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Page 5-THE NEWS-September, 1986 LUBAVITCH OF N. C. Thoughts From The Lubavitcher Rebbe Educating Mankind — The Seven Noacliide Commandments Fundamentals In Jewish Orthodoxy By Rabbi Yossi Groner The seven laws that G-d commanded mankind are found in the beginning of the Torah. They were given to all of mankind and were the guidelines to civilization as we know it today. Maimonides rules in his code of Jewish laws (Kings 8:10): By Divine ordinance, Moshe, our teacher, commanded us to compel all human beings to accept the commandments en joined upon the descendants of Noach. This means that every Jew should encourage the non-Jewish citizens of the world to act in accordance with the Seven Noachide Commandments. In the olden days it would be dangerous to attempt this type of activity. In our genera tion, however, there is no danger in this respect, and it would even increase honor and respect to Jewish people from other nations. They will see that the Jews are concerned with the welfare of all peoples, for the world was formed to be inhabited, which could be achieved only through the Divine plan outlined in the Torah. The result will also be beneficial to Jews, and it will help support Jews in matters of Judaism. In this country there is an additional incentive, since the President has issued a procla mation urging and encourag ing the observance of the Seven Noachide Laws. He has indicated that only in this way can the world remain inhab ited and civilized. When a Jew deals with a non-Jew in business, he should use this opportunity to teach him the Seven Noachide laws. This may be the true reason for their association. This will also lead to the fact that he will receive more respect from the non-Jew and it will pro duce positive results. It is therefore appropriate to express our appreciation to the Government of the United States and to its head, the President, for this procla mation regarding the Seven Noachide Laws. At the same time we must express our gratitude to G-d that our government repre sents a benevolent republic, which extends assistance and aid to the Jewish people in all areas of need, including mat ters of Judaism. Chabad-Lubavitch was also helped by this country’s government. When the previ ous Rebbe was imprisoned in the Soviet Union, the United States intervened and even tually helped gain the release of the Rebbe from that coun try. This set the stage for the continuous expansion of Chabad through the Rebbe to the rest of the world, till Moshiach’s days. Hopefully, our fellow Jews will understand the generous attitude of this benevolent republic and will appeal for, and request, continued help from the government. It is quite sure that they will see even more results. The Presi dent has also issued a govern ment proclamation designat ing the 11th of the month of Nissan as ‘*Education Day — u.s.Ar Since the Laws of Noach are basic and elementary, e.g., not to rob, not to murder, to believe in G-d, etc., it is ob vious that these laws must be taught to children so that they should grow up righteous and good. The foundation and basis of the Seven Noachide Laws is love and brotherhood. Even the (Hebrew) word ’Noach’ in dicates pleasantness and friendliness. In general, educa tion must also be approached with love and cooperation; a child must always be brought close to you with kindness. Consequently, we should improve and adapt the educa tional system in America to properly transmit these prin ciples and values to the next generation. -■■■-•COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY OIIDER««i«iB 50% DISCOUNT AU. DRY CLEANING SHk Not InckidOd Min. 5.00 ORDER AFTER DISCOUNT B-KLEEN CLEANERS & LAUNDRY DtlVE-THtU WINDOWS scAMsrms ON DUTY IWYDAY New Location — 7221 Albemarle Rd. — Now Open BEAUTIFUL SHIRTS-SOUTHEAST CHARLOTTE'S RNEST r.n UTTNnrt •710 m ATIMMM.I. ■ATTNm By Rabbi Yossi Groner The term ’orthodoxy’ was introduced into our vocab ulary in the 19th century by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. Its purpose was to distinguish this group from new branches of Judaism. Some people erroneously believe that the orthodox movement is a rather new branch in Judaism. Actually, I frankly see these labels as devisive rather than distinc tive terms. According to Chabad philos ophy - as described by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad move ment, in his classic work, Tanya (chapter 32) - the rela tionship between Jews is spiritual more than physical. Since each and every Jew is rooted in the essence of G-d, we dare not make a distinction between one Jew and another, for who could measure the spiritual greatness of the par ticular soul belonging to this individual. Rabbi Schneur Zalman, 0. B. M., points out that Jewish souls are compatible and originate from one father. He therefore concludes that the connection and unity amongst Jews is a very rich and profound one, which deepens the meaning of Jewish brotherhood. Once the unity of the Jewish people has been established, we ponder the question of responsibility for one to 2in- ther, which includes the issue of whether or not one can pass judgment on the level of a per son’s observance of the moral and religious law. There is no doubt that one of the cardinal commandments of the Torah is that we should “love thy fellow like yourself.” This is to be applied to every aspect of life, including caring about your fellow’s material and spiritual welfare. At the same time one must remain sensitive to his friend’s situa tion and not to look down at him in any way. Orthodox Judaism stands out in its commitment to the observance of Halachic doc trine. To orthodox Jews there is no doubt to the eternity of the biblical world, and to the sacredness of rabbinic teach ings; they follow the law not only in spirit, but also to the letter. There are some who even go beyond the letter of the law, but this is their choice and privilege. The steadfast commitment to Halacha may lead some to be intolerant of those people who do not observe the rulings of the code of Jewish law. This then becomes a problem, and the solution to this is one of perspective and attitude. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneer- son once said, “it is wrong for one Jew to say the word ‘L- Havdil’ (to separate) when talking about another Jew, no matter on what level the other person is at. Under no cir cumstance is one allowed to pass judgment on a fellow Jew. Chassidic philosophy teaches that each and every one of our people is a precious gem in the eyes of our creator. However, when it comes time to take a stand on a Halachic issue, there is no doubt that those who follow Halachic doctrine must be strong and firm in their com mitment to Halachic ruling. This is to be applied not only in personal matters but in public and communal issues as well. Since we believe in freedom of expression, it is imperative that those who follow Halacha and tradition should be heard and understood. But in no way should this be interpreted as Rabbi M. Schneerson excluding other Jews from the religion. There is no such thing as a first class or second class or third class Jew. The only classification that is found in the Torah is that of a Cohen or Levi or Yisroel, and this was for the purpose of distributing responsibility and property amongst Jews. Every Jew prays in his dai ly service to G-d, “Borcheinu ovinu coolunu k'echod” — “Bless us our father as we are all one.’’ This request is twofold: that we should receive G-d’s blessing and that we should have unity eunongst all Jews. Our rabbis teach that if we achieve the second then we are worthy of the first. Education Day, U.S.A., 1986 By IJm Prwtidml of the Unilad Statm ofAamrica A ProelMBallaa Prom aaiUMt colonial days, AmnicaiM hav« tlwayt known dwt adncatlaa to th« goldbn k*y tkat opans tlia door to achlavamant and pcograii. Thto Admln- latrattoD ha* plaoad ranawed ampharia oo axoallaooa la adocatlao, and aliaat^ tha rtanlu ara encoara|lns. Bjr aatting high ataBdarda wa challanga tha youni to atratch thalr mental muaclaa and atilva to aditava tha boat that la In tham. Such an adncation auccaadt baoauaa It makaa laamlng an advantwa. Education la lika a diamond with many facati: It inchidaa tha baaic maataiy of numbara and lattara that giva o« accoM to tha traaauiy of human knowladga, accumulatad and raHnad throu^ tha agaa; It Indudas tachnlcal and Tooatio^ training u wall u tnitraction in adanoa, higher mathamatica. and human# lattara. But no true aducation can laava out tha moral and iptritual dimanaiaiw of human Ufa and human atriving. Only aducation that addraaaaa thia diman- •ion can laad to that bland of compaaaion, humility, and undaratanding that to (ummad up In ona word; wtadom. “Happy tha man." Scripture talla ua, “who Bnda wiadom. . . . Har waya ara waya ol plaaaantnaaa, ud all bar patha ara paaoa. Sha to a traa of Hfa to thoaa who coma to poaaaaa bar.” Tha Congnaa haa longht to call attantion to thaaa duraUa vahiaa by raaolutiona that pay tribute to tha axampla of Rabbi Manacham Schnaavaon, a man who haa datUcated hto Ufa to tha taarch for wiadom and to guiding othara along Ito pathwaya. Ha axampUtlaa tha rich tradltlaa of the Seven Noahida Lawa, which have ben tha lodaatar of tha Lubavitch move ment from ita inception. In teoogniUon of Rabbi Schneenon'i noble achievemanta and in oalatoatlon of hto Mth birthday, tha Congreaa, by Houae Joint Reaolutioa 5B2. haa daaignatad April ao at "Education Day, UAA.” and authorised and raqueeted the Praal- dent to iaaua an apprapriate proclamation In obaervanca of thto event NOW. THEREFORE. L RONALD REAGAN, Preaidant of the United Statet of America, do hereby proclaiai Sunday. April JO, IMS. aa Education Day, and I call upon the peopto of the United Statea, and In particular oar taachan and other educational i^deri. to obaarve ttiat day wim appropriate oeremo- niea and actlvitiaa. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have herwuto aet my hand thto nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and el^ty-eU, and of the Independence of the United Statea of America tha two hundred end tenth. — R USSELUS PHOTOGRAPHY • Studio Near Pinevilla. N. C. • E. ROBIN RUSSELL PORTRAITS WEDDINGS SPECIAL EVENTS COMMERCIAL CALL: 542-9711 DAYS OR EVENINGS [ SHANAH TOVAH ^ TIKOSEVU Rita Cr Irving Mond Darren, J«r«d, Jodi
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1986, edition 1
5
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