Torah Portion Respect For Fellow Man Heightens Respect For God In the first eight portions of Leviticus, the program for such a sanctified life is revealed. But a life of personal and communal sanctity and a real relation- ship with God must be predicated on a formulation of justice and fair treat- ment of all. The entire program of sacrifices, his week's portion contains purity, holiness and sanctity can regulations specifically for degenerate into the absolute and the priests and high priest utter desecration of God and His as well as a catalogue of name if strife, dispute and disrespect the specific laws relating to the holy for the individual human being or days of the year. his property continue to exist. The This portion is really the culmi- Torah does not reveal the nation of the entire first nature of the dispute, but part of Leviticus with its it certainly holds the blas- rules of sacrifice and sancti- phemer responsible for his ty. In this part of the Torah, behavior to the point of we are presented with the demanding his execution. regulations by which the How would his blasphemy Jewish people can achieve be conceivable without the the proper relationship with dispute and in a society God as well as a communal imbued with real sanctity life imbued with sanctity and respect for God and and holiness. It is in this for one another? RABBI ELIEZER context that the very last Society must begin COHEN section of the parsha is so with very basic respect for Special to the each individual and his enigmatic. After this program for Jewish News right to live without fear sanctity and holiness has for his own safety and loss been presented, the Torah of property. There must be tells of the incident of the blasphe- a proper mechanism to deal justly mer (Leviticus 24:10-23). The son of and fairly with disputes that arise a Jewish woman by an Egyptian man between people. All must feel a real becomes involved in some unspeci- part of the community with a per- fied dispute in the Jewish camp and sonal interest in maintaining the as a result blasphemes — curses — peace and contributing to the wel- God's holy name. fare of the entire community. This story is followed by a few When this kind of just society is verses requiring the execution of the sincerely striven for, then sanctity blasphemer and various other unre- and holiness, a closeness to the lated laws dealing with murder, divine, is possible. Otherwise, as all property damage and compensation. the prophets continually proclaimed, The absolute irony of the incident of the rites and ceremonies, religious blasphemy — the ultimate in the laws and practices are mere sham, desecration and degradation of God hypocrisy and desecration of God. in human terms — comes at the very culmination of hundreds of verses teaching us how to sancti our lives. It certainly must contain a message that the Torah is trying to convey. Which is better, a completely non- Likewise, the inclusion of the religious community or a "reli- laws relating to murder, property gious" community where dishon- damage and compensation also must esty, deceit and lack of respect for be explained. each individual prevail? Why is It seems to me that the Torah is blasphemy considered a crime so attempting to teach us a very basic serious as to require an execution? and essential lesson. Sanctity in Is there a relationship between the human existence can be achieved both respect for one's fellow man and on the personal and the communal respect for God? What are holiness level. Human beings, likewise, can cre- and sanctity and how can they be ate a real relationship with the divine. achieved? SINGLES EXTENSION GROUP ofTEMPLE ISRAEL Invites Jewish Singles 50 and Over to THAT'S ITALIAN III DINNER DANCE Sunday, May 16th 6:30 P.M. Shabbat Emor: Leviticus 21:1-24: 23 ; Ezekiel 44:15-31. T Conversations Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Congregation Or Chadash. Temple Israel 5725 Walnut Lake Roach West Bloomfield Menu: Spaghetti/turkey meatballs, salad, garlic bread, dessert, coffee, tea, sodapop, wine, munchies. Music by Wally Duda Cost: $15 members: $18 Non-members: Advance paid reservations only by May 10th. Please make checks payable to Singles Extension Group. Mail to P.O. Box 771, Southfield, MI 48037-0771. Information: Barbara Ginsburg (248) 353-7261 Charlotte Jonap (248) 474-5346 Shirley Wine (248) 682-3181 TRANSFER YOUR HOME MOVIES 8mm - 16mm TO VHS CCHTURS CAMERA r Spring Special FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC r Film Length In Feet 8mm & Super 8 & 16 1-200 Feet 201-400 Feet 401-600 Feet 601-800 Feet 801-1000 Feet $20.00 $26.00 $39.00 $52.00 $65.00 On Any Video Transfer Century Camera 288-5444 Film Over 1,000 Feet Add 6v A Foot (Video Tape $8.00 Additional) With This Coupon. Expires 5/23/99 L 30533 N. WOODWARD VISA 248-288-5444 Daily & Saturday 10-6 Friday 10-8 ROYAL OAK (3 Blocks South of 13 Mile) or all ofyour special occasions. DAVID NEWMAN ■ CORPORATE: SEMINARS,SPEECHES, AWARD BANQUETS ■ LEGAL DEPOSITIONS, COURTROOM PLAYBACKS ■ SOCIAL WEDDINGS, BAR/BATMITZVAHS PLUS MUCH MORE! , tIC FULL SERVICE VIDEO RECORDING & PRODUCTION (248) 539-0800 • 30160 Orchard Lake Road • Suite 140 • Farmington Hilg Firs TINE TO TUN . up THE ENERGY tFyi. LIVING [HMV MCs • Disc jockeys • Dancers LOting • 'Video Simulcasts • Statging • AffOccasions THE MOST EXCITING MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT (248) 626-9550 5600 West Maple • Suite D-4I8 • West Bloomfield American Heart Association. Fighting Heart Disease and Stroke Detroit Jewish News 4i, • I c! 7