In the Opposite Direction

Posted on Tuesday, 9, November, 2021Sunday, 18, February, 2024 by Rabbi

Two young men learned together in the same yeshivah (school). They were both very gifted and hardworking, and each progressed steadily in his Torah (Bible) and religious studies. When they grew older, however, they went their separate ways: One of them continued to pursue his Torah (Bible) and religious studies in a different yeshivah, while the other one deviated from the path of Torah (Bible) and religious studies. He studied medicine and eventually became a world-renowned doctor.

The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“At that moment,” continued the rabbi, “a man happened to pass by and overheard our conversation. He told me that a magnificent coach harnessed to fine horses was parked on the outskirts of the city. If I so desired, he said, I could travel home in it. The ride would be comfortable and quick, and it would cost only a few copper coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

In this world every person must occupy himself with studying Torah and performing good deeds, which he will ultimately be able to take with him to the World to Come. However, if man chooses to pursue fleeting pleasures and all of the luxuries that this world has to offer, he may travel in comfort, but it will be in the opposite direction!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rabbi Beroka and Eliyahu haNovi – Elijah the Prophet

Posted on Sunday, 7, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Rabbi Beroka Choza’a was often found in the market of Bei Lefet, and Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) would often appear to him. Once Rabbi Beroka asked Elijah, “Of all the people who come here, is there anyone in this market worthy of the World-to-Come?” Eliyahu haNovi answered him, “No.” In the meantime, Rabbi Beroka saw a man who was wearing black shoes, very different to the Jewish custom, and who did not place the sky-blue, dyed thread of ritual fringes on his garment. Elijah said to Rabbi Beroka, “That man is worthy of the World-to-Come.”

Rabbi Beroka ran after the man and said to him, “What is your occupation?” The man answered him, “Go away now, as I have no time, but come back tomorrow and we will talk.” The next day, Rabbi Beroka arrived and again asked the man, “What is your occupation?” The man responded, “I am a prison guard, and it is my practice to imprison the men separately and the women separately. At night I set my bed between the men and the women, and I guard them all night long, so that they will not come to transgression. When a Jewish woman is imprisoned with me, I try to keep watch over her and to save her. On one occasion a Jewish woman was brought to prison who was married. I saw that some of the prisoners thought to act improperly with her. So, I took a measure of yeast and dregs of red wine and threw them on the lower part of her dress and told her, ‘Daughter, tell any man who approaches you that it is your time.’ She did so and she was saved, for no man approached her.”

Rabbi Beroka said to him, “What is the reason that you do not have threads of ritual fringes, and why do you wear black shoes? The man said to him: Since I come and go among the people of power, I dress this way so that they will not know that I am Jewish. When they issue an evil decree, I inform the Sages and community leaders, and they pray for mercy to annul the evil decree.” Rabbi Beroka further asked, “And what is the reason that when I said to you: What is your occupation, you said to me, ‘Go away now but come tomorrow?’” The man replied, “At that moment, they had just issued an evil decree, and I said to myself: First I must go and inform the Sages and community leaders, so that they will pray for mercy over this matter.

In the meantime, two brothers came to the marketplace. Eliyahu haNovi noted to Rabbi Beroka, “These two also have a share in the World-to-Come.” Rabbi Beroka went over to the men and asked them, “What is your occupation?” They answered, “We are jesters, and we cheer up the sad and depressed. Alternatively, when we see two people who have a quarrel between them, we try to make peace.” It is said that for this behavior one enjoys the rewards of his actions in this world, and yet his reward is not diminished in the World-to-Come.

Based on Ta’anis 22a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Mountain of Treasures – A Jewish Tale from Morocco Part II

Posted on Wednesday, 3, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The next morning cries for help were heard from inside the mountain, and when it was discovered that the princess was missing, the king understood it must be the voice of his daughter they heard. Then he commanded his soldiers to take shovels and pickaxes to dig into the mountain to pull her out. Sadly, every shovel and pickaxe broke against the mountain, and before long even the king accepted they would never save the princess that way. Then the king announced that anyone who could free the princess would be wed to her and would also receive half his kingdom. Many journeyed to the mountain and sought to free the princess one way or another, but none of them succeeded in making the mountain open, and the princess remained trapped inside.

Now in that kingdom there was a clever lad whose name was Yosef, and although his family was poor, he always managed to find something so that they never went hungry. One day Yosef was walking in the marketplace when he heard an old woman cry out that she had an oud to sell. But everyone who looked at the oud only laughed in her face, for it was very old and battered, and besides, it was missing all of its strings. Now Yosef had only three copper coins in his pocket, but he said to himself: “The oud is old and worn, but I could polish it, and someday, when I have more money, I will buy strings and play it.”

So Yosef approached the old woman, and offered three copper coins for the old oud. The old woman accepted the offer at once. Then she motioned for him to come closer, and she whispered in his ear: “This is a fine oud you have bought, my lad, for it is a magic oud. But for it to perform its magic, it requires golden strings, for no others will do.” Then the old woman turned to go and disappeared in the crowded marketplace. And even though Yosef ran after her, he could not find her, and he was sorry she had left before he could ask her what kind of magic the oud could do, and now it was too late.

It was at that time that the princess had become trapped in the golden mountain, and the king sought help in setting her free. Like many others, Yosef liked to imagine how wonderful it would be if he was the one who freed her. And even though he had no idea how to do this, Yosef decided to go to the golden mountain to see for himself. So he took leave of his parents, took his only possession, the stringless oud, and set out on his journey.

Meanwhile the princess had begun to despair of ever escaping from the cavern. At first she had hoped that those trying to get her out would succeed, for she was able to listen to all their comments with the aid of her magic seashell. In this way she soon discovered that they had failed, and learned that the king, in his desperation, had offered her hand to whoever succeeded in releasing her. Then it occurred to the princess that she might be able to open the mountain from within by pronouncing the spell, but this too failed, for the spell was effective only from the outside. Soon after she had become trapped there, she searched through the cavern of treasures to see if there was anything to eat or drink, and she found a spring deep in the cavern, which had its source inside the mountain. So, too, did she find growing next to it a carob tree, which sustained her. And to pass the time she put the golden seashell to her ear, and heard in it all that her parents and others in the kingdom said about her, and learned how much they grieved over what had happened. So too did she listen to the lectures of wise men all over the world, for she had not lost her love for learning. And in this way several months passed, with the princess no nearer to freedom than she was in the first place.

Then one day the boy Yosef arrived at the golden mountain. He saw the crowds that gathered there during the day, because what had happened to the princess had made it a famous place. But when it grew dark, they all left and returned to town, leaving Yosef alone there, for he had nowhere else to go. He found a place for himself on the ground and was about to go to sleep when he suddenly saw something glint in the moonlight. And when he arose and went over to see what it was, he was amazed to find a long, golden thread—the very one that had become caught in the thorn bush as the princess had entered the cavern. Yosef carefully pulled the golden thread from the bush without pricking his fingers on the thorns, and when he had it in his hand it occurred to him that he might try to string his oud with it. For, after all, the old woman had told him its magic would work only with golden strings. And when he had strung the oud, he found that the golden thread was just long enough to serve for all its strings.

So it was that as midnight arrived Yosef plucked the strings of the magic oud for the first time. And all at once it sang out with a melodious voice, almost human, and each time he plucked a string, it sang out another word, of something that sounded to Yosef like a spell. Suddenly he heard a loud rumbling. Then the princess, who had heard every word pronounced by the magic oud with the aid of the golden shell, hurried outside, and ran straight to the boy who had released her, and embraced him, and thanked him again and again for setting her free.

Then Yosef and the princess returned to the palace, he with his magic oud, and she with her magic seashell, and when the king saw that his beloved daughter had been freed, he was overjoyed. So too did he keep his promise, and soon there was a lavish wedding at which Yosef and the princess were wed. And the princess soon found out that the clever Yosef loved to learn as much as she did, and she taught him all that she knew, so that one day he became the wise ruler of that kingdom, where he was admired and respected by all.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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The Mountain of Treasures – A Jewish Tale from Morocco Part I

Posted on Monday, 1, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part II will be posted on 3 November 2021

Many years ago, there was a king who ruled over a vast kingdom and was believed by many to be the wealthiest man in the world. This king had a daughter who was curious to know about everything—why the sun rises and sets, why spring follows winter, why the moon is full at sometimes and is only a sliver at others. So, it was that when the princess learned there was a wise and ancient man in their kingdom who knew of revealed and hidden things on the earth and in the heavens, she begged her father to bring him to the palace to teach her what he knew.

Now the king’s daughter was very precious to him, and he was especially proud that she loved to learn. So, he sent a messenger in a fine carriage to bring the ancient wise man to the palace. When the old man arrived, he was taken to the king at once. The king said to him: “It is known that you possess ancient knowledge of what can be seen and that which is hidden. I would like you to reveal these secrets to my daughter, the princess, who has a great thirst for knowledge. As your reward, I shall build you a fine study from which you explore the wonders of the world.”

Then the ancient wise man said: “I agree to teach the princess on these terms, but there must be two more conditions — that no one else be present while I instruct her and at the end of one year I will return to my home.” The king agreed to these conditions, and the ancient wise man began to teach the princess about many mysterious and wonderful things. The princess listened carefully to everything he had to say and proved to be a fine student. At the end of one year the ancient wise man had taught the princess many lessons, and when he returned to his home he found the study had already been built, as the king had promised.

Some time passed, and the princess learned that there was a mountain, the Montaña Otzaroth, that had a vast treasure hidden within it, and that only one person in the world knew how to enter it. After much study, she learned that this was none other than the ancient wise man who had taught her many wonders and mysteries.

The princess went to her father, the king, and begged him to send for the ancient wise man so that he could reveal the secret of where the Montaña Otzaroth could be found, and how it could be entered. The king agreed to his daughter’s request and sent a messenger in a fine carriage to bring the ancient wise man back to the palace. When the ancient wise man arrived, the king told him what his daughter had discovered and asked him to reveal the secret of the Montaña Otzaroth to her.

At first the ancient wise man hesitated, for he knew that not all knowledge and secrets are meant to be learned. He knew that there were dangers associated with the Montaña Otzaroth. The king could not disappoint his daughter and so he begged the ancient wise man until he agreed to reveal the secret to the princess, but on the condition, as before, that no one else be present.

When the ancient wise man met with the princess, she begged him to take her to the Montaña Otzaroth that very night. “In that case,” the ancient wise man told her, “We must hurry, for we have to be there exactly at midnight.” So it was that the two of them made their way in complete darkness and reached the mountain at the appointed time. There the ancient wise man uttered a few words, which caused a large stone of the mountain to move with much rumbling, so that they could enter the cavern. The ancient wise man said, “Be warned, princess, that the mountain will remain open for only half an hour, and we must return before half past midnight, for then the stone will close, and if we have not departed from the cavern, we will be trapped there.”

Inside the mountain the princess saw treasures that were greater than those in the treasuries of her father, the king. She saw golden apples, silver raindrops, and diamonds shaped like snowflakes. She was dazzled by the unimaginable beauty she saw there and would not have remembered to take her leave had the ancient wise man not reminded her. And shortly after they left the cavern, the stone entrance closed. Then they returned to the palace. As the ancient wise man left to return to his home, he said, “Take care, princess, if you ever decide to return to the Montaña Otzaroth, most importantly, never forget to leave on time.”

The following night the princess decided she wanted to return to the Montaña Otzaroth, for just as they were leaving the night before she had glimpsed a golden seashell so beautiful that she had dreamed about it all night, and now she wanted to make it her own. She traveled there by herself, and when she reached the mountain it was almost midnight, and she repeated the words that the ancient wise man had uttered, for she had listened very carefully while he had spoken. Once again there was a great rumbling, and the stone moved, and she was able to enter the mountain.

In the darkness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.

