Parshat Noah

TORAH

October 20, 2012 4 Cheshvan, 5773

RabbiJonathanSacksonParshatNoach
Is there such a thing as an objective basis of morality? For some time, in secular circles, the idea has seemed absurd. Morality is what we choose it to be. We are free to do what we like so long as we dont harm others. Moral judgments are not truths but choices. There is no way of getting from is to ought, from description to prescription, from facts to values, from science to ethics. This was the received wisdom in philosophy for a century after Nietzsche had argued for the abandonment of morality which he saw as the product of Judaism in favor of the will to power. Recently, however, an entirely new scientific basis has been given to morality from two surprising directions: neo-Darwinism and the branch of mathematics known as Games Theory. As we will see, the discovery is intimately related to the story of Noah and the covenant made between G-d and humanity after the Flood. Games theory was invented by one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century, John von Neumann (1903-1957). He realized that the mathematical models used in economics were unrealistic and did not mirror the way decisions are made in the real world. Rational choice is not simply a matter of weighing alternatives and deciding between them. The reason is that the outcome of our decision often depends on how other people react to it, and usually we cannot know this in advance. Games theory, von Neumanns invention in 1944, was an attempt to produce a mathematical representation of choice under conditions of uncertainty. Six years later, it yielded its most famous paradox, known as the Prisoners Dilemma. Imagine two people, arrested by the police under suspicion of committing a crime. There is insufficient evidence to convict them on a serious charge; there is only enough to convict them of a lesser offense. The police decide to encourage each to inform against the other. They separate them and make each the following proposal: if you testify against the other suspect, you will go free, and he will be imprisoned for ten years. If he testifies against you, and you stay silent, you will be sentenced to ten years in prison, and he will go free. If you both testify against one another, you will each receive a five-year sentence. If both of you stay silent, you will each be convicted of the lesser charge and face a one-year sentence. It doesnt take long to work out that the optimal strategy for each is to inform against the other. The result is that each will be imprisoned for five years. The paradox is that the best outcome would be for both to remain silent. They would then only face one year in prison. The reason that neither will opt for this strategy is that it depends on collaboration. However, since each is unable to know what the other is doing there is no communication between them they cannot take the risk of staying silent. The Prisoners Dilemma is remarkable because it shows that two people, both acting rationally, will produce a result that is bad for both of them. Eventually, a solution was discovered. The reason for the paradox is that the two prisoners find themselves in this situation only once. If it happened repeatedly, they would eventually discover that the best thing to do is to trust one another and co-operate. In the meantime, biologists were wrestling with a phenomenon that puzzled Darwin. The theory of natural selection popularly known as the survival of the fittest suggests that the most ruthless individuals in any population will survive and hand their genes on to the next generation. Yet almost every society ever observed values individuals who are altruistic: who sacrifice their own advantage to help others. There seems to be a direct contradiction between these two facts. The Prisoners Dilemma suggested an answer. Individual self-interest often produces bad results. Any group which learns to cooperate, instead of compete, will be at an advantage relative to others. But, as the Prisoner Dilemma showed, this needs repeated encounters the socalled Iterated (= repeated) Prisoners dilemma. In the late 1970s, a competition was announced to find the computer program that did best at playing the Iterated Prisoners Dilemma against itself and other opponents. The winning program was devised by a Canadian, Anatole Rapoport, and was called Tit-for-Tat. It was dazzlingly simple: it began by co-operating, and then

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repeated the last move of its opponent. It worked on the rule of What you did to me, I will do to you, or measure for measure. This was the first time scientific proof had been given for any moral principle. What is fascinating about this chain of discoveries is that it precisely mirrors the central principle of the covenant G-d made with Noah: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of G-d, has G-d made man. This is measure for measure [in Hebrew, middah keneged middah], or retributive justice: As you do, so shall you be done to. In fact, at this point the Torah does something very subtle. The six words in which the principle is stated are a mirror image of one another: [1] Who sheds [2] the blood [3] of man, [3a] by man [2a] shall his blood [1a] be shed. This is a perfect example of style reflecting substance: what is done to us is a mirror image of what we do. The extraordinary fact is that the first moral principle set out in the Torah is also the first moral principle ever to be scientifically demonstrated. Tit-for-Tat is the computer equivalent of (retributive) justice: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed. The story has a sequel. In 1989, the Polish mathematician Martin Nowak produced a program that beats Tit-for-Tat. He called it Generous. It overcame one weakness of Tit-for-Tat, namely that when you meet a particularly nasty opponent, you get drawn into a potentially endless and destructive cycle of retaliation, which is bad for both sides. Generous avoided this by randomly but periodically forgetting the last move of its opponent, thus allowing the relationship to begin again. What Nowak had produced, in fact, was a computer simulation of forgiveness. Once again, the connection with the story of Noah and the Flood is direct. After the Flood, G-d vowed: I will never again curse the ground for mans sake, although the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. This is the principle of Divine forgiveness. Thus the two great principles of the Noahide covenant are also the first two principles to have been established by computer simulation. There is an objective basis for morality after all. It rests on two key ideas: justice and forgiveness, or what the sages called middat ha-din and middat rachamim. Without these, no group can survive in the long run. In one of the first great works of Jewish philosophy Sefer Emunot ve-Deot (The Book of Beliefs and Opinions) R. Saadia Gaon (882-942) explained that the truths of the Torah could be established by reason. Why then was revelation necessary? Because it takes humanity time to arrive at truth, and there are many slips and pitfalls along the way. It took more than a thousand years after R. Saadia Gaon for humanity to demonstrate the fundamental moral truths that lie at the basis of G-ds covenant with humankind: that co-operation is as necessary as competition, that co-operation depends on trust, that trust requires justice, and that justice itself is incomplete without forgiveness. Morality

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Noach 5773

is not simply what we choose it to be. It is part of the basic fabric of the universe, revealed to us by the universes Creator, long ago.

YOUTHCLASSES
***NewJr.HighGirlsChesedClub TheclubwillmeetweeklyatGreatNeckSynagogueon Tuesdaysfrom7:007:45pmtoplananddiscussvarious organizationstocontactandeventstorunthatwillbenefit thelargerJewishcommunity.RabbiLichterwillsupervise theclubandactasanadvisortotheirsuggestions.Theclub willhostitsfirstmeetingonTuesday,Oct.16th.Please contactRabbiLichteratilichter.gns.orgformore InformationandtosignupyourdaughterforthisChesed opportunity.

***NewJr.HighBoysTefillinClass
AclasstaughtbyRabbiLichteronThursdaysfrom5:306:15 pmforBarMitzvahagedboyswhowouldliketolearnabout thelawsandreasonsbehindthemitzvahofTefillin.Theclass willmeetintheBraunYouthCenterandapizzadinnerwill beserved.ThefirstclasswillbeThursday,Oct.18th.Please contactRabbiLichteratilichter@gns.orgtosignyourson upfortheclass.

Parsha&Pizza
Thisclass,taughtbyRabbiLichter,focusingonParshat HashavuawillcontinuetomeetthisyearonWednesday nightsfrom7:007:30,gearedfor2ndgradeto5thgrade. Pizzadinnerisserved,prizesandseforimareawardedto attendees.ThefirstclassisWednesdaynight,Oct.17thinthe ChalfinRoomatGreatNeckSynagogue.ContactRabbi Lichterforanyquestionsabouttheclass.ilichter@gns.org.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

HighSchoolClass
OurhighschoolersmeetwithRabbiLichteronThursday nightsfordinnerandlearningfrom6:307:30pm.Theclass focusesonthedailyissuesthatHighSchoolteensconfront intheirlivesandprovidesforbothasocialandeducational atmosphere.ThefirstclassisThursdaynight,Oct.18that GreatNeckSynagogue.DropinonThursdaynightsand youllbehooked.

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,zl, Rabbi Emeritus Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, zl, Cantor Emeritus Rabbi Sholom Jensen, Youth Director Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Dr. Scott Danoff, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please dedicate your October blood donation to a Breast Cancer Survivor.

Great Neck Synagogue Blood Drive

Sunday, October 28, 2012 8:15am- 12:45pm 26 Old Mill Rd ALL DONORS will be entered into a RAFFLE 4 chances to WIN!!

1- Autographed NY Rangers Hockey Stick & Puck 2 Two tickets to Live with Kelly & Michael 3- Two tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live! & JKL gift bag 4- Dinner for Two at Cho-Sen
In addition, ALL donors will receive a coupon for pickles or soup. Eligibility Criteria: Bring ID with signature or photo. Minimum weight 110 lbs. Age 16 75 (16 year olds must have parental permission. Age 76 and over need doctors note) Eat well (low fat) & drink fluids No tattoos for past 12 months For questions concerning medical eligibility call 1-800-688-0900 To schedule an appointment please call Al Leiderman 482-0628

GNSOCTOBERCHESEDCOLLECTION WinterCoats&babyitems tobenefitOnegShabbas Wearecollectingbabyclothesingentlyworn, goodcondition. Donatebabyitemsingoodcondition WearealsocollectingWinterCoats(allsizes) ingentlyused,goodcondition.

Pleaseleaveatthehomeof Brenda&EdParver 7StrathmoreRoad till October29,2012

Youareinvitedtothe GreatNeckSynagogue AnnualChaiSisterhoodDinner Featuringourguestspeaker RachelleWeisberger AuthorofBiblicalBeauty Wednesday,November7th,6PM, atColbeh,GreatNeck Members$40,Nonmembers$45 SponsorshipsavailableGold($72)Sil ver($36)Bronze($18) PleaseRSVPbyNovember1stto JudyLillien5164876845 FarlaFrumkinFarlafrumkin@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
HASHKAMA The Kiddush is sponsored by the friends and family of Mel Fox.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Laden & Elyahou Elyassoff and Zecharia & Yaffa Azzizian on the birth of a grandson born to their children Isaac & Shireen Elyassoff

SCHOLARS & SCHOLARSHIP - NEW SERIES Tuesday, October 16, 8:30pm with Rabbi Avraham Bronstein. Join us for the first of three special study sessions on the Ten Commandments, culminating with a lecture by David Hazony, author of 'The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life'. TALMUD TORAH Matan Bat Mitzvah Program begins Wed. Oct., 17th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the Chalfin Rm. with Morah Netta Jensenson. Please contact Rabbi Lichter to register your daughter at ilichter@gns.org. GNS ANNUAL FALL BLOOD DRIVE GNS is sponsoring its Annual Fall Blood Drive on Sunday, Oct. 28th from 8:15am-2:15 pm in the gym. Everyone who is 16 or older and weighs 110 pounds or more and who feels well and healthy can donate blood and help save the life of a friend or neighbor. If you are unable to donate, you can still help by volunteering the day of the drive or by making phone calls in advance. Donating blood or volunteering to help with calls in advance or on the day is also a great opportunity for your young folks to earn community service credit. Our goal with this years drive is to donate 75 pints. Please help save three people with your donation its a wonderful Mitzvah! Please contact Al Leiderman 482-0628. SISTERHOOD EVENTS Thank you very much to Judy Lillien, Diane Rein, Vivian Kron and Chava Shalmon for preparing our Sisterhood Membership Drive and Dinner Invitation mailing! Please look for the beautiful envelope in your mailboxes in the coming days, and return them with your membership dues, and contribution towards our dinner. Nechama Liss-Levinson is working on a wonderful project called Pies for Prevention. They are making and donating pies to support the Ovarian Cancer initiative at Sharsheret. Please help by baking Thanksgiving pies for this project! Contact Tovah at 516-487-3025 or at twerber@gmail.com. Our next sisterhood meeting will be held on Wed. night, Oct. 17th in the Braun Youth Center (during Pizza/Parsha!). LET'S ALL GET INVOLVED!!! We will be discussing the final plans for our dinner, as well as future events, like the Chanukah bazaar, a couples night, croissant baking, cooking events,and a fashion event. If anyone has an idea for a fun evening/afternoon event, we welcome your input! And.... the first amazing household helpful hint will be revealed. You're gonna have to come to find out what it is! SAVE THE DATE!!! Wed. Oct., 24th, at 8 PM, Dr. Elimelech Goldberg, founder of Kids Kicking Cancer is giving us an informative lecture on stress management for Busy Adults. Thank you to Pam Bilfeld for organizing this event. Our Chai Annual Membership Dinner will be on Nov. 7th, at 6 PM at Colbeh. Our Speaker, Rachelle Weisberger, author of Biblical Beauty, will show us how to integrate biblical, historical and cultural perspectives with practical advice and specific tips on a variety of subjects. She will offer enlightening guidance on skin care, sun care, makeup, hair care, fragrance, jewelry, healthy aging, motherhood and leadership. We are so excited to hear her! Please RSVP as soon as possible. Volunteers are still needed to secure raffle prizes, take home gifts, and setting up the room. Please contact Judy Lillien if you'd like to volunteer. Thank you to Judy Lillien for her tireless efforts in organizing this event. THANK YOU The Sukkah Hop was fantastic. This year over 200 kids joined the event. We like to thank the following families: Kohler, Kron, Muller, Hutt, Leventhal, Hedvat, Kagan, Kroll, Abehsera, Glassman and Jensen for opening their sukkahs and hosting this event.

WOMENS TEFILA We would like to wish Mazal Tov to our Kallah Torah, Talia, daughter of Malka Louzoun, and our Kallah Breishit, Bonnie, daughter of Annie & Robert Mendelson. Womens Tefila Planning Meeting will take place this coming Thursday, October 18th, at 8:00 pm in the home of Nechama Liss-Levinson. All are welcome.

COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP A Co-ed Adult cancer support group is being formed for those who have or have had cancer. Contact Paul Marcus, tibs9@aol.com. GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Presents A Program Of New JEWISH AND ISRAELI THEMED FILMS October 22-28, 2012 on Long Islands North Shore presented By The Great Neck Arts Center & The Town Of North Hempstead. Great Neck Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021 516-829-2570.

OHEL INVITES YOU On Sat. night, October 27th at 8:30pm, OHEL invites you to an inspiring evening and photography exhibit by Sherry Silver to benefit the children and families of OHEL at the home of David & Diane Rein, 1 Cove Lane, Kings Point. Wine, single-malt scotch and dessert will be served. This event is co-presented by GNS and YIGN. Committee Chairs are Nicole & Mordi Dicker, Sara & Andrew Feldschreiber, Gloria & Harvey Kaylie, Rabbi & Rebbetzin Lerner, Rabbi & Rebbetzin Polakoff, Karen & Robert Spitalnick. Space is limited, rsvp is required. Please contact Laurie Szenicer at (718) 686-3316 or Laurie_Szenicer@ohelfamily.org. CHAYALEI BODIM EVENT IN GREAT NECK On Tuesday evening October 30th at 8:00, Debbie & Andy Kane will be hosting Lt. Col. Tzvika Levy, the "Father of the Lone Soldiers" at their home at 11 Bromley Lane, Great Neck. Tzvika, as he is known to the thousands of non-Israeli volunteers in the IDF, needs our help so he may continue to provide the services that have made a difference in the lives of these brave soldiers. Rabbi Polakoff and Rabbi Lerner will be speaking. LOST & FOUND Lost three keys on a rectangular Migdal Ohr key chain with Hebrew wording VAhafta LReacha Komocha. Probably lost in ladies room.

CHANUKAH SCOPE DEADLINE The deadline for the Chanukah issue of SCOPE magazine is Mon. Oct. 22nd. Kindly email all articles, advertisements, photos, recipes and sponsorships to drein@verizon.net. Thank you very much! DOS YIDDISH VORT Let the New Year begin with a song, a story, a laugh at DOS YIDDISH VORT, Wednesday, October, 24 at 1:30 pm. For info call Roz Wagner.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 4 Cheshvan Joseph Ambalo for Esther Cohen Ambalo Jacob Ambalu for Esther Cohen Ambalo Phyllis Weinberg for Ida Tubachnick Sunday, 5 Cheshvan Stuart Braunstein for Stanley Braunstein Leon Miller for Ira Miller Albert Safdieh for Julia Safdieh Pari Schwartz for Kahtoun Torkan Monday, 6 Cheshvan Paul Brody for Joseph Brody Tuesday, 7 Cheshvan Jill Swartz for Harvey Kronish Wednesday, 8 Cheshvan Harold Domnitch for Alice Smoklow Leo R. Mindick for Hyman Rubinstein Thursday, 9 Cheshvan Felix Glaubach for Cyrilie Glaubach Sarita Greszes for Hersh Rosenberg Friday, 10 Cheshvan Nadine Eckstein for Herbert Eckstein Sharon Janovic for Joseph Janovic