ספירת העומר : 48 - היום שמונה וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות וששה ימים לעומר
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Baltimore County, MD – May 30, 2025 – A zoning hearing has been scheduled for Monday, June 2, from 10–11 AM, regarding a proposal to open a cannabis dispensary at 301 Reisterstown Road, near Randall Avenue — just half a block from Seven Mile Market. The applicant is seeking a special exception in a commercial revitalization district, along with a variance for a modified parking plan and front setback. However, June 2 is the second day of Shavuos. As a result, members of the community will obviously be unable to participate.  Scheduling this hearing on a day...
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Don’t miss out on tuition benefits from the Maryland529.com State Contribution Program - May 31st DEADLINE Baltimore, MD - May 27, 2025 - The window to apply for the Save4College State Contribution Program (aka the Maryland Match) closes on May 31st (Motzei Shabbos) at 11:59pm. If you have not already done so, now is the time to apply (for new applicants) or re-apply (if you already are an account holder and have yet to reach the $9K limit for received state contributions). Applying for the State Contribution Program: In order to apply for the Save4College State Contribution Program, you must already have a Maryland 529 College Investment Program account. If you do, simply log on to your account and click “Maryland Save4College State Contribution Program” link (usu...
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A Dedication Ceremony Was Held at Ramot Mall in Jerusalem for the New “Lehachayot” Kindness Club Jerusalem, Israel - May 26, 2025 - At the Ramot Mall in Jerusalem, a dedication ceremony was held for the new Kindness Club of the “Lehachayot” organization – a special, thoughtfully designed space dedicated to the well-being of children with special needs and their families. The initiative was spearheaded by the energetic Chabad community activist, Rabbi Mendy Lebel. The club was inaugurated by the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau. Rabbi Lebel founded the “Beit Halomotai” center for individuals with special needs, was the driving force behind the project. Photo: Mendi Kotle...
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Baltimore, MD - May 29, 2025 - Explore the latest issue of Baltimore Jewish Home.Click on the graphic below:
Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2025 – With excitement and heartfelt mazal tovs across the community, Bais Dovid (Bais Medrash of Summit Park) Rabbi Shlomo Weiss has officially been announced the winner of the ArtScroll Shul Set-A-Thon, a national campaign offering full seforim libraries to selected shuls. As part of the campaign, which ran from May 12–27, participants were encouraged to purchase ArtScroll sets and register their shul of choice. The more entries submitted on behalf of a shul, the higher the chance of winning. The campaign culminated in a drawing where Bais Dovid was selected, as confirmed in a visual announcement showing the wheel of entries landing on “Bais Dovid (Bais Medrash of Summit Park) – 6800 Sylvale Ct, Baltimore, MD.” The simcha didn...
US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday that a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza is close, speculating that an official announcement could come on Friday or Saturday. Trump also said that he believes a deal with Iran on its nuclear program is close as well. “They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow, and I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran. They don’t want to be blown up, they would rather make a deal, and I think that could happen in the not too distant future,” he said. “We want them to be safe. We want them to have a very, very successful nation. Let it be a great nation, but we can't have that. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. I...
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Baltimore, MD - May 30, 2025 - A Tornado Watch is now in effect for Baltimore City and County through midnight.   
Baltimore, MD - May 30, 2025  - Eight Maryland counties and Baltimore City are classified as “Sanctuary jurisdictions,” according to the Trump administration. A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as, “cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities,” according to the Department of Homeland Security’s website. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties each made the list, in addition to 10 cities across the state. The website said the jurisdictions were determined by several factors, such as compliance with federal law enforcement and, “legal protections for ill...
The Supreme Court will allow the government to begin removing temporary immigration protections from a group of about 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The unsigned order on Friday halts, for now, a lower court injunction that stopped the government from ending the program while the case continues. It is the second time in recent weeks the Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end temporary immigration protections while those moves are being challenged in court.  The Biden administration granted temporary parole to large groups of immigrants from the four countries who met certain criteria, allowing them to seek work authorization and other legal protections. In March, the Department of Homeland Security canceled the mass parole approval,...
Parsha Hashavua
Rabbi Zvi Teichman on Parshas Bamidbar - Alive!

I recently shared in an especially uplifting celebration of a young man who became a Bar Mitzva. His parents, who hail from the former Soviet Union, after having arrived in America, found their path back to full observance.


The father spoke at the Bar Mitzva and offered the following words.


Thank you all for joining this remarkable Simcha!


As you know, we have come from a country that had no Yiddishkeit, no Torah, and denied the existence of Hashem.


When we came to America, we never dreamed about learning Torah, being Shomrei Mitzvos, and living as proud Yidden.


Our families have not celebrated Bar Mitzvas for more than two generations!


You cannot imagine how thrilled we are that we have merited to raise our son to be a Bar Mitzvah, doing Mitzvos and learning Torah.


We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Hashem for His Hashgacha Pratis that brought us to this day!


THANK YOU, HASHEM!


The audience was very moved by the palpable joy the boy's parents exhibited. What struck me the most was the fact that this boy and his devoted parents were responsible for reconnecting to a tradition that began three thousand three hundred and thirty-seven years ago. A gap of sixty years nearly severed a rich history and tradition of sacrifice and devotion.


This young man represented a vivid link to a remarkable past and the road to a glorious and bright future.


How many of us regale in the realization of our being a vital link in this long chain of greatness? Does it excite you? Do you dance with glee over that privilege? Does that reality infuse you with a vitality in the privileged role you carry?


