The Miser’s Dirty Mandelbroit

Posted on Thursday, 26, November, 2020Thursday, 21, December, 2023 by Rabbi

In the village, there was a miser. He never gave any tzedakah (charity) to anyone or any cause. One day he walked by a bakery and smelled the most wonderful mandelbroit (mandel bread – Almond Toast) and wanted some. He bought a bag of mandelbroit and took a piece out of the bag to eat.

He enjoyed the delicate flavor of the mandelbroit and was not watching where he was going and tripped. His bag of delicious mandelbroit fell and broke open in the road. He was so sad and angry.

A beggar came up to the miser and asked for a few coins so he can buy food for his family. The miser gave the bag of mandelbroit he just picked up out of the roadto the beggar. The miser hurried along his way.

That night, the miser had a dream that he was at an inn where the most delicious-looking cake was being served to everyone, but him. At last, he catches the inn keeper who brings him a piece of dirty pastry. In this place, the World to Come, all he is allowed is what he gave on earth.

Mandel Bread

Mandelbroit – Mandel Bread

Ingredients

3 eggs		1 Teaspoon almond extract
¾ Cup Sugar		½ Cup flour
1 Cup oil		2 cups Ground Almonds or Almond Flour
½ Teaspoon Salt		2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

Combine all dry ingredients
Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy
Slowly add the oil constantly mixing
Add to dry ingredients
Let rest for about 45 minutes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Shape into narrow loaves and bake 30-45 minutes
Take out of oven and allow to cool slightly
Slice into 1 inch slices and place on cookie sheet
Toast in oven for 15 minutes

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Worst of Curses

Posted on Thursday, 26, November, 2020Tuesday, 28, May, 2024 by Rabbi

Do not take lightly the curse of a common man (Megillah 28a)

There once was a man who cursed and belittled a certain holy man, who was never unhappy. The man cursed him, hoping that he would lose his life, the respect of his students, and all his wealth. In his hatred, the man further cursed the holy man with the wish that he would commit many sins so that he would lose his share in the World to Come. At that point, the holy man felt sad.

“Why are you so sad?” his students asked, and the holy man answered:

“When he insulted me he did not affect me because I have no desire for honor. When a man dies, he has no benefit from his honor. His words are without substance as Solomon the Wise said, ‘Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.’ ” (Proverbs 26:2)

“When he cursed me with the hope that I should not benefit from anything in this world—that all passes away at the grave. Besides, don’t we learn, ‘Let yourself be cursed, rather than curse?’ ” (Sanhedrin 49a)

But then when he cursed me with the wish that I should not enjoy the World to Come, and that I should rebel against the Holy One, blessed be He, I was concerned for fear that he would cause injustice. So I prayed that the voice of those who curse should not be heard, but rather the voice of those who bless.”

The students gathered around their teacher and asked, “How can you so easily overlook all of the taunts and curses from that man?” The holy man thought for a moment and shared, “The Holy One, blessed be He told our fathers ‘I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.’ “(Deuteronomy 30:19)

The holy man prayed, “L-rd of the universe, since both the besieged and the besiegers are Your people, answer not, I pray You, the curses which they may pronounce against each other.” (Josephus Antiquities 14.22)

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 Fate of the Flour Woman

Posted on Thursday, 19, November, 2020Thursday, 21, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Once there was a woman who lived in Israel near the sea. Every day, she baked four loaves of bread. She would give three of the loaves to people in need. And she’d keep the fourth one for her family.

One day, after she’d given away three of the loaves of bread, a fourth person came to her door. What could she do? So she gave that person the fourth loaf of bread. And then she realized that she had no more flour in her barrel to bake another bread. So she went off to the store to buy some more. She walked along the seashore, humming to herself. After she had picked up the sack of flour from the store, she put it onto her head to carry it and began to walk back home.

Suddenly, the sky grew dark, and a storm rose up. A great gust of wind whirled around her head and blew the sack of flour off of her head and out to sea. Well, she ran after the sack, shouting, what did I do to deserve this injustice? How will I feed my family? But there really wasn’t anyone around to hear her. So she turned away from the sea and started to walk back home.

But on the way home, she changed directions. And instead of walking home, she walked all the way to Jerusalem, and she went straight to the palace of King Solomon the Wise. When the guards saw how determined she was, they let her right in to see the king. She began to tell the wise King Solomon all about the sack of flour and the gust of wind.

But as she was just about finishing her story, there was a great big commotion as 10 sailors carrying 10 sacks of gold burst into the room. We want to give these sacks of gold to the person who saved our lives, one of them said. King Solomon listened with great interest. How did this person save your lives? the King said.

Well, we are traveling merchants. And we were sailing close to the harbor when our ship began to sink. There was a hole, and we were sinking fast. The ship would have sunk, and we would have drowned. But just as suddenly, the water stopped flooding in.

We examined the hole, and we saw a bag of flour there. The flour had mixed with the water, and it made a dough. And the dough plugged up the hole and stopped the water from flooding our ship. This sack of flour saved us. So we want to reward the person whose sack it is. We were told to come to Jerusalem because you are the wisest king, and you would be able to help us.

A sailor pulled the sack out of his pocket and handed it to the king, who laughed as he turned to the woman. Would you recognize your sack? he asked. Of course, she said. My name is on it. The king examined it. And lo and behold, there was her name.

King Solomon said, of course, it is you who deserves the reward from these grateful sailors. Your sack of flour saved them. Without it, they surely would have drowned. And so she took the gold. She bought a lot more flour and was able to feed everyone in need.

Challah

Flour Woman’s Challah

Makes 2 braided loaves

INGREDIENTS

1 cup warm water – not hot		2-3teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon yeast or 1 packet of yeast		8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
4 Jumbo eggs, room temperature add water to make 1cup		4 Tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
1 egg		1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon poppy seeds (Optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, mix water and sugar add yeast and let sit
Beat eggs, salt and oil until well blended
Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens.
Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed.
Form dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.
Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky.
Divide each half into quarters and roll into long snakes about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the four snakes together firmly and braid. from middle. Pinch ends of the finished braids together.
Grease two baking pans and place finished braid each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush a generous amount over each braid.
Sprinkle with poppy seeds or any other desired topping (optional).
Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 to 30 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

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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Charity – Tzedakah That Sparkles

Posted on Monday, 16, November, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham collected money to redeem hapless people from prison when their only “crime” was poverty. Sadly many people would fall behind in paying their debts and wealthy landowners would throw them into prison until someone redeemed them.

There was one particular wealthy merchant who would always contribute generously to have people released from captivity. When Tam and Chacham approached him on this one occasion, he was was surprised that they asked for a very large donation so they could redeem some unfortunate people out of prison.

When the wealthy merchant told his wife about the large sum Tam and Chacham sked for, she went and sold many of her diamonds as well as some of her other jewelry.

She then took the coins, polished them until they sparkled brightly, and sent them to Tam and Chacham, saying, “Among the donations to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert, there was gold, silver, and copper. But the only things that sparkled were the polished metal mirrors given by the women.”

The merchant’s wife was indeed an Eishes Chayil in that when she does something, it shines and sparkles. This is so for all matters relating to the home—such as hospitality and the children’s education. Although they can also be taken care of by the husband, only when they are done by the wife are they accomplished in the manner of shining sapphires, without any blockage of the divine light, which shines forth. Every person can elevate everyday actions into shining examples as they prepare for the World to Come, when all actions will be elevated.

There is a traditional concept of doing a mitzvah (deed) beautifully — lighting the Shabbos (Sabbath) candles, beautifying the Yom Tov (Holiday) table, or making Kiddush from a lovely cup and so on. By giving charity in such a beautiful way, the merchant’s wife showed that she was more concerned about the beauty of devotion than about the beauty of her personal appearance. The righteous women mentioned in the Torah who donated their mirrors to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) also placed devotion to the Holy One, blessed be He above their looks. (see Exodus 38:8) The merchant’s wife reminded Tam and Chacham that although donations to the Tabernacle in the desert involved large amounts of precious metals, only the metal mirrors given by the women sparkled. Why? The metal of the mirrors sparkled because it was finely polished. That polishing signified the preciousness of the mitzvah to the giver. The merchant’s wife gave a large amount of money without begrudging it and considered the mitzvah of charity so precious that she actually polished the coins. When a person does mitzvahs (religious deeds) and makes contributions to help others in this selfless way, he also polishes his own soul.

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 Hole and Politics of the Bagel

Posted on Wednesday, 4, November, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A young boy sat in class as the teacher was droning on about some obscure point in the Torah. The boy, out of boredom, began to daydream. Suddenly he heard the loud voice of the teacher as he asked the distracted student, “What becomes of the hole in a bagel, when one has eaten the bagel?”

This riddle, which seemed to be very hard to solve, stuck in the boy’s head. The boy tried to find an answer to the question, day and night. The boy often bought a bagel, took a bite out of it, and immediately replaced the bitten-out piece with his hand, so that the hole should not escape. Yet every time the boy had eaten up the bagel, the hole had somehow always disappeared. This frustrated the boy for a long time. The boy was so preoccupied by the question that he thought about it during prayers and at lessons.

