A Story of Two Merchants

Posted on Thursday, 14, July, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Every day the blessing, “Blessed are you G-d, our L-rd, King of the universe who forms light and creates darkness, who makes peace and creates all things” is said and is overlooked. Many don’t realize that this blessing is based on, “I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am the L-rd, that does all these things. (Isaiah 45:7). One should bless the good (“I form the light…I make peace) as well as the bad (create darkness…create evil).

A question is asked, “What is the verse that alludes to this? ‘I will sing of loving-kindness and justice; unto you, O L-rd, will I sing praises’ (Psalms 101:1). Rav Acha explains: If it is loving-kindness, I will sing, and if it is justice, I will sing.” (Berachos 60b) In other words I will thank G-d in song for the bad just as for the good.

It once happened that two merchants agreed to set out on a journey to a faraway city to go to a fair to buy wares to sell in their village. They equipped themselves with all the needs and supplies for the voyage. Together they made their way to the harbor to board a ship. As they walked through the streets, one of them stumbled and hurt his foot so badly that he was forced to cancel his trip.

The ship had weighed anchor and unfurled its sails and was ready to set sail and could not wait for the unfortunate merchant to heal from his wound. So his companion went with all the other merchants, while the merchant who had fallen and became injured remained behind, bitter and angry. He was very angry at his bad luck because he had injured his leg and could not travel with the other merchants. His anger and bitterness of losing all the profit he might have made from the journey to such a point that he complained and freely cursed the ways of heaven.

After some time news came that the ship had sunk in the sea, and all the merchants aboard had drowned. When the injured merchant heard what had happened, he began to give thanks to the Holy One, blessed be He by whose kindness he had fallen and injured his leg. The merchant realized that if he had gone on the ship he would have been lost with all the other merchants. The merchant regretted all the curses and complaints he had made and repented for all the things he had said of heaven. The merchant began to praise and extol the wonders of heaven. That’s why it says in the Book of Isaiah, “Your anger has subsided and You have comforted me.” (12:1)

What is meant by the verse, “G-d Who alone does wondrous things; blessed is His glorious Name forever” (Psalms 72:18,19)? Even the person for whom the miracle is performed is unaware of the miracle, only G-d knows it.

Based on Nidah 31a

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A Salty Conversation

Posted on Monday, 4, July, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Two rabbis once set out together on a three-day journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a town somewhere in the countryside in a faraway country.

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

She served them with great respect, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ one of the rabbis replied, ” but it could have used just a little more salt.”

As the woman left, the other holy rabbi turned white. “I can’t believe it” he sighed. “All my life I have avoided speaking or listening to unkind speech and now Hashem made me come with you, and I have to suffer by hearing you speak such unkind words. I regret that I came here with you and I am convinced that the purpose of our trip is not truly a holy mission after all. Otherwise this would not have happened.”

Seeing the rabbi’s reaction, his companion became flustered and frightened. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he stammered. “I said that the food was good — I only added that it needed some salt. Surely you know that ‘all dishes require salt’. (Beitza 14a)”

“You simply don’t realize the power of words” cried the upset rabbi. “Speech is a G-d given gift peculiar to man, and must not be employed for that which is degrading. (Maimonides, guide for the perplexed 3.8 c. 1190). Our hostess probably doesn’t do her own cooking. Her cook could well be a poor widow who needs this job to support her children. Now, because of what you said, the owner will go back to the kitchen and complain to the cook that the food didn’t have enough salt. In self defense the poor widow will deny it and will say, “Of course I put enough salt in the food. I even tasted it before you served it.”

“The owner will then accuse her of lying and say, “Do you think that the holy rabbis out there are liars? You are the one who is lying!” They will argue, strong words will lead to even stronger words and the owner will get so angry that she will fire the poor cook. The woman will then be out of a job. Look how many sins you caused:

You spoke unkind words;

you caused the owner and myself to listen to unkind words;

you caused the owner to repeat the unkind words and that is the sin of rechilus (speech that potentially can cause ill will between people);

you caused the cook to lie;

because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and

you caused an argument, another Torah violation.”

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exaggerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

“If that is what you think,” replied the holy rabbi as he stood up, “let’s go to the kitchen and see for ourselves.”

As they opened the door to the kitchen, they saw that the owner was indeed scolding the cook as the poor woman stood wiping the tears from her eyes. When the rabbi saw what was happening he became pale and ran over to the cook, begged forgiveness and apologized profusely for any harm or distress he may have caused her. He pleaded with the owner to forgive and forget the incident and begged her to let the woman stay on the job. He even offered to pay her to keep the cook.

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,^“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Flame, Clay, Glass and Breath

Posted on Monday, 27, June, 2016Sunday, 3, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Once upon a time there was a man who lived in the ancient city of Tzipori whose son had died. A man of no belief sat by his side. Rabbi Jose ben Chalafta came to visit the grieving father. The man of no belief saw that he was smiling and heard him greet the grieving father “Baruch dayan ha-emes” (Blessed is the True Judge.) The man of no belief asked, “Rabbi, How can you be so insensitive and why are you smiling?”

The rabbi replied, “I trust in G-d and believe that the man will see his son again in the World to Come.”

The man of no belief then said, “Is not his sorrow enough for the man that you should come and sadden him even more? Can broken shards be made to fit together again? Is it not written, “you will dash them to pieces like pottery (Psalms 2:9) And further it is not taught in your books, “just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired. They will bury the dead” (Jeremiah 19:11)?

The rabbi replied, “Earthen vessels are made by water and perfected by fire. Vessels of glass are both made by fire and perfected by fire. Earthen ones, if broken, cannot be repaired, but glass ones, if broken, can be repaired.”

The man of no belief accused, “How silly are you. Everyone knows that once glass is broken it shatters into thousands of shards, never to be repaired. What you say is impossible.”

The rabbi replied, “Glass vessels are made by blowing. If the glass vessel that is made by the blowing air, and when shattered can be heated by fire and again blown with air and be repaired. Then a soul and life can be blown into a mortal person by the Holy One, blessed be He. For are we not taught ‘Then G-d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul’ (Genesis 2:7)

The man of no belief replied, “your thoughts are not the way of the world and your ways are strange for you choose not to see or believe the wisdom of the world.”

The rabbi looked upon the man of no belief and sadly shook his head and answered, “The wonders of creation and all that is in this world and the next are gifts from G-d. We learn about people like you where it is written, ‘Fools mock at sin, but the upright enjoy God’s favor.’ (Proverbs 14:9)”

Based on Bereishis Rabbah 14:7

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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Mottel the Vassertreyger

Posted on Wednesday, 8, June, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Mottel the Vassertreyger worked all day carrying water to all his customers. He was not very learned and tried to study the holy books, but he just couldn’t understand the words. He had a big heart and tried to live according to the traditions of the Jewish people. Sadly, there were those who made fun of him because he didn’t know a lot of Torah, he stumbled through his prayers and never learned Talmud.

If anyone needed water for Shabbos, Yom Tov or for any holy purpose, Mottel would bring them all they needed without charge. There was alte Chaya Sora who always had her fill of water and Mottel refused to accept even the smallest coin from her. Mottel always made sure the two barrels at the shul were always full.

Rarely was he called up to the Torah on Shabbos as he would stumble through the blessings. But when a strong person would be needed for hagbah, he’d open the holy Torah on the bimah (reading table), spread his arms and lift the Sacred Scroll as high as he could. When he would hold the wooden handles and the congregation would sing “Ve-zos ha-torah asher sam mosheh lifnei benei yisrael, al pi Adoshem b’yad mosheh” (And this is the Torah which Moses set before the children of Israel, according to the commandment of the L-rd by the hand of Moses.) the words would wrap around his heart. A tear would form in his eye as he felt the parchment feel his joy and Mottel could almost see each word, sometimes each letter of the Law rise off the holy Torah scroll to dance around him.

Mottel came to the shul for Leil Tikkun Shavuous (the custom of engaging in all-night Torah study the first night of Shavuous) but could not understand the studies, but waited patiently for the stories and songs of the night. Each story and song touched Mottel’s heart. He knew that the words to the Torah song “etz chayim hi lamachazikim ba, Vesomecheha me’ushar. Deracheha – darechei noam, Vechol nesivosecha shalom (It is a tree of life to them that grasp it, and of them that uphold it every one is rendered happy. (Proverbs 3:18) Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.) was about him.

The Ten Commandments were read from the Torah on Shavuous and Mottel felt the holy words deep inside. Then someone called him for hagbah, he was chosen to hold the Torah high so everyone could see it, just like Moshe did on Mount Sinai.

Mottel the Vassertreyger can feel the fire of G-d’s Word. Mottel didn’t know a lot of Torah, he stumbled through his prayers and never learned Talmud. Mottel doesn’t need to. The words know him.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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A Sofer’s Son’s Story

Posted on Sunday, 5, June, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Dovid loved his father who everyday went into a special room just to write beautiful and important things. The most important were Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzahs. Dovid’s father “was a scribe, expert in the law of Moses that the L-rd G-d of Israel had given (Ezra 7:6).

One morning, after his father went to the old wooden shul to pray, Dovid quietly went into his father’s special room to write his own Torah. The room was so neat, the surface of his father’s writing desk clean and ready. Dovid took a sheet of parchment from a large wooden drawer. He took a jar of ink and a quill off the shelf and climbed into his father’s chair so he could reach the top of the desk. He poured some ink into a small glass just like his father. And as he dipped the quill into the ink, he trembled a little as he was filled with awe and joy at the same time. Dovid would write his own Torah! The Torah of his father and his father’s father, who received it from the rabbis, who received it from the prophets, who received it from the judges, who received it from Joshua, who received it from Moses himself, who stood in G-d’s Holy Presence at Mount Sinai. And for a moment Dovid was there, he was there at Mount Sinai with Moshe and Aaron and Miriam. Dovid saw the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud. He heard the strong voice of the Holy One, blessed be He began to speak the words that all nations heard and the deafening silence that followed. He watched as G-d held the holy mountain over the people’s heads. And Dovid the sofer’s son said to no one in particular, “Na’aseh v’neeshma. I will do, and I will listen.” (Exodus 24:7)

So Dovid began to write the first few words, Bereishis (In the beginning), Barah. (created), Elokim (G-d). “Yes!” Dovid thought. What could be more true and perfect and full of love then G-d in the beginning creating the world and us in order of give us the most beautiful and holy book ever? In order to give it to me?

Just then, his father walked into the study. Dovid looked up at his father and looked back at his work. Drips of ink on the desk. Smudges on the back of the parchment. And three beautiful words of Torah.

“Taty, I’m writing a Torah.”

His father picked him up and scolded him and told Dovid

never to do this again

and that Dovid did a beautiful job and

never to do this again

and how proud Papa was of Dovid and

never to do this again.

His father put Dovid back in the chair, a tear of joy in his eye. “We’ll clean this up together.”

But in his heart his father said:

“Baruch atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha-Olam shecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higyanu lazman hazeh.” (Blessed are You, O L-rd our G-d, for giving us life, sustaining us and allowing us to reach this joyous time.)

And G-d looked down at Dovid and his father and all the beautiful and holy words they had made had made. And G-d said, “Tov Me-od.” It is very good.

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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Matzah and Shalom Bayis (Peace in the Family)

Posted on Tuesday, 19, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The rabbi’s wife was busy in the kitchen with all the last-minute preparations for the Seder, when there was a knock at the door. A young girl who was helping in the rabbi’s house prepare for the Seder, as Pesach (Passover) was always special with the holy rabbi, answered the knock at the door. Someone had come to the home of the holy rabbi with a request for matzah for the seder. Seeing a stack of matzos wrapped up in a napkin, the young girl who opened the door innocently gave them away and hurried back to work. Puffing and steaming, the rabbi’s wife came along soon after and saw that the matzos had vanished. She was shocked, these were none other than the select matzos which had been baked that same day with holy intentions, and with all manner of careful precautions against chametz, were baked for the holy rabbi’s Seder, it was too late to undo. She felt her heart sag within her. How could she tell her husband of the mishap and cause him spiritual anguish? There was only one thing to do. She took a bundle of plain, ordinary matzos, deftly wrapped them up in the very same napkin, and pretended to know nothing of the whole affair. That same evening, her husband conducted the Seder with the ordinary matzos.

Soon after the festival was over, the holy rabbi was visited by a couple seeking a divorce.

“What makes you want to divorce your wife?” he asked the husband.

The young man answered that his wife had refused his request to cook for him during Pesach in separate utensils without shruyah — for it is the custom of certain pious folk to avoid allowing even baked matzah to come in contact with water throughout the festival.

Hearing this, the holy rabbi called for his wife and said, “Tell me the whole truth, please. What kind of matzos were placed before me at the Seder table?”

The rabbi’s wife was afraid to speak up, so she held her peace.

“Do tell me, please,” he reassured her; “have no fear.”

The rabbi’s wife mumbled the truth: “Ordinary matzos, because I did not want to cause you any anguish …” And she proceeded to tell the whole story.

The holy rabbi then turned to the over-zealous young husband standing before him, “Look here, my son,” he said. “On the first night of Pesach I ate plain, ordinary matzah and pretended not to know nor sense the difference, in order that I should not be brought to expressing hard feelings or harsh words, God forbid — and you want to divorce your wife because of shruyah, the way she cooks?!”

The tzaddik then restored harmony between them, and they left him in peace.

As Jewish people all over the world gather for their Seders may they offer up heartfelt prayers for peace

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Stories Should Never Come To An End Page

The Beggar’s Seder

Posted on Monday, 18, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This story was posted on the Story Tour Blog in April 2009, we dusted it off and removed the chometz and have it ready for Passover this year. Enjoy and share with others, or even at your Seder table.

Pesach (Passover) was approaching quickly and everyone was preparing for the holiday. Once two Jewish beggars were traveling together. One beggar told the other to go to the shul (synagogue), and the Jewish householders would have pity on him and invite him to a Passover Seder.

And so it was, both beggars were invited to seders. The evening started with Kiddush (the blessing over wine), and the one beggar thought to himself:

“Good wine means good food.”

As the seder continued to karpas, the beggar was given a green vegetable and thought:

“Wine now a piece of salad, this is going to be a great meal.”

The seder progressed as there was much discussion until it came to the part of matzah. The beggar was given a piece of matzah, and thought,

“Thank goodness the meal is about to begin.”

After eating the matzah, the beggar was given a piece of maror (bitter herb – horseradish) which burned his mouth and made his eyes water. He jumped up from the table and ran out the door.

“How was your Seder?” asked one beggar to the other. The unhappy beggar then told him what had happened. They gave me 2 cups of wine, a sprig of parsley, a dried cracker (matzah) and hot stuff. It was torture so got up and left!”

“Fool!” replied the one beggar to the other. “If you had waited just a little longer, you would have had a fine meal, as I had.”

The same is true when we want to come close to G-d. After all the effort to begin, we are given a little bitterness. This bitterness is needed to purify the body. But we might think that this bitterness is all there is to serving G-d, so we run away from it. This is a mistake. If we would only wait just a short while — if we would allow ourselves to be purified – then we would experience every joy and delight in the world in our closeness to G-d.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3) Please share this story with family and friends and leave us a comment or two.

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

Story Tour: The Journey Begins

This special book of stories would be a nice Pesach/Afikomen Gift Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Click here for the the new book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins filled with 72 stories from the Story Tour Blog

Passover, Smugglers and Guards

Posted on Sunday, 17, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This story was originally posted in 2009, so we dusted it off and polished it just a little.

Passover is one of the most celebrated holidays among the Jewish people. Every year they clean their homes and remove unleavened products, chometz. As they celebrate the Seder, the story of the leaving of Egypt and slavery is told as family and friends enjoy fellowship, prayer and good food in the service of the Holy One, blessed be He.

no-chometz

It was late in the afternoon before the beginning of Passover, and the holy rabbi was wandering through the streets of the Jewish quarter when he came upon some smugglers. From one he quietly asked how much for some tobacco, from another he inquired about the availability of smuggled brocades and imported embroideries. No matter what item he wanted, it was available for the right price.

When he asked if the smugglers could get him some bread or whiskey, they became upset and one stepped forward and said: “Rabbi, are you trying to insult me? The Passover Seder will be starting in just a few hours and no Jewish person would have even a speck of chametz left in his home or business.”

Not one merchant was able to come up with even a crumb of bread or drop of alcohol. No matter the price offered, not one merchant was willing or able to come up with even a crumb of bread or drop of alcohol. The town had removed its chometz and was ready to fullfill the religious requirements of the Seder meals and the Passover holiday.

Thrilled with the results of his failed quest, the rabbi looked up to heaven and declared: “Ribbono shel olam (Master of the Universe), look down with pride at Your people! The Czar has border guards and tax-commissioners dedicated to his commands. The law-enforcement and justice systems are devoted to tracking down and punishing smugglers and black-marketers and yet anything one could possibly want is freely available. Compare this with the faith and devotion of Your children. It has been over 3000 years since you commanded us to observe Passover. No police, no guards, no soldiers, no jail-and yet every Jewish person keeps your laws to the utmost!

“Mi K’amcha Yisrael – Who is like Your nation, Israel?”

Matzah Kosher

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3) Please share this story with family and friends and leave us a comment or two.

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

Story Tour: The Journey Begins

This special book of stories would be a nice Pesach/Afikomen Gift Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Click here for the the new book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins filled with 72 stories from the Story Tour Blog

Will I be Able to Ask the Mah Nishtanah?

Posted on Thursday, 14, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The storm clouds spread across the skies as the bloodthirsty hordes burst into the city and surrounded the bishops tower. Standing above the barred door a strong voice was heard, “the people in this tower or under my protection. Go on and shed not innocent blood!”

The armed mob responded, “hand them over! They are cursed and deserve to die!”

The bishop’s voice boomed, “what have they done, but practice their beliefs? All they ask is for peace.”

“We shall give them the peace of the grave” came a response as a mailed fist urged the crowd forward.

In the lowest level of the tower there was a single cell, in it sat the last Jewish family of York, with one Jewish child. Until a time of peace comes there won’t be another Seder such as this.

The young boy takes a deep breath and begins, “Taty, ich fregen…, Father I ask, why do we suffer so much more than everyone else in the world?” This question travels one into the world to the other that ascends to the very heavens. The lone child in the lowest level of the tower in York is asking the King of all Kings the deepest of all questions. His father slowly begins to answer, “Avadim hayinu, we were slaves….”, Sadly the story is so long and has no end until the time of peace comes.

The young boy continues, “Taty, can I ask one more question of my own? Will you answer my questions at next year’s Seder? Will I be alive to ask the Mah Nishtanah? Will any Jewish voice be heard anywhere in the world to ask the Mah Nishtanah?” Silence fell in the heavens as the young boy asked Mah Nishtanah, but when he asked his own question, tears flowed freely throughout the heavens.

With a deep breath and a strong voice, the young boy’s father answered, “Ki v’sheim kodshechah nishbato lo, by Your Holy Name You promised to him shelo yichbeh neiro l’olam va’ed, that his light would never go out.

The father spoke to his son, “I don’t know if you will ask the Mah Nishtanah next year. I don’t know if I will be here to answer your questions. There is one thing I am sure of the, there will always be at least one holy child to ask the Mah Nishtanah, because the Holy One. blessed be He promised us there would always be a young voice to be heard.”

Mah-Nishtanah-from-the-Srajevo-Haggadah2

When the rabbis of old originally asked Mah Nishtanah (Talmud Yerushalmi, Pesachim, 60b; Talmud Bavli, Pesachim, 116a) it was during the time of the Romans and their brutality, the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach. As the armies marched across Europe during the Crusades and countless thousands of people suffered terribly the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach. When the Black Death swept through the land and the Jewish communities were blamed, the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella signed the fateful papers authorizing the Inquisition and expulsion, the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach. When Bogdan Chelminicki and his hordes massacred and destroyed whole Jewish communities, the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach. In the hopeless ghettos of Lodz, Bialystok, Częstochowa and Warsaw where death and destruction were common, the Mah Nishtanah was asked and the Jewish people patiently waited for Moshiach.

The question is raised, “When will the Messiah come? Today, if you listen to his voice.” (Sanhedrin 98a). The secret is hidden from man, but it is also revealed to him, because the coming of the Messiah depends not only on God’s grace but also on man’s deeds. Our task is to bend our will to God’s will in order that we might heal those breaches that separate the man from his fellow man and that rammed a man within himself.

Until that day comes lets us say with a full heart, “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah (Moshiach), and though he may tarry, still I await him every day.” (Maimonides, 13 principles of faith).

The Mah Nishtanah will be said at every Seder now and in the time of Moshiach – the Messiah.

May your Seder welcome Eliyahu haNovi (Elijah the Prophet) and may he bring us

good tidings that we should be worthy of receiving the Messiah in our own lifetime.

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)

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

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Shema and Pesach

Posted on Sunday, 10, April, 2016Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

This was originally posted in April 2011, this is based on that post with some changes.

One prayer unites Jewish people around the world, the Shema. Everyday in every Jewish community the words of the Shema are said: Hear O Israel, the L-rd is Our G-d, the Lord is One.

Many rabbis and many more people have pondered over the first sentence of the Shema. The Shema has become a declaration of the Jewish people, an affirmation of faith, a vital part of the prayer service, and meditation.

Every Jewish person can have a relationship with G-d as it says in the Shema “our G-d” Pesach is a time when Jewish people come together to read the Haggadah and celebrate this joyous holiday.

Before beginning his own Seder, the holy rabbi of the village would wander about the cottages of the local people to see how they conducted their Seders, As he walked down the cobblestoned alleys he could hear from all sides the voices of simple Jewish families singing and reciting the narrative of the Haggadah. He once stopped near the wooden shutters of one of the cottages and heard a voice reading aloud:

Passover Four Sons

The Torah speaks of four sons: one wise son, one wicked son, one simple son, and one who does not know how to ask questions.”

And every time the reader came to the word for “one” — echad — he would cry it out aloud with prolonged concentration, just as people do when they say Shema Yisrael.

The holy rabbi was delighted, and commented later that this simple villager had made out of the Four Sons of the Haggadah — including even the wicked son — a sublime prayer, a prayer as sacred as the Shema.

There are always the scholars and learned in the community, but too many people drift away, and some never learned much, others search for meaning in Judaism, while a few corrupt or even ridicule Jewish teachings to their own purposes. No matter where one looks they will always find in the Jewish community the wise who follow the ways of Judaism, the wicked who deny their Jewishness, the simple who know they are Jewish and have limited understanding and those who do not even know how to ask questions to begin their search.

Every year we read the words of the Haggadah: “All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate the Passover with us.” Let all of our prayers come together so that all Jewish people can unite as one and say the Shema and bring peace so that we can all celebrate Pesach in the Holy City of Jerusalem next year.

What is meant by the verse, “G-d Who alone does wondrous things; blessed is His glorious Name forever” (Psalms 72:18,19)? Even the person for whom the miracle is performed is unaware of the miracle, only G-d knows it.

Based on Nidah 31a

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) Please share this story with family, friends and others. We welcome your comments and discussions about this story

Two rabbis once set out together on a three-day journey to do a d’var mitzvah (a deed of religious importance) in a town somewhere in the countryside in a faraway country.

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high stan­dards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

She served them with great respect, and when they finished the meal she approached them and asked, “So how did you like my food?” she asked the rabbis. “Oh, it was quite good,’ one of the rabbis replied, ” but it could have used just a little more salt.”

Seeing the rabbi’s reaction, his companion became flustered and frightened. “What did I say that was so wrong?” he stammered. “I said that the food was good — I only added that it needed some salt. Surely you know that ‘all dishes require salt’. (Beitza 14a)”

You spoke unkind words;

you caused the owner and myself to listen to unkind words;

you caused the owner to repeat the unkind words and that is the sin of rechilus (speech that potentially can cause ill will between people);

you caused the cook to lie;

because of you the owner caused pain to a widow, and

you caused an argument, another Torah violation.”

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exag­gerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

“If that is what you think,” replied the holy rabbi as he stood up, “let’s go to the kitchen and see for ourselves.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

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) Please share this story with others

The rabbi replied, “I trust in G-d and believe that the man will see his son again in the World to Come.”

The rabbi replied, “Earthen vessels are made by wa­ter and perfected by fire. Vessels of glass are both made by fire and perfected by fire. Earthen ones, if broken, can­not be repaired, but glass ones, if broken, can be repaired.”

The man of no belief accused, “How silly are you. Everyone knows that once glass is broken it shatters into thousands of shards, never to be repaired. What you say is impossible.”

The man of no belief replied, “your thoughts are not the way of the world and your ways are strange for you choose not to see or believe the wisdom of the world.”

Based on Bereishis Rabbah 14:7

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 Ten Commandments were read from the Torah on Shavuous and Mottel felt the holy words deep inside. Then someone called him for hagbah, he was chosen to hold the Torah high so everyone could see it, just like Moshe did on Mount Sinai.

