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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. Shiva will be observed at 3801 West Strathmore, Baltimore, MD 21215Minyanim:Shacharis: 7:15 AMMincha Erev Shabbos: 3:00 PMMincha/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...
Baltimore, MD – July 25, 2025 – Due to today’s extreme heat conditions, the Department of Public Works (DPW) ended trash and recycling collection early to protect the safety of sanitation crews working outdoors.   If your scheduled pickup was missed today, DPW will collect your materials tomorrow, Shabbos, July 26. Please remember to  take your receptacles down to the street before Shabbos. Summer collection start time is 5:00 a.m. What You Should Do: Leave your bins at the curb if your collection was missed. Do not bring them back in until service resumes. If your pickup is still missed after Shabbos, call 311 to report it.
Baltimore, MD - July 25, 2025  - The Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore had the zechus today to meet with HaGaon HaRav Asher Weiss, shlit”a.
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Program to Support Advanced Surgical Technologies and Education to Enhance Patient Care and Training Across the Health System Baltimore – A $10 million gift from The Kahlert Foundation to LifeBridge Health will allow the community health system to invest in advanced and emerging surgical technologies to enhance patient care and medical training through the establishment of the Kahlert Surgical Innovation Institute. “The Kahlert Surgical Innovation Institute will expand access to advanced surgical technologies across our health system, supporting our teams in delivering high-quality, innovative care. We are deeply grateful to The Kahlert Foundation for this transformational gift and their commitment to improving healthcare and strengthening our communities,” says Neil Me...
The IDF on Friday evening, shortly after 9:30 p.m., identified that a missile had been launched from Yemen. “Aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public is requested to follow the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines,” it said. Several minutes later, sirens were sounded in the Dead Sea and Judea areas. The IDF subsequently said, "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol." At 9:48 p.m., the Home Front Command said that the incident has concluded and residents can exit the protected spaces. Magen David Adom said, “Following the missile fire from Yemen toward the State of Israel, MDA&rsqu...
Parshas Mattos provides us with some valuable insights into the concepts of responsibility, Hakaras Hatov and the merits of being part of a Tzibbur.  After defeating Midyan in war pursuant to Hashem’s direction, there is some question as to how to share and divide the considerable spoils.  First, we are given the commandment of Hechsher Keilim – the process of “kashering” untensils which formerly belonged to a goy, either through fire or immersion.  (Mattos 31:22) Next comes Hashem’s directive of how to divide the spoils.  Hashem instructs Moshe to tally up all that has been captured and divide it in half. (31:27) An interesting start for sure.  By whom, are the spoils to be used and enjoyed?  Halves.  What should be done wi...
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Rabbi Dovid Fink -Mattos: The Heavy Lifters

Parshas Mattos provides us with some valuable insights into the concepts of responsibility, Hakaras Hatov and the merits of being part of a Tzibbur.  After defeating Midyan in war pursuant to Hashem’s direction, there is some question as to how to share and divide the considerable spoils.  First, we are given the commandment of Hechsher Keilim – the process of “kashering” untensils which formerly belonged to a goy, either through fire or immersion.  (Mattos 31:22) Next comes Hashem’s directive of how to divide the spoils.  Hashem instructs Moshe to tally up all that has been captured and divide it in half. (31:27)


An interesting start for sure.  By whom, are the spoils to be used and enjoyed?  Halves.  What should be done with the “halves”?  Perhaps they should be shared equally between men and women?  The men could use them in practical manners such as fashioning the metals into new weapons or using the livestock for carrying their belongings.  The women could use the wool to make fabrics and the metals for decorative purposes.[1]  For some reason the idea of the spoils being shared on a pro rata basis was off the table.  The spoils were not to be divided “equally” among the people.  No, Hashem’s directive is instructive indeed.  The spoils were to be divided with half going to the people who fought the battle and the other half being shared by the rest of the people.  Wow.  Consider that only twelve thousand men went out to fight (31:4) and at last count B’nei Yisroel’s number exceeded six hundred thousand men, and you have quite the disproportionate division.  (2% of the people were to get 50% of the spoils)


There is little doubt as to the first message delivered by Hashem with this instruction. The main beneficiary of the spoils was to be the people who put their lives on the line in acquiring them.  Then, the rest of the nation who fulfilled important other roles, would enjoy the remainder.  Of course, from both halves were portions designated for the Kohanim, Leviyim and maintenance of the Mishkan.[2]  Hashem’s direction demonstrates the three critical areas to be recognized - public service (Kohanim and Leviyim), community responsibility (Maintaining the Mishkan) and the largest share to those who risked their lives in securing the largess. 


A few years ago when the Israeli Defense Forces were engaged in fierce fighting in Southern Lebanon, at the Mirir Yeshiva the time had come for Peasach Ben Hazmanim – a full month away from the Yeshiva to prepare for Pesach and recharge.  As Rosh Chodesh Nissan arrived, most were absorbed in their preparations to leave.  The Rosh Yeshiva, the Goen Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel Z’TL insisted that everyone remain in the Yeshiva.  “Our part is to learn Torah and it is their part to fight the physical battles – how can we pack up and leave when they are actively engaged in war with their lives on the line.”  In today’s times, those words ring very true indeed.  Whatever out particular roles in Klal Yisroel, we must rededicate ourselves to recognizing our share in the tzibbur and do whatever we can in the merit of the soldiers in Israel who are putting their lives on the line. 


All too often we get caught up in our own idiosyncratic view of the world and Klal Yisroel and lose sight of the bigger picture – we are all in this together.  Just as there were twelve Shevatim, we all have different roles to play in the world, albeit with many things common between us.  Regardless of ones political or religious beliefs in issues regarding “Medinas” Yisroel, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers who risk their lives daily so that we have the privilege of walking in the streets of Yerushalayim and the rest of Eretz Yisroel.  Virtually every Israeli family has lost a father, brother or son so that the rest of us can live in and visit our Eretz Hakedosha.  We must take every opportunity to acknowledge, thank and appreciate their sacrifices and constantly daven for their safety.  That is part of our job.   


 




[1] It is not the intent to make a general statement about what men or women may choose to do with similar materials.  Rather, these examples reflect the roles and usages which were often ascribed to men and women in the time of Torah’s narrative.




[2] This is quite interesting in that Shevet Levi apparently also sent one thousand men out to war. (Rashi 31:4)   Hence Levi was to receive not only 1/24 of the total spoils but also, like the Kohanim,  a special allotment in recognition of their important service in the Mishkan.





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Baltimore, MD - July 25, 2025  - Industrial-sized #10 cans of Zorba brand Vine Leaves Stuffed With Rice, a product of Turkey, distributed by Gourmet Factory of Hauppauge, New York, bear an unauthorized STAR-K symbol. Corrective action is being taken.
Baltimore, MD – July 25, 2025 - BJL wishes a hearty Mazel Tov to Yehuda and Sarah Sanders on the birth of a daughter. Mazel Tov grandparents Mordy & Shoshana Sanders יה"ר שיזכו לגדל בתם לתורה, לחופה, ולמעשים טובים. אמן!
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U.S. President Trump commented again this afternoon (Friday) on the deadlock with the murderous terror organization Hamas. "I've always said the most difficult part would be releasing the last 10 to 20 hostages. Hamas blew up the deal. I've always said that when we get to the final hostages, Hamas will never be willing to make a deal," he said. "We've reached the point where the job against Hamas must be finished. The Israelis will have to fight and clear the area. We’ll need to get rid of Hamas." Trump hinted at imminent targeted killings: "Hamas never really wanted a deal. I think they’re about to be hunted down." Trump also dismissed French President Macron's call for a Palestinian state, calling it "irrelevant." Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu wrot...
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Baltimore, MD – July 25, 2025 - BJL regrets to inform the community of the petirah  of  Louise Ginsburg, a’h, mother of Sora Rochel Osofsky (443-687-0670). Shiva will be observed through Thursday, July 31, in Boro Park at 1682 54th Street Brooklyn, NY 11204 בלע המוות לנצח …
Baltimore, MD – July 25, 2025 – 10:49PM – A large truck caught fire on the I-695 outer loop just after the Greenspring Avenue on-ramp (Exit 22). Emergency personnel are on scene. Traffic is heavily backed up in the area. Drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes. 
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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.
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