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OSPECT1VE Attention Toroh thoughts To do, or not to do Adapted from the works of Rabbi Mcnacheot M Schnccrson. the l.ubavitcher Kebbc. by Rabbi Yossi New. Chabad of Georgia With regard to performing a mitzva, two questions arise. The first is, to do, or (G-d forbid) not to do the mitzva. The second, how to fulfill the precept. The response to the first question must be utterly non-intellectual, in a spirit of obe dience to G-d’s will; By contrast, the response to the second ques tion (“how to fufill...”) is dictated by logic and intelligence—for the mitzvot must be observed in a logi cal manner, in a natural manner, without relying on miracles. At Sinai: The siclra relates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai when Israel declared na’aseh ve- nishma, “we will obey and (then) we will understand.” For this dec laration the Jews were accused of being “a precipitous people, who pul their mouths before their ears.” But the truth is to the contrary: Accepting Torah submissively and leaving the understanding for later is the only correct approach to a divine discipline. The Fulfillment: On the other hand, when it comes to observance we are not to rely on a miracle; we must fulfill Torah and mitzvot in a natural manner—for the very pur pose of G-d’s commandments is to have an effect upon the world. Observing our G-dly precepts re fines the world so that it may become “a dwelling-place for the Almighty.” If mitzvot were to be performed in a miraculous (“un worldly”) fashion, the whole point would be missed. A miracle is, in itself, “holy,” “sacred,” transcend ing the material; mitzvot are to “spiritualize” the material and the mundane—the sheep’s wool trans formed into tsitsiss, the animal leather into tefillin, etc. No Miracles, Please: Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745- * Li Sevelovitz relatives to hold third reunion The descendants of the late Freda Sevelovitz Rich and Meyer, Saul and Sholom Sevelovitz will gather on Labor Day weekend for their third family reunion in Atlanta. Plans for the weekend include a social “Get Re-Acquainted” event Friday, Aug. 29, at the Embassy Suite Hotel on Windy Hill Road in Marietta. Saturday morning, Aug. 30, family members will attend servi ces at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, where the Sevelovitz families were charter members. A banquet, high lighting “Memories,” will be held Saturday night at the Georgia State Tower; and Sunday, Aug. 31, there will be a brunch and swim party at the home of Lenore (Sater) and Victor Maslia. All Atlanta family members are invited. Reservations from 150 family members, ranging from sec ond to fifth generations, have been received. For more information, call Dorothy Rich Axelrod at 875- 1478, or Esther Gerson Levine at 252-4587. Rabbi Schneerson 1813 , founder of Chabad), during his arrest in St. Petersburg was transported from his fortress jail to the interrogation center across a river at night. He once asked the officer in charge of the boat to stop it so that he could pronounce the blessing on the moon (kiddush le- vana). The later refused. A few moments later the boat stopped on its own accord and the oarsman could not budge it from its place. A while later the boat was again able to move. The rabbi then again requested the same favor from the officer—who this time acquiesced, and Rabbi Schneur Zalman pro nounced the bracha. He wanted the stopping of the ship to be done by human volition, not miraculously, because he wanted to perform the mitzva naturally rather than through a miracle. RIDE THETRAIN NOV. 15 Professional & Personal Home Health Care NURSING CENTER 373-2858 — Decatur 351-0009 — Brook wood 767-7721 - 5. Fulton Hospital A rea RN’S, LPN’S, NAS Homemakers Live-in Companions Elderly Person Aides Critical Care /. V. Therapy Tender Loving Care Willett Toyota 2650 N. Decatur Rd. Decatur, GA 30033 299-0551 Danny Tourial Danny invites you to see and drive the all-new 1986 Toyotas. Fleet cars and trucks Leasing all makes and models MR 2 We would like to invite you to be our guests at our SHABBAT FAMILY DINNER BATHROOMS SHOULDN'T . BE BORING Complete bathroom renovations Plumbing repairs & installation Shower pans MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE -the-mQ8tef-balh- (404)971-8162 MARK BRESSIER ITNN BRESSIER MASTER PLUMBER JOURNEYMAN PIUMBER D€ SIGN! R/BUU Of R Of SIGN SPECIALIST V Friday, September 5,1986 6:15 p.m. No charge for prospective members Reservations must be made for dinner no later than August 27, by calling 257-0537. Seating is limited. placed B’nai Torah is a Full Service Traditional Synagogue. Bring your family to meet ours—Rabbi Juda Mintz, Cantor Edgar Neiss, Board Members & the rest of the B’nai Torah Family and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our own Sisterhood. Services begin at 6:15, followed immediately by dinner. 700 Mount Vernon Highway Sandy Springs PAGE 11 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 22, 1986