See you in the funny papers.

Yom rishon, 9 Adar aleph 5771.

"Efraim," by Yoni Kempinski of Arutz Sheva and BaSheva

Comics have a lot to offer, besides their entertainment value.  For someone who is learning a foreign language, they have the benefit of being short and to the point, as well as having lots of pictures to help explain the writer's message.  Comics are also a great way to begin to understand what matters to a culture.

"How great!  Finally, good news!"

"The Kinneret rose 8.5 centimeters"

"That's great, but Israel is still too dry."

"Right -- eight and a half centimeters is really not enough!"

"Need to save the Kinneret!"

"I need the ruler just for a minute..."

"Where is the number... Here it is -- I found it!"

"I have something important to send to the Kinneret!  What's the address?"

This is a country of people who watch the level of a lake, because it's success is ours.  This is a nation filled with lots of people who pray for rain when we haven't had as much as we hoped for.  This is the only place I've ever lived where little children, partying teenagers, and workers for whom it is inconvenient are unbelievably grateful when it rains.  They may gripe a little...  but they also say "Baruch Hashem."

"You who listen to prayer, grant dew and rain on the face of the earth, satisfying the whole universe from Your goodness...  Spare us and have compassion on us and on all our produce and fruit, blessing us with bounteous rain."


Haveil Havalim #304, The Blog Carnival Went Bust Edition, is up at The Rebbetzin's Husband's place. Don't forget to vote for the homeless shelter!  Tomorrow's the last day to vote!