A Little Hebrew Can Be Dangerous,
Kansas City Scholar Tells Reviewer

WASHINGTON, D.C.—An emi- acter of the people who pro-
nent Hebrew scholar, Saul Klei- duced the Old Testament.
man of Kansas City, has issued
Wilson, apparently borrowing
the warning that a superficial from Ernest Renan's thesis that
knowledge of Hebrew, even some Hebrew words expressing
when coupled with an intelli- emotion are derived from the
gence as brilliant as that of physical states that accompany
Edmund Wilson, the eminent them, finds that the Hebrew
literary critic, requires caution words for love and hate are
in the drawing of far-reaching reflections of "heavy breathing."
conclusions about either the In answer, Kleiman points out
language or the people who that Wilson's Hebrew word for
spoke it.
love is "ahav," which represents
Kleiman is the author of "An- heavy breathing only to the ex-
thology of Rashi" and other tent that the word "love" does,
works, and is principal of the and that. Wilson's word for hate,
Kehilath Schools of Kansas "ayav," occurs only once in the
City, Mo. His remarks were in- Scriptures. The common Hebrew
spired by Wilson's article, "On word for hate is "sane" (accent
First Reading Genesis," publish- on "e") , which certainly involves
ed in a recent issue of the New no heavy breathing.
Similarly, • Wilson finds "vio-
Yorker. He concedes that the
article is engrossing and has a lence and vehemence" in the
number of stimulating ideas, Hebrew idiom "Esau cried might-
particularly in the section deal- ily a great _ cry." Kleiman ad-
ing with the time-sense of the vances many other instances
Hebrew, but takes polite excep- where the derivative noun re-
tion to many points. Kleiman's peats the verb, such as "we
opinions are contained in the worked work " which dilute Wil-
current issue of the Bnai Brith son's claim. Literal translation
National Jewish Monthly. from any language, the Hebrew
Kleiman notes that Wilson's scholar notes, creates distortion
article is based on certain avow- and grotesquery.
ed postulates: his own declara-
The eminent critic argues that
tion that he is neither Jew nor Israelites must have been "pas-
Christian, that he is disregard- sionate and energetic" because
ing "the tons of theological com- the intense form of the Hebrew
mentary that have been written verb "to kill" is "to kill brutal-
by the various churches," ly." Kleiman retorts flatly that
that his knowledge of the Heb- there is no such verb in any
rew language was ,freshly ac- form in the Hebrew language,
quired for the purpose of read- old or new, as "killing brutally."
ing Genesis in the original. And
Wilson speculates that Abra-
yet, Kleiman observes, it is upon ham pleaded with God to be
this smattering of Hebrew that merciful to the depraved Sodo-
Wilson forms theories and mites in order to save his ne-
dogmas concerning the men- phew Lot who lived in Sodom.
tality, temperament and char- He bases this belief on the fact
that Abraham does not. mention
Gomorrah. The Bnai Brith mag-
Israel Army to Take
azine article points out that
Christians and Arabs
there were four cities doomed for
destruction, not merely two as
JERUSALEM, (JTA)—Moslems implied, and that it is obvious
and Christians living in Israel— that all are included in Abra-
comprising about 10 percent of ham's mention of Sodom, the
the country's population—will be I leading city.
drafted into the armed services
From the circumstances that
hereafter under the compulsory Hebrew verbs have no real
service law.
tenses, the New Yorker critic
That was indicated when the draws the all-embracing con-
Defense Ministry issued orders clusion that the time-sense of
that recruiting be begun in all Jews was and is very little de-
Israeli communities which until veloped, giving them a different
now had not been required to perspective on events than is to
furnish their military service be found among other peoples.
quotas.
He notes that they do not even
Under the new instructions, have a word for "hour," and
registrations for military service doubts that the Hebrews had
and medical examinations are any time-telling devices. Mr.
to be carried through for all Kleiman rejoins cogently that
males born between 1937 and the Bible is not an unabridged
1943. Until now, only the Druze dictionary; no doubt many words
community, among the minority in common usage, including
groups in Israel, has contributed those dealing with time, never
found their way into the Bible.
its military quota.
As for chronometers, the Prophet
Isaiah mentions "the sundial of
UN Body Unlikely to Decide
Ahaz.".

On World Calendar Reform

•• ■ ••• ■ •••• ■•■•

GENEVA, (JTA) — The pro-
poSal for World calendar reform,
which is currently before the
United Nations Social and Eco-
nomic Council here, is unlikely
to be acted on at the current
session. After five non-govern-
mental organizations testified
on the proposal France suggest-.
ed that the entire matter be re-
ferred to member governments
for further study.'
The World Calendar Associa-
tion and the Indian Council for
World Affairs spoke in favor of
the proposal for changing the
calendar through the use of a
"blank day." The Agudas Israel
and World Jewish Congress
spoke against the idea, pointing
out that it would change the
position of the Sabbath day in
the week and interfere with re-
ligious practices of Jews and
other Sabbath observers. A
Catholic group, noting that it
was not speaking for the Vati-
can, said that this was not the
time for changing the calendar
and suggested it was a religious
problem.

Card of Thanks

The family of the late Mr.
EDWARD BENJAMIN ack-
nowledges with grateful ap-
preciation the expressions of
sympathy extended by their
many relatives and friends
during the family's recent be-
reavement.

Arabs Ask Germany
To Clarify Stand on
Relations with Israel

BONN, (JTA) — The Arab
League has sent a note to the
West German. Foreign Office
asking the German government
to clarify its attitude on the
establishment of diplomatic re-
lations with Israel.-
The Arab League _note, refer-
ring to recent reports speculat-
ing about possibility that such
diplomatic relations would be es-
tablished before very long,
threatened that if such a de-
velopment were to occur mem-
ber states of the Arab League
would revise and curtail their
friendly relations with West
Germany.

Denmark Withdraws
Law to Ban Shechita

JERUSALEM, (JTA) — T h e
Danish government has with-
drawn a proposed law to ban
shechita, Jewish ritual slaughter
of animals for food, following a
ruling by the Israel Chief Rab-
binate that electrocution of
animals before slaughter would
violate Jewish law. The Danish
government had offered the
electrocution method as an. al-
ternative to shechita.

The average house in our land

is 29 years old.

Obituaries

Oscar A. Kaufman, Community Leader,
Banker, Called by Death at Age of 56

REBECCA MILLER, of 3803
Oscar A. Kaufman, of 18042
Born in Detroit, he received
Burlingame, died July 9. Services Birchcrest, for many years a his law degree from the Uni-
were held at Menorah Funeral prominent leader in local Jewish
versity of Mich-
Chapel. Survived by her husband, civic, business and political af-
igan in 1921. He
Morris; brother, Morris Gold- fairs, died Monday in Harper
was an Assist-.
farb of Hartford, Conn.; niece, Hospital. He was 56.
ant Wayne
Mrs. William Fogel of Detroit.
County Prose-
Vice-president of City Bank,
* * *
cutor in 1925
Mr. Kaufman was a former vice-
and in M1 was
J U L I U S H. JACOBS, 3030 president of Equitable Trust Co.
named Wayne
Glynn. Ct., died July 7. Services
, County Corpor-
at MenOrah Funeral Chapel, on
ation
Puritan. Survived by his wife,
He re - entered. -
Dora; two daughters, Mrs. Irwin
rivate
law: --
Serlin and Mrs. William Kas-
practice in 1934
sler, of New York City; a broth-
but was retain:-
er, a sister and four grand-
ed. by Wayne'
children.
* *
County as spe-
cial counsel. He
(Unveiling announcements may be
BENJAMIN FIRISHMAN, 3250
serted by mail or by calling The. Jewish 0. A. Kaufmanwas appointed
a
Fullerton, died July 8. Services News office, VE. 8-9364. Written an-
.
at Menorah Funeral Chapel, on nouncements must be accompanied by member of the -State Public
the name and address of the person
Puritan. Survived by his wife, making the insertion. There is a standard Trust Commission in 1936. Since:.
of $2.00 for unveiling notices, 1941 he has represented Wayne
Helen; a daughter, Mrs. Marion charge
measuring an inch In depth.)
County on the Huron - Clinton1
Fiekowsky; two sons, Saul and
*
* *
Metropolitan Authority. He was
Irving; two brothers and four
The family of the late Morris the author of the Public Enemy
grandchildren.
Freedman announces the un- Act.
* * *
veiling of a monument in his
A vice-president of the Jew-
MARY WIZNER, 1670 Calvert e,
memory at 1 p.m. Sunday, July
Mr.
died July ' 8. Services were a t I 25, at Beth Moses Cemetery, ish Community Center,
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Sur - Gratiot and 14 Mile. Rabbi Wohl- Kaufman has held many other
vived by her husband, Leo; son gelernter will officiate. Rela- important positions in the Jew-
ish community. He was a mem-
William; and a grandchild.
tives and friends are asked to ber of the executive committee
* * *
attend.
of the Detroit Israel Bond Com-
* * *
PEARL DANIELS, 2965 Burl-
mittee, a director of the Mid-
ingame, died July 8. Services
The family of the late Golda west Section of the National
were at Hebrew Memorial Chape 11 Balantzow announces the un-
Jewish Welfare Board, a direc-
Survived by husband, Harry; veiling of a monument in her tor of Franklin Hills Country
father, Sam Rott; daughters memory at 1 p.m., Sunday, July Club and a member of Temple
Mrs. Bernice Stoffer, Mrs. Sey- 18, at Beth Tefilo Emanuel Cem- Beth El. He also was a member
mour Beare and Linda Daniels; etery. Rabbi Prero will officiate. of the Masonic Order.
four brothers; a sister; two Relatives and friends are asked
He is survived by his wife,.
to attend.
grandchildren.
Jane R.; a son, Seldon, and a
* * *
4:* *
The family of the late Davis daughter, Millicent.
LOUIS FEINBERG, 2925 Wav-
erly, died July 8. Services were Daitch announces the unveiling
at Hebrew Memorial Chapel. of a monument in his memory Lavon Rejects Charges
Survived by wife, Ida; sons, at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 18, at Against Western Powers
Emanuel, Edward and Harvey; Machpelah C e m et e r y. Rabbi
daughter, Mrs. Joseph Widlan; Chinitz will officiate. Relatives
JERUSALEM, (JTA) —Pin chas
a brother, three sisters, six and friends are asked to attend. Lavon, Israel's Defense Ministers.
•
*
grandchildren.
rejected accusations' against the
The family of the late Mrs. Western powers and against
- * *
MAURICE E. SANST, 74 Fannie St olarsk y announces United Nations observers in
the unveiling of a monument
Church St., Mt. Clemens, died in her memory at 1 p.m., Sun- Palestine, in the course of a de-
July 10. Services were arranged day, July 18, at Machpelah bate in the Israel Parliament
by Hebrew Memorial Chapel, Cemetery. Rabbi Wohlgelernter over the recent Israel-Jordan
with services in Mt. Clemens. will officiate. Relatives and three-day exchange of shots in
Jerusalem.
Survived by a niece, Mrs. Mina friends are asked to attend.
Eller, and a nephew, Arthur Laz-
Mr. Lavon said that what
* * *
arus, both of New York.
rael had to do at this time was
The family of the late Abra- "not to cut off relations" with
* * *
ham Carr announces the unveil- the Western. Powers; but
rather
PEARL MOLLY VERNICKE; ing, of a monument in his me-
2311 Puritan, died July 10. Serv- mory at 12:30 p.m., Sunday, July to "recapture their understand-
ices were at Hebrew Memorial 18, at Hebrew Memorial Park ing and friendship." As for the
Chapel. Survived by husband, Cemetery. Rabbi Goldman will UN observers; he declared: "It
David; daughters, Mrs. F r e d- officiate. Relatives and friends suffices for me if I know one
I observer .w h o spent several
erick Gage of Bakersfield, Calif., are asked to attend.
I years in a German concentra-
and `Mrs. Hyman Abramowitz;
• * *
tion camp for saving Jews not
three grandchildren.
The family of the late Sam to accuse all observers."
* * *
Adelman announces the unveil-
ADOLPH M. DINETZ, 3742 ing of a monument in his me-
JOSHUA S.
Sturtevant, died July 7. Services mory at 1 p.m., Sunday, July 25.
SPERKA
at Ira Kaufman Chapel. He at Machpelah Cemetery. Cantor
Author of
leaves his wife, Rebecca; a son, Adler will officiate. Relatives
"ETERNAL
Sanford, of Los Angeles; a and friends are asked to attend.
LIFE"
daughter, Mrs. Morris Werney;
Popular
hand
hand-
a brother, a sister and five
book on the laws
KADDISH, Y.
grandchildren.
KOR and YAHR-
* * *
ZEIT. Now
re-
printed in a new
HERMAN AARON, 3780 Rich-
edition.
Price
$2.50.
Available
ton, died July 7. Services at Ira
at all Jewish
In cherished memory of our
Kaufman Chapel. He leaves his
book stores and
of ' MOURNING,
wife, Mary; two sons, George beloved daughter and sister, Syl-
and Myron; a daughter, Mrs. via Fay Rappoport, who passed
MENORAH
CHAPEL
Philip Scheer; two brothers, two away on July 16, 1953.
3800 PURITAN
sisters and three grandchildren.
Sadly missed by her Mother,
* * *r
Dad, Elaine and Lloyd.
ISRAEL KLAVONS, 18200 Ohio,
died July 12. Services at Ira DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
- 23
Kaufman Chapel. He leaves his
Friday, July 16, 1954
• '...4.•;:4>
son, Lawrence; two daughters,
Ruth and Marion; three broth-
ers and three sisters.
* * *
BESSIE ELIZABETH CONVIS-
,
SAR, 2210 W. Philadelphia, died
Lowest Prices for Highest Quality
• s.•4
Granite and Outstanding Designs
July 12. Services at Ira Kauf-
man Chapel. She leaves two sis-
DETROIT MONUMENT
ters, Miss Ida Heckleman and
WORKS
Mrs. Gottesman.
* * *
2744 W. Davison cor. Lawton
TO. 8-6923
PHILIP SCHARE, 19312 A.ppo-
TO. 8-7523
line, died July 12. Services at Ira
Kaufman Chapel. He leaves his
wife, Rae; a son, Jerry; a daugh- Imommolmwommosommr
ter, Barbara; three brothers, Jo-
MONUMENTS
seph and James Shore, of Los
We serve an groups of the
Angeles, and Martin Shore, of
Jewish Community in an at-.
Detroit, and a sister, Mrs.-Fanny
Zucker.
a
mosphere of dignity, refine-
*
*
V JRZA.C I
LESTER ROSENTHAL, 17355
ment and reverence.
Parkside, died July 12. Services
at Ira Kaufman Chapel. He
leaves his wife, Anne; a son,
PURITAN cor. DEXTER
Neal; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abe
MANUAL URBACH & SON
Rosenthal; a brother, Myron,
7729 TWELFTH ST.
and two sisters, Mrs. Morey
UNiversity 1-7700
TY. 6-7192
Weiss and Mrs. Robert Brick-
man.

Monument
Unveilings

In Memoriam

Cemetery Memorials

s."

MENORAH

alum/ Chapel

•