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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Baltimore, MD - June 21, 2022 - Kesser Torah is proud to announce the release of a song and music video specifically created for its current campaign. This inspiring song is soon to be on the lips of ohavei Torah worldwide.
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Move-In-Ready Workspace in coveted Quarry Lake with flexible terms available.
This brand-new workspace boasts a professional atmosphere, modern aesthetic, and many amenities, including:-Beautiful newly built offices-Complimentary Wi-Fi-Utilities included-Sitting/Standing desks, fully furnished-Conference room available-24-hour access-Secure building and office space-Beautiful shared outdoor patio-Free parking, including covered spaces-Close proximity to Pikesville and the I-695For more information contact us at Info@pimlicogroup.com
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Baltimore, MD - June 25, 2022 - O'Fishel's Mitzvah Motivators: What Have YOU Done for Klal Yisrael Today - Masmidim Calendar with Instructions on How to Obtain Your Prizes..Click on the form below for a larger, printable copy.
Today's prize - The hat not the kids (June 26, 2022):Bring the truncated completed form to the Liebes home (2601 Smith Ave.)on SUNDAY, JUNE 26 between 3:00-5:00pm or MONDAY (6/27) or TUESDAY(6/28), between 4:00-5:30 for a MITZVAH MOTIVATOR BASEBALLCAP with special escape hatch for ponytails and oversized peyos!
Baltimore, MD - June 28, 2022 - The N’shei Keren Hashviis international Shmitah events have been taking communities by storm, as women around the world enjoy the unique opportunity to connect to the mitzvah of Shmitah on a personal level, as they meet and receive a bracha from a Shmitah-observant farmer’s wife.
Their recent farmer trip to the U.S. included a stop in Baltimore, where women had the special opportunity to meet Shmitah farmer Ilana Toweg and hear her incredible story. They also had the honor of hearing from R’ Shia Markowitz, CEO of Keren Hashviis and a long-time askan who has served as the head of major communal organizations including the Agudath Israel of America.
For many women living in chutz la’aretz, this is the first time in their ...
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.
MKs Michal Waldiger and Orit Strook (Religious Zionism) went out to Jerusalem Boulevard in Ramat Gan and met the store owner who received a warning and a threat of a fine from the Ramat Gan municipality's enforcement department, which sees the sign above his store as a "hazard" that should therefore be removed. The sign reads: "Shma Yisrael HaShem Elokeinu HaShem Echad".
"I put a large 'Sh'ma Yisrael' sign above the sign with my store name," said the business owner. "The mayor called and sent me all kinds of inspectors and thugs to take down the sign. They said if I did not remove it, they would take it by force. I had an idea - to change the name of the store to "Shema Yisrael" and then he would not be able to tell me anything."
MK Strook commented: "We have seen sig...
Baltimore, MD - June 28, 2022 - This shiur provocatively suggests that Korach’s dreams of grandeur were actually a virtue. His mistake was that he did not pursue his own neshama’s aspirations and innate path for gadlus, but rather sought to usurp those ofMoshe and Aharon. Only when we are true to ourselves can we achieve a greatness which is devoid of rivalry towards others.
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A New Jersey man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshal Airport this month after authorities said he tried to smuggle more than 30 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a motorized wheelchair.
Gabriel Ruiz, 34, of Union City, N.J., faces charges of narcotics importation and drug possession.
Ruiz flew into BWI from Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic on June 20. Officials with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommended he have a secondary examination. During that examination, officers X-ray his Jazzy 614 electric wheelchair and found usual readings from the seat and back cushion. Officials said they found 13 plastic-wrapped bricks of cocaine inside. Tests confirmed the white powder was cocaine, CBP said.
Officials said the cocaine hidden inside the chair cou...
An attempted stabbing attack was thwarted in the Old City of Jerusalem Tuesday night.
A terrorist approached police officers stationed at one of the entrances to the Temple Mount and attempted to stab one of them.
Immediately afterwards, the terrorist fled back to the mosque compound on the Temple Mount. There were no casualties in the incident.
Police have said that a suspect is now in custody.
The MTA is reducing its Light Rail schedule during weekdays, as result of operator shortages.
It's the latest example of a nationwide issue that has impacted school systems looking for bus drivers and businesses in search of truck drivers.
Starting July 10, Light Rail trains will arrive every 15 minutes at a majority of stations while alternating between BWI Airport and Glen Burnie every half-hour.
The MTA says the temporary change aims to align service levels with operator availability and ridership, which remains low compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“We recognize the critical role that Light Rail and transit in general play in the lives of our riders,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. “While we are disappointed that we have had to take this step, these...
The impending dispersal of impending dispersal of the Knesset has led to the postponement of multiple governmental processes. Of particular concern to many citizens of both Israel and the United States of America has been the visa exemption agreement between the two countries which it had been hoped would be completed before the government changed.
US ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides posted a tweet asking government officials and MKs throughout Israel's political spectrum to make the Visa exemption agreement a bipartisan issue, irrespective of which party takes power after elections. "I've been working around the clock since I arrived to help Israel meet all the requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program. Don't lose momentum now. This will help Israeli citizens travel to...
Fifty people died after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer without air conditioning in the sweltering Texas heat, one of the worst tragedies to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico. More than a dozen people — their bodies hot to the touch — were taken to hospitals, including four children.
A city worker heard a cry for help from the truck parked on a lonely San Antonio back road late Monday afternoon and discovered the gruesome scene inside the trailer, Police Chief William McManus said. Hours later, body bags lay spread on the ground.
Forty-six people were found dead at the scene, authorities said. Four more later died after being taken to hospitals, said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, the county’s top elected official,
Among the dead...
Baltimore, MD – June 28, 2022 – Reb Eli is Coming to Baltimore and has a message for you…
Baltimore, MD - June 28, 2022 - 1:40PM - There has been a major accident on 695 inner loop past Exit 17...
A 101-year-old German was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted on over 3,500 counts of accessory to murder over his role as a Nazi guard at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
"You willingly supported this mass extermination with your activity," Judge Udo Lechtermann told the man, according to the Associated Press. "You watched deported people being cruelly tortured and murdered there every day for three years."
The man, identified as Josef S. by German media, denied working at the camp throughout the trial, claiming that he worked as a farm laborer between the 1942 and 1945 years in question.
But the court concluded that the prosecution was able to prove the man enlisted as a member of the Nazi Party’s paramilitary wing, using SS guard doc...
Baltimore, MD - June 28, 2022 - The following are the Yom Kippur Koton Mincha minyanim available in the Baltimore community:
Community Kollel 2:45PM
Bais HaKnesses Ohr HaChaim 7:40PM
Agudah Park Heights 7:45PM
If you know of any others please let us know so we may add them to this list.
Baltimore, MD – June 28, 2022 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Ariel Woodland (Harrisburg) and Eliana Michelsohn (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov Adina Michelsohn
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!