COME IN AND
WORSHIP
WHERE
EVERYBODY
KNOWS YOUR
NAME.

Torah Portion

What Is Real
Is Below The Surface

At Temple KOL AMI you are a
member of our family and an
integral part of every event you
attend. You can always find a seat
with a view and you are never lost
in a crowd. We believe that the most
meaningful place to worship is one
where you feel included.
Please join us on Monday, August 31 from
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. for our Fall Membership Open House to
meet our Temple family and enjoy the intimate spiritual setting of our Temple home.

1)

1r) Temple Kol Arni

Where tradition still lives.

5085 Walnut Lake Road,
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
248.661.0040 Fax 248.661.5901
E-mail kolami.speedlink.net

WEddiNg?

PIANNINq

Q

The Jewish News would like to give you
a gift that will make planning
your simcha a little easier.
If YOUR EVENT IS LESS TITAN A YEAR AWAY, PLEASE MAIL OR

fAX US YOUR SIMCIIA, ALONG WITh YOUR NAME, AddRESS,
ANd PhONE NUMbER TO:

27676 Franklin Road
Southfield, MI 48034
fax: 248-354-1210

"A baby sitter for me?
Don't even think about it!"

When my daughter said she was calling

'4**

Seniors V Seniors,_ I said "no way! I'm not

helpless." But then she explained how this
agency is different. They don't just provide
companionship. they clean house, prepare
meals, drive me to the store or the doctor's,
whatever I need. And they'll come a few
hours a day, a few days a week or even full
time. Know what I like most about Seniors
Seniors, though? My daughter feels so
much better!

Handymen, Homecleaners & Drivers

Devoted to helping you live a fuller life.

(248) 865-8000

' i

Bonded & Insured

th the

CELEBRATION CONNE

8/21
1998,

70 Detroit Jewish News

I

Conversations

B'nai Moshe
Holds Picnic

Part-time & live-in Companions

For more information:

"Moses said (in the Torah) :.. 'and
the pig because it has split hooves (one
of the two necessary characteristics of
kosher species — the other is to chew
its cud) ... still it must not be eaten.'
(Deuteronomy 14:8) The pig when it
sprawls, sticks out its hooves as if to say,
`Look at me. I am kosher (I have split
hooves.)'"
This midrash describes the one who
n this week's portion, the Torah
conspicuously flaunts hi's performance
tells us which animals and water
of the mitzvah, the religious ceremony,
creatures we may eat and which
the act of righteousness to call attention
flying creatures we may not eat.
to
his piety. Outwardly, he declares to
Although the Torah does not give
all "I am kosher" when in
any reason for these prohibi-
actuality he remains "treife"
tions other than to exhort us
(non-kosher) inside:
to "be sanctified," the rabbis
Such ostentation and
use these verses as a source of
public religiosity is not only
homiletical material to teach
not the ideal, it makes one's
us lessons (midrash) touching
real
piety suspect. The pig.
many topics. In particular,
in
the
,"disguiSe:: of some-,
there are two of these
thing
koAt'er'illtirnately
midrashim that very powerful-
remains . a pig.
ly point out to us what true
True piety, righteousness
righteousness and piety are.
The Talmud (Huiln 63A)
RABBI ELIEZER and sanctity are the measures
of one's true inner soul —
in the name of Rav Yehuda
COHEN
whether in relationship with
asks, "Why is the stork called
Special to
chasida?" (the Hebrew for
The Jewish News God or one's fellow man —
and not necessarily how one
stork as well as for "kindly
may appear outwardly. ❑
one"). It answers, "Because it
acts kindly with comrades." Even
though Rav Yehuda praises the behavior
of the stork, it is still considered a non-
kosher bird, forbidden to be eaten. In
Why were the Jewish people corn-
addition, many of the medieval rabbis,
manded. to destroy all vestiges of
including both Nachmonides and
idolatry? (Deuteronomy 12:1-3)
Maimonides, characterize all of the
Why is it forbidden to eat blood?
non-kosher birds as cruel because they
(Deuteronomy : 12:16, 23-25) How
are birds of prey.
can we distinguish between a true
How can the medieval rabbis consid-
prophet and'a fahe prophet?
er the stork cruel in spite of its name
(Deuteronomy 13:2-6) What.rea-.
and the Talmud's explanation? It seems
sons can we give for certain foods
to me that what the midrash is telling
being prohibited by the`Torah?
us is that the stork may truly be chasida
(Deuteronomy 14:3-21) Why are
but only in regards to its comrades. To
we obligated to rejoice together
be concerned and help one's own corn-
with the needy on our . holidays?
rades, family and friends, those of one's
(Deuteronomy 12:12, 16:1 1-12,14)
own community or only those that
share some commonality is not real
kindness and sensitivity. These charac-
teristics must be offered to the stranger,
to those who do not share things in
common, to those who are different to
be praiseworthy.
Congregation B'nai Moshe will hold its
To be kind to one's own does not
annual family picnic 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
preclude one from being truly cruel.
Sunday Aug 30, on the grounds of the
The outward behavior in a limited con-
synagogue.
text may not indicate nor reflect the
The picnic will feature kosher bar-
true nature of the individual.
becue, a moonwalk, arts and crafts,
Likewise, there is a graphic midrash
games, music and a raffle drawing.
brought out in Vayiki.a Raba (Sh'mini
The picnic, sponsored by the syna-
13:6):
gogue and the B'nai Moshe Men's
Club, is free for all current and
Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of
prospective members.
Congregation Or Chadash.

Shabbat Re'e:
Deuteronomy 11:26-
16:17; Numbers 28:9-
15; Isaiah 66:1-24.

DIRECTORY
in our Classified Section