Gold and Silver, Land and Property and the Holy Word

Posted on Sunday, 15, April, 2018Monday, 28, August, 2023 by Rabbi

A young man once came to a wise man and told him he did not know what kind of man he would become as he grew older. The wise man thought for a moment or two and then explained:

There are three types of men in the world:

One engaged in silver and gold,

One busy in properties and lands

While one is deeply involved in the study of the Holy Word and charity and the awe of Heaven.

When the one who is engaged in silver and gold passes away, he says: “Give me of my silver and gold to go to my eternal home.” But they tell him: “You have nothing, for the Prophet Haggai said long ago (2:8): ‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the L-rd of hosts.’ ”

When the time comes for the man who is busy in lands and property to pass away, he says: “Give me of my lands and property to accompany me to my eternal home.” But they tell him: “You have nothing, for the Psalmist has already said (24:1): ‘The earth is the L-rd’s and the fullness thereof.’ “

Yet he who is deeply involved in the study of the Holy Word, charity and the awe of Heaven does not even pass away before the angels say to him: “See these go before you as the Prophet Isaiah said (58:8): ‘And your righteousness shall go before you.’ “

The wise man looked at the young man and smiled as he said:

“You have just begun your journey on many roads and paths, the kind of man you become is your choice.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Wealthy Man Gets Cold Feet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Speech, Wisdom and Protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The King and His Old Teacher

Posted on Friday, 23, June, 2017Tuesday, 3, September, 2024 by Rabbi

One of the kings had a wise teacher who had instructed him since his childhood in all matters of things such as mathematics, differences between light and dark, sciences, as well as matters of honor and respect. Every day was a new lesson that the teacher instilled into the king, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever…Many shall be running back and forth, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12: 3-4)

The teacher grew old, and age was heavy upon him, and weakness and want had overtaken him. After many years, the teacher came to visit the king one day with his son to support him at his side. When the king saw him, he rose from his throne to bid him welcome and to receive him with honour. He seated him at his right hand, then turned to his ministers and servants and said to them: “This was my teacher in my childhood, and he taught me what is good and right and instructed me in the ways of goodness and wisdom.^“

Then he turned to the old man and asked him: “Is all well, father mine?^“ And the old man answered: “Your majesty, well-being is far from me, for the pangs of old age will not let me be and the days of evil have come upon me and the years with no purpose press wearingly. What good is life to a man whose moments are long and whose arms are no longer strong, and he sleeps by day and remains awake all night long. I dare say, and whose ears are too heavy for him to hear and his eyes are too dim to see with, I fear. Food he despises when it is there, yet he longs to feast when it is somewhere else. His pains slow him down, and the birds wake him up, and his dear ones annoy him, and his dreams frighten him enough to destroy him, and his bones have grown dry, and he has forgotten his good days; they are so far away!”

teacher

The king and all those who were seated before him wept aloud and said: “Alas, for living when the beginning is forgotten in its ending, and people would sooner be dead than alive.” The king told those before him that one must always “Revere your teacher as you revere Heaven.” (Avos 4:12) The king said to him: “Father mine, I can change your lack to wealth, G-d be praised, but I cannot change old age to youth.” And he gave him money and the robes he wore and endowed his children with a good inheritance and ordered them to support their father honorably and treat him with respect. Then the old man blessed him, saying, “He who pleases his teachers is destined for the World to Come” (Shabbos 153a). The old teacher and his son left the king in peace.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Fair Wages

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

She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)

The wife of a holy rabbi once gave a beautiful piece of cloth to a tailor so that he might sew her a dress. When the tailor finished the dress, he carried it to the holy rabbi’s wife, set it down and sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter?” the the holy woman asked. “Why are you so unhappy with the dress? It is truly beautiful and a credit to your skills”

In great pain, the tailor answered, “My daughter has become engaged to a fine young man. One day, seeing me sewing such a beautiful dress, the young man thought that it was for his bride. Learning that it would not be hers has filled him with sorrow.”

The holy woman was filled with care and kindness that she picked up the dress and handed it to the tailor. “This is a present for your daughter, the kallah (bride), for are we not taught, ‘Lift up your eyes round about and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the L-rd, you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament and bind them on yourself like a bride. (Isaiah 49:18) ‘” she said warmly.

The tailor was speechless and gathered up the dress and thanked the holy woman for her gift. He was about to leave when the holy woman called him back as she took out her purse and handed the tailor 5 gold coins.

The confused tailor looked at her and asked, “What is this? You have graciously given my daughter this beautiful dress and her heart will be filled with joy.” The holy woman looked at the surprised tailor and answered, “You worked hard for a full week making this fine dress for me, and not for your daughter. With tired eyes and strained fingers you worked hard so that you might earn a little money for your family. Now I ask you, what will you and your family eat? Just because I gave you a gift for your daughter, does that mean that you should not be paid a fair wage for your work?”

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

Rabbi Yoshua b. Hananiah and the Emperor’s Daughter

Posted on Tuesday, 29, November, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once upon a time the daughter of the Emperor asked Rabbi Yoshua ben Chananiah, “Is it very strange that there is so much Torah (Scriptural learning) and wisdom in you and you are so terribly ugly? So much wisdom in such a disgusting vessel!”

“Let me ask, where do you keep your wine? In what kind of vessels?” Rabbi Yoshua inquired. The daughter of the Emperor answered, “We keep our wine in simple earthenware vessels, because for many years past wine has always been kept in earthen vessels.”

Rabbi Yoshua suggested, “You are very wealthy people, you ought to keep your wine in vessels of silver only, the ordinary people keep it in earthen jars.”

She went and told the Emperor, who poured all the wine into silver jars. Within a short time the wine turned sour, and they reported to the Emperor that all his wine had turned into vinegar. Then the Emperor asked his daughter, “Who advised you to pour the wine into silver jars?”

The princess replied, “Rabbi Yoshua ben Chananiah.” So the Emperor sent for Rabbi Yoshua and asked him, “Why did you give such advice to my daughter so that all my wine has turned to vinegar?” Rabbi Yoshua replied, “As she spoke to me so I spoke to her. She said to me, what a pity such great learning is in such a contemptible vessel. So I said to her, ‘Why do you keep wine in a cheap vessel?’

I also said that as the Torah does not stay with a man of handsome appearance, so wine does not keep in a silver vessel.” The Emperor said, “But there are many good looking men who possess learning.” Then Rabbi Yoshua replied, “If they were not so handsome they would be more learned still, for a man of handsome appearance is not a man of modesty, and therefore he forgets the Torah which he has learned.”

Based on B. Ta 7a-b; B. Ned 50b and Ma’asah Book #35

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A Salty Conversation

Posted on Monday, 4, July, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Two rabbis once set out together on a three-day journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a town somewhere in the countryside in a faraway country.

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

She served them with great respect, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ one of the rabbis replied, ” but it could have used just a little more salt.”

As the woman left, the other holy rabbi turned white. “I can’t believe it” he sighed. “All my life I have avoided speaking or listening to unkind speech and now Hashem made me come with you, and I have to suffer by hearing you speak such unkind words. I regret that I came here with you and I am convinced that the purpose of our trip is not truly a holy mission after all. Otherwise this would not have happened.”

Seeing the rabbi’s reaction, his companion became flustered and frightened. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he stammered. “I said that the food was good — I only added that it needed some salt. Surely you know that ‘all dishes require salt’. (Beitza 14a)”

“You simply don’t realize the power of words” cried the upset rabbi. “Speech is a G-d given gift peculiar to man, and must not be employed for that which is degrading. (Maimonides, guide for the perplexed 3.8 c. 1190). Our hostess probably doesn’t do her own cooking. Her cook could well be a poor widow who needs this job to support her children. Now, because of what you said, the owner will go back to the kitchen and complain to the cook that the food didn’t have enough salt. In self defense the poor widow will deny it and will say, “Of course I put enough salt in the food. I even tasted it before you served it.”

“The owner will then accuse her of lying and say, “Do you think that the holy rabbis out there are liars? You are the one who is lying!” They will argue, strong words will lead to even stronger words and the owner will get so angry that she will fire the poor cook. The woman will then be out of a job. Look how many sins you caused:

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exaggerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

“If that is what you think,” replied the holy rabbi as he stood up, “let’s go to the kitchen and see for ourselves.”

As they opened the door to the kitchen, they saw that the owner was indeed scolding the cook as the poor woman stood wiping the tears from her eyes. When the rabbi saw what was happening he became pale and ran over to the cook, begged forgiveness and apologized profusely for any harm or distress he may have caused her. He pleaded with the owner to forgive and forget the incident and begged her to let the woman stay on the job. He even offered to pay her to keep the cook.

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,^“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Two Merchants, Silver and the Witness of the Tree

Posted on Sunday, 22, February, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There were once two merchants whose names were Tam and Chacham. Now Tam was a very simple and hard-working man who was always saying Psalms and greeted everyone with a good word and a smile. Chacham was very knowledgeable in the ways of buying and selling and was always trying to get more wealth. Tam and Chacham were friends and frequently traveled together and often shared space at the markets.

One day, after the market closed, the two merchants took to the road. When they stopped for the night they counted their profits and discovered they had between them over 1000 silver coins. When they arrived at the next market Tam suggested they divide the profits equally. Chacham thought for a moment and answered his friend, “there are many in the market who would try to take our money and then we will have nothing. Let us hide the money under a tree and if we need money we can get it and divide it equally.”

The two merchants found a large oak tree, dug a hole and buried their bag of silver coins. The very next day, while Tam was in the marketplace Chacham came and took the money from the hiding place.

A few days past and Tam decided that it was time to divide the money. He found Chacham the two of them went to the oak tree in the forest. They dug beneath the tree and found nothing.

Chacham became very angry and said, “is this the way friends treat one another? Return the money and we will go our separate ways and never speak of this again.”

Tam was shocked and confused. “I have not been to this place since we buried our profits.”

Chacham became even angrier and demanded they go to the holy rabbi of the village for justice. The holy rabbi listened to Chacham as he presented his account of the situation and asked, “are there any witnesses to the truth of what you are saying?”

Chacham thought for a moment and entered the holy rabbi, “the oak tree under which we buried the silver shall be the witness.” Chacham looking very serious continued, “let us ask the old oak tree who stole the silver.”

The holy rabbi was surprised that the words of Chacham, but agreed to go with the two merchants to the old oak tree in the forest.

That night Chacham went to see one of his close friends and persuaded him to hide in a hollow of the oak tree. “When the rabbi asks, who stole the money?” He told his friend to respond, “you must say that Tam took it.”

The next day the two merchants in the holy rabbi went into the forest. They went to the old oak tree where they had hidden the money. The rabbi walked around the tree three times then asked, “tell us if you can, who stole the bag of silver coins?”

A voice came from inside the tree, “Tam came in the night and took the money.”

The holy rabbi was wise and asked Chacham if there were any other witnesses. Chacham thought for a moment and answered the moon is also a witness for no case can be determined without two witnesses let us ask the moon when it had seen. The holy rabbi was again surprised by Chacham’s answer.

The holy rabbi lifted his arms toward the moon and said, It is written, “The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment” (Isa. 51:6). I remind you that before asking for justice from you, we should ask for justice for ourselves, for it is said, “The moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed” (Isa. 24:23). Tell us if you can, who stole the bag of silver coins.”

The holy rabbi and the two merchants waited quietly for the moon to bear witness of what happened that night to the silver coins hidden beneath the old oak tree. The wind whispered, but the moon remained silent.

The rabbi saw some men who were working in the forest and ask them to set the tree on fire. The flames began to climb up the trunk of the tree when a voice cried out, “let me out! Let me out! I don’t want to burn to death!”

They dragged a man out of the hollow of the old oak tree. He was singed and very afraid, but he confessed that it was his friend Chacham who had stolen the money.

Tam was given all of the money and Chacham was punished by his own words, his own trickery and the judgment of the holy rabbi.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 250 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

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for more information about this special book, please see the Story Tour: The Journey Begins page

Shavuous, Mount Sinai and Pride

Posted on Monday, 26, May, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Shavuous is a time we remember receiving the holy Torah at Mount Sinai. It is said in the holiday prayers, Chag Hashavuous hazeh, z’man matan toraseinu (the Feast of Weeks, the season of the Giving of our Torah), yet this is not a time of pride.

It is written: “With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isa. 57:15)…. for behold, the Holy One, blessed be He, ignored all the mountains and heights and caused His Shechinah to abide upon Mount Sinai, but did not elevate Mount Sinai up to Himself.” (Sotah 5a)

There was excitement in the town, as a holy rabbi came to visit. The holy rabbi went into the old wooden shul (synagogue), pulled a holy book from the shelf and began to study. Slowly the holy rabbi pushed the book aside, stood up and walked to the window and began to stare at the mountains.

It seemed as though the whole town turned out to catch a glimpse of the holy rabbi. All of the important people and the most learned of the scholars came into the shul (synagogue) just to meet the holy rabbi hoping to grasp his hand and wish him shalom (peace) and maybe get a blessing from him.

The holy rabbi did not turn to face them. He just stood looking through the window at the high mountains in the distance. Everyone who had gathered in the old wooden shul had hoped to hear some lessons or wisdom from his holy lips, but the rabbi remained gazing out the window in deep meditation.

Among all those who came into the old wooden shul was a young man whose learning and prominent family were equaled only by his pride and self-importance. He was very rigid in his approach to study and prayer and as he looked at the holy rabbi he assumed that the rabbi was not showing the proper honor and respect due to the many dignitaries and scholars who had come out to meet him.

The longer the young man stood, the angrier he became. The young man could see no reason for the rabbi’s behavior and so he began: “Rabbi, would you please explain why you are gazing so intensely at that hill, which is, after all, only a pile of dust?”

The holy rabbi took a deep breath and then slowly answered: “that is indeed what amazes me, how can a plain pile of dust blow itself up so mightily until it becomes a proud mountain?…”

The young proud and conceited man had learned his lesson as he prayed:

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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To Give Tzedakah or Loans

Posted on Tuesday, 7, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a holy rabbi who had many, many students. His students learned much from their teacher, but could not understand why their beloved teacher disappeared every Thursday night. No matter how many people wanted to see him, he was nowhere to be found. None of his students or other rabbis in the community had any idea where he had gone.

One Thursday afternoon some of his students decided to try to find out what was going on and what their holy teacher was doing. The students hid in some bushes outside of the synagogue hoping to see their holy teacher. When he left on his secret business, after waiting for several hours, they saw the holy rabbi come out and hurried away. The curious students followed him.

The holy rabbi moved quickly through the streets and the students were always not far behind. Soon he entered one of the poorest areas of the town. He was immediately surrounded by so many needy people asking for tzedakah (charity). The students watched the holy rabbi’s actions and noticed that he didn’t just give some money to a better and then walk on, he stopped by each poor person and said: “my friend I would be so happy to help you, but I really can’t give you any charity. I can only give you this money as a loan.”

The beggar looked at him in surprise. “Alone? Rabbi, holy rabbi you would really give me alone?”

The holy rabbi would look at the poor man in front of him and smile as he answered: “yes, of course. Would you accept a loan for me? I have so much faith in you, I know you’ll be able to pay me back.”

With a peaceful face each beggar would happily accept some rubles as a loan, and the holy rabbi would go on his way.

After watching the holy rabbi do this for a while, the students decided they had seen enough. They went back to the synagogue and gathered around the table where they learned holy lessons from the rabbi and waited for him. When the holy rabbi finally returned very late that night, they confronted him with what they have learned:

“Why? I’ll tell you why! It’s not just that those beggars don’t have any money. They’ve also lost all of their hope, all of their faith that their lives can ever be better. They’re so broken, and too many are in despair.”

“Do you know what that means to them. When I, the holy rabbi, offer them a loan? It means that I believe in them… Even though they fallen to the lowest place, I have faith that they can get back on their feet again”

“Listen to me! I’ve taught you a lot of Torah. But this is the most important thing I’ll ever tell you. It’s not enough to hand a beggar a few coins. You have to give them back their self-respect, to show them that you believe in them, even if-especially if-they no longer believe in themselves.”

The holy rabbi paused for a moment or two and then continued: “Are we not taught: ‘who gives the poor money is blessed six-fold, who gives him morale is blessed seven-fold.’ (Baba Basra 9b) May each and every person who gives the poor a means to strengthen themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually be blessed.’ ”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A young man once came to a wise man and told him he did not know what kind of man he would become as he grew older. The wise man thought for a moment or two and then explained:

There are three types of men in the world:

One engaged in silver and gold,

One busy in properties and lands

While one is deeply involved in the study of the Holy Word and charity and the awe of Heaven.

When the one who is engaged in silver and gold passes away, he says: “Give me of my silver and gold to go to my eternal home.” But they tell him: “You have nothing, for the Prophet Haggai said long ago (2:8): ‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the L-rd of hosts.’ ”

Yet he who is deeply involved in the study of the Holy Word, charity and the awe of Heaven does not even pass away before the angels say to him: “See these go before you as the Prophet Isaiah said (58:8): ‘And your righteousness shall go before you.’ “

The wise man looked at the young man and smiled as he said:

“You have just begun your journey on many roads and paths, the kind of man you become is your choice.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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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She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)

The wife of a holy rabbi once gave a beautiful piece of cloth to a tailor so that he might sew her a dress. When the tailor finished the dress, he carried it to the holy rabbi’s wife, set it down and sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter?” the the holy woman asked. “Why are you so unhappy with the dress? It is truly beautiful and a credit to your skills”

In great pain, the tailor answered, “My daughter has become engaged to a fine young man. One day, seeing me sewing such a beautiful dress, the young man thought that it was for his bride. Learning that it would not be hers has filled him with sorrow.”

The tailor was speechless and gathered up the dress and thanked the holy woman for her gift. He was about to leave when the holy woman called him back as she took out her purse and handed the tailor 5 gold coins.

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 family and friends and let us know what you feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

Once upon a time the daughter of the Emperor asked Rabbi Yoshua ben Chananiah, “Is it very strange that there is so much Torah (Scriptural learning) and wisdom in you and you are so terribly ugly? So much wisdom in such a disgusting vessel!”

“Let me ask, where do you keep your wine? In what kind of vessels?” Rabbi Yoshua inquired. The daughter of the Emperor answered, “We keep our wine in simple earthen­ware vessels, because for many years past wine has always been kept in earthen vessels.”

Rabbi Yoshua suggested, “You are very wealthy people, you ought to keep your wine in vessels of silver only, the ordinary people keep it in earthen jars.”

She went and told the Emperor, who poured all the wine into silver jars. Within a short time the wine turned sour, and they reported to the Emperor that all his wine had turned into vinegar. Then the Emperor asked his daughter, “Who advised you to pour the wine into silver jars?”

Based on B. Ta 7a-b; B. Ned 50b and Ma’asah Book #35

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 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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Two rabbis once set out together on a three-day journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a town somewhere in the countryside in a faraway country.

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high stan­dards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

She served them with great respect, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ one of the rabbis replied, ” but it could have used just a little more salt.”

Seeing the rabbi’s reaction, his companion became flustered and frightened. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he stammered. “I said that the food was good — I only added that it needed some salt. Surely you know that ‘all dishes require salt’. (Beitza 14a)”

You spoke unkind words;

you caused the owner and myself to listen to unkind words;

you caused the owner to repeat the unkind words and that is the sin of rechilus (speech that potentially can cause ill will between people);

you caused the cook to lie;

because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and

you caused an argument, another Torah violation.”

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exag­gerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

“If that is what you think,” replied the holy rabbi as he stood up, “let’s go to the kitchen and see for ourselves.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

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

The two merchants found a large oak tree, dug a hole and buried their bag of silver coins. The very next day, while Tam was in the marketplace Chacham came and took the money from the hiding place.

A few days past and Tam decided that it was time to divide the money. He found Chacham the two of them went to the oak tree in the forest. They dug beneath the tree and found nothing.

Chacham became very angry and said, “is this the way friends treat one another? Return the money and we will go our separate ways and never speak of this again.”

Tam was shocked and confused. “I have not been to this place since we buried our profits.”

Chacham became even angrier and demanded they go to the holy rabbi of the village for justice. The holy rabbi listened to Chacham as he presented his account of the situation and asked, “are there any witnesses to the truth of what you are saying?”

Chacham thought for a moment and entered the holy rabbi, “the oak tree under which we buried the silver shall be the witness.” Chacham looking very serious continued, “let us ask the old oak tree who stole the silver.”

The holy rabbi was surprised that the words of Chacham, but agreed to go with the two merchants to the old oak tree in the forest.

That night Chacham went to see one of his close friends and persuaded him to hide in a hollow of the oak tree. “When the rabbi asks, who stole the money?” He told his friend to respond, “you must say that Tam took it.”

The next day the two merchants in the holy rabbi went into the forest. They went to the old oak tree where they had hidden the money. The rabbi walked around the tree three times then asked, “tell us if you can, who stole the bag of silver coins?”

“Let me ask, where do you keep your wine? In what kind of vessels?” Rabbi Yoshua inquired. The daughter of the Emperor answered, “We keep our wine in simple earthenware vessels, because for many years past wine has always been kept in earthen vessels.”

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exaggerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,^“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”