Parshat Vaetchanan

Torah Artscroll, 958 Hertz, 755 Haftorah Artscroll, 1196 Hertz, 776
Aufruf Natanel Schmuelian
Times

August 13, 2011 13 Av, 5771

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Vaetchanan

Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is one. These words are the supreme testimony of Jewish faith. Each word is worthy of careful study, but it is the first the verb Shema that deserves special attention. There was a Aprofound difference between the two civilizations of antiquity that between them shaped the culture of the West: ancient Greece and ancient Israel. The Greeks were the supreme masters of the visual arts: art, sculpture, architecture and the theatre. Jews, as a matter of profound religious principle, were not. G-d, the sole object of worship, is invisible. He transcends nature. He created the universe and is therefore beyond the universe. He cannot be seen. He reveals Himself only in speech. Therefore the supreme religious act in Judaism is to listen. Ancient Greece was a culture of the eye; ancient Israel a culture of the ear. The Greeks worshipped what they saw; Israel worshipped what they heard. sense . . . as if they thought to transpose the flowing, fleeting, ever related elements of life into rest, space, limitation . . . The Jew did not see so much as he heard . . . His organ was the ear . . . When Elijah perceived G-d, he heard only a still, small voice. For that reason the Jew never made an image of his G-d. That is why the keyword of Judaism is Shema. G-d is not something we see, but a voice we hear. This is how Moses put it elsewhere in this weeks sedra, describing the supreme revelation at Mount Sinai: Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. (Deut. 4: 12) of commands must have a verb that means to obey, for that is the whole purpose of an imperative. Obedience stands in relation to command as truth does to statement. Yet there is no verb in biblical Hebrew that means to obey. This is an utterly astonishing fact.

Candle Lighting Friday Mincha Hashkama Youth Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday August 14 Mon., Thurs. Tues., Wed. Fri. Mincha Sun/Thurs.

7:40 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am 6:30 pm 7:30 pm

8:46 pm

7:30/8:30 am 6:35/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 pm

7:35 pm This is how Hans Kohn put it in his The Idea of Nationalism. The ancient Greeks were the people of Latest times for sight, of the spatial and plastic Shema/Shmoneh Esrei 9:32/10:41 am 9:35/10:43 am

So glaring is the lacuna that when Hebrew was revived in modern times a verb had to be found that meant to obey. This was an obvious necessity especially in the case of Israels defense forces. An army depends on obedience to the command of a superior officer. The word chosen was letsayet, an Aramaic term that does not appear in this sense anywhere in the Hebrew Bible. The word This has systemic implications for the Torah uses is quite the whole of Judaism. Its way of different, namely lishmoa, understanding the world, and of Shema, hear. The verb relating to it, is fundamentally lishmoa is a key term of the different from that of the Greeks, book of Deuteronomy, where it and of the philosophical tradition appears in one or other forms (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and some 92 times (by way of others) of which they were the comparison, it appears only 6 founders. A listening culture is not times in the whole of the same as a seeing culture. In Leviticus). It conveys a wide this weeks study I want to explore range of meanings, clustered one of the many aspects of this around five primary senses: difference. The Mosaic books are, among other things, a set of [1] to listen, to pay focused commandments, 613 of them. That attention, as in Be silent, O is the primary meaning of the Israel, and listen [uword Torah namely law. It shema] (Deut. 27: 9) [2] to would seem to follow that a book hear, as in I heard [shamati]

August 13 August 20

Next Shabbat Ekev Candle lighting Mincha 7:30 pm 7:00 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Irene & Leslie Kahn in memory of his parents Pessah & Nathan Kahn zl

Bima Flowers are sponsored by Lisa & Michael Aryeh in honor of the upcoming marriage of their daughter Elana to Natanel Schmuelian

26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Vaetchanan 5771

Your voice in the garden and I was afraid (Gen. 3: 10) [3] to understand, as in Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand [yishmeu] each other (Gen. 11: 7) [4] to internalize, register, take to heart, as in And as for Ishmael I have heard you (Gen. 17: 20), meaning, I have taken into account what you have said; I will bear it in mind; it is a consideration that weighs with Me. [5] to respond in action, as in Abraham did [vayishma] what Sarah said (Gen. 16: 2). This last sense is the closest shema comes to meaning to obey.

of the human person as His image. There is a profound congruence between the commandments and the laws that govern nature and history. An arbitrary ruler demands blind obedience. G-d is not an arbitrary ruler; therefore He does not demand blind obedience. Instead, He wishes us as far as possible to understand why He has commanded what He has commanded.

Hence the emphasis, in Exodus and Deuteronomy, on children asking questions. In an authoritarian culture, questions are discouraged: Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die as Tennyson put it. Had this been the case in Judaism, the Torah It has yet other meanings in rabbinic Hebrew, such as to infer, to would have had a verb that meant the same as letsayet, not one accept, to take into account as evidence and to receive as part with the meanings of lishmoa. On Pesach the least mature child, of the Oral tradition. No English word has this range of meanings. not the most, is one who does not know how to ask. Indeed we Perhaps the closest are to hearken and to heed neither of them are commanded to teach him or her to ask. Even the verb three terms in common use today. Psychotherapists nowadays sometimes lines after Hear O Israel usually translated as You shall speak of active listening, and this is part of what is meant by teach these things diligently to your children, means according Shema. to Rashi, you shall sharpen your children -- meaning, teach them the full depth of their meaning, rather than superficially (see The best way to discover what is unique about a civilization is to Rashi to Kiddushin 30a). search for words it contains that are untranslatable into other languages. It is said that the Bedouin have many words for sand and To be sure this should go without saying obedience to the the Inuit many terms for snow. The Greek word megalopsuchos commandments should never be conditional on understanding literally the great-souled person, one blessed with wealth, status them. It is a contradiction in terms to say that one who does not and effortless superiority has no equivalent in either Judaism or understand or agree with a law is free to break it. Anyone who Christianity, two cultures that valued, as Greece did not, humility. thinks this has not understood what a law is. But it does mean Shema is untranslatable understandably so since it belongs to that ours is a searching, questioning, rational, intellectual faith, biblical Hebrew, the worlds supreme example of a culture of the one that calls for the full exercise of the mind. ear. This is a fact of great consequence and should affect our entire understanding of Judaism. The existence of the verb lishmoa and the absence of the verb letsayet tells us that biblical Israel, despite its intense focus on Divine commandments, is not a faith that values blind, unthinking, unquestioning obedience. There is a reason for the commands. In some cases they are rooted in the fact that G-d created the universe and the laws that govern it: therefore we must respect the integrity of nature. In other cases they are grounded in history. Our ancestors were slaves in Egypt; they knew from indelible personal experience what it is to live in an unjust, tyrannical society. Therefore a society based on Torah will be just, compassionate, generous. Slaves must rest one day in seven. One year in seven, debts should be cancelled. The landless poor should not go without food at harvest time and so on. The G-d of revelation is also the G-d of creation and redemption. Therefore when G-d commands us to do certain things and refrain from others, it is not because His will is arbitrary but because He cares for the integrity of the world as His work, and for the dignity
Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

Shema Yisrael does not mean Hear, O Israel. It means something like: Listen. Concentrate. Give the word of G-d your most focused attention. Strive to understand. Engage all your faculties, intellectual and emotional. Make His will your own. For what He commands you to do is not irrational or arbitrary but for your welfare, the welfare of your people, and ultimately for the benefit of all humanity. In Judaism faith is a form of listening: to the song creation sings to its Creator, and to the message history delivers to those who strive to understand it. That is what Moses says, time and again in Deuteronomy. Stop looking: listen. Stop speaking: listen. Create a silence in the soul. Still the clamour of instinct, desire, fear, anger. Strive to listen to the still, small voice beneath the noise. Then you will know that the universe is the work of the One beyond the furthest star yet closer to you than you are to yourself and then you will love the Lord your G-d with all your heart, all your soul and all your might. In G-ds unity you will find unity within yourself and between yourself and the world and you will no longer fear the unknown.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,zl, Rabbi Emeritus Michael Bleicher, Daniel Schwechter, Rabbinic Interns Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, zl, Cantor Emeritus Mark Twersky, Executive Director Joseph Hecht, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Roshei Yeshiva Lecture Series

On Various Topics of Jewish Learning

August16,2011at7:45pm

(followingMinchaat7:30pm) RabbiDanielFeldman Revenge&GrudgeBearing

RabbiDanielZ.FeldmanisaninstructorofTalmudandJewishStudiesattheStone BeitMidrashProgramofYeshivaUniversity,andservesastheDirectorofRabbinic ResearchatYU'sCenterfortheJewishFuture.HeisanalumnusofYeshivatKerem B'Yavnehandreceivedhisordination(YorehYorehandYadinYadin)fromtheRabbi IsaacElchananTheologicalSeminary,wherehewasafellowoftheBellaandHarry WexnerKollelElyon.RabbiFeldmanisthecoeditorofsixvolumesofTalmudicessays andservesontheVa'adHaHalakhahoftheRabbinicalCouncilofAmerica.Heisa frequentlecturerinlocationsacrossAmericaandabroadandhaswrittenfor publicationssuchasTraditionandJewishAction.RabbiFeldmanisthespiritualleader ofEtzChaimofTeaneck,NJ,whereheresideswithhiswife,Leah,andtheirchildren.

August23,2011at8:00pm(followingMinchaat7:30pm) RabbiBaruchSimon TheShabbatPaymentPlan: GettingPaidonShabbat?

RabbiSimon,theColonelJehielR.ElyacharProfessorofTalmudattheYeshiva Program/MazerSchoolofTalmudicStudies,receivedhissemikha(rabbinic ordination)fromYeshivaUniversitysaffiliatedRabbiIsaacElchanan TheologicalSeminary(RIETS)in1988.AgraduateofYeshivaUniversitysHigh School,RabbiSimonearnedhisB.A.,magnacumlaude,inJudaicStudiesfrom YeshivaCollegeRabbiSimonwasafellowoftheprestigiousCarolineand JosephGrussKollelElyonandafellowoftheKatzKollel.Beforeteachinginthe YeshivaProgram,RabbiSimonwasamemberoftheHalakhafacultyatthe IsaacBreuerCollegeofHebraicStudiesatYeshivaUniversity.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM Each year our Summer Learning Program is run through the generosity of sponsors. It is to the credit of our sponsors that the voice of Torah is strengthened each summer. Sponsorship is $100.00. Please call the office to be included in this noble effort. We will once again be including a sponsors list in the Shabbat Announcements. If you would like to sponsor a Day of Learning at an additional cost, in honor or in memory of someone, please call Mark Twersky and let him know. Sponsor list in formation Josh Olshin in memory of Sally Olshin, zl. Pam & Baruch Toledano in memory of Harold Kovar, zl. Gil Aronowitz in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Debbie & Hal Chadow in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Sonia Movsas in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Carol Buckmann in memory of Mayer Siegel, zl. In memory of Barbara S. Horowitz, zl. Mark & Adina Abraham in memory of his parents Shalom & Sara Abraham, zl. Brenda & Ed Parver in memory of Shifra bat Yaakov Yisrael, zl. Jack & Hadassah Wachstock in memory of Phil Machnikoff, zl. Ruth & Milton Mitzner in memory of Rabbi Dr. Aaron Levine, zl. Harvey & Helen Ishofsky in memory of their parents. Rafael Gad in memory of Sara bat Nissan Gad, zl. Alisa & Michael Hoenig. Joan & Gerald Begun. Marc Epstein in memory of Toby Epstein zl Lilly & Gary Chubak in memory of parents Malvina Graf and Ida & Benjamin Chubak, z"l. Rita Gordonson in memory of Lewis C. Gordonson and Dora & Leon Gershkowitz, zl. Jolanta & Frank Rosenstein in memory of Sally Olshin zl and Phil Machnikoff zl. Sam Levitt in memory of Eugene Levitt zl. Annie & Robert Mendelson in memory Walter Mendelson and Robert Meisel zl. Gladys Moslin in memory of Phil Machnikoff, zl. Ellie & David Werber in memory of Jacob Werber, zl and Rosa & Michael Preis, Zl. WOMEN'S TEFILA STORY QUILT In honor of the upcoming 30th Anniversary Year of the Women's Tefila Group in Great Neck, we are asking people to submit a vignette of their experiences as participants in Women's Tefila. Whether you are a regular member or came just once, a Bat Mitzvah alum, mother of a Bat Mitzvah, bride, grandmother, mother of a newborn, woman who observed a yahrzeit with us, or father of a bat mitzvah girl. PLEASE write a couple of sentences or a couple of paragraphs about your experience at Women's Tefila. EMAIL your reflections to Harriet Schimel at hschimel@aol.com GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE TALMUD TORAH The GNS Talmud Torah is now accepting registration for the 20112012 semester. 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. Our goal is to create lifelong learners who can identify with their heritage and for whom Judaism is a central part of their lives. Classes take place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at the Great Neck Synagogue. The Talmud Torah, directed by Rabbi Polakoff, serves member families and students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. We offer a varied leveled curriculum focused on your childs competencies delivered by experienced Jewish educators. For more information please email Mark Twersky at mtwersky@gns.org. DOS YIDDISH VORT What happens when Kasrilevke collides with the Lower East Side? Find out on Wednesday, August 17 when DOS YIDDISH VORT meets at 1:30 pm. All welcome. For info: Roz Wagner 487-9795.

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to Lisa & Michael Aryeh on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Elana to Natanel Schmuelian, son of Soraya & Moshe Schmuelian. Mazal Tov also to grandmother Mahin Aryeh. Mazal Tov to Lauren Soleimani on receiving her certification as a registered nurse. Mazal Tov to Joslane & Shimon Babaev on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to Lloyd & Helen Bayme on the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Sara to Seth Wilson, son of Leonard & Judy Wilson of Ryebrook, NY.
AUGUST CHESED COLLECTION We are collecting school supplies and books for the Jewish Board of Family Services in Brooklyn. Supplies and books will be for children and young adults of all ages. Collection will take place on Wednesday August 17, and on Thursday, August 25, at the homes of Marcy Aharon, 7 Orchard Street (by the front door) or Erica Zucker Heisler, 71 Bayview Ave. (by the garage). NSHA 8th ANNUAL GOLF, TENNIS, MAH JONG & CHARITY POKER Monday, September 19th, NSHA will hold a golf, tennis, card games mah jong lessons, brunch, BBQs and a sunset cocktail party with a million dollar Jet Blue Challenge followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner, with prizes, raffles and auctions and an evening Charity Texas Hold'em Tournament with amazing prizes. For additional information : please email Arnie Flatow at aflatow@nsha.org or call 487-8687 ext 133.

The Reiss and Goldberg families would like to thank the GNS community for the special kindness shown to their family following the loss of their mother and grandmother, Florence Reiffe, zl.
CALENDARS
New calendars are available in the shul office.

OF INTEREST Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness the movie will be playing at NS Towers Cinema. Special 10 pm showing on Saturday evening.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 13 Av Harriet Frederick for Ida Sillen Paul Weinberg for Ise Klein Sunday, 14 Av Jeffrey Bilfeld for Florence Bilfeld Esther Verbit for Gila Shpall Lantz Monday, 15 Av Carl Rosenberg for Bluma Muller Tuesday, 16 Av Eva Bachrach for Gertrud Grunfarb Anne Gold for Morris Feinstein Ilana Kessler for Victoria Hercz Robert Knepper for Maxwell Knepper Morris Nasser for Victoria Hercz Carl Rosenberg for Julia Muller Wednesday, 17 Av Andrew Adler for Bernard Adler Mahin Aryeh for Yahya Aryeh Thursday, 18 Av Cindy Ludwig for Mary Gelber Henry Schwartz for Ruth Schwartz