The Holy Bakers in the Market

Posted on Thursday, 1, September, 2022Thursday, 2, November, 2023 by Rabbi

In the Jerusalem market were two small stands next to one another where two pious Jewish women each sold tasty and fragrant cakes and cookies that they themselves had baked. Different from most peddlers, who loudly announce their wares, these two women sat modestly and patiently at their stands, waiting for the customers to come on their own. “Parnaasah [a livelihood] is from heaven,” they often said. “What a person deserves in this world, they’ll receive—even if he doesn’t call out about his merchandise.” So the two women sat at their stands, occasionally conversing. They were good friends and companions to each other.

Neither one was jealous of the other’s business. When there were few customers, each of them would become absorbed in reciting psalms from the book that was always resting on her stand. If one of them had many customers, she would say, “Why have you come just to me? My friend’s cakes and cookies are at least as good as mine! Go over there and see how fine her baked goods are. And I can tell you that they’re delicious. I know!” The customers would smile at hearing this, and some would go over to the other stand. Her friend and neighbor would do the same favor for her when the situation was reversed. “You’re looking for honey cake, my dear sir? Honey cakes are not my specialty. Go over to my neighbor’s stand. Her honey cakes are the best—they taste just like manna!” The customer would rush over to the other stand, somewhat amazed and confused by this strange behavior, thinking, “Maybe they’re sisters, and she’s worried about her sister’s livelihood.” Each one would send customers to the other so that one of them would not profit and the other be heartbroken.

when one of them became aware that her friend had debts, having recently married off her daughter she said to her husband, “My neighbor who sells cookies and cakes in the market stand next to mine burdened with many debts. I was thinking that I won’t go to sell in the market this week. Let me take a little vacation from baking and selling cakes. She needs the money more than me. Let the customers go to her this week.” Her pious husband nodded in agreement, saying, “That’s a very good idea, my dear.” He understood very well the ways of his pious wife.

The other woman stood in the market that week, selling her cakes. Every once in a while, she looked over at her friend’s stand, wondering where she was and what might have happened to her. It was already four days that she had not seen her. “Maybe she’s sick,” she worried. “I’ll go visit her today.” After she closed her stand, she went to her friend’s house. “Shalom,” she said as she entered her house. “I expected to find you in bed. Baruch HaShem [Thank God), you’re healthy! I was worried that you were sick and came to help you out. What’s the matter?”

Surprised and not knowing what to reply, her friend said, “I felt tired and fatigued this week and thought I’d take the week off and rest.”

“Come,” said her friend, “I know you’re not rich and need parnassah. Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll help you bake some cakes and cookies to sell tomorrow. Come into the kitchen. Why am I bothering you with a lot of useless talk?”

She already had an apron on and began to vigorously sift flour for her friend. Then she energetically and diligently kneaded the dough in a trough, with the joy of doing a mitzvah.

These two women peddlers in the Jerusalem market loved each other without needing any special reason. Both of them had great faith and trust in the Holy One, blessed be He. They were truly holy women.

The love and goodwill of the two women further shows that we can exist on the physical and spiritual planes at the same time. Their simple actions towards one another showed how simple everyday business practices could be elevated to a holy level.

Techina Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw (100% sesame) tahini*	1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg	1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup white sugar	1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cups flour (half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour)	pinch of salt
almonds to garnish	2 tablespoons sesame seeds to garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F
Lightly oil two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, white and brown sugars) in a large bowl.
Add the techina and then the melted butter (or margarine). Mix with a large spoon. At some point you will need to switch to mixing the dough by hand until it is fully mixed. The dough will have a sticky slightly crumbly consistency.
Take approximately one teaspoon of the batter at a time, and roll in your hands to form small balls. Place each cookie ball, evenly spaced, onto the baking sheets.
Place each ball on a baking paper-lined tray. Press each ball in the middle with your thumb and place an almond in the space. You can also use a fork to flatten each ball and make pretty lines.
Bake until golden brown (approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on how crispy you like your cookies). Let cool to room temperature and serve.

*If oil is floating on top, mix it in and then measure 1 cup.

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 Meal of Herbs

Posted on Thursday, 18, August, 2022Thursday, 19, October, 2023 by Rabbi

“Better a meal of herbs where there is love than a fatted ox where there is hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). Relating to who did King Solomon refer to in this verse? It was two men he met.

During the time when he lost his kingdom and went begging from door to door in order to eat, two men met him and recognized him. One of them came, bowed down before him, and said, “My lord king, please join me in a meal today.” He went with him at once, and the man led him to an upper floor and prepared an ox and brought all kinds of fine food before him and began telling Solomon all about his kingdom, saying, “Do you remember how you ruled with kindness and wisdom when you were the king?” As soon as he reminded him of his days of royalty, Solomon the king began to weep as his heart ached and this went on throughout that meal until he rose and went away, filled with his tears.

The next day another man met him, bowed down before him, and said to him, “My lord king, would you care to share a meal with me today?” King Solomon answered him, “Do you wish to treat me as your friend did yesterday?” “My lord king,” the man answered, “I am a poor man, but I would be honored f you would share a meal with me today of the few herbs I have.” So he went to his home, and the man washed his hands and feet and fetched him some herbs. Then the man began consoling King Solomon saying, “My lord king, the Holy One, blessed be He swore an oath to your father that He would not deprive his seed of royalty. But such is the way of the Holy One, blessed be He as He rebukes and rebukes again, as it is written ‘For whom the L-rd loves, He rebukes, as a father his son for whom he cares’ (Proverbs 3:12). Yet the Holy One, blessed be He will restore you to your kingdom.”

As soon as King Solomon heard this, he felt at ease and rejoiced in that meal of herbs and rose from it feeling he had eaten his fill.

When Solomon returned to his royal throne, he wrote in his wisdom: “‘Better a meal of herbs where there is love’, which I ate with the poor man, ‘than a fatted ox where there is hatred,’ which I was fed by the rich man who reminded me of my grief,”

Mishlei Rabba 39-40

Yevreysky Salat – Russian Jewish Salad

1 lb. cabbage sgredded (about ½ a medium cabbage)		1 small onion (red or yellow) thinly sliced
2 medium carrots shredded		3 Tbsp oil (olive, avocado, or vegetable)
2 Tbsp water		1 red or green bell pepper thinly sliced
1 medium cucumber thinly sliced		2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp white distilled vinegar		2 Tbsp sugar, or to taste
6-7 small radishes thin

Directions

Combine all of the shredded and sliced vegetables together in a large bowl. Season with salt and toss until everything is coated.

For the dressing, whisk together the water, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar and sugar. Let the sugar dissolve for a few minutes, then whisk the oil into the vinegar mixture. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss the salad. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Taste prior to serving; season with more salt if necessary. The salad keeps for up to a week in the refridgerator but will soften more each day.

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 Taste of the Garden of Eden

Posted on Thursday, 12, May, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham were old friends and would frequently travel together to perform various mitzvos and to collect tzedakah for special causes. They both had many students and were repected everywhere they journeyed.

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare something to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

Now, Tam and his wife were very poor. They had nothing in the house, not even wood for the stove! All Chana had in the way of food was a little bit of flour. How could she prepare a meal for her husband’s holy friend who was coming to their home for a meal? So she went out into the field to gather some wood chips for the stove and brought them home. Chana then mixed the flour with some water, without any fat or spices, and served this meager meal to her husband and their guest. After the meal, the two set out on their journey.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actually had the taste of the Garden of Eden.

Chacham’s wife, Ita Shaidel, knew how far her holy husband was from relishing simple earthly pleasures, heard that, she hurried to see Chana to learn the secret of her cooking. When she arrived at the home of Tam and Chana she asked her, “With what did you season the food you served my husband? He said that it was the most delicious food he had ever eaten, that it had a taste like the Garden of Eden!”

Chana told Ita Shaindel that she really had nothing to serve or anything with which to season the food. But while she was preparing her simple meal, she was praying, “Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the world, You know that if I had something to serve, I wouldn’t spare a thing to give to this holy rabbi! But what can I do? We don’t have anything in the house! So I’m pleading to You to add savoury spices to this dish I’m making so that Chacham will enjoy my food.” And she continued to pray this way until the food was prepared. “So it seems that the Holy One, blessed be He answered my prayer,” she said. “And your husband tasted the flavor of the Garden of Eden in my food.”‘

What gives food its taste is not its physical appearance alone but its spiritual elements. So many people praise their religious leaders by saying that they were so holy, so ascetic, they did not even taste their food. What is true is that many religious leaders are the only ones who really taste the food they eat! Why? Because they don’t just taste the food itself; they taste the holiness in the food, or as this tale puts it, they taste the Garden of Eden. Food served and offered with love tastes of love. Chana put her devotion to the Holy One, blessed be He and His servants into the dish she prepared, and Tam and Chacham were on a spiritual level to taste it.

latkes

Matzo Meal Pancakes Chremslach

INGREDIENTS

1 cup matzo meal		6 eggs
2 teaspoons salt		1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar		3/4 cup grated onion (optional)
3/4 cup corn oil for frying

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Step 2

Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolks, and combine with water. Add the yolk mixture to the matzo meal mixture, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Beat egg whites until they are stiff, and fold them into the matzo meal mixture. Add grated onion.

Step 4

Heat corn oil until it sizzles in a deep skillet. Lower heat, and, using a cooking spoon, spoon batter into the pan, creating thin pancakes 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Fry for several minutes, turning when the pancake is firm and the bottom side is golden brown. Fry for another few minutes until the other side is done. Drain on paper towel.

Serve with cinnamon-sugar, applesauce and/or sour cream.

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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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)

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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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)

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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Holy Challah – a Story, Some Prayers and a Recipe

Posted on Thursday, 20, January, 2022Sunday, 10, September, 2023 by Rabbi

Every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday), except Pesach (Passover), Jewish women prepare and bake challahs. It is a a holy task filled with love and tradition. Every ingredient is gathered with the intent of elevating the festival meal to a higher level.

Women through the many generations in their preparations of bread/challah have elevated the Shabbos and Yom Tov tables to the level of the mizbeach (alter) in the Bais haMikdash (Holy Temple). With the destruction of the Bais haMikdash, the altar became the table at which the family gathered to eat its meals. We learn that “In the days of the Temple, the altar served to atone for us; now it is our table that atones for us.” (Chagiga 27a).

So one may ask, how is making challah holy?

Prayers and rituals have come down to us from countless women. Every step in the preparation of challah elevates plain bread into a holy source of spiritual nourishment. The Torah (Scriptures) speaks of the creation of mankind saying, “then the L-rd G-d formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) It is important to realize that when the Holy One, blessed be He “formed man from the dust of the earth”, He created people from the physical world. When He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” He created people from elements of the spiritual realm. At this point something truly amazing happened, “and the man became a living being.”

In other words people exist in the physical world and the spiritual world and have the ability to take the mundane everyday stuff from the physical world and elevate it to a spiritual and holy level.

Challah

Challah, Prayers and Meditation

INGREDIENTS

4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting		1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon yeast		3-6 tablespoons sugar or honey
2 teaspoons salt		4 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup lukewarm water		1 egg yolk, at room temperature

DIRECTIONS AND PRAYERS

Before Beginning to prepare the challah say:

Thank you Hashem for all the blessings you have given me and my family. Thank-you for always protecting us and doing what is best for us.

Please Hashem help me prepare this challah with holiness and love.

Pour 4 1/4 cups of flour into a large bowl and say:

Please Hashem help me to separate the good from the bad, help me to get rid of my negative character traits and my Yetzer Hara, help me to focus on the positive and incorporate positive character traits so that I may be an example to my family.

Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with the flour

In a separate bowl wisk together 4 eggs, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup olive oil until well blended.

Add sugar or honey to taste and say:

Please Hashem, help me to have a sweet din(judgement) help me to have Ayin Tova ( a good eye) help me and my family to have a sweet life, to always be able to love. Help me to help others and to do chesed (acts of loving kindness).

Mix well and then add 1 tablespoon of yeast and say:

Help me to have simcha and nachas (happiness and joy) in my home and in my life. Grant us your protection (as yeast in Hebrew is called shimarim which translates to protection) now and always. Please Hashem, allow me to feel joy for others as well. Bless me with an inner peace so I can continue doing mitzvos for those around me.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and knead until you have a sticky dough that clings to the bottom of the bowl, (5 to 7 minutes). The dough may seem a bit wet and sticky but have faith—it’s supposed to be.

Dust your hands generously with flour, then scrape the sticky, elastic dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust the top of the dough lightly with flour and knead briefly into a soft, smooth ball. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl, flip it over once so the top is lightly oiled, and then cover the bowl with a damp dish towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it’s puffy and doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours. (see note below)

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and dust with flour. It will deflate.

Pinch off a piece of dough the size of a large olive and set aside.

Cut the dough into four even pieces, and then stretch and roll each piece into a rope about 16 – 20-inches long. Lay the ropes parallel to one another (vertically). Pinch them tightly together at the top, and then fan them out. If the ropes shrink a bit, just work them back into their original length.

Begin by taking the strand farthest to the right and weave it toward the left through the other strands using this pattern: over, under, over. Take the strand furthest to the right and repeat the weaving pattern again: over, under, over. Repeat this pattern, always starting with the strand farthest to the right, until the whole loaf is braided. Tuck the ends under to give the loaf a finished look.

Carefully transfer the braided loaf to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover the loaf loosely with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot until about 1 1/2 times the size (1 to 2 hours). Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. (Note that the loaf will continue to rise significantly in the oven.)

Take the small piece of challah dough and say:

Baruch ata adonoy eloheinu Melech haOlam asher kideshanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu l’hafrish challah.

Blessed are You O L-rd our G-d King of the Universe who has made us holy with His commandments, and commanded us to separate challah.

“May it be Your Will, Eternal, our G-d, that the commandment of separating challah be considered as if I had performed it with all its details and ramifications. May my elevation of the challah be comparable to the sacrifice that was offered on the altar, which was acceptable and pleasing. Just as giving the challah to the Kohein in former times served to atone for sins, so may it atone for mine and my family, and make me like a person reborn without sins. May it enable me to observe the holy Sabbath (or Festival of…) with my husband (and our children) and to become imbued with its holiness. May the spiritual influence of the mitzvah of challah enable our children to be constantly sustained by the hands of the Holy One, blessed is He, with His abundant mercy, loving-kindness, and love. Consider the mitzvah of challah as if I have given the tithe. And just as I am fulfilling this mitzvah with all my heart, so may Your compassion be aroused to keep me from sorrow and pain, always.

Wrap it in a piece of foil and set in the oven.

In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg and brush the beaten egg generously over the risen dough. (Note: If you like, sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds onto the challah before putting it in the oven.) Place the baking sheet atop another baking sheet; this will prevent the bottom crust from browning too much. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the crust is a rich brown color and the internal temperature is between 190°F and 200°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to cool. Challah is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep for a few days in a sealed plastic bag.

Note: When baking yeast breads, rising times are only a guide; the temperature in your kitchen, the humidity level outdoors, and how you knead the dough will all affect the rising time.

While the Challah is baking add a short prayer:

Ribbono shel olam, Master of the Universe. I beg You that when the (husband or man of the house) says the blessing over these challahs, he has the same holy intentions I have now when I’m kneading and baking them!

Husband and wife are partners in the Jewish spiritual quest of becoming holy. Traditionally, the woman bakes the challahs for Shabbos and Yom Tov, and the man makes the blessing over them at the table. If both have holy intentions, in the baking and the blessing, the bread flies up to heaven as it is eaten.

May your prayers ascend to the highest levels and be answered with joy and happiness

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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The Little Challah Roll

Posted on Friday, 7, January, 2022Thursday, 4, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman who were very poor and had nothing at all to their name. And they kept getting poorer and poorer till there was nothing left to eat in the house, not even a loaf of bread.

The old man told his wife, “Do bake us a little challah roll, old woman! If you scrape out the flour-box and sweep out the bin, you’ll have enough flour.”

So the old woman scraped out the flour-box and swept out the bin, she made some dough and she shaped a little round little challah roll out of it. She then lit the oven, baked the little challah roll and put it on the window sill to cool. But the little challah roll jumped out of the window and onto the bench outside, and from the bench onto the ground, and away it rolled down the road!

On and on it rolled, and it met a lion coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little Round challah roll!” called the lion.

“Don’t do that, noble king of beasts, let me sing you a song instead,” said little round challah roll.

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“Here it is!

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And off it rolled and away. By and by it met a bear coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the bear.

“Don’t do that, powerful bear, let me sing you a song instead.”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And away it rolled.

By and by it met a leopard coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the leopard.

“Don’t do that, fearsome leopard, I’ll sing you a song instead!”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

And away it rolled and away!

By and by it met a great horned beast coming toward it.

“I’m going to eat you up, little round challah roll!” called the great horned beast.

“Don’t do that, great horned beast, I’ll sing you a song instead.”

“All right, let’s hear it!”

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin
And baked in the oven
And cooled on the sill.
I ran away from Zadie,
I ran away from Bubbie,
And I’ll run away from you, this minute I will!”

“Sing some more, please, don’t stop!” the great horned beast said. “Hop onto my tongue, I can hear you better.”

Little round challah roll jumped onto the great horned beast’s tongue and began to sing:

“I was scraped from the flour-box
And swept from the bin”

But before it could go on, the great horned beast opened its mouth and – snap! -it gobbled it up.

based on Russian folktale

Little Challah Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

1 package active dry yeast		4 egg yolks and water to make 1 Cup
¼ cup granulated sugar		3¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup vegetable oil		1¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg lightly beaten, for egg wash		2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the eggs, water, sugar and yeast. Give it a gentle stir and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 10 minutes, or until foamy and frothy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, oil, and yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough comes together. It should be shaggy. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and knead for about 5 to 7 minutes, working in more flour as needed, until it forms into a soft and smooth dough.

Form the dough into a ball and place it into a large bowl that has been oiled. Turn the dough over to coat both sides. Cover loosely with a damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down and allow to rest for another 45 minutes.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead a couple of times. Cut into 8 to 10 even pieces. Cover loosely with a damp towel. Working with one piece at a time, roll the dough into a long rope. Then twist it around and tie it, tucking the ends underneath. Place the braided rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Continue until all the rolls are braided. Cover with damp towel or plastic wrap and allow to rest while 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350°F. Brush the rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 30 minutes before eating.

Daniel 7: 2-7

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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Holy Dance and Song Before the Shabbos Table

Posted on Wednesday, 22, December, 2021Friday, 22, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham traveled together and once came to a village on Friday afternoon. As Shabbos began, they sensed the presence in the town of a holy soul radiating great light. The sky was clear and the stars shined brightly as they walked around the village hoping to find the source of that light. As they neared an old house and they saw a bright light coming out of it. They moved closer to an open cracked window and heard a beautiful melody and saw a man dancing round a table. And strangest of all, his wife was seated at the table as he sang and danced. Tam and Chacham walked around the outside of the old house until they came to the door. Seeing that the door was slightly open, they went in and saw the man dancing in so much joy before his wife and Shabbos table, which was covered with good food.

The man sang and danced for a long time until he finally stopped and noticed Tam and Chacham. He welcomed his guests warmly and invited them to join him and his wife for the Shabbos meal.

Chacham asked him, “Why do you sing and dance this way before eating?”

The man simply answered, “Before I eat of the wonderful food my wife so carefully and lovingly prepared for Shabbos, I first stand in front of the table and absorb the food’s spiritual essence.”

“Sometimes I become so happy and moved, that I sing and dance.”

What is the food’s “spiritual essence”? It is its divine aspect. A Jewish mystic meditates on how the food has been created and is being kept in existence (like all created things) every minute by G-d’s will. And a person’s profound realization that G-d has created this food to nourish and provide for him leads him to mystic joy.

Sweet and Savory Salmon

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup Soy Sauce		1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons Lemon Juice		2-3 cloves Garlic minced
3 tablespoons Honey or Molasses		1-2 pounds Salmon fillet

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together

Slice salmon fillet into 2-2 1/2″ pieces

Marinade the salmon for 4-8 hours

Place salmon on a drying rack for 1 hour

Bake at 350º for 10 to 15 minutes

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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The Magic Ingredient of Love

Posted on Thursday, 11, November, 2021Thursday, 14, December, 2023 by Rabbi

There is a special connection between the manna that fell in the desert during the 40 years of wandering and Shabbos. There is a mystical quality within our means that can affect how we taste our food – that quality is love.

The manna was an extraordinary gift from the Holy One, blessed be He as it is recorded that He said, “Even before I gave you the mitzvos (10 Commandments) I provided their reward, (Exodus 16:5) ‘On the sixth day, when they prepare (for the holy Sabbath Day) what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”. (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 19:2)

The very nature of the manna was unique to meet the tastes of every individual. We learn that, “Rabbi Yose bar Chanina said, “If you wonder about this thing, learn from the manna, as it would only come down according to the strength of each and every one of Israel: the young men would eat it like bread, as it is stated (Exodus 16:4), ‘Behold I will rain upon you bread from the skies, etc.’; the elders like a wafer in honey, as it is stated (Exodus 16:31), ‘and its taste was like wafers made with honey’ the sucklings like the milk of it’s mother’s breast, as it is stated (Numbers 11:8), ‘and its taste, was like the taste of, etc.’; the sick ones like fine flour mixed with honey, as it is stated (Ezekiel 16:19), ‘And My bread that I gave you, fine flour and oil I fed you’; and the idolaters tasted it bitter and coriander, as it is stated (Numbers 11:7), ‘And the manna was like coriander seed.’ “(Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9) The Holy One, blessed be He prepared the people with the physical and spiritual energy to receive the Torah as they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, Rabbi Yose bar Rabbi Chanina further said, “And since the manna which was one type switched to many types because of the need of each and every one, all the more so, the voice that had strength in it would change for each and every one, so that that they would not be injured, as it is stated (Exodus 20:18), ‘And all the people saw the voices.’” (Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9)

There was a man in the village who always seemed to be in good spirits. When Friday came he seemed to be surrounded by a holy light. Many would ask, “How can such a poor man be so happy?” Others wondered, “Is he so spiritual a person that his face should shine in this manner?”

In the village was a student who watched the poor man, who appeared to have no worries. One Friday evening, as the sun was setting and Shabbos was about to begin, he decided to follow him home and maybe learn the secret of the poor man’s cheerfulness.

The man entered a small hut with a battered old door and greeted his wife with a hearty “Good Shabbos!” Looking through the window, the young student saw very little furniture that reflected the poverty of the household. A wooden table was covered with a plain white cloth, and the two candles shed a warm glow. The man sang Shalom Aleichem, welcoming the angels to bring peace into his house for Shabbos. He looked at his wife, dressed in a plain blue dress with a lace collar, and smiled. He then sang Eishes Chayil (a Woman of Valor – Proverbs 31: 10-31). His wife seemed to be surrounded by a special light – the Shabbos Kallah (bride). Then he said to his wife, “Please bring the special wine.”

The wife brought two loaves of course, dark bread. He washed his hands and recited the proper blessing, then chanted the Kiddush – the blessing recited to sanctify the Sabbath Day. (If one has no wine, one may recite the Kiddush on bread.) After he ate some of the bread and offered some to his wife, he said, “We have never yet had such a fine wine! Can you please bring in the fish?”

Moments later, the wife served him a small portion of beans. “Mm!” he exclaimed, smacking his lips. “This fish is unusually delicious.” He sang a Shabbos song and said, “I’m ready for the soup.” The wife appeared with another dish of beans. The man complimented his wife, “This soup is exceptionally good.” He sang another Shabbos song and asked, “Can we have the roast meat and tzimmis?” His wife brought in a steaming dish. “How wonderful the roast meat and tzimmis are,” he said with a smile.

The young student reflected on all he had seen and heard, thinking, “The generation that wandered in the desert had the manna, a food from heaven, in which they could taste anything they wished. This man’s love for the Holy One, blessed be He, for Shabbos, and for his wife have enabled him to reach a level of spirituality so lofty that he can taste the finest delicacies in the simplest of foods.”

Is such a level of spirituality attainable? It is, but few realize the blessing as it is written, “Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; He rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. People ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.” (Psalm 78: 23-25)

May we all experience the love and joy that comes with Shabbos.

Tzimmes

2 sweet potatoes cut into thin slices		½ cup packed brown sugar
2 potatoes cut into thin slices		1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices		2 teaspoons ginger
2 Granny Smith Apples		¼ teaspoon cloves
2 Granny Smith Apples,sliced		¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 Cup Golden Raisins		1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
½ to ¾ cup orange juice		1/8-1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water		5-8 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz
½ cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease a baking dish or Dutch oven

3. In a bowl, combine sweet potatoes, carrots and apples. Combine orange juice, water, honey, brown sugar, 1- 2 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz and spices; mix into vegetables.

4. Cover and bake for 2 hours or longer. Uncover; dot with remaining margarine or shmaltz.

5. After first hour, uncover and stir every 2o minute to prevent sticking.

6. Vegetables should be tender and sauce is thickened when done

L'kovod Shabbos

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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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com

The Little Pot and Mamaliga

Posted on Thursday, 21, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a poor little girl who was so filled with faith, and she lived alone with her mother. Sadly, their cupboard was bare and many times they had little to nothing to eat. One day, the little girl went into the forest in search of berries, nuts, and good herbs. An old woman appeared from nowhere and gave the little girls such a start. She knew of the girl’s sadness, and gave her a little pot, which when she said, “kleyneh top, kleyneh top kochn,” and the little pot would cook good, savoury mamalige, and when she said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top g’endik,” it stopped cooking.

The little girl took the pot home to her mother, and they no longer suffered from poverty and hunger, and ate savoury mamalige as often as they chose. One day when the little girl had left the house, her mother said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top kochn.” And it did cook, and she ate until she was full, and then she wanted the pot to stop cooking, but did not know the word. So, it went on cooking and the savoury mamalige rose over the edge of the little pot, and still it cooked on until the kitchen and whole house were full, and then the next house, and then the whole street, just as if it wanted to satisfy the hunger of the whole world. It was terrible, and no one knew how to stop it. At last, when only one single house remained, the child came home and just said, ” kleyneh top, kleyneh top g’endik,” and it stopped cooking, and anyone who wished to return to the town had to eat their way back.

Mamaliga is so popular a dish that it was mentioned in the Yiddish song Roumania, Roumania:

“Dort tsu voynen iz a fargenign
vos dos harts glust dir vost kentsu krign
a mameligale, a pastramele, a karnatseleun a gleyzele vayn, aha!”

“To live there is a pleasure
What your heart desires you can get
A little mamaliga, a little pastrami, a karnatzl (sausage kosher of course), and a glass of wine, aha!”

Savoury Mamaliga

Ingredients

1 tbs Italian spices		3 cups water
1 onion, diced		1 cup corn meal
¼ cup margarine		Juice of 1 lemon
kosher salt		Pepper to taste

Directions

Whisk cornmeal together with 1 cup of cold water in a medium bowl and set aside. Bring remaining water to a boil in a medium pot. Turn heat down to low, add Italian spices, onion. Let boil 5 – 10 minutes then add cornmeal liquid.

Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and begins to pull away slight from the sides of the pot, 7 – 10 minutes. Turn off heat; stir in margarine and salt and pepper to taste. Place in an oiled bowl and allow to cool.

Turn bowl upside down on to serving platter. Slice or spoon to serve

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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Surprised and not knowing what to reply, her friend said, “I felt tired and fatigued this week and thought I’d take the week off and rest.”

“Come,” said her friend, “I know you’re not rich and need parnassah. Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll help you bake some cakes and cookies to sell tomorrow. Come into the kitchen. Why am I bothering you with a lot of useless talk?”

She already had an apron on and began to vigorously sift flour for her friend. Then she energetically and diligently kneaded the dough in a trough, with the joy of doing a mitzvah.

These two women peddlers in the Jerusalem market loved each other without needing any special reason. Both of them had great faith and trust in the Holy One, blessed be He. They were truly holy women.

The love and goodwill of the two women further shows that we can exist on the physical and spiritual planes at the same time. Their simple actions towards one another showed how simple everyday business practices could be elevated to a holy level.

Techina Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw (100% sesame) tahini*

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 cups flour (half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour)

pinch of salt

almonds to garnish

2 tablespoons sesame seeds to garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F

Lightly oil two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, white and brown sugars) in a large bowl.

Add the techina and then the melted butter (or margarine). Mix with a large spoon. At some point you will need to switch to mixing the dough by hand until it is fully mixed. The dough will have a sticky slightly crumbly consistency.

Take approximately one teaspoon of the batter at a time, and roll in your hands to form small balls. Place each cookie ball, evenly spaced, onto the baking sheets.

Place each ball on a baking paper-lined tray. Press each ball in the middle with your thumb and place an almond in the space. You can also use a fork to flatten each ball and make pretty lines.

Bake until golden brown (approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on how crispy you like your cookies). Let cool to room temperature and serve.

*If oil is floating on top, mix it in and then measure 1 cup.

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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“Better a meal of herbs where there is love than a fatted ox where there is hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). Relating to who did King Solomon refer to in this verse? It was two men he met.

As soon as King Solomon heard this, he felt at ease and rejoiced in that meal of herbs and rose from it feeling he had eaten his fill.

When Solomon returned to his royal throne, he wrote in his wisdom: “‘Better a meal of herbs where there is love’, which I ate with the poor man, ‘than a fatted ox where there is hatred,’ which I was fed by the rich man who reminded me of my grief,”

Mishlei Rabba 39-40

Yevreysky Salat – Russian Jewish Salad

1 lb. cabbage sgredded (about ½ a medium cabbage)

1 small onion (red or yellow) thinly sliced

2 medium carrots shredded

3 Tbsp oil (olive, avocado, or vegetable)

2 Tbsp water

1 red or green bell pepper thinly sliced

1 medium cucumber thinly sliced

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp white distilled vinegar

2 Tbsp sugar, or to taste

6-7 small radishes thin

Directions

Combine all of the shredded and sliced vegetables together in a large bowl. Season with salt and toss until everything is coated.

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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Tam and Chacham were old friends and would frequently travel together to perform various mitzvos and to collect tzedakah for special causes. They both had many students and were repected everywhere they journeyed.

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare some­thing to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actu­ally had the taste of the Garden of Eden.

Matzo Meal Pancakes Chremslach

INGREDIENTS

1 cup matzo meal

6 eggs

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup grated onion (optional)

3/4 cup corn oil for frying

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Step 2

Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolks, and combine with water. Add the yolk mixture to the matzo meal mixture, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Beat egg whites until they are stiff, and fold them into the matzo meal mixture. Add grated onion.

Step 4

Serve with cinnamon-sugar, applesauce and/or sour cream.

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

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare something to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actually had the taste of the Garden of Eden.