A Search Without Direction

Posted on Monday, 24, October, 2022Sunday, 7, April, 2024 by Rabbi

The distractions of the world often interferes with the spiritual journey one would like to take. Science and technology further confuses people. Yet so many seek a way to find faith and answers to spiritual questions.

It seems that there are few who can talk to and teach the simple ways of faith. So many seek the light of peace in their daily lives so that they can see the wonders that surround them and find meaning in things around them.

Many have wealth, success and health thinking that is almost everything in the life but still they lack satisfaction and contentment. This unsatisfied state leads to a quest inside oneself to find something eternal, unseen, unknown – a spiritual journey.

The spiritual path is filled with beautiful and amazing things. Along the way one meets extraordinary people who show them the simple wonders of life and faith.

With guidance from loving leaders and teachers one can find their spiritual center and grow in faith. Sadly, without guidance one can become lost and discouraged.

There was once a man who was not very knowledgeable. When he got up in the morning it was so hard for him to find his clothes that at night he hesitated to go to bed for thinking of the trouble he would have on waking.

One evening he finally made a great effort, took paper and pencil and as he undressed noted down exactly where he put everything he had on.

The next morning, very well pleased with himself, he took the slip of paper in hand and read: `pants’ — there they lay as he put them on one leg at a time, ‘shirt’ – there it was neatly folded and he slipped it on, ‘cap’—there it was, he set it on his head; and so it went until he was fully dressed.

“That’s all very well, but now where am I myself?” he asked in great confusion. “Where in the world am I?” He looked and looked, but it was a vain search he could not find himself.

Those who embark on a spiritual journey should be blessed and “a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health. (Tobit 5:22) And may the G-d of heaven prosper your journey with his peace.” (Tobit 7:12)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Rabbi Eleazar and Eliyahu haNovi

Posted on Thursday, 13, October, 2022Wednesday, 2, August, 2023 by Rabbi

Once in the days of Rabbi Eleazar the son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was walking along a path beside a great river. There he met Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) who had come to test the goodness of his heart. He appeared as an old man accompanied by a boy. It seemed to Rabbi Eleazar that they must have been waiting there for a very long time for some boat in order that the old man could pass with the boy to the other shore and continue on some very urgent journey.

When Rabbi Eleazar saw the old man’s distress he said to him, “saba (grandfather), put the boy on one side of my shoulders and you hang onto my other shoulder, and I will bring you across the river.” “Why,” said the old man to him, “you are an honored man of our times, and you have lived softly and easily since your youth and cannot have the strength for this hard labor of bringing us across on your shoulders.” “Saba,” answered Eleazar, “if I were to take you and your boy into my two hands, I would have the strength to carry you the long distance across to the other shore.” “Do you engage in the study of Torah (Scriptures)?” Eliyahu haNovi asked him, and he answered, “Yes.”

Elijah the Prophet

“But of the Torah,” continued Eliyahu haNovi, it is said “much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12) “Why,” responded Rabbi Eleazar, “the Torah is called ‘healing’ and ‘refreshment’ for the body, as it was written by Shlomo haMelech (King Solomon), It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.’ (Proverbs 3:8) likewise I have drunk much Torah, like one who drinks for refreshment, so my strength has increased.” Eliyahu haNovi then agreed, Rabbi Eleazar brought them over on his shoulders.

After that, Rabbi Eleazar asked him, “Saba, what is this boy with you?” “I am his teacher,” answered Eliyahu haNovi, “and I teach in Torah.” “Saba (grandfather)” said Rabbi Eleazar to him, “I would have you know that I am strong in this world and in the World to Come. In virtue of the fact that you teach Torah to Jewish children I shall not permit the Angel of Gehenna to harm you, and I shall conduct you into the World to Come by my great power I have there.” “Rabbi,” answered Eliyahu haNovi, “it is true that your words have as much power in the World to Come as any of the angels on high minister before the Holy One, blessed be He.” The old man and the boy vanished and Rabbi Eleazar and never saw them again

Then Rabbi Eleazar said, “That must have been Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).” And he rejoiced because he withstood the test and humbled himself with us before him.

Zohar Chadash Lech Lecha 22

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 True Son

Posted on Monday, 12, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a woman who cautioned her reckless daughter, saying: “If you act shamelessly, do so only in secret in order that your husband should never know it, just as I myself did. For I have ten children, of whom only one is your father’s.”

