<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
=February 26, 2026, 9 Adar, 5786=
Purim Special
There are links at the bottom of this article.
One link to The Yehuda Mond Video which is quite graphic regarding drinking alcoholic beverages. Another link that has three videos one after
the other with Benny Friedman In “Ivri Anochi I’m A Jew And I’m
Proud”, “Giving Thanks”, “Nothing Holding You Back with Yossi Hecht,
Asher To The Yatzar” and “Thinkin About Thankin.”
Yossi Hecht is a tremendous role model for all of Klal Yisrael.
The Yehuda Mond video is based on a true story. The video also includes an interview with his father and a special interview with Rabbi Abraham Twerski, MD
From: Kol Dodi, Seasonings of the Torah
By: Rabbi David Feinstein, Parshas Terumah, Shemos “And the Menorah opposite the Shulchan” Pages 101—102 (26-35), Artscroll Series, Mesorah Publications Ltd. “The Shulchan represents a persons table, I.E, His physical needs that are all provided by H. The positioning of the Menorah directly opposite the Shulchan hints at the dichotomy that exists between the Shulchan, the physical needs of man, and the Menorah, which represents a person’s dedication to the Torah. The physical needs of man are supplied by H so that man can dedicate himself to His service. As the Mishnah in Avos (3:17) teaches us: “If there is no Torah there is no bread.” This verse tells us that the Menorah was placed Nochach, opposite, the Shulchan. The numerical value of Nochach is 78. This equals the numerical value of lechem, bread. The Menorah was placed Nochach, opposite the Shulchan. The bread of the Shulchan is forever dependent upon the Torah of the Menorah.”
From: Kol Dodi on the Torah
By: Rabbi David Feinstein, Parshas Tzetzaveh, In the Tent of Meeting outside of the Paroches which is on the testimony shall Aaron and his sons establish it, from evening until morning, in front of H (27-21), Artscroll Judaica Classics, Mesorah Publishing Ltc. Pages136-137. “The Menorah’s light was never needed for illumination-surely nit by H, and not even by a Kohen. By the time the first Kohen entered in the morning to light the incense, it was already daylight and, even then, the light had already gone out. Thus, its sole purpose was to testify to H’s presence.
It is very hard to see the hand of H at work in the physical world. Even though we know rationally that H is alone “the Creator an Guider of all creatures,” there are many temptations that distract us from applying this knowledge to specific situations. For example, when we succeed at something, as much as we pay lip service and thank H, we still want to take some of the credit for ourselves, to claim that our own talents and efforts brough about our success.
Such is the case with material endeavors. In the realm of Torah achievements, however, it is more difficult. Any sensible person has to recognize that his own abilities are inadequate to accomplish much and that all of his successes come only from H. The Sages teach (Bava Basra 12a) that the wise are gifted with some measure of prophecy. Without an infusion of Divine wisdom, how could anyone ever give a correct answer to a complicated complicated question on the spot, without taking the time to analyze all of it’s facets ? Yet we find that great rabbis and scholars do this all the time.
These very rabbis are the first to admit that their success comes solely through siyata dishmaya, help from above. Obviously H does not impart His wisdom to those who are unworthy of it, to those who claim credit for themselves. This is why we would never believe that a gentile has attained genuine Torah wisdom, even though he may be capable of great technical or philosophical knowledge.
This quality of Torah learning is symbolized in the light of the Menorah, which burned beyond the power of the oil that fueled it. Just as it was impossible to claim that the Western Lamp burned its oil in the normal way, without Divine assistance, so also it is impossible to deny that a Torah scholar has Divine assistance in his accomplishments.”
The story of Purim in so many ways shows us the immense siyata dishmaya of Mordechai and Esther. Their challenges throughout were immense. Yet, they never gave up hope nor did their emunah and especially their bitachon waver. It is important for a person to be proud of his or her achievements and accomplishments but we must never forget to give thanks to the Ribono shel Olam for the abilities and opportunities for any success. That is why it is important to be mispallel and to say bakashos to H to be successful in anything one does. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want to but that doesn’t mean H does not want a person to be successful. H truly knows what is best for each of us. However, we have to always remember our Torah, our Avodas H and our Gemilus Chasadim. Not everyone is a Talmid Chacham, but we can all try to do as many mitzvos as we can and be the best person we can be. Rabbis, Rebbetzins and Chaplains can be a source of inspiration and chizuk. With the right words of encouragement and not giving up hope, everything is possible. Not everything we do is perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes but we can be mispallel to rectify our mistakes. With H’s help anything and everything can improve and get better. Our prayers to H are not only during challenging times but even when things seem to be going well. We need H all the time. In every generation there seems to one situation or another where we say “we sure need H more than ever.” Well in this generation can also say the same.
Our prayers invoke our needs for uplifting spirituality and eternal deliverance. We say the tefillah of Av Harachamim when the Torah is taken out of the Aron Kodesh and on its way to the Bimah. “Father of compassion! May He have mercy on the nation that is born by Him, and may He remember the covenant of the spirituality mighty ones. May He rescue our souls from the times that are bad and denounce the Evil inclination from harming those carried by Him, graciously grant us eternal deliverance, and fulfill our requests in good measure, with salvation and mercy. (Translation Artscroll Siddur). Another meaningful prayer that we say after the Torah has been brought back to the Aron Kodesh in “Hashiveinu H Eilecha venashuva, chadeish yameinu kikedem. Bring us back H, to You, and we shall return, renew our days as of old.” What is important is to try to do the right thing, then go for it. If the intentions are pure and well-meaning with H’s help it will work out one way or another. The following is a true story of a person who wanted to do the right thing and in his case was rewarded for it. Please read on.
From: The Mysterious Billboard Campaign
By: Rabbi Tzvi Nakar, 102 Stories that changed peoples lives. Volume 2 Tfutza Publications. Distributed by: Israel Bookshop Publications Pages 70-71.
“Rabbi Benzion Sneh related the following story in the daily shiur he delivers after Shacharis. The events in the story started in September 2021 and concluded a few months later on Erev Chanukah.
A philanthropist was visiting a yeshiva in Los Angeles when he noticed a billboard across the street displaying a picture that was…inappropriate, to say the least. He was horrified. Hundreds of bachurim walked down that street every day.
He called the company responsible for renting out the billboard and asked if he could pay for an ad, hoping he would be able to remove the offending picture. The company representative said that the space had been rented out in advance for the next several months, but the philanthropist was insistent and stated that he was prepared to pay more than the asking price.
“Are you prepared to pay a thousand dollars a day?”
“Yes, I am.”
Half and hour later, the company called him back and said that the advertiser was willing to take down their billboard. The philanthropist was thrilled and transferred ninety thousand dollars to the company’s account for a ninety-day billboard rental. Then the representative asked him what he wanted to advertise.
“I don’t know,” he said.
After several moments’ silence, the representative said, “You can’t leave it empty. You have to put something there.”
“Fine,” the philanthropist answered. “Then I’d like to put there the words, ‘Ninety days… Eighty-nine days, Eighty-eight days…And so on.
Passerby started to notice the sign, and their curiosity was piqued. Everyone began discussing what was going to be revealed at the end of the ninety-days. The media picked up the story and speculated on what was behind the ad. They contacted the philanthropist and asked him to reveal the secret, but he refused.
“It’s a surprise,” was all he’d say.
The truth of the matter was that he hadn’t planned on advertising anything and had only wanted to replace the offending billboard.
A few days before the ad was to finish it nine-day run, the Coca-Cola company called him with a fantastic offer: they would take the space on day 90 in exchange for three million dollars.
It was a win-win. Coca-Cola got a part in a brilliant advertising campaign, and he earned three million dollars. All in the merit of his extraordinary act.”
“The Secret To A Good Life.”
“A person must always ask himself;
What does H want from me right now?”
==================================
As a uniformed police department chaplain, I never wore my uniform on Purim because it was not a costume. When I worked at the nursing and rehabilitation center, each year I wore a different professional costume but never something silly or imitating someone or something not bekavodik or appropriate. The costumes were in the spirit of Purim for the sake of the patients. It is important for all Jewish men and yes women to have a great time but to never forget who we are and to make a Kiddush H, especially when in the public eye. We should always be proud of who we are. We should always be thankful to H and we should always remember that with the help of H, anything is possible.
========================================
Recommendations for Purim.
I want to add the following which are important to consider. When giving meshloach 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
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
Please click here for the Yehuda Mond video.
Please click here for the 4 videos with
Benny Friedman and Yossi Hecht.