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Tag: short stories

Who Is in Control of Whom?

Posted on Sunday, 24, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A man was charged with committing a serious crime against the king and was placed in prison until his trial. When it came time for him to stand trial, he was taken from his cell by one of the king’s guards to be escorted to the place of justice.

The king’s guard, suspecting that the prisoner might try to escape, took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. He then placed one of the cuffs around the wrist of the prisoner and the other one around his own wrist. In this way, they marched through the city street.

A crowd of spectators gathered along the sides of the street to curse and make fun of the prisoner.

Insulted and humilated, the prisoner turned to the crowd and said, “You are making a mistake. He is not escorting me; rather, it is I who is es­corting him…”

A wise man spoke up from among the many people in the crowd. “If that is the case,” he said, “then unlock the handcuff on your wrist! If you are capable of breaking free from your escort, it is a sign that you are in control of him. But if he can break away, then it proves that he is in control of you!”

Teshuvah

The same thing applies to man and his yetzer hara – the evil inclination. There are instances when the yetzer hara binds himself to a person by accustoming him to a repeated transgression. If this person would like to know who is truly in control of whom, let him check himself to determine whether he is capable of breaking his “bad habits” or not.

This is precisely what we request in our morning prayers each day: “Let not the yetzer hara dominate us.”

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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Posted in Faith, Other Stories and thoughts, Religious Education, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Evil Inclination, Jewish Stories, parables, Religious values, short stories, Yetzer haraLeave a Comment on Who Is in Control of Whom?

The Fool and the Scoffer

Posted on Wednesday, 20, October, 2021Sunday, 28, January, 2024 by Rabbi

In a certain city, there was a simple man who had little learning and was sometimes foolish. One day, one of the young students who learned a lot, but had little compassion decided to amuse his friends. He told his friends that later that day, he would trick the simple man into leaping into the swamp located on the outskirts of the town.

How can one convince another to do such a foolish thing? He approached the simple man and offered him various types of foods and drink, in this way earning his trust. He then invited the simple man to go for a short walk outside the city.

As they neared the swamp, the young student turned to the simple man, pulled him aside and whispered to him, “I have a great secret which I am willing to share with you, but you must first promise me that you will not share it with anyone.”

The simple man promised.

“Are you familiar with the big swamp?” asked the young student.

“I certainly am,” responded the simple man, “But I heard that it is quite deep and marshy.”

“That is not true,” answered the young student. “And what’s more, you should know that a valuable treasure is hidden inside it…

“While there is a thin layer of mud that lies on the surface, if a person should leap in, he will avoid the mud and merit discovering an enor­mous treasure.”

When they arrived at the swamp, the simple man, believing the young student’s words, dived directly into the marshy swamp hoping to find the treasure.

“Help me!” called out the simple man as he sunk deep into the mud. “Get me out of here!”

“Absolutely not,” replied the young student. “Do you know how much effort I used just to get you to jump into the swamp in the first place? First I will call all of my friends, so that they can see you sunken up to your neck and get a hearty laugh. Only afterwards will I take you out…Have you never heard ‘Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise?’ ” (Psalm 94:8)

Yetzer haRa

So is the way of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination. First it attracts a person with meaningless tempta­tions, even giving them fancy gifts and the like, which serve to trap them. However, once a person has been successfully tricked — sunk in the swamp — the yetzer hara stands there and laughs heartily.

The wisdom of old speaks to the simple man when it asks, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs 1:22)

The arrogance and lack of compassion is addressed in the holy writings when it teaches, “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.” (Proverbs 14:6) He learns but does not apply his knowledge to his everyday behaviour or life.

May we all be spared from the embarrassment and ridicule of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination.

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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Posted in Derech Eretz, Faith, Other Stories and thoughts, Religious Education, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Evil Inclination, Knowledge, Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 14:6, Psalm 94:8, short stories, Sin, Stories of faith, temptation, Yetzer haraLeave a Comment on The Fool and the Scoffer

The Righteous Are Delivered from Distress

Posted on Sunday, 17, October, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was once a pious man who was wealthy and of the king’s company. He had a handsome, fine-looking, and wise son. Before he passed away, he told his son not to leave the synagogue from the moment the cantor rose to pray and began to recite the Kaddish prayer until the whole service was over. Also, if somebody who had not been present were to rise and recite the evening prayer he should stay there until he had finished as well. The dying man added: “I have done this all my life and I have prospered. And if you pass through a city where there is a synagogue and you hear the cantor, enter and do not leave until he has finished his prayers.” Then the pious man passed away.

