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26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Metzorah 5779
He stunned me with his familiarity with the early chapters benedictions of thanksgiving when they have escaped the
of the book of Leviticus. “Those chapters are all about perils of a long journey, an unjust imprisonment, or a
animal sacrifices,” he objected. “What on earth do those protracted illness. “I myself,” I reported to him, “have just
pagan practices have to do with the quintessentially returned from a trip to Israel, and I uttered this very
spiritual sentiments of gratitude?” I politely, but very firmly, benediction in the synagogue this morning.”
objected to his description of biblical sacrifices as pagan
practices. I told him that it would take many train rides for He expressed how deeply impressed he was by the fact
me to even begin to explain the deeper significance of the that somehow the sacrifices of old persisted, albeit in a
Temple sacrifices to the Jewish religion and the implication verbal form, to this very day. But he asked my permission
of those sacrifices for the truly spiritual human. “But,” I said to pose one more question. I granted him his request, and
in my best rabbinical voice, “let me just tell you a bit about was glad that he asked: “Why so many breads, four
one of those sacrifices, the korban todah, the Thanksgiving different types, and ten of each type?” I was so glad that
offering.” he asked this, because I again had an answer at the ready.
I told him about the great 15th century sage and finance
To my surprise, he expressed his readiness to hear what I minister to the king and queen of Spain, Don Isaac
had to say. I happened to have a Chumash with the Abarbanel, who raised this question over 500 years ago
translation and commentary of Rabbi Joseph Hertz in my and wrote: “The time limit within which the meat of the
briefcase, so I was able to quote the following verses sacrifice and the many loaves of bread were to be
verbatim: “If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall consumed was restricted to barely one day and one
offer with the sacrifice unleavened cake mingled with oil evening. How could a grateful person bringing the sacrifice
and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes mingled possibly consume all of that in so short a time? Obviously,
with oil, of fine flour soaked. Together with additional cakes he had to bring with him his brethren, friends, and
of unleavened bread he shall present his offering…” acquaintances to eat and rejoice with him and to inquire of
one another about the reason for this man’s gratitude, so
I pointed out to him that four different types of bread were that the man would respond and tell of the wondrous
listed here and, of each type, ten loaves were to be brought favors which the Lord Almighty had done for him, and so
to the Temple. I asked his permission to read to him Rabbi the name of God would be exalted among a throng of
Hertz’ comment on that passage, which succinctly people and praised in the presence of all the elders…”
recapitulates the teachings of our Sages on this verse: “The
rabbis declare that… In the messianic era, all sacrifices will Paul shook his head and said, “I learned something special
have completed their educational mission – all save the one today about the spirituality of gratitude. I had always
inculcating the duty of gratitude. That sacrifice continues thought of gratitude as something for individuals to
forever. The prophets rank ingratitude as a sin that reduces express privately, in solitude, and now you’re telling me
man below the level of a dumb animal…” At this point, my that you expressed your gratitude this morning before all
new friend again astonished me with his erudition. “I those assembled in the synagogue, and that even in the
know,” he said, “he is referring to the famous passage in ancient Temple, one could not express gratitude to the
the third or fourth verse of the first chapter of the book of Divine without sharing his gratitude, and his bread, with
Isaiah: ‘An ox knows its owner…Israel does not other human beings.” I told him that I too had learned this
know…’ (Isaiah 1:3)” I confessed my astonishment and told lesson anew. I made a commitment to myself: I would no
him how accurate his biblical memory was. I went on to tell longer protect my time alone on the commuter train so
him that to this very day, in lieu of sacrifices, Jews recite zealously. I would be open to anyone who sat down next to
me and hopefully share more conversations as meaningful
Great Neck Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus as this one had been.
Welcomes your questions about mikvah,
observance of taharat mishpacha (halacha relating
to married life) and women’s health, as it connects
to Jewish law. Reach out to her at:
Phone: 516.415.1111
Email: greatneckyoetzet@gmail.com.
Great Neck Synagogue RABBI POLAKOFF’S
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck , NY 11023
516-487-6100 SHABBAT HAGADOL DRASHA

Rabbi Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi ZACHIN L’ADAM:
Dr. Ephraim Wolf, z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
Yitzy Spinner, Cantor THE THINGS WE DO BEHIND YOUR BACK
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Rabbi Sholom Jensen, Youth Director
Zehava & Dr. Michael Atlas, Youth Directors MINCHA 6:50 PM
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Dr. James Frisch, Assistant Director DRASHA 7:10 PM
Erran Kagan, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
Lisa Septimus, Yoetzet Halacha 516-415-1111