May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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The Mystery of the Dreidel
Category: Holidays
The Mother’s Prayer Book and a Boy’s Prayer
In a far away village there once lived a Jewish merchant who was held in high affection by the lord of the village. This Jewish merchant passed away and his wife followed him, leaving a little boy behind them. The lord of the village took pity on him and brought him up, treating him like a son. The lord always enjoyed the company of the child, and on one occasion he told him that his father and mother had been Jewish, but he had adopted him as his son and all his property and wealth would be the child’s. Meanwhile, he gave him the few belongings which his parents had left. Among them was the prayer book from which his mother had always prayed.
Now the Elul month came around, when it is the practice of the Jewish community in the village to gather together in order to say their prayers during the Days of Awe together with the congregation, since the splendor of the King is found in the multitude of the people. The boy asked some Jewish travelers where they were going, and they told him that they were going to the place where they could pray to G-d since their fate for the year would be decided on Rosh haShanah (New Year’s Day), which is a great and awesome occasion indeed. There they would pray with the whole community and G-d certainly would not reject their prayer. From that moment the spirit of the L-rd began to work within the boy.
That night the boy saw his father and mother in a dream, and they urged him to return to the faith of the Jewish people. This dream returned night after night. During the entire ten days of penitence he could not sleep and saw them both awake and in dreams, and they would not let him rest. The boy told all this to the lord, who tried to persuade him that dreams are meaningless.
When the eve of the holy Day of Atonement came, the boy saw wagon after wagon full of Jewish travelers proceeding to town and asked them what it was for. They told him this is the day we wait for, the day of pardon and forgiveness when our transgressions are atoned. The boy was very upset aria set out on foot to go to the old wooden shul (synagogue) in the village. He took his mother’s prayer book and came to synagogue while the Kol Nidre prayer was being sung. He saw all the people dressed in white garments, their prayer books in their hands, praying and asking for forgiveness for deeds of the past year, but he could not pray and began to cry aloud very bitterly; and there was a great commotion in heaven on high.
The boy, seeing that he could not pray, placed his mother’s prayer book on the shtender (bookstand) and cried: “Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I do not know how to pray, I do not know what to say, here is the whole prayer book. Pick the right prayers and put them together so that I may grow to understand You.” The boy wept and his heart was broken, his prayer made an impact on the heavenly host and was accepted among the prayers of the upright and innocent; and his prayer opened the Gates of Mercy and blessings of life, peace and goodness showered down on the world.
May all be remembered and inscribed for a year of life, goodness and blessings
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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WHERE ARE THE BOOKS THAT WE WISH TO BE INSCRIBED IN?
And so that you will prolong your days (Dev0rim/Deuteronomy 11:9)
A young boy went with his father to the wooden shul (synagogue). At one point during the service, the boy turned to his father and asked” “When we say Avinu Malkeinu we ask the Holy One, blessed be He to inscribe us in the book of life, the book of redemption and salvation, the book of livelihood, the book of forgiveness and atonement, and the book of merits. Where are those book found and can we read them?”
The father looked at his son and answered: “My son, you ask a very good question, but I am at a loss on how to answer. Why don’t you go the rabbi and ask him your question?”
The boy took a deep breath and went up to the rabbi, who sat on a big chair in front of the synagogue. He stood a little afraid as he faced the rabbi and slowly asked his question. The rabbi looked at the young boy with kind eyes and remarked: “Such a big question from such a little boy, but a very good one.”
The rabbi began to explain:
The “book of life” is familiar to us from the Sages’ teaching that the book of life is opened during the Days of Awe. But where else do we find mention of any of the other books in which we hope to be inscribed?
With this idea, perhaps we can gain a better understanding of the teachings of
the holy rabbis that a person should always study Torah (Scripture) and not skip any part, for whoever completes such study merits that their days and years be lengthened. According to the parallel we noted between the fiveand the five “books,” we can suggest that by completing study of all of the Torah (Scriptures) a person acquires all the benefits that correspond to each of the Chumashim.
On the Talmud’s words, “his days and years are extended,” Ben Yehoyada notes that “days” refers to the quality of a person’s life, while “years” refers to the quantity or length of a person’s life. He uses this concept to explain the verse:
For through me your days will be increased, and they will increase years of life for you (Mishlei/Proverbs 9:11).
Your days will be increased is a promise to enhance a person’s quality of life, while and they will increase years of life for you is a promise to increase the length of a person’s life.
Those who talk during the reading of the Torah place themselves in the category of
And those who forsake Hashem will perish (Yeshayah/Isaiah 1:28).
