ml ".""mmimgml TORAH PORTION 0 11 , --r 7.111=r4 •glinfoult r: V SS GIFTS, VES & PREMIUMS RECORDING STUDIOS INVITES YOU TO SING AT YOUR NEXT PARTY Isaac: The Strong Link In The Jewish Chain RABBI MORTON F. YOLKUT Special to The Jewish News T he founders of the Jew- ish people are known as Patriarchs. They in- clude the names of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham was the revolutionary, the father of our people, "the rock whence we were hewn," as Isaiah later described him. Jacob was also a dynamic figure who played a promi- nent role during the for- mative years of our history. Isaac was quite different. In a dramatic contrast to his father and to his son, Isaac is almost a silent figure. He darts like a shadow across Shabbat Toledot: Genesis 25:19;28:9, Malachi 1:1-2:7 the pages of the Torah saying little, doing little. He is esen- tially a passive personality. He submitted to the akedah, to become a sacrifice to God without any verbal protest; he accepted the wife that was chosen for him without any comment; and when the Philistines disputed his rights to a well, he retreated. Rather than doing things, things are done to him. It is as if he has no role to play. The fact, however, remains that Isaac, despite his relatively unimpressive biography, became one of the three great patriarchs whose characteristics and deeds Jews have tried to emulate throughout generations. The truth is that just as the world needs movers and shakers, men of thunder and lightn- ing, it also needs people who go about doing their tasks quietly, consistently and faithfully. The welfare and stability of a people or a com- munity depend not only on their conspicuous leaders but also on their loyal members. If Abraham lived again in Jacob, then the credit is due to Isaac. He maintained the continuity not only physical- ly, but spiritually. The opening verse of this week's sidrah succinctly cap- tures the essence of Isaac's life story. "These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son . . . Abraham Morton F. Yolkut is rabbi at Cong. B'nai David. gave birth to Isaac." He was his father's son, and that was his distinctive greatness. He respected his inheritance. He did not squander his patrimony, the fruits of his father's labor. He guarded the spiritual legacy which his father had entrusted to his care and he successfully transmitted it to his descen- dants. Isaac was never a trail- blazing leader, he was a strong link and a loyal follower. Here is an aspect of life which is rarely appreciated. To do no more than transmit the wisdom and creativity of the past to new hands is, in itself, an important enter- prise. If sometimes we wonder about the significance of our lives, our role as the link bet- ween the generations is enough to justify our ex- istence. By serving as a link, we enable the coming genera- tion to do as good a job as they possibly can do. But we do more than provide a link bet- ween the past and the future. Our seemingly mundane labors are the raw material of which the leaders and great men make tomorrow. The suc- cess of a people or a communi- ty is dependent more on its many obscure members than on its few conspicuous leaders. The apathy of the masses may more than counterbalance the zeal of the leaders. The work of Abraham would not have borne fruit if there had not been Isaac, to assist the cause. And it is by that assistance that Isaac is classed on equal status with Abraham and Jacob, for he, too, shared in their great achievements. If we wish to perpetuate the history of our people, we must not assign the task to the ac- complishments of the few. It is to the large body of or- dinary men and women we have to look. Our faith- community must resemble a pyramid; it can only stand firm on a broad base. It re- quires the loyalty of the masses — not the charisma of the few — to guarantee the future. If we do not have the abili- ty or the inclination to seek prominence in the life of our people, like an Abraham or a Jacob, let us see to it that we at least emulate the faithfulness and devotion of an Isaac. The Jewish world can get along without Abrahams and Jacobs, it can not survive without Isaacs in every generation. We'll Solve You *many 's Needs! CALL FOR DETAILS R BOOKS 1, GIFT CUSTOM IZE DITEMS T, GIFT OMVICATES 4V PERS NAL HOPPING 851-9099 • Visit Our Studios at Tally Hall • Gift certificates FOR PROFESSION MMTANCE CALL OUR CORPORATE GIFT COIMILTANTS AT 427-2800 (all recordings in full compliance with Federal copyright laws) 411nrOWAIA/4/*/ # 4 01r 4, Ol hce Supply Center ze -e GEMINI IS MORE THAN AN OFFICE STORE! HOURS: M-F 8:30-5 p.m. Sat. 10-5 p.m. Seniors Needed For High Blood Cholesterol Study Sinai Hospital of Detroit is recruiting volunteers with known high cholesterol levels to participate in a two year study of an investigational drug that lowers cholesterol levels. Volunteers must be 65-years or older with no sig- nificant disease. Office visits, physical examinations, laboratory blood work and medication are pro- vided at no cost to participants. This study is being done in conjunction with the University of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital. GEMINI II, 26400 W. 12 Mile, For More Information Call (313) 493-6464 or 493-6477 GEMINI I, 10600 Galaxie, SINAI HOSPITAL OF DETROIT Southfield, 353-3355 Inside Franklin Savings Centre Ferndale, 399-9830 CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE TORAH CLUB invites you to an exciting and challenging series of lectures and discussions led by Rabbi Allan S . Meyerowitz November 29, 1987 - 7:00 P.M. - The Patriarchs and Matriarchs: The Stronger of the Sexes. January 17, 1988 - 7:00 P.M. - The Exodus: The Price of Freedom. - 7:00 P.M. - The Ten Commandments: February 7, 1988 Liberation or Slavery? - 7:00 P.M. - The Golden Calf: March 13, 1988 Can Man Talk with G-d? - 7:00 P.M. - Sacrifices, Purity and the April 10, 1988 Occult in Judaism. - 7:00 P.M. - The Holiness Code and May 1, 1988 Jewish Business Law. JOIN US!!!