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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 16, 2024, Tishrei 14, 5784*
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It is not over as of yet. There is always hope.

H is the Guardian of all.

Be satisfied with what one has. Vesamachto Bechelko.

Every moment is precious.

The woman with serious chronic pain.

The person being ministered asks the chaplain or the rabbi is it too late
to seek any forgiveness from G and doing good deeds.

Patience is a virtue.

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Through the years I have had individuals who, due to the various challenges in life they were going through, wanted to know if G will forgive them for whatever they did wrong and were feeling guilty of. At times many of these individuals would shed their tears, feeling they brought upon themselves the hardships they were encountering or fear they will never be forgiven before they die. How could they ever make up what might have happened years before of which they have never forgotten. These men and women would ask me to pray and to beseech G for forgiveness on their behalf. They were afraid of the consequences of their actions Now mind you, I am not a therapist or try to be one but I was there for those who I ministered to giving them the opportunity to share with me many deeply sad and troublesome memories they wish could evaporate and be forgiven by G. 

What about seeking forgiveness after Neila of Yom Kippur. Is it too late? But then there are the days leading up to and including Hoshana Rabba. What about after Hoshana Rabba, can a person who does t’shuva still be forgiven? Of course, t’shuva can always be done and accepted by G though only He knows how or when forgiveness will be accepted. A person must always have hope and just as we say vechasmeinu at Nelila we surely can hope that our t’shuva will be accepted. Can  a person do t’shuva even for something a person thinks he or she might have done even a long time ago.  Through prayer, asking G for forgiveness, doing all types of gemilus chasadim, good deeds can make a difference in a person’s life. As mentioned below from the Hafetz Hayim, what happened in the past is in the past. Life can and should go on with thoughts of how the many good things one can do together with his or her prayers, seeking forgiveness can have a positive effect, sooth the pain and finally bring a sense of peace with one self .  A person cannot go back and undo the past but could make a change in his or her life, bringing kindness and goodness to oneself. 

We as rabbis, rebbetzins and chaplains can help bring so much goodness and convey how much H loves each person by being empathetic, listening with our ears and our hearts, saying words of comfort, being supportive with encouragement. It is helpful to offer a person opportunities to offer what forgiveness is and suggestions of what types of good deeds he or she can do. One can be surprised how many good deeds can be done in a single day. It is also helpful to share words and recommendations of hope in their lives.  

I want to share a story about an elderly woman who was a hospice patient in a hospital I helped. I was requested to see this patient who had immense chronic pain and was on the verge of collapsing from her sadness mostly due to her continuous pain without physical nor emotional relief. She did not want to live any longer and felt could no longer bear the pain. She felt G no longer cared for her and she had nothing to live for except her unbearable pain. At her age what did she have to look forward to for maybe another few years. I listened to her with patience and showed my concern and sincere interest in what she was sharing with me. She was not happy with the medicine the medical staff was offering and other clergy just validated her pain with a blessing. She felt no one really understood what she was going through nor truly interested in finding a solution.  She was just an old lady. She told me she believed in G but felt G had abandoned her and her prayers were not being answered. I asked if she could share with me what her physical pain felt like and how often she experienced her symptoms. She started to cry and I gave her tissues to wipe her tears. It meant so much to her that finally someone is listening to her with feelings. I felt so sad for her that I also felt like crying. She didn’t think these later years could be so painful making her feel at times like she wanted to die. Though she really did not want to die.  She had a family who she loved and who loved her which meant so much to her. But she felt so alone without anyone truly understanding how she was feeling. I asked if the pain was constant or if there were periods without any pain or periods when the pain was not so intense. She shared that there were periods without any pain or periods without severe pain. I asked if she could discuss with the doctors and ask if it would be possible to give her pain medication at certain times a day to minimize the severity of pain and maybe expand the distance between occurrences of pain. She never thought of that and would be willing to try it if the doctors would agree. I also remembered there is a pump where she could press a button to release pain medication so she could be in control of releasing the medication when needed. I discussed it with the medical staff if that would be possible. The response was positive and they discussed it with the patient who agreed to try it. There are no guarantees it would work but were encouraging her to give it a try. The medical staff made her feel that they really did care about her and want to help as best as possible to enhance her quality of life.

It was amazing how she perked up and changed her mind about giving up and dying and that G did not abandon her. He did not give up on her. She felt so much better, emotionally, spiritually and more confident that things are looking brighter. She started to be more aware and appreciated her moments of reduced pain rather than how much pain she was having. She felt there was hope. I mentioned to her that she was right, G did not abandon her and deserves the credit for me being involved in helping her. I myself had to thank G for whatever wisdom He gave me to help this patient. 

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From: The Hafetz Hayyim
on the Yamim Noraim.
“The Wonderful Joy of Earning It.”

Rabbi Israel Meir Hacohen gathered and arranged by Rabbi David    Zaretsky, Mishan Torah Education Institute Jerusalem 1977. Pages 32-33. “Remarkably, our Sages teach that “one hour of repentance and good deeds in this world is finer than all of life in the world-to-come” (Mishnah, Avoth iv 17). Yet how can this be true when we know that life Hereafter is so absolutely, exquisitely sublime? In fact, the very same passage in the Mishnah goes on to say so: “One hour of tranquility of spirit in the world-to-come is finer that all of life in this world.”

The answer is that penitence and good deeds are the factors that earn a man this sublime delight in the Afterlife. It is his reward for this toil to achieve repentance and perform praiseworthy deeds. This is why one hour of penitence and good acts, here on earth, is so infinitely precious-because it is through them that life in Hereafter is made ineffably sweet.”

“The Value Of Talking It Up”

(ibid page 33) “I have heard that one very learned Torah scholar once said: If a man will always talk about matters of t’shuva, there is room for hope that this conduct may effectively help him, his own self, sometimes: At some point, his talk may evoke in him a yearning for t’shuva. What hope is there, however, if he never speaks about t’shuva in any way? He is likely to live many days and years on end without ever attaining a state of penitence.

“No Time Like The Present”

(ibid page 36) “In the Midrash Mechilta (shirah v) we read: The word v’attah (“and now”) denotes nothing other than repentance, as Scripture says, And now (v’attah) Israel, what does the L-rd your G required of you, if not only to fear the L-rd your G, etc”. (Deuteronomy 10:12).

Yet how does a word meaning “and now” denote, in and of itself, the concept or process of repentance?

Well, we know that or most mitzvoth the Torah assigns any of itself, the concept or process of repentance.

Well, we know that for most mitzvoth the Torah assigns a set time but not for the mitvah of repentance. For t’shuva any and every moment is the proper time. In other words, “and now”- at this very moment of your existence – turn back in penitence. This is a proper, suitable moment, when the mitzvah can and should be done. Don’t put it off till later.

Moreover, “and now” implies something further: Think only of now, this very moment. Forget the past. What has been gone. Let it sink into oblivion. Turn back in t’shuva now, at this moment, so that it can well become a fateful moment- a turning point- in your life. This instant can well turn out to be the happiest in your life. Remember the dictum of the Sages: One hour of t’shuva and good deeds in this world is finer that all of life in the world-to-come. (Mishnah, Avoth iv 17).”

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From: Faith and Trust
“Remain Hopeful”

By Rabbi Shemuel Houminer. Published by Quantum Press, Distributed by Feldheim Publishers. Pages 27-28. “R. Yitzchak said, Everyone should be hopeful. Even if he isn’t otherwise worthy, his hopefulness, faith, and trust will be accounted to his credit.

When one is suffering, let him remain hopeful. When one is sanctifying the name of G until death, let him be hopeful. When one prays in the merit of the patriarchs, let him be hopeful. When yearning for the World to Come, remain hopeful. The verse which reflects this is Yeshayahu 26:8, “Even when the path of Your judgments, H, have we longed for You. The desire of our soul is to Your name, and to the remembrance of You.” “Your judgments” are sufferings. “To Your name” parallels sanctifying G’s name. “The remembrance of You” “Your judgments” are sufferings. “To Your name” parallels sanctifying G’s name. “The remembrance of You” refers to the patriarchs. “The desire of our soul” alludes to the yearning for the future world.

Finding Divine favor depends on our longing for His help, as the verse states, “O H, be gracious to us, we have waited for You, be their arm every morning, also our salvation at the time of trouble” (Yeshayahu 32:2). Divine forgiveness depends upon our longing for His assistance. This is derived from the juxtaposition of that verses: “But there is forgiveness with You in order that You be feared. I wait for H, my soul waits, and in His word I hope” (Tehillim 130:4-5 ) (Midrash Rabbah).

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From: Faith and Trust
“The Power of Trust
“Never Give Up Hope”

(ibid pages 37/38) “A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where will my help come? My help comes from G, Creator of heaven and earth. He will not let your feet falter; your Guardian will not slumber. Behold, the Guardian of Yisrael neither slumbers nor sleeps. H is your Guardian, G is your shadow at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. G will protect you from every evil; He will guard your soul. G will protect your coming and goings, from this time forever.”

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“Reinforce One’s Trust”

(ibid page 43) “Hope in H. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Hope in H” (Tehillim 27:14). This verse commands us to trust in G, and to work on increasing this trust to the fullest.” (Eved H-melech)

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“Further Reinforcement.”

(ibid page 42-43) “Tehillim 31:25 denotes the same theme. “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in H.”

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“G Willing”

(ibid page 108,109) “An integral part of faith includes one’s verbal statement “I shall do this, G’ willing” as one is about to execute anything, whether it be big or small.”

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At the Bialystoker Center for Nursing and Rehab synagogue where many community residents would come to pray, alongside the residents of the facility, there was a family who would just come to listen to the Neilah services. The family would just stand in the rear of the synagogue listening to the prayers.  After they heard the shofar being blown, they just left. Whatever the reason they came I will never know. I could only surmise that listening to the prayers and standing in the synagogue had meaning to them.

Patience is a virtue. With so much going on in the lives of our own needs, immense patience is also needed for all those who we minister to. The story I shared about the patient with chronic pain was not an overnight success. It took time to listen, to bond, and care for that patient as well as multiple discussions with the medical team. I recently spoke to a chaplain at a well known medical center who shared with me how he has been able to “juggle” or I should say manage all of his responsibilities during these Jewish holy days. His responsibilities include first and foremost pastoral care for his patients, family members and staff. Preparations for Succos, and the many in-services for staff about the various parts of the High Holy days and Succos. Each medical department has unique and special needs for their patients and care givers. This chaplain also is sought after by patients, family members, caregivers and staff on what to do al pi halacha, what can or cannot be done under the various circumstances. This chaplain also has direct connections to poskim for intricate shailos he needs a psak for. He like many of his colleagues are involved in many aspects of Jewish life in a medical center that would amaze anyone who would just look at the chaplains schedule and all that he and other chaplains do prior to and during the chagim. Yes, patience is a virtue, especially being able to remain calm and cool. Chaplains are seen as a representative of G and what they say and do always with fortitude, with a pleasant demeanor and respect for one and all has all the makings of kiddush H. By the way, many think of chaplains mainly in a medical setting. However, as I have mentioned in the past, there are community chaplains, police, fire, other types of medical settings and other types of chaplaincies as well and all have various responsibilities they fulfill throughout the year as well as the chagim deserving of much praise for what they do.

May the forthcoming Yom Tovim be filled with tremendous simchas hachaim  and Shalom al Yisrael. May our love for H, our Torah, our Emunah and our Bitachon continue to remain strong and may we be zoche to the coming of Mashiach.

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank

Please note: The RAA newsletter and Moments of Inspiration will not be published during Succos.