Page Four

THE JEWISH• NEWS

As the Editor
Views the News —

It's About Time Somebody Made That Discovery

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Gen. Eisenhower's Credo

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower is not only a
great military leader: he is also a man who
understands the value of true human rela-
tions and the need for inter-faith coopera-
tion.
Those who have fought for him had occas-
sion to recognize this great quality in the
man whom not only this nation but the en-
tire world honors for leadership.
Gen. Eisenhower, in his concluding re-
marks in his address last week, gave proof
of his greatness as a man who is motivated
by a feeling of justice when he uttered this
credo in relation to solving the nation's
major problems:
"No man can tell me that America,
with its glorious mixture of races, of
creeds, its Jews, its Catholics, its Protest-
ants, can lose.
It is extremely interesting that this utter-
ance should have come after the address by
Chief Justice Irving Lehman at the dinner
in Gen. Eisenhower's honor. Addressing the
great general, Justice Lehman said:
"It has been said that there are more
Italians in New York City than in Rome,
more Irish than in Dublin, more Jews
than in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Doubt-
less you, sir, have heard some say that
because of this diversity of racial and
national origin the " great principles of
freedom and democracy on which Am-
erican institutions are soundly based are
not as deeply cherished or as well un-
derstood here as in the farm and prairie
states and that our citizens will not make
the same willing sacrifices to maintain
Overseas News Agency brings a disturbing report from
what we call the American heritage.
London
regarding the attitude of the Czechoslovakian gov-
"The names on the daily casualty lists
ernment toward the Jews.
which we anxiously scan with heavy
The ONA cable tells this story:
hearts, the names on the list of men
In a broadcast from Prague, Dr. Eric Kolar, secretary
cited for heroism and selfless devotion
of the Committee to Abolish the Nuremberg Anti-Jewish
which we read with glowing pride, attest
Laws, announced that the Czech government will follow a
the worth of New York's immigrant sons.
policy of complete assimilation of all Czechoslovak Jews who
Those who say otherwise ignore the real
do not emigrate to Palestine or any other land.
spirit of New York."
Dr. Kolar reviewed the effects of anti-Jewish measures
This is a magnificent declaration—espec-
ially in view of the impressive figures of introduced by the Nazis and their collaborators in the former
Jewish participation in this war recorded Czech protectorate and estimated that hardly one-tenth of
on the first page of this issue of The Jewish the 118,000 Jews who lived in Bohemia and Moravia before
the German occupation had survived.
News on the occasion of Fourth of July.
He admitted that Nazi anti-Semitism has had an effect
It is an important declaration in view of
the libels that are being spread about Jews on certain classes where anti-Semitism previously was latent,
duet to "commercial competition;" he added that the situa-
and the war.
* *
tion has changed since many Jews expect to remain in manual
It is all the more important when the emi- labor into which they were forced during the war while
nent Jewish leader, Judge Lehman, wisely others had joined government services. He stated that there
made this additional statement in his ad- would be Jews henceforth in government military services.
Commenting on the survival of only one-tenth of the
dress of welcome to Gen. Eisenhower:
Jewish population, the Czechoslovak spokesman said: "This
Last month when our victory in
small number no longer should create a Jewish problem in
Europe was announced there was un-
our country."
restrained rejoicing, but almost immedi-
All of these statements are amazing. It generally was
ately the people of New York in sober
known that few Jews survived, that anti-Semitism has left
mood flocked to churches and syna-
its mark and that Jews were "forced" into certain activities.
gogues where they gave thanks to the
But it is news to us to learn that a serious Jewish prob-
Lord whose prophet had said that "Out
lem was created by the small number of Jews in the land
of Zion shall go forth the law and
we had been in the habit of considering one of the most lib-
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem
eral in the world toward all peoples.
. . And they shall beat their swords
What does Dr. Kolar mean by assimilation? Does it in-
into ploughshares. And their spears in-
volve complete distintegration? Is it possible that the liberat-
to pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift
ed peoples will ask the Jews to accomodate them with what
up sword against nation—neither shall
is recognized as being a strictly Nazi objective—the disap-
they learn war any more."
* * *
pearance of the Jewish people?
If it is not this, and if Dr. Kolar asks only for Jewish
Gen. Eisenhower's utterance was a natural
response for a great American. It was a re- loyalty, then he is humiliating the Jewish citizens of Czecho-
affirmation of American idealism and our slovakia whose loyalty, is unquestioned.
Furthermore, Dr. Kolar proposes a "solution" without
people's faith in justice and equality for all.
As long as men like Gen. Eisenhower are offering the guarantee that Palestine's doors will be opened
wide for Jewish immigration.
among our leaders, America cannot fail.
If this is the type of tale we are destined to hear, then
There is no better message for all Am-
ericans on Independence Day than the wise there remains a serious and grave Jewish problem, and the
words of Justice Lehman and Gen. Eisen- position of our people remains tragic.
hower.

Czechoslovakia and the Jews

THE JEWISH NEWS

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Entered as second-class matter August 6, 1942. at the
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March 3. 1879.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MAURICE ARONSSON
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
FRED M. BUTZEL
ISIDORE SOBELOFF
THEODORE LEVIN
ABRAHAM SRERE
MAURICE H. SCHWARTZ HENRY WINEMAN
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
A. R. BRASCH, Advertising Counsel

VOL. 7—NO. 15

JUNE 29, 1945

This Sabbath, the nineteenth day of Tam-

muz, 5705, the following Scriptural selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Num. 25:10 30:1.
Prophetital portion—Jer. 1:1-2:3.

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Dr. Joseph Schwartz's Report

Friday, June 29, 1945

Facts You Should Know

Answers to Readers
Questions About Jews

Does Jewish law recognize a divorce oh- ,
tamed through secular atithorities?—J. A.
Among the Orthodox. a rabbinic diVorce, or
"Get," must be obtained before the synagogue
will sanction remarriage.
* 4,
What is the significance of the seven-
branched Menorah (Candelabrum) in the sy-
nagogue?—D.G.S.
Literally speaking, the synagogue's candela-
brum of today is reminiscent of the original
"Menorah" in the tabernacle of Moses (Exodus
XXV, 31) and later in the temple of Solomon.
This feature has been given many symbolic in-
terpretations. According to Rabbinic writings
the-Menorah represents the creation of the Uni-
verse in seven days, the center light (which
stands out, as a rule, above the rest) symbolizes
the Sabbath, the most holy day of them all.
The Zohar implies that the seven branches sym-
bolize the seven planets. The light in the center,
which is especially distinguished, would hence
signify the sun, as the chief of the planets. Some
derive the design of the branches from a seven
verse chapter in the psalms% also the seven verse
prayer of R. Nehunyah Ben Kakanah beginning
with "Anna, Bekoah, Gedulot, etc.

Talmudic Tales

By DAVID MORANTZ

(Based „ppon the ancient legends and philosophy found in
the Talmud and folklore of the Jewish people dating back
as far as 3,000 years).

-PEARLS OF WISDOM

"Excessive boasting," says the Talmud, " is a
sign of ignorance and cowardice."
"Empty vessels make the greatest sounds."
"Forsake not a good, till you find a better,
master."
"Follow the wise few, rather than the vulgar
many."
"An evil mind, an evil meaning."
"Hunger is the best sauce."
"A guilty mind punishes itself."

(Copyright 1945 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:
I am sure you will enjoy reading the story
about Rabbi Joshua and the little boy who
directed him to the right road.
From time to time, this column will be devoted
to interesting poems and stories about our sages
and the Jewish people in general.
I repeat the invitation to all of you to write
for this column from time to time. Poems, stories,
jokes—all items that will interest other boys
and girls will be accepted.
A pleasant Sabbath to all.
UNCLE DANIEL.

4,

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RABBI JOSHUA AND THE WISE BOY

Once on his travels, Rabbi Joshua reached a
fork in the road where the path separated, going
to right and left. He did not know which to take,
and meeting a little boy, he asked:
"My son, which road leads to the next village,
where I could spend the night?"
"Both lead to the next village," answered the
lad, "but the one to the right is short and long
—the road to the left is long. and short." The
rabbi took the road to the right, but before he
had gone very far, he saw that the road was
blocked by a number of hedges and gardens.
The rabbi was forced to return to the spot from
which he had started. There he met the small
boy who had directed him.
"Are you not ashamed to misdirect a stranger?"
Rabbi Joshua asked him. But the child answered:
"I did not misdirect yOu. I told you the truth.
I thought you were a wise man in Israel, but it
seems you cannot understand the meaning of a
child's words. I said: 'This road is the shortest,
yet the longest.' That is true, because of the
many hedges and gardens in the way. I knew
these would force you to . return, because a. good
man, as you seem to be, would not trample on
the gardens of strangers. Now this road to the
left is longer, but you will find it shorter in the
end because it is a public road and you will
find nothing to stop you."
Rabbi Joshua, admiring the child's good sense,
took the road to the left and soon reached the
village.

This is the period of reconstruction and repatriation for
the liberated Jewish communities of Europe, and the wis-
dom of the entire Jewish people is challenged to assure a
4,
*
speedy and just solution of the problem of the million and
a quarter surviving Jews.
THE BIBLE AND THE JEWISH RELIGION
To effect a proper solution of the staggering problem By Dr. J. Joseph in "Judaism as a Creed of Life"
"The Bible is the great treasury of religious
of our people, it is important that we study all its aspects
and that we recognize the numerous issues and difficulties truth. It is on that account revered by many
millions of men outside the pale Judaism. But
that are involved.
for the Jew it has a special claim to reverence
The report that was brought to us last week by Dr. and affection. 'It is a book that has been en-
Joseph Schwartz, overseas director of the American Jewish trusted to this people from ancient times, to be
Joint Distribution Committee, is a realistic approach to the the source of their own ennoblement, and to be
problem. It is frank and factual. It reveals the Jewish handed on by them to the world at large, and
to become the instrument of a yet wider
problem in all its stark and brutal reality. It is the way a so
moral and spiritual uplifting. The Jews have
problem should be presented—so that we may know the been called "the People of the • Book," because
difficulties that face us in bringing relief to the needy.
the Bible, the Book par excellence, is their
Only 1,250,000 have survived—and among them are .50,- special inheritance. Not only may it powerfully
them in their endeavor to lead exalted lives,
000 children who must be rescued. It is a problem that aid
but it is also, so to speak, their charter, from
staggers the imagination; but it is also one that demands which they derive their mission—the mission of
courageous and determined effort to guarantee speedy re- spreading religious truth and righteousness
among the families of men. In fact, besides being
lief for the suffering remnant of Israel.
Dr. Schwartz's report challenges us to pool all our a textbook of faith and morals; the Bible is a
history of the education of Israel
resources for the relief and rehabilitation of the rescued history—the
for the sublime task that 'has been assigned to
Jews.
him by Divine Providence.

