Purely Commentary
. By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Israel's Genius in the Writing of Ethical Wills
Dr. Hayim ,Greenberg's will, noteworthy for its brevity and
simplicity and 'far the humility of its instructions, inspires this
Commentator td , write briefly about a remarkable tendency among
our sages: to write Ethical Wills.
Two illuminating volumes of "Hebrew Ethical Wills," selected
and edited by the late Dr. Israel Abrahams, were incorporated
by the Jewish Publication Society in The Schiff Library of Jewish
Classics. The Hebrew title of this collection is "Tzava-oth Geonei
Israel," and the term "tzava-ah"—Hebrew for "will"—is traced
in a quotation from Genesis 18.19 to "yetzaveh et banav v'et-beito
akharov"—"that he may command his children and his house-
hold after him . . . to do righteousness and justice." Such, in
truth, is the intention of an ethical will: to pass on to the next
generation the desire for justice and the craving for righteousness.
Dr. Abrahams, in his introduction, mentioned the moralists'
longing to convey to their offspring the ideals for which they
themselves had striven: "Prominently among these may be men-
tioned the blessing of Jacob, the dying requests of Joseph to his
brethren, the addresses of Moses and Joshua to the people of
Israel, the advice of David to his son Solomon, the ascetic re-
striction imposed against the use of wine or settled abodes by
Jonadab son of Rechab, and such injunctions as that of the
prophet of Bethel to his sons." Thus, down the line, Dr. Abra-
hams proved the point that "the ethical will is in a sense a dis-
tinctive Jewish genre."
"Hebrew Ethical Wills" is not being reviewed here. At this
point, 26 years after the first appearance of this scholary work, it
can be recommended for special courses, as a distinct subject for
study in our higher schools. But, in relalon to the Greenberg
will, there are a few items' that are worthy of re-evaluation as
guides for our generation.
Nahmanides' "Virtue of Humility"
In our age of uncertainty, marked by a measure of despair
and an even larger quantity of arrogance, we can benefit from
the ethical will left by Moses, son of Nahman, the great scholar
of the 13th century whom our history knows as 'the famed
Nahmanides. Inviting his son to hear the instruction of his father
and not to forsake the teaching of his mother, Nahmanides
asked his offspring to accustom himself "to speak in gentleness
to all men, at all times," to remove anger from his heart and
put away evil from his flesh, for:
"Being relivered from anger, there will arise in thy heart
the quality of humility, better than all good things! For 'the
reward of humility is the fear of the Lord.' (Prov. 22.4). Rev-
erence is thus the fruit of humility."
As in the case of the long, ethical "guide to Knowledge"
Joseph Ibn Kaspi, of the 14th century, who pleaded for true
knowledge, for good character, for respect as distinguished from
scoffing, Nahmanides' plea for humility is a sacred declaration
of faith. We select for comment the rejection of scoffing and
the emphasis on humility because we believe them to be among
the qualities that distinguish our faith and that elevate Jewish
standards.
Nahmanides asked his son to read his Letter (which is
perpetuated in Jewish literature as an Ethical Will) once a week,
to be regular in carrying out its injunctions, "that thou mayest
prosper in all thy ways, and be held worthy of all the good which
is treasured up for the righteous!". There is powerful justification
for this request, and its emphasis, in this set of principles enun-
ciated by Nahmanides:
"Let thy voice be low, and thy head bowed, let thine eyes
be turned earthwards and thy heart heavenwards. Gaze not
in the face of him whom thou dost address. Every man should
seem in thine eyes as one greater than thyself. If he be .wise or
wealthy, it is thy duty to show him respect. If he be poor and
thou the richer, or if thou be wiser than he., bethink thee in thy
heart, that thou are the more guilty, he is the more innocent.
If he sin, it is from error; if thou sin., it is from design!"
Underlying this lesson is the blessing of humility on the
strength of which Jewish ethics have gained the respect of man-
kind. Greenberg's humility points to the continuation of this Jew-
ish tradition. The proof is in his Ethical Will.
Greenberg's Scriptural Selections
There were no eulogies for Hayim Greenberg ; in deference to
his specific requests in his will. But he approved of Scriptural
Prof. Schneurson
To Give 2 Lectures
Here April 11, 13
Prof. Fishel Schneurson. Israel
author, psychologist and lectur-
er, will deliver two lectures dur-
PROF F. SCHNEURSON
ing his stay in Detroit. He will
speak in Hebrew, Saturday
evening, April 11 in the audi-
torium of the Rose Sittig Cohen
Building on "The Psychological
Forces of Israeli Heroism," and
in Yiddish on "The Psychology
of the New Israeli Immigrant"
Sunday evening, April 13, in the
auditorium of the Workmen's
Circle, 11529 Linwood.
Prof. Schneurson began h i s
psychological work with problem
children 30 years ago, first in
Kiev and then in Warsaw, Po-
land. In 1937 he settled in Israel
and has since been the head of
the Psycho-Hygienic Institute
for the Problem Children in Tel-
Aviv. He is the editor of the edu-
cational quarterly "Chinuch."
He published a number of books
in Hebrew and Yiddish, many of
which were translated into Eng-
lish and several other languages.
He is the founder of a new sys-
tem in psychology known as the
"Science of Man" or the "Inti-
mate Psychology".
These two lectures are spon-
sored jointly by the H e b r e w
Teachers Association of the
United Hebrew Schools and
Kvutzah Ivrith (Hebrew Cult-
ural Group of Detroit), Sholem
Aleichem Institute, United Jew :.
ish Folk Schools and Workmen's
Circle School. Tickets may be
obtained at the sponsoring
schools.
11t:111111,0eAdiiiMPFMMOIAMIA
.
To the hundreds of friends
and workers of the Histadrut
campaign who gathered at the
third seder celebration on Wed-
nesday evening at Adas Shalom
Synagogue, the ceremonial pro-
o•am was coupled with s r- gni-
festation of self-pride of those
assembled at the closing affair.
The program marked the be-
ginning of a unique undertaking
of Detroit friends of the Hista-
drut—the realization of a surgi-
cal pavilion in the Eliezer Kap-
lan Memorial Hospital at Reho-
voth, Israel. •
As projected at the start of
the campaign, the local Hista-
drut committee planned to
sponsor, out of funds raised dur-
ing the current campaign, a sur-
gical pavilion housing 11 units.
The building was to commence
as quickly as funds were made
available.
V a r !. o u s landsmanshaften
and Labor Zionist groups were
also to subscribe to equip the
pavilion with operating tables,
surgical instruments, o x y g e n
tents and other needed equip-
ment.
• Morris Lieberman, chairman
of the celebration, announced
that the initial steps in con-
structing the Detroit pavilion
have been taken. It is hoped, he
stated, that the many friends
and contributors to the drive
will fully realize the heavy re-
sponsibility they must bear in
completing the project which
will have to be paid out of funds
to be raised from outstanding
pledges and those to be made
next year."
In his introductory remarks
Lieberman denied emphatically
rumors now being spread that
the Israel- Government and the
Histadrut are telling prospec-
tive f or e i g n investors that
they have to become partners
with agencies of the Histadrut.
"This is absolutely unfound-
ed," he declared, "and such
false statements have no other
purpose but to undermine the
present government of Israel.
Histadrut has no desire to mon-
opolize any branch of the eco-
nomic activity in the country
and all productive initiative is
welcomed by the government."
The premiere presentation of
"The Song of Independence"
was enthusiastically received by
the audience. It featured Emma
Schaver as soloist, Zvi Scooler
as narrator, with composer
Harry Anik at the piano. Mrs.
Schaver also appeared with the
Halevy, Farband and Workmen's
Circle Chorus in several Yiddish
and Israeli songs, under the di,
rection of Dan Frohman and ac-
companied by Bella Goldberg.
Rabbi Morris Adler, the tra-
ditional guest speaker at Hista-
drut closing affairs, spoke en-
couraging words on behalf of the
pioneers of Israel.
At a pre-closing meeting of ...
the executive board last Sunday_ ,
plans were made for a final/
three-Week mopping up drive to •
complete , assignments of cam-
p a i g n workers to attain set
quotas for various divisions and
group's.
Chaim. Gottlieb, campaign rep-
resentqtive from Israel. was pre-
sented with a special honor
scroll in recognition of his lead-
ership in the local drive during
the past three years. Gottlieb is
relinquishing his post with the
National Committee for Labor
Israel to return to his homeland.
2 — THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, April 3, 1953
-
1- ill
11.
Between You and Me
By 3ORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1953, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Washington Moods
The talk which leaders of the American Zionist Council had '
with President Eisenhower in the White House—the first since
Eisenhower became President—did not inspire much hope in Zion-
ist ranks . . . The President seems to be taking the line that in
certain situations both Israel and the Arab countries are wrong,
while in others both of them are right . . . It seems he expects
Israel to carry out certain commitments, the nature of which are
not clear . . . President Eisenhower seems to be sincerely inter-
ested in establishing peace in the Middle East, but on what condi-
tions? This is the pertinent question . . . The answer will be known
after Secretary of State John Foster Dunes' coming visit to the
Middle East . Those who know President Eisenhower's mind,
are under the impression that he will be -blunt with the Arabs as
well as with Israel in pressing for an Arab-Israel peace ... How-
ever, on the Zionist side there is hope that President Eisenhower
New officers and directors of will remember the pledge to Israel contained in the platform of
the Republican Party . .. Also the pledge in his own letter to Dr.
the Hebrew Benevolent Society Abba Hillel Silver sent during- the Presidential election campaign
were installed at recent cere- . .. And finally, the recent statement by Secretary Dulles declar-
monies of the organization at ing that Israel will be welcomed in a Middle East defense body
when it is formed.
its hall on Joy Rd.
*
Harry E. Citrin was installed
Political
Reflections
for the second term as president.
German ratification of the reparations with Israel despite the
Inducted with him were David
Richman, vice-president; Bar- opposition of the Arab countries is giving food for thought to
ney Citrin, secretary; Hyman some in Washington . . While certain elements are predict-,
Mitnick, treasurer; Peter S. ing that Germany will make a few payments to Israel, others are' .
Goldstein and Nathan Wolok, thinking along different lines . .. They see that Arab pressure,
which bordered on blackmail, did not frighten the West German.
trustees.
Sam Nelson, honorary presi- Government after it evaluated the Arab 'threats . . , They ask
dent, and Ben Grant served as the question: If Germany did not take the Arab threats seriously,
installing officers. Louis Levine why should the United States? ... This kind of a question, coming
as it does on the eve of the departure 'of Secretary of State John
was master of ceremonies.
Foster Dulles for the Middle East, may have an effect . It may
In brief speeches, the new of- influence the thinking of those policy makers in Washington who,
ficers issued an appeal for co- unddr the influence of pro-Arab propaganda, are inclined to over-
operation among its member- estimate Arab strength and underestimate Israel's importance in
ship for the coming year to con- the defense of the Middle East ... . There is no doubt that the
tinue to serve the Jewish com- West German Government, which is anxious to do business with
munity in the future as it has the Arab countries, took into consideration all the risks involved
for the past 36 years.
when it ratified the Israel reparations pact .. , In calling the
Arab bluff, Germany has paved the way for the United States
to take the Arab claims with a pinch of salt.
French Chief., Mayer,
*
*
*
Hebrew Benevolent
Re-Elects Citrin
selections, and he expressed a preference for the 28th Chapter of
Job, for Pasalms 23, 42 and 103, from which we have culled the
following sentences to indicate the thinking, the hopes and as-
pirations of the labor Zionist leader who always rose a b o v e
parties in his tasks for the entity that is Israel:
Psalm 103:
"The Lord executeth righteousness,
And acts of justice for all that are oppressed • . •
The Lord is full of compassion and gracious,
Slow to anger, and plenteous,in mercy . •
Like as a father hath compassion upon his children,
So hath the Lord compassion upon them that fear Him,'
For He knoweth our frame;
He remenzbereth that we are dust.
PSALM 23:
"The Lord is any shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake — ."
PSALM 42:
"Why are thou cast down, 0 my soul?
And why moanest thou within me?
Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him,
The salvation of my countenance ., and my God."
JOB 28:
". . . wisdom, . where shall it be found? And where is the
Visits Ike in Capitol
place of understanding? . . . Whence cometh wisdom? . . . Seeing
it is hid from the eyes of all living. And kept close from the
Rene Mayer, Premier of
fowls of the air. Destruction and death say: 'We have heard . France,
arrived in Washington
a rumor thereof with our ears.' God understandeth the way
`last week to dis-
thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof . . . And .unto man
cuss the. prob-
He said: 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to
lem of more
depart from evil is Understanding'."
military aid to
In the Delegation to Vandenberg
French forces in
The late Hayim Greenberg was a member of a delegation this
Indo- China
Commentator was asked to head to the late Senator Arthur Van-
with President
denberg. The meeting was .held exactly six days before the death
Eisenhower.
of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and much was said at that private
The French
session aboilt the late President. The • third member of the dele-
Premier is a
gation was the late Herman Shulman, whose death several months
member of the
later was a great loss to the Zionist movement.
famed Jewish
All of us believed that much good had come froth that meet-
Rene Mayer Rothschild fam-
ing. Your Commentator is in position to state that Greenberg ily, and is, himself, the son of a
a.
made a fine impression. He always did.
rabbi.
,...-
...
Histadrut Drive Reaches Successful
Conclusion; Plan Mop-Up Work
Domestic_Affairs
Leaders of the Israel bond drive are worried over the fact
that $50,000,000 in pledges for bond subscriptions have not been
redeemed yet . . . They make no secret of the fact that of the
total of $160,000,000 subscribed to date, only $110,000,000 was re-
ceived in cash . . . It is no secret that loans were taken from
banks in anticipation that more cash would be realized from bond
subscriptions . . . Hence leaders of the Israel bond drive are de-
termined to make this month an all-out collection effort to get
all the money still outstanding from subscriptions . . . A plan is
being weighed for the setting up of a branch organization of the
Israel bond drive to wage a nationwide campaign to sell bonds
among non-Jews . . . There have been some purchases of Israel
bonds by non-Jewish banks and insurance companies and even
hundreds of individual Christians, but no direct effort 'has been
made to sell them . . . There are some in the bond organization
who believe that tens of millions of Israel bonds might be market-
ed among non-Jews and that purchase of bonds by non-Jews
would be a healthy stimulus to Jewish purchases. .