Story Tour

A king’s son was once walking along the way, when he reached a fork in the road. Suddenly, a band of thieves attacked him, intent on murdering him. Much to his good fortune, however, a pauper dressed in rags happened to be walking along the road at that very moment. When he saw the thieves, he gathered up his courage and in a display of great strength, vanquished them and saved the king’s son. 

Upon hearing of the pauper’s heroics, the king had him sum­moned before him. When the pauper arrived, the king thanked him and proclaimed:

“As a reward for having saved my son, I hereby permit you to spend an entire day in the royal treasury; you may take anything that your heart desires.”

When the gates of the royal treasury were opened for the pauper, he joyously fell upon the massive piles of gold and diamonds, and be­gan to gather all that he could. 

When evening settled in and the pauper exited the royal treasury he had undergone a complete transformation. In one day, he had gone from being a destitute pauper to an extraordinarily wealthy man. The next day, this former pauper went into business, and in a short while he became eminently successful. He had now become one of the wealthiest men in the land, and he completely forgot about his former life of poverty and deprivation. 

Every year, the former pauper staged a lavish feast on the day that he had been blessed with the good fortune of entering the royal trea­sury. He invited all of his friends and relatives to the feast, and it was a custom that lasted for many years. 

One year in the middle of the feast, the wealthy man turned to his friends and asked, “Which day of my life do you think was the hap­piest of all for me?” 

“It must be this very day” responded the guests. “This day on which you have made a feast for all of your friends must be the hap­piest day of your life! After all, on this day your palace is decorated, your servants surround you, and all of the distinguished individuals in the land accord you great honor!” 

“You are mistaken,” said the wealthy man. “While this day is cer­tainly one of great joy it is but a remembrance of the day on which I was remade, literally transformed from a lowly beggar in ragged clothing to a man possessing enormous wealth. That day was the happiest of my life. 

“I spent that entire day,” he continued, “inside the royal treasury. I felt neither hunger nor weariness; rather, it was as if my complete being was focused on only one goal — amassing the valuables that lay inside the treasury. The more valuables I amassed, the more joy I reaped. I have yet to experience a happier day than that one.” 

So it is with us, the Holy One, blessed be He grants each per­son life as a gift. Throughout his life, man has the ability to amass as many mitzvos and good deeds as his heart desires.

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In a certain city lived a very wealthy man whose large general store was the source of livelihood for both him and his family. That night, a band of thieves broke into the store and stole a great amount of merchandise as well as a large sum of money from the cash register. 

The storekeeper spent a lot of time and effort in collecting the re­maining merchandise from his store, and also the items that had been sitting in his warehouse for years. With considerable re­silience, he opened a new business. While the store was certainly smaller than the previous one, he nevertheless managed to earn enough to live. 

Some time later, however, thieves broke into this store again, this time leaving him with nothing. Left with no other choice, the man sold his wife’s jewelry and opened a small store in which he sold inexpensive household items. 

Misfortune struck soon after, however, as thieves secretly en­tered his store and stole the few items that he had in stock. 

The man was now left penniless… 

What did he do? He borrowed a small sum of money from his friends and purchased some merchandise. Goods in hand, he went from town to town and city to city, knocking on doors and trying his best to make a sale. 

He was walking home one day, with a few copper coins jingling in his pocket. Suddenly, a ruthless thief riding on a big and strong horse stopped him and demanded that he hand over everything his possession… 

The man began to weep bitterly and begged the thief not to take his money, so that he could afford to buy bread for his family. But the cruel thief ignored his pleas, snatched his bundles and money and then galloped away into the nearby forest. 

The man watched the thief as he rode further and further away Suddenly, the thief rode into the branch of a willow tree and toppled from his horse. 

Sprinting over to the thief, the man saw that this heartless individual had received his just desserts — he was no longer alive… 

Rummaging through the thief’s belongings, the man discovered a valuable treasure — precious gems and pearls — hidden within the folds of his saddle. He took the treasure and ran to his house. Shortly thereafter, he regained his former status as a wealthy man; in fact, he was even wealthier than he had been before! 

The Breslover Rebbi, z”l, taught that it is forbidden for an individ­ual to give in to his suffering. Rather, let him turn his eyes to the Merciful One and continuously ask Him for mercy. When the time is right, all of the good that he had previously will be restored to him, and it will be even greater than before.

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There are many levels of faith one must face daily. As one travels his path, the world affects his faith. Sometimes one uses their beliefs to insulate themselves from the world. This does not build faith. 

There once was a king who loved to go hunting. One day the king gathered his friends and advisers to go hunting. They followed many trails and paths through the woodland. 

In late afternoon skies dark and the skies were streaked by lightning and the thunder roared as heavy rain fell in torrents. The wind blew strong the king’s friends and advisers scattered in all directions leaving the king alone. The king was afraid as he had never been alone before, but he was determined to find his way out of the forest. So he began to walk. He had no idea where he was going and was quite lost. 

The day turned to night and the night creatures came out. The king was terrified as he had never been in the dark by himself before, but he kept walking through the forest. After some hours he saw the distance a light any hiked toward it as he got closer he saw it was a tumbledown shack. 

The king went to the door and knocked. The door was opened quickly by a middle-aged man who invited the wet tired stranger into his house. He did not know the stranger was the King. 

The man ushered him into a roaring fire to warm himself. The king stood by that fire until he was quite dry. 

The man came to his guest and said, “I don’t have much, but I can offer you kasha.” The king ate the kasha, a tasted finer that any dish served to him in the palace. He savored each spoonful. 

As the king finished eating, the man noted, “You must be tired. You sleep in my bed and I will sleep upon the floor.” The bed was nothing but a mattress stuffed with straw. This simple, plain bed was so comfortable that the king had the soundest sleep he’d ever had. 

The storm passed sometime during the night. The skies were clear and the wind was calm. 

The king was awakened by the smell of cooking food and fresh brewed tea. He ate and sipped the tea and felt the calm and happy. 

About midmorning there was a knock at the door of the tumbledown shack. The man answered the door and the king overheard an advisor at the door. 

“Have you seen the King?” No, I have not.” Will you help us find the king for this is very grave for the kingdom?” I will help by all means said the man. 

Hearing this, the king came to the door and told the advisor he was safe. The advisor told the king,”Your majesty I have a carriage for you, guards and an escort to bring you back to the palace.” “I won’t go with you” “Your highness the kingdom can not endure without you.” I will not go with you” Your majesty the throne can not remain empty.” “Go back to the palace and I will see you there” 

The king returned to his tea and conversation with the man. He left the tumbledown shack and returned to his palace in the man’s buckboard. They rode into the capital city and up to the very gates of the palace. 

The king insisted the man come into the palace and wait by the throne room doors. He quickly ran and changed into his royal robes. He went into the throne room and beckoned that the doors be opened. The man entered the great hall and began to walk toward the king and the king waved him forward. He came before the first step in front of the throne and there were whispers and chatter throughout the room. The king waved him forward, and he went up to the step. The whispers became louder, but the king waved the man closer. The man went up to the second step and the king asked him to stand before him on the highest step before him and the king told him to stand by its right hand. 

One of the king’s advisers burst forth and exclaimed, “Who is this man that he should stand at the king’s right hand?” “He is my friend” the king answered. “He has no noble blood, education, wealth were standing. He is a nobody. He’s a beggar and his clothes are an offense to the king! Why should he stand at the king’s right hand?” The adviser responded. The noise became louder as everyone was talking. The king’s stared from one side of the throne room the other and silence fell throughout the room.l 

The king began, “you who call yourselves my friends and advisers scattered and left me by myself because of some wind, rain, thunder and lightning. This man knew not who I was yet he treated me royally. He would treat any one who came to his door with the same honor, dignity and respect. This indeed is a true friend was he is not afraid to act upon what is in heart.” No one dared to speak a word in the throne room that day and the king continued, “From this day forward you who call yourselves my friends and advisers are banished from the palace. 

The king appointed the man to be his only adviser. 

So it is with those in relation to faith. There are those who are very exacting in their fulfillment of religious obligations and rituals but lack faith. Therein is the issue, they become so involved the mechanics of religion they take faith for granted. 

Faith can only be manifest to those who are simple and humble in their beliefs. For they grow stronger every day in their faith. 

By doing mitzvahs (religious deeds) from the heart and one’s awe of Hashem the words “he who does not exalt himself will be exalted by Hashem.” (Mo’ed Katan 28) will come true. 

When one lives their faith with love and openness, they become a friend to the King as it is taught: “He who loves purity of heart, and grace is on his lips, the king shall be his friend” (Proverbs:22:11)

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In today’s society there are many distractions and pressures on people to conform to the views of the trendy. Everyday we hear about attacks on religion. There is a great movement against beliefs and in certain circles a massive attack upon morality. Within the many traditions, customs and teachings of the Jewish community are codes of conduct, ethics and even modes of dress. Society labels modesty as outdated and archaic, religious conduct as aloof, standoffish and anti-social, ethics are viewed as unnecessary in today “enlightened” world.

The pressures to conform to the popular ways of dress, the technology that demeans the importance of belief in G-d, and the reinterpretation of what is proper behaviour makes a religious lifestyle difficult. The pressure to leave Jewish beliefs and values is very great. True there may not be forced conversion by the sword today, but the pressure is still there. So many people feel that to acquiese to the prevaling beliefs is easier than holding onto the Jewishness.

When confronted with these many pressures many do not know how to respond. The challenges are not new and the responses are the same as they were in the 14th century Spain.

The Parable of the Two Precious Stones

There was a story of King Don Pedro the Aged and his advisor, Nicolao de Valencia. Nicolao came before the king one day and said: “Sire, I have heard that it is your noble desire to go to war against your enemies. Now why should my lord proceed against those enemies who are abroad and leave those who are at home? They are the Jewish people who hate us so much and in whose books it is written that they must not greet us peaceably.” Then the king answered: “Have you actually heard this with your own ears?” And Nicolao answered: “I have heard this from one of them who has come to our faith.” “He,” said the king, “is not worthy of belief, for one who changes his faith will find it easy to change the facts. And furthermore, hate based on religion is only doubtful hate, for it aims only to show his love of his new faith.” But Nicolao answered: “All I am concerned for is their arrogance, for to your very face, sire, they will say that your faith is false!”

“Let us summon one of the wise men of the Jewish community and ask him,” said the king. When he appeared before him, the king said to him: “What is your name?” And he answered: “Ephraim Sancho.” “It would seem,” laughed the king, “that you must be a graft, and the lower half of you which bears the sign of the covenant bears your name Ephraim, while from the upper half you are a Christian because you admit to the name of Sancho.” To that the Jew replied: “Your majesty, Sancho is the name of my family, and it was actually Santzi, but it has been corrupted by the people of the city.”

“Do I seek to wed your daughter,” asked the king, “that you are telling me of your family?” “Your majesty, I added Sancho for a mark of distinction, for there are many men named Ephraim in the streets, and if your majesty asked me my name, I had to assume that you wished to know who I am in particular.”

“Let that be,” said the king, “for what caused me to bring you here. It is in order to declare which of the two faiths is better, the faith of Jesus or yours.” And the sage replied: “My faith is better for me, since I am what I am, for I was a slave to slaves in Egypt and God brought me forth from there with signs and wonders (Pesach Haggadah); but your faith is better for you because of its constant and prolonged authority and duration.”

“I ask you,” said the king, “about the faiths in themselves and as such, not in respect of their followers.” To this the wise man answered: “If it seems fit to you, your majesty, I shall answer you after three days of reflection.” And the king said: “Let it be so.”

When the three days past, the wise man came before the king looking very upset and disturbed. “Why do you look so downcast?” asked the king. The wise man answered, “Because I was cursed today and groundlessly so, and I beseech you, your majesty, to take up my suit.

This is what happened, about a month ago my neighbor went on a long journey but left two precious stones for his two sons. Now the two brothers have come to me and requested me to tell them what the singular character of each stone is and the difference between them. ‘Who knew that better than your father?’ I said to them. ‘There is no greater expert than he in all that concerns precious stones and the art of cutting them. For this reason he is known to be an expert in gems. Send for him and let him tell you the truth!’ And because I gave them that reply, they cursed me and beat me.’ ” “Why,” exclaimed the king, “they cursed you without cause, and they deserve to be punished!”

Then the wise man answered,

“Your majesty, let your own ears hear the words you uttered! Consider, Aisov and Yaacov were brothers and each one of them was given a certain jewel, and now your majesty asks which of them is better? Let the king send a messenger to our Father in heaven, for He is the greatest expert in gems, and He will tell you the difference between the stones!”

“Do you see, Nicolao,” exclaimed the king, “the wisdom of the Jewish people? This sage is indeed worthy of honor and gifts. Your counsel is evil and it is written, “false witnesses are despised by even their own employers.” (Sanhedrin 29a). As for you, you deserve to be punished for uttering falsehood about the Jewish community.”

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A king sent his son to a distant land so that he would gain knowledge from its elders and wise men. After several years of study, the son returned to the palace filled with worldly wisdom. 

The king wished to test his son’s newfound knowledge. He therefore presented him with an enormously heavy rock and in­structed him to carry it up to the roof of the palace. There was one condition, however: he was to carry it all on his own, without re­ceiving the slightest assistance. 

“But father,” wondered the son, “even ten men would not have the strength necessary to lift such a huge rock! How, then, can I be expected to carry this rock to the roof all by myself?” 

“Is this why I sent you away to study wisdom?” asked the father. “After all that you have learned, do you still not know how to lift this rock?” 

The son was not ashamed to admit that he had absolutely no idea. “It’s actually very simple,” said the king. “All you have to do is take a hammer and smash the rock into little pieces…” 

The Holy One, blessed be He wants man to serve Him wholeheartedly, with holiness and purity. The problem is that our hearts are made of stone…Man has but one choice: He must take a hammer (the Torah/Scriptures and good deeds) and smash his stone heart! The Torah/Scriptures are called a stone, as in the verse “The tables of stone, and the law and the commandment” (Exod. 24:12); the impulse to evil is likewise called a stone, as in the verse “I will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh” (Ezek. 36:26). Thus, since Torah is a stone, and the impulse to evil a stone, let one stone guard against the other stone. (Lev. R. 35:5)

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