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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,
***June 18, 2026, 3, Tammuz, 5786***
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Like with most things in life a person has to have a sincere desire to do things that will hopefully have a positive outcome. This is especially when someone does chesed, caring and helping others in their time of need and seeking Shalom/Peace. Our desire is to follow in the ways of H with a full and sincere heart.
From: The Jewish Education Program, Lilmud Ulelameid. From the teachings of our Sages. Philipp Feldheim, Inc. By Rabbi Mordechai Katz. Parshas Korach, Searching for peace by swallowing pride. “The Torah states that after Korach, Dasan and Aviram commenced their rebellion (Bamidbar 6:12). Rashi comments that Moshe went himself to search for them and try to placate them with words of peace. This was the same Moshe who was the great leader of the people and who had spoken with H at Har Sinai. Yet, Moshe did not become aloof because of his high office and wait for the rebels to come meekly to him. Instead, he decided to forego all proprieties and to take the initiative in the search for peace. He did not worry about losing his personal honor at this time. If peace could be achieved by his coming to them, he was more than willing to do so.
It is unfortunate that, for some, quarreling seems to be a pastime. They love a good fight and can’t wait to attack their fellow man. Even if they are proven wrong, they do not apologize. Their pride would not permit it. “Let the other person come to me and apologize,” they say. And so, the quarrel remains unsettled.
Moshe’s attitude in this case shows how foolish this approach is. If the great leader of Bnei Yisrael was willing to relinquish his pride in the search for peace, then how much more so should the average person do this! Men should not let their pride stand in the way of progress. If they do, they are like the farmer who went to the barn every day to get milk but returned with an empty pail.
“How come you never bring back any milk?” his wife asked.
“Because the only way to get milk is for me to bend down and milk the cow,” explained the farmer. “And I’d rather die than lose my pride and bend down to a cow!”
In Shemoneh Esrei, we take three steps backwards at the words, “Oseh Shalom.” This is an indication to us that for the sake of peace one frequently has to go out of his way, even if it means backing off at the cost of his own pride.”
“No good comes of a quarrel.” (Shemos Rabbah 30)
“Even if peace eludes you, go after it and you will catch up with it.” (Midrash Shmuel 4:20).”
From: the Shabbos Companion. Customs, Prayer, Stories, Zemiros. Shabbos Eve, By Rabbi Abraham Twerski MD, The Shaar Press., Mesorah Publications, Ltd. From Birkas Hamazon, Bamarom yelamdu Page 277. “On high, may merit be pleaded upon them and upon us, for a safeguard of peace. May we receive a blessing from H, a just kindness from the G of our salvation, and find favor and good understanding in the eyes of G and man.
The Talmud says that when a person does a mitzvah, he creates an angel that serves as an advocate for him (Ethics of the fathers 4:13). Having performed the mitzvah of Bircas HaMazon, we ask that an angel resulting from our performance of this mitzvah plead our cause before G.
Venimtza Chein veseichel tov beinei Elokim veadam. May we find favor a good understanding in the eyes of G and man.
“If the spirit of one’s fellows is pleased with him, the spirit of the Omnipresent is pleased with him”(ibid., 3:13). The Talmud says that when a person speaks pleasantly and transacts honestly, he brings honor to G (Yoma 86a.) If we find favor in the eyes of man, we know that we find favor in the eyes of G.”
May we be zoche to bring Shalom and enrich our world with Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasadim making a Kiddush H in every way possible.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank