Parshat Ki Tavo

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Parshas Ki Savo contains the mitzvah of the Declaration accompanying the bringing of the First Fruits (Mikra Bikurim). The verse [pasuk] says: "You shall come to the Kohen who will be in those days and you shall say to him, 'I declare today to Hashem, your G-d, that I have come to the land that Hashem swore to our forefathers to give us.'" [Devorim 26:3] Rashi on this pasuk makes a comment that he also makes elsewhere in a similar vein: Rashi is bothered by the expression "the Kohen who will be in your days." (Obviously one would not go to a Kohen who was not living in his time!) Rashi explains: "You have none but the Kohen in your days, as he is." Rashi makes a similar comment on the earlier pasuk "You shall come... to the judge who will be in those days..." [Devorim 17:9]: "Even if he is not like the other judges who were before him, you must listen to him. You have none but the judge who is in your days." This is the idea of 'Yiftach in his generation was like Shmuel in his generation.' make more sense in the earlier pasuk (in Parshas Shoftim). When one goes to a judge, he needs to seek out a Talmid

September 8, 2012 21 Elul, 5772

Rabbi Frand on Parshas Ki Tavo

Chochom, a scholar. It makes sense that one would think he requires the greatest personality of intellect and knowledge to properly adjudicate a dispute (Din Torah). A person might understandably be tempted to say, "The people today are not of the caliber of the people who once were - even a generation ago!" One of the ubiquitous comments made at the Siyum HaShas every seven years is "Look who is no longer with us! Remember who graced our presence at the last Siyum Hashas!" This is the nature of the "yeridas hadoros" [decrease in generations]. Therefore, regarding judges, we understand that Rashi had to remind us "We can only look to the judges who are before us in our generation." However, a Kohen is a Kohen! Who cares about his level of scholarship? As long as he has the proper lineage, he meets our needs! We are not asking him to rule on any halachic matters (pasken shaylos). All he needs to do is accept the Bikkurim fruits. What is Rashi pointing out to us? I saw an interesting interpretation in the Shemen HaTov by Rabbi Dov Weinberger: Many times, we are asked to do acts of kindness and to give charity. Most of us like to give charity to nice, neat, clean, presentable individuals. However, when we are asked to give donations to unkempt, scraggly looking individuals, we do not get that same feeling of satisfaction. This is particularly true regarding the mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim. One can host a truly enjoyable guest or one can host a guest whereby he feels that he is doing a real chessed [kindness] just to have the guest sit at his table. The pasuk is teaching that if all the Kohanim in our time and place are not like Kohanim used to be - they are not elegantly dressed, they do not carry themselves with the full dignity of their office - it does not make a difference! Regarding tzedakah and chessed, the less appealing the person, the bigger the mitzvah. The less enjoyable the performance of the mitzvah, the better it is for the one performing the mitzvah (assuming of course the recipient is truly worthy of the kindness and charity). Rav Pam once mentioned that his father was a Rav in Europe. The custom on Friday evening was that poor people would gather in the back of the shul. It was the job of the Gabbai to circulate and find places for all the poor people to eat. As is always the case, certain 'guests' were more in demand than others. Some of the people looked nice; they looked presentable and honorable (b'kavodik). The Gabbai always had an easy time finding places for the decent looking people. However, it was not so easy to place the people who looked like "schleppers". Who wanted to have such a person at his table? When the Gabbai couldn't find a place anywhere else - for the worst looking

BAR MITZVAH JORDAN BLATTER

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Kiddush is sponsored by Judy & Brett Blatter in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son Jordan

Bima Flowers are sponsored by the Cousins of Jordan Blatter in honor of his Bar Mitzvah

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person in shul - the senior Rav Pam would have the 'privilege' of hosting him. One time, the Gabbai apologized to Rav Pam's father saying, "I'm sorry I have to give you this guest, but I couldn't find anywhere else for him." Rav Pam''s father told the Gabbai: "On the contrary. I am not looking for a chavrusa. I am looking for a person who can eat a meal. This guy looks like he can really handle a meal!" This is what the pasuk is teaching: "You shall come to the Kohen who will be there in those days." He might not be the greatest Kohen who ever lived. He may be an ignoramus. He may not live up to the standards of past Kohanim. That is not what we are looking for in dispensing the priestly gifts: We give Bikurim to the Kohen in need who is before us in our generation. Selichos: It Pays to Be 'First In Line' The opening poetic composition of the Motzaei Shabbos Selichos liturgy begins with the words "B'Motzaei Menucha Kidamnucha techila" [With the going out of (the day of) rest, we are first to greet you]. The Izbitzer Rebbe notes that the two words "Kidamnucha techila" [we are first to greet you] introduces the entire idea of Selichos. Why, after all, do we say these penitential prayers 4 to 10 days before Rosh Hashanna? This is not, formally, the "High Holiday period," which technically begins on Rosh Hashanna and runs through Succos. What does Selichos accomplish in this period that is neither -- strictly speaking -- a period of either judgment or atonement? The Izbitzer Rebbe explains that the idea behind Selichos is that the earlier we get started asking forgiveness from the Almighty, the more successful we will be. The Izbitzer Rebbe cites a proof to this idea from a Biblical incident. Dovid HaMelech [King David] had a very tumultuous life. One of the indignities that he suffered was having his monarchy overthrown by his son, Avshalom. In one of the most pathetic chapters of the entire Tanach [Shmuel II 15], Dovid HaMelech had to leave Jerusalem with his family and entourage to flee from his son who took over the throne. In this moment of great personal tragedy, Shimee ben Gerah took the opportunity to add insult to injury. He laced into the King and bitterly cursed him. Shimee figured that at this point, Dovid HaMelech's kingship was ended. Shimee, who had a personal grudge against Dovid HaMelech, mercilessly cursed the fleeing monarch. Dovid HaMelech eventually retook the monarchy and returned to Jerusalem. All the people who sided with the wrong side, and especially Shimee ben Gerah who had cursed the king, were fearful for their lives. In fact they were deserving of death, for in the times of the Biblical monarchy, one who rebelled against the king (mored b'Malchus) was deserving of the death penalty. The Rambam rules that the King can personally - without trial -

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Ki Tavo 5772

execute such rebels. Shimee ben Gerah knew that he was a 'dead man'. So what did he do? "Shimee son of Gera, the Benjamite who was from Bahurim, hastened and went down with the men of Yehudah to greet Dovid HaMelech." [Shmuel II 19:17] He reached the King and told him "...For your servant knows that I have sinned, and here I have come today, first among all the House of Yosef, to come down and greet my master the king." [Shmuel II 19:21]. Shimee emphasized that among the thousands of people who were asking Dovid HaMelech for mechila [forgiveness], he was one of the first. "I know I did wrong. I know I sinned against you. I know that I should lose my life for it. I apologize and I am sorry. I am not even going to wait in line to tell you this. I want to be the FIRST person that has the opportunity to express my remorse." The Izbitzer Rebbe says that this exactly parallels what we are doing in our pre-Rosh HaShana Selichos. Strictly speaking, one could wait until Rosh HaShannah to approach the Almighty with these requests. Theoretically, one could even wait until Yom Kippur. There are procrastinators in life - such as the fellow who always files his (U.S.) income tax forms on the night of April 15th! The Jewish counterpart of the April 15th tax filers are those who wait until Neilah (the final Yom Kippur prayer) to make their sincere request to the Almighty for Forgiveness and for Mercy. The difference is that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not care if the tax forms are filed on February 1st or just before midnight on the 15th of April. As long as the envelope is postmarked by April 15th, it is all the same to the IRS. However, if one is wise enough and spiritually sensitive enough to try to "catch the Master of the Universe early" -- to be "first in line" -- that does make a difference! Even if one's sins are as incriminating as those of Shimee ben Gerah against Dovid HaMelech - humiliating and abusing the king - nevertheless it pays to be "first in line." Shimee ben Gerah should have been a 'dead man'. But his haste to see the king paid off. Dovid HaMelech did not kill him. He did not even direct his son Shlomo [Solomon] to kill him. Why did this wicked person merit such merciful treatment? Shimee ben Gerah merited merciful treatment because he knew the secret of "coming first" to plea for his life. This year, there are eighteen days between the start of Selichos (on the night following September 8th) and Yom Kippur (September 26th). One might ask - why do we need to recite Selichos this Motzai Shabbos? What is the rush? We have plenty of time! But there is significance to coming early. This tone of Selichos is set with the opening words of the first Selicha-poem recited on the Motzaei Shabbos when we begin to recite the first penitential prayers: "B'Motzaei Menucha kidamnucha techila." At the conclusion of resting, we are first in line to greet you. It is all a matter of showing up early to sincerely say and demonstrate "I am sorry!" Let us be like Shimee ben Gerah regarding this one matter of showing up first, rather than waiting for the masses to come and present their requests for forgiveness.

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 Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Dr. Scott Danoff, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Pre-Rosh Hashana Classes will be on Thursday, Sept. 13th 7:30 8:15 pm Rabbi Polakoff Insights into the Machzor 8:20 9:00 pm Rabbi Lichter Drama of Tashlich

GNS ANNUAL ROSH HASHANA PASS IT FORWARD FOOD INITIATIVE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 BRING THE SWEETNESS OF ROSH HASHANA TO THOSE IN NEED! Now in its 5th year, the PASS IT FORWARD program of the GNS Hunger Initiative provides food to families for Yom Tov. Last year, volunteers packed and delivered over 1000 meals to needy individuals, families, kosher food pantries and North Shore Hospital BikurCholim. HERES HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Donate Food: If you have a kosher kitchen (separate meat and dairy utensils and kosher certification on all processed foods), make extra food (soup, main, side or dessert) and pack it in containers serving 4-8 (no bags please!) Deliver it to GNSCOAT ROOM LOBBY on Thursday September 13th, between 12 and 2 pm. Donate $$: Purchase a special meal for a $15 contribution from Mazurs, Great Neck Glatt or Everfresh, which will be delivered on your behalf. Or make a donation directly to the GNS Hunger Initiative. Donate Time: We need packers (from 11 am to 5 pm) and drivers for about 20 different routes, starting from 3:00 to 5:30 pm on Thursday September 13th, starting at GNS Coat Lobby. Donate Creativity: Have your child create a special handmade Rosh HaShana card to be enclosed in the food delivery. ALL VOLUNTEERS PLEASE EMAIL CINDY HODKIN: koshercookinggn@gmail.com Do a Mitzvah. Make Life Meaningful. Rosh HaShana is coming.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
LATE SLICHOT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT This Saturday night at 12:30 am. GNS TALMUD TORAH The GNS Talmud Torah is a full Jewish after school program dedicated to excellence in an engaging and respectful learning environment in which Jewish children can become proud, caring, responsible, and dedicated members of the Jewish people and American society. The Talmud Torah meets weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Please contact the Synagogue office to register by September 1st. As part of the expanded Talmud Torah program, we offer a special MATAN program for Bat-Mitzvah aged girls. The class is taught by Morah Netta Jansenson, an outstanding faculty member of NSHA, who is known for her creativity and warmth. The program will meet on Wed. evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 pm and will begin after the Sukkot holiday in mid Oct. for 12 classes to be completed by the end of January. Please contact the Synagogue office to register your child.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Judy & Brett Blatter on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Jordan. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Joan & Henry Katz. Mazal Tov to Didi & Adam Hutt on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Rachel. Mazal Tov to Jacqueline & Stanley Fischer on the birth of a grandson born to their children Seth & Nealy Fischer and siblings to Ben, Eitan and Ayla in Hong Kong. COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS
MAX JANOVIC BAR MITZVAH CHESED PROJECT Max Janovic will be raising money for Winthrop Hospital Cancer Center for Kids as part of his Bar Mitzvah Chesed Project. It will take place on Sunday, Sept. 9 and Team Max will run and raise money at that time. To sponsor Team Max please call Max at 516-319-0207. ITS TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT ROSH HASHANA .. AND PASS IT FORWARD NEEDS VOLUNTEERS 1) Cooks: To cook food (soup, main, side, or desserts) for the needy for Rosh HaShana. Bring well packed, cooked kosher food to GNS Coat Room LOBBY on Thurs. September 13th, 12 noon to 2 pm. 2) Drivers: To pick up and deliver food to needy families, approximately 2-3 hours, beginning anywhere from 3:00-5:30 pm, Thursday Septemper 13th. 3) Packers: Needed in two or three hour shifts from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thurs. Sept. 13th. 4) Benefactors: To purchase prepared meals from Mazurs, Great Neck Glatt and Everfresh at $15 for a meal, to be delivered on your behalf. If you can do any of these things, please email Cindy Hodkin at: koshercookinggn@gmail.com. Do a Mitzvah. Make Life Meaningful. Community Service Credits Given. MIKVAH FOR MEN The North Shore Mikvah will be open for men only on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 16th, and Erev Yom Kippur, Sept. 25th from 5AM3PM. Men must bring their own towels. The cost is $30.00. Please contact Lisa Stein at 646 251 6409 or Malka Ismach at 917 373 4883. LION OF JUDAH 81-year-old Leo Zisman, a survivor of the Krakow ghetto who was our guest speaker on Yom Hashoah, is the subject of a new movie The Lion of Judah which is currently playing at North Shore Towers Cinema.
Saturday, 21 Elul Henry Katz for Louis Suskin Gladys Moslin for Ruth Kimmel Gisela Steigman for David Ehrlich Sunday, 22 Elul Harriet Schimel for Harold Sherman Darin Shapiro for Charles Shapiro Howard Silberstein for Max Silberstein Florence Spira for Birdie Samson Monday, 23 Elul Anthony Berkowitz for Doris Berkowitz Mark Gersten for Helene Gersten Erica Heisler for Andrew Steven Zucker Tuesday, 24 Elul Herman Kotler for Louis Kotler Renee Krieger for Louis Kotler Morris Nasser for Farha Nasser Wednesday, 25 Elul Edith Lubin for Reuben Feigenbaum Felecia Morris for Leonard Morris Ellen Siegel for Stacey Crair Galina Weiss for Shara Lebovich Thursday, 26 Elul Hal Beretz for Leo Beretz Allan Beyda for Joshua Beyda Jane Tuvia for Yakov Ebin Judy Weinstein for Regina Kloogman Friday, 27 Elul Lauren Hyman for Arnold Glatt Celia Lemonik for Rosalie Dorner Hundi Lunzer for Selma Mermelstein Payman Rabiei for Efraim Mashala ben Rabie

SELICHOT SERVICES AT GNS Begin The High Holy Days Season with a Spiritual High at GNS, Sat. evening, Sept. 8, 9:30pm. Words of Inspiration by internationally acclaimed speaker CHARLIE HARARY "How To Get Into The Book Of Life". An Uplifting Selichot Service featuring traditional and contemporary melodies by CANTOR ZE'EV KRON. Light refreshments to follow. Open to all. SAVE THE DATE: SISTERHOOD SELECTION MEETING Please join us on Thursday evening, Sept. 20th at 8:00pm for an important Sisterhood meeting to elect a new Executive Board of Sisterhood. We look forward to welcoming you there! If you would like to nominate yourself or a friend for a position, please contact Farla Frumkin at farlafrumkin@gmail.com for additional information. It is very important and worthwhile to volunteer and become involved at GNS you will make great friends, have fun and help the shul! GNS MENS CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS SEPT. TBA: Joseph A Levy speaking on "Jews from Arab Countries", highlighting Jewish history in Arab lands. Mr. Levy was born in Egypt and is a well known expert on the topic. WED. OCT 24: Co-sponsored with the GNS Sisterhood, a talk by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg of Detroit, on "Stress Management for Adults". Rabbi Goldberg tours the country lecturing on the subject. He is also a co-founder of the "Kids Kicking Cancer" program. SUN. OCT 28: The Mens Club semi-annual Blood Drive. Thanks to Al Liederman for organizing the Blood Drives. Sun. Nov 4: Together with Dos Yiddish Vort, a bus trip to NYC to the Yiddish Theatre to see "The Golden Land", a professional musical in both English and Yiddish. A light dinner will be provided after the performance. Cost is $65 per person (includes bus, theater and dinner). Checks to GNS Mens Club. 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 75 pints donated. Please help save three people with your donation its a wonderful Mitzvah! Please contact Al Leiderman ANNUAL SISTERHOOD DINNER Sisterhood dinner this year will be on Wednesday night, Nov. 7th, 2012. We are so excited to present our speaker, Rachelle Weisberger, author of "Biblical Beauty" to discuss the integration of biblical and historical perspectives with practical advice. We are looking for volunteers to collect beauty-themed raffle prizes salon gift certificates, makeup samples, spa-related items, etc. Sponsorships are available - Gold - $72, Silver - $36, bronze - $18. If you are able to help, please email Judy Lillien, syny98@gmail.com . Thank you so much to Judy Lillien for chairing this event!

Y A H R Z E I T