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Parshat Bo

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The Power and Potential of Group Collaboration Following Moshe's warning to the King of Egypt of the impending plague of Locusts, the pasuk says, "And he turned and went out from Pharaoh" [Shmos 10:6]. The Ramban writes: Moshe knew that following the plague of Hail that the Egyptian agricultural economy was teetering and he was now warning that anything left over from the hail would be consumed by the locusts. Moshe walked out from Pharaoh's presence before the king had a chance to respond one way or the other. The Ramban explains that Moshe left so that the Egyptians would be able to discuss their situation among themselves. This is in fact what happened, as the Torah quotes Pharaoh's advisers telling him "Do you not realize that Egypt is on the verge of destruction?" [Shmos 10:7]

January 4, 2014 3 Shevat, 5774

Rabbi Frand on Parshat Bo


The Ramban then says that Moshe sensed that Pharaoh's advisers believed what he was telling them and left them alone with Pharaoh so that they could propose to the king that they all repent from their evil ways and thus save the country. The Ramban suggests that even though the Torah only describes this scenario by the plague of Locusts, this is in fact what Moshe did each time he came before Pharoah and his advisors -- he presented the warning and ultimatum and then left to allow them to consider it amongst themselves and hopefully do Teshuva. Over the last year or two I have quoted many times from the thoughts of Rav Simcha Zissel Brodie in his outstanding volume Sam Derech. Rav Simcha Zissel shares two profound insights regarding this Ramban. First, Rav Simcha Zissel points out that we see that Moshe made a point to leave so that they could discuss his ultimatum. Moshe carried a staff that contained the acronym Detza"ch Ada"sh B'Ach"av the acronym that represents the 10 plagues. This staff existed from the Six Days of Creation. Moshe clearly knew that there were going to be a total of 10 plagues before the Jews would be allowed to leave. There was no question at all in his mind as to the result of the "deliberations" that would take place in Pharaoh's court. What then was the point of his leaving so that "they could discuss it" so that perhaps they would repent? We see from this Ramban the amazing power of discussion among human beings. When people sit down with each other and say "Listen, let's talk this out" or "Let's think this thing through together," amazing things can happen. Sometimes a person can't necessarily come to the truth by himself. However, when different people sit down with each other and hash it out together (I point out to you where you're wrong and you point out to me where I'm wrong.), the power of discussion among people can literally change their fate.

Times

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Kiddush Is Sponsored By Great Neck Synagogue

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

Shaabbat Announcements Parshat Bo 5774

The power of discussion and group collaboration is so strong that Moshe Rabbeinu held out the hope that if he left them alone to discuss the matter, they could have changed their fate so to speak and come to the recognition that "we better stop this madness before it's too late."

who at the same time is you to resolve this dilemma. She/he is a person who is not you -- does not have your biases and yet is so close to you that you will not view her/him as an outsider and will not resist his/her sincere advice to you. This institution of "ishto k'gufo" (one's wife is like himself) is how the Almighty expected us to resolve this dilemma. On his own, man may have a tremendous insight to his With this concept, we can understand the thoughts and feelings. However, he also has tremendous interpretation of a Gemara in Yevamos [63a]. Rav personal bias ("negius"). The Talmud tells us that a Elazar says: "Any Adam [person] who has no wife is person is his own relative (Adam karov eitzel atzmo) and not an Adam". It is significant that under the Chupah, therefore just as a relative cannot testify about another as part of Sheva Brochos, we recite the blessing relative, a person cannot be believed about himself and "Yotzer haAdam" [Who has created an Adam]. It cannot see the truth about himself. Once one has a would seem more logical to recite that blessing when a companion to bounce ideas off of and to have a frank child is born or at a bris or even at a Bar Mitzvah. Why interchange of opinions with, one can gain great insight - do we wait until the young man is 25 years old, - far beyond what he could have accomplished on his standing under the Chuppah to make the blessing own, despite prodigious powers of personal intellect. "Who has created a man"? This is what Rabbi Elazar means -- any man who does not have a wife is not an The second point that Rav Brodie derives from this Adam. Only now by the wedding canopy, when man Ramban is the following: If Moshe saw that they were acquires his wife that he is considered an Adam. The scared and that his words were penetrating their outer reason is because until that point, he has this problem shell of stubbornness and confidence, why did he leave of how to get through life -- on the one hand, he is too right away? Why did he not stay in the hope that his biased to see appropriate solutions to his problems, imposing presence would have the desired effect of yet on the other hand, he is too stubborn to accept having them agree to let the Jews leave immediately? the advice of others. Man needs someone to be there The answer is that human beings have a tremendous to tell him what is wrong and he needs that person to inner resistance to outside opinions. People do not like not be an outsider whose advice he will spurn. Hello anyone telling them what to do. This is why Moshe felt wife. You have now made an Adam into an Adam. his presence there would be detrimental. It would be counter-productive. That is simply how people are. It has to do with the ego of a human being -- the healthy ego. "I am my own operator. I have my own opinions. You do not tell me what to do!" This brings us to a terrible dilemma. If I cannot see my own faults and foibles and if I cannot see where I am going wrong and if I have a built in resistance to hearing an objective opinion from somebody else, what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to exist? How do we solve this problem? The answer is that Hashem created something in this world that helps us resolve this dilemma. He created an institution called "wives" and "husbands". The Master of the Universe had to create someone who is not you but Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program 26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck , NY 11023 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 Zehava & Dr. Michael Atlas, Youth Directors Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Dr. Scott Danoff, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board Dena Block, Yoetzet Halacha 516-320-9818

Pleasejoinusfor "ConversationswithYoetzetHalachaDenaBlock" Tuesday,January7at8p.m. Conceptions,Misconceptions& MissedConceptions: GettingtotheMikvehonTime. atthehomeof LaurenAbehsera,21StrathmoreRoad Tuesday,February,25at8p.m. atthehomeofKimmySoleimani. It'seasytoreachGNSYoetzetHalachaDenaBlock withquestions/concernsaboutmaritalintimacy &halacha:GNSYoetzet@gmailor5163209818.

COMMUNITYSHABBAT LUNCHEON Saturday, February8,2014 Sponsorship&DedicationOpportunities: SeriesDedication$5,000/year SeriesSponsorship$1,800/year


VIPSeatingandacopyofYoni'sLastBattle: TheRescueatEntebbe,1976 DinnerDedication$1,000|DinnerSponsorship$500 includesasignedcopyofYoni'sLastBattle: TheRescueatEntebbe,1976 DinnerSupporter$360|includesfamilyreservations Formoreinformation,pleasecontactthesynagogueoffice GuestSpeaker: Dr.IddoNetanyahu YonisLastBattle:TheRescueatEntebbe PresentedbyLedermanCaterers ReservationsRequired~ThisOne**WILL**SellOut! $35/adult|$25/teen|$15/child|$125familymaximum RSVP:516.487.6100,mtwersky@gns.org,orwww.gns.org ReservationsDeadline:Tuesday,February4 Dr.IddoNetanyahuisan Israeliphysician,authorand playwright.Heisthe youngerbrotherofBenjamin Netanyahu,thecurrent PrimeMinisterofIsrael,and YonatanNetanyahu,who waskilledleadingthe OperationEntebbe hostagerescuemissionin 1976andwasahighly decoratedveteran. IddowasborninJerusalem,andspentpartofhischildhood intheUnitedStates.HeleftstudiesatCornellUniversityin 1973tofightforIsraelintheYomKippurWar.Netanyahu servedinSayeretMatkal,IsraelsSpecialForcesunit,asdid bothhisbrothers.HehasanMDfromHebrewUniversityof JerusalemSchoolofMedicineandworksparttimeasa radiologistatSt.JamesMercyHospitalinHornell,NewYork, spendingmostofhistimeinIsrael. HisbookYonisLastBattle:TheRescueatEntebbe,was publishedinHebrewin1991,andreissuedinEnglishto commemoratethe25thanniversaryoftheEntebbemission. Thebookisbothanaccurate,detailedaccountoftheraid andapersonaltributetoabrotherandahero.The fastpacedtextoffersnumerousflashbacksofthethree brotherschildhoodandarmyservice.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
HASHKAMA MINYAN Kiddush is sponsored by Amy and Martin Griffel in memory of their mothers, Sima bat Moshe & Michla and Miriam bat Yosef & Sarah. ROSH CHODESH SHEVAT CHALLAH BAKING On Thursday Jan., 2nd at 6 pm. at the home of Dahlia Abraham-Klein in Great Neck. You are invited to bake challah, incorporating the seven indigenous fruits of Israel. We will learn the spiritual significance of each ingredient and how to unleash its holy sparks with intention. For further information and to RSVP, please email: dahliaklein@verizon.net JANUARY 2014- GNS CHESED COLLECTION- UJA TO DISTRIBUTE TO BENEFIT NEEDY FAMILIES: Please drop off NEW Childrens Pajamas, and Toiletries like diapers, baby wipes, Baby Shampoo etc... at Heidi and Glenn Zuckermans Home-7 Hillcrest Drive any time from Thursday, Jan 1 Friday, Jan 17 As well as Friday, Jan 24 - Friday, Feb 7- Thank you! FROM THE EIRUV ASSOCIATION Our yearly fundraising for the Great Neck Eiruv will be in January. We depend on your generosity to maintain our Eiruv. The minimum suggested donation will remain at $180.00, though, if you are able, a larger donation would be GREATLY appreciated. If you would like to make your fully tax deductible charitable donation before year end, you may do so by either : Mailing a check to the G N Eiruv Association, 15 Cuttermill Road, Box 182, Great Neck, NY 11021. Donating on line at: http://greatneckeiruv.org/donate Thanking you in advance for your support of our Eiruv. G N Eiruv Association

YOETZET HALACHA Please join us for "Conversations with Yoetzet Halacha Dena Block" Tuesday, January 7 at 8 p.m. Conceptions, Misconceptions & Missed Conceptions: Getting to the Mikveh on Time. at the home of Lauren Abehsera, 21 Strathmore Road Tuesday, February, 25 at 8 p.m. at the home of Kimmy Soleimani. 6 Road on the hill Great Neck. It's easy to reach GNS Yoetzet Halacha Dena Block with questions/concerns about marital intimacy & halacha: GNSYoetzet@gmail or 516 320-9818. LUNCH & LEARN Come for Lunch and Learn for Women only- Jan 15th 12 sharp! at the home of Dr. Laura Danoff, 4 Vista Drive Great Neck Estates. How does the Parsha of the week influence your every day life....RSVP: openwyd613@aol.com. Sponsored in memory of the yahrzeit of her mother.

COMMUNITY SHABBAT LUNCHEON Saturday, February 8, 2014 Sponsorship & Dedication Opportunities: Series Dedication $5,000/year Series Sponsorship $1,800/year VIP Seating and a copy of Yoni's Last Battle: The Rescue at Entebbe, 1976 Dinner Dedication $1,000 | Dinner Sponsorship $500 includes a signed copy of Yoni's Last Battle: The Rescue at Entebbe, 1976 Dinner Supporter $360 | includes family reservations For more information, please contact the synagogue office Guest Speaker: Dr. Iddo Netanyahu Yonis Last Battle: The Rescue at Entebbe Presented by Lederman Caterers Reservations Required ~ This One **WILL** Sell Out! $35/adult | $25/teen | $15/child | $125 family maximum RSVP: 516.487.6100, mtwersky@gns.org, or www.gns.org Reservations Deadline: Tuesday, February 4

MEN'S CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS TUES., Jan 21, 8pm: The next event in our Medical Forum series features a PLASTIC SURGEON, Dr Arnold Breitbart. He will educate and inform you on many aspects of Plastic Surgery, from Tummy-tucks and Breast reconstructions to Facelifts and Rhinoplasty. Details to follow. REMINDER: For those of you who have not yet done so, please send in your annual $54 membership subscriptions. Help us to continue bringing you the many programs and events we have in the past. A big thank you to those who are already paid-up members of the Men's Club.

Y A H R Z E I

MASTER CHEF COMPETITION Our 1st ever Adult Master Chef Competition will be Saturday night, Feb. 1st. We will be having a short briefing of rules coming shortly. The deadline has passed for captains to sign their teams up. If you are still interested, see Rabbi Lichter ASAP.

Saturday, 3 Shevat Ronnie Davidowitz for Melvyn Goldman Sunday, 4 Shevat Aryeh Family for Rafael Aryeh Philip Hanfling for Max Hanfling Holly Hoenig for Irene Berns Jeffrey Wiesenfeld for Markus Wiesenfeld Monday, 5 Shevat Pamela Bilfeld for Raymond Grant Miriam Glaubach for Max Herlinger Julia Jadidian for Moshi Shohet Sam Levitt for Eva Levitt Tuesday, 6 Shevat Elly Engelstein for Steven Engelstein Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Ayuma bat Moshiach Gabbi Thursday 8 Shevat Sylvia Fisher for Esther Hirsh Kenneth S. Magida for Sidney Magida

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