Within Our Family:January 2, 2010

Mazal Tov to Michele & Jonathan Ambalo on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Gabriel. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Shoshanah & Joseph Ambalo.

Mazal Tov to Dahlia & Mervin Klein on the Bar Mitzvah of her son Jonah Hersh.

Mazal Tov to Ilene & George Schuman on the engagement of their daughter Nora to Jonathan Greene, son of Roberta & Allan Greene of Valley Stream. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Phyllis & Paul Weinberg.

Mazal Tov to Tara Blumner on her acceptance to Pratt University architectural program and receiving the Presidential Merit Scholarship Award.

Mazal Tov to Roslyn & Zachary Dicker on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Shimson Dicker, the son of Carolyn Hochstadter Dicker & Adam Dicker, in Cherry Hill NJ.

Sponsorships: January 2, 2010

Kiddush is sponsored by Shoshana & Joe Ambalo

in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Gabriel

and by Mark Hersh in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of

Jonah Hersh son of Dahlia Klein and Mark Hersh

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Bernadette & Allan Beyda, Bonnie & Elliot Diamond and Eva and Frank Bachrach,in memory of Harold Hedaya z”l

Shiva Notice

Great Neck Synagogue notes with sorrow the passing of Tikvah Yehoshua, beloved mother of our member Rafi Yehoshua.

The funeral took place in Israel on Monday and shiva is being observed there as well. Rafi can be reached at 011 972 54 688 4917. Please be aware of the 7 hour time difference between here and Israel.

May the family be granted comfort and consolation among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.

VAYECHI by Mark Gersten.

The medrash tells us that at the end of his life, when he called all his sons around, Yaakov wanted to tell his sons the date when the Moshiach would come. Hashem prevented Yaakov from divulging the date by hiding it from him at the last minute. Yaakov unable to tell his sons WHEN at least told them HOW to bring him. Yaakov said, “Hakbitsu”, join together, “Vishimu”, listen. The first way Hashem forgives us as a people, and brings the Moshiach closer is if we care for each other. Hashem is our father. What makes a father happiest is when his children join together care for and are respectful of each other.

Unfortunately it is usually only when we as Jews have our backs against the wall that we come together. The bondage in Egypt, the first Purim, and the six day war are only a sampling of this fact. There was one time at least in our history that we were joined not out of fear but out of glory. This was at Har Sini when we were as one person with one goal. It said “chanu” we (in the singular showing unity) camped. However it was more than that. The word Chanu also means found favor (from the word C-hain). At Har Sini each Jew found favor in the eyes of his fellow Jew. It was a unity of love and mutual respect.

Unity is the first step to bring the Moshiach. Baal Haturim says that Tshuvah for our sins is the second required component. He learns this from the word NACNU (meaning we or us). It appears only three times in the TANACH. In the story of Joseph and his brothers they say, “Benai eish echad Nachnu” (we are the sons of one man). This refers to unity. In Eicha it says, “Nachnu Pashanu Vimarinu” (we sinned and were bitter). Finally in Sedrah Matos it says, “Nacnu naavor chalutzim lifnai Hashem” ( we will cross over as a vanguard before Hashem). These three “nachnu”s come to teach that with unity and correction of our sins we can herald the coming of the Moshiach.

Yaakov’s other instruction to his sons; ‘Vishimu’ implores his sons to listen to the words of their father and the Torah he taught them. Learning Torah gives us the knowledge of what is Halachically permitted and what is not. Someone who is ignorant of the law can not be observant and is likely to sin inadvertently.

We have celebrated the holiday of Chanuka recently. The Chanu of Chanukah means they rested (from war). Chanu could also mean, as we said, that they were united and found favor in each other’s eyes. This however never happened despite the miracles of Chanuka from our Father in Heaven. Historically, before the war there was assimilation. After the war there was unrest and certainly no unity. There was no Ch-hain. There was no Nachnu. There was a light from pure olive oil that lasted eight days instead of one.

From the time of the MISCHAN in the desert, the light of the Menorah represented the wisdom of Torah. The miracle of Chanukah could therefore also be telling us that if we even make a small effort (a days worth) to study Torah the results of wisdom gained (eight fold) will far exceed the effort expended. The wisdom one gets from studying Torah is even superior to the knowledge one can glean. Torah knowledge can help one prevent sin from ignorance. Wisdom from the Torah, even greater, gives us the desire to avoid sin and do Tshuvah.

In truth if our father Jacob told us “how” don’t we really know “when” also? In fact “when” can even be “now”. We need only concentrate on “how” and do it “now”.

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF HENYA BAT YITZCOCH

Hunger Initiative

On behalf of  the GNS Hunger Initiative, a big “Thank You” to Gabby Nissan and her committee of high school volunteers who packed and delivered beautiful Chanukah gift bags. Your efforts were greatly appreciated.

Little League

Please fill out one per child. Copies are available in the Synagogue office.

THE GREAT NECK BASEBALL LEAGUE/

JEWISH COMMUNITY LITTLE LEAGUE IS

BACK & BETTER THAN EVER……

SEASON OPENER IS APRIL 11, 2010

REGISTRATION & APPLICATION ARE DUE BACK

FEBRUARY 1, 2010

TEAMS ARE:  3-4 grade                PREP

5-6 grade                JUNIOR

7-8 grade                INTERMEDIATE

PRICE:         $75.00 PER CHILD

$40.00 FOR BASEBALL JERSEY

(Every child must have a JERSEY)

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

If you are wearing your JERSEY from last year, we must know the #__________.

If you are interested in coaching your son/daughter,

please fill in your name_________________________.

TEAMS WILL BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 15 PLAYERS!

ON A FIRST COME SIGN UP BASIS

PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION

ENCLOSED IS $________ FOR MY SON(S)/DAUGHTER(S)

_______________________________     ___________

Name of Child                             Grade

CHILD’S E-MAIL ADDRESS ________________________

PLEASE FILL OUT & MAIL TO G.N.S,

Attn: RABBI JENSEN/JACK LIPSKY,

26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023

LEAGUE USE ONLY

o     Birth Certificate

o   Partic.f ee o Other

APPLICATION TO PLAY LITTLE LEAGUE

FOR LOCAL LEAGUE USE ONLY (Please Print)

League Name—————–

League 1.D. No.

I I. I I I I

Q Male o Female      Born/ Month_______ day______________year______    Age_______________-

Baseball_________________________ or  softball ______________ _

Player’s Name                                                                   Mo.        Day         Yr.               league Age_________

( )

Street Address                                      city                                 State                      ZIp                         Phone No.

Participation In Little League baseball requires the ability to run, throw, swing a bat and catch a ball. Additionally. Participation requires the capacity~ to understand the rules of the game. Does your child have any current condition that limits “his/her ability to participate in this activity? Q Yes o No

If -yes.’ please explain and identify any modification that would enable your child to participate:               _

Please provide information about allergies or medical conditions that the team should have in case of emergency:              _

I/We, the parent(s) of the above named candidate for a position on a Little League team, Hereby give my/our approval 10 participate in any and all Little League activities, including transportation to and from the activities.

I/We know that participation in baseball or softball may result In serious injuries and protective equipment does not prevent all Injuries to players, and do hereby waive, release, absolve, Indemnify and agree to hold harmless the local Little League. Little League Baseball, Inc •• The organizers. sponsors, participants and persons transporting my/our child to and from activities for any claim arising out of any injury to my/our child whether the result of negligence or tor any other cause, except to the extent and In the amount covered by accident or liability Insurance.

//We agree to return upon request the uniform and other equipment Issued to my/our child in as good a condition as when received except for normal wear and tear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       .

//We will furnish a certified birth certificate of the above named candidate to League Officials

Parent(a) or Guardian Signature(a): _________________________________________ _

Name of Family Hospitalization Plan: ____________________________________________

School ____________________________________ _

Parent’s Occupation: ___________________________________________

President’s Signature _______________________________________ _

Little League Baseball does not limit participation in its activities on the basis of disability.

Within Our Family: December 26, 2009

Mazal Tov to Lynn Steinberg and Harold Steinberg in honor of the upcoming marriage of their son Noah to Jessica Salzberg. Mazal Tov also to grandmother Elizabeth Katzwer.

Mazal Tov to Ilene & George Schuman on the engagement of their daughter Nora to Jonathan Greene, son of Roberta & Allan Greene of Valley Stream. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Phyllis & Paul Weinberg.

Mazal Tov to Deborah & Hal Chadow on the Bar Mitzvah of her son  Daniel Rabizadeh in Israel.

Mazal Tov to Solomon Swartz on his acceptance to Brown University’s eight year Medical Program.

Mazal Tov to Goldie & Howard Lorber on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Jill & Robert Kaufman in Israel.

Mazal Tov to Mark & Beth Goldman on the birth of their son.

Mazal Tov to Josh Windsor and Norma Bilbool on the upcomiing Bar Mitzvah of their son Jonathan in Israel.

Sponsorships: Dec. 26, 2009

Kiddush is sponsored by

Harold Steinberg

In honor of  the upcoming marriage

ff his son Noah to Jessica Salzberg

Bima Flowers are sponsored by

Ellen & Mitchell Siegel

In memory of her mother Blanche Givner z”l

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by

Josh Windsor and  Norma Bilbool

In honor of the upcoming Bar Mitzvah

of their son Jonathan in Israel

Youth Department Registration Form

GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE YOUTH PROGRAM 2009/2010

Name

Date of Birth

Grade

School

Telephone #

Cell #’s                           Parent                       Child

Email

Bar Mitzvah Parsha

I am willing to layn on Shabbat Morning

I am willing to give a Dvar Torah Shabbat Morning

Significant Medical Conditions/ Allergies

Parshas VaYigash 5770: Yehudoh Confronts Yosef: Stephen Rabinowitz, MD

B”H
Bereishis 44:18 tells us:
וַיִּגַשׁ אֵלָיו יְהוּדָה, וַיֹאמֶר בִּי
אֲדֹנִּי, יְדַבֶר-נָא עַבְדְךָ דָבָר
בְאָזְנֵי אֲדֹנִּי, וְאַל-יִּחַר אַפְךָ
בְעַבְדֶ ך: י כָממךָ , פַרְעֹה.
Then Yehudoh approached (Yosef) and said, “Please my master, your servant now (wants to) say something that (I hope) my master will listen to. (I’m going to be firm) so please don’t get angry at your servant, for you are as (important in my eyes) as Paroh (himself).” (Translation after Rabbi Chaim Miller, following Rashi)
The Midrash tells us that this conversation consisted of a confrontation between two kings. The Rabbis tell us that this confrontation has had serious repercussions for 3500 years, to the present day. So let us try to understand the issues.
Rav Soloveitchik says that the households of Avrohom and Yitzchok each had one principal wife and one principal heir. Ya’akov, however, was maneuvered by Lovon and by Divine Providence to have two principal wives, Rochayl and Laya, and therefore two principal heirs. Rochayl was gentle and self-sacrificing, with the characteristic of chesed. She sacrificed herself for her sister, and to remove the idols from her father’s house. Because of the latter, she died an early death and was buried alone, not with her husband. Laya was strong, proactive, and persistent, the characteristic of gevuroh. Each one’s sons replicated their mother’s nature.
Rochayl’s sons Yosef and Binyamin were like her. But Yosef was also ambitious. He wanted to lead the twelve tribes. His father loved him best and gave him the coat symbolic of leadership. Yosef dreamed that eleven sheaves would bow to his one sheaf, symbolizing pre-eminence in material wealth, a dream that was fulfilled. His second dream had the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing to him, as they would to a king. Yosef was born to kedushah, sanctity, was somewhat of a nazir, who yearned to do good, and was called the tzaddik, to the extent that he irked his brothers. He never changed, remaining the same in Egypt as he was in his father’s house. He engaged with the secular world and tried to elevate it. To the outside world he became a viceroy, but in his private room he cried. He represented the hidden majesty of Yisroel, who could recognize his brothers, but not be recognized by them.
Laya’s sons were different. When impetuosity disqualified Re’uvayn, Shimon, and Levi from leadership, her fourth son, Yehudoh moved into that role and displayed her world-changing qualities. At first, Yehudoh compromised with evil when he proposed the sale of Yosef. Then, in a transformative experience, he acknowledged the righteousness of Tamar and became the prototype of repentance. He recognized his wrongdoing, felt remorse, and changed his ways. In Egypt, he accepted the responsibility he promised to his father for Binyamin’s safety, and challenged the viceroy at his own great peril. To protect Binyamin, he offered to accept upon himself the slavery that he once imposed on Yosef. Yehudoh, said Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, represented the majesty of Yisroel revealed for everyone to see.
Rav Ya’akov Medan points out that Yehudoh and Yosef shared some qualities. Theirs were the only names among the twelve sons that included HaShem’s name. They are the only ones singled out by Bereishis to designate “Yehudoh and his brothers (44:14)” or “Yosef’s brothers (42:6).” They both overcame difficult situations with women, Yehudoh with his first wife bas Shua, Yosef with the wife of Potiphar. They went on to be the only brothers not married to Canaanite women. Only the wives of these two brothers, Tamar and Osnas, are named in the Torah, with details of their marriages and explanations for the names of their sons. Only their life events and their good deeds are recorded at length. In the desert after the Exodus, the tribes of Yehudoh and the combined tribes of Yosef (Efrayim and Menashe) were the largest. The tribes marched with Yehudoh on the east and Yosef on the west. In the war against Amalek, the assistants to Moshe and Aharon were Chur of Yehudoh and Yehoshua of Efrayim. The only successful spies were Yehoshua and Calev, prince of Yehudoh. Before portions in the Land were distributed, Yosef was given Shechem and Calev was given Chevron, the cities where the respective royal houses began. These two tribes received the largest portions of land, described in most detail, and given at the proper time, neither prematurely (as Gad and
Re’uvayn) nor belatedly (as the other seven tribes). The tribes of Yehudoh and Yosef showed special love for the Land, illustrated by the daughters of Tzelofchod (Menashe) and Achsoh, daughter of Calev (Yehudoh).
Yosef’s goal, says Rav Soloveitchik, was to fulfill his second dream. This could only be achieved by having Ya’akov descend to Egypt, where he would meet and bow to the viceroy, not realizing he was bowing to his son Yosef. This would solidify Yosef’s claim to the leadership of Bnai Yisroel. Yosef thought that detaining Binyamin would force Ya’akov to come to him. But Divine Providence ordained otherwise. Yeshayahu 57:19 says, “Peace, peace, to him who is far and him who is near…” Based on this, R. Abbahu states that HaShem first greets those who were far off and then repented, before He greets those who were near to Him all along. He adds that those who repented stand on a level unattainable by the completely righteous (Gemara Brachos 34b). Yehudoh, not a nazir and not a chasid, but who struggled with and conquered his evil inclination, was therefore a more realistic exemplar for the nation. The glory of a king is in the multitude of his people, where Yehudoh wished to be, not aloof like Yosef. The Zohar says that Yehudoh’s arguments form a blueprint for effective prayer. His words “bi adoni” can be taken to mean that HaShem is within himself. He poured out his heart to Yosef and convinced him that imprisoning Binyamin would simply kill Ya’akov, rather than bring him to Egypt. Yosef’s emotions overcame him when he saw Yehudoh’s selfless concern for his family and the level of nobility and gevurah he had attained. Yosef then revealed himself before he intended; his second dream could never be realized. Yosef’s role was to be an efficient administrator, to care for the material needs of his people and to help them fit in with the other nations of the world; but Yehudoh’s role was to inspire the people with Torah ideals, to be a unique people with a unique relationship with HaShem, says the Rav.
When Ya’akov learned that Yosef was alive, and the viceroy of Egypt, he sent Yehudoh to lead the way for the family by preparing a yeshiva in Goshen. On arriving in Egypt, Ya’akov did not kiss Yosef, so no one would imagine that he was in any way endorsing Yosef’s bid for dominion. At the end of his life he gave many blessings to Yosef, who was called an ox (Ber. 49:6, Dev. 33:17), but he called Yehudoh “gur aryay”, the lion’s son, and said the scepter of rule would never depart from Yehudoh. In the long run, the nation needed both attributes. But the tensions caused by the sale of Yosef never faded. The Mishkan stood in Shiloh, in Yosef’s territory. King Sha’ul of the tribe of Binyamin gave way to Dovid haMelech of Yehudah. The Mishkan was superseded by the Bais haMikdosh, constructed at the initiative of the kings of Yehudoh. In the Bais haMikdosh, the Chamber of Hewn Stones where the Sanhedrin sat was in the territory of Yehudoh, while the Altar and the Holy of Holies were in the territory of Binyamin. Yorovom of Efrayim led the tribes of the north in revolution against Dovid’s royal descendants in the south, forming a separate kingdom in Samaria which never reconciled. Pagan culture particularly infused Efrayim. Dissension within the people led to the destruction of the first Beis HaMikdosh. Rabbi Asher Sinclair says Yehudoh accuses the Efrayim camp of fanatical enmity toward every Jewish point of view and indiscriminate acceptance of every non-Jewish viewpoint. Efrayim accuses the Yehudoh camp of picking out those mitzvos which they choose to keep, and keeping them mostly by rote. These divisions persist today.
Eventually, the Moshiach ben Yosef or ben Efrayim (Gemara Succah 52a&b), the master of infrastructure, will pave the way for Moshiach ben Dovid, the Torah scholar who will inspire the whole world with his leadership. In our haftorah, Yechezkel tells of the ultimate ingathering and reunification of Am Yisroel. Rav Schwab points out that the bracha “T’ka baShofar” of Shmoneh Esrei talks of two gatherings: the first is the physical return to Eretz Yisroel, and the second is the ideological reconciliation of the people. Rav Kook notes that Ya’akov sent word to Eisov (Ber. 32:6), “I have an ox and a donkey,” an ox (Yosef) to plow the ground, and a donkey (bearing Moshiach ben Dovid) to bring in the harvest. In his Eulogy in Jerusalem, 1904, Rav Kook calls Theodore Herzl an example of the Moshiach ben Yosef prototype. The Sefer haChareidim (Rabbi Elazar Azikri, Tzfat, 1533-1600) says that HaShem’s oneness can only be appreciated by Am Yisroel when they too are in a state of unity. Just as the Shechina returned to Ya’akov after a 22-year absence when his family reunited, so will it be with us in the days of Moshiach. May we see it soon!

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