Each Friday at dusk, when the sun goes down and the first three stars appear in the blue evening sky, every Jewish person knows that the Shabbat Malka (Sabbath Queen) has come to bring rest, joy and peace to mankind.

Far, far away in the land of Yemen lived a good and pious Jewish man named Saadia, whose greatest joy was observing Shabbat (the Sabbath) and who never spared any expense to make it beautiful. Sadly, after many years, there came a time when the wheel of fortune spun around, and Saadia grew poorer and poorer. Finally, one Friday drew near and he knew he would not have wine, bread or candles for Shabbat kodesh (the holy Sabbath).

Sadly he left his home and walked in to the desert. All day he wandered and when the sun was setting, he saw a wonderful green oasis blooming with fruit-trees and flowers. In the heart of the oasis towered a white alabaster palace and on its steps stood a beautiful woman. On her head she wore a golden crown set with three shining stars.

“Welcome to the realm of the Shabbat Malka,” the woman said. She ordered an old manservant to bring Saadia a basin full of fresh water. When he had washed, the servant dressed him in fine satin clothes and led him to a room with a bed, a golden menorah, and a table set with fine food. Saadia recited the evening prayer and sat down to eat. The following day, after the second Shabbat seuda (meal), Saadia went for a stroll around the oasis. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. Not a leaf stirred, and in the shadows of the trees rested animals and wild birds. A wolf and a sheep lay close to each other, a bear and a cow were munching their food side by side, antelopes and tigers quenched their thirst together at a spring. Towards evening the servant approached and led Saadia to Seuda Shelisheet (the third Sabbath meal). Saadia finished his evening prayers and went out on the steps of the palace. The beautiful woman was standing there. She turned to Saadia with a friendly smile:

“I know that you are one of my most faithful servants. Before you leave my kingdom, I wish to bestow on you three precious stones: a red one, a blue one and a white one.

The first brings joy, the second calm, and the third peace. Remember, people cannot yet possess all three things at once.”

“0 noble princess!” Saadia cried out. “When will your joy, your calm, and your peace rule the world?”

“When the Messiah comes,” the beautiful woman answered.

Then everything suddenly vanished and Saadia found himself at the gates of a large, strange city. Within the gates he found all the inhabitants very mournful. A citizen told him that years ago their king had fallen into a deep melancholy and had forbidden any joy in his city.

“Lead me to him,” said Saadia, “I will cure him.” When he came to the king, he touched him with the red stone. Immediately the king began laughing joyfully and annulled the law ordering sadness in his land.

Saadia came to another city, where he found an atmosphere of tenseness and turbulence. The ruler of the city kept a close watch on his citizens and forced them to work day and night with no rest. Saadia touched him with the blue stone. The unrest melted away and the ruler abolished the law which forced people to work without resting.

Saadia left the next day and soon came to a third city. Here all the roads were packed with soldiers and everyone lived in fear, because the king was always engaged in battle and was determined to conquer the whole world. Saadia touched him with the white stone; and the king made peace with all his enemies, ordered his soldiers to lay down their arms, and declared a three-day peace celebration.

Loaded with gifts, Saadia finally arrived at his own home. He built a palace in the center of a huge garden, opened it to all needy wayfarers, and kept Shabbat with great love until the end of his days

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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