Parshiot Shmini/Parah

TORAH Artscroll, 588 Hertz, 443 MAFTIR Artscroll, 838 Hertz, 652 HAFTORAH Artscroll, 1216 Hertz, 999
It should have been a day of joy. The Israelites had completed the mishkan, the sanctuary. For seven days Moses had made preparations for its consecration. Now on the eighth day the first of Nisan, one year to the day since the Israelites had received their first command two weeks prior to the exodus the service of the sanctuary was about to begin. The sages say that it was in heaven the most joyous day since creation. But tragedy struck. The two elder sons of Aaron offered a strange fire, that had not been commanded (Lev. 10: 1) and the fire from heaven that should have consumed the sacrifices consumed them as well. They died. Aarons joy turned to mourning. Vayidom Aharon, And Aaron was silent (10: 3). The man who had been Moses spokesman could no longer speak. Words turned to ash in his mouth.

March 22, 2014 20 Adar II, 5774

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Shmini

Moses told him to begin his role as high priest. Moses [then] said to Aaron, 'Approach the altar, and prepare your sin offering and burnt offering, thus atoning for you and the people. Then prepare the people's offering to atone for them, as God has commanded' (Lev. 9: 7). The sages sensed a nuance in the words, Approach the altar, as if Aaron was standing at a distance from it, reluctant to come near. They said: Initially Aaron was ashamed to come close. Moses said to him, Do not be ashamed. This is what you have been chosen to do. Why was Aaron ashamed? Tradition gave two explanations, both brought by Nahmanides in his commentary to the Torah. The first is that Aaron was simply overwhelmed by trepidation at coming so close to the Divine presence. The rabbis likened it to the bride of a king, nervous at entering the bridal chamber for the first time. The second is that Aaron, seeing the horns of the altar, was reminded of the Golden Calf, his great sin. How could he, who had played a key role in that terrible event, now take on the role of atoning for the peoples sins? That surely demanded an innocence he no longer had. Moses had to remind him that it was precisely to atone for sins that the altar had been made, and the fact that he had been chosen by God to be high priest was an unequivocal sign that he had been forgiven. there is vast psychological difference between being second-in-command, and being a leader in your own right. We probably all know of examples of people who quite readily serve in an assisting capacity but who are terrified at the prospect of leading on their own. Whichever explanation is true and perhaps they all are Aaron was reticent at taking on his new role, and Moses had to give him confidence. This is what you have been chosen for. The other story is the tragic one, of Aarons two sons, Nadav and Avihu, who offered a strange fire that had not been commanded. The sages offered several readings of this episode, all based on close reading of the several places in the Torah where their death is referred to. Some said they had been drinking alcohol. Others said that they were arrogant, holding

Times

Candle Lighting Friday Mincha Hashkama Parsha Shiur Youth Minyan Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sun. March 23 Mon., Thur. Tues., Wed. Fri Mincha

6:50 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am 5:45 pm 6:45 pm 7:59 pm

7:30 /8:30 am
6:35/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 am 7:00 pm

Latest Times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei Mar 22 Mar 29

10:11/11:09 am 9:52/10:55 am

There is much in this episode that is hard to understand, much that has to do with the concept of holiness and the powerful energies it released that, like nuclear power today, could be deadly dangerous if not properly used. But there is also a more human story about two There is perhaps a third approaches to leadership that explanation, albeit less spiritual. still resonates with us today. Until now Aaron had been in all respects second to Moses. Yes, he First there is the story about had been at his side throughout, Aaron. We read about how helping him speak and lead. But

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by the Kroll & Mayer families in honor of their children Daniel Alter and Scott Michael who will be making a Siyum Mishnayot on Masechet Rosh Hashana.

Next Shabbat Tazria Candle Lighting Mincha 6:58 pm 7:00 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Great Synagogue with a Herring table sponsored by Cindy & Morris Hodkin and Roz Korman for the 38th Yahrzeit of Bernard Korman, z"l and Refuah Shleimah for Rabbi Polakoff.

Bima Flowers are sponsored by Elaine & Albert Miller in memory of her mother Ethel Rose Grant, z"l.

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

themselves up above the community. This was the reason they had never married. Some say that they were guilty of giving a halakhic ruling about the use of man-made fire, instead of asking their teacher Moses whether it was permitted. Others say they were restless in the presence of Moses and Aaron. They said, when will these two old men die and we can lead the congregation? However we read the episode, it seems clear that they were all too eager to exercise leadership. Carried away by their enthusiasm to play a part in the inauguration, they did something they had not been commanded to do. After all, had Moses not done something entirely on his own initiative, namely breaking the tablets when he came down the mountain and saw the Golden Calf? If he could act spontaneously, why could they not? They forgot the difference between a priest and a prophet. A prophet lives and acts in time in this moment that is unlike any other. A priest acts and lives in eternity, by following a set of rules that never change. Everything about the holy, the realm of the priest, is precisely scripted in advance. The holy is the place where God, not man, decides. Nadav and Avihu failed fully to understand that there are different kinds of leadership and they are not interchangeable. What is appropriate to one may be radically inappropriate to another. A judge is not a politician. A king is not a prime minister. A religious leader is not a celebrity seeking popularity. Confuse these roles and not only will you fail. You will also damage the very office you were chosen to hold. The real contrast here, though, is the difference between Aaron and his two sons. They were, it seems opposites. Aaron was overcautious and had to be persuaded by Moses even to begin. Nadav and Avihu were not cautious enough. So keen were they to put their own stamp on the role of priesthood that their impetuosity was their downfall. These are, perennially, the two challenges leaders must overcome. The first is the reluctance to lead. Why me? Why should I get involved? Why should I undertake the responsibility and all that comes with it the stress, the hard work, and the criticisms leaders always have to face? Besides which, there are other people better qualified and more suited than I am. Even the greatest were reluctant to lead. Moses at the burning bush found reason after reason to show that he was not the man for the job. Isaiah and Jeremiah both felt inadequate. Summoned to lead, Jonah ran away. The challenge really is daunting. But when you feel as if you are being called to a task, if you know that the mission is necessary and important, then there is nothing you can do but say, Hineni, Here I am. In the words of a famous book title, you have to feel the fear and do it anyway. The other challenge is the opposite. There are some people who simply see themselves as leaders. They are convinced that they can do it better. We recall the famous remark of Israels first president, Chaim Weizmann, that he was head of a nation of a million presidents. From a distance it seems so easy. Isnt it obvious that the leader should do X, not Y? Homo sapiens contains many back seat drivers who know better than those whose hands are on the steering wheel. Put them in a position of leadership and they can do

Shaabbat Announcements Parshiot Shmini/Parah 5774

great damage. Never having sat in the drivers seat, they have no idea of how many considerations have to be taken into account, how many voices of opposition have to be overcome, how difficult it is at one and the same time to cope with the pressures of events while not losing sight of long term ideals and objectives. The late John F Kennedy said that the worst shock on being elected president was that when we got to the White House we discovered that things were as bad as we said they were. Nothing prepares you for the pressures of leadership when the stakes are high. Overenthusiastic, overconfident leaders can do great harm. Before they became leaders they understood events through their own perspective. What they did not understand is that leadership involves relating to many perspectives, many interest groups and points of view. That does not mean that you try to satisfy everyone. Those who do so end up satisfying no one. But you have to consult and persuade. Sometimes you need to honor precedent and the traditions of a particular institution. You have to know exactly when to behave as your predecessors did, and when not to. These call for considered judgment, not wild enthusiasm in the heat of the moment. Nadav and Avihu were surely great people. The trouble was that they believed they were great people. They were not like their father Aaron who had to be persuaded to come close to the altar because of his sense of inadequacy. The one thing Nadav and Avihu lacked was a sense of their own inadequacy. To do anything great we have to be aware of these two temptations. One is the fear of greatness: who am I? The other is being convinced of your greatness: who are they? I can do it better. We can do great things if (a) the task matters more than the person, (b) we are willing to do our best without thinking ourselves superior to others, and (c) we are willing to take advice, the thing Nadav and Avihu failed to do. People do not become leaders because they are great. They become great because they are willing to serve as leaders. It does not matter that we think ourselves inadequate. So did Moses. So did Aaron. What matters is the willingness, when challenge calls, to say, Hineni, Here I am.

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

NEWSFORPASSOVER Class PesachHagadah&HalachaClasson TuesdaynightApril1st,8:00pm KASHERIN PesachKasherinonThursdaynight April3rd,from810pm Allitemsmustbecleanandnot beenusedfor24hours.Silverware andpots,(onlywithmetalpieces andnopartsgluedtogetherorover laidwithplastic)andothermetal utensilsmaybebroughttobe kasheredforPassoveruse.

DEADLINE TUESDAY MARCH 18

GNSMARCHCHESEDCOLLECTION
Dontknowwhattodowithmedicalsupplies younolongerneed? DONATETHEM tohelpunderservedpeople,clinicsandhospitals InUS,Israel,Haiti,andAfrica March18thMarch21st LEAVESUPPLIESBYFRONTDOOR: 13CHURCHSTREET GREATNECK WEARECOLLECTING: wheelchairs,canes,walkers,commodes,eyeglasses, bandages,cribs,drains,tubing,facemasks,gloves, catheters,IVkits,soap,autoclaves,showerseats,raised toiletseats,hospitalbeds,crutches,sutures,braces,etc. NOPRESCRIPTIONMEDSNOPOSTEXPIRATIONDATES Donationswillbedistributedby: www.afyafoundation.org FORMOREINFO,CALLNechama5167733572

ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONGOING CLASSES Rabbi Polakoffs Thursday morning Ladies Shiur and the Power Chumash Shiur will continue to take place. Rabbi Lichter will be teaching both classes. MARCH 22 LUNCHEON WITH DAVID HARRIS Please make your reservations for the Family Luncheon with David Harris of the American Jewish Comm. for Shabbat Lunch on March 22. See page three for more details. NEW CLASS FOR WOMEN Wed. at 8pm Rabbi Cohen Scali's Insightful parsha class for the Refuah Shleimah of Rabbi Polakoff will be given at GNS in the Chalfin room. GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE PRESENTS SUNDAY MORNING SUNRISE Sunday, Apr., 6 all middle school boys grades 6-8. Shacharit: 8:30 ambreakfast/Class 9:10-10:00 am. Rabbi Daniel Schwechter. Dates: 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8.

WITHIN THE FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Mark Gersten on the birth of a grandson born to his children Tamara & Eric Gersten in Baltimore. Mazal Tov to Lauren & Asher Abehsera on the birth of a daughter. Mazal Tov to Jennifer & Jonathan Sharbani on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to Susan & Bruce Decter on the upcoming marriage of her daughter Daniella Forman to Jeffrey Kirshner, son of Marla & Mark Kirshner of Chicago. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Anita & Hal Beretz and Annette & Irving Forman. Mazal Tov to Irene & Leslie Kahn on the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of his grandson Ilan, son of Lara & Steven Kahn and his siblings Eli and Aaron being held in West Hempstead.
YOETZET HALACHA DENA BLOCK SHABBAT MARCH 29 As part of a larger national program called Yoetzet Halacha Shabbat Across America, GNS will be holding a program on Shabbat March 28th29th--Parshat Tazria. Yoetzet Halacha Dena Block will speak after davening in the morning in the Main Sanctuary. She will also be giving a shiur for women of the Great Neck community at the home of Mindy Leventhal, 18 Brook Lane, at 4:30 PM on Shabbos afternoon. The title of the shiur is "Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work: Jewish Style."

