From the Depths

Posted on Thursday, 1, August, 2013Thursday, 27, June, 2024 by Rabbi

There was once a poor man who was regularly supported by the generous gifts of a wealthy man. One day, the poor man went to the wealthy man’s house to receive his daily portion. His desires got the best of him, and he wanted a fine coat he saw in the house. Every day, he wanted the coat more and more until one day, he stole the coat from the wealthy man who had taken care of his needs.

When the wealthy man realized that his fine coat was stolen by the poor man, he grew angry and clearly told the poor man that from that day on, he was no longer welcome in his home ever again. The wealthy man was so angry and disappointed that he told the poor man that the usual gifts were canceled indefinitely.

Without the wealthy man’s assistance, the situation in the poor man’s home worsened each day until he was no longer able to provide bread for his children. Left with no other choice, the poor man decided to take action.

He knew that each day, the wealthy man would walk through the forest near the town. One day, the poor man went to the forest before the wealthy man’s walk. He looked around and found a small cave; he then hid inside and waited.

When he heard the wealthy man coming, he yelled loudly, “Please save me! Please take pity on me!”

“Who are you?” asked the wealthy man. “Approach me, and I will help you to the best of my ability.”

“This I cannot do,” answered the poor man, “for I am embarrassed to show my face before you.”

The wealthy man repeated his request several times, but the poor man refused to leave his hiding place.

“I am ashamed,” said the poor man. “I am unable to leave this cave and face you, for I stole a coat from your home, and I am wearing it…”

The wealthy man answered, “Come forward and face me for I am ashamed at my anger that led me to do such a thing as to cause you shame. Keep the coat, it is yours.”

“How can you forgive me for betraying your trust and stealing from you? Asked the poor man.

In my anger, I forgot my responsibility to you. For are we not taught that ‘the L-rd G-d made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.’ (Genesis 3:20) How can I do less than the All Merciful One who sees to the needs of all His creation?”

The poor man came out of the cave, and the wealthy man embraced the poor man and invited him to share a meal with him. As they were eating, they were joined by an old man who listened to their tale and offered, “It is indeed a shame that all people can not learn the lesson you have. Let us pray together. They prayed, and before the old man left, he reminded the poor man and the wealthy man, “Forgive your neighbor…and then, when you pray, your sins will be forgiven you.” (Ben Sira 28:2)

Every day, people stand in prayer and say, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O L-rd!” (Psalms 130:1). People conceal themselves in hiding places and cry out, “O L-rd, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy.” (Psalms 130:2) So often, people are ashamed and humiliated to appear before You, our L-rd, King of all Kings. Please listen to our prayers because we are ashamed. One of the principles of repentance is to pursue deeds of kindness and truth as well as Torah (Scripture) study, as it is written: “By true love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for… “(Proverbs 16:6)

As we pray daily, let us all remember, “He who forgives will himself be forgiven” (Yoma 23a), and may we all be forgiven of sin and showered with blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He.

May all our prayers lead to peace

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Will, the Servant and Torah

Posted on Wednesday, 24, July, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once a wealthy merchant traveled to a faraway land and left his son studying Torah (Scriptures) in a small wooden shul in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Before he left on his journey, the wealthy merchant reminded his son:

“This Book of the Torah (Scriptures) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8) Study well my son.”

The merchant was very successful, but visiting a busy market, he fell sick. Each day he grew weaker and weaker until one day he called for a sofer (scribe) and told him, “write that all with which the Holy One, blessed be He has graced me I leave to my servant, but for my son, out of all the things I have left behind he may select whatever single valuable he desires.” The scribe wrote all that the wealthy merchant instructed him. A short time later the wealthy merchant died.

Once it became known that he was dead, the servant gathered all his property and took the will and came to the Holy City of Jerusalem. There he sought out the wealthy merchant’s son and said to him, “be it known to you that your father has passed away.” “Where is his wealth?” Asked the young man, the servant answered, “You have no share in his wealth for he left it all to me. Your father left you in his will to choose whatever object you desire out all of his belongings.”

When his son heard this, he told his rabbi, a wise and patient teacher:

“I have studied and engaged in the ways of Torah(Scriptures), assuming that if anything befell my father he would leave me his wealth. But now he has left all his wealth to his servant and wrote that I should choose any object I desire”

then the holy rabbi told him, “your father acted wisely. He did what he did in order that the servant should not simply take all his property. Now you to go to the judge’s court and he will tell you, “take whatever object you desire.” Then you place your hand on the servant can say I want this.””

When he did so, both the servant and all his property were the son’s, for whatever the servant has acquired the son had acquired. The wise King Solomon taught, “for to the man whom He considers good he gave wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He gave the affair of collecting and gathering and giving to the good one.” Ecclesiastes (2:26)

The servant smiled and said, “How wise was the merchant to be blessed with such a son. I shall manage his estates while he continues to study the Holy Word.” turning to the wealthy merchant’s son he continued, “I have one more message for you from your father. ‘Study from love and honor will follow’ (Chovos haLevavos) and you will indeed gather much more wealth than your father.’ “

May we all follow in the ways of Torah (Scriptures) and be blessed with wisdom and goodness.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tisha B’Av and Teshuvah

Posted on Sunday, 14, July, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.

Tisha B’Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first and second Holy Temples which stood in the holy city of Jerusalem, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.). It is also appropriate to consider on this day the many other tragedies of the Jewish people, many of which occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain in 1492.

Though we remember the tragedies and are saddened by them, it is a time of joy. One should not be overcome by the sadness, but remember that the Holy One, blessed be He hears the prayers from our broken hearts and provides us with many opportunities.

It once happened that some holy men walked through the holy city of Jerusalem and when they came upon the ruins of the Holy Temple they sat down on the ground, tore their clothes in mourning and cry.

One day as they approached the place of the destroyed Holy Temple, they saw a strange sight. There was a man singing and dancing. The holy men went to the man and asked him, “don’t you know what this spot is?” The man answered them not, he just continued to sing and dance. “Have you no respect? Do you not mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple?” The man still did not answer, he just continued to sing and dance. The holy men became angry and began to scold the man.

The man stopped his singing and dancing, turned and faced the rabbis. “Rabbis, holy rabbis, you ask about my behavior, but understand not. I sing and dance because it says in the Holy Torah that we should love G-d with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might. See the greatness of G-d who takes his anger out on wood and stone and lets us do teshuvah (repent), continue to do good deeds and study His Holy Word.”

The rabbis left the man to his singing and dancing and realized that Torah is the basis of life.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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Wolves and Prayer

Posted on Monday, 24, June, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Remove from your heart all worldly concerns when you stand to pray, carefully prepare your heart in the presence of the Holy One.

Iggeres haRamban 1268

A rabbi once stood in deep prayer, and a wolf came and took his son who stood beside him, but he went on praying. When he finished one of his students said to him, “Rabbi, did you not notice when the wolf came and took your son away?” “May all be well with my son,” said he, “as surely as I did not notice it.”

The rabbi began to teach, “Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.” (Zephaniah 3:3) This is justice without faith, those who live by what they believe are like the words,

“Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. (Job 9:15)

For indeed, prayer, righteousness and repentance annul the evil decree. (J Tannis 2.1)

Before the rabbi finished his words, the wolf came and returned the child. “What did the wolf do to you?” Asked his father. The child answered, “he took me into a room and where I heard a kind of echo saying to him, “I did not send you for this one over the son of another””

Before the boy had finished, they heard people weeping and wailing, “Wolf has bitten the son who followed the ways of his father, a great sinner.”

The holy rabbi looked at his students and explained:

All living beings associate with their own kind, and a man will have fellowship with his kind. What fellowship shall wolf have with lamb? Such is the wicked to the righteous

Ben Sira 13:16-17

Blessed is he who alone performs great miracles!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Magic Pomegranate Seeds

Posted on Monday, 27, May, 2013Monday, 4, September, 2023 by Rabbi

The times were bad, a poor woman was having a hard time finding food for her starving children. She had very little money and there was very little to buy in the market. As hard as she tried, she could find no work. She searched throughout the city, but there was no work to be found.

One day the poor woman was walking by the king’s palace and smelled a great and wondrous smell. She followed it to the door to the royal kitchen. As she looked through the door she saw a table with many loaves of bread sitting upon it. She thought to herself, “surely the king would not miss one loaf of bread.” So she quietly went into the kitchen and slipped one of the loaves of bread off of the table.

Suddenly, she heard someone scream, “Thief! Thief!” She turned around and saw that it was the cook. She pleaded with the cook not to report her to the king and the heart of the cook was softened to her pleas. Unfortunately the guards had heard the cook and came running and immediately grabbed poor woman and took her before the king.

The guards told King that the poor woman had stolen a loaf of bread from the royal kitchen. The King was barely paying attention and very nonchalantly replied, “someone dares to steal from the king, the punishment is clear. Put her to death.” As the poor woman listened she put her hands in her pocket and felt two pomegranate seeds.

The guards began to lead the poor woman out of the room, but as she passed the king she said to herself, “I guess the secret of the magic pomegranate seeds shall be lost forever.” The King heard the poor woman’s comment and being curious asked, “what is this about magic pomegranate seeds. A secret you have? What is this secret?”

The poor woman explained that her family had passed down the secret that when the pomegranate seeds were planted that they would grow immediately and within a week would be filled with beautiful fruit. The King hearing this told her he wanted proof and, at that, the next day she was to plant the magic pomegranate seeds in the royal garden.

Everyone gathered around as the poor woman was led into the royal garden. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the magic pomegranate seeds and laid them on the ground, dug a shallow hole and picked up the seeds to plant them. When suddenly she stopped and began to cry. The king asked her why was she crying he wanted to see these magic seeds begin to grow.

The poor woman, with tears in her eyes explained that the magic seeds would only grow if planted by someone who had never stolen anything. She went over to the king’s chamberlain and offered a seeds to him, but he hesitated and said, “sometimes I take things from the royal chambers to my home.”

The poor woman turned to the royal tax collector, he too refused the seeds explaining, “sometimes I don’t always record all the tax monies collected for the king. The poor woman turned to the Queen, and with tears in her eyes she sobbed, “I may have forgotten to pay the royal seamstress her full wages. One after another the people who had gathered in the royal garden refused to plant seeds. Finally the poor woman approached the king and told king that she would tell him the secret on how to make the seeds grow but the king put up his hand and said he could not.

The King took a deep breath and explained, “when I was a young boy my father had a magnificent necklace that he wore. More than anything in the world I wanted to hold and wear that beautiful necklace and so one day when no one is around I took the necklace. I brought it into my room and I held it up to the window and as the light caught shined on the fine stones, rainbows danced across my walls. I’ve never seen anything so wonderful in all my days. When my father realized necklace was missing he called all his servants together and no one knew what happened to the necklace. The king called his personal servant and his servant said he did not know where the necklace was and so he was beaten and cast out the Palace. I have told no one of this until this day.

The king looked at the poor woman and sadly said, “You have reminded me that a true king ‘judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.’ (Psalms 9:9) I know that you did not steal from the royal kitchen for your own sake or the hopes of wealth, but to merely feed your starving children. It is a matter of law that ‘Thieves are not despised who steal only to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.’ (Proverbs 6:30) You have taught a foolish king, wisdom and have reminded me that ‘man does not live by bread alone, but by anything that the L-rd decrees’ (Deuteronomy 8:3). I invite you to come to the royal palace whenever you like and share your wisdom and anything in the royal kitchen you may like.’ “

Pomegranate

Pomegranate Relish with Jalapeno

Ingredients

Seeds of two pomegranates (or about two cups)	1 T lemon juice or mild vinegar
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, and minced	1 T orange juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil	4 T parsley, finely chopped
1-2 T pomegranate molasses or honey	Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place your pomegranate seeds and finely chopped jalapeno in a bowl. I recommend Pyrex bowls with lids to store and serve.

Combine the juice, olive oil, molasses, and seasoning. Pour it over the pomegranate and jalapeno.

Mix in your chopped herbs. You can do this in advance but it’ll be best if added right before serving. I like to prepare it in a snack size bag and store it in the same dish, then pour it on right before I serve it.

Notes:

Refrigerate up to 3 days for optimal freshness.

If the oil solidifies when refrigerated, remove to room temperature for a bit before serving.

Rosh Hashanah

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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Enlightenment, Faith and Torah/Scriptures

Posted on Sunday, 12, May, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Today, many try to modernize various aspects of the basic beliefs of religion. They claim that the Torah/Scriptures is antiquated and needs to be reviewed and updated to be relevant in today’s society. It is indeed sad that the timeless values that have been the cornerstone of countless communities and societies have come under attack by those who claim to be enlightened.

We tell stories of yesteryear of the assault of the maskillim (the “enlightened” ones) on the more traditional Orthodox Jewish communities. They frowned upon faith, but adopted the national culture of the countries where they lived to better “fit in”.

A maskil (elightened one) once suggested to one of the great rabbis of his generation that modifications in halachah (Jewish law) are needed because the Torah/Scriptures was given thousands of years ago and is not relevant to modern times.

The rabbi replied calmly, “A while back I had to litigate a case. A merchant had ordered goods from a supplier, and specified that he wanted them delivered by November 1, in time for a special sale. That fall there were very heavy rains, and the roads were impassable, with the result that the order was not delivered when it should have been. The merchant sued the supplier, claiming that he had lost a great deal of money due to his failure to deliver on time. After studying all the facts, I ruled in favor of the merchant.

“The supplier protested, but I told him that I must apply the rules of the Torah, according to which the judgment was in favor of the merchant. Realizing the case was about to be closed, he made one final attempt to sway me.

“‘The Torah was given on Shavuos, wasn’t it?’ he pointed out. ‘Yes, of course’ I responded, eager to hear what argument he could have contrived.

‘There you have it!’ he exulted. ‘Shavuos does not occur in autumn, and that’s why the Torah law favors my opponent. If the Torah would have been given during the rainy season, the halachah would have favored my side.'”

After allowing the message to sink in for a second, the Rabbi added, “Don’t you recognize the simple truth that it is as absurd to restrict the Torah (Scriptures) to any one era as it is to make it seasonal?”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Onkelos and the Mezzuzah

Posted on Thursday, 4, April, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Onkelos was a member of the Roman royal family. His mother was Hadrian’s sister and his father was called Klonikas. He was very educated and well-versed in all the Roman and Greek philosophy and beliefs. He was blessed not only with an enquiring mind, a pure heart and a lofty soul.

Once, Onkelos spoke to his uncle, the emperor, Hadrian saying: ” I have studied for many years and have become familiar with all the languages of the Empire and seven sciences. But what have I gained from it all? It is time for me to go out into the world and start doing business. You know that I am not familiar with worldly things, whereas you the great Roman Emperor are well-versed in worldly affairs. I have therefore come to ask your advice as to what kind of material I should buy and sell?”

Hadrian was greatly flattered that his wise nephew should ask his advice and he said: “My vast treasures are at your disposal. Take as much as you need for business. I would advise you to seek material that is extremely inexpensive due to the fact that people do not realize its worth; material that few people are seeking: You will be able to buy it cheaply and after explaining its real value to people you will be able to make a nice profit!”

Onkelos the Prince soon left the imperial palace in Rome. He had heard that there were many treasures and wonderous goods to be found in the faraway city of Jerusalem, in the land of Judah. Once there, he searched the marketplace for goods and frequently spoke to many of the people he met. There was in the marketplace a necromancer who told Onkelos he could help him in his quest. The young Roman prince, Onkelos was curious and agreed to let the necromancer show him his destiny. The necromancer explained he would call upon three spirits for Onkelos to question and that within the answers will be his future.

After hearing the words spoken by the spirits, Onkelos took upon himself the religion of the persecuted Jewish people. Like the Moabite princess, Ruth, he left the ways of his fathers and gave himself over entirely to the holy words of the Torah (Scriptures). He set out to learn day and night until he became well-versed in all the secrets of the Torah (Scriptures).

After a short time Hadrian found out that his nephew had accepted the Jewish religion and had become one of the leading Jewish scholars in the holy city of Jerusalem. The Emperor was beside himself with rage, and he sent a company of soldiers to arrest Onkelos and to bring him in chains to Rome.

When the Roman soldiers arrived, Onkelos greeted them in a friendly manner and he talked to them telling them that we are taught, “You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). His words impressed them so much that the soldiers threw themselves at his feet and begged him to teach them, they soon joined the Jewish people, as he had done himself.

When Hadrian saw that his soldiers did not return, he sent another company of brave warriors with instructions to bring Onkelos in chains.

This time he gave orders not to have any discussions with Onkelos, but to arrest him on the spot and bring him to Rome, because Hadrian had heard what had happened to his first messengers.

Onkelos again warmly received the imperial messengers. “I know that the Emperor forbade you to have any discussions with me. You must obey the emperor’s orders; I also obeyed him; I will therefore ask you one question: you know very well what goes on in the Roman, imperial Court. The common soldier carries the torch for the officer; the officer carries it for the captain; the captain for the general and the general for the emperor. Tell me, for whom does the emperor carry the torch?”

“The emperor is not obliged to serve anyone,” they answered him. “He is the highest authority in the country!”

Though the soldiers did not speak with him, Onkelos continued, “Take a look the G-d of Israel, the Creator of heaven and earth, the G-d over everything, in spite of His greatness, still deemed it fit to lighten the way for His servants, the Jewish people as it is written ‘And the L-rd went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night’ (Exodus 13:21) for forty years in the wilderness.”

These words made a great impression on the soldiers, and they immediately gave up their mission and became faithful students of Onkelos.

Once more, Hadrian sent a company of troops with high officers at the head, with the express orders not to say one word to Onkelos and not to answer any questions, but to arrest him immediately, and bring him to Rome bound in chains.

The messengers arrived and started to carry out the emperor’s orders without delay. They led him out of his house. At the door Onkelos stopped, reached up to the doorpost, and joyfully kissed the Mezuzah.

The messengers gazed at him in wonder, and could not restrain themselves from asking him:

“What does that thing on the door symbolize, and why are you so happy at being taken to Rome, where your uncle will surely have you executed?”

“I laugh at foolish people. A king sits in his palace and has guards around him to protect him from danger. But the Jewish King, the L-rd of the World, the King above all kings allows his servants to sit quietly at home and He protects them from outside. That is the Mezuzah on our door!”

The royal messengers fell entirely under the influence of Onkelos’s words and it did not take long before they also became his faithful disciples.

When Hadrian saw that he would not be able to bring his nephew by force, he decided that there must be some special reason for all this. He had a strong desire to see his nephew, so he swore that no harm would befall him if he would come to visit him.

Onkelos started out for Rome. When he presented himself to the Emperor, he was surprised to see that Onkelos had lost much weight. Onkelos assured him that he had gained much Torah (Scriptures) and wisdom. Hadrian then asked him why he had left his home, and his people and accepted the religion of a small nation that was persecuted and ill-treated by all the other nations of the world?

“I listened to your good advice,” Onkelos answered him with a smile. “You advised me to buy a material for which there are few customers. I traveled throughout the world and I could not find anything that has fewer customers than the Jewish people, their teachings and beliefs. I bought it and I found that I had made a bargain. The holy Jewish Prophets have promised that the poor persecuted Jewish people will become a nation of princes; that the kings throughout the world will consider themselves honored to serve them; and the Torah (Scriptures), which is now down-trodden, will be recognized by all nations, and Jerusalem will be the lighthouse of the whole world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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An Apple from the Tree Of Life

Posted on Thursday, 7, February, 2013Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The daughter of the sultan of Turkey had fallen ill. The finest doctors of the empire could not heal her. The sultan brought them together and asked them when she would recover. Sadly, the doctors admitted they could not help the sick princess. The oldest of the doctors told the sultan, “If an apple from the Tree of Life could be brought to you daughter, she would most definitely recover.”

“Where can this wonderous apple be found?” the sultan demanded to know.

The old doctor said, “I heard many many years ago that the apple can be found in the Garden of Eden. Two trees are said to grow in the center of the garden. The Tree of Life is one of them, and the Tree of Knowledge is the other. It is said that whoever tastes an apple from the Tree of Life, no matter how sick they may be, will recover their health.”

The eyes of the sultan grew wide. “I must have one of those healing apples, who knows where this garden can be found?” asked the sultan.

The old doctor stroked his beard and answered:

“If I remember right, the elders of the Jewish community know best about the garden. What we know about the garden is told told about in their holy books of wisdom.,”

The face of the sultan grew red. “Bring in the leaders of the Jewish community at once!” he shouted.

Before an hour had passed, three of the most respected rabbis of the capital city stood before the sultan, wondering why they had been summoned on such short notice. They were quickly taken to the sultan’s Chamber of Government as soon as they arrived. The sultan was seated on his throne looking very grim and he began.

“As you know my daughter is sick and death will take her soon. Her only hope is something that is in your power to provide, and provide it you must. For if you fail, my anger will fall upon you and your community.” “Your Majesty,” one of the rabbis said, “you know that we will gladly do whatever we can. Tell us what do you want us to do?”

“Know then,” the sultan said seriously, “that I need an apple from the Tree of Life delivered to me within three days. If I don’t have it by then, you and all of your people will be banished!” With that, the sultan dismissed the three rabbis with a wave of his hand.

The three rabbis discussed the matter among themselves, and they all agreed that what the sultan was asking for was extremely difficult if not possible. No one knew where the Garden of Eden could be found. And even if they did, how could anyone go there and come back within three days?

So the leaders gathered all the people into the synagogue and they went from one synagogue to another, telling them the terrible news. A great sadness spread through the Jewish community, for no one believed it would be possible to get an apple from the Tree of Life in such a short time.

Now one of the three rabbis who had met with the sultan had a daughter named Leah. How she wished that such a wondrous apple could be found, so that the sultan’s daughter could recover, and the danger to all the Jewish people in Turkey would disappear.

Leah saw that her father was deeply worried by the sultan’s demands, so she said, “Surely, father, we must not give up hope. Miracles have happened before. Let us pray for one to happen for us. Tell me, is there anyone who knows the way to the Garden of Eden?”

“Only one of the lamed vov tzaddikim (thirty-six hidden saints),” her father replied. “It is said that there are thirty-six righteous ones upon whose shoulders that fate of the world rests. But no one knows where they can be found.”

“But, Father,” Leah said, “I have heard of an old Jewish mystic who lives alone in the forest. It is whispered that he might be one of the lamed vov tzaddikim.”

Now the rabbi remembered that he, too, had heard such things said about this old hermit. So he and his daughter set out at once to look for him.

It was not easy to find their way through that dark forest, but everyone did their best to assist the rabbi and his daughter, and finally they reached the old hermit’s house. They knocked on his door, and when he opened it, Leah was astonished to see a light surrounding his face.

The old hermit listened carefully as the rabbi explained what the sultan had demanded of them. Then he went to a shelf, took down an ancient book, and opened it. There, pressed between its pages, was a green leaf, perfectly preserved.

The old hermit took the leaf in his hand.

“This leaf has been pressed between the pages of this book for many centuries. It is said to have been picked from one of the trees in the Garden of Eden. Let your daughter place this leaf on her pillow and she will dream of that glorious garden.”

“My daughter?” asked the astonished rabbi.

“Yes,” said the old hermit. “for she is the one destined to journey there.”

Neither Leah nor her father could believe their good fortune, yet they were mystified that the old hermit had given the precious leaf to Leah instead of to her father. Still, they both thanked the old hermit and set out to return to their home.

On their way, Leah and her father stopped at an inn, and before she went to sleep, Leah gently placed the ancient leaf on her pillow. Even though it was so very old, it looked as fresh as if it had been picked that very day. It also gave off a most wonderful aroma that filled the room.

Bathed in that beautiful scent, Leah closed her eyes, and soon she was sound asleep.

In her dream, Leah found herself in the most splendid garden she had ever seen. Every kind of fruit tree grew there, and the whole garden was filled with a beautiful, unforgettable scent. Leah suddenly realized that she had indeed traveled to the Garden of Eden. She knew that she must hurry, she must find the Tree of Life before it was too late. Tomorrow was the last day the sultan had given them to bring back the enchanted apple.

Leah looked up and saw that there was an angel sleeping in every tree. She called out to one, and when the angel opened its eyes, she asked for its help in finding the Tree of Life. The angel agreed to serve as her guide, but told her that it could take her only to the center of the garden. She would have to figure out for herself which of the two trees that grew there was the Tree of Life.

With the angel’s help, Leah soon found herself in the center of that wonderful garden. There two trees grew, each a mirror image of the other. Apples hung from the branches of both trees. She looked from one tree to the other for a clue as to which was the Tree of Life. But which one should she choose?

Then Leah happened to notice a serpent hidden in the branches of one of the trees, and she was certain that must be the Tree of Knowledge.

Without further hesitation, she plucked a ripe apple from the other tree, and in the same instant, she woke up.

Leah opened her eyes, surprised to find herself back in the inn. Then she saw it—a ripe and shining apple resting on her pillow right where the fragrant leaf had been. An apple from the Tree of Life! Somehow she had brought it back in her dream. Leah could barely believe her eyes. She realized that a miracle had truly taken place, and she jumped up, grabbed the apple, and showed it to her father, who had not slept a wink. His eyes opened wide when he saw it, and even wider when she told him her dream.

She shed tears of joy, for now she knew that they could still be saved.

Wasting not a moment, they set out for the sultan’s palace, and when they arrived, the rabbi presented the sultan with the apple. When the sultan saw the rabbi’s joy, he, too, was overjoyed. He himself brought the fragrant apple to his sick daughter, and held it under her nose. Slowly, she opened her eyes. The sultan then drew his knife and cut a small piece of the fruit and placed it between his daughter’s lips, and as soon as she began to eat it the color returned to her face, and she sat up. Within the hour she had indeed a miraculous recovery.

The sultan hugged his daughter and declared that day to be a holiday for all. Then the sultan publicly thanked the Jewish community for saving his beloved daughter, and never again did he threaten them.

As for Leah and her father, the sultan invited them to live in the palace, Leah and the sultan’s daughter became the best of friends. Leah never tired of telling her about her astonishing dream, and about the enchanted apple she had brought back. And the sultan’s daughter never tired of hearing this tale, for she, better than anyone else, knew that every word was true.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rose Honey instead of Hot Lead

Posted on Sunday, 30, December, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

One may ask: “If a person has done many things that are bad and hurtful, can they ever be forgiven?” The Holy Word teaches:

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins: return to Me; for I have redeemed you. Seek you the L-rd while He may be found; call you upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 44:22, 55:6)”

It is told that there was a certain man who had been wicked all his life, and he was well aware that it would be very hard for his repentance to be received in heaven. On one occasion he jokingly asked Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon of blessed memory (1250-1305 c.e.) whether there was any hope for such a great sinner. The holy rabbi thought for some time and answered: “When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned” (Leviticus 5:5). The holy rabbi listened to everything the man had to say and then sadly ruled, “The only remedy and atonement for you is to accept the punishment of death as an atonement for your transgressions.

Then the wicked man asked him: “If I do accept a sentence of death, shall I have a share in the Garden of Eden?” “Yes,” said the holy rabbi; and the wicked man pleaded: “Swear to me that my place will be near you!” Then Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon swore to him that he would be near him in the Garden of Eden. When the man heard this, he took a deep breath and expressed, “I prayed to the L-rd my G-d and confessed: “O L-rd, the great and awesome G-d, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands (Daniel 9:4) hear my words that come from the depths of my heart.” The sinner with his broken heart gathered up his courage and followed him to the central shul (synagogue).

Once there, the rabbi ordered that hot lead should be brought to him. They brought the lead, and he puffed air at it with the bellows until the lead was boiling. Then he sat the wicked man on a bench and tied a cloth over his eyes and said to him: “Confess all your sins to our G-d and accept your death as a return for the sins with which you have angered your Creator all your life.” At this, the man burst into a great and exceedingly bitter gush of tears as he proclaimed, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” (Psalm 38:18). Round about him stood many of the community’s elders and sages. And then the rabbi said to him: “Open your mouth wide, and I shall fill it with boiling lead.” And the man opened his mouth very wide in the presence of all the people who stood round about him, in order to accept the fullness of death and so gain life in the World to Come.

At this, the said rabbi took a spoonful of warm rose honey and dropped it into his mouth and said to him: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) May your many sins depart from you and your transgression be atoned!”

The man, his heart sincere and broken began to cry at once in bitter grief: “Holy rabbi! For the honor of our Maker, the King who is King above all kings, the Holy One, blessed be He slay me now indeed, so that I may not see the evil of losing my soul; for why should I live. My sins have mounted higher than my head, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, there is no sound place in me; so what have you done to me? Why have you deceived me?”

The holy rabbi answered him: “We are taught: “The L-rd is near to all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalms 145:18) For He cleanses a soul from sin, when he makes confession. (Psalms of Solomon 9:12) and “the spirit of man is the lamp of the L-rd, searching all his innermost parts.” (Proverbs 20:27). As long as the lamp of your spirit burns, there is time to make repairs. Do not dread and have no fear, for G-d has already seen all your deeds and has forgiven you. No go forth live by the Holy Words of the L-rd and sin no more.”

Thereafter the man never left Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon’s house of study and spent his days in fasting and true repentance.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3) Please share this story with others

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Wisdom and Three Partners

Posted on Tuesday, 4, December, 2012Thursday, 22, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding….Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy is every one who holds her fast.

Proverbs 3:13, 17-18

Three close friends lived in a certain city. Together they decided that each one of them would travel to a different land and study a particular wisdom of that land. They agreed that upon concluding their studies, they would reunite and demonstrate what they had learned.

They did exactly that. Each one traveled to a distant land and pursued a different field of study.

After several years, the designated time arrived and the three friends came to the appointed meeting place. They were ecstatic to see each other once again, and once the initial joy had passed, they began to show off what they had learned.

“In the land that I was in,” said one of the friends, “I met an expert craftsman who taught me how to fashion powerful binoculars that enable one to see extremely far distances…”

“I,” said the second friend, “met a remarkable coachmen who taught me how to construct a wagon capable of traveling at great speeds. It can travel the lengthy distance of several miles in the blink of an eye!”

“And I,” said the third friend, “met an elderly doctor who taught me how to concoct an amazing medication capable of healing every type of illness!”

As they were admiring each other’s wisdom, the first friend displayed the binoculars he had made.

The friends took turns gazing through the powerful binoculars. Amazingly, they were able to see the capital city, which was a very long distance away. Looking inside the city, they observed a great commotion taking place. People were running through the streets in a panic, expressions of anguish and suffering etched upon their faces.

Adjusting the binoculars slightly the friends were able to discern the reason behind the commotion: The king’s daughter had taken ill, and the doctors had given up hope of finding a remedy. A proclamation therefore went out calling upon anyone capable of lending assistance. In addition, whoever succeeded in curing the king’s daughter would receive an enormous sum of money as a reward.

“It is a pity that I am not in the capital right now,” said the friend who had been taught the art of healing. “Had I been there, I would have presented the king’s daughter with a remedy that would cure her instantly. However, I am too far away…”

“That is not a problem in the least,” remarked the second friend. “Why, the coach that I built could get you to the capital in a matter of minutes.”

The three friends boarded the remarkable coach, and, indeed, they arrived in the capital in the blink of an eye. They stopped at the palace gates and immediately presented the king’s daughter with the amazing remedy.

Lo and behold, upon tasting the medicine, her condition improved considerably. Before long, she underwent a total recovery!

At that point, however, the friends began to argue as to which one of them was entitled to the hefty reward that the king had offered.

“If not for my binoculars,” said the first friend, “you would never have known that the king’s daughter was sick.”

“So what?” answered the second friend. “If not for my coach, it would have taken you a month to get to the capital city”

“You are both correct,” said the third friend. “But what good would it have done you to know that the king’s daughter was sick? And once you would have gotten to the capital — what would you have done then? Truthfully, it was only my medication that made all the difference!”

The king listened to their claims and after consulting with his sagacious advisors, turned to the men and exclaimed, “It is certainly true that if we are to judge on basis of what transpired in the past, it would be rather difficult to determine which one of you deserves the reward. But if we take the future into account…Let us see,” continued the king, “From now on, we will have absolutely no use for your wondrous binoculars. The same thing applies to the spectacular coach. We may very well require more of this unique medicine, however. Therefore, the reward shall be granted to the provider of the medicine!”

There are three partners in the creation of a human being: the Holy One, blessed be He, a father, and a mother. Yet when we desire to know which one of the three a man must obey and respect the most, we must realize that once a child is born, his parents have fulfilled their part of the partnership. Yet we are forever dependent on the Holy One, blessed be He, as He continuously provides us with life!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Listen to more stories told by the Master Storyteller, Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman – The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger, Seven Jewish stories, on iTunes and Amazon or Coins, Candles and Faith, eight stories of faith on iTunes and Amazon

Without the wealthy man’s assistance, the situation in the poor man’s home worsened each day until he was no longer able to provide bread for his children. Left with no other choice, the poor man decided to take action.

He knew that each day, the wealthy man would walk through the forest near the town. One day, the poor man went to the forest before the wealthy man’s walk. He looked around and found a small cave; he then hid inside and waited.

When he heard the wealthy man coming, he yelled loudly, “Please save me! Please take pity on me!”

“Who are you?” asked the wealthy man. “Approach me, and I will help you to the best of my ability.”

“This I cannot do,” answered the poor man, “for I am embarrassed to show my face before you.”

The wealthy man repeated his request several times, but the poor man refused to leave his hiding place.

“I am ashamed,” said the poor man. “I am unable to leave this cave and face you, for I stole a coat from your home, and I am wearing it…”

The wealthy man answered, “Come forward and face me for I am ashamed at my anger that led me to do such a thing as to cause you shame. Keep the coat, it is yours.”

“How can you forgive me for betraying your trust and stealing from you? Asked the poor man.

In my anger, I forgot my responsibility to you. For are we not taught that ‘the L-rd G-d made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.’ (Genesis 3:20) How can I do less than the All Merciful One who sees to the needs of all His creation?”

As we pray daily, let us all remember, “He who forgives will himself be forgiven” (Yoma 23a), and may we all be forgiven of sin and showered with blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He.

May all our prayers lead to peace

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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Once a wealthy merchant traveled to a faraway land and left his son studying Torah (Scriptures) in a small wooden shul in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Before he left on his journey, the wealthy merchant reminded his son:

“This Book of the Torah (Scriptures) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night. (Joshua 1:8) Study well my son.”

When his son heard this, he told his rabbi, a wise and patient teacher:

“I have studied and engaged in the ways of Torah(Scriptures), assuming that if anything befell my father he would leave me his wealth. But now he has left all his wealth to his servant and wrote that I should choose any object I desire”

May we all follow in the ways of Torah (Scriptures) and be blessed with wisdom and goodness.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.

Though we remember the tragedies and are saddened by them, it is a time of joy. One should not be overcome by the sadness, but remember that the Holy One, blessed be He hears the prayers from our broken hearts and provides us with many opportunities.

It once happened that some holy men walked through the holy city of Jerusalem and when they came upon the ruins of the Holy Temple they sat down on the ground, tore their clothes in mourning and cry.

The rabbis left the man to his singing and dancing and realized that Torah is the basis of life.

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)

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Remove from your heart all worldly concerns when you stand to pray, carefully prepare your heart in the presence of the Holy One.

Iggeres haRamban 1268

The rabbi began to teach, “Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.” (Zephaniah 3:3) This is justice without faith, those who live by what they believe are like the words,

“Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. (Job 9:15)

For indeed, prayer, righteousness and repentance annul the evil decree. (J Tannis 2.1)

Before the rabbi finished his words, the wolf came and returned the child. “What did the wolf do to you?” Asked his father. The child answered, “he took me into a room and where I heard a kind of echo saying to him, “I did not send you for this one over the son of another””

Before the boy had finished, they heard people weeping and wailing, “Wolf has bitten the son who followed the ways of his father, a great sinner.”

The holy rabbi looked at his students and explained:

All living beings associate with their own kind, and a man will have fellowship with his kind. What fellowship shall wolf have with lamb? Such is the wicked to the righteous

Ben Sira 13:16-17

Blessed is he who alone performs great miracles!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

The times were bad, a poor woman was having a hard time finding food for her starving children. She had very little money and there was very little to buy in the market. As hard as she tried, she could find no work. She searched throughout the city, but there was no work to be found.

Pomegranate Relish with Jalapeno

Ingredients

Seeds of two pomegranates (or about two cups)

1 T lemon juice or mild vinegar

1 jalapeno, seeds removed, and minced

1 T orange juice

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 T parsley, finely chopped

1-2 T pomegranate molasses or honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Place your pomegranate seeds and finely chopped jalapeno in a bowl. I recommend Pyrex bowls with lids to store and serve.

Combine the juice, olive oil, molasses, and seasoning. Pour it over the pomegranate and jalapeno.

Mix in your chopped herbs. You can do this in advance but it’ll be best if added right before serving. I like to prepare it in a snack size bag and store it in the same dish, then pour it on right before I serve it.

Notes:

Refrigerate up to 3 days for optimal freshness.

If the oil solidifies when refrigerated, remove to room temperature for a bit before serving.

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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We tell stories of yesteryear of the assault of the maskillim (the “enlightened” ones) on the more traditional Orthodox Jewish communities. They frowned upon faith, but adopted the national culture of the countries where they lived to better “fit in”.

A maskil (elightened one) once suggested to one of the great rabbis of his generation that modifications in halachah (Jewish law) are needed because the Torah/Scriptures was given thousands of years ago and is not relevant to modern times.

“The supplier protested, but I told him that I must apply the rules of the Torah, according to which the judgment was in favor of the merchant. Realizing the case was about to be closed, he made one final attempt to sway me.

“‘The Torah was given on Shavuos, wasn’t it?’ he pointed out. ‘Yes, of course’ I responded, eager to hear what argument he could have contrived.

‘There you have it!’ he exulted. ‘Shavuos does not occur in autumn, and that’s why the Torah law favors my opponent. If the Torah would have been given during the rainy season, the halachah would have favored my side.'”

After allowing the message to sink in for a second, the Rabbi added, “Don’t you recognize the simple truth that it is as absurd to restrict the Torah (Scriptures) to any one era as it is to make it seasonal?”

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)

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