The Treasure of the Heart

Posted on Wednesday, 22, December, 2021Thursday, 26, October, 2023 by Rabbi

A wealthy man was set to start out on a long journey to a distant land. He packed his clothes, other necessities, as well as food for the trip, He then loaded everything into his fine coach.

Before the wealthy man left on his journey, he called his loyal servant and instructed him, “I am leaving my home for an extended period of time, and I am appointing you to faithfully watch over it. I have but one request: that you take great care of my private office, as its contents are very dear to me. Please take extra special care of it!” The servant agreed, and the wealthy man boarded his stagecoach and set off.

As the clouds of dust from the stagecoach settled, the servant entered the house and wondered why the master of the house was so concerned that he ordered the servant to guard his private office. The servant reasoned that an item of immense value must be hidden inside the office.

The servant entered the wealthy man’s office and found a huge wooden chest sitting in the corner that instantly caught his attention.

The servant opened the chest and saw an amazing treasure consisting of gold, silver, precious gems, rubies, and pearls. He was very confused because the entire treasure was covered with mud and grime.

“This is indeed very odd,” the servant thought to himself. “On one hand, my master instructed me to take special care of his precious treasure, yet on the other hand, he himself is so careless with it that he allows it to become filthy with mud and grime.”

So it is with every person who was given a very special treasure. When the time comes for a person to stand in judgment before the Heavenly Court, the innermost parts of their heart are examined. Were the thoughts in the heart pure, and did the person serve the Holy One, blessed be He with goodness and honesty? For the heart is the most precious treasure contained within a person’s body, and if it is revealed that his heart is covered with filth and mud, it is due to the everyday thoughts that fill it.

How terrible will their embarrassment and shame be at that moment? It is for this reason that we pray to the Holy One, blessed be He each and every day, “Teach me Your way, O L-rd, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Ability to Forget

Posted on Monday, 20, December, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A merchant once found himself suffering from a great setback. He was heavily in debt to all his friends and acquaintances. On one occasion, he sorrowfully poured out his heart to a close friend.

“What shall I do?” he asked. “Everyone is pressuring me and demanding that I repay them.”

“I will give you a piece of advice,” answered the friend. “When the creditors approach you, begin to sing and dance, pretending to have lost your mind. When the creditors see your sorry state, they will realize that it was brought upon by your difficult predicament. They will then leave you alone…”

The man was elated with the clever advice and did as his friend had instructed. Whenever a creditor approached him, he would pretend to be insane, and they would let him be.

One day, it came time to repay the friend who had advised him, as he, too, had loaned the man a significant sum of money. However when his friend approached him for the money, he began to sing and dance as he had done with the other creditors.

“You fool!” exclaimed the friend. “Was I not the one who advised you on how to escape your creditors? Do you now attempt to use that same advice against me?”

So it is so with people who go about their lives. The Holy One, blessed be He showed kindness to people by granting them the ability to forget, as this enables a person to forget their suffering. Yet people so easily forget the Holy One, blessed be He instead…

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Business, Time and Faith

Posted on Sunday, 14, November, 2021Monday, 30, October, 2023 by Rabbi

The son of a wealthy merchant decided that he would like to enter the business world to earn his own way. He went to his father who gave him a large amount of money. The young man then traveled to the market in the big city where he stayed at an inn.

Once settled, the young man made his way to the home of a relative who lived in the city. He told his relative about his journey to the city to purchase merchandise. He hoped to resell the merchandise for a profit. The young man asked his relative to help him, as he was completely unfamiliar with the city.

The relative quickly informed many merchants that he knew that a wealthy young man had arrived in the city and wished to purchase merchandise.

The merchants wasted little time and made their way to the inn and knocked on the young man’s door. The merchants presented the young man a vast selection of goods. He bought as much as he could.

When the young man realized that he had only enough money remaining to pay for his traveling expenses to return home, he decided that it was time to return home. He went to say goodbye to his relative. His relative asked, “Did you have a pleasant stay in the city?”

The young man answered, “Honestly, I did not have so much as a free moment to enjoy myself to visit the sights or even to stroll the streets. From the time I arrived here until now, I have been conducting business with the merchants and peddlers. I did not have any time to see the city”

The relative, with a slight smile replied “I want you to know that it was I who caused you to be as busy as you were. I did so because I was worried about you and your money. I know you quite well, and the ways of young people. I am well aware that if you began to stroll about the city streets, the temptations would have been great. It would not have been long before you had spent all your money on meaningless items and entertainment. I therefore made sure that the merchants would not allow you to rest for even a moment…This way, you were able to conduct business which was your intention in the first place.”

The Holy One, blessed be He sent man to this world in order for him to learn the Holy Word, live by its direction and to perform good deeds. The forces of evil, every day tries to lead man astray and distract him. It attempts to lure man into wasting his time with foolish vanities and trivialities.

This is the reason the Holy One, blessed be He gave man such an abundance of mitzvos – good deeds. Because, before he has completed the performance of one mitzvah, it is already time to perform another.

This is as the prophet taught so long ago, “The L-rd was pleased, for the sake of his righteousness, to magnify His teaching be made great and glorious.” (Isaiah 42:21)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A True Derech – Way

Posted on Tuesday, 12, October, 2021Friday, 28, June, 2024 by Rabbi

Two students of Tam and Chacham were arguing about the true path to spirituality in the world. One student said that the path was built on effort and energy, “You must completely devote yourself with all your effort to follow the way of the Torah (Scriptures). To pray, to pay attention, and to live rightly”

The second student strongly disagreed. “It is not effort at all. That is only based on ego. It is pure surrender. To follow the way to do the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, to awaken is to let go of all things and live the teaching. One’s path should be not of religion, but a way of life.”

Since the students could not agree on who was right, they went to Tam and Chacham. They listened as the first student praised the path of wholehearted effort and when asked by this student, “Is this the true path?” Chacham answered, “You’re. right.” The second student was quite upset and responded powerfully that the path of living one’s faith is the natural way to realize spirituality. When he finished, he asked, “Is this not the true path?” and then Tam replied, “You’re right.” A third student who was sitting there observed, “But masters, they can’t both be right,” and Tam and Chacham smiled and said, “You’re right too!”

You see, there are different paths people follow. For the many, it may be one way for others another. We say, “And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) at different times of the day, and the very words encompass all aspects of the community. Every person has different merits and resources and can find a path to serve the Holy One, blessed be He.

Deuteronomy 6:5

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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What is More Valuable a Mezuzah or a Diamond?

Posted on Tuesday, 24, August, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Ardavan, the king of Persia, believed that the fulfilment of one’s life was to be as rich and wealthy as possible. The leader of the Jewish people during the reign of Ardavan was Rabbi Yehuda haNasi, or as most people called him, Rebbe. Rebbe was an extremely wealthy man. Therefore, when Ardavan became the owner of a diamond that was so perfect it surpassed evaluation, he sent it to Rebbe. He also sent along a message saying, “Send me something that is as valuable as this.”

Ardavan felt that he had attained total fulfillment by owning this stone and wanted to see if Rebbe could outdo him.

Rebbe understood the underlying meaning of Ardavan’s message; therefore, he wrote a mezuzah and sent it to Ardavan. (The mezuzah is a piece of parchment with specific paragraphs of the Torah [Deut. 6,4-9, 11, 13-21] written on it. The Torah commands us to place it on the doorpost of each room in which a person lives.) Rebbe’s intention was to convey to Ardavan the idea that the fulfillment of man was not through earthly wealth but could only be achieved through spiritual media. The mezuzah, with which we observe a commandment of the Torah, is one way to reach a high level. To study the Torah itself is an even higher level of spiritual greatness. Spiritual experience, not physical experience, is the only true fulfillment of man on this earth.

The king sent back a message, “I gave you a priceless object, and you returned something worth a folar (a small soiled coin).

Rebbe then replied, “The Torah explains the value and greatness of even a small commandment.” He went on to explain that spiritual development is greater than physical fulfillment.

Ardavan, the king of Persia, believed that the fulfilment of one’s life was to be as rich and wealthy as possible. The leader of the Jewish people during the reign of Ardavan was Rabbi Yehuda haNasi, or as most people called him, Rebbe. Rebbe was an extremely wealthy man. Therefore, when Ardavan became the owner of a diamond that was so perfect it surpassed evaluation, he sent it to Rebbe. He also sent along a message saying, “Send me something that is as valuable as this.”

Ardavan felt that he had attained total fulfillment by owning this stone and wanted to see if Rebbe could outdo him.

Rebbe understood the underlying meaning of Ardavan’s message; therefore, he wrote a mezuzah and sent it to Ardavan. (The mezuzah is a piece of parchment with specific paragraphs of the Torah [Deut. 6: 4-9, 11, 13-21] written on it. The Torah commands us to place it on the doorpost of each room in which a person lives.) Rebbe’s intention was to convey to Ardavan the idea that the fulfillment of man was not through earthly wealth but could only be achieved through spiritual media. The mezuzah, with which we observe a commandment of the Torah, is one way to reach a high level. To study the Torah itself is an even higher level of spiritual greatness. Spiritual experience, not physical experience, is the only true fulfillment of man on this earth.

The king sent back a message, “I gave you a priceless object, and you returned something worth a folar (a small soiled coin).

Rebbe then replied, “The Torah explains the value and greatness of even a small commandment.” He went on to explain that spiritual development is greater than physical fulfillment.

Rabi Yehudah replied: “All of your desirable things are not compared unto her (the mezuzah, symbolizing the knowledge of G-d). Moreover, you sent me something that I must guard, whereas I sent you something that guards you while you are asleep, and while you are awake, as it says ‘When you walk, it shall lead you (in this World); When you lie down, it shall watch over you (in the hour of death); and when you awake, it shall talk with you”’ (in the World to Come) (Proverbs 6:22; Midrash Rabbah 35).

Ardavan was still skeptical about all this when suddenly a demon came flying into the room and settled itself in the body of Ardavan’s only daughter. Ardavan was very disturbed about the welfare of his only child and called in all the medical and spiritual doctors of his kingdom. But nothing helped. Ardavan saw that his daughter’s condition was deteriorating rapidly and so he decided to give one last try. He took the mezuzah Rebbe had written for him and put it up on the doorpost of the sick child’s room. The demon immediately left her weakened body.

Ardavan realized the wisdom of the mezuzah in the teaching, “When you walk, it will lead you; when you lie down, it will watch over you; and when you awake, it will talk with you.” (Proverbs 6:22)

With the gratitude and blessings of King Ardavan Rebbe then kept the beautiful and expensive diamond.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Only A Drink of Water

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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)

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Sense of Royalty

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

There was much excitement that the king was coming and everyone wanted to greet the king. Rav Sheshes (c. 290–320 ce), when he heard that the whole city was going out to welcome the King, he went out also. He did this in spite of the fact that he was blind.

As he made his way to the outskirts of the city, he met an arrogant apikoros (one who disrespects a Torah scholar and scoffs at the religious way of life) who asked him: “A full pitcher is taken to the river to bring water, not a broken one. Why are you going if you cannot see, anyway?”

Rav Sheshes answered, “Come along, I’ll show you how my sense of hearing and my knowledge are as good as your eyesight.”

As they were waiting, they heard a cheers and loud shouts rising from the crowd as one of the King’s battalions rode by. The apikoros informed Rav Sheshes, “The King just went by.”

Rav Sheshes countered, “No! what you say is not true!”

A second division of troops passed and there was another loud commotion, the apikoros smugly said, “The King just passed.”

Rav Sheshes again replied, “No! The King has not come yet.”

Then a mounted unit of soldiers rode by, the crowd was silent and calm.

The apikoros pridefully said, “The King is riding by.”

”This time you are correct,” responded Rav Sheshes.

“How do you know this?” asked the apikoros.

Rav Sheshes explained, “The behavior of mortal Kings follows the same pattern as that of the heavenly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom is described in Nevi’im, the Prophets, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the L-rd, for the L-rd is about to pass by. Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the L-rd, but the L-rd was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the L-rd was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the L-rd was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Therefore, I knew that the King was not here when there was a loud commotion and a lot of noise. On the contrary, when it was calm and quiet, I knew this time the King was going by.”

As the king passed Rav Sheshes began to bless him. The apikoros mockingly said to him: Do you bless someone you do not see? It is said by some say that Rav Sheshes fixed his gaze upon him, and the apikoros lost all sight since he blinded himself to the light of Torah, faith and hoiliness.

Based on Berachos 58a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Holy Books and Holy Study

Posted on Tuesday, 2, February, 2021Tuesday, 26, December, 2023 by Rabbi

The holy man was preparing to teach a Bible study. He used many books so that his lesson could be understood by everyone, but he also wove into his lesson deep spiritual messages. He reached over to the shelf at his side for a book he needed, and then remembered that he had left it downstairs in the living room. His little daughter was playing in her bedroom, and he called her. She came, running, eager and delighted at the thought that her father needed her. He carefully explained where she could find the book. She ran off so happy she could help her father. She quickly returned with a book which the holy man saw at a glance was the wrong one.

Psalms 144:12

He hardly looked at the book as he took it and laid it on the table. He looked only at the excited face of his daughter, and her bright smile. Gathering her close to his heart, he kissed her and said, ”Thank you, my little angel.” When she had gone back happy and very content to her play he went quietly for the book he needed.

Such a holy man could teach magnificent and wonderful things to all who would watch and listen.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Prayers of a Man throughout His Life

Posted on Monday, 18, January, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

An old man sat with some of his friends around a fire and began to reflect upon his life.

He began, “All blessings begin with “Blessed are You – as though man was addressing a close friend. (Sefer Raziel haGadol 8b, 13th cent). The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. ‘ (Proverbs 20:29) When I was young I was full of fire. I studied and learned the most marvelous things. ‘Blessed be the L-rd…who alone does wondrous things.’ (Psalms 72:18) I would ‘Recite a hundred blessings a day.’ (Menachos 43b) I wanted to share with everyone. I prayed to The Holy One, blessed be He to give me the strength to change the world. Every day was a struggle, but I had the strength of youth and the energy to spare.’ ”

“Years went by and on day I woke up and realized my life was half over and I had changed no one. I was not as strong as I was nor was I able to move around easily. The distractions of the world no longer appealed to me. ‘Blessed are You…who distinguishes between holy and profane.’ (Berachos 29a) So I prayed to The Holy One, blessed be He to give me the strength to change those close around me who so much needed it.’ “

Alas, now I am old and I am unable to stand and travel, my joints ache and I have little to no energy. Please ‘Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.’ (Psalms 71:9) Now my prayer is simple, I ask the Holy One, blessed be He, to please give me the strength to at least change myself. ‘ “

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A wealthy man was set to start out on a long journey to a distant land. He packed his clothes, other necessities, as well as food for the trip, He then loaded everything into his fine coach.

As the clouds of dust from the stagecoach settled, the servant entered the house and wondered why the master of the house was so concerned that he ordered the servant to guard his private office. The servant reasoned that an item of immense value must be hidden inside the office.

The servant entered the wealthy man’s office and found a huge wooden chest sitting in the corner that instantly caught his attention.

The servant opened the chest and saw an amazing treasure consisting of gold, silver, precious gems, rubies, and pearls. He was very confused because the entire treasure was covered with mud and grime.

“This is indeed very odd,” the servant thought to himself. “On one hand, my master instructed me to take special care of his precious treasure, yet on the other hand, he himself is so careless with it that he allows it to become filthy with mud and grime.”

How terrible will their embarrassment and shame be at that moment? It is for this reason that we pray to the Holy One, blessed be He each and every day, “Teach me Your way, O L-rd, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

Ribbono shel Olam – Master of the Universe, please make our hearts contain only love and honour for You and not any strange thoughts!

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)

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A merchant once found himself suffering from a great setback. He was heavily in debt to all his friends and ac­quaintances. On one occasion, he sorrowfully poured out his heart to a close friend.

“What shall I do?” he asked. “Everyone is pressuring me and demanding that I repay them.”

The man was elated with the clever advice and did as his friend had instructed. Whenever a creditor approached him, he would pretend to be insane, and they would let him be.

One day, it came time to repay the friend who had advised him, as he, too, had loaned the man a significant sum of money. How­ever when his friend approached him for the money, he began to sing and dance as he had done with the other creditors.

“You fool!” exclaimed the friend. “Was I not the one who advised you on how to escape your creditors? Do you now attempt to use that same advice against me?”

So it is so with people who go about their lives. The Holy One, blessed be He showed kindness to people by granting them the ability to forget, as this enables a person to forget their suffering. Yet people so easily forget the Holy One, blessed be He instead…

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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The son of a wealthy merchant decided that he would like to enter the business world to earn his own way. He went to his father who gave him a large amount of money. The young man then traveled to the market in the big city where he stayed at an inn.

The relative quickly informed many merchants that he knew that a wealthy young man had arrived in the city and wished to purchase merchandise.

The merchants wasted little time and made their way to the inn and knocked on the young man’s door. The merchants presented the young man a vast selection of goods. He bought as much as he could.

When the young man realized that he had only enough money remaining to pay for his traveling expenses to return home, he decided that it was time to return home. He went to say goodbye to his relative. His relative asked, “Did you have a pleasant stay in the city?”

The young man answered, “Honestly, I did not have so much as a free moment to enjoy myself to visit the sights or even to stroll the streets. From the time I arrived here until now, I have been conducting business with the merchants and peddlers. I did not have any time to see the city”

This is the reason the Holy One, blessed be He gave man such an abun­dance of mitzvos – good deeds. Because, before he has completed the performance of one mitzvah, it is already time to perform another.

This is as the prophet taught so long ago, “The L-rd was pleased, for the sake of his righteousness, to magnify His teaching be made great and glorious.” (Isaiah 42:21)

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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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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If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Ardavan felt that he had attained total fulfillment by owning this stone and wanted to see if Rebbe could outdo him.

The king sent back a message, “I gave you a priceless object, and you returned something worth a folar (a small soiled coin).

Rebbe then replied, “The Torah explains the value and greatness of even a small commandment.” He went on to explain that spiritual development is greater than physical fulfillment.

Ardavan felt that he had attained total fulfillment by owning this stone and wanted to see if Rebbe could outdo him.

The king sent back a message, “I gave you a priceless object, and you returned something worth a folar (a small soiled coin).

Rebbe then replied, “The Torah explains the value and greatness of even a small commandment.” He went on to explain that spiritual development is greater than physical fulfillment.

Ardavan realized the wisdom of the mezuzah in the teaching, “When you walk, it will lead you; when you lie down, it will watch over you; and when you awake, it will talk with you.” (Proverbs 6:22)

With the gratitude and blessings of King Ardavan Rebbe then kept the beautiful and expensive diamond.

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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.

“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.

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).

A merchant once found himself suffering from a great setback. He was heavily in debt to all his friends and acquaintances. On one occasion, he sorrowfully poured out his heart to a close friend.

One day, it came time to repay the friend who had advised him, as he, too, had loaned the man a significant sum of money. However when his friend approached him for the money, he began to sing and dance as he had done with the other creditors.

This is the reason the Holy One, blessed be He gave man such an abundance of mitzvos – good deeds. Because, before he has completed the performance of one mitzvah, it is already time to perform another.