Parshat Bereshit

Torah Artscroll 2 Hertz 1

Torah Must Begin With the Lesson of Yashrus ('Straightness')

October 13, 2012 27 Tishrei, 5773

RabbiFrandonParshasBereshit
HaYashar" [the Book of the Upright]. The Talmud [Avodah Zarah 25a] has a dispute as to the nature of this volume. One Amora identifies it with "the book of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov (namely the Book of Bereshis), because Bilaam called Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov upright (yesharim), when he said 'Let my soul die the death of the righteous' [Bamidbar 23:10]." It is worth noting that the Patriarchs are not called Tzadikim or Chasidim or Talmidei Chachomim all of which they were. The Patriarchs are called Yesharim "straight" individuals, of upright character. The Patriarchs did not live in "religious neighborhoods", they lived among the Gentiles. They interacted not with fellow Jews but with non-Jews. The way they interacted with their Gentile neighbors in a straight, honest, and upright fashion earned them the title of Yesharim. That is why the Book of Bereshis is called Sefer Yesharim. Before we can attempt to learn the books of Shmos, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devorim, with all their laws and legal details, we must be introduced to the "Book of the Straight". We need to

is particularly vexing. Truth be told, we really do not understand the meaning of the Haftorah term "Tohu v'vohu". We do not Rashi quotes the words understand the meaning of the Artscroll 1130 of the Medrash: "Rav term "rakiah". The whole Hertz 21 Yitzchak said the Torah narration of the Creation story had no need to start any is so puzzling to us and even Aufruf place except 'This month to great scholars. Rightfully, TJ Zuckerman for you is the beginning this should if anything be a of months' [Shmos part of the "Oral Law". The 12:2]. Why then does Written Law should be for Times the Torah begin with the those portions of Revelation story of Creation? The that we can open up, read Candle Lighting 6:00 pm Torah began with what is written black on white, creation because it and understand what is being Friday Mincha 6:05 pm wished to convey the said. This is an aspect of what message of the pasuk Rav Yitzchak is asking. If we Hashkama 8:00 am 'The power of His acts are not going to understand it He told to His people in anyway, then why write it? Main Minyan 8:45 am order to give them the Again, the answer is that if the estate of Nations of the World come and Beit Midrash 9:00 am nations' [Tehillim 111:6]. tell us that we have no right to For if the nations tell us "occupy the Land of Israel," we Teen Minyan 9:15 am we are robbers for can tell them "In the beginning conquering the territory G-d created...". Shiur 4:50 pm of the Seven Nations of However, it is painfully clear to Canaan we can tell them us that whether we would try Mincha 5:50 pm that the whole world to make Rav Yitzchak's belongs to G-d. He argument at the United created it and He gave it Nations or on college Shabbat Ends 7:07 pm to the nation that was fit campuses or on talk radio, the Sunday, Oct. 14 7:30/8:30 am in His opinion to give it argument would ring quite to. He originally gave it hollow to our adversaries. In to the Canaanites and reality, then, Rav Yitzchak has Mon., Thurs. 6:35/7:45 am then He took it from a very good question, namely, them and gave it to us." why did the Torah start with Tues., Wed., Fri. 6:45/7:45 am Parshas Bereshis? But we do The Ramban strengthens not understand his answer! Mincha 5:55 pm Rav Yitzchak's question. It is not just a matter of Latest Times for Rav Simcha Zissel Brody gives choosing what the Torah the following insight. In the Shema/ Shmoneh Esrei should have started book of Shmuel [Samuel II with; the choice to begin 1:18] there is a reference to 9:52/10:48 am Oct.13 with the story of creation something called "Sefer

October 20

9:56/10:51 am

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Shabbat Announcements Parshat Bereshit 5773