At home, too, everyone noticed that the boy had lost his appetite, he ate nothing but bagels — bagels for breakfast, bagels for lunch, bagels for dinner, bagels all day long. They noticed that he ate the bagels with strange gestures and contortions of his mouth and my hands.

One day the boy gathered up all of his courage, and asked the teacher, in the middle of a Torah lesson:

“Nu, when one has eaten a bagel, what happens to the hole?”

“Why don’t you see the most obvious,” answered the teacher, “what is a hole in a bagel? Just nothing at all! A bit of emptiness! It’s nothing with the bagel and nothing without the bagel!”

Many years passed since then, and still the boy has not been able to satisfy himself as to what is the object of a hole in a bagel. As a young man he wondered if one could have bagels without holes. One lives and learns.

One day on his way to work, he saw in the window of a bakery, bagels without holes. He asked the baker about these bagels, and heard a most interesting history, which shows how difficult it is to get people to accept anything new, and what sacrifices it costs to introduce the smallest reform.

The baker explained:

A baker in a far off city took it into his head to make straight bagels, in the shape of breadsticks. This change from what was widely accepted cost him dearly. All the other bakers in that city immediately made a loud protest and organized a boycott of his bakery.

They argued: “Our fathers’ fathers baked bagels with holes, the whole world eats bagels with holes, and here comes a bold new thinker who upsets the order of the universe, and bakes bagels without holes! Have you ever heard of such disrespect? It’s just not right! If a person like this is allowed to go on, he will make an end of everything: today it’s bagels without holes, tomorrow it will be holes without bagels! Such a thing has never been known before!”

Because of the hole in a bagel, a storm broke out in that city that grew presently into such noise and violence.

The different leaders of the community joined in the conflict. Now the city was divided.

The Straight Bagel Party declared that a hole and a bagel constituted together a private affair, like religion, and that everyone had a right to bake bagels as he thought best, and according to his conscience.

The other side, the Pro-Hole Bagel party maintained, that to sell bagels without holes was against the constitution, to which the Straight Bagel Party replied that the constitution should be altered, as being too ancient, and contrary to the spirit of the times.

At this the Pro-Hole Bagel Party raised an uproar, crying that the rules could not be altered, because they were Toras-Lokshen and every letter, every stroke, every dot was a law in itself!

The media in the city felt they were obliged to report daily accounts of the meetings that were held to discuss the hole in a bagel, and the media also took sides, and fiercely reported on the subject. The quarrel spread throughout the city, until everyone was strongly divided into two parties, the Pro-Hole Bagel party and the Straight Bagel party.

Children rose against their parents, wives against their husbands, friends severed their ties with friends, families were broken up, and still the battle rages — and all on account of the hole in a bagel!

Now they’re fighting over toppings – poppy seeds, onion, sesame seeds, garlic or just a little of everything.

Bagels From Scratch

8 cups flour		1 tablespoon salt
2-3 tablespoons sugar		1 tablespoon yeast
2 cups lukewarm potato water		1 cup oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten		2-3 tablespoons honey
2 quarts boiling water		Bagel toppings (onion, poppy seeds, garlic, sesame seeds)

Directions

Sift together dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
Proof yeast in one third of the potato water and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar (Potato water is water in which peeled potatoes have cooked). Plain water may be used, but it is not as good.
Add to the dry ingredients.
Add oil to the remaining potato water and stir into the flour mixture.
Add eggs and stir briskly to form a ball of dough.
Knead on a lightly floured board for 10 minutes. This must be a firm dough; add more flour if necessary.
Return to the bowl, smooth side up. Cover with a tea towel and let rise at room temperature until the dough rises to about 1 ½ its size.
Knead again on a lightly floured board until smooth and elastic (as for rolls).
Pinch off pieces of dough and roll between the palms to form ropes about 6 inches long and ¾ inch wide. Pinch the ends together firmly to make a doughnut shape.
Add honey to boiling water. Drop bagels into the water one at a time.
As they come to the surface, turn them over. Boil 1 minute longer on the second side.
Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees until the crust is golden brown and crisp 10 to 15 minutes).
Bagels may be sprinkled with poppy seed or sesame seed before baking, if desired.
Makes about 30.

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 Borrowed Egg

Posted on Thursday, 29, October, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It is told that in the days of King David, there was a feast where the main dish was made with hard-boiled eggs.

One of the servants was very hungry and ate the portion that had been given to him before his companions. He felt ashamed because there was no food before him, and he said to the man sitting next to him: “Lend me one.egg.” “I shall lend it to you,” said he, “if you promise before witnesses that you will return it to me within a week, and if you do not repay me by then, you will have to pay me any income that might add up from the egg until the time of the payment.”

The hungry man answered, “I agree,” he was given the egg in the presence of the witnesses. A week went by and the borrowed egg was forgotten and the lender was called away on business. Five years went by and the lender demanded that the debt from the egg be paid.

The man returned an egg, but the lender was unhappy. “All you can claim from me,” said man, “is a single egg.” They appeared before King David and found Solomon sitting in the gateway, for it was the custom of Solomon to be seated in the king’s gateway; and whenever anybody came to the king for judgment he would ask him: “What are you doing before the king?” And the man would say: “This and that is what happened between that fellow and me.” Now when the man who had borrowed from his companion came, Solomon said to him as well: “Why have you come to the king?” And he answered: “This and that is what happened.” “Appear before the king,” said Solomon to him, “and when you return tell me what the king said.”

They appeared before King David. The lender brought witnesses of the condition they had agreed to; namely, that he should pay him whatever profit a man can make from a single egg from that time until the time that the claim was presented. “Go and pay him,” said King David. “I do not know how much,” said he. Then they presented an account to the king: One chick in one year; in the second year that chick can beget up to eighteen chicks; in a third year those eighteen chicks can each produce eighteen chicks, and so in the fourth year—so that the account finally came to a great amount. The man had never dreamed that the one egg he borrowed would create such a huge debt, and get him into such trouble!

The young Solomon met him and said: “What did the king tell you?” “The king,” he answered, “found that I owe this, and that it amounts to a very great sum.” Listen to me,” said Solomon, “and I shall give you good counsel.” “Long life to you,” said he. And Solomon went on: “Go and buy yourself beans and boil them. On such and such day the king wishes to stay at this and that place. Now you stand at the wayside, and when¬ever the king’s men pass before you, you sow the beans in some plowed field by the road. If anybody asks you what you are planting, answer him:

‘I am planting boiled beans.’ And if he asks you whoever saw boiled beans being planted, tell him: ‘Whoever saw a boiled egg from which a chicken came?’ “

The man went at once and did this and stood planting the boiled beans. When the king’s forces passed, they asked him: “What are you planting?” “I am planting boiled beans,” he told them. “And who,” said they, “has ever seen boiled beans growing?” “And who,” answered he, “has ever seen a boiled egg from which a chick came out?” This is what he said to the king’s men, who told the king.

When the king heard this, he said to him: “Who taught you to do so?” “I myself,” said he. But David said to him: “Solomon has been helping you!” “As sure as you live, my lord king,” said the man, “he told me to do this from beginning to end.” Then the king sent for Solomon and said to him: “What do you have to say about this?” And Solomon answered: “How can he owe for something that never came about? The egg he borrowed was boiled and could not produce any chick!” “Then,” said the king, “let him go and pay the other fellow one egg!”

And it is because of this that we find: “To Solomon. 0 God, give Your judgment to the king and Your righteousness to the king’s son” (Ps. 72:1-2).

Egg Salad

12 hard boiled eggs, peeled		1 medium onion chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise (more or less based on your desired consistency)		1/4 teaspoon black pepper (more or less to taste)
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard		1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (more or less to taste)
½ Cup chopped celery		Salt to taste

Slice and dice hard boiled eggs into a large bowl.(for rustic and chunky) or mash with a fork or potato masher (for smoother) egg salad.
Mix in chopped onion and chopped celery
In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, pepper, garlic powder and salt to taste.

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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A Jewish Meal Heals – Kol K’voda Bas Melech P’nima

Posted on Thursday, 22, October, 2020Thursday, 30, November, 2023 by Rabbi

There was a time when little changed. People grew up in the same communities as their parents, knew the same people their whole lives, did the same work, ate the same food, and heard the same languages as their parents and grandparents. Today with all the technology (computers, tablets and cellular telephones) people are constantly meeting new people, hearing new philosophies and different ideas, and challenging religious and societal values. Young people today refuse to look at yesterday.

Jewish beliefs, customs and traditions have been changed by the rapid pace of today’s society. New ideas and new philosophies have clashed with ancient Jewish beliefs and customs. The foods of our past are prepackaged, our traditions are a vague memory, the teachings and beliefs have been left as archaic and outdated, and the stories are forgotten.

Why are so many people touched by a traditional Jewish meal? The food has a special taste that can only be found in the Jewish kitchen prepared with tenderness. Around the table people sit and speak of prayer, Torah and customs, and at times the old melodies stir the yearnings for something long forgotten. The stories touch the heart and soul of everyone around the table.

If being Jewish is merely a religion, a combination of prayers, rituals and customs, it will wither. If is a way of life, then it can flourish and lead to growth. Jewish people have a long history of different traditions, food, rituals, prayers and stories from all over the world, but one idea endures: Judaism is a dialogue, not a human monologue addressed to an indifferent universe.

We are all bound by the mitzvahs of relationships to the Holy One, blessed be He, to other human beings, and especially to all that G-d has created. As people gather and share a meal all these relationships come together and a holy atmosphere is created. In each generation, the ancient and blessed conversation—the dialogue that is Judaism—continues.

==========

It is told of a Jewish woman who carefully prepared food for each meal for Shabbos and Yom Tov with such holiness that if you ate the food she cooked, you left the table healed.

“In our earlier days, people would carefully plan for the special meals in such a way that they would have enough food for themselves and for some guests on Shabbos and Yom Tov. One week, a holy woman was cooking on Friday for Shabbos (the Sabbath) when a drunkard knocked on the door and was invited in. He was smelling of alcohol, but he said to the woman, ‘I’m starving. Do you have anything to eat? Who knew how long he had been without food? Besides, when someone says he’s starving, how can you not feed him? So she gave him from the food she’d prepared for all the Shabbos meals. After finishing what she gave him, he asked, ‘Is there more?’ Each time, he ate whatever was put before him and asked for more, until she said, ‘There’s not a crumb left.’ She gave him every¬thing she had prepared for all the Shabbos meals. She gave him everything gently and respectfully, because she was doing a great mitzvah (a good deed). She didn’t judge him by how he looked or for his crude be-havior, for who knows what troubles he had had?

“Then this drunkard did something unusual. He asked, ‘Can I speak with your husband?’ The woman went and spoke to her husband and told him about the drunkard’s request. The husband agreed to see him. When he came in, he no longer smelled, and he didn’t appear drunk. In fact, his face was glowing, and the husband realized at once that this was Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet).

He explained, “I only came here to bless your wife. Her kindness has made a great impression in heaven. But we wanted to give her a final test to see if she was worthy of the great blessing we have in store for her. She passed the test.”

What was the great blessing one may ask? It was the blessing of healing. That is why the food the holy woman prepared and served healed whoever ate it.”

Food that is prepared and served with love can heal the sick and revive the weary. The holy woman’s food, offered with such self-sacrifice, contained a heavenly blessing. This quality is not unique to this tzaddekes (holy woman).

There are other stories in which the healing powers of a holy woman come through the food she serves. And many women who prepare and serve food to their family put in their healing love as a main ingredient.

The holiness of Jewish women is hidden within their daily actions in cooking, giving tzedakah (acts of charity) and many ither mitzvahs. King David reminded us when he wrote, “kol k’voda bas melech p’nima, “(all the glory of a princess is within. (Psalm 45:14).”

Shabbosdike Stuffed Chicken Quarters

2-3 lbs Chicken quarters		1 stalk celery chopped
1 egg		1/8 tsp pepper
1 Cup Water or broth		1 Cup Farfel
1 sm to med onion finely chopped		2 Tbs oil or shmaltz
½ tsp salt		1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Thyme		2 tsp Parsley
1 tsp Rosemary		½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Sage		Spices for Chicken

Preheat oven 350 degrees
Sauté onion and celery in oil or
Add spices and cook a few minutes longer
Stir in farfel
Beat egg with water or broth
Add to farfel
Let stuffing rest for 5 to 15 minutes
Loosen skin on the chicken
Spoon the stuffing under the skin and return the skin to its original position
Put in pan – skin side up
Brush with oil and season to taste
Bake covered 30 minutes
Remove cover and bake until skin is golden brown (30 to 45 minutes)

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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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com

A Lesson of a Patch

Posted on Sunday, 18, October, 2020Tuesday, 9, January, 2024 by Rabbi

So much has changed in what is taught to youth today. So often domestic skills such as cooking and sewing are overlooked. Many view these skills in a negative way, often saying that they are demeaning. Sadly, much has been lost in our throw-away society and acute gender identification. The question of the ethical and spiritual lessons that were learned are never addressed.

An old grandmother, Bubbie Feiga, taught her grand-daughter, Sarah Rachel, how to patch a worn garment. At the same time, she taught her beloved grand-daughter a lesson in mussar (religious values).

“One should not be ashamed to wear patched clothes,” Bubbie Feiga explained. “On the contrary, one should feel good about it. Do you know why? Because Hashem (G-d) gives us everything we have. But all these wonderful things are not presents forever. No! He entrusts them to us for safekeeping only. At any moment, without warning, He may take them all back. So it’s a shame, even a sin, to show neglect for anything Hashem Himself entrusts to us. A patch, Sarah Rachel, not only prolongs the life of a garment, but the patching demonstrates how much we appreciate everything that the Holy One, blessed be He entrusts to our keeping!”

Few people today wear patches on their garments. Patches have largely disappeared in our wealthy society. Bubbie Feiga’s lesson still applies. G-d gives us everything we have. Every object that comes into our possession is a gift from G-d and should be treated with reverence. The mystics teach that a spark of divinity is in each thing in the world, and therefore every object, every possession, should be properly honored. By prematurely discarding an old item to replace it with a new one, we show disrespect for the holy spark that resides in that object. How long should we keep a garment or other item? Each of us should decide with wisdom; there is no rule. The only rule — which we can learn from Bubbie Feiga—is to show proper care and respect for your possessions.

Years went by and Sarah Rachel went off to college. She missed her Bubbie Feiga, who was now very old. Sarah became very active in the Jewish group at her college and one Friday night she went with some friends to a rabbi’s house for a Shabbos (Sabbath) meal.

The rabbi was a bit old fashioned, and at first Sarah felt very uncomfortable. After the fish and soup were served. The rabbi began telling stories. Sarah thought, “We’re not children. Why is he telling us stories? We are college students and the stories are not appropriate for college students.”

After one particular story, there was a lively discussion around the table. Everyone heard the same story, but there were so many opinions as to the meanings of the story.

The rabbi sat back and listened to the young voices around the table for a long time and then asked, “we learn in the TaNaCH (Torah, Nevi’im, Kasuvim – Scriptures) that ‘Hashem blessed them, and He said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ (Genesis 1:28) and he continued, ‘You have given them dominion over the works of your hands’ (Psalm 8:6) and added that the Torah says, ‘Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because G-d has dealt graciously with me’ (Genesis 33:11) and ended with, ‘But above all bless your Maker, who fills you with his good gifts.’ (ben Sira (Sirach) 32:13). The rabbi took a long breath and asked what do all these verses have in common.

The college students around the table rose to the challenge and offered a lot of opinions and ideas, but the rabbi sadly shook his head. “You are all over thinking”, he said.

Sarah sat and listened and a tear formed and rolled down her cheek. As the room fell quiet, she said, “My Bubbie Feiga taught me a long time ago that everything that comes into our possession is a gift from G-d and should be treated special. She taught me that a spark of holiness is in each thing in the world, for that reason should be treated with respect.”

One of the young men, retorted, “You really believe in this G-d stuff?” Sarah answered, “You really don’t understand do you?” “Aw come on how can you believe in these stories. All this religious stuff is mythology,” the young man countered.

Sarah took a deep breath and said, “We talk about diminishing resources, environmental issues, growing pollution and non-renewable resources, but the Torah clearly teaches that we are the stewards of everything in creation. When things are destroyed, who will repair it?”

The young man responded, “Science will find the answers.” Sarah immediately answered, “Very well science has told us what the foundation of life is, so take four test tubes each filled with each of the elements of life, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and have the scientist make life.” They can’t only G-d can do that!”

Sarah Rachel spoke to the rabbi several times and visited him during Jewish holidays. One day she came to the rabbi with tears in her eyes, Bubbie Feiga died. “Rabbi” she began, “the stories you told me over the years helped me to understand my Bubbie Feiga and helped me to appreciate and grow in my beliefs. In honor of my Bubbie Feiga please call me Sora Rochel”

Many years have passed, and Sora Rochel teaches her daughter about patches.

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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Charity and Support From Near

Posted on Thursday, 11, October, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam watched one of his students sitting around the table learning. Both Tam and Chacham knew the student well enough to realize that something was terribly wrong. The student always seemed to be cheerful and enthusiastic, but now seemed to be carrying a weight on his shoulders that was too heavy for him to bear.

Tam and Chacham noticed that the student continued to come on time to learn. He continued to ask his probing questions and to come up with deep, penetrating answers. The learning must calm him and lighten his burdens.

The rabbis observed that the gloominess would cloak their student as soon as he closed his holy text to go back home. It was then that his wonder and excitement seemed to leave him.

The rabbis were afraid to mention anything because he didn’t want the student to think their questions were intrusive. After all, maybe this was just a passing thing. So for the time being, Tam and Chacham decided to keep their concerns to themselves.

As the classes continued, however, the heaviness surrounding the student seemed to overwhelm him completely, and Tam and Chacham could no longer keep their concerns to themselves.

One day as class came to end, Tam and Chacham invited the student to sit with them and with great concern spoke to the student. Chacham began, “You are a fine student and one day you will be a teacher and leader in the community. Please tell us what’s bothering you. We can’t bear to watch you go on like this any longer.

The student looked at his teachers and then dropped his eyes to the table in front of him for a few long moments until he finally gathered his thoughts.

“You know how much I love learning and how my greatest desire is to be fully involved in Torah for the rest of my life,” began the student, baring his heart. “Well, the small stipend I receive just doesn’t meet my growing expenses, even though my wife is working long, hard hours. After careful consideration, my wife and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this season will be my last one learning full-time. As you can tell, I’m heartbroken.” At those words, the student burst into uncontrollable sobs, and the rabbis stood up and hugged the student tightly in the middle of the beis midrash (house of learning).

Tam and Chacham had no words to comfort the broken student. What could they possibly tell him? About the loss it was to the entire class? About the loss it was to the world at large? That would just make him feel even worse.

After a meek attempt to reassure the student, Tam and Chacham silently left the beis medrash, deep in thought. That night, the rabbis felt so sorry for their student who wanted nothing more than to sit and learn but whose dreams and aspirations would be dashed due to finances. Why does everything in this world have to revolve around money? They thought in frustration.

Tam and Chacham thought for a long time about their student. They saw their student every day, but he was unable to study or concentrate on the lessons as he had in the past. The rabbis wondered if there was a way to help their student.

A week later, Tam came into the beis medrash, in high spirits. “You’ll never believe this!” he said loudly as soon as his eyes met his student. When he realized that many people in the beis medrash could hear him, he lowered his voice to a whisper.

“Last night, I was speaking to an old student of mine who lives far away. Explained Tam, “and he mentioned to me that he was interested in forming a Yissachar-Zevulun partnership (The relationship between the tribes of Yissachar and Zevulun whereby Zevulun deals in business and Yissachar in study of the Torah/Scriptures and holy writings.)

with someone. He has a large sum of money he’d like to invest in this arrangement and he wants to find a serious student to support so that he can share in the reward of his learning.

“I told him all about you,” continued Tam, “and he was very excited for you to be his Yissachar. What do you say? Is this something you’d be interested in?”

“I can’t believe it!” the student lightened up. “This is the best news I could possibly hope for! Of course I’d love to do that! How can I thank you for putting this together?”

“By sitting down and learning to the best of your ability,” answered Tam with a mysterious twinkle in his eye.

“Do you mind if I go out for a minute to call my wife to tell her the good news?” asked the happy student.

“Do we not learn, ‘enjoy life with the life you love’? (Ecclesiastes/Koheles 9:9) By all means share your good news with her,” agreed Tam.

The arrangement worked out beautifully, with Tam serving as the middleman. On the first of each month, Tam would present his student with a sizable sum of money, and the student was very appreciative.

One month, the student approached his teacher Tam, “I know that my benefactor wishes to remain anonymous. Still, it would mean so much to me to be able to express my appreciation to him. Do you think it would be appropriate for me to write him a letter?”

“It would be very appropriate,” encouraged Tam.

A couple of days later the student’s letter was finished, he put it in envelope, and handed it to Tam.

“Please address the envelope and send it out as soon as you can,” urged the student. “I want it to get to my benefactor as quickly as possible.”

Tam took the letter from his student and left the beis medrash. Instead of depositing the letter in the mailbox, however, he inserted it into his own pocket and went to share it with Chacham — because that’s where it truly belonged.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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To See the King

Posted on Tuesday, 9, October, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The two men were invited to the palace to see the king. Each prepared for the special meeting.

When the special day came, the first man came to the palace; but as soon as he entered the hall outside of the throne room he froze, amazed. A wealthy man himself, he truly appreciated the fine artwork, sculptures and tapestries which surrounded him. For hours the wealthy man stood, marveling at the beautiful paintings, statues and fine wall hangings. All the beauty and wonders filled the rich-man’s soul with a sense of awe. For hours he stood, and the king… he never did quite see the king.

The second man also arrived at the same entrance hall, but he was a simple farmer unaccustomed to wealth and finery. His impoverished taste failed to appreciate what so fascinated the wealthy man. Much to the wealthy man’s disappointment, the poor man met the king right away.

Every day people have the opportunity to approach the King. Many try, but few succeed as many are distracted by the finery and sophistication. A great man once said: “I pray with the mind of a child.” A child’s perception of the Holy One, blessed be He is in a way, truer and purer than the accomplished scholar’s or mystic’s deepest understanding of the Divine attributes and manifestations.

The person who approaches G‑d through prayer with an eye to the “experience” of this or spirituality, can lose sight of what the point of it all is. Only by recognizing our basic spiritual illiteracy can we truly relate to the all-encompassing concept of the Holy One, blessed be He,

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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In the village, there was a miser. He never gave any tzedakah (charity) to anyone or any cause. One day he walked by a bakery and smelled the most wonderful mandelbroit (mandel bread – Almond Toast) and wanted some. He bought a bag of mandelbroit and took a piece out of the bag to eat.

He enjoyed the delicate flavor of the mandelbroit and was not watching where he was going and tripped. His bag of delicious mandelbroit fell and broke open in the road. He was so sad and angry.

A beggar came up to the miser and asked for a few coins so he can buy food for his family. The miser gave the bag of mandelbroit he just picked up out of the roadto the beggar. The miser hurried along his way.

That night, the miser had a dream that he was at an inn where the most delicious-looking cake was being served to everyone, but him. At last, he catches the inn keeper who brings him a piece of dirty pastry. In this place, the World to Come, all he is allowed is what he gave on earth.

Mandelbroit – Mandel Bread

Ingredients

3 eggs

1 Teaspoon almond extract

¾ Cup Sugar

½ Cup flour

1 Cup oil

2 cups Ground Almonds or Almond Flour

½ Teaspoon Salt

2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

Combine all dry ingredients

Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy

Slowly add the oil constantly mixing

Add to dry ingredients

Let rest for about 45 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Shape into narrow loaves and bake 30-45 minutes

Take out of oven and allow to cool slightly

Slice into 1 inch slices and place on cookie sheet

Toast in oven for 15 minutes

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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Do not take lightly the curse of a common man (Megillah 28a)

“Why are you so sad?” his students asked, and the holy man answered:

“When he cursed me with the hope that I should not benefit from anything in this world—that all passes away at the grave. Besides, don’t we learn, ‘Let yourself be cursed, rather than curse?’ ” (Sanhedrin 49a)

The holy man prayed, “L-rd of the universe, since both the besieged and the besiegers are Your people, answer not, I pray You, the curses which they may pronounce against each other.” (Josephus Antiquities 14.22)

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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Once there was a woman who lived in Israel near the sea. Every day, she baked four loaves of bread. She would give three of the loaves to people in need. And she’d keep the fourth one for her family.

Well, we are traveling merchants. And we were sailing close to the harbor when our ship began to sink. There was a hole, and we were sinking fast. The ship would have sunk, and we would have drowned. But just as suddenly, the water stopped flooding in.

A sailor pulled the sack out of his pocket and handed it to the king, who laughed as he turned to the woman. Would you recognize your sack? he asked. Of course, she said. My name is on it. The king examined it. And lo and behold, there was her name.

King Solomon said, of course, it is you who deserves the reward from these grateful sailors. Your sack of flour saved them. Without it, they surely would have drowned. And so she took the gold. She bought a lot more flour and was able to feed everyone in need.

Flour Woman’s Challah

Makes 2 braided loaves

INGREDIENTS

1 cup warm water – not hot

2-3teaspoons salt

1 Tablespoon yeast or 1 packet of yeast

8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

4 Jumbo eggs, room temperature add water to make 1cup

4 Tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon poppy seeds (Optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a large mixing bowl, mix water and sugar add yeast and let sit

Beat eggs, salt and oil until well blended

Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens.

Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed.

Form dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.

Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky.

Divide each half into quarters and roll into long snakes about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the four snakes together firmly and braid. from middle. Pinch ends of the finished braids together.

Grease two baking pans and place finished braid each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush a generous amount over each braid.

Sprinkle with poppy seeds or any other desired topping (optional).

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 to 30 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

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 collected money to redeem hapless people from prison when their only “crime” was poverty. Sadly many people would fall behind in paying their debts and wealthy landowners would throw them into prison until someone redeemed them.

When the wealthy merchant told his wife about the large sum Tam and Chacham sked for, she went and sold many of her diamonds as well as some of her other jewelry.

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)