Parasha Insights - Chabad of Great Neck

Two Forms of Blessings

Friday, August 30, 2024 - 6:00 AM

At the funeral of the richest man in town, a stranger saw a man crying very loudly. The stranger said, “Are you a relative of the deceased?”

“No.” “Then why are you crying?” “That’s why!”

See, I am placing before you today the blessing and the curse.

Blessing, if you obey the commandments of G-d that I enjoin upon you this day; and curse, if you do not obey….

This is the dramatic opening of the weekly Torah portion, Re’eh. But what is exactly this blessing and this curse that G-d is placing before us?

One approach to understanding the Torah's conception of "the blessing and the curse" is to see how this verse is rendered by the great translators of the Torah.

WHAT IS THE TORAH PERSPECTIVE ON AI?

Friday, August 23, 2024 - 6:00 AM

A rabbi was once asked by a congregant, "Rabbi, why do you always tell a joke before your sermons?" The rabbi replied, "Because if I can make you laugh, then I know I can make you think."

Now, listen to my genius the AI: Here are AI words, not mine:

This week's parsha, Eikev, is all about crossing over - from the physical to the spiritual, from the mundane to the holy.

It is a new world. Artificial intelligence solutions are already embedded in industries from healthcare to supply-chain management, to investing. As the field develops, experts predict we will see significant changes in everyday life. In an essay, Sam Altman wrote as follows:

“In the next five years, computer programs that can think will rea… Read More »

CAN YOU BE YOU?

Friday, August 16, 2024 - 6:37 AM

Four Europeans go hiking together and get frightfully lost. First, they run out of food, and then they run out of water.

"I’m so thirsty," says the Englishman, "I must have tea." "I’m so thirsty, says the Frenchman, "I must have wine." "I’m so thirsty," says the German, "I must have beer."

"I’m so thirsty," says the Jew, "I must have diabetes."

Israel today is facing a complex reality, with more varied and serious threats than we've seen before. There is a threat from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, the PA, and the other enemies of Israel waiting for their moment.

During such times, it is vital that we, the Jewish people, stand firm and unit… Read More »

Do you know how to make decisions?

Friday, August 9, 2024 - 6:27 AM

A shadchan (matchmaker) needs an assistant. He hires a young man who seems cut out for the job but is inexperienced. The new hire asks, "I am willing to learn, but I don't know what to do." "Don't worry," the matchmaker says, "For the first few matches you won't be on your own. You will come with me. All you need to do is agree with whatever I say and even embellish it slightly.”

They go to visit a couple who are looking for a match for their son and have been having a hard time. The matchmaker says, "We have found a wonderful girl for your son. Firstly, she is quite good-looking." "Quite good-looking?" interrupts the new assistant. "She is gorgeous! How I wish I could marry such a be… Read More »

WHY THE JOURNEY OF LIFE?

Friday, August 2, 2024 - 6:00 AM

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 couldn't find the guy to ensure a Super Bowl win.

Then one night while watching CNN he saw a war-zone scene in Gaza. He spotted a young Israeli soldier with a truly incredible arm in one corner of the background. 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 chimney. KA-BLOOEY! Then he threw another at a passing car going 90 mph. BULLS-EYE!

"I've got to get this guy!" The coach said to himself. "He has the perfect arm!" So, he b… Read More »