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Tag: Spiritual Storytelling

Anger, Business and Charity

Posted on Monday, 29, February, 2016Sunday, 23, July, 2023 by Rabbi

“Rachman? You collect money from him?”

The holy rabbi nodded. “He’s one of my most generous contributors.”

The holy rabbi had taken upon himself the difficult task of collecting money for those in need. From village to village, from house to house, he hiked, asking for donations. Now he was sitting, enjoying a rare moment of rest in the home of Simcha, a prominent merchant in the Jewish community.

Tzedakah hands

Simcha asked the holy rabbi, “Do you know that Rachman is not Jewish?”

The holy rabbi stared at the merchant. He knew that Rachman was a well-to-do businessman who often gave him large sums of money for charity, was not a religious Jewish person. That was no problem, indeed the holy rabbi rejoiced in the opportunity to give a non-observant Jewish person the merit of such a great mitzvah. Involving a non-Jewish merchant and collecting charity was entirely different, raising many questions and problems into an already very sensitive and complicated community.

Holy rabbi had no idea that Rachman was not Jewish. Now that he’d found out, he decided he would no longer stop at the wealthy merchant’s shop. Better to stay away then to become involved in some type of misunderstanding or worse scandal.

Some weeks went by since the holy rabbi’s visit, when there was a rapping on Simcha’s door. The angry words of Rachman and the pounding on the door echoed throughout the house.

The feeling of uneasiness, Simcha slowly open the door. His neighbor, Rachman, stood in front of him, his face red and his eyes flashing.

“I will not have it, I will tell you!” He shouted. “What right did you have to interfere in my business?”

Startled, puzzled, and very frightened, Simcha stared at his angry neighbor. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“The holy rabbi! Why did you tell him to stop taking my money don’t you believe that ‘almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness? (Tobit 4:10)”

His face tuning red from anger, Rachman gave Simcha an ultimatum: “Man is worthy of being called man only if he is charitable. (Genesis Rabbah 8:15) get the holy rabbi to come back, or else!”

When the holy rabbi came the Simcha’s house a short time later, the frightened Simcha told him about the strange meeting with Rachman and begged him to return to Rachman’s shop. Realizing that not visiting the non-Jewish merchant would create more problems than going to him, the holy rabbi agreed, and once again Rachman became a regular donor.

Many months later, when peace had been restored between the two neighbors, Simcha found the courage to ask Rachman why he’s been so angry that the holy rabbi was not visiting. “Why is it so important to you to give money to Jewish charities?”

“Is it not written in your holy books that when the Master of All Blessings told Abraham to take his only son to a holy place that he answered: “Both are only sons – Isaac is the only son I have from his mother, and Ishmael is the only son I have from her who is his mother.”

G-d answered him: “The son whom you love,”

Abraham: “Master of the Universe, are there separate compartments in one’s innermost self for love? I love both of them.” (Sanhedrin 89b, Tanhuma, Va-yera, 22)

You denied me a special privilege and holy deed,” Rachman replied. “Divided as we may be by religion, we are united by charity (Rashi). From the time I began giving money to the holy rabbi my business prospered, and once he stopped coming. Blessings upon my house and business stopped. If matters in my house and business are to succeed,” he explained, “I need the holy rabbi to help by accepting the charity I can give.”

As the neighbors parted, Rachman said a prayer:

Project Shalom Chamsa

Merciful G-d, you deal charitably with everyone. Be charitable to me and let me be numbered among those who give charity. Remove the evil from my heart, let me give charity joyously and with a kindly expression. Let me have no bad feelings when I hand my gifts to those in need. Let me open my hands and give them sufficient for all of their needs. That my heart go out to the hungry, needy and let me close those who are naked.

The merit of my charity, bless me, O Merciful One, to help me express myself to you perfectly in all of my prayers. Let my prayers be pure and acceptable. Let me have no outside thoughts when I pray, so that no barrier will intervene between my prayers and you.

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 others

Posted in Stories, UncategorizedTagged charity, Faith, inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, Storytelling, tzedakahLeave a Comment on Anger, Business and Charity

How Old Are You?

Posted on Sunday, 21, February, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A holy rabbi was sitting walking through the woods with his grandson when the young boy asked, “Zaidie (grandfather), how old are you?”

The holy rabbi looked at his grandson with great love but did not answer. He just continued walking down the path pointing out some of the wonders along the way. After a while, seeing that no answer was coming, the boy went off to do other things and the question was quickly forgotten.

Story Tour Forest

When they arrived back at the holy rabbi’s house, they sat down to eat and discuss the afternoon adventure. The young by was so excited about everything he did, he couldn’t stop talking about it. The holy rabbi left his grandson for a brief time and took some money out of his pocket, put it in an envelope, sealed it, and handed it his grandson.

“Thank you, Zaidie” the boy said as he put the envelope into his pocket.

The holy rabbi was surprised by his grandson’s actions and so he asked him why he didn’t open the envelope to see how much money was in it.

“Every gift from you, Zaidie, is very dear to me,” he replied. “The amount doesn’t really matter:”

“Listen to your words, that is the answer to your earlier question!” the holy rabbi explained. The Holy One, blessed be He gave us great gifts like the Torah (Scriptures) that “written by the finger of G-d.” (Exodus 31:18), a special peace where “no one shall make you afraid” (Leviticus 26:6) and the shield of salvation that supports us and makes us great (Psalm 18:35).

“Do we not learn that “Loving the L-rd your G-d, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him; for that means life to you and length of days.’ (Deuteronomy 30:20) Life is a very dear gift from the Holy One, blessed be He. Can we even begin to value how precious each and every second is? Should I start counting how much time He has given me? As you yourself have just said – ‘the amount doesn’t really matter:’ “

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, Other Stories and thoughts, Religious Education, Stories, Uncategorized, WisdomTagged Deuteronomy 30:20, Exodus 31:18, Faith, Gifts, Jewish Stories, Leviticus 26:6, Psalm 18:35, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, wisdomLeave a Comment on How Old Are You?

What Is the True Value?

Posted on Tuesday, 9, February, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Life was very difficult in the village where people worked hard. Sadly sometimes food was not plentiful and people went hungry. They may have had a roof over their head, but it frequently leaked. So was life.

Yossele’s life was hard. He’d wake up at dawn run to the old wooden shul say prayers (that he knew) and listen to a lesson from the holy rabbi. He’d rush off to his stall in the marketplace and sell vegetables, but success never smiled on him. He fell behind on his rent for the stall and the farmers were asking for more money for the vegetables he sold, He didn’t want to lose his business and so he borrowed a hundred gold coins from Mordechai haGibor the wealthy merchant in order to keep his stall in the marketplace.

Gold Coin loan

Each day Yossele had fewer and fewer customers and business got worse. “What will I do?” he asked his wife, Bracha Sarah. “I owe a hundred gold coins to Mordechai haGibor and I don’t even have two copper coins to rub together. How will I pay him back?”

Bracha Sarah was very wise.  She sat down with her husband and thought for a time and then advised him, “It’s very clear what you need to do. Go talk to the holy rabbi. He will surely give you good advice.”

People came to the holy rabbi every day with questions about halachah and everyday sort of things to receive his wise advice.

The next morning Yossele waited until everyone had left the shul and then went to the holy rabbi, and told him his problem. ”Yes, your problem is very difficult,” The holy rabbi said as he stroked his long beard. “But I will see what I can to help you.”

That same afternoon, after Minchah, the holy rabbi went to visit the wealthy merchant, Mordechai haGibor. “Rabbi, holy rabbi. What a wonderful surprise!” exclaimed Mordechai haGibor as he answered the door. “I am so honored and happy that you have come to visit me.” The wealthy merchant had his wife bring out fresh pastries and drinks for the holy rabbi.  ”Your visit is worth more to me than you know,” Mordechai haGibor with a wide smile on his face continued. “Why, your visit is worth even a thousand gold coins.”

 BlkYel medieval sage

The holy rabbi laughed and said. “Businessmen have a way of exaggerating. I am sure you do not really mean that. How could my visit be worth that much to you? I don’t bring you business or even customers.”

“I mean it,” replied Mordechai haGibor. “The wonderful feeling I have from your visit is really worth that much to me.”

“Then I believe your kind words,” said the holy rabbi. “Take a moment and listen to what I have to say. There is a poor vegetable seller in the market named Yossele, who owes you a hundred gold coins. Instead of the thousand gold coins that this visit is worth, just forgive Yossele the hundred gold coins he owes you. This way, you save nine hundred gold coins, and you will help Yossele more than you can imagine.”

“Consider it done,” said Mordechai haGibor, ripping up Yossele’s loan contract and freeing him from his debt. “Do we not learn ‘do not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, (Ezekiel 18:7) So I’ll tell you what I’ll do. All the vegetables I need for my kitchen I will buy from Yossele so that he shall have steady business.” Finished the wealthy mearchant

“This guarantees you a special place in the World to Come,” the holy rabbi told him as he left.

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 others and leave us a comment or two.

Posted in Faith, Stories, UncategorizedTagged charity, Faith, inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, Storytelling, tzedakah, wisdomLeave a Comment on What Is the True Value?

What Do We Know?

Posted on Sunday, 27, December, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

We rely so much on how we see and understand the world. We trust our senses to define the world and understand what is around us by our limited knowledge and wisdom. Therefore we often feel we know who other people are and what the events of our lives are about forgetting “If you wish to be pure in mind, guard your senses. (Apocrypha, Patriarchs, Reuben 6:1)

Sadly, the truth is, we can only understand a very little about the world and people around us. With our limited understanding can we really be aware of the depth, gifts and beauty of another person? Can we begin to fathom the Divine Wisdom and Purpose hidden in everything around us? “Without understanding no knowledge; without knowledge no understanding. “ (Mishnah Avos 3:17)


Jewish Thought

There once was a young man who studied Torah (Scriptures) every day and with each new lesson he challenged himself farther. He followed the instruction, “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.” (Joshua 1:8)

After a time he became known as a genius of the revealed and hidden Torah. When the time came, he married the daughter of a holy rabbi. There was much joy in the home of the young rabbi and his wife. Together they learned and built a home based on Torah.

A year went by and everything seemed to go well when one day the young rabbi grew very sick. The best doctors were called, but sadly, not one of them could do anything to help him. So the father of the young rabbi went to the holy rabbi, (the young rabbi’s father-in-law) and begged him, “Rabbi, I’m afraid for my son he became sick and no one seems to be able to help him. Please pray for my son. You know how much he is learned, how devoted he is to Torah. Surely if someone as holy as you reminds heaven of his greatness, he will be found worthy, and he will live!”

Torah

But the holy rabbi only answered, “you call him learned? You call him devoted? What he’s done is nothing. Nothing at all!”

The father was shocked. “Rabbi, what are you saying? My son is young, yet he already knows the revealed and hidden Torah by heart!  Are we not taught, “A house where Torah is studied at night will not be ruined.” (Eruvin 18b)

The holy rabbi looked at the troubled father and shook his head, murmuring under his breath, “he’s done nothing. Nothing at all.” No matter how much the troubled father praised his son and tried to convince the rabbi how accomplished the young man was, the holy rabbi’s did nothing but to criticize him. The poor father just couldn’t understand what was going on.

The holy rabbi went into his study and locked the door. He placed two candles on his reading table, wrapped himself in his tallis (prayer shawl) and began to pray:

Compassionate and Merciful G-d, show us Your love and heal us. Send complete healing to all Your holy people who are sick. In particular to Yitzchak Yaakov  ben (the son of) Sarah.

Master of the Universe! You are “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8) I humbly ask, has this child completed his holy task, is his purpose in this life yet fulfilled?  May we remember and realize as it is written: “For the Lord is compassionate and merciful; he forgives sins and saves in time of distress. (Sirach 2:11) Master of the World who is  Most Compassionate and Merciful. Please remember these tender children and lengthen their days with benevolence and their years with pleasantness, in order that they toil in Your Torah and its commandments all their days.  Amen

Amen

A few days later, the most wonderful thing happened. The young man got up out of bed, his appeared to be completely healed. His father was overjoyed, but he was still troubled about his meeting with the holy rabbi. He spoke to his son, “I know your father-in-law is a great rabbi in a very holy man, but to tell you the truth, I really don’t understand him. I went with him with so much respect for to ask him to pray for you. And I praised you so much I was sure that if he reminded the Heavenly Court of your learning and knowledge you would be found worthy of the greatest miracles. Yet he wouldn’t even listen to me. No matter what I said he just replied, “you call that learning? It’s nothing, nothing at all.”

The looked at his father and smiled, “Wonders of Wonders, father, is he not a truly holy rabbi. Such wisdom, you thought that by praising you would help me. But really the opposite was true. You see, every person comes into this world to accomplish one special task. To make one special fixing or change in the world, and once he has done this, there is no longer any need for him to stay here in olam hazeh – this world.

“My father-in-law knew that I had only come into this world to learn Torah, and that if Heaven thought that I already learned everything I needed to know, there was no way to save my life. So when he kept answering, ‘what, you call this learning? It’s nothing!’ he was actually saying to Heaven, This young man has only begun to accomplish his task. His work isn’t finished yet – there is no more he needs to learn. Heavenly court you have to give him more time

And this is what saved my life…. 

And so you see — what do we know?  You never know….

 

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 others and leave us a comment or two.

Posted in Faith, Prayer, UncategorizedTagged inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish thought, Prayer, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, wisdom2 Comments on What Do We Know?

Chanukah Lights and the Blessings of Sight

Posted on Tuesday, 8, December, 2015Friday, 8, December, 2023 by Rabbi

Chanukah is the Festival of Lights and it holds a lot of power. When one sees somebody else’s light we see hope and promise and this leads to Berachos (blessings), and this leads to hope that people will see blessings over each other’s lights. It is said about Chanukah says “mitzvahs ner Chanukah ish u’beiso” (Succah 46a) — the mitzvah of the light of Hanukkah is for a man and his whole household.

Chanukah is all about the eyes. When you want to visualize someone you are thinking about, you don’t think of their back or their arms or legs. You visualize their face, because their face is the most important thing. In today’s society with all of the distractions people’s faces become lost in the crowd. Many times the essence of a person becomes lost.


Menorah

It was a cold wintery night and the cold winds were blowing the snow about when a someone came to see the very holy rabbi. This person looked so crude, his clothes was tattered and he smelled. He didn’t even have a human face. The holy rabbi’s young son answered the knock at the door. He didn’t even want to let the man into the house, but he did, and he decided, “I’ll keep the door a little bit open to hear what my father says.”

So this unkempt man spoke to the holy rabbi, who quickly realized that this person was the one of the crudest people in the world. So he said to the crude man: “My dear friend, your soul needs a lot of fixing. I’ll tell you something very simple. Everyday slowly say the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and I want you to promise me that every day for a few minutes you’ll forget the whole world and just think about what you can do for another person. Think if you can do one favor for another person and please come back next year.”

One year to the day later, there was a knock on the door of the holy rabbi’s house. The holy rabbi’s young son answered the knock at the door. The man at the door was shining from the top of his hat to the bottoms of his shoes. He really had changed and had a different face.

What part of a person shines, or stands apart from everything else? It’s not the arms or legs, it’s the face. In the small light of the Chanukah lights we see each person’s face and the beauty within.

The menorah (seven branched) is a symbol of the five senses and the power of the soul, all functioning in the service of Him who is blessed. (Perokim b’Hatzlachah, RaMbaM)


Menorah

The lights of Chanukah reminds us of the light that is deep within ourselves and the potential for goodness that each person has. The light is a gift that enables one to dee the true beauty of faith and the belief in hopes for tomorrow.

May we all be blessed to see the beauty of the world around us and may the small lights of Chanukah shine bright with blessings of peace within and without  each person..

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

Chanukah

The Season of Lights – Chanukah is coming very quickly as it begins at Sundown On December 7, 2023.

Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its readers allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

Posted in Chanukah, Holiday, Holidays, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Chanuka, inspirational stories, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith17 Comments on Chanukah Lights and the Blessings of Sight

Shalom Bayis, Torah and the Menorah of Peace

Posted on Sunday, 6, December, 2015Tuesday, 12, December, 2023 by Rabbi

The RaMBaM (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon – Maimonides) makes the following fascinating observation upon his conclusion of the halachos of Chanukah, in his Mishneh Torah.

If one has insufficient funds for both Shabbos candles and for Chanukah candles, or for Shabbos candles and wine for Kiddush, Shabbos candles take precedence, because of  Shalom Bayis— peace and domestic tranquility within the home and family, which the Shabbos candles bring into the home.  The peace within the home is so important that only in the case of a Sota (Trial of the Bitter Waters – Numbers 5: 18-27) the holy name of G-d is erased, in order to foster peace between a man and his wife.

At which point, the RaMBaM concludes with the following beautiful words:

Peace is exceedingly great, for the entire Torah was given in order to foster peace in the world. As it says:

Her ways are ways of beauty, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17)

One Chanukah eve, a holy rabbi waited a long time in lighting his Menorah, even though the preferable time for lighting the Menorah had already passed.  His students became impatient and wondered why was there such a delay.

It was not until his wife arrived that the holy rabbi lit his Menorah with great joy and happiness.

Shalom Bayis

Later, the holy rabbi was asked why he had waited for his wife, since, according to the Halacha (Jewish law), a man can light the Menorah on behalf of his wife, even in her absence. The holy rabbi explained to his anxious students that he was aware of that halacha. However, he knew that his wife always looked forward eagerly to this mitzvah, and she would be deeply hurt if he kindled the Menorah without her. Afterall was not Chanukah miracles brought about by the greatness of women? He therefore waited for her to return.

The ways of Torah are, indeed, ways of beauty and of peace.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Chanukah Menorah

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 Holidays, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Chanuka, chanukah, hanuka, inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Maimonides, Numbers 5: 18-27, Proverbs 3:17, RaMBaM, short stories, Sota 11b, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, womanLeave a Comment on Shalom Bayis, Torah and the Menorah of Peace

The Honest and Dishonest Student

Posted on Sunday, 15, November, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

One of the men who studied at the yeshiva of the learned The MaHaRaL, (Moreinu Ha-Rav Loew – Our Teacher, Rabbi Loew) in Prague was very poor. So poor was he that in his distress he decided to go around by night and see whether any door was open, so that he might go in and steal whatever he found. He made the rounds in this fashion from place to place throughout the night.

 

Early in the morning when most people were just waking up he would enter the house of study to hear the expositions of the sage. Indeed, he was the first to enter. He once heard the sage expound on the rule that no man should touch what has been prepared for his fellow­men:

“Even if you see that thieves steal the money of their fellows, the Holy One, blessed be He returns to them what they lost in principle and interest. It is true that those who have taken money dishonestly would have obtained the same amount honestly and not by robbery if they had had confidence and faith. Sometimes, if they had been pre­pared to wait and not to take the money unlawfully, they would have benefited from it lawfully and with peace of mind. It is only the effect of their evil inclination that makes it seem to them as if they must steal in order not to perish from hunger.”

Jewish student

On one occasion when this man was going about to steal after his manner, he entered the home of a widow by night. He remembered a teaching, “While forcing the lock, the burglar calls on divine aid.” (Machberos ch 11, c.1300) After he had gathered her belongings in order to take them he remembered the teachings of his wise rabbi. Stopped for a moment or two and he said to himself: “Tonight I want to test the rabbi’s words and see how true they are.” So he did not take a single thing, neither large nor small. As he was leaving the widow’s house he stumbled on a basket in which there were all kinds of fine food and a roasted chicken. He thoiught to himself: “I have not stolen valuables, at least let me eat what I see here. Why should this night be different?” Then he reminded himself: “This time I have already decided not to steal anything. Maybe the rabbi’s words will be fulfilled after all and maybe there will be some change in my life.” He went back to the house of study as usual.

Maharal

After the prayers were over, the widow came to the rabbi and said to him: “Wise and learned sir, I am a rich woman but have been left alone, for my husband died at heaven’s decree. Now, last night I felt that thieves came to the house and wished to steal; but owing to heaven’s grace they stole nothing and left everything and went away. Now, I entreat you, seek me out a proper man who will be prepared to be my husband and support my empty heart.” The rabbi told her: “My daughter, have no fear. I know a certain decent man. If you take my advice, he will be your husband, and the two of you will live in peace.” Then the man was brought before the rabbi who said to him: “See, you have neither wife nor children. Take this woman as your wife.” The man listened to his teacher and betrothed the woman and married her. At the wedding feast she set before them all the fine foods, wine and roasted chicken she herself had prepared.

Then the man went to the rabbi and told him: “Indeed, it is fit and proper for you to teach, for the truth is in your mouth. Blessed is the L-rd who allowed me the privilege of sitting before you and hearing your pleasant words, which served me as a shield and buckler.”

And that man repented fully and entirely, and sat every night study­ing with the rabbi, who had foreseen all this, thanks to the Holy Spirit.

Sippurey Ma’assios Chadashim #17

Ma’assim Tovim #15

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 others

Posted in Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, UncategorizedTagged Faith, inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Prayer, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, Repentance, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, Storytelling, wisdom2 Comments on The Honest and Dishonest Student

The Water Carrier, Psalms and Prayer

Posted on Sunday, 8, November, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Sefer Tehillim, the Book of Psalms is treasured by people throughout the world. It is a living book which includes wide range of human emotions and experiences. It has always been a faithful companion and source of spiritual strength, giving voice to prayer, comfort in misfortune and light in darkness. Sadly too many take the Book of Psalms for granted by merely reciting the Psalms mechanically – by rote.

Gray clouds hung in the sky as the rain poured down from the heavens. A cold wind blew from the east, chilling everyone to the bone. The Chevra Kadisha and a small group of Jewish people were escorting the body of Mottel, the town’s water carrier, to his final resting place in the cemetery.

For thirty years, Mottel would carry two buckets on his shoulders, and walk down the hill to draw water from the river. He would then trudge back up the hill, with the heavy weight on his shoulders, and deliver this water to the people in the village. He did this each day, year after year, never complaining. His work was hard and he barely earned enough to support his family.

OldJewishWatercarrier

Looking out the window of the study hall, a young student was surprised to see his aged teacher and holy rabbi, outside in this weather, accompanying Mottel’s funeral procession. The holy rabbi, was after all, a very busy man.

Later that evening, the young student said to his teacher, “I was very surprised to see you walked the whole way to the cemetery and stayed for the whole funeral. I know how busy you are, and how hard it is for you to leave the beis medresh. (House of Learning)”

“Do not be surprised, young man,” the holy rabbi answered. “When the funeral procession passed by the shul (synagogue), I saw thousands of angels singing Tehillim (Psalms) with beautiful voices. In the cen­ter of all those angels was one angel, larger than the rest, who appeared to be David haMelech (King David). How could I not accompany them?”

“Why would Mottel, a simple water carrier, be accompanied to his grave by David haMelech and so many angels singing Tehillim?” thought the young student. “What was so special about him?” That night, he prayed to Hashem (G-d) to reveal to him the secret of the water carrier.

Shalom Chamsa

In the middle of that same night, the water carrier came to the student in a dream.

“It is true,” he explained, “in your world I was, indeed, a very simple man. I could neither read nor write. But, as a child, I learned the entire first Sefer (book) of Tehillim by heart. Each day as I worked, I prayed as best as I could many times saying, “Ribbono shel olam (Master of the Universe) and then I would utter a verse of Tehillim” and at other instances, “Tatte hartziger… (Heartfelt father) I trust in You and I shelter in the shadow of Your wings.” Other occasions I would simply sigh, “Oy gevald, zisser foter in himmel, (Oh my, sweet father in heaven) … Tyerer tatte (precious father)…Lieber foter, derbarmdiger tatte, (Living Father, merciful Father)

After work, I would recite the entire first Sefer in the beis medresh. I would say it slowly with very deep feelings. That is why I merited such a special honor. David haMelech the author of Tehillim came to my funeral with the angels that I created through my daily reading of Tehillim.”

The student learned a lesson that he’d repeat many times to his students — the power of prayer is very mighty, even for a very simple man.

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) Please share this story with others

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)

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Posted in Faith, Prayer, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Prayer, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories about prayer, Stories of faith, StorytellingLeave a Comment on The Water Carrier, Psalms and Prayer

Are We There Yet

Posted on Thursday, 8, October, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Each day we pray, “Redeem us speedily for the sake of Your Name.” (Shemonah Esrai) Every day we await the time when “every man will sit under his vine and beneath his fig tree and no one will make him afraid.” (Micah 4:4)

The Jewish people prays, waits and hopes for the Messiah to come and redeem the world from fear and pain, from hunger and sickness, and the devastating conflicts between the wealthy and the poor. The long and difficult exile filled with pain and suffering will come to an end.

A young man was studying the end of the Book of Daniel tried to unravel the mysterious verses predicting the “end of days.” He came to the holy rabbi of the village with the age old question, “When is the Messiah going to come? Will it be soon?”

The holy rabbi sat in deep thought for some time. He was keenly aware that many of his colleagues were very critical of predicting a date, mentioning that the Talmud pronounces a curse on those who attempt to compute the day of the redemption.

The closed his eyes and seemed to drift between thoughts, took a deep breath and began:

  “A merchant set out on a long journey with his young son to a market in the big city. In those days, the trip by horse and buggy took many days, and after a few hours, the child would ask, “Papa, how far is it to the big city?” The father looked at his son who quickly understood that his father was displeased with the question. His father changed the subject and they talked and learned together. The young boy soon understood he was not to ask about how long the trip was taking.”


Medieval Carriage

“After several days travel the boy heard his father ask the driver, “Do we still have much to go until we get to the big city?” Puzzled, he then asked why he had been reprimanded when he had presented the same question.”

“The father responded, “Earlier in the trip, when  I  knew we were still very far from our destination, I did not wish to tell you how distant we were, because I knew you would become impatient and cause me problems. Now that I sense we are approaching the area, I feel free to ask just how close we are.’ ”

The holy rabbi took a deep breath and continued, “The Talmud was written two-thousand years ago, and the sages knew we were destined for a long stay in exile. Now that we are obviously so close to the redemption, however, it is permissible and even natural to ask, ‘How far is it to the big city? ‘ “

 

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) Please share this story with others

 

The Story Tour Blog has grown to over 250 short stories about faith. Many visitors to the Story Tour Blog have requested that the stories be gathered together into a book. 72 of these special tales are now available in the new book

Story Tour: The Journey Begins


Rachmiel Tobesman

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Posted in Faith, Prayer, Stories, UncategorizedTagged inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Jewish thought, Prayer, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories about prayer, Stories of faith, Storytelling, TorahLeave a Comment on Are We There Yet

The Faithful Woman

Posted on Sunday, 6, September, 2015Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Once there were two brothers, one brother was very rich and the other brother was painfully poor. The wealthy brother had a fine house which he filled with beautiful things while the poor brother had a very beautiful wife and filled his house with faith and love.

One day the poor brother came to wealthy brother to ask him for a loan, but the rich man refused to help him. Even when neighbors tried to persuade the rich man to help his poor brother saying, “If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.”  (Leviticus 25:35), he would say that he had no brother.

One day the  rich  man  went  out  for a  walk  in  the  town,  and in the course of his wanderings came to the poor quarter of the town. Through the window of one of the buildings he saw the face of a beautiful woman. “Whose wife is that?” he asked the people nearby.

“That is your brother’s wife,” he was told. He immediately fell in love with the woman and desired her greatly. His every thought was about the beautiful wife of his brother and soon he began to plan how he would capture her heart. After sometime he decided that if he could not convince her to come with him, he would take her by force.

One day the rich man sent for his poor brother. He gave him money and said to him: “Why do you not ask me for anything?” And he  flattered  his  poor  brother  and  invited  him  and  his wife to his house, and did them many favours.  After some time he gave his brother goods to trade in a faraway land, to earn some money. At first the poor man refused to leave his wife, but the rich brother promised him that she would remain under his protection.  And so the poor brother set out on his journey with a quiet heart.

On the following day the rich man sent his sister-in-law vegetables,  fruit  and  meat  and  told  her  that  he  would  come  to  eat dinner .at her house.  She could not tell him not to come, but while he was in the house she conducted herself in the most proper manner. Every day the rich man used to pester her and send her gifts but she remained unimpressed. One day the woman decided to end matters with the rich man. She invited him to her house, and tried to speak to him. She reminded him that she was his brother’s wife and his actions appeared improper. She asked him, “ You have established yourself as a leader but ‘What is the essence of leadership? To rule oneself well, and not be led astray by wealth or fame.’ ” (Apocrypha, Aristeas: 211) The wealthy man seemed not to hear her words and so she abruptly rose and left the house. The wealthy man was outraged and felt he was disrespected by this woman who he saw as beggar refusing his charity.  In his anger, he nursed the insult in his heart and decided that he would revenge himself on the woman who had offended him.

One day, early in the morning, the rich man left his house and on his way met a poor man. He gave him money and said to him:  “In return for the money that I have given you I want you to steal into the house I will show you.” Needless to say, this house was none other than the house of his sister-in-law. Then the rich man went to one of the synagogues in the city and invited the men he found there to a bris milah which, he said, was taking place in that same building. The men opened the door and there in the house they saw a man standing: “What are you doing here?”  They asked him.  “Since the departure of this woman’s husband I have always been here,” the poor man answered. The rich man had ordered the poor man to say, in return for the money that he had given him.

The men believed the poor man, and they beat the unfaithful woman and drove her out of the town. Sadly, no one spoke in favor of the poor woman.

All the woman’s pleadings were in vain. She wished to explain to the men and her rich brother-in-law that she was not guilty of what they suspected, but they refused to listen to her. Instead they slandered and shunned her so she had no choice but to leave the town. When she was some distance from the town, she fell, overcome with emotion and exhaustion. She cried silently prayed as she fell to the ground.

Just at that time, a rabbi and his wife were approaching the town. They were childless. They heard the sound of crying and set out to find out the cause. After a short time they found the poor woman lying on the ground with bleeding wounds.

They comforted her, bound her wounds and asked her to travel with them. In their hearts they thought: “Perhaps we have done a good deed today and in reward we would be blessed with a child.”

The prayers of the faithful woman and the childless couple were heard and after some time, the couple was blessed with a child and they asked the woman they had saved to be the child’s nurse. The woman, of course, was very grateful to the couple, for they had rescued her and she was a faithful nurse.

BlkYel mother-baby sil2
 

In the house of this rabbi there was a student who fell in love with the beautiful woman. He asked her to marry him but she refused, for she was married but did not wish to reveal her secret. The student decided to avenge himself on her. What did he do? He rose in the middle of the night, killed the infant in her care, and immediately afterwards he ran away.

In the morning the parents were very angry with the ungrateful woman, but the rabbi who was very wise decided, “she should not be punished, all that has happened is the will of G-d. We must let her go, taking with her the dead child.”

The woman herself was sad and hopeless. She had been driven from every place because of false accusations. Who knew better than she how false the accusations were?

She set out into the desert, hungry and thirsty, and in her arms she carried the dead child. Suddenly she saw an old man with a long beard and flowing robes who told her,

“We are taught ‘the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor.’ (Psalm 140:12) You have nothing to fear, I bring you two gifts.” He offered her a potion to give to the child and, as the liquid passed his lips, his eyes fluttered and he began to breathe. The old man then gave a sack of golden coins and another potion to her and he explained that it could cure all ills. Before leaving, he gave her some advice: she must disguise herself as a man, establish a rest stop where she could cure all the sick who came to her. The woman took the advice of the old man, put on men’s clothes and opened an inn at the edge of the desert. The inn became very popular, for all sorts of conditions were cured there. The rabbi’s son, who had been restored to life, was educated and studied the Torah and wisdom.

All that the old man with the long beard and flowing robes had told her came to pass. Some of ‘the sick who came to the inn were well-known to the woman. Among them was her wicked brother-in-law who suffered greatly from leprosy, and her husband who became sick in the heart, body and soul after he had been told what his wife had been unfaithful. There was the poor man who had stood in the hall of the woman’s house and who had made the false accusations against her; and the rabbi and his wife also came.  Then too, there was the student who had wanted to marry her and whom she had refused.

BlkYel medieval sage

The woman placed these patients in different rooms so that they should not see each other but they could hear each other. One condition the woman laid down to all those who came to be treated by her was that before receiving treatment they must confess and reveal all their sins.

First among those who confessed was her rich brother-in-law who told what he had done to his brother’s wife. Then the poor man who was nearby told his story.  The husband heard that was said and he was very angry with those who had slandered his wife, but, above all, he was angry with himself for having believed the terrible things that had been told to him. The couple who had driven out the woman after the death of their only child, and the student who had killed the child, all confessed their actions. The rabbi and his wife, when they heard the tale of the student, deeply regretted their hasty action in regard to their nurse.

When they had all confessed, the woman made herself known to them.  She cured  her  husband  who  had  returned  to  her,  and to the old couple she restored their son  who had  in  the  meantime grown up and  was  a  promising  scholar.  She did not cure her brother-in law because it is written, “Sinners are enemies to their own life” (Apocrypha, Tobit 12:10) and the poor man who so easily spoke falsely about the woman could not be healed as the teaching says, “Do not let the slanderer be established in the land’ (Psalm 140:11) and ‘There is no cure for a slanderer.’ ” (Derech Eretz 1:13) The Torah teaches, “And you shall not wrong one another” (Leviticus 25:17)and so the three who plotted, slandered and sinned remained sickly to the end of their days.

The rabbi blessed the woman and her husband, but could not bless them more that the old man with the long beard and flowing robes. For Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) only comes to the aid of the truly righteous.

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 others

Posted in Faith, Rabbi's thoughts and teaching, Stories, UncategorizedTagged Faith, inspirational stories, Jewish Faith, Jewish Stories, Jewish Storytelling, Loshon hara, Rabbi Rock, Rachmiel Tobesman, short stories, Spiritual Storytelling, Spirituality, Stories of faith, wisdom, womanLeave a Comment on The Faithful Woman

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