HOME & FAMILY

Few are those who are privileged to take a glimpse into the past... Those who see with spiritual eyes...

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Other Ways to Understand
by R' Zvi Zobin

Rabbi Zev was reviewing a mishna with little Tzvika. Tzvika read, "And even a poor man has to have four cups -- even from the soup."

Grab that Chessed
by KSR

Opportunity knocks at our door all the time. It is up to us to open it and let the warm sunshine of chessed into our lives.

Costly Disposables, Seriously?
by Sara Fried

The story goes that many years ago, people used to eat from plates which were not thrown away after one use! They used to put them into basins or maybe into the sink, and then wash them in hot soapy water with the aid of a dishcloth. Then they used to dry them with a tea towel and replace them into the cupboard. They did the same to cups and glasses. And they washed tablecloths and sometimes even ironed linen serviettes that went with them!

Do You Have Credit Wars?
by Bayla Gimmel

We see how careful the Torah is about giving credit where crdit is due (which hastens the Redemption) and acknowledging acts of kindness. Moshe Rabbenu was prevented from performing three of the Ten Plagues, to avoid showing ingratitude.

Cochlear Implants
by A. Ross, M.Ed.

Australia is in the forefront in this field of surgery, with America being one of the main pioneers, too. What is a cochlear implant? Who will benefit from it, and does it restore lost hearing?

Speaking an Alien's Language
by Shira Shatzberg

For as long as I can remember, I've always been intimidated by aliens. Now, hold on one second; I hope I wasn't misunderstood. Although I do enjoy reading science fiction, I've never believed in that stuff to the extent that I would actually go around living my life in fear of the imaginary creatures introduced in those fables. My imagination does not quite extend to the point that I imagine little green figures with antennae on their heads falling from invisible crevices in the sky.

The Invitation
a story by Sara Carmel

One very ordinary Erev Shabbos, Gary walked into the Schwartz's lives. Tall and thin with a mop of curly brown hair, well moussed and groomed, with a tiny brown leather yarmulka squashed in the center. He wore a light blue shirt and yellow tie with his well tailored navy suit. His shiny leather shoes attracted the boys' attention; they wanted to know which shoe polish he used to attain the luster of brown- red shoes.

After Death
by Sudy Rosenberg

We have followed the story of Pa, residing in the Vizhnitz Senior Citizen home in Bnei Brak, from his youth in Holocaust Europe till his resettlement in Canada.

We skip a few chapters in his life to bring you a Pesach episode, sad, because Ma had very recently passed away.

Simcha
by Sara Gutfreund

We are dancing around the living room rug. Gold. Blue. Pink. All the colors swirling into each other. Your little navy dresses. My velvet Yom Tov robe. Twirling. Circling. Dizzy with the beauty of letting go.

Making Soup
by Varda Branfman

We generally regard only challa-baking as holy work. What about plain ol' chicken soup, like Mamma made it?

Rediscover the wonder of making things `from scratch,' especially Pesach-time.

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

We'll take a break from our columns on the kidneys to answer a letter from a beautiful place called Zichron Yaakov. I wrote about eating healthy, and my correspondent requested recipes. I will bli neder send some through email, but I would like to make the following points about feeding kids.

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

Now that we know what the kidneys and urinary tract do, it won't be too hard to figure out what happens when the kidneys fail. First and foremost, fluids begin to accumulat, putting extra strain on the heart and making the legs swollen. Potassium levels can get very high and cause death. Calcium levels fall and phosphorus levels climb -- these can also make for a dangerous situation.

Jumping for Soy
by Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D.

Years ago, folks had little good to say about soy foods. Tofu, which is made from soy, was maligned as a food for "nutty" vegetarians. Textured vegetable protein, a soy-based meat extender, was called "mystery meat." Today, however, people are jumping for soy as the benefits of soy foods are recognized. Here is information to help you understand the health and nutritional power of soy, along with tips to help you add more soy to your diet.

POET'S CORNER

So What?
by A. Reader

For years and years I tried my best
To do the things which they suggest.
I've written lists and typed them, too,
Did all the things they told me to.

Got organized far in advance,
And didn't leave a thing to chance.
My sewing box is up to date,
The mending's done (I've stayed up late).

Efficiency is my middle name,
My slothful ways I overcame.
But listen, ladies, listen well,
As this cautionary tale I tell:

My daughters, married, six in all,
Have me climbing up the wall.
Each home's a real chaotic mess.
(The kids are fine, I must confess).
Unwashed dishes in the sink,
The floor is like a skating rink,
Laundry strewn on beds and under,
I look around and start to wonder.

Why on earth did I conform?
Why not stay relaxed and warm?
Instead of tense and strained all day,
To follow someone else's way?

Run the house as YOU see fit,
It matters not a single bit!