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 - July 21, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Mr. Larry Katz, z’l, husband of Mrs. Sandy Katz, father of Avie (Rivkie) Katz, Yehudis (Tony) Goldenberg, Ben Katz, and Aron (Shaindy) Katz, and brother of Barry Katz.
The levayah will be held at Levinson’s on Tuesday, July 22 at 12:00 pm.
Kevurah will take place at the Agudah cemetery.
Shiva will be observed at 3801 West Strathmore, Baltimore, MD 21215Minyanim:Shacharis: 7:15 AMMincha/Maariv: 8:10 PMThe family respectfully requests no visitors between 6:00-7:00 pm or after 10:00pm
בלע המוות לנצח …
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Baltimore, MD - July, 2025 - The Baltimore community is honored to welcome one of the premier poskim and Torah leaders of our generation, HaGaon HaRav Asher Weiss, shlit”a, for a special weekend of Torah and inspiration.
Rav Weiss is widely regarded as one of the foremost halachic authorities in the world today. He serves as the Av Beis Din of Darchei Torah, Rosh Kollel of Bais Medrash Darchei Torah, and the posek for Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. A prolific author, Rav Weiss has published 37 volumes of sefarim, and his weekly shiurim are attended by thousands across the spectrum of Torah Jewry.
His reach spans from hesder yeshivos in Sderot to the most prestigious kollelim in Yerushalayim. Rav Weiss plays a central role in developing the next generation of Torah leadership...
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Baltimore, MD - July 23, 2025 - Whole Kosher Services certifies the Kona Ice syrups listed as "Kreations" manufactured in Texas. The syrup bottles must contain the WKS symbol on the labels. Some are even dairy.
Whole kosher services certifies only the syrups and powders for Kona Ice. And upon our investigation into Kona ice operations we cannot certify the individual trucks.
This is for a few reasons:
1. In many places the trucks will produce a premix in their facilities and add ingredients such as citric acid or other things.
2. They are not under contract to use only the syrups that kona provides. We were informed that if they were to put the individual trucks under contract they would have to share their proprietary formulas...
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Baltimore, MD - ,July 24, 2025 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
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.
Baltimore, MD – July 24, 2025 – The second Sunday of August through the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear priced at $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or bookbag purchase is also tax-free. Accessory items, except for backpacks, are not included.
Click on the FAQ graphic below for a larger, printable version and/or call (800) MD-TAXES for more information.
After taking revenge against the Midianites for their having infiltrated the sanctity of the Children of Israel by seducing them to sin — causing 24,000 deaths of those who succumbed to temptation — the 12,000 valiant soldiers return with vast spoils from their successful conquest of Midian.
The Torah then instructs Elazar the Kohen and the heads of the fathers of the assembly, to calculate the precise amounts of captives and animals that were taken. It then directs them to divide the spoils, giving half to those who undertook the battle, with the remainder to be given to the entire assembly. From the soldier's half, one five-hundredth shall be raised as a tribute to Elazar the Kohen, as a portion to G-d. The Children of Israel shall apportion one fiftieth from their half...
France will recognize a Palestinian state, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in an X/Twitter post on Thursday.
“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine,” wrote Macron.
He continued, stating he would make the solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“The urgency today is to end the war in Gaza and to provide aid to the civilian population. Peace is possible,” he added.
Macron further stressed that, “there must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of H...
Baltimore, MD – July 24, 2025 – 3:24 PM – Drivers heading toward downtown from the area near Sinai Hospital on Northern Parkway are experiencing significant traffic delays. One commuter reports being stuck for over 15 minutes. Expect heavy congestion and consider alternate routes
Baltimore, MD - July 24, 2025 - Senator Dalya Attar was proud to join Mayor Brandon Scott and fellow regional leaders for a dynamic panel discussion focused on building a stronger future for Baltimore through strategic investment in infrastructure, regional collaboration, and workforce development.
The panel explored how government at all levels can work together to break down silos, strengthen cross-jurisdictional partnerships, and create opportunities that directly benefit residents.
Senator Attar emphasized the importance of aligning transportation, education, and economic development efforts to meet the evolving needs of Baltimore’s workforce and families.
The event marked a meaningful step toward a more connected, collaborative, and equitable future for Baltimore City an...
Valencia , Spain - July 24, 2025 - A group of around 50 Jewish children and teenagers, aged 10 to 15, were removed from a Vueling Airlines flight at Valencia Airport on Wednesday after singing traditional Hebrew songs on board. The group, visiting Spain as part of a European summer camp, was scheduled to fly from Valencia to Paris.
According to reports, the group began singing while boarding and continued during the wait for takeoff. Many of the children were wearing tzitzit and Star of David symbols, and their singing is said to have been consistent with customs of Jewish youth groups.
Flight crew reportedly asked the children to stop singing. When they did not comply, local police were called. Officers instructed the group to place their cell phones on the ground to prevent the inciden...
Baltimore, MD - July 24, 2025 - Nearly two years after the city's redesigned website was supposed to go live, it remains unfinished, and the costs have ballooned to an estimated $3.9 million, leaving many taxpayers frustrated.
David Williams, a taxpayer advocate, expressed disbelief at the situation. "It's inconceivable that in 2025 a city can't build a website," he said.
Initially, the city estimated the redesign would cost $800,000. However, the contract was awarded to a politically connected company, Fearless Solutions, which bid over $1 million—the highest bid. The costs continued to rise, with the company requesting an additional $1 million, bringing the total to $2.2 million. Now, the projected cost has escalated to $3.9 million.
"This is out of hand," W...
Baltimore, MD – July 24, 2025 – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the Baltimore area, in effect through Friday, July 25 at 8:00 PM.Heat index values are expected to soar up to 109°F, creating dangerous conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Kfar Yona, Isrel - July 24, 2025 - This morning, July 24th. 2025 at 09:25, reports were received at Magen David Adom’s 101 emergency dispatch center in the Sharon region about a ramming attack at a bus stop on Route 57 near Kfar Yona. MDA dispatched multiple forces to the scene, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, Firs Responders EMTs on board motorcycles and rapid response vehicles.MDA EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment and evacuated eight injured individuals to Meir, Hillel Yaffe, and Laniado hospitals. Among them: a young man and woman around 20 years old in moderate condition with chest and limb injuries; three in mild-to-moderate condition with head and limb injuries; and three in mild condition.MDA motorcycle paramedic Idan Shina, who was very c...
Baltimore, MD – July 23, 2025 - Tomorrow, Thursday, July 24, is Yom Kippur Koton, a special opportunity to daven on behalf of Acheinu B'nei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and around the world.
Please note the following Yom Kippur Koton Mincha Minyanim in town: (If you know of any others, please let us know so we may add them to this list.)
Khal Ahavas Yisrael Tzemach Tzedek (KAYTT) Rabbi Dovid Heber – 2:00 PMEzras Noshim open for women.
Community Kollel – 2:45 PM
Agudah of Park Heights Rabbi Moshe Heinemann – 7:30 PM (Upstairs, 3rd floor)
Darchei Tzedek Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz – 7:30 PM (Downstairs Beis Medrash)
Bais HaKnesses Ohr HaChaim Rabbi Zvi Weiss – 7:35 PM Please text 410-458-9522 if you will be fasting.
Bais Nosson Rabbi Shmuel...
Baltimore, MD – July 23, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah of Michael Allen Davis, z”l, husband of Andrea Davis, father of Nathaniel (Erin) Davis, Melinda (Kfir) Ziv, and Alexander Davis and brother of Harry (Lynn) Davis and Paul Davis.
The levayah will take place graveside on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Jewish War Veterans Cemetery 6700 Hamilton Ave, Rosedale, MD 21237
Shiva will be observed at 3605 Seven Mile Lane, Baltimore, MD 21208
Shacharit: 7:30am Mincha/Arvit: 7:30PM
Visiting Hours: 7:30am – 10:30am 5:00 PM – 9:45 PM
בלע המוות לנצח …
For forty years we wandered the desert, passing through forty-two desolate locations. What was meant to be a short journey from Egypt to Israel, lasting just a few months, became a drawn-out odyssey. The original generation that left Egypt was not prepared for the challenges of life in Israel. A new generation had to emerge, and that transformation demanded forty years on the clock and forty-two stops in the wilderness.
Not all forty-two desert stops were alike. Roughly fourteen of them took place during the first year, as part of the initial journey toward the promised land. After that first year, the mission was suspended; over the next thirty-eight years of aimless wandering, we camped at twenty additional locations—without clear direction and without any itinerary leading to Ere...
President Isaac Herzog today, Wednesday, visited the Gaza Strip.
The President was accompanied on his visit by Commander of the Southern Command, Major General Yaniv Asor, the Commander of Division 99, Brigadier General Yoav Brunner, together with additional commanders who presented the President with an operational update - including an update on the humanitarian effort, highlighting all that Israel was doing to enable the entry of hundreds of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip every week, maintaining a complex balance between humanitarian needs and security considerations. The President said: “We are acting here according to international law. We are providing humanitarian aid according to international law. The ones trying to sabotage this aid are Hamas and its people, who are w...
The intelligence community did not have any direct information that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help elect Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but, at the "unusual" direction of then-President Barack Obama, published "potentially biased" or "implausible" intelligence suggesting otherwise, the House Intelligence Committee found.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a report prepared by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence back in 2020.
The report, which was based on an investigation launched by former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., was dated Sept. 18, 2020. At the time of the publication of the report, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was the chairman of the committee.
Th...