Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

2-DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Friday, January 22, 1954

Name Prof. Shulman
Yale Law School Dean

Committee Formed to Plant 'Mile
Of Trees in Israel' in Honor of
60th Birthday of William Hordes

Under the chairmanship of tional president and executive
NEW HAVEN, Conn., (JTA)
James I. Ellmann, a committee
director respectively of the
"The Song of Songs," as "an integral element in the world-view
—Prof. Harry Shulman, Yale
was formed this week to honor JNF, are honorary chairmen
of ancient Israel, to which modern men are justly turning in in-
University Sterling Professor William Hordes, pioneer Zionist,
of the arrangements commit-
of Law and nationally known
creasing measure," is presented in all its uniqueness in a brilliant
on the occasion of his 60th birth- tee.
labor relations arbitrator, was
evaluation and interpretation by Dr. Robert Gordis. This eminent
day, by planting a "Mile of Trees
Serving on the Hordes testi-
scholar's new commentary, which follows
•named dean of the Yale Uni-
in the Negev in Israel."
versity Law School by presi-
Invitations will go out this monial committee with Mr. Ell-
a pattern-set forth in his study "Koheleth
dent A. Whitney Griswold.
—The Man and His World," has just been
week to a group of Detroiters, mann are:
The 50-year-old professor,
Rabbi Morris Adler, Samuel
published by the Jewish Theological Semi-
inviting them to attend a din-
who was born in Russia, was
ner in Mr. Hordes' honor, at Belkin, Rabbi Jacob M. Chinitz,
nary of America.
law secretary to the late As-
Dr. Gordis' "The Song of Songs: Av
Holiday Manor, March 16, and David J. Cohen, Rubin Cooper-
sociate Justice of the Su-
to join in making possible the smith, Mrs. Philip J. Cutler,
Study, Modern Translation and Commen-
preme Court Louis D. Bran-
planting of the Mile of Trees at Rabbi Hayim Donin, Mr. I. M.
tary" takes into consideration the various
Faxtein, Mrs. I. M. Faxtein, Wal-
a cost of $4,000.
deis.
interpretations given this work for 20 cen-
Mr. Ellmann, in his invitation ter Field, Rabbi Moses Fisher,
turies. It notes that "earlier ages, perhaps
to the dinner, states that the Rabbi Leon Fram, Morris Ginz-
more devout than our own, read the Son
honor is being accorded Mr. burg, Rabbi Benj. H. Gorrelick,
of Songs as an allegory and saw in it anN
Hordes "in appreciation of the Joseph Greenbaum, Rabbi A. M.
expression of the ideal relationship of
long years of most devoted serv- Hershman, Earl Hordes, Morris
subsisting between God and man." It points*
ices he has given our communi- Jacobs, Boris Joffe, Leon Kay,
out that "this traditional view, in spite of
ty, and especially to the Jewish Henry Keywell, Mrs. Jules Kraft,
Dr. Gordis
its inherent charm and religious signifi
Morris Lachover, Benjamin Lai-
National Fund."
cance, became less popular and is today virtually abandoned."
kin, Rabbi Moses Lehrman, Mi-
Mr.
Hordes
served
as
president
Efforts of some Scholars "to interpret the Song as the ritual
Weeks of preparation and of the JNF Council here for a chael Michlin, Harry Mondry,
of a pagan fertility-cult have not succeeded," it is pointed out planning will be climaxed 1.1n- number
Abraham Nusbaum, Morris Scha-
by Dr. Gordis, who comments that while there still is no unanimity day, when Bnai Brith bowlers
• . , chairman of the board of the ver, Mrs. Abraham Scheuer, Irv-
as to its character and meaning, "today it is generally recognized kick off a membership campaign local JNF.
ing W. Schlussel, Harry Schumer,
that the book is to be understood literally, its theme being human scheduled to take place during
The dinner in Mr. Hordes' Mrs. Jack Seder, Sidney Shevitz,
the succeeding three weeks in , honor is being arranged by the David Silver, Philip Slomovitz,
love, a view which was, indeed, adumbrated in ancient times."
But the eminent scholar does not view the book "in isolation," every principal city in the United JNF of America as well as the Rabbi Joshua Sperka, Phillip
local Council. Dr. Harris J. Le- Stollman, Daniel Temchin, Dr.
for, "the life and faith of ancient Israel is, on the one hand, part States and Canada.
The local campaign is under vine and Mendel N. Fisher, na- Israel Wiener.
of the culture-pattern of the ancient Near East and, on the other,
markedly distinct from it. Unless both elements of this ambivalent the leadership of Joseph Levin,
yet perfectly natural relationship are fully taken into account, we president of Detroit Bnai Brith
obtain a distorted picture of reality. Only when the Bible is set Bowling Association, who will be
• •
within the larger framework of the Fertile Crescent, can we gain assisted by Louis Cohen Isadore
an adequate appreciation both in its place in the world from Pearlman, Alfred Brook Harold
which it emerged and of its unique character. For it is both the Shapiro, Jack Roth, Morrey I
aras Harry Cohen Max Bied-
record of God's revelation to man and of man's aspiration to-
WASHINGTON, (JTA)—Presi- mitted "undesirable" aliens to
erman, Hy Abramowitz, Henry
ward the Divine."
dent
Eisenhower left the door remain in this country. Commit-
Laing, Harold Weiss, Irving
"The Song of Songs" emerges in this remarkable book "as a Kanfer, Morris Bernstein, Dr. open for a decision on pressing tee chairman Chauncey Reed
superb lyrical anthology, containing songs of love and nature, of Michael Engelman, Sam Maza, for revision of the McCarran- said the new rules, however, will
courtship and marriage . . . constituting a parallel to the 'book of Jack Leeds, Maurice Rhode, Sam I Walter Immigration Act by speed action on bills to allow
Psalms,' which is a florilegium of man's yearning for God."
Banks, Sam Sweet, Meyer Littky, evading a direct reply to a ques- desirable aliens to remain.
Here we come to an understanding of the canonicity of this Norman Felsot, Irving Adler, tion whether there was any sig-
Meanwhile, a powerful voice
Joseph Faudem, Ben Soedhoft, nificance to his failure to men- was raised within the Presi-
book. Dr. Gordis asserts:
"If the two basic imperatives of religion are the love of Louis Breyer, Joseph Breyer and tion the issue in his State of the dent's own party for revision
Union messages to Congress.
God and the love of man, the 'Song of Songs,' no less than the Ben Goldhoff.
of the immigration legislation.
The question was posed at his Senator Robert C. Hendrickson
`Book of Psalms,' deserves its place in Scripture."
Detroit will play host to some
Dr. Gordis has powerful authority for this view. The opening 2,500 bowlers on the weekends press conference by a Jewish of New Jersey, addressing a
paragraph of the first chapter ("A Unique Book") offers it, thus: of March 6-7 and 13-14, when Telegraphic Agency representa- meeting at Montclair, called
tive who asked whether there
of the act "in the
"The entire universe is not as worthy as the day on which keglers from throughout the was any significance to the for revision spirit
of courage,
the Song of Songs was given to Israel, for all the Writings are Middle West will meet here • to omission of reference to revision American
humanity and freedom, and
Yad.
crown
a
sectional
Bnai
Brith
holy, but the Song of Songs are the Holy of Holies." (M.
of the McCarran-Walter Act and not in a frightened atmos-
3:5). In these passionate words, Rabbi Akiba was upholding champion in singles and team if the President still favored re- phere of suspicion and with-
events.
the right of the Song of Songs to a place in the Scriptures..
drawal from reality." The
Great Lakes and Detroit Rec- vision.
The warmth of his defense testifies to the vigor of the chal-
The President replied that senator charged that in many
reation
will
be
the
sites
of
the
lenge to which it was subjected, probably stronger than in the
tournament, with the big ban- there was nothing significant in instances, administration of
case of Esther, Koheleth and Job.
quet scheduled for the night of the ommission. As a matter of the law is "harsh and arbit-
Thus, the Song of Songs is unique as the only book in the March 14 at Masonic Temple.
fact, there were many, many rary" and infringes on the tra-
canon lacking a religious or national theme, "the Divine name
things
omitted, and he thought ditional standards of fair play.
Other Sectionals will be staged
occuring only once and then only as an epithet (8:6)," for while
He reminded his audience of
in Louisville, Kansas City, Min- that he had stated that some of New Jersey clubwomen that,
the Book of Esther also has no direct reference to God it con- neapolis and Los Angeles at the the things omitted would be the
except for the Indians, all
tains national emphasis which the Song of Songs does not possess. same time, with the winners to subject of later comment.
The House Judiciary Commit- Americans are "immigrants or
"Solomonic authorship," Dr. Gordis explains, strengthened meet in a roll-off fdr the na-
tee decided to tighten rules the descendants of immi-
the Song's allegorical interpretation which gave Biblical warrant tional championship.
which in some cases have per- grants."
to "the frequent use by the Prophets of the metaphor of marital
Herman Zimmerman, of De-
love to describe the proper relationship of Israel to its God. This troit, is president of the Na-
combination of factors overcame all doubts about the sacred tional Bnai Brith Bowling As-
character of the Song of Songs, and its canonicity was reaffirmed sociation, sponsor of the sec-
at the Council of Jania in 90 C. E., never to be challenged again." tionals.
Describing "the literal interpretation" of The Song, Dr.
Joseph Levin, president of the
By BORIS SMOLAR
Gordis writes: "While the allegorical view of the Song of Songs city association, announced the
(Copyright, 1954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
early became official, it is noteworthy that the Rabbis were well following committees for the
aware that in many circles it was being interpreted literally. Detroit tournament:
Community Currents
That the allegorical" view had difficulty in winning universal
Chairman, Sam Maza; co-
Figures compiled by the Council of Jewish Federations and
acceptance is clear from the warmth of the statement of the chairmen, Dr. Michael Engelman Welfare Funds, on the basis of information received from 85 Jewish
Tosefta: 'He who trills his voice in the chanting of Song of and Harry Cohen; banquet, Jack communities, establish that 70 percent of the funds raised for
Songs and treats it as a secular song, has no share in the Leeds; stag affair, Maurice Jewish activities come from four and one-half percent - of all givers
Rhode; entertainment, Harry • d • Activities against anti-Semitism fir lanced by federations and
world to come.' "
Special interest is attachable to the explanation of the dating Thomas; hotel arrangements, Al welfare funds locally are now receiving less funds than in 1948 ...
of the book and of the era in Solomon's life in which it was writ- Brook and Harry Parr; regis- Alocations to homes for the aged, doubled since 1946, are rising
tration, Don Levy; Norman Fel- steadily as the number of aged in the Jewish population continues
ten. To quote Dr. Gordis' explanatidn:
"That the book deals with human love is implied" in the sot and Irving Adler; hospital- to go up . . . Allocations to Jewish schools and bureaus of Jewish
well known statement: 'Solomon wrote three books, Proverbs, ity, Morrey Yara8; alleys, Morris education have been increasing since 1950 . . . Family and child
Koheleth, and the Song of Songs. Which did he write first? .. . Bernstein; transportation, Irv- care agencies are now receiving a smaller share . of total allocations
Rabbi Hiyya the Great said, He wrote Proverbs first, then the ing Kanfer; scoring, Henry than they received from federations and welfare funds in 1948 and
Song of Songs, and then Koheleth . . Rabbi Jonathan said, Laing; publicity, Al Brook; fund- earlier years . . . Jewish centers, are, next to health programs, the
The Song of Songs he wrote first; then came Proverbs, and raising, Sam Sweet; printing, recipients of the highest allocations among the local services .
Their allocations have almost doubled since 1946 in a steady year-
then Koheleth. Rabbi Jonathan proved it from normal human Meyer Littky.
by-year climb . . . Health and hospital programs have emerged as
behavior. When a man is young, he sings songs. When he be-
'percent
comes an adult, he utters practical proverbs. When he becomes Turover GrOups Name the largest single category of local beneficiaries, with 90
of allocations to this field occurring in the very largest cities .
old, he voices the vanity of things.'
'54 In other Jewish communities grants for health are as high as 34
Dr. Gordis reviews The Song of Songs as drama, as a branch New Officers for
to 45 percent of all allocations for local pUrposes.
of Wisdom. (Hokmah), the Hebrew elements in it and Solomon's
At its last meeting, Turover
place in the history of this famous love poem. The symbolism and
Aid Society installed J. Bobrin
esthetics in the Song and its stylistic traits are adequately covered. to direct activities of the group Israel's Interest
Israel leaders are now watching with utmost interest the
The brilliant author of this new commentary places emphasis during 1954. SerVing with him
preparations
for the launching of fund-raising drives in the United
on Rabbi Akiba's description of The Song as "the Holy of Holies." are A. Geller and M. Zuroff, vice- States this year
.. Of special interest is the national conference
He adds that The Song "gives expression, in poetic and hence presidents; J1 Irving Grant and of the United Jeivish Appeal which will be held in Miami Beach
in deathless terms, to the authentic world-view of Judaism, which J. Gottlieb, secretaries; M. Kor- next month, marking the launching of the 1954 UJA campaign ...
denies any dichotomy between body and soul, between matter and by treasurer; S. Dreyfus and H. No secret is made by the Israel government that for many years
spirit, beccause it recognizes them both as the twin aspects of Pfeiffer, hospitalers.
to come the Jewish state will stand in need of vast sums of foreign
the great and unending miracle called life."
The „ceremony was conducted currency for the development of the country . And American
Dr. Gordis' Foreword, in which he expresses gratitude for as-
by Ben Grant, with the assis- Jewish leaders are being -told by Israel that efforts must be forth-
sistance in the publication of the book to friends and associates, tance of several past officers.
coming in good time to make good any deficiency that may ,occur
closes with this paragraph:
in collections in the course of the year • . Of the $300,000,000
The
society's
Cemetery
Asso-
"The debt I owe my dear wife is not to be put into words.
required by the Jewish State annually, the campaigns abroad pro-
Our 25 years of married life have brought us the conviction ciation also installed new offi- vide about $80,000,000 a year . . 'Fund-raising drives in various
that the Song of Songs is a testament of truth as well as a cers at its recent annual ban- countries have brought Israel no less than $375,000,000 in foreign
quet. Heading the group are J.
hymn, of joy. This Foreword is being written on the occasion
William currency during the first five years of existance of the Jewish
of our Silver Anniversary. As we look toward our golden jubilee, Zeldes, gabbai rishon;
State . . . Of this, $255,000,000 came from. the UJA iii this country,
Keller,
gabbai
sheni;
J.
Gottlieb
the verse in the Song of Songs becomes a prayer in our hearts.
in addition to many millions of dollars spent by the 'Joint Dis-
'Golden beads shall we make thee, with studs of silver.' But our and A. Parven, secretaries; A. tribution Committee for its 'Malben 'activities in . Israel . . . An
Geller, treasurer; S. Dreyfus, fu-
lives are in His hands, and we are content." .
neral director; and Julius average of $17,000,000 a year is also raised .for Israel in the United
aud
Paraphrasing this sentiment, your Commentator unhesitating-
Schwartz and .3.. .Karbal,- . ceme- States by the Hadassab, Je4iish Nationar'FiniCtistadrut
, • ly states that Dr. , Gordis, commentary is replete with scholarship ,tery committee chairmen.
other -campaigns.
Marked by golden beads, studded with silver.

Dr. Gordis' Brilliant Evaluation of 'Song of Songs'

g

-

Detroit Bnai Brith
To Host Bowlers;
Open Membership

Eisenhower Reveals Door Still Open'
On McCarron-Walter Act Revision

Between You and Me

