Torah Portion

Families...

Communicating Is More Than
Speaking The Same Language

of time and patience, compassion
and involvement. People use the
same terminology, but they may
actually be speaking different lan-
guages.
There is an illustration of a larger
truth evident on the international
scene. How can we expect nations
with different cultures, different
tongues and different ideologies to
n the sedrah this week, we
achieve instant agreement when the
read the story of the Tower of
problem of communication, even in
Babel. The Bible wants to
the same language with people in the
explain how mankind came to
same
family, is so difficult.
speak many languages.
And
what about religious, social
The text relates that formerly all
and
ethnic
groups in our own coun-
mankind spoke one tongue. Now a
try? Is the majority suffi-
group of meri decided that
ciently aware of the sensi-
they could achieve lasting
bilities and longings of
fame by building a tower
minorities
so as to be able
that reached the heavens.
to
grasp
their
yearning and
God was displeased with
respond
to
their
needs?
the plan, for their intention
Even
the
discourse
that
was to displace Him. So he
takes place between diverse
confused their language;
groups in Jewish life reflects
each builder began to speak
the "babel" of tongues. Do
a different tongue, thus
we
all share the same
RABBI
IR
WIN
forcing them to cease their
understanding
of the most
GRON ER
project. The name of the
basic
terms:
Judaism,
mitz-
Special to
area was then called Bavel,
vah,
Halachah
and
Torah?
The Jewish News
meaning confusion; hence
We can be enriched by the
the term babble.
diversity of interpretation
The story has fascinated
and by the range of differing views.
young and old alike. It focuses our
But sadly, one often discovers that
attention on the complexities and
communication
breaks down because
problems of communication. We
of
a
failure
in
recognizing
the legiti-
wish we could all speak one lan-
macy
of
diversity,
the
existence
of
guage, but we suffer from a confu-
pluralism
and
the
different
paths
of
sion of tongues. Communication,
Jewish
belief
and
practice.
We
find
despite technological breakthroughs
that we are speaking different lan-
of unprecedented magnitude,
guages.
remains our most vexing concern.
The story of Babel challenges all
Authentic communication is hard to
of
us to create through trust, humili-
achieve, for it needs a meeting of the
ty
and
love a common language of
minds and an emotional rapport that
the
human
spirit in every aspect of
requires patience, sensitivity and
our shared lives. ❑
empathy.
Consider the family situation
where husband and wife are commu-
nicating on different wave lengths.
Cantor Stephen Dubov and Friends
They never seem to be speaking the
will perform 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at
same language though they are both
a Broadway Pops Dinner Theater at
articulate in English. They may both
Temple Beth El. The evening, hosted
speak of the importance of security;
by the Brotherhood of Temple Beth
but for one, security is understood in
El, will feature the cantor and temple
purely financial terms and for the
members Ken Posner, Marsha Rofel
other security is an emotional feeling
and Debi Bernstein-Siegel, in song.
of well-being. They both claim to
Dinner will be followed by show-
love their children. For one, love
time at 7:30 p.m.
means giving children material
Cost of the evening is $27 per per-
things and creature comforts. For the
son
and seating is limited.
other, love is expressed not so much
Reservations may be made, prior to
in possessions as in the gift of self.
Nov. 3, by making checks payable and
Love means a prodigious investment
mailing them to Temple Beth El, 7400
Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of
48301, Attn: Brotherhood.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

•

Shabbat Noah:
Genesis 6:9-11:32;
Numbers 28:9-15;
Isaiah 66:1-24.

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helping families.

Yad Ezra provides kosher food packages to 1,000 families
every month. The families helped by Yad Ezra include:
IIII the elderly a working poor
disabled
single parents
new Americans IN those in emergency situations.
With your help, all families in our community can enjoy a
nutritious and satisfying meal.

■

■

I

■

ti

A weekday meal for 3 small families
$ 18.00
A Holiday meal for 4 small families
$ 36.00
A Shabbat meal for 5 small families
$ 50.00
A Holiday meal for 4 large families
$ 72.00
A year of Holiday meals for 1 family
$ 100.00
A year of Holiday meals for 2 families
$ 200.00
A year of Shabbat meals for 1 small family
$ 500.00
Enclosed is my check in the amount of
as a tax deductible contribution to Yad Ezra to help feed the
Jewish hungry. Your contribution is eligible for a 50% Michigan Tax Credit
(subject to certain limitations).
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Make checks payable to Yad Ezra or-
charge your contribution to your VISA/Mastercard or Discover. (Minimum sug-
gested donation - $18.00)
Card No.
Exp.Date
Signature
Name
Mail to: 26641 Harding ■ Oak Park, MI 48237
Tributes and Memorials available

•
YAD EZRA

feeditg the Jewish frillitgry

Dinner Theater

For more information
call 248-548-3663

STILL SMOKING?

IT'S TIME
TO QUIT!

Hebrew Memorial Chapel

❑

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ININM/N/
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MEM AMIN
MIN.
a
IMIMINII AMMO
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rcs Sr non

26640 Greenfield Rd. Oak Park MI 48237
248-543-1622 • Outside MI 1-800-736-5033

10/31
1997

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