Now the son was well thought of by all who saw him. He served the king and was the wine bearer to the king and queen and sliced them their bread and meat. They loved him very much and praised him to the skies. The king’s vizier saw the favor in which the king and queen held the young man and envied him. He came to the king and said: “Your majesty, you have eyes yet you do not see that this young man loves the queen, and they betray you behind your back when they are together.” The king did not believe him, yet the vizier repeated it day after day until the king grew jealous.

Proverbs 11:8

One day the king went to inspect the workers who were preparing a limekiln, and he said to the master of the workers: “Take the first man who comes here tomorrow and fling him into the kiln at once. If you do not do so, you will pay for it with your own life.” “Your majesty,” answered he, “I shall obey your orders.” Then the king returned home. That night while the young man was serving him, he called him and ordered: “Rise early tomorrow morning and go where they are preparing the lime and tell the man in charge to make a great fire.” “I shall carry out your orders,” answered the young man.

In the morning he mounted his horse, but as he passed the synagogue he heard the cantor’s voice. He dismounted, entered the synagogue, and prayed. When the cantor had finished, another man who had not heard the prayers rose and began to pray, and he waited until he finished as well. And so he was delayed until it was broad daylight. Meanwhile, the king summoned his vizier and ordered him: “Go to the place where they are making the lime and ask the man in charge: Have you obeyed the king?” Then the vizier mounted his horse and rode off and asked the man in charge: “Have you obeyed the king’s orders?” Thereupon they seized him and tied him up and flung him into the kiln. The young man arrived just then and saw them flinging the vizier into the kiln, and he said to them: “If the king knows this, he will slay you.” But the man in charge answered: “Yesterday the king ordered me: ‘Take the first man I send to you tomorrow, and fling him into the kiln.’ And this is the man who came first.”

Then the young man returned to the king and said: “Your majesty, why did you order the vizier to be burned?” At this, the king shuddered and shook with astonishment and said to the youth: “Now I know that you are G-d-fearing, and your Creator loves you. This is what the vizier said about you and the queen. So I ordered that the man whom I first sent to the limekiln should be flung into the fire; and it was you I first ordered to go. After that I told the vizier to go and see whether my orders had been obeyed. But you were delayed, so they flung him in instead. Now I know that you are innocent.” That is as the Book of Proverbs declares (11:8): “The righteous is delivered from distress, and the wicked comes in his stead.”

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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Posted in Faith, Grief and Mourning, Prayer, Stories, UncategorizedTagged death, hatred, Jewish Stories, Proverbs 11:8, short Jewish Stories, short storiesLeave a Comment on The Righteous Are Delivered from Distress

The Finger: An old Jewish Horror Tale

Posted on Sunday, 22, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The Jewish story that the movie, The Corpse Bride, was based on

One night long ago, in the ancient city of Safed, three young men went out for a walk. Reuven, the eldest, was to be married the next day to a beautiful and wealthy maiden, and his companions laughed and joked and teased their friend. The moon was full that night, and the young men decided to leave the beaten path and walk in the thick forest that surrounded the city.

 

The moonlight cast its light into the darkest parts of the forest, and they passed through it fearlessly. At last they reached the riverbank and rested on large rocks near the shore, while they watched the river below. Here they continued to make merry for they very light hearted.

 

It was during this time that one of them noticed something strange nearby. It was an object the size of a finger that stuck out of the earth. They got up to examine it, assuming it was a root. But when they came closer, they saw to their amazement that is was indeed a finger that emerged there.

Now on a different night the young men might have felt pity for one buried so near the surface. But filled with high spirits, they joked about it instead. One of them said who among us will put a wedding ring on this finger?” And Reuven, the groom-to-be, quickly replied that it must be he, because he was to be the first one to marry. Then, as his friends looked on in amusement, Reuven took off his ring and slipped it on that finger, pronouncing as he did the words Harai at m’kudeshes li-“You are betrothed to me”-three times, as the law requires. But no sooner did he finish speaking than the finger began to twitch, much to the horror of the young men, who jumped back at the sight.

Suddenly the whole hand reached out from the earth, twitching and grasping. And as they stared at it in horror, frozen in place, the ground began to rumble, as if the earth were about to open. Suddenly the body of a woman, wearing a tattered shroud, rose out of the earth, her dead eyes staring directly into those of Reuven, her arms open as she cried out, “My husband!” in a terrible and terrifying voice. Hearing this, the three friends screamed in horror and took to their heels, running through the forest as fast they could go. But this time the way was dark, for the moon had slipped behind a cloud, and as they ran they tore their clothes on thorns and branches, but never did they stop running or even dare to look back until they had reached their homes in the city. For all the time they ran they heard the unearthly wail of the dead woman close behind. Only when they were safely in their own homes, with the doors locked and the windows shuttered, did they dare breathe a sigh of relief and tend to the many cuts they had acquired in their wild dash through the forest.

Corpse Bride

The next morning the three friends met together, still pale and shaken. And they agreed to keep the horrible events of the night a secret, for they were deeply ashamed of their jest and its terrible consequences. Then Reuven went to the ritual bath to prepare for the wedding and left his friends alone with their confused thoughts.

Now a great many people had gathered, for Reuven and his bride belonged to two of the most distinguished families in Safed. But just as the ceremony was about to begin, a bloodcurdling shriek came from the back of the crowd, followed by the screams of many others, provoking a panic. For there stood the corpse of a woman wearing only a worm-eaten shroud. Most of the crowd-including the bride and the families of the bride and groom-ran away when they saw her, until none were left there except for Reuven and the rabbi, who had been about to pronounce the wedding vows.

The rabbi, alone among all of those present, retained his composure. He addressed himself to the corpse and said, “Why is it, woman, that you have left your final resting place and returned to the living?” And the corpse replied, in her unearthly voice:

“What blemish does the bridegroom find in me, that he should want to wed another? For cannot all the world see that he is wed to me?”

And she held up her hand, on which the ring of the bridegroom could be seen, with his initials engraved on it. Then the rabbi turned to the bridegroom, who was crouched in terror behind him, and asked if what the woman said was true. In a trembling voice the young man told of his walk through the forest with his friends and of the jest they had played when they had found the finger sticking out of the earth. And the rabbi asked, “Did you pronounce the sacred vow three times?” The young man meekly nodded. And the rabbi asked, “Was it done in the presence of two witnesses?” Again Reuven nodded. Then the rabbi looked very grave and said that the rabbinic court would have to be convened to discuss the matter, for in the eyes of the law it appeared that the young man had indeed bound himself to that corpse in matrimony. When the bridegroom heard these terrible words, he fainted dead away and had to be carried off to his home.

 

In the days that followed, the city of Safed was in an uproar, for who had ever heard of a living man marrying a corpse? And the parents of Reuven begged the rabbi to find a way to free their son from the terrible curse. As for the rabbi, he immersed himself in meditation and in the study of response, searching for a precedent. But there was none; instead one would have to be set. On the day the court was convened, the rabbi called upon the corpse to appear, and she did so, still wearing the worm-eaten shroud in which she had been buried. Under oath she told what young Reuven had done in the forest. Then the rabbi called upon the two friends, who reluctantly confirmed what she said. At last the rabbi called upon the bridegroom, who also confessed that the vow had been made, but pleaded with the court to annul the marriage, for he had never intended for it to happen.

Then the court addressed the dead woman and asked her if she would relinquish her claim, but the corpse was adamant that the marriage must be consummated. For while she had lived she had never married and had thus been denied her hour of joy. And she was determined to receive after death what she had been denied in life.

Then the rabbi called upon the parents of the bridegroom, who testified that the betrothal of their son to the daughter of the wealthy man had been made even before the birth of the children. The two couples had vowed that if one had a boy child and one a girl, then they were to be wed. And the parents of the bride confirmed this vow.

Finally, when all the testimony had been taken, the court gathered together to discuss the case, while young Reuven trembled, his eyes avoiding the terrible corpse that also stood waiting among them. At last the court reached a decision, which the rabbi announced. He said, “It is true that in the presence of two witnesses, Reuven unwittingly made a vow of marriage that appears to be valid.” Here the rabbi paused, and the young man and his parents were filled with terror. Then the rabbi continued, “There are, however, other factors that must be considered. First, the wedding vow would deny the betrothal, and it is widely known that one vow may not be permitted to negate an earlier one. Second, the vow of the bridegroom was not made with intention. Finally, there is no precedent for a claim on the living by the dead. Therefore the vows cannot be accepted as valid, because the bride is not from among the living. The marriage is thus declared null and void!”

