In the Opposite Direction

Posted on Tuesday, 9, November, 2021Sunday, 18, February, 2024 by Rabbi

Two young men learned together in the same yeshivah (school). They were both very gifted and hardworking, and each progressed steadily in his Torah (Bible) and religious studies. When they grew older, however, they went their separate ways: One of them continued to pursue his Torah (Bible) and religious studies in a different yeshivah, while the other one deviated from the path of Torah (Bible) and religious studies. He studied medicine and eventually became a world-renowned doctor.

The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“At that moment,” continued the rabbi, “a man happened to pass by and overheard our conversation. He told me that a magnificent coach harnessed to fine horses was parked on the outskirts of the city. If I so desired, he said, I could travel home in it. The ride would be comfortable and quick, and it would cost only a few copper coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

In this world every person must occupy himself with studying Torah and performing good deeds, which he will ultimately be able to take with him to the World to Come. However, if man chooses to pursue fleeting pleasures and all of the luxuries that this world has to offer, he may travel in comfort, but it will be in the opposite direction!

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

In A Forgotten Age

Posted on Thursday, 24, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

People were created in the image of G-d. (Genesis 1:27) and as such, must act in holy ways, to treat others with dignity and respect, to behave with moral and ethical character as an essential part of everyone’s life.

It has been noted by those who study the Bible that that the Hebrew term “derech eretz” (literally “way of the land”) is used to describe the behavior of courtesy and respect. It has been said that courtesy as the rule of people existed twenty-six generations before the Revelation at Mount Sinai. “This is the meaning of what is written: ‘To guard the way to the Tree of Life.’ (Gen 3:24) “The way” (derech) refers to derech eretz; afterwards “the Tree of Life’, which is Torah/Scriptures.;’ ” (Vayikra Rabbah 9:3)

In the age when life on earth was full no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the man of ability. Rulers were simply the highest branches on the trees and the people were like deer in the woods. They were honest and righteous without realizing that they were “doing their duty.” They loved each other and did not know this was “love of neighbor.” They deceived no one yet did not know they were “men to be trusted.” They were reliable and did not know that this was “good faith.” They lived freely together giving and taking and did not know they were generous. For this reason their deeds have not been narrated. They made no history. They made and lived in peace.

Derech Eretz

If one presents themselves as religious and learned but does not conduct themselves in an acceptable manner in public, many people will attribute the negative conduct to the faith promoted by the person. About such a person people will say:

“woe to that person who studied Torah, woe to his father who taught him Torah, woe to the teacher who taught him Torah. This person who has studied Torah, see how perverse are his ways, how ugly are his deeds.” (Yoma 86a)

We are keenly aware of the impressions of people when they see a “holy/religious” person act without respect and civility showing arrogance, elitism and discourtesy. The Scriptures teaches: “And when they came to the nations, to which they came, they profaned My Holy Name, in that it was said of them, these are the people of the L-rd, and they are gone out from his land!” (Ezekiel 36:20)

One of the important lessons one can learn is before doing the many religious commandments and deeds found in the Holy Books, a person must pave the path with derech eretz, meaning decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, civilized behaviour and good personality traits.

Derech eretz/courtesy and holy teachings go together, for each is necessary for success in the other. Success in the study and practice of faith requires a firm base just as a building must have a foundation to endure. Conversely, Courtesy, respect and civility without Torah/Scriptures is as pointless as a foundation with no building.

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

The Three Daughters and the Evil of Tale Bearing

Posted on Sunday, 28, November, 2010Sunday, 25, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once upon a time there lived a pious man, who had three daughters. The first one was a thief, the second was lazy and the third was a liar, who never spoke the truth and who slandered people whenever she had an opportunity.

One day a religious man, who had three sons, came to the city and said : “You have three daughters and I have three sons. Let us make a match between them.” But the father of the girls said: “Let me alone. My daughters are not good enough for your sons, for each one has a bad habit.” The father of the boys asked: “What are their bad habits?” The father of the girls replied: “One is a thief, the second is lazy, and the third is a lair.” The father of the boys asked: “Have they no other bad habits than these? If so I will cure them. Leave it to me.” So they were betrothed, and he took the girls with him and married them to his sons.

As soon as the weddings were over, he gave to the thief the keys to all his money and satisfied her greed so that she had no reason to steal. To the second he gave many servants so that she should have nothing to do. And as to the third, he fulfilled all her wishes, so that she should not tell lies or slander anybody. And whenever the father-in-law left her house, he embraced and kissed her, for he hoped that by being good to her he would cure her of her evil quality and she would not slander any more.

One day the father came to see how his daughters were getting on. So he went to the first one and asked her how she was getting along with her husband, and how she was treated by her parents-in-law. She replied: “I thank you so much, father, for having given me in marriage to this man, for I have everything that my heart desires. And moreover, I have all the keys in my hand so that I do not have to steal.”

Then he went to his lazy daughter and asked her how she was getting on. And she also said: “I am so thankful to you, father, for having brought me here, for I need not lift a hand, I have many servants to tend to my every need, and my husband and parents-in-law all treat me very well.”

Then he came to the daughter who told lies to ask her how she was getting along, and she said: “You are a fine father! I thought you gave me one husband but it seems you gave me two, the father and the son. For no sooner does my husband leave the house than my father-in-law comes in and kisses me and hugs me and wants me to do his will. Dear father, if you do not believe it, come tomorrow morning and you will see it is true.”

Speech Lashon Hara

Next morning the father came and she put him in a room where he could see what was going on. Her father-in-law came as usual and kissed her and embraced her and said to her: “My dear daughter-in-law, how are you getting on? Is there anything you want?” He did all this with the good intention of curing her of her bad habit, but her father who saw it, grew furious and rushed out of his chamber and killed him. Then he tried to get away, but when her two brothers-in-law came home and found their father lying dead, they killed their father-in-law.

Then the slanderer began to shout: “Murder! Murder!” and they understood it was through her that the tragedy had occurred. So they killed her too, and thus through slander three persons lost their lives.

You can see what an evil thing it is to go tale bearing and slandering and telling lies. The rabbis of old taught: Why is the evil tongue called a thrice-slaying tongue? Because it slays three persons: the person speaking, the person spoken to, and the person spoken of. And the proof? (Gen. R. 98:19; Y. Pesachim 1:1, 16a)

Listen well and learn how vicious is slander! It is more vicious than murder, adultery, and idolatry put together. In Scripture, each of these three transgressions is termed “great,” but slander is spoken of in the plural as “great things.” Thus, Cain said of murder, “My punishment is more great than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13); Joseph exclaimed of adultery, “How then can I do this great wickedness?” (Gen. 39:9); Moses said of idolatry, “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin” (Exod. 32:31). But of slander it is written, “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things” (Ps. 12:4), to tell you that slander is more vicious than the other three transgres sions. (MekiltaTehillim 52:2; B. Arachnin 15b)

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

Returning to Our Children

Posted on Tuesday, 16, December, 2008Sunday, 30, July, 2023 by Rabbi

The Torah tells us after the akedah (the binding of Isaac), “Abraham returned to the youths” (Genesis 22:19). This verse shows Abraham’s deep understanding of the importance of keeping contact with young people. He realized that influencing them was extremely important. He saw that Isaac, because of his youth, faith and passion, was willing to be sacrificed. Simply put, Abraham knew there was great power in the devotion of young people and that it had to be properly channeled.

People world wide have realized this truth. Young people are the ones who challenge society and fight for change. For all the views about the impulsiveness of youth, it is the young people, not their parents, who willingly sacrifice themselves for causes and on battlefields.

Religious leaders and teachers must recognize the great truth that in our young people are the energy and passion that Judaism desperately needs. Our young people are indifferent only when indifferently taught and indifferently led. Moses reinforced this lesson when he declared before Pharaoh, “We will go with our young and with our old” (Exodus 10:9). One may ask, “Why the young first?” The answer is evident when one realizes that a child is an orphan when he has no parents. No one can teach the orphan about his family, traditions and history like a parent. A nation is an orphan when it has no children. Without children there is no growth, no change and sorrow.

It is time to return to our children so that they can return to our ancestors.

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

The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were over­joyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon dri­ver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the out­skirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destina­tion, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

People were created in the image of G-d. (Genesis 1:27) and as such, must act in holy ways, to treat others with dignity and respect, to behave with moral and ethical character as an essential part of everyone’s life.

If one presents themselves as religious and learned but does not conduct themselves in an acceptable manner in public, many people will attribute the negative conduct to the faith promoted by the person. About such a person people will say:

“woe to that person who studied Torah, woe to his father who taught him Torah, woe to the teacher who taught him Torah. This person who has studied Torah, see how perverse are his ways, how ugly are his deeds.” (Yoma 86a)

One of the important lessons one can learn is before doing the many religious commandments and deeds found in the Holy Books, a person must pave the path with derech eretz, meaning decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, civilized behaviour and good personality traits.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

Once upon a time there lived a pious man, who had three daughters. The first one was a thief, the second was lazy and the third was a liar, who never spoke the truth and who sland­ered people whenever she had an opportunity.

Then he went to his lazy daughter and asked her how she was getting on. And she also said: “I am so thankful to you, father, for having brought me here, for I need not lift a hand, I have many servants to tend to my every need, and my husband and parents-in-law all treat me very well.”

Then the slanderer began to shout: “Murder! Murder!” and they understood it was through her that the tragedy had occurred. So they killed her too, and thus through slander three persons lost their lives.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

People world wide have realized this truth. Young people are the ones who challenge society and fight for change. For all the views about the impulsiveness of youth, it is the young people, not their parents, who willingly sacrifice themselves for causes and on battlefields.

It is time to return to our children so that they can return to our ancestors.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

Once upon a time there lived a pious man, who had three daughters. The first one was a thief, the second was lazy and the third was a liar, who never spoke the truth and who slandered people whenever she had an opportunity.