<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
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
<>October 8, 2026, 27 Tishrei 5769<>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
End of life, Moshe Rabbeinu and a special hospice patient.
October 7th.
Rabbi Menachem Tuchman, Reb Donnie Adler and Yom Kippur.
Shofar on the Beach.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The Parsha of Zos Habracha and the culmination of Moshe Rabbeinu’s life reminded me of the many conversations I have had as a Rabbi and as a Chaplain with people who had only several weeks or days left of their lives due to their end-of-life illnesses. One woman in particular came to my mind whose husband was saddened when he became aware of her end stage end of life symptoms. Both husband and wife knew at the onset of her illness that there was a possibility that the cancer treatments might not be long lasting. However, they never gave up hope and had tremendous emunah/faith and bitachon/trust in G whatever His decisions for her life would be. After more than three and a half years, her cancer started to spread. Those end-of-life symptoms were initially subtle, but her husband realized what they meant. Eventually, the patient realized what was happening to her and asked her doctors point blank how much time she had left. The doctors felt uncomfortable because they developed a meaningful relationship with this patient and her husband. Therefore, they did not want to share such bad news with them. However, the patient was persistent, and they gave her about three months or so to live. She was heartbroken that her vibrant and meaningful life was coming to an end. As with many patients at the end of their lives, they are saddened about not being able to share with their family many future simchas, happy occasions and other meaningful times with their lives. There are also concerns about what legacy they will be leaving. Her tears were flowing but with tremendous support of her husband, rabbi and chaplain she decided it was time to say the viduy, the special end of life prayers and prepare for the next journey of her life and her soul. Her demeanor changed and with the support of her husband, Rabbi and Chaplain, she was able to review the wonderful life she had with her family and all of her life’s positive experiences. She felt positive about her legacy. She died only after three weeks, not the three months her doctors suggested she would live. She died during Covid and even with all the restrictions imposed during that time for public gatherings, a huge attendance managed to attend her graveside burial with many viewing the funeral on zoom.
Over the years I have had many such experiences, especially with hospice patients. My hospice work was with many patients of diverse ages and backgrounds which included pediatrics, adolescents, men, women and also holocaust survivors. When I worked at MJHS (Metropolitan Jewish Health System Hospice and Palliative Care), we had a legacy program which also included patients’ recordings, written booklets and photos.
We learn from Zos Habracha about the tremendous legacy of Moshe Rabbeinu and his life’s culmination with his love of Klal Yisrael and most of all with the Rabbeinu shel Olam. The potential of how a chaplain, rabbi and a rebbetzin can enhance the lives of people is immense even in their end of lives. Especially, chaplains received special training in dealing with end-of-life issues. We all know of Moshe Rabbeinu’s greatness and there is much to learn from him, including towards the end of his life. He was an enormous role model and his relationship with H was truly special. Though we are not as great as he was, we can still emulate Moshe Rabbeinu and lead positive lives up until the consummation of one’s life.
For those who are concerned if it is possible for adults to change how one can observe Judaism, it is important to know that one’s love of his or her faith knows no age limit. The most important thing is to be proud of one’s heritage and that he is a Jew whether one wears a kippah/ yarmulka, Jewish star, tzitzis or nothing at all. We should love all of our brothers and sisters however one observes or doesn’t observe his Judaism.
There is no escape from who we are. Antisemitism is spreading throughout the world, just as what happened before the holocaust where Jews were singled out no matter how religious they were or were not. Also, we cannot forget the atrocities of October 7th. Only three years ago, men, women and children were brutally murdered outright as well as those who were tortured as hostages many of whom were also murdered. Once again, it did not matter to the terrorists if those victims were religious or not. Unfortunately, amongst the over 1,200 victims, there were also some who were not Jewish. It is important never to forget our relationship with H and the Torah which He gave to all members of the Jewish faith. There are stories of how many of the hostages were able to survive the cruelty they underwent with their tremendous faith in G and the various mitzvos they were able to observe no matter what their level of observance of Judaism might have been in the past. It is worthy to note how many of those hostage victims who were freed have embraced observance of Judaism. Presently, a number of those victims have even returned to the Nova Music Festival site performing various mitzvos.
Rabbi Menachem Tuchman, Rav of the Bialystoker Synagogue in Manhattan, NYC, in his Yom Kippur drasha drew upon the opportunities that a person has of always becoming close to H despite one’s present status of observance. In his words of wisdom, inspiration and love for all his fellow Jews, Rabbi Tuchman shared a meaningful story from the Vayimaen organization, “Shofar on the Beach” which I have included the video of that story in a link below. Rabbi Tuchman, a Talmud Chacham in his own right, is truly a role model with his tremendous gentle, caring demeanor who is able to reach out with loving kindness to Jewish men and women of all ages and Jewish backgrounds to have love of H and the Torah. On Yom Kippur amongst the observant congregants, there were those whose backgrounds were diverse. Yet all who attended Yom Kippur tefilos were made to feel comfortable and at home. Reb Donnie Adler, one of the Bialystoker Synagogue Gabbaim, gave the honor of opening the Aron Kodesh to men of different Jewish backgrounds making all to feel part of the congregation and closer to G with our prayers.
We all need each other more than ever before. We must have achdus, togetherness, care, love and respect for each other.
We are blessed to have Rabbonim. Rebbetzins, Chaplains (and Gabbaim) who are able to enhance our Jewish brethren’s relationships with HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
May we all be zoche to have a year of good health, happiness, prosperity, simchos and shalom. May we see the redemption speedily in our days with the coming of Mashiach.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank