New Year’s Day – Rosh Hashanah and Blessings

Posted on Thursday, 28, December, 2017Sunday, 31, December, 2023 by Rabbi

The snow and wind blew while sounds of celebration were heard from outside the wooden synagogue. It was the eve of the secular New Year. Many men were gathered around tables studying the holy words of Torah.

Suddenly, the door to the holy rabbi’s private study opened and the holy rabbi himself came out and greeted everyone:

“L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!”(May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

With that the holy rabbi went back into his room and closed the door. Everyone who was studying the holy words of Torah were very surprised. Surely the holy rabbi knew that this was not Rosh haShanah (the Jewish New Year), but the secular New Year? Why then did he extend such a greeting.

Some time later, the door opened and the holy rabbi again greeted the men studying the holy words of Torah. Hours passed and the holy rabbi offered the greeting a third time.

Puzzled by the holy rabbi’s behavior, the men went to one of the holy rabbi’s students and asked him to go to his master’s room and ask about the meaning of his strange actions through the night.

The student went and knocked on the door of his teacher, the holy rabbi and entered. The holy rabbi looked up from his studies and greeted his student: “Shalom Aleichem (Peace be unto you)” the student answered: “Aleichem Shalom (Unto you peace).” The Rabbi continued: “what brings you to my study at such a late hour?”

The student looked at his teacher, cleared his throat and asked: “many have been studying Torah tonight and you greeted them as though it was Rosh haShanah. This seems a little out of the ordinary. What is the holy reason for your greetings, this night of all times?”

The holy rabbi thought for a moment, smiled and explained:

“Last Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment for all the Jewish people and the world, the Jewish people prayed with intensity in their synagogues. Their prayers and the sounds of the shofar ascended to the heavens. Moved by the waves of heartfelt pleas, the Holy One, blessed be He, left his Throne of Justice to ascend the Throne of Mercy. There He wrote a decree which stated that the coming year would be a year of health and happiness for all Jewish people and peoples of the world.

When Yom Kippur, the fearful Day of Atonement, came and He saw how all of the Jewish people fasted and wept and poured out their hearts in prayer as “all are judged on Rosh haShanah and the verdicts is sealed on the Day of Atonement.” (Rosh haShanah 16a) The Holy One, blessed be He lifted the pen to sign the decree of blessings for all of the people in the world.

At that moment, the Dark Accusing One approached to protest: “yes, O L-rd, on Yom Kippur they fast and have remorse, dressed in white as the angels in heaven. What of all the rest of the year when they are filled with sins and wickedness?”

The decree was not signed.

When the Jewish people gathered together boards and scraps of wood to build succas for the holiday of Succos (the Feast of Tabernacles), prepared to eat and sleep in the succas, the defending angel appealed:

“Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, You see these succas which even the poorest of Your children are building with so much joy, according to Your command “You shall dwell in booths for seven days” (Leviticus 23:42) and in the days of old “on the Festival of Tabernacles Israel would offer up seventy bullocks, one for each of the seventy nations of the world, and prayed that they might live in peace.” (Pisikta Kahana 175b). Have You heard them pray, ufros aleinu succas sh’lomecha (spread over us the shelter of Your peace). Please sign the decree now.

And so it would have been, had not the Dark Accusing One not objected: “yes, for the boards, which are here today and gone tomorrow. But for themselves – for their homes, their businesses, their entertainment – they erect strong buildings of brick and stone and glass that last forever!”

Then came Simchas Torah, the Jewish people embraced the Torah and danced with it in their synagogues in boundless joy. Again, the Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree: “See, oh G-d, how your children are happy with Your Holy Word, the Torah!”

The Dark Accusing One intervened: “yes, for one night they dance merrily with your Torah, their heads turned and their spirits lifted by a drop of schnapps. But in a more sober mood when their minds are clear, do they fulfill the mitzvahs, which are written in the Torah?”

The decree was not signed.

Every window was filled with light during Chanukah. It seemed as though the light of the first day touched every soul. The words of the morning prayer, “v’chol ayin lecha tetzapeh” (every eye longs for you) were realized.

The Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree:

“Look, and see how Your children are bringing Your holy light into the world. For indeed ‘the spirit of man is the candle of the L-rd.’ ” (Proverbs 20:27)

The dark accusing one interjected: “true, they kindle lights and may touch the soul with holiness, but are they honest and holy in the marketplace or with other people?”

The decree was not signed.

And so it is that the judgment written in favor of the Jewish people and all the peoples of the world on Rosh haShanah has remained unsigned all these many weeks until tonight. For when the New Year began and with it started all of the drunkenness, the shouting and brawls that usually occur on that night, the Defending Angel approached G-d and said: “O Lord, see how they begin the New Year tonight. Listen to the screams and noise as well as the sounds of discord, look at the shamelessness and the corruption – and remember how Your children began the New Year on Rosh haShanah, with prayer, with repentance, and with holiness.”

To this, the Dark Accusing One could not say single word.

And so it was that, after some four months of delay, the Holy One, blessed be He, at last signed the good decree for the Jewish people and all the peoples of the world.

“Therefore,” the holy rabbi concluded, “I greet you tonight with L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!,” (May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

And May the tales you live in the coming year be filled with blessings

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Who’s So Great?

Posted on Thursday, 23, November, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Leaders from all corners of the country came together in the capital city to find a way to have the harsh anti-Semitic laws abolished. Religious schools were being closed and the excessive tax on candles made every day life for the Jewish community very difficult. The leaders hoped to find a way to ease the pain of the many people affected by the unfair laws.

Some of the community leaders took advantage of meeting to boast of their many accomplishments and to remind others how important they were. One holy rabbi sat and listened to the ongoing bragging and was justifiably upset especially since the focus should have been on finding ways to have the oppressive laws abolished.

When the holy rabbi stood before the community leaders, he decided to teach a strong lesson:

“The donkeys once came before the Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe with a complaint: Why had He assigned them the role of being beasts of burden? Couldn’t He have allotted them a better role in life? Why not give them the power of speech so that they could accomplish things with their thoughts just as humans do, instead of being limited to physical labor?

“G-d agreed that they had a legitimate point, and told them that He would experiment by giving the wisest of them the capacity to talk, which He did with Bilaam’s donkey. But lo and behold! As soon as the creature was empowered to speak, what did it announce? ‘Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?’ (Numbers 22:30).”

“G-d therefore decided, ‘If all a donkey can talk about is his own great achievements, he is better off being silent.’ People might be tempted to spiritual pride — tempted to think to ourselves, Look how valuable I am to the Holy One, blessed be He and look what He has done through me!’ ”

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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A Bag of Rocks; A Bag of Diamonds

Posted on Thursday, 16, November, 2017Tuesday, 7, November, 2023 by MazelChai18

It was a cold wintry Friday night as a group of young people crowded around a Shabbos table enjoying a delicious meal. They were talking about many things, from politics to religion. Most of all, they challenged the validity of faith beliefs and traditions in today’s society. They threw out questions like weapons, preparing for battle: How can you believe in G‑d when science has proven . . . ? Why keep kosher in an age of government inspection and refrigeration? Isn’t it racist to speak of the chosen people? How come the religious teachings are against LGBT…?

Sitting at the table was an older rabbi with a ginger beard listening to everything. He began to speak.

“The questions you are asking are good questions, but for this, you don’t need to come to a Shabbos table. Many people who have learned Torah (Scriptures) can tell you these answers. Sadly few can speak or communicate in a language you can understand; now let me tell you why you came.”

Everyone, there was surprised the old rabbi could understand their asked and silent questions. The rabbi looking at the flickering Shabbos candles began telling a story:

“A young boy was walking with his father down a steep hill in the heat of the day. They saw a man coming up the hill towards them, sweating, with a heavy sack on his shoulders weighing him down. When the man reached them, the little boy asked what he had in his sack, why he was going up the hill, why he was working so hard.

The man told the little boy that his oven had broken, and he had to come down to the valley to get more stones to build himself an oven.

“Why not get more stones,” asked the little boy, “and build a bigger oven that will keep you warmer, and you can have more food? There must be more stones still in the valley.”

The man took a deep breath, wiped the sweat off his brow and answered “little one, you are used to people making things easy for you so you don’t yet know what it means to have to work, how hard it is to schlep.” He put his free hand on the little boy’s shoulder. “When you grow big and strong like me, you’ll be happy with a little oven too.”

The little boy and his father continued down the hill.

They saw another man coming up the hill towards them. Same size man, same size sack, but this man didn’t seem so weighed down.

“What have you in the sack,” the young boy wanted to know. “Is it stones? Are you going to build yourself a small oven?”

“Oh no,” the man smiled broadly, “no oven building for me! See, I was down in the valley digging for turnips, and I found a treasure. Diamonds! Rubies! Pearls! I have two daughters, two weddings to make. I’m going to open a store and stop peddling from town to town, build myself a house with wooden floors and . . .”

“Why not get more diamonds?” interrupted the boy. “There must be more left in the valley.”

“Son,” said the old man, putting his free hand on the little boy’s shoulder, “believe me, I searched the valley clean. I don’t think there is another diamond down there.”

The little boy and his father continued down the hill.

The father turned to his son and explained, “You see when you’re carrying diamonds, they’re never too heavy. The first man may have had diamonds too, but he didn’t know what they were.”

The old rabbi with the long ginger beard looked at the young people around the Shabbos table and continued:

“You see what the father was telling the boy? A mitzvah (a good deed done with spiritual purpose) is a diamond. Every mitzvah that we do is a precious, precious thing. This is why you come to the Shabbos table, not just to learn a mitzvah, but to learn that it is a diamond. When you know they are diamonds, then most of your questions will be answered.”

Some years later, at a Shabbos Table filled with so many different foods, and surrounded by many young people talking of many things from politics to religion. Most of all they challenged the validity of faith beliefs and tradition in today’s society. The questions were a little different, but one key question was, why do we need mitzvahs when we can meditate instead?

A man got up and told this story that he had heard on a cold wintry night a few blocks from where they were now. He told the story well, and ended with the words, “It’s been a number of years since the old rabbi with the ginger beard told that story. I could tell you of many experiences I have had since then, but to you, it would be meaningless.”

It is said that the old rabbi with the ginger beard still tells stories during Shabbos, on holidays and at gatherings. He tells stories that touch the heart, mind and soul. The stories are filled with wonder, mystery, and holiness.

Listen to the stories and learn valuable lessons and get direction. You can’t be Jewish out of a sense of duty without feeling or warmth. An “observant Jew”? Such an unsatisfying label. Like an obedient child, a dutiful husband, a law-abiding citizen, an “observant Jew” accepts obligations—yet keeps on trudging. The question is do they really live Jewish?

Duty and diligence are not calculated to inspire; they’re heavy rocks. However, when duty and diligence are born of passion, they are tough as steel and as brilliant diamonds. A heavy load? Maybe, on the scales; but not on my back.

The stories show me the beauty around me every day. They give purpose to my life and teach me tolerance for the many people around me. All of this is possible because of an old rabbi, dressed a little strange and a ginger beard who tells stories.

Each story is a diamond.

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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The Silent Princess – Tale of the Magic Jewel, the Flying Carpet and the Powerful Potion

Posted on Monday, 23, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The second evening, when the four of them sat together, the prince and the princess and the two witnesses, the prince said to the witnesses: “Tell us a tale to while away the time, for tomorrow I shall die.”

The witnesses said: “We will not speak, for we are only witnesses, and our job is to listen and remain silent.”

“In that case,” said the prince, “will you reply if I ask you something?” “Perhaps . . .” they replied.

Then the prince said: “Three companions climbed together to the top of a mountain. One of them had a magic jewel through which he could see to the ends of the earth. Another had a flying carpet, and the third had a potion with which to revive the dead.

“The one with the magic jewel looked through it and saw in a faraway land a great crowd following a coffin to a grave site. And when he told his companions what he saw, the one with the flying carpet said: ‘Get on the carpet quickly and we will attend the funeral, for it must have been a great man who has died.’

“The three friends sat down on the magic carpet, and in the wink of an eye it carried them where they wanted to go. And after they joined the procession, they asked the mourners who had died and why there was such sorrow. The mourners told them that the king’s fair and lovely daughter had died while still very young. And when the three heard this, they made their way to the king and said: ‘We can revive your daughter, sire.’ The grieving king replied: ‘Whoever can revive my daughter shall have her for a bride.’

“Then the one with the magic potion stood near the girl’s body and sprinkled the potion on her, and all at once she began to breathe. But after she had been revived, and embraced her father and mother amid great rejoicing, the three men began to argue over her.

“The one with the magic jewel said: `If it were not for me, the princess would have been buried and not have been revived, for it is I who saw the funeral procession. Since she was saved because of me, she belongs to me.’

“The owner of the flying carpet said: ‘If it were not for my magic carpet, which carried us a great distance as fast as lightning, we would not have arrived in time to revive the girl. Therefore she should be my bride.’

“Then the one who had brought the magic potion said: ‘If it were not for my potion, the princess would now be in her grave, so I have a greater right to her than either of you.'”

Then the prince who had told this story asked the witnesses for their decision, but they said: “It is a difficult matter which we cannot decide by ourselves. Tomorrow we will ask the judges for their verdict.”

“But I am to be hanged at dawn,” said the prince, “and I will go to my grave without knowing your answer.”

Here the princess intervened and said: “I will reply to your question. I believe that the man who revived the princess with his magic potion should receive her as his bride, for without his potion she could not have been revived.”

Then the prince thanked the princess, and agreed that she was correct.

The next day, at dawn, the executioner again arrived and began to drag the prince away, but the witnesses stopped him and said: “The princess spoke to the young man, and he does not deserve to die.”

Now when the king heard the witnesses, he did not believe his ears: “It can’t be that my daughter has finally spoken after having remained silent for so long. But since I have some doubt about it, let us have a third and final test, this time in the presence of three reliable witnesses.”

Part 3 of 4

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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The Silent Princess – The Beginning

Posted on Thursday, 19, October, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This is Part 1 of a 4 part Jewish fairy tale from the Middle East

In a faraway kingdom, there lived a beautiful princess who never spoke to anyone. She was so silent that many people assumed she was mute. Her father, the king, was certain that she could speak, but that she had chosen, for reasons of her own, to remain silent. The king saw that his daughter would constantly study and believed she did not speak because the fence to wisdom is silence (Avos 3:17). For this reason, when suitors came to ask for her hand in marriage, the king permitted them to meet her on the following condition: “You have one evening to spend with my daughter. If in that time you succeed in getting her to speak, even if it is only one word, then she shall be your bride. But if you fail—you will be hanged on the gallows at dawn.” Still, there had been many young men who boasted that they could win the heart of the princess and open her lips, but she kept silent in their presence, as verified by a witness who remained with them, and in the end, they lost their lives.

Now in another country there lived a prince who was both handsome and wise. One day this prince said to his father: “I wish to set out to wander in the land, to learn the ways of man and to amass wisdom and knowledge.” The king replied: “You may set out, if you wish to, my son. For surely you shall be a better ruler once you have become more familiar with the ways of the world. Go, and peace be with you but I ask that you return before the end of a year.”

So, the prince set out on his travels with his father’s blessings. His journeys were long, but in his wanderings he learned many things and became skilled in many tasks. Because of his travels and his desires to learn, he never stayed in any one place very long, for he wanted to see as much of the world as he could before it was time to return from his year long journey. In this way, he arrived at the kingdom of the silent princess, and when he heard of the king’s challenge to make the princess speak, he desired to seek her hand for himself.

The prince came before the king and spoke with him for a long time. The king was impressed with the wisdom of the young man and he admired him, and tried to warn him against the danger. The prince accepted the grave condition, even though his life was at stake.

That evening he joined the princess in her chamber, in the company of a faithful witness. The prince, the princess, and the witness all sat in the room and were silent, for the prince did not even attempt to strike up a conversation with the princess, and this astonished her, for all the previous suitors had kept trying to make her speak.

After an hour’s silence, the prince turned to the witness and said: “Let us speak, in order to pass the time, for tomorrow I will be hanged.”

The witness replied: “I am not permitted to speak to you or to say anything. I am only a witness whose job it is to listen.”

Then the prince said: “And if I were to ask you something, would you reply?”

“Perhaps I would and perhaps I wouldn’t,” said the witness.

“Well, in that case,” said the prince, “listen carefully.

This is part 1 of 4

part 2 will be posted tomorrow

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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Healing and Comforting Words

Posted on Wednesday, 27, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

It was the practice of Tam and Chacham to walk together in the late afternoon. One day they were approached by a sick man during their walk. The sick man asked the two holy rabbis what he should do to be cured.

Chacham advised the sick man to pray to Av haRachaman (Father of Mercy) for a recovery from his pain and sickness as it is written: “Heal me, O L-rd, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise. “ (Jeremiah 17:14)

The sick man looked at Chacham and quietly explained, I cannot pray very well and my voice is but a very small voice becxause of my pain and sickness.

Tam saw the pain of the sick man and comforted him by reminding him that the Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses Our Teacher) taught us in the Torah (Scriptures), “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Tam continued, “Be strong and of good courage; have no fear . . . for the Eternal One, your G-d, is the One who goes with you, never failing you or forsaking you. (Deuteronomy 31:5) and always remember that the words of the Holy One, blessed be He ‘I see your journey, and I bring healing. I will guide you and bring solace to you. Says the Eternal G-d: I will heal you!’ ” (Isaiah 57:18-19)

Tam and Chacham spoke for a long time with the sick man when a farmer, who had been listening said to them, said, “You’re interfering in something that’s none of your business! G-d afflicted him with illness and you want to heal him?”

Chacham answered, “Don’t you as a farmer do the same?” Tam added, “The Master of the Universe created the earth, but you have to plow, till, fertilize and cultivate it if you want the land to produce a harvest. ‘As for man, his days are as grass’ (Psalms 103:15). The human body is the tree, the medicine is the fertilizer and the physician is the tiller of the earth. Besides ‘The L-rd created medicines out of the earth, and the sensible man will not despise them.’ “ (ben Sira/ Sirach 38:4)

Based on Midrash Shmuel 52a

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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The King’s Messengers

Posted on Monday, 25, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immediately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.

There was a wise man standing nearby who soothed the man’s anxiety:

“What do you have to fear from the messenger?” he said. “He cannot do anything to you without a direct command from the king. Therefore, instead of being fearful and worrying, examine your deeds. If you know that you are free of any transgression, you would do well to hurry to the palace as the king commanded and hear what he has to say”

On another occasion, the king’s messenger summoned a different person to appear before the king. This time, however, the messenger was dressed in bright-colored clothes and was very happy as well as smiling. The man was overjoyed and he began to dance.

A wise man turned to him and said:

“What do you have to dance about? Who really knows if this messenger is the bearer of good news or not? Do not be misled by the happy expression on his face; rather, think about whether you are truly loyal to the king. If you are, then the messenger is bringing you good tidings, but if you have sinned against the king, Heaven forbid, then evil has been determined against you…”

A person should not judge himself according to whether an event which befalls him is good or bad. Rather, he must constantly examine himself in order to know whether he is loyal to the King, or Heaven forbid, has sinned against Him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

Hineni – Different Kinds of Prayer

How Much Remorse?

Just One Small Blast from the Great Shofar

The King, the Forester and Teshuvah

Foundations of the World

A Prescription for Life

Philmont, Horses and Rosh haShanah

Rosh haHashanah: Forgiving A Debt

The Deaf Man of the Shul

The Dirty Treasure

How to be Forgiven of Sin

Repentance and the Captive Prince

Repentance Out of Love

The Humble Request of the King’s Son

The King, the Thief the True Penitant

A Rock and the King’s Greatness

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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Just One Small Blast from the Great Shofar

Posted on Wednesday, 13, September, 2017Monday, 19, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Chacham had a student that was an orphan and he would spend much time with him. They would learn together, walk through the forests and ponder the secrets found in the Holy writings. One year, right after Tisha B’Av, the boy became sick.

Chacham took the shofar on the first day of the month of Elul and tested it to see whether it was in good condition. The student was in the room and the sound of the shofar touched him in such a way that his color began to return to his cheeks.

He asked his beloved teacher for one more blast, and Chacham gladly obliged. From then on, for the remainder of the month of Elul, this became a ritual; Chacham blowing the shofar once each day for his sick student. On the day before Rosh Hashanah, the orphan was there, waiting to hear the shofar, but he was disappointed.

“I am sorry, but today we do not blow the shofar. Tomorrow morning, we will blow the shofar in the shul (synagogue).” Chacham explained.

The student looked at his beloved teacher with tears in his eyes and asked, “I am sick to my very soul and my body is weak. The call of the shofar gives me comfort, strengthens me and makes me feel better. Please just one blast! Just one small blast!”

Chacham was touched by the beseeching voice of his student and slowly brought the shofar to his lips and blew one blast.

On Rosh Hashanah, everyone expected Chacham to blow the shofar. That year, Chacham went up before the aron kodesh (Holy Ark) where the Torah scrolls were, opened it and said: ” Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, I have to repent. It’s written that on the day before Rosh Hashanah one must not blow shofar, yet I did.”

He broke down it tears and called out: “Ribbono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, do you know why I transgressed this custom? It was because my young student lay on his sickbed begging and crying that I should only blow one blast of the shofar for him. My heart melted, I couldn’t bear to watch him cry and be in pain, so I blew once for him, though I shouldn’t have.

“Avinu, Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King), how can you stand by and see how millions of Your children are sick to their very souls and crying out to You, Av haRachamim (Father of Mercy), just one small blast! Sound the blast of the great shofar which will herald the final Redemption! Even if the time is not right for it yet, even if the time for Moshiach has yet to arrive, Your children cry out to You. Please just one small sound to rekindle our hope.”

The sounding of the shofar was delayed, and for a long time crying from broken hearts was heard throughout the shul (synagogue…).”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

If you enjoyed this story and would like to read more Rosh Hashanah stories see below:

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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Tidings of Joy or Sadness?

Posted on Tuesday, 5, September, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a certain man who could cast spells in order to know the future. A holy man was approached by the spell caster and he told him: “You may thank the Holy One, blessed be He for his decree regarding you, since I see that you are going to marry a beautiful wife.” “And who is she?” asked the holy man. He answered: “Yaffa.” “Why,” said the holy man, “she is a married woman!” “It is clear to me,” said the spell caster, “that she will wed you.”

“Today,” said the holy man, “is not a day of good tidings, and I shall not say a blessing because of the death of a man who will have to die on my account. For who knows whether I am better than he?” “In that case,” said the soothsayer, “how shall a man wed a widow?” “There is no comparison,” said he, “since in that case her husband has already died. But you tell me this while he is still alive—and I shall always pray that he should have a long life.”

The spell caster was taken aback and asked: “how can you not accept the blessing of a beautiful wife?” The holy man answered: The Holy One, blessed be He said, ‘I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse, therefore choose life.’ “(Deuteronomy 30:19) The spell caster looked confused as the holy man continued: “We are commanded ‘You shall not practice divination or soothsaying.’ (Leviticus 19:26) and we are taught ‘They gaze and know not at what they gaze at, they ponder and know not what they ponder.’ (Sotah 12b) instead ‘give your whole heart to the Holy One, blessed be He. Trust not in dreams or omens, inquire not of fortunetellers. Such things show a lack of faith.’ ” (Tochechah, 14^th century)

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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Prayers in Time of Drought and the Scoffer

Posted on Friday, 25, August, 2017Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Special prayers are recited and fast days may even be decreed by the leaders of a Jewish community, in the event of a serious drought. It is particularly important to encourage people who are not so observant of Jewish religious practices to participate in these services, in the hope that they will be moved by the vulnerable position of the community and possibly become more religious. Indeed, the Talmud states that “Any fast day that does not include the sinners is not a fast” (Kerisus 6b)

It once happened that the sun shined bright and the heat touched everyone. It had not rained for a very long time and so water was scarce. In one village, the rabbi proclaimed a fast day. The rabbi tried to urge a non-observant person to join in the community in prayer that the life giving rains should come, but the “modern” Jewish person refused, saying: “You certainly do not think that the prayers of someone like myself will make any difference to G-d.”

The rabbi tried to impress upon him that the prayers of every person are important, and when someone who has wandered away from religious observance turns to G-d, his prayer is very dear to the Holy One, blessed be He.

“I take it from this,” the man answered the rabbi, “that you are suggesting that it is my sinfulness that has aroused the anger of Heaven and caused the drought. How can I be part of a community that accuses me of this! You and your kind are so steeped in superstition that you will never know what the real world is like. This is why I don’t believe in your traditions and mythology!””

The rabbi thought for a moment, stroked his beard and answered the young man: “I’m sorry you feel that way, I could not possibly think that you caused the drought. In fact, we know for a fact that it was people like you who once caused it to rain for forty days and forty nights consecutively.”

The young man laughed and responded: “ How can mouthing a bunch of words and torturing yourself with no food or water make any real changes to the world?”

The rabbi listened and explained: “Fasting and prayer make great changes to everything around us as we are taught, ‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood’ (Isaiah 58:6-7) It is through our old traditions that we change the world to a better place physically and spiritually.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The snow and wind blew while sounds of celebration were heard from outside the wooden synagogue. It was the eve of the secular New Year. Many men were gathered around tables studying the holy words of Torah.

Suddenly, the door to the holy rabbi’s private study opened and the holy rabbi himself came out and greeted everyone:

“L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!”(May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

With that the holy rabbi went back into his room and closed the door. Everyone who was studying the holy words of Torah were very surprised. Surely the holy rabbi knew that this was not Rosh haShanah (the Jewish New Year), but the secular New Year? Why then did he extend such a greeting.

Some time later, the door opened and the holy rabbi again greeted the men studying the holy words of Torah. Hours passed and the holy rabbi offered the greeting a third time.

Puzzled by the holy rabbi’s behavior, the men went to one of the holy rabbi’s students and asked him to go to his master’s room and ask about the meaning of his strange actions through the night.

The student looked at his teacher, cleared his throat and asked: “many have been studying Torah tonight and you greeted them as though it was Rosh haShanah. This seems a little out of the ordinary. What is the holy reason for your greetings, this night of all times?”

The holy rabbi thought for a moment, smiled and explained:

At that moment, the Dark Accusing One approached to protest: “yes, O L-rd, on Yom Kippur they fast and have remorse, dressed in white as the angels in heaven. What of all the rest of the year when they are filled with sins and wickedness?”

The decree was not signed.

When the Jewish people gathered together boards and scraps of wood to build succas for the holiday of Succos (the Feast of Tabernacles), prepared to eat and sleep in the succas, the defending angel appealed:

And so it would have been, had not the Dark Accusing One not objected: “yes, for the boards, which are here today and gone tomorrow. But for themselves – for their homes, their businesses, their entertainment – they erect strong buildings of brick and stone and glass that last forever!”

Then came Simchas Torah, the Jewish people embraced the Torah and danced with it in their synagogues in boundless joy. Again, the Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree: “See, oh G-d, how your children are happy with Your Holy Word, the Torah!”

The Dark Accusing One intervened: “yes, for one night they dance merrily with your Torah, their heads turned and their spirits lifted by a drop of schnapps. But in a more sober mood when their minds are clear, do they fulfill the mitzvahs, which are written in the Torah?”

The decree was not signed.

Every window was filled with light during Chanukah. It seemed as though the light of the first day touched every soul. The words of the morning prayer, “v’chol ayin lecha tetzapeh” (every eye longs for you) were realized.

The Defending Angel argued that the Holy One, blessed be He, should sign the decree:

“Look, and see how Your children are bringing Your holy light into the world. For indeed ‘the spirit of man is the candle of the L-rd.’ ” (Proverbs 20:27)

The dark accusing one interjected: “true, they kindle lights and may touch the soul with holiness, but are they honest and holy in the marketplace or with other people?”

The decree was not signed.

To this, the Dark Accusing One could not say single word.

And so it was that, after some four months of delay, the Holy One, blessed be He, at last signed the good decree for the Jewish people and all the peoples of the world.

“Therefore,” the holy rabbi concluded, “I greet you tonight with L’Shana Tovah Tikasevu v’Techasemu!,” (May you all be inscribed and sealed for a good year!)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

And May the tales you live in the coming year be filled with blessings

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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When the holy rabbi stood before the community leaders, he decided to teach a strong lesson:

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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Sitting at the table was an older rabbi with a ginger beard listening to everything. He began to speak.

“The questions you are asking are good questions, but for this, you don’t need to come to a Shabbos table. Many people who have learned Torah (Scriptures) can tell you these answers. Sadly few can speak or communicate in a language you can understand; now let me tell you why you came.”

Everyone, there was surprised the old rabbi could understand their asked and silent questions. The rabbi looking at the flickering Shabbos candles began telling a story:

The man told the little boy that his oven had broken, and he had to come down to the valley to get more stones to build himself an oven.

“Why not get more stones,” asked the little boy, “and build a bigger oven that will keep you warmer, and you can have more food? There must be more stones still in the valley.”

The little boy and his father continued down the hill.

They saw another man coming up the hill towards them. Same size man, same size sack, but this man didn’t seem so weighed down.

“What have you in the sack,” the young boy wanted to know. “Is it stones? Are you going to build yourself a small oven?”

“Why not get more diamonds?” interrupted the boy. “There must be more left in the valley.”

“Son,” said the old man, putting his free hand on the little boy’s shoulder, “believe me, I searched the valley clean. I don’t think there is another diamond down there.”

The little boy and his father continued down the hill.

The father turned to his son and explained, “You see when you’re carrying diamonds, they’re never too heavy. The first man may have had diamonds too, but he didn’t know what they were.”

The old rabbi with the long ginger beard looked at the young people around the Shabbos table and continued:

It is said that the old rabbi with the ginger beard still tells stories during Shabbos, on holidays and at gatherings. He tells stories that touch the heart, mind and soul. The stories are filled with wonder, mystery, and holiness.

Duty and diligence are not calculated to inspire; they’re heavy rocks. However, when duty and diligence are born of passion, they are tough as steel and as brilliant diamonds. A heavy load? Maybe, on the scales; but not on my back.

The stories show me the beauty around me every day. They give purpose to my life and teach me tolerance for the many people around me. All of this is possible because of an old rabbi, dressed a little strange and a ginger beard who tells stories.

Each story is a 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)

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The second evening, when the four of them sat together, the prince and the princess and the two witnesses, the prince said to the witnesses: “Tell us a tale to while away the time, for tomorrow I shall die.”

The witnesses said: “We will not speak, for we are only witnesses, and our job is to listen and remain silent.”

“In that case,” said the prince, “will you reply if I ask you something?” “Perhaps . . .” they replied.

Then the prince said: “Three companions climbed together to the top of a mountain. One of them had a magic jewel through which he could see to the ends of the earth. Another had a flying carpet, and the third had a potion with which to revive the dead.

“Then the one with the magic potion stood near the girl’s body and sprinkled the potion on her, and all at once she began to breathe. But after she had been revived, and embraced her father and mother amid great re­joicing, the three men began to argue over her.

“The one with the magic jewel said: `If it were not for me, the princess would have been buried and not have been revived, for it is I who saw the funeral procession. Since she was saved because of me, she belongs to me.’

“The owner of the flying carpet said: ‘If it were not for my magic carpet, which carried us a great distance as fast as lightning, we would not have ar­rived in time to revive the girl. Therefore she should be my bride.’

“Then the one who had brought the magic potion said: ‘If it were not for my potion, the princess would now be in her grave, so I have a greater right to her than either of you.'”

Then the prince who had told this story asked the witnesses for their decision, but they said: “It is a difficult matter which we cannot decide by ourselves. Tomorrow we will ask the judges for their verdict.”

“But I am to be hanged at dawn,” said the prince, “and I will go to my grave without knowing your answer.”

Here the princess intervened and said: “I will reply to your question. I believe that the man who revived the princess with his magic potion should receive her as his bride, for without his potion she could not have been revived.”

Then the prince thanked the princess, and agreed that she was correct.

The next day, at dawn, the executioner again arrived and began to drag the prince away, but the witnesses stopped him and said: “The princess spoke to the young man, and he does not deserve to die.”

Now when the king heard the witnesses, he did not believe his ears: “It can’t be that my daughter has finally spoken after having remained silent for so long. But since I have some doubt about it, let us have a third and final test, this time in the presence of three reliable witnesses.”

Part 3 of 4

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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This is Part 1 of a 4 part Jewish fairy tale from the Middle East

The prince came before the king and spoke with him for a long time. The king was impressed with the wisdom of the young man and he admired him, and tried to warn him against the danger. The prince accepted the grave condition, even though his life was at stake.

After an hour’s silence, the prince turned to the witness and said: “Let us speak, in order to pass the time, for tomorrow I will be hanged.”

“Then the one with the magic potion stood near the girl’s body and sprinkled the potion on her, and all at once she began to breathe. But after she had been revived, and embraced her father and mother amid great rejoicing, the three men began to argue over her.

“The owner of the flying carpet said: ‘If it were not for my magic carpet, which carried us a great distance as fast as lightning, we would not have arrived in time to revive the girl. Therefore she should be my bride.’

The witness replied: “I am not permitted to speak to you or to say anything. I am only a witness whose job it is to listen.”

The king’s messenger summoned a person to come to the palace at once. When the man saw that the messenger was wearing black garments and had an angry look on his face, he was immediately gripped by a feeling of terror, for perhaps he was destined to receive a harsh punishment from the king.