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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 17th day of Heshvan, 5738, the following scriptural selections will be read in our
synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Genesis 18:1-22:24. Prophetical portion, II Kings 4:1-37.
Candle lighting, Friday, Oct. 28, 6:14 p.m.
Page Four
VOL. LXXII; No. 8
Friday, October 28, 1977
60th Year of B alfour Declaration
November 2nd will always remain among the
most historic days on the Jewish calendar. On
that day, 60 years ago, Arthur James Balfour,
then Foreign Secretary of the British Empire,
signed the historic statement which became
known as the Balfour Declaration.
It was a weak statement. Many more impor-
tant documents are on record supporting the
rebirth of Jewish statehood. Yet it was the Bal-
four Declaration that served to set into motion
the firm efforts of the Jews of the world and
their Christian friends which led to the redemp-
tion of Zion and the sovereignty of Israel.
The Jewish people did not acquire this bit of
encouragement for the Zionist cause with ease.
There were difficulties. There were the non-
Jewish enemies and there were the Jewish
obstructionists. But Lord Balfour was consistent
in his friendship for Jewry, in his recognition of
the justice of the Zionist cause. He had come,
eight years later, at the invitation of Dr. Chaim
Weizmann, to participate in the laying of the
cornerstone for the Hebrew University on
Mount Scopus and his life was threatened by the
Arabs. He remained adamant in his role as one
of the great Christian Zionists.
Dr. Weizrnann was the moving spirit in the
enrollment of British support for Zionism. It
was an eroding support and the politicians in
Great Britain did more to create a Perfidious
Albion than to help in the fulfillment of Proph-
ecy, in accordance with British traditions of
love for Bible and as the endorsers of the hope
of the aim for a redeemed Zion. In the long run
it was the Jew who was the rebuilder of Zion.
Jewish History, Jerusalem
Geographically Delineated
History was revolutionized since Nov. 2, 1917.
The pledge of kinship for the Arabs and of
equality emphasized in the Balfour Declaration
and reiterated in Israel's Declaration of Inde-
pendence of May 14, 1948, fell on deaf Arab
ears. A war was declared on the Arabs' Jewish
cousins and the several conflicts have been cos-
tly: But out of the ashes of a Holocaust marking
the vilest of mankind's tragedies there never-
theless arose a great and progressive state. It
was the Zionist movement and the Basle
Program formulated at the First World
Foreign Off ice,
Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland,
liovernber 2nd, 1917.
that the movement for Jewish national
independence commenced and eventually
became
a reality.
Dear Lord Rothschild,
It was in August of 1897—on its 80th year
1 have Much pleasure in conveying Viryou, on
another significant anniversary therefore
behalf of His Majesty's Government. the following
is marked this year—that the Basle Pro-
declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations
gram was adopted, declaring:
•nich has been subm1 tted•,to, and approved by.--che. Cabin*
"Zionism strives to create for the Jewish
people
a home in Israel secured by public
'His Majesty's - Government view Atilyth favour, '_the
law.
The
Congress contemplates the fol-
es tablishmentin Palestine Of a nalfr1.4)N11: *ee r:plor 'lthe
lowing means to the attainment of this
.;ewish people and wt II' use their !hbl'1..1Pfritavbtra to
end:
facilitate the achievement of thfs: .objeck1 ;, it being
clearly understood that nothing shall be done.,W1)Ich
may prejudice the civil and religious ,glit,:rt,4.0t
existing non - Jewish cer -rtnun 1 ties ih4dSosctirte..„ilor the
rights and political. status enjoyeef'bii i.reiirs
in
any
other country" ,
I should :be grateful LE yoUi.,licouid. briny
deciara.tion
.
the kw:Arledge of the Yioni-si -Vedirik,40P.
1. The promotion by appropriate means
of the settlement in Israel of Jewish agri-
culturists, artisans and manufacturers.
2. The organization and binding together
of the whole of Jewry by means of appro-
priate institutions, both local and inter-
national, in accordance with the laws of
each country.
3. The strengthening and fostering of
Jewish national sentiment and national
consciousness.
4. Preparatory steps towards obtaining
the consent of governments where neces-
sary, in order to reach the goal of
Zionism."
Continuity : Devotion to an Ideal
A Balfour Declaration anniversary inevitably
suggests continuity in the tasks of Zionist
endeavors which inspired the issuance of the
Balfour Declaration 60 years ago.
Even now, with the realization of the historic
dream for the redemption of Zion and the
reconstitution of the Jewish state, there are
Jewish responsibilities that relate to the begin-
nings in making statesmanship, as formulated
by Theodor Herz', a vital element in the Jewish
agenda for action aimed at ending the home-
lessness that made Jews the objects of hatred
and persecution.
Now, in the critical times for Israel, when the
international community is so deeply involved
in efforts to end a lasting state of war with the
Arabs continuity spells duty to an ideal by Jews
everywhere.
The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the
Balfour Declaration has one main objective:
Jewish unity to assure a strengthened partner-
ship between Israel and the Diaspora.
•
Martin Gilbert makes impressive contributions to historical analy-
ses in a series of maps in which he traces major Jewish historical
experiences.
Geographically and illustratively, he has produced works that leave
a deep impression on the student by the concisiveness with which he
has gathered his facts and has at the same time presented them with
a thoroughness and completeness that makes history understandable
and the reader knowledgeable.
Macmillan has issued two of his compilations that add immensely to
an understanding of a major subject about Eretz Yisrael and the total-
ity of Jewish history.
His "Jerusalem History Atlas" presents the story of the Holy City
and the capital of Israel in 66 maps, with 116 illustrations, covering
the eras from Bible times to the present.
Gilbert's second Macmillan volume, "Jewish History Atlas," covers
the vast subject in 121 maps, also from Bible times to the present.
The impressivensss of the Jerusalem Atlas becomes apparent in the
variety of periods under review.
Commencing with Jerusalem from ancient times to the year 70
when the Temple was destroyed, continuing to the Holy City's role to
the dispersal, to the year 70 of the present era, a map depicting the
revolt against Rome, and the succeeding maps deal with the Christian
aspect. The Crusades to Jerusalem and the pilgrimages since 1000
BCE are factually covered.
Of significance is the map showing "Jerusalem and the Search for a
Jewish Haven 1000 to 1600."
Return of Jews to Jerusalem, 1200 to 1841, is introductory to the
modern era of pre-Zionist activities. Ottoman rule is shown in a sub-
sequent map. Of interest is the Jewish , role under Ottoman rule, 1517-
1831.
The Western (Wailing) Wall role in history is depicted in later
maps. The Sabbatai Zvi messianism is touched upon. So are the Chris-
tian pilgrimages.
Early archeological actions and the Jewish Quarter receive due
attention. The rule of the British, Jerusalem during the two world
wars, relations between Jews and Arabs, the battle for Jerusalem in
1948, Jerusalem divided and Jerusalem reunited are given full
coverage.
The procedures pursued in the Gilbert geographical studies are
effective in the "Jewish History Atlas." Early migrations, the Tv
Tribes, Jewish independence and its destruction in 586 BCE, Jev,
the Eastern Mediterranean before and after the Arab conquest, Jews
in Iraq, Persia, North Africa, and the period of the Hasmoneans are
outlined in the early maps.
The Revolt of the Zealots, 66-73, Jews of the Roman Empire, 100-300,
precede the events that marked the era covered in a map dealing with
"Christ in Palestine, 4 BCE-30 CE."
This is where the preachings of Paul and conversions by Jews to
Christianity are dealt with.
Interestingly, a map deals with Jews in China, 1000-1932.
Especially interesting is the map dealing with Jewish Disputations
with Christians.
Zionism, anti-Semitism, the Protocols, the Holocaust—these and
scores of other historic experiences are given fullest coverage.
There isn't a subject relevant to Jewish historic occurrences, up to
the present, past the Yom Kippur War, that isn't covered here. For
the student of history, for advanced classroom studies, both these vol-
umes are of such great value that they can hardly be ignored by histo-
rians and students.