So many times people read and listen to stories and wonder how to use them to teach. These easy story lessons allows the listener to explore them at length.
Tales of the Storyteller Lessons
The Sultan and King David
One night the Turkish sultan disguised himself as a merchant and walked about his capital city. When he entered the Jewish quarter, he heard loud singing. As he went closer, he saw that the people were dancing in a great circle. He heard the words of a song, “Dovid Melech Yisrael; Chai, Chai, V’kayam” and asked about the song and was told that the words were “David, king of Israel, lives and endures. (Rosh Hashanah 25a)”
When the sultan heard this, it confirmed his suspicions that the Jewish people were not loyal to him, but to their own king.
The next day the sultan demanded that a holy rabbi who was one of the leaders of the community to answer for the disloyalty of the Jewish community. The rabbi insisted that King David had died long ago, but the sultan would not listen. He demanded that the holy rabbi bring him a gift that could come only from King David. If the rabbi did not, he would banish all the Jewish people and destroy their property throughout his kingdom.
The holy rabbi was very afraid of the treat made by the sultan against the Jewish people. He knew that he had to prepare himself to ask for guidance from heaven. It was clear that only a miracle could make it possible for him to fulfill the king’s command. So he fasted for three days, immersed himself in the mikveh seven times, and prayed with all his heart. Finally he heard a heavenly voice announce that he must travel to the city of Luz in the Holy Land. There he would find King David, who, in truth, was still alive. So too did the heavenly voice reveal the holy name that would make it possible for him to go there.
Now the way to the city of Luz is one of the most closely guarded secrets. The histories of the city, reaching back to the very beginng, are filled with every detail of learning and life. Yet these same histories, though complete, do not record a single death, nor a single flood or fire. All who live inside its walls have never known death, the Angel of Death is powerless and can do them no harm.
Now that heaven had opened a path for him, the holy rabbi set out on his journey. He pronounced the holy name that had been revealed to him, and in a single breath he found himself inside the walls of that city. There he saw an old, old man, far older than any he had ever seen before. He asked the old man if King David could be found there. And the old man said: “No. King David lives in a cave out in the desert, near a spring. Once a year a flock of birds fly in that direction, and today is the day they will arrive here. Follow the birds to the spring, and immerse yourself in the waters before you enter the cave.”
The holy rabbi thanked the old man and left the city. Just as he stepped outside the gates of the ancient city of Luz, he heard a rumble like thunder as thousands of birds filled the sky. Once more he pronounced the holy name that had brought him to that place, and he found himself flying as fast as that flock to the spring the old man had spoken of, with the cave nearby.
The holy rabbi immersed himself in that spring and then entered the cave. There he saw King David reclining on a couch. Above him hung his harp and on a stand sat his crown of the kingdom. King David welcomed him, for he too had heard a heavenly voice announcing the rabbi’s visit. He knew of the danger facing the Jewish people of Turkey.
King David brought forth two pitchers of water and gave them to The holy rabbi. He told him to wash his hands in the waters of the first pitcher. And the instant the waters touched the rabbi’s hands, his skin grew white as snow, as happens with leprosy. The rabbi was very frightened, but King David told him not to worry, just to pour the water of the other pitcher over his hands. And as soon as he did this, The holy rabbi’s skin was restored to its healthy state. Then King David said: “Now that you know the power of the waters in these pitchers, take them to the sultan. He will understand that this gift could come from no one but me. For the waters of the first pitcher are from Gehenna, and those of the second are from the Garden of Eden.”
When The holy rabbi took his leave of King David, he pronounced the holy name for the third and final time. And in an instant he found himself back in the land of Turkey, before the palace of the sultan. There he was granted an audience, and he gave the sultan the two pitchers that he had received from King David.
The sultan wanted to know what was so precious about the water in those pitchers. The holy rabbi suggested that the sultan pour the water from the first over his hands. When the sultan did, his skin turned leprous and the sultan was horrified. He knew that if anyone found out, his reign would be over. People would see the disease as a a sign that he was no longer fit to rule. The sultan pleaded with the holy rabbi to cure him. The rabbi assured him that he would cure him if he promised not to harm the Jewish people of Turkey in any way. The sultan quickly vowed to do so, and the rabbi told him to wash his hands in the water of the second pitcher. And as soon as the sultan did, he recovered. Then the sultan knew that none could have sent him those enchanted waters but King David himself, and never again did he threaten the Jewish people of his kingdom.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Sharing Gan Eden With a Cook
The most important thing is not study but action. (Pirke Avos 1:17)
It is told that a holy rabbi prayed that the Holy One, blessed be He show him his place in Gan Eden (Heaven). One night in a dream he saw that he would be seated next to a cook. This surprised him, and he thought to himself, “I have studied Torah day and night, yet my place is beside a cook.” After the dream, he decided: “I shall go and find him and ask him what he has done so special.”
He went and found that the cook was a very wealthy man. He became a guest of the cook and stayed with him for eight days, and the cook showed him great honor and respect. The holy rabbi requested the cook meet him in a field outside of the city and asked him: “Please tell me what you have been doing that is so special.”
The cook thought for a moment and then slowly answered, “By reason of my many sins I have studied very little Torah. All my life I have been a cook. At first I was poor but I have grown wealthy. Every Shabbos (Sabbath) eve since I began cooking, I have distributed meat to the poor at my expense and I give a great deal in charity.” The holy rabbi listened and then asked, “Please tell me whether you have done anything more than that.”
Then the cook slowly began, “I’ll tell you about something I was once the local tax collector for this city. When a ship arrived, I collected any goods I thought proper as a tax. Once a ship came here, and I collected the dues. After my collec¬tion the captain came to me and said: ‘If you wish to purchase what is in the hold on my ship, I’ll sell it to you.’ ‘Tell me what it is,’ said I requested. ‘I shall not tell you,’ the captain answered, ‘until you have bought it and paid for it. And if you do not buy it, I shall not sell it at all.’ ‘In that case,’ I agin requested, ‘tell me how much it is, and I shall decide.’ “Ten thousand in gold,’ the captain told me; and I told him: ‘Show me the goods, and I shall pay it.’ ‘I shall only give it,’ he answered ‘if you give me twenty thousand in gold.’ ‘Show it to me,’ said I, ‘and I shall pay.’ ‘I shall not give it to you,’ he said then, ‘unless I receive forty thousand in gold.’
“When I saw that he was raising the price all the time, I decided that it must be something very valuable, so I agreed to pay him the gold. ‘Give it to me,’ said he, ‘before I show you.’ And I gave him forty thousand in gold.
“Immediately he brought out from the ship’s lower hold two hundred Jewish souls whom he had captured, and said to me: `If you had not purchased them today, I would have slain them and flung them into the sea. “Now he handed them over to me, and I brought them home. I fed them and gave them to drink and anointed them with oil and clothed them. I also enabled those who were unwedded to wed one another.
Among the refugees was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, and I took pity on her and gave her to my son, and he wedded her. Then I invited all my townsfolk to the wedding feast. When the guests sat down to eat, I stood among them and saw that a young man who had been among the cap¬tives was weeping. ‘Why are you weeping?’ said I to him; but he did not wish to tell me. Finally, I led him to a room, and there he told me that the day they had been taken captive was the very day on which he should have wedded that maiden. ‘If you are prepared to divorce her,’ said I to him, ‘I shall pay you a hundred pieces of silver.’ ‘My lord,’ said he to me, ‘I desire her more than all the silver and gold in the world, but what can I do if your son has stood under the bridal canopy with her.’
“At this, I went to my son and told him: ‘Divorce her.’ And I gave her to that young man and made them wealthy. This is the thing I have done.”
Then the holy rabbi said to him: “Blessed be the Ever Present who has privileged me to be seated beside you in Gan Eden!”
So let a man engage in Torah and good deeds at all times, and practice charity. For money is not his but belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He, as the Prophet Haggai said: “The silver is Mine, the gold is Mine, says the Lord” (2:8). And it is also written in the Book of Psalms: “For God judges; this one He brings down, and that one He lifts up” (75:8).
(based on Tanchuma, Mavo 68)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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A Virtuous Woman’s Ring
A wealthy merchant was aboard a ship that carried his wares, when a violent storm struck. The wind and waves put all aboard the ship in peril of death. The wealthy merchant prayed to be delivered on account of his modest wife. A stranger stood nearby and was amazed to hear the merchant praying and mentioning the merits of his wife. The wealthy merchant answered that indeed she was worthy of all praise. The stranger challenged the merchant: “No woman is so perfect. I shall go and seduce her. What sign do you require of me?” The husband answered that she wore a fine ring on her hand, and if he brought it, then the husband would know that he had indeed seduced her. They risked all their wares on this bet.
The stranger went to seduce the wife of the wealthy merchant and could not even come near her. He returned several times but she paid him no attention. At length he hired her maidservant to steal her ring from her. The stranger presented the ring then took all the wares of the wealthy merchant as agreed.
The wealthy merchant returned home empty-handed. When the woman heard that her husband had returned, she adorned herself and happily came to meet him, with all their long-established words of love and affection. Her husband did not even embrace her, but turned away from her and sent her away from him on the ship which had brought him across the sea.
He disguised himself, changed his manner of speech and behaved as a stranger so that she should not recognize him, and acted as the ship’s captain. The woman spent several days on board ship without food and drink, and entreated the captain to give her some food. “Kiss me and I shall give you whatever you wish,” said he, but she refused.
The woman lived on dried bread crusts and water and when land was spotted from the ship, she begged to be let go.
the ship came to land. The woman went ashore and sought for food and found two trees. The fruit of one made the eater leprous, while the fruit of the other cured the disease. She took some of the healing fruit in her bag and came at last to a royal palace. The king needed this remedy and she cured him, and the king gave her riches in plenty. Then she went back home and rebuked her husband for having suspected her. Thereupon her husband investigated the matter, and it was found that the Stranger had lied about her, and he was brought to judgment.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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The Tree that Spoke in Court
Two men stood before the beis din (rabbinic court), telling two completely different stories.
“A year ago”, declared Chaim, and well-to-do merchant, “my friend and neighbor Shimon came to me, begging for help. His business was failing, and he said that if I loaned him 1000 silver coins. He could pay off his creditors, who were growing very impatient. He would then buy merchandise and make a new start. We were friends, and he was in trouble, so I immediately gave him the money. I trusted him. Now time is past when I asked for the money back. He refused to give it to me.”
“Why should I return the money? I didn’t take?” Answered Shimon. “There was no such loan. Where is your proof?” He demanded.
“Proof?” Chaim’s face was scarlet, with rage. “You were my friend, I helped you out. I didn’t even ask for a receipt. Now, after all I did for you, you steal my money and call me a liar!”
As was his way, the holy rabbi who led the court looked intently at the two angry men and began to question each of them closely. He asked for all of the details of the transaction, carefully watching each man’s reactions.
“I remember it exactly,” Chaim said, in response to the holy rabbi’s question of when the loan had been arranged. “Shimon and I were standing beneath a white tree when we discussed his business troubles. It was a hot day and we enjoyed the shade tree gave us. I told him that I was a little uncomfortable loaning money without a witness and he told me to let the tree be the witness.”
Up until now it has been business as usual in the beis din (rabbinic court): two men argue a case, each giving his own version in a room where logic, justice, and truth hung in the very air.
Suddenly, the holy rabbi introduced an unusual request.
He turned to the wealthy merchant and instructed him, “If the tree is the witness then the tree must come and testify. Go to the tree where you made the deal.”
Chaim stared. “Now?”
“That’s right, now. Bring me a branch from the tree. With the help of the Holy One, blessed be He, the branch will help me to reveal the truth.”
When Chaim rushed out of the room, a puzzled silence fell. No one had the courage to question the holy rabbi but everyone wondered how in the world a branch could help find the answer. Could a tree, then, speak of what it had seen a year ago?
Time passed and the holy rabbi looked out the window and saw that the sun was setting. He looked out the window frequently and seemed to be growing impatient. “Where is Chaim already?” He said, half to himself. “The day is almost gone and evening is coming and I want to get this finished today. Why is he taking so long?”
“It will be a while until he gets back,” Shimon said helpfully. “The tree is quite a distance from here. Perhaps the holy rabbi should see someone else in the meantime.”
“No,” said the holy rabbi, his face expressionless, “let us wait for the branch and hear what it has to tell us.”
Not long afterward, Chaim walked back into the room. Feeling a bit silly, he placed the branch on the table in front of the holy rabbi.
The holy rabbi stared at the branch intently for a few seconds. The others looked at it as well, a long brown piece of wood with small knots and a few twigs still stuck to it. It was, in fact, nothing more than the branch of a tree.
The holy rabbi turned his gaze on the two men standing before him, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face. “The tree branch has spoken and told me that Shimon has, indeed taken the money and it must be returned.”
“Nonsense!” Shimon exploded. “How in the world… Trees don’t speak!”
“This one did,” the holy rabbi said. His face was stern and his voice was serious. “The tree spoke, and you spoke. If you had not taken the loan, how did you know where the tree was located? You knew very well what tree Chaim was going to, and that’s the proof that Chaim’s story was true.”
Shimon, realizing that he had fallen neatly into the judge’s trap, shamefully admitted that he had, indeed taken the money and tried to get out of repaying the loan. “You don’t know what it’s been like,” he said, sobbing. “I’m just beginning to see some success in my business. If I have to pay the loan back now I will be ruined, bankrupt. My family…. We will all go hungry. I didn’t want to lie, but I had no choice.”
The holy rabbi’s eyes flashed fire, but he gently put his hands on the broken man’s shoulder. “Every man has a choice. Your sins have been many. You stole, you lied, and you betrayed a friend.” He stared at the man his penetrating gaze seeming to pierce his very soul. Then he turned to the victorious plaintiff, Chaim.
“I believe your friend Shimon sincerely regrets his actions. He is admitted that he owes you the money in front of the beis din. We allow him to pay the loan off, enabling him to continue in business?”
After a moment’s thought, Chaim agreed to let Shimon repay him on easy terms. The two men then left together, not yet friends, but no longer enemies. In his hand, Chaim held a brown branch, to bring home in order to show his family and friends the tree that had spoken.
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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The New Fabric of the Spirit
In a certain city lived the owner of a fabric mill who had successfully developed a new type of fabric. It was a remarkable fabric, strong, soft to the touch and appealing to the eye.
The fabric became very popular, and many people gathered outside his mill to buy it. It became so popular, that he was simply unable to manufacture enough of the fabric to meet the overwhelming demand.
While there were many individuals who actually preferred their old clothes, which were still in excellent condition, they nevertheless, purchased the new fabric and had clothing sewn from it, as they wanted to keep up with the styles.
One who observed a group of people wearing clothing made from the new fabric, would have no way of knowing which of them truly enjoys wearing the clothing and which of them is wearing those clothes just to be fashionable.
However, there is one way to discern a weaver’s true motives. If the person meets the inventor and makes an effort to thank him for his hard work and achievement, going so far as to tell him how pleased they are with the fabric, it is an indication that the person is truly pleased.
Some will greet the inventor with a bad attitude and treat him rather poorly. Given the opportunity, they will even go so far as to blame him over the fact that he caused them to spend a great deal of money. Such individuals are wearing the fabric only to appear fashionable.
One can distinguish between the Divine service of various individuals, in the very same way. There are those who perform the mitzvos (religious duties) out of deep faith and love for the Creator of All. Then there are those who perform the mitzvos by rote, simply for the sake of discharging an obligation. The only way to discern between them is by observing the manner in which they carry out the mitzvos. One who fulfills them with joy and excitement and tries to be as meticulous as possible, falls under the category of one who truly loves the Holy One, blessed be He. But if not…
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Special Prayers, Sins and Rain
It was dry and the sun was hot as the drought went into its second month. The rabbis decreed a fast day and special prayers and psalms be recited. During the time of drought the whole community is invited to join in prayer so that the rain will come. Hopefully the non-observant will be moved by the serious condition caused by the drought join the community in prayer.
In one community which was in a drought area, the rabbis proclaimed a fast day. Strains of Psalm 130 (traditionally said in times of drought) were heard from the old synagogue. “Out of the depths I call You, Hashem….”(Psalm 130: 1)
One of the rabbis tried to urge a non-observant person named Yonah to join in the public prayer. Yonah adamantly refused. “You certainly do not think that the prayers of someone like me will have any effect on G-d,” Yonah offered.
The rabbi tried to impress upon Yonah that the prayers of every person are important, and that on the contrary, when someone who is distant from religious observance turns to the Holy One, blessed be He, their prayer is very special and effective.
“I take it from this,” the Yonah said, “that you are implying that it is my sinfulness that made G-d angry and caused the drought. I resent that!”
“No need to worry about that,” the rabbi said. “I could not possibly think that you caused the drought. In fact, we know that it was people like yourself who once caused “the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7: 12)”
The voices from the synagogue continued, “O Hashem, listen to my cry; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. (Psalm 130: 2). The prayers went up to the very Throne of Mercy and That evening the sky grew dark and the rains came in answer to the prayers of the people. But this was very displeasing to Yonah, and he became angry. (Yonah 4:1)
Ribbono shel olam – Master of the universe, who lovingly hears the prayers of Your children
Stir up Your kindness and love for us — for Your sake. Prepare our hearts, and help us pray to You with every fiber of our hearts and souls. Make it so that we can pray to you with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strengths. Let our prayers flow fluently from our mouths at all times, freely and without interference.
You listen in mercy to the prayer of Your people. Baruch atah Adoshem, shomei-a t’filah – Blessed are You, O L-rd, who listens to prayer.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Rabbi Asenat and a Flock of Angels: A Tale From Kurdistan
Asenat was the daughter of the holy rabbi Shmuel b. Netanel HaLevi of Kurdistan who founded a number of centers of learning and was head of the yeshiva in Mosul. He lived in great poverty and was regarded as a saint. He had no sons, but had a daughter who he loved dearly. The holy rabbi was a master of the written and oral Torah, agaddah, and Jewish mysticism. He lovingly taught his daughter every day until he had to leave to the World of Truth.
The holy rabbi taught his daughter the secrets of the revealed and hidden Torah and many of the secrets of heaven. Asenat adored her father, and regarded him as a King of Israel. In a letter, she described her upbringing:
I never left the entrance to my house or went outside;
I was like a princess of Israel…
I grew up on the laps of scholars, anchored to my father of blessed memory.
I was never taught any work but sacred study, to uphold, as it is said: “And you should recite it day and night (Joshua 1: 8)”
Long ago, in the Kurdish town of Mosul, there lived a young woman named Asenat who was known for performing wonders. Her blessings were often sought by women who wished to be blessed with children, or by sick people who wished to be cured. Her touch had healing powers, especially for children.
It was whispered among the people that the spirit of her father rested upon her, and for this reason she was known as Rabbi Asenat.
After Rabbi Shmuel died, he often came to his daughter in dreams. He would reveal dangers to her and tell her how to avoid the threats, saving many lives. One night Asenat dreamed that her holy father told her to go to the Kurdish town of Amadiyah for Rosh CChodesh, the celebration of the new moon. He told her that the Jewish people of Amadiyah needed her protection.
When it became known that Rabbi Asenat was planning to travel to Amadiyah, the people of her town pleaded with her not to go, for things had become dangerous for the Jewish people living there. “All Jewish people have been warned to stay away from Amadiyah,” they warned her. “If you go, you will surely be risking your life!” Asenat could not overlook her holy father’s message. She took leave of her town and began her journey.
When Rabbi Asenat reached the town that she had visited so often, she was given great respect as a holy woman. The people seemed to be upset when she told them that they should celebrate Rosh Chodesh outdoors, so they could see the crescent of the new moon, as was their custom.
The people wanted to stay in the safety of the synagogue, for they knew they were surrounded by enemies and that their very lives were in danger. “Don’t be afraid,” she told them. The emunah (faith) in the Holy One Blessed, be He and their trust in her were so great that they agreed to keep to the tradition of greeting the new moon as in the past, despite the danger.
The night of Rosh Chodesh saw almost all the people come out to celebrate the new moon and the new month. At first they were cautious, yet soon they were singing and dancing in the town square with abandon. Suddenly, shouts disrupted the celebration as people saw flames leaping towards the sky. The synagogue had been set on fire! Baruch Hashem – Blessed be G-d that no one had been inside. The people were heartbroken to see their synagogue consumed in flames. Many men had to be held back so they wouldn’t run inside and be burned to death while trying to save the Torah scrolls. Everywhere people wept, falling to their knees, for they knew the flames were fast approaching the Aron haKodesh (Holy Ark) where the Torah scrolls were kept.
Rabbi Asenat closed her eyes in prayer and whispered a secret name of Hashem, one that she had learned from her father. All at once the people heard a loud flapping and a great wind swirled around them, and they thought that a flock of birds must be overhead. But when they looked up, they saw a flock of angels descending to the roof of the synagogue. The angels beat the flames with their wings, until every last spark had been put out. Then they rose up into the heavens like a flock of white doves and were gone.
The people were fascinated. They cried out, “Angels! Angels!” And when the smoke cleared, they saw that another miracle had taken place: the synagogue had not burned. Nor was a single letter of any of the Torah scrolls touched by the flames.
When the enemies of the Jewish community learned of the miracle of the angels and saw how the synagogue had been saved from the fire, they dared not harm the hair of even a single Jewish person.
A day opf celebration was declared as the people prayed and thanked the Holy One, blessed be He for saving this day for them and their beloved synagogue. The Jewish community was so grateful to Rabbi Asenat that they renamed the synagogue after her, and it is still standing to this day.
And all this came to pass because of Rabbi Asenat’s courage and loyalty in honoring her father’s wish, conveyed in a dream, that she go to that town for the celebration of the new moon.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Love and Leaves from the Garden of Eden
The largest stable in the village was owned by Ephraim Dov Ber. From morning until nightfall coaches and carriages of all sorts would arrive, wanting to rest or exchange their tired horses for fresh ones. Ephraim Dov Ber was helped in his work by the boy Chaim, an orphan who made his home with Ephraim Dov Ber and his family. Chaim’s parents died while he was very young, and he lived on the streets until Ephraim Dov Ber took him in. In a very short time, they all regarded him as a member of the family. Chaim was especially close to Ephraim Dov Ber’s daughter, Shaina Leah. They were like brother and sister.
Now Chaim worked hard in the stables, side by side with Ephraim Dov Ber. They worked from early in the morning till way after sundown. One day Chaim left the stable early because he was not feeling well. The next day he could not get out of bead, and each day he seemed to grow weaker. Leah stayed by his bed and cared for him, As he slept, she would hold his hand and pray:
Loving and compassionate Healer of All send a complete healing to Chaim ben Sara. Take away his pain and strengthen his body and soul. Please help me help him and may we find peace together,
One day Chaim opened his eyes and saw Leah, He smiled at her and took his last breath. Leah was torn by grief, as was Ephraim Dov Ber and the rest of the family.
When the period of mourning had ended, Leah did not seem to recover from her grief. She had loved the Chaim deeply, and she could not bear the loss. Ephraim Dov Ber and his wife sat at her bedside every day, praying for her recovery. One day, while Ephraim Dov Ber was sitting at her bedside, he fell dozed off and began to dream. In the dream, Chaim appeared before him, his face glowing with peace and happiness.
“Where did you come from?” asked Ephraim Dov Ber, who remembered, even in the dream, that the boy was no longer in this world. “And why are you so happy?”
The boy replied, “Let me tell you all that has happened to me. When I left this world, I was brought before the Heavenly Court. I explained that I did not feel as religious as all the people around me because I only knew a few prayers, for that is all I had been taught. I told the Heavenly Court that I had served you with love, respect and honour as faithfully as I could. So too did I tend the horses with gentleness and care. And I always tried to be honest.
“The court ruled that I had earned a place in the Garden of Eden, and that is where I make my home. It was decreed that because I had tended horses in my earthly life, I was put in charge of the heavenly horses that pull the golden coaches of the tzaddikim (holy ones).”
