A Matter of Perspective

Posted on Tuesday, 22, November, 2022Thursday, 7, September, 2023 by Rabbi

One day a rich man received a letter from his son who was studying in another city. Being occupied, he asked his secretary to read it to him. The secretary, who was in a bad mood, read in a disagreeable irritable way, “Father! Send me some money right away. I need a new pair of shoes and a coat.”

When the father heard what his son had written, he cried out, “That insolent ingrate! How dare he write in such a disrespectful manner to his own father! He won’t get one copper coin from me!”

A little later, when the secretary had gone away, his wife entered. “Just see what kind of letter our precious son writes!” the aggrieved father remarked, handing his wife the letter.

When she saw her son’s handwriting her mother’s heart melted, and she began to read the letter aloud in the tender, supplicating voice she used at prayer, “Father! Send me some money right away. I need a new pair of shoes and a coat.”

“Well! That’s different!” cried the father. “Now he’s asking like a gentleman!

I’ll send him the money right away.”

People strive to learn and live according to Torah. Speech is a true test of a person’s feelings. It is taught that is acquired and learned “By study, Attentive listening, Proper speech, By an understanding heart” (Pirkei Avos 6:6)

The way a message is received can affect a person’s perspective and color their responses.

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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Prayers or Slander

Posted on Tuesday, 22, June, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A young boy loved to learn and was always trying to improve his everyday behavior. He was very enthusiastic in prayer and devotion. One night was learning with his father from the Holy Books in the House of Study. The young boy was so excited to study with his father he lost track of the time.

The father-son study was interrupted by the loud snores of sleeping men. The boy asked his father, “it says ‘Be strong as a leopard, and swift as an eagle, and fleet as a gazelle, and brave as a lion, to do the will of your Father who is in heaven.’ (Pirkei Avos 5:20) How can they just sleep in such a holy place?”

His father thought for a moment or two and then explained to his son. “Strong like the leopard means that one must not be ashamed by people who mock their service to the Holy One, blessed be He. Quick like the gazelle refers to the legs, that your legs should run toward good. And mighty like a lion refers to the heart, for strength in the service of the Holy One, blessed be He which resides in the heart. (based on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:3)

Lashon hara

It seemed like most of the people in the House of Study had fallen asleep and the young boy said, “So very few of these sleepers opens his eyes or raises his head to study and pray. You would think that they were without any respect for holy things or behavior.”

“My son, these men work hard each day and their sleep is a blessing for are we not taught, ‘the sleep of the laborer is sweet’ (Ecclesiastes 5: 11) with all your learning you should has remembered to ‘Cast no aspersion on whom the Torah shielded’ (Shabbos 96b) We should always give others the benefit of the doubt.”

The father then sadly replied, “My beloved son, I would rather you too were asleep like them instead of slandering.”

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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An Open Gate, the World to Come and Speech

Posted on Tuesday, 13, April, 2021Tuesday, 24, October, 2023 by Rabbi

“Who left the garden gate open?” shouted the villager as he entered his cottage, “Those blasted goats have been at the vegetables again. It’s had enough that they jump over the wall every once in a while and do their damage. How many times do I have to warn you to keep the gate closed or we won’t have any garden left.”

His frightened family promised to follow this rule in the future and for a few days everything went well. But one day one of the children, in a hurry to join his friends, forgot to shut the gate. Some neighborhood hogs entered the garden and pulled out all the vegetables with their roots. When the villager returned home and saw what had happened he became furious. “That’s the last straw. We need vegetables from our garden in order to have enough food to eat, I see that I can’t rely on my family to keep the garden gate shut so I am going to wall up the gate opening so that those hogs will never get in again to destroy my garden.” “But Father,” asked one of his children, “how will we get in and out of the house if there is no gate?” “I am sorry,” was the reply, “but we still just have to climb over the wall each time.”

“But won’t it look ridiculous climbing over a wall every time you enter or leave home?” “It’s better to look e little ridiculous,” replied the father, “than to go hungry.”

Lashon Hara

A person’s lips are the gate for his tongue, whenever there is a temptation to speak evil gossip or make fun of somebody the gate must be closed so that the hogs don’t enter.” But if a person sees that he surrenders to the temptation of misusing his power of speech then he must sometimes wall up the gate by periodical exercises in silence. He may seem ridiculous to others as he tries in get along without speaking but if this is the only way to save himself from the terrible sins of a careless tongue then it is better to look silly in this world than to be ashamed in the World to Come. (Who Wants Life) (think before speaking)

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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Loshon hara – A Salty Conversation

Posted on Friday, 19, February, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham once set out together on a journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a faraway country. They traveled to many places and were welcomed with much respect and honor.

In one village they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of kashrus (kosher). They were seated at a special table set with a linen tablecloth and fine dishes, for the woman who owned the inn recognized them to be learned and holy rabbis.

She had them served promptly, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ Chacham replied, ” but the pea soup could have used more salt.”

When the woman left the dining room, Tam turned white. “I can’t believe what you have just done. Every day I try to avoid speaking or listening to loshon hara (unkind speech) and now the Holy One, blessed be He caused me to travel with you. I regret that I came here with you and I am convinced that the purpose of our trip is not for a holy purpose after all. Otherwise this would not have happened.”

Seeing Tam’s reaction, Chacham became confused and upset. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he asked. “I said that the food was good — I only added that the pea soup needed some salt.”

“You simply don’t realize the power of words.” Tam Sadly said. “Our hostess probably doesn’t do her own cooking. Her cook could well be a poor widow who needs this job to support her children. Now, because of what you said, the owner will go back to the kitchen and complain to the cook that the soup didn’t have enough salt. In self defense the poor widow will deny it and will say, “Of course I put enough salt in the soup. I even tasted it before you served it.”

“The owner will then accuse her of lying and say, “Do you think that the rabbis out there are liars? You are the one who is lying!” They will argue, strong words will lead to even stronger words and the owner will get so angry that she will fire the poor cook. The woman will then be out of a job. Look how many aveiros (sins) you caused:

You spoke loshon hara;
you caused the owner and myself to listen to loshon hara;
you caused the owner to repeat the loshon hara and that is the sin of rechilus (gossip);
you caused the cook to lie;
because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and
you caused an argument, another Torah violation.”

Chacham smiled at Tam and said softly and respectfully, “Tam, my friend, certainly things are not as grim as you believe. Maybe, you are exaggerating a little. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

Tam reminded Chacham, “We learn that ‘You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is of your brothers, or of your strangers who are in your land inside your gates.’ (Deuteronomy 24:14) “If you really believe that I have overstated the situation,” answered Tam as he stood up, “let’s go to the kitchen and see for ourselves.”

As they opened the door to the kitchen, they saw that the owner was indeed scolding the cook as the poor woman stood wiping the tears from her eyes. When Chacham saw what was happening he became pale and ran over to the cook, begged forgiveness and apologized profusely for any harm or distress he may have caused her. He pleaded with the owner to forgive and forget the incident and begged her to let the woman stay on the job. He even offered to pay her to keep the cook.

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to fulfill Chacham’s request. “Of course, of course,^“ she said hastily. “I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

Lashon hara

Split Pea Soup

6 cups broth or water		1 teaspoon dried basil
1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed		1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 medium onions, chopped		1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4-6 tablespoons margarine or oil		1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 cup grated carrots		1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt		2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper		grated carrots and/or sliced scallions, for garnish

Directions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté chopped onions and garlic in margarine or oil until translucent. Add spices and continue sautéing until fragrant. Add split peas and sauté for 5 minutes – stir frequently to avoid sticking.

Slowly add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add salt and pepper; If desired, garnish with grated carrots and green onions.

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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Honesty and Lashon Hara

Posted on Wednesday, 4, September, 2019Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Managing a house can be very challenging. It happened that a husband wanted to ease the stress on his wife and so they decided to hire domestic to help with the needs of the home.

After many interviews, Rahima, a woman with an excellent reputation in the neighborhood was hired. Rahima seemed to be a perfect match to the needs of the wife. After speaking to her for a few moments, it was obvious that Rahima was just the person to relieve the overworked wife.

Everything was going very well until a neighbor, Yente Feiga, planted the seeds of distrust by mentioning that Rahima was Mizrachi – more Arab than Jewish.

Yente Feiga came to the house one morning and found Rahima briskly pushing a broom. “If a woman like Rahima agrees to work for you, she certainly does not do it for the sake of the meager salary you pay her.”

“So what else would she want?”

“You know how Arabs are. They steal!”

The husband and wife strongly rejected this baseless slander. Rahima would never do such a thing. A few days later, the wife noticed that while sweeping the floor, Rahima never looked her in the eye and the woman’s dress had very large pockets pockets.

As the days went by, the husband and wife carefully watched Rahima and noticed that as she was cleaning our silverware she seemed to smile. The suspicious signs grew in number. Tension mounted and became unbearable. The couple thought about calling the police.

The wife realized that so far all the “evidence” against Rahima was circumstantial. Yente Feiga offered her advice.

“You must trip her up. I told you her kind cannot be trusted.” Now listen carefully, “Hide something, for instance a bank note, somewhere in the house, and if she finds and does not return it, you can have her arrested.”

Next day the couple set the trap. After careful thought, they decided to hide a five-pound note under a rug.

When the husband and wife returned from the market that afternoon, Rahima met them,

“Shalom I found ten pounds under the rug while I was cleaning…”

The couple were ashamed and began to argue, “In fact I have always trusted our Rahima,” the wife said. “I knew you were wrong when you stubbornly insisted that such an honest woman could bring it upon herself to steal.”

“Oh, so it was I who said that she stole!” the husband shouted. “That’s a fine thing to say! For the past two days I have tried to protect this fine woman against your slanderous insinuations.”

“Hahaha. You’ve got to be joking.”

“So I am funny, what?”

“I lost my temper, but maybe you could tell me why you hid a ten-pound note under the rug, when we had agreed on a five-pound one? Had Rahima pinched the money—which naturally was out of the question—we would needlessly have lost five pounds.”

The couple did not speak to one another for hours.

When Rahima had finished her day’s work, she came to say good night.

“Good night, Rahima,” the wife said warmly. “Don’t be late tomorrow.”

“All right,” the domestic replied. “Is there anything madam wishes to give me?”

“Give you something? No, Rahima, I don’t think so.”

This answer sparked the neighborhood’s noisiest brawl in two thousand years.

“So madam does not want to give me anything!” Rahima shrieked, and her eyes spurted fire and brimstone. “And what about my money? Hey? You know only too well that you put a five-pound note under the rug, so that I should steal it!”

The wife changed color and the husband hung his head in shame. .

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Rahima became impatient. “Perhaps you want to keep my money?”

“Sorry, ma’am.” The husband answered filled with shame. “Here are your five pounds, ma’am.”

Rahima grabbed the five pounds out of his hand and put them into one of her large pockets.

“It goes without saying,” she added, “that I won’t work in a house where they steal. Luckily I found out in time. . . . One can’t trust anybody nowadays. . . . Terrible.”

The husband and wife never saw her again, and the worst part of the affair is that Yente Feiga spread the rumor all over the neighborhood that they tried to rob a poor woman.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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A Workman’s Tools

Posted on Wednesday, 28, August, 2019Tuesday, 25, June, 2024 by Rabbi

Every craftsman has his own tools of the trade: the carpenter, his saw, chisel, and hammer; the painter, his paints and brushes; the tailor, his scissors, tape measure, and needles. Without tools, even the best craftsman cannot produce a thing.

The tool of trade for a person is their speech. Through words, a person can build whole worlds! Through prayer and Torah (Scripture) study, he can create angels and work wonders.

No artist or craftsman would dream of damaging or misusing their tools. Each keeps them in excellent working condition and does not use them for any other purpose. A tailor would not dream of cutting paper with his scissors, and a carpenter would never use his hammer and chisel to cut stone. Sadly, people often willfully damage the tools of their trade, their power of speech.

How does this happen? — through forbidden speech. A person misuses his tongue when he speaks and uses profanity, gossip, or insults a person. The sages of old taught that “a man accustomed to disgraceful speech will never learn wisdom.” (ben Sira 23:15). In effect, he is ruining his own work tool, his power of speech.

How can a person safeguard this precious tool?

First, one should “put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” (Proverbs 4:24) The next step is to work to “accustom yourself to always speak all of your words calmly, to every man and at every time.” (Iggeres haRamban.1168 ce) Consider the words of the sage “Before I speak I am master of the word, after I speak, the word is master of me”. (Mibhar haPeninim #338 c.1050 ce)

Remember that by using speech only for things of holiness — Torah (Scripture), prayer, and deeds of kindness that involve speech — one can change the world. Holy speech brings divine life force into the world. When a person speaks good words, the speech, which is the life force of a person and the life force from the Holy One, blessed be He, rises up and arouses the supernal words.

On the verse: “Then the L-rd, G-d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7), the Targum Onkelos translates: “and man became a ‘speaking spirit.'” A person’s speech is an expression of the very soul that G-d breathes into him.

