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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Kesser Torah is proud to announce that on June 5th-6th it will be launching its CROWN Funding Campaign!
The monumental growth which Kesser Torah has undergone in the last few years, from a nascent yeshiva to a well-established one of over 125 bochurim, is unparalleled! Kesser Torah is a true asset to Baltimore as it provides a local yeshiva on its own 44-acre oasis just minutes from the heart of the community.
For the many who attended the yeshiva’s Chanukas ha’Bayis in November, it is apparent how the ambiance of the newly constructed Kesser Torah Bais Medrash has brought the shteiging of the bochurim to new heights. The Kol Torah emanating from the Bais Medrash has not only made an impact upon the talmidei ha’yeshiva, but also the community at lar...
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Baltimore, MD - May 28, 2023 - We are thrilled to announce our special Israel real estate event for the Baltimore community!
Our events are designed to provide you with comprehensive information on every aspect of the real estate process, from searching for the right property to navigating Israeli real estate law, mortgage rates, currency transfers, property management, and more.
Whether you are in the early stages of your property search or actively looking to make a purchase, we highly recommend attending one of our events.
For those actively looking to buy, we will be showcasing unique market opportunities and off-plan properties.
The event will take place on Monday June 5th at 7:30 PM at Shomrei Emunah
To register for the event, visit:
www.israelevent.live/baltimore
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Baltimore, MD - May 23, 2023 - Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim - Talmudical Academy is proud to announce its upcoming “Hadran Aloch” Campaign, which will infuse our talmidim with a chashivus Hatorah and an increased sense of accomplishment, and at the same time raise much-needed operating funds for TA through our the crowdfunding campaign..
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Our Torah, Our Key”, and symbolizes TA's mission of imbuing our talmidim with a love and geshmak for learning and living Torah. The campaign will take place on June 14th and 15th, and will feature weeks-long learning, chazara, and Siyumim by our Talmidim, which begins this week.
TA is also thrilled to announce the opportunity we have to recognize four disti...
On Blinken's agenda will be cooperation on regional conflicts and issues, as well as a path toward normalization between the Saudi kingdom and Israel
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia next week at a time of strained relations between Washington and its key Middle East ally, the State Department announced Friday.
Blinken’s June 6-8 trip will come as the United States and Saudi kingdom are seeking to broker a durable ceasefire between warring parties in Sudan. The top U.S. diplomat will discuss with Saudi officials U.S.-Saudi strategic cooperation on regional and global issues and a range of bilateral issues including economic and security cooperation," the State Department said.
He will participate in a ministerial meeting on Wedne...
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Baltimore, MD – May 24, 2023 – Have you noticed all the publicity – the lawn signs, the press coverage, sporting an angelic sleeping baby girl dressed in pink -- for the AIM Event, and wondered what AIM is?
AIM is a much-needed Baltimore-based organization that will be holding its inaugural annual event, a dairy dessert reception at its Gala Chinese Auction, on Tuesday, June 6, at the MARRIOT OWINGS MILLS METRO CENTRE at 7:30 p.m. It will feature a musical performance by Chayala Neuhaus and promises to be an exciting and entertaining evening – AND a purposeful one, knowing that you are helping numerous families of newborns in our community by helping them raise happy and healthy generations of Klal Yisroel! As Mrs. Shayna Meiselman, AIM Event Coordinator, explain...
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 – June 2023 - Every Shabbos table offers every Jewish family an incredible opportunity by which they can share their joy for Shabbos, for Yiddishkeit and for HaShem with their children. Unfortunately, our schedules are hectic and many people don’t have the time to prepare themselves to utilize the Shabbos table to its fullest. Therefore, we at ACHIM created TableTalk as a pre-packaged talking points pamphlet which is attractive, fun and has something for everyone. Limited copies are distributed to many shuls on a weekly basis but they are snatched up very quickly. Get yours ASAP or click on the graphic below and print your own.What’s in it and what’s all the excitement about?TableTalk features:• Weekly halachic dilemma creating l...
A long stretch of New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway reopened Friday morning as firefighters worked to contain a 5,000-acre forest fire spewing thick plumes of smoke.
About 25 miles of the heavily traveled toll road, the state’s major north-south highway, was reopened shortly before 11 a.m.
The fire — which had burned nearly 8 square miles (20 square kilometers) —broke out Wednesday night in the Bass River State Forest, along the border of Burlington and Ocean counties in southern New Jersey. It remained at 50% containment, and no longer threatened any structures or residential areas as of Friday morning, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
About 40 people were evacuated Thursday from a camping area as a precaution, and that site remained shuttered ...
This week Rav Taragin begins a new series that addresses issues of Personal Growth. The pieces will iy”H relate to the goals Judaism sets for us and how we can achieve them.
Not Necessarily Good
Man is created last, as the climax of creation. The Torah tells us that Hashem saw what he created before man’s arrival as “good.” Everything was put in place in preparation for man’s arrival in the world Hashem created for him.[1]
Surprisingly, though, Hashem does not describe man as good.[2] Rav Yosef Albo[3] attributes this to a basic difference between man and all other creations. While other creatures and creations were created as objectively good — ready to function properly automatically, man’s status depends upon his own choices and ...
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov Mr. and Mrs. Avromi Boehm on the birth of a son.
Mazel Tov grandparents Mr.& Mrs. Hershel Boehm
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov Mr. and Mrs. Kalman Danziger on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
The U.S. economy continued to crank out jobs in May, with nonfarm payrolls surging more than expected despite multiple headwinds, the Labor Department reported Friday.
Payrolls in the public and private sector increased by 339,000 for the month, better than the 190,000 Dow Jones estimate and marking the 29th straight month of positive job growth.
The unemployment rate rose to 3.7% in May against the estimate for 3.5%, even though the labor force participation rate was unchanged. The jobless rate was the highest since October 2022, though still near the lowest since 1969.
Average hourly earnings, a key inflation indicator, rose 0.3% for the month, which was in line with expectations. On an annual basis, wages increased 4.3%, which was 0.1 percentage point below the estimate. The ave...
The FBI is preparing to bring the subpoenaed document alleging Joe Biden was involved in a criminal bribery scheme to Capitol Hill Monday for lawmakers to review, after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer threatened to hold the bureau in contempt of Congress.
The document in question is an FBI-generated FD-1023 form that allegedly describes a $5 million criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions.
A source familiar told Fox News Digital that the FBI will bring the FD-1023 document to Capitol Hill Monday for Comer, R-Ky., and the top Democrat on the committee, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., to review.
The FBI’s accommodation to bring the ...
Former Vice President Mike Pence will not be charged in the Justice Department’s investigation into his alleged improper retention of classified records from his time in the Trump administration, Fox News has learned.
Multiple sources told Fox News that the Justice Department has closed the investigation into Pence’s possession of classified documents at his residence in Indiana.
The Justice Department sent a letter to Pence attorneys this week, saying that the FBI and Justice Department have completed the investigation, and said no criminal charges will be brought against the former vice president.
Pence informed Congress and the National Archives in January that he discovered documents with classified markings in his Carmel, Indiana, home on Jan. 16 from his time as vice p...
Baltimore, MD – June 2, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Mrs. Chezki Finkelstein on the birth of a daughter.
Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Samuel Finkelstein and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Ribakow and to great-grandparents Mrs. Marcia Ribakow, Rabbi Chaim and Anita Preis Benoliel and Mrs. Naomi Finkelstein
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2023 - LifeBridge Health announced that Amy Shlossman will join the organization in late July as the president and chief operating officer of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and Grace Medical Center. Shlossman joins LifeBridge Health from Banner Health where she serves as chief operating officer of Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, Banner’s flagship academic medical center, and system co-lead for care delivery operations. Shlossman previously served as chief operating officer of Banner Thunderbird Medical Center during the COVID pandemic.
“Amy Shlossman is a dynamic healthcare leader whose unique background and operational expertise, as well as her collaborative and team-oriented approach, position her as the ideal person to lead our teams at Sinai ...
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2023 – 8:07 AM – Avoid the area of Pinkney & Wirt due to a house fire.
Baltimore, MD - June 2, 2023 – 7:49 AM - Due to road work, the area of Willow Glen Drive & Glenwick Court is currently allowing only one lane of traffic. Consider taking an alternative route.