The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, September 17, 1976 - Page 9
the torah
'It almost
pays to be
a sinner...
By RABBI MEIR GOTTESMAN
Panhat Neetzavlm-Vayelech/Sellchot 5 HanisUuos la'Hashem Elokaynn... The secret things belong into the L—rd...
You can't be a long-distance swimmer in a mikyah — a Jeyv who boasts about his holiness is all wet...
When a child was bora to the saintly Zemach Zedeck of Lubavjtch, the father named him Samuel. At the meal after the bris, a Chassid
' whispered confidentially — "there's no one in
' your family named Samuel... Perhaps you named him after the Prophet Samuel?'' The rebbe shook his head. "No. I named him after a waiter-carrier
^ in Plotzk..."
No one has a hold on G—d's beard. When you
"■ think you're the Six Million Dollar Jew you haven't started Alef. Imagine...G—d taught the Jews
— 'io ba'shomayim bee..;don't worry, Torah is not in the heavens..." The Jews shrugged — "it
, doesn't bother us even if it is up there we could take a Phantom jet and grab it down..."
But Moses explained — "1 don't just mean the stratosphere..; When a Jew thinks that he's heavenly, he's such a good Jew that he sighs whenever he passes a mirror — then that's not
^ Torah, just a hot air balloon... Even the best of us
- have a long way to go..," (Menahem Mendel of
; Kotzk)
^ Every J^w must be a race-driver, pressing closer to G—d. But it's tough^ how can you drive with an ice-cold Engine? How can a Jew do Teshuva if his heart is frozen, estranged from G—d and mitzvahs? You have to jump in feet first... Imagine...the Almighty promised — "these things I teach you are close, b*feeciia u'vUvavcha — in yoiir mouth and in your heart..." But it's strange — what is this, a tooth-paste commercial? Why mix in mouth?
Ah, but it teaches...sometimes every Jew feels dead about serving G—d, It doesn't turn him on. How can l\e find his way back? By doing first, and then thinking later... Start with your mouth, re-' citing a prayer, reading a verse from the Bible, ^J lifting your feet to walk to shul, and then, ^ presto!...G—d promises the act itself will wake ^ up your heart to feel joy... (Sifsai Tzadik)
It almost pays to sin. just for the privilege of being able to repent...
Yoij,i»ave to make the best of every situation... A fire broke out in a little village; and everyone ran to help, even the rabbi. After the fire was out, he exclaimed —- it was a miracle from heaven!" "What's the miracle?" the town-people asked. ' 'Well, if it weren't for the flames of the fire, how , would we ever see to put them out?"
What can be worse than the soul whose lights are but? The Ribono shel 01am warned — "Anocbee hastalr asteer paony Iwill hide... hide...my face..." Since when does G—d stutter
— why the double talk?,
' But it shows...sometimes a Jew messes up and does an avairoh — G—d hides from him — but at least the person knows he did wrong. But if he's not careful, a Jew can fall so far that he doeisn't even realize he's doing anything wrong, or that G—d is in hiding. Uch un vay! It's a hiding within
, a hiding — but even there. G—d waits... (Baal
■■ Shem Tov)
A congregant teased a rabbi — "Why do you give the same sermon eyety year?"
"Why do you do the same sins every year?" he answered.
May vve have a year of sunshine. Shabbat Shalom. . .
■ . '
» Please note Sparks from the Torah TV schedule: Metro s Cable, alternately Tuesday at 8 and Mondays at 9;
Keeble Cable. Thursdays at 9:30: York Cable, Tues-■y days at 8.
CONG REGATI ON HABONIM
COMPLETE CATERING AND/OR HALL RENTAL FOR ALL YOUR SIMCHAS ENJOY OUR HUNGARIAN SPECIALTIES OR TREAT YOUR FRIENDS TO YOUR OWN COOKING
Let Esther help you plan your party 248-2905 485-6774 12 Hollaman Rd., Bathurst & Glencairri
COMPTROLLER
Required by Jewish Organization with head office in Montreal.
Candidate will haveLJcnowledge of all facets of accounting and finance and flair for administration.
Applicant should have a minimum of a B.Comm. or R.I.A, or equivalent, and sever.al years experience. Knowledge of French an asset. This presents the offer of a challenging career'
Forward "resume, stating present salary
■'to: ,.■
Box 4566, The Canadian Jewish News, 22 Balliol Street, Suite 15, Toronto, Ont.
rwsici.
Applications held in strictest confidence.
TORONTO —
Inspiration and example were in abundant s u j) p 1 y at the official launching of Toronto Had-assah's 1976 Israel Bond drive last week.
A record attendance of chapter presidents and Bond chairmen gathered to hear an address by best-selling author and broadcaster Charles Tem-pleton, and to applaud the achievements of veteran overall Bond chairmen, Leona Finkler and Tillie Goldberg.
The meeting was held . at the home of Debby Alter, herself a former overall Bond chairman and executive member of the Toronto women's division.
"You almost have to believe in miracles to believe in Israel." Tem-pleton declared. "The state itself is a miracle, and it will take people with all the commitment in the world to seethe, dream survive because there are hard days ahead."
In an emotional blend of the personal view and the political outlook of an observer of world events. Templeton deplored the opportunism of the international community, dol-
iLeo Hausman photo)
Among those in attendance at Bonds Hadassah meeting were (from left). Roz Mendelson. Charles Templeton. Leona Finkier, Norine Daniels, Ruhama Goldstein and Tillie Goldberg. Israel Solidarity Awards were presented at affair.
lar diplomacy, and the power of the third World at the UN. but declared that "this is the way nations have always been, and Israel must make it without friends, if she has to.
"It is very demanding to be a Jew;" he acknowledged. "The way you do a big thing is by doing a small thing first, taking the first step. This is one
thing you can do to help Israel — buy an Israel Bond."
Templeton was in Israel very recently to do re-
search for a new book he is working on, part of which has Israel as its locale.
CHRISTIAN-JEWISH DIALOGUE OF TORONTO
Extends best wishes for the Holiday to all Its friends In the Jewish Community.
Rev. Peter Gilbert - Director
unr^n nmto nw"? PNineer wMieii
TORONTO COUNCIL
send love and good wishes for the New Year from the Jewish community of Toronto to the children of Israel
Pioneer Women offer a sense of fulfillment to today's woman. You are invited to join us. 636-5425 or 636-7784
TORONTO BOARD OF EDUCATION
OVER 600 COURSES
7.1
PHONE 362-4931 Ext. 224 'n^o'/nation
Brochure.
A Major Histadrut Project in Israel
Medical Centre in Ramat Gan to bear name of Sam Rapp
Will conduct services
at the Farband Congregation
Cantor Abraham Want-roff will officiate at the Farbarid Congregation, 14 Viewmount Ave., for the coming High Holy Days. This will mark Cantor Wanlroff's 15th year as cantor of the Farband Congregation. '
Cantor Wantroff has a distinguished record for cahtorial service to the community in various aspects of his musical, cultural and religious life.
K UNIQUE m FOfl HELATfVES, TKIENDS,BUSINES5 A$)CQMB
FOK. OU«( SCHOOLS
5fty IT VITH HONty
ISlUai BLOSSOM HONHV
for a iwwt Kew ^fci^r-V
Tht Day Sclxjols of Toronto offer you a tasWul pwcluctfwm the JL«Kt) CP* HiU^ rtH^ MOKt^
ORI^ER E(iKl)'! OnK, ^5/^
Phone one of these participating school depots: .Associated. 225-2667; Bialik. 221 ■ 4992; Community Hebrew Academy. 63S.8478; Eitz Chaim, 63S-8781; Leo Baeck, 445-7788; Ulpanot Orot; 783-6624;. United Synagogue Day School, 787-8484. AFFILIATED WITH THE BO.A.RD OF JEWISH EDUCATION
NER ISRAEL YESHIVA COLLEGE OF TORONTO
THE ROSH YESHIVA SHLITA, HANALAH, THE RABBONIM AND STUDENTS OF NER ISRAEL YESHIVA COLLEGE OF TORONTO '
EXTEND BEST WISHES TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR A HAPPY-AND KOSHER NEW YEAR.
■ /
uriDn naiD mK^"?
625 FINCH AVENUEJ(>^EST,WILL0WPALE 636-2361
PLEASE SET ASIDE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH FOR THE 17TH ANNUAL ' NER ISRAEL YESHIV^ BANQUEt. THIS YEAR'S HONOREE: REB. HERSCHEL RUBENSTEIN.
Another link in the chain that binds Toronto with social services in Israel will be a medical clinic at Ramat Gan to be dedicated in the name of Samuel Rapp. This will be a gift to the people of Israel by Mr. Rapp, a local businessman and long-time resident of Toronto, who has been actively and successfully engaged in the construction industry for the past 15 years.
The decision to help build a medical centre in Israel is a source of deep gratification to Mr, Rapp. For many years it has been his inmost aspiration to make some vital and significant contribution to the people of Israel, a contribution that will lighten their burden and add health and vitality to the generation that is building and defending Israel today — as well as to the generations of tomorrow.
The Samuel Rapp Medical Centre.' built through Kiipat Holim of Histadrut,will serve several thousand families in; the Ramat Gan" area. More than two million men, women and children belong to Kupat Hblim and depend upon its health centres,, clinics and hospitals for all their medical needs. More than one thousand Kupat Holim medical clinics are scattered throughout the length and breadth of Israel, from the Golan Heights to the remote outposts! in the Negev, in addition to 16 hospitals, nunierous laboratories, physical therapy institutes and deiital clinics.
In this network of health-giving institutions, the Samuel Rapp Medical Centre will take its right-
fu"l place. Situated in a densely populated area wheri; the need for medical facilities is growing daily, it will ease the burden which has fallen on existing facilities — especially since the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Israeli hospitals and medical centres have played a-heroic part in the treatment and rehabilitation of the victims of that war, as they did after the Six Day War. No less essential to the state of Israel than preparedness on the military' front is the provision of adeqiiate medical ser-. vices that can be mobilized in times of attack from its hostile neighbors.
The knowledge that his efforts here in Canada are making possible the establishment of such an institution in IsraeK has given Mr. Rapp a feejing of worthwhile accomplishment.; Especially gratifying for him is also the fact that through this deed he will be honoring the memory of his late beloved wife — a woman of rare qualities who is r(;mem-bered by her family and friends with profound affection and respect.
Sam Rapp came to Toronto from Poland in 1930. He was bom in the small town of Sosnowice and in the first world war fought as a soldier in the Polish Army. After the war he lived for a time! in Germany where he worked as . a printer. Returning to Poland in the 20's he was again mobilized into the armed forces.
Arriving in„Canada just at the beginning of the depression : years, Sam Rapp knew the hard life of an immigrant who faced all the problems of adjustment to a new country in addition to a period of
acute economic difficulties. He obtained work jas a printer at $10 a week. Later he became an organizer for the Pocket-book Makers' Union and eventually started a small business of his own in the manufacture of ladies' sportswear. In 1961 he entered the construction, business in partnership with Max Moneta, who has remained his business associate up to the present day.
For many years a member of the Workmen's Circle, Mr. Rapp has actively supported many community causes both here in Canadia and in Israel.
The medical centre at Ramat Gan will perpetuate the name of Samuel Rapp and his beloved lifelong partner, Tonya, who died just one year ago. It is a gift of life — "chaim" — for it will add health and strength to the lives of Israeli men and women of all ages — the brave men and women of the kibbutzim, of the mosha-vim and the towns who are ever ready to give their all for theirs and our beloved state of Israel.
The Histadrut Campaign of Toronto, through whose facilities this contribution is being made, is pleased to add the Samuel Rapp Medical Centre to the many vitally impor-; tant institutions already established in the Jewish Homeland with the co-operation of the Histadrut in Israel.
Sam Rapp
Sam Rapp Medj^al Centre, Ramat Gan.