It's no accident that the Hebrew word for friend means 'attachment' – because a real friend is bound to you through thick and thin.

by Mrs. Lori Palatnik
In honour of L, who has helped me realize
every beautiful emotion imaginable
and for reminding me that being true to myself
will always get me everything I want in life,
however long it takes.

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Published: Saturday, January 10, 2009

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Visitor Comments: 12

(12) s, August 11, 2009 12:59 AM

Some people, like at college, we have an aquaintance friendship and that's it. However, my friends that I've become close to over the years are my true friends, BH It's nice to have both aquaintances and friends. We should all have at least one close friend thouigh. I agree that a true friend helps us to improve and grow

(11) Leah, January 19, 2009 10:37 AM

One of the important lessons I have tried to teach my children

I have tried to instill in my children the idea that you only need a few true Friends who you would trust with anything & the rest are on a different level.In making his wedding list my son called his friends by Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 etc.We go to weddings where there are 600 guests.Are they all your friends? After family & a short list of good friends the majority are aquaintances from shul, schools & the block.There are times when an aquaintance comes through for you & becomes a true friend.Thank you for always being right on the mark.

(10) SusanE, January 18, 2009 2:38 AM

Friends and Acquaintances

Thank You Lori, for another important article. When my Dad died 15 years ago, his friend, was outstanding. Towards the end of Dads illness his friend took off work and spent time at the hospital with him and arranged for other friends of his to come at intervals so not to tire him too much. He asked what he could do to help after Dad died and was there helping to arrange the funeral. He spent time at the house with our very small family and still continues to be a friend to us and to Dads memory. I wrote him that our lives can be measured by who our friends are, and that my father was surely blessed having him as a friend. Acquaintances are friends by circumstance. We have lots of acquaintances, many that I really appreciate. I think that acquaintances are sent in and out of our lives when we need them and when they need us. When that need is filled, we and they move on. I think we have all learned and been helped much from our acquaintances. They allow us to have a give and take. Now that I am older, I can count probably 4 friends. All are from early years. They KNOW me and I Know them. Safely and surely. We will always be friends because somehow we are connected. Thanks again Lori for making us become aware of how G-d helps us grow everyday, through our friends and aquaintances.

(9) katy, January 15, 2009 9:32 PM

defining friendship

it depends how you define friendship. there are different levels of friendship with people who may be more than just an acquaintance. acquaintance sounds cold and uncaring. i define acquaintances as people who come in and out of your life on a superficial or service-orientated level, e.g. a temporary client or a someone who serves you every day in a store or in your building. yes, circumstances do change -that is life, but friendships don't have to last forever and it doesn't mean you were never friends.

(8) Anonymous, January 15, 2009 10:32 AM

THANKS A LOT LORI FOR YOUR WORDS THEY HELP ME A LOT. A JEWISH WOMAN FROM SANTIAGO, CHILE.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

Lori Palatnik is an author and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio and has lectured on five continents, illuminating traditional practices and life-styles for our contemporary world. She and her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik, live in Washington, DC, where she is Executive Director of the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project. Lori is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond—The Shabbat Experience Step-by-Step"; "Remember My Soul", which explains the Jewish concepts of soul and the afterlife and a guide to anyone who has ever lost a loved one; and "Gossip—Ten Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul", featured on "Dr. Laura" and FoxNews.com.

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