Faith and Cruel Masters

Posted on Thursday, 7, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Various nations have mistreated the Jewish people and caused great suffering. The Romans, who descended from Esau, tortured, and murdered millions of people, and exiled and enslaved countless more as they built their empire. They defiled holy places and destroyed communities. Like their forefather Esau, they were evil and cruel.

Throughout history, countries like Rome have prospered. Their armies are feared far and wide, and their statesmen, generals, artists, and scientists become world-famous — and all this even though they do not care a bit about the faith and beliefs of other people.

One may ask, “Why do such wicked nations enjoy such strength and power?”

A kind-hearted and wise king had a son whom he loved more than anything else in the world. The king assigned the best servants to look after him. Whenever the prince was hungry, he received wholesome, tasty meals; whenever he wanted to play, the servants gave him whatever games he fancied. The best tailors made him elegant, and warm clothes, and the most brilliant tutors made his studies enjoyable. In short, he was surrounded by a loving family and staff who were only too happy to fulfill his every wish.

Despite the wonderful care the prince received, he became so sick that even the most skilled doctors gave up hope of finding a cure. Famous doctors summoned to the palace from afar shook their heads and sadly told the king that his son would not live much longer.

Only one white-haired doctor thought there might be some hope.

“I shall try to cure your son,” he told the king, “But only if you promise me two things. First, you must not come near the prince while I am caring for him, because in your presence, I will not have the strength to make him take the bitter medicines he needs to save his life.

“Second, I want you to send away all the prince’s personal staff. Until now, he has been waited upon by good-hearted people who love him and generously do whatever they can to make him happy. Now you must find selfish and cruel staff to look after him—the meaner, the better. Only someone with a heart of stone can do the job.

“This person will have to force the prince to take his medicines — even though they are terribly bitter — and to undergo painful treatments. He will also have to stop the prince from eating the foods he likes, which keep the medicines from working. Anyone who loves the prince will take pity on him and will not do the job well enough to save his life. You must search throughout your kingdom for men of evil nature, choosing the fiercest, strictest ones to look after the prince until he recovers.”

With no other hope of saving his beloved son’s life, the king agreed. At once, he sent messengers to every corner of his kingdom to find hardhearted ruffians and bring them back to the palace.

The messengers returned with just the right type of people. Not only were they fierce-looking, but they were proud of it. They could not stop bragging about how the king had summoned them to the palace to cure the prince.

At last, one of the king’s ministers could no longer stand it, and hushed their boasting.

“Arrogant fools! Do you think it is because you are such fine upstanding individuals that the king has brought you here? Do not be so foolish! Right now, the king has no choice but to give you the job because the prince is so sick, and you are so nasty and cruel. You will not heed the boy’s pleas for mercy and will force him to take his medicines just as the doctor prescribed. It is because you are so mean and heartless that you are here, not because you are better than others. As soon as the prince is well again, the king will summarily dismiss you, as the ruffians that you are!”

Similarly, we find the prophet Obadiah addressing Edom, the nation of Esau:

I will surely make you least among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. Your proud heart has deceived you, you that live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is in the heights. You say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 1:2-3).

Sometimes people lapse in their faith and become “ill” – failing to live by the teachings of the Torah – Scriptures and our Father, the King, calls in the cruel sons of Esau to administer the treatments required to heal us. This is not a mark of distinction for Esau, but rather a way to make use of his cruelty and evil ways. Wicked nations mistakenly think that the Holy One, blessed be He, has deemed them superior to others. They fail to realize that their new status is temporary, that even if they seem to conquer the very heavens, in the end, they will fall, as the prophet continues: “Even if you rise high like the eagle, if you place your nest amongst the stars, from there I shall bring you down, says Hashem” (Obadiah 1:4).

When one sees Esau/Edom become a great power and conquer much of the world, one should remember that the Holy One, blessed be He is behind it all, arranging things for the benefit of the faithful. If people would return to living and studying the Holy Word with a true heart, the cruel taskmaster of Edom will be banished forever. Then people will be free to serve our Father in Heaven with happy hearts, amid peace and plenty.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Doctor No One Liked Cures King’s Son

Posted on Thursday, 3, August, 2023 by Rabbi

The lack of faith caused by science is not old. It is such an age-old matter that “Asa in the thirty-ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet until his disease was severe; yet in his disease, he did not seek the L-rd, but sought help from physicians. (2 Chronicles 16:12) He did not put his faith in the Holy One, blessed be He. This disease would lead to his death just two years later (2 Chronicles 16:13)

In a time when doctors guide people in their cures and treatment of the body, the needs of the soul are often forgotten. The doctor’s esteem and pride grow in the eyes of the people. If a patient dies, he merely collects his fee and goes on to the next patient. “Both the doctor and the Angel of Death kill, but the former charges a fee.” (Sefer haMevakesh, 1264 ce) Just as disease ravages the body, lack of faith devastates the soul. Many time spiritual teachers and leaders are overlooked as unscientific and backward.

Once there was a king whose son became deathly ill. The court physician could not find any way to heal him, nor could the other experts who were called in. The king became so desperate that he sent royal messengers to proclaim throughout the land that anyone who could help should come to the palace at once. It didn’t matter to the king whether one was a doctor, a magician, or a sorcerer. The main thing was that the prince be cured.

Usually no one was allowed into the private chambers of the palace, but the king instructed the guards to let any expert into the prince’s room to examine him, if only it might help him get better.

One doctor in the capital was very wise, but he was not at all popular because of his spiritual approach to the treatment of his patients. He did things differently than the other doctors, so they thought him odd and at times backwards. People admitted that he knew a great deal, but they were wary his strange ways and stayed away from him.

When the prince first became ill, this doctor had not gone to the palace to help. He was quite sure that he could cure the boy with a common herb that grew along every riverbank. The many doctors who had come from near and far would argue with him and not seriously consider his treatment of the prince. He asked himself why should he go argue with the medical authorities if they would refuse to listen to him?

The prince’s condition worsened, and the situation had changed. The king had opened the doors of the palace to every knowledgeable doctor in the kingdom. Now there was a way to examine the prince without everyone arguing with him.

So the doctor said a prayer to the Heavenly Healer and went in to examine the prince in person. He saw that he had indeed been right about the cure. Eager to save the prince, he went to speak to the king.

When he got to the throne room, he found the king was surrounded by doctors and professors from many lands. Some of them had even brought whole cases of rare medicines with them.

The king might have been willing to listen to him, but the other doctors would surely make fun of his diagnosis and the common, everyday medicine he wanted to prescribe. He had to think of some way to make the others agree with him and recommend his treatment to the king.

What did he do?

First he asked permission to speak to the king and all the physicians in the room. Then he told them what he thought the problem was. Finally, he explained which medicine would cure the prince’s illness. He further explained to the king that the herb had to be prepared by a great expert who could grind it up just the right way. The king must search for a gifted pharmacist who was skilled at preparing rare, exotic medications. Only then could he be sure that the prince would be cured.

The doctor did not fail to mention that such an expert would deserve a generous reward for his work.

As the physicians stood listening, each thought to himself, “Surely the king will ask me to do the job since I have such a fine reputation. Therefore, I must urge the king to accept this fellow’s advice.”

And so it was that everyone suddenly agreed with the strange doctor, even though they did not like him his odd ways and spiritual approaches. They all encouraged the king to give the suggested cure a try, thinking of the hefty reward they would earn for preparing the herb.

But much to their disappointment, to prepare the medicine the king chose none other than the strange doctor himself.

“You must be the greatest expert of all!” the king declared. “Of all the doctors I have consulted, only you proposed this cure. No one can compare to you. So you yourself will be the one to prepare the herb.”

The doctor knew that his skill and treatment was not the source of the cure, but he was just a messenger of the Holy One, blessed be He. To this doctor and those like him was attributed, “Honour physicians for their services, for the L-rd created them; (Ben Sira 38:1)

Sadly today so many put their faith in science and technology that they do not recognize or even forget that any treatment or cure must help the body as well as the soul. “He who sins against his Maker will be defiant towards the physician. (Ben Sira 38:15)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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A True Derech – Way

Posted on Thursday, 27, October, 2022Thursday, 11, April, 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 thew 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 the 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.

Deuteronomy 6:5

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A Tale of Two Knights in the Desert

Posted on Wednesday, 26, October, 2022Sunday, 27, August, 2023 by Rabbi

A layer of sand shimmering like a sea of gold covered the desert floor for as far as the eye could see. The sky was bright blue. High above, the sun shined brightly, and the winds blew its hot breath across the desert.

A towering rock stabbed into the high noon sky. As the sun slowly moved across the horizon, it would begin to cast a shadow, resembling a giant sundial.

Those who knew this desert, called the rock “the Hour Hand of the Centuries.”

At the foot of the rock a cool spring of clear water mirrored the heaven, but the red sand at the bottom of the spring tinged the water the color of blood. The spring was known to desert wayfarers as “the Fountain of Blood and Sky.”

Missionaries spread the words of their faith to the desert winds and the winds blew forth armies to enforce the faith. It seemed the fire of faith burned bright and hot as the desert sun.

At this still moment of time there was peace in the desert, not a single footstep of man disturbed the sand.

From the desert haze, two figures appeared suddenly. From the west came a young rider his armour shined in the sun. His shield bearing the design of his family hung at his side and in his hand, he held a long lance.

Out of the east on foot came another man slender as a palm tree, wearing a dark blue head covering. His long dark brown hair cascaded out from under his head covering. He stopped and gazed at the knight who rode from the west.

Just then, the knight leveled his lance spurred his charger and road full gallop toward the stranger.

The horseless one, unafraid and unflinching cried out: “Oh knight! Is it customary for an armed knight to attack an unarmed wayfarer?”

The charging knight reigned his horse. Setting his lance down into the sand he dismounted and approached the young man. “Prithy tell, who art thou? From what people comest thou? To what noble order of knighthood dost thou belong?”

The young man looked into the blue eyes of the knight of the west and began: “I come from the people of Judah. I am a knight of the Creator of the World and the symbols of my order have survived for thousands of years. Surely your Crusading forbears had much to tell about the spirit and bravery of my fathers.”

“I have heard such tales of wonder and great feats,” said the knight

Our order continued the Knight of the Two Tablets of the Law, “flourishes in every corner of the world. Wherever men defend freedom and righteousness you will find us in the front lines of battle.”

“If thou art such stout warriors, why hast thou not taken back the Holy Land from which the Romans banished thee?”

“Have you ever wondered why the powerful Crusaders could not keep the Holy Land after they had taken it?” asked the Knight of the Two Tablets of the Law. “We believe that no one can possess the Holy Land until the coming of Messiah.”

There was silence. The red sun was setting in the west horizon and the shadow of the “Hour Hand of the Centuries” lengthened until it touched the horizon. The ‘Fountain of Blood and Sky’ no longer glistened red. The large moon silvered the stream and the two knights vanished into the distance.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Value of Each Word

Posted on Wednesday, 7, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A ragged beggar was once walking along, head bowed and back bent, his entire body revealing misery and suffering. As he was trudging along heavily, he suddenly spied something shining in the sand ahead. He rushed forward and bent down to see what it was. There lay a jewel sparkling in front of him. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life, and knew in his heart that it must be worth a great deal of money.

He put it in his pocket and went home to show it to his neighbor. The neighbor agreed that it must be very valuable, but could not tell him how much it was worth. Everyone to whom he showed it was overwhelmed by its beauty, but no one knew its true value. No jeweler was prepared it buy it either, for each one said that it was worth far more than he could pay.

The king heard about the poor man’s magnificent jewel and came all the way to his hut. Although accustomed to precious things, even he was stunned by this gem. “This stone is fit for a royal crown!” he exclaimed with wonder.

The poor man could not have imagined how this find would change his entire life. The king showered him with gifts and money and appointed him minister. Yet the poor man never did find out the exact value of his find, though he reaped much benefit from it.

The valuable stone can be compared to words for the great value of each word of young children studying Torah is priceless. Are we not taught, “For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue.” (Sirach 4:24) Although innocent children lack the deep spirituality and complex thought, we know that the world continues to exist only in their merit. They are a treasure whose value no one can rightly estimate or appreciate!

The same can be said for a pure tongue. A person who uses his gift of speech only for what it was created, and does not sully it with forbidden speech, possesses a very precious gem, whose value he cannot possibly imagine. Nor can he begin to know the great reward that awaits him for his care!

Let us see the fulfillment of the words of the prophet, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord” (Zephaniah 3:9) in our lifetime.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Sultan Suleiman and Eliyahu haNovi the Prophet

Posted on Monday, 29, August, 2022 by Rabbi

In the days of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, that holy and magnificent, honorable, and princely rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Hamon of blessed memory, flourished. He was a man who devoted his life to his people and stood in the King’s Gateway facing every enemy and slanderer. He obtained an order from the king that any blood libel made, namely, that the Jewish people put blood in matzah, was not to be brought before any minister or judge but only to the King’s Gateway itself. It was said that the Sultan Suleiman he was a pious and G-d-fearing king because Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory appeared to him.

The reason for this was that he loved the Jewish people and involved them in state affairs. Indeed, so great was his affection for them that the vizier, who hated the Jewish people, began to envy them, and thought of all kinds of plots in order to do violence to them, endanger their lives and damage the Kehilla. The evil vizier wanted to exterminate all the Jewish people, the young and old, children and women and blot them out from the world. (Esther 3:13) He ordered that a tunnel be built underground from his home to the royal palace and open into the royal bedchamber where the king slept. The tunnel was built as he ordered.

One midnight as the king was lying on his bed, he heard a voice speaking to him like an unearthly spirit from underground, “Suleiman, Suleiman, you cow, how long will you rest like an animal? When will you rise from your sleep? Rise swiftly and go away from where you are and destroy the Jewish people so that the name of Israel will never be remembered anymore and they have no remnant or remains and have no pity for this is what you are commanded.”

When the sultan heard this grievous charge, he trembled very much indeed and said, “Who are you to call upon the king?” Then the voice responded, “Have neither fear nor dread. I am your prophet, who speaks to you, and I do not do all this of my own desire, but Allah has sent me! Do not say in your heart that this is a dream. The words come from Allah, and He wishes you to perform this task speedily, since they are your enemies. This is what you must do to destroy them, in three days time send a host of fearless soldiers to destroy, slay and make an end of them, young and old, babes and women, and let their property be plundered, and all will be well with you, and I shall return to you another time.”

Though the king heard all this, he paid no attention, telling himself that it might be a chance or a dream or some evil spirit that wished to confuse him. So, he turned around and slumbered until daylight. But the next night the false prophet came to him again and repeated what he had said the night before. Then the king grew alarmed and thought, ‘This is a bad matter for the Jewish people, for it brings them evil.” So he sent and summoned his physician, who was the holy Rabbi Moshe, whom the king and queen respected most highly, in order to tell him all that had happened and what was commanded of him regarding the destruction of the Jewish people.

So the holy rabbi Moshe came and bowed down before the sultan and said, “I am ready and prepared to serve my lord.” The sultan said to him, “Know and learn that the King of the universe told me yesterday through our prophet that in three days time you will fall into the hands of your enemies, and those who hate you will overwhelm you and exterminate and destroy you till you are stamped out from the face of the earth, and you will not be able to stand against your foes, for the decree has been passed against you in heaven. Now I wish you to know this and tell me what answer I can give to those who sent the command.”

When Rabbi Moshe heard these words, his heart melted within him and turned to water. He cried a loud and bitter cry and fell at the sultan’s feet and wept and entreated him to make this evil pass away. He said, “Alas, my lord! I pray you, remember how I have gone about before you from my youth until this day with a whole heart and an eager soul, and deliver us, do not abandon us and do not turn your heart toward these words.”

Elijah the Prophet

Sadly, the sultan answered, ‘What can I do when I have heard from Behind the Curtain that you have all been caught in this snare. But if you so desire, come tonight and you will hear the voice speaking to me, for it will certainly come and without delay.”

Now on the third night the voice came again and repeated the same things as before. Rabbi Moshe heard this and fell on his face. When the sultan saw that Rabbi Moshe had fallen, he was astonished and confused at the sight and said, ‘Why do you slumber? Get up and leave this place and go to some mountain or valley to save your soul, for you are precious in my eyes, and flee swiftly to the mountains lest you meet your end in the city, for there is nothing more valuable to any man than his soul.” He wished to have a horse brought for him to ride upon it wherever he might desire to go and gave him a pass written and sealed with the king’s seal that no man might dare to do him any harm or injury. So Rabbi Moshe turned his face to the wilderness and rode away, weeping, and bewildered.

As he was riding, a man came toward him and asked, “What is your calling? And where do you come from? What is your country? And who are your people?” Rabbi Moshe answered each question in due order. Then the man asked him, “If you truly have faith in Hashem, why have you abandoned your people and forsaken your responsibility.” Then Rabbi Moshe understood that this must be Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) of blessed memory. He leaped from the horse and fell at his feet, quivering and shaking and trembling, and he said to him, “Surely my lord is aware of the evil which is going to befall tomorrow. Now how could I stay and see this evil befall my people, and how could I stay to see the destruction of my birthplace?” Then Eliyahu haNovi answered him, “Return to the sultan’s palace and to his chamber, tell him I will be with your mouth and I will teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:12) Speak to him and tell him I shall meet him in the royal garden, but I cannot rise in his presence, since he is of impure soul. And let this be the sign that I have sent you. Go and tell him, “This is, indeed, a foul happening, but he can immediately purify himself of his polluted actions by washing and immersion.”

Rabbi Moshe turned about and went to the sultan’s inner chamber, where he bowed himself down. The king was startled to see him and said, “Come in peace!” Then he told him all that had happened, and the command given him by Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory. At this the king rejoiced very much indeed and changed his garments and purified himself and went to the garden where he bent the knee and prostrated himself before Eliyahu haNovi. And Eliyahu haNovi said to him, “I have been fully informed of all that you do for the Jewish people. May the Holy One, blessed be He repay you for your deeds. But on this occasion, you almost behaved very foolishly, for who has turned his hand against them and come away clean? All this is the plan of your evil vizier, who seeks the kingdom for himself and wishes to destroy you from the very face of the earth. Let this be your test and trial of him. Have all the ground under your bedchamber dug up, and you will find that you will reach his home; for such was his plan and that he did.”

The he did as Eliyahu haNovi told him and he found the tunnel that led to the vizier’s house. So they hanged the vizier at the entry to his home. The incident was written in the records as a memorial and a sign for the rebellious. And it was then that the sultan made a covenant with Eliyahu haNovi of blessed memory according to which the latter came to visit him once in every month. And so it came about.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Fire, Stories and Teshuvah

Posted on Monday, 7, March, 2022 by Rabbi

A well traveled maggid (spiritual storyteller) was once asked whether he believed himself to be more faithful than others or above sin, and if not, why he always shared stories to others.

The Maggid thought for a moment, took a deep breath and then answered the question with a short story.

In a little town a fire broke out but the people living near the burning house did not take notice it. The owner of the house rushed out of his burning home into the street, shouting, “Fire! Fire! Let us all save our homes!”

And there was one man who said to him, “Why are you shouting at us to safeguard our homes when it is your own house that is afire?”

The owner of the burning house answered, “Even so, my brother. If I call on you to guard your homes from fire, my house too, will be spared from growing flames and destruction.”

“This is also what I must do now,” explained the maggid (spiritual storyteller). “I call on you strengthen your faith and to do teshuvah (repent). In spite of my own shortcomings I am fully aware that I have sinned and at times lapse in my faith. The stories lead the listeners to mend their ways and thereby rescues me as well from the raging fire that attacks our faith and can lead to sin. Let us work together for the deliverance of our souls.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Paving the Way from Yesterday to Tomorrow

Posted on Monday, 27, December, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

For many years, a man worked in a wealthy merchant’s textile shop. For many years, he measured fabrics, cut them, arranged the stock, and cleaned the shop.

One day, the worker passed away, and the merchant offered the job to the man’s son. The son followed in his father’s footsteps and worked with honesty and loyalty.

Some time later, the son died, and his son, the grandson of the original worker, filled his position.

A week later, the worker entered the merchant’s office holding a list. “I have just made a calculation and figured out that my father and grandfather worked in your store for a total of fifty-two years. That being the case, I am entitled to one thousand rubles, which is due compensation for fifty-two years of labor!”

“It is certainly true,” laughed the merchant, “that they worked in my store for forty-six years, but do you think that they worked for free? How do you think they supported themselves and their families for so many years?”

There are times when we sigh over our state of exile. We note how we have suffered much in this long exile. We mention how even our righteous ancestors groaned beneath the heavy yoke of the exile, and that when the time comes, we will be redeemed in the merit of those who have passed.

Yet we forget that our ancestors, holy people of the highest caliber, have already received their reward and continue to receive an abundance of reward in the World of Truth. We must not claim the reward for their faith and good deeds; rather, we ourselves, must wholeheartedly live by our faith and do our own good deeds. Only then will Holy One, blessed be He’s mercy be aroused, leading to our glorious redemption from this world where faith is tested each day.

Stories of Faith

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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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 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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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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