I received this from someone who now has a donated kidney.
Proposal for increasing the number of kidney donors.
LIVE KIDNEY DONATION ideas
From personal experience by a donor
BACKGROUND
Tens of thousands of people suffer from kidney diseases. In the USA in
2001 there were more than 50,000 people waiting for a kidney operation.
Each year in the USA about 3,000 people die while waiting for a kidney
operation.
LIVE KIDNEYS ARE BETTER THAN CADAVERS.
Kidney transplants are about twice as effective as cadaver operations. The
advantages are indisputable:
---Live kidneys last many years longer.
---Live transplants allow thorough testing.
---More variety and choices allow better matching of donors to recipients.
---Hospitals can operate at the most convenient time and location.
---Live transplants avoid time pressure while the cadaver kidney is dying.
---Hospitals can decide who is the most suitable and worthy recipient.
There are very few disadvantages of a live kidney operation. The remaining
single kidney enlarges and takes over the work of both kidneys. Donating
one kidney does not increase the risk of having kidney diesases, as this
affects both kidneys.
SPIRITUAL ADVANTAGES OF LIVE DONATIONS
As someone who has donated altruistically, I have experienced many
spiritual benefits:
---The donor has great satisfaction knowing that they have done something
very personal to drammatically improve, and in some cases actually save
someone's life.
---The more altruistic the donation, the purer is the intrinsic reward to the
donor.
---This is one of the greatest acts of love and one of the highest levels of
good deeds that we can do.
---In the unlikely event that the operation is not successful, the donor still
has the peace and joy of knowing that what they are doing is right
---Such acts of love will develop respect and co-operation between all types
of people.
Altruistic donations do not put any emotional or financial pressure on the
recipient. This is the most noble of all types of kidney transplants. This
gives greatest satisfaction to the donor and greatest benefit to the recipient
and should therefore be encouraged by the medical authorities. The
procedure is very safe, easy and relatively painless.
THE WAY FORWARD
In the interest of people dying from kidney disease, it is important to
maximise donor potential.
---Each hospital would benefit from developing a procedure for kidney
donations which includes briefing the potential donor of the inconveniences
and timescale involved.
---Hospitals may wish to create a website on which they outline all the
information needed by the potential donor, including who can donate,
financial support during the process, tests involved, and personal accounts of
people who have donated
---Hospitals can use the website to explain how safe, easy and relatively
painless the donation process really is.
---Added to the website could be a discussion forum between the donors
and the hospital which can also have links to other hospitals and their
websites.
---To help preserve ethical integrity, the hospital could co-ordinate all the
information between the donor and the recipient so there would be no
chance of pressure or financial coercion.
DONATION PROGRAMS
---A "Good Samaritan donation program" can be established for people
wishing to give altruistically to whoever the hospital determines is a good
match.
---Friends and relatives should be supported in stepping forward to give to
their loved one. If, however, they cannot match their loved one, then
another process can be established such as at the Johns Hopkins hospital in
Baltimore USA. Potential donors should not be rejected, but can be used to
donate to a needy recipient whom the hospital determines.
---In this case, donor A does not match his loved one, recipient B. Donor A
proceeds to give a live kidney donation to a matching, stranger, recipient "C."
Because donor A has donated to someone, then recpient B should be put to
the top of the priority list and will soon receive a kidney operation In this
way, kidney donors can donate to anyone and still be helping their loved
one. This can also work to encourage kidney disease patients to generate
donors, and they would be rewarded by being given a kidney transplant
much quicker than usual.
---One other idea to encourage live altruistic donors is to automatically put
donors themselves to the top of the kidney waiting list in the event that they
suffer from kidney failure some time after having donated.
---Every potential donor will still be scrutinised through a series of
assessments by people such as a social worker, a psychologist, clinical
psychologist, lawyer, medical ethicist and someone from the government
medical authority.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
---It is in the interest of medical insurance companies to support the
principles of live kidney donation. A one-off live kidney transplant is far
cheaper than years paying for dialysis. It is important that there should be
good communication between the medical insurance people, the hospital and
the donor's employer. Once the hospital has paired a donor with a recipient,
the insurance people can support the donor by covering their accomodation
and travel costs during the time taken away from work and then ensuring
their safe return to their previous employment.
CONCLUSION
Live kidney donation is the best solution for the recipient, the donor, the
hospital and the insurance company.
