THE JEWISH NEWS

avic-BIKEAWks

Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951

Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Associa-

tion. Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075.

Second-Class Postage Paid at Southfield, Michigan and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscription $10 a year.

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Editor and Publisher

CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ

CHARLOTTE DUBIN

City Editor

Business Manager

DREW LIEBERWITZ

Advertising Manager

Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 26th day of Iyar, 5734, the following scriptural selections will
be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Leviticus 25:1-27:34. Prophetical portion, Jeremiah 16:19-
17:14.
Torah reading for Rosh Hodesh Sivan, Wednesday, Numbers 1:15.

Candle lighting, Friday, May 17, 8:29 p.m.

VOL. LXV. No. 10

Page Four

it

May 17, 1974

t

Rejecting of Divisiveness, Protecting Legacies

Divisiveness can hardly be tolerated in
Jewish life. Unless there is firmness in adher-
ing to traditions, and positive approach to the
democratic way of life, there will be a lessen-
ing of respect for the very term Jewish
leadership.
It is sad enough that unity of action has
been undermined in Israel. Occurrences in
the Jewish state are, however, understand-
able. The people has been hard hit. It is suf-
fering from pressures that could well under-
mine the basic security of the troubled nation.
While American friendship remains the most
vital factor in Israel's status as- a member
nation in the international community, any-
thing that might possible mar the amity be-
tween the two countries — Israel and the
United States — would be tragic for Jewry
and for mankind, as well as for the two gov-
ernments. Therefore, all the efforts that are
being exerted to retain that friendship are
commendable. The hope for strengthening
rather than weakening it remains major in
Jewish activities. The hope, therefore, is for
internal amity among Israelis.
There are other factors in emerging con-
troversies not to be ignored. Unity equates
with cooperation, and the struggle that has
emerged over the chairmanship of the Jewish
Agency for Israel earns rejection, perhaps
also condemnation. A desire by the dominant
party in Israel tb retain control of the Jewish
Agency chairmanship should not be condoned
in Jewish ranks. An able man has held that
post for more than a year, with distinction
and dignity. Leon Duizin's elimination, in a
battle for power, could add to frustrations
and deep regrets in Jewish ranks, and the
dominant Israeli party would be well advised
to abandon control-seeking in an area that
involves world Jewry's—especially American
Jewry's—fullest cooperation.
- Other factors in possible divisiveness re-
late to the religious leaderships .For the first
time on record, three rabbis have been ex-
pelled from the ranks of the Conservative
movement. The rabbinical body of that im-
portant movement in Jewry has the right to
retain in its fold acceptable rabbis. If there
are among them men who break the rules,
their organization naturally reserves the right
either to retain them with rebukes or to oust
them.
In the expelled group, however, is one
who acted contrary to tradition, and his ex-
pulsion therefore involved another stage in
Jewish life, involving a very serious family
and social problem. That a Conservative rabbi
should have condoned mixed marriage by his
participation in such a ceremony gave rise
to a grave challenge to Conservative leader-
ship.
Will Jewry be divided on this subject?
Are the ranks to be split asunder on so vital
an issue? Or, are the spiritual guides in Jewry
prepared to stand firmly in defense of the
most elementary regulations for the reten-
tions of our spiritual and ethical codes.
This is not a new issue. It has raged in
some Jewish ranks, and has been debated
vigorously by the Reform rabbinate which
has also divided drastically on the subject.
It has led to bitterness and to disputes.
Relating the new developments to the
dangers of divisiveness in Jewish ranks, it
becomes necessary to reaffirm the major fac-
tors in. Jewish existence. A noted Jewish

scholar some years ago was invited by the
United Nations to contribute to a volume
dealing with the Jewish position as an entity.
The scholar mainained that there are three
factors that contributed to Israel's survival:
Observance of kashrut, sanctification of the
Sabbath and love of Zion. To these three it
is necessary to add the obligation of mixed
marriages. The Conservative movement has
brought that ideal to the fore with its- action
of expelling a member who has broken that
inviolable rule — a regulation that stems
from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
During periods of crises in Jewry, major
concerns have been over the defections of
youth from our ranks. Identification of the
children of Israel with their people remains
a chief concern. Indifference has been de-
plored, and it remains a matter for deep
worry. To retain identity, it is urgent that
there should be respect for the legacies of the
people Israel. Is it conceivable that deference
could be attained when there is a lack of
respect for one's heritage? And isn't it con-
ceivable that the youth of the people that
must retain its dignity as a minority among
the nations in which we hold citizenships will
have greater respect for the elders if they do
not abandon faith in the basics of Jewish
codes of living and action?
Recent developments in Jewish life
justify these expressed concerns. Anything
approaching panic must be avoided, Jewish
experience inevitably adhering to faith and to
retention of hope that there will always be
an elevation of spirit marked by heads held
high and idealism retained uncompromis-
ingly. Nevertheless, whenever there is evi-
dence of divisiveness and yielding to destruc-
tive concessions, whenever that may occur,
there is need for action to adhere to ideals,
to strengthen leadership, to avoid inner con-
flicts.
American Jewry's relationship to Israel
also enters into the discussion involving co-
operation, amity and rejection of divisiveness.
One matter on which Jewry is seriously split
is the controversy over religious domination
in Israel. By boycotting Reform and Con-
servative Jews the Orthodox have not only
failed to elevate Jewish dignity but have
caused rifts that could be calamitous in Jew-
ish ranks.
Jews in the Diaspora do not interfere in
Israeli internal affairs. On the score of re-
ligious intolerance there is justification for
action against the domineering tactics of the
Israeli rabbinate and its followers. Jewry's
and Israel's needs demand an end to the
monopoly of a single religious group in
Israel. All faiths have their freedoms in
Israel except the Conservative and Reform
Jews. This is inexcusable.
The numerous elaborated elements of
divisiveness may appear unrelated. They are
nevertheless part of a large canvas that de-
mands cooperation in the best interests of
the Jewish people.
The emerging disputes, which inspired
the plea for dignified unity and rejection of
destructive divisiveness, are in the interest of
firmness in protecting the legacies of Jewry
without which the people loses its spiritual
forcefulness. In the best interests of tradi-
tional loyalties, the people's leadership must
not be found wanting.

M.,

Lamm-Edited Book Relates
Judaism's Ethical Teachings

Jewry's ethical codes, the guides to a "good life," are the roots
of the idealism incorporated in the spiritual heritage of the people
Israel. As part of the Bnai Brith Jewish Heritage Classics Series,
Viking Press has issued th-e- volume edited by Dr. Norman Lamm
under the title "The Good Society: Jewish. Ethics in Action."
It is a collection of most notable works by the most eminent,
in Jewish history: Moses Maimonides, Joseph Caro, Samuel Yosef
Agnon, Samson ' Raphael Hirsch, Nahmanides, selections from the
Talmud, the compiler's introductory comments and an essay on
"Nature" and other writings.
It deals with compassion, with love for the stranger, loving-
kindness; with business honesty, freedom and self-government in
society; with questions relating to marriage, children and parents;
with peace, courage and moderation.
As explorations of the good society as related to traditional
Jewish teachings, these works emphasize the collective responsibil-
ities "to family, to community, to state, to all humanity."
The point is emphasized in Dr. Lamm's introduction in which he
asserts in relation to these high ideals that: "All men must feel re-
sponsible for each individual. 'All Israelites are guarantors each for
the other' (Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 39a), and the life or death
of a single human being is as important as the surviva/ of the entire
world (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a). Goodness is neither ex-
clusively individual nor purely social, but both at once."
Therefore, these collected works are geared toward an under-
standing and acceptance of the basic Jewish ethical teachings.
As a pattern, the section dealing with "Compassion" commences
thus:
"The Sages taught: it is the mark of the Israelites that they are
rahamanim benei rahamanim, compassionate people descended from
compassionate people. The tradition of compassion is deeply embedded
in Judaism."
Therefore, that section begins with a story by Agnon on the sub-
ject of compassion.
Then there is the section "Love of the Stranger" incorporating
Maimonides' Responsa, which include this from "Mishne Torah: Laws
of Character":
"To love the proselyte who comes to take refuge beneath the wings
of the Divine Presence is to fulfill two positive commandments. First,
because he is included among neighbors whom we are commanded to
love 'and you shall love your neighbor as yourself(Leviticus 19:18).
And secondly, because he is a stranger, and the Torah said 'Love,.
therefore, the stranger' (Deuteronomy 10:19). God commanded us con-
cerning the love of the stranger, even as He commanded us concerning
love of Himself, as it is said, 'You shall love the Lord your God'
(Deuteronomy 6:15). The Holy One, blessed be He, Himself laves
ty
strangers as it is said, 'And he loves the stranger' (Deuterr
10:18)."
The evaluative "Society" section with its concern for business
honesty, its definition of freedom, serves equally valuably to direct the
reader's attention to the great values in Jewish ethical codes.
There is added significance in the discussion of "Peace," drawn
from Midrash Rabba, just as the entire work assists in giving em-
phasis to the values of the good society as delineated expertly in the
Lamm-edited book.

Dayan's Autobiography in Four Countries

Moshe Dayan, a man who has become a legend in his own time,
will be writing his autobiography for William Morrow in the United
States, George Weidenfeld and Nicholson, Ltd. in England, Verlag Fritz
Molden in Germany and Austria and Librairie Hachette in France.
Projected publication date in America is 1976.
Dayan will write about his close relationship with top Israeli and
world figures. He will deal with the key events in modern Israeli
history. He will discuss his experiences in Vietnam and as Israel's
chief of staff and minister of defense. He will describe the fascinating
work he has clone in archeology.

