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Tag: justice

A Philosopher Learns About Justice

Posted on Friday, 16, May, 2025 by Rabbi

A tale based on Greek Mythology

One day, a Greek philosopher was walking, thinking and wondering about the mysteries of life, when he saw two very tall women towering away in the distance. The philosopher hid behind a chestnut tree (see the note at the end of the story), intending to listen to their conversation. The giant women came and sat nearby, but the King’s son appeared before they could speak to one another. The young prince was bleeding from one ear and shouted pleadingly towards the women,

“Justice! I want justice! A villain cut my ear!”

He pointed to another boy, his younger brother, who arrived wielding a bloody sword.

The two women replied to the young prince and replied, “We will be pleased to give you justice, young prince.”

“We are goddesses of justice. Just choose which of the two of us you would prefer to help you.”

“What’s the difference between you?” asked the prince.

“What would each of you do?”

“I,” answered one of the goddesses, who looked fragile and delicate,

“will ask your brother what was the cause of his action, and I will listen to his explanation. Then I will require him to protect your other ear with his life, and to make you the most beautiful helmet to cover your scar and to be your ears when you need it.”

The second goddess, who was strong and resolute, responded, ” I, for my part, will not let him go unpunished for his action. I will punish him with a hundred lashes and one year of imprisonment, and he must compensate you for your pain with a thousand gold coins. And I will give you the sword, and you can choose if you’re able to keep the ear or, on the contrary, you want both ears to end up on the ground. Well, what is your decision? Who do you want to apply justice to for the offence?”

The prince looked at the two goddesses. Then he put his hand to the wound, and on touching it, his face gave a gesture of undeniable pain, which ended with a look of anger and affection for his brother. And in a firm voice, addressing the second of the goddesses, he answered.

“I’d rather it was you who helped me. I love him, but it would be unfair if my brother wasn’t punished.”

So, from his hiding place behind the chestnut tree, the philosopher saw the accused receive his punishment and watched how the older brother was content to make a small wound on his brother’s ear without seriously damaging it.

A while passed, and the princes had left, one without an ear and the other served justice, and the philosopher was still in hiding when the least expected thing happened. In front of his eyes, the second of the goddesses changed her clothes and took her true form. She wasn’t a goddess, but the powerful Aries, the god of war. Aries bid goodbye to his companion with a mischievous smile:

“I’ve done it again, dear Themis. Your friends, mankind, can barely distinguish between your righteousness and my revenge. I will prepare my weapons, a new war between brothers is approaching, and I will revel in the battles to come.” Said Aries as he left.

When Aries had left and the philosopher was trying to make off quietly, the goddess spoke aloud, “Tell me, good philosopher, would you have known how to choose correctly? Did you know how to distinguish between the past and the future?”

With that strange greeting began many long and friendly talks. That’s how, from the very hand of Themis, the goddess of justice, the philosopher learned that true justice lies in improving the future, moving it away from past wrongs. False justice and vengeance are incapable of forgiving and forgetting past wrongs, and doing so fixes the future, always ending up being just as bad.
Justice Folktale
The Chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) represents a personal intercession for justice, a desire for the common good for others and oneself. The tree itself is a reminder “to do justice,” and the flowers indicate seeking it.

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.

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Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Aries, goddess, goddess of justice, Greek Mythology, justice, justice stories, justice tales, lady justice, philosopher, ThemisLeave a Comment on A Philosopher Learns About Justice

The Slap

Posted on Friday, 28, February, 2025Friday, 28, February, 2025 by Rabbi

a folktale of justice from Turkey

The teacher, Nasreddin Hodja, was standing in the marketplace when a stranger stepped up to him and slapped him in the face. The stranger then said, “I beg your pardon. I thought that you were someone else.”

This explanation did not satisfy Nasreddin, so he brought the stranger before the qadi and demanded justice.

Nasreddin soon realized that the qadi and the stranger were friends. The stranger admitted his guilt, and the judge pronounced the sentence: “The settlement for this offense is one copper coin to be paid to the Nasreddin. If you do not have a copper coin with you, then you may bring it here to the Nasreddin at your convenience.”

Hearing this sentence, the stranger went on his way. Nasreddin waited for him to return with the copper coin. And he waited. And he waited.

Justice

Sometime later, Nasreddin said to the qadi, “Do I understand correctly that one copper coin is sufficient payment for a slap?”

“Yes,” answered the qadi.

Hearing this answer, Nasreddin slapped the judge in the face and said, “You may keep my copper coin when the stranger returns with it,” then walked away.

 

Justice is sometimes a matter of perception. If there is no justice, there is no peace. (Kad haKemach 14th Century)

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.

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Posted in justice, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged hodja, Jewish Stories, judge, justice, short stories, stories of justice, TurkeyLeave a Comment on The Slap

A Bargain is a Bargain

Posted on Sunday, 23, February, 2025 by Rabbi

a tale of justice from Ireland

 

There once was a poor widow, and she had three children: two sons and a daughter. They were her every joy. They were clever children, and she wanted to give them the best schooling so they could make something of themselves. Since the widow had no money, no jewels, and no property, she sold the only thing she had – her immortal soul. And, of course, she sold it to the Devil. It was that much she loved those babes.

The Devil gave her a bag of gold sovereigns and said, “I’ll be back for you in twenty years.” Then he settled back until the time he could collect on his debt. He watched and waited, and he watched and waited as the widow spent every coin on education. A good investment it was. The children studied hard and made her proud. The oldest son became a priest, the second son became a doctor, and the daughter became a lawyer. As the years went by, the widow became old and ill.

When the twenty years had passed, the widow lay dying. Her son, the priest, was at her bedside praying. There was a rumble of thunder, a crash of lightning. The door flung open, and in walked the Devil. The priest blocked the way, but the Devil pushed him aside. “Out of me way, I’ve come for your mother.” The priest fell to his knees and prayed that his mother be spared. The Devil gave her one more year of life. Why did the Devil grant an extra year? Perhaps he wanted to court the soul of the priest.

When that year was up, the widow again lay dying. Her son, the doctor, was at her bedside. There was a rumble of thunder and a clap of lightning, and the door flung open. In walked the Devil. The doctor blocked the way. “Out of me way, I’ve come for your mother.” The doctor fell to his knees and pleaded that his mother be spared. And he got one more year off the Devil. Maybe the Devil had a tender spot for moms.

When that year was up, the widow lay dying. There was a rumble of thunder, a clap of lightning. The door flung open, and the Devil came a third time to claim the old woman. He found the daughter there. The Devil called out, “Don’t be using any woman’s tears on me. I’m here to take my due. A bargain is a bargain.” But the daughter did not weep.

Then the Devil remembered she was a lawyer. “And don’t be using your legal words and your courtroom tricks on me.”

She said, “You’ve given sparing to my mother twice already, and I know you can’t be expected to do it again.”

“What a fair-minded lawyer,” thought the Devil.

justice tale

“But,” says she, “my brothers have not kissed our mother farewell. They will be here soon. Please, just a few more minutes. Will you give her sparing till-till that stub of a candle burns away?”

The Devil turned and looked at the candle burning on the table.

It was only a stub of candle, soon to sputter and die.

”All right,” said the Devil. “Until the candle burns away-not a second more.”

“A bargain is a bargain,” the lawyer said. Before the Devil knew what was happening, she walked to the table, picked up the candle, and blew it out! And then she put it in her pocket.

That was that! It was clear the candle would never be relit and would never burn away. The Devil left without the mother’s soul.

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

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Posted in justice, Spirituality, Stories, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Woman, WomanTagged bargain, children, contract, devil, devil’s bargain, justice, justice story, law, mother, Short story, widowLeave a Comment on A Bargain is a Bargain

He Didn’t Deserve His Fee

Posted on Friday, 7, February, 2025 by Rabbi

Once, a small-town doctor, who thought more of his fees than of his patients, was called in to treat the sick wife of a poor tailor. After examining the woman, he turned to the husband and said, “This case will take a lot of my time, and I can see that you won’t be able to pay me for my services.” “Please, doctor, save her life! ” begged the anxious husband. “1 promise to pay you even though I’ll have to pawn everything I own to get the money

“What if I don’t cure her—will you pay my fee just the same?” insisted the doctor.

“Whatever happens, whether you cure her or kill her, I promise to pay.” cried the husband.

The treatment was started, but within a few days, the woman died. Shortly after, the doctor demanded 1500 rubles as his fee. The bereft husband informed him that he was unable to pay, and, as was the custom among the villagers, they brought the matter to the village holy man for settlement.

The sage understood right away what had happened.

“Tell me again,” he asked the physician, “what was your contract with this man?”

justice

“I was to get paid for treating his wife regardless of whether I cured or killed her.”

“Did you cure her?” asked the holy man.

“No.”

“Did you kill her?”

“I certainly did not! “

“Then, since you have neither cured her nor killed her, what right have you to the money?”

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.

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Posted in justice, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged contracts, doctor, fees, holy man, justice, medicalLeave a Comment on He Didn’t Deserve His Fee

Ali Cogia, Merchant of Baghdad

Posted on Friday, 17, January, 2025 by Rabbi

A Tale from the Arabian Nights

Long ago in Baghdad there lived a merchant named Ali Cogia. He had no wife or child. He made a modest profit and lived a modest life.

One night he dreamed his father appeared to him and scolded him because he had not made a pilgrimage to Mecca, as is the duty of a good Muslim. Ali Cogia woke from the dream and said, “My father is right, but how can I leave? Who will tend my shop? Who will take care of my house?”

But the dream occurred again and again until Ali Cogia knew he would not sleep soundly until he made a pilgrimage to Mecca. He sold all his wares, his shop, and his small house. He received over a thousand pieces of gold. “I will take some gold for the journey, but where can I leave the rest?”

When he thought of a plan, he put the coins in a large jar and filled the rest of the jar with olives. He carried the jar to the neighboring merchant. “My old friend, you have probably heard that I am leaving for Mecca in a few days. Could you keep this jar of olives for me until I come back?”

The merchant replied, “Of course, here is the key to my shop. Take the jar into the shop. Put it wherever you like. I promise that you shall find it in the same place when you get back.”

Ali Cogia put the jar in a dusty corner of a back room, said his goodbyes, and joined a caravan to Mecca. He liked traveling so much that after his visit to the mosque in Mecca, he bought some goods with his remaining gold coins, and joined a caravan to Cairo. He sold his goods in Egypt and journeyed to visit the Pyramids and the Nile River. Next, he met some merchants on their way to India. He joined them. So it was that Ali Cogia traveled and traded for seven years. One day he said, “I am tired of traveling. I long for Baghdad. And with my thousand pieces of gold that I left in the olive jar, I can buy a new shop and live out my life in the city where I was born.”

On the very day that Ali Cogia decided to return home, his friend’s wife remarked, “I have been craving olives all day. If only I had some olives, I would be content,”

The merchant remembered the jar left by Ali Cogia. “There are olives in the back room. Ali Cogia left them with me. Bur he has been gone for seven years. Surely he is dead. So bring a lamp-I will fetch them, and we will see if they are still fit to eat.”

“Oh, no, husband. Ali Cogia may return any day. le would be shameful to betray your trust. Do not pay attention to my idle words; I have no desire for olives.”

But the merchant got a lamp and found the olive jar. He broke the seal on the top and pulled out the cork. The topmost olives were rot­ ten, so he scooped them out and reached deep into the bottom to see if the remaining olives were in better condition. He pulled out a handful of olives, and also found a piece of gold. He did not tell his wife what he found. Instead, he told her, “The olives are all rotten. I recorked the jar.”

When his wife was asleep, he crept into the back room and emp­ tied the jar. “So much gold! All for me!” He hid the money. The next day he went out and bought fresh olives, filled the jar, and sealed it. Then he put the vase in the same spot where Ali Cogia had left it.

Only a few days later, Ali Cogia reentered Baghdad. He went to see his old friend the merchant, who received him with open arms. “Welcome back, Ali Cogia. We feared you were dead.”

“Allah be praised, I am well. And I am blessed to have a friend like you. Could you please give me the jar of olives that you have been so kind to care for?”

“Oh, yes, dear friend,” said the merchant. “Here is the key to my shop. The jar is where you put it.”

Ali Cogia unlocked the shop, went to the spot where he put the jar, and pulled the cork out. He thrust his hand to the bottom. There was no gold!

Ali Cogia ran to the merchant’s house. “My friend,” he cried, “my thousand pieces of gold are gone. Perhaps you might have borrowed it for your business purposes. If that is so, you are most welcome. I only ask you to give me a receipt. Then you can repay at your leisure.”

“Ali Cogia, what gold are you talking about? I gave you the key to my shop; you placed the jar there yourself. Did you not find it in the same spot? I have not touched your jar.”

“Please, old friend, I love peace:. Don’t make me call the law. Give
me my gold.”

“Ali Cogia, a crowd is gathering, even the children are listening.
Please go away.”

By this time, neighbors, children, and merchants were listening to the dispute. Ali Cogia turned and laid his cause before them. He showed them the vase of olives. The crowd said, “Merchant, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“Friends, it is true I kept the vase in my shop for seven years. But I swear I did not open it.”

Ali Cogia challenged the merchant, “Will you dare repeat your story before the cadi?”

“I would like nothing better. Let’s go.”

The two men presented themselves m the cadi and told their stories. The cadi asked Ali Cogia, “Do you have witnesses that saw you put the gold in the vase?”

“No, I did it in secret,” the man replied.

Without a moment’s thought the cadi said, “l find for the merchant.” And the merchant returned home in triumph.

Ali Cogia vowed to appeal to the caliph. He drew up a petition, and waited alongside the road where the caliph walked after midday prayer. The caliph heard the petition and granted an audience the next morning.

Later that evening, the caliph went out for a stroll through the town. He was in disguise so he could pass unnoticed through the crowds. He heard children talking. “Let’s play being the cadi of Baghdad,” said the children. The caliph looked into the courtyard and saw the children gathered in the moonlight.

The smartest and quickest child said, “I will be the cadi. Bring me Ali Cogia and the merchant. I will settle the question of the thousand pieces of gold.” The caliph remembered the petition he had read that morning, and he listened with interest to what the children said.

The children liked the game, and they decided the part each would play. The child cadi solemnly took his seat. The child Ali Cogia and the child merchant came forward. Ali Cogia made a low bow. “Please hear my plea. This merchant kept the gold pieces I hid in a vase of olives.” He rold the entire story he had heard from the real Ali Cogia.

The boy cadi said, “Merchant, tell me your side of the story.” The boy merchant repeated all the reasons the real merchant had given to the Cadi of Baghdad. “I never opened the vase in seven years,” he responded.

Instead of finding for the merchant, the boy cadi asked a question, “Where is the vase of olives? Bring it to me.”

The children pretended to carry a vase and put it at the feet of the boy cadi. “Open the vase.”

The children pretended to open the vase. The cadi pretended to eat one. “What good olives. Such bright color and good taste. It seems odd that olives that are seven years old would be so good. Bring me some olive merchants.”

Two children came forward as olive merchants. The boy cadi questioned them, “How long can olives be stored and remain good?”

“Three years,” said the olive merchants. “After that, they lose color and taste and are only fit to be thrown away.”

“Merchants, examine the olives in this vase.”

The children pretended to examine the olives. “My lord, these are fresh olives, not even a year old.”

The merchant tried to protest, but the boy cadi said, “Be silent. You are a thief. Take him to prison.”Justice Tale

So, the play ended, and the children all clapped and led the criminal away to prison. The caliph was amazed. “Can there be any better judgment? I will follow this example.” He commanded his servants to summon the parties, plus two olive merchants and the boy who acted as cadi. “Instruct Ali Cogia to bring the vase of olives. We will be ready to see justice done. And the cadi will learn from the mouth of a child.”

The next morning the boy came to the palace in his finest clothes. The Caliph said, “Last night, I overheard your judgment in the case of the stolen gold. I am pleased with the way you conducted the trial. Come seat yourself next to me. Today you will see the real Ali Cogia and the real merchant.”

The parties came and bowed before the throne. The caliph said, “Cadi, observe!” To the parties, the caliph commanded, “Now speak This child will give you justice.”

Ali Cogia and the merchant told their stories. Then, just as the night before, the boy said, “Bring me the vase of olives.” The boy, the caliph, and the olive merchants tasted the olives. “These olives are fresh and good; they could not have been kept in the vase for seven years,” pronounced the olive merchants.

The boy looked at the caliph and said, “My lord, this is not a game now, it is for you, not me, to condemn the merchant.”

The caliph stood. “Merchant, you are a thief; you emptied the vase to take the gold. Then you filled the jar with fresh olives. You will go to prison, but first, you will tell the place where you hid Ali Cogia’s gold.”

The merchant told the hiding place and went to prison.

The caliph scolded the cadi for his incompetence. “Learn from the wisdom of this child,” he said. Last of all, he sent the boy home with one hundred pieces of silver as a mark of his favor.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged Arabian Nights, Caliph, child’s play, children at play, justice, thiefLeave a Comment on Ali Cogia, Merchant of Baghdad

Ooka the Wise and the Two Women

Posted on Friday, 3, January, 2025 by Rabbi

A Tale of Justice and Wisdom from Japan

One day, a case concerning a baby boy came to Ooka’s court. Two women claimed to be the boy’s mother, and Ooka was faced with the challenge of deciding which woman was telling the truth. Both women had recently come to Yedo (old Tokyo), and so there were no witnesses to support either claim.

Thinking that the child himself would be sure to recognize his own mother, the judge placed him in the middle of the floor, expecting him to crawl toward one of the women. But the child paid no attention to either of the two women and cried for Ooka to pick him up.

Whispers of amusement ran around the courtroom and Ooka’s ears began to rum pink.

The great judge soon thought of another test, however. He ordered the two women to take hold of one of the baby’s arms and to pull as hard as they were able.

“I am sure the real mother will be given strength so that she will win the struggle,” he explained. What he really expected was the real mother would stop pulling the child, for fear of hurting him.

Sadly the two women were not fooled by Ooka’s cleverness, and told the judge they knew he was playing a trick.

Ooka sighed. Finally, he called a court attendant and said, “Go buy me a bowl of goldfish, a handful of bamboo sticks, three pieces of wood, a magnifying glass, and a copy of a book on fortunetelling.”

Ooka the Wise was embarrassed as loud laughter spread around the courtroom. Many of the spectators believed that at last the great judge was defeated by a case.

Ooka quickly called for silence. His ears were very red.

Soon the attendant returned with the articles Ooka had requested. Ooka spread them out carefully in front of him with much ceremony and solemnity. “Now it is obvious to me – as it is to many of you – that I cannot solve this matter,” he said. “Nevertheless, I shall arrive at a just decision, for I shall use these articles to look into the future. There I shall see what my decision should be.”

The spectators were astonished. Ooka the Wise had always used logic and common sense to solve cases. They had never known him to rely on mystical arts such as fortunetelling.

Gravely, the judge took each of the objects and studied them carefully, consulting the fortunetelling book from time to time. He rolled the bamboo sticks to learn their secret. He counted the bubbles in the goldfish bowl. He held the pieces of wood to his ears, and listened to their echoes. Finally, he studied the two women’s palms.

All this Ooka did very thoroughly and slowly, and by the time he had finished, the crowd had become very restless. Everyone was relieved when at last the judge said, “I see it quite clearly now, I have used all the best methods of foreseeing the future, and they all give the same answer. Therefore what I see must be the truth.”

Ooka paused and looked around the courtroom. The spectators waited anxiously to hear what Ooka the Wise had learned.

The judge continued. “I saw very clearly the real mother with her son as they will be twenty years from now. The boy had met with an accident and was a helpless invalid. His mother was working in the rice fields to support him.”

Both women gasped in horror. Ooka looked at them sorrowfully and added, “And the woman I saw in my vision was…”

“Stop!” cried one of the women. “lt was not I! Children are supposed to take care of their parents when they become old, not the other way around.”

“ls that so?” Ooka said. He turned to the other woman. “And how do you feel about my prophecy?” he asked.

“It makes no difference, Most Honorable Sir,” the woman replied.

“I will work for my child while there is breath in my body, and then I will die happy, knowing that I have served him.”

“Then this is really your true son,” said the judge. “The other wanted him only so that he could take care of her in her old age. Take the child with the court’s good wishes.”

The happy mother took the child in her arms. Ooka the Wise said casually, “Oh, I forgot to finish the prophecy. The child recovered from the injury i saw. He became rich and famous. He, his mother, his fine wife, and thirteen children lived happily together for many, many years.”

Strangely enough, Ooka’s prophecy came true. Everyone was surprised, except the judge. “If I had not been called to the law,” he often said later, “I would probably have made an excellent fortuneteller.”

Jpanese Folktales

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.

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Japan, Japanese folktales, Japanese justice, judge, judge ooka, justice, Ooka Eichizen, Ōoka Tadasuke, samurai, Tokugawa shogunateLeave a Comment on Ooka the Wise and the Two Women

What Does a Bribe Look Like

Posted on Friday, 20, December, 2024 by Rabbi

Once, two men were to appear before an older judge over a matter concerning a lot of money. One of the men came the day before he was to appear in court and asked the judge to help him. As he spoke, he laid five hundred silver coins on the table. The old judge took the money and told the man to come back the next day.

That evening the old judge asked that a big dinner be served. He called together his sons, sons-in-law, and many of his colleagues and students. During the meal, the old judge took out the five hundred silver coins and began counting them in front of everyone.

All looked on expectantly, hoping to receive some of the money. After the old judge had counted the money a few times, he put all the coins into his pocket and said:

“Know, my children, that the money that you see is a bribe, and bribery is forbidden by the Holy Word. We are taught, ‘You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just.’ (Deuteronomy 16:19)

It is the responsibility of a judge and leader to ‘learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17) and to set an example for others to follow.

Every day, ‘I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice’ (Proverbs 8:20), and I wanted to show you what a bribe looks like so that you will know what to avoid.

Deuteronomy 16:19

The next day, the old judge returned the five hundred silver coins to the man and warned him that one is forbidden to either give or receive a bribe.

May the day come soon that ‘all bribery and injustice will be blotted out, and good faith will last forever.’ (Sirach 40:12)

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

Posted in Faith, justice, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, WisdomTagged ben sira 40:12, bribe, Deuteronomy 16:19, Isaiah 1:17, Jewish Stories, judge, justice, justice stories, legal, legalstories, Proverbs 8:20, short stories, Sirach 40:12Leave a Comment on What Does a Bribe Look Like

How to Tell a Liar

Posted on Friday, 13, December, 2024 by Rabbi

The character of liars leads to disgrace, and

their shame is ever with them. (Sirach 20:26)

Two men came before a judge. One had found a gold coin, and the other claimed it had fallen from his pocket. The judge felt that the man who claimed to have dropped it was not telling the truth. He ordered the two men out of his room and into two adjacent rooms in preparation for hearing the matter.

As soon as the men had left, the judge moved close to the room where the man who claimed to have lost the coin was waiting and began speaking to himself. “Had the man who claims to have lost it stated that there is a hole in the coin, that would be clear proof that it is his because a hole in a coin is considered to be valid proof,” he said.Proverbs 17:4

A little later, he called the man in for questioning. As soon as the man entered, he burst out, “Your Honor, you know that I never saw the coin that was found, but I can prove to you it was mine. The coin had a hole in it.”

“If that is so,” said the judge, “you must be mistaken. This cannot be your coin because it does not have any hole in it.”

The judge sent the men away, saying, “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged ben sira 20:26, falsehood, Jewish Stories, judge, justice, liar, Proverbs 17:4, short stories, Sirach 20:26Leave a Comment on How to Tell a Liar

A Test of Underwear

Posted on Friday, 6, December, 2024 by Rabbi

Once, two women came to the town judge with a dispute. Both women had hung out their underclothing to dry, and someone had stolen one of the washes. Each claimed that the other’s laundry had been stolen. For the desperately poor people of the time, such a loss was a major tragedy.

The town judge ordered that the remaining wash be brought to him. He then had the two women leave the room temporarily and asked his wife to add some of her own laundry to the pile. He then called one of the women back and asked her, “Do you recognize your laundry?” She began sorting the clothes. “This is mine, this isn’t, this is mine, I’ve never seen this before, oh goodness. I’d never wear anything like this…” she answered.Justice

The town judge then ordered that the clothes be mixed up again, and called the other woman in. “Do you recognize your wash?” he asked her. She began going through the pile: ‘This is mine, and this, and this … all are mine,” she said.

“Are you sure that all are yours?” asked the judge. “Yes,” she said decisively, “everything here is mine.”

“You being less than truthful,” the Judge told her, “and the laundry belongs to the other woman.”

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.

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Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, Wisdom, WomanTagged Jewish Stories, judge, justice, Laundry, short stories, underwear, wisdom, woman, womenLeave a Comment on A Test of Underwear

What Does a Bribe Look Like

Posted on Sunday, 14, July, 2024 by Rabbi

Once, two men were to appear before an older judge over a matter concerning a lot of money. One of the men came the day before his appearance and asked the judge to help him. As he spoke, he laid five hundred silver coins on the table. The judge took the money and told the man to come back the next day.

That evening the old judge asked that a big dinner be served, and he called together his sons, sons-in-law, and many of his students. During the meal, the old judge took out the five hundred silver coins and began counting them in front of everyone. All looked on expectantly, hoping to receive some of the money.

After the old judge had counted the money a few times, he put all the coins into his pocket and said:

“Know, my children, that the money that you see is a bribe, and bribery is forbidden by the Holy Word. We are taught, ‘You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just.’ (Deuteronomy 16:19)

It is the responsibility of a judge and leader to ‘learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17) and to set an example for others to follow.

Every day, ‘I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice’ (Proverbs 8:20), and I wanted to show you what a bribe looks like so that you will know what to avoid.

Deuteronomy 16:19

The next day, the old judge returned the five hundred silver coins to the man and warned him that one is forbidden to either give or receive a bribe.

May the day come soon that ‘all bribery and injustice will be blotted out, and good faith will last forever.’ (Sirach 40:12)

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

Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged ben sira 40:12, bribe, Deuteronomy 16:19, Isaiah 1:17, Jewish Stories, judge, justice, justice stories, legal, legalstories, Proverbs 8:20, short stories, Sirach 40:12Leave a Comment on What Does a Bribe Look Like

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