<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
*** March 6, 2025, Adar 6, 5785***
Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha:
Click here for a flyer about a Shidduch event
for Shomer Shabbos singles ages 27 – 44.
===================================================
How is it possible to respond with Boruch H for a person going through a challenging time in his or her life? With all the negativity that sometimes seem to surround us how can we be happy, especially when one feels negativity is engulfing us? Why should I even begin this article with thoughts of negativity at such an auspicious time when we say mishnichnas Adar marbin b’simcha? I shall offer some thoughts on how to put everything in its right perspective.
First, it is important to recognize the importance of bitachon, trusting in H.
Secondly, to us human beings who often have doubts thinking am I worthy and so on. Yet for H, there are no maybe, yes of no. He has no challenges. He can do what He chooses to do, for He is the ultimate G. Our trust is not only knowing who H is but that He can do anything at any time or place, for shidduchum, issues of health and parnassa. Here we are in the month of Adar and we are still reciting Tehillim for the hostages that are still alive. Antisemitic acts in universities and protests are currently happening. Holocaust survivors still shudder hearing and reading about these acts of discord and violence. It causes them to react with tears in their eyes that the world is in such upheaval. They ask where the Shalom al Yisrael is. Yet amongst the many negativities found throughout the world, there are immense acts of kindness, acts of caring and empathy that can be found in our own neighborhoods. We are all responsible for one another. Yes we are all our brothers and sisters keepers. We all 0can find much good in others and in the world at large. If we spend the energy the koach, of finding fault in others or life in general, we can never lift ourselves up to a higher level of goodness, kindness, hope, generosity and happiness. It is crucial to have a positive outlook in life for if not, that back cloud of doom will always float over those with negative attitudes. For those who remember when Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l was niftar, Klal Yisrael was in shock and in tears. His levaya was surreal – one of the largest attended funerals in our time. His death occurred and his funeral was held on Taanis Esther in the joyous month of Adar and the day before one of the most auspicious and happy Jewish holidays of Purim. Yet Rav Moshe’s wish would have been for Klal Yisrael to observe Purim appropriately and not with sadness. Many of the hostages to the best of their abilities tried to keep Shabbos, the Yom Tovim and kashruth amongst other traditional Jewish observances. Many of their family members took it upon themselves to observe Judaism as never before with love for H even in challenging times for their loved ones.
This past Shabbos I was a guest of Rabbi Dr. Hillel and Rebbetzin Chanah Fox and wonderful family in Woodmere, Long Island, NY. Rabbi Fox who is the well known Director of Spiritual Services, Chaplaincy Care and Education at Northshore University Hospital and is a dear colleague and chaver of mine. I was a guest speaker for a large women’s group Shabbos afternoon based on various Moments of Inspiration topics. One of the three shuls I attended was Friday night at Congregation Aish Kodesh whose Mora D’ Asrah is Rav Moshe Weinberger. There were hundreds of Jewish men from diverse backgrounds all davening with tremendous achdus. One part of the davening at the end of Lecha Dodi led to singing and all the men joined arms together swaying side to side with tremendous togetherness. I was next to a group of young men who were there for a Shabbaton and were sophomores at Columbia University. They had such nice smiles on their faces feeling good about where they were and what they will be doing. The young man next to me actually thanked me for joining arms together with him. After davening I engaged them about their Shabbaton and mentioned that I had attended various programs at Columbia and was once a guest speaker at Columbia regarding the relationship of Chanukah and Judaism. They found it nice to hear that I myself am a graduate of another university and I was a lecturer at Columbia. Upon leaving the shul I noticed a large crowd of young women who also came to daven. The shul has a large Ezras Nashim one level up. Woodmere is one of the Five Towns with many shuls and batei midrashim of Torah learning. Amongst the speeches given by the various rabbis and gabbaim was the importance of helping their fellow Jews who might give the appearance of financial security but are having difficulties with their finances. They shared how important it is to help and to do so confidentially without publicizing their names.
Having been a rabbi of a shul, involved in community affairs, and in my chaplaincy work, I have come across men and women who were embarrassed to discuss their private lives where there are difficulties. There were also feelings by some of guilt and they were ashamed to admit the challenges they were going through. Confidentiality is of utmost importance in dealing with very sensitive issues. Being a patient in a hospital one would wonder why anyone feel ashamed or embarrassed for others to know and prefer to have only a relative or close friend visits. A person might feel uncomfortable revealing a medical condition he or she would like to keep private or for that matter any personal concern he or she might be having. Whatever the reason, we must be respectful and not pry. However, should the opportunity exist, giving hope, finding the appropriate words of kindness and goodness can make the difference between sadness and uplifting one’s spirits. The Chafetz Chaim in his sefarim dealing with gemilus chasadim mentions how important it is when giving tzedakah or helping someone to do so in a very discrete manner. One of the best ways is do so anonymously. For Purim we have the mitzva of Matanos L’evyomin and for Pesach the mitzva of Maos Chitim.
Purim is a holiday of hope. Pesach is a holiday of hope. Everyday can be a day of hope. There are so many phenomenal and wonderful opportunities to give hope. We can express ourselves with our prayers, with our bakashos with our hearts of gold beseeching the Ribono shel Olam for our needs whatever they may be. Rabbis, rebbetzins and chaplains can be a source of hope. In fact everyone can be a source of giving hope and helping to see the light at the end of the tunnel. H gives all of us the ability and the fortitude of being supportive to help others get over the hurdle in a person’s challenging times. There is so much goodness and love of H that we can convey beginning with our youth. They are our future- the future of Klal Yisrael. The spirit of our youth knows no bounds. We just have to know how to tap into their unbelievable energy. Two recent events sponsored by Lubavitch for teenagers were spectacular and I have placed both in this week’s Moments of Inspiration.
This past Motzei Shabbos 7,000 Jewish teenagers from all over the world converged of all places in Times Square in Manhattan. That event was truly a major sign someday Mashiach will come and a sign of hope for Klal Yisrael. Times Square, not always a place known especially for being holy was transformed into a holy place coming together to make a tremendous Kiddush H and most of all for the sake of Heaven, L’Sheim Shamayim.
There was another phenomenal event. At the CTeen International Shabbaton, 1,241 teens wrapped tefillin (not on Shabbos of course) in two hours, smashing records in a tremendous display of Jewish pride at the largest gathering of Jewish teens.
Please click on the two links at the top of this article which will take you to the news articles and pictures of the events. Both events were posted on YouTube and featured in various Jewish and secular news media sites.
I want to add the following which are important to consider. When giving meshaloach manos keep in mind people who are on restrictive diets such as sugar free, lactose intolerance, gluten free and those who might have life threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. Also keep in mind the elderly who might not be able to chew certain items. It is very nice to invite others, especially those who live alone, to a Purim seuda and a Shabbos meal. For many, just being together with others is more important than the delicious food being served.
ANOTHER PURIM WARNING
The importance of not serving any alcoholic beverages no matter how low the alcoholic beverage might be to anyone who is underage. Alcoholic drinks should not be given to anyone of any age who will be driving. It is not a mitzva but a sakanah for anyone to be drinking no matter how little which could turn into Chas V Shalom a serious accident.
May we truly have Shalom Al Yisrael and appreciate every Jew as our brothers and sisters following in the ways of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu.
May the month of Adar be filled with simcha:
Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha:
משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה
Just as when Av begins we decrease with joy,
so too when Adar begins, we increase with joy.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank