TORAH PORTION I We Can Never Say Thank You Enough. Over the years, thousands of you have sent JARC tributes to your family and friends. We've thanked you, but perhaps not enough. Why We Must Believe We're Able To Change Your support has helped operate 11 beautiful homes for men and women with developmental dis- abilities. It has helped others learn to live independently. It has provided critical family support services. RABBI IRWIN GRONER Special to The Jewish News T Thank you for your tributes. They are, like you, never forgotten. Call today to make a tribute. 352-5272. A Jewish Association for Residential Care for persons with developmental disabilities 28366 Franklin Road Southfield, MI 48034 (313) 352-5272 Fres l $1.99 Small Tin Foil Barbs . 794 $9.99 Moonlight Gouramis 884 49' Small Fantail Goldfish . 694 Male Bettas Large Oscars Zebra Danios * LAMS 4280 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield (Next to 7.11 in tiorner's Mail) just North of Lone Pine Rd. 6811 Mon.-Sat. 10-8, ■ Ir Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy New Year. Right in Your Own Driveway! THE COMPLETE CLOSET STORE / THE TUNE -UP I MAN Design Center of the Americas — Dania, Florida Certified by the National Automotive Institute of Excellence LUTTER ONTROL 28936 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD, FARMINGTON HILLS (Betvown 12 & 13 Milo Rd.) 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Rabbi Yossi says we are not to wait for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because "man is judged every day" and he ought to improve every day. Rabbi Natan is more strict, for he states "a person is judg- ed every hour." Therefore, repentance is required at each moment. Rabbi Meir, whose opinion is authoritative, rules that we are judged on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and this is, therefore, the season of penitence. What were the sages argu- ing about? Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Natan want us to recognize that man constant- ly lives under judgement. While Rabbi Meir may not disagree, he is more of a realist. A person can't cope with the notion that he lives under judgement every mo- ment and that every day is Yom Kippur. This conception overwhelms us. Consequent- ly, Rabbi Meir says, and the decision is with him, we recognize designated times for assuming the challenge of tshuvah, the act of turning in repentance. But can we, in fact, over- come our faults? Are they not so deeply engrained in our nature that try as we might, we are fooling ourselves when we believe we can eradicate them? What about the popular folk sayings — "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" or "You can't change human nature"? Have we become more sensitive, more understanding and forgiving and loving since last Yom Kippur? Are we really being honest when we believe — or pretend to believe — that we can change? Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Jewish tradition declares emphatically that to be human is to have the capaci- ty for change and growth and development. Have you ever had a disagreement with so- meone you are trying to per- suade, influence or guide, and you hear the response "That's just the way I am." That's my nature, take it or leave it. The phrase is to be condemned on several counts. First, it isn't true. Second, it's a libel against the human personality. Third, it's an in- sult against the Almighty who made us capable of change and improvement. The deeper truth is that we are not today what we were yesterday, and we don't have to be tomorrow what we are today. Tshuvah means you have to take responsibility for Haazinu Shabbat Shuvah: Deuteronomy 32:1-52, Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20, Joel 2:15-27. your life and make those deci- sions that will enable you to be all God intended you to be. To change ourselves, we have to fervently believe that we can change, that we can respond to the call to self-liberation. We must believe we can in- deed become more devoted to those whose lives are linked with our own, more under- standing of the needs and hopes and fears of others. We can become more faithful in assuminig our obligations to our people, our synagogue or temple, our Jewish way of life. We can become more honest in our relationships, more sensitive to our moral and spiritual well being. We can become quicker to forgive, slower to condemn. To change, we have to believe that we are free moral agents, capable of exercising the power of choice in response to the challenge of the Torah. "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, choose life that you may live, you and your descendants."