Seriously Speaking (Vol. 1, Issue 9)

Recent press items in the metropolitan newspapers have discussed the attitude of the various leading organized religions as regards euthanasia, or mercy killing. The supposedly Jewish attitude was given by Rabbi Sidney Goldstein of the Free Synagogue, who stated that if the physician in charge feels that the patient will lead a life of misery, and is incurable, then “Jewish” law would permit the physician to’ administer a painless death to the bedridden human.

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This department is not so concerned with the fact that a man who bears the title “Rabbi”. should make such statements which are contrary to both the letter and spirit of fundamental Jewish law. However, we feel that the responsibility for the resultant misconception in the minds of many people as to the truly Jewish attitude on this question, rests squarely upon the shoulders of our elders who have not trained a leader in Orthodox circles, who was either able or desirous of refuting such a misstatement. We would recommend to the Administration that a course be offered in the College department which would deal with this and similar social problems confronting the-modern Orthodox Jew in his daily life, in order that future misleading opinions of this type should not pass unchallenged. Orthodoxy, must reassert itself and thus resume its position as the recognized authoritative voice of Judaism. 

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On December 10, 1835, almost one hundred years ago today, the books of Heine and Borne, brilliant leaders of the Young German movement, were burnt in the market places of Germany at the instigation of Menzel, infamous and vicious Jew-baiter of that time who spewed out his poisonously jealous venom at these two young men in particular, and Jews in general, in order to avenge himself for the ridicule he had suffered at the hands of Gutzkow, leading literary figure of ‘the time who sympathized with the plight of the Jews. 

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Yet it was the ideas of these two Jews that survived the flaming pyres, though their pages had been turned to ashes. Germany one hundred years later attempts this identical method as a means of suppressing ideas inimical to the “purely (Ba)-Aryan” mind, but will, as history proves, in the end meet with the same result. Books may be burnt, but “the words will float in the air.” 

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The passing of Bernard S. Deutch at a comparatively early age robs Jewish life of one of its most useful and active figures. Respected and honored by Jew and non-Jew alike, the late Mr. Deutch was a striking example of the power for food that can be exercised by Jewish laity. 

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Passionate sincerity, impeccable integrity, and an intense Jewish pride enabled Bernard Deutch to accomplish much more for his people than so many of the nominal leaders if our community have been able to achieve. To train intelligent Jewish laymen, who can combine this unselfish earnestness and Jewish stalwartness together with a wide knowledge of traditional Jewish learning, and deep appreciative of is application to our modern problems, should be the aim of Yeshiva College.