Spirituality
Torah Portion/Synagogues
The Many Voices Of The Oral Law
Shabbat HaChodesh;
Parshat Tazria:
Leviticus 12:1-13:59;
Exodus 12:1-20;
Ezekiel 45 : 16-46: 18.
T
his week's Torah portion deals
with various types of tuma, a
term not really translatable into
English, that refers to a state of being
that requires certain restrictions.
We learn of the tuma as a result of
childbirth, of Izordas (tuma resulting
from various skin and hair abnormali-
ties) and of nega bkodim (the tuma
caused by abnormalities in fabrics or
leather). In these last two types of tuma,
it is the kohen (priest) who declares the
status of tuma, based on his viewing the
symptoms, essentially changes in color.
It seems this determination is some-
Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Congregation
Or Chadash.
what subjective; it is possible that differ-
become normative; such is the halachic
ent priests or the same priest under dif-
process and how the Torah She'b'al Peh
ferent conditions would perceive the
(the oral tradition) develops. Halachah
colors differently, and yet, according to
can only be decided by those qualified
the Torah, it is his declaration that is
due to their expertise in understanding
decisive. The Talmud itself (Nida 20b)
and handing the legal sources, their
discusses such subjectivity in making
deep respect and adherence to the
sum decisions and formulates the gov-
halachic system and the trust and faith
erning principle that "there is nothing
that the Torah-observant community
for the judge but what his eyes see."
places in them and their decisions. Such
When rendering a legal opin-
sages, present in every genera-
ion in Jewish law, the decision
tion (see Deuteronomy 17:8-
must ultimately depend on
14), are the authorities who
that which he "sees" — his
determine the behavior of the
subjective opinion based on the
Torah-observant Jew.
evidence as he understands it.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the
Halachah (Jewish law) has
pre-eminent Halachah decisor
not been determined by a cen-
of the previous generation,
tral authority for some 2,000
wrote in the introduction of
years. Each qualified rabbini-
his responsum Egros Moshe.
cal authority renders his own
"... the true ruling (in
RABBI
opinion on any given issue in
Halachah) is that which
ELIEZER
Halachah — and such an
appears
to the sage after his
COHEN
opinion is valid and may be
toil and effort to clarify the
Special to the
followed by any Torah-obser-
law in the sources according
Jewish News
vant Jew.
to his capabilities, with
It is through the practice of
respect and the awe of God
the halachic-observant community that
— and thus he should render his deci-
determines, over time, which opinions
sion to be implemented in practice, and
DOR CHADASH — U. OF MICH.
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ral state. This includes all fruits, grains, vegetables, nuts, flowers, seeds, roots,
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making your kitchen kosher, contact Miriam Amzalak at (248) 548-6771 or e-mail:
miriamamzalak @juno.com
CONSERVATIVE
ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills. 48334, (248) 851-
5100. Rabbis: Daniel Nevins, Herbert Yoskowitz, Rachel
Lawson Shere. Rabbi emeritus: Efry Spectre. Cantor:
Yevsey Gutman. Cantor emeritus: Larry Vieder. Services:
Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 8 p.m.; weekdays 7:30
am., 6 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. B'nai mitzvah of Hannah
Kowalsky, daughter of Ester Sleutelberg and Howard
Kowalsky; Chad Duschinsig, son of Sandi and Stan
Duschinsky.
AHAVAS ISRAEL (GRAND RAPIDS)
2727 Michigan St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506-1297. (616)
949-2840. Rabbi: David J.B. Krishef. Cantor: Stuart R.
Rapaport. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30
a.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
BEIT KODESH
2005
80
G-5240 Calkins Road. Flint, 48532. (810) 732-6310.
Cantor emeritus: Sholom Kalib. President: Dr. Harold
Steinman. Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; weekdays
7:30 a.m.. 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 8 a.m., 6
p.m. Ivriah religious school (810) 732-6312.
BETH ISRAEL (ANN ARBOR)
CONGREGATION
2000 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. 48104. (734) 665-9897.
Rabbi: Robert Dobrusin. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday
9:30 a.m.: weekdays 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 p.m.
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM
14601 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 547-7970.
Rabbi: David A. Nelson. Cantor: Samuel L. Greenbaum.
Ritual director: Rev. Samuel Semp. Services: Friday 6 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m., 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.. 5 p.m.; week-
days 7 a.m.. 6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Shabbat.
31840 W. Seven Mile, Livonia. (248) 477-8974. Cantor:
David Gutman. President: Larry Stein. Vice presidents:
Martin Diskin, AI Gittleman. Services: Friday 8 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m.
146 South Ave.. Mt. Clemens, 48043, (586) 465-0641.
Services: weekdays 7:15 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.: Sunday
8 a.m.
CONGREGATION BETH AHM
CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE
5075 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 851-6880.
Ritual director: Joseph Mermelstein. Rabbi emeritus: A.
Irving Schnipper. Cantor Emeritus: Shabtai Ackerman.
Guest rabbi: Aaron Bergman. Visiting scholar: Dr. Howard
Lupovitch. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.,
7:45 p.m.; weekdays 7 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sundays and civic
holidays: 8:15 a.m., 5 p.m.
4/7
BETH ISRAEL (FLINT)
BETH IEPHILATH MOSES
6800 Drake, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 788-0600.
Rabbi: Elliot Pachter Cantor: Earl Berris. Services: Friday 6
p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.. 8 p.m.; Monday-Friday 7 a.m.,
Monday-Thursday 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 9
a.m.; Sunday 6 p.m. Bar mitzvah of Marc Liebowitz, son of
Michael and Susan Liebowkitz. Totally Teen Shabbat.
U-M Hillel; 1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor 48104, (734) 769-
0500. Rabbi: Jason A. Miller. Co-chairs: Naomi Karp, Perry
Teicher. Egalitarian Carlebach-style service at casndle-
lighting time Fridays. Monthly Shabbat morning service.
Monthly Shabbat Minchah Seudah Shlishit. Check Web
site for times www.umhillel.org
-
ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN
SYNAGOGUE
1457 Griswold, Detroit. 48226, (313) 961-9328. Chazan:
Cantor Usher Adler. Baal Kriah: Howard Marcus. Cantorial
soloist: Neil Bards. Ritual director: Dr. Martin Herman.
President: Dr. Ellen Kahn. Services: Saturday 8:30 a.m.
CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK
Rabbis: Joseph H. Krakoff. Jonathan E. Berkun, Eric S.
Yanoff. Rabbi emeritus: Irwin Groner. Cantor: Chaim
Najman. Ritual director: Leonard Gutman.
Southfield: 27375 Bell Road. Southfield, 48034, (248) 357-
5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 a.m.:
Monday. Thursday 7:15 am.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. Bar mitzvah
of Matthew Luckoff, son of Nancy and Howard Luckoff.
West Bloomfield, B'nai Israel Center: 4200 Walnut Lake
Road. West Bloomfield, 48323-2772, (248) 357-5544.
Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:15 a.m.; Monday,
Thursday 7 a.m.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9
a.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Bar mitzvah of Adam
Yehudah York, son of Nitzana and Doron York.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
2300 Center Ave., Bay City, 48708; (989) 893-7811.
Cantor: Daniel Gale. President: Dr. Jonathan Abramson.
Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m. A liberal, egalitarian congre-
gation serving the tri-cities area. Religious and Hebrew
education programs for children and adults.
INDEPENDENT
AHAVAT SHALOM
413 N. Division St.. Traverse City, 49684, (231) 929-4330.
so he is obligated to rule."
Therefore, on any given matter, there
may be a whole range of acceptable
opinions rendered by qualified authori-
ties. Uniformity of practice is not
required and may not even be ideal;
with different opinions, all of which are
valid, one can find and live the Torah-
true life that is consistent with one's per-
sonal character and style.
This, then, is the way Jewish law is
determined and practiced, and it
behooves every Jew not only to live his
life according to God's will as reflected in
the Torah and its application by the
sages; but each must respect the decisions
of qualified decisors and those who fol-
low them, in spite of the differences. Li
Conversations
Is having one central authority for
Halachah better than the current
practice? Why should one govern
one's life by the decisions of other
people? Why can't we all decide
Jewish law for ourselves?
Rabbi: Chava (Stacie) Bahle. Weekly Shabbat celebrations,
holidays, year round programming, children's education.
Summer programming for downstate visitors.
GROSSE POINTE JEWISH COUNCIL
(313) 882-6700. Rabbi: Nicholas Behrmann. Cantorial
soloist: Bryant Frank.
JEWBILATION
P.O. Box 130014, Ann Arbor, 48103. (734) 996-3524 or
995-1963. Rev. Lauren Zinn. Services: Friday 6:15, follow-
ing dinner. Jewish Roots with Interfaith Wings holds bi-
monthly Shabbat dinner. services. kids' programs, family
school and Hebrew school for all ages.
ORTHODOX
AGUDAS YISROEL MOGEN
ABRAHAM
15751 W. Lincoln, Southfield, 48075. (248) 552-1971.
Rabbis: Dov Loketch. Asher Eisenberger. President Irwin
Cohen.
ANN ARBOR CHABAD HOUSE
715 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 995-3276. Rabbi:
Aharon Goldstein. Services: Friday at sundown; Saturday
9:45 a.m.. 20 min. before sundown; weekdays 7:30 a.m.:
Sunday 9 a.m. Times for weekdays and Sunday are for
the academic year.
ANN ARBOR ORTHODOX MINYAN
1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48014. Rabbi: Rod Glogower.
Services: Friday at sundown; Saturday 9:30 a.m. and 20
minutes before sundown; weekdays during the academic
year 7:30 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.
BAIS CHABAD OF FARMINGTON
HILLS
32000 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills. 48334, (248) 855-
2910. Rabbi: Chaim Bergstein. Services: Friday sundown:
Saturday 9:30 a.m.: Sunday 8:30 a.m.: weekdays 6:50
a.m.