The Birmingham Temple The Humanist Forum May 1996 Ethics in America The May series of the Humanist Forum will focus on three areas of profound ethical concern to the American public — the government, the legal profession and the media. MONDAY, MAY 6 • 8:30 P.M. MONDAY, MAY 13 • 8:30 P.M. MONDAY, MAY 20 • 8:30 P.M. Vision for America What's Wrong with the Media? Guest Speaker Lawyers: What's Right, What's Wrong THE MICKEY AND ROBERT SHORR Doug Ross Guest Speakers MEMORIAL LECTURE 1996 Doug Ross is a leading Democratic candidate for the governorship of the state of Michigan. He served as both the Director of the Michigan Department of Commerce and as an Assistant Secretary of Labor under Robert Reich in the Clinton Administration. Michael Schwartz and Larry Charfoos Michael Schwartz is a partner in the firm Fieger, Fieger and Schwartz and a leading defender of Dr. Jack Kevorkian. He is the former Grievance Administrator of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission. Larry Charfoos, is a leading trial lawyer in the state of Michigan and the author of several bestselling books of medieval law. Guest Speaker James Fallows, Washington Bureau Chief for the Atlantic Monthly James Fallows is the author of the new bestselling book about the media, Breaking the News. ADMISSION: $5.00 Members $6.00 Non-members THE BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE • 28611 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills For more information call the Temple Office at 810-477-1410 Temple Israel invites you to the Annual Arlene June Gottlieb Memorial Concert CELEBRATING 3,000 YEARS OF JERUSALEM ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE TRIBUTE featuring AVI ALBRECHT, baritone DAVID ROSEN, comedian SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1996, 3:30 p.m. TH E D E TRO T J E WI S H N EWS 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield 28 co-sponsored by Temple Couples Club for complimentary tickets call (810) 661-5700 Michael A. Jonas P•H•O• T•0•G•R•A• P•1-1•1' Weddings • Bar / Bat Mitzvah Specialist "The DIFFERENCE Makes The Difference!" (810) 647-5060 CLASSIFIED GET RESULTS! Call The Jewish News 354-5959 A Peaceful Existence Must Be Sought Shabbat Emor: Leviticus 21:1- 24:23; Ezekiel 44:15-31. RABBI ELIEZER COHEN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS T he first half of this week's ual Jew was so great that he not sedrah, Emor, deals with only felt himself unworthy to the special duties, regula- judge his fellow man, but he sin- tions and responsibilities of cerely saw only the good in every- one and truly interpreted their the Kohanim — the priests. Aaron and his descendants behavior in a positive light. The Mishnah in Tractate Avos were designated for this special role; and although the sacrificial (1:12) tells us that "Hillel used to service no longer exists, the re- say: 'Be of the students of Aaron strictions that apply to Kohanim — love peace and pursue peace, are still in force. The Kohain did love humankind and bring them more than simply facilitate the close to the Torah."' Maimonides offering of sacrifices. The Torah in explaining the Mishnah says: tells us that the high priest "bore `They said of Aaron that when he the judgement of the Jewish peo- felt that a person was evil or that ple upon his heart" (Exodus he had had a bad reputation or 28:29) and "bore their names be- that he was a sinner, he would fore God as a remembrance upon initiate a greeting to him and would befriend him and would his shoulders" (Exodus 28:12). The priest was the intermedi- engage him in conversation ..." ary — the connection — between To Aaron, every Jew was beloved, God and the Jewish people and by him and by God. between the Jewish people and God. And this relationship, in both directions, as personalized by the priest, was one of uncon- ditional love. When, even today, the priests bless the nation (outside of Israel this is done according to tradition on the biblical festivals, the "Duchanin" of the Musaf service) the preliminary blessing they re- cite is to the One "... Who com- manded the priests to bless His nation with love." And the fact the Mogayn Avrohom — the au- thoritative 17th century corn- mentary on the code of Jewish law — states: "Any priest that does not love the congregation or It was Aaron who not only the congregation does not love him should not bless the people." loved every Jew, but also sought The priest represents the love_ to engender that love between all God has for His nation and their Jews and to end dispute and to reciprocation — the nexus being bring peace. It is certainly ap- propriate that the priestly bless- the sacrificial service. It seems to me that this spe- ing first uttered by Aaron cial function of the Kohanim was culminates with the divine bless- exemplified throughout the ing that is the basis of all bless- Torah by the behavior of Aaron ings, namely that of peace. It has always seemed ironic to himself. Aaron loved the Jewish people me that the final blessing in the to the point of being unable to Amidah — the silent devotion view them and their behavior in that we say three times a day — an objective, critical light — even is the blessing of peace wherein to their request for the Golden we thank God and bless Him for Calf. In fact, there is the very granting peace to His nation. How is it that we Jews — the telling Midrash that contrasts the behavior of Moses, the leader, most persecuted nation in his- with that of Aaron, the priest... tory who have been expelled from "Moses would judge the people practically every nation on earth, with a true judgement and he who have rarely known a gener- chastised them, but Aaron nev- ation without suffering — should er told a man or woman 'you be- thank God for granting us peace? On the other hand, perhaps if haved improperly."' Aaron's love for each individ- we cannot truly love one anoth- er and be at peace with our fel- low Jew, how can we expect this Eliezer Cohen is the former rabbi from the rest of the world? ❑ of Young Israel Oak-Woods. • c=/ \ C_