HOME & FAMILY

Why was the mother of the human race called `Chava', rather than `Chaya'? Because, in distinction to the `mothers' of the animal kingdom, she uses the power of verbal expression in rearing her young.

"When my children are hungry, I give them bread. When they are hungry for life affirmations, I try to give them loving words that will satisfy them."

Lessons to Learn About School
by Bayla Gimmel

The Yomim Tovim are over and our children are back in school. Of course, we want them to have a successful school year. However, wanting and wishing are only part of it. In order for our little ones to succeed, we, the parents, have to work at it.

The Average Boy
by A. Ross, M.Ed.

Is there such a person? Most parents feel that their child is outstanding, if not brilliant. Naturally, there are those who do not quite make the grade, and who need constant help just to keep their heads above water. But average, middle of the road, mediocre?

Occupational Therapy
by Devora Piha

The information on Occupational Therapy was generously provided by Geela Spira of Har Nof.

Dovid is seven years old. He is a good boy and tries his best in cheder. But he is sensitive to touching certain objects and doesn't like how some things feel against his skin. Clothing can irritate him, especially his white cotton tzitzis.

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

In answer to a question, there is news on hypertension. A new report from the Joint National Committee on High Blood Pressure in the USA appeared in the May 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. There were some interesting changes:

POET'S CORNER

Artwork

by Drora Matlofsky

A white canvas
Empty
Blank
Nothing
Suddenly
Out of nowhere
A paintbrush
Draws a stroke
And another stroke
Meaningless strokes
Leaving behind them
A beautiful
New
Unseen
Color.

The paintbrush dances its dance.
The color becomes a shape.
A world is being created
And then

The paintbrush disappears.

The world is incomplete.
How could the brush disappear?
Has Hashem abandoned the world
Incomplete?
Nothing makes sense.
Help!

The brush reappears
In a different spot
Leaving a different trail.
I don't understand.
Is this the same brush?

There is only One Brush.
There are many colors.
The trails unite.
The colors mix.

The brush disappears again.
We are less afraid.
We trust it to come back
And back
And back
Never-endingly completing the
picture.
Adding new colors.

Purpose Awaits Discovery

a brilliantly rhymed scientifically informative Parshas Bereishis selection

by Tziporah Zien

Life abounds! Just take a look! So many kinds of plants!
The hills are filled with verdant green
The sands with crawling creatures
The forests house amazing beings
With quite distinctive features!

The treetops ring with calling birds, with squirrels and striving ants!
The bugs and bees investigate
Each flowery hedge and sector
They manage thus to pollinate
While gathering ample nectar.

Indeed, Hashem has planned our world and nothing's left to chance
Should we but think the order stands
According to our preference
Some creature comes and reprimands
Us, knocking down all reference.

Although the chain of life appears quite simple at first glance
With large devouring smaller forms
There comes a time when we are shown
That over-eager ants and worms
Will clean a carcass to the bone.

And here's a curious vegetable, denying happenstance!
A plant, with leaves and normal roots
That thrives in humid forests
And sports long pitchers on its shoots
Awaits to thrill the florists.

A normal blossom's nourishment this genus does enhance
By stirring an acidic brew
The pitcher's greatest feature
It waits to capture for a stew
Some unsuspecting creature.

To seek a dark, moist hole, that is a tree frog's preference
He finds this pitcher, moist and clean
And claims his home at last
Thus serving this perverse `canteen'
A protein-rich repast.

We ask, "What could the purpose be for lack of remonstrance?"
Why is a vegetable, replete
With stems and roots and leaves,
Allowed to sprout a bloom which eats
Small reptiles, insects, it perceives?

This question raised provokes the mind to find some consonance
Do pastures on the cows rely
Who drop their dung with no regrets?
What's more -- cows carcasses provide
The sod with what to pay their debts!

Do grasses blossom differently in Mexico than France?
Can such a cycle lead to where
We see an end to this long chain?
Who can attempt, who'd ever dare
To state the reason, find the gain?

Philosophers in every age renew this song and dance
The fate of man propels him on
To recognize there is no dearth
Of questions which are posed upon
The rounded surface of the earth.

This vicious chain, which seems to be a cruel extravagance,
Provokes us to look deeper yet
We plumb the depths of life's demands
And strive for truth, with no regret
While making do with what's at hand.

The answer could be simple if one learns the Torah's stance
The world exists to benefit
All creatures great and slight
So humans who inhabit it
Might learn from every sight.

With speech the world was brought to life: vowels and consonants.
When Jews repeat each Torah phrase
In multiples of thousands still
They rectify mankind's malaise
And magnify their Father's will!

The Jew renews Creation with each Psalm and verse he chants
This great, unique creative task
Performed with dedication
Will soon reveal, behind the mask,
Hashem's love for His nation.

The purpose of the natural world in every circumstance
Depends upon the growing strength
Of Torah learning night and day,
Let Jews praise Him in song, at length
For each grand wonder He displays.