It is suggested that hospitals with no current donation program in place can
communicate with other medical establishments such as the Johns Hopkins
in Baltimore, US, (and other bodies pioneering work in this area), to share
their knowledge. Communication seems to be the key in breaking down the
walls that stop people from stepping forward to donate. How can we make it
easy for individuals to step forward to help with the incredible need that
exists in every country from people suffering with kidney failure?
I hope my own testimony helps in encouraging people to see the positive
side of donating altruistically, so that others consider stepping forward too.
For more information on how to search the web for a donor contact: etzion76@netvision.net.il
Friday, December 30, 2005
yes, busy, hh
That's a sort of short hand to let you know that even if I haven't been commenting on blogs, I've been visiting, since I'm busy "composing/constructing" well hosting Havel Havelim. Last call for links! Send to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com
And now I really must get ready for Shabbat. Also lots of laundry to do, since my husband is back from Limmud in England.
And now I really must get ready for Shabbat. Also lots of laundry to do, since my husband is back from Limmud in England.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Through the maze to Kever Rachel
It did seem like a maze, the new entrance to Kever Rachel, especially since it was our first time, since that part of the "separation barrier" was completed.
First of all, if you're not aware, Beit Lechem, Kever Rachel, aka Rachel's Tomb, is located just next to Jerusalem. It's like walking between Great Neck and Little Neck, NY. I used to do that to save money. Instead of traveling home on the LIRR, I'd take the subway to Flushing and then the Northern Blvd. bus to the last stop. Then I'd walk a couple of miles to my parents' house. Kever Rachel is closer than that to Jerusalem.
Since the Arabs increased the terror attacks a few years ago, Israel decided to treat the short road as a war zone. It's really weird, since Arabs and non-Jewish tourists walk freely, unencumbered by armor or any other defensive apparatus. We good Jews must go to our "mother's" tomb in a bullet-proof bus. Then we're locked in the imposing thick cement protective structure until our transport returns. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that the bus must have a soldier dressed in bullet-proof vest and heavily armed. Yep, that's how it is.
For the past few years, ever since it was deemed to dangerous to spontaneously drop by, the women of Shiloh have hired a bus to take us once a month, just before Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish month. I go whenever my work schedule allows. Since it's Chanukah vacation, I was able to go this month.
Over the past year or less, we have seen the "wall" rise blocking access even more. It's not a straight wall; it curves, making it more difficult to find the actual gate. We thought we had followed the signs correctly but then found ourselves next to a simple locked gate. Nobody was there, no soldiers, nothing. So the bus made complicated moves to reverse and eventually find another gate, which was manned. There we were told that our first guess was right, and they claimed that there should have had been instructions. Or we should go further out towards Jerusalem, and a soldier would find us. That's what we did.
As annoying as these arrangements, regulations, are, it's far superior to the situation at "her son's tomb," Kever Yosef in Shechem, which Israel allowed the Arabs to destroy.
This month the bus was filled with 12 year old girls celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of one of them. The family, from Maale Levona, had decided to make the visit to Kever Rachel the "class Bat Mitzvah party" for their daughter. It really was a wonderful idea. The girls spent a few minutes at the tomb and then had a "party." The family brought lunch, and the girls ate on the bus back home. Mazal tov!
It's also possible to take public transportation to and from. There is a special Egged bus.
First of all, if you're not aware, Beit Lechem, Kever Rachel, aka Rachel's Tomb, is located just next to Jerusalem. It's like walking between Great Neck and Little Neck, NY. I used to do that to save money. Instead of traveling home on the LIRR, I'd take the subway to Flushing and then the Northern Blvd. bus to the last stop. Then I'd walk a couple of miles to my parents' house. Kever Rachel is closer than that to Jerusalem.
Since the Arabs increased the terror attacks a few years ago, Israel decided to treat the short road as a war zone. It's really weird, since Arabs and non-Jewish tourists walk freely, unencumbered by armor or any other defensive apparatus. We good Jews must go to our "mother's" tomb in a bullet-proof bus. Then we're locked in the imposing thick cement protective structure until our transport returns. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that the bus must have a soldier dressed in bullet-proof vest and heavily armed. Yep, that's how it is.
For the past few years, ever since it was deemed to dangerous to spontaneously drop by, the women of Shiloh have hired a bus to take us once a month, just before Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish month. I go whenever my work schedule allows. Since it's Chanukah vacation, I was able to go this month.
Over the past year or less, we have seen the "wall" rise blocking access even more. It's not a straight wall; it curves, making it more difficult to find the actual gate. We thought we had followed the signs correctly but then found ourselves next to a simple locked gate. Nobody was there, no soldiers, nothing. So the bus made complicated moves to reverse and eventually find another gate, which was manned. There we were told that our first guess was right, and they claimed that there should have had been instructions. Or we should go further out towards Jerusalem, and a soldier would find us. That's what we did.
As annoying as these arrangements, regulations, are, it's far superior to the situation at "her son's tomb," Kever Yosef in Shechem, which Israel allowed the Arabs to destroy.
This month the bus was filled with 12 year old girls celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of one of them. The family, from Maale Levona, had decided to make the visit to Kever Rachel the "class Bat Mitzvah party" for their daughter. It really was a wonderful idea. The girls spent a few minutes at the tomb and then had a "party." The family brought lunch, and the girls ate on the bus back home. Mazal tov!
It's also possible to take public transportation to and from. There is a special Egged bus.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Fitness
I always get a kick out of those fitness articles, like this one in Newsweek, which tries to tell you how to help your kids develop life-long fitness habits. They always leave out the most important advice. They are:
It's important to walk places with your kids, as a norm, not for fitness. I remember when my youngest started nursery school, he was under three, being a November baby, and the class was a good mile away, down hill. There was organized transport to get there in the morning, but not to go home. And yes, he walked home with his siblings and friends. All the kids here in Shiloh used to walk such distances without even thinking about it. There were fewer cars then. Today I see lots of cars lined up by the school dropping kids off, even though the school is now in the middle of Shiloh, so much closer to everyone than years ago. You'd think you were in the U. S. suburbs. It's sad.
But at least here, kids walk by themselves to visit friends. "Play dates," organized and chauffeured by parents aren't necessary. I love seeing kids, and adults, taking all sorts of short cuts, up and down mountain paths, something unheard of in the civilized suburbs abroad. One certainly doesn't need a dog for an excuse or protection to walk here, bli eyin haraa, don't tempt the "evil eye."
And of course, not having elevators means that we take the stairs.
This is all the natural fitness that can last for life, especially if it's encouraged as fun and normal, rather than fitness.
- stop using the car so much
- and take the stairs
It's important to walk places with your kids, as a norm, not for fitness. I remember when my youngest started nursery school, he was under three, being a November baby, and the class was a good mile away, down hill. There was organized transport to get there in the morning, but not to go home. And yes, he walked home with his siblings and friends. All the kids here in Shiloh used to walk such distances without even thinking about it. There were fewer cars then. Today I see lots of cars lined up by the school dropping kids off, even though the school is now in the middle of Shiloh, so much closer to everyone than years ago. You'd think you were in the U. S. suburbs. It's sad.
But at least here, kids walk by themselves to visit friends. "Play dates," organized and chauffeured by parents aren't necessary. I love seeing kids, and adults, taking all sorts of short cuts, up and down mountain paths, something unheard of in the civilized suburbs abroad. One certainly doesn't need a dog for an excuse or protection to walk here, bli eyin haraa, don't tempt the "evil eye."
And of course, not having elevators means that we take the stairs.
This is all the natural fitness that can last for life, especially if it's encouraged as fun and normal, rather than fitness.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
busy day
Yes, it had to be a busy day if I skipped lunch. It just didn't fit in. I had less than a cup of water after leaving home in the morning. I'm not going to go into details, too tired, but just the highlights.
I went to Jerusalem with Porat and her abba, my younger granddaughter and my son-in-law. He needed me to babysit when he went into some office, and I needed him to drive me to a couple of places.
When we finished those errands, he dropped me off near the Imaga hat factory in Talpiyot. I wanted to buy a new hat to wear with my new outfit to the dinner in NY. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted in some stores in town, so I decided to try the factory which welcomes customers. It's a real problem when I have something very specific in mind. I saw nothing on display, meaning lots of hats, but not "the hat." The people in charge there tried to help, and finally I managed to describe the type of hat I was looking for. Out came something gorgeous and different. I was told that the style wasn't even in the stores yet. Sounds good to me. And I bought it.
While paying I chatted a bit and discovered that the woman in charge was familiar with my writing. I told her that I always mention special purchases on my blog. So I did.
After finishing there I realized that I had better rush to the bus station, only no bus. We waited a long time for the #14, and then two came. I got a transfer ticket, so I could drop "Breakfast at Tiffany's" off at "3rd ear." When I was waiting for the bus to resume my trip, I suddenly heard a familiar voice, and it was my husband's cousin, visiting from the states. Then the bus came, and I just made my bus home. No time to spare and no time to eat.
And now it's time to sleep.
I went to Jerusalem with Porat and her abba, my younger granddaughter and my son-in-law. He needed me to babysit when he went into some office, and I needed him to drive me to a couple of places.
When we finished those errands, he dropped me off near the Imaga hat factory in Talpiyot. I wanted to buy a new hat to wear with my new outfit to the dinner in NY. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted in some stores in town, so I decided to try the factory which welcomes customers. It's a real problem when I have something very specific in mind. I saw nothing on display, meaning lots of hats, but not "the hat." The people in charge there tried to help, and finally I managed to describe the type of hat I was looking for. Out came something gorgeous and different. I was told that the style wasn't even in the stores yet. Sounds good to me. And I bought it.
While paying I chatted a bit and discovered that the woman in charge was familiar with my writing. I told her that I always mention special purchases on my blog. So I did.
After finishing there I realized that I had better rush to the bus station, only no bus. We waited a long time for the #14, and then two came. I got a transfer ticket, so I could drop "Breakfast at Tiffany's" off at "3rd ear." When I was waiting for the bus to resume my trip, I suddenly heard a familiar voice, and it was my husband's cousin, visiting from the states. Then the bus came, and I just made my bus home. No time to spare and no time to eat.
And now it's time to sleep.
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet
I just got this message from friends
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet
from: RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB
Executive Vice President, UOJCA
We regret to inform you of the passing of Dr. Abraham Luchins, a former member of the Union’s Board of Directors. Dr. Luchins, a distinguished psychologist, prolific author, and noted scholar is survived by 21 great grandchildren, 22 grandchildren, and five children including Orthodox Union Vice President David Luchins. The levaya is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, December 28th at Parkside Funeral Home, 2576 Flatbush Avenue, (718-338-1500) in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The shiva will commence at the home of Rabbi Dr. Yirmiyahu Luchins, 20 Park Avenue in Monsey, NY (845-425-5661) and David Luchins will be sitting from Motzei Shabbat at 11 88 McNeil Avenue in the Bronx (718-822-1216) Contributions in Dr. Luchins memory may be made to NCSY’s Ben Zakkai Honor Society.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Luchins family.
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet
from: RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB
Executive Vice President, UOJCA
We regret to inform you of the passing of Dr. Abraham Luchins, a former member of the Union’s Board of Directors. Dr. Luchins, a distinguished psychologist, prolific author, and noted scholar is survived by 21 great grandchildren, 22 grandchildren, and five children including Orthodox Union Vice President David Luchins. The levaya is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, December 28th at Parkside Funeral Home, 2576 Flatbush Avenue, (718-338-1500) in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The shiva will commence at the home of Rabbi Dr. Yirmiyahu Luchins, 20 Park Avenue in Monsey, NY (845-425-5661) and David Luchins will be sitting from Motzei Shabbat at 11 88 McNeil Avenue in the Bronx (718-822-1216) Contributions in Dr. Luchins memory may be made to NCSY’s Ben Zakkai Honor Society.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Luchins family.
Disastrous Evolution
It's legendary that animals are aware of "natural disasters" before they occur and manage to hide, to protect themselves. In the past year there have been more than the usual dose of disasters, both "natural" and "manmade."
Here's an interesting opinion piece from the NY Times about how even the animals have evolved in such a way as to be disengaged from the once obvious signs. Last winter even animals, which were once known to be more nature savvy, drowned in the tsunami.
Over confident government officials in the U.S. totally miss-read the situation on the ground, and thousands of people are still homeless due to Katrina and bad planning by the government.
And here in Israel, our disengaged people still are ignoring that Disengagement has endangered the entire country. Kibbutz Saad, a religious kibbutz in the south, is now complaining publicly that they are suffering frequent rocket attacks. They didn't care when Gush Katif was attacked daily, and they didn't care when the good Jewish farmers of Gush Katif were ripped from their homes and their businesses destroyed. Now they are on the front-line. What did they expect?
Did you notice that "Disengagement" and "endanger" have almost all the same letters?
Here's an interesting opinion piece from the NY Times about how even the animals have evolved in such a way as to be disengaged from the once obvious signs. Last winter even animals, which were once known to be more nature savvy, drowned in the tsunami.
Over confident government officials in the U.S. totally miss-read the situation on the ground, and thousands of people are still homeless due to Katrina and bad planning by the government.
And here in Israel, our disengaged people still are ignoring that Disengagement has endangered the entire country. Kibbutz Saad, a religious kibbutz in the south, is now complaining publicly that they are suffering frequent rocket attacks. They didn't care when Gush Katif was attacked daily, and they didn't care when the good Jewish farmers of Gush Katif were ripped from their homes and their businesses destroyed. Now they are on the front-line. What did they expect?
Did you notice that "Disengagement" and "endanger" have almost all the same letters?
Monday, December 26, 2005
Still cold, but it's Chanukah already
Or should I say that it's freezing? I took a hot water bottle to bed with me. I haven't heated the bedroom this winter. Years ago we didn't. Of course then the house was fuller. I've been keeping the radiator on 24 hours a day in the living room, because if that cools down, forget it, I don't even want to think about it.
Saturday night I discovered that my usual sleeping socks didn't keep my feet warm. They were freezing so quickly you'd think they were being sprayed with quick-freeze, like in some sort of sadistic lab. And I was under a nice "down comforter," which wasn't comforting me at all. Finally, I got out of bed and added a second pair of socks, which wasn't easy, since I had gloves on, miss-matched, because I didn't have the energy to look for a real pair, and who was going to notice in the dark? I was also wearing a 40 year old sweatshirt. They just don't make them like they used to. And that means that I can brag that I still fit into something I wore in high school! It's one of those from either NCSY or Seminar. I was still pretty cold and began wishing that I had found and filled a hot water bottle. So, that hot water bottle was in my bed for the first night of Chanukah. Such a lovely "present."
I spent that pre-Chanukah day shopping. I wanted something really special for the Ben Zakkai Dinner. Since I already have, since previous years' sales, some velvet jackets, two Hagara and one Isha Isha and a long black velvet skirt, all I needed was a nice glittery top and maybe a hat. And since we had, thank the Good L-rd, lots of rain coming down, the mall seemed the best location for a search.
I'm allergic to buying anything that comes in large multiples, so I didn't find the "right top." And nothing looked tempting in Isha Isha. I think that the chain has become too large and the clothing rather predictable. Then I went to Hagara and tried on a jacket I had remembered from my last visit. It looked better on the hangar. They were having a 2 for 1 sale, meaning if I was to buy anything, it had to be even numbers. Not to keep you in suspense, I found another velvet jacket and "classic" blouse. Not quite what I had envisioned. Their clothes are special, and this is very understated.
I checked the time and saw that there was enough to go to town, to brave the rain and look for a hat. Four hat stores and didn't find the hat of my dreams, but I did get my son-in-law his Chanukah gift. I'm going to see them today, loaded with goodies.
I'm also teaching and not during my regular hours. I could have refused, but since I have two trips abroad planned for this school year, I wanted to be accommodating. But I reserved the video room. I have two movies, so there's a back up. Then there's a ride home or to my daughter's. If I go directly to Ofra after work, I have to bring all of the gifts and schlepp them around. But if I go home first, I'll get there later, obviously. Such problems.
Last night I got all the dishes from Shabbat washed, plus whatever I used afterwards, but I also made myself popcorn. I don't know why. Saturday night a friend came over to see "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which I had taken out of "3rd ear." I guess it's time to see movies I missed when younger.
There's still laundry to fold, so I ought to return it during my next venture to Jerusalem and get something else.
My hands are frozen!
Saturday night I discovered that my usual sleeping socks didn't keep my feet warm. They were freezing so quickly you'd think they were being sprayed with quick-freeze, like in some sort of sadistic lab. And I was under a nice "down comforter," which wasn't comforting me at all. Finally, I got out of bed and added a second pair of socks, which wasn't easy, since I had gloves on, miss-matched, because I didn't have the energy to look for a real pair, and who was going to notice in the dark? I was also wearing a 40 year old sweatshirt. They just don't make them like they used to. And that means that I can brag that I still fit into something I wore in high school! It's one of those from either NCSY or Seminar. I was still pretty cold and began wishing that I had found and filled a hot water bottle. So, that hot water bottle was in my bed for the first night of Chanukah. Such a lovely "present."
I spent that pre-Chanukah day shopping. I wanted something really special for the Ben Zakkai Dinner. Since I already have, since previous years' sales, some velvet jackets, two Hagara and one Isha Isha and a long black velvet skirt, all I needed was a nice glittery top and maybe a hat. And since we had, thank the Good L-rd, lots of rain coming down, the mall seemed the best location for a search.
I'm allergic to buying anything that comes in large multiples, so I didn't find the "right top." And nothing looked tempting in Isha Isha. I think that the chain has become too large and the clothing rather predictable. Then I went to Hagara and tried on a jacket I had remembered from my last visit. It looked better on the hangar. They were having a 2 for 1 sale, meaning if I was to buy anything, it had to be even numbers. Not to keep you in suspense, I found another velvet jacket and "classic" blouse. Not quite what I had envisioned. Their clothes are special, and this is very understated.
I checked the time and saw that there was enough to go to town, to brave the rain and look for a hat. Four hat stores and didn't find the hat of my dreams, but I did get my son-in-law his Chanukah gift. I'm going to see them today, loaded with goodies.
I'm also teaching and not during my regular hours. I could have refused, but since I have two trips abroad planned for this school year, I wanted to be accommodating. But I reserved the video room. I have two movies, so there's a back up. Then there's a ride home or to my daughter's. If I go directly to Ofra after work, I have to bring all of the gifts and schlepp them around. But if I go home first, I'll get there later, obviously. Such problems.
Last night I got all the dishes from Shabbat washed, plus whatever I used afterwards, but I also made myself popcorn. I don't know why. Saturday night a friend came over to see "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which I had taken out of "3rd ear." I guess it's time to see movies I missed when younger.
There's still laundry to fold, so I ought to return it during my next venture to Jerusalem and get something else.
My hands are frozen!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
The Big 5 for Havel Havelim!
Great job! Daled Amos presents the 50th Edition of Havel Havelim!!! It'll be a tough act for me to follow. That's right. Yours truly, saying the "one and only" isn't accurate as bloggers go, is hosting number 51! So work up an appetite by reading #50. And send your posts to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com, preferably before Shabbat Chanukah, though the "final touches" will be on Sunday before publishing it.
Chanukah Sameach!
Chanukah Sameach!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Shabbat Alone and Parshat Shavua Veyeshev
Another Shabbat alone, not that it's that frequent an event. My husband is at the "Limud" in England. Friday night I stayed home, very quiet. Shabbat morning was a Bar Mitzvah in shul. The Bar Mitzvah boy did a great job, but I wasn't surprised. I remember being impressed by his debut "An'im Z'mirot." There was a joint kiddush with a Sheva Brachot, post wedding celebration. Then three friends came over for lunch. And then I hosted our "shiur Nashim," Women's Torah Study Group. We've been doing this for 24 years. Each week someplace else. And for "Se'udat Shlishit," the final/third Shabbat meal I went over to a friend for a friendly game of Scrabble. No, we didn't eat the tiles, but we played and noshed with her guest. I came in a "close second."
And now for a "Dvar Torah," a little Torah Lesson from "Parshat Shavua," Torah Portion of the Week.
Parshat Vayishev, Bereishit, Genesis,
There's lots in it, especially about how Joseph was sold by his brothers, but I'm interested in his brother Yehuda and Yehuda's children. Much is said about how Yehuda's two eldest sons died when married to Tamar. First "Er," and then "Onan." Onan was ordered to marry her to have children by her to replace his brother. He sabotaged it by "spilling his seed." The reason given
Now, this is a mitzvah and it was common practice to obey it in those days. So why did Onan make such a big deal. Weren't they brothers? Well, there's something interesting in the verses describing their births:
Yehuda named Er, but his wife named Onan and Shelah. Could it be that the boys didn't consider themselves all brothers? And that's why Onan refused to have a child "for Er?"
And could all this and Yehuda's nameless wife, Bat Shua, daughter of Shua, have been a problem? Yehuda was supposed to be the "line" for the kings, and Tamar wanted to be part of it, just like Leah and Naomi/Ruth and Batsheva. When she didn't conceive from Yehuda's sons, she found a way to have a child, actually twins, from him.
Behind every great man, there's an even greater woman!
And now for a "Dvar Torah," a little Torah Lesson from "Parshat Shavua," Torah Portion of the Week.
Parshat Vayishev, Bereishit, Genesis,
There's lots in it, especially about how Joseph was sold by his brothers, but I'm interested in his brother Yehuda and Yehuda's children. Much is said about how Yehuda's two eldest sons died when married to Tamar. First "Er," and then "Onan." Onan was ordered to marry her to have children by her to replace his brother. He sabotaged it by "spilling his seed." The reason given
" 9 And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother."
Now, this is a mitzvah and it was common practice to obey it in those days. So why did Onan make such a big deal. Weren't they brothers? Well, there's something interesting in the verses describing their births:
3 And she conceived, andGenesis Chapter 38
bore a son; and he called his name Er.
4 And she conceived again,
and bore a son; and she called his name Onan.
5 And she yet
again bore a son, and called his name Shelah
Yehuda named Er, but his wife named Onan and Shelah. Could it be that the boys didn't consider themselves all brothers? And that's why Onan refused to have a child "for Er?"
And could all this and Yehuda's nameless wife, Bat Shua, daughter of Shua, have been a problem? Yehuda was supposed to be the "line" for the kings, and Tamar wanted to be part of it, just like Leah and Naomi/Ruth and Batsheva. When she didn't conceive from Yehuda's sons, she found a way to have a child, actually twins, from him.
13 And it was told Tamar, saying: 'Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to
Timnah to shear his sheep.'
14 And she put off from her the
garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped
herself, and sat in the entrance of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for
she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given unto him to wife.
15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; for she had
covered her face.
16 And he turned unto her by the way, and
said: 'Come, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee'; for he knew not that she
was his daughter-in-law. And she said: 'What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest
come in unto me?'
17 And he said: 'I will send thee a kid of
the goats from the flock.' And she said: 'Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou
send it?'
18 And he said: 'What pledge shall I give thee?' And
she said: 'Thy signet and thy cord, and thy staff that is in thy hand.' And he
gave them to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
19 And she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and
put on the garments of her widowhood.
20 And Judah sent the
kid of the goats by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge
from the woman's hand; but he found her not.
21 Then he asked
the men of her place, saying: 'Where is the harlot, that was at Enaim by the
wayside?' And they said: 'There hath been no harlot here.'
22
And he returned to Judah, and said: 'I have not found her; and also the men of
the place said: There hath been no harlot here.'
23 And Judah
said: 'Let her take it, lest we be put to shame; behold, I sent this kid, and
thou hast not found her.'
24 And it came to pass about three
months after, that it was told Judah, saying: 'Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath
played the harlot; and moreover, behold, she is with child by harlotry.' And
Judah said: 'Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.'
25 When
she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: 'By the man, whose
these are, am I with child'; and she said: 'Discern, I pray thee, whose are
these, the signet, and the cords, and the staff.'
26 And Judah
acknowledged them, and said: 'She is more righteous than I; forasmuch as I gave
her not to Shelah my son.' And he knew her again no more.
27
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her
womb.
Behind every great man, there's an even greater woman!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Why??
Why is on the coldest, rainiest times when I have to go out and switch gas balloons?
Today, as I was cooking for Shabbat, I noticed that the flames were getting lower and lower, and lower--about to go out on the stove. There was no time to wait; it was raining hard, ok--thank G-d, we do need the rain--
and I had to open up the door and go outside, as the precious rain dripped dropped all over me. I closed the open gas canister and opened the closed one. And then I turned on the stove again. Nice big flames.
Too much to do. So off with the computer.
Shabbat Shalom
Today, as I was cooking for Shabbat, I noticed that the flames were getting lower and lower, and lower--about to go out on the stove. There was no time to wait; it was raining hard, ok--thank G-d, we do need the rain--
and I had to open up the door and go outside, as the precious rain dripped dropped all over me. I closed the open gas canister and opened the closed one. And then I turned on the stove again. Nice big flames.
Too much to do. So off with the computer.
Shabbat Shalom
HH coming up
From Sunday, I'll be working on Havel Havelim. I volunteered to host the Chanukah edition. So start planning next week's posts, and send me the best, please. Not yet! Wait at least until after Shabbat or Sunday morning. I like to get an early start on these things.
In the meantime, send this week's favorites to:daledamos at gmail dot com.
Shabbat Shalom!
ps No I haven't done the shopping yet! nor the cleaning and cooking....
In the meantime, send this week's favorites to:daledamos at gmail dot com.
Shabbat Shalom!
ps No I haven't done the shopping yet! nor the cleaning and cooking....
so proud of myself
Yes, I'm very proud of myself.
Last night I didn't turn on the computer. I've been wasting much too much time recently, to put it mildly. After I had an early dinner, I turned it off and went down the hill to a "bazaar" a neighbor was hosting. That's when a store or clothing manufacturer brings stock to someone's house for our shopping convenience. Since the host is always well-dressed, I went down to see if I could find "just the right outfit" for the Ben Zakkai Dinner. But the clothes on sale were junky, everyday for kids. Not at all my style. I'll probably end up wearing one of my velvet jackets, which I got last year. Don't worry, my closet isn't empty.
