HOME & FAMILY

Input from a well-read, experienced but non-professional concerned reader.

Leibele Begins to Study Gemora
by R' Tzvi Yabrov

One day, Leibele Kalmanowitz, the son of R' Osher, returned home from cheder with a note which read, "Tomorrow we shall begin to study Eilu Metziyos. Please send your child with a copy of Bova Metzia."

Our Children of Truth and Our Truth
by Y. Baharav

Part II

The Liar and the Wind

Ever try to talk to a liar? You can, by the same token, talk to the wind in the fields... You can also trust him as much as you would the wind. You make plans with a liar or arrive at some arrangement. It doesn't mean a thing. He promised you something? It is meaningless. What's the point of asking him a question if his answer may or may not be valid and true?

Twists of the Tongues
Foreign Words from Probable Loshon Kodesh Derivation
by Sheindel Weinbach

A reader from Zichron Yaakov submitted the Hebrew word for `fruit' -- pri - - as being parallel to the French fruit, which is pronounced `frooee.' He also asks if there is any arrangement for payment for articles. Our answer: Single word submissions such as these are free.

The Train Journey
by Gita Gordon

The train was nearing its final destination of Netanya, with just one stop, Beit Yehoshua, to go. I sat watching the familiar sights flit past me and felt a sense of satisfaction that there was now a train to Beit Shemesh.

BOOK REVIEW
WorldStorm: Finding Meaning and Directive Amidst Today's World Crisis
by Roy S. Neuberger
Israel Bookshop, Lakewood, N.J.
by P.S. Litvin

WorldStorm: Finding Meaning and Directive Amidst Today's World Crisis, by Roy. S. Neuberger, will be of vital interest to anyone who finds him/herself overwhelmed, anxious or confused by the events of our time. As the world rebounds from one catastrophe to another and Jews everywhere recoil in disbelief from the rising virulence of new/old antisemitism, author Neuberger guides us through an analysis of the current clash of civilizations and cultures.

Avoiding the Common Cold
by Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D.

There are more than 200 different viruses that cause the common cold. Despite what your mother told you, cold weather often only plays an indirect role. Most viruses that cause colds survive better when humidity is low, and cold weather may promote drying of the nasal membranes, making them more vulnerable to infection. Factors such as stress and allergies may make you more susceptible to colds.

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

Some clarifications on a previous article and we will also answer some letters. There are three types of fats: polyunsaturated, saturated and monounsaturated.

POET'S CORNER

The Weight of Wings

by Sara Gutfreund

The bird is the color of autumn leaves
He looks like a smoldering fire as he drags his wings behind him
His red and yellow feathers spread out around him in soft, graceful lines.
Why can't he fly?

Every morning I look for him out the kitchen window
And he is toddling on the porch in endless circles.
His wings look so heavy.
Why can't he fly?

And then, one morning, I see him flapping his feathers
He is staring at his wings
Lifting one and then the other.
Could it be that he didn't see his wings until now?

I watch the tiny bird walk in circles for a while
Flapping his wings until, suddenly -
He is flying!
His golden wings shine against the deep blue sky.

I turn away from the window and wonder
Do I have wings, too?

Grace After Meals -- Bechein...

Haste Makes Waste

by Zippora Zien

While stating grace the first few times,
Those praises coined for food enjoyed,
How slow and resonant would chime
Our voices as they filled the void.

For finally it all was clear!
The meals received are gifts of love.
Each morsel chosen shows that we're
The children of the One above.

Four blessings which in turn relate
Our own relations to the King:
Which try to coax, to generate,
True thanks for each delicious thing.

If man imbibes in four-course meals
With soup, with meat and vinaigrettes,
To finish with dessert reveals
A reticence to pay one's debts.

To Whom are all our praises due,
If not to One Who fills the sea
With fish, and drops refreshing dew
On fields, where fowl peck grain with glee?

Without such ample stores of grain
Could European chefs succeed
In dishing up, gourmet or plain,
Such food on which the noble feed?

For all their money and their fame
They'd find they were not capable,
Of setting tables filled with game,
Were not the beasts available.

For every foodstuff's properties
Are part and parcel of its kind.
Without essential guarantees,
How could the cook his kettles mind?

So when we've taken time to eat
Of breadstuff, soup and salad greens,
And patiently wait around for meat
Dressed up with sauces, rice or beans.

Then we, most understandably,
Should say a drawn-out, four-course grace
With faith and trust, most fervently,
Intently, at a quiet pace.

Almight Power blesses us
With food and goods abundantly,
Indeed, He is most generous
Though oft we plead redundantly!

In fact, how often do you find
You've finished Grace unconsciously?
What's more, you're clocking record time!
His Name you've said subconsciously!

Have you forgotten what you once learned,
That we are not allowed to take
The Name of One so often spurned
By man? This is a grave mistake!

We've also learned that banishment
Accompanies each act of sin
So, guard yourself from punishemnt
When with His blessings you begin!

Dear Friend, when finishing your meal
Take time to bless for each great taste!
But don't race through! Let's make a deal!
Remember, please, that
Haste makes waste!