Earlier this week, I stood with my family at the Old Montefiore cemetery in Queens saying Kaddish for our beloved mother on her tenth Yahrtzait. I recalled a few months back when one of my mom’s cousins asked me “Chaim, what is it about your mother that made you feel so connected?” It’s something I never really pondered before; it was just natural, she was our everything. As I stood near her aging gravestone, I understood that one of the most incredible gifts she gave each of her children is Yiddishe Shtultz, the oomph and comfortability to stand up boldly for what we believe, unapologetically. In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, we read about Joseph testing his brothers prior to identifying himself to them as the “brother they sold as a slave”. When Judah, who took responsibility for his little brother Benjamin, realized that this “government official” is going to take Benjamin prisoner due to a set-up with a planted goblet, he couldn’t stop thinking of the anguish of his father Jacob who had already been mourning the loss of his son Joseph for twenty-two years. Judah had seen enough. He approached the premier of Egypt and sternly informed him that Jacob’s soul is uniquely connected to Benjamin and that, come what may, Benjamin is going home to Canaan. It is then, seeing the full repentance of his brothers and how much they cared for his baby brother Benjamin, that Joseph reunited with his beloved family. Judah knew that when a Jewish soul is on the line, we don’t play around. Me and my siblings aren’t clones and don’t see the world the same way. We view finances, raising our children, spiritual journeys, and life priorities differently and even argue, on occasion, about those differences. Yet, in addition to our deep love for, and bond with, each other, we have certain characteristics that our mother ingrained in our essence. She spent her life being a loyal friend, a kindhearted advocate for all those less fortunate in her community and always standing up for her innate principles, even when they were unpopular. She didn’t blow people off; yet she shared her thoughts bluntly, with a smile, and gave everyone lots of food for thought. Judah had Shtultz, so did my mom, and it’s something more Jews should incorporate. If you share wishes of Merry Xmas more times than Happy Chanukah, you may need a rejuvenation of that Judean Shtultz. Be kind, be respectful and be a proud Jew; it’s not a contradiction! 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. Shabbat Shalom! Chazak!!! L'Chaim!!!