Mottel the Vassertreyger can feel the fire of G-d’s Word. Mottel didn’t know a lot of Torah, he stumbled through his prayers and never learned Talmud. Mottel doesn’t need to. The words know him.

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)

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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Dovid loved his father who everyday went into a special room just to write beautiful and important things. The most important were Torah scrolls, tefillin and mezuzahs. Dovid’s father “was a scribe, expert in the law of Moses that the L-rd G-d of Israel had given (Ezra 7:6).

Just then, his father walked into the study. Dovid looked up at his father and looked back at his work. Drips of ink on the desk. Smudges on the back of the parchment. And three beautiful words of Torah.

“Taty, I’m writing a Torah.”

His father picked him up and scolded him and told Dovid

never to do this again

and that Dovid did a beautiful job and

never to do this again

and how proud Papa was of Dovid and

never to do this again.

His father put Dovid back in the chair, a tear of joy in his eye. “We’ll clean this up together.”

But in his heart his father said:

“Baruch atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha-Olam shecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higyanu lazman hazeh.” (Blessed are You, O L-rd our G-d, for giving us life, sustaining us and allowing us to reach this joyous time.)

And G-d looked down at Dovid and his father and all the beautiful and holy words they had made had made. And G-d said, “Tov Me-od.” It is very good.

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)

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

Please share this story with family and friends

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Soon after the festival was over, the holy rabbi was visited by a couple seeking a divorce.

“What makes you want to divorce your wife?” he asked the husband.

The young man answered that his wife had refused his request to cook for him during Pesach in separate utensils without shruyah — for it is the custom of certain pious folk to avoid allowing even baked matzah to come in contact with water throughout the festival.

Hearing this, the holy rabbi called for his wife and said, “Tell me the whole truth, please. What kind of matzos were placed before me at the Seder table?”

The rabbi’s wife was afraid to speak up, so she held her peace.

“Do tell me, please,” he reassured her; “have no fear.”

The rabbi’s wife mumbled the truth: “Ordinary matzos, because I did not want to cause you any anguish …” And she proceeded to tell the whole story.

The tzaddik then restored harmony between them, and they left him in peace.

As Jewish people all over the world gather for their Seders may they offer up heartfelt prayers for peace

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The rabbi adds stories to the Story Tour Blog with the hope of strengthening faith and understanding through the many readers and communities. Due to rising expenses and the need to work longer hours and harder, his stories have become less frequent.

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This story was posted on the Story Tour Blog in April 2009, we dusted it off and removed the chometz and have it ready for Passover this year. Enjoy and share with others, or even at your Seder table.

Pesach (Passover) was approaching quickly and everyone was preparing for the holiday. Once two Jewish beggars were traveling together. One beggar told the other to go to the shul (synagogue), and the Jewish householders would have pity on him and invite him to a Passover Seder.

And so it was, both beggars were invited to seders. The evening started with Kiddush (the blessing over wine), and the one beggar thought to himself:

“Good wine means good food.”

As the seder continued to karpas, the beggar was given a green vegetable and thought:

“Wine now a piece of salad, this is going to be a great meal.”

The seder progressed as there was much discussion until it came to the part of matzah. The beggar was given a piece of matzah, and thought,

“Thank goodness the meal is about to begin.”

After eating the matzah, the beggar was given a piece of maror (bitter herb – horseradish) which burned his mouth and made his eyes water. He jumped up from the table and ran out the door.

Along the way they stopped at an inn known for its high standards of keeping kosher. The woman who owned the inn showed the holy rabbis to a special table where they could eat and discuss holy things.

The rabbi smiled at the holy rabbi, his companion and said softly and respectfully, “Rabbi, please, you are exaggerating. You’re carrying this just a bit too far. A few simple words cannot possibly have done all that.”

The innkeeper was really a kindly woman and she also wanted to do as the rabbi asked. ” “It shall be as you ask,^“ she said hastily. ” I only wanted to impress on her the need to be more careful. She is really a fine cook and she will remain here at her job.”

The rabbi replied, “Earthen vessels are made by water and perfected by fire. Vessels of glass are both made by fire and perfected by fire. Earthen ones, if broken, cannot be repaired, but glass ones, if broken, can be repaired.”