On Behalf of Israel

Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum and Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff

The CHAZAQ organization hosted, yet, another wonderful event on Sunday night, January 3rd 2016 by inviting Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum and Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff. The community wide gathering on behalf of Israel was held at Yeshiva Ohel Simcha in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens.
The night was kicked off by Rabbi Dovid Tannenbaum who recited two paragraphs of Tehilim with the congregation.
Rabbi Oelbaum emphasized from the very beginning of his speech how great it is when people gather together for the cause of listening to Torah and how when there’s an assembling of a congregation, G-d presence very profound.
In Israel, there are innocent people dying at the hands of terrorists and it has been a most devastating and painful period of time for us, as a nation. But, this situation is not only being experienced in Israel, but throughout the entire world!
People are suffering every single day, all around the world. So, Rabbi Oelbaum shared two different methods to decrease the suffering of people.
The first method, is to share a burden. One can do this by supporting a cause monetarily or providing necessities to those who are in need, etc.
The second method is to empathize with those that are suffering.
There is a large difference between the two methods. For some, it may be fairly easy to act on the first method since a mere donation would suffice. But, the second method touches one’s heart. One who feels the pain of others will be motivated to initiate change in his/her own life in order to decrease the pain of others. If this change is not seen by the person who’s receiving the suffering, at least G-d will see our change and hopefully, decrease the pain of those that are suffering and ensure that we don’t suffer in a similar fashion.
Then, he opened a new question to his audience; how can a person be granted a long life?
The answer is to have a big heart. Rejoice for other people’s joy and empathize with those who suffer following a tragedy. For example, if one has a friend who’s suffering, we shouldn’t blame that person that he brought this suffering onto his/herself, simply feel for them and search for ways to relieve the friend from this suffering.
After the dark storm, the sun eventually emerges in the sky.
We pray that this storm of suffering concludes soon so we can see that bright sunshine and rejoice in the near future.
To top off the night, Rabbi Lieff recited Tehilim with the gathered audience. Then, he phrased the question of ‘who is the greatest person?’
Rabbi Lieff answered that the greatest person is the one who does for others. This is an idea that is initially learned from G-d. The Almighty is the greatest since he gives us life and everything that evolves in our lives. Those that emulate G-d in His ways of giving and caring for others, are the ones who are truly great. (By Natan Alper)
For more information about upcoming Chazaq events and programs, please Visit https://www.chazaq.org/

Together We Can Make A Difference, To donate online to CHAZAQ please visit https://www.fidelipay.com/chazaq
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