Parshat Breishit

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October 22, 2011 24 Tishrei, 5772

Torah

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Breishit

It is the most famous, majestic and influential opening of any book in literature: "In the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth." What is surpassingly strange is the way Rashi most beloved of all Jewish commentators - begins his commentary: The fifty chapters of Genesis together with the opening of Exodus are the source- book of biblical faith. They are as near as we get to an exposition of the philosophy of Judaism. What then did Rabbi Isaac mean? creative will, and therefore as intelligible rather than capricious and mysterious. It is, first and last, a book about how to live. Everything it contains - not only commandments but also narratives, including the narrative of creation itself - is there solely for the sake of ethical and spiritual instruction. How this relates to creation is a topic for another time. It is, however, an introduction to this year's Covenant and Conversation. Each week I will be looking at an ethical issue addressed by the parsha of the week. Sometimes this is a matter of halakhah, but not always. Jewish ethics is not confined to law. It includes virtues of character, general principles and role models. It is conveyed not only by commandments but also by narratives, telling us how particular individuals responded to specific situations. It moves from the minutest details to the most majestic visions of the universe and our place within it. But it never deviates from its intense focus on the questions: What shall I do?

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Friday Mincha Candle Lighting Hashkama Youth Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday October 23 Mincha Mon., Thurs. Tues., Wed. Fri.

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He meant something profound, which we often forget. To Rabbi Isaac said: The Torah understand a book, we need to should have begun with the know to what genre it belongs. verse (Ex. 12: 1): "This Is it history or legend, month shall be to you the chronicle or myth? To what first of the months", which question is it an answer? A was the first commandment history book answers the given to Israel. question: what happened? A Can we really take this at book of cosmology - be it face value? Did Rabbi science or myth - answers the Isaac, or for that matter question: how did it happen? Rashi, seriously suggest that the Book of books What Rabbi Isaac is telling us might have begun in the is that if we seek to middle - a third of the way understand the Torah, we into Exodus? That it might must read it as Torah, which is have passed by in silence to say: law, instruction, the creation of the universe teaching, guidance. Torah is - which is, after all, one of an answer to the question: the fundamentals of Jewish how shall we live? That is why faith? he raises the question as to why it does not begin with the Could we understand the first command given to Israel. history of Israel without its prehistory, the stories of Torah is not a book of history, Abraham and Sarah and even though it includes their children? Could we history. It is not a book of have understood those science, even though the first narratives without knowing chapter of Genesis - as the what preceded them: G-d's 19th-century sociologist Max repeated disappointment Weber pointed out - is the with Adam and Eve, Cain, necessary prelude to science, the generation of the Flood because it represents the first and the builders of the time people saw the universe Tower of Babel? as the product of a single

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Shabbat Announcements Breishit 5772

How shall I live? What kind of person should I strive to become? It begins, in Genesis 1, with the most fundamental question of all. As the Psalm (8: 4) puts it: "What is man that You are mindful of him?" Pico della Mirandola's 15th century Oration on Man was one of the turning points of Western civilization, the "manifesto" of the Italian Renaissance. In it he attributed the following declaration to G-d, addressing the first man: "We have given you, O Adam, no visage proper to yourself, nor endowment properly your own, in order that whatever place, whatever form, whatever gifts you may, with premeditation, select, these same you may have and possess through your own judgement and decision. The nature of all other creatures is defined and restricted within laws which We have laid down; you, by contrast, impeded by no such restrictions, may, by your own free will, to whose custody We have assigned you, trace for yourself the lineaments of your own nature. I have placed you at the very center of the world, so that from that vantage point you may with greater ease glance round about you on all that the world contains. We have made you a creature neither of heaven nor of earth, neither mortal nor immortal, in order that you may, as the free and proud shaper of your own being, fashion yourself in the form you may prefer. It will be in your power to descend to the lower, brutish forms of life; you will be able, through your own decision, to rise again to the superior orders whose life is divine." Homo sapiens, that unique synthesis of "dust of the earth" and breath of G-d, is unique among created beings in having no fixed essence: in being free to be what he or she chooses. Mirandola's Oration was a break with the two dominant traditions of the Middle Ages: the Christian doctrine that human beings are irretrievably corrupt, tainted by original sin, and the Platonic idea that humanity is bounded by fixed forms. It is also a strikingly Jewish account - almost identical with the one given by Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik in Halakhic Man: "The most fundamental principle of all is that man must create himself. It is this idea that Judaism introduced into the world." It is therefore with a frisson of recognition that we discover that Mirandola had a Jewish teacher, Rabbi Elijah ben Moses Delmedigo (1460-1497). Born in Crete, Delmedigo was a Talmudic prodigy, appointed at a young age to be head of the yeshivah in Padua. At the same time, he studied philosophy, in particular the work of Aristotle, Maimonides and Averroes.

At the age of 23 he was appointed professor of philosophy at the University of Padua. It was through this that he came to know Count Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, who became both his student and his patron. Eventually, however, Delmedigo's philosophical writings - especially his work Bechinat ha-Dat - became controversial. He was accused, by other rabbis, of heresy. He had to leave Italy and return to Crete. He was much admired by Jews and Christians alike, and when he died young, many Christians as well as Jews attended his funeral. This emphasis on choice, freedom and responsibility is one of the most distinctive features of Jewish thought. It is proclaimed in the first chapter of Genesis in the most subtle way. We are all familiar with its statement that G-d created man "in His image, after His likeness". Seldom do we pause to reflect on the paradox. If there is one thing emphasized time and again in the Torah, it is that G-d has no image. "I will be what I will be", He says to Moses when he asks Him His name. Since G-d transcends nature - the fundamental point of Genesis 1 - then He is free, unbounded by nature's laws. By creating human beings in His image, He gave us a similar freedom, thus creating the one being capable itself of being creative. The unprecedented account of G-d in the Torah's opening chapter leads to an equally unprecedented view of the human person and our capacity for self-transformation.. The Renaissance, one of the high points of European civilization, eventually collapsed. A series of corrupt rulers and Popes led to the Reformation, and to the quite different views of Luther and Calvin. It is fascinating to speculate what might have happened had it continued along the lines signalled by Mirandola. His late 15th century humanism was not secular but deeply religious. As it is, the great truth of Genesis 1 remains. As the rabbis put it (Bereishith Rabbah 8: 1; Sanhedrin 38a): "Why was man created last? In order to say, if he is worthy, all creation was made for you; but if he is unworthy, he is told, even a gnat preceded you." The Torah remains G-d's supreme call to humankind to freedom and creativity on the one hand, and on the other, to responsibility and restraint - becoming G-d's partner in the work of creation.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

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 Mark Twersky, Executive Director Joseph Hecht, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

SavetheDate MalcolmHoenlein Shabbat,November1819th Itstimetolookaheadtowardtheupcomingpresidential,senatorialandcongressionalelectionsalong withabehindthescenesbriefingonthelatestinUS,Israeliandinternationalpoliticsfromour communitysforemostdiplomat,insiderandelderstatesmen.InJune1986,MalcolmHoenleinwas electedExecutiveViceChairmanoftheConferenceofPresidentsofMajorAmericanJewish Organizations,thecoordinatingbodyoninternationalandnationalconcernsfor52nationalJewish organizations.Previously,heservedasthefoundingExecutiveDirectoroftheJewishCommunity RelationsCouncilofGreaterNewYork.Priortothat,hewasthefoundingExecutiveDirectorofthe GreaterNewYorkConferenceonSovietJewry.MalcolmHoenleinreceivedhisB.A.inPoliticalScience fromTempleUniversityandcompletedhisMastersdegreeanddoctoralcourseworkfromthe UniversityofPennsylvaniasDepartmentofInternationalRelations.ANationalDefenseFellowinthe UniversitysNearEastCenter,Mr.HoenleintaughtInternationalRelationsinthePoliticalScience DepartmentandservedasaMiddleEastspecialistattheForeignPolicyResearchInstitute.Mr.Hoenlein hastraveledthroughouttheworldmeetingwithworldleadersandJewishcommunities. FridayNight,November18th: FamilyFridaynightdinnerfeaturingaspecialinsidersbriefingoninternational affairsandUSIsraelrelations.Babysittingprovided. ShabbatMorning,November19th: KeynotelecturefollowingdaveningintheGoldwynSanctuary. ShabbatAfternoon,November19th: FamilyShabbatlunchfeaturingabriefaddressfollowedbyalivelyquestion andanswersession. Moreinformationtofollow.

We are collecting new and gently used BABY ITEMS for Oneg Shabbos Including: Sweaters, Snowsuits, Hats, Mittens Baby Car Seats, Porta Cribs Strollers, High Chairs Baby Bouncers, Baby Toys DROP OFF TIMES AND LOCATIONS: Great Neck Synagogue on October 25th 11:00 am 12:30 pm Feldschreiber Home, 34 Gateway Drive on October 31st 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm (please leave items in front of garage) To make arrangements for additional pick up times please email sfeldschreiber@gmail.com

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HASHKAMA MINYAN KIDDUSH Kiddsuh on Simchat Torah is sponsored by Asher & Mehri Davoudpour

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to Oren & Tannaz Dror on the birth of a boy. Mazal Tov to Mark & Amy Kalter on the birth of a baby girl. Mazal Tov to Donnie & Marcy Aharon on the birth of a baby boy. COMBINED SISTERHOODS OF GREAT NECK MEETING Mazal Tov to Rabbi Sholom & Aksana Jensen on the birth of The Combined Sisterhoods of Great Neck are meeting on a baby boy. Wednesday morning, November 2nd at 9:30am in the library of Temple Israel. Please join us to help plan this annual spring Mazal Tov to Mark & Robyn Gelberg on the birth of a baby boy. event. Mazal Tov to Jonathan & Stacey Brisman on the birth of a baby boy. SISTERHOOD MEETING Mazal Tov to Robert & Sara Nowbakt on the birth of a baby Please join us on Wednesday evening, November 2nd at 7:00pm in the Braun Youth Center for a Sisterhood meeting to girl. Mazal Tov to Mike & Randi Barenholtz on the engagement of plan and organize upcoming Sisterhood events! We look forward to seeing you there! Immediately following this meeting, their daughter Julie to Dov Gross. we are delighted to have Cindy Hodkin teach us how WOMENS TEFILA to make the famous New York Times recipe for "No Knead Women's Tefila for Sukkot/Simchat Torah morning, starting Bread". Please bring a room temperature water bottle and a Friday at 8:45 am in the Bet Midrash. large pyrex bowl. Advance reservations are required to attend. This event is dedicated in honor of Cindy Hodkin's CHANUKAH SCOPE DEADLINE mother, Roslyn Korman. Kindly submit all articles, recipes, advertisements, photos and sponsorship for the Chanukah issue of Scope magazine to Diane SISTERHOOD ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DINNER Rein at drein@verizon.net by Monday, October 31st. Please join us on Tuesday evening, November 8th at 6:00pm at Shiraz Restaurant, 770 Middle Neck Road for the Sisterhood Annual Membership Dinner featuring guest speaker Reyna Simnegar, cookbook author of "Persian Food from the Non-Persian Bride." There will also be a book signing that evening. Go to kosherpersianfood.com to learn more about Reyna Simnegar! The entrance fee is $36 (includes five raffle tickets) and your membership dues. Pre-paid reservations are required by October 28th. Event sponsors are greatly appreciated (Gold $72, Silver $36, Bronze $18). Thank you very much to Judy Lillien, Farla Frumkin, Vivian Kron and Ellen Polakoff for their help organizing this event. SHIDDUCH GROUP November 10th will be the first meeting of the joint Great Neck Synagogue and Young Israel Shidduch Group. The purpose of the group is to help connect our members' single relatives and friends. Those interested in being part of the group should come to the meeting with a profile sheet filled out for each single person they wish to present to the group. The group will then review the candidates and try to make sensible matches between the singles presented. All discussions during the group meetings will be considered confidential. Please email Katie Lichter or Malka Ismach at katielichter@gmail.com or malkaismach@gmail.com for more information, to get a copy of the profile sheet and to let them know if you will be attending. The meeting will take place November 10th at 8:30, at the Feldschreiber home, 34 Gateway Drive. SAVE THE DATE The NSHA Early Childhood Parlor Meeting will be held on Saturday Evening, November, 12th 8:00 pm at the home of Jessica and Evan Shusterman. Details to follow.
Saturday, 24 Tishrei Drora Brody for Zecharia Yeffet Henry Dicker for Norman Dicker Howard Lorber for Benjamin Lorber Michael Maller for Rose Maller Sunday, 25 Tishrei Roslyn Korman for Samuel Korman Barbara Shaw for Hyman Schwartz Fay Smith for Mildred Seligmann Tuesday, 27 Tishrei Jason Mayer for Steven Mayer Susan Mayer for Steven Mayer Albert Safdieh for Shaul ben Avraham Safdieh Morton Silver for Jewel Silver Wednesday, 28 Tishrei Lillian Leiderman for Isaac Tillem Ira Lubin for Max Gerber Zahava Slonim for Tamar Kukelka Thursday, 29 Tishrei Baruch Toledano for Joseph Toledano Friday, 30 Tishrei Robert Glaser for Sophie Glaser Zeev Kron for Hinda Kron Marcia Toledano for Julia Karten Paul Weinberg for Ida Weinberg

OCTOBER CHESED COLLECTON Baby items. See page 3.

SAVE THE DATE Malcolm Hoenlein Nov. 18-19. See page 3

MENS CLUB BLOOD BANK The Blood Bank will be taking place on Sunday, October 30 here at GNS. Please call Al Leiderman to make an appointment at 482- 0628. Please help alleviate the blood shortage on Long Island and help save lives.
SECURITY FOR OUR MEMBERSHIP Many of you have noticed that we have upgraded our security forces to better protect you all. Please understand that this is being done as a preventative measure and not as a result of any warnings or reports by the Department of Homeland Security. As you may know, there was an attempted attack on a synagogue in England in January. When interrogated, the perpetrators admitted that they chose that particular synagogue because there were people watching out and securing the other two synagogues they wanted to attack. Please cooperate with our security team and do not be offended if they ask you some questions or ask to look through your bags or carriages. They will be doing this as a direct request from me and my security committee. Thank you. Scott Danoff

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