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)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The 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

The Holy Bakers in the Market

Posted on Thursday, 1, September, 2022Thursday, 2, November, 2023 by Rabbi

In the Jerusalem market were two small stands next to one another where two pious Jewish women each sold tasty and fragrant cakes and cookies that they themselves had baked. Different from most peddlers, who loudly announce their wares, these two women sat modestly and patiently at their stands, waiting for the customers to come on their own. “Parnaasah [a livelihood] is from heaven,” they often said. “What a person deserves in this world, they’ll receive—even if he doesn’t call out about his merchandise.” So the two women sat at their stands, occasionally conversing. They were good friends and companions to each other.

Neither one was jealous of the other’s business. When there were few customers, each of them would become absorbed in reciting psalms from the book that was always resting on her stand. If one of them had many customers, she would say, “Why have you come just to me? My friend’s cakes and cookies are at least as good as mine! Go over there and see how fine her baked goods are. And I can tell you that they’re delicious. I know!” The customers would smile at hearing this, and some would go over to the other stand. Her friend and neighbor would do the same favor for her when the situation was reversed. “You’re looking for honey cake, my dear sir? Honey cakes are not my specialty. Go over to my neighbor’s stand. Her honey cakes are the best—they taste just like manna!” The customer would rush over to the other stand, somewhat amazed and confused by this strange behavior, thinking, “Maybe they’re sisters, and she’s worried about her sister’s livelihood.” Each one would send customers to the other so that one of them would not profit and the other be heartbroken.

when one of them became aware that her friend had debts, having recently married off her daughter she said to her husband, “My neighbor who sells cookies and cakes in the market stand next to mine burdened with many debts. I was thinking that I won’t go to sell in the market this week. Let me take a little vacation from baking and selling cakes. She needs the money more than me. Let the customers go to her this week.” Her pious husband nodded in agreement, saying, “That’s a very good idea, my dear.” He understood very well the ways of his pious wife.

The other woman stood in the market that week, selling her cakes. Every once in a while, she looked over at her friend’s stand, wondering where she was and what might have happened to her. It was already four days that she had not seen her. “Maybe she’s sick,” she worried. “I’ll go visit her today.” After she closed her stand, she went to her friend’s house. “Shalom,” she said as she entered her house. “I expected to find you in bed. Baruch HaShem [Thank God), you’re healthy! I was worried that you were sick and came to help you out. What’s the matter?”

Surprised and not knowing what to reply, her friend said, “I felt tired and fatigued this week and thought I’d take the week off and rest.”

“Come,” said her friend, “I know you’re not rich and need parnassah. Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll help you bake some cakes and cookies to sell tomorrow. Come into the kitchen. Why am I bothering you with a lot of useless talk?”

She already had an apron on and began to vigorously sift flour for her friend. Then she energetically and diligently kneaded the dough in a trough, with the joy of doing a mitzvah.

These two women peddlers in the Jerusalem market loved each other without needing any special reason. Both of them had great faith and trust in the Holy One, blessed be He. They were truly holy women.

The love and goodwill of the two women further shows that we can exist on the physical and spiritual planes at the same time. Their simple actions towards one another showed how simple everyday business practices could be elevated to a holy level.

Techina Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw (100% sesame) tahini*	1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg	1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup white sugar	1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cups flour (half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour)	pinch of salt
almonds to garnish	2 tablespoons sesame seeds to garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F
Lightly oil two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, white and brown sugars) in a large bowl.
Add the techina and then the melted butter (or margarine). Mix with a large spoon. At some point you will need to switch to mixing the dough by hand until it is fully mixed. The dough will have a sticky slightly crumbly consistency.
Take approximately one teaspoon of the batter at a time, and roll in your hands to form small balls. Place each cookie ball, evenly spaced, onto the baking sheets.
Place each ball on a baking paper-lined tray. Press each ball in the middle with your thumb and place an almond in the space. You can also use a fork to flatten each ball and make pretty lines.
Bake until golden brown (approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on how crispy you like your cookies). Let cool to room temperature and serve.

*If oil is floating on top, mix it in and then measure 1 cup.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Healing Food and Blessings

Posted on Thursday, 17, February, 2022Wednesday, 11, October, 2023 by Rabbi

In earlier generations, there were great rabbis who could heal the sick. if a person ate food in his house, they went away with a blessing of healing.

The wife of one of these holy rabbis died, and he wept terribly and would not be consoled or comforted. The holy rabbi told his closest students, “You might have thought that people who ate in my house were healed because of me. That is not true. It was because of my holy wife. Now that she has gone to the World of Truth, I can tell you. Listen carefully, and I will tell you about how the food my wife prepared had the power of healing.

“In our earlier days, we were very poor. If we ate one or two meals during the week, no matter what, we always had to eat on Shabbos (the Sabbath). Sometimes we fasted from Shabbos to Shabbos. Then we had enough food for ourselves and for some guests. One week, my holy wife was cooking on Erev Shabbos (Friday) when a drunkard knocked on the door and was invited in.

He was smelling of alcohol, but he said to my wife, ‘I’m starving. Do you have anything to eat?’ We hadn’t eaten that whole week, but who knows how long he had been without food? And when someone says he’s starving, how can you not feed him? So my wife gave him from the food she had prepared for Shabbos. But after finishing what she gave him, he asked, ‘Is there more?’ Each time, he ate whatever was put before him and asked for more, until she said, ‘There’s not a crumb left.’

She gave him everything she had prepared for our Shabbos meals. Everything she gave him to eat and drink was done with great respect and care. She did not judge him by how he looked or for his crude behavior, for who knows what troubles he had had? She did this mitzvah (religious deed) “with all her heart and all her soul and with all her might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

‘Then this drunkard did something unusual. He asked, “Can I speak with your husband?’ My wife came to my room and told me about his strange request, and when I agreed, she sent him to me. When he came in, he no longer smelled, and he didn’t appear drunk. In fact, his face was glowing, and I realized at once that this was Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).

“He said to me, ‘I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing, we have in store for her. She passed the test.’

“What was the great blessing? It was the blessing of healing. And that,” said the holy rabbi, “was why the food my holy wife served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The food offered by the holy rabbi’s wife with such self-sacrifice contained such a heavenly blessing.

Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup also called the Jewish penicillin is a powerful remedy that cures all disorders physical and spiritual. Several spoonfuls of Goldene yoich (golden chicken soup) warm the body and the neshama – soul.

INGREDIENTS

2-3 tablespoons olive oil		½ teaspoon dried sage
1-2 carrots, cut in 2-3 inch pieces		1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1-2 onions, chopped		1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, with stems,
3 stalks celery with leaves cut in 2 inch slices		2 teaspoon kosher salt + more, to taste
3-4 garlic cloves, smashed		1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1-2 bay leaves		3-4 pound chicken, whole or parts cut-up

INSTRCTIONS

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for two to three minutes, or until onion becomes translucent.

Add spices (turmeric, thyme, sage, salt and pepper) stir until vegetables are well coated.

Fill the pot with 1 to 1 ½ gallons of water and add bay leaves and parsley. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 hour.

Add chicken and partially cover the pot and bring the water to a low boil. To the extent that foam develops on the soup, take it off the top with a spoon and discard it.

Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the soup at a simmer and continue simmering, with the pot partially covered, for 2-3 hours. The soup will develop a golden color and a rich savory taste.

Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste if necessary. At this point, you can refrigerate or freeze the soup, or serve it.

Can be served with noodles, knaidlach (matzo balls), rice, mandlen (soup nuts and kreplach.

Recipe Notes

If you want your soup to be low fat, refrigerate it for several hours or overnight at this point to separate the chicken fat. The fat will rise and solidify. You can skim it off to discard or freeze for later use. Chicken fat or schmaltz is a delicious savory alternative to other fats or oil.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

A Pot of Soup and the Yetzer Hara

Posted on Thursday, 3, February, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was an innkeeper who cooked meals for all her guests. Inevitably she ended up preparing food for all the laborers of the town as well, who flocked to her dining room to feast to their hearts’ content. She served food that was simple yet satisfying, and most importantly, very reasonably priced.

One day, the innkeeper prepared a large pot of soup. As mealtime drew nearer, she went to check on the food to determine whether or not it was ready to be served. As she made her way towards the pot, a foul odor filled her nostrils.

She quickly ascertained that the ingredients she had used to prepare the broth must have been slightly spoiled, and this was indeed the cause of the terrible smell. She was now faced with a problem: Mealtime was rapidly approaching — what would she serve her guests?

What could she do?

She took fragrant spices and sprinkled them generously into the steamy pot; it was not long before the smell of the spices overpowered the foul odor.

She served the soup to the laborers, and they ate heartily.

“This soup is wonderful!” exclaimed one of the laborers. “It truly smells like Gan Eden!”

Sitting next to him was a traveler with a sensitive palate who said, “You are mistaken.” “The food is completely spoiled; the smell is coming from spices that hide the foul stench…”

The yetzer hara tries to persuade a person to sin. The sin, however, emits a putrid odor, and the soul immediately perceives the trick and attempts to flee. But the yetzer hara clothes the wicked deed in a guise of temptation and appeal to conceal the foul stench.

The more putrid the odor, the more spices the yetzer hara deceitfully adds…

A person must arrive at the realization that the “food” is spoiled and that they must push it away with both hands!

Story Recipe Moroccan

Harira – Spiced Moroccan Vegetable Soup

A Muslim staple to break the daily fast of Ramadan, it has crossed over to the Moroccan Jewish tradition of breaking the fast of Yom Kippur, Tisha b’Av and other fast days. Although many cooks make this with meat, this is a pareve recipe.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil		1 bunch parsley, chopped, divided
1-2 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)		1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes, crushed, or 2 cups tomato sauce
3 stalks celery, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)		7 cups broth or water
3 large carrots, peeled and cut in rounds		1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked or 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric		1 cup green lentils
1 teaspoon ground cumin		1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 Teaspoon Zahtar		2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes		1 large egg
Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)		Salt to taste

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots until the onion turns translucent and begin to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, chile flakes, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of the parsley and tomatoes

In a large stock pot add the broth or water and bring to a boil.

If using the soaked chickpeas, drain them and add to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, then add the lentils, another teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of pepper and continue simmering until the chickpeas and lentils are cooked, about 45 minutes more.

or

If using canned chickpeas omit the first 25 minutes of simmering and add with the lentils.

Whisk the flour, egg, and lemon juice into 2 cups of water. Stir into the soup. Simmer the soup about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours more and serve.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

How A Woman Became a Great Spiritual Leader

Posted on Monday, 31, January, 2022Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Shaindle Rivka was known as a holy woman of great knowledge and wisdom. People were constantly coming to her for advice and blessings. Many looked upon Shaindle Rivka as a great spiritual leader.

Tam and Chacham traveled to meet this holy woman. The rabbis were amazed at the love and reverence all the people of the village had for Shaindle Rivka. They sat from many long hours talking about the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah. During their conversation, Tam asked, “From where do you get your great power to do miracles?”

The holy Shaindle Rivka answered humbly, “For that, I have to thank Yankel Ganiff (Yankel the Thief)” Then she explained:

“On erev Yom Kippur, it was the custom for all the Jewish people in the village to come to my holy father to receive his blessing of gemar chasima tova, ‘May your heavenly decree be sealed for good!’ One year when I was still a little girl, I was standing in his room at that time. One of the men who entered was a certain unpleasant person named Yankel, who had a reputation as someone who makes his living by taking others’ property. He tried to avoid stealing from Jewish people, but that didn’t excuse his crooked ways. When his turn in line came to be before my holy father, he put out his hand to shake my father’s hand and receive a blessing, but my father quickly pulled his own hand back and refused to bless him.

“Yankel was determined and began to cry a flood of tears, as he pleaded and begged my holy father to bless him like all the other Jewish people. He even argued that he was not to blame if this was the livelihood that heaven had decreed for him! But my father denied that, saying that every person can choose for himself a decent and upright way to make a living and that heaven will provide for him! In the end, after much begging and crying, my father softened and had pity on Yankel. My father covered his holy hand with a cloth and then held Yankel’s hand and gave him a blessing. (Some exceptionally holy people may experience great pain when coming into physical contact with an exceptionally sinful person; that is why the holy rabbi covered his hand.)

Woman Spiritual leader

“When I saw my holy father bless this thief,” said Shaindle Rivka, “I immediately went over to him and said, ‘If a person like this succeeded in receiving a blessing from you now, it must be a special time. So I want you to bless me too!’”

“‘What blessing do you want?’ he asked. “‘That my blessings be fulfilled!’ I said.

“And he blessed me!” concluded Shaindle Rivka.

It is told that Yankel completely repented and gave up stealing for a living after he received the holy rabbi’s blessing, and that after the holy rabbi’s death, he was found more than once crying his heart out in prayer.

Shaindle Rivka asked that her blessings come true, which is the power of a great spiritual leader. That is how she merited to do miracles and became very respected by many people. Why would a little girl ask for that, for the power of blessing? Perhaps because she realized that it was the outward sign of her father’s greatness.

But in explaining how she became a great spiritual leader, Shaindle Rivka humbly compared herself to an unworthy thief who, so to speak, stole a blessing from her father, the rebbe. Yet despite her holy humility, even as a little girl she was sensitive and realized that it was a time of special grace—when even a thief was accepted—and she was bold enough to ask for what she wanted. May we also be alert to times of grace and know what to ask for at the right moment.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Holy Challah – a Story, Some Prayers and a Recipe

Posted on Thursday, 20, January, 2022Sunday, 10, September, 2023 by Rabbi

Every Shabbos and Yom Tov (holiday), except Pesach (Passover), Jewish women prepare and bake challahs. It is a a holy task filled with love and tradition. Every ingredient is gathered with the intent of elevating the festival meal to a higher level.

Women through the many generations in their preparations of bread/challah have elevated the Shabbos and Yom Tov tables to the level of the mizbeach (alter) in the Bais haMikdash (Holy Temple). With the destruction of the Bais haMikdash, the altar became the table at which the family gathered to eat its meals. We learn that “In the days of the Temple, the altar served to atone for us; now it is our table that atones for us.” (Chagiga 27a).

So one may ask, how is making challah holy?

Prayers and rituals have come down to us from countless women. Every step in the preparation of challah elevates plain bread into a holy source of spiritual nourishment. The Torah (Scriptures) speaks of the creation of mankind saying, “then the L-rd G-d formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) It is important to realize that when the Holy One, blessed be He “formed man from the dust of the earth”, He created people from the physical world. When He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” He created people from elements of the spiritual realm. At this point something truly amazing happened, “and the man became a living being.”

In other words people exist in the physical world and the spiritual world and have the ability to take the mundane everyday stuff from the physical world and elevate it to a spiritual and holy level.

Challah

Challah, Prayers and Meditation

INGREDIENTS

4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting		1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon yeast		3-6 tablespoons sugar or honey
2 teaspoons salt		4 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup lukewarm water		1 egg yolk, at room temperature

DIRECTIONS AND PRAYERS

Before Beginning to prepare the challah say:

Combine 2 teaspoons of salt with the flour

In a separate bowl wisk together 4 eggs, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup olive oil until well blended.

Add sugar or honey to taste and say:

Mix well and then add 1 tablespoon of yeast and say:

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and knead until you have a sticky dough that clings to the bottom of the bowl, (5 to 7 minutes). The dough may seem a bit wet and sticky but have faith—it’s supposed to be.

Dust your hands generously with flour, then scrape the sticky, elastic dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Dust the top of the dough lightly with flour and knead briefly into a soft, smooth ball. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl, flip it over once so the top is lightly oiled, and then cover the bowl with a damp dish towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it’s puffy and doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours. (see note below)

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and dust with flour. It will deflate.

Pinch off a piece of dough the size of a large olive and set aside.

Cut the dough into four even pieces, and then stretch and roll each piece into a rope about 16 – 20-inches long. Lay the ropes parallel to one another (vertically). Pinch them tightly together at the top, and then fan them out. If the ropes shrink a bit, just work them back into their original length.

Begin by taking the strand farthest to the right and weave it toward the left through the other strands using this pattern: over, under, over. Take the strand furthest to the right and repeat the weaving pattern again: over, under, over. Repeat this pattern, always starting with the strand farthest to the right, until the whole loaf is braided. Tuck the ends under to give the loaf a finished look.

Carefully transfer the braided loaf to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover the loaf loosely with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot until about 1 1/2 times the size (1 to 2 hours). Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. (Note that the loaf will continue to rise significantly in the oven.)

Take the small piece of challah dough and say:

Wrap it in a piece of foil and set in the oven.

In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg and brush the beaten egg generously over the risen dough. (Note: If you like, sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds onto the challah before putting it in the oven.) Place the baking sheet atop another baking sheet; this will prevent the bottom crust from browning too much. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the crust is a rich brown color and the internal temperature is between 190°F and 200°F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bread from the oven and place it on a rack to cool. Challah is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers will keep for a few days in a sealed plastic bag.

Note: When baking yeast breads, rising times are only a guide; the temperature in your kitchen, the humidity level outdoors, and how you knead the dough will all affect the rising time.

While the Challah is baking add a short prayer:

Husband and wife are partners in the Jewish spiritual quest of becoming holy. Traditionally, the woman bakes the challahs for Shabbos and Yom Tov, and the man makes the blessing over them at the table. If both have holy intentions, in the baking and the blessing, the bread flies up to heaven as it is eaten.

May your prayers ascend to the highest levels and be answered with joy and happiness

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Groom Who Was Destined to Die on His Wedding Day: A tale from the Beta Yisrael

Posted on Wednesday, 17, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is well known that babies cry from the moment they are born. Why? Because the angel in charge of birth tells them when they are destined to die. For a person’s fate is sealed from the time of his birth, and the circumstances of his death are already known.

Now one night, just as a baby was born, the angel told him, “You will die from a snake bite on the day of your wedding.” As soon as the baby heard this, he broke into loud cries. While most babies quickly forget what the angel told them, this baby remembered. As he began to speak, he told his parents what the angel had said. After that, his parents were afraid to let him marry, out of fear that he would die on the day of his wedding.

Years passed, the child grew, and his older brothers had all been married, and the young man also wanted to marry. He too wanted to marry, but every time he spoke to his parents, they discouraged him, reminding him of what the angel had said. The young man wanted the happiness of his married brothers and when his parents saw that he would not give up the idea of marriage, they approached a wise elder and asked for his advice. He told them: “Your son can marry on condition that you wrap him from head to foot in five sheep skins on the day of his wedding. And as you travel to the wedding be sure that his feet don’t touch the ground. Have his brothers carry him on a chair to his bride.”

So, it was that on the day of the wedding his parents wrapped the groom in five sheep skins, and his brothers carried him in a chair, so that his feet didn’t touch the ground. Then, as they traveled to the house of the bride, a huge poisonous snake, hidden in a tree, suddenly dropped down and bit the foot of the groom, but it couldn’t bite through the thick sheep skins that covered him. His brothers quickly killed the snake and buried it under a large stone. After that they took the groom down from the chair, unwrapped the sheep skins, and he continued to the house of the bride by foot. The wedding ceremony took place in peace, and the bride and groom returned to his village, and everyone was greatly relieved that he had survived.

Many years passed. The groom’s brothers aged and died, his own children grew old and died, and even his grandchildren died of old age, but he kept on living. He was so old he couldn’t speak, and he could barely stand. His descendants saw that he was suffering, but they didn’t know what they could do for him. So, they went to one of the wise men of that generation and told him the story of how he had escaped death on his wedding day.

The sage said to them: “I heard this story from my father. Because he escaped death when he was fated to die, he cannot die at all.”

His descendants said, “What are we going to do? He is so old and is suffering so much.”

The sage told them: “You must find the place where the snake was buried and take the dust from there and mix it with water and let the old man drink it. Only then will he be able to die.”

The groom’s descendants went back to the big stone where the snake was buried, and they took dust from beneath it and mixed it with water and let the old man drink it. And right after that, he died.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Finger: An old Jewish Horror Tale

Posted on Sunday, 22, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The Jewish story that the movie, The Corpse Bride, was based on

One night long ago, in the ancient city of Safed, three young men went out for a walk. Reuven, the eldest, was to be married the next day to a beautiful and wealthy maiden, and his companions laughed and joked and teased their friend. The moon was full that night, and the young men decided to leave the beaten path and walk in the thick forest that surrounded the city.

The moonlight cast its light into the darkest parts of the forest, and they passed through it fearlessly. At last they reached the riverbank and rested on large rocks near the shore, while they watched the river below. Here they continued to make merry for they very light hearted.

It was during this time that one of them noticed something strange nearby. It was an object the size of a finger that stuck out of the earth. They got up to examine it, assuming it was a root. But when they came closer, they saw to their amazement that is was indeed a finger that emerged there.

Now on a different night the young men might have felt pity for one buried so near the surface. But filled with high spirits, they joked about it instead. One of them said who among us will put a wedding ring on this finger?” And Reuven, the groom-to-be, quickly replied that it must be he, because he was to be the first one to marry. Then, as his friends looked on in amusement, Reuven took off his ring and slipped it on that finger, pronouncing as he did the words Harai at m’kudeshes li-“You are betrothed to me”-three times, as the law requires. But no sooner did he finish speaking than the finger began to twitch, much to the horror of the young men, who jumped back at the sight.

Suddenly the whole hand reached out from the earth, twitching and grasping. And as they stared at it in horror, frozen in place, the ground began to rumble, as if the earth were about to open. Suddenly the body of a woman, wearing a tattered shroud, rose out of the earth, her dead eyes staring directly into those of Reuven, her arms open as she cried out, “My husband!” in a terrible and terrifying voice. Hearing this, the three friends screamed in horror and took to their heels, running through the forest as fast they could go. But this time the way was dark, for the moon had slipped behind a cloud, and as they ran they tore their clothes on thorns and branches, but never did they stop running or even dare to look back until they had reached their homes in the city. For all the time they ran they heard the unearthly wail of the dead woman close behind. Only when they were safely in their own homes, with the doors locked and the windows shuttered, did they dare breathe a sigh of relief and tend to the many cuts they had acquired in their wild dash through the forest.

The next morning the three friends met together, still pale and shaken. And they agreed to keep the horrible events of the night a secret, for they were deeply ashamed of their jest and its terrible consequences. Then Reuven went to the ritual bath to prepare for the wedding and left his friends alone with their confused thoughts.

Now a great many people had gathered, for Reuven and his bride belonged to two of the most distinguished families in Safed. But just as the ceremony was about to begin, a bloodcurdling shriek came from the back of the crowd, followed by the screams of many others, provoking a panic. For there stood the corpse of a woman wearing only a worm-eaten shroud. Most of the crowd-including the bride and the families of the bride and groom-ran away when they saw her, until none were left there except for Reuven and the rabbi, who had been about to pronounce the wedding vows.

The rabbi, alone among all of those present, retained his composure. He addressed himself to the corpse and said, “Why is it, woman, that you have left your final resting place and returned to the living?” And the corpse replied, in her unearthly voice:

And she held up her hand, on which the ring of the bridegroom could be seen, with his initials engraved on it. Then the rabbi turned to the bridegroom, who was crouched in terror behind him, and asked if what the woman said was true. In a trembling voice the young man told of his walk through the forest with his friends and of the jest they had played when they had found the finger sticking out of the earth. And the rabbi asked, “Did you pronounce the sacred vow three times?” The young man meekly nodded. And the rabbi asked, “Was it done in the presence of two witnesses?” Again Reuven nodded. Then the rabbi looked very grave and said that the rabbinic court would have to be convened to discuss the matter, for in the eyes of the law it appeared that the young man had indeed bound himself to that corpse in matrimony. When the bridegroom heard these terrible words, he fainted dead away and had to be carried off to his home.

In the days that followed, the city of Safed was in an uproar, for who had ever heard of a living man marrying a corpse? And the parents of Reuven begged the rabbi to find a way to free their son from the terrible curse. As for the rabbi, he immersed himself in meditation and in the study of response, searching for a precedent. But there was none; instead one would have to be set. On the day the court was convened, the rabbi called upon the corpse to appear, and she did so, still wearing the worm-eaten shroud in which she had been buried. Under oath she told what young Reuven had done in the forest. Then the rabbi called upon the two friends, who reluctantly confirmed what she said. At last the rabbi called upon the bridegroom, who also confessed that the vow had been made, but pleaded with the court to annul the marriage, for he had never intended for it to happen.

Then the court addressed the dead woman and asked her if she would relinquish her claim, but the corpse was adamant that the marriage must be consummated. For while she had lived she had never married and had thus been denied her hour of joy. And she was determined to receive after death what she had been denied in life.

Then the rabbi called upon the parents of the bridegroom, who testified that the betrothal of their son to the daughter of the wealthy man had been made even before the birth of the children. The two couples had vowed that if one had a boy child and one a girl, then they were to be wed. And the parents of the bride confirmed this vow.

Finally, when all the testimony had been taken, the court gathered together to discuss the case, while young Reuven trembled, his eyes avoiding the terrible corpse that also stood waiting among them. At last the court reached a decision, which the rabbi announced. He said, “It is true that in the presence of two witnesses, Reuven unwittingly made a vow of marriage that appears to be valid.” Here the rabbi paused, and the young man and his parents were filled with terror. Then the rabbi continued, “There are, however, other factors that must be considered. First, the wedding vow would deny the betrothal, and it is widely known that one vow may not be permitted to negate an earlier one. Second, the vow of the bridegroom was not made with intention. Finally, there is no precedent for a claim on the living by the dead. Therefore the vows cannot be accepted as valid, because the bride is not from among the living. The marriage is thus declared null and void!”

Now when the rabbi uttered these words, young Reuven fainted again, this time from relief. But the corpse, having lost her chance to wed either in life or in death let forth an ear-shattering shriek which pierced the souls of all those assembled there and filled their hearts with horror. Then she collapsed upon the ground and became again as one of the dead.

When those assembled had at last calmed down, the rabbi gave orders to have the corpse reburied, with proper ritual and at a greater depth, so that such a tragedy would never happen again. And after her burial the rabbi called upon the parents of the true bride to fulfill the vow they had made before their daughter had been born and to complete the wedding ceremony, which had been so terribly interrupted. This was done and at last the wedding of Reuven and his true bride took place.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

No Fault Divorce

Posted on Wednesday, 18, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

In today’s society, there are many factors and issues that must be considered before granting a divorce. The seriousness of divorce affects the physical and spiritual aspects of the family so much that the sages of old taught, “If a man divorces his wife, the very alter weeps.” (Gittin 90b)

There was once a rabbi who was so learned that he could see every side of a question. One day a man came to him with the request that he grant him a divorce.

“What do you hold against your wife?” asked the rabbi gravely.

The man went into a lengthy explanation of his wife’s many faults.

The rabbi patiently listened to the man and thought, “Beis Hillel says: He may divorce her even due to a minor issue, e.g., because she burned or over-salted his dish, as it is stated: “Because he has found some unseemly matter in her,” meaning that he found any type of shortcoming in her.” (Mishnah Gittin 9:10) If you are so unhappy, then you can divorce your wife,” the rabbi said after listening to what the man said.

the rabbi then spoke to the woman. “Are you unhappy in your marriage, asked the rabbi.

The woman in detailed the cruel mistreatment and abuse she had suffered at her husband’s hands.

The rabbi listened with understandable distress.

“You are right, it would not be fair to continue the marriage,” he said after some thought. There is guidance in this as it is brought down, “If a woman says ‘My husband is distasteful to me, I can not live with him.’ The beis din (rabbinic court) compels the husband to divorce her, because a wife is not a captive” (RaMbaM, Yad Ishus 14.8)

At this the rabbi’s wife, who was present, exclaimed, “How can this be?

Surely, both of them couldn’t be right! ” The rabbi thought for a few moments, knitted his brows and reflected. “You’re right, too! ” He agreed.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Only A Drink of Water

Posted on Sunday, 8, August, 2021Monday, 27, November, 2023 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi known and respected for his learning and teachings was passing through a village one day. He was very thirsty after traveling along the dusty road as he neared the village. He walked towards the well when he saw a young woman drawing water.

He asked her for some water to drink, but the young woman hesitated, saying, “Holy rabbi, I’m unworthy to give water to you. Please do not ask this of me, for I would only cause you impurity. I am a poor woman who struggles each day to make a living. I am not very learned and might. Heaven forbid, cause shame to you.”

The holy rabbi looked at her with eyes full of compassion and said, “I did not ask you about your learning or status. It is no dishonor to refresh a traveler.” “But you are very holy and I am unworthy”, answered the young woman.

The rabbi asked the young woman to come near and sit for a moment, and began to tell her about a servant who came to a well after a long journey in the desert and asked a young woman, “Please let me sip a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. (Genesis 24: 17-18) – that was Rebecca giving water to a traveler.”

We learn that once Abraham was in the middle of talking to the Holy One, blessed be He with G‑d when some travelers appeared in the distance. He excused himself and ran off to invite in the guests. (Genesis 18: 1-7) Anyone can speak of holy matters or quote Torah (Scriptures), but one who acts and lives by faith are truly special and are in turn showered with blessings.

The rabbi smiled and continued, “I ask again, can I have a little water to drink? I did not ask you about your learning or social status, but for a drink of water.”

People should live by their beliefs, not by pursuing faith as an academic exercise written solely in the holy books.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

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?”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The 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

Surprised and not knowing what to reply, her friend said, “I felt tired and fatigued this week and thought I’d take the week off and rest.”

“Come,” said her friend, “I know you’re not rich and need parnassah. Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll help you bake some cakes and cookies to sell tomorrow. Come into the kitchen. Why am I bothering you with a lot of useless talk?”

She already had an apron on and began to vigorously sift flour for her friend. Then she energetically and diligently kneaded the dough in a trough, with the joy of doing a mitzvah.

These two women peddlers in the Jerusalem market loved each other without needing any special reason. Both of them had great faith and trust in the Holy One, blessed be He. They were truly holy women.

The love and goodwill of the two women further shows that we can exist on the physical and spiritual planes at the same time. Their simple actions towards one another showed how simple everyday business practices could be elevated to a holy level.

Techina Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw (100% sesame) tahini*

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 cups flour (half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour)

pinch of salt

almonds to garnish

2 tablespoons sesame seeds to garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F

Lightly oil two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, white and brown sugars) in a large bowl.

Add the techina and then the melted butter (or margarine). Mix with a large spoon. At some point you will need to switch to mixing the dough by hand until it is fully mixed. The dough will have a sticky slightly crumbly consistency.

Take approximately one teaspoon of the batter at a time, and roll in your hands to form small balls. Place each cookie ball, evenly spaced, onto the baking sheets.

Place each ball on a baking paper-lined tray. Press each ball in the middle with your thumb and place an almond in the space. You can also use a fork to flatten each ball and make pretty lines.

Bake until golden brown (approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on how crispy you like your cookies). Let cool to room temperature and serve.

*If oil is floating on top, mix it in and then measure 1 cup.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

In earlier generations, there were great rabbis who could heal the sick. if a person ate food in his house, they went away with a blessing of healing.

“He said to me, ‘I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing, we have in store for her. She passed the test.’

“What was the great blessing? It was the blessing of healing. And that,” said the holy rabbi, “was why the food my holy wife served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The food offered by the holy rabbi’s wife with such self-sacrifice contained such a heavenly blessing.

Traditional Jewish Chicken Soup

Chicken Soup also called the Jewish penicillin is a powerful remedy that cures all disorders physical and spiritual. Several spoonfuls of Goldene yoich (golden chicken soup) warm the body and the neshama – soul.

INGREDIENTS

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon dried sage

1-2 carrots, cut in 2-3 inch pieces

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1-2 onions, chopped

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley, with stems,

3 stalks celery with leaves cut in 2 inch slices

2 teaspoon kosher salt + more, to taste

3-4 garlic cloves, smashed

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1-2 bay leaves

3-4 pound chicken, whole or parts cut-up

INSTRCTIONS

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic, onion, carrots and celery; cook for two to three minutes, or until onion becomes translucent.

Add spices (turmeric, thyme, sage, salt and pepper) stir until vegetables are well coated.

Fill the pot with 1 to 1 ½ gallons of water and add bay leaves and parsley. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 hour.

Add chicken and partially cover the pot and bring the water to a low boil. To the extent that foam develops on the soup, take it off the top with a spoon and discard it.

Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the soup at a simmer and continue simmering, with the pot partially covered, for 2-3 hours. The soup will develop a golden color and a rich savory taste.

Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste if necessary. At this point, you can refrigerate or freeze the soup, or serve it.

Can be served with noodles, knaidlach (matzo balls), rice, mandlen (soup nuts and kreplach.

Recipe Notes

If you want your soup to be low fat, refrigerate it for several hours or overnight at this point to separate the chicken fat. The fat will rise and solidify. You can skim it off to discard or freeze for later use. Chicken fat or schmaltz is a delicious savory alternative to other fats or oil.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

One day, the innkeeper prepared a large pot of soup. As mealtime drew nearer, she went to check on the food to determine whether or not it was ready to be served. As she made her way towards the pot, a foul odor filled her nostrils.

She quickly ascertained that the ingredients she had used to prepare the broth must have been slightly spoiled, and this was indeed the cause of the terrible smell. She was now faced with a problem: Mealtime was rapidly approaching — what would she serve her guests?

She took fragrant spices and sprinkled them generously into the steamy pot; it was not long before the smell of the spices overpowered the foul odor.

The yetzer hara tries to persuade a person to sin. The sin, however, emits a putrid odor, and the soul immediately perceives the trick and attempts to flee. But the yetzer hara clothes the wicked deed in a guise of temptation and appeal to conceal the foul stench.