Rabbi Raises Smoldering Question for Halaklut

If Judaism is' a way of life en-'
compassing one's daily activities,
what is the Jewish attitude to-
wards smoking, which for some, is
more than just a "daily occur-
rence“?
Halakha, the body of Jewish law.
states that where life is endanger-
ed, all religious practices are set
aside. Mitzvot such as Sabbath
observance, dietary laws and fast-
ing must be suspended where there
is danger to human life.
Since, in recent years, numerous
investigations have proven cigar-
ette smoking a serious hazard to
health. halakhic rules could be ex-
tended to include smoking, accord-
ing to Rabbi Moses Aberbach in
the magazine Tradition.
The frequently heard argument
that, when practiced in modera-
tion. smoking is only a minor risk.
is untenable, writes Rabbi Aber-
bach. Only self-delusion can per-
suade one that there are "safe"
limits in smoking. The use of
filters only reduces the intake of
nicotine: nothing can entirely stop
it, and even a limited intake of
nicotine can seriously aggravate
an existing condition of heart or
lung disease.

The third and most powerful
Almighty, who "guards the sim-
argument against a rabbinic pro-
ple." In support of this argument.
hibition of smoking is found in
several talmudic passages are
the talmudic principle that
cited where this hope is invoked,
where public response is certain
especially in cases where "the
to be negative, it is advisable to
multitude is accustomed to it. -
leave well alone. But again.
However, a closer look at these
there is no getting away from
passages indicates that in each
the principle of Pikuakh nefesh.
case special circumstances apply.
which sets every consideration
so that none could be used logic-
aside when health is involved.
ally as a precedent.
A second reply by rabbinic lead- Nobody can tell how many reli-
gious
Jews would react positively
ers to the smoking question is that
to a rabbinic injunction against
the prohibition would constitute a
smoking. But even if only one
restriction to which the vast ma-
person were to give it up or re-
jority of Jewry would be unable or
duce it, thereby lengthening his
unwilling to submit; and according
life, the prohibition would have
to the oft-repeated Talmudic adage.
served a good purpose, the rabbi
"we must not impose a restrictive
believes.
decree upon the community unless
And finally, not the least fringe
the majority of the community will
benefit
of a general rabbinic in-
be able to endure it."
However, this argument is not junction against smoking would be
valid in that where human life is a demonstration of the relevance
at stake, the ability or willingness of Judaism — especially halakhic
of the public to submit to a rab- Judaism—as a way of life in to-
binic restriction is quite irrelevant, day's times, writes Rabbi Aber-
bach.
writes Rabbi Aberbach.

It has been estimated that
every minute of cigarette smok-
ing reduces one's life expectancy
by that much. Even if this is a
gross exaggeration, it's still a
warning for every religious Jew:
as the Bible tells us that every
moment of life is valuable, and
any act liable to hasten death is
strictly prohibited, says Rabbi
Aberbach.

These facts have been common
knowledge for some years, so it
is surprising that religious authori-
ties have not taken a stand on the
question of smoking: that, on the
contrary, strictly Orthodox Jews.
including rabbinic leaders, con-
tinue to smoke. according to Rabbi
Aberbach. He says three replies to
the problem are commonly given
by the Orthodox man.
First. since smoking is univers-
ally practiced. one must trust the

s.

The first event sponsored by
the Yiddish Committee will be a
pre-Book Fair Yiddish literary
evening Nov. 6. There, committee
members will hold an open dis-
cussion to bring participants up
to date on what is new and im-
portant in Yiddish books.

During Book Fair, 7:30 p.m.,
Nov. 12, the Yiddish Committee
will present Eliezer Greenberg,
whose latest book, "A Treasury of
Yiddish Poetry," written in collab-
oration with Irving Howe, has just
been published.
Another of the committee's eve-
nings of Yiddish entertainment
will take place 8:15 p.m. Nov. 15
in the theater. Sidor Belarsky, in-
ternationally known Yiddish folk
singer, will be featured guest.
All three events are open to the
public. Tickets for Belarsky's per-
formance are now on sale at the
Center. For information, call the
Center cultural arts department,
DI 1-4200, Ext. 292.

* s *
Classes in Stagecraft,
Movement Are Offered

PARIS (JTA) — Former Israeli
Premier David Ben-Gurion will be
guest of honor at closing cere-
monies of the 1969 French United
Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign
next month.
Ben-Gurion, who is scheduled to
arrive here Oct. 24, will address a
meeting of major contributors and
another of representatives of youth
organizations.
Ben-Gurion's visit was announced
by the co-presidents of the French
UJA, Jean Rosenthal and Michel
Topiol, who also announced that as
of Sept. 1, the 1969 UJA campaign
in France has equaled the total
raised throughout 1968 — over
$5 000 000
Ben-Gurion's appearance will
culminate a week of mass meet-
ings and public gatherings which
will mark this year's campaign

here. The week, which is sched-
uled to begin Oct. 20, will include
an evening of 15 meetings to be
held simultaneously in theaters
and cinemas throughout Paris. A
film produced by the Central Jew-
ish Welfare Organization in France
will be shown. There is specula-
tion in the French press that Ben-
Gurion may use the occasion of his
visit to France to meet with former
President Charles de Gaulle at the
latter's country retreat at Colom-
bey-les-Deux-Eglises.

It's Nice
To Deal With
Joe Slat kin's

DEXTER
CHEVROLET

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES
These roots are dressed divers

wayes, some boile them in water,
20811 W. 8 Mile
and after stew them with sacke
and butter, adding a little ginger.
between Southf,eld L Telegraph
Others bake them in pie , . . . .
Others some other way as they are
NEW YORK (JTA) — Farhand. cational facilities for Negroes and led by their skill in Cookerie. But
the Labor Zionist order, said TueS- other disadvantaged groups and in my judgment, which way soever
Prices Quoted Over
day that demands of black and their recognition as distinct eth- they be direst and eaten, they are
The Phone.
Spanish-speaking students for cud- nical and cultural entities, but it a meat more fit for swine, than
tural recognition branded the scored methods employed by some man.—John Goodyer, (Oct. 17,
melting pot theory as "false and militants and denounced "every 1621).
attempt to establish quotas for the
bankrupt. -
It called on central Jewish admission of students along na-
comunal bodies to seek establish- tional and ethnic lines, no matter
ment of programs of Jewish how well-intended."
studies in every major university
The organization also objected
in this country "dealing as much
to proposals to lower academic
as possible with our totality of
standards of colleges and uni-
Extend Greetings to Their Many
Jewish experience."
versities to permit the intake of
The Farhand position was
those who cannot qualify under
Friends and Customers For a Year
spelled out in a position paper ' present standards. It said that
written by Levi Soshuk of New
"Ways must be found to elevate
York and adopted by Farband's
the education of all disadvan-
of Peace, Health and Happiness
national hoard. The board is the
taged students through support-
organization's policy-making body
ive and remedial programs while
between its quadrennial conven-
maintaining the level which has
tions.
already been achieved."
The organization voiced "full
The Farband said it viewed
9 MILE & COOLIDGE • OAK PARK
support - for equalization of edu-
"with alarm" what is described

534-1400

MR. & MRS. JACK GINSBURG and STAFF

JACK'S MEN'S & BOYS' WEAR

as "the openly avowed purpose
to convert the Black studies
program into a separatist device.
open only to Blacks, controlled
by Blacks and directed by
Blacks." It said no university
should provide the Negro student
with a black environment "any
more than it is feasible or desir-
able to create on the campus
Jewish, Italian, Spanish, Irish
or Catholic ghettos."

dents will learn to design and
build sets for the theater through
practical experience. The class,
limited to 15 members, will be held
8:30 p.m. for 14 weeks commenc-
ing next week.
Dr. Miller has had more than 40
years' experience as a set de-
Establishment of courses of eth-
signer. He is an instructor at nic studies should "enrich the uni-
Wayne State Unversity.
versity curriculum as a whole,"
Stephanie Katz will conduct a the Farband declared, and "pro-
class in body movement for mote national harmony by ad-
actors. This class offers dance vancing intergroup understanding."
technique to help the actor de-
The position paper noted that
velop a more responsive body.
while there were courses in some
Mrs. Katz, a profesional dancer universities on Jewish subjects,
who received her training in both "In virtually no case do they either
modern and ballet at the Juilliard constitute a program of Jewish
School of Music, also has worked studies or deal with those aspects
as a dance therapist.
of Jewish experience so relevant
For information, call Carol Wil- to the present situation."
moth, 357-2679.
It proposed that Farband and
* • •
like-minded organizations make a
concerted
effort "to give to the
Center Group Making
emerging Jewish generation the
Film Stressing Needs
dignity and inner security which
can only come with knowledge of
of Jewish Retardate
the entire organic continuum of
Harry Berlin, president of the
Jewish life."
Parents' Association for Jewish
Residental Care, announces plans
for production of a 30-minute film ADL: Who Needs KKK
which will depict the Jewish re- When There Are So Many
tardate in the community and em- Other Hate Groups?
phasize the need for a residential
VICTORIA, Va.—The Ku Klux
care facility.
Klan has come upon hard times.
Sidney and Naomi Siegel have A worker for the Anti-Defamation
been hired to shoot the film, while League of Bnai Brith, which has
Chev Goldstein and Fred Doner of watched the Klan over the years,
the W. D. Doner Agency are script made this observation.
wr i ters.
"In the past, the Klan was the
Completion of the film is expect- vanguard of racism, but now
ed by late October so that it can there's so many groups around
be shown in conjunction with Na- spouting racism, and we have just
tional Retarded Children's Week.
had a national candidate running
It is scheduled to be aired on the on this type of platform. People
"Highlights" program of the Jew- don't need to join the Klan any

Center Theater is offering two ish Community Council; there-
new classes this fall at the Jew- after, it will be utilized in the
ish Center.
development of a major publicity
Dr. James Miller will conduct a campaign, to enlist the support of
course in stagecraft, where stu- local organizations.

-■

B-G to Address UJA of France

Farband Presses - Campus Equality,'
Not Separatism on Racial Lines

Jewish Center Yiddish Committee
Makes Plans for November Book Fair

Mrs. Morris Friedman again will
serve as chairman of the Jewish'
Center Yiddish Committee. Under
her leadership. the committee is
planning three events which will
focus on the Center's 18th annual
Jewish Book Fair, to be held the
week of Nov.
Book Fair. an eight-day exposi-
tion of American Jewish literature,
v ■ ill feature guest appearances by
authors, special programs for chil-
dren and youth and productions by
Center Theater and the ' Center
Symphony Orchestra.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

16—Friday, September 12, 1969

more to get together and talk hate.
They can find more social accept-
ance right in communities with
groups out in the open fighting
desegregation."

BEGINNING MONDAY, SEPT. 29
VOLUNTEERS WILL CLEAR YOUR

BLUE and
WHITE BOX

NOTE: VOLUNTEERS WILL
CLEAR YOUR BLUE-WHITE BOX
If your box is not cleared by Oc-
tober 29th, please call the JNF
office.

‘‘. .1

• • .....

If your neighbor hasn't a JNF
Blue-White Box, place this sym-
bol of honor in their home. It is
the unbreakable link with the
land of our ancestors.

Why not drop Off
White
Box at the JI•IF of-
fice, or at the next
meeting of your
JNF affiliated or-
ganization.

JEWISH
NATIONAL FUND

GREETS THE ENTIRE JEW-
ISH COMMUNITY WITH
BEST WISHES FOR A PEACE-
FUL AND

HAPPY
NEW YEAR

Members of Youth Organizations
will also particpate.

•

DAVID P. ZACK
President

SEYMOUR J. FRANK
Chairman of the Board

MRS. FRANK SILVERMAN
Chairman, Blue-White Box

JEWISH

MRS. ALBERT POSER
Pres. Women's AUX.

PERCY KAPLAN!

nnTionm, num

Executive Director

22100 Greenfield Rd.

Oak Park, Mich. 48237
399-0820

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