November 21, 2009

Parshat Toldos

November 21, 2009 4 Kislev, 5770

Rabbi Frand Thoughts on the Parsha Torah Artscroll, 124 Hertz, 93

The pasuk says: "And these are the generations of Avraham: Avraham gave birth to Haftorah Yitzchak" [Bereshis Artscroll, 102 25:19]. Rashi is bothered Hertz, 1137 by the fact that "Avraham Bar Mitzvah gave birth to Yitzchak" Daniel Bronheim merely restates something we already know. Times Furthermore, why does the Torah go back and Candle lighting 4:15 pm trace the family lineage Mincha 4:20 pm from Avraham when Hashkama 8:00 am introducing the offspring of Yitzchak? Youth 8:30 am

Many times children look like their parents. It is possible to meet someone for the first time and immediately recognize him as being the son of an individual who is well known to you. In this case, the identical appearance of the father– son pair was more overt than even that. The Medrash states that Gd made a "miracle" to make this happen. The appearance of Yitzchak was so exactly like that of his father that it was miraculous!

Parsha Shiur

The Gemara [Bava Metziah 87a] describes that Avraham made a party to mark the occasion of the weaning of Yitzchak, to which he invited all the great men of the generation. Avraham Avinu was not just a private citizen. He was society's primary proponent of monotheism. He rejected the pagan idols of the rest of the world and proclaimed the existence of a Master of the Universe. Avraham Avinu wanted to sanctify the Name of G-d (Kiddush Hashem) and publicize the great miracle that

Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday, November 22nd Mon., Tues., & Thurs., Wed., & Fri., Second Shacharit Minyan (Daily) Mincha (week of November 22nd) Late Maariv Mon-Thurs

8:30 am

Rashi answers that the 9:00 am cynics of the generation 9:15 am (leitzanei hador) contended that Sarah 3:30 pm became pregnant from 4:05 pm Avimelech. "She lived 5:23 pm many decades with 7:30 /8:30am Avraham and had not become pregnant from him." To counteract this 6:35 am cynicism, G-d fashioned Yitzchak's appearance to 6:45 am be identical to that of Avraham. It was 7:45 am immediately obvious to anyone who saw Yitzchak 4:15 pm that "Avraham fathered Yitzchak." 8:15 pm

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Kiddush and Bima Flowers Are sponsored by Leslie & David Bronheim in honor of The Bar mitzvah Of their son Daniel

G-d did for him. Avraham made this big celebration for just that purpose, but the cynics were sitting there having a field day. They joked that Yitzchak could not possibly be Avraham's child. Sarah must have become pregnant from Avimelech. We know how it goes: A roll of the eyes, a twist of the nose, a mocking smile. In truth, this cynicism was illogical. They were saying that "Sarah was pregnant from Avimelech" because he could not possibly be Avraham's child. The wonder here wasn't that Avraham had fathered a child. Avraham had already fathered a son from Hagar! The wonder was that Sarah, barren all her life, indeed conceived after she reached the age of ninety! What then was the nature of this cynicism? Why did G-d respond in such a miraculous fashion to counteract this patently

Seudah Shlishit Is sponsored by Simon, Kathy & Malih Kamali In commemoration of the first yahrzeit of Sam Aharonoff z”l

26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100

false type of mocking? The point is that cynicism (leitzanus) has exactly this power. Cynicism does not need to be precise or accurate. The effect of a "one-liner" is basically that of a pin that, in a moment, bursts the balloon. The "press" will write it up. The fact that anyone with intelligence who thinks about this for 30 seconds will recognize it as nonsense is irrelevant. The damage has already been done. Such is the power of leitzanus.

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Toldos 5770

fire from Heaven and have everyone shout "Hashem is the L-rd! Hashem is the L-rd!"... and that one cynic might undermine it all by saying: "Eh. It's magic!" That is what Eliyahu was worried about and that is what the Almighty was worried about when he miraculously made Yitzchak look exactly like Avraham. Such is the destructive power of leitzanus. The Almighty felt that it was imperative to combat it, even at the cost of making a miracle.

