Parshat Tetzaveh-Zachor March 7, 2009 11 Adar, 5769

GNS TEFILLA DIGEST: A Weekly Discussion about the Fundamentals of Jewish Prayer
By Rabbi Brahm Weinberg – Rabbinic Intern
Torah
Artscroll, 464 This inspiring article about that we must love G-d because (There is an extensive
Hertz, 339 tefillah is sponsored by without loving Him we will discussion about whether the
Diane and David Rein in never truly be able to properly Torah can/should mandate
Maftir memory of Diane’s mother, fulfill His commandments. It is emotion surrounding the last
Artscroll, 1066 Helene M. Fink z”l. almost like a pre-requisite to the commandment of the Ten
Hertz, 856 rest of the Torah. Commandments: Lo tachmod –
Haftorah Issue # 34 – Kriat Shma Thou shalt not covet. The
Artscroll, 1214 (Part XIII) We discussed the commentators ask how it is
Hertz, 995 placement of the mitzvah in this possible for the Torah to tell you
Over the last section of the shma: It is not to feel jealous or covetous.
number of weeks we have contained within a passage They answer this question in
been discussing the mitzvah generally about mitzvoth many different ways. Most say
Times of loving G-d which is because it is a pre-requisite for that the mitzvah is actually not
Candle lighting 5:34 pm contained in the first verse proper fulfillment of those about restraining your emotions
Mincha 5:35 pm of the first paragraph of the mitzvoth (as Sefer Hachinuch but about not taking something
shma: “Ve’Ahavta et says). Also, we saw how the away from someone else because
Hashkama Minyan 8:00 am
Hashem Elokecha,” “And Maharal explains why the you are too jealous to let them
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am you should love the Lord mitzvah follows the verse of have it. This transforms the
Youth 8:30 am your G-d.” “Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokenu prohibition from one of emotion
Hashem Echad,” “Hear O Israel to one of action making it easier
Main Minyan 9:00 am
We began by the Lord our G-d the Lord is to understand)
Beit Midrash 9:15 am outlining the Rambam’s One.” He says that “because He
Gemorah Shiur 4:25 pm view of the mitzvah and the is one, there is nothing in The easiest way to
three ways in which one existence in the world that is understand the answer to this
Mincha 5:25 pm
reaches that love: separate from Him, for all question is to say that when the
Shabbat Ends 6:43 pm Contemplation of the depends upon and is attached to Torah commands us to feel
Sunday, 7:30 am cosmos and the greatness of Him, for He is the foundation of something like love, what the
March 1, 8:30 am creation (Hil. Yisodei all. And that is why love is Torah is really telling us is that
Monday, Please see Hatorah 2:2), philosophical relevant to G-d.” we must fulfill an active mitzvah
and Purim Schedule understanding of G-d (Hil. which is concrete and visible that
Tuesday. Page 2 Teshuva 10:6), and studying What you still might will hopefully lead to an inner
Thursday 6:35 am the Torah (Sefer be wondering is how it is emotion. The real goal of the
Hamitzvoth: Positive possible for the Torah to mitzvah is to feel something but
Wed., & Fri., 6:45 am
Commandment #3). demand that we “feel” the Torah could not possibly
Second Shacharit something like love. How demand for you to feel something
Minyan (Daily) 7:45 am
We also discussed could the Torah expect us to because our emotions cannot be
Mincha (week of 6:45 pm the reason why we are just feel an emotion like love at controlled in such an exacting
March 7) asked to love G-d: The will? way. Therefore, all the Torah
Late Ma’ariv 8:15 pm Sefer Hachinuch explains demands of us is to do the actions
Mon., - Thurs.,
Latest times for
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei
Kiddush
March 7
March 14
9:12/10:10 am
10:06/11:05 am
is sponsored by
Next Shabbat - Ki-Tissa Parah Great neck
Candle lighting
Mincha
6:42 pm
6:45 pm
synagogue
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Tetzaveh-Zachor, 5769

that are most likely to lead to that emotion. We are

supposed to do the best we can to evoke that emotion What type of action is a physical demonstration of
through external actions. The goal remains to feel love that the Torah might ask of us that would lead us to that
something but the burden of getting there artificially is inner feeling of love for G-d?
taken away to some degree when the Torah tells us that the
way to get there is to do action/mitzvah X and to leave the
rest to Him.

