Feelings for Another

Posted on Wednesday, 2, March, 2022 by Rabbi

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Stone Demon

Posted on Monday, 28, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a religious man who while clearing his field found a hidden underground room which was closed by a fine and handsome piece of marble. He took the stone and brought it into his house in order to use it.

One day the stone said to him: “If you take me from this place and clean me and polish me and place me in a clean spot within your house, I shall tell you how you can get a lot of money.” So what did the man do? He took the stone and placed it in a clean spot within his house. Then the stone said to him: “Go to the place that I tell you and there you will find your friend who is bringing his donkeys with him loaded with gold and silver. On the way there is a big pit into which he will fall. If you go out to meet him and help him, and he will give you a handsome amount of money.”

The man went to the place of which the stone had told him. There he found his friend in the pit, he helped him out, and his friend gave him a lot money, and the man returned home very cheerfully with the money. On the third day the stone called the man and said to him: “If you light one candle before me, I shall give you much more money than that.”

When the man heard this, he realized that the stone must be a demon that wished to lead him astray. He took his hammer and was about to smash the stone, but a demon came out of it and said to him: “If you do not smash this stone, I shall give you wealth beyond measure.” “Even if you were to give me all the money in the world,” answered the man, “I shall not rest until I smash this stone.”

When the demon saw that the man was G-d-fearing and would not accept his offer, he fled, and the man smashed the stone. And the Holy One, blessed be He gave him his reward. When he dug in his field a year later, he found a great treasure there.

When the sages heard this, they said: “He fulfills the wishes of those who fear Him” (Psalm 145:19).

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 King’s Two Sons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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Healing Food and Blessings

Posted on Thursday, 17, February, 2022Wednesday, 11, October, 2023 by Rabbi

In earlier generations, there were great rabbis who could heal the sick. if a person ate food in his house, they went away with a blessing of healing.

The wife of one of these holy rabbis died, and he wept terribly and would not be consoled or comforted. The holy rabbi told his closest students, “You might have thought that people who ate in my house were healed because of me. That is not true. It was because of my holy wife. Now that she has gone to the World of Truth, I can tell you. Listen carefully, and I will tell you about how the food my wife prepared had the power of healing.

“In our earlier days, we were very poor. If we ate one or two meals during the week, no matter what, we always had to eat on Shabbos (the Sabbath). Sometimes we fasted from Shabbos to Shabbos. Then we had enough food for ourselves and for some guests. One week, my holy wife was cooking on Erev Shabbos (Friday) when a drunkard knocked on the door and was invited in.

He was smelling of alcohol, but he said to my wife, ‘I’m starving. Do you have anything to eat?’ We hadn’t eaten that whole week, but who knows how long he had been without food? And when someone says he’s starving, how can you not feed him? So my wife gave him from the food she had prepared for Shabbos. But after finishing what she gave him, he asked, ‘Is there more?’ Each time, he ate whatever was put before him and asked for more, until she said, ‘There’s not a crumb left.’

She gave him everything she had prepared for our Shabbos meals. Everything she gave him to eat and drink was done with great respect and care. She did not judge him by how he looked or for his crude behavior, for who knows what troubles he had had? She did this mitzvah (religious deed) “with all her heart and all her soul and with all her might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

‘Then this drunkard did something unusual. He asked, “Can I speak with your husband?’ My wife came to my room and told me about his strange request, and when I agreed, she sent him to me. When he came in, he no longer smelled, and he didn’t appear drunk. In fact, his face was glowing, and I realized at once that this was Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).

“He said to me, ‘I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing, we have in store for her. She passed the test.’

“What was the great blessing? It was the blessing of healing. And that,” said the holy rabbi, “was why the food my holy wife served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The food offered by the holy rabbi’s wife with such self-sacrifice contained such a heavenly blessing.

Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup also called the Jewish penicillin is a powerful remedy that cures all disorders physical and spiritual. Several spoonfuls of Goldene yoich (golden chicken soup) warm the body and the neshama – soul.

INGREDIENTS

2-3 tablespoons olive oil		½ teaspoon dried sage
1-2 carrots, cut in 2-3 inch pieces		1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1-2 onions, chopped		1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, with stems,
3 stalks celery with leaves cut in 2 inch slices		2 teaspoon kosher salt + more, to taste
3-4 garlic cloves, smashed		1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1-2 bay leaves		3-4 pound chicken, whole or parts cut-up

INSTRCTIONS

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for two to three minutes, or until onion becomes translucent.

Add spices (turmeric, thyme, sage, salt and pepper) stir until vegetables are well coated.

Fill the pot with 1 to 1 ½ gallons of water and add bay leaves and parsley. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 hour.

Add chicken and partially cover the pot and bring the water to a low boil. To the extent that foam develops on the soup, take it off the top with a spoon and discard it.

Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the soup at a simmer and continue simmering, with the pot partially covered, for 2-3 hours. The soup will develop a golden color and a rich savory taste.

Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste if necessary. At this point, you can refrigerate or freeze the soup, or serve it.

Can be served with noodles, knaidlach (matzo balls), rice, mandlen (soup nuts and kreplach.

Recipe Notes

If you want your soup to be low fat, refrigerate it for several hours or overnight at this point to separate the chicken fat. The fat will rise and solidify. You can skim it off to discard or freeze for later use. Chicken fat or schmaltz is a delicious savory alternative to other fats or oil.

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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A Holocaust Gilgul

Posted on Wednesday, 16, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Rabbi Chaim Trappe walked along the street in Jerusalem, the Holy City appeared to be a typical religious family. If one looked they would see the determined eyes and full beard and his modestly dressed wife. His children had long golden payos (ear locks) that hung down from their temples. But Rabbi Trappe carried a dark secret that he did not to share with anyone – his father was a nazi war criminal. The rabbi was a ger tzedek (convert).

When Rabbi Trappe was in his early twenties, he discovered that his father had been an SS soldier during World War Il and had participated in many Jewish executions. Rabbi Trappe was so horrified that he fled his parents’ home in Germany.

Haunted by his father’s past, he traveled to Israel, yearning to learn about the nation that his father had so despised. After enrolling in Bar Ilan University where he pursued graduate studies in microbiology, he took some courses in religion which aroused his interest in true Judaism. Eventually, he became a ger tzedek and married a wonderful woman.

The couple had three children — all boys, who knew nothing of their sordid history. “Bubby and Zaidy live far away,” their parents told them. “They’re too old to travel to visit us in Yerushalayim ir haKodesh (Jerusalem the Holy City).” The children had no reason to suspect that their grandparents were not Jewish — and certainly not nazis.

One day, Rabbi Trappe received an unexpected letter in the mail, the return address indicating that it had been sent to him by his father. With shaking hands, he opened the letter, the only communication he’d had with his father in many years. In the letter, the old man informed his son that he was on his deathbed and begged his son to bring his family for a visit so that he could see his grandchildren before he died.

Rabbi Trappe did not know how to react. He had no desire to return to his native country and he dreaded informing his children about their shameful roots. He went to his mentor a holy rabbi for advice who instructed him, “Fulfill your father’s dying request and allow him to see his grandchildren before he leaves this world.”

A few days later found Rabbi Trappe and his family in his father’s home in Germany. Rabbi Trappe could not understand why a man who had tortured, and murdered Jewish children would be interested in seeing his own grandchildren dressed in typical Chassidic clothing. The tension in the room was palpable as Rabbi Trappe ushered in his wife and children. His father lay on the bed, very frail and a shadow of his former self.

As old Mr. Trappe stared at his grandchildren, there was a faraway look in his eyes. He motioned for them to come closer and hugged and kissed each one. Then he cried. When he finally composed himself, he turned to Rabbi Trappe and whispered weakly, “I would like to tell you something that I think you will appreciate.

“One day, during the war years, I was rounding up the men, women, and children of a small village in Bylorussia. We forced them onto trucks which would transport them straight to the gas chambers. Before the trucks pulled away, I accompanied some soldiers to check one last time that we had not missed anyone.

“And that’s when I saw them,” continued the old man, his voice gaining strength. “There were three pairs of dark brown eyes staring at me from underneath a parked truck. Those eyes pleaded with me to save them. For the first and only time during my Nazi service, I was overcome with mercy and I decided to allow the children to remain alive. Turning back, I called out to the other soldiers, ‘Der Platz ist leer! Wir haben sie alle. – The place is empty! We’ve got them all!’

“I have never forgotten their faces,” said the former Nazi, the faraway look returning to his eyes. “They were three little boys with sweet, innocent faces — they looked just like your boys.” Then, after a brief pause, he added, “I truly believe that the reason I have three precious grandchildren is because of the three Jewish children that I saved.”

No matter how evil a person may be, he will still be rewarded for the good that he has done. The Midrash teaches us that even Nevuchadnezzar haRasha, the evil king of Bavel who destroyed the First Beis haMikdash (Holy Temple), was rewarded with three generations of kings because of the three steps he took to honor Hashem’s name (Esther Rabbah 3:1).

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 True Owner of the House

Posted on Monday, 14, February, 2022Thursday, 6, June, 2024 by Rabbi

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; (1 Samuel 2:3)

A man arrived in a big city and began to wander through the many streets. Along the way, he came to a street of the most wonderful homes he had ever seen. One of the homes especially amazed him with its beauty, and he decided to go inside the house and get a look at the inside.

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and elegant furniture filled each room.

The servant who opened the door was dressed in a fine blue uniform with large gold buttons and shiny black boots.

“Who is the owner of this magnificent home?” asked the visitor. The servant, filled with conceit and arrogance, looked down on the visitor, puffed up his chest and answered, “It is my house! Look around everything that you see is mine. I am the owner of this house.”

The door suddenly swung open and in walked the true master of the house. He had overheard his servant’s outrageous comments and was definitely angry. Embarrassed by his actions and treatment of the traveler, the servant quickly left the room.

When a person is conceited, arrogant and proud it is an indication that he has forgotten that the Holy One, blessed be He is the true Master of the world.

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 Miser’s Slippers

Posted on Wednesday, 9, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

In a town lived a very rich miser. Every time the local rabbi came to his door to collect funds for the poor, the miser would invite the rabbi in, offer the rabbi a glass of tea and talk about his business. When the rabbi started talking about the plight of the poor people in the winter, the miser would brush him off and tell him that poor people like to complain—it wasn’t all as bad as the rabbi thought. In any case, he had no cash in the house at the moment, and couldn’t give anything right now. Could the rabbi come back another time? The miser would then escort the rabbi 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.

But the rabbi was not pleased. The poor had no money for food or for wood for their stoves, and they were cold and hungry.

One evening the rabbi knocked on the rich miser’s door. It was a cold and miserable night; snow and sleet blew through the deserted streets. The miser asked the rabbi in, as usual. But the rabbi refused. “No,” he said, “I won’t be long.” And then he inquired after the miser’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 miser could not send the rabbi away, of course; he had opened the door for him himself. But he was getting quite uncomfortable. He had come to the door in his slippers and skullcap, dressed in a thin shirt and his house pants. The rabbi, wearing a warm coat with a fur lining, his biggest shtreimel covering his ears and heavy winter boots encasing his feet and legs, talked on and on. No, he didn’t want to come in. No, really, he was on his way. The miser’s toes became ice and stone.

Suddenly the miser understood. “Oh, Rabbi!” 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 miserable. 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. The rabbi thanked him and took the money. He too was cold after that long talk, but he didn’t mind. The poor people would have a good winter this year.

The miser changed his ways that night. He became a regular contributor to the rabbi’s funds 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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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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To Whom to Give Charity

Posted on Monday, 7, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Every morning when the holy rabbi would arrive at the synagogue he would hang his coat on a peg in the hallway. He would then pray and settle down to study for the day. Many people came to him for advice and students flocked to learn from him. The holy rabbi was very poor and many times went without eating and his clothes were threadbare. A merchant would slip some coins into the pocket of the holy rabbi’s coat, so that he and his family would be able to buy the necessaries of life. From that time on, the merchant grew wealthier and wealthier. The more he had, the more he gave to the holy rabbi, and the more he gave the holy rabbi, the more he had.

One day the merchant was thinking and realized that the holy rabbi was the student of a great master of Torah, and it occurred to him that if what he gave the student was so lavishly rewarded, he might become even more prosperous if he made presents to the Torah master himself. So he travelled to a faraway village and encouraged the Torah master to accept a generous gift from him. From this time on, his wealth shrank until he had lost all the profits he had made during the more fortunate period. He took his troubles to the holy rabbi, told him the whole story, and asked him what his present predicament was due to. For had not the rabbi himself told him that his teacher was infinitely greater than he?

The holy rabbi thought for a moment and explained: “You need to understand that as long as you gave and did not bother to whom, whether to a poor rabbi or another, the Holy One, blessed be He gave to you and did not bother to whom. But when you began to seek out especially noble and distinguished recipients, the Holy One did exactly the same.”

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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A Pot of Soup and the Yetzer Hara

Posted on Thursday, 3, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was an innkeeper who cooked meals for all her guests. Inevitably she ended up preparing food for all the laborers of the town as well, who flocked to her dining room to feast to their hearts’ content. She served food that was simple yet satisfying, and most importantly, very reasonably priced.

One day, the innkeeper prepared a large pot of soup. As mealtime drew nearer, she went to check on the food to determine whether or not it was ready to be served. As she made her way towards the pot, a foul odor filled her nostrils.

She quickly ascertained that the ingredients she had used to prepare the broth must have been slightly spoiled, and this was indeed the cause of the terrible smell. She was now faced with a problem: Mealtime was rapidly approaching — what would she serve her guests?

What could she do?

She took fragrant spices and sprinkled them generously into the steamy pot; it was not long before the smell of the spices overpowered the foul odor.

She served the soup to the laborers, and they ate heartily.

“This soup is wonderful!” exclaimed one of the laborers. “It truly smells like Gan Eden!”

Sitting next to him was a traveler with a sensitive palate who said, “You are mistaken.” “The food is completely spoiled; the smell is coming from spices that hide the foul stench…”

The yetzer hara tries to persuade a person to sin. The sin, however, emits a putrid odor, and the soul immediately perceives the trick and attempts to flee. But the yetzer hara clothes the wicked deed in a guise of temptation and appeal to conceal the foul stench.

The more putrid the odor, the more spices the yetzer hara deceitfully adds…

A person must arrive at the realization that the “food” is spoiled and that they must push it away with both hands!

Story Recipe Moroccan

Harira – Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup

A Muslim staple to break the daily fast of Ramadan, it has crossed over to the Moroccan Jewish tradition of breaking the fast of Yom Kippur, Tisha b’Av and other fast days. Although many cooks make this with meat, this is a pareve recipe.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil		1 bunch parsley, chopped, divided
1-2 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)		1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes, crushed, or 2 cups tomato sauce
3 stalks celery, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)		7 cups broth or water
3 large carrots, peeled and cut in rounds		1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked or 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric		1 cup green lentils
1 teaspoon ground cumin		1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 Teaspoon Zahtar		2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes		1 large egg
Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)		Salt to taste

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until the onion turns translucent and begin to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, chile flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of the parsley and tomatoes

In a large stock pot add the broth or water and bring to a boil.

If using the soaked chickpeas, drain them and add to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, then add the lentils, another teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper and continue simmering until the chickpeas and lentils are cooked, about 45 minutes more.

or

If using canned chickpeas omit the first 25 minutes of simmering and add with the lentils.

Whisk the flour, egg, and lemon juice into 2 cups of water. Stir into the soup. Simmer the soup about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours more and serve.

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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A Tavern Owner’s Lesson

Posted on Wednesday, 2, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

If one is a pleasure seeker but not a seeker of spiritual delight than the teaching, “If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire, it will make you the laughingstock of your enemies.” (Ben Sira 18:31)

A father wished to provide his son with an ample source of livelihood. He decided to buy him a tavern, as well as large barrels of wine and beer, which he placed in the tavern’s cellar.

“My dear son,” said the father. “You are permitted to allow anyone who wishes to drink in your tavern. I have but one warning for you: “You may have first-rate wine in your possession, but you are not to sip even the slightest amount.”

“Believe me,” continued the father, “I am speaking in your best interests leave the drinking to the drunkards of the town.!”

So it is with this world. The Holy One, blessed be He created the delights and pleasures of this world, and it is all intended to benefit people. The Holy One, blessed be He also instills wise counsel to us: “Do not waste your time with meaningless pleasures, ‘You shall be to me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation!” (Exodus19:6) For “a fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2)

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Once there was a religious man who while clearing his field found a hidden underground room which was closed by a fine and handsome piece of marble. He took the stone and brought it into his house in order to use it.

When the demon saw that the man was G-d-fearing and would not accept his offer, he fled, and the man smashed the stone. And the Holy One, blessed be He gave him his reward. When he dug in his field a year later, he found a great treasure there.

When the sages heard this, they said: “He fulfills the wishes of those who fear Him” (Psalm 145:19).

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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In earlier generations, there were great rabbis who could heal the sick. if a person ate food in his house, they went away with a blessing of healing.

“He said to me, ‘I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing, we have in store for her. She passed the test.’

“What was the great blessing? It was the blessing of healing. And that,” said the holy rabbi, “was why the food my holy wife served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The food offered by the holy rabbi’s wife with such self-sacrifice contained such a heavenly blessing.

Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup also called the Jewish penicillin is a powerful remedy that cures all disorders physical and spiritual. Several spoonfuls of Goldene yoich (golden chicken soup) warm the body and the neshama – soul.

INGREDIENTS

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon dried sage

1-2 carrots, cut in 2-3 inch pieces

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1-2 onions, chopped

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, with stems,

3 stalks celery with leaves cut in 2 inch slices

2 teaspoon kosher salt + more, to taste

3-4 garlic cloves, smashed

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1-2 bay leaves

3-4 pound chicken, whole or parts cut-up

INSTRCTIONS

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for two to three minutes, or until onion becomes translucent.

Add spices (turmeric, thyme, sage, salt and pepper) stir until vegetables are well coated.

Fill the pot with 1 to 1 ½ gallons of water and add bay leaves and parsley. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 hour.

Add chicken and partially cover the pot and bring the water to a low boil. To the extent that foam develops on the soup, take it off the top with a spoon and discard it.

Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the soup at a simmer and continue simmering, with the pot partially covered, for 2-3 hours. The soup will develop a golden color and a rich savory taste.

Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste if necessary. At this point, you can refrigerate or freeze the soup, or serve it.

Can be served with noodles, knaidlach (matzo balls), rice, mandlen (soup nuts and kreplach.

Recipe Notes

If you want your soup to be low fat, refrigerate it for several hours or overnight at this point to separate the chicken fat. The fat will rise and solidify. You can skim it off to discard or freeze for later use. Chicken fat or schmaltz is a delicious savory alternative to other fats or oil.

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. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

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When Rabbi Trappe was in his early twenties, he discovered that his father had been an SS soldier during World War Il and had participated in many Jewish executions. Rabbi Trappe was so horrified that he fled his parents’ home in Germany.

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. 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

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; (1 Samuel 2:3)

A man arrived in a big city and began to wander through the many streets. Along the way, he came to a street of the most wonderful homes he had ever seen. One of the homes especially amazed him with its beauty, and he decided to go inside the house and get a look at the inside.

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and ele­gant furniture filled each room.

The servant who opened the door was dressed in a fine blue uniform with large gold buttons and shiny black boots.

“Who is the owner of this magnificent home?” asked the visitor. The servant, filled with conceit and arrogance, looked down on the visitor, puffed up his chest and answered, “It is my house! Look around everything that you see is mine. I am the owner of this house.”

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

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and elegant furniture filled each room.