There was a G-d-fearing and humble scholar who asked the Holy One, blessed be He to let him know who his companion would be in the World to Come. He fasted for many days and offered many prayers until it was revealed in a dream one night: “Your companion will be Yankl the butcher.” When he awoke from his sleep, he was dis­turbed and upset, he sighed and grieved as he knew the butcher to be unlearned. Once again he fasted and prayed until he was told in a dream: “You have already been told that Yankl the Butcher is to be your companion in the World to Come.” When he heard this again, he was stunned and moaned and wept greatly. Then he heard a voice from heaven: “Had you not been a pious man with many good deeds in your favor, you would have perished. Why are you upset when you are told that Yankl the Butcher is to be your companion? Do you know what good deeds that butcher has done, which are far more than most men could do, and can you comprehend how high his rank is in the World to Come?”

At this the scholar rose in the morning and went to the butcher’s shop. He greeted him and sat down beside him and said to him: “I would like you to tell me what you do and what kind deeds you perform.” At this the butcher said to him: “Sir, you see my work. Of all I earn I give half for charity, while from the other half my family and I support ourselves.” “Many people,” said the scholar, “give even more for charity. But now tell me whether you have ever done anything which is more than most men could do.”

The butcher remained silent for quite a long while. Then he said: “Good sir, what I do is between the Holy One, blessed be He and me. I do not want people to know what I do.” “What deeds have you done that you wish to keep secret?” “I will only tell you of my deeds, if you promise never to tell a living soul.” “So be it” the Butcher began:

Once, many years ago, I was busy at my work when a caravan of merchants came to the city, bringing many captives to be sold as slaves. Among them was a little girl, crying bitterly. I asked her: “Little one, why are you crying like this?” With tear filled eyes, she answered: “Sir, I am Jewish and I fear that these non-believers may take me far away from any Jewish community. I wish I could go to some Jewish place where the Jewish community would redeem me.”

As soon as I heard this my heart felt soft and I pitied her and comforted her: “Be quiet and have faith, for I shall redeem you.” Then I went to her owner at once and purchased the girl at a high price, more indeed than I could afford.

Now the girl was twelve years old, and I brought her home and cared for her till she grew. I had an only son who was twenty-one years old and one day I spoke to him in secret and said: “My son, take my advice and do as I ask in order that things should be well with you in this world and the World to Come.”

“Tell me what you desire and I shall not depart from your command either to the right or the left.”

“My wish is that you should take this maiden for wife, and I shall care for all your needs.”

“I will gladly do as you have asked father.”

I was very happy and prepared all they would require from thread to shoelace. Nothing was missing. Then I made a great feast for the wedding, and there was not a single person who did not come. I invited all the poor so that they should not feel ashamed. Then I set many foods and drinks before them all, and they ate and drank and were happy and of good cheer. All except the men who were seated at a certain table and ate nothing. “Brothers,” said I to them, “why do you behave like this? Is there anything the matter with the food?” “Heaven forbid,” they answered, “we have never seen better, but this poor man who is seated with us has been crying and sighing ever since he has taken his place here. We cannot eat or drink in the midst of his unhappiness.”

I took the sad man by the hand and brought him out of the room and said to him: “Brother, why do you treat me so badly to bring such sadness to a joyful event? Tell me what bothers you and why you feel so bad, and do not conceal anything from me. If you are in debt, I shall give you what you need; and if you need a loan, I shall lend it to you.” “I am not in debt,” said he, “and I do not need a loan, but I weep because of this maiden whom you are marrying to your son. She is from my home city, and I was betrothed to her several years ago on this very day. She was taken captive and I have come after her, and this is the writ of our betrothal.” And he brought forth the writ, and I saw that it was as he said. I believed his words and said to him: “Be strong and control yourself, for I shall make everything right by you.”

Then I called my son and said to him: “My son, you have done my will regarding this maiden. Now do what I what I ask, and it will be good for you.”

“As I did before so I shall do now. I shall not disobey.”

Then I told him: “This maiden has been betrothed to someone else and I have already seen the writ of her betrothal, and the man who was betrothed to her is here, so she is forbidden to you. Now it is my wish that you should give him all I prepared for you in the way of garments and jewels, and restore her to her husband; and you will merit a greater reward, and I shall find you a better wife than this and give you twice as much.”

“Just as you have asked, so it shall be done, father.”

So I took the newly arrived man and the maiden and placed them beneath the bridal canopy. With the whole community, the wedding blessings were said in joy. I gave them all I had in my house, and all that was prepared for my son. They stayed with me for a long time, happy and of good cheer, not lacking for anything, so that they forgot their trouble and distress. At length they wished to return to their own city. I gave them fine gifts and provision for the way and sent them off in peace. I have always asked travelers regarding their well-being.

Then the scholar said to him: “Through you I now truly understand the teaching, ‘If there be among you a poor man, any one of your brethren, within any of your gates in your land which the L-rd your G-d gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand in the face of your poor brother. But you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need in that he wants. You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing the L-rd, your G-d will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to.’ (Deuteronomy 15: 7, 8,10).

 May you be blessed before the L-rd. You have set my heart at rest and I rejoice that you will be my companion in the World to Come.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others