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Torah Portion
The Quality Of Compassion
Underlies Our Faith
.
If you've ever worried
about an aging parent, or
needed services for your-
self, you'll want to keep
this phone number close
at hand.
Shabbat Vaera:
Exodus 6:2-9:35;
Ezekiel 28:25-29:21.
For information, referral
and access to services for
older adults, call
T
people
ElderLink
Sponsored by the
Commission on Jewish Eldercare
Services of the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit.
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strangers and outcasts in the land of
Egypt."
In Jewish thought, compassion for all
living things extends even to animals.
We can judge the level of civilization on
the basis of its treatment of animals.
The Torah has a remarkable law that
forbids plowing with an ox and a don-
he Torah continues the saga
key together. The ox is strong and large;
of liberation of the Hebrew
the donkey is smaller and weaker.
people from Egyptian slavery.
Therefore, if the two animals are yoked
together, the smaller animal suffers; and
Throughout the narrative, the Bible
this is, therefore, forbidden.
describes Pharaoh repeatedly as a relent-
Jewish tradition has always disap-
less and ruthless despot, a king whose
proved of the hunting of animals for
heart is hardened." Nineteen
sport. It is only in recent years
times, the sages point out, the
that I have ever encountered
phrase "hard heart" occurs in
Jews who kill animals for fun.
the description of Pharaoh's
If Judaism teaches compas-
response to Moses' plea for
sion for the lower animals,
freedom.
how much more does it teach
The Bible and the Jewish
compassion for our fellow
tradition were pointing to
human beings? The biblical
more than Pharaoh, and their
tradition is suffused with an
judgment extended beyond
awareness of the suffering of
Egypt. The condition of the
all living things. Jewish
RABBI IRWIN
"hard heart" was not limited
morality is based on the uni-
GRO NER
to the Egyptian Pharaoh nor
versal principle that we must
Special to The
to the Roman Caesars nor to
respond with rachmones. It is
Jewish News
the Hiders and the Stalins of
sinful not to feel compassion.
every age; for the world is
What is the root of the
filled with many little tyrants.
word rachmones? The term defies literal
A hard heart is the mark of one
translation. It means sympathy, mercy,
who has no compassion, magnanimity
love, tenderness and empathy. It is
or generosity of spirit. Pharaoh was
derived from the Hebrew word rechem
preoccupied with buildings that would
which means the womb of the mother.
immortalize his name, pyramids that
Rachmanus is the all-embracing love of
would glorify him through the cen-
a mother, suggesting her warmth, pro-
turies. He was obsessed with greed
tection, nurture and secure affection.
and power. He brooked no disagree-
Others say it refers to the brotherly and
ment and allowed no kindness, charity
sisterly feeling of those who were born
or sympathy for men, women or chil-
out of the same womb. The word uni-
dren.
versally expresses the tender feelings of a
The foundation stone of Jewish
parent for an offspring. That supreme
ethics, the principle of Jewish morality,
quality of mercy and compassion is the
is that a person must have mercy on
love of God for His children.
everyone and everything. What is the
The sages say one can always tell a
gravest sin? I believe it to be cruelty.
Jew, even if he has violated all the laws
The basic term with which to under-
of the Torah, by a distinguishing char-
stand the full range of Jewish ethical
acteristic: He is compassionate. Jews are
response is rachmones.
called rachmanim b'nai rachmanim com-
The Bible presents the story of the
passionate children of compassionate
slavery in Egypt and utilizes it as the
ancestors.
leitmotif for the commitment to
In a world so often devoid of com-
demonstrate compassion. We are to
passion, the Jew bears witness to its
remember our degradation and oppres-
supreme importance.
sion, the Torah states, not to keep alive
the hatred of our oppressors, but rather
to extend compassion to those who are
not secure and free.
Over and over again does the Bible
assert, "Thou shalt not oppress the
"A Journey Through Musical Gems"
stranger." Why not? "Because you know
will be the theme of a cabaret night 8
what it is like to be a stranger; you were
p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at
Congregation Beth Shalom.
Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of
Presented by the synagogue's cultur-
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
,
i.
if .E-
❑
r 1 f. , G 0 D IVA leo = its
Chocolatier
Fine Chocolates • Gift Baskets
Gourmet Foods
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•Nut. Candy & Fruit 11-ays • Local & National Defivery
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Sat/IA(4 geku,taAty mtiv
1 / 23
1998
66
248-624-8779
4827 Haggett; Rd. West Bloomfield
in the Westuind Lake Vita Shops
Mon.— Sat. 9:30 A.M. to 5.130 P.M.
Cabaret Night
At Beth Shalom
al commission, the evening will fea-
ture soprano Valerie Yova and lyric
tenor David Troiano, accompanied by
pianist Jean Schneider.
Wine, pastries and snacks will be
served. The community is invited.
Admission is $12 in advance, $14 at
the door. Tables of 10 may be reserved
in advance with payment in full.
For information, call the synagogue
office, (248) 547-7970, or Doris
Schey, (248) 545-7112.
Emanu-El
Study Shabbat
Temple Emanu-El will host Study
Shabbat evening services 8:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20, at the temple. Rabbi
Klein will lead a discussion on "The
religious role of the non-Jew in the
synagogue."
For information, contact the tem-
ple office, (248) 967-4020.
Adult Hebrew
At B'nai Moshe
Adults who are interested in learning
how to read Hebrew (especially as in
the Siddur) are invited to enroll in
classes offered by Congregation B'nai
Moshe.
Levels include Total Beginner,
Beyond Beginner, Intermediate and
Advanced. Enrollment is open to all
interested adults in the community,
regardless of affiliation.
Some classes meet for one hour a
week; others for 90 minutes a week.
There is a charge.
Classes are ongoing, with tuition
charged .every eight weeks. For infor-
mation, contact Rita Abramson, (248)
78K-0600.
Family Service
At- Shir Shalom
Temple Shir Shalom Rekindling
Shabbat dinner and services will be
held 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan-. 30, fol-
lowed by family dinner.
A special program, called Shabbat
Camp, for Children ages 3-8 will be
`held during services. Children must be
registered for this no-charge activity.
Dinner is $9.27 per adult and $5.57
per child; children under 5 are free of
charge.
Make reservations through the tem-
ple office, (248) 737 8700.
-