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 – Nov. 28, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Mrs. Helen Broder, a’h, mother of Mrs. Robin (Jay) Schwarz, Mr. Glenn Broder and Mrs. Joy (Steven) Graber.
The levayah will be held at Levinson's on Wednesday, November 29th, 10:30 am. Shiva will be observed through Tuesday morning at 2600 Steele Road Baltimore MD 21209.Visiting Motzaei Shabbos: 6:30PM-10:00PMNo visitors please: 12:30 -1:30, 6 -7 and after 10 Shacharis at 7:00 AM,(Sunday:7:30AM)Mincha/Maariv 4:25 PM. [Erev Shabbos: 2:00PM]The family is asking for any stories of Mrs. Bubby Broder to be sent to mrsbrodermemories@gmail.com
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
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GRAND WIG SALE U DONT WANT TO MISS, Sun., Dec. 3!!!!!
FIRST TIME EVER RAIZY KLEIN COMING TO BALTIMORE
$500 OFF ALL WIGS
SARYS STARTING AT $1450
RINAS AT $2050
IRENE LACE TOPS AT $2050 WE WILL BE ACCEPTING CASH, CC, AND ZELLE!!
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718-232-1212
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Baltimore, MD – Nov. 29, 2023 - It is with regret that Baltimore Jewish Life (BJL) informs the community of the petira of Robert Birnbaum, z’l, father of Zvi Birnbaum
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 11AM November 30 at 11:00 in Montreal.
Zvi Birnbaum (443.683.9387 )will sit shiva in Montreal through Wednesday morning and can be reached at 443-683-9387.
Bila Hamaves LaNetzach...
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Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2023 - I first heard of Khal Chassidim about two years ago. I had been living in Baltimore all my life, and I knew there was a Chassidishe Kollel group of families that had moved in the Pinkney area of town, but that's about it. I saw some chassidim at Seven Mile every once in a while, but that was pretty much the extent of my exposure.
The time came that I needed a preschool for my 3 year old twins (one of whom needed a specific style of learning). A few people told me some very positive things about Khal Chassidim, so I decided to do some research and find out more. Originally, we were just looking into the preschool, which is run by the amazing Mrs. Shoshana Sofer. My brothers had been in the TI preschool, under the capable care of Mrs. Sofer&r...
The White House blamed Hamas on Friday for the failure to extend a humanitarian truce in Gaza, saying the Palestinian terrorist group had failed to produce a list of hostages that would have enabled the pause to be extended.
"It's because of Hamas that this pause ended," White House spokesman John Kirby said. "The onus is on Hamas." In a briefing, Kirby also corrected his previous tally of the number of American hostages released by Hamas so far from six to four.
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.
A group of five senators have written to President Biden demanding he implement a travel ban on China due to an alarming spike in an unknown respiratory illness inside the communist nation.
The letter, penned Friday by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; JD Vance, R-Ohio; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; and Mike Braun, R-Ind., calls for Biden to immediately restrict travel between the U.S. and China until more information is gathered about the dangers posed by the new illness.
China has seen a rise in unexplained childhood pneumonia cases and other respiratory illnesses.
Citing China’s "long history of lying about public health crises," the lawmakers called for swift action to be taken to protect the health of Americans and the economy.
"During the&nbs...
Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/30/2023)
Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:
Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.
Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malichita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.
Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (these products are made from recalled whole can...
Dear Friends, This week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer gave a Jewish speech in the Senate. Upon first hearing it, other words came to mind: Epic. Thorough. Thoughtful. Educational. Moving. Personal. But upon reflection, it really was plainly and simply a Jewish speech.
“I have noticed a significant disparity between how Jewish people regard the rise of antisemitism, and how many of my non-Jewish friends regard it. To us, the Jewish people, the rise of antisemitism is a crisis — a five-alarm fire that must be extinguished. For so many other people of goodwill, it is merely a problem, a matter of concern.”
What was Jewish about this speech was the span of its vision, what Minority Leader McConnell described as extraordinary, a Jewish history lesson for the ...
The House of Representatives voted to expel scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., on Friday, making him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years.
A solemn hush fell over the House chamber as Speaker Mike Johnson slammed his gavel, formalizing the historic ouster.
Santos walked out of the House chamber just before all the votes that sealed his fate were cast and did not answer reporters' questions on his way out.
Expelling a member of Congress takes a two-thirds majority vote. The last time a House lawmaker was expelled was more than two decades ago, when late former Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, was voted out of Congress in 2002.
Prior to his ousting, Traficant had been convicted of 10 felony counts, including racketeering and taking bribes...
Mazel Tov to Avi Verschleisser (Silver Spring) & Chava Rochel Dobin (Baltimore) on their engagement!
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2023 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Avi Verschleisser (Silver Spring) & Chava Rochel Dobin (Baltimore) on their engagement.
Mazel Tov to Eli & Leah Verschleisser and Sara & Avi Dobin and grandparents David & Renee Bienenstock
יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן
Baltimore, MD – Dec. 1, 2023:
2011 Dark Grey Toyota Prius
MD Tag: 9CS4445
Stolen from 6500 Block Edenvale
Baltimore, MD - Dec. 1, 2023 - Jewish Educational Services is proud to support Jewish schools in Baltimore. When Rabbi Moshe Frohlich from Bais Yaakov and Rabbi Hillel Hexter from Talmudical Academy approached Rabbi Aaron Levitt, Executive Director of JES, with a request for a professional development day for the day school community, JES was excited to get involved. In partnership with Rabbi Heshy Glass and Eli Shapiro from the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools (COJDS), JES hosted a community-wide professional day on November 7.
Over 550 educators from 10 local schools, as well as several from outside Maryland, packed into the auditorium at Bais Yaakov High School to hear Larry Thompson, M.Ed describe how to apply his proprietary program, RCD: Responsibility Centered Dis...
The Wall Street Journal has reported on an Israeli plan to eliminate Hamas leaders around the world after the war in Gaza has ended.
The report said that the plan will take effect "when the nation's war in the Gaza Strip winds down," and that the effort may take years to carry out.
Israel began working on the plan shortly after the October 7 massacre, following orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the sources who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, the question is no longer whether to kill Hamas leaders located in various countries around the world, but rather where, and how, to kill them.
The sources said that eliminations on Qatari soil following the October 7 massacre "could have torpedoed continuing efforts to negotiate" the host...
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, has died. O'Connor was 93 years old.
This week's parsha contains the famous showdown (32:23-30) between Yaakov and the angel when Yaakov finds himself alone at night after having helped his family across the Yabok crossing. After emerging victorious, he is given his new name, Yisrael. The Torah text does not explain why or how Yaakov was by his lonesome at that moment. Most school children will likely be very familiar with Rashi's explanation that he went back to retrieve some small jars he had left behind. However, last year, a friend referred me to a channel from Noam Jacobson, offering a very short, well-produced video thought on the parsha. He offers a fascinating approach to this whole episode.
I highly recommend hearing it straight from Noam himself for his emotional, personal touch:
Noam Jacobson Vayishlach...
Baltimore, Md – Dec. 1, 2023 - In the Strathmore and Pinkney area last night, multiple cars were broken into. Some had windows smashed, and belongings were rifled through.
Shomrim urges the community to avoid leaving valuables in vehicles and, most importantly, not to leave anything visible.
Shomrim emphasizes that, in the event of such a crime, it's crucial to report it to 911 and contact Shomrim at 410-358-9999.
There is a holy teaching handed down from the great Chasidic master, Reb Zvi Hersh of Ziditchov, that when Yaakov appeals to Esav not to accompany him on his journey due to the slow pace, לרגל המלאכה — of the gait of the drove, and לרגל הילדים — the gait of the children, it is mystically alluding to two sets of holidays.
The word רגל used here to refer to their gait, alternately can be referring to the שלש רגלים — the Three Holidays the Jewish people made their pilgrimage by foot — thus its association with gait — to the Temple on Pesach, Shavuos, Sukkos. These are days when we must refrain from מלאכה — work activity, thus appropriately alluded to in the phrase: לרגל המלאכה — the holidays restricted fr...
Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, died this past week on November 29th, 2023, at the age of 100. A fascinating story that took place many years ago between Kissinger and Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, has resurfaced.
In a meeting, Henry Kissinger told Golda Meir, "You must remember that first I am an American, second I am Secretary of State, and third I am a Jew."
In her sheer brilliance, Golda Meir replied, "Henry, you forget that in Israel we read from right to left."
I heard from my Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Goldberger shlit’a, a powerful vort from Rav Shlomo Twerski zt”l. In last week’s Parshah we are told of the story with Yaakov and Lavan. Initially, when Yaakov comes to the house of Lavan, the blatant impurity and שקר o...