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COMMENTARIES
B\ Rnhhi HARRY J. STERN, of Montreal, Associate Contributing Editor
"WHY I AM A JEW"
A little volume has reached mv desk entitled�"Why I am a Jew". The author�Kdmond Fleg, is one of the great sons of French Jewry, who is laboring in the cause of a Jewish renaissance in France. Fleg dedicates this book to his grandson \vho is .not yet born. And in reality, the volume is a narrative of a Jew who once ran away from his people and faith. FOP Fleg, like unto Nordau nnd Herzl, attempted to resign from the Jewish race. He now tells his story how after a study of agnosticism, atheism and other isms�he rediscovered the truth of truths� Judaism. ' It is a wonderful tale of intellectual wrestling and spiriti;al suffering, and convevs a lesson to those who are still naive enough to escape Judaism. Here are some of the reasons Fleg^ives for being a Jew:
"I am a Jew becaitse born of Ismel and having lost it, I felt it revive
within me more alive than I am rmserf.
�
I am a Jew because born of Israel, and having found it again, I would have it live after me even more alive than it is within me.
I am a few because the faith of Israel demands no abdication of
mv mind.
I am a Jew because the faith of Israel asks even- possible sacrifice
of mv soul.
I am a Jew because in all place-* where there are tears and suffering the Jew weeps.
I am i Jew because in every age when tht crv of despair is heard the Jew hopes, ,
I am a Jew hrcmjse thr menage ��f Israel t> the most anciem and
the most modern.
I am a Jew because Israel's promise is a universal promise.
BlACR HORSE
. - . .
I am a few because for Israel the world is not finished; men \vii!
I am a Jew because for Israel man is not yet created; men creating him.
I am a Jew because Israel places Man and his Unity above na and above Israel itself.
I am a Jew because above Man, image of the Divine Unity, I places the unity which is divine."
"Will you accept it, my child? Will you transmit it? Perhaps will want to desert it. Then may it be for a greater truth if ther one. I could not then reproach you. It would be my fault; for I o not have handed h on to you as I received it. But whether you aba it, or whether poa treasure it, Israel will march on unto the end of d
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ELLUL JPJYS
This is the month of Ellul. In the oid Jewish life this month- bn> introspection and reflection. It was a month spent in spiritual preparn far the Yoniin Homina Tbe JadmduaTs speed was therefore less* A halt was called to one's rush after the material. The Jew enr the sanctuary of his soul and sought to be at one with his God. in the old Shul in Ellul were heard the sounds of the Shofar summo the Jew to reach out for the higher He. Who can forget those sefcc' chants that used to be heard during these EHul days: Who of the r
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generation does not remember the rnvsten and majesty of the Ellul in the Ghetto? But today, alas, EHul comes and departs. It seem make Hrrfe impressm Mpen die masses of |<wry~ It is just
in the wall calendar. And when Rosh Hashonah does arrive, at last, few thus finds hnxxself unprepared to frvnvr ks spiritual lessons and plications. Ellul days�bow meaningless these have become for r Jews! Modern life has indeed robbed us of many precious and Jewish institutions. Among these mar be included the EDul dars.
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