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Tag: spiritual stories

In the Opposite Direction

Posted on Tuesday, 9, November, 2021Sunday, 18, February, 2024 by Rabbi

Two young men learned together in the same yeshivah (school). They were both very gifted and hardworking, and each progressed steadily in his Torah (Bible) and religious studies. When they grew older, however, they went their separate ways: One of them continued to pursue his Torah (Bible) and religious studies in a different yeshivah, while the other one deviated from the path of Torah (Bible) and religious studies. He studied medicine and eventually became a world-renowned doctor.

The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were over­joyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon dri­ver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

Spiritual Path

“At that moment,” continued the rabbi, “a man happened to pass by and overheard our conversation. He told me that a magnifi­cent coach harnessed to fine horses was parked on the outskirts of the city. If I so desired, he said, I could travel home in it. The ride would be comfortable and quick, and it would cost only a few copper coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the out­skirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destina­tion, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

In this world every person must occupy himself with studying Torah and performing good deeds, which he will ultimately be able to take with him to the World to Come. However, if man chooses to pursue fleeting pleasures and all of the luxuries that this world has to offer, he may travel in comfort, but it will be in the opposite direction!

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.

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Posted in Faith, friendship, Religious Education, Stories, UncategorizedTagged bible, fame, Jewish Stories, learning, religious, short Jewish Stories, short stories, spiritual, spiritual path, spiritual stories, study, Torah, wealthLeave a Comment on In the Opposite Direction

What Do You Know?

Posted on Monday, 7, June, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A merchant was traveling to a market in a faraway city and decided to travel on country roads so he could enjoy a relaxing journey. The scenery was beautiful and the journey was so peaceful. After some hours, the merchant fell asleep at the reins and the horses wandered off the road. When the merchant woke up, he realized he was very lost.

Seeing a farmer tending his field nearby, he stopped to ask for directions. “Can you tell me how far It is to the market in the village of B?” he asked the farmer.

“Well, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer answered. “Well, can you tell me how far I am from the main road leading to the village of B?” the merchant asked again. “Well, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer replied. “Can you at least tell me the quickest way to the main road?” the exasperated businessman asked. “No, I don’t rightly know,” the farmer again answered.

“You really don’t know very much at all, do you?” blurted the impatient merchant. “No, I guess I don’t, but I’m not lost,” the farmer calmly answered.

Spirituality

There are many who depend on their knowledge, but reject the wisdom of faith. They journey through life and find no lasting fulfillment. The “the aim of wisdom is repentance (return to a spiritual state) and good deeds.” (Berachos 17a)

Sadly there are many who extol the practice of good deeds under the guise of belief and faith, but their actions are without spirituality. Many people search for spiritual meaning to the world around them and in their personal lives.

The baal teshuvah is anyone who is in a constant state of return to spiritual and true self, an inner soul that connects to the divine through learning and living faith while (Torah) and doing mitzvahs (good deeds).

 

The goal of teshuvah-repentance is to change oneself and the world as it is written, “Return to me, says the L-rd of hosts, and I will return to you.” (Zechariah 1:3) So many time people get discouraged and feel inadequate comparing themselves to “religious people” but it is taught that “Where penitents stand, the wholly righteous cannot stand.” (Berachos 34b) “Great is repentance (the return), it brings healing to the world.” (Yoma 86a)

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, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, teshuvah, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Berachos 17a, Berachos 34b, Jewish Stories, Repentance, short stories, spiritual stories, Spirituality, Teshuvah, Yoma 86a, Zechariah 1:3Leave a Comment on What Do You Know?

A Quilt of Life

Posted on Monday, 15, February, 2021Sunday, 5, May, 2024 by Rabbi

The old quilt lay draped over a chair. It’s not a beautiful quilt, and all the fabric appears to be very old. Yet that old quilt is so full of life.

The patches and remnants came from so many people and places. A piece of an apron, a dress worn on a first date, patches from worn out knees, and bits and pieces from many other things. They are odd shapes and sizes. Some nameless shapes are round, others square and some very unusual, long slices of fabric painstakingly sewn with dozens of meticulous stitches. A few tiny patches are smaller than a thumbnail.

Some of the fabric is very plain with dull color, everyday things like shirts or dresses that were taken for granted. Other pieces are bright and cheerful, like snippets of birthdays, holidays, and happy times gone by. A few fancier pieces are satiny smooth with embossing or embroidery; they seem to whisper of weddings, dances, a first kiss…..

They do have an Interesting texture—smooth next to rough denim, seersucker alongside velvet and beautiful silks next to plain old cotton; and all over the quilt hundreds of tiny stitches, almost invisible to the eye, pucker ever so slightly.

Quilt Patch

That old quilt helps one remember times past and hope for the future. Sometimes one feels sad and miss the friends left behind. “Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7) A study of the old quilt raises many thoughts of the many friends one has had throughout their life. Some felt a bit scratchy and rough like a sturdy piece of wool, but in time they softened or one just became used to them. Others were delicate like silk and needed to be handled with care. Some were colorful and bright and great fun to be with. A few special others felt soft and cozy like flannel, and they knew how to be a comfort during hard times.

Some people leave one with a piece that is bigger than they wanted and others smaller than what one thought they needed. Some were that annoying itchy square in the corner, and others that piece of worn flannel. One leaves pieces with some and they leave their pieces that are kept for some time. All the while each and every piece of the quilt makes up a part of what is in each person. Be okay with the piece left to you. For life is too short to expect from people what they do not have to give, or were not called to give. Quilts are like friends, a great source of comfort.

As one looks closely at the quilt they can see a blessing in each stich. Life is so full of people, places and things and it so easy to become lost in all the different pieces encountered each day. All those scraps and pieces of life can be confusing. When life gives one those pieces and scraps, sew them together and make a quilt.

An old quilt pulled up around oneself offers much needed comfort warmed by memories. Surely, it is a personal masterpiece — this quilt of friendships and life is not nearly finished.

Everyday brings new friends and experiences that grow throughout life. Each person has that special quilt, and that’s because the Holy One, blessed be He has sewn them into our hearts.

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.

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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Posted in Grief and Mourning, Love, Stories, Uncategorized, Wisdom, WomanTagged comfort, Deuteronomy 32:7, Friends, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, life, patches, patchwork, Quilt, short stories, spiritual storiesLeave a Comment on A Quilt of Life

Tea for Three

Posted on Thursday, 11, February, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The old chacham lived in a small apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem where he would study Torah all day. It was said that he knew many secrets of the revealed and hidden torah.  For breakfast he would have only a cup of coffee and a roll, for lunch he would have a yogurt, and for supper he would have a bit of rice and soup. He explained to his family why he ate so little. “If one wishes to rise to a high level of spirituality, they should not indulge themself by eating big fancy meals. Therefore, I eat only what I need.”

The chacham’s son lived next door with his family and he had an unmarried daugh­ter. She was very kind and when she opened “her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is upon her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26). She personally took care of her grandfather every day.

One evening, the young girl noticed two guests entering her grandfa­ther’s apartment. “These men look like great Torah scholars,” she whispered to her mother. “The RaMbaM said that lemons can stimulate and refresh the body and mind. I will bring each of them a cup of hot lemon tea to refresh them.”

The girl brought three cups of lemon tea on a tray to her grandfather’s house. She carefully opened the door to his apartment. Her eyes opened wide. She could not believe what she saw. “How could this be?” she exclaimed in wonder. There was only one person sitting in the room — her grandfather. Three open sefarim (holy books) were on the table — one in front of him, and one in front of each of the other two chairs.

He, too, was surprised by his grandaughter’s presence. “Thank you for the tea even though I did not want you to bring it now. Now please, shut the door.”

She closed the door and ran back to her own house. “Mother, you will not believe what I just saw,” she said. “I saw two men enter Grandfather’s

house. I am sure that nobody left. Then, when I opened his door, only Grandfather was there. And there were three open sefarim on the table!”

What had actually happened became very clear. Her holy grandfather, the old chacham was learning together with two heavenly guests. Because of his humility, it was important to him that no one find out about this. He was upset that his secret had finally been discovered, but he also knew that his grand-daughter was on such a high spiritual level that she was able to see them.

Lemon Tea

Lemon Spiced Tea

8 cups water

1/2 cup honey

8 Black tea bags

¼ cup lemon juice

4 lemon-flavored tea bags

1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional

6 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)

Lemon slices and additional cinnamon sticks

 

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Cover and steep for 6 to 10 minutes.

Discard tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Stir in honey and extract if desired. Serve warm in mugs. Garnish with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.

Posted in Faith, Food, Other Stories and thoughts, Stories, Torah, UncategorizedTagged Chacham, food, guests, Jewish Stories, lemon tea, Proverbs 31: 26, short stories, spiritual stories, story recipes, tea, Torah, Torah studyLeave a Comment on Tea for Three

Diamonds, Riches and the Soul

Posted on Saturday, 15, December, 2018Tuesday, 26, September, 2023 by Rabbi

Once upon a time, there was a poor man who heard that in a faraway land, there was a kingdom where diamonds were as plentiful as dust — one needed only to bend down, pick them up, and fill their pockets.

After a long and difficult journey, the man arrived in this wondrous land. Everything that had been said about it was true! Diamonds of all sizes were strewn around everywhere — even the sand was made up of billions of tiny glittering gems. A group of children gathered to watch the stranger kneeling on the ground and stuffing his pockets with stones and pebbles, but the poor man was too busy to notice them.

Diamonds, Riches and the Soul

To celebrate the end of his poverty, the traveler ordered the finest meal from the inn. Feeling generous, he handed the innkeeper a small-sized stone and told him to keep the change. The innkeeper asked the poor man what he was doing. The poor man said that the diamond was worth a small fortune. The innkeeper realized that the poor man was a stranger and explained that diamonds were so plentiful in the kingdom that they had no value.

The poor man realized that the diamonds, each of which would be worth a fortune in his land, were totally worthless. In this kingdom, people paid for goods and services with the flower, Asteriscus maritimus (sea aster or sea daisy). The flower was originally used to decorate tables. The delicate flower would dry quickly and turn to dust. No one was bothered by the clouds of dust which came from their wallets and purses. The musty smell gave off the sweet impression of old money.

Once the poor man overcame the disappointment of his lost dream, he worked hard, invested wisely, and before long he was one of the wealthiest people in the land. He filled his vaults with thousands and thousands of the valuable flowers.

After a long time he decided to return home. He sent word to his family: “Am rich. We shall never want for anything in our lives. Prepare triumphant homecoming.” He loaded his fortune on a fleet of ships, and set sail for his home.

Family and friends, dressed in their best, awaited him eagerly at the seaport. Of course, there was nothing that could be done with his shiploads of dried, dusty flowers except sail back a few miles from shore and dump them into the sea.

Later that day, as he was unpacking his clothes, he found a small bag of the stones he gathered on his journey.  The value of the stones in the bag was so great that the man and his family never again wanted for anything in their lives.

Diamonds, Riches and the Soul

The soul, in its abode on high, hears wondrous tales of a faraway land. To get there, it must cross a deep and treacherous sea. Great treasures, it is told, are literally free for the taking in this place. A coin given to charity, a prayer uttered, a candle lit to usher in Shabbos (the Holy Sabbath Day), a kind word extended to a troubled fellow — the higher realms, lacking physical bodies and a material reality, can only dream of such treasures.

The soul descends into the material world and discovers that everything that had been said about this place is true. Diamonds litter the streets. Wherever one turns, await countless opportunities to do mitzvos, good and G‑dly deeds. One need only bend down to the ground and fill one’s pockets.

Yet the value of these “diamonds” are not appreciated in this alien land. “Riches” of an entirely different sort beckon, so that when the time comes to return, many a soul finds itself lugging home shiploads of dried, dusty flowers.

But no soul can traverse our world without picking up at least a few mitzvos along the way — gems which enrich the heavens and make the entire trip more than worth its while…

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, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged diamonds, Faith, Jewish Stories, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, riches, short stories, soul, spiritual stories, Spirituality, Stories of faithLeave a Comment on Diamonds, Riches and the Soul

ST17 A Pile of Dust

Posted on Wednesday, 24, October, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to a short story about pride

A Pile of Dust

makes one wonder, “How can a plain pile of dust blow itself up so mightily until it becomes a proud mountain? “

Pile of Dust pride

Click the title below to read this short story

A Pile of Dust

The rabbi has tried to add at least one or two new stories and one podcast each week, with the hope of strengthening faith and understanding through the many readers and communities. Due to rising expenses and the need to work longer hours and harder, his stories have become less frequent.

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Posted in Derech Eretz, Faith, Podcast, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Religious Education, Stories, UncategorizedTagged arrogance, Faith, Jewish podcast, podcast, Pride, Proverbs 26:12, Proverbs 3:7, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, spiritual stories, Stories of faithLeave a Comment on ST17 A Pile of Dust

Good Fortune and Bad Fortune (Part II)

Posted on Thursday, 12, January, 2012Saturday, 24, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The guards refused to permit the young man, who was a stranger to them, into the royal palace, but the king heard what the young man said and com­manded the guards: “Bring him in!”

“The Holy One, blessed be He has sent me to you,” the young man said to the king, “so that I may cure your daughter.”

“And what do you need in order to cure her?” asked the king.

“I need only a chamber in which only your daughter and I may be. I also need a basin of warm water and some clothes. I need nothing else.”

When the young man entered the chamber the king had set aside for him, he found the king’s daughter already seated there. She knew no man, for she had never even seen her father, having become blind when she was no more than an infant in her mother’s arms. The chamber the king had set aside for them was closed, and the king and the queen and many other people waited outside but they could see nothing of what went on within it.

In the chamber the young man said to the king’s daughter, “I have been sent by the Holy One, blessed be He to cure you.” He placed some of the leaves that he had brought with him in the water and he put water on her face. Suddenly she opened her eyes and she could see. The young man had her dress in new clothes escorted her out of the room. The joy of her father and mother knew no bounds.

“My son! My daughter!” the king and the queen cried out. They held a great banquet which was followed by a brilliant wedding. The young man was proclaimed heir to the throne.

Some time later the young woman said to her husband. “I want to ask my father to allow us to take a walk through the city and to see all of it together with you.”


Isaiah 29:18

When the king heard his daughter’s request, he said, “That is a fine plan,” and he gave the young couple a carriage with two horses and two slaves.

The young couple were driving through the city when they saw a man climbing up a mountain. The young man immediately recognized the climber as his older brother. “Take the carriage, one horse and one slave,” he said to his wife, “and drive home. I will remain here with one horse and the other slave.”

The woman began to weep for she was very much afraid: “No! No!” she cried, “you will run away from me and desert me!” Her husband promised her faithfully that he would not run away from her.

The woman went home, and meanwhile the young man on his horse together with his slave came closer and closer to his brother. As they neared the older brother they saw he suf­fered from leprosy. The young man returned with his horse and his brother to the city, he on foot and his brother mounted on the horse. Needless to say the older brother could not recognize his brother. How could he, for he was blind?

When they arrived at the palace the young man took his bro­ther to the room where his wife used to live when she was still blind. “Bring me warm water and clothes,” he commanded his slaves. “Do not permit any man to enter the room.” To his brother he said pray with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.

Suddenly the man was healed and the sight of his eyes was restored to him. Then the younger brother called one of his slaves and commanded him to dress his brother in fine clothes.

Then he commanded his servant, “This evening bring this man to the place where the king and all his ministers are seated. “But the older brother was full of fear, for he did not know what would befall him. Indeed he was certain that he would be killed.

In the meantime the young man went to his wife and said to her, “Ask your father to invite all of his ministers to come here this evening.”

In the evening all the guests came to the banquet. They were eating and drinking and enjoying themselves when suddenly the young crown prince rose from his chair and said to the king, “Sire, I pray you listen to me, and listen all you who are seated here.” And he commanded the servants to bring the man he had cured of blindness into the room. They brought in his older brother, who was dressed in fine garments, but was trem­bling with fear for he did not know what was to be done to him.

“Come here!” the young man called out to him. “Who are you?” he asked him. “What is your name? Where do you come from? Have you a father? Have you a brother?”

To all of these questions the older brother replied, but to the last question he said: “I had a brother but he is now dead.”

“That is not true! You are a liar,” the young man cried out. All those present listened keenly to hear what he had to say, and he continued. “Look at me! Do you see me? Do you not recog­nize me? I am your younger brother.“

The older brother was frozen with fear. But the young man said to him, “You have nothing to fear from me, as other people fear you. Only answer me this question: Whom does G-d love more —the good man or the evil?”

“The good man!” the older brother replied. “And I beg you to forgive me and not to do to me as I did to you.”

Then said the young man, “I shall do you no harm, for you are my brother, born of the same mother and the same father. Do not fear!”

The older brother bowed down to the younger, who said: “I shall do you no harm for our father of blessed memory com­manded us never to quarrel.” And he called one of the servants and ordered him to give his brother gold and silver and a house and to send him from the city, in which the young man lived with his wife.

And the two lived together in happiness.

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 Derech Eretz, Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, StoriesTagged Faith, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, spiritual stories, Stories of faith1 Comment on Good Fortune and Bad Fortune (Part II)

Who Was the Guest?

Posted on Wednesday, 5, January, 2011Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A Jewish innkeeper earned his living managing a small inn that stood on the crossroads leading to the big city. Every so often, a lone traveler or caravan would lodge at the inn; there they would eat to the heart’s content, rest from the long journey, and then continue on their way.

On one occasion, the Jewish innkeeper was falsely accused of committing a terrible crime against the state. While he was waiting for his trial, he was informed by reliable sources that if he were found guilty, he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

His loved ones advised him to travel to the capital where the king lived. There he would try his best to gain an audience with the king and present his case before him. The innkeeper’s friends reassured him, “The king is a man of truth and will certainly see that justice is served.

“But who will permit me to even approach the palace to begin with?” asked the innkeeper. “Why, the king’s guards have the palace surrounded.”

“You must try, nonetheless,” answered his friends.

The king had a habit every so often of putting on simple farmer’s clothing and travel around his kingdom seeing and listening carefully. In this way, he would get a sense of the mood and would know what the people were thinking.

On one such occasion, the king arrived at the inn managed by the Jewish innkeeper. There he received food and drink and slept on the floor like an ordinary person.

Sometime later, the innkeeper was told who his guest had been. Upon hearing that the king had stayed in his inn, the innkeeper took his head in his hands and cried, “Woe is me! The king was in my house, and I could have begged him to save my life…”

Every person can draw close to the Holy One Blessed, be He, the King above all kings, in this world, for here He is always within reach. One must seize the moment and draw as close to the Holy One Blessed, be He as he possibly can, for he will not have the opportunity to do so in the World to Come.

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)

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

Posted in Faith, Prayer, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Rosh haShanah, Rosh haShanah, Spirituality, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Faith, guest, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, spiritual stories, Stories of faithLeave a Comment on Who Was the Guest?

Man’s Three Friends

Posted on Tuesday, 26, October, 2010Sunday, 7, January, 2024 by Rabbi

There are friends one has to his own hurt; but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother  (Proverbs 18:24)

A person had three friends. One friend was truly beloved, a second was also loved, but the third was often taken for granted. One day the man lost everything he owned. The king commanded him to appear before him immediately. The poor man was very frightened, wondering why the king would want to speak to him. In fear, he called upon each of his three friends to go with him to the king.

Man's three friends death

First, he turned to his closet friend, and was extremely disappointed when this friend said it would be impossible to go with him to visit the king.

He then turned to his second friend. “Will you go with me to the king?” This friend said, “I can go with you only up to the gates of the palace, but that is as far as I can go.”

Extremely sad, the man then turned to her third friend, the one to whom he had taken for granted. This friend said with assurance, “I will accompany you, but first I will go directly to the palace myself and plead for you with the king.”

Isaiah 58:8

The first friend reflects a person’s wealth, which cannot accompany you to the grave, as it is written, “Riches profit not in the day of reckoning.”  The second friend represents a person’s relatives, who can only follow you to the grave site, as it is written, “No person can redeem his brother from death.” The third and last friend represents the good deeds of a person’s life. These never desert you and even precede you to plead your cause before the King of all Kings, as it is written, “And your righteousness shall go before you.” (Isaiah 58:8)

Adapted from Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer

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, friendship, Grief and Mourning, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Spirituality, StoriesTagged death, grief, Isaiah 58:8, Jewish funeral, mourning, Proverbs 18:24, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, spiritual stories, Spirituality, Stories of faith1 Comment on Man’s Three Friends

Pride – Twice Sewn Suit

Posted on Thursday, 1, July, 2010Sunday, 25, September, 2022 by Rabbi

 

We learn from the Holy Writings:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways” (Isa. 55:8). When a man has a vessel, he rejoices in it as long as it is whole and useful; when it is broken, he has no use for it. Now, what is the Holy One’s precious vessel? Man’s heart. When the Holy One sees a man proud in heart, He has no use for him, as is said, “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the L-rd” (Prov. 16:5). But when the heart is broken, He says, “This one is Mine,” as is said, “The L-rd is near to them that are of a broken heart” (Ps. 34:19).

There once lived a master Jewish tailor. Even the nobility, for miles around, came to have their clothing fashioned by his talented hand.

Once, a nobleman came to the tailor bring with him a bolt of cloth. Handing it to the tailor, he said, “This is very fine and expensive material; it comes all the way from the East. I want you to sew me a suit of clothes, but I want it to be well cut and tailored, to do justice to the fabric.”

“Am I not a master tailor?” laughed the tailor, as he received the material.

A few days later, when the tailor brought the suit for its first fitting, the nobleman was displeased with the result. “You’ve ruined the fine cloth!” he ranted. In a fit of anger, he threw the cloth at him and chased him out of his house.

After this incident, the tailor lost his good name. The other noblemen stopped patronizing him and he was soon starving. When his wife saw how poor they had become, she urged her husband to visit the holy rabbi of the town. “Many people are helped by him. Go to him; he will tell you what to do.”

The tailor followed his wife’s advice and went to the rabbi.

After the holy rabbi heard the tailor pour out his sad tale, he said to him, “This is what you must do. Take the very suit that you sewed for the nobleman. Rip out the seams, but sew them back in the same place. Then take the suit to him again.”

The tailor laughed inwardly at this suggestion, but followed it nevertheless. He had nothing to lose. When the suit was completed for the second time, he took it back to the poritz for his approval. This time, the nobleman was very pleased with the result. He praised the tailor highly and even gave him a gift of appeasement.

The tailor returned to the holy rabbi and told him what had happened.

“I realized,” said the holy rabbi, “that when you first sewed the garment, you felt a sense of exaggerated pride, as if your skill was beyond question. A thing done from pride lacks grace. That is why it failed to please the count. When you came to me, bowed and meek, no longer so self-confident in your skill, I told you to rip out the stitches and begin all over again. The second time you sewed it with humility and submission. And then the same garment suddenly became appealing!”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Posted in Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, StoriesTagged Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, spiritual stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories, StorytellingLeave a Comment on Pride – Twice Sewn Suit

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