Parshat Mishpatim Shabbat Shekalim February 13, 2010 29 Shevat 5770

Rabbi Frand Thoughts on the Parsha

Torah Shabbat Shekalim found its permanent residence
Artscroll, 416
At the time of Purim, an edict
Resh Lakish said "On the (despite its destruction twice, the had been issued by an earthly
Hertz, 306
first of Adar, an place retains its holiness) in "court;" namely, the "court" of
Maftir announcement is made Jerusalem.
Artscroll, 484
Haman and Achashverosh
concerning the (often acting unknowingly as
Hertz, 352 The equal participation of all the
Shekalim." (Masechet an emissary of the Heavenly
Haftorah Megillah) People symbolizes that all Jews
Court), calling for the harsh
Artscroll,1212 must share in achieving national
Hertz, 992 The first of the Four Special goals, by giving up his selfish, punishment, if not the total
Shabbatot is Shabbat personal interests for the sake of destruction, G-d Forbid, of the
Mevorchim Chodesh Adar
Molad Sunday Feb. 14 Parshat Shekalim. It occurs the nation. One who does so gains Jewish People. The Fast of
2:27:12 am
Rosh Chodesh
either on the last Shabbat of infinite benefit, because the mission Taanit Esther, combined with
Sunday & Monday the month of Shevat, or on of Israel is dependent upon the the Repentance of the Jewish
the Shabbat which in that unity of the whole. (Rabbi Samson People, drew the nation into a
year coincides with Rosh Raphael Hirsch, cited in the unity, which was once again
Times
Chodesh Adar, or on a ArtScroll Stone Edition of the able to receive upon itself the
Candle lighting 5:07 pm Shabbat early in Adar. A Chumash) "yoke of the Kingdom of
Mincha 5:10 pm special reading, taken from Heaven," and renew their
Parshat KiTisa (Shemot The verses also speak in terms of acceptance of the Torah, "the
Hashkama 8:00 am 30:11-16) is appended to the atonement that is achieved by Jews accepted again what
regular Torah reading. participation in this half-shekel they had begun to
Youth 8:30 am
The reading describes a assessment… A solitary human do," (Megillat Esther 9:23), and
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am
census of the Jewish People being can seldom survive Divine thus merit their redemption.
which was taken while the scrutiny; what person is free of sin
Main Minyan 9:00 am The Healing Precedes the
Jews were in the Wilderness, and shortcomings? But when a
Beit Midrash 9:15 am after their Exodus from Egypt. nation becomes one, it ascends to Wound
The Torah, here and in other a higher plane, because all its Resh Lakish said, "It was
Gemorah Shiur 4:00 pm
places, teaches that it is individuals merge their virtues with revealed and known before the
Mincha 5:00 pm forbidden to count Jews in the one another. This is also the One Who spoke and the world
ordinary manner; rather, the reason that it is better to pray with a came into being that Haman
Shabbat Ends 6:17 pm "minyan," a quorum, to establish a would spend a large sum of
People should be called upon
Sunday, February 7:30/8:30 am to contribute items, which community, whose virtues can money in order to destroy
14th would then be counted. merge, instead of praying Israel, as it is so written in the
individually. third chapter of Megillat Esther.
Monday 6:30 am In the case of this census, the
Parshat Shekalim recalls the time Therefore, He preceded
item which was contributed,
Tues., Wed., & 6:45 am
by rich and poor alike, was a of Purim, which was also a time of Haman's silver by Israel's
Fri.
Divine scrutiny and judgment for silver. And this accords with
half shekel, the "shekel" being what the Talmud says in
Thursday 6:35 am the coin in use at the time, the Jewish People. The name of
the Day of Atonement, Yom Masechet Megillah, "On the
roughly equivalent to our
Second Shacharit
dollar. The collected shekels, HaKippurim, the "Day which is like first of Adar, an announcement
Minyan (Daily) 7:45 am is made concerning the
or "shekalim, in Hebrew, were Purim," is also suggestive of this
Mincha (week of 5:15 pm relationship, although Purim also Shekalim."
Feb. 14th)
then used for the construction
and upkeep of the Mishkan, contains the word "Pur," lottery, to A Fiery Coin
the portable Temple, which suggest how G-d uses what seems
Late Maariv 8:15 pm If a person commits a grave
Mon-Thurs was used until the Temple to be "chance" in His administration
transgression and forfeits his
of the world.
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Shema/Shmoneh Esrei
February 13th 9:30/10:23 am Kiddush is Seudah Shlishit
February 20th 925:/10:20 am
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Next Shabbat– Terumah
Great Neck In memory of
Candle lighting 5:16 pm
Synagogue Lea Rabinowitz, z”l
Mincha 5:15 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100
life to the government, can he ransom himself with money?
And even if there were a monetary ransom for one found guilty
before a king of flesh and blood, is there a monetary ransom
for one found guilty before the King of Kings, the Holy One
Blessed-be-He? And even if he were able to ransom his life
with money, could he do so with some small coin? And Israel
was found liable to a death penalty before the King of Kings,
but G-d bade them only to give half-a-shekel!
Moshe was perplexed and could not understand this matter.
How could this small coin suffice to be a life ransom for those
who bowed down to the calf, and said to it: 'This is your god, 0
Israel, which has brought you forth from the Land of Egypt ?'
Rabbi Meir said: 'G-d brought forth the likeness of a fiery coin
from underneath the Throne of His Glory: He showed it to
Moshe and said to him: 'This they shall give.' The likeness of
this they shall give' (Jerusalem Talmud, Shekalim Chapter 1).
We are taught thereby: A person may give much silver and
gold without attaining any forgiveness for his sin, if he fails to
repent, and remains immersed in sin. On the other hand, a
person may give a small coin as ransom for his soul and attain
complete forgiveness, provided that he has completely
'uprooted' himself from his sin, and has repented with all his
heart. In such an instance, even the inanimate silver coin which
he gives in quest of forgiveness, rises upwards (though it
normally is pulled downwards), till it becomes likened in his
hand to fire (which ascends upwards). And even this coin,
though it is small, attains forgiveness for him.
The Desire to Perform a Mitzvah
There is benevolence in action, and benevolence in will and
desire. Our sins have caused us the loss of the Sanctuary;
there are no sacrificial offerings; the Mitzvah of the half-shekel
does not apply. Nevertheless, the Mitzvah of reading the
portion of Shekalim from the Torah has not ceased. For the
essence of the Mitzvah of the half-shekel is to awaken the
benevolent desire of a person's heart towards the fulfillment of
his Creator's will; and this awakening of the heart's desire
always applies, and it is achieved when a Jew reads from the
Torah the passages on this theme.
Furthermore, at times the desire to give is greater than the
contribution itself. And though we are not capable of
contributing towards the services of the Sanctuary,
nevertheless, since we yearn to do so and rejoice in the
Mitzvah as we read it in the Torah, the Torah regards it as if we
had fulfilled the Mitzvah. Thereby, may we also merit its
practical fulfillment, speedily, in our days.
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
Shalom Axelrod, Assistant Rabbi
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
Michael Bleicher, Rabbinic Intern
Zeev Kron, Cantor
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Howard Silberstein, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
Shabbat Announcements Parshat Mishpatim Shabbat Shekalim 5770
Every Generation Has Its Own Test
The Torah teaches: "Do not say cruel things to a stranger (v'ger
lo soneh) nor oppress him for you were strangers in the land of
Egypt". [Shmos 22:20]. Rashi comments on the words v'ger lo
soneh: because the stranger can tease you back and say that
you too were once strangers. "Don't taunt your friend with a
blemish that you yourself possess." The modern equivalent of this
maxim is that "people who live in glass houses should not throw
stones."
Rashi adds that the word 'ger' in this pasuk is not only referring to
a convert to Judaism (as the word often implies), but it refers to
any stranger who is new to a community and has no friends.
But let us consider something. The Torah tells us why we should
not taunt a stranger: "Because we were strangers in the land of
Egypt." Now what would the law be if we had never been
strangers in Egypt? Would it then have been permissible for us to
taunt a stranger? It is difficult to say that were I not vulnerable to
a retort back from the stranger then it would have been
permissible to be cruel to the 'ger'. The reason we must be nice
to him is because the Torah teaches us compassion. We should
be nice to him because that is the proper way to behave!
The following interpretation was suggested for the words "for you
were strangers in the land of Egypt": Psychologically, people who
have been through difficult circumstances sometimes want others
to experience what they had to experience. When they see
someone else who is in the same situation that they were in,
there is a tendency to say "Listen, I had to go through a lot to get
where I am today and now you have to suffer a little also. It is
good for you. Adversity builds character."
Someone who studied Holocaust survivors records the story of a
fellow who was a young teenager during the Holocaust.
Somehow he managed to escape the round-ups and never went
to the concentration camps. Instead, he became a partisan. He
lived with the non-Jewish partisans for four years. He maintained
his Judaism and remained observant. He survived the war, got
out of Europe, and came to America. He made an honest and
successful living, married, and had a son.
Years later, this man purposely sent his son to a college in which
there were virtually no other Jews on campus. Today, it is
possible to find colleges where there are minyanim for Shachris,
Mincha, and Ma'ariv, plus a daf yomi. Other colleges may not
have a single Jew enrolled. This holocaust survivor sent his son
to the latter type of school. Why? "Because I retained my
Judaism and my moral values despite the fact that I had to live
with non-Jews for four years. I want you to do the same thing. It
will be a good experience for you." The father insisted on this,
with very disastrous results for the son.
"For you were strangers in the land of Egypt."
"I did it. You can do it also. I had it tough. You can have it tough
also."
This is what the Torah is saying: "Don't oppress the stranger."
Don't try to impose your trials and tribulations upon the stranger.
Every person and every generation have their own tests
(nisyonos).
 
 Sally & Seymour Olshin Adult Education Program
Am Hasefer

February 9, 2010 7:45 p.m. BOOK REVIEW: Dara Horn

All Other Nights W.W. Norton, 2009
Presented by the author;

On Passover, 1862, Jacob Rappaport, a Jewish soldier in the Union army, is

ordered to murder his own uncle in New Orleans, who is
plotting to assassinate President Lincoln. What follows is Dara Horn’s gripping and masterful epic
about great moral struggles of the Civil War, as seen through the eyes of a Jewish family with loyalty
to both sides.

Dara Horn, named one of the Best Young American Novelists by Branta Magazine, was the winner of the 2006
National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Her last novel, The World To Come, was praised as “compelling and
luxuriously layered” (L.A. Times) and “Rich, complex and haunting” (The New York Review of Books) and nothing
short of amazing” (Entertainment Weekly).
________________________________________________________________________________

Great Neck Synagogue Hunger Initiative

We want to help make your Purim more meaningful!
Fill a bag with canned foods to help someone who is hungry

We are collecting canned food, cereal, pasta

Saturday night Feb 27th

& Sunday morning Feb 28th
before the Megilla reading

Leave your donations in the coat room lobby

Food will be donated to local food pantries

_______________________________________________________________

TORAH TEFILAH AND TOGETHERNESS ON TUESDAYS

Please join us at 11 am, on Tuesdays,

as Amit Yagoubi will be giving a new class for women, based on
Orchos Tzadikim
(The paths of the Righteous).
At 12:15 pm we have a lunch and learn program with a video broadcast from Shira Smiles
(the video starts about 12:45). . Anyone wishing to sponsor in honor or in memory of a
loved one, please contact the Shul office. The cost for these programs will be as follows:
$10 Amit Yagoubi, $15 Lunch and Learn.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
RABBI REISMAN SATURDAY NIGHT TELECAST WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Join us in the Weinstein Torah & Technology Center at 8 pm.
Mazal Tov to Mark Gersten on the birth of a grandson, born in
YOUTH SNACKS Israel to his children Fay & Bezalel Gersten.
This week’s youth snacks are sponsored by Diane & David Rein in Mazal Tov to Goldie & Howard Lorber on the Bar Mitzvah of
honor of their son Oliver’s 9th birthday.
their grandson Benjamin in Israel.
SUNDAY BREAKFAST Mazal Tov to Lili & Alex Weiss on the Bar Mitzvah of their
Sunday Breakfast is sponsored by Sonia & Sam Movsas in memory grandson Joshua Weiss in Englewood, NJ.
of Harav Yehuda Leib ben Harav Dovid. Mazal Tov to Susan & Michael Castle on the engagement of
YIDDISH VORT their daughter Alexis to Seth Ross from Montreal.
Come to the Yiddish Vort for a Purim mayse, a glayzele Tay and
etleche Hamentaschen on Wed. Feb 24th, at 1:30 pm in the Chalfin OHEL DINNER
Room. All are welcome, for more info contact Roz Wagner 487-9795. The guests of honor at the 40th Annual OHEL Dinner, Feb. 21st, will be
Gloria & Harvey Kaylie. OHEL is deeply proud of its long-time mutual
SHUL CLASSES friendship with GNS. Please join OHEL as it recognizes Gloria & Harvey
All daily classes will resume at their regularly scheduled times this Kaylie and celebrate OHEL’s landmark anniversary. Our community
week. benefits directly from the wonderful services provided by OHEL on a
regular basis. For info please contact Norman B. Gildin (718) 972-9338
Senior Kollel E-Mail: ngildin@ohelfamily.org
Tues., Feb. 16th, The Senior Kollel will feature Rabbi Tzadok
Froimoitz , from Ahavas Shalom in Forest Hills who will give a
lecture at 8:30 pm. Details to follow. MEN’S CLUB SAVE THE DATE
On Sunday, March 21st, at 10am, The Men’s Club will be sponsoring a
COMBINED SISTERHOOD MEETING breakfast and guest speaker MK Tzipi Hotovely.
Please join us on Thurs., Feb. 11th at 10:00am at the Temple Israel
library for a meeting of the combined Sisterhoods of Great Neck to
plan the upcoming Combined Sisterhood Luncheon this Spring which LEB MEDICULS
will be hosted by Temple Israel. See you there! On Feb. 13th., LEB MEDICULS will be hosting its Second Annual Dream
Date Auction at 9pm at Pop Lounge (13 East 58th Street, NYC). This
SAVE THE DATE fundraiser will benefit keren Or, Jerusalem Cenger for multi-disabled blind
The Sisterhood presents: An Evening with American Friends of Magen children. Tickets in advance $20, tickets at the door $25. There will be a
David Adom, Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:30 pm, at the home of raffle with all proceeds going to the UJA-Federation Haiti Relief Fund. For
Rita and Lew Gordonson, 85 Emerson Drive. Learn about MDA's more info email lebmediculs@gmail.com or contact Samara Lipsky,
lifesaving work and hear a former Overseas Volunteer relate his Rachel Lipsky, Bryan Lipsky, Keren Etzion, Danitte Etzion, Eve
experiences. For information, please contact Event Co-Chairs Rita Libby or Ilana Libby.
Gordonson 466-4578 or Carol Buckmann 487-7095.

DANCE CLASS
GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE SISTERHOOD MEETING
Join us for free dance class every Wednesday at 9:30 am.
Please join us on Wednesday evening, February 17th at 8:00pm in the
Braun Youth Center for a Sisterhood meeting to plan upcoming events
at Great Neck Synagogue. See you there!
Saturday, 29 Shevat
HUNGER INITIATIVE Murray Rabinowitz for Lea Rabinowitz
Food drop offs on Fridays at 18 Birchwood lane has resumed. Drop off Stephen Rabinowitz for Lea Rabinowitz
hours are between 10 am and 12:30pm. Kindly place your food in the Judith Weinstein for Fanny Weisman
cooler. Please give generously!! Sunday, 30 Shevat
Kenneth Magida for Abraham Bilsky
QIGONG CLASSES
The GNS Men’s Club and Sisterhood are co-sponsoring Qigong classes. Hilda Schulman for Cantor Oscar Trainer
Join Master William Wong Chin of Higher Mountain Healing Arts George Schuman for Bernard Schuman
every Wednesday at 7:30pm, to learn how these techniques can Monday, 1 Adar
provide lasting benefits. For individuals, $15 per session/$48 for 4 Pnina Aronowitz for Rafael Asor
sessions (paid in advance), For couples, $25 per session/$80 for 4 Ronald Braun for Emil Braun
sessions (paid in advance). Please make checks payable to GNS Y Harvey Brenner for Joseph Brenner
Men’s Club.
A Paul Brody for Rabbi Abraham Brown
Paul Brody for David Brody
SCHOLARS KOLLEL NEWS H Joyce Dacher for Marvin Wolfman
The Scholars Kollel of Great Neck is proud to announce its newest
program, which started January 8. Davening will begin at 7:45 am, on R Irving Forman for Frances Deresh
Friday and will be followed with "Breakfast with Rabbi Frand." Rabbi
Frand's Thursday night shiur will be shown in its entirety.
Z Hindi Lunzer for Ruchel Mermelstein
Lili Weiss for Zeev Krendel
E Tuesday, 2 Adar
NEW TORAH TEFILAH AND TOGETHERNESS ON TUESDAYS
Please join us at 11 am, Amit Yagoubi is giving a class based on a book I Michele Wolf for Philip Berman
Wednesday, 3 Adar
Orchos Tzadikim- The ways of the Rightous. Originally published in
Yiddish, Orchos Tzadikim (The paths of the Righteous) has become one
T Henry Dicker for Max Dicker
of the more famously learned seferim on self-improvement and mussar.
Milton Mitzner for Pearl Ducker
At 12:15 pm we have a lunch and learn program with a video broad- Thursday, 4 Adar
cast from Shira Smiles (the video starts at about 12:45). Anyone wish- Donna Hecht for David Gad
ing to sponsor in honor or in memory of a loved one, please contact the Burton Mandelbaum for Pauline Mandelbaum
Shul office. The cost for these programs will be as follows: $10 Amit Milton Mitzner for Anne Shapiro
Yagoubi, $15 Lunch and Learn. Friday, 5 Adar
Brenda Parver for Ida Altman
GIVE OLD MAGAZINES A NEW LIFE Shellie Zuckerman for Aaron Feinerman
Please drop off your CURRENT used magazines to the Synagogue
office to be donated to NSUH. Please cut off labels, do not tear.