The Trap, Loshon haRa and the Wealthy Merchant

Posted on Sunday, 17, August, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was once a very wealthy merchant who liked to feel important, and so he made it a practice inform the authorities about the doings of other people within the community. He often talk badly of others just so he could be seen as important and wise. Everyone was afraid of him and no one dared to cross him, lest he report them to those in power. One day he seemed to have just disappeared.

A group of students gathered together to study with their holy teacher, when he said to them: “Did you know Lavan the merchant?” The students became silent and then one answered the holy rabbi: “It is like what is taught about those who are like him, “May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.” (Psalms 69:28) Then the holy rabbi told his students: “Bring me a trap!” They brought him a trap, and the holy rabbi placed it in a corner of the room and a mouse was caught in it at once.

Then the holy rabbi spoke to the mouse as his students watched, asking: “What did you think when you used to inform on people and betray them causing the wealth of so many good and upright people to be lost? One’s words must be words of honor and not words of shame, as it is said: ‘On that day you shall not be put to shame because of all your deeds…’ (Zepaniah 3:11) We are taught shaming another in public is like shedding blood. (Bava Metzia 58b)’ ” The mouse cried before him and begged him to pray to the Holy One, blessed be He so that he might be delivered from his sufferings and enter Gehenna. “Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away (Proverbs 6:33) One who says evil things about others has no portion in the World to Come. Go away, for you are not worthy even to enter Gehenna.” answered the rabbi. With that said, he opened the trap, and the mouse fled.

And when the students saw this, they were amazed.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Envious Man and the Covetous Man

Posted on Thursday, 7, August, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2)

There were two men, one covetous and the other envious. And they hated one another and complained of their Maker who knew their ill nature. Greatly they complained and sadly they cried. The covetous man would say: “See how bitter and bad are all the works of G-d who brings the mighty low. Why am I so poor and needy when he has made that greedy man, my enemy and neighbor, rich, who dwells not far from me. My heart aches and longs to be in his place!” The envious man in his hatred would say: “G-d will not turn your way nor will He listen to you, and if ever you were to try to be a leader set on high, so surely I would die!” Now the Angel of the L-rd found them, and as soon as he saw them, he summoned them and said: “Why is it that you wish to make such demands? Surely you should be ashamed to speak against your Creator and argue like this before Him, both of you! I have been sent to you this day to give each one of you a message and grant a wish. This is what I give you. Whatever each of you may request, in a moment he gets, but his friend shall have double of the same.”

They heard the words of the heavenly messenger and said: “We are your servants indeed and you will be our master. Be kind toward us now, for you have consoled us.” And after they had spoken, the angel went away wherever the spirit bore him, and no eye ever saw him and all his traces were unknown. Then they saw and understood that he was an angel of the L-rd and had spoken words of truth.

The covetous man wanted twice as much and was as poisoned by his desires and said: “You ask!” But the envious man said to him: “How shall I ask anything when you will double what I desire and take the first-born’s double share though you are the last, and you will have the advantage. How can I set out to better your fate and cause you to have more? If you speak properly, then speak up before me!”

The covetous man felt a fury at heart and turned on him with anger and hit him with a high hand, saying: “You ask at once, and I shall gain after you, for if not I shall destroy you and slay you here and now!” Now when the other saw his hope was lost, he entreated him, saying: “Good sir, please let me be, and I shall ask the first and you shall obtain double afterwards, as long as there is peace between you and me.” The covetous man moved away.

Then envious man began to pray: “0 L-rd, Hear the words of your servant and pay the reverse of Your kindness, so that he may receive what he deserves. Blind me in just one eye but two eyes of my foe, and break one of my arms but give him twice before I go!” And so it came about and darkness dread fell on them both for they became blind, and finally the second received all this twofold, for his prayer was fulfilled.

For he looked at the other and behold both his eyes were dark, while his hands both hung helpless from his sleeves. And both of them remained that way in shame and reproach, and they lost all their covetousness and envy and hatred.

Each person is blessed with certain gifts, but resentment leads him to act foolishly, and envy for what others have slays hope and blessings.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Faith: A Story of Two Merchants

Posted on Friday, 18, July, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

What is the meaning of the verse, “In that day you will say, ‘I give thanks to You, O G-d, for you were angry with me, and now Your anger has diminished, and You have comforted me'” (Isaiah 12:1).

It once happened that two merchants, who were good friends, agreed to set out on a journey to a faraway city to go to a fair to buy wares to sell in their village. They equipped themselves with all the needs and supplies for the voyage. Together they made their way to the docks to board a ship. As they walked through the streets, one of them stumbled and hurt his leg so badly that he was unable to go on the journey.

The ship had weighed anchor and unfurled its sails and was ready to set sail and could not wait for the unfortunate merchant to heal from his wound. So his friend went with all the other merchants, while the merchant who had fallen and became injured remained behind, bitter and angry. He was very angry at his bad luck because he had injured his leg and could not travel with the other merchants. His anger and bitterness of losing all the profit he might have made from the journey was so great that he complained and freely cursed the ways of Heaven.

After some time news came that the ship had sunk in the sea, and all the merchants with in it lost. When the injured merchant heard what had happened, he began to give thanks to the Holy One, blessed be He by whose kindness he had fallen and injured his leg. The merchant realized that if he had gone on the ship he would have been lost with all the other merchants. The merchant regretted all the curses and complaints he had made and repented for all the things he had said of Heaven. The merchant began to praise and extol the wonders of Heaven. That’s why it says in the Book of Isaiah, “Your anger has subsided and You have comforted me.”

What is meant by the verse, “G-d Who alone does wondrous things; blessed is His glorious Name forever” (Psalms 72:18,19)? Even the person for whom the miracle is performed is unaware of the miracle, only G-d knows it.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Shavuous, Mount Sinai and Pride

Posted on Monday, 26, May, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Shavuous is a time we remember receiving the holy Torah at Mount Sinai. It is said in the holiday prayers, Chag Hashavuous hazeh, z’man matan toraseinu (the Feast of Weeks, the season of the Giving of our Torah), yet this is not a time of pride.

It is written: “With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isa. 57:15)…. for behold, the Holy One, blessed be He, ignored all the mountains and heights and caused His Shechinah to abide upon Mount Sinai, but did not elevate Mount Sinai up to Himself.” (Sotah 5a)

There was excitement in the town, as a holy rabbi came to visit. The holy rabbi went into the old wooden shul (synagogue), pulled a holy book from the shelf and began to study. Slowly the holy rabbi pushed the book aside, stood up and walked to the window and began to stare at the mountains.

It seemed as though the whole town turned out to catch a glimpse of the holy rabbi. All of the important people and the most learned of the scholars came into the shul (synagogue) just to meet the holy rabbi hoping to grasp his hand and wish him shalom (peace) and maybe get a blessing from him.

The holy rabbi did not turn to face them. He just stood looking through the window at the high mountains in the distance. Everyone who had gathered in the old wooden shul had hoped to hear some lessons or wisdom from his holy lips, but the rabbi remained gazing out the window in deep meditation.

Among all those who came into the old wooden shul was a young man whose learning and prominent family were equaled only by his pride and self-importance. He was very rigid in his approach to study and prayer and as he looked at the holy rabbi he assumed that the rabbi was not showing the proper honor and respect due to the many dignitaries and scholars who had come out to meet him.

The longer the young man stood, the angrier he became. The young man could see no reason for the rabbi’s behavior and so he began: “Rabbi, would you please explain why you are gazing so intensely at that hill, which is, after all, only a pile of dust?”

The holy rabbi took a deep breath and then slowly answered: “that is indeed what amazes me, how can a plain pile of dust blow itself up so mightily until it becomes a proud mountain?…”

The young proud and conceited man had learned his lesson as he prayed:

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The Rabbi, the Cook and the Garden of Eden

Posted on Tuesday, 11, February, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is not study that is so important as much as deeds done.

It is told that Rabbi Shimon once prayed that the Holy One, blessed be He show him his place in Eden. One night in a dream he saw that he would be seated next to a cook. This surprised him, and he thought to himself, “I have occupied myself in the study of Torah day and night, yet my place is beside a cook.” After the dream, he decided: “I will go and find this cook and ask him what he has done so special.”

He searched for some time and found that the cook was a very wealthy man. He became a guest of the cook and stayed with him for eight days, and the cook showed him great honor. Rabbi Shimon asked the cook to walk with him in the field outside of the village and asked him: “Please tell me what you have been doing that is so special.”

