Page Four
THE JEWISH NEWS
As the Editor
Views the News - -•
Dr. Magnes and the Arabs
Dr. Judah L. Magnes, president of the
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, has again
come forth in a letter to the Nation, with a
"compromise for Palestine." Driven by
"fear" lest the Arabs should rise up against
Jewish aspirations, and warning of an im-
pending war, he proposes as his solution the
establishment of "political and numerical
parity between the Jews and the Arabs in
a bi-national Palestine which is to be part
of a larger union consisting of four auton-
omous units—Palestine, Transjordan, Syria,
and Lebanon."
This proposal, as our readers will recog-
nize at once, is not a new one. It is a re-
hash of the 1936 proposal made by Dr.
Magnes which found very few Jewish sup-
porters and which had failed to arouse the
enthusiasm of the Arabs in whose behalf
it was apparently_ offered by the Jewish
spokesman.
*
*
*
- It is an amazing sort of statesmanship.
Imagine it! Parity would be enforced at all
times, under pressure from the "larger" fed-
eration of Arab states. In the event that
Hadassah hospitals were to fail to provide
health protection for the Arab masses, as
they do today and an epidemic were to
break out resulting in the death of a hundred
or more Arabs, the government department
in charge of the numerators counting the
parity status might be compelled to select
a like number of Jews for deportation.
How else are we to interpret a plan which
has neither Jewish nor. Arab support and
which contravenes the very needs of the
hour—namely the creation of means of res-
cuing hundreds of thousands of Jews who
are trapped in Nazi-dominated territories? .
*
*
In a time of need, Rabbi Magnes' mount-
ain has given birth to a mouse, and the lion
of Judah remains in bondage.
This is a time for action, for plain speak-
ing, for firmness, but not for fear—and Dr.
Magnes' proposal is motivated by fright.
The Arab-Jewish problem is not in-
soluble—provided the true spokesmen of
the Arab people can be reasoned with, away
from an atmosphere of despair and the
threats that come from the terrorists. But
the solution is certainly not the one proposed
by Dr. Magnes to prevent the creation of a
Jewish majority which would have the pow-
er to establish a permanent open door policy
for Jewish colonization.
THE JEWISH NEWS
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
FRED M. BTJTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ
HENRY WINEMAN
PHILIP SLOMOVI TZ, Editor
A. R. BRASCR, Advertising Counsel
VOL. 6—NO. 16
L ANEY
IVERSEN
BALDWIN
ENG Low
ROSEN
TOM ASS()
YABL9NS
JANUARY 5, 1945
The Week's Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twenty-first day of Tebet,
the following Scriptural selections will be read
In our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 1:1-6:1.
Prophetical 'portion—Is. 27:6-28:13;29:22,23.
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers
uestions About Jews
Please explain significance of kindling the
Sabbath candles and give the English version
of the prayer at the time.
—H. R. M.
a. Hayyim Schauss, in his book "The Jewish
Festivals From Their Beginnings to Our Own
Time" (published by Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, Cincinnati), writes: "As far back
as the beginning of the Common Era, lighting the
candles signified the inauguration of the Sabbath.
Because of this it attained religious sanctity. The
reciting of the benediction over the candles is,
however, a product of post-Talmudic times. As
late as the twelfth century, it had not yet been
accepted by all Jewish communities. It spread,
however, and was later accepted by all, becoming
one of the main features of the ceremonial of
greeting the Sabbath."
•
b. The following is the Hebrew blessing for the
lighting of the candles::
7117Q
-11;0 i V
12 M
*
Dr. Magnes' plan would, definitely,
freeze the Jewish position as a small minority
within the "larger unit" of Arab states
and would for all time deprive our people
of an- opportunity of creating means for
large-scale unrestricted Jewish immigration.
The proposal is in many respects a lu-
dicrous one. Dr. Magnes would provide
upon attainment of parity, "a steady, though
limited, Jewish immigration in order to
make up the difference between the Arab
and the Jewish birth rate." In other words,
upon the birth of a dozen Arab children,
the signal would be given to a like num-
ber of Jews, waiting at the border of Zion,
to make formal entrance. Historic consid-
erations would be placed into discard; the
Biblical heritage would be ignored; the
tragic need . for homes for hordes of dis-
possessed Jews would be overshadowed by
the mirage depicted by Dr. Magnes. An
Arab would have to die or be born, for a Jew
to be admitted.
*
Her Nationality
Friday, January 5, 1945
America's Farces for Justice
In a recent interview with William I. Flanagan of the
Chicago Sun, at Harbor Springs, Mich., Homer Maertz, Silver
Shirt leader of Chicago who made the infamous proposal at
Gerald L. K. Smith's America Firsters' convention in Detroit
that the Jews be sterilized, outlined his view of the future
line-up of Americans between "rightists" and "leftists." He
defined "rightists" as representing big business, anti-Semites
and nationalists, and "leftists" as being internationalists,
Semites and their friends. He declared: "I am first a nation-
alist. All Semites are internationalists; hence I hate them.
But it's nothing personal."
This may appear as a very curious state of mind, es-
pecially under 20th century conditions, when all barriers are
being broken down in the fight for justice for all peoples and
the reduction of nationalism to cultural positions.
But if we are to judge by the counterattacks of the lib-
eral and labor elements, the Maertz view may well be in-
terpreted as representing more than an isolated opinion.
There is- a growing fear that anti-Semitism is spreading and
will continue to gain strength when the war is over, and the
Silver Shirter's medieval opinion must not be waved aside
as unimportant. Even the limited influence it carries has
caused the conventions of both the American Federation
of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations to
adopt the following resolutions pointing to the threats to our
national unity that come from racial and religious bigotry:.
THE AFL IN NEW ORLEANS THE CIO IN CHICAGO
"Whereas, Recent develop-. . . Anti-Semitism threat-
ments indicate the presence in ens the unity and democracy
this country of a considerable of the entire American nation
amount of racial tension, re- and the freedom of all peoples.
ligious bigotry and anti-Semit- "The horrible years of the
ism, setting Protestant against Hitler terror have taught de-
Catholic, Christian against Jew, cent men arid women the world
native Americans against for- over that anti-Semitism is one
eign born citizens. of the foulest instruments ever
"Resolved, That—the unions devised to enslave nations.
affiliated with the American
"In the light of the evidence
Federation of Labor be urged provided by the United States
to wage an unrelenting struggle government, in the light of the
against the groups responsible activities of the Gerald L. K.
for the spreading of the poison Smiths and the anti-Jewish out-
of anti-Catholicism,_ anti-Pro- breaks and activities in the past
testantism, anti-Semitism, anti- year, we reaffirm with even
Negroism and other forms of sharper emphasis, the resolution
racial prejudice, and that the of the last National Convention
Executive Council give all pos- of the CIO.
" 'Anti-Semitism is a Hitler
sible support to the internation-
al and local unions in the un- weapon aimed to disrupt the
dertaking and carrying out of war effort. Anti-Semitism to-
an educational program calcu- day is treason to America. . .
lated to promote tolerance, un-
"We pledge our support for
derstanding, and amity among the enactment of a Federal law
the various groups comprising which would make anti-Semit-
the family of American organ- ism a crime, punishable by im-
ized labor."
prisonment."
It is clear that the alignment is not between Semites
and anti-Semites—since the AFL and CIO are not Jewish
forces but Christian-dominated movements; the fight is be-
tween the elements of righteousness and those that openly
propagate the spread of prejudice and bigotry.
We are fully aware of the line-up, and we know which
forces stand for de'cency and which are determined to pro-
tect the American traditions of justice.
The disturbing factors,' however, are: the lack of vigil-
ance, the indifference that dominates the ranks of the com-
placent, the spirit of false security into which people have
lulled themselves.
If the AFL and the CIO could translate their wordy
resolutions into action, we would have much to hope for.
But their sentiments—noble as they are—remain mere words,
since the unwritten laws of limitincr the activities of Jews
and other minorities in professions, trades,
business and gov-
b
ernment remain in force. These restrictions are not notice-
able now—because of the shortage of manpower due to war
conditions. But the war will be over soon. Then what?
Will AFL and CIO wage battle for the implementation of
their resolutions?
Labor and liberal forces are on record as opponents of
bigotry and discrimination. But they have yet to prove
themselves as effective fighting forces for justice and
decency. •
711?
-P. P' -1711?
The translation of it is:
"Blessed art thou, 0 Lord our God, King of the
universe; who has sanctified us by thy command-
ments, and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath
light."
*
*
*
.
How often does orthodox tradition expect
Jews to pray?
—L. P.
At least three times a day; in the morning
(shaharit); in the afternoon (minhala); and in the
evening (ma'arib). As far as possible, it is recom-
mended that these prayers be recited at a. public
service.
Talmudic Tales
By DAVID MORANTZ
(Based upon the ancient legends and philosophy found in
the Talmud and folklore of the Jewish people dating back
as' far as 3,000 years).
PERSEVERANCE WINS
The story is told of King Solomon, 'who, when
he planned the temple, was forbidden by divine
word from using any iron in the building of it.
He was greatly puzzled to know how he was to
cut and shape the huge blocks of stone and wood
without the use of iron implements, so he sum-
moned his wise men and laid his problems before
them. They likewise were in a quandary.
Finally, one of them said:
"There is, 0 king, only one thing that can help
you. A tiny worm, the Shamir, possesses the
property of splitting the hardest of substances."
"And where may I find this worm?" asked
King Solomon.
"That," replied the sage, "is the great question.
Its hiding place has never been discovered by
mortal man, but it is said that it was placed in the
custody of a fowl, who is pledged to guard it until
eternity. This fowl is said to have her nest high
on a mountain top, but other than that I do not
know." -
Solomon summoned Benaiah, the bravest hero
of his kingdom, and bade him search out and
bring to him this rare worm, the Shamir. -
For many years did. Benaiah search. Every
mountain did he climb. Eve
ry peak, even to each
nook and crevice, did he search. Many were the
dangers and hardships that he braved.
Finally, his search was rewarded.
In a secluded spot at the summit of a high
mountain, he found the object of long search. He
hid himself nearby until the fowl left her nest,
when he stealthily crept up and placed a large
heavy bowl, which he had carried with him over
it. When the fowl returned, she was prevented by
the hard glass , from entering her nest, so she
brought forth the Shamir from its place of con-
cealment to split the glass and enable her to get
to her brood in the nest.
. Just then Benaiah let out a great shout, start-
ling the fowl so that she dropped the Shamir in
alarm.
Benaiah immediately seized the Shamir and
sped away to deliver his valuable acquisition to
King Solomon, who was now able to build the
temple.
Thus did Benaiah, by his great perseverance,
accomplish, after years of effort, what his king
had bade him do.
(Copyright by David Morantz)
For a handsome 195 page, autographed gift volume con-
taining 128 of these tales and 500 Pearls of Wisdom, send
$1.50 to David Morantz, care of The Jewish News, or
phone PLaza 1048.-
Children's Corner
Dear Boys and Girls:
The Sabbath as the day of rest is perhaps the
greatest contribution the Jewish people have
made to mankind.
The great Hebrew philosopher Achad Ha-Am
said of the Sabbath:
"He whose heart is bound up with the life of
the Jewish People will find it -utterly impossible
to imagine Israel's existence without Queen Sab-
bath. - It is by'no means an exaggerated statement
that far more than Israel kept the Sabbath, it is
the Sabbath that has kept Israel.
Another great Jewish scholar, the • greatest
Hebrew poet in the last 800 years, Hayim Nahman
Bialik, said of the Sabbath:
"The Sabbath is the most exalted creation of
the Hebrew spirit . Let me explain the deeper
meaning of "Oneg Shabbat." We return to Bretz
Israel to reconstruct our lives; we want to create
for ourselves a new individuality, all of our own.
The founders of the "Oneg Shabbath" movement
felt that a truly individual and characteristic na-
tional culture Must build its new creations on the
foundations of the past. And if we dig down to
the foundation of our national existence, we must
penetrate to its very basis—the Sabbath."
These are`" important saying with which all of
you should be familiar.
-
I wish you all a very pleasant Sabbath, in the
spirit of the great statements I have just quoted.
UNCLE DANIEL.