10—Friday, August 19, 1966

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Brazilian Dictionary Revised but Still Defines
Synagogue as 'Place for Illegal Business'

Important Jewish Customs, Israel Flag and Hymn,
Among Items Traced in Brasch's 'How Did It Begin?'

There are many Jewish historic- the universities and Jewish The-
It took Dr. R. Brasch, the Aus-
al items that are dealt with at con- ological Seminary in Berlin and
tralian
rabbi,
a
number
of
years
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire to The Jewish News)
to compile the facts contained in siderable length. The explanation Wuerzburg, where he received his
RIO DE JANEIRO — A revised edition of the dictionary of the his study of the origin of super- for "Bill of Divorce" includes a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
Portuguese language, published by the Brazilian Literary Academy, stitions, habits, legends, customs long, long description of the evolu- 1937 and was ordained a Rabbi in
was issued here Wednesday, with deletions of some definitions and terms used in daily life, but tion of such writs among the He- 1938.
regarded as anti-Semitic. The revised version had been cleansed of the reader of his book, "How Did brews and it contains the text of
Dr. Brasch has occupied pulpits
the word "Jew," which, in former editions, had been described as It Begin?" will concur that it was the Bill of Divorcement as pre- in London, Dublin, Eire and South
"devil" and "swindler." However, the work still uses anti-Semitic worth it. Into this volume, pub- scribed in Jewish law.
Africa, and is presently Chief
definitions for "rabbi" and for "synagogue." The latter, as of old, lished by David • McKay Co. (750
"Pork as Forbidden Food" is Minister of Temple Emanuel in
is still described as "a place for illegal business."
3rd, NY17), he has incorporated so an informative chapter. In the Sydney, Australia. In Sydney, he is
While the new version of the dictionary was seen here as an many fascinating facts that his section "Symbols of Nationhood" well-known as a contributor
improvement, it was noted that the official dictionary, issued by the volume will be -read for pleasure, appears an explanation of the various magazines and a frequ
government for use in public schools, has not yet been revised or will be retained as a reference origin of the Israeli flag, as first guest on radio and television p
work and will be used in homes designed by David Wolffsohn at grams. He has also lectured at co
cleansed of its anti-Semitic definitions of certain words and terms.
Meanwhile, in spite of a three-year-old government ban against and schools whenever actual data the first World Zionist Congress leges and universities throughout
its distribution and sale, a Portuguese translation of Hitler's "Mein is desired on every conceivable at Basle in 1897. There alsb is the world, and has been a guest
an explanation of the origin of preacher at churches of all de-
Kampf" made its appearance again Wednesday in a number of subject.
nominations.
book stores in Sao Paulo.
"The story of our customs is not Hatikvah, the Israeli hymn, in
A student of 12 languages, in-
an
article
about
its
author,
always
easy
to
explain,"
he
states
The Portuguese translation of "Mein Kampf" was issued three
years ago by the Sao Paulo publishing house of Mestre Jou. Imme- in his preface, in which he briefly Naphtali Herz Imber. The defi- cluding Cuneiform, Syriac and
diately, both the justice and interior ministries issued orders ban- comments on his explorations, and nition of "Amen," the last- item Persian, Dr. Brasch has spent
ning the book as "slanderous and subversive and an incitement he i n f o r ms his readers that in the book, is similarly impres. many years of research' on the
origin of superstitions and customs
against peoples, races and religions." In addition, the West German "though we may now take them sive and important.
There is such a vast amount of all over the world as background
government brought a suit against the publishers, charging infringe- for granted, there is nothing in life
ment on the Bonn government's rights to the book. The Brazilian that has not its initial significant material in this book that no re- for "How Did It Begin?"
government's order banning the work is still in force, and the German meaning and purpose." And in the view, no matter how lengthy, can
course of his exploratory efforts do it sufficient justice, since it
government's suit is still pending.
The conference on Jewish Ma-
he has found that "layers of is impossible to refer to all the terial Claims Against Germany
legend are woven around historical items in the variety of subjects last year allocated 318,000 pounds
gathered by Rabbi Brasch. For in- ($106,000) for the various voca-
facts . . ."
stance, April Fool's Day is traced tional training projects of ORT in
Starting
with
the
origin
of
occupation
of
teaching
should
be
By SAUL KLEIMAN
superstitions, concluding with to the time of Noah. Many reli- Israel. (JTA)
accompanied
by
the
ideals
of
the
The Hebrew term for education
religion and its symbols, dealing, gious terms are defined.
is "Hinuch" which carries two two other connotations of the trio. in 25 chapters, with background
There is a valuable chapter on
"Every person," says the Eng-
more connotations — consecration
"Covering of Head in Syna- .4 44 "DEXTER***
material relating to birth, ritual
lish
historian
Edward
Gibbon,
"has
and dedication. What a significant
gogue"—an informative tracing * CHEVROLET IS IC
of courting, courtesies, drinking,
A
and salutary combination of terms! two educations, one which he re- dress, medicine, magic, langu-
of the custom for popular -rather
Implicitly it signifies that the noble ceives from others and one, more age, stage, writing and scores
THE
BEST
PLACE*
than priestly practice.
important, which he makes for
upon scores of customs affecting
Another chapter of immense *
TO GET YOUR
himself." (1).
the daily life of all peoples, he value is the explanation of the
This significant observation re- reveals sources that are not gen- origin of "The Star of David"— *
*
CAR."
calls a similar meaningful thought erally known.
the Magen David.
by a scholar who preceded Gibbon
There are explanations for the
Those listed are just a few of the
many centuries, Rabbi Tanchuma,
JERUSALEM (JTA)—The Jew- who stated: "Every person has "unlucky number 13" dating back hundreds of items, of the very *
MORE REPEAT
ish Agency executive approved three names, two which he re- to olden times and Norse myth- many customs, under description
CUSTOMERS SAY: 4(
*
Tuesday radical reorganization and ceives from others and one, more ology, the "knocking on wood" in "How Did It Begin?"
• Better Service
streamlining of its operations, in- important, which he makes for stemming from the time when
Dr. Brasch was born of British *
4c
trees were deified, the breaking of parents in Berlin in 1912. He
Better Deals
cluding a probable merger of its himself." (2).
a mirror and the walking under a studied theology, philosophy, his-
immigration and absorption de-
Those who depricate the limited ladder. In many instances Dr.
partments.
tory, and Oriental languages • at
The decision was adopted by the educational achievements' of the Brasch traces customs and super-
contemporary
Hebrew
school
will
stitions
to
the
Bible.
The
"rabbit's
17-member executive without op-
Dr. Flexner's Fame
position. The goal of the reor- find the following observation per- foot for luck" he considers an
Jacob A. Flexner, a 19th century.
ganization is elimination of the tinent and revealing. It was made "ancient concept (that) can be
duplication and bureaucracy with by one of the writers of the "Mid- traced in biblical literature as the Jewish physician who lived in * 20811 W. 8 Mile Road '10(
root of many dietary laws which Louisville, was a pioneer in this
which immigrants have to cope, rash Rabba":
KE 4-1400
4C
"It is usual that out of a thou- prohibited certain (totem) animals country in the use of tuberculin
and implementation of the agency's
sand
who
enter
upon
the
study
of
and
diphtheria
antitoxin.
being eaten."
budget retreanchment and econ-
the Bible only a hundred are suc-
omy drive.
The decisions were adopted cessful. Out of these hundred who
under the chairmanship of agency proceed to the studs of Mishnah,
CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE
only ten succeed. Out of these ten
executive head Aryeh Pincus.
who
advance
to
the
study
of
Tal-
The possible unification of the
immigration and absorption de- mud, only one emerges who is
partments was understood to in- fitted to give legal decisions." (3).
The attitude of the most cultured
volve also the economic depart-
ment, as well as the Professional ancient nations, the Greeks and
and Technical Workers Agency the Hebrews, toward their teachers
(PATWA) and Committee on Man- is reflected in statements made by
ANNOUNCES
three of their greater sons, Aris-
power Opportunities in Israel.
totle,
Rabbi
Meir,
and
Rabbi
Other departments dealing with
education, youth and pioneering Elazer Ben Shamna. The famous
for Isfael in other countries also Greek philosopher of the 4th cen-
will be submitted to reexamina- tury b.c.e., and the noble Rabbi
Meir of the second century c. e.
tion.
declared that teachers should be
honored more than parents, for
.
Tein Mile at Kenosha — Oak Park
BaltimOre Agencies Create these only gave them life; those,
Social' Planning Structure the art of living. (4).
(Children age 4-16 Pre-Kdg. through 10th)
Rabbi Meir said: "If one finds
BALTIMORE (JTA) — A new
articles
his
father
and
his
teacher
structure to aid comprehensive in-
Classes Are Held on Sunday Mornings
tegration of planning by both the have lost, he shall return -his
Associated Jewish Charities here teacher's first; if both carried
You May Join Any One of These Sessions
and the Jewish Welfare Fund has loads, he shall assist his teacher
first;
if
both
were
captives,
he
been created by the two organi-
12 - 1:30
10:30-12
9 - 10:30
shall ransom his teacher first."
zations.
Entitled the Central Social Plan- (5).
ning and Budgeting Committee,
Rabbi Elazer admonished: "Let
the new structure will have five the honor of your student be as
separate planning committees in dear to you as your own and the
the various social st rvice and reverence for your teacher -be-like
fund-raising fields. These groups the reverence for heaven." (6).
Open For Registration Also—
will be assisted by a professional
To Aristotle and Elazar honoring
Sunday, August 28 and Sunday, Sept. 4
consulting and coordinating com- teachers was an ethical norm, but
mittee composed of executive di- Rabbi Meir instituted it as a legal
We Suggest You Register Your Child TODAY
rectors of the various agencies. dictum.
As a Service to the Community
The new committees will function
Notes: 1. Quoted by John Lu-
on a level between the boards of bock in "The Use of Life," Ch. 7,
Students of Non-Members Are Accepted
the agencies on the one hand and
the AJC and JWF fund on the 111.
2. Midrash Tanhuma, Exodus,
other.
LeRoy E. Hoffberger has been Sidra Vayakheil.
3. Vayikra Rabba, 2, 1.
named chairman of the Central
4. "Forty Thousand Thoughts,"
Social Planning and Budgeting
We Conduct A Complete Youth
Committee/ The five committee C. N. Douglas, p. 1739.
5. Mishna, Bava Metzia, 2, 11.
chairmen of the functional groups .
6. Pirkay Avot, 4:15.
are: Louis J. Berman, national and
Program With A Full Time
Phone the Synagogue office for school
Editor's Note: Saul Kleiman, a noted
overseas; Louis B. Kohn, II, health
Kansas City educator, is a distinguished
and institutional services; Rabbi author and writer. Mr. Kleiman is an
registration and membership information.
Professional Youth Director.
Morris Lieberman, community re- octoganarian.
lations; Milton H. Miller, Jewish
LI
8-9000
If the king loves music it is well
education and group - work; and
Mrs. Harry Friedman, family and with the land. — Mencius (Third
Centui7).
•

•

The Status of a Teacher

.

Jewish Agency
to Merge Units?

* Befter Every Way

*

*

41

.4(

•

Slatkin's

DEXTER
*
* C HEVROLET *

************

BTAI MOSHE
RELIGIOUS
SCHOOL

REGISTRATION FOR
1966-67
ACADEMIC YEAR

Classes Begin Sunday September 11

.

Congregation Memberships
Available