You've Got Our Number 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. Anniversary Sale - 17,1831 • ; .• _ • t• 40— - • 7:.___4-'-',7, $ ' tif** z • ,e ► on Mufft Vanderbear & Friends. , ----- (Outfits and accessories too.) —=r 20% OFF tai derbear in-stock SUPER SELECTION! items thru Jan. 31. FREE Coloring a i n Sheets g i,-m Draw uffy,, s Look for special offers each week celebrating our 50th year! (Limited number of exclusions) I W. 12 Mile 1 OSPITAL 011 3947 Berkley m (2 048 n. ) 5431-0315135 0 ...e , ,... i y , op ele ' '‘.94 b ,, 9 & Fri. 10-8 S , • ( R . 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 •Welling/Shower Favors • Corporate Gifts •Nut. Candy & Fruit 11-ays • Local & National Defivery Werneingev... ent ne ; si g /s/ 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. -