Yosef was a successful business man. He had a very fine home, a beautiful wife and a great fortune. Life was good and he gave a lot to charity.

It is said, “The world is like a water-wheel the buckets ascend full and descend empty. Who is rich today may not be so tomorrow.” (Exodus Rabbah 31:14)

oon the clouds of misfortune gathered and Yosef lost his business, fortune, wife, and his fine home. Throughout his hardship he held strongly onto his faith — the only thing he had left.

One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a synagogue. One of them was working hard chiseling a triangular piece of stone. “What are you going to do with that?” asked Yosef. The workman said, “See that little opening away up there near the top of the menorah? Well, I’m shaping this down here, so it will fit in up there.”

Tears filled the eyes of Yosef as he walked away, for it seemed that the Holy One, blessed be He had spoken through the workman to explain his trouble through which he was passing, “I’m shaping you down here, so you’ll fit in up there.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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