs. Moshe & Gila Nelkin.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – May 18, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Shmuel Ber Lurie and Chana Bracha Ehrenreich on their engagement.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!
Daily
How should we prepare for Shavuot, the holiday of receiving the Torah? In my opinion, it’s by taking on something daily. A fixed daily learning session, long or short, alone or with a study partner. The main thing is consistency.
A few years ago, my husband Yedidya’s daily learning became part of the rhythm of our home. Every morning he learns Daf Yomi — one page of Gemara a day. I interviewed him about it on Zoom in honor of Shavuot, but maybe I’m the one who should have been interviewed, about what it looks like from the side, because it changes everything. Truly. Half an hour of daily learning affects the entire day, for everyone in the home.
Taking his lead, I began a daily learning session of my own, called Chit”at, which stands for Chumash...
Baltimore, MD - May 18, 2026 - There was tremendous nachas at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School this past Sunday, May 17, as high school student Moshe L. ’28 won 1st place in the high school division at the Chidon Tanach National Finals in New York, earning him the right to, IY"H, compete in the international tournament next year on Yom Ha'atzmaut in Israel. Additionally, 7th grader Tamar L. ’31 placed 6th in the middle school division, an incredible accomplishment.Twelve BT students traveled to New York to compete in the National Finals of the Chidon HaTanach - the Dr. Shimshon Isseroff US National Bible Contest for Jewish Youth. It was an incredibly exciting day for our students, their families, and the entire BT chevroh.Chidon HaTanach is a prestigious inte...
Annapolis, MD - May 18, 2026 - In a commencement speech at Valley Forge Military Academy on May 9, Gov. Wes Moore told graduates the academy had taught them “something that I wish more people in this society understood — that we will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate those that do.”
For two decades, Moore’s own accounts of his Army service and Afghanistan deployment have tested whether he lives by that standard.
In an April 2014 interview with the USO’s magazine”On Patrol,” Moore was asked about his duties in Afghanistan. “I was an infantry officer, military police officer and then became special ops when I joined the 82nd Airborne Division,” Moore said.
Based on Army records, his answer was not true.
Those records sho...
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