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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
**August 28, 2025, 4, Elul 5785**
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We are here. We cannot move the clock nor the days back. It is time to go forward. Going forward with seeking opportunities of making our lives even more meaningful than ever before. Seize the chance of a lifetime by making every day as precious as possible. Perhaps we could even save the lives of others through our kindness and the goodness we can give over to others. The month of Elul can bring shivers and concerns of what will be and for many it not just a time of doing teshuva, it is a magnificent time of making one’s life even more special. Many of my themes have to do with kindness. Loving kindness and caring for others can be found in many of our sefarim, Judaica books and thousands upon thousands of quotes from our Torah scholars originating from our Holy Torah. It is incumbent upon us to try to emulate the ways of H and convey His love for us with positivity. Ultimately, following in His ways can only bring us many opportunities of making a Kiddush H and sanctifying His name through our good deeds.

In my recent article which I dedicated to the memory of Pessi Rosen a”h, I wrote about her magnificent middos even when she was quite ill towards the end of her life. She was known for her tremendous love and respect for all Jewish men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds. I am honored to have received a wonderful quote from Laurie Tobias-Cohen, who was the Executive Director of the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy.  “Pessie Rosen worked as a tour guide for the LESJC. Her love of Jewish LES history and desire to share that love with all our patrons made her a beloved and valued member of our team. Her brilliant innovations with our children’s programs were a reflection of her commitment to the young neshamas entrusted to her for that brief time. She simply loved her fellow Jews, didn’t judge, and showered blessings everywhere. I feel privileged to have been her friend.”

Chaplains, Rabbonim and Rebbetzins have immense opportunities of helping to convey the positive aspects of a person, especially when going through a challenging time in his or her life. For many, Elul is a sad time looking back at all of a person’s misbehaviors which for some can bring feelings of sadness or feeling depressed, or even feeling dispar. Teshuva can and should be seen as an opportunity of seeking forgiveness and to be able to look forward to a brighter life in the days, months and years to come. When it is said to love and to fear H, it does not mean to be afraid of H but rather to seek His love and His blessings through our mitzvos, gemilus chasadim and our love for Him. There are many ways to express and to convey our love, our faith and our trust in H.  With empathy, understanding, positive words of chizuk, Rabbis, Rebbetzins and Chaplains can help uplift the spirits of a person.

This past week was the yartzeit of the venerable Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Pam zt’l. He was known for his gadlus, for his Torah knowledge and leadership as a Rebbe, Rosh Yeshiva for many years but most of all for his gentleness, and especially for his kindness. Rav Pam was exceedingly humble. He showed Klal Yisrael the importance of having a close and meaningful relationship with the Ribono shel Olam through our observances of our mitzvos. He was an immense role model of how to be a devoted and faithful husband and a humble human being. Rav Pam was especially known for his sincerity. The following was in this past weeks Flatbush Jewish Journal/FJJ. August 21, 2025, Page 82. “Marking Rav Pam’s Yahrzeit. Rav Pam’s message for life” “The following fascinating messages for life are memorable quotations from Rav Pam, zt”l culled from the Artscroll book “Rav Pam” The life and ideals of Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Hakohen Pam by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman.”

 

Hashkafa:
“Some think they will hear ‘Daas Torah’. Know that all you will hear tonight is “Daas Avraham Pam.”
“I am happy wherever I am, as long as I am successful.”
“The blessing of life is what you want to do with it.”
“If I had to live my life over, I would do it the same way.”
“The best vacation is at home.”
“The only joy that is long lasting is that which is derived from a truly spiritual experience.”
“Every person, regardless of his station in life, needs to feel self-worth and a sense of accomplishment in what he is doing.”
“Do not see things superficially.”
“When standing at the Kosel HaMaaravi, realize that you are in the presence of the Shechinah.”
“If everything is forbidden, then everything becomes permissible.”
“One must live in a higher world, not the world of foolish grievances, foolish arguments, and foolish pursuit of honor.”
“For me it’s every night, but for the Chasan, it’s once in his lifetime.”
“How can you speak without thinking? If you don’t know what you want to say, then think. But what kind of word is ‘watchamicalit?
“By us, a word is a contract.”
“One should never feel bad when an opportunity does not work out, for he never know what lies ahead.”
“Nothing less than excellence will suffice.”
“If a Jew is a living Torah scroll, then he must live a life that reflects Siyata Dishmaya.”

“Shalom Bayis”
“The overriding quality in a prospective wife should be the purity of her outlook and of her soul- a refined intellect and pure, refined character. Physical beauty is secondary.”
“I don’t sing Shalom Aleichem- but Eishes Chayil one must not omit.”
“A home blessed with Shalom Bayis- where there is only love and concern among husband, wife and the entire family- is a home where the priorities are in order.”
“Harmony between husband and wife needs constant strengthening and careful safeguarding.”
“The Torah’s prescription for a successful marriage is that the husband focus on making his wife happy.”
“Maintaining Shalom Bayis is the great challenge that all married people face.”

We are mispallel to Hakadosh Boruch Hu that all of our tefilos will be answered. It is important to have a positive outlook in life and to look ahead with positivity. We should never take anything for granted nor assume everything is perfect in life. May H bless us to have all of our needs met. 

We are grateful to have the Holy Days ahead when we can beseech the Ribono shel Olam asking Him for His forgiveness and for His guidance in the days ahead. We pray to be inscribed in all of the “Holy Books.” We already have begun to wish each other a Kesiva Vechasima Tova. May we truly have a wonderful year to look forward to. 

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank