A young boy loved to learn and was always trying to improve his everyday behavior. He was very enthusiastic in prayer and devotion. One night was learning with his father from the Holy Books in the House of Study. The young boy was so excited to study with his father he lost track of the time.

The father-son study was interrupted by the loud snores of sleeping men. The boy asked his father, “it says ‘Be strong as a leopard, and swift as an eagle, and fleet as a gazelle, and brave as a lion, to do the will of your Father who is in heaven.’ (Pirkei Avos 5:20) How can they just sleep in such a holy place?”

His father thought for a moment or two and then explained to his son. “Strong like the leopard means that one must not be ashamed by people who mock their service to the Holy One, blessed be He. Quick like the gazelle refers to the legs, that your legs should run toward good. And mighty like a lion refers to the heart, for strength in the service of the Holy One, blessed be He which resides in the heart. (based on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:3)

It seemed like most of the people in the House of Study had fallen asleep and the young boy said, “So very few of these sleepers opens his eyes or raises his head to study and pray. You would think that they were without any respect for holy things or behavior.”

“My son, these men work hard each day and their sleep is a blessing for are we not taught, ‘the sleep of the laborer is sweet’ (Ecclesiastes 5: 11) with all your learning you should has remembered to ‘Cast no aspersion on whom the Torah shielded’ (Shabbos 96b) We should always give others the benefit of the doubt.”

The father then sadly replied, “My beloved son, I would rather you too were asleep like them instead of slandering.”

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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