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THE JEWISH NEWS
As the Editor
Views the News
Friday, Augus+ 31, /945
Is This What He Fought For?
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers'
Questions About Jews
A Challenging Year
On the threshold of a new year, we
are seriously challenged to produce proof
that we are worthy of the liberties we enjoy.
American Jewry, the largest and most
prosperous Jewish community in the world,
will have directed upon it in 5706, more
than ever before, the challenging eyes of
the survivors from the Nazi terrorism in
Europe.
Only 1,250,000 have survived the years of
tyranny and wholesale murder in Europe.
But for these men, women and children,
who are broken in body and in spirit, the
future is not bright.
Will you tell me the reason for the two
differing ways of numbering the Ten Command-
ments in the Old and New Testaments?
—L. W.
Prof. C. H. Moehlman of Colgate-Rochester
Divinity School, in "The Story of The Ten Com-
mandments," states, "There is considerable varia-
tion in the order of the Ten Commandments.
The Hebrew of Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20
has the Ten Commandments in the same order.
But the Nash Papyrus, Philo, the New Testa-
ment, the Vatican manuscript of the Greek trans-
lation of the Old Testament and so forth, offer
variations. The seventh commandment may pre-
cede the sixth and the sixth may follow the
eighth. The Hebrew enumeration of the Ten
Commandments differs from that of the Greek
Church, the reformed churches, and the Anglican
Church on the one hand, and from the Roman
Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church on
the other." Thus, the two last-named Christian
bodies combine as the first commandment what
the first-named regard as commandments one
and two. The discrepancy in enumeration con-
tinues throughout the list. The Roman Catholic
and Lutheran Churches divide into two command-
mens what the other churches named denomin-
ate the tenth commandment.
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On the eve of the New Year, the reports
from all portions of Europe are disturbing.
New pogroms in Poland have resulted in the
murder of innocent Jews, and the Polish
government appears to be helpless to deal
with the perpetrators of massacres.
In France, even the liberals refuse to
welcome the returning Jews and there is
resentment when the survivors from Nazism
ask for the return of their properties which
were taken from them by the German gang-
sters and their collaborationists.
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*
The statement made in Washington a few
days ago by Gen. Charles de Gaulle to a
delegation from the American Anti-Bigotry
Committee that steps will be taken to amel-
iorate the situation in France is encouraging.
But we shall not be completely satisfied
until we see complete eradication of the
evils, created by Nazism.
If the future, which is none-too-bright at
this time, is to be made a bit happier for
these unfortunates, American Jewry must
give to the utmost of its ability to the United
Jewish Appeal, the major relief and recon-
struction agency which includes the Joint
Distribution Committee, United Palestine
Appeal and National Refugee Service.
If the lot of our kinsmen is to be im-
proved, the agencies which provide for their
relief and for their colonization in Palestine
must be provided with their maximum
monetary needs.
If the oppressed are to be truly liberated,
they must be given the encouragement that
is due them through the UJA, which re-
ceives its funds from the Allied Jewish Cam-
paign of the Jewish Welfare Federation of
Detroit—an affiliated agency of the War
Chest, whose drive will be conducted here
from Oct. 8 to 31.
The New Year 5706 challenges us to be
worthy of our privileges as American citi-
zens and to live up nobly to our responsibil-
i_ties to our less fortunate kinsmen.
A Test of Patience
Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee told
the British House of Commons last week
that he has had no time as yet to review the
Palestine question, but that he would make
a statement of policy as soon as possible.
This means that we must continue to
have patience and to thrive on our faith
that the Labor Party in England will live
up to pledges made to our people.
Our patience is mingled with amazement
that it should still be necessary for the Labor
Party leaders to "review" the Palestinian
issue after they had gone on record consist-
ently for years in favor of strict adherence
to pledges made to the Jewish people.
Indeed, the present situation again tests
our patience.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member of Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent
Jewish Press Service, Seven • Arts Feature Syndicate,
Religious News Service, Palcor News Agency. Wide World
Photo Service, Acme Newsphoto Service, King Features
Syndicate. Central Press Service.
Member American Association of English-Jewish News-
papers and Michigan Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing Co.. 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich. Telephone
RAndolph 7956 Subscription rate. S3 a year; foreign
$4 a year. Club subscription of one Issue a month.
published every fourth Friday ir the month. to all
subscribers to Allied Jewish Campaign of the Jewish
• Welfare Federation of Detroit, at 40 cents a club sub-
scription Der year.
Entered as second-class matter August 6. 1942. at the
Post Office at Detroit, Michigan, under the Act of
March 3. 1879.
e
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. BRASCII, Advertising Counsel
VOL. 7—NO. 24
AUGUST 31, 1945
This Sabbath, the twenty-fourth day of EM,
5705, the following Scriptural selections will be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 29:9-31:30.
Prophetical portion—Is. 61:10-63:9.
Selihot services will be held at midnight
Saturday.
Do Jews use musical instruments in
the synagogue?
—B. A.
Courtesy Appreciate America, Inc.
Make the War Chest a Success
The first challenge that comes to Detroit Jewry for the
year 5706 is to help make a great success of the forthcoming
drive for the War Chest.
In the campaign for a total of $8,490,336, 55 Jewish
causes are included for a total of $1,130,513. Practically_
every Jewish cause of importance—on the world scene, na-
tionally and locally—is included in the drive.
The three agencies of the United Jewish Appeal—Joint
Distribution Committee, United Palestine Appeal and Na-
tional Refugee Service; the local educational; recreational
and social service agencies; national educational and health
agencies, and a score of other causes and important pro-
jects will be provided for with funds to be raised this year
through the War Chest.
Leaders and workers of the Allied Jewish Campaign,
the agency of the Jewish Welfare Federation and the Detroit
Service Group, will again be faced with the task of making
our people conscious of the great needs to assure the un-
interrupted functioning of the agencies which protect lives
of unfortunates overseas and which carry on Jewish tradi-
tions of learning.
The needs of our people are too great to permit any-
thing to stand in the way of the success of the major fund-
raising drive which provides for the needs of all the liberat-
ed peoples of Europe.
Unemployment is temporary, and a decline in income
must not cause people to forget that there are reserves ac-
cumulated by Americans out ,,of which we should give as
much as possible to relieve the sufferers from Nazism.
Jews especially must be more liberal than ever in their
giving.
Make the War Chest a success. Give liberally to its
funds—and work for it!
Springfield in the Limelight
In orthodox synagogues there are no
instruments.
nstruments. Wherever the organ exists
in conservative synagogues it is a comparatively
recent institution. The reason for the absence
of instrumental music lies in the prohibition to
play instruments on Sabbaths and Holy Days
(as such playing is considered work) and in he
desire to preserve mourning for the destruction
of the Temple.
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).
CONSIDER THOSE WHO FOLLOW
On his travels, Choni, the Maagol, once saw
an old man planting a carob tree.
"Dost thou know when this tree thou art
planting will bear fruit?" he asked.
"Seventy years it will be before it bears
fruit," the old man replied.
"Dost thou expect to live seventy years yet
to partake of the fruit of thy labors?" he then
inquired.
The old man, leaning upon his spade, looked
up at him and said: "When I entered this world
I did not find it desolate. Just as my ancestors
planted for my benefit, so do I plant for those
who are to follow me."
Says the Talmud further:
"The future gains from present pains."
Children's Corner
Dear Boys and Girls:
In just one week, we will gather in our syna-
gogues for Rosh Hashanah services, and we will
dedicate ourselves and our homes to the solemn
observance of the Holy Days.
This is a time for introspection, for planning
our lives for the benefit of our community, our
land, our people. •
The wars are over, and we must plan for a
good and lasting peace.
We must all so regulate our lives that there
should be no aggressions, that there should be
amity among peoples, that we should have good
will among ourselves and our neighbors.
Next week, a special section will be devoted
to a discussion of the importance of the Holy
Days, in our New Year issue.
In the meantime I wish you all a very pleas-
ant Sabbath and a good beginning for the new
school year.
UNCLE DANIEL.
The Jewish Ledger of Hartford, Conn., reports that anti-
Semitic incidents have occurred in Springfield, Mass., the
home of the famous Springfield Plan for Inter-Racial Har-
mony Through Education. It is reported to be the first
instance of anti-Jewish occurrences in Springfield since
1943, and leaders of that community are reported to have
asked for police action.
The report states that Jews in the vicinity of the Spring-
field Kodomoh Synagogue have been molested by gangs of
* * *
young hoodlums, and that special police have been assigned
THE HARP OF FAITH
to patrol that area.
By Abraham S. Isaacs
Such experiences will serve to create discouragement in
At midnight, so the rabbis tell,
the Springfield Plan, and it is unfortunate that the educa-
When David slept profound.
A harp suspended on his couch
tional program in the schools is not bringing better results.
Gave forth a trembling sound.
The unfortunate occurrences must not be permittted to
Up sprang the royal bard inspired,
create despair in programs for the promulgation of good will
His finger touched the chord,
and better understanding among all faiths. Any educational
And with strange gladness in his soul,
In psalms he praised the Lord.
program must be considered as being a long-range process.
At midnight, when the doubts assail,
It may not work with all elements, but it may create suf-
And anxious fears surround,
ficiently strong reactions from those who recognize the evil
O Soul of mine, amid all gloom,
of bigotry to lead to a great deal of good.
Give forth a joyous sound.
O bid me seize the harp of faith,
The Springfield Plan, which is being copied by com-
And sing a holy strain,
munities throughout the land, remains an important educa-
Until each day my life and thought
tional process. But it must not be looked upon as the cure
Resounds in glad refrain.
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*
for all anti-Semitic outbursts. It is an important part of a
wide program for better relationships among all faiths, and
A LOVER OF PEACE
Aaron was a great lover of peace. If two men
the renewal of anti-Semitic hoodlumism should, serve to
had a quarrel, Aaron would go to one of them
strengthen the program rather than to weaken it.
Hoodlumism in Michigan
Reports from Northern Michigan that resorts which have
a large Jewish clientele have experienced riots caused na-
tural uneasiness..
We have been fortunate in Michigan. In spite of this
state being the headquarters for anti-Semites, we have not
suffered the sad experiences of the eastern communities.
State authorities must act to prevent recurrence of riots.
Hoodlumism, whether it is inspired by delinquents or by
crazed bigots, has no place in our democracy. The schools
must educate against it and the state authorities must legis-
late to outlaw it.
and would say, "My son! Hear what thy neigh-
bor says. He rends his garments, crying, 'Woe is
me! How can I raise my eyes and look upon
my neighbor? I am ashamed because I began
the quarrel."
Then Aaron would sit with him until he had
removed every trace of anger and bitterness
from his heart.
Aaron would then go to the other and would
say to him, "My son! Hear what thy neighbor
says. He rends his garments, crying, 'Woe is
me! How can I raise my eyes and look upon my
neighbor? I am ashamed because I began the
quarrel.' " Aaron would sit with him also until
the passion of anger passed away.
When the two met they would embrace and
kiss each ,other, and peace and friendship would
again rule their hearts.