Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

KING DAVID LIVES FOREVER

Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - 5:00 PM

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Woody Allen said, "Someone once asked me if my dream was to live on, after I die, in the hearts of people, and I said I would prefer to live on in my own apartment."

In the Haftarah for this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, which means The Life of Sarah, the Book of Kings tells us the story of the Jewish people from the time of King Solomon’s reign, until well into the division of the Jewish Kingdom, and the exile of the Northern Kingdom. It follows the Book of Samuel, and its account of the beginning of monarchy in the Land of Israel, of King Saul, and later, the ascension and rule of King David. As such, its opening provides a link between these two periods, when thoughts mu… Read More »

THE ROAD TO PERFECION

Thursday, November 17, 2016 - 10:00 PM

Late one night, the phone rang in the librarian's home.

"What time does the library open?" a man asked.

"9:00 A.M." answered the librarian. "And why are you calling in the middle of the night to ask me that?"

"Not before 9:00 A.M.?" the caller asked disappointedly.

"No!" the librarian said. "Why would you want to get in any earlier?"

"Who said I wanted to get in?" the man sighed sadly. "I want to get out."

This week's Torah portion, Vayera, states that “Abraham and Sarah were old, coming on in days.” What does this mean? The Zohar offers a lovely interpretation. Abraham and Sarah lived each day to the fullest. Each day was wholesome, meani… Read More »

AN ISLAND IN TIME

Friday, November 11, 2016 - 1:00 PM

Two days before Chanukah, a downcast Mr. Feldman trudged home. "Where will I get money to buy presents for the holiday?" he asked himself sadly, thinking of his wife and kids. On the way, he passed a church, in front of which was a sign: “$100 Cash to Anyone Who Joins This Church Today!”

This was the solution to Feldman's problem! He went in, joined, and was given the hundred dollars as the sign promised. That evening, at supper, he told his family how he had come by his sudden wealth. "And here's the hundred!" he announced grandly, waving the money before them.

"Darling," said his wife, "you remember that coat you promised me three years ago? Well, it's on sale at Macy's."

&quo… Read More »

DO YOU TRUST YOURSELF?

Friday, November 4, 2016 - 12:30 PM

A beggar told Rothschild that since the orchestra had been dismantled, all he had was bad luck.

"What instrument did you play?" asked Rothschild.

"The bassoon," was the answer.

"Wow, that's my favorite," declared Rothschild. "Here is my bassoon, play something for me."

"I TOLD you all I have is bad luck!" replied the poor man.

"What do you mean?" asked Rothschild.

"Well, from all the hundreds of instruments, I had to pick the one you own."

In this week’s Torah portion, Noach, G-d commanded Noach to prepare for the great flood by constructing an ark. In the year 1656 from creation (2105 BCE), four married couples—Noach and his wife, and hi… Read More »