Filed under: Hashem, Jewish, Judaism, Shul, women | Tags: Blessing, Bracha, Rabbi, rebbe
Dear Blog readers,
Several weeks ago I had a wonderful opportunity to be blessed by a Rebbe and I took it.
I was so excited and to tell you the truth, nervous. I’m sure if not all people who have been blessed by a Rebbe can say, it was a big deal most can. Out here in the suburbs, I feel it is an even bigger deal because the opportunities to be blessed by a Rebbe are few in comparison to big cities such as New York. Rebbes don’t always come to the suburbs for three day visits. I felt an urgency to get a Bracha, a blessing. Perhaps more of an urgency than I would have felt if I now lived in New York. I thought to myself, I had better get a Bracha from this Rebbe ASAP because who knows when I will get the next opportunity and how often will a Rebbe come to the suburbs?
I was filled with excitement about getting a Bracha and I should mention that it was the first time in my life that I had an opportunity to get a blessing from a Rebbe. Someone told me that I should ask for a Bracha for another person before asking for myself. This was common sense to me and to do anything else would be against the person that I am. I always think of others first, I always try to think of others before myself. And don’t feel right requesting something just for myself when I can request the same for others in need. I did some preparation before receiving my Bracha. A few days before, I collected the full Hebrew names of people I knew, double checking some of them to make sure my information was correct; I then made a list of all of these names and next to each name I wrote the things I wanted these people to be blessed with. When I got to the shul the next afternoon, I was surprised to see that there were not that many people waiting, but I was happy. I knew this Rebbe was going to be in my community for three days and for many hours during these three days would bless the people who came to him. I had chosen to come the first hour he was there on the first day. This Rebbe decided he was more comfortable giving blessings to people in the sanctuary after a few minutes inspecting another room. When we were asked to come in, this Rebbe was sitting at a long table I watched as other people got their blessings and then I was summoned to get my Bracha but I didn’t realize it. I thought there were people ahead of me and I said people who were not ahead of me could go before me but this would not do. I walked over to this Rebbe, in my opinion quite timidly and thank G-d, he gave me a blessing which encompassed within it everything. I was disappointed that I was not able to ask this Rebbe for blessings for others. I thought I would have the time and I didn’t so although I got a Bracha I felt disappointed that I did not have the time to ask for others. This Rebbe needed to give a Bracha and move on to the next person. I know that after receiving my Bracha, I walked out of the shul, my feet steps light and thought to myself its working already which was a very comforting feeling
Hours later I felt even more gratitude toward Hashem and this Rebbe than I felt when I first got the Bracha because I thought about it more and was able to process it. I had prepared so much in order to get this Bracha, and the moment I had to get it was so fleeting even though I knew that I felt lighter on my feet walking out of the sanctuary and the shul after getting my blessing, I also felt bad because I tried to let other people get in front of me in order to get their Bracha first and I came with a list of people who I wanted blessed and was not able to talk about to him about these people so I had a sense of guilt that I could or should have done more. When I told my friends this, they were not surprised. They know I want the best for others and that I think of others before I think of myself and that is why I wanted other people to get their blessings first. It was a beautiful experience, one that I’m glad I have been able to reflect on. Yes, I wanted others to get their blessings first, but after reflection I realized that maybe it was part of the plan that I was summoned up to get my Bracha at the exact moment it was meant to be and when I left they were able to get their blessings I am thankful to Hashem and I am thankful that the Bracha I received was and is so very helpful. Everyday in little ways since that day several weeks ago, I see myself in small ways getting stronger in areas of life. May all of you have blessing upon blessing and get whatever it is you need at the right time.
.
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
Jew in the suburbs 