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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
*January 30, 2025, Shevat 1, 5785*
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Does H love us? Do we love H? Is it possible to love H with all the tragic things that have occurred through the centuries?  A person who is going through a serious challenging time in his or her life can and often does challenge G’s love. I am not here to defend G, I love Him with all of my heart. During challenging times, it is often difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel and honestly, there are times when no answer is possible or feasible for a person who has doubts. When H told Moshe what to tell Paroh and the response was for the Hebrews to find their own straw and make the bricks from scratch with negative consequences if they do not meet their quota of bricks. G heard their cries, so He reduced their slavery in Egypt from 400 years to 210 years, reducing their servitude by 90 years. What was remarkable was the Hebrew’s devotion to their religion, keeping their unique clothing, their speech and their ultimate faith. What was also remarkable was the Taskmasters, the Hebrews who were appointed by the Egyptians to oversee that the people were fulfilling their quotas. Instead of their fellow slaves being punished, they received the lashes instead. G showed and conveyed His love to Moshe which eventually the Hebrews would see and experience as no one ever did. 

When a patient finds it difficult to comprehend why H permits tragedy to occur or for a medical event that might be painful, or a medical condition that is serious and possibly life threatening, or the possibility of no cure, we don’t always have an answer. We can surmise, we can find various sincere and legitimate reasons but we don’t always have an answer, though we ourselves have faith and trust in H. Ultimately, we hope to have a meaningful and logical reason. Often the most appropriate thing to do is just listen and perhaps to agree, or perhaps to say I hear what you are sharing with me and I wish I had an answer to give you. But I do love H and trust in Him even if I don’t always have an answer. Interestingly, on all of our currency is printed “In G We Trust.” 

When I worked for MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care I found diverse reasons given to me by family and caregivers as to why their loved ones were ill and what H wanted of them. For those parents whose children were stricken with end-of-life illnesses, listening to them share their grief, their lost hopes for the future was not always easy and definitely heart wrenching. I worked with the hospice team of doctors, nurses, social workers, music therapists and other specialists to bring not just comfort especially when ongoing pain was occurring but hope for as much quality of life we could bring their loved ones. The team worked together offering care with compassion and love. Working with the team was truly special. Discussions about end of life concerns and plans for the ultimate conclusion of life and discussions about the soul after life were quite often brought much needed comfort and understanding. Giving support, dealing with the unknown, their fears, and their prayers was important. No promises, no false hope and sometimes the truth of what will eventually happen and knowing that their soul will not be alone in heaven. Patient are also concerned about their legacy don’t want to be t forgotten. These are serious conversations and serious fears many have.  Working closely with the social workers was important. Many feel chaplains are the connection to G. Holding hands, praying together, and singing together are important for many patients,family and caregivers. Working with children had its own special methods of offering care. I would use puppets and dolls of different genders to ease the pain and help bring not just a smile but a connection where even the children would feel comfortable speaking and singing with me. Sometimes also with the music therapists who would play along with their instruments. Giving care to Holocaust survivors meant a different means of spiritual care. One such patient who had several daughters shared with me how many times she recited the Vidui, the Jewish confessional, with prayers to be able to enter Gan Eden and how often she faced different types of death. Though she and her family had a close relationship with their rabbi, this patient insisted on having me visit as often as possible. For that matter, I am grateful for having such a relationship with many of my patients. Gaining the trust of a patient and family is so important. They felt having me as a liaison between them and the medical team to ensure the medical care and wishes of the patient were adhered to. This specific patient shared how unafraid she was of dying but wanted to make sure I would see her before she dies as she only wanted to bestow upon me her blessings and to receive mine as well. I received a call from one of her daughters to please come as soon as possible. Her mother felt her end was finally coming and that H and her loved ones in Shamayim are awaiting her. When I arrived, the daughters took me upstairs to her bedroom where the patient was lying in bed. She shared how after all the years, after all that she went through in the Holocaust and her years of medical situations her time has finally arrived and she wanted to bless me and that I should bless her too. She then said I should go to visit my other patients to give them the same type of care I gave to her. Sometime later I was notified that she had passed away. Through my years with hospice, being able to give the respect, the compassion, the empathy, and yes the love of care from my heart was so very special. I had patients from diverse Jewish backgrounds and patients who were not Jewish. The same care and interest was given to all.  As I became stronger in my passion to do whatever was necessary to advocate on behalf of a patient and their family, I would speak on their behalf and answer their concerns. They would also ask my opinion as to whether the patient should go into hospice. I would review with family what their opitons wre and would recommend that they speak to their medical team and ask for recommendations about what would enhance the patients quality of life. It was not unusual for patients who were on hospice to graduate and be discharged from hospice due to improvement in their quality of life. Here too, discussions with their rabbi was important.  Discussions with their rabbi was encouraged and important. It was also helpful for the rabbi to have an understanding of of medical terminologies and permission to speak to the medical team.  I would often be a liaison between the patient, family members and the medical team. Chaplains have a very important role and are respected and sought after for their assistance, their wisdom, their advice and of course their blessings. Chaplains should not impose their own beliefs or make decisions for patients and or family members. Chaplains also must be firm on following HIPPA. Chaplains can and are often an advocate on behalf of the patients and family. Having a meaningful relationship with team members and supervisors was always helpful. 

I also had Chasidic children and adult patients whose needs were special. I developed meaningful relationships with families several who were Rebbeim in their communities. I even was invited to family simchos. One family had a special request for their father to be moved to one of the sons who was a Rebbe in Boro Park for the entire Pesach. This meant having all medical equipment, medications, nursing staff shift from Williamsburg to Boro Park including appropriate transportation. I worked diligently with the entire hospice system sharing why the patient who was an elderly person could not remain in his apartment for Passover. Everything was worked out and MHJS was truly spectacular for making this Yom Tov very special for his elderly wife and mishpacha. The daughters of this patient and their sons mentioned how their mother looked forward to my visits, which she found comforting. She would have me sit down in the kitchen and show me all of the medications and whatever she would be doing to try to best take care of her husband. I would also spend time with her husband though he couldn’t speak too much. The family was so pleased when I made the initial visit with the different team members before and during admissions and for months thereafter. She shared many personal fears and thoughts about her husband which she found comforting. What I found by the Chasidik families was the emunah and betachon they had in the Ribono shel Olam and their strong ties to their Rebbe. 

I had patients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. My responsibilities were also to meet with discharge social workers or nursing staff in many of the major medical centers and hospitals making rounds on the different units and also meeting with family members, and patients regarding hospice. I also made rounds in the major nursing and rehabilitation centers in NYC. I also met with and worked closely with many diverse rabbis and clergy as per the request of family members.  I worked closely with the MJHS grief and bereavement staff and all other departments. Developing meaningful relationships with so many staff was very important. MJHS team members, especially the social workers and nursing staff requested that I be part of their team when working with very unique and patients and family members who were unaffiliated and quite different in their lifestyles. I was also requested to make presentations at various events. I have shared only a small part of what being a hospice chaplain was about. The opportunities of offering care, compassion and kindness was unbelievable and not just to families and patients but to staff as well. I remember a teenager who was my hospice patient from a very challenging family background who found comfort playing the guitar and singing songs. He appreciated the care and the hope that I  gave him when his own hope for recovery was waning.  I also had cases where siblings had different opinions about what care should be given and who should be making decisions. I was asked to help make peace amongst them. Collaborating with social workers was very helpful. I also had the zechus of having a Rosh Yeshiva as a patient. His children requested a family meeting with Rav Dovid Feinstein zt’l and that I be part of that meeting. Rav Dovid was so invaluable regarding any shailos I had throughout the years. 

Little did I know how life would change with the diagnosis of my wife Keilah a”h of esophageal cancer. Previously I made rounds and met with all the discharge nurses, supervisors and medical staff at Sloan Memorial Kettering Hospital on all the units including their urgent care unit. I was also a well-known customer in their gift shop always purchasing beautiful and unique jewelry to bring home for my wife. I would often find something special to bring her a gift from my “travels” she would enjoy and look forward to. Never knowing what surprise I had for her.  This was before she became a patient herself. Little did I know that my wife would become a patient at Sloan. I would not be making rounds but was the caregiver for my wife. I suppose H prepared me all those years before so that I would be able to take loving care for my wife. I knew the ins and the outs of Sloan and the staff. I would often also meet with patients and family members regarding hospice. The gift shop became the go to place to purchase essential items including beautiful scarfs and yes, jewelry too. My wife was an outpatient but was hospitalized on several occasions. The urgent care unit where I also made my rounds was a unit where we often went to for her urgent care needs. We do not know what the future has in store for everyone. Only H knows what is best for each and every person. Having a positive attitude, having faith and trust in H is important. Most of all is knowing His love for us is continuous. Rabbis, rebbetzins and chaplains play a very important role in many different ways. Being a sincere person is very important. Collaboration with other professionals is extremely helpful. Being a kind thoughtful person with gentleness and care goes a long way into making a Kiddush H. Seeking and wanting the advice from others who might be more experienced and knowledgeable is meaningful. Seeking the wisdom of our Gedolim is surely very important. I have often written about professional chaplaincy that has evolved throughout the years and is truly a respected profession doing the holy work. Chaplains are known for having received training and education together with thousands of hours of experience. We don’t always have an answer, and we are not required to fix things. We are the connection to G and we bring our hearts and our minds to help and comfort those we minister to. We pray to be successful to the best of our abilitie. Torah – Avoda- Gemilus- Chasadim are the pillars of our religion, our faith and our connection to G.  

I would like to share the “Publisher’s Message” from the Flatbush Jewish Journal, January 23, 2025 Page 6 by Mordy Mehlman. “ Shtender closed due to death.” “Before you get frightened, this headline is only for a story a true one that happened with none other than Rav Shmuel Berenbaum zt”l, whose yahrtzeit is (was) this week. It is a story that I recently heard from Rav Akiva Birnbaum, a Talmud muvhak of the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l.

On his walks from his home to yeshiva and back, the Rosh Yeshiva would pass a Chinese laundry that was never closed, open 365 days a year despite holidays, blizzards, or more. The owners obviously loved, cherished and worshipped money, and nothing would stop them from their immersion in work. Their business was their life and their life was their business. That is why one day shocked him. The store was closed, with a sign on the door “Store closed due to death.” When the Rosh Yeshiva arrived in yeshiva, he shared a powerful message with the talmidim he encounted-“when I am niftar, I want there to be a sign placed on my shtender-‘Shtender closed due to death.” In the derech of gedolei Torah and baalei mussar, the Rosh Yeshiva inculcated everything he saw and heard for self-improvement.

“Till death do us part” is the marriage vow of the secular world, but it was the mantra of the Rosh Yeshiva of the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l, and countless other Gedolei Yisroel over the generations, who devoted their entire lives to Torah learning and Torah living. It is why the Rosh Yeshiva called for a Hatzalah ambulance to bring him to yeshiva during a blizzard, and why Torah was learned with great mesiras nefesh in the frigid cold of Siberia and the oppressive heat of Shanghai.

The gedolim of yesterday never wasted a moment, and never pushed off for tomorrow what they could do today. L’havdil elef havdolos, President Trump has reached the pinnacle of secular success through his relentless determination. of secular success through his relentless determination and the utilization of every moment to accomplish his goals. As he as said at the inauguration victory rally Sunday night: People say I should spread out my executive orders and decisions over the first few weeks, why not do it later? To them I say, we will do it all now, on the very first day. You know what happens when you push things off-they never get done!” His attitude for an accomplished life helps to explain his political comeback and remarkable success. It is why CNN was forced to admit: “President Trump left the White House in disgrace four years ago, but he came back as a conqueror.”

The hostages that were released, the hostages that will be released, and the hostages that r”l were killed by resha’m of Hamas, remind us that life is so very tenuous and fragile. We live by the grace of H, and we must utilize every moment gifted to us to be marbeh k’vod Shomayim and immerse ourselves in His Torah and mitzvos. Rav Shmuel Salanter, zt”l, once saw an old shoemaker working late at night by the light of a nearly extinguished candle. When asked why he was working so late, the shoemaker replied, “as long as the candle is burning, there is still time to work and repair.” As the father of the mussar movement, that became Rav Yisroel’s mantra ‘as long as one is alive and the candle of life burns, there is still time to improve oneself, make amends, and work on personal growth, even if it seems late in life.”

As we witness the pomp and ceremony of President Trump’s inauguration, let’s remember that he remains a mortal man, and we remain in golus. Let’s pledge allegiance to the King that controls all kings-Melech Malchei HaMelochim Hakodosh Baruch Hu. Let’s hope and pray that the day of the star-spangled banner of Moshiach comes speedily in our times.”

          Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank