<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
<><><>August 13, 2026, 30 Av, Rosh Chodesh Elul<><><>
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Cleaving to and Emulating H-G.

The Bobover Rebbe’s love for his fellow Bobov Holocaust
survivor despite his nonobservance of Yiddishkeit.

Shotrim
The Jewish Fraternal Society of the
New York City Housing Authority Police Department.

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From: The Stone Editon Chumash, ArtScroll Series, Mesorah Publications Ltd., Commentary Parshas Re’eh Page 1008, 5, “Uvo Sidbakin- And to Him shall you cleave. The only way a human being can cleave to G is by emulating His ways. Just as He performs kind deeds, so should you; just as He buries the dead (see 33:6), so should you: and just as He visits the sick, (see  Genesis 18:1), so should you (Rashi).”

(ibid)Page 1042, 19-20. “Preservation of fruit trees. In the midst of a chapter dealing with warfare, which by definition, is destructive, the Torah demands that Jews remain conscious of the need to maintain their regard for the general welfare and cleave to their love of goodness. If people try to remain good even at times that call forth their basest instincts, they will try not to waste even a mustard seed, and they will be able to perfect their character steadily. (Chinuch)”

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From: TableTalk, Achim, Connecting Jews, Together! WWW.ACHIM.ORG July 2026 Ekev Issue 503, Volume 10 Made possible in part through a grant from the Star K Vaad Hakashrus. Page 4. HERSHEL RAUCHT? HITLER  RUACHT! “My great-uncle was the Bobover Rebbe, Reb Shloime, zecher tzadik livracha. His last words were, “Ohev shalom v’rodef shalom, ohev es habrios umkarvan l’Torah.” Those were his final words. 

After the war, Galica was completely decimated, just a few she’eris hapleita (survivors). We are talking about a situation where you could probably count the remaining Yidden on your hands: 10, 20 Yidden. Those Yidden had gone through six years of shiva madregos gehennom (seven years of purgatory). They despaired, they were miyash, and they had lost their entire families. He was the one who had strengthened them. Take a look at Bobov nowadays, tens of thousands of Yidden who the direct descendants of those original survivors.

The Bobover Rebbe had one son who survived the war alongside him, Naftul’che, Reb Naftali. Naftul’che related that there was a Yid living in Bobov who had gone through the war and subsequently abandoned his Yiddishkeit. Once a year, he would return to Bobov to observe a yahrtzeit, both of his parents who had been killed on the same day. On his yahrtzeit, he would arrive, and the moment he walked into the Beis Medrash, the Bobover Rebbe would run to greet him and embrace him warmly. The Bobover Rebbe even permitted him to daven for the amud (lead the prayers).

Naftul’che later asked his father, “Tatte, der Yid is mechallel Shabbos (does not observe Shabbos), a mechallel Shabbos b’farhesia. How can you allow him to daven for the amud? The Rebbe replied, “Ah, nisht emes, nisht emes” (Ah, not true, not true).

Year after year, this interaction repeated itself until Naftul’che eventually insisted, “Tatte, a Yid in our Beis Medrash who is mechallel Shabbos b’farhesia is a rasha! How can you let him daven before the congregation?

“Ah, nisht emes.”

One Shabbos, while Naftul’che was walking down the street in Crown Heights, he spotted the Yid sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette. Now his father could no longer say “nisht emes”, it had been witnessed firsthand!

He returned home and said, “Tatte, I walked down the street and saw so-and-so smoking a cigarette on Shabbos!” This Yid’s name was Hershel. The Bobover Rebbe looked at Naftul’che and exclaimed, “Hershel raucht? Hershel raucht! Hershel is smoking? Hitler is smoking!” 

Hershel came in and davened for the amud.

Naftul’che noted that today, Hershel’s grandchildren are full Bobover Chassidim, wearing shtreimels and kapotes, fully observant. That transformation happened because Reb Shloime only saw the Neshama.” 

{Told at a Shevatim Mekarvim conference by Rav Ephraim Twersky of Chicago}.

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Whenever Parshas Shoftim is read, the second word at the beginning of the Parsha after Shoftim is Shotrim which always reminds me of the Shotrim, the Jewish fraternal society of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department which I was the spiritual leader.  As the spiritual leader of the Shotrim it was part of my responsibility as the Jewish Uniformed Chaplain of the NYCHA Police Department. As a chaplain of one of the most prominent police departments in the USA brought me tremendous pride. There were many opportunities of making a Kiddush H as well as promoting achdus (togetherness) amongst one and all. The police officers who came from diverse Jewish backgrounds brought much pride to our City and Country for their dedication and outstanding devotion for the work they did. Though I was the Jewish chaplain, my duties went beyond caring for Jewish members of the department. I offered care to all police of diverse backgrounds. My responsibilities dealing with police and community were diverse. The opportunities of emulating the ways of H-G showing kindness and goodness, even during serious and sometimes dangerous situations were immense. The bonds of friendship amongst police were truly exceptional. The acts of professionalism as members of one of the most auspicious police departments in the USA was truly extraordinary. The members of the Shotrim were like being a part of a meaningful family of outstanding Jewish police officers of all ranks and Jewish backgrounds. Wearing my police uniform and inspector’s chaplain badge and also in my possession my red ID card (issued only to official members of the police department) brought me immense pride which I shall always remember and hold dear to my heart. Even today I am requested to share the many experiences and maysim tovim I did as a chaplain. Remaining strong and steadfast in my Yiddishkeit through those years remains important as it is now. 

Conveying the importance of achdus (togetherness) with all Jews no matter what their background is essential. Showing goodness and kindness to others from all walks of life can only bring much sunshine and pride to our Jewish nation. 

Wishing all a Kesiva Vechasima Tova.

Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank