From the desk of Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, MS, BCC
Director of Programming, Chaplaincy Commission and External Affairs
Rabbinical Alliance of America/ Igud Harabbonim
917 446 2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
September 30, 2021

Love and appreciation of the Ribono shel Olam. Should we really say to someone may this be a better year rather than may you have a good year?

This is my take on that expression may this be a better year. I have heard that expression many times. Let us look back during the previous year. Is it not possible that amongst any of those things that might have been sad, there were still good things that happened, and good things that happened one might not know about, but which H did for a person that brought us happiness? Shouldn’t we be grateful to H for all that He did for us? Of course, but what does H want of us? To serve G out of love and not out of fear. (The following is a translation from Mishneh Torah Hilchot Teshuva the Laws of Repentance translation with commentaries by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger Maznaim Publishing Corporation. Chapter 10). One who serves G out of love occupies himself with the Torah and the Mitzvot and walks in the path of wisdom for no ulterior motive: not because of fear that evil will occur, nor in order to acquire benefit. Rather, he does what is true because it is true, and ultimately good will come because of it. This is a very high level which is not merited by every wise man. It is the level of Patriarch Abraham whom G described as “he who loved Me”, for his service was only motivated by love. G commanded us to seek this rung of service as conveyed by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5 states:” Love G, your Lord.” When a man will love G in the proper manner he will immediately perform all the Mitzvot motivated by love. I was nichom avaeilus a family who’s relative was nifter and community residents became aware of his death right at the end of Yom Kippur. He was quite ill, but valiantly fought his illness. He never gave up, and despite his illness always conveyed goodness and kindness for others. Those in attendance shared his many worthy accomplishments and tremendous gemilus chasadim, Amongst the difficult and challenging days, there were many days of goodness for him, his wife and family. We may not be as great as our Patriarchs or Matriarchs, but there are many wonderful attributes we can be proud of and the many wonderful maysim tovim the Ribono shel Olam does for us we can and should be thankful for.

May all the brachos we are mispallel for be fulfilled and a year filled with maysim tovim. May He find favor in all that we do Lesheim Shamayim. May we have the determination and strength to persevere doing what is proper and seen positive in the eyes of H. May our lives be filled with simchas hachayim and be zoche many simchas. I am mispallel on behalf of the RAA to bring you quality, meaningful presentations, webinars, and programs of high quality. Please read the flyer about the October 5th webinar presentation.
Thank you. May the chag. Yom tov of Sukkos and Simchas Torah bring much happiness for all of us.
Sincerely Rabbi Yehuda Blank.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MORE COMING ATTRACTIONS

SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE RAA. INCLUDING THEIR REBBITZENS.
A NEW WEBINAR MONTHLY SERIES CALLED “ASK THE THERAPIST “WILL BEGIN OCTOBER 26TH. YOU WILL BE RECEIVING A FLYER ABOUT THIS EXCITING WEBINAR. UPON REGISTRATION, YOU WILL
RECEIVE AN INFORMATIONAL SHEET ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.