Fire, Stories and Teshuvah

Posted on Monday, 7, March, 2022 by Rabbi

A well traveled maggid (spiritual storyteller) was once asked whether he believed himself to be more faithful than others or above sin, and if not, why he always shared stories to others.

The Maggid thought for a moment, took a deep breath and then answered the question with a short story.

In a little town a fire broke out but the people living near the burning house did not take notice it. The owner of the house rushed out of his burning home into the street, shouting, “Fire! Fire! Let us all save our homes!”

And there was one man who said to him, “Why are you shouting at us to safeguard our homes when it is your own house that is afire?”

The owner of the burning house answered, “Even so, my brother. If I call on you to guard your homes from fire, my house too, will be spared from growing flames and destruction.”

“This is also what I must do now,” explained the maggid (spiritual storyteller). “I call on you strengthen your faith and to do teshuvah (repent). In spite of my own shortcomings I am fully aware that I have sinned and at times lapse in my faith. The stories lead the listeners to mend their ways and thereby rescues me as well from the raging fire that attacks our faith and can lead to sin. Let us work together for the deliverance of our souls.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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Feelings for Another

Posted on Wednesday, 2, March, 2022 by Rabbi

You know my shame, and my embarrassment, and my humiliation. (Psalms 69:20)

Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

Tam and Chacham were once walking along a path in the woods with a couple of students when a man with a speech impediment approached them to ask for directions to the doctor’s house in the village. Feeling uneasy about leaving the students and Tam alone in the woods, Chacham decided to give the man directions to the doctor’s house by pointing out the way. Tam asked one of the students to come with him to escort the man all the way to the doctor’s house while Chacham and the other student waited for them to return.

When Tam and the student returned, he explained that he did not want the man to have to ask someone else for directions so as not to be too embarrassed to show his speech impediment to yet another person. “He approached us because he saw a group of men dressed as respectable teachers and students and felt secure that we would not ridicule him. I wanted to save his having to ask again and thereby spare him any unnecessary embarrassment.” explained Tam.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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The King’s Two Sons

Posted on Wednesday, 23, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A king had two sons; one was very proud, always bragging, and full of conceit. The other was extremely humble, modest, and pleasant.

One day, the king decided to send his sons to different lands in order to see if they would be able to add them to his kingdom. The king was hoping that his sons could influence the leaders in the different lands to peacefully agree to accepting his rule.

The arrogant and proud son arrived at the land to which his father had sent him, and he began to treat the leaders and people harshly. The prince refused to listen to anyone and make unreasonable and selfish demands.

When the people of the land saw the king’s conceited son and determined what type of person he was, they immediately understood his intentions and drove him out of their country in disgrace. “When his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.” (Daniel 5:20)

On the other hand, when the second son arrived in the land to which he was sent, he quickly won the heart of its inhabitants with his pleasant manner. He learned their concerns and patiently listened to their needs, and it was not long before they asked him to rule over them.

A proud and arrogant person is quickly recognized for what they are and therefore able to rule for only a short while. Yet a person who possesses the quality of humility — even if he may not be noticed immediately is soon noted for his pleasant nature and is willingly accepted as a ruler.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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A King’s Wisdom for a Year

Posted on Monday, 24, January, 2022Sunday, 12, November, 2023 by Rabbi

The people of a certain land had an unusual custom, Every year, they would go out to the main road that led to their country, and when they spotted a stranger approaching, they would crown him as their king. This newly appointed king would then decide all the matters of the land according to his wisdom.

At the year’s end, they would remove him from his throne and expel him from the country. Stripped of his royalty, he would leave just as he had come. The people would then go out to the main road once again and find themselves another traveler and crown him as the new king. This situation repeated itself year after year.

On one occasion, a poor traveler happened to be walking on the main road. While he lacked money, he possessed great wisdom and an amazing breadth of knowledge. Suddenly, he saw a massive parade, joyful and exuberant, heading his way. Before he even had a moment to understand the cause of the excitement, he was dressed in fine robes, and a royal crown was placed upon his head. He was brought directly to the royal palace in the capital city, where he was introduced as the new king for the coming year with an elaborate ceremony.

