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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
= =March 21, 2024, Adar 11, 5784= =
חג פורים שמח
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Purim a holiday of caring for others.
“The heart and the love of H filled the Mishkan.”
Don’t lose hope, one’s mitzvos and Torah learning as long as one tries their best will be accepted by the Ribono shel Olam and be worthy of a
portion in the World to Come.
Yachatz
We need achdus and to bring together all that might be broken.
We need to see each other as a whole, to be accepting and to find
kindness and goodness.
Most important, we have to find strength and goodness in ourselves.
Wonderful examples for Chaplains, Rabbis, Rebbetzins.
Inspirational chizuk helping others to find G given talents and to see not
what is lacking but what each person can give.
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Esther HaMalka truly showed care for her brethren as portrayed by two major Purim mitzvos, Matanos L’evyonim and Meshloach Manos. Gifts of money are given to those who are in need and a present containing at least two food items to a neighbor or friend. When the Jewish people were given permission to fight back against their enemies, they did not take any of their possessions. Though there surely were individuals who could have gained by taking items from their enemies but they were instructed not do so. Esther and Mordechai wanted it to be an everlasting mitzva on Purim to help others with gifts of money or food.
As with all mitzvos, we should be doing so with sincerity and of course love of H. The word love as I have mentioned in prior articles is a very strong word and should not be taken lightly.
In Kol Dodi Seasons of the Torah by Rabbi David Feinstein, Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications Ltd Page 115 “Uchvod H Malei Es Hmishkan And the glory of H filled the Mishkan.” The numerical value of כבוד Glory, is 32 . This is equal to the value of לב, heart. The heart and love of H filled the Mishkan that had been constructed by His beloved people for His honor. This is as the verse states: My eyes and my heart shall be there all the days (I Melachim 9:3). H will forever grace the Beis HaMikdash with His heart.”
From: Rabbi Frand on the Parshah, by Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications Ltd. Pekudei , Pages 140-142 “Rejoice on the Final Day” “Veyaviu es haMishkan el Moshe es haOhel ve es kol keilav.” And they brought the Mishkan to Moshe, and Tent and all its vessels. (39:33)
“According to the Midrash, The boards of the Mishkan were so heavy that the people could not hold them up erect next to each other long enough to them to assemble the Mishkan. They kept toppling over. In frustration, the people brought all the boards and poles to Moshe, and he assembled it with miraculous strength that H granted him especially for this purpose.
The Torah, however, states that the Jewish people “brought the Mishkan to Moshe.” This would seem to imply that they brought him a completely assembled Mishkan. How can the Midrash be reconciled with these words?
Regarding this same verse, the Midrash quotes from Mishlei (31:25), “Might and splender are her garments, and she will rejoice on the final day.” The Midrash goes on to illustrate this idea with a story concerning Rabbi Abahu’s departure from this world. On the threshold, he was shown all the reward that awaited him in the World to Come, and he remarked with astonishment, “All of this is for Abahu? I thought I had been toiling in vain, and now I see I have a great portion in the World to Come!”
What point is the Midrash making by bringing this story in connection to the erection of the Mishkan? And how do we understand Rabbi Abahu’s surprise? Did he really expect that having spent his life learning Torah and doing mitzvos he would not be rewarded in the World to Come? Did he really think he was laboring in vain?
Rav Shlomo Breuer explains that Judaism is a deed-oriented religion. It is not enough to say, “I am a Jew at heart.” Deeds are what count, learning Torah, performing mitzvos, doing chessed. Being a Jew is about doing, from the moment we arise until the moment we go to bed. Our religion is not one of sentiment, it is one of deed.
At the same time, however, intent also plays a great role in Judaism. If someone is prevented by circumstances beyond his control from doing a mitzva, the Torah considers it as if he had done the mitzva (maaleh alav hakasuv k’ilu asahu). Judaism demands deeds but not necessarily results. As long as a Jew puts in the honest and sincere effort, he is rewarded even if he is not successful, H consideres his intentions as deeds.
This is what Rabbi Abahu was saying, “There were so many times in my life when I tried, I made the effort, but I was not successful. I had assumed that on these occasions my efforts had been in vain. Now I see that I have been rewarded even for my intentions, for my efforts, even when they are unsuccessful. “Therefore, Rabbi Abahu “rejoiced on final day.”
When the time came to assemble the Mishkan, the Jewish people made every effort to do it by themselves. Sweat pouring from their brows, veins bulging on their foreheads, they strained and they pushed those heavy boards with all their might, but they could not erect the mishkan. It was simply beyond them, and they had no choice but to turn to Moshe for help.
Nonetheless, the Torah reports that they “brought the Mishkan to Moshe.” because that is what they intended to do and what they to do with all their hearts. H considered it as if they erected the Mishkan themselves, and He rewarded them. Therefore, they “rejoiced on the final day.”
We all have our trials and tribulations, our concerns, what have we achieved in life, where are we now, and where will we be in the future?
It is important not to beat oneself thinking of failures, or lack of worthy achievements. Rather we should feel fortunate to be in the daled amos of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, being able to be mekayeim many mitzvos, gemilus chasadi, and making a Kiddush H in many ways. The opportunities are endless. Just look at what Rabbi Abahu thought of himself having made small amounts of achievements and yet he was on the path to the World to Come, Haolam Habah. He thought his achievements were small but in actuality they were big.
This is a phenomenal story filled with inspiration/chizuk to learn from “At the Maggid’s Seder by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn A Haggadah Shel Pesach Pages 86-88 Artscroll Series Mesorah Publishing.Ltd “Being Broken…Build” “ We are about to break the middle matzah and set aside the larger part for the afikomen, which we will eat at the end other meal. The afikomen is in place of the Korban Pesach, which every Jew had to partake of during the era of the Beis HaMikdash.
If, indeed, the afikomen represents such a significant part of the Seder, why do we use a broken piece? Would not an entire matzah be more appropriate?
The Kotzker Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel Morgonstern (1787-1859), said, “There is nothing as whole as a broken heart.”
David HaMelech writes zivchei Elo-kim ruach nishbarah leiv nishbar venidkeh Elo-kim lo sivkeh, The sacrifices G desires are a broken spirit; a heart broken and humbled, O G, You will not despise (Tehillim 51:19).
Let’s look at this piece of matzah before it is hidden away. Let’s hold it up and learn a lesson about life and Jewish values. In the physical world, being a complete entity is a virtue. In the spiritual world, something that seems incomplete or broken is often an asset, because it signifies humility and a motivation for growth.
Tonight we appreciate freedom because we were broken and crushed by slavery. A person who has recuperated from eye surgery feels greater appreciation for the morning berachah, pokeiach ivrim, Who gives sight to the blind. One who required crutches or a walker but now is walking on his own recites the beracha hameichim mitzadei gaver, Who firms man’s footsteps, with more gratitude. The aforementioned wer all “broken,” but now their attachment to H is all the more complete. Being broken…builds.
Before the evening is over, this broken piece of matzah will become the focal poing of the Seder.
Take heart, even if you have sometimes been broken; although it cause a heartache and discomfort, more likely than not, you grew from the situation. And if you find yourself now in a trying time, look at the afikomen and gain strength. You too, with H’s help shall gain eminence before “this night” is over.
In March of 2019, I received a call from a Kollel fellow, Asher Yurowitz, in Houston, Texas, who told me about Nechemia Passell, who had been born with only one arm and was about to celebrate his bar mitzva. “You befriended this boy when you met him here in Houston seven years ago, and I know he would appreciate a call from you in honor of the simcha. Would you mind calling him?
Within minutes, I was on the phone with Nechemia. As we reminisced about our meeting years earlier, it occurred to me that a wonderful elderly gentleman, Mr. Woli Stern of San Paulo, Brazil, could give more chizuk than I ever could. Mr. Stern had lost his arm in an accident when he was nineteen years old. Despite this handicap, he had become extraordinarily successful.
After my call to Nechemia, I contacted Mr. Stern and asked if he would write to the boy. The letter he sent is so exceptional, filled with love, advice, and guidance for anyone who may feel “broken.”
Dear Nechemia,
Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov !!
On the occasion of your Bar Mitzvah, it is my privilege and honor to wish you from the bottom of my heart that H grant you to always go from strength to strength and merit to go on and become and adam gadol.
My name is Woli Stern, I’m 89 and live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I lost my entire left arm in a car accident at the age of 19. At the time, I was completely devastated. But the first thought flashing through my mind was, “ I will not let this accident drag me down and stop me in life !! I will try my best to continue life business as usual, as if nothing had happened, as far as possible.” From that day on, my handicap became my driving force. I did not let it get to me, and, as soon as people understood that, they reciprocated the feeling and related to me normally. The sheer will power required to overcome my handicap became my greatest asset and I was able to go on with life almost as usual. I became the first Brazilian boy to go on to study at the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio.
Baruch H, H sent me an extremely refined lady whom I ended up marrying. She did not see any reason in this handicap to reject the shidduch and we are very happily married ever since, for more than 60 years.
Baruch H, H has been very kind to me and I’ve been able to do many positive things; learn and work normally, run a successful business, take an active role in community matters, and help promote many worthy Jewish causes.
To mention just two examples, I take special pride in the fact that I’ve been privileged to be associated with ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications by sponsoring the publication of Tractate Horayos/Eduyos of its Talmud Bavil series.
Furthermore, I spend most of the day working for an organization called EFRAT, which is dedicated to assisting pregnant women in Israel. Be’Ezras H, we were able to save close to seven thousand (7,000) unborn children so far.
I have always loved to assist people wherever I could, and in fact, my handicap has not withheld me from doing any of the above.
It never stopped me from driving a car. I used to play tennis when I was younger and even started to ski at the age of fifty, doing so for many years!
There was not a single problem for which I required the help of others. It’s all in your mind. It is your mind that instructs and commands your actions. Thanks to H, I have been successful in all my endeavors.
I know what it feels like when your great bar mitzvah moment is coming up and you anticipate all the people staring at you. So, in view of my own personal experience, my advice to you is simply the following: Just get up and do whatever you planned on doing in front of the public, seriously, tranquilly, and with confidence, as if there were no handicap. It will earn you the people’s greatest respect. At the end of the day, the basis for people to decide how to relate to you is your own behavior and how you yourself related to your own handicap. It is entirely up to you, because as Chazal say, people’s attitude toward you simply mirrors your own attitude toward them.
Trust that h will make things work out for you, believe in yourself, and alei vehatzlach, rise and succeed!! You have a great life ahead of you
Wishing you the best of luck in all your endeavors.
Shehakadosh Baruch Hu yitein vesizkeh ligdol lesheim ulesiferes beyisrael lihiyos adam gadol baTorah uvamitzvos lerov nachas hahorim
Vehamispachah vesatzliach bechal asher tifneh letovah velivrachah.
Sincerely yours,
Woli Stern
Sam Paula, Brazil
Broken? We can rebuild with drive, determination, and dedication.”
To my entire readership, may you be an inspiration to all those in their time of uncertainty, in their various challenges in life, helping to uplift their spirits and showing them their tremendous value in life- Baruch H.
May you have a wonderful, meaningful and blessed Purim.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
Click below for the Purim song
משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה
SUGGESTIONS FOR A TASTY PURIM
It is praiseworthy to send items you know the recipient can enjoy. For example, there are many who must prohibit their sugar intake, salt intake, cannot have sesame seeds, products with gluten, chocolate or even dairy products and so on. Some of the elderly have difficulty chewing. Many meshloach manos plates or baskets are filled with all types of nosh and candy usually enjoyed by the young and are not for the elderly. If someone is giving items that are perishable, it is a good idea to clearly mark the package please refrigerate those items as soon as possible. Another suggestion is to mark if any bakery or homemade items are dairy or parve and can be enjoyed with other dairy items such as a cup of coffee and milk. Another suggestion is to check if a person prefers Cholov Yisrael or Yoshen. You want the recipient to enjoy the items he/she is receiving.
