Subject: Life cycles Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 20:52:57 +0200 There is an old Jewish tradition that associates learning Mishna with the elevation of the soul after death. This tradition has evolved into a custom whereby during the first thirty days of mourning, people learn the entire Mishna in memory of the departed. Usually this is done by sixty-three people each "signing up" to learn one tractate. The family of Rabbi Moshe Pickholz, who passed away last week, asked me to ask the other participants in our genealogy project to join in this custom. "Learning" a tractate can be done at different levels, and I am sure than in making this request, the family understands that it will be fulfilled on different levels. If you feel you can participate, please contact Gadi (the son) at gpickholz@hotmail.com and tell him which tractate you wish to learn in memory of his father. Tractates are being assigned on a first-come-first-served basis and of course the thirty day period (which is a quarter gone) is a commitment, so please let's not procrastinate. Thank you. Israel P. -- End --