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
== <><><>August 1, 2024, Tammuz  26, 5784<><><>==
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Two wonderful parents who are immensely proud of their
precious children. They love them to no end and never give up hope for
the smallest goodness they see and receive from them.

Thanking H for all their children.

Please click on the link at the bottom of this article to see a picture
and two videos of the Blank family and also Moshe
wearing Tefillin and Tzitzis.

Having a happy and positive attitude in life.

Hope for the present. Hope for the future.

A kiddush H can lead to more than one kiddush H.

Gam zu latova and Min Hashamayim.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Nothing happens just like this.
There is a purpose for everything that H does.
We just have to acknowledge it.

The importance of having a positive and uplifting attitude.
The importance of being polite and sincere.

“The Far-Reaching Effects of a Hello”
Having a pleasant demeanor and being nice can save a life.

The Chofetz Chaim and the baby who was blind.

The kindness, care and sincerity of the
Berdicher Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berdichov
the gentle advocate.

The bag of carrots that fell on the floor that led to a kiddush H
which lead to a hashgachos pratis of goodness.

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 Aryeh and Tzivia Blank have four children. Moshe, Tzvi Dov, Chaya Rivka and Tehila Rochel. Moshe and Chaya Rivka are medically fragile. They are unable to move their limbs or speak, but their smiles are so beautiful and they respond to whoever is speaking to them and they give their smiles too. Moshe when spoken to or when his father davens with him will respond by moving his lips. If only I could hear what he is saying. The Blank’s have shared with the public the nature of their medically fragile children and how each small step is consider a great moment to savor and be proud of. Two rooms in their home are with medical equipment and supplies. Both children are assigned 24/7 nursing care.  There are times when Aryeh will be notified that one or both of the nurses are not showing up. That means Aryeh, Tzivia or both must stay up until the next shift of nurses hopefully arrive. Yet both Aryeh and Tzivia are always so calm and take everything in stride without complaints or bitterness. They are known for their unbelievable care for all their children, finding time to care for and give each undivided attention with tremendous love. I have learned a lot from both Aryeh and Tzivia and for the moment would like to share how special they are. Over the years, they have become very knowledgeable in medical terminology and use of all types of medical equipment. Together I would call them the Blank pediatric special needs team. I am very impressed with the way Aryeh and Tzivia discuss medical and nursing concerns with doctors, the nursing staff and supervisors. Other people would get frustrated when things are not done properly, but not Aryeh or Tzivia. Aryeh and Tzivia make such a kiddush H working together with the nurses and supervising them when necessary. I have witnessed how polite and courteous they are, the respect they give, how they do not lose their cool even when their other children need their attention. They both have a positive, pleasant and happy demeanor. The kiddush H they make is remarkable. Honestly, in my personal opinion, I have suggested they give presentations to other parents going through similar experiences, communicating how they have learned how to deal with medical and nursing issues and various agencies. They would be happy to support others in any way possible. Taking care of their children, especially the two special needs children, is a full time job that takes tremendous dedication and sincere devotion. I also want to mention how kind Aryeh and Tzivia are to the nursing staff and how inclusive they are inviting the nursing staff to join them for any of the special Jewish events taking place and delicious delicacies to partake and enjoy. Everyone is made to feel at home. There is an important aspect of family life and care of the other children. Their religious observance is never compromised in front of the nursing staff or any other professionals. Their parents truly inculcate the proper midos, making a kiddush H. The patience the parent have is immense and how they interact with all their children is note worthy especially with Moshe and Chaya Rivka. Moshe davens with them and in one of the pictures you will notice him wearing Tefillim and Tzitzis. Those are high end Tefillin and regular Tzitzis. Moshe and Chaya Rivka are treated as regular children but with special needs. Aryeh and Tzivia are wonderful role models we can all learn from. Please click on the link at the end of this article for pictures of the Blank family including a picture of Moshe wearing his Tefilim and Tzitzis while his father davens with him.

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We truly do not know why things happen as they do but nothing happens in a vacuum. There is a purpose for everything that happens. In the stories I will share with you how being polite and nice to others saved a Rabbi’s life during the Holocaust, the response to a crying mother to love her very challenged baby, and the greatness of Rabbi Levi Yizhak of Berdichov.

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But first let me tell you about the bag of carrots.

I was in the supermarket this past Friday by the vegetable section and asked the worker assigned to that section what knives they use to cut the vegetables. Though his English was not perfect, he responded that knives were only used for fruits and vegetables because it has to be kosher and cannot be used for meat or anything else. While looking at the packages of the cut vegetables I accidently spilled a container of carrots on the floor. The worker wanted to throw out the container and the carrots. I brought the container to the cashier to throw out and swept up the carrot to throw out. I took the container to bring to the cashier and told one of the managers what happened. He told me to pay for the carrots, which I did. However, I wanted to tell the worker that I paid for the carrots however I was unable to find him. I asked another manager to please tell that worker that I paid for the carrots. He told me I did not have to pay but appreciated my honesty. When I left the store, another customer stopped to talk to me about what had just transpired and how I made a kiddush H. During our conversation one of the workers of that store returned the credit card he had left in the payment machine Had he not stopped to tell me about the kiddush H that I made, he would have gone home and would not have remembered that he left his credit card in the store.  One thing led to another. We don’t always know why at the moment, but later on these strange things become apparent. Gamzu letova. All because of the container of carrots that fell to the floor.

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From:
There’s More to the Story
“The Beautiful Baby”

By Rabbi Yechiel Spero. Published by Artscroll, Mesorah Publications Ltd. Pages 30 -33. “In Petach Tikva there lived an older gentleman, Reb Shmuel. Rumor had it that he had learned under the Chofetz Chaim (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan) in Radin. One floor beneath him lived a curious yeshiva bachur, Peretz, who always wanted to chap a shmooz with Reb Shmuel and hear stories about the Chofetz Chaim. But he was too embarrassed to ask him. Until one day, when he built up the courage to knock on Reb Shmuel’s door:
Reb Shmuel opened the door, immediately welcomed his young neighbor, and sat him down in the kitchen. “How can I be of help?”
Peretz was relieved and pleasantly surprised that his upstairs neighbor was so friendly, much friendlier than he had realized. “Can you please share a story
About the Chofetz Chaim? I hear you learned under him.”
“Learned under him?” Reb Shmuel echoed. “Not quite. By the time I came to Radin, the Chofetz Chaim was already in his last year. He no longer came to the yeshiva, spending most of his time at home. His family and those close to him didn’t allow anybody in. He was weak and frail; every moment with others sapped him of his strength. So I don’t really have any stories to tell you as a talmid. However, I witnessed one unusual incident.”
Since the Chafetz Chaim was so weak, a rotation was set up among the bachurim, in groups of two, to accommodate his wishes, which weren’t many. They were also to serve as gatekeepers, to ensure no visitors entered his home-no matter the circumstances.
Shmuel’s day arrived. Soon enough, a couple knocked on the door. They had come from far away and insisted on seeing the Chofetz Chaim. The matter was urgent, they made clear, and thy refused to be turned away. Although Shmuel and his friend tried to block the doorway, the couple was adamant. As they pushed and fought their way in, Shmuel and his friend were no match for them.
Since the house was so small, the couple was standing right in front of the heilige Chofetz Chaim in no time at all, and the commotion caused him to look up from his sefer.
“Here, take him!” the young mother screamed. “I don’t need him!” Only then did Shmuel see that the small package she was holding contained a sleeping baby, which she placed on the bed in the room. “He’s blind and deaf, and I can’t take care of him!” After uttering those words, she and her husband wept bitterly.
At first, the Chofetz Chaim listened with sensitivity and concern. But then his eyes closed and he appeared to doze for ten minutes. Not a sound could be heard. His gabbaim, who were nearby checked on him, but everything appeared fine.
Suddenly, the Chofetz Chaim opened his eyes and recounted:
When I was a young boy, I learned in a yeshiva run by the tzaddik Rav Shlomo, who cared deeply for every bachur. He invested so much in each one of us and wanted nothing more than to see us grow in Torah and avodas H.
After he was niftar, his holy Neshama ascended to Shamayim and stood before the Beis Din shel Maalah, that Heavenly Court. He had nourished and nurtured the neshamos of many kinderlach; he had exhibited stellar middos. It seemed obvious he would head straight to Gan Eden.
But the moment his Neshamah reached the gates of Gan Eden, a black malach appeared with a small sack holding a few minor aveiros, asserting that before Rav Shlomo entered Gan Eden, he had to atone for his aveiros. His neshamah was so exalted that even a few sins could hold it back from Gan Eden.
His case was returned to Beis Din, and it was determined that Rav Shlomo’s neshamah would descend more to This World, for a specified period of time, to right its wrongs. Then it would be permitted entry to Gan Eden.
At this point, Rav Shlomo protested and began to cry. “I am not prepared to go back down. What will prevent me from repeating those very aveiros? Instead of atoning for my earlier transgressions, perhaps I will only add to the collection!”
Once more, the Heavenly Court reconvened. “Rav Shlomo has a good taanah, a good claim,” they declared. After another discussion, it was determined that Rav Shlomo would come down again.
But without the capability of doing aveiros.
The Chofetz Chaim paused his story.
With the help of Shmuel and his friend, he rose from his chair, took a few slow steps toward the bed where the baby lay, and called out, “Baruch haba, Rav Shlomo!”
With a heartrending cry, the mother made her way back to her child and held him close. In a choked voice, she pronounced, “I can do it. I will raise you and I will protect and cherish you and invest every ounce of koach I have, until my very last breath.”
She continued hugging her baby tightly, not wanting to let go.
Now, nothing and nobody could take him away.
The woman and her husband thanked the Chofetz Chaim and went back home to raise their beautiful child.
We know nothing.
At times, we are given a challenge; H entrusts us with a task that seems like an impossible burden, and we don’t know why we were chosen.
Bit with some perspective, we will find that our burden is, in actuality, a privilege. With this new point of view, our load I lightened, and we find the wherewithal to handle the challenge and see it as an opportunity.”

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From:
Relevance. Pirkei Avos for the Twenty-First Century
“The Far-Reaching Effects of a Hello”

By Rabbi Dan Roth: A project of Torah Live: Distributed by
Feldheim Publishers, Pages 171-173 “If Rabbi Yochanan be Zakkai made such an effort to greet people, it was because he realized the significance of this seemingly minor act. Wishing someone a good morning shows that you acknowledge who he or she is. In a world where people are often not appreciated enough, you are giving the message that you recognize the other person’s existence and see it as something of worth. This simple message can be very powerful.
Consider the following story about an Eastern European rabbi:
During his morning walks, it was the rabbi’s custom to greet every man, woman, and child whom he met on his way with a warm smile and a cordial “Good morning.” Over the years, the rabbi became acquainted with the many of his fellow townspeople this way and would always greet them by their proper title and name.
Near the outskirts of town, in the fields, he would exchange greetings with Herr Muller, a polish Volksdeutsche (ethnic German). “Good morning, Herr Muller!” the rabbi would hasten to greet the man who worked in the fields. “Good morning, Herr Rabbiner!” would come the response with a good-natured smile.”
Then the war began. The rabbi’s strolls stopped abruptly. Herr Muller donned an SS uniform and disappeared from the fields. The fate of the rabbi was like that of much of the rest of Polish Jewry. He lost his family in the death camp of Treblinka and, after great suffering, was deported to Auschwitz.
One day, during a selection at Auschwitz, the rabbi stood on line with hundreds of other Jews awaiting the moment when their fates would be decided, for life or death. Dressed in a striped camp uniform, head and beard shaven and eyes feverish from starvation and disease, the rabbi looked like a walking skeleton. “Right! Left, left, left!” The voice in the distance drew nearer. Suddenly the rabbi had a great urge to see the face of the man with the snow-white gloves, small baton, and steely voice who played G and decided who should live and who should die. He lifted his eyes and heard his own voice speaking: “Good morning, Herr Muller!”
“Good morning, Herr Rabbiner!” responded a human voice beneath the SS cap adorned with skull and bones. “What are you doing here?” A faint smile appeared on the rabbi’s lips. The baton moved to the right-to life. The following day, the rabbi was transferred to a safer camp.
We see that a simple act of saying good morning can make such a deep impression on another person as to even turn a sadistic monster into a human being. After all, this man was an SS guard, a Nazi murderer. He had no qualms about sentencing Jews to death with the flick of his finger. Had any of them erupted in tears, begging to be spared, he probably would not have flinched at sending them to their deaths. Yet the recognition that the rabbi had accorded him made such a powerful impression that it cut through the coldest of hearts, bringing out a trace of humanity.
And if that is the effect a simple “good morning” can  have on a heart of stone, just think what it does and how much pleasure it can bring to a heart of flesh and blood.”

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From:
Chasidic Masters
“The Gentle Advocate”
“Rabbi Levi Yizhak of Berdichov (1740-1809)”

By Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Moznaim Publishing Corporation. Pages 60-73.
Regarding the relationship at that time between the Chasidim and non chasidim. “It was not long before Rabbi Levi Yizhak overcame this opposition. A gentle leader, without the slightest trace of aggressiveness, he disarmed his opponents, not by force, but by the tenderness and kindness of his nature. It was not many years before his enemies grew to love and respect him, won over by his simplicity and sincerity, as well as the love which overflowed from his heart, for all groups and classes of Jews, no matter what their persuasion. The stormy career of this gentle Tzaddik thus ended, and he was able to assume a role as one of the most important leaders of the Hasidic world.
The ecstasy and compassion that marked the Berdichover’s prayers were renowned. Very often he would add prayers of his own, arguing and pleading with G to make and end to Jewish troubles. On the eve of Rosh HaShanah, he would not walk into the synagogue upright, but would be bent over, almost to the ground. It is said that as he entered the synagogue, the thunder of his voiced literally shake the walls.
His meekness, humility and absolute unwillingness to see evil in any person were legendary.
The main cause of the exile was the hatred that existed among Jews, and the only way to bring about the redemption is through mutual love. Such love is only possible when all people unify themselves with G, the Root of all.
It is our actions and good deeds that motivate the supernal Attributes. Only then do they emanate spiritual sustenance to all the supernal worlds, angels, souls and upper chambers. It is through our good deeds, observance of the commandments, and study of Torah, that spiritual sustenance comes to all worlds.
The main condition is that this be done with love and fear. The Torah thus warns us, “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your G seek of you, but to fear the Lord your G” (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Through the power of love, fear and our other good attributes, we arouse the Attributes on High. These Attributes were created before the heaven and earth, and it was from them that the creation of heaven and earth came. These very same attributes are aroused by our good deeds, as it is taught, “Through deeds below, action on high is aroused.”
In His great love and mercy, G taught us the good attributes to which one must bind himself so that he can arouse the Attributes on high. (Kedushat Levi, Bereshit (p3)”. 

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Especially during the “Three Weeks” the importance of seeking the Attributes on High through our good deeds and to be like Rabbi Levi Yitzhak with tenderness, kindness, sincerity and love for all Jews and to seek kiddush H with tremendous midos tovos is so important. We must try our best to eliminate speaking loshan hara which will prevent sinas chinam and to find goodness in all of Klal Yisrael. If only we could prevent machlokes we could help bring Mashiach sooner than later. Rabbi Levi Yitzhak was like an Aharon HaKohen. Each and every Jew was special. Their love and care for each Jew knew no bounds. Today, we live amongst all people from diverse backgrounds. Our midos tovos are relevant and can make the difference between Kiddush H or Chilul H. We see the impression of greeting one and all with a smile and with goodness. What an impact it can make in our relationship with our fellow human beings. It is important to be sincere in the way we interact with whoever we come in contact with. Having a positive outlook in life and a happy disposition is important. Often when someone would seek my advice about chaplaincy (all types of chaplaincies) I would ask if he or she could work with and also be able to relate to all men, women and children of diverse backgrounds with sincerity. Would they be able to enhance good will and seek opportunities of kindness and goodness no matter who the person they would minister to is like. I would also stress that being a chaplain has many responsibilities as well as wonderful opportunities of helping others and being magnificent ambassadors of H and Klal Yisrael, by our actions, with what we say and what we do. 

May we be zoche to achieve Shalom al Yisrael and the coming of Mashiach. May we all be able to live in peace and have simchas hachaim with hatzlacha in all of our good endeavors.  

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank. 

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PICTURE AND TWO VIDEOS