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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
<> October 2, 2024, Elul 29, 5784 <>
Erev Rosh Hashanah
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How we encourage those who we minister to.
We are now approaching Rosh Hashanah and we aspire to become better. We
have the hope that the upcoming year will make our lives better.
Count your blessings.
Be thankful to H for what we can do and don’t focus on what we can’t do.
How many times each day did one find something to
be thankful for and did thank H for.
How often do we believe our accomplishments are purely through our
own abilities, knowledge and wisdom, or do we acknowledge H’s
intervention in what we do and what we say.
We all have the opportunity to have a share in the World to Come and to do so many wonderful maysim tovim. We can bring much hatzlacha and happiness in this world as well. We should always incorporate our Torah and mitzvos in our lives, seeking to have a close relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
“Faith and Trust – Two Separate Commandments”
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From Pirkei Avos: Perek 6
From Artscroll Siddur, Mesorah Publications Ltd.
“All Israel has a share in the World to Come, as it is said: And your people are all righteous; however, they shall inherit the land; they are the branch of My planting, the works of My hands in which to take pride.”
Having meaningful traits, a positive and caring demeanor can be very catchy bringing gladness in other peoples’ lives. Listen attentively to those who are speaking to you with interest in what is being said. Seek opportunities to do gemilus chasadim, enhance the lives of others and build bridges of goodness.
“Be welcoming to every person with happiness” Avos 3:16 ‘So you should speak softly, and with understanding to one another.’ Vayikra Rabba 33.” Comforting the mourner, visiting the sick, and deeds of kindness bring good into the world.” Avos d’R. Noson 30”
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From: Faith and Trust
Two Separate Commandments
By, Rabbi Shemuel Houminer, Published by Quantum Press, page 31.” Faith and trust are two separate concepts. The latter is dependent on the former, while the former is independent of the latter. Faith precedes trust and can exist in a believer’s heart even when he lacks trust, for faith can exist without trust. Trust, however, denotes the existence of faith, for it is impossible for trust to precede it or to endure independently.
Anyone who trusts may be called a believer, but not everyone who believes can be referred to as “one who trusts.” These two concepts may be compared to a fruit tree. Faith is the tree and trust is the fruit. The fruit is a sign of the existence of the tree or plant upon which it grew, yet the tree or plant is not a sign that the fruit came from there, since many trees and shrubs are fruitless. Fruit, however, by definition, comes from a tree or shrub.
Every believer may not trust in G (though it is certainly possible), yet everyone who trusts most certainly believes in G. Therefore, Scripture cautions us that the need for trust in G is much greater than the need for faith. (Ramban).”
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From: Trust and Faith
“Trust in G and Do Good”
(ibid page 31) “The verse in Tehillim 37:3 says, “Trust in G and do good, that you may dwell in the land and nurture faith.” “Trust in G” is a command to have trust in the Almighty. “Do good” is a command to fulfill all the Torah which G commands us. “Dwell in the land and nurture faith” teaches us to strive to reach a complete faith in G and His personal supervision over our lives.” ( Eved- Ha-melech).”
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From: Trust and Faith
“Torah Is a Constant Commandments”
(ibid) page 33. Tehillim 37:3 says, “Dwell in the land and nurture your faith.” Perhaps a person might think, “When I’m at my job I am not involved in Torah, but only in worldly matters.” For that reason the verse ends, “nurture your faith,” as to say, “strengthen yourself and watch that all your undertakings are done faithfully.” Then, you shall not be without goodness for even a moment.
The word “nurture” (re’eh) may be understood in the imperative sense as in the verse, “Love your neighbor (re’acha) as yourself.” One should attach himself to faith, for it encompasses all the 613 commandments. This is the meaning of Makkos 34a: Chavakuk came and established the entire Torah on one axion, “The righteous ran will live by his faith” (Chavakuk 2:4). (Ramban).”
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From: Trust and Faith
“Full Trust”
(ibid) page 47. “The author of Chovos Ha-levavos summarizes the stature of one who places his full trust in G: Such a person is not upset when his request goes unmet, nor by the passing of a loved one. He doesn’t hoard things, nor does he expect more than his daily portion of food. He never worries about the future, since who can know when his end will be. Still he trusts that G will grant him life and provide his physical needs.” (Chovos Ha-levavos)
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From: Trust and Faith
“Praise G for Everything He Does for Us”
(ibid) page 63. “Whenever a person has a financial or material gain, he should thank G for his success. At such a time, it is appropriate to say the following: “I offer thanks before You O H my G and the G of my forefathers, for bestowing on me this money or gain.” The next morning, he should have in mind the new possession he received, when reciting the blessing “Who has prepared for me all my needs.”
On the book Orchos Tzaddikim, the author writes that a person whose livelihood is dependent upon others should not place his trust in them. Instead, deep within his heart, let him establish the Creator as the source of his trust. It is not sufficient that a person think to himself, rather he should verbally express praise and gratitude to the Creator Whose kindness has not departed from him.” (Orchos Tzaddikim).
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From: Trust and Faith
“Realization that Everything Comes from G”
(ibid) pages 63-64 “One should truly recognize that each man and each object is merely an instrument in the hands of G. This is the deeper meaning of the verse (Tehillim 146:5), “Fortunate is the one whose help is the G of Yaakov.” How truly content is the person who realizes that everything that comes his way comes only because his “help is the G of Yaakov.” Everything comes from the Almighty, and everything that happens to man is orchestrated by G. And if it won’t be caused by one particular person or reason, it will be caused by some other person or reason.
“Yaakov vowed, saying, ‘If H will be with me and guard me on the way in which I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear…’ “ (Bereishis 28:20) Yaakov was saying, “I always feel that the Holy One, blessed be He watches over me, and provides me with bread to eat and clothes to wear.”
“May I return in peace to my father’s home” (ibid.) Rashi comments” “In peace”- without sin, not learning from the cunningness of Lavan, not being led astray by anybody or anything at all in the world.’
“Then G will be my G” (ibid). Then it will be ingrained in my heart that H is G, there is no other that Him, no external power other than His. Everything is full of His oneness.
Based on this, Yaakov immediately commented, “He does justice for the oppressed, He gives bread to the hungry “(Tehillim 146:7). Any assistance that comes to a person comes from G, the One who can do everything. Understand this and recall it often.” (Eved Ha- Melech).
There are millions and millions of reasons to give thanks to G. For example having found an item that was misplaced after having looked high and low for it should thank H. One should give thanks to H for something one might think it was for a negative reason but lo and behold a person realizes the outcome was for a reason.
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From: Living Emunah on Yomin Noraim
Gaining faith from the Days of Awe
“Grab the Opportunity”
By. Rabbi David Ashear. Artscroll Mesorah Publications, Ltd. page 50-61. “The key in all situations in life is to be aware of the opportunities we are being given and to capitalize upon them. The month of Elul is auspicious for spirituality. Everything we do counts more. Our prayers are more readily accepted. What may take dozens of tefillos to accomplish during the rest of the year can be accomplished now with much fewer. Our learning is worth more; our mitzvos are worth more.
It was the morning of Erev Rosh Hashanah, and Avraham* turned to his rabbi and asked for some final words of inspiration before the new year. The rabbi said in a raised voice, “Elul stands for Ani ledodi vedodi li” there is an outpouring of love from H in Elul.”
Why is the rabbi giving me chizuk about Elul when the month is practically over, and Rosh Hashanah is on the doorstep? he wondered.
The rabbi then repeated the phrase. “Ani ledodi vedodi li. I am with H and H is with me. This is the essence of Elul. Ther are still a few hours left of this precious month. Go now and use them wisely.”
Avraham started to cry, because it was only then that he realized the value of every moment in Elul.
There are people who honestly want to become better, but don’t know where to begin. They should ask H to help them with that too. David HaMelech requested (Tehillim 27:11): Horeini H darkecha, H, show me Your path so that I should follow it. Everyone has a unique mission in this world to fulfill, and H can help us fulfill it. If H sees that we sincerely want to be close to Him, He will give us the siyata d’ Shmaya that we need, especially during these days of rachamim.
Rav Elimelech Biderman told about a group of rabbis from Benei Brak who usually go once a week to Rishon LeTzion to learn with Jews who are distant from Torah, to help bring them back. However, when Covid-19 began to spread, the shul in which they regularly learned closed, and they were unable to continue.
Before Shavuous, the shuls reopened, and the group planned to resume their outreach efforts. They made plans with the men in Rishon LeTzion and traveled by bus to meet them at their regular location.’’
When they arrived, however, the shul was closed. The men inquired and were told that it was only being used for prayers, and nothing else.
“Can you make an exception for this learning group?” they asked.
“Sorry no.”
“Could we set up tables and chairs in the backyard parking lot?”
Once again, their request was denied.
One of the men of Rishon LeTzion spoke up. “I have a big open parking lot right near my house a couple of blocks away. We can go there to learn.”
The rabbi in charge accepted his suggestion. “Everyone, go there with Yaakov.* I’ll wait here in front of the shul and tell whoever comes to go there.”
About ten minutes later, as the rabbi was standing there waiting for latecomers, he noticed a man walking by. The man looked right at hm. The rabbi knew he wasn’t one of their regulars, but nonetheless called out to him, “Would you like to learn Torah now?”
The man’s eyes lit up. “Yes!” he said. “Is there a place for me to learn?”
The rabbi replied, “Absolutely! But it is not a class. We have rabbis who will learn Gemara with you, one on-one.
“I would really enjoy that. Thank you! I’m Baruch,* by the way.” Baruch told the rabbi that he grew up in a religious environment but veered off the path. Recently, with the outbreak of Covid-19, he saw how H controls the world. “I want to return to Him, but don’t know where to start. I prayed to H to show me the path to return—and He sent me right to you!”
As they walked together to join the rest of the group, Baruch asked the rabbi if by any chance he could get him a pair of tefillin, and both requests were answered right away.’’
Look what H did for Boruch! The shul the men usually learned in did not allow them to gather there or even in the backyard parking lot- all so the rabbi would be standing outside in front of the building when Baruch walked by, to direct him how to return to H.
H wants us to be close to Him. We need to utilized the opportunity we have during the glorious month of Elul and take advantages of His unending mercy.”
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From: The Gentle Weapon
Prayers for Everyday and Not-So-Everyday
Moments
“In G’s Will”
By. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Jewish Lights Publishing.
G, I want
to be so many things,
to do so much,
to achieve so endlessly-
but can anyone
be everything,
do everything,
have everything?
You alone understand
the fragile balance of my soul.
You’ve invested in me
the potential
to make of that balance
a perfect creation
Now help me fashion myself
into just such a creation,
“in accordance with Your Will.”
May we be zoche to the coming of Mashiach.
May all be blessed with good health, simchos and much happiness.
Best wishes for a
K’siva V’chasima Tova and a Shana Tova Umesuka.
Respectfully and sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank