Parshat Terumah

TORAH Artscroll, 444 Hertz, 325

February 25, 2012 2 Adar, 5772

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Terumah

the mishkan was not a permanent feature of the spiritual life of the children of Israel. It was specifically designed to be carried on their journey through the wilderness. Later, in the days of Solomon, it would be replaced by the Temple in Jerusalem. What enduring message are we supposed to learn from a construction that was not designed to endure? Even more puzzling is that fact that the story is part of the book of Shemot. Shemot is about the birth of a nation. Hence Egypt, slavery, Pharaoh, the plagues, the exodus, the journey through the sea and the covenant at Mount Sinai. All these things would become part of the peoples collective memory. But the Sanctuary, where sacrifices were offered, surely belongs to Vayikra, otherwise known as Torat Kohanim, Leviticus, the book of priestly things. It seems to have no connection with Exodus whatsoever. The answer, I believe, is profound. The transition from Bereishit to Shemot, Genesis to Exodus, is about the change from family to nation. When the Israelites entered Egypt they were a single extended family. By the time they left they had become a sizeable people, divided into twelve tribes plus an amorphous collection of fellow travelers known as the erev rav, the mixed multitude. What united them was a fate. They were the people whom the Egyptians distrusted and enslaved. The Israelites had a common enemy. Beyond that they had a memory of the patriarchs and their Gd. They shared a past. What was to prove difficult, almost impossible, was to get them to share responsibility for the future. Everything we read in Shemot tells us that, as is so often the case among people long deprived of freedom, they were passive and they were easily moved to complain. The two often go together. They expected someone else, Moses or Gd himself, to provide them with food and water, lead them to safety, and take them to the promised land. At every setback, they complained. They complained when Moses first intervention failed: May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in

As soon as we read the opening lines of Terumah we begin the massive shift from the intense drama of the exodus with Guest Speaker its signs and wonders Congressman and epic events, to the Peter King long, detailed narrative of how the Israelites Aufruf constructed the Steven Fischler Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that they Times carried with them Candle Lighting 5:22 pm through the desert. By any standards it is a part Friday Mincha 5:20 pm of the Torah that cries out for explanation.
HAFTORAH Artscroll, 1157 Hertz, 336

Hashkama

8:00 am

Parsha Shiur Main Minyan Beit Midrash Teen Minyan Gemorah Shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday February 26 Mon., Thurs. Tues.,Wed., Fri. Mincha Late Maariv Mon./Thurs.

8:30 am The first thing that

strikes us is the sheer one third of the book of

9:00 am length of the account: 9:15 am Shemot, five parshiyot 9:30 am Terumah, Tetsaveh, half
by the story of the of Ki Tissa, Vayakhel and

4:15 pm Pekudei, interrupted only 5:15 pm golden calf. This 6:30 pm 7:30/8:30 am 6:35/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 am 5:30 pm 8:15 pm
becomes even more perplexing when we compare it with another act of creation, namely G-ds creation of the universe. That story is told with the utmost brevity: a mere thirty four verses. Why take some fifteen times as long to tell the story of the Sanctuary? The question becomes harder still when we recall that

Latest Times for Shema/Shmoneh Esrei February 25 March 3 9:23/10:18 am 9:17/10:14 am Next Shabbat Tetzaveh Candle Lighting Mincha 5:31 pm 5:30 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Serge Fischler in honor of the upcoming marriage of Steven to Raina Miller

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Donna & Leon Schwechter in memory of his father Yisrael ben Menachem Mendel and by Donna & Joseph Hecht in memory of her father David Gad, zl

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Shabbat Announcements Parshat Terumah 5772

their hand to kill us. (Ex. 5: 21) At the Red Sea they complained again: They said to Moses, Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didnt we say to you in Egypt, Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert! (Ex. 14: 11-12) After the division of the Red Sea, the Torah says: When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in Moses his servant (Ex. 14: 31). But after a mere three days they were complaining again. There was no water. Then there was water but it was bitter. Then there was no food. The Israelites said to them, If only we had died by the Lords hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.(Ex. 16: 3) Soon Moses himself is saying: What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me. (Ex. 17: 4) By now G-d has performed signs and wonders on the peoples behalf, taken them out of Egypt, divided the sea for them, given them water from a rock and manna from heaven, and still they do not cohere as a nation. They are a group of individuals, unwilling or unable to take responsibility, to act collectively rather than complain. And now G-d does the single greatest act in history. He appears in a revelation at Mount Sinai, the only time in history that G-d has appeared to an entire people, and the people tremble. There never was anything like it before; there never will be again. How long does this last? A mere forty days. Then the people make a golden calf. If miracles, the division of the sea and the revelation at Mount Sinai fail to transform the Israelites, what will? There are no greater miracles than these. That is when G-d does the single most unexpected thing. He says to Moses: speak to the people and tell them to contribute, to give something of their own, be it gold or silver or bronze, be it wool or animal skin, be it oil or incense, or their skill or their time, and get them to build something together a symbolic home for my presence, a Tabernacle. It doesnt need to be large or grand or permanent. Get them to make something, to become builders. Get them to give. Moses does. And the people respond. They respond so generously that Moses is told, The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done (Ex. 36: 5), and Moses has to say, Stop.
Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

During the whole time the Tabernacle was being constructed, there were no complaints, no rebellions, no dissension. What all the signs and wonders failed to do, the construction of the Tabernacle succeeded in doing. It transformed the people. It turned them into a cohesive group. It gave them a sense of responsibility and identity. Seen in this context, the story of the Tabernacle was the essential element in the birth of a nation. No wonder it is told at length; no surprise that it belongs to the book of Exodus; and there is nothing ephemeral about it. The Tabernacle did not last forever, but the lesson it taught did. It is not what G-d does for us that transforms us, but what we do for G-d. A free society is best symbolized by the Tabernacle. It is the home we build together. It is only by becoming builders that we turn from subjects to citizens. We have to earn our freedom by what we give. It cannot be given to us as an unearned gift. It is what we do, not what is done to us, that makes us free. That is a lesson as true today as it was then.

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY

Thank you my Lord and Master My G-d and King of Kings At first you brought me in this world The start of many things You helped me and supported me Cured me of every ill Encouraged me and guided me With joy my life you fill I see your hand nearby me When I turn to look each way The beauty you infuse in nature Each and every day To have you near brings comfort When things seem to go wrong I know the things that happen Are for my good all along I thank you for those stressful times That may come to be They help me see the inner strength That you have placed in me My appreciation of you, Lord Grows each day more and more I only wish I recognized such Kindness days before

I see you as my model How you ably help each man Even when its difficult Ill strive to if I can A legacy your Torah, You have given to me too I see in it your grandeur And so much want to please you When I entreat you in the morning And I come to you to pray Accept my words and help me make The most of every day

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 Avraham Bronstein, Program Director Joseph Hecht, President Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board

Copyright MarkGersten February 2012

GNS Mens Club and Sisterhood A bus trip to NY City to view the DEAD SEA SCROLLS Discovery Times Square Exhibition Center On SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012
Bus leaves Great Neck Synagogue parking lot at 10:00 am Returns from NY 3:00 pm to arrive approximately 4:00 pm at GNS See first-hand the Dead Sea Scrolls - the oldest known texts of the Bible Adult $60.00 Children and Students $45.00 Make checks out to: GNS Mens Club Price Includes round trip bus fare, entrance fee to exhibit and audio device Name __________________________ Phone __________________ Adults ______ @ $60 $_________

GNS -February Chesed Collection Help under-served people, clinics and hospitals In U.S., Israel, Haiti, and Africa Thursday February 23rd 6:00-8:00 pm GNS coatroom lobby WE ARE COLLECTING: Wheel chairs, canes, walkers, commodes, eyeglasses, bandages, cribs, drains, tubing, face masks, gloves, catheters, I.V. kits, soap, autoclaves, shower seats, raised toilet seats, hospital beds, crutches, sutures, braces, etc. SPECIAL REQUEST FOR DUFFLE BAGS and SOFT SIDE SUITCASES to be used to help distribute medical supplies to small outposts in developing countries. NO PRESCRIPTION MEDS NO POST EXPIRATION DATES Donations will be distributed by: www.afyafoundation.org and Yad Sarah More info: Contact Addie Markowitz 516-487-4699 or Nechama Liss-Levinson 516-773-3572

Children & Students _____ @ $45 $ ___ Check to GNS Mens Club $ ______ Please RSVP by Friday, February 17

Closets filling up with old Purim costumes? Wouldnt you love to donate them & make room for new ones? Please come and bring your unwanted or used Purim Costumes to the home of Ilana Kroll, 15 Old Pond Road in Strathmore From February 13th to February 20th

GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER & GUEST SPEAKER SERIES Friday, February 24, 2012 Guest Speaker Dr. David Pelcovitz Funds, Faith, Family or Friends: What makes us happy?
Gwendolyn & Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology and Jewish Education, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Special Assistant to the President, Yeshiva University

Children's Menu & Program Reservation Required | Limited Seating $30/adult | $20/teen | $10/child | $100 family max RSVP: 516.487.6100 or ajackson@gns.org Reservation form

Name__________________Phone number_____________ # of adults_____ # of teens___# of under 12s_______ Amount enclosed______________________ I would like to be a dinner sponsor $180__________________ I would like to be a Shabbat sponsor $360________________ Deadline Wednesday Feb. 22nd 9:30 am

ANNOUNCEMENTS
WOMENS TEFILA Join Womens Tefila for Mincha on Shabbat afternoon February 25th at 4:45 pm. We will be celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Hannah Fouladi, daughter of Jacques and Yve Fouladi. Oneg following Mincha is sponsored by the Fouladi family. NEW KOSHER COOKBOOK FOR SALE Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, New Jersey recently published a new cookbook, Temptations: Modern Kosher Recipes for Every Occasion. The Sisterhood of Great Neck Synagogue will receive a portion of the sale price of all books purchased online by our members. To order your copy, please go to www.ketertorah.org/cookbook and mention our shul name online.

PURIM COSTUME PROJECT The Purim Costume collection ended on February 20. Now come to the home of Ilana Kroll, 15 Old Pond Road in Strathmore anytime after Monday Feb. 20th until Friday, March 2 to get some new Purim Costumes for your kids. All costumes will cost $5 and proceeds will go to Od Yosef Chai. Call Ilana Kroll at 516 829 3120.

Within Our Family Mazal Tov to Yve & Jacque Fouladi on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Hannah. Mazal Tov to Marcelle Fischler & Serge Fischler on the upcoming marriage of their son Steven to Raina Miller. Mazal Tov to Gloria & Harvey Kaylie on being guests of honor at the Yeshiva Har Torah Dinner. Mazal Tov to Michael & Lisa Aryeh and to David & Trudy Justin on the engagement of their children Isaac & Brandel. Mazal Tov to all of the grandparents, Mahin Aryeh, Linda Newman, Zoltan & Kitty Justin and Malka Karp. Mazal Tov to Eli & Zara Moradi on the birth of their granddaughter, born to their children Bianca & Eddy Shirazian.
SAVE THE DATE Yeshiva Har Torah's 23rd Annual Journal Dinner, celebrating the completion of their building expansion, will take place on Sat. evening, Feb.25 at Terrace on the Park honoring Gloria & Harvey Kaylie. All are welcome to attend. Contact Alan Steinberg asteinbergyht@aol.com.

PURIM CARDS The Sisterhood is offering Purim Cards that are available to purchase for $7/each or a package of 10 for $65. Share the joy SAVE-THE DATE of Purim with loved ones anywhere. To order, contact Vivian Kron NSHA Annual Journal Dinner celebrating its 57 year tradition of at vivian@vikron.com. excellence will be honoring Sarit & Shlomo Elias and Kathy & Arnie Flatow. LIHA HOSPITAL PURIM BASKET PROJECT SAVE THE DATE Participate in the LIHA Hospital Purim basket project. Our goal is Save the Date - A North Shore Mikvah Association shiur for women 1,000 baskets for 1,000 patients. Order them in any multiple of by Rebbetzin Beile Block entitled, The Many Facets of Marital $18. Call LIHA's Purim hotline @ 516-466-3656 ext. 13. Intimacy, will take place on Feb. 28 at the home of Adam & Alana Gelnick 55 Deepdale Drive at 8:00pm. Light refreshments will be served. Suggested donation - $36.00 Sponsorships - $100.00 For GNS CHESED COLLECTION more information email NSMikvah@gmail.com. The GNS Feb. Collection will be collecting Crutches, Wheelchairs, Canes, Walkers and other Medical supplies to benefit Saturday, 2 Adar Yad Sara and the Afya Foundation. Addie Markowitz and Michele Wolf for Philip Berman Nechama Liss-Levinson will chair this important Chesed Sunday, 3 Adar Collection. Dates and drop off locations will be at 14 Glenwood Henry Dicker for Max Dicker Drive Thursday, Feb. 23rd from 6-8pm at the GNS Coat Room Milton Mitzner for Pearl Ducker Lobby. Leon Schwechter for Israel Schwechter AMIT MISHLOACH MANOT The AMIT Mishloach Manot online program is open. You should have received an email with your access code. The code stays the same from year to year. We will be dedicating a computer room in Beersheva with this year's donations. Any questions or need your code please contact Sara Shapiro at ilovered18@gmail.com or Debbie Goldberg at gngardener@gmail.com.
William Wolff for Rebecca Rachel Wolff Monday, 4 Adar Steven Berkowitz for Jack Berkowitz Lev Dynkin for Shasha Mindel Lider Donna Hecht for David Gad Malka Gad for David Gad Morris Gad for David Gad Burton Mandelbaum for Pauline Mandelbaum Milton Mitzner for Anne Shapiro Tuesday, 5 Adar Brenda Parver for Ida Altman Shellie Zuckerman for Aaron Feinerman Wednesday, 6 Adar Melvin Breite for Stanley Breite Phyllis Kirsch for Charles Zuckerman Ina Lax for Ethel Schoenfeld Phyllis Weinberg for Sadie Herschkowitz Gerda Weissfeld for Max Weissfeld Thursday, 7 Adar Gilbert Aronowitz for Fannie Aronowitz Ian Gavronsky for Jack Gavronsky Mitchell J. Siegel for Rachel Siegel Murray Weiss for Anna Weiss Friday, 8 Adar Norman Fisher for Henry Fisher Malka Gad for Tvuz Hakimi Elizabeth Katzwer for Isaac Katzwer Naeema Pomerantz for Rachamim Soleimani Moosa Soleimani for Rachamim Soleimani

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are requested to help organize the upcoming March Pre-Pesach Sisterhood Boutique at GNS. Kindly email the chair, Lisa Kagan at lgross7120@aol.com if you can help out organizing this event. Thank you very much. APPLICATIONS FOR THE FLORENCE SHAFFER MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP High school senior young women, whose family are members of GNS, are encouraged to apply for the Sisterhood Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship. This is a strictly need-based financial scholarship to help with some of the expenses of college or a program in Israel. This year the Scholarship Committee is planning to award one scholarship of up to $3,600. Applications are available from the synagogue office and are due March 1, 2012.

Y A H R Z E I T