<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
= = February 13, 2025, Shevat 15, 5785= =
Tu b’ Shevat
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The future of Klal Yisrael.
Believing In Ourselves.
We are commanded to be erliche Yidden with faith and trust in H
but does that mean to force such views?
We pray the hostage concerns will have been resolved
even before Shabbos begins.
The kindness and understanding of Rabbi Eliezer Silver zt”l.
===========================================
I have included two links for two separate shidduch events which I recently found out about. There have been many meetings focusing on shidduchim for the younger population. But there are many who are in the older age brackets who want to get married. One event below is for ages 24-38 and one event, a Shabbaton for ages 45 -62 (I was told anyone older than 62 can also attend the Shabbaton). There are men and women in the 70’s who also want to get married. I have written articles about those who are divorced, are widows or widowers and those who were never married and want a loving, caring relationship bringing meaningful companionship and a desire to care for each other. I am requesting my readership to send me shidduch events for Frum/ Observant divorced, widows, widowers or never married singles in the 30’s – 40’s age bracket and in the 50’s – 70’s age bracket. These events should be sent to me at my email address located at the top of this article at least two weeks in advance of an event. I will try my best to publicize these events. You might never know how much happiness you can bring to a couple in the age brackets mentioned above.
Please click here for the link to the shidduch event for singles 24-38.
Please click here for the link to the shidduch event for singles 45-62.
==================================================
From Faith and Trust by Rabbi Shemuel Houminer. Published by Quantum Press. Distributed by Feldheim Publishers. “The verse in Tehillim (37:3) says, “Trust in G and do good, that you may dwell in the land and nurture faith.” “Trust in G is a command to have trust in the Almighty. “Do good” is a command to fulfill all the Torah which G commands us. “Dwell in the land and nurture faith” teaches us to strive to reach a complete faith in G and His personal supervision over our lives.” (Eved Ha-melech).
To us command refers to understanding our responsibility of how important it is to have faith and trust in H. For those whose faith and trust is shaky due to his or her present day challenges in life needs to be encouraged and understanding of H’s love for us.”
From: Meaningful Minute
By, Rabbi Yisroel Besser, Artscroll, Mesorah Publishers Ltd, and the Flatbush Jewish Journal, February 6, 2025 Page 223, compiled by Nachi Gordon.” How do you lift people’s spirits? How do you inject them with the desire to accomplish?
The pasuk in Tehillim tells the answer. It says that H is the One Who “heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wound. He counts the number of the stars, and calls each one by name.”
The first pasuk tells us that HaKadosh Baruch Hu is able to make people happy, to heal their wounds and sooth their pain. How?
The second pasuk is the answer. Every person is a star. And every star, bright and immense as it is, has its own name, and H counts each one. And that’s what people need, to know that they count, that they have a “name” and H counts each and every one. And that’s what people need, to know that they count, that they have a “name,”, a mission and purpose and destiny that’s theirs alone.
And they can shine together.”
Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld.
From: Believing In Ourselves
By Mordy Mehlman Publisher’s Message. Flatbush Jewish Journal, February 6, 2025 Page 6, “In the Parsiyos leading up to Beshalach, we find that Klal Yisroel did not have full bitachon in H, and were weak in their belief in His promises. Rav Eliezer Ginsburg explained that in a roundabout way, Moshe Rabeinu himself deflated their emunah, when he told H that Klal Yisroel wound not believe the messages of redemption he conveyed to them. By not fully believing in them, they did not fully believe in themselves. It was not until the men experienced the miracles of Kriyas Yam Suf and were dynamically led by Moshe Rabeinu to sing Az Yashir; and the women were led by Miriam to sing their own shira, that Klal Yisroel reached the highest level of trust in H and in Moshe. This is what happens when a leader has trust in their followers and inspires them to great heights.
What an important lesson for parents and teachers as they try to raise the next generation! Believe in your child and student, have trust in their abilities to succeed, and they will surprise you with their success. If we believe in them, they will believe in themselves. President Trump’s success in reaching the Oval Office a second time, despite the obstacles and plots against him, only occurred because he believed in himself. Remarkably, he has only acquired a belief in G, as he stated in his inaugural “G saved me for a higher calling, to make America great again!” Through this, he has already inspired others- I know of a completely secular Jewish lawyer who has begun saying “Thank you G” whenever he has success.
