Shabbat Announcements, February 14, 2009

Parshat Yitro

February 14, 2009 20 Shevat, 5769 GNS TEFILLA DIGEST:

Torah Artscroll, 394 Hertz, 288 Haftorah Artscroll, 1154 Hertz, 302 Times Candle lighting

5:09 pm

Mincha

5:10 pm

Hashkama Minyan

8:00 am

Parsha Shiur

8:30 am

Youth

8:30 am

Main Minyan

9:00 am

Beit Midrash

9:15 am

Gemorah Shiur

4:05 pm

Mincha

5:05 pm

Shabbat Ends

6:19 pm

Sunday, February 15,

7:30 am 8:30 am

Mon., Thurs.,

6:35 am

Tues., Wed., Fri.,

6:45 am

Second Shacharit Minyan (Daily)

7:45 am

Mincha (week of February 15)

5:20 pm

Late Ma’ariv Mon., - Thurs.,

8:15 pm

Latest times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei February 14

9:29/10:22 am

February 21

9:24/10:19 am

Next Shabbat - YishpatimShekalim Candle lighting

5:18 pm

Mincha

5:20 pm

A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern

This inspiring article about tefillah is sponsored by David and Diane Rein in memory of Diane’s mother, Helene M. Fink z”l.

amazingly miraculous it is. It is the intricacies and grandeur of the natural world that make you “fall in love” with a G-d that is greater than anything you could imagine (Hil. Yisodei Hatorah 2:2).

by studying the Torah.

[What is Sefer Hamitzvot? The Gemara in Makot 23b tells us that there are 613 commandments in the Torah but it does not tell us what they are. This number is Issue # 32 – Kriat Shma based on the verse in the Torah (Part XI) The second aspect of the love which says “Torah tziva lanu In last week’s issue of the of G-d that the Rambam speaks moshe; morasha kehillat Yaakov,” “Moses commanded us about is the love that a person Tefilla Digest we left the a law, an inheritance of the topic of the Oneness of G-d comes to over time after congregation of Jacob” (Devarim cited in the first verse of the “knowing” G-d better. What 33:4). The numerical value of the Rambam means by shma and began to discuss “knowing G-d,” is that a person “Torah” is 611 and these are the content of the first considered to be the mitzvoth that paragraph of the shma. The can come closer to G-d and Moses told us. Therefore one crux of the paragraph is the “know” G-d more when that commandment with which person reaches a greater level of must add 2 to 611 for the 2 commandments that G-d himself it begins: “V’Ahavta et philosophical understanding and contemplation of G-d (Hil. told us during the first 2 of the 10 Hashem Elokecha,” “And Teshuva 10:6). This is similar Commandments. Many of the you shall love the Lord to the human love of a married medieval commentators compiled your G-d.” lists or books enumerating the couple whose love for each Our discussion of the 613 according to their count. The other continues to develop and mitzvah of loving G-d Rambam was amongst them and intensify over time as the began with the Rambam’s he set out all of the rules he used couple gets to know each other definition of this love. The for counting and them proceeded more and share more Rambam says that there are to list all the positive and negative experiences together. really two aspects to the commandments with an mitzvah of loving G-d There is yet a third aspect to explanation of each one where he loving G-d which the Rambam which really have strong elaborates upon the mitzvah and corollaries in our own speaks about that we did not what is about. One of the other human love. discuss in last week’s issue of famous “mitzvah books” of the The first aspect of our love the Tefilla Digest. Middle Ages is the Sefer for G-d, we said last week, When the Rambam formulates Hachinuch by R. Avraham Halevi the mitzvah of loving G-d not is a spontaneous love that in the 13th century in Spain.] in his Mishne Torah, but in his you feel when you The Rambam says that: “He has Sefer Hamitzvoth, he claims contemplate the world that one can reach a love of G-d commanded us to love Him; and around you and how that [means] to understand and

Kiddush Is sponsored by

Great Neck Synagogue

Bima Flowers Are sponsored by David and Diane Rein In memory of Helen M. Fink z”l

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

comprehend His mitzvoth, His statements, and His actions until we come to know Him…” (Sefer Hamitzvoth: Positive Commandment #3). Here, our knowledge of G-d come not only through contemplating the cosmos and being wowed by nature or by philosophical investigation in to His actions, but also through understanding His mitzvoth. Some have concluded that what the Rambam is really saying is that in order to come to love G-d you have to know Him, and to know Him you need to understand His commandments, and to understand His commandments one must study the text in which they are recorded: The Torah. Love of G-d comes through contemplating the world, through philosophy, and through the study of Torah. This view is supported by the Midrash Sifre which the Rambam himself quotes in his explanation of the mitzvah: “ ‘You shall love the Lord your G-d.’ But I do not know how one loves Him; therefore it is said, [just two verses later] ‘And these words [hadevarim haeleh] which I command you this day shall be in your heart’ – as a result of this you will come to know Him by whose word the world came in to being.” “The words” that the Sifre speaks of which are meant to be in our hearts and allow us to come to know G-d are the words of the Torah. This idea is not so far fetched and it seems to make sense in human terms as well. When you wish to get to know someone if they don’t tell you a lot about themselves you have to find creative ways to piece together a picture of who they are based on other insights you can gain. You find out what they do, how they do it, what they say and how they say it, and what things they ask you for so that you can try to determine what kind of a person he or she is. If a person if always asking for you to hurt yourself you can deduce that the person is either really cruel or emotionally disturbed. If the person asks you to assist them in distributing food to the hungry and clothing to the homeless you might conclude that he or she was a kind person who cares about others. If the Torah and its commandments are what G-d “says” and what G-d “tells us to do” then we can learn something about Him by studying them. Once we discover more about Him, our love for Him will grow.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

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

Shabbat Announcements, Yitro 5769

Thought to Ponder The Sefer Hachinuch agrees with the Rambam that one needs to both contemplate the actions of G-d in the grandiose world as well as study Torah to come to love Hashem. However, he also tells us why there is such a mitzvah of loving G-d: We must love G-d because without loving Him we will never truly be able to properly fulfill his commandments. This is ironic: It is by understanding His commandments that we are supposed to come to love Him, and yet it is the love itself which is a prerequisite to proper fulfillment of the commandments!! Irony aside, this does explain why the mitzvah of loving G-d is contained within a passage in the Torah which is essentially about studying Torah and keeping the commandments: One must study the Torah to love G-d and one must love G-d to properly fulfill the commandments!

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK Eco-Friendly Ways to De-Ice your Driveway What's wrong with salt? Plenty. Many consumers use rock salt to clear a path through the snow around their homes. But this is not ideal for the planet. Top 5 Problems With Salt 1. Excess salts build up in the soil, just as they do with chemical fertilizers. 2. Salt residue prevents plants from absorbing moisture and nutrients. 3. Salts can leach heavy metals, which eventually make their way into water supplies. 4. Salt on grass or sidewalks close to roads can attract animals, which may be hit by cars if they're licking the salt from the ground. 5. Plus, salt can burn our pets if it lodges in their paws. Yes, salt does effectively melt snow. But is there a better way? Try these alternatives to remove snow and ice from the driveway without harming the environment. 1. Shovel your snow! Invest in a good snow shovel! 2. Get a grip-- Scatter sand or even birdseed for traction. The grains won't melt snow or ice, but they will give you more grip on icy surfaces. 3. Scrimp on the de-icer. Remember, the job of a de-icer is to loosen ice from below to make it easier to shovel or plow. Don't pile on the de-icer thinking you'll remove the ice completely. You won't. The recommended application rate for rock salt is around a handful per square yard you treat. Calcium chloride will treat about 3 square yards per handful. 4. Pick your salt carefully-- Sodium chloride (NaCL) may contain cyanide. Calcium chloride (CaCl) is slightly better since less goes farther, but it is still not ideal, since its run-off still increases algae growth, which clogs waterways. Potassium chloride is another salt to avoid. Whatever you use, keep it away from landscape plants, especially those that are particularly salt-sensitive, like tulip poplars, maples, balsam firs, white pines, hemlock, Norway spruce, dogwood, redbud, rose bushes and spirea bushes.

Special Guest Speaker: Saturday, February 14 Rav David Moriah (the stepfather of Avraham David Moses z”l, a 16 year old student who was killed in the terrorist attack at Mercaz HaRav) will be speaking at Great Neck Synagogue on Shabbat morning, February 14, in the main sanctuary. Rav Moriah is an educator at Yeshivat Chorev in Jerusalem and was very close to his stepson. His topic will be: Rav Dovid Moriah

Avraham David Moses, z"l

“Torah, Chessed and Humility: The Story of Avraham David Moses, z”l.”

Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Education Program Tuesday evening, March 17, 2009 7:45 pm Great Neck Synagogue, 26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck Presents

THE CONVERSION CONUNDRUM – HOW DO YOU PROVE YOU’RE A JEW? Few areas of Jewish life are as fraught with emotion as conversion. Some Jews are deeply suspicious of all converts, no matter how observant the latter may be. Others believe we are morally compelled to do everything possible, including adopting marginal halachic standards, in order to welcome converts into our midst. In between these extremes are the majority of Jews, who understand how difficult it must be for a convert to embrace life as a believing Jew but also understand the ignorance of widely accepted and halachically mainstream standards and polices that define who is and who is not a Jew. This panel discussion of Rabbi’s will discuss these issues, and respond to your questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST In the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Sat., 8pm www.gnstorah.org YOUTH SPONSORS The youth snacks are sponsored by Didi & Adam Hutt in memory of her father, Moshe Cohen. GNS PARSHA DISCUSSION GROUP GNS has created a google group where members can post their questions about the parsha and participate in a discussion with the Rabbis and other members about the weekly Torah reading. In order to join the group, send an email to [email protected]. COMBINED SISTERHOOD MEETING On Wed. morning, Feb. 11th at 10am, there will be a meeting at Temple Beth El to plan the Combined Sisterhood Luncheon, which will be held in April hosted by Temple Beth El. The Sisterhood of GNS is invited to participate in the planning. Please mark your calendar to come to this meeting and participate. Thank you! SISTERHOOD COUPLES NIGHT OUT Feb. 21st, 8pm at Cue Bar, located on the corner of Bell Blvd. and Northern Blvd. in Bayside. The evening will feature a dairy meal, games, and live music. Cost per couple is $54. RSVP 487-6100 SHALOM BAYIT UJA-Federation of NY’s Long Island Women’s Philanthropy invites you to: One Thousand Hearts-One Voice Shalom Bayit: Sun., Feb. 22 at 10:30am-12pm. This event is for women only, a light dairy brunch will be served. Hosted by Joan Katz at her home, Please RSVP with Galit Reichlin at 677-1826. SCOPE The deadline for all articles and advertisements for the Pesach Scope is Mon., Feb. 23rd. We urge our synagogue members to become a scope sponsor in honor, or in memory of a loved one for $36. Submit all Scope material to the office, or email it to [email protected]. SAVE THE DATE The Sisterhood is proud to present a “Shabbat Kitchen” lecture by Ruchie Axelrod, Tues. Feb. 24th at 8pm, at the home of Jessica Shusterman, 14 Essex Road. Thank you to Lisa Stein for organizing this event. Mark your calendars! UPCOMING MEN’S CLUB EVENTS Feb. 22– Talk by Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman on: “The DNA Connection– Modern Jews and the Ancient Hebrews” with power-point slide presentation. March 17– Talk by Dr. Stu Greenstein (Professor of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine) on the “Medical and Halachic side of Kidney Transplants” with donors and recipients in attendance. March 22– The annual Rabbi Dialogue, held at Temple Israel. March 26- Avi Hoffman, actor-writer-comedian celebrates Jewish culture in “A Mensch and his Musical” Tickets $36 in advance, email [email protected] to reserve, or call 487-6100, checks made out to GNS Men’s Club. May 6– Talk by Michael Tuchfeld, Commentator and correspondent Israel TV2 News—The Knesset Channel 99 AM HASEFER Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Ed Program is pleased to present a discussion of the second volume of David Birnbaum’s Summa Metaphysica series, “Summa Metaphysica II: God and Good” at the Fischer home, 65 Bayview Ave. on Sat., March 21st at 9pm. PURIM MISHLOACH MANOT 2009 You should have received your letter announcing the start of AMIT’s annual Mishloach Manot project for Purim, and if you are a member you should have received your personal code for the Happy Purim website. If you have not, or are interested in participating in this tzedukah project, contact: Debbie Goldberg 482-6050 SAVE THE DATE The 57th Annual Combined Sisterhood of Great Neck Ladies Night Out will be held at Temple Beth El on Thurs., April 30th at 6pm. Delicious hors d’oeuvres, a boutique, an exciting program, raffle prizes, and wonderful desserts, catered by Shop Delight. The Sisterhood of GNS is proud to participate in this community event. There is no charge for our paid-up Sisterhood members but we encourage you to be an event sponsor for $36. Reservations are required. Please call the synagogue office 487-6100 or email [email protected] for further info. In conjunction with UJA for this event, we will be collecting personal care and toiletry items to donate to families in need.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY Mazal Tov to Chava Shalmon on the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson Uri Ephraim, son of her children Sari & Elnatan Doron Shalmon. Mazal Tov to Elaine Wolf on the birth of her great-granddaughter, born to her grandchildren Hillel & Tal Wolf in Petach Tikva. Mazal Tov to Marcia & Daniel Horowitz on the birth of their daughter. Mazal Tov to Debbie & Tom Furst on the birth of a grandson, born to their children Rina & Zack Kestenbaum. Mazal Tov to Hadassah & Jack Wachstock on the engagement of their son Oren to Esther Chambre. FYI The Victim Services Program of the Beth Israel Social Work Department is looking for dedicated and responsible Orthodox women to work on a confidential and anonymous helpline for survivors of sexual abuse and molestation. The training and helpline are both located at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan. The training is scheduled to begin at the end of February. Training will consist of about 40 hours, followed by a one year commitment on the helpline. For more info please call Carole Sher at 212-420-4516. The helpline is open Mon. through Thurs. 9:30-5:30pm, and Fri. 9:30-1:30pm, 212-844-1495 NSHA PTA FUNDRAISER Feb. 14th. Harlem Wizards vs. North Shore Lions, (Parents, Faculty and Students) at North Shore Middle School at 7:30pm. $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. Contact Dayla Vilinksy 487-1221. DOCUMENTARY Devorah Wang Etzion has produced a documentary film on the life of her father, Samuel H. Wang, z”l that will be shown on Sunday, March 22nd, 11am at North Shore Towers Cinema. To attend RSVP by March 11th to Devorah at 516-721-2851.

Adina Moskowitz and the Goldson family would like to thank their friends and the entire community for their outpouring of support, sympathy and kindness following the death of their wife and mother Freidelle Goldson z”l, in Chicago.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 20 Shevat Benny Hakimi for Mina Hakimi Elizabeth Katzwer for Benjamin Katzwer Robert Knepper for Elizabeth Knepper Tricia Moslin for Harry Solomon Sunday, 21 Shevat Idida Kaplan for Aba Abramovsky Iraj Kashani for Monavar Kashani Gitty Louzoun for Israel Malek Sydelle Slochowsky for Max Olshin Monday, 22 Shevat Arnie Flatow for Morris Flatow Norman Lee for Helen Rose Diane Seidle for Lois Melnick Rita Silverman for Dora Pentol Tuesday, 23 Shevat Sheila Bachman for Max Bachman Philip Hanfling for Yehuda Schneider Pauline Loewenstein for Jacob Loewenstein Albert Safdieh for Irene Lipstein Wednesday, 24 Shevat Llewllyn Lillien for Sadie Markowitz Thursday, 25 Shevat Mark Abraham for Yitzchak Shalom Abraham Miriam Bader for Lena Bader David Birnbaum for Andor Jack Birnbaum David Goddard for Norman Goldberg Louis Goldstein for Minnie Goldstein Elizabeth Katzwer for Johanna Schwarz Abraham Krieger for Tonia Krieger Sally Olshin for Morris Olshin Friday, 26 Shevat Diane Rein for Helene Marcia Fink Ruth Seif for Hadassa Dolinsky Lillian Singer for Sarah Kitay