MARCH CHESED From March 18-March 21, Billy and Nechama Liss-Levinson will be collecting new and used medical equipment for the AFYA Foundation (www.afyafoundation.org) All medical supplies will be used in clinics serving underserved populations in Africa, Haiti, the Philippines and Israel. Leave supplies by front door:13 Church St. We are collecting: wheel chairs, canes, walkers, commodes, eyeglasses, bandages, cribs, drains, tubing, face masks, gloves, catheters, IV kits, soap, autoclaves, shower seats, raised toilet seats, hospital beds, crutches, sutures, SIYUM BECHORIM braces, etc. No prescription drugs, no post expiration dates. For more The Siyum this year is available for sponsorship. Any interested party info call Nechama 516-773-3572. should contact Mark Twersky in the Synagogue office for details. Volunteers needed to perform the siyum. SISTERHOOD EVENT Pesach is coming! Now is the perfect time for spring cleaning the toxins out of your body, and getting rid of your junk food and sugar cravings. Health Coach, Pam Bilfeld in conjunction with the GNS Sisterhood is offering health group coaching sessions for Dr. Mark Hyman's program & Amazon's #1 best selling book: The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. The Detox Diet is a well balanced plan of 3 healthy meals & 1-2 snacks per day of vegetables, proteins (lean meat and/or plant) and some fruit, nuts & seeds. The recipes to prepare are fabulous, plus Pam will give you guidelines on eating out and/or ordering food in. The sessions are (choose 1 or the other) Monday, March 24th 3:00-4;00pm and Tuesday, March 25th 8:009:00pm. Each group purposely kept small, at a max capacity of 10 people. They will fill up, so RSVP soon to Pbilfeld@aol.com. What you'll learn: Cheat sheet on the book to get you started (you need to get the book to start - available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble), plus all of your questions answered, plus group support because you're not in this alone, plus more options for breakfast than what you see in the book. Cost: $75 and 20% will go to the GNS Sisterhood Includes 1 live group session PLUS unlimited email support for the remainder of the year to help you reach and maintain your health goals. Going rate for this level of coaching is well over $300! You can pick up the book on your own, or for your convenience, Pam can pick up the book for you. RSVP at Pbilfeld@aol.com

PASS IT FORWARD Has experienced an unexpected increase in demand for Pesach meals. We will be purchasing all of the food to be distributed, which includes 2 Seder meals, a Seder plate and Pesach essentials for each family. Monetary contributions would be appreciated. Please make checks payable to GNS with a notation that it is for Pass it Forward. Any questions, contact Cindy Hodkin at koshercookinggn@gmail.com TEHILLIM Rabbi Polakoff is improving daily, but is still in need of our Tehillim. If you would like to be part of a group that says Tehillim at home for his Refuah, please let Cindy know. In order that we cover all of the chapters, you will get an assignment that you should say daily, until he is no longer needing our Tefilot. Please let Cindy know ASAP if you want to be part of the group so that we can get started right away. Cindy Hodkin: koshercookinggn@gmail.com SAVE THE NEW DATE: The NSHA Annual Journal Dinner celebrating its 59th year will take place on Monday evening, May 19th at Citi Field honoring Stephanie & Ruvane Vilinsky, Hannah K. Flamenbaum & Charles W. Segal and Sassoun Sassouni. Those wishing to place an ad, make a reservation or serve on the dinner committee, please contact Arnie Flatow at aflatow@nsha.org or call the Business Office at 487-868 ext 2.

MEN'S CLUB SUN., March 30, 10:00 am: After many years, we are pleased to have Rabbi Marvin Tokayer return to GNS. He is an interesting and dynamic speaker and he will be speaking on his favorite topic, "Jewish Heroes of Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia". All welcome. SUN., April 27. 8:00am - 1:00pm: Please mark your calendars for the next semi-annual BLOOD DRIVE. There is a demand for blood on Long Island and you can make a difference by donating on Sunday April 27. SISTERHOOD THANK YOU Thank you to all those who supported our First Annual Purim card sale designed especially for us by Celia Lemonik. We sold all 500 cards. Stay tune for more exciting cards to come. Thanks to Celia Lemonik, Vivian Kron, Judy Lillien and our wonderful office staff, Maxine,

Y A H R Z E I T

Tuesday, 23 Adar II Cindy Hodkin for Bernard Korman Roslyn Korman for Bernard Korman Elaine Miller for Ethel Grant Thursday, 25 Adar II Erran Kagan for Shlomo Kagan Jack Lipsky for Corinne Lipsky Mark Twersky for David Twersky Friday, 26 Adar II Dov Davidovics for Helen Davidovics