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.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday rejected congressional subpoenas issued for him and for the State Department to provide information and testimony to lawmakers about two politically charged developments. The refusals set the stage for an escalation in the confrontation between the State Department and the Democratic-controlled House ahead of November’s elections.
In letters sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Pompeo and the State Department’s acting legislative affairs chief said they had no intention of complying with the subpoenas. They said the subpoenas were politically motivated, without merit, and unnecessary as the information and testimony could be otherwise obtained.
Read more at NEWSMAX.
No agenda set for cabinet meeting as coalition crisis hits new high. Blue and White leader accuses Netanyahu of seeking elections for "personal and political considerations."
Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz of Blue and White refused Saturday night to rule out backing legislation that would stop Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from serving as prime minister.Gantz’s comments come amid severe tensions within the coalition and the possibility that government ministers will not convene Sunday morning for the weekly cabinet meeting due to the crisis between Netanyahu and the Blue and White leader over the state budget.
As the divisions between the Likud and Blue and White have increased in recent weeks, and the allegations that Netanyah...
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Friday the country’s investigation into the biggest blast in Beirut’s history would examine whether it was caused by a bomb or other external interference.
“The cause has not been determined yet. There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act,” Aoun was quoted by Reuters as having told local media.
Aoun, who had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port, said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident.
20 people had been detained so far, he added.
One source said an initial probe blamed negligence.
Lebanese authorities said Tuesday’s blast, which killed at least 137 people and injure...
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Most recent Statements/letters/etc. from the Baltimore Vaad HaRabbanimVaad HaRabbanim Of Baltimore: "Despite Our Diligent Efforts And Vigilance Locally, We Have Had A Slow Trickle Of New Cases In The Past 2 Weeks That Raises Concern." [July 2, 2020]Vaad HaRabbanim Of Baltimore: "Those Shuls Which Are Able To Open In A Manner Deemed Safe May Do So Already For Shabbos" (June 19) Vaad HaRabbanim of Baltimore: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Yesterday’s Vaad Harabanim Letter [June 11, 2020]Vaad HaRabbonim Of Baltimore: A Smorgasbord of Good News (June 10, 2020) Baltimore's Vaad HaRabbanim: Please Make Sure to Vote This Tuesday (May 31, 2020 3:03 PM) Vaad HaRabbonim Of Baltimore: Guidance For Hosting Company for Shavuos 5780 (May 24, 2020)Vaad HaRabbanim Of Baltimo...
The gap in the U.S. jobless rate between whites and Blacks widened for a third straight month in July, making the gulf between the races the widest in more than five years, Labor Department data released on Friday showed.
The rate for both races fell in July, but the rate for whites dropped more, by 0.9 percentage point to 9.2%. The rate for Blacks dropped by 0.8 percentage point to 14.6%, widening the gap to 5.4 points.
The average unemployment rate for all demographic groups fell by 0.9 percentage points to 10.2% from 11.1%.
Read more at NEWSMAX.
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.
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Baltimore, MD - June 19, 2020 - N’shei Agudath Israel of Baltimore Summer Lecture Series.Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable copy
Fatah, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian factions are plotting a violent uprising — intifada — against Israel, Palestinian Media Watch NGO reported Thursday.
The NGO cited a broadcast on official Palestinian Authority TV channel featuring Wasel Abu Yusuf, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, which aired July 28.
The broadcast referred to a statement issued earlier following a PLO-Fatah meeting, which included such language as “working to establish a united national front for popular resistance resulting in a comprehensive intifada.”
The host specifically asked whether the intifada in question was supposed to be a peaceful, non-violent one, to which Wasel Abu Yusuf responded with a categorical “no.”
Read more ...
The top U.S. counterintelligence official announced Friday a series of foreign threats facing the 2020 presidential election, warning in particular that Russia is using a range of measures to “primarily denigrate” former Vice President Joe Biden while China prefers that President Trump not win reelection.
William Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, pointed to China, Russia and Iran as the three primary foreign threats to the U.S. presidential race, cautioning that they are seeking to “sway voters’ preferences and perspectives,” sow discord and “undermine the American people’s confidence in our democratic process.”
“Many foreign actors have a p...
A New York City councilman said he feared for his life until hydroxychloroquine helped him recover from his coronavirus infection.
Councilman Paul Vallone, a Democrat, told the New York Post that he took hydroxychloroquine, a drug known for treating malaria, while he fell ill with COVID-19 in March. He claimed that the drug saved his life and thanked President Trump for raising awareness about the medication.
"At that time, there was only fear and panic, he offered hope in a possible treatment when there was none. With my sarcoidosis and then my COVID symptoms, It basically saved me. For that, my family will always be thankful," Vallone said.
Vallone said he struggled with severe symptoms after contracting the virus.
"I couldn’t breathe, very weak, couldn’t g...
When President Donald Trump connected by phone last week with Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson — perhaps the only person in the party who can cut a nine-figure check to aid his reelection — the phone call unexpectedly turned contentious.
The 87-year-old casino mogul had reached out to Trump to talk about the coronavirus relief bill and the economy. But then Trump brought the conversation around to the campaign and confronted Adelson about why he wasn’t doing more to bolster his reelection, according to three people with direct knowledge of the call. One of the people said it was apparent the president had no idea how much Adelson, who’s donated tens of millions of dollars to pro-Trump efforts over the years, had helped him. Adelson chose not to come b...
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Friday urged Baltimoreans to follow public health guidelines and turn around concerning coronavirus numbers.
The city is an area of concern for White House officials. Adams on Friday toured a field hospital at the Baltimore Convention Center. The hospital was established by the Maryland National Guard and is being run by Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical System.
"We don't need to wait for a vaccine. We don't need to wait for a miracle therapeutic," Adams said, pointing to New York, the one-time hotspot, where on Friday Gov. Andrew Cuomo cleared schools to reopen.
He said Americans need to follow his "three W's" of washing hands, watching distance and wearing a face mask.
"If we do these three things, these ...
Whether it’s on Election Day or for early voting, whether or not there will be enough poll workers on Election Day is anyone’s guess, and there’s a dire warning all in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
For more than 30 years, Jean Faith has served as a judge of elections at Honeygo Run Community Center, and despite the coronavirus, she’s already signed up to serve this year on Nov. 3.
“I’m not really concerned, because we are going to take all of the precautions we can," Faith said. "We’re going to have gloves on, we’re going to wipe everything down. When they come in they’ll have to wear a mask, and if they don’t, we’ll have to give them one.”
In Baltimore County, there’s a big need for election ju...
Maryland’s state elections board voted Friday to significantly reduce the number of places where voters can cast ballots on Election Day in November, a proposal aimed at accommodating a shortage of poll workers while avoiding voter confusion and crowded precincts during the coronavirus pandemic.The five-member board’s recommendation to Gov. Larry Hogan calls for using 282 public high schools or better sites as “vote centers” where any registered voter in a particular county could cast a ballot on Nov. 3. Board members also expressed support for keeping the state's roughly 80 early-voting centers open on Nov. 3.
Hogan's office had not commented on the vote on Friday night.
Board members are scheduled to meet Wednesday and say they will move ahead with the...
A Weekly Shtikle mazal tov to my niece and nephew, Ruti (née Levy) and Yoni Epstein of Lakewood on the birth of their daughter, Adina Tova, last week. Mazal Tov to the extended Bulka, Levy and Epstein mishpachos and to the great great grandmother, Oma Jakobovits.
Wednesday, the 15th of Av, marked the 11th yahrtzeit of my Opa, Mr. George Jakobovits. This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmaso, Tovia Yehudah ben Yoel, a'h.
For the past week, much of the east coast of the United States has been flooded by a Tropical Storm with the unique name of Isaias. The irony is just too much to ignore. Isaias – as one might surmise from reading it, rather than hearing it – is the Spanish/Portugese form of Yes...
President Trump signed four executive actions Saturday aimed at delivering relief to Americans struggling with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic while accusing Democrats of stonewalling greater aid efforts.
Trump announced a $400-per-week supplemental unemployment payment to out-of-work Americans -- short of the $600 weekly benefit that expired at the end of July. He unveiled an extension of student loan relief and protections from evictions for renters and homeowners.
Trump also signed a payroll tax holiday through the end of the year for Americans earning less than $100,000, while promising more relief if he wins a second term.
The president signed the executive actions from his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., a...
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 8, 2020 - Rav Dr. Aaron Glatt, RAA/Igud's Director of Halacha and Medicine Commission will provide a live update on Motzei Shabbos, August 8 at 9:45pm NY time.
Zoom dial-in:
Meeting ID: 980 3243 6809
Password: SUMMER2020
or by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US
[Ed. Note: Shoresh Sports Camp in PA, referred to below, has absolutely no association with Camp Shoresh Day Camp in MD]As I have gotten numerous questions about this original email that I sent out, I will provide additional follow-up about it to try and address some of the issues I have been asked about.
I have also spoken with the leadership of Camp Shoresh. While my email did not in any way imply that they were not cooperating with the DOH, I just wanted to specifically state clearly that they have been cooperating from the beginning with the DOH in PA and that they have been very proactive in addressing this. Indeed, I connected the Nassau County DOH with the camp leadership, and the Commissioner was very thankful. The Nassau County Commissioner stated the camp leadership has been ver...
Baltimore, MD – Aug. 2020 - Every Shabbos table offers every Jewish family an incredible opportunity by which they can share their joy for Shabbos, for Yiddishkeit and for HaShem with their children. Unfortunately, our schedules are hectic and many people don’t have the time to prepare themselves to utilize the Shabbos table to its fullest. Therefore, we at ACHIM created TableTalk as a pre-packaged talking points pamphlet which is attractive, fun and has something for everyone. Limited copies are distributed to many shuls on a weekly basis but they are snatched up very quickly. Get yours ASAP or click on the graphic below and print your own.
What’s in it and what’s all the excitement about?
TableTalk features:
• ...
An Illinois school district is cracking down on remote learning dress codes, disallowing students from wearing pajamas while attending online classes.
The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education approved the district's new handbook this week, which applies in-person dress codes to remote learning settings, NBC News reported.
"We don't need students in pajamas and all those other things while on their Zoom conference," Director of School Support Jason Wind said during a virtual school board meeting on Monday.
Students will also be required to get out of their beds and attend classes while sitting in a chair at home, upright and attentive to the instructor's lessons. Read more at The Hill