Parshat Vayeishev

TORAH Artscroll 198 Hertz 141 HAFTORAH Artscroll 1142 Hertz 152 Mevorchim Chodesh Tevet Molad Thursday Dec.13, 4:09:11 pm Rosh Chodesh Friday Dec. 14 Times

December 8, 2012 24 Kislev, 5773

Rabbi Frand on Parshat Vayeishev

Yaakov told Yosef to go check on the welfare of his brothers and the welfare of the sheep and to bring back a report. [Bereshis 37:14] This was a mission that changed more than just the life of Yosef and his brothers. Indeed, it changed the entire history of the Jewish people. The verses state: "A man found him and he was wandering in the field and the man asked him what he was seeking (Mah Tevakesh?). Yosef responded 'It is my brothers that I seek, please tell me where they are pasturing.'" [Bereshis 37:15-16] The man gave Yosef directions to his brothers, Yosef went to find them, and the rest is history. "Listen well, Yosef. You are about to embark on one of the greatest odysseys in the history of mankind. You are going to be thrown into a pit. You are going to be taken down to Egypt. You are going to be sold into slavery. You are going to be falsely accused. You are going to spend time in a dungeon. Then you are going to be taken out of the dungeon and become the viceroy in Egypt. In your lifetime, you are going to experience the greatest heights and the greatest depths. What is the key to success under those circumstances? The key is to remember one thing: 'Mah Tevakesh?' You always have to be focused on what you want to accomplish in life (what is it you seek?)." what made them so successful. Why are some people successful and others not so successful? We tend to say that the key to success is brains, talent, luck or some combination of them. This insight of the Kotzker Rebbe is teaching that the main ingredient to success in life is FOCUS. A person will usually be successful if he has a goal and he keeps to that goal and never loses sight of that goal. Rabbi Yaakov Luban once illustrated this idea by referencing the physical phenomenon of laser beams. Lasers have revolutionized the world. They have revolutionized medicine, technology, and defense. A laser is basically a beam of light that is focused to a high degree that increases its power to such an extent that it can even cut through a diamond. Such a laser might use about 15 watts of electricity. The distinction between laser light and ordinary light is that laser light is focused and regular light is diffused. This metaphor is a metaphor for success in life as well. This applies not only to material and monetary success; it applies to spiritual success as well. If a person knows what he wants, is committed to what he wants and can always maintain the focus to achieve what he wants then he can undergo the trials and tribulations of a Yosef and can still come out on top. This is the message that the Angel Gavriel gave Yosef. All of us wander on this world. We do not know where to turn and what to do. The basic solution to this uncertainty is to focus on "Mah Tevakesh" that which we want to

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If a person focuses on what he wants, then no matter what happens to him in This all constitutes the "p'shuto his lifetime whether be it the greatest Beit Midrash 9:15 am shel mikra" [simple reading of troubles or the greatest success the verses]. What follows is not Teen Minyan 9:15 am nothing will ever spoil him. Nothing the "p'shuto shel mikra" but will ever corrupt him. Yosef the rather is the "drush" [homiletic Gemorah shiur 3:30 pm righteous, despite all that happened to interpretation] that the Kotzker him, did stay focused. He was never Mincha 4:05 pm Rebbe (Rav Menachem Mendel corrupted. When people endure terrible of Kotzk) saw in these pasukim. troubles and ask themselves "Why is Shabbat Ends 5:18 pm First the pasuk says, "A man this happening to me?" they are many found him." The Medrash Sunday, Dec. 9 7:30/8:30 am Tanchuma states that the "man" times tempted to throw in the towel. One's natural inclination might be to is t he Angel Gavriel as we find give up and forsake his religion under the Angel Gavriel referred to as those circumstances. "Why do I need Mon., Thurs. 6:30/7:45 am "the man" in the book of Daniel this?" On the other hand, when people Tues., Wed., Fri. 6:30/7:45 am [9:21]. Next the pasuk says, meet with undreamed of success, they "And he was wandering in the also tend to forget where they came field." This is a metaphor for from. "Yosef", the Angel said, "I am man and his life on earth. Mincha 4:15 pm telling you two words. Remember People often do nothing more in these two words: 'Mah Tevakesh.' their lives than wandering and Late Maariv 8:15 pm Keep what you are seeking in focus. If searching. They are seemingly (Mon.-Thurs.) you hold to that goal, nothing will ever lost and don't know in which corrupt you." Latest Times for direction to go. Finally, the pasuk says, "And the man asked Shema/ Shmoneh Esrei Many times, we meet people who are him what he was seeking." The very successful. We ask ourselves 9:27/10:14 am Angel Gavriel told Yosef: December 8

