Parshat Terumah

TORAH Artscroll 444 Hertz 326 HAFTORAH Artscroll 1157 Hertz 336
Times

February 16, 2013 6 Adar, 5773

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Parshat Terumah

From here to the end of the book of Exodus the Torah describes, in painstaking detail and great length, the construction of the Mishkan, the first collective house of worship of the Jewish people. Precise instructions are given for each item the tabernacle itself, the frames and drapes, and the various objects it contained including their dimensions. So for example we read: Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same sizetwentyeight cubits long and four cubits wide Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacleeleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same sizethirty cubits long and four cubits wide Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide (Ex. 26: 1-16) And so on. But why do we need to know how big the tabernacle was? It did not function in perpetuity. Its primary use was during the wilderness years. Eventually it was replaced by the Temple, an altogether larger and more magnificent structure. What then is the eternal significance of the dimensions of this modest, portable construction? To put the question more sharply still: is not the very idea of a specific size for the home of the Shekhinah, the Divine presence, liable to mislead? A transcendent God cannot be contained in space. Solomon said so: But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built. (1Kings 8: 27) Isaiah said the same in the name of God Himself: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? (Isaiah 66: 1) So no physical space, however large, is big enough. On the other hand, no space is too small. So says a striking midrash: When God said to Moses, Make Me a tabernacle, Moses said in amazement, The glory of the Holy One blessed be He fills heaven and earth, and yet He commands, Make me a tabernacle? God replied, Not as you think do I think. Twenty boards on the north, twenty on the south and eight in the west are sufficient. Indeed, I will descend and confine My presence even within one square cubit. (Shemot Rabbah 34: 1) So what difference could it make whether the tabernacle was large or small? Either way, it was a symbol, a focus, of the Divine presence that is everywhere, wherever human beings open their heart to God. Its dimensions should not matter. I came across an answer in an unexpected and indirect way some years ago. I had gone to Cambridge University to take part in a conversation on religion and science. When the session was over, a member of the audience came over to me, a quiet, unassuming man, and said, I have written a book I think you might find interesting. Ill send it to you. I did not know at the time who he was. A week later the book arrived. It was called Just Six Numbers, subtitled The deep forces that shape the universe. With a shock I discovered that the author was the then Sir Martin, now Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal, later President of the Royal Society, the oldest

Candle Lighting Friday Mincha Hashkama Parsha Shiur Youth Minyan Main Minyan Beit Midrash Gemorah shiur Mincha Shabbat Ends Sunday, Feb. 17 Mon., Thurs., Tues., Wed., Fri. Mincha Late Maariv (Mon.-Thurs.)

5:12 pm 5:15 pm 8:00 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am 4:05 pm 5:05 pm 6:21 pm 7:30/8:30 am 6:35/7:45 am 6:45/7:45 am 5:20 pm 8:15 pm

Latest Times for Shema/ Shmoneh Esrei February 16 February 23

9:29/10:23 am

9:24/10:19 am

Next Shabbat Tetzaveh Candle Lighting Mincha 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Kiddush is sponsored by Great Neck Synagogue

Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Donna & Joseph Hecht in memory of her father David Gad, zl.

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

Shabbat Announcements Parshat Terumah 5773

and most famous scientific body in the world, and So make yourself an ark of cypress wood. Make rooms in it Master of Trinity College Cambridge. In 2011 he won the and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to Templeton Prize. I had been talking to Britains most build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty distinguished scientist. cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around (Gen. 6: His book was enthralling. It explained that the universe 14-16). The reason is similar to that in the case of the is shaped by six mathematical constants which, had they tabernacle. Noahs ark symbolized the world in its Divinelyvaried by a millionth or trillionth degree, would have constructed order, the order humans had ruined by their resulted in no universe or at least no life. Had the force violence and corruption. God was about to destroy that world, of gravity been slightly different, for example, the leaving only Noah, the ark and what it contained as symbols universe would either have expanded or imploded in of the vestige of order that remained, on the basis of which such a way as to preclude the formation of stars or God would fashion a new order. planets. Had nuclear efficiency been slightly lower the cosmos would consist only of hydrogen; no life would Precision matters. Order matters. The misplacement of even have emerged. Had it been slightly higher there would a few of the 3.1 billion letters in the human genome can lead have been rapid stellar evolution and decay leaving no to devastating genetic conditions. The famous butterfly time for life to evolve. The combination of effect the beating of a butterflys wing somewhere may improbabilities was immense. cause a tsunami elsewhere, thousands of miles away tells Torah commentators, especially the late Nechama us that small causes can have large consequences. That is Leibowitz, have drawn attention to the way the the message the tabernacle was intended to convey. God terminology of the construction of the tabernacle is the creates order in the natural universe. We are charged with same as that used to describe Gods creation of the creating order in the human universe. That means universe. The tabernacle was, in other words, a micropainstaking care in what we say, what we do, and what we cosmos, a symbolic reminder of the world God made. must restrain ourselves from doing. There is a precise The fact that the Divine presence rested within it was choreography to the moral and spiritual life as there is a not meant to suggest that God is here not there, in this place not that. It was meant to signal, powerfully and precise architecture to the tabernacle. Being good, specifically palpably, that God exists throughout the cosmos. It was being holy, is not a matter of acting as the spirit moves us. It a man-made structure to mirror and focus attention on is a matter of aligning ourselves to the Will that made the the Divinely-created universe. It was in space what world. Law, structure, precision: of these things the cosmos Shabbat is in time: a reminder of creation. is made and without them it would cease to be. It was to signal that the same applies to human behavior that the The dimensions of the universe are precise, Torah records the precise dimensions of the tabernacle and mathematically exact. Had they differed in even the slightest degree the universe, or life, would not exist. Noahs ark. Only now are scientists beginning to realize how precise, and even this knowledge will seem rudimentary to future generations. We are on the threshold of a quantum leap in our understanding of the full depth of the words: How many are your works, Lord; in wisdom You made them all (Ps. 104: 24). The word wisdom here as in the many times it occurs in the account of the making of the tabernacle - means, precise, exact craftsmanship (see Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed, III: 54). In one other place in the Torah there is the same emphasis on precise dimensions, namely, Noahs ark:

Great Neck Synagogue Shabbat Activities Program

EIRUV APPEAL
Through all of the recent weather events we have seen how important the Eiruv is to all members of our community. We have one of the longest eiruvin on the east coast, and there is a tremendous amount of checking and maintenance that needs to be done on a regular basis. In addition, severe weather often creates expensive repairs, complicated by the repairs being done by the utility companies serving our community. January is the time each year that we ask each shul family to become a partner in supporting the eiruv through a suggested donation of $180. If you are able to be more generous in light of the needs created by Superstorm Sandy we could certainly use that help. You can send a check made out to GN Eiruv Association to: GN Eiruv Association, 15 Cuttermill Road, Suite 182, GN, NY 11021, you can drop off your check in the synagogue office; or you can contribute online through a credit card or paypal by going to www.greatneckeiruv.org.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS
GNS UPCOMING EVENTS
HASHKAMA MINYAN KIDDUSH Kiddush is sponsored by Ruth & Milt Mitzner in memory of, Chana Rochel bat Alezander Zusha, Moshe Dovid ben Alexander Zusha and Pinya bat Alexander Zusha, zl.

WITHIN OUR FAMILY Mazal Tov to Mindy & Michael Leventhal on being honored at the Ohr Torah Stone Dinner.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST Breakfast is sponsored by Gil Aronowitz in memory of his wife Florence Aronowitz, zl and his mother Fannie Aronowitz, zl.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
JERUSALEM MARATHON The Breitbart family will be running in the Jerusalem Marathon races on March 1, 2013, where Arnie will be running the marathon and Viviane and Marcelle will be running the 10K. They are running in support of Shalva. Please help us support Shalva by making a donation online at www.run4shalva.org/view_profile.php?id=572, or checks can be made out to American Friends of Shalva, and mailed to Breitbart Family, 10 Imperial Court, Great Neck, NY 11023. SAVE THE DATE The NSHA Annual Journal Dinner celebrating its 58th tradition of excellence will take place on Thursday evening May 2nd at Citi Field honoring two long time NSHA/NSHAHS board member families and founding families of the High School Corinne and Joe Franco & Bonnie and Michael Orbach. For more information please contact Arnie Flatow at aflatow@nsha.org REQUEST FOR EL-AL POINTS Wheelchair Bound Child with Cerebral Palsy is coming back from Israel for Pesach. Needs upgrade to travel Business Class to accommodate her needs. If anyone has points which are going to expire or would like to donate some, please contact Jessica Smooha on 516 376-8191. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. NYC HALF MARATHON- TEAM SHAARE ZEDEK- MARCH 17, 2013 READY SET GO Join the Shaare Zedek Team for the NYC HalfMarathon on Sunday, March 17th please contact Sharon Goldwyn (sgoldwyn@acsz.org) to reserve a spot as soon as possible! WANTED DONATION OF A USED CAR The synagogue is looking for someone to donate a car which we will sell and use the proceeds to enhance our security at the shul. Please contact Scott Danoff if you have such a vehicle, and would like to make a tax deductible donation to the shul. E-mail Scott, at Danoff.GNS@gmail.com.

SISTERHOOD ANNOUNCEMENTS SAVE THE DATE Next sisterhood meeting will be on Feb. 13th, at 7 PM in the Braun Youth Center. We are looking for someone to fill some leadership position, or even if you have an idea for a fun event. DOS YIDDISH VORT Enjoy a "freilechen Purim" at the Yiddish Vort with a "mayse.....a glayzele tay....etleche Hamentaschen" on Wed., Feb., 20 at 1:30 pm. All welcome.For more information call Roz Wagner- 487-9795 FEBRUARY CHESED COLLECTION We will be collecting: walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, duffle bags, rubber boots, commodes, dressings, plastic sheets, soap, antibacterial sprays, latex gloves, splints, braces, gauze, bandages, used medical instruments, unused needles, catheters, diapers (adult and childrens), diabetes testing strips, etc. Drop supplies off by the front door of the Liss-Levinsons, 13 Church Street, Mon., Feb., 25thThur., Feb., 28th. FLORENCE SHAFFER SCHOLARSHIP The Sisterhood will be presenting one Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship to a female senior in High School, who plans to go to college or seminary in Israel next fall. To be eligible, the applicants family must be members of GNS and a short essay describing her ambitions and what she hopes to achieve with her education. The applicant should also submit a list of colleges and/or programs in Israel to which she is applying and a copy of any scholarship application submitted. Please submit applications no later than March 1, 2013 to the attention of The Florence Shaffer Memorial Fund Scholarship Committee c/o GNS, 26 Old Mill Road, GN, NY 11023.

MENS CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS: Tues., Feb., 26 at 8:00pm: Our first in a Medical series to keep you updated with the latest information on health issues will feature Dr. Scott Danoff & Dr. Miles Mittleman, who will discuss "Sleep Apnea and Snoring". Sun. March 3. 3:00pm : The Mens Club is going to an Ice Hockey game at the Nassau Coliseum to view the Islanders playing the Ottawa Senators. Group price is $36 per ticket. (Checks to GNS Mens Club). If interested, please contact Steve Blumner 639-8941 or Hilly Milun 448-4890 by Tuesday February 12. Sun. March 17, 9:00 am: The annual Rabbis Dialogue at GNS. Sun. April 20: Semi annual Blood Drive. June Tba: The Defensive Driving course held over two evenings. Sun. June 30: Annual Fishing Trip.

MARCH CHESED VOLUNTEER WANTED Our March collection will be for Passover and Chometz. Thanks to the Lichters who will be collecting the Chometz products. We need someone who can collect the Passover products for distribution to those families in need. Please contact Sharon Goldwyn or the shul office.

Y A H R Z E I T

THANK YOU The Jan. chesed project is over. Thank you to those who sent in the appropriate items. It was a huge success. Judy Lillien & Hindi Lunzer.

Saturday, 6 Adar Phyllis Kirsch for Charles Zuckerman Ina Lax for Ethel Schoenfeld Phyllis Weinberg for Sadye Herschkowitz Gerda Weissfeld for Max Weissfeld Sunday, 7 Adar Gilbert Aronowitz for Fannie Aronowitz Robin Bours for Harold David Siegel Ian Gavronsky for Jack Gavronsky Dan Horowitz for Robert Horowitz Michelle Landsman for Robert Horowitz Mitchell J. Siegel for Rachel Siegel Murray Weiss for Anna Weiss Monday, 8 Adar Norman Fisher for Henry Fisher Naeema Pomerantz for Rachamim Soleimani Moosa Soleimani for Rahamim Soleimani Tuesday 9 Adar Kenneth S. Magida for Frieda Magida Milton Mitzner for Morris Mitzner Dale Polakoff for Herbert Rosen Wednesday, 10 Adar Martin Brownstein for Florence Brownstein Ruth Shalit-Apelbaum for Simcha Shevili Thursday, 11 Adar Carol Buckmann for Mayer Siegel Morris Nasser for Ezra Nasser Friday, 12 Adar Janet Greenhut for Adolph Emil Greenhut Philip Hanfling for Nathan Hanfling Deena Heisler for Ada Wachsberg Barry Lipsius for Corrine Lipsius Dina Sharifian for Yagoub Misaghi Dennis Wolf for Joyce Wolf