The Treasure of the Heart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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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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The Mountain of Treasures – A Jewish Tale from Morocco Part II

Posted on Wednesday, 3, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

The next morning cries for help were heard from inside the mountain, and when it was discovered that the princess was missing, the king understood it must be the voice of his daughter they heard. Then he commanded his soldiers to take shovels and pickaxes to dig into the mountain to pull her out. Sadly, every shovel and pickaxe broke against the mountain, and before long even the king accepted they would never save the princess that way. Then the king announced that anyone who could free the princess would be wed to her and would also receive half his kingdom. Many journeyed to the mountain and sought to free the princess one way or another, but none of them succeeded in making the mountain open, and the princess remained trapped inside.

Now in that kingdom there was a clever lad whose name was Yosef, and although his family was poor, he always managed to find something so that they never went hungry. One day Yosef was walking in the marketplace when he heard an old woman cry out that she had an oud to sell. But everyone who looked at the oud only laughed in her face, for it was very old and battered, and besides, it was missing all of its strings. Now Yosef had only three copper coins in his pocket, but he said to himself: “The oud is old and worn, but I could polish it, and someday, when I have more money, I will buy strings and play it.”

So Yosef approached the old woman, and offered three copper coins for the old oud. The old woman accepted the offer at once. Then she motioned for him to come closer, and she whispered in his ear: “This is a fine oud you have bought, my lad, for it is a magic oud. But for it to perform its magic, it requires golden strings, for no others will do.” Then the old woman turned to go and disappeared in the crowded marketplace. And even though Yosef ran after her, he could not find her, and he was sorry she had left before he could ask her what kind of magic the oud could do, and now it was too late.

It was at that time that the princess had become trapped in the golden mountain, and the king sought help in setting her free. Like many others, Yosef liked to imagine how wonderful it would be if he was the one who freed her. And even though he had no idea how to do this, Yosef decided to go to the golden mountain to see for himself. So he took leave of his parents, took his only possession, the stringless oud, and set out on his journey.

Meanwhile the princess had begun to despair of ever escaping from the cavern. At first she had hoped that those trying to get her out would succeed, for she was able to listen to all their comments with the aid of her magic seashell. In this way she soon discovered that they had failed, and learned that the king, in his desperation, had offered her hand to whoever succeeded in releasing her. Then it occurred to the princess that she might be able to open the mountain from within by pronouncing the spell, but this too failed, for the spell was effective only from the outside. Soon after she had become trapped there, she searched through the cavern of treasures to see if there was anything to eat or drink, and she found a spring deep in the cavern, which had its source inside the mountain. So, too, did she find growing next to it a carob tree, which sustained her. And to pass the time she put the golden seashell to her ear, and heard in it all that her parents and others in the kingdom said about her, and learned how much they grieved over what had happened. So too did she listen to the lectures of wise men all over the world, for she had not lost her love for learning. And in this way several months passed, with the princess no nearer to freedom than she was in the first place.

Then one day the boy Yosef arrived at the golden mountain. He saw the crowds that gathered there during the day, because what had happened to the princess had made it a famous place. But when it grew dark, they all left and returned to town, leaving Yosef alone there, for he had nowhere else to go. He found a place for himself on the ground and was about to go to sleep when he suddenly saw something glint in the moonlight. And when he arose and went over to see what it was, he was amazed to find a long, golden thread—the very one that had become caught in the thorn bush as the princess had entered the cavern. Yosef carefully pulled the golden thread from the bush without pricking his fingers on the thorns, and when he had it in his hand it occurred to him that he might try to string his oud with it. For, after all, the old woman had told him its magic would work only with golden strings. And when he had strung the oud, he found that the golden thread was just long enough to serve for all its strings.

So it was that as midnight arrived Yosef plucked the strings of the magic oud for the first time. And all at once it sang out with a melodious voice, almost human, and each time he plucked a string, it sang out another word, of something that sounded to Yosef like a spell. Suddenly he heard a loud rumbling. Then the princess, who had heard every word pronounced by the magic oud with the aid of the golden shell, hurried outside, and ran straight to the boy who had released her, and embraced him, and thanked him again and again for setting her free.

Then Yosef and the princess returned to the palace, he with his magic oud, and she with her magic seashell, and when the king saw that his beloved daughter had been freed, he was overjoyed. So too did he keep his promise, and soon there was a lavish wedding at which Yosef and the princess were wed. And the princess soon found out that the clever Yosef loved to learn as much as she did, and she taught him all that she knew, so that one day he became the wise ruler of that kingdom, where he was admired and respected by all.

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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The Mountain of Treasures – A Jewish Tale from Morocco Part I

Posted on Monday, 1, November, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part II will be posted on 3 November 2021

Many years ago, there was a king who ruled over a vast kingdom and was believed by many to be the wealthiest man in the world. This king had a daughter who was curious to know about everything—why the sun rises and sets, why spring follows winter, why the moon is full at sometimes and is only a sliver at others. So, it was that when the princess learned there was a wise and ancient man in their kingdom who knew of revealed and hidden things on the earth and in the heavens, she begged her father to bring him to the palace to teach her what he knew.

Now the king’s daughter was very precious to him, and he was especially proud that she loved to learn. So, he sent a messenger in a fine carriage to bring the ancient wise man to the palace. When the old man arrived, he was taken to the king at once. The king said to him: “It is known that you possess ancient knowledge of what can be seen and that which is hidden. I would like you to reveal these secrets to my daughter, the princess, who has a great thirst for knowledge. As your reward, I shall build you a fine study from which you explore the wonders of the world.”

Then the ancient wise man said: “I agree to teach the princess on these terms, but there must be two more conditions — that no one else be present while I instruct her and at the end of one year I will return to my home.” The king agreed to these conditions, and the ancient wise man began to teach the princess about many mysterious and wonderful things. The princess listened carefully to everything he had to say and proved to be a fine student. At the end of one year the ancient wise man had taught the princess many lessons, and when he returned to his home he found the study had already been built, as the king had promised.

Some time passed, and the princess learned that there was a mountain, the Montaña Otzaroth, that had a vast treasure hidden within it, and that only one person in the world knew how to enter it. After much study, she learned that this was none other than the ancient wise man who had taught her many wonders and mysteries.

The princess went to her father, the king, and begged him to send for the ancient wise man so that he could reveal the secret of where the Montaña Otzaroth could be found, and how it could be entered. The king agreed to his daughter’s request and sent a messenger in a fine carriage to bring the ancient wise man back to the palace. When the ancient wise man arrived, the king told him what his daughter had discovered and asked him to reveal the secret of the Montaña Otzaroth to her.

At first the ancient wise man hesitated, for he knew that not all knowledge and secrets are meant to be learned. He knew that there were dangers associated with the Montaña Otzaroth. The king could not disappoint his daughter and so he begged the ancient wise man until he agreed to reveal the secret to the princess, but on the condition, as before, that no one else be present.

When the ancient wise man met with the princess, she begged him to take her to the Montaña Otzaroth that very night. “In that case,” the ancient wise man told her, “We must hurry, for we have to be there exactly at midnight.” So it was that the two of them made their way in complete darkness and reached the mountain at the appointed time. There the ancient wise man uttered a few words, which caused a large stone of the mountain to move with much rumbling, so that they could enter the cavern. The ancient wise man said, “Be warned, princess, that the mountain will remain open for only half an hour, and we must return before half past midnight, for then the stone will close, and if we have not departed from the cavern, we will be trapped there.”

Inside the mountain the princess saw treasures that were greater than those in the treasuries of her father, the king. She saw golden apples, silver raindrops, and diamonds shaped like snowflakes. She was dazzled by the unimaginable beauty she saw there and would not have remembered to take her leave had the ancient wise man not reminded her. And shortly after they left the cavern, the stone entrance closed. Then they returned to the palace. As the ancient wise man left to return to his home, he said, “Take care, princess, if you ever decide to return to the Montaña Otzaroth, most importantly, never forget to leave on time.”

The following night the princess decided she wanted to return to the Montaña Otzaroth, for just as they were leaving the night before she had glimpsed a golden seashell so beautiful that she had dreamed about it all night, and now she wanted to make it her own. She traveled there by herself, and when she reached the mountain it was almost midnight, and she repeated the words that the ancient wise man had uttered, for she had listened very carefully while he had spoken. Once again there was a great rumbling, and the stone moved, and she was able to enter the mountain.

In the darkness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.

Inside the mountain, the eyes of the princess were again so dazzled by the many treasures that she almost forgot about the golden seashell she had come there to find, and soon she held it in her hand. It looked like an actual seashell of the most beautiful kind in every respect, except it was made entirely of gold. Knowing that real seashells echo the sea, the princess held the golden shell to her ear, and to her amazement she heard voices speaking there. That is how she discovered it was a magic seashell in which she could hear anything being said anywhere in the world. If she held it in one position, she would hear one conversation, and if she moved it ever so slightly, another would take its place. Now the princess was fascinated by this magic shell and did not notice the swift passage of time. Suddenly she realized it was time for her to leave the cavern, and she rushed to the entrance, but it was too late—the entrance to the cavern was closed, and she was trapped inside the Montaña Otzaroth.

