The Prayer of the Simple Wine Maker

Posted on Thursday, 6, August, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Yosef the merchant, the wealthy merchant, was walking past the old wooden shul (synagogue) when he heard sad crying coming from the open shul window. Forgetting where he was headed, he rushed inside and was startled to find Dovid, a sincere but unlearned man, standing in the center of the room, his face red as he recited Psalms with such energy that tears soaked the small book held in his hands.

Dovid was considered a fine wine maker in the village. He was well known throughout the area, his wine — produced only in small batches and shared privately — was treasured as Kiddush wine. Perhaps he could have earned more if he were to sell large quantities, but Dovid enjoyed making and sharing wine that would be blessed and bless those who drank it.

This was the first time Yosef the merchant had seen Dovid pray with such feeling. When he reached the verse “My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You,” his voice cracked, the words stuck in his throat. His body trembled with emotion and tears flowed unrestrained. Scrunching his face with concentration, Dovid uttered each word again and again. He appeared to be begging for his life.

“Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the Universe!” he suddenly yelled. “Don’t let my family be hurt … Please, I beg of you!”

Rooted to the spot, Yosef the merchant watched in puzzled silence. And though it took some time, he waited till Dovid’s crying dwindled to sniffles before addressing him.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

Dovid sighed weakly. “Less than an hour ago, I heard banging on my door and opened to a government official. Police, he told me, were on their way to raid my house. They’d received an anonymous report charging me with running an illegal wine business, and would arrest me if they found any evidence at all.”

“Who do you think told them?” asked Yosef the merchant.

“I suspect it’s the man who used to do small jobs around my house,” Dovid said with a sad expression. “We had a fierce argument over something not long ago. I ended up sending him out of my house. He swore revenge, and considering it an empty threat, I dismissed his words and forgot about the whole thing. It makes sense now. Since he knew my house pretty well and would certainly be able to make it look as if I have a whole wine business going.

“I recovered somewhat from the initial shock and managed to tell my wife the horrible news before running to the holy rabbi’s house to seek his advice and blessing. I was sorely distressed and saddened when they told me he wasn’t home. Apparently, he’s out of town. My head swirled. Without his prayers, what was left for me to do? So, I rushed to the shul to beg for G d’s mercy. If I am to go to jail, at least He should spare my wife and children. A jail sentence for a crime like this would be a very long one, indeed…”

As this took place, the police had been marching along to Dovid’s house.

Meanwhile, after he had slammed the door and disappeared in a panic, his wife hastily improvised a countermeasure of some sort. She brought in armfuls of straw from the yard and flung them down the steps leading to the tiny basement winery, sprinkling some around the door as well. Once everything was covered with straw, she bolted the basement door shut.

Moments after she had finished, she looked up to see the evil accuser leading the police almost pompously. All they had to do was follow the direction of his pointing finger and discover the wine. The seriousness of the situation, together with sheer terror, crashed down on her, and she felt overpowered. She hunkered in a dark corner of the house, muttering a prayer and hoping for the best.

The officers, their eyes scrutinizing the walls, trooped inside through the house and fanned out in a search. The accuser kept silent and watched the police search the house fruitlessly. With childlike impatience, he gestured toward the cellar door.

“Look over there! The wine’s just down that door,” he panted, eyes glinting maliciously.

The chief steeled his jaw, peeved at the interruption. “Quiet. Let the police do their job.”

The accuser’s shoulders sagged, his frustration mounting as he watched the officers overturning the house, steadily eliminating the potential hiding places, yet still failing to uncover traces of illicit wine manufacturing. House completely swept, nothing was left for them to do other than leave. When the accuser saw the officers turn towards the door, he once again failed to contain himself.

“The Jew is hiding his wine behind that door! I swear to you!”

The chief shot the angry accuser another smoldering look. He walked over to the door and opened it. At the sight of the straw strewn down the stairs, he erupted furiously.

“Don’t you know that straw interferes with fermentation?” the chief roared at the accuser, who winced with every word. “I’ve had enough of your lies. Do you seriously think the Jew would ruin his entire inventory of wine with straw?!”

When Yosef the merchant would retell this story, he emphasized, “Look how this simple Jewish wine maker instinctively reacted. When confronted with disaster, it never occurred to him to hire a lawyer or approach a public official. For him, it was either the holy rabbi or the shul!”

Pymet – Grape Mead

Small Batch – 1 gallon

1-3 lb honey

1 packet of wine wine yeast

Pure grape juice to make 1 gallon

Equipment:

1-gallon fermentation vessel

Method:

Sanitize your vessel (If you were to be using any tools — such as a funnel to get the ingredients into the vessel — you would want to sanitize them as well.)

Add honey and grape juice to your fermenter.

Pitch/add the yeast according to instructions.

Add yeast to the fermenter and mix well.

Make sure there is water in the airlock so you can monitor the bubbles (the visual bi-product of fermentation) escaping.

Wait approximately two to three months and your mead will be ready (the bubbles will have all but stopped). Depending on the type of yeast you use, it may take less or more time.

Aging the Pymet will improve the taste and body of the Mead-Wine

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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A Fish and a Guest for Shabbos by a Prayer

Posted on Friday, 24, July, 2020Thursday, 17, August, 2023 by Rabbi

“What a beautiful fish, I must buy it in honor of Shabbos (the Sabbath Day)!” exclaimed a Jewish woman excitedly to the maid who’d accompanied her to the marketplace. “How fortunate that we came nice and early this Friday.”

Because the fish was so large, it was very expensive, but she could well afford it. Her husband, a noted scholar and leader of the community, was also quite wealthy.

She herself was an exceptional woman. As the daughter of and granddaughter of holy rabbis, she well appreciated the delight and importance of a Torah atmosphere on Shabbos. Seeing her purchase energetically thrashing around in her basket, she joyfully thanked G d for enabling her to add to the beauty and holiness of the Shabbos table in such truly fine fashion.

That afternoon a carriage pulled up in front of their door, and a distinguished-looking man stepped out. No one knew who he was, but it was obvious from his appearance and his manners that here was a true Torah personality. Her husband welcomed him heartily, and with respect and deference invited him to stay for Shabbos.

The guest, who chose not to reveal his identity, definitely enjoyed Shabbos with his scholarly host in the luxurious setting, the whole time, night and day, he was nagged by a mystery. What was the reason for the amazing chain of events that led him to spend the Day of Rest so far from his home? Surely it was not just to have a pleasurable Shabbos. What was he supposed to accomplish here?

After Seuda Shelishis (the Third Meal on the Sabbath) the holy rabbi retired to his room to rest for a bit, but his feeling of unfulfilled purpose gave him no peace. He decided to do a shaalas chalom (“query by dream”). Before he lay down, he composed his mind carefully and focused on his query: “May Heaven inform me why I have been sent to this town. Where are the hidden sparks of holiness that I am supposed to elevate? What must I achieve?”

When he awoke, he had his answer. There is no special task for you to fulfill here, he was informed while he slept, nor anything to rectify. But on Friday morning the lady of the house had purchased a large fish in honor of Shabbos, and on her way home from the marketplace she had prayed: “Ribbono She Olam – Master of the Universe You granted me this beautiful fish in honor of Your holy Shabbos. Please also grant me a suitably pious and learned guest to enjoy this fish tonight.” As nobody in this generation is more worthy than you, you were “summoned” by Heaven to arrive here for Shabbos.

After havdalah and the melaveh malkah meal, therabbi made his departure. The host and his sons escorted him out to his carriage. Much to their surprise—and at change with accepted custom—their distinguished holy guest requested of them that they call the hostess out for the farewell too.

When she arrived, he said to her: “I was a great distance from here, but because of your prayer yesterday, I was compelled to travel all the way here to spend Shabbos with your family. Your prayers are powerful!”

6 1/2″ slices salmon fillet	juice of 1 fresh lemon
1 medium-size onion, thickly sliced	1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup water	1/4 cup raisins
1 Tablespoon brown sugar	6 bay leaves
1 Tablespoon honey	12 whole allspice

Prepare the marinade. In a 4- or 5-quart pot, boil onion slices in one cup of water for 3 minutes. Add brown sugar, honey, salt, and lemon juice. Stir; after cooking one minute, taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
Let the marinade cool. Add the salmon fillets and refrigerate in the pot for 3 hours.
Remove the pot from the refrigerator. Bring to a slow boil. After 20 minutes, add raisins, bay leaves, and pickling spice. Cook 5 minutes longer; remove from heat. Remove bay leaves.
Serve immediately or at room temperature. Store the fish slices in the marinade. It will keep in the refrigerator for one week.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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The Rabbi Who Was Turned into a Werewolf – Part I The Rabbi and Students Travel

Posted on Tuesday, 30, June, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part 1 of 4 – Part 2 to be posted tomorrow

Part I The Rabbi and Students Travel

Once there was a rabbi who was very wealthy. He knew all of the revealed and hidden Torah and understood all the seventy languages. The rabbi maintained a great yeshiva, which was attended by many students. The rabbi provided for the needs of poor students. The students loved the rabbi, their teacher.

The rabbi was a baal tzedakah (giver of much charity) and provided for many of the poor of the village. He frequently had travelers and beggars in his home. the rabbi was filled with good deeds, as a pomegranite is filled with seeds. He was known throughout the region as a holy and generous man.

His wife was nothing like him, she was a wicked woman. She resented his generosity and his love of Torah. She couldn’t bear the presence of any poor people in her house.

The world is a water wheel, the buckets ascend full and descend empty. Who’s rich today may not be so tomorrow. (Exodus Rabbah 31:14) And so it happened with the holy rabbi. He lost all his wealth and could no longer help the poor or the students.

The holy rabbi was embarassed, but chose to bear his losses without protest to the Holy One, blessed be He, for ‘all His ways are just’ (Deuteronomy 32:4). After much thought he decided to leave town secretly so that no one will know what became of him.

He called together his best students in the yeshiva and said, “You know how devoted I’ve been to you all these years. I’ve provided you with food and clothing, and studied with you. But now I have to tell you something, and I hope that you will do toward me as I have always done toward you.”

The students answered together: “Rabbi, holy rabbi, tell us your secret. And we promise that we will be true to you as long as the Holy One, blessed be He gives us life.”

The rabbi told them he that he lost his fortune and that he planned to leave town. He invited his 10 best students to join him. He still had some money and hoped they would find mercy a long the road.

The students were touched by the holy rabbi’s words that they agreed that whatever they had, whether money or clothes, they would share with him.

That night, the rabbi went away his ten best students, and no one in the village noticed their leaving. When the poor people and students found that the rabbi was gone they were deeply frightened of his wife.

The holy rabbi was greatly honored wherever he went, and he and his students were treated very well. No one was surprised that he had left home, people assumed that he and his students were traveling for some holy purpose.

Travel is hard on clothes, person, and purse. (Midrash Tehillim 23:3) After being on the road for a long time, their clothes became tattered, and they ran out of money. They no longer looked like Torah scholars and sadly had to resort to begging to meet their needs.

Weariness and hard times wore down the holy rabbi and his loyal students. The students approached the holy rabbi and told him thy were tired of their life of wandering, and they to return to their homes and families. They also promised not to tell anyone what he was doing or where he was.”

The holy rabbi listened to his students and thought for a few moments, and then he said: “My dear students, what greater praise can I speak of you than your loyalty, which you have been showing me all this time. I therefore want to ask you one more thing, stay with me until after Shabbos. Then, b’ezras Hashem (G-d willing), I’ll let you go with my blessings.”

The students answered, “Rabbi, we’ve been with you so long, we’ll stay with you until after Shabbos.”

The holy rabbi walked slowly into the nearby forest and began to meditate and pray:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you (Psalm 19:14) If I recite my wants, it is not to remind You of them, but only that I may be conscious of my dependence upon You. (Chovos haLevavos 8:3:18).

Suddenly he saw a little weasel running by, with a golden ring in its mouth. The holy rabbi began to chase the weasel, until it dropped the ring. The rabbi picked it up and saw that is was very old and that there was ancient writing on the inside, which he was able to read. It said: “Though I be old and simple, I am invaluable.”

The rabbi was very wise and he realized there was something special about this ring, and he sat and studied it. He wondered what was so special about the ancient ring. What makes it so invaluable?

For a moment he was distracted thought about his students and he said to himself, “Ribbono Shel Olam , Master of the Universe allow me to find away to send my students back to their homes with ease,” Suddenly he saw lying before him a belt full of golden coins. He was amazed and returned to his students.

He gathered them around him and told them, “This Shabbos will truly be joyful. I just learned that an old friend, who is very wealthy, lives in the nextvillage, and I’m sure he will lend me money, he doesn’t yet realize that I’m poor. With the money, I’ll be able to buy you all new clothes and we will return home together.”

He didn’t want to tell his students about the ring because “secret things belong to Hashem (Deuteronomy 29:28), so he didn’t say a word.

When they arrived at the next village, the holy rabbi bought clothes made of the finest velvet and silk for his students. He also bought himself clothing he had worn before. Throughout Shabbos they learned Torah, sang and were very happy.

He went into the city and bought a beautiful coach, fit for a prince, and he told his students:

“Dear students, come here, and I will pay you back for everything you did for me while we were roaming about, and then we shall go home.”

The students merely thought that the wealthy relative in the town had lent him a thousand ducats, just as the rabbi said to them, so that he might return home in honor. And they started back. And the people who had once closed their doors to them, now opened them wide and welcomed the travelers warmly.

However, while the rabbi and his students were away from their home town, the people were miserable. But then they found out that the rabbi and his students were coming back, and there were shouts of joy. And who was as glad as the poor people in town?

When the rabbi arrived, everyone gave him a warm welcome, for nobody realized he had gone out into the world because he had been poverty-stricken. People thought he had gone away to study. And the rabbi acted as he had always acted before. He gave charity, opened his yeshiva and brought up little boys to study. On Sabbath afternoons, following his nap, he would interpret the hard critical glosses of the Talmud for his students.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

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The Blessing of Kasha

Posted on Friday, 26, June, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The widow had custom to personally distribute kasha—buckwheat groats—to students who spent the day studying the Holy Writings. She even served this simple food during meals on Shabbos (the holy Sabbath day). Her motive was undoubtedly spiritual, and indeed, holy power may be “transmitted” through food.

Once, when she was serving the kasha, she saw a young man who ate it hurriedly, in a gluttonous manner unbefitting a student learning the Holy Writings. The widow called him over and said to him, “Do you know how many prayers were sent into heaven on behalf of this food?

At seed time, the seeds were praying that they be received into the earth and sprout. Then they pray that if heaven decrees a blight to afflict the sprouts, they be spared. Later, at threshing time, when many grains are simply lost and others carried off by the wind, they pray that nothing be lost. Still later, the grains pray that they come into the possession of a spiritual person — who will elevate them by making a blessing before eating them. Then they pray that they will become a food to be eaten on Shabbos, for this will cause their fixing (their tikkun) and elevation. Sadly if, after all this, one eats in a lowly way, one spoils everything, for a grain of kasha can only receive a fixing when eaten in a way befitting a human being!”

Holy, meditative eating is an important spiritual practice whereby both the person and the food are elevated spiritually. The widow’s words to the student encouraged him to eat with sanctity and dignity. She described the kasha seeds and grains as praying. Just as she also prayed a great deal while making the kasha and while distributing it to the students to fulfill the goal that the students and the food they ate be elevated by their eating.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

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The Mystical Melody Part II – The Search

Posted on Friday, 17, January, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

“Your Majesty, there was an attempt to take over your throne by that jealous Duke Maskil!”

Your Majesty, war has broken out in the kingdom of Tsumisht due to the squabbles of the two lords who rule there!”

The king laughed and thought to himself, “I’ve just returned, but it’s as though I’d never left. What a welcome!”

The king was back into numerous meetings, conferences and consultations. Many documents and papers needed urgent review by the king. Many dignitaries and officials waited anxiously to speak to him. His advisors busied themselves giving him advice he didn’t ask for. After several hours of a grueling schedule, food was brought before him. Doctors surrounded the king, telling him what to eat and what not to eat, what to drink and what not to drink.

Later that night, when he had a few quiet moments to himself in his throne room, the king thought, “It is the perfect time to hum the very special melody.” He leaned back, closed his eyes, relaxed, and imagined that he was in the valley. He began to hum. The melody didn’t sound right. He tried several times, but the king could not remember the song.

The king tried again and again to hum, to remember some piece of the melody, but he could not do it. He couldn’t remember one note of the melody that had that had no beginning and no end; gone too were the feelings, tremors and shivers that it had inspired.

There was pounding at the door now. “Your Majesty, the Duke of the Northern Kingdom has arrived. He must speak with you instantly. He has very important news. He may be able to settle the dispute among his lords.”

“Alright. Bring him in,” said the exhausted, tired king.

The king found himself in endless meetings, trying to make peace among his advisors. Sadly, the king thought to himself, “Life in the palace is so hectic and stressful. If only I could remember that melody.”

All through the meetings the king’s eyes kept drifting off into the distance. He heard almost nothing that was being said. He kept thinking, “The valley, the melody . . . if only I could remember that melody.”

That night the king tossed and turned in his bed. He could not console himself on the loss of the melody, and it seemed to be affecting his health.

In the wee hours of the night, the king’s private doctor was called in. The king looked pale and worn. He would not respond to any of his servants and only moaned, “If only I could remember the song.”The doctor looked into the king’s eyes and said, “Your Majesty, I have an idea. Why don’t we take you back to the valley? Why don’t we find the shepherd who played that melody? The shepherd can be brought right here to the palace, and he can play the melody for you. You can find peace and regain your health.”

The king looked at the doctor, and a smile spread across his face. “You are brilliant. Why that is the simplest idea. Let’s do that immediately.”

“Your Majesty, it is still night. Why don’t you get some rest and early in the morning, we will send our fastest couriers to the valley to find that shepherd and bring him here. I am confident that you will then be cured.”

The king relieved by the advice of the doctor, relaxed and fell asleep within minutes. He slept soundly until the sun rose in the sky.

As soon as the early light of morning allowed a safe journey, the king was up and waiting at his coach. “I must go off to the valley.”

“But, Your Majesty, the meetings . . . .”

“They’ll have to wait. This is much more important.”

It was only hours later that the king, along with twenty of his best soldiers, was standing at the foot of the valley. All they had to do now was wait for the shepherd. They waited for a long time, but the shepherd never came.

The king ordered his soldiers to go to the nearby village and ask, “Does anyone know a shepherd who plays a beautiful melody on the flute? Has anyone seen the shepherd who grazes his sheep in the valley?” they asked of anyone they met.

Sadly, no one knew, no one heard. The king decided to wait another day, hoping the shepherd would come then. The king and his soldiers waited in the valley. Everyone hoped that the morning would bring the shepherd and his melody.

Morning came but still no shepherd. The waiting began again. By now some of the king’s advisors seriously doubted whether the king had not made a mistake. Some began to question in a hushed whisper, “Is our king’s mind still sound?” The doctor believed that the king had indeed heard the shepherd’s melody in this place.

At the end of the third day, the sad king his coach and left with his soldier escort. His dream was crushed.

As soon as he got to the palace, the king shut himself in his throne room. No one was allowed to see him except his trusted doctor. The servants tiptoed through the hallways, and a sense of sadness hung over the palace.

The king’s advisors called meetings to determine what should be done for the king. They all agreed that he was getting sicker each day and that the shepherd must be found at all costs. They decided that a royal proclamation that would be heard throughout the land.

“Hear ye, hear ye…let it be known throughout the kingdom that any shepherd who can play the amazing melody that has no beginning and no end must make his way to the palace at once. He who can play the melody that the king remembers shall be handsomely rewarded.”

The word spread, and within a few days, a long line of shepherds formed at the palace gates. Hundreds of shepherds of all shapes and sizes, flutes in hand, waited for their chance to play their song before the king.

The king, hearing the commotion looked out, and was surprised to see the long line of shepherds.”What has happened here? Who are all these people?” he asked.

“Shepherds, Your Majesty,” said one of the advisors. “They have come here to try to play your song for you.”

“So many of them? Why, they are a bunch of imposters! Only one can know the melody for which I long.”

“That may be so, Your Majesty, but only you know right melody.

The first shepherd was brought before the king. He had only played three or four notes of his song when the king slammed his fist angrily on the table and said, “No! You are an impostor!” Quickly, the shepherd was left the throne room.

The same thing happened with the next shepherd and the next. Every shepherd began to play but was stopped almost immediately by the king and sent out. The king lost his patience. “The next impostor who steps across the threshold of my throne room will be put to death!” he thundered.

Afraid for their lives, the remaining shepherds quickly disappeared. The king sank back into sadness, and the advisors and the doctor were beside themselves with worry.

Days later, it finally happened! From a faraway valley, a shepherd appeared at the palace gates. The shepherd was brought immediately before the king. He bowed and humbly said, “Your Majesty, I am the shepherd that you await. My melody certainly has no beginning and no end, and I know the valley of which you speak. I would be honored to play my melody for you.”

The king looked pleased. He liked the look of this shepherd. As a matter of fact, although he could no longer remember exactly what his shepherd had looked like, this shepherd had a familiar look about him. He motioned to him, “Do sit down. Do play the melody for me.”

The shepherd sat himself down on the floor and said, “Your Majesty, please close your eyes and imagine that you are in the valley. All around you, you see the grass, the blue sky, the sheep, and you hear the echo of this melody.”

The king smiled. He threw his head back in anticipation and listened. The shepherd began to play a mystical song, a song that sounded like a gift from heaven, and the king listened very intently. The shepherd played about five minutes and then he stopped to rest. He looked up at the king. The king’s eyes were tightly closed, and for a long moment he did not say anything. When he opened his eyes, the king took a very long look at the shepherd. There was a deep furrow in his forehead. Softly, he said, “Please, will you play that melody one more time?”

“Certainly, Your Majesty. It would be my pleasure, but remember, lean back, relax and empty your mind of its worries, just as you did when you lay in the valley. Then concentrate on the sounds that come from this flute.”

“Yes, yes,” said the king, “go ahead.”

Again, the shepherd played his soulful melody. Tears streamed down from the eyes of the king.

When the music stopped, the king looked as if he had been shaken from a dream. The king started in his chair and said, “I’m not sure. This might be it. Please, shepherd, play it one more time.”

One more time, the shepherd lifted the flute to his mouth, and the
gentle notes filled the room with a sense of peace.

For a long time, the shepherd played. The king swayed back and forth, listening with great intensity to every note. The tears were all over his cheeks now.

At the end the king blinked several times. He then opened his eyes. It was hard to see clearly through all the tears. He patted his eyes dry and in a small voice said, “Thank you very much. You may go now.”

Excuse me, Your Majesty. Do you mean that I should wait outside?”

“No, I’m sorry,” said the king. “I’m afraid that it’s the wrong song after all. Your song is truly wonderful, and you play the flute masterfully, but still your song is not the right song. For a while there, I thought I had a glimmer of hope that it was, but I’m sorry, it is not.”

The shepherd sat down quietly for a moment. Then he looked deep into the eyes of the king and said, “Your Majesty, would you be so kind as to allow me to ask you one question?”

“Go ahead,” said the king. “You have been most helpful. You may ask your question.”

“Your Majesty,” said the shepherd, “if you do not remember the melody that you heard in the valley, how do you know that this is not it? Perhaps this is the melody that you have forgotten, Your Majesty.”

The king nodded several times. “That is a very good question. How do I know? How will I ever know when I finally hear the song for which I am yearning?”

“My dear shepherd, when I will hear the right melody, my soul will shake. My body will tremble. You see, that is what happened when I heard the song for the first time, and that is what happened each time I heard it again.”

“Today as I listened to your beautiful music, no tingles, no shivers and no trembling overtook me. That’s how I know that it is the wrong song. When the day comes and I hear the right song, I am certain that I will again experience the same feelings that I did every other time that I heard it. But until then, I cannot settle for a substitute. I must wait for the song that reaches my soul.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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.

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The Mystical Melody Part I – The Escape

Posted on Monday, 13, January, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The full moon was in the night sky, and the palace was silent. The guard who stood watch over the palace gates looked out into the darkness. Everything was quiet and still.

The calm of the night was disturbed by a loud noise. The night watchman spun around in his position at the gate and looked toward the palace. Strangely, it seemed like the noise was coming from within the palace doors themselves. The night watchman pulled out his bow, nocked an arrow, and within seconds, and had it ready to strike.

“Halt! Who goes there?” cried the night watchman.

Whoever it was, continued on with a slow yet steady step. “Halt or I’ll shoot! In the name of the king, stop!”

The warning was ignored, and the steps came closer and closer towards the palace gate.

With very shaky hands, the watchman pulled on the string of his bow. It was taut, and the arrow was ready to be sent into flight. He pointed the arrow-as steadily as he could in the direction of the stranger.

“I give you three seconds,and then you die. Three, two, one…”

He was just about to let go of the string when suddenly, there stood the king. In the light of the moon, the watchman could see the king’s face clearly. He met the king and begged, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. I could have killed you. I was following my orders. Please your Majesty understand.”

Strangely enough, there was a calm look on the king’s face as he looked at his guard and said, “You have done well and have served me well. You have nothing to fear. You will not be punished. But please move out of my way so that I may escape.”

The guard was completely confused. “Escape, your Majesty? From whom do you need to escape? Your Majesty, I will call the rest of the guards, and within moments we will have a strong force ready to protect you. Do not worry.”

“No, no, that is not necessary” the king interrupted. “Look, I don’t have much time to explain. All I can tell you is that I must escape from my palace.”

“I can tell you are surprised. I know exactly what you think; you probably imagine that the life of a king is wonderful. When I was a young prince, I also thought it would be wonderful to be king. I was looked forward to assume the role of king and lead my people. I felt sure that I could use my wealth and power to help the poor and needy, and to negotiate peace with all our neighbors. These are truly important matters, and I wanted to occupy myself with them. But lo and behold when I ascended to the throne, I discovered that the king’s day is filled with a lot of meaningless formalities.

Instead of negotiating peace among countries, I am kept busy keeping peace among my jealous advisors. The palace staff feels that every small detail regarding menus and protocols are more important than state matters. It is assumed that I must have a personal dresser and advisor, who constantly are concerned how I look, who I see and where I stand or sit. I cannot reach my subjects or do the important work I want to do.

“True, the food is delicious, and the grounds are beautiful. The furniture and decorations in the palace are pleasing to the eye, but there is an emptiness in my heart that just won’t let me enjoy them.” The king took a deep breath and sighed, “Please open the gates quietly and don’t make another sound so I can slip out into the darkness.”

“Your Majesty,” questioned the guard. “Who will run the kingdom? Without you on the throne there will be problems. Your Majesty, we all love you and trust you to run the affairs of the state.”

The king smiled, “You are an honourable guard, and I appreciate your loyalty. Don’t worry. I will be back. I am just going away for a short time. I must get away for just a few days. It is my chance to free myself from all these silly details and ponder over what my country really needs.”

Noting the concern still apparent in the watchman’s eyes, the king added, “I am touched by your dedication, my man. Take this purse full of gold coins and spend them well. This is my way of thanking you for keeping my secret. You are a faithful servant, and I know I can trust you.”

“Yes, your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty,” was the response of the guard, as he quietly opened the gates. The king slipped out into the dark night.

Moments later in a clearing, the king reached into a hollow of one of the old trees and pulled out a bag of plain peasant’s clothing. The king quietly changed his clothes, and was almost unrecognizable.

The king ran through the darkness, sometimes tripping over the tree roots, but always quickly getting up, running farther and farther away from the palace. After many hours, the king stopped to rest, miles from his palace.

It was a cold and very uncomfortable night for the king, who slept on the bare ground of the forest. As the dawn broke, the king woke in a good mood even though his neck hurt, and his muscles were sore. He was not accustomed to the ways of the woods; yet, he was happy just to breathe the country air, to hear the birds singing and to be surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Here in the forest there were no advisors standing over him; no servants hovering to satisfy his requests or needs. The king was glad he successfully escaped from the palace. He took a few moments to enjoy the forest’s sights and sounds. The birds and small animals were also just rising, and everywhere was the excitement and anticipation that a new day brings.

His thoughts turned to the palace. “They are probably just waking up, and noticing that I am not in the palace. There must be quite a commotion. The guards are probably searching everywhere for me.” Sighing, he reminded himself that he was not yet where he wanted to be. He stood up, stretched, and began walking.

He continued to walk until finally he found himself in a beautiful valley. The grass was a deep, dark green, lush and tall. Flowers of all shades were scattered everywhere making the valley look like a giant rainbow. Here and there grew apple trees whose shade created lovely canopies, and whose fruit seemed as though it would melt in one’s mouth. A small stream trickled over the rocks at one end, and around it grew honeysuckle, filling the valley with a sweet perfume. The king was overcome by the beauty around him. He dropped to the ground, and like a little boy, rolled around and around in the grass. When he finally came to a stop, he lay there lazily, staring up at the deep blue sky and enjoying the view.

He watched the clouds drift across the sky and said, “This is truly a peaceful place. I have waited years for this—a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature alone and to think.” Soon, from the other end of the valley, he heard the sounds of sheep. “What a beautiful sight,” he said, watching at the hundreds of sheep walking aimlessly through the grass, grazing.

“Could there be anything more wonderful than this?” thought the king. Almost as an answer to his question, he heard a soft melody the shepherd played on his flute. “I hope he doesn’t see me,” thought the king, as he hid behind a tree and listened to the beautiful song that the shepherd was playing.

It was an enchanting melody. The king had never heard anything like it in all of his life. It seemed to have no beginning or end. It was a soulful tune, and as it echoed all across the valley, his body began to tremble with the beauty of the song. The melody touched the very core of his being.

The king was astonished. “It seemed that the shepherd wanted to ‘Sing to him, sing praises to him, and tell of all his wonderful works.’ (I Chronicles 16:9) Who could have written such beautiful music with such mystical depth and meaning? I want to listen to this melody forever,” he thought.

Every once in a while, the shepherd rested, and the king waited eagerly for another chance to hear the melody. Then it would start again, and again the king would tremble, shake and shiver. The majestic glory of the melody seemed to have been sent to him from heaven.

The king wanted to thank the shepherd for these moments of peace and rare pleasure, but he was afraid. “No one can know I am here,” he reminded himself and remained still.

Throughout the day, the shepherd played the haunting melody on his flute, and the king listened with rapture. As the sun slowly set, the shepherd put away his flute and herded the sheep out of the pasture.

That night the king slept a deep, restful sleep. He had not enjoyed such a sleep in many months. He heard the shepherd’s melody in his head as he slept. When he woke up, the king felt more rested than he had ever felt in his life.

The next morning, the shepherd returned and played the melody on his flute as he watched the sheep. The king decided, “I must learn this melody and take this song back with me to the palace. When I feel troubled with the pettiness of the palace, I will sing the melody. I will hum it to myself, and I will be instantly transported to the beauty of this valley. That will give me the patience to solve the many problems. I wish I could hold onto this peace forever.”

For three days the king spent his time in the valley in happiness, listening carefully to every note. As the sun set, he realized it was time to return to the palace and take charge of the kingdom’s affairs.

The king began his journey back to his palace and tried to hum the melody to himself. It was very difficult, but the king thought, “I will always remember it, the melody with no beginning and no end. And most of all, I’ll always feel the peace of the melody that came to me from heaven.”

Hours later, the king was back at the palace gates. Instantly, the commotion began. His servants were everywhere, the guards surrounded him, and everyone demanded his full attention. “Your Majesty, where were you? We were searching everywhere!”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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Rosh Hashanah Stories

Posted on Friday, 27, September, 2019Friday, 27, September, 2019 by Rabbi

Click the links below to read Rosh Hashanah stories to share with family and friends. Read and enjoy. If you can share a thought comment or like

A Cry to the King
A Prescription for Life
A Rock and the King’s Greatness
Foundations of the World
Hineni – Different Kinds of Prayer
Horses and Rosh haShanah
How to be Forgiven of Sin
Just One Small Blast from the Great Shofar
Philmont, Horses and Rosh haShanah
Repentance and the Captive Prince
Repentance Out of Love
Rosh haHashanah: Forgiving A Debt
The Deaf Man of the Shul
The Dirty Treasure
The Humble Request of the King’s Son
Forgive! How do I forgive someone who committed these atrocities against me? Lots of people have become dependent on opioids and deeprootsmag.org levitra vardenafil the problem of ED is not only confidence shattering but also this is breaking the couples and destroying families and lives in general. How hip replacement done in India order cheap levitra In India, traditional hip joint replacement, as well as that with minimal invasion total replacement is performed. The super chemical viagra no prescription overnight performs phenomenal by improving male capabilities to attain straightening that matches the levels of intimacy. The main component which is included in tadalafil lowest price 100mg remedy. The King Hears the Cry
The King, the Forester and Teshuvah
The King, the Thief the True Penitant
The Mother’s Prayer Book and a Boy’s Prayer
Where Are the Books That We Wish To Be Inscribed In?
How Much Remorse?

May the stories ignite your spirit and intensify your prayers so that all can be blessed with a year of peace, success, and happiness

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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The Water Carrier – A Tale from Aleppo

Posted on Monday, 9, September, 2019Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The sky was a sad gray. Rain poured down from the heavens and a cold wind blew from the east, chilling everyone to the bone. The Chevra Kadisha (burial Society) was escorting the body of the town’s water carrier, to his final resting place in the cemetery.

For thirty years, the water carrier would carry two buckets on his shoulders, and walk down the hill to draw water from the river. He would then slowly make his way back up the hill, with the heavy weight on his shoulders, and deliver this water to the people in the village. He did this each day, year after year, in order to earn enough money to feed his family.

Looking out his window, the young Chacham (rabbi) was surprised to see his aged father outside in the wet weather, accompanying the water carrier’s levaya (funeral procession).

Later that evening, the young chacham said to his father, “I was very surprised to see you walking the whole way to the cemetery and stay for the whole funeral. I know how busy you are, and how hard it is for you to get away from the bet midrash (house of study).”

“Do not be surprised, my son,” his father answered. “When the funeral procession passed by the bet midrash, I saw thousands of angels singing Tehillim (Psalms) with beautiful voices. Singing in the center of all the angels was a tall majestic figure, larger than the rest, who appeared to be David haMelech (King David). How could I not accompany them?”

But why would a simple water carrier, be accompanied to his grave by David haMelech and so many angels singing Tehillim? thought the young chacham. What was so special about him? That night, he prayed to Hashem to reveal to him the secret of the water carrier.

In the middle of that same night, the water carrier came to the young chacham in a dream. “It is true,” he explained, “in your world I was, indeed, a very simple man.

I could neither read or write. But, as a child, I learned the entire first Sefer of Tehillim (book of Psalms) by heart. Each day after work, I would recite the entire first Sefer in the bet midrash. I could say it slowly with very deep feelings. That is why I merited such a special honor. David haMelech who wrote the Tehillim came to my funeral with the angels that I created through my daily reading of Tehillim.”

The young chacham learned a very important lesson – the power of prayer, even for a very simple man.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Grief and Mourning resources for adults and children including thoughts and meditations, stories, and crafts

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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ST30 The Power of Prayer and Holy Names

Posted on Monday, 4, March, 2019Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to the story

The Power of Prayer and Holy Names

Faith and prayers can heal many ills. A medieval tales about faith and science

a written version of this story can be found at

The The Power of Prayer and Holy Names

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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ST29 Special Prayers, Sins and Rain

Posted on Thursday, 14, February, 2019Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to the story

ST29 Special Prayers, Sins and Rain

Prayers during a drought from the community, bring the life restoring rains in spite of a person who allows arrogance to get in the way of prayer

a written version of this story can be found at Special Prayers, Sins and Rain

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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“Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the Universe!” he suddenly yelled. “Don’t let my family be hurt … Please, I beg of you!”

Rooted to the spot, Yosef the merchant watched in puzzled silence. And though it took some time, he waited till Dovid’s crying dwindled to sniffles before addressing him.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Who do you think told them?” asked Yosef the merchant.

As this took place, the police had been marching along to Dovid’s house.

The officers, their eyes scrutinizing the walls, trooped inside through the house and fanned out in a search. The accuser kept silent and watched the police search the house fruitlessly. With childlike impatience, he gestured toward the cellar door.

“Look over there! The wine’s just down that door,” he panted, eyes glinting maliciously.

The chief steeled his jaw, peeved at the interruption. “Quiet. Let the police do their job.”

“The Jew is hiding his wine behind that door! I swear to you!”

The chief shot the angry accuser another smoldering look. He walked over to the door and opened it. At the sight of the straw strewn down the stairs, he erupted furiously.

“Don’t you know that straw interferes with fermentation?” the chief roared at the accuser, who winced with every word. “I’ve had enough of your lies. Do you seriously think the Jew would ruin his entire inventory of wine with straw?!”

When Yosef the merchant would retell this story, he emphasized, “Look how this simple Jewish wine maker instinctively reacted. When confronted with disaster, it never occurred to him to hire a lawyer or approach a public official. For him, it was either the holy rabbi or the shul!”

Pymet – Grape Mead

Small Batch – 1 gallon

1-3 lb honey

1 packet of wine wine yeast

Pure grape juice to make 1 gallon

Equipment:

1-gallon fermentation vessel

Method:

Sanitize your vessel (If you were to be using any tools — such as a funnel to get the ingredients into the vessel — you would want to sanitize them as well.)

Add honey and grape juice to your fermenter.

Pitch/add the yeast according to instructions.

Add yeast to the fermenter and mix well.

Make sure there is water in the airlock so you can monitor the bubbles (the visual bi-product of fermentation) escaping.

Wait approximately two to three months and your mead will be ready (the bubbles will have all but stopped). Depending on the type of yeast you use, it may take less or more time.

Aging the Pymet will improve the taste and body of the Mead-Wine

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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“What a beautiful fish, I must buy it in honor of Shabbos (the Sabbath Day)!” exclaimed a Jewish woman excitedly to the maid who’d accompanied her to the marketplace. “How fortunate that we came nice and early this Friday.”

Because the fish was so large, it was very expensive, but she could well afford it. Her husband, a noted scholar and leader of the community, was also quite wealthy.

After havdalah and the melaveh malkah meal, therabbi made his departure. The host and his sons escorted him out to his carriage. Much to their surprise—and at change with accepted custom—their distinguished holy guest requested of them that they call the hostess out for the farewell too.

When she arrived, he said to her: “I was a great distance from here, but because of your prayer yesterday, I was compelled to travel all the way here to spend Shabbos with your family. Your prayers are powerful!”

6 1/2″ slices salmon fillet

juice of 1 fresh lemon

1 medium-size onion, thickly sliced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup water

1/4 cup raisins

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

6 bay leaves

1 Tablespoon honey

12 whole allspice

Prepare the marinade. In a 4- or 5-quart pot, boil onion slices in one cup of water for 3 minutes. Add brown sugar, honey, salt, and lemon juice. Stir; after cooking one minute, taste and adjust ingredients as needed.

Let the marinade cool. Add the salmon fillets and refrigerate in the pot for 3 hours.

Remove the pot from the refrigerator. Bring to a slow boil. After 20 minutes, add raisins, bay leaves, and pickling spice. Cook 5 minutes longer; remove from heat. Remove bay leaves.

Serve immediately or at room temperature. Store the fish slices in the marinade. It will keep in the refrigerator for one week.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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Part 1 of 4 – Part 2 to be posted tomorrow

Part I The Rabbi and Students Travel

The rabbi was a baal tzedakah (giver of much charity) and provided for many of the poor of the village. He frequently had travelers and beggars in his home. the rabbi was filled with good deeds, as a pomegranite is filled with seeds. He was known throughout the region as a holy and generous man.

His wife was nothing like him, she was a wicked woman. She resented his generosity and his love of Torah. She couldn’t bear the presence of any poor people in her house.

The world is a water wheel, the buckets ascend full and descend empty. Who’s rich today may not be so tomorrow. (Exodus Rabbah 31:14) And so it happened with the holy rabbi. He lost all his wealth and could no longer help the poor or the students.

The holy rabbi was embarassed, but chose to bear his losses without protest to the Holy One, blessed be He, for ‘all His ways are just’ (Deuteronomy 32:4). After much thought he decided to leave town secretly so that no one will know what became of him.

The students answered together: “Rabbi, holy rabbi, tell us your secret. And we promise that we will be true to you as long as the Holy One, blessed be He gives us life.”

The rabbi told them he that he lost his fortune and that he planned to leave town. He invited his 10 best students to join him. He still had some money and hoped they would find mercy a long the road.

The students were touched by the holy rabbi’s words that they agreed that whatever they had, whether money or clothes, they would share with him.

That night, the rabbi went away his ten best students, and no one in the village noticed their leaving. When the poor people and students found that the rabbi was gone they were deeply frightened of his wife.

The holy rabbi was greatly honored wherever he went, and he and his students were treated very well. No one was surprised that he had left home, people assumed that he and his students were traveling for some holy purpose.

Travel is hard on clothes, person, and purse. (Midrash Tehillim 23:3) After being on the road for a long time, their clothes became tattered, and they ran out of money. They no longer looked like Torah scholars and sadly had to resort to begging to meet their needs.

Weariness and hard times wore down the holy rabbi and his loyal students. The students approached the holy rabbi and told him thy were tired of their life of wandering, and they to return to their homes and families. They also promised not to tell anyone what he was doing or where he was.”

The students answered, “Rabbi, we’ve been with you so long, we’ll stay with you until after Shabbos.”

The holy rabbi walked slowly into the nearby forest and began to meditate and pray:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you (Psalm 19:14) If I recite my wants, it is not to remind You of them, but only that I may be conscious of my dependence upon You. (Chovos haLevavos 8:3:18).

The rabbi was very wise and he realized there was something special about this ring, and he sat and studied it. He wondered what was so special about the ancient ring. What makes it so invaluable?

He didn’t want to tell his students about the ring because “secret things belong to Hashem (Deuteronomy 29:28), so he didn’t say a word.

When they arrived at the next village, the holy rabbi bought clothes made of the finest velvet and silk for his students. He also bought himself clothing he had worn before. Throughout Shabbos they learned Torah, sang and were very happy.

He went into the city and bought a beautiful coach, fit for a prince, and he told his students:

“Dear students, come here, and I will pay you back for everything you did for me while we were roaming about, and then we shall go home.”

However, while the rabbi and his students were away from their home town, the people were miserable. But then they found out that the rabbi and his students were coming back, and there were shouts of joy. And who was as glad as the poor people in town?

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)