MICHIGAN'S # 1 LEXUS DEALER .... .. • ■■ ••• • • * • TRAC CONTROL • MEMORY • SUNROOF 36 Mo.• SECURITY SYSTEM Marking A Wary Important Ewent: Vill You Be At The Bar Mitzvah? ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM ASSOCIATE EDITOR 1994 GS300 "W," and "bar mitzvah" written "bar mitzwah.") In addition, when Hebrew was transliterated in the 19th centu- ry, some biblical scholars ad- vanced the theory that the letter vim, used as a syllable, was pro- nounced like a 'W' in ancient He- brew. Most linguists today dispute such claims. • TRAC CONTROL • LEATHER • SUNROOF mo.• SECURITY SYSTEM 36 $4 $39 .* Q: Are there any funny gentile co- medians, or are they all really Jew- ish? A: Start chatting with any group of Jews and you can be sure at least one will tell you that Steve Martin and Robin Williams are so funny they can't possibly be gentile! Well, my friend, they are. Despite the decades-long prevalence of American Jewish comedians, from Jack Benny to Jerry Seinfeld, Lenny Bruce to Woody Allen, it's time to realize (as Henry Kissinger certainly can attest) not everyone Jewish has a sense of humor, and not every- one with a sense of humor is Jew- ish. In addition to Steve Martin and Robin Williams, David Let- terman — another fun guy many insist must have some Jewish roots — is a gentile. AEUA L TTOHERTIC • SUNROOF SECURITY SYSTEM 3 6 Mo. • •1994 ES400 based on MSRP of $34,503, GS300 based on MSRP of $45,803, 1994 LS400 based on MSRP of $55,603. 36 month closed end lease. 10% CAP reduction. 12,000 miles per year, 1Ste per mile. $500 refundable security deposit. Take payment times 36 plus down payment to get total obligation. To purchase at tease end ES$20,011, GS$25,649, LS$32,805. OF LAKESIDE A DIVISION OF THE MEADE GROUP 1 313 726 7900 M 59 (Hall Rd.) At Schoenherr 1 800 486 LAKE Across from Lakeside Mall - - - HEIM EVERYDAY CHAIR For All-Day Support! • • • • Contoured seat and backs Adjustable seat depth and back height Adjustable pneumatic height control Grey only THE D E TRO I T JE W IS H NE WS #7901 Reg. $212.00 34 9 950 OPTIONAL FIXED ARM PACKAGE Upholstered in matching chair colors #7991 Reg. $52.00 31'9 #7901 Chair in Black or Burgundy Reg. $231.00 109 5° Sale ends June 30th. Si vers ii GIFTS 0 OFFICE PRODUCTS LI FURNITURE 151 W. Fort at Shelby, Detroit • 963-0000 - - - Artwork from Newsday by Bob Newman. Copyright 0 1991, Newsday. Distributed by Los Angeles Times Syndicate. from reading the Q:Why are mirrors covered during mitzvah the seven-day mourning period of ski- Torah to lighting Holy Day can- dles. va? — There is, however, no bracha A:Because many of the mourn- ing practices in Judaism are of a required before giving tzedakah. public nature, the appearance of According to tradition, offering the mourner bespeaks his condi- help is of such vital importance tion. Thus during shiva, groom- that one shouldn't hesitate for a ing for mourners is curtailed. second — even to stop and say a A mourner may not wash for prayer. Q: Is there such a thing as a bar pleasure, change clothes or ap ply cosmetics. Shiva is not a time mitzwah? A: Nobody says "bar mitzwah" when a mourner should be con- cerned with how well he looks; it (unless he's really strange), but is understood that the mourner it has been written that way — mostly in Jewish books and doc- appears as a person in grief. Covering the mirrors ,,... m..mi,.....,-, uments from several the -31 ,1Pourromr.L.:::: . decades ago. demonstrates Prroprori .• , .:IL,.,. The first major mourner's disdain of •l.I :. Jewish community 4. ..trrpurr:i. lI o vanity. The mourner's 11 ■ .---- . . —__!L , c 111 Pot• . •: : .: , ,. i in the United States 1::::::::::: . .3 4" mind is occupied with .4 7 . „: .. came from Ger- sorrow and pain not . many. In German, the latest hairstyle or 41rtmornori:_. : .. : :.••:• . the letter "V" is •11 011gruppropt. the nicest makeup. ---........ ,.:. pronounced "F" ,— .1100OPPPPOPM 7. Q: Are there any mitzvot 1 ...111 .111111111111lom ii -7,--. : and the letter "W" that do not require a bless- :: „ .:. like a "V" (which is 4 ------------, • 4 11Poorrporrort ___ ing first? 11n orpormor:: ..• why Kaiser Wil- ....r.-.................. k Halachah, Jew- ...._ -.ImporpourriL :... helm's name, pro- ish law, holds that a _...„.rfirrortr• :2!Pruppproppri:: ' nounced "Vilhelm," bracha is necessary •• ..: is written with a 1PImmogropt: •• 41 --- before virtually every - ■ ■ - Send questions to "Tell Me Why" , c I o The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034