From the desk of Rabbi Leonard (Yehuda ) Blank, MS, BCC
Director of Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
On Tanis Esther, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Feinstein shlita offered suggestions in his Bais Medrash regarding how some of the tefilos should be said and to add extra Tehilim for Klal Yisrael and the world in general due to the situation in the world today and for a refuah shleima.
The World Health Organization is now calling it a pandemic. It is interesting to note, that our Presidium Chair, Rabbi Klass was right on target with his letter. We were also one of the first organizations to have Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt discuss the many ramifications of the Coronavirus or COVID-19,as it is being called in the conference call sponsored by the Rabbinical Alliance of America and the National Council of Young Israel followed by other organizations who also featured Rabbi Dr. Glatt.
There is now a rush for many yeshiva and seminary students to get flights back to the USA and other countries from Israel with many flights being cancelled. I know of one family who wanted to come from Israel to New York and then return to Israel for Pesach but cancelled their trip of not knowing if they would be able to return to Israel. Many trips, events and other happenings are being cancelled or postponed throughout the world.
We can offer many reasons why so many things are happening including politics in the USA. However, though it might seem so simple, the only answer we can give is only the Aibershta knows why. In the sedra of Ki Sisa, we learn about Bezalel’s wisdom ,insight, and also the the Divine Inspiration /Ruach HaKodesh in order to help craft the many holy things for the Tabernacle the Mishkon. We depend on the wisdom we gain from others, the insight and the
knowledge that comes from Divine Inspiration. For Bezalel that knowledge to help craft, wood carvings, weave designs, work with gold, silver and copper, stone cutting for setting, at such a young age was only possible with the Divine Inspiration and what he gained from others.
The Rabbinical Alliance of America is blessed to have so many Torah scholars well versed with wisdom, knowledge, diverse abilities and insight in the Torah world as well as the professional world. Yet, make no mistake, we always’ acknowledge that which the Holy One, the Aibershta gives to us as rabbi’s chaplains, and other professionals . We hope that especially in these difficult times, our members can be a source of comfort, of advice and wisdom to all who come to seek our support. We pray for this pandemic to cease, that there be a speedy recovery and may there be peace in the world. Please be mispallel for all cholim Klal Yisrael including Keila Lutza bas Tziporah.
Please follow the guidelines for prevention and proper hygiene everyone should take seriously as shown below.
Respectfully and sincerely, Yehuda Blank