THE
JEWISH NEWS (USPS 275-520)
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with the issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National Editorial Association
Published every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co., 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
ALAN HITSKY
News Editor
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
HEIDI PRESS
Associate News Editor
DREW LIEBERWITZ
Advertising Manager
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the third day of Iyar, 5740, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Leviticus 12:1-15:33. Prophetical portion, II Kings 7:3-20.
Monday, Yom HaAtzmau., Israel Independence Day
Candle lighting, Friday, April 18, 6:58 p.m.
VOL. LXXVII, No. 7
Page Four
Friday, April 18, 1980
ANOTHER HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY
ISRAEL WITH A HEART
.
How appropriate that on another birthday, the Hebrew letters for the 32nd anniversary of the
state of Israel should be Ladled and Beth — pronounced Lev which is the Hebrew word for Heart!
This is indeed an anniversary in which it is suitable to say Israel with a Heart.
These are crucial times, for Israel and the world. Observance of a birthday is
marked, however, with courage that gives strength to the heart and pronounces a
determination to make life livable. The people dedicated to life are provided with
the sinews that respect an historic heritage whence developed fulfillment of
prophecy.
* * *
On the surface, the prospects for a good life in Israel appear meager. From many quarters stem
hatreds for the historic people that bears the same name as the state that was reborn into
sovereignty only 32 years ago. Yet there is the assurance of continuity rooted in experiences which
keep reminding the people of Israel and the nations surrounding them, as well as the entire
international community, that if there are dangers now they are not new to those who carry the
banner of Zion. They are not new to peoples everywhere. That which is encountered now is mere
repetition.
* * *
It is not the history of the Jewish people through the ages, in its entirety, that teaches the
lesson of confronting adversity. Even if the resort to experience were limited to Israel alone, there
is the lesson of resisting danger of refusing to abandon weapons of defense, the physical as well as
the spiritual; of having been surrounded by those threatening the nation's extinction, yet holding
fast to the will to live.
Taking into account the sad experience of only a month ago, when the spokesmen for Israel's
best friend, the United States, nearly betrayed a trust of friendship, there must be recognition of
- similar obstacles in which the leading nations of the world were involved. Israel overcomes them
all because a nation that makes the will to live its guiding spirit cannot be destroyed.
A nation whose slogan is Am Yisrael Hai, the People Israel Lives, indeed has the blessing of
life.
* * *
On the 32nd anniversary of Israel the creative spirit should be taken into account. Israel
emerged under difficult conditions. Its settlers survived the Holocaust. Rescued from crematoria,
from death camps, suffering the agonies of displaced persons camps, they came to Israel to build
and to be rebuilt. This is what the Jewish citizens of Israel are today — a rebuilt nation.
In the process, they created cities, redeemed the deserts, established an agricultural economy
that serves as an example for creativity to the farmers of the world. They have established
universities, and the spiritual and cultural aspirations of the People of the Book, who have inspired
other great faiths, are honoring the past and glorifying the present.
* * *
The record of Jewish achievements in Israel is so vast that a mere summation would fill
volumes.
Every university in Israel conducts scientific research on so high a level that the leaders of the
acedemic communities of the world make study and research in Israel mandatory for their needs.
While remembering the past and rebuilding what has been destroyed by neglect and the incapacity
of medievalism, the Israelis are searching for new means of raising the standards of all peoples.
Because what Israel creates redounds to the benefit of mankind.
* * *
Expressing a sense of pride in what has been achieved, setting new goals for humanism in
mankind, perpetuating the aim of the builders of Zion to make the desert habitable through the
more than 2,000 new cities which have been an inspiration for those who aspire to a life of dignity,
the 32 years of Israel's life as a nation redeemed in the ancient homeland are much to be cheered.
There also is the cheerful note of the partial peace. Only one nation, Egypt, responded to the
call for amity. At 32, Israel does not abandon hope that others among her neighbors will drop the
saber they have been rattling and will accept the hand of friendship fromIsrael and the Jewish
people.
Fortunately, there are others who share in this aspiration. Contrary to the blunders of a month
ago, the American people is at Israel's side. The spontaneity. with which a negative act was
repudiated proved that the friendship of the United States with Israel has not been reduced.
There is much to hope for, to aspire to, as another year commences for sovereign Israel. Chief
among them is continuity of the American-Israel amity and cooperation. This is a goal never to be
abandoned.
On a par with this aim is the retention of the devotion of the Jewish people, globally, to uphold
the hands of the builders of Zion. Diaspora Jewry is as vital to Israel as the friends of the state
among the nations of the world, to some degree as the Israelis themselves. This is the loyalty not
only to be retained, but to be strengthened.
There is much to the Lev, the 32 years in Israel's existence', to hearten all lovers of liberty and
justice. The Heart of Israel throbs. The current anniversary is the demonstration to mankind of
Israel with a Heart.
Pa tals 'The Messiah Texts':
Legends Emerge Historically
Dr. Raphael Patai, eminent anthropologist, has drawn upon
every available source to define the Messiah idea in Jewish life in the
scholarly "The Messiah Texts" (Wayne State University Press).
Studies of the voluminous literature, the legends, prophecies,
aspirations, are incorporated in this highly scholarly work.
Dr. Patai utilized the texts per-
petuated in many sources and he has
incorporated in his work his transla-
tions from the Hebrew, Aramaic,
Ladino, Arabic, Latin, Yiddish, Hun-
garian and German.
The history of messianic teachings
through the ages is the basis for this
work. As the author explains: The
Jewish subconscious was preoccupied
with the Messianic Idea."
Drawing upon the authoritative
views of Jewry's most noted scholars
and personalities, Dr. Patai elaborates
on the differing views of sages like
Saadia Gaon and indicates that the
latter "dismisses legends and mid-
RAPHAEL PATAI
rashim and bases himself on biblical
pronouncements only."
In a series of appendices, Dr. Patai supplements his extensive
studies, including a manuscript dated 1466, with catechisms about
messianic events. Here are excerpts from these catechisms:
At the coming of the Messiah there will be one faith in
the world, the faith of all, and knowledge will multiply, and
the Lord will be one and His name will be one.
Behold the true proof that the Messiah will reign forever
over the whole world.
At the coming of the Messiah there will be general peace
and eternal peace, and even the wild animals will cause no
harm.
At the coming of the Messiah there will be general and
eternal salvation for Israel.
At the coming of the Messiah Jerusalem will be settled.
At the coining of the Messiah the air will be healed and
nature strengthened, and men will live long.
Included in the documents compiled by Dr. Patai is a letter from
an unidentified Pope to an unidentified King of France exoneratirv -
the Jews of the responsibility for killing Jesus, presented in the for
of a parable.
The apocalyptic and the legendary are drawn upon by Dr. Patai.
Quoting extensively from Saadia Gaon, the great Jewish philosopher
who was the head of the Academy of Sura in Babylonia, who unque-
tionably accepted all the fantasies about the Messiah. The note _
author comments that "these beliefs were a heritage common to the
simple folk and the most learned in medieval Jewry."
An interesting chapter entitled "Messiah Dreams" quotes a re-
miniscence of Theodor Herzl who called reading the legendary about
the Messiah a reminiscence, in which he stated:
"One night I had a wonderful dream: King Messiah came, and he
was old and glorious. He lifted me in his arms, and he soared with me
on the wings of the wind. On one of the clouds, full of splendor, we met
the figure of Moses (his appearance was like that of Moses hewn in
marble by Michelangelo; from my early childhood I like to look at the
photographs of that statue), and the Messiah called to Moses: 'For this
child I have prayed!' then he turned to me: 'Go and announce to the
Jews that I will soon come and perform great miracles for my people
and for the whole world!' I woke up, and it was a dream. I kept this
dream a secret and did not dare to tell it to anybody."