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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A Journey With Joy
If all you knew about Malky Hirth, A”h, was her illness, this may be a strange thing to hear, but for anyone who knew Malky, it is the most obvious truth about her: Malky was synonymous with life, with simchas hachaim, with the joy of being alive.
Malky was born on Friday night, just as her father whispered the last words in sefer Tehillim: Kol haneshamah tehallel Kah — Every life praises Hashem.
At the young age of two, Malky’s pure closeness to Hashem was already apparent. “I wish I could be a bird,” Malky said to her mother one day while walking outside. “Then I would be able to sing to Hashem all day!”
Malky overflowed with thanks to Hashem, singing songs of gratitude for everything in her life. Thanks for her family, tha...
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Baltimore, MD - Jan. 26, 2023 - Shabsi’s Judaica Center Mid-Winter Break ‘Teacher Appreciation’ Sale Now Going On! 15% off all purchases for rebbeim, morahs, teachers, and administrators now through Feb. 2, 2023
A short while ago, a report was received regarding a shooting attack at the Almog Junction.
A terrorist arrived at a restaurant, fired one bullet and fled the scene.
After the terrorist fired one bullet, a firearm malfunction occurred and he was unable to continue shooting.
IDF and Israel Police are searching the area. No injuries were reported in the incident.
A major Kentucky newspaper published an op-ed on National Holocaust Remembrance Day telling Jewish people that they "do not have a monopoly on persecution and atrocities."
Even though the January 27 memorial focuses on the monumental tragedy of six million Jews killed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, the Courier-Journal – part of the USA Today Network owned by parent company Gannet – lectured that the day be used to memorialize "every genocide" for the sake of inclusivity.
The op-ed, titled "Holocaust Remembrance Day is a time to remember more than one atrocity," warned that fixating specifically on the Holocaust during such a memorial results in people "negating and trivializing the horrors of the past and the injustices of today."
It also made a point...
Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Israel Kellerman, who lives in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood where Friday night’s murderous terrorist attack took place, says that the main task after the attack is to help residents who need help from a mental standpoint.
"What needs to be dealt with now is the assistance to those who were injured. This is an attack that took place under the homes of families with many children - many of them were standing at their windows or passing by on the street and saw this horror happening right in front of their eyes," Kellerman told Israel National News on Saturday night.
"There are many who are feeling anxiety and everything should be done to help them and bring them back to normal after what they saw and heard," he added.
"The feelings the d...
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Security Cabinet Statement
The Security Cabinet, this evening (Saturday, 28 January 2023), decided on a series of steps to fight terrorism and exact a price from terrorists and those who support them:
1. The home of the terrorist who carried out the terrorist attack in Jerusalem will be sealed immediately ahead of its demolition.
2. National insurance rights and additional benefits for the families of terrorists that support terrorism will be revoked.
3. Legislation on the revocation of Israeli identity cards of the families of terrorists that support terrorism will be discussed at tomorrow's Government meeting.
4. Firearm licensing will be expedited and expanded in order to enable thousands of additional citizens to carry weapons.
5. In response to the abhorrent at...
Sealing the terrorists' houses and arrest of family members is also among the possible steps
A political source on Saturday detailed the steps that are expected to be taken by Israel's government following two terrorist attacks that rocked Jerusalem in the last 24 hours.
According to the source, beyond the reinforcement of security forces, the cabinet is expected to approve sealing the terrorists' houses, arrest of family members and their relatives, expediting and budgeting requests to receive weapons and promotion of the Family Deportation Law.
Seven civilians were massacred by a Palestinian terrorist in Friday's attack outside a synagogue in Jerusalem and two others were wounded in another shooting in the city on Saturday, the latter attack p...
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the start of the Security Cabinet meeting this evening (Saturday, 28 January 2023):
"On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I would like to send my deepest condolences to the families of those who were murdered in this awful and despicable terrorist attack in our capital Jerusalem. This was a reprehensible attack at the entrance to a synagogue on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I thank my friend, US President Joe Biden, who spoke with me and expressed outrage and condolences over this terrible murderous attack. I also thank the many other leaders, including from Arab countries, for standing alongside Israel at this time. We are all praying for the wellbeing of those who were wounded in the two attacks.
I would like to commend the police offic...
This evening (Saturday, 28 January 2023) Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant held a situation assessment in a classified security location, together with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Head of the ISA, and additional security officials.
Minister Gallant was briefed on the details of the recent events and the intel activities conducted by Israel’s security forces.
Minister Gallant instructed the defense establishment to assess a series of immediate actions to be taken against lone attackers and their enablers and families. In addition, Minister Gallant and the IDF Chief of the General Staff agreed on the need to reinforce and support efforts by the Israel police.
Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant: “I instructed Israel’s defense establishment to increase defensive...
My heart breaks at news of the horrific terror attacks over Shabbat in Jerusalem. We have lost seven innocent civilians in a murderous terror attack, who had only just welcomed Shabbat into their homes and communities. May their memories be a blessing.
This morning in synagogue, as the cantor recited the "El Malei Rachamim" prayer for the souls of the victims of the attack, there was not a single dry eye among the worshippers, including me. We were all moved together.
These awful terror attacks remind us again of a simple and painful truth: whatever disagreements we may have between us, against our enemies, who want to harm us and rise up to kill us, we must maintain our unity. My support and trust are with the security forces, who are working night and day against terrorism.
I call on ...
President Isaac Herzog spoke tonight, after the end of Shabbat, with United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
Vice President Harris phoned the President to condemn the deadly terror attacks, give strength to the people of Israel, and express deepest condolences on behalf of herself and the people and leadership of the United States, after a painful Shabbat on which seven civilians were murdered and five injured in terror attacks.
President Herzog thanked Vice President Harris for her warm words and underscored that Israel and the United States must work together and fight terror with determination. In their conversation, the President added that Israel is looking forward to Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit this coming week.
The President also received calls from German ...
Following the deadly terrorist attack in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem, on Shabbat evening, an Arab student studying law at Kiryat Ono Academic College uploaded a mocking post to his social media accounts, highlighting his glee at the loss of Jewish life.
On his "status" page on WhatsApp, the student posted a screenshot from Facebook in Arabic where someone asked, "What's going on in Jerusalem?" and another person replied, "Someone's working on dispatching settlers off to their G-d."
Students in the Arab's second-year class were furious to realize that their classmate thought that the slaughter of Jews was something to mock. Several contacted Israel National News to express their anger.
"This also happened right after another incident on the campus, when a student pick...
Liora and Moran Atsilov, daughter of Roza Atsilov, who was wounded in the shooting attack in Neve Yaakov on Shabbat evening, recounted how their mother came face-to-face with the terrorist.
"She had gone out for a walk, and suddenly she stopped short as she realized that a bullet had hit her in the leg - and then another one in her arm," they described. "She turned and saw the terrorist and said: Please, don't hurt us. And he actually replied, speaking in Hebrew - he told her that he wouldn't shoot at girls. Then he turned away and shot someone else - a young woman - in the head."
The sisters added that, "It took so long before anyone from MDA came to help, to provide first aid. The police also took a long time to arrive, even though there's a police station right nearby. ...
Chaim Bleich, a volunteer with the ZAKA organization, was one of those sent to the scene of the Neve Yaakov terrorist attack to accord the bodies of the murdered Jews their last earthly respect and prepare them for Jewish burial. He later related his experience to Israel National News.
"I live in Pisgat Zeev, just minutes' walk away from Neve Yaakov. My brother, who is also a volunteer with ZAKA and also works for MDA, was my guest for the Shabbat meal. When we got the first messages about the attack we didn't immediately head there, as there were dozens of volunteers located closer to the scene who had already arrived there. But just a few minutes later, a call went out for more volunteers to get there and my brother and I got on our motorbike and headed to the scene.
"When we...
On Saturday evening, Motzaei Shabbat, a terrorist armed with a handgun was identified at the outskirts of the community of Kdumim and was neutralized by the community’s civilian security team.
Meanwhile, the area is still being combed to ensure that other terrorists are not in the vicinity, and residents of Kedumim have been ordered to remain indoors and lock all doors and windows, until they are given an all-clear.
In addition, the area has been closed off and will remain so until further notice.
Further updates to follow as available.
Yerushalayim shooting: ------------------------------------- On Friday night at 8:16 P.M., United Hatzalah’s Command and Dispatch Center received reports of several injuries following a shooting incident that took place on Neve Yaakov street at the entrance to a local shul. Yosef Deshet, a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT, was in the shul with his son when the shooting began. "When I heard the gunshots begin I took cover on the floor under a table with my son. Immediately after the shooting ended, I ran to my house nearby to bring my son back to safety and to grab my medical trauma kit and bulletproof vest. I then ran back to the shul and found a number of people seriously injured and in critical condition. I initiated CPR and reported the number of injured and the severity of the in...
All the seven victims of Shabbat evening's deadly terrorist attack in Neve Yaakov have now been named.
Asher Natan, aged 14, was the youngest of the victims. At the time of this writing his funeral is underway.
Natan lived in a building very close to the synagogue outside which the terrorist opened fire. He was the oldest of eight children and had left his home on Shabbat evening after the meal, to meet up with friends. When his parents heard the shooting, his father ran out of the house to find his son. By the time he found him the shooting was over. He broke through police barricades and then discovered the
Shaul Chai, aged 68, was the gabbai (sexton) of the Zechor L'Avraham synagogue in Pisgat Zeev. He was gunned down outside the Ateret Avraham synagogue in nearby Neve Yaak...
A 13-year-old resident of east Jerusalem opened fire on a group of pedestrians walking home from Shabbat services on Saturday morning near the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem.
A 47-year-old father and his 22-year-old son were shot by the child terrorist.
The younger man, an off-duty IDF paratrooper officer, was able to shoot back and wound the terrorist, as shown by security cameras from the site. The video showed the youth lurking behind parked cars with a handgun – and when a group of Jewish pedestrians passed, he sprang out and started firing.
The father was reported in moderate condition and his son in serious but stable condition on Saturday night. The terrorist was in serious condition.
Police later raided the home of the youth in Silwan and arres...
Twenty years ago, Roy (Yisroel) and Leah (Linda) Neuberger electrified the Jewish world with Roy’s book, From Central Park to Sinai, sharing the story of their return to Torah and Jewish life. Now, in the riveting From Sinai to Yerushalayim, bestselling author Rabbi Nachman Seltzer joins them on their fascinating journey, revealing new and unusual parts of the Neubergers’ lives, both before they became observant and in the two decades since they shared their story and became world-traveling ambassadors of Torah.
In this fascinating Inside ArtScroll interview, Roy and Leah describe how they were born to wealth and privilege, and educated in the most prestigious schools. Roy and Leah should have been contented and happy, and yet something was missing, always missing ... until t...