From a reader in London:
I write to you concerning an article by Chavi Dumas in which
she describes her child changing a light bulb. While I
enjoyed its gentle humor and message, I feel it is important
to convey the following Health and Safety advice of which
many people are unaware.
1. There is a danger of electric shock if the light switch
has not been turned off.
2. An expired light bulb can be very hot and cause a burn.
3. The bulb can easily break when being removed or screwed in
and needs to be handled with care.
In short, while it is important to encourage a child's
independence and initiative, I would strongly advise against
a child's changing a light bulb, unsupervised.
*
A letter regarding Tzniyus:
For some reason, the choice of clothing in stores does not
reflect our desire for modesty. One cannot buy an outfit
without its needing some alteration, even if the size is
alright. Problems include: wide necklines, too-tight skirts
which one cannot sit in without tugging and pulling,
partially transparent sleeves that need to be adjusted and so
on. I asked the saleslady [of the store in a religious
neighborhood] why they couldn't bring clothing that met our
requirements and she said: "What's the problem? Everyone is
buying. Everyone is satisfied. You're the only one who's
complaining!"
I returned from my shopping trip exhausted and discouraged
and discussed the problem with friends who agreed that it was
very difficult to find something kosher that answered all
halachic specifications.
Interestingly enough, they also received the same reply that,
"You're the only who's complaining." And I ask: what's going
on here? What about all the women like my neighbors and
myself who DO wish to conform to Halocha? Why can't we all
get together, sign a petition with a thousand signatures and
show the manufacturers that we mean business?
And that is exactly what I am doing. Anyone interested in
signing such a petition and getting others to sign is asked
to contact me and will receive such a form by mail or fax.
If we are united in our demands, we shall, BE'H, succeed!
C. Rosengarten 02-538-0697.
*
And a letter referring back to Rabbi Zobin's article (Parshas
Ki Sovo) about "Recognizing the Normal Child" which pleads
for a wider range of normalcy before (mis-)labeling
children.
"... he does not give any advice on how to fight the system
[of misbranding a child by specialists]. The fact is that
these `specialists' are in control and everyone listens to
them. What can we do?"
RABBI ZOBIN ANSWERS:
This is a very serious problem and there is no simple
answer.
There is a natural tendency for frum people to listen
to daas Torah and they imagine that these specialists
represent it -- which they do not!
Rabbi Leib Keleman's new book, To Kindle a Soul, is an
authoritative work relating to the infiltration of non-
Jewish concepts regarding education. Anyone who wants to
obtain a balanced view of these issues in the light of real
daas Torah should read it.
There is a definite need for re-education among those in the
field of education.
*
Enoch Weller at Giborei Yisrael 24, Bnei Brak, writes:
I left Manchester over 50 years ago and have lost all
connection with my family there. I noticed in your Cheshvan
15 issue that Tzippy Weller won a prize. Could she please
contact me at above address?
[The Yated sent off the prize and has kept no record of
Tzippy's address.]
*
And a translated letter from Rebbetzin B. Kanievsky
tlita:
Dear Women and Girls:
We need you to help us with prayers! The situation in the
country is very difficult. Of late we have been inundated
with terrible tragedies, many widows and orphans resulting
from all kinds of difficult illnesses. Many have come to ask
my husband what is the reason for all these tragedies. The
Rav shlita opened up a gemora and said that it
is because of unseemly speech. How can we repair this? Only
by Shemiras Haloshon.
I saw an article by R' Segal of Manchester zt'l who
wrote that he never saw anyone who learned two
halochos a day in Shemiras Haloshon and did not
experience a yeshua, either for childlessness, finding
a mate, recovery from illness, livelihood or chinuch
of children. And he PROMISED that whoever studied, would have
the Chofetz Chaim intercede for him in Heaven!
We have seen open miracles from people who have undertaken
the study of two halochos a day. As I was reading the
article, a woman entered, sobbing brokenheartedly. She had a
line of unmarried daughters at home. I showed it to her and
she agreed to undertake this project. Within three days, one
daughter got engaged. Two months later, so did the second and
so on. Hundreds of girls who have undertaken this have also
since gotten married.
A childless woman who had been married for 20 years was
blessed with a boy after having undertaken this study. A
woman whose mother was hospitalized with a malignant tumor
also came to me for help. I advised that the entire family
undertake the "two daily halochos in Shemiras
Haloshon." TWO DAYS later she returned and insisted I
publicize the miracle: the hospital called that they come and
take the mother home. The growth had disappeared!
We must ALSO pray with great kavona because prayer
which emerges from the heart and from a holy mouth that
guards its tongue is immediately accepted, prevents many
tragedies and brings yeshuos to the world.