Inside the mountain, the eyes of the princess were again so dazzled by the many treasures that she almost forgot about the golden seashell she had come there to find, and soon she held it in her hand. It looked like an actual seashell of the most beautiful kind in every respect, except it was made entirely of gold. Knowing that real seashells echo the sea, the princess held the golden shell to her ear, and to her amazement she heard voices speaking there. That is how she discovered it was a magic seashell in which she could hear anything being said anywhere in the world. If she held it in one position, she would hear one conversation, and if she moved it ever so slightly, another would take its place. Now the princess was fascinated by this magic shell and did not notice the swift passage of time. Suddenly she realized it was time for her to leave the cavern, and she rushed to the entrance, but it was too late—the entrance to the cavern was closed, and she was trapped inside the Montaña Otzaroth.

The next morning cries for help were heard from inside the mountain, and when it was discovered that the princess was missing, the king understood it must be the voice of his daughter they heard. Then he commanded his soldiers to take shovels and pickaxes to dig into the mountain to pull her out. Sadly, every shovel and pickaxe broke against the mountain, and before long even the king accepted they would never save the princess that way. Then the king announced that anyone who could free the princess would be wed to her and would also receive half his kingdom. Many journeyed to the mountain and sought to free the princess one way or another, but none of them succeeded in making the mountain open, and the princess remained trapped inside.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Why was There Only One Man?

Posted on Tuesday, 26, October, 2021Tuesday, 11, June, 2024 by Rabbi

“Man was created one and alone in the world. And why was he created one and alone in the world? That the righteous might not say, “We are the children of a righteous man,” and the wicked, “We are the children of a wicked man.”

Another explanation of why was he created one and alone? That families might not quarrel: since even now, when all men come from the same stock, they quarrel, how much more would they do so if they had come from different stocks!

Man was created last (in the order of creation). And why was he created last? Lest the heretics should say: We (mankind) were partners with G-d in his work.

Another explanation: Why was man created last? That if his mind become too proud, it may be said to him: “The mosquito preceded thee in the order of creation.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 8:4-9)

Why did G-d create only one Adam (man) and not many at a time?

“To teach us that he who destroys a single soul destroys a whole world and that he who saves a single soul saves a whole world; furthermore, so no race or class may claim a nobler ancestry, saying, ‘Our father was born first’; and, finally, to give testimony to the greatness of the L-rd, who caused the wonderful diversity of mankind to emanate from one type. And why was Adam (man) created last of all beings? To teach him humility; for if he be overbearing, let him remember that the little fly preceded him in the order of creation.”

He did this to demonstrate that one man in himself is an entire universe. Also He wished to teach mankind that he who kills one human being is as guilty as if he had destroyed the entire world. Similarly, he who saves the life of one single human being is as worthy as if he had saved all of humanity.

G-d created only one man so that people should not try to feel superior to one another and boast of their lineage in this wise: “I am descended from a more distinguished Adam (man) than you.”

He also did this so that the heathen should not be able to say that, since many men had been created at the same time, it was conclusive proof that there was more than one G-d. (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)

“Let man ever bear in mind that the Holy One dwells in him.” (Ta’anis 11b)

Creation of Man

“And G-d saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) “Man, a miniature world in whom there is a completion of the cosmic order, and its beauty, glory and perfection.” (Chovos HaLevavos – Duties of the Heart 2:4, 1040 ce) How do we know this to be true? The term tov me’od – very good reveals an important message. The word me’od is composed of the Hebrew letters mem aleph dalet which are the same letters in the word “adam” – aleph dalet mem. When the Holy One, blessed be He, on the last day of creation, said “tov me’od” – very good it was a recognition that man-adam was not only the completion of creation but was the embodiment of creation. This is reflected in the teaching, “Every man is a composite of the heavenly and the earthly. (Zohar, Bereishis 130b)

Man is the steward of creation – the protector/preserver of creation. “When the Holy One, blessed be He created the first human beings, He led them around the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at my works! See how beautiful they are. How Excellent! For your sake, I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.” (Kohelles Rabbah on 7:13)

Man is a tremendous force for change with a great potential for change. For this reason man must be proactive and strive to change the world for the good. In other words, “Where there are no men, try to be a man.” (Avos 2:5)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Who Is in Control of Whom?

Posted on Sunday, 24, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A man was charged with committing a serious crime against the king and was placed in prison until his trial. When it came time for him to stand trial, he was taken from his cell by one of the king’s guards to be escorted to the place of justice.

The king’s guard, suspecting that the prisoner might try to escape, took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. He then placed one of the cuffs around the wrist of the prisoner and the other one around his own wrist. In this way, they marched through the city street.

A crowd of spectators gathered along the sides of the street to curse and make fun of the prisoner.

Insulted and humilated, the prisoner turned to the crowd and said, “You are making a mistake. He is not escorting me; rather, it is I who is escorting him…”

A wise man spoke up from among the many people in the crowd. “If that is the case,” he said, “then unlock the handcuff on your wrist! If you are capable of breaking free from your escort, it is a sign that you are in control of him. But if he can break away, then it proves that he is in control of you!”

The same thing applies to man and his yetzer hara – the evil inclination. There are instances when the yetzer hara binds himself to a person by accustoming him to a repeated transgression. If this person would like to know who is truly in control of whom, let him check himself to determine whether he is capable of breaking his “bad habits” or not.

This is precisely what we request in our morning prayers each day: “Let not the yetzer hara dominate us.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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The Little Pot and Mamaliga

Posted on Thursday, 21, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a poor little girl who was so filled with faith, and she lived alone with her mother. Sadly, their cupboard was bare and many times they had little to nothing to eat. One day, the little girl went into the forest in search of berries, nuts, and good herbs. An old woman appeared from nowhere and gave the little girls such a start. She knew of the girl’s sadness, and gave her a little pot, which when she said, “kleyneh top, kleyneh top kochn,” and the little pot would cook good, savoury mamalige, and when she said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top g’endik,” it stopped cooking.

The little girl took the pot home to her mother, and they no longer suffered from poverty and hunger, and ate savoury mamalige as often as they chose. One day when the little girl had left the house, her mother said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top kochn.” And it did cook, and she ate until she was full, and then she wanted the pot to stop cooking, but did not know the word. So, it went on cooking and the savoury mamalige rose over the edge of the little pot, and still it cooked on until the kitchen and whole house were full, and then the next house, and then the whole street, just as if it wanted to satisfy the hunger of the whole world. It was terrible, and no one knew how to stop it. At last, when only one single house remained, the child came home and just said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top g’endik,” and it stopped cooking, and anyone who wished to return to the town had to eat their way back.

Mamaliga is so popular a dish that it was mentioned in the Yiddish song Roumania, Roumania:

Savoury Mamaliga

Ingredients

1 tbs Italian spices		3 cups water
1 onion, diced		1 cup corn meal
¼ cup margarine		Juice of 1 lemon
kosher salt		Pepper to taste

Directions

Whisk cornmeal together with 1 cup of cold water in a medium bowl and set aside. Bring remaining water to a boil in a medium pot. Turn heat down to low, add Italian spices, onion. Let boil 5 – 10 minutes then add cornmeal liquid.

Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to pull away slight from the sides of the pot, 7 – 10 minutes. Turn off heat; stir in margarine and salt and pepper to taste. Place in an oiled bowl and allow to cool.

Turn bowl upside down on to serving platter. Slice or spoon to serve

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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The Fool and the Scoffer

Posted on Wednesday, 20, October, 2021Sunday, 28, January, 2024 by Rabbi

In a certain city, there was a simple man who had little learning and was sometimes foolish. One day, one of the young students who learned a lot, but had little compassion decided to amuse his friends. He told his friends that later that day, he would trick the simple man into leaping into the swamp located on the outskirts of the town.

How can one convince another to do such a foolish thing? He approached the simple man and offered him various types of foods and drink, in this way earning his trust. He then invited the simple man to go for a short walk outside the city.

As they neared the swamp, the young student turned to the simple man, pulled him aside and whispered to him, “I have a great secret which I am willing to share with you, but you must first promise me that you will not share it with anyone.”

The simple man promised.

“Are you familiar with the big swamp?” asked the young student.

“I certainly am,” responded the simple man, “But I heard that it is quite deep and marshy.”

“That is not true,” answered the young student. “And what’s more, you should know that a valuable treasure is hidden inside it…

“While there is a thin layer of mud that lies on the surface, if a person should leap in, he will avoid the mud and merit discovering an enormous treasure.”

When they arrived at the swamp, the simple man, believing the young student’s words, dived directly into the marshy swamp hoping to find the treasure.

“Help me!” called out the simple man as he sunk deep into the mud. “Get me out of here!”

“Absolutely not,” replied the young student. “Do you know how much effort I used just to get you to jump into the swamp in the first place? First I will call all of my friends, so that they can see you sunken up to your neck and get a hearty laugh. Only afterwards will I take you out…Have you never heard ‘Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise?’ ” (Psalm 94:8)

Yetzer haRa

So is the way of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination. First it attracts a person with meaningless temptations, even giving them fancy gifts and the like, which serve to trap them. However, once a person has been successfully tricked — sunk in the swamp — the yetzer hara stands there and laughs heartily.

The wisdom of old speaks to the simple man when it asks, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs 1:22)

The arrogance and lack of compassion is addressed in the holy writings when it teaches, “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.” (Proverbs 14:6) He learns but does not apply his knowledge to his everyday behaviour or life.

May we all be spared from the embarrassment and ridicule of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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The Righteous Are Delivered from Distress

Posted on Sunday, 17, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was once a pious man who was wealthy and of the king’s company. He had a handsome, fine-looking, and wise son. Before he passed away, he told his son not to leave the synagogue from the moment the cantor rose to pray and began to recite the Kaddish prayer until the whole service was over. Also, if somebody who had not been present were to rise and recite the evening prayer he should stay there until he had finished as well. The dying man added: “I have done this all my life and I have prospered. And if you pass through a city where there is a synagogue and you hear the cantor, enter and do not leave until he has finished his prayers.” Then the pious man passed away.

Now the son was well thought of by all who saw him. He served the king and was the wine bearer to the king and queen and sliced them their bread and meat. They loved him very much and praised him to the skies. The king’s vizier saw the favor in which the king and queen held the young man and envied him. He came to the king and said: “Your majesty, you have eyes yet you do not see that this young man loves the queen, and they betray you behind your back when they are together.” The king did not believe him, yet the vizier repeated it day after day until the king grew jealous.

One day the king went to inspect the workers who were preparing a limekiln, and he said to the master of the workers: “Take the first man who comes here tomorrow and fling him into the kiln at once. If you do not do so, you will pay for it with your own life.” “Your majesty,” answered he, “I shall obey your orders.” Then the king returned home. That night while the young man was serving him, he called him and ordered: “Rise early tomorrow morning and go where they are preparing the lime and tell the man in charge to make a great fire.” “I shall carry out your orders,” answered the young man.

In the morning he mounted his horse, but as he passed the synagogue he heard the cantor’s voice. He dismounted, entered the synagogue, and prayed. When the cantor had finished, another man who had not heard the prayers rose and began to pray, and he waited until he finished as well. And so he was delayed until it was broad daylight. Meanwhile, the king summoned his vizier and ordered him: “Go to the place where they are making the lime and ask the man in charge: Have you obeyed the king?” Then the vizier mounted his horse and rode off and asked the man in charge: “Have you obeyed the king’s orders?” Thereupon they seized him and tied him up and flung him into the kiln. The young man arrived just then and saw them flinging the vizier into the kiln, and he said to them: “If the king knows this, he will slay you.” But the man in charge answered: “Yesterday the king ordered me: ‘Take the first man I send to you tomorrow, and fling him into the kiln.’ And this is the man who came first.”

Then the young man returned to the king and said: “Your majesty, why did you order the vizier to be burned?” At this, the king shuddered and shook with astonishment and said to the youth: “Now I know that you are G-d-fearing, and your Creator loves you. This is what the vizier said about you and the queen. So I ordered that the man whom I first sent to the limekiln should be flung into the fire; and it was you I first ordered to go. After that I told the vizier to go and see whether my orders had been obeyed. But you were delayed, so they flung him in instead. Now I know that you are innocent.” That is as the Book of Proverbs declares (11:8): “The righteous is delivered from distress, and the wicked comes in his stead.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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A True Derech – Way

Posted on Tuesday, 12, October, 2021Friday, 28, June, 2024 by Rabbi

Two students of Tam and Chacham were arguing about the true path to spirituality in the world. One student said that the path was built on effort and energy, “You must completely devote yourself with all your effort to follow the way of the Torah (Scriptures). To pray, to pay attention, and to live rightly”

The second student strongly disagreed. “It is not effort at all. That is only based on ego. It is pure surrender. To follow the way to do the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, to awaken is to let go of all things and live the teaching. One’s path should be not of religion, but a way of life.”

Since the students could not agree on who was right, they went to Tam and Chacham. They listened as the first student praised the path of wholehearted effort and when asked by this student, “Is this the true path?” Chacham answered, “You’re. right.” The second student was quite upset and responded powerfully that the path of living one’s faith is the natural way to realize spirituality. When he finished, he asked, “Is this not the true path?” and then Tam replied, “You’re right.” A third student who was sitting there observed, “But masters, they can’t both be right,” and Tam and Chacham smiled and said, “You’re right too!”

You see, there are different paths people follow. For the many, it may be one way for others another. We say, “And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) at different times of the day, and the very words encompass all aspects of the community. Every person has different merits and resources and can find a path to serve the Holy One, blessed be He.

Deuteronomy 6:5

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were over­joyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon dri­ver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the out­skirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destina­tion, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Based on Ta’anis 22a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

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May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

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Part II will be posted on 3 November 2021

In the dark­ness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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“Man was created one and alone in the world. And why was he created one and alone in the world? That the righteous might not say, “We are the children of a righteous man,” and the wicked, “We are the children of a wicked man.”

Another explanation of why was he created one and alone? That families might not quarrel: since even now, when all men come from the same stock, they quarrel, how much more would they do so if they had come from different stocks!

Man was created last (in the order of creation). And why was he created last? Lest the heretics should say: We (mankind) were partners with G-d in his work.

Another explanation: Why was man created last? That if his mind become too proud, it may be said to him: “The mosquito preceded thee in the order of creation.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 8:4-9)

Why did G-d create only one Adam (man) and not many at a time?

G-d created only one man so that people should not try to feel superior to one another and boast of their lineage in this wise: “I am descended from a more distinguished Adam (man) than you.”

He also did this so that the heathen should not be able to say that, since many men had been created at the same time, it was conclusive proof that there was more than one G-d. (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)

“Let man ever bear in mind that the Holy One dwells in him.” (Ta’anis 11b)

Man is a tremendous force for change with a great potential for change. For this reason man must be proactive and strive to change the world for the good. In other words, “Where there are no men, try to be a man.” (Avos 2:5)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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A man was charged with committing a serious crime against the king and was placed in prison until his trial. When it came time for him to stand trial, he was taken from his cell by one of the king’s guards to be escorted to the place of justice.

The king’s guard, suspecting that the prisoner might try to escape, took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. He then placed one of the cuffs around the wrist of the prisoner and the other one around his own wrist. In this way, they marched through the city street.

A crowd of spectators gathered along the sides of the street to curse and make fun of the prisoner.

Insulted and humilated, the prisoner turned to the crowd and said, “You are making a mistake. He is not escorting me; rather, it is I who is es­corting him…”

This is precisely what we request in our morning prayers each day: “Let not the yetzer hara dominate us.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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Mamaliga is so popular a dish that it was mentioned in the Yiddish song Roumania, Roumania:

“Dort tsu voynen iz a fargenign vos dos harts glust dir vost kentsu krign a mameligale, a pastramele, a karnatseleun a gleyzele vayn, aha!”

“To live there is a pleasure What your heart desires you can get A little mamaliga, a little pastrami, a karnatzl (sausage kosher of course), and a glass of wine, aha!”

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

In the darkness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.

Insulted and humilated, the prisoner turned to the crowd and said, “You are making a mistake. He is not escorting me; rather, it is I who is escorting him…”

“Dort tsu voynen iz a fargenign
vos dos harts glust dir vost kentsu krign
a mameligale, a pastramele, a karnatseleun a gleyzele vayn, aha!”

“To live there is a pleasure
What your heart desires you can get
A little mamaliga, a little pastrami, a karnatzl (sausage kosher of course), and a glass of wine, aha!”