The Angel of Friendship

Posted on Wednesday, 13, May, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There were two students of Tam and Chacham who did everything together. The time came that the students had to go their own ways. For more than a year, they had been separated from their beloved teachers, Tam and Chacham, and from each other. One student traveled to Yerushalayim Ir haKodesh – the Holy City of Jerusalem, and had just returned on a specific day. The other student returned on the very same day from more than a year spent in study at a well-known yeshiva.

As each student entered the House of Study, they greeted Tam and Chacham with the traditional blessing recited when seeing a great scholar of Torah: “Blessed art thou, Oh Lord Our God, King of the Universe, Who has given of His wisdom to those who fear Him.” But when the two friends laid eyes on each other after such a long time, they each instinctively cried out the traditional blessing recited when seeing a friend again after more than a year has passed: “Blessed art thou Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who raises the dead.”

Tam, Chacham and their students all rejoiced at this fortunate and coincidental reunion. Then one of the younger students asked: “Why is it that when we see a friend we have not seen for a year, we are commanded to bless G-d for reviving the dead? Surely this is a strange commandment, since no one has died.”

Chacham explained: “We learn in the Zohar haKodesh that everyone has a light burning for them in the world above, and everyone’s light is unique. When two friends meet, their lights above are united, and out of that union of two lights an angel is born. That angel has the strength to survive for only one year, unless its life is renewed when the friends meet again. If they are separated for more than a year, the angel begins to weaken and eventually wastes away. That is why we bless the dead upon meeting a friend we have not seen for more than a year, to revive the angel.”

Just as the Chacham finished speaking they heard a sound like the rustling of wings, and a sudden wind swirled around the room, brushing against them, and they knew that the angel had been reborn.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

His Memory Should Be a Blessing

Posted on Sunday, 10, May, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Sometime in the night, as he slept, the soul of the rabbi returned to the Holy One, blessed be He. His son mourned the loss of his beloved father. Day after day, he cried over the loss of his beloved father.

In the moments he was alone he remembered so much he had taken for granted about his father. His father was his model and guiding light. He set the example of what a good father and friend should be. He always saw the good in people, and if he saw the bad, he would overlook it. His father would always help people overcome challenges and problems.

Days turned to weeks and still the son was so overcome by his grief he could not even leave his house. In the silence of the night, his father visited him in a dream and said:

“Show your love by walking the Way, in devotion to the commandments, faith, and people. Are we not taught, ‘No deed is perfect without the impulse of the soul…. Our answer must be given in deeds, not words. (Chovos haLavavos/Duties of the Heart, 1040)’ this is the only memorial that truly honors the departed.”

The son rose from his grief on hearing these words, and went to make his father’s memory a perpetual light to guide him and a blessing to the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

The Mysterious Kiddush Sleep

Posted on Friday, 8, May, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil had already been sung. The lights from the Shabbos candles reflected softly in the dark wine in the Kiddush cup. A hush settled over the room as everyone moved around the Shabbos table to hear kiddush. Avraham the Miller took a deep breath and . . . fell asleep in his seat.

“Taty! Taty! Father! Father!” the family called….No response. Chana Sorah put her hand on her husband’s shoulder and shook him, but that didn’t help either. “Wake up! Wake up!” the children encouraged. Everyone thought he had fainted and began to worry. Someone ran to get the doctor.

The doctor found it difficult to wake him from his deep sleep and could not understand what had happened to him. He suggested to let Avraham sleep it off. Someone else would have to make kiddush.

Avraham the Miller didn’t wake up till morning. He was embarrassed to hear what had happened. He fell into a deep sleep the next Friday night and it happened again. It seemed that every week as everyone was waiting for Kiddush Friday night, Avraham fell asleep.

After several weeks, Avraham the Miller cried, “What is happening to me? How can I not say Kiddush? Something is very wrong.” He was sad and embarrassed and was determined to He rose from his chair, where he had fallen asleep at the Shabbos table in front of the Kiddush cup and sadly told his wife, Chana Sorah, “I don’t understand what is happening? Nothing helps! I can’t go on like this. After Shabbos I’m going to the holy rabbi!”

The next day he went to the old wooden shul (synagogue), and told the whole story to the holy rabbi. He cried as he asked to be cured so that he could enjoy Shabbos, they Day of Rest as he had done in the past.

The holy rabbi listened and then said, “It seems, that you have somehow violated Shabbos, which is why you are being prevented from honoring her.”

Avraham the Miller became even more upset. “I don’t understand. I’m so careful with the laws of Shabbos. Violating Shabbos? I can’t imagine how that ever might have happened.”

Sadly, he went home and told his family everything the holy rabbi said. They were shocked. They all knew how careful he was about keeping Shabbos. After listening to his father, one of his older sons spoke up. “Taty (father), I have to tell you that the holy rabbi’s words revealed genuine divine inspiration because, unfortunately, they are true. One Friday night, when I was up late, I saw you get up in the middle of the night. You were obviously still half asleep. I saw you light a candle so you could see your way to get a drink of water, and then you extinguished it when you were finished. The next morning it was clear that you had no recollection of what had happened, and not wanting to shame you or show disrespect, I never said anything. Now that the holy rabbi saw this violation of Shabbos, I realize I am obligated to share what I saw.”

The man immediately went and told the holy rabbi what his son had reported, and the rebbi said, “That’s it. How can a Jewish person allow himself to forget the holiness of Shabbos, under any circumstances? There are two primary obligations towards Shabbos: to ‘remember’ it (Exodus 20:8) and to ‘safeguard’ it (Deuteronomy 5:12), both of which, our sages tell us, were declared by the Almighty ‘in a single utterance.’ ‘Remember’ is accomplished through speech, by expressing the holiness of Shabbos in the words of the kiddush. ‘Safeguard’ is for the mind and heart, to be continually aware of the holiness of Shabbos throughout the entire day, that it not be transgressed. Sadly, you failed to ‘safeguard’ Shabbos, so you have lost the right to ‘remember’ her.”

“There is nothing I can do for you. The only ‘remedy’ there is for you is if you are challenged by a test in Shabbos observance, and you stand up to it. Then the Shabbos will be appeased of your insult.”

These final words made the miller feel a little better. He trusted the holy rabbi, and resolved to stand up to the trial, no matter what it might be.

Not long after a summons came from his poritz, the nobleman from whom he leased his mill in exchange for an annual rent and a percentage of its income. The latter informed him that he planned to greatly expand the flour mill’s capacity, and that in order to recoup the large amount of money that he would have to invest, it would be necessary for the mill to operate on Saturdays as well, starting now.

“That’s impossible,” the Jewish miller declared firmly. “I only work six days, never on Shabbos.

“Oh, come on,” said the nobleman, “I know that you can get around it if you want to. I heard that a rabbi can make some kind of contract where you can stay home, but the mill stays open and I don’t lose the income.”

“I’ve never employed such a leniency in relation to Shabbos, and I never will,” the miller firmly declared.

The nobleman raised his voice. “Stubborn fool! I’ll give you the two months it will take to complete the renovations to start to operate the mill on Saturday. If you don’t, I’ll throw you out.”

The poritz carried out his threat, and evicted the miller. Without any income, he and his family soon fell on to hard times. Even basic food for the children became hard to supply. What’s more, his “Shabbos disease” still afflicted him. Even though things were difficult, he persisted in his determination not to fail the Shabbos again.

Meanwhile, the mill’s owner had completed the expansion of the mill, and had found a manager who was willing to work a seven-day week. But right from the start it didn’t work out. Unusual accidents kept occurring, and all sorts of problems arose. Huge losses piled up. The situation was bizarre, and everyone realized it.

The nobleman was forced to admit to himself that his problems must be connected to his having ruined the livelihood of the Jewish miller. So he sent for his former tenant and, after revealing the mill’s desperate situation, offered to lease it to him as before.

“And what about my Shabbos?” the Jewish miller asked.

“Look,” he answered, “after all the unusual problems and sharp losses, I realize that G d is with you. Do however you see fit.”

So the Jewish miller returned to the mill, and was soon blessed with more success than he had ever had. Also, his affliction disappeared at the same time, just as the holy rabbi had said. But even with his new wealth, reciting kiddush on Shabbat night remained his greatest pleasure.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

The Confused Student

Posted on Wednesday, 6, May, 2020Monday, 15, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham taught many students and listened to all who came to them for guidance. One student left his studies to help his struggling family.

Some time passed and no one heard from the student. In time he was forgotten. One day the student came to visit his old teachers Tam and Chacham.

He explained how hard it was to leave his studies, but he found a well paying job in a field that involved mixing freely with men and women in a relaxed atmosphere. He went on to say, “You would be proud of me, I think of your lessons all through my working hours, and never once had any inappropriate thoughts.”

Chacham thought for a moment and said, “From a woman did sin originate, and because of her we must all die. (ben Sira 25:24) By preventing yourself from getting involved with the people at your job, you may actually live longer.”

The student added, “I don’t talk to the women nor notice what they wear. The men ask me all the time to eat with them, but their food and what they talk about is not kosher.” The student noticed that Tam shook his head.

Chacham responded,” we learn that ’whoever engages in too much conversation with women, brings evil on himself, neglects the study of Torah and in the end will inherit gehennom’ (Pirke Avos 1:5). I’d say you learned your lessons well.”

Tam quietly asked the student for his name. The student was taken aback. His rabbi and teacher certainly must remember his name. Tam waited a moment and then said, “You have listened, but not learned ’The Holy One, Blessed be He created all things in accordance with His wisdom and whatever He created cannot possibly be shameful or ugly’ (Iggeres haKodesh 13th cent.) Please give me your mother’s name so I can make a proper Mi Shebeirach (a prayer for healing) for you.’ “

The student was confused. He felt well and he thought to himself why would his teacher want to make a Mi Shebeirach for him?

Tam saw the confusion in the face of his student and answered, “I am an old man. Yet, I can hardly walk down the street from my house without fighting off some unwanted thought. You claim that as a young man in the prime of life, you entertain no unholy thoughts. Surely there must be something wrong with you! I will make a Mi Shebeirach for you to have a refuah sheleima (complete recovery)!”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

The Muddy Path to Paradise

Posted on Sunday, 3, May, 2020Wednesday, 8, November, 2023 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham had a custom of visiting various communities, where they would stay in the homes of wealthy members of the community while they collected charity for those less fortunate.

In one of the cities that Tam and Chacham would visit, there lived a wealthy merchant. The merchant owned a large mansion with many rooms, whenever he heard of the Tam and Chacham’s arrival in his city, he made sure that his mansion was locked. Well aware of the tendency of Tam and Chacham to stay at the homes of the wealthy, where there was ample room to welcome the many people who wanted to speak to Tam and Chacham about many different things. The merchant would quickly leave his mansion, many times claiming that he has to go to a last-minute business meeting. He preferred that his house be left alone.

The suddenness of the appearance of Tam and Chacham in his city caught the merchant, along with his wide-open mansion, off guard. Left with no choice, he reluctantly surrendered his house so that it could serve as the base where people could come to see Tam and Chacham to recieve advice blessings or to offer charity.

A few days later, the Tam and Chacham asked the merchant: “Tell us the truth, are you not happy with the fact that we are staying here?”

“Both of you are my honoured guests. In fact you bring blessings to my home” replied the merchant earnestly. “I am thrilled to be hosting you and delighted that you chose to stay at my house. The problem I have does not lie with you but rather with the all those people who want to speak to you. You see, when you come, they come. And when they come, along comes the mud, dust and muck from the streets. The very thought of all that grime on my clean floors and furniture just horrifies me. “It was never because of you, G‑d forbid. The idea of the mud has always been off-putting to me.”

Tam and Chacham thought for a moment and them Tam began to speak:

“There once lived a doctor who was very very wealthy and an active sinner. He managed to transgress almost all of the Torah’s prohibitions. After a long life of pleasure, the doctor was greeted in heaven by the horde of prosecuting angels that he managed to create throughout his lifetime of sins. Their loud, emphatic accusations and protests challenged the heavens to find a sliver of virtue for his poor soul.

“Suddenly, an angel appeared before the heavenly court and began to tell an account of kindness that transpired in the doctor’s youth: It once happened that a man’s wagon, overloaded with merchandise, keeled over in the road. The horse was pinned to the ground and the wagon driver, unable to raise the upended wagon by himself, stood by helplessly as he waited for aid that did not seem to come. However, continued the angel, the young doctor happened to be traveling down the same road. And when the wagon driver’s misfortune met his eyes, the doctor stopped to assist the grateful man. Only after the two successfully managed to turn the overloaded cart so that it was upright on its wheels, did the doctor continue on his journey.

“Immediately after the angel concluded his story, a horse and wagon overloaded with merchandise were placed on the empty pan dangling from the Heavenly scales of justice, which had been tilted heavily on the side of sins. Helped by the new weight, the balance shifted towards the center. But the lifetime of sins still outweighed the single good deed.

“We demand that the mud and soil be added to the scale as well,’ chorused the good angels. ‘After all, he had to extract the wagon from the muck, didn’t he?’ But the prosecuting angels vehemently insisted that the doctor had nothing to do with the mud, which had no direct relevance to him. The heavenly court therefore decided to send the doctor’s soul back to this world to determine whether mud holds any significance for his soul. If so, mud would be placed on the heavenly scale on the side of merits. But if not …”

Tam paused his story and fixed his gaze on the merchant.

