For a more detailed explanation of the general halachos addressed in the shiur click here see Star-K Kashrus Kurrents article written several years ago.

In addition to the stories mentioned by Rabbi Heber on the audio, below are other stories of those who experienced a very unusual Shabbos.   

If you have any Shabbos stories you'd like to share from this past Shabbos Cyclone-Bomb weather pattern, please send to info@BaltimoreJewishLife.com

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Rabbi Aryeh Richter, Executive Director of Menucha, was on the bridge minutes before it closed. Below are the photos he took of the trucks that blew over on their sides, causing the closure.

Strangers Before Family After; A Win(d)-Win(d) for All

By:  A Very Grateful Bachur

On Erev Shabbos, I took the Megabus from Manhattan late in the morning, with an estimated arrival time at Baltimore at 2:45 PM.   When we passed the Maryland line at around 2 PM, traffic became a serious concern and we began to crawl.   We drove until we were diverted from Route 95 to Route 40, at around 3 pm.  Once we were on Route 40, we once again found ourselves in slow traffic that was becoming slower and slower.  We started hearing news that the 95 bridge had closed down.  When we were on Route 40, we were sure the bridge was still open, and we would make it in time before Shabbos.   

At 4:15, traffic was barely moving, and at that point I realized that I was not going to make it in time.  I called my Rav.  He in turn called Chaverim of Baltimore, and they agreed that I should remain on the bus until we pass the bridge and arrive at my stop, regardless of how late I arrive.   Chaverim was gracious to arrange for a taxi to be available to pick me up from the stop and drive me into Baltimore.  At 8 PM, (over 8 hours sitting on the bus), we finally arrived at the bridge and realized the bridge was closed.   The bus began travelling to Route 1, and into PA since all of the bridges were closed.   Right before he made the change in route, he called his manager, who told him that he had to drive everyone back to NYC.  At this point, all the passengers demanded to be let off at the bridge at Route 40.   I got off and went into a Royal Farms and sat there with other passengers for an hour contemplating what to do and how to cross the bridge.  A non-Jewish passenger had Googled local motels and discovered that there was a Days Inn a mile away.  We were told by people that they were already full but decided to head there anyway and remain safe in the lobby.  

We walked to Day's Inn lobby.  On the way, I told myself that I will be spending Shabbos by myself eating bread and grape jelly. (I would use the grape jelly for kiddush).    At approximately 9:30 PM, I walked into the lobby, and was stunned.  There were 20 frum people sitting in the lobby who seemed equally stunned to see me.   I realized right away that I will be spending Shabbos at the motel and not have to worry about getting past the bridge. 

'At approximately 9:30 PM, I walked into the lobby, and was stunned.  There were 20 frum people sitting in the lobby who seemed equally stunned to see me.'

The motel had arranged with the frum people, to give them a conference room since there were no vacant guest rooms remaining.   While I missed the Friday night meal, I was told that it consisted of Mishloach Manos leftovers, and bread.    I was also told there was a really nice Friday night davening.  The men then used the conference room for sleeping, and the women used individual rooms that became available as the night went on.   

Shabbos morning, we had a beautiful davening.   We were prepared to set up a meal of whatever Mishloach Manos was left over from last night.    While we were sitting in the lobby talking and killing time after davening, a non-Jewish Hatzalah volunteer pulled up with a truck filled with real food and plenty of nosh and drinks. This became a lifesaver to us, as we were able to have a real Shabbos meal, and enjoy the remainder of the day in peace and harmony.   It was a beautiful Shabbos meal with singing and speeches.   The food enhanced the Shabbos atmosphere.  During Shabbos afternoon, people were learning, talking and sharing experiences.  We then davened Mincha, had shalosh seudos, and began to sing.   As soon as Shabbos was over, we made Havdalah, and danced, and started receiving frantic calls from everyone inquiring as to where we were and what happened.   

There were close to 40 people that spent Shabbos in that motel.  Most people did not know each other before that Shabbos.   Friendships were formed and there was beautiful achdus throughout the day.   

I started that Shabbos wondering whether I was going to have a Shabbos, and it turned out to be one of the nicest Shabbosim that I ever experienced. 

I'd like to thank the Days Inn Motel for being so hospitable and considerate for our Shabbos needs.  They kept opening doors for us, allowing us to stay in the lobby and conference room, and turning on and off the lights for us to make things easier.  

Chaverim was incredible in going back and forth in making driving arrangements for me if I had made it past the bridge.  

And I can't thank Hatzalah enough for sending us an abundance of food and drinks. (I found out afterwards that the food/drink was supplied by assorted families from the 4000 Block of Fallstaff Road (all sealed properly to halachically ensure its kashrus status.)   They prevented a second fast day that week (in addition to Taanis Esther. Besides, the food was critical to us as some of us would have been very weak without it.) It literally enabled an uplifting Shabbos atmosphere

Mi K’Amcha Yisrael

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From Dave (will do anything to help anyone anytime) Kushner in Philadelphia: Rabbi Shalom Kamenetsky hosted his nephew Yaakov Kamenetsky and his wife and 5 children who rerouted to Philadelphia when they realized they weren't going to make it to Baltimore. Their car got stuck on a steep hill. We sent someone to get them ‘unstuck’ but they had to pull over 1.5 miles from the Philadelphia Yeshiva with 5 minutes before shkiah when traffic was at a standstill and having only moved ¼ mile  in 20 minutes. I sent them an Uber to take them the rest of the way. Due to traffic and road conditions, when the Uber arrived 45 minutes later - the family of 7 was nowhere to be found. They braved the bitter weather and walked the rest with their children including an infant.

If you have any Shabbos stories you'd like to share from this past Shabbos Cyclone-Bomb weather pattern, please send to info@BaltimoreJewishLife.com