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. Keeping Kosher All things that grow from the earth are considered kosher and parve in their natu- ral state. This includes all fruits, grains, vegetables, nuts, flowers, seeds, roots, mushrooms and herbs. Once processed, supervision is required: Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. For information on keeping kosher Or for help 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.