The Jewish National Edition Post &Opinion Presenting a broad spectrum of Jewish News and Opinions since 1935. Volume 79, Number 1 • October 3, 2012 • 17 Tishrei 5773 www.jewishpostopinion.com ChagChag Sukkot Sukkot Sameach Sameach Cover art “Sukkoth, praying by the Kotel”by Alex Levin (see full painting and About the Cover, p.3). 2 The Jewish Post & Opinion October 3, 2012 Editorial Chassidic Rabbi Inside this Issue BY RABBI BENZION COHEN Editorial.....................................................2 Below is my editorial from six years ago Rabbi Benzion Cohen at this time of year. My father, Gabriel Cohen One of my readers took issue with the (Chassidic Rabbi).....................................2 (1908–2007), founder of this newspaper, died negative picture I painted of my secular About the Cover ......................................3 the following spring and that was the last upbringing. He feels that some secular Rabbi Sasso’s new book reviewed ......3 year I had my own sukkah. I miss him and people are good and ethical and some Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso .........4 although it is great fun to visit some of the religious people are not. Rabbi Avi Shafran sukkahs around town, I miss having my own. Chassidism teaches that each of us has (An Observant Eye) ................................4 As I type this editorial on my keyboard, good and evil. Our good side tries to make Amy Hirshberg Lederman I am merely feet away from my rainbow us good, and our evil side tempts us to do (Jewish Educator) ....................................5 sukkah (see photo p.20). If it weren’t too wrong. When I lived a secular life the most Rabbi Irwin Wiener much trouble to move my computer, I important thing was to have a good time. (Wiener’s Wisdom)..................................5 would be typing on the table inside of it. I spent all my time and energy looking for Melinda Ribner Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur felt to me and dreaming about having a good time, (Kabbalah of the Month) .........................6 like 40 years of wandering in the desert, but rarely experienced it. However, I Rabbi Moshe ben Asher and and now joy comes from being able to sit considered myself to be a good person. Magidah Khulda bat Sarah in the sukkah, inhaling the fresh, crisp air There were some nasty things going on (Gather the People)..................................7 of autumn. around me that I never participated in. So Howard Karsh Feeling the gentle wind on my face, it is indeed possible to be secular and good. (Jewish America) .....................................8 watching the bright yellow leaves as they But can you be secular and lead a happy Jim Shipley swirl off the branches to the ground, and and wonderful life? I did not succeed. (Shipley Speaks) ......................................8 hearing the crunching of dry leaves as my Now the most important thing in my Dr. Miriam Zimmerman neighbors walk on the sidewalk past the life is to do good. I discovered Lubavitch (Holocaust Educator) ..............................9 front of the house are all reminders of this and learned how to have a real good time, Sybil Kaplan season. Smelling the sweet aroma of the almost 24 hours a day. I enjoy the daily (Seen on the Israel Scene)......................10 etrog and luluv as I shake it in all four prayers, learning Torah, and bringing love Irene Backalenick directions then up and down help me and happiness to as many people as I can. (Jewish Theater).....................................11 appreciate the bounty of the harvest – apples, However, my evil side often ambushes Ted Roberts corn, and pumpkins that grow locally. me. When I pray, he sends me all kinds of (Spoonful of Humor) .............................12 We had no sukkah at my house when I interesting thoughts to take my mind off Henya Chaiet was growing up. My first memory of this of the words that I am saying. If things are (Yiddish for Everyday) ..........................12 ritual is from years ago at the local JEA not going my way, he can sometimes get Morton Gold (Jewish Educational Association), the me upset or angry. These are not good (As I Heard It).......................................13 Hebrew school I attended after school, feelings. I am doing much better, but there Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel three days a week. I also have fond is room for improvement. So even though (Media Watch).......................................15 memories of the sukkah that students I am religious I still do wrong. But basically Rabbi Israel Zoberman erected in front of the Hillel House at I lead a good and happy life. (Book Review)........................................16 Indiana University in Bloomington. What about people who consider Julie Bloom This year I was able to finish building themselves secular, and yet they try to be (Book Review)........................................16 my sukkah early, before sunset, even loving and helpful to all people? This is a Dr. Morton I. Teicher amidst several interruptions such as a step in the right direction. In fact, I would (Book Reviews) ......................................17 long-distance phone call from a rabbi in not consider such a person secular at all. Sybil Kaplan New York who wanted to put in a good To love your neighbor is one of the most (My Kosher Kitchen).............................18 word about an employee, and running important mitzvahs in the Torah. Hillel the On This Day in Jewish History..........18 back and forth to my father’s bedroom Elder, one of our greatest sages, said about Batya Medad every 15 minutes when he called wanting this commandment: “This is the whole (Musings from Shiloh) ..........................20 to know what was going on. Then we ran Torah, whilst the rest is but commentary”. out of duct tape, which I was using to Why is this mitzvah so important and The Jewish strengthen some of the joints. With the central? Why are all of the other 612 help of only one other person, we (see Benzion, page 3) Post &Opinion accomplished the job in about four hours. This sukkah is made with PVC pipes j i 1427 W. 86th St. #228 and sides of 42-inch panels of cloth, each home of the then rabbi of Hillel at San Indianapolis, IN 46260 a different color. About 10 years ago, I Francisco State University, Dan Dorfman. email: [email protected] bought bright-colored fabric of all the In previous years, different kinds of flying colors in the rainbow and sewed each panel. insects have been attracted to the colorful phone and fax: (317) 405-8084 Then I used three metal eyelets, evenly cloth panels. They seem to like resting on website: www.jewishpostopinion.com spaced across the top so I could secure the them. I don’t mind as long as they don’t panels to the PVC pipe with rope. The think they are ushpizin. Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and s’chach, or roof, is long wooden 2X2 strips For those who don’t remember the David but now sometimes women are placed along the length and width, with word “ushpizin”, (Aramaic for “guests”), included. Last year a movie was produced branches trimmed from the yard on top. they are our seven ancestors who visit us with that same title. (Jennie Cohen 10-11-06) I got the idea for this sukkah after in our sukkah, one per day, during the Chag Sukkot Sameach! seeing a similar one in Berkeley at the holiday. Traditionally they were Abraham, Jennie Cohen, October 3, 2012 October 3, 2012 The Jewish Post & Opinion 3 BENZION About the Cover Rabbi Sandy Sasso (continued from page 2) Sukkoth, praying pens another mitzvahs but commentary to this mitzvah? by the Kotel Chassidism explains that by learning charming tale Torah and fulfilling the other mitzvahs we (Oil on canvas 40”x 48”– below) REVIEWED BY SYBIL KAPLAN can come to realize the holiness of life. We by Alex Levin, Art Levin Studio – were all created by the same Father, and www.ArtLevin.com. The Shema in the Mezuzah: Listening to therefore we are all brothers and sisters. Each Other. By Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg We all have a holy and awesome soul. Alex Levin comes from Kiev, the capital Sasso. Jewish Lights, $18.99 hardcover, From here it follows that we should love of Ukraine, where he was born in 1975 October 2012. Illustrated by Joani Keller our neighbors and try to help them. and later attended Art Academy, from Rothenberg. According to secular thought life has no which he graduated with honors. Anyone familiar meaning. How did we come to be alive? with children’s Due to a series of accidents that happened books can be many years ago. Do accidents have any excited when a meaning? According to secular thought, new Rabbi Sandy no. So why help this guy in need? He is Eisenberg Sasso nothing, just an accident. book is published. If you try to love and help your neighbor, She has written you have adopted one of the main 16 children’s books points of Judaism. What comes next? (if my count is Think about how this has improved your correct) and at least five books for adults. life. When you help someone in a loving Based on a 12th century rabbinic debate, way, when you cheer up someone who In 1990 Levin immigrated to Israel, where this charming tale begins with Annie’s is sad, you experience a spiritual pleasure he continues to live in the city of Herzeliya. grandmother who delays baking cookies far superior to all of the physical pleasures. With a most productive and hectic until the mezuzah is put up on the doorpost Spiritual pleasures are also great for schedule, Levin finds additional time to grow of her new house.