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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BC
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
*** July 22, 2026, 8 Av, 5786***
Erev Tish B Av
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Achdus – what is achdus all about? How can we bring achdus to fruition? Is it possible to do gemilus chasadim/ kind deeds for another person with a full heart even if one does not know him or her? Is it possible to be empathetic about a person who someone does not particularly like and still be respectful even if one does not agree with his or her opinions in life? Is it possible for a person not to be judgmental of someone whose philosophy of life, or is of a different Jewish background? Is it really possible not to speak loshon harah of another person or not to hear anything no matter how juicy it may or may not be? Is it possible to be a loving spouse or care for a friend with a sincere desire not ever having a machlokles/ disagreement no matter how much the temptation of doing so might be?. Is it possible to always remind oneself to have emunah/faith and bitachan in H? Is it possible to truly and I mean sincerely strive to have achdus- togetherness? Are all of these scenarios possible?
Yes, all the former scenarios are possible. It is important to have the desire to achieve all of these by putting aside any prejudices, any personal pride and any attitudes such as “it has to be my way or the highway.” It is also important to make a Kiddush H, to sanctify G by our actions and speech. We must be kind with proper values of showing respect, tolerance, and kind deeds for all people of diverse backgrounds, faiths, cultures, ethnicities and yes political parties a person might belong to. We must remember that all people are created in the Image of G.
There are numerous websites on or before Tisha B’ Av offering how to improve oneself. For example, one of the goals of the Chofetz Chaim Foundation Tisha B Av program “is to inspire and uplift individuals to become the person who puts people first, even when they don’t feel it” which will help strengthen the unity of Klal Yisrael. We must find kindness, sensitivity, empathy, goodness in ourselves no matter what our differences might be, no matter what our backgrounds might be, no matter who or what we are.
There must be ways to imbue the above attributes dissolving any types of ill feelings or Heaven forbid, any hatred. To all those of the Jewish faith who might have – even one tiny ounce of dislike for a fellow Jew remember they are part of your family, your brothers and sisters. Therefore, please find it in your hearts to find kindness and goodness for them. G will surely bless you.
I recently read in one of the Yated Ne’eman magazine sections a picture/story of the Chofetz Chaim who came to an inn after a long ride that was run by a Jewish man. The innkeeper welcomed the Chofetz Chaim (not knowing who the traveling guest was) and offered him a meal and accommodation. The innkeeper sat with this guest for a lengthy period of time at the dinner table. After the guest had left the table the innkeeper thought to himself that this person must be none other than the Chofetz Chaim. Throughout the meal the guest did not even once during their conversation speak a word of loshon harah. (Please note that I am out of town and did not have access to the issue of the Yated Ne’eman which I paraphrased from).
“Hashiveinu H eilecha venashuvah chadeish yameinu kikedem. Bring us back H to You, and we shall return; renew our days as of old.”
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda( Leonard) Blank