Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

WHERE IS THE ROMAN EMPIRE TODAY?

Friday, July 28, 2017 - 12:10 PM

A large corporation hired a new CEO. Before leaving, the former CEO met the new hire privately in his office and gave him three numbered envelopes.

“Open these if you have a problem you don’t think you can solve,” he said.

Things were pretty smooth the first six months, but then sales took a downturn and the new CEO began to catch a lot of heat. He took the first envelope from his drawer. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”

The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. Sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined with serious product ma… Read More »

CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES?

Friday, July 21, 2017 - 12:00 PM

The coach had put together the perfect team for the Chicago Bears. The only thing that was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges and even the Canadian and European Leagues, but he couldn't find the guy who could ensure a Super Bowl win.

Then one night while watching CNN he saw a war-zone scene in the West Bank. In one corner of the background, he spotted a young Israeli soldier with a truly incredible arm. He threw a hand-grenade straight into a 15th story window 100 yards away. KABOOM! He threw another hand-grenade 75 yards away, right into a a chimney. KA-BLOOEY! Then he threw another at a passing car going 90 mph. BULLS-EYE!

"I've got to get this guy!" Coach said to himself. "He has the perfect … Read More »

DO YOU FULLY TRUST YOUR SPOUSE?

Friday, July 14, 2017 - 12:00 PM

Rabbi Adler was called away unexpectedly due to an illness of a close family member. He entrusted his new assistant Rabbi with filling the pulpit. When Rabbi Adler returned, he asked his wife what she thought of the young Rabbi’s sermon.

"Oy, it was one of the worst I've ever heard," she said. "There was nothing in it, nothing at all. It didn't even make sense. It was disorganized, and the message absolutely meaningless. His presentation was actually not bad—he is a good speaker, has a nice voice; but his message? Oy my G-d, the worst ever. The entire congregation was disappointed."

Later that day, Rabbi Adler met his young assistant Rabbi and asked him, "How did the Shabbat service and the sermon go… Read More »

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

Friday, July 7, 2017 - 12:00 PM

Mr. Dewey was briefing his client, who was about to testify in his own defense.

"You must swear to tell the complete truth. Do you understand?"

The client replied that he did.

Then lawyer then asked, "Do you know what will happen if you don't tell the truth?"

The client looked back and said, "I imagine that our side will win."

Next Tuesday is the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. This is when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, enabling the enemy's conquest of the city, which led to the destruction of the Holy Temple three weeks later on the 9th of Av. Ever since, 17 Tammuz 17 and 9 Av are both fast days, and the three week period between them is a time… Read More »