Hadassim Hysteria

Dear Editor,

I wish to voice strong objection to “The Great Hadassim Scam” (September 29) claiming that there is a massive scam and scandal involving hadassim, with most of them being not kosher.

The article seems to be based on a relatively recent stringent practice regarding the alignment of the nodes of a hadas (myrtle) stem that some people try to follow, as opposed to longtime more flexible, mainstream, accepted halachah, which concentrates on alignment of the hadas leaves rather than their nodes.

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt’l, when he checked hadassim for the masses, glanced at the leaves, not the nodes. Similarly, ybl’c, Rav Dovid Feinstein glances at the leaves and overall hadas as opposed to the nodes. (Source: Lekicha Tama: The Lulav and Esrog Buying Guide, by Rabbi Avraham Reit, distributed by Feldheim.)

People should not be confused by irresponsible articles that mix mainstream halachah with a stringency propagated relatively recently.

Thanks for letting me set the record straight.

Sincerely,

Baruch Levi


Letter To
A Loved One

Dear Rochel, a’h,

There is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of you, and I just wanted to share some thoughts that have been pressing on my mind. I firmly believe everyone has a role model. Whether people admit it or not, there is someone in their life who exemplifies certain attributes that they themselves wish to polish within their own persona. There was a woman of such stature in my life. She was a caring, kind, and considerate individual. She was one of those remarkable people who make you feel like you mean the world to them. So much so, that when you walk into a room their face lights up with excitement and joy, thereby creating this great happiness within yourself for no particular reason. You may have just seen this person the day before, it wouldn’t have made a difference–the excitement would be just the same, if not more. This was you . . .

Rochel, you were one of the most amazing and incredible individuals I have met. You met adversity with strength and love. You met friends with an appealing and contagious smile. You met family with a deep, profound love. You met strangers with a nonjudgmental perspective so that they didn’t stay strangers for long. Most importantly, you met life with a delicate balance of worldly enjoyment and spiritual awareness.

I know that your yahrzeit being around this time of year, and specifically erev Rosh Hashanah, is in and of itself a testimony to your life. Rochel, you represented someone who brought a majestic nature to your service with G‑d. Hashem was an integral part of your life, and your belief in Him was steadfast. During the current Days of Awe and Repentance, we are told to mend our ways and improve our daily conduct. Being a growth-oriented person was one of your many attributes. There was always a lecture or a Hallel not to be missed.

You were an activist with regard to your devotion to Torah and mitzvos and you did not allow your physical condition to get in the way of that. You helped others come to this same realization, educating them that one of the Torah’s most fundamental lessons is to be kind to others, and that forgiveness is an essential key to making it through life. You were faithful in emulating G‑d as you demonstrated unconditional love to all.

I wish that I can be as happy as you were and as happy as you made others feel. Rochel Baron, a’h, I am proud to call you my cousin. Missing you more each day.

With Love,

Rivky Shipkin


A Timely Mitzvah

Dear Editor,

During this auspicious time of year, my husband and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many girls and young women of our Five Towns/Far Rockaway community for the countless hours they have spent with our daughter Dena. Dena is a young woman who has intellectual and developmental challenges which she more than balances out with her sweet personality and giving nature.

These girls have not only taken time out of their busy schedules to take our daughter out and keep her occupied, but some of them have actually thanked us for the privilege of doing this chesed. We are so grateful for the way that they have enriched her life and ours over these years.

Our fervent hope for this coming year is that we be blessed with more wonderful girls to spend time with our daughter. We know that people are busy, but if you have even just a little bit of time, please reach out to that person in your neighborhood or in your community who you know could benefit from your company. We can tell you firsthand that your few minutes of time can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Shloimie and Naomi Berger

 

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