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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 10, 2024, Tishrei 8, 5784 = = =
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I cried with them.

We cry for Klal Yisrael and we also cry for ourselves.

We must believe- We must know that we are in the presence of the Ribono shel Olam.

We must have emunah and betachon rather than worry.
Worrying will bring a person to being mispallel for His help.

Our appreciation for H’s kindness and how we must follow in His ways.

L’David H Ori Veyishi, we are mispallel not to lose any hope.

Never forsaken- we are always in the presence of H.

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These holy days remind us of our relationship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Though mispallim might not see the tears of their rabbonim or the rebbetzins, the tears beseeching the Ribono shel Olam flow from their eyes, down their cheeks, all coming from their hearts are as pure as can be. On a personal note, this past Shabbos was the yartzeit of my dear sister who was known for immense kindness and tremendous love of H. When I saw her last, right before Rosh Hashana, we cried together. She wanted to live for her mishpacha that she loved so much. When she recited the krias shema with such kavana, I had to hold back my tears which flowed like the strong currents of a river. She was very alert but knew she was coming close to the end. When my wife was at the last days of her life, we also cried together, and she wanted to say the Vidui with me. Then too I had to hold back my tears. She too, told me not to cry and our last weeks and days were filled with a special relationship.

Years before at the nursing and rehabilitation where I was the Director of Pastoral care and Rabbi, there was a woman in her early sixties who had no one in the world that she felt close to other than myself. She had one relative who she had not been in touch with for a very long time. She had had a double mastectomy and her cancer had spread. Through the months and weeks she sought all of my inspiration.  In the last days of her life, she asked that I be at her bedside until her final breath and to locate her relative so she could be buried properly and perhaps he would say kaddish for her. She asked that I remember her and include her in my yartzeit prayers. She too cried and I cried with her. Through the years as a chaplain in many different settings I had patients who asked that I cry and pray with them and give them words of inspiration for their end of life. Many wanted to know that they will not be forgotten and fear that their souls will be lost forever. It was important to give hope and ensure that they would leave a legacy. During these holy days from Elul to the end of Hoshana Rabba although this Simchas Torah which last year fell out with the tragedy of October 7th, might be a little different. We all have tears realizing our future is up to H and that we have the opportunity to daven for a meaningful new year. H loves us and only wants the best for us. We cannot take anything for granted and should pray to have the strength to take every opportunity of motivating ourselves to do all that H wants from us. These are the days where our tears flow from our eyes that come from our hearts. We are always in the presence of H. We sometimes have to give ourselves a pinch to remember that. Being a rabbi, a rebbetzin or a chaplain is not an easy task. We do have to care for ourselves. Self-care is vital and recognizing our own concerns in life has to be taken in account for a healthy life. It is not always easy to admit we also have our sad moments. However, having an optimistic and positive outlook in life is truly important. That is not always the case for many who we minister to. We are mispallel to be a source of inspiration for those who we seek to help. Our advice, our encouragement and our heartfelt care is important. On a personal note, I give thanks to the Ribono shel Olam for the opportunity of sharing Moments of Inspiration, for the programs I have brought to one and all, and those I am working on at the present and hopefully in the future. I am grateful for the opportunity of meeting and developing new professional relationships and so much more, Boruch H. Nothing is perfect but I, like others make the best of it. I was recently asked if my lifestyle has changed since my wife died four years ago and if I practice what I share about having a positive outlook in life. I gave it some thought. I still go to shiurim as often as possible, I do shopping (I take car service and go to different neighborhoods for meaningful shopping experiences) cooking, some baking, and enjoy going to simchos and being a people person. Sure, there are times I experience being lonely, but I usually have ways of uplifting my spirit. Besides, I can always speak to myself if I look in the mirror. I truly enjoy the various things I am doing professionally. Most of all, trying to find opportunities of Kiddush H, trying to find ways of self-improvement and why not, seeking opportunities for simchas hachaim and helping others in their time of need. This is something important for everyone to do at any age.  This will give the Ribono shel Olam lots of nachas. 

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From: Living Kiddush H
“Transformative Kindness”

By Rabbi Shraga Freedman, Yated Ne’eman page 138 October 2, 2024 “I have an incredible story to share. One of the technicians from the IT company my business uses is a devout Muslim. Over the years, he’s made it clear that he personally dislikes us but continues working with us because it’s his job. Today, I had to speak with him, and for the first time in seven years, he was surprisingly nice and respectful, which caught me off guard.

After resolving the issue, he asked if he could question me about something personal regarding Judaism. I told him that he was welcome to ask anything, but I couldn’t guarantee that I’d have all the answers, since I’m not a rabbi. His question was, “Why do religious Jews care so much about everyone?”

I told him that I can’t speak for everyone, but I was raised with the belief that every life is precious, not just Jewish live, and that our purpose on earth is to help others.

He then shared what happened to him earlier this morning. While driving on the turnpike, he had a blowout in the middle lane but luckily managed to get to the shoulder. He had a spare tire but no jack and no AAA membership. He began to panic, when a Jewish man pulled up, immediately grabbed a jack an offered to change the tire. Though he didn’t fully trust the man at first, he was stuck and decided to take the risk.

The Jewish man changed the tire faster than anyone he’d ever seen, wished him a great day, and began walking back to his car. Curious, the technician stopped him and asked, “Why are you being so nice to a Muslim?” The man responded, “I don’t care what religion you follow or what race you are. If I see someone in need of help, I try to help them.”

The technician offered him money for his help, but the man refused.

The technician then told me that he was raised to hate Jews and thought I was the exception because I was always kind to him, but he assured that I was always kind to him, but he assumed that I was only being nice because I was a professional. However, when this random Jewish man helped me because he was a person in need, it made a deep impression on him. He started to ask questions whether he had been wrong about Jews all along.

He insisted that the man take payment, but the man refused again. Instead, he mentioned that if he really wanted to give, he could donate to Chaveirim, A volunteer organization that relies on donations.

The technician was intrigued and asked me more about Chaverim. I explained what Chaveirim is and gave him an overview of the various chesed organizations in the frum community. He said that he knew about the Jewish ambulance service, but didn’t realize that it was completely free. He admitted that he had never imagined that Jews could be to proven wrong.

He told me that, from now on, he will be much nicer to the Jews he works with.” 

Rabbi Shraga Freedman, is the educational director of Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation and the author of Sefer Mikadshei Shemecha. Living Kiddush H and A Life Worth Living, Email LivingKiddushaHashem@gmail.com for a free download of the sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources.

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From: The Jewish Calendar
“Additions During Elul and Aseres Yemei Teshuvah”
“L’David”

By Rabbi David Feinstein. Artscroll, Published by Mesorah Publications Ltd.
Page 132. “L” “ From the first of Elul until Shemini Atzeres, it is customary to recite Psalm 27, L’David H Ori, twice a day.” This Psalm was chosen because one of its verses contains the “formular” for a favorable judgment kavei el H chazak veyameitz libecha vekavei el H, Hope to H; strengthen yourself and He will give you courage, and hope to H. The words hope to H are repeated at the end in order to teach us never to give up hope when returning to G; we must pray, strengthen ourselves, and then pray again. The resulting closeness, we hope, will effect a positive judgment.

An additional reason is also given. The Midrash applies the word ori, my light to Rosh Hashanah, of which the Psalmist sang, vehotzi chaor tzidkecha, He will bring forth your righteousness like a light (Psalm), refers to Yom Kippur, and Succos is alluded to in the verse ki yitzpeneini besuco beyom ra ah, He will hide me in His Succah on the day of evil.

Nusach Ashkenaz includes L’David after every Shacharis and Maariv up to and including Shemini Atzeres (since it may be part of Succos; see page 67). Nusach Sefard includes L’David after Shacharis and Mincha.” 

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From: Living Emunah on Yamim Noraim
“Never Forsaken”

By Rabbi David Ashear: Artscroll, Mesorah Publications Ltd, pages 136-137.
“There is a story in Ki Atah Imadi about a man who was enduring hardships and became bitter about his life. Another man came along and tried to lift his spirits by assuming him that H was with him, even amid his troubles; that everything is for the best; and that H can solve all his problems in an instant.

“That’s easy for you to say,” the man replied. “You have a good life. You have no idea what I’m going through. You cannot relate to the pain I experience every single day. How can you tell me that all this is good?”

Indeed, it is difficult for a person in pain to hear someone else tell him that everything is for the best. However, he must remember that H has given him the ability to say and truly believe that gam zo letova- even the problems in his life are for his ultimate benefit. When H brings hardship upon a person, He also provides the person with the “medication” he needs to overcome it, namely, the ability to remain happy through emunah. No matter how difficult a situation is, H is our loving Father and is right here with us, helping and guiding us every step of the way. It is when we mistakenly assume that H has forsaken us that we feel embittered and resentful.

In Parshas Vayeilech (Devarim 31:17) H tells Moshe that there will come a time when the people say Halo al ki ein Elokei bekirbi metzauni haraos haeileh, It is because my G is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me. People experiencing difficulties will attribute their troubles to H abandoning them. In response, H says, Anochi hastier astir banai, I will conceal My Presence. The question arises, why do the people warrant to be punished for attributing their problems to H? Isn’t that an admirable response to adversity?

The Meshech Chochmah (ibid.) answers that the worst thing a person could say is that H has abandoned him. H never abandons a person, no matter what he does. Hester panim, G’s concealment, does not mean that H abandons us, but rather that it becomes more difficult to see Him. Our hardships are not the result of H’s abandoning us; to the contrary, H is closest to us during difficult times.

Earlier in the parsha (Devarim 31:6), Moshe Rabbeinu tells the people on the final day of his life: Ki H Elokecha hy haholeich imach lo yarpecha velo yazveka, Be strong and courageous…because H your G is always with you. During this time of year, we recite repeatedly in our prayers, H Hu HaElokim, H is G. We remind ourselves that even that which appears to come from Elokim, the Name that denotes G’s mercy and compassion. Events sometimes appear as Elokim, but are actually a manifest of H.

During the Days of Repentance, H’s Presence is revealed more clearly than at any other time of the year. The Pele Yoetz, in his work Elef HaMagen (Deush Shabbos Teshuvah #1), writes that our souls are aroused during this time of year because of this heightened revelation of the Shechinah. We feel H’s Presence and are therefore naturally moved to yearn for closeness with Him.

May we all use this precious gift of inspiration and work to improve ourselves and become better people.”

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From:Artscroll Selichos

Vanachnu berov Chasdicha navo Veisecha, nishtachave el Heichal Kadshicha Beyirasecha . Nishtachave el Heichal Kadshicha venode es Shemecha, al Chasdecha veal Amitecha, ki Higdalta al kal Shimcha Imrasecha. But we, through the abundance of Your kindness will we enter Your House; we will prostrate ourselves toward Your Holy Sanctuary in awe of You. We will prostrate ourselves toward Your Holy Sanctuary, and we will thank Your name for Your kindness and for Your faithfulness; for You have exalted even beyond Your Name.”

Gemar Chasima Tova.

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank