4 Friday, April 1, 1977
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Universal Message of Freedom
4.
What is national freedom if not a
people's inner freedom to cultit'ate
its abilities along the beaten path of
its history?
--Ahad HaAm (Asher Ginzberg)
Passover stems from a people's liberation, therefore its descriptive
definition is rooted in the terminology of Festival of FreedoM.
Its message is universal. It rejects slavery and oppression. It de-
mands just rights for people even if they are alien on the soil on which
they battle for equality and justice.
The Israelites were slaves unto Pharaoh in Egypt and the spirit of
freedom that inspired rebels among them to reject the shackles of en-
slavement and to demand justice for their people inflamed the rebellion
that led to liberation.
The lesson was a simple one and it is applicable to all ages. It was
the lesson of self-liberation, of a stirring within the ranks of the cowed
not to submit to the whip of the oppressor.
- The simplicity of the lesson is apparent. Slavery is self-perpetuating
unless the bondman, battles for his own freedom.
Ahad HaAm, the distinguished Jewish philosopher, gave a definition
to freedom when he said : "What is national freedom if not a people's
inner freedom to cultivate its abilities along the beaten path of its his-
tory."
That which is an entire nation's is also the individual's, and reversely
the individual's sense of justice is applicable to the entire nation. -
Thus, freedom is dependent upon the will to be unshackled and to
fight for one's right to be oneself. Self-liberation is the basis for freedom.
This is the lesson of the Passover' celebrated through. the ages, with an
admonition to all mankind to cherish the glories that stem for the dig-
nity of the liberated.
The Seder and Family
Bulwark of Strength
THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle
commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English- Jewish NeWspapers,
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At the Seder feast, introducing the PaSsover, families wiThmeet as units of strength, as symbols of mutual
concern for the welfare of each participant as individual and the group as a unit.
- When the many new problems that are affecting people's attitudes are taken into consideration, there is the
invariable conclusion that a breakdown in family relations is primarily responsible for the unfortunate suspicions
and fears that have invaded American homes. _
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
When the-problem of indifference in Jewish ranks and the difficulties to create a spirit of loyalty and devotion
Editor and Publisher
set in, when the minimalization of educational achievements is deplored, the usual assumption is that the influence
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
upon those affected must come from the home, and.when the home-and family influences decline there is a lessening
Business Manager
of interest; devotion and therefore acquisition of knowledge.
DREW LIEBERWITZ
President Jimmy Carter has emerged as a leader in efforts to inspire family loyalties anew and to encourage the
Advertising Manager
.._
assumption of-new strength in the home as a unifying force for families and as the hearth whence must always stem
klan Ilitsky, :News Editor
the spirit of devotion and humanism for the family, and from home and family as an inspiration for the entire
Ile idi Press, .1ssistant Neu s Editor
community.
Dr. Israel Abrahams, the noted British-Jewish scholar, writing in "Jewish Life in the Middle Ages," towards
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
the end of the - last century; stated: "The purity of the Jewish home life was a constant antidote to the poisonous
This Sabbath, the 14th day of Nisan, 5737, is Erev Passover, and the
suggestions of life in slums."
following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
This was the strength that overcame all roots of poisons, all kinds of temptations, the very dangers that lurked
for 'Jews wherever they moved. Now there are new temptations which develop into dangers for people and family, for Pentateuchal portion Leviticus 6:1-8:36. Prophetical portion, Malachi
3:4-24.
individual and group.
Linked with the Passover also is the responsibility to the community, to fellow men, to humanity. It is
Passover Scriptural Selections
imbedded in the. "ha lak hma anya..." ..."this the bread of affliction"...that serves as a declaration of duty in First Seder, Saturday evening. First day of Passover, Sunday,
sharing one's blessings with those who are deprived of it. It is the old ethical code of the Pesah which invites the Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 12:21-51; Numbers 28:16-25. Prophetic-
al portion, Joshua 5:2-6:1, 27. Second day of Passover, Monday,
hungry to share the food with the affluent.
Pentateuchal portion, Leviticus 22:26-23:44; Numbers 28:16-25.
This is the message especially appropriate for this season of philanthropic tasks when the community is
Prophetical portion, II Kings 23:1-9 and 21-25.
challenged not to abandon the needy.
As the families gather for the Sedorim they can serve themselves and their fellow men best by reaffirming the
Hol Hamoed Scriptural Selections
"ha lakhma anya..." and by dedicating the families to the communities.
Pentateuchal portions, Tuisday, Exodus 33:12-34:26; Wednesday,
Exodus 13:1-16; Thursday, Exodus 22:24-23:19; Friday, April 8,
It is a human message and therefore its universality keeps elevating the Passover to the -highest standards of
Numbers 9:1-14. Numbers 28:9-15 is part of the Pentateuchal portion
humanism and the highest goals for civilized man.
each day. Ezekiel 37:1-15 is ,the prophetical portkil each day.
_Therefore, the Seder serves as the power that unifies, as an imperishable force-4o unite and reunite, to
Candle lighting, Friday, April 1, 6:39 p.m.
assemble and to hold together, the units that form strength for people and country, for nation and mankind.
This power retained by the Seder retains the forcefulness that is in the Passover itself. The Seder is a means
for learning, for unifying parent with child, for 1• ; - nding power to the heritage that has given the entire people the
VOL. LX.XL No. 4.
ethics and moral teachings that make for indestructibility. This is what the Seder does for the family and demands
Page Four
Friday April I, 1977
perpetuation of the very spirit that makes home the castle of honor and dignity to inspire the humanism without
which mankind would vanish into the jungle.
,
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