The Sefer Hachinuch says in numerous places that

“acharey hapeulot nimshachim halevavot” “the heart
PURIM SCHEDULE
follows the actions.” In other words, if you do enough in
physical actions then you will start to feel a certain way. TAANIT ESTHER
For example: If you dress well you will feel like a proper Monday, march 9, 2009
and dignified person and will start to not only see yourself
in that way but act that way as well.
Fast begins at 5:55 am and ends at 7:28 pm
It is proper to wait until after Megilah reading
Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that not all mitzvoth before breaking the fast
have this dual component of the action as well as the Shacharit 6:20 am/ 7:45 am (with selichot)
intended emotion that is supposed to come along with it. Earliest time for Tallis/Tefillin is 6:20 am
However, there are numerous very important ones that do
take this form. For example, in the realm of prohibitions, Mincha at 6:25 pm
the prohibitions of aveilut, mourning, are really just a
means to the end of being sad because of the loss. In the PURIM EVENING
realm of positive mitzvoth, Rabbi Solovetchik points to Monday night, March 9, 2009
mitzvoth like simchat yom tov, feeling joyous on the
Please note that there will be
holidays. The goal is for you to feel real inner joy but since
the Torah could not directly demand that you feel a certain three concurrent Megilah readings
way, it opted to demand that you do actions like buying 1) Maariv & Megilah at 7:25 pm in Main Shul
new clothes and eating different more precious foods on the we will be using a microphone
holiday. The Torah believes that by asking you to do those in the Main Shul this year
physical actions it might lead to a greater possibility of you
feeling joyous inside as well thus fulfilling the goal which
2) Maariv & Megilah at 7:25 pm in Beit Midrash
is to feel the happiness during the holiday. 3) Maariv & Megilah at 7:25 pm
in Mender Auditorium (Gym)
One might suggest the same for the mitzvah of 2nd Megilah at 8:30 pm in Mender Auditorium
loving G-d. It might not be possible to turn on and off our Youth Purim program at 8:30 pm
love in an immediate way because our emotions are hard to
control. However, it might be possible for the Torah to ask in Youth Center
us to perform certain actions which should, if performed Purim Extravaganza at 9:30 pm
correctly, lead us to feel those emotions of love for G-d. in Main Ballroom
This would transform the mitzvah of ahavat Hashem, of Purim Tisch 11:00 pm
loving G-d, in to a mitzvah with a dual nature: The action
aspect of it and the goal of it which in to develop an inner
feeling. PURIM DAY
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Question to Ponder 1st shacharit at 6:05 am in Main Shul
earliest time for talis and tefillin is 6:18 am
Great Neck Synagogue 2nd shacharit at 7:45 am in Main Shul
Shabbat Activities Program
Megilah reading approximately 25 minutes
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
after start of minyan
Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi Women’s Tefilah Megilah reading
Brahm Weinberg, Rabbinic Intern 8:30 am sharp in Beit Midrash
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
Zeev Kron, Cantor Early Mincha 1:35 pm
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus Regular Mincha 6:45 pm
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Howard Silberstein, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
 Feeling hungry after fasting on Taanit Esther?
PLEASE BRING CANNED GOODS
TO SHUL ON PURIM (night or day)
TO DONATE TO
THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY EVERY DAY.
These are small cheseds that we can all do and our children can participate
too. They get so much food/candy on Purim; here they can give to others

PASSOVER IS COMING
Help those in need!
Please pick up a bag from the shul on Purim
And fill it with Kosher for Passover foods.
Return it to either the Shul Office or Adina Moskowitz,
27 Hampshire Rd. (off Wooleys Lane)
Drop off by April 1.

PURIM SPECTACULAR
Monday evening, March 9, 2009, 9:30 pm
at Great Neck Synagogue
Starring
The Rocking Rabbis
who will sing and dance (and maybe entertain you)
You must be there to witness this outstanding
showbiz extravaganza!
Ladies, Gentleman and children of all ages
are invited to attend.
Sponsorships for this event are welcome.
Special book for Donors with sponsorship over $72.
See Isaac Greszes or call the shul office.
After the Purim Spectacular, put your kids to bed and return to
Great Neck Synagogue for the Annual Purim Tish .
Bar B-Que, singing and divre Torah.
Starting at 11:00 pm in the Chalfin Room.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST
In the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Sat., 8pm www.gnstorah.org of their daughter Ilana to Shlomo Barry.
YOUTH NEWS
This is the last week for Saturday night Soccer!!
****REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS ONE HOUR AHEAD****
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by Gilbert Aronowitz in memory of
his Mother Fannie Aronowitz and his wife Florence Aronowitz.
DOS YIDDISH VORT MEETING
Dos Yiddish Vort celebrates Purim with the story of “A Fahrblondgete
Shalach Manot”. Wed., March 4th at 1:30pm in the Chalfin Room.
Enjoy a schmaychel, a glayzele tay, and some hamentaschen. All
welcome! For more info call Roz Wagner 487-9795.
PURIM GIFT CARDS
Gift Cards for Purim are being sold through the Synagogue office,
$5.00 per card. Call 487-6100 to place your order.
COMBINED SISTERHOOD MEETING
Wed. March 11th at 10am, there will be a meeting at Temple Beth El to PARLOR MEETING
plan the Combined Sisterhood Luncheon. Please mark your calendar
and come participate! Thank you!
UPCOMING MEN’S CLUB EVENTS
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, co-sponsored by JPEF,
publisher of the Jewish Political Chronicle.
AM HASEFER
Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Ed Program presents a discussion of
VOLUME II 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.
Thurs., March 26th 7:45pm An illustrated lecture with Larry H.
Schiffman, Professor and Chairman of the Skirball Dept. of Hebrew
and Judaic Studies at NYU. Rebuilding the Temple: The Blueprint of the
Dead Sea Scrolls.
SISTERHOOD THANK YOU VERY MUCH
The Sisterhood of GNS would like to thank Ruchie Axelrod for a
wonderful and informative “Shabbat Kitchen” lecture. We also want to
thank Jessica Schusterman for hosting this event in her beautiful
home, and to Lisa Stein for organizing event.
SHOP DELIGHT DISCOUNT CARDS
The Sisterhood of GNS is selling VIP Shop Delight Cards for $10. The
VIP cards give you 5% off every $100 you spend at Shop Delight, no
expiration date. Contact Diane Rein at drein@verizon.net
GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE
Please drop off your current used magazines to the Synagogue office
to be donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR COOKBOOK FOR SALE
The Sisterhood Gift Shop is now selling the Holocaust Survivor
Cookbook for $30. It includes 250 kosher family recipes, and 129
amazing and miraculous stories of courage, survival, and hope.
SAVE THE DATE GREAT NECK LADIES NIGHT OUT
The 57th Annual Combined Sisterhoods will be held at Temple Beth El,
Thurs. April 30th at 6pm. With award winning author Beth J. Harpaz,
as our guest speaker, delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts by
Lederman Caterers, a boutique, and raffle prizes! We are proud to
participate in this community event, and encourage you to become an
event sponsor for $36. Reservations are required! RSVP at 487-6100
or email drein@verizon.net. We are collecting toiletry items to donate
to victims of domestic violence in conjunction with the UJA. Please drop
off donations in the synagogue office by April 24th.
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Mazal Tov to Ellen & Rabbi Dale Polakoff on the upcoming marriage
Mazal Tov to our Rabbinic intern Brahm Weinberg on his upcoming
marriage to Elana Rosenblum.
Mazal Tov to Shifra & Rafael Yehoshua on the Bat Mitzvah of their
daughter Karen.
Mazal Tov to Aviva & Uri Rosin on the birth of their grandson,
Jake Yaakov born to their children Jessica & Alon Rosin.
Mazal Tov to Ruth & Mel Klapper on the Bat Mitzvah of their
granddaughter Sally Dahlia daughter of Alissa & Phillip Klapper.
Mazal Tov to Jane & Yossi Tuvia on the engagement of their daughter
Yael to Daniel Epstein, son of Maxine & Henry Epstein of Houston TX.
Mazal Tov to Romina & Oded Weiss on the Bat Mitzvah of their
daughter Addi.
Mazal Tov to Michal & Ron Malen, on the upcoming marriage of their
son Yacov to Allyson Marvin, daughter of Debra & Milton Marvin of
Austin, TX.
Mazal Tov to Mary Flax on the birth of twin great-grandchildren born
to her grandchildren Kristy & Robert Flax in London.
Mazal Tov to Susie & Irwin Lieberman on the engagement of their
son Avi to Esther Orlofsky daughter of Rabbi Dovid & Simi Orlofsky
of Har Nof, Jerusalem.
Join us for a Pre-Purim Brunch on March 8th, 10 am, at the home of
Harriet & David Schimel. Meet a modern-day Esther,” Nitsana
Darshan-Leitner, founder of Israel Law Center (Shurat HaDin), which
fights (and often wins) against terrorist organizations in the courts.
Contact: Robert Spitalnick 466-2252 or David Schimel 487-2189.
SAVE THE DATE
Drora & Paul Brody have been selected as the Eretz Yisrael Awardees
at the 7th Annual Journal Dinner of Manhigut Yehudit (New Jewish
Leadership) to be held on Sushan Purim, Wed. March 11th, at the
Sands of Atlantic Beach. For more info please call 516-295-3222.
SAVE THE DATE
The NSHA Annual Scholarship Dinner, celebrating its 54th year, is on Sun.
March 22nd at 5pm at the Woodbury Jewish Center honoring “our
children.” To RSVP and contribute to the schools’ scholarship fund please
call Mr. Arnie Flatow, Executive Director at 487-8687 ext 133.
Saturday, 11 Adar
Carol Buckmann for Mayer Siegel
Morris Nasser for Ezra Nasser
Sunday, 12 Adar
Kenneth Greenhut for Adolph Emil Greenhut
Philip Hanfling for Nathan Hanfling
Mel Klapper for Feivel Klapper
Dina Sharifian for Yagoub Misaghi
Dennis Wolf for Joyce Wolf
Monday, 13 Adar
Y Gilbert Aronowitz for Florence Aronowitz
Jay Aronowitz for Florence Aronowitz
A Elliot Diamond for Louis Diamond
H David Lax for Sara Leah Lax
Roselin Wagner for Yehuda Leib Prebluda
R Elaine Wolf for Rabbi Ephraim Wolf
Tuesday, 14 Adar
Z Marilyn Druker for Barnard Druker
E Wednesday, 15 Adar
Miriam Bader for William Fleshel
I Ronald Braun for Muriel Braun
Herbert Eckstein for Teddy Eckstein
T Sylvia Goldman for Bessie Rutenberg
Benny Hakimi for Aaron Hakimi
Alan Prawer for Pinchas Prawer
Brenda Rosmarin for Samuel Ressler
Israel Slochowsky for Morris Slochowsky
Thursday, 16 Adar
Frank Bachrach for Lotte Bachrach
Peter Epstein for Ann Epstein
Ivan Kaufman for Morris Kaufman
Ellen Polakoff for Helene Pinsker
Hadassah Wachstock for Frieda Kessler
Friday, 17 Adar
Stanley Dacher for Lena Dacher
Myra Honig for Abraham Mathews
David Miller for Rubin Miller