~

,.: ~ "J:+"C.::`.. ~ ..; . a . .

_.::.fiv::J:7:is ~ <:.7AlSi::d"- ~ Jr^:

66 Friday, September 6, 1985 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Did You Remember
to send someone a
gift subscription to

Wedding, Rehearsal and
Ceremony Assistance

Lee Wolin

THE
JEWISH NEWS?

354-4433

13740
W. 9 Mile

Next to
Oak Park
Post Office

. .

SPECIALIZING IN USER THER.

Medicare and most insurance plans
accepted as payment in full.
Free initial consultation with this ad.

PURELY COMMENTARY

Field's Harvest

Continued from Page 64

of the cosmos. He maintains
that "that description has never
been contested." He adds that
the "authors" wrote this "2,500
years before 'Galileo perfected
the telescope."
Serving as an invitation to his
readers to share his inspiration
for the Bible as a totality and in
the present instance to the Book
of Genesis, Mr. Field commences
his definitive essay on the Three
Words by asserting:
While the Book of Genesis
mist be classed among the
most sacred books of the Bi,
ble, it nevertheless must also
be considered a book of in-
struction in the way of godli-
ness and establishes a code
of man's moral conduct and
behavior for generations to
come.
The authors of the Book of
Genesis were primarily
teachers. In fact, they were
the first group of many such
groups of teachers through-
out Jewish history. But un-
like later groups who in-
structed by study and repeti-
tion, this first group taught
with stories, myths and al-
legories in a way that was
easy for the masses to under-
stand.
The core of the book is
based on seven points. The
first of the seven concerns it-
self with God's wonderous
deeds, which are recorded
throughout the book — the
act of creation being the most
outstanding.
The remaining six points
concern themselves with
man's behavior towards his
fellow man, as shown
through the examples of our
Biblical characters.
Three of the points deal
with condemnable human
characteristibs (envy, drun-
kenness and deceit) and three
with commendable human
characteristics (faith in God,
compassion for one's fellow
man and love among people).
When a layman searches for
meaning, finds it, adds credence
to the most devout dedication to
the Scriptural sentimentalities,
his labors merit appreciation.
He lends credence to the idea
that retirement from whatever
one has been engaged in need
not be an end. It can be a be-
ginning. In Mr. Field's case it is
an inspiration. Therefore, this
columnist joins in the 'recogni-
tion of the Detroiter who makes
Bible study and inspiration a
new career by stating, about
him, as a preface to his Glean-

,

ings:

Walter L. Field is the Poet
of Faith,- his community's
admired interpreter of what
would otherwise become the
-lost treasures in the study of
the Bible.
Much that he has written
was Scripture-inspired, lead-
ing him to research with re-
sults that create an urge by
his readers themselves to
delve into the studies that
have made his Works chal-
lenging for the students
sanctified by devotion to the

Vra,

.1fia/

messages stemming from the
Bible.
Therefore his latest work,
"Gleanings from the Bible,
II" is welcomed as a con-
tinuity on Scriptual studies.
His newest application of
"Tohu, Vavohu Vechoshech"
become symbolic of the tasks
to which the admired poet
dedicates his life's interests.
To Walter L. Field there is
an application in the highest
rank in poetry defined by one
of the most eminent poets
and scholars of the People

Walter L. Field is
the Poet of Faith,
his community's
admired interpreter.

Israel, Avraham Ibn-Ezra
(1092-1178), the 12th century
Hebrew poet and Exegete,
who was among the great
Jewish scholars in Spain
prior to the Inquisition.
In "Shaar HaHeshek," one
of the most highly quoted
poetic tributes to the Jewish
genius, Ibn-Ezra wrote:

The Arabs sing of love and
passion,
The Romans of war and ven-
geance,
the Greeks of science and
speculation,
the Hindus of proverbs and
riddles,
the Jews offer psalms to the
Lord of hosts.

In "Gleanings from the Bi-
ble" and his related studies,
Poet Field indeed emerges a
Singer unto the Lord. He is
the devout interpreter of the
most inspired teachings pro-
vided in Jewish tradition.
It is not only as Poet that
Walter Field serves the Bible
student. It is as a scholar
who defines and inspires the
love and appreciation for the
Scriptural heritage that is so
vital in Jewish life. In the
process he is the scholar who
researches in getting to the
root of Jewish learnings.
'Therefore the gifts he pro-
Vides with his definitive
works earn him the respect
and admiration of a
readership that learns im-
mensely from a fellow citizen.
Elaborating on the Three
Words, their ethical and moral
teachings, Author Field evinces
an analytical skill in research-
ing the legacies of a sanctified
biblical treasure.

Genealogy Body
To Meet Thursday

The Jewish Genealogical
Society of Michigan will have a
meeting at 7:45 p.m. Thursday
in the Midrasha board rooni.
A four-member panel will pre-
sent a program entitled, "Solv-
ing Your Genealogical Prob-
lems."
Admission is free to members.
There is a charge for non-
members.