A mysterious and suspicious man showed up. This person starkly stood out. He didn’t look like he belonged. The annual Shabbos Shuva Drasha at BJX is packed with predominantly Frum Flatbush community members seeking inspiration, guidance and chizuk. However, this person wasn’t dressed in Shabbos clothes and was out of breath. Who was he? Why did he come?

Those that attended the Drasha will attest that the fellow, instead of being interrogated, received a hero’s welcome. He is a BJX legend – a 58 year old man that was totally secular, who recently had his Bris Milah and walked two miles to attend the Drasha to learn more about Teshuvah.

 What motivated him to go under the knife at an advanced age for a Bris Milah? What compelled him to walk with Mesiras Nefesh to attend BJX for the Drasha? It’s because people around him cared about his Neshama and took an interest in his growth as a Jew. He appreciated the love and felt connected to Am Yisroel. Then, he was ready for the next steps.

We all have a choice to make: We can sit on the sidelines and ignore Yidden in our midst or we can be proactive and do Kiruv to make a difference that has huge ripple effects.

 Noach is the hero of world civilization. He saves the entire humanity from utter obliteration and chaos. And yet, instead of being painted as the hero and the great righteous saint and pious man that he was, many rabbis paint him as a villain and as being morally responsible for all the decadence and for the annihilation of mankind. Why?

Says the Kotzker when someone is cold in his house, there are two ways to get warm. Either he could add an extra layer of clothing and put on a coat or jacket, or he could turn on the oven and heat up the house. The Kotzker says that the difference is very clear. When you put on an extra layer of clothing to make yourself warm, you’re only making yourself warm. When you heat up the home, you’re warming up everyone else. A person who’s morally responsible and pure but only thinks about himself and fortifies himself spiritually, he’s adding an extra layer of clothing. He’s not impacting and he’s not inspiring anyone else. But a person that warms up the oven, that thinks about others and that cares about others, he’s getting warm and in turn he’s warming up others as well.

The Alshich says that “Es haElokim hishalech Noach – Noach followed G-d”, when the Torah says that Noach followed after G-d, it’s not a compliment. It’s a criticism. It means that Noach walked with G-d. Noach was in seclusion. He sequestered himself. He was in the Himalayas meditating. But he forgot about everybody else. He forgot about his brothers and sisters, his neighbors and his colleagues. He enriched himself spiritually. He learned a lot of Torah perhaps. But he neglected everyone else. That’s not a good person. A good person is someone who cares about others.

 We have a major responsibility. We have a moral obligation. It’s not enough for us to learn Torah. It’s not enough for us to attend shiurim. It’s not enough for us to daven. There are so many people in our midst that never had a chance for a Jewish education, and even if they did, they’re disenchanted. They feel disenfranchised. They don’t feel the warmth, and they don’t feel the connection. You’ve got to go out and you’ve got to warm them up. Invite them. Engage them.

 The flood was called “Mei Noach”, the flood of Noach because he didn’t do enough, because he only cared about his own growth and not about others. You must think about those around you.

BJX needs your help! Support Hatzalas Neshamos and the life-saving work of BJX. Act today. Save a life. Change generations. EIN 47-2389703. Donate now: HelpBJX.com| 646-397-1544. One more Jew is waiting – help us reach them now.

 With decades of experience and proven success, Rabbis Fingerer have guided hundreds of families, teens, and young adults from the Frum community back to a meaningful, fulfilled life rooted in Yiddishkeit. Don’t wait for a crisis—address challenges early and see lasting results. Call 646-397-1544 to schedule your confidential appointment.