Hot Works Presents
Orchard Lake Fine Art Show
July 24-26, 2009
A Learning
Opportunity
agent — especially to treat wounds
and eruptions — as well as a gargle,
The Shulchan Aruch, the premier
code of Jewish law, explores the
importance of personal hygiene in
Ortonville
great detail. Washing one's hands, our
hen I was a camper,
tradition teaches, is important not
l do not remember
merely for the spiritual reasons of
my counselors ever
maintaining holiness when eating and
reminding me to wash my hands
praying, but also for hygienic reasons.
before a meal. Nor can I remem-
Maimonides, a scholar and phy-
ber bottles of hand sanitizes
sician, encouraged the Jewish
being readily available in the
community to observe rules of per-
dining hall. I also do not recall
sonal hygiene, such as hand-washing
learning the proper etiquette for
before eating.
sneezing and coughing at camp.
The unfortunate strain of influenza
Much has changed.
known as H1N1 has put all overnight
The H1N1 flu has affected many
camps on high alert this summer
camps this summer. At Tamarack
and has created some teachable
Camps, protocols and preventive
moments. Offering the Hebrew word
measures were discussed months
labriyut (to your health) when some-
prior to the summer. In consultation
one sneezes has a newfound seri-
with the American Camp Association
ousness this summer. A particularly
and the Centers for
meaningful part of the week
Disease Control, our
at camp is watching camp-
health director, along
ers pray for the speedy
with our doctors, nurses
recovery of their fellow
and medical committee,
campers through the words
devised proactive imple-
of the misheberach bless-
mentation plans and exe-
ing during Shabbat-morning
cuted them effectively.
services, using the tune
Dealing ,,with extra
popularized by Jewish song-
health precautions
writer Debbie Friedman.
this summer has cer-
And while campers may be
Rabbi
tainly been a challenge.
discouraged from perform-
Jason Miller
However, as every edu-
ing the mitzvah of visiting
Special to the
cator knows well, any
the sick when the patient is
Jewish News
situation can become an
contagious, it is a valuable
opportunity to learn.
lesson that has developed
Concern for our own personal
into creating get-well cards,
health is a core Jewish value. Many
The level of preparation displayed
of the Torah's commandments pro-
by Jewish camps has been exem-
mote good hygiene, though their
plary. It is a testament to the empha-
stated intention was ritual purity
sis we all place on good health and
rather than physical cleanliness. In
preventive medicine. Camp in 2009
the Book of Leviticus, one learns how
is a place where it is common for
those afflicted with a severe skin dis-
campers to have their temperatures
ease were treated. In order to con-
taken twice daily as a precautionary
tain the skin disease (a form of lep-
measure for early detection of the
rosy), the afflicted were quarantined.
flu. It is a place where counselors
They were kept outside of the corn-
constantly remind campers to wash
munity to prevent the contamination
their hands and brush their teeth,
of the camp through the spread
and where hand sanitizers are found
of their disease. The quarantine
on every table in the dining hall.
ensured the holiness of the camp
It might feel like a time of chal-
and the health of the inhabitants.
lenging health issues, but it also has
The Talmud records numerous ref-
proven to be an incredible opportu-
erences concerning the importance
nity for teaching about the value of
of personal hygiene and preventive
good personal hygiene. Hopefully, at
medicine. In tractate Ta'anit, the
the end of this summer, each camper
rabbis consider the human body as
will have a newfound appreciation for
a sanctuary. In honor of God, the
cleanliness, good health and the key
rabbis ordained that one must wash
Jewish value of hygiene.
one's face, hands and feet — daily.
In tractate Yoma, for example, the
Rabbi Jason Miller is the rabbi of Oakland
rabbis recommend oil as a hygienic
County-based Tamarack Camps.
W
175 award winning artists on the beautiful lakeside grounds of the
Orchard Lake Schools • 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake, Michigan 48324
FREE ADMISSION — Saturday 10-7, Sunday 10-5
Free Live Entertainment • Great beverages and food
Interactive Demonstrations • More!
Youth Art Competition for grades K-8 • Children's Art Activities
Voted in the top 100 art shows in the country two years in a row!
Winner of three awards from 2008 Michigan Festivals & Events.
www.HotWorks.org
New this year. North Oakland County Art Festival
August 14-16 at Olde World Canterbury Village, Lake Orion.
<A4SARS Artist Preview Party
WINDSOR
Friday, July 24 6-9
PM
Hors d'oeuvres
catered by
Meet our 175 fine artists • Purchase original works before available to public
Dinner available • Support Orchard Lake Schools
Tickets Available at wwvv.ticketweb.corn
WNW • 950
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