Joke of the Day:
Sheldon visited mama and papa. He said: “Finally, I’ve found my soulmate. Just for fun, I’m going to bring over three women and you guys guess which ‘the one’ is.” Mama and Papa agreed.
The next day he brought three beautiful women who sat on the sofa and chatted with Mama and Papa over a little cake and tea. After they left, he challenged, “Okay, guess which one I’m going to marry?”
“The one in the middle for sure,” his parents replied instantly.
“Right! But … how did you know?” asked Sheldon, amazed.
Mama said, “Simple. She’s the only one we didn’t like.”
Food for thought:
In a lecture given by Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, a renowned educator living in Jeruslaem, he laments, “Most people do not live the life they really want, they live life as it happens.” The message is chilling, but it serves as a necessary reminder that as Jews, we are required to reflect on our lives and strive for constant growth and character development. We must not let life pass us by in the passenger seat! As the Lubavithcher Rebbe once said, “Nobody finds themselves in a situation. You put yourself in a situation. And if you put yourself in that situation, you can put yourself in another situation.”
Jewish Riddles:
Jewish riddles have existed since the days of the Tanach. The very first riddle is raised by Shimshon, one of the last judges of ancient Israel, in the Book of Judges. The Book of Kings also documents several riddles addressed toward King Solomon to test his fame as the wisest of all men. The Gemara is also filled with various riddles the wise men of Athens posed to test the wisdom of Rav Yehoshua ben Chananya, a famous rabbi of the time. The legacy continues, and below are two ancient riddles.
Riddle 1:
Question (posed by the Ibn Ezra, a rabbi of the Middle Ages): This is a country without a land, its kings and dignitaries are lifeless. If the king is annihilated, no one is left alive.
Riddle 2:
Question (posed by the Queen of Sheba toward King Solomon): When a storm wind shrieks over people’s heads, this item bends its head like a reed. It is a pride for the rich and a shame for the poor, a glory for the dead and a misery for the living. It is a joy for birds and mourning for fish.
_________
Riddle Answers:
Answer 1: Chess
Answer 2: The flax plant is flexible and bends in the wind. The rich wear it proudly and the poor are embarrassed that they cannot afford it. It is a glory for the dead who wear linen shrouds and a misery for the living who have to pay for them. Flax is a joy for birds who eat its seeds, and a mourning for fish who are caught in linen nets.
