Charity Begins at Home Time And Love Can Strengthen Us T RABBI IRWIN GRONER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS . . . but it doesn't end there. As children, we learned the importance of doing mitzvot — good deeds — to help other people. As adults, we learn that building a secure future for ourselves and our families is also a mitzvah. But can you do both? Yes, you can. The answer is a chari- table gift annuity from the Federated Endowmenffund of the Jewish Fed- eration of Metropolitan Detroit. Consider this: If you are age 50 or older, you may be able to double the interest you earn currently with certificates of deposit and other investments.* Charitable gift annuities provide: 'income at a higher rate of return for the rest of your life 'partially tax-free income 'current income tax savings But the best part is, you can enjoy all these benefits and others while bringing comfort to the aged and hope to the disadvantaged. You can secure your own future while helping provide a new life for Jewish refugees brought to freedom. Sound good to you? Call the Federa- ted Endowment Fund for more information: 642-4260, ext. 206. Sample Payment Rates Age 72 Rate 6.9% 7.1% 7.3% 8.0% 75 8.5% 59 62 65 *If you are age 70 and your CD is earning 3.5%, you deserve better. With a charitable gift annuity, you can receive a 7.8% annual payment, plus other benefits. P. 0. Box 2030 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030 • (313) 642-4260 th V ED 1 Ilj Allied Jewish Campaign Calendar Of Events (/) LU Co LU CD CC F- LU LU 62 If You Have A "Special Occasion Coming In The Near Future, Don't Miss*eing The Fabuloublines That Will Be Shown! V TRUNK SHOWS: February 24, 25 & 26 • CYNTHIA DeWOLFE...with custom suits & coats • YOLANDA...hand painted designs on silk (Heidi Frangella will be here to serve you) • SARA MIQUE...Showing beautiful laces •JUDITH ANN...Beaded dresses and gowns • DIAMIANOU DRESSES...Crochets and laces • DAYMOOR...evening suits and dresses (Joan Prikos will show the Diamianou and Daymoor lines) Special Orders (with deposit) Wine and Cheese Will Be Served Applegate Square • Southfield • 354-4560 he figure of Moses never looms as large as in this week's Torah portion. We see the law-giver standing on Mt. Sinai bearing in his arms the tablets inscribed with the divine words. Moses had freed the people from phys- ical bondage, now he is to be- stow upon them a sublime gift, the Torah of law and freedom. The Bible describes the di- vine light that glowed from his face as he readied his hands to convey the stone engraved with sacred words to the people of Is- rael. But what awaits Moses? Not an expectant, grateful, rev- erent gathering of his followers. He sees a rebellious, idolatrous, frenzied mob, dancing around a calf of gold, fashioned by his own brother. In this deeply tragic moment, his flaming eyes grow dim; and his hands drop the tablets which suddenly become heavy and unbearable. He is heart- broken and outraged. It is not only the tablets that have been shattered. His hopes and dreams lie about him like bro- ken pieces of stone. Moses crushes the tablets before the eyes of the people and calls for severe punishment for their sins. The sequel to this is no less fascinating, powerful and pro- foundly instructive. As the nar- rative unfolds, we recognize that Moses displays even greater heroism and wisdom than had heretofore been re- quired of him. Moses undergoes a transfor- mation, a turning point in his faith and leadership. He takes his staff and climbs Mt. Sinai a second time. Undoubtedly, his heart is heavier, his spirits not as exuberant. Some of his ear- lier enthusiasm, expectation and hope had vanished from his heart. But, nevertheless, he re- turns to the summit of the mountain; and after 40 days, he descends with the second tablets in his hands, as true and inspiring as the first. This is a moment of singular victory. What changed the story from tragedy to triumph? What can we learn from this episode about facing life's frustrations, defeats and anguish? Is there any human life that has not wit- nessed broken tablets? Is there any way to surmount disap- Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of Con- gregation Shanrey Zedek. pointment and failure and climb once more to the moun- tain of vision and faith? The text suggests one im- portant and indispensable ele- ment: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people: 'You have sinned a great sin; and now I will go up unto the Lord, per- haps I shall make atonement for your sins.' " Time had inter- vened, in which to think, med- itate, pray. When the night passed and morning came, Moses had changed. The first words that Moses uttered when he saw the children of Israel Shabbat Ki Tissa: Exodus 30:11-34:35 I Kings 18:1-39. dancing before the golden calf were angry, bitter and out- raged. But the next day Moses was more merciful and under- standing, more compassionate and patient. He was prepared to try again and to renew the Covenant. Elsewhere in the Torah we read "Tomorrow God will work wonders among you." Perhaps that text really means that there are wonders concealed in tomorrow. What has been bro- ken today, can be restored to- morrow. What has been shattered today can be made whole tomorrow. When we seek to comfort the bereaved, we suggest to them that tomorrow may bring heal- ing. To those who endure pain, we offer the promise that to- morrow will bring a measure of relief. To those who have expe- rienced bitterness and hurt, we convey the hope that tomorrow can bring about the process of reconciliation and restoration. Moses taught his people and all the generations to follow that in tomorrow lies the miracle and the mystery of renewal. But time does not heal all wounds and cannot always pro- duce the wonder of transfor- mation. In the field of human relations, the mere passing of days and nights does not correct problems and provide reconcil- iation for broken families or friendships. A thousand to- morrows elapse from the be- ginning of family strife until the final decree of divorce. Time