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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
<><> March 27, 2025, Adar 27, 5785<><>
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Are We Our Brother Keepers? Yes. But How So? First and foremost is the belief in H and of course in each other. We should have the desire to lift up our spirits, our wisdom, our energy, our abilities to care for each other as we wish H to care for each of us. Boruch H there are not hundreds but maybe thousands of men, women and children who are constantly helping others in a myriad of ways. Yet there are so many things that can fall through the cracks. We often read about the wonderful chasadim that are being done day in and day out. Yet one may ask if that is the fact, why are there reminders about enhancing achdus, brother and sisterhood? What about not being envious or jealous of another? What about not being concerned with what other people might be doing that would annoy a person to the point of having ill feelings. And so on and so forth. I guess we all need to be reminded not just how to behave, not only to do soul searching of a own actions but to look deep into our hearts and have a constant desire to have good midos, to do what is appropriate and most of all to want to walk in the ways of H. There are so many ways to be Mikadeish Sheim Shamayim, to make a Kiddush H, we just have to see it right in the front of our eyes. The question is what do our eyes want to see and what is in our hearts desire to do?
I would like to share another personal Kiddush H that I believe I did. I recently attended a Holocaust event held at the Wagner College in Staten Island. After the event, one of the security personnel was bringing attendees to their parked cars from the college building in a 3 passenger golf cart as it was pouring rain. In the cart I was in there was a passenger with a wheelchair transferring from the golfcart to her car. I watched how careful, courteous and considerate the security person was ensuring that the passenger received whatever assistance she requested. I was to meet my car service by the security booth. The driver of that car service did not know what direction to take to meet me and the security person insisted on my staying in the cart so as not to get drenched and would speak to the car service driver giving clear directions. The security person told me she will keep me dry in the cart for however long it takes. The car service finally came and I complimented the security person on her kindness and caring for the previous passenger and myself. In a low voice she mumbled, if only my boss would know. I told her I heard what she said. I asked for her name and she told me that she was the only female security guard that evening. Well, the next morning I called the college, got in touch with the security department and requested to speak to the Director which I did. I shared what she did for me and the other passenger with her wheelchair. I requested that the security person be commended for what she did. I made sure to give my name Rabbi L. Blank and that I was a guest of Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik who was one of the honorees. I wanted to ensure that the commendation she received came from a Rabbi. Hopefully, that was a Kiddush H. The immediate feedback I received from the Director was how grateful he and his staff were with my call.
We are truly living in a topsy turvy world where so much is upside down. Instead of encouraging the masses to seek good in each other, we read about and hear on the radio about the horrendous hatred, animosities, acts of violence and foul language that people should be ashamed of. I’m not speaking about the average person but men and women in roles of leadership. It is a sad epitaph when society has reached a point where certain ways of life is now considered by many the norm. We, as Klal Yisrael, must rise above it.
The days leading up to Pesach can be tremendously trying with many things to contend with. B H there are many organizations offering tremendous assistance financially for food and other essentials. There are also funds for clothing. But, there is another area so desperately needed and that is Shalom Bayis. When asked at a recent forum how a husband helps a wife, some responses were, stay out of the way, give the wife a credit card, show you listening to the wife’s concerns. One of the best answers a husband can give is what would you like for me to do to help. What really is most vital is keeping one’s own cool should a wife feel uptight, overwhelmed, not feeling appreciated, being nervous, worried and I can go on and on. A husband must be strong and take the brunt of any comment that might come his way with patience. It is important to be understanding and to know that his wife wants everything in place for Pesach. Speaking to the children and delegating responsibilities can be very beneficial.. Aside from being an understanding husband and express appreciation for all the hard work your wife is doing . Purchasing something special even something small (I don’t mean a diamond) is nice to show appreciation. We all know shopping (and having enough funds), cooking, baking, cleaning, and so much more are not easy tasks but we do so lekavod Yom Tov. We try our best to do so with happiness, wanting each mitzva to grow, bringing blessings and goodness to each other and ourselves.
One should not feel ashamed to ask for help from others which would alleviate whatever burden a spouse or family might have during the days leading up to Pesach. It is important to recognize when a person needs extra help from a counselor. To some this is a stressful time and it is not necessary to wing it alone. There are many who benefit from learning how to deal with stressful situations. One should be able to seek help especially spiritual guidance from one’s own Rav, Rebbetzin and of course Chaplains to celebrate a meaningful Pesach with joy and happiness.
H is there for all of us and we can find in our tefilos the special words to express our love for Him.
