Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

When the Ordinary Becomes Divine?

Friday, January 30, 2026 - 6:00 AM

When the Torah describes the splitting of the sea, in this week's portion, Beshalach, it says:

“And the children of Israel went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.”

But later, after the miracle has concluded and the Jewish people sing the Song of the Sea, the Torah records their words differently:

“For the horses of Pharaoh, with his chariots and horsemen, went into the sea… but the children of Israel walked on dry land, in the midst of the sea.”

There is a subtle yet profound shift in language.
At first, they entered the sea, and it became dry land.
Later, they describe themselves as walking on dry land inside the sea.

DO YOU HAVE BARRIERS IN LIFE?

Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM

The opening verse of the tenth chapter of Exodus—this week’s Torah portion, Bo—contains one of the most unsettling and psychologically profound statements in the entire Torah:

“And G-d said to Moses: Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, in order that I might show My signs in their midst…”

Two glaring questions immediately demand attention.

First: Why does G-d say, “Come to Pharaoh”?
Would it not have been more appropriate—more grammatically and logically correct—to say “Go to Pharaoh”? Lech el Pharaoh, not Bo el Pharaoh.

Second—and far more troubling—the sequence of the verse … Read More »

The Small Act That Changes the World

Friday, January 16, 2026 - 6:00 PM

A patient once said to his doctor after being saved from a serious illness,
“Since we’ve become such close friends, I won’t insult you by paying you. But as a sign of my gratitude, I put you in my will.”

“That’s very kind,” said the doctor. “But give me back the prescription—I’d like to make a small change.”

Another man came to the doctor complaining of terrible forgetfulness.
“Yesterday I forgot where I live. The day before, I forgot I even went to synagogue. And earlier in the week, I forgot I was supposed to play golf!”

“Oy, doctor, what should I do?”

“Pay me now,” the doctor replied.

Ezekiel: A Prophet in Exile

Yechezkel&mdash… Read More »

Why Crossing the Hands?

Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 10:34 PM

A woman in her eighties made the evening news because she was getting married for the fourth time. The following day, she was interviewed by a local TV station. The reporter asked what it felt like to be married again at that age, especially since her new husband was a funeral director, and whether she would share something about her earlier marriages.

She paused, smiled, and said proudly:
“In my twenties, I married a banker. In my forties, a circus ringmaster. In my sixties, a pastor. And now, in my eighties, a funeral director.”

The amazed reporter asked why she had married men with such different careers.

She smiled again and replied:
“I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get read… Read More »