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1~·1.1 _>::t~'l-~ The Vatican Counc~,~~ and the Jew

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Hatred Comes Forth From Zion

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Agudath Israel In. the U.N. •

Assimilation -

Two Sides of the '-'U'fii,!'.i' THE JEWISH QBSERVER

contents

articles

THE VATICAN COUNCIL AND THE JEW, Yaakov Jacobs··············· 3

HATRED COMES FORTH FROM ZION ...... 6

Ass1MILATION-TW0 SIDES OF THE CoJN, Shubert Spero ...... 9

AGUDATH IsRAEL IN THE UNITED NATIONS, An Interview...... 12 THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, A LETTER FROM ISRAEL ...... 15 5 Beekman Street, New York, N. Y. 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N. Y. THREE MISSING WORDS, Yaakov Jacobs...... 16 Subscription: $5.00 per year; single copy: 50¢. Printed in the U.S.A.

Editorial Board DR. ERNST L. BODENHFJMER Chainnan features RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS TRANSLATIONS OF TORAH CLASSICS ...... 18 JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI MORRIS SHERER SAMSON RAPHAEL HIRSCH ON CHANUKAH ...... 20 Art Editor BERNARD MERLING SECOND LOOKS AT THE JEWISH SCENE ...... Advertising Manager 24 RABBI SYSHE HESCHEL Managing Editor LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ...... 29 RABBI Y AA KOY JACOBS

THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product or service advertised in its ·pages. the c:over Nov. 1964 VoL. II, No. 2 A section of the Arch of Titus, in Rome, portraying Roman troops carrying

~@) the Menorah removed from the Bais Hamikdosh. (See SAMSON RAPHAEL HIRSCH ON CHANUKAH, page 20.) Yaakov Jacobs The Vatican Council and the Jew Is ecumenicism as jrkndly as it appetrrs to be?

T WOULD BE DIFFICULT to find a single word describe certain conclaves, during at least the last that has had a greater impact on religion in recent century, the Ecumenical Movement as such has been I times, than the word ecumenicism. It catapulted an exclusively Protestant force, even looked askance to fame an "interim pope" of the Church; it has shaken at by the Roman Church. old-line theologians in Rome beyond their wildest Protestantism has Jong been sensitive to its division nightmares; it has caused an upheaval in world Protes­ in this country into over 200 separate sects. (Some tantism; and finally it has betrayed the weakness and of these sects originally started as a movement to unify lack of common purpose of a Jewish society without other groups only to end up adding to the list of Torah. denominations themselves.) The embarrassment how­ Until only a few years ago, the word in any of its ever went beyond divisiveness itself; Protestantism was forms was unknown to most Americans, few could waking up to the realization that the growth of Ca­ even pronounce it if they saw it iu print. Today it is tholicism in the world was creating a competitive on everyone's lips; it excercises a magnetic hold on religious force that could hardly be adequately met Christian thought and it continues to cast confusion by a mass of splinter groups. and chaos whenever it intrudes into the crazy-quilt The adoption by the Catholic Church of the ecu­ patterns of the American Jewish community. menical theme was a counter-thrust (a counter-reform­ What is this magical word; where did it come from, ation of sorts) at Protestantism's attempts to create seemingly so suddenly; and how has it been used with a universal Christian church. such effectiveness? In essence, the Catholic Church has served notice These questions need be answered if some sensible on the Christian world, that if there is going to be Jewish posture in regard to ecumenicism is to be any consolidation in Christianity, it is Rome that will arrived at; if we are to preserve the dignity and the do the consolidating, as the true universal church. integrity of the Jewish people. Failure to react intelli­ gently and from the well-spring of Jewish tradition, Intra-Church Power Struggle may, as we shall see, prove to be the greatest threat to Jewish survival since World War II. What emerges from this brief look at ecumenicism, Websters New World Dictionary tells us that the is that there now rages a power struggle for the control word ecumenical is from the Greek, oikoumenikos, of Christianity, a struggle in which the Jew clearly meaning: of or from the whole world; universal; especi­ has no place. The aborted attempt to send a 'Jewish ally, of the Christian church as a whole. The dictionary observer' to the first Vatican Council was simply definition, revealing though it be, does not offer the another manifestation of a Torah-less Jewish society clue we seek. The Encyclopedia of Religion and Reli­ trying to ape in every way possible the non-Jewish gions (E. Royston Pike, The Meridian .Library /New world. So weak-egoed is the secular and non-Orthodox York/1958) writes, under the heading, ECUMENICAL leadership, that they feel defeated and compromised if MOVEMENT: there is any area in which they can not participate as A movement, chiefly among Protestants of the equals, be it the exclusive and restricted country club evangelical tradition, aiming at the establishment or a drive for Christian uuity. of as large a measure as possible of Christian The much-discussed schema on the Jews can be unity. Since the end of the last century some viewed only against the background of the intra-Christ­ success has been achieved in the union of some ian power struggle. PriortotheconveningoftheVatican churches. Council, the World Council of Churches (Protestant) Having come to think of the ecumenical movement as met in India and approved a statement declaring anti­ synonymous with the Catholic Church the above ref­ semitism to be un-Christian. This placed the onus on erence may come as a surprise. Actually, while the Rome to make a similar declaration on the Jews .or to Catholic Church has used the word ecumenical to be open to the charge of official Church anti-Semitism.

NOVEMBER 1964 - 3 As it turned out, this was not to be so easily accom­ scriptural prophecies," he musters sufficient citations plished, with opposition developing from old-line con­ which indicate that the question, at best, is still an servatives concerned with theology and Arab-country open one. bishops concerned with politics. Here are some of his citations from ancient ~nd The Church's historic desire to submerge the Jewish modern sources: people and wean them from their faith to Christianity [A 19th-century theologian advised] the Jews not has taken many forms. For centuries the sword won to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, not to reorganize forced conversions; the threat of torture and death as a people, for the moment that they succeeded, 'the was the Christian reply to Jewish stubborness. Another Catholic Church will have been slain . . .' till the aspect of this approach was the forced debates on last judgment they will be without a country of their comparative theology where the single ground rule was: own, without a fixed abode, without prince, without If you win-you lose. sacrifice ... the Jews bore the curse which Moses uttered against all who break the law of God ... St. The New Missionary Look Augustine too, was convinced that the Jews suffered lasting exile for their rejection of J ... [and from the In recent times we have become accustomed to the New Testament itself.] ... They (the Jews) will fall crudely-written and crudely-printed pamphlet with the by the edge of the sword, and will be led away as face of a mythical 'rabbi' on the cover who had "seen captives to all nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden the light." (In Israel, the Church has applied the down by the Gentiles, until the times of the nations technique which in China, for example, succeeded in be fulfilled. winning many "rice-Christians," offering food, housing and repatriation to South America and jobs to poor Strange Bed-fellows immigrants from Arab countries.) Turning to the "realities of the State of Israel" Today the crude pamphlet is being replaced by Flannery finds consolation, and a softening of the scholarly works and overtures for Christian-Jewish blow of Israel's continued existence ,in the secular "dialogue" on a highly intellectual level, without overt nature of the State and many of its citizens, who have tones of Shmad, but rather " .... in the name of the "an almost religious respect for the tractor or the one God; (to) seek a meeting of Jews and Christians." frigidaire." Taking delight in the tension between Headquarters of this new look in Shmad is the religious and nonreligious Jews in Israel, he quotes Institute of J udaeo-Christian Studies at Seton Hall another Catholic writer who takes up the line of the University in Newark, New Jersey. The Institute is secularists and fighters for "religious freedom in Israel": headed by Rev. John M. Oesterreicher, himself a "By making ritual food obligatory in the army, in Meshumad, who is editor of The Bridge, a yearbook hospitals and in government canteens, by bringing of Judaeo-Christian Studies and has played a leading public transportation to a standstill, by ordering the role in framing the schema on the Jews presented to <'losing of nel-Vsstands, restaurants, and motion picture the Vatican Council. He has been the ideological guide theaters on the Sabbath, by considerably extending of the so-called liberal wing of the Church which has the power of the rabbinate, the religious parties think pressured for a "liberal" statement in opposition to the they have deserved well of religion, without realizing conservative Roman curia. the odious nature of imposing religious practices by Volume three of The Bridge opens with the words, law.'' Baruh Hashem, whereby the editor expresses his grat­ Quite astutely, the writer quotes from the "confes­ itude for the response to his work. Baruh Hashem, he sion of faith" of David Ben Gurion, who speaks of goes on, "for the many friends we have found among the Messianic vision of the prophets of Israel, while our Jewish readers ... there have been sympathetic "leaving the G-d of Israel unmentioned." readers, rabbis and scholars among them, who have Jn his conclusion Flannery makes clear to us the told us of their appreciation." (One of the "most manner in which the Catholic Church has adjusted friendly reviews the Editor cites was published in The itself to the "realities" of the State. Jerusalem Post.) An "ingathering of exiles'' without Messiah In this volume a most delicate and embarrassing will always be an abnormal situation for all Jews point of Catholic theology is discussed, which sheds who adhere to a modicum of Jewish tradition. a good deal of light on the significance of the Vatican The disillusionment springing from this situation Council for the Jew. In a paper called, "Theological can only grow with time; eventually it may force Aspects of the State of Israel," Rev. Edward H. Flan­ them to weigh reality against promise and lead nery reveals the stunning blow suffered by the church them to a new search ... in 1948 when the State of Israel was created. While . . . We may then think that God wished to attempting to deny the commonly accepted belief that bring a representative cross section of the Jewish the "existence of this state is a living contradiction. of people to the Holy Land in order to bring it face

4 - ·rHr: JEw1sH onsnRvER ''Anti-Semitism arises because people are irritated by their own consciences"

to face with the great question of the Messiah. when the pope recently visited, for the first time, a Israel's restoration to the land of promise, even session of the Council. Speaking of the Church's mis­ though under secular auspices, may thus be a sionary program, his unprecendented presence and his distant preparation for her final encounter with words underlined his desire to be known as a "mis­ grace. sionary pope." Let us paraphrase the words above. Fortunately, most Jews have recognized that we have The theological question is now academic. Israel is no place at the Vatican Council, neither as observers alive and thriving. But ... all is not lost. Secularism nor as lobbyists ..What many fail to understand is that i.< rampant in Israel, hostility toward religion is grow­ in the Church's drive for "unity," the Jew has been ing. The rabbis add to this hostility by forcing religion pin-pointed as a major target. While the splintered on the people. Jews in Israel will soon tire of their Protestant sects are numerically the greater prize, the flirtation .with the "tractor and the frigidaire ." Their Jew represents the greater challenge. Unlike the "sep­ leaders speak of a Messianic vision, completely di­ erated brethren,'' he rejects the very basis of Christian vorced from traditional beliefs; they have created a belief and clings to his timeless· faith. secular religion which can not for long nurture the A proper Jewish response to the Vatican Council souls of those who follow them. can be arrived at by examining the distorted reaction We need not despair; the creation of the State of of the Jews alienated from Torah. Their high expecta­ Israel and the "ingathering of the exiles" need no tions are based on the false notion that a statement longer discourage us in our efforts to convert ma~ses by the Church "absolving" us from the age-old charge of Jews. On the contrary, it now becomes clear to us of deicide, will go a long way toward wiping out that this was part of the divine plan. Israel presents a hatred for the Jew. historic, and final, opportunity to bring Jews to the The Sages long ago revealed to us the basic motiva­ Cross. That which we felt to be a blow, now reveals tion of the anti-Semite. The mountain of Sinai, they itself to be a hidden blessing. Let us make the most tell us, was so named because upon that mountain of it. sinoh (hatred) descended upon Israel. While these Let us return to the Vatican Council and the tortuous words need no support it is interesting to note that discussion and debate surrounding the schema on the a modern psychologist arrives at a similar conclusion Jews. One of the results of the Council sessions will in examining the nature of antiwSemitism. He -writes: most certainly be a major offensive by the Catholic "Anti-Semitism arises because people are irritated Church to convert Jews. A good indication of the by their own consciences. Jews are symbolically their proportions of this drive is the ·passage at the first superego. Ethical conduct is insisted upon by Judaism, session-with little difficulty--of a schema on mass relentlessly, immediately, hauntingly. People .who dis­ communications which pledged the Church to make like this insistence, along with the self-discipline and use of every instrument offered by modern technology acts of charity implied, are likely to justify their to spread Church teachings. There can hardly be any rejection by discrediting the whole race that produced doubt that a substantial portion of the budget for such high ethical ideals." (Gordon W. Allport I The this program will be allocated for the propagation of Nature of Prejudice) the faith among Jews throughout the world with par­ Assimilationists have belived that as they remove ticular emphasis on the State of Israel. themselves further from Sinai, the sinoh would decrease The last-minute approval of the schema, hailed with proprtionately. Historical experience has proven other­ enthusiasm by secular and Reform Jewish groups, wise. While their methodology appears to be logical­ can only be viewed as a tactical measure to break down one does not pour oil on a flame-Kia/ Yisroel is not Jewish resistance to Shmad by upgrading the poor governed by the rules of logic. The most effective image the Church has had in its relationship to the weapon against sinoh-is Sinai; the only Torah re­ Jew. The intra-Church disputes on the schema boil sponse to hatred is more Torah. The millions of dollars down simply to the question: How can we be patron­ spent by Jewish defense organizations would provide izing to the Jew without doing violence to basic dogma a more effective defense against anti-Semitism if used and the sensitivity of Catholics in Arab countries? The to teach Torah to Jewish children. members of the "liberal" bloc coming from democratic Our reaction to the sword in Israel's bitter encounter countries where the traditional methodology of con­ with the Catholic Church has been a strengthening of version simply won't work, supported the "soft-sell" our faith in Hakodosh Baruch Hu and His Torah. approach. Confronted with "Christian love" and ecumenicism, Any doubts as to the Church's motives were dispelled we need seek no other response.

NOVEMBER ] 964 - 5 Hatred Comes Forth From Zion A close look at the campaign to vilify religious Jewry

EWISH LIFE TODAY is blessed with many para­ children in Israel, virtually all of the newspapers, in doxes. One which has not yet been catalogued and Israel and throughout the world, reported that they J carefully documented might be briefly stated as had "raided" the mission schools, and their accounts follows. were embroidered with details of assaults on clericals While the appearance of anti-Semitic literature in and church property. Wheu the young men were the Soviet Union is greeted with press conferences and sentenced after trial, Jerusalem Chief Magistrate Elazar loud protests, defamatory propaganda which emenates Halevy commented that "criminal trespass" was a from semi-official sources in the State of Israel which "serious offence" but went on to state that "the con­ is directed against Orthodox Jewry, and smacks of victed had clean records; had not inflicted damage to classical anti-Semitism, is not only not subject to con­ person or property; and had obeyed the police when denmation, but is disseminated in the American Jewish the latter arrived on the scence." The Jerusalem Post press. Weekly duly reported these facts on March 27, 1964. This barrage of hostility and distorted statements One might have thought that these facts would have of Torah points-of-view is a daily feature of the Hebrew closed the case; bnt the Post was far from finished. press in Israel, but it finds its way into the homes and In an editorial two weeks later, the Post seized upon minds of American Jews through the widely-read the day observed in Israel for remembering "our People Jerusalem Post, Israel's English-langnage daily, and lost in the Holocaust" to lash out savagely at the in syndicated columns by Israeli journalists which "pseudo-martyrs of today . . . the yeshiva students appear in American Jewish weeklies. and their supporters who make a display of 'martyr­ So blatant is the output of much of Israel's press, dom' in the State of Israel." Impressed with its own which finds its way into Jewish jonrnals in this country, righteousness, the Post went on to find the yeshiva that Uri Zvi Greenberg, the uncrowned poet laureate students "guilty of distorting the very meaning of of Israel recently wrote in a Tel Aviv daily, that in Jewish heroism and blurring the sources of contem­ the decades he has been in the Holy Land he has not porary danger to Jewish survival." witnessed such unbridled hatred as is now displayed The yeshiva students, it will be remembered, dem­ by what he termed in Yiddish, die journalistiche hunt, onstrated against the tactics of missionaries in seducing the "dogs of the press." Greenberg tilts at no imaginary Jewish children; to The Jerusalem Post, they therefore windmills; to ignore hatred and ranconr against Jews rank as a serious threat to national security. because it emanates from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem (and Even this display of unqualified hatred did not sate not from Berlin or Moscow) is hardly logical. Even the Post's hunger. On September 4, in a review of the a snperficial study of the methods and tools used by past year, the Post returned to the attack, referring opponents of Orthodoxy in Israel reveals incredible to the "raids" on "missionary and other Christian indifference to facts; an almost paranoic fear of a premises" and to the "anti-mission rioters" who "basked growing Orthodoxy, and racist tactics which bring no in their self-proclaimed martyrdom." The Post's own glory to the Jewish people. report that the demonstrators were absolved from auy The Jerusalem Post presents a most impressive charges of "damage to person or to property" does not facade and it strives to create an impression of respect­ interfere with their own repitition of the false charges. ability and objectivity among its many readers in the Readers of THE JEWISH OBSERVER will recall the English-speaking world, while at the same time ham­ facts of the B'nai Israel affair (Sept. 1964). The Jeru­ mering away at the rabbinate and Orthodoxy with salem Post hastened to make political capitol of the relentless rancor. matter. While conceding that "by means of a rather clumsy legal fiction" the B'nai Israel had been marrying other Jews "without too much trouble," they quickly The Mission "Riots" declared that, "Halacha placed apparently insuperable When for instance, a group of yeshiva students obstacles in the lives of many non-religious Israelis demonstrated against missionary assaults on Jewish and this is regretable enough." (July 31, 1964)

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To the right: a caricature· from Judaisli1 Without Embellish~ nient published in the Soviet Union, characterizing the religious Jew as one who bribes youth into religion. Above: a cartoon fro1n The Jetusalen1 Post commenting on the Yos.~ele affair. The wolf, complaining that he couldn't "do something Jike that," is told: "its nOt the same ... you are a wolf and these are people ... pious Jews. That makes a great difference."

The journalistiche hunt, as Zvi Greenberg calls passengers of differing beliefs should be accomodated them, operate in the United States and Canada through on the same vessel." Few American Jews are aware a network of Jewish weeklies read by Jews in New that El Al consistently flies on the Shabbos, yet this York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Boston and writer advises his readers that "El Al has had its own other metropolitan areas. One of these syndicated arguments with the rabbinate and has ended up by writers, in the course of the dispute surrounding the giving way on every one of them." Kashrus of the Zim liner Shalom, categorized rabbis and Orthodox leaders who threatened a boycott of It is a fascinating index to the Jewishness of this the Zim Lines, with those who seek to destroy the writer that in June 1963, in discussing intermarriage, State of Israel. They must feel in strange company, he confesses, "I am not sure that I would want my he observes, with "the Arab Boycott Office on the children to marry them (Christians)." After telling same side of the net, but they are playing the same the sad story of a Christian in Israel who had game and against the same opponent. It sounds very not been "invited to a Seder" in fonr years, he finds much like a case not of phony religious ceritficates that the more Orthodox Jews in Israel are most guilty but of questionable religious ethics." (The Chicago of prejudice towards Christians, and proceeds to equate Jewish Sentinel, Jan. 2, 1964) this with the racial atrocities in Mississippi. Orthodox Jews, he finds, resist any attempt to improve relations The same writer tried to make a case for a treifa kitchen aboard the Shalom stronger, by jeering "at with the Christian communities because they "see. in the sight of grown men threatening to boycott an every move of this kind another threat to the purity airline [El Al] because a shipping firm believes that of the race."

NOVEMBER 1964 - 7 An Old Slander dishonest and easily bought has a classical anti-Semitic ring, and Levin drives his point home by charging that The "purity of race" slander, popular with anti­ Orthodox Jews have the notion that "one can get Semites, dies hard with enlightened Jewish writers. around the Almighty himself by double-dealing." It will be recalled that Haim Cohen, still sitting on Even the Shabbos-clock does not escape Levin's Israel's Supreme Court, made the odious comparison wrath, and again produces a classic anti-Semitic argu­ between the rabbinic laws on marriage and the Nurem­ ment. "The Shabbos-goy attitude presupposes a con­ berg laws. In spite of the fact that for instance Shemaya tempt for the non-Jew. Even when the firelighter and A vtalyon, the first generation of teachers in the becomes e1ectronic, the superior attitude remains." He Mishnah, who were not of Jewish birth, became Gerai is especially disturbed by the rabbinate's exclusive Tzedek and the teachers of Hillel and Shamai, thereby control over marriage in Israel which results in "dis­ forging a link in the Divine chain of Halochah, the comforts" and "sometimes ... wrecked lives." It is "purity of race" canard is used by hate-mongering pertinent to note that Levin is married to a Catholic Israelis, almost two thousand years later. woman who proudly proclaims her loyalty to her faith. As another syndicated writer from Israel who ap­ Mrs. Levin is the former Tereska Torres, born pears weekly in The National Jewish Post and Opinion Jewish and converted to Catholicism by her parents. and other Jewish weeklies sees it, there is no "perfect Her remarkable pronouncements on Israel and Jews faith," no "perfect justice" and no '"'true religion" in were published by The Jerusalem Post. Mrs. Levin, Israel. Ridiculous as this may seem, all of Israel's who describes herself as a "Jew of Catholic religion," religious problems, he insists, may be laid at the feet insists that in Israel there are "hundreds of Jews con­ of the rabbis who threaten boycotts because of "dietary verted to Catholicism who believe passionately in the considerations" and who "close airports and halt all State of Israel, and who live here, but are frightened rail traffic on the Sabbath." Also creating a bad im­ to admit their Catholicism openly, because they are pression, he writes, is the use of "medieval garb brought worried about their children who may be made to from the ancient ghettoes of Poland and still worn in suffer." (Quoted in The Jewish Spectator, March, the warm, sunny clime of Israel." Most Israelis, he 1963) continues, revolt against the "shortsightedness" of Orthodoxy in Israel and deplore the fact that "the We have cited only several examples of the slander great principles of Judaism are being subordinated to which daily "comes forth from Zion." Jews with Cath­ trivia." The solution to all this? he asks,-"Is there a o1ic wives, Jews who are "not sure" if they wish their Hillel anywhere on the horizon?" Presumably he ex­ children to marry non-Jews, Jews who propagate the pects that "a Hillel" would nullify any and all laws 'racial purity" -libel, find that Orthodox rabbis are which Jews might find uncomfortable and thus leave guilty of "questionable ethics," do things "for the Israelis free to concentrate on "true religion." sake of income" and that opposition by American Orthodox rabbinical bodies to Reform and particularly A recurring theme, pounded out by Israeli columnists Conservatism in Israel, is merely a fear of "competi­ is the "intolerance" of Orthodox Jews in Israel. One tion." of them, writing in the Baltimore Jewish Times (Apr. 10, 1964) finds that "Jews fleeing religious persecution The Jerusalem Post, nominally independent, is con­ in Europe have established religious intolerance here." sidered to be a semi-official organ of the State, or at Some months earlier this writer had exulted that "here the very least, to reflect the government's opinions. in Israel there is freedom to be a religious renegade The Jewish weeklies that are the American pipeline and still remain within the ranks of the Jewish people." for the journalistiche hunt are in many case: published, (Oct. 18, 1963) This same writer, who describes the endowed or supported by local federations and drives Sea of Galilee as the place where the founder of which Orthodox Jews contribute to. We must ask Christianity "performed the miracle of the loaves ond ourselves how long we can ourselves be guilty of fishes" rejoices that in Israel he need not "join a abetting the enemies of Torah and remaining silent synagogue in order 'to belong'." in the face of constant attacks by those who flaunt their hatred and prejudice as though they were banners MEYER LEVIN, THE FAMED AMERICAN NOVELIST of honor. has lived in Israel for some time, making him, to th~ A united Orthodoxy must organize its proven average American Jewish reader, an unimpeachable strength to combat and to counteract this monopoly source of wisdom. Mr. Levin finds an "absence of of the news media which poisons the minds of Amer­ moral tone" and a bypassing of "the true, the real ican Jewry. To react to anti-Semitism manufactured function of religion" for two reasons, one of which is in Moscow, while remaining indifferent to hate which for "the sake of income." The theme that rabbis are pours forth from Zion, is sheer folly.

8 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER Shubert Sp::ro Assimilation - Two Sides of the Coin The light that Chanukah sheds on an age-old problem

DURING APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PERIOD THAT coronation decree of Simon already portrays a strong Judah Maccabee was raising the banner of armed Hellenistic influence. The army set up by Johanan resistance against the inroads of Hellenism in Judea, Hyrcanus followed the Hellenistic model. The court another event took place in Alexandria which was of life led by Aristobulus and Alexander J annaens was sufficient historic importance to also become immort­ patterned after that of the typical debauched Hellenistic alized on the Jewish calendar. This event was the monarch; so that Chanukah itself raises the question translation of the Pentatuch into Greek during the of assimiliation. Did the Maccabees drive out the reign of Ptolemy Philometor which became known as Hellenists through the front door only to permit them the Septuagint. However, while the event marked by to enter throngh the back? the festival of Chanukah made the "good list" to be What must be recognized from the outset is that celebrated as days of "praise and thanksgiving," the the word "assimilation" denoting "the process of being eighth day of Teves is recorded in the Shulchon Aruch absorbed or incorporated" is a neutral term denoting in the infamy column as one suitable for fasting; a something which from the Torah point of view is of day in which "calamities occurred to the Jewish people" and by itself neither desirable nor undesirable. Before because that day witnessed the completion of the one can react, one must have more information. First, translation of the Torah into Greek and "darkness one must know what is being assimilated to what? descended upon the world for three days." Secondly, one must have as full a picture as possible How can we understand this very negative reaction of the social, religious and political conditions of the to what must in some sense be surely considered a times in question. great cultural achievement? That this day became an The Torah does not hesitate to describe how a occasion for great rejoicing among the Egyptian Jude­ suggestion by Yisro, the Midianite priest, for a system ans and its innovation observed as a holiday with of lower courts is accepted by Moshe and assimilated special re1igious ceremonies is certainly more com­ into Jewish life. Even the institution of monarchy in prehensible. For surely there is some truth in the words Israel is accepted by the Torah with explicit awareness of the historian who said, "The Greek translation was of the fact that the request for it will be motivated, at the first apostle Judaism sent forth to the heathen least in part, by a desire "to be as all the nations that world to heal it of its perversity and godlessness and are about me." Thus the fact that something is "new" was another sanctuary erected to the glory of G-d in or that it emanates from "without" is not a sufficient a foreign land." condition for its rejection by Judaism. What I wish to suggest is that the reaction of Jewish tradition to the Greek translation of the Torah ·can SOMETIMES ANOTHER SORT OF DISTINCTION IS serve as a pattern in our understanding of the dynamics offered as the criterion for judging what sort of assimi­ of that much used and abused term-assimilation. The lation is pennissible. It has been maintained, for exam­ question, as I shall show, resolves itself into the follow­ ple, that the instances referred to above are essentially ing issue: When shall a specific innovation be consid­ innovations of form rather than content, of external ered an attempt to assimilate Torah to some other organization rather than inner substance. So long as culture-which is to be opposed, and when shall it the judges meet the Torah requirements and rule by be judged a process of assimilating a foreign element to Torah law, the precise method of the judicial organ­ the Torah which is to be permitted? ization may be borrowed from elsewhere. Similarly, it has been argued, there is no great concession involved UNDERSTANDING THE EVENT WHICH TOOK PLACE in calling a ruler "king" if he constantly carries the on the eighth day of Teves can also help us to better Torah hy his side and abides by the special mitzvahs: comprehend the significance of the event of the 25th given to the king. This same kind of distinction has of Kislev. For students of history are wont to point also been offered to explain Rambam's presentation out that the Hasmoneans, after defeating the Syrian of Jewish ethics in the form of. Aristotle's. Docttine of Greeks on the battlefield, proceeded to incorporate the. Mean. For this too can be viewed as merely the many Greek notions into their own way of life. The adoption of an external principle of organization whieh

NbVEMBER 1964 - 9 does not really affect the ethical teachings themselves. In the year 24, Alexandrian Jewry alone numbered As one writer recently put it: In leaving Egypt the roughly one million souls! When Cyril and his monks Jews were able to borrow vessels only, the content was arose to drive out the Jews in 412, he found a bare to come from Moshe. 40,000. In spite of the apparent plausibility of this distinction, Thus for Jews who know no Hebrew to pray in I am afraid it is not adequate for our purposes. That English while they are making efforts to educate a certain innovation is of a formal nature might be a themselves and their children, is fine. But for an entire necessary condition for its acceptance in Judaism, but movement to institutionalize prayer in English so that it is not a sufficient condition. Certain principles of knowledge of Hebrew becomes unnecessary and is organization might conceivably have to be rejected reflected in a Sunday School program which can con­ because they affect the content in a certain adverse veniently ignore Hebrew, is assimilation of the deadliest way. This was undoubtedly behind the opposition of sort. Prayer in English in itself is innocuous. Much Shmuel to the monarchy and the understanding of depends upon the direction in which you are headed. those who insist that kingship in Israel is not a mitzvoh. One must always ask-"Is this innovation to be em­ But more important, can one always clearly distin­ ployed the better to serve G-d and draw closer to guish between form and content with the implication Torah, or to elude Him the more adroitly?" that the former is somehow not essential? The rabbis There is no doubt that in Judea, even among the tell us that the Jews merited redemption from Egypt masses and the Pharises, certain Hellenistic elements because they did not change their names or their lan­ were assimilated into the Torah way of life. Almost guage or their dress. Surely these three conventions aU of the synagogues dating from the Roman period are to be regarded more as matters of form thau con­ excavated in Israel were built in the form of the Hel­ tent. Yet their retention is taken as the barometer of lenist-Roman basilica. The pillars and the decorations the loyalty of the enslaved Jews in Egypt. of the capitals are all provincial adaptations of the Let us return now to a consideration of the case of Hellenist style. The Hebrew and Aramaic language of the translation of the Torah into Greek. There are the early Talmudic period contain well over two thou­ obviously many difficulties and even dangers involved sand words of Greek and Latin origin. We have re­ in translating scripture into another language. Y ct, if tained the Greek name Sanhedrin for that great and the ultimate purpose of Torah is to penetrate the sacred institution in Jewish life. Even more surprising hearts and minds of people, the Torah must speak in are the Greek names carried by some of the Pharisaic "the language of men" whatever that language may teachers-Antigonus of Socha, Dosa hen Hyrcanus, happen to be. Was not the Torah translated into Rabbi Tarphon. Aramaic? Did not Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Was this indicative of a "creeping assimilation?" translate the Chumash into German? And while in History answers in the negative. And the inescapable our own day we have reservations about certain English inference seems to be that when a Jewish community translations, we have never opposed translations in is relating to another culture out of a position of principle. Why then the fasting on the eighth day of strength; when it itself is in creative interaction with Teves? Torah and in meaningful pursuit of intensifying its piety and its relationship to G-d, it can then safely THE ANSWER CANNOT BE FORMULATED SOLELY IN assimilate cultural elements providing they are not in terms of the specific action involved nor in its particular conflict with the H alochah. origin, bnt rather must be seen in the overall social For it should be uoted that in absorbing elements context in which it is to take place and must be accom­ from without, Judaism does not really accept them panied by a projection of the consequences of the as they are. The poison, as it were, must first be drawn proposed action. from them. The "convert" must first put on an arba Jerusalem considered the Septuagint a tragedy be­ konfose. In adopting the Yiddish language, for example, cause after gauging the direction taken by Hellenism we have in effect assimilated a low-German dialect to and the spiritual strength of the Alexandrian Jewish Jewish use. Yet in the process, we have done something community, it realized that the Greek translation would to raise the German dialect. The Jewish personality has ultimately replace the original in the hearts of the Jews transformed it in use and the infusion of Hebrewisms of the Hellenic world and sever them from the well­ has sanctified it. Or again, the origin of the Schtreimel springs of their faith. need not perturb us. In the process of being absorbed In spite of the creation of a considerable Hellenist­ into a living Torah milieu, it became something else. Jewish literature and the buildinK of vast synagogues Samson Raphael Hirsch made it quite clear that and even a temple, the Hellenic Diaspora ultimately Judaism does not reject Hellenism in toto. Me has succumbed to the pressures of their environment. shown that HeUenistic culture bas an important role Alienated from the sources of Torah, they perished. to play in the development of mankind; that Greek

10 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER civilization is capable of creating and sjJreading id.eas overcoming the blandishments of .Hellenism. You recall of truth arid justice, morality and love. However, while that the crue of oil found bad on it the seal of the High "G-d opens to Japheth the gates of the mind" ('i l'l!l' Priest. This, says the Maharal, was most signi5cant. l'l!l'?), it is only a single fraction of that truth which For the light that would have the power to penetrate some day will bring salvation to mankind. For in the darkness of Hellenism could only be fed by the order to establish a society based on the rule of Law holiness of the High Priest. For he alone drew his spiritual inspiration from his awesome entrance once See Samson Raphael Hirsch on Chanukah on page 20 a year into the Holy of Holies where the presence of and a home suffused with the inner discipline of G-d was manifest. All else in the Bais Hamikdosh can holiness, Judaism is needed-"but He shall dwell in be overpowered and rendered unclean by Hellenism. the tents of Shem" (l:llll "inN~ )~!11'1) so that, while The Haichol contains visual objects-Menorah, Shul­ Hellenic idealism is, in a sense,. our ally, "as long as chon, altar-so that the distracting allure of external it is not wedded to that Hebraic spirit, as long as it beauty can corrupt and blind. Indeed, the Maharal prides itself on being sublime and self-sufficient, it points out that the numerical equivalent of the word falls into error and degeneration." Yavan (l1'Hs 66, while that of Haichol (?~>n) is 65. Yet it is precisely this ambivalent attitude towards Hellenism can always triumph over the religiosity that Hellenism, this realization that the symmetry of har­ depends upon objects. He, however, who penetrates to mony and sensnal beauty have a place not only in the the Holy of Holies; he who draws bis piety and his world but in Judaism, that makes the spirit of Hellen­ religious sustenance from a deep commitment to the ism so dangerous. For, as one. walks in beauty there unseen reality of G-d Himself, can light a lamp whose is always the temptation to forget where you are going rays will banish the shadows of Hellenism. and, becoming entranced with beauty, begin to consider And thus the Al Hanisim prayer reads, "and there­ its contemplation an end in itself. The beauty of our upon thy sons came into the inner sanctuary of thy synagogue, the imagery of our ceremonies, indeed the House" (i>~i), To overcome Hellenism, to assimilate very physicalism of every religious symbol constantly rather than to be assimilated, they had to first renew threatens to detract us from the meaning behind the their loyalty and reinforce their piety with the sanctity symbol, the intention behind the words and the Presence of the Holy of Holies. Only then could they "cleanse behind the ark. The Prophets were iconoclasts because the temple (1;~-n), purify thy holy place and kindle in their day almost every institution sacred to Judaism lights in thy sacred courts." So that when the Ilas­ -ark, temple, sacrifice, Day of the Lord-was at one monian dynasty, "in the vanity of its kingly splendor, time or another corrupted by being regarded as an alienated from Torah, crumbled and dragged altar and end in itself. throne to destruction," the people in the communities formed by the Chasidim and the Pharises, fortified by THERE IS, HOEWER, A VERY DRAMATIC WAY IN WHICH the inner strength of the Chanukah lights, cultivated the Miracle of Chanukah teaches us the means of the Torah and lived on.

.

On the twelfth of Kislev Harav Chaim Mordecai Katz

Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe (Wickliffe, Ohio)

passed away, as this issue was being prepared for· the press. .

An appreciation of the life and works of the great Gaon and world leader of Torah Jewry will appear in our next issue.

. .

NOVEMBER 1964 - U An Interview Agudath Israel in the United Nations

The following is an adaptation of a radio interview of Nations. The interview was conducted by Joseph Frie­ Dr. Isaac Lewin, distinguished Agudath Israel leader denson, veteran journalist and Editor of Dos YIDDISHE who represents the world organization in the United VoRT, on October 24, 1964 over Radio Station WEVD.

Q. Agudath Israel is the world body of Orthodox sion to the list of non-governmental organizations Jewry which deals with the problems of Kial Yisroel. (known as N.G.O.'s) accredited to the U.N. is not Its goal is the solution of all Jewish problems in the a simple matter. Agudath Israel, by virtue of its record spirit of Torah. during several decades and particularly during World Therefore, when Agudath Israel was organized, the War If, achieved accreditation in 1948, and has since program called for the independent representation of been active in the U.N. Orthodox Jewry in its relations with world govern­ Q. What are the activities of an officially accredited ments. It was deemed axiomatic that the secular Jewish organization? bodies conld not properly represent all of Kial Yisroel, A. The N.G.O.'s participate in all sessions of the primarily because they could not appreciate the spec­ Economic and Social Council and its commissions and fically religious problems and secondly because Or­ sub-commissions, which Agudah finds beneficial to thodox Jewry often has its unique approach to the Jews and Jewish interests throughout the world. Perhaps interests of the Jewish people. the most important commission of the U .N. is the In implementation of this policy, Agudath Israel Commission on Human Rights, and its most significant $ent its own representatives to the parliaments of many affiliate is the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Dis­ Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Lithuania, crimination and Protection of Minorities. Agudath Latvia and Romania, where Agudist deputies wrote a Israel sits in these bodies together with the most glorious chapter in the defense of Jewish rights. Sim­ important international groups, and takes an active ilarly, Agudah represented Jewish interests at the part in their work. peace conference following World War I, and later These groups may participate in the debate, they in the League of Nations. In recent years Agudath may submit written statements which are circnlated Israel has played an active role in the United Nations. together with the proposals of the various governments. In order to aquaint us with the significant work of While the N.G.O.'s have no voting rights, they are ,Agudath Israel in the international arena, we have considered part of the U .N. family and their initiative invited the prominent Agudah leader, Dr. Isaac Lewin, has often lead to important actions. The personal who represents Agudath Israel in the United Nations contacts with government representatives established and who is well-known for his masterful presentations during sessions also are of great value. before the various bodies of the world organization. Dr. Lewin, we should first like to ask you, for how Rights of Refugees long has Agudah been in the U .N. and how did you Q. Could you cite some actual achievements of gain admission? Agudath Israel in the U.N.? A. The Charter of the United Nations made pro­ A. Our work has demonstrated to us the impor­ viJ;ions in Article 71 for consultation by the Economic tance of our presence in the United Nations, for the and Social Council with non-governmental organizations entire Jewish people generally and for religious Jewry of an international character, in matters within its in particular. In the course of the years we have seen competence. A special committee was therefore estab- accomplishments of long-range importance. As an ex­ clished, composed of the five major powers, the United ample we could cite the formulation of the rights of ref­ State;, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France ugees. For a number of years an Ad Hoc Committee and China, and other countries, which determines on Statelessness and Related Problems sought to clarify which organizations should be granted consultative the rights of refugees who escape persecution. You can status. Naturally, such certification brings prestige to certainly understand that this subject is quite important the organizations, and offers .. them opportunities for to Jews who suffered so greatly during the last war :ciincrete ·efforts~ itt'areas of .. prime importance. A.dmisc and sought to escape the Nazi-hell .. One of .the prin-

12 - THE JEWISH ODSERVER /,nnual Conference of non~governmenta1 organizations rr1eeting at the United Nations United Nmiorn; Photo ciples it was hoped would be accepted was that no available in English-was averted when the Chairman refugee should ever be sent back to the country where moved the temporary waiving of· the four-language he had been persecuted. The Committee had before requirement, and the motion was unanimously adopted; it two proposals; one worked out by the legal experts thereby makin,'.; our proposal a "working paper." After of the U .N. secretariat and the other presented. by the session the work began of translating the Agudah the government of France. We realized that the form­ proposal into the other three official languages. Inter­ ulation had yet to be improved. We therefore asked estingly, this wos the only case in U.N. history when for the floor to present our own draft. At the outset a proposal by a N.G.O, was used as a "working paper" we pointed out that the prophet Amos was the first over the formulation of a member government, or the to consider prohibition of sending back refugees a U .N. secretariat. · binding rule of international Jaw. of his time. He pro­ claimed that two nations, Philistine Gaza and'.Phoeni­ Threat to the Shabbos cian Tyre committed an international crime by ex­ pelling refugees to the Kingdom of Edom. The delegate Q. In which other matters of interest to Jews has of the United Kingdom was so pleased that he moved Agudath .Israel taken a position. in. the United Nations? the adoption of our proposal as a "working paper" A. Hardly an issue has come up which is of concern for future debate, with the United States supporting to Jewry where our voice has not been heard. Let his motion. A technical obstacle-proposals must be me cite several examples. India had proposed that circulated in the official languages of the U .N., English, the calendar be reformed, whereby the year would be French, Russian and Spanish, and ours was only divided evenly into fifty two weeks and the three-

. NOVEMBER, !964 - 13 hundred-and-sixty-fifth day would be declared a "blank a guarautee for our religious rights in the declaration day," not considered to be a day of the week. As a just mentioned. result of this, the Shabbos each year would fall on At our initiative, the Sub-Commission spent sever~! a different day of the civil week. This would have lead years in a study of discrimination in the matter of to tremendous confusion and made observance of religious rights and practices throughout the world. Shabbos extremely difficult for many people. A delegate of India, Mr. Krishnaswami, ·reported on Agudath Israel immediately made representations to the findings of his investigation. We participated ac­ the Indian and other delegations in order to remove tively in this work and the declaration is now on the this threat to the Shabbos. At the session of the N.G.­ agenda of the United Nations General Assembly. O's Council Committee we discussed this matter not We fought for the right of Jews .to have access to only in our own name, but we also spoke on behalf the Kosel Maaravi and other holy places in Arab hands. of other Jewish organizations. The Economic and This matter is now also on the agenda, with a provision Social Council subsequently voted to reject the calendar in the declaration which would safeguard our rights. reform proposal. We fought for the principle that Jewish children who Outlawing Anti-Semitism remained in non-Jewish homes following the war, Q. And what of the outlawing of anti-Semitism? should be brought up in the faith .of their martyred parents. For years we sought to stir the conscience of A. In this instance we clearly saw a miracle take the world; it was not at all easy to do this. Starting place. There is rarely a case when a proposal gains the support of both power blocs in the U.N., that is with a ~~all number of governments who supported our pos1t1on, we have succeeded in increasing their the United States and the Soviet Union. Yet this took number( As a result of these efforts, this principle is place when whe proposed the outlawing of anti-Semit­ now embodied in a draft international declaration on ism by international agreement. Here is how it hap­ elimination of religious discrimination which has been pened. adopted by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of The United Nations is considering an international Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the convention on the elimination of all forms of racial Commission on Human Rights. discrimination. We studied the document and took note that all forms of discrimination were mentioned­ except anti-Semitism. We therefore prepared a state­ Protection of Shechita ment on behalf of Agudath Israel which outlined his­ We fought to protect the right of Shechita on the torically the horrible troubles caused by anti-Semitism. international level. The humane societies, which are We recalled the murder of six million Jews during very powerful in many countries resisted our efforts. World War II-and asked, 'is this not enough?'-in The same world which remained silent in the face order to prove to the governments the need for a clear of the suffering of million of Jews who were lead to statement on anti-Semitism. Several delegates from other the crematoria, was very much concerned for the Jewish N.G.O.'s with whom I consulted in this matter welfare of animals. We demonstrated on numerous had doubts whether any government would endorse occasions that Shechita is the most humane method a clear denunciation of anti-Semitism. Nevertheless, of slaughtering animals and we succeeded in winning I felt it my duty to demand justice for Jews. When I completed by presentation, the American delegate, Mrs_. . Marietta Tree rose and. formally moved the Reserve add1t1on of anti-Semitism to those forms of discrim­ ination specifically denounced in the draft. She was followed by the delegates of ten nations which sup­ ~nd~ ~e, :JrtNazism be added 4,J/'d' .Yi:znttNJ/'Ja~ !!dnne/' to the list. This is how the unexpected took place; of the proposal of Agudath Israel brought a unanimous condemnation of anti-Semitism by the United Nations. .Ytne/'tca While final adoption of the resolution awaits the ~ar/ad.~ae/o/ approval of the next General Assembly, there is strong at the hope that it will be passed. In the age-long struggle of Hotel New Yorker th~ Jewish people against their enemies, this is the very first time that an international body spoke out so New'York City .. firmly against anti-Semitism .

14 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER Cl ~ flwm 9AJullll Conscription of women still a live issue in the Holy Land

HE CONSCRIPTION of wo­ upon them obligations that are con­ Peres, replying for the government, men for military service, one trary to Torah and opposed to the said he would not discuss the hala­ T of the most contested steps nature of woman generally and the chic aspect of the law. "There are taken by the State of Israel, is still Jewish woman in particular. however members of the Knesset a live issue. "Drafting of women as qualified as he (Lorincz) is who was a mistake of historic propor­ • Agudath Israel has never ceased found no . objection to Giyus Na­ tions," Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz, M. to hope that even those who pro­ s him," Peres declared. (Every reli­ K. told the Knesset on October 28, posed female conscription as an gious authority in Israel, including "but the worst mistake is that we emergency measure would one day the Chief Rabbinate, has ruled that are not prepared to reevaluate the see the need for its abolition. conscripting women is a clear vio­ original error and undo it." Rabbi He listed the following changes lation of Torah Jaw.) He saw no Lorincz had presented a bill on since the bill was enacted: need for a study commission since behalf of Agudath Israel to repeal the various government departments Giyus Nashim, but his motion for • an increase in the number of concerned had already investigated debate was defeated by a voice vote draftees which will continue to grow the matter. and should make possible the re­ joined by all parties. The National Peres underined his government's Religious Party (Mizrachi) and lease of women from military serv­ ice; awareness of responsibility to the Poale Agudah abstained. "forty thousand citizens" which "I speak first, in the name of • greater emphasis on . technolog­ manifests itself in the provision of the 40,000 citizens who sent us to ical warfare which diminishes the the law which releases women who express their opinions in the Knes­ need for manpower. Repeal of con­ object to military service on reli­ set," Rabbi Lorincz declared. So scription of women would release gious grounds. great a number of citizens, demand budgetary funds for meeting the that their voice be heard, and not threat posed by German scientists In disputing Peres' rebuttal Rab­ simply met by shouting and ridicule, working in Egypt. bi Lorincz stated that while other without even the need for examining nations had made use of women the issue. These people represent in Rabbi Lorincz argued that aboli­ in the military during national emer­ a historical sense, more than their tion of female conscription would gencies, no country other than Israel mere percentage of the citizenry. remove the fear that Arab countries had ever instituted compulsory mil­ "In addition, I am certain that might draft women, something they itary service for women. He clarified I speak not only· for my own con­ are reluctant to do. He also cited his call for an "objective" study stituency, but also for all of Jewry the declining birth-rate in Israel committee by pointing to the many to whom Torah is the sole guide. due to the fact that military service facets of the problem which could I also belive that I speak for most, creates an atmosphere not conducive not be examined from a military if not all of Sephardic Jewry who to Jewish motherhood. Making wo­ perspective alone. are especially sensitive to the con­ men available to the general econ­ An amusing exchange ended the scription of women." omy rather than to the military, debate. The chairman asked for a Lorincz stated two axioms upon he argued further, would help to show of hands of those who had which he based his argument. solve the current shortage of civilian abstained during the vote. Fonr • Agudath Israel opposed the law manpower. members of the National Religious when it was adopted 15 years ago In his motion, Rabbi Lorincz Party raised their hands. When in spite of the provision that women proposed the formation of an objec­ asked if they would care to record need not serve in the military who tive commission which would study the reasons for their abstention they found it violated their religious prin­ all of the factors involved and make shrugged their shoulders and made ciples, because all Jewish women a recommendation to the Knesset. it clear to the chairman that they are equal. It is not fitting to impose Deputy Defense Minister Shimon were unhappy about the question.

NOVEMBER 1964 - 15 Yaakov Jacobs Three Missing Words On the lost art of living in Eternity

HE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE with one's of Torah and Mitzvohs with which Man may fashion fellow distinguishes man from the beast. Koach a truly sublime human being, only a bit lower than the T Hadibur, the power of speech, the ability to ex­ angels, and if he is worthy--even greater, because he press one's feelings, emotions, ideas, needs and aspira­ exercises Free Will. At the heart of Torah and Mitzvahs tions, in words, so that others may be aware of them, is man's obligation to so live his life, that he is in is one of the most wonderous gifts of G-d to man. a constant state of growth, Hashlomo; that he is con­ The manner in which this divine ability is used is the stantly coming closer to Hashem. measure of a man. To the Jew this striving has always been central to To the Jew, this power is of even greater significance. his being; it has ever been the criteria for determining It makes it possible for him to receive the teachings of his path in life. When confronted by a cross-road Torah as •poken to him by his teachers and as recorded where either path seems to bear the sanction of Torah, in the Sifrai Kodesh. And as the words he uses are the the final determinant must be Hashlomo; the final measure of a man, so too are they the measure of a Jew. question to be answered is: Which path will lead me From the words that are part of the every-day to greater spiritual growth and further closeness to vocabulary of a man, one can determine what his values Hashem? are; what is important to him; what he seeks in his It is this striving for Hashlomo that placed study life. of Torah into the central position it occupied in Jewish While the new vibrance that has been manifest in life through the centuries. What act could more im­ Torah life has restored to Jewish life some basic Torah mediately and meaningfully contribute to one's Hash­ concepts and the words and phrases to describe them, lomo than being in contact with the Will of G-d as there is also evident the absence in the every-day manifest in His Torah. It was the goal of Hashlomo vocabulary of th average Torah Jew, of some of the that gave vitality and vibrance to T'fila (prayer) not words most basic to Torah life and Torah values. We only as a means of expressing one's needs to the will list only three of them-we hope to list more in Creator but also as a means of keeping in tune with the future-and seek the meaning of their relative the Divine Will and thereby experiencing growth. It absence and the symptoms their absence represents. was the yearning for neshoma-growth that was central to the flow of warmth, kindness and love which was The Concept of Hashlomo the mark of the Torah Jew and which colored his relationships with his fellow man. In the Book of B'raishis we are told of the pending In practical terms, it was the need for Hashlomo creation of man in the words, Na'ase Odom, "Let us which determined how a Jew should occupy his years make Man." The use of the plural has misled many in this life and how he should earn his livelihood. In students of the "Bible." The Sages characteristically contrast, today the young man, sometimes even the realized that the text conceals-rather reveals-a rule Ben Torah, on the threshold of a career (a word alien of human behavior. The Almighty, they tell us, con­ to Torah) concerns himself with the manner in which sulted with the angels and other beings already created, he can enter his chosen profession and yet remain when he contemplated the creation of Man. The Torah true to Torah and Mitzvohs, that is, how he can be a thereby teaches us that one should consult with his doctor, a merchant, an engineer, without violating the subordinates even though the chain of command does letter of Torah law. not demand that he do so. The Chassidie work Yismach Moshe extracts still another teaching from G-d's use of the words, "Let The Knowledge of Geula us make Man." The Almighty, he suggests, was ad­ Geula-the hope, the dream, the firm belief which dressing himself to man in potential and said, Let us kept the Jew alive during his darkest hours, was the together make Man. promise of the prophets of the coming of Moshiach ln essence Hakodosh Baruch Hu presents to each who in turn would bring the Geula, the redemption of human being the raw material of the neshoma and Israel and of all mankind. The false messiahs, though its rich potential; He presents to the Jew the instrument they brought tragic results, manifested strongly the

16 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER Jew's eagerness to believe, his unquenchable hope for Geula. As he strove for H ashlomo in his own life, so he prayed that. tbe Kial would soon merit Geula. It was said of the sainted Chofetz Chaim, that when he heard a commotion in the streets, he would grasp his walking-stick and look out the window to see if Moshiach was coming. He often quoted the promise of the Sages that just as the redemption from Egypt came in the month of Nissan, so too would the final Geula come during this month. This means, he said, that during each Nissan there is at least an even chance that Moshiach would come, and even on that basis we should make preparations for his coming. Jn our day, though the Geula is obviously closer, and the need even greater, few of us have retained the If you are not banking with firmness of believe, not only of a Chofetz Chaim, but of our grandmothers and grandfathers. We often hear Israel's oldest, largest, and people characterize an unlikely event as taking place, "when Moshiach will come," testifying to a lapse in most diversified bank, you our belief. The word, the concept, the hope for Geula must some how be restored to Jewish life. should be. Living in Eternity Our failure to think in categories of Hashlomo; our OUR NEW YORK BRANCH IS AT 60 WALL STREET weakened faith in the coming of the Geula can perhaps You are cordially invited to visit or phone {WH 4-5440) be attributed to the absence of still another word from our Torah vocabulary, Nitzchius (eternity). We live only in the present; we have lost our father's and mother's ability to live at once in the past, present and future; in a word-in Nitzchius. Join the Agudist Benevolent Society Hashlomo, neshomo-growth the search for can have We offer a service that is a, necessity meaning only when we free ourselves of the constricting to every Jewish family force of living merely in the present; only when we I. Complete cemetery and funeral benefits to achieve the awareness that our lives point to-eternity. members and their families It is this self-same awareness of eternity that can win 2. Free Loan Fund available to members back for us the longing for Geula, without which we can not be worthy of its coming. 3. Bikur Cholim Committee Of course, these words, these concepts and the many 4. Low cost group Life Insurance others which are absent from our every-day speech Write or call our offi~e~ have found a refuge, as Torah itself has found a refuge. AGUDIST BENEVOLENT SOCIETY The are to be found in the walls of the Rais Medrash, 5 Beekman St., New York 38. N. Y., WO 4-1620 on the lips of the B'nai Torah whose constant exposure Open to Agudath Israel Members to the purity ·of Torah brings with it the sense of Nitzchius. But for those of ns not sufficiently blessed to be confined to the "four amos of Torah" these I' THE STAFF OF words are only an echo. 11 Somehow, someway, these words, these concepts AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA must overflow the walls of the Rais Medrash and extends a warm Mazel Tov to become the common possession of every believing Jew. I The search forHashlomo, the yearning for Geula, the !Jla/,ft; 2/~d. ulfo/'/'zj !7Je/'e/' capacity for Nitzchius must become ours. And by on the marriage of their daughter their very nature, sharing them with those outside the MICHAEL G. TRESS Rais Medrash will not diminish the share of those RABBI BORUCH BORCHARDT inside, it will rather multiply their blessings; increase JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI SYSHE HESCHEL their own measure of Hashlomo, and bring ever closer RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS the footsteps of Moshiach Tzidkainu.

NOVEMBER 1964 - 17 translated work is to convey to the reader some true and adequate conception of the original; to stimulate his interest and insight; to provide at least some of BOOK REVIEW the main ideas of the original; and to furnish guidance for further study. From the point of view of the actual furtherance of Translations of Torah Classics Torah study, much more significance must be ascribed WHILE EMPIRES AND CIVILIZATIONS HAVE RISEN AND to the publication of such works as Dr. Silverman's fallen on the stage of world history, the Jewish people edition of the Chumash, with the English translation of has endured throughout the ages. Yet Jewish history, Rashi facing the Hebrew text on every page. A most too, has witnessed change: centers of settlement and welcome and valuable addition to this type of Torah Torah learning emerged-to decline and be replaced literature is the reissue, in two volumes, of Dr. Hyam­ by new centers. We have seen this process at work in son's classical edition of the Chovos Halevovos by our own lifetime-mourning the unimaginable cata­ Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda. strophe that befell Eastern European Jewry, and re­ Written about 900 years ago, this work always was joicing at the new seeds, albeit still weak, that have one of the most popular and beloved expositions of been sown over the last decades. the "duties of the heart" which a Jew must take upon Among those that have always contributed in vary­ himself. Unlike the great philosophical treatises of the ing degrees to the reconstruction of Jewish life under Middle Ages, the Chovos Halevovos was not written new conditions may be counted the translators. To be to counter any non-Jewish philosophies; it was meant sure, no translation can ever take the place of any of the to introduce the ordinary Jew to such themes as trust major and minor classics of our sacred heritage in their in G-d and devotion to Him, humility and self-perfec­ original Hebrew form; true Jewish scholarship, if it tion in His service. Thus it will occasion no surprise is to be authoritative, creative, and self-perpetuating, that in many communities of Eastern Europe, until our must be based on the study of the original texts. times, there were special study groups devoted to this However, in the first place, there are basic works of work. However, its language is difficult, and thus Dr. our Rabbinic literature that were not originally com­ Hyamson's translation, facing the Hebrew text on each posed in Hebrew and only became accessible to all page, is a boon to the student. generations when they were translated into Hebrew­ The publishers of this work, Boys' Town of Jeru­ some of the writings of the Rambam, for instance, or salem, have also issued another of Dr. Hyamson's of Rabbi Yehudah Halevi. In our days the lifework efforts-the Hebrew text and English translation of the of a man who has a great deal to say to our age would first two books of the Rambam's Yad Hachasokoh, the remain a sealed book were it not for the devoted Book of Knowledge and the Book of Adoration (as translators of the writings of Rabbi Samson Raphael Dr. Hyamson chose to translate Sefer Ahavoh). Hirsch. These two volumes contain most of the ideological In the second place, while Rabbinic literature, with concepts of Judaism presented in the Yad Hachasokoh, very rare exceptions, is of course available in Hebrew in contrast to the rest of the work which is much more texts, there is a further crucial function that the trans­ technical. Of particular interest to the student will lator discharges: introducing a wider public to its be the Rambam's introduction in which he traces the treasures. Until such time-and may it come very history of the Law. soon-when the road to the original text is open to Of course, many other medieval Jewish classics have every Jew, it falls to the translator to make available been published in translation-and it is instructive to to all at least some glimpses of our great treasures consider the pitfalls encountered in those cases where that would otherwise remain inaccessible. It is therefore the editors are not scholars committed to Torah. The to be welcomed that an ever-increasing number of other day there appeared, for instance, The Fountain significant works of Torah literature have lately become of Life, by Rabbi Shlomoh Ibn Gabirol, "an especially available in English. abridged edition," published by the Philosophical Lib­ I am not referring here to such major efforts as the rary, with a preface by Theodore E. James. The interest Talmud and Zahar translations of the Soncino Press, of this treatise, which never made any impact on the or the translation of the entire Yad Hachasokoh in the Jewish world, lies in the fact that, translated into Yale Judaica series. Without going into the merits of Latin, and with its authorship ascribed to a mysterious these editions, it should be obvious that the major Avicebron, it excerted major influence on non-Jewish obstacle to a proper understanding and meaningful theology. The edition before us contains only ex­ study of these works is not the language, and therefore cerpts from the third and middle section of the original even the best translations will always have a very work; the brief introduction, however, very sweepingly limited function. After all, the highest purpose of the deals with the entire treatise, presenting it as rather

18 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER "non-Jewish" in its outlook, as far as its concepts of the and to observe the Mitzvos, and that in every city there First Cause, of emanations, form and matter etc. are should be organizations of men who should watch over concerned-without, apparently, any awareness on the this ...." With his usual warmth and clarity, he out­ part of the author of the introduction that Ibn Gabirol lines the concrete steps to be taken, in .an age of de­ deals here with principles basic to the teachings of creasing Torah knowledge, to assure the adherence of Kabba/oh which are fundamental to the very founda­ every individual and of the entire people to Torah-'­ tions of the Jewish worldview. Thus the reader is pointing out that at a time such as this everybody is confused and misled. responsible for using all his G-d-given talents in order to work for Torah. IT MUST BE REALIZED THAT, WITH THE BEST WILL A number of books have appeared that are designed in the world, a translator or editor who stands outside to aid the better understanding and observance· of the pale of Torah teachings faces unsurmountable Mitzvos. There is the English edition of Dr. Munk's obstacles in trying to do justice to his subject. There commentary on the Siddur, "The World of Prayers," are his unavoidable limitations of knowledge and real translated by H. Biberfeld and G. Hirschler, previously understanding of Rabbinic sources; and there are also, reviewed. There is Rabbi Nathan Bulman's translation much inore importantly, the preconceptions and chang­ of Avrohom Kitov's splendid work on the Jewish home, ing modes of interpretation which, consciously or un­ !sh Uvayso. Quite some years ago there appeared an consciously, he is bound to inject into his work. We English translation of The Days of Awe, Agnon's selec­ can see these problems not only in connection with tion of Rabbinic thought on the Yomim Noroim which medieval Jewish literature but also where translations captured so well the spirit of these days. of Talmudic sources are concerned. In a very different vein, but of great importance is A number of excellent works exist in this area, and the recent publication by P. Feldheim of Rabbi Tzvi open up to the reader an insight into the wisdom of the Hirsch Chajes' M'voh Hatalmud in an English trans­ Rabbis. Thns Rabbi Kasher's Torah Shelemoh, in its lation by Rabbi J. Shachter called "Student's Guide English edition provides an insight into the teachings Through the Talmud." Despite this name it is not a of the Midrash. Pirkai Ovos have been translated re­ guide to Talmud study but rather an exposition of the peatedly, most recently in Irving Bunim's Ethics from fundamental parts of the Oral Law, both its divinely Sinai. On the other hand, we have before us the· The revealed parts and those additions ordained. by the Midrash on Psalms, translated by William G. Braude, Rabbis. ·At a time when it is popular to speak of the and part of the Yale Judaica series; the translation is evolution of .Jewish law-and to demand further very readable and technically excellent-but what changes-this clarification of its principles and dynam­ reliance can be placed on it, and on the many decisions ics is most valuable, even though issue should be taken concerning textual emendations, obscure passages, etc. with some of the translator's approaches in his intro­ which are involved in such a translation, when the duction and footnotes. author so glaringly reveals his own distance from the Whether through clarification of what Torah means, subject he treats? Throughout, he speaks of the or as aids to the observance of Torah, translations of "legends" of the Rabbis, and he calls Aicho "attributed Torah literature have an important role to play at this to Jeremiah" (vol. 2, p. 517). With such an approach juncture in our history. It is to be hoped that we will it is no wonder that inaccuracies abound. continue to see such publications appear. While translations of ancient and medieval Rabbinic works have been produced for quite some years, it is only lately that writings from the more recent past . AGUDATH ISRAEL OF BORO PARK have come .into their own. The translation of the 15th Avenue Branch various .works of Rabbi S, R. Hirsch, which was men­ invifes all ifs members and friends fo an , tioned earlier, is of course in a category by itself, both OPEN FORUM on account of the scope of this undertaking and its on Friday Evening, December 4th, at 8:15 o'clock impact on the Jewish scene. But there is a growing rpr.i lie''1!l .n:mn n:ieo body of writings that, each in its way, make a signifi­ • cant contribution to the true understanding of Torah at our branoh, 4421 - 15th AVENUE, BROOKLYN. N. Y. Judaism. Of particular foterest must be, of course, the recent • publication of the Chofetz Chayim's Chomas Hadas fhe guest speaker will be fhe renowned Orthodox leader undet the name of "The Fortress of Faith," translated RABBI DR. SAMSON RAPHAEL WEISS Rabbi Weiss has just completed a tour Of _many by Rabbi S. E. Brog. In moving and persuasive Jewish communities throughout the US. and will speak ·bn fashion, the author talks about the duty of every Jew "The New Role of Orthodox Jewry in America" "to strengthen himself and others to study the . Torah " ;,., ,,-

NOVEMBER 1964 - 19 · Samson Raphael Hirsch on Chanukah

The follolving selections are fron1 Samson Raphael Hirsch's were themselves the first to betray G-d and His Holy JUDAISM ETERNAL translated from the original German by Law, to woo the favor of kings by religious treachery, Dayan Dr. /, Grunfeld and published in 1959 by THE seducing the Jewish nation and its youth. They vied SoNCINO PRESS. with the well-to-do and the educated of their people in contempt of the Divine laws and of Jewish morals, in honoring and adopting un-Jewish ways and un­ Jewish culture-see how already thousands of years 0 N THE EVE OF THE 25th of Kislev you kindle ago, the alluring light of culture and political advantage, the first Chanukah light in your home, and for eight in the shape of civic rights, has been employed by Is­ days with greeting of the ever-increasing light, the rael's seducers to tempt them to revolt against G-d and memory of an old story, of ancient times crosses the His holy word. Yet observe how this epoch of betrayal threshold of your mind. and revolt was left behind, and how it was succeeded by Is it still the same old story? Do, then, the Jewish the centuries, millennia of faithfulness, of devotion and dead never die? Does the Jewish past never fade away? self-sacrifice for G-d and Judaism; and learn from this No, the Jewish dead do not die. One who has died to look to the future with confidence. for Jewry, nay, one who has lived for the cause of For yon must note that this revolt of which voices Jewry, can never die; in eternal gratitude a people of the past have just given an account, this revolt was which knows how to value its past heroes cherishes his not one provoked from without, it was not the con­ memory and past history; Jewish history in all its sequence of Antiochus's wild attack on Judaism; this grandeur accosts every coming generation, ever fresh revolt of the Jewish teochers of G-d's Law "nd of the and ever new, to remind, to warn, to comfort and to upper classes of society in Judea, was voluntary, it elevate. preceded the frenzy of the King; it was, strictly speak­ And now just this story--eh, that it were indeed ing, the actual cause, the real origin of the subsequent old, if with its sorrow and its glory it would after 2,000 fanatical anti-Jewish outbreak. Not in his wildest years be so old to us that its sorrow might seem in­ dreams would it have occurred to Antiochus to convert comprehensible to us, and its glory commonplace! Jews from Judaism to Greek culture, had not Jews and "But Joshua preferred to be called Jason, just as priests of Jewry disclosed to him that Jud:tism no his younger brother (they succeeded one another as longer held a first place in their heart, that they were High Priest) preferred to be called Menelaus instead only waiting for the royal command to place Zeus on of Chonyah. Now, when Menelaus together with the the altar of the Eternal, and that at the same time sons of Tobias had (in the dispute with his brother the common people, the lower classes, could be easily over the office of the High Priest) to yield to this lured into the other camp--er made to suffer martyr­ violence, they approached the King Antiochus, and dom if they refused. Similarly even in the darkest cen­ offered to throw off immediately their Jewish laws and turies of persecution, it has never entered the mind of customs, and to conduct themselves in accordance with any despot to "reform" Jews and Jewry. the statutes and customs of the king and the Greeks. JEWRY WAS PERSECUTED, BUT EVEll.YONE BELIEVED They, therefore, asked permission to erect a Greek that Judaism was everlasting. It required nineteenth­ college in the city of Jerusalem, and when it was century priests and clisciples to set the spectacle of granted they let their foreskins grow, so that even disloyal Jews before the eyes of princes and i•eople, when naked they might appear quite similar to the before any statesman conceived the idea of reforming Greeks; and thus abandoning all the customs of their Jewry by means of decrees and legal measures. It is forefathers they adopted the habits of foreign people." only natural; respect yourself, respect your past, respect (Josephus, Ant. Bk. 12, 5. 1) your own sanctuary, and you will see that whatever Is this a story of the past? . . . opinion is held of you, whether you are regarded with favor or with disfavor-respect will not be denied you. IF RELIGIOUS DECADENCE IN THE JEWISH SPHERE But if you do not respect yourself, if you look con­ fills you with grief and sorrow, if you are nigh to temptuously on the tombs of your ancestors, if you no despair of our future, if in fear you exclaim "Has longer consider your sanctuary worthy of respect even there ever been so gruesome a situation in Israel," of recognition-how can you demand that a stranger then consider this story; see how once before, 2,000 shall respect you, or respect your fathers? You may years ago, High Priests, men entrusted with what is find many things in the world, but for respect you will most sacred in Jewry, with the highest religious office, beg in vain.

20 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER What was the mistake made by these men of pro­ once more the whole spirit of Judaism. And if all the gress, men of culture,. priests of reform, the political oil, if all the forces that were to have preserved the traffickers in religion of the time of Antiochus in Judea? light of G-d in Israel, were to be misused for the light Listen to the illuminating tale of the Chanukah lights: of paganism-even then, one little crucible of oil, "The renegade sons of Judea had gone to such one heart which in a forgotten hidden corner, imprinted lengths that the Greeks themselves finally dishonored with the High Priest's seal has faithfully remained the divine sanctuary by using it as a temple for Zeus. untouched and undefiled, this one crucible is sufficient They had profaned all oil .intended for the sacred lamp to become the salvation of the entire sanctuary when of G-d. The victorious Hasmoneans found but one the right time and hour has come. "And even though small crucible undesecraled; and it was enough for all countries were bowed. in obedience to Antiochus, only one day. But in this one crucible was revealed if every man forsook the land of his fathers and as­ the miraculous salvation of Divine power. For eight sented to the king's command, even then, I and my days the lamp was tended with it, until fresh pure sons and brothers will not forsake the laws of our oil could be prepared." fathers"-thus .spoke the loyal Hasmonean heart of One single pure spark, loyally treasured in but one one single hero advanced in years-and Israel's san­ single Jewish heart, is sufficient for G-d to set aflame ctuary was saved.

HELLENISM, JUDAISJ\1 AND ROME ISLEV WITH ITS GAY FESTIVAL of lights, Israel has always welcomed the Hellenic spmt as a of the reconsecration of the Temple which the precursor and helpmeet of its own mission to enlighten Kspirit of the Hasmoneans and the courage of the and civilize mankind and likewise has wedded itself Maccabees had won; Tebeth with .its first day of re­ to the truth and humanity produced by that spirit. membrance which marks the .downfall of the Jewish And although that spirit, with its immaturity and its Temple and state in all their glory; Kislev with its excesses .. occasionally, as in the days of Mattathias, triumph over the Hellenic spirit, Tebeth with its defeat has also caused confusion within Israel, the "Light of by Roman politics-'-this sequence of events is a chal­ the Jewish Tents" has again and again triumphed anew lenge to serious reflection. It presents, for our consider­ and always led to a new Chanukah, to a new consecra­ ation, the following thesis: It is not Hellas [Greece] tion of its old, undiminished, eternal Sanctuaries. that Judaism has to fear, but Rome. It is not the Hellenic spirit that caused the downfall of all that is sacred to ·Judah, but the Roman mind and Roman DIFFERENT IS ROME'S RELATIONSHIP TO tendencies . . . Israel and all that H holds sacred-Rome, whose over­ And, indeed, Israel can rejoice wherever the Hellenic whelming onslaught spelt for Jerusalem the beginning spirit of civilization extends its realm among mankind. of the catastrophe which is commemorated on the tenth For this civilization in its pure essence is nothing but day of Tebeth. the flower of the highest development of human nature It was not Roman valour that triumphed over Jewish left to itself. From it Israel's mission to mankind has valour. The Jew can be proud of the catastrophe which nothing to fear; on the contrary, it will thrive on it. meant his political annihilation. The valiant heroism The spirit of the religious Doctrine and the Law which of the men of Judea-striving so little for martial mankind is destined to receive from the hands of Israel glory-the inexhaustible resourcefulness of their strat­ expects the mind and soul not to sink into a state of egy, th_eir cold-blooded defiance of death, their bravery, ignorance and dullness but to be enlightened and full nay, their invincibility perplexed the Roman Emperors of life. Only the enlightened mind is receptive to the and their legions accustomed to conquest. It was not light of the Jewish teaching; only the soul ennobled Rome's sword that triumphed over Judea. by freedom is receptive to the blissful life of the Law. It was the spirit of Roman politics which ever since It is true, Israel also knows the trials and tribulations Pompey had ensnared the all-too-willingly compliant which the Hellenic spirit of civilization imposes on it, heads of Judea's people; the Roman ideas and tenden­ as it develops by its side. The times of Mattathias were cies which had become more and more familiar es­ not to remain the only ones in which that spirit-still pecially among the political leadership of the Jewish developing, still immature, in its understandable over­ state and had snpplanted the Jewish spirit-it was all weening estimation of itself and pretentious vanity­ these that undermined the . Jewish Sanctuary, that believed in its own vocation to educate the house of imposed Roman hirelings as kings on free Judea and Jacob which eluded its comprehension ... that had made of Judea a "captive" of Rome long All that is sacred to Israel has nothing to fear from before the hand of the legionaries threw the fatal the spirit of human culture which originated in Hellas. firebrand into the Jewish Capitol.

NOVEMBER 1964 - 21 It is this Roman spirit which Israel has got to know Jewish institutions, had violated the people's most if it wants to realize who is its most redoubtable enemy. cherished rights and had endangered all that it held Whereas the Hellenes had safely enjoyed, from an sacred. early date, their own soil, sufficient for their peaceful At the very moment when Pompey's legate, Scaurns, development, where they could flourish under a serene saw Jewish envoys before him, some 130 years before sky and bring to fruition all that is noble in man, the fall of Jerusalem, Jerusalem was lost. From that Rome's cradle, to speak in the tradition of our fore­ moment Rome did not take her eyes off Judea. While, fathers bears the inscription: ''nn i~in ?y, "Your sword through their Governors and the hirelings raised by is your soil." them to the rank of princes, they sucked the blood of The origin from which Rome was to grow into a Judea, they inoculated Judea's princes and grandees giant was so insignificant, such an insecure foundation, with the spirit of their system, plunged them all into that only the sword could make something of it; the the sink of sensual debauchery and taught them at sword which, once successfully brandished, would the same time to misnse religion, temple, priesthood, never willingly return to its scabbard. What the sword the judiciary, fatherland and their status as princes, had conquered, only the sword could preserve, only as mere tools and means of power and self-aggrandise­ the sword could enlarge. Whereas Hellas took reconrse ment, and to degrade everything holy and pure, every­ to the sword only in its prime and for its own defence, thing great and divine to the role of counters in egotistic Rome's prime, even its mere existence, was the product petty jobbery. of armed power, of cunning, rapacious force. Obadiah's The spirit of Rome had banished the soul from the words ( 1.2,3), "Behold, I have made thee small among Jewish temple, and because of this the Majesty of G-d the heathen: thou art greatly despised. The pride of delivered up the temple and priests, king and throne thine heart has deceived thee, thou that dwellest in in anger to the Roman legions and, with the faithful the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that people, went into exile. saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the Let, therefore, the days in the Jewish Calendar that ground?" were applied to Rome by the poignant commemorate the downfall be to us a warning against perspicacity of the Jewish sages-Rome which devoid the Roman spirit. of national roots of its own, 711!1? 11?~1 ~n~ 11?~ ( Aboda Not Hellenic idealism, but Roman materialism, is Zara 10), had climbed the rocky heights of such what we have to fear ... political eminence only by means of violent presumpt­ uousness. A New Publication THUS ROME'S ESSENTIAL CHARACTER, IN CONTRAST to Hellas's idealistic outlook, bears the stamp of blatant TORAH & TRADl!:TION materialism. Its aim was the aggrandisement of material hy possessions; and glory and might themselves were only wALTER ORENSTEIN and HERTZ FRANKEL a means towards it. Usefulness was the measure of things and actions. Rome had neither time nor inclina­ This Bible textbook for religious schools of all · tion for anything that might elevate the mind and lead trends has a new and creative approach to the the soul to a noble, freer development, for anything teaching of Chumash by emphasizing the ethical teachings of the text, while laying due stress on that might render man more human, and only insofar the understanding of the Hebrew. as these nobler things of the spirit appeared necessary, The authors have received much acclaim for their or, at least, useful for the preservation and furtherance volume TORAH AS OUR GUIDE, which is used of the base, material things, did those higher and in hundreds of schools. nobler things become significant factors in the calcula­ TORAH AND TRADITION is the textbook Jew­ tions of Roman wisdom . ish teachers have long been hoping for. It is highly recommended by prominent educators who have seen advance copies of this unique tool for the IT WAS AT THIS TIME of greatest degradation effective and enjoyable teaching of Chumash. that the s,tate of Judah first came into conflict with $2.50 the Roman autocrats. Two brothers of the House of AT ALL JEWISH BOOK STORES the Hasmoneans who were disputing the throne, which moreover, had been usurped, called upon one of the Or Order Directly From: Roman legates, advancing at the head of his legions, to act as arbitrator. A third claimant also appeared­ HEBREW PUBLISHING CO. the people ace.used both of them that they, or rather 79 Delancey Street New York, N. Y. their House, by usurping royal honours alien to the

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NOVEMBER 1964 - 23 Hebrew, training of · rabbis and THE MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE chazonim, printing of sepharim, contacts with other Jews in the In spite of the fantastic advances other powers that most of us are world, and permitting other prac­ in American technology and the not aware of. A front-page story tices and traditions now banned in growing availability of sophisticated in The Day-Jewish Journal (Oct. the Soviet Union." communications machines, the rela­ 28, 1964) reporting a protest march We can understand the concern tively simple mimeograph machine to the Soviet U .N. delegation opens of secularist groups, who fight reli­ continues to play a major role in with the words (obviously from a gion in this country and in Israel, forming the opinions of American press release) "Two thousand and for Jewish theater and concerts, Jewry. The machine grinds out its five hundred Jewish leaders will which at best would have an atheist­ copies; they are mailed to editors carry out a ,1ilent march today, to ic orientation. However we fail to understand how onr Orthodox breth­ throughout the country and the the Soviet Emba"y at the u·nited ren, associated with the protest. can official Jewish "position" finds its Nations to protest against religious subscribe to such shallow demands way into print; in most cases with and cultural persecution of the three on behalf of our Russian brothers. hardly even the change of a comma million Jews in the Soviet Union." Surely the greater availability of the to a semi-colon. Anyone who has had the slightest works of Sholom Aleichem in books Whoever chooses to differ with contact with Jewish communal work and on the stage can not play any the official position incurrs the wrath knows how difficult it is to assemble role in the survival of Russian of the mimeograph machine, which twenty-five Jewish leaders at any Jewry. D spouts fourth such phrases as "en­ given time; how foolhardy it would emy of Israel" and calls for undi­ be to attempt to assemble two hun­ vided allegiance to the State and dred and fifty; how impossible it One would have thought that to "Jewish unity." Jewish organizations had exhausted This pattern may be changing all possible ridiculous reactions to however; a long-standing critic of the Vatican Council which met Orthodox criticism of the State has in Rome. As we write these words decreed that disagreement with the there lies on our desk another prod­ State of Israel is no longer treason­ uct of the mimeograph machine, able. Writing in The Jewish Digest SlCOND this one from the American Council (November 1964) Dr. Morris N. for Judaism. Here absurdity reaches Kertzer declares, "It is, in a way, the ultimate . . . we hope. a great tribute to the strength and While the world was led to be­ maturity of Israel that the short­ lieve that the Vatican Council was comings of the nelv nation can now the brain-child of the late Pope be admitted, discussed-even criti­ l 00 KS John XXIII, the Council for Juda­ cized without hysteria in either New at the Jewish scene ism now tells us it was actually the York or Jerusalem." idea of one, Chaplain David Gold­ Of course, Dr. Kertzer is promted berg, who in June 1930 wrote an to this open-mindedness by a series would be to gather 2,500 such article in the B'nai Brith Magazine of critical articles which appeared leaders, assuming there are that which " ... dealt directly with the in a non-Orthodox publication, The many. But . . . the magic of the problem of anti-Semitism and im­ Reconstructionist. "How truly grati­ mimeograph machine makes this proved Jewish-Christian relations, fying it is", he writes, "that friends possible by creating "Jewish lead­ a problem currently undergoing se­ of Israel can risk this kind of crit­ ers"; revealing the readiness of rious consideration at the Ecumeni­ cism in 1964-something which "Jewish leaders" to make capital cal Council in Rome" and "observed would have been unthinkable a dec­ of the plight of Soviet Jewry, to that rapprochement between the dif­ ade ago. We American Jews know enhance their personal and organ­ ferent religions is conditioned upon that Israel has come of age, that izational prestige. 'mutual concessions and upon the she is aware rebuke is not rejection." Even more revealing of the mo­ recognition of each other's integ­ Until we hear to the contrary, we tives of the "2500 Jewish Leaders" rity'." will assume that this dispensation is the priority of their demands on This new development may prove applies equally for Orthodox critics behalf of Soviet Jews. They ask to be embarrasing to Rome, which, of the State of Israel. C for: "Jewish cultural activities, an as far as we know_, did not give independent theater, book-publish­ credit to Chaplain Goldberg for his The mimeograph machine has ing, concerts, and also, study of briliant idea. D

24 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER A Blow at the Rabbinate A group of religious kibbutzim local rabbinate's hands endangers got together and set up a joint the close supervision that is vital meat-packing operation, with a cen­ to the assurance of proper standards Israel's Supreme Court has been tral slaughter-house which would of kashrus. Weighing these factors taking a second look at the legal supply kosher meat for the entire the Rabbinate refused to grant a status of the Chief Rabbinate. It country. The Tel-Aviv rabbinate Hechsher. In so doing they excer­ had until now been assumed that and the Chief Rabbinate saw the cised the traditional right of the the Chief Rabbinate was supreme danger that such a central operation rabbinate and its prerogatives under in areas of religious law and in could threaten local Shechita, and Israeli law. matters of personal status, i.e., mar­ create insnrmountable and unfor­ While the kibbutzim involved riage and divorce. seen problems in kashrus. were mainly from the National Re­ This supremacy of the Rabbinate Rabbis have traditionally favored ligious Party, normally strong sup­ bas been challenged in two recent local Shechita because it is more porters of the Chief Rabbinate, they cases. The Marbek case caused dis­ easily supervised and kept under were not prepared to accept the cussion and debate in Israel for control. Taking Shechita out of the Rabbinate's refusal to grant them a months on end. Here, briefly is what happened.

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NOVEMBER 1964 - 25 Hechsher. When behind-the-scenes ether agency of the State, since the the exertion of the authority con­ negotiations failed to satisfy Mar­ Rabbinate's refusal to grant the ferred upon it by the State law, bek, even though the Rabbinate was Hechsher was not based on halachic should be subject to the High Court prepared to make some concessions, considerations alone. of Justice (Supreme Court) just like Marbek summoned the Rabbinate A most jarring fact emerges from every other institution." into court by appealing their deci­ this unfortunate incident. Those who But, blood had been drawn, and sion to the civil authorities. The have been most vocal in their de­ Davar's disclaimer of dishonorable court ordered the Rabbinate to fense of the Chief Rabbinate, and intentions by the Court, was soon "show cause" why they should not most violent in their reaction to proven to be transparent. be enjoined to issue the Hechsher. criticism of the Rabbinate, saw fit, In a subsequent case, the Court The Rabbinate refused to appear in for business considerations, not only again moved into the area of rab­ court taking the position that their to publicly dispute the decision of binic jurisdiction, even more ginger­ decisions were not subject to review the rabbis, but inflicted upon them ly than the first time. A woman had by the civil courts, since they are the indignity of dragging them before applied to the rabbinate for con­ based on halochah and out of the a civil court. They then pressured version to Judaism, telling the court competence of non-rabbinic courts. the Rabbinate into submission in that her mother was a Catholic. At this point a hasty settlement was a manner which compromised the Without completing the conversion arranged ont of court. dignity and the authority of the proceedings, the woman was mar­ In spite of the settlement, and Rabbinate. They further gave the ried by a rabbi, concealing from the fact that the matter had already courts the opportunity of reprimand­ him her true status. The rabbinate become academic, the Court saw fit ing the Rabbinate and setting prec­ ruled that she was not Jewish and to announce that since the Chief edent for limiting its jurisdiction. directed her to accept a divorce Rabbinate was a creation of the The Histadrut daily, Davar, to· from her husband. She appealed her State, it was subject to judicial gether with other newspapers hostile case to the civil court. review by civil authorities like any to Orthodoxy crowed over the im­ The civil court waved its thumb portance of the Court's ruling re­ and reasoned: Since the rabbis have stricting the jurisdiction of the Rab­ admitted that the woman is not binate. (The London Jewish Chro­ Jewish, they had consequently ruled K@SHER! icle observed that the Rabbinate themselves out of jurisdiction in the should be grateful to the Court, for case. On this basis they reversed in limiting its jurisdiction it had the rabbinical decision and upheld reaffirmed its authority!) Davar a marriage which the rabbinate had added however that, "This does not ordered should be dissolved. mean that the Court wants to re­ The result of all of this judicial in­ serve the right to interfere in matters tervention is that the Court is whit­ of religious law . . . (but) it is tling away at the area of jurisdiction unavoidable that the Rabbinate, in of the Rabbinate in a manner that ,~~·~ World's Largest ~ Camera Store READY-TO·COOK Fresh and Fresh·Frozen Fresh-Eviscerated, Completely Koshered 'ft~1i/ ,C/i!Jleel {flamie1ca rff.rAJIW/J?fe Fryers, Broilers, Roasters, fowl, Pullets, Rock Cornish. Capons, Ducks, Turkeys Complete Line of Cameras and Photo Supplies Whole, Cut·Up, Breasts, Wings, Legs 120 WALL STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. Empire Telephone: WH 4-0001 Wholesale • Mail Order Retail The Most Trusted Name • in Kosher Poultry Special Reductions to all Readers of "The Jewish Observer"

26 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER could not be achieved through leg­ hardly be called religious coercion. to the formation of the American islation. While the N.R.P. would Abolition of this arrangement anti-religious group. no doubt resist any attempts by the would split Israeli Jewry into two Whatever might have been done, Knesset to revise the structure of camps. Orthodoxy would suffer only the need of today is clear. So Jong Israeli Jaw on personal status, by the inconvenience of setting up its as attacks on Orthodoxy are met their actions in some instances, and own registry of marriage; the non­ by a divided Orthodoxy, the attacks failure to act in others, they are Orthodox would have severed per­ will grow in frequency and intensity. abetting the attack on the Rabbinate. haps their last remaining tie to the So Jong as the enemies of Torah One can imagine the Rabbinate body of the Jewish people. carry the endorsement of their Or­ wondering: With such friends, who Yet, in spite of these facts, the thodox co-religionists, their anti­ needs enemies? banner of "religious freedom" is Torah influence will spread, to the cynically waved by those who seek detriment of all of Orthodoxy, in­ to free Jewry of its religion rather transigent and otherwise. A Second Front than achieving the freedom which Orthodoxy must unite, ·stiffen its they already enjoy. back and meet the enemy. The libel of religious coercion in The formation of the "American Israel has been so well sold in the Friends" is simply a declaration that United States, that a counterpart of a second-front against Torah is be­ Preventing ? Intermarriage Israel's "League for Religious Free­ ing opened on American soil. It dom" has been organized in this comes as a logical step forward The Commission on Synagogue country. The group, according to following the infamous statement of Relations of the Federation of Jew­ the National Jewish Post and Opin­ the seven American Jewish organ­ ish Philantrophies of New York is ion (October 30, 1964) has organ­ izations which criticized Orthodox sponsoring a special conference on ized under the name, "American resistance to missionary efforts in "Intermarriage and the Future of Friends of Religious Freedom in Israel, and libelously suggested that the Jewish Community." Invitations Israel." Christians were being persecuted in have gone to "a select gronp of Among the members of the board Israel. rabbis, social workers and laymen of directors are several Reform and Following that statement, an out­ who," as the invitation reads,- "we secularist leaders who have been raged Orthodoxy threatened to with­ feel, will be able to add to the identified with the fight agaist reli­ draw from all areas of cooperation proceedings." A number of Ortho­ gion in the Holy Land. Also a board with non-Orthodox religious bodies. dox rabbis and laymen will be on member is B. Z. Goldberg, column­ An agonizing reappraisal was called the program. ist of the Jewish Day-Morning Jour­ for and there was even talk of setting The opening session of the con­ nal who writes often on religious up an Orthodox body to deal with ference will hear a presentation by issues. matters now handled by such groups ·i:"':+:.. : .. :..: .. :..rr:.+:..r:.+:.+:..Y .... r~+0 j§Jtf@? C~llTT 1(0~1!£1t name by the "League" and its J Ashkenazim D'Jerusalem ~ American friends, is nevertheless -~~-- i T t constantly heard in the propagand­ S: Over 35 years experience .in ~: istic style of using a slogan as a todl\cr'~ i· all cemetery matters. Recom- ~· substitute for the facts. .•: .mended by prominent Orthodox t While Israeli law does rule out llkr f Formed in strictly Orthodox ·~ 3HS l'i:IGHTH STR££_T ::: LAK£Woop. Nl:W JERSU upholds halachic procedures in re­ •l; Traditions. :~ y • t gard to marriage and divorce, this The Ultimate in Glatt is a situation supported by the KOSHER CUISINE i Pincus Mandel :~ government and based on the origin­ i: 111 PENN STREET~ We cater to Brooklyn, New York 11211 . al "status-quo" agreement entered Bar-Mitzvahs and :!: :f into years ago to preserve the one­ J Day & Nih! Phones: UL 5-5121 J Conventions y _y ness of the Jewish people. This could .....:..: ...... : .. :-: .. : .. :-:.+>:.+>:.+»:.+Y,...:.+!o+:.+:->»

NOVEMBER 1964 - 27 Dr. Mordecai Kaplan, Founder of day for a young Israeli student in the reparations agreement and other the Reconstructionist Movement this country who was having diffi overtures of "friendship.'' The con­ and Professor Emeritus of the Phi­ culty in marrying his non-Jewish tinned presence of German scien­ losophies of Religion, Jewish Theo­ girl-friend. This gentleman admin­ tists in Egypt speaks louder than logical Seminary of America. A istered the vows of "marriage" to the saccharin statements aimed at prominent Orthodox rabbi, who is the couple after the non-Jewish conciliating world Jewry. Failure of a high official in an Orthodox organ­ partner agreed "to become Jewish West Germany to abolish the statute ization, wiH serve as discussant. and raise their children as Jews." of limitations for Nazi criminals For several decades Dr. Kaplan Perhaps the Orthodox partici­ would be yet another blow against has waged war against the funda­ pants would have some interesting the pride of the Jew. mentals of Torah and Yiddishkeit, questions to ask this expert. Then the only proven weapons against again, he might embarrass them. intermarriage and assimilation. In Predicting Delinquency a recent issue of The Reconstruc­ The Statute of Limitations tionist (April 3, 1964) in the de­ "A method of determ­ partment, "More Questions Jews ining the probability of Ask," the results of Kaplan's teach­ The statute of limitations is an future delinquency ings clearly emerge. The question is accepted legal safeguard in a de­ among 6-year-old boys put: "What kind of relationships ... mocracy. It dictates that one can has been tried in New would Rabbi Kaplan regard as de­ not be placed on trial for a given York City and found sirable between Reconstructionist act after the lapse of a prescribed after 10 years to have Jews and Liberal Protestants ... number of years. The rationale is been surprisingly accn­ who are as "naturalistic'' in outlook quite simple; the accused would rate." (The New York as Reconstructionists?" After an have difficulty in bringing forth wit­ Times, I 1/10/64) elaboration of Kaplan's teachings nesses and evidence years after the We applaud the success of the which in essence deny the Ribono alleged crime took place. sociologists in perfecting this tech­ Shel Olom, the Editor states: While this procedure is clearly nique, though we wonder how happy valid in the case of conventional "It is quite possible, there­ this makes the parents of the "gui­ crimes, no matter how monstrous, fore, for a Jewish natura1ist to nea-pigs," or perhaps, their victims. the thought that Nazi war criminals see eye to eye, as it were, with Undoubtedly this information will would walk the streets without fear regard to a conception of God play some role in the prevention of of prosecution is a frightening one. delinquency. --expressed in philosophical Yet this is the prospect in Western terms. In fact, it is not incon­ The matter points up however the Germany after May 9, 1965. On different categories which frame the ceivable for a Jewish Recon­ that day, unless legal steps are structionist to agree, philosoph­ thinking of our society and those taken, the statute of limitations will of Torah society. Our technique for ically, more with a non-Jewish free all Nazi criminals from the naturalist than with a fellow preventing-not predicting-delin­ prospect of prosecution. It is expect­ Jew who is a supernaturalist." quency was made available to us ed that thousands of them now in centuries ago at Sinai, when the On this basis, it would be quite hiding in other countries would flock Torah commanded: ". . . and you tortuous to- make a case against back to Germany and strengthen shall teach them (words of Torah) intermarriage, particularly if both the Neo-Nazi movement there. It to your children." parties to a marriage share a "na­ is estimated that some 10,000 such Let Jewish parents of six-year-old turalistic" be1ief. We caution the criminals are still at large. boys who sadly contemplate the participants of the conference to Several European states, including prospect of delinquency, take their bear in mind Dr. Kaplan's creden­ East Germany, have already abol­ boys by the hand and enroll them tials as he expounds on means of ished the statute as far as Nazis in the nearest yeshivoh-day school. combatting intermarriage. are concerned. We think also, that the planners We appreciate the validity of the of the conference would be remiss legal concept involved in the statute "QUAUTY PICTURES if they did not enlist the services of of limitations, but to think of Nazi FOR ALL OCCASIONS" another "expert" on intermarriage crimes-the wor1d is too weak-in whose competence was reported in the same category as isolated cases the daily press, after the conference of looting, assault and murder, is ::Dovo Stulios was planned. We refer to the Jewish itself criminal. 212 SY 2·2977 clergyman who came to the rescue West Germany has not endeared of romance by heroically saving the itself to world Jewry, in spite of

28 - THE JEWISH OBSERVER style, and the variety of subjects of Sephardic Jews coming to Israel discussed, all add up to making this are of religious temperament and publication probably the most out­ background. They observe and Lette1e4 standing literary contribution made must receive adequate religious to the cause of advancing the Or­ training. I would think that your thodox Torah-true viewpoint in worthy publication should devote it­ many years. May you go from self assiduously to the achievement strength to strength. of this end. totk By way of observation, allow me At the same time, it would .be ad­ to note that in Rabbi Bulman's ex­ visable to acquaint your large pub­ cellent article on integration in Is­ lic with the tragic misuse of funds rael, he mentions that the Sephardic by the J.D.C. in Europe where, in­ Set«M world contributed certain outstand­ stead of supporting and fostering ing scholars to the mainstream of religious institutions of learning Jewish life. He mentions the name for Jewish youth on the European Says We A re Vigorous of Ari. Without in any way mini­ continent, a concerted effort is being mizing the fantastic literary con­ made by the anti-religious elements To the Editor: tributions made by the Sephardic in charge, to uproot and destroy Please accept my congratulations scholars to Jewish learning, it is any vestige of religiosity and tradi­ for the very high quality of THE well known that Rabbenu HoAri tion from the education program. was one of the most outstanding JEWISH OBSERVER. You are produc­ For afl your _catering affairs . ing a vigorous and highly literate Ashkenazi rabbis that ever lived. May I also bring to your atten­ Mr. David I. Hirsch magazine that is a credit to your BETH ISRAEL CENTER editorial skill and brings honor to tion the fact that the U.J.A. has CATERERS Orthodox Jewry. presently embarked on a hundred­ • DR. MARVIN Fox million-dollar project of fund rais­ 5602 - I Ith AVENUE Professor of Philosophy ing to provide much needed educa­ Brooklyn, N. Y. The Ohio State University tional facilities for secondary edu­ GE 5.7295 Columbus, Ohio cation in Israel. However, there does not seem to be any provision to provide religious education in RUDY TEPEL Our First Anniversary these schools. ORCHESTRA I believe that it would be advis­ To the Editor: 1921 AVENUE K able and necessary for your publica­ Brooklyn. N .Y. Allow me first of all to express tion to launch a campaign amongst to you my congratulations on your your many readers to arouse them ES 7-0654 first anniversary celebrated with the to demand of the U.J.A. administra­ Music For All Occasions publication of your last edition. Be­ tii)n, serious consideration of the ing a charter subscriber, I assure spiritual and religious needs of the you that I have been enjoying and immigrant children for whom these looking forward to each issue. schools are really intended. It is Ahhhhhhhh! The physical format, the literary well known that the vast majority Mmmmmm! The A;r.conctit;onect Reserve for Your Dec DI'. ),t,++,( N • naldman.HOTEC ew Vear Holida s Yummmmm! . STRICTLY KOSHER CUISINE THANKSGIVING on1y GLATT MEATS served ;n the WALDMAN Manner CHANUKA"n SPECIA[ Under lij'\ Supervision ~ 7 FULL DAYS $J4ft50* per pers., $9* daily per person 1NCLUDING .,, dbl. occ. ,A_RTm double occupancy MEALS Nov. 24 to Dec. 10 Nov. 24 to Dec. 10 *30 of 133 rooms INCLUDES ROUND TRIP lllllilill~l!llli~~-'p!llllllBBRllllll~ JET TRANSPORTATION Continental Write Direct or Call Private Beach, Pool Cabana Transfers to and from Hotel N. Y. Off: JU 2·2277 Club, 21" TV tn Every Room luxurious Room & Meals !l's always "SHOW *30 of Chocolates TIME" at WALOMAN'S 133 rooms @ THE NAME BARTON'S !S YOUR 'I ' ' GUARANTEE IT'S KOSHER . Miami Beach Phone: JE 9 .. 5731

NOVEMBER 1964 -'- 29 A loud shout of protest must be not, therefore, evade our duty of exam­ What Did You Expect? ining these books and pointing out the heard from the masses against this fallacies of interpretation and shortcom­ atrocious disrespect to the memory To the Editor: ings of knowledge that are being popu­ of martyred millions who offered Your reviewer showed in detail larized to a point where even Orthodox readers become confused. their lives to Kiddush Hashem un­ the errors in Dr. Steiman's book on -The Editor der the Nazi beasts, only to have the Maharil. However, what kind of their offspring alienated from the rabbinic scholarship can you expect @ SCHECHTER'S strictly kosher eternal wellspring of faith and Jew­ from a non-Orthodox writer? I as­ ish tradition by these foreign in­ CROMWELL sume that this book would never Hotel • Pool - Private Beaeh - Cabanas fluences opposed to Judaism. Operated by Sam Seheehter of the Pioneer have been reviewed if your book Country Club, Greenfield Park, New York RABBI ABRAHAM B. HECHT editor had known Dr. Steiman's Under@ $upervision only GLAT President identity. Kosher meals served Rabbinical Alliance of America Name withheld on request. daily, per person INCLUDES double oec. STRICTLY We did not know of Dr. Steiman's 10 of 105 rooms KOSHER To the Editor: affiliations, though the book editor did $10 raise the suspicion that its author. in the Dee. 18-Jan. 4 MEALS Both the "son!" and the "body" words of our review, wanted "to find FREE: Chaise J,011nges & Mats, 21" TV in of your publication meet the highest every room, self·parking adjoins hotel a respectable ancestry for modern efforts N.Y. MU 6-1709 19-5 P.M.J standards of those discriminating to assure Jewish survival by innovation or adaption." However, there is a de­ FA 7-1742 !Eves. & Sun.I readers who have been eagerly finite value in taking books from such Miami Beach • 534-2141 awaiting this highly desirable "amal­ sources under critical consideration. Air Cond. & Heated {Ind. Control} On the Oeean at 20th St •• Miami Beaeh, Fla. gam" in a magazine. Best wishes The American Jew who is looking for books on Jewish history, philosophy, ______':..!.Lt.!.._ ____~ for continued and even greater and literature, is exposed to a veritable success. flood of writings. Most of them are the B€Rkowrt>:'s SANFORD GREEN work of men alienated from Torah Judaism; yet they are accepted as autho­ New York City ritative and scholarly guides. We can- ~~!!!.,!! On 1te Ocean at 20th Street Collini Annur, MIAMI BEACH

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~ authority of recent times. With a ni1'1n !711 •"l!li Preface and Notes by RABBI THE NINETEEN LETTERS OF SHMUEJ, ELCHONON Bnoc. This -" "0 The famous scholarly edition BEN UZIEL by PROF. ABRAHAM BERLINER book is a blueprint for modern "' -with text and commentary hnsed Jewry. It spells out clearly simp· by SAMSON RAPHAEL HIRSCH "'0 n on manuscripts and old editions ly and unequivocally what must This famous work, patterned "' !dving new light and insight into be done to elevate and perpetuate after the "dialogue" method used "' Rashi's commentary on the Torah • G-d's Torah in the Twentieth by Yehuda Halevi in his "Kuzari," .. $7.00 Century. $3.50 contains a fiery defense of tradi. "' tional Torah Judaism against the .,,_... FOUNDATIONS OF onslaughts of "modern, rational '"l!li i1'1t7 u r Laws, Customs and Prayers, JEWISH BELIEF agnosticism." A new edition, pre· edited by SALOMON BUBER To elevate and strengthen belief pared and edited by Jacob Breuer. a " and JACOB FREIMANN in G-d and the divine origin of $3.SO u ,." with introduction and notes. the Torah. n $5.00 by just published a new, enrarged ~ RABBI MARTIN H. SCHWARZ and improved edition of ... tl•N>!I) !>)I )":lr.lin l!lli•ll r. $3.00 nr.i:in:i tl•:ll'1!11 ny1 'iW\!J i~ti u Edited hy Rabbi Dr. Ch. D. Chavel. RABBI DR. JOSEPH BREUER 'ltl\r.ll "' n $3.75 JUBILEE VOLUME ~,,.,, i"::i}t ,,,;::i ritii' ,., l"ni:i nN:~ D presented in honor of his 80th ,,,, " JEWISH LEADERS bfrthday. $7.50 4 parts in 2 vols. $6.50 "J (1750-1940) ""' by RABBI DR. LEO JUNG WORLD OF PRAYER TALMUD MERUBA ... This hest·selling hook has been A thorough, devout and inter­ contains the same commentaries -"" out of print for se\teral years and esting commentary on the tradi· as the Vilna edition plus new ad· has just been republished hy ,Boys tional daily Sabbath and Festival ditions and the Talmud Yerusha­ " n Town Jerusalem. Contains 24 prayers. A mine of interpretation lmi at the end of each volume. "' biographies of great spiritual lead­ and inspiration. In 20 attractive vols. " "' ers of this time. by RABBI DR. ELIE MUNK halfleather binding, sb·e 9 x 12 .,.."' $6.00 2 Vols. Boxed - $12.50 Price Only $75.00 ..."' .,,_ ~ u r !> PHILIPP FELDHEIM~ INC. a ,." "The House of the Jewish Boole" u n We Have the Largest Selection of Jndaica and Hebraica ri ... 96 EAST BROADWAY Tel.WA 5·3180 NEW YORK, N. Y. 10002 "' 1 !l ' 0 : I 1 n i l ~ N n 1!> i P f l ~ D Y C ) l D 1' ? 1 !l ' O !l I 1 n i l > N n 1!> i p f l ~ D y 0 ) l C ~ 7 1 ~ ' o !l I 1 n i l : N ~ THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CHINUCH ATZMAI I founded by the lote Goon and Tzadik, Rabbi Aaron Kotler, ?"::11 J TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL

will celebrate the historic accomplishments of

Twelve Years Of Chinuch Atzmai In Israel

at a Testimonial Dinner on Sunday, December 20th at the New York Hilton Hotel

honoring the dynamic Orthodox lay-leader, their National Chairman Mr. Stephen Klein

for his dedicated efforts in fulfilling the spiritual legacy of the founder and principal patron of Chinuch Atzmai, the late Rabbi Aaron Kotler, 'i"::11, to provide an additional 50,000 children Stephen Klein speaking at the 10th Anniversary Dinner. in Israel with the opportunities of religious The picture in the haekground is of the late Gaon and Tzadik education. Rabbi Aaron Kotler, One of the founders and prin•~ipal patron of the Chinuch Atzmai Torah Schools for Israel.

The elite of American Jewry will join on this occasion to mark the beginning of a new era for the greatest united effort for religious education in Jewish history. Please make your reservations NOW for this outstanding event.

Directorate in Israel: Dinner Co-.Chairmen: Honorary Chairmen: RABBI ZALMAN SOROTZKIN, IRVING M. BUNIM RABBI MOSHE FEINSTEIN Chairman RABBI SAMUEL J. CHILL RABBI ABRAHAM HESCHEL RABBI YECHEZKEL ABRAMSKY RABBI IMMANUEL JAKOBOVITS RABBI ELIEZER SILVER RABBI ISRAEL ALTER RABBI YECHEZKEL SARNE HENRY L. KRAUSHAR RABBI JOSEPH B. SOLOVEITCHIK

TORAH SCHOOLS FOR ISRAEL ~~:c~t~;:a~~~~~:S;, New York, N. Y. 10038- BA 7-1505