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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
= September 18th, 2025, 25 Elul 5785=
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When offering inspiration and chizuk to those we minister to, we should keep in mind that many people come from diverse backgrounds and have many personal issues, concerns and challenges in their lives. We should be sincere to offer care with our hearts, body and soul. We must be empathetic and understanding. We should know our own limitations but we should believe that H gives us the wisdom and capability to deal with things every single day.
Throughout the years, I have been broached by other professionals sharing their feelings of bias towards those they offer care to. They asked me how they can overcome those feelings and bring a positive approach to those they have been entrusted to care for. I had previously taught sessions on sensitivity, so I taught them how to be sensitive to others. I modeled my own beliefs by wanting to emulate my mentors righteousness their spiritual beliefs and their kindness. It is my firm belief that things should not be, my way or the highway. Personally, I have tried to always use loving kindness. I sincerely look at others from different backgrounds, cultures, and spiritual beliefs, as fellow human beings- all created in the image of G. Now, especially during this time of prayer and reflection, I reflect on my own level of spirituality, prayer and Chesed. As I offer kindness and good deeds to others, I beseech the Holy One to offer kindness and goodness to all of mankind.
From: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Secrets. The Mysteries Revealed.
Translated by Rabbi Avraham Y. Finkel. Published by Rabbi Dovid D. Meisels, Distributed by Israel Book Shop. Pages 62-64. “Leshana Tova: The Shulchan Aruch says: Although throughout the year one should say the Shemoneh Shemoneh Esrei in a low voice, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur one is allowed to raise his voice slightly when reciting the Shemoneh Esrei. The Rema comments that on the first night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to wish each other, “Leshanah tovah tikasivu, May you be inscribed for a good year.” How does the Rema’s comment relate to the Shulchan Aruch’s statement about raising one’s voice in the Shemoneh Esrei?
A beggar collecting alms for himself mumbles in a low voice because he is embarrassed. But someone collecting tzedakah for a worthy cause speaks up loud and clear. Since he is asking for money to help others, he is not embarrassed.
The Rema wonders, how we can ask H for favors in a raised voice, when we “knock on G’s doors like beggars and paupers,” and the kindness that H bestows on us is considered to be tzedakah? The Rema’s comment explains that since we wish each other “Lehanah tovah tikaseivu,” we are praying for the welfare of others, not just for ourselves. There is no need for us to be embarrassed, and we may therefore raise our voices when davening the Shemoneh Esrei on the Yamim Noraim. (Sifei Shimon, Michtavim)”
(ibid) Inscribed and Sealed. On the night of Rosh Hashanah, after Maariv, we wish one another,” Leshanah tovah tikaseivu veseichaseim, may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.” Why do we say both inscribed and sealed? Isn’t the verdict for in-between people-as we are advised to consider ourselves-only sealed on Yom Kippur?
Our wish veseichaseim, “may you be sealed,” is a special prayer. We wish that when H graciously inscribes us in the book of life, our lives should be guided by the Torah and filled with mitzvos and good deeds, This wish is sealed for everyone on Rosh Hashanah even for the in-between people.” (Amaros Tehoros)”
(ibid) Two Angels. On the night of Rosh Hashanah, two angels accompany a Jew and listen as he wishes his friends, “Leshanah tovah tikaseiv veseichaseim, May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.” Inscribed by the warmhearted friendship and unity among Klal Yisrael, they ascend to Heaven and plead for a good and sweet year for Klal Yisrael.”
From: How Sweet is the Light- Umesukah Haor. Elul and Rosh Hashanah
By Rav Shlomo Levenstein, Tfutza Publications. Pages 19-20. “When Shlomo Hamelech wanted to teach us that other people’s feeling and actions reflect our own, why did he use the analogy of a reflection seen in water? Why didn’t he compare it to a mirror instead? After all, mirrors have existed throughout our history; even when our forefathers were in Egypt, they had mirrors made of polished copper (which were later donated to the Mishkan; see Shemos 38:8). In Shlomo Hamelech’s times, when Yerushalayim was at the height of its glory, the people certainly must have had mirrors. Why, then, did he use a reflection in water as his analogy”
Rav Sholom of Belz explains that when a person looks at his reflection in a mirror, he is able to stand upright while gazing at it. To look at his reflection in a pond, however, he must bend forward. Similarly, in order to see the qualities of other people and to judge them favorably as we would judge ourselves, we cannot allow ourselves to “stand upright” and be haughty. Instead, we must “bend” in humility only then will we be able to see the good in others.
This, too, is part of our task during the month of Elul. If we develop the humility and recognition that we are essentially lo (nothing), if we minimize our sense of self-importance, we will be able to dedicate ourselves to being lo (His) and having the care and concern for others that H desires us to display. By achieving this, we will weave Torah and kindness together, and we will then be rewarded with a good year.”
With all my very best for a truly good New Year.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
