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Oiiiz Box by Kabbi Sam “ti j. Fox • w J IA Why is it customary for Jews to express the salutation “L’Chaim” (to life) when drink ing any intoxicating beverage, such as wine or whisky? It is mentioned in the talmudic literature that before a death sentence was to be carried out, the intended victim was given wine to drink to ease his fright and concern. For the person who lifts the wine or intoxicating beverage to drink, saying the world “L’Chaim” indicated that this drink is meant for the goodness of life instead of the execution of death. W hy are Jewish people required to pray three times a day? Several lines of thought are advanced to explain this charac teristic. For one, the prayers re flect the practice of sacrifice that used to be conducted in the days of the Temple in Jerusalem. The morning and afternoon prayers reflect the corresponding sacrifi ces, while the evening prayer rep resents the condition in the old Temple where the fires on the altar were still burning in the evening to complete the sacrifi cial activities. Another line of thought tells us that the three sacrifices every day represent the three Patriarchs. I he morning sacrifice represents Abraham in prayer. The after noon prayer represents Isaac in prayer. I he evening sacrifice rep resents Jacob in prayer. Each of these sacrifices and each of the Patriarchs represent a different mode of background in prayer. Abraham’s life was like the t ising sun as he developed the belief in God and created the background of the Jewish faith. When a person is feeling creative and progressive, he should pray to the Almighty, thanking him for his progress and hoping to keep it up. I he experience of Isaac was a sort of self-satisfaction. He in herited the feelings of his father, Abraham, and passed on these feelings to his son, Jacob. This is like the afternoon which carries on the light of the sun from its high point at noon through the continuing light in the afternoon. This means that when one is sat isfied and at peace with himself, he should pray, thanking the Almighty for his satisfaction. The third experience is that of Jacob, who faced many crises and difficulties to maintain his faith. It tells us that when a person is faced with crisis and disappoint ment, he should not lose his faith, but pray to the Almighty to help him out of his dilemma. I hus, the three times a day when a Jew prays are the three experiences that a person passes through in life, each one of them requiring expression and prayer to stabilize a person’s life. W hy is the main body of pray er composed of 18 benedictions? I here are really 19 benedic tions, since one was added some time ago. I hese benedictions have three sections. T he first is a praise to G-d to show our respect in addressing Him. The second is composed of various requests that people have in expressing their needs. I he third is an expression of thanks to the Almighty, no matter how He will respond. Some commentaries claim that the various benedictions com memorate historic Jew ish events. For example, the first benedic tion refers to Abraham commem orating his escape from death. J he benediction which asks for knowledge and understanding commemorates the fact that the angel Gabriel taught Joseph many languages when he became prime minister of Egypt. J he last benediction, asking for peace, commemorates when the Jewish people finally settled in Israel and found a life of peace. The Southern Israelite Compiled by Carolyn Gold December 10, 1976 Faivel Zilberkant, who arrived in 1974 from the Soviet Union, continues his account of what life has been like in Atlanta for him and his family. He was a musician in Russia and his first two jobs here involved hard physical labor, not music. He writes that Federation sent him an unrequcsted check ior $134 to pay his musician’s union membership fee. Though not presently employed as a mu sician, he still has hope. Mr. Zilberkant describes how paintul it is for him to hear other Russian immigrants complain about their difficulty with learn ing English and finding jobs. I hey complain that they are not getting enough help. The writer emphasizes the need to become independent and says how lucky he feels to have been able to leave Russia His words describe the many ways he has been cared for by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Federation, and the Jewish community. * * * The selection of Rep. Thomas P. O’Neill as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives pressages continued strong sup port for Israel and Soviet Jewish emigration. O’Neill is seen as a vigorous advocate and backer of arms shipments to Israel and an outspoken critic of anti-Zionist resolutions by the United Nations. * * * The Reform branch ot Juda ism has championed the equality of women’s rights on all levels, including religious rights, (or almost 200 years, says the chair man of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations’ board of trustees. The UAHC is launching an educational campaign to assure equality in the placement of women rabbis in anticipation that by 1979 one out of three newly ordained Reform rabbis in Amer ica will be a woman. * * * Harris Jacobs, board member of the Atlanta Jewish Commun ity Center, recently returned from his trip to Israel where he served as an emissary to the sister center of AJCC in Ramla. Mr. Jacobs reports that the town of Ramla consists of 45,000 inhabitants, including 40,000 Jew's and 5,000 Arabs. Special programs at the Ramla Walker Community Cen ter include English lessons, coun seling and psychological services to new families, as well as classes in music, dance, art, sewing, journalism, and drama. The Southern Israelite Compiled by Carolyn Gold December 8, 1961 Dr. Irving Greenberg, chair man of the Building Campaign ofthe Hebrew Academy, announced the selection of Ketchum Inc. to direct the fundraising drive for the construction of a new Acad emy building. The campaign will begin the fall of 1962 with the building ready for occupancy by fall 1963. * * * Advertisement: Harold and Byron Cohen invite everyone to do the Twist at Hank & Jerry’s Hideaway on New Year’s Eve. The Catalinas, who feature the “Peppermint Twisters.” will pro vide the music. Breakfast will be served. Music, dancing, entertain ment, breakfast all for $12 per couple. GENEVA (JTA)—West Ger many has paid $75 million up to 1960 for heirless Jewish property in postwar occupation zones. The money has been and is to be used for the exclusive benefit of Jewish victims of the Hitler Holocaust. * * * Former President Harry S Truman was honored by more than 750 people attending the Kansas City Committee for State of Israel Bonds. Principal speaker was Abraham A. Ribicoff, secre tary of Health, Education and Welfare. Mr. Truman was given a plaque declaring him a “stal wart champion of human rights, fearless defender of t he f ree world, whose vision and statesmanship as president of the United States found memorable expression in his historic support ofthe estab lishment of the State of Israel, which is now celebrating its bar mitzva year.” * * * The Druze in Israel this week hailed the Israel Government’s grant ol religious autonomy to their 20,000-member group. Offi cial recognition gives the Druze community exclusive jurisdiction in matters of personal status such as marriage, divorce and inherit ance. 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