Community Magazine March 2014

Departments 12 Letters 42 Sportsman of the Month 44 From The Files of The Bet Din Compulsive Shopping Rabbi Max Sutton 45 You Be The Judge! 46 Top 10 Matanot La’evyonim Rabbi Daniel Levy 48 Dollars and Sense Rabbi Max Anteby 70 SY Varsity 72 Exploring the Wild World of Animals The American Black Bear 78 Ask Sito 80 Sage Advice 82 Professor Noe Ital 84 Mabrouk 86 To Your Health 88 Dental Caffeine, Sleepiness and Grinding your Teeth Dr. Jacques Doueck 90 Community Chest 94 Community Off-Peak Megilah Schedule 96 Incredible Stats & Facts 98 The Lighter Side 100 Riddles 102 Life in the Big City 104 Classifieds Community Magazine is published monthly by Bnei Aram Soba, 1616 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY, USPS Number 0021-802 (ISSN 1552-809X). Copyright 2014 Bnei Aram Soba. Subscriptions $18 or $3 when included in membership dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Community Magazine, 1616 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Advertising and sponsorship proceeds are used exclusively for charitable purposes. Advertisements do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the Publisher. Readers should verify kashrut status independently. Ads for Internet and related services are intended for those who have a heter for use of such services. Printed in Canada. THIS PUBLICATION CONTAINS MESSAGES OF TORAH AND HALACHOT. PLEASE HANDLE IT APPROPRIATELY. Adar II 5774 March 2014 Volume XIII Number 6 (718) 645-4460 COMMUNITY Features 14 Purim and the IRS Do we relish the opportunity to do mitzvot , or do we treat them like tax returns? Rabbi Eli J Mansour 24 Who was Achashverosh? The narrative of Megillat Ester gives us a number of clues as to the identity of the Persian king Ahashverosh. Yehuda Landy 28 Community Gemachs The huge of number of Gemachs, or free loan societies, in our community exemplifies its dedication to kindness and helping others. Kelly Jemal Massry 32 Shas Kedem: A Treasury of Sephardic Geonim Oz V’Hadar Publications has teamed up with the Kedem Institute to revitalize the Sephardic Talmudic tradition. Pnina Souid 36 Moisha's Discount Supermarket: The Legacy of Hesed Continues... What began as a charitable venture in Boro Park over 25 years ago has undergone a vast expansion in its Flatbush location, continuing its longstanding commitment to generosity, high quality products, and first rate service to the Sephardic community. Kelly Jemal Massry FOOD & DINING FEATURES 53 The Origins and Inspiration of Syrian Cuisine A.D. Cohen 56 Enter: Your Personal Chef Kelly Jemal Massry 58 A Humorous look at Unique Dining Experiences Dave Gordon 60 The Do’s and Don’ts of Fine Kosher Dining David M Haber 64 Shaatra Does it – The Purim Seudah Frances Haddad 66 The Chic Kitchen Esther Deutsch 8 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE