The Holy Man, the Blacksmith, and Philmont

Posted on Sunday, 15, February, 2009Saturday, 1, October, 2011 by Rabbi

I just finished a very difficult project and me mind started to wander and the thoughts turned towards the Philmont blacksmiths and a story I told in one of the smithies…

A central element of Judaism is derech eretz which emphasizes courtesy, integrity, and kindness in addition to an understanding of religious texts. Ritual observance absent action is empty, without meaning and contrary to our way of life.

The Jewish elders of Kurdistan tell that….

There was once a very holy man who lived alone in a cave in the forest. He studied the holy books and night and prayed long everyday. For this he was granted a great favor by G-d, who provided him with food day after day.

One day our master Moshe (Moses) went to visit this holy man, and on that day two portions of food were sent down from heaven. The holy man welcomed his guest and brought him into his cave and he brought out one portion and shared it with our master Moshe. They both began eating, and discussed such secrets and mysteries of the holy words..

Later on, Moshe came to another little cave, went inside, and at the entrance saw the owner, a blacksmith. Behold now this miracle – the blacksmith, too, received his portion of food from G-d every day. The blacksmith welcomed Moshe and went to fetch his portion of food in order to divide it into two halves, but suddenly he saw in front of him two portions of food. He put both portions on a golden plate, which he served to Moshe, and waited until Moshe had finished eating. Only then did he extend his own hand and take what food was left and out his food on a wooden plate. This was how the blacksmith treated the man of G-d who had appeared before him. Moshe finished his meal, thanked the blacksmith for his kind hospitality, and left the cave.

After he had gone a few steps, he heard a great noise from inside the cave. He returned to the cave and saw the blacksmith breaking the golden plates and cups to bits. Moshe was puzzled and asked the blacksmith what he was doing, to which he replied, ^“today I had a very important guest, and yet G-d has sent me just an ordinary meal, nothing special.'”

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When Moshe returned to heaven he asked the holy One, blessed be He, “The blacksmith in whose cave I was a guest received more food than that of the holy man, who prays to You and occupies himself in Your holy service day and night, Yet the blacksmith is a simple man, who does not even know how to pray. Why did You prefer him to the holy man?^“

G-d replied, “I shall open to you here the hearts of both men, and let us see whose heart is cleaner and purer, the heart of the holy man or the heart of the blacksmith.” So G-d showed Moshe the heart of the blacksmith, and behold, it was shining in its cleanness and purer than any pure thing. Then he showed him the heart of the holy man, and behold, it was darker than any dark thing, more impure than any impure thing.

G-d asked Moshe, “To whom now should I grant a better portion of food, to the holy man or to the blacksmith? Behold, today I gave both of them double portions of food. The holy man set aside for himself one portion and shared with you only the second portion. What good are is his studies and his prayers so long as he behaves like this? The blacksmith did not behave like this, for his heart is pure and clean, full of truth and faith. And if he does not know how to pray, it is not his fault.

We must strive everyday to treat all around us with respect. Live what we believe and in that way truly change the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Once Upon A Time…Tales That Touch The Spirit

Posted on Sunday, 8, February, 2009Sunday, 12, August, 2018 by Rabbi

Someone asked: “With so many stories why do you mainly tell religious ones?” I have told ancient, medieval, American folktales and Jewish stories in the past, but it seemed that the religious stories were being lost. So many other storytellers tell the vast gamut of secular stories, and every Jewish storyteller tells the Chasidic tales. I chose to tell the biblical, midrashic and medieval Jewish stories so that they will inspire and touch the heart and soul of the listener.

Stories have touched the hearts, minds and souls of people since the beginning of time. For this reason they have been used continuously for millennia. Too many people stop with Bible stories and have forgotten the art and skill of spiritual storytelling. A holy man once said, “I came to teach you scriptures and you understood it not, therefore I will tell you stories.” Spiritual storytelling always has an underlying purpose, which is to inspire people with faith and communicate wisdom and values.

Storytelling has always been a main way for communicating spirituality. Some of the greatest religious teachers were expert storytellers. Then, as time passed, events in their own lives also became stories. In Judaism, some communities emphasize the importance of sacred storytelling and the sacred story.

What is the difference between religion and mysticism? It is the difference between believing in G-d and actually experiencing the Divine Presence. The stories touch the listener and awakens the yearning for more. They help people to see the wonders around them and allows them to peek into the mysteries of life.

Mysticism is a path to the deepest meaning of life, to the source of joy, and to a closer relationship with G-d. Yet, even non-mystics can tap into these wellsprings of mystic teachings in their search in today’s confusing world.

So, I, in the Jewish tradition of the maggid (storytelling rabbis) will continue to tell the stories others don’t and have been forgotten.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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The Innkeeper’s Reward

Posted on Tuesday, 20, January, 2009Friday, 21, July, 2023 by Rabbi

So many people become lost in their search to serve the holy One, blessed be He. The service in and of itself is fairly uncomplicated. Simply put, “Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.” (I Chronicles 28:9)

The Innkeeper’s Reward

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn alongside the road, they headed directly towards it.

The innkeeper was delighted to merit the honor to host the king’s officer. He therefore tried his utmost to make his esteemed guests’ stay a pleasant one. In their honor, he arranged a table replete with various delicacies, and when they had eaten their fill, he prepared comfortable beds that would provide them with a good night’s sleep.

Upon rising in the morning, the officer asked the innkeeper how much he owed him for their stay, and the innkeeper requested a substantial sum of money.

The officer paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of the caravan and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

Several days later, he arrived at another inn, and this time as well, was showered with exceptional hospitality as the innkeeper went well beyond the call of duty. Wanting to please his guests, the innkeeper served them delicious food and beverages, and provided them with comfortable sleeping arrangements as well.

The next day, the officer approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not!” he said to the officer. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to lodge at my inn! The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

Upon hearing the innkeeper’s heartfelt words, the officer was filled with tremendous affection for the simple man. He therefore commanded one of his servants to go and bring a particularly heavy chest from one of the wagons. Opening the chest, he removed magnificent jewelry and gems and presented them to the innkeeper.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

The officer went on his way but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindliness.

There are two types of people who serve Hashem (G-d).

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a reward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.

But there are others who serve Hashem (G-d) merely for the joy of serving King of All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings Hashem much enjoyment.

This is what we are taught in Pirke Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:3: “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving [even a token) of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward”

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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Jerusalem in Prague

Posted on Tuesday, 13, January, 2009 by Rabbi

This past Summer at Philmont, a Scout became homesick on the trail. This is not an unusual circumstance, but in this case the Scout was from the Czech Republic. He had become quiet and withdrawn, moody and a bit cranky. Help was indeed provided by the Holy One, blessed be He in the way of a shy, quiet Veronika.

Some may remember her from the Handicrafts Staff. She helped by writing a letter to the trekker in her mother tongue, Czech. She is indeed special and she reminded me of a strange twist in Czech and Jewish folklore.

It is believed that the Altneushul synagogue in the city of Prague was built of the stones of the Temple. When the Children of Israel dispersed through the Roman Empire after the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they took some of the stones of the Temple with them because of their strong faith and their great bitterness and aching heart, and in order to fulfill the verse: “For Your servants have desired her stones” (Ps. 102:15).

The reason why herbal viagra free samples alternatives are better than synthetic is because ED pills can only enhance the blood circulation. Women in the higher age bracket are viagra wholesale more susceptible to the risk of side-effects. purchase cheap cialis http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/baby-boy-and-pig-pals/ Time is what we don’t have today and doing many tasks at a time creates problem. Where you should go to take Kamagra Order? Let us know some buy cheap levitra perfect way of ordering this. When they came to the city of Prague, they built a synagogue there, and in it they also set some of the stones of the Temple.

The synagogue’s real name is in Hebrew: The Al-Tnay Synagogue. Al tnay means in Hebrew “on condition”. The tradition says that the synagogue was built with stones from the King Solomon’s Temple ruins in Jerusalem and that when the time will come and the Temple will be rebuilt, this synagogue will be dismantled and its stones will rebuild the Temple; this is “the condition”. The people who did not understood Hebrew meant that “al tnay” are the Yiddish words “alt neu” = old-new”.

Let us all “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalms 122:6) and may Jerusalem be “built again as His house for all the ages” (Tobit 13:15)

The Carpenter

Posted on Monday, 12, January, 2009Thursday, 27, September, 2018 by Rabbi

At Philmont and other places where Jewish Scouts come together a special connection takes place as Scouts from across the Jewish spectrum share in prayer, observance, food, and camaraderie. The question invariably is raised how can Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jewish people come together and have fun and develop special friendships. How can we get past the, sometimes insurmountable, differences and share in our long and holy traditions.

So many questions are asked and the answers are not so difficult as one listens to those around. In an old story, one remembers…

In a certain city lived a carpenter who was well-known for his fine craftsmanship. Merchants, noblemen and other wealthy people visited him regularly, asking him to build fine furniture for them. The carpenter never disappointed anyone. Time and time again, he consistently created beautiful cabinets and graceful bookcases that were amazing to look at. His fame as a craftsman spread throughout the land, until word of his skills reached the king.

The king had the carpenter summoned and told him that from then on he would be employed in the king’s palace. He would be personally responsible for building furniture for the royal family. The king invited him to live in special quarters, and assured the carpenter that he would provide for both him and his family. In addition, he would pay the carpenter handsomely, guaranteeing him a generous monthly salary.

Excited, the carpenter packed up his tools, family and belongings and moved into his new home in the king’s palace.

Some time afterwards, the carpenter became sick and lost his eyesight, leaving him unable to work. He went to many doctors and they gave him all kinds of medicines. The treatments slowly took effect, but after spending so much money to the doctors, he was in time left penniless.

The carpenter needed more medication but was unable to pay for them, his wife suggested that he sell his tools, in order to buy the medicines that he needed.

“Absolutely not!” shouted the carpenter. “I may not presently be able to work, but the king, nonetheless, acts kindly towards me and displays understanding for my situation, as he realizes that I will soon be able to work again. However, if I sell my tools, it is a sign that I am no longer a carpenter.., What will I do then?”

The same thing applies to the Jewish people. While we may no longer serve Hashem (G-d) in the ways that the earlier generations did, we nevertheless, trust in Him with all our hearts – for the Name of G-d is within each of us, and we remain servants of the King of all Kings!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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

Prayers from the Heart

Posted on Thursday, 8, January, 2009Thursday, 27, September, 2018 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi once taught that unless we believe the holy One, blessed be He renews creation every day, our prayers grow habitual and tedious. Sometimes we need to step back and reflect if our prayer is from the heart or is it from memory, by rote.

There was once a shepherd and did not know how to pray. Yet every day he said: “Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe! You know full well that if You have beasts to herd and were to give them to me I would tend them without charge though everybody pays me; for I love You.”

On one occasion a learned rabbi passed that way and found the shepherd praying. “Fool,” said he, “do not pray like that!” “And how should I pray?” asked the shepherd. At which point the learned man taught him the order of the blessings, and the ^“Hear, O Israel” prayer and the other prayers, in order that he should no longer say what he had been familiar to say. But after the rabbi went away, the shepherd forgot all that he had been taught and could not recite it. He was also afraid to say what he had formerly said, because the learned man had warned him not to.

Now in a dream at night the rabbi heard a voice that said to him: “If you do not tell him to say what he was accustomed to say before you met him, and if you do not go there, then know what evil is awaiting you. For you have robbed Me of one of those who is assured of the World to Come!” The rabbi went at once and told the man.

Now here there was neither knowledge of the Torah nor good deeds, merely one who thought to be good. The Holy One, blessed be He regarded this as a great thing, for the Merciful One always seeks the heart.

Sefer Chasidim

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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

Torah through Time

Posted on Tuesday, 6, January, 2009Thursday, 8, February, 2018 by Rabbi

There was a time when little changed: People grew up in the same place as their parents, knew the same people their whole lives, did the same work, ate the same food, and heard the same languages as their parents and grandparents. Today we are constantly moving around, meeting new people, hearing new philosophies and ideas, and meeting challenges caused by the changing world around us.

New ideas and new philosophies have flooded our ancient faith. In this confusing time, is there a bottom line?

Once upon a time a Roman came to the School of Rabbi Shammai and said to him, “I should like to become Jewish, can you will teach me the whole of the Law while I am standing on one leg?” When he heard this, Rabbi Shammai took a measuring rod used by builders and drove him away with it.

The Roman left the School of Rabbi Shammai and went to the School of Rabbi Hillel, and asked him whether he would accept him into the Jewish community, and whether he would teach him the whole Torah while he was standing on one leg. Rabbi Hillel accepted him and said, “Yes, I will teach you the whole Torah while you are standing on one leg.”

Then he said to the Roman, “Keep this commandment, ‘Do not do to your neighbor what you would not like to have done to yourself.’ This is the basic principle of the law. All the rest is a commentary upon it. Now go and study it.” In this way Hillel taught him the whole Torah while he was standing on one leg.

Shabbos 31a

We are all bound by the our relationships: to G-d, to other human beings, and to all that G-d has created. All those relationships are touched by the changes in the world. But in each generation, the ancient and blessed conversation-the dialogue that is Judaism-continues.

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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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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

1931 Jewish Scouts -Picture

Posted on Wednesday, 31, December, 2008 by Rabbi

Jewish Scouting has a rich and long history in the United States. Here is a picture from a 1931 If http://amerikabulteni.com/2015/04/30/cayhane-kahve-siparis-eden-obamanin-istegini-reddeti/ viagra ordination you can quiet the noise in your head could vanish when discontinuing the medicine. One point free cheap viagra to note is that impotence treating pill will not lead to penile erection on its own without a source of sexual stimulation. Erectile dysfunction Ejaculation problems Weak go to the storefront levitra mastercard erections Overall dissatisfaction from sexual life. The total combination levitra canada pharmacy http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/07/22/blast-in-oslo-8-people-injured/ of natural herbs and nutrients in this drug stimulate more blood circulation. BSA leaflet that was bi-lingual.

The Mystery of the Dreidel

Posted on Sunday, 28, December, 2008Tuesday, 5, December, 2023 by Rabbi

A 14-year-old in a religious school class was curious and asked about the dreidel, and the teacher merely explained it as a game played on Chanukah. The teacher went on to explain the letters nun, gimel, hay, shin were to remind us that Nes Gadol Haya Sham – A great miracle happened there. A remembrance of the miracles of the small army that turned over the massive, well-trained Syrian-Greek armies.

The student looked and asked, “What does this have to do with being Jewish?” He was truly looking for a spiritual meaning to the dreidel. He could not accept that this gambling game had anything to do with Yiddishkeit – Judaism.

Perhaps if the teacher had explained that the dreidel represents each Jewish person and the letters teach that though life spins about that all parts of a person must grow also. The nun is for nefesh – the soul – which strives for high and higher meaning, the gimmel is for guf – the body – which needs to be kept healthy and strong, the shin is for sechel – mind – that seeks and learns, and the hay is for Hakol – everything – together makes up each person.

Some rabbis connected the four letters with the four exiles of the Jewish people — Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome.

The Babylonians came and destroyed the Beis haMikdah (the Holy Temple in Jerusalem) and exiled the Jewish people. The Beis haMikdash represents a unique channel between Hashem (G-d) and Man. When it was destroyed, this flow of spiritual energy was severed. The level of this connection is linked to the word “nefesh” – soul (“When a soul will bring an offering”…Leviticus 2:1). Nefesh begins with the letter nun, and nun represents the kingdom of Babylon.

We learn from the story of Esther, that Haman wanted to physically destroy the Jewish people. The exile of Persia and Media represents the threat to the “guf” – the body of the Jewish People, the physical threat of annihilation. Guf begins with gimel which stands for the kingdom of Persia and Media.

Greece, on the other hand, represents the attack on the Torah itself – the sechel – the wisdom of Israel. The Syrian-Greeks weren’t interested in the physical destruction of the Jewish People; rather they wanted to destroy the spiritual basis of Judaism – the Torah – and leave a Hellenized shell that would agree with the Greek norms of aesthetics – drama, philosophy, and art. Sechel begins with the letter shin – that’s the letter of the kingdom of Greece.

The fourth kingdom, Rome, is a summation of all the other exiles. At the beginning of their domination, the Romans, like the Babylonians, stopped the bringing of offerings in the Temple. Then, they destroyed the second Holy Temple and inflicted unthinkable bloodshed on the “guf”, the body of Jewish People. Rome is all the exiles rolled into one and thus it is represented by the Hebrew word “HaKol which begins with hay” meaning “all”.

Let us all grow in wisdom, strong in spirit, and healthy in body.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 18, 2022.

Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

The Chanuka Flame of Faith

Posted on Thursday, 25, December, 2008Wednesday, 10, November, 2021 by Rabbi

After the death of Alexander the Great, two powerful Greek Empires emerged in the Middle East: The Ptolemies in Egypt and the Seleucids in Syria. The Land of Israel was the border between these two warring Empires. At first, the Jewish people were under the control of the Ptolemies, who were curious about Jewish beliefs and philosophies and had the TaNaCh translated into Greek. A miracle occurred, the seventy sages charged with the translation all presented the same work – verbatim. As the Ptolomies grew weak they were overcome at the Battle of Panias in 198BCE, Israel found herself in the domain of the Seleucids and their king, Antiochus.

It would be wrong to view the conflict as purely Greece versus the Jewish people. Very strong socio-political elements within the Jewish community contributed significantly to the conflict. Many of the Hellenized Jewish supporters of the Seleucids took it upon themselves to “help” those who wished to keep their faith and way of life “dragging” them away from what they perceived was their primitive beliefs into the “modern” world of Greek culture. (This pattern has repeated itself many times throughout Jewish history.) To aid them in their endeavor, these Hellenized Jews recruited the help of their Greek allies, ultimately bringing the king himself, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, into the conflict.

Chanuka is a celebration of Yiddishkeit/Judaism. The lights that were kindled at Sinai have burned in the Jewish heart and soul to this day. Every challenge to “modernize” and abandon our beliefs, culture and lifestyle has been unsuccessful. We have endured wars, disputations, pogroms, exile and still can be true to the faith of our fathers.

When we light the menorah, we affirm our freedoms, our triumphs and the future.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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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

Please share these gifts of wonderful stories with others and start or join a discussion on the Story Tour Blog about the stories.

The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 400 short stories about faith. Many visitors to the Story Tour Blog have requested that the stories be gathered together into a book. 72 of these special tales are now available in the new book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins that would make a special gift for Chanukah

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

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

I just finished a very difficult project and me mind started to wander and the thoughts turned towards the Philmont blacksmiths and a story I told in one of the smithies…

A central element of Judaism is derech eretz which emphasizes courtesy, integrity, and kindness in addition to an understanding of religious texts. Ritual obser­vance absent action is empty, without meaning and contrary to our way of life.

The Jewish elders of Kurdistan tell that….

There was once a very holy man who lived alone in a cave in the forest. He studied the holy books and night and prayed long everyday. For this he was granted a great favor by G-d, who provided him with food day after day.

We must strive everyday to treat all around us with respect. Live what we believe and in that way truly change the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Mysticism is a path to the deepest meaning of life, to the source of joy, and to a closer relationship with G-d. Yet, even non-mystics can tap into these wellsprings of mystic teachings in their search in today’s confusing world.

So, I, in the Jewish tradition of the maggid (storytelling rabbis) will continue to tell the stories others don’t and have been forgotten.

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

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So many people become lost in their search to serve the holy One, blessed be He. The service in and of itself is fairly uncomplicated. Simply put, “Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.” (I Chronicles 28:9)

The Innkeeper’s Reward

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn along­side the road, they headed directly towards it.

Upon rising in the morning, the officer asked the innkeeper how much he owed him for their stay, and the innkeeper requested a substantial sum of money.

The officer paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of the caravan and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

The next day, the officer approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not!” he said to the officer. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to lodge at my inn! The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small por­tion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

The officer went on his way but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindliness.

There are two types of people who serve Hashem (G-d).

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a re­ward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.

But there are others who serve Hashem (G-d) merely for the joy of serving King of All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings Hashem much enjoyment.

This is what we are taught in Pirke Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:3: “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving [even a token) of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward”

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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So many questions are asked and the answers are not so difficult as one listens to those around. In an old story, one remembers…

Excited, the carpenter packed up his tools, family and belongings and moved into his new home in the king’s palace.

Some time afterwards, the carpenter became sick and lost his eyesight, leaving him unable to work. He went to many doctors and they gave him all kinds of medicines. The treatments slowly took effect, but after spending so much money to the doctors, he was in time left penniless.

The carpenter needed more medication but was unable to pay for them, his wife suggested that he sell his tools, in order to buy the medicines that he needed.

The same thing applies to the Jewish people. While we may no longer serve Hashem (G-d) in the ways that the earlier genera­tions did, we nevertheless, trust in Him with all our hearts – for the Name of G-d is within each of us, and we remain servants of the King of all Kings!

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

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A holy rabbi once taught that unless we believe the holy One, blessed be He renews creation every day, our prayers grow habitual and tedious. Sometimes we need to step back and reflect if our prayer is from the heart or is it from memory, by rote.

There was once a shepherd and did not know how to pray. Yet every day he said: “Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe! You know full well that if You have beasts to herd and were to give them to me I would tend them without charge though everybody pays me; for I love You.”

Now here there was neither knowledge of the Torah nor good deeds, merely one who thought to be good. The Holy One, blessed be He regarded this as a great thing, for the Merciful One always seeks the heart.

Sefer Chasidim

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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New ideas and new philosophies have flooded our ancient faith. In this confusing time, is there a bottom line?

Once upon a time a Roman came to the School of Rabbi Shammai and said to him, “I should like to become Jewish, can you will teach me the whole of the Law while I am standing on one leg?” When he heard this, Rabbi Shammai took a measuring rod used by builders and drove him away with it.

Shabbos 31a

We are all bound by the our relationships: to G-d, to other human beings, and to all that G-d has created. All those relationships are touched by the changes in the world. But in each generation, the ancient and blessed conversation-the dialogue that is Judaism-continues.

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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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The student looked and asked, “What does this have to do with being Jewish?” He was truly looking for a spiritual meaning to the dreidel. He could not accept that this gambling game had anything to do with Yiddishkeit – Judaism.

Some rabbis connected the four letters with the four exiles of the Jewish people — Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome.

Let us all grow in wisdom, strong in spirit, and healthy in body.

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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The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 18, 2022.

Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

A central element of Judaism is derech eretz which emphasizes courtesy, integrity, and kindness in addition to an understanding of religious texts. Ritual observance absent action is empty, without meaning and contrary to our way of life.

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn alongside the road, they headed directly towards it.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a reward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.

The same thing applies to the Jewish people. While we may no longer serve Hashem (G-d) in the ways that the earlier generations did, we nevertheless, trust in Him with all our hearts – for the Name of G-d is within each of us, and we remain servants of the King of all Kings!