A Search Without Direction

Posted on Monday, 24, October, 2022Sunday, 7, April, 2024 by Rabbi

The distractions of the world often interferes with the spiritual journey one would like to take. Science and technology further confuses people. Yet so many seek a way to find faith and answers to spiritual questions.

It seems that there are few who can talk to and teach the simple ways of faith. So many seek the light of peace in their daily lives so that they can see the wonders that surround them and find meaning in things around them.

Many have wealth, success and health thinking that is almost everything in the life but still they lack satisfaction and contentment. This unsatisfied state leads to a quest inside oneself to find something eternal, unseen, unknown – a spiritual journey.

The spiritual path is filled with beautiful and amazing things. Along the way one meets extraordinary people who show them the simple wonders of life and faith.

With guidance from loving leaders and teachers one can find their spiritual center and grow in faith. Sadly, without guidance one can become lost and discouraged.

There was once a man who was not very knowledgeable. When he got up in the morning it was so hard for him to find his clothes that at night he hesitated to go to bed for thinking of the trouble he would have on waking.

One evening he finally made a great effort, took paper and pencil and as he undressed noted down exactly where he put everything he had on.

The next morning, very well pleased with himself, he took the slip of paper in hand and read: `pants’ — there they lay as he put them on one leg at a time, ‘shirt’ – there it was neatly folded and he slipped it on, ‘cap’—there it was, he set it on his head; and so it went until he was fully dressed.

“That’s all very well, but now where am I myself?” he asked in great confusion. “Where in the world am I?” He looked and looked, but it was a vain search he could not find himself.

Those who embark on a spiritual journey should be blessed and “a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health. (Tobit 5:22) And may the G-d of heaven prosper your journey with his peace.” (Tobit 7:12)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The True Son

Posted on Monday, 12, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a woman who cautioned her reckless daughter, saying: “If you act shamelessly, do so only in secret in order that your husband should never know it, just as I myself did. For I have ten children, of whom only one is your father’s.”

Her husband heard her as she spoke to her daughter and kept his anger and pain to himself. He determined to remain quiet but remembered every word his faithless wife had said.

At his death he willed that all his wealth and property should be given only to one of his children, but he did not state to which, for he did not know which one was his own child.

After his death, all ten of his children began to argue with one another. One said: “The property is mine!” While others said: “All the wealth is mine” So they came to Rabbi Bana’ah to judge between them as to who was heir to the wealth and property left by the father. He listened and instructed the ten sons: “Do what I tell you, for this is a matter which no man can properly judge. Go to your father’s grave and fling stones and beat it until he reveals which of you it was to whom he was leaving his wealth and property.”

Deuteronomy 5:16

When they heard this, nine of them went and began beating the grave with sticks. One man who really was his son said: “Heaven forbid that I should strike at my father! Far better for me to lose the all the property and wealth than shame my father.” The young man continued, We are taught, ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the L-rd your G-d has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you’ (Deuteronomy 5:16).” When Rabbi Bana’ah, the judge, saw this, he awarded him the all the wealth and property.

So consider how this accorded with the words of Job (24:15): “And the eye of the adulterer watches for night, saying, No eye shall see me; and in secret he sets his face.” One who dwells in secret sets an end to the thing, so that it is revealed in the future. Therefore let your children be taught about modesty and purity.

Based on Bava Basra 58a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Value of Each Word

Posted on Wednesday, 7, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A ragged beggar was once walking along, head bowed and back bent, his entire body revealing misery and suffering. As he was trudging along heavily, he suddenly spied something shining in the sand ahead. He rushed forward and bent down to see what it was. There lay a jewel sparkling in front of him. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, and knew in his heart that it must be worth a great deal of money.

He put it in his pocket and went home to show it to his neighbor. The neighbor agreed that it must be very valuable, but could not tell him how much it was worth. Everyone to whom he showed it was overwhelmed by its beauty, but no one knew its true value. No jeweler was prepared it buy it either, for each one said that it was worth far more than he could pay.

The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and came all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “This stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts and money and appointed him minister. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The valuable stone can be compared to words for the great value of each word of young children studying Torah is priceless. Are we not taught, “For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue.” (Sirach 4:24) Although innocent children lack the deep spirituality and complex thought, we know that the world continues to exist only in their merit. They are a treasure whose value no one can rightly estimate or appreciate!

The same can be said for a pure tongue. A person who uses his gift of speech only for what it was created, and does not sully it with forbidden speech, possesses a very precious gem, whose value he cannot possibly imagine. Nor can he begin to know the great reward that awaits him for his care!

Let us see the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) in our lifetime.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Clever Judge and the Bride’s Missing Clothes

Posted on Monday, 5, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a man of wisdom, a man of justice, kindness, and faith. It was said that he brought justice, in all its forms to all who came to him. It is decreed, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue’ (Deuteronomy 16:20) So I ask you to listen and I will tell you a little of the wisdom of a judge long long ago.”

There came before him once a man who was troubled to tears, requesting, “Help me please, give me counsel, for overwhelming destruction has found me.” “What bothers you so that you cry such bitter tears? Asked the wise man. The troubled man answered, “My noble sir, I have but one daughter, and for her did I arrange a marriage, giving her to one of the sons of my people. But yesterday I brought unto my house the betrothed lad and his father, and I invited with them my neighbors who are close to me. I showed them the fine dresses and robes, jewelry and precious stones which had been prepared for the day of their wedding, for the gladness and joy of my daughter and her groom. We arose early in the morning, I and my wife, to clean the house to prepare for the wedding. We found nothing of the of the fine clothes, jewelry, or precious stones. There was nothing of all her clothing save only her dressing robe and her slippers. That was all my wealth, my goods, and my possessions, and now I do not know what to do or how to provide a dowry for my clothes less daughter.”

The wise judge instructed him, “Lead me to your house so that I can look around. Maybe we will find your lost things, maybe you will yet find your goods.” So he brought him unto his house, and he looked at the walls of the house, and, they were all high, that no thief might ascend the one side and descend to the other, except for one place where there was a breach in the wall, where grew a large orange tree. The tree was surrounded by a prickly bush. “’Who is your neighbor?” asked the judge. “Noble sir my neighbor is a cantor, a man just and upright, righteous in all his deeds and words. The judge turned here and there and then went upon his way. “Return to me at this time tomorrow,” instructed the judge, “I will look further into this matter.”

The next day he sent for the cantor, whose name was Paltiel ben Azan. He came and stood before him, and the judge gazed into his countenance and observed an indication that the man was not of good faith. The judge then brought him into the chamber and drew off his garments and said to him, “Will you take off your clothes and wrestle with me. For you see I had a dream last night where you and I were grappling each other, and I wish to find the interpretation of the dream. May the L-rd of peace be our aid. So, the cantor drew off his garments and the judge saw that his body was filled with scratches, bruises, and wounds. Just as he had assumed in his heart, so indeed it was for through that very place had he descended to commit the theft, being naked and without garments, in order that they might not be caught by the thorns which were around the tree.

“Then the judge said, “Return that which you have stolen, and the dowery of your neighbor’s daughter which you took. If you refuse, as your soul lives, I will afflict you with rods and with scorpions as a thief and a robber. Then was the cantor dismayed and frightened fell upon his face, he was ashamed to answer.

The dishonest evildoer returned everything he had taken, from a thread even to a shoelace. The father returned to the judge as he had been told, who then restored to him his daughter’s dowery. The man fell to the ground full length and kissed his hands and feet for his kindness and his truth, and said, “Blessed are you before the Holy One, blessed be He, for that your name is a fortress to the poor and a refuge to the humble.” He took all the goods and returned to his house joyful and glad at heart. It is well known that “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15)

Upon the father’s return to his home, he ordered his daughter’s marriage to take place and his daughter was happy. As the groom met his bride under the canopy beneath the stars of the night sky he declared, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.” (Hosea 2:19)

Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Sultan Suleiman and Eliyahu haNovi the Prophet

Posted on Monday, 29, August, 2022 by Rabbi

In the days of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, that holy and magnificent, honorable, and princely rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Hamon of blessed memory, flourished. He was a man who devoted his life to his people and stood in the King’s Gateway facing every enemy and slanderer. He obtained an order from the king that any blood libel made, namely, that the Jewish people put blood in matzah, was not to be brought before any minister or judge but only to the King’s Gateway itself. It was said that the Sultan Suleiman he was a pious and G-d-fearing king because Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory appeared to him.

The reason for this was that he loved the Jewish people and involved them in state affairs. Indeed, so great was his affection for them that the vizier, who hated the Jewish people, began to envy them, and thought of all kinds of plots in order to do violence to them, endanger their lives and damage the Kehilla. The evil vizier wanted to exterminate all the Jewish people, the young and old, children and women and blot them out from the world. (Esther 3:13) He ordered that a tunnel be built underground from his home to the royal palace and open into the royal bedchamber where the king slept. The tunnel was built as he ordered.

One midnight as the king was lying on his bed, he heard a voice speaking to him like an unearthly spirit from underground, “Suleiman, Suleiman, you cow, how long will you rest like an animal? When will you rise from your sleep? Rise swiftly and go away from where you are and destroy the Jewish people so that the name of Israel will never be remembered anymore and they have no remnant or remains and have no pity for this is what you are commanded.”

When the sultan heard this grievous charge, he trembled very much indeed and said, “Who are you to call upon the king?” Then the voice responded, “Have neither fear nor dread. I am your prophet, who speaks to you, and I do not do all this of my own desire, but Allah has sent me! Do not say in your heart that this is a dream. The words come from Allah, and He wishes you to perform this task speedily, since they are your enemies. This is what you must do to destroy them, in three days time send a host of fearless soldiers to destroy, slay and make an end of them, young and old, babes and women, and let their property be plundered, and all will be well with you, and I shall return to you another time.”

Though the king heard all this, he paid no attention, telling himself that it might be a chance or a dream or some evil spirit that wished to confuse him. So, he turned around and slumbered until daylight. But the next night the false prophet came to him again and repeated what he had said the night before. Then the king grew alarmed and thought, ‘This is a bad matter for the Jewish people, for it brings them evil.” So he sent and summoned his physician, who was the holy Rabbi Moshe, whom the king and queen respected most highly, in order to tell him all that had happened and what was commanded of him regarding the destruction of the Jewish people.

So the holy rabbi Moshe came and bowed down before the sultan and said, “I am ready and prepared to serve my lord.” The sultan said to him, “Know and learn that the King of the universe told me yesterday through our prophet that in three days time you will fall into the hands of your enemies, and those who hate you will overwhelm you and exterminate and destroy you till you are stamped out from the face of the earth, and you will not be able to stand against your foes, for the decree has been passed against you in heaven. Now I wish you to know this and tell me what answer I can give to those who sent the command.”

When Rabbi Moshe heard these words, his heart melted within him and turned to water. He cried a loud and bitter cry and fell at the sultan’s feet and wept and entreated him to make this evil pass away. He said, “Alas, my lord! I pray you, remember how I have gone about before you from my youth until this day with a whole heart and an eager soul, and deliver us, do not abandon us and do not turn your heart toward these words.”

Elijah the Prophet

Sadly, the sultan answered, ‘What can I do when I have heard from Behind the Curtain that you have all been caught in this snare. But if you so desire, come tonight and you will hear the voice speaking to me, for it will certainly come and without delay.”

Now on the third night the voice came again and repeated the same things as before. Rabbi Moshe heard this and fell on his face. When the sultan saw that Rabbi Moshe had fallen, he was astonished and confused at the sight and said, ‘Why do you slumber? Get up and leave this place and go to some mountain or valley to save your soul, for you are precious in my eyes, and flee swiftly to the mountains lest you meet your end in the city, for there is nothing more valuable to any man than his soul.” He wished to have a horse brought for him to ride upon it wherever he might desire to go and gave him a pass written and sealed with the king’s seal that no man might dare to do him any harm or injury. So Rabbi Moshe turned his face to the wilderness and rode away, weeping, and bewildered.

As he was riding, a man came toward him and asked, “What is your calling? And where do you come from? What is your country? And who are your people?” Rabbi Moshe answered each question in due order. Then the man asked him, “If you truly have faith in Hashem, why have you abandoned your people and forsaken your responsibility.” Then Rabbi Moshe understood that this must be Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) of blessed memory. He leaped from the horse and fell at his feet, quivering and shaking and trembling, and he said to him, “Surely my lord is aware of the evil which is going to befall tomorrow. Now how could I stay and see this evil befall my people, and how could I stay to see the destruction of my birthplace?” Then Eliyahu haNovi answered him, “Return to the sultan’s palace and to his chamber, tell him I will be with your mouth and I will teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:12) Speak to him and tell him I shall meet him in the royal garden, but I cannot rise in his presence, since he is of impure soul. And let this be the sign that I have sent you. Go and tell him, “This is, indeed, a foul happening, but he can immediately purify himself of his polluted actions by washing and immersion.”

Rabbi Moshe turned about and went to the sultan’s inner chamber, where he bowed himself down. The king was startled to see him and said, “Come in peace!” Then he told him all that had happened, and the command given him by Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory. At this the king rejoiced very much indeed and changed his garments and purified himself and went to the garden where he bent the knee and prostrated himself before Eliyahu haNovi. And Eliyahu haNovi said to him, “I have been fully informed of all that you do for the Jewish people. May the Holy One, blessed be He repay you for your deeds. But on this occasion, you almost behaved very foolishly, for who has turned his hand against them and come away clean? All this is the plan of your evil vizier, who seeks the kingdom for himself and wishes to destroy you from the very face of the earth. Let this be your test and trial of him. Have all the ground under your bedchamber dug up, and you will find that you will reach his home; for such was his plan and that he did.”

The he did as Eliyahu haNovi told him and he found the tunnel that led to the vizier’s house. So they hanged the vizier at the entry to his home. The incident was written in the records as a memorial and a sign for the rebellious. And it was then that the sultan made a covenant with Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory according to which the latter came to visit him once in every month. And so it came about.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Taste of the Garden of Eden

Posted on Thursday, 12, May, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham were old friends and would frequently travel together to perform various mitzvos and to collect tzedakah for special causes. They both had many students and were repected everywhere they journeyed.

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare something to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

Now, Tam and his wife were very poor. They had nothing in the house, not even wood for the stove! All Chana had in the way of food was a little bit of flour. How could she prepare a meal for her husband’s holy friend who was coming to their home for a meal? So she went out into the field to gather some wood chips for the stove and brought them home. Chana then mixed the flour with some water, without any fat or spices, and served this meager meal to her husband and their guest. After the meal, the two set out on their journey.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actually had the taste of the Garden of Eden.

Chacham’s wife, Ita Shaidel, knew how far her holy husband was from relishing simple earthly pleasures, heard that, she hurried to see Chana to learn the secret of her cooking. When she arrived at the home of Tam and Chana she asked her, “With what did you season the food you served my husband? He said that it was the most delicious food he had ever eaten, that it had a taste like the Garden of Eden!”

Chana told Ita Shaindel that she really had nothing to serve or anything with which to season the food. But while she was preparing her simple meal, she was praying, “Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the world, You know that if I had something to serve, I wouldn’t spare a thing to give to this holy rabbi! But what can I do? We don’t have anything in the house! So I’m pleading to You to add savoury spices to this dish I’m making so that Chacham will enjoy my food.” And she continued to pray this way until the food was prepared. “So it seems that the Holy One, blessed be He answered my prayer,” she said. “And your husband tasted the flavor of the Garden of Eden in my food.”‘

What gives food its taste is not its physical appearance alone but its spiritual elements. So many people praise their religious leaders by saying that they were so holy, so ascetic, they did not even taste their food. What is true is that many religious leaders are the only ones who really taste the food they eat! Why? Because they don’t just taste the food itself; they taste the holiness in the food, or as this tale puts it, they taste the Garden of Eden. Food served and offered with love tastes of love. Chana put her devotion to the Holy One, blessed be He and His servants into the dish she prepared, and Tam and Chacham were on a spiritual level to taste it.

latkes

Matzo Meal Pancakes Chremslach

INGREDIENTS

1 cup matzo meal		6 eggs
2 teaspoons salt		1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar		3/4 cup grated onion (optional)
3/4 cup corn oil for frying

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Step 2

Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolks, and combine with water. Add the yolk mixture to the matzo meal mixture, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Beat egg whites until they are stiff, and fold them into the matzo meal mixture. Add grated onion.

Step 4

Heat corn oil until it sizzles in a deep skillet. Lower heat, and, using a cooking spoon, spoon batter into the pan, creating thin pancakes 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Fry for several minutes, turning when the pancake is firm and the bottom side is golden brown. Fry for another few minutes until the other side is done. Drain on paper towel.

Serve with cinnamon-sugar, applesauce and/or sour cream.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 War Against the Evil Inclination

Posted on Wednesday, 11, May, 2022 by Rabbi

Man is engaged in a constant war against his archrival, the yetzer hara – evil inclination. How can man succeed against such a powerful enemy? The answer can be found in an old parable:

Two kings had been waging a fierce war for many years, with each one taking turns gaining the upper hand. One day, the kings decided to put an end to their war. The two met and agreed to wage one battle that would last a total of four days. Whoever won this decisive battle would be proclaimed the victor, and the loser would submit entirely to the will of the conqueror.

The kings began preparing for the deciding battle, and their finest generals taught the soldiers new war tactics and strategies.

When the war commenced, it was clear that both armies were powerful, skilled, and of equal strength. Indeed, on the first day of the fighting, one of the armies proved triumphant, and on the second day, the other was victorious. Towards evening of the third day, one of the generals gathered the commanders of his troops and exclaimed, “Men! Tomorrow is the final and decisive day of this war, and we must emerge victorious at any cost. However, as the sides are evenly matched, we must utilize a brilliant plan. Our spies,” he continued, “have reported that the enemy’s ammunition and many of their weapons are in a specific bunker in their camp. If we were to send an elite team of soldiers to steal the ammunition and weapons from the enemy’s camp, they would be easily defeated.”

Everyone agreed, and they carried out the plan. A squad of elite soldiers secretly entered the enemy camp and stole their ammunition and weapons.

The next day, there was a loud trumpet blast and the armies assembled to take the field. But when one of the armies rushed to arm themselves, they were shocked to discover that the bunker in their camp was empty. Left with no other choice, they surrendered.

If the evil inclination, encounters you, pull it into the study hall, (go and study Torah). If it is a stone it will melt, and if it is iron it will break, as it is stated in reference to the Torah: “Is not my word like fire, says the L-rd, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Just as a stone shatters a hammer, so too one can overcome the evil inclination, which is as strong as iron, through Torah study. (Kiddushin 30b)

So it is with man’s war against the yetzer hara – evil inclination. The evil inclination battles a man all the days of his life. There are occasions when the yetzer hara emerges victorious and other times when man proves triumphant. It is at that point that the evil inclination devises the cunning strategy to steal man’s ammunition and weapons – the holy Torah, in the merit of which he can defeat the yetzer hara.

We must therefore take caution that the yetzer hara does not steal our powerful weapon. For even if the yetzer hara has recently prevailed, a person must not despair. Rather, they must strengthen and discipline themselves to study the holy Torah and good deeds, and only then will a person triumph over the yetzer hara – evil inclination.

On the one hand, the evil inclination is within every person; and the subjugation of kingdoms is on the other hand. Hear the ancient prayer, “May it be Your will that You will deliver us from their hands, of both the evil inclination and the foreign kingdoms, so that we may return to perform the edicts of Your will with a whole heart.” (Berachos 17a)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Charity and the Coins of Eliyahu haNovi

Posted on Monday, 9, May, 2022Sunday, 6, August, 2023 by Rabbi

Once there was a very wealthy man who was always ready to help anyone in need. He was very successful and for many years all went well with him and his dear ones. “The world is like a fountain-wheel. the buckets ascend full and descend empty — Who’s rich today may not be so tomorrow.” (Exodus Rabbah 31:14) After some time, his business slowly began to fail, and the wealthy man lost his entire fortune.

To provide for the daily needs of his wife and children, he worked in the fields as a laborer and was paid by the day. The work was long and hard, but a good heart and a willing spirit enabled him to overcome all hardships. He even spared a coin of his wages to help those who were in a worse plight than he found himself.

Now it happened one day while he was ploughing a field when a stranger approached and greeted him, saying, “Peace be to you and to all your house.”

He replied, ” Peace be also to you and yours.”

The stranger then continued, ” Friend, I come to tell you that you are destined to regain your fortune and to live in prosperity for a period of six years during your life here on earth. It is yours to choose when this period shall begin; shall it be now or later in life? “

Astonished at the strange words that he had heard, the laborer looked at the stranger to see if he was dreaming. ” Good stranger,” he answered “are you a prophet or a magician that you speak in this way? I fear you are as poor as I am. Go your way in peace, for I cannot help you today, for I am penniless at the moment. I should be happy to give you some coin for your happy news and well wishes, but I cannot give what I do not have. Go in peace and may Heaven send you blessings.”

The stranger went away and the labourer continued his work without thinking any more of the strange meeting. After a short time, the stranger returned and repeated the offer, only to be refused. When, the stranger returned a third time he urged the unwilling labourer to accept his gift by believing in the promise. The poor worker, tired from his hard daily struggle in the fields, at last consented to speak with his wife before deciding. A glimmer of hope in the possibility of the promise had touched him to his very core.

” Perhaps, after all,” he thought, ” the Master of Mercy has sent this messenger to help me in my distress and now the poverty that has harassed me and my dear ones will be replaced by wealth and success.”

He ran home as quickly as his legs would carry him and told his wife all that happened. The man told his wife about how the stranger kept coming to him. He said to his wife, ” If we believe that the stranger is speaking the truth and that I am to be rich for a period of six years, when do you advise me to choose our time of prosperity – now or later in life? “

After a moment’s consideration she advised her husband, “Now, now” Her husband returned to the field without further delay and found the stranger waiting for his decision. When the laborer told him his wish to enjoy there and then the promised wealth and prosperity, the stranger opened his purse and took out two silver coins.

“Here, my friend,” he said, “take these two silver coins and return them to me in six years when I return to you. Do not forget I shall require my two silver coins to be restored to me when I come to claim it.”

After the laborer received the coins, he thanked the stranger and promised to return the gift as agreed. In a second, the stranger disappeared.

“Very strange,” he observed “there is some mystery about this stranger, he seems to come from nowhere and to return to the same place.”

No sooner had the labourer placed the silver coins in his pocket than he felt a sudden change coming over him. His sadness and sorrow melted way and a new feeling of happiness, and confidence arose in his heart. He bowed his head and thanked the Holy One, blessed be He for His blessings.

Meanwhile, wonderful events were happening in his home. His eldest son was planting the garden at the back of their house, when he saw gold glittering in the sunlight. He dug deeper and deeper and found a treasure that had been lying hidden there all the years of their poverty. The young man cried aloud in his joy. His mother and his brothers came to see what the confusion was about. As soon as she saw what was happening, she sent her youngest son to his father. She instructed her son, “Do not fail to tell him that the Holy One, blessed be He has given us back our fortune.”

The pious man and his good wife decided to make good use of their wealth as long as it was entrusted to their care. They were very happy because they could now assist the less fortunate. The wife said to her good husband, ” My dear, we must not forget that our good fortune will not last forever. We are to be wealthy for six years. During this time we shall feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and assist the needy. We shall be happy in realizing that we have made good use of our trust.”

The husband said, “Indeed, ‘a lesson of kindness is on your tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)”

The youngest son was told by his mother to keep an account of their own expenses and an account of the money given in to help others.

The six years passed quickly. One day the stranger came to their house, and after receiving a warm welcome turned to his host and said, “The six years have passed, and I have come to ask you to return my two silver coins.”

The holy man said, “Your request is quite fair and just. Yet, before I return the silver coins allow me to consult my wife before I return your coins.”

The man turned to his wife and asked her, ” Beloved wife, please advise me how am I to repay our debt to our generous benefactor here? “

” Let me,” she cried, ” settle accounts with him.” Turning to him she said, “I will show you how we have spent the fortune entrusted to our care through your kindness. Behold the account books.”

The kind stranger looked with deep interest at the long lists recording the money spent in charity. ” You have indeed,” he responded, “spent plenty of money.”

The wife continued, ” if you do believe for a moment that your money might be entrusted to better guardians, take away then your gift. If, on the other hand, you are satisfied with the way we have used the wealth placed in our care, then let us continue to hold our trust.”

