A Song and a Shabbos Promise

Posted on Thursday, 12, July, 2018Thursday, 27, December, 2018 by Rabbi

Hinda Rivka was gathered up with the Jewish community of Czechowa and forced to make the journey to the a nearby labour camp. She knew full well that many who went on this journey never returned. She seemed to have an inner light that shined with peace and a resolve to remain strong in her faith. Only with such an mindset, she felt, could she maintain her religious lifestyle and cling ever closer to her Creator —her primary motivation in all she did.

Hinda Rivka’s dignity stood revealed from the moment she arrived at the camp. Every morning, she drank only a small portion of her allotted water and used the rest to wash her hands and say a blessing. She saved a measure of her daily bread to barter for a small siddur (prayerbook), from which she whispered her prayers to the Master of the Universe. She frequently shared her precious siddur to others so they too could pray.

The weeks before Pesach, Hinda Rivka and her friends began to save bits of potato and other vegetables, in order to be able to survive the festival without eating chametz. On Yom Kippur, they hid their bread rations until nightfall, but one of the Nazis heard that some girls were fasting and seized the reserved bread so that the girls were forced to fast not one, but two days.

Hinda Rivka was a simple girl with strong faith who steadfastly refused to work on Shabbos at any price. Though many of the other girls were taken out and killed for taking such a stand, her single-mindedness in this area was astonishing. She many times worked a double shift on weekdays instead.

When a truck came to transport inmates from place to place, and it appeared as though the trip would afford opportunity for escape, Hinda Rivka refused to go as it involved traveling on Shabbos. She remained behind in the camp. In her heart, she clung to the promise that had been made to her by the holy Piltzer Rebbe (Chanoch Gad Yustman) a promise that she would be saved in the merit of her Shabbos observance.

She worked in a munitions factory. It was hard backbreaking labour. Throughout the long hours of work, Hinda Rivka would in her pleasant voice sing a Yiddish song entitled “G-tt un Zein Mishpot Is Gerecht” (G-d Is Correct in His Judgment) The chorus of this song may be translated as follows: “G-d, Your decrees are just. The Creator knows what He is doing. No one is punished for naught.”

Her rescue from the Holocaust came about as a result of her Shabbos observance: The death transports were carried out on Shabbos, the day on which Hinda Rivka did not work. The lights from her Shabbos candles and sacrifices burned bright.

She left war torn Poland and went to Jerusalem where she lived for a number of years. As she lay on her deathbed, she called the chevra kaddisha and lifted her hands and sang and sang, “G-tt un Zein Mishpot Is Gerecht” (G-d Is Correct in His Judgment) and then said out loud Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad.

A Gut’n Shabbos mit brochah und Shalom

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(A Good Shabbos with Blessings and Peace)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A Maggid and Purim

Posted on Sunday, 25, February, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A maggid (storytelling preacher) once (or perhaps more than once) observed that a number of the listeners fell asleep as he told wondrous stories to strengthen the faith of people and touch their hearts. In order to make light of it, the maggid announced, “This tendency to doze off when hearing words of ma’asios tovos (good stories) and mussar (ethics) is not a new occurrence. The Talmud tells us that when the great Rabbi Akiva preached, the people also fell asleep.

“The Talmud goes on to relate that in order to arouse the crowd, Rabbi Akiva would begin talking about the Megillas Esther (Book of Esther). Why did Rabbi Akiva choose that particular subject for this purpose?

“I guess it was because there is evidence in the Megillah that there were once no maggidim (spiritual storytellers). How so? The Megillah reveals that “the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the Book of Records, the Annals, and they were read to the king.” (Esther 6:1)

“Now had there been any maggidim around at that time, he would certainly not have had to do so. He could simply have called the maggid to deliver a brilliantly moving and relevant story, which would promptly have sent him into the bliss of dreamland.”

A Freilichen Purim!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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New Year’s Day – Rosh Hashanah and Blessings

Posted on Thursday, 28, December, 2017Sunday, 31, December, 2023 by Rabbi

The snow and wind blew while sounds of celebration were heard from outside the wooden synagogue. It was the eve of the secular New Year. Many men were gathered around tables studying the holy words of Torah.

Suddenly, the door to the holy rabbi’s private study opened and the holy rabbi himself came out and greeted everyone:

“L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!”(May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

With that the holy rabbi went back into his room and closed the door. Everyone who was studying the holy words of Torah were very surprised. Surely the holy rabbi knew that this was not Rosh haShanah (the Jewish New Year), but the secular New Year? Why then did he extend such a greeting.

Some time later, the door opened and the holy rabbi again greeted the men studying the holy words of Torah. Hours passed and the holy rabbi offered the greeting a third time.

Puzzled by the holy rabbi’s behavior, the men went to one of the holy rabbi’s students and asked him to go to his master’s room and ask about the meaning of his strange actions through the night.

The student went and knocked on the door of his teacher, the holy rabbi and entered. The holy rabbi looked up from his studies and greeted his student: “Shalom Aleichem (Peace be unto you)” the student answered: “Aleichem Shalom (Unto you peace).” The Rabbi continued: “what brings you to my study at such a late hour?”

The student looked at his teacher, cleared his throat and asked: “many have been studying Torah tonight and you greeted them as though it was Rosh haShanah. This seems a little out of the ordinary. What is the holy reason for your greetings, this night of all times?”

The holy rabbi thought for a moment, smiled and explained:

“Last Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment for all the Jewish people and the world, the Jewish people prayed with intensity in their synagogues. Their prayers and the sounds of the shofar ascended to the heavens. Moved by the waves of heartfelt pleas, the Holy One, blessed be He, left his Throne of Justice to ascend the Throne of Mercy. There He wrote a decree which stated that the coming year would be a year of health and happiness for all Jewish people and peoples of the world.

When Yom Kippur, the fearful Day of Atonement, came and He saw how all of the Jewish people fasted and wept and poured out their hearts in prayer as “all are judged on Rosh haShanah and the verdicts is sealed on the Day of Atonement.” (Rosh haShanah 16a) The Holy One, blessed be He lifted the pen to sign the decree of blessings for all of the people in the world.

At that moment, the Dark Accusing One approached to protest: “yes, O L-rd, on Yom Kippur they fast and have remorse, dressed in white as the angels in heaven. What of all the rest of the year when they are filled with sins and wickedness?”

The decree was not signed.

When the Jewish people gathered together boards and scraps of wood to build succas for the holiday of Succos (the Feast of Tabernacles), prepared to eat and sleep in the succas, the defending angel appealed:

“Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, You see these succas which even the poorest of Your children are building with so much joy, according to Your command “You shall dwell in booths for seven days” (Leviticus 23:42) and in the days of old “on the Festival of Tabernacles Israel would offer up seventy bullocks, one for each of the seventy nations of the world, and prayed that they might live in peace.” (Pisikta Kahana 175b). Have You heard them pray, ufros aleinu succas sh’lomecha (spread over us the shelter of Your peace). Please sign the decree now.

And so it would have been, had not the Dark Accusing One not objected: “yes, for the boards, which are here today and gone tomorrow. But for themselves – for their homes, their businesses, their entertainment – they erect strong buildings of brick and stone and glass that last forever!”

Then came Simchas Torah, the Jewish people embraced the Torah and danced with it in their synagogues in boundless joy. Again, the Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree: “See, oh G-d, how your children are happy with Your Holy Word, the Torah!”

The Dark Accusing One intervened: “yes, for one night they dance merrily with your Torah, their heads turned and their spirits lifted by a drop of schnapps. But in a more sober mood when their minds are clear, do they fulfill the mitzvahs, which are written in the Torah?”

The decree was not signed.

Every window was filled with light during Chanukah. It seemed as though the light of the first day touched every soul. The words of the morning prayer, “v’chol ayin lecha tetzapeh” (every eye longs for you) were realized.

The Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree:

“Look, and see how Your children are bringing Your holy light into the world. For indeed ‘the spirit of man is the candle of the L-rd.’ ” (Proverbs 20:27)

The dark accusing one interjected: “true, they kindle lights and may touch the soul with holiness, but are they honest and holy in the marketplace or with other people?”

The decree was not signed.

And so it is that the judgment written in favor of the Jewish people and all the peoples of the world on Rosh haShanah has remained unsigned all these many weeks until tonight. For when the New Year began and with it started all of the drunkenness, the shouting and brawls that usually occur on that night, the Defending Angel approached G-d and said: “O Lord, see how they begin the New Year tonight. Listen to the screams and noise as well as the sounds of discord, look at the shamelessness and the corruption – and remember how Your children began the New Year on Rosh haShanah, with prayer, with repentance, and with holiness.”

To this, the Dark Accusing One could not say single word.

And so it was that, after some four months of delay, the Holy One, blessed be He, at last signed the good decree for the Jewish people and all the peoples of the world.

“Therefore,” the holy rabbi concluded, “I greet you tonight with L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!,” (May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

And May the tales you live in the coming year be filled with blessings

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A Chanukah Gift of Stories

Posted on Thursday, 7, December, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

What does a storyteller give as gifts for Chanukah?

Stories of course.

The Season of Lights – Chanukah begins at sundown tonight (December 2, 2018). Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

The age-old tradition of telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah is fading as people turn to their cell phone, computers and social media. The stories carry messages of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

Please read and enjoy the stories below aboutChanukah. Share them with others, comment, join in a discussion, or just “like” the stories and tell us which are your favorites.

Chanukah during the Holocaust, 20th Century Miracle – An Article from 1981

Chanukah and Passover are celbrations of freedom. What do they have in common?Chanukah – Egypt – Passover: Is There a Connection

The Jewish people have fought throughout history for faith, Chanuka and the Fighters

Chanukah is a celebration of Jewish Women, Chanukah: The Dedication of Jewish women

The flame of faith burns bright on Chanukah, The Chanukah Flame of Faith

Dreidel is more than just a game, The Mystery of the Dreidel

a short Chanukah story about growth and self improvement, A short Chanukah story, Can One Fix a Spirit on Chanukah

There is more to see than just the menorah, Chanukah Lights and the Blessings of Sight, allows one to see others in a special light.

The lights of the menorah warms people to their very soul and brings about Shalom Bayis, Torah and the Menorah of Peace

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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

The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 300 short stories about faith. Many visitors to the Story Tour Blog have requested that the stories be gathered together into a book. 72 of these special tales are now available in the new book that would make a special gift for Chanukah

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Story Tour: The Journey Begins

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Click here for the the new book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins filled with 72 stories from the Story Tour Blog

A Succos Story of Yossele the Woodsman and Mordechai haGibor

Posted on Thursday, 28, September, 2017Friday, 29, September, 2023 by Rabbi

It was a small village where everyone knew each other, but the two most notable people in the village were Mordechai haGibor the wealthy merchant and his neighbor Yossele the poor woodsman.

It seemed that Mordechai haGibor was always busy and it seemed that he was angry all the time. His family would gather around the table filled with all types of food every night and argue with each other over every little thing. The things said in anger in that house cannot be repeated for they were terrible indeed.

Yossele worked hard every day and barely made enough to feed his family. Every night when they would gather around the table, so many times it was not enough food, they would talk and sing as they enjoyed their meager meal.

Shabbos would come and the light of the Shabbos candles seemed awfully cold in the home of Mordechai haGibor. He would be demanding, his wife was always angry and his children were noisy and disrespectful.

Yossele’s house seemed always prepared to welcome the holy Shabbos as he and his family would gather around the warm glow of the Shabbos lights on his table. His children would join him and his wife in singing special Shabbos songs and they would share stories and little bits of Torah with each other. Shabbos was always a special time in Yossele’s house.

Every week and every holiday Mordechai haGibor would hear all the joyful sounds coming from Yossele’s house. This would make him angry and many times very sullen.

Rosh Hashanah had passed in the fast of Yom Kippur was behind them as everyone was preparing Succos (Feast of Booths and is also referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles) was quickly approaching.

Mordechai haGibor was determined that he would not be tortured by the sounds coming from Yossele’s house and so he went to everyone in the village and told them not to give him any wood to build his succah and if they did he would see to it that they would lose their livelihoods.

The morning after Yom Kippur, Yossele started going around the village asking people if they had any extra wood they could spare so that he could build his succah. Everyone told him they had nothing to offer. Each day Yossele tried to get the much-needed wood to build his succah but had no luck. The night before Succos Yossele was worried that he would not have a succah built and that his family would be sorely disappointed.

Yossele decided to go for a walk in the cool fall evening in the hopes that at the last minute one of his neighbors would give him some wood to build his succah. Suddenly he had an idea. There were many poor people in the village and death was no stranger. Many people could not afford the fine stone gravestones and would set up wooden markers over the graves of their loved ones. Yossele knew that at the cemetery there was a large pile of blank wooden markers and decided that he would borrow them for his succah and after the holiday return them.

The first night of Succos, Yossele and his family gathered around the table in the succah and welcome the holiday with happiness, songs and comforting words. Mordechai haGibor heard all of this and became very angry. He wondered who would dare give Yossele the wood to build his succah and he was determined to ruin whoever did it.

Mordechai haGibor stormed out of his succah, where his family was arguing over every little thing, and banged on the entry to Yossele’s succah. Yossele seeing his neighbor, invited and him into the succah and offered him some refreshment. Mordechai haGibor was so angry he refused and demanded to know who had given Yossele wood to build his succah. He wanted to know who had the nerve to give him wood after he told everybody not to give Yossele anything.

Yossele did the best he could to calm his neighbor, Mordechai haGibor, and again offered him some refreshment or at least something to drink. Mordechai haGibor again demanded to know where the wood came from, because he was going to ruin whoever gave Yossele the wood.

Yossele took a deep breath and looked at his neighbor and answered the angry question, “please do not ask me this. I would prefer to celebrate Succos with happiness and to make peace with you, my neighbor.” Mordechai haGibor became even more upset and demanded, “who gave you this wood? I know yesterday you did not have a succah so obviously someone felt sorry for you and I want to know who it was!”

Yossele answered, “last night I was walking through the village and as I turned onto the path into the forest I was met by a giant of a man. I asked him where he was going and he told me he was in a rush to get to the village because he had an important job to do. I told him that I understood that with the joyful holiday of Succos coming many people had a lot of preparations to be made, but sadly I would not be able to complete all of my own. I then asked a stranger who he was and he told me he was the Malach haMovis (Angel of Death). I asked him if he could postpone his grim duty until after whoever it was had one last chance to dance with the sifrei Torah on Simchas Torah. The Malach haMovis said no that he must perform his grim duty. I asked him by chance could he tell me who he had come for?”

The Angel of Death was silent for a moment or two and then told me, “I come for Mordechai haGibor and must complete my task before morning.” I thought for a moment and then told the Malach haMovis, “I can save you some time, for you see your trip is unnecessary because Mordechai haGibor is already dead.” The Angel of Death thanked me and asked, “what preparations for the holiday have you not made. Maybe I can help you.” I told the Malach haMovis that I had no wood to build my succah that my family would be sorely disappointed. He looked at me and then just laughed and then said, “I will not be returning to this village until way after Simchas Torah. So why don’t you use the blank wooden grave markers there piled up in the cemetery? Just please remember to return them at the end of the holiday.”

All the blood drained from the face of Mordechai haGibor and he sat down inside of Yossele’s succah. In fact, he had just noticed that indeed all the wood used in the succah had come from the cemetery. Yossele again asked him if he would like something to drink, “just a little bit of tea would be nice if you can spare it.” Mordechai haGibor answered.

Mordechai haGibor looked at Yossele and asked, “you are the poorest of the poor and yet every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday) you and your family seem to be the happiest of all people. How is this possible?”

Yossele smiled and answered his neighbor, “because the Holy One, blessed be He provides for everything I need and my family and I are so grateful for all of his gifts.”

A tear fell from Mordechai haGibor’s eye as he talked to his neighbor, “I have so much wealth so much power and yet I am not happy. I cannot find joy in Shabbos nor can I find peace in any of the holidays and yet you with hardly anything sit at your Shabbos and holiday table like nobility.”

“You are right my neighbor, it is as though I am dead because I do not celebrate from my heart. Everything I do is from my pocket. I thank you my neighbor for saving me and teaching me a valuable lesson. For the first time in my life I really understand the words ‘V’ahavta eis Hashem Elokecha, b’chol l’vav’cha, u-v’chol nafsh’cha, u-v’chol m’odecha.’ (And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.) (Deuteronomy 6:5) I had forgotten that everything I have are gifts from haKadosh Baruch Hu, the Holy One, blessed be He and from this time on I will do the best I can to celebrate Shabbos and yom tov (holidays) with happiness. I completely forgot, though I say it every day in the Shema, ‘V’hayu ha-d’va-rim ha-ei-leh, Asher ano-chi mi-tzvaecha ha-yom al li-vavecha.’ (And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.) (Deuteronomy 6:6) from this day forward I will do the best I can to keep the words of Torah in my heart and not depend upon my pocket for all of my needs.”

Mordechai haGibor broke down and began to cry, “you were right Yossele I was dead, but you have given me hope and a new outlook. Baruch atah Adoshem, m’chayei hameisim.” (Blessed are You L-rd, Who revives the dead.) (part of the daily Shemonah Esrei prayers)

Mordechai haGibor left Yossele’s succah a completely different person. From that day on all that was heard from Mordechai haGibor’s home in Shabbos and yom tov were sounds of song, happiness and words of hope.

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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The King’s Messengers

Posted on Monday, 25, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immediately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.

There was a wise man standing nearby who soothed the man’s anxiety:

“What do you have to fear from the messenger?” he said. “He cannot do anything to you without a direct command from the king. Therefore, instead of being fearful and worrying, examine your deeds. If you know that you are free of any transgression, you would do well to hurry to the palace as the king commanded and hear what he has to say”

On another occasion, the king’s messenger summoned a different person to appear before the king. This time, however, the messenger was dressed in bright-colored clothes and was very happy as well as smiling. The man was overjoyed and he began to dance.

A wise man turned to him and said:

“What do you have to dance about? Who really knows if this messenger is the bearer of good news or not? Do not be misled by the happy expression on his face; rather, think about whether you are truly loyal to the king. If you are, then the messenger is bringing you good tidings, but if you have sinned against the king, Heaven forbid, then evil has been determined against you…”

A person should not judge himself according to whether an event which befalls him is good or bad. Rather, he must constantly examine himself in order to know whether he is loyal to the King, or Heaven forbid, has sinned against Him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Hineni – Different Kinds of Prayer

Posted on Tuesday, 19, September, 2017Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

During the High Holy Days, the chazzan (cantor) begins the Musaf service with the Hineni prayer (here I am), which is a very moving and private prayer. Serving as the Shaliach Tzibbur (emissary of the congregation), the chazzan, a man of great humility, pleads with the Almighty that he be worthy to represent the people of his congregation and all the people of Israel.

Shaliach Tzibbur literally means the messenger of a congregation in a public prayer, is a Jewish prayer leader in the Synagogue also known as Chazzan (Cantor). It is a weighty responsibility and not everyone is suited to the position.

In a village there lived a very wealthy man who thought that he should be chosen to lead the congregation in prayer because of his importance to everyone in the village. No one in the village was pleased with the idea, but on the other hand they were afraid of what might happen to them if they were to challenge the powerful wealthy man. So they put their troubled heads together and decided to send a delegation to ask the holy rabbi who lived in a nearby town for some advice. The holy rabbi suggested that the wealthy man, the self-appointed prayer leader should come to him for a blessing.

When in due course the self-appointed baal tefillah (prayer leader) of the village came to the holy rabbi to receive his blessing before under¬taking the weighty responsibility of leading his community in prayer, the holy rabbi asked him’ “why should you lead the community in prayer?” The wealthy man took a deep breath and began to explain how he gave a lot of tzedakah (charity), he had built many homes in the village and that he employed most of the villagers.

The holy rabbi listened and then explained, “As you know, the Torah speaks of three kinds of prayer.

There is

‘the prayer of Moshe Rabbeinu’ (Moses our Teacher);

There is

‘the prayer of King David’; and

There is

‘the prayer of a poor man.’

Now Moshe Rabbeinu was indeed ‘slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ (Exodus 4: 10) — but he was the father of the prophets and the teacher of all Israel. King David — why, he is called ‘the sweet singer of Israel.’ (2 Samuel 23:1) And as for the poor man, his heart is humble, and we know from Psalms that ‘a broken and contrite heart, O G-d, You will not despise.’ (Psalm 51:17)

“Now the baalei tefillah of our days who lead their congregations in prayer likewise fall into these same three categories. There are those who are not very musical, but they are righteous — so their prayers are ac¬cepted like ‘the prayer of Moshe.’ Then there are those who are perhaps not quite so righteous, but in their melodiousness they ‘exalt God with their throats’ — so their prayers are accepted like ‘the prayer of David.’ Finally, there are those who are neither righteous nor musical, but since they are poor and their hearts are humble, their prayers are accepted like ‘the prayer of a poor man.’

“Now as for you,” concluded the tzaddik, “we cannot say that you are especially righteous; nor can we say that you are musical; and neither (thank G-d) are you a poor man. So if you want to lead your community in prayer. I will have to pray that you merit to fit into one of these three levels. There is no need for me to explain to you that to ask heaven to make you a tzaddik a sweet singer all of a sudden would be a vain prayer. The only way I can help you, therefore, is by asking heaven to make you poor, and then at least your prayer ‘the prayer of a poor man’…”

The wealthy man thought for sometime about what the holy rabbi had said and became intensely aware of his great pride in the many sins he had committed in his arrogance caused by his great wealth. He began to cry and asked that the holy rabbi tell them how to do teshuvah in order to be forgiven. The wealthy man was at a loss on what to do.

Holy rabbi sensed the sincerity of the wealthy man and with a gentle voice asked him, “do you really want to pray on behalf of the community?”

The wealthy man, in a broken voice, answered, “I am not a particularly holy man like Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher} and I don’t have an exceptionally good singing voice like Dovid haMelech (King David), but I am a man of a poor broken spirit because of the many sins I have committed in my pride and arrogance. If I could, I still would like to lead the prayer on Rosh Hashanah so that I could be heard by the heavenly court.”

The holy rabbi took the wealthy’s man’s hand and in a soothing voice said, “you have a gift that many people do not have is that you are very educated and cannot only say the words of the prayers of the holy and awesome Day of Judgment (Rosh Hashanah), but you can understand them also. Read for me the Hineni.”

The wealthy man took a deep breath and began, “hineni he’oni mimaas” and than he began to cry, “go on” encouraged the holy rabbi and slowly the words came from the wealthy man:

hineni he’oni mimaas – Here am I that am poor in meritorious deeds, trembling and in awe of the One who sits enthroned upon the praises of Israel, standing and pleading before Him on behalf of His people Israel who have sent me, though I am unworthy and unqualified for the task.

Therefore I ask you G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac, and G-d of Jacob, L-rd, L-rd, benevolent G-d, compassionate and gracious, G-d of Israel, Omnipotent, fearful and awesome, grant success to the mission which I am undertaking. To stand and plead for mercy for myself and those who sent me.

Please do not hold them to blame for my sins and do not find them guilty of my iniquities, for I am a careless and willful sinner. Let them not feel humiliated by my willful sins. Let them not be ashamed of me and let me not be ashamed of them. Accept my prayer like the prayers of a man advanced in years and experienced in prayer, whose conduct in his youth was unblemished, whose beard is fully grown, whose voice is sweet, and who is friendly with other people.

May you denounce the Adversary, that he may not bring charges against me. They are congregation be cherished by you, and they you cover our transgressions with love. Please transform all suffering and distress, for us and for all Israel, to gladness and joy, to life and peace (for the people who) love truth and peace. May there be no stumbling in my prayer.

May be your will, L-rd, G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac and G-d of Jacob, the great, mighty and awesome G-d, exalted G-d, “I will be what I will be,” that all the angels who occupy themselves with our prayers bring my prayer before the throne of your glory and spread it before you for the sake of all the righteous, the pious, the perfect and the upright, and for the sake of your glorious, great and awesome name; for you hear the prayer of your people Israel with mercy.

Blessed are you who hears prayer.

It took the wealthy man over an hour to be able to say the prayer of the shliach tzibbur (leader of the prayers), but it seemed his heart had changed in his sins had been washed away by his tears. A very humble wealthy man turned to the holy rabbi and asked, “Rabbi, holy rabbi can you bless me that when I pray with everyone else that I can truly not feel any urges to ‘take revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love my neighbor as myself’ (Leviticus 19:18), bless me that all of my prayers should come from the inside of me.’ ”

The wealthy man left the holy rabbi that day a different person who came. On the way back to his home he gave away huge amounts of coins to all who needed and prepared himself to pray with the people and not in front of them on Rosh Hashanah that year.

May all of your prayers and the prayers of all the people this Rosh Hashanah ascend to the very throne of mercy and may hush M shower the world with health, happiness and peace. On Yom Kippur may you be sealed for a year of plenty, sweetness and love.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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How Much Remorse?

Posted on Monday, 18, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham were visited by many people as they prepared for Yom haDin – Day of Judgment, another name for Rosh Hashanah. The requests for prayer and blessings from people were steady. Life was hard with uncertain livelihood and the constant barrage of “modern” thought that challenged the age old wisdom. This was the season of hope and people were seeking advice and direction from Tam and Chacham.

An old man came to Tam and Chacham and requested, “I have reached a ripe old age, and thank Baruch Hashem am lacking nothing. Only one thing I want and that is that you should promise me that I will be granted forgiveness for the sins of my youth.”

Chacham thought for a moment and instructed the old man, “The RaMBaM (Maimonides) taught that ‘If a man transgresses, wittingly or unwittingly, any precept of the Torah, whether a positive precept or a negative, and repents and turns away from his wrongdoing, he is obliged to confess his sins to the Holy One, blessed be He. How does a man confess his sins? He says: ‘O G-d! I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed before You by doing such-and–such. Behold now I am sorry for what I have done and am ashamed and I shall never do it again.’ “ (Mishneh Torah: Hilchos. Teshuvah Chapter 1, Law 2)

Chacham continued, “You must light two candles – One for the heart and the other for the soul. Take upon yourself to fast for three days, during which you should pray with a broken heart:

Our G-d and G-d of our ancestors! Let our prayers come before You and do not hide Yourself from our supplication. For neither are we so arrogant nor hardened to say, “We are righteous and have not sinned,” for truly, truly, we have sinned. May it be Your will, O Lord our God, to forgive all our sins, and pardon all our iniquities.” (Ma’ariv l’Yom Kippur Service)

The old man looked at Chacham with tears in his eyes and said, “I will do the best I can to follow your directions, but I am a weak old man and am afraid I will not be able to complete all that you have told me.”

Tam saw the look in the old man’s eyes and asked, “do you truly regret the sins of your youth?”

“I am ashamed of what I did and now wish I could undo my sins. I wish I could ask for forgiveness, but there is no one to ask as many have gone on to the World of Truth.” Answered the old man.

Tam reminded the old man, “Yom Kippur does not forgive transgressions between a man and his fellow — until (or unless) he seeks forgiveness from him” (Mishnah Yoma 8:9), but the first step is to forgive yourself. Only then can you truly express regret and seek forgiveness.”

The old man, his face streaked with tears whispered, “I really regret my foolish acts and wish I could take them back.”

“If you regret the sins of your youth completely, then that secures their forgiveness.” Tam responded.

“And what in your eyes is the required measure of remorse?” asked the old man.

Tam thought for some time and then began, “”Let me tell you a story, there once was a wealthy merchant who was in a rush to arrive at the big fair in the city before all the other merchants, and the wagonloads of goods that he brought with him were very much in demand.

The day he arrived in the city it began to rain. The rain and wind was so bad, that for a number of days no other merchant was able to bring his merchandise to the fair. All the prospective customers therefore milled around his stand. Seeing how intense was the demand, he decided to keep them all waiting for a few days so that the price would rise. And indeed, from day to day the rain fell harder and day by day the price rose higher. Then in the middle of the night the rain stopped. Before dawn the marketplace was clattering with all the wagons that were trundling in from all over the land and the price of his goods dropped instantly.

“Now, then,” concluded Tam. “if you find that your remorse over the sins of your youth is as intense as the regret of that merchant when he realized how much his greed had cost him, then you may be sure that your regret is sufficient to secure you forgiveness.”

The old man asked, “I am really sorry for the pain caused by the sins of my youth, but wonder can I surely be forgiven? How can I be sure that I can be forgiven?”

Tam answered, “As soon as one repents, one is forgiven. (Chagigah 5a) This is why we sing the ancient words:

אבנו מלכנו חננו ועננו כי אין בנו עשים עשה עשה עמנו צדקה וחסד והשענו

Avinu Malkeinu Choneinu Vaaneinu Ki ein Banu Maasim Ase Imanu Tzdaka Vahesed Vehoshieinu

Our Father, our King! be gracious unto us and answer us, for we have no good works of our own; deal with us in charity and kindness, and save us.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Just One Small Blast from the Great Shofar

Posted on Wednesday, 13, September, 2017Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Chacham had a student that was an orphan and he would spend much time with him. They would learn together, walk through the forests and ponder the secrets found in the Holy writings. One year, right after Tisha B’Av, the boy became sick.

Chacham took the shofar on the first day of the month of Elul and tested it to see whether it was in good condition. The student was in the room and the sound of the shofar touched him in such a way that his color began to return to his cheeks.

He asked his beloved teacher for one more blast, and Chacham gladly obliged. From then on, for the remainder of the month of Elul, this became a ritual; Chacham blowing the shofar once each day for his sick student. On the day before Rosh Hashanah, the orphan was there, waiting to hear the shofar, but he was disappointed.

“I am sorry, but today we do not blow the shofar. Tomorrow morning, we will blow the shofar in the shul (synagogue).” Chacham explained.

The student looked at his beloved teacher with tears in his eyes and asked, “I am sick to my very soul and my body is weak. The call of the shofar gives me comfort, strengthens me and makes me feel better. Please just one blast! Just one small blast!”

Chacham was touched by the beseeching voice of his student and slowly brought the shofar to his lips and blew one blast.

On Rosh Hashanah, everyone expected Chacham to blow the shofar. That year, Chacham went up before the aron kodesh (Holy Ark) where the Torah scrolls were, opened it and said: ” Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I have to repent. It’s written that on the day before Rosh Hashanah one must not blow shofar, yet I did.”

He broke down it tears and called out: “Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, do you know why I transgressed this custom? It was because my young student lay on his sickbed begging and crying that I should only blow one blast of the shofar for him. My heart melted, I couldn’t bear to watch him cry and be in pain, so I blew once for him, though I shouldn’t have.

“Avinu, Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King), how can you stand by and see how millions of Your children are sick to their very souls and crying out to You, Av haRachamim (Father of Mercy), just one small blast! Sound the blast of the great shofar which will herald the final Redemption! Even if the time is not right for it yet, even if the time for Moshiach has yet to arrive, Your children cry out to You. Please just one small sound to rekindle our hope.”

The sounding of the shofar was delayed, and for a long time crying from broken hearts was heard throughout the shul (synagogue…).”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

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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The King, the Forester and Teshuvah

Posted on Wednesday, 13, September, 2017Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A king was once riding through a forest and was so taken by the beauty and wonder around him that he became lost. He rode on for a very long until he met a forester who recognized the king and offered to escort the king back to the royal palace. Along the way the king and the forester spoke about many things and the king became very fond of the forester. The forester even sang an ancient melody from the oldest wood. The king invited the forester to remain on the royal estate as the chief forester and keeper of the King’s Grove.

Many years passed and the forester served the king as best as he could. Rumours reached the king that the forester may have been rebellious against the king. The king was angry and disappointed, but due to the nature of the reports he received he sentenced the forester to death. Before he was taken out to be executed, the king had the forester brought before him and granted him one last request.

The forester respectfully requested the he be able to wear the clothes he wore the day he met the King when he was lost in the forest, and that be able to sing the ancient melody from the oldest wood.

The king granted the forester’s wish, looked at him and remembered that day they met so many years ago. The king closed his eyes and listened to the ancient melody and his heart was melted. The king’s anger gave way to mercy and he proclaimed “By your life, you have saved yourself,” and called off the execution.

Everyday we say “Hear, O Israel: The L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One. And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) We must realize that when we say: “And you shall love the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5), which means that you shall make the name of Heaven beloved…. Great is repentance: it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a)

Throughout the year people may have inadvertently or accidentally sinned while others have deliberately transgressed and rebelled. In any case, like the forester in the story, the arrival of Rosh Hashanah – the Day of Judgment we are fearful indeed. He reminds us that one must “Humble yourself here and you won’t be humbled hereafter.” (Exodus Rabbah 30:19)

So we blow the shofar to recall the shofar blowing that accompanied our original acceptance of the Torah and coronation of G‑d. The sound of the shofar stirs us to seek forgiveness and repentance. This merit stands by us, and G‑d forgives us all our sins and inscribes us in the Book of Life for a year of goodness and hope.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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