Allowing this mome ntary bursting of the balloon of Kiddush Hashem would have defeated Avraham's entire purpose in making the party. Thus, G-d needed to make a miracle to restore the inspirational nature of this festive meal. The Mesilas Yesharim writes in Chapter 5: "With the smallest joke, a person can deflect from himself the greatest amount of inspiration and enthusiasm. One joke pushes away 100 rebukes." Consider the Biblical incident of Eliyahu at Mt. Carmel [Melachim I Chapter 18]. Eliyahu duels with the prophets of Baal. He is trying to prove that idols are false and that the Almighty is the Only G-d. He brings down fire from heaven to consume his offering, after the prophets of Baal fail miserably when calling out to their gods. All Eliayhu had to do was to cry out "Answer me, my Gd, Answer me." (Anneini Hashem Anneini). Why the repetition of the word "Answer me"? Chazal explain that Eliyahu offered a dual prayer: (1) Answer me, G-d, that a fire will come down fr om Heaven; and (2) Answer me, that the people not say that my actions were witchcraft (ma'aseh keshafim). In other words, "G-d, please save me from the cynics." Save me from the proverbial guys in the back of the shul that no matter what the Rabbi says, no matter what happens, always have a "one-liner" to make a mockery out of anything inspirational or thought provoking. Eliyahu was worried that he might be able to bring down Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus Michael Bleicher, Rabbinic Intern Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus Mark Twersky, Executive Director Howard Silberstein, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

SAVE THE DATE

Great Neck Synagogue 58th Annual Dinner Honoring

Gary & Lillian Chubak Glenn & Heidi Zuckerman Boneh Habayit

Gilbert Aronowitz Saturday evening December 5, 2009 Gala Buffet Dinner will be served.

Qigong (pronounced "chee gung") is coming to Great Neck Synagogue Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:45 pm in the Youth Center The GNS Mens’ Club and Sisterhood are co-sponsoring group classes in this ancient art of healing and exercise for men and women. Sessions will begin in January 2010. Jewish law obliges us individually to promote our own physical and mental well-being. Here's a convenient and enjoyable way to do this. Qigong ("chee gung") is a system of low impact movements which can stimulate energy flow internally and improve vitality, mental clarity, balance, fine motor control, coordination and overall health for people of all ages. The exercises are easy to learn and to practice on your own at your own pace. Join Master William Wong Chin of Higher Mountain Healing Arts (highermountainhealingarts.com) to learn how these techniques can give you lasting benefits at a special free interactive workshop on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7:45 pm in the Youth Center.

Brrrr…. It’s Cold outside

GNS KOL DITZRICH COAT DRIVE Thursday November 19th 6:00-8:00 PM Coatroom Lobby Bring gently used coats & warm clothes in excellent condition **REQUEST FOR WEDDING GOWNS** Do a Mitzvah Lend a Hand This year for Thanksgiving You can really give thanks and be giving! Buy a Thanksgiving Dinner for a resident at Arrandale Senior Housing and make your parents proud of you.

$18 can sponsor a dinner in honor of/in memory of your parents Name:__________________________________________ Phone #_________________________________________ Email:__________________________________________ Meals purchased in memory/ in honor of:______________ ________________________________________________ Amount enclosed:______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ We are also looking for a limited number of volunteers (ALL AGES) to help serve the dinner, clean up, play music, sing & talk to the residents I would like to volunteer on Thursday, Nov 26th 11:30 -2 pm Food Server:_______________ Other Talent:____________________ Volunteer Names & Kids’ Ages: _________________________________ Co-Sponsored by: GNS Hunger Initiative, Sisterhood & Women’s Tefila

For more info: call Nechama at 516516-773773-3572 or email [email protected] Please return to: GNS 26 Old Mill Road

Gt Neck, NY 110

ANNOUNCEMENTS RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST Join us in the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center at 7:30pm NO SUNDAY BREAKFAST Due to the NSHA Torah Dedication there will be no Sunday Breakfast, and no gym program on November 22nd. GNS 58th ANNUAL DINNER Please send in your ads and dinner reservations. The Dinner is less than three weeks away. Don’t be left out. Respond quickly and be part of this gala celebration.

LATE MAARIV The late minyan will take place Mon-Thurs. at 8:15 pm. Please make every effort to support this minyan. SISTERHOOD ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP (FREE) DINNER We are excited to announce that the Sisterhood Annual Paid-Up Membership Dinner will be held on Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Wed. Nov. 18th at 6pm at Chatanooga Restaurant. We’re grateful to Ilana & Jonathan Kroll for sponsoring our special guest speaker Rabbanit Malke Bina in gratitude to Hashem. This year's dinner and lecture will be dedicated to our beloved Sisterhood President Emerita, Helene Gersten z"l. For information, contact the dinner co-chairs Judy Lillien 487-6845 or Anne Sandler 829-8839. Please consider being an event sponsor - bronze $18, silver $36 or gold $72. DOS YIDDISH VORT MEETING On Wed., Nov. 18th, Dos Yiddish Vort will present a video (with English subtitles) of the history and present status of Yiddish in Israel. Join us at 1:30 pm in the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center. For info, contact Roz Wagner 487-9795.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Leslie & David Bronheim on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Daniel. Mazal Tov to Bonnie & David Mamiye on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Jacob. Mazal Tov to Ruth & Mel Klapper on the birth of a greatgrandson born to their grandchildren Jennifer & Elliot Kollender. Mazal Tov to Yaffa & Avraham Gabbayzadeh on the engagement of their son Ariel to Fabian Sameiach. Mazal Tov to Ralene & Andrew Adler on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Erica & Randall Katz. Mazal Tov to Elana & Herschel Flax on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Rachel & Daniel Anziska and also to great-grandmother Mary Flax. CHEVRA KADISHA The Chevra Kadisha of Great Neck is in the process of updating its list of shomrim. If you are interested and available to assist the Chevra, please email Brenda Parver, [email protected] or Rona Jutkowitz, [email protected] SAM AHARONOFF MEMORIAL SHIVTEI TORAH CAMPAIGN The NSHA and the NSHA High School, in conjunction with the greater Great Neck Jewish Community, is holding a unique and unprecedented campaign that involves the commissioning and dedication of 12 new Sifrei Torah. The Siyum will take place on Sun., Nov. 22, the Yahrzeit weekend of Sam Aharonoff z”l. All proceeds will support the Sam Aharonoff Memorial Scholarship Fund to help offset tuition costs for dozens of needy students. To participate in the campaign or for info: www.shivteitorah.org, or call Arnie Flatow 487-8687 ext 2.

NSHA OPEN HOUSE On November 30th, at 7:30pm, there will be a NSHA open house for the LOOKING FOR LAPTOPS early childhood program. New and used laptops (with power cords) and surge protectors are needed for a micro-loan project in Rwanda, which is being organized by Jewish Helping Hands www.jewishhelpinghands.org For info contact MOVIE OF INTEREST North Shore Towers Cinema is showing “Killing Kasztner” Nechama Liss-Levinson 773-3572, [email protected] All Laptops and surge protectors can be dropped off at the GNS office, or Nechama will pick them up from your home if you prefer. TORAH TEFILAH AND TOGETHERNESS ON TUESDAYS Please join us at 11 am, Amit Yagoubi is giving a class based on a book written by Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus called the Gates of Prayer. This FEEDING THE HUNGRY class helps us understand that Tefilla is our gift from Hashem, how to Friday food deliveries to the Hodkin residence at 18 Birchwood Lane access a higher form of prayer and pray in a manner that will bring our have been temporarily suspended. We expect to resume in approx 3-4 prayers closer to Hashem. At 12:15 pm we have a lunch and learn weeks. Thank you to everyone who has donated. program with a video broadcast from Shira Smiles (the video starts at about 12:45). We have the privilege to have Shira Smiles speak in our Shul on Monday evening November 30th. Anyone wishing to sponsor in THANKSGIVING FOR SENIORS honor or in memory of a loved one, please contact the Shul office. The Hunger Initiative, Sisterhood and Womens Tefila are once again cost for these programs will be as follows: $10 Amit Yagoubi, $15 Lunch sponsoring Thanksgiving Dinner at the Arrandale Senior Housing and Learn. complex. Sponsors and a limited number of volunteers are needed to provide meals and donations can be made in memory or in honor of Saturday, 4 Kislev someone. $18 can sponsor one dinner. For info contact, Nechama Sunday, 5 Kislev Liss-Levinson at 773-3572 or [email protected]. COAT DRIVE Thurs., Nov. 19th, between 6 and 8pm in the Coatroom Lobby we will be collecting gently worn coats and warm clothes. CONTACT INFORMATION WANTED We are once again collecting the contact information of our college students both here and in Israel. Please email [email protected] or call the GNS office and provide us with the appropriate information so that we can maintain the connection developed over the years. DANCE CLASS Join us for free dance class every Wednesday at 9:30 am.

GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE Please drop off your CURRENT used magazines to the Synagogue office to be donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear.

Y A H R Z E I T

Monday, 6 Kislev Asher Davoudpour for Aharon Dovid Davoudpour Elliot Diamond for Molly Diamond Evelyn Henis for Albert Noah Tuesday, 7 Kislev Wednesday, 8 Kislev Carol Goddard for Leila Goldberg Nettie Halitzer for Bernard Cohen Michael Hoenig for Edward Hoenig Magda Yehaskel for Mendel Wohl Thursday, 9 Kislev Jerrald Weinstein for Lillian Greenberg Friday, 10 Kislev Lloyd Bayme for Leif Bayme Pearl Ginsburg for Yetta Helfman Ronald Silverman for Gail Silverman Jack Wachstock for David Wachstock