In motivating others for success in Torah, optimistic belief in their abilities is paramount. Rav Shmuel Barenbaum has a fascinating explanation on the posuk “Even mo’asu habonim ho’sah l’rosh pinah”- the stone that the builders despised has become the cornerstone. He explains that even if one has a weak head and believes that Torah cannot enter his mind, through hard work and hasmodoh he can become a great talmid chochom and even one of the leaders of Klal Yisrael.”
Speaking of belief, the Rosh Yeshiva also explains that the greatest chinuch we can convey to our children is to believe in themselves and to believe that with Siyata D’shmaya they can be successful in reaching the highest goals. The Chazan Ish said that we have to believe in every child, even one that we doubt has the ability to become great. Gedolei Torah say that the Chazan Ish was remarkably referring to himself.
By believing in H and in ourselves, we can focus on what’s truly important in life. We see that in this (last) week’s Parsha, when Moshe Rabbeinu himself carried Yosef’s bones for burial in Eretz Yisroel, it was to remind himself and Klal Yisroel that a person can withstand anything and accomplish anything if he has emunah in himself and emunah in HaKadosh Baruch Hu. As Chazal say, Adam nivreh yechidi – Adam Harishon was created alone, to show that b’shvvili nivreh ha’olam – the entire world was created for each person, which applies to every person H creates on this world, for they have the world’s blessings and the ability to accomplish anything.
We and our children are living through historic and tumultuous times. By believing in ourselves and in them, we will help strengthen our belief in the coming of Moshiach speedily in our times.”
It is easier said than done. We can encourage until our face turns blue and still a person who is going through emotional, spiritual or physical pain might say to a rabbi, rebbetzin or a chaplain, “I have had enough, I cannot bear the pain. Or what do you expect or want from me.” Empathy goes a long way to help a person in his or her healing. In an article about Rav Eliezer Silver zt”l t in the Flatbush Jewish Journal, February 6, 2025 Page 97. “While the minute details vary depending on whom you hear it from; it bears repeating for the timeless message it delivers of the positive outlook required of a Torah Jew.
Several years after the war, Rav Silver was travelling through a small town and inquired about where he could find a minyan. He was told where the Shul was albeit with a warning that they don’t always have a minyan. Upon arriving in the small Shul, he quickly saw that the warning he received had credence as there was only a handful of people there. Several more people trickled in and they ultimately had a total of 9 people. Rabbi Silver approached one of the members and asked if he could call someone to come to Shul and complete the minyan. The man replied that “there is one Jewish man who lives nearby, but you won’t be able to convince him to come.” After Rabbi Silver insisted he be allowed to try, he was led to this man’s home. Rabbi Silver knocked on the door and was let in to the man’s home. Sensing the upcoming question, the man pre-emptied by saying “Don’t bother Rabbi, I won’t come to your minyan; ever since the war, I don’t pray.” Rabbi Silver gently asked the man “its ok, you don’t have to come, but please tell me what happened during the war that made you stop to pray.” “I’ll tell you” said the man. During the war in the horrible concentration camp, we were all starving for food. We were malnourished and our bodies were frail. The only thing we had was the small daily ration of bread given to us by the accursed Nazis. One day one of the inmates miraculously smuggled in a tiny Siddur. Immediately, all of the prisoners begged him for the chance to use the siddur. The ruthless man only allowed the use of the Siddur to anyone who would give him their precious daily ration of bread. Many people gave him the bread for that chance. How can I pray to a G that allows a man to take advantage of so many helpless people? No, rabbi I won’t join the minyan.”
Rabbi Silver smiled slightly as he calmly told the man, “I believe your story is the exact reason why you should come and pray. Instead of looking at the actions of one cruel man, look at the actions of the many special people who so willingly gave up their only food for a chance to daven to H; if only for a few minutes. Imagine how special it must be to be able to daven to H that they were willing take such a drastic step. Come let us go daven to H.” With tears in his eyes, the man went to daven for what felt like the first time.”
Listening to the concerns and the fears of those we minister to takes more than just listening to their words. For many, their minds, their souls, their feelings and their words are often coming from their heart. Taking note of their body language can say almost as much as their words. Sometimes their concerns are very complex and we need to understand what their fears might be like.
Sometimes the flow of tears can spontaneously start coming in drips and then flood as never before. Often they feel a sense of relief having the opportunity to share their hardships, their sadness, the loss of a loved one or something might seem minute. Rabbi Silver was not condescending. He also did not command someone to have emunah but was able to bring out the best in a persons life. Rabbi Silver was known for his understanding and his kindness. Rabbi Silver encouraged positive feelings of goodness with faith in G.
I would like to share the experience I had with a female patient whose fetus had to be aborted due to fibroids. She would not have been able to carry the fetus to full term. The baby would ultimately have died in the mother’s womb. While doing for three years an internship for my CPE, I was often given challenging cases with diverse populations. This was an African American couple with deep rooted customs and a rich culture. I met with them prior to their meeting with the medical team as they desperately wanted a child and were looking forward to the birth with much joy, happiness and trepidation. They already had prepared their child’s room with baby furniture and decorations. Mind you, this was going to be their first child and they had high hopes for this child’s future. After the medical team had left, this couple was filled with tremendous unhappiness. They knew I was Jewish and as with many of my other patients were pleased to have me minister to them. I asked if they would like me to visit them or at this time a clergy of their own faith. They requested I stay with them as long as possible as they needed my spiritual support, my prayers for and with them and to share their tremendous loss now and for the future. They didn’t know what to say, what to do. They didn’t know how to go home to an empty baby room that might never be filled with a child’s laughter. I gave them a chance to share all of their thoughts, gave them space to pray and to share how their religion and their culture could help them in this time of challenging emotional and spiritual need. I was grateful for my book of Psalm’s and inspirational and insightful prayers and words of healing.
We spent quite some time together, they hugged each other and spontaneously myself as well. They cried and cried and I gave them time for themselves. The social worker was also available and very helpful, joining with me and with this couple as well. They requested I return to their room before leaving the hospital. I did return and they spontaneously again embraced me thanking me for my presence and my kind, caring and holy words and for giving them needed inspiration. Honestly, this was not the first case dealing with a mother who gave birth to a baby who was medically challenged or still born. Nevertheless, regardless of the parent’s religious or cultural background it is hard to hold back my own tears. These sensitive situations can be heart wrenching and I happen to be a person who cares for my fellow human beings. I was told that I am sensitive to the needs of others especially in their times of need. Personally, I have felt caring for others was what H wants of us and brings tremendous opportunities of Kiddush H. I always thought that was what chaplaincy was all about and I carried it over to my other positions as well. H gives all of us so many talents of caring in so many different ways. We are all blessed to help and care for others in our own beautiful and meaningful way. There are millions and billions and trillions of ways to offer how to care for others. We just have to recognize what each of us has to give and do so with sincerity, with emeskeit, with truthfulness. H loves us and we love H. We must strive to do our best and follow in His ways.
I had immense feelings for that couple who were not of my religion but were my fellow human beings, bringing them comfort and the start of healing.
Klal Yisrael has gone through many difficult times, yet we do not give up hope. We pray to have a future that is meaningful, with joy, with simchas hachaim, with many simchos. As I write this article, I am thinking about what will happen with the remainder of the hostages still in captivity. What can our two countries, the United States of America and Israel do to ensure they come home alive and for those who died to have a proper burial. Our daily tefilos should not wane and become rote. Our tefilos are needed more than ever.
In our daily Karbanos tefilos we recite
“H Master of Legions, is with us, a stronghold for us is the G of Jacob, Selah !
H, Master of Legions, praiseworthy is the man who trusts in You.
H, save! May the King answer us on the day we call!
You are a shelter for me; from distress You preserve me; with glad song of rescue,
You envelope me, Selah! And pleasing to H let be the offering in Judah and Jerusalem, as in the days of old and years gone by.
Recited before the first Aliya in the Torah. “And you who cling to H, your G, you are alive all of you today.”
All the above translations are from Artscroll Siddur.
Let us not forget, Am Yisral Chai, Chavierim Kol Yisrael and Shalom Al Yisrael.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank