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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 28, 2024, Adar 28, 5784====
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Our relationship with H Yisbarach through our tefilos.
Our bakashos bring us closer.
H gave the Torah and the mitzvos for all generations.
Uplifting spirits.
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From Artscroll Stone Chumash, Parshas Vayikra. “The Sages expound that H summoned Moshe lovingly saying “Moses, Moses.” In reply, Moses would say, Hineini, I am at Your service.” “We should consider ourselves as if each Jew personally had been commanded by G. For the same reason, all future Jewish souls were at Sinai when the Ten Commandments were given. Souls without bodies are not obliged to keep commandments but G wanted all future generations to know that the Torah was meant for them as much as for those who left Egypt.( R’ Moshe Feinstein).
Our relationship with G goes back through all the generations from Avraham Avinu and especially from Moshe Rabbeinu at Har Sinai. Our tefilos and our bakashos have developed a relationship with H. It is we who daven with heartful feelings- sometimes with tears in our eyes. We convey these feelings to our mispallim and to those who we minister to with immense love of H. When we pray for one who is ill, for a refuah sheleima , we do so with a full heart to H and with hope for a good conclusion. This past Erev Shabbos my son- in -law’s mother was severely injured in a house fire which destroyed her house and the house next door. His mother was taken to the Cornell Medical Center burn unit in critical condition. Though her condition was precarious the doctors were phenomenal, giving whatever hope that is possible. Unfortunately, at the time of this article, her family was at her bedside. Their prayers filled with tears. Their feelings were not with anger but with love, beseeching H for whatever comfort can be given to their mother and for a positive conclusion. For those who can, please daven for a refuah sheleima for Toba Leah bas Sophi.
Those of us who have dealt with end-of-life experiences understand that the process is complex and not an easy task for the family. Being compassionate and caring is immensely helpful. Knowing how to guide family members emotionally and spiritually, but most of all what to do al pi halacha is of utmost importance.
On a different note, I recently was given a list of names to be mispallel for shidduchim. For me, this is nothing new as I have followed my Rebbe, Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l who always had a list of names to be mispallel for. After the Rosh Yeshiva was nifter, there were lists of names left in his siddur. I too say my bakashos for those who need a refuah or for shidduchim. I am grateful for the opportunity to be mispallel for those in their time of need. Bakashos and tefilos are another aspect of helping others. Sometimes a person requesting a prayer will share or explain what he/she is seeking from the Ribono shel Olam. Often it is a splendid opportunity for a person to speak with a rabbi, rebbetzin or a chaplain. A person might seek brachos and wish to discuss their concerns. I recently mentioned that when I was Sandik at my grandson’s bris there were two lines at the end of the culmination of the bris. One line was for the Sandik and the other was for the baal simcha. It was truly a spiritual experience with each person requesting a brachah. I asked if there was a specific request. Almost everyone gave a reason. Some were about themselves and some for others including serious illnesses, shidduchim, happiness, parnasah and seeking hope. Rabbis, rebbetzins and chaplains have opportunities of uplifting the spirits of the downtrodden and those who are seeking hope. Our relationship with the Ribono shel Olam has always been a special one, continues in the present and will continue in the future. May we always inspire others and may we be zoche that our bakashos, our tefilos on behalf of those we are being mispallel for be fulfilled for good.
Sincerely , Rabbi Yehuda Blank
It is with sadness to mention the tragic death of NYPD Police Officer Jonathan Diller who was killed in the line of duty Monday March 25th, 2024. As a former Uniformed NYC Housing Police Department Chaplain, the feelings of grief is shared by all police including myself.