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.
Baltimore, MD - July 6, 2020 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yosef & Shani (Silber) Bizouati on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel Tov to Grandparents Mrs. Shoshana Bizouati and Rabbi Shmuel & Rebbetzin Aviva Silber
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן
Baltimore, MD - July 6, 2020 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi Friedberg and Natalie Milevsky (Toronto) on their engagement.
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
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Baltimore, MD - July 5, 2020 - TA dinner distribution this week: Monday and Thursday, read below for detailsMonday 7/6: Distribution from 4-6pmMenu: pizza, baked ziti, cheese pretzels, yogurt, muffins, corn on the cob, fruit, milk (allergens: wheat, dairy, eggs)Please do not arrive before 3:45pm for dinner distribution, to allow us to complete our camp carpool dismissal in a safe manner. Cars arriving to TA before 3:45 for dinner meals that are not doing camp carpool will be asked to return later. Thursday 7/9: 17 Tammuz Fast Day, Distribution Times TBA, Two Meat MealsOn all dinner distribution days, please arrive to TA via a right turn only onto campus, approaching from Scotts Level Rd. Do not use your cell phone on campus, or you will not receive meals. We look forward to a safe distribu...
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Baltimore, MD - July 5, 2020 - Join Project Community this summer for Baltimore girls’ block parties in your neighborhood! Starting this week, July 8, for girls ages 4-11. For more information and to register, visit pc20.org/blockparty
OU Summer Programming for girls ages 4-11 and girls ages 14-18 For more information: reach out to Batsheva Schecter (443) 314- 0187 schecterb@ou.org.
Click here to join the WhatsApp Group here to stay up to date.
This summer, the OU will be holding block parties around and a teen program, offering programming around Baltimore to girls ages 4-11, and separate programming and volunteer opportunities for girls ages 14-18.
Every week, there will be a “Block Party” in your neighborhood with a different activity tailored to our community&rs...
This article is adapted from my newly-released sefer, “What Can I Say… Today”. All halachos mentioned herein are complex and part of a larger framework. The purpose of the article is to raise awareness of these essential halachos. Hence, one should not draw any practical conclusions without first consulting a rav.
Speaking to One’s Spouse
There is a circumstance in which the prohibition of speaking Loshon Hora is commonly transgressed. When one comes home from a hard day’s work, it is common to talk to his spouse about how the day went. Indeed, this is a commendable practice, and it is important for shalom bayis (marital harmony). However, it is not permissible to tell Loshon Hora to one’s spouse. Therefore, even if an individual feels very close to h...
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
Baltimore, MD – July 6, 2020 - It is with sadness that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petira of Dr. Gershon Ney, Z’L, husband of Sara (Meth) Ney, father of Boruch Ney, Moishey Ney, Zvi Ney, Uri Ney, Atara (Berel) Steinerman, Avi Ney, and Tikvah Ney, and brother of Carol (Shmuel) Federman.
Levayah on Tuesday at 10AM at Schwartz Brothers, 114-03 Queens Blvd Queens, NY, 11375 - Maximum of 75 people allowed in (25% capacity). Masks are required
Shiva visitation by phone 718.793.8719Shiva by phone to Mrs. Carol Federman Cell-732.979.5800 Home-732.777.1059
PLEASE NOTE: Boruch Ney (848.223.2208) & Moishey Ney (848.373.6062) will sit on Sunday & Monday at 6 Maine Place, Jackson, NJ, 08527. [Corner of Maine and California: enter "...
A judge has denied a preliminary injunction to a group of Jewish sleepaway camps seeking to overturn New York’s ban on overnight camps during summer 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.Cick here to read the decision
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a 1991 law that bars robocalls to cellphones.
The case, argued by telephone in May because of the coronavirus pandemic, only arose after Congress in 2015 created an exception in the law that allowed the automated calls for collection of government debt.
Political consultants and pollsters were among those who asked the Supreme Court to strike down the entire 1991 law that bars them from making robocalls to cellphones as a violation of their free speech rights under the Constitution. The issue was whether, by allowing one kind of speech but not others, the exception made the whole law unconstitutional.
Six justices agreed that by allowing debt collection calls to cellphones Congress “impermissibly favored debt-collection sp...
Sefiras Haomer is a time for growth and inspiration. Unfortunately, in today’s virtual world that inspiration can be hard to tap into. Which is why Mrs. Chana Baila Hass, Director of Bnos Agudath Israel, came up with a unique and interactive Shmiras Halashon sefirah program. “I wanted to give the girls a different experience” she said, “I didn’t want the girls to just call in to a hotline and listen to a halachah; I wanted it to be captivating.”
And captivating it was. The program was easy to follow, every day the girls called the hotline, listened to a halachah and story pertaining to Shmiras Halashon t...
Agudath Israel of America hosted a virtual event for its Board of Trustees, National Officers, Vaad Hanhalah and nationwide contacts. The purpose of the meeting was to update Agudath Israel’s key contacts across the country on the efforts and successes the organization has had throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, which featured Divrei Bracha from Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Chaver Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Beis Meir, also included presentations from directors of various Agudah divisions who reported on their activities. The session was chaired by Rabbi Labish Becker, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of America.
You can view the full recording here:
&...
NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York City saw a troubling spike in violent crime this July 4th weekend. From Saturday through Sunday night, nearly 50 people were shot, 8 of them fatally. These troubling numbers also follow a record violent month of June in NYC.
While it has been obvious to most New Yorkers that de Blasio’s controversial bail reform has been destroying any hope for relative calm in this city, the Mayor himself seems to want to blame the recent criminal activity on something entirely different: Coronavirus.
De Blasio addressed the issue during his daily City Hall press briefing, saying that over July 4th weekend, “a lot of people out there, very peacefully celebrated our nation’s birthday … but we also saw too much violence this weekend.”
In ...
The number of people shot in New York City more than tripled last week compared to the same period in 2019, police sources said Monday morning.
Between Monday, June 29, and Sunday, July 5, the city saw 74 shooting incidents with 101 victims, the sources said. That’s compared to 26 shootings with 33 victims during that time last year.
Meanwhile, 18 people were murdered in the city last week — six more than during the same period last year.
Sunday alone, there were 30 shooting incidents with 48 victims — nine of whom were killed, the sources said.
Read more at THE NY POST.
(JERUSALEM, Israel – July 6, 2020) On Sunday, July 5, ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s network of care for individuals with severe complex disabilities, hosted a virtual memorial ceremony and dedication to honor the life and legacy of Rhoda Fischer a”h, who advocated passionately for the advancement of disability care and inclusion as the Honorary President of ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran from 2008-2013, while her husband, Stanley Fischer, served as Governor of the Bank of Israel.
As the sun set in Israel, the ALEH leadership gathered at the renowned residential and rehabilitative village in the Negev to conclude the initial 30-day mourning period with moving words of tribute and the dedication of a garden that pays homage to Rhoda’s love of natural beauty and belief ...
U.S. equity markets continued the July 4th celebration, rallying across the board as the Nasdaq notched a fresh record.
Investors focused on the government's disclosure of Paycheck Protection Program fund recipients and the successful stimulus program as New York City began Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening. Also, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathway put its cash pile to work which was viewed as another sign of optimism.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 459 points, or 1.78 percent, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite were higher by 1.59 percent and 2.21 percent, respectively.
The Nasdaq, helped by Amazon crossing the $3,000 level for the first time, hit its 24th record-high close th...
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch plus severe thunderstorm watch for most of Maryland.
Much of Maryland is under a flash flood watch from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday. During the watch period, up to 3 inches of rain could fall in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
The region is also under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.
Forecasters expect thunderstorms to develop Monday afternoon and evening with potentially heavy rain along the Interstate 95 corridor, from Harford County to Fairfax County, Va.
Some areas could see multiple thunderstorms with 1 to 2 inches of rain possible and up to 3 inches of rain in some cases, according to the flash flood watch.
The watch from 3 to 11 p.m. applies to Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, ...
Iranian hardline lawmakers are reportedly planning to summon the country’s President Hassan Rouhani to a parliamentary grilling, which could ultimately lead to impeachment.
There is evidently growing discontent in the country as it struggles simultaneously with a number of issues, particularly over the Islamic Republic’s economic outlook.
Iran is facing an increasingly deep economic crisis exacerbated by rising inflation, a slump in the value of the local currency – not dissimilar from what is occurring in Syria and Lebanon – and growing unemployment.
These pressures are partly down to US President Donald Trump’s administration’s efforts to levy harsh economic sanctions on Iran as punishment for its opacity about its nuclear ambitions and funding of i...
World Heritage Committee cancelled. In its place, 58 member-State Paris-based representatives convened with its biannual anti-Israel baggage
This week, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) was to have convened in Fuzhou, China. The Wiesenthal Centre, as the only Jewish organization accredited to that body, each year lobbies against "Palestinian" theft of Jewish heritage.
Due to COVID-19 and financial strictures, the WHC was cancelled. In its place, the 58 member-State Paris-based representatives convened at the UNESCO Executive Board, bringing along its biannual anti-Israel baggage.
In the absence of the United States and Israel, the Wiesenthal Centre reports from the field.
As in all UN bodies, UNESCO decisions are subject to bloc solidarity, the largest being the 'Arab/Mu...