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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Baltimore, MD - Sept. 18, 2020 - COVID-19 testing this Motzaei Yom Tov 930 PM -1015 PM. The testing will be available in the Star-K Parking lot at 122 Slade Ave between the hours of 9:30-10:15 PM. We are asking for a $10/car donation to cover incurred costs. Please stay off of your cell phones while on the campus. The swabs will be administered and results will be interpreted at a lab. This is not rapid testing and results should be available within 24-48 hours. Your insurance plan will be billed for this test. If you do not have insurance the federal government should pay for it. To prevent cross-contamination, please bring a pen, hand sanitizer with you as well as a tissue to blow your nose prior to the test. (It is important to wash hands and blow the nose to get ...
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Baltimore, MD - Sept. 14, 2020 - Our world is tired. Tired of uncomfortable masks and failing markets. Tired of changing guidelines and challenging circumstances. Tired of children at home and heart-breaking stories. Tired of uncertainty and unknowns. The shofar calls us to wake up, but we are exhausted. Simply put, we are weary and ready for the COVID crisis to end.
Once in a lifetime crises call for one of a kind inspiration. Rabbi Y. Y. Jacobson is a wildly sought out speaker, who has been energizing and invigorating audiences around the globe. One of America’s premier Jewish thinkers and leaders, he serves as a mentor to hundreds of thousands and is considered one of the most passionate and mesmerizing communicators of Torah and Hashkafa...
Next Monday evening, restaurants in Maryland will be able to open for indoor dining at up to 75% of capacity.
Gov. Larry Hogan announced the order Friday, which came after a letter to his office from the Maryland Restaurant Association. Restaurateurs said indoor dining needed to expand as outdoor dining becomes less feasible in the fall.
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Local jurisdictions may choose to adopt the governor's latest order or reopen at a slower pace.
The governor on Friday visited McGarvey's Saloon and Oyster Bar in Annapolis to present a proclamation marking the Friday start of Maryland Restaurant Week, which runs ...
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Baltimore, MD - Sept. 12, 2020 - Hayom is the title track and the latest single to be released from singer/songwriter/guitarist Yitzy Kaplowitz’s upcoming debut album.
A number of years ago at a time when there were many tragedies happening in Eretz Yisrael I sat down at the piano and composed this song. It’s a heartfelt tefilah, a call for the RBS”O to bench us with shalom, true peace, the ultimate blessing.
The events that occurred this year prompted me to release this song now. In my lifetime I can’t think of a time where the world seemed to be more upside down. Our yeshivas, and our shuls were forced to close. Our lives were upended, jobs and incomes were gone, we lost gedolim, family and friends. Yet this was all decreed last Rosh Hashanah.
As I prepare to s...
Baltimore, MD – Sep. 18, 2020 - It is with sadness that BaltimoreJewishLife.com informs the community of the petira of Joyce Rosenfeld, a”h, mother of Phil (Cheryl) Rosenfeld.
Shiva was observed until 5PM today.
Bila HaMaves LaNetzach...
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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Most recent Statements/letters/etc. from the Baltimore Vaad HaRabbanimVaad HaRabbonim Of Baltimore: An Important and Encouraging Rosh Hashanah Update [Sept. 14, 2020]Vaad HaRabbonim Of Baltimore: 'Our Guard Has Been Let Down' (Aug. 11, 2020)Vaad HaRabbanim Of Baltimore: "Despite Our Diligent Efforts And Vigilance Locally, We Have Had A Slow Trickle Of New Cases In The Past 2 Weeks That Raises Concern." [July 2, 2020]Vaad HaRabbanim Of Baltimore: "Those Shuls Which Are Able To Open In A Manner Deemed Safe May Do So Already For Shabbos" (June 19) Vaad HaRabbanim of Baltimore: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Yesterday’s Vaad Harabanim Letter [June 11, 2020]Vaad HaRabbonim Of Baltimore: A Smorgasbord of Good News (June 10, 2020) Baltimore's Vaad HaRabbanim: Pl...
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Dear Friends around the Globe,
This Elul, merit the unshakable Bracha of the venerable Tzadik of Jerusalem, Harav Hagaon Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz Shlita, who personally visited R' Dovid and said: "Whoever will donate generously to Rav Dovid Frid (Father of 8 with ALS) in this merit will never be sick, not them or their families for all generations."
As the world has been "turned upside down" in 2020, there are so many NEW "normals", but one thing hasn't changed. My husband, Rav Dovid Frid, has been living with ALS for nearly ten years, fighting to live as a quadriplegic, on life support, only communicating with his eyes. It's a tall order, but with G-d's help, your support, and our family's love, he has the strength to carry on!
