** This Dvar is dedicated L'ilui Nishmat R' Yaakov Menachem Munish ben Natan Ressler (my grandfather), who was always smiling, and forever a blessing! ** Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar and Daily Aliyah. As always, you can Order The Daily Aliyah <https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-daily-aliyah/> and receive your hard copy of these daily practical and relevant Torah thoughts (all proceeds go to Daily Giving), or join this Whatsapp group <https://chat.whatsapp.com/DnAFialrvmy6hNahBkU61F> to receive one per day. I hope you connect with this... _______________________________________________ As Yaakov feels that his time on earth is nearing an end, he calls for his children to bless them. Yaakov’s blessing to Yehudah is the longest, spanning five pesukim, and mostly acknowledges Yehudah as the leader (49:8–12). Among the blessings Yehudah receives is that he will be “white toothed from milk” (49:12). Rabbi Yochanan Zweig asks why having white teeth is a blessing, especially for a future leader? Rabbi Zweig explains that white teeth represent the smiles that permeate our interactions with others. Yaakov gives Yehudah the blessing that his smiles toward family, friends, work, and community be genuine. Our smiles affect those around us, and even when we are having a bad stretch in life—whether it be a moment or longer—a gesture as small as a smile can change someone’s world or orientation toward it. Yaakov’s blessings to Yehudah is that he (and we) uplift each other whenever and however we can. Shlomo Ressler _____________________________________________ Quotation of the week: "Your personality is your business card and your smile is your logo.”