For the week ending 23 January 2010 / 7 Shevat 5770
Perfect Timing
What perfect timing!
This was the reaction of the doctor in the hospital who had just received a unique gift from one of his longtime patients.
The gift was a beautiful wooden plaque upon which was inscribed in Hebrew and English the "Physician's Prayer" attributed to Maimonides. This seemed to be the ideal gift to a beloved doctor, something he could proudly display in his office.
But the doctor had other ideas.
"I appreciate your gift," he said, "but I already have one like it. With your permission I would like to present it to a young fellow who is finishing his internship this very day."
The patient also appreciated the perfect timing and gladly consented to the gesture.