“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Mishpatim/Shekalim
Parshas Mishpatim/Shekalim
Mevorchim Chodesh
Adar/Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar
Adar/Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar
29 Shevat 5777/ February 24,
2017
2017
Three of our
children have had food allergies throughout their lives. The earliest indication
of the allergies, was from eczema that developed on their skin during late
infancy. Of course, it’s most challenging for the children who cannot eat what
their siblings and peers are enjoying, but it’s also extremely hard as parents,
to not be able to do anything about it. Every time we buy outside food, we have
to be vigilant about the ingredients, including asking what other foods are
made together with the food they are ordering.
children have had food allergies throughout their lives. The earliest indication
of the allergies, was from eczema that developed on their skin during late
infancy. Of course, it’s most challenging for the children who cannot eat what
their siblings and peers are enjoying, but it’s also extremely hard as parents,
to not be able to do anything about it. Every time we buy outside food, we have
to be vigilant about the ingredients, including asking what other foods are
made together with the food they are ordering.
Last Tuesday, I
took our two daughters, Aviva (just Bas Mitzvah) and Chayala (six years old), to
their allergist for a “food challenge”.
took our two daughters, Aviva (just Bas Mitzvah) and Chayala (six years old), to
their allergist for a “food challenge”.
Briefly and
oversimply explained, every few years someone with allergies will undergo a
blood test to determine if his/her “number have gone down”. However, the blood
test is not wholly conclusive. Therefore, even if there is an indication that
the ‘numbers have dropped’, the next step must be an actual food challenge.
oversimply explained, every few years someone with allergies will undergo a
blood test to determine if his/her “number have gone down”. However, the blood
test is not wholly conclusive. Therefore, even if there is an indication that
the ‘numbers have dropped’, the next step must be an actual food challenge.
In the doctor’s
office, the patient is given a very controlled amount of the food he is
allergic to. Following that there is a waiting period to see how the patient
tolerates the new food. After about twenty minutes of monitoring, the doctor or
nurse will check the patient to ensure that there has not been any negative
reaction, such as accelerated heart rate, or a rash, or hives. If all is well, a
little more of the food is given to the patient, followed by another waiting
period to ensure that there isn’t any negative reaction. After a few cycles of
increased amounts of the food being administered, the patient waits a little over
an hour. If there has still not been any reaction, the patient is deemed no
longer allergic to that particular food.
office, the patient is given a very controlled amount of the food he is
allergic to. Following that there is a waiting period to see how the patient
tolerates the new food. After about twenty minutes of monitoring, the doctor or
nurse will check the patient to ensure that there has not been any negative
reaction, such as accelerated heart rate, or a rash, or hives. If all is well, a
little more of the food is given to the patient, followed by another waiting
period to ensure that there isn’t any negative reaction. After a few cycles of
increased amounts of the food being administered, the patient waits a little over
an hour. If there has still not been any reaction, the patient is deemed no
longer allergic to that particular food.
After a long
morning of food challenges, by the grace of Hashem, we were exhilarated to be informed
that both Aviva and Chayala had passed. Aviva is no longer allergic to dairy, and
Chayala is no longer allergic to eggs.
morning of food challenges, by the grace of Hashem, we were exhilarated to be informed
that both Aviva and Chayala had passed. Aviva is no longer allergic to dairy, and
Chayala is no longer allergic to eggs.
When we arrived
back in Monsey we went straight to a local pizza shop. For the first time in
her life, Aviva enjoyed a slice of pizza, while Chayala finished the French
Toast and omelet we had brought along.
back in Monsey we went straight to a local pizza shop. For the first time in
her life, Aviva enjoyed a slice of pizza, while Chayala finished the French
Toast and omelet we had brought along.
It was cute when
Aviva asked me why there was some liquid atop her pizza. She never looked at a
slice so closely before. (Since last Tuesday she has had a slice of pizza every
day.) On Shabbos, for the first time in her life, she had to remind herself not
to eat something milchigs because she was fleishigs (until now, everything she
ate was fleishigs or pareve).
