Parshat Bo January 31, 2009 6 Shevat, 5769

GNS TEFILLA DIGEST:

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

Artscroll, 340 This inspiring article about One G-d. It doesn’t explain to of “Hashem Echad” is
tefillah is sponsored by us how it could be that there is summarized (Based on his
Hertz, 248 David and Diane Rein in a being who is beyond time and Mishne Torah as well as
memory of Diane’s mother, space and can incorporate all of Commentary on the Mishna in
Haftorah Helene M. Fink z”l. the “opposites” that seem to Masechet Sanhedrin) by other
Artscroll, manifest themselves in His rabbis in the 2nd of the 13 “ani
1151 Issue # 30 – Kriat Shma behavior in the world: Din maamin” statements of faith said
(Part IX) (strict judgment) and Rachamim by some at the end of the morning
Hertz, 263 (mercy), Good and Evil, Anger prayers as follows: I believe with
As we have seen in the last and Patience, Reward and perfect faith that G-d is One.
Times few issues of the Tefilla Punishment etc… There is There is no unity that is in any
Digest, interpreting the something lacking in the way like His. He alone is our G-d
Candle lighting 4:52 pm words “Hashem Echad,” exclusivity doctrine that leaves He was, He is, and He will be.
Mincha 4:55 pm “G-d is One” in the first us wanting to know more,
verse of the shma is leaves us believing that there isThere are four aspects to the
Hashkama 8:00 am
complicated. We have something more special about Rambam’s position on “Echad”:
Minyan
offered a number of the word “Echad” than just G-d is our only G-d
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am interesting approaches thus telling us there are no other (exclusivity – like Ibn
Youth 8:30 am far. G-ds. Ezra)
G-d is Eternal
Main Minyan 9:00 am In Issue #29, we reviewed It is for this reason and others G-d is One (unity)
Beit Midrash 9:15 am the position of the Ibn Ezra that the medieval commentators G-d’s unity is unique
and other medieval began to elaborate on the (uniqueness)
Gemorah Shiur 3:45 pm commentators who Doctrine of Exclusivity and say
Mincha 4:45 pm presented the Doctrine of that the Oneness of G-d as Exclusivity is clear (saying we
Exclusivity to explain mentioned in the shma is not don’t believe that other beings are
Shabbat Ends 6:01 pm “Hashem Echad” in the just about exclusivity, is not G-d).
Sunday, 7:30 am shma: G-d is the only G-d just a statement of monotheism
February 1, 8:30 am and there are no others against polytheism, but also Eternality (saying that G-d always
besides Him. This is connotes unity and uniqueness. was and always will be existent)
Mon., Thurs., 6:35 am
certainly consistent with We have already mentioned in is also clear although
Tues., Wed., Fri., 6:45 am descriptions of G-d’s Issue #27 that this is the view incomparable to anything we
Second Shacharit oneness in the Torah and it adopted by the Rambam. know.
Minyan (Daily) 7:45 am is certainly comprehensible However, it was only
to us. mentioned there briefly and However, what does it meant to
Mincha (week of 5:05 pm requires a much fuller say that G-d is One and that His
February 1)
What remains unexplained explanation. unity is unique?
Late Ma’ariv 8:15 pm according to this view is
Mon., - Thurs., what we believe about that The Rambam’s understanding Unity of G-d certainly connotes
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26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100
numerical unity: G-d is One and He is not two. We are
familiar with this concept of unity from our worldly affairs
as well and it is not unique to G-d. For example, we know
that there is only one species in the world called humankind
and not two. We know that when we are holding a dollar
bill in our hand it is only one bill and not two bills etc…
However, G-d’s unity is also unique, it is much more than
the numerical unities cited in the preceding paragraph. It is
a unity that is hard for us to understand because there is
nothing like it in our world for us to relate to. It is a G-dly
quality that is His alone.
When we say that there is only one species called
humankind (as mentioned above) we are saying that the
unity of humankind is a unity of collectivity: It is one
overarching unity that encompasses many different human
beings. G-d’s unity is not the unity of collectivity, the unity
of all different things coming together in to one. G-d is
“simply” one and is not the collectivity of many different
things.
When we say the dollar bill in our hand is one and not two
we are going one step beyond the unity of collectivity
because that dollar bill is not a collection of different things
that are called one whole like humankind, but it is actually
one solid piece of paper. However, even the unity of that
dollar bill is still not as unique as the unity of G-d.
The unity of the dollar bill is the unity of an aggregate.
Each dollar bill which is one entity, which is a unity in
itself, can still be broken down in to its component parts all
of which came together to meld in to this new substance
which is now one. Every bill is made of what used to be
thousands of paper fibers, ink, and glue and are now just
called a dollar bill. Each paper fiber is made of millions of
atoms which themselves can be further divided or broken
down. G-d’s unity is not like this at all. G-d is One not
because He is the aggregate of many things combined to
form something new. G-d is One and cannot be divided in
to any component parts.
According to the Rambam, it is all of this and more that is
incorporated in to those words “Hashem Echad” that we
recite in the shma: G-d is exclusively our G-d, He is
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, Bo 5769
eternal, and he is One and not made of any component parts.
He cannot be divided, and His unity is unlike any unity that is
in this world. While this is all very complex and esoteric and
we may not understand all of what it means right now, it is still
worth just knowing about it, thinking about it, and looking in to
it because it is one of the pillars of the Jewish faith.
Thought to Ponder
One of the essential ramifications of this discussion of Divine
Unity amongst the medieval philosophers is the issue of Divine
attributes. Many of them conclude that if G-d is really a unique
and complete unity which cannot be broken down or separated
in to parts then one cannot ascribe any attributes to G-d
because any of them would be limiting to this concept of the
unity of the Divine.
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
Great Neck Goes Green
Water bottles are made from plastic, which is made
from oil that is a nonrenewable energy source, and
increases CO2 emission. The water in plastic bottles is
typically shipped across the country or world and it
safety is no better regulated -- in fact, in most cases less
well regulated -- than good old tap water.
Ever wonder where most of those plastic water bottles
go that you knock back from every day? Into landfills,
where they live on and on and on and on.
Instead drink filtered water which you can install
yourself onto your water faucet, available at any Home
Depot. You will save hundreds of dollars, and eliminate
the plastic bottle glut in the landfills.
Save resources by drinking from a refillable, stainless
steel Bottle when you are on the go. It is safe; it is
durable; and it does not alter the taste of the contents.
Purchase a stainless steel bottle with the “Great Neck
Goes Green” logo on the bottle for $10-$15 at:
http://reachoutamerica-roa.org/action_view_more.php?
id=67<%20http://reachoutamerica-roa.org/
action_view_more.php?id=67>
"GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK is part of an education
series to reduce our carbon output. As Jews we have a
responsibility to ourselves and future generations to
sustain our environment from the global scorching that
has already begun. We are experiencing global warming
due to over industrialization, pollution and carbon
emissions in the air. We need to integrate education,
action, and advocacy and to connect this to Jewish
tradition, and place this within a larger series of goals.
Our goal must be a healthy and sustainable world for all
its inhabitants. It means acting to slow the damage and
then steadily working to reform our environment."
 Sisterhood Couples Night Out:
Saturday Evening, February 21, 8 pm
Sisterhood of Great Neck Synagogue
will be holding a Couples Night Out
on Saturday evening, February 21, 2009
at CUE BAR,
located at the corner of
Bell Blvd. and Northern Blvd. in Bayside.
The evening will feature
a dairy meal, games and live music.
The cost per couple will be $54.00 prepaid.
Price at the door will be $60.00

For reservations please call the

Synagogue office: 516-487-6100.
Checks are to be made out to GNS Sisterhood.
For information please contact event chairs.
Farla Frumkin, wfrumkin@optonline.net
Cindy Ludwig, ludwigs@optonline.net
or Sara Feldschriber (487-1468)
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST
In the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center Saturday evening Mazal Tov to Yifat & Zachary Mittleman on the birth of
7:30pm, www.gnstorah.org. their son. Mazal Tov also to Rona & Myles Mittleman on the
SUNDAY BREAKFAST birth of their grandson.
Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by Tina & Phil Machnikoff in memory Mazal Tov to Norma & Mel Breite on the birth of their
of his father William Machnikoff. grand-daughter, born to their children Rebecca & Howard
Hochster.
GNS PARSHA DISCUSSION GROUP
As a result of several requests, GNS has created a google group Mazal Tov to Zahava & Alf Slonim on the birth of their
where members can post their questions about the parsha and grandson, born to their children Yael Slonim & Jack Nahmod.
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. Looking forward to hearing from you.
RABBI AXELROD MONDAY & WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASS
Monday Night Contemporary Halacha will resume next Monday on
February 2nd.
Wednesday Night Parsha and Pizza will resume this Wednesday
January 28th.
SISTERHOOD MEETING
February 3, 8pm: GNS Sisterhood Meeting in the Braun Youth Center
to discuss and plan upcoming events. We welcome your attendance
and look forward to seeing you there!
WOMEN’S TEFILA
Celebrate Tu B’Shevat with a guest lecture by Dahlia Klein, topic:
“Thoughts on being Jewish and Being Green.” February 7th, Shabbat
afternoon, 4pm, followed by mincha.
SISTERHOOD TU B’SHEVAT SEDAR
Sisterhood is sponsoring a Women’s Tu B’Shevat Sedar on Monday
evening, February 9th at 7:30pm, at the home of Margery and Barry
Libin. You will enjoy a sumptuous array of fruits, foods, and wines
and learn special insight into the brachot with Morah Chaya Adler
Poretsky. Enjoy an evening of learning and song. Please reserve:
466-7336 or Mjoymsw@aol.com. Donation: $12 per person.
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.
May 6– Talk by Michael Tuchfield, Commentator and correspondent
Israel TV2 News—The Knesset Channel 99
SCOPE
The deadline for all articles and advertisements for the Pesach Scope
is Monday, Feb. 23rd. We strongly encourage our synagogue members
to become a scope sponsor in honor, or in memory of a loved one for
$36. Please submit all Scope material to synagogue office, or email it
to drein@verizon.net.
GNS LITTLE LEAGUE
Applications for Little League are available in the Synagogue Office.
Please submit to the office by the February 1st deadline. Season
opener is April, 5th. Payment must accompany the application.
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 hor d’orves, a boutique with many vendors, an exciting
program, great 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 strongly 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 information. In
conjunction with UJA for this event, we will be collecting personal
care and toiletry items to donate to families in need.
LATE MINYAN
We need your help in maintaining our weeknight 8:15pm minyan for
maariv. Please volunteer for one night a week and help make sure that
those who need to say kaddish have a minyan. To volunteer for the
late maariv minyan, please go to our website and fill out the online
form at: www.gns.org/?page_id=322 Thank you for your help,
we’re counting on you!
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Great Neck Friends of Shalva presents Saturday Night Live. A dinner
and Comedy club benefit for the Children’s Center in Jerusalem featuring
Comedian Yisrael Campbell Sat., Jan. 31st at 8:30pm at the home of
Corinne & Joe Franco 17 Gateway Drive. RSVP at 212-725-0900.
FYI
The Victim Services Program of the Beth Israel Social Work Department
is looking for dedicated and responsible Orthodoxed 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 close to
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 Monday through Thursday
9:30-5:30pm, and Fridays 9:30-1:30pm, 212-844-1495
NSHA PTA FUNDRAISER
Due to the weather, this event is now on 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.
GMACH
A new gmach has started for Bat Mitzvah, wedding, bridesmaid, and
M.O.B. dresses in excellent condition. If you own these beautiful dresses
and they’re sitting in your closet collecting dust, donate them and spread
the nachas of your simcha to those in need. For more info contact Cindy
Gold at chanarjc@gmail.com or 482-9064.
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR LEFTOVERS!
If you would like to donate food, even if it’s a little extra while making
dinner, Herschel Minster collects outside of Mazur’s every Friday
afternoon, and delivers food for Shabbat to those in need, and will also
pick up in Great Neck during the week, contact him at 718-279-3989.
GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE
Please drop off your current used magazines to the Synagogue office to
be donated to NSUH.
Saturday, 6 Shevat
Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Ayuma Gabbai
Sunday, 7 Shevat
Stuart Feigenblatt for Rose Feigenblatt
Y Wendy Ingber for Joseph Silver
Hannah Kleinberg for Henry Kleinberg
A Monday, 8 Shevat
H Sylvia Fisher for Esther Hirsch
Kenneth Magida for Sidney Magida
R Tuesday, 9 Shevat
Z Llewllyn Lillien for Minnie Lillien
Peter Sherman for William Sherman
E Wednesday, 10 Shevat
I Stuart Kaufman for Louis Kaufman
Michael Landsman for Phyllis Landsman
T David Lax for Shene Reisel Rosenberg
Milton Rabinowitz for Minnie Rabinowitz
Thursday, 11 Shevat
Moshe Apelbaum for Sara Apelbaum
Herschel Flax for Alexander Flax
Shirley Spiegelman for Avraham Shankman
Mike Wolberger for Tzvi Wolberger
Friday, 12 Shevat