Parshat Bamidbar May 28 2011 24 Iyar, 5771

Torah
Artscroll, 726 Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Bamidbar
Hertz, 568
How are we to understand the by their groups, from the age of book The Blank Slate, quotes a
Haftorah differential roles of men and twenty years up, all those in Israel (female) colleague as saying,
Artscroll, 1180 Hertz, women within Judaism? On who are able to bear arms.” The “Look, I know that males and
582 the one hand, Jewish identity census with which Bamidbar females are not identical. I see
Mevorchim Chodesh Sivan: is conferred by women, not begins was to count those able to it in my kids, I see it in myself,
Wednesday, June 1
2:12:10 pm
men. The child of a Jewish do military duty. Historically, men I know about the research. I
Rosh Chodesh Friday Jun 3 mother is Jewish; the child of fight; women protect. War is a can’t explain it, but when I read
a Jewish father and non- male pursuit. claims about sex differences,
Bar Mitzvah
Aaron Askowitz Jewish mother is not. Some steam comes out of my ears.”
non-orthodox scholars have But other forms of status also pass
Aufruf sought to date this from the through the male line. A king is Despite the passion, perhaps
Jeremy Shelton
days of Ezra and Nehemiah succeeded by his son. A Cohen is even because of it, it is worth
Times and their campaign against one whose father is a Cohen. A reviewing the Jewish tradition
intermarriage. In fact, though, Levi is one whose father is a Levi. and its twin-track approach. R.
Candle Lighting 7:58 pm it goes back to the very first Family heritages are governed by Barukh Halevi Epstein (Tosefet
Friday Mincha 7:00 pm Jewish child, Isaac. Abraham paternity. That is implicit in the Berakhah to Num. 1:2), makes
already had a child, Ishmael, phrase “by the clans of its the linguistic observation –
Hashkama 8:00 am
by Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar. ancestral houses, listing the names, based on midrashic and aggadic
Youth 8:30 am Yet G-d was insistent that every male, head by head”. One sources – that the two words
Parsha Shiur 8:30 am only Sarah’s son would great counter example occurs later ben, son, and bat, daughter, are
continue the covenant. on in the book of Bamidbar (ch. both shorter forms of other
Main Minyan 9:00 am Maternity, not paternity, was 27) in the story of the daughters of words. Ben comes from the
Beit Midrash 9:15 am the decisive factor. Zelophehad, whose claim to word boneh, a builder (“Call
inherit their father’s share in the them not your sons but your
Gemorah Shiur 6:50 pm
On the other hand, status is land of Israel (since he had no builders”). Bat is a compacted
Mincha 7:50 pm conferred by men. At the very sons) is vindicated by G-d himself. form of the word bayit, a home.
beginning of Bamidbar, there Yet in general in Judaism, identity Men build buildings; women
Shabbat Ends 9:06 pm
is a census: “Take a census of is maternal, inheritance paternal. build homes.
Sunday the whole Israelite
May 29 7:30/8:30 am community by the clans of its It is with trepidation that one takes Recent research has thrown
Monday 7:30/8:30 pm ancestral houses, listing the up the subject of gender scientific light on our
names, every male, head by differentiation. A stray remark on understanding of gender
Tues. Wed., Fri. 6:45/7:45 am
head.” The men are counted, the subject cost the head of differences. Steven Pinker
Thursday 6:35/7:45 am the women not. In this case Harvard University, Professor himself (The Blank Slate,
the reason is obvious, as the Larry Summers, his job. The pp.337-371) summarizes the
Mincha 8:00 pm
Sun/Thurs. next verse makes clear: “You person he was quoting, Harvard evidence. In all cultures, men
and Aaron shall record them psychologist Steven Pinker, in his are more aggressive and more
Latest times for
Shema/Shmoneh Esrei
Seudah Shlishit
May 28 9:10/10:24 am Kiddush and Bima Flowers is sponsored by
June 4 9:09/10:23 am are sponsored by Mimi and Chaim Hirsch
Rona & Reuben Askowitz in honor of
Next Shabbat the upcoming marriage
Nasso in honor of
of her daughter
Candle lighting 8:04 pm the Bar Mitzvah of their son Chaya Sara
Aaron to Jeremy Shelton
Mincha 7:00 pm
26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Parshat Bamidbar 5771
“Torah” is conjoined with an abstract noun. One occurs in
prone to physical violence than women. In all cultures, roles are
Malachi’s description of the ideal priest:
distributed on the basis of sex differences: women tend to have
greater responsibility for child rearing, while men tend to occupy
most leadership positions in the public and political realm. There
“The law of truth (torat emet) was in his mouth
are, of course, notable exceptions, but the pattern is sufficiently
and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked
universal to refute the idea that gender differences are
with me in peace and uprightness, and turned
“constructed” – products of culture and convention rather than
many from sin. (Malachi 2: 6)”
biology.
The other is the Book of Proverbs’ famous description of the
In The Essential Difference, Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of
“woman of strength” (eshet chayil):
psychology and psychiatry at Cambridge University, argues that the
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of
female brain is predominantly hard-wired for empathy; the male
loving kindness (torat chessed) is on her tongue.
brain for system-building. Empathy is the ability to understand and
(Prov. 31: 26)
relate to another person as a person, through sensitivity and
emotional intelligence. System-building is the drive to analyze,
The difference between the dispassionate search for truth (torat
explore and explain phenomena by discovering the rules that
emet) and the passionate drive to loving kindness (torat chessed)
govern them. To empathize, you need a degree of attachment; to
is precisely what Baron-Cohen and Carol Gilligan track in their
systematize, you need a measure of detachment. “Whilst the natural
research.
way to understand and predict the nature of events and objects is to
systematize, the natural way to understand a person is to
Hence the Torah’s distinction between the public, social, political
empathize.”
arena and the personal dimension of identity and relationships.
Status and position within a hierarchy – areas in which the Torah
Carol Gilligan, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School, argued
privileges the male – are quintessentially social. They belong to
in her In a Different Voice that men and women characteristically
the public domain. They are the gladiatorial arena in which the
engage in different kinds of moral reasoning. Men tend to think
fight for power and glory takes place. What is unusual in the
more in terms of justice, rights and abstract principles; women
Torah, and what has always been Judaism’s greatest strength, is
more in terms of compassion, nurturing and peacemaking. She
its emphasis on the other, the personal, domain – where love,
speaks of “two modes of judging, two different constructions of the
compassion and mercy are the covenantal virtues.
moral domain – one traditionally associated with masculinity and
the public world of social power, the other with femininity and the
Hence the religious centrality and dignity of home and family
privacy of domestic interchange” (p. 69).
within Judaism. I have called this the primacy of the personal
over the political. That is why, while social status follows the
The Torah reflects these differences. Sarah and Rebecca both seem
father, personal identity follows the mother. In a public dialogue I
to understand better than their husbands which child will continue
had with Steven Pinker, he made the point that the Torah’s
the covenant (Isaac, not Ishmael; Jacob, not Esau). Tanakh contains
understanding of male-female differences is compelling, and
many vignettes of “strong” women. In my Haggadah I tell the story
supported by contemporary science. Carol Gilligan, near the end
of the “six women” of the Exodus who played key roles in the story
of her book, makes the following sharp observation:
of redemption: Yocheved, Miriam, Shifra, Puah, Pharaoh’s
daughter and Zipporah. And there are many other female heroes in
The moral domain is . . . enlarged by the inclusion
the pages of Tanakh: Hannah, Deborah, Ruth and Esther among
of responsibility and care in relationships. And the
them. What characterizes these women is their emotional-spiritual
underlying epistemology correspondingly shifts
intelligence and the moral courage that comes from it.
from the Greek ideal of knowledge as a
correspondence between mind and form to the
There are only two cases known to me in Tanakh where the word
Biblical conception of knowing as a process of
Great Neck Synagogue
human relationship. (In a Different Voice, p. 173)
Shabbat Activities Program
Great Neck Synagogue
Shabbat Activities Program So: when you want to know the strength of an army, as in the
beginning of Bamidbar, count the men. But when you want to
Dale Polakoff, Rabbi know the strength of a civilization, look to women. For it is their
Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi emotional intelligence that defends the personal against the
Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z”l, Rabbi Emeritus
political, the power of relationships against relationships of
Michael Bleicher, Daniel Schwechter, Rabbinic Interns
Zeev Kron, Cantor power.
Eleazer Schulman, z”l, Cantor Emeritus
Mark Twersky, Executive Director
Joseph Hecht, President
Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board
GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE
GRADUATION & INVITES OUR MEMBERS
CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH TO OUR FAMILY OUTING PICNIC
SATURDAY, JUNE, 25, 2011 YOM YERUSHALAYIM: JUNE 1st, 2011
6PM- 8:30PM
AT KINGS POINT PARK
CELEBRATE ALL OF YOUR SMACHOT WITH US (STEAMBOAT ROAD ENTRANCE)

BIRTHS WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE LARGE

BAR & BAT MITZVAH BASEBALL DIAMOND, ENTIRE OUTFIELD AND
GRADUATIONS BASKETBALL COURTS.
WEDDINGS COACH ERIC AND STAFF WILL BE THERE TO
ANNIVERSARIES SUPERVISE RACES AND ACTIVITIES WITH
BIRTHDAYS PRIZES FOR THE CHILDREN,
OR WHILE THE ADULTS PLAY BALL.
COME HUNGRY FOR THE BARBECUE
COMMEMORATE A LOVED ONES YAHRZEIT
EXTRAVAGANZA.
TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CALL THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE RESERVE IN ADVANCE BY MAY 31st
OR SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO MTWERSKY@GNS.ORG AND PAY ONLY $18 PER FAMILY
THOSE WITHOUT PRIOR RESERVATIONS
COST IS $100 PER FAMILY WILL BE BILLED $36 PER FAMILY.

THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE

I WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONGREGATIONAL KIDDUSH MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

YOUR NAME__________________________________ CALL 487-6100 OR EMAIL MTWERSKY@GNS.ORG

Reservation Form
IN HONOR OF____________________________________ Name ____________

OCCASION______________________________________ Number of adults attending___________

Number of children attending__________
IN MEMORY OF___________________________________ Email address____________________________

CHECK ENCLOSED_____________________________________ Amt enclosed at $18 per family_______

If you would like to be a sponsor for $36 please check

here___________

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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREAT NECK MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Monday, May 30, 2011 at 9:15 am
(Those attending the late morning minyan should join us
immediately after services). Great Neck Synagogue’s starting
point is on Pont Street west of South Middle Neck Road (Pont
Street is one block south of Great Neck Road, the LIRR and the
Waldbaum’s Shopping Center). Middle Neck Rd. will be closed
after 9:25 a.m. The best access route to Pont St. after that time
is via Great Neck Road. Pont St. is a short walk from Great Neck
Road. We will be marching with other synagogues down Middle
Neck Road, onto the village Green and past the reviewing stand.
We are looking for shul members of all ages to join us as
we march behind our shul’s banner. To make our presentation
even more exciting, those with convertibles, classic cars or
motorcycles and scooters are encouraged to join with us as
well. There will be T-Shirts and Flags for all.
Sponsored by the Men's Club and Sisterhood
Any questions, please feel free to contact Alan Steinberg, our
parade Chair at Orlyalan@aol.com.
SUNDAY BREAKFAST
Breakfast is sponsored by Florence & Irvin Spira in memory of
his mother Lilly Spira.
CHOLENT COMPETITION
An Incredible Culinary Opportunity, for the first time in its 63 years Judy and Andy Jaffe. Mazal Tov to grandmother Shirley
of existence, Great Neck Synagogue will be hosting what we hope
will become the ANNUAL CHOLENT COMPETITION. At the
Graduation Kiddush scheduled for June 25, members will have the
opportunity to sample some of the best tasting, most creative
cholent recipes, prepared by our members right here in the GNS
kitchen. A team of expert tasters is being put together to
determine the winner of the competition. If you would like to
enter your cholent into the competition, or if you want to suggest
someone else’s cholent for consideration, please email Rabbi
Polakoff (rabbi@gns.org). This competition is open to all
ashkenazim and sephardim, chasidim and mitnagdim, litvaks and
galicianas. Please watch for a list of competitors that will be sent
out within the next few weeks, and make sure to join us on June
25th, for the ultimate showdown. For Graduation Kiddush flyer
see page 3.
BLOOD DRIVE
The GNS Mens Club is sponsoring its semi annual blood drive on
Sunday, June 12, from 8:15 am until 1:15 pm in the gym.
Everyone 16 -75 years and weights 110 pounds or more can
donate blood. If you cannot donate, you can still help by
volunteering to make phone calls and help out the day of the
drive. Our goal is 80 pints. Please contact Al Leiderman at 516
482 0628.
SALUTE TO ISRAEL PARADE/CONCERT & RALLY
The Parade will take place on Sunday, June 5. The Concert in the
Park for Jerusalem Solidarity and freeing of Gilad Shalit &
Jonathan Pollard will take place from 2:30-7:30pm. Enter the
park from 5th Ave. and 72nd St. Free admission. For details
contact Drora or Paul Brody at 466-5412.
LEARNING MEGILAT RUTH
Dr. Paul Brody will conduct a review session for those who want
to brush up or learn Megilat Ruth. The class will take place
between Mincha & Maariv this coming Shabbat.
SAVE THE DATE:
The NSHA Annual Journal Dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary
of its High School and its 56 year tradition of excellence will take
place on Thursday, May 26th at Jazz at Lincoln Center, honoring
the visionaries who have made the HS a reality-Founders,
Lisa & Ivan Kaufman and Headmaster, Dr. Daniel Vitow. To place
an ad or make a reservation, please call Mr. Arnie Flatow
Executive Director at 487-8687ext 133.
Within Our Family
Mazal Tov to Doreen & George Zobel on the birth of a
granddaughter Ella Charlotte, born to their children
Nicole & Jonathan Nichols. Mazal Tov also to great-
grandmother Sabina Geist.
Mazal Tov to Rona and Reuben Askowitz on the
Bar Mitzvah of their son Aaron and to grandparents
Rita and David Woldenberg and Liz & Marty Askowitz.
Mazal Tov to Janet & Mitchell Lencher on the
Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Kimberly.
Mazal Tov to Lynn & Stephen Rabinowitz on the
upcoming wedding of her daughter, Sara Steinberg to
Lee Bienstock.
Mazal Tov to Sandy & Mark Gold on the upcoming
marriage of their daughter Nicole to Natanel Shoshani.
Mazal Tov to Idida & Stewart Kaplan on the engagement
of their daughter Michelle to Adam Botwinick.
Mazal Tov to Mimi & Chaim Hirsch and Rabbi Shalom &
Aksana Jensen on the upcoming marriage of Chaya Sara
Jensen to Jeremy Shelton.
Mazal Tov To Judy & Jerrald Weinstein on the
engagement of their son Dov to Lisa Jaffe daughter of
Weinstein.
SAVE THE DATE
Yom Yerushalayim Family Outing will take place on Wednesday
evening, June 1. See page three.
MEN’S CLUB DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE
The GNS Men’s Club in conjunction with AARP is sponsoring a
defensive driving course to be held in our synagogue on
June 28 and 29, 2011. The course will be held on two consecutive
evenings from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Each participant will receive
a discount on their auto policy, or upto four points against any past
traffic violation. The course is open to any member of the synagogue
and the fee is $12.00 for AARP members and $14.00 for non
members. Space is limited, so reservations are recommended.
Reservations can be made by mailing your check, payable to AARP,
to Al Leiderman at Great Neck Synagogue, 26 Old Mill Rd.
Great Neck, NY 11023. Attendance is required for all sessions. For
further information, please call Al Leiderman at 516 482-0628.
Saturday, 24 Iyar
Drora Cassel for Bezalel Bezalel
Philip Hanfling for Isaac Lazar
Harriet Nathel for Harry Chalfin
Y Carolyn Wolf for Edward Spellun
Sunday, 25 Iyar
A Irvin Spira for Lilli Spira
Tuesday, 27 Iyar
H Kenneth S. Magida for Emma Greenberg
R David Wagner for Joseph Wagner
Wednesday, 28 Iyar
Z Marilyn Weingarten for Jacob Weissman
Thursday, 29 Iyar
E Seymour Cooper for Isaac Cooper
I Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Tala bat Yoseph Gabbaizadeh
Joseph Hyman for Carolyn Hyman
T Marion Kapner for Sadie Eisenberg
Ellie Werber for Rosa Preis
Friday, 1 Sivan
Franette Gil for Israel Keller
Regina Gil for Israel Keller