Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 1985 — Page 9

Schindler Is Wrong, Patrilineal Descent Abjured

Editor, POST and OPINION: One may stop to wonder “Who appointed Rabbi Schindler ‘Seer and Prophet”’ for the Conservative movement. He writes “In ten years Conservative Judaism will accept patrilineal descent. (P-O, Dec. 5, Page 1) 10 years after we ordained women, they ordained.” Rabbi Schindler surely knows that history is not created with mathematical precision. The decision to permit women to prepare for ordnation at the Jewish Theological Seminary was arrived at independently of the Reform. Rabbi Samuel Silver already pointed out Rabbi Schindler’s error with regard to Bat Mitzvah — its roots are with the Conservative Movement. None of us can foretell the future but this writer believes that Rabbi Schindler will have to wait a long, long time for the acceptance of patrilineal descent in the Conservative Movement. I dare say it will NEVER be accepted. Halacha imposes the matrilineal criteria for a cogent reason. WE ALWAYS KNOW WHO THE MOTHER

IS! Paternity is difficult to establish beyond the shadow of a doubt. Maternity, on the other hand, cannot be denied! Therefore if the mother is Jewish, the child is too. The decision to allow women to study for ordination is a natural development. In the Conservative movement we established equality for boys and girls in religious education. We introduced Bat Mitzvah for girls which obviously led to aliyot for women — to be ordained as rabbi is only a “next step”. The Seminary was established so that the traditionally minded could be prepared to serve in the American rabbinate. For the traditionally minded women who wish to dedicate themselves to rabbinic studies and service to our people — the Jewish Theological Seminary now has opened its doors. “Both male and female did He create them.” Both men and women will now be ordained as “Rabbi Preacher in Israel.” RABBI BENJAMIN H. ENGLANDER 65 H. Robert Pitt Drive Monsey, NY 10952

Christian Assures Jews Of Their Love

Dear, dear precious friends: When I recently read of that horrible religious cult in Idaho that calls itself Christian, I realized you might believe that all Christians are like that. Please believe me, we aren’t! And we want nothing to do with their satanic philosophy! They made up a Jesus that is neither real, nor close to being real! (Because) Jesus was a Jew, and did not promote one kind of people as being better than another! And he didn’t teach death and destruction. Have you ever read a true story called “The Hiding Place"

by Corrie Ten Boom who was a Christian in Holland? She and her family helped many Jews during World War II. And they (she and her family) were sent to a concentration camp. She was a real honest-to-goodness Christian. She died recently in America. Her family dearly loved the Jews!! There were — and are — many Christians (genuine Christians) like her. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (and Jesus) bless you greatly in 1985. MRS. DONPEARMAN 1626 N. E. Jacobson Roseburg, OR 97470

Butchered Twins To Meet

(Continued From Prev. Page) Death March. We are asking you to light a candle in Auschwitz for $100, or give what-

ever you can.

We would like to thank the following people who have contributed to CANDLES. Topping the list in four figures are: Hart and Simona Hasten, Indianapolis, and David and Shirlee Levin, Terre Haute, IN. Other generous contributors are: Werner Loewenstein, M.D., Alane Meis, Bobbie Weinbaum, Arthur Justin, Rose Goodman, Walter and Louise Sommers, all from Terre Haute; Michael and Gloria Goldman, Tucson, AR; Peter and Diane Shrager, Rochester, NY; Peter Somogyi, Pleasantville, NY; Rex Ratliff, Bur-

dine, KY; Dr. Daniel J. Geller, El Paso, TX; Richard Whitney, Peoria, IL; William Mr. Reeves, Ft. Bragg, N.C.; James Asher, Eugene, OR; Barbara Waldie, Richardson, TX; Judy Zaretsky, Edison, N.J.; Dennis Smith, Jamestown, N.D.; Irving Kallman, Las Cruces, N.M.; Faye Mozes, Allentown, PA; Bruce Gould, Seattle, WA; Louis and Jeannine Smock, Long Beach, CA; and Karen Cunningham, Topeka, KS; Fried Grob, Teaneck, N.J.; Sharon Waller, Warrenton, MO; and Zoltan and Gisela Weisz, Indianapolis. Please mail your tax deductible contributions to CANDLES, 24 W. Lawrin Blvd. Terre Haute, IN 47803. EVA KOR

Why Cannot Halachic Disputes Be Solved?

Editor, POST and OPINION: I follow with much attention the writings of Y. Etzion, especially his halachic arguments. Referring to his discussion with Rabbi Bardekoff, I would appreciate if Mr. Etzion would elaborate in greater detail and length and eventually provide further information and enlightenment on two points that sometimes irritate me and maybe others too. I know I will be told and most probably with some justification that I’m an “am haaretz,” I’m ignorant, illiterate. I do not deny. There is no limit to knowleoge. rne desire to know is burning in me and that’s why I do ask. Mr. Etzion surely has the answer.

My question is: The Talmud is full with debates and arguments. “Nimnu Vegamru” is an often used expression in Talmud. They put questions to a vote. In other words, there were changes made. The Great ones argued and discussed until they came to conclusion. Why is this procedure not possible in our difficult times. Why couldn’t “Gedole Yisrael” of today come together and have the power to make changes like “Gedole Yisrael” of the past, in ancient times, in “zeman haTalmud” in all sort of historical periods, as we can see in our variety classical literature. Why Mr. Etzion? Why the rigidity? Why should

minorities dictate the road to follow? I do not specify subjects. There are many in bitter dispute. I surely do not take a stand on any. My windows could be broken for writing this letter too. To some it will already be considered as “apikorsus,” as out of the main road, out of good manners and politeness. Handle it, Mr. Etzion, the ball is in your comer. I’m Orthodox and upset. I’m disturbed by the many discords, divisions and dissentions in all our religious factions. Explain, Mr. Etzion. You might help the many confused. Shalom, RABBI DOV RAPAPORT 516 Clubhouse Rd. Woodmere, N.Y. 11598

Orthodox United In Opposition To Kahane

Editor, POST and OPINION: David Blatt implies in his letter (P-O, Dec. 19) that Oz Veshalom and Netivot Shalom supporters are the only Orthodox Jews who strongly oppose Rabbi Meir Kahane’s views. I am Orthodox and an ardent supporter of Gush Emunim, and I, too, like Blatt, find Kahane’s views and actions abhorrent. So do my children, living in settlements in Judea and Samaria — one in a Gush Emunim settlement — or otherwise ardent supporters of Gush Emunim. So do the overwhelming majority I know living in those settlements and the overwhelming majority of Gush Emunim and other Orthodox people I know. Indeed, I, like them, regard Meir Kahane as the greatest menace to the ideas he claims to represent, the greatest menace to Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, to Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael. If he has his way, he will achieve what the Arabs alone cannot achieve, what the likes of Abba Eban and Yossi Sarid alone cannot achieve. Furthermore, Blatt should not weep about Oz Veshalom’s allegedly being “often ignored” by the press. Oz Veshalom and Netivot shalom spokesmen are learning the public relations game and are getting increasing press attention both in Israel and abroad, posing as the “true voice” of Torah Judaism while presenting Meir Kahane and his ilk as the other voice. Really being ignored by the press are the overwhelming majority of settlers in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza District who are living peacefully with Arab neighbors and making efforts to build a life there that will bring naches and prosperity to themselves and their neighbors. Kahane’s antics get plenty. The antics of all the self-proclaimed peace spokesmen — the people of Peace Now, Oz Veshalom and Netivot Shalom, and

others — also get plenty of publicity. An act of violence by an Orthodox resident of Hebron or Petah Tikva gets plenty of publicity. But nothing is reported of the numerous encounters between Jewish (including Gush Emunim people) and Arab residents of Judea and Samaria aimed at fostering good-neighborly relations. Why not? Because too many people in the news media don’t want such relations to develop, because if the Jews and Arabs did succeed in getting along and word got around, that would smooth the way for Jews to continue living, and in increasing

Editor, POST and OPINION: This is in response of the recent condemnations in your paper about Rabbi Kahane. Since your paper is read by all the segments of the Jewish population, therefore it would be fair for your subscribers to know objectively about Rabbie Kahane. It is known that Rabbi Kahane is a prolific writer and speaker with a number of followers. He is a dedicated man who hardly makes a livelihood, because he devotes all of his time for the welfare of the Jewish people. Rabbi Kahane is a man of vision like his predecessor, Zev Zabotinsky who advocated in the 1930s establishment of a Jewish state. Zabotinsky, in his days, was excommunicated by the Jewish establishment for his ideas. At this time Rabbi Kahane wants to protect the Jewish state, so it will not be taken

numbers, in Judea and Samaria, and Yasir Arafat, Meir Kahane, Yossi Sarid, Abba Eban and many others would be proven liars or false prophets. So one may oppose Kahane and others of his ilk without joining Oz Veshalom. As a matter of fact, you will probably do more to defeat Kahane by supporting Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria in general and the mainstream of Gush Emunim in particular. MOSHE KOHN P.O. Box9275 Jerusalem (now visiting in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)

over by the Arabs. He stated “What do the Jewish people want to have a Jewish state or having the Arabs living among them. Because if we are going to have the Arabs stay in Israel they multiply very rapidly, they will become a majority and by democratic means they will take over the government. Even now that the Arabs are in the minority, they proclaim to throw the Jews into the sea. ’ ’ If we look in the past at the way they have treated their Jews we can take them at their word. Actually there should be an exchange of the population, because all the Jews were driven out from the Arab countries and their possessions taken away from them. An exchange of population has been taking place in India, Pakistan, Poland, Germany, Russia, etc. The more (Continued On Next Page)

Freedom of the Press

AM letters to the editor should be addressed to the Jewish Post and Opinion, P O Box 449097. Indianapolis, IN 46202 The letters should be typed and should be concise Anonymous letters will not be printed No letters will be returned Short letters get preference.

Rabbi Kahane Deserves Praise

Page 11 Jewish Post end Opinion January 2, 1985