December 8

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Shabbat Announcements Parshat Vayeishev 5773

achieve in life. Yosef found himself in the dungeon together with Pharaoh's wine butler (Sar HaMashkim). He interpreted for him his dream: "The three clusters are three days. In another three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and will restore you to your post and you will place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as was the former practice when you were his cupbearer." [Bereshis 40: 12-13] Yosef then added the following words: "If only you would think of me (ki im zechartani) with yourself when he benefits you, and you will do me a kindness, if you please, and mention me to Pharaoh, then you would get me out of this building." [Beresis 40:14]. The words "ki im zechartani" give the impression that Yosef is giving this dream interpretation SO THAT the Sar HaMashkim should remember Yosef to Pharaoh. This additional statement, introduced by the words "ki im zechartani," seems like a somewhat inappropriate insertion by Yosef. They are not part of the dream. We would understand if Yosef appended a personal request for a favor to his interpretation of the dream and would have said, "By the way, I would appreciate it if..." However, this is not the way Yosef expressed it. Yosef makes it sound like the Wine Butler is getting out of jail SO THAT he will be able to intervene with Pharaoh in gaining Yosef's release from prison.

indicted and convicted? What are his chances that he can appeal and be successful? Slim to none. Governments are hesitant to uncover their own corruption. If they are already prosecuting and convicting him he must be so guilty that appeals will have virtually no chance of success. For a minister who was convicted to be returned to the same position of power that he previously held is literally impossible. This never happens. Yosef spelled this out to the Sar HaMashkim. "Listen, you were guilty. You were convicted and you served time. But you are going to be restored to your original position and serve wine to the king again. That is miraculous. It can only be happening for one reason s o that you will be able to remember me to the king. The Almighty wants to use you as the instrument for my release from prison." In other words the "ki im zechartani" [so that you mention me...] is indeed part of the explanation of the dream. This is the only reason that such a thing can happen.

The Rabbi then turned to Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, and said: "Napoleon you have met military success the likes of which have not been seen since Alexander the Great. Why did you merit such success? You have merited it because you have been good to the Jews. You have extended freedoms to them that they never had in Europe. That is why all these successes have come your way. Whenever you are blessed with success, now and in the future, you should remember: 'ki im zechartani' it is only because Rav Yaakov Moshe Kalefsky, zt"l, once told me the following incident. you have been good to the Jews in the past and so that you can be good to the When Napoleon had achieved one of his major military victories, he Jews in the future." threw a party and asked all the assembled to say a toast. Everyone got up and said a few words but they left Napoleon unsatisfied. Napoleon had a close connection with the Jews. He knew that in this town there GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE was a Rabbi. He told his servant to go summon the Rabbi to the party to say a few words on the occasion of his victory. The Rabbi was Shabbat Dinner & Guest Speakers Series awakened in the middle of the night by Napoleon's servant and was CHIEF RABBI LORD brought in the chariot of the king to the banquet. Napoleon requested JONATHAN SACKS that he give a speech - on the spot -- in honor of the occasion. What does a Rabbi know from politics? What does a Rabbi know from United Hebrew Congregations military campaigns? But a Rabbi knows the Parsha of the week. It of the British Commonwealth happened to be Parshas Vayeshev. The Rabbi explained to Napoleon "pshat" (the simple interpretation) of the above-cited pasuk. The Rabbi We thank the following for their support! said that when a simple person commits a crime and is indicted, Shabbat Sponsors prosecuted, and convicted of the crime, he can always appeal. But when an important person commits a crime and is indicted and Debbie & Hal Chadow prosecuted then his chances of appeal are far less. Why is that? In those Sharon Goldwyn corrupt times, the only people prosecuted were the downtrodden in Erica & Eliot Heisler society. The legal system did not start up with the elite of society. They Alisa & Michael Hoenig only started up with those who could not defend themselves. If they are Diane & David Rein already indicting and prosecuting and convicting an important person, they must have the goods on him so badly that it was simply impossible Raine & Stanley Silverstein to look the other way. The person must be as guilty as sin. Appeals will Rebecca & Nathaniel Weisel be worthless. If he were not guilty, they would not have started up with him in the first place. But sometimes, even for an important person, an Dinner Sponsors appeal can help. But what happens if a minister in the government is

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

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 Zehava & Michael Atlas, Youth Directors Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Dr. Scott Danoff, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Ada & Dov Berkowitz Robyn & Steven Blumner Lillian & Gary Chubak Lorraine & Harold Domnitch Marilyn & Jeff Freedman Debbie & Tom Furst Talia & Sol Goldwyn Kahn & Berman Families Mindy & Michael Leventhal Adeline & Avraham Markowitz Brenda & Ed Parver Ellen & Rabbi Dale Polakoff Sherry & David Rogelberg Orly & Alan Steinberg Michele & Howard Wolf

YES! Please place my message in the GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUES 61st DINNER JOURNAL. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $________________ GNSMENSCLUB Wed.,Dec.5at7:30PM:Dr.MildredPollner, for the space indicated.
presidentofCinemaVeriteInternational, willpresenta30minutedocumentaryBrave ChildrenofIsrael,andwillspeakonGlobal Jihad.Thedocumentaryhasbeenacclaimed atfilmfestivalsinEuropeandIsrael.
Youareinvitedtothe GreatNeckSynagogue AnnualChaiSisterhoodDinner Featuringourguestspeaker RachelleWeisberger AuthorofBiblicalBeauty RESCHEDULEDDATE Tuesday,December18h,6PM, atColbeh,GreatNeck Members$40,Nonmembers$45 SponsorshipsavailableGold($72)Silver($36) Bronze($18) PleaseRSVPbyNovember1stto JudyLillien5164876845 FarlaFrumkinFarlafrumkin@gmail.com

DecemberChesedCollection InpreparationforChanukah, wewillbecollectingnewandunwrapped GamesandToysForChaiLifeline Pleasedropyouritemsoffat TheLichterResidence 76BerkshireRd AnytimefromMondayNovember26th toWednesdayDecember5th. Therewillbeboxesinsidethegarage locatedonMarlotAve.

DEADLINE IS NOW SEND IN ASAP Great Neck Synagogue 61st Anniversary Dinner Sunday, December 16, 2012

2012 JOURNAL CONTRACT

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Gold Page $10,000* Silver Page 7,500* Bronze page 5,000* Twice Chai 3,600* Parchment 2,500* Chai 1,800* Full Page 1,000* Half Page 550* Quarter Page 250 Listing 100 *Includes two reservations to dinner Cost of Dinner $550 per couple Please make check payable to: Great Neck Synagogue 26 Old Mill Road Great Neck, NY 11023

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GreatNeckSynagogue YouthChanukahLuncheon andGrandRaffle willtakeplaceon Saturday,December8,2012. Bringallyourtickets (withyournameonthem) andgetreadyforagreatday. Noreservationsrequired. 1st8thgrades,boysandgirls.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
SUNDAY BREAKFAST Is sponsored by Mark & Adina Abraham in memory of his mother Malka bat Sara and Yaakov Hakohen and by Orly and Alan Steinberg in honor of their son Ira putting on tefillin for the first time.
WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Laura & Scott Danoff on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Emily to Anosh Zaghi of Boca Raton. Mazal Tov to Ellen & Mitchell Siegel on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Jill to Avi Wilensky, son of Rosie & Aryeh Wilensky of Livingston, NJ. Mazal Tov to Larry & Tova Domnitch on being honored by the Jewish Learning Experience of Bergen County at their GNS MENS CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS Dinner. Wed., Dec. 5 at 7:30 PM: Dr. Mildred Pollner, president of Cinema Verite International, will present a 30 minute documentary Mazal Tov to Sydelle Knepper on her election as Co-Chair of the New York Housing Conference, the Washington-based which she directed, Brave Children of Israel, and will speak on Center for Housing Policy where she was also nominated and Global Jihad. Dr. Pollner is an accomplished filmmaker, former approved to the Board of Directors. professor at Columbia University and has lectured worldwide.
The documentary has been acclaimed at film festivals in Europe and Israel. RAFFLE PRIZES WANTED We are now collecting raffle prizes for the GNS Annual Dinner scheduled for Sun., Dec. 16. We strongly encourage you to donate credit card points for prizes that can include airline tickets and hotel accommodations. We are also looking for prizes such as timeshare vacation places, beautiful jewelry, fur, electronics, judaica, gift certificates, internship opportunities, theatre and sports tickets, camp discounts, as well as other prize donations that you might have. Please submit donations to Mark Twersky at mtwersky@gns.org.

BOOKS & BAGELS Sunday, December 16, 10:00am "In the Sands of Sinai: A Physician's Account of the Yom Kippur War" by Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc Professor of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington DC. Dr. Brook served in the Israeli army as a battalion physician during the Yom Kippur war in 1973. Dr. Brook served in the Medical Corp of the US Navy for 27 years, and has authored several hundred publications in scientific journals and ten textbooks. This book chronicles his transformation from a civilian to a wartime doctor. In vivid personal details, he recounts his first experience in war, describing his perspective of a war that shaped his own life, and his nation's fragile identity. Sponsorships are available: for more information, please contact Rabbi Bronstein or the synagogue office. SISTERHOOD ANNOUNCEMENTS We will have a short meeting, open to everyone, on Wednesday, Dec. 5th from 7- 7:30 PM to discuss the dinner plans in the Braun Youth Center. Please come! We need volunteers to help set up, collect raffles, and at the event, sell raffles, and distribute the gifts! SAVE THE DATE Our Sisterhood Dinner will be held on December 18th, 6 pm at Colbeh. Our speaker, Rachelle Weisberger, author of Biblical Beauty will give a great talk on seamlessly integrating biblical, historical and cultural perspectives with practical advice and specific tips on a variety of subjects, and will offer enlightening guidance on skin care, sun care, makeup, hair care, fragrance, jewelry, healthy aging, motherhood and leadership. Please send in your reservations ASAP. Sponsorships are available - Gold for $72, Silver for $36 and Bronze for $18. We have some great raffle prizes to offer as well as an amazing goody bag to all attendees. SAVE THE DATE Our very own Robyn Blumner will discuss Hypnotherapy on January 15th at 8 PM. This is sure to be exciting. WRITOPIA LONG ISLAND is setting up creative writing workshops that run 90 minutes per session for children ages 8 to 18. Sisterhood is delighted to announce that Writopia is offering GNS members a 10% discount off the fee. The fee is $500 for 10 sessions. Location TBA. If you are interested, please contact Donna Sheeler at donna@writopialab.org. Our gift card program is up and running. You can purchase many different gift cards for national retailers through Gift Cards for Good and support the Sisterhood efforts to help those in need. These gift cards can be used by yourself, or given as gifts to co-workers, etc. Please contact Sharon Noy at Sharon@bids4good.com . THANK YOU Thank you very much to Vivian Kron, Judy Lillien, Cindy Ludwig, Janet Lenchner, Hindi Lunzer, Jill Swartz, Anida Rosman, and especially to Noah Kron for helping with our Chanukah Bazaar. It was a smashing success!

COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS

CHAI LIFELINE GNS member Donny Steinberg, will be running in the ING Miami half Marathon on Jan., 27, 2013, to raise money for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline is an international organization that provides yearround emotional, social, and financial support to more than 3,000 children with cancer and their families every year. Donny will be raising money and dedicating his run in memory of his grandfather, Philip Steinberg, who died of cancer. Donations can be made online at Donny4TeamLifeline.tk or by sending a check made payable to Chai Lifeline and sent to Donny Steinberg, 2 Sands Court, Great Neck, N.Y. 11023.
GOLDEN LAND Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre has tickets on sale for The Golden Land for12/19 - 1/6. To order tickets call 212-213-2120. This is the show that the Yiddish Vort had tickets to but was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.

The Modlin family would like to thank Rabbi Polakoff, Rabbi Lichter, Cantor Kron and the entire community for their outpouring sympathy and support during the loss of her mother Marilyn Hose.
Saturday, 24 Kislev Susan Goldman for Malia Ring Michal Malen for Emanuel Hoschander Vahid Sedaghatpour for Habib Sedaghatpour Sunday, 25 Kislev Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Yehudit Chaya bat Shlomo Monday, 26 Kislev Mahin Aryeh for Marilyn Schwadron Anna Herz for Ida Tsirulik Eliezer Noy for Yosef Zargaryan Wednesday, 28 Kislev Pauline Loewenstein for Naomi Rutta Amir Mardkha for Touti Mardkha Thursday, 29 Kislev Drora Brody for Mazal Yafet Helaine Helmreich for Harry Gewirtz Edith Lubin for Annie Goldberg Friday, 1 Tevet Ada More Benerofe for Miriam Aviv Steven Kashan for Ezra Kashan Stuart Schwartz for Herbert Schwartz Norman Seif for Helen Gewirtz-Seif Chava Shalmon for Yosef Grinszpan Martin H. Sokol for Milton Sokol Gerald Traub for Emil Traub

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