Her husband heard her as she spoke to her daughter and kept his anger and pain to himself. He determined to remain quiet but remembered every word his faithless wife had said.

At his death he willed that all his wealth and property should be given only to one of his children, but he did not state to which, for he did not know which one was his own child.

After his death, all ten of his children began to argue with one another. One said: “The property is mine!” While others said: “All the wealth is mine” So they came to Rabbi Bana’ah to judge between them as to who was heir to the wealth and property left by the father. He listened and instructed the ten sons: “Do what I tell you, for this is a matter which no man can properly judge. Go to your father’s grave and fling stones and beat it until he reveals which of you it was to whom he was leaving his wealth and property.”

Deuteronomy 5:16

When they heard this, nine of them went and began beating the grave with sticks. One man who really was his son said: “Heaven forbid that I should strike at my father! Far better for me to lose the all the property and wealth than shame my father.” The young man continued, We are taught, ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the L-rd your G-d has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you’ (Deuteronomy 5:16).” When Rabbi Bana’ah, the judge, saw this, he awarded him the all the wealth and property.

So consider how this accorded with the words of Job (24:15): “And the eye of the adulterer watches for night, saying, No eye shall see me; and in secret he sets his face.” One who dwells in secret sets an end to the thing, so that it is revealed in the future. Therefore let your children be taught about modesty and purity.

Based on Bava Basra 58a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 Value of Each Word

Posted on Wednesday, 7, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A ragged beggar was once walking along, head bowed and back bent, his entire body revealing misery and suffering. As he was trudging along heavily, he suddenly spied something shining in the sand ahead. He rushed forward and bent down to see what it was. There lay a jewel sparkling in front of him. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, and knew in his heart that it must be worth a great deal of money.

He put it in his pocket and went home to show it to his neighbor. The neighbor agreed that it must be very valuable, but could not tell him how much it was worth. Everyone to whom he showed it was overwhelmed by its beauty, but no one knew its true value. No jeweler was prepared it buy it either, for each one said that it was worth far more than he could pay.

The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and came all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “This stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts and money and appointed him minister. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The valuable stone can be compared to words for the great value of each word of young children studying Torah is priceless. Are we not taught, “For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue.” (Sirach 4:24) Although innocent children lack the deep spirituality and complex thought, we know that the world continues to exist only in their merit. They are a treasure whose value no one can rightly estimate or appreciate!

The same can be said for a pure tongue. A person who uses his gift of speech only for what it was created, and does not sully it with forbidden speech, possesses a very precious gem, whose value he cannot possibly imagine. Nor can he begin to know the great reward that awaits him for his care!

Let us see the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) in our lifetime.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 Clever Judge and the Bride’s Missing Clothes

Posted on Monday, 5, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a man of wisdom, a man of justice, kindness, and faith. It was said that he brought justice, in all its forms to all who came to him. It is decreed, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue’ (Deuteronomy 16:20) So I ask you to listen and I will tell you a little of the wisdom of a judge long long ago.”

There came before him once a man who was troubled to tears, requesting, “Help me please, give me counsel, for overwhelming destruction has found me.” “What bothers you so that you cry such bitter tears? Asked the wise man. The troubled man answered, “My noble sir, I have but one daughter, and for her did I arrange a marriage, giving her to one of the sons of my people. But yesterday I brought unto my house the betrothed lad and his father, and I invited with them my neighbors who are close to me. I showed them the fine dresses and robes, jewelry and precious stones which had been prepared for the day of their wedding, for the gladness and joy of my daughter and her groom. We arose early in the morning, I and my wife, to clean the house to prepare for the wedding. We found nothing of the of the fine clothes, jewelry, or precious stones. There was nothing of all her clothing save only her dressing robe and her slippers. That was all my wealth, my goods, and my possessions, and now I do not know what to do or how to provide a dowry for my clothes less daughter.”

The wise judge instructed him, “Lead me to your house so that I can look around. Maybe we will find your lost things, maybe you will yet find your goods.” So he brought him unto his house, and he looked at the walls of the house, and, they were all high, that no thief might ascend the one side and descend to the other, except for one place where there was a breach in the wall, where grew a large orange tree. The tree was surrounded by a prickly bush. “’Who is your neighbor?” asked the judge. “Noble sir my neighbor is a cantor, a man just and upright, righteous in all his deeds and words. The judge turned here and there and then went upon his way. “Return to me at this time tomorrow,” instructed the judge, “I will look further into this matter.”

The next day he sent for the cantor, whose name was Paltiel ben Azan. He came and stood before him, and the judge gazed into his countenance and observed an indication that the man was not of good faith. The judge then brought him into the chamber and drew off his garments and said to him, “Will you take off your clothes and wrestle with me. For you see I had a dream last night where you and I were grappling each other, and I wish to find the interpretation of the dream. May the L-rd of peace be our aid. So, the cantor drew off his garments and the judge saw that his body was filled with scratches, bruises, and wounds. Just as he had assumed in his heart, so indeed it was for through that very place had he descended to commit the theft, being naked and without garments, in order that they might not be caught by the thorns which were around the tree.

“Then the judge said, “Return that which you have stolen, and the dowery of your neighbor’s daughter which you took. If you refuse, as your soul lives, I will afflict you with rods and with scorpions as a thief and a robber. Then was the cantor dismayed and frightened fell upon his face, he was ashamed to answer.

The dishonest evildoer returned everything he had taken, from a thread even to a shoelace. The father returned to the judge as he had been told, who then restored to him his daughter’s dowery. The man fell to the ground full length and kissed his hands and feet for his kindness and his truth, and said, “Blessed are you before the Holy One, blessed be He, for that your name is a fortress to the poor and a refuge to the humble.” He took all the goods and returned to his house joyful and glad at heart. It is well known that “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15)

Upon the father’s return to his home, he ordered his daughter’s marriage to take place and his daughter was happy. As the groom met his bride under the canopy beneath the stars of the night sky he declared, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.” (Hosea 2:19)

Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 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)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Sultan Suleiman and Eliyahu haNovi the Prophet

Posted on Monday, 29, August, 2022 by Rabbi

In the days of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, that holy and magnificent, honorable, and princely rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Hamon of blessed memory, flourished. He was a man who devoted his life to his people and stood in the King’s Gateway facing every enemy and slanderer. He obtained an order from the king that any blood libel made, namely, that the Jewish people put blood in matzah, was not to be brought before any minister or judge but only to the King’s Gateway itself. It was said that the Sultan Suleiman he was a pious and G-d-fearing king because Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory appeared to him.

The reason for this was that he loved the Jewish people and involved them in state affairs. Indeed, so great was his affection for them that the vizier, who hated the Jewish people, began to envy them, and thought of all kinds of plots in order to do violence to them, endanger their lives and damage the Kehilla. The evil vizier wanted to exterminate all the Jewish people, the young and old, children and women and blot them out from the world. (Esther 3:13) He ordered that a tunnel be built underground from his home to the royal palace and open into the royal bedchamber where the king slept. The tunnel was built as he ordered.

One midnight as the king was lying on his bed, he heard a voice speaking to him like an unearthly spirit from underground, “Suleiman, Suleiman, you cow, how long will you rest like an animal? When will you rise from your sleep? Rise swiftly and go away from where you are and destroy the Jewish people so that the name of Israel will never be remembered anymore and they have no remnant or remains and have no pity for this is what you are commanded.”

When the sultan heard this grievous charge, he trembled very much indeed and said, “Who are you to call upon the king?” Then the voice responded, “Have neither fear nor dread. I am your prophet, who speaks to you, and I do not do all this of my own desire, but Allah has sent me! Do not say in your heart that this is a dream. The words come from Allah, and He wishes you to perform this task speedily, since they are your enemies. This is what you must do to destroy them, in three days time send a host of fearless soldiers to destroy, slay and make an end of them, young and old, babes and women, and let their property be plundered, and all will be well with you, and I shall return to you another time.”

Though the king heard all this, he paid no attention, telling himself that it might be a chance or a dream or some evil spirit that wished to confuse him. So, he turned around and slumbered until daylight. But the next night the false prophet came to him again and repeated what he had said the night before. Then the king grew alarmed and thought, ‘This is a bad matter for the Jewish people, for it brings them evil.” So he sent and summoned his physician, who was the holy Rabbi Moshe, whom the king and queen respected most highly, in order to tell him all that had happened and what was commanded of him regarding the destruction of the Jewish people.

So the holy rabbi Moshe came and bowed down before the sultan and said, “I am ready and prepared to serve my lord.” The sultan said to him, “Know and learn that the King of the universe told me yesterday through our prophet that in three days time you will fall into the hands of your enemies, and those who hate you will overwhelm you and exterminate and destroy you till you are stamped out from the face of the earth, and you will not be able to stand against your foes, for the decree has been passed against you in heaven. Now I wish you to know this and tell me what answer I can give to those who sent the command.”

When Rabbi Moshe heard these words, his heart melted within him and turned to water. He cried a loud and bitter cry and fell at the sultan’s feet and wept and entreated him to make this evil pass away. He said, “Alas, my lord! I pray you, remember how I have gone about before you from my youth until this day with a whole heart and an eager soul, and deliver us, do not abandon us and do not turn your heart toward these words.”

Elijah the Prophet

Sadly, the sultan answered, ‘What can I do when I have heard from Behind the Curtain that you have all been caught in this snare. But if you so desire, come tonight and you will hear the voice speaking to me, for it will certainly come and without delay.”

Now on the third night the voice came again and repeated the same things as before. Rabbi Moshe heard this and fell on his face. When the sultan saw that Rabbi Moshe had fallen, he was astonished and confused at the sight and said, ‘Why do you slumber? Get up and leave this place and go to some mountain or valley to save your soul, for you are precious in my eyes, and flee swiftly to the mountains lest you meet your end in the city, for there is nothing more valuable to any man than his soul.” He wished to have a horse brought for him to ride upon it wherever he might desire to go and gave him a pass written and sealed with the king’s seal that no man might dare to do him any harm or injury. So Rabbi Moshe turned his face to the wilderness and rode away, weeping, and bewildered.

As he was riding, a man came toward him and asked, “What is your calling? And where do you come from? What is your country? And who are your people?” Rabbi Moshe answered each question in due order. Then the man asked him, “If you truly have faith in Hashem, why have you abandoned your people and forsaken your responsibility.” Then Rabbi Moshe understood that this must be Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) of blessed memory. He leaped from the horse and fell at his feet, quivering and shaking and trembling, and he said to him, “Surely my lord is aware of the evil which is going to befall tomorrow. Now how could I stay and see this evil befall my people, and how could I stay to see the destruction of my birthplace?” Then Eliyahu haNovi answered him, “Return to the sultan’s palace and to his chamber, tell him I will be with your mouth and I will teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:12) Speak to him and tell him I shall meet him in the royal garden, but I cannot rise in his presence, since he is of impure soul. And let this be the sign that I have sent you. Go and tell him, “This is, indeed, a foul happening, but he can immediately purify himself of his polluted actions by washing and immersion.”

Rabbi Moshe turned about and went to the sultan’s inner chamber, where he bowed himself down. The king was startled to see him and said, “Come in peace!” Then he told him all that had happened, and the command given him by Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory. At this the king rejoiced very much indeed and changed his garments and purified himself and went to the garden where he bent the knee and prostrated himself before Eliyahu haNovi. And Eliyahu haNovi said to him, “I have been fully informed of all that you do for the Jewish people. May the Holy One, blessed be He repay you for your deeds. But on this occasion, you almost behaved very foolishly, for who has turned his hand against them and come away clean? All this is the plan of your evil vizier, who seeks the kingdom for himself and wishes to destroy you from the very face of the earth. Let this be your test and trial of him. Have all the ground under your bedchamber dug up, and you will find that you will reach his home; for such was his plan and that he did.”

The he did as Eliyahu haNovi told him and he found the tunnel that led to the vizier’s house. So they hanged the vizier at the entry to his home. The incident was written in the records as a memorial and a sign for the rebellious. And it was then that the sultan made a covenant with Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory according to which the latter came to visit him once in every month. And so it came about.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

A Meal of Herbs

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

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)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

A Pencil Box and Child Awareness of Death

Posted on Wednesday, 25, May, 2022Wednesday, 25, May, 2022 by Rabbi

I was deep in thought at my office, preparing a lesson to be given that evening at a community center across town, when the telephone rang. A woman I had never met introduced herself and said that she was the mother of a seven-year-old and that she was dying. She said that her counselor had advised her that discussing her pending death with her son would be too traumatic for him, but somehow that didn’t feel right to her.

Knowing that I worked with grieving children, she asked my advice. I told her that our heart is often smarter than our brain and that I thought she knew what would be best for her son. I also invited her to attend the lesson that night since I was speaking about how children cope with death. She said she would be there.

In today’s society, death is a frightening topic to be avoided at all costs. It is banished from the psyches and the home, and placed firmly out of sight into hospital rooms, hospices, and funeral homes. The Angel of Death is an unwelcome visitor whose presence many try so hard to ignore. Many therapists and counselors sadly leave death and the topics surrounding it shrouded in dark, fearful mystery.

I wondered later if I would recognize the woman at the lesson, but my question was answered when I saw a weak woman being half carried into the room by two adults. I talked about the fact that children usually sense the truth long before they are told and that they often wait until they feel adults are ready to talk about it before sharing their concerns and questions. I said that children usually can manage truth better than denial, even though the denial is intended to protect them from pain. I said that respecting children meant including them in the family sadness through grieving and mourning, not shutting them out.

The woman had heard enough. At the break, she hobbled to the front of the room and through her tears she said, “l knew it in my heart. I just knew I should tell him.” She said that she would tell him that night.

The next morning, I received another phone call from her.

She could hardly talk but I managed to hear the story through her choked voice. She woke her son up when they got home from the lesson and quietly said, “David, I have something to tell you.” He quickly interrupted her saying, “Oh, Mommy, is it now that you are going to tell me that you are dying?” She held him close, and they both cried while she said, “Yes.”

After a few minutes, the little boy wanted to get down. He said that he had something for her that he had been saving. In the back of one of his drawers was an old pencil box. Inside the box was a letter written in simple scrawl. It said, “Good-bye, Mommy. I will always love you.

How long he had been waiting to hear the truth, I don’t know. I do know that two days later Mom died. In her casket was placed the old pencil box and a letter.

May your memories be a blessing that lead you to shalom (Peace)

For more grief and mourning resources for adults and children including prayers and meditations, Stories to Console, and activities for children

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 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

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 distractions of the world often interferes with the spiritual journey one would like to take. Science and technology further confuses people. Yet so many seek a way to find faith and answers to spiritual questions.

It seems that there are few who can talk to and teach the simple ways of faith. So many seek the light of peace in their daily lives so that they can see the wonders that surround them and find meaning in things around them.

Many have wealth, success and health thinking that is almost everything in the life but still they lack satisfaction and contentment. This unsatisfied state leads to a quest inside oneself to find something eternal, unseen, unknown – a spiritual journey.

The spiritual path is filled with beautiful and amazing things. Along the way one meets extraordinary people who show them the simple wonders of life and faith.

With guidance from loving leaders and teachers one can find their spiritual center and grow in faith. Sadly, without guidance one can become lost and discouraged.

There was once a man who was not very knowledgeable. When he got up in the morning it was so hard for him to find his clothes that at night he hesitated to go to bed for thinking of the trouble he would have on waking.

One evening he finally made a great effort, took paper and pencil and as he undressed noted down exactly where he put everything he had on.

“That’s all very well, but now where am I myself?” he asked in great confusion. “Where in the world am I?” He looked and looked, but it was a vain search he could not find himself.

Those who embark on a spiritual journey should be blessed and “a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health. (Tobit 5:22) And may the G-d of heaven prosper your journey with his peace.” (Tobit 7:12)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two.

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Then Rabbi Eleazar said, “That must have been Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).” And he rejoiced because he withstood the test and humbled himself with us before him.

Zohar Chadash Lech Lecha 22

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

There was a woman who cautioned her reckless daughter, saying: “If you act shamelessly, do so only in secret in order that your husband should never know it, just as I myself did. For I have ten children, of whom only one is your father’s.”

Her husband heard her as she spoke to her daughter and kept his anger and pain to himself. He determined to remain quiet but remembered every word his faithless wife had said.

At his death he willed that all his wealth and property should be given only to one of his children, but he did not state to which, for he did not know which one was his own child.

Based on Bava Basra 58a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and came all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “This stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts and money and appointed him minister. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The same can be said for a pure tongue. A person who uses his gift of speech only for what it was created, and does not sully it with forbidden speech, possesses a very precious gem, whose value he cannot possibly imagine. Nor can he begin to know the great reward that awaits him for his care!

Let us see the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) in our lifetime.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

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)