Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

WHY DO YOU SEEM DOWN?

Thursday, October 26, 2017 - 11:28 PM

I once wanted to be an atheist, but I changed my mind—they have no holidays.

Jewish life is saturated with holidays. If you are Jewish, you don’t stop partying and eating, because there is always another holiday ahead of or behind you. In fact, the only month without a holiday is the one we presently find ourselves in: Cheshvan. Cheshvan has no special days, neither feast nor fast. It is the most boring month in our calendar.

What is more, this month follows the holiday-laden month of Tishrei. From a great spiritual high, we leap into the ultimate downer. Why?

The Lubavitcher Rebbe answers this based on the opening verse of this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha.

The entire history of Judaism commences with the followin… Read More »

DID YOU FIND THE PRICELESS VIOLIN?

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 12:44 PM

A very successful businessman had a meeting with his new son-in-law. "I love my daughter, and now I welcome you into the family," said the man. "To show you how much I care for you, I'm making you a 50-50 partner in my business. All you have to do is go to the factory every day and learn the operations."

The son-in-law interrupted, "I hate factories. I can't stand the noise."

"I see," replied the man. "Well, then you'll work in the office and take charge of some operations."

"I hate office work," said the son-in-law. "I can't stand being stuck behind a desk all day."

"Wait a minute," said the father-in-law. "I just made you half-owner of a moneymaking o… Read More »

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND ISRAEL

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - 3:47 PM

On the sixth day of Creation, G-d turned to the angel Gabriel and said, "Today I am going to create a land of outstanding natural beauty called Israel. It will have rolling hills, and mountains full of goats and eagles, a beautiful, sparkling, clear ocean full of sea life, and high cliffs overlooking sandy white beaches. I shall make the land rich in oil to allow the inhabitants to prosper. I shall call the inhabitants "Jews," and they shall be known as the friendliest people on the earth."

"But," asked Gabriel, "Don't you think you're being too generous to these Jews?" "Not really," replied G-d. "Wait and see the neighbors I will give them."

There is a fascinating, enigmatic ver… Read More »