“You possess the soul of that doctor, and your evil inclination is working overtime not to allow that mud into your house. “

Upon hearing these words from Tam, the merchant ran to the door and began pleading to the people waiting outside. “Come in, come in,” he cried. “Come as you are and greet our honored guests.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Truth Is Before Peace

Posted on Tuesday, 21, April, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

In the last two hundred or more years there has been an element in the Jewish community that has strongly advocated for modernization with an emphasis on secular education, science and technology. So many have left faith and traditions behind to blend in with the greater society.

They called their movement Haskalah (wisdom) and referred to themselves as maskilim (followers of wisdom – Haskalah). They tried to assimilate into the greater society in dress, language, manners and loyalty to the ruling power.

Religiously observant Jewish communities were against the Haskalah from the start because it went against traditional Judaism and challenged both the teachings of the rabbis and the role of Torah and mitzvos in education. The Maskilim sided with the worldly powers in plans to increase secular education among the Jewish masses, bringing them into intense conflict with the religiously observant who believed this threatened Jewish life.

The maskilim once approached one of the leading orthodox rabbis seeking to make peace between their two factions. “As you know, our sages teach that peace is the most important thing of all…” they said. “Why should there be arguments between the maskilim and the frum (as the G-d fearing Jewish people were then called)?”

In response, the holy rabbi referred to a verse in Zecharia (8:19): “‘Love truth and peace.’ Why does the verse first mention truth and then peace? This is to teach us that truth is a condition that leads to peace. True, peace is extremely important, but we are only to make peace with truth. From falsehood we must run far away.”

This is also the meaning of the prayer we recite daily, “He Who makes peace in His high places (Job 25:2), may He make peace upon us…”(Kadish) We ask HaKadosh Boruch Hu, the Holy One, blessed be He to bless us with the same peace that He makes in His heavens. We do not want a peace based on falsehood, but only the kind of peace that the One Above makes in heaven – the peace of truth.

The maskilim pride themselves on their many efforts to “modernize Judaism, but this effort is ancient. The prophet wrote, “Because, in truth, because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace; and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear whitewash on it. (Ezekiel 13:10)

Sadly, that is why the terms to describe Jewish people, frum contrasts with frei (Yiddish). Frum describes the Jewish people who maintain and live by their faith, customs and traditions of Judaism. Frei (free) are those who have become secular or have developed modern observances, or “free from keeping the … commandments.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

The Widow’s Seder

Posted on Wednesday, 8, April, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Sima woke as the light of the new day shined in her window. She was still tired from cleaning the house for Pesach (Passover) the day before. She gathered her clothes to take to the river to wash. Her daughter Zehava followed behind humming a song.

It had been a hard year for the young widow, Sima, who missed her husband badly. sickness ravaged the village that winter and she helped many anyway she could. Sadly, many died.

Zehava asked her mother when they would start cooking for the seder meal. Sima just sighed as she did not have any matzah, wine or food for the seder. So, she sadly went to the river to wash clothes so that she and her daughter could at least welcome the holiday with clean clothes.

“Ima, please tell me the story of Pesach (Passover)” asked Zehava. “Not now my precious daughter but tonight” answered Sima. Her daughter walked and played along the bank of the river where flowers were starting to appear, and the trees were budding. It was a beautiful spring day, but Sima was so sad.

Zehava began to play in the water, cupping the water and then letting it slowly run out of her hands back into the river. She did it again and again. “Ima, why are you so sad today? It is right before Pseach a happy holiday.” asked Zehava, Sima looked at her daughter and remembered when she was a girl and her mother always found a way to be happy at holiday time no matter how hard things were. “I’m sad because we have nothing to prepare for Pesach and no one to share with us” Sima tearfully answered.

“You know, I learned that sadness is an enemy that can destroy a lot of things.” Zehava said. “Oh, to be a little girl again with few worries. To see the good around us and to just play” Sima responded.

Zehava continued playing in the water, “Every day when I pray I say ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies’ (Psalm 23:5), she held her cupped hands up high and as the water trickled down she sad “my cup overflows.”

“Ima, you help everyone who needs help even though we are very poor. One thing though, we are so full of mitzvos (good deeds) that they can’t fit into any treasure chest.”

“Zehava, my sweet child you remind me of something my mother told me a long time ago ‘He lifts up the soul and makes the eyes sparkle; he gives health and life and blessing.’ (Ben Sira 34:20) The sparkle in your eyes makes me appreciate the gift the Holy One, blessed be He gave to me.”

Zehava ran over and hugged her mother and they both smiled.

In the distance Zehava saw someone walking along the bank of the river. The person seemed to be struggling. As they got closer, Zehava saw it was an old woman, older than anyone she had even seen. The old woman having trouble walking.

As the old woman neared, Sima and Zehava invited her to rest on the riverbank with them. The old woman asked if she could join them for the seder. Sima began to cry as she explained they did not have any matzah, wine or food for the seder. The old woman answered, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you (Isaiah 66:13) may you be blessed in all your actions and may you celebrate the holy days with happiness,”

The old woman told them she was very tired, and Zehava asked, “Ima, can this old woman sleep in my bed until she is ready to go on her way?” “That’s a good idea” Sima answered as she told the old woman to go to the house behind them.

The old woman looked at Zehava and smiled, “You shall understand the Pesach (Passover) story much better than most people for you are truly a special girl.” She took a deep breath and continued, “The blessing of Hashem is the reward of the pious, and quickly He causes his blessing to flourish. (Ben Sira 11:22). Follow in your mother’s ways and be kind to all who have needs.”

The old woman went into the house while Sima continued with her laundry and Zehava played in the water. After some time Sima and Zehava started back towards their house when they noticed a strange light. Zehava ran to the door and called to her mother, “Ima, the house is filled with matzah, wine and so much food. There’s a white tablecloth and the candlesticks are ready for Pesach.”

Sima gasped at what she saws and went to check on the old woman but could not find her. Zehava ran out the door and saw the old woman walking down the road. The old woman looked over her shoulder, smiled and said, “I have been walking for countless years and may you have a kosher and joyous Pesach (Passover).”

Sima and Zehava started to cook and that night had many guests for there seder. Sima told everyone about the mysterious old woman. No one had seen her or had met her.

At the end of the seder after everyone had left, Zehava turned to her mother and said, “This has been the most special seder we have ever had.” Her mother answered, “Yes it has, but I will I know who that old woman was.” Zehava, with a twinkle in her eye added, “It’s not every seder that we are visited by two holy guests.” “Zehava, what are you talking about?” “ima we were visited by Serach bas Asher (Search, the daughter of Asher) and Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet)

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)

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.

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

Kos Shel Eliyahu – Elijah’s Cup

Posted on Monday, 6, April, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

According to belief, Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) will appear at the end of days to announce the coming of Moshiach (the Messiah). He also appears from time to time to save Jewish people in trouble and to teach Torah secrets to holy people. At the Passover seder, a special cup is placed on the table for Eliyahu haNovi – the Kos Shel Eliyahu. It is believed that he visits toward the end of the seder and drinks wine from his cup. He can sometimes be seen by those who are pure of heart.

There was once a wealthy couple named Avram and Penina. They were generous to the poor, and their large house was always open to strangers. Their most valued possession was a beautiful Kos Shel Eliyahu that graced their seder table each year at Passover.

The world is like a fountain wheel, the buckets ascend full and descend empty. Who is rich today may not be so tomorrow. (Exodus Rabbah 31:14) And so the wheel of fortune turned for Avram and Penina, and they were forced to sell most of their pos¬sessions to buy food. The only thing of value that they had left was their Kos Shel Eliyahu, which they agreed never to sell, no matter how desperate their situation became.

As Passover approached, they discovered that they did not have enough money to buy matzahs, wine, or food for the seder.

“Dearest Penina,” said Avram with a heavy heart, “I’m afraid we have no choice but to sell the Kos Shel Eliyahu .”

“Never!” replied Penina, and nothing Avram could say would change her mind.

On the day before Passover, Avram went off to study in the beis midrash. It pained him too much to stay at home and see the empty Kos Shel Eliyahu sitting in the middle of a bare table. How sad their Passover would be this year! How could they celebrate this holiday of freedom from slavery without matzah or wine?

While Avram was gone, there was a knock on the door. Penina opened it to find an elderly, well-dressed man standing before her.

“I’m a stranger in this town,” he said. “May I celebrate the seders with you?”

“We have no money to buy anything for a seder this year,” said Penina sadly. “We have nothing at all in the house.”

The man handed her a heavy purse and said, “Take this money and go buy what you need. I’ll return tonight for the seder.”

With a joyful heart, Penina hurried to the market and bought everything that she needed for the seders. Then she ran home and prepared a great feast. When Avram returned, Penina told him what had happened and asked him to bring their guest home with him from the synagogue that evening. Sadly, Avram returned from the synagogue alone. “I looked everywhere,” he explained, “but there was no well-dressed stranger there.”

They decided not to begin the seder until their guest arrived. But it began to grow late, and still there was no sign of him. At eleven o’clock, they could wait no longer, for the afikomen — the matzah eaten at the end of the seder meal — must be eaten before midnight. They recited the first part of the Haggadah and then began the feast. Right after they ate the afikomen, Avram fell asleep. Penina stayed awake, still hop¬ing that the stranger would appear. A short while later, when she opened the door for Eliyahu haNovi, the elderly man walked in.

She ran to wake Avram, but by the time she succeeded in arousing him from his heavy sleep, the stranger was gone. Avram fell back to sleep, and Penina finished the Haggadah and completed the seder by herself.

Shortly after this, Avram died. When he appeared before the Heavenly Court, they wished to admit him to paradise at once, but Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) appeared and said, “If he wanted to sell my cup, he has to remain outside!” So for several years, Avram waited outside the gates.

Then Penina died, and the gates of paradise opened before her. But as she moved forward to enter, she no-ticed someone in the way. It was her beloved Avram.

“I won’t enter without him!” she cried.

The Heavenly Court tried to persuade her to change her mind, but she stood firm. So they were forced to admit them both.

Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) visits the Passover seder, but he appears at other times too. He comes dressed as a guest to test people’s hospitality, or he comes to reward holy people with his vision or to save those in trouble. Eliyahu haNovi is G-d’s messenger of salvation. This fine couple had resolved never to sell their treasured Elijah’s cup regardless of their financial difficulties. Sadly, when they could not afford the matzah or wine for the seder, Avram gave in – Penina did not. His faith was fragile; hers was strong. Penina trusted that G-d would provide for their Passover needs — and if not, not!

Penina refused to sell the symbol of their faith in G-d’s salvation, even to buy matzah, wine, and food for the seder. Because of her greater faith, she was, awake when Avram was asleep. Since her faith and trust in G-d was strong, they received everything they needed for the holiday. As a reward for her faith, she merited to see Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) and to conclude the seder, unlike her husband, whose faith had failed and who dozed off toward the end.

The seder begins with haLachma Anyah in which we invite “All those who are hungry, let them enter and eat. All who are in need, let them come celebrate the Passover.” There are those who hunger for food, but many more who hunger for faith and holiness.

The seder, in its closing, invites Eliyahu haNovi into our homes and our hearts. May we open our seders with the offer to meet the needs of those who are hungry for food and of the spirit. Life involves many tests, we must trust that G-d will save us. If we hold on and trust Him, we will pass the tests and be rewarded — with spiritual consolation and with visions of the divine presence in our lives.

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)

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.

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

Too Much – Part II The Reward

Posted on Tuesday, 31, March, 2020Tuesday, 31, March, 2020 by Rabbi

“There is no time to rest now. I will have the rest of my life for that, but today I must run. What I work for now will be mine to keep forever.”

Yosef jumped up and began again to run, driven to cover more of the lush, green land. Finally, he stood on top of a beautiful hill and realized he was very hot. Straight overhead the warm afternoon sun was beating down upon his head. He had been working very hard all morning, too busy to notice the sun’s steady progress across the sky.

With the sun high in the sky, he realized, “High noon! It’s midday. I’ve got to turn back. Why I’ve already spent half a day on my journey, and I must be back before sundown. It’s time to turn around. I haven’t a moment to lose!”

Yosef looked ahead of him at what was probably the most beautiful sight he had seen yet. A meadow greener than any he had ever seen lay below him. Surrounded by trees of all types, it seemed a magical place, as animals played in the tall grass and birds flew majestically overhead, singing pleasant songs.

“How can I give up this valley?” said Yosef, looking worriedly over his shoulder at the sun high overhead. “I know I have more time than this. After all, I didn’t leave in the morning until the sun had been up for at least a while. I probably still have more time before I must turn back.”

Greed and envy pushed him on, and Yosef continued through what was truly a splendid meadow. Half an hour later, he stood on the other side and saw sights even more beautiful. This time Yosef admonished himself, “No, I must not be persuaded by thoughts of greed and envy. The hour is well past noon, the sun is past the high point in the sky. I must turn back now, otherwise I will never be back before sundown.”

Yosef took the stick he had been carrying, plunged it deep into the ground, and made sure it held fast. The red handkerchief waved in the wind. He had finally marked off his spot.

Yosef knew that it was definitely time to turn around. He took one last, longing look at the valleys and hills ahead of him, but in a panic said, “No, I can’t have it. I already have hundreds of acres, and now I must stop.”

With a great sigh, Yosef began to run home, one firm purpose guiding him, one goal he could not fail to attain: he must be back before sundown. His heart raced, his blood pulsed quickly, and his legs covered the miles in leaps and bounds. Whereas before he was too preoccupied to look at the sun, now he was almost obsessed by it. He checked its progress constantly.

It seemed to Yosef that he was running with even greater speed than in the morning. No longer distracted by the delightful sights he passed, he sprinted across the grass in the hot summer afternoon. He did not even notice how his body was becoming parched and dry. He had not eaten anything all day, but was unaware of the fatigue that overwhelmed his body. He began to stumble and fall often now, and that could not escape his notice.

“What is happening to me? Am I losing my strength? I can’t slow down now!” Yosef continued ahead. He fell again, harder this time. Yosef picked himself up and felt a stab of pain in his leg. “I’ll have time to deal with the pain later,” he assured himself. “I’ll have the best doctors. I’ll have anything that I could possibly desire. Right now I must work harder than I ever have!”

Yosef reached way down into the storehouses of energy and strength that lay deep within him. He began to recognize where he was. It was just a few miles from his final destination. He looked towards the horizon to check if he could see the Euphrates River in the distance. How sweet a sight it would be to see his master, Mr. Parnas, standing just ahead of him!

“He can’t be far off now,” Yosef consoled himself as he squinted to catch sight of him. The sun was setting and it was quite late already, and Yosef was becoming frantic. His mind vividly played out a terrible scenario over and over: his master stood waiting for him as day turned into night and the sun hid itself from the moon; yet Yosef never returned!

Confusion overcame him. “Perhaps I’ve been running in the wrong direction. But that’s impossible. The sun is behind me. I must be going in the right direction. Or am I?”

Often an autistic child has problems in learning in normal ways raindogscine.com buy levitra wholesale and has problems in articulation. By “feeling” the confidence, the joy and the celebration generic levitra online of Thanksgiving. Such raindogscine.com usa viagra store tests might be performed in clinic on the day after taking Eriacta. We might end viagra tablets up experiencing cheating, lies, fidelity and what not.

Yosef could not take time to stop and decide. He continued to run in desperation, tripping and falling all the while.

At long last Yosef spotted the welcome sight of the Euphrates River off in the distance. He thought he could make out the shape of Mr. Parnas standing there. But how much time was left?

Yosef was aching, every muscle and joint screamed out in pain. His head throbbed and his breathing was erratic as he fought for control. Yosef was in deep trouble. With still a mile or two to go, the sun began to touch the horizon, only minutes left before sundown.

Yosef shrieked, “No, this can’t be happening.” He ran more frenzied than ever towards the little dot on the horizon that stood on the bank of the Euphrates River. Sadly, the inevitable happened, and Yosef fell. Only this time he had not tripped; his body had given out. This time Yosef did not get up. On that very spot, early the next morning, the people gathered for Yosef’s burial.

We learn that “envy, lust and [the desire for] honor can put a man out of the world” (Pirkei Avos 4:21). The chase after material wealth and the respect that we assume comes with being wealthy can actually destroy a person. Some people spend endless amounts of energy wishing and dreaming about how wonderful it would be to be rich. Some actually spend lifetimes in the pursuit of the riches they think will make them happy. However, the truth is that no matter how much a person already has, there is always more to be gotten, and if we always look for more wealth, honour and fame, we will never be satisfied with what we have. If we can learn to see the good in what we already have and appreciate it, then we will be happy and feel wealthy as well. As we are taught, “Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot, as it is said: “You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors, you shall be happy and you shall prosper” (Psalms 128:2).” (Pirkei Avos 4:1)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Too Much – Part I The Promise

Posted on Sunday, 29, March, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part II The Reward will be posted Tuesday 31 March

All around them was the beauty and splendor of the valley. At their feet stood the mighty Euphrates River, majestically stretching from horizon to horizon. There they stood, Mr. Parnas and his ever faithful servant, Yosef. “Yosef, my dear man, you have served faithfully in my family for many years now. Over the years you have worked hard and long on our behalf. I know that many times you had to set aside your own wants and needs because your help was necessary on the estate.

“Yosef, I know too that the great wealth which this family possesses has at times overwhelmed you. Perhaps it was difficult to continue working to protect our wealth when your family was not gaining equally from your efforts. I believe you quickly chased away the momentary envy that may have crossed your mind.

“That is why I have always trusted you, and that is why I wish to reward you today. Look around you, Yosef. Look at the beautiful fertile land that surrounds you: hills, valleys, lush green meadows. I would like to share this wealth with you, Yosef; however, I want you to earn the land that will be yours. You will determine how much or how little is sufficient and, therefore, will not have cause to question it in the future. Rather the land will be more precious to you, as it will be acquired through your efforts.”

There was a glisten in Yosef’s eyes. He loved Mr. Parnas. Mr. Parnas had always been so kind, and now Yosef realized with a tinge of embarrassment that Mr. Parnas even understood his secret feelings. It was true. Sometimes it was difficult to continue working for what was not his, even though Mr. Parnas would hint at a reward that would come some day.

“Yosef,” continued Mr. Parnas, “we stand here, the two of us alone, at the great Euphrates River. I want you to look north. What do you see?”

“Why, Master, I see beautiful hills and valleys just like you spoke of.”

“And to the south, what do you see there?”

“I see flowing streams and fields, golden with harvest.”

“And east and west?”

“There I see orchards, heavy with fruit, and gardens, well- tended, yielding delicious produce.”

“Yes, Yosef, and you shall have part of all that. We possess thousands and thousands of acres in almost every direction. Today I will share it with you. Here is what I suggest, Yosef. It’s early in the morning now, just after sunrise, and I brought you here with one purpose in mind. I want you to begin walking, or running if you like, but go as far as you want. Every step that you take will be a step that will represent permanent ownership of that land.

“If you travel one half mile north, then all of the land from here, the foot of this river, until one half mile north will be yours; its boundaries east and west will be as far as your eye can see. If you choose to travel further in this short day, then more land will be yours.”

Then Mr. Parnas reached for a little pole which had a red handkerchief tied to the end of it. “This, Yosef,” he said, “is your flag. I want you to take this and run with it and go as far as you desire; and when you reach that place, put the flag in the ground and then come back to me. All that land will be yours.

“But there is one thing, Yosef, I want you to think about before you begin. When you pass through all this beautiful land, I want you to think carefully about how far you want to go. Then just before midday, I want you to put the pole in the ground and come back to me. You have only until sundown to report back to me here, at the foot of this mountain, and tell me where the flag is. Then we will go out the next day and mark off the boundaries, and all the land will be yours. But you must come back before sundown. Do you understand?”

“Yes, of course, Master, I understand.”

“Wait, just one minute,” said Mr. Parnas. And like a loving parent who wants to ensure his child’s success, he repeated, “I want you to take this very seriously. This will affect the rest of your life. Remember, you are to put the flag in the ground and then turn around and come back before sundown! I wish you the best of luck.”

What a moment! Yosef looked all about, almost embarrassed to run. He took a few tentative steps, ever so carefully and slowly at first. Then he turned around again to look at Mr. Parnas who was shooing him on.

Suddenly, Yosef began to sprint. Thirty yards away, Yosef suddenly tripped. He looked back, chuckled at his master, wiped himself off and then continued to run.

Within a short while, Yosef was out of sight. When he reached the top of a large hill, he looked back, but his master was only a dot on the horizon. The beautiful valley that lay ahead of him seemed to stretch on forever.

“I’ve come so far; look what is now mine! How can I ever thank Mr. Parnas,” thought Yosef. “I could stop here and live with my family on this beautiful spot of land forever. There I could plant fields of my own crops, build a beautiful, little house .”

But then a nagging thought crossed Yosef’s mind, a thought that was going to pester and gnaw away at his better judgment. “But there is so much more yet ahead of me. I could be even wealthier,” he reasoned.

Yosef picked up the flag, held it high and decided that he would run a little further. Ahead of him was a whole array of hills. Yosef’s head was spinning with new ideas. “Why at the top of that hill, I could have my lookout tower; that very next hill could be the site of my windmill!” The possibilities seemed endless.

Finally, when it seemed that three quarters of the morning had passed, Yosef stopped to rest at one of the beautiful creeks and took a drink. “One day,” he envisioned, “I will sit here with my children and grandchildren and fish at my creek. It would be nice to own the land on both sides of this creek so that I could build a little summer hideaway for my grandchildren on the other side of the river.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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