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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
<>=<>November 7, 2024, Cheshvan 7, 5785<>=<>
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Sincerity, honesty, speaking and acting with kindness, gentleness
and care. It all leads to Kiddush H.
Having hope, emunah and betachin/faith and trust in H.
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From: Living Kiddush H
“The Magnetic Pull Of Honesty”
By Rabbi Shraga Freedman: YatedNe’eman October 31, 2024 page 84. “Shmuel Goldberg(name changed) once needed to have an important package shipped from his home in Flatbush, and he failed to make it to the post office before it closed on Friday. On Sunday, when the post office is normally closed, he happened to drive past and noticed that the gates outside were open and a worker was loading packages onto a truck. Shmuel pulled up and asked the man if the office was open, but the worker told him that it wasn’t.”
This is only Amazon, They have a special arrangement for Sunday deliveries,” he explained.
“Would it be possible for you to do me a favor and accept this package anyway? Shmuel asked politely. “It is very important.”
The worker looked at Shmuel, his gaze coming to rest on his yarmulka. To Shmuel’s surprise, the worker asked if he knew Reb Abish Brodt. “Of course,” Shmuel replied.
“Everyone knows him!”
“In that case, I will do you the favor,” the worker said.” I worked for Abish and his family for 17 years, and it was an incredible experience that I will never forget. They were the most honest and kind employers I ever had.”
After praising Reb Abish effusively, the non-Jewish postal worker suddenly launched into a rendition of the famous Rav Shmuel Brazil niggun for Modeh Ani sung by Reb Abish, singing it with profound feeling.
The appreciation for honesty- and distaste for dishonesty- is built into the nature of every human being. When we deal honestly with others, we will gain a tremendous amount of respect. On the other hand, when we are dishonest, any other virtues we possess may lose their luster.
Rabbeinu Yonah states (Shaarei Teshuvah 1:47) that one of the few ways to rectify a chillul H is to be honest and promote truthfulness and integrity.
Making It Practical.
Before taking advantage of a promotion, sale, or other offer in a questionable way, ask yourself a few questions: Am I being truthful? Am I fulfilling the criteria for this offer? If the company knew about what I am doing, would they be upset? If many other Jews are found to be doing the same thing, would it cause a chillul H?”
Even if the company offering the promotion is so large that your action will probably go unnoticed, don’t be too quick to assume that there is nothing wrong. Even if there is no issue of chillul H, exploiting a promotion wrongfully could be considered a sin of geneivah, geneivas daas, or sheker.”
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the educational director of Living Kiddush H Foundation and the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemach, Living Kiddush H, and A Life Worth Living. Email LivingKiddushHashem@gmail.com for a free download of the sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources.
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Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l was very insistent on being honest and making a Kiddush H. He insisted on paying the tax on items he purchased. On one occasion when told by a salesperson that Rav Dovid would not have to pay the tax, Rav Dovid responded, ‘if the customer doesn’t pay the tax who will?” Rav Dovid conveyed the importance of how a Jew should behave. My father a”h who was a kosher butcher was also insistent on being honest with his customers making sure they would receive even more chicken or meat than they ordered or charged them less. When I worked in the nursing and rehab facility, unfortunately I would come across an employee who felt it was ok to take home non-essential items. I explained why I would not do so and hope that person would understand. When I performed a funeral for a resident even though it was customary for a clergy to receive compensation, I gave all the money to the facility for patient’s funds. One reason that I did so, because there was one employee who would like to spread unkind words about rabbis who would keep donations and gifts. When he learned that I never kept any money for myself but raised money for the patients had only kind words to say about me. I raised thousands of dollars through the years. I tried to be a role model of how employees should be honest. They also took notice of the many hours I spent taking care of patients who were not of the Jewish faith and patients who did not have any family to care for them. I ensured that patients at the end of life were treated with the greatest respect and would have a proper burial. I also made sure to do whatever was necessary to prevent a person from ending up in Potters Field. The staff was grateful for the emotional and spiritual support I gave them too. Being honest, being Erlich is not just about dealing properly with money but it is a way of life.
I would like to share another act of being Mekadeish H. I usually greet the bus driver when I get onto the bus. This time I just walked by and sat down. I realized I forgot to say hello. I got up and walked to the front to say good afternoon and returned to my seat. An elderly lady gave me a smile and told me that it was very nice of me. When I was about to embark from the bus I thanked the driver and wanted him to know he is appreciated and not invisible. He told me that was one of the nicest things any passenger ever told him and thanked me immensely for my kind words. He said he would share them with his family and fellow drivers. If any of my readers take a city bus, take note of how many passengers greet or say thank you or have a nice day to the bus driver or just walk by as if the driver is invisible.
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From: Faith and Trust
A Historical Perspective, Words of Encouragement
And
Personal Redemption
By, Rabbi Shemuel Houminer, Published by Quantum Press. Distributed by Feldheim Publishers. Pages 122 -125.
A Historical Perspective
“The commandment to trust in G applies to the Jewish People as a whole. From a historical perspective, we often find the nations of the world living in tranquility, while Jews living in the Diaspora suffer because they are part of the Jewish People. Part of having faith within a historical context is our ability to recognize and believe that all tragedies which have befallen our people were for our ultimate good. And in the last days, G will avenge those who have afflicted us, and the Jewish People who fell will rise up and be worthy of an eternal redemption.
This is the meaning of Yeshayahu 40:27-31, “Why do you say, O Yaakov, and speak, O Yisrael. My way is hidden from H, and my judgment is passed over from my G? Have you not known? Have you not heard that the everlasting G, H, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, nor is He weary? There is no searching for His understanding. He gives power to the faint, and to the powerless He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that long for H shall renew their strength. They shall soar with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Eved Ha-melech).
Words of Encouragement
“G’s words of encouragement to the Jewish People are uttered by the prophet Yeshayahu (ibid 41:8-16). There He says, “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your G. I shall strengthen you. Indeed, I will help you. Moreover, I shall hold you up with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all of those that are incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded. They shall be as nothing. And they that strive with you shall perish…Fear not, for I shall help you…And you shall rejoice in Heaven…”
Whenever we see that the Jewish People are being persecuted and threatened by enemies, we should not become discouraged or frightened, or ask “What will be our end?” How will we ever be saved from this?” Instead, we should fill our hearts with the power of faith and trust in G, and believe that the opposing armies are nothing in comparison to the salvation which lies in the hands of G. We shall be saved and rejoice and sing praises to H.” (Eved Ha-melech).
Personal Redemption
“Three times David Ha-melech repeats the same verse of trust. “Why are you cast down, my soul? And why do you moan within me? Hope in G, for I shall yet praise Him for the salvations of His countenance, and because He is my G.” (Tehillim 42:6, 12, and 43:5). This teaches us to remain full of trust and to always be hopeful of His speedy salvation. G will perform actual miracles for us as He did in Egypt and will gather us together and bring us to the Holy Land where we shall sing praises to Him, and there on His Holy Mountain top we shall prostrate ourselves before Him on the three Festivals.” (Eved Ha-melech).”
May we be zoche to have a wonderful year of good health, happiness and simchos.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank