THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20,
♦
1951
Member American Associaton of Englsh-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Mich. 48235,
E 8-9364. Subscription $7 a year. Foreign $8.
.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
.
_
CARM1 M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 12th day of Kislev, 5730. the following scripture/ selections
will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 28:10-32:3. Prophetical portion, Hosea 12:13-14:10.
Candle
VOL. LVL No. 10
lighting, Friday. Nov. 21, 4:47 p.m.
November 21, 1969
Page Four
Balfour Declaration as an Historic Reality
On the occasion of the 52nd anniversary
of the issuance of the Balfour Declaration—
a document that affirmed Bible prophecy and
aimed at ameliorating the world's great
wrongs towards the Jewish people through
two millenia — Arab propagandists inserted
full page ads in New York and London news-
papers condemning an idea that their own
leaders had endorsed as an act of justice and
as an acknowledgement of an historic right.
In the American ads, which were address-
ed to President Nixon with a request that he
nullify the Balfour Declaration, the historic
document was defined as having "'viewed
with favor' the dismemberment of Palestine,
its mutilation from a land sacred to and in-
habited by Moslem, Christian and Jew, to a
land which is the exclusive domain of a few."
It is not uncommon to hear about distor-
tions of truth from prejudiced sources. What
the so-called Association of Arab-American
University Graduates who signed the ad fail-
ed to state is that the Balfour Declaration
was approved by the United States Congress,
that it had the endorsement of the world's
leading nations, that this declaration, which
was dated Nov. 2, 1917, was endorsed by the
leader of the Arab nationalist movements,
Emir Feisal, who, on March 3, 1919, wrote to
Felix Frankfurter:
"We Arabs, especially the educated
among us, look with the deepest sympathy
on the Zionist movement. Our deputation
here in Paris is full acquainted with the
proposals submitted yesterday by the Zion-
ist organization to the Peace conference,
and we regard them as moderate and
proper. We will do our best, insofar as we
are concerned, to help them thru; we will
wish the Jews a most hearty welcome
home.
"With the chiefs of your movement,
especially with Doctor Weizmann, we have
had and continue to have the closest rela-
tions. He has been a great helper of our
cause, and I hope the Arabs may soon be
in a position to make the Jews some return
for their kindness. We are working to-;
gether for a reformed and revived near
east, and our two movements complete
one another. The Jewish movement is na- 1
tional and not imperialist. Our movement
is national and not imperialist, and there
is room in Syria for vs both. Indeed, I
think that neither can be a real success
without the other."
There is so much to be said with regard
to the historic justice that was affirmed by
rational Moslems before the anti-Israel move-
ment assumed large proportions that it would
be necessary to review the Bible story, the
record of Jewish habitation in the Land of
I s r a e 1, the acknowledgements from the
world's leading statemen that, at last, there
was an act of justice to the Jewish people in
the document that was signed by Arthur
James Balfour—a document that spoke of
just rights for all and set down regulations
that have enabled Israel to provide freedoms
for Christians and Moslems that were unat-
Rabbi Herbert Weiner Provides
Intriguing Study of Kabala
Tales of the Hasidim are gaining greater favor, and the mysticism
ofthe Kabala and of the folkways that relate to the many seats in
the Habad movement have become sources of deep interest in Jewish
life,
Adding to this interest, Rabbi Herbert Weiner of South Orange,
N.J., who already has gained wide acclaim for his "Wild Goats of
Ein Gedi," an important volume about an aspect of life in Israel, In
the author of "9 , 2 Mystics—The Kabala Today," published by Holt,
Rinehart and Winston and containing a fascinating account of the
Kabala.
In this volume Rabbi Weiner re-creates an acquaintance with the
mystical Jewish tradition and shows how the Kabala has relation-
ships to our time. It is an account of encounters between groups and
tainable under Arab rule.
individuals.
While it is a journalistic approach, it Is "a kind of mediating
As a matter of fact, there were statesmen
who said after World War I that one of the
few good results of the world conflict was
the issuance of the Balfour Declaration.
bridge, helping through its very strictures to make a precious
body of truth and wisdom more accessible to the general public,*
as the author explains in his preface.
In discussing his findings, Rabbi Weiner emphasizes the kind of
The Arabs keep reminding the world "secrets" that would interest a modern individual: how to confront
about the Balfour Declaration. In most other tragedy and despair; how to work out relations between spirit and
ranks it is now a mere incident in history flesh, man and woman; how to "turn on" or take a "trip" withotti
but one that is confirmed as fact and reality. chemical stimulants and with results that would affect life and cony
In Detroit only the Zionist Organization of munity in constructive style,
In "91/2 Mystics," the author reports his meetings and - conversa-
Detroit reminds the community about it
through its Balfour Concert. Because it is a tions with a wide range of representatives of Jewish mysticism and
recounting his studies with different kabalistic groups both here and
positive and not the negative Arab assailed in Israel.
historic mark, the local celebration again as-
Rabbi Weiner's treasure hunt, which extended over many years.
sumes communal significance.
took him as far afield as a basement store on East Broadway where
an old scholar studied the Zohar and developed a system for
playing
the horses, and a wedding uniting two Hasidic dynasties which took
place in Bnai Brak, a religiously oriented community near Tel Aviv.
As he pursues his search, Rabbi Weiner encounters Dr. Geo•
shorn Scholem, who was professor of Jewish mysticism at the He-
brew
University in Jerusalem until his retirement in 1965. With
Warning that the commandos will be re-
Martin Buber he discusses the' famous philosopher's efforts to
pulsed, that "Syrians are enemies and we
bring the mystical folk movement called Hasidism "into the world."
Lebanese Maronites Reject Anti-Israelism
It was known before and it has been es-
tablished anew: the Christian in Lebanon,
especially the Lebanese Maronites, are not
against Israel. On the contrary: they hope
for peace with Israel to assure the security
of the entire area. And many of them fully
believe that the Prophecy for Israel's Resto-
ration must not be held in disrespect.
Of course, there are Christian Arabs who
are Israel's enemies. But the Maronites have
been firm in their position of respect for
Israel and often a deep-rooted friendship.
This was proven when the Lebanese vil-
lage of Andaket rejected El Fatah demands
for participation in guerrilla warfare against
Israel.
will not let them pass," the Rev. Michael
Breydy, the scholarly priest of the Maronite
Christian Church, in Andaket, said: "The
commandos and the Syrian bosses think they
can scare us into letting them go anywhere
they want in remaking Lebanon in the Syrian
The author explains the Lubavitcher Movement, the "organized
mysticism" of the strongest ilasidic movement, which has its head-
quarters in Brooklyn. He describes his visit to the Lubavitchers' "Earl).
rengung," an annual festivity in celebration of their sixth rebbe's re-
lease from Communist prison. And he tells of his conversation with
the present rebbe, or leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson,
socialist image. They have misjudged the who studied electrical engineering at the Sorbonne and is reputed W
possess miraculous power.
people of Andaket."
Rabbi Weiner is introduced to the followers of Rabbi Nachman,
On many occasions, the Maronites had who called himself a "moon man," one whose strength and even faith
spoken. They do so now, and they provide was subject to periods of waxing and waning, and who, even after US
hope that any attempt to turn Lebanon over death, continues to lead the Bratzlav brand of Hasidism.
He visits groups that are "way out even by Hasidic standards*
to the guerrillas will be repulsed. It is a
message of hope for Israel and for the Chris-
Israel Government Tribute to Simons
With Hebrew University President Avra-
ham Harman as chief participant in the
program, a distinct honor was accorded
to Leonard N. Simons- when he received the
Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir's award
in the form of a specially designed medal.
With a long record for notable services,
Simons has served every cause designed
to protect Israel's role in the Middle East.
The honors accorded him mark recognition
for services he has performed for many
years, in the social service, religious, civic
fields.
The selection of Simons by State of
and studies the teachings of Abraham Isaac Kook, "the most dis-
era," with Rabbi Kook's son.
tinguished Jewish mystic of our
tians whose status is threatened by the guer-
When the author decided to begin his search, he was warned by a
rilla commandos.
scholarly rabbi and authority on the kabala not to try to enter Juda-
Israel Bonds for the high honor is especially
ism's "pardes," or mystical orchard, for it contains great powers for
destruction as well as creation.
In spite of the warning, he went ahead with his treasure hunt and,
in "91/2 Mystics," he bridges the barriers of faith, religious customs,
language and technical terminology which the kabala poseS. As to
the success of his search, he writes:
" 'Make room'—this is the first lesson for life which can be extract-
ed out of our journey. Let the structure and establishment permit and
even encourage that periodic 'r'tzo,' going out, which is motivated by
the human need for something more than is offered by the surface
significant because it comes at a time when
Israel's economic position must be protected,
when it is so urgently necessary to come to
Israel's assistance not with philanthropy patterns and truths of daily existence.
alone but also with the investments that make
"At the same time, let it provide the rites of passage, the wisdom
possible the continued industrial progress
in Israel.
It is to be hoped that the Israel Bond
drive will be greatly aided while an eminent
citizen is being honored. Two objectives
will thus be attained: a dynamic leader will
be duly honored and a great cause will be
enhanced.
and structural strength that will make possible not only a safe re-
entry, but a way of using the 'shefa,' light, joy, truth, tapped during
the moment of the high, so that the low is also affected and lifted.
"And now, having come again to the need for uniting highs and
lows, we are back to the particular 'secrets' of the Jewish inner way."
Rabbi Weiner was graduated from the University of Massachusetts
cum laude, and from the Jewish Institute of Religion. After his ordi-
nation in 1946, he studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and
worked -in• a -kibuteim.