THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, May 1, 1982 23 Publication of 'Jewish Philosophy and Pattern of Life' Completes Analytical Trilogy by Dr. Simon Greenberg By RABBI MAX WEINE The third volume of what might be called a trilogy on the entire field of Judaism ' and Jewish thought, "A Jewish Philosophy and Pat- tern of Life" by Dr. Simon Greenberg, has been pub- ° lished by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. The complete philosophy that Greenberg presents is the result of a lifetime of study and keen analytical - thinking. The approach presented is not a parochial but is developed in full –_,Aizance of the world in which we live — the Ameri- Manicures for Gentlemen by EDIE A True Manicure of Distinction .. . available by appointment Colombo's Barber Shop 626-9111 can environment that con- stitutes our home, the inter- relationship between the state of Israel and the com- munities of the Diaspora, and our responsibilities as Jews in the modern world. One of the rarely dis- cussed factors in any total philosophy of life is that we are human beings. This ob- vious fact plays a signific- ant role among the compo- nents of any philosophy of human life. Dr. Greenberg analyzes carefully the na- ture of consciousness, the RABBI MAX WEINE power of reasoning and will, and similar factors of the American constitution human life as they contrib- and from the judicial proc- ute to the total picture of a ess. What are the choices that functioning, intelligent an American Jew has in this human being. A basic assumption of country? Since we are here as a totally voluntary com- DT. Greenberg's philos- ophy is that life is good munity, we have to make and has to be worth living crucial decisions as to in order to give the Jew whether it is worth while to and human being within maintain Jewish life on an him the satisfaction that individual and a commu- he is entitled to find. nity basis, or to allow the What are the elements of process of amalgamation to a good life? How does one undermine any sense of overcome distress, ethnic identity as Jews? In Dr. Greenberg's pre- meaninglessness, bore- dom? How can one take sentation the arguments for advantage of the continuing Jewish identity blessings of both the in this milieu are over- whelming. A positively American and the traditions and integrate oriented Jew will strive to "advance the physical secu- them into his life? For a Jew living in this rity of Jews as individuals country it is essential that and as a people, preserve the Jewish religio-cultural he know what it means to be a responsible American heritage, expound it, dis- citizen. A sizeable section of "seminate it, enhance it, ex- this book deals with the de- perience it intellectually and emotionally, and fash- tails of the American heri- tage, with the realities and ion the pattern of his per- ideals of American life as sonal life in accordance with they are extrapolated from the pattern of life fashioned by it.". When You're Under Pressure '" iq STEAM! at rgatk Hum A Gentlemen's Club Your Hosts: Frank Blas & Saul Waldman • Yearly Memberships • STEAM • PLAITZA • WHIRLPOOL • MASSAGE or Per Visit. • TV LOUNGE WITH 54" SCREEN COMPLETE • SUN LAMPS • SOCIAL CARDS DINING • ETC. PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Hours. Mon., Wed.,, Thurs., Fri. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat. 9 a m.-6 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-11 p.m. • Closed Tues. Vatii iluuor 13425 CAPITAL, E. of Coolidge Oak Park ' 548-2890 Dr. Greenberg follows this by a careful, enlightened discussion of the Jewish heritage in terms of beliefs. In deal- ing with the idea of God he does not merely call for a belief in God. He speaks also of creation as a manifestation of God's love, of man's place in the universe, of Israel's role in history, and of how God communicates with Israel and with mankind. A special manifestation of God's love is the cove- nant that He established with the universe through the operation of the laws of nature, and the special covenant with the people of Israel. God is essentially the law- giver not only for Israel but also for all humanity. With all this God is both just and slow to anger and forgiving. This makes it possible for human life to function and for man to work out his sal- vation. With the belief that man is created in the image of God it behooves him to pattern his life in accord- ance with the standard of behavior set by God. The Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in consciousness that we de- serve them. —Aristotle impassable chasm between the human and the divineis thus bridged, and God the wholly other becomes acces- sible to man at all times. Dr. Greenberg maintains that the Jewish people hold a special place in God's plan for the universe. The Jews are to be a holy people. This is not merely something that is transmitted from generation to generation. It is something that has to be experienced with joy and gratitude, with wonder and reverence, with mutual love between the individual Jew, God, mankind, and the people of Israel. - Judaism thus becomes a pattern of life, the best and the only way in which a Jew can achieve an integrated personality. This is how Halakha (Jewish law) is a behavorial expression of the divine plan. Dr. Greenberg discusses this Jewish pat- tern of life in enlightening detail. The best part of this book is the Epilogue. Here, Dr. Greenberg dis- cusses some of the diffi- culties involved in living Up to this pattern of life, and comes to a very in- teresting and challenging conclusion: the principle of selectivity. The Jew . .:.%S. 7.*:.5F.' Knowledge and goodness — these make degrees in heaven, and they - must be the graduating scale of a true democracy. who makes an honest ef- fort to live a Jewish life and knows that he cannot live it in its totality must select from among the components of Halakha as many laws as he can to maintain this pattern of Jewish life. This is not purely subjective. Dr. Greenberg lays down a number of guidelines for making the necessary choices, and emphasizes the onerous responsibil- ity that the committed Jew assumes in doing so. This is a book for the thoughtful reader, and when read with proper at- tention will be very reward- ing. 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