In a certain city, a carpenter who was well-known for his fine craftsmanship lived. Merchants, noblemen, and other wealthy people visited him regularly, asking him to build fine furniture for them. The carpenter never disappointed anyone. Time and time again, he consistently created beautiful cabinets and graceful bookcases that were amazing to look at. His fame as a craftsman spread throughout the land until word of his skills reached the king.

The king summoned the carpenter and told him that he would be employed in the king’s palace from then on. He would be personally responsible for building furniture for the royal family. The king invited him to live in special quarters and assured the carpenter that he would provide for both him and his family. In addition, he would pay the carpenter handsomely, guaranteeing him a generous monthly salary.

Excited, the carpenter packed up his tools, family, and belongings and moved into his new home, palace grounds.

Some time afterwards, the carpenter became sick and lost his eyesight, leaving him unable to work. He went to many doctors, and they gave him all kinds of medicines. The treatments slowly took effect, but after spending so much money on the doctors, he was in time left penniless.

The carpenter needed more medication but was unable to pay for it. His wife suggested that he sell his tools to buy the medicines that he needed.

“Absolutely not!” shouted the carpenter. “I may not presently be able to work, but the king, nonetheless, acts kindly towards me and displays understanding for my situation as he realizes that I will soon be able to work again. However, if I sell my tools, it is a sign that I am no longer a carpenter.., What will I do then?”

The same thing applies to the tools a person has – their speech. Through words, a person can build whole worlds!

While we may no longer serve the Holy One, blessed be he in the ways of earlier generations, we nevertheless trust in Him with all our hearts – for the divine essence is within each person.

The opportunity to clean our tools and re-calibrate them is always possible. The world can be changed by speech. It can be used so that the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the L-rd and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) will be realized.

May we see this in our lifetime.

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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The Jewel of Speech

Posted on Saturday, 3, November, 2018Wednesday, 29, November, 2023 by Rabbi

There is gold and an abundance of costly stones, but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel. (Proverbs 20:15)

A poor man was gathering sticks in the forest to sell in the village. He walked along and his eyes showed misery and suffering. He came to an uprooted tree when something caught his eye. Something shined on the ground. He walked over and bent down to see what it was. There lay a large jewel sparkling in front of him. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, and knew in his heart that it must be worth a great deal of money.

He put it in his pocket and went home to show it to his wife. His wife agreed that it must be very valuable, but they could not imagine how much it was worth. Everyone he showed the jewel to was amazed by its beauty, but no one knew its true value. No jeweler was prepared to buy it either, for each one said that it was worth far more than he could pay.

The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and traveled all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “this stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts; and money and invited him to his court. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The power and value of speech is often beyond measure. A person who uses his gift of speech for what it was created possesses a very precious gem. Such speech enhances the word and action of Torah (Scriptures) It reveals the holiness and spirituality of the everything around us, and in that way, such speech has value beyond imagination.

By studying the Holy Books and then putting the lessons of faith into practice it raises the level of holiness and spirituality of life. Most people lack the deep piety found in great religious leaders and teachers of the past, but that the world is improved by the positive speech of everyday people. They are a treasure whose value no one can rightly estimate or appreciate!

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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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

ST15 The Students Who Wanted to See Moshiach (Messiah)

Posted on Wednesday, 10, October, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to the short story, The Students Who Wanted to See Moshiach (Messiah), about how words and pride can prevent the coming of the Messiah

There are many meanings to this spiritual story. Please share your thoughts and comments here or on the new Spiritual Storytelling Reddit Page

To read this story please click

The Students Who Wanted to See Moshiach (Messiah)

When the father heard what his son had written, he cried out, “That insolent ingrate! How dare he write in such a disrespectful manner to his own father! He won’t get one copper coin from me!”

A little later, when the secretary had gone away, his wife entered. “Just see what kind of letter our precious son writes!” the aggrieved father remarked, handing his wife the letter.

When she saw her son’s handwriting her mother’s heart melted, and she began to read the letter aloud in the tender, supplicating voice she used at prayer, “Father! Send me some money right away. I need a new pair of shoes and a coat.”

“Well! That’s different!” cried the father. “Now he’s asking like a gentleman!

I’ll send him the money right away.”

People strive to learn and live according to Torah. Speech is a true test of a person’s feelings. It is taught that is acquired and learned “By study, Attentive listening, Proper speech, By an understanding heart” (Pirkei Avos 6:6)

The way a message is received can affect a person’s perspective and color their responses.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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A young boy loved to learn and was always trying to improve his everyday behavior. He was very enthusiastic in prayer and devotion. One night was learning with his father from the Holy Books in the House of Study. The young boy was so excited to study with his father he lost track of the time.

It seemed like most of the people in the House of Study had fallen asleep and the young boy said, “So very few of these sleepers opens his eyes or raises his head to study and pray. You would think that they were without any respect for holy things or behavior.”

The father then sadly replied, “My beloved son, I would rather you too were asleep like them instead of slandering.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

“But won’t it look ridiculous climbing over a wall every time you enter or leave home?” “It’s better to look e little ridiculous,” replied the father, “than to go hungry.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Tam and Chacham once set out together on a journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a faraway country. They traveled to many places and were welcomed with much respect and honor.

In one village they stopped at an inn known for its high stan­dards of kashrus (kosher). They were seated at a special table set with a linen tablecloth and fine dishes, for the woman who owned the inn recognized them to be learned and holy rabbis.

She had them served promptly, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ Chacham replied, ” but the pea soup could have used more salt.”

Seeing Tam’s reaction, Chacham became confused and upset. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he asked. “I said that the food was good — I only added that the pea soup needed some salt.”

You spoke loshon hara;

you caused the owner and myself to listen to loshon hara;

you caused the owner to repeat the loshon hara and that is the sin of rechilus (gossip);

you caused the cook to lie;

because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and

you caused an argument, another Torah violation.”

Chacham smiled at Tam and said softly and respectfully, “Tam, my friend, certainly things are not as grim as you believe. Maybe, you are exag­gerating a little. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to fulfill Chacham’s request. “Of course, of course,“ she said hastily. “I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

Split Pea Soup

6 cups broth or water

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 medium onions, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

4-6 tablespoons margarine or oil

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/2 cup grated carrots

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon pepper

grated carrots and/or sliced scallions, for garnish

Directions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté chopped onions and garlic in margarine or oil until translucent. Add spices and continue sautéing until fragrant. Add split peas and sauté for 5 minutes – stir frequently to avoid sticking.

Slowly add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add salt and pepper; If desired, garnish with grated carrots and green onions.

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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Managing a house can be very challenging. It happened that a husband wanted to ease the stress on his wife and so they decided to hire domestic to help with the needs of the home.

After many interviews, Rahima, a woman with an excellent reputation in the neighborhood was hired. Rahima seemed to be a perfect match to the needs of the wife. After speaking to her for a few moments, it was obvious that Rahima was just the person to relieve the overworked wife.

Everything was going very well until a neighbor, Yente Feiga, planted the seeds of distrust by mentioning that Rahima was Mizrachi – more Arab than Jewish.

Yente Feiga came to the house one morning and found Rahima briskly pushing a broom. “If a woman like Rahima agrees to work for you, she certainly does not do it for the sake of the meager salary you pay her.”

“So what else would she want?”

“You know how Arabs are. They steal!”

The husband and wife strongly rejected this baseless slander. Rahima would never do such a thing. A few days later, the wife noticed that while sweeping the floor, Rahima never looked her in the eye and the woman’s dress had very large pockets pockets.

As the days went by, the husband and wife carefully watched Rahima and noticed that as she was cleaning our silverware she seemed to smile. The suspicious signs grew in number. Tension mounted and became unbearable. The couple thought about calling the police.

The wife realized that so far all the “evidence” against Rahima was circumstantial. Yente Feiga offered her advice.

“You must trip her up. I told you her kind cannot be trusted.” Now listen carefully, “Hide something, for instance a bank note, somewhere in the house, and if she finds and does not return it, you can have her arrested.”

Next day the couple set the trap. After careful thought, they decided to hide a five-pound note under a rug.

When the husband and wife returned from the market that afternoon, Rahima met them,

“Shalom I found ten pounds under the rug while I was cleaning…”

In one village they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of kashrus (kosher). They were seated at a special table set with a linen tablecloth and fine dishes, for the woman who owned the inn recognized them to be learned and holy rabbis.

Chacham smiled at Tam and said softly and respectfully, “Tam, my friend, certainly things are not as grim as you believe. Maybe, you are exaggerating a little. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to fulfill Chacham’s request. “Of course, of course,^“ she said hastily. “I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”