A Gift of Love

Posted on Tuesday, 15, December, 2020Tuesday, 5, December, 2023 by Rabbi

A young father punished his three-year old daughter for wasting a whole roll of holiday wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became angry when the child tried to decorate a box for a Chanukah gift. Still, the little girl proudly brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” He was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty.

He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside of the box?”

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses in the box. I filled it with my love. All for you, Daddy.”

The young father was crushed. He put his arms around his little daughter, and he begged her for forgiveness.

It has been some years and the little girl has grown up. That father kept that gold box from that Chanukah many years ago. Whenever he was sad or discouraged, he would take out one of the kisses and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Each child carries its own blessing into 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

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The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 7, 2023.

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

A Special Chanukah Gift

Posted on Sunday, 13, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

For this child I prayed; and the L-rd has granted me the petition that I made to him. (I Samuel 1:27)

Chanukah is a time to celebrate the freedom of faith. A war was fought to defend the right just to remain true to Judaism over 2100 years ago. Today we accept the basic story of Chanukah, but have forgotten the many miracles. The wonders and beauty of faith are many times overlooked, but they are present at all times.

On the third day of Hanukkah, there was a bris (circumcision) in the small wooden shul. The rabbi was the sandak—being honored to hold the baby on his lap—and he told a story at the bris:

A woman who was married for fifteen years and was not blessed with children. She went from rabbi to rabbi, from tzaddik to tzaddik, from one to the other to ask for a blessing, for them to pray for her, but still she had no child. She did not know what to do with herself.

She was very careful to light the Shabbos candles every week, welcoming the holiness of the day into her house. There was always food in her kitchen for those less fortunate. Her bright smile hid the pain and sadness that was deep in her heart.

Without children, she had a lot of time, and so she helped wherever she could. One day she discovered a woman who was sick and all alone, who had nobody in the world. She started to visit the sick woman, prepared food for her and talked to her for hours.

After two years, the sick woman left this world, and the woman without children was with her when she died. The dying woman said to her, “There’s no way for me to thank you in this lifetime for all the kindness and love you showed me. I promise you, the moment I go up to heaven and stand before the Holy One Blessed be He, I pray on your behalf that Heaven bless you with a baby.”

“That was almost a year ago and today we are gathered here for such a happy and holy occasion”, the rabbi continued, “The baby we just welcomed into the community is that baby. He is a gift from that woman.”

Al haNissim - Miracles

Al hanissim, v’al hapurkan, v’al hag’vurot v’al hat’tshuot v’al hamilchamot sh’asita lavoteinu bayamim hahem baz’man hazeh.

We thank You for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our fathers (ancestors) in the days of old, at this time.

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 Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown on November 28, 2021. 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

Women and Chanukah

Posted on Friday, 11, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Many girls and women ask questions about everything about Jewish women and seek answers that are sometimes very elusive. They become frustrated over the apparent the double standards of many religious people. They feel it is hard to assert their individuality in a society with so many demands (how to dress, how to eat, how to communicate, etc.).

Who carried the Jewish tradition from generation to generation? Whose unwritten wisdom upholds it? An automatic first response might be “the Rabbis.” A more complete, more thoughtful answer would be “the women.”

It is hard to define aspects of Jewish tradition—the feel of it, the smells of a special foods and meals, the warmth of a gentle touch, the part that cannot be captured in words, that remain unwritten but enduring —were for generations the domain of Jewish women. Their wisdom finely guided and molded the character of Jewish life. We find this in food, stories and memories.

Women are special in the Jewish community, but many times the girls and women counter that all there is, is chauvinism and foolish limitations. It seems that the prevailing attitudes in our culture have replaced the long history of learning and teaching.

Chanukah is a holiday that is celebrated due to the sacrifices and deeds of women. Many don’t realize that Jewish law establishes that so long as the Chanukah lights burn, woman are exempt from work.

Jewish Women

As we eat the sizzling latkes let us realize that their wisdom has molded and defined the character of Jewish life. We find this throughout our history and teachings. We also find it in the Chanukah story, in the remarkable characters of Chana and Yehudis.

One of the major victories over the Syrian-Greeks came about through the heroism of a woman. Yehudis, daughter of Yochanan the High Priest, spoke to the people in her besieged city to have faith in the Holy One, blessed be H, but the people weakened by starvation and fear wanted to surrender the city. Yehudis left the city under the cover of night and went to the commanding general, Holofrenes, and first fed him cheese dishes which made him thirsty (the source for eating dairy foods on Chanukah). She then brought him wine to quench his thirst. When he became drunk and fell asleep, she beheaded him and hung it from the city walls. When the enemy soldiers saw the head of their decapitated leader, they fled.

The Syrian-Greeks and their supporters, tried to destroy the Jewish way of life by forcing people to abandon their Judaism. Chana had seven sons each were brought before Antiochus and told to bow to him and recognize his god. Each son refused. As the last of her sons was taken to be executed she told him, “My son, go and tell your father Abraham: You bound one son upon the altar; I bound seven children on seven altars.”

The legacy Jewish women represent continues wherever the Jewish tradition is guided, enriched, and uplifted by her daughters, the bearers of Judaism’s enduring legacy.

May your Chanukah lights burn bright and may all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Potato Latke Recipe

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (3 to 4 potatoes)		1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered		1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg		1 egg, beaten
1 cup oil or chicken shmaltz, or a combination of both		2 tablespoons matzo meal
Applesauce and sour cream, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well, but do not peel. Cut each potato in half crosswise.
Grate potatoes and onion with a food processor. Grate the potatoes and onion using the shredding disk of a food processor.
Make a cheesecloth tourniquet and squeeze liquid from potato and onion. Transfer the grated potato and onion onto a large triple layer of cheesecloth. Gather the corners and tie around the handle of a wooden spoon. Dangle the bundle over a large bowl, then twist and squeeze the potatoes and onion as hard as you can until no more liquid comes out of the potatoes and onion shreds.
Pour off the liquid, but keep the potato starch. Give the liquid a few minutes to allow the potato starch to settle and then pour off and discard the liquid but leave the potato starch.
Toss the latke ingredients together with your fingers. Add the potatoes, onion, eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the bowl of starch. Mix with your fingers, making sure that the potato starch breaks up and is evenly distributed with the rest of the ingredients. Set batter aside for 10 minutes.
Heat the oil. Place the oil or schmaltz (or a combination of the two) in a large skillet so that when melted there is a depth of 1/4 inch (for a 10-inch skillet you’ll need 1 cup of melted oil/schmaltz). Heat over medium-high heat until a piece of the latke mixture sizzles immediately.
Form latkes one at a time into a 2-4 inch patty. Using a spoon, slide the latkes into the hot oil. Repeat until the pan is full but the latkes aren’t crowded. Cook until deeply golden-brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side, adjusting the heat if necessary.
Drain the latkes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain for 2 minutes.
Serve with applesauce if using schmaltz or with sour cream and apple sauce if using just oil.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more Jewish stories with recipes

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 Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown on November 28, 2021. 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

The Mystery of the Vanishing Flame

Posted on Wednesday, 9, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It was the first night of Chanukah. Outside a snowstorm raged, but inside it was tranquil and warm. The holy rabbi stood in front of the menorah, surrounded by a crowd of his students. He recited the blessings with great devotion, lit the single candle, placed the shammash (“attendant candle”) in its designated place, and began to sing HaNairos Halalu. His face radiated holiness and joy; the amazed students watch his every move.

The flame of the candle was burning bright and strong. The rabbi and his students sat nearby and sang Ma’oz Tzur and other Chanukah songs. All of a sudden, the flame began to flicker and leap wildly, even though there was no breeze in the house. It was as if it were dancing to the lively songs, and then it just disappeared,

It didn’t blow out, there was no smoke, it just was gone without a trace. The holy rabbi seemed lost in thought. One of the students went to re-light the wick on the candle, but the rabbi waved him off.

He reminded the students that Chanukah was a happy holiday and to continue their singing. Between the songs, the rabbi spoke such words of Torah that it seemed everyone was in a higher realm. The students were so caught up in celebrating Chanukah, they had all but forgotten about the disappearing flame.

It was almost midnight when they heard the sounds of a carriage stop at the house, the door burst open and in came a student who came from a distant village. His clothes were ripped and muddy, and his face was puffy and bleeding. Yet, his eyes were sparkling and his features shone with joy.

He sat down at the table, and with all eyes upon him, began to speak excitedly. “This isn’t the first time I came to visit the rabbi by traveling through the forest, and I know the way very well. But there was a terrible snow storm this week, which greatly slowed me down. I began to worry that I wouldn’t get here in time to be with the rabbi for the first night of Chanukah. The thought disturbed me so much, I decided not to wait out the storm and started out immediately.

“That was a foolish idea, I must admit, but I didn’t realize that until too late. Last night, I ran into a gang of bandits, who thought if I was out in this weather, at night, alone, I must be a wealthy merchant whose business could not be delayed. They demanded that I surrender to them all of my money.

“I pleaded with them and tried to explain that I was a student travelling to see my holy teacher. They absolutely refused to believe me. They wanted money or my blood. They took me to their leader so he could decide my fate.

“While they waited for the bandit chief to arrive, they questioned me in great detail, searched me and the wagon, and beat me, trying to get the secret of where I had hidden my money. I had nothing to tell them except the truth, and that they didn’t want to hear it.

“After hours of punishment, they tied me up and threw me into a dark cellar. I was hurt and bleeding, and my whole body ached in pain. I lay there for a long time, when the bandit chief came to speak with me.

“I tried to the best of my ability to describe to him the great joy of being in the rabbi’s presence, and how it was so important to me to get to the rabbi by the start of Chanukah and that it was worth it to endanger myself by traveling at night.

“It seems my words made an impression on him, and he untied and released me, saying:

“If you actually reach the outskirts of the city, then throw your handkerchief into the ditch next to the road, behind the signpost there. One of my men will be waiting, and that is how I will know that you made it.

“I was very afraid of what might be ahead of me on my journey, but when I thought about how wonderful it is to be to watch my teacher, the holy rabbi light the menorah lighting, my fear seemed to fade away. I was determined to proceed without delay. My horse and carriage were returned to me and I set off on my way.

Chanukah

“There forest was dark and forbidding and I could hear the sounds of the night creatures. I feared that I might be surrounded by a pack of vicious wolves.

“I crouched down over my horse’s neck and spurred him on, but he wouldn’t move. He refused to move in the pitch blackness. I tried to get him to move with kind words, but he wouldn’t budge.

“I had no idea what to do. At that moment, a small light flickered in front of the carriage. The horse stepped eagerly towards it. The light moved and the horse followed. All along the way, the wild animals fled from us, as if the tiny dancing flame was driving them away.

“We followed that flame all the way here. I kept my end of the bargain and threw my handkerchief at the designated place. Who knows? Perhaps those cruel bandits will change their ways, all in the merit of that little light.”

It was only then that the students noticed that the holy rabbi’s Chanukah light had returned. There it was, burning in the simple menorah, its flame strong and pure as if it had just been lit.

As the students marveled at the small flame in all its brightness, the holy rabbi mysteriously commented, “The light of a candle is serviceable only when it precedes man on his way, useless when it trails behind.” (Kad haKemach 37, 14^th century)

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 Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown

on November 28, 2021. 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

A Jewish Meal Heals – Kol K’voda Bas Melech P’nima

Posted on Thursday, 22, October, 2020Thursday, 30, November, 2023 by Rabbi

There was a time when little changed. People grew up in the same communities as their parents, knew the same people their whole lives, did the same work, ate the same food, and heard the same languages as their parents and grandparents. Today with all the technology (computers, tablets and cellular telephones) people are constantly meeting new people, hearing new philosophies and different ideas, and challenging religious and societal values. Young people today refuse to look at yesterday.

Jewish beliefs, customs and traditions have been changed by the rapid pace of today’s society. New ideas and new philosophies have clashed with ancient Jewish beliefs and customs. The foods of our past are prepackaged, our traditions are a vague memory, the teachings and beliefs have been left as archaic and outdated, and the stories are forgotten.

Why are so many people touched by a traditional Jewish meal? The food has a special taste that can only be found in the Jewish kitchen prepared with tenderness. Around the table people sit and speak of prayer, Torah and customs, and at times the old melodies stir the yearnings for something long forgotten. The stories touch the heart and soul of everyone around the table.

If being Jewish is merely a religion, a combination of prayers, rituals and customs, it will wither. If is a way of life, then it can flourish and lead to growth. Jewish people have a long history of different traditions, food, rituals, prayers and stories from all over the world, but one idea endures: Judaism is a dialogue, not a human monologue addressed to an indifferent universe.

We are all bound by the mitzvahs of relationships to the Holy One, blessed be He, to other human beings, and especially to all that G-d has created. As people gather and share a meal all these relationships come together and a holy atmosphere is created. In each generation, the ancient and blessed conversation—the dialogue that is Judaism—continues.

==========

It is told of a Jewish woman who carefully prepared food for each meal for Shabbos and Yom Tov with such holiness that if you ate the food she cooked, you left the table healed.

“In our earlier days, people would carefully plan for the special meals in such a way that they would have enough food for themselves and for some guests on Shabbos and Yom Tov. One week, a holy woman was cooking on Friday for Shabbos (the Sabbath) when a drunkard knocked on the door and was invited in. He was smelling of alcohol, but he said to the woman, ‘I’m starving. Do you have anything to eat? Who knew how long he had been without food? Besides, when someone says he’s starving, how can you not feed him? So she gave him from the food she’d prepared for all the Shabbos meals. After finishing what she gave him, he asked, ‘Is there more?’ Each time, he ate whatever was put before him and asked for more, until she said, ‘There’s not a crumb left.’ She gave him every¬thing she had prepared for all the Shabbos meals. She gave him everything gently and respectfully, because she was doing a great mitzvah (a good deed). She didn’t judge him by how he looked or for his crude be-havior, for who knows what troubles he had had?

“Then this drunkard did something unusual. He asked, ‘Can I speak with your husband?’ The woman went and spoke to her husband and told him about the drunkard’s request. The husband agreed to see him. When he came in, he no longer smelled, and he didn’t appear drunk. In fact, his face was glowing, and the husband realized at once that this was Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).

He explained, “I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing we have in store for her. She passed the test.”

What was the great blessing one may ask? It was the blessing of healing. That is why the food the holy woman prepared and served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The holy woman’s food, offered with such self-sacrifice, contained a heavenly blessing. This quality is not unique to this tzaddekes (holy woman).

There are other stories in which the healing powers of a holy woman come through the food she serves. And many women who prepare and serve food to their family put in their healing love as a main ingredient.

The holiness of Jewish women is hidden within their daily actions in cooking, giving tzedakah (acts of charity) and many ither mitzvahs. King David reminded us when he wrote, “kol k’voda bas melech p’nima, “(all the glory of a princess is within. (Psalm 45:14).”

Shabbosdike Stuffed Chicken Quarters

2-3 lbs Chicken quarters		1 stalk celery chopped
1 egg		1/8 tsp pepper
1 Cup Water or broth		1 Cup Farfel
1 sm to med onion finely chopped		2 Tbs oil or shmaltz
½ tsp salt		1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Thyme		2 tsp Parsley
1 tsp Rosemary		½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Sage		Spices for Chicken

Preheat oven 350 degrees
Sauté onion and celery in oil or
Add spices and cook a few minutes longer
Stir in farfel
Beat egg with water or broth
Add to farfel
Let stuffing rest for 5 to 15 minutes
Loosen skin on the chicken
Spoon the stuffing under the skin and return the skin to its original position
Put in pan – skin side up
Brush with oil and season to taste
Bake covered 30 minutes
Remove cover and bake until skin is golden brown (30 to 45 minutes)

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.

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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com

Rosh Hashanah Cholent (Stew) – A Story and Recipe

Posted on Thursday, 17, September, 2020Thursday, 21, September, 2023 by Rabbi

The story is told of a simple Jewish innkeeper who kept an inn on a distant crossroads many weeks’ journey from the nearest Jewish community, who one year decided to make the trip to the Jewish community for Rosh Hashanah.

When he entered the shul (synagogue) on Rosh Hashanah morning, it was already packed with worshippers, and the service was well underway. Scarcely knowing which way to hold the Machzor (holiday prayer book), he draped his tallis over his head and stood against the back wall where no one would notice him.

Hours passed. Hunger was beginning to gnaw at his insides, but the impassioned sounds of prayer around him showed no signs of lessening. Visions of the sumptuous holiday meal awaiting him at his lodgings made his eyes water in pain. What was taking so long? Haven’t we prayed enough? Still the service stretched on.

Suddenly, as the chazzan (cantor) reached a particularly stirring passage, the entire congregation burst into tears. Why is everyone weeping? Wondered the innkeeper. Then it dawned on him. Of course! They, too, are hungry. They, too, are thinking of the elusive meal and endless service. With a new surge of self-pity he gave vent to his anguish; a new wail joined the others as he, too, cried from the depths of his heart.

But after a while the crying let up, finally quieting to a sprinkling of exceptionally pious worshippers. The hungry innkeeper’s hopes soared, but the prayers went on and on. Why have they stopped crying? He wondered. Are they no longer hungry?

Then he remembered the cholent. What a cholent he had waiting for him! Everything else his wife had prepared for the holiday meal paled in comparison to that cholent. He fondly remembered the juicy chunk of meat she had put into the cholent when she set it on the fire the previous afternoon. The innkeeper knew one thing about cholent: the longer it cooks, the more enjoyable the cholent. He’d looked under the lid on his way to shul this morning, when the cholent had already been going for many hours. It smelled so good. Give it another few hours, and ahhhh. . . A few hours of aching feet and a hollow stomach are a small price to pay considering what was developing under that lid with each passing minute.

Obviously, that’s what his fellow worshippers are thinking, as well. They, too, have a cholent simmering on their stovetop. No wonder they’ve stopped crying. Let the service go on, he consoled himself, the longer the better.

And on the service went. His stomach felt like raw leather, his knees grew weak with hunger, his head throbbed in pain, his throat burned with suppressed tears. But whenever he felt that he simply could not hold out a moment longer, he thought of his cholent, imagining what was happening to that piece of meat at that very moment: the steady blending of flavors with the potatoes, barley, kishke and spices in the pot. Every minute longer, he kept telling himself, is another minute on the fire for my cholent.

An hour later, the cantor launched into another exceptionally moving piece. As his tremulous voice painted the awesome scene of divine judgment unfolding in the heavens, the entire shul broke down weeping once again. At this point, the dam burst in this simple Jewish innkeeper’s heart, for he well understood what was on his fellow worshippers’ minds. “Enough is enough!” he sobbed. “Never mind the cholent! Hashem forgive everyone for their weaknesses and untoward behavior. It’s been such a long time, shower the world with blessings and let us go home.

At last the service was over and the simple innkeeper joined his wife and enjoyed the Rosh Hashanah cholent.

Rosh Hashanahdike Zisseh Kartofl Cholent

Ingredients:

2 medium onions, chopped		1 cup barley
2-4 cloves garlic, minced		½ tbs coarse black pepper
olive oil (for sautéing)		1.5 lb. boneless shank, flanken or the kosher meat of your choice cut into pieces
2 tbsp. salt		4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 sweet potato, peeled and chopped		2 tbs . paprika
2 tbs honey		1 lb kishka

Directions:

Sauté the onions in oil until golden. Add the meat and brown on all sides.
Add the potatoes, barley and sweet potatoes.
Transfer the meat and onions to a crockpot
In 1 cup of water mix honey and spices. Cover with water.
Wrap the kishka in foil and set on top of cholent
Turn the crockpot onto before Rosh Hashanah begins, set the heat to low. Cook on low heat overnight.
On Rosh Hashanah, remove the crockpot insert from the heating element before you open it and serve.

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

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The Great Feast

Posted on Friday, 11, September, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once an old traveler met a group of children in the marketplace who were hungry and sad.

“What is the matter, little ones?” asked the old traveler.

“We wanted to have a special meal for Shabbos!” answered the oldest child.

“Yes, that would be an oneg (delight)” said the old traveler.

“But we only one piece of bread!” said a red haired child.

“And it is a very small piece of bread!” said another child who felt he had a right to speak.

“Not big enough for even one of us!” girl noted.

All the children became quiet as they looked at the piece of bread with large eyes, and their mouths went up in the middle and down at the sides.

“Well,” said the old traveler, “suppose we have the feast just the same! I think we can manage it.”

He broke the cookie into four pieces, and gave one piece to the littlest child.

“See!” he said. “This is a piece of roast chicken. It was golden brown and crispy as could be, and small mountain of mashed potato; it must be a volcano, it smokes so. Do you see?”

“Yes!” said the littlest one; and his mouth went down in the middle and up at the corners.

The Old traveler gave a piece of bread to the next child.

“Here,” he said, “is a little pie! Outside, as you see, it is brown and crusty, with a wreath of pastry leaves round the edge and in inside of it is chicken, carrots and potatoes surrounded by a special gravy. Have you ever seen such a pie?”

“Never I did!” said the child.

“Now here,” said the old traveler to the third child, “is steaming golden soup. See how thick it is and how it smells so good. The steam rises to the very heavens.

“So it is!” exclaimed the third child.

Then the old traveler gave the last piece of bread to the oldest child.

“My friend” he said. “Just look! Here is lekach (honey cake). Look at the nuts on the and inside there are raisins, and great slices of apple. It is the most enjoyable cake I’ve ever had. “Now, when I clap my hands and count one, two, three, you must eat the feast all up. One—two—three!”

So the children ate the special meal for Shabbos all up.

“There!” said the old traveler. “Did ever you see such a special meal for Shabbos?”

“No, never we did!” said all the children together.

“But you didn’t have any!” said the oldest child..

“Oh, yes!” said the old traveler. “I had a little of everything.”

One of the children asked, “I wonder who the old traveler was?”

The oldest child smiled, “Maybe he was Eliyahu haNovi.”

Homemade Chicken and Biscuits

Ingredients

For the Chicken

2 – 3 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in) (legs and thighs work nicely)

3 cups chicken broth

1 small onion (chopped)

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons margarine/shmaltz

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 to 1 1/2 cups frozen peas (cooked; or peas and carrots)

Dash salt (or to taste)

Dash pepper (or to taste)

For the Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 – 2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

1/2 cup Olive Oil

¼ cup Water

Prepare the Chicken

Put the chicken in a large saucepan with the chicken broth, onion, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue cooking at a low simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.

Remove the chicken from the broth; reserve the broth and set aside.

Grease an 8 or 9-inch baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat the oven to 375 F.

Put the chicken in the baking dish.

Sprinkle the cooked peas or peas and carrots over the chicken in the baking dish.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the margarine/shmaltz.

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Gradually add the 2 cups of chicken broth and continue cooking until thickened, stirring frequently. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.

Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the baking dish.

Prepare the Biscuits

In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, sugar, and parsley. Blend well.

With a fork, stir in oil and water until moistened.

Drop biscuit dough over the hot chicken and sauce mixture in the baking dish.

Bake the chicken and biscuits until browned, about 20 to 30 minutes.

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

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The Widow’s Apples

Posted on Thursday, 3, September, 2020Thursday, 5, October, 2023 by Rabbi

“Rabbi, holy rabbi, have mercy on me! Please, give me some money so I can have something to eat for myself and my children on Shabbos!” With these words, the woman who had burst into the rabbi’s house broke out into tears. “I don’t have a penny to buy food for my orphan children!”

“Why didn’t you come yesterday,” said the holy rabbi, “when I was giving tzedakah (charity) to all the poor people for Shabbos? Today, I don’t have even a copper coin to give you!”

”I’ve never taken money from anybody,” the woman said, “but today I had to come to you. I have a stand in the marketplace, not far from here, where I sell apples. With the money I make, I’m barely able to support myself and my children. Yesterday morning, with the little money I had, I bought a basket of apples from a peasant. I was hoping to earn enough money to buy something to eat for Shabbos. But rabbi, no one bought my apples. They say they’re no good!”

“No good!” cried the rabbi.” Chas v’chalila (Heaven forbid) someone would say that Hashem’s apples are no good? What do they mean?”

“Rabbi,” she pleaded, “I call out: ‘Apples, apples, delicious apples that have a taste like the Garden of Eden.’ But they say the apples are bad!”

The rabbi asked the poor woman where her stand was in the marketplace and told her to go back there, promising her that she would have money for what she needed for Shabbos.

A few minutes later, the buyers in the market saw that the holy rabbi was at the widow’s apple stand calling out loudly, “kum’t arein geshmak sheynim epls far Shabbos koidesh! Epls far farkoyf! kumen aun koyfn!” (Come around. Delicious, beautiful apples for the holy Shabbos! Apples for sale! Come and buy!)”

When people heard that the holy rabbi of the town was selling apples, a crowd quickly gathered at the widow’s stand. Everyone wanted to buy apples from the rabbi. In only a few minutes, all the apples were sold.

“Do you see?” said the rabbi to the woman, as he gave her the profits, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) the rabbi continued, “May you be blessed with gold and silver from the apples you sell and may your children grow strong like apple trees and always act with kindness and sweetness.”

Waldorf Salad Recipe

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise		3 medium Granny Smith/Green apples — cored, and chopped
1 tablespoon white sugar		1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 teaspoon lemon juice		½ cup chopped walnuts
⅛ teaspoon salt		½ cup raisins

Note: ½ cup dried Cranberries or dried cherries can be used in place of raisins

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt.

Stir in the apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins.

Chill until ready to serve.

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.

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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com

Farfel: Put the Past Behind You

Posted on Friday, 28, August, 2020Thursday, 24, August, 2023 by Rabbi

The Talmud says that Shabbos is “a semblance of Olam Haba,” a taste of the delight of the World to Come. Certainly, this refers to something that is incomparably greater than the physical delights we experience.

The Midrash cites the phrase in Genesis (2:1): “And the heaven and earth were completed,” and comments that it is with the onset of Shabbos everything in Creation had been completed and not even the slightest thing was lacking, so should a person feel when Shabbos arrives: everything is complete, there is nothing lacking. There is not the slightest carryover of concern from the previous week. Nothing in one’s life is lacking, not even the slightest thing, just as G-d’s creation was totally complete.

We may have some difficulty in imagining so blissful a state, but if we could achieve it, it would indeed be “a semblance of Olam Haba.” Our minds would then be free for total devotion to spiritual pursuits.

Although a person should always have an attitude of teshuvah, Shabbos is a particularly favorable time for forgiveness. The Talmud says that if a person observes Shabbos properly, all his sins are forgiven (Koheles Rabbah 4). Inasmuch as a person receives an additional soul (neshamah yeseirah) on Shabbos, it is appropriate that one cleanse oneself of all one’s wrongdoings in preparation for this enhanced kedushah (holiness).

To assist in experiencing this heavenly feeling, a farfel stuffing was served on Friday night, and would be referred to it as “Teshuvah Farfel.” The Yiddish word farfallen means “it is in the past, over and done with.” As the farfel stuffing was served, people would say, “Whatever was until now is farfallen,” as a reminder that we should now put the entire past behind us and not bring any concerns of the workweek into Shabbos.

In this month before Rosh Hashanah, let us hope that all can do teshuvah and be forgiven of sins. Each Shabbos brings the hope that all is farfallen – it is in the past, over and done with – so each week we start anew.

Teshuvah Farfel Stuffing

INGREDIENTS

2 large onions, diced	½ pound mushrooms, sliced
3-4 table spoons olive oil or shamltz	garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon turmeric	2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon cumin	1 pound matzo farfel
1 tablespoons fresh oregano	2 cups chicken broth/vegetable broth
1 teaspoon rubbed sage	2 eggs
1 teaspoon paprika	Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper	Freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13inch casserole dish.

2. Sauté onions in a large sauté pan lightly coated olive oil/shmaltz, over medium-high heat, until medium brown and very soft.

3. Add mushrooms to the pan and a bit more olive oil/shmaltz. Add spices and continue to sauté

4. Add celery and garlic to the pan and continue to cook for 3 to 5 minutes until celery begins to soften.

5. Transfer vegetables to greased pan. Add matzo farfel, broth, and slightly beaten eggs. Stir to combine. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes more until lightly browned, or cool completely and freeze for up to 1 month.

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

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The Shalom Bayis Kugel and Recipe

Posted on Thursday, 20, August, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A husband and wife came to holy rabbi. They’d had a big argument and said very hurtful things to one another. They were both angry and sad and wanted a divorce.

“My wife,” complained the man, “every week she makes for Shabbos a delicious kugel. I love that kugel! All week I work very hard, just to enjoy that kugel! When I just think of that kugel, my mouth starts watering . . . But what does this foolish woman do to me? She torments me! After I recite the kiddush, do I get the kugel? No-o-o-o. First, she serves the gefilte fish. Then the soup. Then the chicken. And the potatoes. Then a couple of other dishes, and then I’m full; I can’t possibly take one more bite. Then she brings in the kugel! Now, shouldn’t I divorce her?”

The husband went on to say lot more that people normally don’t say in front of a rabbi.

The wife explained that in her parents’ home, it was always done this way. She wouldn’t budge.

So the holy rabbi decided that from now on, she should make two kugels: one to be eaten right after kiddush, and one to serve after the fish and the soup and the chicken and the potatoes. The couple left, reconciled.

From that day on, the holy rabbi always had two kugels at his Shabbos table—one right after kiddush, and another one after the main course. They called it the Shalom Bayis (“peace in the home”) kugel.

Vegetable Kugel Recipe

Ingredients:

2 large onions, diced		4 carrots, shredded
3-4 Tablespoons oil or shmaltz		8 eggs
4 stalks celery, diced		salt to taste
2 green peppers, diced		pepper to taste
4 stalks celery, diced		1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced or chopped (optional)
8 large Idaho potatoes (4-5 lbs.), grated

1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Sauté the onions in oil until golden. Add the celery, peppers, mushrooms (if using), and carrots. Sauté until soft.

3. Place the eggs into a mixing bowl. Beat by hand and add salt and pepper to taste.

4. In a food processor, grate the potatoes using the fine shredder. Transfer to the egg mixture. Add the sautéed vegetables. Mix thoroughly.

5. Pour into a 9″x13″ pan. Bake for 40-60 minutes, until browned and crusty.

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

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He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside of the box?”

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses in the box. I filled it with my love. All for you, Daddy.”

The young father was crushed. He put his arms around his little daughter, and he begged her for forgiveness.

It has been some years and the little girl has grown up. That father kept that gold box from that Chanukah many years ago. Whenever he was sad or discouraged, he would take out one of the kisses and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Each child carries its own blessing into the world

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 7, 2023.

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

For this child I prayed; and the L-rd has granted me the petition that I made to him. (I Samuel 1:27)

On the third day of Hanukkah, there was a bris (circumcision) in the small wooden shul. The rabbi was the sandak—being honored to hold the baby on his lap—and he told a story at the bris:

A woman who was married for fifteen years and was not blessed with children. She went from rabbi to rabbi, from tzaddik to tzaddik, from one to the other to ask for a blessing, for them to pray for her, but still she had no child. She did not know what to do with herself.

She was very careful to light the Shabbos candles every week, welcoming the holiness of the day into her house. There was always food in her kitchen for those less fortunate. Her bright smile hid the pain and sadness that was deep in her heart.

Without children, she had a lot of time, and so she helped wherever she could. One day she discovered a woman who was sick and all alone, who had nobody in the world. She started to visit the sick woman, prepared food for her and talked to her for hours.

“That was almost a year ago and today we are gathered here for such a happy and holy occasion”, the rabbi continued, “The baby we just welcomed into the community is that baby. He is a gift from that woman.”

Al hanissim, v’al hapurkan, v’al hag’vurot v’al hat’tshuot v’al hamilchamot sh’asita lavoteinu bayamim hahem baz’man hazeh.

We thank You for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our fathers (ancestors) in the days of old, at this time.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

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

Who carried the Jewish tradition from generation to generation? Whose unwritten wisdom upholds it? An automatic first response might be “the Rabbis.” A more complete, more thoughtful answer would be “the women.”

Women are special in the Jewish community, but many times the girls and women counter that all there is, is chauvinism and foolish limitations. It seems that the prevailing attitudes in our culture have replaced the long history of learning and teaching.

Chanukah is a holiday that is celebrated due to the sacrifices and deeds of women. Many don’t realize that Jewish law establishes that so long as the Chanukah lights burn, woman are exempt from work.

As we eat the sizzling latkes let us realize that their wisdom has molded and defined the character of Jewish life. We find this throughout our history and teachings. We also find it in the Chanukah story, in the remarkable characters of Chana and Yehudis.

The legacy Jewish women represent continues wherever the Jewish tradition is guided, enriched, and uplifted by her daughters, the bearers of Judaism’s enduring legacy.

May your Chanukah lights burn bright and may all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Potato Latke Recipe

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (3 to 4 potatoes)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg

1 egg, beaten

1 cup oil or chicken shmaltz, or a combination of both

2 tablespoons matzo meal

Applesauce and sour cream, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well, but do not peel. Cut each potato in half crosswise.

Grate potatoes and onion with a food processor. Grate the potatoes and onion using the shredding disk of a food processor.

Pour off the liquid, but keep the potato starch. Give the liquid a few minutes to allow the potato starch to settle and then pour off and discard the liquid but leave the potato starch.

Toss the latke ingredients together with your fingers. Add the potatoes, onion, eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the bowl of starch. Mix with your fingers, making sure that the potato starch breaks up and is evenly distributed with the rest of the ingredients. Set batter aside for 10 minutes.

Heat the oil. Place the oil or schmaltz (or a combination of the two) in a large skillet so that when melted there is a depth of 1/4 inch (for a 10-inch skillet you’ll need 1 cup of melted oil/schmaltz). Heat over medium-high heat until a piece of the latke mixture sizzles immediately.

Form latkes one at a time into a 2-4 inch patty. Using a spoon, slide the latkes into the hot oil. Repeat until the pan is full but the latkes aren’t crowded. Cook until deeply golden-brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side, adjusting the heat if necessary.

Drain the latkes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain for 2 minutes.

Serve with applesauce if using schmaltz or with sour cream and apple sauce if using just oil.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

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

It didn’t blow out, there was no smoke, it just was gone without a trace. The holy rabbi seemed lost in thought. One of the students went to re-light the wick on the candle, but the rabbi waved him off.

It was almost midnight when they heard the sounds of a carriage stop at the house, the door burst open and in came a student who came from a distant village. His clothes were ripped and muddy, and his face was puffy and bleeding. Yet, his eyes were sparkling and his features shone with joy.

“I pleaded with them and tried to explain that I was a student travelling to see my holy teacher. They absolutely refused to believe me. They wanted money or my blood. They took me to their leader so he could decide my fate.

“While they waited for the bandit chief to arrive, they questioned me in great detail, searched me and the wagon, and beat me, trying to get the secret of where I had hidden my money. I had nothing to tell them except the truth, and that they didn’t want to hear it.

“After hours of punishment, they tied me up and threw me into a dark cellar. I was hurt and bleeding, and my whole body ached in pain. I lay there for a long time, when the bandit chief came to speak with me.

“I tried to the best of my ability to describe to him the great joy of being in the rabbi’s presence, and how it was so important to me to get to the rabbi by the start of Chanukah and that it was worth it to endanger myself by traveling at night.

“It seems my words made an impression on him, and he untied and released me, saying:

“If you actually reach the outskirts of the city, then throw your handkerchief into the ditch next to the road, behind the signpost there. One of my men will be waiting, and that is how I will know that you made it.

As the students marveled at the small flame in all its brightness, the holy rabbi mysteriously commented, “The light of a candle is serviceable only when it precedes man on his way, useless when it trails behind.” (Kad haKemach 37, 14^th century)