Click Image to Read Speech

Click image to Open PDF

“Actions speak louder than words” or “NO, no, no, no, NO!”

(Old Testament, Chapter: Vah-Yee-Gah-sh)

Summary:  Hearing Judah and his brothers beg for Benjamin, Joseph knows that his brothers now think more about others than themselves.  An ancient and valuable lesson for our both our personal and business lives.

Allegorical references: Doing something of value to show you are sorry is much more credible than just saying you are sorry.  

Lesson:  Actions speak louder than words.

Statistics:  1,239 words (approximately 10 minutes speaking time); includes definition of terms used; quotes and sources. 

Click image to Open PDF

Joseph, the Wizard of Oz, Tom Cruise and Donald Trump

(Old Testament, Book of Genesis, Chapter: Mi-Ketz)

Summary:  Joseph is pulled from jail-- called before the Pharoah to interpret his nightmares that foretell the seven years of famine that will come to Egypt.

References: “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Last Samurai”, “The Apprentice”.  

Moral:  That we should all have faith and the strength of Joseph to do what we can until our destinies are revealed to us. 

Statistics:  767 words (approximately 5 minutes speaking time); includes definition of terms used.

 Click image to Open PDF

(Old Testament, Book of Numbers, Chapter:  Balak)

Summary:  Story of prophet called upon to curse the Israelites camped outside a king’s province.  The story includes a talking donkey and a series of mishaps.  The prophet has no free-will in that he is only able to speak the words God puts in his mouth.  Allegorical references to Aesop’s Fables, the movie “Shrek”, and “All I needed to learn I learned in Kindergarten”.   

Moral:  1- Follow your heart; 2- Don’t give in to peer pressure; 3- People can change and should be allowed to.

Statistics:  1108 words (approximately 10 minutes speaking time); includes definition of terms used; includes 4 direct quotes in transliterated Hebrew and English translation. 

 Click image to Open PDF

It’s Not About What You Sacrifice or Offer…

It’s About How You Do It.

(Old Testament, Chapter: Vayikra)

Summary:  The first Parshah of V’yikra is entirely about sacrifices and offerings….  A subject about which there is not too much thought given in our modern times-- 

Sacrifices and offerings in this parsha fall into three pretty basic categories:

• Things you did or say knowingly or unknowingly that you should not have done 
  or said…

• Things you didn’t do or say knowingly or unknowingly and should have done or said…

• And Just because, or thanks!...  Things are good!

Allegorical references: Our sacrifices and offerings are numerous in the things we do and say every day—in the things we are doing and saying here today. 

Moral:  It is the quality of our sacrifices and offerings-- how we sacrificed and offered—that God, your family, friends, and colleagues notice and care about. 

Statistics:  1,749 words (approximately 12 minutes speaking time); includes definition of terms used; quotes and sources. 

 Click image to Open PDF

Choices, Decisions and Tradition

(Old Testament, Book of Devarim, Chapter: R’eih)

Summary:  The Israelite God gives the people a choice between a blessing and a curse and reviews dietary restrictions- keeping kosher.

Allegorical references: The perfect ten-second sales pitch.  The ultimate close.  Recruiting; interviewing; job onboarding; responding to an executive.

Moral:  May all our choices be for a blessing. 

Statistics:  1,147 words (approximately 10 minutes speaking time); includes definition of terms used; includes 1 direct quote in English translation. 

Special Note:  This is highly effective when two envelopes (containing the same speech) are held up before the audience-  and if possible walked over and placed on separate tables or podiums. 

Easily Adaptable to any special diet (vegetarian) or any tradition.