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.
As we bask in the afterglow of our Sedarim, where we retold the story of Yitzias Mitzrayim and we prepare for the last days of Pesach, where we mark Kriyas Yam Suf, it is easy to lose sight of the tumultuous days which occurred between these two amazing events. B’nei Yisroel leave Mitzrayim behind in the distance, only to realize that the Mitzrim have had a change of heart again and were in hot pursuit. Of course, we would assume that having just witnessed the Maccos and the Multiple Nissim that Hashem had done for them, that Bnei Yosroel would not be afraid – surely Hashem would protect them and punish the Mitzrim again. Yet, they were afraid, they were “very” afraid. The Torah tells us that they saw Mitzrayim chasing after them and they wer...
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 1, 2026 - More from Baltimore’s Community-Wide Biyur Chometz 5786/2026, including Baltimore City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer putting out the fire, as he does so many times throughout his service to the broader Baltimore community.
Neveh Ilan, Israel - Apr. 1, 2026 - Native Baltimoreans Meir & Sarah Raskas, now living in Neveh Daniel but spending Yom Tov in Neveh Ilan (a suburb of Yerushalayim), wish everyone a Chag Kasher V’Sameach, letting everyone know the reality of living in Eretz Yisrael as they prepare to spend their one Seder with emunah and bitachon among family and many new friends.
Baltimore, MD – Apr. 1, 2026 - 9:57AM (BJL) Police activity near Smith & Maurleen Rd has traffic slowing in the area.
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.
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Tel Aviva, Israel - Mar. 31, 2026 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 31 March 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:"My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, on the eve of this Festival of Freedom, Israel is stronger than ever. The entire world hears our lion’s roar in our struggle against the evil regime in Iran, a struggle in which we have achieved immense, enormous accomplishments.But at the same time, there are painful costs. Only yesterday, we lost four of our best sons. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, and on behalf of myself and my wife Sara, I send our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen. We all embrace with love the families who lost what is most precious to them, and we all embrace with love our heroic wounded, wounded in body and soul...
US President Donald Trump said today (Tuesday) that the war against the Iranian regime will not "last much longer" and said that the US is "obliterating" Iran's forces.
“We’re not going to be there too much longer. We’re obliterating the s-t out of them right now, it’s a total obliteration," Trump told the New York Post. “But we won’t have to be there much longer - but we have more work to do in terms of killing their offensive, whatever offensive capability they have left."
When asked about the Strait of Hormuz, Trump stated that he expects the shipping lane "automatically reopen" with the end of the war and that "the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it."
He said that the Strait of Hormuz is a secondary con...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.31, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mrs. Mina Krumbein, a’h, nother of Mrs. Aviva (Rabbi Arthur) Marks and Mrs. Chana Esther (Avraham) Goldman
Kevura is in Eretz Yisroel
Shiva will be observed at 3113 Taney Road, Baltimore, Md 21215 Visiting Times:
Tuesday between Noon - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday (Erev Pesach) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Aviva Marks: 667-273-1438 Mrs. Chana Esther Goldman: 443-660-9278
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JCN & Tikva House Thank Star-K’s Kashering Team; Our Dedicated “Chametz Busters Crew”Baltimore, MD – March 31, 2026 - The Jewish Caring Network (JCN) and the Rabbi Ephraim & Etti Rubin Tikva House extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Avrom Pollak and the entire Star-K kashering team, with special appreciation to Rabbi Sholom Tendler, for their incredible work and simcha in preparing Tikva House for Pesach.This remarkable crew kashered nine sinks, nine countertops, five hot water urns, two microwaves, and seven hospitality rooms, ensuring the home is fully prepared for Yom Tov.Tikva House is now at or near full capacity for Pesach and is ready to welcome families in a warm, uplifting environment. All meals—including Yom Tov and Seder provisions—are thou...
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit cleared for publication on Tuesday morning that four IDF soldiers fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Captain Noam Madmoni, aged 22, from Sderot, a team commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, aged 21, from Lehavim, a soldier in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, aged 21, from Bat Yam, a soldier in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion (934th), Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
- Staff Sergeant Gilad Harel, aged 21, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut, a fighter in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit (934) of the Nahal B...
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to David and Elana Bondy on the birth of a son.
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בנם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD – Mar. 30, 2026 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Binyamin Heinemann on the birth of a daughter.
Mazel tov to grandparents Yissocher & Malkie Heinemann and Shlomo & Mindy Spetner
יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
Baltimore, MD - Mar. 30, 2026 - Bikur Cholim of Baltimore would like to thank Dr. Avrom Pollak and the entire Star-K kashering team, especially Rabbi Sholom Tendler, for working overnight and kashering the Bikur Cholim Kosher Hospitality Rooms at John’s Hopkins, Sinai, GBMC and Union Memorial Hospitals which will all be fully stocked and ready for Pesach. Wishing the community a Chag Kosher V’Sameach!
The Torah assigns the night of Pesach a striking name: Leil shimurim. On the simplest level, it describes the condition on the night of Yetziat Mitzrayim itself. After centuries of vulnerability, exposure, and fear, our people finally experienced a night of safety. While death raged through Egypt, the Jewish people sat inside their homes, protected and alive. It was the first Leil shimurim our nation had known in centuries.
A LAYERED NIGHT
In truth, this night had already served as a night of protection long before Yetziat Mitzrayim. This evening appears earlier in the life of Avraham Avinu. When he went to war against the four kings who had swept through the region, Avraham pursued them at night and defeated them. The Torah describes his strategy with the phrase “וַיֵּחָל...
Baltimore, MD – Mar.30, 2026 – BJL regrets to inform the community of the petira of Mr. Elilyahu Ilya Muratov, z’l, father of Leah Mikeladze.
Shiva in Baltimore will be observed on Tuesday only at 2704 Maurleen Court, Baltimore, Md 21209
Visiting: 9:00AM -1:00PM, 2:00 - 6:00PM, 7:00 - 9:00PM
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