Torah Concepts: the Source of Jewish Values
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Torah Concepts: the source of Jewish values Book II by Rabbi Joseph R. Radinsky Copyright © by Rabbi Joseph R. Radinsky December 1985 All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America MBS Business Printers/Houston, Texas HO1 16502v1 In Memory of my nephew JOSHUA ZVI FRIEDLAND who died while on duty as an officer in the Israeli Army His wonderful smile, his keen sense of justice, his willingness to help everyone, and his ability to reach out and relate to others will always be remembered He had so much promise, and he died so young We will always miss him HO1 16502v1 Rabbi Joseph Ruben Radinsky was born in Seattle, Washington. He is married to Juliette nee Mizrahi and the father of three children. He received his education at Yeshiva University, the University of Washington, from which he received an A.B. in English, Harvard University, from which he received an M.A. in Comparative Literature, and Hebrew Theological College, from which he received Smicha (Rabbinical Ordination). Rabbi Radinsky is the Chairman of the Houston Kashruth Association and the Chairman of the Rabbinic Cabinet of Houston Israel Bonds. He has also been a member of the Executive Board of the Rabbinical Council of America, President of the Kallah of Texas Rabbis, President of the Houston Rabbinic Association, and Chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on Human Relations in Lafayette, Indiana. Rabbi Radinsky taught at the Seattle Hebrew School. For thirteen years he was Rabbi at the Congregation Sons of Abraham in Lafayette, Indiana. Since 1976, Rabbi Radinsky has been the Rabbi of the United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston, Texas. HO1 16502v1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all those who made this book possible. I would especially like to thank Pam Laibson and Mary Sacks for typing the manuscript of this book and for copyreading it and Dr. Mark Friedman for proofing the galley sheets. His corrections were invaluable. Without their help this book would not have been possible. I am also greatly indebted to Herman Charski for all his work in securing sponsors for this book and all the Officers and members of the United Orthodox Synagogues especially Earl Lefkowitz, the President, for all their encouragement and help in producing this book. I would also like to thank my wife, Juliette, and our children, Devora and Rabbi Mark Urkowitz, Dena Radinsky, and Rabbi Eliezer Radinsky for all their inspiration, and my parents, Jack and Lillian Radinsky, for providing me and my brothers and sisters with such a positive Jewish home as we were growing up. I would also like to acknowledge my debt to my grandparents, Abraham and Anna Silver, and Ben Zion and Celia Radinsky, of blessed memory, who were such wonderful models of Jewish commitment. I am also indebted to the many people who shared their very personal experiences of the Holocaust with me as well as to Yaffa Eliach whose book Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust inspired some of my Yizkor sermons. I would like to also thank all those whose contributions made this book possible. Listed below are their names or the names of the deceased loved ones they wanted to honor. Michael & Susan Abramowitz James Burrus Dr. S.J. & Shirley Bader Michael & Sheila Camberg Dr. Larry & Sara Baitch Julius & Eva Lou Chapman Gilbert & Golda Baker Able & Sharon Charski David & Beverly Barg Herman & Helen Charski Eli & Nana Becker Shimon & Fien Cohen Joseph & Frances Beckoff Dr. David & Bonnie Cotlar Harold & Devorah Beinart Benjamin & Renee Danziger Dr. Joel & Marsha Berg Calman & Sarah Danziger Harry & Rose Bergman Dr. Julius & Avril Danziger Issie & Dorothy Bergman I. Bob Davis Dr. Arnold & Myra Berlin Robert & Rachel Davis Dr. Louis & Margaret Berman Scott & Carolyn Davis Tony & Greta Bernitz Sol & Seema Davis Robert & Betty Besser Ernest & Yvonne de Leef Nelson & Linda Block Cantor Irving & Millie Dean Joop & Joy Blog Abe & Margaret Donsky Dr. Edith Bondi Michael & Susanne Dugas Dr. Jules & Roselyn Borger Harry Rosmarin John & Sophie Braun Dr. Gordon & Sheila Sack Leon & Evelyn Brown Gizella E. Salmon & Anna Eisler Dr. Stan & Margie Burman Bruce & Frances Schimmel i HO1 16502v1 Moses & Sandra Schimmel Sol & Sally Waldman Anne Schulman Dr. Robert & Lennie Weinberger Dr. Maish & Mary Shalit Irving & Martha Weisberg Manny & Trude Simon George & Lillian Wernick Melvin & Judge Ruby Kless Sondock Dr. Bernard & Joan White Harry & Lotty Spinner Avrohm & Evelyn Wisenberg Henry & Madeline Spira Dr. Arnold & Laura Wolf Emil & Paula Steinfink Dr. David & Karen Wolf Sol & Lea Rea Stepinoff Florence K. Yellen Marvin S. Szneler Dr. Jerald & Aileen Zarin Israel Tapick Sam & Alys Taub IN MEMORIAM Harold & Carolyn Turboff Barry & Linda Waldman Rabbi Jacob & Sara Geller Carl Waldman Libby Yellen Geller Howard & Linda Waldman Rabbi Max Geller Walter Levy Abraham Simon Sam Sussman I would also like to thank all those who contributed anonymously, and I would also like to thank Max and Marillyn Goldfield for printing this book at their cost. Finally, I would like to thank the Holy One, Blessed be He, Who has given me the strength, insight, good friends, and understanding to be able to publish this book. Tam V’nishlam Shevach L-eil Boreih Olam. I want to especially thank and acknowledge all the help given to me by Dr. Edith Bondi, a woman who has been and who is completely devoted to doing deeds of loving kindness. She wholeheartedly believes in education. Through her efforts, countless youngsters have had their lives enriched and their talents developed. Her support of Jewish learning at all levels is total. She has always fulfilled the highest commandment, according to Maimonides: advancing learning. She has always translated into deeds of giving and caring her devotion to the ideals of our faith. May she continue to go from strength to strength, and may the Holy One, Blessed be He, continue to shower His blessings upon her and continue to give her the strength, courage, insight, good health, and means to continue to do Mitzvahs. ii HO1 16502v1 TABLE OF CONTENTS BEREISHEES ............................................................................................................................................... 1 DO SCIENCE & RELIGION CONFLICT? ......................................................................................................... 1 THE FINEST GIFT ........................................................................................................................................ 3 NOAH ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 THE SINS OF THE MIND A RE GREATER THAN THE SINS OF THE EMOTION ................................................. 5 LECH LECHA ............................................................................................................................................. 8 WHAT’S NECESSARY FOR A FAMILY? ........................................................................................................ 8 VAYERA ......................................................................................................................................................11 HOW SHOULD WE JUDGE PEOPLE? ...........................................................................................................11 CHAYE SARAH ..........................................................................................................................................14 WILL WE BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR URGE TO SELF-DESTRUCT IN CHECK? .................................................14 TOLDOS ......................................................................................................................................................17 WHAT’S NEEDED IN ORDER TO MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK ......................................................................17 VAYAETZAE ..............................................................................................................................................20 WE JEWS AND THE WORLD........................................................................................................................20 VAYISLACH ...............................................................................................................................................23 FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, AND LONELINESS ..........................................................................................23 VAYESHEV .................................................................................................................................................26 THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY ...................................................................................26 WHY WAS JOSEPH A TZADIK? ...................................................................................................................27 MIKETZ ......................................................................................................................................................29 IS EVERYTHING NEW ALWAYS BETTER? ...................................................................................................29 VAYIGASH .................................................................................................................................................32 PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE ...............................................................................................................................32 VAYECHI ....................................................................................................................................................35