Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

IS YOUR HEART AFLAME?

Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 11:32 PM

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, former chief rabbi of Israel, related when he met the Rebbe shortly after the Yom Kippur war. The Rebbe asked what Jews in Israel were asking. Rabbi Lau replied they were asking, “What will be?” The Rebbe said, “A Jew doesn’t ask, ‘what will be,’ a Jew asks, ‘what must we do?’”

We are surrounded by evil; every so often, it rears its ugly head as it did on the October 7 massacre. Pure evil raped Jewish mothers, burned Jewish babies alive, mutilated their fathers, and beheaded their neighbors. Pure evil burned loving couples clinging to each other, to a crisp.

Our mandate is to fight evil. Never to surrender, never to succumb. To keep the flame of righteousness bu… Read More »

DO YOU SEE MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE?

Friday, March 22, 2024 - 12:44 AM

The anecdote is told that some years ago, the Israeli Knesset, once convened an emergency session to figure out a solution for the broken Israeli economy.

One brilliant minister said, "Let's declare war on the U.S., and then, in the wake of the utter destruction America will bring upon us, we will receive billions of dollars for reconstruction, like Germany and Japan.

"Sounds great," responded another member of the Knesset. "One problem: What will we do if we win the war?"

When do we celebrate Purim in a leap year the first month of Adar or the second Adar? The holiday of Purim always falls in the second Adar. Why? The Talmud explains that it is â€œpreferable to juxtapose [one] redemption t… Read More »

DOES G-D WANT YOU TO BE WEALTHY?

Friday, March 15, 2024 - 1:01 AM

A young lawyer, starting up his private practice, was very anxious to impress potential clients. When he saw the first visitor to his office come through the door, he immediately picked up his phone and said," I'm sorry, but my caseload is so tremendous that I'm not going to be able to look into your problem for at least a month. I'll have to get back to you then." He then turned to the man who had just walked in, and said, "Now, what can I do for you? Make sure to do this fast, as I am in a mad rush, as you can see from the endless telephone calls of clients."

"Nothing," replied the man. "I'm here to hook up your phone

The last five portions of the book of Exodus, culminating this week with the portion … Read More »

ARE YOU FAN OR A PLAYER?

Friday, March 8, 2024 - 10:49 AM

An old Jewish beggar was out on the street, begging with his tin cup.

A man passed by and the beggar said to the man, "Sir, could you spare a quarter for a cup of coffee?"

And the man said, "Where do get coffee for 25 scents?"

And the beggar said, "Who buys retail?"

Building a sanctuary is difficult enough. Getting people to donate has been, historically, even more difficult. That, however, was not the case concerning the construction of the first Temple the Mishkan the Jewish people built in the desert.

The Torah in Vayakhel tells us that everyone contributed to the cause. “Every man whose heart uplifted him came, and everyone whose spirit inspired him to generosity brought the offering of the… Read More »