nevertheless raise it with
him" (Exodus 23:4-5).
To forestall the possibility
If that one should do this out of
concern for the welfare of the
animal alone, the Book of
Proverbs (25:21) calcifies the
matter: "If your enemy be
hungry give him bread to
eat, and if he be thirsty give
him water to drink." What
this seems to imply is that
the enemy is human.
There is also a great mea-
sure of enlightened morality
(practical wisdom) in the
counsel to help an enemy.
The reason is explained in
rabbinic literature (Tosefta;
Baba Metzia 2:26): "Aid an
enemy before you aid a
r7
. friend, to subdue hatred."
There are very few humans
who receive help who do not
feel a sense of gratitude.
Then the ultimate destruc-
tion of an enemy, where
possible, would be to turn
him or her into a friend.
In the face of clear and
present danger, it is indeed
a responsibility to defend
one's self in the strongest
and most appropriate
manner. "If someone comes
to kill you, stand up and kill
him first" (Sanhedrin 72a).
The ambivalence of the
Bible on the matter of pray-
ing for the death of an
enemy is reflected in the
Amidah, the classic formula-
tion of the essence of Jewish
prayer. In one passage it is
; written: "Let all your
enemies soon be destroyed.
- May you quickly uproot and
crush the arrogant."
This prayer was added to
the "18 benedictions" as
formulated by the early
rabbis. Recognizing its
historic context, later ge-
nerations repeatedly
rephrased and modified it.
They apparently wanted to
give it a more universal tone
and leave it somewhat
vague.
Perhaps that is why the
parable of Mar, the son of
Ravina, a prominent rabbi of
the fourth century, was add-
ed at the conclusion of the
Amidah. The opening words
read: "My God, guard my
tongue from evil, my lips
from guile. To those who
slander me, let my soul be
silent."
Clearly, this insertion
tends to negate the previous
passage. In doing so, it per-
mits one who prays an op-
portunity to determine his or
her attitude toward the
l enemy.
What is under considera-
tion in this matter, then, is
"how shall one deal with an

May the New Year Bring
To All Our Friends
and Family — Health,
Joy, Prosperity
and Everything
Good in Life.

BEVERLEY & JACK SINGER
& FAMILY

JACK & MIRIAM SHENKMAN
& FAMILY

To All Our
Relatives
and Friends,
Our wish for a
year filled with
happiness,
health and prosperity.

A Very Happy and Healthy
New Year to All Our Friends
and Family.
ALLAN & LORI BROOKS
& GARRETT, ILANA, AUSTIN

May the coming

May the coming

year be filled

year be filled

with health and

with health and

happiness for

happiness for

all our family

all our family

and friends.

and friends.

ISADORE, EDITH &
SUSAN AVERBUCH

ADELE & EARL FRIEDMAN

lamn

113.11.1 111113'2

May the coming year be
one filled with health,
happiness and
prosperity for all our
friends and family.

anDri

111112 111113`2

to all
our friends
and relatives.

to all
our friends
and relatives.

MILDRED SCHIFF &
"IRISH" LEVINE

MARCY & REUVEN MILLMAN

Best wishes for a
happy, healthy
New Year.

Best wishes for a
happy, healthy
New Year.

BEA FEALK

SAM & LALA GENDLEMAN

A Very Happy and Healthy
New Year to All Our Friends
and Family.
JEFFREY & MARINA BROOKS
& ERIC

We wish our family and friends a
very healthy, happy and prosperous
New Year
THE LEVITINS
JEFFREY LINDA & RICK

We wish our family and friends a
very healthy, happy and prosperous
New Year

BENDET & ESTHER LEWKOWICZ

We wish our family and friends a
very healthy, happy and prosperous
New Year

LARRY, CAROLE, NICOLE, JARED & JOANNA MILLER

We wish our family and friends a
very healthy, happy and prosperous
New Year

MANFRED & HELEN MOSER

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

103