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Basya Labinsky 216-297-1851

Standardized patients – people trained to portray a particular illness or medical condition – are needed to help educate students in the Northeast Ohio Medical University-Cleveland State University Partnership for Urban Health.

The interaction is recorded and reviewed to evaluate students’ skills in a variety of areas, including medical interviewing, physical exams, disease diagnosis and interpersonal communication.

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The Sefer Kav HaYashar (Chapter 92) poses the question: If the Yomim Tovim of Pesach and Sukkos span seven days, why is it that Shavuos, over which there is so much to celebrate, is observed for only one day? 

The Sefer brings an answer, “Ahl Pi Kabala (according to the Hidden Torah)”, that Shavuos is rooted in Hashem’s oneness, and that our oneness as a “Goy Echad Ba’Aretz (One Nation in the Land)” then stems from Hashem’s oneness, all of which is symbolized by the oneness of Shavuos. 

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(Hakhel) HaRav Binyomin Forst, Shlita, in The Halachos of Brachos (Artscroll) writes that the bracha on cheesecake with a crust added for flavor “as is generally the case” is a Borei Minei Mezonos. However, if the crust is added solely to hold the cheese, then the bracha on the cheesecake is Shehakol.

HaRav Yisroel Pinchos Bodner, Shlita in The Laws of Brochos (Feldheim) writes that if the cheesecake is made with a thin layer of dough which is being used merely to enhance the appearance of the cake, then the bracha is Shehakol.

However, if the dough is being used for substance or flavor, the bracha is Borei Minei Mezonos. The after-bracha on cheesecake will usually be Borei Nefashos and not Al HaMichya, as one can eat a kezayis combination of cheese and flour within a kedai achilas peras of three minutes, but it is unlikely that one will consume a kezayis of Mezonos within the three minute span. In sum, on cheesecake, one bracha rishona is recited, which may likely be a Shehakol, but even if a Borei Minei Mezonos is recited, the bracha achrona will in ordinary circumstances be a Borei Nefashos!  If you are in doubt as to the appropriate brachos on the cheesecake you will be consuming—why not bring two to your Rav—one for the Shaila—and one to him for Shavuos!

Note:  A reader (Hakhel) wrote that if the cheesecake crust is made not from mezonos but from corn flakes, the bracha would still be Shehakol, as the corn flakes would be considered tofel to the ikar, which is the cheese cake. This appears correct, but if one has this issue, he should consult with his Rav to confirm—especially if the corn flakes are there because he  especially enjoys their taste.

The Shavuos Issue of the Torah Linelines weekly divrei Torah sheet can be download here >>. To receive the weekly Lifelines by e-mail, please send your request to rdg9@juno.com with a subject line of SUBSCRIBE.

Now in its 19^th year, the Torah L.I.F.E. Institute (Learning Is For Everyone) continues to serve as the Cleveland Heights Torah nerve center. Under the direction of the esteemed Rosh Kollel, HaRav Baruch Hirschfeld, shlit”a, the Kollel functions from 6 a.m. until well past midnight.

Do you need a chavrusa? Contact Rabbi Reuven Gerson at 216-371-5908.