Then when I got home, instead of turning on the computer, I watched more of the "behind the scenes of Seabiscuit" on the dvd. And I finished the crocheting of the plum and white hat. I still have to thread the ribbons through it. Then I went to another neighbor who had nudged me to go to her house to hear a talk from someone about "Chinese medicine." I was very upset to discover that it was about Sunrider, one of those pyramid selling schemes. But armed with another hat to crochet, I stayed and acted as polite and charming as I could, under the circumstances. So few of us showed up to listen, that I didn't have the heart to leave in the middle. I got a lot of crocheting done. None of us bought anything; though I told them that after I finish my latest bottle of B-12, I'd be willing to buy theirs.
And when I got home I was a good girl and didn't turn on the computer. So I really am very proud of myself.
ps One Shabbat meal is settled, and I have to see what to do about the other, or I'll just eat home by myself.
Now I must get dressed, doven, eat and down to the stores to stock up for Shabbat and the week.
Last night I didn't turn on the computer. I've been wasting much too much time recently, to put it mildly. After I had an early dinner, I turned it off and went down the hill to a "bazaar" a neighbor was hosting. That's when a store or clothing manufacturer brings stock to someone's house for our shopping convenience. Since the host is always well-dressed, I went down to see if I could find "just the right outfit" for the Ben Zakkai Dinner. But the clothes on sale were junky, everyday for kids. Not at all my style. I'll probably end up wearing one of my velvet jackets, which I got last year. Don't worry, my closet isn't empty.
Then when I got home, instead of turning on the computer, I watched more of the "behind the scenes of Seabiscuit" on the dvd. And I finished the crocheting of the plum and white hat. I still have to thread the ribbons through it. Then I went to another neighbor who had nudged me to go to her house to hear a talk from someone about "Chinese medicine." I was very upset to discover that it was about Sunrider, one of those pyramid selling schemes. But armed with another hat to crochet, I stayed and acted as polite and charming as I could, under the circumstances. So few of us showed up to listen, that I didn't have the heart to leave in the middle. I got a lot of crocheting done. None of us bought anything; though I told them that after I finish my latest bottle of B-12, I'd be willing to buy theirs.
And when I got home I was a good girl and didn't turn on the computer. So I really am very proud of myself.
ps One Shabbat meal is settled, and I have to see what to do about the other, or I'll just eat home by myself.
Now I must get dressed, doven, eat and down to the stores to stock up for Shabbat and the week.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Local Boy Makes Good
Sounds better than Great Necker saves feet.
Sorry, Jeff, I don't think you ever appreciated my sense of humor, but kol hakavod! on your success with the special anti-bacterial fabric.
And for those who don't know the connection, we're both from Great Neck and knew each other way back when.
Sorry, Jeff, I don't think you ever appreciated my sense of humor, but kol hakavod! on your success with the special anti-bacterial fabric.
And for those who don't know the connection, we're both from Great Neck and knew each other way back when.
weather dilemma
weather dilemma
of a more mundane
where's my weather vane?
thought I'd be efficient
but now I don't know
how? where?
to dry
the laundry
sitting wet in the drum
as my fingers freeze
on the keyboard
at least
turn on the heat
of a more mundane
where's my weather vane?
thought I'd be efficient
but now I don't know
how? where?
to dry
the laundry
sitting wet in the drum
as my fingers freeze
on the keyboard
at least
turn on the heat
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
New York nuts?
I'm getting a bit nervous here about my proposed visit to New York in January for the Ben Zakkai Dinner. What's making me nervous is the weather. I haven't been in NY during the winter since 69-70. The following summer my husband and I moved to Israel. I've visited a few times in the past thirty-five years, but only in the summer!
Has anyone checked weather forecasts for mid-January? Better yet, don't tell me. Just please advise me what to bring. Besides boots and a hat to cover my ears and maybe arctic thermal gloves, what else?
Has anyone checked weather forecasts for mid-January? Better yet, don't tell me. Just please advise me what to bring. Besides boots and a hat to cover my ears and maybe arctic thermal gloves, what else?
Clueless, Education, Two Carnivals
It's not that education is clueless, G-d forbid. I just want to recommend that you take a look at two great carnivals. One is The Carnival of the Clueless and the other is The Carnival of Education.
Take a gander!
Take a gander!
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