The stranger agreed with the couple and explained, “He who donates much to those in need become richer because of it, since he opens up a channel for Hashem’s blessing to reach him. (Zohar III 110b)

The stranger was Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet), zichrona l’brachah – may his memory be a blessing, blessed the good couple and told them enjoy the wealth they knew so well how to use. In a moment, he left and the happy couple kept his coins and passed them onto their eldest son as a family heirloom.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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 Gift of Life

Posted on Monday, 21, March, 2022 by Rabbi

A king’s son was once walking along a forest path when he reached a clearing filled with many beautiful wonders. The prince stopped to see the rich green bushes, feel the soft moss and watch the colorful butterflies. He became lost in the magnificence around him. Suddenly, a band of highwaymen appeared from nowhere and attacked him. They intended to rob and murder him.

Much to his good fortune, beggar dressed in rags happened to be walking along the wooded trail at that very moment entered the clearing. When he saw the murderous band, he gathered up his courage and in a display of great strength, defeated them and saved the king’s son.

The king, upon hearing of the beggar’s bravery, had him summoned before him. When the beggar arrived, the king thanked him and proclaimed, “As a reward for saving my son, I hereby permit you to spend an entire day in the royal treasury; you may take anything that your heart desires.”

When the gates of the royal treasury were opened for the beggar, he joyously fell upon the massive piles of gold and diamonds, and began to gather all that he could. Then he stopped and sat on a finely carved chair and began to think about what he was doing. Something changed within him.

When evening settled in and the beggar left the royal treasury, he had undergone a complete change. In one day, he had gone from being a penniless beggar to an extraordinarily wealthy man. The next day, this former beggar went into business, and in a short while he became very successful. He had now become one of the wealthiest men in the land, and he left his former life of poverty and deprivation behind.

Every year, the former beggar staged a lavish feast on the day that he had been blessed with the good fortune of entering the royal treasury. He invited all his friends and relatives to the feast, and it was a custom that lasted for many years.

One year in the middle of the feast, the wealthy man turned to his friends and asked, “Which day of my life do you think was the happiest of all for me?”

“It must be this very day,” responded the guests. “This day on which you have made a feast for all of your friends must be the happiest day of your life! After all, on this day your mansion is decorated, your servants surround you, and all of the distinguished individuals in the land hold you in great regard!”

“You are mistaken,” said the wealthy man. “While this day is certainly one of great joy, it is but a remembrance of the day on which I was remade, literally transformed from a lowly beggar in ragged clothing to a man possessing enormous wealth. That day was the happiest of my life.

“I spent that entire day,” he continued, “inside the royal treasury. I felt neither the pangs of hunger nor overwhelming weariness; rather, it was as if my complete being was focused on only one goal a change to myself. The more valuables I amassed, the more I thought I realized that money and riches could indeed help my physical needs, but to enjoy my new found wealth I had to change the way I felt about and saw myself. I have yet to experience a happier day than that one. It is important to remember “that whenever a man does eat and drink and get enjoyment out of all his wealth, it is a gift of G-d.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

So it is with people who strive to live what they believe. The Holy One, blessed be He grants each person life as a gift. Throughout life, people can amass as many compassionate and good deeds as their heart desires.

An individual who can view the world with this perspective is truly the most praiseworthy. The only thing that prevents people from gaining such a perspective is our heart which has been dulled by the trivialities of this world.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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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A Freilechen Purim Stories 2022

Posted on Monday, 14, March, 2022 by Rabbi

Story Tour shares special Purim stories for all to enjoy and share with others. The threat of violence, a growing war in the Ukraine, the complications caused by COVID and a sense of foreboding has led many to prayer in these days and the unseen hand of the Holy One, blessed be He brings hope and peace as heartfelt prayers are said today as they have since the time of Esther and Mordechai so many years ago in Persia.

A Purim Gilgul – Matonos l’Evyonim -The world is like a water wheel: the bucket ascend full and descend empty. Who is rich today may not be so tomorrow (Exodus Rabbah 31:14)

A Maggid and Purim – Megillah, maggidim (spiritual storytellers) and the king’s sleepless night. The king could simply have a maggid to tell a bedtime story.

Purim: A Time of Joy – Purim is a Jewish holiday of deliverance from death which served as an inspiration in the ghettos, death camps and forests of nazi Europe and a spark of hope.

Another Purim? – For many Jewish families of Spanish descent, there is a special holiday called Purim Saragossa based on a 15th century event that even fewer people know about.

Purim by the Clock – The day of Purim..the clock showed him that the hands on the clock’s face stood at the same position, the very moment when the king was carried away.

Purim Megillas Esther

The Forgotten Melody – An old Jewish man with his violin brought joy and happiness to the sick and poor people on Purim and he learns a beautiful and haunting melody.

The distractions of the world often interferes with the spiritual journey one would like to take. Science and technology further confuses people. Yet so many seek a way to find faith and answers to spiritual questions.

It seems that there are few who can talk to and teach the simple ways of faith. So many seek the light of peace in their daily lives so that they can see the wonders that surround them and find meaning in things around them.

Many have wealth, success and health thinking that is almost everything in the life but still they lack satisfaction and contentment. This unsatisfied state leads to a quest inside oneself to find something eternal, unseen, unknown – a spiritual journey.

The spiritual path is filled with beautiful and amazing things. Along the way one meets extraordinary people who show them the simple wonders of life and faith.

With guidance from loving leaders and teachers one can find their spiritual center and grow in faith. Sadly, without guidance one can become lost and discouraged.

There was once a man who was not very knowledgeable. When he got up in the morning it was so hard for him to find his clothes that at night he hesitated to go to bed for thinking of the trouble he would have on waking.

One evening he finally made a great effort, took paper and pencil and as he undressed noted down exactly where he put everything he had on.

“That’s all very well, but now where am I myself?” he asked in great confusion. “Where in the world am I?” He looked and looked, but it was a vain search he could not find himself.

Those who embark on a spiritual journey should be blessed and “a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health. (Tobit 5:22) And may the G-d of heaven prosper your journey with his peace.” (Tobit 7:12)

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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There was a woman who cautioned her reckless daughter, saying: “If you act shamelessly, do so only in secret in order that your husband should never know it, just as I myself did. For I have ten children, of whom only one is your father’s.”

Her husband heard her as she spoke to her daughter and kept his anger and pain to himself. He determined to remain quiet but remembered every word his faithless wife had said.

At his death he willed that all his wealth and property should be given only to one of his children, but he did not state to which, for he did not know which one was his own child.

Based on Bava Basra 58a

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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The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and came all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “This stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts and money and appointed him minister. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The same can be said for a pure tongue. A person who uses his gift of speech only for what it was created, and does not sully it with forbidden speech, possesses a very precious gem, whose value he cannot possibly imagine. Nor can he begin to know the great reward that awaits him for his care!

Let us see the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) in our lifetime.

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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To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.

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

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Sadly, the sultan answered, ‘What can I do when I have heard from Behind the Curtain that you have all been caught in this snare. But if you so desire, come tonight and you will hear the voice speaking to me, for it will certainly come and without delay.”

In every generation there are those who rise up against us to destroy us, but the Holy and Blessed One delivers us from their hands. (Vehi Sheamda the Passover Haggadah)

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

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Tam and Chacham were old friends and would frequently travel together to perform various mitzvos and to collect tzedakah for special causes. They both had many students and were repected everywhere they journeyed.

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare some­thing to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actu­ally had the taste of the Garden of Eden.

Matzo Meal Pancakes Chremslach

INGREDIENTS

1 cup matzo meal

6 eggs

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup grated onion (optional)

3/4 cup corn oil for frying

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, salt, and sugar. Set aside.

Step 2

Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolks, and combine with water. Add the yolk mixture to the matzo meal mixture, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Beat egg whites until they are stiff, and fold them into the matzo meal mixture. Add grated onion.

Step 4

Serve with cinnamon-sugar, applesauce and/or sour cream.

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

Once, Chacham went to the home of Tam to begin their journey to a faraway village, Tam, wanting everything to begin with a blessing, told his wife,Chana to prepare something to eat quickly so he and Tam could set out on their holy mission.

When Chacham returned home from their successful trip collecting to marry off an orphan girl, he told his wife that Tam’s wife made the most delicious dish he had ever eaten. In fact it actually had the taste of the Garden of Eden.