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Category: Grief and Mourning

A Daughter’s Memory

Posted on Monday, 5, December, 2022Wednesday, 2, August, 2023 by Rabbi

She was traveling to far away places, trying to find herself. She had a loving family and could not wait to tell them of her adventures. One day she received a letter from her mother that forever changed her life. Her father died in a tragic accident.

She sat devasted thinking, she was too young to be without a father, and yet she was.

He was too young to die, and yet he did.

All the answers to all the questions she hadn’t asked him, were now lost forever, because she believed he would always be there for her

She closed her eyes and in her mind’s eye she saw him, old but never frail, many years from now, always ready whenever she needed him to console her, advise her, disapprove of her latest boyfriend.

Instead, she found herself journeying back home, unable to stem the flow of tears that seemed to come without her even realizing it half the time.

she cried constantly, not eating because in her grief she wasn’t hungry. It seemed the closer she got to home the darker the world became, and she cried more.

The sun was out in full force, such a lovely day it angered her, it should have been pelting down with rain, hail, thunder, something to match the storm going on inside, but nothing, and so she cried some more.

grief stories
People gathered in full force to come and say goodbye, and she saw people she never knew crying for beloved father, so many people, the casket was lowered into the grave and her heart seemed to sink into the earth at the moment. She was so glad for the many people that shared this pain with her, it is so heavy upon her shoulders she needed others to carry her for a while.

In the days after the funeral, the fog of grief and sadness slowly cleared and she began to feel like herself. At times, she was angry at him for leaving, even though he never wanted to leave. Mostly, she was angry at herself for letting so many so many opportunities to spend time with her father, learn from him, talk to him.

She won’t get another chance to do so, but she can still hear him talk to her, she knows what he would say when she makes unwise decisions or when she just needs advice. Her father’s voice now has more authority than ever, because she has a debt to pay to him, she owes him big time.

A thing like this rips your heart. It is unexplainable in words alone, unless you have been there yourself. A person can imagine the pain of losing someone they love, but reality surpasses all imagination, and how she wishes it wasn’t so.

Her father loved to talk, discuss, and teach, he would get you into a conversation and before you knew it was the wee hours of the morning, your cheeks burning, your mouth yawning but your mind still racing to keep up with him and his arguments.

Her father taught her to question things, to not take anything for granted, to strive to be a better person, and she wanted to tell you he was here, sorry you missed him…

May all your tales end with Shalom (Peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Read more Stories to Console  and for more Grief and Mourning resources for adults and children including thoughts and meditations, stories, and crafts

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

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Posted in Grief and Mourning, StoriesTagged death, death of parent, grief, grief counseling, memories, memory, mourning, short stories, stories to consoleLeave a Comment on A Daughter’s Memory

The True Son

Posted on Monday, 12, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a woman who cautioned her reckless daughter, saying: “If you act shamelessly, do so only in secret in order that your husband should never know it, just as I myself did. For I have ten children, of whom only one is your father’s.”

Her husband heard her as she spoke to her daughter and kept his anger and pain to himself. He determined to remain quiet but remembered every word his faithless wife had said.

At his death he willed that all his wealth and property should be given only to one of his children, but he did not state to which, for he did not know which one was his own child.

After his death, all ten of his children began to argue with one another. One said: “The property is mine!” While others said: “All the wealth is mine” So they came to Rabbi Bana’ah to judge between them as to who was heir to the wealth and property left by the father. He listened and instructed the ten sons: “Do what I tell you, for this is a matter which no man can properly judge. Go to your father’s grave and fling stones and beat it until he reveals which of you it was to whom he was leaving his wealth and property.”

Deuteronomy 5:16

When they heard this, nine of them went and began beating the grave with sticks. One man who really was his son said: “Heaven forbid that I should strike at my father! Far better for me to lose the all the property and wealth than shame my father.” The young man continued, We are taught, ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the L-rd your G-d has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you’ (Deuteronomy 5:16).” When Rabbi Bana’ah, the judge, saw this, he awarded him the all the wealth and property.

So consider how this accorded with the words of Job (24:15): “And the eye of the adulterer watches for night, saying, No eye shall see me; and in secret he sets his face.” One who dwells in secret sets an end to the thing, so that it is revealed in the future. Therefore let your children be taught about modesty and purity.

Based on Bava Basra 58a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Grief and Mourning, justice, Love, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Bava Basra 58a, Deuteronomy 5:16, family purity, Honor parents, Honor your father and your mother, Jewish Stories, Job 24:15, modesty, short storiesLeave a Comment on The True Son

A Pencil Box and Child Awareness of Death

Posted on Wednesday, 25, May, 2022Wednesday, 25, May, 2022 by Rabbi

I was deep in thought at my office, preparing a lesson to be given that evening at a community center across town, when the telephone rang. A woman I had never met introduced herself and said that she was the mother of a seven-year-old and that she was dying. She said that her counselor had advised her that discussing her pending death with her son would be too traumatic for him, but somehow that didn’t feel right to her.

Knowing that I worked with grieving children, she asked my advice. I told her that our heart is often smarter than our brain and that I thought she knew what would be best for her son. I also invited her to attend the lesson that night since I was speaking about how children cope with death. She said she would be there.

In today’s society, death is a frightening topic to be avoided at all costs. It is banished from the psyches and the home, and placed firmly out of sight into hospital rooms, hospices, and funeral homes. The Angel of Death is an unwelcome visitor whose presence many try so hard to ignore. Many therapists and counselors sadly leave death and the topics surrounding it shrouded in dark, fearful mystery.

I wondered later if I would recognize the woman at the lesson, but my question was answered when I saw a weak woman being half carried into the room by two adults. I talked about the fact that children usually sense the truth long before they are told and that they often wait until they feel adults are ready to talk about it before sharing their concerns and questions. I said that children usually can manage truth better than denial, even though the denial is intended to protect them from pain. I said that respecting children meant including them in the family sadness through grieving and mourning, not shutting them out.

The woman had heard enough. At the break, she hobbled to the front of the room and through her tears she said, “l knew it in my heart. I just knew I should tell him.” She said that she would tell him that night.

The next morning, I received another phone call from her.

She could hardly talk but I managed to hear the story through her choked voice. She woke her son up when they got home from the lesson and quietly said, “David, I have something to tell you.” He quickly interrupted her saying, “Oh, Mommy, is it now that you are going to tell me that you are dying?” She held him close, and they both cried while she said, “Yes.”

Child Grief

After a few minutes, the little boy wanted to get down. He said that he had something for her that he had been saving. In the back of one of his drawers was an old pencil box. Inside the box was a letter written in simple scrawl. It said, “Good-bye, Mommy. I will always love you.

How long he had been waiting to hear the truth, I don’t know. I do know that two days later Mom died. In her casket was placed the old pencil box and a letter.

May your memories be a blessing that lead you to  shalom (Peace)

 For more grief and mourning resources for adults and children including prayers and meditations, Stories to Console, and activities for children

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

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Posted in Grief and Mourning, Spirituality, UncategorizedTagged child grief, death, grief, grief counseling, healing stories, inspirational stories, mourning, spiritual stories, stories to console.short storiesLeave a Comment on A Pencil Box and Child Awareness of Death

A Daughter’s Memory

Posted on Wednesday, 26, January, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

I was slowly eating breakfast at the college cafeteria when my father died on a remote trail, on the other side of the country.

He loved hiking trails and being outside, but I didn’t even know until two days later. With a busy class schedule and studying in the library I had forgotten to check my phone. When I finally managed to recharge my phone, I and saw all the missed calls and text messages.

My mother told me over the phone, such terrible news. I was so unprepared for such news. I am too young to be without a father, and yet here I sit so devastated.

My father lived through a war, was always willing to help others and taught people of all ages and yet he was gone.

All the answers to all the questions I hadn’t asked him yet, now lost forever, because I assumed he would always be there.

In my mind’s eye, I had seen him, old but never frail, many years from now, still ready whenever I needed him to console me, advise me, disapprove of my boyfriends. Instead, I found myself rushing back home, unable to stop the flow of tears that seemed to come without me even realizing it half the time.

I cried all the way back home, I cried my tears as meals were left untouched, I cried until it was time to say goodbye.

The sun was high in the sky, such a day that he would go hiking or fishing. I was so angry, it should have been raining, something to match the tears welling up in my eyes and so I cried some more.

Mourning Grief
`

People gathered I had never seen before came to say goodbye, and I heard others crying for him. The casket was draped with a flag, some of his veteran friends came and gently folded it and gave it to me. I was numb and my heart was breaking. I was so glad for the many people that shared this sadness with me, it is so heavy upon my shoulders I needed others to carry me for a while.

In the time after we said our goodbyes, my emotions went from one place to another. At times, I was angry at him for leaving, even though he never wanted to leave. Mostly, I was angry at myself for letting slip past so many opportunities to spend time with him, learn from him, talk to him.

I would never get another chance to do so, but I can still hear him talk to me. I know what he would say when I was challenged by life, his voice now has more authority than ever, because I now realize that he was more often right than I would admit.

 

A thing like this breaks your heart. It is beyond words, something that cannot be explained unless you have been there yourself. No one can imagine the pain of losing someone you love, but reality surpasses all imagination, and how I wish it wasn’t so.

My father loved to cook and he would tell such stories at the table. Everyone would become lost in the magic he wove and the lessons of the stories that before you knew it, it was the wee hours of the morning and everyone wanted more.

He taught me to a lot, yet kept many secrets. His wisdom may live on in me and I try to be a better person. He was here and touched so many people and I want you to know he lives on in his stories.

May his stories bring you peace.

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Love, Spirituality, Stories, UncategorizedTagged death, Father, grief, grief counseling, loss of a loved one, memories, morning, short stories, stories to consoleLeave a Comment on A Daughter’s Memory

The Groom Who Was Destined to Die on His Wedding Day: A tale from the Beta Yisrael

Posted on Wednesday, 17, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is well known that babies cry from the moment they are born. Why? Because the angel in charge of birth tells them when they are destined to die. For a person’s fate is sealed from the time of his birth, and the circumstances of his death are already known.

Now one night, just as a baby was born, the angel told him, “You will die from a snake bite on the day of your wedding.” As soon as the baby heard this, he broke into loud cries. While most babies quickly forget what the angel told them, this baby remembered. As he began to speak, he told his parents what the angel had said. After that, his parents were afraid to let him marry, out of fear that he would die on the day of his wedding.

Ethiopian Jews

Years passed, the child grew, and his older brothers had all been married, and the young man also wanted to marry. He too wanted to marry, but every time he spoke to his parents, they discouraged him, reminding him of what the angel had said. The young man wanted the happiness of his married brothers and when his parents saw that he would not give up the idea of marriage, they approached a wise elder and asked for his advice. He told them: “Your son can marry on condition that you wrap him from head to foot in five sheep skins on the day of his wedding. And as you travel to the wedding be sure that his feet don’t touch the ground. Have his brothers carry him on a chair to his bride.”

So, it was that on the day of the wedding his parents wrapped the groom in five sheep skins, and his brothers carried him in a chair, so that his feet didn’t touch the ground. Then, as they traveled to the house of the bride, a huge poisonous snake, hidden in a tree, suddenly dropped down and bit the foot of the groom, but it couldn’t bite through the thick sheep skins that covered him. His brothers quickly killed the snake and buried it under a large stone. After that they took the groom down from the chair, unwrapped the sheep skins, and he continued to the house of the bride by foot. The wedding ceremony took place in peace, and the bride and groom returned to his village, and everyone was greatly relieved that he had survived.

Many years passed. The groom’s brothers aged and died, his own children grew old and died, and even his grandchildren died of old age, but he kept on living. He was so old he couldn’t speak, and he could barely stand. His descendants saw that he was suffering, but they didn’t know what they could do for him. So, they went to one of the wise men of that generation and told him the story of how he had escaped death on his wedding day.

The sage said to them: “I heard this story from my father. Because he escaped death when he was fated to die, he cannot die at all.”

His descendants said, “What are we going to do? He is so old and is suffering so much.”

The sage told them: “You must find the place where the snake was buried and take the dust from there and mix it with water and let the old man drink it. Only then will he be able to die.”

The groom’s descendants went back to the big stone where the snake was buried, and they took dust from beneath it and mixed it with water and let the old man drink it. And right after that, he died.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Horror, Stories, Torah, Uncategorized, WomanTagged African tales, Beta Yisrael, death, Ethiopian Jews, Faith, Jewish Stories, short Jewish Stories, short storiesLeave a Comment on The Groom Who Was Destined to Die on His Wedding Day: A tale from the Beta Yisrael

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.

Proverbs 11:8

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)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Prayer, Stories, UncategorizedTagged death, hatred, Jewish Stories, Proverbs 11:8, short Jewish Stories, short storiesLeave a Comment on The Righteous Are Delivered from Distress

Thoughts during a Funeral

Posted on Sunday, 10, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham attended a funeral together. Chacham observed that:

“We learn that we are to ‘Deal graciously with the departed that you may be dealt with graciously, mourn, bury and accompany them to the grave.’ (Kesubos 72a), yet many push and shove to get close to the coffin during a funeral so that they can take part in the mitzvah of carrying the deceased and helping to fill in the grave. In this way, they feel that they are doing something for the benefit of the deceased, even though it is as clear as day that even if they didn’t participate, the deceased would still be buried.’ “

“It is certainly a mitzvah to participate in these things, but why don’t people do something which will really benefit the deceased, even after the funeral is over? We have been taught by our holy teachers of the past that a person’s trial, along with the judgment that follows is decided after he is buried – so why don’t people learn from the Holy Writings or say Tehillim (Psalms) for the elevation of the soul of the deceased?”

Chesed Shel Emes

On another occasion, Tam added more on the same matter: “Some people who attend a funeral don’t feel so concerned when they listen to the eulogies. It is written, ‘“funeral orators are punished for delivering false eulogies,’ (Berachos 62a) Too many people think there is no need to be that upset over his death.’ “

”But should we not all be concerned about the trial and judgment that the niftar (deceased) will now be facing? Instead of standing around and exchanging greetings and gossip at the funeral, wouldn’t it be better to be saying Tehillim (Psalms) or thinking thoughts that will bring us to do teshuvah (repentance/retrospection) in order to help the tikkun hanefesh (repair of the soul) of the deceased? It would also be better if after the burial, people would not just go back home and forget about the funeral, thinking that it is over and there is nothing more that can be done. The correct thing would be to go home and pray, asking for the mercy of the Holy One, blessed be He so that the deceased will be spared from any harsh judgment that he might face. It is very important to remember to ‘walk reverently in a cemetery, blessed the deceased say: “tomorrow they will join us, and today they mock us. (Berachos 18a)’ “

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Stories, Tam and Chacham, UncategorizedTagged Berachos 18a, Berachos 62a, death, funeral, grief, Jewish funeral, Kesubos 72a, mourning, Tam and ChacamLeave a Comment on Thoughts during a Funeral

The Cardinal and the Counsellor: Part I The Cardinal’s Prayer

Posted on Sunday, 3, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part II The Cardinal’s Secret will be posted on 5 October 2021

Over 400 years ago there lived a nobleman who held a very important position in the Spanish royal court. He was the chief advisor to the King, who held him in high regard. For the King’s counsellor was so wise and knowledgeable that there wasn’t any matter on which the King did not seek his advice.

For many years the counsellor served the King faithfully. But as he grew older, he felt his duties becoming increasingly difficult. So he asked the King to allow him to retire.

“My dear friend,” replied the King, “if you find me someone who is as gifted as you, capable of replacing you, I will release you from your duties.”

The counsellor had no choice but to stay on.

One day the counsellor suddenly fell ill. The King immediately ordered his personal physician to treat his dear, beloved counsellor. But all the doctor’s efforts seemed to fail. The counsellor’s condition deteriorated from day to day, and he seemed to be at death’s door.

The King then sadly sent for his personal priest to hear the counsellor’s last “confession,” for he had been a devout Catholic all his life. The cardinal entered the room of the dying man, lit candles, and asked everyone else to leave the room. After the cardinal had carried out all he had to do, he took a last look at the counsellor, whom he, too admired and loved, and left the room looking very sad and mournful.

The doctor now returned, expecting his patient to breathe his last at any moment. But to his unbelieving eyes he beheld a different person! The unconscious counsellor was actually moving his lips as if whispering a prayer! Beads of perspiration glistened on his pale face and he began to breathe deeply; he opened his eyes and asked for a drink of water.

From then on, the patient began to make an amazing recovery. He got better every day, and a few days later he was even able to get out of bed. The King visited him and told him how relieved and delighted he was that his dear friend had recuper¬ated in such a wonderful manner.

When the counsellor had fully recovered, he sent word to the cardinal, asking the clergyman to visit him.

The cardinal came promptly, and the counsellor said to him, “First of all I want to thank you for praying for me when the doctors had given up all hope for my recovery.”

“If my prayers helped,” replied the cardinal, “I am sure it was due to the fact that you had served the King and country so loyally.”

“But I have the distinct feeling that your prayers, in particular, helped me; especially the short, strange prayer, not in Latin, nor in our Spanish tongue, which you recited repeatedly…”

The cardinal paled and started to stammer, saying “The Almighty accepts prayers in any language; it is only important that the intention be sincere and the prayer come from the heart.”

“But,” persisted the counsellor, “I am especially curious to know what that prayer was which you repeatedly whispered into my ear. Was it some form of magic?”

“G-d forbid!” exclaimed the cardinal.

“So what was it then?”

“There are certain things which a clergyman has to keep secret,” answered the cardinal.

“That’s just an excuse. Tell me the truth,” the King’s counsellor demanded.

“The cardinal wiped the perspiration from his pale face and remained silent.

cardina;'s prayer

“Listen, my friend,” said the counsellor earnestly. “When I lay unconscious, my soul hovering between life and earth, the prayer that I heard you recite repeatedly sank into my brain. I had never heard such a prayer from you before, but I had heard the same words come from the lips of those secret Jews, the Marranos as they were being burned at the stake. With the last breath they called out the words Shema Yisrael…”

The cardinal remained silent, but he listened intently as the counsellor continued:

“I have given this matter much thought. I have come to the conclusion that you are one of the Marranos! Not only are you secretly practicing the Jewish religion, but at the same time you are dishonoring the priestly cloth you are wearing…”

The cardinal’s face turned ashen. He seemed utterly crushed. The counsellor pressed his point relentlessly:

“As you know, it is the duty of every true Catholic to inform the Inquisition of any suspicious behavior of the secret Jews who are supposed to be practicing Catholics, but secretly continue to live in the faith of their ancestors. If you will tell me the whole truth and promise that from now on you will behave as a true Catholic should, especially as a priest, I will not inform about you to the Inquisition.”

For a while the cardinal remained silent. Then he quietly replied:

“It is true that I come from a family of secret Jews. When I was twelve years old, my father told me this secret. He told me further that in a year’s time I would be `bar mitzvah,’ and would from then on be obligated to carry out all the mitzvahs of a full-fledged Jew. He warned me about the terrible danger in which secret Jews have to live in Spain under the watchful eyes of the agents and spies working for the Inquisition. But, he said, we were Jews and had to face this danger. He further told me that he himself would prepare me for my bar mitzvah. This he did every day in a secret room in the cellar of our house, where we spent an hour in the morning and an hour at night. Here I began to put on tefillin. Later, when I became fifteen years of age, my father told me he was going to have me enrolled as a student in the Royal Seminary for the priesthood. He explained that as a priest I would have opportunities to help my Jewish brothers. I would have free access to every home and family without arousing suspicion. I would thus have the opportunity to encourage my Jewish brethren to keep firm their Jewishness as much as possible. There would also be the possibility of my winning the confidence of the inner circle of the Inquisition, and then I could do even more to help my brethren, warning those who were under suspicion, or about to be caught in the clutches of the Inquisition. All this, in fact, I was actually able to accomplish during these many years. The Almighty protected me from all danger…”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Prayer, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Cardinal, Catholic, Inquusition, Jewish, Jewish Stories, Prayer, Secret Jews, Spanish inquisitionLeave a Comment on The Cardinal and the Counsellor: Part I The Cardinal’s Prayer

A Quilt of Life

Posted on Monday, 15, February, 2021Sunday, 5, May, 2024 by Rabbi

The old quilt lay draped over a chair. It’s not a beautiful quilt, and all the fabric appears to be very old. Yet that old quilt is so full of life.

The patches and remnants came from so many people and places. A piece of an apron, a dress worn on a first date, patches from worn out knees, and bits and pieces from many other things. They are odd shapes and sizes. Some nameless shapes are round, others square and some very unusual, long slices of fabric painstakingly sewn with dozens of meticulous stitches. A few tiny patches are smaller than a thumbnail.

Some of the fabric is very plain with dull color, everyday things like shirts or dresses that were taken for granted. Other pieces are bright and cheerful, like snippets of birthdays, holidays, and happy times gone by. A few fancier pieces are satiny smooth with embossing or embroidery; they seem to whisper of weddings, dances, a first kiss…..

They do have an Interesting texture—smooth next to rough denim, seersucker alongside velvet and beautiful silks next to plain old cotton; and all over the quilt hundreds of tiny stitches, almost invisible to the eye, pucker ever so slightly.

Quilt Patch

That old quilt helps one remember times past and hope for the future. Sometimes one feels sad and miss the friends left behind. “Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7) A study of the old quilt raises many thoughts of the many friends one has had throughout their life. Some felt a bit scratchy and rough like a sturdy piece of wool, but in time they softened or one just became used to them. Others were delicate like silk and needed to be handled with care. Some were colorful and bright and great fun to be with. A few special others felt soft and cozy like flannel, and they knew how to be a comfort during hard times.

Some people leave one with a piece that is bigger than they wanted and others smaller than what one thought they needed. Some were that annoying itchy square in the corner, and others that piece of worn flannel. One leaves pieces with some and they leave their pieces that are kept for some time. All the while each and every piece of the quilt makes up a part of what is in each person. Be okay with the piece left to you. For life is too short to expect from people what they do not have to give, or were not called to give. Quilts are like friends, a great source of comfort.

As one looks closely at the quilt they can see a blessing in each stich. Life is so full of people, places and things and it so easy to become lost in all the different pieces encountered each day. All those scraps and pieces of life can be confusing. When life gives one those pieces and scraps, sew them together and make a quilt.

An old quilt pulled up around oneself offers much needed comfort warmed by memories. Surely, it is a personal masterpiece — this quilt of friendships and life is not nearly finished.

Everyday brings new friends and experiences that grow throughout life. Each person has that special quilt, and that’s because the Holy One, blessed be He has sewn them into our hearts.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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.

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Grief and Mourning, Love, Stories, Uncategorized, Wisdom, WomanTagged comfort, Deuteronomy 32:7, Friends, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, life, patches, patchwork, Quilt, short stories, spiritual storiesLeave a Comment on A Quilt of Life

A Holy Woman’s Prayer for a Wagon Driver

Posted on Wednesday, 2, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Chava was a very holy woman and her husband was a well respected teacher in the village. One day, when passed the old wooden shul (synagogue) she saw members of the Chevra Kaddisha (Burial Society) rushing about. Chava was approached by a woman passerby and was asked,  “Haven’t you heard, Reb Yankl Balagoleh (the Wagon Driver) passed away?”

Chava was shocked and said “Baruch Dayan haEmes – Blessed is the True Judge – My dear friend, the holy Reb Yankl, is gone!” and she broke out in tears. People around her were surprised: Why was she so emotional? Was Reb Yankl related to her? Or was she close to him because she had spoken to him on occasion?

“Listen, my friends,” Chava responded, when they asked her about it, “and I’ll tell you why I’m so saddened by the death of that dear holy man Reb Yankl.”

People gathered closer to her to hear what she would say. “One day,” Chava began, “I ran out of firewood. I didn’t even have any wood chips to start a fire. My house was freezing cold. So I went to Reb Yankl Balagoleh and asked if he could please bring me a little wood? Without delaying for a minute, he immediately hitched his horse to the wagon, drove off to the forest, and before long brought back a wagonful of wood. I used the wood to warm my house and also the beis medresh (Torah study hall). In his merit, people sat and studied Torah and other holy books in a warm and pleasant place.”

“I remember another time when I had no water in my house on erev Shabbos. I couldn’t cook for Shabbos without water. To whom did I go? To Reb Yankl. When I asked him to please get me some water, he didn’t wait or delay for a moment; he immediately hitched his horse to his wagon and quickly brought a barrelful of water to my house!”

After telling this to the people around her, the holy holy woman lifted her eyes to heaven and said:

“Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the world, may it be Your will that every little chip of that wagonful of wood be a defending angel for Reb Yankl in heaven. And may every drop from that barrelful of water be a great merit for him, to plead for him and support him in the Upper World!”

Job 33:23

Later, when Chava’ husband came to the synagogue, his students told him what wife had said about Reb Yankl. The young man said, “Now you know that my wife has ruach ha-kodesh [the holy spirit], because I tell you, when Reb Yankl died, I heard them saying in the Heavenly Court exactly what she said just now.”

 

A holy woman like Chava has compassionate eyes that can see the greatness of even a simple person. Reb Yankl was not a Torah scholar, but he was ready to help a needy fellow human without delay. The holy woman, who appreciated the holiness and goodness of a humble wagon driver, called him a “tsaddik (a saint).”

A pious person like Chava does not forget a favor. Judaism cultivates one’s feelings of gratitude and deepens one’s appreciation of goodness. The holy woman remembered Reb Yankl’s kind deeds and pleaded for him before the Heavenly Throne. She was on a spiritual level to be a defending angel for others before the Heavenly Court.

Her holy husband, shared that “If there should be for one of them an angel, a mediator, one of a thousand, one who declares a person upright (Job 33:23) then indeed his holy wife Chava could call to the Heavenly host through her prayer.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Chanukah

The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown on December 10, 2020. Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, justice, Other Stories and thoughts, Prayer, Stories, Uncategorized, Woman, WomanTagged Burial Society, Chevra Kaddisha, death, Holy Spirit, Jewish funeral, Job 33:23, Prayer, ruach ha-kodesh, short stories, woman, woman’s prayerLeave a Comment on A Holy Woman’s Prayer for a Wagon Driver

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