A Path of Return and Forgiveness

Posted on Thursday, 8, December, 2022 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi was feeling tired and run down so he decided to follow the advice of his doctor and went to a seaside spa. A grandson of a famous rabbi was living there. He had been caught in the net cast by the Maskilim (the Enlightened modernizers of Judaism) and had strayed from the path of his fathers. When the holy rabbi heard about him, he sent for him and invited him to come to and visit him in his home. He promised that all his expenses would be taken care of, and the young man agreed.

He had sat at the rabbi’s table only a short time when he completely repented his past misdeeds. One day, however, the holy rabbi noticed that the young man was looking depressed, and asked: “My son, what is troubling you? If it is your sins, remember- that the turning makes up for everything.”

The young man answered: “Why should I not be troubled? After repenting I keep returning to sin over and over again as a dog return to his bone – and how can I know whether my repentance is still accepted?”

The holy rabbi touched his arm and said: “Have you ever wondered why we read in the shemoneh esrei the prayer S’lach Lanu: “‘Forgive us our Father for we have sinned, pardon us our King for we have willfully transgressed, for You pardon and forgive. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who is gracious and ever willing to forgive.’ Would it not be enough to write: `You forgive .and pardon? But just as it is man’s way and impulse to sin and sin again and again, so it is G-d’s way and his divine compulsion to forgive and pardon again and again.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Chanukah Stories

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.

The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 600 short stories about faith. Many visitors to the Story Tour Blog have requested that the stories be gathered together into a book. 72 (4 times Chai) of these special tales are now available in the storybook, Story Tour: The Journey Begins, that would make a special gift for Chanukah.

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

ORDER YOURS TODAY

Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from:

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What Do You Know?

Posted on Monday, 7, June, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A merchant was traveling to a market in a faraway city and decided to travel on country roads so he could enjoy a relaxing journey. The scenery was beautiful and the journey was so peaceful. After some hours, the merchant fell asleep at the reins and the horses wandered off the road. When the merchant woke up, he realized he was very lost.

Seeing a farmer tending his field nearby, he stopped to ask for directions. “Can you tell me how far It is to the market in the village of B?” he asked the farmer.

“Well, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer answered. “Well, can you tell me how far I am from the main road leading to the village of B?” the merchant asked again. “Well, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer replied. “Can you at least tell me the quickest way to the main road?” the exasperated businessman asked. “No, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer again answered.

“You really don’t know very much at all, do you?” blurted the impatient merchant. “No, I guess I don’t, but I’m not lost,” the farmer calmly answered.

Spirituality

There are many who depend on their knowledge, but reject the wisdom of faith. They journey through life and find no lasting fulfillment. The “the aim of wisdom is repentance (return to a spiritual state) and good deeds.” (Berachos 17a)

Sadly there are many who extol the practice of good deeds under the guise of belief and faith, but their actions are without spirituality. Many people search for spiritual meaning to the world around them and in their personal lives.

The baal teshuvah is anyone who is in a constant state of return to spiritual and true self, an inner soul that connects to the divine through learning and living faith while (Torah) and doing mitzvahs (good deeds).

The goal of teshuvah-repentance is to change oneself and the world as it is written, “Return to me, says the L-rd of hosts, and I will return to you.” (Zechariah 1:3) So many time people get discouraged and feel inadequate comparing themselves to “religious people” but it is taught that “Where penitents stand, the wholly righteous cannot stand.” (Berachos 34b) “Great is repentance (the return), it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a)

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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Kishke and Teshuvah

Posted on Friday, 5, March, 2021Thursday, 11, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Two kings from neighboring kingdoms once met and shared a meal together. A state dinner with many delicacies was served. One of the items on the menu was kishke. Traditional kishke is actually the intestines of a kosher animal stuffed with matzah meal and oil/schmaltz/fat and all sorts of spices. It is a special dish on the Shabbos (Sabbath) table and many times served in cholent.

Kishke was served at the royal dinner and the visiting king loved it. He asked his host to send the recipe to his royal kitchen. The hosting king graciously promised to do so. After the visiting king’s departure the royal cooks wrote down the recipe and sent it by a special messenger to the neighboring king’s chefs.

The day finally came when the king was told that he would be served kishke at the dinner meal. He sat down hungrily. Out came a tray, but a foul odor came from the tray. The smell was almost overwhelming. With great anticipation the king took off the cover from his plate and took a bite. He immediately spat out the piece and ordered the tray removed and the kishke thrown away.

A letter of official protest was immediately dispatched to the king who sent the recipe. How dare he send a recipe for such a vile food! The king received the distressing letter and summoned his cooking staff for an explanation.

Initially, the royal kitchen staff was confused. They went over the recipe and could not find the problem. After quite some time and in a moment of inspiration, one of the junior cooks observed, “We told him how to stuff and spice the kishke, but we never realized that we needed to tell him to clean it out before he stuffs it!”

This story is about teshuva (repentance). Many people wanting to do teshuvah and change their lives begin to think more and more about ways to improve. They give tzedakah (charity), pray earnestly and do good deeds. Surely good deeds are important in the process of change. Teshuvah/repentance is best when a person takes an honest assessment of oneself in order to correct any areas in their behavior that need fixing. Otherwise even with all of the spices (good deeds) in the world, a person may remain a stinking kishke…

KISHKE

This is a versatile recipe. If using oil, the Kishke is pareve. If using shmaltz, the Kishke is fleishig. For Pesach/Passover delete the flour and use only matzah meal. For Pesach/Passover one could use ¾ cup of cake meal and ¾ cup of matzah meal

INGREDIENTS

2 stalks celery with leaves, chopped		½ cup vegetable oil or shmaltz
1 carrot, grated		1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour or matzah meal
1 large onion, chopped		2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt		½ teaspoon ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients except the flour/matzah meal and paprika in the blender. Do not blend too smooth: a coarse texture will make a more interesting kishke.

When blended, add the flour/matzah meal and paprika. Spoon half of the mixture onto a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Shape like a cylinder. Fasten the foil securely at the top and the sides. Do the same with the other half of the mixture.

Place both rolls on a baking sheet (there might be some leakage). Bake in a 350-degree F. oven for 45 minutes. Carefully turn the kishke rolls over (to prevent burning on one side) and bake for approximately 45 minutes more. If additional browning is desired, turn the kishke rolls over once again and open the foil a bit. Remove the foil, slice, and serve.

Essen Gezunteheit

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 Sin That Was Sold

Posted on Tuesday, 24, November, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There were two Jewish merchants who were good friends. They used to purchase all kinds of goods, and one of them was a very handsome man indeed. One day they heard that a certain noblewoman had many goods, which she had inherited, to sell. They went to her place to purchase whatever she had. Now she had never seen a Jewish person, and her family had told her only bad things about them. When she asked her servant about these visitors, he laughed at her, saying: “Your family were not honest with you. They are like other men and lack for nothing except that they have no homeland now.” When she heard this, she wished to see the visitors and went to the entrance. There she was very surprised seeing the handsome merchant, whose face seemed to brighten the whole room. So she sent for him and spoke to him, and she was amazed that he could speak her language. She thoroughly enjoyed talking to him, and the flame of desire for him burned within her.

Their business was concluded, the other merchant went to the neighboring villages in order to hire wagons for transporting the goods, while the handsome one with the noblewoman. That night she sent for him to dine with her. He came and enjoyed the food, wine and conversation. The noblewoman told him how she loved him, and gave him all his share of the goods as a gift. With the desires for wealth and for the noblewoman joined, and he could not resist them.

In the morning, his friend returned with the wagons, they loaded up the goods and went their way. While on the road the handsome merchant recalled what he had done and was very ashamed of himself. His friend asked him what was troubling him, but he put him off with various excuses. He wanted to ease the burden of his friend so he insisted on knowing the real reason his friend was troubled and at last, under his pressure the handsome man told the other what had happened. The friend tried to comfort him, but he was not prepared for consolation and wept for what he had done. When his friend saw that he refused to be comforted, he offered to purchase the transgressions from him. They shook hands on the sale and returned home; and the man who had purchased the transgression grew very wealthy and was prosperous in all he did.

In due course the wealthy merchant died; and when he appeared before the Heavenly Court to give a reckoning for his deeds, they included the sin of his friend among his own. The dead man appeared to his friend in a dream and summoned him for trial before a very holy rabbi.

The man was terrified and did not know what to answer; and the dead man appeared in his dreams nightly until he became very sick. Then the sick person begged his family to carry him in his bed to the holy rabbi. They did so, and he told the rabbi of the dreams.

The rabbi said to him: “Have no fear! When he comes to you again, tell him that the Torah ‘is not in heaven’ (Deut. 30:12), and if he wishes for a trial, let him come before me together with you.” The rabbi set a special time for this trial according to the Torah.

When that time came, he sent the synagogue attendant to the grave¬yard to summon the dead merchant. The dead man came together with the living; and a minyan (a group of ten men) gathered in the synagogue.

Then both the dead man and the living stated their arguments. The holy rabbi listened to both ever mindful. The holy rabbi spoke to the living man saying,” A sin’s beginning is sweet, but its end is bitter. (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 2:2) One must always remember that ‘No sin is so light that it may be overlooked; no sin is so heavy that it may not be repented of.’ (Shiras Yisrael, 12c) The matters before us today are indeed great, for the wealthy merchant only wanted to ease his friend’s pain.”

After a moment or two the holy rabbi continued, “Those who commit sin and do wrong are their own worst enemies. (Tobit 12:10) For this reason the living man was troubled down to his very core by his sinful behavior.” After listening to the two before him, the holy rabbi found that the words of the living man to be sincere and ruled against the dead merchant.

The holy rabbi concluded that, “Happy is he who repents while still a man (Avodah Zarah 19a) for had the living man carried his own sin, he would have repented it long ago.” The holy rabbi consoled the dead merchant saying that he would perform reparation for his soul and lighten his punishment.

When the rabbi had declared his judgment, the sound of loud weeping was heard; and in the spot where the dead man had stood there now appeared a large cloud of smoke.

Based on Adas Tzadikkim 41-5

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 Teshuvah of a Horse

Posted on Friday, 11, October, 2019Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Moshe Milner made a good living from the mill that he owned on the outskirts of the holy city of Jerusalem. The huge millstone was turned by the steady and patient treading of a horse which spent its days pacing round and round in an endless circle. Moshe was hardly ever seen at the mill. He preferred to study the holy books, so he allowed all the work of the mill to be supervised by his manager, Gershom Gibor. This allowed him to be free to devote all his time to Torah study.

When Gershom Gibor, the manager passed away, another man was hired to oversee the running of the mill. This new manager decided to improve the operation of the mill by replacing the slow, old horse with a new, massive one, stronger by far than the other horses that had worked there before. The new horse accomplished the work so much more quickly than the previous ones that it became known as the “wonder horse.”

Soon word of this magnificent horse spread through the countryside, and people came from near and far to try to buy the fabulous animal. Much more money was waiting to be made through the horse if it would be used for other, more demanding tasks than turning a millstone, such as pulling huge loads, or transporting the wealthy from place to place.

Moshe Milner was unwilling to sell the horse, and refused all offers that were presented to him. It seemed that no matter how many times he said “no,” and how many people he turned away, offers continued to come his way from people who wished to purchase the horse.

Finally, Moshe became tired of the frequent interruptions to his Torah study. So he set a price for the “wonder horse” of 25 gold coins — a sum that would support a family for a long time. Surely, no one would be so foolish as to make an offer like that! Moshe underestimated the interest of his would-be buyers. One merchant actually came up with the sum, and a deal was struck.

The night before the sale was to be finalized, Moshe couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned in his bed until, finally, in the middle of the night, he dressed and left the house, telling his family he would soon return.

His employees were shocked to see the owner, Moshe Milner, arrive at the mill. As he never visited the mill during the day, what was he doing there in the middle of the night? Moshe walked straight up to the horse, as all of the employees looked on. He stopped at the horse’s side and whispered a few words in the mighty animal’s ear. Immediately, the horse fell dead on the spot. Moshe said nothing and returned to his home.

The next day news quickly spread that the “wonder horse” had died the previous night, for no apparent reason. “A perfectly healthy horse!” everyone exclaimed, and a horse worth 25 gold coins! Who had ever heard of such a thing!

Moshe Milner called his family and friends and related the amazing story of the previous evening. “Last night I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned for hours, and when I fell asleep at last, I had a very strange dream. In the dream my former employee, Gershom Gibor, appeared to me and said, ‘I must confess to you. I wasn’t the wonderful manager you thought me to be. I stole from you throughout all the years I worked at the mill. When I died and appeared before the heavenly court, I was informed that the only way I could atone for my terrible sin against man and G‑d was to return to earth in the form of your mill horse, so that I could repay my debt to you. I was given an especially strong body so that I could work extra hard. For months I toiled tirelessly, making up for what I stole from you through the years.

“But it seems I did my job too well, for I became renowned for my strength and stamina. When I heard that you were planning to sell me, I was horrified. I would not be able to expiate my sins unless I was working for you in your mill. If you would sell me, I would have to return to earth once more, perhaps in an even lesser form, to atone for my misdeeds. I cannot bear the idea of returning again, so I beg you, please forgive me for what I did to you.’

“When I heard his plea, I jumped up out of bed and ran immediately to the mill. I went up to the horse and told him that I forgave him with all my heart, and that he no longer owed me a single penny. When he heard my words, he expired, for he had fulfilled his purpose here on earth. Now, poor Gershom Gibor will find his peace in the next world . . .”

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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The King’s Messengers

Posted on Monday, 25, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immediately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.

There was a wise man standing nearby who soothed the man’s anxiety:

“What do you have to fear from the messenger?” he said. “He cannot do anything to you without a direct command from the king. Therefore, instead of being fearful and worrying, examine your deeds. If you know that you are free of any transgression, you would do well to hurry to the palace as the king commanded and hear what he has to say”

On another occasion, the king’s messenger summoned a different person to appear before the king. This time, however, the messenger was dressed in bright-colored clothes and was very happy as well as smiling. The man was overjoyed and he began to dance.

A wise man turned to him and said:

“What do you have to dance about? Who really knows if this messenger is the bearer of good news or not? Do not be misled by the happy expression on his face; rather, think about whether you are truly loyal to the king. If you are, then the messenger is bringing you good tidings, but if you have sinned against the king, Heaven forbid, then evil has been determined against you…”

A person should not judge himself according to whether an event which befalls him is good or bad. Rather, he must constantly examine himself in order to know whether he is loyal to the King, or Heaven forbid, has sinned against Him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

Hineni – Different Kinds of Prayer

How Much Remorse?

Just One Small Blast from the Great Shofar

The King, the Forester and Teshuvah

Foundations of the World

A Prescription for Life

Philmont, Horses and Rosh haShanah

Rosh haHashanah: Forgiving A Debt

The Deaf Man of the Shul

The Dirty Treasure

How to be Forgiven of Sin

Repentance and the Captive Prince

Repentance Out of Love

The Humble Request of the King’s Son

The King, the Thief the True Penitant

A Rock and the King’s Greatness

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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Hineni – Different Kinds of Prayer

Posted on Tuesday, 19, September, 2017Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

During the High Holy Days, the chazzan (cantor) begins the Musaf service with the Hineni prayer (here I am), which is a very moving and private prayer. Serving as the Shaliach Tzibbur (emissary of the congregation), the chazzan, a man of great humility, pleads with the Almighty that he be worthy to represent the people of his congregation and all the people of Israel.

Shaliach Tzibbur literally means the messenger of a congregation in a public prayer, is a Jewish prayer leader in the Synagogue also known as Chazzan (Cantor). It is a weighty responsibility and not everyone is suited to the position.

In a village there lived a very wealthy man who thought that he should be chosen to lead the congregation in prayer because of his importance to everyone in the village. No one in the village was pleased with the idea, but on the other hand they were afraid of what might happen to them if they were to challenge the powerful wealthy man. So they put their troubled heads together and decided to send a delegation to ask the holy rabbi who lived in a nearby town for some advice. The holy rabbi suggested that the wealthy man, the self-appointed prayer leader should come to him for a blessing.

When in due course the self-appointed baal tefillah (prayer leader) of the village came to the holy rabbi to receive his blessing before under¬taking the weighty responsibility of leading his community in prayer, the holy rabbi asked him’ “why should you lead the community in prayer?” The wealthy man took a deep breath and began to explain how he gave a lot of tzedakah (charity), he had built many homes in the village and that he employed most of the villagers.

The holy rabbi listened and then explained, “As you know, the Torah speaks of three kinds of prayer.

There is

‘the prayer of Moshe Rabbeinu’ (Moses our Teacher);

There is

‘the prayer of King David’; and

There is

‘the prayer of a poor man.’

Now Moshe Rabbeinu was indeed ‘slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ (Exodus 4: 10) — but he was the father of the prophets and the teacher of all Israel. King David — why, he is called ‘the sweet singer of Israel.’ (2 Samuel 23:1) And as for the poor man, his heart is humble, and we know from Psalms that ‘a broken and contrite heart, O G-d, You will not despise.’ (Psalm 51:17)

“Now the baalei tefillah of our days who lead their congregations in prayer likewise fall into these same three categories. There are those who are not very musical, but they are righteous — so their prayers are ac¬cepted like ‘the prayer of Moshe.’ Then there are those who are perhaps not quite so righteous, but in their melodiousness they ‘exalt God with their throats’ — so their prayers are accepted like ‘the prayer of David.’ Finally, there are those who are neither righteous nor musical, but since they are poor and their hearts are humble, their prayers are accepted like ‘the prayer of a poor man.’

“Now as for you,” concluded the tzaddik, “we cannot say that you are especially righteous; nor can we say that you are musical; and neither (thank G-d) are you a poor man. So if you want to lead your community in prayer. I will have to pray that you merit to fit into one of these three levels. There is no need for me to explain to you that to ask heaven to make you a tzaddik a sweet singer all of a sudden would be a vain prayer. The only way I can help you, therefore, is by asking heaven to make you poor, and then at least your prayer ‘the prayer of a poor man’…”

The wealthy man thought for sometime about what the holy rabbi had said and became intensely aware of his great pride in the many sins he had committed in his arrogance caused by his great wealth. He began to cry and asked that the holy rabbi tell them how to do teshuvah in order to be forgiven. The wealthy man was at a loss on what to do.

Holy rabbi sensed the sincerity of the wealthy man and with a gentle voice asked him, “do you really want to pray on behalf of the community?”

The wealthy man, in a broken voice, answered, “I am not a particularly holy man like Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher} and I don’t have an exceptionally good singing voice like Dovid haMelech (King David), but I am a man of a poor broken spirit because of the many sins I have committed in my pride and arrogance. If I could, I still would like to lead the prayer on Rosh Hashanah so that I could be heard by the heavenly court.”

The holy rabbi took the wealthy’s man’s hand and in a soothing voice said, “you have a gift that many people do not have is that you are very educated and cannot only say the words of the prayers of the holy and awesome Day of Judgment (Rosh Hashanah), but you can understand them also. Read for me the Hineni.”

The wealthy man took a deep breath and began, “hineni he’oni mimaas” and than he began to cry, “go on” encouraged the holy rabbi and slowly the words came from the wealthy man:

hineni he’oni mimaas – Here am I that am poor in meritorious deeds, trembling and in awe of the One who sits enthroned upon the praises of Israel, standing and pleading before Him on behalf of His people Israel who have sent me, though I am unworthy and unqualified for the task.

Therefore I ask you G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac, and G-d of Jacob, L-rd, L-rd, benevolent G-d, compassionate and gracious, G-d of Israel, Omnipotent, fearful and awesome, grant success to the mission which I am undertaking. To stand and plead for mercy for myself and those who sent me.

Please do not hold them to blame for my sins and do not find them guilty of my iniquities, for I am a careless and willful sinner. Let them not feel humiliated by my willful sins. Let them not be ashamed of me and let me not be ashamed of them. Accept my prayer like the prayers of a man advanced in years and experienced in prayer, whose conduct in his youth was unblemished, whose beard is fully grown, whose voice is sweet, and who is friendly with other people.

May you denounce the Adversary, that he may not bring charges against me. They are congregation be cherished by you, and they you cover our transgressions with love. Please transform all suffering and distress, for us and for all Israel, to gladness and joy, to life and peace (for the people who) love truth and peace. May there be no stumbling in my prayer.

May be your will, L-rd, G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac and G-d of Jacob, the great, mighty and awesome G-d, exalted G-d, “I will be what I will be,” that all the angels who occupy themselves with our prayers bring my prayer before the throne of your glory and spread it before you for the sake of all the righteous, the pious, the perfect and the upright, and for the sake of your glorious, great and awesome name; for you hear the prayer of your people Israel with mercy.

Blessed are you who hears prayer.

It took the wealthy man over an hour to be able to say the prayer of the shliach tzibbur (leader of the prayers), but it seemed his heart had changed in his sins had been washed away by his tears. A very humble wealthy man turned to the holy rabbi and asked, “Rabbi, holy rabbi can you bless me that when I pray with everyone else that I can truly not feel any urges to ‘take revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love my neighbor as myself’ (Leviticus 19:18), bless me that all of my prayers should come from the inside of me.’ ”

The wealthy man left the holy rabbi that day a different person who came. On the way back to his home he gave away huge amounts of coins to all who needed and prepared himself to pray with the people and not in front of them on Rosh Hashanah that year.

May all of your prayers and the prayers of all the people this Rosh Hashanah ascend to the very throne of mercy and may hush M shower the world with health, happiness and peace. On Yom Kippur may you be sealed for a year of plenty, sweetness and love.

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)

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How Much Remorse?

Posted on Monday, 18, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham were visited by many people as they prepared for Yom haDin – Day of Judgment, another name for Rosh Hashanah. The requests for prayer and blessings from people were steady. Life was hard with uncertain livelihood and the constant barrage of “modern” thought that challenged the age old wisdom. This was the season of hope and people were seeking advice and direction from Tam and Chacham.

An old man came to Tam and Chacham and requested, “I have reached a ripe old age, and thank Baruch Hashem am lacking nothing. Only one thing I want and that is that you should promise me that I will be granted forgiveness for the sins of my youth.”

Chacham thought for a moment and instructed the old man, “The RaMBaM (Maimonides) taught that ‘If a man transgresses, wittingly or unwittingly, any precept of the Torah, whether a positive precept or a negative, and repents and turns away from his wrongdoing, he is obliged to confess his sins to the Holy One, blessed be He. How does a man confess his sins? He says: ‘O G-d! I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed before You by doing such-and–such. Behold now I am sorry for what I have done and am ashamed and I shall never do it again.’ “ (Mishneh Torah: Hilchos. Teshuvah Chapter 1, Law 2)

Chacham continued, “You must light two candles – One for the heart and the other for the soul. Take upon yourself to fast for three days, during which you should pray with a broken heart:

Our G-d and G-d of our ancestors! Let our prayers come before You and do not hide Yourself from our supplication. For neither are we so arrogant nor hardened to say, “We are righteous and have not sinned,” for truly, truly, we have sinned. May it be Your will, O Lord our God, to forgive all our sins, and pardon all our iniquities.” (Ma’ariv l’Yom Kippur Service)

The old man looked at Chacham with tears in his eyes and said, “I will do the best I can to follow your directions, but I am a weak old man and am afraid I will not be able to complete all that you have told me.”

Tam saw the look in the old man’s eyes and asked, “do you truly regret the sins of your youth?”

“I am ashamed of what I did and now wish I could undo my sins. I wish I could ask for forgiveness, but there is no one to ask as many have gone on to the World of Truth.” Answered the old man.

Tam reminded the old man, “Yom Kippur does not forgive transgressions between a man and his fellow — until (or unless) he seeks forgiveness from him” (Mishnah Yoma 8:9), but the first step is to forgive yourself. Only then can you truly express regret and seek forgiveness.”

The old man, his face streaked with tears whispered, “I really regret my foolish acts and wish I could take them back.”

“If you regret the sins of your youth completely, then that secures their forgiveness.” Tam responded.

“And what in your eyes is the required measure of remorse?” asked the old man.

Tam thought for some time and then began, “”Let me tell you a story, there once was a wealthy merchant who was in a rush to arrive at the big fair in the city before all the other merchants, and the wagonloads of goods that he brought with him were very much in demand.

The day he arrived in the city it began to rain. The rain and wind was so bad, that for a number of days no other merchant was able to bring his merchandise to the fair. All the prospective customers therefore milled around his stand. Seeing how intense was the demand, he decided to keep them all waiting for a few days so that the price would rise. And indeed, from day to day the rain fell harder and day by day the price rose higher. Then in the middle of the night the rain stopped. Before dawn the marketplace was clattering with all the wagons that were trundling in from all over the land and the price of his goods dropped instantly.

“Now, then,” concluded Tam. “if you find that your remorse over the sins of your youth is as intense as the regret of that merchant when he realized how much his greed had cost him, then you may be sure that your regret is sufficient to secure you forgiveness.”

The old man asked, “I am really sorry for the pain caused by the sins of my youth, but wonder can I surely be forgiven? How can I be sure that I can be forgiven?”

Tam answered, “As soon as one repents, one is forgiven. (Chagigah 5a) This is why we sing the ancient words:

אבנו מלכנו חננו ועננו כי אין בנו עשים עשה עשה עמנו צדקה וחסד והשענו

Avinu Malkeinu Choneinu Vaaneinu Ki ein Banu Maasim Ase Imanu Tzdaka Vahesed Vehoshieinu

Our Father, our King! be gracious unto us and answer us, for we have no good works of our own; deal with us in charity and kindness, and save us.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

A Prescription for Life

Philmont, Horses and Rosh haShanah

Rosh haHashanah: Forgiving A Debt

The Deaf Man of the Shul

The Dirty Treasure

How to be Forgiven of Sin

Repentance and the Captive Prince

Repentance Out of Love

The Humble Request of the King’s Son

The King, the Thief the True Penitant

A Rock and the King’s Greatness

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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Horses and Rosh haShanah

Posted on Sunday, 25, September, 2016Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

On Rosh Hashanah we are very aware that the Book of Life is opened and that it is a time of justice, mercy and faith. I was recently at a ceremony at a farm and was struck by the beauty and majesty of the horses when I remembered a story about the inter-relationship of man and horse that taught a very important lesson.

At first G-d thought to create the world through the quality of judgment (din), but realizing that the world could not endure at this level. G-d added on the quality of compassion (rachamim).

—Midrash Bereishis Raba 12:15

One Friday morning a group of students set out to spend the Sabbath with their teacher, a holy rabbi. Dovid, whose deep love for animals earned him a reputation as a gifted horse whisperer, was among this group of students. After encountering several obstacles and delays on their journey, the group arrived just as the sun was about to set Friday afternoon. Fearing they would be late for Sabbath prayers and miss the holy rabbi’s teachings, the group hastily abandoned their horse and carriage and ran off to the synagogue everyone that is, except Dovid. When the holy rabbi realized that Dovid was missing, he sent the some of the students to look for him. Where did they find him? In the barn, feeding and brushing the horses. When they asked him what he was doing there, he responded that all the others had run off without thinking to feed and water the horses, who were weary from the demanding journey, and so he had stayed behind to do just that.

Dovid was a holy soul in the truest way, a lover of the Divine, and his love for G-d was expressed through his deep compassion for all creatures and all living things. It was absolutely clear to Dovid that by observing the mitzvah of tzaar ba’alei chaim, the commandment to prevent the suffering of animals, he would obtain more closeness to G-d than by seeking spiritual satisfaction in the synagogue. Dovid understood that it is in the expression of compassion, the love and care we extend to all living things that we find the Divine presence; for ultimately compassion, or rachamim, as it is called in Hebrew, is G-d’s very essence.

Jewish mysticism teaches that we come close to G-d only when we “walk in G-d’s ways” – that is, when we embody the divine quality of compassion. In the following, the thirteen attributes of Divine mercy revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai form the template for the practice of compassion:

“Walking in all His ways. (Deuteronomy 5:22). What are the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He? “A G-d compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6).

This means that just as G-d is gracious and compassionate, we too must be gracious and compassionate. . . Just as G-d gives freely to all, we too must give freely to all. Just as G-d is loving, we too must be loving.

Spiritual development, according to the teachings of the rabbis, is measured by how much compassion and mercy we show to one another everyday.

May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet year and blessings

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) Please share this story with family, friends and others. We welcome your comments and discussions about this story

The Honest and Dishonest Student

Posted on Sunday, 15, November, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

One of the men who studied at the yeshiva of the learned The MaHaRaL, (Moreinu Ha-Rav Loew – Our Teacher, Rabbi Loew) in Prague was very poor. So poor was he that in his distress he decided to go around by night and see whether any door was open, so that he might go in and steal whatever he found. He made the rounds in this fashion from place to place throughout the night.

Early in the morning when most people were just waking up he would enter the house of study to hear the expositions of the sage. Indeed, he was the first to enter. He once heard the sage expound on the rule that no man should touch what has been prepared for his fellowmen:

“Even if you see that thieves steal the money of their fellows, the Holy One, blessed be He returns to them what they lost in principle and interest. It is true that those who have taken money dishonestly would have obtained the same amount honestly and not by robbery if they had had confidence and faith. Sometimes, if they had been prepared to wait and not to take the money unlawfully, they would have benefited from it lawfully and with peace of mind. It is only the effect of their evil inclination that makes it seem to them as if they must steal in order not to perish from hunger.”

On one occasion when this man was going about to steal after his manner, he entered the home of a widow by night. He remembered a teaching, “While forcing the lock, the burglar calls on divine aid.” (Machberos ch 11, c.1300) After he had gathered her belongings in order to take them he remembered the teachings of his wise rabbi. Stopped for a moment or two and he said to himself: “Tonight I want to test the rabbi’s words and see how true they are.” So he did not take a single thing, neither large nor small. As he was leaving the widow’s house he stumbled on a basket in which there were all kinds of fine food and a roasted chicken. He thoiught to himself: “I have not stolen valuables, at least let me eat what I see here. Why should this night be different?” Then he reminded himself: “This time I have already decided not to steal anything. Maybe the rabbi’s words will be fulfilled after all and maybe there will be some change in my life.” He went back to the house of study as usual.

After the prayers were over, the widow came to the rabbi and said to him: “Wise and learned sir, I am a rich woman but have been left alone, for my husband died at heaven’s decree. Now, last night I felt that thieves came to the house and wished to steal; but owing to heaven’s grace they stole nothing and left everything and went away. Now, I entreat you, seek me out a proper man who will be prepared to be my husband and support my empty heart.” The rabbi told her: “My daughter, have no fear. I know a certain decent man. If you take my advice, he will be your husband, and the two of you will live in peace.” Then the man was brought before the rabbi who said to him: “See, you have neither wife nor children. Take this woman as your wife.” The man listened to his teacher and betrothed the woman and married her. At the wedding feast she set before them all the fine foods, wine and roasted chicken she herself had prepared.

Then the man went to the rabbi and told him: “Indeed, it is fit and proper for you to teach, for the truth is in your mouth. Blessed is the L-rd who allowed me the privilege of sitting before you and hearing your pleasant words, which served me as a shield and buckler.”

And that man repented fully and entirely, and sat every night studying with the rabbi, who had foreseen all this, thanks to the Holy Spirit.

Sippurey Ma’assios Chadashim #17

Ma’assim Tovim #15

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) Please share this story with others

The young man answered: “Why should I not be troubled? After repenting I keep returning to sin over and over again as a dog return to his bone – and how can I know whether my repentance is still accepted?”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

ORDER YOURS TODAY

Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from:

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Seeing a farmer tending his field nearby, he stopped to ask for directions. “Can you tell me how far It is to the market in the village of B?” he asked the farmer.

“You really don’t know very much at all, do you?” blurted the impatient merchant. “No, I guess I don’t, but I’m not lost,” the farmer calmly answered.

There are many who depend on their knowledge, but reject the wisdom of faith. They journey through life and find no lasting fulfillment. The “the aim of wisdom is repentance (return to a spiritual state) and good deeds.” (Berachos 17a)

Sadly there are many who extol the practice of good deeds under the guise of belief and faith, but their actions are without spirituality. Many people search for spiritual meaning to the world around them and in their personal lives.

The baal teshuvah is anyone who is in a constant state of return to spiritual and true self, an inner soul that connects to the divine through learning and living faith while (Torah) and doing mitzvahs (good deeds).

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

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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A letter of official protest was immediately dispatched to the king who sent the recipe. How dare he send a recipe for such a vile food! The king received the distressing letter and summoned his cooking staff for an explanation.

KISHKE

This is a versatile recipe. If using oil, the Kishke is pareve. If using shmaltz, the Kishke is fleishig. For Pesach/Passover delete the flour and use only matzah meal. For Pesach/Passover one could use ¾ cup of cake meal and ¾ cup of matzah meal

INGREDIENTS

2 stalks celery with leaves, chopped

½ cup vegetable oil or shmaltz

1 carrot, grated

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour or matzah meal

1 large onion, chopped

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients except the flour/matzah meal and paprika in the blender. Do not blend too smooth: a coarse texture will make a more interesting kishke.

When blended, add the flour/matzah meal and paprika. Spoon half of the mixture onto a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Shape like a cylinder. Fasten the foil securely at the top and the sides. Do the same with the other half of the mixture.

Essen Gezunteheit

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.

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In due course the wealthy merchant died; and when he appeared before the Heavenly Court to give a reckoning for his deeds, they included the sin of his friend among his own. The dead man appeared to his friend in a dream and summoned him for trial before a very holy rabbi.

The man was terrified and did not know what to answer; and the dead man appeared in his dreams nightly until he became very sick. Then the sick person begged his family to carry him in his bed to the holy rabbi. They did so, and he told the rabbi of the dreams.

The rabbi said to him: “Have no fear! When he comes to you again, tell him that the Torah ‘is not in heaven’ (Deut. 30:12), and if he wishes for a trial, let him come before me together with you.” The rabbi set a special time for this trial according to the Torah.

When that time came, he sent the synagogue attendant to the grave¬yard to summon the dead merchant. The dead man came together with the living; and a minyan (a group of ten men) gathered in the synagogue.

When the rabbi had declared his judgment, the sound of loud weeping was heard; and in the spot where the dead man had stood there now appeared a large cloud of smoke.

Based on Adas Tzadikkim 41-5

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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Moshe Milner was unwilling to sell the horse, and refused all offers that were presented to him. It seemed that no matter how many times he said “no,” and how many people he turned away, offers continued to come his way from people who wished to purchase the horse.

The night before the sale was to be finalized, Moshe couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned in his bed until, finally, in the middle of the night, he dressed and left the house, telling his family he would soon return.

The next day news quickly spread that the “wonder horse” had died the previous night, for no apparent reason. “A perfectly healthy horse!” everyone exclaimed, and a horse worth 25 gold coins! Who had ever heard of such a thing!

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)

New – Listen to the stories every Wednesday evening on the Story Tour Podcast on

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The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immedi­ately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.

There was a wise man standing nearby who soothed the man’s anxiety:

On another occasion, the king’s messenger summoned a different person to appear before the king. This time, however, the messenger was dressed in bright-colored clothes and was very happy as well as smiling. The man was overjoyed and he began to dance.

A wise man turned to him and said:

A person should not judge himself according to whether an event which befalls him is good or bad. Rather, he must constantly examine himself in order to know whether he is loyal to the King, or Heaven forbid, has sinned against Him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

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

The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immediately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.