Please Tip the Scales this E...
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Baltimore, MD - Sept. 11, 2020 - If you are like most people I’ve spoken to, they’ve been watching their weight during COVID…watching it go up, that is! The Weinberg Park Heights JCC’s recently reopened Fitness Center may be just the answer for your personal battle of the bulge - or to stay in shape. Its former fitness space has been reconfigured and split into two comparably-sized separate-gender fitness rooms. What better timing for these changes, especially since Curves and Lynne Bricks have recently closed!
The Weinberg JCC employs staff that are sensitive to the needs of the orthodox community and is always looking for new ways to expand their services to satisfy the needs of observant members. In addition to being closed on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim, it is one...
President Trump, during a White House press conference on Friday, said the United States will produce enough coronavirus vaccine doses for “every American” by April.
The comments come as the president has been saying a vaccine could come within weeks.
He said the U.S. will have at least 100 million doses before the end of the year, but “likely much more than that.”
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“Hundreds of millions of doses will be available every month and we expect to have enough vaccines for every American by April and again I’ll say even at that later stage, the delivery will go as...
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 16, 2020 - The Halachos of davening Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah, and Tekias Shofar When Blowing Not During Davening were reviewed by Rav Moshe Heinemann and written by R' Shalom Aryeh Greenfield (The halachos of Tekias Shofar when not in shul were written by R' Mordechai Weiskopf)For a larger, printable copy, click on the graphics below: (The halachos of Tekias Shofar when not in shul were written by R' Mordechai Weiskopf) For a master copy of all as one document, click here.
Close contacts without symptoms need to be tested, agency says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its controversial Covid-19 testing guidance on Friday, stating clearly that close contacts without any symptoms need a test.
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“Due to the significance of asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission, this guidance reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of a person with documented Sars-Cov-2 infection,” the update, posted on its website, reads. Read more at WSJ
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 17, 2020 - The ERUV of Baltimore would like to remind everyone of the walking instructions for the new Eruv extension on Green Summit Road and wishes everyone a K'sivah Vachasimah Tova
China 'demonstrated means and motives to use these apps to threaten national security,' Commerce Sec. says
The US Commerce Department ordered Friday a ban on US downloads of WeChat and TikTok -- two popular social apps -- starting from Sunday.
From September 20 and on, TikTok, a short videoclip sharing app owned by China's ByteDance company, and WeChat, a messenger app owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent, will be removed from the Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store in the US.
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"The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps ...
Top US official asserts Lebanese terror group could conduct major attacks with chemical compound
A senior US State Department official accused Hezbollah of storing explosives across Europe for terrorism purposes, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday.
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“Why would Hezbollah stockpile ammonium nitrate on European soil?” State Department coordinator for counter-terrorism Nathan Sales was quoted as saying.
“The answer is clear: Hezbollah put these weapons in place so it could conduct major terrorist attacks whenever it or its masters in Tehran deemed necessary,” he asse...
Jewish State hits highest number of patients in serious condition since pandemic outbreak
Israel registered 5,328 coronavirus cases over the course of 24 hours on Thursday, new data released by the Health Ministry showed on Friday morning.Join BJL status for engagements, births, deals, levayos, events & more: bit.ly/32HUBnJ
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The number of COVID-19 patients in serious condition rose to 577, the highest figure since the outbreak of the pandemic in March. Out of the 577, there are currently 153 individuals on artificial respirators -- the highest figure to date as well.
As of Friday morning, Israel’s death toll stood at 1,169, and the infection count hit 176,933 -- adding 481 new...
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 16, 2020 - At this time of year when many of us are using a variety of fruits and vegetables, the STAR-K reminds you to check these itemsproperly, For more information and pictures, click here. Also, enjoy Starting the New Year Right: A Guide to the Simanim on Rosh Hashana
For a larger, printable copy click on the graphic
[Ed. Note] Out of the respect and recognition of the impact made by longtime BJL friend and contributor, Reb Shaya Gross, z’l, we will maintain a living memoriam to Shaya through the sweet words and thoughtful insights of his Divrei Torah. BJL readers will remember his weekly column on the Parsha and on various Torah ideas and concepts. These meaningful words will help us remember this special young man who will be sorely missed and for those who did not merit to know him, this will be the most appropriate way for them to become familiar with who he was.
As is our custom on Rosh Hashana night, we dip the apple into honey as a merit to have a sweet new year. The Avnei Nezer explains that the reason we use honey is because honey comes from bees that sting us and cause us ...