TORAH PORTION The American Friends of the Hebrew University Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and The Jewish News present Purification Rituals: Theme Of Holiness RABBI RICHARD C. HERTZ featuring Special to The Jewish News EDY KAUFMAN EITAN YEFENOF Executive Director, Harry S Truman Insti- tute for the Advance- ment of Peace, Hebrew University; Visiting Professor, American University and Univer- sity of Maryland, College Park Professor, Lautenberg Center for Immunolo- gy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Visiting Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas discussing discussing T Sunday, May 3, 1992 / 7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarey Zedek — Adler Hall Bell Road at 11 Mile, Southfield Refreshments Dietary laws observed No registration fee No solicitation of funds General Chairman: Harold Berry Co-chairmen: Harvey Grace Dr. Nicholas Kerin Erwin Ziegelman Jack Liwazer, David Litwack, President, Michigan Chapter, AFHU Regional Director — New Members Welcome — THE WORKMEN'S CIRCLE announces its Health Care Enrollment for Workmen's Circle Members May 1-22, 1992 — Effective July 1, 1992 Available are — HEALTH ALLIANCE PLAN plans from: — OMNI CARE HEALTH PLAN Health Alliance Plan is open to new members of Workmen's Circle at other times of the year as well. Omni Care is open to new and existing members only during OPEN ENROLLMENT. For further information call 545-0985. ww rinin AV lk A AV .1 4r1Arl AL HARRIS NO. 1 IN SALES FOR DETROIT AREA Telegraph & 12 Mile 353-1300 he portion of this week gets its name from the opening words that deal with the death of Nadab and Abihu, who had offered "strange fire" on the altar of the sanctuary (as recorded in Chapter 10). This week's sedra deals with several mat- ters: first, a ritual for the purification of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was the visi- ble presence of God, but His presence was- there only on condition that the sanctuary be maintained in a state of purity, the subject of Chapter 16, describing the role of the high priest, the main celebrant in the purification of the sanctuary. - After the high priest had completed the purification by means of certain blood rites, he turned his attention to the scapegoat. By placing his hands on the scapegoat, the high priest transferred to it the sins and defilements of the people and its priesthood. The scapegoat was then driven off into the wilderness, never to return. Its death was thought to have an expiatory effect. The goat carried the name of Azazel, considered to be an evil spirit dwelling in the wilderness. After regulations for the slaying of animals and why blood was not to be eaten, we continue with the designation of the annual Atonement Day, a Sabbath of complete rest and self-denial, a portion which is read on Yom Kippur. The chapters that follow deal with the dominant theme of holiness. While its central idea is that the people of Israel bear the collective responsibility to seek and achieve holiness, virtually all sections of the Holiness Code open with the injunction to "speak to the people of Israel." The last part of the sedra deals with marriage and the family. Forbidden marriages are identified. Forbidden sex- ual activity is dealt with and considered a transgression against God's command- ments. Such offenses would undermine Israel's right to the land of Canaan and even- tually bring about exile. These regulations were meant to govern the conduct of the entire people of Israel. The laws and practices of Dr. Hertz is rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth El. other Canaan-like cultures are "the laws of other na- tions," referring to the wor- ship of other deities at- tributed to pagan ways of life with which the Israelites had come in contact. The whole point of the pro- hibitions is that the violation of the code of family life com- mits an outrage that defiles the land. Land and people are interdependent. The exile of a people from its land was the ultimate punishment, for ex- ile was a punishment abhor- rent not only for Israel but for other nations too. The sedra clearly proclaims the goal of establishing a holy communi- ty of Israel to be dependent upon a standard of proper sex- ual behavior. The truth is the Torah has no word for sex or even sex- Shabbat Achare Mot: Leviticus 16:1-18:30 Samuel I 20:18-42 uality. The Jewish attitude toward what is contained in this sedra shows a certain discipline against unchaste- ness. Moderation and self- control are the essence of holiness, for unchaste conduct by an individual constitutes an offense against God. Perversions, such as sodomy, pederasty, adultery or incest were branded as capital crimes. The rabbis in Pirke Avot called for moderation in sex. "Who is mighty? He who subdues his lust." (Avot 4:1) El "1""1 SYNAGOGUES Rabbi Wine Review, Talk Rabbi Wine will present a Campaign for Freedom 8:30 p.m. May 4 at the temple. Campaign for Freedom is an affirmation of personal liber- ty at a time when freedom in our country is under assault. Rabbi Wine will review Backlash by Susan Faludi. Discussion will follow. There is a charge. Rabbi Wine will describe the philosophy and the pro- grams of the Birmingham Temple and of Humanistic Judaism at a gathering 7:30 p.m. May 6 in the temple library. For reservations or in- formation, call the temple of- fice, 477-1410.