Wisdom, Knowledge and the Blind

Posted on Thursday, 21, January, 2010Tuesday, 18, October, 2011 by Rabbi

In today’s society many become trapped in their respective ways of life. Habits and ways of thinking become rigid preventing many from experiencing the various gifts and wonders that surround them. So often one become lost in the popular pursuit of science and philosophy of today, while other become trapped and immoveable in the rituals of yesterday, that neither can gain knowledge. Mibhar haPeninim reminds us that “Man is only wise while in search of wisdom, when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool.” (#21 c.1050 ce)

It is like the unseeing, who become accustomed to their plight, not ever realizing that their lives can be improved.

The Blind Men

A number of blind men were brought to a house that had been prepared for them in all respects. In it everything had been placed in its most suitable position and arranged as best suited their requirements and needs. In it had been prepared beneficial ointments and a wise physician to treat them and improve their sight. But they disregarded the treatment of their eyes and paid no attention to the physician who was engaged in treating them, but went about the house doing harmful things because of their blindness.

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Wherever they went they stumbled over those objects that had been prepared for their benefit and fell on their faces. Some of them were injured and some sustained fractures, and they suffered greatly and were in a very bad way. Then they complained about the house owner and the builder, and complained about his deeds, for to them he seemed to have done everything badly and wrongly, supposing that he had no good and kind intentions for them but had only wished to cause them injury and suffering. Indeed, this led them to lose faith in the goodness and kindness of the owner of the house.

Let us follow the teaching in Avos: “Who is wise? He who learns from everybody.” (4.1)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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The Peat Digger

Posted on Tuesday, 19, January, 2010 by Rabbi

Story from the CD

The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger

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Visit the Books and Stuff page for more information on the cd

Wealth: Money or Faith?

Posted on Monday, 18, January, 2010Saturday, 18, August, 2018 by Rabbi

There was once a very wealthy man who used to think: “What benefit do I have of all my toil, and what use will my work and property be to me when I die?” People advised him to perform charity and kindness with his work and that would stay with him longer than any profit from all his work and would serve him as provisions for the way. For wealth does not remain and can swiftly be lost as the Book of Proverbs (23:5) says “Turn your eyes upon it and it is gone “But he swore that he would give charity only to someone who had lost all his faith and despaired of this world.

One day he left the town and saw a poor man seated or a muckheap wearing nothing but rags and tatters, and he said to himself: “Surely this fellow must have given up all hope of anything good in the world and must be waiting for death, for he is in great distress with his poverty and can have no faith in the world wherein he lives.” So he gave him a hundred dinars. The poor man was exceedingly astonished and said to him:

“Why have you given me this large sum of money out of all poor folk of the town?” He answered: “Because I swore that I would give charity only to someone who has given up all hope of enjoying this world.”

Then the pauper answered him: “Only the wiseacre and the fool and the unbeliever will despair of having anything good in this world As for me, I trust in the Lord and the kindness of my Maker, and await His mercies at all times and seasons as the Psalmist said (145:9): ‘And His mercy is on all His works.’ Surely you remember the thanksgiving of Hannah: “He raises the needy from the dust, and lifts up the pauper from the dunghills” (I Sam. 2:8). Surely you know that nothing can prevent the Lord from lifting me up and making me wealthy and deliver ing me from this distress. Forsake this nonsense and put it away from you and you will feel good.”

But the rich man grumbled: “Did my reward for taking pity on you have to be that you abuse me and rebuke me?” “You,” answered the poor man, “thought that you were taking pity on me but it is not so, but you have slain me, for the only ones who despair of anything good in this world are the dead.” At this, the rich man said in his heart: “If so, I shall go to the graveyard, and there I shall bury this money with the dead who despair of anything good in this world.” And he did so.

Times changed, the rich man became poor and nothing was left him. When he realized his distress he went and dug in the graveyard in order to take out the money he had hidden there, in order to support himself. The watchman found him and arrested him and brought him before the governor of the city.

Now the governor of the city was the poor man from the muckheap. For he was of good stock; and when the previous governor of the city had died, the townsfolk had come together and made him their head and captain.

When the watchman brought the digger from the cemetery they reported: “Your honour, we found this man digging among the graves in order to strip the shrouds from the dead.” Now the governor recognized him but treated him as a stranger and spoke to him severely. Then the other answered: “Heaven forbid, my lord, for never in my life have I thought of such a shameful deed. But this is what has happened to me.” And he told him how he had come to bury the money in the graveyard.

Then the governor said to him: “I am the poor man who sat on the muckheap and whom you thought must be despairing of anything good in the world.” He rose and went to him and embraced him and kissed him. He ordered further that the money should be taken out of the graveyard and given to him. He also ordered that he should be given a meal and a gift from the governor’s house every day for the rest of his life.

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Blessed be He who brings low and raises high, who makes poor and makes wealthy.

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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

Is Knowledge, Wisdom?

Posted on Monday, 4, January, 2010Tuesday, 18, October, 2011 by Rabbi

In a time when science and technology are touted as knowledge, there is a true lack of wisdom. The ancients defined the world in the terms of mathematics and their five senses. Times have not changed since it was taught in Pirke Avos: “Who is wise? He who learns from everybody.” (4:1) One must take the time to see and understand what is around them, for knowledge is not wisdom.

Woe to them that see and know not what they see, that stand and know not where they stand. (Chagigah 12a )

The stories told by the maggid (storytelling rabbi) touched many to the heart, mind and soul in the community. People began to see hope and return to the ways of Torah (Scriptures). Suddenly the maggid was confronted by a leader of the community, a clean-shaven man who not only refused to show the maggid any respect, but also sharply criticized him for the stories he told the people.The maggid now realized that his sermon had been on target and that this man’s disrespect was defensive.

The maggid answered the man’s biting words, “As I came into this village, I was greeted by an ox. ‘What reason do you have to greet me?’ I asked. ‘I have no reason to relate to you.’ The ox answered, ‘Yes, you do, you eat of my meat.’

“I was then greeted by a cow, and when I asked what relationship she had to me, the cow said, ‘You drink my milk.’ I was then greeted by a goat, who said, ‘We share a common feature, because you have a beard and I too have a beard.’

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“But then I was greeted by a hog. ‘This is too much,’ I said. ‘You give me nothing. I don’t eat your meat and I don’t drink your milk. You don’t have a beard like I do. Why should I relate to you?’ “

Let us all hope we can rise above the science and popular philosophies of society to gain true knowledge and wisdom.

“All the streams run into the sea” (Eccles. 1:7). All of man’s wisdom is nowhere other than in the heart. “Yet the sea is not full” (ibid.)–the heart is never filled to capacity. You might suppose that when a man lets his wisdom go forth from his heart, it will never flow back to him. For this reason Scripture says, “Yet the streams flow back again” (Eccles. R. 1:7)

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Rabbi Yose and his Wife

Posted on Tuesday, 29, December, 2009Friday, 26, June, 2020 by Rabbi

Excerpt from A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together…..

Anger and embarrassment is a terrible thing. It seems that sometimes parents can stay angry at one another forever, but this is not so. It is written in the Book of Isaiah that:

“When you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh. . . . Then you shall call, and the L-rd will answer; you shall cry, and He will say: ‘Here I am’ ” (Isa. 58:7 and 9)

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From this verse in the Prophets we learn of the story of

Rabbi Yose and his Wife

“That you hide not yourself from your own flesh.” These words apply to the divorced wife of Rabbi Yose the Galilean from whom he did not hide.

Rabbi Yose the Galilean had a mean wife, who used to put him down and embarrass him in front of his students. When his students said to him, “Master, divorce this woman, for she does not treat you with proper respect,” he replied, “The marriage settlement (get) I would have to pay her is more than I can afford, so I cannot divorce her”

One time, he and Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah were sitting and studying, and when they finished, Rabbi Yose asked Rabbi Eleazar, “Will the master come with me to my house?” Rabbi Eleazar said, ‘Yes.” As they entered, Rabbi Yose’s wife lowered her face rudely ignoring the guest. When Rabbi Yose noticed a pot standing on the stove and asked her, “Is there anything cooking in the pot?” she replied, “There is only hash in it.” Upon uncovering the pot, however, he found it full of plump chicks. Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah was in this way made aware that Rabbi Yose’s wife was not at peace with her husband.

So, as they sat together eating, he observed, “Master, did she not say it was hash? Yet we found chicks in the pot.” Rabbi Yose: “The chicks are here because of a miracle.” When they finished eating and drinking, Rabbi Eleazar said to Rabbi Yose, “Master, divorce this woman, for she does not treat you with proper respect.” Rabbi Yose replied, “The marriage settlement I would have to pay is more than I can afford, so I cannot divorce her” Rabbi Eleazar: “I will give her the marriage settlement due her” So Rabbi Yose divorced her and was soon married to another woman, who was respectful and kind.

The divorced wife’s mean ways brought it about that she married the town watchman, a man below her station. After some time, the watchman suffered many problems and sickness. Because of his troubles he lost his job and soon became blind.

His wife had to hold him by the hand and lead him around all the neighborhoods of the town to beg for alms. When she reached Rabbi Yose the Galilean’s neighborhood, she stopped and turned back. Since her husband was very familiar with all sections of the town, he said to her, “Why don’t you lead me to Rabbi Yose the Galilean’s neighborhood? He, I heard, gives much to charity.” She replied, “I am his divorced wife, and I cannot bring myself to face him.”

Once, after making the rounds of the entire town and being given nothing, they reached the neighborhood of Rabbi Yose the Galilean, and again she stopped. When her husband realized why she stopped, he began to beat her, and the noise they made drew the attention of many in the marketplace. Just then, Rabbi Yose happened to look out and, seeing them exposed to public shame in this way, asked the husband, “Why are you beating her?” He replied, “Because every day she causes me the loss of money from this neighborhood.” Upon hearing this, Rabbi Yose took them and settled them in a house he owned, and provided for all their needs for the rest of their lives.

The voice of the poor woman was heard at night to say, “It was easier for me to have and bear the blows of my husband than the pain to accept the charity of Rabbi Yose. The first only injured my body, but the latter touched my very soul within me.”

Y. Ketubos 11:3, 34b; Genesis Rabbah 17:3; Leviticus Rabbah 34:14

Each chapter in A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together by Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman teaches children important skills to cope with the traditions and confusion so common when parents divorce. Divorce does not mean the family will be separated forever. There will come a time that the family will come together again. This unique workbook is filled with many activities and much more, which makes it an invaluable resource for parents and children. It will help you grow closer to your parents and family. As you fill this book, it becomes your own—a special treasure that you can keep forever…

For more information, log on to

A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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

Story of Rest and Refreshment

Posted on Saturday, 26, December, 2009Sunday, 17, January, 2021 by Rabbi

As people listen to stories of faith, it is as it is written “find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16). As the tales touch the mind, heart and soul of the listener a change takes place. There is nothing that restores the soul, purifies the heart, deepens the mind, and bring one closer to our Father in Heaven than a stories. “A little refreshment goes a long way” (San. 103b)

The Maggid (storytelling rabbi) traveled from place to place and was never lacking for a tale to touch the heart and soul. With some of his stories, he was able to guide some back to the ways of goodness. His gift was that he never had to prepare, but was able to produce the right stories at the right time.

One time the maggid came to a synagogue where the rabbi welcomed him warmly. “Please tell me a story,” he asked.

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The maggid, who was tired from the long trip, thought for a moment and began, “A man once went to the market to buy a goat. On his return home his wife tried to milk the goat, but no milk was forthcoming. ‘What kind of goat did you let them sell you? It may look like a goat, but it certainly does not act like a goat.’

“‘Don’t worry,’ the husband said. ‘It is a very fine goat. However, she was not fed and watered in the marketplace, and she is very tired from the long trip. Give her something to eat and drink, and let her rest up a bit, and she will give you all the milk you want.’ “

May all your tales end with shalom (peace)

The Shabbos Candles – A Light of Faith

Posted on Tuesday, 22, December, 2009Friday, 1, December, 2023 by Rabbi

The highest level of faith is one that is free of the prevailing thoughts and beliefs of society.

Faith binds one to tradition. A tradition that satisfies the soul, and allows one an inner peace. A troubled soul will only be content only after an extensive investigation. A person hopes that they will be able to justify and corroborate the authenticity of man made traditions.

Sadly, too many see the world through the eyes of science and technology and become masters of words. They delight in debate.

The one who sees the world on the spiritual level cannot be swayed by the debates because their wisdom is based upon faith.

THE SHABBOS CANDLES

A young girl went to religious school for the first time. Her grandparents wanted her to learn about the beauty of being Jewish and to explore the wonders of the Torah (Scriptres). Well, from the first day the young girl liked Religious School. Each day she would learn something new and was very excited.

One day she came home from school wanting to share what she had learned about Shabbos – the Holy Sabbath Day. She ran in the door, “Mommy, mommy guess what I learned in school today?” the young girl began:

“We learned that G-d made the world in six days and he rested on the seventh day. Ya know what mommy? We should rest on Shabbos (the Sabbath Day) too.”

The mother patiently listened to her daughter and then said:<

“What you’ve learned is very nice, but we don’t do things that way.”

Another day the young girl came home and excitedly told her mother:

“Mommy, today I learned that on Erev Shabbos (Friday) the whole family eats dinner together, Shabbos candles are lit and Kiddush is said because Shabbos is such a special day. An ya know what else? The whole family talks and sings together.”

as she proudly showed her mother a set of candlesticks she made in school.

The mother listened to her daughter and explained:

“we are very busy during the weekend and don’t have time for those type of things.”

as she put the candleticks her daughter made away somewhere, hoping that her dauhter would forget about this Shabbos (Sabbath) foolishness.

A week later the young girl burst into the house on Sunday afternoon after Religious school and told her father:

“Daddy, today I learned the Beracha (blessing) to say over the Shabbos candles, I’m going to light candles on Shabbos the way bubbie and zadie do on Shabbos.”

The father answered:

“You will do no such thing. All that is old fashioned and has no place here. I do not want you lighting any candles.”

Now the young girl was sure that if her parents could see the beauty of the Shabbos candles they would understand what she felt. So all week she thought, and she thought, and she thought some more until she decided what to do.

Friday afternoon she rushed home from school, cleaned the house and swept the floors (as best as a little girl could). She set the table with a clean white tablecloth, napkins and dishes. Then she went to set up the candles for Shabbos. She loked and looked, but could not find the candlesticks she made at school. She knew where her mother kept some special candles, they were up on the third self of the kitchen cabinet. So she climbed up onto the countertop and opened the cabinet and took down two of the special candles, they were in their own glass holders. (Note: The candles in the glass containers were Yahrzeit Candles – Memorial Candles). She placed them on the table on a sheet of silver foil. Everything was ready for her parents. She knew they would be surprised and would finally understand what she was trying to tell them.

The sun was getting lower and lower in the sky, and she remembered that her teacher at Religious School told her that the candles had to be lit before sundown. It was getting late and the little girl was waiting for her mother, but soon it would be too late. The little girl prepared to light the Shabbos candles. She covered her eyes and began, “Baruch ata Adoshem … Blessed are You O L-rd…” When she heard her mother scream, “What are you doing?” the young girl turned and saw both her parents standing in the diningroom staring at her. She smiled and said, “I lit these candles for you because I love you.”

From that day on both her mother and father helped her with Religious School, they kept Shabbos and Yom Tov.

===============

If we don’t kindle the holy Shabbos Lights (candles) then faith will dim and be a memory and when our children light the Yahrzeit Candles – Memorial Candles the memories of faith, tradition and many of the wonders of our beliefs with fade away – leaving an emptiness.

True faith is deep within one’s inner self and once found will allow one to see the world on many levels.

There is “fun” in the confines of belief. The wonder, beauty and adventure are there for the experience. All one has to do is look at the world around them through the eyes of their faith.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 18, 2022.

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, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

How to be Forgiven of Sin

Posted on Monday, 21, December, 2009Thursday, 6, September, 2018 by Rabbi

You shall seek G-d and you shall find Him, but you must search for Him wholeheartedly” (Deuteronomy 4:29). Even after you have found G-d, you must continue to search for Him wholeheartedly. G-d is infinite, and you should not be so complacent as to think that you have already found Him. Keep searching, because there is so much more (Kotzker Rebbe).

A man who had drifted away from religion came to a holy rabbi and gave him a long list of sins he had committed over the years, and told the holy rabbi that he had hoped by fasting frequently and punishing himself by sleeping on the ground and putting pebbles inside his shoes, he could be forgiven for his terrible deeds. He wondered whether all of his actions were sufficient to attain forgiveness for his sins.

The holy rabbi listened closely and studied the list of sins carefully. Then he remarked, “It appears that you have done a complete job. Truly a complete job.”

The young man was pleased that the rabbi appeared to have approved of his penance. “Then I am forgiven?” he asked.

“Not quite,” the holy rabbi said. “You began by committing sins to ruin your neshamah (soul). Having done that, you then directed your attention toward ruining your body as well. That is a complete job.”

According to many great rabbis, atonement does not require self-torment and punishment. Rather, one should understand the gravity of transgressing the Divine will, appreciate how injurious this is to oneself, and make a concerted effort to refine his character so that he is no longer likely to repeat the improper behavior. Self-punishment can mislead one to think that he has achieved atonement, whereas nothing in his character may have changed.

An old Jewish teaching tells us that “great is repentance: it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a) Let us all hope that we can bring about a healing in the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

Google Play or ITunes

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 Torah and Menorah of Peace

Posted on Wednesday, 16, December, 2009Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The Rambam makes the following fascinating observation upon his conclusion of the halachos of Chanukah, in his Mishneh Torah.

If one has insufficient funds for both Shabbos candles and for Chanukah candles, or for Shabbos candles and wine for Kiddush, Shabbos candles take precedence, because of the shalom bayis—the peace and domestic tranquility, which they bring into the home. Behold, G-d’s Name is erased, in order to foster peace between a man and his wife.

At which point, the Rambam concludes with the following beautiful words. Peace is exceedingly great, for the entire Torah was given in order to foster peace in the world. As it says:

Her ways are ways of beauty, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17)

One Chanukah eve, Reb Nachum delayed lighting his Menorah, even though the preferable time for lighting the Menorah had already passed. It was not until his wife arrived that Reb Nachum lit his Menorah.

Later, Reb Nuchum was asked why he had waited for his wife, since, according to the halacha, a man can light the Menorah in behalf of his wife, even in her absence. Reb Nachum replied that he was aware of that halacha. However, he knew that his wife always looked forward eagerly to this mitzvah, and she would be deeply hurt if he kindled the Menorah without her. He therefore waited for her to return.

The ways of Torah are, indeed, ways of beauty and of 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

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, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

The Inheritance of the Youngest Brother

Posted on Tuesday, 15, December, 2009Sunday, 16, June, 2024 by Rabbi

A certain rich man had ten sons. He swore that on the day of his death he would give each of them one hundred gold coins. In due course he lost part of his money and all he had left was nine hundred and gold coins. So he gave the nine hundred to nine sons, and the youngest one said to him:

“Father, what shall I do? How can you leave me penniless?”

The Rich man thought for a moment or two and answered his youngest son:

“I swore to give each one of you one hundred gold coins and I could not break my oath. But only fifty are left me, and I have taken thirty of them for shrouds when I die, so I shall give you the other twenty. For I never thought that the money would be lost to me. But I have ten companions. I shall give them to you and they are better than a thousand dinars. And he instructed his companions about his youngest son, and then he died and was buried.

The nine sons went off to do business, each going his own way, and the youngest one was left at a complete loss, not knowing what he should do. Meanwhile he spent nineteen gold coins and only had one gold coins left. Then he said:

what use can those ten friends my father left me be, when he told me that they would be better than a thousand gold coins? But he took counsel and invited them to his home and spent the last dinar for a feast. They ate and drank with him and said to one another: “This is the only one of all the brothers who keeps his father’s affection for us. We have to keep that affection too and not let him go, but show him kindness for his deeds.”

So each of them gave him a cow in calf and money. The cows gave birth and he sold them, and gathered his money together and tried his hand at commerce. The Lord blessed him and made him richer than his father. Then he said: “My father said truly that friends are better than all the money in the world.”

Therefore a man should increase friends and honor and keep them. It is well to remember that he “who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure. (ben Sira 6:14)

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

It is like the unseeing, who become accustomed to their plight, not ever realizing that their lives can be improved.

The Blind Men

Let us follow the teaching in Avos: “Who is wise? He who learns from everybody.” (4.1)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

The Treasures of the King, the Princess and the Peat Digger

“Why have you given me this large sum of money out of all poor folk of the town?” He answered: “Because I swore that I would give charity only to someone who has given up all hope of enjoying this world.”

Times changed, the rich man became poor and nothing was left him. When he realized his distress he went and dug in the graveyard in order to take out the money he had hidden there, in order to support himself. The watchman found him and arrested him and brought him before the governor of the city.

Now the governor of the city was the poor man from the muckheap. For he was of good stock; and when the previous governor of the city had died, the townsfolk had come together and made him their head and captain.

Blessed be He who brings low and raises high, who makes poor and makes wealthy.

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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Woe to them that see and know not what they see, that stand and know not where they stand. (Chagigah 12a )

The maggid answered the man’s biting words, “As I came into this village, I was greeted by an ox. ‘What reason do you have to greet me?’ I asked. ‘I have no reason to relate to you.’ The ox answered, ‘Yes, you do, you eat of my meat.’

“I was then greeted by a cow, and when I asked what relationship she had to me, the cow said, ‘You drink my milk.’ I was then greeted by a goat, who said, ‘We share a common feature, because you have a beard and I too have a beard.’

“But then I was greeted by a hog. ‘This is too much,’ I said. ‘You give me nothing. I don’t eat your meat and I don’t drink your milk. You don’t have a beard like I do. Why should I relate to you?’ “

Let us all hope we can rise above the science and popular philosophies of society to gain true knowledge and wisdom.

Excerpt from A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together…..

Anger and embarrassment is a terrible thing. It seems that sometimes parents can stay angry at one another forever, but this is not so. It is written in the Book of Isaiah that:

From this verse in the Prophets we learn of the story of

Rabbi Yose and his Wife

“That you hide not yourself from your own flesh.” These words apply to the divorced wife of Rabbi Yose the Galilean from whom he did not hide.

The divorced wife’s mean ways brought it about that she married the town watchman, a man below her station. After some time, the watchman suffered many problems and sickness. Because of his troubles he lost his job and soon became blind.

The voice of the poor woman was heard at night to say, “It was easier for me to have and bear the blows of my husband than the pain to accept the charity of Rabbi Yose. The first only injured my body, but the latter touched my very soul within me.”

Y. Ketubos 11:3, 34b; Genesis Rabbah 17:3; Leviticus Rabbah 34:14

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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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

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One time the maggid came to a synagogue where the rabbi welcomed him warmly. “Please tell me a story,” he asked.

“‘Don’t worry,’ the husband said. ‘It is a very fine goat. However, she was not fed and watered in the market­place, and she is very tired from the long trip. Give her something to eat and drink, and let her rest up a bit, and she will give you all the milk you want.’ “

May all your tales end with shalom (peace)

The highest level of faith is one that is free of the prevailing thoughts and beliefs of society.

Faith binds one to tradition. A tradition that satisfies the soul, and allows one an inner peace. A troubled soul will only be content only after an extensive investigation. A person hopes that they will be able to justify and corroborate the authenticity of man made traditions.

Sadly, too many see the world through the eyes of science and technology and become masters of words. They delight in debate.

The one who sees the world on the spiritual level cannot be swayed by the debates because their wisdom is based upon faith.

THE SHABBOS CANDLES

One day she came home from school wanting to share what she had learned about Shabbos – the Holy Sabbath Day. She ran in the door, “Mommy, mommy guess what I learned in school today?” the young girl began:

“We learned that G-d made the world in six days and he rested on the seventh day. Ya know what mommy? We should rest on Shabbos (the Sabbath Day) too.”

The mother patiently listened to her daughter and then said:<

“What you’ve learned is very nice, but we don’t do things that way.”

Another day the young girl came home and excitedly told her mother:

“Mommy, today I learned that on Erev Shabbos (Friday) the whole family eats dinner together, Shabbos candles are lit and Kiddush is said because Shabbos is such a special day. An ya know what else? The whole family talks and sings together.”

as she proudly showed her mother a set of candlesticks she made in school.

The mother listened to her daughter and explained:

“we are very busy during the weekend and don’t have time for those type of things.”

as she put the candleticks her daughter made away somewhere, hoping that her dauhter would forget about this Shabbos (Sabbath) foolishness.

A week later the young girl burst into the house on Sunday afternoon after Religious school and told her father:

“Daddy, today I learned the Beracha (blessing) to say over the Shabbos candles, I’m going to light candles on Shabbos the way bubbie and zadie do on Shabbos.”

The father answered:

“You will do no such thing. All that is old fashioned and has no place here. I do not want you lighting any candles.”

Now the young girl was sure that if her parents could see the beauty of the Shabbos candles they would understand what she felt. So all week she thought, and she thought, and she thought some more until she decided what to do.

From that day on both her mother and father helped her with Religious School, they kept Shabbos and Yom Tov.

===============

If we don’t kindle the holy Shabbos Lights (candles) then faith will dim and be a memory and when our children light the Yahrzeit Candles – Memorial Candles the memories of faith, tradition and many of the wonders of our beliefs with fade away – leaving an emptiness.

True faith is deep within one’s inner self and once found will allow one to see the world on many levels.

There is “fun” in the confines of belief. The wonder, beauty and adventure are there for the experience. All one has to do is look at the world around them through the eyes of their faith.

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.

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 18, 2022.

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, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

The holy rabbi listened closely and studied the list of sins carefully. Then he remarked, “It appears that you have done a complete job. Truly a complete job.”

The young man was pleased that the rabbi appeared to have approved of his penance. “Then I am forgiven?” he asked.

“‘Don’t worry,’ the husband said. ‘It is a very fine goat. However, she was not fed and watered in the marketplace, and she is very tired from the long trip. Give her something to eat and drink, and let her rest up a bit, and she will give you all the milk you want.’ “

At which point, the Rambam concludes with the following beautiful words. Peace is exceedingly great, for the entire Torah was given in order to foster peace in the world. As it says: