So many people become confused with the many conflicting messages they receive in their everyday lives. They hear the bitterness and, sadly, the prejudice between the different communities. They become confused and dismayed by the claims that one community has the absolute truth.

The wonder and beauty of faith is often shrouded in absolutes. Many only see the rules and not the message of the Holy writings – the messages of life, peace, and kindness.

There is such richness within the different communities that need to be shared. Faith varies as people vary. A person with a large measure of faith emerges from most trying experiences a giant of determination and loyalty, a wellspring of courage, optimism, and inspiration. The higher one scales the ladder of faith, the more enriching is their life and their influence on life. This is what the prophet may have indicated by saying, “The pious will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2: 4).

The lion, king of the beasts, could not find any food for three days and three nights. Because he had not eaten for so long, he developed bad breath. As he saw he was about to die, he let out a roar and summoned his servants. Immediately, a fleet-footed horse ran over. “I want you to smell my breath,” said the lion, “and tell me if there is a bad odor from my mouth.”

The fleet-footed horse did as it was commanded and said, “You are right, your majesty. There is a bad odor.”

“You have spoken and rebelled against me,” decreed the lion, “and you are sentenced to death.”

The lion immediately killed the fleet-footed horse and ate him.

Three days later, the lion was hungry again and he let out a roar, and this time a wolf appeared.

“l want you to smell my breath,” said the lion, “and tell me if there is a bad odor from my mouth.”

The wolf said to himself: “I will be more clever than the fleet-footed horse.” He smelled the lion’s breath and said, “Your majesty, there is no bad odor.”

“You dare lie to the king,” said the lion, “and to lie is to rebel against me. You are sentenced to death.”

The lion instantly killed the wolf and ate him.

Three days later, the lion was again starving, so he let out a roar. This time, a cunning fox came running. “I want you to smell my breath,” said the lion, “and tell me if there is a bad odor from my mouth.”

“Your majesty,” replied the cunning fox, “I have a cold and am unable to smell anything.”

The lion, the king of the beasts, smiled at the cunning fox’s wisdom and decreed, “I want you all to have colds and not smell anything,”

“Do mitzvahs out of love, for if you will be visited by a desire to fulfill them out of fear, your love will strengthen and remind you that you are one who loves Hashem, and one does not exchange love for hatred or fear of punishment” (Y. Sotah 5:5). One’s faith is strengthened by love, and with love comes understanding. With that understanding, a person grows close to the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He.

Those who do the mitzvahs out of love are praised with the following verse, “and those who love him will be like the sun which comes out in full strength” (Judges 5: 31)

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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