RABBI REISMAN
January 30, 2010
The Rabbi Reisman simulcast takes place every Saturday evening in the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center. The time for February is 8:00 pm.
B’Shalach, Shabbat Shira, Tu Beshvat Peace of Parsha by Dr. Ernest Herman
January 27, 2010
In this week’s parsha, Beshalach, the children of Israel, some 600,000 men together with their families numbering about 3 million people have begun their exodus from Egypt and slavery. We are then treated to a series of miracles, which G-d performed for them, the centerpiece of which is the splitting of the Red Sea. Every time we read this story we get a renewed feeling of awe of G-d’s taming of nature to that degree. Picture three million people, schlepping along the desert, being pursued by a formidable army of chariots for the purpose of killing them or forcing them back into slavery. Then Moses, raised his arms and split the sea allowing the Israelites to march through on dry land. When they were safe on the other side he raised his hands which brought the water together drowning all the Egyptians together with their equipment.
Witnessing this spectacle brought on a tremendous response of faith in the Lord. This led to the singing of the Song of the Sea (Shira), praising Hashem for their miracles, survival and stressing a glorious reward for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. This is also one of the principles of Judaism described by Maimondes. Chazal realizing the importance of this song put it into our daily prayers.
Some commentators have pointed out that although the Shira expresses gratitude and triumph it also mentions revenge and rejoicing at the death of our enemies. In Leviticus we note that the Torah tells us
not to take vengeance or bear a grudge when your enemies “stumbleth”.
However, Pharoah and the Egyptians were so evil that they were set in annihilating the Israelites. In this situation it was permissible to kill them. However, G-d did the job for us and wanted their punishment to be publicized as a warning that in the future any nation that engages in genocide will be punished severely. In the concluding verse of the Shira we are reminded that the Lord will reign forever and ever.
Once the threat of Egyptians was removed G-d’s miracles gave the Israelites food in the form of manna which produced no waste and also fresh drinking water. The series of miracles continues with the defeat of the cowardly Amelakites who attached the Israelites because of their extreme hatred. Following the defeat of these people we are commanded by G-d to “obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens”.
This Shabbath is Tu Beshvat-the 15th of Shvat, when we celebrate the Rosh Hashonah or New Year for trees. In Israel the tithes for fruit are decided. The type of which is determined by whether the planting was done before or after Tu Beshvat. The fruits that blossomed before Tu Beshvat are considered for the previous year and those that blossomed after Tu Beshvat are the fruit of the New Year. We are also in a festive mood since we celebrate at this time our love for the Holy Land, it’s fruits, the renewal of the strength of it’s soil and it’s special mitzvoth. Planting new trees is also encouraged just as others have planted for us, we plant for the future for those who will come after us.
Our sages agree that this holiday is based on the Torah verse “Man is compared to a tree” (Deut. 20:19). For a tree to become healthy and full grown requires work, care, prayer, proper nourishment and constant attention. To assure our children grow up spiritually and morally strong, they must get care, attention and proper spiritual nourishment when they are young. Water to a tree is like Torah wisdom for us. Sunlight for a tree is like warmth, friendship and community for a person. The sign of a healthy tree is that it continues to grow and give fruit. So too a Jew must continue to grow in knowledge of the Torah which is demonstrated by performance of mitzvos and good deeds. It is also a time for appreciation for what Hashem has given us which we might be tempted to take for granted. “Let our attitude be gratitude”.
These lessons of Tu-Beshvat and Shabbat Shira are valid today for us.
May we be able to sing the song of Israel triumphant in our generation also.
This d’var torah is in honor of my aishet chayil, Sunny. Shabbat Shalom!=
Florence Shaffer Memorial Award
January 27, 2010
THE FLORENCE SHAFFER MEMORIAL FUND
The Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship is a program run by the Sisterhood of Great Neck Synagogue. The program provides financial assistance to help young women with some of the expenses of college in circumstances where their families are unable to provide those funds. The scholarship fund was endowed in the memory of Florence Shaffer z”l, a beloved leader of the Sisterhood and longtime Recording Secretary of Great Neck Synagogue, by her husband, Dr. Bernard Shaffer. The scholarship fund is a particularly meaningful tribute to Florence Shaffer because, as a young woman, she could not afford to attend college, despite her burning desire to do so.
This year, the Scholarship Committee is planning to award two scholarships of up to $1,000 each to appropriate applicants. To be eligible, the applicant’s family must be members of Great Neck Synagogue and the applicant currently must be a senior in High School who plans to go to college or to seminary in Israel next Fall. Each applicant should submit a short essay (of approximately one single-spaced page) describing her ambitions and what she hopes to achieve with her further education.
Please submit applications to the attention of The Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship Committee by e-mail to ckorman@csklaw.cc. Applications must be submitted by no later than March 1, 2010.
New Monthly Intermediate Minyan
January 27, 2010
You Are Encouraged to Talk During This Minyan!
Intermediate Minyan
February 6th - Parshat Yitro
9 am - 11:30 am
On Shabbat Yitro, February 6th, we will be starting an Intermediate Minyan, to meet monthly, modeled after Rabbi Elie Weinstock’s highly successful weekly minyan at Cong Kehilath Jeshurun in New York.
It will include explanation of the tefilot and the readings, through moderated discussion and interactive dialogue during the service, and a continuation of the dialogue, with a more formal focused discussion, following the service.
The intent is to create a quiet, meaningful and engaging experience, and to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the tefilot, and of prayer itself. Participation by the attendees, and engagement of the young adults, in leading services and engaging in the discussions, is heartily encouraged.
The first minyan will meet on the second floor, in room [203], at 9 am, and will conclude at 11:30 am. It will be led by Rabbi Ben Skydell, past Assistant Rabbi of Cong. Beth Sholom, Lawrence, NY, and at present Lecturer in Talmud, and Director of Religious Guidance, at NSHA HS.
Please feel free to contact any of the undersigned with any questions or comments. We look forward to your joining us.
Amy Fox amy.fox11@gmail.com
Ben Lunzer blunzer@att.net
David Werber davidwerber@gmail.com
Food Drive for Purim
January 26, 2010
GNS Youth Basketball Spring Schedule
January 26, 2010
Youth Registration and Web Site
January 26, 2010
Online Youth Department contact form
Please fill it out online and just click submit. This will then take the information and automatically insert it into an excel file. The form can also be found at gnsyouth.org (its right on the main page and there is a link called “contact form” on the side navigation bar as well).
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHRFYzRYbnVKeWJhNmtWRXQybkNSN1E6MA
Torah On Tuesdays for Women.
January 26, 2010
TORAH TEFILAH AND TOGETHERNESS ON TUESDAYS.
Please join us at 11 am, Amit Yagoubi is giving a class based on a book Orchos Tzadikim- The ways of the Rightous.
Originally published in Yiddish, Orchos Tzadikim (The paths of the Righteous) has become one of the more famously learned seferim on self-improvement and mussar. Although the book was anonymously published, it’s structured and easy to follow formulas have inspired many to reach the potential that Hashem intended them to. As with most mussar and self-improvement works, little that we don’t already know is presented. However, the routine of life often traps us to forget and disregard precisely the common knowledge that would do us so good to remember. Join us as we learn about different character traits from pride, anger, envy, and finally culminating in fear of heaven. As we work on ourselves, we will change the world.
At 12:15 pm we have a lunch and learn program with a video broadcast from Shira Smiles (the video starts at about 12:45). Anyone wishing
to sponsor in honor or in memory of a loved one, please contact the Shul office. The cost for these programs will be as follows: $10 Amit Yagoubi, $15 Lunch and Learn.
Sponsorships: January, 30, 2010
January 26, 2010
Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue
Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Susan & David Sedgh in memory of his father Yaacov Ben Yitzchak Sedgh
Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by Yaffa & Avraham Gabbaizadeh in memory of Rabi Shlomo ben Yehuda Gabbai and Ayuma Bat Moshiah.
Within Our Family: January 30, 2010
January 26, 2010
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