Parshat Shoftim August 14, 2010 4 Elul, 5770

Torah
Rabbi Frand on the Parsha
Artscroll, 1024
The Measure of A Person
Hertz, 820
Is His Sense of Gratitude
Haftorah
Artscroll, 1199 The Torah admonishes the
Hertz, 835 judge not to show favoritism,
not to corrupt justice, and not
to take bribes "for bribes will
blind the eyes of the wise and
AUFRUF
YONAH LEMONIK will pervert the words of the
righteous" [Devorim 16:19].
No person is immune from the
temptations of a bribe. Bribes
attack a person's ability to
judge fairly. Even if a person is
Times
righteous, even if he is
extremely wise – he is not
Candle Lighting 7:38 pm
above falling prey to the power
of a bribe.
Friday Mincha 7:00 pm
The Gemara in Kesuvos
Hashkama 8:00 am [105b] states: "It goes without
saying that monetary bribes
Youth 8:30 am are forbidden, but the Torah is
coming to teach us that even
Main Minyan 9:00 am 'verbal bribes' are forbidden."
Flattery, kind words, and so
Beith Midrash 9:15 am forth can all affect a person's
judgment. The Gemara lists
Gemorah Shiur 6:30pm several incidents
demonstrating how particular
Mincha 7:30 pm Amoraim of the Talmud acted
regarding rejecting bribes.
Shabbat Ends 8:44 pm
Shmuel was having difficulty
Sunday 7:30/8:30 am crossing a rickety bridge. A
certain person stuck out his
hand and helped him cross
Mon, Thurs. 6:35/7:45 am the bridge. Shmuel asked
what brought him to the bridge
right then. The person told
Tues, Wed, Fri. 6:45/7:45 pm Shmuel that he had a case to
be heard in Shmuel's court for
Mincha Sun-Thur 7:35 pm adjudication. Shmuel
disqualified himself from being
a judge in the case since he
Latest times for
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei had just received a favor from
this person.
Similarly, Ameimar was sitting in
court and a feather flew on top of his
head. A fellow came over and
removed the feather. When he told
Ameimar that he was there to have
his case heard, Ameimar disqualified
himself from hearing the case.
A third related incident involved Mar
Ukva. Someone spat in front of Mar
Ukva and another person came
along and covered up the saliva. Mar
Ukva disqualified himself from
hearing the case of the person who
did him the favor of covering up the
saliva.
A final case involved Rav Shmuel
b'Reb Yossi and his sharecropper.
The sharecropper who normally
delivered produce to Rav Shmuel
b'Reb Yossi every Friday showed up
early one week and delivered the
produce on Thursday because he
had to be in town that day for a Din
Torah. Rav Shmuel b'Reb Yossi
disqualified himself from hearing the
case, lest he be "bribed" by the favor
of the early delivery that week.
Rav Pam, zt"l, asked a question
about this narration: Are we to infer
that these Amoraim were so fickle
that the slightest favor could
influence them? What's the big deal
about any of these matters? Did
these Amoraim have such little
backbone that they could be swayed
by trivial and incidental matters? Rav
Pam said that the lesson of this
Gemara is not so much about judicial
integrity or the corrosive nature of
bribes. The major lesson that this
passage of Talmud teaches is the
concept of Hakaras HaTov
[gratitude]. This Gemara
teaches us how indebted each
of these Amoraim felt to anyone
who did them even the slightest
favor.
Such matters would be
insignificant to us. As a result of
our insensitivity to the proper
attribute of Hakaras HaTov,
such favors do not even
register on our radar screens
as necessitating any gratitude
on our part. We do not even
consider them favors. But
people who are highly sensitive
to the attribute of showing
gratitude do consider these
kindnesses to be favors, worthy
in fact of favors in return.
Rav Pam explains that many of
the problems in our society
indeed stem from the lack of
appreciation of one's obligation
for Hakaras HaTov. Husbands
take the kindnesses that wives
do for them for granted and
wives take for granted the
things that husbands do for
them. Everybody has
expectations of the other party
in a marriage because "that's
their job!" "Why should they get
'Extra credit' for merely doing
their job?" If each spouse would
see the things done for them as
a favor which needs to be
recognized, marriages would
be far happier and far more
stable. The same is true in
employer-employee
relationships and in virtually all
other relationships as well!

August 14 9:31/10:40 am

August 21 9:34/10:42 am kiddush is Bima Flowers are sponsored by

Phyllis and Paul Weinberg
Next Shabbat – Ki Tetze Sponsored by in memory of her father
Candle lighting 7:29 pm
Great neck Synagogue Jack Herschkowitz, z”l

Mincha 7:00 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100
Rav Pam notes: If parents and alumni would have the proper
sense of Hakaras HaTov to the institutions that educated
themselves and their children, Yeshivos and Beis Yaakovs and
Day Schools would not be in the sorry state of financial distress in
which they find themselves today. All too often, the attitude is "I
paid my tuition. I did my job. You did your job. Do not bother me
anymore!" If they had a feeling for the proper sense of gratitude to
these teachers and institutions, their ongoing gifts would be far
more generous!
Rav Kook, when yet a Rav in Europe, before moving to Eretz
Yisrael spent time in the summers on the Baltic seacoast in
Latvia, as was the custom of many European Rabbonim. There
was a hall there where they made minyanim. Rav Reuvain
Bengas happened to be there one evening and had Yahrtzeit.
There were only nine people in the hall, so one of the people in
the hall went outside looking for a tenth Jew for the minyan for
Rav Reuvain's Yahrtzeit. Meanwhile, outside there was a certain
fellow also trying to form a minyan and he had an exact minyan.
The person from the hall did not realize this and pulled one
person from the outside group into the hall for the inside minyan.
Although this was all unintentional, the person who organized the
minyan outside stormed into the hall and started yelling at Rav
Bengas and heaping insults upon him. Rav Kook, well-known for
his great Ahavas Yisrael for every Jew, nevertheless went to the
person who was berating Rav Bengas and slapped him across his
face for embarrassing a Talmid Chochom.
The slapped person got so furious at Rav Kook that he decided to
take him to the secular court for assaulting him. A whole
commotion developed. A number of people asked Rav Kook to
just apologize so that the matter would not go any further. Rav
Kook refused. He said if this was just for my honor I could
apologize, but this involves the honor of Rav Bengas who was
shamed. I am not sorry I slapped him. I had to stand up for the
honor of a Talmud Chochom. Let this person take me to court!
A few days passed, however, and the fellow had a change of
heart. He came into Rav Kook and apologized and told him he
was not going to take him to court. Seemingly that was the end of
the story.
Years later, Rav Kook came to America and he was approached
by the person who he had slapped years earlier in the Latvian
seacoast town. He told Rav Kook "I cannot thank the Rabbi
enough. I owe you a great debt of gratitude." He then took out a
gold watch and gave it to Rav Kook. He explained that after Rav
Kook slapped him, his life became miserable in Europe. As a
result of that tumultuous incident, he became notoriously known
as the Jew who yelled at Rav Benges and the Jew who was
slapped by Rav Kook. He had no choice but to leave Europe and
go to America where no one knew him. In America, he became a
millionaire! He felt his good fortune was all the result of the slap of
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi
Ian Lichter, 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
Joseph Hecht, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
Shabbat Announcements Parshat Shoftim 5770
Rav Kook and wanted to show Hakaras HaTov to him.
Sometimes we should feel gratitude even for a slap in the face!
Likewise the Amoraim felt a super sensitivity for gratitude even for
trivial matters. The same is true of righteous Jews in every
generation. The Chofetz Chaim was a Kohen and could not attend
funerals. A woman died who had once donated a window to his
Yeshiva in Radin. (This was a simple window - not a fancy stained
glass window.) Even though the Chofetz Chaim could not enter the
cemetery and despite his old age, he walked a long distance behind
the casket to the cemetery to accompany the body to burial, as
Hakaras HaTov for the donation of the window.
If only we would recognized the obligation to recognize favors –
however small – the world would be a far better place!
SUMMER LEARNING SPONSOR LIST IN FORMATION
Gilbert Aronowitz
Carol Buckmann in memory of Mayer Siegel
Rita Gordonson in memory of her husband Lew Gordonson
Debbie & Hal Chadow
Debbie Wang Etzion & Gloria Wang Miller for Fay Saltzman
Lorraine & Harold Domnitch
Marc Epstein
Tina & Philip Machnikoff in memory of Rabbi Michol Scholar
Alisa & Michael Hoenig
Barbara & Gedale Horowitz
Joan & Henry Katz
Ruth & Milt Mitzner
Carol & Jeff Kaufman
Gloria & Harvey Kaylie in memory of Lorraine White
Sam Levitt in memory of his brother Milton Levitt
Cindy & Glenn Ludwig
Sydelle & Robert Knepper
Sonia & Sam Movsas
Jolanta & Frank Rosenstein in memory of and honor of our parents
Karen & Robert Spitalnick in memory of Jonas Steigman
Gisela Steigman in memory of Jonas Steigman
Melissa & Sam Toledano in memory of his father
Hadassah & Jacob Wachstock
Ellie & David Werber in memory of her parents Rosa & Michael Preis
August 10, 2010 at 8:15 pm
(following Mincha at 7:45 pm)
Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman
“If Maimonides was alive today:
Contemporay Medical Ethics Trough the Eyes of the Rambam
 Let’s Bring the Sweetness of Rosh Hashana to Those Less Fortunate Than Ourselves!

We are kicking off the third annual Great Neck Synagogue “Pass It Forward” program. Designed as part of the
Hunger Initiative, the goal of the program is to provide needy families with food for Yom Tov and, as developed, the
program presents each of us with an opportunity to help. Last year was a resounding success; the community
provided almost 500 meals to those in need.

We have volunteers deliver prepared food, donated by the community, to needy families and food pantries for
distribution to those who would otherwise not have a Rosh Hashana meal. There are several ways that you can
make a difference:

Cook Food
If you have a kosher kitchen (which means separate pots, dishes, and utensils for meat and dairy, and, of course,
use only certified Kosher ingredients), please make double of something that you are preparing for your Yom
Tov meal. You can make anything – fish, chicken, vegetables, meat, and dessert – or everything! However,
please do not use nuts or nut oils!
Then, pack your prepared food in containers that will serve 6-8 people and deliver it to Cindy Hodkin,
18 Birchwood Lane, on Monday, September 6, between the hours of 3 and 6 PM. We cannot accept
donations after 6 PM. All food MUST be in containers or well wrapped in foil pans (please do not bring food
in zip lock bags). If you wish to start cooking soup and freezing it to donate to us, containers for the soup
are available in the synagogue office.
When you have an idea of what you are going to prepare and how many people it will serve, please contact Cindy
at ckorman@csklaw.cc, 516-482-7771 (home), before 9 PM please! Or you can leave a message in the
shul office. This is very important in order for us to determine how many recipients we can feed.
Purchase Food
If you do not have a kosher kitchen or are not cooking for Yom Tov, you can purchase food and deliver it to 18
Birchwood Lane on Monday, September 6, between 3 and 6 PM.
You can also purchase a $15 price fixed dinner from Great Neck Glatt or Mazurs which consists of chicken,
soup, and a side dish.

Make a Donation
You can make a donation to the Hunger Initiative Program, which will be utilized to implement this program and
provide food for the hungry. Any amount would be a huge help!

Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer on Monday, September 6, please contact Cindy Hodkin. We need help organizing,
packing, drivers to deliver the food – you name it – between the hours of 2-7 PM. An hour or two would be
much appreciated! We welcome the participation of volunteers of all ages, including high school and middle
school students (community service hours will be earned!).
We have food safety guidelines available in the Great Neck Synagogue office or on the GNS website. Please feel
free to call with any questions. Thank you for your cooperation and hoping that we all participate in this Mitzvah!
Cindy Hodkin
Chair of Pass It Forward

Margery Libin, Nechama Liss-Levinson

Chairs, GNS Hunger Initiative Program
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
SISTERHOOD FALL CALENDER– SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, October 26th – Annual Sisterhood Dinner at Chatanooga with
guest speaker Slovie Jungreiss Wolff, daughter of Rebbetzin Esther
Jungreiss and author of “ Raising a Child With Soul.” Thank you to
co-chairs Judy Lillien and Anne Sandler for organizing this event.
Saturday evening, November 20th-Sisterhood Dinner-Go-Round
organized by Susan Mayer. Details to follow. Tuesday, November 9th
5:00pm-9:00pm Chaunukah Boutique organized by Lisa Kagan. Details
to follow.
SISTERHOOD MEETING On Tuesday, September 14th
at 8:00pm there will be Sisterhood meeting in the Braun Youth Center
to discuss and plan events for the upcoming year. Please join us - we
welcome your ideas! Looking forward to seeing you all there!
BIKUR CHOLIM
Please notify the office if anyone is in the hospital. We will notify
Bikur Cholim for you.
WITHIN OUR FAMILY
Mazal Tov to Lisa & Michael Aryeh on the upcoming marriage of their
son Joseph to Aliza Hobb. Mazal Tov also to grandmother Mahin
Aryeh.
Mazal Tov to Viggi & Danny Arbusman on the engagement of their
son Ron to Margot Blun, daughter of Jane & Stanley Blun.
Mazal Tov to Zelda & Sol Berger on the engagement of their grandson
Baruch Abittan to Michal Jacob.
Mazal Tov to Lynda & Burt Mandelbaum on the marriage of their
grandson Jon Merkin to Jordanna Stern.
Mazal Tov to Celia & Jack Lemonik on the upcoming marriage of their
son Yonah to Rachel Shlovitz, daughter of Cantor Jeffrey & Robin
Shlovitz.
Mazal Tov to Judith & Jerrald Weinstein on the upcoming marriage of
their daughter Rachael to Raanan Eichler, son of Linda & Barry
Eicher.
Mazal Tov to Susan & Michael Castle on the upcoming marriage of
their daughter Alexis to Seth Ross of Montreal, Canada.

HUNGER INITIATIVE Regular food drop offs continue

HIGH HOLIDAY SEATS
Friday’s, at 18 Birchwood Lane. Drop off hours are between 10 am and
Please send back your seating request form with all payments to the
1pm. Kindly place your food in the cooler.
synagogue to insure your seats for the holidays.

Cheryl Sneag and family would like to thank Rabbi Polakoff

YIDDISH VORT MEETING “Reminiscences of Things Past” at
DOS YIDDISH VORT on Wednesday, August 25 at 1.30 pm. All
welcome! For info: call Roz Wagner 487 9795
YOM KIPPUR APPEAL
Great Neck Synagogue reaches out to its members every year to
contribute generously to our Kol Nidre Appeal. Volunteers will be
approaching you soon to obtain your pledge. Please respond to them
with the generosity you have exhibited in the past. This is our most
important fundraiser of the year. Please help us make it successful.
and the entire community for their outpouring of sympathy and
support following the sudden loss of their husband and father
Lawrence Sneag.
NEW LOCKERS
All the new full sized lockers have been rented. The small key lockers with
combinations are still available. To get one, which will house your car
keys, wallet or any other personal item, please call the synagogue office
to speak with Mark Twersky.

WANTED Two Bicycles in good working condition for an 11 year old girl
and 9 year old boy. Call Maxine in synagogue office.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
One of the most important jobs in the synagogue is that of the
Saturday, 4 Elul
USHER. He greets people, directs people to their seats and helps keep
Anita Beretz for Ema Levy Reichenberg
decorum. We are in need of people to step up and join the ranks. It’s
Faye Berke for Sadie Berke
not a full time job. An hour a week or once a month is all we ask.
Elana Flax for Morris Matzkin
High Holiday Ushers are vital in keeping our services dignified.
Gisele Katz for Fay Gastwirth
Please call the office to volunteer or speak to Richard Lillien on
Cheryl Sneag for Morris Matzkin
Shabbat.
Sunday, 5 Elul
Harriet Cooper for Celeste Weber
Sandra Gold for Nita Barak
SAVE THE DATE Monday, 6 Elul
The North Shore Mikvah Association Melava Malka in recognition of Grace Oster for Michael Horowitz
Sharon Goldwyn, Mindy Hercman, Trudy Justin, Hindi Lunzer, and Y Marlene Rutkin for Morris Fishman
Rama Seltzer will take place Motzei Shabbat, October 16th 2010 at
the Great Neck Synagogue. More details to follow. A Chava Shalmon for Esther Grinszpan
Reuel Shinner for Edith Halpern
H Tuesday, 7 Elul
Vera Bernstein for Jacob Lefkowitz
R Belle Brotleit for Moshe Koussevitzky
Great Neck Synagogue Talmud Torah is now taking           Z Edward Jutkowitz for Bernice Jutkowitz
registration for the 2010‐2011 school year.  Al Leiderman for Robert Leiderman
E Wednesday, 8 Elul
This program is open to members of the Great Neck
I Rita Gordonson for Dora Gershkowitz
Synagogue – please contact Mark Twersky for membership Alan Kastenbaum for Rebecca Zahler
T Stanley Lupkin for David Lupkin
details at mtwersky@gns.org Jack Wachstock for Judith Wachstock
Thursday, 9 Elul
Judith Edelstein for Rabbi Dr. Daniel Lewin
The Talmud Torah curriculum has been redesigned by Rabbi Phyllis Kirsch for Tessie Zuckerman
Polakoff. Classes will meet for two-hour sessions twice a week Phyllis Weinberg for Jack Herschkowitz
Friday, 10 Elul
(Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday Gilbert Aronowitz for Joseph Aronowitz
Anita Beretz for Joseph Levi
depending on grade.) Sharyn Perlman for Philip Steinberg
Evelyn Henis for Marshal Henis
Please register now online at Avraham Markowitz for Bernard Markowitz
Alan Steinberg for Philip Steinberg
http://www.gnstt.org/registration Myra Sutin for Gerald Sutin