There to Stay!
As the Editor
Views the News
Supremacy of Education
An ancient Hebrew principle declares that
• "Talmud Torah k'neged kulom"—that "the
study of the Torah is supreme." Out of this
belief has grown a passionate love for learn-
ing, a determination to eliminate ignorance
from Jewish ranks and to make it impossible
for illiteracy to exist among our people.
Jews are required to pass on knowledge
about Israel from generation to generation.
In the earliest days in our people's history we
were told: "And thou shalt teach them dili-
gently unto thy children, and thou shalt
speak of them when thou sittest in thy house,
and when thou walkest by the way,. and when
thou liest down, and when thou risest up"
(Deuteronomy VI. 7). It is an admonition to
Jews to carry on their traditions and their
historic role as the People of the Book. It is
a Commandment to parents to pass on to
their children the. heritage of a great people.
In lands of freedom, the path of the educa-
tors who seek to guide our people along the
traditional road of learning is beset with
difficulties. There are many challenging and
competitive appeals which lure the children
from the Hebrew schools. Parents, too, have
become lukewarm to tradition because it is
easier to follow the line of least resistance.
It becomes necessary, therefore, to reawaken
the loyalties of our people .to their faith.
Education Month, introduced by the United -
Hebrew Schools of Detroit 22 years ago and
since then adopted as an important means
of advancing the cause of Jewish learning by
Jewish communities throughout the land, is
the instrument for such re-awakening.
The United Hebrew Schools have been in
the forefront for nearly three decades in ad-
vancing the cause of Jewish learning. Its all-
inclusive curriculum has embraced the study
of the Hebrew language, of Bible and his-
tory, of Israel's faith and prayers, of our com-
munity's needs and the values which emerge
from the rebirth of the Hebrew State of
Israel.
Perpetuation of the basic ideals of the Jew-
ish people depends upon the extent to which
Jews will adhere to their heritage through
learning and knowledge. Continuation of the
unbroken chain of passing on Jewish know-
edge from generation to generation calls for
strengthening the hands of those who are
continuing to carry on the ideals inherent in
the United Hebrew Schools.
The Jewish News dedicates this issue to the
cause of Jewish education and to the devoted
leaders in the United Hebrew Schools who
are striving to strengthen this cause.
2 Buber Works on Hasidism
•
TALES OF THE HASIDIM: THE LATER MASTERS. By
Martin Buber. Translated by Olga Marx. Schocken
Books, Inc., 342. Madison Ave., New York 17.
HASIDIM. By Martin Buber. Translators: Dr. Greta
Hort and Dr. Immanuel Olsvanger, with revisions
by Canon. Witton-Davies. Philosophical Library, 15 F,.
40th St., New York 16.
•
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4AI:6-GEV
Blessings on Our President
Hefker Practices
There is an untranslatable Hebrew word
—Drawing by Campagna
which is applicable to the practice of some
The most powerful voice in the world, expressed through
individuals and groups which seek to cap-
italize on the development of the State of the Ballot, in the democratic process of this great land, has
Israel. It is: HEFKER, and the translation spoken, and the mantle of the greatest office that can be
best applicable to it is: IRRESPONSIBILITY. given toman by men, is being placed again upon the shoulders
of President Harry S. Truman.
In the last few weeks, solicitors for week-
From this point on, there are no more party divisions on
ly newspapers in Eastern states have been the question of the Presidency. The majority of the American
soliciting funds from Detroit merchants pur- voters has decreed that President Truman is to be retained
portedly for the cause of Israel and inciden- as President, and ALL citizens owe allegiance to the man
tally to build their circulations. Any amount who will remain in the White House.
—from $2 upwards—was accepted. Some
We pledge our allegiance to the President of the United
merchants fell for such appeals and gave en- States.
couragement to people who undertook to
Loyal Americans of all faiths stand united in their al-
make capital of Jewish needs.
legiance to our country and in their determination to lend all
Numerous campaigns are in progress, possible support to the Chief Executive who is to guide the
purportedly for Israel. They are, in the main, destinies of America during the coming four years.
unauthorized, and it is the dUty of respon-
Grave issues face this country and the world at large. No
sible citizens to check on their validity before longer isolated from the rest of the world, the President's
contributing to them.
duties will be to lead this land to paths of justice and peace,
How long will HEFKER be permitted on along the road that should avoid pitfalls or that might in any
the Jewish scene? Warnings of this nature _ way lead to war.
President Truman has made firm declarations in support
are not enough. It is high time that our peo-
ple knew how to differentiate between the of the State of Israel and in behalf of more liberal legislation
worthy and the unworthy. It is the only way for the settlement of displaced persons in the United States.
in which they can put an end to irresponsible We are confident that he will strive to fulfill these pledges.
The eyes of the entire world are directed at the District
action in Jewish life.
of Columbia. The world places faith in the re-elected Presi-
dent of the United States that he will exert all his efforts
towards peace objectives. The downtrodden throughout the
universe hope that Mr. Truman will battle for the right of the
Member Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Independent Jewish
dispossessed and will insist that this country remain a haven
Press Service, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate, Palcor
for the oppressed.
Agency, King Features. Central Press Association.
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publish-
Israel is among the nations who place hope for humani-
ing Co., 2114 Penobscot Bldg., Detroit 26, Mich., WO. 5-1155,
Subscription., $3 a year: foreign, $4.
tarian consideration of their problems by the United States.
Entered as second-class matter Aug. 6, 1942, at Post Of-
President Truman is on record as Israel's friend. Israel will
lice, Detroit, Mich., under Act of March 3. 18'79.
look to him to allay the new State's serious fears, to offer
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ, Editor
Jewry the financial and political encouragement that a strug-
VOL. 14—No. 8
Page 4
November 5, 1948
gling country needs in order to be able to receive and to
resettle hundreds of thousands of homeless Jews.
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
A new era begins for humanity. A new deal awaits
This Sabbath, the fourth day of Heshvan, 5709,
Israel. May the hopes of the American people and of human-
the following Scriptural selections will he read in
ity be fulfilled during President Truman's next administra-
our synagogues:
tion. All blessings on the re-elected President of the United
Pentateuchal portion—Gen. 6:9-11:32..
States and on his administration.
Prophetical portion—Is. 54:1-55:5.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Philosopher Interprets
Great Jewish Movement
These two very great books on the Hasidie
movement appeared simultaneously, on the same
day, off the presses of two publishing houses, mak-
ing history for a single day in the Jewish literary
field—because of the magnitude of the subject and
the genius of the author.
Dr. Martin Buber, since 1937 professor of social
philosophy at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,
is . _e world's outstanding aut' city on Hasidism.
He is a noted philosopher, a great interpreter of
mystic movements, and his two latest books reveal
anew the profound insight the eminent teacher
and writer has in the characteristics of the Hasidie
movement.
In "Hasidism" Prof. Buber describes the history
of the Hasidic movement and its background:
Several of the essays first appeared in German
and some in Hebrew. This book arises, we are
informed in the author's foreword, "out of work
stretching over a period of more than 40 years."
The author states:
"I consider Hasidic truth vitally important '
for Jews, Christians, and others, and at this
particular hour more important than ever be-
fore. For now is the hour, when we are in
danger of forgetting for what purpose we are
on earth, and I know of no other teaching
that reminds us of this so forcibly.
"Hasidism has never set foot in the world
of man as Christianity has done. Because of
its truth, and because of the need of the hour,
-
I carry it into the world against its will."
The influences of the Sabbatai Zwi messianic
movement, the rise of Frankism through the
movement of Jacob Frank and of the Kabbalah are
outlined in the essays outlining the rise of Hasid-
ism. We learn of two traditions—of religious corn;
mandments and science—which were taken over
by Hasidism as a central theme from the kabbal-
ists. Prof. Buber writes:
"Of all manifestations in the history of
religion Hasidism is that in which quite clear-
ly two lines meet, lines which it is generally
assumed cannot meet because of their nature:
the line of inner illumination and the line of
revelation, that of the movement beyond time
and that of historical time. Hasidism explodes
the easy view of mysticism. Belief and mys-
ticism are not two worlds, although over and
again in them the tendency to become two
independent worlds wins the upper hand.
Mysticism is the realm on the borderland of
belief, the realm in which the soul takes breath
between word and word."
Naturally, the views and legends of the Baal-
shem are covered in this work. In addition to an
important study of the place of Hasidism in the
history of religion and to a review of the symbol..
ical and sacramental existence of Judaism, Dr.
Buber has an important chapter on "Spinoza,
Sabbatai Zevi and Baalshem." Spinoza and Sab-
batai Zevi died 23 years before Baalshem was
born. Dr. Buber makes this important assertion:
"Both men terminate a process which flowed from
one historical event, namely, that of the appear-
ance of Jesus; and both men receive their answer
and correction from a new process which sprang
from qne historical event, namely, that of the
appearance of the Baalshem."
This brillant interpretation of the Hasidic phil-
osophy is further enhanced by Dr. Buber's account
of the Later Masters (the book is a sequel to his
"Takes of the Hasidim: The Early Masters), their
legends, dialogues and teachings, the life stories
of some of the noted Hasidic rabbis, the leaders
whose inspiration has left an indelible mark on
hundreds of thousands of their followers. "Tales
of the Hasidim" reveal the conflicts within the
ranks of the Hasidim, the rivalry among various
groups which threatened serious decline in the
movement. Thus, Dr. Buber 'states:
"Hasidism enters upon its decline when the
zaddikim no longer give their hasidim inner
help along with and through external help.
For here, everything is based on the relation-
ship between zaddikim and hasidim, a living
relationship which is all-inclusive and pene-
trates to the innermost core. When that is
lacking, then indeed 'the present too will be
corrupted'."
"Tales of the Hasidim: The Later Masters"
deals with the lives and legends of Shalom Sliakh-
na of Probishtch, Israel of Rizhyn, Abraham Yaa-
kov of Sadagora, Nahum of Stepinesht, David
Moshe of Tchortkov, the followers of the schools
of Rabbi Shmelke f Nikolsburg, Rabbi Elimelekh
of Lizhensk, Rabbi Shelomo of Karlin, the men
from the- House of the Maggid
Koznitz, the fol-
lowers of the Rabbi of Lublin, Pzhysha and its
daughter schools. Thus, we are treated to legends.
and fascinating stories by scores of Hasidic rabbis.
This book is made additionally valuable not
only by appended notes and a valuable glossary,
but a most important section containing a Geneal-
ogy of the Hasidic Masters, in addition to an ale
phabetical index to the genealogy and an index to
the tales.
The two books under review supplement each
other. They are most valuable additions to the
Jewish library. They enrich Jewish scholarship
and provide the finest interpretations of Hasidism.
They are new gems in the collected works of the
master thinker, writer, teacher and philosopher....
Dr. Martin Buber.
(Another volume by Dr. Martin Buber,
"Israel and the World: Essays in a time of
Crisis,' will be published by Schocken Books
on Nov. 15. A review of this volume will
appear in The Jewish News later this month).
Who's Who In Israel
RABBI ITZCHAK MEIR LEVIN, Minister of
Social Welfare of the Provisional Government of
Israel, represents the Agudath Israel in the Cabii
net. Born in Poland, he was educated in leading
Polish seminaries. He was a leader of the Agudath
Israel in that country and of the world Aguclatli ,
Israel Organization.