Inspiring Dina D’malchusa Dina Event in Lakewood

On Wednesday night, a large crowd gathered at the Lakewood High School auditorium in Lakewood, NJ for a Dina D’malchusa Dina event organized by Agudath Israel of America’s KnowUs division. The event aimed to raise awareness among Torah Jews about upholding the highest standards of ethical and financial rectitude, particularly in interactions with secular society.

The program underscored Agudah’s longstanding priority to cultivate a culture of vigilance and integrity within the community. The Lakewood event was modeled after a highly successful, similar event held in Boro Park just a few months ago, in response to a hunger to bring such informative and inspiring programming to other communities.

The auditorium was filled with an engaged audience captivated by the insights of prominent speakers. Gedolei rabbonim who addressed the gathering included Rav Elya Brudny, rosh yeshiva of Mirrer Yeshiva and member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, and Rav Chaim Meir Roth, rav of Khal Sterling Forest-Sefard. Remarks were also delivered by Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, chief executive officer of the Aleph Institute, and renowned criminal defense attorney Mr. Benjamin Brafman. The evening was expertly chaired by Reb Shloime Werdiger, chairman of Agudath Israel’s Board of Trustees.

Mr. Werdiger opened the event with a thoughtful discussion regarding the implications of dina d’malchusa dina across various aspects of life. He emphasized the importance of making a kiddush Hashem through our actions and interactions.

Rav Brudny, in an impassioned drasha, highlighted the uniqueness of Klal Yisroel and our obligation to uphold a higher standard of conduct, all the more so with antisemitism on the rise. He stressed that our commitment to ethical behavior reflects not only our values, but also our identity as an am kadosh and a nation that is different and set apart.

Rav Roth further elaborated on the concept of integrity within the legal framework, stating that while we may have our “gemarakups,” they do not hold weight in secular law. He addressed the gravity of dishonesty, cautioning that such unethical behavior is both against the law and a violation of halacha as codified in Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Aaron Lipskar delivered a powerful message about preventative measures to avoid legal troubles, sharing moving anecdotes and practical legal observations. His insights offered the audience real-life examples of what can happen when people get entangled with the law.

Mr. Benjamin Brafman concluded the evening with an engaging keynote address, using wit and legal wisdom to illustrate how seemingly small, positive actions can yield significant consequences. Even a single word, he explained with a personal story, can drastically alter a situation. He reinforced the idea that most Jews are genuinely ehrlich and committed to following the law. He shared an account of his own commitment to Shabbos observance during a high-profile case that was mentioned in a New York Times story, ultimately inspiring a Jewish woman to commit to keeping Shabbos even at the potential expense of losing her job. His fascinating anecdotes served as poignant examples of how our actions can contribute to a kiddush Hashem.

The event featured several audiovisual presentations from the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting the creation of a kiddush Hashem in every interaction.

Overall, the Dina D’malchusa Dina event was a remarkable success, offering uplifting insights, items to be vigilant of, and fostering a renewed commitment among attendees to uphold the values of integrity and ethical conduct within our kehillos. Participants left inspired to embody the principles of dina d’malchusa dina and kiddush Sheim Shomayim in their daily lives.