Now when the rabbi uttered these words, young Reuven fainted again, this time from relief. But the corpse, having lost her chance to wed either in life or in death let forth an ear-shattering shriek which pierced the souls of all those assembled there and filled their hearts with horror. Then she collapsed upon the ground and became again as one of the dead.

When those assembled had at last calmed down, the rabbi gave orders to have the corpse reburied, with proper ritual and at a greater depth, so that such a tragedy would never happen again. And after her burial the rabbi called upon the parents of the true bride to fulfill the vow they had made before their daughter had been born and to complete the wedding ceremony, which had been so terribly interrupted. This was done and at last the wedding of Reuven and his true bride took place.

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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Posted in Horror, justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WomanTagged Corpse Bride, Finger, Jewish horror stories, Jewish Stories, Safed, sfas, short stories, wedding1 Comment on The Finger: An old Jewish Horror Tale

No Fault Divorce

Posted on Wednesday, 18, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

In today’s society, there are many factors and issues that must be considered before granting a divorce. The seriousness of divorce affects the physical and spiritual aspects of the family so much that the sages of old taught, “If a man divorces his wife, the very alter weeps.” (Gittin 90b)

There was once a rabbi who was so learned that he could see every side of a question. One day a man came to him with the request that he grant him a divorce.

“What do you hold against your wife?” asked the rabbi gravely.

The man went into a lengthy explanation of his wife’s many faults.

The rabbi patiently listened to the man and thought, “Beis Hillel says: He may divorce her even due to a minor issue, e.g., because she burned or over-salted his dish, as it is stated: “Because he has found some unseemly matter in her,” meaning that he found any type of shortcoming in her.” (Mishnah Gittin 9:10) If you are so unhappy, then you can divorce your wife,” the rabbi said after listening to what the man said.

the rabbi then spoke to the woman. “Are you unhappy in your marriage, asked the rabbi.

The woman in detailed the cruel mistreatment and abuse she had suffered at her husband’s hands.Jewish Divorce Get

The rabbi listened with understandable distress.

“You are right, it would not be fair to continue the marriage,” he said after some thought. There is guidance in this as it is brought down, “If a woman says ‘My husband is distasteful to me, I can not live with him.’ The beis din (rabbinic court) compels the husband to divorce her, because a wife is not a captive” (RaMbaM, Yad Ishus 14.8)

At this the rabbi’s wife, who was present, exclaimed, “How can this be?

 

Surely, both of them couldn’t be right! ” The rabbi thought for a few moments, knitted his brows and reflected. “You’re right, too! ” He agreed.

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.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Faith, Stories, Uncategorized, Wisdom, WomanTagged divorce, Get, Gittin 90b, Jewish divorce, Jewish Stories, Maimonides, RaMBaM, short storiesLeave a Comment on No Fault Divorce

He Didn’t Deserve His Fee

Posted on Monday, 16, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There once was a very prominent doctor who thought more of his fees than of his patients. The doctor was called in to treat the sick wife of a poor tailor. After examining the woman he turned to the husband and said, “This case will take a lot of my time and I can see that you won’t be able to pay me for my services.” “Please, doctor, save her life! ” begged the anxious husband. “I promise to pay you even though I’ll have to pawn everything I own to get the money”

“What if I don’t cure her—will you pay my fee just the same?” insisted the doctor.

“Whatever happens, whether you cure her or kill her, I promise to pay.” cried the husband.

The doctor began to treat the tailor’s wife but within a few days the woman died. Shortly after, the doctor demanded 1500 denarii as his fee. The grieving husband informed him that he was unable to pay and, as was the custom within the Jewish community, they brought the matter to the rabbi for settlement.

The sage understood right away what had happened.

Doctor Fees

“Tell me again,” he asked the physician, “what was your contract with this man?”

“I was to get paid for treating his wife regardless whether I cured or killed her.”

 

“Did you cure her?” asked the rabbi.

“No.”

“Did you kill her?”

“I certainly did not! “

“Then, since you have neither cured her nor killed her what right have you to the money?”

