NEW YORK—Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the educational
arm of the Lubavitcher movement, announced that its publi-
cations department has inaugurated the use of a Jewish Book-
mobile, to carry a complete library of Merkos publications
and other books of Jewish interest, along with various Jewish
religious articles. The vehicle was converted from a large bus
into a mobile library, bookshop and reading room, with book-
stacks, chairs and tables. It will also serve as a Jewish in-
formation center and synagogue. A Tefillin booth has been
specially partitioned for use in instructing anyone requesting
instruction on the use of Tefillin (phylacteries). The mobile
unit will visit Hebrew schools, day schools, Jewish educational
institutions and various neighborhoods so that as many peo-
ple as possible will be able to avail themselves of its facilities.
Quiz
Qt .z
By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX
(Copyright, 1963, JTA, Inc.)
Why is the Tefillin (Phy-
lactery) of the head removed
with the left hand instead of
with the right?
This practice is traced to the
writings of Rabbi. Solomon Luria
(Maharshal). It follows the gen-
eral tradition of going away
from a religious object or re-
moving it with an exhibition of
regret. Thus, for example one
takes the long way around to
depart from the altar after re-
citing the benedictions over the
Torah while he takes the short
way in approaching the Torah
when he is called up to pro-
nounce the benedictions.
* *
Why is the Mezuzah put into
a container before it is affixed
to the door post?
The Mezuzah is basically a
Holy scroll of parchment con-
taining certain portions from
the Scriptures. Thus, there are
many modes of behavior that
would ordinarily be restricted
in its presence. It would thus
not be right. Concealing the Me-
zuzah in a container thus per-
mits one to fulfill his obligation
of putting a Mezuzah up on the
threshold and at the same time
carrying on activities which may
not be permitted in the presence
of a Holy writ and yet must
necessarily be carried on, or are
habitually carried on with no
intention to offend.
* * *
Why is it considered virtu-
ous in Jewish tradition to eat
leisurely at the table?
The Talmud relates that
among the three things that are
known to prolong the life of an
individual is the habit of pro-
longing one's time at the meal
table during his life time. Gen-
erally, as we know from today's
medical experience, a meal
eaten leisurely is an aid to
digestion and thus one avoids
many of the causes of indiges-
tion- and stomach trouble which
are known to eventually curtail
one's life time. Rasha (Solo-
mon bar Isaac, the famous Bibli-
cal and Talmudic commentator)
adds yet another reason. He
claims that the longer o n e
spends at the table the longer
period of time there is for a
poor man who might come to the
door to have the chance to be
invited in to join in the meal,
whereas, once one leaves the
table, the chances of a poor
man or traveler being invited
to the family table are rare in-
deed. Obviously, one is more
receptive to a guest during one's
leisure time at meals than dur-
ing one's hurried time in the
pursuit of his occupation.
KIAMESHA LAKE, N. Y.,
(JTA)—The United Synagogue
of America, the congregational
arm of the Conservative move-
ment in the United States, will
conduct a survey among its 779
affiliated synagogues to deter-
mine existing funeral practices.
The decision to poll the con-
gregations was contained in a
resolution adopted by the 1,600
delegates attending the organi-
zation's 50th anniversary con-
vention here. The convention
to sweep America in connection
with "funerary extravaganzas,"
and called on member congrega-
tions to do their share in curb-
ing them.
George Maislen, of Freeport,
N.Y., an attorney, was re-elected
for a second two-year term as
president of the United Syna-
gogue.
A proposal that a special
committee be formed to help
the Conservative movement
clarify its philosophy and to
also authorized the appointment present a series of appropriate
of a committee to draft stand- statements in the field of ritual
ards of funeral practices for
synagogues of the Conservative
movement. The resolution noted
the revulsion which has begun .
Cantor Adler Will
Conduct Bnai David
Hanukah Concert
practices, "taking into consider-
ation the conditions and envi-
ronments of our time," was
made by George Maislen, newly
re-elected president of the
United Synagogue.
Maislen proposed that the
practices, said that "forced ob-
servance is not the solution;
observance from within by per-
suasion is the kind of observ-
ance we must have."
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Planning a Cruise?
Cantor Hyman J. Adler will
lead the Cong. Bnai David third
annual Hanukah Concert 8:30
p.m. Dec. 8 at
the synagogue.
The concert
will feature
the sisterhood
choral group,
Bnai David
choir and Max
Sosin. The mu-
sical back-
ground will in-
clude William
Bliznik, violin
Bella Gold-6
berg, piano; Cantor Adler
and Harry Siegel, cello. Tickets
are available at the synagogue,
EL 6-8210.
joint committee of Jewish Law
and Standards of the Rabbinical
Assembly "undertake the pre-
paration and publication of a
series of responsa on various
questions of Jewish law." Such
responsa, he said, would "help
our generation in a better
understanding of the essential
validity of Jewish law and tra-
dition, and of the Torah, in its
historical expositions."
Dr .Louis Finkelstein, Chan-
cellor of the Jewish Theologi-
cal Seminary of America, dis-
cussing the question of ritual
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Beth Abraham Forms
2 New Youth Groups
Frank Leiderman, educational
director of Beth Abraham Syn-
agogue, announced the forma-
tion of two new groups.
The dramatics and Israeli
dancing group, under the direc-
tion of Gloria Burns, will meet
2-4 p.m. Dec. 1, for ages 8 to 11.
There will be a cantorial and
Torah-reading class under the
direction of Israel Fuchs for
boys ages 10 and up. This group
meets 11 a.m. to noon on Sun-
days.
Information regarding the
youth programs should be re-
ferred to the Youth Office, UN
1-6696.
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• • i
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15 -- THE DETROIT JE WISH NEWS — Frid ay, Nov. 22, 1963
Lubavitch Inaugurates Bookmobile Parley of Conservative Synagogues Condemns Funeral Extravaganzas