He emphasized that the
prophet was an ad hoc
leader, solving a crisis or
impasse by taking bold ac-
tion for a short period of
time. But the potential for
misuse of such power by a
false prophet was great.
"Does anyone fill the role of
the prophet today?" the rab-
bi asked.
During dinner (kosher)
there was much cross-table
discussion by such promi-
nent Washingtonians as
Senators Daniel Moynihan
(D-N.Y.) and Joseph Lieber-
man (D-Conn.), Rep. Henry
Waxman (D-Calif.),
statesman Sol Linowitz,
Catholic theologian George
Weigel, attorney Nathan
Lewin and author Herman
Wouk. After the meal, con-
tinuing the forum, columnist
Charles Krauthammer sug-
gested that in the United
States today, the fourth
estate has taken on the role
of the prophet — elected by
no one but with the extra-
constitutional power to
make or break governments.
Rabbi Steinsaltz nodded in
agreement, though he
pointed out that "the jour-
nalist is also an entertainer"
and dependent on the people
he addresses, "so that makes
him only a partial prophet."
Daniel Schorr, the radio
commentator, asked "with
great trepidation" whether
Rabbi Steinsaltz's notion of
a supreme law, which he
said supersedes the will of
the people, must be Divine?
Rabbi Steinsaltz gently
replied, "I am as afraid to
answer as you were to ask."
He then suggested that
while "there is no place
without God's presence," it
is man's duty to find Him.
The best way to invoke
God is through prayer, he
said. But some questions can
never be answered. The
rabbi told of how, when his
daughter was about 2 1/2
years old and saw her father
praying, she asked him what
he was doing. "I said, 'I'm
praying to God.' And she
asked, 'What did He answer
you?'
"It was more than 20 years
ago, but I still think of this
every day."
In the age-old Jewish tra-
dition, Rabbi Steinsaltz sug-
gested throughout the eve-
ning that the purpose is not
to answer the questions, but
to raise them.
"The end of knowledge is
to say 'I don't know,' "he
said. "But the word of God at
Sinai is eternal, and He
didn't finish speaking to us.
The words are always hap-
pening. Perhaps we just
don't listen anymore."

❑

Will they go to
homes or tents?

Israel Bonds can make the difference

Soviet Jews are pouring into Israel at the rate of over 20,000 a month, and
housing is scarce.

Help this miraculous influx of newcomers find homes instead of tents by
investing in Israel Bonds.

Every dollar from every Israel Bond bought today is helping Israel provide
homes and jobs for Soviet and other immigrants.

Pay your Israel Bond commitment now. Make your Israel Bond investment
now. The time to help tens of thousands of newcomers strike roots is now.

This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained from:

State of Israel Bonds

Suite 324 • 29201 Telegraph Rd.
Southfield, Michigan 4803 4-765 4

Telephone (313) 352-6555

‘' YOUR EXERCISE CONNECTION

• TREADMILLS Electric/Manual
• STAIR CLIMBERS
• HEALTH BIKES
Manual/Dual Action/Electric
• ROWING MACHINES
• MISC. GYM EQUIPMENT

(ALL ITEMS DISCOUNTED)

LARRY ARONOFF

ACTON RENTAL & SALES

891.6500

540-5550

A DAVID ROSENMAN'S

A11110
AsmAINUIRCHASERII

NEW & USED CAR BROKER

(313) 851-CARS
(313) 851-2277

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

33

