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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
PEACE PROCESS
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, the 29th day of Shevat, 5743, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portion, Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16.
Prophetical portion, II Kings 12:1-17.
Sunday and Monday, Rosh Hodesh Adar, Numbers 28:1-15.
Candlelighting, Friday, Feb. 11, 5:43 p.m.
VOL. LXXXII, No. 24
Page Four
Friday, Feb. 11, 1983
'DECISIONS' AND CONCERNS
Scores of communities throughout the land
were intrigued by a planned forum at which
acknowledged experts on the Middle East, with
emphasis on the American-Israel involve-
ments, were to be subjects for illumination. Be-
cause two eminent American personalities who
held U.S. ambassadorial posts and two distin-
guished U.S. Senators, as well as representa-
tives of the media, were to be the interpreters of
the issues, the interest aroused was immense.
Now there will be an emulating spate of similar
programs in many American Jewish com-
munities, and the aims are understandable:
they are to increase concern in the objectives of
the sponsors of such programs, namely the
Jewish federations and the fund-raising agen-
cies like Detroit's Allied Jewish Campaign.
Thus, what was labeled as a subhead for the
Federation Forum, "A Time for Decision," be-
comes "A Time for Concern." And rightly so,
since even the most conceited of authority-
claiming interpreters of occuring events would
not dare say that they can predict a decision to
be at hand, and at best their predictions are
those filled with hopefulness. This is exactly
what occurred at the Federation Forum held on
Sunday with audiences assembled in all the
available rooms, in addition to the sanctuary, of
Adat Shalom Synagogue.
Indeed, the impressive array of speakers at
the Federation Forum on Sunday provided a
laudable summation of the experiences involv-
ing Israel, the compelling American friend-
ship, the animosities which continue to domi-
nate the Middle East, the Soviet dangers to its
peace.
There was unity of opinion that the
American-Israel friendship is intact and that if
it weren't, the United States would be harmed
even more than Israel.-
Therefore the contribution that was made
by the Federation Forum was that it did, in
effect, make it clear that while there is cause for
concern, which cannot be erased, there is also
reason to feel confident, and hopeful, that based
on experiences and the lessons of the past peace
itself is not to be written off.
So vast was the interest displayed in Sun-
day's Forum that the apparent aim — that of
arousing and retaining communal loyalties for
the philanthropic needs — have been achieved.
The more than 2,000 who attended that "rally"
gave added strength to the admonitions to those
who would split Jewish ranks. There is a unity
much firmer than all the efforts to create divi-
siveness in Jewish ranks.
One point needs to be made: that what may
have appeared as a balanced program had its
shortcoming in the absence . of the voice of Israel
itself as well as the Jewish counterpart of the
media. It is from both these that refutations of
the massive distortions of facts had come in
recent months, and these voices are not to be
silenced.
It has become very difficult in recent years
to assemble for a communal purpose a gather-
ing that matches a High Holy Day congrega-
tion. The Federation Forum achieved it because
it gave emphasis to the concern Jews have for
Israel's security and affirmed the unity that
dominates the obligations in a critical period in
history.
'MUTUAL RELATIONS'
Israel had a tough time with negotiating
commissions, Lebanese as well as U.S-., when
the proposal was advanced for "normalization."
It was not viewed as acceptable, and therefore
must be judged as having been rejected.
Thereupon, "mutual relations" was substi-
tuted for the abandoned. Now Israel's represen-
tatives must battle for an acceptance of this
term.
A measure of "mutual relations" is, in reality,
already in effect. Trade relations, no matter
how minimal, are in evidence. The borders are
open. What remains is the establishment of am-
bassadorial exchanges, the assurance of amica-
ble accords that must be determined as a peace
agreement.
While embassies were always dreams and
never realities, Israel and Lebanon were never
actually at war. There was a stalemated situa-
tion, and whatever military actions were suf-
fered from Lebanon were engineered by the
PLO. That, hopefully, has ended. Israel's objec-
tive is to attain such an end to threats from
those who would destroy Israel.
The saddest part of all in the negotiations and
the involvements of the United States together
with the Middle Eastern nations are the exagg-
erations, the incidents like the one involving
Israeli tank-drivers who had a confrontation
with the U.S. Marines.
All of the involved participants in the plans
for a peaceful solution of the continuing prob-
lems must be urged to exercise tact, and this
includes Israel, her foreign affairs ministry and
the military. When incidents occur, such as can
be resolved properly, another hope hinges on
the media, that the exaggerated aspects will not
be trumpeted as an end to peace.
"Mutual relations" could be thoroughly fulfil-
led if it were not for Lebanese hesitance due to
threats from the combined Arab states — even
Egypt being a party to such destructive aims; a
totally peaceful accomplishment. Once again,
the gamble is for time. Indeed, time is of the
essence.
Even time, however, will not alter realities.
What was, is; and what is may keep repeating.
There is nothing new in threats to Israel's exist-
ence, and Israel's determination in her resis-
tance to repetitive threats certainly isn't a reve-
lation of secrets. The hope is that some of the
negotiating teams will exercise courage and
firmness to aim for the basic need: peace, with a
rejection of the obstacled. Will that come, and
when? Again, therefore, plus patience there is a
dependence on time. And the gambling for it
continues.
Introduction to Talmud
Studies, Tehillim Version
Two authoritative works, on the Mishna and the Psalms, have
just been issued to enrich Jewish studies.
Mesorah Publications has issued the last in the series of volumes
containing commentaries on the translations of Psalms. "Sefer Tehil-
lim — Book of Psalms" is the fifth volume in the series published by
Mesorah. It contains the texts and translations and commentaries on
Psalms 119 to 150.
The second volume in the Mesorah series, "The Mishna," also in
the original with a translation and authoritative views on the texts, is
presented as an introductory stimulant for the Talmud story.
The latest volume that concludes the Mesorah
transla-
tions contains a commentary by Rabbi Avraham Chaim Feuer. The
translation is by Rabbi Feuer in collaboration with Rabbi Nosson
Scherman.
The six years of ardent labors in producing this work are evi-
denced both in the translations, which adhere to . the traditional Or-
thodox interpretation and appear parallel with the Hebrew texts, and
the Commentaries which, in the fashion in which the Talmud is
published, is on the bottom of the related texts.
"The Mishna" just made available in the Mesorah Art Scroll
series introduces another new series of volumes, with anthologized
commentaries.
The translation and commentary are by Rabbi Yad Avraham
Mishnaic texts. The Gemara, as well as excerpts from modern schol-
ars, are utilized in the current volume and will be emphasized in the
continuing works in the "Mishna" series.
Translations and an anthologized commentary by Rabbi Hersh
Goldwurm add value to "The Mishna" and its inspiration to readers
for continuing studies of the Talmud.
Halakhic rules regulating labor, observances of the Sabbath and
festivals, obligations that differentiate the two, the preparation of
food and other mandatory laws are listed and subjected to study and
thorough review.
Differing views between the rabbinic scholars as recorded in the
Talmud, like those between Shammai and Hillel, are taken into
account.
The treatment of dietary laws and the transportation of corn-
modities on Yom Tov are among the laws treated that are certain to
invite the interest and concern of the traditionally observant.
This explanatory note by the Mesorah publishers provides an
interesting definition for the newly provided texts:
"When Moses descended from Sinai, he held the Tablets in his
hands and the Oral Law in his mind. The words of the Law would be
contained in the Written Torah, but their meaning and application
would be transmitted from teacher to student in an eternal chain of
generations.
"That tradition is the key to Jewish existence for it is the very
essence of the Torah. Only after waves of oppression and suffering had
caused a weakening of the scholarly tradition did R' Judah the Prince
— Rabbeinu HaKadosh, our Holy Teacher — make the painful but
necessary decision that was responsible for saving Israel as the nation
of Torah.
"Rabbeinu HaKadosh called together all the Sages of his genera-
tion and compiled the age old Oral teachings that stretched from
Sinai. He distilled them into writing. His product was the Mishna.
"From the Mishna emerged the Talmud, the commentaries,
codes, responsa — the entire voluminous literature that embodies
Jewish genius in the form of the Divinely transmitted Oral Law. But
the basis of this entire written body of knowledge is the Mishna."
Thus, a thoroughly Orthodox treatment of important Talmud
Tractates as well as the Psalms has a significant appeal to readers of
all areas of religious views and interpretative opinions.
"