Elijah's Cup
By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX
(Copyright 1974, JTA, Inc.)
There is an extra cup of
wine which no one drinks
and which is placed upon
the table at the last half of
Passover seder.
This has become known as
the "Cup of Elijah." General-
ly speaking, while the first'
half of the seder evening on
Passover relates to the re-
demption that took place in
the past, especially in Egypt,
the last half of the seder re-
fers to the redemption that
is yet to come in the future.
Somehow, there is a feeling
that the story of redemption
is not yet complete. Indeed,
the Jews and the world at
large are still not rid of op-
pression and suffering. Drink-
ing the cups symbolizes the
acts of redemption that have
already taken place. Leav-
ing this fifth one without
drinking it is symbolic of the
hope that this redemption
will yet come. Since it is
Prophet Elijah who will
herald in this eschatological
era, the cup is referred to as
the Cup of Elijah.
Ta'ame Minhagim states
that the fifth cup is placed
on the table because or-
iginally there had been a
difference of opinion among
the rabbis as to whether
there should really be four
or five cups. Since the fifth
one seems to be in doubt, in
order to please all sides, the
cup is filled but not con-
sumed. In this sense, too, it
is called Elijah's Cup be-
cause Elijah the Prophet is
said to be coming and to
resolve all previously exist-
ing doubts_ and differences
of opinion when
w
he comes.
It is- required to have three
matzot on the seder table on
Passover eve.
A number of answers are
advanced for this require-
ment. One matzo is, of
course, required from which
afikoman will be broken.
This leaves is the alternative
of having one more or two
more matzot so that when
the Passover eve occurs on
the Sabbath one will not for-
get to have two whole matzot
(besides the broken one) be-
cause the Sabbath requires
two loaves.
Some people claim that
the two matzot resemble the
two loaves of bread required
for a thanksgiving offering
•besides the broken matzo),
since remembering our de-
liverance requires some form
of thanksgiving. Some claim
that the three matzot re-
semble the three measures of
flour which Abraham 'had
prepared for the three angels
who visited him. This event
is said to have occurred on
Passover eve. Some claim
that the three matzot re-
semble the three Patriarchs
or the three categories of
Jews (i.e., Kohen, Levi and
Israelite).
More Learned, More Humble
As the vine has large and
small clusters of grapes, and
the larger clusters hang
lower than the smaller: So in
Israel, the more learned the
man, the more humble he is.
—Vayikra Rabbah, 36:2
Natural abilities are like
natural plants; they need
pruning by study.
—Francis Bacon.
14—Friday, April 12;1974
Maimonides Letter Reduced Messiah-Centered
Jews of Morocco Into Inspiration for Torah
NEW YORK—The views of
zealots and mystics that set-
tlements in the Holy Land
was solely related to the ad-
vent of Messiah was exposed
by Maimonides (1135-1204)
as hypocritical, according to
Dr. Leon Stitskin, professor
of Jewish philosophy at
Yeshiva University.
Dr. Stitskin develops this
view in his commentary of
a letter to Moroccan Jews in
1160 he translated for the
first time in English and
presented in the current
issue of Tradition.
The letter, "Iggeret ha-
Shemad," the "Letter on
Apostasy," the first public
document written by Mai-
monides, was addressed to
the religious problems aris-
ing out of ,the persecutions
of Jews in Morocco and
Spain by a new sect of Mo-
hammedans, the Almohades.
One possibility, Maimon-
ides wrote, was to leave the
hostile environment for the
Holy Land. As for those who
claim that the return to
Palestine must await the
coming of the Messiah,
Maimonides denounces their
claim as a disguise for their
avaricious instincts of trying
to hold- material possessions
rather than venture out to a
land where one may be ob-
servant in freedom and
peace.
Toronto Elderly
Get Pesah Aid
•
TORONTO (JTA) — A
major survey to find unaf-
filiated elderly Jews in To-
ronto to help them observe
Passover was undertaken
again this year by the Young
Women's Leadership Wing of
the Federation of Jewish
Women's Organizations.
The survey was authorized
by the Coordinated Services
to the Jewish Elderly, a divi-
sion of the United Jewish
Welfare Fund of Toronto.
The Passover Project
sought to determine the num-
ber of elderly Toronto Jew-
ish men and women who
have no ties with synagogues
or other Jewish institutions
and who are isolated from
the Jewish community.
Mrs. Sandy Brown, co-
chairman of the 20-volunteer
survey team, said letters
were sent to 18 hospitals, five
homes for the aged and 19
nursing homes, asking ad-
ministrators to advise their
Jewish patients or residents
that Passover meals were
available for the week of the
festival.
Plaque Memorializes
11 Israeli Olympians
WASHINGTON (JTA) —
A plaque memorializing the
11 Israeli athletes killed by
Arab terrorists on Sept. 5,
1972 at the Olympic Games
in Munich will be dedicated
during the Passover memo-
rial services (yizkor) Sun-
day at the Ohr Kodesh Con-
gregation in suburban Chevy
Chase, Md.
The plaque, which will
bear the names of the 11
victims, was made possible
by a gift from one of the
Conservative congregation's
575 members.
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Those who hold this false
view, according to Maimon-
ides, "are guilty and cause
others to transgress the law.
The obligation to observe the
Divine precepts has no rela-
tion to the appearance of the
Messiah. One might persist
in remaining (outside the
Holy Land) until the appear-
ance of the Messiah even
though it has become in-
creasingly evident that with
the passage of years the
Torah will cease to exist and
the religious community will
disappear and the obser-
vance of the Law will be-
come untenable (in such a
place) Such an act, in my
Turks Say Kurds G et Israel Arms
Anker Jorgenson, a former to this influx of U.S. arms,
rebels in Iraq, fighting for the news agency said, the
years to gain their freedom Kurds were able to encircle
from ,Iraqi r u 1 e , are re- an entire Iraqi brigade near
ceiving substantial shipments the strategic city of Zaka, in..
of American arms via Israel, flicting heavy losses.
according to a report by the
Turkish Telegraphic Agency.
In recent months the Kurds
obtained 10 aircraft, artillery,
tanks, and heavy-duty ma-
New
chines, the report stated, due
judgment, must be regarded
as the height of impudence
and self-destruction as well
as deliberate repudiation of
the Law."
Dr. Stitskin notes that the
letter had a tremendous im-
pact on Morocco Jewry. His
words saved them from com-
plete apostasy. It animated
'74 Nova
2-dr. cpe. Thrifty 6-
their spirits and persuaded
cyl., p.s.. am radio,
them not to foresake their
FREAKY
body side mould.,
faith and yield to Islamic al-
w.s.w., stk. 1465
lurements. Others, spurred
by his admonition, left for
Palestine.
Only One More Week!
According to Dr. Stitskin,
Watch for Our Ad Next Friday!
"the shift of emphasis from
a Messiah-centered Judaism
permeating and directing the
28111
currents of Jewish life and
WANT TO SELL YOUR HOME?
Telegraph Rd.
values to a Torah-oriented
Rabbi to Head Drive faith constituted one of the
1711.01 N
EXCLIIIIIVZ
for HUC Endowment major contributions of Mai-
A:al li T41*-Le
MATCHNIAMat
NEW YORK—Dr. Bertram monides to Jewish history."
(Opposite Tel-Twelve Mall)
W. Korn, senior rabbi -at
Cong. Keneseth Israel, El- Directress of Israel
355-1000
CALL 559-8333
kins Park, Philadelphia, and
Opera
to
Tour
U.S.
AETNA REALTY CO.
a member of the board of
NEW YORK — Friends of
overseers of the New York
24469 Greenfield Rd.
Southfield
school of Hebrew Union Col- the Israel National Opera,
lege-Jewish Institute of Re- Inc. (FINO) has 'announced
ligion, has been named na- that Mme. Edis de Philippe,
tional chairman of the col- founder-directress of the Is-
lege-institute's alumi associa- rael National Opera, will
tion's campaign to raise make a cross-country speak-
funds for an "Alumni Chair" ing tour this month. It will
endowment in practical rab- be Mme. de Philippe's first
visit to her native America
binics.
The announcement was in 17 years.
Once you park your car and check in at Somerset Inn,
Mme. de Philippe became
made jointly by Hebrew
you won't have to use it until you leave. Because
a
star
at
an
early
age
with
Union College President, Dr.
besides your luxurious room, we also supply iwo fine
Alfred Gottschalk and Alumni a triumphant tour of Euro-
restaurants, plus our famous Golden Grape where you
Association President, Rabbi pean capitals.
However, in 1946, she at-
can relax with cocktails, a four seasons indoor-outdoor
Max Shapiro.
tended the Zionist Congress,
swimming pool, a sauna -and a double cinema right on
Representatives from vari-
the premises. A few steps across the lane, you can take
ous alumni classes will assist gave a special concert for
delegates and won their
a walking tour of 38 fine Fifth Avenue shops that make
the campaign chairman in the
for the founding of
raising f r o m among the support
up Somerset Mall—the boutiques, the bookstalls, even
a national opera in the Jew-
alumni the $600,000 required
an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. And never have to
ish
state.
On
the
same
day
to establish the endowment
drive once during the time you're with us. Call us now for
that the United Nations
which would enable the col- recognized Israel — Nov. 29,
reservations while you're thinking of it. Both you and your
lege-institute to appoint prac- 1947 — Edis de Philippe
car
will appreciate the relaxation.
ticing rabbis as visiting pro- founded the Israel National
fessors to the Reform semi-
Opera in Tel Aviv and has
nary's four campuses, in
her entire career to
Cincinnati, New York, Los devoted
it ever since.
Big Beaver Rd., east of Coolidge, Troy, Mich. 48084
Angeles and Jerusalem.
Today, the Israel National
Phone (313) 643-7800
Opera attracts an annual
audience of more than
Dayan to Rescue
250,000.
For information, contact
LONDON—Israeli Defense
Minister Moshe Dayan is the Friends of the Israel Na-
kind of man who would give tional Opera, Inc., 150 Fifth
someone in need the shirt Ave., New York 10011 (212-
off his back—and maybe his 924-5788).
pants too.
British Labor Party Sec- Jews in Russia Ask
retary Ron Hayward dfs-
covered Dayan's charitable- JNF to Plant Trees
JERUSALEM—On the eve
ness while on a Socialist In-
ternational fact-finding mis- of Tu b'Shevat a letter in
Hebrew' arrived at the JNF
sion to Israel.
When visiting the Dayan offices in Jerusalem, from
hdme, someone spilled a cup the Royzman family in Novo-
of coffee into Hayward's lap. sibirsk, USSR, carrying holi-
Hayward, who had to leave day greetings to the JNF.
The Royzmans wrote that
to catch a plane at Ben-Gur-
ion airport, gratefully ac- they regretted not being in
cepted a pair of trousers of- Israel 'and requested the JNF
to plant trees in honor of
fered by Dayan.
each of the five members of
the family. They closed their
German City Helps ' letter
with the words: "May
Israel Torah School
our land be a blossoming gar-
BONN (JTA) — F u l d a, den!"
West Germany, has donated
DM 50,000 to the Kol Torah
Rabbi School, formerly in the
city, and now in Jerusalem,
o
for extension work.
A Fulda spokesman said
the grant was not reparation,
but was intended to underline
the 'town's connection with
Kol Torah.
COMPLETE JEWELRY SERVICE
The Fulda rabbinical
school was closed by the
Oak Park, Mich.
Nazis in 1939, and the last of
13720 W. 9 Mile Rd.
the school's heads, R a b b i
Near Post Office
Kunstadt, took it to Jeru-
LI 7-5068
salem.
FRAGELS
`2595
They haven't run out of
great weekends yet.
A SOMERSET INN
gewele,.
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