HOME & FAMILY

When I was a gullible little girl, my older friends played `heads and tails' with me with pennies. They once tried this one on me: "Heads I win, tails you lose." It didn't take long for me to figure that one out.

It's Almost Shabbos
by Rosally Saltsman

Howard Margol was 21 years old in April 1945. He was a gunman with the 42nd Infantry Rainbow division of the U.S. 7th Army advancing through southern Germany. In the early morning hours of April 28, 1945, his unit moved into position near Cachau, a few kilometers north of Munich. Earlier that morning, Lt. Heinrich, the S.S. officer left in charge after his superiors had fled, surrendered Dachau to the Allied Forces.

Planning Ahead
by Bayla Gimmel

There is a famous story which is attributed to several different gedolim of a previous generation. The way the story goes, a European Rosh Yeshiva of note went to collect money in pre-World War II America, and was ushered into one nicely furnished living room after another. Upon returning to the yeshiva, he was asked what he had seen in the States. "They have something very unusual -- an entire room devoted to wasting time."

Patience is a Virtue
by R. Chadshai

It is a common fallacy to regard waiting and anticipation in a negative light. In this day and age, we have come to expect instant gratification, instant results, instant everything! Hurry, impatience, petulance are all part of our daily lives.

The Jewish Quarter: Sight Unseen
by Yossi Karp

Chances are, you, too, will be visiting the Rova this Bein Hazemanim, as tourist or resident of Eretz Yisroel.

What's In a Name?
by Rosally Saltsman

"Mommy, Daddy, come quick. I've just seen an angel."

Laura Simmons looked up vaguely from the coals she was coaxing and smiled at her precocious seven-year-old daughter.

Keep Smiling

Short inspirational pieces by Avrohom Tzvi Schwartz, Kiryat Sefer, author of A Handful of Light, Hearts on Fire and his latest, Be Happy and Succeed.

Your Medical Questions Answered!
by Joseph B. Leibman, MD

Recently, we received a letter from America asking about Burnshield. This is a product known to be 80-90 percent water that is advertised for burns. We at Tel HaShomer are a burn center and I checked with a number of physicians from the center to see what their opinions were and have not found much evidence for it helping burns.

POET'S CORNER

The Countryside Forgotten

by Ziporah Zien

Will anyone note how I matched all those shades?
Coordinate colors like finest brocade
Adorn every hill in distinct promenade
If anyone cares but to linger, he'll see
That I'm ready and waiting and dressed to a `T.'

Will anyone notice while hurrying on?
They'll miss my best laces which bloom on the lawn,
Unless they come soon, all my frills will be gone!
If they would just look from their fast-moving vans
They'd see I've already completed my plans.

I'm waiting expectant as hours ensure
I've changed all my clothes from the pink to the blue
I've tried every yellow and bright crimson hue.
Most travelers tend to ignore my bouquets
And whisk in their vehicles far and away!

If no one takes notice, then why should I try?
Perhaps those vacationers know better than I
What might be important, while scurrying by
Perhaps nature's instincts are keener than theirs
Don't they feel this clearly anticipant air?

All winter my caretakers fussed and cajoled
The rains were sufficient and, truth to be told,
For millions, my raiment could never be sold
The thrust of the moment will soon be revealed,
Though just when, exactly? My two lips (tulips) are sealed.

Soon all of Creation will witness the day
Moshiach, the king, will have come here to stay,
He'll notice my elegant floral display
And question, if I could -- then why couldn't they...
Prepare and anticipate, in their human way?
So, therefore, I sing this demure roundelay
In hope human traffic will exit the fray,
Prepare for his coming and hasten that day.