Parshat Tazria-Shabbat Hachodesh

TORAH Artscroll, 608 Hertz, 460

March 29, 2014 27 Adar II, 5774

Rabbi Frand on Parshat Tazria

A Blind Kohen Can't Rule On Negaim Even Though A Kohen Shoteh Can
impurity (tumah and tahara) depends on the Kohen. How so? A Kohen who does not know what to look for has a scholar inspect (the blemish) and has the scholar instruct him 'Say it is impure' and the Kohen says 'impure'; or the scholar instructs 'Say it is pure' and the Kohen says 'pure'; or the scholar instructs 'Put him in a suspended state for another week' and the Kohen puts him in a state of suspension as it is written 'based on their mouths shall be every fight and every blemish' [Devarim 21:5]. And even if the Kohen is a minor (katan) or an imbecile (shoteh), the scholar instructs him and

affliction on the skin of his flesh; HE SHALL BE BROUGHT TO AARON THE KOHEN, OR TO ONE OF HIS HAFTORAH SONS THE KOHANIM. Artscroll, 1218 [Vayikra 13:2]. Rashi The majority of this Hertz, 1001 states: "It is a decree of week's parsha deals Mevorchim Chodesh Nisan Scripture that there is with the laws of Monday, march 31 neither impurity of affliction Tzoraas (commonly 4:54:09 am Rosh Chodesh translated as leprosy, of Tzora'as nor their Tuesday April1 purification except by word which in truth it is not). In several places, of a Kohen." In other Times words, even if the Kohen is the Talmud says that not an expert in these laws, Candle Lighting 6:58 pm Tzoraas comes as a and even if he does not punishment for a Friday Mincha 7:00 pm know what he is talking variety of sins. The about (the laws of Tzoraas Hashkama 8:00 am most commonly are indeed complicated and quoted exposition is Parsha Shiur 8:30 am that Tzoraas comes as complex), if the Kohen is a result of lashon hara told by a scholar what to Youth Minyan 8:30 am say and he parrots the [gossip/slander]. words of the Talmid Main Minyan 9:00 am Chazal utilize a Chochom, the blemish is linguistic exegesis of pronounced tahor [pure] or Beit Midrash 9:15 am the word Metzorah tamei [impure] based on [leper] to teach this Gemorah Shiur 5:50 pm the proclamation of the idea. They indicate Kohen, not on the Mincha 6:50 pm that Metzorah is a proclamation of the Talmid contraction of the Chochom who is not a Shabbat Ends 8:06 pm words motzi rah [he Kohen. spews forth evil]. Sun. March 30 7:30 /8:30 am The Torah teaches: "If The Rambam elaborates on this principle in Hilchos Mon., Thur. 6:35/7:45 am a person will have on Tumas Tzoraas Chapter 9 the skin of his flesh a Tues., Wed. Fri 6:45/7:45 am s'eis or a sapachas, or Halacha 2: "Even though anyone is fit to inspect Mincha 7:05 pm a baheres, and it will blemishes, purity and become a Tzoraas Latest Times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei
MAFTIR Artscroll, 348 Hertz, 253

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Lisa & Alan Adler in memory of his parents Bella & Murray Adler, z"l.

Mar 29 Apr 5

9:52/10:55 am 9:46/10:50 am

Next Shabbat Metzora Candle Lighting Mincha 7:04 pm 7:00 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by GNS with a Herring Table sponsored by Lisa & Michael Aryeh and Roya & Ben Shavolian in honor of the birth of Mark Gerstens grandson And Bianca & Edwin Sharizians daughter

Bima Flowers are sponsored by the Flax Family in honor of Mary Flax's 100th Birthday.

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

Shaabbat Announcements Parshat Tazria/Shabbat Hachodesh 5774

he decides whether the person is definitely impure, pure, or suspended further..."

Based on this Rambam, the Minchas Chinuch speculates whether or not the proclamation (based on direction of a scholar) of a blind Kohen regarding a nega would be effective. The Minchas Chinuch discusses the possibility. However, it is implicit in the Meiri and also from Rashi and Tosfos in Sanhedrin 34 as well, that a blind Kohen CANNOT rule on the status of Tzoraas, even if so directed by a Talmid Chochom. This is learned out from the expression [Vayikra 13:12] "l'chol mar'eh einei

This teaching is an insight into Lashon Harah in general. Many times, Lashon Harah is a crime of saying something that one has not seen. Typically, with this kind of gossip, a person sees something and then jumps to a conclusion and speaks, not about what he has seen but what he surmises based on what he has seen. Lashon Harah is a crime of letting one's mouth (Peh) jump ahead of what his eye (Ayin) has seen. Halevai, we should be able to eliminate all of our gossip. But if we at least accepted upon ourselves to cut back on speaking those things which we have never seen, that would be great progress in our efforts towards Shmiras haLashon [Guarding one's tongue]. Homiletically, the Tolner Rebbe uses this idea to explain why a Kohen Shoteh can rule on the status of Negaim, but a blind Kohen cannot. We want to send a message that "You have to see it!" If you do not see it, you cannot say "tameh". A Kohen Shoteh does not have much intelligence, but at least he saw it. That gives him the license to talk about it. A blind Kohen, who does not see the Negah (like most people who speak lashon harah without having seen what they are speaking about), has no license to speak.

haKohen" (wherever the eyes of the Kohen can see). Rashi on this pasuk quotes the Toras Kohanim, Negaim, perek 4:4: "To the exclusion of a Kohen whose power of vision is impaired." Under normal circumstances, it would be obvious to us that a blind Kohen cannot rule on such matters of visual determination. However, in light of the earlier cited Rambam that even a minor or mentally deficient Kohen can rule based on the guidance of a scholar, the exclusion of a blind Kohen is somewhat of a novelty. What in fact is the difference between a katan and shoteh on the one hand and a blind Kohen on the other? Why must the Kohen see the blemish with his own eyes? I saw an interesting answer to this question from the Tolner Rebbe. In the Talmud [Sanhedrin 104b], Rava asks in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: Why does the letter "Peh" precede the letter "Ayin" in the third and fifth chapters of Eichah (in which the pasukim are otherwise arranged in perfect alphabetical sequence)? Rava answers that this sequence commemorates the Spies who spoke with their mouths (Peh) that which they did not see with their eyes (Ayin). In other words, they spoke subjectively without basis in what they had actually witnessed.

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

PREPARINGFORPASSOVER PesachHagadah&HalachaClass TuesdaynightApril1st,8:00pmwith RabbiLichter. PesachKasherinonThursdaynight April3rd,from7:3010pm Allitemsmustbecleanandnotbeen usedfor24hours.Silverwareand pots,(onlywithmetalpiecesandno partsgluedtogetheroroverlaidwith plastic)andothermetalutensilsmay bebroughttobekasheredfor Passoveruse.

ShabbatMarch28th29th ShabbatYoatzotHalachaAcrossAmerica GNSYoetzetHalachaDENABLOCK willjoinGNSforShabbat Programincludes: Drashaafterservicesinthemainsanctuary onshabbatmorning "Whatjusthappened?TheTorahTeachesMindfulness" "Conversation"forwomen 4:30PM "SevenPrinciplesForMakingMarriage WorkJewishStyle" atthehomeof MindyLeventhal 18BrookLane
YoetzetHalachaDenaBlockisalwaysavailableforconfidentialcon sultationsandtoansweryourquestionsabouttaharathamish pacha,mikve,andrelatedhealthandhalachatopics.Youcanreach heratGNSYoetzet@gmail.comor(516)3209818.

TWO WAYS TO GET A MITZVAH THIS PASSOVER GNS -Passover Food Chesed Collection 2014 : Got Matzah?? Please drop off Passover canned & boxed food items to donate to Needy Families!! Please donate Passover Packaged Food by dropping it off at the Lunzer Home, 91 Bayview Ave Drop off Sun.- Fri.: till April 10 and at the Atlas home, 9 Brook Lane Sun-Fri: till April 10 You can also drop matzah off at the shul. Please ring bell so it can be brought into the house. Please leave all food in shopping or garbage bags at the garage door . Please Do Not bring items in Glass containers. Thank you for being a part of this special Mitzvah! Chometz Chesed Collection 2014 : Dont throw out your Chometz! Please donate your Chometz now!!! Please drop off your Chometz in the box in the garage at Rabbi/Rebbetzin Lichters home at 76 Bershire Road. Their garage is located on Margo Street. You can drop off every day all day- in their garage through April 10

ANNOUNCEMENTS
ONGOING CLASSES Rabbi Polakoffs Thursday morning Ladies Shiur and the Power Chumash Shiur will continue to take place. Rabbi Lichter will be teaching the classes. 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. SISTERHOOD EVENT Pesach is around the corner! Jump start your health and reboot your metabolism and start feeling fabulous! Health coach, Pam Bilfeld is running a group this Tuesday, March 25th 8:00-9:00 pm for Dr. Mark Hyman's #1 bestselling book on Amazon: The 10-Day Detox Diet. This detox is all about fabulous and delicious food. Tons of recipes! Three reasons to detox: You have FLC Syndrome? You can't lose weight and keep it off. You can't control your sugar and carb cravings. Class is limited to 10 people. Sign up early at Pbilfeld@aol.com. This class will fill up quickly. Cost: $75 (20% will go to GNS sisterhood). P.S. you need the book to start. Available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or for your convenience, Pam can pick up the book for you. The class will take place at Pams home 1 Magnolia Drive, in Great Neck.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY

Mazal Tov to Renee & Dr. Stuart Schwartz on the birth of a grandson Yehaskel Alon, born to their children Dara & Yuval Attia. Mazal Tov to Donna & Leon Schwechter on the forthcoming marriage of their son Cary to Shuli Rosen. Mazal Tov to Zara & Eli Moradi on the birth of their granddaughter born to their children Bianca & Edwin Shirazian. Mazal Tov to Rabbi Daniel Schwechter who will also be receiving semicha from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. 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 & Aaron being held in West Hempstead. Mazal Tov to Stephanie Knepper who will receive the Young Leadership Award at the Jewish Children's Museum 9th Annual Gala Dinner.
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 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 &d 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. DRIVERS NEEDED FOR TOMCHEI SHABBOS For many years members of GNS have been responsible for Route 24 of Tomchei Shabbos Queens-one of the most popular Tomchei Shabbos routes. Participation entails delivering prepared boxes of food to four apartments in Forest Hills. The packages are picked up from the Tomchei warehouse in Kew Gardens at any time after 5 PM Wednesday evenings. The entire process takes LESS than two hours to complete and be back in GN. Wed like another 3-4 individuals to join us in supporting this very important Chesed Project. Groups or families are welcome to participate. For more info, please contact Mitchell Siegel drsiegel32@aol.com

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 Mar., 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 GN 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." 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., Apr., 27. 8:00am - 1:00pm: Please mark your calendars for the next semi-annual BLOOD DRIVE. There is a demand for blood on LI and you can make a difference by donating on Sun., Apr., 27. GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE PRESENTS SUNDAY MORNING SUNRISE Sunday, Apr., 6 all middle school boys grades 6-8. Shacharit: 8:30ambreakfast/Class 9:10-10:00 am. Rabbi Daniel Schwechter. Dates: 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8. FROM THE GN EIRUV ASSOCIATION We want to thank those of who have participated so far in our yearly fundraising effort on behalf of our community Eiruv. If you have not yet joined with those who have already contributed we ask for your help at this time. Please send in your contributions (Suggested amount $180) as soon as possible. Your fully tax deductible contributions can be made either on line at www.greatneckeiruv.org/donate or by sending your check to: GN Eiruv Association, 15 Cuttermill Road, Box 182, Great Neck, NY 11021. Thank you in advance for your support in our Community's Eiruv! SAVE THE DATE The annual North Shore Mikvah Association fundraising shiur for women will take place at the home of Marla and Micah Lemonik - 9 Myrtle Drive - On Tuesday May 13th at 7:30. The shiur will be given by Rebbetzin Abby Lerner and is entitled, They Said What? The Surprising Rabbinic Attitudes Towards Intimacy. Light refreshments will be served and orchids from "Blooming Flowers" will be for sale with proceeds to benefit the mikvah. Suggested Donation - $36.00, Sponsorships - $100, Gold Sponsor - $180.00 For more information - please email NSMikvah@gmail.com

Bracha & Cantor Kron would like to thank Rabbi Polakoff, Rabbi Lichter, all the members of Great Neck Synagogue, Rabbi Cobrin and North Shore Hebrew Academy on the outpouring support and sympathy during their difficult time on the loss of his father Menachem Kron.
Saturday, 27 Adar II Leslie Kahn for Sam Krawchuk Aaron Seligson for Hyman Seligson Lawrence Sneag for Esther Sneag Sunday, 28 Adar II Joan Katz for Frank Sadinoff Monday, 29 Adar II Hilda Schulman for Eleazer Schulman Tuesday, 1 Nissan Carol Adamsky for Gloria Adamsky Berger Edwin Frederick for Charles Frederick Henry Katz for Erna Katz Myles Mittleman for Annie Tischler Edwin J. Rosman for Flora Rosman Elaine Wolf for Arnold Wolf Wednesday, 2 Nissan Jacqueline Hott for Louis Hott Al Leiderman for Anna Leiderman Payman Rabiei for Junjan bat Mashala Thursday, 3 Nissan Sharon Goldwyn for Frances Kessler Pauline Loewenstein for Harry Loewenstein Kenneth S. Magida for Rachel Bilsky Mali Meisel for Pauline Rosenthal Charlene Milun for Israel Israelite Carl Mosesson for Norman Mosesson Friday, 4 Nissan Frank Buchsbaum for Nicholas Buchsbaum Joseph Farajian for Mrs. Farajian Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Sarah Gabbaizadeh Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Yehuda Gabbaizadeh

Y A H R Z E I T