Judah Demands Shabbos
There's no tricking Judah. True to Friday night form, Judah had an "episode" last night. Right before our eyes, his heart rate zoomed up to 160 and his blood pressure fell accordingly.
Here's what happened: I didn't want Judah to know that it was Friday night because he often falls ill, so I didn't want to sing kiddush to him (which is what we usually do). Mom started to sing Shalom Aleichem to him (which is what we usually do), but I shushed her, lest he realize it's Friday and then fall into some trouble.
Around 11 pm, his heart took off like a flock of pigeons. For about an hour, his poor nurse Thelma tried to get hold of whichever doctor she could. In the meantime, we sat on pins and needles, helpless and unsure as to what was happening. Mom still wanted to sing Shalom Aleichem to him, but once again I stopped her, telling her that the song is not a magical amulet. Dr. Ahmad came to the rescue and ordered a pint of this and a litre of that. Still, nothing was happening to Judah's heart until - and I SWEAR THIS IS TRUE - Mom started singing Shalom Aleichem to him after all. His heart recovered immediately. A bit cowed, I made kiddush for him. Since then he has been spending this shabbos resting comfortably (which is what he usually does).
posted by The Whites @ 7:05 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Dear White's;
Thanks for the update. I never heard Martha sing, but if it works
let her go ahead and sing all she wants.A repressed opera diva,who knows, dear dear Martha, just belt it out.
Love;
Ludwig
Moral of the story:
1. Don’t trick a man when his eyes are closed
2. Don’t shush your mother ( I am sure my mother will be happy to read this)
3. Honor the Sabbath, keep it holy (it is a top 5 commandment after all)
4. Keep on Trucking – Judah is demanding that we continue on and he will catch up with us all when he is ready.
5. The strength and love of the Whites. It shows how strong your family is – and Judah’s love for all of you – and how much he has always looked forward and demanded to keep Shabbos.
- David
(I will try to make it out there some time today)
Dear Whites -
I've heard of chicken soup having therapeutic qualities, but Shalom Aleichem?
Glad the episode was short lived and ended well. A peaceful and uneventfull remainder of Shabbat to all of you.
Love, Uncle Robby
Good thing Martha is from the Wolf side of the Meltzer family and not the Adelman side. Let's just say that singing is not recommended for the Adelman side, under any circumstances. Ha-mevin yavin.
Erika
It's hard to top this morning's comments. In Judah's delicste condition, he is certainly entitled to throw a temper tantrum or two. And if he can't get your attention by stamping his feet and yelling, he has certainly found an effective, if terrifying way to get exactly what he wants: a proper Shabbos observance and Mom's sweet voice.
More power to you, Judah! Get well so you can give the rest of us lessons.
Love,
Andrea
Dear Dr. White, honey and Martha, Alissa, and Benji,
Shavuah tov and I am anticipating that this will be a good week, that the planned forward steps will be effected and successful. My thoughts are with all of you constantly. Love and more, Mrs. C.
Special to Benji, a birthday greeting to you for the morrow. We remember well receiving the news of your birth in the middle of the night. You should be pleased that your father was so happy and excited, even though you were the third. Love, Martha and Ralph
Dear Whites- I have to share a quick anecdote- We were sitting at the Shabbat table last night and I was giving the "Judah update" to my husband- My daughter, Hannah(5 yrs. old),who has heard about "my college friend, Judah", said "When is Judah going to get better?" I said that we had to pray hard for him so that he gets better. She was quiet for a second, then said very seriously "Baruch Atah...Haolam Boreh Pri Ha JUDAH"
Let's hope G-d was listening!
Shavuah Tov...
Of course Judah wanted to hear Shalom Aleichem, it's a welcome song to the ministering Angels, and he wanted their blessings for himself, and for everyone in the room.
They were invited in peace, and, God willing, left behind their blessings for peace and health.
The Sfat Emet teaches that as we get an extra portion of soul on Shabbat, the more one craves that extra portion, and the deeper one yearns for connectedness with God, the more that extra soul imprints on our bones and bodies. I am making a part of my shabbat prayer that Judah's extra portion of soul stick around and help bring our boy back to health.
When the gates are open, let all of us sing Shalom Aleichem for Judah's sake.
Peace.
-- Josh
Of course Judah needed to hear Shalom Aleichem -- what else is new? The only question I have is why he waited till 11 pm to get agitated about it, when candle-lighting is at ~ 7 pm. Ya'ashir koach, Judah.
love, Howie
PS: Mazaltov, Dr. Martha White!
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