<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
December 26, 2024, Kislev 25, 5785
<> The first day of Chanukah <>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The transition from an all-Jewish nursing facility to one with doors open to one and all. How then were the various holidays celebrated? How did the Jewish flavor remain amongst holiday celebrations for patients of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds? How was it possible to show respect, care and understanding for the religious needs of all the patients. Were there any challenges and what were some of them, read on and you shall see. Before I begin, I do stress the need for a chaplain, director of pastoral care, or director of spiritual care to be open minded and truly and sincerely care for those whose religious and cultural backgrounds are different than oneself.
In the sensitivity training that I gave, I shared with the staff the importance of patients’ rights which also deals with respecting the patients’ cultural and religious beliefs or those who are not affiliated. A patient is also called a resident. I would review patients spiritual, cultural, customs and religious backgrounds and their country of origin. Our facility had patients whose origin or family origin was from China. We had patients whose religion was Buddhism, Catholic and other Christian religious affiliations. We also had patients who did not have any religious affiliations or backgrounds but had very meaningful and strong customs and beliefs. We had other patients with strong values from diverse religious and non-religious affiliations. Yet with meaningful pastoral care, it was possible to reach and connect hearts, feelings and offer meaningful care to patients from many different backgrounds. Displays of religious items were placed next to those patients who observed a particular religion and was done with the trees. What was important in those trainings was to share the importance of trust, the trust patients should feel in the care being given by each and every staff member and not to feel anyone is trying to impose their own beliefs on to the patients. Aside from the clergy from various religions who said prayers with the patients, the activity department also assisted with the celebrations of the different faiths. Decorations for which were made with and by the patients were put in their areas. I spent time with each and every patient throughout the year to ensure their spiritual needs and wishes were met and acknowledged. Colorful decorations with neutral messages were placed in the public hallways. There were discussions about placing a tree with decorations in the lobby or auditorium but there were many who were opposed as the facility had strong Jewish roots. I was requested to offer my opinion especially since I was known to be understanding and wanting to show sincere hospitality to one and all. This was especially important since we had a public lighting of the tall Menorah that was lit every night of Chanukah. I recommended there should be a special place and time for all Christians to have their own holiday celebration, festive decorations by each of the Christian patients and small trees the patients would decorate with the activities department. When they would be completed they would be placed on each patients night table to enjoy. They were not miniature in size but a nice size to admire with all the decorations on each tree. There were other things that were done to make everyone feel comfortable, acknowledged and cared for. Even the staff were able to celebrate their various holidays. I had an excellent relationship with many clergy of the different religions and the lay people of their congregations who came to give their religious care to the patients. They were very appreciative of how I ensured spiritual care was given to all the patients of the diverse religious and cultural needs including the staff. They were all made to feel wanted, and respected. Even today, after years since the facility was closed, I am greeted by congregants of some of the houses of worship, remembering how special they were all treated, welcomed and were showed appreciation for their volunteerism. Through the years, I also received letters of appreciation from the clergy.
For the Jewish patients on Chanukah, everyone was given an electric Menorah that was placed on their night table and the lightbulbs for each night were lit. On Friday’s they were lit in the afternoon. We also had the Jewish patients join together with neighborhood residents in the lighting of a tall Menorah with real candles. On Friday we lit the candles as close to Shabbos as possible. We also had Jewish organizations, synagogues and schools join us for singing and bringing festive music and joy to the patients throughout Chanukah. In addition to all types of festive parties, we had a special event for Chanukah with professional music. Many people from the community joined us for this special and delightful Chanukah event and were treated to delicious tasty delights.
I am grateful to the Ribono shel Olam for the opportunities of making a Kiddush H. Through the years at the Bialystoker Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation the experiences as a rabbi, as a chaplain, as a director of pastoral and spiritual care were truly phenomenal. There were wonderful opportunities of giving care with compassion, understanding, and sincere kindness to a fellow human being from all backgrounds no matter what his or her religion, ethnicity and cultural background was.
Through the years, I have had candidates for chaplaincy, fellow chaplains and those seeking the skills, the training, the know how of being a chaplain requesting time for me to mentor them in the field of professional chaplaincy. I am still asked by many what does BCC stand for next to my name . Being a Board Certified Chaplain is considered a high level of chaplaincy which I have discussed in several of my previous articles. I am still a member of the Neshama National Association of Jewish Chaplains where one does not have to be a rabbi to attain the status of being a chaplain or for that matter to be a member of NAJC. Chaplaincy has been just one part of my professional affiliations and positions through the years including the present. My professional work has taken me to different positions, but all have been with opportunities and gratitude to the Ribono shel Olam. There is still much to accomplish, new horizons to visit, new paths to seek, new and exciting opportunities but most of all to seek His guidance, His blessings and to be mispallel to share those sentiments with others. The kesher with the Ribbono shel Olam can only come about with emunah/ faith and betachon/trust in the Ribono shel Olam and the taryag mitzvos of our Holy Torah. It is a good and proper midda to be mispallel for others to have simchas hachaim to share and to bring much happiness, much love and much kindness into their lives. The holiday of, Chanukah imbues us with tremendous meaning that the light of the Menorah must come from within each of us, caring for each other with our spirituality, and our compassion. With sincerity, kindness and goodness we emulate the ways of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
From: Motivated by the Maggid
Simcha HaChaim
By: Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn (May Rabbi Pesach Yosef ben Hinda have a refuah sheleima), Artscroll Mesorah Publications Ltd. Pages 159-160. “We all know the Mishnah that states, “Mishenichnas Adar marbin besimcha” (Taanis 29a); when Adar comes, our happiness increases because of the miracle of Purim. It’s interesting, though, that the same Mishnah also says something else: “Mishenichnas Av mema’atim besimchah, in the month of Av, we minimize happiness.” Rav Shimon Schwab noted how interesting it is that in Adar we increase happiness, and in Av we decrease happiness; but we always have to be happy. A Jew must always be happy.
Rav Schwab compared happiness to a pilot light, the kind you would find on an old-fashion gas stove: The pilot light is always on. When you cook, you have to increase the flame of the pilot light, and when you stop cooking, you minimize its flame, but the pilot light always stays on.
The Novominsker Rebbe once pointed out to me the benefits of simcha as summed up in one pasuk, Mishlei (17:22) tells us, Leiv sameiach yeitiv geiha veruach necheiah teyabesh gadem, A happy heart is the best medicine, but a broken spirit dries out the marrow. Medical studies have shown that two people with the same disease can have radically different recovery rates. I read an amazing 30- year study that compared the recovery rates of people with a particular illness. The study found that those patients with a positive attitude healed much more quickly and stayed healthier longer than those with a negative attitude.
Straight to Olam Haba
(ibid page 60-61) “How do we achieve that positive attitude, that simchas hachaim? There is a fascinating Gemara in Taanis (22a): Rav Berkoa was walking with Eliyahu HaNavi through the marketplace. Two men are going straight to Olam Haba.” Rav Beroka was surprised, as the men looked quite ordinary. After Eliyahu HaNavi had departed, Rav Beroka went to search for those men. When he found them, he inquired after their livelihoods, hoping that would explain their special merits.
They told him, “We are happy people, and we have the capacity to make others happy as well.”
Now, imagine that you have the ability to walk into a crowd and find the person who is feeling down and make him feel better, or to cheer up friends who are depressed. You do that, and you go straight to Olam Haba.
The Me’am Loez (Devarim 28:47) analyzes this Gemara. He points out that they didn’t just answer, “We make people happy.” They began, “We are happy people,” and then stated, “We make others happy, too.” The Me’am Loez says this comes to teach us that if you want to make others happy, you must be a happy person. If they were depressed and sad, then they would not be able to make others happy even if they wanted to.
To bring simchas hachaim to our spouse, our children, our colleagues, our friends, we must first learn how to be happy ourselves. The problem, of course, is that simchas hachaim is so elusive. We have so many pressures and problems, and often we feel overwhelmed by issues of family, finances, health, shidduchim, etc. We may ask why H is giving us all these problems, and how we can possible be happy with all of them on our heads.”
Happiness Despite Difficulties
If only we could be convinced that H is always with us, every moment, everywhere, in every situation, we could be so happy. How can we achieve that conviction?
One way is to start reading, listening to, and telling stories of hashgaha pratis. When you hear a story describing how H is watching out for each of us individually, it makes you feel great!”
Sacred Letters, Sacred Numbers
Hanukah/Chanukah
Gematrioth for Around the Year: Yamin Tovim and Tefillah. By Ayal Press: Distributed by Feldheim Publishers. Pages 666-667. “There are various reasons why the Chashmonaim, Hasmoneans, adapted the name “Maccabi.” Perhaps, through the use of gematrioh, another aspect of the name can be gained. The gematria of “Maccabi, is 72.
The Hasmnoeans tried to return the Children of Israel (many of whom had abandoned G’s Torah, in favor of the ways of their Greek-Syrian rulers) to the Torah and to observing G’s 613 Mitzvoth. The gematria of Yisrael, Israel, is 541.
When the gematria of Maccabi, is added to the gematria of Yisrael, the sum is 613. 72 +541= 613
Since the Hasmoneans tried to return the Children of Israel to the Torah and observing G’s 613 Mitzvoth, it is fitting that the gematria of the same name they adopted, when added to the gematria of Yisrael, Israel, should have the sum of 613,
There are various reasons why the Hasmoneans, adopted the name Maccabi. One reason for the name, is that Maccabi, is an acronym for Mi kamocha baeilim H (Shemos tes vav, yud aleph. Shemos 15:11) “Who is like You among the mighty, O G?.” Through the use of gematrioth, a further insight into this name can be revealed, The gematria of Maccabi, is 72.
There is a Mishnah which states in Avos 5:21, “The age of twenty is for pursuing.” The Tifereth Yisroel, explains this phrase as referring Tiferes. “To go out for a war of Israel,” (Tifereth Yisroel, Avoth ,Chapter 5, Mishnah 21, Letter 164). Thus, the age of twenty is when one was considered eligible to enter the army. The age of twenty can be written as ben chaf, “twenty years old. The gematria of ben chaf “twenty years old,” is 72. Ben=52 Ki =20 52+20= 72.
Thus, a possible reason why the Hasmoneans, adopted the name Maccabi, might be that Maccabi has the same gematria as ben ki, ‘Twenty years old.” Maccabi represented the age when one was considered able to fight in a war, which is what the Hasmoneans did for the sake of G’s people, Israel. Thus it is appropriate that they adopted the name Maccabi.”
From: Candlelight
Chanukah Lessons
By: Mr. Avi Shulman, Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications, Ltd. Pages 155-158. “The miracle of Chanukah hods many lessons for each of us individually, as well as for the Jewish people as a nation.
The Yevanim (Syrian-Greeks) challenged three mitzvos which belied their culture, laying the groundwork for a battle that is still raging: 1. Shabbos, because its observance gave witness to our belief that the Almighty created the world; 2. Kiddush hachodesh, the declaration of the new moon, because it focused on the authority of the Rabbis and infused time with holiness; 3. Milah, circumcision, because it declared that the purpose of the body and its physical desires is to serve the Almighty.
Society today clearly challenges these same three foundations of Jewish belief. Modern science calls into question the Torah’s account of creation; modern values attack traditional Rabbinic authority and tempt our children to pursue a lifestyle which focuses on indulging our desire for worldly vanities. The battle for the soul of the Jew continues!
The dedication of the Tabernacle in the dessert took seven days. The dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem took seven days. Yet the rededication of the Temple required eight days. Why?
One of the commentaries explains that the number seven is associated with the natural order, as the days of the week. The number eight transcends natures (therefore bris milah, an act which appears unnatural in that a father subjects his son to pain, is performed on the eight day of life). Because dedicating the Tabernacle or Temple was to elevate a ‘natural’ object to a holy, but still natural state, it required seven days. The rededication of the Temple consecrated and therefore required the supernatural forces symbolized by eight days.
The miracle of this ability to consecrate the profound had become and integral part of the Jewish fabric. As Jews, we view it as our role to transform the “desecrated” world in which we live, and to elevate and rededicate ourselves to the values and goals of Torah.
One of the most reassuring and heartening lessons that we can gain from the miracle of Chanukah is the realization that victory does not depend upon numbers.
At times we are overwhelmed by the reality of how few of us are attempting to turn the tide of assimilation. The Chanukah message is that even a few committed people can capture the hearts and souls of the many. One dedicated Rabbi can inspire a congregation; one devoted family can infuse a community; one impassioned lay leader can actuate a whole group; one spirited principal can capture the imagination of a school; and one enthusiastic teacher can stimulate a whole class. The Chanukah story teaches us that even the student who seems unreachable is capable of being rededicated by a concerted effort on the part of parent and teacher.
The battle of the Chasmoneans was waged by the Kohanim (priests), whose training and temperament were to serve and teach. They were the ones to fight and win the battle. Who, if not our rabbis and teachers are today’s Kohanim, dedicated to fighting the war in the mind?
The lessons of Chanukah speak loudly and clearly to us if we listen to them. Both lay people and Torah teachers should come away from Chanukah refreshed and inspired to continue in their vital work of rededicating our Jewish generations to the higher values of life.”
As I mentioned above, our responsibilities are to care for our fellow Jews with sincere love and care with our hearts of gold and never to forget every man, woman and child is truly precious. Our precious Torah and mitzvos belong to all of Klal Yisrael. Our battle during these days is to fight for the rights to be able to live in peace, and to be able to practice our religion in freedom. To be able to walk in any neighborhood with our heads up high, whether or not we are wearing a Jewish star, a Yarmulka/Kippa, tzitzis or nothing Jewish at all but with knowledge we are Jews living in our great country of ours, the United States of America or anyplace in the world. May the lights of our Menorahs burn brightly. May we be able to live with friendship with all of our neighbors coexisting with peace, tranquility and kindness to one another.
May this Chanukah truly be very special for us all, enjoying potato latkes and sufganious, doughnuts, no matter what they are filled with (or no filling at all).
May we all have a joyous, happy, delicious and a very spiritual Chanukah.
Chanukah Sameiach.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
You must be logged in to post a comment.