THE JEWISH NEWS i,sps.55.,
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
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HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
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Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 29th day of Shevat, 5790, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion. Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16; II Kings 11:17-12:17. Prophetical portion, I Samuel 20:18. 42.
Sunday and Monday, Rosh Hodesh Adar, Numbers 28:1-15.
Candle lighting, Friday, Feb. 15, 5:47 p.m.
VOL. LXXVI, No. 24
Page Four
Friday, February 15, 1980
ORTHODOX RESPONSIBILITY
Vandalism must always be treated with a
sense of outrage. When it stems from religious
fanaticism it should be accorded unlimited dis-
dain.
Israelis have had numerous occasions for con-
cern over shocking incidents of physical abuse
by extremists who resorted to violence in their
protests against non-observers. When these ex-
pressions were merely in the form of verbal at-
tacks on the non-observers they were tolerable.
When those who insisted upon enforcing Sab-
bath observance used stone-throwing as a
method of condemnation, even on the Sabbath
they sought to observe, it was to be treated as
disgraceful. Such acts invited counter-attacks
that often registered to the shame of the Jewish
community of Israel.
Now there is an even more shocking occur-
rence. Extremists have resorted to such shame-
fully' outrageous attacks on Christians, with
vandalism at stores that sell missionary litera-
ture and at churches.
The manner in which proselytizing was as-
sailed was so abusive that Jerusalem's Mayor
Teddy Kollek found it necessary to condemn the
so-called religious vigilantes and to call upon
Israel's Prime Minister Menahem Begin to re-
pudiate the guilty. It matters little whether the
vandals stem from the Jewish Defense League
or the Neturei Karts. The practice is uncivilized
and disgraceful and.should be treated as such. If
an established Jewish state cannot have more
confidence than to resort to fear over some mis-
sionary attempts than such a state would not
deserve the right to domination over the na-
tion's status. The very principles enunciated in
the nation's idealism should be sufficient to as-
sure confidence that proselytizing is an insig-
nificant occurrence.
It was therefore appropriate and timely for
Prime Minister Begin to have asserted in rela-
tion to the shocking occurrences:
"The authorities will not tolerate acts of this
kind. By the laws of Israel, all faiths enjoy abso-
lute freedom of worship, protection of their
properties and freedom of access to their
shrines." He said the authorities "will do the
utmost to preVent the recurrence of such in-
tolerable criminal acts."
The entire matter must be treated with the
utmost seriousness. What Mayor Kollek did,
what Prime Minister Begin declared as gov-
ernment policy, is an affirmation of a basic prin-
ciple involving religious freedom. It is a \ reaf-
firmation of what is accepted as fact, except for
the intolerable manner in which Jewish dissi-
dents are treated. There is religious freedom in
Israel, accorded to all faiths, except to the non-
Orthodox. It is time that there was a change in
the attitudes accorded to Conservative and Re-
form Jews in Israel.
Perhaps the guilt is not the Israelis' alone but
of the Orthodox Jewish communities through-
out the world. The latter exert strong influence
upon the Orthodox leadership in Israel. If they
condone what is occurring, in the manner of
vandalism upon the non-observant in Israel
there may emerge similar tactics in the Dias-
pora. Wherever they occur they are intolerable,
and the freedom of choice in observance, the
right to life as one chooses to live it, as it is
respected in Israel and in Jewish tradition,
must be declared part of the wholesome com-
munity. The moment there is deviation there is
danger of substituting medieval intolerance for
civilized humanism. —
No one has a right to interfere in Israel's
internal affairs, especially when subjects under
discussion relate to the political aspects and to
disputes among citizens of the Jewish state. But
in the issue involving the religious dispute
there is an all-Jewish interest. The concern for
Israel's religious freedoms is universal. When
the liberties of any segment of the Israel
citizenry are affected the anguish is of Jews
everywhere. In the anxiety to have the
humanism of the land perpetuated there is a
dedication to basic principles that justify every
effort to have them assured and perpetuated.
The challenge is to the Orthodox everywhere.
Any intrusion of indecencies, in Jewish com-
munities, in Israel and the Diaspora, must be
rejected. What is occurring in the ranks of the
vandals who use religion as their accreditation
for vandalism must be condemned in no uncer-
tain terms. The Orthodox everywhere must
take the lead in such action.
Prime Minister Begin is sufficiently recog-
nized as a spokesman for the devout to have
.taken the .jead in repudiating -intolerance. Let
the total Jewish Orthodoxy follow his lead
without delay.
CHRISTIANS AND ISRAEL
Under the leadership of the National Confer-
ence of Christians and Jews, with David Hyatt
and Dr. Carl Hermann Voss as their spokes-
men, an urgent call is being made to Christian.
denominations to be cautious lest anti-Israel
propaganda invade their ranks. This effort has
become a necessity as a result of pressures that
have poisoned the thinking of many in Chris-
tian leadership.
The dispute that was created by the an-
tagonism of the National Council of Churches of
Christ emerges as so shocking an act of prej-
udice from a source that should be seeking truth
that the duty of conscientious Christians to
counteract such acts leading to injustice should
be emphasized on every occasion.
There isa sufficient element that is imbued
with the ideals of justice whose leaders often
come forth with refutations of propaganda that'
is inimical to Israel and in effect undermines
the possibilities for peace in the Middle East. It
is heartening to know that it is not enough to
speak of good will without practicing it.
From Israel there must always be the mes-
sage of freedom and justice, of fairness to all
faiths, as an inspiration to the Christian leader-
ship to remain firm in support and defense of
Israel. A protected Israel will surely augur well
for a peaceful status for the entire Middle East.
`Understanding Judaism'
by Rabbi Eugene Borowitz:
Teenagers' Ethical Codes
Compiled for teenage Reform Jewish students, "Understanding
Judaism," a Union of American Hebrew Congregations' publication,
serves as a guide to ethical teachings and as a definition of the
religious aspects of all branches of Judaism.
The large-sized paperback is an impressive textbook serving with
equal force the needs of students in adult education programs because
it covers the vast field of Jewish teaching and explains the basics of
Jewish religious tenets.
Dr. Borowitz touches on obligations and prob-
lems, the family relationships, parent-children in-
volvements.
Who are the Jews, are they a chosen people, what
are the anticipations in a messianic age, why must
Jews be different and what's Israel's influence upon
Jewry?
The vast field covered in the questions raised and
the explanations provided are intended to inspire
discussion and further study.
Especially controversial is the section dealing
with the three branches of Judaism. The author undertakes to assist
in an understanding ofJudaism. He invites the young readers into the
ranks of Reform Judaism. He supports making changes even if they
mean a break with the Oral Law. He favors ordaining women as
rabbis, lists many practices that are abandoned by Reform Jews,
including the resort to the Get in divorces.
Rabbi J. David Bleich, professor of Talmud at Yeshiva Univer-
sity, in his response as an Orthodox adherent, describes the
emergence of Reform as part of the struggle against anti-Semitism in
its virulent stages, with the result of imitating Christians "not only in
speech and dress but in prayer as well." He states that playing the
organ was borrowed directly from the church, "as were the clerical
robes worn in the pulpit by Reform clergymen." He adds: "Traditional
Jews bemoan not only the rejection of Jewish practices but also the
dejudaization of Judaism which occurred."
In the Conservative refutation of the Reform platform provided
by Rabbi Borowitz, Rabbi Seymour Siegel, professor of theology-at the
Jewish Theological Seminary, deglares: "What makes us different
from Reform Jews is the emphasis on law; what makes us different
from Orthodox Jews is the possibility of changing the law." He appe-
als for unity among all Jews and respect for differing views.
Dr. Borowitz utilizes parables to define his views and to explain
Jewish practices in the Reform ranks. He touches upon belief in God,
offering the following as a guideline:
Our times seem to be changing. While most people still can't be
called believers, some people have begun to find it almost easy to
believe in God. Many of the things we believed its instead of God have
worked out badly. Science, education, money, dulture, for all their
good, have disappointed us. They are no substitute for God
as
believing in God is no substitute for doing our part. We're beginning
to realize that most of us, down deep, believe much more than we were
willing to admit — which brings me to a story.
"Menahem Mendel, the Hasidic rebbe of Kotzk, once asked a
group of scholars, 'Do you know where God lives?' They laughed at the
silly question and quickly quoted the biblical verse, 'the whole earth
is full of His Glory." That, the Rebbe reminded them, every child
knows. Then he gave his own answer, 'God lives wherever man lets
Him in.' "
This is the fashion of the entire volume in which Dr Borowitz
lives up to the title of his book, "Understanding Judaism."