OK Kosher

A kind man; a kind word!  Rabbi Chaim Bruk   Earlier this week I attended the AKO (Association of Kashrus Organizations) Convention in Montreal, Quebec, representing Montana Kosher. I enjoyed conversing with renowned experts on Kosher inspection and certification, who joined from around the world. I ran into Rabbis Chaim Fogelman and Yitzchak Hanoka, both leaders at @OKKosher , who carry the legacy of their late father-in-law Rav Don Yoel Levy of blessed memory, who, like his father Reb Berel Levy, was a visionary in ascertaining the highest quality of Kosher products, and did his holy work with passion, authenticity, and with a special dose of humanity. He passed away during the pandemic, but his compassion, kindness and integrity inspires to this very day.  He was kind to me, personally, and I am eternally grateful for that. This Shabbos we will read the Torah portion of Devarim, beginning the Book of Deuteronomy, but it’s also the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av, known as Shabbos Chazon. On Wednesday night world Jewry will gather on the floors of their Synagogues and read Lamentations, as we mourn the destruction of both Holy Temples which resulted in the cumulative murder of 2.1 million Jews and the expulsion of millions more. It’s also the day on which the spies delivered their doomsday report in the desert, causing the Jews to remain thirty-nine extra years in the desert, the day on which the Jews were expelled from England in 1290 and from Spain in 1492 (it was the last day to be out), and the day on which World-War-One started with Germany declaring war on Russia, which brought about so much suffering. It’s a day of so much misery throughout the ages.  Yet, amid the mourning of these nine days, we focus on what led to destruction. We are taught that one of the primary reasons G-d allowed the destruction was reasonless hatred. Hating individuals or groups and then finding the justification for the hate later, is just so wrong, it’s worthy of our demise. To bring about a Third Temple, to bring about a better world, we counter their choices with reasonless love for humanity, with respect for all people, with personal care for our fellow Jew in the way that Rabbi Levy cared for me. He didn’t owe me anything or need anything from me, he simply knew that I lived in Montana and was genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of our family. I appreciated it because it came from his heart. Do a hearty act; the world needs it, and it can bring about redemption.   May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be. Good Shabbos! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!