Avot Archives

Once the King of a large kingdom was growing old. He decided that it was time to select the next king from among his four sons, so he called them in one at a time to discuss who would rule his kingdom.

When the first son entered the chamber of the King and sat down, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son was very rich. So when asked the question, he replied: “I am a man of vast wealth. If you leave me your kingdom I will give it all of my wealth and it will be the richest kingdom in the entire world.”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

When the second son entered, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son was very intelligent. So when asked the ques¬tion, he answered: ” Are we not taught ‘Who is fit to rule? A sage invested with power or a king who seeks wisdom.’ (Mibhar haPeninim #4) I am a man of vast intelligence. If you leave me your kingdom I will give it all of my intelligence and it will be the most intelligent kingdom in the entire world.”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

When the third son entered, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son was very strong. So when asked the question, he replied: “I am a man of great strength. If you leave me your kingdom I will give it all of my strength and it will be the strongest kingdom in all the world.”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

The fourth son entered and was greeted by the King in the same fashion as the other three. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son wasn’t especially rich, or smart, or strong. So he replied, “My father, you know that my brothers are much richer, smarter and stronger than I. While they have spent years gaining these attributes, I have spent my time among the people in your kingdom. I have shared with them in their sickness and sorrow. And I have learned to love them. I’m afraid that the only thing I have to give to your kingdom is my love of the people. I have learn from you, my brothers and the people of your kingdom a deep meaning from the ancient words of ben Zoma, ‘Who is wise? One who learns from every man… Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations… Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot… Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows.’ (Pirke Avos – Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1) I know that my brothers have more to offer than I do, therefore I will not be disappointed in not being named your heir. I will simply go on doing what I have always done.”

When the king died the people anxiously awaited the news as to their new ruler. And the greatest rejoicing the kingdom ever knew took place when the fourth son was named by the King as his successor, for “the king, in essence, is the people.” (Sheves Yehudah #7)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

So many people become lost in their search to serve the holy One, blessed be He. The service in and of itself is fairly uncomplicated. Simply put, “Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.” (I Chronicles 28:9)

The Innkeeper’s Reward

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn alongside the road, they headed directly towards it.

The innkeeper was delighted to merit the honor to host the king’s officer. He therefore tried his utmost to make his esteemed guests’ stay a pleasant one. In their honor, he arranged a table replete with various delicacies, and when they had eaten their fill, he prepared comfortable beds that would provide them with a good night’s sleep.

Upon rising in the morning, the officer asked the innkeeper how much he owed him for their stay, and the innkeeper requested a substantial sum of money.

The officer paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of the caravan and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

Several days later, he arrived at another inn, and this time as well, was showered with exceptional hospitality as the innkeeper went well beyond the call of duty. Wanting to please his guests, the innkeeper served them delicious food and beverages, and provided them with comfortable sleeping arrangements as well.

The next day, the officer approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not!” he said to the officer. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to lodge at my inn! The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

Upon hearing the innkeeper’s heartfelt words, the officer was filled with tremendous affection for the simple man. He therefore commanded one of his servants to go and bring a particularly heavy chest from one of the wagons. Opening the chest, he removed magnificent jewelry and gems and presented them to the innkeeper.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

The officer went on his way but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindliness.

There are two types of people who serve Hashem (G-d).

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a reward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.

But there are others who serve Hashem (G-d) merely for the joy of serving King of All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings Hashem much enjoyment.

This is what we are taught in Pirke Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:3: “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving [even a token) of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
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4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

Once the King of a large kingdom was growing old. He decided that it was time to select the next king from among his four sons, so he called them in one at a time to discuss who would rule his kingdom.

When the first son entered the chamber of the King and sat down, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son was very rich. So when asked the question, he replied: “I am a man of vast wealth. If you leave me your kingdom I will give it all of my wealth and it will be the richest kingdom in the entire world.”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

When the second son entered, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

When the third son entered, the King spoke to him. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

Now this son was very strong. So when asked the question, he replied: “I am a man of great strength. If you leave me your kingdom I will give it all of my strength and it will be the strongest kingdom in all the world.”

“Thank you, son,” the King said as he dismissed the son.

The fourth son entered and was greeted by the King in the same fashion as the other three. “My son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you what will you give to the kingdom?”

When the king died the people anxiously awaited the news as to their new ruler. And the greatest rejoicing the kingdom ever knew took place when the fourth son was named by the King as his successor, for “the king, in essence, is the people.” (Sheves Yehudah #7)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

So many people become lost in their search to serve the holy One, blessed be He. The service in and of itself is fairly uncomplicated. Simply put, “Serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind.” (I Chronicles 28:9)

The Innkeeper’s Reward

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn along­side the road, they headed directly towards it.

Upon rising in the morning, the officer asked the innkeeper how much he owed him for their stay, and the innkeeper requested a substantial sum of money.

The officer paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of the caravan and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

The next day, the officer approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not!” he said to the officer. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to lodge at my inn! The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small por­tion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

The officer went on his way but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindliness.

There are two types of people who serve Hashem (G-d).

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a re­ward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.

But there are others who serve Hashem (G-d) merely for the joy of serving King of All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings Hashem much enjoyment.

This is what we are taught in Pirke Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:3: “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving [even a token) of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two. Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

An officer traveled at the head of a large caravan in order to perform an important task that the king had assigned him. The sun set in the middle of their trip, and spotting an inn alongside the road, they headed directly towards it.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the officer. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to turn to me!”

There are those who serve Hashem (G-d) in the hope of receiving a reward. Hashem certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but in the end he only receives his due reward.