Parshat Masei

Torah Artscroll, 918 Hertz, 714

July 30, 2011 28 Tammuz, 5771

Rabbi Frand on Parshat Masei

the killer anoint the Kohen Gadol? the killer worthy of refuge, not the one who was serving when the actual The Talmud explains that the killing took place. pasuk was worded this way to teach us a halachah. Not In Meshech Chochmah, every killer is worthy of Rav Meir Simchah of refuge in the arei miklat. Beis Dvinsk elaborates on this din is required to judge point to enable us to read whether or not the killer is a the pasuk more literally. candidate for the arei miklat. Torah justice differs What happens if the killing significantly from today's occurred while the Kohen legal systems. Modern Gadol was alive, but Beis Din justice attempts to go only decided the case after beyond the actual crime, that Kohen Gadol died and into the mind of the another Kohen Gadol was criminal, to determine why anointed? Does the killer go he committed the crime. free immediately? The Was he abused as a Talmud tells us that the killer youngster? Perhaps the does not go free until the discrimination suffered by demise of the second Kohen people of his race caused Gadol. This is written him to commit the crime? implicitly in the pasuk we are Was he fully coherent discussing, explains the when he committed the Talmud. This pasuk is crime? Maybe he was referring to Beis Din sending insane at the time . a person whom they deemed Hundreds of criminals are worthy of refuge to the arei freed each year because the miklat. When does he go jury or judge trying their free? Upon the death of the case felt that they were able Kohen Gadol "asher mashach to evaluate the motives of oso" i.e., the Kohen Gadol the criminal, and based on who was anointed at the time their evaluation, the that the Beis Din determined criminal should not be Seudah Shlishit Is Sponsored by Shulamid & Ian Gavronsky In Honor Of The Upcoming Marriage Of Their Son Gadi To Lisa Freund

"The assembly shall rescue the killer from the Haftorah hand of the avenger of the Artscroll, 1193 Hertz, 725 blood, and the assembly shall return him to the city of refuge where he AUFRUF had fled; he shall dwell in GADI GAVRONSKY it until the death of the Kohen Gadol whom he Times had anointed with the sacred oil." (35:25) Hashkama 8:00 am
Youth Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday July 31 Mon. Tues.,Wed, Fri. Thursday Mincha Sun/Thurs. 8:30 am A person who kills

someone unintentionally
9:00 am is required to flee to an ir 9:15 am 6:50 pm 7:50 pm
9:02 pm

7:30/8:30 am 6:30/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 am 6:35/7:45 am 7:55 pm

Latest times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei July 30 August 6 9:26/10:38 am 9:29/10:40 am Next Shabbat Devarim Candle lighting Mincha 7:49 pm 7:00 pm

miklat (city of refuge), and remain there until the Kohen Gadol dies. If he leaves the ir miklat, a relative of the victim can avenge the death by taking the life of the murderer. The pasuk tells us that the killer must remain within the ir miklat until the death of the Kohen Gadol "asher mashach oso b'shemen hakodesh whom he had anointed with the sacred oil." Who is "he"? Contextually understood, the pronoun "he" in this pasuk is referring to the killer. Did

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

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Masei 5771

punished for his crime. Truthfully, however, we mortals have no way of determining most people's motives. In the Torah justice system, the judges are required to rule cases based on cool, calculated examination of the evidence, with absolutely no leniency for what they might consider to be extenuating circumstances. In cases of unintentional manslaughter, there are specific parameters by which Beis Din is required to send a person to an ir miklat. For how long? Beis Din does not set the killer's sentence. The killer must stay there until the Kohen Gadol dies. A modern justice system would set standard sentences, depending on the perceived motive of the crime and the level of recklessness displayed by the killer. That seems very logical. Is the Torah system fair? Is it fair to punish killers equally no matter what their motives were? Actually, the Torah system is the fairest system of all, says the Meshech Chochmah, because it is literally Divine. In the Torah's system, a person will remain in the ir miklat for the precise amount of time that it takes for him to atone for his actions. HaKadosh Baruch Hu evaluates the motives of each killer sent to the arei miklat, and determines the term of the Kohen Gadol based on how long each killer is supposed to remain there. For instance, Reuven inadvertently kills someone, and based on the level of his negligence and other extenuating conditions, he should be in the ir miklat for 20 years. Now, if ten years before the killing, two candidates were being considered for Kohen Gadol, one of whom is destined to live another 15 years and one of whom is destined to live for 30, Hashem will arrange for the Kohen destined to live for 30 years to be anointed, to ensure that Reuven serves out his sentence. If Shimon also killed someone, but based on his motives and actions he should only have to take refuge for 10 days, Hashem will make sure that the Kohen Gadol serving in Shimon's days is one who is meant to die ten days after Shimon walks into the ir miklat.
Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

This is why the pasuk states, "asher mashach oso," says the Meshech Chochmah. Since Hashem chooses the Kohen Gadol based on the terms of penance needed by the various killers in the arei miklat, it is as if the killers anoint the Kohen Gadol of their generation! Considering the number of people in the arei miklat at any given time, the combinations and permutations necessary to determine who should be the Kohen Gadol are obviously beyond the scope of human calculation. Hashem, however, is a Keil emunah ve'ein avel a God of faith without iniquity (Devarim 32:4). Hashem will not allow a person who is only supposed to serve a ten-day sentence to remain in the ir miklat for eleven days, and he will not allow a person who requires 20 years of penance to leave one day earlier. This insight leads us to a startling conclusion. We view the world through human logic, and explain everything we see based on our understanding of the circumstances. If we heard that an 83-year-old Kohen Gadol died, we would understand his death. No one lives forever, right? Human logic dictates that old people die. If a 40-yearold Kohen Gadol dies suddenly, however, we would wonder why he died. And if we heard that he had a heart attack, we might think, "Was there any family history of heart disease? Did he smoke?" The Meshech Chochmah teaches us something amazing. What we view as causation is not the actual causation. The Kohen Gadol's death is not based on old age, heart disease, or any other illness. The Kohen Gadol's death is determined by the need of the killers in the arei miklat to go free. The same concept applies to all other events in life. What we consider to be the reasons for our health, wealth, success, or lack thereof, are usually not the real reasons. Causation is very confusing. Only Hashem, the God of faith without iniquity, knows the true reasons for the events in our lives.

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,zl, Rabbi Emeritus Michael Bleicher, Daniel Schwechter, Rabbinic Interns Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, zl, Cantor Emeritus Mark Twersky, Executive Director Joseph Hecht, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

August2,2011at8:15pm (followingMinchaat7:55pm) RabbiDovidHirsch KiddushHashem: TheExpectationsandResponsibilities

RabbiHirschisa1990graduateofYeshivaCollege,wherehemajoredincomputer science.UpongraduationfromYC,RabbiHirschreceivedtheRothmanAwardfor ExcellenceinTalmud.HeearnedhisM.S.degreeinJewishEducationfromAzrieli GraduateSchoolofJewishEducationandAdministrationin1993.Thatsameyear, hewasordainedattheRabbiIsaacElchananTheologicalSeminary(RIETS).After RabbiHirschwasgrantedsemikhah(rabbinicordination)fromRIETS,hewasnamed afellowoftheGrussKollelElyon.RabbiHirschhastaughtTalmudandhalakhah (Jewishlaw)andJewishThoughtintheStoneBeitMidrashProgramatYUandwas appointedRoshYeshivaonJune7,2000.AnativeofPeoria,Illinois,heismarriedto toMiriamHirsch.Thecouplehasthreechildren,Esther,Rochel,andRivka.

great neck synagogue

ROSH HASHANA IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!
Althoughtherearestillmanydaysofsummerleft,RoshHaShanawillbeherebeforeweknowit.OrderyourNewYears GreetingfortheHighHolyDaysissueofSCOPEnow. Greetingsarepricedasfollows: $36.00Onelinegreeting $100.00forBusinesscardsize $180.00forQuarterpage $275.00forHalfpage $400forFullpage $100foroneyearsponsorship Pleasefilloutandreturntooffice: Name_______________________ Phone#_________________________ Address_____________________ AdSize_____________________ Amountenclosed$_______________ TextofGreeting _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _________________

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM Each year our Summer Learning Program is run through the generosity of sponsors. It is to the credit of our sponsors that the voice of Torah is strengthened each summer. Sponsorship is $100.00. Please call the office to be included in this noble effort. We will once again be including a sponsors list in the Shabbat Announcements. If you would like to sponsor a Day of Learning at an additional cost, in honor or in memory of someone, please call Mark Twersky and let him know. Sponsor list in formation Josh Olshin in memory of Sally Olshin, zl. Pam & Baruch Toledano in memory of Harold Kovar, zl. Gil Aronowitz in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Debbie & Hal Chadow in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Sonia Movsas in memory of Samuel Movsas, zl. Carol Buckmann in memory of Mayer Siegel, zl. In memory of Barbara S. Horowitz, zl. Mark & Adina Abraham in memory of his parents Shalom & Sara Abraham, zl. Brenda & Ed Parver in memory of Shifra bat Yaakov Yisrael, zl. Jack & Hadassah Wachstock in memory of Phil Machnikoff , zl. Ruth & Milton Mitzner in memory of Rabbi Dr. Aaron Levine, zl. Harvey & Helen Ishofsky in memory of their parents. Rafael Gad in memory of Sara bat Nissan Gad, zl. Alisa & Michael Hoenig. Joan & Gerald Begun. Marc Epstein in memory of Toby Epstein zl Lilly & Gary Chubak in memory of parents Malvina Graf and Ida & Benjamin Chubak, z"l. Rita Gordonson in memory of Lewis C. Gordonson and Dora & Leon Gershkowitz, zl. Jolanta & Frank Rosenstein in memory of Sally Olshin, zl, and Phil Machnikoff, z"l. Sam Levitt in memory of Eugene Levitt zl. Annie & Robert Mendelson in memory Walter Mendelson and Robert Meisel zl.

Within Our Family

Mazal Tov to Shulamid & Ian Gavronsky on the Aufruf of their son Gadi and his upcoming marriage to Lisa Freund, daughter of Robert Freund of Englewood, NJ.

SAVE THE DATE Sunday, August 7th, 9:30 a.m., Barbara & Ira Warren invite the community to their home 123 Middle Neck Rd. apt 311. on behalf of Project Extreme: Project Extreme provides innovative solutions for Jewish Teens-at-Risk, their Families, and their Communities. Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski will be making a rare speaking appearance on behalf of Project Extreme. Rabbi Twerski will share his reflections and insights as a Rav & psychiatrist: The Positive and Negative Trends Within the Jewish Community At-Large.

GREAT NECK WEDDING GEMACH We have been getting so many requests from brides to borrow gowns from the Great Neck wedding gown gemach. We now have a problem and you can help. We need more wedding gown donations (all gowns need to be in perfect condition, NO stains, NO rips professionally cleaned and preserved). So if you can find it in your heart to donate your wedding gown, mother of the bride/groom gown or bridesmaid gown please CONTACT : Jenny Scherzer at 466 3628 or Cindy Gold at 482 9033 . It is a wonderful chesed. Just think of how happy you can make a bride feel.

WOMEN'S TEFILA STORY QUILT In honor of the upcoming 30th Anniversary Year of the Women's Tefila Group in Great Neck, we are asking people to submit a vignette of their experiences as participants in Women's Tefila. Whether you are a regular member or came just once, a Bat Mitzvah alum, mother of a Bat Mitzvah, bride, grandmother, mother of a newborn, woman who observed a yahrzeit with us, or father of a bat mitzvah girl. PLEASE write a couple of sentences to a couple of paragraphs about your experience at Women's Tefila. EMAIL your reflections to Harriet Schimel at hschimel@aol.com GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE TALMUD TORAH The GNS Talmud Torah is now accepting registration for the 2011-2012 semester. The GNS Talmud Torah is a full Jewish after-school program dedicated to excellence in an engaging and respectful learning environment in which Jewish children can become proud, caring, responsible, and dedicated members of the Jewish people and American society. Our goal is to create lifelong learners who can identify with their heritage and for whom Judaism is a central part of their lives. Classes take place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at the Great Neck Synagogue. The Talmud Torah, directed by Rabbi Polakoff, serves member families and students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. We offer a varied leveled curriculum focused on your childs competencies delivered by experienced Jewish educators. Early Bird Discounts are available before August 1st. For more information please email Mark Twersky at mtwersky@gns.org. ROSH HASHANA SCOPE MAGAZINE Kindly submit all articles, advertisements, photos, New Year greetings and sponsorship ($100 for 3 issues) to Diane Rein at drein@verizon.net by Monday, August 1st for the upcoming Rosh Hashana issue of Scope magazine. We look forward to your submissions and your generous financial support! SCHOLARS KOLLEL The Great Neck Scholars Kollel will be holding a Siyum on Wednesday, August 3rd, at Chattanooga Restaurant in Great Neck. The all inclusive cost will be $35 per person. Please make checks out to Scholars Kollel. For reservations please email Steve Zuckerman at zkster@aol.com.

NSHA 8th ANNUAL GOLF, TENNIS, MAH JONG & CHARITY POKER Monday, September 19th, NSHA will hold a golf, tennis, card games mah jong lessons, brunch, BBQs and a sunset cocktail party with a million dollar Jet Blue Challenge followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner, with prizes, raffles and auctions and an evening Charity Texas Hold'em Tournament with amazing prizes. For additional information : please email Arnie Flatow at aflatow@nsha.org or call 487-8687 ext 133.

Y A H R Z E I T

Saturday, 28 Tammuz Regina Ajodan for Maurice Tizabi Sunday, 29 Tammuz Adam Zalta for Maurice Zalta Monday, 1 Av Ivan Seidle for Hymie Seidle Tuesday, 2 Av Sheila Ebrahimian for Devorah Aminoff Gladys Moslin for Seymour Moslin Kenneth Moslin for Seymour Moslin Michael Moslin for Seymour Moslin Murray Moslin for Seymour Moslin Osnass Shein for Joseph Shein Ruvan Shein for Joseph Shein Wednesday, 3 Av Madeline Belonsky for Monty Wine Zoltan Justin for Herman Juskovic Gloria Wang Miller for Frank Saltzman Alex Weiss for Ignatz Weiss Michael Weiss for Ignatz Weiss Annabelle Zackheim for Marvin Atlas Friday, 5 Av Anne Gold for Harry Feinstein Marion Rabinowitz for Rose Getreu Edward Wydra for Helen Wydra