Who Was to Blame?

Posted on Wednesday, 21, July, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is said that King Solomon was so wise he could speak and understand the languages of all the animals. To set an example for people, he decreed there should be peace among the beasts.

Death! Death! Death to the slayer! Death to the slayer!” Otter cried. It’s the fault of Weasel my children died. I came out of the water with their food and found that Weasel had trampled my children dead on the ground! He broke the vow of peace, agreed among the beasts. Peace is dead and death instead reigns without cease. I want justice.”

When the animals heard what Weasel had done to Otter’s children, their outcry was immediate.

“Bring Weasel to the king!” cried the other animals.

“Oh King,” said Weasel, “what Otter says is true. But my heart contains no malice when I do the things I do. I heard Woodpecker drum a call to arms. I never meant to do Otter any harm. The drums…they thrilled me to the core and I trampled her children as I marched to war.”

“Then bring Woodpecker before me,” said the king.

“Oh, King,” said Woodpecker, “be not alarmed! I sounded the drums but I meant no harm. I saw Scorpion sharpening her sting. It frightened me

so that I let the drums ring.”

“Then bring Scorpion before me,” said the king.

Into the throne room came Scorpion holding her poison sting high above her head and she said, “King, I made no offense. I sharpened my sting in my own defense. I saw Turtle climbing into her armor. So I prepared to defend myself, but I meant not to harm her.”

“Oh, King,” said Turtle, “my armor is strong. I am soft and slow so I climbed into my armor for safety but I meant no wrong.

I saw Crab with angry claws, she was charging across the ocean floors!”

Into the throne room came Crab with tears in her eyes and claws outstretched she said, “Yes, I confess. Yes I confess. It’s true what she saw. With angry claws I did charge to war after I saw the lobster swinging its great spear.”

King Solomon commanded that the lobster to be brought, and he accused it, saying:

“Why did you swing your mighty spear?” The lobster with great fear answered: “Because I saw the otter going down into the water to devour my children.”

“Well,” said King Solomon turning once again to Otter, “Otter, you’re the one who cries ‘Justice be done,’ when Otter, you’re to blame!”

“One who sows the seeds of death shall reap the same.”

Let there be justice for all and peace is sure to follow

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

Susan and the Fruit Seller

Posted on Tuesday, 27, October, 2020Tuesday, 12, March, 2024 by Rabbi

So many people today search for meaning in the world. Sadly, too many feel betrayed by faith and really question the validity of age old beliefs. In the hopes of finding spirituality or holiness, many turn to mysticism. People become lost in the lofty ideas and practice of the mystical teachings without realizing that everyday life is filled with the light of holiness and meaning. There are times when people open themselves to their souls, to the Holy One, blessed be He and reveal the holiness that surrounds us.

A young woman named Susan was trying to rediscover her faith through intensive study of the Holy books and mysticism. After one class, she listened to a simple story about the importance of greeting people. The discussion centered around the teaching, “Be first to greet everyone, whatever their faith.” (Pirkei Avos 4:15) Who would have thought that greeting another person was such a powerful act of faith that the ancient sages taught, “To welcome another person is to welcome the Shechinah (Divine Presence).” (Mekilta Shemos 18:12) After some thought, Susan shared something that had happened to her earlier that day.

Susan, who is a lawyer, sees that people have very little interaction with one another. They seem to always be preoccupied with their own lives. She decided she did not want to live that way and tried to be open and friendly whenever possible, as part of her spiritual practice. Every day on the way to her office, she would pass a fruit stand, and although she never bought any fruit, she always made it a point to say hello to the fruit seller.

While she on her way to her office earlier that day, she was thinking about her spiritual life and became discouraged, thinking that she had accomplished very little. As she approached the fruit stand, she realized she had forgotten her lunch and decided to buy something.

She selected an orange and then took out her wallet to pay, but the seller said, “Oh, no! I’m not going to take money from you. Every day you say hello to me, and I feel so good, it makes my day. Please take this fruit as a gift.”

Susan was so moved by the man’s gesture but also by the Divine intervention: that the moment when she had felt discouraged about her spiritual life—and thinking she was not making any progress at all — the Holy One, blessed be He had given her a clear sign: “Don’t be discouraged, Susan! You are accomplishing something for yourself and for others!”

She explained that she realized from this incident that it takes very little to make a difference in the world by lifting someone’s else’s spirits— a simple greeting can be so important.

About a week later, Susan was shocked when she went to the fruit stand to buy some fruit for her lunch, but changed her mind at the last minute. But as she walked by, the fruit seller, he had an orange already in a bag and gave it to her with a big smile. She was so touched that she began to cry because that simple gesture touched her so deeply.

Susan was so profoundly touched, that in a world so filled with mistrust and fear, a simple greeting could make a deep impression. She realized that belief and faith is not found in mysticism, but in the everyday living and interactions. A greeting can create moments of giving and taking, of being sincere and open to the world are the very meaning of life.

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

To Whom Does the Land Belong

Posted on Monday, 13, July, 2020Tuesday, 19, March, 2024 by Rabbi

It was a beautiful spot by the forest. The breeze would rustle the leaves of the nearby trees and the stream gently gurgled. One could just stand and sense the peace surrounding the area.

Two very powerful men in the village argued over who actually owned the land. Each one wanted to expand their business and made plans to build on the small plot of land. Neither of them had sufficient proof that the land was his, so they decided to take their dispute to the holy rabbi of the village. The rabbi listened carefully to their many arguments and tried hard to a fair compromise. Sadly, neither party wished to yield to type of mediation, insisting instead that the holy rabbi apply the letter of the law.

The rabbi was upset by their stubbornness and pettiness, and tried to impress upon them that earthly possessions are after all only temporary, and that a small plot of land is hardly worth the animosity they were generating. However. the two turned a deaf ear to his pleas.

The rabbi then related the Midrash that when the Israelites came to the Land of Canaan and it was portioned among the twelve tribes, the division was accomplished by casting lots, and the validity of the lot was confirmed by a Bas Kol (Heavenly voice) which affirmed to which tribe each piece of land belonged. The holy rabbi suggested that since there was not enough evidence to rule on, the two parties should rely on a Divine revelation. “Let the land speak for itself,” he said with as much authority as he could muster. The two embattled litigants agreed.

The rabbi and the two parties then went to the site. Very impressively, the rabbi bent over and spoke to the earth, “I command you to tell me to which of these two people you really belong.” He put his ear to the ground and listened, then arose slowly. With a somber look and a foreboding tone, he shared what he heard. “The earth says it belongs to neither of you, but that you belong to it, because it will eventually claim both of you.”

The two angry men immediately understood, and with shivers, agreed to work together. They built some benches and put up a sign for everyone to see who visited that beautiful spot by the forest. The sign said, “Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them close to faith.” “(Pirkei Avos 1:12). The path through that piece of land carried the hopes of those two powerful men – that all who walked that path would come to peace.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Palace and the Pigeons

Posted on Sunday, 4, February, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a king who was loved by all the people in his kingdom. There was peace and the people lived well. Then one terrible day the dark skies and fury of war came to the kingdom, even to the capital city. The palace was destroyed and ransacked by enemies.

The king walked through the ruins of the palace. For the wood and stone of the palace he had no tears. But for the loss of the crown jewels and family heirlooms, passed down for many generations, there was no way to comfort the king.

The king gathered his wise men, but not any of them could offer advice to comfort the king. The jewels were scattered to the farthest points of the kingdom and to many other lands. The most precious of jewels and family heirlooms were taken across the seas to the farthest reaches of the world. Now the king’s daughter was very dear to him. In her wisdom she set about to gather all that was lost to the king.

So the king and his daughter gathered and trained pigeons to return to the palace, to recognize the crown jewels and carry them back on their journey. Each day they would release the pigeons in the vast fields surrounding the palace, and some would discover the jewels and family heirlooms scattered about and return them to their home. The king was glad and smiled at his daughter.

Then the king’s daughter sent them further away, and again they returned, carrying a few more of the precious things that her father had lost. As far away as they were sent, the pigeons quickly returned.

Now the most valuable jewels, those in the most distant lands and most hidden places had not yet been recovered. The pigeons did not venture far enough to find them—they were too eager to return home.

The king’s daughter knew what must be done, but she could not tell her father, for it was too hard, too dangerous, too awful. The king looked into her eyes and he knew. He destroyed his palace once again, leveling it to the ground, removing its every trace. When the pigeons attempted to return, they found nothing. Just an empty pasture with scattered stones and smoldering wood. They were hungry for their food and sick for their home.

Until the most adventurous of the pigeons traveled to the farthest lands and found other palaces, did they find hidden the king’s most precious jewels, They gathered them and polished them and kept them in their wings. And at night they cried, for they knew this was not their home.

They patiently wait for the day they can return to their beloved home.

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

A Mess and Shalom Bayis

Posted on Wednesday, 8, November, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Jewish people from the time of antiquity have held an ideal standard for Jewish family life that is expressed in the term shalom bayis – Peace in the Home. Shalom bayis implies completeness, wholeness, and fulfillment. In this way, the traditional Jewish marriage is characterized by peace, nurturing, respect, and chesed (loving-kindness), through which a married couple becomes complete. It is believed that The Holy One, blessed be He’s presence dwells in a pure and loving home. (Sotah 17a)

A husband once came to a holy rabbi and told him that he was very angry at his wife and they had been arguing terribly. The holy rabbi thoughtfully asked the young man: “What had your wife done to get you so upset?”

“Every time I come home from work or learning,” the young man began, “I find the floor littered with things like toys, clothing, socks, you name it. These things belong in closets and drawers, not on the floor.”

The young man explained that he had always been an orderly person, and the mess was very annoying to him. “No matter what I tell my wife, it doesn’t help,” he said in frustration.

The holy rabbi thought for a moment or two and then answered the young man:

“Unfortunately, I have to tell you that you are like the people who complained about the manna in the desert. About people like you the Holy One, blessed be He cries, ‘See, you who come into the world, what My children complain about.’ The reason your house is a mess, with objects strewn all over the floor, is because the Holy One, blessed be He granted you children. Go into the home of a couple that does not yet have children, and you will see that everything is clean and in order. Everything is in its proper place. If the floor is washed once at the beginning of the week, it stays clean until the end of the week.”

“If your house is a mess, it’s because of the great chesed (loving-kindness) and mercy that the Holy One, blessed be He did for you. And that’s what you’re complaining about?”

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)

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

Matzah and Shalom Bayis (Peace in the Family)

Posted on Tuesday, 19, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The rabbi’s wife was busy in the kitchen with all the last-minute preparations for the Seder, when there was a knock at the door. A young girl who was helping in the rabbi’s house prepare for the Seder, as Pesach (Passover) was always special with the holy rabbi, answered the knock at the door. Someone had come to the home of the holy rabbi with a request for matzah for the seder. Seeing a stack of matzos wrapped up in a napkin, the young girl who opened the door innocently gave them away and hurried back to work. Puffing and steaming, the rabbi’s wife came along soon after and saw that the matzos had vanished. She was shocked, these were none other than the select matzos which had been baked that same day with holy intentions, and with all manner of careful precautions against chametz, were baked for the holy rabbi’s Seder, it was too late to undo. She felt her heart sag within her. How could she tell her husband of the mishap and cause him spiritual anguish? There was only one thing to do. She took a bundle of plain, ordinary matzos, deftly wrapped them up in the very same napkin, and pretended to know nothing of the whole affair. That same evening, her husband conducted the Seder with the ordinary matzos.

Soon after the festival was over, the holy rabbi was visited by a couple seeking a divorce.

“What makes you want to divorce your wife?” he asked the husband.

The young man answered that his wife had refused his request to cook for him during Pesach in separate utensils without shruyah — for it is the custom of certain pious folk to avoid allowing even baked matzah to come in contact with water throughout the festival.

Hearing this, the holy rabbi called for his wife and said, “Tell me the whole truth, please. What kind of matzos were placed before me at the Seder table?”

The rabbi’s wife was afraid to speak up, so she held her peace.

“Do tell me, please,” he reassured her; “have no fear.”

The rabbi’s wife mumbled the truth: “Ordinary matzos, because I did not want to cause you any anguish …” And she proceeded to tell the whole story.

The holy rabbi then turned to the over-zealous young husband standing before him, “Look here, my son,” he said. “On the first night of Pesach I ate plain, ordinary matzah and pretended not to know nor sense the difference, in order that I should not be brought to expressing hard feelings or harsh words, God forbid — and you want to divorce your wife because of shruyah, the way she cooks?!”

The tzaddik then restored harmony between them, and they left him in peace.

As Jewish people all over the world gather for their Seders may they offer up heartfelt prayers for peace

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

The rabbi adds stories to the Story Tour Blog with the hope of strengthening faith and understanding through the many readers and communities. Due to rising expenses and the need to work longer hours and harder, his stories have become less frequent.

What was originally started as a way to share old and forgotten tales of faith costing almost nothing and representing a few hours a week of time commitment evolved into a project demanding a lot of time and expense. The highest cost is the time cost – working on this site many hours a week. This is all very good, and we’re delighted at the steady growth in popularity of the Story Tour Blog, but please don’t let us become victims of our own ‘success’!

No income from the Story Tour Blog has been realized, but expenses have grown such as web-hosting, software and other web-based development costs. Our goal is to raise $5000.00 which would allow us to improve the Story Tour Blog. If you feel you’ve received some value, or would like to help support the site’s ongoing presence, please share. Any donation would be much appreciated and will help to keep the site online and growing.

You can simply send a donation securely and instantly by clicking the link below

Stories Should Never Come To An End Page

The Blessing of a Greeting

Posted on Sunday, 9, August, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The act of saying shalom to another person can be interpreted in a couple of ways. Many believe that by simply saying shalom to another person. We are really asking, “are you at peace? Is everything okay?” By extending the greeting of shalom (peace), one shows empathy and offers the recipient of the greeting the opportunity to speak openly and at times, invent invite them to ask for help. Others believe that by extending the greeting of shalom. There is no question. They believe that we are bringing a blessing down from heaven bless the person with shalom (peace), and in this way, praying that everything should be well with the recipient of the greeting and all those close and dear to them.

Sadly, today most people do not have either of these intentions in mind when they greet one another. Their only intention is to acknowledge that they are aware of the other person’s presence, or to introduce a conversation.

The word “shalom” is a reference to the Holy One, blessed be He and should be taken very seriously. By greeting someone with shalom, one is extending a sincere blessing of peace and also invites blessings from heaven. This is learned from Abraham. When G-d assured him, “I will bless those who bless you.” (Genesis 12:3)

Greeting people with shalom (peace) is an aspect of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The importance of this greeting is further in the words of King David “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14).

Throughout Jewish teachings it is taught that one should do their best to initiate greeting others. The act of extending a friendly, sincere greeting is so important that the rabbis of old taught, “one should act in peace with one’s brothers, relatives, and all others, even non-Jewish people one meets along the way. In this way one will be beloved in Heaven and well liked on Earth.” (Berachos 17a)

The holy rabbi had a habit of taking long walks through the forests near Esztergom (Hungary) where he would study and pray. He was well known to the many people he met by his smile and kindly ways. Everyone he met along his walks he would give a warm greeting. Every morning on his way to the forest he would pass a farm and greet its owner “Jó reggelt kívánok László úr (Good morning Mr. Laszlo).” At first the farmer ignored the rabbi and even turned his back on him, but the rabbi greeted him always with a smile and in a friendly way. One day the farmer returned the rabbi’s greeting with a slight nod of his head. After a time, the farmer would smile and nod at the rabbi, one day Mr. Laszlo asked the rabbi why he always greeted him.

The rabbi explained that the Torah teaches that one is to love your neighbor as yourself. Mr. Laszlo looked at the rabbi quizzically and asked what is Torah. The rabbi answered, “Torah it is the Jewish Scriptures.” The farmer was more confused and responded, “I heard from the priest that Jewish people don’t read the Scriptures and that the Gospel Matthew said that. (Matthew 19:19)” The rabbi patiently explained, “The Torah is older than the Scriptures the priest teaches from, but the teaching can be found in the Book of Leviticus. (Leviticus 19:18)” Mr. Laszlo smiled and extended his hand to the rabbi and said, “I guess I have much to learn.”

Soon many refugees from Bohemia came to Esztergom in those dark days ahead of the Crusaders and the rabbi was not seen by the farmer for many days. The Crusaders were drunk on blood and fell upon any Jewish person they could find. They even attacked the people in Esztergom to rob them of their food and valuables.

The farmer, afraid they might storm the church itself, ran to the church in the center of the town. He met with the priest and asked him if it was a sin to like a Jewish person. The priest explained, “The Jewish people do not share our beliefs, but we are taught by our Holy Scriptures that one of the most important lessons we need to learn is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Why do you ask me this at this time?”

Mr. Laszlo told the priest how the rabbi greeted him each time he walked to the forest. The priest smiled and said, “The rabbi is indeed a holy man and he is here in the church. Would you like me to take you to him?” The farmer was surprised and asked why was the rabbi in the church. The Priest said only two words, “Sicut Judæis” (A papal decree intended to protect the Jewish communities from the excesses of the Crusaders. The Pope emphasized that the Jewish people were entitled to “enjoy their lawful liberty.”) The priest continued, “We will protect them to the best of our ability. Now follow me into the catacombs”

The rabbi was teaching some children when he saw the grim faced priest approach. “Béke legyen veletek (Peace be unto you). Has the time come?” The priest smiled as Mr. Lazslo came from behind his red robes and said, “Good morning rabbi.”

Suddenly there was the sound of shouts and the attack began. The priest and the farmer ran to defend the church, the Jewish people and the holy rabbi hidden in the catacombs beneath the church. As far as the eye could see there were Crusaders who demanded that the priest surrender all the Jewish people within the church walls. “No, they are under my protection!” was the only answer given. The horde pushed forward to storm the church, when a blast from a war horn was heard. For a moment there was silence as the Crusaders believed that more had joined in their attack. A second blast of the war horn was followed by a hail of arrows towards the Crusaders, the army of King Coloman of Hungary had arrived.

The rabbi and the Jewish people of Esztergom were spared from the carnage of the day by a simple greeting, shalom.

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)

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Rabbi and the Sheikh

Posted on Sunday, 29, January, 2012Saturday, 24, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a holy rabbi who lived in the city of Damascus. He was a righteous man, perfect in his faith, and so well versed in all the seven wisdoms that there was no one to compare with him in that generation except a certain Ishmaelite sheikh who had a complete knowledge of the six wisdoms. The Ishmaelite surpassed the wise rabbi in one way: Anyone who had a sick person in his family used to go to the sheikh and beg him to pray for the sick. The sheikh would pray alone for about half an hour and would then say: “This one will live and that one die.” When the holy rabbi heard this, he was astonished and asked: “Can this Ishmaelite sheikh really be more holy and pure than I am, for the Books of Life and Death to be revealed to him? Do I not serve the L-rd and engage in His Holy Word and commandments all day long? Why could not I be like this Ishmaelite?”

So the rabbi called the beadle of the community and charged him: “Go to the sheikh and tell him: The rabbi has heard of your good name and wishes to visit and greet you, if you will permit him.” Now this Ishmaelite was greater than all the princes, and all the great princes used to send him gifts so that they would merit seeing him; they would come and prostrate themselves before him to obtain his blessing, while he never emerged from his palace and never showed himself to the ordinary people at all.

The beadle of the community went to the sheikh and repeated all that the rabbi had said to him, and the sheikh replied: “I have also heard what a wise man your holy rabbi is and wish to see him. Go and tell him that he may certainly come without delay.”

The beadle went back to the holy rabbi and told him the words of the sheikh; and he left to see the sheikh.

As soon as the sheikh saw him, he saw a new friend. The sheikh welcomed the rabbi with much honor and courtesy, gave him a seat and asked about his health. As they spoke, the sheikh asked the rabbi: “I have heard that you are a wise man, do you know anything about mystical wisdom?” The rabbi answered: “The Holy One, blessed be He has granted me a little of that knowledge.” The sheikh and the rabbi shared much wisdom and grew close to one another. They would meet once every week.

When the rabbi visited the sheikh they would speak of matters of wisdom until the sheikh realized that the rabbi was fully versed in all the seven branches of wisdom. Then he requested the rabbi to teach him that branch which he did not know. The rabbi answered: “I shall teach you if you teach me another branch of wisdom.” And the sheikh asked: “Which one is that?”

The rabbi answered: “I refer to your ability to pray for the sick so that the Books of Life and Death are open to you. That is a branch of knowledge I do not possess. If you instruct me concerning this, then I shall teach you the branch of knowledge that is hidden from you.”

The sheikh sadly replied, “You ask something very difficult and I cannot possibly reveal this to any creature in the world.” “Nor is it possible that I can reveal the wisdom and knowledge that is hidden to you” responded the rabbi. “Be it as you say, but it will be too difficult for you, and I fear that you will not be able to perform it” added the sheikh. The rabbi thought for a moment and assured the sheikh, “I am prepared to undertake even the most difficult task, and I shall do whatever you tell me.”

“Very well go home, and prepare yourself for a fast of two consecutive days. While you are fasting, immerse yourself every morning and evening and be very cautious in your deeds and in the meal that follows take care not to eat meat or drink wine. After you have eaten, go and immerse yourself again and put on white linen” instructed the sheikh.

When the rabbi heard the words of the sheikh, he eagerly replied: “I shall do what you say.” “Then go in peace, and come back on the third day and I shall tell you this great secret.” The rabbi went home and did all the sheikh had told him. He immersed himself and put on white garments; he did this during the two days of his fasting. He continued to fast on the third night, too. After he finished praying next morning, he went to the sheikh, who hurried to meet him and said: “Enter, blessed of the L-rd, for from your face it is clear that you have done all I told you.” “I am still fasting,” said the rabbi. “You are doing well,” said the sheikh, “and now come with me and I shall show you this secret.

So the rabbi followed the sheikh to a certain chamber, the key of which he never entrusted to anybody. The sheikh opened the door and both entered together, closing the door behind them so that no other person might approach. In the room there was another doorway by which they entered into a most beautiful orchard. In the middle was a cistern full of fresh water which came from the rivers Abana and Pharpar (see II Kings 5:12). Beside this pool was a bench on which were prepared two robes, one for the rabbi and the other for the sheikh. The sheikh said to the rabbi: “Let us take off our clothes and immerse ourselves before we approach the hallowed place.” So they took off their clothes and both immersed themselves within the pool. Then they changed their clothes and went together to the far end of the orchard, the rabbi wondering all the while what would happen. When he raised his eyes, he saw a most beautifully constructed building with pure silver doors on which all kinds of fine drawings, the like of which is not to be found in royal palaces. When the sheikh went to open the doors of this building, he told the rabbi: “Take care to enter this house in fear and trembling, and whatever you see me do, do the same.” Then he opened the door, and the rabbi saw a magnificent hall and facing it a small and most beautiful shrine, in front of which was a curtain embroidered with wondrous jewels and pearls. The sheikh entered the hall trembling and prostrated himself seven times towards the shrine. The rabbi trembled exceedingly and wondered whether there could be some idol or other pagan object of worship there. He closed his eyes, and said the words of the Psalm (16:8): “I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Then he too prostrated himself as the sheikh had done, and a great awe descended on him.

And the sheikh said to him in a low voice and a broken heart: “Approach this shrine and open it, and there you will find what you seek.” The rabbi at once approached and opened the doors of the shrine, which were made of purest gold and encrusted with precious stones. Within the shrine he saw a most perfect and most beautiful tablet on which was engraved the shape of the Menorah in a very beautiful fashion. Above it was written in Hebrew: “I have set the Lord always before me!” And the letters of the Name of the L-rd were very large indeed. When the rabbi saw this, he rejoiced very much because he had not prostrated himself for no purpose. He stepped backwards and prostrated himself, and they both went out together.

Then the rabbi said to the sheikh: “You told me that I would find what I am seeking there, yet nothing more was revealed to me than what I saw.” The sheikh answered: “Brother, you should know that those large letters which you saw are the Name of that One who spoke and the world came about. When somebody comes to entreat me to pray for a sick person in his home, I immerse myself and in fear and trembling I enter this building you have seen. There I pray before the shrine, and after the prayer is over I open its door. If I see that the letters of the Holy Name are bright and shining, I know that the person will live. But if I see cloud and mist around the Name, I know that he must die. Now consider my affection for you, my brother, if I have revealed to you what I have never revealed to any other man.”

When the rabbi returned home he wept bitterly, saying: “Woe unto us for every day we pray, yet an Ishmaelite knows the holiness of the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. This sheikh has achieved all this great honor, yet he fears and dreads the hour when he enters into the presence of the Holy Name. Alas, as for us, what shall we answer and say, since we ought to do far more than this and indeed be filled with trembling when we utter the Name of the L-rd.”

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, O L-rd, my Rock, and my Redeemer. (Psalms 19:14)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

A Torah and Menorah of Peace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown on November 28, 2021. Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

Rodef Shalom Pursuer of Peace

Posted on Thursday, 10, September, 2009Tuesday, 18, October, 2011 by Rabbi

It is taught that Hillel said: “You should be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow man, and drawing them near to the Law.” (Pirke Avos 1:12) Peace is not passive, It doesn’t just happen, It requires action, and pursuing peace must be an active consistent process.

We learn from the words of King David in the Psalms, “Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:15). The Torah does not obligate us to pursue the mitzvos, but only to fulfill them at the proper time and at the appropriate occasion.

Peace however, in Jewish tradition, must be sought at all times. Both at home and away from home, we are obliged to seek peace and be proactive in pursuing it.

It seems that almost everyone, Jewish and non Jewish is familiar with the Hebrew word for peace, shalom. It is one of the most beautiful and important words in the Jewish vocabulary. We are told in Pirke Avos to meet every person with a friendly greeting. Therefore it has become customary in Jewish tradition to greet one another with the words “shalom Aleichem” (peace be unto you). The Talmud (Brachos 6b) instructs us that one who does not return a greeting is called a robber. The inverted order aleichem shalom (upon you let there be peace) is the customary response to the shalom aleichem greeting. When we bid farewell to people we say tzais’chem le’shalom leave in peace. Each week as another Shabbos arrives and candles are lit at sundown we greet each other with shabbat shalom may your Sabbath be a peaceful one. Even when a person dies, our wish is that the deceased rest in peace.

The word shalom derives from the Hebrew word shalem, meaning “whole” or “complete.” It also signifies welfare of every kind, including security, contentment, sound health, prosperity, friendship, peace, and tranquility of mind and heart. By contrast, the English word “peace” comes from the Latin word pax, that means “quiet.”

Alkalinity also restores the balance between viagra prices healthy “good” bacteria and harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites. Epimedium Sagittatum or Horny Goat cialis soft uk Weed Just like ginkgo biloba, amative dupe edger as well helps addition the assembly of nitric oxide and access claret breeze to the clitoris. More often than not you are likely to feel the battle of endeavoring to achieve and keep a harder erection amid sexual action; with the use of canadian cheap viagra http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482456154_add_file_4.pdf, this issue keeps on being practically eliminated. cialis 100mg is truly an expensive pharmaceutical and in addition, a remedy from the specialis 40 mgt is required. canada viagra prescription icks.org Staphysagria- Impotence due to feelings of being shy or embarrassed, quiet in disposition, exhibits deep emotions and victims of abuse.

(to see this post with the Hebrew references click below)

Rodef Shalom