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Category: Rabbi’s thoughts and teaching

The Wealthy Man Gets Cold Feet

Posted on Thursday, 16, November, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham traveled the streets of the village collecting funds to help the many people suffering from the cold winter. Snow had made many roads impassable and life was very difficult.

In the village lived a very wealthy man. Every time Tam and Chacham came to his door to collect funds for the poor, the wealthy man would invite them in, offer them tea and talk about his business. When Tam and Chacham started talking about the plight of the poor people in the winter, the wealthy man would brush the off telling them that poor people like to complain and exaggerate — it wasn’t all as bad as they thought. Any way, he had no cash in the house at the moment, and couldn’t give anything at that time, asking if they could come back another time? The wealthy man escorted Tam and Chacham to the door, go back to his warm and comfortable room and settle down in his favorite chair near the fireplace, very pleased with himself.

Jewish Miser

Tam and Chacham were not very happy that the wealthy man could so easily dismiss the hardships and needs of those less fortunate. The poor had no money for food or for wood for their stoves, and they were cold and hungry. After much thought, Tam had an idea.

One evening Tam knocked on the wealthy man’s door. It was a cold and miserable night; snow and sleet blew through the deserted streets. The wealthy man asked Tam into his warm house, as usual. But Tam refused. “No,” he said, “I won’t be long.” And then he asked about the wealthy man’s health and after the health of his family, and asked him about his business, and spoke about the affairs of the community for a long time. The wealthy man could not send Tam away, of course; he had opened the door for him himself. The biting air was blowing fiercely and he was getting quite uncomfortable. He had come to the door in his slippers and yarmulke, dressed in a thin shirt and his house pants.

Tam, wearing a warm coat with a fur lining, his large fur lined cap covering his ears and heavy winter boots encasing his feet and legs, talked on and on. He didn’t want to come into the wealthy man’s house, kept telling the wealthy man that he only had one more thing to say and the he’d be on his way. The wealthy man’s toes grew stiff with the icy cold wind.

Suddenly the wealthy man understood. “Oh, Tam!” he cried. “Those poor people with no warm clothes or firewood for winter . . . I never knew. I never imagined it could be like this. This is terrible. It is horrible. I never knew, honestly! Something must be done!” He went into the house and returned with a purse full of gold coins. He wanted to go back to his fireplace as soon as he could. He needed hot tea. Tam thanked him and gave him a blessing that he should always be so generous. He too was cold after that long talk, but he didn’t mind. The poor people would have a good winter this year.

The wealthy man changed his ways that night. He became a regular contributor to the funds collected by Tam and Chacham for the poor, for poor brides, for poor students, for Passover money and for many other causes. He had learned a good lesson that night.

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) 

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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Posted in Derech Eretz, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, Tam and ChachamTagged inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, tzedakahLeave a Comment on The Wealthy Man Gets Cold Feet

A Mess and Shalom Bayis

Posted on Wednesday, 8, November, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Jewish people from the time of antiquity have held an ideal standard for Jewish family life that is expressed in the term shalom bayis – Peace in the Home. Shalom bayis implies completeness, wholeness, and fulfillment. In this way, the traditional Jewish marriage is characterized by peace, nurturing, respect, and chesed (loving-kindness), through which a married couple becomes complete. It is believed that The Holy One, blessed be He’s presence dwells in a pure and loving home. (Sotah 17a)

A husband once came to a holy rabbi and told him that he was very angry at his wife and they had been arguing terribly. The holy rabbi thoughtfully asked the young man: “What had your wife done to get you so upset?”


Family Peace

“Every time I come home from work or learning,” the young man began, “I find the floor littered with things like toys, clothing, socks, you name it. These things belong in closets and drawers, not on the floor.”

The young man explained that he had always been an orderly person, and the mess was very annoying to him. “No matter what I tell my wife, it doesn’t help,” he said in frustration.

The holy rabbi thought for a moment or two and then answered the young man:

“Unfortunately, I have to tell you that you are like the people who complained about the manna in the desert. About people like you the Holy One, blessed be He cries, ‘See, you who come into the world, what My children complain about.’ The reason your house is a mess, with objects strewn all over the floor, is because the Holy One, blessed be He granted you children. Go into the home of a couple that does not yet have children, and you will see that everything is clean and in order. Everything is in its proper place. If the floor is washed once at the beginning of the week, it stays clean until the end of the week.”

“If your house is a mess, it’s because of the great chesed (loving-kindness) and mercy that the Holy One, blessed be He did for you. And that’s what you’re complaining about?”

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Family, Family Peace, peace, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, shalom bayis, Shalom Bayit, Short storyLeave a Comment on A Mess and Shalom Bayis

Speech, Wisdom and Protection

Posted on Thursday, 2, November, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi was teaching a lesson to his students when an angry, vulgar and ignorant person insulted him in front of everyone. The holy rabbi did not answer or respond, but calmly went on with his studies as though nothing had occurred.

Many were quick to praise him for his remarkable restraint remembering, “He who hears himself cursed and remains silent is a saintly man.” (Midrash Tehillim 16:11). Others attributed the holy rabbi’s actions because one should “let yourself be cursed, rather than curse” (Sanhedrin 49a). The holy rabbi, however, attributed his control to a higher source than his own inner strength, explaining:

“Our Sages teach that silence acts as a ‘protective zone’ for wisdom. They are referring here to keeping quiet when unjustly attacked, as they state that ‘one who hears himself insulted and does not retaliate, is considered beloved by G-d’ (Shabbos 88b).’ ”

Silence

“It is written that ‘a safeguarding fence around wisdom is silence.’ (Pirke Avos 3:13),  the holy rabbi continued, “then what does wisdom itself consist of?

“It must be,” he finished off, half-jokingly, “that wisdom itself is not to consider oneself slighted in the least when the assailant is someone who is not qualified to make such critical remarks.”

It wouldn’t hurt for all of us to maintain such wisdom, and to protect it with a sprinkle of silence.

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) 

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

Please share this story with others

Posted in Derech Eretz, Faith, lashon harah, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, UncategorizedTagged Jewish Stories, Jewish thought, language, Lashon Harah, Loshon hara, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, Shiras halashon, short stories, wisdomLeave a Comment on Speech, Wisdom and Protection

Tzedakah Magic

Posted on Tuesday, 31, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham were collecting tzedakah to provide for the needs of the less fortunate in the community. Everywhere they went they were welcomed and people gave what they could. The need was great and the money they collected was small.

Jewish people give tzedakah, which means “righteousness” and “justice.” When a Jewish person contributes their money, time and resources to the needy, they are not being benevolent, generous or “charitable.” Giving tzedakah is the merely following the teachings of the TaNaCh (Scriptures) where it says:

“If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community…do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. (Deuteronomy 15:7) Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of G-d will not be turned away from you. (Tobit 4:7) Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, (Proverbs 28:27)”

There lived in a grand house a very wealthy merchant who refused to contribute to the community charities. Everyone knew he would not contribute to any community cause, so nobody even tried to collect charity from him. Chacham insisted on going door to door collecting what they may, but Tam insisted on going to the home of the wealthy merchant.

They knocked on the fine wooden door and were greeted by the wealthy merchant. He welcomed the guests into his house and offered them some food and drink while discussing holy matters. Chacham began to explain the importance of tzedakah with the wealthy merchant, but he dismissed him saying, “The poor like to complain, they have nothing better to do.”

Chacham became angry, but Tam steered the conversation to the subject of the Egyptian sorcerers and magicians described in the Torah (Scriptures), who were able to imitate some of Moses’s miracles. The rich man revealed that he was modern thinking about all of this, and doubted that anyone could perform either magic or miracles.

“Why do you say that?” Tam asked casually, ignoring the disrespect to the Torah. “Even I can perform miracles. I will gladly do so right now, but only if you donate one-hundred golden coins to charity.” The wealthy merchant accepted the challenge.

“Very well,” Tam said, adjusting his tone to the event. “I will now show you that if you place four piles of twenty-five golden coins on the corners of this table, I will utter only one word, and the money will find its way into the bowl at the center.” The wealthy merchant was trembling with anticipation as he placed the four piles of golden coins on the four corners of the table. “Chacham” Tam called to his companion, who promptly picked up the four piles of golden coins and put them into the bowl. “Well, there you have it! It is just as I said,” Tam confirmed.

Gold Coins

“That is not fair!” the wealthy man howled in protest. “There was no miracle involved in this.”

“No miracle?” Tam mocked, good-naturedly. “You think that getting one-hundred gold coins for charity out of you is not a miracle?”

Everyone had a hearty laugh, and the wealthy merchant was left without ill feelings.

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) 

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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Posted in Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, Tam and Chacham, UncategorizedTagged charity, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, stiries about charity, tzedakah, wisdom1 Comment on Tzedakah Magic

The Silent Princess – The Tale of the Nobleman, His Wife and the Servant

Posted on Wednesday, 25, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

And on the third evening the prince asked the three witnesses to tell him a tale to pass the time, but they refused. Then he said to them: “And if I ask you something, will you be so kind as to reply?” “Perhaps . .” they said.

So, the prince began another tale: “Three people were walking together—a nobleman, his wife, and a servant. Evening drew near, and the sun went down, and the three were compelled to spend the night in a remote field. During the night, they were attacked by highwaymen, who robbed them and beheaded the nobleman and the servant, and his wife alone escaped. She sat down and wept and waited for daylight.

“Meanwhile she heard two owls talking in the branches of a tree. One said: ‘Oh, my goodness, what a terrible thing has happened to the poor nobleman and his servant, and now the nobleman’s wife is very miserable.’

Silent Princess Owls

“‘Yes,’ said the second owl, but if someone were to take some leaves from this tree, pound them, squeeze out their juice, and sprinkle it on the bodies, the dead men would surely be revived.’

“Now when the woman heard this, she hastened to pick some leaves of that tree and crushed and squeezed them, as the owls had said. Then she put the decapitated heads next to the bodies and sprinkled them with the juice, and they were revived. But when it was daylight, the woman saw that she had made a terrible mistake: she had connected the nobleman’s head to the servant’s body and the servant’s head to the nobleman’s body, and the error could not be corrected.

“The two men began to argue over the woman. The noble man’s head, connected to the servant’s body, said: ‘She is my wife and I am her husband, as my face reveals.’ And the servant’s head, connected to the nobleman’s body, said: ‘She is my wife, as my body clearly shows.’

“The question is this,” said the prince to the three witnesses. “To whom does the woman belong, to the nobleman’s head connected to the servant’s body, or to the servant’s head connected to the nobleman’s body?”

The witnesses said: “It is too complicated a matter for us to decide. It can be solved only by men of judgment.”

At this point the princess broke in, for she could not contain herself any longer, and she said: ”The woman belongs to the nobleman’s head con­nected to the servant’s body for the head is the repository of all memory and knowledge, and it can be seen by all, whereas the rest of the body is covered with clothing.”

The prince said: “Thank you, your highness, for your excellent reply, which is surely correct. Now, let us sleep and await tomorrow.”

The next day the three witnesses testified that the princess had indeed spoken to the prince, and no one could still doubt it. Then the king arranged a lavish wedding for the princess and prince, and she returned with the prince to his country with a royal salute.

Jewish Yemenite Bride

So it was that the prince and prin­cess lived together in love all the days of their lives. And the prince often entertained his wife with tales, and the princess did not hesitate to speak the words of love she felt for him.

—Yemen: oral tradition

This is part 4 of 4

So ends the Tale of the Silent Princess

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in fairytales, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Jewish fairy tale, Jewish Stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Teman, Yemenite, Yemenite Jews1 Comment on The Silent Princess – The Tale of the Nobleman, His Wife and the Servant

Comment about the Perceived Conflict Between Storytelling and Science

Posted on Wednesday, 25, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

I have been troubled by a comment left in response to the story, Foundations of the World in which the reader strongly stated:

The story is another feeble attempt to justify faith is a positive element of society. For millennia stories have been used to control how people think and behave. Since they have no basis in truth, the stories have cause much damage to people throughout the world by forcing religion on ignorant “fools” (as referenced by the story posted)

Religious beliefs are out-dated at a time where we have such deep understanding of science, but history shows a constant tension between scientific and theological thought. The strength of science is in its dependence on verifiable thought for this reason society is advancing towards a secular, rational society and a culture where religion at best is something private but widely viewed as fantasy and superstition. Most people respect science and the benefits it brings to society, such as new technologies and medical treat…. Religion is subjective and filled with flawed concepts since it is based on philosophy – of which very little is based on verifiable facts, just opinion. Most social ills – from bigotry to ignorance – can be blamed on religion. One of the purposes of science is to free people from what they call “religious superstition”. The story posted has no relevance on the discussion of the virtues of science and the failings of religion.

As a storyteller, the rabbi responded:

Religion contributes the sense that people are not to be held captive and entranced without growth of spirit, there is something in each person that yearns for meaning beyond numbers and theorems. People want to be touched in a metaphysical/spiritual way. They want to explore the meanings of life and travel the adventure of life. The sterile approach of science denies one’s sense of humanity and basic dignity.

The sense of mysteriousness and fundamental dignity within each person is where a great deal of moral understanding starts, and applies to everything around them. The attack on faith and stories is a sign of the callousness of science and its inability to elicit true feelings.

Religious stories always have an underlying purpose, which is to inspire people with faith and communicate wisdom and values. Stories and storytelling play an important role in most if not all spiritual traditions, religions and cultures. The spiritual wisdom of past ages were transferred mouth to mouth from generation to generation, often in the form of a story.

Stories carry the quality of exciting the listener through stimulation of the imaginative side of people who listen to a story. A story is also easier to remember than a theory or spiritual principle without a defined context.

Spiritual storytelling communicates directly to our Soul and affect us on a subtle and often unconscious level.

Here is another thought written some time ago:

Storytelling Memories of the Future

So many ask, “Why tell the stories of yesterday? The world has changed and are they relevant today?” The Jewish people have a long memory of all that has past, but they also need a memory of their future. The past and the future are joined together by our traditions, rituals, prayers, hopes and the stories.

One may ask how this is possible.

As one prepares to tell a story, they take a deep breath and begin to pull the listener into the tale. The journey begins as one becomes part of the adventure, as they get entangled in the struggle while thinking and working towards a resolution of the conflict. The listener cries and laughs, and change begins to happen.

The stories are timeless and transcend place and culture. They carry within them a special element that touches people in such a way nothing else can. They inspire and entertain, moving the listener to change. They motivate and amuse, providing the listener the ability to grow. But most of all the stories teach. Each story takes on a life of its own as they touch the mind, body and very soul of the listener allowing them to reach and touch places deep within one’s inner being.

As the tales of yesterday touch the listeners today, they are changed. Those changes lead to memories of tomorrow.

By listening and telling the tales of yesterday one builds the memories of the future. The dreams and hopes of bygone years become the blueprints for tomorrow.

The stories are the links from yesterday to today and on to the future.

What do you think?

Posted in Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Uncategorized3 Comments on Comment about the Perceived Conflict Between Storytelling and Science

The Silent Princess – Tale of the Magic Jewel, the Flying Carpet and the Powerful Potion

Posted on Monday, 23, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The second evening, when the four of them sat together, the prince and the princess and the two witnesses, the prince said to the witnesses: “Tell us a tale to while away the time, for tomorrow I shall die.”

The witnesses said: “We will not speak, for we are only witnesses, and our job is to listen and remain silent.”

“In that case,” said the prince, “will you reply if I ask you something?” “Perhaps . . .” they replied.

Then the prince said: “Three companions climbed together to the top of a mountain. One of them had a magic jewel through which he could see to the ends of the earth. Another had a flying carpet, and the third had a potion with which to revive the dead.

“The one with the magic jewel looked through it and saw in a faraway land a great crowd following a coffin to a grave site. And when he told his companions what he saw, the one with the flying carpet said: ‘Get on the carpet quickly and we will attend the funeral, for it must have been a great man who has died.’

Magic Jewel

“The three friends sat down on the magic carpet, and in the wink of an eye it carried them where they wanted to go. And after they joined the pro­cession, they asked the mourners who had died and why there was such sorrow. The mourners told them that the king’s fair and lovely daughter had died while still very young. And when the three heard this, they made their way to the king and said: ‘We can revive your daughter, sire.’ The grieving king replied: ‘Whoever can revive my daughter shall have her for a bride.’

“Then the one with the magic potion stood near the girl’s body and sprinkled the potion on her, and all at once she began to breathe. But after she had been revived, and embraced her father and mother amid great re­joicing, the three men began to argue over her.

“The one with the magic jewel said: `If it were not for me, the princess would have been buried and not have been revived, for it is I who saw the funeral procession. Since she was saved because of me, she belongs to me.’

“The owner of the flying carpet said: ‘If it were not for my magic carpet, which carried us a great distance as fast as lightning, we would not have ar­rived in time to revive the girl. Therefore she should be my bride.’

“Then the one who had brought the magic potion said: ‘If it were not for my potion, the princess would now be in her grave, so I have a greater right to her than either of you.'”

Then the prince who had told this story asked the witnesses for their decision, but they said: “It is a difficult matter which we cannot decide by ourselves. Tomorrow we will ask the judges for their verdict.”

“But I am to be hanged at dawn,” said the prince, “and I will go to my grave without knowing your answer.”

Here the princess intervened and said: “I will reply to your question. I believe that the man who revived the princess with his magic potion should receive her as his bride, for without his potion she could not have been revived.”

Then the prince thanked the princess, and agreed that she was correct.

The next day, at dawn, the executioner again arrived and began to drag the prince away, but the witnesses stopped him and said: “The princess spoke to the young man, and he does not deserve to die.”

Now when the king heard the witnesses, he did not believe his ears: “It can’t be that my daughter has finally spoken after having remained silent for so long. But since I have some doubt about it, let us have a third and final test, this time in the presence of three reliable witnesses.”

Part 3 of 4

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) 

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

Please share this story with others

Posted in fairytales, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Princess, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, Storytelling, wisdom, womanLeave a Comment on The Silent Princess – Tale of the Magic Jewel, the Flying Carpet and the Powerful Potion

The Silent Princess – The Beginning

Posted on Thursday, 19, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This is Part 1 of a 4 part Jewish fairy tale from the Middle East

In a faraway kingdom, there lived a beautiful princess who never spoke to anyone. She was so silent that many people assumed she was mute. Her father, the king, was certain that she could speak, but that she had chosen, for reasons of her own, to remain silent. The king saw that his daughter would constantly study and believed she did not speak because the fence to wisdom is silence (Avos 3:17). For this reason, when suitors came to ask for her hand in marriage, the king permitted them to meet her on the following condition: “You have one evening to spend with my daughter. If in that time you succeed in getting her to speak, even if it is only one word, then she shall be your bride. But if you fail—you will be hanged on the gallows at dawn.” Still, there had been many young men who boasted that they could win the heart of the princess and open her lips, but she kept silent in their presence, as verified by a witness who remained with them, and in the end, they lost their lives.

Now in another country there lived a prince who was both handsome and wise. One day this prince said to his father: “I wish to set out to wander in the land, to learn the ways of man and to amass wisdom and knowledge.” The king replied: “You may set out, if you wish to, my son. For surely you shall be a better ruler once you have become more familiar with the ways of the world. Go, and peace be with you but I ask that you return before the end of a year.”

