Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight

A Window into the Chareidi World

5 Iyar - April 21 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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We were gratified to see that the famous mechanech and author, Rabbi Noah Orlowek, also reads our section! Here is his commentary:

"I read with great satisfaction the articles on hachnossas orchim by Mrs. Tzivia Ehrlich-Klein. Especially good to read was the importance attached to keeping your own children the focus of the Shabbos table, even when there are guests. The article stated, `Generally, guests will be just as happy to watch on the sidelines as children feature as the stars and Center of attraction.' I think that this is an understatement. Guests are very sensitive to how children - and wives - are treated at the Shabbos table.

"R' Reuven Feinstein shlita once said that one of the ways that he knew that his father, R' Moshe zt'l, loved him was the fact that he never lost his place at the Shabbos table. This is symbolic, for children must know that they never the lose the love and attention of their parents.

"Rashi (Bamidbor 29:36) points out that the Torah teaches us to give a guest who stays for several days progressively plainer food. The Sabba of Slabodka once explained this as meaning that the greatest hospitality that you can show someone is to treat them as if they were part of the family, and serve them what everyone else eats. Guests want to see a `business as usual approach' and feel at home.

"As far as kiruv goes, a beautiful, happy, caring home is the best proof of the product that we market, precisely beause it is so rare `out there'.

"Most importantly, let us never forget that our children are our most important guests, as they stay only for two decades or so, and we, as parents, hope that they will want to invite us into their home as well!"

MIKIMI

Your editor has the deepest apologies to extend for assuming too much. In presenting a delightful article about a househelper who does not let anything go to waste, we jumped to the conclusion that she was a Philippino ozeret. We noted how interestingly, her name matched her tendencies - "Mikimi... mei'ashpos yorim...", one who salvages something before it hits the dustbin.

The truth, dear readers, is just as fascinating as our conjecture. Mikimi is a precious Jewish soul who chose her name to suit her nature. Her given name of Michla, degenerated to Mickey, which simply sat wrong on her and irked her.

Michla has come some way, both geographically and spiritually, and wanted a name to express her gratitude to Hashem, something to live up to, something REALLY uplifting like "Mikimi mei'ofor dol." When her father's yahrzeit rolled around after she had been in Eretz Yisroel for a while, she decided to adopt a new name, and did so very properly, with a blessing conferred upon her in shul.

Let me tell you, she lives up to the prognosis. She is a wonder, a boon to the American community up in Tzefas. Can you imagine a big heart linked up with a computer? When it comes to helping, to connecting, to salvaging, nothing useful escapes Mikimi. If Exhibit A has completed its period of use by the Cohens, it is ready to serve the Levis, with Mikimi the ever-eager go-between. If it has outlived all conventional uses, Mikimi will salvage it for a... how about a garden-antique?

And getting back to the boast of her employer - that given all the odd socks of Tzefas, she would/could match them up together - this is no idle boast. Mikimi is ready to take us up on it.

She told me so herself.

And so, with profuse apologies, I hope I have set her wonderful reputation aright - to and from the dustheaps - which is really her ultimate praise!

 

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