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Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
***Thursday December 7, 2023, Kislev 24, 5783***
CHANUKAH
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“The Ambassador’s Daughter”
(Another example of the positive impact we can have on others).
Having hope- We cannot despair- Chanukah is here.
Sharing Chanukah Joy with others in their time of need.
No need to splurge to find meaning and happiness on Chanukah.
Beis HaLevi on Bitachon
Haolom Hazeh and Haolom Habah
“The Blessing That Led to Blessing”
To view the video of the Beis HaLevi on Bitachon with Rabbi David Sutton:EP 12
“One Who Relies On H Profits On This World And The World To, Come”
From All Daf : All Torah, A Project of the OU
Click On The Link At The Bottom Of This Article.
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Chanukah is a time for hope. We celebrate the nissim, the miracles. Yet, with all the tremendous outbursts we are seeing, we are hearing, and we are feeling physically and emotionally, it can bring us to have feelings of despair. We must not allow ourselves to feel we are Heaven Forbid lost, but rather we know how much H loves us. Amongst the millions of people throughout the world, there are the multitudes who believe in us, the Jewish people, as being kind, law abiding, caring and full of compassion for others. They know all to well the truth because of our love for our faith, our love for our G, the impact and positive impressions we make. They are willing to come forward to acknowledge our Jewish nation and are willing to speak up on our behalf. We must always remember that H runs the world.
There is a magnificent article in the Yated Ne’eman December 1, 2023, Page 80 in the Food for Thought column “The Ambassador’s Daughter” by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger that shows the results of the positive impact, and impression we make. “ Shlomo “Sol” Werdiger, CEO of Outerstuff and Chairman of Agudath Israel of America’s Board of Trustees, in his years in askanus, has worked extensively with the United Nations and developed a friendship with Ban Ki-moon, who served as the secretary-general of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016. One day, the secretary-general called Sol at his office and asked if, by any chance, his company had a summer intern program.
“I have someone who’s very interested in getting an intern position,” said the secretary- general.
Sol put the secretary-general in touch with his Human Resources Department and didn’t make much of the request.
Later that year, during the summer, at a time when Israel was hit with an intifada and the United Nations was consistently censuring Israel. Sol’s office received a phone call. His secretary patched the call through to Sol, informing him that the Korean ambassador to the UN, Mr. Oh Joon, was on the line.
“Yes, Mr. Ambassador, what can I do for you,” asked Sol.
“What can you do for me? Are you kidding me? I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Sol was flabbergasted, “What did I do for you?”
Sol was informed that the ambassador had a daughter who was interested in fashion. Ban Kimoon had recommended that she apprentice and work at Mr. Wediger’s office. She turned out to be a great worker, and the ambassador was calling to thank him for hiring his daughter.
“I want to take you out for lunch,” said Mr. Joon.
They made a lunch date three weeks later.
The day that Sol was to meet the ambassador for lunch, Sol got a call saying that the ambassador would be a half-hour late. Sol went to Prime Grill in Manhattan to wait for the ambassador, who finally arrived with a bodyguard.
Sitting down, the ambassador immediately posed a question.
“Tell me, Mr. Werdiger, what makes you Jews such special people?”
“Mr. Ambassador, what are talking about?”
“Listen, we Koreans are very much like the Jewish people. We’re very family oriented. We’re nervous about our kids. We want to make sure that they have the right environment.
“Coming from a traditional Korean family, my wife and I were petrified when our daughter went to work. What kind of company was it going to be? Who’s going to influence her there? But she insisted, and the secretary-general said you’re a nice guy.
“Mr. Werdiger, for the last year, every night, our daughter has come home and said, “Mom and Dad, this company…what a great place! Everyone dresses nicely, they don’t curse, they don’t scream, and they’re very respectful! The whole day, rabbis are coming to the office ( for charity ), and every day they pray in the office!
“Mr. Werdiger, we can’t get over it. We keep on saying, ‘Wow, what special people the Jews are! We’re jut so thankful for everything you’ve done for our daughter.”
Mr. Werdiger was blown away. He hadn’t even met the girl who had been working for his company.
Now the ambassador shifted gears. At that time, South Korea was a temporary member of the UN Security Council. That morning, there was vote in the United Nations to censure and place sanctions on Israel.
“Mr. Werdiger,” the ambassador shared, ‘I called my wife from the UN and asked her: Isn’t Israel the same Jewish people as the people where our daughter works? They’re such nice people! Why are we always censuring them?’
“She said, “I don’t know!”
The ambassador called his people back in Korea and asked, “Why are we always voting against the Jewish people?” Do we have something against the Jewish people?”
The office told him to do what he wants.
And that day, when the censure against Israel was put up for a vote, he abstained.
For the first time in history, South Korea didn’t vote against Israel.
