By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

I called a friend whom I hadn’t spoken to for a while. “How are you doing…. How’s life” I asked.

“Ehh…”

“What’s ehh?”

“Ehh is ehh” she responded.

What ever happened to Boruch HaShem, I wondered.

Boruch HaShem. Blessed be HaShem. Words to live by. Words that identify us as Am Yisroel, HaShem’s nation. The air we breathe, the clothes we wear, the food on our table. Our homes, our families, our friends. So much to be grateful for. Every moment is precious. Every day is a Boruch HaShem day.

“Vayishma Yisro, and Yisro heard” (Shemos 18:1). In this week’s parsha, Yisro, priest of Midyan, father-in-law of Moshe, and quintessential truth-seeker, hears of all the miracles HaShem did for the Jewish people. Rashi explains that Yisro heard about the splitting of the sea, the war with Amalek, the manna from heaven, and the be’er, the well of Miriam. All were the “news stories” of the day. Upon learning of these miraculous events, Yisro was inspired to trek through the desert and meet up with Moshe and Bnei Yisroel.

The Ohr HaChaim teaches that Yisro was a true friend of Bnei Yisroel, and wanted to hear everything, down to the very last detail.

“And Moshe told his father-in-law everything that HaShem did to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the sake of Bnei Yisroel” (Shemos 18:8) By Moshe telling over the story, it confirmed to Yisro that yes, it was all true, the great miracles really did happen. Furthermore, Yisro’s learning of the Exodus second-handedly cannot be compared to hearing the stories from Moshe, who actually experienced the events.

“And Yisro said, Boruch HaShem…” (Shemos 18:10) Yisro’s immediate reaction was to thank HaShem. The same Boruch HaShem that we say so often. The words of an Am Kodosh, a holy nation, who attribute everything to HaShem. The ability to recognize the blessings in life. To live with words of gratitude on our lips.

I grew up in a home where every other word was Boruch HaShem. When my mother a”h would receive a compliment, she responded with Boruch HaShem, Chasdei HaShem. In later years, when each each of my parents experienced illness and great pain, the words Boruch HaShem were still with them.

Herman, a member of my parents’ shul, would frequent a local nursing home, spending time with the residents. One year, when Chanukah came around, Herman wanted to go out of his way to bring joy and a smile to their faces. He purchased boxes of chocolates to gift the residents.

One problem. The head nurse told him that many residents were on restricted diets, and unable to eat sweets. She was very apologetic, but made it clear that Herman could not distribute the chocolates.

Herman wasn’t fazed. Always the quick thinker, he seized the opportunity to thank the nursing home staff for their kind service, and distributed the chocolates to them.

When Herman handed a box of chocolates to Rita, an African-American nurse, she responded with a joyous Boruch HaShem.

Herman laughed. He couldn’t help but ask Rita from where she learned to say Boruch HaShem.

“Oh, I was a home attendant for a very holy rabbi in Brooklyn. Whenever anyone came to visit, he smiled and said Boruch HaShem.”

Herman was curious and asked for the name of that rabbi. “Rabbi Abraham Jungreis…. The kindest rabbi.”

How happy Herman was to share the story with my parents. Rabbi Avraham Jungreis was my zeide.

Whenever I teach Torah classes, I find that I gain insight and a better understanding of concepts and ideas that we don’t often give much thought to.

I was teaching Parshas Yisro. A discussion ensued about Yisro’s words of Boruch HaShem.

After class, one of the participants approached me and asked if I knew what she found difficult about becoming religious. I began to guess. Kashrus? Shabbos? Dressing modestly? She told me it was none of the above. I gave up.

“Boruch HaShem”, she told me. Boruch HaShem? I didn’t get it. She explained. “It used to be when I asked people how they were doing, I heard a whole story. I heard about their dates, their husbands, their in-laws, their children. I heard all about the ups and downs in their lives. Now, when I ask my religious friends how they are, the response it always Boruch HaShem. Where do you go from there in conversation?”

It was then that I realized the added benefit of Boruch HaShem.  It’s a protection from loshon hora, wrongful gossip. How are you? Boruch HaShem. End of discussion. The issue of TMI (Too Much Info) doesn’t even exist.

Additionally, each time we say Boruch HaShem, it subconsciously impacts our neshama. It sensitizes us to these special words and strengthens our connection to HaShem. Without even realizing it, we are reminded that HaShem is the source of all good in our life.

This past week, I was menachem ovel a family who were sitting shiva for a young, beautiful daughter, Hinda bas Mordecahi a”h.  A girl who was filled with life and spirit even during illness. A girl from whom we can all learn so much.

The mother shared a most inspiring story. She related that as the family sat around the Rosh HaShana table, each child expressed what they will be davening for. Even though Hindy was not well at the time, she said that she will not ask – she will thank.

Each of the verses in Eishes Chayil speaks of the many strengths of the Jewish woman. “Lo yichbeh balaila neira, At night her light is not extinguished.” To remain full of spirit and hope even during the “nighttime” of life, the dark and difficult days. Hindy had the ability to say Boruch HaShem. To recognize the blessings in her life – even during challenging times.

May the lesson taught to us by Hindy be an aliyas neshama, an elevation for her neshama.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas /In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l