Rabbi Polakoff In Israel

RABBI POLAKOFF IN ISRAEL

Rabbi Polakoff will be visiting with our children who are spending the

year studying in Israel during the week of February 5th.

If you have a child who is in Israel for the year, please let him or her know that the

Rabbi will be visiting, and send the contact information for your child

to rabbi@gns.org.

Rabbi Open Sukkah

RABBI AND ELLEN POLAKOFF OPEN SUKAH

The GNS family is cordially invited to the Annual Open Sukkah at the Polakoff home, 25 Wooleys Lane on Thursday, October 13 (first day of Sukkot) from 4:15 - 5:45 pm. Please come and bring your families! The Rabbi and Ellen and their family are looking forward to greeting you.

Laws of the Three Weeks:

Beginning with the 17^th of Tammuz and continuing through the 9^th of Av is the period in the Jewish calendar known as “The Three Weeks”.

These weeks correspond to the time when the walls of the city of Jerusalem were first breached until the burning and final destruction of the Temple.  Accordingly, we relive this historical experience by adopting certain symbolic behavior commonplace to a state of mourning.  As we approach that final destruction our symbolic mourning grows more pronounced.  It is most intense on the day of Tisha B’av itself.

Jewish Law and tradition have established a pattern of behavior for this period of the year.  This pattern of behavior clearly parallels behavior during the period of mourning following the loss of a family member. The motivating idea behind this is that our emotions are often controlled by the things that we do and ultimately bring about a sense of mourning and loss. The extent to which we are able to follow these patterns of behavior will determine the extent to which we will experience the destruction of our Temple.

Because of the historical implications of this time of year marriages are forbidden during the Three Week period. It seems that the prohibition stems not from the change in personal status, but rather from the celebration which is an intrinsic part of the marriage. Therefore celebratory parties would also be inappropriate during the three weeks. There are several different customs concerning listening to music during the three weeks. Although there is no prohibition to be found in the Shulchan Aruch, this is because music in general was frowned upon after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. Its prohibition during the three weeks might be seen as either an intrinsic part of our mourning for the Beit HaMikdash, or as an extension of the prohibition of celebratory events. Since music in the days of the Beit HaMikdash was “live” music, some accordingly prohibit only live music and permit listening to recorded music. Even according to those who prohibit recorded music as well, most permit music for a functional purpose, such as exercise or staying awake while driving (a good night’s sleep is also recommended). Wearing of new garments which would require the blessing of shehecheyanu is avoided during the three weeks (buying them is permitted).  This is because that blessing includes the phrase “Who has allowed us to reach this time,” a blessing inappropriate for this time of national calamity.  New fruits and the like whose eating would also require the blessing of shehecheyanu, are not eaten until Shabbat when a shehecheyanu may be recited. New clothing purchased during the week may also be worn on Shabbat. In keeping with the customs of mourning, hair cutting is avoided during the three weeks, and there are many who refrain from shaving as well.

Rosh Chodesh Av ushers in the period known as the nine days.  Following the dictate of the Talmud which specifies that rejoicing is suspended when the month of Av begins, the eating of meat and drinking of wine are avoided during this time.  In Jewish tradition meat and wine have always been associated with celebrations and therefore, with the exception of Shabbat or a festive meal associated with a mitzvah (Brit Milah, siyum, etc.), these foods are now avoided. Additionally the avoidance of meat and wine bring to mind the sacrifices which were ended with the destruction of the Temple. Of course, meat and wine are permitted on Shabbat. This applies even to kiddush being made when Shabbat is accepted early, and to havdala at the end of Shabbat. The custom is to either give the wine from havdala to a child who is not yet old enough to appreciate mourning, but old enough to understand a bracha on the wine. If no child is present then the person making havdalah should drink the wine, with the use of wine preferable to some other beverage. The Shulchan Aruch records that bathing is prohibited during the nine days. Since this refers to a time when bathing was done at a bath house and took on certain elements of a social event, modern authorities permit washing for purposes of cleanliness. Since showering in our time is done for cleanliness purposes, they are permitted during this time. Most avoid the pleasure of swimming during these nine days unless it is done for medical reasons or in order to remove perspiration or dirt. Freshly laundered garments should not be worn during the nine days.

In keeping with the theme of increased mourning, the Shulchan Aruch prohibits building and planting for pleasure during the nine days. This is understood today to refer to decorating (painting, wallpapering, etc.) and landscaping. Necessary house repairs and lawn maintenance are permitted.

Post Pesach Purchasing

Important Information for Purchasing Chometz After Pesach

from Rabbi Polakoff

 

All local stores (such as Everfresh, Great Neck Glatt, Mazurs, Shop Delight) and restaurants under recommended hashgacha may be patronized immediately after Pesach. This is a good time to remember that these stores and restaurants depend heavily on the support of our Great Neck Jewish community, and if we look forward to their continued presence in our neighborhood we should give them priority for our shopping needs.

 

Additionally, the following establishments may also be patronized after Pesach. These establishments have either a) sold their chometz; b) are owned by non-Jews; or c) are publicly owned. However, since the supermarkets are usually supplied by a Jewish owned distributor, it is best to either stock up on chometz products immediately after Pesach (before new supplies arrive), or to wait several weeks (until supplies that were Jewish owned over Pesach have been replaced by new merchandise) before purchasing.

Local Supermarkets:

Associated, Waldbaums, Pathmark, Stop-N-Shop, Whole Foods

Others:

BJs, Costco, CVS, Duane Reade, Limelight, Rite Aid,  7-11, Trader Joes, Walgreen, Walmart

Passover Scope

Scope Passover 2011

Special tefilah for children to be recited on Thursday, June 2

Every erev Rosh Chodesh is an opportunity for teshuvah and reflection. Rav Gedalya Schorr, Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas, explained that as we glance skyward at the end of the month we see almost no moon. Nevertheless we are confident that in a mere two weeks the moon will once again be at full strength. This paradox is a reflection of our inner ability to tranform ourselves in the briefest of times and to realize our full potential.

Accordingly Erev Rosh Chodesh is known as Yom Kippur Katan and in many communities is marked by special tefilot. Although each Erev Rosh Chodesh is a cause for reflection and prayer, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is a special opportunity.

The Shela HaKadosh (Rav Isaiah Horowitz, a noted kabbalist who died in Israel in 1630), taking note of the upcoming Yom Tov of Shavuot which occurs on the 6th and 7th of Sivan, writes that Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is the time to say a special tefilah for children. Since the Torah was given on Shavuot, and since our children serve as the guarantors of that gift from Hashem, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is uniquely situated to serve as a day on which we can focus our prayers on the raising and educating of our children.

You can find this special tefilah for children by clicking here

Friday Night Dinner with Yaakov Katz

Yaakov Katz is the military correspondent and defense analyst for The Jerusalem Post, Israel’s leading English daily and the Israel correspondent for the London-based Jane’s Defence Weekly.

His first book “Israel vs. Iran - The Shadow War” was published in Israel in March and was a national bestseller. It will be published in the US by the fall.

Mr. Katz spent January 2009 with the IDF along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, leading the paper’s coverage of Israel’s war against Hamas.

In July and August 2006, Mr. Katz covered Israel’s war against Hezbollah for The Jerusalem Post and USA Today.  Mr. Katz writes extensively on the Palestinian conflict as well as the military’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s options in face of what is being described as one of the greatest existential threat in Israeli history.

See flyer for details and reservation info.

Purim Schedule 2011

Purim Schedule 2011

Eiruv Letter

The following is the letter being sent out to all shuls and their members in Great Neck…….

Eiruv Letter

Proposed Beit Midrash Expansion

GN Synagogue_Presentation Booklet

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