The Falcon, the Eagle, and the King

Posted on Tuesday, 1, November, 2022 by Rabbi

Once upon a time there was a great king whose ministers and governors and followers did not honor him. Now he had raised a falcon from a chick and trained it to hunt. It ate of his food and dwelled in his bosom because he loved it so greatly. In the third year of his reign he wedded and made a feast for all his ministers and attendants, his horsemen and his riders, and he placed the falcon in front of him to display it. The falcon saw an eagle flying to take a fluttering chick, and the falcon grew enraged and flew aloft and trod the eagle underfoot. Then it returned to its master the king, thinking he would approve of his deed. But the king stretched out his hand and took him and twisted his neck.

All the ministers were astounded and said nothing but were very upset. Then the king said to them: “Do not be angry or feel distressed at heart. It is abiding law that none shall act against the anointed one and escape unharmed. For the eagle wears the crown of majesty and rules over all creatures that bear wing and is the king of all who fly. Anyone who rebels against him will have his head crushed. And let that law prevail against every man who holds his king in low esteem!”

Then those who were present were amazed at his cunning and wisdom, and he was feared by all who dwelt in his kingdom.

Kaftor va-Ferach 25 (1322)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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The Captain and the Innkeeper

Posted on Wednesday, 9, March, 2022Tuesday, 3, October, 2023 by Rabbi

A captain traveled with a special unit of trained soldiers at the command of the king to accomplish an important task. The road was long, and the sun was setting on the tired soldiers after two days journey. The captain spotted an inn and ordered his unit to stop there.

The innkeeper was delighted to merit the honor to host the captain on the king’s mission. He therefore tried his best to make his valued guests’ stay a pleasant one. In their honor, he set a table filled with good food, and when they had eaten their fill, he prepared comfortable beds that would provide them with a good night’s sleep.

Upon rising in the morning, the captain asked the innkeeper how much he owed for all the services, and the innkeeper requested a great deal of money.

The captain paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of his unit and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

Several days later, he arrived at another inn, and this time as well, was showered with extraordinary hospitality as the innkeeper went well beyond the call of duty. Wanting to please his guests, the innkeeper served them delicious food, fine drink, and provided them with comfortable sleeping arrangements as well.

The next day, the captain approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not” the innkeeper said to the captain. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to stay at my inn. The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

Upon hearing the innkeeper’s heartfelt words, the captain was filled with tremendous affection for the simple man. He then commanded one of his soldiers to go and bring a particularly heavy chest from one of the wagons. Opening the chest, he removed beautiful jewelry and gems and presented them to the innkeeper.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the captain. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the respect and loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to contact to me”

The captain went on his way, but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindness.

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a reward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.

This is not the case, however, with one who serves the Holy One, blessed be He with joy over having merited to serve the King Above All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings the Holy One, blessed be He much gratification.

The sages taught, “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward” (Pirkei Avos 1:3)

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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Feelings for Another

Posted on Wednesday, 2, March, 2022 by Rabbi

You know my shame, and my embarrassment, and my humiliation. (Psalms 69:20)

Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

Tam and Chacham were once walking along a path in the woods with a couple of students when a man with a speech impediment approached them to ask for directions to the doctor’s house in the village. Feeling uneasy about leaving the students and Tam alone in the woods, Chacham decided to give the man directions to the doctor’s house by pointing out the way. Tam asked one of the students to come with him to escort the man all the way to the doctor’s house while Chacham and the other student waited for them to return.

When Tam and the student returned, he explained that he did not want the man to have to ask someone else for directions so as not to be too embarrassed to show his speech impediment to yet another person. “He approached us because he saw a group of men dressed as respectable teachers and students and felt secure that we would not ridicule him. I wanted to save his having to ask again and thereby spare him any unnecessary embarrassment.” explained Tam.

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 True Owner of the House

Posted on Monday, 14, February, 2022Thursday, 6, June, 2024 by Rabbi

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; (1 Samuel 2:3)

A man arrived in a big city and began to wander through the many streets. Along the way, he came to a street of the most wonderful homes he had ever seen. One of the homes especially amazed him with its beauty, and he decided to go inside the house and get a look at the inside.

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and elegant furniture filled each room.

The servant who opened the door was dressed in a fine blue uniform with large gold buttons and shiny black boots.

“Who is the owner of this magnificent home?” asked the visitor. The servant, filled with conceit and arrogance, looked down on the visitor, puffed up his chest and answered, “It is my house! Look around everything that you see is mine. I am the owner of this house.”

The door suddenly swung open and in walked the true master of the house. He had overheard his servant’s outrageous comments and was definitely angry. Embarrassed by his actions and treatment of the traveler, the servant quickly left the room.

When a person is conceited, arrogant and proud it is an indication that he has forgotten that the Holy One, blessed be He is the true Master of the world.

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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In A Forgotten Age

Posted on Thursday, 24, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

People were created in the image of G-d. (Genesis 1:27) and as such, must act in holy ways, to treat others with dignity and respect, to behave with moral and ethical character as an essential part of everyone’s life.

It has been noted by those who study the Bible that that the Hebrew term “derech eretz” (literally “way of the land”) is used to describe the behavior of courtesy and respect. It has been said that courtesy as the rule of people existed twenty-six generations before the Revelation at Mount Sinai. “This is the meaning of what is written: ‘To guard the way to the Tree of Life.’ (Gen 3:24) “The way” (derech) refers to derech eretz; afterwards “the Tree of Life’, which is Torah/Scriptures.;’ ” (Vayikra Rabbah 9:3)

In the age when life on earth was full no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the man of ability. Rulers were simply the highest branches on the trees and the people were like deer in the woods. They were honest and righteous without realizing that they were “doing their duty.” They loved each other and did not know this was “love of neighbor.” They deceived no one yet did not know they were “men to be trusted.” They were reliable and did not know that this was “good faith.” They lived freely together giving and taking and did not know they were generous. For this reason their deeds have not been narrated. They made no history. They made and lived in peace.

Derech Eretz

If one presents themselves as religious and learned but does not conduct themselves in an acceptable manner in public, many people will attribute the negative conduct to the faith promoted by the person. About such a person people will say:

“woe to that person who studied Torah, woe to his father who taught him Torah, woe to the teacher who taught him Torah. This person who has studied Torah, see how perverse are his ways, how ugly are his deeds.” (Yoma 86a)

We are keenly aware of the impressions of people when they see a “holy/religious” person act without respect and civility showing arrogance, elitism and discourtesy. The Scriptures teaches: “And when they came to the nations, to which they came, they profaned My Holy Name, in that it was said of them, these are the people of the L-rd, and they are gone out from his land!” (Ezekiel 36:20)

One of the important lessons one can learn is before doing the many religious commandments and deeds found in the Holy Books, a person must pave the path with derech eretz, meaning decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, civilized behaviour and good personality traits.

Derech eretz/courtesy and holy teachings go together, for each is necessary for success in the other. Success in the study and practice of faith requires a firm base just as a building must have a foundation to endure. Conversely, Courtesy, respect and civility without Torah/Scriptures is as pointless as a foundation with no building.

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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Respect and Shame of Another

Posted on Monday, 5, October, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

“And Moses said to the L-rd, O my L-rd, I am not eloquent, neither yesterday nor the day before, nor since you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

The holy rabbi’s respect for every individual was unparalleled, he did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. He was careful to never utter a disrespectful word.

One day the holy rabbi and a student were walking in the woods learning how man needs to live with nature and not exploit the creation the Holy One, blessed be He provided for all people. Along the path, a confused old man with a speech impediment approached them to ask for directions to a local specialist. The holy rabbi and the student recognized the old man as the quiet porter from the village.

Feeling uneasy about leaving the holy rabbi alone on the forest path, the student decided to direct the man to the specialist by pointing out the way. The holy rabbi stopped his student and then asked to escort the man all the way to his destination while he waited for him.

When the student returned, the holy rabbi explained that he did not want the man to have to ask someone else for directions lest he be too embarrassed to reveal his speech impediment to yet another person. “He approached us because he saw two men dressed as rabbis and felt secure that we would not mock him. I wanted to save his having to ask again and thereby spare him any unnecessary embarrassment.”

“How so?” asked the student. “Do we not learn Besides ‘humiliation is worse than physical pain.’” (Sotah 8b) and that ‘shaming another in public is like shedding blood’? (Bava Metzia 58b) answered the holy rabbi.

“when a Torah becomes unfit for use because the words are blurred or missing, we don’t discard it, or a man of learning forgets the detailed teachings we don’t laugh or ridicule him.” continued the holy rabbi.

“Instead we ‘respect an old man who has lost his learning through no fault of his own. The fragments of the Tablets broken by Moshe were kept in the Ark of the Covenant alongside the new.’” (Berachos 8b)

May the Holy One Blessed be He grant that you neither shame nor be shamed (Moed Katan 9b)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

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The King and His Old Teacher

Posted on Friday, 23, June, 2017Tuesday, 3, September, 2024 by Rabbi

One of the kings had a wise teacher who had instructed him since his childhood in all matters of things such as mathematics, differences between light and dark, sciences, as well as matters of honor and respect. Every day was a new lesson that the teacher instilled into the king, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever…Many shall be running back and forth, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12: 3-4)

The teacher grew old, and age was heavy upon him, and weakness and want had overtaken him. After many years, the teacher came to visit the king one day with his son to support him at his side. When the king saw him, he rose from his throne to bid him welcome and to receive him with honour. He seated him at his right hand, then turned to his ministers and servants and said to them: “This was my teacher in my childhood, and he taught me what is good and right and instructed me in the ways of goodness and wisdom.^“

Then he turned to the old man and asked him: “Is all well, father mine?^“ And the old man answered: “Your majesty, well-being is far from me, for the pangs of old age will not let me be and the days of evil have come upon me and the years with no purpose press wearingly. What good is life to a man whose moments are long and whose arms are no longer strong, and he sleeps by day and remains awake all night long. I dare say, and whose ears are too heavy for him to hear and his eyes are too dim to see with, I fear. Food he despises when it is there, yet he longs to feast when it is somewhere else. His pains slow him down, and the birds wake him up, and his dear ones annoy him, and his dreams frighten him enough to destroy him, and his bones have grown dry, and he has forgotten his good days; they are so far away!”

teacher

The king and all those who were seated before him wept aloud and said: “Alas, for living when the beginning is forgotten in its ending, and people would sooner be dead than alive.” The king told those before him that one must always “Revere your teacher as you revere Heaven.” (Avos 4:12) The king said to him: “Father mine, I can change your lack to wealth, G-d be praised, but I cannot change old age to youth.” And he gave him money and the robes he wore and endowed his children with a good inheritance and ordered them to support their father honorably and treat him with respect. Then the old man blessed him, saying, “He who pleases his teachers is destined for the World to Come” (Shabbos 153a). The old teacher and his son left the king in peace.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared, they will be lost.

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Then those who were present were amazed at his cunning and wis­dom, and he was feared by all who dwelt in his kingdom.

Kaftor va-Ferach 25 (1322)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

A captain traveled with a special unit of trained soldiers at the command of the king to accomplish an important task. The road was long, and the sun was setting on the tired soldiers after two days journey. The captain spotted an inn and ordered his unit to stop there.

Upon rising in the morning, the captain asked the innkeeper how much he owed for all the services, and the innkeeper requested a great deal of money.

The captain paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of his unit and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.

The next day, the captain approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.

“Absolutely not” the innkeeper said to the captain. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to stay at my inn. The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the captain. “This is a small por­tion of the reward that you shall receive for the respect and loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to contact to me”

The captain went on his way, but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindness.

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a re­ward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.

This is not the case, however, with one who serves the Holy One, blessed be He with joy over having merited to serve the King Above All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings the Holy One, blessed be He much gratification.

The sages taught, “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward” (Pirkei Avos 1:3)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Tam and Chacham respected every person. Chacham tended to treat those with learning just a bit more. Tam, on the other hand, did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. Never did he say a disrespectful word to anyone.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; (1 Samuel 2:3)

A man arrived in a big city and began to wander through the many streets. Along the way, he came to a street of the most wonderful homes he had ever seen. One of the homes especially amazed him with its beauty, and he decided to go inside the house and get a look at the inside.

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and ele­gant furniture filled each room.

The servant who opened the door was dressed in a fine blue uniform with large gold buttons and shiny black boots.

“Who is the owner of this magnificent home?” asked the visitor. The servant, filled with conceit and arrogance, looked down on the visitor, puffed up his chest and answered, “It is my house! Look around everything that you see is mine. I am the owner of this house.”

The door suddenly swung open and in walked the true master of the house. He had overheard his servant’s outrageous comments and was definitely angry. Embarrassed by his actions and treatment of the traveler, the servant quickly left the room.

When a person is conceited, arrogant and proud it is an in­dication that he has forgotten that the Holy One, blessed be He is the true Master of the world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

People were created in the image of G-d. (Genesis 1:27) and as such, must act in holy ways, to treat others with dignity and respect, to behave with moral and ethical character as an essential part of everyone’s life.

If one presents themselves as religious and learned but does not conduct themselves in an acceptable manner in public, many people will attribute the negative conduct to the faith promoted by the person. About such a person people will say:

“woe to that person who studied Torah, woe to his father who taught him Torah, woe to the teacher who taught him Torah. This person who has studied Torah, see how perverse are his ways, how ugly are his deeds.” (Yoma 86a)

One of the important lessons one can learn is before doing the many religious commandments and deeds found in the Holy Books, a person must pave the path with derech eretz, meaning decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, civilized behaviour and good personality traits.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

“And Moses said to the L-rd, O my L-rd, I am not eloquent, neither yesterday nor the day before, nor since you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

The holy rabbi’s respect for every individual was unparalleled, he did not discriminate between people, but honored everyone equally, regardless of a person’s background or beliefs. He was careful to never utter a disrespectful word.

Feeling uneasy about leaving the holy rabbi alone on the forest path, the student decided to direct the man to the specialist by pointing out the way. The holy rabbi stopped his student and then asked to escort the man all the way to his destination while he waited for him.

“How so?” asked the student. “Do we not learn Besides ‘humiliation is worse than physical pain.’” (Sotah 8b) and that ‘shaming another in public is like shedding blood’? (Bava Metzia 58b) answered the holy rabbi.

“when a Torah becomes unfit for use because the words are blurred or missing, we don’t discard it, or a man of learning forgets the detailed teachings we don’t laugh or ridicule him.” continued the holy rabbi.

“Instead we ‘respect an old man who has lost his learning through no fault of his own. The fragments of the Tablets broken by Moshe were kept in the Ark of the Covenant alongside the new.’” (Berachos 8b)

May the Holy One Blessed be He grant that you neither shame nor be shamed (Moed Katan 9b)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter

If the stories are not shared, they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Then those who were present were amazed at his cunning and wisdom, and he was feared by all who dwelt in his kingdom.

“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the captain. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the respect and loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to contact to me”

There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a reward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.

The man knocked on the heavy oak door. When it was opened, he was greeted by the sight of many amazing sights. Expensive rugs lined the floor, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and elegant furniture filled each room.

When a person is conceited, arrogant and proud it is an indication that he has forgotten that the Holy One, blessed be He is the true Master of the world.