Rabbi Isserles - Codifier, Philosopher THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 60 Friday, September 4, 1964 New Year Greetings NORTHWEST WINDOW SHADE CO. 15715 Livernois UN 1-0126 By DR. BLANCHE KATZEN Rabbi Moses Isserles (the name means "son . of Israel") was born in Cracow, Poland in 1520, some say 1510. His father. Rabbi Israel Isserles, was one of the richest Jews in Poland. In 1553, he built, at his own cost, a splendid syna- gogue in memory of his wife. His son, Rabbi Moses, married a sister of the well-known Rabbi Joseph Katz. Shortly after his marriage, he established a Yeshiva in Cracow and contributed liberally to the support of needy students. As spiritual head and research worker in Jewish law and lore, he obtained great success. His lucid dicta became soon undisputed laws for later generatibns. So strongly did the rules he had laid down im- press later generations of Jews, that they accepted him as an authority. His name as well as his titles of his books were replaced by abbreviations "R'ima." His printed works contain lucid ex- planations of biblecal books and their commentaries, codification of religious laws, responsa and intri- cate philosophical material. His commentaries on the "Songs of Songs" as well as his Kabbalistic material have remained unprinted. HAPPY HOLIDAY He was extolled by the inscription on his tombstone — he died on North-End Lag B'Omer in 1572 — as well as by Solomon Luria: "From Moses Exterminating Co - .. ( Maimonides) to Nloses ( Isserles) there was none like M o s e s" — 251 Chandler TR 3-3633 words which were earlier referred to Maimonides and later to Moses Mendelssohn's method also. In his opinion. Kabbalah and Happy New Year philosophy must be identical. only they speak in two languages. Cus- toms in his opinion must not be changed or scoffed at. Whenever Industrial - Commercial - Institutional he thought that an inveterate cus- tom did not harmonize with the WO 1-7777 824 BAGLEY law, he attempted to harmonize it logically. A Kabbalistic legend tells us that Rabbi Caro created for him- Best Wishes for a Happy New Year self a mystical mentor, Maggid To All Our Friends "and Patrons (preacher), who used to prompt him what to write—One day, the mentor told him to hasten his work on the Shulhan Arukh be- WHOLESALE GROCERS cause there was a great Gaon in Serving' Restaurants, Hospitals and Institutions Poland who was planning to 6060 BUCHANAN TA 5-7990 write a Shulhan Arukh himself. The similar legend is told that ffl whenever Caro wrote something down in his chamber in Safed, Happy New Year Palestine, Rabbi Isserles had a .vision of it in Cracow and im- mediately made his notes of the passage accordingly. This, of course. is only a legend. because Automobiles Delivered Anywhere Isserles wrote his work long 8110 Livernois, Detroit 4 TY 4-5800 after Caro's Shulhan Arukh had been known throughout Jewry. Rabbi Isse;les viewed the world Season's Best Wishes with an optimistic eye. His con- Corkboards School ception of it is that of paradise Chalkboards Synagogue FURNITURE and endowed by the Creator for the Window Shades Laboratory Darkening Shades Library EQUIPMENT happiness of mankind. He who is WE INSTALL WE STOCK able to grasp the scheme of the Office and Warehouse, TO 8-9231 universe can better understand the Deity. Man must also be able B. F. FARM ELL COMPANY to find the way to true perfection, 435 West Seven Mile Road Detroit 3. Michigan (Between Woodward and. John R) to abstain from all evil, to do only good. Man must understand the ' •■ •••• ■ • . .■ (.•■■■.•■•■•■■ ••••• ■■ ••• ■• ••■••■■•■••■■•■■■•■■ ••••••• ■ .• ■ ••0 ■ 1.1•W ■fl.■•■■•■■■ •••=1 idea of the Creator who made him understand the ways of the exist- ' Holiday Greetings ing creatures, so that he may thereby study the mysteries of the Torah. like King Solomon, who Landscaping — Grading Bent Sod — Sodding understood the nature of every Seeding — Top Soil — Shrubs — Evergreens creature and thus busied himself Display Yard and Office 9583 Greenfield successfully with the great mysteries of the Torah • VE 6 - 2855 MAJOR PLUMBING AND HEATING -CO. Fast of Gedaliah The day after Rosh Hashanah is a fast day commemorating the murder of Gedaliah, governor of the Jews of Judea, appointed by Nebuchadnezzer some 2500 years ago. Gedaliah ben Akiham was a forth- right, earnest patriot who was as- sassinated soon after his appoint- ment as governor of Judea during the reign of the wicked Nebucha- dnezzer. According to the Prophet! Jeremiah (26:24) Akiham had pro- tected him. Gedaliah came of a noble family and was one of the few which had not been involved in Zedakiah's rebellion against the fall of the L'Hayim in Hebrew There is a story about a young lady Visiting Israel for the first time. who was thrilled by the experience and full of compli- ments about the accomplishments she saw. On the eve of her depart- ure for home, she wanted to pro- ' pose a toast to her gracious host and hostess, raised her wine glass, and suddenly hesitated. Turning to her host she asked. "You know. I've forgotten—how do you say *L'haim' in Hebrew?" GEORGE MIESEL & SON RAY ORLEMAN'S ALL-STATE AUTO DRIVE-AWAY 1 r first Temple in 586 so he was made governor. As soon as Gedaliah became gov- ernor, he attempted to restore the shattered Jewish community. This aroused the jealousy of the House of David and Gedaliah was assassi- nated by Ishmael ben Nathaniah, a member of the Jewish royal house. Thereupon the larger part of the Jews, stricken and in utter despair, leaderless, fled to Egypt to escape Nebuchadnezzer's reign of terror. This was the tragic end of the First Commonwealth. The murder of Gedaliah happen. ed on the third of Tishri and was decreed a fast day—Tzom Geda- liah. It is one of the . minor fast days in the Jewih caleOdar. • Season's Most Cordial Greetipgs DETROIT MILL SUPPLY CO., 1909 EAST FERRY WA 2-5600 Mr. and Mrs. Abe Weisman Greetings on the Holiday' KRAJENKE World's Largest Buick. Dealer 11620 Joseph ' Campau, south of Davison TWinbrook 1-2700 Happy New Year To All Our Friends and Patrons KOW KOW INN Specializing in American Food Famous for All Chinese Native Food - Real Cantone,e Family Dinners • CARRY-OUT SERVICE 322 W. McNichols TO 8-7550 New Year Greetings to Our Friends and Patrons Jordan Pest Control Company CONTROL OF ALL HOUSEHOLD PESTS Rooches . Mice . Rots . .Bedbugs Member—National Pest Control Ass ociation 14438 W. 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