WASHINGTON (Publicity release)—This week, Congressman Bob Filner
(D-San Diego) announced that House Democrats are taking the first of
many steps during the 110th Congress to implement an Innovation
Agenda that will spur economic growth and unleash the next generation
of discovery. 

"To meet the challenges of today, and to create the jobs and economic security of tomorrow, we must act now.  With our Innovation Agenda,
we will assert our global economic leadership, create new business
ventures and jobs, and give future generations their own opportunity to achieve the American Dream," Congressman Filner pointed out.  

This effort began nearly two years ago outside Washington in meetings
with leaders and CEOs from many fields:  academia, venture capital,
and entrepreneurs from the high-tech, biotech, and telecommunications sectors who are creating the jobs of tomorrow.  This agenda involves partnerships with the private sector to invest in a workforce ready for
global competition.   It will create a new generation of innovators;
invest in federal research and development; spur affordable access to broadband; achieve energy independence; and provide small business
with tools to encourage entrepreneurial innovation.

The House will pass legislation that addresses crucial innovation and competitiveness issues for our country.  Those measures will increase
the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in K-12
(H.R. 362), support young researchers to foster the most innovative scientific research (H.R. 363) , and make capital more accessible for
small businesses, which are catalysts for technological innovation (H.R. 1332). 

Filner explained, "This week the House will consider three bipartisan measures in the first legislative step in the 110th Congress in moving forward with this critical innovation plan for the U.S. economy.  With
the Senate also moving forward on these issues, and President Bush
having indicated his support for innovation and competitiveness issues,
we hope to make real and long overdue progress on this critical
Innovation Agenda."

Already this year, House Democrats have led the way in promoting innovation through smart investments in education, science, and
research and development in the Continuing Resolution and the
fiscal 2008 Budget Resolution.

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Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Muslim and
Hindu journalists form interfaith group
 

LOS ANGELES (Publicity Release)—Journalists Avi Davis, Robert Spencer, Tashbih Sayyed and Babu Suseelan have announced the
formation of the American Freedom Alliance, an organization uniting individuals and communities of faith who revere the values that make the United States of America a worldwide symbol of freedom of thought, speech and self-expression.

The Alliance will officially launch at the first Heroes of Conscience
Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Sunday, May 20. 
The dinner will feature a tribute to Flemming Rose, the editor
responsible for the publication of the “Danish cartoons.” It will be
followed on June10-11 with an international conference on the
topic The Collapse of Europe? at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.   Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Daniel Pipes and
Mark Steyn  will be among the 30 leading journalists, academics and community leaders from around the world who will participate. 

The four founders, each representing a different religion, community and geographic region of the country, decided to establish the Alliance as a barrier to the threats represented by the advances of cultural and militant Islam in both Europe and North America.

“Since the events of September 11, 2001, we have seen an unprecedented demand in both Europe and North America for minority rights and autonomy,” stated the Alliance’s Senior Fellow and Executive Director,
Avi Davis. “Many Europeans seem unable to either judge or condemn minority cultural behavior which runs counter to civilized conduct
for fear of offending multicultural sensitivities.  This cannot be allowed to happen in the United States.” 

To address the problems posed by excessive emphasis on multicultural rights while promoting the preservation of American freedom of thought, expression, religion and conscience, the Alliance will offer tools and strategies to assist grass roots organizations—including district councils
and school boards across North America—to recognize and counter the threats to basic freedoms.

“The values that we will promote and the conduct we will proscribe
will be clearly recognizable by any parent attempting to raise children
in a free society,” said Tashbih Sayyed, an Alliance associate fellow. 
“We are neither a religious nor political organization, but we will bring
an awareness of the deep problems that await democratic society if it succumbs to the notion that all cultures and values are morally equal and one cannot judge anyone else for beliefs or behavior that run counter to civilized conduct.”

Future programs of the Alliance include a series of speaker events addressing the problems of Europe and abroad, as well as the creation
of an international legal fund to support individuals and communities
who have suffered harassment from minority cultures for simply abiding
by their own beliefs and values and who have objected to conduct
by others that they find aberrant.  The Alliance will also publish a
quarterly journal titled, The Moral Mind. 

Each of the four men bring unique talents, experience and commitments
to the new organization.  Avi Davis, who is Jewish, is a lawyer,  a documentary film producer and a highly respected freelance journalist
who has written extensively about Israel and the Middle East. Robert Spencer, a Greek Catholic deacon, is a world expert on Islam and has written six books on the subject – two of them New York Times
bestsellers.  Indian-born Tashbih Sayyed is a Muslim, a seasoned
journalist and the editor of Muslim World Today, a weekly publication
that documents the rise of extremist Islam around the world.  Babu Suseelan, a Hindu, is the director of the Indian American  Intellectuals Forum in New York and is Chairman of the Interfaith Coalition, a group that seeks to build bridges between religious groups in New York City.

For further information on the American Freedom Alliance, its programs and its fellows, please visit www.americanfreedomalliance.org or call (310) 444-3085.
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Opinion
Why this Jew favors keeping keeping the Mt. Soledad cross

By Sheila Orysiek

SAN DIEGO—The following is in response to an article which appeared
on April 21 in the San Diego Union Tribune: “Three congressmen subpoenaed in battle over Mount Soledad cross” By Greg Moran and
linked by JewishSightSeeing.com from its Jews in the News column.

I will concede immediately that until the United States Supreme Court decides on the legality of a religious symbol on public land, I cannot
make my case based on legal precedent.  However, there is physical precedent which is evident every time we drive by the honored dead
buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery or the American cemetery
on Normandy.  The rows of crosses with an occasional Star of David
are mute but potent testimony to that. Or a military chaplain prays over
a soldier’s newly dug grave at some other national cemetery. Or Moses
as a Law Giver sculpted onto the House of the United States Supreme
Court.

I do, however, offer reasons other than the legal issues still open to proceedings of jurisprudence.  And, these I base on history and
sometimes history overrides – and informs – judicial proceedings.

For centuries Jewish populations have flowed seeking sanctuary,
no matter how tenuous, between two great cultures – civilizations – Christianity and Islam.  At times fortune favored us more in one more
than the other and then events reversed and we retraced our steps to
take up residence in lands once left behind.  Our tenure in Spain
– Sepharad – is an excellent example.

When Islam arrived in Spain Jews found it a much more
accommodating culture in which to live and even thrive than
under the previous suzerainty of the Christian Visigoths.  And under
the newly arrived Islamic victors thrive we did.  That is until a much
more restrictive, fundamentalist strain of Islam came across the straits
of Gibraltar and overcame the more accommodating Islamic culture we
had enjoyed.  So, Jews traveled north once again to Christian holdings
in northern Spain.

As Christianity secured more of Spain and increased its religious
fervor to our detriment, Jews once again traveled south to the
remnants of Islamic controlled principalities.  Eventually, with
the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula and our  expulsion
by the monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, Jews left and spread out
across Europe, the Mediterranean, and were particularly welcomed
by the Islamic Ottoman Empire.  And so it went – we sought refuge
back and forth between these two great civilizations.

As it stands today, we no longer have the opportunity to live in
Islamic lands.  The Jewish communities who populated those lands
for thousands of years are for the most part gone – sadly gone – most
of them didn’t want to leave but found that in the end there was no
choice.  And we, the rest of the Jews of the world have no choice.
Our future is tied up – amidst and among – even dependent upon –
the Christian nations in which we live and with whom the State of
Israel finds most of its allies and trading partners.

As I see it, this Christian world – its values and culture – is under challenge.  Societies are always challenged both from within and
without.  In this case, Christianity is challenged by Islam on several
fronts.  We do have much to learn from one another and if this were pursued in peace – we would all benefit.  However, it must be noted and understood that enough adherents, leaders and spokesmen for Islam,
have openly declared an intention to impose their laws, values and
religion on the West.  They have openly declared an intention to have
Sharia (Islamic) law supersede our own jurisprudence.  At the same
time, there is a movement in the West, mostly from the left, to
de-legitimize Christian symbols, practice, and values and deride
those who are religious practicing Christians and labeling them as unilateralists and radicals.

I think nothing could be further from the truth.  The United States,
with a religious  history and a  large percentage of observant Christians, with all its faults, with all the social problems that have needed (and still need) to be rectified, has allowed – even welcomed – since its inception people from all over the world and this includes millions of Jews.   Notwithstanding whatever anti-Semitism has been practiced in housing, education, employment, etc., we have found sanctuary here well
beyond the sanctuary we have found anywhere else.  No other
country has been as good to the Jewish immigrant.

Now these Judeo-Christian values (acknowledged as such by the
Founding Fathers and of which, we as Jews are a part) are under
challenge by a number of leaders of another religious culture that has proclaimed itself – in writing, speech and action – as intending to
override our values.  If the Christians among whom we live – in safety
and freedom – are not supported by us, do not keep their faith strong enough to defend the country and culture we all helped to create and
love – then they (we are part of the “they”) cannot meet this challenge.

If this country changes, at first slowly, bit by bit,  one seemingly small change at a time, we shall find ourselves losing this beloved country as
we know it, with serious consequences for Israel, we as Jews will have no where else to go.  As we tell the Christians of the world we are your brothers and sisters – so they are our brothers and sisters.  As they
prosper or fail – so do we.

A Cross is a symbol of the health of Christian faith not an imposition
– I am not being asked to venerate it.  I do not see strong Christian faith
as a negative, but as a positive.  As I want my Jewish faith to be strong,
so I want their Christian faith to be also.

Orysiek, who serves dance critic for jewishsightseeing.com, is a member of Temple Emanu-El.
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The Jewish Grapevine
                                                 

COMMUNITY WATCH—The Agency for Jewish Education has
added listings for 21 learning events in its most recent update of its
Makor catalogue.  You can access the online listing of Jewish
educational opportunities in San Diego County by visiting the Makor
website.

MAZAL TOV—The Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family
Jewish Community Center in La Jollais justifiably proud of an
honor recentlyconferred on Roberta Wagner Berman.  The library reported in itsnewsletter that she was chosen for a 2007 Star Award
by the San Diego Performing Arts League.  The award is given to
volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes for San Diego
County’s arts and cultural organizations. At the library, Berman
oversees the cataloging, circulation and acquisitions, creates displays
and coordinates a team of volunteers. Berman dedicated this award to
the memory of her parents, Martin & Esther Wagner, who were volunteers at the 54th Street JCC. ... Chava Eilfort, daughter of Rabbi Yeruchem and Nahama Eilfort, celebrates a women-only bat mitzvah
on Sunday, May 6.  A kiddush in her honor will be held at Chabad of La Costa during Shabbat services the day before.

INSURANCE SCAM—California Insurance Commissioner Steve
Poizner has alerted senior citizens and their families to make certain
they or their loved ones are not victims of a pre-paid funeral scam
which targeted the elderly in Southern California. A California
Department of Insurance (CDI) investigation found that the former
owner of Valley Funeral Home in Murrieta sold "pre-need" burial
plans to senior citizens, including residents of area nursing homes,
then pocketed the premiums and left her elderly clients without
funeral coverage. If consumers believe they or a loved one may have victimized, please call the California Department of Insurance
Investigation Division office at (909) 919-2200. ..

DO IT ANYWAY—A favorite injunction in Judaism says that if you
are planting a tree and someone tells you the Messiah is coming, first
plant the tree, then go see the Messiah. Committing oneself to a good
deed also finds expression in other ways, as one of our favorite
webwatchers,  Hillel Mazansky has found. For those of you with PowerPoint, we pass along a presentation with beautiful photography
on this theme.... Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort has been referring people to
far more disturbing images on the internet—in fact, his message says
that the graphic images are unsuitable for viewing by children.  It is a
video report from February 2006 about an Israeli police action to move
a settlement from the West Bank, in which police can be seen clubbing
and manhandling passive Orthodox resisters. So why is he sending it
out now?  The rabbi says the investigation into the incident is still
ongoing but he fears a "whitewash." 
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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0  
Jews in the News                    -------------------------------------------------------------
 News spotters: Dan Brin in Los Angeles, Donald H. Harrison in San Diego, Marsha
Sutton in North San Diego County. To see a source story click on the link within the
respective paragraph.  If you spot a Jewish-interest story in your favorite publication,
please send us the link.
_______________________________________________________________________

*David Altshuler, associate professor of genetics and medicine at
Harvard Medical School, is among scientists who reported significant findings yesterday in the drive to understand and cure diabetes.  The
story by Alice Dembner of the Boston Globe appears in today's
San Diego Union Tribune.

*Dr. Bruce Chernof, Los Angeles County health director, says
budget cuts recommended by President George W. Bush's
administration, could cost the local health care system over $200
million. Susannah Rosenblatt has the story in the Los Angeles Times.

*U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) says unless it is repealed the
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) will dramatically increase income
tax payments for people in middle class brackets. The Associated
Press story is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*The FBI, under pressure from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, has
dropped its plans to build a large FBI building next to the Federal
Building in the Westwood area of Los Angeles. Martha Groves' story
is in today's Los Angeles Times.

*Rabbi Effie Goldberg, West Coast director for the National
Conference of Synagogue Youth, is arranging Shabbat sleepovers
for Orthodox teenagers so they can combine religious obligations
with a social life.  David Haldane has the story in today's Los Angeles
Times.

*Although philanthropist Hyman Jacob Levy has offered to renovate
the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, its landlord
the Jewish Communities Centers Development Corporation reportedly
is weighing other options. Adrian G. Uribarri reports the story in
today's Los Angeles Times.

*Near East, a play by UCSD graduate student Alex Lewin imagining
an American Jewish male archaeologist on an expedition with a
Jordanian Muslim female in search of a religious text to end tensions
between Judaism and Islam, is one of the offerings at UCSD's Baldwin
New Play Festival.  Anne Marie Welsh has the story in today's
San Diego Union-Tribune.

*U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), the 2000 Democratic
nominee for Vice President, voted on the losing side with 45
Republicans against the bill tying war funding to withdrawal of
troops from Iraq by Oct. 1.  The story on the 51-46 Senate vote
is in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

*Dorothy Melvin, a former manager for comic Joan Rivers, testified
in the murder trial of record producer Phil Spector, about an
occasion in which she said he struck her twice, held her at gunpoint,
and demanded that she undress. But she also continued to
communicate with him long afterwards.  Matt Krasnowski of the
Copley News Service has the story in today's San Diego
Union-Tribune.

*The opening of a new wagon wheel workshop in Escondido's
History Center pleases part-time blacksmith Louis Shapiro
and other history-lovers.  Elena Gaona has the story in today's
San Diego Union-Tribune.

*Director Steven Spielberg, commenting on the death of former
Motion Picture of America Association chief Jack Valenti, said in
a statement. “He was the greatest ambassador Hollywood has ever
known, and I will value his wisdom and friendship for all time.”
The Associated Press story by David Germain is in today’s San
Diego Union-Tribune.

*Leonard Steinberg is leading a campaign for construction of a
middle school in the La Costa Valley area of Carlsbad, saying that
the San Dieguito Union High School District has been charging
him and other residents taxes for it.  Bruce Lieberman has the story
in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*Paul Wolfowitz is being nudged to resign as president of the World
Bank by members of that organization's anti-corruption team, who
say the furor over his alleged special treatment of his girlfriend hurts
the team's work.  The New York Times News Service story is in
today's San Diego Union-Tribune.
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Advertisement:.J


 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's Good to Eat in

San Diego?Lynne Thrope 
___________________________________________________________

1500 Ocean now light, breezy and very modern

There’s an old address in San Diego that many of us will find new –
1500 Ocean Ave.home to the century-old seaside resort Hotel Del
Coronado where change is its new best friend. In addition to the magnificent makeovers to the grounds, spa, and tennis courts, gone
is the staid Prince of Whales dining room where, according to San
Diego legend, the Prince of Wales met his future bride, Wallis Spencer Simpson, wife of a Coronado-based Navy pilot.  The once stalwart
interior is now replaced with a casual chic airiness that captures the
essence of modern in design as well as in menu selections.

San Diego is in the midst of an exciting food renaissance and The Del’s Chef de Cuisine Jason Shaeffer is a reason why. Before accepting the position of Executive Chef at 1500 Ocean, he spent time in San Diego with the
Winesellar Group where he acted as Executive
Chef at both ‘Laurel’ and the ‘Winesellar & Brasserie.’ During his tenure, Laurel was named “the best meal in San Diego” by Food & Wine Magazine. Shaeffer also trained under Trey Foshee at ‘George’s at the Cove’ in 2000.  He then set off for Manhattan to train under Thomas Keller (chef and founder of The French Laundry in Napa) in his Michelin winning restaurant ‘Per Se.’   No doubt 1500 Ocean is the place where Shaeffer’s artistry can flourish and be appreciated.  “We took a couple trips to explore the
region, to find the best figs, for example, the best buffalo mozzarella, the tiniest tangerines and somereally delicious wines.” I found Shaeffer’s “Southland Coastal Cuisine” with delectables from Santa Ynez to Cabo
San Lucas scintillating, succulent and oh, so delicious!

And I must add whimsical to these accolades. Take Shaeffer’s
Toad in the Hole ($13). When was the last or even first time you
savored that British dish consisting of Yorkshire pudding batter topped
with hen egg? This starter dish is not to be missed if you love the subtle taste of chanterelles and wisps of leeks swimming alongside.  “I find
that the best things on any menu are the dishes with just two of three
ingredients of the highest, highest quality, done very simply,”
Shaeffer said. Case in point is his uncomplicated puree of cremini mushroom soup ($14) with hints of chestnuts and sage. Once you’ve
tasted this dish, you’ll begin to understand Shaeffer’s approach, style,
and magic.  “I like food to be light and bright and a little whimsical,”
he said, as I ordered the medjool date and almond tart ($10) dressed with orange blossom honey and blue cheese mousse. My dinner
companions opted for the warm chocolate chipotle cake served with
banana and caramel ice cream ($10) and warm mango rice pudding
with fennel compote ($10).  After sampling all three, we were hard
pressed to choose a favorite but came away favoring whimsy and simple regardless.

Sitting comfortably in our airy alcove on pillowed banquettes, we were wowed by a little more than the fabulous food that seduced us with the daily catch of salmon ($31) artfully presented in a beurre blanc sauce, muscovy duck confit ($29) accompanied by a hearty dollop of Italian
black kale, and lamb porterhouse ($33) perfectly matched with stewed fennel, marble potatoes, and black olives.  The view of the Pacific, in all her majesty, is stunning and can now be appreciated through the 54-foot stretch of French doors and windows. The designers from Engstrom Design Group (EDG) in Marin County have expertly created handsome and harmonious décor mixing cherry-stained mahogany and earthy fabric tones with the vibrancy of the sea that is calming and sensuous.  1500 Ocean is definitely a place to linger and savor the sweetness of change…B’Tayavon

OVERVIEW—1500 Ocean, Hotel Del Coronado,1500 Ocean Avenue, Coronado, 619.522.8490; www.hoteldel.com; indoor and outdoor
seating; dinner nightly 5:30pm-10:30pm; validated parking>

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Keyboard Conversation with Jeffrey
Siegel heads for Jewish Music Festival

SAN DIEGO (Publicity Release)  – The 8^th Annual San Diego Jewish Music Festival, sponsored by the Private Bank of Bank of America and presented by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, continues with the distinguished American pianist Jeffrey Siegel on May 24 at 7:30 p.m.  In his popular “Keyboard Conversations®” Siegel presents the virtuosity and poetry of a world-class pianist combined with entertaining commentary that creates a magical concert experience.  

Siegel has been soloist with the world’s great orchestras.  Abroad, these include the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, Moscow State Symphony, The Hague Residentie Orkest, and Stockholm Philharmonic.  Engagements in the United States include the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Siegel has collaborated with many of the pre-eminent conductors of our time: Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, James Levine, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin, Michael Tilson Thomas, as well as legendary maestros of the past including Eugene Ormandy, Sir George Solti, William Steinberg, and Klaus Tennstedt.

In addition to his solo appearances, Siegel presents “Keyboard Conversations®,” a unique, concert-plus-commentary format in which he speaks to the audience about the music before performing each work in its entirety.  Newcomers to classical concerts have greeted these programs with enormous enthusiasm because they present an informal, accessible, and highly entertaining introduction to the vast repertoire of the piano and to classical music in general. 

Siegel has also developed a following among seasoned music-lovers, who are constantly enlightened by his erudition and delighted by his wit.  Ongoing series flourish in numerous American cities, among them New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Dallas, and Denver.  Some of these venues have been presenting “Keyboard Conversations®” for more than twenty years – resounding testimony to Siegel’s superb artistry, innovative format, and loyal following.

In June 2006, Random Audio Publishing Group released as an audiobook series four “Keyboard Conversations®” CDs: Mozart and Friends, The Power and Passion of Beethoven, The Romanticism of the Russian Soul, and The Romance of the Piano.  Twin Cities Public Television, in conjunction with the Schubert Club, recently produced and broadcast two half-hour “Keyboard Conversations®” — Mozart and Chopin.  Siegel’s recording of Gershwin’s complete works for piano and orchestra with Leonard Slatkin and the Saint Louis Symphony continues to be a best-seller.

The foregoing  was provided by the San Diego Jewish Music Festival 

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_________________________________________________________________

Parashat Kedoshim begins with some of the most famous words of
the Torah: “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the whole
Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the
Lord your God, am holy.” (Lev. 19:1&2)

There are many definitions of what it means to be “holy.” The Etz
Hayim Chumash offers one of the most beautiful explanations: “To be
holy is to rise to partake in some measure of the special qualities of
God, the source of Holiness.” (Etz Hayim, p. 693) To be holy is to
be Godly and act in ways which elevate ourselves and humanity above
the coarser and more mundane aspects of existence.

Many commentators have noted the exceptional phrasing of this commandment. Normally God told Moses to “speak to the Israelite community.” Here he tells Moses to: “speak to the whole Israelite community.” The word “whole” emphasizes the communal nature of
the mitzvot contained in this parasha. Many of them have to do with
how one behaves in a civilized and holy society.

Parashat Kedoshim contains laws requiring the giving of tzedakah
and of refraining from theft or fraud. It demands that we not insult
the disabled or deceive our neighbors. We should render fair
decisions and honor the elderly. We should treat the stranger with
deference and respect, “for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 
(Lev. 19:34) We should act in ways which build and not denigrate
society.

Rabbi Baruch Epstein, the author of the Torah Temimah, wrote that
this week’s parasha is of fundamental importance because it contains
the verse: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” According to
Rabbi Akiba, most of the other mitzvot of the Torah are based upon this one. If one loves one’s neighbors, then one is far less prone to steal
from or injure them. (Parparot l’Torah, Vayikra, P. 134)

Rabbi Hillel once told a pagan that the essence of the Torah is
“What is hateful to yourself, do not do unto your neighbor.” Rabbi
Hillel said that we do not have to love our neighbors, but we may not
injure them .Upon reflection we can see that he was setting a minimum standard.     

Rabbi Akiba raised the bar. He said that, according to the Torah, 
not only may we not cause our neighbors harm, we must learn to love
them as well. It is only when we love our neighbors as God loves us
that we can aspire to come anywhere near God’s level of
kedusha, holiness.

Rabbi Rosenthal is the spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego.
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D'var Torah: Koach Halashon 

A folk tale: On lyin' about a lion

By Rabbi Baruch Lederman
Congregation Kehillas Torah, San Diego

Lo selech rocheel b'amecha..."    "You shall not be a gossipmonger among your people..."  Vayikra (19:16)  The most powerful force in the universe is koach halashon, the  power of the tongue, as the following story submitted by Sara Baila Lederman, illustrates:

There once was a great and mighty king who fell gravely ill. His royal physicians advised him that the only way possible for him to better was if he drank lion's milk. One of the kings servants approached the king and said, "Your majesty, I know a spot where a lioness rests with her young. I will travel there to milk the lioness and return back with the needed milk." The king was very pleased and nodded his approval.

The servant made haste as he journeyed to the den of the lioness. He stealthily approached the lioness and gently milked her till he had a flask full of the precious beverage.

As the servant trekked back to the palace, various parts of his body engaged in a debate. Each argued that they were the most important.

The legs said, "The legs are the most important because the legs carried the body to the lioness."

"No the hands are the most important because they milked the lioness."

"The eyes are clearly the most important because they recognized the location of the lioness."

Finally, the tongue said, "I am the most important because I told the king about the milk."

The other body parts, upon hearing this, immediately broke out in loud laughter. "The tongue was the least important contributor to this mission. Your role is insignificant."

The tongue said, "You are all wrong and tomorrow I will prove it to you."

The next day, the servant returned to the palace and was given a hero's welcome. He approached the king's throne to tell him of his success in obtaining the lion's milk; but as he spoke, the following word's came out, "Your majesty, I have here a flask of dog's milk for you."

"Dog milk!!!" exclaimed the king, "How dare you bring me dog milk?!  Guards, take this man to the dungeon, tomorrow he shall be executed for this treason."

The servant was quickly thrown into the dungeon, dazed and confused.

That night, the servant had a dream. The tongue told the rest of the body he would rescue them tomorrow and they would know that the tongue is truly the greatest.

The next day, the servant asked the prison guards for an audience with the king before his execution. The servant explained to the king, "I am so sorry your royal highness; I made a woeful mistake when I said I had dog milk for his majesty. It is actually lion milk. Try it and see - you will be cured of your affliction."

The king drank the milk. Lo and behold, he was cured. The servant was allowed to live and in fact, was richly rewarded by the king.

The tongue holds the power of life and death. Use it wisely.

Dedicated in memory of Simcha ben Manya by his children Dr. & Mrs. Alfred Salganick.

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