The cook thought for a moment and then slowly answered, “Rabbi, I am just a simple man who by reason of my many sins have studied very little Torah. All my life I have been a cook. At one time I was very poor but by the blessings of Heaven, I have grown wealthy. Every Friday since I began cooking, I have distributed meat, challah and wine to the poor at my expense and I give a great deal in charity. I try to follow the teaching of ‘Sanctifying the Sabbath with food, drink, clean clothes and pleasure. (Deuteronomy Rabbah 3:1)’ “Rabbi Shimon listened and then asked, “Please tell me whether you have done anything more than that.”

Then the cook thought for a moment and reluctantly shared: “Please understand that I am the tax collector for this city. When a ship comes, I collect a tax on any goods in the hold of the ship. Once a ship came here, and I collected the tax.”

“After the captain paid the tax, he came to me and said: ‘If you wish to purchase what is in the hold on my ship, I’ll sell it to you.’ “

“Tell me what it is” I said to him.

“I shall not tell you,” the captain answered, “until you have bought it and paid for it. And if you do not buy it, I shall not sell it at all.”

“In that case,” I replied, “tell me how much it is, and I shall decide.”

“Ten thousand in gold,” the captain told me; and I told him: “Show me the goods, and I shall pay it.”

“I shall only give it,” the captain answered “if you give me twenty thousand in gold.”

“Show me your merchandise and I shall pay.”

“I shall not give it to you unless I you pay me forty thousand in gold.”

“When I saw that he was raising the price all the time, I decided that it must be something very, very valuable, so I agreed to pay him the gold. The captain ordered, ‘you must pay me in full before I will show you what is in the hold of my ship.’ I paid him in good gold.’ “

“Immediately he brought out from the ship’s lower hold two hundred Jewish souls whom he had captured, and said to me: ‘If you had not purchased them today, I would have slain them and flung them into the sea.’ Now he handed them over to me, and I brought them to my home. I fed them and gave them to drink and provided them clean clothes. I also assisted those who were single to wed one another.”

Among the refugees was a very beautiful young girl, and I took pity on her and gave her to my son, and he was betrothed to her. I invited all my townsfolk to the wedding feast. When the guests sat down to eat, I stood among them and saw that a young man who had been among the captives was crying. ‘Why are you crying?’ I asked, but he did not wish to tell me. Finally, I led him to a room away from everyone else, and there he told me that the day they had been taken captive was the very day on which he should have wedded that beautiful young girl. ‘If you are prepared to divorce her,’ said I to him, ‘I shall pay you a hundred pieces of silver.’ ‘My lord,’ said he to me, ‘I desire her more than all the silver and gold in the world, but what can I do if your son stands under the bridal canopy with her.’ “

“At this, I went to my son and told him: ‘Divorce her.’ My son looked at me and said, ‘Father I understand not your reasons, but I respect your wisdom and I shall do as you ask.’ I gave her to that young man and I made them wealthy according to the way of our people that ‘when you let him go free, you shall not let him go empty, and you shall furnish them liberally.’ (Deuteronomy 15:13). This is the thing I have done.’ “

Then Rabbi Shimon said to him: “Blessed be the One who sees all hidden things who has favored me to be seated beside you in Eden!”

So let a man engage in Torah (Scripture) and good deeds at all times, and practice charity. For money is not his but belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He, as the Prophet Haggai said: “The silver is Mine, the gold is Mine, says the Lord” (2:8). And it is also written in the Book of Psalms: “For God judges; this one He brings down, and that one He lifts up” (75:8).

Happy is he who performs a good deed, that may tip the scale for him and the world. (Kiddushin 40b)

(based on Tanchuma, Mavo 68)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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What Happened to Yossele L’Koved Shabbos

Posted on Saturday, 25, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The holy rabbi’s eyes filled with tears. He held Yossele his hand and looked him in the eye and gently said to him: “Yossele, I really, really envy you, to have such an exalted name – l’Koved Shabbos – and for such a holy reason. What an honor to meet such a Jewish person that lives what he believes. Please tell me a little about yourself.”

“Holy rabbi, the truth is, there is not much to tell. I never knew my parents, because they left this world when I was only five years old. I don’t have any other family, so I lived on the streets, making money for food anyway I could. Sometimes, late at night, I go to the old wooden shul, and some people out of kindness would teach me how to pray a little, and how to recite the Psalms. I never learned anything else. I’m big and I’m strong and so I make a living as a porter. I have a wife and children, and that’s all there is to say about me.”

The holy rabbi squeezed Yossele his hand again and said: “Yossele, sweet Yossele, there’s one more thing I want to know. This is very important to me. Why do you always sing? What are you thinking about when you carry all those heavy bundles and packages singing l’Koved Shabbos?”

Yossele looked at the holy rabbi is tears welled up in his eyes. He began to cry: “rabbi, holy rabbi, I know the beginning, but I don’t know how it will end. I know that in the beginning the Ribbono Shel Olam (the Master of the Universe) created the heavens and the earth. I learned about our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our four holy mothers, about the twelve tribes of Israel, I know the Master of the Universe took us out from the land of Egypt and brought us to a holy land where we built the Holy Temple, the place of G-d’s glory in Jerusalem.”

“I also know what happened next. We were driven out of our land, the Holy Temple was destroyed, and ever since, the Jewish people have been wandering around the world, in exile, without a home.”

“So you see, holy rabbi, I do know the beginning, and a little bit of the middle, but I don’t know the end. When will the bitter exile finally be over? When will the Holy One, blessed be He, take us back to the holy city, to Jerusalem? When will be able to gather again in the Holy Temple l’Koved Shabbos, in honor of the holy Shabbos?”

“So that’s why I sing, holy rabbi. My song is really my cry, my prayer to the Holy One, blessed be He. You ask, what am I thinking? Well I will tell you. I am thinking, Ribbono Shel Olam, l’Koved Shabbos, for the honor Shabbos, but the end of the long exile should come soon, l’Koved Shabbos, for the sake of the Holy Sabbath, the Holy Temple be rebuilt today, l’Koved Shabbos.”

The holy rabbi was silent for a moment and he could not hold back his tears. He began crying from the deepest parts of his soul, and he said: “Yossele you know the holiest secret of all, that everything we carry, everything we do, everything that happens to us in our lives, everything is all l’Koved Shabbos, for the sake of the Great Shabbos to come. If all of the Jewish people only knew this exalted truth, then the end of the terrible exile, the great day, the coming of the Messiah, would literally be so close, so near.”

That Shabbos Yossele was at every meal at the holy rabbi’s house. As the stars rose in the sky and the holy rabbi made Havdalah, Yossele looked into the flame and smiled. The next day Yossele disappeared. No one knew when he left or where he went.

The years went by and Yossele was forgotten. The young man continued his studies and became a teacher too many and became known as a holy rabbi. The holy rabbi was traveling through a distant village when he saw an old man sitting on a rocking chair in the marketplace. He heard a haunting melody, a song that was very close to his heart:

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

It then became clear what had happened to Yossele. He left his home and went into the forest and there met the holiest of holy teachers who made him into lamed vov tzaddik. Yossele had become one of the 36 hidden holy people who keep the whole world going, l’Koved Shabbos, until the Messiah comes and everyone comes together l’Koved Shabbos, for the honor of Shabbos.

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Yossele l’Koved Shabbos

Posted on Tuesday, 21, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There once was a young man who wanted to study Torah with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all of his strength. He was honored to study with some very holy rabbis. Sadly with all of his learning, something was missing. The young man felt empty, it was as though the fire was not burning very brightly in his studies. He decided that he would search to find a holy teacher. Not someone to give him more information, more details on the finer points of Jewish law and ritual, but a teacher who could show him how to see the beauty in the world around him and could touch him to his very core – his soul. So the young man set out on his journey to find a holy teacher who would show him how to reach the highest places in the heavens, yet still embrace the world around him.

The young man was so hungry to find the right teacher, that he traveled from town to town speaking to every rabbi he could find. Many were very learned, had beautiful rituals and were holy. They taught him much Torah, but not any of them were able to touch the deepest parts of his soul.

One day, he traveled to a small village in there he saw the newly arrived village rabbi, a veil of holiness surrounded him and the young man knew that this was the holy teacher he was looking for. Still, the young man wanted to make sure that this holy rabbi was indeed the teacher he was hoping for and so he decided he would wait for a sign.

Now in the small village, every Jewish person was on a very high level. Everyone observed Shabbos, ate only kosher food, and prayed from their hearts. Yet there was one person, Yossele Trayger who most people felt was just a simple person. He could barely read or write, he knew how to pray a little and could recite a few Psalms. When the young man saw him, he knew that he was special.

Yossele Trayger was a giant of a man with bulging muscles. Because of his size and strength he was a porter. All day long he would stand in the marketplace and help people carry their bundles, but he did so much more than merely carrying packages and heavy boxes.

He would meet a woman shopping for provisions for her household, on Sunday, and she would ask him to carry all of her purchases to her home. Yossele Trayger would lift up the heavy bags and put them on his shoulder effortlessly, as he began to carry them he would ask: “please forgive me for asking, but do you think there’ll be some of this food left for Shabbos, l’Koved Shabbos, for the honor of the Holy Shabbos?”

The woman would look at him and think for a moment and then, maybe just to make Yossele feel good or maybe because it was the truth, the woman would answer kindly: “you know, I’ve bought a lot of food, even for my large family. I’m sure there will be plenty left for Shabbos.”

Yossele would start to smile and then, it seemed like he was filled with a holy light. He would lift the packages and bundles higher onto his shoulder, almost as though he wanted to lift them to the heavens. Then he would begin to hum a tune and very soon he would burst out singing as loud as he could on the way to the woman’s house:

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

People along the way would just look and sometimes smile as they watched Yossele Trayger pass them.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Yossele never carried anything without first asking about Shabbos. By Wednesday and Thursday, he didn’t even bother to ask, that late in the week. People were already thinking about Shabbos. On Friday, he would dart around the marketplace carrying anything and everything to all the Jewish homes. The whole city seemed to echo with his singing:

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

Yossele Trayger’s heart was filled with warmth and joy, but sadly people can be very cruel and mean-spirited. Many people in the small village made fun of Yossele’s singing and even began to consider him nothing more than a joke. They called him crazy and even made up a nickname to tease him: “Yossele l’Koved Shabbos”

The young man watched Yossele all week, and even though people laughed at him, the young man felt that Yossele was one of the holiest and truest of people in the small village.

Shabbos was approaching the young man determined that he would watch the holy rabbi at the end of Friday night services. The rabbi had a custom of greeting everyone by saying: “Gut Shabbos.” The young man wanted to see if the rabbi really greeted everyone in the shul. If the holy rabbi could see how special Yossele was and paid attention to him, gave him honor, the young man would know that he was the holy teacher he was looking for. If instead, the rabbi ignored Yossele like everyone else usually did, and didn’t bother to say anything to him, the young man would know for sure that this rabbi was not the teacher he was looking for and he would have to journey further to find his holy teacher.

After the Friday night prayers were over, everyone rushed up greet the rabbi by saying “Gut Shabbos.” The young man noticed that Yossele did not join in the crowd around the rabbi, but instead stood in the corner of the old wooden shul and just watched. He looked so sad, so alone and totally broken. The young man watched him as a tear formed in his eye as he realized that Yossele was probably so used to being insulted and abused as the butt of jokes that he could not believe that a holy rabbi would want to speak to him. Slowly the young man walked across the shul and stood by Yossele.

The holy rabbi finished greeting all of the people who crowded around him. He looked around the shul and noticed two people who were standing in the corner whom he had not spoken to yet, Yossele and the young student. The rabbi walked across the shul to the corner and extended his hand to give a Shabbos greeting.

Yossele was so shocked he couldn’t move, but the young man pushed him towards the village’s new rabbi. The young man watched carefully to see what the rabbi would do. Very slowly, Yossele eased toward the rabbi and watched as the rabbi took the holy hand that carried everything l’Koved Shabbos.

The holy rabbi closed his eyes stood very still. He squeezed Yossele’s hand tightly and said, very softly: “my holy friend, would you please tell me your name?”

Yossele was so shy and so uncertain, he couldn’t even look at the rabbi. He just hung his head and mumbled, “um my name… um my name, is Yossele.”

“Is that your whole name, or do you maybe have another name also?”

Yossele was so ashamed, he bowed his head even more. “I ah well um sometimes people call me… I mean, they’re only joking, but they call me…. Yossele l’Koved Shabbos.”

“Why do they call you that?”

Yossele was so upset he could hardly speak. His voice dropped to a whisper: “because… because… because when I carry their bundles and packages. I always sing l’Koved Shabbos.”

The holy rabbi’s eyes filled with tears. He held Yossele’s hand and looked him in the eye and gently said to him: “Yossele, I really, really envy you. To have such an exalted name – l’Koved Shabbos – and for such a holy reason. What an honor. To meet such a Jewish person that lives what he believes.

The young man found his teacher.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Personally Tended Garden

Posted on Tuesday, 21, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Everyday students would walk past the house of their teacher, a holy rabbi, and see him carefully tending to a garden. He pulled weeds, loosened soil and watered the plants, while all the time quietly saying something.

“Rabbi, sorry to bother you” began one of the students. “Would you let us care for the garden? We feel it’s not proper for you a great teacher and holy rabbi to be doing such work.”The rabbi looked up from the garden towards his students and explained, “man’s dignity is not greater than G-d’s. If the Holy One, blessed be He can cause the winds to blow, clouds to rise, rain to descend, the earth to produce, and tables to be set, certainly a rabbi can do simple things. (Kiddushin 32b) Besides I prefer to care for the garden myself.”

Some days later the students again saw the rabbi on his knees carefully tending the garden. One of the students thought out loud, “What can be so important about tending a few plants? Our teacher is spending so much time on it.”

“Perhaps working the garden helps him to relax” another student offered.

“That can not be” answered another student. “There must be a worthy reason for the holy rabbi to devote so much time to such a simple task.”

The students decided to find out, and one of them approached their beloved teacher with their question.

“I was once walking with one of my teachers, a true light to the generation, through fields and then in a forest,” the rabbi explained. “We were discussing various Torah (Scriptural) topics, and I wasn’t paying too much attention to the surrounding trees and bushes. I concentrated on each and every word my teacher spoke.”

“Suddenly, my holy teacher stopped the lesson and pointed to a plant we were passing by. ‘In plants, as in sleeping bodies, there is life.’ (ibn Daud, Emuna Rama 15 (1168)) Listen well and remember the things I tell you this day. My teacher pointed at a small green plant and said, ‘This one can be eaten’, He pointed to another plant. ‘This one is poisonous.’ “

“We walked some more and he continued the lessons from the Torah (Scripture). Several times throughout the lesson, my teacher stopped and pointed out many plants that could be eaten. He then said something that left me a bit confused, ‘You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.’ (Psalm 128:2).

“I was a bit puzzled by my teacher’s interruptions, but I didn’t question him because he was my teacher, a true light to the generation. I made sure to remember what he had told me that day, for I was certain that he had some reason for telling me this.

“Shortly after that, we were forced to leave the village as anger, hatred and violence made it unsafe for Jewish people to remain. The hordes with their battle cry ‘Hierosylma Est Perdita’ (Hip Hip, Jerusalem is Lost). I hid in the forest, and I had almost no food with me. The hunger was almost unbearable. One day, I happened to glance down at the forest floor, and I recognized one of the plants that my holy teacher had pointed out to me, many months earlier. I lived almost entirely on those plants during that terrible time, and they saved my life.”

“I feel its necessary to show my appreciation to the plants that saved my life, and therefore, I care for them personally. I ask you to remember, ‘Just as water makes plants grow, so the words of the Torah (Scripture) nurture everyone who labours over them as they require’. (Song of Songs Rabbah 1:19)”

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Loshon haRa – A Salty Conversation

Posted on Sunday, 12, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, 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 important 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 it could have used more salt.”

When the woman left the dining room, Tam turned white. “I can’t believe what you have just done. All my life I have avoided speaking or listening to loshon hara (unkind speech) and now the Holy One, blessed be He caused me to travel with you, and I have to suffer by hearing you speak loshon hara! I regret that I came here with you and I am convinced that the purpose of our trip is not a true d’var mitzvah 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 hesitated. “I said that the food was good — I only added that it needed some salt.”

“You simply don’t realize the power of words.” Sadly said Tam. “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 food 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 food. 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: (1) You spoke loshon hora; (2) you caused the owner and myself to listen to loshon hora; (3) you caused the owner to repeat the loshon hora and that is the sin of rechilus; (4) you caused the cook to lie; (5) because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and (6) 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.”

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To Give Tzedakah or Loans

Posted on Tuesday, 7, January, 2014Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there was a holy rabbi who had many, many students. His students learned much from their teacher, but could not understand why their beloved teacher disappeared every Thursday night. No matter how many people wanted to see him, he was nowhere to be found. None of his students or other rabbis in the community had any idea where he had gone.

One Thursday afternoon some of his students decided to try to find out what was going on and what their holy teacher was doing. The students hid in some bushes outside of the synagogue hoping to see their holy teacher. When he left on his secret business, after waiting for several hours, they saw the holy rabbi come out and hurried away. The curious students followed him.

The holy rabbi moved quickly through the streets and the students were always not far behind. Soon he entered one of the poorest areas of the town. He was immediately surrounded by so many needy people asking for tzedakah (charity). The students watched the holy rabbi’s actions and noticed that he didn’t just give some money to a better and then walk on, he stopped by each poor person and said: “my friend I would be so happy to help you, but I really can’t give you any charity. I can only give you this money as a loan.”

The beggar looked at him in surprise. “Alone? Rabbi, holy rabbi you would really give me alone?”

The holy rabbi would look at the poor man in front of him and smile as he answered: “yes, of course. Would you accept a loan for me? I have so much faith in you, I know you’ll be able to pay me back.”

With a peaceful face each beggar would happily accept some rubles as a loan, and the holy rabbi would go on his way.

After watching the holy rabbi do this for a while, the students decided they had seen enough. They went back to the synagogue and gathered around the table where they learned holy lessons from the rabbi and waited for him. When the holy rabbi finally returned very late that night, they confronted him with what they have learned:

“Holy teacher, we have to admit we followed you tonight and saw that you were doing. But really, how could you tell all those poor people. You were giving them loans? You know full well they’ll never be able to repay you. Why didn’t you just give them some tzedakah (charity) and let it go at that.”

“Why? I’ll tell you why! It’s not just that those beggars don’t have any money. They’ve also lost all of their hope, all of their faith that their lives can ever be better. They’re so broken, and too many are in despair.”

“Do you know what that means to them. When I, the holy rabbi, offer them a loan? It means that I believe in them… Even though they fallen to the lowest place, I have faith that they can get back on their feet again”

“Listen to me! I’ve taught you a lot of Torah. But this is the most important thing I’ll ever tell you. It’s not enough to hand a beggar a few coins. You have to give them back their self-respect, to show them that you believe in them, even if-especially if-they no longer believe in themselves.”

The holy rabbi paused for a moment or two and then continued: “Are we not taught: ‘who gives the poor money is blessed six-fold, who gives him morale is blessed seven-fold.’ (Baba Basra 9b) May each and every person who gives the poor a means to strengthen themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually be blessed.’ ”

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And when the students saw this, they were amazed.

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Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2)

For he looked at the other and behold both his eyes were dark, while his hands both hung helpless from his sleeves. And both of them re­mained that way in shame and reproach, and they lost all their covetousness and envy and hatred.

Each person is blessed with certain gifts, but resentment leads him to act foolishly, and envy for what others have slays hope and blessings.

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What is the meaning of the verse, “In that day you will say, ‘I give thanks to You, O G-d, for you were angry with me, and now Your anger has diminished, and You have comforted me'” (Isaiah 12:1).

What is meant by the verse, “G-d Who alone does wondrous things; blessed is His glorious Name forever” (Psalms 72:18,19)? Even the person for whom the miracle is performed is unaware of the miracle, only G-d knows it.

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Shavuous is a time we remember receiving the holy Torah at Mount Sinai. It is said in the holiday prayers, Chag Hashavuous hazeh, z’man matan toraseinu (the Feast of Weeks, the season of the Giving of our Torah), yet this is not a time of pride.

It is written: “With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isa. 57:15)…. for behold, the Holy One, blessed be He, ignored all the mountains and heights and caused His Shechinah to abide upon Mount Sinai, but did not elevate Mount Sinai up to Himself.” (Sotah 5a)

There was excitement in the town, as a holy rabbi came to visit. The holy rabbi went into the old wooden shul (synagogue), pulled a holy book from the shelf and began to study. Slowly the holy rabbi pushed the book aside, stood up and walked to the window and began to stare at the mountains.

It seemed as though the whole town turned out to catch a glimpse of the holy rabbi. All of the important people and the most learned of the scholars came into the shul (synagogue) just to meet the holy rabbi hoping to grasp his hand and wish him shalom (peace) and maybe get a blessing from him.

The holy rabbi did not turn to face them. He just stood looking through the window at the high mountains in the distance. Everyone who had gathered in the old wooden shul had hoped to hear some lessons or wisdom from his holy lips, but the rabbi remained gazing out the window in deep meditation.

The longer the young man stood, the angrier he became. The young man could see no reason for the rabbi’s behavior and so he began: “Rabbi, would you please explain why you are gazing so intensely at that hill, which is, after all, only a pile of dust?”

The holy rabbi took a deep breath and then slowly answered: “that is indeed what amazes me, how can a plain pile of dust blow itself up so mightily until it becomes a proud mountain?…”

The young proud and conceited man had learned his lesson as he prayed:

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It is not study that is so important as much as deeds done.

Then the cook thought for a moment and reluctantly shared: “Please understand that I am the tax collector for this city. When a ship comes, I collect a tax on any goods in the hold of the ship. Once a ship came here, and I collected the tax.”

“After the captain paid the tax, he came to me and said: ‘If you wish to purchase what is in the hold on my ship, I’ll sell it to you.’ “

“Tell me what it is” I said to him.

“I shall not tell you,” the captain answered, “until you have bought it and paid for it. And if you do not buy it, I shall not sell it at all.”

“In that case,” I replied, “tell me how much it is, and I shall decide.”

“Ten thousand in gold,” the captain told me; and I told him: “Show me the goods, and I shall pay it.”

“I shall only give it,” the captain answered “if you give me twenty thousand in gold.”

“Show me your merchandise and I shall pay.”

“I shall not give it to you unless I you pay me forty thousand in gold.”

“When I saw that he was raising the price all the time, I decided that it must be something very, very valuable, so I agreed to pay him the gold. The captain ordered, ‘you must pay me in full before I will show you what is in the hold of my ship.’ I paid him in good gold.’ “

Then Rabbi Shimon said to him: “Blessed be the One who sees all hidden things who has favored me to be seated beside you in Eden!”

Happy is he who performs a good deed, that may tip the scale for him and the world. (Kiddushin 40b)

(based on Tanchuma, Mavo 68)

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The holy rabbi squeezed Yossele his hand again and said: “Yossele, sweet Yossele, there’s one more thing I want to know. This is very important to me. Why do you always sing? What are you thinking about when you carry all those heavy bundles and packages singing l’Koved Shabbos?”

“I also know what happened next. We were driven out of our land, the Holy Temple was destroyed, and ever since, the Jewish people have been wandering around the world, in exile, without a home.”

That Shabbos Yossele was at every meal at the holy rabbi’s house. As the stars rose in the sky and the holy rabbi made Havdalah, Yossele looked into the flame and smiled. The next day Yossele disappeared. No one knew when he left or where he went.

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

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The young man was so hungry to find the right teacher, that he traveled from town to town speaking to every rabbi he could find. Many were very learned, had beautiful rituals and were holy. They taught him much Torah, but not any of them were able to touch the deepest parts of his soul.

Yossele Trayger was a giant of a man with bulging muscles. Because of his size and strength he was a porter. All day long he would stand in the marketplace and help people carry their bundles, but he did so much more than merely carrying packages and heavy boxes.

The woman would look at him and think for a moment and then, maybe just to make Yossele feel good or maybe because it was the truth, the woman would answer kindly: “you know, I’ve bought a lot of food, even for my large family. I’m sure there will be plenty left for Shabbos.”

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

People along the way would just look and sometimes smile as they watched Yossele Trayger pass them.

“L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos, oy, L’K-o-oved Shabbos!”

The young man watched Yossele all week, and even though people laughed at him, the young man felt that Yossele was one of the holiest and truest of people in the small village.

The holy rabbi closed his eyes stood very still. He squeezed Yossele’s hand tightly and said, very softly: “my holy friend, would you please tell me your name?”

Yossele was so shy and so uncertain, he couldn’t even look at the rabbi. He just hung his head and mumbled, “um my name… um my name, is Yossele.”

“Is that your whole name, or do you maybe have another name also?”

Yossele was so ashamed, he bowed his head even more. “I ah well um sometimes people call me… I mean, they’re only joking, but they call me…. Yossele l’Koved Shabbos.”

“Why do they call you that?”

Yossele was so upset he could hardly speak. His voice dropped to a whisper: “because… because… because when I carry their bundles and packages. I always sing l’Koved Shabbos.”

The young man found his teacher.

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Everyday students would walk past the house of their teacher, a holy rabbi, and see him carefully tending to a garden. He pulled weeds, loosened soil and watered the plants, while all the time quietly saying something.

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For he looked at the other and behold both his eyes were dark, while his hands both hung helpless from his sleeves. And both of them remained that way in shame and reproach, and they lost all their covetousness and envy and hatred.

“That can not be” answered another student. “There must be a worthy reason for the holy rabbi to devote so much time to such a simple task.”

“I was a bit puzzled by my teacher’s interruptions, but I didn’t question him because he was my teacher, a true light to the generation. I made sure to remember what he had told me that day, for I was certain that he had some reason for telling me this.