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Off we go... Sen. Gary Hart (D. — Colo.) sits in the cockpit of Israel’s next generation fighter jet, the Lavi, during a recent tour of Israel Aircraft Industries plant near Tel Aviv. Torah thoughts The basis of all precepts ♦ u Rabbi Schneerson Adapted from the works of Rabbi Mcnachem M Schneerson. the Lubavitcher Rebbe. by Rabbi Vossi New, Chabad of Georgia This week’s Sidra Chukat com mences: “This is the statue of the Torah.” The Torah contains var ious types of laws of which the “statutes” are those that have, ap parently, no explanation. Our sages have said that our submission to the reign of Heaven and our acceptance of the mitzvot must be in a manner similar to a “yoke”; that the first prerequisite of observing the precepts and prac ticing our religion is the acceptance of G~d’s Sovereignty with absolute resignation and submission. In the presence of the Supreme Being we must acknowledge our intellectual incompetence. This idea is conveyed in the expression of “yoke.” The analogy is not used to suggest a burden; far from it. It is used in the sense that a) the animal has no idea of what is behind its master’s will, b) the animal’s abso lute submission; c) the yoke is the means of enabling the animal to fulfill its functions. Our faith is based upon the Divine Revelation and presenta tion of the Torah at Mount Sinai. We have accepted the Torah in spirit of “We will do” (first) and (then) “we will understand” (Naase v'nishmo). The latter word, as also in the case of “Shema,” does not mean only “hear” or “obey,” but also “understand.” In other words, we have accepted the practice of our precepts as decrees from the Supreme Master of the Universe in the full realization that our human intellect is limited and cannot grasp the Infinite Wisdom of G-d. We do not know, nor can we know, the full effect of performing the mitz vot, what they do to us and to the world around us. Any explana tions or significances that may be advanced or attributed to any mitzva must be considered as inci dental and incomplete. The scientific method is first to establish the facts and then to seek to explain them. If a satisfactory explanation is found, well and good; if not, the facts still remain valid, even if the secret of their origin has not been discovered. It is an established fact in Jewish life and experience that where the Jewish precepts, customs and tra ditions have been observed with real submission to G-d’s Wisdom and Will, in a spirit of humility and simple faith, these precepts, cus toms and traditions have been pre served and perpetuated. But where they were not accepted in this spirit, and became subject to intel lectual scrutiny in a reckless search for explanation, and accepted be cause they appealed to reason or fancy, there the very foundations of Judaism were undermined (e.g., during the religious persecutions at the time of the Crusades the Jews of Germany could not be forcibly converted; they died Al Kiddush Hashem. In Spain, however, where the Inquisition brought to an end a golden era of philosophy and theo logical research, the religious per secutions led to comparatively numerous conversions). Moreover, our Sages say, “He who says this tradition is a fine one, and that one is not so good, discredits the Torah (and it wiil eventually become forgotten to him—Rashi).” We must regard all laws with equal sanctity, for they were all given by the same Lawgiver, and they all come from the same source. Open Sunday for Brunch, 10-4 p.m. DEU-CIOUS TREATS FOR LUNCH OR PARTY! 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Social ond Health Services R oger Williams College offers on opportunity for commirted adult learners to complete their degree without having to meet o rigid classroom schedule. Your Past Success is Key to Your Future You hove demonstrated your ability to work on your own by the success you have achieved. Now use that some ability to com plete your degree ond achieve the rewords you deserve. Flexibility You Need Because of your commitments you require the flexibility to sche dule your own work in rhe school term. We provide that flexibility and the resource persons to focilirote your learning. Give Yourself Credit You know you hove acquired college level competencies through your experience ond wont to take advantage of it. We con show you how to get the credit you deserve. Decide Now So if your commitments will not allow you to complete your degree on o traditional schedule we con provide the direction ond flexibility you need. Coll or wrire for more information ROGER WILLIAMS COLLEGE—ATLANTA 4501 Circle 75 Pork way, Suite A-1164 Atlanta, Go. 30339 (404) 980-0391 Accredited by rhe New England Association of Schools ond Colleges. PAGE 11 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE July 18, 1986