Passover Ouiz

The Modern Pharaoh

Religious Minorities Under Nasser

BY TULIA ZEVI
(JTA Correspondent in Rome)

(Copyright, 1959, JTA Inc.)

ROME—There are small hu-

man islands that lead a quiet,
. dignified and subdued life in
Egypt today. They are the re-
ligious minorities — the Catho-
lics, the Protestants, the Jews,
the Copts.
During my five days in Cairo
and Alexandria, I felt that I
would not have accomplished
my duty as a journalist if I had

p.1

active work of the apostolate.

I

After seeing the self-confi-
dent, young worldly Internun-
cio, the sight of blind, frail,
aging chief. Rabbi Heim
Nahoum is quite a shock.
For over 30 years, Heim
Nahoum has been the Chief
Rabbi and the spiritual leader
of Egyptian Jewry. From the
very beginning of the interview
he expressed his wish and in-
tention of discussing only re-
ligious issues, since they are
the only ones that concern him.

racial anti-Semitism in Egypt,
there is another kind of discrim-
ination that has to be con-
sidered: social and economic.
It must be made perfectly
clear that this kind of discrimi-
nation does not apply only to
Jews: it is the practical, fore-
seen consequence of the strict
application of the nationaliza-
tion laws, which have struck all
minority groups alike.
As a whole, the chief prob-
lem for the survival of Egyp-
tian Jewry is predominantly
and pressingly a financial one.

not paid a visit to the leaders
He tells me: "There is no re-
of the most important religious ligious nor racial persecution
minority groups in Egypt.
in Egypt today. On the contary,
Experience has taught me on Passover, Yom Kippur and
New Year President Nasser
that the con-
sends an official representative
dition of reli-
to the Synagogue.
gious minori-
ties is the best
I asked him for a message to
yardstick by
his fellow Jews and to his fel-
which to mea-
low men: "Peace for humanity,"
sure the deg-
he said. "Peace among nations
ree of free-
and between men. The progress
.dom and dem-
of science has reduced distances
ocracy in each,
but hearts have gone further
country. To
apart. Hearts must grow nearer.
reach the m.
From other reliable sources,
was an easy
both in Cairo and in Alex-
venture. I just
andria, I have heard more about
went to the
the Jewish population of Egypt.
Government Mrs. Zevi
The Egyptian administration
Information Orrice and said that issues official statistics once
I wanted to meet the religious every ten years. The last statis-
leaders. This was easily ar- tical data were published in
ranged and I met each of the 1947. Yet, it was announced that
minority leaders.
the next ones will be issued
The Apostolic Internuncio, only in 1960.
In 1947 there were 65,500
Msgr. Oddi, is considered one
of the sharpest and best-in- Jews in Egypt. The largest com
formed observers of the situa- munities were those in Cairo
tion in Egypt and the entire and Alexandria. But several
Middle East. He welcomed me thousand Jews lived and pros-
in his large, well-furnished resi- pered in smaller towns and vil-
lages. Despite the lack of up-to
dence.
There are approximately date statistics, it is estimated
200,000 Catholics in Egypt to- that there are only 13,000-14,000
day. Their number has re- Jews living in Egypt today.

-

mained unchanged during the
past years. For Catholics,
their problem is to hold their
present position. They do
not even consider, under the
present circumstances, the
possibility of performing an

Also the fact of being com-
pletely cut off from fellow
Jews outside Egypt (contacts
with the outer world have al-
ways been an important fac-
tor in the life of religious
minorities everywhere) seems
to contribute to the depressed
tone of this once prosperous
and active community.

BY RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX

(Copyright, 1959, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

What is the derivation of the term "Charoseth?"

It is generally considered that the term "Charoseth" which

and nuts
is the name given to the mixture of chopped fruits
It supposedly
used on the Passover has the following derivation:

It was
is related to the term "Cheres" which means "clay."
pposed to

of because the Charoseth were
evidently given this name
the Israelites is su compelled
symbolize the clay o ut
to make bricks during their period of serfdom in Egypt.
Why is the bitter herb dipped into the Charoseth on

Passover eve?

I have also interviewed the
:optic Patriarch—and Dr. Ibra-
him Said, president of the Pro-
testant Council of Egypt. There
are 120,000 Protestants in
Egypt today.
Dr. Said would rather talk
about the past than about the
present. He said that no Mos-
lem has become a Christian in
the past 20 years in spite of
the fact that Moslem children
attend primary and secondary
schools and an American col-
lege for girls, all run by Protes-
tants.

The practical reason for this practice is so that the Charoseth
would dull the sharp taste of the horseradish. The rabbis claim
that the Charoseth also symbolized the mortar used by the
Israelites in making bricks and that when the bitterness is
recalled the mortar is also brought to mind to remind us what
they were doing and what made them bitter.

'I:

*

What ingredients usually go into the Charoseth?

Maimonides mentions the following ingredients: dates, figs,
raisins, vinegar and spices. Other sources add the following
species to the mixture: nuts, pomegrantes, apples, grapes (or
wine) and define the spices used as : cinnamon, ginger and cassia.
* *

Is there any special significance to any of these ingredients
of the Charoseth?

Yes. The combination is sometimes likened to the whole of
the people of Israel and some of the ingredients represent the
terms used by the Bible to refer to Israel, according to the inter-
pretation of the rabbis. Thus, dates are used because Israel • is
referred to as the date palm in the verse: "I will climb up into
the palm tree. (Song of Songs 7:9). Figs are used because Israel
is referred to as a fig tree in the verse: "The fig tree putteth
forth her green figs." (Songs of Songs 2:13). Nuts are used
because Israel is compared to nut trees in the verse: "I went
down into the garden of nuts." (Song of Songs 6:11), and so on.
Some claim that wine (made from grapes) is used to show
the dolor of blood depicting the innocent blood of the Israelit6s
that was spilt in Egypt. Others claim that spices are used to
represent the straw that was used in making the bricks. There
are some who believe that apples are used to indicate that the
fearful Jewish mothers hid their babies under apple trees and
the Lord protected them while they were in fear of being killed
by the Egyptians.

West Meets Middle East at Bar-Hart

There are only two com-
munities left: Cairo and Alex-
andria. All smaller commu-
nities have extinguished
themselves.
While Heim Nahoum points
out, there is no religious or

The Charm of Passover Lore

By JACOB RICHMAN

Author of

•

•

Reb Levi Yitchok of Berdit-
chev, whose love for his people
was proverbial, once took a
stroll in the market place dur-
ing the Intermediate Days of
Passover. .Stopping a merchant
who was known to deal in con-
traband, silk smuggled from
Austria, he said: "Could I get a
few yards of silk from you?"

"Jewish Wit and Wisdom"
(Copyright, 1959, JTA, Inc.)
The stories and- legends about
Passover could fill several vol-
tunes. They portray the trials
and tribulations of the Jewish
people, the wisdom and good-
ness of Jewish leaders, and the
irresistible spirit of the Jewish
"As many as you like," re-
masses who managed to laugh plied the merchant.
under the most trying condi-
Approaching another trader
tions.
he inquired whether he would
Here are a few of them.
sell him some of his illicitly im-
20 BINA MO-
Exchanging pleasantries between classes at Israel's Bar-Han University
A mail came to Reb Yosse ported silverware, and he was
e
RAINE (left), of 'Chicago, and ROSLYN MILLER, of Providence, R. I., two of American
Baer of Slonim and asked wheth- assured that he could get all
high . school graduates attending the university, and ABRAHAM KOCHINSKY, of Kfar Sabah.,
er he would comply with the that he wanted. Then he asked
law if he used milk for the Four whether he could sell him some
All are members of the freshman class.
Cups at the Seder.
hometz: leavened food.
BY ANITA ENGLE
are
ues and traditions are some- on scholarships, and
(A Seven Arts Feature)
"Are you a sick man?" the
"Hometz!" the other exclaim-
equipped
with
a
good
knOwl-
great man asked.
JERUSALEM — I've never thing to be cherished. With the edge of Hebrew and allied sub-
ed in horror. "Do you think a
"No," was the answer. "But I Jew will deal in hometz on met anyone more qualified to exception • of their families, jects. "They expect you to work
cannot afford to buy any wine." Pesach?"
get the maximum out of Israel school and summer camps, they here," they told me.
Reb Yosse Baer called his
than the dozen delightful girls have been living on spiritual
Rabbi, Levi Yitzchok there-
The girls are delighted to see
wife and directed her to give
from the United States that I islands, isolated even among
the man 25 rubles. The caller upon lifted his eyes to Heaven met at the Bar-Ilan University their own people. Here in Israel how their values have changed
they found a world which they in the short time they have
demurred. "I merely came to and gave vent to one of his cele- some weeks ago.
ask a shaale," he declared, "and brated and quaint apostrophes.
Graduates of Jewish high could belong to, and which be- been here.
Their parents back home en-
not to get a gratuity." But upon "Lord of the universe," he de- schools, and coming from homes longs to them.
the rabbi's insistence he accept- claimed ecstatically. "See what
- part of their
Each one was so anxious to vy their stay in I s r a e 1, and
a wonderful people Israel is. where Zionism is
religious upbringing, they feel explain this wonderful new sen- sympathize with their desire to
ed the gift.
The rebbitzin later took her The Czar has millions of sol- completely, gloriously at home sation of freedom that they all stay on, but nevertheless they
famous husband to task. "Why diers, armed with rifles and bay in Israel.
began to speak at once. "You are sticking to their original
do you squander your money so onets, watching every step of
Since the majority of the stu- may be living among two mil- condition: "Only one year."
recklessly!" she demanded. "We the border. Yet Jews find a way dents of this religiously-based lion Jews in Brooklyn, and in
"It must be hard on them," I
are not millionaires. Two or to dodge them and to transgress university are Israelis, the all Israel there are no more agreed, "but plenty of boys and
his
decrees,
whereas
You,
hav-
three rubles would have been
Americans are swept into the than two million. But in the girls from the States go to
more than enough to buy wine ing no soldiers and no gen- current of the vigorous new States half of them don't even Europe to study. You could just
darmes; all You did was merely
for the Four Cups."
Jewish life which is being know they're Jews. Here many as well have fallen in love with
"Don't you understand," ex- write one little verse; 'No leaven created here.
of the people are not orthodox, France."
shall
be
found
in
your
houses,'
plained the saintly man. "If he
That they're enthusiastic is but on shabbat, on any street,
"None of us could," Lowa
nevertheless
You
cannot
find
a
had no money to buy wine, most
too mild a word. Consciously you will still know that it is Leifer
replied, seriously.
likely he had no money to buy crumb of leaven in the posses- Jewish, as opposed to self-con- shabbat."
"France
is
just
a country. Israel
fish and meat either. What sion of any Jew. Verily, there is sciously Jewish, they have al-
is a home."
not
such
a
wonderful
people
on
of
the
girls
have
come
Most
could he do, then, with two or
ways believed that Jewish val-
the whole face of the earth!"
three rubles?"