THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Old Pupil Visits Rabbi Kaplan By RABBI MAX WEINE (Editor's note: Rabbi Max Weine describes his impressions of a visit in Jerusalem in June with his nonegenarian former teacher Dr. Mordecai Kaplan, founder of the Reconstructionist movement, who now lives in Jerusalem. The theological views of Dr. Kaplan are noted here by Rabbi Weine.) We sat down, I, almost literally at his feet. The old relationship of 50 years ago in the classroom was recon- structed in an instant. I sat at the feet of the master, and he was the Prof. Kaplan of old, teaching me all over again and driving every point home with all the force at his command. There was a Reconstruc- tionist dairy on the table. He picked it up and held it in his hand. "What is there is this diary that,makes it so significant?" he thundered. I was fumbling for an an- swer. I mentioned the list of books of Jewish interest which I had always found so helpful. A look of dissatisfaction on his face. You are refer- ring, of course, to the 13 . . ." I couldn't finish the sen- tence when he boomed, "You are right!" And he then went into an explana- tion of how he came to com- RABBI KAPLAN pile the 13 criteria of Jewish how about the Hoshana loyalty to take the place of service during Sukkot?" Maimonides' principles of After touching on a few faith. Referring to the con- subjects of lesser impor- troversial aspect of in- Itance Prof. Kaplan raised cluding the idea of salva- the question of the substi- tion as a major cog in his tute names for God that we thinking on Judaism, he generally use in our prayers asked me if I knew where as well as on other occa- there are references to sions. "Why cannot we use the the idea of salvation in the Siddur? I im- term for God that the Psal- mediately answered, In mist used?" I was stumped the Havdala service." for a moment until Prof. (some five times) "Right," Kaplan continued, "How he almost shouted, and does the Psalmist address for good measure, "And God?" I had no answer that might satisfy him. "Hallelu-Yah," he said. "Why cannot we speak of God as Yah?" He followed this by ask- ing me what appeared to be a very simple question: How do you translate "Sh'ma Yisrael?" I, naturally, translated it in the usual way: "Hear 0 Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." "Not exactly," coun- tered Prof. Kaplan. "The idea here is not the unity of God, but rather His uniqueness, the singu- larity of God. There is no other word in the Hebrew language of the Bible to convey that sense. "And not only is God sin- gular and unique, but Israel is also, and that is one of its special qualities. "Do you remember the Amidah of Shabat Minha? Atto ehad v'shimkha ehad umi k'amkha Yisrael goy ehad baaretz." (You are unique, and your name is unique, and who is like your people Israel, a unique na- tion in the world.) SURPRISED?? YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE!! Subscribe to Group Pushes Jewish Causes The Jewish News PARIS (JTA) — The crea- tion of a new organization, "Jewish Renewal," has been ' announced by a small group of young French profession- als. The new group, which seeks to become a mass grassroots organization, is aimed at those Jews who support Israel and Jewish causes generally without, however, planning their own aliya to Israel in the immediate future: and be kept fully abreast of local, national and world happenings •The Jewish News 17515 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 865 Southfield, Mich. 48075 I I NAME ADDRESS I CITY STATE I $15 enclosed 1 1. If gift state occasion Fasting on the Wedding Day as Atonement for Past Sins By RABBI SAMUEL FOX (Copyright 1979, JTA, Inc.) It is traditional for brides and bridegrooms to fast on their wedding day. At least three reasons are offered for this practice. One is the belief that brides and bridegrooms are forgiven for all their sins on the occa- sion of the wedding. It, therefore, appears that the day of the wedding is like the Day of Atonement for them (i.e., Yom Kippur). Since we fast on Yom Kippur when our sins are forgiven, brides and brideg- rooms likewise fast on their wedding day when their sins are forgiven. They thus enter the stage of married life without any overhang of previous guilt. A second reason is that if food and drink would be permitted they might become intoxicated enough not to pay atten- tion to what they were doing under the canopy in executing the mar- riage. A third reason is that the occasion of the fast on the wedding day parallels the custom of putting ash on the head of the bridegroom. The latter is done to remember the fact that Jerusalem was destroyed and that the Temple has as yet not been rebuilt. This occasion of sadness over the destruction of Jerusalem is accompanied by fasting as are the other occasions of this remembr- ance which are still ob- served as fas't days on the anniversary of the major events that led to the actual destruction of Jerusalem. It thus becomes a sense of realizing that they look forward to the restoration of the Temple when all will be able to be as happy as they are on their wedding day. ( MANNY CHUDNOW'S BETTER BUSINESS EQUIPMENT CO. DESKS $79.95 FILES 69.95 CASH REGISTER r TYPEWRITERS 99.50 COMPLETE SHOWROOM OF BUDGET AND FINE EXECUTIVE FURNITURE WANTED.. 1 NEW - USED AM' USED RENTALS • LEASES TYPEWRITERS • TRADE-INS I WE WY USED FURNITURE I T' A r 548-6404 231 W. 111 •Milo Rd.. Femool• ilk Block West of Woodward SUSAN FOX MAKES UNIQUE JEWELRY -- Jewelry that rides the rainbow from fun and humerous pieces designed to reflect the wearers personality to classic elegant statements in silver, gold and precious stones. Ask to see Susan at - One of a Kind 29983 Northwestern, SOuthfield 358-1280 by appointment Let the professionals save you time and money on your next new car purchase! NOW ORDERING ALL 1980 CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS 7979s still available from stock PROFESS\° BROKER ,00 ''CHASES (Up to 23% discount on new cars.) 968-2360 25900 Greenfield Road, Suite 139 • Oak Pork, Michigan 48237 HOLIDAY HARVES WALLPAPER SALE Just in time for the holidays. when you want your home to look the most inviting I Create a beautiful room at savings of 15-40%! Thousands of wallpaper patterns from America's foremost manufacturers. -' All first-quality, current lines:- Hurry, while selection is best. Progressive Jews to Meet in Feb. Please send a subscription (gift) to 1 1 Friday, November 2, 1919 25 ZIP 1 NEW YORK — More than 1,500 Reform Jews from the United States, Is- rael and two dozen coun- tries around the world will gather in Jerusalem Feb. 21-26 for the 21st Interna- tional Conference of the World Union for Progress- ive Judaism. INCOMA IN DGFD DE REIGHT INSTALLATION AVAILABLE filignamic PAINT ac WALLPAPER 542 ' 3315 23061 COOLIDGE HWY., OAK PARK, AT 9 MI.