Then Chaim asked Ephraim Dov Ber about his family. And Ephraim Dov Ber broke into tears and told him how much Leah had grieved over his death, and now she too was in grave danger. Chaim gently said: “Don’t worry. There are leaves growing in the Garden of Eden that can heal any illness. Wait, and I will bring some to you.” A short time later, the Chaim brought Ephraim Dov Ber a handful of leaves and instructed him “Boil these in a pot of water and give the tea to Leah to drink.” Ephraim Dov Ber accepted the leaves. No sooner than the leaves were in his hand, he woke up.
Scattered all over the bed were leaves that had blown in from the open window. Ephraim Dov Ber picked them up and saw that those leaves did not grow anywhere in he knew of. So too did they bear a wonderful fragrance, like that in his dream.
Ephraim Dov Ber hurried to boil some of those leaves in water, and he gave it to his daughter to drink. As he did, he told her about his dream, and about the leaves that Chaim had brought her from the Garden of Eden. And when Leah drank that water and learned of that miracle, she began to recover at once—by the third day she was out of bed and walking around.
Soon after that, Leah was betrothed and wed. And she named her first son Chaim, after the stable boy. And it is said that she loved her child as much as she had loved her adopted brother.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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The Innocent are Delivered from the Fiery Furnace
There was once a pious man who was wealthy and of the king’s company. He had a handsome, fine-looking, and wise son. Before he died, the father told his son not to leave daily prayer until the whole service was over. Also, if somebody who had not been present were to rise and recite the daily prayer he should stay there until he had finished as well. The dying man added: “I have done this all my life and I have prospered. And if you pass through a city and you hear the cantor, enter and do not leave until he has finished his prayers.” Then the pious man passed away.
Now the son was well thought of by all who saw him. He served the king and was the wine bearer to the king and queen and sliced them their bread and meat. They loved him very much and praised him to the skies. Now the king’s chief advisor saw this and was very jealous. He came to the king and said: “Your majesty, you have eyes yet you do not see that this young man loves the queen, and they fornicate together.” But the king rebuked him and did not believe him, yet he repeated it day after day until the king grew jealous. “For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he shows no restraint when he takes revenge.”(Proverbs 6:34)
One day the king went to inspect the workers who were preparing a limekiln, and he said to the master of the workers: “Take the first man who comes here tomorrow and fling him into the kiln at once. If you do not do so, you will pay for it with your own life.” “Your majesty’s order will be obeyed” ,” answered the master of the workers. Then the king returned to his palace. That night while the young man was serving him, he called him and ordered: “Rise early tomorrow morning and go where they are preparing the lime and tell the man in charge to make a great fire.” “I shall carry out your orders,” answered the young man.
In the morning he mounted his horse, but as he passed the synagogue he heard the cantor’s voice. He dismounted, entered the synagogue, and prayed. When the cantor had finished, another man who had not heard the prayers rose and began to pray, and he waited until he finished as well. And so he was delayed until it was broad daylight.
Meanwhile, the king summoned his chief advisor and ordered him: “Go to the place where they are making the lime and ask the man in charge: Have you obeyed the king?” Then the vizier mounted his horse and rode off and asked the man in charge: “Have you obeyed the king’s orders?” Thereupon they seized him and tied him up and flung him into the kiln. The young man arrived just then and saw them flinging the king’s advisor into the kiln, and he said to them: “If the king knows this, he will slay you.” But the man in charge answered: “Yesterday the king ordered me: ‘Take the first man I send to you tomorrow, and fling him into the kiln.’ And this is the man who came first.”
Then the young man returned to the king and said: “Your majesty, why did you order the chief advisor to be burned?” At this, the king shuddered and shook with astonishment and said to the youth: “Now I know that you are G-d-fearing, and your Creator loves you. This is what the chief advisor said about you and the queen. So I ordered that the man whom I first sent to the limekiln should be flung into the fire; and it was you I first ordered to go. After that I told the chief advisor to go and see whether my orders had been obeyed. But you were delayed, so they flung him in instead. Now I know that you are innocent. The ancient words “The righteous is delivered from distress, and the wicked comes in his stead.” (Proverbs 11:8) are so true”
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)