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ST27 Alexander the Great and the Eye
a tale of a mysterious eye and the secrets it holds until the wisdom of Alexander the Great solves the secrets
Tag: Faith
The Mysterious Wagon Driver
There was once a wealthy merchant who frequently traveled to a holy rabbi for advice and blessings. Through experience, the merchant learned to listen carefully to what the holy rabbi said to him, and in this way spared from numerous business transactions that may have looked promising, but would have soured had he pursued them.
Once, at the conclusion of a visit, the holy rabbi said: “Next time you come here,please bring along your wagon driver.”
This request caught the merchant by surprise. Until then, the holy rabbi had never mixed into such things, such as who should be his wagon driver. Besides, he never noticed anything remarkable about the man the Holy rabbi now wished to see. Yet he knew better than to question the Holy rabbi.
Months passed, and the merchant returned to the Holy rabbi’s court. As instructed, he traveled with the particular wagon driver the holy rabbi had requested.
“Please invite the wagon driver to come see me,” said the holy rabbi upon hearing that the man was in town.
The merchant quickly rushed to the boarding house where the wagon driver was staying and that the holy rabbi wanted to see him.
“Who am I to see the holy rabbi?” answered the simple man, who was more comfortable in the stable than in a book-lined study. The invitation frightened him, and he tried to excuse himself from going.
When the merchant saw that the driver was not planning on coming with him, he threatened not to hire him to take him back. This forced the wagon driver to change his mind; he agreed to come along.
“Shalom Aleichem! Shalom Aleichem! (Peace be upon you),” the holy rabbi greeted the wagon driver with a broad smile.
The driver, who was surprised by the warm greeting, was dumbstruck when the revered rabbi invited him to return the next day in order to share a meal with him.
When the wagon driver left the house, the holy rabbi turned to his wife and asked her to prepare special delicacies and foods reserved for Shabbos and holidays to be served to their guest the following day.
In the meantime, the news spread about the simple wagon driver who merited to be greeted like royalty in the holy rabbi’s house. Many tried to guess the meaning of this special meal. Soon, a group of young students surrounded the wagon driver, demanding that he reveal himself to them.
“I have no idea why I have been invited to the holy rabbi’s house,” he said. “I am not Torah scholar or very important; I am a simple wagon driver.”
The students would not leave him alone.
“Perhaps you may remember some small deed you did,” they asked.
The driver scratched his head, trying to remember anything he had done to draw the attention of the holy rabbi.
“Oh, maybe something …,” he mumbled.
The eyes of the young students lit up.
“Tell us, tell us!” they repeated.
So the wagon driver began to tell his story.
“During my many travels, I reach outlying villages where there sometimes may be only one Jewish family living among the many people in the village. More than once,it happened that the Jewish people would ask me if I knew of a mohel (circumciser) because a baby boy had been born to them, and in the whole area there weren’t any mohelim to perform the bris for the baby on the eighth day.
“Therefore,”the wagon driver continued, “I learned the laws of bris milah and trained under an expert mohel. When I travel, I take along my bris milah kit. Baruch Hashem (Thank G‑d),I have been privileged to do quite a number of circumcisions in many of these far-flung communities.
“A number of months ago, I was traveling through a forest and lost my way.Suddenly, I heard a loud, pitiful crying that broke my heart. I followed the cry and reached a hovel belonging to a Jewish forester. The crying was coming from his wife. She told me that her husband became ill a while back and was laid up in bed, unable to move. And, today was the eighth day of the birth of their son. Her husband meant to travel to the large city to bring a mohel from there.
“‘Now, however, he cannot move, and I don’t know what to do!’ she burst out, crying.
“‘Do not worry, good woman, I am a mohel!’ I told her. “I calmed down the surprised woman. But now I had to find a sandek to hold the baby, as the father was too weak to sit up and hold his newborn son. I went out to the main road, hoping against hope that a Jewish traveler would pass by.
“Suddenly, a short while before the sun was to set, I saw a Jewish traveler walking towards me.
“I jumped on him as if I had found a treasure. I told him about the great honor that he would be privileged to have. At first, he refused to come. But I pleaded with him: ‘A Jewish child is waiting to enter the covenant of Avraham Avinu (Abraham our father), the father is already one foot in the other world;and the mother is crying. How can you be so insensitive and continue on your way!?’
“These words hit their mark, and he agreed to come with me.
“After the bris, I suggested to the guest that he join me for the festive meal to celebrate the occasion. However, there was not a morsel of food in the house. I took out my knapsack, which contained bread and some cheese. We washed our hands and sat down to eat the mitzvah meal, which we shared with the mother.
“Afterwards, the guest suggested that we should call the father of the child to complete the zimun [a quorum of three]. I looked at him with disbelief. ‘Can’t you see that he is almost on the other side?’ The strange guest walked over to the father, and in a minute, the man was standing upright, being led to the table by the guest. I could not believe my eyes!
“When we finished the prayer after the meal, I stepped outside for a minute to get something from my wagon. When I returned to the home, I did not see the guest anywhere. He had disappeared completely!
“And that is my story,” said the wagon driver.
