To T, e ! TORAH DORTION Grand Opening The Art Of Criticism 7-08 & 7-09 29555 Northwestern HWY 25% OFF Dine-In Special 2 Dinners With this Ad! Southfield, MI 48034 (Next to the Guitar Center) (248) 353-3663 Expires 8116/06 113080 SUMMER SPECIALS Roasted Duck • London Broil antaloupe Stuffed with Chicken or Tuna Fish Wednesday Nights $6.99 Senior Whitefish Dinner Mac & Cheese • Roasted Chicken Broiled Grouper Dinner Specials include Soup or Salad & Dessert Whitefish Almondine inners starting as low as $6.9 VVN cross 29221 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield, M1 48034 Sunday-Thursday: 7-9 arrily restaurart Friday & Saturday: 7-10 248-358-2353 wish Tradition Continues Now Open for Lunch L; MON —THU 11 am - 9 pm FRI — 11 am - 12 pm SAT — 10 am - 12 pm SUNDAY 10 am - 9 pm F INTERNHIONAL DINING 6676 Orchard Lake Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 ot Corn Beef $7.95 Chicken Cutlets $9.95 W. Bloomfield Shopping Plaza, South of 15 mile Phone: 248-851-8782 1123130 Open 7 Days for Lunch & Dinner 10 ° kOff Total Bill DINE IN OR CARRYOUT Not good with any other offer 1 coupon per table • with coupon Ex. ires 7/31/06 39450 14 Mile Rd. FEATURING AUTHENTIC CHINESE/ASIAN COOKING, SUSHI BAR & DIM SUM (corner of Haggerty in the Newberry Swam Plaza), 248-960-7666 1133120 ocally Check out our large variety of quality merchants located here in our community. 38 July 6 • 2006 Shabbat Chukat/Balak: Numbers 19:1-25:9; Micah 5:5-6:8. T dren. Our hearts are so he rabbis said that designed that one word love which does not of re-proof for many of contain a measure these is like a threat; it's of re-proof or criticism isn't perceived as a withdraw- really love. Because what al of love; it's like a rejec- does love mean? tion; and yet, that kind Does it mean a total accep- of criticism is a very tance of one's partner in powerful source for our marriage? A total acceptance Rabbi own personal growth. of one's children in every- Irwin Groner A genuine friend is thing they do? Special to the not one who rehashes all Love which is authentic Jewish News our virtues. We already involves a recognition of the know them quite well, faults and weaknesses of thank you. those who are very dear and Criticism has to be done in the • close to us. If we truly love another, we spirit of friendship and concern, of seek to enhance the life of that signifi- love and loyalty. It has to be done in cant other. such a way that after the criticism, When love is not blind, but critical, your friend remains a friend; and the when there is an effort made in the love you give and the love that you spirit of love for people intimately receive from your dear ones is not diminished or altered. And so, we are called upon to understand this important truth. A criticism of love and concern brings blessing. May we learn how to do this in the way of friendship and under- standing, and may we, thereby, inspire those whom we love to greater growth and achieve- ment and spiritual blessing. Criticism is a blow to our ego, an assault upon our self image. Words of criticism hurt. associated to challenge each other, to stimulate each other, to bring about a greater realization of their human potential from each other, then that love leads to growth and development and achievement. But how many of us are philosophi- cal enough to accept criticism? The Book of Proverbs assures us: "Rebuke a wise man and he will bless you." But how many of us bless our critics? Criticism is a blow to our ego, an assault upon our self image. Words of criticism hurt. Often, they hurt longer than a physical blow. How true the Yiddish proverb "A slap passes; a word remains." Criticism hurts most when it comes from those we love. We want to look good to our par- ents, to our spouse and to our chil- Irwin Groner is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Oakland County. Conversations When is criticism a moral act? Why should we be grateful for our critics? What is the dif- ference between criticism and constructive criticism?