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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
*June 20 , 2024, Sivan 14, 5784*
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Shavuos reminds us how important our Torah is
and it is not about the movie The Ten Commandments.
Hashem Yisbarach loves Klal Yisrael and we love H,
Our love is not an empty one. It is filled with our love for the mitzvos
He has given us which brings us much simchas hachaim.
Our love for all our Jewish brethren is truly important following the
Torah al pi halacha- according to halacha.
The Torah is our blueprint, helping us thoughout life. It is also important
to be compassionate, understanding and caring for one and all.
Understanding our own nisyonos in life. Understanding the nisyonos of others. The challenges, the nisyanos of Rus, her immense emunah and
trust in H. The remarkable kindness of Rus, Naomi and Boaz.
Peace /Shalom/Blessings
With a Full Heart.
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When I was the rabbi in a local shul, I made flyers that circulated throughout the neighborhood about “The Ten Commandments- Not the movie but the real thing” as part of our Judaism programs. We didn’t just have a simple scoop of ice cream. We had dairy Ice Cream Sundays with lots of goodies to put on top. That added to the interesting and very informative program about what the Ten Commandments meant and the beauty of how our faith and love of Judaism makes our lives so meaningful. Many of our guests were unaffiliated and they enjoyed hearing about our religion. I did not dilute how mitzvos were observed but emphasized their beauty. Having a positive attitude can enhance the quality of life to those who we minister to. They appreciated not being lectured to. It gave them an opportunity to ask questions. They learned how much the Holy One, our G, truly loves all of us even those who are first learning about their own faith and for others just beginning to do mitzvos. Learning the essence of our prayers, our tefilos and how the tefilos enhance our lives was well received. All of us in one way or another have challenges in life, our own nisyanos, tests the Ribono shel Olam gives us, but with our love, our faith, our trust, our hope, we can see and feel the sweetness of H, our Torah and our way of life. Most of all, with our hope, we can overcome whatever challenges we may encounter.
From Megilus Rus, Matriarch of King Dovid’s Dynasty based on Shiurim of Rabbi Gershon Weiss. Aliya Publications; Distributed by Israel Bookshop Publications. “Avraham Avinu had to withstand ten nisyonos (trials) in order to attain the spiritual stature necessary to become the Father of Klal Yisrael. Rus, too, had to endure her share of difficulties and suffering in order to be worthy of joining our nation and emerging as the progenitor of Dovid Hamelech. Each nisayon serves to enable the individual and elevates him to a higher sphere of holiness. Avraham reached the zenith of his attainment with the akeidah (the binding and near-sacrifice of Yitzchak), an accomplishment whose fruits Klal Yisrael enjoys to this very day. In the same manner did Rus climb her ladder of nisyonos until she reached her own akeidah of sorts, enabling her to be a fitting wife for Boaz and mother of sorts, enabling her to be a fitting wife for Boaz and mother of the dynasty of Dovid, which will culminate in the Melech HaMashiach. Like the original akeidah, Ru’s personal metamorphosis into the progenitor Dovid Hamelech brought tremendous benefit to Klal Yisrael – specifically, in the fulfillment of their overall character. This was the fulfillment of H’s words to Avraham Avinu: “I will graft two goodly shoots to engraft onto you: Rus HaMoaviah and Naamah HaAmonis. Grafting is used in agriculture to beautify and enhance the quality of produce.
Boaz told Rus that it was conveyed to him through prophecy that kings and prophets would be among her descendants. Naomi had already received a partial allusion to this when she received a message from an angel that H was providing Klal Yisrael with sustenance in the merit of Ivtzan (Boaz) the Shofet and the meritorious prayers he offered to H. We understood that this message was the impetus for Naomi’s deeds, following in the ways of the righteous Tamar and her actions with Yehuda, which gave birth to Peretz, the key to malchus Yehuda as enumerated at Megillah’s conclusion (4:18-21).
The Rambam writes (Laws of Teshuvah 10:2)” One who serves H out of love involves himself in the Torah and the mitzvos and walks in the paths of wisdom for no ulterior motive: not out of fear that evil will befall him, nor in order to acquire benefit. Rather, he does what is true because it is true; and ultimately, good will come because of it.”
