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Leviticus 12:1-13:59
II Kings 4:42-5:19.
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INVITES YOU TO SING
At YOUR NEXT PARTY
Special to The Jewish News
The Haftorah for this Sab-
bath, taken from the Second
Book of Kings, describes a nota-
ble incident in the life of
Naaman, captain of the host of
the King of Syria.
His error is instructive. Suf-
fering from the most terrible of
diseases, leprosy, he is advised
to apply to the Hebrew prophet,
Elijah, whose intercession with
the Almighty might obtain a
cure for him.
He drives up in full regalia to
Elijah's house, but the prophet
will not see him and, instead,
sends a message: "Go and dip
thy body seven times in the
waters of the River Jordan, and
thy flesh will become clean
again."
Did the sufferer gladly avail
himself of this remedy? No. It
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the Sabbath, studying Torah,
providing Jewish education for
our young, supporting
synagogues, creating a Jewish
home. Because these are not
dramatic sacrifices, they are
often neglected or disregarded
by too many of our people.
Being a Jew in other ages and
lands has often been fraught
with the most fateful conse-
quences and has demanded the
ultimate in courage and sac-
rifice. Because of our ease and
comfort we • tend to forget the
"price that other generations had
to pay for the privilege which is
ours. In the Middle Ages,. when
the shadows of degradation, per-'
secution and expulsion hovered
over the Jew, he was always of-
fered an escape from these mul-
tiple afflictions. He could ex-
change the dismal ghetto for the
privileged world outside by re-
nouncing his Jewish loyalty,
and converting to the religion of
the majority. But we khow that
countless Jewish generations
chose suffering, even death,
rather than the betrayal of their
faith. The most supreme sac-
rifices were demanded, and the
highest offerings were brought.
was too easy, simple, and unde-
Consider the modern Jew. If
manding. Naaman flew into a
by some terrible set of circum-
rage. Why didn't the prophet re-
stances, such as a collapse of the
quire of him some complicated
Western democracies, the Jew
ritual or the offering of many
was subject to the intolerance
sacrifices? Naaman was deter-
and persecution of other ages,
mined to go back home, frus-
what would happen to him?
trated and uncured.
How would he respond? Would
It was his servants that made
Jews suffer persecu-
him see the folly of his action.,
tion,
or
even
martyrdom for
They said: "If, the prophet had
commanded you to do some their faith? Would they endure
great thing, would you not have banishment for the sake of their
done it? How much more then, 'Jewish heritage?
I truly believe that the large
when he 'saith to thee: 'wash
and • be clean'?" They were un- majority among us would be as
questionably right. If the pro- true as were our ancestors to
phet had prescribed a course the high standards of Jewish in-
which would have given tegrity and faithfulness. Like
Naaman considerable trouble to Mordecai of old, they would not
carry out, if it had meant the bow down or kneel before the
expenditure of much money and idolatries of their time, no mat-
effort, he would feadily have ter what the consequences: They
obeyed. The more troublesome would not surrender or yield.
the cure, the more satisfied he
I am equally positive that
would have been. What annoyed
among the majority . would be a
him was that the prophet had
substantial number of men and
asked for so little.
women who today refuse to in-
It was stupid for Naaman to convenience themselves in the
have behaved in this manner, least to sustain Jewish life.
but it was very human. It is a Most Jews, when the chips are
widespread human trait that we down, will make the ultimate
are often ready to give much sacrifice if they have to for the
where we would refuse to give preservation of Judaism. It's the
little. We would consent to small price they refuse to pay.
make a great sacrifice where we The future of Judaism in
would refuse a task that in- America will not be defeated by
volved a trifling inconvenience dramatic acts •of betrayal, nor
. will it be assured by breathtak-
for us..
The most striking illustration ing deeds of valor. The welfare
of this paradox is• in the condi- of our people and the continuity
tion of Jewish life. The distin- of our heritage will be assured
•
by those who are willing to
guishing feature of American
Jewish life is the freedom and make the daily sacrifices, the
privilege we, as. Jews, enjoy in performance of specific mitzvot,
an open society. We are not re- the unheralded deeds that
quired to perform. heroic deeds • sanctify Jewish existence.
"If the prophet had bid thee
for our faith, nor ars' we chal-
lenged to mighty acts of sac- do some great thing, wouldst
rifice and devotion. What is thou not have done it?" It is the
needed to sustain Jewish life in smaller thing that Judaism asks
America are simple, prosaic and of us now. Shall we not be will-
unspectacular things: observing ing to give it?
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