I found the article [about the halachic issues relevant to cosmetic surgery] interesting, but the comment, “Whether it is the torture of feeling unattractive or the feeling of hopelessness of a single friend who is losing hope that he/she will ever have a wife/husband and family, we must always look for ways to ease their pain” was off the mark. Singles who have plastic surgery to “ease their pain” will be sorely disappointed if they are using such alterations as a magic pill for finding a mate. One only needs to look around at the abundance of beautiful, intelligent, successful and caring singles to realize that less than picture-perfect looks are hardly responsible for our singles crisis.
Raymond G. Considering the difficulty, expense, and the amount of years of intense studying that are required to get into medical school and to succeed – I feel that it is a waste of talent for these trained bright men and women to use their medical expertise to enhance the physical looks of patients simply for the sake of vanity. Is that the best use for all that training? I think the risks are unnecessary and the value negligible. It is a big waste and shame, and shows how we lack true values. I agree that there are many instances where plastic surgery is needed, as enumerated in the article, but more often it is not. I do not understand how intelligent men and women have been so bamboozled, and I think doctors should be doing more important work.
Sylvia T. 14
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SANITY
I hope that every parent read the article titled “Back to School Sanity” in last month’s issue. The point that every child should be taught according to his own way cannot be stressed enough. Unfortunately, when I was a young student, my parents pressured me by insisting that I study the subjects that interested them and mattered most to them. They did not seem to care that my interests and strengths were different than theirs. Don’t get me wrong – my parents are good people who tried their best with what they knew, but their goal from the time I was in elementary school was for me to go to college and become a top lawyer or doctor. I had different interests than my parents, and my strengths were not suited for either profession, yet they kept insisting that this was the “only” way to be considered successful. I became so frustrated that I was not permitted to study the subjects that most interested me, that I stopped caring about my test scores and ended up with below average grades – making sure that there was no possible way for me to get into a prestigious college. Now that I’m a parent, I will make sure not to repeat the same mistakes. I will be encouraging my children to utilize their unique talents and individual strengths – even if they are different than mine.
Robert B.
DOLLARS AND SENSE
Your new column, Dollars and Sense, by Rabbi Max Anteby is a welcome addition to your fine publication. The events of the past few years have made it clear that what our community and society need in order to establish a secure and stable market is a strong financial education. The reason why so many families are experiencing financial difficulties is poor financial decisions and lack of planning. Not being able to properly manage finances and obligations generally leads people to huge debt and a bad credit rating. It is critical to build a strong foundation within every person from early on to allow them to make wise financial decisions throughout their adult lives which will not only benefit them personally, but will also help our community as a whole. Kudos to Rabbi Anteby and the Mesila organization for dedicating their resources and energies to educating people about being financially responsible.
M. Shalom
Let Us STRE
Av - Elul
Volume XII
COSMETIC SURGERY
No. 11
LETTERS
5773 Augu st 2013
NG OURSE THEN LVES! Our ge neration 's guidanc e and ins leading sage unforg s offer piration ettable at Dirsh gatherin u's g in Je rusalem
The Capture
and Rescue Mission Rabbi Eli J Mansou Judaism r and Cosmet ic Surger y Daniel Eise nberg, MD Teaches Sephardic Hazzanut Pnina Sou Back to Sc id ho
Innovative Website
Special
ol Features
DISTANT STARS
I was deeply disturbed by the August article, “The Distant Stars: Learn why life on earth would be impossible without the billions of stars in the universe.” This article and its title imply that life was created through interstellar activity, not that it was created over a two-day period. While it is true that supernova release carbon, that is not how humanity and animal life appeared. It is what the evolutionists use to explain how life could form on its own, and any application of supernova explosions to life on earth is completely out of line. (As to the question of how the stars benefit humanity, each star represents a Jewish soul, born and unborn, and of all humanity.)
E. Ashkenazi
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