If they were talking while the books of life, redemption, livelihood, forgiveness and merit were being read, how can they then come and pray to the Holy One, blessed be He to inscribe them in these very books?
May all be remembered and inscribed for a year of life, goodness and blessings
How to be Forgiven of Sin
You shall seek G-d, and you shall find Him, but you must search for Him wholeheartedly. In your distress, when all these things (sin) come upon you, in the end of days, you will return to the L-rd, your G-d, and listen to his voice. (Deuteronomy 4:29).
A man who had drifted away from faith came to a holy rabbi and gave him a long list of sins he had committed over the years, He told the holy rabbi that he had hoped by fasting frequently and punishing himself by sleeping on the ground and putting pebbles inside his shoes, he could be forgiven for his terrible deeds. He wondered whether all of his actions were sufficient to attain forgiveness for his sins.
The holy rabbi listened closely and studied the list of sins carefully. Then he remarked, “It appears that you have done a complete job. Truly a complete job.”
The young man was pleased that the rabbi appeared to have approved of his penance. “Then I am forgiven?” he asked.
“Not quite,” the holy rabbi said. “Is not the soul a guest in our body, deserving of our kind hospitality? Today it is here, tomorrow it is gone” (Leviticus Rabbah 34:3) The rabbi paused and thought for a moment then continued, “You began by committing sins to ruin your neshamah (soul). Having done that, you then directed your attention toward ruining your body as well. That is a complete job.”
The young man began to cry, “Rabbi, holy rabbi, I want to be forgiven of the terrible things I have done. I thought I was doing what is right, but now I see that I was wrong. What am I to do?”
The rabbi comforted the young man, “Begin a meal with words of Torah (Scriptures) and a benediction (blessing).” (Megillah 12b). The rabbi instructed the young man, “Eat three meals each day, pray from your heart and study the Holy Words. Remember that ‘through kindness and truth, sin is atoned’ (Proverbs 16:6) Do this and you will be forgiven by man and the Holy One, blessed be He.”
The young man looked upand asked, “how can this be?”
“We learn that ‘G-d created man in His own image’ (Genesis 1:27) Since man is created in the image of G-d, he has the ability to forgive and be divine in his deeds. For this reason we are taught, ‘Beloved is man who was created in the divine image.’ (Mishna Avos 3:14)” answered the holy rabbi.
According to many great rabbis, atonement does not require self-torment and punishment. Rather, one should understand the gravity of transgressing the Divine will, appreciate how injurious this is to oneself, and make a concerted effort to refine his character so that he is no longer likely to repeat the improper behavior. Self-punishment can mislead one to think that he has achieved atonement, whereas nothing in his character may have changed.
An old Jewish teaching tells us that “great is repentance: it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a) Let us all hope that we can bring about a healing in 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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From the Depths
There was once a poor man who was regularly supported by the generous gifts of a wealthy man. One day, the poor man went to the wealthy man’s house to receive his daily portion. His desires got the best of him, and he wanted a fine coat he saw in the house. Every day, he wanted the coat more and more until one day, he stole the coat from the wealthy man who had taken care of his needs.
When the wealthy man realized that his fine coat was stolen by the poor man, he grew angry and clearly told the poor man that from that day on, he was no longer welcome in his home ever again. The wealthy man was so angry and disappointed that he told the poor man that the usual gifts were canceled indefinitely.
Without the wealthy man’s assistance, the situation in the poor man’s home worsened each day until he was no longer able to provide bread for his children. Left with no other choice, the poor man decided to take action.
He knew that each day, the wealthy man would walk through the forest near the town. One day, the poor man went to the forest before the wealthy man’s walk. He looked around and found a small cave; he then hid inside and waited.
When he heard the wealthy man coming, he yelled loudly, “Please save me! Please take pity on me!”
“Who are you?” asked the wealthy man. “Approach me, and I will help you to the best of my ability.”
“This I cannot do,” answered the poor man, “for I am embarrassed to show my face before you.”
The wealthy man repeated his request several times, but the poor man refused to leave his hiding place.
“I am ashamed,” said the poor man. “I am unable to leave this cave and face you, for I stole a coat from your home, and I am wearing it…”
The wealthy man answered, “Come forward and face me for I am ashamed at my anger that led me to do such a thing as to cause you shame. Keep the coat, it is yours.”
“How can you forgive me for betraying your trust and stealing from you? Asked the poor man.
In my anger, I forgot my responsibility to you. For are we not taught that ‘the L-rd G-d made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them.’ (Genesis 3:20) How can I do less than the All Merciful One who sees to the needs of all His creation?”
The poor man came out of the cave, and the wealthy man embraced the poor man and invited him to share a meal with him. As they were eating, they were joined by an old man who listened to their tale and offered, “It is indeed a shame that all people can not learn the lesson you have. Let us pray together. They prayed, and before the old man left, he reminded the poor man and the wealthy man, “Forgive your neighbor…and then, when you pray, your sins will be forgiven you.” (Ben Sira 28:2)
Every day, people stand in prayer and say, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O L-rd!” (Psalms 130:1). People conceal themselves in hiding places and cry out, “O L-rd, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy.” (Psalms 130:2) So often, people are ashamed and humiliated to appear before You, our L-rd, King of all Kings. Please listen to our prayers because we are ashamed. One of the principles of repentance is to pursue deeds of kindness and truth as well as Torah (Scripture) study, as it is written: “By true love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for… “(Proverbs 16:6)
As we pray daily, let us all remember, “He who forgives will himself be forgiven” (Yoma 23a), and may we all be forgiven of sin and showered with blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He.
May all our prayers lead to peace
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us
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Tisha B’Av and Teshuvah
Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av.
Tisha B’Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first and second Holy Temples which stood in the holy city of Jerusalem, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.). It is also appropriate to consider on this day the many other tragedies of the Jewish people, many of which occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain in 1492.
Though we remember the tragedies and are saddened by them, it is a time of joy. One should not be overcome by the sadness, but remember that the Holy One, blessed be He hears the prayers from our broken hearts and provides us with many opportunities.
It once happened that some holy men walked through the holy city of Jerusalem and when they came upon the ruins of the Holy Temple they sat down on the ground, tore their clothes in mourning and cry.
One day as they approached the place of the destroyed Holy Temple, they saw a strange sight. There was a man singing and dancing. The holy men went to the man and asked him, “don’t you know what this spot is?” The man answered them not, he just continued to sing and dance. “Have you no respect? Do you not mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple?” The man still did not answer, he just continued to sing and dance. The holy men became angry and began to scold the man.
The man stopped his singing and dancing, turned and faced the rabbis. “Rabbis, holy rabbis, you ask about my behavior, but understand not. I sing and dance because it says in the Holy Torah that we should love G-d with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might. See the greatness of G-d who takes his anger out on wood and stone and lets us do teshuvah (repent), continue to do good deeds and study His Holy Word.”
The rabbis left the man to his singing and dancing and realized that Torah is the basis of life.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
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To Drink or Not To Drink
And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made. (Gen. 2: 1-3)
Shabbos, the holy Sabbath Day, is a time of rest. A time to refrain from all types of work. It has been celebrated by the Jewish people for thousands of years as a day to enrich the spirit and to strengthen faith.
Once there was a man who was so thirsty that he thought he would die, but he did not wish to ask anyone to bring him water on the holy Sabbath Day since all forms of work are prohibited. When others saw him suffering they brought him water. He did not wish to drink or benefit from their forbidden labors, and he asked: “Who asks you to profane the holy Sabbath Day on my behalf?”
A wise man responded to him: “Remember the teaching, ‘For the blood of your lives I will require. (Genesis 9:5)’ Don’t ever forget that one should “choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deut 30:19)
The man countered, “We are taught that ‘the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath’ (Exod. 31:16). All forms of work are forbidden on the holy Sabbath Day is learned from ‘while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks of wood upon the Sabbath day . . . and they stoned him with stones, and he died.’ ” (Num. 15:32 and 15:36).
The wise man thought for a moment or two and responded, “Great is the holy Sabbath Day for it is never put off unless there is a danger to human life. (Beitzah 22a) Read and learn the holy words ‘He shall live by them’ (Lev. 18:5)–he shall not die because of them. (B. Yoma 85a) To save a life, disregard a Shabbos, that the endangered may observe many Shabboses. (Mekilta, Shemos 31:1).’ “ The wise man turned to the others and said, “to him that is thirsty, bring water.” (Isa. 21:14)
The man began to protest when the wise man continued, “Furthermore, if you do not drink, it means that they have profaned the Sabbath unnecessarily.”
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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The King Hears the Cry
A King had an only son, the apple of his eye. The King wanted his son to be wise and sent his son to learn about many cultures and grow in wisdom, so he sent him to far-off countries with much silver and gold. Far away from home, the son spent all the money until he was penniless. In his sadness he decided to return to his father’s house and after much difficulty, he managed to arrive at the gate of the courtyard to his father’s palace.
The prince’s hardships had kept him away from his beloved father for a very long time. So long that he had actually forgot the language of his country and his father’s court. When he came to the gates of the palace, he was unable to identify himself to the guards. In utter hopelessness he began to cry out in a loud voice, and the King, who recognized the voice of his son, went out to him and brought him into the house, kissing him and hugging him.
We call out to Avinu Malkeinu (our Father and King) The King sends a soul down to this world in order enrich the world and to kindle a holy light. However, the soul becomes very distant and forgets everything to which it was familiar with above in the King’s court, and in the long exile it forgets even its own “language.” So it utters a simple cry to its Father in Heaven, as it is taught: “Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets; the angels of peace weep bitterly.” (Isa. 33:7). This is prayer and the blowing of the shofar, a cry from deep within, expressing regret for the past and hope for the future. This cry elicits G-d’s mercies, and He demonstrates His abiding affection for His child and forgives him.
May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet year and blessings
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
Click here for more storytelling resources
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us
Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. 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
The King Hears the Cry
A King had an only son, the apple of his eye. The King wanted his son to be wise and sent his son to learn about many cultures and grow in wisdom, so he sent him to far-off countries with much silver and gold. Far away from home, the son spent all the money until he was penniless. In his sadness he decided to return to his father’s house and after much difficulty, he managed to arrive at the gate of the courtyard to his father’s palace.
The prince’s hardships had kept him away from his beloved father for a very long time. So long that he had actually forgot the language of his country and his father’s court. When he came to the gates of the palace, he was unable to identify himself to the guards. In utter hopelessness he began to cry out in a loud voice, and the King, who recognized the voice of his son, went out to him and brought him into the house, kissing him and hugging him.
We call out to Avinu Malkeinu (our Father and King) The King sends a soul down to this world in order enrich the world and to kindle a holy light. However, the soul becomes very distant and forgets everything to which it was familiar with above in the King’s court, and in the long exile it forgets even its own “language.” So it utters a simple cry to its Father in Heaven, as it is taught: “Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets; the angels of peace weep bitterly.” (Isa. 33:7). This is prayer and the blowing of the shofar, a cry from deep within, expressing regret for the past and hope for the future. This cry elicits G-d’s mercies, and He demonstrates His abiding affection for His child and forgives him.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Rose Honey instead of Hot Lead
One may ask: “If a person has done many things that are bad and hurtful, can they ever be forgiven?” The Holy Word teaches: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins: return to Me; for I have redeemed you. Seek you the L-rd while He may be found; call you upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 44:22, 55:6)”
It is told that there was a certain man who had been wicked all his life, and he was well aware that it would be very hard for his repentance to be received in heaven. On one occasion he jokingly asked Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon of blessed memory (1250-1305 c.e.) whether there was any remedy for his ailment. The holy rabbi thought for some time and answered: “The only remedy and atonement for you is to accept the punishment of death as an atonement for your transgressions.”
Then the wicked man asked him: “If I do accept a sentence of death, shall I have a share in the Garden of Eden?” “Yes,” said the holy rabbi; and the wicked man pleaded: “Swear to me that my place will be near you!” Then Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon swore to him that he would be near him in the Garden of Eden. When the man heard this, he gathered up his courage and followed him to the central shul (synagogue).
Once there, the rabbi ordered that hot lead should be brought to him. They brought the lead, and he puffed air at it with the bellows until the lead was boiling. Then he sat the wicked man on a bench and tied a cloth over his eyes and said to him: “Confess all your sins to our G-d and accept your death as a return for the sins with which you have angered your Creator all your life!” At this, the man burst into a great and exceedingly bitter gush of tears. Round about him stood many of the community’s elders and sages. And then the rabbi said to him: “Open your mouth wide, and I shall fill it with boiling lead.” And the man opened his mouth very wide in the presence of all the people who stood round about him, in order to accept the fullness of death and so gain life in the World to Come.
At this, the said rabbi took a spoonful of warm rose honey and dropped it into his mouth and said to him: “May your sin depart from you and your transgression be atoned!”
The man, his heart sincere and broken began to cry at once in bitter grief: “Holy rabbi! For the honor of our Maker, the King who is King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He slay me now indeed, so that I may not see the evil of losing my soul; for why should I live. My sins have mounted higher than my head, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, there is no sound place in me; so what have you done to me? Why have you deceived me?”
The holy rabbi answered him: “We are taught: “The L-rd is near to all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalms 145:18) and The spirit of man is the lamp of the L-rd, searching all his innermost parts. (Proverbs 20:27). As long as the lamp of your spirit burns, there is time to make repairs. Do not dread and have no fear, for G-d has already seen all your deeds.”
Thereafter the man never left Rabbi Moshe ben Shem-Tov de Leon’s house of study and spent his days in fasting and true repentance.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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)