The next morning cries for help were heard from inside the mountain, and when it was discovered that the princess was missing, the king understood it must be the voice of his daughter they heard. Then he commanded his soldiers to take shovels and pickaxes to dig into the mountain to pull her out. Sadly, every shovel and pickaxe broke against the mountain, and before long even the king accepted they would never save the princess that way. Then the king announced that anyone who could free the princess would be wed to her and would also receive half his kingdom. Many journeyed to the mountain and sought to free the princess one way or another, but none of them succeeded in making the mountain open, and the princess remained trapped inside.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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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Part II The Right Approach – Finding the Solution

Posted on Thursday, 27, February, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

That night Akiva could hardly sleep. His mother came in to check on him several times and said, “Akiva, now stop with that contest. You know we have much work to do. You have not been taking care of your chores, and you know I can’t do everything by myself. Now go to sleep Akiva.”

When Akiva’s mother came to wake him the next morning, she found his bed empty. Akiva had left for the town square at the crack of dawn, not wanting to waste a minute of the contest’s final day.

“No harm in letting him try. He’ll soon learn that troubles and disappointment are a usual part of life,” she thought to herself with a sigh.

Akiva had more determination that day than anyone in the crowd. He stood there, hour after hour, gathering the courage for the moment when he would step forward and become one of the many who tried. He was sure he was to become the one who succeeded.

When there was only about an hour left in the day, Akiva realized that it was now or never. So many people had tried, and many had been badly hurt. He waited until one of the opponents had been cleared away from the floor badly bruised, and summoned up his courage.

He stepped forward, knowing with great confidence that his plan was very different than any other scheme he had watched for days now. Akiva smiled confidently and thought to himself,” No one has tried this yet. It has to be the answer.”

A hush came over the crowd. No one talked as they watched a boy, barely as high as the waist of the bodyguard, walk ever so slowly towards the bottle. The bodyguard himself, who had seen so many schemes in the past few day, stood there confused.

Remembering his obligation, the bodyguard stiffened, his muscles clenched like steel. He saw many tricks throughout each days and knew this too could be a scheme. He watched the boy with a piercing stare, until ten yards apart, the giant and the boy locked eyes.

Deep down inside, Akiva was shaking and shivering. But he was determined, and calmly returned a wide-eyed stare in the direction of the bodyguard. The townspeople watched with bated breath as Akiva continued walking slowly, until he stood in the long, wide shadow of the bodyguard.

It seemed as if the bodyguard himself let his guard down. He almost relaxed in the presence of the boy. The boy obviously had no weapons, or knives, no plots or schemes. The bodyguard looked over his opponent very carefully and decided that the boy was not even going to attack him.

Akiva knew it was his moment. He cleared his throat and began to speak to the bodyguard. The crowd inched forward, intent upon hearing what was being said. The bodyguard himself bent down to the boy so that he could hear.

Words tumbled off Akiva’s lips, “Dear Sir, I’m very afraid of you. I’ve stood here for a few days now watching you, and I would not dream of attacking you. I’m too scared. Please don’t hurt me. I’m not going to throw anything at you, and I have no weapons up my sleeve. All I would like to say is that my mother and I live alone in a very small house. The roof leaks when it rains, and we usually can’t afford firewood. It’s just the two of us, and she has to work day and night for us to afford food. I know that the gem that is inside of the container is more valuable than anything I’ve ever seen in my life. I could use it to support my mother and me, so we wouldn’t have to struggle anymore. My mother works much too hard, and she deserves a warm house and a few pretty things. And therefore, I would like to ask you, with all of my heart, could you please . . . .”

A tear ran down his cheek, and he started his sentence again, “Could you please open up the jug and reach inside? You are the only one in the kingdom who could open it. Could you please open up the jug, reach inside, take out the gem and please give it to me?”

A long, long silence followed, as the stunned crowd took in the boy’s request. People began to shout, “That is ridiculous. It’s preposterous. So many brave people have stepped forward, tried so many intelligent schemes, so many noble acts of courage; and now a young boy comes up to the bodyguard and says, Please can you open up the jug?’ That’s absurd!”

But a strange thing began to happen as a side of the man of steel revealed itself. Tears–at first only a few but then more and more–came rolling down his cheeks and fell onto his armor.

He kneeled down, took the young boy in his hands and kissed him on the forehead. Then he took the boy’s hand into his own, and the two of them walked together towards the jug. All of the people of the town watched spellbound as the great, strong bodyguard of the king took the jug in his hands and began to twist with all of his might.

Moments later, the lid came off of the jug. The bodyguard reached deep inside the container and pulled out the most spectacular gem that anyone had ever seen. With a smile of satisfaction, he put the gem inside of the boy’s hand.

So many people approach everyday challenges with plans, schemes, tricks and raw force. They look for complicated solutions when in truth the answer is quite simple. Just communicating with another can change the situation. Sometimes the best way to get what one needs is to stand before the Holy One, blessed be He and sincerely ask — not fight, not scheme, not plan, but just ask for your needs from your heart. Believe it or not, as mystical and impossible as it seems, the Holy One Blessed be He hears the sincere words of prayer; and they penetrate the highest of places and He listens. All you have to do is ask with all of your heart.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 Girl’s Treasure and Love

Posted on Wednesday, 23, October, 2019Wednesday, 22, November, 2023 by Rabbi

The Holy One, Blessed be He, seeks the heart, and the measure of greatness is devotion of the heart…, as it is written, “But the Lord looks on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

Sanhedrin 106b

Feiga Sarah was a cheerful little girl with curly reddish-brown hair and bright green eyes. She was just about 5 years old.

As she was waiting with her mother at the checkout counter, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

“Oh please, Ima. Can I have them? Please, Ima, please!”

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading green eyes of her little girl’s face.

“A dollar ninety-five. That’s almost two dollars. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get a dollar bill from your bubbie (grandmother).

As soon as Feiga Sarah got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. Applebaum if she could help around her house for ten cents. On her birthday, bubbie did give her a dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Feiga Sarah loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere — on Shabbos, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Feiga Sarah had a very loving Taty (father) and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to tell her the most wonderful stories. One night when he finished the story, he asked Feiga Sarah, “Do you love me?”

“Oh, yes, Taty. You know that I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh, Taty, not my pearls. You can have Princess — the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Taty? The one you gave me. She’s my favorite.”

“That’s okay, Honey. Taty loves you. Good night.” And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Feiga Sarah’s Taty asked again, “Do you love me?”

“Taty, you know I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.

“Oh, Taty, not my pearls. You can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.”

“That’s okay. Sleep well. G-d bless you, little one. Taty loves you.” And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her Taty came in, Feiga Sarah was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

“What is it, Feiga Sarah? What’s the matter?”

Feiga Sarah didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her Taty. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl neck¬lace. With a little quiver, she finally said, “Here, Taty. It’s for you.”

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Feiga Sarah’s kind Taty reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Feiga Sarah. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store junk so he could give her gen¬uine treasure.

Everything is called love and everything is established for the sake of love (Zohar, Vaeschanan 267b)….In love is found the secret of divine unity (Zohar, Shemos 216a).

May all you be blessed and surrounded by loving friends and family

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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 Treasured Heirloom

Posted on Tuesday, 8, October, 2019Tuesday, 9, April, 2024 by Rabbi

It had belonged to Great-grandmother and he knew he must be very careful. The vase was one of mother’s dearest treasures. She had told him so many times.

The vase was taken down for holidays and important family dinners. It would be filled with beautiful flowers and set out for everyone to see.

When not in use, the vase was placed on a high shelf. It was well out of the reach of little hands, but somehow he managed. He just wanted to see if the birds and flowers went all around the back. He didn’t realize that a boy’s five-year-old hands are sometimes clumsy and not meant to hold delicate porcelain treasures. It shattered when it hit the floor, and he began to cry. That cry soon became a sobbing wail, growing louder and louder. From the kitchen his mother heard her son crying and she came running. Her footsteps hurried down the hall and came around the corner. She stopped then, looked at him, and saw what he had done.

Genesis 2;7

All he could do was say, “I broke…the vase. I didn’t mean too.” The boy could not stop crying and he felt bad because the vase was his mother’s most favorite thing.

His mother looked around and saw the shattered vase and heard the cries of her son.

With a look of relief, his mother said “Oh, thank goodness, I thought you were hurt!” And then she held him tenderly until his sobbing stopped.

She made it very clear — he was the treasure. As he grew into a man he realized that “Wealth and wages make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure.” (ben Sirach 40:18) Though now a grown man, it is a gift from his mother who treasured him that he still carries in his heart.

So it is with people for the Holy One, blessed be He “formed mankind from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) All people are a treasured heirloom since they were created with elements of the physical and spiritual worlds.

May this tale help you be successful in this world as you grow in the spiritual realm.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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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Where Can One Find a True Treasure?

Posted on Wednesday, 31, October, 2018Sunday, 15, October, 2023 by Rabbi

The world is filled with wonders and treasures. Some search a lifetime and never find treasure while others stumble upon it.

A son looked to his father and asked, “Have you ever found a treasure?” The father got a faraway look in his eye and smiled as he took a deep breath and began:

A long time ago I had heard stories of a treasure hidden somewhere in the mountains. I spoke to a friend and he agreed to join me in looking for the treasure. We met at the foot of a mountain one morning and began to follow the trail. It wound ever upward through thick forest. The sun rose steadily until it was directly overhead, and we stopped to eat. The peace and beauty was so strong, one could not help but to pray.

After sometime we gathered up our packs and started up the mountain trail again. We hiked for two or three hours and then found a strange growth of brush. Being curious, we went over for a closer look and discovered that the brush covered the mouth of a cave.

My friend and I decided to explore the cave. It was very dark but we fashioned a torch from some Bracket fungus found on an old tree stump and pine resin and we went deep into the cave. Soon we came into a large chamber and were shocked to see that there was an old large wooden chest covered in dust sitting by the far wall.

We ran to the old chest tried to open it, but the hinges were rusted as well as the lock. My friend hit the rusted lock with a rock, once…twice…three times the lock fell to the ground. We slowly opened the old chest and found it filled with silver and gold coins. I started to count them but my friend told me to stop. He reminded me that we learned that “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the L-rd of Hosts.” (Haggai 2:8). This is only money he said. This is not a real treasure. If you want money all you have to do is work for it.

I was going to argue with him when we suddenly noticed a big metal chest on the other side of the chamber. “Now that might be the real treasure.” My friend suggested we both ran over to the metal chest. This chest was very hard to open and we were very excited when we finally opened it.

The chest was filled with statues of men and animals. Some of the statues were made of ivory, some were made of marble with diamonds for eyes and rubies for lips, and some were made of gold. My friend took one of the gold statues out of the chest and stood it up. Since he was knelling it almost reached his chin. “Don’t do that!” I yelled. “This is only beauty and art. It is not a real treasure. There must be something better here.”

We searched and searched but found nothing else in the cave. The only thing we found was the two old chests. Then the flame on our torch started to die. The light grew dim. We got scared and crawled back through the cave. I wiggled through but my friend somehow got stuck in the small mouth of the cave. I tried to pull him. I didn’t know what to do so I sat down and prayed. I went over to my friend and talked to him and then we began to pray together. My friend gave me his hands and asked me to pull as he tried once again to get out of the cave. I pulled as hard as I could and slowly my friend squeezed out of the cave.

We sat down by the mountain trail, offered a prayer of thanks giving and then realized we were very hungry and thirsty. We ate, talked and laughed together for a long time. After a time we continued our trek up that mountain trail until we reached the peak and looked out at the magnificent sights below the mountain.

I learned from that mountain trek that wealth and beautiful art are nice but are very shallow and without meaning. The true treasures are faith and friendship. The time my friend and I shared on that trek that was filled with adventure, prayer and gladness.

I found the old lesson that says “make not gold your hope; it is the first step to idolatry” (Hanhagah c. 1320 ce) true as many people become so involved in gaining gold (wealth), that they will do almost anything to get it. Friendship and faith are the most valuable treasures, because “two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) Everything that friend does and share strengthens each other and sharpens their awareness. For “wisdom leads to tranquility, gold and silver to anxiety” (Mibhar haPeninim #10, c. 1050 ce) and the wisdom of friendship is beyond value.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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

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

If the stories are not shared they will be lost.

Please share this story with others

Part II will be posted on 3 November 2021

In the dark­ness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.

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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That night Akiva could hardly sleep. His mother came in to check on him several times and said, “Akiva, now stop with that contest. You know we have much work to do. You have not been taking care of your chores, and you know I can’t do everything by myself. Now go to sleep Akiva.”

When Akiva’s mother came to wake him the next morning, she found his bed empty. Akiva had left for the town square at the crack of dawn, not wanting to waste a minute of the contest’s final day.

“No harm in letting him try. He’ll soon learn that troubles and disappointment are a usual part of life,” she thought to herself with a sigh.

Akiva had more determination that day than anyone in the crowd. He stood there, hour after hour, gathering the courage for the moment when he would step forward and become one of the many who tried. He was sure he was to become the one who succeeded.

When there was only about an hour left in the day, Akiva realized that it was now or never. So many people had tried, and many had been badly hurt. He waited until one of the opponents had been cleared away from the floor badly bruised, and summoned up his courage.

He stepped forward, knowing with great confidence that his plan was very different than any other scheme he had watched for days now. Akiva smiled confidently and thought to himself,” No one has tried this yet. It has to be the answer.”

A hush came over the crowd. No one talked as they watched a boy, barely as high as the waist of the bodyguard, walk ever so slowly towards the bottle. The bodyguard himself, who had seen so many schemes in the past few day, stood there confused.

Remembering his obligation, the bodyguard stiffened, his muscles clenched like steel. He saw many tricks throughout each days and knew this too could be a scheme. He watched the boy with a piercing stare, until ten yards apart, the giant and the boy locked eyes.

Deep down inside, Akiva was shaking and shivering. But he was determined, and calmly returned a wide-eyed stare in the direction of the bodyguard. The townspeople watched with bated breath as Akiva continued walking slowly, until he stood in the long, wide shadow of the bodyguard.

It seemed as if the bodyguard himself let his guard down. He almost relaxed in the presence of the boy. The boy obviously had no weapons, or knives, no plots or schemes. The bodyguard looked over his opponent very carefully and decided that the boy was not even going to attack him.

Akiva knew it was his moment. He cleared his throat and began to speak to the bodyguard. The crowd inched forward, intent upon hearing what was being said. The bodyguard himself bent down to the boy so that he could hear.

A tear ran down his cheek, and he started his sentence again, “Could you please open up the jug and reach inside? You are the only one in the kingdom who could open it. Could you please open up the jug, reach inside, take out the gem and please give it to me?”

But a strange thing began to happen as a side of the man of steel revealed itself. Tears–at first only a few but then more and more–came rolling down his cheeks and fell onto his armor.

Moments later, the lid came off of the jug. The bodyguard reached deep inside the container and pulled out the most spectacular gem that anyone had ever seen. With a smile of satisfaction, he put the gem inside of the boy’s hand.

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 Holy One, Blessed be He, seeks the heart, and the measure of greatness is devotion of the heart…, as it is written, “But the Lord looks on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

Sanhedrin 106b

Feiga Sarah was a cheerful little girl with curly reddish-brown hair and bright green eyes. She was just about 5 years old.

As she was waiting with her mother at the checkout counter, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

“Oh please, Ima. Can I have them? Please, Ima, please!”

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading green eyes of her little girl’s face.

“A dollar ninety-five. That’s almost two dollars. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get a dollar bill from your bubbie (grandmother).

Feiga Sarah loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere — on Shabbos, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Feiga Sarah had a very loving Taty (father) and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to tell her the most wonderful stories. One night when he finished the story, he asked Feiga Sarah, “Do you love me?”

“Oh, yes, Taty. You know that I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh, Taty, not my pearls. You can have Princess — the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Taty? The one you gave me. She’s my favorite.”

“That’s okay, Honey. Taty loves you. Good night.” And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Feiga Sarah’s Taty asked again, “Do you love me?”

“Taty, you know I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.

“Oh, Taty, not my pearls. You can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.”

“That’s okay. Sleep well. G-d bless you, little one. Taty loves you.” And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her Taty came in, Feiga Sarah was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

“What is it, Feiga Sarah? What’s the matter?”

Feiga Sarah didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her Taty. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl neck¬lace. With a little quiver, she finally said, “Here, Taty. It’s for you.”

Everything is called love and everything is established for the sake of love (Zohar, Vaeschanan 267b)….In love is found the secret of divine unity (Zohar, Shemos 216a).

May all you be blessed and surrounded by loving friends and family

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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It had belonged to Great-grandmother and he knew he must be very careful. The vase was one of mother’s dearest treasures. She had told him so many times.

The vase was taken down for holidays and important family dinners. It would be filled with beautiful flowers and set out for everyone to see.

All he could do was say, “I broke…the vase. I didn’t mean too.” The boy could not stop crying and he felt bad because the vase was his mother’s most favorite thing.

In the darkness her gown caught on a thorn bush as she entered, and a single golden thread became unraveled, though the princess did not notice this.