A Bargain is a Bargain

Posted on Sunday, 23, February, 2025 by Rabbi

a tale of justice from Ireland

There once was a poor widow, and she had three children: two sons and a daughter. They were her every joy. They were clever children, and she wanted to give them the best schooling so they could make something of themselves. Since the widow had no money, no jewels, and no property, she sold the only thing she had – her immortal soul. And, of course, she sold it to the Devil. It was that much she loved those babes.

The Devil gave her a bag of gold sovereigns and said, “I’ll be back for you in twenty years.” Then he settled back until the time he could collect on his debt. He watched and waited, and he watched and waited as the widow spent every coin on education. A good investment it was. The children studied hard and made her proud. The oldest son became a priest, the second son became a doctor, and the daughter became a lawyer. As the years went by, the widow became old and ill.

When the twenty years had passed, the widow lay dying. Her son, the priest, was at her bedside praying. There was a rumble of thunder, a crash of lightning. The door flung open, and in walked the Devil. The priest blocked the way, but the Devil pushed him aside. “Out of me way, I’ve come for your mother.” The priest fell to his knees and prayed that his mother be spared. The Devil gave her one more year of life. Why did the Devil grant an extra year? Perhaps he wanted to court the soul of the priest.

When that year was up, the widow again lay dying. Her son, the doctor, was at her bedside. There was a rumble of thunder and a clap of lightning, and the door flung open. In walked the Devil. The doctor blocked the way. “Out of me way, I’ve come for your mother.” The doctor fell to his knees and pleaded that his mother be spared. And he got one more year off the Devil. Maybe the Devil had a tender spot for moms.

When that year was up, the widow lay dying. There was a rumble of thunder, a clap of lightning. The door flung open, and the Devil came a third time to claim the old woman. He found the daughter there. The Devil called out, “Don’t be using any woman’s tears on me. I’m here to take my due. A bargain is a bargain.” But the daughter did not weep.

Then the Devil remembered she was a lawyer. “And don’t be using your legal words and your courtroom tricks on me.”

She said, “You’ve given sparing to my mother twice already, and I know you can’t be expected to do it again.”

“What a fair-minded lawyer,” thought the Devil.

“But,” says she, “my brothers have not kissed our mother farewell. They will be here soon. Please, just a few more minutes. Will you give her sparing till-till that stub of a candle burns away?”

The Devil turned and looked at the candle burning on the table.

It was only a stub of candle, soon to sputter and die.

”All right,” said the Devil. “Until the candle burns away-not a second more.”

“A bargain is a bargain,” the lawyer said. Before the Devil knew what was happening, she walked to the table, picked up the candle, and blew it out! And then she put it in her pocket.

That was that! It was clear the candle would never be relit and would never burn away. The Devil left without the mother’s soul.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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Take The Medicine

Posted on Thursday, 20, February, 2025 by Rabbi

A holy man once wandered through the village, speaking words of comfort and healing to people he met in the marketplace. A young student would seek the holy man out just to learn from him. One day, as the young student walked across the marketplace, he noticed a piece of paper that had blown into a doorway. He picked it up and saw that it had holy writing on it, deep thoughts that touched the very soul on the paper.

“Oy vey,” the young student said to himself as he picked the paper up. “How is it that these holy teachings are just blowing around the marketplace?”

Later on, when the young student asked the holy man about the paper, he shared a parable:

“Once, there was a king whose only son and heir became so sick that the doctors lost all hope, so a specialist was called in from far away to diagnose the prince. The foreign doctor said someone could cure the prince, but only by a special method. ‘What you must do, he advised the royal family’s doctors, ‘is take the largest diamond, the most precious stone, from the center of the king’s crown, grind it up into pow der, add some water to it, and feed the prince this mixture, a little bit every day until he is healed:

“‘But the prince is so sick he can’t swallow, the local doctors objected.

“‘That’s true; the doctor said. ‘But when you feed him this medication, just count on getting a few drops into his mouth at a time. Don’t worry about feeding all of it to him at once. Some of the mixture will spill and be wasted, but the few drops that he ingests will be enough to start the healing. Each time he is fed this medication, he’ll be able to ingest a few more drops. In this way, he’ll gradually get better until finally he is completely healed.”

Kartoffelzup

A creamy potato soup topped with buttery mushrooms and sour cream.

INGREDIENTS

4 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided		1/2 tsp dried thyme
16 oz mushrooms, like Baby Bella		6 cups vegetable stock
2 medium onions, chopped (or use 1 large leek + 1 onion)		⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
2-4 cloves garlic minced		¾ cup cream
2 lb potatoes, peeled		⅛ tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 teaspoons salt		1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives, optional
sour cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Thinly slice the mushrooms into ¼” pieces, cube the potatoes into 1″ pieces, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.

Melt half of the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add about a quarter of the mushrooms. Stir the mushrooms around the pot to evenly coat with butter until reduced in size, 2-3 minutes. Let the mushrooms crisp up by cooking them for 3-4 more minutes without moving them until the bottoms are golden brown. Flip with tongs and cook for another 3-4 minutes to let the other side crisp up. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and place in one layer on a paper towel or cooling rack to stay crispy.

Add the remaining butter and mushrooms to the pot, along with the potatoes and onion. Stir to combine, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes until the potatoes have softened.

Add garlic, salt, pepper, thyme and the nutmeg.

Pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cook, partially covered, for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender.

Take the soup off the heat and let it cool slightly. Puree the ingredients in a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Return the soup to the pan. Add the cream and heat through.

Serve with an optional garnish of chopped chives or chopped roasted mushrooms. If desired, add a dollop of sour cream.

May the sharing of this tale and dish strengthen the bonds of friendship, hope, and Shalom (peace)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Ingredient of Love

Posted on Thursday, 18, July, 2024 by Rabbi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tzimmes

2 sweet potatoes cut into thin slices		½ cup packed brown sugar
2 potatoes cut into thin slices		1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices		2 teaspoons ginger
2 Granny Smith Apples		¼ teaspoon cloves
2 Granny Smith Apples,sliced		¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 Cup Golden Raisins		1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
½ to ¾ cup orange juice		1/8-1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water		3 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz
½ cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease a baking dish or Dutch oven

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

4. Cover and bake for 2 hours or longer. Uncover; dot with butter.

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

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

L'kovod Shabbos

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Cloth to Remember

Posted on Tuesday, 26, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Jacob’s father was a tailor. When he was a young boy, Jacob would spend many days in his father’s shop, learning how to cut and sew cloth. As time drew on, Jacob started to dream of a coat he would like to make for himself. He planned just how it would look and what fabric he would love. As he grew older, he saved any coins he earned from working in his father’s shop. Finally, after many years, he had enough money to buy the fabric he wanted.

When Jacob had the cloth, he worked and worked on his coat. He spent many nights measuring, cutting, sewing, and pressing, until his fine coat was complete. He was so proud of his work and happily showed his father. His father inspected Jacob’s work and then patted him on the back. “Well done Jacob, you have become a fine tailor,” he told his son.

Jacob loved his coat dearly. He happily wore it through the long, cold winters, and it kept him oh so warm. Years passed, and one winter, whilst walking in the snowy marketplace, Jacob saw a woman shivering with only a thin shawl to keep out the cold. Jacob went to her and offered her his coat to keep her warm. He slowly walked her home, chatting all the way. Sara was about his age, and Jacob learned they had much in common. Two years later, they were married!

Jacob started his own little tailor’s shop in the house he shared with his new wife. Winters passed, and he continued to wear the coat. Jacob wore and wore his coat until it was quite worn out. One day he picked it up and said sadly to Sara, “This old coat has been so special to me. It was my dream to make it, and it also made my father so proud. All those years ago, it also helped me to meet you. But now there is nothing left.

But then Jacob laughed as he looked at his coat more closely. “But yet there is just enough left!”. He rushed into the shop and began cutting and sewing. Early the next morning, he emerged with a jacket, made from the fabric of his old coat.

Jacob loved the jacket dearly. He wore it often. Time passed, and Sara gave birth to two little girls. The following winter, when Jacob saw the first snowflakes start to fall, he rushed outside with his two daughters tucked under his jacket. Together they all twirled in the falling snow, laughing as the snowflakes landed on their noses and tongues.

Jacob continued to wear his coat for years and years until Sara noticed that it was looking all worn out. Jacob looked sadly at the beloved jacket, “I will never forget how this jacket kept us warm whilst the twins and I danced together in the first snow. But you are right, it is all worn out. There is nothing left.” but then, with a little laugh Jacob said, “but, there is just enough!”.

Again, Jacob rushed to the shop. He cut and sewed the fabric from the jacket until he emerged with a neat little cap. It looked so smart, and he was so proud to wear it. He wore it nearly every day!

Years passed, and there was a famine in the land. No one had money for new clothes, and Jacob’s family had very little money for food. They rarely had anything sweet to eat, they mostly had cabbage, potatoes, and beans. But one day, whilst walking in the woods, they came across a thicket of blackberries. The berries looked so juicy and sweet, that they longed to bring some home with them. But they had nothing to put them in! Then Jacob remembered his cap. He took it off his head, and together, the family filled it to the brim with the beautiful, sweet fruit. Back home, they made a delicious blackberry pie, and at dinner time, they enjoyed every bite.

And so time passed. Jacob’s daughters grew up, and his hat became threadbare. One day he looked at the beloved cap and found himself saying, “it is all worn out. There is nothing left”. But then he chuckled and rushed into the shop. Again he began cutting and sewing. Hours later, he emerged wearing a sweet little bowtie, made from the fabric he salvaged from his beloved hat.

Jacob wore his bow tie everywhere. He wore it to his daughter’s wedding. He wore it when he met his first grandchild. And, when his granddaughter was old enough to talk, she sat on his knee and played with the little bow tie. “Granddaddy, do you have a butterfly on your shirt,” she told him. He then took off the bow tie and pretended it was a butterfly every time he saw his granddaughter.

One day, when Jacob’s hair was gray, he returned home from the market, and Sara asked him, “Where is your bow tie?”. He felt his neck, but the bow tie was not there. He quickly retraced his steps through the market, but try as he could, he did not find the bow tie. Sadly, Jacob returned to his house and went to bed without eating any dinner.

The next morning Jacob refused to get out of bed. He just felt so sad without the bow tie. “What’s the use? The cloth I loved so much is gone. It has been with me for so many years, but now there is nothing left. Nothing! I have lost so many dear memories.”

Sara quietly left the house and went to visit their daughters. She returned with the grandchildren, who plopped themselves on their grandpa’s bed. But he looked sadly at them, saying, “I cannot play today, I am just too sad”.

“Father, please tell us one of the stories about the cloth. Your grandchildren do not know the stories” his daughter asked.

“Oh but it is too sad”, he replied.

The children begged, and eventually, he gave in. He told them of how he worked so hard to save the money he had needed to buy the cloth. He told them of how the coat he had made was so smart and warm. Of how the coat had helped him to meet his beloved wife He told them of how it had kept his daughters warm whilst they danced in the falling snow. He told them of the cap full of berries that they had picked. As he recalled these memories, they brought a smile to his face.

“Granddaddy, you made the bow tie into a butterfly. Maybe it flew away,” his granddaughter said to him with a smile.

Jacob sighed and gave her a hug. “Yes, it seems it did fly away. But you have helped me to realize that the memories have not flown away. They will be with me always. There are just enough memories to make a story, and that will be with us forever if you will help me to keep it safe”. Jacob hugged his family and got out of bed.

The story was passed down through the family for many generations.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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Faith and Cruel Masters

Posted on Thursday, 7, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Various nations have mistreated the Jewish people and caused great suffering. The Romans, who descended from Esau, tortured, and murdered millions of people, and exiled and enslaved countless more as they built their empire. They defiled holy places and destroyed communities. Like their forefather Esau, they were evil and cruel.

Throughout history, countries like Rome have prospered. Their armies are feared far and wide, and their statesmen, generals, artists, and scientists become world-famous — and all this even though they do not care a bit about the faith and beliefs of other people.

One may ask, “Why do such wicked nations enjoy such strength and power?”

A kind-hearted and wise king had a son whom he loved more than anything else in the world. The king assigned the best servants to look after him. Whenever the prince was hungry, he received wholesome, tasty meals; whenever he wanted to play, the servants gave him whatever games he fancied. The best tailors made him elegant, and warm clothes, and the most brilliant tutors made his studies enjoyable. In short, he was surrounded by a loving family and staff who were only too happy to fulfill his every wish.

Despite the wonderful care the prince received, he became so sick that even the most skilled doctors gave up hope of finding a cure. Famous doctors summoned to the palace from afar shook their heads and sadly told the king that his son would not live much longer.

Only one white-haired doctor thought there might be some hope.

“I shall try to cure your son,” he told the king, “But only if you promise me two things. First, you must not come near the prince while I am caring for him, because in your presence, I will not have the strength to make him take the bitter medicines he needs to save his life.

“Second, I want you to send away all the prince’s personal staff. Until now, he has been waited upon by good-hearted people who love him and generously do whatever they can to make him happy. Now you must find selfish and cruel staff to look after him—the meaner, the better. Only someone with a heart of stone can do the job.

“This person will have to force the prince to take his medicines — even though they are terribly bitter — and to undergo painful treatments. He will also have to stop the prince from eating the foods he likes, which keep the medicines from working. Anyone who loves the prince will take pity on him and will not do the job well enough to save his life. You must search throughout your kingdom for men of evil nature, choosing the fiercest, strictest ones to look after the prince until he recovers.”

With no other hope of saving his beloved son’s life, the king agreed. At once, he sent messengers to every corner of his kingdom to find hardhearted ruffians and bring them back to the palace.

The messengers returned with just the right type of people. Not only were they fierce-looking, but they were proud of it. They could not stop bragging about how the king had summoned them to the palace to cure the prince.

At last, one of the king’s ministers could no longer stand it, and hushed their boasting.

“Arrogant fools! Do you think it is because you are such fine upstanding individuals that the king has brought you here? Do not be so foolish! Right now, the king has no choice but to give you the job because the prince is so sick, and you are so nasty and cruel. You will not heed the boy’s pleas for mercy and will force him to take his medicines just as the doctor prescribed. It is because you are so mean and heartless that you are here, not because you are better than others. As soon as the prince is well again, the king will summarily dismiss you, as the ruffians that you are!”

Similarly, we find the prophet Obadiah addressing Edom, the nation of Esau:

I will surely make you least among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. Your proud heart has deceived you, you that live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is in the heights. You say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 1:2-3).

Sometimes people lapse in their faith and become “ill” – failing to live by the teachings of the Torah – Scriptures and our Father, the King, calls in the cruel sons of Esau to administer the treatments required to heal us. This is not a mark of distinction for Esau, but rather a way to make use of his cruelty and evil ways. Wicked nations mistakenly think that the Holy One, blessed be He, has deemed them superior to others. They fail to realize that their new status is temporary, that even if they seem to conquer the very heavens, in the end, they will fall, as the prophet continues: “Even if you rise high like the eagle, if you place your nest amongst the stars, from there I shall bring you down, says Hashem” (Obadiah 1:4).

When one sees Esau/Edom become a great power and conquer much of the world, one should remember that the Holy One, blessed be He is behind it all, arranging things for the benefit of the faithful. If people would return to living and studying the Holy Word with a true heart, the cruel taskmaster of Edom will be banished forever. Then people will be free to serve our Father in Heaven with happy hearts, amid peace and plenty.

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

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A Tale of Two Sisters

Posted on Monday, 4, December, 2023 by Rabbi

Once, there were two sisters who married and lived in towns distant from each other. As often happens with siblings, one sister found herself quite wealthy, while the other was very poor. Because of the great distance that separated them, they could see each other only once every several years. When that happened, each one would tell the other everything that had happened since the previous encounter.

Once when the poor sister went to visit the wealthy one, she was stunned at her wealthy sister’s appearance. “Why do you look so run down?” she inquired. “You are prosperous, with nothing to worry about. You always have everything you want. So why do you look so terrible?”

The wealthy sister opened her heart to her poor sister and told the bitter story of her life, the one she had hidden for so many years. The poor sister was aghast. She could hardly believe what she was being told. But her wealthy sister assured her that the entire story was true, that she had never found happiness in her life.

“What is the use of all this money” she wept, “if it does not help me find happiness? ‘Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh, and anxiety about it drives away sleep.’ (Sirach 31:1) l can tell only you, my sister, the truth. My wealthy husband treats me horribly. He makes my life miserable. He treats me with no respect, humiliating me at every opportunity. Sometimes I don’t even know how I go on living this way. You ask me why I look so terrible. It is from living this lie. You may have a hard life, always worried about household expenses. Yet you look calm and serene. It is you who are really wealthy.”

“Well, you are right, my dear sister,” said the other. “It is all the result of my husband. We work hard, but we work together. He has a wonderful disposition, far better than mine. It is he who makes my life so peaceful-even with all of our financial worries. My husband and I are blessed as it is written, ‘You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.’ (Psalm 128:2)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 18, 2022.

Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

A Dispute of Faith

Posted on Sunday, 20, August, 2023 by Rabbi

They sat through the long cold winter night in the old book-lined room. The quiet shadows of grandparents and great-grandparents filled every part of the room with their faith. The two met, and the air grew thick as they disputed each other with the hearty devotion one had for the other, but with savage differences.

Neither of them really wanted to argue today. They were not the same age. Nor were their paths leading to a commonplace. They did not even see the light the same. One saw the soft candlelight, while the other saw the blinding light of the stars. Like moths drawn to light, they felt the irresistible draw.

The father invited his son: “Come to me and I shall wrap you in my light, and change the world for you.”

Their goals were the same, and both sprang from the same stem. Of the same stem but in two different eras – aged father and young son.

Events, like waves of an angry sea, tossed the son into his father’s arms. From old, wise, insightful eyes dropped a quiet tear into silver strands and pleaded: “Tell me, my son, where and how are you living; tell your old father.”

A small, golden-curled beard fluttered, eyes kindled behind glasses, illuminating two bright stars, and a smile lit up a bright young face: “For what reason?” Something like a tremor passed over the face framed in tarnished gold. A small transparent cloud veiled a large white forehead.

“Can you not see or understand what I have told you over and over again?”

Trying not to show hurt or disappointment, the father asked: “Are you still on the same path?”

“Yes, father.”

“So why have you come here? To argue once again?”

“No…. But you will accomplish nothing here.”

“Don’t be my enemy, father. Our ways have parted as times have changed.”

“Yes, but you did not travel mine till the end. Has anything convinced you that my path leads to emptiness and longing? You left it in the middle, uprooted yourself, and started traveling a completely different path.”

The aged father in his quiet old voice continued: “If a wanderer should change directions too often and drift into twisted by-paths, could he ever reach his destination? And what are we here if not confused travelers?”

Then softly with tenderness, the father invited: “Come with me, my son. An old well-known path is mine. Your family has traveled it for millennia, and thanks to them it is without a stumbling block. Every possible pitfall was foreseen by them far into the future.”

To what purpose did they live if you turn aside and abandon the path? Come with me, my son! I have not far to go but will watch your step with my last look. You will travel much farther, drawing the thread and extending the road, our road, and you will shorten the distance between yourself and salvation.

With the sorrow and sadness of millennia: “We still travel that path! We are in the middle of the road. If you should desert me now, I would be cut off and lost. Who will carry on?

“I will, father!”

Sadly the father responded: “You have deserted me.”

“I am younger and can see better. So I take the shortcuts.”

“On unknown roads.”

“What does it matter if one finds what they want?”

“Faith and belief give the sense that there is something in each person that yearns for meaning and mystery. People want to be touched in a spiritual way. They want to explore the meanings of life and travel the adventure of life. The sterile approach you have chosen denies one’s sense of humanity and basic dignity.”

His voice grew Quiet, almost sad: “The sense of mysteriousness and fundamental dignity within each person is where a great deal of moral understanding starts and applies to everything around them. The attack on faith is a sign of the callousness of science and its inability to elicit true feelings. Faith and belief always have an underlying purpose, which is to inspire people and communicate wisdom and values. The spiritual wisdom of past ages has always been transferred mouth to mouth from generation to generation.”

“Your thoughts, father, have clipped the wings of the young. It has stifled growth and exploration of the important things in this world. Faith has no basis in fact. Science is the truth on which the world functions. Simply said, faith is the strong belief in G-d or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual dogmas rather than proof. Science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena of the world, not the fantasies of the world was created by mystical magical means as described by religion. Science is a method that mankind can use to gain a greater understanding of the natural universe. It is a search for knowledge through observation. Advances in science demonstrate the reach of human logic and imagination. Religion and faith confuse people and mislead them into a medieval belief that the world is controlled by magics beyond the understanding of everyday people. So mystics, clergy and philosophers need to explain the working of the world.”

A tear fell from the eye of the old father as he whispered: “Your thoughts, my son, are so ridged and callous, lacking substance. Science cannot communicate feelings nor express emotion. It can’t determine what is right and what is wrong or even define order and chaos. The very process of thought cannot define love or beauty. The language of faith provides people with all of these things and much more. The wisdom of faith is just a vehicle to share these ideas and emotions while helping people to grow in their understanding of the world around them. Science may provide the “why”, but faith provides the “what” and “how.”

Father and son debate far into the dark night. The old gray head is burdened with the hard words of his son. He asks, “Can we pray?”

An eruption of laughter bursts forth from the golden-haired son. “Prayer? Life in Heaven? Please, let’s be real. Prayer has no effect upon the world other than enslaving people to superstition. Why do you bother to advance the practice of speaking empty words to an imaginary entity? Everything you advocate is against all aspects of reason and logic. It separates groups and offends people. It’s time you come embrace science and leave the prehistoric views of the world”

“Look, father, a new day is breaking.”

“Listen!”

“Religious beliefs are outdated at a time when we have such a deep understanding of science, but history shows a constant tension between scientific and theological thought. The strength of science is in its dependence on verifiable thought for this reason, society is advancing towards a secular, rational society and culture where religion, at best, is something private but widely viewed as fantasy and superstition. Most people respect science and the benefits it brings to society, such as new technologies and medical treatments, and don’t question it because of its basis on fact. Religion is subjective and filled with flawed concepts since it is based on philosophy – of which very little is based on verifiable facts, just opinion. Most social ills – from bigotry to ignorance – can be blamed on religion. One of the purposes of science is to free people from what they call “religious superstition.” The story posted has no relevance to the discussion of the virtues of science and the failings of religion.”

The old gray father listens intently to the sounds surging in the dawn, soft, gentle, aggressive sounds rising with the waves of fresh dew on a young spring morning.

“Science, with its demand for empirical data, numbers, and as is been quoted many times, facts do not have the ability to communicate ideas or concepts outside of its mathematical induced realities. It is true that science has provided many advancements to today’s society, but its greatest detriment has been its erosion of communication and its inferred characterization that religion is superstition and not fact-based.”

The old man inquires uneasily, “What does it all mean? What does that thundering song mean?”

“Calling us together, to assemble, father. It’s the demand to end inequity and do away this the constraints of superstitious beliefs and faith in fantasies.”

The pained father softly asks as he chokes back tears, “Are you really going to join them?”

Yes. I am, and I’m taking the shortest path.”

This was spoken so evenly, with such an assured smile and tone that they caused the old man to tremble and his lips to stammer, “Taking the shortest distance to where?”

“To the answers of the world!”

“Whose answers?”

“Everybody’s. Yours, father. Farewell! “

The young man leaves the old house, the aged father, and the shadows of great-grandparents from every part of the room with their faith. Left alone in the soft light of the candle, the old man thinks serenely: “I have brought up a son to sow unrest and discord. He will not search for meaning or salvation until a much later time.”

But a moment later, when his eyes fall upon the flickering flame of the candles, flickering and yet leaping heavenward in the wild exultation, he whispers a prayer:

Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the universe, Teach our children always to believe in the power to return to life, to hope, and to You, no matter what pains they have brought their parents and elders have endured, no matter how far they have strayed from You.

Give them the strength to revive Your holy ways in them.

Revive them, Hashem, so they can embrace life once more in joy, in passion, and in peace.

Amen

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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Curing Tea

Posted on Thursday, 10, August, 2023 by Rabbi

The grandson of a holy rabbi suddenly fell ill and was in danger of dying. The young man’s family members were all beside themselves with worry and sadness. They rushed to the holy rabbi and told him, “Zadie (Grandfather), your grandson is very sick and growing weaker by the minute.” Shocked by the news, the holy rabbi locked himself into his study and began praying with all his strength, begging the Holy One, blessed be He, to please heal his grandson.

The sick boy’s condition grew worse. The family members became terribly upset and wanted to tell the holy rabbi what was happening, but they were afraid to disturb his prayers. At first, they couldn’t figure out what to do, but then they decided to send in the holy rabbi’s youngest grandson to disturb the holy rabbi with the bad news about the sad state of his grandson.

The young boy knocked on his grandfather’s door and was welcomed into his Zadie’s study. However, the boy didn’t deliver the bad news as he had been instructed. Instead, he told his grandfather this way: “Zadie, you should know that your other grandson is doing a lot better now. So please pray to our Heavenly Healer that he be granted a full and speedy recovery.”

Upon hearing this, the holy rabbi jumped straight out of his chair and also out of his gloomy mood. With a great smile on his face, the holy rabbi rushed to his cupboard, grabbed a box of tea leaves, a few cinnamon sticks, ginger, peppercorns, and a small jar of honey, and handed it to his young grandson. “Give the patient this tea,” he said. “Once he drinks it, everything will be all right.”

A few hours later, the patient was able to take a few sips of the tea, and the family noticed that, at last, color returned to his face. Ever so slowly, he began to improve. But his recovery was not steady, and a few days later, he suffered a setback. This time the adults in the family went straight to talk to the holy rabbi themselves. “Zadie, he’s gotten worse;’ they told him, their voices all very distressed. “He’s taken a step backward. Whatever can we do?”

The holy rabbi sat listening to them, shaking his head the whole time. “Listen.” he told them, “You shouldn’t have let me know like this. It would be best if you told me in a more joyful way. Heaven forbid this should ever happen again, if it does, please take a lesson from my youngest grandson. Instead of putting me in a place of hopelessness and melancholy, he made me feel hopeful about the situation. Because of him, I prayed to G-d with a lighter, more joyful heart, and therefore I was able to bring about a blessing that was both greater and faster.”

Curing Tea

Ingredients:

4 cups water2 cinnamon sticks2 tablespoons of loose black tea or 2 black tea bags4 cloves4 black peppercorns1-inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced1-2 Tablespoons Honey

Directions

In a medium-sized pot, bring the water to a boil.

Add the black tea bags or loose black tea to the boiling water.

Reduce the heat to low and add the ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and black peppercorns to the pot.

Simmer the mixture uncovered for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

Turn off the heat and let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Simple Man’s Blessing

Posted on Monday, 7, August, 2023 by Rabbi

A man came to the holy rabbi of the village for a blessing. The rabbi looked at the man for a long moment and then smiled as he blessed him the man with long life, a decent living, wealth, and respect, and concluded with the words of the Gemara, “The blessing of a simple man should not be insignificant to you” (Megillah 15a).

“What do you mean?” the man asked. “rabbi, you are one of the leading Torah scholars of our generation. Do you consider yourself a simple man? I’m surprised.”

“When a Torah scholar blesses a man,” said the holy rabbi, “what does he wish him? That he should have a love of Torah and that he should live his life full of the ways of holiness. What is the blessing of an ordinary man? A decent living, wealth, and respect. Thus, what I gave you is the blessing of a simple man.”

The man was taken aback and asked, “How then should I pray/”

The rabbi thought for a moment and answered, “There is nothing in this world that is closer to Hashem than the heart of man. It is dearer than sacrifice and more precious than all the treasures of the world combined. Pray with your heart.” (Zohar Chadash, Rus Rabbah 80a) The rabbi drifted off into thought for a short while and then continued, “‘If you direct your heart rightly (towards the heavens), you will stretch out your hands towards Him” in prayer. (Job 11:13)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Doctor No One Liked Cures King’s Son

Posted on Thursday, 3, August, 2023 by Rabbi

The lack of faith caused by science is not old. It is such an age-old matter that “Asa in the thirty-ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet until his disease was severe; yet in his disease, he did not seek the L-rd, but sought help from physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12) He did not put his faith in the Holy One, blessed be He. This disease would lead to his death just two years later (2 Chronicles 16:13)

In a time when doctors guide people in their cures and treatment of the body, the needs of the soul are often forgotten. The doctor’s esteem and pride grow in the eyes of the people. If a patient dies, he merely collects his fee and goes on to the next patient. “Both the doctor and the Angel of Death kill, but the former charges a fee.” (Sefer haMevakesh, 1264 ce) Just as disease ravages the body, lack of faith devastates the soul. Many time spiritual teachers and leaders are overlooked as unscientific and backward.

Once there was a king whose son became deathly ill. The court physician could not find any way to heal him, nor could the other experts who were called in. The king became so desperate that he sent royal messengers to proclaim throughout the land that anyone who could help should come to the palace at once. It didn’t matter to the king whether one was a doctor, a magician, or a sorcerer. The main thing was that the prince be cured.

Usually no one was allowed into the private chambers of the palace, but the king instructed the guards to let any expert into the prince’s room to examine him, if only it might help him get better.

One doctor in the capital was very wise, but he was not at all popular because of his spiritual approach to the treatment of his patients. He did things differently than the other doctors, so they thought him odd and at times backwards. People admitted that he knew a great deal, but they were wary his strange ways and stayed away from him.

When the prince first became ill, this doctor had not gone to the palace to help. He was quite sure that he could cure the boy with a common herb that grew along every riverbank. The many doctors who had come from near and far would argue with him and not seriously consider his treatment of the prince. He asked himself why should he go argue with the medical authorities if they would refuse to listen to him?

The prince’s condition worsened, and the situation had changed. The king had opened the doors of the palace to every knowledgeable doctor in the kingdom. Now there was a way to examine the prince without everyone arguing with him.

So the doctor said a prayer to the Heavenly Healer and went in to examine the prince in person. He saw that he had indeed been right about the cure. Eager to save the prince, he went to speak to the king.

When he got to the throne room, he found the king was surrounded by doctors and professors from many lands. Some of them had even brought whole cases of rare medicines with them.

The king might have been willing to listen to him, but the other doctors would surely make fun of his diagnosis and the common, everyday medicine he wanted to prescribe. He had to think of some way to make the others agree with him and recommend his treatment to the king.

What did he do?

First he asked permission to speak to the king and all the physicians in the room. Then he told them what he thought the problem was. Finally, he explained which medicine would cure the prince’s illness. He further explained to the king that the herb had to be prepared by a great expert who could grind it up just the right way. The king must search for a gifted pharmacist who was skilled at preparing rare, exotic medications. Only then could he be sure that the prince would be cured.

The doctor did not fail to mention that such an expert would deserve a generous reward for his work.

As the physicians stood listening, each thought to himself, “Surely the king will ask me to do the job since I have such a fine reputation. Therefore, I must urge the king to accept this fellow’s advice.”

And so it was that everyone suddenly agreed with the strange doctor, even though they did not like him his odd ways and spiritual approaches. They all encouraged the king to give the suggested cure a try, thinking of the hefty reward they would earn for preparing the herb.

But much to their disappointment, to prepare the medicine the king chose none other than the strange doctor himself.

“You must be the greatest expert of all!” the king declared. “Of all the doctors I have consulted, only you proposed this cure. No one can compare to you. So you yourself will be the one to prepare the herb.”

The doctor knew that his skill and treatment was not the source of the cure, but he was just a messenger of the Holy One, blessed be He. To this doctor and those like him was attributed, “Honour physicians for their services, for the L-rd created them; (Ben Sira 38:1)

Sadly today so many put their faith in science and technology that they do not recognize or even forget that any treatment or cure must help the body as well as the soul. “He who sins against his Maker will be defiant towards the physician. (Ben Sira 38:15)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 tale of justice from Ireland

Then the Devil remembered she was a lawyer. “And don’t be using your legal words and your courtroom tricks on me.”

She said, “You’ve given sparing to my mother twice already, and I know you can’t be expected to do it again.”

“What a fair-minded lawyer,” thought the Devil.

“But,” says she, “my brothers have not kissed our mother farewell. They will be here soon. Please, just a few more minutes. Will you give her sparing till-till that stub of a candle burns away?”

The Devil turned and looked at the candle burning on the table.

It was only a stub of candle, soon to sputter and die.

”All right,” said the Devil. “Until the candle burns away-not a second more.”

“A bargain is a bargain,” the lawyer said. Before the Devil knew what was happening, she walked to the table, picked up the candle, and blew it out! And then she put it in her pocket.

That was that! It was clear the candle would never be relit and would never burn away. The Devil left without the mother’s soul.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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“Oy vey,” the young student said to himself as he picked the paper up. “How is it that these holy teachings are just blowing around the marketplace?”

Later on, when the young student asked the holy man about the paper, he shared a parable:

“‘But the prince is so sick he can’t swallow, the local doctors objected.

Kartoffelzup

A creamy potato soup topped with buttery mushrooms and sour cream.

INGREDIENTS

4 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided

1/2 tsp dried thyme

16 oz mushrooms, like Baby Bella

6 cups vegetable stock

2 medium onions, chopped (or use 1 large leek + 1 onion)

⅛ tsp ground nutmeg

2-4 cloves garlic minced

¾ cup cream

2 lb potatoes, peeled

⅛ tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives, optional

sour cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Thinly slice the mushrooms into ¼” pieces, cube the potatoes into 1″ pieces, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.

Add the remaining butter and mushrooms to the pot, along with the potatoes and onion. Stir to combine, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes until the potatoes have softened.

Add garlic, salt, pepper, thyme and the nutmeg.

Pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cook, partially covered, for 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender.

Take the soup off the heat and let it cool slightly. Puree the ingredients in a blender, food processor, or immersion blender. Return the soup to the pan. Add the cream and heat through.

Serve with an optional garnish of chopped chives or chopped roasted mushrooms. If desired, add a dollop of sour cream.

May the sharing of this tale and dish strengthen the bonds of friendship, hope, and Shalom (peace)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tzimmes

2 sweet potatoes cut into thin slices

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 potatoes cut into thin slices

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices

2 teaspoons ginger

2 Granny Smith Apples

¼ teaspoon cloves

2 Granny Smith Apples,sliced

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 Cup Golden Raisins

1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

½ to ¾ cup orange juice

1/8-1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup water

3 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz

½ cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease a baking dish or Dutch oven

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

4. Cover and bake for 2 hours or longer. Uncover; dot with butter.

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)