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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Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged cure, doctor, fees, heal, Jewish Stories, physician, Rabbi, short stories, wisdom talesLeave a Comment on He Didn’t Deserve His Fee

Only A Drink of Water

Posted on Sunday, 8, August, 2021Monday, 27, November, 2023 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi known and respected for his learning and teachings was passing through a village one day. He was very thirsty after traveling along the dusty road as he neared the village. He walked towards the well when he saw a young woman drawing water.

He asked her for some water to drink, but the young woman hesitated, saying, “Holy rabbi, I’m unworthy to give water to you. Please do not ask this of me, for I would only cause you impurity. I am a poor woman who struggles each day to make a living. I am not very learned and might. Heaven forbid, cause shame to you.”

The holy rabbi looked at her with eyes full of compassion and said, “I did not ask you about your learning or status. It is no dishonor to refresh a traveler.” “But you are very holy and I am unworthy”, answered the young woman.

Hachnossas Orichim

The rabbi asked the young woman to come near and sit for a moment, and began to tell her about a servant who came to a well after a long journey in the desert and asked a young woman, “Please let me sip a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. (Genesis 24: 17-18) – that was Rebecca giving water to a traveler.”

We learn that once Abraham was in the middle of talking to the Holy One, blessed be He  with G‑d when some travelers appeared in the distance. He excused himself and ran off to invite in the guests. (Genesis 18: 1-7) Anyone can speak of holy matters or quote Torah (Scriptures), but one who acts and lives by faith are truly special and are in turn showered with blessings.

The rabbi smiled and continued, “I ask again, can I have a little water to drink? I did not ask you about your learning or social status, but for a drink of water.”

People should live by their beliefs, not by pursuing faith as an academic exercise written solely in the holy books.

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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Posted in Charity, Derech Eretz, Stories, Uncategorized, Woman, WomanTagged deeds, drink, Genesis 24:17-18, Hachnasas Orchim, Hachnasat Orchim, hospitality, Jewish Stories, kindness, short stories, Spirituality, thirst, waterLeave a Comment on Only A Drink of Water

Who Was to Blame?

Posted on Wednesday, 21, July, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is said that King Solomon was so wise he could speak and understand the languages of all the animals. To set an example for people, he decreed there should be peace among the beasts.

Death! Death! Death to the slayer! Death to the slayer!” Otter cried. It’s the fault of Weasel my children died. I came out of the water with their food and found that Weasel had trampled my children dead on the ground! He broke the vow of peace, agreed among the beasts. Peace is dead and death instead reigns without cease. I want justice.”

When the animals heard what Weasel had done to Otter’s children, their outcry was immediate.

“Bring Weasel to the king!” cried the other animals.

“Oh King,” said Weasel, “what Otter says is true. But my heart contains no malice when I do the things I do. I heard Woodpecker drum a call to arms. I never meant to do Otter any harm. The drums…they thrilled me to the core and I trampled her children as I marched to war.”

“Then bring Woodpecker before me,” said the king.

“Oh, King,” said Woodpecker, “be not alarmed! I sounded the drums but I meant no harm. I saw Scorpion sharpening her sting. It frightened me

so that I let the drums ring.”

King Solomon

“Then bring Scorpion before me,” said the king.

Into the throne room came Scorpion holding her poison sting high above her head and she said, “King, I made no offense. I sharpened my sting in my own defense. I saw Turtle climbing into her armor. So I prepared to defend myself, but I meant not to harm her.”

“Oh, King,” said Turtle, “my armor is strong. I am soft and slow so I climbed into my armor for safety but I meant no wrong.

I saw Crab with angry claws, she was charging across the ocean floors!”

Into the throne room came Crab with tears in her eyes and claws outstretched she said, “Yes, I confess. Yes I confess. It’s true what she saw. With angry claws I did charge to war after I saw the lobster swinging its great spear.”

King Solomon commanded that the lobster to be brought, and he accused it, saying:

“Why did you swing your mighty spear?” The lobster with great fear answered: “Because I saw the otter going down into the water to devour my children.”

“Well,” said King Solomon turning once again to Otter, “Otter, you’re the one who cries ‘Justice be done,’ when Otter, you’re to blame!”

“One who sows the seeds of death shall reap the same.”

Let there be justice for all and peace is sure to follow

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.

Please share this story with others

Posted in justice, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged crab, Jewish Stories, King Solomon, lobster, otter, peace, scorpion, short stories, turtle, weasel, wisdom tale, woodpeckerLeave a Comment on Who Was to Blame?

A Reason for Every Custom

Posted on Sunday, 18, July, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It happened once that a wealthy merchant, in the custom of the Jewish community, took care of all the needs of his newly married son and his wife. The son was of fine character and a good heart. He dedicated himself to helping the beggars and less fortunate of the village.

After a time, the young man and his wife were blessed with a son. In honor of the occasion, the happy grandfather arranged a great feast on the day of circumcision.

Shortly before the festivities were to begin the merchant’s son asked, “Tell me, father, what arrangements have you made for the seating of the guests? If you do the conventional thing and seat the rich at the head of the table and the poor near the door, it will distress me after all, “All the days of the poor are hard, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15). You know very well I love to help the poor. At my own celebration, at least, let me honor them who get no honor. Therefore, father, promise me to seat the poor at the head of the table and the rich at the door.”

kavod tzedakah honor charity tree

His father listened closely to his son and answered, “Reflect, my son: it is difficult to change the world and its ways. There is always a good reason behind every custom. Try to see it this way: Why do poor people come to a feast? Naturally, because they are hungry and would like to eat a good meal. Why do rich men come to a feast? To get honor. They don’t come to eat, because they have enough at home. Now just imagine what would happen if you seated the poor at the head of the table. They would sit there, very self-conscious of their every move, feeling everybody’s eyes on them, and, naturally, they would be ashamed to eat their fill. And what they’d eat they wouldn’t enjoy. Now, don’t you think it would be better for their sake if they sat unnoticed at the door where they could eat to their heart’s content without being ashamed?

“Then again, suppose I were to do what you’re asking and seat the rich at the foot of the table. Don’t you think they’d feel insulted? They don’t come for the sake of the food, but for the honor. And if you don’t give them that what will they get?”

 

“When the table was set and an abundance of food placed before” them, the wealthy merchant told his son, “Go, my child, and bring whatever poor person you may find…” (Tobit 2:2) yet the people of means sat in a place of esteem at the head of the table and the poor ate their share and all felt honored.

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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Posted in Charity, Derech Eretz, Faith, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, Tzedakah, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged charity, custom, Feast, honor, Jewish Stories, meal, poor, Proverbs 15:15, seating, short stories, Tobit 2:2, tzedakahLeave a Comment on A Reason for Every Custom

Prayers or Slander

Posted on Tuesday, 22, June, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A young boy loved to learn and was always trying to improve his everyday behavior. He was very enthusiastic in prayer and devotion. One night was learning with his father from the Holy Books in the House of Study. The young boy was so excited to study with his father he lost track of the time.

The father-son study was interrupted by the loud snores of sleeping men. The boy asked his father, “it says ‘Be strong as a leopard, and swift as an eagle, and fleet as a gazelle, and brave as a lion, to do the will of your Father who is in heaven.’ (Pirkei Avos 5:20) How can they just sleep in such a holy place?”

His father thought for a moment or two and then explained to his son. “Strong like the leopard means that one must not be ashamed by people who mock their service to the Holy One, blessed be He. Quick like the gazelle refers to the legs, that your legs should run toward good. And mighty like a lion refers to the heart, for strength in the service of the Holy One, blessed be He which resides in the heart. (based on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:3)

Lashon hara

It seemed like most of the people in the House of Study had fallen asleep and the young boy said, “So very few of these sleepers opens his eyes or raises his head to study and pray. You would think that they were without any respect for holy things or behavior.”

“My son, these men work hard each day and their sleep is a blessing for are we not taught, ‘the sleep of the laborer is sweet’ (Ecclesiastes 5: 11) with all your learning you should has remembered to ‘Cast no aspersion on whom the Torah shielded’ (Shabbos 96b) We should always give others the benefit of the doubt.”

The father then sadly replied, “My beloved son, I would rather you too were asleep like them instead of slandering.”

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.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Faith, language, Prayer, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Ecclesiastes 5: 11, ethics of language, Jewish Stories, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:3, language, Lashon Hara, Pirkei Avos 5:20, Shabbos 96b, short storiesLeave a Comment on Prayers or Slander

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