"Friends"

On a Sunday night in May, my father called me asking to go for a ride. He was in the mood for a Carvel malted. I left the engine on and went into Carvel for him. When I returned to the car, I discovered the doors were locked with the keys inside and my father was not in the car. When he returned, he said he needed fresh air. A few minutes later, I noticed a police officer, who informed of an organization called Chaverim [(718) 431-8181]. They are properly equipped for these types of emergencies. Within three minutes of my phone call to Chaverim, a few cars pulled up eager to assist me. One minute later, my father and I were in the car heading home. The police officer witnessing this selfless act was very impressed. I told him that Chaverim means "Friends". Through such an act, we are sanctifying G-d's name. Coincidentally when I returned home, I noticed a Chaverim sticker near the mezuzah. It must have been there for years.

The third blessing of the Amidah discusses the holiness of the Almighty. "You are Holy and your name is holy and holy ones praise you everyday, forever. Blessed are you, the Holy G-d". G-d's greatness is beyond our scope of imagination. The most effective way to imitate G-d is through observance of His commandments. Being a holy nation is sanctifying G-d's name. "You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem your G-d" (Vayikra 9:2)

As a result of idol worship, illicit relations and murder, the first temple was destroyed. After 70 years of exile, we were brought back up to Jerusalem to build the second temple. In the year 67 A.D., the second temple was destroyed. We have been feeling the pains of this exile for almost 2,000 years. Baseless hatred was the core reason for the second destruction. People had very little respect for one another and without any apparent reason hated each other. Baseless hatred has an everlasting ripple affect that can last generations. One can reverse baseless hatred by loving and caring for his fellow man. "Receive all men with a friendly face" (Pirkei Avot 15:2).

Malbim explains the definition of a true friend is that he loves a person constantly, like a brother. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Mishley 17:17).  A good friend is one of the best assets a person can have. Friendship is based on a common bond of selflessness and honesty. When G-d notices us acting as friends we are sanctifying His name. "Behold, how good and how pleasant is the dwelling of brothers, moreover in unity" (Tehilim 133:1)

Spiritually, we can imitate G-d in His holiness through observance of His commandments. The commandments protect us from the surrounding influences of society. Physically, the correct group of friends will protect us from harmful surroundings of peer pressure and destructive influences of society. When people work together as a group, they are sanctifying G-d's name. Praying and learning together in synagogue forms unconditional bonds between friends.

"Yehoshua ben Perachyah says, provide yourself with a teacher, get yourself a friend, and judge all men favorably" (Pirkei Avot 6:2)

The sanctification of togetherness, compassion and friendship can spark G-d's mercy and bring holiness back home to Jerusalem when we rebuild the third temple in our time. Amen.