Har Hamoriya, Har Habayis, Makom Hamikdash, the point from which the Earth was formed, this special place on our planet has a recorded history dating back thousands of years with such important events as Akeidas Yitzchak, Yaakov’s dream and the ultimate building of the Beis Hamikdash. In this week’s Parsha, Hashem chose to only allude to its existence. “El Hamakom asher yivchar Hashem Elokeichem” (Re’ei 12:5), “to the place which Hashem will choose” is all Bnei Yisroel is told about this Holiest of places. Several Mephorshim explain Hashem’s decision not to identify this most prestigious place at this point in time, in order to avoid the lands inhabitants from fortifying the area and trying to prevent B’nei Yisroel from conquering it. I...
I’d like to share with you a story about me and my belt. You see, I have a belt. In fact, I have two belts. Well actually, I have three. One for shabbos, one for weekdays, and one old one that I don’t currently use. I just keep it for sentimental purposes.
I recall one morning where I couldn’t find my belt. I looked in all the places that it should be. Yes, I even tried to think about the last place I had it. (You know those people? You are desperately looking for something that’s missing, and the wise guy comes up with this big idea: Did you check the last place you had it? Like what does that even mean?! If I cannot find it, I clearly don’t remember where that last place was, right?! That’s precisely why I’m still looking for it!)
I made a big ...
Baltimore, MD - August 7, 2026: It was an exciting experience for me to travel to Annapolis this past Monday (August 3) and take part in a rally outside the Maryland State House. Over the past few months, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) of Maryland has announced major funding cuts and policy changes that will severely impact our special needs community. This rally, targeting the Maryland General Assembly during their special legislative session, was part of a larger attempt to let our lawmakers know just how much these cuts and procedure changes will adversely affect those who rely on the DDA funding. Menucha has been receiving significant funding from the DDA in the past, and that funding is now in jeopardy.
Mrs. Rochel Schnur has been strongly and tirelessly advo...
The Torah forewarns how there may come a time when a prophet or a dreamer will produce to you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder comes about, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us follow gods of others that לא ידעתם — you did not know and we shall worship them!" — do not hearken to the words of that prophet or that dreamer… for G-d, your Lord is testing you לדעת — to know whether you love G-d, your Lord, with all your heart and all your soul. (דברים יג ג-ד)
This cautioning of their one day being lured, particularly into following gods 'they did not know', seems strange. Would it be better if they were seduced into serving gods, they were more familiar with?
It seems that G-d tests us to determine if we truly love Hi...
Baltimore, MD - August 7, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Nachum Schor and Sarah Yudkovsky on their engagement.Mazel tov parents Yechezkel and Shiffy Yudkowsky and Chaim and Bayli Schor
!יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD – August 7, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Eli Levin and Chaya Wecker on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to the parents Naftali & Shuli Levin and Chaim & Malky Wecker.
Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. Irvin Levin and Mrs. Jeanne Grynberg, Mrs. Marsha Blumberg, Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Wecker, and Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Singer.
!יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD - August 6, 2025 - Nearly 230 people gathered on Thursday, June 18, for Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Hatorah’s annual Siyum Hashanah dinner. Parents, grandparents, Kollel families, Bochurim, and the Hanhala came together to celebrate a year of growth and achievement with true kavod hatorah.
The dinner marked the end of the zman in Baltimore, before the Yeshiva moved to its summer campus to finish the zman.
The evening began with a light reception catered by Platinum Events. Parents greeted the Hanhala, heard about the hatzlacha of the talmidim, and met the Kollel chavrusas who learned with their sons during the year.
The Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbi Dovid Hoffman and Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum, welcomed the crowd. They spoke about the hasmada and hard work of the Bochurim and Koll...
Baltimore, MD - August 5, 2026 - I am a guy. A brother. A son. I am a frum Jew, a husband, a dad. I am also a card carrying member of a unique club. I am a member of the “Dads of Extremely Exciting Children Club”. Like many of the most exclusive clubs, this is not a club I chose to join. The club chose me.Unlike the secret societies of old, there’s nobody guarding the door. There’s no password to enter. Membership has its perks. Many of them. But it also comes at a high cost. Sometimes it's a litany of doctor's appointments. Expenses you never imagined. Endless surprises. Never quite knowing what tomorrow will bring. There's also the urge to be strong. To shove all of those feelings and concerns out of mind. To act as though everything is OK. Alw...
What Did You Take Home From Israel?
“What will you take home with you from your visit to Israel?”
I put that question to a group of American college students who had come to Israel for a week of volunteering and Jewish learning with Birthright Israel and Manhattan’s MJE. We were standing on the rooftop of the Aish HaTorah building, overlooking the Western Wall, after a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Here is what they said. I think Israelis need to hear their answers too.
The first student said she had not felt well all week. “But when I went to a pharmacy, I could tell that people really cared. They tried to help me and make me feel better. Our Israeli guides kept checking in on me too. That doesn’t happen in New York. I truly felt at home.&rd...
Baltimore, MD - August 5, 2026 - Soaring beef prices and a shrinking domestic cattle herd are hitting the kosher beef market hard, and consumers expect to face shortages going into Yom Tov season.
Mr. Arie Benjamin, owner of Wasserman and Lemberger said his supplier just informed him that Salomon's beef prices are going up 10 percent. That's on top of a 30-percent hike during the past year and a half.
He said that other major brands have not yet said that they'll be raising prices, but they expect them to do as well.
There's no American meat out there. There's no cattle. This is going to be the hardest Yom Tov season for meat. People have to wake up early and have patience to get piece by piece, because there's not going to be much American meat available...
Baltimore, MD - August 5, 2026 While summer often brings a welcome chance to recharge, many educators across our community chose to spend part of their break investing in their professional growth through Jewish Educational Services’ new Zoom In This Summer series. The three-session virtual learning opportunity was designed to offer practical, relevant strategies that teachers could immediately bring back to their classrooms in the fall. Using data from past surveys, JES piloted a summer Zoom series to reduce some barriers that often prevent teachers from participating in professional development during the school year. The response was clear - 50 teachers registered from 18 different schools, showcasing the need for this type of program.
The series began with B'M...
Baltimore, MD – August 4, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Elya Rothstein and Isabella Adefna (Israel) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to the parents Dr. and Mrs. Mark Rothstein.
!יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD – August 2, 2026 Family, friends, and members of the Baltimore community gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate a joyous Hachnassas Sefer Torah hosted by the Iny family.
The new Sefer Torah was dedicated l’iluy nishmas Mr. Joe Iny a”h and Mr. David Iny a”h, honoring their memory through the writing and completion of a Torah that will continue to inspire generations.The celebration began with the completion of the final letters at the family’s home on Olympia Avenue, followed by a festive procession to Congregation Beit Yaakov, where the Sefer Torah was welcomed with singing, dancing, and heartfelt hakafos.The meaningful event brought together relatives, friends, and community members in a moving expression of kavod haTorah and remembrance, ...
Baltimore, MD – August 2, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mitchell Levy (Columbus, Ohio) and Chana Zeller on their engagement. Mazel Tov to the parents Dr. Rabbi & Mrs. Sheldon and Rachel Zeller and to parents Mr. and Mrs. Karen and Howard Levy of Columbus, Ohio !יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD – August 2, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mildred Kauffman, a"h, mother of Bruce Kauffman.The levaya will take place tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in New Jersey. Shiva will be observed at 11980 Long Lake Drive, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Minyan times to follow.
