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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Our Story: In the year 2011 Rabbi David Frid was diagnosed with ALS, which causes complete deterioration of the muscles in the body. In the beginning, he heroically fought to function on his own, even after he was confined to a wheelchair. At present, the disease has progressed to the point where he is now fully paralyzed, on a breathing machine and although fully cognizant, can only communicate with his eyes. He needs 24-hour surveillance and special care to survive. The ongoing costs are mind boggling.The family cannot continue without your support!
Please donate generously to give R' Dovid the lifesaving care he needs while allowing our family to function!
Waiting for Moshiach
At 2:25 on Erev Shabbos, the angels were crying. How do I know? Be...
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Keep Some of your Tzedakah in Baltimore! Agudah Scrip is a Win-Win!
Click here to purchase Agudah Scrip through TA today
As we are now in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva and in the midst of the Yamim Noraim, we can still hear the oft-quoted dictum reverberating in our ears: ותשובה ותפילה וצדקה מעבירין את רֹע הגזירה
"Repentance, prayer and charity averts the severity of the decree"
As you know, at this time of year it is customary to increase charitable giving.Click here to purchase Agudah Scrip through TA todayThe Agudah Scrip program, which Talmudical Academy of Baltimore participates in, is by far the easiest way to manage your charitable giving. It is safe, convenient, and approved by the Va'ad HaRabb...
'The fact that we are convening it now is the correction of a historical mistake,' says Lapid
Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke Monday with delegates from the European Union, renewing economic and political dialogue with the bloc for the first time in over a decade.
During his virtual address at the 12th meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, Lapid reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but noted that Jerusalem would remain Israel's "undivided capital."
"Over the past year, there has also been a positive change in our work with the Palestinian Authority," Lapid told the gathering of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium. "We are working with them and helping their economy d...
The New York Times published a report in late September targeting Hasidic Yeshivas — alleging students “[know] nothing” and grow up “barely [able] to support their own families” — coinciding with a Board of Regents vote to regulate their religious education. However, Breitbart News has learned that the Times omitted relevant information, shunned sources directly involved with the schools, and declined to publish pertinent on-the-record statements, in pursuing the story — resulting in a funhouse mirror hit piece, pressuring the board’s unanimous vote to force state edicts on the religious schools.
Breitbart News has learned the Times did not establish communication relevant to reporting with at least tw...
Violence in Baltimore appears to have taken a dip, with September recording 13 homicides and the total number of people killed in 2022 is slightly lower than at the same time in 2021. However, while some leaders inside City Hall are pointing out the positives, others say now is not the time to take a victory lap.
Monday morning, Baltimore Police reported no overnight shootings or homicides. To date, 565 people have been shot and another 254 have been killed. While talking about community violence intervention programs who received federal grant money, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Anthony Barksdale said “we are trending in the right direction” when it comes to homicide numbers.
“Imagine if I was saying we are plus 22,” Barksdale said. “Of course, there&rsqu...
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.
Governor Larry Hogan announced a third application round of Opportunity Zone Microgrant Funding will open on Tuesday, October 4.
The grants will allow eligible small businesses seeking to expand within designated Opportunity Zones to apply for micro grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
For more details on Opportunity Zones in Maryland, visit here.
Potential applicants can check if their business is in an eligible location with the Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange here.
“Throughout my administration, we have used every tool at our disposal to support and grow small businesses in our state, including promoting the tax incentives and redevelopment potential provided by Maryland’s designated Opportunity Zones,” said Governor Hogan. “Init...
U.S. Senators and Congressmen announced over $4 million in federal assistance to help low-income residents across Maryland afford housing.
The assistance is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's New Incremental Housing Choice Vouchers Program.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. But we know housing costs are eating up too large a share of lower-income residents’ budgets, often leaving them with impossible choices between paying for rent or meeting their daily needs. This federal relief will help those facing hardship find suitable housing for their families as we continue working to increase access to affordable housing in our communities,” said the lawmakers.
The federal grants will be distributed all across Ma...
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 3, 2022 - Whether you are the driver or an active participant, doing donuts and/or street racing is now subject to a $1,000 fine + up to 12 months in jail. Baltimore City is now leading the charge to end this dangerous and disruptive behavior.
Thank you Mayor Scott for signing the bill today and to Council President Mosby and all of my council colleagues for your support.
If Teshuva preceded the world, and our Torah is the blueprint for the universe, and all the actions of our Avos are a portent for their descendants — it would seem reasonable to assume that the instructions for this marvelous gift of repentance be apparent in the life and times of the Avos.
The Midrash asserts that Reuven the firstborn son of Yaakov Avinu introduced this notion of Teshuvah to the world. He is the sole individual who identified as a בעל תשובה — ‘master of Repentance’.
The ‘sin’ that Reuven repented for, that earned him this honorary title was his ‘tampering with his father’s bed’. After the death of Rachel, Yaakov established his primary residence in the tent of Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant. Reuven consid...
Gerald Groff was a Pennsylvania mailman. When Amazon contracted with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deliver packages on Sundays, Mr. Groff, who observes Sunday as the Sabbath, was faced with a religious dilemma. Mr. Groff attempted to make arrangements with the USPS to avoid working Sundays by offering to work multiple make-up shifts and even by switching postal offices, but the Postal Service deemed this insufficient and multiple disciplinary actions were taken against him. Facing termination Mr. Groff chose, instead, to resign from the USPS.
Following his resignation, Mr. Groff sued the USPS for failing to accommodate his sincerely held religious beliefs. However, he was unsuccessful as both the trial court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against him...
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday accused Israel and the United States of orchestrating the disturbances taking place throughout the country in recent weeks.
The Iranian leader strongly backed the regime’s security forces, which are repressing the protests, and claimed that the unrest, sparked by the death on Sept. 16 of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, was not being caused by “ordinary Iranians,” Reuters reported.
Amini died in custody after being arrested by Iranian morality police in Tehran for failing to wear her veil correctly.
Khamenei said her death “deeply broke my heart,” calling it a “bitter incident,” according to the report.
Yet, he added, “some people had caused insecurity in the streets,” accusi...
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case about whether the Justice Department (DOJ) can use “filter teams,” such as the one enlisted by the DOJ to begin a review of evidence collected at former President Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago to determine whether they are privileged.
The Justices denied a writ of certiorari in Korf v. United States, which questioned the legality of “filter team” protocols that allow teams of federal prosecutors and agents not assigned to a given case to review seized documents claimed to be privileged before the privilege question has been resolved.
The DOJ used a filter team to begin a review of the evidence collected during the execution of a search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence before Trump succes...
In light of continued pressure from GOP investigators looking to uncover whether President Joe Biden had any knowledge of his son Hunter's foreign business dealings, White House aides have reportedly begun suggesting Biden may opt not to run for reelection if running again meant Hunter would face congressional subpoenas and investigations.
"If a GOP-led House turns up the heat on Hunter Biden, it could weigh heavily in the president’s decision to run for a second term," wrote Politico Playbook's Eugene Daniels on Monday. "White House officials said Biden is preparing to seek reelection, but a final decision likely won’t be made for several months, with the first lady having an outsized influence. Some aides believe that Biden could forgo another campaign if...
Kosher Concepts; a poignant and timely message by Rabbi Paysach Krohn.
Raising the awareness to kashrus in our homes and preventing timtum halev.
Watch, and be inspired.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to the federal vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
On its first day back in session, the Supreme Court declined to hear an argument from Missouri as well as nine other states -- Nebraska, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming -- opposing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate implemented by President Biden’s administration for workers in all healthcare facilities that receive federal funding, Reuters reported.
Biden implemented the rule in November 2021.
In January, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision to allow Biden’s vaccine mandate to continue as arguments played out in lower courts. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice B...
The Baltimore City Council plans to vote on a bill to fund a study for a new bike path from the Inner Harbor into Pennsylvania.
The study would look at possible trails for the bike path that would connect the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, also known as the NCR Trail in Baltimore County to the Jones Falls Trail in Baltimore City.
The $120,000 requested would go towards the study.
Sixteen miles separate the two trails by car.
If connected, The Heritage Rail Trail in Pennsylvania would pick up from there as cyclists cross the Mason-Dixon Line.
As we approach the General Election, we're taking a closer look at the five constitutional amendment questions all Marylanders will see on their ballot this fall.
Question 1 proposes renaming the top two levels of Maryland's court system.
What's now considered the Maryland Court of Appeals would become the Supreme Court of Maryland, and the Court of Special Appeals would become the Appellate Court of Maryland, if the majority of voters vote in favor of this amendment.
Question 2 asks voters to adds a place of abode requirement for State Senators and Delegates.
If passed by the voters, it would require a candidate for senator or delegate to the General Assembly "to have maintained a primary place of abode in the district that the person has been chosen to repres...
A federal judge sided with the state of Georgia in a lawsuit filed by a group associated with Democrat Stacey Abrams challenging the constitutionality of its election practices.
"Although Georgia’s election system is not perfect, the challenged practices violate neither the constitution nor the VRA," U.S. District Judge Steve Jones, an Obama appointee, wrote, referring to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He detailed his reasoning in a 288-page order siding against Abrams’ Fair Fight Georgia group in a lawsuit filed four years ago alleging voter suppression and racial discrimination after she narrowly lost to the state’s current Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Kemp, who was Georgia Secretary of State when the lawsuit was filed, applauded the ruling as a vi...