Parshat Vaera Shabbat-Rosh Chodesh

The Wicked Deal In The Momentary Maftir Pleasure of Artscroll 890 Temporary Relief Hertz 694 Moshe threatens HAFTORAH Pharaoh that if he Artscroll 1208 refuses to send the Hertz 944 Jewish people out from Egypt, Hashem BAR MITZVAH IRA STEINBERG will smite the country with a pestilence Times ("dever") that will wipe out the entire Candle Lighting 4:30 pm livestock population. However, Moshe Friday Mincha 4:30 pm warned Pharaoh, "GHashkama 8:00 am d will distinguish between the cattle of Parsha Shiur 8:30 am Israel and the cattle Youth Minyan 8:30 am of Egypt such that no animal would die Main Minyan 9:00 am from the Jewish Beit Midrash 9:15 am livestock population." Gemorah shiur 3:45 pm This is exactly what happened. [Shmos Mincha 4:25 pm 9:6-7] Pharaoh sent Shabbat Ends 5:39 pm a personal delegation 7:30/8:30 am to investigate. They Sunday, Jan. 13 witnessed that not a Mon. Thur. 6:35/7:45 am single Jewish animal Tues., Wed., Fri. 6:45/7:45 am died during this plague. Would this not be sufficient to Mincha 4:40 pm soften up a normal person? Would it not Late Maariv 8:15 pm be reasonable, after (Mon.-Thurs.) witnessing this
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January 12 2013 1 Shevat, 5773

Rabbi Frand on Parshas Vaera

miraculous phenomenon, for Pharaoh to give up and give in? Lo and behold, the Master of the Universe called this one ahead of time "exactly right!" Yet what is Pharaoh's reaction? "And Pharaoh strengthened his heart and he did not send out the people." [Shmos 9:7] This is an illogical reaction. It does not make any sense! What does this mean? Rav Simcha Zissel Bordie explains: If all the cattle would have died, Pharaoh would have been nervous. Now, however, that the Jewish cattle did not die, Pharaoh said to himself: "So what if the Egyptian cattle died, I can always use the Jews' cattle. I have wiggle room. I am not up against the wall. Since I have somewhat of an out (I can get horses and cattle from the Jews) why sweat it?" Ironically, we see the same thing in an earlier pasuk [verse] regarding the plague of the frogs. The frogs died and Egypt was left with a billion dead frogs stinking up the country side. The pasuk states "And Pharaoh saw that there was relief (harvacha) and he strengthened his heart." [Shmos 8:11] What kind of relief was there? The simple interpretation is that Pharaoh saw that the plague was over. The Kli Yakar points out that we do not find the expression "and Pharaoh saw that there was relief (harvacha)" by any of the other plagues. The Kli Yakar explains that the interpretation is not that Pharaoh saw that there was relief. The Kli Yakar says that by every one of the other plagues, the plague ended and the problem was solved. The one plague that "continued" after the plague ended was Tzefardeah, because even after it "ended," the country was dealing with

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Next Shabbat Bo Candle Lighting Mincha 4:38 pm 4:40 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Orly and Alan Steinberg in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son Ira.

Bima Flowers are sponsored by Chava Shalmon In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson Ira Steinberg

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Pearl Ginsburg in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson Ira Steinberg.

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Shabbat Announcements Parshat Vaera Shabbat Rosh Chodesh 5773

mountains and mountains and piles and piles of smelly dead frogs. Here too, Pharaoh said "we have 'harvacha'" -- meaning Egypt is a 'wide' country. We have plenty of land people can escape to get away from the smell of the dead frogs. What kind of person acts like that? After the Dever, he says "No problem, I can always get Jewish horses". After the Tzefardeah, he says "No problem, I can always escape to the parts of the country where there are no frogs." Rav Simcha Zissel notes a pattern that we find with wicked people. They have a myopia of judging matters strictly by the here and now without viewing the larger implications of what has happened. If right now, the determination is made that I can get out of the immediate problem, then I am prepared to ignore the broader implication that ultimately this is leading to a disastrous conclusion. Such a person ignores the future and ignores the context of matters. The only question he focuses in on is: Can I get out of this particular problem at this particular moment. This, Rav Simcha Zissel says, was Pharaoh's outlook on life and it is a trait he shares with many wicked people. We see this outlook on life from the prototype of all wicked people -- the evil Eisav. Eisav came in from the field tired and hungry. He said to Yaakov, 'Pour into me now some of that very red stuff for I am exhausted.' Yaakov offered it to him in exchange for the birthright. Eisav said, 'Look, I am going to die, so of what use to me is a birthright? Yaakov responded "Swear to me as this day" (ka'yom) [Bereshis 25:29-33] What is the meaning of the phrase "ka'yom" in Yaakov's request that Eisav swear to him "as this day"?

The Soforno points out that Yaakov was telling him: "Eisav, you are the type of person who is only interested in 'today' -- the here and now." Someone who cannot distinguish between the pleasures derived from a bowl of soup (which he can only identify by its color, and by its ingredients) and who does not appreciate the long term value of the birthright, is a person who lives strictly "Ka'yom" for the here and now. This is the life philosophy of Eisav. It is the life philosophy of Pharaoh. As the Ramban states in Parshas Toldos, "Fools are only interested in eating and drinking and the fleeting temporal pleasures of the moment, without paying attention to what will occur on the next day." In contemporary terms we say, "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die." This type of philosophy is the philosophy of "today" (ka'yom). As Yaakov told his brother, "Sell to me ka'yom; Swear to me ka'yom".

EIRUV APPEAL
Throughalloftherecentweathereventswehaveseenhow importanttheEiruvistoallmembersofourcommunity. Wehaveoneofthelongesteiruvinontheeastcoast,and thereisatremendousamountofcheckingandmaintenance thatneedstobedoneonaregularbasis.Inaddition,severe weatheroftencreatesexpensiverepairs,complicatedbythe repairsbeingdonebytheutilitycompaniesservingour community.Januaryisthetimeeachyearthatweaskeach shulfamilytobecomeapartnerinsupportingtheeiruv throughasuggesteddonationof$180.Ifyouareabletobe moregenerousinlightoftheneedscreatedbySuperstorm Sandywecouldcertainlyusethathelp.Youcansendacheck madeouttoGNEiruvAssociationto:GNEiruvAssociation, 15CuttermillRoad,Suite182,GreatNeck,NY11023;youcan dropoffyourcheckinthesynagogueoffice;oryoucancon tributeonlinethroughacreditcardorpaypalbygoingto www.greatneckeiruv.org.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

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 & Michael Atlas, Youth Directors Mark Twersky, Executive Director Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Dr. Scott Danoff, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board


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WEIGHT LOSS FEARS ANXIETIES PHOBIAS PAIN MANAGEMENT EXERCISE WORK HABITS MOTIVATION CONFIDENCE PUBLIC SPEAKING AND MORE

Watch a live demonstration of a Hypnotherapy Session co-sponsored by GNS Sisterhood and the Mens Club.

WHEN: JANUARY 15TH 2013 WHERE: BRAUN YOUTH CENTER TIME: 8:00 P.M HYPNOTHERAPIST: ROBYN SPECTOR-BLUMNER LCSW

COMMUNITYSHABBATLUNCHEON&GUESTSPEAKER Saturday,February2~ SuperBowlShabbatwithALANVEINGRAD Memberofthe1992DallasCowboySuperBowlChampions "MySpiritualJourney:StepstoSelfDiscoveryinSize14Shoes" Forreservationsandsponsorships, pleasecontactthesynagogueoffice. **Allsponsorswillreceiveanautographedfootball!**

ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
HASHKAMA KIDDUSH Is sponsored by Robin & Jeroun Bours in memory of her mother Yona bat Yehuda Chaim, Teddy Lynn Siegel,zl. YOUTH SNACKS This week are sponsored by Karen & Robert Spitalnick in honor of the 3rd birthday of their granddaughter Sophia Shatzkes. PESACH SCOPE MAGAZINE DEADLINE Kindly submit all articles, photos, recipes, advertisements and sponsorships for the upcoming Pesach issue of SCOPE magazine by Monday, February 4th to Diane Rein at drein@verizon.net. SISTERHOOD ANNOUNCEMENTS SAVE THE DATE Next Sisterhood meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan 9th - again, during Pizza/Parsha. We'll be discussing upcoming events, and planning lots of fun things. SAVE THE DATE!! Next sisterhood meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan 9th at 7 PM* at the Shul - DURING PIZZA AND PARSHA! Please make every effort to attend.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY Mazal Tov to Orly & Alan Steinberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Ira. Mazal Tov to grandmothers Pearl Ginsburg & Chava Shalmon. Mazal Tov to Joan & Henry Katz on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Efrem P. Sadinoff, son of Rebecca & Daniel Sadinoff in Israel. Mazal Tov to Florence & Irvin Spira on the engagement of their daughter Shaina to Seth Lasko son of Helaine & Arthur Lasko of Monroe, NY.
Mazal Tov to Renee & Stuart Schwartz on the engagement of their daughter Dara Beth to Yuval Attia son of Jeannine & Yosef Attia.

Mazal Tov to Suzy & Joe Sokol on the upcoming Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Yasmine Lauren. Mazal Tov also to grandparents Martin & Shoshana Sokol. COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS

CAMP NSHAMA 2013 The finest in Modern Orthodox camping is in need of filling the following staff positions for this season: Office Manager, Transportation Manager, Assistant Aquatics Director (WSI certified), Technology Director, Pre-school "Morot" Senior Counselors (must be graduating high school this year or freshmen now in college or coming back from a year in israel). Our camp prides itself on its commitment to excellence in facilities, programming, communication and staffing. Camp is a division of the North Shore ROBYN BLUMNER will teach us about hypnotherapy on Tuesday night, Hebrew Academy and is located in two campuses its Cherry Lane (Kings Point) campus and Wildwood Country Club. Interested persons Jan 15th, at 8 PM at the Shul. should send a resume to Nshamadaycamp2013@gmail.com Fery Sedaghatpour and Cindy Hodkin will be hosting our 2nd annual *TU B'SHEVAT CELEBRATION* at Fery's house, 26 Birchwood Lane, on Wednesday Jan 23rd, at 10:30 AM, We will be discussing the 7 fruits that the land of Israel is praised for and their significance and learning with Rabbi Polakoff. This is a wonderful way for all of us to come together, as one community. We look forward to celebrating with you! Please contact the Shul office if you can attend. GNS MENS CLUB (CHANGE OF DATE) The meeting will take place on: Thursday, January 17th, 2013 at 8:00 pm at GNS. The purpose of the meeting is to organize upcoming events and to discuss suggestions for future events and programs. Hillel Milun (President)Al Leiderman (Vice President) Milt Mitzner (Vice President) Sam Levitt, Jack Lipsky, Michael Kohler, David Rein, Steve Blumner and Mark Friedman. All members are invited to attend. JANUARY CHESED COLLECTION We will be collecting NEW and "GENTLY" used BLANKETS, SHEETS, AND BATH TOWELS TO BE GIVEN TO ONEG SHABBOS OF BROOKLYN. Please drop off at the Great Neck Synagogue on Wed. night Jan 9th and Tues. night Jan 15th from 6pm until 8 pm in the lobby.You may also drop off your donations: Hindi Lunzers home, 91 Bayview Avenue January 17 or at Judy Lilliens home, 35 Margaret Court, January 17-30. If you need assistance and cannot bring it to us, please call Judy at 516 487 6845 (9am until 9pm) and we will pick it up from you. BOOKS & BAGELS Sunday, January 20, 10:00am Patricia Cohen "In Our Prime: The Invention of Middle Age" Midlife has swung between serving as an emblem of power and influence, and a metaphor for decline, yet the invention and history of this vital period of life has never before been fully told. Acclaimed New York Times reporter Patricia Cohen finally fills the gap with a book that provokes surprise, outrage and delight. She takes readers from turn-of-the-century factories that refused to hire middle-aged men to high-tech laboratories where researchers are unraveling the secrets of the middle-aged mind and body. She traces how midlife has been depicted in film, television, advertisements, and literature. Cohen exposes the myths of the midlife crisis and empty nest syndrome, and investigates anti-aging treatments from human growth hormones to plastic surgery. WOMENS BREAKFAST AND LECTURE All women are invited to attend breakfast and a lecture given by Rabbi Dale Polakoff on Political Intrigue in the Purim Story: The Plot to Kill Achasheverosh on Sunday morning, February 3rd at 9:30am at the home of David & Diane Rein, 1 Cove Lane, Kings Point. This lecture is dedicated in loving memory of Dianes mother, Helene M. Fink zl on the occasion of her 8th yahrzeit. Kindly rsvp to drein@verizon.net or 487-1296. NSHA PTA FUNDRAISER The NSHA PTA's annual fundraiser will be a family day on Sunday, Jan. 13th. We will be welcoming stunt basketball team, The Harlem Wizards. The event will take place at GN North Middle - doors open at 11:15am and game starts at 12pm. We will be selling food and souvenirs, and will be holding a great raffle with prizes such as jewelry, wii u an iPad mini. Half time basketball shoot out for kids - 1st prize is 4 NY Knicks Tickets! For more information and to buy tickets visit www.nsha.4good.com. Email questions to nshawizards2013@gmail.com CHAI LIFELINE GNS member Donny Steinberg, will be running in the ING Miami half Marathon on Jan., 27, 2013, to raise money for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline is an international organization that provides year-round emotional, social, and financial support to more than 3,000 children with cancer and their families every year. Donny will be raising money and dedicating his run in memory of his grandfather, Philip Steinberg, who died of cancer. Donations can be made online at Donny4TeamLifeline.tk or by sending a check made payable to Chai Lifeline and sent to Donny Steinberg, 2 Sands Court, GN, N.Y. 11023.
Saturday, 1 Shevat Jonathan Brisman for Joan Brisman Michael Brisman for Joan Brisman Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Shmuel Gabbaizadeh Myles Mittleman for Jack Mittleman Anne Sandler for Harry Usher Sunday, 2 Shevat Linda Horowitz for Arthur Kagan Ehsan Reyhanian for Aharon Reyhanian Chava Shalmon for Shmaya Grinszpan Monday, 3 Shevat Ronnie Davidowitz for Melvyn Goldman Annette Forman for Nathan Olk Tuesday 4 Shevat Mahin Aryeh & Family for Rafael Aryeh Philip Hanfling for Max Hanfling Holly Hoenig for Irene Berns Jeffrey Wiesenfeld for Markus Wiesenfeld Wednesday, 5 Shevat Pamela Bilfeld for Raymond Grant Miriam Glaubach for Max Herlinger Julia Jadidian for Moshi Shohet Sam Levitt for Eva Levitt Thursday, 6 Shevat Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Ayuma bat Moshiach Gabbai Barry Nysenbaum for Arthur Nysenbaum

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