• THE JEWISH NEWS
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ DREW LIEBERWITZ
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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 27th day of Elul, 5734, the following scriptural
selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Deut. 29:9-30:20. Prophetical portion,
Isaiah 61:10-63:9.
Rosh Hashana Scriptural Selections
Pentateuchal portions: Tuesday, Gen. 21:1-34, Num. 29:1-16;
Wednesday, Gen. 22:1-24, Num. 29:1-6.
Prophetical portions: Tuesday, I Samuel 1:1-2:10; Wednesday,
Jeremiah 31:2-20.
Fast of Gedaliah Scriptural Readings, Thursday
Pentateuchal portions, Exod. 32:11-14, 34:1-10. Prophetical por-
tion, Isaiah 55:6-56:8 (Afternoon only).
Candle lighting, Friday, Sept. 13, 7:28 p.m.
VOL. LXVI, No. 1
Page Four
September 13, 1974
Hasidic Parable for 5735:
Pathfinding for Progress
A year of tensions is ending, new hopes sprout forth
that 5735 will justify mankind's hopes that there will be
blessings of peace of mind for all peoples of the earth.
For Jewry whose New Year commences on the coming
Tuesday, the hoped-for improvements in conditions are
intertwined with endless responsibilities. Man can expect
good times, yet he must work for them. Collectively, a
people awaits peacefulness and security, yet they must
labor to attain it. And when a people is divided in atti-
tudes, the hoped-for calmness is often delayed.
For Jews everywhere the challenging situations that
distinguish their existence from others are not ending.
Much .is to be attained in the year ahead to assure a normal
existence for many in our ranks and to contribute : toward
security and survival, for Israel and for many Jews else-
where: To retain the unity that -assures dedication to the
many needs that demand action for normality in Jewish
life, Jews will have to work together on a global baks.
A hasidic parable, included In "The Rosh Hashana
Anthology" published by the Jewish Publication Society
of America by the author, Rabbi Philip Goodman, contains
the following on "Searching for the Right Way":
Yr'
"Before commencing the Selihot service the
Baal Shem Toy related the following parable:
"A man lost in • a forest wandered for several
days trying to find a way out. He felt greatly en-
heartened when, suddenly looking up, he saw a man
walking toward him. 'Now,' he bethought himself,
learn how to get out of here,' and he asked when
the man approached, 'I've been lost in this forest
for some days, can you show me the way out?'
"The stranger replied, I'm lost myself and
don't know my way back . . . But I can tell you
that the road you're on now isn't the right one; let's
try together to find a way out.' •
"So it's with us,' the Baal Shem Toy went on.
`I know that the road we've traveled thus far will
only lead us astray. Let us join together to discover'
the right way.' "
Teaching togetherness, this parable contains the lesson
for working together, thinking together, planning together,
striving to attain the goals for desired accomplishments_
There is need of togetherness for Israel, for the elevation
of standards in Jewish education, for rescuing the syna-
gogue from indifference.
In unity there will be the_ hope of confronting our-
selves and the world in travail. That's the progress to be
hoped for in 5735. Toward this end there is the anticipa-
tion of a Shana Tova for all.
Reckoning and Planning
On the advent of a new year, there is the usual stock-
taking—reckoning about the past, planning for the future.
For 5735 there should be more planning than reckon-
ing — setting the pace for concerns domestically and
overseas.
The youth and their education, advancement of learn-
ing and acquisition of knowledge, protection for existing
agencies and succor for the less fortunate, assurance of
security for Israel and defense for the war-threatened
innocents—these are duties not to be shirked.
Therefore, the admonition to the concerned Jewish
communities is: be prepared for a very busy year!
Identifiable Jewry--the Rosh Hashana Aspraho
Next Tuesday will inaugurate the Days of the Great Assembly, solemnizing the pere
nial trek of millions of Jews for worship in synagogues throughout the world. Many of the
will repeat the performance on the next day, but there will be many empty seats in the hour
of worship on the second day of Rosh Hashana.
On Wednesday evening and all day Thursday of the succeeding week there will be
repeated pilgrimage to the synagogues by people-who will worship, do penance, atone, an
confess.
. Collectively, the Holy Days, indeed; will be the Great Asseinbly 'period for Jews ever
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where.
Admittedly, it will be the period of Worship for either two- or three-day-a-year co
stituents. Nevertheless, the outpouring into houses of worship will emphasize an identificatio
with the People Israel. Even in the limited period of association with the total Jewish famil
as a reaffirmation of a 'basic principle admonished in Ethics of the Fathers: —al tifros
min ha-klal—separate not yourself from the community—the Holy Day period is paramou
in world Jewry's unity.
The masses converging upon the synagogues will not necessarily represent unanimi
in affiliation and devotion. There still are the many who form the ranks of the nonreligio
the secularists. The unaligned are not to be judged harshly. They are not all sinners. But e
sinners are not rejected in Jewish ranks, the established concession being that Israel
pi she-hata Israel hu—even a sinning Jew remains a Jew. Therefore, no Jew is treate
outcast. Even unbelievers are treated historically, culturally as Jews. Many revert back
synagogue during the sacred --period on the calendar.
The reality of Jews assembling as united people in the period of sanctity is app
If most Jews are observers twice or three -times a year, are they very different from
Christian neighbors who also are reducedly observant? True, much more is expected from
People of Priests and the Holy Nation. But there is a spirit that unites us, and there is a
awareness of it during this holy period on the Jewish calendar.
Therefore, the 'Holy Days become occasion to reach out into the vast numbers c
assembled in the synagogues and to strive for their reunification. They are reached in th'
main philanthropically. They must be strengthened spiritually. They are usually generous wit,
their funds; they must reconstruct the role of learning and spirituality.
Months of agony have been experienced by Jews in the year now closing. Perhaps eve'
more agonizing experiences await the present generation. To face up to the responsibilitie
it will be necessary to gather the strength that is Jewry's, to have the will power that is i
the people's tradition. Perhaps the Holy Days will inspire re-acquisition of that courage whid
is inherent in the roots of Jewish identification, in the glories of a heritage that unites a]
in an affirmative pride and loyalty to a sacred legacy.
Such are the hopes and the sentiments inspired by 5735 for which the communit
exchanges Shana Tova greetings.