The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, March 23, 1973-Page 5
Opinion
Pharisees were not as strict as Israeli archeologist
By ROYSTON ALLEN CJN Israel Correspondent JERUSALEM-
An Israeli archeologist has suggested th£ the Pharisees of Jesus' time were—not a strict as the New Testament makes them out to be.
Prof. Yigal Yadin, professor of archeology at the Hebrew University here, told a gathering of biblical scholars that "the impression one gets from the image of the Pharisees as reflected in the New Testament seems to be incorrect."
The remark was made as the end of a lecture on Prof. Yadin's work dealing with the Dead Sea Scrolls—in particular the Second Temple Scroll.
A Jewiish sect known as the "Essenes," is believed to have written most of the Dead Sea croUs.
The Essenes, who are the authors of this scroll, appeared to be niore extreme than the Pharisees," Prof. Yadin said when interviewed in his home here. "The Pharisees were far less legalistic than was supposed. In effect, they were the most liberal of the sects of the Second Temple rather than the most extreme.
"It is a strange twist of history that it was precisely the Essenes who influenced Christianity more than any other Jewish sect."
He explained that the early Christians-seeking to sever themselves from Mosaic law—were strongly influenced by the Essenes who had also cut themselves off from the, religious establishment in Jerusalem.
Many scholars have linked Jesus Christ's teachings with the group which lived in the wilderness near the northwest corner of the Dead Sea, a very remote but beautiful and inspiring area.
They were a monastic society according to. a number of historians, among them the first century Jewish historian, Flavius Jo-sephus. Jesus is supposed to have spent a great deal of time in the bare rocky sector where the Essenes had their main base— the Qumran section where the Dead Sea crolls were discovered.
Some schools of thought hold that Jesus was a member of their groupd who broke away from the strict discipline to preach and bring the word of God closer to the Jewish people, an act that reportedly did not find favor in the eyes of the Pharisees.
One noted Israeli anthropologist, Prof. Nicu Haas, believes that the Qumran com.-munity was a kibbutz-like commune that included women and children. He based his theory on 11 skeletons dating from the second century A.D. which were found at the Qumran cemetery, 12 miles south of the cave where the Dead Sea scrolls were uncovered 26 years ago.
These remains were of six men, four women and a child. Haas cited them as "con-
clusive proof" that the sect was not the all-male community as previously thought.
Over the centuries the Phariseeshave often been portrayed as "strict guardians of. the Jewish law as they saw it and the Essenes as a less fanatical but nevertheless idealistic group.
Both of these impressions may be incorrect and, as Prof. Yadin remarked, the positions reversed with the Essenes the more fanatical of the two.
The actual references to the Pharisees in
the New Testament, however, refer more to them as hypocrites than fanatical followers of Jewish law. At one point described in Matthew 22:3, Jesus told his disciples and the gathered throng to do what the Pharisees said and not to follow their example for "... they say, and do not/'
Other^oints in the New Testament (in particular Matthew 23:23) refer to the Pharisees and the scribes as hypocrites who got bogged down with the splitting of hairs and who "... omitted the weightier matter of the law, judgment, mercy and faith."
U.S. Phantom plane looms in background ais child accompanies daddy to work.
Each okh recewesinwritimalliritical
information relating to important rights
Dear Editor:
I wish to comment briefly on Royston Allen's letter of last week (March 9). Now, three months after the institution of the latest changes m customs regulations, it is generally agreed that their impact on the rights of ohm from western countries is minor indeed. The article (Jan. 26, 1973) was described by myself as exhibiting "a marked tendency toward exaggeration." In view of his latest effort, my comment becomes an extreme understatement.
In my letter, I pointed out three basic omissions m Allen's article. He commented on only one of them--the least importantr-that dealing with duty free parcels.
Each oleh rieceives, in writing, all critical information relating to his important rights, i;e. housing, mortgage, customs and income tax exemption, foreign currency etc. This communication serves to minimize the information ;gap resulting mainlyand inevitably/ from verbal coinmittnpients..
In light of this fact, and due to existing communication links between Israel and the Jewish community abroad, the claim that "inq,ccurate information is responsible" for the return of many ohm, is outrageously superficial with slanderous implications. AUen should investigate on his own initiative, idiyah motives rather than simply quoting
others. - ___- ■■■/-^ -
' Aliyah is too vital to Israel; too much of a priority to be discredited by sensational journalism on--one'side and "Aunt Minny" arguments (relating to the Londs-jnaschaft business) on the other:
Joshua Bar-El Executive Director Israel Aliyah Centre Ontario Regional Office Toronto, Ontario
Dear Editor:
I note that your Feb. ; 16 issue carried an announcement ' concerning, shortwave broadcasts from Israel to Canada. I have been: monitoring the Israel Broadcasting Authority transmissions over the past ye^F and can offer the following information fpr those plannmg 'to listen to these broad-
casts:'
1. The exact frequencies are 9,645 kilo-hertz, 9,009 khis. and 11,960 khz. A new frequency m the 41 .metre band is 7,225 khz. Since most shortwave receivers are calibrated m kilohertz. rather than metres, this information might prove useful.
2. Reception reports should include a comment on the strength of the signal, whether there is: any flutter, fading, interference from other stations, etc. Also there should be a brief descripition of what was heard. Include the date, time and frequency which was monitored. Your efforts will be rewarded with a post card confirming your reception. Reports should be sent to Israel Broadcasting Overseas Service, Jerusalem.
3. Shortwave listening requires a great deal of patience and practice. If you cannot hear the transmission on one frequency, try another. At present the best frequencies are 9,009 and 9,625 for the night broadcasts. Also because of atmospheric condi-
. tions, you may not be able to hear anything at all for several days or even weeks. When conditions are good, reception may be excellent for several weeks. Don't expect success on your first try.
4. For ttidse interested in transmissions in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian and several other languages, a complete schedule can be obtained from Israel Brbadcastirig.
; A. Horovitch Barnwell, Alta.
Dear Editor:
To my surprise Rabbi W. Gunther-Plaut considers th^ generous^ support the United States_renders to Israelas a liability since, according to him, "a world-wide campaign aimed at undermining the-power and inner : strength of. the U.S. would focus on Israel." -(CJN March 9 ) * -
I. won't try to comment on the numerous observations , and arguments Rabl)i Plant brings up in order to warn the members of his synagogue of future terrible reper-: cussions they would have to suffer in consequence of the connection between the U.S. and Israel; primarily thought I take an excep-:-tionJo the rabbi's assertion that there is a . world<^wide campaign against the US;
Quite, the opposite. United States and President Nixon withL his adviser Dr. Kissinger earned trust and admiration not only with their friends but with their former enemies. The big powers Soviet Union and.China are extrertely interested m the state of affairs towards the U.S. as It exists nbw and that' heightens the hopes of early successful negotiations between Israel and Egypt
No Jews need become panicky because of some potential increased anti-Semitism. Through centures we /were ^p, to all the or-
deals and enmities we encountered; we shall be up to,them in the present, to my opinion, very favorable conditions.
V. White Toronto
Dear Editor: ■
The crux of the whole Mideast problem is the Palestinian refugee problem; Since 1948 a generation of human beings have lived in squalid c^mps, better suited for animals than people. They have been used as political pawns by unfeeling Arab demagogues, whose own regimes are insecure, thus allowing th^ise weak and cowardly presidents to try to unite their frustrated people in a common cause against Israel. Except possibly for Bourguiba of Tunisia, these Arab leaders are belo.w contempt.'
Israel is strong enough now to tackle the problem of refugees and she should agree to compensate those Palestineans who have a legal claim on any land which was seized during the war in 1948.
Israel should allow any and all the original refugees and their families to resettle within her boundaries. This may sound like folly to some, but the numbers would not be so great, as many would, prefer not to return to their former land, but instead emigrate to a neighboring Arab land, probably Jordan. -These two concessions mi. the ...part-of Israel can bring nothing but good resTills.
. The suffering of the people will come to an end- The main issue that unites the Arab
'League; the refugee problem-, will be defused once and for all. . World public: opinion would be influenced favorably by the Israeh: initiative. The more moderate Arab states—Tunisia, Morrocco, perhaps even Jordan and Lebanon—might feel. obliged to recognize Israel as a state.
FinaUy the sphere of influence that the Soviet Union has built up in the area will bp-^eatly, reduced. The cost to Israel and her friends might total $3; billion; surely
/a small price to ;pay for increasing the
'prospects for a lasting peace in the area.
Anyone who has a true desire for peace in their area, feels some true compassion for the /{flight of the poor devils in the camps, and can give up the vicarious en-joyment/of seeing the Israelis victorious in
. war after war, should give serious consideration to these proposals.
Wayne Felle^ Toronto
Women are coming,
are
-By J.B. SALSBERG
I"-honestly don't think that I ever was a "male chauvinist." From early youth I participated in the performance" of household duties in my parental home. It was quite a normal way of living in those days for the older children of an increasing flock to share in doing what had to be done around the house. In retrosjpert it looks as if it had been quite a civilized way of life. As a matter of fact I continued that way throughout my life.
What may have also contributed to the shaping of my attitude and behavior in this area of living was the fact that the "women in my Ufe" could npt be considered as "unequal" or "inferior" by anyone except, perhaps, by the most insecure of males... With such a background and with such a life-long style no one can rightly accuse me of male chauvinism. Nevertheless 1 consider it necessary to alarm our Jewish manhood with the cry: "The women are coming, the women are coming!"
True that the bible and Jewish history record the prominent role of women in the early, formative stages of our evolyement as a distinct people. Nor can one forget that a woman, Golda Meir, is presently the prime minister of Israel and the most prominent of all Jews. But, for a very long stretch of our history the role of the Jewish woman was not merely relegated but actually regulated to the background. Now however it seems as if the new economic and social patterns of life (and the new philosophies and ideologies that those/iew social patterns bring in their wake) are shattering the old barriers and Jewish women are streaming with vigor and determination to the fore. Wonderful, but...
"As for the meteoric rise of our women to positions of leadership and prominence 1 am as qualified a Avit-ness as anyone else. For a number of years now 1 have addressed the most varied and the most numerous Jewish associations of men and women. So, believe me when I tell you that the female takeover becomes more apparent from' year to year. Moreover, the trend reveals not merely a relative but a real rise in competence and self-assuredness on the part of the ladies that is rapidly surpassing the expertise of the men.
This fact was illustrated to me last week when 1 addressed a lodge (men) and a chapter (women) of the B'nai B'rith in succeeding evenings. The women had it, as they say, by a mile. By comparison the ladies showed far more competence, far more fluency and ■ far better organization in the conduct
of the meeting and in the efficient and rapid handling of the matters before them than_was shown by the men. (Al^ Tight, brethren, what's true is true.)
I find the same trend in the Zionist camp. Hadassah is far more alive and active than are- the men's groups. In the synagogues the men may not be ready to admit it but it seems to me that the sisterhoods are rapidly overtaking the men. A similar development is also found in the ■ secular sector of our community. As for the Council of Jewish Women, they seem to prosper without men. And—hold your breath, you traditionalists—the next president of the oldest and one of the largest synagogues in Toronto will be a woman! (Question to the rabbis: Will one be allowed tomakea"shecheyanu" on that occasion?)
But what I really want to emphasize to the men on this occasion is that our way of life is rapidly leading to a transfer of responsibility for the education and upbringing of the children from the man to the woman in more and more Jewish homes. Now, I do not suggest that the mothers are less able than the fathers to perform this paternal duty. What is worrying me is that the fathers are becoming less and less able to do it.
This is, of course, not a universal phenomenon. But I believe that generally speaking this is true. The young male parent today seems to become submerged in the performance of his "duties" as the provider and he gladly lets his wife "run the house and the children." Altogether too many young men also seem (h discontinue their education after they graduate or become absorbed in the struggle to provide. The young' mothers, on the other hand, seem to continue their adult educational efforts in far larger numbers.
So what will become of such trends? A lot of good, I believe, providing our young fathers wake up before it will be too late.
As for women's prominence and their assumption of responsibilities in all. spheres of Jewish life I say that it is all to the good and long overdue. Let no insecure male attempt to stop it for he will be washed unto the rocks of greater insecurity by the waves of equality that are changing the contours of Jewish.life.
But the men had better rearrange their lives so as to keep up with their wives and with their children in knowledge, in awareness and.in involvement. There is no return to the good (?) old husband and wife relationships.
Men, act before it is too late for the women are coming, the women are coming! In fact, they have already . arrived! Welcome, ladies.
Colorful and picturesque, yet,..
was very
By BEN KAMINKER
Ben Kayfetz has written a very fine descriptive article about the Rebbe and his four sons. Kayfetz tells about the interested spectator who came once a year at Simchas Torah to enjoy "the most rewarding experience of watching the rebbeim and their disciples offer their joyous and unrestrained thanksgiving."
Unfortunately, the rewarding experience of the Simchas Torah spectator did little or nothing to sustain the rebbe and his wife and four sons (and daughter) in their ' ' 'swelling-cum-synagogue. "I happen to know something^about this since-my late father, Abraham, alovah sholom, better known as Avrumele, one of the rabbi's most loyal friends, and president of the Congregation for many years, had more than his share " of this responsibility -
Except for one or two, the rebbe's followers were not blessed with much of this world's goods. More than once in the winter hme, the supply of heating fuel (coal of course, in those days) was downdose to the last shovelful. My brother-in-law, Larry Saunders, tells the story (of how he complained about the cold-at a mincha service, to which my father replied, "bistkalt,shokel sich."
I remember the ''dwelling-cum-syna- < gogue" when it;\^sdwelling-sine-synagogue. When the pere-de-famille first arrived in Toronto (aroiind about I921ior-1922) there was, as yet, po synagogue on the site. That came later. So a tent was pitched, and services were held m it. I should know because I was. called to Athe torah for the first time In th^ tent and received a blessing directly from the.Strettener Rebbe himself. Can any reader boast a similar experience?
. Kayfetz's description of a personage who he presumed (wrongly) to have been the Gabbai, is priceless. There is no mistaking the late Mr. Lipson. Kayfetz, however, fails to mention one; of the most distinguishing aspects of his appearance—every bit as distinguishing in that company, as his mih-tary bearing or his British^in^l^cted Eng-hsh--his beardlessness. . .
Kayfetz is mistaken when he savs the balcony collapsed under the weight of hordes of guests atjsaac's wedding. It wasn't the balcony that: collapsed. The balcony (in the shul) - had received the acid test of full
design load more than once and had stOod_ : up; although 1 confess that as a student architectr-I had some qualms about sitting underneath It on KolNidre night; -
On such a night, the balcony (for women, of course) was packed to capacity, as wa^ the main floor. Those who came then, were not just interested spectators. They came, many of them members of other synagogues, Voung and old and from all walks of life,
■ and contributed to the annual appeal for funds; an appeal generally conducted by my father who measured his eloquence by the results^-obtained. . -
■ It was the roof over the succah, the connecting hnk between synagogue and qwelhng, which collapsed.: Presumably, this ijad been floored over to provide more space for" the anticipated crowd. . ; ,
Colorful and picturesque? No doubt, for the spectators--but not I think, for the rebbe and his followers. For them, life was hard and real, and earnest. They were fully aware that their way of hfe was not the fashion of the day. And yet, they clung to it, out of conviction and love of Judaism.