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Home , Bulan (Khazar), Judah Halevi, Nachmanides

Parshat Va‘etchanan August 20, 2016 16 , 5776 Jonathan Sacks on Va‘etchanan ARTSCROLL 958 One of the most profound centuries, ruled a considerable of the philosophers. The area between the Black Sea and key difference is that HERTZ 755 disagreements in is that between Moses the Caspian Sea, including whereas the philosophers and Judah southern Russia, northern found God in metaphysics, HAFTORAH Halevi on the meaning of , eastern Ukraine, the found God in ARTSCROLL 1196 the first of the Ten Western Kazakhstan, and history. northwestern Uzbekistan. Many HERTZ 776 Commandments. For Maimonides (1135-1204), Jewish traders and refugees lived This is how Halevi‘s rabbi the first command is to there, and in 838 the Khazar states his faith: I believe in believe in God, creator of King Bulan converted to Judaism, the God of Abraham, Times heaven and earth: The after supposedly holding a and , who led the basic principle of all basic debate between representatives children of Israel out of Egypt Candle Lighting 7:28 pm principles and the pillar of of the Jewish, Christian, and with signs and ; who all sciences is to realize Muslim faiths. The writer fed them in the desert and Mincha 7:00 pm that there is a First Being Dimashqi writes that the gave them the land, after who brought every existing , having encountered the having brought them through Hashkama 8:00 am thing into being. If it could Jewish faith, —found it better than the sea and the Jordan in a be supposed that He did their own and accepted it“. miraculous way…( Youth 8:30 am not exist, it would follow Khazaria thus became, spiritually I:11) He goes on to that nothing else could as well as geographically, an emphasize that God‘s Parsha Shiur 8:30 am possibly exist. If however it independent third force between opening words in the were supposed that all the Muslim Caliphate and the at Mount Sinai Main 9:00 am other beings were non- Christian . After were not, —I am the Lord existent, He alone would their conversion, the Khazar your God, creator of heaven Beit Midrash 9:15 am still exist…To acknowledge people used Jewish personal and earth“ but —I am the Lord this truth is a positive names, spoke and wrote in your God —I am the Lord your Gemara Shiur 6:20 pm command, as it is said: —I Hebrew, were circumcised, had God, who brought you out of am the Lord your synagogues and , studied Egypt, out of the land of Mincha 7:20 pm God“ (Ex. 20:2, Deut 5:7) the Torah and , and slavery.“ (Kuzari I:25). (Yesodei ha-Torah, 1:1-5). observed the Jewish festivals. Halevi lived before Ends 8:35 pm Maimonides. (c. 1080- The Kuzari is Judah Halevi‘s Sun. August 21 7:30/8:30 am c.1145) disagreed. The of Judaism, cast in (R. Mosheh ben greatest of medieval the form of the imagined Nachman, 1194-1270) lived Mon. & Thurs. 6:35/7:45 am Hebrew poets, Halevi also conversation between the King after, but he too disagreed and a rabbi that led to the King‘s with Maimonides‘ Tues., Wed. & Fri. 6:45/7:45 am wrote one of Judaism‘s philosophical masterpieces, conversion. In it, Halevi draws a interpretation of the opening Mincha 7:20 pm The Kuzari. It is framed as portrait that is diametrically verse of the Ten a dialogue between a rabbi opposed to what would later Commandments. His Latest Times for and the King of the become Maimonides‘ account. objection is based on a Shema/Shemoneh Esrei Khazars. Historically, the Judaism, for Halevi, is not passage in the Mekhilta: —You Khazars were a Turkish Aristotelian but counter- shall have no other Aristotelian. The God of the besides me.“ Why is this Aug. 20 9:34/10:42 am people who, between the seventh and eleventh prophets, says Halevi, is not the said? Because it says, —I am Aug. 27 9:36/10:43 am Kiddush Next Shabbat is sponsored by

Candle Lighting 7:17 pm Great Neck Synagogue

Mincha 7:00 pm 26 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023 (516) 487-6100 Shabbat Announcements Va‘etchanan 5776 the Lord your God.“ To give a parable: A king of flesh and blood What is at stake in this difference of opinion between entered a province. His servants said to him, —Issue decrees for Maimonides on the one hand, Judah Halevi and Nachmanides the people.“ He, however, told them, —No. When they accept my on the other? At the heart of Judaism is a twofold sovereignty, I will issue decrees. For if they do not accept my understanding of the nature of God and His relationship to the sovereignty, how will they carry out my decrees?“ universe. God is creator of the universe and the maker of the human person —in His image“. This aspect of God is universal. According to Nachmanides the verse, —I am the Lord your God, It is accessible to anyone, Jew or gentile. arrived at it who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery“ is not through logic and metaphysics. For him, God was the —prime a command, but a preliminary to the commands. It explains mover“ who set the universe into motion. Today, many people why the Israelites should be bound by the will of God. He had reach the same conclusion through science: the universe is too rescued them, liberated them, and brought them to safety. The finely tuned for the emergence of life to have come into being first verse of the Decalogue is not a law but a statement of fact, through chance (this is sometimes called the anthropic a reason why the Israelites should accept God‘s sovereignty. principle). Some arrive at it not through logic or science but through a simple sense of awe and wonder (—Not how the Thanks to a series of archeological discoveries in the twentieth world is, but that it is, is the mystical“ said Wittgenstein). This century, we now know that Nahmanides was right. The biblical aspect of God is called by the Torah, Elokim. covenant has the same literary structure as ancient near eastern political treaties, of which the oldest known are the There is, however, a quite different aspect of God which —Stele of the Vultures“ (before 2500 BCE), recording the victory predominates throughout most of Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. of Eannatum, king of Lagash, over the people of Umma, both in This is God as He is involved in the fate of one family, one southern Mesopotamia, and the treaty of Naram-Sin, king of nation: the children of Israel. He intervenes in their history. He Kish and Akkad, with the people of Elam (c. 2280 BCE). Other, makes a highly specific covenant with them at Sinai œ not at later treaties have also been discovered, involving Hittites, all like the general one He made with Noah and all Arameans and Assyrians. One details a pact between the Hittite humanity after the Flood. The Noahide covenant is simple and king Hattusilis III and the Pharaoh Rameses II, regarded by basic. The sages said it involved a mere seven commands. The some scholars as the Pharaoh of the exodus. These treaties Sinai covenant, by contrast, is highly articulated, covering usually follow a six-part pattern, of which the first three almost every conceivable aspect of life. This aspect of God is elements were [1] the preamble, identifying the initiator of the signaled by the use of the four-letter name for which we treaty, [2] a historical review, summarizing the past traditionally substitute (since the word itself is holy and could relationship between the parties, and [3] the stipulations, only be pronounced by the High Priest) the word Hashem (on namely the terms and conditions of the covenant. The first the two aspects and names, see Kuzari IV: 1-3; and Ramban verse of the Ten Commandments is a highly abridged form of to Exodus 3: 13). [1] and [2]. —I am the Lord your God“ is the preamble. —Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery“ is the Maimonides, the philosopher, emphasized the universal, historical review. The verses that follow are the stipulations, or metaphysical aspect of Judaism and the eternal, unchanging as we would call them, the commands. Nachmanides and the existence of God. Judah Halevi and Nachmanides, the one a Midrash are therefore correct in seeing the verse as an poet, the other a mystic, were more sensitive to the introduction, not a command. particularistic and prophetic dimension of Judaism: the role of God in the historical drama of the covenant. Both are true and Great Neck Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus Welcomes your questions about mikvah, valid, but in this case, Halevi and Nachmanides are closer to observance of taharat mishpacha (halacha relating the meaning of the biblical text. to married life) and women‘s health, as it connects to Jewish law. Reach out to her at: Phone: 516.415.1111 Email: [email protected]. All conversations and emails are kept confidential.

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

Rabbi Dale Polakoff, Rabbi Rabbi Ian Lichter, Assistant Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Wolf ,z“l, Rabbi Emeritus Zeev Kron, Cantor Eleazer Schulman, z“l, Cantor Emeritus Rabbi Sholom Jensen, Youth Director Zehava & Dr. Michael Atlas, Youth Directors Mark Twersky, Executive Director If Lashon Hara and Sinat Chinam Dr. James Frisch, Assistant Director caused the destruction of the Holy Temple, Dov Sassoon, President they can certainly prevent its rebuilding… Harold Domnitch, Chairman of the Board Chofetz Chaim Lisa Septimus, Yoetzet Halacha 516-415-1111 BOOK SALE ENDING THIS WEEK Due to an accumulation of visiting author‘s books, we are selling our limited stash at big dis- counts. The following books are available for $10 each:

The Prime Ministers by Yehuda Avner (SOLD OUT) Subversive Sequels in the Bible (Paperback) by Judy Klitsner The Mystery of the Milton Manuscript (A Novel) by Barry Libin Table Talk œ Shabbos and Yom Tov Divrei Torah by Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz (1 COPY LEFT) Yoni‘s Last Battle œ The Rescue at Entebbe by Ido Netanyahu (AUTOGRAPHED BY AUTHOR) This is a œ The Mission of Rick Hodes by Marilyn Berger (1 COPY LEFT) Legacy by Harry Ostrer I Believe œ The Story of One Jewish Life by Leibel (Leo) Zisman When They Come For Us We‘ll Be Gone œ The Epic Struggle to Save Soviet Jewry by Gal Beckerman Wake Up to the New Year œ Stories and Insights by Yehuda Cahn Precious Objects œ A Story of Diamonds, Family and A Way of Life by Alisia Oltusks (1 COPY LEFT) Travel in Halacha œ A Contemporary Halachic Guide for the Jewish Traveler (SOLD OUT) Wake Up to a New Year: Stories & Insights by Yehuda Cahn (1 COPY LEFT)

There is a very limited supply available in the office. First come first served. No limits. Cash or check only.

BRING THE SWEETNESS OF ROSH HASHANA TO THOSE IN NEED! Parent/Pre-teen Bake A Thon for GNS Pass It Forward Program.

At the home of Marla Lemonik SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11th, open from 10 am till 3 pm. Bring your pre-teen (age 9 and up), flour, sugar, honey, large eggs and your enthusiasm. Contact Marla at [email protected] or call her 646-220-8105.

MAKE THIS ROSH HASHANA MORE MEANINGFUL BY BAKING FOR THOSE IN NEED! Join other adults at the GNS Bake A Thon at the home of Marla Lemonik WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7th, open from 10 am till 3 pm. Bring yourself, your friends, flour, sugar, honey, large eggs and your joy in helping others. Contact Marla at [email protected] or call her 646-220-8105.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rabbi polakoff‘s shabbos drasha through 5776, COMMUNITY NEWS is dedicated in memory of PINCHAS BEN YOSEPH For other such opportunities please contact CALENDARS, CARDS & MAGAZINES Howard Wolf 212-843-4668 2016-2017 Calendars can be picked up at GNS office. Mazal Tov and Condolence cards sent by GNS are now going IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO IS MOVING INTO THE to cost $10 each. We are still collecting magazines for North GREAT NECK AREA PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW. Shore Hospital. Please cut off address labels and make sure magazines are no more than 3 months old. HASHKAMA MINYAN KIDDUSH Hashkama Kiddush is sponsored by Pam & Jeff Bilfeld in memory of his mother Florence Bilfeld, z"l. MOTHER/DAUGHTER BAT TRIP TO ISRAEL Please see flyer on page 4 highlighting a Bat Mitzvah UPCOMING SUMMER SERIES LECTURE mission with Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus from Nov. 21-28. Sun. August 21, 9:15 am: Rabbi Dovid Hirsch Honoring Parents in Challenging Times TOYS FOR YOUTH PROGRAM The Youth Department Toddler program is in need of new or MEN‘S CLUB EVENTS gently used toys for use on Shabbat. Please bring to the August 28: 6th Annual Fishing Trip, 9am-2pm from Shul office. Freeport Boat Dock. Men‘s Club Members $50, non- members $55, children 6-11 yrs. $40. First 6 children under age 12 are free with one adult ticket, limited one per CHAVERWEB family. Breakfast & lunch included. Please contact for more Please keep in mind that Chaverweb is the most convenient information: place to view your account status, pay your bills, manage Mark Friedman 482.1062 or [email protected] or your online profile and view the GNS directory. Accessible at Hilly Milun 448.4890 or [email protected]. gns.org with your account password. See Mark Twersky for assistance. November 6: Der Yiddisher Mikado, Yiddish Opera in conjunction with Temple Beth-El and Temple Israel. See Saturday, 16 Av flyer on page 6. Bonnie Diamond for Beatrice Brandeis Scott Danoff for Zita Danoff HUNGER INITIATIVE Morris Hodkin for Elizabeth Hodkin The three weeks are here and Rosh HaShana can't be far Leo Mindick for Fannie Rubinstein behind...Time for introspection and increasing good deeds. Cheryl Sneag for Lawrence Sneag Here's a plan: Henry Katz for Sonia Suskin 1) When you are cooking for Shabbat, PLEASE COOK AN Y Belkis Nasser for Selma Suveke EXTRA CHICKEN OR TWO. 2) When the chicken is cooled, Sunday, 17 Av FREEZE it in a foil pan or a plastic bag in YOUR freezer. A Moshe Apelbaum for Yosef Apelbaum 3) Email the Hunger Initiative [email protected] Janet Kashani for Sarah bat Yacob to let us know EVERY time you've cooked an extra chicken. H Rita Miller for Kurtz 4) DELIVER chicken to GNS in September when we are Ori Pagovich for Pagovich delivering food for Pass It Forward. We deliver food to R Pamela Shrock for Essie Shubitz those in need. Be part of the solution… Monday, 18 Av Murray Honig for Joseph Honig OLD STUFF DOING GOOD STUFF! We are looking for Z Myrna Horowitz for Sigmund Horowitz people to donate FREEZER SPACE in your current freezer Barry Libin for Joseph Zelig Libin or an old FREEZER that you no longer use for PASS IT E Ephraim Slonim for Mordechai Slonim FORWARD, the GNS Hunger Initiative program to help Tuesday, 19 Av those in need. If you can offer either space in your freezer I Murray Frank for Dorothy Efron OR an old freezer you no longer want, please contact Judith Traub for Rebecca Hechtkopf CINDY HODKIN at [email protected] or call her T Nechama Liss-Levinson for Gertrude Liss at 516-317-9632. Susan Mindick for Rose Schwartz Wednesday, 20 Av UPCOMING EVENTS Paul Weinberg for Ise Klein AT GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE Harriet Frederick for Ida Sillen Thursday, 21 Av August 18: Yoga with Pia Shlomo Jeffrey Bilfeld for Florence Bilfeld August 21: Rabbi Dovid Hirsch Friday 22 Av August 24: Chaverim Center Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for August 25: Yoga with Pia Shlomo Shoshana bat Shlomo Gabbai August 28: Men‘s Club Annual Fishing Trip Ebrahim Gabbaizadeh for Sept. 1: Youth Carnival Dovid ben Meir Bluma Muller