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.
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לְהַעֲלוֹת נֵר תָּמִיד
In the Mishkan, the charge was not merely to keep the lamp lit, but לְהַעֲלוֹת נֵר — to tend the flame so it would rise and shine with strength and clarity. A living light requires care and constancy.
Shearith Israel stands in that tradition. Built on Torah and sustained by devoted members, our light continues to grow through vibrant tefillah, limud haTorah, and communal dedication.
This year’s campaign honors those who embody that mission.
Rabbi and Mrs. Ben Zion Malin are recognized for years of devoted service, with Rabbi Malin faithfully ensuring that our minyanim ran seamlessly day after day.
Mr. and Mrs. Shmuel Leshnoff are honored for Shmuel’s outstanding young leadership on behalf of our community and ma...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 19, 2026 - Mazel tov Tiferes Yisroel, Rabbi Goldberger’s shul, on reaching 40 years! Your focus this year is on transformation. Can you tell us about that? Rebbetzin Goldberger: My pleasure! Transformation is inherent in the number forty. An embryo is considered viable on the 40 th day. There are 40 days between Rosh Chodesh Elul and Yom Kippur. Klal Yisroel journeyed for 40 years in the desert, transforming into a nation worthy of entry into Eretz Yisroel. Rebbe Akiva, at 40, began to learn Torah. 613: Do the graphics in your campaign of waterfalls over rocks have something to do with this transformation? Rebbetzin Goldberger: I’m happy you noticed that. It certainly does. The Gemara tells us Rebbe A...
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Baltimore, MD – Feb. 23, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Dorothy Hettleman, a’h, wife of the late Eugene Hettleman, z’l, mother of Stuart Hettleman, Bruce Hettleman, Leslie Silverberg, Karen Katz, and the late Mark Hettleman, z’l.The Levayah will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026 at Levinson'sThe Kevurah will take United Hebrew Cemetery, 3901 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe, MD 21227.
Shiva will be observed at 6300 Red Cedar Place, Apt 209, Baltimore, MD 21209. (Heather Ridge Apartments) Code for complex is 1234, code for front door of building is 209111. Please park in Visitor Spots ONLYMinyanim: Shacharis: Wednesday through Monday: 8:00am Mincha/Maariv: 5:40pm Mincha Erev Shabbos: 3:...
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Baltimore, MD - Feb. 22, 2026 - Every single day at Tashbar begins with a smile and a child who feels he belongs. With over 60 boys in our school, in small, warm classes, our boys daven, learn, build, create, and lead. Every day brings a breakthrough. Every day builds confidence. Every day reveals new strengths. They feel capable. Trusted. Connected — to Torah, to their teachers, and to themselves. This is what happens when education is personal and joyful. Your partnership helps ensure that the smiles, breakthroughs, and meaningful moments that define Tashbar continue—again and again, Every Single Day.
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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 - Feb. 25, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yitz Topper and Michali Simon on their engagement.
Mazel tov to the Topper and Simon Families.
Drive through any Israeli city and you’ll find streets named for rabbis and religious leaders, alongside politicians, biblical figures, poets, and friends of Israel - essentially anyone who has shaped the Jewish story. Only recently, however, have a handful of Israeli cities - including Rishon Lezion, Gedera, Dimona, Beitar Illit, and Kfar Saba - begun naming streets for one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the twentieth century: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
For decades he guided Israeli leaders, inspired soldiers and citizens alike, and transformed Jewish identity around the world. His portrait hangs in gas stations, army bases, and tefillin stands across the country - symbols of a movement that has become part of Israel’s spiritual landsc...
Washington, D.C. - Feb. 25, 2026 - President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed the first year of his presidency as a “turnaround for the ages,” touting his policies and assailing Democrats in the longest State of the Union speech by any president.
Trump sought to use the address to project a sense of a strong and growing country, bashing President Joe Biden and saying the country is “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.”
But in a sign of extraordinary partisan tensions, many Democratic lawmakers, including both of Maryland’s senators and several members of its House delegation, boycotted the speech in protest of Trump’s policies. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-6th) attended an alternative rally on the Nation...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 25, 2026 - Rabbi Yoni Sonnenblick of Congregation Ohel Torah Leads the Invocation at Monday Night’s Baltimore City Council Meeting
In memory of my beloved mother, whose yahrtzeit is 8 Adar. May her neshama have an aliyah
The parshiyos we are reading now and in the coming few weeks are sometimes difficult to relate to. What does the clothing of the kohein gadol in this parshah, or the details of the mishkan and korbonos in the other parshiyos, have to do with our situation? What should we learn from them? Rabbi Mordechai Miller in his Sabbath Shiurim has a beautiful dvar Torah on this parsha, which deals with our own lives and with Purim as well. Rabbi Miller’s prose is beautiful, and I have included some of it here, so it is not all mine.
A main subject of the parsha is the ceremonial garments of the kohein gadol, which were royal in their splendor (l’chavod u’l’...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - This morning, I met with the Director of Baltimore City Department of Transportation regarding the alarming number of traffic signals currently out across Baltimore City.
DOT operates with a $236 million budget and more than 1,000 employees, yet maintains only a skeleton crew dedicated to traffic signal maintenance. At a time when the agency prioritized hiring additional ticketing and enforcement personnel, it is clear that resources were misallocated.
What we urgently need is more maintenance staff focused on keeping our infrastructure operational.
The frequency and prolonged duration of traffic light outages across our city are not inconveniences; they are public safety emergencies. When signals are down at major intersect...
How to Lead When Hashem Is Silent
Throughout Tanach, Hashem uses prophecy to guide Jewish leaders. Hashem’s clear guidance meant that leadership generally consisted of merely transmitting His directives to the people and inspiring them to follow.
Today, without prophecy, we lack this clarity. This reality demands a different kind of leadership. Without Hashem’s explicit guidance, leaders must discern His will from the signs He leaves us in the Torah, history, and current events.
Megillat Esther, a book that lacks prophecy (and even the mention of G-d’s name), presents models of such leadership. Though left to their own devices to determine a course of action, Mordechai and Esther succeed in saving the Jewish people from annihilation. They offer powerful models of...
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 24, 2026 - 6:07PM (BJL) Two left lanes on the inner loop of 695 are closed past Security Boulevard (Exit 17). Major delays reported.
New educational tagging program helps residents recycle correctly and keeps contamination out of the recycling stream
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is launching its new OOPS Tag Recycling Initiative, a citywide program designed to reduce contamination in recycling bins, improve recycling efficiency, and strengthen Baltimore’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Baltimore residents care deeply about their neighborhoods and the environment. However, confusion about what can and cannot be recycled has led to increased contamination in the City’s recycling stream. When non-recyclable items or food residue are placed in recycling bins, entire truckloads of materials may become unusable, increasing processing costs and re...
Baltimore, MD - Feb. 24, 2026 - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Police Commissioner Richard J. Worley issued the following statement on Maryland State Trooper shot at in Baltimore City:
"The Baltimore Police Department is working closely with the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore County Police Department to identify and apprehend the suspect involved in the incident this morning where a Maryland State Trooper was shot at during a routine traffic stop in Baltimore.
"We are committed to using every available resource to help bring this individual into custody alongside our partners. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or the vehicle shown in these images, a silver or gray Infiniti with front-end damage, broken headlights, and darkly tinted windows, is urged to come f...