The Widow’s Seder

Posted on Wednesday, 8, April, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Sima woke as the light of the new day shined in her window. She was still tired from cleaning the house for Pesach (Passover) the day before. She gathered her clothes to take to the river to wash. Her daughter Zehava followed behind humming a song.

It had been a hard year for the young widow, Sima, who missed her husband badly. sickness ravaged the village that winter and she helped many anyway she could. Sadly, many died.

Zehava asked her mother when they would start cooking for the seder meal. Sima just sighed as she did not have any matzah, wine or food for the seder. So, she sadly went to the river to wash clothes so that she and her daughter could at least welcome the holiday with clean clothes.

“Ima, please tell me the story of Pesach (Passover)” asked Zehava. “Not now my precious daughter but tonight” answered Sima. Her daughter walked and played along the bank of the river where flowers were starting to appear, and the trees were budding. It was a beautiful spring day, but Sima was so sad.

Zehava began to play in the water, cupping the water and then letting it slowly run out of her hands back into the river. She did it again and again. “Ima, why are you so sad today? It is right before Pseach a happy holiday.” asked Zehava, Sima looked at her daughter and remembered when she was a girl and her mother always found a way to be happy at holiday time no matter how hard things were. “I’m sad because we have nothing to prepare for Pesach and no one to share with us” Sima tearfully answered.

“You know, I learned that sadness is an enemy that can destroy a lot of things.” Zehava said. “Oh, to be a little girl again with few worries. To see the good around us and to just play” Sima responded.

Zehava continued playing in the water, “Every day when I pray I say ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies’ (Psalm 23:5), she held her cupped hands up high and as the water trickled down she sad “my cup overflows.”

“Ima, you help everyone who needs help even though we are very poor. One thing though, we are so full of mitzvos (good deeds) that they can’t fit into any treasure chest.”

“Zehava, my sweet child you remind me of something my mother told me a long time ago ‘He lifts up the soul and makes the eyes sparkle; he gives health and life and blessing.’ (Ben Sira 34:20) The sparkle in your eyes makes me appreciate the gift the Holy One, blessed be He gave to me.”

Zehava ran over and hugged her mother and they both smiled.

In the distance Zehava saw someone walking along the bank of the river. The person seemed to be struggling. As they got closer, Zehava saw it was an old woman, older than anyone she had even seen. The old woman having trouble walking.

As the old woman neared, Sima and Zehava invited her to rest on the riverbank with them. The old woman asked if she could join them for the seder. Sima began to cry as she explained they did not have any matzah, wine or food for the seder. The old woman answered, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you (Isaiah 66:13) may you be blessed in all your actions and may you celebrate the holy days with happiness,”

The old woman told them she was very tired, and Zehava asked, “Ima, can this old woman sleep in my bed until she is ready to go on her way?” “That’s a good idea” Sima answered as she told the old woman to go to the house behind them.

The old woman looked at Zehava and smiled, “You shall understand the Pesach (Passover) story much better than most people for you are truly a special girl.” She took a deep breath and continued, “The blessing of Hashem is the reward of the pious, and quickly He causes his blessing to flourish. (Ben Sira 11:22). Follow in your mother’s ways and be kind to all who have needs.”

The old woman went into the house while Sima continued with her laundry and Zehava played in the water. After some time Sima and Zehava started back towards their house when they noticed a strange light. Zehava ran to the door and called to her mother, “Ima, the house is filled with matzah, wine and so much food. There’s a white tablecloth and the candlesticks are ready for Pesach.”

Sima gasped at what she saws and went to check on the old woman but could not find her. Zehava ran out the door and saw the old woman walking down the road. The old woman looked over her shoulder, smiled and said, “I have been walking for countless years and may you have a kosher and joyous Pesach (Passover).”

Sima and Zehava started to cook and that night had many guests for there seder. Sima told everyone about the mysterious old woman. No one had seen her or had met her.

At the end of the seder after everyone had left, Zehava turned to her mother and said, “This has been the most special seder we have ever had.” Her mother answered, “Yes it has, but I will I know who that old woman was.” Zehava, with a twinkle in her eye added, “It’s not every seder that we are visited by two holy guests.” “Zehava, what are you talking about?” “ima we were visited by Serach bas Asher (Search, the daughter of Asher) and Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet)

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)

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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Kos Shel Eliyahu – Elijah’s Cup

Posted on Monday, 6, April, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

According to belief, Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) will appear at the end of days to announce the coming of Moshiach (the Messiah). He also appears from time to time to save Jewish people in trouble and to teach Torah secrets to holy people. At the Passover seder, a special cup is placed on the table for Eliyahu haNovi – the Kos Shel Eliyahu. It is believed that he visits toward the end of the seder and drinks wine from his cup. He can sometimes be seen by those who are pure of heart.

There was once a wealthy couple named Avram and Penina. They were generous to the poor, and their large house was always open to strangers. Their most valued possession was a beautiful Kos Shel Eliyahu that graced their seder table each year at Passover.

The world is like a fountain wheel, the buckets ascend full and descend empty. Who is rich today may not be so tomorrow. (Exodus Rabbah 31:14) And so the wheel of fortune turned for Avram and Penina, and they were forced to sell most of their pos¬sessions to buy food. The only thing of value that they had left was their Kos Shel Eliyahu, which they agreed never to sell, no matter how desperate their situation became.

As Passover approached, they discovered that they did not have enough money to buy matzahs, wine, or food for the seder.

“Dearest Penina,” said Avram with a heavy heart, “I’m afraid we have no choice but to sell the Kos Shel Eliyahu .”

“Never!” replied Penina, and nothing Avram could say would change her mind.

On the day before Passover, Avram went off to study in the beis midrash. It pained him too much to stay at home and see the empty Kos Shel Eliyahu sitting in the middle of a bare table. How sad their Passover would be this year! How could they celebrate this holiday of freedom from slavery without matzah or wine?

While Avram was gone, there was a knock on the door. Penina opened it to find an elderly, well-dressed man standing before her.

“I’m a stranger in this town,” he said. “May I celebrate the seders with you?”

“We have no money to buy anything for a seder this year,” said Penina sadly. “We have nothing at all in the house.”

The man handed her a heavy purse and said, “Take this money and go buy what you need. I’ll return tonight for the seder.”

With a joyful heart, Penina hurried to the market and bought everything that she needed for the seders. Then she ran home and prepared a great feast. When Avram returned, Penina told him what had happened and asked him to bring their guest home with him from the synagogue that evening. Sadly, Avram returned from the synagogue alone. “I looked everywhere,” he explained, “but there was no well-dressed stranger there.”

They decided not to begin the seder until their guest arrived. But it began to grow late, and still there was no sign of him. At eleven o’clock, they could wait no longer, for the afikomen — the matzah eaten at the end of the seder meal — must be eaten before midnight. They recited the first part of the Haggadah and then began the feast. Right after they ate the afikomen, Avram fell asleep. Penina stayed awake, still hop¬ing that the stranger would appear. A short while later, when she opened the door for Eliyahu haNovi, the elderly man walked in.

She ran to wake Avram, but by the time she succeeded in arousing him from his heavy sleep, the stranger was gone. Avram fell back to sleep, and Penina finished the Haggadah and completed the seder by herself.

Shortly after this, Avram died. When he appeared before the Heavenly Court, they wished to admit him to paradise at once, but Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) appeared and said, “If he wanted to sell my cup, he has to remain outside!” So for several years, Avram waited outside the gates.

Then Penina died, and the gates of paradise opened before her. But as she moved forward to enter, she no-ticed someone in the way. It was her beloved Avram.

“I won’t enter without him!” she cried.

The Heavenly Court tried to persuade her to change her mind, but she stood firm. So they were forced to admit them both.

Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) visits the Passover seder, but he appears at other times too. He comes dressed as a guest to test people’s hospitality, or he comes to reward holy people with his vision or to save those in trouble. Eliyahu haNovi is G-d’s messenger of salvation. This fine couple had resolved never to sell their treasured Elijah’s cup regardless of their financial difficulties. Sadly, when they could not afford the matzah or wine for the seder, Avram gave in – Penina did not. His faith was fragile; hers was strong. Penina trusted that G-d would provide for their Passover needs — and if not, not!

Penina refused to sell the symbol of their faith in G-d’s salvation, even to buy matzah, wine, and food for the seder. Because of her greater faith, she was, awake when Avram was asleep. Since her faith and trust in G-d was strong, they received everything they needed for the holiday. As a reward for her faith, she merited to see Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) and to conclude the seder, unlike her husband, whose faith had failed and who dozed off toward the end.

The seder begins with haLachma Anyah in which we invite “All those who are hungry, let them enter and eat. All who are in need, let them come celebrate the Passover.” There are those who hunger for food, but many more who hunger for faith and holiness.

The seder, in its closing, invites Eliyahu haNovi into our homes and our hearts. May we open our seders with the offer to meet the needs of those who are hungry for food and of the spirit. Life involves many tests, we must trust that G-d will save us. If we hold on and trust Him, we will pass the tests and be rewarded — with spiritual consolation and with visions of the divine presence in our lives.

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)

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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Matzah and Shalom Bayis (Peace in the Family)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

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

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

Stories Should Never Come To An End Page

Shema and Pesach

Posted on Sunday, 10, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This was originally posted in April 2011, this is based on that post with some changes.

One prayer unites Jewish people around the world, the Shema. Everyday in every Jewish community the words of the Shema are said: Hear O Israel, the L-rd is Our G-d, the Lord is One.

Many rabbis and many more people have pondered over the first sentence of the Shema. The Shema has become a declaration of the Jewish people, an affirmation of faith, a vital part of the prayer service, and meditation.

Every Jewish person can have a relationship with G-d as it says in the Shema “our G-d” Pesach is a time when Jewish people come together to read the Haggadah and celebrate this joyous holiday.

Before beginning his own Seder, the holy rabbi of the village would wander about the cottages of the local people to see how they conducted their Seders, As he walked down the cobblestoned alleys he could hear from all sides the voices of simple Jewish families singing and reciting the narrative of the Haggadah. He once stopped near the wooden shutters of one of the cottages and heard a voice reading aloud:

Passover Four Sons

The Torah speaks of four sons: one wise son, one wicked son, one simple son, and one who does not know how to ask questions.”

And every time the reader came to the word for “one” — echad — he would cry it out aloud with prolonged concentration, just as people do when they say Shema Yisrael.

The holy rabbi was delighted, and commented later that this simple villager had made out of the Four Sons of the Haggadah — including even the wicked son — a sublime prayer, a prayer as sacred as the Shema.

There are always the scholars and learned in the community, but too many people drift away, and some never learned much, others search for meaning in Judaism, while a few corrupt or even ridicule Jewish teachings to their own purposes. No matter where one looks they will always find in the Jewish community the wise who follow the ways of Judaism, the wicked who deny their Jewishness, the simple who know they are Jewish and have limited understanding and those who do not even know how to ask questions to begin their search.

Every year we read the words of the Haggadah: “All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate the Passover with us.” Let all of our prayers come together so that all Jewish people can unite as one and say the Shema and bring peace so that we can all celebrate Pesach in the Holy City of Jerusalem next year.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

Matzah and Shalom Bayis (Peace in the Family)

Posted on Monday, 11, April, 2011Saturday, 24, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Pesach with all of its many preparations, is a holiday of peace. The seder conducted with shalom bayis (peace in the family) is the goal of every Jewish family.

The rabbi’s wife was busy in the kitchen with all the last-minute preparations for the Seder, when there was a knock at the door. A young girl who was helping prepare for the seder at the Holy Rabbi’s house answered the knock at the door. Someone had come to the home of the holy rabbi with a request for matzah for the seder. Seeing a stack of matzos wrapped up in a napkin, the young girl who opened the door innocently gave them away and hurried back to work.

A short time later, the rabbi’s wife realized the matzahs were none other than the special ones that which had been baked that same day with holy intentions. The matzahs were prepared with all manner of careful precautions against chometz. They were baked for the holy rabbi’s Seder. There was no way to get the special matzahs back. She felt her heart sag within her. How could she tell her husband of the mishap and cause him spiritual anguish? There was only one thing to do. She took a bundle of plain, ordinary matzos, deftly wrapped them up in the very same napkin, and pretended to know nothing of the whole affair. And that same evening, her husband conducted the Seder with the ordinary matzos.

Soon after Pesach (Passover) was over, a young couple visited the holy rabbi seeking a divorce.

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

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

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

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

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

The rabbi’s wife mumbled the truth: “Ordinary matzos …” And she proceeded to to tell her husband the whole story.

The tzaddik now turned to the over-zealous young husband standing before him, “Look here, my son,” he said. “On the first night of Pesach I ate plain, ordinary matzah not the special ones that were prepared for the seder.” The holy rabbi continued, “I pretended not to know nor sense the difference, in order that I should not be brought to expressing hard feelings or harsh words to my beloved wife – G-d forbid — and you want to divorce your wife because of shruyah?!”

The holy rabbi then restored harmony between them, and they left him 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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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

Please share this story with others

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

No income from the Story Tour Blog has been realized, but expenses have grown such as web-hosting, software and other web-based development costs. Our goal is to raise $2500.00 which would allow us to improve the Story Tour Blog. If you feel you’ve received some value, or would like to help support the site’s ongoing presence, please share. Any donation would be much appreciated and will help to keep the site online and growing.

You can simply send a donation securely and instantly through the

Stories Should Never Come To An End Page

Creating a Prayer – Shema and Pesach

Posted on Wednesday, 6, April, 2011Saturday, 24, September, 2022 by Rabbi

One prayer unites Jewish people around the world – the Shema. The words of the Shema – Hear O Israel, the L-rd is Our G-d, the Lord is One – are said everyday.

Many rabbis and many more people have thought about the first sentence of the Shema. The Shema is a declaration of the Jewish people. It is an affirmation of faith, a vital part of the prayer service, and a meditation.

Every Jewish person can have a relationship with G-d as it says in the Shema “our G-d”. Pesach is a time when Jewish people come together to read the Haggadah and celebrate this joyous holiday.

One year, before beginning his own Seder, the holy rabbi of the village wandered through the village. He listened as people conducted their own Seders. As he walked down the cobble stoned alleys he heard the voices of simple Jewish families singing and reciting the narrative of the Haggadah. He stopped near the wooden shutters of one of the cottages and heard a voice reading aloud:

The Torah speaks of four sons: one wise son, one wicked son, one simple son, and one who does not know how to ask questions.”

Every time the reader came to the word for “one” — echad — he would cry it out aloud with prolonged concentration, just as people do when they say Shema Yisrael.

The holy rabbi was delighted at this approach. He commented later that this simple villager made out of the Four Sons of the Haggadah — including even the wicked son — a beautiful prayer. A sacred prayer as the Shema Yisrael.

Every year we read the words of the Haggadah: “All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate the Passover with us.”

Let all of our prayers come together so that all Jewish people can unite as one and say the Shema and bring peace so that we can all celebrate Pesach in the Holy City of Jerusalem next year.

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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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

Please share this story with others

The Beggar’s Seder

Posted on Monday, 13, April, 2009Tuesday, 16, November, 2010 by Rabbi

Pesach was approaching quickly and everyone was preparing for the holiday. Once two Jewish beggars were traveling together. One beggar told the other to go to the shul (synagogue), and the Jewish householders would have pity on him and invite him to a seder.

And so it was, both beggars were invited to seders. The evening started with Kiddush, and the one beggar thought to himself, “Good wine means good food.” As the seder continued to karpas, the beggar was given a green vegetable and thought, “Wine now a piece of salad, this is going to be a great meal.” The seder progressed as there was much discussion until it came to the part of matzah. The beggar was given a piece of matzah, and thought, “Thank goodness the meal is about to begin.” After eating the matzah, the beggar was given a piece of maror (bitter herb – horseradish) which burned his mouth and made his eyes water. He jumped up from the table and ran out the door.

“How was your Seder?” asked one beggar to the other. The unhappy beggar then told him what had happened. They gave me 2 cups of wine, a sprig of parsley, a dried cracker (matzah) and hot stuff. It was torture so got up and left!”

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“Fool!” replied the one beggar to the other. “If you had waited just a little longer, you would have had a fine meal, as I had.”

The same is true when we want to come close to G-d. After all the effort to begin, we are given a little bitterness. This bitterness is needed to purify the body. But we might think that this bitterness is all there is to serving G-d, so we run away from it. This is a mistake. If we would only wait just a short while — if we would allow ourselves to be purified – then we would experience every joy and delight in the world in our closeness to G-d.

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Sima woke as the light of the new day shined in her window. She was still tired from cleaning the house for Pesach (Passover) the day before. She gathered her clothes to take to the river to wash. Her daughter Zehava followed behind humming a song.

It had been a hard year for the young widow, Sima, who missed her husband badly. sickness ravaged the village that winter and she helped many anyway she could. Sadly, many died.

Zehava asked her mother when they would start cooking for the seder meal. Sima just sighed as she did not have any matzah, wine or food for the seder. So, she sadly went to the river to wash clothes so that she and her daughter could at least welcome the holiday with clean clothes.

“You know, I learned that sadness is an enemy that can destroy a lot of things.” Zehava said. “Oh, to be a little girl again with few worries. To see the good around us and to just play” Sima responded.

Zehava continued playing in the water, “Every day when I pray I say ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies’ (Psalm 23:5), she held her cupped hands up high and as the water trickled down she sad “my cup overflows.”

“Ima, you help everyone who needs help even though we are very poor. One thing though, we are so full of mitzvos (good deeds) that they can’t fit into any treasure chest.”

“Zehava, my sweet child you remind me of something my mother told me a long time ago ‘He lifts up the soul and makes the eyes sparkle; he gives health and life and blessing.’ (Ben Sira 34:20) The sparkle in your eyes makes me appreciate the gift the Holy One, blessed be He gave to me.”

Zehava ran over and hugged her mother and they both smiled.

In the distance Zehava saw someone walking along the bank of the river. The person seemed to be struggling. As they got closer, Zehava saw it was an old woman, older than anyone she had even seen. The old woman having trouble walking.

The old woman told them she was very tired, and Zehava asked, “Ima, can this old woman sleep in my bed until she is ready to go on her way?” “That’s a good idea” Sima answered as she told the old woman to go to the house behind them.

Sima and Zehava started to cook and that night had many guests for there seder. Sima told everyone about the mysterious old woman. No one had seen her or had met her.

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)

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.

More short Jewish stories can be found in 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

There was once a wealthy couple named Avram and Penina. They were generous to the poor, and their large house was always open to strangers. Their most valued possession was a beautiful Kos Shel Eliyahu that graced their seder table each year at Passover.

As Passover approached, they discovered that they did not have enough money to buy matzahs, wine, or food for the seder.

“Dearest Penina,” said Avram with a heavy heart, “I’m afraid we have no choice but to sell the Kos Shel Eliyahu .”

“Never!” replied Penina, and nothing Avram could say would change her mind.

While Avram was gone, there was a knock on the door. Penina opened it to find an elderly, well-dressed man standing before her.

“I’m a stranger in this town,” he said. “May I celebrate the seders with you?”

“We have no money to buy anything for a seder this year,” said Penina sadly. “We have nothing at all in the house.”

The man handed her a heavy purse and said, “Take this money and go buy what you need. I’ll return tonight for the seder.”

She ran to wake Avram, but by the time she succeeded in arousing him from his heavy sleep, the stranger was gone. Avram fell back to sleep, and Penina finished the Haggadah and completed the seder by herself.

Shortly after this, Avram died. When he appeared before the Heavenly Court, they wished to admit him to paradise at once, but Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) appeared and said, “If he wanted to sell my cup, he has to remain outside!” So for several years, Avram waited outside the gates.

Then Penina died, and the gates of paradise opened before her. But as she moved forward to enter, she no-ticed someone in the way. It was her beloved Avram.

“I won’t enter without him!” she cried.

The Heavenly Court tried to persuade her to change her mind, but she stood firm. So they were forced to admit them both.

The seder begins with haLachma Anyah in which we invite “All those who are hungry, let them enter and eat. All who are in need, let them come celebrate the Passover.” There are those who hunger for food, but many more who hunger for faith and holiness.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

More short Jewish stories can be found in the book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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This was originally posted in April 2011, this is based on that post with some changes.

One prayer unites Jewish people around the world, the Shema. Everyday in every Jewish community the words of the Shema are said: Hear O Israel, the L-rd is Our G-d, the Lord is One.

Many rabbis and many more people have pondered over the first sentence of the Shema. The Shema has become a declaration of the Jewish people, an affirmation of faith, a vital part of the prayer service, and meditation.

Every Jewish person can have a relationship with G-d as it says in the Shema “our G-d” Pesach is a time when Jewish people come together to read the Haggadah and celebrate this joyous holiday.

The Torah speaks of four sons: one wise son, one wicked son, one simple son, and one who does not know how to ask questions.”

And every time the reader came to the word for “one” — echad — he would cry it out aloud with prolonged concentration, just as people do when they say Shema Yisrael.

The holy rabbi was delighted, and commented later that this simple villager had made out of the Four Sons of the Haggadah — including even the wicked son — a sublime prayer, a prayer as sacred as the Shema.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Pesach with all of its many preparations, is a holiday of peace. The seder conducted with shalom bayis (peace in the family) is the goal of every Jewish family.

Soon after Pesach (Passover) was over, a young couple visited the holy rabbi seeking a divorce.

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

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

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

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

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

The rabbi’s wife mumbled the truth: “Ordinary matzos …” And she proceeded to to tell her husband the whole story.

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

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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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

Please share this story with others

You can simply send a donation securely and instantly through the

One prayer unites Jewish people around the world – the Shema. The words of the Shema – Hear O Israel, the L-rd is Our G-d, the Lord is One – are said everyday.

Many rabbis and many more people have thought about the first sentence of the Shema. The Shema is a declaration of the Jewish people. It is an affirmation of faith, a vital part of the prayer service, and a meditation.

Every Jewish person can have a relationship with G-d as it says in the Shema “our G-d”. Pesach is a time when Jewish people come together to read the Haggadah and celebrate this joyous holiday.

The Torah speaks of four sons: one wise son, one wicked son, one simple son, and one who does not know how to ask questions.”

Every time the reader came to the word for “one” — echad — he would cry it out aloud with prolonged concentration, just as people do when they say Shema Yisrael.

The holy rabbi was delighted at this approach. He commented later that this simple villager made out of the Four Sons of the Haggadah — including even the wicked son — a beautiful prayer. A sacred prayer as the Shema Yisrael.

Every year we read the words of the Haggadah: “All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate the Passover with us.”

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