The Noble Physician

Posted on Monday, 23, July, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Abba Umna, a Jewish physician, was as celebrated for his piety and humanity as for his medical skill. One may ask what were the righteous deeds of the doctor? It was said that when he would see patients, he would bring in men separately from women, for reasons of modesty. Also he had a special garment that he would have women dress in so that he would not see her exposed.

He made no distinction between rich and poor, and was particularly attentive to students and scholars from whom he could never accept the least reward for his professional services. He considered learned men as fellow-workers whose functions were even more important than his own, since they had the power to cure the diseases of the mind. He did not want to embarrass anyone from coming to him because of money so he had a box where patients would place the coins that he would take as his fee. In this manner, one who had money would leave money there, while one who did not have money was not embarrassed.

His practices and fame spread far and wide. Abaye, who was the head of the Academy, heard of it. Anxious to determine whether everything reported of that noble physician was true, he sent to him two of his disciples, who were slightly ill. The physician received them kindly, gave them some medicine, and requested them to stay in his house overnight. The offer was readily accepted.

They remained till the next morning, when they departed, taking with them a piece of tapestry which had served as a covering to the couch on which they had slept. This they took to the marketplace, and waited until their kind host arrived. They then pretended to offer the tapestry for sale, and asked him how much he thought it was worth. Abba Umna mentioned a sum.

“Do you not think it is worth more?”

“No,” answered the physician, “this is the very sum I gave for one much like it.”

“Why, good man,” exclaimed the students, “this belongs to you. We took it from your house.

Now tell us, we beg you, after missing it, were you not angry with us ?”

“Certainly not. You know that a Jewish person must not impute evil intentions to anyone, nor judge ill of a neighbor for a single act. Since I was satisfied that no ill use would be made of it, let it ever be so. Sell it and distribute the money to the many poor and needy people of the town.”

“Please tell us, what did you suspect of us? You knew that we had taken your tapestry, and yet you did not say anything.” The doctor answered:

The students responded: “Now that we have explained the situation, let the Master take back the tapestry.” The doctor explained:

The students followed his wishes, departed from him with admiration and thanks, and, by the report of their experience, increased his well-earned fame.

The most noble trait in Abba Umna’s character was that he never accepted any remuneration from the poor, and even provided them with everything, during their illness, that could contribute to their comfort; and when, by his skill and care, he had restored them to health, he would give them money and say,

“Now, my friends, go and purchase bread and meat; these are the best and only medicines you require.”

(Based on Ta’anis 21b)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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ST3 The Copper Coin

Posted on Wednesday, 18, July, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to a short story, The Copper Coin, about how an old copper coin strengthened tzedakah (Charity), faith and led to many blessings.

The Oak Tree

Posted on Sunday, 8, July, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There lived in a village a mother and a son who were very devoted to one another who lived in a house beside a great oak tree.

Once they had been very wealthy and had many friends. After the father had died suddenly after lightning struck their house the mother was bedridden and their home was badly damaged by fire, they lost most of their wealth. From the little that was salvaged from the fire was spent on doctors in the hope of curing the poor, stricken woman. Her only comfort was her son, Yosef, who was a fine young man. Yosef was a very intelligent and religious boy, and he loved and cared for his mother.

His mother would frequently ask: “Why don’t you go to town and get a good job? You know our small farm demands much hard work with little return.”

Yosef answered: “Who will take care of you, my dear mother? We can manage alright. When you regain your health, b’ezras Hashem (G-d willing), we’ll move to town.”

Yosef had attended yeshiva (Jewish school) until his father’s death, but then he had to take care of the farm and his mother. He missed the school and learning very much. In the evening when he came in from the field, he would take out a holy book and forget the days hardship. He’d sit by his mother’s bed and begin learning in his sweet, soothing voice and the whole room would change. It became so peaceful that his mother would be filled with a sensation of happiness and tranquility. She would then fall asleep with an expression of serenity and contentment.

Yosef’s this nightly study was a sacred custom, and after his lesson was over, he would take out the Book of Psalms and recite many chapters. Many a tear did he shed, for he could not get over his grief, the loss of his father and his mother’s illness. Working the farm and worry for his mother weighed heavily upon his young heart, but reciting the Psalms always helped him regain his cheerful spirit.

One day, Yosef received gift from his uncle, an old and rare edition of the Book of Psalms which he had bought from a peddler. Yosef marveled at its old script written on parchment, which was well preserved and quite legible.

Yosef carefully turned its pages, and when he came to the back cover, his eye caught some writing, dim with age. The lettering was very small and blurred in places, as if some drops of water had fallen on it. The writer must have wept when he wrote that mysterious inscription. Yosef took his father’s magnifying glass, and began to study the writing. It took him some time to piece the first sentence together, which read something like this:

Yosef became quite fascinated by this writing, and with the magnifying glass in one hand, he labored hard to decipher the message from beginning to end. By the time he pieced the whole message together dawn was breaking. Yosef was pale and shaky, for he had read a tale of fear and terror.

It was the story of the once flourishing Jewish community of the nearby town, driven into the forest by the cruel and bloodthirsty mob, who only wanted their lives and wealth. The poor, frightened, defenseless men, women and children could not escape the savage mob. They gathered up their gold and silver and precious stones and hid them in a big chest which they buried. The terrible mob surrounded the Jewish community and cries of “Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G‑d, the L-rd is one!” The writer, the son of the scribe of the community, was left for dead with a gushing wound in his head, but regained consciousness and recovered only long enough to record this tale of horror.

After he finished reading the story written so long ago, Yosef suddenly realized that there was some hidden treasure in the vicinity. It was buried at the foot of a young oak tree, some two hundred yards from a brook in the woods. The woods were long gone, but a brook flowed through the center of the village. Outside their house grew an ancient oak tree.

Yosef decided that after some sleep, he would ask the oldest villager if he knew anything about what he has read.

Old Petru said, yes, there had been a forest by the village once. It was avoided by the villagers who claimed it was haunted on account of the massacre of the Jewish community that happened there.

The sky began to grow dark and the wind started to blow strong as Yosef bade old Petru farewell. He arrived home just as the storm grew strong. His mother had been terrified, for the sound of thunder revived in her mind that horrible day when she lost her husband and became bedridden.

Yosef calmed his mother. He forgot about story he read the night before, about old Petru, and about the treasure. The house shook with thunder and lightning. Yosef calmly read the Psalms in his calm, soothing and enchanting voice.

Suddenly there was roar of thunder and the ground shook, Yosef and his mother found themselves on the floor greatly shaken. Yosef rose quickly and wanted to rush to his mother’s aid, but stared in amazement as he saw her rise and run to the window, “Look, the oak tree!”

Yosef was crying with joy when he saw that his mother had miraculously recovered and was walking unsupported as if she had never been paralyzed before. Only then did his mother realize too and the two embraced, murmuring thanks to G‑d.

“Go out and see whether any damage was done by that fallen oak tree,” his mother said.

Yosef went outside and immediately rushed in reporting breathlessly, “The huge oak tree was uprooted and split in two. The fallen tree left a huge crater in the earth. And there, lay an ancient chest with its lid torn off. Coins, silver candlesticks, golden necklaces and other precious treasures lay scattered all round.”

Yosef and his mother became very wealthy. They distributed the greater part of the treasure to charities and still had many precious things left. Of all the treasures, the most precious to Yosef was his ancient Book of Psalms. His mother’s greatest treasure was Yosef.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Sultan and King David

Posted on Monday, 2, July, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

One night the Turkish sultan disguised himself as a merchant and walked about his capital city. When he entered the Jewish quarter, he heard loud singing. As he went closer, he saw that the people were dancing in a great circle. He heard the words of a song, “Dovid Melech Yisrael; Chai, Chai, V’kayam” and asked about the song and was told that the words were “David, king of Israel, lives and endures. (Rosh Hashanah 25a)”

When the sultan heard this, it confirmed his suspicions that the Jewish people were not loyal to him, but to their own king.

The next day the sultan demanded that a holy rabbi who was one of the leaders of the community to answer for the disloyalty of the Jewish community. The rabbi insisted that King David had died long ago, but the sultan would not listen. He demanded that the holy rabbi bring him a gift that could come only from King David. If the rabbi did not, he would banish all the Jewish people and destroy their property throughout his kingdom.

The holy rabbi was very afraid of the treat made by the sultan against the Jewish people. He knew that he had to prepare himself to ask for guidance from heaven. It was clear that only a miracle could make it possible for him to fulfill the king’s command. So he fasted for three days, immersed himself in the mikveh seven times, and prayed with all his heart. Finally he heard a heavenly voice announce that he must travel to the city of Luz in the Holy Land. There he would find King David, who, in truth, was still alive. So too did the heavenly voice reveal the holy name that would make it possible for him to go there.

Now the way to the city of Luz is one of the most closely guarded secrets. The histories of the city, reaching back to the very beginng, are filled with every detail of learning and life. Yet these same histories, though complete, do not record a single death, nor a single flood or fire. All who live inside its walls have never known death, the Angel of Death is powerless and can do them no harm.

Now that heaven had opened a path for him, the holy rabbi set out on his journey. He pronounced the holy name that had been revealed to him, and in a single breath he found himself inside the walls of that city. There he saw an old, old man, far older than any he had ever seen before. He asked the old man if King David could be found there. And the old man said: “No. King David lives in a cave out in the desert, near a spring. Once a year a flock of birds fly in that direction, and today is the day they will arrive here. Follow the birds to the spring, and immerse yourself in the waters before you enter the cave.”

The holy rabbi thanked the old man and left the city. Just as he stepped outside the gates of the ancient city of Luz, he heard a rumble like thunder as thousands of birds filled the sky. Once more he pronounced the holy name that had brought him to that place, and he found himself flying as fast as that flock to the spring the old man had spoken of, with the cave nearby.

The holy rabbi immersed himself in that spring and then entered the cave. There he saw King David reclining on a couch. Above him hung his harp and on a stand sat his crown of the kingdom. King David welcomed him, for he too had heard a heavenly voice announcing the rabbi’s visit. He knew of the danger facing the Jewish people of Turkey.

King David brought forth two pitchers of water and gave them to The holy rabbi. He told him to wash his hands in the waters of the first pitcher. And the instant the waters touched the rabbi’s hands, his skin grew white as snow, as happens with leprosy. The rabbi was very frightened, but King David told him not to worry, just to pour the water of the other pitcher over his hands. And as soon as he did this, The holy rabbi’s skin was restored to its healthy state. Then King David said: “Now that you know the power of the waters in these pitchers, take them to the sultan. He will understand that this gift could come from no one but me. For the waters of the first pitcher are from Gehenna, and those of the second are from the Garden of Eden.”

When The holy rabbi took his leave of King David, he pronounced the holy name for the third and final time. And in an instant he found himself back in the land of Turkey, before the palace of the sultan. There he was granted an audience, and he gave the sultan the two pitchers that he had received from King David.

The sultan wanted to know what was so precious about the water in those pitchers. The holy rabbi suggested that the sultan pour the water from the first over his hands. When the sultan did, his skin turned leprous and the sultan was horrified. He knew that if anyone found out, his reign would be over. People would see the disease as a a sign that he was no longer fit to rule. The sultan pleaded with the holy rabbi to cure him. The rabbi assured him that he would cure him if he promised not to harm the Jewish people of Turkey in any way. The sultan quickly vowed to do so, and the rabbi told him to wash his hands in the water of the second pitcher. And as soon as the sultan did, he recovered. Then the sultan knew that none could have sent him those enchanted waters but King David himself, and never again did he threaten the Jewish people of his kingdom.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Love and Leaves from the Garden of Eden

Posted on Tuesday, 29, May, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The largest stable in the village was owned by Ephraim Dov Ber. From morning until nightfall coaches and carriages of all sorts would arrive, wanting to rest or exchange their tired horses for fresh ones. Ephraim Dov Ber was helped in his work by the boy Chaim, an orphan who made his home with Ephraim Dov Ber and his family. Chaim’s parents died while he was very young, and he lived on the streets until Ephraim Dov Ber took him in. In a very short time, they all regarded him as a member of the family. Chaim was especially close to Ephraim Dov Ber’s daughter, Shaina Leah. They were like brother and sister.

Now Chaim worked hard in the stables, side by side with Ephraim Dov Ber. They worked from early in the morning till way after sundown. One day Chaim left the stable early because he was not feeling well. The next day he could not get out of bead, and each day he seemed to grow weaker. Leah stayed by his bed and cared for him, As he slept, she would hold his hand and pray:

One day Chaim opened his eyes and saw Leah, He smiled at her and took his last breath. Leah was torn by grief, as was Ephraim Dov Ber and the rest of the family.

When the period of mourning had ended, Leah did not seem to recover from her grief. She had loved the Chaim deeply, and she could not bear the loss. Ephraim Dov Ber and his wife sat at her bedside every day, praying for her recovery. One day, while Ephraim Dov Ber was sitting at her bedside, he fell dozed off and began to dream. In the dream, Chaim appeared before him, his face glowing with peace and happiness.

“Where did you come from?” asked Ephraim Dov Ber, who remembered, even in the dream, that the boy was no longer in this world. “And why are you so happy?”

The boy replied, “Let me tell you all that has happened to me. When I left this world, I was brought before the Heavenly Court. I explained that I did not feel as religious as all the people around me because I only knew a few prayers, for that is all I had been taught. I told the Heavenly Court that I had served you with love, respect and honour as faithfully as I could. So too did I tend the horses with gentleness and care. And I always tried to be honest.

“The court ruled that I had earned a place in the Garden of Eden, and that is where I make my home. It was decreed that because I had tended horses in my earthly life, I was put in charge of the heavenly horses that pull the golden coaches of the tzaddikim (holy ones).”

Then Chaim asked Ephraim Dov Ber about his family. And Ephraim Dov Ber broke into tears and told him how much Leah had grieved over his death, and now she too was in grave danger. Chaim gently said: “Don’t worry. There are leaves growing in the Garden of Eden that can heal any illness. Wait, and I will bring some to you.” A short time later, the Chaim brought Ephraim Dov Ber a handful of leaves and instructed him “Boil these in a pot of water and give the tea to Leah to drink.” Ephraim Dov Ber accepted the leaves. No sooner than the leaves were in his hand, he woke up.

Scattered all over the bed were leaves that had blown in from the open window. Ephraim Dov Ber picked them up and saw that those leaves did not grow anywhere in he knew of. So too did they bear a wonderful fragrance, like that in his dream.

Ephraim Dov Ber hurried to boil some of those leaves in water, and he gave it to his daughter to drink. As he did, he told her about his dream, and about the leaves that Chaim had brought her from the Garden of Eden. And when Leah drank that water and learned of that miracle, she began to recover at once—by the third day she was out of bed and walking around.

Soon after that, Leah was betrothed and wed. And she named her first son Chaim, after the stable boy. And it is said that she loved her child as much as she had loved her adopted brother.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Innocent are Delivered from the Fiery Furnace

Posted on Monday, 28, May, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was once a pious man who was wealthy and of the king’s company. He had a handsome, fine-looking, and wise son. Before he died, the father told his son not to leave daily prayer until the whole service was over. Also, if somebody who had not been present were to rise and recite the daily prayer he should stay there until he had finished as well. The dying man added: “I have done this all my life and I have prospered. And if you pass through a city and you hear the cantor, enter and do not leave until he has finished his prayers.” Then the pious man passed away.

Now the son was well thought of by all who saw him. He served the king and was the wine bearer to the king and queen and sliced them their bread and meat. They loved him very much and praised him to the skies. Now the king’s chief advisor saw this and was very jealous. He came to the king and said: “Your majesty, you have eyes yet you do not see that this young man loves the queen, and they fornicate together.” But the king rebuked him and did not believe him, yet he repeated it day after day until the king grew jealous. “For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he shows no restraint when he takes revenge.”(Proverbs 6:34)

One day the king went to inspect the workers who were preparing a limekiln, and he said to the master of the workers: “Take the first man who comes here tomorrow and fling him into the kiln at once. If you do not do so, you will pay for it with your own life.” “Your majesty’s order will be obeyed” ,” answered the master of the workers. Then the king returned to his palace. That night while the young man was serving him, he called him and ordered: “Rise early tomorrow morning and go where they are preparing the lime and tell the man in charge to make a great fire.” “I shall carry out your orders,” answered the young man.

In the morning he mounted his horse, but as he passed the synagogue he heard the cantor’s voice. He dismounted, entered the synagogue, and prayed. When the cantor had finished, another man who had not heard the prayers rose and began to pray, and he waited until he finished as well. And so he was delayed until it was broad daylight.

The innocent was saved from the fiery furnace

Meanwhile, the king summoned his chief advisor and ordered him: “Go to the place where they are making the lime and ask the man in charge: Have you obeyed the king?” Then the vizier mounted his horse and rode off and asked the man in charge: “Have you obeyed the king’s orders?” Thereupon they seized him and tied him up and flung him into the kiln. The young man arrived just then and saw them flinging the king’s advisor into the kiln, and he said to them: “If the king knows this, he will slay you.” But the man in charge answered: “Yesterday the king ordered me: ‘Take the first man I send to you tomorrow, and fling him into the kiln.’ And this is the man who came first.”

Then the young man returned to the king and said: “Your majesty, why did you order the chief advisor to be burned?” At this, the king shuddered and shook with astonishment and said to the youth: “Now I know that you are G-d-fearing, and your Creator loves you. This is what the chief advisor said about you and the queen. So I ordered that the man whom I first sent to the limekiln should be flung into the fire; and it was you I first ordered to go. After that I told the chief advisor to go and see whether my orders had been obeyed. But you were delayed, so they flung him in instead. Now I know that you are innocent. The ancient words “The righteous is delivered from distress, and the wicked comes in his stead.” (Proverbs 11:8) are so true”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Video – The King and the Storm

Posted on Wednesday, 23, May, 2018Saturday, 29, July, 2023 by Rabbi

You may have listened to the podcast ST1 The King and the Storm but you can watch the short story video, (click the link) The King and the Storm to see how the king learned about friendship.

What is a friend? This is a lesson learned by a king during a hunting trip with his “friends.”

A tale based on the Scripture, “He who loves purity of heart, and grace is on his lips, the king shall be his friend” (Proverbs:22:11)

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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Anger, Business and Charity

Posted on Thursday, 10, May, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

“Rahim? You collect money from him?”

The holy rabbi nodded. “He’s one of my most generous contributors.”

The holy rabbi had taken upon himself the difficult task of collecting money for those in need. From village to village, from house to house, he hiked, asking for donations. Now he was sitting, enjoying a rare moment of rest in the home of Simcha, a prominent merchant in the Jewish community.

Simcha asked the holy rabbi, “Do you know that Rahim is not Jewish?”

The holy rabbi stared at the merchant. He knew that Rahim was a well-to-do businessman who often gave him large sums of money for charity, was not a religious Jewish person. That was no problem, indeed the holy rabbi rejoiced in the opportunity to give a non-observant Jewish person the merit of such a great mitzvah. Involving a non-Jewish merchant and collecting charity was entirely different, raising many questions and problems into an already very sensitive and complicated community.

Holy rabbi had no idea that Rahim was not Jewish. Now that he’d found out, he decided he would no longer stop at the wealthy merchants shop. Better to stay away then to become involved in some type of misunderstanding or worse scandal.

Some weeks went by since the holy rabbi’s visit, when there was a rapping on Simcha’s door. The angry words of Rahim and the pounding on the door echoed throughout the house.

The feeling of uneasiness, Simcha slowly open the door. His neighbor, Rahim, stood in front of him, his face red and his eyes flashing.

“I will not have it, I will tell you!” He shouted. “What right did you have to interfere in my business?”

Startled, puzzled, and very frightened, Simcha stared at his angry neighbor. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“The holy rabbi! Why did you tell him to stop taking my money?” His fists clenched, Rahim gave Simcha an ultimatum: “get the holy rabbi to come back, or else!”

When the holy rabbi came the Simcha’s house a short time later, the frightened Simcha told him about the strange meeting with Rahim and begged him to return to Rahim’s shop. Realizing that not visiting the non-Jewish merchant would create more problems for him, the holy rabbi agreed, and once again Rahim became a regular donor.

Many months later, when peace had been restored between the two neighbors, Simcha found the courage to ask Rahim why he’s been so angry that the holy rabbi was not visiting. “Why is it so important to you to give money to Jewish charities?”

“Is it not written in you holy books that when the Master of All Blessings told Abraham to take his only son to a holy place that he answered: “Both are only sons – Isaac is the only son I have from his mother, and Ishmael is the only son I have from her who is his mother.”

G-d: “The son whom you love,”

Abraham: “Master of the Universe, are there separate compartments in one’s inmost self for love? I love both of them.” (Sanhedrin 89b, Tanhuma, Va-yera, 22)

You denied me a special privilege and holy deed,” Rahim replied. “Divided as we may be by religion, we are united by charity. From the time I began giving money to the holy rabbi my business prospered, and once he stopped coming. Blessings upon my house and business stopped. If matters in my house and business are to succeed,” he handed, “I need the holy rabbi to help by accepting the charity I can give.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Bookbinder

Posted on Sunday, 6, May, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A bookbinder’s love for books made a difference in this world and the next as was discovered by the holy and saintly Rebbe, Elimelech of Lizensk. Once he became very seriously ill and fell into a deep state of unconsciousness. His close disciples gathered at his bedside and prayed fervently that the “Healer of all Flesh Who Works Wondrously” send a speedy and complete recovery to their beloved Rebbe. The Almighty heard their heartfelt prayers. The holy rabbi opened his eyes, smiled, and said he felt much better. Before long he recovered completely.

The disciples were most happy and grateful to Hashem for having spared their Rebbe and given him many more years to continue his holy work, and to guide them and teach them. To them it had seemed that for a while, during those critical moments when the Rebbe was so deeply unconscious, his soul must have been hovering between heaven and earth, and they feared that if it entered Heaven, it might not wish to return to earth. They were now eager to know what happened to their Rebbe during those fateful moments. They waited for a suitable opportunity to ask their Rebbe about it.

Some time later, when the Rebbe was seated at his table, surrounded by his close disciples and followers, in a happy get-together and thanksgiving to Hashem, one of the senior disciples asked the Rebbe whether he could tell what happened to him while his soul was in Heaven.

The Rebbe replied that he could not tell them everything, since it is not important for them to know everything. But one thing he would tell them, for it was well to think about. This is what he told them:

“As I was walking in Gan Eden, where the souls of the righteous were enjoying the nearness of the Shechinah (Divine Presence), I saw among them, in an honored place, a familiar face. He looked very much like Mottel the Bookbinder. But what would he be doing there? I thought. For one thing, I had not heard that he had departed from the living on earth. Furthermore, if he did, how come he is sitting in such a high place? To be sure, Mottel was a G-dfearing Jewish man, an honest hard-working bookbinder, but he was otherwise an undistinguished, ordinary person, not much of a Torah scholar.

“So, I went up to him and asked him, `Are you really Mottel the Bookbinder from my town?’

“`Holy Rebbe,’ answered the bookbinder, `excuse me, but before we proceed, may I say that here I am called Reb Mordechai, and not just plain Mottel.’

“If so,” I replied, “what happened to your modesty, my dear Reb Mordechai?”

“`Rebbe, here we are in the World of Truth; here modesty has no place; here only Truth is the rule, and the truth is that the Heavenly Court has decreed that I should be called Reb Mordechai,’ replied the bookbinder simply.

“Said I, `I am delighted, Reb Mordechai, that you have earned this honor. But tell me, in what merit did you achieve this honored title and, moreover, what worthy deed has won you such an honored place in Gan Eden? Perhaps it will provide a lesson to be followed by my disciples, all those who wish to better themselves?

“`This I will gladly do,’ the bookbinder replied. `When the Rebbe became ill, I, too, became ill. But I did not recover. I was brought before the Heavenly Court, and the usual questioning began.

“`Did you study Torah?’

“`I had to admit that, regrettably, very little. I didn’t have much of a head for Torah study. Besides, we were very poor, so I had to find a way of earning money to help my parents support the family. I was apprenticed, at an early age, to a bookbinder to learn the trade….

“`Then began the weighing of my mitzvos and sins. On the right side of the scale, angels began putting all my mitzvos and good deeds. Then they pushed the scale down to make it weightier, saying this was for the joy and sincerity with which I per-formed the mitzvos. So far so good. But then other angels came forward and began to load my sins and misdeeds on the left scale. I watched with horror how my sins were adding up, threatening to outweigh my mitzvos. Most of the sins were truly not serious, and they happened because of my ignorance; but nevertheless, small though they were, they were adding up dangerously, till they tipped the scale! As I stood there before the Heavenly Court, trembling and ashamed, two angry looking angels stepped forward, one on each side of me, ready to carry me off to the place where sinful souls are sent to be cleansed and purified…

“`Suddenly an angel appeared with a well-used siddur in his hand. Behind him was a line of wagons loaded with sacks. The angel asked permission to speak up on behalf of a dear soul that was on trial. The angel began:

“`I am the angel in charge of holy sheimos (stray pages from holy books, especially with G-d’s Name in them). I go to every Jewish home, and in every shul, yeshivah and talmud torah. I look to see in what condition are the holy books: siddurim, chumashim, tehillims, mishnayos, gemaras, and the like. Whenever I see an over-used book, with crumpled pages and loose covers—it gives me pleasure, for this is the best evidence that the holy books are in constant use, not just kept on shelves, but actually used every day by Jewish people, young and old, praying three times daily and studying Torah. But when I see some of these books tattered beyond repair, I feel troubled, for every holy book has a holy soul, and every page has a soul, and must be treated with care and respect.

“‘Now, in the course of my travels I met this man that is here on trial and grew to know him very well. Ever since his early childhood, even before he mastered the alphabet, Mottele loved his little siddur, and would often fondle it and kiss it before closing it. When he saw a creased page, he would smooth it out gently.

“`After his Bar Mitzvah, when it became necessary for Mottel to learn a trade, his father asked him what he would like to do for a living. Mottel replied without hesitation—he would like to be a bookbinder.

I must tell you, the angel in charge of sheimos continued, that ever since people began printing and binding books, I have never seen a bookbinder like Mottel. He was the most dedicated and perfect bookbinder I ever saw. He never got any pages mixed up, he never missed a stitch, he always used the best material available—and he did all this, not only because he was an honest man, but also because he loved books, especially holy books. This is why he would, from time to time, go to the houses of prayer in his town and collect siddurim and chumashim, and other holy books that cried out for attention. He would take them home and work late into the night to restore them and bind them and give them new life. Then he would take them back to where they belonged, without charge for his time and trouble. He never bragged about it, never even mentioned it—for him it was a labor of love, a real mitzvah.

“`I respectfully request the Heavenly Court to permit me to unload all the sacks of holy sheimos and over-used books, to which Mottel the Bookbinder had given a second life, and I will put them on the scale with all his other mitzvos and good deeds.’

Here the Rebbe Elimelech paused for a moment, then continued the Bookbinder’s story:

“`The Heavenly Court agreed and ordered two angels to assist the sheimos supervisor to unload the contents of the sacks. And long before half of this job was done, the scale with the mitzvos clearly outweighed the other side.

“Believe me, dear Rebbe, the bookbinder concluded, I was as astonished at what had happened before my eyes as you were when you saw me here. I was even more surprised when the Heavenly Court decreed to give me an honored place in Gan Eden and that I should be called henceforth: Reb Mordechai.”‘

The Rebbe Elimelech paused again, and said:

“Well, now you have heard the Bookbinder’s story. As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask him a few other questions, but at this very moment—I woke up!

“As for what we must learn from Reb Mordechai the Bookbinder,” the Rebbe concluded, “the lesson speaks for itself. Let us also remember that Hashem never fails to give credit and reward for any good deed, even for such a seemingly trivial act as smoothing out a crumpled corner of a well-worn page in a holy book.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Sweet Prayers

Posted on Sunday, 29, April, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Sweet Prayers come from the inner being of each person. The Ohr Zarua (Rabbi Yizchak ben Moshe of Vienna, 1180-1250) tried to impress upon the Jewish community the importance of reciting the praises of Hashem sweetly and with concentration, thereby acquiring a lofty portion in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden – Heavenly reward).

There was a wealthy merchant in Vienna who was very respected and a leader of the chevra kaddisha (Burial Society). His hand was open to anyone who came to him. One early morning as the wealth merchant was making his way to shul (synagogue) to daven (pray), he saw a man who was wearing a wreath of freshly cut flowers on his head sitting on the bench outside the shul. As the wealthy merchant got closer, he recognized the man, he froze from fright. He would have turned and fled but his legs didn’t cooperate and they wouldn’t move.

After a few moments, he composed himself and asked the man, “Is it possible that you are the person we buried just yesterday?”

“Yes. Yes, I am”, the man calmly replied.

Doubting, the wealthy merchant asked, “I don’t understand. What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere in Shamayim (heaven)? What happened with you after we buried you yesterday?”

“I was welcomed warmly and placed on a very high level in Gan Eden”

“Why did you merit such a high level in Gan Eden? After all, when you were alive, you were but a regular member of the community.”

“That is true”, the man replied, “I was just a simple member of the community. However, I was careful to always recite the brachos (blessings) in shul in a very sweet manner. That mitzvah (religious deed) itself is held in very high esteem in Heaven and I was therefore rewarded with a lofty level in Gan Eden.

“As proof that you just buried me, look at the sleeve of my burial shrouds. It is ripped in the same place that it tore as you placed me in the ground.

The wealthy merchant then asked him why he was wearing a wreath of flowers on his head, to which the man replied, “They are flowers from Gan Eden with a beautiful scent. I placed them on my head to protect me from the awful odor of this world.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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“Do you not think it is worth more?”

“No,” answered the physician, “this is the very sum I gave for one much like it.”

“Why, good man,” exclaimed the students, “this belongs to you. We took it from your house.

Now tell us, we beg you, after missing it, were you not angry with us ?”

“Certainly not. You know that a Jewish person must not impute evil intentions to anyone, nor judge ill of a neighbor for a single act. Since I was satisfied that no ill use would be made of it, let it ever be so. Sell it and distribute the money to the many poor and needy people of the town.”

“Please tell us, what did you suspect of us? You knew that we had taken your tapestry, and yet you did not say anything.” The doctor answered:

“I said to myself, certainly an unexpected opportunity for a ransom of prisoners became available for the students, and they required immediate funds, but they were too embarrassed to say so to me or to ask for money. Instead, they took the tapestry.”

The students responded: “Now that we have explained the situation, let the Master take back the tapestry.” The doctor explained:

“From that moment when I realized the tapestry was missing, I put it out of my mind and committed it for charity. As far as I am concerned, it is already designated for that purpose, and I cannot take the tapestry back.”

The students followed his wishes, departed from him with admiration and thanks, and, by the report of their experience, increased his well-earned fame.

“Now, my friends, go and purchase bread and meat; these are the best and only medicines you require.”

(Based on Ta’anis 21b)

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)

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Listen to a short story, The Copper Coin, about how an old copper coin strengthened tzedakah (Charity), faith and led to many blessings.

There lived in a village a mother and a son who were very devoted to one another who lived in a house beside a great oak tree.

His mother would frequently ask: “Why don’t you go to town and get a good job? You know our small farm demands much hard work with little return.”

Yosef answered: “Who will take care of you, my dear mother? We can manage al­right. When you regain your health, b’ezras Hashem (G-d willing), we’ll move to town.”

One day, Yosef received gift from his uncle, an old and rare edi­tion of the Book of Psalms which he had bought from a peddler. Yosef marveled at its old script written on parchment, which was well preserved and quite legible.

“To you, happy reader of the sacred Psalms, this message will unfold a tale of horror, but if you read it to the end, you shall have your reward well earned…”

Yosef became quite fascinated by this writing, and with the magnifying glass in one hand, he labored hard to de­cipher the message from beginning to end. By the time he pieced the whole message together dawn was breaking. Yosef was pale and shaky, for he had read a tale of fear and terror.

Yosef decided that after some sleep, he would ask the oldest villager if he knew anything about what he has read.

Old Petru said, yes, there had been a forest by the village once. It was avoided by the villagers who claimed it was haunted on account of the massacre of the Jewish community that happened there.

The sky began to grow dark and the wind started to blow strong as Yosef bade old Petru farewell. He arrived home just as the storm grew strong. His mother had been terrified, for the sound of thunder revived in her mind that horrible day when she lost her husband and became bedridden.

Yosef calmed his mother. He forgot about story he read the night before, about old Petru, and about the treasure. The house shook with thunder and lightning. Yosef calmly read the Psalms in his calm, soothing and enchanting voice.

Suddenly there was roar of thunder and the ground shook, Yosef and his mother found themselves on the floor greatly shaken. Yosef rose quickly and wanted to rush to his mother’s aid, but stared in amazement as he saw her rise and run to the window, “Look, the oak tree!”

Yosef was crying with joy when he saw that his mother had miraculously recovered and was walking unsupported as if she had never been paralyzed before. Only then did his mother realize too and the two embraced, murmuring thanks to G‑d.

“Go out and see whether any damage was done by that fallen oak tree,” his mother said.

Yosef and his mother became very wealthy. They distributed the greater part of the treasure to charities and still had many precious things left. Of all the treasures, the most precious to Yosef was his ancient Book of Psalms. His mother’s greatest treasure was Yosef.

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)

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When the sultan heard this, it confirmed his suspicions that the Jewish people were not loyal to him, but to their own king.

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)

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Loving and compassionate Healer of All send a complete healing to Chaim ben Sara. Take away his pain and strengthen his body and soul. Please help me help him and may we find peace together,

One day Chaim opened his eyes and saw Leah, He smiled at her and took his last breath. Leah was torn by grief, as was Ephraim Dov Ber and the rest of the family.

“Where did you come from?” asked Ephraim Dov Ber, who remembered, even in the dream, that the boy was no longer in this world. “And why are you so happy?”

“The court ruled that I had earned a place in the Garden of Eden, and that is where I make my home. It was decreed that because I had tended horses in my earthly life, I was put in charge of the heavenly horses that pull the golden coaches of the tzaddikim (holy ones).”

Scattered all over the bed were leaves that had blown in from the open window. Ephraim Dov Ber picked them up and saw that those leaves did not grow anywhere in he knew of. So too did they bear a wonderful fragrance, like that in his dream.

Soon after that, Leah was betrothed and wed. And she named her first son Chaim, after the stable boy. And it is said that she loved her child as much as she had loved her adopted brother.

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)

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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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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You may have listened to the podcast ST1 The King and the Storm but you can watch the short story video, (click the link) The King and the Storm to see how the king learned about friendship.

What is a friend? This is a lesson learned by a king during a hunting trip with his “friends.”

A tale based on the Scripture, “He who loves purity of heart, and grace is on his lips, the king shall be his friend” (Proverbs:22:11)

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on Google Play or ITunes

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“Rahim? You collect money from him?”

The holy rabbi nodded. “He’s one of my most generous contributors.”

The holy rabbi had taken upon himself the difficult task of collecting money for those in need. From village to village, from house to house, he hiked, asking for donations. Now he was sitting, enjoying a rare moment of rest in the home of Simcha, a prominent merchant in the Jewish community.

Simcha asked the holy rabbi, “Do you know that Rahim is not Jewish?”

Holy rabbi had no idea that Rahim was not Jewish. Now that he’d found out, he decided he would no longer stop at the wealthy merchants shop. Better to stay away then to become involved in some type of misunderstanding or worse scandal.

Some weeks went by since the holy rabbi’s visit, when there was a rapping on Simcha’s door. The angry words of Rahim and the pounding on the door echoed throughout the house.

The feeling of uneasiness, Simcha slowly open the door. His neighbor, Rahim, stood in front of him, his face red and his eyes flashing.

“I will not have it, I will tell you!” He shouted. “What right did you have to interfere in my business?”

Startled, puzzled, and very frightened, Simcha stared at his angry neighbor. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“The holy rabbi! Why did you tell him to stop taking my money?” His fists clenched, Rahim gave Simcha an ultimatum: “get the holy rabbi to come back, or else!”

Yosef answered: “Who will take care of you, my dear mother? We can manage alright. When you regain your health, b’ezras Hashem (G-d willing), we’ll move to town.”

One day, Yosef received gift from his uncle, an old and rare edition of the Book of Psalms which he had bought from a peddler. Yosef marveled at its old script written on parchment, which was well preserved and quite legible.

Yosef became quite fascinated by this writing, and with the magnifying glass in one hand, he labored hard to decipher the message from beginning to end. By the time he pieced the whole message together dawn was breaking. Yosef was pale and shaky, for he had read a tale of fear and terror.