The Torah reports, "These are the offspring of Aharon and Moshe on the day G-d spoke with Moshe at Mount Sinai… the sons of Aharon… Nadav, Avihu, Elazar, and Isamar." (Bamidbar 3 1-2)


It appears that the children of Aharon were the offspring of Moshe too, as they are introduced as 'the offspring of Moshe and Aharon'.


How is that possible?


Rashi adds, that since Moshe taught these children Torah it is, כאילו ילדו — as if he had 'given birth' to them, and thus his offspring.


But didn't he teach all the people? What was unique about these children that differentiated them from others as 'offspring'?


Rashi adds a few more words: שלמדן מה שלמד מפי הגבורה — because he taught them what he had learned from the Almighty. 


What is this emphasis on 'from the Almighty'? Wouldn't it suffice saying he taught over what he had learned? Or just from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, why from הגבורה?


But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously, so that you do not forget the things that you saw with your own eyes and so that they do not fade from your mind as long as you live. And make them known to your children and to your children’s children:


The day you stood before your G-d at Chorev, when said to me, “Gather the people to Me that I may let them hear My words, in order that they may learn to revere Me as long as they live on earth and may so teach their children.” (דברים ד ט-י) 


The Ramban sees in these verses an injunction to depict to future generations the excitement of the day the Torah was given at Sinai.


'Our eyes and heart shall be focused on that event every moment of our existence.'


Perhaps the intent of this command is to recall the vitality of that exquisite moment in our history that is to infuse life into all our engagement with Torah.


'As long as we live', even 3,337 years later, we must 'live' that moment over and over enthusing our service to G-d with that eternal lifeforce.


Perhaps what Moshe shared with his nephews more than others was that depiction of receiving the Torah, מפי הגבורה — from the Almighty with all the thrilling emotions that entails. Whereas to the rest of the nation he conveyed the exact details of the laws, to the sons of Aharon he infused them with the vividness of that experience, embedding it within their souls, giving an added vivacity to their existence.


That may also explain the accent on כאילו ילדם — as if he gave birth to them, as a mother who brings life to her child, Moshe filled them with the vitality of Torah!


May we each rejoice in the privilege we have in conveying the vibrant message of Har Sinai to our children.


May we never take for granted our role in maintaining our link in the chain of Mesorah.


May our enthusiasm penetrate the hearts of our offspring, reverberating for future generations unto eternity!


באהבה,


חג שמח


צבי יהודה טייכמאן






 


 

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Baltimore, MD – May 30, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yisroel Wein (Baltimore) and Tzipi Schwed (Lakewood) on their engagement! Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Rebetzin Simcha & Aliza Wein and Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Pinchas and Chaya Schwed  Mazel Tov to grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Helaine Bondar, Rabbi Moishe & Leah Esther Elefant and Mr. & Mrs.Yankie & Tamara Schwed and great-grandfather Reb Shia Brisk יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!   
SimchasSimchas Simcha
Saudi Arabia's defense minister delivered a blunt message to Iranian officials in Tehran last month: take President Donald Trump's offer to negotiate a nuclear agreement seriously because it presents a way to avoid the risk of war with Israel. Alarmed at the prospect of further instability in the region, Saudi Arabia's 89-year-old King Salman bin Abdulaziz dispatched his son, Prince Khalid bin Salman, with the warning destined for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two Gulf sources close to government circles and two Iranian officials. Present at the closed-door meeting in Tehran, which took place on April 17 in the presidential compound, were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, armed forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Forei...
A Yonkers man received a six-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release on Thursday for attacking a Jewish barber, News 12 Westchester reported. Ahmed al Jabali, 34, was sentenced by Judge James McCarty at Westchester County Court in White Plains. Judge McCarty condemned al Jabali's actions, stating, "You admitted to and committed a reprehensible act, which hurt another person." The victim, 50-year-old Jewish barber Slava Shushakov, was attacked with scissors in his Yonkers Avenue barbershop last August. Police reported that al Jabali used expletives and expressed a desire to kill the victim during the assault, which left Shushakov with multiple cuts. Al Jabali pleaded guilty in April to second-degree assault as a hate crime and expres...
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Baltimore, MD - May 29, 2025 - Click on the graphic below for a larger, printable version. The views expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BJL or its editorial staff.
I recently shared in an especially uplifting celebration of a young man who became a Bar Mitzva. His parents, who hail from the former Soviet Union, after having arrived in America, found their path back to full observance. The father spoke at the Bar Mitzva and offered the following words. Thank you all for joining this remarkable Simcha! As you know, we have come from a country that had no Yiddishkeit, no Torah, and denied the existence of Hashem. When we came to America, we never dreamed about learning Torah, being Shomrei Mitzvos, and living as proud Yidden. Our families have not celebrated Bar Mitzvas for more than two generations! You cannot imagine how thrilled we are that we have merited to raise our son to be a Bar Mitzvah, doing Mitzvos and learning Torah. We are overwh...
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Baltimore,  MD – May 29, 2025 – A Flood Watch has been issued for Baltimore starting Friday evening through late Friday night, as forecasters expect heavy rain to move through the area. According to the National Weather Service, a slow-moving storm system could bring 2 to 3 inches of rain, with some spots seeing up to 4 inches. With the ground already saturated from previous storms, there's a real risk of flash flooding, especially in low-lying or poorly drained areas. Forecasters say we could see multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms Friday night, and if storms stall over one area, that’s when flooding could become dangerous. Streets, creeks, and small streams could overflow quickly.
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Baltimore, MD – May 29, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Michoel Hauptman and Racheli Horowitz on their engagement!  Mazel Tov to Azriel & Elisheva Hauptman and Yaakov & Meira Horowitz יה"ר שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל. אמן!   
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