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.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it is allowing Delta Air Lines to cut some flights this summer at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports in New York, and at Reagan National Airport near Washington.
The partial relief for the airline from federal requirements that it use specific time slots at those airports — or face losing them — could undercut some passengers’ summer travel plans, the federal agency said.
The FAA said Delta customers should be offered the choice of a refund or “re-accommodation on comparable transportation, including service on another carrier as needed” through Sept. 5, when the waiver from flying Delta’s usual time slots at those airports will end.
Delta asked to cancel the flights, ...
As FBI agents pulled up to Donald Trump’s Florida club Monday morning to conduct a search for top-secret government documents – approved by a federal judge and requested by the attorney general of the United States – the former president was by chance already huddled with his lawyers in Trump Tower in New York, a thousand miles to the north.
They were supposed to be preparing Trump to be deposed later in the week in an entirely different matter, a civil probe of Trump’s family business. But the session was interrupted by a phone call informing the former president of the extraordinary events unfolding at his Mar-a-Lago Club, said Ron Fischetti, his New York attorney.
Trump and his close allies quickly became transfixed by the events unfolding in Palm Beach, people...
A divided Congress gave final approval Friday to Democrats’ flagship climate and health care bill, handing President Joe Biden a back-from-the-dead triumph on coveted priorities that the party hopes will bolster their prospects for keeping their House and Senate majorities in November’s elections.
The House used a party-line 220-207 vote to pass the legislation, prompting hugs among Democrats on the House floor and cheers by White House staff watching on television. “Today, the American people won. Special interests lost,” tweeted the vacationing Biden, who was shown beaming in a White House photo as he watched the vote on TV from Kiawah Island, South Carolina. He said he would sign the legislation next week.
The measure is but a shadow of the larger, more am...
The slight decrease in inflation announced Wednesday, from 9.1% in June to 8.5% in July, is likely to bring down 2023’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as well, to 9.6%.
Last month, the Social Security Administration was planning to give seniors a 10.5% boost. That would have brought the average Social Security recipient’s benefit up by $175 to $1,668 a month.
That’s now likely to be slightly smaller: a $159 bump to $1,656 a month, Barron’s reports, citing estimates by the Senior Citizens League.
Even if the COLA is just 9.6%, Social Security recipients are in line for the biggest raise in more than 40 years in 2023.
The Social Security Administration will announce the COLA in October, basing it on the average consumer price index for the third ...
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced on Friday that she had filed articles of impeachment against Attorney General Merrick Garland as the FBI’s search of the former president’s Florida residence roils Republicans.
Greene’s resolution claims that the attorney general’s “personal approval to seek a search warrant for the raid on the home of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, constitutes a blatant attempt to persecute a political opponent.”
The search warrant was approved by a federal judge and was unsealed on Friday after the Justice Department and Trump’s attorneys agreed.
The warrant showed that the FBI secured classified materials that were taken to Mar-a-Lago and suggests the former president is ...
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'The silent diplomacy continues and should bear fruit if... Washington is careful not to fall into propaganda'
For the first time since the arrest of basketball star Brittney Griner on drug charges in February, Russia officially confirmed that negotiations were underway with Washington regarding a possible prisoner exchange.
“Instructions have been given to the authorities to conduct negotiations,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ivan Nechayev, said Thursday, The Washington Post first reported.
The United States repeatedly declared that it made a “substantial offer” for the release of Griner and three other Americans – including Paul Whelan, a former soldier – all detained in Russia.
According to US media, it...
The German government said Friday it regrets plans by families of Israeli athletes killed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich to boycott a 50-year anniversary ceremony next month and said it was prepared to continue talks on further compensation.
Eleven Israelis and a German police officer were killed after members of the militant Palestinian group Black September broke into the Olympic Village on Sept. 5, 1972. They took Israelis hostage, hoping to force the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and two left-wing extremists in West German jails.
The victims’ families announced Thursday that they would not attend the memorial ceremony, underscoring ongoing friction between Germany and Israel. The two countries have built strong ties despite the enduring legacy...
Jerusalem, Israel - Aug. 13, 2022 - The Glustein Family, whose sister in law and her daughters were killed in the bus tragedy on Thursday asked to publicize: An unknown organization called Lev Lacholeh is running an online campaign, supposedly for their family. They are an unknown organization, and it is a scam.
A United Nations (UN) official has been demoted after posting a tweet condemning "indiscriminate rocket fire of Islamic Jihad provoking Israel retaliation."
Sarah Muscroft, who had held a senior position in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, provoked a wave of online controversy with her tweet, during which she praised the ceasefire that marked the end of Operation Breaking Dawn.
The Times of Israel reports that she later published a retraction reading: "One of my previous tweets was ill-informed and I have deleted it. I sincerely apologize for my poor judgment. All civilians — everywhere — must be able to live in peace," which proved insufficient to assuage those accusing her of failing to h...
“The Satanic Verses” author Salman Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and able to talk Saturday, a day after he was stabbed as he prepared to give a lecture in upstate New York.
Rushdie remained hospitalized with serious injuries, but fellow author Aatish Taseer tweeted in the evening that he was “off the ventilator and talking (and joking).” Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed that information without offering further details.
Earlier in the day, the man accused of attacking him Friday at the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit education and retreat center, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges in what a prosecutor called a “preplanned” crime.
An attorney for Hadi Matar entered the plea on his behalf du...
The Shop Maryland Tax-Free week returns on Aug. 14-20 this month, just in time for back-to-school shopping.
Find more information about tax-free week here.Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he wants residents to take advantage of this time -- not only for their children's back-to-school supplies, but for also themselves.
"August's temperatures are sizzling, and so are the savings during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week," Franchot said. "Whether you're looking to freshen up your wardrobe for the cooler months ahead or need to get your kids the latest styles for the new school year, this end-of-summer tradition is a great time to shop, save and support Maryland businesses."
Any piece of clothing or footwear under $100 will be exempt from the state's sales tax. The first...
Salman Rushdie, whose novel “The Satanic Verses” drew death threats from Iran’s leader in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and abdomen Friday by a man who rushed the stage as the author was about to give a lecture in western New York.
A bloodied Rushdie, 75, was flown to a hospital and underwent surgery. His agent, Andrew Wylie, said the writer was on a ventilator Friday evening, with a damaged liver, severed nerves in his arm and an eye he was likely to lose.
Police identified the attacker as Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairview, New Jersey. He was arrested at the scene and was awaiting arraignment. Matar was born a decade after “The Satanic Verses” was published. The motive for the attack was unclear, State Police Maj. Eugene Staniszewski said.
An Associated Pre...
Two people were seriously injured in a shooting attack near the Old City of Jerusalem.
According to initial reports, two terrorists apparently fired at a bus and fled the scene.
According to MDA, the incident took place in two different location - on the HaShalom street near the Old City of Jerusalem, and at the entrance to the King David's Tomb parking lot.
MDA medics and paramedics provided medical treatment to 7 gunshot victims, 6 men and a woman. 2 in serious condition, 5 in moderate and light condition.
Local residents are reporting seeing security forces searching for the terrorists in the East Jerusalem Silwan neighborhood.
Police are blocking the exits from the Western Wall plaza and the crowd is unable to leave the area.
MDA Senior EMT Nehemia Katz and MDA Paramedic Dav...
Baltimore, MD – Aug. 11, 2022 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mr. Herbert Amster, Z’L, father of Rabbi Chaim Amster.The Levayah will take palce in Cleveland on Monday morning, Aug. 15, 2022On Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday (morning only Wednesday) Chaim will be sitting Shiva at 7111 Park Heights Ave. Unit 412
The schedule and location of the remainder of Shiva will be shared when available. Minyan Information Shacharis (Tuesday and Wednesday): 7:15 am Mincha/Maariv (Monday and Tuesday): 7:45 pm
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach
For more details as available click here
A belated mazal tov to my niece Rochel Leah (née Shonek) and her husband Shua Greenwald on the birth of daughter, Yenta Rivkah (Rikki – and on their 6th wedding anniversary, while I'm at it.) Mazal tov to the extended Shonek, Bulka and Greenwald families.
Today, the 15th of Av, marks the 13th yahrtzeit of my Opa, Mr. George Jakobovits. This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmaso, Tovia Yehudah ben Yoel, a"h.
Although the yearly Torah reading cycle has not always followed its current pattern, it has a tendency to have the parshah of the week correspond quite neatly with the calendar. For example, we read Moshe Rabbeinu's exclamation of "Eichah!" in Parshas Devarim (1:12) which always falls on the Shabbos before Tish'ah B'...
Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable copy.
Everyone knows that today is Tu B'Av (15th of Av), the Jewish holiday of love, but what happened in history that makes this day so special?1. After the sin of the spies, God decreed that the Children of Israel should wander forty years in the desert, where a portion of the nation died each Tishav B'Av (9th of Av). But on the 15th of Av, in the year prior to entering the Land, the people realized the dying had stopped. This was a day of rejoicing since it marked the end of God's decree; the people could now prepare to enter the Land.2. Long after entering the Land and settling it, on the 15th of Av, the sages permitted intermarriage between memebers of different tribes. And so ended a painful division that had caused tension and discord among the tribes of Israel.3. Aft...
I was sitting in my office, talking to a tenant, a male probably in his 70’s.
He was wearing a t-shirt with an inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela. It read, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Inspiring, I know. But what happened next was not-so-inspiring.
He glanced at my desk which had a book on it (it was a Chumash, opened up to Parshas Va’eschanan!). Upon noticing the unique text, he asked me, “Is that Hebrew?!” I nodded in the affirmative.
“I wish I knew Hebrew! I learned Greek and Latin when I was younger, but I should’ve learned Hebrew!” he said. I told him that it’s never too late and he can try learning Hebrew even now, but he shrugged his shoulders and walked out looking a bit de...