Definitions and Commentaries on Jewish Laws and Traditions
Woman of Virtue
that the grave has been visited. -
This might even form a unity be-
From the Proverbs
tween the friends and relatives of
Jewish prayers still are recited
the deceased. It is considered by
If one can find a good wife,
in Hebrew. While it is generally
others a sign for the deceased him- Apply your mind to instruction, She is worth far more than corals.
agreed that man can appeal to the
Her husband puts his trust in her,
self to know that he has not been And your ear to words of
Almighty in any language, Hebrew
knowledge.
forgotten. Since the monument is a
And finds no.lack of gain.
has always been the official lan-
symbol of honor to the deceased, Withhold not chastisement from
guage of Jewish prayer. Maimoni-
She brings him good, and not hermi,
adding another little stone would
a child;
des, in his Laws of Prayer, ex-
be a token of adding an additional For if you beat him with the rod, All the days of his life.
\ plains this feature by explaining
honor to his memory. Some people
She sorts out wool and flax,
that the insistence of praying in
he will not die.
pluck some grass from the sur-
And works it up as she wills.
Hebrew has acted as a unifying
rounding area and leave it at the Listen, my son, and be wise,
agent which synchronizes the ex-
And keep straight on the way. She is like the ships of the
grave.
pres-• is of Jews the world over.
merchant,
Mal ides explains that when
Plucking the grass signifies one's Be not found among winebibbers,
She brings her food from afar.
the rabbis observed that the Jews
hope in the resurrection to come. Or gluttonous eaters of flesh.
were being dispersed and that
Just as the grass seems to grow Look not on wine when it is red, She rises while it is still night,
And gives her household food,
- mar ]ifferent languages were
again after the winter is over, so
and sparkles in the cup.
The practice of answering will the deceased flourish again
With a portion for her maidens.
prev..___.it, they were convinced of
the need for a certain amount of "Amen" after hearing the benedic- when the time for the resurrection It may go down smoothly;
She examines a field, and buys it;
But at the end it bites like a
consistency and therefore com- tion pronounced commenced when comes.
With her earnings she plants a
* *
serpent,
posed the basic prayers of the the Hebrews were sworn to keep
vineyard.
Jewish people in a clear, lucid the Commandments of the Al-
And
stings
like
an
'adder.
Torah as a Fortress
She girds her loins with strength,
style. Jewish prayer is an experi- mighty and to affirm that punsh-
For any community of people to
And she makes her arms strong.
ence in which the Jew feels at one ment would be given for their vio- be, and to remain, Jewish, they You will see strange sights,
lation,
as
would
blessings
be
given
She perceives that her work is
And will utter weird words;
with his people and with his his-
must be brought up from their
profitable,
tory behind him and his future for their observance. "Amen" is tenderest childhood to regard the You will be like a man asleep
So her lamp goes not out at night.
at sea,
ahead of him. One of the foremost thus an expression of both accept- Sefer Torah as the title-deed of
She lays her hand on the distaff,
vehicles used in accomplishing ance and belief. Furthermore, it their birthright and pedigree, Asleep in the midst of
Her fingers grasp the spindle.
a violent storm.
this unity in society and in time is creates a community of under- which they are religiously to hand
the use of the Hebrew language. standing between the one who re- down unaltered from generation to A wise man is better than
She stretches her hand to the poor,
cites the benediction and the one
* * *
a strong man,
She extends her arms to the needy.
who hears it, both of them extoll- generation. For is there a Jewish
She is not afraid of the snow for
ing the Almighty nor His benev- community anywhere, however And a man of knowledge than
Kedusha
a man of might;
safely domiciled, which has re-
her household;
Jews rise on their toes when olence.
For her household are all clothed
reciting the "Kedusha," (the se-
Some sources derive the practice linquished the Torah for even one For by wise guidance
you wage war,
in scarlet
lected passages which sanctify the of answering "Amen" from the generation and has survived that
And victory lies in
Almighty). It is claimed by the biblical verse which states "For I separation?
Those who forsake the Torah,
a wealth of counselors.
She makes coverlets for herself,
rabbis in the Midrash (Tanhuma) will proclaim the name of the
that Jews emulate the angels when Almighty, ascribe ye greatness bringing it into disrepute and Rejoice not when your enemy falls, Her clothing is linen and purple.
Her husband is known at the gates,
they sanctify the Almighty. In unto our God" (Deuteronomy 32:3). weakening the hold it has on us, Nor exult when he stumbles;
As he sits among the elders of the
this action, man "rises" to the This means that upon hearing the are working at the destruction of Lest the LORD see it,
land.
level of the angels and hence, some name of the Almighty being the brotherhood that cradled and
and be displeased,
rise on their toes. In a sense, this blessed, one is obliged to express sheltered their fathers and fore- And withhold his 'anger from him.
She makes linen vests, and sells
experience elevates man himself to his agreement. In a public service fathers through all the vicissitudes
them.
spiritual heights. After all, the the response of "Amen" on the of the bygone ages, to whom they Fret not over evildoers,
She supplies the merchants with
Almighty does not need man's ex- part of the congregation is the owe their own life and presence on Nor be envious of the wicked;
girdles.
pressions to sanctify Him. The factor that demonstrates that it is earth. The Torah is a fountain of For the evil man will have
She is clothed with strength and
no future,
recitation of the Kedusha simply a community service and that the life. In it is protection greater than
dignity,
The lamp of the wicked
is an instrument to benefit man entire congregation is tied into one in fortresses.
And she laughs at the days to
will be put out.
by impressing him with the idea unit of worship. The Talmud claims
come.
that man is capable of rising to that one who responds with the
'Mee Sheberakh
Bear not unfounded witness
the heights of sanctity.
recitation of "Amen" with great
A "Mee Sheberakh" is the term
against your •neighbor,
She opens her mouth in wisdom,.
* * *
fervor deserves to have the gates by which one refers to the blessing
Nor deceive with your lips;
And
kindly counsel is on her
of Paradise open for him.
which is invoked by one person Say not, "I will do to him
Sabbath Candles
*
tongue.
over another. The term is actually
as he 'has done to me,
The lighting of the Sabbath can-
She looks well after her household,
the first two words of the bless• I will requite the man
dies has become an important cere- 3 at Torah Reading
And eats not the bread of idleness.
ing's formula, i.e. "May He who
according to his work."
mony.
There must be three people at blessed" (our ancestors). This type
Some historians claim that in the altar when the Torah is read of blessing is usually invoked dur-
Her children rise up, and bless
her—
olden times the coming of sunset in the synagogue.
ing the reading of the Torah, i.e.
Her husband also; and praises her:
simply ended the day's activity and
Some sources trace it to a verse it is recited after a person has
that there was very little, if any, in the Bible where the Almighty is recited the benediction over the
If the community is in trouble, (Saying) "Many women have done
well,
evening activity for the common quoted as saying "I bear witness Torah from which a portion was a man must not say, "I will get to
man. On the Sabbath, however, unto you this day . . ." (Deuteron- read for him. It is either a bless- my house, and eat and drink, and But you have excelled them all."
the candles were lit before sunset omy 4:26). Such a procedure re- ing invoked in general for a per- peace shall be with thee, 0 my
so that the activities for the Sab- quires three, i.e., the one who of- son for the sake of his general soul." But a man must share in Charms are deceptive, and beauty
is a breath;
bath, e.g., the Sabbath meal, etc., fers the testimony and the two who well-being, or a blessing which is the trouble of the community, even
could take place. Lighting the can- witness the testimony. The reading invoked for a person who has some as Moses did. He who shares in its But a woman who revers the LORD
—she will be praised.
dles, therefore, was a symbol of of the Torah is Thus regarded as a special need of blessing—such as troubles is worthy to see its conso-
Give her the due reward of her
luxury and extra care for the day matter of testimony to the faith one who is ill, or one who has lation. — Ta'anit,
work;
* * *
of the Sabbath. Others claim that and the convenant which exists be- a special occasion coming up in
And let her deeds bring her praise
the rabbis especially urged the tween the Almighty and his people his life—the new born child, the
Honi ha-Ma'aggel once saw on
at the gates.
lighting of the candles before the Israel.
mother who just gave birth, the his travels an old man planting a
Sabbath to discourage anyone from
The reader acts on behalf of bar mitzva, the bridegroom, etc. carob tree. He asked him when he
following the mistaken tradition of the Almighty, and the two people At a feast which has a religious thought the tree would bear fruit. An Abe Lincoln Yarn
some Jewish sects. These sects who stand on either side of him character, such as a wedding feast, "After seventy years," was the re-
A persistent office seeker had
erroneously practiced a custom of are like witnesses. Some claim that a circumcision feast, etc; this ply.
been endeavoring unsuccessfully to
not allowing any lights in the the three people act like a court blessing is invoked. Generally, a
"I did not find the world desolate bribe, bully, or wheedle his way
hor
the Sabbath due to their and thus represent the totality of donation to charity is mentioned
mis
'- retation of the rabbinical the Jewish community. The Torah in the course of the blessing so when I entered it," said the old into President Abraham Lincoln's
passh - )whose only intent was to is read for and by the community that there be a definite virtue by man," and as my fathers planted office for weeks, and finally wrote
prevent anyone from kindling a as a means of involving the com- means of which the person be for me before I was born, so do I a heart-breaking note to Lincoln
light on the Sabbath. Lighting the munity with the Almighty. There considered worthy of this blessing. plant for those who will come af- begging for an appointment. Lin-
coln knew the man to be an in-
candles before enables one to have are some who claim that the three Either the contribution is pledged ter me." — Berakot, 23a
* * *
competent bore, and turned down
light on the Sabbath and yet not people are required because three as coming from the person him-
the request with this typically Lin_
kindle any light on the Sabbath.
A
man
was
removing
stones
from
elements were involved in the rev- self—or by another in his behalf.
* * *
his own to public property. A sage colnian letter:
elation of the Torah and these
noted this and said: "0 man, why
"When I was young, I was
Who Forgives Is Forgiven three have remained an indivisible
dost thou remove stones from the pleased to receive an invitation to
trio which forms a unit, i.e., the
By Moses of Coucy,
property of others to thine own?" a dance, and bought a fine new hat
Almighty, the Torah and Israel.
"Sefer Mitzvot Hagadol"
The man, however, laughed at him. for the occasion. I was among the
Thus,
the
three
people
represent
It is because man is half angel,
Time passed. The man sold his last to leave the dance, and at the
half brute, that his inner life wit- the indivisible tie between the Al-
field one day, and as he was walk- cloakroom the attendant handed
nesses such bitter war between mighty, his people and the Torah.
ing away, he stumbled over some me a shabby, battered old hat. I
4.
V
4:
such unlike natures. The brute in
of the stones he had thrown into told him, "This isn't my hat, sir. I
him clamors for sensual joy and Placing Stones on Graves
the roadway. He said to himself: wore a brand new one.' The at-
things in which there is only
Some people place a small stone
"The sage was truly right when he tendant replied, 'Mr. Lincoln, the
vanity; but the angel resists and
declared that I was casting stones new ones were all gone an hour
strives to make him know that on the monument when visiting the
from the property of others upon ago.' "
meat, drink and sleep are but grave of a dear one.
This has been regarded as a sign
mine own. That which belongs to
means whereby the body may be
The office seeker neve , ,thered
all, belongs to each." — Baba Kam-
made efficient for the study of the that someone has paid his respects
Lincoln again.
ma, 50b
truths, and the doing of the will of to the deceased. It is considered Take stock in America
by some to be a sign to other
God.
Friday, Nov. 29, 1974—M
Buy U.S. Savings Bonds
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Not until the very hour of death friends or relatives informing them
By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX
(Copyright 1974, JTA Inc.)
Quatrains From
Book of Proverbs
can it be certain or known to what
measure the victory has been won.
He who is but a novice in the
fear of God will do well to say
audibly each day, as he rises: "This
day I will be a faithful servant of
the Almighty. I will be on my guard
against wrath, falsehood, hatred
and quarrelsomeness, and will for-
give those who wound me."
For whosoever forgives is forgiv-
en in his turn; hard-heartelness and
a temper that will not make up
quarrels are a heavy burden of
sin, and unworthy of an Israelite.
* * 4:
`Amen'
Gemara Wisdom
It's your
future.