Publisher and E(lifor-in-<;hief
news in
ii
ter, Moshe Arens» was seriously considmitg impbs* ing censorship reguMtiohs On the Israeli iijiedia^
Arens used the. opportunity, pf a gfa^ilation exercise at his country's National Defense College to suggest that **media distortions" were making it difficult for Israel to conduct its operations iii. Lebanon.
Arens also told the graduation ceremonies that he personally had been misquoted on many occasions. Despite corrections which he had offered^ journalists ^continued, he said, to quote mistruths.
Without commenting on the substantive Issue of censorship in Israel (a subject fraught with complications), it is instructive to note that Israel's press freedom is sui generis.
During the Lebanese invasion, for example, both foreign correspondents and Israeli journalists were given virtually free rein in covering the war. Censorship was imposed only in the most extreme cases of military security.
This practice should be compared with the policy
to enter the war zone until fe[iijl;a,r|^^^ that it was appropriate for'theiiktS.^o'^i^^^
Now in a^ew book entitled'i$<>l^^^, Chse to the Prime Minister |(Macmill^h)i, authors Cockerell, Hennes^y and Walker Ihoyi^hpiw In the home of the "mother of parliaments** Britfsh Prime Ministers over the years have us^d thi^ ex<^use of security to control, withhold jEind censor news.
The most blatant example of tbe latter was Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's Machiiavellian manipulation of the press before and during thci Falklands , invasion. Her gesture in this regafd. makes Israel's censorship efforts look*, positively, amateurish.
Should Moshe Arens or his successor decide to
impose stricter censorship guidelines, he would Afi\r%nrr%€M^f itff^luH^C merely be following the American and British HIUJlUllltSUI lltUIUUUO
examples. , . ^ ^
We daresay, however, that thetr^ditidns of Israeli democracy are stronger than th<^e of totaifi;and the United States^ at least in the medi£^ector.
Right idea
wrong
. We note with much approval that ten rabbis from the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah issued a special call this past summer for the inclusion of a^RTiwa — a lamentation — to be included in the Tisha B'Av liturgy, in commemoration of the martyrs of the Holocaust.
The call from the Council of Torah sages of the Agudath Israel of America is a remarkable development from many perspectives, not the least of which is the stunning fact that ten rabbis unanim-^ ously agreed on something!
The idea behind the commemorative gesture is a fine one. Under the new proposition individual rabr bis of constituent synagogues are given the author* ity to select the Kind or lamentation which they deem approproate for their own synagogue.
While the introduction of a speciah Holopaust
meinbrial prayer during. Tisha B*Av is^ meritorious idea there is one problem: TY^/iajF^^v comes during the summer months when large segments of the Jewish public is on vacation, at the cottage, the beach or travelling far and wide.
It is interesting that almost 40, years after the destruction of European Jewry, Judaism has not yet evolved a proper worship mechanism to commemorate the greatest tragedy in its millenial history.
The move suggested by the Council of Torah sages is In the right dfrection; the season, however, is
dual areas of wrongs
Bjr DVORA WAYSMAN
y/hy do Jews^fastjDJi Ydm Kippur?Many stnsarise through satisfying bodily appetites; hence fasting demonstrates that man can conquer his physical cravings and that the spirit can master the body^4^bstaiMn]g from fodd is not enough~^ it must be'accompanied by deep repdorse at our failings, and a resolve to 5tfive for a 4}ettec of Jife.
. The pay of Atonement allows us to repent for wrongs against G-d, but not against our fellow man. The latter wrongs must have b&en redressed before we cah ask Divine forgiveness and wearesuppidsedtohave made amends forthem befoi'ewebe^in our fast. ' ' . ,
During the Temple period, there was a complicated ritual for this solemn day^ Tlie High-Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies only on Yom pCipp'ur^ and^he had to' pre|>ai|e^htn!iself for seven days beforehand. During that time« he lived^a]paTi in a special room bf the Temple, and^the^elders^ read tq^tjs^e oittinances'laiddowliiri teXfiticui XVl> The night pridVto l^qin
perhaps not the best one for such an important KJppu^he^^^^^
Whcahe entereid^the^^]^
liturgical innovation.
It's time» therefore, to re-examine the Jewish calendar in order to come up with an< additional signifscknt date which would be more appropriate to the rhythm of Jewish life.
Caiebration evening was nostalgic
Dear Mr. Kaplan:
The Jewish Community Centre on Saturday, Sept. 15, resounded with music and laughter at a gala ^Celebration of Life*' dance and evening, recalling to mind the Vancouver Jewish Commtinity *(dgetheme$s* of yesterday* which has long lieen lacking b the dty. , ,
,The Vancojuver Israeli Folk Dance Group, which promoted ticket sales resulting in an enthusiastic packed auditorium, must be given accolades. The Shalom Dancers were a joy to behold, providing professional entertainment. Shlomo Bachar^ the well-known Israeli dance choreographer from Los Angeles, was a marvellous master-ofH^remonies. The Sunflower Band were
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fantastic with their Latin American beat and Israeli music.
Ag^ of those present werei^&ried yet mingled beautifully. It has b^n a vp^ long time since 1 have seen a ftye-circle hora or thai'the floor,was so crowded with Israeli musibdancers, expe-Tien6ed4ind]^dvices. , /
A^iV bouquets to the Israeli Folk Dance grou|>^ and the Centre for a tremendously enjoyable Jewish evening. May you produce many, many more; .
MARYTOBIN
Young adult event planned
Dear Mr. Kaplan:
We are writing to remind everyone of a continuing problem in our community and provide the start to a solution. ; ^There have been multipleattempts through various organizations to bring Jewish young adults together. The majofity of theseget-'togethers have beenpoorly attended and have created an attitude:of failure that has disadvantaged future events.
We believe^ however, that'the problemis not insurmountable-. An unaffiliated party, open to all Jewish adults over age 19^ is planned for Saturday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m. at Blue Boy motor .-^ hotel. Numerous events and surprises are planned which include a magic show by Steve Kaplan and a live disc-jockey.
The initial response to the party has been positive and we encourage everyone to become involved. Tickets may, be obtained from Shalom Book store; Jewish Community Centre and l)BC Hillcil House. Further information is available from Stuart Moskovitch at 325-0406 or Kevin Classman. 684!:5941.
KEVIN B..GLASSMAN, STUART MQSKdVltCH
thb newsptper'm fdHorM oMflvdt. JV^fAi npfy hitpm to fwti^ imeauuekt «^ tmimmu MtM tm SWfl, $249 Umtker Street,'
golden vestments which he usually wor6 in his oflfice of High Priest, but simplegartnentsof white lineti—emblemsof humility and purity. .Today Jews also wear White on YomKippur — as if going to a feast — confident that Uiose who return penitently will receive pardon.
JoiirniUbty writer and poet Dvora Waysmaiiis^ frc«-^ <iucnt contributor to riigifaifl5g|&t;
^ On retiiming from the Holy of Holies^ the HighPriest would offer tfee followingprayer:.**May it please Thee, O L-rd our Grd» that this year maybe'a year of riiin,Xet there not be wantinga ruler belongiiigi to the House of Judaic. Let not^^y people Israel^ in w^nt, so that one IsraeUte-may not be fori;^ to hisVustcnaneef^fomaiiother or from strangers; and hearken not to the/prayer of travellers — since they.pray for rainless weather^ which jsapalamity in the Hdly-Land.^(Talniud) ,
. Part of th^«Iaborate ritual in the Temple was conoiHftied wKh a scapegoat, (t^e origin of theivor^^^weuse untilii^y}. The High Priest placied his two hands on the goat to-be seiitAW^y, and havin^confessed the sins of the people, symbolicaltytraiis-ferreid them to the headbf theanimaiiyhich was then^sent^into the wildernesis. Later, When the lanjd[ wa^ more derise^ inlia-^ btted, the goat was^cast down ^ precipice, as there, was no effective place frorn whtch it cofiTd jnot wanderi ba'ck^ r ,'
The ceremonies of the Day of Aifonement were fo]r>ll3«ne. The Torah nahied *Aaron\as the atoning prie6r,-buC whoever had been consecrated after him to the High PriestVofRce was eligible to continue the ritual. ^ ^ '^^'^^^
But even after the destruction of the Temple ajtidli^th it the cessation of the High Preisthood, Yom Kippur r^ained. In fact, with the passing of animal sacrifice, it gamed in spiritual , power. It also benefitted trbm the fact that there remained no intermediatry between man and G-d — man must make his confession direct to his Maker with rto one^o intercedefor him. There remained the fasting and humiliation^ thecotifession jElnd contribution for sins; and fervent ptiyeft forforgiveniess. ■
These were therealtty of the Day bf Atonement, for whichthe Temple rituals had beendramatic symbols. When the sacrifices ceasedj[and many believe that animal sacrifice was just a concession to the prevailing custonr'at that time of pagan human sacrifice), Israel wasleft Vith repentance as^the only way for remission of sins. \ : ' . ^
The Rab|>is declare lhat the^Day of Atonement will never pass away as long.as Israel does not lose its sovt. Oinryom Kippur, Jews confiess in tmison,^§,ukninari:^ing all possible religious failures using ther;pronoui^ *^ve/***usr ^our.** All Israel stands in relation to G-^ as a single immortal indivi^^uat ^
Israel was the only nation that took upon itseltEisamatter of law to love GhI^to observeftis commandments^to love our neighbors as ourselves, to protect widows and orphans^ to givp
ATONEMENT - Page 6