k Because men want more than just one thing. 30-60% off the things you want at Birmingham's most preferred men's clothier. MAXWELL 116 North Woodward Avenue • Corner of Maple (810) 642-1965 Monday-Saturday: 10-6, Thursday: 10-9 Certain restrictions apply. See store for details. LtRET JEWELERS lint ntLRT d OlfTS THE NEW MODELS HAVE ARRIVED! Individually handcrafted limited edition ceramic sculptures accented with 24 karat gold. 30 6885 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322 On The Boardwalk • (810) 737-2333 Our Involvement Expresses Belief BY RABBI MORTON F. YOLKUT SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS I n this week's sedrah, we again read the thrilling and unfor- gettable episode of the cross- ing of the Red Sea. One week following the Exodus, our ances- tors stood on the shores of the Red Sea and witnessed the de- struction of their longtime Egypt- ian tormentors. This miraculous victory came when the people feared all was lost and it was, in- deed, the final confirmation of God's promised redemption. At this junction the Torah tells us: "And Israel saw the great work that God did against the Egyptians, and they feared God; and they believed in God and in his servant Moses." (Exodus 14:31). As they witnessed this divine deliverance, the Israelites burst forth into a beautiful song of thanksgiving. That song—the shira—was later incorporated into our daily liturgy and has since become our quintessential prayer of thanksgiving. It has always seemed strange that the Exodus itself was passed by in absolute silence. There is no mention of any songs or prayers at that time. Only later at the Red Sea did the Israelites offer a song of thanksgiving. Why did they wait until then? Why is there no song of rejoicing a week earlier—at the Exodus itself? The answer to this question turns on the role of the Israelites at each of these respective events. When our ancestors witnessed the miracles of the Exodus, the 10 plagues and their dramatic consequences, they were simply passive spectators. God did the miraculous acts and they mere- ly observed from the sidelines. They were liberated but they were not involved in their liber- ation. Later, however, at the Red Sea, a serious effort was required on their part. According to our sages, the waters divided only af- ter the Israelites braved the waves plunging into the water until it reached up to their nos- trils. Here, they were more than spectators; they were partici- pants. They were involved in shaping their redemption and forging their destiny. This was true belief. "And they believed in God and in His ser- vant Moses." True faith implies commit- ment and involvement. To believe is to do something about that be- lief. Now we can understand why their song was delayed and re- cited only later at the Red Sea. For that song was an expression of their devotion and total com- mitment to the vision which they had been privileged to behold. Judaism, unlike many of the other world religions, is not a re- ligion which emphasizes dogma, doctrines and beliefs. We are not a people rooted in abstract prin- ciples or philosophical specula- tions. As Jews we are not expected simply to learn by rote a catechism or a series of facts. Rather, the obligation of the Jew is to experience, to live, and to participate in the drama of sig- nificant moments and hallowed events. Ours is an action-orient- ed and mitzvah-centered religion. It is experiential. Shabbat Beshalach: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Judges 4:4-5:31. On Passover we are not mere- ly required to discuss the Exodus, but also to taste the bitterness of slavery, to eat the bread of afflic- tion and to drink the wine of re- demption. On Siikkot, we dwell in flimsy booths to feel the cold winds of exile. We are not a reli- gion of abstraction, but of reali- ty, of life itself. Judaism is a religion of experience and it func- tions meaningfully when it is lived and experienced. If Judaism is to survive and prosper in this generation, we must be prepared to move for- ward like our ancestors and to practice it and not just talk about it. Let us learn from this re- markable episode at the Red Sea Let us not be content with mere- ly saying smugly that we believe in Judaism, and then doing noth- ing about it. Belief implies com- mitment and participation. Nothing less will do! Let us prac- tice what we preach and live what we profess. 0 Beth Achim Plans Kiddush The Cultural Commission of Con- gregation Beth Achim will hold the next Sit-Down Kiddush to welcome the coming of the new month of Adar II on Feb. 25. Ser- vices will begin at 8:45 a.m. fol- lowed by the kiddush. Norma Goldman, a professor at Wayne State University, will be the guest speaker. Her topic will be "Exploring Israel: A Dig- ging Perspective."