The next day, the wagon driver came to the house of the holy rabbi and ate a festive meal. One of the sons of the holy rabbi shared with his father the amazing episode he had heard. At the conclusion of the meal, the holy rabbi said to the assembled: “A Jewish person who merited to eat at the same table as Avraham Avinu, I very much wanted to eat with him as well …”
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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ST26 Moving a Stone Heart
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Moving a Stone Heart
A lesson of wisdom on how to move the heaviest of stones – the heart
It is taught that without faith, “Its heart is as hard as stone, as hard as the lower millstone.” (Job 41:24)
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Moving a Stone Heart
Our hearts have become hard as stone…One has only one choice: One must take the “hammer
that smashes a rock” (Jeremiah 23:29) – a stone heart!
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)
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ST24 The Bundle of Arrows
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The Bundle of Arrows
A lesson on strength
Physical strength and strength of faith
Which is stronger?
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The Bundle of Arrows
The discussion of faith reminds one of lesson a 14th century rabbi taught: “Let us be one band, for we are all children of one man.”
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Diamonds, Riches and the Soul
Once upon a time, there was a poor man who heard that in a faraway land, there was a kingdom where diamonds were as plentiful as dust — one needed only to bend down, pick them up, and fill their pockets.
After a long and difficult journey, the man arrived in this wondrous land. Everything that had been said about it was true! Diamonds of all sizes were strewn around everywhere — even the sand was made up of billions of tiny glittering gems. A group of children gathered to watch the stranger kneeling on the ground and stuffing his pockets with stones and pebbles, but the poor man was too busy to notice them.
To celebrate the end of his poverty, the traveler ordered the finest meal from the inn. Feeling generous, he handed the innkeeper a small-sized stone and told him to keep the change. The innkeeper asked the poor man what he was doing. The poor man said that the diamond was worth a small fortune. The innkeeper realized that the poor man was a stranger and explained that diamonds were so plentiful in the kingdom that they had no value.
The poor man realized that the diamonds, each of which would be worth a fortune in his land, were totally worthless. In this kingdom, people paid for goods and services with the flower, Asteriscus maritimus (sea aster or sea daisy). The flower was originally used to decorate tables. The delicate flower would dry quickly and turn to dust. No one was bothered by the clouds of dust which came from their wallets and purses. The musty smell gave off the sweet impression of old money.
Once the poor man overcame the disappointment of his lost dream, he worked hard, invested wisely, and before long he was one of the wealthiest people in the land. He filled his vaults with thousands and thousands of the valuable flowers.
After a long time he decided to return home. He sent word to his family: “Am rich. We shall never want for anything in our lives. Prepare triumphant homecoming.” He loaded his fortune on a fleet of ships, and set sail for his home.
Family and friends, dressed in their best, awaited him eagerly at the seaport. Of course, there was nothing that could be done with his shiploads of dried, dusty flowers except sail back a few miles from shore and dump them into the sea.
Later that day, as he was unpacking his clothes, he found a small bag of the stones he gathered on his journey. The value of the stones in the bag was so great that the man and his family never again wanted for anything in their lives.
The soul, in its abode on high, hears wondrous tales of a faraway land. To get there, it must cross a deep and treacherous sea. Great treasures, it is told, are literally free for the taking in this place. A coin given to charity, a prayer uttered, a candle lit to usher in Shabbos (the Holy Sabbath Day), a kind word extended to a troubled fellow — the higher realms, lacking physical bodies and a material reality, can only dream of such treasures.
The soul descends into the material world and discovers that everything that had been said about this place is true. Diamonds litter the streets. Wherever one turns, await countless opportunities to do mitzvos, good and G‑dly deeds. One need only bend down to the ground and fill one’s pockets.
Yet the value of these “diamonds” are not appreciated in this alien land. “Riches” of an entirely different sort beckon, so that when the time comes to return, many a soul finds itself lugging home shiploads of dried, dusty flowers.
But no soul can traverse our world without picking up at least a few mitzvos along the way — gems which enrich the heavens and make the entire trip more than worth its while…
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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A Special Chanukah Gift
For this child I prayed; and the L-rd has granted me the petition that I made to him. (I Samuel 1:27)
Chanukah is a time to celebrate the freedom of faith. A war was fought to defend the right just to remain true to Judaism over 2100 years ago. Today we accept the basic story of Chanukah, but have forgotten the many miracles. The wonders and beauty of faith are many times overlooked, but they are present at all times.
On the third day of Hanukkah, there was a bris (circumcision) in the small wooden shul. The rabbi was the sandak—being honored to hold the baby on his lap—and he told a story at the bris.
A woman who was married for fifteen years and was not blessed with children. She went from rabbi to rabbi, from tzaddik to tzaddik, from one to the other to ask for a blessing, for them to pray for her, but still she had no child. She did not know what to do with herself.
She was very careful to light the Shabbos candles every week, welcoming the holiness of the day into her house. There was always food in her kitchen for those less fortunate. Her bright smile hid the pain and sadness that was deep in her heart.
Without children, she had a lot of time, and so she helped wherever she could. One day she discovered a woman who was sick and all alone, who had nobody in the world. She started to visit the sick woman, prepared food for her and talked to her for hours.
After two years, the sick woman left this world, and the woman without children was with her when she died. The dying woman said to her, “There’s no way for me to thank you in this lifetime for all the kindness and love you showed me. I promise you, the moment I go up to heaven and stand before the Holy One Blessed be He, I swear to you I will send you a baby.”
“That was almost a year ago and today we are gathered here for such a happy and holy occasion”, the rabbi continued, “The baby we just welcomed into the community is that baby. He is a gift from that woman.”
May your Chanukah lights shine bright with hope and blessings
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 Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown on November 28, 2021. Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.
An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.
The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.
The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.
Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris or Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon
ST22 The Right Medicine
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The Right Medicine
About a sick merchant and his doctor learn there is no stronger prescription than hope and faith
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The Right Medicine – Doctor or Faith
ST21 The Fiery Tree
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The Fiery Tree
The outdoors holds a special place in our beliefs and these teachings are often lost amid a curriculum of prayer, holiday observances and Torah/Scripture study. Sometimes one gets very much overloaded and misses the warmth, beauty and love of simple faith.
Read the story The Fiery Tree at https://projectshalom2.org/StoryTour/?p=262
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)
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Chanukah is just 11 days away
The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 350 short stories about faith. Many visitors to the Story Tour Blog have requested that the stories be gathered together into a book. 72 of these special tales are now available in the book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins, that would make a special gift for Chanukah.
ORDER YOURS TODAY
Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from:
the publisher, Xlibris
Barnes & Noble
Booksamillion
and
Amazon
ST18 The Son of Esau and the Son of Jacob
Where Can One Find a True Treasure?
The world is filled with wonders and treasures. Some search a lifetime and never find treasure while others stumble upon it.
A son looked to his father and asked, “Have you ever found a treasure?” The father got a faraway look in his eye and smiled as he took a deep breath and began:
A long time ago I had heard stories of a treasure hidden somewhere in the mountains. I spoke to a friend and he agreed to join me in looking for the treasure. We met at the foot of a mountain one morning and began to follow the trail. It wound ever upward through thick forest. The sun rose steadily until it was directly overhead, and we stopped to eat. The peace and beauty was so strong, one could not help but to pray.
After sometime we gathered up our packs and started up the mountain trail again. We hiked for two or three hours and then found a strange growth of brush. Being curious, we went over for a closer look and discovered that the brush covered the mouth of a cave.
My friend and I decided to explore the cave. It was very dark but we fashioned a torch from some Bracket fungus found on an old tree stump and pine resin and we went deep into the cave. Soon we came into a large chamber and were shocked to see that there was an old large wooden chest covered in dust sitting by the far wall.
We ran to the old chest tried to open it, but the hinges were rusted as well as the lock. My friend hit the rusted lock with a rock, once…twice…three times the lock fell to the ground. We slowly opened the old chest and found it filled with silver and gold coins. I started to count them but my friend told me to stop. He reminded me that we learned that “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the L-rd of Hosts.” (Haggai 2:8). This is only money he said. This is not a real treasure. If you want money all you have to do is work for it.
I was going to argue with him when we suddenly noticed a big metal chest on the other side of the chamber. “Now that might be the real treasure.” My friend suggested we both ran over to the metal chest. This chest was very hard to open and we were very excited when we finally opened it.
The chest was filled with statues of men and animals. Some of the statues were made of ivory, some were made of marble with diamonds for eyes and rubies for lips, and some were made of gold. My friend took one of the gold statues out of the chest and stood it up. Since he was knelling it almost reached his chin. “Don’t do that!” I yelled. “This is only beauty and art. It is not a real treasure. There must be something better here.”
We searched and searched but found nothing else in the cave. The only thing we found was the two old chests. Then the flame on our torch started to die. The light grew dim. We got scared and crawled back through the cave. I wiggled through but my friend somehow got stuck in the small mouth of the cave. I tried to pull him. I didn’t know what to do so I sat down and prayed. I went over to my friend and talked to him and then we began to pray together. My friend gave me his hands and asked me to pull as he tried once again to get out of the cave. I pulled as hard as I could and slowly my friend squeezed out of the cave.
We sat down by the mountain trail, offered a prayer of thanks giving and then realized we were very hungry and thirsty. We ate, talked and laughed together for a long time. After a time we continued our trek up that mountain trail until we reached the peak and looked out at the magnificent sights below the mountain.
I learned from that mountain trek that wealth and beautiful art are nice but are very shallow and without meaning. The true treasures are faith and friendship. The time my friend and I shared on that trek that was filled with adventure, prayer and gladness.
I found the old lesson that says “make not gold your hope; it is the first step to idolatry” (Hanhagah c. 1320 ce) true as many people become so involved in gaining gold (wealth), that they will do almost anything to get it. Friendship and faith are the most valuable treasures, because “two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Everything that friend does and share strengthens each other and sharpens their awareness. For “wisdom leads to tranquility, gold and silver to anxiety” (Mibhar haPeninim #10, c. 1050 ce) and the wisdom of friendship is beyond value.
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)