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,arp
‫כי תשא‬
Candle Lighting 5:21 pm
Havdalah 6:25 pm swwxc
VOLUME #35, ISSUE 20 — - 14 ADAR 1— FEBRUARY 18, 2011
Dates To Remember
4G NEWS
Monday, February 21st —
President’s Day—No School This Monday, 4G had a siyum because we finished Parshat
Tuesday, February 22nd— Vayeishev in Chumash and now we started Parshat Miketz.
Parent Teacher Conferences
(Middle School Girls’ Only) As an activity, we all designed our own puppets and got to
Thursday, March 17—Taanit act out different stories from the Parsha in small groups.
Esther—1:30 & 2:00 The puppets were so cute and original. It was so much fun
Dismissal
to make. Thank you Morah Pollak.
Sunday, March 20—World’s
Noisiest Megilah & Break-
fast—9:00 a.m.
Monday, March 21—
Shushan Purim & purim
Carnival—2:00 & 2:15
Dismissal

Purim shuttle volunteers

needed to pack & to
drive. Please contact the
office to sign up.

Purim Shuttle
Ordering deadline
has been extended
to Tuesday,
February 22nd.
Please go to
happypurim.com to
place your order.
Look for details
inside this edition
of the Echo.

Please advise the

office of any
s’machot. We
apologize for any
omissions.

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Parshat Ki Sisa
By: Rabbi Moshe Tropper

In this week’s parsha, Ki Sisa, one of the most well known events in Jewish history, the golden
calf, takes place. Binei Yisroel, the Jewish people, having achieved the loftiest of levels while receiving
the Torah, succumb to the most fundamental sins, idolatry. Though there are many explanations given to
how these two opposing events could have occurred in such a short period, there is a very basic lesson
to be learnt from the behavior of Aharon Hakohen. As is clear from the pesukim, Binei Yisroel were
beside themselves when they approached Aharon to appoint a new leader. They had mistakenly
counted 39 days from the time Moshe had ascended Mount Sinai, thinking it was already 40 days, and
were convinced that Moshe Rabbeinu was not going to return. In their panic they gathered around
Aharon demanding new leadership. They were fearful of what may become of their new found freedom if
they remained leaderless in the desert.
Aharon was faced with a difficult choice. On the one hand, he knew they were incorrect and
Moshe would return shortly. However, in their emotional state he was aware they could not be reasoned
with. If he chose to appoint a new leader such as Caleb or Yehoshua this would result in bloodshed
upon Moshe’s arrival. There definitely would be a difference of opinion whether to reinstate the former
leader, Moshe, or keep the current. Doing nothing could also result in bloodshed as Binei Yisroel were in
no condition to approach the situation rationally. The final choice that remained for Aharon was to
temporarily take the position himself and upon his brother’s return step down. This would seem the
most logical, after all, Aharon was clearly respected and trusted by Binei Yisroel as was evident by the
way they came to him in this distressing time. This would also prevent any bloodshed as Aharon
would clearly be realized as a temporary replacement and return to his position as Kohen Gadol upon
Moshe’s return.
Aharon did not choose this solution either. Even in this tension filled situation with Binei Yisroel’s
future hanging in the balance he remained focused on his responsibility to behave with the most refined
middos. Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz explains that he was concerned that perhaps, if even for a moment, he
would cause the slightest pain to his brother Moshe. He was concerned that Moshe may feel displaced
by his older brother and somewhere deep down have a minute feeling of pain. Therefore, he attempted
to distract Binei Yisroel and buy time by having them convince their wives to donate their gold for the
eigel.
Let us consider this decision for a moment. The Torah testifies that Moshe Rabbeinu was anav
mikol adam, the most humble human being to have ever lived. Surely once the situation was clear to him
he would have agreed with Aharon’s decision to temporarily replace him. Undoubtedly he would give his
brother the benefit of the doubt upon his return that he had taken the leadership upon himself only be-
cause it was necessary. Any pain that he may have felt would be so slight and inconsequential that it
would be gone in a moment. Nevertheless, Aharon refused to be the cause of any pain to another Jew
even at the risk of the sin of idolatry. He understood that he was responsible for what was in his control
and the results of his decisions.
How much more so do we need to be cautious in our own daily interactions with others. We must
consider and reconsider each of our decisions and how they will impact others, and carefully choose our
words and actions even when we believe our behavior is justified.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moshe Tropper

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NOW AVAILABLE!!

An Entertainment Book for Israel! This

book offers coupons and discounts for many
Israeli stores and services. Save at Cafe Rimon
(Dairy), Feldheim Books, The Olive Wood Factory,
Artzeinu Tours, Scholcoland, Talk n Save, Coffee
Bean and Tea Leaf, and many more. This is a
fundraising project of the Valley Eruv Society.
Call Corinne at 818-489-2830 or contact by email,
corky3881@aol.com. Each book is $20. Great as a
birthday present or Bon Voyage gift !

Middle School Girls’ Parent Teacher

Conference Date Change

The Middle School Girls’ Parent/

Teacher conference date has been
changed to Tuesday, February
22nd in the evening.

Rent-a-Mensch - Handyman
Call Rick Green

818-335-2505
Odd jobs at a reasonable, hourly rate.
Home Repairs, Dog Walking, House Sitting, Landscaping, Painting.

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1
15/1
of 2/
e as
ti on fe
g istra
te re
l $150 la
on a
iti
Add

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2010-2011 Yearbooks
for Sale-$50 each

Don’t let your child’s memories slip

away...buy a yearbook book TODAY!
** Full color page yearbook **
Great Memory Keeper
**More Undergraduate photos to be featured
For questions or concerns email: nparker@emek.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Child’s Name (s)
______________________________________________

Teacher (s)____________________________________

Grade (s)___________

Number of yearbooks purchased ______

Total paid __________

*Make checks payable to Emek, for: YEARBOOK

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Time is running out…

BOX TOPS Deadline: March 1st!

Please send in all Box Tops ASAP. Last year, we raised more
than $300! The money goes directly to the library to help re-
plenish books, art supplies and everything in between!
Thank you to all our parents, students, friends and neighbors
who have been clipping on a regular basis! It really makes a
difference!
1B Class News
The 1st grade boys recently completed learning
about the artist
Vincent Van Gogh and his techniques. Each boy
created their
own rendition of his famous painting 'Starry
Night'.

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SUPPORT THE 8TH GRADE

The 8th Grade students are selling kippot
with attached internal clips. They are perfect
for active boys playing spots and in P.E. You
may purchase them at the front desk. The
cost is only $15.00.

U.S. Marine Private Steele visits his alma mater

Joshua Steele, a 2005 Emek graduate. Just completed boot
camp training and is en route to Camp Pendleton. Following
his stay there, he will head to Virginia to guard the President,
and then possibly be sent to Iraq. Private Steele reminisced
with his former teachers and with Rabbi Wachsman, and
visited many of our classes this week to share his story. Mrs.
Packer facilitated this visit. Interestingly, the Gerson sisters
have twin brothers currently serving in the U.S. Marines as
well. We are so proud!

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Costco and Target gift cards are now available for purchase. Please inquire at
the front desk. For special orders, please call the school office.

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