Conservative Synagogues' Forest Announced

Weekly Quiz

By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX

(Copyright

1970. .11TA, Inc.)

Why is there a tradition to
use one's teeth in cutting the
"Tzitzit" (the fringes attached
to the prayer shawl or the spe-
cial four cornered undergar-
ment) instead of a knife?
The Talmud (Tractate Sabbath
32b) considers the "Tzitzit" as a
means of prolonging life. Those
who do not wear "Tzitzit" are in
fear of dying young, according to
the Talmud. Whatever is used
for prolonging life is characteris-
tically kept away from contact
with metal which has the power to
end life when weapons are made
from this metal. The typical case
for this tradition is the well known
Mishna (Midoth 3:4) which rules
that if iron touches a stone that
stone may not be used for build-
ing an altar because iron shortens
life while the altar prolongs it.
Thus the "Tzitzit". likewise area
kept away from metal so that
their life-lengthening power will
not be abated.
*
Why is it customary to wait
for the rabbi of the congregation
to conclude the recital of the
silent prayers of the Shmone
Esre before allowing the can-
tor to proceed with the repeti-
tion of the benedictions in the
public service?
Since the public repetition of the
Shmone Esre by the cantor in-
cludes the "Kedusha" — a reci-1
tation of the sanctity of the Al-
mighty which is recited respon-
sively with the congregation, it is
considered advisable to wait un-
til everyone of the congregation
has completed his silent prayers
so that all will be able to join
in when- the Kedusha is recited.
Those who do not finish their
silent prayers first are usually
those who exercise deep concen-
tration and devotion in praying.
These would normally include the
rabbi. Thus, when the rabbi has
concluded his silent prayers, it
is indicative that everyone else
has done likewise. There are some
who claim that waiting for the
rabbi to conclude his silent pray-
ers before beginning the repeti-
tion of the Shmone Esre is a
symbol of respect to the rabbi!
and thus a symbol of reverence
for Torah learning.
* *
Why is it necessary to have
candles or lights burning in the
synagogue?
The Bible, in describing the in-
terior of the sanctuary, requires
an "eternal light" and a seven
branched candlabrum. Some medi-
eval commentaries (e.g. Kad Hak-
emach) refer the general require-
ments for lights in the place of
prayer as stemming from the
verse in Isaiah (24:15) which
states "Glorify the Lord in the
regions of light." This is taken by
some to mean that Jewish worship
is not a mysterious esoteric per-
formance but rather an enlight-
ened understanding which one
comes to have with the Almighty.
The light, according to others, sig-
nifies the presence of God.

1

The United Synagogue of Ameri- Lion, has embarked on a project in
ca. the association of Conservative Israel: a forest to be planted on
congregations throughout the na- Jewish National Fund land near
Jerusalem.
Each congregation in the move-
Each
Rabbi Hachen Named
is being asked to be repre-
rented in the United Synagogue
Reform Synagogues'
Forest.
Regional Director
A congregation can dedicate a
Rabbi David S. Hachen has been garden of 100 trees, a grove of
appointed director of the Metro- 1.000, a woodland of 2,500, a park
politan Detroit Federation of Re- of 5,000 or its own forest of 10,000.1
form Synagogues and the North- Each congregation participating
east Lakes Council of the Union of in the United Synagouge Forest'
American Hebrew Congregations. will have its name inscribed on a
plaque to be on permanent display.
A booklet of tree certificates
will permit congregation mem-
bers to issue their own tree
certificates to relatives and
friends whom they wish to honor.
Each United Synagouge Forest

Special Sabbath
Focuses on 'Laws
of Family Purity'

RABBI DAVID S. HACHEN

This Saturday., the Sabbath of
Parshe Yisro, has been designated
by the Council of Orthodox Rabbis
as "Taharath Hamishpaha Sab-
bath" (Family Purity) to empha-
size the importance of the com-
mandment.
The Vaad Harabonim (Council)
has requested each rabbi to speak
from the pulpit on this subject.
In connection with the special
sabbath, the annual banquet of
Mikva Israel and the Women's
Orthodox League will be held Feb.
8 at Young Israel of Northwest
Detroit.
The dinner committee consists
of Rabbi Joseph Misch, chair- '
man; Rabbis Sholom Goldstein,
Ehic Greenbaum and Israel
Rockove; Louis Penfil, Marvin
Seligson and Joseph Hendler.
The women's committee includes
Mesdames Joseph B. Hendler,
chairman, Leib Bakst, Samuel E.
Cohen, Shlomo Rothenberg, Eli-
yahu Finkelstein and Tzvi Silver-
stein.
For reservations, call Mrs. Sil-
verstein, 398-4715.

All the Reform congregations in
the Detroit area are members of
the Federation, whose president is
Morton Barris.
Rabbi Hachen, whose office s is
located at 1101 Euclid Ave., Cleve-
land, has already begun to spend
much of his time working with the
Metropolitan Detroit Federation of
Reform Synagogues. According to
Rabbi Hachen, his role as regional
director is to assist Reform con-
gregations in Michigan, Northern
Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and
Western New York.
Working with youth, education
and social and religious action, the
regional office will attempt to help
Reform congregations "to do things
cooperatively to strengthen spiritu-
ally, both the Jewish People and
Israel Welcomes Home
American Society."
Rabbi Hachen was ordained at Ex-Palestine Nationalist
JERUSALEM (JTA)—Mousa EI
Hebrew Union College—Jewish In-
stitute of Religion in Cincinnati in Alami, a former leader of the Pal-
1952. He served for 'two years as a estinian Arab nationalist move-
chaplain in the U.S. Navy. For the ment, was given a ceremonial wel-
last 15 years he has been spiritual come by the Israeli military gover-
leader of Suburban Temple of nor and senior officials when he
Wantagh, N.Y., Temple Shalom of returned to his home in Jericho
Norwalk, Conn., and Rockdale for the first time since the Six-Day
Temple of Cincinnati. War.
In 1961 Rabbi Hachen received
his doctorate in education from
Columbia University, and has
served for a decade on the com-
mission on Jewish education of the
CCAR and the UAHC. In coopera-
tion with Dr. Sylvan Schwartzman,
Rabbi Hachen wrote a text for
adolescents entitled "Meeting Your
Life Problems."
Rabbi Hachen in recent years
has been a member of the faculty
of the HIJC-JIR in New York and
has also been a visiting lecturer in
the graduate department of educa-
Beth Shalom to Install tional foundations at the Univer-
sity of Cincinnati.
Officers at Services
He lives in Cleveland Heights
Cong. Beth Shalom will install with his wife, Pearl, and their
the following synagogue officers three teen-age children. Mrs.
at services 8:30 a.m. today: David Hachen, a native of Dayton, has
Klein, president; Julius Harwood, been active in the National Fed-
Jack Solway and Charles Isack- eration of Temple Sisterhoods, and
son, vice presidents: Julian Nus- worked closely with the Jewish
baum, treasurer; Mrs. Gerald Ro- Family Service.
senbaum and Stewart Kepes, sec-
retaries; and the board of trustees.
Rabbi Mordecai S. Halpern will he Beth El Men to Host
installing officer.
120 Clubs From Detroit

Temple Beth El Men's Club will
host the 37th annual Intercongre-
RIO DE JANEIRO (ZINS)—The ' .i.fational Men's Club Dinner Feb.
local General Zionist Organization 10. with cocktails at 6 p.m. and din-
has acquired a new center which ner at 7.
will house all offic,:s and activities
Some 20 men's clubs from the
of the movement, according to Dr. Orthodox, Conservative and Re-
Kurt Krakower, secretary general form congregations of Detroit will
of the local General Zionist Party. participate.
The new facility will contain the
Speaker will be Rabbi Joshua 0.
Herzl Library. A special commit- Haberman of the Washington He-
tee will prepare the dedication, to brew Congregation, who will speak
take plac.: in April. The center is on "God Is Alive and Well In the
Synagogue."
situated at Copacabana Beach.

Rio Zionist Center Built

'certificate booklet contains 20
certificates with a total value of
$100., Included are eight 1-tree cer-
tificates, eight 2-tree certificates
and four 4-tree certificates.
The names of persons purchasing
these booklets will be inscribed
in the Honor Roll of Guardians
of the forest. The honor roll will
be permanently maintained in the
Hall of Archives of the Keren
Kayemath in Jerusalem.
In addition, those qualifying as
a guardian through the purchase
of a United Synagouge Forest
certificate booklet will participate
in a special contest in which the
grand prize is a trip to Israel.

Ra • bi David Lifshitz, Honor-
ary President of the Union of
Orthodox Rabbis of the U.S.
and Canada, will address the
parlor meeting on behalf of
Chinuch Atzmai-Torah Schools
for Israel, Feb. 2, 8:00 p.m.
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS a
at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
18—Friday, January 30, 1970
Jack Carmen, 23551 Wild-
wood, O.P. Torah Schools for
Israel maintain 250 individual
schools with over 45,000 stu-
dents. A campaign in their be-
half is currently underway in
ADV.
Detroit.

groclam,ation

WHEREAS—A group of public-spirited men
and women organized themselves into a MIKVAH
ISRAEL" association and
WHEREAS—"MIKVAH ISRAEL" has worked
unceasingly for TAHARATH HAMISHPACHA,
FAMILY PURITY and
WHEREAS—MIKVAH ISRAEL has been main-
taining a new and modern Mikvah at 15750 West
10 Mile Road, Oak Park, and
WHEREAS—The observance of FAMILY PUR-
ITY is one of the most fundamental commandments
of the Torah and
WHEREAS—We sincerely believe that the
future existence of the Jewish people hinges greatly
upon the observance of this MITZVAH (Com-
mandment);
BE IT RESOLVED that this Sabbath, Jan. 31,
1970, of Parshe Visro be proclaimed TAHARATH
HAMISHPACHA SABBATH, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every
Rabbi preach on this Sabbath morning about the
meaning, significance and importance of TAHA-
RATH HAMISHPACHA, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Jewish
Community of Greater Detroit be called upon to aid
and assist generously the holy work of MIKVAH
ISRAEL.

VAAD HARABONIM OF DETROIT

Rabbi Leiter Levin, President
Rabbi Chnskel Grubner, Menahal

You are cordially invited to
attend
Dedication Ceremonies
of
Independence Hall

The Honorable Senator Philip A. Hart
sponsored by

Young Israel Council
of Metropolitan Detroit

to take place on

Thursday, February 5, 1970
at 11:00 a.m.

at
1935 Chene Street, corner of Maple
Norman Allan, Chairman
Rabbi Samuel H. Prero, President
Hind L. Abrams, Secretary
Robert Sosnick, Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Harry L. Blitz
Sanford Eisenberg
Dr. Jacob E. Goldman
Rabbi Ernest E. Greenfield
Morris Karbal
Jerome W. Kelman
Phillip Stollman