From Tehillim/Psalms 133 Kuf lamed gemel. “A song of ascents, by David. Indeed, how good and how pleasant is the dwelling, of brothers, especially in unity. Like the oil that is superior upon the head running down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down over his garments, so the dew of Hermon descends upon the mountains of Zion for there H has commanded the blessing. May there be live forever.”
From the Shabbos Shacharis prayers. “Hodu L’H Ki Tov”(Artscroll, Mesorah Publications Ltd.
“Give thanks to H for His is good, for enduring forever is His kindness.
Give thanks to the G of the heavenly powers, for enduring forever is His kindness.
Give thanks to the Lord of the lords, for enduring forever is His kindness.
To Him Who performs wonders , that are great, by Himself, for enduring forever is His kindness.
To Him Who made the heavens with understanding, for enduring forever is His kindness.
To Him Who spread out the earth upon the waters, for enduring forever is His kindness.
To Him Who made luminaries that are great, for enduring forever is His kindness; the sun for the reign of the day, for enduring forever is His kindness; the moon and the stars for the reign of the night, for enduring forever is His kindness.” Etc.
From Zemiros Shabbos Seduah Shelishis “Yidid Nefesh” Artscroll Siddur Mesorah Publications Ltd.
“Beloved of the soul, Father Who is compassionate, draw Your servant to Your will. May your servant run like a deer to bow toward Your majesty. It will be sweeter to him Your friendship than the dripping of honeycomb and all flavors. Majestic One, Pleasant One, Radiance of the universe! My soul pines for your love. Please O G, please heal it now, by showing the pleasantness of Your radiance. Then it will be strengthened and be healed, and it will have gladness eternally. Faithful One, may Your mercy be aroused and take pity, please , on Your beloved son. For now it is a long time that I have yearned intensely to see speedily the splendor of Your strength. These has my heart desired, so take pity, please and do not conceal Yourself. Be revealed, please and spread, my Beloved, upon me the shelter of Your peace. Illuminate the world with Your glory, that we may rejoice and be glad with You. Hasten, show Your love for come has the time, and show us grace as in days of old.”
From: Faith and Trust by Rabbi Shemuel Houminer, Published by Quantum Press. “Never Give Up Hope” “A song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where will my help come? My help comes from G, Greator of heaven and earth. He will not let your feet falter, your Guardian will not slumber. Behold, the Guardian of Yisrael neither slumbers nor sleeps. H is your Guardian, G is your shadow at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. G will protect you from every evil; He will guard your soul. G will protect your comings and goings, form this time and forever. (Tehillim, Psalms 121)
This entire psalm portrays the power of bitachon in G, and is appropriate to r recite anytime and under any circumstances. Even at a time of distress and intense grief, Heaven forbids, one should strengthen his trust in G. Therefore, it is a good practice to recite this psalm with feeling in order to reinforce one’s faith.
The Midrash expounds this psalm in light of the episode of Yaakov fleeing from his home and going to stay with Lavan. R. Shemuel ben Nachman said, “ I lift up eyes to the mountains (harim),” may be reread, “I lift up my eyes to the parents (horim) who taught me Torah and to serve G.” “From where my help will come?” Yaakov mused. “When Eliezer, my grandfather’s servant, was sent to seek a wife for my father, Yitzchak, Scripture tells that he took ten camels from his master’s herd and set out with all his master’s valuable possessions (Bereshis 24:10). I, however, am also going to find a wife, yet I don’t have even one ring or bracelet.”
Yaakov thought: Why should I lose hope in the One who created me? “My help comes from G! He will not let your feet falter, Your Guardian will not slumber. Behold, the Guardian of Yisrael neither slumbers nor sleeps. G will protect you from every evil.” From Esav and Lavan. “He will guard your soul” from the angel of death. “G will protect your comings and goings from this time and forever.” (Midrash Rabbah)”
No matter what the outcome might be in our lives, we should always be grateful to H for He knows what is best for us in every single situation.
Before I conclude, I would like to remind our readership to look in on the elderly and those with difficult mobility who might find difficulty shopping, cleaning and preparing for Pesach. Even putting away the chametzdike dishes and taking out the important items needed for Pesach can be a mighty chore and hardship when just a year ago those jobs could have been quite easy to do. Another area is inviting others, especially those who are alone to join your Seder and other meals if possible.
May you all have a Zeesa and Kosher Pesach. May your lives be filled with good health, happiness, simchas and all the brachos you are mispallel for.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank