Welcome to our new friends in Oak Park and Southfield: Jodi & Alan Adelman Miriam & Chanoch Bresler Debra & Raymond Barron Stacey & Michael Byck Donna & Jeffrey Cantor Sara & Michael Eisemann Galina & Yosef Feldman Susan & Steven Friedman Laurie & Phil Goldmeier Robin & Harry Greenblatt Miriam & David Kagan Dina & Semyon Kostinsky Mark Kushelman Natalie & Sheldon Lempert Denise & Arthur Levenson Miriam & Menachem Levin Sara & Kenneth Magier Shelly & Mike Metzger Janis & David Moss Gila & Sasson Natan Susan & Harry Nanes Avigail & Aryeh Posner Aviva & David Rider Beverly & Les Raphael Ivy & Larry Rood Maya & Alexander Sigal Lori & Glenn Taylor Nancy & Louis Weinstein Rivka & Arnon Wexler Peggy Zlatkin Chanukah Lights Renew Our Faith RABBI IRWIN GRONER Special to The Jewish News 0 T HE 0 ny it o 0 You, too, may be able to join your friends in Oak Park or Southfield with the help of The Neighborhood Project. c>, o For information call 967-1112. SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT Announcing The Opening Of A Novi Office For Geoffrey Trivax, M.D. Daniel. Panush, M.D. Keith Pierce, M.D. In The Providence Medical Center 39500 W. 10 Mile Road Novi, Michigan 48375 442-0410 CUSTOM MIRRORS BY GlasCrafters, Inc. • Etched glass • Shower • Custom Railings enclosures Mirrored • Glass furniture • Walls & Doors HOLIDAY SALE 25% DISCOUNT 1042 Benstein Road / Suite 107 / Walled Lake 46 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1991 855-5887 n Friday night before the Sabbath, we light the sixth Chanukah candle. The rabbis of old had a dispute about the manner of lighting the Chanukah candles. The school of Sham- mai asserts: "The number is successively decreased. One begins with eight candles on the first night, seven on the second, and so on until the last night, one candle is lit." The school of Hillel states: "The number is successively increased, beginning with one candle on the first night, two on the second, until we conclude with eight on the last night." When the sages of ancient Israel disagree, their posi- tions embody views on broad questions, stances toward life. • The school of Shammai were hard-headed realists, while the school of Hillel were idealists. The controversy bet- ween these two is as yet un- concluded, for in one way or another, each of us must choose sides. For the support of his view, the realist can point to an undeniable aspect of ex- perience. In the world of physical nature, the law of diminution holds sway. The tallest candle eventually burns out.- The hardest, most durable substance eventually disintegrates. Everything ultimately wears out. There- fore, Shammai argues, we begin with eight candles and end with one. This process can be seen no less in the human sphere. Whether we consider mar- riage, education or a career, is it not true that these are launched in a bright glow of enthusiasm and high resolve, but the years take their toll, and the radiance of the begin- ning is extinguished. King Solomon, the Midrash tells us, wrote the "Song of Songs," that rapturous poem to the glories of love and springtime, in his youth. In the winter of his' life, he penn- ed that sad dirge on the vanities of life that we call Ec- . clesiastes. So, if we are to be realists, the law must be that the candles burn out one by one. So far, the reasoning of Bet Shammai, and who can deny its cogency? But Jewish prac- Irwin Groner is senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. tice does not conform to this theory. Instead of decreasing the lights, we follow the opi- nion of Bet Hillel, and we in- crease them. Why? In order to understand this decision, we turn to a fun- damental belief which ex- plains it. Jewish faith is Mes- sianic. The Jewish heritage does not only look back to the great and glorious past of the Patriarchs, of Moses and the Prophets. Jewish faith also bears a vision of redemption. From the beginning, vision was linked to a future brighter and more luminous than either the past or the present. The cultures of an- cient man believed that the world was sliding downhill; that the Golden Age was somewhere in the remote past; and that mankind was in a state of progressive decline. But the Bible pro- claimed a doctrine of hope — hope for man, hope for the world, hope for the realization . Shabbat Miketz Gen. 41:1-44:17 Num. 28:9-15 Num. 7:42-47 Zachariah: 2:14-4:7 of our highest ideals. The beliefs that a future of greatness and glory was in store for the Jewish people .gave meaning to their strug- gle and purpose to their travail. The great days for Israel and mankind lay ahead of them, not behind them. In the past, only a privileged few were favored with the gift of prophecy. In days to come, the prophet declared: "I, the Lord, shall pour out My spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your old shall dream dreams and your young shall see visions." We celebrate Chanukah this year in a mood of concern and uncertainty. American policy on the peace process in the Middle East reflects, in some instances, a disregard for Israel's legitimate con- cerns. Russian Jews continue to pour into Israel, and World Jewry is called upon to redou- ble its efforts on behalf of this miracle of our time. Anti- Semitism manifestations are increasing in the U.S. and around the world. As Jews, we continue to struggle with the internal dangers of inter- marriage, assimilation and guidance. In the midst of these