Mr. Werdiger stepped out of the restaurant and made a call to a renowned askan, seeking to verify what he had just heard. The response was astounding: All the frum askanim had indeed observed the United Nations vote in wonderment. They were scratching their heads, trying to figure out why, for the first time, South Korea hadn’t voted against Israel. Sol later spoke to Israeli officials- even the prime minister- who were likewise bewildered.
Sol knew the answer.
Two days later, there was another vote at the UN, and Sol received an email from the ambassador, telling him, “My dear Jewish friend Sol: Do not worry! We will not vote against the Jewish people. We will not vote against Israel.”
Why?
Because the ambassador’s daughter was treated with mentchlichkeit by a frum company. Nothing more, nothing less. She saw the kindness, gentility, and generosity of Jewish people and shared her impressions with her parents. And the rest was history.
That’s the difference we can make by the way we act and the way we interact with others. You just don’t know the impact you make on others when you act as a frum Yid should.”
A rabbi, rebbetzin and a chaplain in discussions with a person going through a challenging time offers rays of hope that there can be a light at the end of a tunnel. There are many examples dealing with a myriad amount of issues. Whether it be regarding a shidduch, parnasah, a health or medical related issue or concern. We look forward to giving those we minister hope and faith. Even further, there is the bitachon the trust we have in H that our inner most wishes and desires can come true. Patients are seeking some sought of guarantee that their prayers will be answered. Chaplains know it is not possible to guarantee a positive outcome. Chaplains, rabbis and rebbetzins are there to give chizuk . Will it turn out the way they are hoping for even with complete trust in H? It is truly up to G. Only G knows what the future will bring for everyone. It is important for the rabbi, the rebbetzin or chaplain to be empathetic, compassionate, encouraging, inspiring and sincere. It is important not to give false hope or say, “I promise you will see, it will all work out” but rather let us pray to G that things should work out for the best. Trust does not necessarily mean a person trusts that his or her requests will be answered, but that H knows what is best for each person. We pray for zechusim not just for Haolom Hazeh, but for also for Haolom Habah which are mentioned in many of our tefilos. There is nothing H cannot do. Everything is always possible. Click on the link of the Beis HaLevi on Bitachon as discussed by Rabbi Sutton on the bottom of this article.
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Gee whiz, specialty doughnuts more than $7.00 each, tongue sandwiches for $32 or $79.00 per pound, haircuts $32 and up. How much would it cost to play a Dreidel game? What about latkes? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Thank goodness there are lunch programs at many community Jewish Councils where seniors can have a kosher Chanukah meal for far less money. There are Boruch H many gemachs, and special funds to help families and individuals with minimum incomes to be able to get needed assistance and enjoy the holiday of Chanukah. There are Tomchei Shabbos organizations that help with Shabbos meals. MET Council amongst other wonderful organizations help our fellow Jewish neighbors in their times of need with all types of needed assistance. There are many who are in the middle-income bracket that are having a difficult time making ends meet. The prices I quoted thank goodness are not every place. One can purchase regular doughnuts for a lot less. The cost of a haircut in many barber shops is not always $32 and the price for a tongue sandwich or per pound might be cheaper in other stores. Nevertheless, we all know that the cost of certain items is more expensive than in the past. So why have I mentioned the above? What can we all do to make the Yom Tov for a neighbor or someone who is not in the position of splurging as pleasant as possible. Besides, who says we must splurge to enjoy the Yom Tov of Chanukah. Absolutely not! The point of my comment is to know it is possible to have a really wonderful Chanukah without breaking the bank but is important to think about someone who is having a difficult time and share your joy with that person. If you know of someone who lives alone, why not invite that person to join you and your family for the lighting of the Menorah, singing of the traditional Chanukah songs, joining in a special Chanukah meal or sharing treats including delicious latkes. An important reminder to always inquire if a person has dietary restrictions or allergies to certain food products. There are many who are not allowed to have any dairy products, sugar, fried foods, salt, nuts, chocolate, pineapple, sesame that is often baked on challos. There are those people who are severely allergic to certain items and cannot be in the same room with those items. A person might also be watching his/her food intake and is on a special diet. For example some people might eat only fish or chicken and no red meat. I remember being invited some years ago to a Shabbos meal and I was asked if there was anything I prefer eating or not eating. The hostess was so pleased with my smile, good attitude and sincere compliments making her feel very proud of her culinary accomplishments especially of a new recipe she was using. It is important to be caring and feel for another person’s feelings. The same holds true with thinking before speaking, being considerate in one’s relationship with another person, friend or stranger. Most of all, starting off the day being mispallel for a day filled with chesed, kindness and being able to have a day filled with Torah and maysim tovim. We are mispallel to H that we can fulfill many mitzvos and have trust in His wisdom remembering that whatever He does for us is always in our best interest. However, we pray that we can do our hishtadlis in life and having faith that He will point us in the right direction.
From 102 Stories That Changed People’s Lives Volume 2 by Rabbi Tzvi Nakar Tfutza Publications. Pages 104-106 “The Blessing That Led to Blessing” “The coronavirus pandemic brought a number of challenges to the doorsteps of families all over the world, many related to parnassah. It’s hard enough to earn a livelihood, but when COVID-19 struck, the struggle became even harder. Here is one story recently published in the United States that took place during this period, followed some simple advice that will help a person overcome similar crises. The story is told by the person to whom it happened.
Before it all happened, I earned an income as a violin player, either playing with a symphony or solo, and I brought home a respectable income to provide for my family. But with the onset of COVID-19, people could no longer make large weddings, fundraising dinners were canceled, and I was left without work.
Day by day our savings dwindled and our worries increased. Then I remembered hearing about a certain segulah for parnassah: saying Birkas Hamazon from inside a bencher with kavanah. I decided to take on this practice and felt in my heart that this was an auspicious time and that it would open new doors to providing for my family. Of course, I thought it would take time to see any results, but it happened sooner than I could have imagined.
During this period, the mayor of New York decided to close all the shuls. We followed the example of our brothers in Eretz Yisrael, and people on the same street davened “together” from their own porches or yards, or by standing at their open front door. I lived in an area where several houses were in close proximity to each other, so we organized a small minyan, making sure to comply with the Health Department’s protocols.
On Shabbos, the members of our shul used to eat seudas shlishis together, and we wanted to continue the tradition. It was decided that everyone would eat the seudah at home, and then we would gather in one person’s backyard, eat a kezayis of bread, sing zemiros, and bentch together over a cup of wine.
It was the first Shabbos after I had decided to be more conscientious about saying Birkas Hamazon inside. Everyone else had finished bentching, but I was taking my time, saying the words slowly and with concentration. Since we had exactly enough men to form a minyan, everyone else had to wait for me to finish benching to daven Ma’ariv.
When we finished davening, one of the men came over to me and told me how impressed he was at the way I bentched.
I explained to him how this came about, how my parnasah had been affected by the pandemic, and how I’d decided to take on this segulah to be scrupulous about benching inside with kavanah, hoping I would merit a yeshuah as a result.
After I told him about my resolution, I noticed a gleam in his eyes. “This is amazing!” he said. “I just thought of a great idea that will help you. Let me go home and make Havdalah, and then I’ll call you and tell you the details.”
I went home, my thoughts whirling and my heart swelling with hope, and I sent a little prayer to Heaven with a request for siyata d’Shmaya that my neighbor’s idea would work out.
About an hour later, the phone rang. It was my neighbor, who said enthusiastically, “Your segulah worked! Listen, I work in a nursing home and assisted living facility. Recently, the owner of the facility, an ehrliche and caring Yid, was lamenting about how lonely the resident are, unable to receive visitors for fear of contracting the virus. When I heard what you do, I decided to suggest to him that he make use of your talents and hire you to play for the elderly residents and cheer them up.
“As soon as I finished making Havdalah, I called him, and he liked the idea. He would like to hire you to play in his facilities- he owns three-and have you go from room to room and play your violin for them. He’ll compensated you well.”
It’s been several weeks since I started my new job. Not only am I able to earn an income, but the work is so fulfilling, When I see the residents of the nursing homes light up and tell me I’ve” brought them back to life,” it fills me with joy. I get to do what I love while earning merit for the world of eternity.
Yesterday, the nursing homeowner told me that even when things return to normal (let’s hope it’ very soon!), he’ll want me to continue playing for him on a regular basis.
All because of the segulah I resolved to take on, and I recommend it to everyone. It’s a tried – and- true segulah that has proven itself for generations, as the Or Zarua himself attests, having received this tradition from his own rebbeim.
The Secret To A Good Life. When a person knows with his whole heart that the Creator is the One Who provides him with everything he has, that in itself will bring him blessings and prosperity.”
Various sources mention that when Birkas Hamazon is recited from inside a bencher or siddur, it is a zechus for a shidduch, especially the first bracha.
May we be zoche to refuos, simchas hachaim, parnassah, hatzlachah, simcha, happiness, shidduchim, and a continuous relationship with the Ribono shel Olam. May we be zoche to have lives that are filled with maysim tovim, with mitzvos, with the love of H and the Torah. May there be Shalom al Yisrael, Chaveirim kol Yisrael and Am Yisrael Chai. May we be zoche to the coming of Mashiach Tzedkeinu Bemheirah Beyameinu Amein Selah.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
To view the video of the Beis HaLevi on Bitachon with Rabbi David Sutton :EP 12
“One Who Relies On H Profits On This World And The World To, Come”
From All Daf: All Torah, A Project of the OU
Click On The Link Here.