Purely Commentary
Impotence of UN Again Evidenced in the
Soviet-Arab Gang-Ups . . . Noted Scholar's
Research Enriches Literature on Responsa
Responsa Perpetuate Sheelot U-Teshubot Tradition 16th Century David Ibn Zimbra
Classics Incorporated in Rabbi Israel M. Goldman's Extensive Research Work
Now we speak of them as Response. Traditionally
they were the Sbeeiet n-Teshabot, the questions ad-
dressed to rabbis for clarification and their replies
defining Jewish law and setting forth the guiding
principles for Jewish observances.
Jewish scholars
have enriched our
bookshelves with com-
mentaries that have
outlined the processes
of the Sheelot u-Tesh-
ubot traditions by
their compilations of
Response. Rabbi Solo-
mon Freehof has pro-
duced two volumes of
such works which are
of particular interest
to Reform Jews. A
Yeshiva University
Dr. Goldman
professor of Hebrew,
Dr. Asher Siev, has just published the Responsa of
the 16th Century scholar Rabbi Moses Isserles
153042).
Major among the works on Responsa is "The Life
and Times of Rabbi Ibn Abi Zimra" by Dr. Israel
M. Goldman of Chizuk Amuna Synagogue of Balti-
more, who provides us with a history of the man who
had written the largest number of Response on rec-
ord as well as the story of his time and the interpre-
tive skill of Jewish teachers who influenced the
Jewish way of life.
Introducing the David Ibn Zimra volume as a
publication of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Dr.
Louis Finkelstein, the seminary's chancellor, ac-
claims the labors of Rabbi Goldman as being of
such historic significance that they "place the Jew-
ish scholarly world in his debt."
There are remarkable lessons for modern Jewry
in Dr. Goldman's evaluative work. Not only has the
Baltimore scholar produced an analysis of the more
than 3,000 published Response by Rabbi David Ibn
Abi Zimra and the several hundred unpublished texts
he has located and translated; he comments on the
conditions of the time and on .the hero of his work
who became known by the initials of his name,
RaDBaZ, who was born in 1479 and is believed to
have reached his 95th year. In the course of his
presentation of the views of the RaDBaZ, Rabbi
Goldman interprets the 15th-16th Century scholar's
approaches to Jewish matters in a fashion that
mirrors the skills as well as the interpretive deter-
minism of a man of faith who did not permit
denigrations in Jewish values yet was lenient to
Jews.
There are many factors in the RaDBaZ story
that lend themselves to pursuance of additional
studies as well as to discourses by laymen as well
as scholars id adult discussion groups. What the
Goldman work does primarily is to inspire an appre-
ciation of the traditions which formulated Jewish
religious practices and the strictest observances as
set forth in rabbinic laws. Yet there are so many
liberalizations which provide for kind treatment of
Jews under challenging conditions that the RaDBaZ
rightfully emerges as a hero in the new work on
the greatest producer of Response in our history.
o
o
It is no wonder that Dr. Goldman treats the life
of Rabbi David Ibn Abi Zimra with great affection.
From many climes there came queries to the
RaDBaZ and he replied to all of them, some at great
length, all with firmness in treating the Jewish
attitudes, and the basic idealism which motivates
Dr. Goldman's love for his subject may be consi-
dered summarized in this brief paragraph:
Dr. Goldman's thorough study of the subject of
Response, his review of Rabbi David's replies to the
various communities, his analyses of the .eminent
scholar's attitude towards non-Jews, makes the
new volume of great significance In many areas,
including the Good Will movement for which it
has many lessons. For example, the RaDBaZ was
so tolerant to Christians and Moslems that he would
today, as he is interpreted and presented by Dr.
Goldman, be an eminent spokesmen for the move-
ment that seeks amity among all faiths.. The
RaDBaZ view was that the monotheists, the be-
lievers in One God, the non-Jews, were not to be
viewed as idolatrous.
This viewpoint is expressed in Rabbi Goldman's
explanation of a case involving a,scholar in Safed
who was careful not to handle Venetian money or
dishes because they had bas-relief designs of a
criss-cross character. Rabbi Goldman comments:
"Rabbi David explains that there need be no
hesitancy in handling these coins or dishes be-
cause 'the Christians in our day are not idol-
worshipers. The figures on the coins and dishes
are not put there to be worshiped, but merely
as general designs.' "
Rabbi David discouraged social contacts with
non-Jews and warned of dangers that could lead
to breaking Jewish laws or abandoning the faith.
Yet in the case also of the Moslems he emphasized
that they were not idol-worshipers. He warned of
possible transgressions, yet he is quoted by Rabbi
Goldman: "A Jew who took an oath 'by Allah,'
that oath is valid and binding."
•
•
•
A chapter in Rabbi Goldman's book devoted to
Jews' relationships with the social environment re-
views Jewish involvements in government and the
courts. He explains that the prevailing rabbinic
authority of that era "held that only those documents
should be executed in Gentile courts which the gov-
ernment made compulsory. All others should be exe-
cuted in Jewish courts." He explains further:
-
"R. David urged the strictest obedience to the
required legal practices of the land. In the case
of land deeds which had to be drawn in the govern-
ment courts and in those places where legal papers
for partnerships had to be drawn in the govern-
ment courts, R. David teaches, 'we must follow
the Minhag of the land. especially in the laws
relating to money. The Minhag is of such great
importance that we follow it even if it is contrary
to the Halakha- " '
By Philip
Slomovitz
There Is No Conscience in Anti-Israelism
If proof was needed that the United Nations as it operates today
is Impotent it was provided again in both the debates on the Middle
East and the bloc votes against Israel. The Arabs have their bed-
fellows in the Communist delegations and most of the Afro-Asian coun-
tries, all of whom vote on signal when the order is given to pass reso-
lutions that can harm Israel.
The great need is to assure success for the Jarring peace mission.
But anything antagonistic to a major party in the dispute—Israel—is
assured a majority vote. All that is needed-is to shout Israel and the
vote is Nay!
During the entire period of the debate on the Middle East, only
the United States spoke in defense of Israel. Ambassador Charles
W. Yost pleaded for realism and for an un-
prejudiced approach. But in a confrontation at
the UN, when it is an intention to make
Israel the goat, it is hopeless to strive for
a genuine peace move. Then it is a typical
Soviet-Arab comedy that has no effect other
than to drag the UN's status down deeper
into a gutter of mere abusive rhetoric.
Unfortunately, the result is to destroy
the intention of elevating a world organiza-
tion into a workable movement to assure
world peace. And it is even more unfortunate
Ambassador Yost
that the ,secretary general of the United
Nations has not proven to be an impartial advocate of peace, his
pro-Arabism often emerging as anti-Israelism. No one will miss him
when he quits his post, as he says he will in about a year.
•
•
•
Election Studies and Ethnic Votes
It has never failed that polls preceding elections should be marked
by studies of reactions of either racial or ethnic groups. How does the
black man react? What's the Jewish attitude—and the Italian, the
Puerto Rican, other groups? The question always is repeated: is there
a Jewish vote?
There could be a Jewish vote, if and when an anti-Semite is a
candidate for office. That doesn't happen too often. There has been an
almost solid Jewish vote on issues involving issues of religion free-
dom. Yet it should be acknowledged that Jews are in the ranks of all
parties and seldom if ever vote as a bloc. Proof was provided in
New York, where large segments of Jews did not back Arthur J. Gold-
berg and supported Governor Nelson Rockefeller. There were Jews in
Senator-elect James Buckley's corner in New York, and they may
have helped elect him. There were Jews active in Governor William
Milliken's campaign in Michigan.
One does not have to believe in speculative polls, yet it is in-
teresting to note that a study made by the Detroit News showed 11
per cent of Jews backing Milliken. Give or-take a point here or there.
there is no doubt that there was a Jewish minority that supported the
incumbent governor for re-election in spite of his opponent's Jewishness.
These points can be stretched indefinitely to prove that the
Jewish vote goes in all directions. There is a vote by Jews but not
unanimity in only one direction as a Jewish vote.
•
o
o
Israel Is Not Vietnam
-
Why is there so much panic over Israel's position every time a
group bent upon harming Israel introduces the Vietnam aspect of the
world's tragic experiences? Israel is on the defensive but asks only the
means with which to defend herself. She does not ask for or want
Americans to come to her aid.
When 30 leading professors from Harvard, MIT, the Universities of
Michigan and Chicago—including most outspoken doves as well as hawks
issued a statement calling upon the Nixon administration "to keep
faith with Israel," it was the result of their concern over the threat of
genocide to all Israelis. One of the signers of that statement said in
explanation of joint action by hawks and doves:
"The people on that list probably could not sit in one room
together. The fact that they have all put their names down in an appeal
in Israel's defense suggests how critical a moment they think this is
for U.S. foreign policy."
Enough said to discredit the panic over an incredible Vietnam-
Israel link.
Valuably annotated, drawing upon the most im-
portant authorities relating to Halakha and to com-
mentaries on Bible; Talmud and the Oral Law,
the RaDBaZ work by Dr. Goldman, while it may
well become a compulsory textbook for theological
students, emerges as a fascinatinely informative
book for the average layman who has a desire to
learn here about old Jewish settlements. Rabbi
Goldman made it a personal obligation to portray
his locale from the first-hand experience. He went
to Rhodes to become acquainted with the area that
was involved in numerous of the RaDBaZ Responsa.
He visited other communities related to the ques-
tions and answers that drew upon Rabbi David's
scholarly definitions. The new work emerges as a
combination of immense research by Dr. Goldman.
•
•
•
Since there is total coverage of the themes affect-
ing all manner of situations in the RaDBaZ Res-
ponsa in Dr. Goldman's resume, we learn here a
great deal about marriage, divorce, polygamy, the
synagogue, Sabbath, holidays, etc.
An interesting paragraph devoted to "Jewish The Quest for a Lighter Mood
Converts" contains these comments by Dr. Goldman:
In these challenging days we often hear the despairing complaint
that news we impart to our readers is too sad to bear.
JEWISH CONVERTS
That is reminiscent of the very rich man who suddenly decided to
The two outstanding characteristics of Rabbi
The religious laxity of the period expressed
David's personality, which were indeed the driv-
itself also in the number of Jews who forsook give ear to the heartbreaking story of a poor man. After a long patience
ing powers of his whole life were, first, his untir-
their own faith to become converts to other
during the mendicant's narrative of
ing zeal for, and his watchful strictness in behalf
religions. Many Jews there were who led im- of approaching the many is-
many troubles, the wealthy fellow
of. Jewish religious principle and practice. But
moral lives, committed sins in a high handed man- sues, and here we have an
together with this, there was coupled his great
called his servant and ordered:
ner, and when they were threatened with punish- excellent evaluation of the
love for the Jewish people and merciful leniency
ment by the Jewish religious authorities, would
"Throw this fellow out, he breaks my
in behalf of Jews."
in turn threaten that unless they were unmolested character of the man.
heart."
Rabbi David was the Ka-
While there is a full appreciation of these
they would become converts. This was apparently
a serious problem, because R. David declares: "All balist, contemporary of Rabbi
Of course, we rahamanim bnai raha-
qualities in the Response by the RaDBaZ as out-
my life I grieve over this condition, because for Caro, but on one occasion he
lined by Dr. Goldman, there is special emphasis
manim—the generous sons of generous
such reasons the Torah is weakened and there is defended himself against the
on the manner in which the prompt replies to
people—do not do that. But a bit of
no power to compel the wicked men to obey. On charge that he was interpret-
queries were sent to the Jewries of Rhodes, to the
this account I pray daily that no harm should rest ing Jewish law only on the
humor often helps create more whole-
communities in Turkey and in Egypt as well as
from any action of mine in this delicate matter basis of Kabalism.
some days and better approaches to
in Eretz Israel.
.
You might, at first, think that it is best to let
The many scores of Re-
the difficulties we must face all the
The variety of subjects covered included every
them transgress some of the laws in order that they sponsa utilized by Rabbi
do not abandon the Torah altogether. But if you
time.
aspect of life and of Jewish practices, and in the
Goldman
to
depict
the
subject
will follow such a policy, then obedience to the
totality of his efforts Rabbi David became a world
of his biography and his
Let's share the latest story—about
whole
Torah
will
be
weakened,
because
it
will
figure.
become known that on account of fears we hide study of the famous respond-
Mrs. Golda Meir and Richard Nixon,
We have in the RaDBaZ story a review of
our eyes from the wicked men. With the result er to queries from the Jew-
who
was her host at the White House.
world Jewish history of the time of this hero in
that men of evil will continue all the more to sin, ries of the world give em-
Richard said: "Golda, we'll give you
a remarkable book on Responsa and Jewish ex-
and the evils of robbery. violence and fornication phasis to the immensity of
will multiply. and the Torah will be maintained the subject covered in this
periences. Rabbi David was born in north central
the munitions and planes you need.
only in shreds. Therefore, we find that in every work that has become a ma-
Spain. He left Spain with his family during the ex-
But you can help us win the war in
generation, the wicked men were punished and jor project of the Jewish
pulsion of 1492, went to Safed in his 13th year,
Vietnam by lending us 10 of your gen-
chastised regardless of their threats to become Theological Seminary this
before settling for some years in Egypt, where he
convert,. All this I have written from the noint of year. The Goldman study
erals." "Gladly," said Golda, "but
was the spiritual head of the Jewish community
view of the Halakha, but in actual practice, the
would you give us two generals in
for 40 years, then settled in the Holy Land.
leader and teacher of his generation must exercise provides a view of Jewish
world
conditions
in
the
15th-
It is interesting to note that he was engaged
exchange, Richard?" "Do you have
great care in the way he handles such situations,
in business upon his arrival in Egypt, but his
for all men are not alike and all sins are not 16th Century periods as well
any generals in view?" "Why. of
as the scholarship of that
similar?'
life's work was in scholarship and in writing the
course, General Motors and General
teshubot to the sheeelot that came from all parts
In the lengthiest chapter in the entire book, era, elevating his book to
Electric."
Rabbi Goldman deals with Rabbi David's methods major importance in Jewish
of the then known world.
Humor is a rare gift of heart and
scholarly efforts.
(Copyright
1970,
JTA,
Inc.)
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
mind. May it abound I
2 — Friday, November 13, 1970
-