Repairing the Horne Fences in 5709
As the Editor
Vievi-s the News ...
L'Herutehenu
Self-Examination in 5709
An impressive evaluation of Jewish re-
sponsibilities on Rosh Hashanah, written by
the late Chief Rabbi of the British Empire,
Dr. Joseph H. Hertz, retains its significance
and is especially important in our time. Dr.
Hertz outlined the solemnity of the Jewish
New Year in comparison with New Year
celebations of other nations as follows:
"The New Year festival is far other
than the mere opening day, according to
the olden Jewish reckoning, of another
year in the flight of time, Unlike the New
Year celebrations of many ancient and
modern nations, the Jewish New Year is
not a time of revelry. It is a solemn season
of self-examination and self-judgment in -
the life of the Jew. Scripture prescribes
a special symbolic rite for this day, the
• NEellEvi SC14001.S
sounding of the rain's horn, the Shofar.
Whoever has once heard during the New
41%
Year service the shrill notes of this oldest`
—JTA Cartoon by Herb KrtiCkman
of wind instruments will never forget
them. And the meaning of this ceremony
to the worshippers who listen to these
notes in solemn awe is as stirring as the
sounds themselves. Since days immemor-
Our internal troubles and the difficulties in Israel should
ial, the sounding of the rain's horn on
not blind us to the reality of the needs of the survivors from
Oct. 31: Important SOS Date
the New Year has been interpreted in
Israel as the clarion call to repentance and
spiritual renewal, saying: 'Awake, ye
sleepers! Be not of those who miss real-
ities in their hunt after shadows. Consid-
er your deeds; purify your hearts: There -
is an Eye that seeth all things; there is
an Ear that heareth all things. There is
a heavenly Judge with whom is no un-
righteousness, nor forgetfulness, nor re-
spect of persons.'
"And on the High Festivals the Jew
thinks not only of himself, but of peace
and blessedness for all mankind. In the
most ancient and solemn part of the
services, both of the New Year and of the
Day of Atonement, he prays God to hasten
the time when the mighty shall be just •
and the just mighty; when all the child-
ren of men shall form one band of broth-
erhood; when national arrogance and op- .
pression shall have passed away, like so
much smoke from the earth."
At no other time, perhaps, is this mes-
sage as applicable as it is on the eve of the
year 5709. In 5708 Israel witnessed the real-
ization of a 2,000-year-Old aspiration for na-
tional redemption. But 5709 begins with new
problems and new obstacles, with new chal-
lenges to our people's freedom. Having fought
and won the battle for freedom, Israel's fron-
tiers are threatened, new forces have come
.forth with plans to reduce the reborn State
of Israel to a skeleton and the transgressions
of a handful of irresponsible and deluded ex-
tremists are being utilized for an attack on
the entire People Israel.
Jews everywhere therefore are challeng-
ed to be on the defensive against the possible
whittling down of Israeli rights.
The year 5709 commences in a spirit of
deep solemnity. The unfortunate people of
Europe must be saved, and Israel is their
only salvation. The 800,000 Jews in the new
State must be protected. Our oppressed kins-
men in Arabic countries must be protected.
We shall be called upon to give more
of our means than ever before, and even the
record-breaking year of 5708 will pale into in-
significance in comparison with the obliga-
tions we shall have to fulfill in 5709.
We are challenged in 5709 by "the call
to repentance and spiritual renewal." May Is-
rael be strengthened and never be found
wanting in hours of trial and challenge. May
5709 truly be a Good and a Happy Year for
all Israel and all mankind.
Nazism.
Hundreds of thousands of Jews remain in dire need . in
Europe. They must be provided for during their temporary
stay in the displaced persons camps, awaiting the opportunity
to settle in Israel. The Joint Distribution Committee, in addi-
tion to providing for their needs with funds contributed by
American Jews through the United Jewish Appeal, also
depends greatly upon the food, clothing and medicaments
that are annually secured through SOS (Supplies for Over-
seas SurvivorS) drives. .
The 1948 SOS Day 'has been set for Oct. 31 in Detroit.
Prior to that day, our community's volunteer forces must
be mobilized, all who are in position to :do so should lend
their cars and trucks for the day, and hundreds of people will
be needed to assist in the collection of the vital materials for
the survivors.
Our young people have assumed the leadership in super-
vising activities for SOS Day. They should be given the
wholehearted support of all organizations and individual
families. Their successes in SOS efforts will encourage them
in future undertakings of leadership.
A successful SOS Day is most essential for the commun-
ity,' our young leaders and the survivors overseas.
Exposing the Lies and the Liars
Jews are paying a big price for freedom. Even the small
gains are begrudged us and there are too many adversaries
who are unhappy over the self-liberating triumphs of the
modern Maccabaeans.
Our people have been charged with desecrating church
and mistreating Christians. Our friends have been misquoted
as saying that Israeli were plotting to kill prominent Chris-
tians. Repudiation of charges made by anti-Israeli propa-
gandists has fallen on deaf ears. We offered to send any group
of investigators selected by Christian churches to make a
probe into charges against our people, but the offer was
ignored.
Fortunately, a prominent Catholic layman undertook
a trip to Israel on his own and has sent back a complete vin-
dication of Israel. Bartley C. Crum, publisher of the New
York Star, in a cable from 'Nazareth, makes this significant
declaration:
"On the basis of a lengthy and intensive tour of Christian
holy places, I wish to state with all the emphasis at my command
that stories alleging mistreatment by Jews of Christian churches
and sites are shameful fabrications.
"Here in Nazareth where 16 Christian churches and scores
of holy places have attracted pilgrims through the centuries, all
remain as before—unchanged, unmolested, under the most scrup-
ulous protection the Israeli government can provide.
"I must confess that as a Christian and a member of the
Roman Catholic Church, I was most anxious to obtain the true
story regarding treatment by Jews of these holy places.
"I spoke with priests throughout Israel, with Franciscan
fiiars who are answerable to the Vatican and who oversee and
manage sacred institutions, hospitals and schools, and with the
military governor of Nazareth. I have documentary evidence in
my possession which I propose to show to church authorities
proving that the government of Israel announced, even in the
midst of war, that any Jewish soldier found looting or interfer-
ing with church property 'would be subject to penalty of death.'
"All through Israel today one finds tacked on doors of church
property, Protestant and Catholic alike, such warnings as 'Holy
Site—Entrance Forbidden' or 'Holy Place—Out of Bounds.' At
the village of Ein Karem, where a Roman Catholic Church stands
at the site of the birth of John the Baptist, Father Ferdinand, a
Spanish Franciscan priest, showed me priceless relics so deli-
cate, a mere touch would destroy them.
"Our relations with Israeli forces and the government are
excellent,' Father Ferdinand said. 'We don't like war, but I
must say Jewish forces have been most correct'."
THE JEWISH NEWS
Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
Press - Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Palcoz
Agency, King Features. Central Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
ing Co.. 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26. Mich., WO. 5-1155,
Subscription, $3 a year: foreign. $4. .
Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Of-
fice, Detroit, Mich. . under Act-of March 3 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
VOL. 14—No. 3
Page 4
October 1, 1948
Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the twenty-eighth •day of Elul,
5708, the following Scriptural selections will .•be
read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion—Deut. 29 :9-30 :20.
Prophetical portion—Is. 61-10-63:9.
On Rosh Hashanah, the following Scriptural
selections will be read:' • .-
Pentateuchial portion—First day, Monday:
Gen. 21, .Num.'29:146; Second day, Tuesday: Gen.
22, Num. 29:1-16.
Pr..:hetiCal portions—First day, I Sam. 1:1-
2:10: Second day, Jer. 31:2-30.
The_ following .. Scriptural_ ,selections will ...pe
read on: Wednesday; the - Fast of
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 32:11-14; 34:1-10.
Prophetical portion77Is.
"Fla B' Shofar Gadol
-
This is only part of a very detailed cable which proceeds
to prove that the holy places are respected by JewS. What
Will the propagandists—the men of ill will who belong' to
the group that concocts ritual murder charges against Jews
.say now?
Equally interesting is Mr. Crum's denial of a report that
was circulated from Palestine by the United Press that he
had interviewed N. Fridman-Yellin, Sternist leader, and was
told that "we are going to get rid of one great ef*My-,:ofs
Israel." Such reports .tend to prejudice Israel's position: Is it
possible that the murderers of Bernadotte were notilews,
after all the misery that has been apportioned to otir
It is tough dealing with liars and it is difficult to,expose..
lies; but the truth will out and when the facts are kncrw:11‘,
Israel will, surely emercle cleared and therefore 'victorious.
Sound the Great Horn for Our Liberation
By DR. N. E. ARONSTAM
With saddened hearts
And tear-brimmed eyes, as through: a mist,
We behold the Past.
But with glorious and abundant hopes •
We view the golden Morrow,
Which like a fountain springs
From the bourne of our history.
Sound the great trumpet for our Redemption:
For Israel again rejoices;
Israel rejoices with strength and hurnility,.
Phoenix-like, renascent in its new-found
Freedom,
Whilst wielding the sceptre of mercy. and
justice
To all mankind on Earth.
Mercy conceived in travail of bitterness
And in the throes . of agony throughout the
ages.
Sound the great trumpet of our Triumph,
And proclaim aloud:
"Israel liveth, liveth, liveth
And shall live and endure for evermore."
Who's Who In Israel
Biographical Sketche
Of Cabinet Members
(A continuation of a series of biographical
sketches of the leaders of the Israeli Government.)
DAVID BEN GURION has the dual title of
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the
Israeli Government. He has been chairman of the
Jewish Agency Executive since 1935 and for
many years a leader of the labor wing of the
World Zionist Organization.
Born in Plonsky, Poland, in
December, 1886, he was educated
at religious school, by private
tutors, and at the University of
Istanbul. He was active in pro-
moting Zionism in Eastern Europe
and came to Palestine himself in
1906, where he served, for several
years, as an agricultural laborer
and watchman.
In 1915, Ben Gurion, exiled
from Palestine by Jamal Pasha, Ben Gurion
came to the United States where he edited and
published "Yizkor" in Yiddish and founded the
"Hechalutz" movement. He was active in recruit-
ing for the Jewish Legion in America and served
in it himself until its disbandment. He prepared
the draft of the "Knesset Israel" Ordinance which
was eventually adopted by the Government.
He was one of the founders and editors of
"Haadut." Among his other publications are:
Legislation of Villayets, 1914; Palestine Historical
Geographical and Economic Survey (in Yiddish in
collaboration with I. Ben Zvi), 1917; Anahnu - Ve-
Shkheinenu, 1920; Mi-Ma'amad Le-am (from
Group to Nation), 1933; Mishrnarot, 1935; Heskem •
Avoda; Ha-Mediniyut ha-Hitsonit veha-Pnimit shel
Ha-Hanhala; Sefer Ha-Ma'al, and numerous ar-
ticles in the local and foreign press.
Facts You Should Know
Answers to Readers
1
Questions .
When did the Blue and White Banner first
make its official appearance as the "Jewish
flag?"
The Jewish flag was officially displayed as
such at the First Zionist Congress in Basle, in
1897. It is interesting to note that the Talmud
relates that the original banner of Judah was of
a sky-blue color. Originally, each of the 12 Hebrew
tribes had a flag of its own. David Wolfsohn, a
close friend and endeared colleague of Herzl, was
the originator of the flag. Some historians claim
that in 1885, the colony of Rishon Le Zion intro-
duced this flag which was designed and made by
Israel Belkind and Fannie Mayerowitz. From his-
torical records it is obvious that Wolfsohn did not
know of this when he introduced the flag in 1897.
Both Wolfsohn and Belkind were impressed by the
colors'of the Talith (prayer-shawl), which• in turn
was taken from the color of the fringes mentioned.
-in the Bible. The white in the flag stands for pur-
ity, while the blue stands for royalty, -indicating
that supreme royalty rests in purity and that
purity is the greatest royalty.
Why does the Jewish religion prohibit
cremation of human, remains?'. -
the
-
Fundamentally, :the Bible commands us to bury
the body of a dead person- .(Deut. 21:23). Such is
the practice of disposing of the -dead . by their
fellow humans in the Bible from the time that
Abraham buried Sarah .(Gerr 23:19). The Talmud
tells a fascinating. little:Story of the, 01.4.
when Cain beheld the death of his brOther.: Aber,-
and was at a loss as to what to do. with his re -
mains.. It is told that :two2birds appeared upon. the
scene. one died and 'the-Other- dug its grave • and
buried it therein. Froth then on =man reCeived•his•
diVMe lesson on the'.&are:of-the'dead, : Furthermore:
•. it is the means by Which the BibliCaLstatemeilt.,,.: -
' "Dust .:thou art and _,to.., dust thou . . Shaft..,,reture
is
(
-
What is the keason: for -lighting can a ~for,
the
-
•
TheTalnitid.'states thereason.-is:for.:the - :promo.;
tion -of . "Sho,loz- n-"Bayis":Whicti':!- *eaH$ the :peace oir
the lionSehoid; •as- Well as f6frsthe'enioyinerit of 114'0
Sabbath., Fundamentally, the fpiner. tem.:cap, .1.1e
taken to Mean that Since it was prohibited to ignite
'alight - in.: - the home Ohl Sabbath,. one :wa§ ordered- to
light candles so that $he.horne
•
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