MS-763: Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman Collection, 1930-2004. Series H: United Jewish Appeal, 1945-1995. Subseries 1: Sermons, Speeches and Writings, 1949-1982.

Box Folder 21 14

"Mission to French North Africa". October 1955.

For more information on this collection, please see the finding aid on the American Jewish Archives website.

3101 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 513.487.3000 AmericanJewishArchives.org

I I

Number Eleven OCTOBER 1955

Tll E CONFERENCE JOUnNAL: l'ublis/Jed by tlif' Cf'71tral Conference (If A111rrim11 R11bbis.

EDITOR: Abml111m]. I

DEPARTMENT EDITons: Max D. F.ic/J/Jom, Robe.rt L. /(atz, Albert M. Lewis, Ely E. Pilchik.

EDITOlllAL n0An1>: Bernard/. Bambergrr, Philip S. Bm1stei11, 1Villi11111 G. Brnude, Ely E. Pilchik, David Polish, Jarob P. Rudin, Samuel M. Silver, Jacob/. 1Veiwtei11.

OFFICEnS OF TllE CONFEllENCE: Barnett R. BricJ:ner, l'residmt; lmrcl Btttan, Vice-Prcsidmt; Stanley R. Bmv, Treasurer; Sidney M. Lrfkowitz, Recording Secrmry; Maurice Goldb!ti11 Fi11a11ric1I Secretary; Sidney L. J

THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL is published quarterly in ]111111ary, April, June 1111d October. S11bsrriptio11 as set by the Confermcr is $J .yo for the yl'l1r. E111ered as seco11d-r/11ss 111111/er at the post-o..ffice at l'/Jiladelphi,1, Penna. All articles and communica,rions should be addrrssrd to tilt' }oumal Editor, Temple Emtr1111el, 63 Hamil1011 Avdme, Y 011l·ers 5, N. Y., subscriptions to t/Je Conjermce exerutive o.ffiw, 40 West 681/J St .. Nrw York City. E D I TOR 'S N OT ES

We briefly sketch our tel/fativc plans for the comi11g year, amicipati11g that many of our readers will w11111 to join i11 thr discussions that 'Will appear in the pages of the Journal. For su111r time, we hm.Jt' been at work p111ting togrthcr a .Journal issue 011 the subject of Synagogue Art. lVe 11re pri11111rily interrstt•d in the art forms that havt• b1•c11 introduced in 1J1a11y of our new sy11r1gog11es, sy111bolizi11g the ·1111my facets of 011 r Faith. TVe have also been concerned with the form and observance of the Fmivals (o•1ni w?w) which we bclit•ve pose problems i11 ueed of discussio'll. There has been a good deal of t11/k about the Religious School c11rricu/11m. In certain quarters tlu• reliability ~'f thr currirnlum is questioned, while in other quarters the '1)(1/idity of the curricu/11111 is up fo•rj11dg111mt. In line with 011r Religious School interest, we shall also consider our program in the field of Adult Ed11mtion.

In rhe Field of Education appears as a new depart111e111 in this issue~( the Journal. Under the editorship of Rabbi Albert M. Le'lvis, Rabbi of Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, California, we p/1111 thro11gh this column to bring to t/11: attemitm of our readers books, materials and papers published and distributed by the 111a1~y educational agencies both Jewish and non­ jewish which 111ight be of interest and assistalJ'ce to the rabbi. CCAR.. CENTRAL CONFE~A MERICAN RABB IS

CONTENTS

New Year - New Era BARNE·rr R. BRICKNER ....•....•...... A Mission to French North Africa H ERlll!:RT A. FRIEDMAN...... • ...... 3

ROSF.NZ\\'EIG, BUBJl '. R AND MAL\IONIOFS Theory and Practice: A Nore on Franz Rosenzweig NAHUM N. GLATZER...... 9 Martin Buber and Judaism MAUIUCE F1t1EOMAN. • . . • . • . • • ...... • . . 13 Moses Maimonides, Author and 'l'cacher for the Ages EUGENE M IHALY...... • • • 19

DEPAR")J\IF.NTS Of Books and Papers ELY E. P1LClllK...... • ...... 28 Organizations and Institutions MAx D. E1c1rnoRN...... 35 In rhe Field of Education ALllERT M. L E\VIS...... • ...... 39 A Rabbi Asks: Concerning the Advisability of Informing a Patient of the Seriousness of hi.s lllness H1RAM B. W£1ss, l sitAEL .J. GERBER, I h:NRY D. L EDl::RER, ALBERT G. M1NDA. RoBERT L. KA rz, Eo...... 42

NOTES AND REPORTS The Paris Meeting of the \.\'orld Union For Progressive Judaism: A Report DAv10 H. W1cE...... 48 The Founding of a New Seminary An Announcement . . •...... 50 Notes on Our Contributors...... 52 Barnett R. Brid'Tlcr NEW YEAR-NEW ERA

ln a recent review of Rexford G. Tug­ mood than it has had reason to be in the well's new book, A Chronicle of Jeopardy last ten years. 1945- 55, Cabell Phillips writes: The radical change of manner by the Kremlin leaders and the signs of amity "History written at short range is likely to be decepti\'e. Ir is hard to emanating from the Red Chinese, fol­ bring events into sharp and stable focus lowing the Geneva meeting "at the while they are still enveloped in their summit," give warrant to the belief that own dust clouds and while one's the mood of coexistence indicates the emotions about them are still green." relaxing of existing international ten­ August 14, 1955) (New York Times, sions. Perhaps the possession and devel­ And 1 may add that this is because all opment by the Kremlin of atomic power, too frequently fantasy takes on the has brought us on a par militarily and appearance of reality and reality that of led both sides to the realization, out of fantasy. Yee fantasy and reality arc not enlightened self-interest, of the futility so separate and distinct as we arc some­ of another >.var. times prone ro believe, for all too often This mood of acceptance of political reality is the projection of fantasy. Life coexistence was heightened by the even is too full of the impossible becoming more significant Atoms for Peace Con­ possible for us ro pl:tcc fantasy an

1 2 BRICKNER: New Year - New Em

world will have been solved forever." decade of suffering, of cold and hot At Geneva there was displayed the war - of hatred, vindieriven::ss, and Atomic Reactor, which will be the insecurity - we arc coming to the source of atomic energy in the future realization that the choice between life and which will drive the wheels of and death is truly ours. \Ve arc far industry, particularly where there is no from being rhe puppets of fate, bur in a coal or oil - foreshadowing a new in­ decisive way have the power to exercise dustrial revolution far greater in scope that free will which will bring us li fe than the one that transformed society in and nor death - provided char we the nineteenth century. Deserts will be master the lnil i~· and choose the made to bloom like gardens through the ::nl' 1:!>' in us. irradiation of seeds and soil. The radio­ It is not fantasy but reality that active isotope and other forms of atomic confronts us. \Ne can choose ro make energy may even cure cancer and other this a better am! a happier world if we dread diseases. V critably a new world is bur will it so, provided chat we make opening up, one that may witness the our way His way instead of crying elimination of war, pestilence, and futilely tO bend I lis will to our will. famine. ' \Ne must cease playing God; we must The timing of these two Geneva choose to believe in God and, as Dr. Leo Conferences was providential. They Baeck has said, "to make a place for occurred exactly ten years after the most H im in the world which He has devastating weapon ever devised by man created." had been released over Hiroshima and I find it significant that so many Jews, Nagasaki and ended history's most way our of proportion to our numbers, cataclysmic war. May not the prophetic were sclecrcd ro represent the seventy­ words of Isaiah be applied here? May rwo counrrics at this meeting of it not be that God used the Acom as the scientists ar the summit in Geneva. Je\\ s "rod of I Tis anger" ('Dl'I 1:>:it11) co bring a arc leading the.: way in reaching mankind wayward mankind to its senses? May it to master the atomic fire. I pray char, as nor be that God intended the devastating a people, we who arc rooted in faith and bomb with its attendant suffering to lead, morality may give mankind char moral as suffering usually docs, to the realiza­ and spiritual direction it now needs and tion that the gift of God - in this case, hasten the new era. nuclear fission - was intended to be Colleagues, with this New Year we used for man's weal rather than for his have a "job" cut our for ourselves, to woe and that it was only m::n's per­ lead our people back to the spiritual versity that made him use the splitting sources which are our heritage and of the Arom for his own decimation? to which the world must remrn for its How telling, then, arc the words of salvation. To do chis is to bring events Moses: "Behold, I set before thee this into sharp and stable focus, a focus day life and death, good and evil; choose toward which 4,000 years of Jewish and ye rhe good, choose ye life." After a world hisrory have been moving. Herbert A. Fried?l!an A MISSION TO FRENCH

NOR TH AJFRICA

It is not a simple m:mer t0 organize will be justified by the response of the impressions and to draw from them some American Jewish community to the call clear-cut recommendations, even after of the nationwide United Jewish Appeal a lengthy and carefully planned journey. in the months ahead. Reality ofren refuses to fir itself neatly The excerpts which follow arc based into a two-dimensional frame. Actual on the sometimes hasty notes I took in places and people persist in being self­ the course of those forty-odd exciting conrradictory, clusi,·e and complex - days. in short, real. When one is tra,·cling it July 2 5, Paris. Lunched today with is necessary to cry to understand not Shmuel Bendor, second in command at only what goes on straight in front of the Israel Embassy in France. We dis­ his eyes, buc also what is Aitting past cussed the plight of North African Jewry the corner of them. and the need of migration to lsracl. Therefore, instead of attempting to l\'1. Bcndor was of the opinion, concern­ offer generalizations, let me present ing those families who wish to move to instead rough material from the trip's Israel, that entire families should be diary. I believe certain conclusions will taken out in every instance where a become inescapably obvious, out of the breadwinner or potential breadwinner is situations sketched in these pages. The part of rhc group. Later, a conference responsibilities of American Jewry will with the Yiddish writer Moshe Sam­ also become obvious. baryon, who lcfr Russia in 1947, and My journey began in the great city who believes that at least a third of the of Paris, took me through Tangier, Jewish population of Russia would emi­ Spanish and French Morocco and Tu­ grate to Israel if given theopporrunity.* nisia and thence, via Rome, ro Israel. July 26, Tangier. Arrived today in this My last day was spent in a new settle­ city in Morocco's international zone. ment in the Lachish area of Israel which Significant conversations with Albert is being readied for newcomers from Reinhard, Director of the JDC, and North Africa seeking a new life in a new land. Thus 1 ended these travels in *Recent figures approximate Jewish popula­ a place of hope - hope which l trust tion at 3.000.000. En. 3 4 11. A. rRIEDMAN: A Mission to French North Africa

Tangier-born Abraham Isaac Laredo, sick children. There is no such concept vice-president of the Jewish community as a "well-baby clinic." It is partly here, whose family came from Spain in financed with UJA funds through the 1492. There are 12,500 Jews in Tangier Joint Distribution Committee. The Jews and 15,000 in Spanish Morocco. They of Tetuan feel somewhat isolated from arc emigrating at the rate of r 50 per the rest of the Jewish world. They month to Israel, believing there is no would like to have more ·contact with future for Jews in Moslem counrrics, Israel. \Vas taken later to the "Soupc that if independence comes about, they Populairc" in the Mcllah, or ghetto, will have to clear out. Most Jews in this where 100 old people, previously beg­ area have been craftsmen, traders or gars, are now brought here ro be fod. peddlers. The very poor make up the Some send their children with pots co bulk of those leavi ng for Israel, because bring meals home. The food is clean and they arc desperate. But the middle class, nourishing. The project costs $z50 a who conduct sma ll businesses with very month, takes the beggars off the streets, narrow margins of cash, arc having is part of a campaign to "liquidate difficulty Iiquidacing assets, and :1rc mendacity." This is a bold notion in a afraid that their small capital, even if country where begging is one of the realized, would quickly run our in Israel. commonest occupations. July ! 7. Tet11a11 in Sp1mish Morocco. There is a tnkkfmn dating back to the The almost unanimous opinion of lead­ r 6th Century forbidding more than r 6 ers here is that the Jews must eventually synagogues in T etuan. Sixteen now leave. If they wait, they may get exist in the Mellah. A lender here, caught later. There arc 5,000 Jews in 1\iloses Hassan, wants to build a new T etuan. 2 50 contribute to the apparatus one, outside the Mellah. This means that of the Jewish community. The rest have one inside must be closed. There is a no means to do so. \'isited a girls' big controversy about this matter be­ school where 35 girls arc learning t" c:en rhe community k:ad1:rs and the sewing, cooking. They get hot meals, rabbis. Indications arc char rhe new good care. After three years of training synagogue is going to go up. most girls can earn a living by skills July ::8. Ct1snb/1111m. Went directly learned here. Six have already left for from the airport to the Talmud Torah Israel, others hope to go. A committee to sec a group of about 1 ,ooo who Aed of local ladies operates chis school as from the 1\1cllah seeking refuge when volunteers. Also visited a feeding canteen the Arabs went on the rampage of anri­ for 150 children, and a new clinic, the Frcnch rioting a few days ago. These "Prcvcntorio I nfancilc," caring for chil­ people are really afraid. If we could put dren from birth to school age, giving them on a ship to Israel immediately, supplementary feeding, medical aid, they would go m massr. They will nor lunches, X-rays for TB. Started in one return to rhc i\lellah. little room five years ago. It now has a The Mellah of Casablanca is a ghetto huge bujlding. Bur this clinic is only for of indescribable poverty. It is one of 5

the most over-crowded areas in the future situation. They have already world. Of the 2 50,000 Jews in Morocco, made rheir estimate of how little the 80,000 live in Casablanca and 50,000 of forurc holds for them in Morocco. them within the sordid precincts of the July 30. Meeting with George 0. 1\lcllah. A cramped mud hovel in the La/\1ont, American Consul General in Mellah will often house a family of 8 Morocco, who predicted an "orderly or more. transition" of Jews leaving Morocco. Talked with Albert Levy, \'ice­ Also spoke with Madame Helene prcsident of the Jewish community here, Benatar, who is a lawyer and who. and "Amos," who is Chief of rhe Jewish during rhe war, helped save thousands Agency mission devoted to emigration of lives through her work as a rcpre­ to Israel. The feeling is that "hilc all scntati\•e of the J DC in France and the Jews of Morocco cannot hope to North Africa. Mme. Bcnatar felt there leave, the slogan should be " T hose who is "increasing anti-Jewish sentiment" in want to go should be helped to go," that Morocco. The meetings of the past few a breadwinner could support another days would seem ro indicate the follow­ six or sc,·en dependents once established ing situation in general: 1) Under the in rsrael. Registrations for emigration French the Jews feel protected. 2) Under are now at 60,000. In the past nine 1\ 1oroccan government Jews would feel months, 18,000 have lefr. lt is felt that insecure, although not now in immediate 1 o,ooo should be evacuated directly danger of life except for occasional out­ after the High Holidays - 5,ooo in bursts. 3) However, Jews must emi­ October and 5,000 in November. grate, and this emigration should be July 29. Conversation with \Villiam carried out before the situation grows Stokes, American vice-consul here in worse, necessitating "pan ie" emigration. Casablanca. He told me Jews show good July 31. \Vent down to the port in ability to get along with best clements Casablanca to sec a group embark on among French and Arabs. In Rabat, rhe " Lyautey" for Marseilles, where mer Jacques Dahan, Secretary of Council there is a camp called Grand Arenas. of Jewish Communities ot Morocco, From this camp they are trans-shipped who declared that "There will be no to Israel. vVith their pathetic baggage, panic cmigrarion to Israel." J\1. Dahan they were packed in the deepest hold is the exception to those who feel that of the ship. My first thought was that Jews have no future in Morocco. He this must have been the way my father believes Moroccan Jews would be more came to America from Russia in steer­ willing ro stay here, if they could achieve age fifty years ago. lt was dark and equality with others and modern human there was much confusion. Children rights. But even in his opinion middle crying and people shouting, trying not class emigration ,,·ill depend upon to lose each other. ln the midst of all political turn of evcnrs. As for the nwre this 1 tried to ralk to them. I asked one numerous poor, they will continue to man who was 4 3 years old, the father want to leave with little reference to the of ten children, with no occupation at 6 I fl. A. FRIEDMAN: A A1ission to Frmch North Africa

his ccmmand, ''hat he hoped to do in economy and their functions taken Israel. l lc s:ml he would do any work, over by Arabs. Under an independent c\•cn ir that meant cleaning lavatories. Arab govcrnmcnr, Jews may find it increasing!)· impossible to obtain I le \\anted ro live some place "here licenses, permits, franchises, neces­ his children "ould be safe and \\here he sary for doing business. himsclr would be treated as a human Casablanca is quiet right no\\ . r hc being. Arter talking ro others, I could city is still under martial la\\ and there sec this was the general feeling. is still a curfew in the evening. But there August 1. A conference with leaders have been no large street riots and or Casablanca Jewry, at a private home. dcmonscrations for the past several days. The group comprised the top leadership, Indi,·idual incidt•nts still occur and there cautious and conser\'ative people. T he arc shootings and bombings each day. almost unanimous opinion was that a August 3-4. I Jere in the capital maximum number of Morocco's Jews T1111is. of Tunisia l mer with six of the local should be moved to Israel. The Joint leaders at a pri\'ate dinner last evening, Distriburion Committee has done well - all of whom spoh· of the economic crisis in rerms of medical care, feeding, cloth­ here and their hopes for increasing the ing, education, scholarship programs, rate of Jewish emigration. communiry ad,icc, loans to artisans, Subsequent note : One of the men rehabilitation through its support of present at the dinner was \lherr Bcssis, "OR'l .,, training programs. Neverthe­ recently appointed the lone Jc\\ 1sh less, after hours and hours of meetings minister in the mdepcndenr 'l unisian with people in many spheres of life, cabinet. including American Consular officials, There arc at present 100,000 Jews in one thing has become crystal-clear to Tunisia (of ''horn 80,000 arc natives) me: rherc is no future for the majority living amidst 3,soo,000 .\rabs. The of the Je'' ish population of l\lorocco. present rare of immigration co Israel is Three major factors lend to this conclu ahonr 600 persons per month. sion: J\lct with Shushan Cohen, the Grand 1) I\ torocco is a theocracy. The Koran Rabbi of Djcrba, an island community governs this land. All non-1\loslcms arc without protection. There are no off the coast of Tunisia whose inhab­ civil courrs and there is no writ of itants claim continuous Je'' ish com­ habeas corpus. A Jew has no place munal existence on the island si nce the in a Moslem theocracy. First Temple was destroyed. T his would z) Danger orlifo. ·1 here is no danger of make Djerba the oldest unbroken Jc\\ ish a mass pogrom, but constant danger community in the world. Rabbi Cohen of unexpected outbn:aks, with the knows that rlwy wou Id be desrroyi ng Jews as scapegoats even when vio­ lence is directed else\\ here. Jews are a chapter of history 1f Djcrba's Jews usually th<.: secomfary target of the left the island. But the 2,700 Jewish mob 1f not the primary. inhabitants fear the future. After 2,500 3) Fconom1c displacement. Je'' s are years Djcrba is snll not home. gradually lx.:mg squeezed out of the There arc three main rL-asons why 7

rhe people of Tunisia want ro leave: August 10. fmwtlem. After finishing fear of the future, as Arabs obtain rights my visits to North Africa and Europe, ro self-government; economic squeeze here I am in Israel. My last trip was resulting from the slogan, "Arabs trade almost two years ago, and l was pre­ only with Arabs"; good news from pared for changes. But what meets the Israel, trickling back to those with eye is really startling. There are so relatives who have already gone to srarr many new houses, new villages, new enjoying a free life. gas stations and new people that even an Today went through the Jumrh, old visitor must catch his breath. The equivalent of Casablanca's me/lrlh. But strongest single impression is one of conditions are not as bad. There is light new immigrants being made useful and and air. The JDC has dc\'cloped a empty land being filled with crops and wonderful program here. T rachoma, settlements. Reclaiming people, reclaim­ tinea and TB are slowly being controlled ing land - rhat is the scory of Israel in through an extensive medical aid pro­ a few words. gram. Saw cartons of cheese, butter In a ~lalbcn hospital ac Mabane I saw being distributed, children being fed, a girl who had come from Iraq four teachers being trained. Talked co several years ago, literally unable to walk. Her children who arc learning Hebrew, so name is Fortuna and now, after several rhey can "go ro Israel." Those "ho arc operations, good fortune is really begin­ going arc much sounder in body and in ning to smile on her. She wears heavy spirit as a result of what is being done orthopedic shoes but at least she walks for them. upright. She kept saying C'il'K' i111n August 5. Rome. After North Africa, p?o? i11m1. J have flown nonhward to spend a few i\lalben is JDC's chief program in days discussing the situation of Italian Israel, and a wonderful one. Ir consists Jewry. There are about 35,000 Jews of a network of hospitals, sheltered here of "vhorn r 2 ,ooo live in Rome. On workshops, etc. which care for rhc aged, the \\hole they arc quite poor, with an handicapped, and "hard core" social extensive ghcrto section, greatly over­ cases among immigrants. crowded, poverty apparent. But the JDC Augt1st 18. Today I stood in the midst works closely with chc Union of Italian of a great green field containing a thou­ Jewish communities. Schools and clinics sand acres of cotton. l have one of the arc often rhc beneficiaries of more Italian Auffy white pods on the cable in front of money than American. This is excellent me. Out there under the hot Negev sun since in the long run the very best we this afternoon, looking at the green and can do for any overseas Jewish com­ white, so different from the parched munity is to help put it on its O\\ n feet brown of previous years, l could only as quickly as possible. A new youth think of the miracle of birth. Give center is being constructed in the .base­ sweet water to thirsty soil, apply sweat, ment of the Great Synagogue in Rome - and new life comes forth. a project which while common enough On the way to the Negev, an official in America, is almost unheard of here. of the Jewish Agency Colonization 8 1t. A. FIUEDMAN: A Mission to French North Africa

Department explained that he was going prepared to do so again, but they are to show me something acw. He said worried. chat food was now plentiful in the land. As the headlines from Morocco grow The new emphasis is on industrial crops. bigger and blacker, almost everyone in With great enthusiasm he pointed out Israel has been thinking about che fate of extensive fields of cotton, sorghum, North African Jewry. How many immi­ peanuts and sugar beets. These new grants can be taken in? How quickly? crops are being grown and tended and There have been demonstrations urging harvested in large measure by new­ open immigration. comers from the North African countries August i 2. Visiting a jet plane base, I had just visited. with the whistling planes circling the At the end of the journey, deep in the countryside in quick, Aashing maneuvers, Negev, we stood together at the huge l thought of the technical progress Israel concrete reservoir marking the terminus has made, not only in the realm of of the Yarkon-Negev pipeline. It holds mechanical things but also in the whole a million cubic meters of water. Looking field of social planning. The ship-to­ out over the desert surrounding us, he settlement program is amazing. Trucks predicted that these industrial crops are at the clock at Haifa when a ship would soon cover the sand now that carrying new North African immigrants the water was available. arrives; within hours the newcomers are Empty land is always an invitation to at a new settlement where a planning a potencial aggressor. The northern officer is ready with a list of housing Negev lies uncomfortably close to the assignmencs; a ren-day stock of food is Egyptian-held Gaza strip. Once ir is in the cupboard; all supplies, ranging filled with people, farm machinery and from beds to a kerosene cooking stove, homes, everyone will realize char it is arc in place; farming implements arc less vulnerable. waiting to be used. All this requires co­ August 20. 1 have had several con­ ordinated planning of the mosr advanced \'Crsations so far with the Primc­ kind. M inister designate, Mr. Ben-Gurion, This past twelve months 30,000 Jews Mr. Eshkol, the Finance Minister, and have been received from North Africa. others. Most of these talks have had to The Government and the Jewish Agency do with the question of immigration are both in debt on this problem - not from North Africa. There is no doubt enough funds from abroad. For the year that a larger immigration is in the offing, ahead a figure of 45 ,ooo has been also no doubt that this can \\ reak havoc tentatively agreed upon. Obviously, if with Israel's economy. How do you pogrom situations develop, that number match the human needs of North will be vastly larger. But even that African Jewry against the economic number represents staggering financial needs of the State of lsrael for stability? burdens. Sources of funds must be In the past Israel has always answered increased. Dr. Josephthal, Treasurer of this question by giving priority to human needs. Her leading officials arc (Continued 011 page 49) Nahum N. Glatzcr THEORY AIND PRACTICE : A NOTE

ON FRANZ ROSENZWEIG

Rosenzweig, who died rwenty-five years to be. A great artist makes his sketches ago, has been quire recently introduced in view of the paincing; they arc pre­ to the English speaking public and h:is liminary, personal, and only indicative since become a much miked about of the artist's intentions; they may thinker. Few can escape the fascination intrigue us or leave us indifferent; but of Rosenzweig's life story. But ir is not they arc not the painting. Rosenzweig's only the dramatic biography that appeals theories arc preparations for what was to the reader. His philosophy, roo, at­ to follow, preparations in a sense to be tracted attention. And, following the qualified in the course of this paper. unwritten law ofliterary and philosophic Y ct, his theories, as c. g., rhosc on criticism, it is being given a label, put Judaism versus Christianity are being in one or the other category and ac­ discussed as if they were a pare of a cepted or rejected, depending on the dogmatic theology. It is being pointed critic's castes, prejudices, convictions, out that Rosenzweig's distinction be­ etc. tween what he termed the "eternal way" Viewing carefully the various reac­ (Christianity) and the "eternal life" tions to Rosen7.weig' s Ii fc work, one is (Judaism) cine~ nor cover the entire, compelled to make the following obser­ quite complex, problem. By way of cor­ vation. Herc was a man who made it rection Rosenzweig is heing posthum­ absolutely clear that his philosophy (in ously informed that "the Law" is the Star of Redemptiun) was merely a central in Judaism and that the Law must preparation to a life as a Jew; that the be mentioned as a distinctive mark writing of his religious-philosophical between Judaism and Christianity. That system had the function of crutches is sad irony. Because all Rosenzweig which an injured person may need unril did after having written down his he has learned to walk without them. theory of Judaism, was to trans­ The reader is, of cour:;c, right ifh1: rnkei; late chi:; d11.:ory of eternal life into a book like the Star seriously. He would, practice. Ami practice meant: study of however, be expected to rake ir for what the classical Jewish literature and ob­ it is and not for more than it is supposed servance of the Law, i.e., exactly what 10 GLATZER: Theory and Practice: A Note on Franz Rosenzru:eig

the cm1cs today rake pains co "sug­ in Rosenzweig's life program after the gest." Rosenzweig's theory is nor being conclusion, in 1919, of the Star of Re­ viewed in the light of the ensuing prac­ demption. After reading the Star's pro­ tice which alone could prove the validity, found analyses of the 'Vestern vVorld's or the falsity, of the theory. Instead, great systems of thought, after following that which was to Rosenzweig "prac­ Rosenzweig into the depths of the mono­ tice" is being offered by rhe critics - theistic rdigions and wandering with as a new and correct theory to replace him from Creation through Revelation Rosenzweig's old and incomplete one. to Redemption, the call to learning What the reader should have noticed sounds like an anti-climax. Rejecting the is the radical turn from thinking for the glamorous and exalted career of a sake of thinking to thinking for the sake German university professor, Rosen­ ofdoing and living. Or, from the solitari­ zweig chose to give all his genius, his ness of the Jewish thinker to the com­ energy, his time to rhe House of Jewish munion of srudy and teaching, of family Study (juedisches Lthrhaus) i11 Frankfort, life and worship, of social responsibility established in 1920, and to find happy and charity. fulfilment in the reaching of courses in Rosenzweig decided upon this turning Hebrew language, prayer book and under a sudden impact of living Judaism. Bible and in attending a Talmud course A series of personal experiences con­ in Rabbi Nobel's study group. vinced him that the most solid system, The Frankfort Lehrhaur introduced, the most comprehensive ideology, the or better, revived a spirit of inquiry and mosr perfect theory will at best play an search for the relevant in a community auxiliary function; on the other hand, a which had considered Judaism either as Jewish deed - in any one of its a religion stabilized in the past and thus thousand possible forms, is a valid, without much relationship to rhc issues unconrradicrable, expression of Judaism. of contemporary life, or as a mono­ A Jewish deed, Jewish action - theistic and ethical creed and chus \\ ith­ let's avoid the term activity - is, both out much distinction from the best overtly and mysteriously, rooted in formulations in other contemporary Jewish knowledge. The pursuit of that religions. In both cases, no intellectual knowledge ("learning") is itself action, involvement was required on the part of deed, even worship. the Jew in interpreting Judaism to him­ Rosenzweig had a childlike confidence self or co others. In consequence, all in the activating power of learning. De­ inrclleetual energies went in the direc­ voted, faithful study will by itself lead tion of extra-Jewish pursuits: philos­ to deed, just as, in Rosenzweig's view, ophy, science, literature, art, policies. an openminded experience of existence Rosenzweig, in his Lehrhmts, cried ro will - by itself - include a notion of channel a part of this effort back into the existence of God. Judaism. To him, the stagnation, dated­ Thus, Jewish learning (and the result­ ness and rigidity of Jewish li fe on rhe mg doing) assumes the central position one hand, and the indifference, and 11

colorlessness on the other hand could used to preach at their congregations, only be counteracted by a living contact were at a disadvantage in the Lrhrham, with the classical sources of Judaism,' by unless they caught on and were ready to a free, opcnminded reconsideration of act under the new order. rhe vast complex called Judaism. The The Lehrhaus movement should not be consrant reference to the sources was a confused with adult education. Adult safeguard against dogmatism and a spirit education courses arc simplified college which in the weaker periods in our courses in which the lecturing method history had led to codifications of the prevails; the Lehr/mus was a truly mod­ Law. ern Beth lut-Midmsh, in which the dis­ It was Rosenzweig's conviction that course of the leading scholar is but the only men who actively engage in a study basis for the intensive dcl ibcration of the of the great documents of Judaism and parricipants and where individual study who arc free to quest and to examine, and research is early encouraged. can overcome the cleavage between \Vithout minimizing the importance Judaism and modern life without curtail­ of Rosenzweig's religious philosophy, ing rhe rights - and the inherent possi­ one is prompted to consider his Lehrham bi I iries - of either realm. This approach, activity - and the thinking behind it - questioned in the beginning by many as his most decisive contribution to good people, gained more and more modern Judaism. Or, biographically acceptance as the work progressed. And speaking, his work in behalf of a renas­ as the Frankfort Lehrhaus experiment cence of classical Jewish learning (and, was imitated in other communities, both as a result, of Jewish living) is to be conservative and liberal elements in seen as giving perspective to Rosen­ central-European Jewry came to appre­ zweig's intellectual development. Thus, ciate the value-directed and at the same the Star of Redemptirm appears as a time liberating and liberalizing power of highly personal attempt to find his way classical Jewish "learning." The com­ inco Judaism our of the chaotic state of munity of those who learn together tore his world in 1913; his /11d11h ha-Levi, down the barriers between the experts written in 1922 and 1923, presupposes (who know everything) and the listening the mentality and the experiences that audience (which \viii never know any­ went into building of the Lchrluws. The thing). There was no longer the question first is written in the form of a phi lo­ of knowing everything and of dispensing sophical system, the latter in the form of expert information or authoritative inter­ a commentary; this difference in the pretation but of a rcvaluative study of choice of literary form is indicative of materials and issues where everybody the change in the attitude to Judaism. had to take part. The "layman" ceased The Star is a passionately polcmic:il to be a passive participant. H e who knew work in the first parts and a triumphal more could help him who knew less, song of the victorious fighter in the final but both were equal before the Law, in sections; the Judah /111-Levi analyzes an acute sense of the word. Local rabbis, quietly (and not without humor) some 12 GLATZER: Theory and Practice: A Note on Franz Rosenzweig

major tenets of Judaism; one feels, the emergence of the true Messiah. Realiz­ writer has long gained entrance and is ing rhar the messianic hope was at times completely at home. The Lrhrhaus is able tO arouse the deepest and finest rhe crucial point on the cross-roads sentiments in Judaism and keep alive a between the two major books. belief in an ultimate correction of Yet we must go one seep further. mankind and a homecoming of Israel, Being at home in Jud.aism, allowed Ro­ Rosenzweig no longer c6uld replace senzweig to modify some extreme posi­ Messianism by a better, ''purer" theory. tions which he had taken in his Star of Hand in hand with chis change of Rede111ptio11. Messianism, e.g., so deeply mind (and of heart) came a change in Jewish a thought and so capable of Rosenzweig's attitude to Zionism. In the assuming various meanings and shades first period of his life as a Jew, a pcrio:I of meanings, is largely overlooked in the characterized by the Star, Rosenzweig Star. Jes place is caken by a concept of saw in Zionism an assimilatory move­ eternity; chc anticipation of eternity in ment aiming at normalcy and conformity rime, the experience of the eternal in the to the ways of all nations. This seemed Aeccing moment is equalized by Rosen­ to him a renunciation of the special zweig wirh redemption. As compared character of Judaism which had devel­ with this concept of redemption, Mes­ oped mainly in the dispersion. Jacob sianism would be a veiling of the vision Klarzkin's radically nationalistic the­ of eternity; it would be only a striving ories were much discussed in chose days; for fulfilment of national hopes. Mes­ according co chem only the territory of sianism thus would be a progenitor of Palestine and the H ebrew language were nationalism which, Rosenzweig felt, is required for the new Jewish nation; the but an early and no longer valid stage of teachings of Judaism, its past, are nor Judaism. His anti-nationalism (any na­ only nor binding; they arc irrelevant. tionalism) expressed icself in his under­ This position of Klatzkin provoked playing of Messianism and an over­ Rosenzweig's protest and his interpreta­ emphasis of a meta-hisrorical religious tion of Zionism as an expression of a existence culminating in an eternity­ wish to throw off the "burden of Jewish fill cd redemption. heritage" and to assimilate. 'This radical stand which Rosenzweig The change came when Rosenzweig takes in his Star appears significantly progressed from theory to practice, changed in his Judah lur-Levi. 'Withouc from the Star of Redm1ptio11 to the renouncing his view of redemption as Lehrh1111s. Once this decisive step "into transcending history and without aban­ life" was taken things appeard in a doning his critical attitude to nationalist different light. Reconsidering Zionism, egotism, Rosenzweig accepts Messian­ he saw that people very much concerned ism as a historically justified view in with the great teachings of Ju:laism Judaism; even the pseudo-messianic out­ became Zionists, that much of perennial breaks in Jewish history find their right­ ful place as labor pains before the (Continued 011 page 34) Maurice Fried·man MARTIN BUBER AND JUDA I SM

Martin Buber's inAuencc on religious Herbert TJ. Farmer wnces of Buber's rhoughr has steadily grown and spread "I-Thou" philosophy: "I regard chis as for more than three generations and has the most important contribution that has been equally great among Christian been given co us of recent years coward chinkers as among Jews. Among the the refleeri,·e grasp of our faith. It has many prominent Christian theologians already entered deeply into the theo­ whom Buber has significantly inAuenced logical thought of our time, and is, I arc Karl Barth, Nicholas Berdyaev, Emil believe, destined co enter still more Brunner, Karl Heim, Reinhold Niebuhr, deeply." And Reinhold Niebuhr writes l J. Richard Niebuhr, and Paul Tillich. of Buber: "Professor Buber," writes the Old Tcs­ H is interpretation of Biblical religion ramenc theologian .J. Coerr Rylaarsdam, in terms which reveal Propnetic "is in a unique way the agent through thought to I.Jc the source of what we whom, in our day, Judaism and Chris­ now know as "existentialism," a form of thought which docs justice to the cianicy have mer and enriched one an­ unique mystery of the ' existing indi­ other." Buber's existcnrial "I-Thou" vidual," is probably a more persuasive philosophy challenges "borh orrhodox form of this philosophy or theology and liberal theology," writes the great than any system elaborated under theologian Paul Tillich, and "poinrs a Christian auspices. way beyond their alternatives." "I am Buber's impact on modern Judaism convinced," writes J. II. Oldham, a has been even more profound than on leader of the ecumenical movement of modern Christianity. "Dr. Buber is the the Christian church, "that it is by most distinguished and influential of liv­ opening its mind, and conforming its ing Jewish thinkers," writes Ludwig practice, to the trurh which Buber has Lcwisohn. "\Ve arc all his pupils. The perceived and so powerfully set forth contemporary reintegration of modern that the Church can recover a fresh Western Jewish writers, thinkers, scien­ understanding of its own faith, and re­ tists, with their people, is unthinkable gain a real connection with the actual without the work and voice of Martin life of our rime." The English theologian Buber." No Jewish thinker has had a 13 14 M. FRIEDMAN: Alf.artin Buber and Judaism

greater cultural, intellectual, and reli­ influence on thinkers of all faiths in gious influence than has Buber in the last Europe and America, and Buber has four decades. H e is of significance for himself explored its implications for Judaism not only as religious philos­ such fields as religion, ethics, education, opher, translator of the Bible, and trans­ philosophical anthropology, sociaJ struc­ lator and re-creator of Hasidic legends ture, arr, and Biblical criticism and inter­ and thought, but also as a religious pretation.* The classical expression of personality who has provided leadership this philosophy is Buber's little book of a rare quality during the time of his I tmd T/Juu. Man's rwo primary attitudes, people's greatest trial and suffering since or relations, according ro this book, are the beginning of the diaspora. Since the " I-Thou" and " I-It." Man's personal death of Hermann Cohen, Buber has self comes into being through his direct been generally acknowledged as the and reciprocal relation with other selves, representative figure of ' Vcstcrn Euro­ and it develops through the interchange pean Jewry. He wielded a tremendous of che two primary relations. What is inAuence not only upon the youch won important in these relations is not so over to Zionism but also upon the Lib­ much the nature of what is over against erals, and even, despite his non-adherence one - person or thing - as whether ro the Jewish Law, upon the Orthodox. one responds to what one meets as to " It was Buber," writes Alfred \Nemer, something of value in itself (a "Thou") "to whom I (like thousands of Central or deals with it as an object to be expe­ European men and women devoid of any rienced and used (an " Ir"). What Jewish background) owe my initiation counts in true friendship and true love, into the realm of Jewish culture." according to Buber, is the mutual reality Today, in the third generation of his which exists between the partners and writing, speaking, and teaching, Marrin whith cannot be reduced to what goes Buber is not only the representative on within each of them. If l am a real figure of \Vestern European Jewry but, friend, I care about the other person for more than any other single person, of his own sake and nor just for my own. world Jewry as welJ. No one has done 1 do not try to exploit him or make him more than he to bring about a rebirth of over into my likeness. [ say "Thou" ro Judaism, and his works promise to affect him and respond to his address whether generations of thinking religious Jews spoken or silent. True love, accordingly, of the future. The steady spread of his is not primarily feeling. lt is my influence from Europe to England and responsibility for another with whom from lsracl to America makes it clear 1 stand in genuine relation. that chis is no temporary phenomenon but a deep-seared force in the life and destiny of the Jewish people. •in my book, Martin Buber: Thr" Life of Dit1l1Jg11e (The University of Chicago Press, Buber is perhaps most widely known 1955), I have devoted a chapter apiece ro today for his philosophy of dialogue. evaluating the signilic:rncc of each of these This philosophy has had a widespread aspects of Buber's thought, except arr. 15

But it is also possible to treat the to the actual person one meets. It is also other person as merely an object, or an the essence of friendship and love, in "It," to be observed and put into cate­ which each member of the relationship gories according to his capacities, race, is made present by the ocher in his religion, or social position. When we concrete wholeness. In teaching and in know a man in this way, we inevitably psychotherapy this "seeing the other" regard him as there for our use. Al­ is necessarily one-sided, since rhe pupil though we may not be aware of it, we cannot be expected to sec through the are like the propagandist who wishes to eyes of the reacher nor the patient mold and inAuence someone for the sake through the eyes of the therapist with­ of his cause but docs nor actually care out destroying the relationship. Through about him as a person of value in himself. experiencing the side of the other in this The 1-lt relation rakes place within a way we confirm him in the realization man, and not between him and the world . of his unique porenrialiries. "For the Hence it is entirely subjective and lack­ inmost growth of the self is not accom­ ing in mutuality. It is comprehensible plished, as people like to suppose to-day, and orderablc, significant only in con­ in man's relation to himself, but ... in nection and nor in itself. The Thou must the making present of another self and continually become It, for one inevitably in the knowledge that one is made puts others into categories and uses present in his own self by the other." them as means to one's ends. The 1t God, to Buber, is the "eternal Thou" too may again become a Thou for us. who is met through the meeting with Bur rhe Ir need nor become a Thou at all, man and nature. Even the most beloved for man can live continuously and person must again and again become an sccurel y in the world of Ir. Yer if he "It" for us, but God is always Thou. 1i11ly lives in this world, he is not a man. Men lose sight of God when they in­ The essential element of genuine dia­ sist, in their philosophies and theologies, logue is "seeing rhe other," or "expe­ on turning Him into an It - an object riencing rhe other side." To meet the that can be defined and discussed. God "other," one must be concerned with is the Being lastingly over against us him as someone truly different from who can be addressed but not expressed. oneself, but at the same time as someone He is the "Absolute Person" who, if with whom one can enter into relation. He is not a person in His nature, has "Experiencing the ocher side" means to nevertheless become a person in order feel an event from the side of the person to know and be known, to love and be one meets as well as from one's own loved by man. God is not reached side. It is this action of "seeing the through turning away from the world. other" that Buber bcJieves to be the Man becomes aware of the address of essence of genuine ethical responsibility, God in everything that he encounters if "hich is neither the furtherance uf sub­ he remains open to that address and jective interest nor the application of an ready to respond with his whole being. objective moral code, but real response "Meet the world with the fullness of 16 M. FRIEDMAN: Martin Buber and' Judaism

your being and you shall meet Him," They must make real God's kingship writes Buber. "] f you wish to believe, through themselves becoming a holy love!" people, a people who bring all spheres The philosophy of dialogue has been of life under His rule. There can be no of particular importance in Buber's inter­ split here between the "religious" and pretation of the Bible, and it is in the the "social," for Israel cannot become Bible that this philosophy finds its most the people of YH V H without just faith solid base. Probably the most significant between men. The mission of the Biblical work of Buber's is his transla­ prophets arose from the failure of the tion of the Hebrew Bible into German kings in the dialogue with YHVH, from with the aid of his friend Franz Rosen­ their tendency to a merely eultie zweig. The volumes of Biblical inter­ acknowledgement of His kingship. The pretation which have followed this prophets fought the division of com­ mmslation - Kouigtu111 Gottes, J\lost'S, munity lifc into a "religious" realm of The Prophetic Faith, Two Types of Faith, myth and cult and a "political" realm of and the first section of lsmt'I and Palestine civic and economic laws. Their prophecy - arc also of great significance as a was altogether bound up with the situa­ creative contribution to the field of tion of the historical hour and with Biblical scholarship. God's direct speaking in it. They set In contrast to the customar)' vte\\ before the people real choice in the that it is monotheism which is the con­ present rather than the prediction of any tribution of Judaism to the religions of certain future. the world, Buber regards the dialogue The Messiah of Isaiah, similarly, is with God as the center and significance not a divine figure who rakes the place of of the Jewish religion. In order to man's turning or brings about a redcmp­ speak to man, God becomes a person rion which man has merely to accept and and makes man too into a person. ln enter into. The belief in the coming of this cu1iv1.:rsatiun man n.:mains utu.:rly a nH.:ssiani<.: lca

reality. Redemption, for Buber, is not epochal for the V\'est," writes Robert redemption Jro111 evil but redemption of Weltsch. He "made his thesis believable evil as the power which God has given that no renewal of Judaism would be us to do His will. "This very world, possible which did not bear in itself this very contradiction, unabridged, un­ clements of Hasidism." In his earlier mitigated, unsmoothed, unsimplified, un­ writings Buber regarded Hasidism as reduced, this world shall be - nor the real, though subterranean Judaism, overcome - but consummated." as opposed to official Rabbinism which Buber's attitude toward Zionism is was only the outer husk. He has since integrally related to his conviction that come to feel that in Hasidism the in the work of redemption Israel is essence of Jewish faith and religiosity called on to play the special part of was \'isible in the structure of the com­ beginning the kingdom of God through munity but rhat this essence has also itself becoming a holy people. This ckc­ been present "in a less condensed form tion is not an occasion for particularise everywhere in Judaism," in the "in­ pride but a commission which must be accessible structure of the personal life." carried out in all humility. It is not to In his first H asidic books, such as The be understood as an objective fact or a Legmd of the Bani-Shem, Buber exer­ subjective feeling bur as an uncomplcred cized a great deal of freedom in the dialogical reality, the awareness of an retelling of the Hasidic legends in the address from God. Israel's special voca­ belief that this was the best way to get tion is not just another nationalism at the essence of the I-Iasidic spirit. H is which makes the nation an end in itself. later tales, however, such as those in The people need the land and freedom The Tales of the Hasidim, arc closely to organize their own life in order to faithful to the simple and rough originals realize the goal of community. But the and arc often fragmentary sayings and state as such is at best only a means to anecdotes rather than complete stories. the goal of Zion, and it 111ay even be an Technical criticism of Duber' s retelling obstacle ro it if the true nature of Zion of the Hasidic legends is beside the as commission and cask is nor held point, writes Ludwig Lcwisohn. "These uppermost. legends "ill remain a permanent posses­ In his history ofZionirn1, Adolf Bohm sion or mankind in the form he has lists Buber, Nathan Birnbaum, and A. D. given them by virtue of that form which Gordon as the three most influenrial has itself become a part of their message leaders of Zionism after Herzl. One of and meaning." the means by which Buber exerted great Buber's chronicle-novel For the Sake influence on the Zionist movement was of Hea·ven is a remarkable calling to his emphasis on Jewish community, life of the inmost world of H asidism. through which he became a co-creator It is at the same time a profound literary of the idea of rhe Hnlutzim, or pioneers. creation comparable with Dostoycvsky's Another was his re-creation of Hnsidism. The Brothers Karamazov in the depths of "Buber's discovery of Hasidism was its insights imo rhe problem of evil and 18 M. rnrEDMAN: Martin Buber and ]udaism

of human existence. According to Karl tradition than ritual or moral principles, Kercnyi, the noted authority on Greek buc because the law, too, to be meaning­ religion and myth, it is this wor:k that ful, must be a part of the dialogue has won for Buber a secure place among between God and man and cannot the ranks of classical writers in the legitimately be upheld as a separate fullest and deepest sense of the term. objective reality. Religious truth is No one of Buber's works gives us as obstructed, writes Buber, by those who much of his simple wisdom, however, demand obedience to all the mitzvoth as the latest and most distilled of his without actually believing the law to be interpretations of Hasidic teaching, The directly revealed by God. The relation Way of Man. One must not be concerned to the Absolute is a relation of the whole with individual salvation, Buber writes man, undivided in mind and soul. T o in this work. One begins with oneself, cut off the actions that express this searching one's heart and finding one's relation from the affirmation of the particular way, but one is not pre­ whole human mind - as do those who occupied with oneself bur with "letting advocate the observance of the law as a God into che world." Hasidism is a means of preserving Jewish tradition mysticism which hallows community and furthering Jewish civilization - and everyday life rather than withdraws means to profane them. from it, "for man cannot love God in Buber cannot accept the Ja\\' as some­ truth without loving the world." There thing general or universal but only as an is nothing which is profane in itself, embodiment of a real address by God to according to Hasidism; the profane is particular individuals. " Is that said to simply that which has not yet been me, really to me?" Buber asks. On this sanctified. One must overcome the basis, he writes, " I can at times join pride which leads one to compare him­ myself to the Israel co whom a particular self with others, but he must not forget law is addressed and at times not. And that in himself, as in all men, is a unique if l could with undivided hearr name value which must be realized if the world anything mitzvah in my own life, it is is to be brought to perfection. "In the just this, that I thus do and thus leave coming world they will not ask me: undone."• To accept the law as a '\tVhy were you not Moses?' " wrote separate, objecti\•c reality would be op­ Rabbi Susya. "They will ask me: posed to mumah - that unconditional "\Nhy were you not Susya?' " trust in the relation with God which Although Buber cannot be classified Buber feels to be rhe essence of Judaism. as a Reform Jew, anymore than he can be classified as an Orthodox or a Con­ (Continued au page 51) servative Jew, he is in agreement with Reform Judaism in not regarding the observance of the Jewish law as an *Sec the exchange of letters between 1\larcin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig on n.velation and indispensable part of the Jewish tradi­ law in Franz Rosenzweig, On Jrwisli l.e.1rni11g, tion. This is not because Buber regards edited by Nahum Glarzer (Schocken Books, the Jaw as a less essential part of the 1955), pp. 72-

TEACHER FOR THE AGES

its domain the sub-lunar realm; that his doctrine of knowledge which secs The bitter controversies which raged the highest form of cognition in the about Maimonides and his writings for actualization of potential reason through centuries following his death, the recrim­ the inccrmediacy of the Tenth Intel­ inations and fantastic charges, the bans ligence, the Active Intellect, has no and ostracisms have all been resolved permanence in our philosophic structure; in the unanimous affirmation echoed by that his physics based on the four cle­ succeeding generations, ,n,1m noN iltvo ments - a medical knowledge which noN. Perhaps the most eloquent and differs but insignificantly from Galen - convincing testimony to the genius of a psychology of faculties and humors, Moses Maimonides is the diversity of a philosophic system hemmed in by the groups who vie to pay him homage. Aristotelian concepts· has no contem­ The entire gamut from the ultra­ porary relevance. Furthermore, his thir­ traditionalist to the most liberal - teen Principles of Faith were challenged obscurantist, mystic and rationalist - by Crescas and Albo among a host of philosopher, theologian, scientist, ha­ others and never achieved universal bchist and exegete all enthusiastically acceptance. l ~vcn his great halachie code applaud and thus perpetuate the judg­ was superseded by the Tur of Jacob ben ment of the ages, op N~ iltl.IC ,y, i1tvoo Asher and the Shu/~11111 Aruc/1 of Joseph iltl/O.:l, "From Moses unto Moses there Karo, at least for practical use in the arose none like Moses." western world. Many of rhc leading The cumulative voice of Judaism, per­ halachic authorities of Germany, Italy sisting in its adulation of Moses Mai­ and France do not even mention Mai­ monides, becomes all the more interest­ monides and his code. Asher ben Yel:iiel, ing when we observe that Copernicus the author of the famed abstract of the toppled the Ptolemaic structure which Talmud, though he only rarely contra­ was the groundwork for Maimonides' dicts the decisions of Maimonides, would cosmology with its system of Spheres, nevertheless be guided by his conclusions Intelligences, the Active lntcllcct and only when traced to the original Tai-

Jl9 20 MlHALY: J\1oses /vfaimonides, Author and Teacher for the Ages

mudic sources and modified accordingly. \Vestcrn Europe, Jewry was over­ It is true chat fully one-third of the Code whelmed with the struggle for physical of Karo is a transcript of the Mislmeh survival. This seriously limited his Torah. Bur it is to the Shu/~1(111 Aruch participation in the new areas of learn­ that the western halachisc turns for ing. With his innate capacity to trans­ practical decisions. form necessity into virtue, the Jew Ir must, of course, lie oliservc

parative youth, is most clearly revealed II in his series of Introductions appended to A cursory glance at Maimonides' wrir­ the Mishnah as a whole, and to each of ings reveals a number of obvious charac­ the six Scdt1ri111. The General Introduc­ teristics which alone would place him tion is in reality a preface to the entire considerably above most of his contem­ Oral Law. He analyzes its basic prin­ poraries. One is impressed by the erudi­ ciples, the chain of authoritati\'C tradi­ tion evident on every page which, in its tion, the evolution of the Mishnah, its CLtmulative effcct, is almost unbelievable. Orders and T racratcs, a discussion of the He had a thorough knowledge not only Tannaim cited, their personalities, and of the Babylonian and Jerusalem Tal­ authority. One is particularly impressed mud, of Tannaitic and later J\lidrashim, \\'ith his Introduction and commentary to of Gconic rcsponsa and exegesis, of the Srda Tol1t1rot for which, with the excep­ productivity of his predecessors in Spain tion of the cracratc Nidrlah, he had no and North Africa but an amazing mas­ Gtm11m to guide him. He collected all the tery of the coral Jewish crcati\'it}' from principles of purity and impurity which Biblical times to the thirteenth century. lie scattered throughout Tannaitic or He was completely at home in the Amoraic literature often only as r11 writings of the Arabic philosophic /MSS1111t remarks or subtle hints. Even the schools, a master grammarian and T annaim considered the intricacies of logician, a student of astronomy, of Nrg11im and 0'111/ot a worthy challenge to medicine and of mathematics. His Co111- the genius of an Akiba. Little wonder, 111ent11ry to the Alislm11h begun at the age then, that Maimonides reports not with­ of twenty-three and written almost in its out justifiable pride, that he gathered the entirety under the trying circmnstances root principles and their derivations "one of a homeless wanderer, relying only on from a city and two from a family, from memory, is a good indication of hjs all corners of the T11/11111d, B11mitot and starure. I le informs us in the Introduc­ Tosejtot." tion that he based his commentary on Erudition alone, however, even of such the Talmud, Tosrftn, Sifm, Sijrr and exceptional scope, would not sufficiently on the words of the Gconim. His com­ explain the eminence of his position. ments on each Mishn:.ih include a clear We come somewhat closer when we summary of the Talmudic discussions, discover another obvious endowment, his comments and explanations distilled genius for clear and orderly exposition from the total Rabbinic literarurc which of the most intricate subject. ls there have relevance to the particular subject, more convincing proof of a systematic and insights culled from the secular dis­ mind of the highest order than the ciplines, mathematics, physics, medicine, ability to reduce the intricate philosophy ethics and philosophy whenever the op­ of the Kalam into twelve brief, simple portunity presenrs itself. But perhaps the statements. and the entire . Aristotelian scope of his knowledge, even as a com- system mto twenty-six proposmons as 22 MmALY: Moses Maimonides, Author and Teacher for the Ages

Maimonides docs in his Guide; or to complete versions of his 1\1isl111rh Torah, extract from the mass of Jewish tradition revising it numerous times to meet his fourteen general criteria for the enum­ high srandards. Remnants of his original eration of the six hundred and thirteen manuscript clearly reflect the attention positive and negative commandments, given to minutest detail, editing over as he does in the Book of Precepts; or to and over again to find the proper word. trace every law from its Biblical source He describes the desired procedure in through the labyrinth of Rabbinic exe­ his i\la'am11r Kiddush l-lr1Shem (Kobrtz l l, gesis and Gconic novcllac and responsa p. 12). " le is improper for a person to and to present it to the student with the speak or preach in public unril he has clarity, evident in almost every para­ rehearsed his message four times and has graph of the Code? The fourteen books learned ir well ... But that which is to included in the Code of Maimonides, be put down in writing must be gone which encompass the totality of Judaism over a thousand times, if possible." from its theoretical pre-suppositions to A \'aSt erudition, a genius for system the most minute precept, demonstrate and logical structure and a mastery of both in their total structure and in the style arc a ra.r e combination . and would. individual prrakim and halachot an insis­ assure prom111cncc m any generation. tence on system and logical symmetry Yet, with Maimonides they represent even at the price of deviating from all but the preliminaries. We approach the predecessors including the Mishnah of sources of his true greatness in the occa­ Judah ha-Nasi, in spite of his oftcn­ sional personal glimpses found in his cor­ repeated statement thac his Code is respondence. Maimonides the halachist, patterned on the Mishnah. the opponent of anthropomorphisms A degree of his influence must also be and popular superstitions, the disinter­ ascribed to the clarity of his style. The ested scholar becomes for us, by way of beauty of his Hebrew permeates the his many letters and rcsponsa a man of pages of the Mis/meh Torah, the only profound personal piety and punctillious major work written in that language. Jn observance, of strong emotional attach­ the Introduction to the Book of Precepts, ments - to his family and students - Maimonides gives us an indication of the genuine modesty and of kindliness care he exercised in his choice of lan­ toward his opponents. Eight years after guage, "I have therefore seen fit not to his brother's death he writes, " ... Until write it (the Code) in the language of the this day do l mourn and have not been Prophets ... nor in the language of the comforted. ·wherein shall I find con­ Talmud since our people with rnre solation ... he was the brother and the exception do not understand it - many student; he carried all the financial bur­ of its words arc strange and difficult even dens while 1 dwelt securely ... I had no for experts. But l shall write it in the joy except when l saw him. All joy has language of the Mishnah in order that it set and has gone to life eternal while lam be easily understood by the many." left despondent in a strange lam.I. Maimonides probably wrote sc,•cral \Vhcnevcr I sec his handwriting or one 23

of his books my heart turns within me ides reversed the process. Throughout and my grief is reawakened ... Were his writings and particularly in his Code, it not for the Torah which is my de­ Maimonides bases the derailed legal light ... I would have perished in my prescriptions on scriptural passages, aftliction (Kobrtz II, p. 37.)." often beginning with the Biblical Com­ One cannot but be moved by the spirit mand and tracing its development co his of compassion whid1 prompted his own times. vVirh rhe l\lfish11ch Torah, 'Iggeret Tmum. H is words of encourage­ Maimonides re-establishes the organic ment became a "door of hope" for the unity of the written Torah and oral forlorn and the persecuted. H is attitude tradition. Not only is the general struc­ toward 'tmusim, toward Moslems and ture of the Code determined, primarily, Christians and his surrrisingly mi ld and by the mizvot; but the mass of detail gentle approach even to the Karaites all that flows from and is given sanction by speak of a love for his fellow man, of a rhe scriptural verse. gentle human being sympathetic to man's At times, he relates a law to a verse frailties. "There is no doubt," 1\taimon­ even though the Talmud cites no such ides writes concerning members of other proof. Similarly, he often disregards the faiths, "that whoever has perfected him­ scriptural authority cited by the rabbis self morally and intellectually and in the and provides a biblical statement of his knowledge of the Creacor, blessed be own choosing. \r\'hercver possible, he He, will cercainly share in the world to prefers the simple meaning of the verse come (Tfobetz 11, p. q.)." for halachic purposes even though it involves, in some instances, a direct contradiction to the position sustained I1I in the Talmud. Not infrequently, a particular provision which the rabbis H is superb natural endowments, coupled relate co a Biblical text merely co give it wirh an exceptional drive established him some support or as a mncmorechnical as the outstanding leader of his day. aid (asmnchta), Maimonides treats as if However, Maimonides transcended his it had explicit Biblical authority. In his own time by a series of radica l innova­ approach to the Dible as a source for tions in the treatment of the sources of halnchah, Maimonides demonstrates an Judaism. amazing independence. He removed the Through the ages, a vast gulf had wall which segmencized Jewish creativ­ developed between the written and oral ity and divided Jewry into various sects. traditions. The Talmud, which origin­ His work was a significant factor in the ally was either based on or constantly emergence not only of a unified Judaism strived for rooting in Scripture, became but of a unified Jewry. an independent structure. The general His revolutionary attitude is also procedure was to build on the fi~al link manifest in his treatment of the 1Hislmah of the chain of tradition and to neglect which he often interprets contrary co the completely the original source. Maimon- Amoraim, even when it resulted in 24 l\lll-IALY: Moses Mai1t1onides, Author «nd Teacher for the Ages

practical consequences for halachic deci­ hesitate to leave the T almud and follow sions. Of far-reaching influence is his his own mathematical computations use of Tn1111aitic Midr«shim which were whenever scientific consideration de­ largely neglcctccl or completely for­ mands it. gotten by the Geonim and their prede­ cessors. Maimonides docs not hesitate to derive rules for normative practice LV from the Mechiltn, Sifre and Sifrn even when contradicted by the Gmmrn. Nor The greatest achievement of Maimon­ did Maimonides accept the rule of the ides, however, is his testimony to the Gconim and Alfasi that the Babylonian monotheistic ideal and its implications Talmud was the supreme authority and for man. Through his halachic and philo­ was to be followed in all instances. J re sophic writings, Maimonides, perhaps not only used the Jerusalem Talmud more so rhan orhcrs before him, drew more extensively than any of his prede­ the fuJI implication of Judaism's insis­ cessors but ofrcn decided in its fovor. tence on God's absolute unity and in He also included in his Code a number of doing so opposed every form of idolatry laws taken from the "Talmud of the no matter how thinly disguised. The West" disregarding the Geonic prin­ ,\1ishneh Torah includes along with the ciple, "whatever is in the Jerusalem minutiae of rirual observance a physics, Talmud but is nor included in our a metaphysics, an ethic, a cosmology, Gn11nr11 (Babylonian), is not to be con­ obscn•ations on medicine, astronomy; it sidered binding." Furthermore, he uti­ co\'crs every area of life and experience. lized haggadic literarurc and adapted it It is true that the medical data and the for halachic use. He \\'as the pioneer in astronomic details arc of the twelfth considering the total Jewish literary cenrury; the important fact, however, is creativity as a legitimate source for de­ that these supposedly secular disciplines fining "the "ay." The implications of arc included in a code of religious law this principle alone have sufficient cre­ which enumerates and defines the mizvot. ative potential co make of Judaism :1 Maimonides well knc\\' that Judaism's "tree of life ro those that hold fast to it" insistence on the oneness and unity of in every age and circumstance. God implies a constant struggle against Of particular interest is the role of a segmcntized world view. Every aspect Maimonides' philosophic and scientific of a universe which is rhe creation of the convictions in influencing his legal deci­ One God, and particularly man, "cre­ sions. He was uncompromisingly op­ ated in llis image," is included in the posed to every form of popular super­ religious concern. No place is empty of stition. He omits from his Code laws J Iis Presence. specifically stated in rhc Talmud if they To know that there is a God, that He involve a belief in demons, or the evil is One, incorporeal, that it is mandatory connotations of "pairs." Nor docs he to love Him arc rhc commandments 25

discussed in the opening chapters of the concluding chapter of the Guide, Mai­ Book of K:11ow/edge, the first of the four­ monides again defines the highest intel­ teen books in the Code. What is rhe lectual attainment as the knowledge of path to the knowledge and love of Him? the ethical attributes, " ... the perfec­ Maimonides replies, "\i\lhen man will tion in "hich man can rruly glory is reflect upon His works and upon His attained by him when he has acquired - most wonderful crcacures and will derive as far as this is possible for man - the from them His incomparable and infinite knowledge of God, the knowledge of ·wisdom he will immediately be filled His Providence and of the manner it with love and praise and exaltation and influences His creatures .. . Having be overcome by an uncontrollable long­ acquired this knowledge, he wi ll then ing to know God ... Accordingly, I shall be determined always tO seek lov­ explain the general principles of God's ingkindness, judgment and righteous­ handiwork ... (Hile/tot Yesodci /111-Tornli ness and chus ro imitate the ways of ll.2). With the above introductory God." statement Maimonides presents an elab­ ,\laimonidcs' profound understanding orate cosmology. Thus the stud)' and of idolatry "as the great error of man­ knowledge of the world in all its kind" the essential nature of which is aspects is one of the Divine commands. the elevation of the creature to the status The universe reflects, as it were, Cod's of a creator, or the worship of the Unity and is the path to a higher intel­ preliminary as if it were the ultimate lectual understanding of H is nature. (Hilchot Avodnt Kochavim l.1 ff.) en­ Follo\ving the discussion of " The abled him to purify Judaism of the dross Foundations of the Torah,'' Maimon­ which threatened to compromise it ides devotes the second section of his beyond recognition. This may well be Code to a "Treatise on Ethics." The compared tO the great reforms of the central motif of his ethical system is Jewish past. imimrio dri. The rabbinic srarcmenr, His refusal w be bound by a blind "Even as H e is called gracious, be thou literalism which he saw as a form of gracious; even as H e is called merciful, idolatry enabled him co maintain his be thou merciful; even as H e is called position in spite of the anthropomor­ holy, be thou holy" is quoted by Mai­ phisms in the Bible. While Spinoza, in monides and serves as the basis of his attempting co prove the temporary and ethics. H e thus seems to say in the very nnphilosophic natnre of the Mosaic Law, order of the books in the Mislmeh Torah insists on a literalism and accordingly that a knowledge of God leads to the states in a lengthy polemic against Mai­ ultimate ethical goal which is, "to monides that "the Law of Moses no­ imitate His ways, ... to love one's where prescribed that God is without a neighbors, to love the stranger, ... not body," the author of che Guide, to whom ro put one to shame, not to be a tale­ Judaism was the embodiment of the bearer, not to seek vengeance." in the highest truth, made of the message of the 26 MIHALY: Moses Maim07lides, Author and Teacher for the Ages

prophets a living reality through alle­ the meanmg of God for man - from gorization and interpretation. He carried man's side. They are man's glimpse of the strong anti-bibliolatrous tendency in human possibility. Judaism to new heights and thereby Here Maimonides catches the human­ contributed immeasurably to its survival. istic spirit of Judaism. His insistence on His doctrine of Negative Attributes God as absolute creator, for example, occupies a central place in his phi lo­ has positive meaning only -as an ethical sophic system and is also a corollary of task. lt certainly cannot describe His his understanding of the Unity of God. essence, for in that realm, only negations He insists that God cannot be known are possible. The doctrine of creation, essentially except through negations therefore, represents the testimony of which arc never exhausted. Man's Jewish experience to the possibility of search for the U ltimate results only in creation ex 11ihilo. That is one aspect of an ever more profound understanding of the response to the Jewish search. Man what God is not. Any possible descrip­ can transcend himself. He may become tion positively stated not only threatens a "partner of God in the act of crea­ God's unity but identifies I Tim with the tion." "A new heaven and a new earth" partial, the conditioned, the human and is possible. Bur beyond its possibility is the transitory. This is the essence of the imperative to strive for creativity - idolatry. No thing, no man, no attribute, to approach ir in ever purer form. Man no value is God; only God is God. Thus bears witness to God as Creator by the intellectual task of man is an infinite fulfilling his own creative porcmial. process of non-idolatry - a continuous Every creative act sanctifies the ulcimacc "no" - an endless protest against the Source of all creativity. hypostatization of the limited, the de­ The statement "God is One" also has termined, the time-space. The clear positi,re meaning only as an ethical implication of Maimonides' negative imperative. lt is descriptive of His theology is :m anri-clogm:itisrn; only rhe essence only negatively i. e., that He is infinite search remains. not plurality. Here again millennial There is, however, one area in which Jewish experience testifies that unity is a positive knowledge of God is possible. possible - the unity of heart and deed - One may come to know J lim through of inner and outer man; man can achieve the ethical attributes. God as truth, as wholeness; man can overcome his .love, as justice - these arc the attributes alienation from the world and from of action. They arc relational; they himself. Furthermore, man realizes "the describe not the essence of God but the image," the hum11m1111 insofar as he manner in which cumulative Jewish strives to achieve this unity. cxpt:ricnct ha~ come to know Hirn; tl11;;y The daily recicaLion of rhc Shmm' is arc the names by which men address preceded by the prayer, " Thou hast Him. They arc not descriptive of God chosen us and drawn us nigh unto Thee as He is; rhey arc rarher expressions of to unify Thee in love." To unify God is 27

Judaism's chosen commitment and his­ If Judaism needed a defense against the toric destiny. Man unifies God, so to Karaiccs, Maimonides rose to the occa­ speak, by bringing Him into every sion by reshaping the total lore of Juda­ sphere oflife and experience, by unifying ism inco a new unity. If the arguments of himself and by striving for the unity of philosophy undermined the faith of man, all creation. The more evidence of unity Maimonides was ready with his Guidr in chc world, the greater is the unity of which addressed itself to the perplexed, God in terms of ics meaningful implica­ to those steeped in the neo-Placonized tion for man. Aristotelianism of the time. He com­ Maimonides' negative theology and plains of the ignorance rampant every­ positive attributes of action are but two where, of the neglect of the Talmud and sides of the same coin. The relational the \ffitings of the Geonim and so he attributes arc grasped with greater pro­ writes his Commmtnry to thr Mishnnh as fundity and sought with a progessively "a gift to students," to simplify the more intense love, the higher one is on complex and to make Talmudic cre­ the scale of negations. This love which aci vity available to all. links the moral act with the negative l\1aimonidcs never tires of pointing attributes gave an infinite scope both to the way. He is ever the teacher giving the ethical and intellectual in Judaism. unsparingly of his self and his genius to The heart of the MaimoniJean position spread the word of the Lord. His schol­ is that, surely in this life, "the way" is arship is ever directed to the realities of the ethical task deepened and given life tlm challenged men in his days and infinite dimension by the intellectual continue to challenge men in our times. negations. Then and now, men arc faced with new philosophic trends, religious bigotry and persecution, apathy and ignorance and a v lack of appreciation for the relevance of faith. Maimonides dealt with all of these An analysis of Maimonides' wmings problems. He brought the sum total of and personality point co one other knowledge, "the holy and the profane" outstanding characteristic which makes co bear upon them and in so doing was of his life an inspiring sermon for prepared to give a total human response scholars and rabbis for all ages. In each to the problems of man. He thus revealed of his books, Maimonides addrcsseJ not only his genius, but the true dimen­ himself co a vital problem confronting sions of Judaism, a religious faith that large segments of Jewry. His scholarship continues to flower in our times and and literary activities were not a de­ afford men positive answers to their tached pursuit of intellectual curiosity. problems. It 1s this revelation that gives He was ever the teacher of che masses, co Maimonides the quality of timeless­ the guide for the perplexed a1,1d the ness and earns for him the adulation: comforter of the persecuted. noK in11m noK illllO. Ely E. Pilchik OF BOOKS AND PAPERS

Albert Einscein radically changed our biographical Notes" prepared for the world. "Einstein's uni\'erse is the right seventh volume of The Library of Living one even if few people understand it," Philosophers (Alhrrt Eiustei11, Philos­ v\'aldcmar Kaempfferr titled his eulogy oplter-Scimtist, edited by Paul Arthur (New York Times, April 24, 1955), in Schilpp, 1949): " f\•en when l was a which he called him "the most penetrat­ fairly precocious young man the nothing­ ing and fearless intellect of our time." ness of rhe hopes and strivings '' hich "The universe is not given us as chases mosr men restlessly through life if it were a table or a !.>rick," wrote: came to me with great force. Moreover, Kaempffcrt. " It must be interpreted, I soon discovered rhe cruclt y of that meaning that we must create it. Every­ chase, which in those years was much one creates his own universe. The more carefully covered up by hypocrisy scientists, especially the mathematicians, and glittering words than is rhe case do better than most of us because they today. By rhe mere existence of his reason more rigorously and include all stomach everyone was condemned co known relevant facrs about matter, rime, participate in that chase. Moreover, ir motion and space into consideration." was possible to satisfy the stomach by The essence of Einstein's epochal such participation, but not man insofar equation is distilled in a thin book ( 150 as he is a thinking and feeli ng being ... pages), The 1lfo111i11g of Relativity: Third As the first way out there was religion, Edition, Including the Gmmrlized Theory which is implanted in every child by way of Grnvitntio11 (Princeton U. Press, of the traditional education-machine. 1950). Its chapters ("Space and Time in Thus l came - despite the fact that Pre-Relativity Physics," "The Theory I was the son of rather irreligious Jewish of Special Relativity," "The General parents - to a deep religiosiry, which, Theory of Relativity") and two appen­ however, found an abrupt ending at the dices arc utterly unintelligible to us non­ age of 1 2. Through the reading of scienrists. Jn another place, however, popular scientific books I soon reached Einstein did fling a frightful challenge at the conviction that much in the stories the rabbi. \Ne quote from his "Auto- of the Bible could not be true. The 28 29

consequence was a positively fanatic tions from the New Testament, the orgy of free-chinking coupled with rhc Talmud, Zionist literature, etc. The impression that youth is inrenrionally presiding Judge steadfastly prevented being deceived by the state through lies; the introduction of such data. Character es war ei11 11iedersch111ettemder Ei11dr11ck." witnesses for Prinz included a former These quotations from the greatest Bishop of the Episcopalian Diocese of mind since Newton ought here be added: Newark and the former Governor of "Judaism seems to me to be concerned the State of New Jersey. Character almost exclusively wth the moral atti­ witnesses for McGinley included apos­ tude in life and to life." "The funda­ tates and Eli zabeth Dilling. The Judge mcnral principles of Judaism arc the directed a verdict for Prinz. The jury sanctity of life and the sanctification of then awarded Ss ,ooo compensatory dam­ li fe." "The Jewish God is simply a ages and $25,000 punitive damages. negation of superstition." This was a signal vicrory for justice in the American Court System and a * * * crushing blow to professional anti­ Semites. (Co111111011 Sense in an earl y 1955 One of our most courageous colleagues issue smeared 300 rabbis as linked with was libelously attacked in the dangerous the " Red Front" - among them some anti-Semitic newspaper Cm11111a11 Smse of our most distinguished colleagues. published in Union, N . J. The April 1, This is the first time that a court in rhe 19 5 2 issue told its 1 5,ooo readers: "Red United States ruled guilty of defamation Rabbi Joachim Prinz of Newark, N. ]. , someone who falsely calls another a who, not unlike A lbert Einstein was " Red." (Report of the Commission on expelled from Germany for R evolu­ Law and Social Action of the American tionary Communistic activities, is the Jewish Congress - April 19 55). honorary Vice-President of rhe Amer­ ican Jewish Congress." Prinz promptly * • * demanded a retraction. Conde McGin­ The Bul/i:ti11 of the Atqmic Scimtists is a lcy, editor and publisher, refused. valuable monthly for all interested in the Prinz filed suit demanding punitive interaction of science and public affairs. d;1magcs. The trial began on March 2 2, A special issue, April 19 55, treats of 1955 before Judge H oward E\\'art of "Secrecy, Security, and Loyalty." Herc the Superior Court of New Jersey in is a sane enlightened presentation of one Ne\\'ark. l\r1cGinlcy was represented by of the most vexing problems of our time. both son and former husband of Elizabeth (Address subscriptions to 5734 Uni­ Dilling of Chicago, notorious author of versity .\vc., Chicago 37, 111.) The Red Network. The jury was totally non-Jewish. Counsel for McGinley during the eight days of trial attempted * * * repeatedly to introduce evidence of The Annual Meeting of the Jewish classical anti-Semitic character, quota- Book Council of America, held in mid- 30 PJLCHIK: Of Books and Papers

May, featured a remarkable address by sonnets, and lyrics in a charming volume Or. Mordecai M. Kaplan on Mai­ called Bitter-Sweet (Library Publishers, monides. The Rambam muse be seen 19 55). In his introduction to the book in "the historical context of the perennial William \V. Edel, the President of conflict between the authority of tradi­ Dickinson College thus characterizes rhe tion and the authority of personal man and his work: "ln these poems and experience." Kaplan traced this conflict paragraphs a man with a calh1 mind and through Hcraditus, the Sophists, Plato sensirivc soul looks at the created world and Aristotle, the Stoics on to Philo. and finds it vocal of the Creator." \.Vith Philo the syncretism enters Juda­ Herc are small samples of Steinbach's ism. Now it passes over into the early work: "Physical man lives and dies. Christian churches and in the Eighth Spiritual man lives and lives." "When Century to Islam (Kalaam). Algazali, I gaze on rows of tulips cupped like Alfarabi, Avicenna and Averroes pre­ little pews to catch the Psalms of kneel­ cede Maimonides in this syncretistic ing dew, something deep within me pursuit. He injects this syncretism in suddenly cries out: Amen!" In such the Sefer Ha-Mada' of the Yad, in his language is prayer composed and with introduction to the CommentMy on the such pictures is sermon adorned. Mishnah, in his preface to the final chapter of Sanhedrin, and in his She111ona * * * Perakim. The "March" sets forth, in Sidney E. Goldstein (whose good full, the methodology of the syticrecism. heart beat with a social rhythm and The permanent significance of Mai­ whose good mind illumined our family monides' contribution, according to and community ways,) has died. His Kaplan, is his clear evidence that Judaism heritage, indeed his ethical will, is a has the capacity to survive transvalua­ volume, The Synagogue and Social Wel­ rion of irs values, provided that its fare, a Unique Experiment (1907-19 53), conrcnt, the Jewish peoplt:hood, is wherein he ourlines for us his thinking properly identified and fostered. and doing of gemilut chasodi1!l in the The Book Council made rhc following modern beth halmesset. Especially preci­ awards: Fiction, to Louis Zorn for ous is his final chapter on "The Syna­ Blf'ssed ls the Land; Juvenile, to Nora gogue and Social Ethics." Benjamin Kubic for King Solo'/11011' s Navy; Yiddish Poetry, to Alter Essclin • • * for Lieder form a Midbamik; Hebrew Poetry, Gabriel Freil for Ner Mui The Jewish Publication Society has Kochavim. collected some of the later essays of rhe great Louis Ginzberg in the volume On * * * Jewish Law and Lore. Here we have such gems as his "An Introduction to the Our colleague Alexander Alan Stein­ Palestinian Talmud," "The Significance bach has collected his prose-poems, of the Halachah for Jewish Hiscory," 31

"The Codification of Jewish Law," and sermon and to whom the text from the "The Cabala." This is a notable addition Tanach is essential will find much value to the author's Studmts, Scholars, rmd and constant aid in the three-volume Saims, and Schechter's three volumes of work by Aaron Hyman, Sefcr Torah Jewish Studies. These are indispensable Haktuvah v'ham'surah al Torall Nevii111 to the rabbi's library. U'Ktuvim (Dvir, Tel Aviv, 1936). The author has collected all the rabbinic and * * * Midrashie references on each verse of the three parts of Scripture. He includes Two recent works on Yiddish stand our, not only the standard Talmudic litera­ one popular, the other technical. Irving ture but also the Zahar, the Responsa, Howe and Eliezer Greenberg have edited Maimonides' \\forks, Bachya, and the a splendid anthology of fifty-two Yid­ medieval Midrashim. This is one of the dish stories and prefixed one of the finest most valuable aids to the rabbi I have introductions on Yiddish literature to seen. appear in print. A Treasury of Yiddish Stories (Viking) is a major contribution to the growing library of Jewish * * * anthologies. The 15th volume of Menachem Kasher's The technical work, edited by Uriel comprehensive Torah Sh'lema which Weinreich of Columbia, is The Field of reaches "Parashar Yithro" is known to Yiddish. (Publications of Linguistic many. A rather similar work on the Circle of New York, 19 54). This is a Psalms in three volumes has been com­ volume of studies on the language, the pleted by Rabbi ]. A. Cohen, of blessed folklore, and the literamre. Particularly memory. It is entitled Otzar Hatchilliw interesting is the chapter on "Frequency - Halacha v'agadah (volume available of Hebraisms in Yiddish" by Yudcl from his widow at 4702 Monriccllo Marie Ave., Chicago 25). This life's work is a great help to anyone interested in teach­ * * * ing a full course or preaching a series of In its May 16, 1955 issue, The New sermons on the Psalms. On Psalm I, Republic presents a symposium on Cohen cires twenty pages of quotations "Faith and Psychoanalysis," wherein from the Talmud, then adds the material such minds as William H. Roberts, from the Y' la111de1111, the Pirkr Hechalot, Gregory Zilboorg, C. A. Jung, A. the Zollar, the T1mch1111111, and the Agad11t Powell Davies, Edith Weigert, Erich Sh'muel. The work provides a fascinating Fromm, and Karl Menninger speak up and rewarding year's personal study. on sin an

book, Jewish A dvmtures in America work arc Isaac Lceser, [saac Mayer (Bloch); and a volume of penetrating Wisc, and Simon Wolf. essays American Jewry - The Tercm­ tmary and After, edited by Eugene Kohn * * * (Reconstructionist Press). Great credit is due our distinguished * * * colleague David de Sola Pool, who, with his wife Tamar, has just issued An Old Maurice Samuel has written the best Faith i11 a New World - Portrait of book of his career and Herman Wouk Shearith Tsrnel, 16)4-1954 (Columbia U. his worst. Certain People of thr Book Press). Alas it coses $15 .oo. (Knopf) breathes thought, heart, faith, Kavanah. Marjorie Morni11gstar (Double­ day) aims for the dollar, rcAects the contrived and the slick. The one lifts, the A fresh stimulating work comes from other depresses. Samuel and \\'ouk both rhc pen of Professor Theodore F. Lentz, know that the gaudy attracts. Bur Toward ,1 Science of Peace (Bookman), Samuel holds his people high, ~Wouk with a foreword by Julian Huxley. shadows and mirrors them at their Lentz pleads for a more thorough ex­ everyday worst. ploration and utilization of the human sciences leading toward the discovery of * * * better methods of social and economic cooperation across the globe. It is Gilbert Murray's Five Stages of Greek the fruit of six years of labor at the Religiou remains a living classic with Atcirnde Research Laboratory in St. as much to say today as it did when Lou ii;. first published in 191 z. Doubleday Anchor Books has released it paper­ * * * bound for 95 cents. One of the seminal studies for today's serious preacher. Erich Fromm continues plotting the field of socially oriented psychiatry * * * \\'hi ch he began \\'ith Escape f f{flll Free­ dom and Man for Himsrlj with The for all the promises of the T ercente­ S1111r Society (Rinehart). He pleads for nary Committee, nothing has yet ap­ man to invest meaning and mental peared. But Jacob R. Marcus continues health in his li fe notwithstanding the plowing the field of American-Jewish overwhelming robotism. History and yielding for us a good harvest. His latest is Volume 11 of * * * Memoirs of Americnn Jews 1775-1865 (Jewish Publication Society). Among Ernest Jones delivers his second great the better known figures in this basic volume on the Lije and JVorks of Sigmund 33

Freud: Years of Maturity 1901- 1919 (Basic essence: Sociological study of American Books). It is a little difficult bur very Catholics is rclarivcly new; scaciscical important reading. research in the form of a Rcgular­ lntcrval Sample from the American * * * Cacholic \Vho's Who of 19+7-48 re­ veals the following occupational dis­ One of the foremost T almudisrs of our tribution: Clergy - 25.6% , Law - age is Dr. Saul Lieberman of the Jewish 18.1 % ; Education - 10.2% , \Vriring Theological Seminary. He has just pro­ - 9.53 , Medicine - 5 .8% , Business duced che first three volumes (the ''hole Executives - 1 • 1 %, Social Scientist - of Z'ra'im) on the Tosefra. Our 1. 1 %, Natural Scientist - 0.93 , All dependence upon Zuckermandel's rcxc ochers - 27.7°.,c.. The 1953- 54 Who's is ended, and Lieberman's work will \i\'ho was almost identical except char provide us with a long-needed "Rashi" "tl1e prrcemage of clerics w1rs slightly co chis cryptic sister of our J\ lishnah. higher." There is subtle but discernible prejudice against Catholics in che busi­ * * * ness world. Kane concludes: " le seems that Catholics creep forward rather than The Synagogue and Its People, by stride forward in American society, and Desider H olisher (Al>Clard-Schuman) is che position of American Catholics in the a good piccurc-book study of the insti­ mid-twentieth century is better, but nor tution and rhc rabbi. Fine adult study so much better than it was a century ago. material. Neither is it as high as one might expect from such a sizable minority with a * * * large educational system and reputed equality of opportunity in a democracy." A new, definitive, and most readable account of the earth-shaking Dreyfus case is presented in Captain Dreyfus by * * * Nicholas Holasz (Simon and Schuster). Ac rhat same Conference, Dr. Gordon One scops to reflect on the geometrical C. Zahn of the Dcpartmenr of Sociology growth of human cruelty from 1905 co spoke on "Prntcsranc Tensions and 1 955· Catholic Conduce." This is an analysis of 18 3 letters written by Protestants * * * to the publisher of the Blanshar

they are "danger signals" and re­ advises, can avoid displaying support for evaluation of Cathoic activities is ad­ political personalities or issues because visable. "Obviously." Zahn writes, they arc Carholic, avoid "superlarivc "Catholics cannot abandon their claims lavishness" connected with certain pub­ to being che one true Church of Christ or lic ceremonies, avoid "censorship by their moral positions on birth concrol, display of power" on theatres. book­ therapeutic abortion, mixed marriage dealers, the press. ln shore; the Prot­ promises, and the other matters of estant does harbor a distorted image of doctrine which give rise co many the Catholic and the Catholic would be Protestant tensions." Bur Catholics, he wise co engage in a litrle self-appraisal.

TIIEORY AND PRACTICE: A NOTE ON FR:\'NZ ROZENZWEIG

(Cr,miuurd fmm page 12)

Jewish socio-religious idealism wenc into of his being, he reexamines his actions, che building of Palestinian settlements, revaluates his plans and commitments that the speakers of, and writers in the and regains strength for the next things Hebrew language revived much of the to be done. meaningful contents hidden in the The dialectic relationship b:::twecn che Hebrew word, in short, that life was principle and the practice, the divine and much profounder and richer, from the human, theory and realization be­ Rosenzweig's own point of view chan comes the frame of reference of Rosen­ Klatzkin's theory of pure nationalism. zweig's teachings and of his life as a Jew. Rosenzweig did not become a Zionist A focus on only one of the clements but he was able to include Zionism in leads to a serious distortion of what the his concept of a Judaism that forever man had to say to concemporary Jewry. must seek expression in earthly forms, Only if this intellectual and religious in secular manifestations unafraid of che development of Rosenzweig is clearly crises, and possibly tragic side-effecrs of understood, docs it n1'.lkc sense to scruti­ a way through hiscory. nize the Star of Redemption. Only then The Lehrluws, rhe Beth /111-Midras/i, docs the major thesis of the book - the and what it stood for in Rosenzweig's relatedness of God, world and man - life and rhoughc, is not rhe place into loose its undercurrent of theological which a Jew piously and sentimentally obscurity and becomes an expression, or withdraws, buc where, facing the sources a report, of actual life. Max David Eichhorn 0 R G AN I Z AT I 0 NS AND INST ITU TI 0 NS

logical College of Chicago. A large OuR 01n 11ooox Cou.t:AGUF.s proportion of its present membership There are five major national rabbinical was trained in other Orthodox yeshivos. organizations in the United States and Rabbinical Alliance of America; Canada. In addition to the Cemral founded 1944; membership about 400; Conference of American Rabbis and the headquarters ar Yeshivas Torah Vodaas, Rabbinical Assembly of America (Con­ 1+1 South Third St., Brooklyn, N. Y. servative), there arc three large Ortho­ Established by alumni of this yeshiva. dox rabbinical associations. They arc, Most of the members arc C'.:>Poio from in order of age, the Union of Orthodox Yeshivas Torah V odaas but at least Rabbis of the United States and Canada, one-fourth are from other American the Rabbinical Council or America, and yeshivos. the Rabbinical Alliance of America. A Although all three of these organiza­ few facts about each: tions claim to be strict followers of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the established Halacha, there is a general United States and Canada; founded feeling that the Rabbinical Council of 1902; membership about 700; head­ America is less rigid in interpretations quarters at 1 3 2 Nassau Sr., New York of halachic matters than either the Union City. In the beginning, the members or Orthodox Rabbis or the Rabbinical were almost without exception Euro­ Alliance. The RCA has also been more pean-born and Yiddish-speaking. The lenient about admitting Orthodox rabbis organization claims that almost half of who serve "deviationist" synagogues. its present membership is American­ There has been an adverse reaction to born and English-speaking. rhis within the RCA in recent years and Rabbinical Council of America; its membership requirements arc getting founded 1935; membership about 600; more strict. Because of differences in headquarters ar 331 Madison Ave., New composition and in outlook. there has York City. Organized by alumni of the been little talk in the past about a Rabbinical Deparancnc of the Yeshiva possible merger of these three organiza­ University and of the Hebrew 'Theo- tions. Sentiment seems to be growing 35 36 EICHHORN: Organizations and Institutions

for an eventual merger of the RCA and Ar both conventions, the CCAR was the Rabbinical Alliance. roundly attacked for considering the Since the CCAR has about 700 mem­ idea rhat women Le ordained as rabbis. bers and the Rabbinical Assembly about To the RCA, Rabbi Henry Raphael 600, it is apparent that these Orthodox Gold, a practicing psychoanalyst, de­ rabbinical organizations have a com­ clared that "this agitation stems from bined manpower greater than that of the the excesses of hyper-feminism which combined Conservative and Reform rab­ threatens the whole fabric of American binates. After raking into account slight society." Before the Alliance, Rabbi overlappings in membership, ic may be Chaim U. Lipschitz, its execuri,•e secre­ estimated char these five national rab­ tary, assailed the proposal as "a blas­ binical organizations represent a total of phemous atrcmpt co rransform rhe about 2900 rabbis. rabbinate into a social service agency." This year's convention of the Rab­ binical Council was held ar the Pinc 0 1n's St:.\'EN 1 Y-FIF I'll BIRTllDAY View Hotel, Fallsburg, N. Y., from July 1 1 to 15. Among the decisions ot From June 16 to 19, delegates from the the convention were rhe following: T he O RT organizations of 25 countries as­ members were called upon co seek ways sembled at Geneva, Switzerland, ro com­ and means of encouraging the Aliyah of memorate the 75th birrh

\iVar 1, ORT extended its activities into here takes on the special meaning of all of Central and Eastern Europe. The working within and for a Jewish society. American ORT Federation was organ­ Herc ORT now has its greatest efflores­ ized in 192 2 and, over the years, became cence and has become the foremost World ORT's chief means of financial system of vocational training in the support. Jn the ten years since V..'orld new state. War 11 , ORT has spent $ 18,000,000 " In 1949 about 75% of the ORT for occupational training given ro 200,000 students were adults snidying a limited persons, including over 7 5,ooo DPs. Of number of trades in short-term courses this amount, over $13,000,000 has been for the purpose of obtaining a job in contri buted by American Jewry, primar­ their country of emigration. lo 1954 ily through its annual UJA campaigns. adults constituted only 2 s% of the American ORT has furnished this students. The balance were adolescent column with the following statement youths between 14 and 1 8 who attend concerning present trends and future full-rime day-session vocational high planning: schools at which they study not only " In the immediate post-war years, technical subjects but a full range of greatest attention was paid ro the occu­ academic courses. pational rehabilitation of refugees and "A notable change has taken place in DPs in Germany, Austria, and Ita ly. the relative importance of trades. While At the same time, the dislocated Jewries adults in previous years tended to be of Eastern Europe stood in great need of attracted to traditional 'Jewish' trades help. Since 1949 contact with the Eastern such as needle-work and carpentry, the European communities has ceased. The interest of the Jewish youth of today is new geography of vocational activities primarily in metal work, radio, elec­ has shifted to Israel, North Africa, Iran tricity, electronics, and a broad variety and the few remaining stable commu­ of skills of a more advanced technical nities of vVcst<.'rn EurOFC· To effect this character. Particularly noteworthy is shift, it was necessary for ORT to build the broadening of occupations desired by schools, find instructors, and develop Jewish women." programs in areas where it had no prior roots and, in the case of the Moslem LABOR Z10N1s1· DE:CLARA110N countries, in areas which had never known organized trade schooling and During the next few months Poalc occupational training. In the latter Zion, the Labor Zionist Organization of categories should also be included the America, wi ll be celebrating the fiftieth extremely impoverished Jewish com­ anniversary of its existence. A special munity of Italy, especially that in Rome. committee was appointed some time ago Wirh the development of the State of by the Central Committee of the LZOA Israel, rhe greatest oppornmiries as well for rhe purpose of drawing up a state­ as necessity for skilled Jewish workmen ment which would "restate and redefine came into being. Vocational training our basic principles in terms of the new 38 Etc111-10RN: Organizations and Institutions

reality the Jewish people has entered into made. Labor Zionism rededicates itself as a result of the emergence of the State to organizing American Jewish partici­ of Israel." This committee recently pation in Kibbutz Galuyot by a steadily issued "A Declaration of Principles of increasing Aliya to Israel. Labor Zionism." This Fall all groups " ... Hebrew, the national tongue of affiliated with the LZOA arc studying the Jewish people, is the most important the declaration and expressing t11cir medium for the creation and transmission agreement or disagreement with it. Part of Jewish cultural values ... Labor of the Declaration is as follows: Zionism considers Yiddish, the language "Labor Zionism is based on the funda­ of millions of Jews and the repository of mental principle that all Jews constirntc some of the greatest products of Jewish one people ... They arc ... united by a creativeness, an indispensable cultural common history, heritage and destiny, clement which should be preserved ... and their spiritual and cultural home is "The LZOA recognizes Mapai as Eretz Yisrael. the political party best suited - by " ... The factors shaping Jewish indi­ political experience and philosophy­ viduality and cohesiveness include Jew­ to lead the State of lsracl, co realize the ish religious and secular values, the ideal of Kibbutz Galuyot, and build creative force of Jewish folkways and Israel as a labor commonwealth ... basic attitudes, and the common effort to " ... Labor Zionism believes that the build and strengthen the State of present circumstances require a mixed Israel .. . economy composed of three sectors - " ... Labor Zionism strives ... to stim- nationalized, cooperative and private: ulate among the Jews of Israel a sympa­ these co complement each other, making thetic understanding and wjll to co­ possible planning without regimentation operate in the solution of the problems and voluntary collectivism alongside confronting American Je'' ry in pre­ individual enterprise. serving and enriching its Jewish hcricage; "Labor Zionism, anchoring ics hopes to inculcate in American Jewry the con­ for a brighter future in the growth of sciousness that only in the State of democracy, is unalterably opposed to Israel can Jews shape their collective Communism and all other forms of destiny, attain national self-realization totalitarianism ..." and best extend their unique contribu­ tions co humanity; to strengthen Jewish UNn Ell C11uRc11 CEN·11m group life in America by constant am:n­ tion and devotion to Jewish education. Plans have been completed for the erec­ " ... American Jc'' ry has an historic tion of a 1 7-story, block-long building part to play in the process of Kibbutz on Ri,·ersidc Drive between 1 19th and Galuyot, the lngathering of the Exiles; 12oth Sts., New York City, to serve as and although it may take generations, a united church center for many of the perhaps centuries, to complete this process, the beginning has already been (Cominued on page 47) Albert M. Lewis IN THE FIELD 0 F EDU CAT I 0 N

variety or audio-\•isual materials pre­ Auo10-V1suAL MATERIAL pared for the Jewish school grow, we The Audio-Visual Department of the shall make every effort tO improve the Bureau of Jewish Education of the Los quality and quantity of materials listed Angeles Jewish Council published a cat­ herein." alogue of audio-visual materials for use The catalogue is mimeographed, plas­ in the Jewish Religious School. This tic spiral bound, with good card­ catalogue, "Catalogue of Audio-Visual board covers. le is available from the Materials," lists films, film-strips, slides, Bureau, (590 N . Vermont Avenue, records and tape recordings. The cat­ Los Angeles 4, California), for a alogue was prepared by Mr. Irwin Soref, small charge. the Director of the Audio-\'isual Depart­ The Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish ment. lt is an excellent piece of work and Education also produces a number of will prove extremely useful to both rhc cxcellenr filmstrips for the Reform Reli­ person in charge of the Religious School gious School. There is one on PassoV'cr, and the indi,•idual classroom reacher. ln deriving its content from the Union rhe foreword, Dr. Samuel Dinin, the H aggadah, one on Shavuos of cxcellenr Executive Director of the Bureau states: quality, and a fine filmstrip entitled "Jn preparing this catalogue, a special "The Book Thar Cannot Be Printed," cfforr has been made ro include only which crcarivcly rells the srory of the such materials which arc likely to be of writing of a Torah Scroll. All Reform instructional value to the Jewish school Religious Schools will do well co include and which arc of good technical quality. these filmstrips in their audio-visual However, because of the dearth of au­ library. ditory and visual materials suitable for Another indispensable aid to good use in the various areas of the curriculum classroom teaching is a wealth of flat of rhe Jewish school, we have inclnded a picrures. Many schools have undertaken number of films, filmsrrips, slides, and t0 create picture files cmting the pictures other materials which do not altogether from Jewish calendars, magazines and meet our criteria. As the number and discarded books. Now a new resource ;39 40 LEWIS: In the Field of Education

exists. The H erbert B. Palmer, Asso­ Boo KS ciates, 8912 Burton ~ ' ay, Beverly Hills, California, has gotten rogcthcr a large A careful perusal of Stories about selection of pictures from several sources Judaism, Books I and 11, by Rabbi that will help to illustrate Jewish History David Goldberg, with introductory notes and Je\\"ish Life. The pictures are espe­ and subjects for discussion by Rabbi cially good for rhe Bible years - partic­ Samuel Halevi Haran, is a disappointing ularly the period of The Patriarchs, The experience. Quoting from the preface of Judges, and The Prophets. The pictures \T ol. I, (Page 5) : "Opinions to the arc being used in the more progressive contrary notwithstanding, we believe it Jewish Religious Schools of Los Angeles is possible as well as desirable and essen­ with great success. The imaginative tial to begin teaching the evolution of teacher uses the pictures to set up an the religion of Judaism - in language "environment" in the classroom that made carefully understandable - long stimulates the children to think in tt•rms before the Confirmation or pose-Con­ of the period which they arc studying. firmation years. This we have under­ The pictures arc all printed in color, taken to do in the present volume." they arc in \'arious sizes, approximately \Vell, the contrary opi nion is not washed 17 x 21 and 30 x 40 and may be pur­ away. A mature discussion of Judaism chased mounted or unmounted. The price requires a mature mind. A student below is reasonable. For case of handling, it the age of 15 or 16, the accepted age for is suggested rhar they either be pur­ Confirmation in most Religious Schools, chased mounted or that they be mounted is not ready to discuss religion as an immediately after purchase. Address abstraction. These two volumes give the all inquiries to H crbcrr B. Palmer, reader the unmistakable impression that Associates. the authors are trying to discuss God Special mention must be made of the and man through the medium of ABC film "Isaac and Rebecca" produced by blocks. The volumes arc definitely not Ben Oyscrman (No. 681 UAHC cat­ recommended for use in the Religious alogue 19 5 5 56). One of the finest fea­ Schools. rures of this film is the authenticity and J\lanha Marenof ( 18 Pinecrest Road, the magni ficcnr color of the properties Newton Center, Massachusetts) has used in making the film. For example, produced three new volumes for grades the saddle bags for the camels arc so 6 through 9 of the Religious School. The picmresquc as ro excite the curiosity of series is called History Through Lir­ the "hard to reach" student. emtrtre and covers the development of The new UAHC Catalogue of J\la­ the Jewish People from the earliest times terials lists many fine materials for to the present. There is a reacher's guide the audio-visual department. The next and a pupil's workbook with each vol­ edition of this column will contain a ume. The first volume, The 1\ligra­ fi.111 discussion of the new materials. tions of thl' Jewish People has been 41

recei,·ed for commcnr. In a message to Blumberg, Ph.D., I fchrew Publishing the pupil on page 13, \!rs. \larcnof Company, ~C\\ York 1955. !he work states, "The stor)' is told 111 rlmry units. is suitable for adulrs only, preforablr Fach un1r conrains an mrroducrion chose with collegt· backgrounds. ' J he describing a migration and r<:aclmgs from inductive approach is employed. lhcre literature rhar 1llustratc rhc importance is a marked lack in rhe paucity of rcading of the migration. \\'hen you complete material to i llusrrarc rhe use of the this course of study you will have a different grammar forms and idioms. picture in your mind of close to four The vocabulary is good, conraining thousand years of the migrations of rhc primarily "active" words. The elaborate Jewish people. You will hegin that story appendix contains an excellent vocabu­ on a small map, and as rhe numbn of lary and grammar chart. The section years grows and grows, rhe map will on Hebrew composition contains only 9 spread, and rht: picnirL' will expand to lessons. l lowcn·r, it is assumed the sho" us rhc whole world as you kno" teacher wi ll supply additional material. it today. le is an exciting picrure, a big This book is the best published picture." The book has the advantage of for teaching I lcbre\\ on the college co\•ering a great deal of time, from rhc level. beginning of Je'' ish histor} to rhc pres­ ent day, - and a great deal of space, - from Canaan 111 thc rim1.: of ,\hrah;1m, ,\{ \ n·RI \I across and around the world and back co Israel m 19-t-8. rhe ob' ious d1sadvanragc A new Te,1cher's Record and Role Book is the attempt to co\•er so much in such is recommended for use in rhc Rd1gio11s Ii mired rime. Rabbi Dudley W cinberg School. lt is pubhshc:d by Kl A\· Pub­ and the Religious School Committee of lishing House, 4-7 Canal Street, New 1 cmplc Ohaba1 Sholom in Brookline, York 2, '\cw York. The book conrnms 1\1assachusccts, arc given credit for rhe adequate space for a lisnng of chc initial inccnrive to develop the History student's name, age, address, parents and Tlmmgll Uternturr series. Therefore additional information. It also contains comment as to rhc cffcctivencss of these seating charts, a weekly attendance sec­ rexes may be obtained from Rabbi Dudley tion in the back, and also a large section Weinberg, now of Temple Fmanu-EI in for the reacher's monthly plan. 1\ililwaukcc, 'v\'isconsin. Religious Schools wi ll also do well ro Rabbis and other educators reaching invesrigare the use of rhe "Spirnl'' Plan ( JcbrC\\ to adults will he interested Book (#-H75) char pro,·ides scaring plan, in a ne\\ volume, ,\fodrrn I /ebrrw program scction, and an attendance book Gr1111111111r 1111d CfJl11positio11, by Harry at ch:: end. Robert L. Katz A RABBI ASKS

CONCERNING THE ADVISABILITY OF

INFORMING A PATIENT OF THE

SERIOUSNESS OF HIS ILLNESS

RESPONDENTS

Dr. Himm B. Weiss Rabbi Israel )'. Gerber Dr. Henry D, Lederer Rabbi Albert G. Minda

A RABBI ASKS known chis previously. \Vim I had not known until this conversation was \Vim docs a rabbi do when he is that Mr. J. had taken his mother co asked by a member of his congrega­ the hos,>ital about a month ago, that tion regarding the advisability of cell­ an exp oratory operation had been ing a seriously ill patient that he has held, and that the physicians had cancer? In the experience l recently decided that the situation was so ad­ had, l was not asked for advice vanced that there was absolutely no directly but a member of the congre­ hope and that ir was only a matter of gation fut it this way: "Rabbi, do you months or even weeks before the end. think did right in not telling my, I learned from Mr. J. that the mother that she is dying of cancer? ' family doctor himself had no definite My conversation with this member opinion on the question of whether or began after dinner one evening when not co tell the mother. In reply to my I was a guest in his home. We question, Mr. J. said that to the best happened co be alone and Mr. J. had of his knowledge, his mother was asked if he might ralk co me about a unaware of the diagnosis of cancer. personal problem. She had been in ill health and has had 1\1 r. J. had told me that his mother many contacts with doctors and had been ailing for some time. I had specialists. She is seventy years old. 4..'1 43

\!\lhat l wonder about is what you do something" for the patient because can do in a situation like this, when nothing is as hopelessly final as hearing either way you feel obliged to respond that "nothing can be done." These arc to Mr. J. 's question. It docs seem to much on religious ethics, since he the problems of the physician which musr asked me if he "had done the right be clarified before getting to the point thing." where a rabbi is brought face to face I want to add that I have been rabbi with the situation. It is helpful for every­ of this congregation for many years, one if the rabbi has a conference with rhar l know tne J. family intimately. l have Mr. J.'s children in my reli­ the physician co determine the nature gious school. I officiated seven years and extent of the disease, what the ago at the funeral of Mr. J.'s father patient and his family already know, and who had died of complications . fol­ what the medical objectives are. The lowing an automobile accident. Inci­ rabbi should also be made aware of the dentally, Mr. ]. is an only child. prognosis of rhc.: disease; what the patient and family already know; and what the medical objectives are. Many A PHYSICIAN ANSWERS patients with cancer promptly and suc­ As a young physician making rounds cessfully treated will have an excellent with one of my teachers, I noted how prognosis and will have good years unsatisfactory it was to sec rhe cancer ahead, often living to an average or even patient each day and not to know what old age. Some types of the disease may to do or say. Quoting an earlier phy­ allow for several years of comfortable sician, my older colleague said: "At living before taking a turn for the worse. times we may cure, often we can relieve, Jn the early stages, with adequate treat­ but we can always bring hope." Many ment, the prognosis may happily be cancer patients know they have the excellent. If there has been a spread of dread disease without being told; most the disease, the prognosis as to length of them know how inevitable the out­ of life may nor be determined for years come is. Many seem to deny it in a after the onset. psychological sense and hope rhat a new I have been impressed with the obser­ drug or a new approach might be helpful, vation that patients with deep religious or that perhaps the docror is nor correct faith seem to take serious medical news in his diagnosis. One should indicate about themselves with some degree of that the patient may be correct although equanimity. Most of us do not know mistaken diagnoses are not relatively how we ourselves will react to such infrequent with the numerous diagnostic circumstances. Our response is an anxi­ aids now available. Certainly new drugs ety that all men have when they find and methods (surgical, X-ray, and themselves in dangerous or serious situ­ nuclear) have prolonged many lives, ations. No doubt the prayer for courage turning a hopeless medical probl~m into and understanding is to help us meet the the brightness of Jifc and usefulness. problems of living and dying. All of us As physicians we must always try "to have known the older individual who has 44 r

become philosophical and who meets and whether Mr. J was remiss in not inform­ accepts his problems with serenity. \IV c ing his mother. The problem revolves have all had the problem of an incon­ around Mrs. J herself. Docs she want co solable young person who has Jost a know? Has she questioned her son about dear one, or who senses that he himself it? Did she inquire of the docror the is going to die. diagnosis of her case? 1 foci this is most Perhaps one role of the rabbi is to imporrant because, regardless of thci r reawaken faith in a person ro fortify age, most people prefer nor to know rhe him when he recognizes that he has a seriousness of their particular illness. faral illness. JVly own feeling is char rhe Very often they will not even ask their vast majority of patients do not reall y doccor for the diagnosis, even though wish to know that they have cancer, prior to undergoing their operation they although they may protest that they categorically inform the surgeon they muse know because their affairs must be want him to tell them what he discovers. put in order, or for many other reasons. If the patient earnestly inquires about r feel chat reassurance and hope, wi th his condition, whether it be of family or something, even though minimal to look clergy, it is his solemn right to be told. forward to, is perhaps better for most The reply should be as honest as possible people than a gloomy ourlook and a fatal and answer only rhe specific questions prognosis. asked. No additional information should There arc some, perhaps those with be supplied. faith, who can take the diagnosis of \Vhat then? The most advisable nexr cancer with a degree of resignation, step is co call in the doctor. For the humbleness, and understanding. I do not primary concern or the patient at that believe that there is any universal moment is a diagnosis and discussion of answer. \Ve must feel our way with the technical and long range ,·iew of the each patient and perhaps use an inde­ case. Any diagnosis, regardless of illness, finable "incuicion" in handling him. \Ve is the responsibility of the physician and give to each that which he needs most 110 one else should assume this assign­ of hope or realization; often we can give ment. It is medical information that is both. being sought and it should be given by a HmA11.1 B. Vh:1ss medical authority. Ar a time such as this, the patient usually seeks specific infor­ Department of Medicine mation that can be supplied only by the University of Cincinnati doctor. Should the physician attempt ro push chis chore onto anyone else, as is sometimes done, he is nor fulfilling his A RABBI ANSWERS obligation to his patient. This does not One very important fact chat the case diminish the Rabbi's role or exclude described above docs not tell us is him. H is pastoral duties begin in earnest whether Mr. J's mother inquired about when the doctor leaves the scene. her condition. The basic problem is not The rabbi's problem exists, therefore. 45

only if Mr. j's mother did not ask her friends, to cope with the many di ffcrent son about herself. Should the son never­ situations to be encountered, we do not theless have volunteered it? In this prepare ourselves for death. instance, the rabbi could have assured R ABBI lSRAEL J. Grmmm Mr. J and counseled him that since his Temple Emanu-EI mother did not ask him about it, it was not within his province to have offered it. Dothan, Alabam:i vVe arc then confronted, as rabbis, by the problem as to whether it is not re­ A PSYCHIATRIST ANSWERS quired of us co enable the patient to pre­ pare himself for the eternal sleep, to The described situation presents many give him rhe opportunity to make his facers of an emotionally charged rabbi­ peace with the world, and to sec his congregant relationship. In order to relatives and friends more often. This assay the problems and to respond con­ procedure had been paacriced by our structively, one must attempt to define forebears as is evidenced in the Shulf1a11 the dynamic exchanges taking place. Aruch. The trend today, however, is As stated, the rabbi finds himself away from this practice. The feeling asked for an opinion on a "personal exists that the clergy is not endowt:d problem" by his dinner host, who is one with God-given permission to force of the rabbi's congreganrs. The rabbi such information upon any person in chis expresses an emotional bias when he condition. writes "what can you do in a situation le is not difficu lt co understand Mr. J's like this, when either way you feel anguish and to sympathize with him. obliged to respond to Mr. j's question?" Being an only son, he undoubtedly had To answer the rabbi we must conjecture and still has a close association with his as to what he means by "a situation like mother. H er impending departure js this." Apparenrly he feels we '1111/Sf undoubtedly a difficult experience for respond because he "feels obliged." him to bear. The possibility should, Muse he respond because he has "known therefore, not be overlooked char in the family intimately for years" (i.e. speaking to rhe rabbi, Mr. J was subtly almost feels like part of the family) or hinting to him to carry the ball for him. because he is under immediate debt to He may have wanted to eliminate him­ his host for the gifts of a dinner and self as the informer, because it would hospitality. The rabbi rries to handle his have caused him much anguish and he own feelings of a personal obligation and was perhaps subconsciously sparing guilr over hesitation co meet it in several himself a difficult ordeal. ways: he attempts to reduce rhe emo­ AJI this brings to mind the little actual tional overtones by converting the preparation given in our society tQ che problem into a quasi-inrellcccual one of inevitable which is part of every.one's "religious ethics" but cannot carry future. vVhile today we attempt to through on this depersonalizing because prepare ourselves, our children, our he says "it seems co touch on" (but not 46 l

really involve) "religious ethics"; sec­ that his appealing to the rabbi is a request ondly, he salves his own conscience by for a father-surrogate to console, attend listing the many previous services he to, reassure, strengthen, and love him has rendered Mr. J. and his family. Is now chat mother is slipping away. H e the rabbi almost plaintively asking, wants a response on a personal level "Really, haven't l done enough for him. when he srates chis is a "personal Am I actually obliged to respond ro such problem." · a tough question." f\fr. J. seems to need the rabbi as a Therefore, from a psychological poinr father-figure, personally interested in of view, some of the difficulties con­ him, and allaying his uneasy feelings of fronting this rabbi in chis situation arise anxiety and guilt. The rabbi as theo­ from his emotional attitudes toward logian grappling with "religious ethics" Mr. J. These attitudes, felt as an oblig­ is not the person being petitioned. atory pressure, certainly might interfere If the rabbi can respond as a mature with an objective and constructive man sensing these needs, he could best response to Mr. J. help ,\tr. J. by hearing him out and not Turning our attentions to Mr. J. and answering l\1r. J.'s question. Any im­ his pregnant question " Rabbi, do you mediate and definite answer would slam think I did right in not telling my mother the door on any opportunity for Mr. J. chat she is dying of cancer?" \Ne may to vcntilare his feelings centering about benefit by considering rhe following his mother, her illness, his apprehension matters. Why does Mr. J. find his "not of death and cancer, etc. An interested, telling" his mother a personal problem unbiased, non-judgmental, patient listen­ leading to uneasiness about "doing right" ing to Mr. J. would be the proper or wrong? ls there more to this personal response, the response to the whole problem of doing right than what Mr. J. person rather than to a question detached says? It is a frequent occurrence for intellectually from the human being bereaved persons or ones facing bereave­ posing it. ment to experience consciously or to be DR. HENRY D. Lrnrn1m motivated unconsciously by ambi\'alent Deparn11ent of Psychiatry feelings, mixtures of love and rage, in University of Cincinnati regard to the deceased or diseased rela­ tive. ls the increase in negative emotion toward his mother, the factor that is not A RABBI ANSWERS "right." Being an only child, Mr. J .'s whole emotional invesnncnt in his rela­ The question posed as to celling a paticnr tionship to his morher may be quite rhat he or she is dying of cancer is pare intense and contain clements of depend­ of the larger question of informing the ent yearnings for mother's attenrion, seriously sick person that he is dying anger over her impending desertion from this or any other ailment. There is through dying, guilt over such anger, no one categorical answer, ic seems to guile over her being ill, anxiety over the me, that would apply to each and every impending separation. ft is not unlikely case. 47

In this particular instance, we have a If the circumstances of the sick patient woman seventy yea rs of age. Even if told demand that his spiritual and economic of her condition, she would probably house be set in order, then he should be have little to do to set her "house in given the opportunity to do so - at the order." To give her this information same time, indicating that the white flag would do little good. of defeat is not being raised. ln most cases (even when cancer is All this is particularly relevant when suspected by the patient) there is the we consider the psychology of the hope rhar with treaanent and God's Jewish patient. Judaism, whilst holding help, they can "beat it." One should, forrh the hope and faith in immortality, therefore, think twice before destroying does not minimize the satisfactions of this last vestige of hope and the fighting spirit and body co be achieved in life on spirit that results from it. earth. The bliss of Heaven is not quite as I do not rhink that we ought to be real and tangible to him as it may be too free in passing death sentences on to patients of other religious faiths. seriously sick patients. In some cases, '\'hen we find it imperative to inform docrors themselves admit that they are the patient of the imminence of death, happily disappointed in their predictions. particularly, when he is insistent that Ir all adds up to this - who is your this be given co him, then we must bring patient; what is his temperament; what to him (if he does not already have it) arc the circumstances that might make the trust chat the "Everlasting Arms" the imparting of rhis information that hold us in life, never forsake us imperative? even in death. The average mature individual, though RABBr ALBERT G. MJNuA healthy and strong, realizes that death T cmpie lsrael, may be lurking around the next corner. Minneapolis, Minn.

ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS

(Co mi11ued f rmn /mgr 3 8) major Protestant denominations of the come from gifts, one-quarter from in­ United States. It will house the head­ vesting beneficiary groups, ltnd the rest quarters of the National Council of from a 2 1 ~-year amortization mortgage. Churches of Christ in America and a The president of the center's board of large number of the governing boards trustees has stated that "the structure has and agencies of the Council's thirty been planned to overlook the Hudson constituent denominations. River from Morningside Heights to The site has been Jonated by John symbolize churches working together in D. Rockefeller, Jr. The structure is the way that the United Nations building expected to cost $14,000,000. One­ above the East River stands for inter­ quartcr of the financing is expected to national cooperation." David H. Wice THE PARTS MEETING OF THE WORLD

UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM:

A REPORT

The ninrh International Conference of laymen and women, those already the World Union for Progressive Juda­ named, and man)' others. ism, held in Paris June 30th through The session opened with addresses by July 6th, 1955, brought together the Dr. Glueck and Edmond Fleg. Other largest gathering of delegates and ac­ sessions included an address by Dr. credited visitors e\'er co attend a vVorld Eiscndrath, and a scholarly paper on Union meeting. There was a sense of Reform Practices by Professor Cohon continuity at the Conference due to the of the College-lnstirutc faculty, to men­ presence of rhose who had attended tion only a few of the highlights. The through the years: The Hon. Lily H. Conference closed with a session de­ Montagu, 'i\forld President, heading the voted co the activities of the ~'omen's delegation from England; Rabbi Rosen­ and Youth Sections. berg from Tel Aviv; Prof. Assagioli Among the progress and achievement from lraly; Monsieur Greilsammcr and reports, the following were of special Rabbi Zaoui from Paris; Jay Taft from interest. Melbourne; our colleague Rabbi vVeiler Or. Glueck reported on the progress from South Africa; Oreo Frank, for­ of plans for work in Israel through the merly of Amsterdam, now from Switzer­ establishment of the graduate branch in land; and two score Americans, includ­ Jerusalem. Or. Eisendrath noted that ing sixteen members of rhe CCAR, led plans for rabbinic leadership, provided by Drs. Eisendrarh of the Union, Glueck through rhe American Committee, were of the Collcge-lnstimte, and ,\!rs. Dals­ being crystall izcd. hcimer and Miss Jane Evans of the The paucity of rabbis and teachers Sisterhoods. Dr. Joseph Rauch of Louis­ for the hundreds of thousands of Jews ville was the on ly delegate besides Miss who intend to remain in Europe was a Monragu who has been at every Con­ problem which had top priority at the ference since rhc first in 1926. Always Conference. vVirh funds supplied through rich in rabbinic leadership, this Con­ the Claims Conference and the JDC, a ference was notable bcc1use of the modest beginning will be made chis fall, presence and participation of consecrated with the establishment of a Seminary,

48 49

The lntcrnacional Inscitute for Jewish Chicago. The following election and Studies in Paris. The Institute will pro­ appointments took place: vide bi-lingual training (French and the The Hon. Lily H. Montagu, O.B.E., language of the student) and Rabbi J.P. (London, England), President; Rev. Zaoui of Paris will be in charge. (The Dr. B. R. Brickner (Cleveland, U.S.), plans read much li ke those in Cincinnati Rev. Dr. M. N. Eisendrath (New York, in 187 5 !) . vVith a distinguished visiting U.S.), Rev. Dr. Nelson Glueck (Cin­ faculry recruited from the Hebrew cinnati, U.S.), Sir B. L. Q. H enriques, University, men on leave, and scholars C.B.E., J.P. (London, England), Mr. J. in exile, a significant scare is being Taft (Melbourne, Australia), Rabbi Dr. made. M. C. Weiler (Johannesburg, S. Africa), An illuminated scroll resolution was Vice-Presidents. presented to Rabbi \Vice for his ten It now remains for our American years service on behalf of the \Vorld colleagues who understand the scope of Union. He was succeeded by Rabbi work and the yet unfinished tasks to Ferdinand M. lsserman of St. Louis. rally co the support of this organization, Maurice Jacobs, as American treasurer, which is the projection of our movement was succeeded by Mr. J. S. Ackerman of on the world scene.

A MISSION TO FRENCH NORTH AFRICA

(Co11ti1111cd frum page 8) the Jewish Agency, and [ have been group will arrive from North Africa. ralking about chis daily. Homes and equipment await them. They August 25. In a few days I will be can stare on life's enterprises without leaving for New York. Today visited delay. The turning of dead acres into Kiryat Gat in the Lachish area. Kiryat thriving settlements in record time Gat will become the cencral processing makes the Lachish development one of town for such industrial crops as Israel's most thrilling accomplishmenrs. cotton, sugar and peanuts. Once a gap Kiryat Gae, today, is Recked with a between Gaza and a group of settlements few shacks, a railroad spur and an north and south of some 2 3 miles, this unfinished road. Tomorrow chis area corridor had to be closed. Now in will be turned into a city. Those of us Lachish there arc 40 scrtlcmcnts, 1 7 ,ooo who sec the unfinished city as a link in a irrigated :1cres, 2,900 farmer families, long chain of events that bespeak the mainly North African Jews. In Lachish survival and welfare of the Jew, know new settlements can be seen going up only coo well that without our assistance before one's eyes, men working on the process of turning death into life roads and telephone lines, on houses and and sorrow inro joy will be seriously irrigation projects. Tomorrow a new impeded. An Announcement TH E F O UND I NG OF A NEW SEM I NA R Y

F O R THE TR AIN I NG OF RA B B I S F O R

T H E LIB ERAL M I N I S TR Y

Tl!r jfJ111Jding of 11 new Seminary for the training of rabbis for the Libcml 111i11istr:)' has bren formally announced. The school is to be known as the Academy for Librml Judaism and is to have its official i111111g11mtion on NO'l1ember 16th. The fo/JO'Wi11g statement concerning the org11niz.t1titm of the Se111i1111ry has bem prepared by its leadership. EnnoR.

An Academy for Liberal Judaism has been established in New York City, with head­ quarters at 7 \Nest 83rd Street. lrs purpose: is to make possible rhc training and ordina­ tion of Liberal Rabbis in a full four-year post-graduate course ... The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Academy for Liberal Judaism is Mr. Jacob S. Manheimer, former President of Congregation Rodeph Sholom ... Mr. Ira Frank, President of the Free Synagogue, New York, is Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee. Rabbi I .ouis I. Newman of Congregarion Rodeph Sholom is Director of the new Academy, and Rabbi David Neiman of the Community Reform Temple, Brooklyn, is its Secrerary. An Advisory Committee of fifty is being named. The Faculty of the Academy will inelludc a group of visiting professors and in­ structors. This year the Faculty will be composed of the following: Professor Cyrus H. Gordon of Drospie College, Philadelphia, who will lecture on Biblical Civilization; Professor Eugen Kullmann of the New School for Social Research, on "The Philosophy of Judah ha-Levi"; Professor Schoffman of Brooklyn College on "Modern Hebrew Language and Literature"; Dr. Shimeon Bernstein, Visiting lecrurer, Dropsie College, on "Ethical Documents of Medieval l lebrew Literature"; Professor Moses Hadas of Columbia University on "The Hellenistic Experience in Judaism"; Rabbi Edward E. Klein of the Free Synagogue who will conduct a "\Vorkshop in Practical Rabbinics"; Dr. David Neiman on Bible and Mishnaic texts; Cantor Gunter H irschberg of Con­ gregation Rodeph Sholom, who will teach Music and Liturgy; Professor Elizabeth F. L. Stem of the Department of Speech and D1ramarics, Hunter College on "Platform De- !;o 51

pornnent and Audience Relationship with Attention to Voice and Speech"; Mr. John Hezekiah Levy, formerly of the University of California, on " Public Speaking in its Major Aspects"; Rabbi Louis L. Newman on "Homiletics"; Mr. Max Feder, Former President of the National Association of Temple Secretaries on "Synagogue Adminis­ tration." The Professor of Talmudic Litcr:arurc and ocher members of che staff of the Academy will he announced later. Two groups of students - one pre-Rabbinic and the other the graduate Rabbinic candidates - will begin their classroom a:nd tutorial work in early November. The inauguration of the Academy will be signalized by a ceremonial occasion in November, to which the public will be invited.

MARTIN BUBER AND JUD.-\ ISJ\f

(Continued from page 18)

The Torah includes laws, yet it is not than ever. In this breaking-up of the essentially law but God's instruction in nation and faith the purpose of becoming His way. "A vestige of the acrual a holy nation, of making real the king­ speaking always adheres to the com­ ship of God, is repudiated. Reform manding word, the directing voice is Judaism tends to look on Judaism as a always present or at least its sound is religious creed, Conservative Judaism heard fading away." The conception of rends co look on it as a "civilization," the law as an objective possession of and Orthodox Judaism as a sec of reli­ Israel constantly tends ro supplant the gious laws. Zionists tend co look on vital contact with the ever-living revela­ Judaism as a national destiny and per­ tion and instruction. The struggle against haps also as a culture but not as a people this tendency runs through the whole embodying an essential refationship to history of Israelite-Jewish faith - from God in the life of the community. The the prophet's protest against sacrifice only remedy for this splitting-apart of without inner intention and the Phari­ nation and faith, writes Buber, is a great sees' protest against the 'tinged-ones' renewal of the national faith through a whose inwardness is a pretence up till decision in the soul of the individual Jew. its peculiarly modern form in Hasidism, "The cask of becoming a holy nation in which every action gains validity only must set itself in a new situation and a by a specific devotion or the whole man new form suitable to it." Until this turning immediately to God. new form becomes a reality, it is on the Today, writes Buber, " Israel and the individuals who are regcncraccd in rhe principle of its being have come apart." crisis and who maintain themselves in Despite Israel's national home and its mw11nh char the cask will fall "of freedom to realize itself, the rift' be­ sustaining the living substance of faith tween the people and the faith is wider through the darkness." NOTES ON OUR CONTRIBUTORS

BARNE11RosEaTBR1c1MAN (JlR '++), has Dr. Friedman is author of the book recently assumed the position of Exec­ Martin Buber: The Life of Dialogue, utive Director of rhe United Jewish published in England and America in Appeal Organization. As one of his first 19 5 5 - the first comprehensive and sys­ official acts, he spent six weeks visiting tematic study of Marrin Buber's thought. the Jewish communities of North Africa He is also the translaror of most of the and Israel. Formerly spiritual leader of essays in Buber's Eclipse of God and of Temple Emanu-el B'ne Jeshurun in Mil­ Buber's The Legend of the Baal-Shem waukee, Rabbi Friedman planned his (f:la sidjc stories). Friedman's most re­ tour in order co familiarize himself with cent work, Poi11ti11g The Way, Collected the overseas problems facing UJA lead­ Essays, is due to appear shortly. ers daily. Rabbi Friedman's visit to North Africa preceded the French-Arab vi­ l sRAEL J. GERBER, spi rirual leader of olence which broke out in August. Such Temple Emanu-E I, Dothan, Alabama, violence this year has resulted in the is a member of the American Psycho­ death of 1 1 Jews, the wounding of scores, logical Association and a former member the burning and pillaging of Jewish of the Board of Governors of the Insti­ schools and the destruction of houses, tute of Pastoral Care. He is the author shops and goods. The political tension as of the Psychology of the Sujfering Mind, well as the economic boycott has caused a psychological interpretation of the severe dislocation among Morocco's .Book of Job, and Alan on A Pendulum, Jews. We believe these excerpts, deal­ a case study of a homo-sexual which will ing largely with the Jews of North appear soon. He has written many 52 articles on the Rabbi and the Suffering College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Patient. and is a Department F.ditor of the Conference fournaJ. NAHUM N. GLATZEi~, Associate Profes­ sor of Jewish History, Brandeis Univer­ EuGENE M1HALY (HUC '49), Associate sity, is the author of an Anthology of Professor of Rabbinics, Hebrew Union Postbiblical Literature ( 19 3 1), Philosophy College, is the author of The Philosophy of History of the Tl1'lmaim ( 19 33), md Theology of Isaac Abravanel, Mai­ Maimonides Said (1941), Kitzur To/doth monides and Spinoza on Prophecy. He is a Yisrael, A short history of Israel in frequent contributor to learned and

Talmudic and Geonic times, 70-10401 scientific periodicals. Articles published (1943), In Time trnd Etnnity, a Jewish recently are: "The Jewish Principles of Reader ( 1946), The Ltrnguage of Faith Faith," "Aspects of Existentialism," (1947), H@rmer rm the Rock: A Short "The Jewish View of Marriage," "Re­ Midr11Sh Reader ( 1948), Frmz Rosen­ form Judaism and Halacha," "Some zweig: Life 11T1d Thought (1952). Dr. Contemporary Trends in Theology." Glatzer is chiefeditor of Schocken Books and a contributing editor of Judaism. ALBERT G. MtNDA (HUC '19), is Rabbi He has served on the faculty of Yeshiva of Temple Israel, Minneapolis, Minne­ University and the University of sota. He is the author of the manual, Frankfort. Ministering to Religious Needs of Jewish Patients, and co-author of Tm Commttnd- RonERT L. KATZ (HUC '43), is Director 111ents for Modern Living. of Admissions and Field Work at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute fay E. PrLCHIK (HUC '39), is Rabbi of of Religion in Cincinnati. In addition, Temple B'nai Jeshurun, Newark, New Dr. Katz serves as coordinator of the Jersey. He is a Department Editor of the HUC Department of Human Relations Journal of the Central Conference of on the Cincinnati campus. American Rabbis and author of Hillel (The Book Against the Sword). HENRY D. LEDERER, Associate Profes­ sor of Psychiatry, University of Denver, HIRAM B. WE1ss, active community Executive Director of the Central Psy­ leader, past chairman of the Board of chiatric Clinic of Cincinnati is the author Governors of the Hebrew Union Col­ of the monograph, How the Sick View lege, is Instructor in Medicine, Medical their World. School, University of Cincinnati.

ALBERT M. LEwts (HUC '39), is the DAVID H. WtcE (HUC '33), is Rabbi of spiritual leader of Temple Isaiah Israel, Congregation Rodeph Shalom of Phila­ Los Angeles, California. He serves as an delphia. He has served as the American instructor in Bible and History at the Director for the World Union for Pro­ California School of Hebrew Union gressive Judaism for the past ten years.