Aviva asked me why there was some liquid atop her pizza. She never looked at a
slice so closely before. (Since last Tuesday she has had a slice of pizza every
day.) On Shabbos, for the first time in her life, she had to remind herself not
to eat something milchigs because she was fleishigs (until now, everything she
ate was fleishigs or pareve).
Later that afternoon,
as I was driving, I was listening to a recorded shiur from Rav Matisyahu
Salomon shlita, about the Aseres Hadibros.
as I was driving, I was listening to a recorded shiur from Rav Matisyahu
Salomon shlita, about the Aseres Hadibros.
The third of the
Dibros states: “You shall not take G-d’s Name in vain!” Rav Matisyahu related a
novel explanation from the Ramban in his sefer, Emunah Ubitachon:
Dibros states: “You shall not take G-d’s Name in vain!” Rav Matisyahu related a
novel explanation from the Ramban in his sefer, Emunah Ubitachon:
The Ramban notes that often in life we feel
inspired or particularly ‘connected’ to Hashem. It may be a feeling of
gratitude for a special blessing we have been endowed with. That
inspiration/connection/gratitude is a manifestation of the Name of Hashem
resting upon us. The Torah is exhorting us to ensure that we not allow that
moment to be ‘in vain’.
inspired or particularly ‘connected’ to Hashem. It may be a feeling of
gratitude for a special blessing we have been endowed with. That
inspiration/connection/gratitude is a manifestation of the Name of Hashem
resting upon us. The Torah is exhorting us to ensure that we not allow that
moment to be ‘in vain’.
The only way to
take advantage of a moment of inspiration is by ‘putting it into action’, such
as by accepting upon oneself to do something with that elevated feeling. As we
all know from personal experience, if one tarries before taking on such a
commitment, the inspiration quickly fades and will soon be nothing but a nebulous
memory, and a lost opportunity.
take advantage of a moment of inspiration is by ‘putting it into action’, such
as by accepting upon oneself to do something with that elevated feeling. As we
all know from personal experience, if one tarries before taking on such a
commitment, the inspiration quickly fades and will soon be nothing but a nebulous
memory, and a lost opportunity.
Rav Matisyahu
notes that even a small ‘kabalah’ (spiritual commitment) fulfills this dictate,
as long as it’s something that helps us capitalize on the gift of that moment.
notes that even a small ‘kabalah’ (spiritual commitment) fulfills this dictate,
as long as it’s something that helps us capitalize on the gift of that moment.
I felt that this
was a personal message to me that day. Our family had been granted such a
wonderful blessing, and it was incumbent upon me to do something positive with
that feeling. So, I committed, b’li neder, that at least when I eat pizza and
eggs, to think for an extra second before making the beracha, to appreciate the
gift that Hashem has given me – not only that such food is available, but that
I can enjoy it too.
was a personal message to me that day. Our family had been granted such a
wonderful blessing, and it was incumbent upon me to do something positive with
that feeling. So, I committed, b’li neder, that at least when I eat pizza and
eggs, to think for an extra second before making the beracha, to appreciate the
gift that Hashem has given me – not only that such food is available, but that
I can enjoy it too.
And if that
causes me to appreciate other things that I take for granted every day, even
better!
causes me to appreciate other things that I take for granted every day, even
better!
The gemara
states that when Adar enters we increase our simcha (Ta’anis 29a). Purim is a
celebration of life itself, of a nation doomed to genocide being granted a new
lease on life. Part of the joy of Adar and Purim is the joy of living and
breathing, appreciating the vital things we generally overlook.
states that when Adar enters we increase our simcha (Ta’anis 29a). Purim is a
celebration of life itself, of a nation doomed to genocide being granted a new
lease on life. Part of the joy of Adar and Purim is the joy of living and
breathing, appreciating the vital things we generally overlook.
May the joy of
these days infuse us with happiness that lasts us throughout the year, and
throughout our lives.
these days infuse us with happiness that lasts us throughout the year, and
throughout our lives.
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos
& Good Shabbos
Chodesh Tov
& Good Chodesh,
& Good Chodesh,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum