The Proper Match and the Right Question

Posted on Tuesday, 2, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Everyone respected the village rabbi, and his wisdom was known throughout the world. He had a daughter who was quite beautiful and she was wise like her father and also kind. Of her, it was said, “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and a lesson of lovingkindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26) The rabbi wanted to see his daughter married to a worthy young man. He traveled to the city where there was a great school where the Torah (Scriptures) was studied. He hoped to find a suitable husband for his daughter. Upon arriving in the city, he got the word out that the one who showed the most outstanding Torah scholarship would be the one chosen for his daughter.

The village rabbi posed a question to the potential suitors, and one by one, each tried to answer it. However, the village rabbi rejected every single answer. Not one student could find a solution to the question. With a heavy heart, he asked, “Where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12)

Sadly, it came time for the rabbi to return to his village. The city and the school were embarrassed that he would be leaving without a match for his daughter. Suddenly, as the community members were saying their goodbyes, one young student came to the village rabbi and said, “To leave without finding a suitable match for your wonderful daughter is very heartbreaking, but are we not taught, ‘My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.’ (Psalm 49:3) Please tell us what the answer to the question is?”

Proverbs 31:26

The village rabbi looked at the young man in amazement and then replied, “You, young man, are the one I want for my daughter. Any person who is interested in learning Torah for its own sake and not for any other reason is the one I want for my daughter.”

The village rabbi spoke and reminded those surrounding him, “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.’ (Proverbs 2:10), and he continued, ‘Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,’ “ (Proverbs 3:13)

The village rabbi blessed the match between the young man and his daughter, saying”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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No Better than a Horse

Posted on Tuesday, 25, July, 2023 by Rabbi

A young student came to Tam and Chacham and asked to receive semichah – rabbinical ordination. Tam was studying from a holy book while Chacham stood at the window looking out at the snow-covered courtyard.

Tam asked the young student about himself, and the student told him he was determined to live a pure and holy life. “interesting”, and how do you do that?” asked Tam. “I pray with strength and devotion, bless the humble meals I eat every day, and spend many hours studying the holy Torah,” answered the young student.

“Your efforts are indeed noteworthy, but do you help others?” inquired Tam.

The student immediately replied, “I don’t interrupt my prayer and study for any reason. I don’t want to come into contact with any impurities which would prevent me from my holy lifestyle.” The young student thought for a moment and then continued, “The study of Torah is the foundation and the study of other things secondary.” (Iggeres ha-v’Kuach, 13th CE).

Tam slowly drew in his breath and commented, “The holy law imposes no asceticism” (Sefer ha-Kuzari 2:51, c. 1125 ce), and then seemed to drift off into thought.

Chacham, looking out of the window, wondered why the young student afflicted his body by drinking nothing but water; had nails in his shoes so that he should suffer pain when he walked each day, even in the coldest weather, he rolled in the snow, and he had someone give him thirty-nine lashes.

Just then, a horse entered the courtyard, drank water from the trough there, and rolled in the snow.

“See,” said Chacham to the young student, “that creature, too, only drinks water, has nails in its shoes, rolls in the snow, and certainly receives more than thirty-nine lashes daily – and it is still no more than a horse.”

The young student was devastated by what Tam and Chacham had said to him. Tam explained that the young student had to learn a bit more before he could be ready to receive semichah – rabbinical ordination.

Chacham gently guided the young student, “Study of Torah is important, but the application to oneself and the world around you is crucial. How can you hope to guide and teach people about peace if you don’t have peace in yourself?”

The disappointment showed in the face of the young student as Chacham continued, “Man is different and not like an animal, as it is written, ‘And the L-rd 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)

To be a leader, a teacher, and a resource to the community, a rabbi must realize that we were created from the physical world as well as the spiritual world. People have to understand that they can be of this world and the spiritual world at the same time.”

Tam added, “So long as you live and treat yourself as an animal, you can not share the light of spirituality of the sense of peace to those who need them. Learn more and come back after you have found the holy in the mundane, and then we will consider your request.”

Tam called to the young student and blessed him, “May it be your will, O L-rd our G-d, to establish peace among the students who engage in your Holy Word – the Torah. (Berachos 16b -17a)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Business, Time and Faith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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In the Opposite Direction

Posted on Tuesday, 9, November, 2021Sunday, 18, February, 2024 by Rabbi

Two young men learned together in the same yeshivah (school). They were both very gifted and hardworking, and each progressed steadily in his Torah (Bible) and religious studies. When they grew older, however, they went their separate ways: One of them continued to pursue his Torah (Bible) and religious studies in a different yeshivah, while the other one deviated from the path of Torah (Bible) and religious studies. He studied medicine and eventually became a world-renowned doctor.

The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“At that moment,” continued the rabbi, “a man happened to pass by and overheard our conversation. He told me that a magnificent coach harnessed to fine horses was parked on the outskirts of the city. If I so desired, he said, I could travel home in it. The ride would be comfortable and quick, and it would cost only a few copper coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

In this world every person must occupy himself with studying Torah and performing good deeds, which he will ultimately be able to take with him to the World to Come. However, if man chooses to pursue fleeting pleasures and all of the luxuries that this world has to offer, he may travel in comfort, but it will be in the opposite direction!

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tainted Soup and Torah Learning

Posted on Friday, 28, May, 2021Thursday, 18, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Everyone in the village was excited as a very holy rabbi was coming for a short visit. The entire community was ready to greet and receive a blessing from the holy rabbi.

A wave of emotion and joy moved through the waiting crowd as the holy rabbi climbed down from his carriage. Many people called out a cheery Shalom Aleichem, while others tried to give a welcoming handshake.

Every day, a long line of people stood in front of the house where he was staying. Among them were Torah scholars who sought his help in resolving difficulties that arose in their studies, while others came to receive his blessing or advice about matters in their personal lives.

One woman, Esther Feiga burst into tears as soon as she entered the holy rabbi’s room. She had nine sons, eight of whom were both dedicated and successful in their Torah studies in the yeshivah. But she was upset about Moshe Dovid, her fifteen-year-old, who was struggling in the study of Torah and other holy writings. Nobody could understand why, since he was a clever lad, who did excellently in his secular subjects, such as grammar and math.

The holy rabbi listened carefully to her concerns. He thought for a few moments and then said, “The greatest authorities in Jewish law have written that one must be exceedingly careful that young children should not taste any forbidden foods, since such foods can dull and coarsen the mind towards Torah.”

Esther Feiga was startled at the implication that her son could have eaten something not kosher, but she did her best to keep her face impassive. The rabbi nevertheless picked up on her thought and said gently, “Perhaps it happened once without you knowing it, and that is why he has so much trouble understanding the Torah.”

“What can we do about it then?” asked Esther Feiga, still shocked at the idea.

Esther Feiga’s husband was disturbed to hear their son had eaten non-kosher food. How could it be? Their children never ate anything other than what they received at home. He called Moshe Dovid and asked him if he had ever eaten anything outside of the house. The boy answered that he never had, but his father asked that he think about it more thoroughly. Finally, Moshe Dovid remembered that once, many years before when he was much younger, something had happened one cold wintery day.

He and his friends were going home from school when they passed the village inn, they saw that a wedding was about to take place. One of the members of the wedding party noticed them, invited them to come in, and offered them something to eat. To the best of his memory, he took a bit of chicken-lentil soup.

His parents were surprised to hear about the incident, especially after so many years had passed, but they did not see how it explained what the holy rabbi said to them. Both the innkeeper of the inn and the shochet (ritual slaughterer) who slaughtered meat for him were known to be very strict in their observance of kashrus (kosher laws) and true G-d fearing men.

The confused father was determined to pursue the matter till the end. He hurried over to the innkeeper and discussed the matter with him. The innkeeper willingly took out his old record books to try to identity exactly whose wedding it was that took place on that cold wintery day.

It turned out to not be so difficult after all. In looking through the ten year old ledger, he found it clearly written that second wedding of Isaac Abromovitch was held at the inn and that the groom had paid the entire bill in advance.

The father of Moshe Dovid knew Isaac Abromovitch very well. He was an uncouth man, not exceptionally observant, who lived in a house at the outskirts of town. Nevertheless, this information still did not solve the family’s mystery. The food had been prepared under the control of the inn, not the married couple.

So the father decided to go next to the house of the shochet. The shochet received him politely asked what was the reason for the surprise visit. Upon hearing that the matter concerned the wedding of Isaac Abromovitch, the shochet was visibly distressed.

“Oy, oy!” he cried out. “Once again I have to rake that open wound!”

Moshe Dovid’s father was startled by his words. His ears picked up as the shochet proceeded to supply details.

“I made a mistake in the slaughter of the chickens for that wedding. Not that I actually made any mistakes in the procedures,” he hastened to explain. “But something was very wrong. Only, I didn’t know it at the time. Not until a few days after that wedding.

“Walking in the street, I was met by one of the men who study Torah all day in the shul (synagogue). As I passed by him he gave me a hard stare and said, ‘Who would have thought? A respected Jew sells his soul in pursuit of monetary gain! Unbelievable!’”

“I was shocked to hear such words directed at me. I stared at him, seeking in utter confusion. He said, ‘We heard that you were the one who slaughtered chickens for the wedding of Abromovitch. Surely you knew that some of the most learned rabbis of our time issued a decree forbidding him to remarry until he properly divorced of his first wife, in which the get, the bill of divorce, turned out to be invalid.’”

“My whole body began to tremble involuntarily as the man took out of his pocket a copy of the letter from the rabbis, saying:

“When I saw that letter with my own eyes,” continued the shochet, “I was beside myself with horror. Even though I had known nothing and heard nothing about the problem with the divorce, I was embarrassed at having transgressed the instructions of the rabbis. I decided to undergo dozens of fasts, which I did, but I still don’t feel as if I have atoned for my error.”

The next day the entire story spread quickly through the village. Everyone was amazed by both the power of decree of the rabbis, and the acute Divine inspiration of the holy rabbi.

Kosher recipes

Chicken Lentil Soup

INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons shmaltz, margarine, or olive oil		2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 large onion, diced		1/8 – ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne if desired
2 medium stalks celery, diced		½ teaspoon coriander
2 medium carrots, diced		1 teaspoon allspice
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced		2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons kosher Salt		12 cups (3 quarts) water
Freshly ground black pepper		2 cups dried lentils
1 teaspoon ground turmeric		1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix spices (salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, cumin, cayenne, coriander and allspice) in a small bowl

Heat the shmaltz, margarine, or olive oil in the bottom of a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Sauté the onion, celery and garlic until soft. Add carrots

Season the vegetables well with spice mix and sauté another 3 – 5 minutes.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook until the tomato paste darkens and sticks a bit to the bottom of the pot, about 2 minutes more.

Add the lentils and 1 cup of water. and cook 3 -5 minutes.

Add the rest of the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer and add the chicken.

Cover and continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours, checking periodically to make sure the soup isn’t bubbling too vigorously.

Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

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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Tea for Three

Posted on Thursday, 11, February, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The old chacham lived in a small apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem where he would study Torah all day. It was said that he knew many secrets of the revealed and hidden torah. For breakfast he would have only a cup of coffee and a roll, for lunch he would have a yogurt, and for supper he would have a bit of rice and soup. He explained to his family why he ate so little. “If one wishes to rise to a high level of spirituality, they should not indulge themself by eating big fancy meals. Therefore, I eat only what I need.”

The chacham’s son lived next door with his family and he had an unmarried daughter. She was very kind and when she opened “her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is upon her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26). She personally took care of her grandfather every day.

One evening, the young girl noticed two guests entering her grandfather’s apartment. “These men look like great Torah scholars,” she whispered to her mother. “The RaMbaM said that lemons can stimulate and refresh the body and mind. I will bring each of them a cup of hot lemon tea to refresh them.”

The girl brought three cups of lemon tea on a tray to her grandfather’s house. She carefully opened the door to his apartment. Her eyes opened wide. She could not believe what she saw. “How could this be?” she exclaimed in wonder. There was only one person sitting in the room — her grandfather. Three open sefarim (holy books) were on the table — one in front of him, and one in front of each of the other two chairs.

He, too, was surprised by his grandaughter’s presence. “Thank you for the tea even though I did not want you to bring it now. Now please, shut the door.”

She closed the door and ran back to her own house. “Mother, you will not believe what I just saw,” she said. “I saw two men enter Grandfather’s

house. I am sure that nobody left. Then, when I opened his door, only Grandfather was there. And there were three open sefarim on the table!”

What had actually happened became very clear. Her holy grandfather, the old chacham was learning together with two heavenly guests. Because of his humility, it was important to him that no one find out about this. He was upset that his secret had finally been discovered, but he also knew that his grand-daughter was on such a high spiritual level that she was able to see them.

Lemon Tea

Lemon Spiced Tea

8 cups water		1/2 cup honey
8 Black tea bags		¼ cup lemon juice
4 lemon-flavored tea bags		1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional
6 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)		Lemon slices and additional cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat; add tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Cover and steep for 6 to 10 minutes.

Discard tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Stir in honey and extract if desired. Serve warm in mugs. Garnish with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks.

In A Forgotten Age

Posted on Thursday, 24, December, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

People were created in the image of G-d. (Genesis 1:27) and as such, must act in holy ways, to treat others with dignity and respect, to behave with moral and ethical character as an essential part of everyone’s life.

It has been noted by those who study the Bible that that the Hebrew term “derech eretz” (literally “way of the land”) is used to describe the behavior of courtesy and respect. It has been said that courtesy as the rule of people existed twenty-six generations before the Revelation at Mount Sinai. “This is the meaning of what is written: ‘To guard the way to the Tree of Life.’ (Gen 3:24) “The way” (derech) refers to derech eretz; afterwards “the Tree of Life’, which is Torah/Scriptures.;’ ” (Vayikra Rabbah 9:3)

In the age when life on earth was full no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the man of ability. Rulers were simply the highest branches on the trees and the people were like deer in the woods. They were honest and righteous without realizing that they were “doing their duty.” They loved each other and did not know this was “love of neighbor.” They deceived no one yet did not know they were “men to be trusted.” They were reliable and did not know that this was “good faith.” They lived freely together giving and taking and did not know they were generous. For this reason their deeds have not been narrated. They made no history. They made and lived in peace.

Derech Eretz

If one presents themselves as religious and learned but does not conduct themselves in an acceptable manner in public, many people will attribute the negative conduct to the faith promoted by the person. About such a person people will say:

We are keenly aware of the impressions of people when they see a “holy/religious” person act without respect and civility showing arrogance, elitism and discourtesy. The Scriptures teaches: “And when they came to the nations, to which they came, they profaned My Holy Name, in that it was said of them, these are the people of the L-rd, and they are gone out from his land!” (Ezekiel 36:20)

One of the important lessons one can learn is before doing the many religious commandments and deeds found in the Holy Books, a person must pave the path with derech eretz, meaning decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, civilized behaviour and good personality traits.

Derech eretz/courtesy and holy teachings go together, for each is necessary for success in the other. Success in the study and practice of faith requires a firm base just as a building must have a foundation to endure. Conversely, Courtesy, respect and civility without Torah/Scriptures is as pointless as a foundation with no building.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Fifty Year Old Honey

Posted on Tuesday, 3, March, 2020Wednesday, 30, August, 2023 by Rabbi

Less than a week after the tzaddik Rabbi Levi Yitzchak moved to Berditchev to serve as chief rabbi, three men knocked on his door to ask him to decide a question of Halachah (Jewish law). It would be his very first case as a rabbinical judge in his new position.

A wealthy merchant from the nearby town of Hemelnick had brought several barrels filled with honey to sell at the big fair in Berditchev. Unfortunately, just then, the price of honey dropped sharply. Not wanting to suffer a loss on his investment, he asked a friend to store the honey for him until the price rose again.

The two were old friends, and the local man was happy to help his friend. Knowing each other to be completely honest, they didn’t write down anything of their arrangement or call in witnesses.

Time went by. The price of honey remained low, so the barrels remained in the Berditchev cellar, untouched.

More time went by. The man on whose property the honey was stored became sick and passed away. Everything happened so quickly, he never had a chance to explain to his family anything about the state of his affairs.

More time passed. The price of honey finally began to climb. When the increase became significant, the owner of the barrels showed up at his deceased friend’s house to claim his honey from the sons who had taken over their father’s business. They, however, having heard nothing about it from their father, refused to honor the merchant’s claim. After some discussion, they decided to proceed to the beis din (rabbinical court) to present the case before the new rabbi.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak listened carefully, even though the law in such a case was clear. Of course he would have to rule against the out-of-town merchant. Even if there had been witnesses or a signed document, Torah law stipulates that no claims against “orphans” (i.e., heirs who are disadvantaged by the fact that they have no way of knowing what transpired between the deceased and their litigant) can be collected without first swearing an oath as to the validity of one’s claim; and here there were neither document nor witnesses.

Nevertheless, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak hesitated to pronounce his verdict and finalize the case. Two nagging thoughts disturbed him. Why, in his first days in his new position, did the G-d arrange for his first religious decision to be something so straightforward and clear-cut, with no room to budge left or right to attempt any sort of compromise?

The other thought that made him uncomfortable was: Why did G-d arrange it so that his very first ruling in this town would be considered bizarre by the entire populace? After all, the merchant from Hemelnick was well-known to everyone as a scrupulously honest man, as someone who was already wealthy and as such immune to monetary pressures, and as far from theft as east is from west. Furthermore, everyone knew that the merchant and the deceased were old friends who trusted each other implicitly, never resorting to documents or witnesses in their transactions. Surely, the entire town would be paying attention to the first ruling handed down by their new rabbi. Everyone was sure to wonder: Why should the law of the Torah be so opposite to common sense? “

He couldn’t bring himself to issue the verdict just yet. The contradiction between the natural sense of what was right and the law of the Torah was too great. Even though the claimant and defendants anxiously awaited his word, he asked them to excuse him for a few more minutes. Turning aside to a corner of the room, he poured forth in silent prayer his frustration, beseeching G-d to enlighten him with understanding.

Suddenly, the owner of the honey jumped off his seat as if struck by a bolt of lightning, and exclaimed: “I remember! I remember!” So struck was he by his recollection, and so convinced of its importance and relevance, he didn’t hesitate to interrupt the Rabbi, who was standing in the corner, absorbed in his personal prayer.

“Honored Rabbi, please forgive me,” he called out excitedly. “While waiting here I had the most amazing realization! An old memory, which I haven’t thought about in many years, just flashed through my mind. Rescued from oblivion! I’m talking about something that happened fifty years ago, when I was just a young lad.

“Our father died suddenly, leaving us a large inheritance. Included in this was a storage room filled with casks of wine and oil.

“One day, the father of these two young men — may his rest be peaceful — came to our home in Hemelnick. He claimed that the wine and oil were his — that he had stored it with our father for safekeeping. My brothers and I were still quite young then, and had never been involved in any of our father’s business affairs. We had no idea what we were supposed to do, but were reluctant to give up the merchandise just like that.

“We all went to the rabbi of the town and presented our case. He ruled in our favor, explaining that nothing can be taken from the inheritance of orphans without absolute proof and an oath. The wine and oil remained in our possession. After a while, we sold the entire lot for a good price.

“What I just realized is that the money we received for that wine and oil is exactly equal to the value of my honey, which is now in the possession of the sons of my departed friend!”

With his apt comparison of the two parallel events fifty years apart, the merchant had conceded his own present case. For the same reason that, as an orphan, he was entitled to keep the wine and oil that long time ago, he had to relinquish his claim on these orphans for his honey today.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Beggar King

Posted on Wednesday, 13, November, 2019Wednesday, 10, January, 2024 by Rabbi

Proud King Hagag sat on his magnificent throne, and a holy man reading from the Holy Book, as was his daily custom. The holy man read these words: “for riches do not last forever, nor a crown for all generations” (Proverbs 27:24).

“Cease!” cried the king. “Who wrote those words?”

“They are the words of the Wisest of Kings,” answered the holy man.

“Give me the book,” commanded the king.

With trembling hands, the holy man placed it before his majesty. King Hagag gazed earnestly at the words that had been read, and he frowned. Raising his hand, he tore the page from the book and threw it to the ground.

“I, Hagag, am king,” he said, “and all such passages that offend me shall be torn out.”

He flung the volume angrily from him while the holy man and all his courtiers looked on in astonishment.

“I have heard enough for today,” he said. “Too long have I delayed my hunting. Prepare the horses immediately.”

He came down from the throne, stalked angrily past the trembling figure of the holy man, and went out to hunt. Soon he was galloping across an open plain toward a forest when a wild stag darted across the field. A trumpet sounded and the hunt began. The king urged his horse forward to be the first in the chase. His steed was the swiftest in the whole kingdom.

In his excitement of the chase, the king vanished from the sight of his nobles and attendants. The deer was surprisingly swift and the king could not catch up with it. Coming to a river, the animal plunged in and swam across. Scrambling up the opposite bank its antlers caught in the branch of a tree, and the king, arriving at the river, gave a cry of joy.

“Now I have you,” he said. Springing from his horse and stripping off his clothes, he swam across with nothing but a sword.

As he reached the opposite bank, the deer freed itself from the tree and plunged into a brush. The king, with his sword in his hand, followed quickly, but could not find the deer. Instead, he found, lying on the ground beyond the thicket, a beautiful youth clad in a deerskin. He was panting as if after a long run. The king stood still in surprise and the youth sprang to his feet.

“I am the deer,” he said. “I am a messenger and I have lured you to this spot, proud king, to teach you a lesson for your words this morning.”

Before King Hagag could recover from his surprise, the youth ran back to the river and swam across. Quickly he dressed himself in the king’s clothes and mounted the horse just as the other hunters came up. They thought the messenger was King Hagag and they halted before him.

“Let us return,” said the messenger. “The deer has crossed the river and has escaped.”

King Hagag from behind a tree on the opposite side watched them ride away and then flung himself on the ground and wept bitterly. There he lay until a woodcutter found him.

“What do you here?” asked the man.

“I am King Hagag,” answered the king.

“You are a fool,” said the woodcutter. “You are a lazy good-for-nothing to say such things. Come, carry my bundle of sticks and I will give you food and an old garment.”

Unsuccessfully the king protested. The woodcutter only laughed the more, and at last, losing patience, he beat him and drove him away. Tired and hungry, and clad only in the rags that the woodcutter had given him, King Hagag reached the palace late at night.

“I am King Hagag,” he said to the guards, but told him to go away. The king spent a terrible sleepless night in the streets of the city. The next morning, he was glad to accept some bread and milk offered to him by a poor old woman who took pity on him. He stood at a street corner not knowing what to do. Little children teased him; others took him for a beggar and offered him money. Later in the day, he saw the messenger ride through the streets on his horse. All the people bowed down before him and cried, “Long live the king!”

“Woe is me,” cried Hagag, in his unhappiness. “I am punished for my sin in scoffing at the words of the Holy Book.”

He saw that it would be useless for him to go to the palace again, and he went into the fields and tried to earn his bread as a laborer. He was not used to work, however, and but for the kindness of the very poorest he would have died of starvation. He wandered miserably from place to place until he fell in with some blind beggars who had been deserted by their guide. Joyfully he accepted their offer to take the guide’s place.

Months rolled by, and one morning the royal heralds went forth and announced that “Good King Hagag” would give a feast in one week and all the beggars in the land were invited to attend.

From all over the kingdom, beggars came to enjoy the feast, and Hagag stood among them, with his blind companions, in the courtyard of the palace waiting for his majesty to appear. He knew the palace well, and he hung his head and wept.

“His majesty will speak to each one of you who are his guests today,” cried a herald, and one by one they passed into the palace and stood before the throne. When it came to Hagag’s turn, he trembled so much that he had to be supported by the guards.

The messenger on the throne and Hagag looked long at each other.

“Are you a beggar also?” said the messenger.

“No, gracious majesty,” answered Hagag with bent head. “I have sinned seriously and have been punished. I am but the servant of a troop of blind beggars to whom I act as guide.”

The messenger king signed to his courtiers that he desired to be left alone with Hagag. Then he said, “Hagag, I know you. I see that you have repented. It is well. Now you can take your rightful place upon the throne.”

“Gracious majesty,” said Hagag, “I have learned humility and wisdom. The throne is not for me. The blind beggars need me. Let me remain in their service.”

“It cannot be,” said the messenger. “I see that you truly regret you past actions. Your lesson is learned and my task is done. I will see that the blind beggars lack nothing.”

With his own hands he placed the royal robes on Hagag and himself donned those of the beggar. When the courtiers returned they saw no difference. King Hagag sat on the throne again, and nowhere in the whole world was there a king who ruled more wisely or showed more kindness and sympathy to all his subjects.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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ST8 The Rabbi and the Blacksmith

Posted on Wednesday, 22, August, 2018Wednesday, 21, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Listen to a Jewish story from from Kurdistan – The Rabbi and the Blacksmith – Who is stronger in faith? The rabbi who always studies or the blacksmith who welcomes strangers?

The village rabbi looked at the young man in amazement and then replied, “You, young man, are the one I want for my daughter. Any person who is interested in learning Torah for its own sake and not for any other reason is the one I want for my daughter.”

The village rabbi spoke and reminded those surrounding him, “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.’ (Proverbs 2:10), and he continued, ‘Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,’ “ (Proverbs 3:13)

The village rabbi blessed the match between the young man and his daughter, saying”

“Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where there is understanding, so that you may at the same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes and peace.” (Baruch 3:14)

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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A young student came to Tam and Chacham and asked to receive semichah – rabbinical ordination. Tam was studying from a holy book while Chacham stood at the window looking out at the snow-covered courtyard.

“Your efforts are indeed noteworthy, but do you help others?” inquired Tam.

Tam slowly drew in his breath and commented, “The holy law imposes no asceticism” (Sefer ha-Kuzari 2:51, c. 1125 ce), and then seemed to drift off into thought.

Chacham, looking out of the window, wondered why the young student afflicted his body by drinking nothing but water; had nails in his shoes so that he should suffer pain when he walked each day, even in the coldest weather, he rolled in the snow, and he had someone give him thirty-nine lashes.

Just then, a horse entered the courtyard, drank water from the trough there, and rolled in the snow.

“See,” said Chacham to the young student, “that creature, too, only drinks water, has nails in its shoes, rolls in the snow, and certainly receives more than thirty-nine lashes daily – and it is still no more than a horse.”

The young student was devastated by what Tam and Chacham had said to him. Tam explained that the young student had to learn a bit more before he could be ready to receive semichah – rabbinical ordination.

Chacham gently guided the young student, “Study of Torah is important, but the application to oneself and the world around you is crucial. How can you hope to guide and teach people about peace if you don’t have peace in yourself?”

The disappointment showed in the face of the young student as Chacham continued, “Man is different and not like an animal, as it is written, ‘And the L-rd 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)

To be a leader, a teacher, and a resource to the community, a rabbi must realize that we were created from the physical world as well as the spiritual world. People have to understand that they can be of this world and the spiritual world at the same time.”

Tam added, “So long as you live and treat yourself as an animal, you can not share the light of spirituality of the sense of peace to those who need them. Learn more and come back after you have found the holy in the mundane, and then we will consider your request.”

Tam called to the young student and blessed him, “May it be your will, O L-rd our G-d, to establish peace among the students who engage in your Holy Word – the Torah. (Berachos 16b -17a)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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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The first man accepted a position as rabbi of a small town and earned a small livelihood that was barely enough to support him and his family The doctor, on the other hand, grew increasingly famous and wealthy.

One day, the two happened to be in the same city and chanced to meet.

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were over­joyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

The doctor turned to the rabbi and said, “My dear friend, look at the fame I’ve achieved. I earn a tremendous amount of money and I live a life of comfort. Yet you make little and live a life of poverty. Would you not have been better off choosing the medical profession as I did?”

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon dri­ver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the out­skirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destina­tion, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.

“That is the difference between you and me,” concluded the rabbi. “You may enjoy a life of luxury and comfort, but you are traveling in completely the opposite direction from that which you should be traveling. In this direction, you will never reach your destination.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two.

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Everyone in the village was excited as a very holy rabbi was coming for a short visit. The entire community was ready to greet and receive a blessing from the holy rabbi.

A wave of emotion and joy moved through the waiting crowd as the holy rabbi climbed down from his carriage. Many people called out a cheery Shalom Aleichem, while others tried to give a welcoming handshake.

Every day, a long line of people stood in front of the house where he was staying. Among them were Torah scholars who sought his help in resolving difficulties that arose in their studies, while others came to receive his blessing or advice about matters in their personal lives.

“What can we do about it then?” asked Esther Feiga, still shocked at the idea.

“Let him persevere in toiling in the study of Torah, despite his hardships, and the Holy One, blessed be He will help him,” responded the holy rabbi.

The confused father was determined to pursue the matter till the end. He hurried over to the innkeeper and discussed the matter with him. The innkeeper willingly took out his old record books to try to identity exactly whose wedding it was that took place on that cold wintery day.

It turned out to not be so difficult after all. In looking through the ten year old ledger, he found it clearly written that second wedding of Isaac Abromovitch was held at the inn and that the groom had paid the entire bill in advance.

So the father decided to go next to the house of the shochet. The shochet received him politely asked what was the reason for the surprise visit. Upon hearing that the matter concerned the wedding of Isaac Abromovitch, the shochet was visibly distressed.

“Oy, oy!” he cried out. “Once again I have to rake that open wound!”

Moshe Dovid’s father was startled by his words. His ears picked up as the shochet proceeded to supply details.

“I made a mistake in the slaughter of the chickens for that wedding. Not that I actually made any mistakes in the procedures,” he hastened to explain. “But something was very wrong. Only, I didn’t know it at the time. Not until a few days after that wedding.

“Walking in the street, I was met by one of the men who study Torah all day in the shul (synagogue). As I passed by him he gave me a hard stare and said, ‘Who would have thought? A respected Jew sells his soul in pursuit of monetary gain! Unbelievable!’”

“My whole body began to tremble involuntarily as the man took out of his pocket a copy of the letter from the rabbis, saying:

The next day the entire story spread quickly through the village. Everyone was amazed by both the power of decree of the rabbis, and the acute Divine inspiration of the holy rabbi.

Chicken Lentil Soup

INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons shmaltz, margarine, or olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 large onion, diced

1/8 – ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne if desired

2 medium stalks celery, diced

½ teaspoon coriander

2 medium carrots, diced

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

Not having seen each other for so many years, they were overjoyed to meet again and took the opportunity to talk about many past experiences.

“I will tell you a true story,” responded the rabbi. “When it came time for me to return home this afternoon, I asked the wagon driver how much the trip would cost. He told me that the fare to travel to my destination was two silver coins.

“I left the wagon driver,” said the rabbi, “and hurried to the outskirts of the city. Indeed, there was a beautiful coach standing there, but it was soon brought to my attention that it was not traveling to my destination; rather, it was going in the entirely opposite direction.

“Had I boarded the coach without first finding out its destination, I would have indeed traveled in comfort, but I would not have arrived home as planned.