So, the prince set out on his travels with his father’s blessings. His journeys were long, but in his wanderings he learned many things and became skilled in many tasks. Because of his travels and his desires to learn, he never stayed in any one place very long, for he wanted to see as much of the world as he could before it was time to return from his year long journey. In this way, he arrived at the kingdom of the silent princess, and when he heard of the king’s challenge to make the princess speak, he desired to seek her hand for himself.

The prince came before the king and spoke with him for a long time. The king was impressed with the wisdom of the young man and he admired him, and tried to warn him against the danger. The prince accepted the grave condition, even though his life was at stake.

That evening he joined the princess in her chamber, in the company of a faithful witness. The prince, the princess, and the witness all sat in the room and were silent, for the prince did not even attempt to strike up a conversation with the princess, and this astonished her, for all the previous suitors had kept trying to make her speak.

Mute Princess

After an hour’s silence, the prince turned to the witness and said: “Let us speak, in order to pass the time, for tomorrow I will be hanged.”

The witness replied: “I am not permitted to speak to you or to say any­thing. I am only a witness whose job it is to listen.”

Then the prince said: “And if I were to ask you something, would you reply?”

“Perhaps I would and perhaps I wouldn’t,” said the witness.

“Well, in that case,” said the prince, “listen carefully.

This is part 1 of 4

part 2 will be posted tomorrow

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in fairytales, Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Jewish fairy tale, Jewish Storytelling, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, wisdom, womanLeave a Comment on The Silent Princess – The Beginning

The Silent Princess – The Tale of the Tailor, the Carpenter and the Maggid

Posted on Thursday, 28, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This is part 2 of 4

Three men — a carpenter, a tailor, and a maggid — were traveling together and came to a desolate wilderness, and when night fell they made a campfire and prepared to sleep. But for safety’s sake they decided that each one of them would stand guard for a third of the night. The carpenter would take the first shift, the tailor the second, and the maggid the third.

“So it was that the carpenter stood watch while his companions slept. In order to pass the time, he took a piece of wood from a nearby tree, and carved a statue of a girl. By the time he finished the carving, his shift was over, and he woke the tailor to take over while he slept.”

“The tailor awoke and rubbed his eyes, and when he had wiped the sleep away he saw the lovely statue the carpenter had made. And because he liked it very much, he decided to dress it in suitable garb. So he did. He took out his work tools and some pieces of cloth, made a dress, and put it on the statue, and the clothes gave the statue the appearance of life. When he had finished his work, he saw that it was time to wake the maggid. He woke him and went back to sleep. The maggid arose and saw the statue of the girl and was startled, for it had been carved so well, it seemed to be alive. But after he touched it he understood it was the workmanship of his two companions. He said to himself: ‘The statue is so perfect, it would be fit for G-d to breathe the breath of life into it.”‘

Tailor, the Carpenter and the Maggid Tale

“Then the maggid stood and prayed, and called upon the Creator of all to bless the girl with the breath of life. And the Creator of the universe heard his prayer, and turned the statue into a living, life-size human being.”

“When the carpenter and the tailor awoke the next morning, and saw that the statue had become a living girl, each man said: ‘She belongs to me.”

“The carpenter said: “I made her and molded her and gave her shape, therefore I have the greatest right to her.”

“The tailor said: “I dressed her, and my contribution to her human appearance is greater than yours.”

“The maggid said: “I prayed and asked for life to be breathed into her, and that is the main thing; therefore, she belongs to me.”‘

Then the prince who had told this story to the witness said: “So, the question is, who do you think has the greatest right to the girl?”

“It is a difficult question, and I can’t decide it now,” said the witness. “Tomorrow I will put it before our men of judgment, and they will decide.”

“You forget,” said the prince, “that tomorrow I will no longer be alive. For I will be hanged before I hear the verdict.”

Then the princess, who had listened to the tale with great interest, could no longer remain indifferent to this matter of justice. She spoke up and said: “The right of the maggid is the greatest, and therefore the girl should go with him, for it is he who caused her to be given life, and that was decisive in her creation.”

“Thank you, princess,” said the prince, bowing to her. “I am persuaded that your verdict is the just one.”

The next morning the executioner came at dawn and started to drag the prince to the gallows despite his protests, for the executioner assumed that the princess had remained silent, as she always did. It was only when the witness intervened and confirmed that the princess had indeed spoken that the execution was put off, and the young man brought before the king.

“I find it difficult to believe that my daughter has broken her silence after all this time,” said the king. “But we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, and allow you to spend another night with her, in the presence of two reliable witnesses, and we’ll see what happens.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Posted in fairytales, Faith, Prayer, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Jewish Fairy Tales, Jewish Storytelling, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, womanLeave a Comment on The Silent Princess – The Tale of the Tailor, the Carpenter and the Maggid

A Succos Story of Yossele the Woodsman and Mordechai haGibor

Posted on Thursday, 28, September, 2017Friday, 29, September, 2023 by Rabbi

It was a small village where everyone knew each other, but the two most notable people in the  village were Mordechai haGibor the wealthy merchant and his neighbor Yossele the poor woodsman.

It seemed that Mordechai haGibor was always busy and it seemed that he was angry all the time. His family would gather around the table filled with all types of food every night and argue with each other over every little thing. The things said in anger in that house cannot be repeated for they were terrible indeed.

Yossele worked hard every day and barely made enough to feed his family. Every night when they would gather around the table, so many times it was not enough food, they would talk and sing as they enjoyed their meager meal.

Shabbos would come and the light of the Shabbos candles seemed awfully cold in the home of Mordechai haGibor. He would be demanding, his wife was always angry and his children were noisy and disrespectful.

Yossele’s house seemed always prepared to welcome the holy Shabbos as he and his family would gather around the warm glow of the Shabbos lights on his table. His children would join him and his wife in singing special Shabbos songs and they would share stories and little bits of Torah with each other. Shabbos was always a special time in Yossele’s house.

Every week and every holiday Mordechai haGibor would hear all the joyful sounds coming from Yossele’s house. This would make him angry and many times very sullen.

Rosh Hashanah had passed in the fast of Yom Kippur was behind them as everyone was preparing Succos (Feast of Booths and is also referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles) was quickly approaching.

Mordechai haGibor was determined that he would not be tortured by the sounds coming from Yossele’s house and so he went to everyone in the village and told them not to give him any wood to build his succah and if they did he would see to it that they would lose their livelihoods.

The morning after Yom Kippur, Yossele started going around the village asking people if they had any extra wood they could spare so that he could build his succah. Everyone told him they had nothing to offer. Each day Yossele tried to get the much-needed wood to build his succah but had no luck. The night before Succos Yossele was worried that he would not have a succah built and that his family would be sorely disappointed.

Yossele decided to go for a walk in the cool fall evening in the hopes that at the last minute one of his neighbors would give him some wood to build his succah. Suddenly he had an idea. There were many poor people in the village and death was no stranger. Many people could not afford the fine stone gravestones and would set up wooden markers over the graves of their loved ones. Yossele knew that at the cemetery there was a large pile of blank wooden markers and decided that he would borrow them for his succah and after the holiday return them.

The first night of Succos, Yossele and his family gathered around the table in the succah and welcome the holiday with happiness, songs and comforting words. Mordechai haGibor heard all of this and became very angry. He wondered who would dare give Yossele the wood to build his succah and he was determined to ruin whoever did it.

Old Wooden Succah

Mordechai haGibor stormed out of his succah, where his family was arguing over every little thing, and banged on the entry to Yossele’s succah. Yossele seeing his neighbor, invited and him into the succah and offered him some refreshment. Mordechai haGibor was so angry he refused and demanded to know who had given Yossele wood to build his succah. He wanted to know who had the nerve to give him wood after he told everybody not to give Yossele anything.

Yossele did the best he could to calm his neighbor, Mordechai haGibor, and again offered him some refreshment or at least something to drink. Mordechai haGibor again demanded to know where the wood came from, because he was going to ruin whoever gave Yossele the wood.

Yossele took a deep breath and looked at his neighbor and answered the angry question, “please do not ask me this. I would prefer to celebrate Succos with happiness and to make peace with you, my neighbor.” Mordechai haGibor became even more upset and demanded, “who gave you this wood? I know yesterday you did not have a succah so obviously someone felt sorry for you and I want to know who it was!”

Yossele answered, “last night I was walking through the village and as I turned onto the path into the forest I was met by a giant of a man. I asked him where he was going and he told me he was in a rush to get to the village because he had an important job to do. I told him that I understood that with the joyful holiday of Succos coming many people had a lot of preparations to be made, but sadly I would not be able to complete all of my own. I then asked a stranger who he was and he told me he was the Malach haMovis (Angel of Death). I asked him if he could postpone his grim duty until after whoever it was had one last chance to dance with the sifrei Torah on Simchas Torah. The Malach haMovis said no that he must perform his grim duty. I asked him by chance could he tell me who he had come for?”

The Angel of Death was silent for a moment or two and then told me, “I come for Mordechai haGibor and must complete my task before morning.” I thought for a moment and then told the Malach haMovis, “I can save you some time, for you see your trip is unnecessary because Mordechai haGibor is already dead.” The Angel of Death thanked me and asked, “what preparations for the holiday have you not made. Maybe I can help you.” I told the Malach haMovis that I had no wood to build my succah that my family would be sorely disappointed. He looked at me and then just laughed and then said, “I will not be returning to this village until way after Simchas Torah. So why don’t you use the blank wooden grave markers there piled up in the cemetery? Just please remember to return them at the end of the holiday.”

All the blood drained from the face of Mordechai haGibor and he sat down inside of Yossele’s succah. In fact, he had just noticed that indeed all the wood used in the succah had come from the cemetery. Yossele again asked him if he would like something to drink, “just a little bit of tea would be nice if you can spare it.” Mordechai haGibor answered.

Mordechai haGibor looked at Yossele and asked, “you are the poorest of the poor and yet every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday) you and your family seem to be the happiest of all people. How is this possible?”

Yossele smiled and answered his neighbor, “because the Holy One, blessed be He provides for everything I need and my family and I are so grateful for all of his gifts.”

Simcha Eye

A tear fell from Mordechai haGibor’s eye as he talked to his neighbor, “I have so much wealth so much power and yet I am not happy. I cannot find joy in Shabbos nor can I find peace in any of the holidays and yet you with hardly anything sit at your Shabbos and holiday table like nobility.”

“You are right my neighbor, it is as though I am dead because I do not celebrate from my heart. Everything I do is from my pocket. I thank you my neighbor for saving me and teaching me a valuable lesson. For the first time in my life I really understand the words ‘V’ahavta eis Hashem Elokecha, b’chol l’vav’cha, u-v’chol nafsh’cha, u-v’chol m’odecha.’ (And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.) (Deuteronomy 6:5) I had forgotten that everything I have are gifts from haKadosh Baruch Hu, the Holy One, blessed be He and from this time on I will do the best I can to celebrate Shabbos and yom tov (holidays) with happiness. I completely forgot, though I say it every day in the Shema, ‘V’hayu ha-d’va-rim ha-ei-leh, Asher ano-chi mi-tzvaecha ha-yom al li-vavecha.’ (And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.) (Deuteronomy 6:6) from this day forward I will do the best I can to keep the words of Torah in my heart and not depend upon my pocket for all of my needs.”

Mordechai haGibor broke down and began to cry, “you were right Yossele I was dead, but you have given me hope and a new outlook. Baruch atah Adoshem, m’chayei hameisim.”  (Blessed are You L-rd, Who revives the dead.) (part of the daily Shemonah Esrei prayers)

Mordechai haGibor left Yossele’s succah a completely different person. From that day on all that was heard from Mordechai haGibor’s home in Shabbos and yom tov were sounds of song, happiness and words of hope.

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Faith, Holiday, Holidays, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Succah, Succos, Succot, Sukkah, Sukkot1 Comment on A Succos Story of Yossele the Woodsman and Mordechai haGibor

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