Thinking about the strange events that had taken place, the king summoned one of his ministers, who offered him a detailed explanation of the land’s custom.

“Amazing,” thought the king. “It seems that after a year, I will once again be a penniless beggar. How interesting…”

What did he do? He remembered, “If a person is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy” (Sirach 37:22), and over the course of the year, the king dispatched to his old home as much money, jewelry, merchandise, and items of great worth, as he was able to. “And the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy.” (Genesis 26:13)

When the year drew to a close, the people entered his room and brought him his old beggar’s clothing. They then expelled him from the country with a warning never to return.

The man returned home where the massive treasure which he had so carefully set aside for himself. Of him, it was said, “By your wisdom and your understanding, you have amassed wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries.” (Ezekiel 28:4) From that treasure, the man was able to support himself, and his family, providing them with a life of wealth and luxury for years to come.

People come to this world for a very limited length of time. There are times when they are totally immersed in the pleasures and very superficial aspects of this world and do not pay attention to the time that is quickly passing. Eventually, the years pass by, and one arrives in the World to Come emptyhanded, having nothing to show for their stay in this world.

This is not the case, however, with the wise man who possesses a great deal of foresight. In this world, he works in order to send ahead a treasure of mitzvos and good deeds, which will stand in his merit on the day of accounting. Sadly, “for those who despise wisdom and instruction are miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.” (Wisdom 3:11). “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)

Those who live their faith shall know blessings and bring good tidings to this world and the next

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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Holy Challah – a Story, Some Prayers and a Recipe

Posted on Thursday, 20, January, 2022Sunday, 10, September, 2023 by Rabbi

Every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday), except Pesach (Passover), Jewish women prepare and bake challahs. It is a a holy task filled with love and tradition. Every ingredient is gathered with the intent of elevating the festival meal to a higher level.

Women through the many generations in their preparations of bread/challah have elevated the Shabbos and Yom Tov tables to the level of the mizbeach (alter) in the Bais haMikdash (Holy Temple). With the destruction of the Bais haMikdash, the altar became the table at which the family gathered to eat its meals. We learn that “In the days of the Temple, the altar served to atone for us; now it is our table that atones for us.” (Chagiga 27a).

So one may ask, how is making challah holy?

Prayers and rituals have come down to us from countless women. Every step in the preparation of challah elevates plain bread into a holy source of spiritual nourishment. The Torah (Scriptures) speaks of the creation of mankind saying, “then the L-rd G-d formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) It is important to realize that when the Holy One, blessed be He “formed man from the dust of the earth”, He created people from the physical world. When He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” He created people from elements of the spiritual realm. At this point something truly amazing happened, “and the man became a living being.”

In other words people exist in the physical world and the spiritual world and have the ability to take the mundane everyday stuff from the physical world and elevate it to a spiritual and holy level.

Challah

Challah, Prayers and Meditation

INGREDIENTS

4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting		1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon yeast		3-6 tablespoons sugar or honey
2 teaspoons salt		4 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup lukewarm water		1 egg yolk, at room temperature

DIRECTIONS AND PRAYERS

Before Beginning to prepare the challah say:

Thank you Hashem for all the blessings you have given me and my family. Thank-you for always protecting us and doing what is best for us.

Please Hashem help me prepare this challah with holiness and love.

Pour 4 1/4 cups of flour into a large bowl and say:

Please Hashem help me to separate the good from the bad, help me to get rid of my negative character traits and my Yetzer Hara, help me to focus on the positive and incorporate positive character traits so that I may be an example to my family.

Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with the flour

In a separate bowl wisk together 4 eggs, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup olive oil until well blended.

Add sugar or honey to taste and say:

Please Hashem, help me to have a sweet din(judgement) help me to have Ayin Tova ( a good eye) help me and my family to have a sweet life, to always be able to love. Help me to help others and to do chesed (acts of loving kindness).

Mix well and then add 1 tablespoon of yeast and say:

Help me to have simcha and nachas (happiness and joy) in my home and in my life. Grant us your protection (as yeast in Hebrew is called shimarim which translates to protection) now and always. Please Hashem, allow me to feel joy for others as well. Bless me with an inner peace so I can continue doing mitzvos for those around me.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and knead until you have a sticky dough that clings to the bottom of the bowl, (5 to 7 minutes). The dough may seem a bit wet and sticky but have faith—it’s supposed to be.

Dust your hands generously with flour, then scrape the sticky, elastic dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust the top of the dough lightly with flour and knead briefly into a soft, smooth ball. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl, flip it over once so the top is lightly oiled, and then cover the bowl with a damp dish towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it’s puffy and doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours. (see note below)

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and dust with flour. It will deflate.

Pinch off a piece of dough the size of a large olive and set aside.

Cut the dough into four even pieces, and then stretch and roll each piece into a rope about 16 – 20-inches long. Lay the ropes parallel to one another (vertically). Pinch them tightly together at the top, and then fan them out. If the ropes shrink a bit, just work them back into their original length.

Begin by taking the strand farthest to the right and weave it toward the left through the other strands using this pattern: over, under, over. Take the strand furthest to the right and repeat the weaving pattern again: over, under, over. Repeat this pattern, always starting with the strand farthest to the right, until the whole loaf is braided. Tuck the ends under to give the loaf a finished look.

Carefully transfer the braided loaf to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover the loaf loosely with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot until about 1 1/2 times the size (1 to 2 hours). Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. (Note that the loaf will continue to rise significantly in the oven.)

Take the small piece of challah dough and say:

Baruch ata adonoy eloheinu Melech haOlam asher kideshanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu l’hafrish challah.

Blessed are You O L-rd our G-d King of the Universe who has made us holy with His commandments, and commanded us to separate challah.

“May it be Your Will, Eternal, our G-d, that the commandment of separating challah be considered as if I had performed it with all its details and ramifications. May my elevation of the challah be comparable to the sacrifice that was offered on the altar, which was acceptable and pleasing. Just as giving the challah to the Kohein in former times served to atone for sins, so may it atone for mine and my family, and make me like a person reborn without sins. May it enable me to observe the holy Sabbath (or Festival of…) with my husband (and our children) and to become imbued with its holiness. May the spiritual influence of the mitzvah of challah enable our children to be constantly sustained by the hands of the Holy One, blessed is He, with His abundant mercy, loving-kindness, and love. Consider the mitzvah of challah as if I have given the tithe. And just as I am fulfilling this mitzvah with all my heart, so may Your compassion be aroused to keep me from sorrow and pain, always.

Wrap it in a piece of foil and set in the oven.

In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg and brush the beaten egg generously over the risen dough. (Note: If you like, sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds onto the challah before putting it in the oven.) Place the baking sheet atop another baking sheet; this will prevent the bottom crust from browning too much. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the crust is a rich brown color and the internal temperature is between 190°F and 200°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to cool. Challah is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep for a few days in a sealed plastic bag.

Note: When baking yeast breads, rising times are only a guide; the temperature in your kitchen, the humidity level outdoors, and how you knead the dough will all affect the rising time.

While the Challah is baking add a short prayer:

Ribbono shel olam, Master of the Universe. I beg You that when the (husband or man of the house) says the blessing over these challahs, he has the same holy intentions I have now when I’m kneading and baking them!

Husband and wife are partners in the Jewish spiritual quest of becoming holy. Traditionally, the woman bakes the challahs for Shabbos and Yom Tov, and the man makes the blessing over them at the table. If both have holy intentions, in the baking and the blessing, the bread flies up to heaven as it is eaten.

May your prayers ascend to the highest levels and be answered with joy and happiness

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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The Little Challah Roll

Posted on Friday, 7, January, 2022Thursday, 4, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman who were very poor and had nothing at all to their name. And they kept getting poorer and poorer till there was nothing left to eat in the house, not even a loaf of bread.

The old man told his wife, “Do bake us a little challah roll, old woman! If you scrape out the flour-box and sweep out the bin, you’ll have enough flour.”

So the old woman scraped out the flour-box and swept out the bin, she made some dough and she shaped a little round little challah roll out of it. She then lit the oven, baked the little challah roll and put it on the window sill to cool. But the little challah roll jumped out of the window and onto the bench outside, and from the bench onto the ground, and away it rolled down the road!

On and on it rolled, and it met a lion coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little Round challah roll!” called the lion.

“Don’t do that, noble king of beasts, let me sing you a song instead,” said little round challah roll.

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“Here it is!

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And off it rolled and away. By and by it met a bear coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the bear.

“Don’t do that, powerful bear, let me sing you a song instead.”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And away it rolled.

By and by it met a leopard coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the leopard.

“Don’t do that, fearsome leopard, I’ll sing you a song instead!”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And away it rolled and away!

By and by it met a great horned beast coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the great horned beast.

“Don’t do that, great horned beast, I’ll sing you a song instead.”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

“Sing some more, please, don’t stop!” the great horned beast said. “Hop onto my tongue, I can hear you better.”

Little round challah roll jumped onto the great horned beast’s tongue and began to sing:

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin”

But before it could go on, the great horned beast opened its mouth and – snap! -it gobbled it up.

based on Russian folktale

Little Challah Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast		4 egg yolks and water to make 1 Cup
¼ cup granulated sugar		3¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup vegetable oil		1¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg lightly beaten, for egg wash		2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the eggs, water, sugar and yeast. Give it a gentle stir and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 10 minutes, or until foamy and frothy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, oil, and yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough comes together. It should be shaggy. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and knead for about 5 to 7 minutes, working in more flour as needed, until it forms into a soft and smooth dough.

Form the dough into a ball and place it into a large bowl that has been oiled. Turn the dough over to coat both sides. Cover loosely with a damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down and allow to rest for another 45 minutes.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead a couple of times. Cut into 8 to 10 even pieces. Cover loosely with a damp towel. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough into a long rope. Then twist it around and tie it, tucking the ends underneath. Place the braided rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Continue until all the rolls are braided. Cover with damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest while 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350°F. Brush the rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 30 minutes before eating.

Daniel 7: 2-7

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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The Rabbi, The Businessman and Learning

Posted on Monday, 3, January, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

We mention the Patriarchs (Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchak (Isaac) and Yaakov (Jacob)) at the beginning of the Shemoneh Esrei not only to remember and praise their merits but also to challenge ourselves to try to be like them.

Once a beloved and holy rabbi was learning with his students in the beis medrash (study hall) just before the prayers that welcome in the holy Shabbos (Kabbolas Shabbos). Suddenly a stranger entered the beis medrash. From the way he was dressed, it was obvious that he was a very successful businessman. After sitting down, he asked one of the students to point out the holy rabbi. When the student did so, the businessman’s face suddenly went pale.

After the prayers were over, the man approached the holy rabbi and greeted him. The holy rabbi politely returned the greeting, assuming the man was a stranger. Then the man looked straight into the holy rabbi’s eyes and asked him “Do you know who I am? I was your chavrusa (study partner) over thirty years ago.”

The holy rabbi looked at him closely and said, “Of course I recognize you, I am eternally grateful to you, because you are the one who helped me develop my potential in learning.”

After they chatted for a while, the businessman said, “I feel devastated. Look at you, you are now a holy rabbi, respected by all and held in high esteem as a talmid chacham (Torah scholar well versed in Jewish religious law). Yet we both know that when we were students, I was the one who helped you and explained the finer points of our beloved teacher and rabbi’s lessons. How can you explain why you developed so much in learning, while I just stagnated?”

The holy rabbi thought for a few moments and replied, “Do you remember that when we were students, there was a library in a room next to the study hall? In that library was a copy of the biography of Ari haKodesh (Rabbi Yitzchok Luria). When you read that biography, I remember how awed you were. You came out of the reading room with your eyes shining and declared, `He was really a great rabbi and a guiding light for his generation!’ When I finished reading that biography, however, I said to myself that the life of holy rabbi was proof of the great heights a person can reach. I decided without delay that I, too, would aspire to emulate him and try to become a great leader and rabbi. This strong drive helped me to realize my potential and develop beyond my greatest expectations. That is the difference between us. I was not satisfied to simply acknowledge that he was a great rabbi and a guiding light for his generation, but I wanted to become one myself.”

Similarly, when we come to the point in our prayers when we mention the merits of our Patriarchs, it is not enough to simply acknowledge their greatness. We must also take upon ourselves the challenge and try to emulate them. Thus, we say, “When will my deeds reach the level of the Avos?” Even though we may not ever reach their level, we can consider it a great accomplishment to at least try to follow in their footsteps.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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A Coat’s Tale

Posted on Monday, 13, December, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Joseph’s father was a tailor and as a young boy Joseph would spend days in his father’s shop, learning how to cut and sew cloth. After some time, Joseph dreamed of a coat he would like to make for himself. He planned just how it would look and what fabrics he would use. He saved up the money he earned from working in his father’s shop. Finally, after many years, he had enough money to buy the fabric he wanted.

When Joseph had the cloth he wanted, he worked on his coat. He spent many nights measuring, cutting, sewing, and pressing, until his fine coat was finished. Joseph was so proud of his coat, he rushed to show it his father. His father looked at every stitch of the coat, smiled and said, “Well done Joseph, you have become a fine tailor”.

Joseph loved his coat very much and wore it through the long, cold winters. The coat kept him very warm. Years passed and one winter, while walking through the snowy marketplace, Joseph saw a woman shivering with only a thin shawl to keep out the cold. Joseph went to her and offered her his coat to keep her warm. He slowly walked her home, talking all the way. Sara was about his age, and Joseph learned they had a lot in common. Two years later they were married.

Joseph opened his own tailor’s shop in the house he shared with his new wife. Winters passed and he always wore his coat. Joseph wore his favorite coat until it was very worn out. One day he picked it up and said sadly to Sara, “This old coat has been so special to me. It was my dream to make it and it also made my father so proud. All those years ago it also helped me to meet you. But now there is nothing left”.

Then Joseph had an idea and looked at his coat very closely. He realized that he had enough left of his favorite coat to make something special. He rushed into the shop and began cutting and sewing. Early the next morning he appeared wearing a jacket, made from the fabric of his old coat.

Joseph loved the jacket greatly, and he wore it often. Time passed and Sara gave birth to two little girls. The following winter, when Joseph saw the first snowflakes start to fall, he rushed outside with his two daughters tucked under his jacket. Together they all played in the falling snow, laughing as the snowflakes landed on their noses and cheeks.

Joseph continued to wear his coat for many years, until Sara noticed that it was looking a bit worn out. Joseph looked sadly at the beloved jacket, “I will never forget how this jacket kept us warm while the twins and I danced together in the first snow.” With a sigh, Joseph looked at his worn-out jacket and then he realized that there was just enough fabric to do something with.

Joseph rushed to the shop. He cut and sewed the fabric from the jacket until he emerged with a neat little cap. It looked so special, he wore it nearly every day.

Years passed and hard times fell on Joseph’s family. They had very little money for food. One day, while walking in the woods, they came across a brier of blackberries. The berries looked so juicy and sweet. They wanted to bring some home with them, but they had nothing to put them in. Then Joseph had an idea and took off his cap and together the family filled it to the brim with blackberries. Back home they made a delicious blackberry pie and at dinner time they enjoyed every bite.

Joseph’s daughters grew up and his cap became threadbare. One day he looked at the treasured cap and saw that it was all worn out and it was beyond repair. Joseph looked at his cap for a long time and then rushed into the shop. He began cutting and sewing. Hours later he emerged wearing a bowtie, made from the fabric he saved from his beloved cap.

Joseph wore his bowtie everywhere. He wore it to his daughters’ weddings. He wore it when he held his first grandchild. When his granddaughter was old enough to talk, she sat on his knee and played with the bowtie. She asked, “Grandpa, do you have a butterfly on your shirt?” He then took off the bowtie and pretended it was a butterfly every time he saw his granddaughter.

One day, when Joseph’s hair was gray, he returned home from the market and Sara asked him “where is your bow-tie?”. He felt his neck, but the bowtie was not there. He quickly retraced his steps through the market but try as he could he did not fine the bowtie. Sadly, Joseph returned to his house and went to bed without eating any dinner.

The next morning Joseph refused to get out of bed. He just felt so sad without the bowtie. “What’s the use? The cloth I loved so much is gone. It has been with me for so many years but now there is nothing left. Nothing! I have lost so many dear memories.”

Sara quietly left the house and went to visit their daughters. She returned with the grandchildren, who plopped themselves on their grandpa’s bed. But he looked sadly at them, saying “I cannot play today, I am just too sad”.

His daughter turned to him and asked, “Can you please tell us one of the stories about the cloth? Your grandchildren do not know the stories.”

“Oh, but it is too sad”, he answered.

The children begged and eventually he gave in. He told them of how he worked so hard to save the money he had needed to buy the cloth. He told them of how the coat he had made was so smart and warm. Of how the coat had helped him to meet his beloved wife He told them of how it had kept his daughter’s warm while they danced in the falling snow. He told them of the cap full of berries that they had picked. As he recalled the many memories, they brought a smile to his face.

“Grandpa, you made the bow-tie into a butterfly. Maybe it flew away” his granddaughter said to him with a smile.

Joseph sighed and gave her a hug. “Yes, it seems it did fly away. But you have helped me to realize that the memories have not flown away. They will be with me always. There are just enough memories to make a story and that will be with us forever if you will help me to keep it safe”. Joseph hugged his family and got out of bed.

There are many memories and stories throughout life. Share those memories and stories so they can come alive with each retelling. If the stories are not shared, they will be lost.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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The Magic Ingredient of Love

Posted on Thursday, 11, November, 2021Thursday, 14, December, 2023 by Rabbi

There is a special connection between the manna that fell in the desert during the 40 years of wandering and Shabbos. There is a mystical quality within our means that can affect how we taste our food – that quality is love.

The manna was an extraordinary gift from the Holy One, blessed be He as it is recorded that He said, “Even before I gave you the mitzvos (10 Commandments) I provided their reward, (Exodus 16:5) ‘On the sixth day, when they prepare (for the holy Sabbath Day) what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”. (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 19:2)

The very nature of the manna was unique to meet the tastes of every individual. We learn that, “Rabbi Yose bar Chanina said, “If you wonder about this thing, learn from the manna, as it would only come down according to the strength of each and every one of Israel: the young men would eat it like bread, as it is stated (Exodus 16:4), ‘Behold I will rain upon you bread from the skies, etc.’; the elders like a wafer in honey, as it is stated (Exodus 16:31), ‘and its taste was like wafers made with honey’ the sucklings like the milk of it’s mother’s breast, as it is stated (Numbers 11:8), ‘and its taste, was like the taste of, etc.’; the sick ones like fine flour mixed with honey, as it is stated (Ezekiel 16:19), ‘And My bread that I gave you, fine flour and oil I fed you’; and the idolaters tasted it bitter and coriander, as it is stated (Numbers 11:7), ‘And the manna was like coriander seed.’ “(Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9) The Holy One, blessed be He prepared the people with the physical and spiritual energy to receive the Torah as they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, Rabbi Yose bar Rabbi Chanina further said, “And since the manna which was one type switched to many types because of the need of each and every one, all the more so, the voice that had strength in it would change for each and every one, so that that they would not be injured, as it is stated (Exodus 20:18), ‘And all the people saw the voices.’” (Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9)

There was a man in the village who always seemed to be in good spirits. When Friday came he seemed to be surrounded by a holy light. Many would ask, “How can such a poor man be so happy?” Others wondered, “Is he so spiritual a person that his face should shine in this manner?”

In the village was a student who watched the poor man, who appeared to have no worries. One Friday evening, as the sun was setting and Shabbos was about to begin, he decided to follow him home and maybe learn the secret of the poor man’s cheerfulness.

The man entered a small hut with a battered old door and greeted his wife with a hearty “Good Shabbos!” Looking through the window, the young student saw very little furniture that reflected the poverty of the household. A wooden table was covered with a plain white cloth, and the two candles shed a warm glow. The man sang Shalom Aleichem, welcoming the angels to bring peace into his house for Shabbos. He looked at his wife, dressed in a plain blue dress with a lace collar, and smiled. He then sang Eishes Chayil (a Woman of Valor – Proverbs 31: 10-31). His wife seemed to be surrounded by a special light – the Shabbos Kallah (bride). Then he said to his wife, “Please bring the special wine.”

The wife brought two loaves of course, dark bread. He washed his hands and recited the proper blessing, then chanted the Kiddush – the blessing recited to sanctify the Sabbath Day. (If one has no wine, one may recite the Kiddush on bread.) After he ate some of the bread and offered some to his wife, he said, “We have never yet had such a fine wine! Can you please bring in the fish?”

Moments later, the wife served him a small portion of beans. “Mm!” he exclaimed, smacking his lips. “This fish is unusually delicious.” He sang a Shabbos song and said, “I’m ready for the soup.” The wife appeared with another dish of beans. The man complimented his wife, “This soup is exceptionally good.” He sang another Shabbos song and asked, “Can we have the roast meat and tzimmis?” His wife brought in a steaming dish. “How wonderful the roast meat and tzimmis are,” he said with a smile.

The young student reflected on all he had seen and heard, thinking, “The generation that wandered in the desert had the manna, a food from heaven, in which they could taste anything they wished. This man’s love for the Holy One, blessed be He, for Shabbos, and for his wife have enabled him to reach a level of spirituality so lofty that he can taste the finest delicacies in the simplest of foods.”

Is such a level of spirituality attainable? It is, but few realize the blessing as it is written, “Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; He rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. People ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.” (Psalm 78: 23-25)

May we all experience the love and joy that comes with Shabbos.

Tzimmes

2 sweet potatoes cut into thin slices		½ cup packed brown sugar
2 potatoes cut into thin slices		1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices		2 teaspoons ginger
2 Granny Smith Apples		¼ teaspoon cloves
2 Granny Smith Apples,sliced		¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 Cup Golden Raisins		1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
½ to ¾ cup orange juice		1/8-1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water		5-8 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz
½ cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease a baking dish or Dutch oven

3. In a bowl, combine sweet potatoes, carrots and apples. Combine orange juice, water, honey, brown sugar, 1- 2 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz and spices; mix into vegetables.

4. Cover and bake for 2 hours or longer. Uncover; dot with remaining margarine or shmaltz.

5. After first hour, uncover and stir every 2o minute to prevent sticking.

6. Vegetables should be tender and sauce is thickened when done

L'kovod Shabbos

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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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

In the Opposite Direction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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A well traveled maggid (spiritual storyteller) was once asked whether he believed himself to be more faithful than others or above sin, and if not, why he always shared stories to others.

The Maggid thought for a moment, took a deep breath and then answered the ques­tion with a short story.

In a little town a fire broke out but the people living near the burning house did not take notice it. The owner of the house rushed out of his burning home into the street, shouting, “Fire! Fire! Let us all save our homes!”

And there was one man who said to him, “Why are you shouting at us to safeguard our homes when it is your own house that is afire?”

The owner of the burning house answered, “Even so, my brother. If I call on you to guard your homes from fire, my house too, will be spared from growing flames and destruction.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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A king had two sons; one was very proud, always bragging, and full of conceit. The other was extremely hum­ble, modest, and pleasant.

One day, the king decided to send his sons to different lands in order to see if they would be able to add them to his kingdom. The king was hoping that his sons could influence the leaders in the different lands to peacefully agree to accepting his rule.

The arrogant and proud son arrived at the land to which his father had sent him, and he began to treat the leaders and people harshly. The prince refused to listen to anyone and make unreasonable and selfish demands.

On the other hand, when the second son arrived in the land to which he was sent, he quickly won the heart of its inhabitants with his pleasant manner. He learned their concerns and patiently listened to their needs, and it was not long before they asked him to rule over them.

A proud and arrogant person is quickly recognized for what they are and therefore able to rule for only a short while. Yet a person who possesses the quality of humility — even if he may not be noticed immediately is soon noted for his pleasant nature and is willingly accepted as a ruler.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Thinking about the strange events that had taken place, the king summoned one of his ministers, who offered him a detailed expla­nation of the land’s custom.

“Amazing,” thought the king. “It seems that after a year, I will once again be a penniless beggar. How interesting…”

When the year drew to a close, the people entered his room and brought him his old beggar’s clothing. They then expelled him from the country with a warning never to return.

Those who live their faith shall know blessings and bring good tidings to this world and the next

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday), except Pesach (Passover), Jewish women prepare and bake challahs. It is a a holy task filled with love and tradition. Every ingredient is gathered with the intent of elevating the festival meal to a higher level.

So one may ask, how is making challah holy?

In other words people exist in the physical world and the spiritual world and have the ability to take the mundane everyday stuff from the physical world and elevate it to a spiritual and holy level.

Challah, Prayers and Meditation

INGREDIENTS

4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon yeast

3-6 tablespoons sugar or honey

2 teaspoons salt

4 eggs, at room temperature

1/2 cup lukewarm water

1 egg yolk, at room temperature

DIRECTIONS AND PRAYERS

Before Beginning to prepare the challah say:

Thank you Hashem for all the blessings you have given me and my family. Thank-you for always protecting us and doing what is best for us.

Please Hashem help me prepare this challah with holiness and love.

Pour 4 1/4 cups of flour into a large bowl and say:

Please Hashem help me to separate the good from the bad, help me to get rid of my negative character traits and my Yetzer Hara, help me to focus on the positive and incorporate positive character traits so that I may be an example to my family.

Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with the flour

In a separate bowl wisk together 4 eggs, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup olive oil until well blended.

Add sugar or honey to taste and say:

Please Hashem, help me to have a sweet din(judgement) help me to have Ayin Tova ( a good eye) help me and my family to have a sweet life, to always be able to love. Help me to help others and to do chesed (acts of loving kindness).

Mix well and then add 1 tablespoon of yeast and say:

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and knead until you have a sticky dough that clings to the bottom of the bowl, (5 to 7 minutes). The dough may seem a bit wet and sticky but have faith—it’s supposed to be.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and dust with flour. It will deflate.

Pinch off a piece of dough the size of a large olive and set aside.

Take the small piece of challah dough and say:

Baruch ata adonoy eloheinu Melech haOlam asher kideshanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu l’hafrish challah.

Blessed are You O L-rd our G-d King of the Universe who has made us holy with His commandments, and commanded us to separate challah.

Wrap it in a piece of foil and set in the oven.

Note: When baking yeast breads, rising times are only a guide; the temperature in your kitchen, the humidity level outdoors, and how you knead the dough will all affect the rising time.

While the Challah is baking add a short prayer:

Ribbono shel olam, Master of the Universe. I beg You that when the (husband or man of the house) says the blessing over these challahs, he has the same holy intentions I have now when I’m kneading and baking them!

May your prayers ascend to the highest levels and be answered with joy and happiness

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 Maggid thought for a moment, took a deep breath and then answered the question with a short story.

A king had two sons; one was very proud, always bragging, and full of conceit. The other was extremely humble, modest, and pleasant.

Thinking about the strange events that had taken place, the king summoned one of his ministers, who offered him a detailed explanation of the land’s custom.

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”