The Captain and the Innkeeper

Posted on Wednesday, 9, March, 2022Tuesday, 3, October, 2023 by Rabbi

A captain traveled with a special unit of trained soldiers at the command of the king to accomplish an important task. The road was long, and the sun was setting on the tired soldiers after two days journey. The captain spotted an inn and ordered his unit to stop there.

The innkeeper was delighted to merit the honor to host the captain on the king’s mission. He therefore tried his best to make his valued guests’ stay a pleasant one. In their honor, he set a table filled with good food, 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 captain asked the innkeeper how much he owed for all the services, and the innkeeper requested a great deal of money.

The captain paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of his unit 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 extraordinary hospitality as the innkeeper went well beyond the call of duty. Wanting to please his guests, the innkeeper served them delicious food, fine drink, and provided them with comfortable sleeping arrangements as well.

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

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

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

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

The captain went on his way, but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindness.

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a reward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.

This is not the case, however, with one who serves the Holy One, blessed be He with joy over having merited to serve the King Above All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings the Holy One, blessed be He much gratification.

The sages taught, “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward” (Pirkei Avos 1:3)

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

Feelings for Another

Posted on Wednesday, 2, March, 2022 by Rabbi

You know my shame, and my embarrassment, and my humiliation. (Psalms 69:20)

Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

Tam and Chacham were once walking along a path in the woods with a couple of students when a man with a speech impediment approached them to ask for directions to the doctor’s house in the village. Feeling uneasy about leaving the students and Tam alone in the woods, Chacham decided to give the man directions to the doctor’s house by pointing out the way. Tam asked one of the students to come with him to escort the man all the way to the doctor’s house while Chacham and the other student waited for them to return.

When Tam and the student returned, he explained that he did not want the man to have to ask someone else for directions so as not to be too embarrassed to show his speech impediment to yet another person. “He approached us because he saw a group of men dressed as respectable teachers and students and felt secure that we would not ridicule him. I wanted to save his having to ask again and thereby spare him any unnecessary embarrassment.” explained Tam.

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

A Reason for Every Custom

Posted on Sunday, 18, July, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It happened once that a wealthy merchant, in the custom of the Jewish community, took care of all the needs of his newly married son and his wife. The son was of fine character and a good heart. He dedicated himself to helping the beggars and less fortunate of the village.

After a time, the young man and his wife were blessed with a son. In honor of the occasion, the happy grandfather arranged a great feast on the day of circumcision.

Shortly before the festivities were to begin the merchant’s son asked, “Tell me, father, what arrangements have you made for the seating of the guests? If you do the conventional thing and seat the rich at the head of the table and the poor near the door, it will distress me after all, “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15). You know very well I love to help the poor. At my own celebration, at least, let me honor them who get no honor. Therefore, father, promise me to seat the poor at the head of the table and the rich at the door.”

His father listened closely to his son and answered, “Reflect, my son: it is difficult to change the world and its ways. There is always a good reason behind every custom. Try to see it this way: Why do poor people come to a feast? Naturally, because they are hungry and would like to eat a good meal. Why do rich men come to a feast? To get honor. They don’t come to eat, because they have enough at home. Now just imagine what would happen if you seated the poor at the head of the table. They would sit there, very self-conscious of their every move, feeling everybody’s eyes on them, and, naturally, they would be ashamed to eat their fill. And what they’d eat they wouldn’t enjoy. Now, don’t you think it would be better for their sake if they sat unnoticed at the door where they could eat to their heart’s content without being ashamed?

“Then again, suppose I were to do what you’re asking and seat the rich at the foot of the table. Don’t you think they’d feel insulted? They don’t come for the sake of the food, but for the honor. And if you don’t give them that what will they get?”

“When the table was set and an abundance of food placed before” them, the wealthy merchant told his son, “Go, my child, and bring whatever poor person you may find…” (Tobit 2:2) yet the people of means sat in a place of esteem at the head of the table and the poor ate their share and all felt honored.

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

A Glass of Water

Posted on Wednesday, 14, October, 2020Tuesday, 16, January, 2024 by Rabbi

It is taught that the reward for fulfilling the mitzvah, a religious deed, of honoring one’s parents “so that your days may be long” (Exodus 20: 12)

The rabbi of the village was loved and respected by everyone. He had many students who not only learned from his words but also his actions. His mother lived in the same village, and he visited her once a week to fulfill the commandment to honor one’s mother. His father had already passed away and she was a widow, but she looked forward to her son’s weekly visits.

Whenever he went to visit his mother, he would sit at the table with her on Shabbos kodesh (the holy Sabbath day). During one visit, he was sitting together with his mother, and the many students who had gathered to be with him crowded around the table. His mother asked him, “Zin kenen ir bite brengen mir a glaz fun vaser (Son, could you please bring me some water)?”

Immediately, a student jumped up to bring the water. The student wanted to help his teacher and did not want him to interrupt his lesson since it is taught that serving a holy teacher does more to elevate a person spiritually than even learning his teachings.

But the rabbi’s mother did not drink the water; she left the glass untouched in front of her on the table. She said, “Zin, ich hab gebet’n az ir zalt nemen mir das vaser, (Son, I asked you to get me the water.)”

The holy rabbi got up and went quickly to bring his mother the water.

She then said, “der emes iz, ich bin nisht darshtik. ich hob dir nor gebet’n, men zol nemen mir dos vaser, k’di di zechus zoln zayn di mitzvah un geveynen a lange lebn. (The truth is, I’m not thirsty. I only asked you to get me the water so you could have the merit of doing the mitzvah and gaining long life.)”

Then she turned to the students around the table and said, “Ir ton nisht zechus tzu hobn kinder vi meyn zin durch makhn a goldene yoich mit knaidelach (You don’t merit to have sons like my Yitzhak by making golden chicken soup)!”

The rabbi fulfilled the commandment to honor one’s mother — by visiting her. His pious mother, wanted to give him a further opportunity to earn the mitzvah — by personally serving her. Just as there is a spiritual reward for personally serving one’s rabbi, there is a reward for serving one’s parents. The Torah (Scriptures) specifies that the reward for honoring our parents is long life.

Loving service to a parent by even the least act, such as bringing a glass of water, extends the parent’s life. A parent lives longer when loved and honored by their children. A child also lives longer when they honors their parents — because their vital energies are being properly channeled.

We are taught that the Torah’s reward of “length of days” for honoring parents in still another way, saying it means that each day will be long because we will live so fully. We are only really alive when we are in touch with our soul. We are so much our parents that only someone who honors his parents can be truly in touch with themself; if you despise your parents, you are despising yourself. For a person who becomes more spiritually “whole” by honoring their parents, each day becomes “long” because it is full of real life; they are more in touch with their spiritual well-being. The rabbi’s mother gave him a chance to honor her because she wanted him to live long both physically and spiritually.

In her final words, the rabbi’s mother wanted to explain to her son’s students her peculiar action in asking for water and not drinking it. She expressed herself humorously, but she wanted them to realize that all of her actions concerning her holy son, when he was a child or now, were intentional and deep, to seek his good in every possible way.

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

Respect and Shame of Another

Posted on Monday, 5, October, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

“And Moses said to the L-rd, O my L-rd, I am not eloquent, neither yesterday nor the day before, nor since you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

The holy rabbi’s respect for every individual was unparalleled, he did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. He was careful to never utter a disrespectful word.

One day the holy rabbi and a student were walking in the woods learning how man needs to live with nature and not exploit the creation the Holy One, blessed be He provided for all people. Along the path, a confused old man with a speech impediment approached them to ask for directions to a local specialist. The holy rabbi and the student recognized the old man as the quiet porter from the village.

Feeling uneasy about leaving the holy rabbi alone on the forest path, the student decided to direct the man to the specialist by pointing out the way. The holy rabbi stopped his student and then asked to escort the man all the way to his destination while he waited for him.

When the student returned, the holy rabbi explained that he did not want the man to have to ask someone else for directions lest he be too embarrassed to reveal his speech impediment to yet another person. “He approached us because he saw two men dressed as rabbis and felt secure that we would not mock him. I wanted to save his having to ask again and thereby spare him any unnecessary embarrassment.”

“How so?” asked the student. “Do we not learn Besides ‘humiliation is worse than physical pain.’” (Sotah 8b) and that ‘shaming another in public is like shedding blood’? (Bava Metzia 58b) answered the holy rabbi.

“when a Torah becomes unfit for use because the words are blurred or missing, we don’t discard it, or a man of learning forgets the detailed teachings we don’t laugh or ridicule him.” continued the holy rabbi.

“Instead we ‘respect an old man who has lost his learning through no fault of his own. The fragments of the Tablets broken by Moshe were kept in the Ark of the Covenant alongside the new.’” (Berachos 8b)

May the Holy One Blessed be He grant that you neither shame nor be shamed (Moed Katan 9b)

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

ST23 Man Should Honour and Keep His Friends

Posted on Friday, 7, December, 2018Saturday, 29, July, 2023 by Rabbi

Listen to the short story

Man Should Honour and Keep His Friends

Read this Story by clicking the Title below

Man Should Honour and Keep His Friends

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 King and His Old Teacher

Posted on Friday, 23, June, 2017Tuesday, 3, September, 2024 by Rabbi

One of the kings had a wise teacher who had instructed him since his childhood in all matters of things such as mathematics, differences between light and dark, sciences, as well as matters of honor and respect. Every day was a new lesson that the teacher instilled into the king, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever…Many shall be running back and forth, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12: 3-4)

The teacher grew old, and age was heavy upon him, and weakness and want had overtaken him. After many years, the teacher came to visit the king one day with his son to support him at his side. When the king saw him, he rose from his throne to bid him welcome and to receive him with honour. He seated him at his right hand, then turned to his ministers and servants and said to them: “This was my teacher in my childhood, and he taught me what is good and right and instructed me in the ways of goodness and wisdom.^“

Then he turned to the old man and asked him: “Is all well, father mine?^“ And the old man answered: “Your majesty, well-being is far from me, for the pangs of old age will not let me be and the days of evil have come upon me and the years with no purpose press wearingly. What good is life to a man whose moments are long and whose arms are no longer strong, and he sleeps by day and remains awake all night long. I dare say, and whose ears are too heavy for him to hear and his eyes are too dim to see with, I fear. Food he despises when it is there, yet he longs to feast when it is somewhere else. His pains slow him down, and the birds wake him up, and his dear ones annoy him, and his dreams frighten him enough to destroy him, and his bones have grown dry, and he has forgotten his good days; they are so far away!”

teacher

The king and all those who were seated before him wept aloud and said: “Alas, for living when the beginning is forgotten in its ending, and people would sooner be dead than alive.” The king told those before him that one must always “Revere your teacher as you revere Heaven.” (Avos 4:12) The king said to him: “Father mine, I can change your lack to wealth, G-d be praised, but I cannot change old age to youth.” And he gave him money and the robes he wore and endowed his children with a good inheritance and ordered them to support their father honorably and treat him with respect. Then the old man blessed him, saying, “He who pleases his teachers is destined for the World to Come” (Shabbos 153a). The old teacher and his son left the king in peace.

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

A captain traveled with a special unit of trained soldiers at the command of the king to accomplish an important task. The road was long, and the sun was setting on the tired soldiers after two days journey. The captain spotted an inn and ordered his unit to stop there.

Upon rising in the morning, the captain asked the innkeeper how much he owed for all the services, and the innkeeper requested a great deal of money.

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

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

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

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

The captain went on his way, but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindness.

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a re­ward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.

This is not the case, however, with one who serves the Holy One, blessed be He with joy over having merited to serve the King Above All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings the Holy One, blessed be He much gratification.

The sages taught, “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward” (Pirkei Avos 1:3)

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

Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

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

It happened once that a wealthy merchant, in the custom of the Jewish community, took care of all the needs of his newly married son and his wife. The son was of fine character and a good heart. He dedicated himself to helping the beggars and less fortunate of the village.

After a time, the young man and his wife were blessed with a son. In honor of the occasion, the happy grandfather arranged a great feast on the day of circumcision.

“Then again, suppose I were to do what you’re asking and seat the rich at the foot of the table. Don’t you think they’d feel insulted? They don’t come for the sake of the food, but for the honor. And if you don’t give them that what will they get?”

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

It is taught that the reward for fulfilling the mitzvah, a religious deed, of honoring one’s parents “so that your days may be long” (Exodus 20: 12)

Immediately, a student jumped up to bring the water. The student wanted to help his teacher and did not want him to interrupt his lesson since it is taught that serving a holy teacher does more to elevate a person spiritually than even learning his teachings.

But the rabbi’s mother did not drink the water; she left the glass untouched in front of her on the table. She said, “Zin, ich hab gebet’n az ir zalt nemen mir das vaser, (Son, I asked you to get me the water.)”

The holy rabbi got up and went quickly to bring his mother the water.

Then she turned to the students around the table and said, “Ir ton nisht zechus tzu hobn kinder vi meyn zin durch makhn a goldene yoich mit knaidelach (You don’t merit to have sons like my Yitzhak by making golden chicken soup)!”

Loving service to a parent by even the least act, such as bringing a glass of water, extends the parent’s life. A parent lives longer when loved and honored by their children. A child also lives longer when they honors their parents — because their vital energies are being properly channeled.

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

“And Moses said to the L-rd, O my L-rd, I am not eloquent, neither yesterday nor the day before, nor since you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

The holy rabbi’s respect for every individual was unparalleled, he did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. He was careful to never utter a disrespectful word.

Feeling uneasy about leaving the holy rabbi alone on the forest path, the student decided to direct the man to the specialist by pointing out the way. The holy rabbi stopped his student and then asked to escort the man all the way to his destination while he waited for him.

“How so?” asked the student. “Do we not learn Besides ‘humiliation is worse than physical pain.’” (Sotah 8b) and that ‘shaming another in public is like shedding blood’? (Bava Metzia 58b) answered the holy rabbi.

“when a Torah becomes unfit for use because the words are blurred or missing, we don’t discard it, or a man of learning forgets the detailed teachings we don’t laugh or ridicule him.” continued the holy rabbi.

“Instead we ‘respect an old man who has lost his learning through no fault of his own. The fragments of the Tablets broken by Moshe were kept in the Ark of the Covenant alongside the new.’” (Berachos 8b)

May the Holy One Blessed be He grant that you neither shame nor be shamed (Moed Katan 9b)

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

Listen to the short story

Man Should Honour and Keep His Friends

Read this Story by clicking the Title below

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

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

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

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a reward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.