know how to be 'straight' because manners and v'ha'Yashar v'ha'Tov [Devorim 6:18]), do the fair thing etiquette precede the Law, derech eretz kadmah l'Torah. even though it is not spelled out in the Code of Jewish Law. In this way, we emulate the Patriarchs and we emulate the In Parshas Lech Lecha, G-d promises the land of Canaan Almighty Himself. That is lesson of the story of Bereshis and to Avraham Avinu. The promise will take effect many the Book of Bereshis. We must absorb this lesson before we centuries later. At that time, Avraham's descendants will can study the rest of Torah. return to conquer the land. We may think to ourselves "Hey, this is not so 'yashar'. This is not straight. This is not right. This is not legitimate. These people have lived here for centuries!" Were it not for Parshas Bereshis, I could learn all of Chumash and there would be a little voice in the back of my head saying, "But it is not so 'yashar' after all." Therefore, the Torah whose primary mission is to teach us that we should be yashar needs to put that thought to rest, to remove any slight doubt from our minds that something is not straight. The Almighty is in effect saying, "That which I am telling you ***NewJr.HighGirlsChesedClub to do to take Eretz Yisrael is 100% yashar because I TheclubwillmeetweeklyatGreatNeckSynagogueon created the world in the beginning of history. It is My Tuesdaysfrom7:007:45pmtoplananddiscussvarious world and I gave it to those who were fit in My eyes." organizationstocontactandeventstorunthatwillbenefit The reason the Torah begins with the story of Creation is thelargerJewishcommunity.RabbiLichterwillsupervise not to impress the Gentiles with the argument that we theclubandactasanadvisortotheirsuggestions.Theclub have a right to the Land of Israel, but to convince the willhostitsfirstmeetingonTuesday,Oct.16th.Please Jewish people that they have a right to it and that their contactRabbiLichteratilichter.gns.orgformore claim is one based on the principle of being upright.

YOUTHCLASSES

Rav Simcha Zissel says that the story of creation is full of the principle of 'straightness'. We all know the Medrash that when G-d created the sun and the moon of equal size, the moon complained that it is not right that "two kings share a single crown." G-d consequently minimized the moon to be smaller. According to the Medrash, G-d then created the stars in order to appease the moon, so that it now "ruled" over a trillion stars. The world really did not need stars; they were not part of the original plan. They are apparently unnecessary. Why were they created? According to the Medrash, they were created in order to mollify the moon. This again is an example of Yashrus. It is the right thing to do. How many times have we heard the question "Where does it say it in Shulchan Aruch"? It does not need to say it in Shulchan Aruch. The Torah teaches us that we should do that which is right and good. The Ramban writes on this pasuk that the Torah cannot spell out every single case that will come down in the history of the world of how a person should act. So, He gives us a single rule of thumb: Do the right thing (V'asisa

InformationandtosignupyourdaughterforthisChesed opportunity.

***NewJr.HighBoysTefillinClass
AclasstaughtbyRabbiLichteronThursdaysfrom5:306:15 pmforBarMitzvahagedboyswhowouldliketolearnabout thelawsandreasonsbehindthemitzvahofTefillin.Theclass willmeetintheBraunYouthCenterandapizzadinnerwill beserved.ThefirstclasswillbeThursday,Oct.18th.Please contactRabbiLichteratilichter@gns.orgtosignyourson upfortheclass.

Parsha&Pizza
Thisclass,taughtbyRabbiLichter,focusingonParshat HashavuawillcontinuetomeetthisyearonWednesday nightsfrom7:007:30,gearedfor2ndgradeto5thgrade. Pizzadinnerisserved,prizesandseforimareawardedto attendees.ThefirstclassisWednesdaynight,Oct.17thinthe ChalfinRoomatGreatNeckSynagogue.ContactRabbi Lichterforanyquestionsabouttheclass.ilichter@gns.org.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

HighSchoolClass
OurhighschoolersmeetwithRabbiLichteronThursday nightsfordinnerandlearningfrom6:307:30pm.Theclass focusesonthedailyissuesthatHighSchoolteensconfront intheirlivesandprovidesforbothasocialandeducational atmosphere.ThefirstclassisThursdaynight,Oct.18that GreatNeckSynagogue.DropinonThursdaynightsand youllbehooked.

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

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please dedicate your October blood donation to a Breast Cancer Survivor.

Great Neck Synagogue Blood Drive

GREATNECKSYNAGOGUE COMMUNITYSHABBATDINNER &GUESTSPEAKERSERIESSeasonPremiere!

Sunday, October 28, 2012 8:15am- 12:45pm 26 Old Mill Rd ALL DONORS will be entered into a RAFFLE 4 chances to WIN!!

RabbiShmuleyBoteach ShabbatDinner&GuestSpeaker,October1920
FridayEvening,October19 ShabbatDinner GuestSpeaker: RABBISHMULEYBOTEACH KosherLust,KosherHate Families:SpecialChildrensProgram Singles:WalkingEscortsAvailableUponRequest $30/adult|$20/teen|$10/child|$100familymax ReservationsRequired|LimitedSeating RSVP:516.487.6100ormtwersky@gns.org

1- Autographed NY Rangers Hockey Stick & Puck 2 Two tickets to Live with Kelly & Michael 3- Two tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live! & JKL gift bag 4- Dinner for Two at Cho-Sen
In addition, ALL donors will receive a coupon for pickles or soup. Eligibility Criteria: Bring ID with signature or photo. Minimum weight 110 lbs. Age 16 75 (16 year olds must have parental permission. Age 76 and over need doctors note) Eat well (low fat) & drink fluids No tattoos for past 12 months For questions concerning medical eligibility call 1-800-688-0900 To schedule an appointment please call Al Leiderman 482-0628

Shabbat,October20 KeynoteAddress followingservicesintheGoldwynSanctuary TheTyrannyofPerfectionandtheBlessingof Struggle SeudahShlishit TheFedUpManofFaith:ChallengingGodinthe FaceofTragedyandSuffering

BOOKS&BAGELSSeasonPremiere! Sunday,October14,10:00am
GreatNeckSynagogue 26OldMillRoad GreatNeck,NY11023 featuring DR.HARRYOSTRER ProfessorofPathologyandGenetics, AlbertEinsteinCollegeofMedicine; DirectorofGenetic&GenomicTesting, MontefioreMedicalCenter "Legacy:AGeneticHistoryoftheJewishPeople" Breakfastwillbeserved Booksigningtofollowauthorpresentation

ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
HASHKAMA KIDDUSH Kiddush is sponsored by Robin & Jeroen Bours in memory of her father Dr. Bernie Siegel,zl and by the Mayer Family in memory of Steven Mayer, zl SUNDAY BREAKFAST The Breakfast is sponsored by Bracha & Cantor Zeev Kron in memory of his mother Hinda bat Shlomo Ah. TALMUD TORAH Matan Bat Mitzvah Program begins Wed. Oct., 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm In the Chalfin Rm. With Morah Netta Jensenson. Please contact Rabbi Lichter to register your daughter at ilichter@gns.org. 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 482-0628. GNS MENS CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS SUN. NOV 4: Tickets to the November 4 performance of FOLKSBIENE'S "THE GOLDEN LAND"- A MUSICAL IN YIDDISH AND ENGLISH available. Round trip bus transportation for the 2 pm performance, orchestra seats, and a light supper at synagogue upon return are $65. For info call Roz Wagner 487-9795. SISTERHOOD EVENTS Thank you very much to Judy Lillien, Diane Rein, Vivian Kron and Chava Shalmon for preparing our Sisterhood Membership Drive and Dinner Invitation mailing! Please look for the beautiful envelope in your mailboxes in the coming days, and return them with your membership dues, and contribution towards our dinner. Nechama Liss-Levinson is working on a wonderful project called Pies for Prevention. They are making and donating pies to support the Ovarian Cancer initiative at Sharsheret. Please help by baking Thanksgiving pies for this project! Contact Tovah at 516-487-3025 or at twerber@gmail.com. Our next sisterhood meeting will be held on Wed. night, Oct. 17th in the Braun Youth Center (during Pizza/Parsha!). LET'S ALL GET INVOLVED!!! We will be discussing the final plans for our dinner, as well as future events, like the Chanukah bazaar, a couples night, croissant baking, cooking events,and a fashion event. If anyone has an idea for a fun evening/afternoon event, we welcome your input! And.... the first amazing household helpful hint will be revealed. You're gonna have to come to find out what it is! SAVE THE DATE!!! Wed. Oct., 24th, at 8 PM, Dr. Elimelech Goldberg, founder of Kids Kicking Cancer is giving us an informative lecture on stress management for Busy Adults. Thank you to Pam Bilfeld for organizing this event. Our Chai Annual Membership Dinner will be on Nov. 7th, at 6 PM at Colbeh. Our Speaker, Rachelle Weisberger, author of Biblical Beauty, will show us how to integrate biblical, historical and cultural perspectives with practical advice and specific tips on a variety of subjects. She will offer enlightening guidance on skin care, sun care, makeup, hair care, fragrance, jewelry, healthy aging, motherhood and leadership. We are so excited to hear her! Please RSVP as soon as possible. Volunteers are still needed to secure raffle prizes, take home gifts, and setting up the room. Please contact Judy Lillien if you'd like to volunteer. Thank you to Judy Lillien for her tireless efforts in organizing this event. THANK YOU The Sukkah Hop was fantastic. This year over 200 kids joined the event. We like to thank the following families: Kohler, Kron, Muller, Hutt, Leventhal, Hedvat, Kagan, Kroll, Abehsera, Glassman and Jensen for opening their sukkahs and hosting this event. CHANUKAH SCOPE DEADLINE The deadline for the Chanukah issue of SCOPE magazine is Mon. Oct. 22nd. Kindly email all articles, advertisements, photos, recipes and sponsorships to drein@verizon.net. Thank you very much! DOS YIDDISH VORT Let the New Year begin with a song, a story, a laugh at DOS YIDDISH VORT, Wednesday, October, 24 at 1:30 pm. For info call Roz Wagner

WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Shelly & Steve Zuckerman on the Aufruf and upcoming marriage of their son TJ to Erica Kestenbaum, daughter of Ruth & Jerry Kestenbaum. Mazal Tov to Tami & Gregory Kramer on the birth of a daughter, Lea. Mazal Tov to Anne & Ray Sandler on the upcoming marriage of their son Chad to Lauren Glogower, daughter of Sharon & Gary Glogower.
SHABBAT DINNER & GUEST SPEAKER SERIES See page three. WOMENS TEFILA We would like to wish Mazal Tov to our Kallah Torah, Talia, daughter of Malka Louzoun, and our Kallah Breishit, Bonnie, daughter of Annie & Robert Mendelson. Womens Tefila Planning Meeting will take place this coming Thursday, October 18th, at 8:00 pm in the home of Nechama LissLevinson. All are welcome.

COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP A Co-ed Adult cancer support group is being formed for those who have or have had cancer. Contact Paul Marcus, tibs9@aol.com. OHEL INVITES YOU On Saturday night, October 27th at 8:30pm, OHEL invites you to an inspiring evening and photography exhibit by Sherry Silver to benefit the children and families of OHEL at the home of David & Diane Rein, 1 Cove Lane, Kings Point. Wine, single-malt scotch and dessert will be served. This event is co-presented by Great Neck Synagogue and Young Israel of Great Neck. Committee Chairs are Nicole & Mordi Dicker, Sara & Andrew Feldschreiber, Gloria & Harvey Kaylie, Rabbi & Rebbetzin Lerner, Rabbi & Rebbetzin Polakoff, Karen & Robert Spitalnick. Space is limited, rsvp is required. Please contact Laurie Szenicer at (718) 686-3316 or Laurie_Szenicer@ohelfamily.org. CHAYALEI BODIM EVENT IN GREAT NECK On Tuesday evening October 30th at 8:00, Debbie & Andy Kane will be hosting Lt. Col. Tzvika Levy, the "Father of the Lone Soldiers" at their home at 11 Bromley Lane, Great Neck. Tzvika, as he is known to the thousands of non-Israeli volunteers in the IDF, needs our help so he may continue to provide the services that have made a difference in the lives of these brave soldiers. Rabbi Polakoff and Rabbi Lerner will be speaking. LOST & FOUND Lost three keys on a rectangular Migdal Ohr key chain with wording VAhafta LEacha Komocha. Probably lost in ladies room. Saturday, 27 Tishrei Jason Mayer for Steven Mayer Susan Mayer for Steven Mayer Albert Safdieh for Shaul ben Avraham Safdieh Sunday, 28 Tishrei Lillian Leiderman for Isaac Tillem Ira Lubin for Max Gerber Zehava Slonim for Tamar Kukelka Monday, 29 Tishrei Baruch Toledano for Joseph Toledano Tuesday, 30 Tishrei Robert Glaser for Sophie Glaser Cantor Zeev Kron for Hinda Kron Marcia Toledano for Julia Karten Paul Weinberg for Ida Weinberg Wednesday, 1 Cheshvan Lorraine Domnitch for Jennie Speisel Herschel Flax for Ethel Pasvolsky Mary F. Flax for Ethel Pasvolsky Sharon Herman for Muriel Adler Leon Kutcher for Fran Kutcher Rita Silverman for Zelda Schwartz Gilbert Louzoun for Henriette Louzoun Thursday, 2 Cheshvan Sheila Bachman for Pauline Bachman Donald Heisler for Joseph Heisler Deborah Hollander for Judith Sokol Joseph Sokol for Judith Sokol Martin H. Sokol for Judith Sokol Joyce Swartz for Sol Gelfond Elaine Wolf for Nathan Wolf Friday, 3 Cheshvan Peter Epstein for Mollie Eden Pauline Levy for David Gruber Paul Marcus for Victor Marcus

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