Parshat Yitro February 14, 2009 20 Shevat, 5769

GNS TEFILLA DIGEST:

Torah A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern

Artscroll, 394 This inspiring article about amazingly miraculous it is. It is by studying the Torah.
tefillah is sponsored by the intricacies and grandeur of
Hertz, 288 David and Diane Rein in the natural world that make you
[What is Sefer Hamitzvot? The
Gemara in Makot 23b tells us that
Haftorah memory of Diane’s mother, “fall in love” with a G-d that is there are 613 commandments in
Helene M. Fink z”l. greater than anything you could
Artscroll, imagine (Hil. Yisodei Hatorah
the Torah but it does not tell us
what they are. This number is
1154 Issue # 32 – Kriat Shma 2:2). based on the verse in the Torah
Hertz, 302 (Part XI) The second aspect of the love which says “Torah tziva lanu
In last week’s issue of the of G-d that the Rambam speaks moshe; morasha kehillat
Times Tefilla Digest we left the about is the love that a person Yaakov,” “Moses commanded us
topic of the Oneness of G-d comes to over time after a law, an inheritance of the
Candle lighting 5:09 pm
cited in the first verse of the “knowing” G-d better. What congregation of Jacob” (Devarim
Mincha 5:10 pm shma and began to discuss the Rambam means by 33:4). The numerical value of
Hashkama 8:00 am the content of the first “knowing G-d,” is that a person “Torah” is 611 and these are
Minyan paragraph of the shma. The can come closer to G-d and considered to be the mitzvoth that
crux of the paragraph is the “know” G-d more when that Moses told us. Therefore one
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am commandment with which person reaches a greater level of must add 2 to 611 for the 2
Youth 8:30 am it begins: “V’Ahavta et philosophical understanding commandments that G-d himself
Hashem Elokecha,” “And and contemplation of G-d (Hil. told us during the first 2 of the 10
Main Minyan 9:00 am
you shall love the Lord Teshuva 10:6). This is similar Commandments. Many of the
Beit Midrash 9:15 am your G-d.” to the human love of a married medieval commentators compiled
Our discussion of the couple whose love for each lists or books enumerating the
Gemorah Shiur 4:05 pm
mitzvah of loving G-d other continues to develop and 613 according to their count. The
Mincha 5:05 pm intensify over time as the Rambam was amongst them and
began with the Rambam’s
Shabbat Ends 6:19 pm definition of this love. The couple gets to know each other he set out all of the rules he used
Rambam says that there are more and share more for counting and them proceeded
Sunday, 7:30 am experiences together. to list all the positive and negative
February 15, 8:30 am really two aspects to the
mitzvah of loving G-d There is yet a third aspect to commandments with an
Mon., Thurs., 6:35 am which really have strong loving G-d which the Rambam explanation of each one where he
corollaries in our own speaks about that we did not elaborates upon the mitzvah and
Tues., Wed., Fri., 6:45 am what is about. One of the other
human love. discuss in last week’s issue of
Second Shacharit famous “mitzvah books” of the
Minyan (Daily) 7:45 am The first aspect of our love the Tefilla Digest. Middle Ages is the Sefer
for G-d, we said last week, When the Rambam formulates Hachinuch by R. Avraham Halevi
Mincha (week of 5:20 pm
is a spontaneous love that the mitzvah of loving G-d not in the 13th century in Spain.]
February 15)
you feel when you in his Mishne Torah, but in his
Late Ma’ariv 8:15 pm contemplate the world Sefer Hamitzvoth, he claims The Rambam says that: “He has
Mon., - Thurs., around you and how that one can reach a love of G-d commanded us to love Him; and
that [means] to understand and
Latest times for
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei
February 14 9:29/10:22 am Kiddush Bima Flowers
February 21 9:24/10:19 am
Is sponsored Are sponsored by
by David and Diane Rein
Next Shabbat - Yishpatim-
Shekalim Great Neck In memory of
Candle lighting 5:18 pm Synagogue Helen M. Fink z”l
Mincha 5:20 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100
comprehend His mitzvoth, His statements, and His actions
until we come to know Him…” (Sefer Hamitzvoth:
Positive Commandment #3). Here, our knowledge of G-d
come not only through contemplating the cosmos and being
wowed by nature or by philosophical investigation in to His
actions, but also through understanding His mitzvoth.
Some have concluded that what the Rambam is really
saying is that in order to come to love G-d you have to
know Him, and to know Him you need to understand His
commandments, and to understand His commandments one
must study the text in which they are recorded: The Torah.
Love of G-d comes through contemplating the world,
through philosophy, and through the study of Torah.
This view is supported by the Midrash Sifre which the
Rambam himself quotes in his explanation of the mitzvah:
“ ‘You shall love the Lord your G-d.’ But I do not know
how one loves Him; therefore it is said, [just two verses
later] ‘And these words [hadevarim haeleh] which I
command you this day shall be in your heart’ – as a result
of this you will come to know Him by whose word the
world came in to being.”
“The words” that the Sifre speaks of which are meant to be
in our hearts and allow us to come to know G-d are the
words of the Torah.
This idea is not so far fetched and it seems to make sense in
human terms as well. When you wish to get to know
someone if they don’t tell you a lot about themselves you
have to find creative ways to piece together a picture of
who they are based on other insights you can gain. You
find out what they do, how they do it, what they say and
how they say it, and what things they ask you for so that
you can try to determine what kind of a person he or she is.
If a person if always asking for you to hurt yourself you can
deduce that the person is either really cruel or emotionally
disturbed. If the person asks you to assist them in
distributing food to the hungry and clothing to the homeless
you might conclude that he or she was a kind person who
cares about others.
If the Torah and its commandments are what G-d “says”
and what G-d “tells us to do” then we can learn something
about Him by studying them. Once we discover more
about Him, our love for Him will grow.
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi
Brahm Weinberg, Rabbinic Intern
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
Zeev Kron, Cantor
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Howard Silberstein, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
Shabbat Announcements, Yitro 5769
Thought to Ponder
The Sefer Hachinuch agrees with the Rambam that one needs
to both contemplate the actions of G-d in the grandiose world
as well as study Torah to come to love Hashem. However, he
also tells us why there is such a mitzvah of loving G-d: We
must love G-d because without loving Him we will never truly
be able to properly fulfill his commandments.
This is ironic: It is by understanding His
commandments that we are supposed to come to love Him, and
yet it is the love itself which is a prerequisite to proper
fulfillment of the commandments!!
Irony aside, this does explain why the mitzvah of
loving G-d is contained within a passage in the Torah which is
essentially about studying Torah and keeping the
commandments: One must study the Torah to love G-d and
one must love G-d to properly fulfill the commandments!
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
Eco-Friendly Ways to De-Ice your Driveway
What's wrong with salt? Plenty. Many consumers use
rock salt to clear a path through the snow around their homes.
But this is not ideal for the planet.
Top 5 Problems With Salt
1. Excess salts build up in the soil, just as they
do with chemical fertilizers.
2. Salt residue prevents plants from
absorbing moisture and nutrients.
3. Salts can leach heavy metals, which eventually
make their way into water supplies.
4. Salt on grass or sidewalks close to roads can attract
animals, which may be hit by cars if they're
licking the salt from the ground.
5. Plus, salt can burn our pets if it lodges in their paws.
Yes, salt does effectively melt snow. But is there a better way?
Try these alternatives to remove snow and ice from
the driveway without harming the environment.
1. Shovel your snow! Invest in a good snow shovel!
2. Get a grip-- Scatter sand or even birdseed for traction.
The grains won't melt snow or ice, but they will
give you more grip on icy surfaces.
3. Scrimp on the de-icer. Remember, the job of a de-icer is to
loosen ice from below to make it easier to shovel or plow. Don't
pile on the de-icer thinking you'll remove the ice completely.
You won't. The recommended application rate for rock salt is
around a handful per square yard you treat.
Calcium chloride will treat about 3 square yards per handful.
4. Pick your salt carefully-- Sodium chloride (NaCL) may
contain cyanide. Calcium chloride (CaCl) is slightly better since
less goes farther, but it is still not ideal, since its run-off still
increases algae growth, which clogs waterways. Potassium
chloride is another salt to avoid. Whatever you use, keep it
away from landscape plants, especially those that are
particularly salt-sensitive, like tulip poplars, maples,
balsam firs, white pines, hemlock, Norway spruce,
dogwood, redbud, rose bushes and spirea bushes.
 Special Guest Speaker:
Saturday, February 14

Rav David Moriah (the stepfather of Avraham David

Moses z”l, a 16 year old student who was killed in the
terrorist attack at Mercaz HaRav) will be speaking at
Great Neck Synagogue on Shabbat morning,
February 14, in the main sanctuary.

Rav Moriah is an educator at Yeshivat Chorev in

Jerusalem and was very close to his stepson.
His topic will be: Avraham David Moses, z"l
Rav Dovid Moriah

“Torah, Chessed and Humility: The Story of Avraham David Moses, z”l.”

Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Education Program

Tuesday evening, March 17, 2009

7:45 pm
Great Neck Synagogue, 26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck
Presents

THE CONVERSION
CONUNDRUM –
HOW DO YOU PROVE
YOU’RE A JEW?
Few areas of Jewish life are as fraught with emotion as conversion. Some Jews are deeply
suspicious of all converts, no matter how observant the latter may be. Others believe we are
morally compelled to do everything possible, including adopting marginal halachic
standards, in order to welcome converts into our midst. In between these extremes are the
majority of Jews, who understand how difficult it must be for a convert to embrace life as a
believing Jew but also understand the ignorance of widely accepted and halachically
mainstream standards and polices that define who is and who is not a Jew. This panel
discussion of Rabbi’s will discuss these issues, and respond to your questions.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST
In the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Sat., 8pm www.gnstorah.org
YOUTH SPONSORS
The youth snacks are sponsored by Didi & Adam Hutt in memory of
her father, Moshe Cohen.
GNS PARSHA DISCUSSION GROUP
GNS has created a google group where members can post their
questions about the parsha and participate in a discussion with the
Rabbis and other members about the weekly Torah reading. In order
to join the group, send an email to rabbigns@gmail.com.
COMBINED SISTERHOOD MEETING
On Wed. morning, Feb. 11th at 10am, there will be a meeting at
Temple Beth El to plan the Combined Sisterhood Luncheon, which will
be held in April hosted by Temple Beth El. The Sisterhood of GNS is
invited to participate in the planning. Please mark your calendar to
come to this meeting and participate. Thank you!
SISTERHOOD COUPLES NIGHT OUT
Feb. 21st, 8pm at Cue Bar, located on the corner of Bell Blvd. and
Northern Blvd. in Bayside. The evening will feature a dairy meal,
games, and live music. Cost per couple is $54. RSVP 487-6100
SHALOM BAYIT
UJA-Federation of NY’s Long Island Women’s Philanthropy invites you
to: One Thousand Hearts-One Voice Shalom Bayit: Sun., Feb. 22 at
10:30am-12pm. This event is for women only, a light dairy brunch will
be served. Hosted by Joan Katz at her home, Please RSVP with Galit
Reichlin at 677-1826.
SCOPE
The deadline for all articles and advertisements for the Pesach Scope
is Mon., Feb. 23rd. We urge our synagogue members to become a
scope sponsor in honor, or in memory of a loved one for $36. Submit
all Scope material to the office, or email it to drein@verizon.net.
SAVE THE DATE
The Sisterhood is proud to present a “Shabbat Kitchen” lecture by
Ruchie Axelrod, Tues. Feb. 24th at 8pm, at the home of Jessica
Shusterman, 14 Essex Road. Thank you to Lisa Stein for organizing
this event. Mark your calendars!
UPCOMING MEN’S CLUB EVENTS
Feb. 22– Talk by Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman on: “The DNA Connection–
Modern Jews and the Ancient Hebrews” with power-point slide
presentation.
March 17– Talk by Dr. Stu Greenstein (Professor of Surgery, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine) on the “Medical and Halachic side of
Kidney Transplants” with donors and recipients in attendance.
March 22– The annual Rabbi Dialogue, held at Temple Israel.
March 26- Avi Hoffman, actor-writer-comedian celebrates Jewish
culture in “A Mensch and his Musical” Tickets $36 in advance, email
gnsmensclub@optonline.net to reserve, or call 487-6100, checks made
out to GNS Men’s Club.
May 6– Talk by Michael Tuchfeld, Commentator and correspondent
Israel TV2 News—The Knesset Channel 99
AM HASEFER
Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Ed Program is pleased to present a
discussion of the second volume of David Birnbaum’s Summa
Metaphysica series, “Summa Metaphysica II: God and Good” at the
Fischer home, 65 Bayview Ave. on Sat., March 21st at 9pm.
PURIM MISHLOACH MANOT 2009
You should have received your letter announcing the start of AMIT’s
annual Mishloach Manot project for Purim, and if you are a member
you should have received your personal code for the Happy Purim
website. If you have not, or are interested in participating in this
tzedukah project, contact: Debbie Goldberg 482-6050
SAVE THE DATE
The 57th Annual Combined Sisterhood of Great Neck Ladies Night
Out will be held at Temple Beth El on Thurs., April 30th at 6pm.
Delicious hors d’oeuvres, a boutique, an exciting program, raffle prizes,
and wonderful desserts, catered by Shop Delight. The Sisterhood of
GNS is proud to participate in this community event. There is no
charge for our paid-up Sisterhood members but we encourage you to
be an event sponsor for $36. Reservations are required. Please call the
synagogue office 487-6100 or email drein@verizon.net for further info.
In conjunction with UJA for this event, we will be collecting personal
care and toiletry items to donate to families in need.
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Mazal Tov to Chava Shalmon on the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson
Uri Ephraim, son of her children Sari & Elnatan Doron Shalmon.
Mazal Tov to Elaine Wolf on the birth of her great-granddaughter,
born to her grandchildren Hillel & Tal Wolf in Petach Tikva.
Mazal Tov to Marcia & Daniel Horowitz on the birth of their
daughter.
Mazal Tov to Debbie & Tom Furst on the birth of a grandson, born to
their children Rina & Zack Kestenbaum.
Mazal Tov to Hadassah & Jack Wachstock on the engagement of
their son Oren to Esther Chambre.
FYI
The Victim Services Program of the Beth Israel Social Work Department
is looking for dedicated and responsible Orthodox women to work on
a confidential and anonymous helpline for survivors of sexual abuse
and molestation. The training and helpline are both located at Beth Israel
Medical Center in Manhattan. The training is scheduled to begin at the
end of February. Training will consist of about 40 hours, followed by
a one year commitment on the helpline. For more info please call
Carole Sher at 212-420-4516. The helpline is open Mon. through Thurs.
9:30-5:30pm, and Fri. 9:30-1:30pm, 212-844-1495
NSHA PTA FUNDRAISER
Feb. 14th. Harlem Wizards vs. North Shore Lions, (Parents, Faculty and
Students) at North Shore Middle School at 7:30pm. $25 per person in
advance, $30 at the door. Contact Dayla Vilinksy 487-1221.
DOCUMENTARY
Devorah Wang Etzion has produced a documentary film on the life of
her father, Samuel H. Wang, z”l that will be shown on Sunday, March
22nd, 11am at North Shore Towers Cinema. To attend RSVP by March
11th to Devorah at 516-721-2851.
Adina Moskowitz and the Goldson family would like to thank
their friends and the entire community for their outpouring of
support, sympathy and kindness following the death of their wife
and mother Freidelle Goldson z”l, in Chicago.
Saturday, 20 Shevat
Benny Hakimi for Mina Hakimi
Elizabeth Katzwer for Benjamin Katzwer
Robert Knepper for Elizabeth Knepper
Tricia Moslin for Harry Solomon
Sunday, 21 Shevat
Idida Kaplan for Aba Abramovsky
Iraj Kashani for Monavar Kashani
Y Gitty Louzoun for Israel Malek
Sydelle Slochowsky for Max Olshin
A Monday, 22 Shevat
Arnie Flatow for Morris Flatow
H Norman Lee for Helen Rose
R Diane Seidle for Lois Melnick
Rita Silverman for Dora Pentol
Z Tuesday, 23 Shevat
Sheila Bachman for Max Bachman
E Philip Hanfling for Yehuda Schneider
I Pauline Loewenstein for Jacob Loewenstein
Albert Safdieh for Irene Lipstein
T Wednesday, 24 Shevat
Llewllyn Lillien for Sadie Markowitz
Thursday, 25 Shevat
Mark Abraham for Yitzchak Shalom Abraham
Miriam Bader for Lena Bader
David Birnbaum for Andor Jack Birnbaum
David Goddard for Norman Goldberg
Louis Goldstein for Minnie Goldstein
Elizabeth Katzwer for Johanna Schwarz
Abraham Krieger for Tonia Krieger
Sally Olshin for Morris Olshin
Friday, 26 Shevat
Diane Rein for Helene Marcia Fink
Ruth Seif for Hadassa Dolinsky
Lillian Singer for Sarah Kitay