Congoleum BEST NO-WAX SCUFF-TUFF INLAID VINYL FLOOR SALE $ 24 $22 $24 ESTEEM TRIUMPH CELESTIAL .REG. " REG. SQ.YD. $36.50 Q92 DIMENSIONS $ •SCUFF-TUFF Wearlayer Virtually Eliminates Scuffs n. 7.4% REG. NIB/ SQ.YD. $28.50 FIRST QUALITY PLUS WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE ON EVERY ROLL OR REMNANT IN OUR STOCK, YOU SAVE 40 to 70% rm SALE ENDS NOV. 10 Floor Covering Plus, Inc. 2258 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 1 block East of Telegraph, North of Square Lake Road 332-9430 Mon. & Wed. 9.7, Tue., Thur., Fri. & Sat. 9-5 Have You Heard? by Felix Cruz Hearing Aid Specialist BEYOND CLAIMS Last spring, the Food and Drug Adminis- tration announced its warning to six major hearing instrument manufacturers and dis- tributors to stop advertising misleading claims about their products. The FDA's concern was that the public might be misled into having unrealistic expectations about the perfor- mance of these hearing products on the ba- sis of these claims. At issue were claims that implied that hearing instruments will restore a users hearing to normal; that one brand of instrument is significantly better than anoth- er; and, that background noise can be elim- inated. The FDA's attention to potentially misleading claims is to be applauded. Con- sumers and the hearing instrument industry as a whole are best served by a detailed dis- cussion of hearing issues. Advertisement We are always happy to answer any ques- tions you might have — because we have built our reputation on honesty. Here at LUCAS-CRUZ HEARING AID SERVICE we have on staff knowledgeable hearing instru- ments consultants who are state licensed and have been working with hearing aids for the past two decades. We rehabilitate our clients into better hearing by offering checkup appointments and consultations to insure a better fitting and sounding hearing aid. Our friendly facility is easy to reach at 18899 W. 12 Mile Rd. in Lathrup Village (424-8450). Have a happy Valentine's Day! P.S. Rather than stake their beliefs on blan- ket claims, the hearing impaired are encour- aged to assess their particular set of hearing needs and address them appropriately. Paid for and brought to you as a public service by Felix Cruz What's Wrong With Sending Flowers To A Jewish Funeral? ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM ASSOCIATE EDITOR 44: Why isn't it proper to send flowers to a Jewish funeral? A . The custom of sending flowers to funerals • originated with the Christians. According to Christian tradition, Jesus rose from the grave three days after his death. Wanting to emulate their messiah, Jesus' followers were buried three days after their date of death. This created quite a problem back when there was no embalming and the body tissues began to deteriorate. So Chris- tians covered the dead body with flowers to mask the smell. Jewish bodies normally are buried within 24 hours of death, so in any case there has never been a need at Jewish funerals to deal with an offensive odor. Instead of sending flowers, Jews customarily make a tribute to a charity in memory of the deceased. 44: Why were Jews big in organized crime in the early part of the century, but not now? • Criminal behavior is a • feature of many immi- grant groups, who often are frustrated at their inability to-- immediately find success in American society. (Of course, only a small percentage are ac- tually involved in crime. The vast majority of immigrants are honest and hard-working.) In addition to names like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, the 1920s-1940s were dominated by Jewish figures including Meyer Lanky and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. But there also were plen- ty of gangsters from all other immigrant communities, just as today organized crime has at- tracted individuals from all walks of life. As Jews and other early im- migrants attained education and acculturation, they found success in the professions, trades and legitimate busi- nesses. These days, it is unusual to find Jews in organized crime. 44: • What is pidyon-ha-ben? Apidyon ha-ben is a religious ceremony • for the first-born child who is a male. It follows the biblical directive (Exodus 13:11) that the first-born of every man and animal belongs to God. It parallels the biblical story of Hannah, who vowed to dedicate her child to God if she could conceive. Her son Samuel was brought to the Tem- ple as soon as he was weaned. Today'spidyon ha-ben, held 31 days after birth, consists of a child's parents giving a small sum of money to a Cohen (who, in most cases, then gives the funds to a charity) and the recitation of cer- tain prayers. The Cohen in turn "releases" the first-born from responsibilities in the Temple ser- vice. Finally, everyone sits down to a festive meal. Is vegetarianism compatible with Judaism? • Compatible, yes. Especially desirable, A. • no. Vegetarians often note that the Torah offers strict guidelines on how to eat meat if one "craves it," and a number of leading Jewish scholars, in- cluding Abraham Isaac Kook, first chief rabbi of Israel, and former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Shlo- mo Goren of Israel were vegetarians. Yet Judaism at times obligates one to eat meat, such as in the case of animal sacrifices at the Temple, and on holidays and Shabbat it is prefer- able. Certainly those who don't eat meat are not vi- olating Halachah (Jew- ish law). Send questions to "Tell Me Why" c to The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034