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Tag: justice

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)

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, 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.

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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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

A Judgement Concerning Laundry

Posted on Monday, 5, February, 2024 by Rabbi

Let them wash their clothes. (Exodus 19:10)

Once, two women came to the holy rabbi of the village with a dispute. Both had washed and 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, too lose clothing was a major tragedy.

The holy rabbi ordered that the remaining wash be brought to him. He then had the two women leave 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… ” she said.

Exodus 19:10

The holy rabbi 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 Rabbi. “Yes,” she said decisively, “everything here is mine.”

“You are a liar,” The holy rabbi 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. 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 Derech Eretz, Faith, justice, Stories, WomanTagged clothes, Exodus 19:10, Jewish Stories, justice, Laundry, short stories, wisdomLeave a Comment on A Judgement Concerning Laundry

A Judgment of Money

Posted on Tuesday, 11, July, 2023 by Rabbi

The holy rabbi of the village was out walking through the market place when he saw a man so upset that he was crying. He went over and asked, “Why are you so upset?”

The man began telling of his misfortune. “I am a storekeeper in a nearby village. I left my home with a hundred rubles in order to buy goods for my store. After arriving here, though I looked in all my pockets, I could not find the money. Now I am lost, because I cannot buy goods, and I have no way to earn a living.”

“Don’t worry,” said the holy rabbi, “I found your money. Come to my home and I will return it.”

The holy rabbi guided the man to his home and sat him at the table and served him a meal. After the storekeeper had eaten and was satisfied, the holy rabbi gave him a hundred rubles.

The man’s eyes lit up, and he thanked the holy rabbi abundantly. He took the money and bought all the goods that he needed for his store.

As soon as he arrived home, his wife said jokingly, “Why are you always so absentminded? You may have gone to buy goods, but you forgot the money at home.”

He realized what had happened; the holy rabbi had given him a hundred rubles of his own.

The next morning the man returned to the village where he met the holy rabbi, immediately went to his house, and told him, “Rebbe, you fooled me. I never lost anything, and you never found anything. I had forgotten my money at home.”

Tzedakah Charity

He then placed the hundred rubles before the holy rabbi.

“I cannot accept the money,” said the holy rabbi. “I gave it to you as a gift.”

“But I don’t want gifts,” said the storekeeper.

Each was adamant. They finally decided to go to the beis din (rabbinic court) to determine who should have the money.

The holy rabbi explained to the court, “whoever consoles a poor person with words of comfort and encouragement receives eleven blessings, as it is stated: ‘And if you draw out your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall your light shine in darkness, and your gloom shall be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your thirst in drought… And they that shall be of you shall build the old waste places, you shall raise up the foundations of many generations’” (Isaiah 58:10–12).

The storekeeper responded that the money the holy rabbi gave him was not his money he thought lost, but the personal money of the holy rabbi. He refused to accept the money.

The holy rabbi countered, “the Holy One, Blessed be He, furnishes him with money with which to perform his acts of charity.” (Bava Basra 9b)

The beis din found this an interesting case. Each claimed that he did not want the money, and that the other should receive it.

In the end, after hearing both sides, the beis din ruled that the holy rabbi was to keep the money in his possession to be used for charitable purposes, and that whatever mitzvah (a commandment to be performed as a religious duty) would come of the use of the money would be considered as done by both of them.

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

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Posted in Charity, justice, Stories, Tzedakah, UncategorizedTagged Bava Basra 9b, beis din, bet din, charity, found money, Isaiah 58, Jewish Stories, justice, short stories, stories of charity, tzedakah, tzedakah stories, wisdomLeave a Comment on A Judgment of Money

The Clever Judge and the Bride’s Missing Clothes

Posted on Monday, 5, September, 2022 by Rabbi

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

There was a man of wisdom, a man of justice, kindness, and faith. It was said that he brought justice, in all its forms to all who came to him. It is decreed, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue’ (Deuteronomy 16:20) So I ask you to listen and I will tell you a little of the wisdom of a judge long long ago.”

There came before him once a man who was troubled to tears, requesting, “Help me please, give me counsel, for over­whelming destruction has found me.” “What bothers you so that you cry such bitter tears? Asked the wise man. The troubled man answered, “My noble sir, I have but one daughter, and for her did I arrange a marriage, giving her to one of the sons of my people. But yesterday I brought unto my house the betrothed lad and his father, and I invited with them my neighbors who are close to me. I showed them the fine dresses and robes, jewelry and precious stones which had been prepared for the day of their wedding, for the gladness and joy of my daughter and her groom. We arose early in the morning, I and my wife, to clean the house to prepare for the wedding. We found nothing of the of the fine clothes, jewelry, or precious stones. There was nothing of all her clothing save only her dressing robe and her slippers. That was all my wealth, my goods, and my possessions, and now I do not know what to do or how to provide a dowry for my clothes less daughter.”

The wise judge instructed him, “Lead me to your house so that I can look around. Maybe we will find your lost things, maybe you will yet find your goods.” So he brought him unto his house, and he looked at the walls of the house, and, they were all high, that no thief might ascend the one side and descend to the other, except for one place where there was a breach in the wall, where grew a large orange tree. The tree was surrounded by a prickly bush. “’Who is your neighbor?” asked the judge. “Noble sir my neighbor is a cantor, a man just and upright, righteous in all his deeds and words. The judge turned here and there and then went upon his way. “Return to me at this time tomorrow,” instructed the judge, “I will look further into this matter.”

justice

The next day he sent for the cantor, whose name was Paltiel ben Azan. He came and stood before him, and the judge gazed into his countenance and observed an indication that the man was not of good faith. The judge then brought him into the chamber and drew off his garments and said to him, “Will you take off your clothes and wrestle with me. For you see I had a dream last night where you and I were grappling each other, and I wish to find the interpretation of the dream. May the L-rd of peace be our aid. So, the cantor drew off his garments and the judge saw that his body was filled with scratches, bruises, and wounds. Just as he had assumed in his heart, so indeed it was for through that very place had he descended to commit the theft, being naked and with­out garments, in order that they might not be caught by the thorns which were around the tree.

“Then the judge said, “Return that which you have stolen, and the dowery of your neighbor’s daughter which you took. If you refuse, as your soul lives, I will afflict you with rods and with scorpions as a thief and a robber. Then was the cantor dismayed and frightened fell upon his face, he was ashamed to answer.

The dishonest evildoer returned everything he had taken, from a thread even to a shoelace. The father returned to the judge as he had been told, who then restored to him his daughter’s dowery. The man fell to the ground full length and kissed his hands and feet for his kindness and his truth, and said, “Blessed are you before the Holy One, blessed be He, for that your name is a fortress to the poor and a refuge to the humble.” He took all the goods and returned to his house joyful and glad at heart. It is well known that “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15)

Upon the father’s return to his home, he ordered his daughter’s marriage to take place and his daughter was happy. As the groom met his bride under the canopy beneath the stars of the night sky he declared, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.” (Hosea 2:19)

Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.

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, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Deuteronomy 16:20, Hosea 2:19, Jewish Stories, judge, justice, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 21:3, short stories, wisdomLeave a Comment on The Clever Judge and the Bride’s Missing Clothes

The Power of Faith and an Oath

Posted on Wednesday, 29, December, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Keep far from a false word” (Exodus 23:7).

There were once two brothers who lived in the south of the land; and they were very wealthy. One of them married, while the other devoted his life to serving the Holy One, blessed be He with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his might (Deuteronomy 6:5). He mourned the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem saying: “The Temple of the Holy One, blessed be He has been destroyed, so I shall likewise be destroyed and shall not take a wife, nor shall I rejoice in the world. Since the Holy Temple is like a mourner, I shall also behave like a mourner.”

On every occasion he used to go to his brother to wish him well. Once he went to his brother’s house to wish him well and did not find him there. Now that day his brother’s wife was washing her garments and had taken off her jewelry which was worth more than ten thousand dinars; and she placed it in front of her. When her husband’s brother came to wish his brother well, he entered the courtyard and did not find him there. And when his brother’s wife saw him, she went away out of modesty,. There is nothing more desirable than “modesty. “Now there was a lofty tree there, a kind of palm. A certain bird made its nest in the uppermost fronds. When she retired before her brother-in-law, she left her jewels behind. When the good man found nobody there, he went his way; but the bird came down, took the jewels and went and placed them in its nest.

When the husband returned from the market, he found his wife weeping and tearing her hair. “Why are you weeping?” he asked; and she told him: “I was cleaning my clothes and took my jewelry off my neck and placed it down in front of me. A little later I looked for it but could not find it and I do not know who can have stolen it.” “Who entered the courtyard?” asked he. “The only one who came in,” said she, “was your brother and no one else can have taken it.” “Now he has abandoned all the contentment of the world,” said her husband, “and his inheritance and his money and all that belonged to him in order to go and serve the Ever-Present One, may He be blessed, with full love; yet you say that my brother was the one who stole your jewels?” At this, she stood and said: “Take him to the sages and let him swear an oath.” He listened to his wife and went and sought for his brother and then led him to the sages and began to tell them the story: “This and this is what happened.” And they said to him: “If a man abandons all the ease and contentment of this world, can he steal your wife’s jewels? Nobody like this saintly is going to do such a thing.”

Isaiah 10:14 Leviticus 19:12

Now the matter came before Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, and he said to the pious brother: “What do you say? Will you take oath?” And he answered: “Yes, I shall swear truly and have no fear of anything.” Then Rabban Yochanan said to him: “Satisfy him with your money and do not take oath!” But he answered: “No, indeed, I must take oath in order that people should not say that I am to be suspected.” And he was prepared to take an oath even though God might punish him for doing so.

Then Rabban Yochanan said to him: “Come back to me tomorrow morning.” And when he himself went home, he prayed: “Lord of the Universe, You are well aware of all that is hidden and You know about this matter. Deliver him from this transgression.” Then he heard a divine echo: “Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, go to his brother’s courtyard. There you will see a tree, and in the tree-top you can find the thing of which the man has been suspected.” They went and found it there.

Rabban Yochanan was very astonished at this. Because he had merely said that he would swear to the truth, the pious man who had not robbed or stolen had been punished. How much more so one who swears falsely and profanes the Name of the Holy and Blessed One! That is why the Torah says: “You shall not swear falsely by My Name” (Leviticus 19:12)

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.

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Posted in Faith, justice, language, lashon harah, Spirituality, Stories, Torah, UncategorizedTagged Deuteronomy 6:5, Exodus 23:7, Isaiah 10:14, Jewish Stories, justice, Leviticus 19:12, oath, short Jewish Stories, short storiesLeave a Comment on The Power of Faith and an Oath

Justice, Love and Mercy

Posted on Tuesday, 29, December, 2020Friday, 27, December, 2024 by Rabbi

Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue. (Deuteronomy 16:20)

Justice is not necessarily the law, but the spirit of what is right and wrong, but let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24) Justice evolves and changes as it is applied with faith, values, and passion. True justice is tempered with mercy and love.

Centuries ago, it was known far and wide that a certain leader was the greatest of all the tribes. When power was measured by superior physical strength, the most powerful tribe was the one that had the strongest leader who defined justice for the people.

This tribal leader was especially known for his wisdom. To help his people live safely and peacefully, he carefully established laws and a system of justice guiding every aspect of tribal life. The leader enforced those laws strictly and, long ago, acquired a reputation for uncompromising justice.

In spite of the laws, there were problems. One day it came to the leader’s attention that someone in the tribe was stealing. He called the people together.
“You know that the laws are for your protection, to help you live safely and in peace,” he reminded them, his eyes heavy with sadness because of his love for them. This stealing must stop. We all have what we need. The penalty for the person caught stealing has been increased from ten to twenty lashes from the whip.

Then again, the thief continued to take things that didn’t belong to him, so the leader called all the people together again.

“Please hear me,” he pled with them. “This must stop. It hurts us all and makes us feel bad about each other. The penalty has been increased to thirty lashes.

Still, the stealing continued. The leader gathered the people together once more.

“Please, I’m begging you. For your sake, this has to stop. The pain it is causing among us is too great. The penalty has been increased to forty lashes from the whip.” The people knew of their leader’s great love for them, but only those closest to him saw the single tear make its way slowly down his face as he dismissed the gathering.

Finally, a man came to say the thief had been caught. The word had spread. Everyone had gathered to see who it was, and the thief was dragged through the crowd.

A single gasp raced through the crowd as the thief emerged between two guards. The tribal leader’s face fell in shock and grief. The thief was his very own mother, old and frail.Justice

What will he do? the people wondered aloud, a hushed murmur fanning out. Would he uphold the law or would his love for his mother win over it? The people waited, talking quietly collectively holding their breath.

Finally their leader spoke. “My beloved people.” His voice broke. In little more than a whisper he continued, “It is for our safety and our peace. There must be forty lashes; the pain this crime has caused is too great.” With his nod, the guards led his mother forward. One gently removed her robe to expose a bony and crooked back. The appointed man stepped forward and began to unwind the whip.

At the same moment, the leader stepped forward and removed his robe as well, exposing his broad shoulders, seasoned and solid. Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around his dear mother, shielding her with his own body.

He whispered gently against her cheek as his tears blended with hers. He nodded once more, and the whip came down again and again.

A single moment, yet in that moment, love and justice found an eternal harmony.

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, Love, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, Torah, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Amos 5:24, Deuteronomy 16:20, Honor your Mother, Jewish Stories, justice, Kibbud em, leadership, love, Mercy, Micah 6:8, short Jewish Stories, short storiesLeave a Comment on Justice, Love and Mercy

Fifty Year Old Honey

Posted on Tuesday, 3, March, 2020Wednesday, 30, August, 2023 by Rabbi

Less than a week after the tzaddik Rabbi Levi Yitzchak moved to Berditchev to serve as chief rabbi, three men knocked on his door to ask him to decide a question of Halachah (Jewish law). It would be his very first case as a rabbinical judge in his new position.

A wealthy merchant from the nearby town of Hemelnick had brought several barrels filled with honey to sell at the big fair in Berditchev. Unfortunately, just then, the price of honey dropped sharply. Not wanting to suffer a loss on his investment, he asked a friend to store the honey for him until the price rose again.

The two were old friends, and the local man was happy to help his friend. Knowing each other to be completely honest, they didn’t write down anything of their arrangement or call in witnesses.

Time went by. The price of honey remained low, so the barrels remained in the Berditchev cellar, untouched.

More time went by. The man on whose property the honey was stored became sick and passed away. Everything happened so quickly, he never had a chance to explain to his family anything about the state of his affairs.

More time passed. The price of honey finally began to climb. When the increase became significant, the owner of the barrels showed up at his deceased friend’s house to claim his honey from the sons who had taken over their father’s business. They, however, having heard nothing about it from their father, refused to honor the merchant’s claim. After some discussion, they decided to proceed to the beis din (rabbinical court) to present the case before the new rabbi.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak listened carefully, even though the law in such a case was clear. Of course he would have to rule against the out-of-town merchant. Even if there had been witnesses or a signed document, Torah law stipulates that no claims against “orphans” (i.e., heirs who are disadvantaged by the fact that they have no way of knowing what transpired between the deceased and their litigant) can be collected without first swearing an oath as to the validity of one’s claim; and here there were neither document nor witnesses.

Nevertheless, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak hesitated to pronounce his verdict and finalize the case. Two nagging thoughts disturbed him. Why, in his first days in his new position, did the G-d arrange for his first religious decision to be something so straightforward and clear-cut, with no room to budge left or right to attempt any sort of compromise?

The other thought that made him uncomfortable was: Why did G-d arrange it so that his very first ruling in this town would be considered bizarre by the entire populace? After all, the merchant from Hemelnick was well-known to everyone as a scrupulously honest man, as someone who was already wealthy and as such immune to monetary pressures, and as far from theft as east is from west. Furthermore, everyone knew that the merchant and the deceased were old friends who trusted each other implicitly, never resorting to documents or witnesses in their transactions. Surely, the entire town would be paying attention to the first ruling handed down by their new rabbi. Everyone was sure to wonder: Why should the law of the Torah be so opposite to common sense? “

He couldn’t bring himself to issue the verdict just yet. The contradiction between the natural sense of what was right and the law of the Torah was too great. Even though the claimant and defendants anxiously awaited his word, he asked them to excuse him for a few more minutes. Turning aside to a corner of the room, he poured forth in silent prayer his frustration, beseeching G-d to enlighten him with understanding.

Torah Justice

Suddenly, the owner of the honey jumped off his seat as if struck by a bolt of lightning, and exclaimed: “I remember! I remember!” So struck was he by his recollection, and so convinced of its importance and relevance, he didn’t hesitate to interrupt the Rabbi, who was standing in the corner, absorbed in his personal prayer.

“Honored Rabbi, please forgive me,” he called out excitedly. “While waiting here I had the most amazing realization! An old memory, which I haven’t thought about in many years, just flashed through my mind. Rescued from oblivion! I’m talking about something that happened fifty years ago, when I was just a young lad.

“Our father died suddenly, leaving us a large inheritance. Included in this was a storage room filled with casks of wine and oil.

“One day, the father of these two young men — may his rest be peaceful — came to our home in Hemelnick. He claimed that the wine and oil were his — that he had stored it with our father for safekeeping. My brothers and I were still quite young then, and had never been involved in any of our father’s business affairs. We had no idea what we were supposed to do, but were reluctant to give up the merchandise just like that.

“We all went to the rabbi of the town and presented our case. He ruled in our favor, explaining that nothing can be taken from the inheritance of orphans without absolute proof and an oath. The wine and oil remained in our possession. After a while, we sold the entire lot for a good price.

“What I just realized is that the money we received for that wine and oil is exactly equal to the value of my honey, which is now in the possession of the sons of my departed friend!”

With his apt comparison of the two parallel events fifty years apart, the merchant had conceded his own present case. For the same reason that, as an orphan, he was entitled to keep the wine and oil that long time ago, he had to relinquish his claim on these orphans for his honey today.

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

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 friendship, justice, Other Stories and thoughts, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, Torah, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Berditchev, halachah, honey, justice, orphans, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, Torah, wisdomLeave a Comment on Fifty Year Old Honey

The Case of the Stolen Necklace

Posted on Wednesday, 29, January, 2020Friday, 28, March, 2025 by Rabbi

There was a Jewish merchant in Cordova named Yaakov haJoyero. He was honest and good to all he met. He studied the Holy Books and made time for prayer every day. One day, there was entrusted to him a necklace of fine gemstones and precious pearls to be sold for five hundred pieces of gold.

He was walking by the way, carrying the necklace in his hand, when he was met by a nobleman, who was one of the king’s favorites. The nobleman called to him: “Yaakov, what type of necklace is that?” He answered, “My lord, it is entrusted to my hand to be sold.”

“And for how much will you sell it for?” “The price is five hundred pieces of gold,” Yaakov replied.

The nobleman asked, “Will you sell it for four?” Yaakov answered, “I cannot, for its owner instructed me not to accept less than five hundred pieces of gold.”

The nobleman thought for a moment and then said, “Take it then to my house, and if it pleases my lady, I will buy it.” So, Yaakov haJoyero went with the nobleman until they reached the gate of his house. The nobleman instructed, “Stand here until I bring out to you either the money or the necklace.” The nobleman entered his house and shut the door behind him. Yaakov haJoyero waited until evening, but no one came out of the door of the house.

“When the sun set, Yaakov left the nobleman’s house and went to his home full of sadness and anger. Sorrow oppressed his heart and wounded it. He lay down on the ground and did not eat. No one in his family ate that night. He did not change his clothes, nor did he close his weary eyes. He tossed and turned all night.

In the morning, he arose and went to the nobleman’s house, but he had left his house for the day. He wandered the market, saw the nobleman, and ran to meet him.

Yaakov haJoyero confronted him and demanded, “My lord, buy the necklace if you will, or else return it, and I will sell it to another.” The nobleman answered, “Of what necklace do you speak? Have you by chance dreamt of such a necklace?” Yaakov said, “The necklace of fine gemstones and pearls which you took from my hand yesterday.”

“You are mad, afflicted with some evil spirit,” said the nobleman. “By my life and the life of the king, were I not noble born, I would take your head from your shoulders. Then I would trample in your blood.” When Yaakov heard the anger and hardness of the nobleman’s words, he became so fearful that he turned and ran away. The nobleman glared at him with anger and hatred until he disappeared from sight.

Leviticus 19: 11

“He went to the house of the dayan (the judge), and when the dayan looked at him saw that sorrow had bitten into him with its fangs. He saw his appearance, and his face was dark because of his sadness.

The dayan addressed him, “What bothers you so much that you are so downcast? Have you been badly abused?” Yaakov replied, “My lord, I am in a very bad way. I am afraid to tell you about it out of fear that you might not believe what I have to tell.” The judge gently answered, “Take a deep breath and tell me what is bothering you. Your words are true in my sight as I know you to be honest and faithful in all you do.”

So Yaakov told the judge everything that had happened to him related to the necklace. He then asked that the judge be lenient with him. The judge reassured Yaakov, “Remove anger from your heart and put away your sadness. Don’t tremble nor groan from your pain, for I will restore the necklace to you.”

“And it came to pass on the next day that he summoned all the great men of the city, its elders, and wise men, and sages, to come to the place of judgment. For it was his practice to occasionally to gather the wise men and to speak with them of justice. So they all came to his house, to listen to the words of his understanding and his wisdom. But as they came the judge said to his servant: “When the nobleman comes, take his shoe and go to his house and say to his wife, ‘My lord, your husband sent me to you to retrieve the necklace which he bought yesterday or the day before because he would like to show others its great beauty. As a sign that this is his wish, he has given me his shoe to show you.’ “

When the woman saw her husband’s shoe she gave the necklace to the servant of the judge. He quickly brought it to his master and hid it in his coat until the wise men left the place of judgment. When they left, his master asked him, “Have you brought the necklace?” “’I have it in my coat,” he answered and gave it to the judge. Then the judge sent for Yaakov haJoyero and said to him, “Be calmed, and do not worry any longer, for I have returned to you the necklace. I have removed it from the nobleman’s house that which he had stolen.” When the merchant saw the necklace he kissed the judge’s hand and blessed him and carried it to his house joyful and glad at heart.

Sefer Sha’ashu’im – 12th Century Spain

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.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Faith, justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Cordova, fairness, honest, judge, justice, justice story, Leviticus 19:11, short stories, wisdom, wisdom taleLeave a Comment on The Case of the Stolen Necklace

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