TORAH PORTION I The Men's Club of Adat Shalom Synagogue invites you to attend an What Would Abraham Do If Alive Today? vimmi ■ RABBI SHMUEL IRONS Special to The Jewish News very bar mitzvah boy knows it by heart. It is repeated every Passover at the seder, when one is called up to read the Torah, and at daily prayers: "Asher Bachar Banu" — God has chosen the Jewish people and has given them His Torah. The belief that the Creator of the universe gave the Jewish people a specially designed guide (Torah) that ennobles and sanctifies every aspect of human endeavor and behavior is the principal tenet of Judaism. The events that led to receiving this guide, the ex- tent to which the Jews lived according to the Torah, and the attendant consequences of their successes and fail- ures, comprise the historical sections of 'Panach, the Jewish Bible. But wy the Jews? Why among all nations were the Jews singled out to receive the precious gift of Torah? A verse from this week's Torah reading suggests one E Shabbat Vayera: Genesis 18:1-22:24, II Kings 4:1-37 compelling reason: "For I have given him (Abraham) My special care so that he will continue to command his children and his household after him that they keep the way of God to do benevolence and justice" (Genesis 18:19). Rashi points out in his com- mentary that the special care shown to Abraham was due to his unique commitment and ability to ensure that the message of Torah — benevo- lence and justice — be passed on to succeeding generations. Herein lies the special nature of our peple: we pass it on. Great men have arisen from other nations, but only Abraham created a family and a nation predicated on the principles of justice and benevolence. Even today, more than 3,600 years since his passing Abraham's teachings and ideas continue to be faithfully preserved and passed on by his descendants. This is only one part of the legacy of Abraham. The Torah documents the many Shmuel Irons is co-director of the Kollel Institute in Oak Park. tests of Abraham. Despite great trials, he remained firm in his commitment and faith. We, his children, have also been put to the test: The destruction of two Temples, countless massacres, po- groms, dispersions, and most recently the horrors of the Holocaust, have severely tried our faith and dedication. Today we face a test more insidious and dangerous than those of the past. The great appeal of the values and pleasures of Western society has damaged the spiritual well-being of the Jewish people. In previous generations, the dream of every Jewish mother and father was to raise children who would become giants of spirit and Torah scholarship. The dreams of to- day's Jewish parents are generally far different. Despite the stress placed on obtaining a well-rounded secular education, the average Jewish child receives almost no schooling in Bible, Talmud or Jewish history. How many Jews in this country can walk into a synagogue and fully unders- tand the service, let alone ex- plain the beauty and deeper meaning of the passages and poetry to their children or fellow congregants? How many have experienced the rich atmosphere of a Shabbat meal, filled with song and the spirit of Torah? How many have decided, on the basis of their limited knowledge, that Judaism has nothing to offer them, and have opted for total assimilation? The answers to these questions are only too obvious. The midrash (Tana Dvai Eliyohu Ch. 25) states that all Jews are required to ask themselves the question, "When will my deeds reach the heights of the deeds of my forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?" The midrash implies that we, the descendants of the patriarchs, are not only capable of great deeds, but are expected to accomplish them as well. How would Abraham react if he were alive today? What steps would he take to ensure the spiritual survival of his progeny in a hedonistic and materialistic environment? If the past is any indication, Abraham would reach out to us, his grandchildren, just as he reached out to his family, and the world at large. He would invite them to his AU ADEN Saturday, November 5 Patron Preview 7 p.m. $10 General Preview 8 p.m. $2 Auction 8:30 p.m. Wine and Cheese Location: Adat Shalom Synagogue 29901 Middlebelt Road Farmington Hills Agam, Appel, Calder, Chagall, Erte, Miro, Rockwell, Sahall and many others For Information, call 851-5100 ZOA PRESIDENT MILTON S. SHAPIRO ASSAILS UNWARRANTED CRITICISM OF AIPAC BY "MAINSTREAM" ORGANIZATIONS AS DETRIMENTAL TO ISRAEL'S INTERESTS. The New York Times of October 18, 1988 reported that three major American Jewish organizations, namely, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress, join- ed together in criticizing AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Shapiro stated that "one of Israel's most effective advocates, with an ex- traordinary record of success, is being challenged by these organizations on the ground that AIPAC is 'out of step' with the organized American Jewish community on some important Middle East issues:' According to the N.Y. Times, the issues upon which the three organizations disagree with AIPAC's position are: (1) American arms sales to Kuwait, (2) the effort to shut down the PLO Mission at the United Nations and (3) refus- ing Yassir Arafat entry into the United States to address the United Nations. Said Shapiro: "it is these organizations, which are 'out of step' with the sen- timents of the American Jewish community, who would solidly support AIPAC's position on these issues:' The Times report implies that the three organizations are considering set- ting up a "second Jewish lobby" in Washington more in tune with the views of these organizations. "At a time when Israel faces a mounting Arab propaganda campaign in the U.S. geared to exploiting thte negative media fallout generated by the Arab unrest in the territories:' said Shapiro, "it is inconceivable that those who consider themselves 'friends of Israel' would take such precipitous ac- tion. Whatever the explanations, the only beneficiaries of this divisive disagreement will be Israel's enemies:' (text condensed)