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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
=May15, 2025, Iyar 17, 5785=
Lag B’ Omer
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Click at the bottom of this article to see the mid-week Bar Mitzva picture.

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This past Shabbos was the bar mitzva of my grandson Tzvi Dov Blank. What was so special ? The tremendous admiration the community has for his parents and the appreciation for all that H was apparent to all. So many in the community shared with me and other family members how my son and daughter-in-law who is like a daughter to me can bring up a family with simcha and goodness despite the many challenges they have with two medically challenged children and round the clock nursing. Their home also consists of two rooms that are set up with all types of medical equipment and supplies. Anyone and everyone who visits the family has only fabulous things to say about how normal the household is and how all four children bring so much happiness to every single guest. The two medically challenged children are often brought out of their medical rooms to be with family and friends who interact with all the children. Aryeh and Tzivia imbue tremendous love of H. They interact with their neighbors, community and the shul that they belong to. This family shows what it means to appreciate all that H does for them never feeling  they are lacking in anything. No one who leaves the family home feels any sadness or pity but rather are humbled by the normal family experience that goes on day in and day out. How they were able to put together such a magnificent bar mitzva and kiddush is truly amazing. At the kiddush there was a non stop stream of men and boys from diverse segments of the community who shared the genuine love of all Yidin and most of all for the Ribono shel Olam shared by Aryeh, the bar mitzva bachur and the mishpacha. One of the speakers mentioned that this past Simchas Torah how Aryeh brought his son Moishe in his special chair and how everyone wanted to have a cheilik in bringing them into the Beis Medrash. Aryeh imbues tremendous love for H with unbelievable midos, dedication and devotion for all his children. Tzivia is an exceptional role model as a wife and mother taking everything in stride with love of H. One of the main themes of what I spoke about on Shabbos is how proud I am of them. It is important to establish a kesher with H with one’s heart, ones guf, and continue our Torah learning, our gemilus chasadim, having impeccable midos tovos and the love of H and the knowledge of how much He loves us. The relationship with H is so important to us for that will give us much happiness. The emunah and betachon of Aryeh and Tzivia knows no bounds. Rather than looking at any challenges that they may have, their positive demeanor and their positive outlook in life brings them much simchas hachaim. They always seem to find light at the end of the tunnel and meaningful solutions to their many concerns. The one major concern they don’t have control of is when one or both of their nurses cancel. With his expertise Aryeh takes over together with his Aishes Chayil, Tzivia. When I was working for hospice, I also worked with pediatric patients. One of the frustrating concerns parents had to deal with was when their child’s nurse canceled and when a substitute nurse was sent from the  agency. The frustrating part was for parents to have to go over the minute aspects of care that the regular nurse was knowledgeable about. Taking care of Moishe and Chaya Rivka includes suctioning, checking oxygen levels amongst other vital aspects of care. What is truly amazing is how Tzvi Dov and Tehila Rachel are so understanding and very empathetic with love for their siblings. There is much to learn from the Blank family. It is no wonder why they are an inspiration to so many people. What is also an inspiration is not hearing complaints about life in general and the ups and downs that might come their way. They are truly wonderful ambassadors of H and Klal Yisrael. When they interact with the general public it is always with a Kiddush H.

How was it possible for Aryeh and Tzivia to enjoy the Shabbos? How was it possible for them to hear the Bar Mitzva Bachur lein and join with the mishpacha, mispallim and guests? They were zoche to have two wonderful single young ladies who stayed over from Friday afternoon until way after Shabbos was over. Their care was extremely appreciated especially when Shabbos afternoon only one nurse was present to care for Moishe. The ideal situation is having two nurses, one for Moishe and one for Chaya Rivka.   These two young women made sure to assist in any way possible making sure Moishe and Chaya Rivka were well taken care of and helped make a wonderful Shabbos with Kedusha and Menucha. These two wonderful women were truly filled with simchas hachaim, sharing their care for Moishe and Chaya Rivka with lots of TLC and Shabbos sweetness. I was truly in awe of their devotion and care for my grandchildren that I requested and received their permission to “shout out” who they are. Atara Pietruszka. She has worked with the special needs population for over 8 years as well as pursuing a degree in special education in order to continue helping these special children on another level. Chanie Teichman is a nurse whose career is filled with professionalism, devotion, dedication and TLC for whomever she gives care to.

I also want to mention what a zchus it was to have davened Shabbos in the Beth Medrash Zichron Tuvia named after Rav Tuvia Goldstein zt”l which was his makom Torah for many years.

The challenges my dear Aryeh and Tzivia have for some might be overwhelming and difficult to deal with.  Not to find fault in everything one does can be exasperating for many. Yet, both  he and Tzivia always finds a ray of light of hope never wanting to give up. All those who know them are inspired by their emunah and betachon.  Many are inspired by their tremendous love for their fellow Jew and in general, their positive interactions with everyone.

Here are some thoughts shared by Rabbi Yissocher Frand from Rabbi Frand on the Parsha. Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publicaions Ltd. Parshas Kedoshim Page 177. “Rabbi Akiva’s Principle” Veahavta lerei’acha kamocha. Love your neighbor as you do yourself. (19:18).

One of Rabbi Akiva’s most famous sayings is, Love your neighbor as you do yourself.” This is a fundamental principle of the Torah.” This mitzva is one of the pillars of the Torah. We find a similar thought expressed by Hillel.  The Talmud relates (Shabbos 31a) that a prospective gentile convert to Judaism asked Hillel to teach him the entire Torah “while standing on one foot.” Hillel replied, “Do not do to others that is hateful to you. This is the essence of Torah. All the rest is explanation.

From 102 Stories That Changed People’s Lives. Tfutza Publications Volume 2, by Rabbi Tzvi Nakar. “The Simchas Torah Dance” Pages 268-271.

“The following story was recounted by Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz and appeared in the Tiv HaKehillah parsha sheet.
A distinguished Jew and his wife from Monsey would visit Yerushalayim each year during Tishrei to celebrate the Yamim Nora’im with his Rebbe and his relatives. When the pandemic struck, and the government imposed lockdowns and restrictions, flying became complicated. There were no direct flights to Eretz Yisrael, and he found himself trying to coordinate connecting flights, every country constantly changing the rules as they went from being red zones to orange or green zones and back to red.
He was able to make his way to Eretz Yisrael for the Yomim Nora’im, but getting home wasn’t a sure thing. Anything could happen during those uncertain times, and it wasn’t unheard of for people to be stranded and unable to go home for weeks or even months on end.
On Chol Hamoed Sukkos he received an urgent phone call from his travel agent. Two seats on a flight leaving the next morning had just become available with a stopover somewhere in the US, and from there he could get a flight back to New York. He didn’t really have a choice; he didn’t know when he’d get another flight home. He and his wife quickly packed their things and the next morning parted from their relatives to board the flight that would take them straight to the US.
When the plane landed, they found out that the US government had shut down all airports and there were no upcoming flights to New York. What should they do now? Where could they spend the second days of Sukkos?
They booked a room at a local hotel and found out that there was a small orthodox community on the edge of town. They found a room in another hotel closer to the shul, a Young Israel, and went to buy some food for the Yom Tov meals.
They attended the shul for the tefilos and ate their meals in their hotel room, grateful to have a place for Yom Tov.
On Simchas Torah, they walked to shul and soon the hakafos commenced. They couldn’t help but notice and old man who was dancing enthusiastically with the sefer Torah. He kept twirling and jumping, never getting out of breath. It was a joyous spectacle, a Jew who must have been in his nineties dancing and leaping like a young boy.
After davening, there was a large kiddush in honor of the chassan Torah, and the visitor from Monsey went over to the old man.
“Tell me, where does your joy and energy comes from? I know Simchas Torah is a joyous day, but your happiness seems more intense than that of everyone else. How do you dance so energetically and with such joy?”
The old man responded with a story the man from Monsey will never forget.
In September 1939 the Germans invaded Poland and conquered the city of Lodz. They marched to the center of the city in a flamboyant victory parade, and then the brutal Nazis dispersed throughout the city, wreaking havoc and spreading terror everywhere they went.
The first thing they did was destroy the cemetery and burn the shuls and yeshivos down. It became extremely dangerous for a Jew to walk through the streets, not to mention the risk involved in encountering a bloodthirsty Nazi.
On Simchas Torah, I quietly slipped out to join a Shacharis minyan in a cellar. On the way I noticed a young German soldier harassing a Jew, pulling his peyos and beard, and humiliating him.
I couldn’t stand to see a fellow Jew suffering, and seeing there were no other soldiers in the area, I rushed over. I surprised the soldier from behind and managed to land a few good blows. The soldier panicked an stopped beating the poor Jew, who took advantage of the respite to flee the scene.
I began to flee myself, but the soldier quickly came to his senses. He got to his feet in a fury and shouted, “You’ll pay for your insolence with your life!” He grabbed his pistol and began to run after me. I picked up speed, literally running for my life.”
That’s how I came to be chased through the streets of Lodz on the morning of Simchas Torah. The soldier was in better shape than I was, and he managed to catch me.
I knew the battle was over, yet I was elated that I had merited saving a Jewish soul, because when one saves a Jewish soul, it is as if he sustained the entire world (Sanhedrin 37a). Overwhelmed with my feeling of joy, mingled with the joyousness of Simchas Torah, I couldn’t help myself and started dancing energetically. I danced with joy and vigor, while the soldier stood there dumbfounded.
“Jude!” he screamed, “Don’t you know that Deutschland is supreme? What are you so happy about? And for your insolence in striking a German soldier I’ll shoot you dead right now! But before I pull the trigger, you will kneel and dig your grave with your own hands! Schnell!” the soldier roared.
But I was gripped with deveikis, absorbed in my great Simchas Torah dance, and I didn’t allow myself to pay attention. I just kept dancing and dancing as long as the spirit moved me. The Nazi decided that this must be my greatest desire-to die al kiddush H- and that was why I was dancing with such fervor.
In an instant, he changed his mind and shouted, “ You’re so happy to die here? Ha! I won’t give you the pleasure! You won’t die so quickly’1 I’ll send you from here to the worst of the camps!”
The soldier grabbed my arm and began to lead me to the army headquarters the Reich had set up in occupied Lodz. But as we passed through a narrow alleyway, I suddenly pulled away from the soldier and ran. He ran after me, but since I knew all the twists and turns of the city where I had grown up, I quickly disappeared into a side street and the soldier couldn’t tell which way I had gone.
At the last moment, I had been saved from certain death.
“Every year since,” the old man concluded, “when Simchas Torah arrives, I’m filled with overwhelming joy as I remember how my life was saved in the merit of that joyous dance. As a show of thanksgiving and praise, I dance with joy and fervor for the miracle He performed just for me.”
The visitor from Monsey later said that despite the challenges he and his wife faced that year in finding a place to celebrate the second days of Sukkos, it was worth it just to see the sight of that old man dancing on Simchas Torah and hear his story. It was worth it to hear his story. It was worth it to learn the power of the joy of a mitzvah, in whose merit that Jew survived the war.”              

                                    “The Secret To A Good Life”

“A person wakes up in the morning. Prepares himself a cup of coffee” sweet sugar, bitter coffee, hot water, cold milk. And he recites the blessing of shehakol niheyeh bidvaro. He had no idea what the day will bring: Bitterness? Sweetness? Heat? Cold? What he does know is that “shehakol niheyeh bidvaro?!”

May we all be zoche to have a loving and meaningful kesher with the Ribono shel Olam. May we all be zoche to have a positive outlook in life filled with simchas hachaim and meet any challenge with the knowledge that anything and everything H does for us is possible. May we be zoche to be good ambassadors of H and Klal Yisrael and merit His blessings for His kindness, His goodness and most of all for His love. May we the Rabbis, the Rebbetzins and the Chaplains be zoche to help others find the light at the end of the tunnel for any concerns they may have and may Klal Yisrael be zoche from henceforth to celebrate only happy occasions.

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank

             Click here to see the Blank family mid week Bar Mitzva picture.