Beat The Heat at GNS
July 22, 2011
During the heat wave if you do not have air conditioning in your home you can come to GNS and cool off.
Come relax have a drink, learn Torah ,watch TV, bring a book or a newspaper and relax in a cool air conditioned room.
This service will be available during office hours Monday-Thursday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday from 9:30-1 pm.
Please check into the synagogue office to let them know you are here.
Mattos by Dr. Mark Gersten in memory of Helene
July 20, 2011
The essence of life is knowing what the essence of life is. When the tribes of Ruben and Gad asked Moses for permission to settle on the other side of the Jordan they said they needed to build pens for their herds and cities for their children. As Moses set down the parameters for the agreement he chided them by saying that they should first build cities for their children and then the pens for their herds. Providing for the future of their children must be paramount in their minds. Moshe was saying that in life some things are “eikar” essential while others are “tuffel” secondary. True the tribes had to take care of their flocks to have a parnasa (income), but that was only the means, the essential end product would be to provide for their children.
All of life provides us with the difficulty of identifying what is essential and what is secondary. a house may be beautiful but it is only a house. The love caring and sacrifice of the people inside the house make it into a home. By law, one must pronounce the words of prayer to have performed prayer, but moving the lips is not the essence. The feelings of the heart during prayer are. Prayer is “avodat shebalev”, the service of the heart.
As we approach, Tisha B’av the fast is only secondary. The fast is required to put us in the right frame of mind and free us from the mundane requirement of eating the essence of the day is to contemplate. We are to think about what we lost. We are to read the kinot and lament what is no longer. However even this type of contemplation is secondary. It is only necessary to stimulate us to change our ways. We must contemplate what went wrong and how to fix it. The essential goal is to serve Hashem in the way that will convince him to bring Moshiach and return us to his holy temple
Yes, the essence of life is knowing what the essence of life is!
Shabbat Announcements: July 23, 2011
July 18, 2011
Within Our Family: July 23, 2011
July 18, 2011
Mazal Tov to Judy & Abe Soleimani on the birth of a grandson born to their children Elana & David Aminoff.
Sponsorships: July 23, 2011
July 18, 2011
Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue.
Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Michelle & Norman Rutta in memory of his father Abraham Rutta, z”l and by Beth & Marc Gottlieb in memory of his mother Rachel Gottlieb and his grandparents Herman & Fannie Gottlieb, and Shlomo Schwartzman z”l.
Shiva Information for Phillip Machnikoff, z”l
July 18, 2011
We note with sorrow the passing of our member Philip Machnikoff, beloved husband of Tina and beloved father of Adina, Daniella and Zehava.
The funeral will took place, Monday, July 18 at 9 AM at Sinai Chapels in Queens.
The period of Shiva, concluding Sunday morning July 24, will be observed at the Machnikoff residence, 70 Grist Mill Lane in Great Neck.
Services are as follows:
Morning services - Tuesday- 7:30 AM; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 7:45 AM and Sunday at 8:30 AM. Evening service - Monday thru Thursday at 8:05 PM except Tuesday at 7:55PM.
To assist with meals for the family please contact Evelyn Krantz and Sara Feldschreiber.
May the family be comforted among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.
Joseph Hecht
President
Shiva Information for J. Leonard Samansky, z”l
July 15, 2011
Great Neck Synagogue notes with sorrow the passing of our member J. Leonard Samansky, beloved husband of Shirley Samansky.
The funeral took place on Sunday, July 17, at 12:30 pm, at Sinai Chapels in Queens.
The period of shiva, ending publicly Friday afternoon, July 22, will be observed at the Samansky home, 20 Greenleaf Hill, Great Neck, NY. Minyanim will be held there mornings at 6:45 am and evenings at 8:05 pm. On Tuesday, the fast of the 17th of Tamuz, shacharit will begin at 6:30 am (allowing time for an abbreviated selichot) and mincha will be at 7:55 pm.
May the family be comforted among those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem.
Joseph Hecht
President
Laws of the Three Weeks:
July 15, 2011
Beginning with the 17th of Tammuz and continuing through the 9th 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.
“Dos Yiddish Vort” on Tuesday, September 20
July 13, 2011
DOS YIDDISH VORT
Food and festivals Jewish Style will be dissected at “Dos Yiddish Vort” on Tuesday, September 20, at 1:30 Pm. All are welcome. For further info, Roz Wagner 487-9795
Rabbi Heshy Kleinman: Sept. 17, 2011
July 13, 2011
Special Shabbat Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker: Rabbi Heshy Kleinman
Author, Praying With Fire (Vol. 1&2); Yearning With Fire; The Power of Teshuvah
Pick up your copy of ‘Praying With Fire’ from the shul office during regular business hours
(first come, first serve basis).$13 per copy.
Strengthen the power of Tefillah in these challenging times.
learn the 89 days of ‘Praying With Fire’.
Please call the synagogue office to reserve spots at the special luncheon which will be held next Shabbat.
Name:_____________________________________________
# of Reservations: adult______________ teens__________ children ___________________
Amt: ________________________________
Please RSVP By Wednesday morning.
Thank you
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