From Rav Pam on Chumash by Rabbi Sholom Smith, Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications Ltd. Parshas Nasso “One of the giants of the previous generation characterized the Chofetz Chaim as a “normal Jew.” People did not see unusual display of piety or strictness in matters of halacha or behavior. He followed what was written in the Shulchan Aruch. His trait of guarding his tongue was not through radical gedarim (safeguards) or chumros (stringencies). He did not separate himself from society or undertake long periods of taanis dibbur (verbal “fasts”). The Torah dictated his behavior, what he was permitted to say and what was forbidden, and what, at times, he was required to say, even if it would normally be considered lashon hara (see Chofetz Chaim, Hilchos Rechilus 9:1-8). The Chafetz Chaim would stress that a Jew must live his life with simcha. It should be a joy to fulfill the Torah and mizvos, not an unbearable burden that a Jew must of necessity carry if he desires to earn a share in the World to Come. When people would cite the behavior of holy Jews who ate their meals with kabbalistic intentions and deep thoughts of elevating the “ sparks of holiness” the foods contained, the Chofetz Chaim said that he was a simple Jew and could not do such things. “ I don’t know any special kavanos (intentions),” he said. ‘I eat in order to be healthy and to have koach to live. If one is healthy, he can accomplish something for the honor of H.” H wants His creations to enjoy life in this world. Obviously, it must be in a permitted manner, according to the guidelines of the Torah. The ways of Torah are ways of pleasantness (Mishlei 3: 17) and when a person obeys the Torah, he will be successful in this world and the World to Come.”
From Kol Dodi. Seasons of the Torah by Rabbi Dovid Feinstein. Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications ; Parshas Nasso. “So shall you bless the Benei Yisrael, saying to them (6:23)” “ Rashi comments that the word Amor, saying, is spelled in its full form-including the silent vav- to indicate that the blessings must be given with a full heart. For this reason, when they recite the benediction prior to blessing the nation, the Kohanim state that they have been commanded by H to bless His people beahavah, with love. It is not sufficient for them to merely recite the words by rote; they must involve their hearts in the blessing. This lesson can be seen in the word amor. A complete human being is comprised of 248 organs, of which the mouth is only one. The numerical value of the word amor is 247. This signifies that in order for the Kohanim to properly discharge their obligation, the other 247 organs must join with the mouth as they bless the nation. Additionally, the numerical value of the word ahavah, love, is 13, which signifies that the Kohanim should bless the nation with the intent of bestowing all the benefits of H’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy.
“May H lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you.” “The blessings of the Kohanim conclude with the blessing of peace. As the Sages taught in the very last words of the Mishnah:” “R’ Shimon ben Chalafta said, The Holy One, Blessed is He, could find no vessel to hold the Benei Yisrael’s blessing as well as peace, as it says, H will bless His people with peace” (Uktzin 3:12). Without peace, what might seem to be a blessing becomes a burden. A powerful ruler beset by enemies and intrigue requires bodyguards to protect himself and his loved ones. A wealthy businessman has to worry about his children being kidnaped and held for ransom. In many ways, such people are not living lives of blessing and privilege – indeed, it may be that they were more free prior to attaining their power positions. To guard against such a fate, H climaxed His blessings with peace and tranquility. First the Kohanim bless the people with spiritual and physical prosperity, then they wish them the peace necessary to enjoy their good fortunes. This lesson can be seen in the word Shalom, peace. It is comprised of the same letters that spell mosheil, a ruler- for only one who is at peace truly rules over his prosperity.”
“The letters of Yevarechicha, may H bless, also spell Yarkivecha, may He graft you. The Kohanim ask H to always strengthen the Benei Yisrael with the additions they might need to reach ultimate perfection.”
We the rabbonim, the rebbetzins and the chaplains can inspire, support, encourage and help find in the hearts of all who we minister to the goodness of the Holy One. We can offer our own love for our fellow Jewish men and women and help them in their time of need. We can help them find the joy of life they might be missing. Through their journey of darkness, we can help them navigate to find the light at the end of the tunnel. May we be a blessing for all those who seek our guidance and may we love and care for Klal Yisrael. Let us all join together making a Kiddush H whenever and however possible. Hopefully the next time when Birkas HaKohanim will be recited, our synagogues will be filled with all of our Jewish brethren and will rejoice to meet Moshiach Tzedkeinu Bemheira Beyaminu Amein.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank