Parshat Tzav-Shabbat HaGadol

TORAH Artscroll, 568 Hertz, 429 HAFTORAH Artscroll, 1220 Hertz, 1005

March 31, 2012 8 Nissan, 5772

Rabbi Frand on Parshat Tzav/Shabbat HaGadol

Parshas Tzav introduces the laws of the Korban Todah [Thanksgiving offering] [Vayikra 7:12]. Rashi explains that a Todah offering is brought by "someone who experienced a personal miracle". Rashi gives as examples of such one who traveled on the High Seas or one who traveled through the desert and safely reached his destination, one who was thrown in jail and then released, and one who was sick and recovered. Rav Yosef Chaim Parshas Vayikra the law of the Olah offering." This entire parsha is addressed to the Kohanim. They have to know how to execute the laws of sacrifices how do you bring a Korban, where do you bring a Korban, when do you bring a korban, etc. In a sense, Parshas Tzav serves as a manual for Kohanim. Israelites do not need to be as familiar with the contents of the parsha because they do not offer the actual sacrifices. This strengthens the question. Not only is it problematic why the laws of the Thanksgiving offering do NOT appear in Parshas Vayikra, it is also problematic why DO they appear in
MINCHA 6:36 pm SHABBAT HAGADOL DRASHA 7:00 pm GUESS WHOS COMING TO DINNER: HAVING A NONE JEW AT THE SEDER MAARIV 8:00 PM SHABBAT ENDS 8:10 PM

Parshas Tzav? Rav Sonnenfeld further asks about Rashi's use of the word "miracle" (nes) to describe the four events that trigger the requirement to bring a Korban Todah. True, each of these situations might involve risk or danger to some extent, but can they truly be categorized as "miracles"? What does this mean? The truth of the matter is that while these situations may not be in the same category as the splitting the Red Sea or other "Open miracles" (nes galui), they certainly reflect Divine Providence, the Hand of G-d watching over us and do at least fall into the category of "hidden miracles" (nes nistar). Today, because of advances in medicine, we take for granted that a person can have heart bypass surgery and be back on the job a short time later. For several hours, this person was not breathing on his own, yet

BAR MITZVAH ARIEL BEN-SOREK

Times

Candle Lighting Friday Mincha Hashkama Parsha Shiur Main Minyan Beit Midrash Teen Minyan Mincha Shabbat HaGadol Drasha Maariv Shabbat Ends Sunday April 1 Mon., Thurs. Tues., Wed., Friday (Pesach Eve) Mincha

7:01 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am

6:35 pm interesting observation. 7:00 pm enumerates all the 8:00 pm 8:10 pm 7:30/8:30 am 6:35/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 am
sacrifices that an individual might ever bring with one exception. For some strange reason, the law of Korban Todah does not appear in Parshas Vayikra, but rather first appears in Parshas Tzav.

9:30 am Sonnenfeld makes an

6:30/7:45 am Parshas Tzav begins with the words: "Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is

7:00 pm

Latest Times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei March 31 April 7

9:50/10:53 am 9:43/10:48 am

Next Shabbat Shemini Candle Lighting Mincha 7:07 pm 7:10 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Karen & Ethan Ben-Sorek in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son Ariel

Bima Flowers Are Donated by Rabbi Esor & Rahel Ben-Sorek In Honor of The Bar-Mitzvah of Their Grandson Ariel Matityahu Ben-Sorek

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

Shaabbat Announcements Parshat Tzav-Shabbat HaGadol 5772

we take his recovery for granted! Despite our growing accustomed to the "miraculous", it nevertheless remains miraculous. The obligation to offer thanksgiving to the Almighty is even to offer it upon experiencing a so-called "natural miracle". The Talmud tells us [Brachos 7b] that when Leah had her fourth child and called him Yehuda saying, "This time I will thank the Almighty" (hapa'am ODEH es Hashem) [Bereshis 29:35], it was the first time in the history of the world that someone expressed gratitude to the Almighty. This statement puzzles many commentaries do we not find other places where people expressed gratitude prior to Leah? Was Noach's offering of sacrifices to G-d upon exiting the Ark not a form of thanksgiving to Him? The answer is that until Leah, the people who brought sacrifices or expressed thanks to the Almighty were expressing thanks for OPEN miracles. Leah was the first to express thanks to Him for even a HIDDEN miracle. When Noach and his family were the only people saved while the whole planet was destroyed, the obvious miracle demanded thanksgiving to the Almighty. However, when one has a baby, it is all too easy to take the attitude "I did it myself". What is more natural than having a baby? Leah said, "No. It is a big deal!" The fact that a woman becomes pregnant and has a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery is a very big deal. It requires an expression of thanksgiving to the One who made it all possible. A young man who had been married one year had a baby girl. The man asked Rav Eliezer Schach, his Rosh Yeshiva, whether he should make a Kiddush to celebrate the occasion. Rav Schach said, "Suppose you were married for 8 years and your wife was unable to conceive all that time, and then she became pregnant and you had a baby girl. Would you make a Kiddush then? Of course you would. Now that Hashem saved you from 7 years of anguish and frustration, should you not certainly make a Kiddush expressing your gratitude?" It is not just a miracle when a woman has a child after
Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

many years of childlessness. It is a miracle even when she has a baby after just one year of marriage. This is what Leah taught us. A natural miracle is a miracle nevertheless. This is the idea expressed by Rashi when he calls the four types of people who bring a Todah offering, people who have experienced miracles. It is the Nes of seeing the Hand of G-d in every act of nature. This, Rav Sonnenfeld says, explains why the Korban Todah is located in Parshas Tzav and not in Parshas Vayikra. If there is a group of people who need a special exhortation regarding "natural miracles" it is the Kohanim. The Mishna in Avos [5:5] says that there were miracles every single day in the Beis HaMikdash. Flies never came to the slaughtered animals. The wind never deflected the smoke arising from the Altar. They lived with miracles. When someone lives with miracles on a daily basis, then the occurrence of a nes is just another day at the office. People get used to the miracles. That is life. We can become so accustomed to miracles that we no longer appreciate them. There is a Yiddish expression that conveys the concept that "In a place where there is a printing press, people step on shaimos [Torah texts, etc.]". Outside the printing press, when someone sees shaimos on the floor, he rushes to pick it up and kiss it. However, if the printer would stop to pick up shaimos from the floor every time he saw it, he would not get anything done. The same thing is true with "common place miracles" having a baby, recovering from an illness, passing through the desert, and so on. We can become jaded and forget that we are experiencing "miracles". This is why the laws of Korban Todah are located in Parshas Tzav. We all need to be reminded of the truth that G-d's Providence must be recognized as Divine intervention i.e. a miracle - even when it occurs frequently. However, the Kohanim who witness miracles on a daily basis, have a special need for this reminder. Therefore, Korban Todah is located in Parshas Tzav, which is directed specifically to the Kohanim.

PASSOVER CLASSES

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,zl, Rabbi Emeritus Daniel Schwechter, Rabbinic Intern Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, zl, Cantor Emeritus Rabbi Sholom Jensen, Youth Director Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Joseph Hecht, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Pre-Passover Night of Learning - Tuesday evening, March 27th Rabbi Dale Polakoff - Contemporary Halachot 7:45 8:20 pm Rabbi Ian Lichter Insights on the Hagadah 8:30 9:00 pm


BURN BABY BURN Due to liability concerns and on the advice of the Fire Department, we will no longer be hosting a communal chometz burning on erev Pesach. The safest way to burn your chometz is by using your barbeque grill. There will also be no garbage disposal at the synagogue that morning and all members are encouraged to dispose of their garbage in the normal way and place the garbage cans by the street before Pesach begins, disclaiming any ownership of that garbage. The parking lot will be closed following services on erev Pesach morning.

OnShabbatmorning, March31 weareprivilegedtohave CongressmanPeterKing(RNY) givingaShabbatmorningaddress followingdavening intheMainSanctuary.

ORDERNOWLIMITEDSUPPLYLEFT GREATNECKSYNAGOGUE isagainpleasedtoserveitsmembershipwiththesale ofHandBakedSHMURAHMATZAH. PickupforMatzahwillbeon Wednesday,APRIL4,2012 Between6:30pm&8:30pm Allordersmustbeprepaid. Pleasemakecheckspayableto GREATNECKSYNAGOGUE. Allordersmustbereceivedbefore March30,2012 OrderForm Name__________________________________ Address_________________________________ Telephone(Home)________Bus.)________ _____lb.ShmurahMatzah@$22.00perlb.________ TotalCost______ Checkmustbeincludedwithorder.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
SISTERHOOD PASSOVER WINE SALE Sisterhood is offering Passover wine through Lakeville Wine & Spirits which is the largest Shomer Shabbos liquor store on Long Island Conveniently located on the corner of Lakeville Road and Union Turnpike, in the Lakeville Shopping Center. The store has hundreds of kosher wines in stock and specializes in wines from Israel. All orders will be delivered and can be faxed to 516.352.1103 or emailed to info@kosherwineco.com. Please mention Sisterhood of GNS. Danue Passionfruit and Pomegranate wines are also available. SISTERHOOD SCHLISSEL CHALLAH BAKING Sisterhood presents a hands-on challah baking demonstration given by Sharona Abraham to learn the significance of the Schlissel Challah - an opportunity that comes just once a year! Join us on Tuesday, April 17th at 8:00pm in the Braun Youth Center. Class is limited to 36 women and costs $18. To make a reservation, please contact Farla Frumkin at mailto: farlafrumkin@gmail.com farlafrumkin@gmail.com or 829-7938. Everyone goes home with a schlissel challah - please remember to bring a spare house key. Two batches available for sponsorship at $72 each. Sponsors choose name and perform bracha for hafrashat challah. GNS- PASSOVER FOOD CHESED COLLECTION 2012 Got Matza? Please drop off Passover packaged food items to donate to Needy Families at the Lunzer home at 91 Bayview Ave. Drop off any time from 2-8pm before Thursday, March 29th. Please ring bell so it can be brought into the house or leave all packages on the side porch which will be open. Please leave all food in shopping or garbage bags, please do not bring items in glass containers. Please do not leave any packages at the front door. CHOMETZ CHESED COLLECTION 2012 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 everydayall day in their garage through April 4th. Thank you for your help.

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to Karen & Ethan Ben-Sorek on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Ariel. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Rachel & Rabbi Esor Ben-Sorek and Eli Perez. Mazal Tov to Cheryl Sneag on the engagement of her daughter Abigail to Peter Starr, son of Donna & Marty Starr of Plainview.
AFMDA PARLOR MEETING Please hold Wednesday, May 2nd for a dessert reception commemorating the second Yahrzeit of our beloved Dr. Lewis Gordonson, ZL at the home of Mrs. Rita Gordonson. Special briefing by Ori Shacham, Deputy Director, Magen David Adom, Israels sole Knesset-mandated medical response service. THANK YOU Gladys and Tricia Moslin would like to thank all of those who donated to the Spring Chesed collection. CLEAN YOUR CAR FOR PESACH NSHAHS senior class is doing a Pre-Pesach CHAMETZ car wash at the HS to service the community. The cost for sedans is $15 and SUVs/ Minivans is $20. Its going to take place NSHAHS on Sunday, April 1st from 10am -4pm. PR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help us publicize upcoming events by distributing flyers across town. A perfect opportunity for school chesed hours. Contact Rabbi Bronstein abronstein@gns.org OF INTEREST The Holocaust themed movie In Darkness is playing at North Shore Towers Cinema.

PASSOVER PASS IT FORWARD This year, for the first time ever, the Hunger Initiative's Pass it Forward Program is doing a Pesach initiative. They are providing complete Seder meals and other Passover essentials for 50 needy families. They urgently need drivers to help on Wednesday, April 4th. The deliveries will be from Mazurs commencing at 4:00p.m., but there are delivery slots for later if need be. Men, high school and college students are urged to help out. Please contact Cindy Hodkin at koshercookinggn@gmail.com or call at 482-7771.

WANTED Wanted a driver to help once a month to deliver food to the hungry. Contact Barry Libin. FLORENCE SHAFFER MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP The deadline for submitting the applications for the Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship has been extended to March 30th. This strictly need-based financial scholarship is open to all high school senior women who are GNS members. Applications are available from the synagogue office. JEWISH FILM SERIES In cooperation with GN Arts Center Monday, April 16, 7:30pm Clearview Squire Theater, 115 Middle Neck Rd. Noted filmmaker Joan Mickling Silver will present and discuss her classic film Hester St., which pioneered a wave of films about the American Jewish experience, and screen selections from her latest film, currently in progress. For reservations and more info, call GN Arts Center: 516.829.2570 or online www.greatneckarts.org LUNCH AND LEARN Lunch and Learn given by Dr. Laura Danoff on the occasion of the yahrzeit of her father, Dr. Ernest Herman z.l. on April 18th, 12:00 SHARP 4 Vista Drive in Great Neck Estates - "How the Parsha of the Week Affects Your Everyday Life" will be the learning topic. Rsvp to openwyd613@aol.com. This is a women only event.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 8 Nissan Joan Braun for Rose Swartz Ronald Braun for Renee Braun Mark J. Bunim for Gladys Bunim Malka Gad for Tvuz Hakimi Benjamin Greszes for Moises Greszes Lyda Hakimi for Esmail Hakimian Nechama Liss-Levinson for Morris Liss Sunday, 9 Nissan Elie Cohen for Michael Cohen Jack Cohen for Bessie Poretsky Samuel Levitt for Sadie Lederman Monday, 10 Nissan Sheila Bachman for Mildred Lewit Iraj Kashani for Yousef Kashani Tuesday, 11 Nissan Paul Brody for Harvey Brody Laura Danoff for Ernest Herman Lev Dynkin for Meishe Ber Shifman Semyon Dynkin for Meishe Ber Shifman Sharon Goldwyn for Belle Goldwyn Phyllis Jadidian for Diana Shapiro Steven Zuckerman for Evelyn Zuckerman Wednesday, 12 Nissan Miriam Glaubach for Rachel Herlinger Mitchell J. Siegel for Edith Turner Thursday, 13 Nissan Nadine Eckstein for Tillie Engel Friday, 14 Nissan Annette Forman for Marlene Olk Robert Herman for Frank Herman