Tzedakah in Secret

Posted on Friday, 19, March, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Charity must be given in secret (Shabbos 104a)

It is taught that tzedakah (charity) be given secretly, so as not to embarrass the poor person. The giving of tzedakah is so important and special that the rabbis of old taught that “charity equals all the other commandments (Bava Basra 9a)

In a small village there lived a man who was experiencing great poverty. Shabbos was approaching, and he was at a loss for what to do; he had absolutely no money and had made no preparations for Shabbos.

A wealthy merchant in the village became aware of the man’s suffering and it pained him to his very heart. He took 2 golden coins and began to consider how to get the money to the poor man. It was not simple either, as this man had once been very wealthy and active in the community. The poor man would be terribly embarrassed to accept charity.

Tzedakah Charity

The wealthy man knew that a person should “give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of G-d will not be turned away from you. (Tobit 4:7)

For days the wealthy merchant thought how he could help the poor man without embarrassing him. Then he had an idea. Everyone prayed in the wooden shul (synagogue) and he decided that he slip the gold coins into the poor man’s pocket secretly when his coat is on the wall during services, when he’s saying the Shemoneh Esrei (silent prayer of 18 blessings) prayer with his eyes closed and would not see anything.

When the poor man put on his coat after the services and found the gold coins in his pocket, he lifted his eyes to heaven to thank the Holy One, blessed be He for sending a messenger to save him from his desperate situation.

The man was thankful not only for the money but also for the way it was given and his having been spared embarrassment. Undoubtedly, the wealthy merchant’s sensitive and thoughtful act also inspired him, renewing his will to live and giving him strength to face his difficulties.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Soup for the Poor

Posted on Friday, 5, February, 2021Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a poor but pious little girl who lived alone with her widowed mother, and they ate very little during the week. Shabbos was coming and the little girl wished for something special to eat on the holy day. She went into the forest with a prayer on her lips where she met a strange old woman. The old woman was gathering herbs and she knew what troubled the little girl. She called to the little girl and gave her a little pot, which when she said, “Kleyna tawp Kuchen (Little pot, cook),” would cook good, savoury Mushroom Barley soup, and when she said, “Kleyna tawp halt’n (little pot, stop),” it stopped cooking.

The girl took the pot home to her mother, and now they were freed from their poverty and hunger, and ate the savoury soup as often as they chose.

One time when the girl had gone out, her mother said, “Kleyna tawp Kuchen.” The little pot cooked, and she ate until she was full, and then she wanted the pot to stop cooking, but did not know the word. So it went on cooking and the soup rose over the edge of the pot, and still it cooked on until the kitchen and whole house were full, and then the next house, and then the whole street, just as if it wanted to satisfy the hunger of the whole world. No one knew how to stop it. At last when only one single house remained, the child came home and just said, “Kleyna tawp halt’n,” and it stopped cooking, and anyone who was in need gratefully ate some of the savoury Mushroom Barley Soup.

Mushroom Barley Soup

Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup (Pareve or Meat)

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups water		1 large clove garlic (peeled and finely chopped)
1/2 cup pearl barley		1 pound fresh mushrooms (cleaned, trimmed, and sliced)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil		6 cups vegetable broth or chicken stock (storebought or homemade)
1 medium onion (peeled, trimmed, and finely chopped)		1 carrot (peeled, trimmed, and chopped into small dice)
1 celery stalk (trimmed and finely chopped)		Kosher or sea salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Sauté the Vegetables: While the barley cooks, warm the olive oil in a stockpot or large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add the mushrooms and cook uncovered, sautéing occasionally, until the mushrooms release their juices and turn soft, about 5 minutes more.

Add water to the sautéed vegetables (or chicken stock to the pot) raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the barley to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for about 60 t0 90 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Wonderful Hand Mill

Posted on Thursday, 7, January, 2021Thursday, 28, March, 2024 by Rabbi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there were two brothers, one rich and the other poor. One Friday morning, the poor brother had not a bite in the house for Shabbos, either of meat or bread, so he went to his brother and begged him, in the merit of Shabbos, to give him something for the holy day. It was by no means the first time that the brother had been forced to give something to his less fortunate brother, and he was not very happy about it.

“If you will do what I ask you, you shall have challahs and two whole chickens,” the wealthy brother said. The poor brother immediately thanked him, and promised to do as his bother asked.

“Well, here are the challahs and the chickens, and now you must go straight to the ancient cave in the hills known as Black Hole Cave,” instructed the rich brother, throwing the food to him.

“Well, I will do what I have promised,” said the poor brother, and he took the food and set off. He traveled the narrow path for many hours.

Outside the ancient cave was an old man with a long white beard chopping wood.

“Shalom Aleichem, (Peace be unto you)” said the poor brother.

“Aleichem shalom (Ubto you, Peace). Where are you going at this late hour, Shabbos is coming very soon?” asked the old man.

“I am going to Black Hole Cave, if only I am on the right track,” answered the poor man.

“Oh! Yes, you are right enough, for it is here,” said the old man. “When you get inside they will all want to buy your chicken, for they don’t get much meat to eat there; but you must not sell the chicken unless you can get the hand-mill which stands behind the door for it. When you come out again I will teach you how to use the hand-mill, which is useful for almost everything.”

So the man with the chickens thanked the other for his good advice, and rapped at the door.

When he got in, everything happened just as the old man had said it would: all the people, great and small, came round him like ants on an ant-hill, and each tried to outbid the other for the chicken.

“By rights my wife and I should have these chickens for Shabbos dinner, but, since you have set your hearts upon it, I will sell my chickens to you for the hand-mill which is standing there behind the door.”

At first they would not hear of this, and haggled and bargained with the man, but he stuck to what he had said, and the people were forced to give him the hand-mill. When the man came out again into the yard, he asked the old wood-cutter how he was to use the hand-mill, and when he had learned that, he thanked him and set off home with all the speed he could, but did not get there until right before candle lighting time.

“Where in the world have you been?” asked his wife. “I have been waiting for you all day and have nothing to prepare for Shabbos dinner.”

“I have been very busy and have something to show you.” said the man, as he set the hand-mill on the table, and told it first grind a white table-cloth, and then wine, and everything else that was good for Shabbos dinner. The mill ground all that he ordered. “Bless our house” said the wife as one thing after another appeared. The husband made Kiddush and began to enjoy the festive meal. His wife wanted to know where her husband had got the mill from, but he would not tell her.

“Don’t worry yourself about this blessing from Heaven” he told her as he invited everyone to enjoy the food throughout Shabbos.

Now when the rich brother saw all the fine food in his poor brother’s house, he was both annoyed and angry, He was very jealous of everything his poor brother had. “Before Shabbos he was so poor that he came to me and begged for a little food, and now he gives a feast as if he were a wealthy merchant.” He thought to himself.

After Shabbos, the wealthy man paid is brother a visit, “Tell me where you got your riches from,” he begged his brother. “From behind the door in the Black Hole Cave,” he answered. He really did not want to tell his brother. Throughout the meal the poor brother drank much wine and could not refrain from telling how he had come by the hand-mill.

He brought out the mill, and made it grind first one thing and then another. When the brother saw that, he insisted on having the mill, and after a great deal of persuasion got it; but he had to give three hundred gold coins for it, and the poor brother was to keep it until Rosh Chodesh – the new month. He believed that the mill would grind out food and wine that would last throughout the year. At the end of Rosh Chodesh the rich brother came to get the mill, but the other had taken good care not to teach him how to stop it.

It was evening when the rich man got the mill home, and in the morning he told his wife to go into the market, and he would attend to the house himself.

So, when dinner-time drew near, he set the mill on the kitchen-table, and said: “Grind boiled potatoes and sour cream, and do it both quickly and well.”

So the mill began to grind boiled potatoes and sour cream, and first all the dishes and tubs were filled, and then it came out all over the kitchen-floor. The man twisted and turned it, and did all he could to make the mill stop, but he could not. In a short time the sour cream rose so high that the man was like to be drowned. So he threw open the door and was pushed out the door as the sour cream and boiled potatoes spilled out over his farm and fields.

Now the rich man’s wife was returning from the market and was met by the tide of potatoes and sour cream pouring forth spreading as far as the eye could see. The rich man went quickly to his brother’ house and begged him to take the mill back again, saying, “If it grinds one hour more the whole district will be destroyed by boiled potatoes and sour cream.” But the brother would not take it until the other paid him three hundred gold coins.

Now the poor brother had both the money and the mill again. So it was not long before he had a farmhouse much finer than that in which his brother lived, but the mill ground so much that all his needs were met. He and his wife welcomed all travelers and anyone in need to their home where they provided for all the needs the people required.

They were blessed for the rest of their years with happiness and plenty.

Jewish recipes

Bukharan Chicken and Rice Plov

Plov is a signature dish of the Bukharan Jewish community of Central Asia. Often slow cooked in a wood-burning oven, it is served to guests as a symbol of hospitality for Shabbat, holidays and at special life events, including weddings.

INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons oil (enough to cover bottom of pot)		2 to 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken (cut into small bite-size squares)
3 onions (peeled, trimmed and chopped)		1 1/2 teaspoons salt (divided)
6 carrots (peeled and grated thick)		1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar		2 1/2 cups medium grain rice (such as Basmati)
1-3 teaspoons Cumin		½ – 1 ½ teaspoon(s) cinnamon
3 1/2 cups boiling water (enough to cover the rice by 1/2 inch)

DIRECTIONS

In a Dutch oven or large pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, and then the carrots. Stir in the sugar. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Lay the chicken on top of the onions and carrots. Don’t stir to maintain a layer of vegetables and a distinct layer of meat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and pepper on the chicken. Cook the chicken, gently turning the pieces over in the middle, until the chicken turns white.

Add rice on top of the chicken. Don’t stir because the layers of vegetables and chicken should remain undisturbed, but distribute the rice evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add boiling water. Turn the heat down to low and cover.

After about 15 minutes, scrape down the sides and poke 6 or 7 holes through the rice to the bottom of the pot with the handle of a wooden spoon. Cover and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Miser’s Dirty Mandelbroit

Posted on Thursday, 26, November, 2020Thursday, 21, December, 2023 by Rabbi

In the village, there was a miser. He never gave any tzedakah (charity) to anyone or any cause. One day he walked by a bakery and smelled the most wonderful mandelbroit (mandel bread – Almond Toast) and wanted some. He bought a bag of mandelbroit and took a piece out of the bag to eat.

He enjoyed the delicate flavor of the mandelbroit and was not watching where he was going and tripped. His bag of delicious mandelbroit fell and broke open in the road. He was so sad and angry.

A beggar came up to the miser and asked for a few coins so he can buy food for his family. The miser gave the bag of mandelbroit he just picked up out of the roadto the beggar. The miser hurried along his way.

That night, the miser had a dream that he was at an inn where the most delicious-looking cake was being served to everyone, but him. At last, he catches the inn keeper who brings him a piece of dirty pastry. In this place, the World to Come, all he is allowed is what he gave on earth.

Mandel Bread

Mandelbroit – Mandel Bread

Ingredients

3 eggs		1 Teaspoon almond extract
¾ Cup Sugar		½ Cup flour
1 Cup oil		2 cups Ground Almonds or Almond Flour
½ Teaspoon Salt		2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

Combine all dry ingredients
Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy
Slowly add the oil constantly mixing
Add to dry ingredients
Let rest for about 45 minutes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Shape into narrow loaves and bake 30-45 minutes
Take out of oven and allow to cool slightly
Slice into 1 inch slices and place on cookie sheet
Toast in oven for 15 minutes

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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Charity – Tzedakah That Sparkles

Posted on Monday, 16, November, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Tam and Chacham collected money to redeem hapless people from prison when their only “crime” was poverty. Sadly many people would fall behind in paying their debts and wealthy landowners would throw them into prison until someone redeemed them.

There was one particular wealthy merchant who would always contribute generously to have people released from captivity. When Tam and Chacham approached him on this one occasion, he was was surprised that they asked for a very large donation so they could redeem some unfortunate people out of prison.

When the wealthy merchant told his wife about the large sum Tam and Chacham sked for, she went and sold many of her diamonds as well as some of her other jewelry.

She then took the coins, polished them until they sparkled brightly, and sent them to Tam and Chacham, saying, “Among the donations to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert, there was gold, silver, and copper. But the only things that sparkled were the polished metal mirrors given by the women.”

The merchant’s wife was indeed an Eishes Chayil in that when she does something, it shines and sparkles. This is so for all matters relating to the home—such as hospitality and the children’s education. Although they can also be taken care of by the husband, only when they are done by the wife are they accomplished in the manner of shining sapphires, without any blockage of the divine light, which shines forth. Every person can elevate everyday actions into shining examples as they prepare for the World to Come, when all actions will be elevated.

There is a traditional concept of doing a mitzvah (deed) beautifully — lighting the Shabbos (Sabbath) candles, beautifying the Yom Tov (Holiday) table, or making Kiddush from a lovely cup and so on. By giving charity in such a beautiful way, the merchant’s wife showed that she was more concerned about the beauty of devotion than about the beauty of her personal appearance. The righteous women mentioned in the Torah who donated their mirrors to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) also placed devotion to the Holy One, blessed be He above their looks. (see Exodus 38:8) The merchant’s wife reminded Tam and Chacham that although donations to the Tabernacle in the desert involved large amounts of precious metals, only the metal mirrors given by the women sparkled. Why? The metal of the mirrors sparkled because it was finely polished. That polishing signified the preciousness of the mitzvah to the giver. The merchant’s wife gave a large amount of money without begrudging it and considered the mitzvah of charity so precious that she actually polished the coins. When a person does mitzvahs (religious deeds) and makes contributions to help others in this selfless way, he also polishes his own soul.

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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Work and Pride

Posted on Sunday, 1, November, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

A rabbi was told about a person who had no income, and was asked to help raise funds for him. “The man is literally dying of hunger,” he was told by a concerned member of the community.

The rabbi thought for a moment or two and answered, “I don’t understand. He is a healthy and capable person. Surely he could find a job to earn enough to meet his needs.”

“Sadly, none of the jobs open to him are proper for him,” responded the concerned member of the community. “He is a very proud person, and the jobs that are available are menial and he feels they are beneath his dignity.”

“Well then,” the rabbi said, dismissing the cause, “in that case, it is not true that he is dying of hunger. He is really dying of pride.”

Some people are unable to tell between the two. Their sense of personal pride and standing dominates them so keenly, that they can not consider many possible choices.

The Talmud requires that one should take even the most menial job rather than resort to living off others. “Skin hides in the market place for wages; do not say ‘I am a great person, this is a disgrace for me’ (Pesachim 113b).”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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The Widow’s Apples

Posted on Thursday, 3, September, 2020Thursday, 5, October, 2023 by Rabbi

“Rabbi, holy rabbi, have mercy on me! Please, give me some money so I can have something to eat for myself and my children on Shabbos!” With these words, the woman who had burst into the rabbi’s house broke out into tears. “I don’t have a penny to buy food for my orphan children!”

“Why didn’t you come yesterday,” said the holy rabbi, “when I was giving tzedakah (charity) to all the poor people for Shabbos? Today, I don’t have even a copper coin to give you!”

”I’ve never taken money from anybody,” the woman said, “but today I had to come to you. I have a stand in the marketplace, not far from here, where I sell apples. With the money I make, I’m barely able to support myself and my children. Yesterday morning, with the little money I had, I bought a basket of apples from a peasant. I was hoping to earn enough money to buy something to eat for Shabbos. But rabbi, no one bought my apples. They say they’re no good!”

“No good!” cried the rabbi.” Chas v’chalila (Heaven forbid) someone would say that Hashem’s apples are no good? What do they mean?”

“Rabbi,” she pleaded, “I call out: ‘Apples, apples, delicious apples that have a taste like the Garden of Eden.’ But they say the apples are bad!”

The rabbi asked the poor woman where her stand was in the marketplace and told her to go back there, promising her that she would have money for what she needed for Shabbos.

A few minutes later, the buyers in the market saw that the holy rabbi was at the widow’s apple stand calling out loudly, “kum’t arein geshmak sheynim epls far Shabbos koidesh! Epls far farkoyf! kumen aun koyfn!” (Come around. Delicious, beautiful apples for the holy Shabbos! Apples for sale! Come and buy!)”

When people heard that the holy rabbi of the town was selling apples, a crowd quickly gathered at the widow’s stand. Everyone wanted to buy apples from the rabbi. In only a few minutes, all the apples were sold.

“Do you see?” said the rabbi to the woman, as he gave her the profits, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) the rabbi continued, “May you be blessed with gold and silver from the apples you sell and may your children grow strong like apple trees and always act with kindness and sweetness.”

Waldorf Salad Recipe

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise		3 medium Granny Smith/Green apples — cored, and chopped
1 tablespoon white sugar		1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 teaspoon lemon juice		½ cup chopped walnuts
⅛ teaspoon salt		½ cup raisins

Note: ½ cup dried Cranberries or dried cherries can be used in place of raisins

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt.

Stir in the apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins.

Chill until ready to serve.

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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This story recipe and others can be found in the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook, We are pleased to announce that 18 (Chai – the magic number of Life) of the story recipes have been collected into the Once Upon a Recipe cookbook. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this unique cookbook, contact us projectshalom1@aol.com

The Baker’s Reward

Posted on Tuesday, 25, August, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part II – A Blessing Realized and Meeting the Rabbi

When he thought about all those golden coins that his kind employer set aside for him, and were wait¬ing for him at the secret cellar, the baker felt sad. He remembered the rabbi’s blessing. Those golden coins would have made him a rich man, though not nearly as rich as he had expected if the rabbi’s bless¬ing came true. Now he had lost even that! True, he had saved quite a bit from his wages, but now that he had to go back to his bakery there was not much of a chance that he should ever see a golden coin again. “Well, so be it,” he thought, and dismissed the whole matter from his mind.

A few days later, when the baker was in the market place, he heard that a house on the outskirts of the town was up for public sale, as the owner had died without leaving any heir or will. It immediately occurred to the baker that this could very well be the house with the cellar where he had been working for the stranger.

The following morning, the baker took his sav¬ings and hastened to the auction. The house proved to be no great attraction by the look of it; it was old and run-down. No wonder there were very few peo¬ple who were eager to make a bid for it.

The bidding started low, and when the baker raised his offer to an amount he felt he could scrape together by selling his bakery, there was no one who was prepared to outbid him. So his modest offer was accepted, and he put down the money he had with him as a deposit.

In due course, the purchase of the house was completed, and the baker received the keys and title to the house. Thereupon, he moved into the house, and immediately made his way downstairs to the cellar. His heart beating with anticipation and excitement, he tried one key after another until he finally unlocked and opened the creaky door, carefully closing and locking it after him. Then he lit the candle he had taken with him, and lo and behold! The scene was exactly as he had left it the last day he had worked there. There were the neatly stacked up piles of golden coins on the long wooden table, and the jewels, and half-emptied bags as well as many bulging bags with gold and gems that had not yet been touched. What good fortune that no one had been interested enough in the house to go down and look at the cellar!

After feasting his eyes on all that treasure that was now his, he sat down to ponder his new situa¬tion. He realized that he could not suddenly show himself in town as a wealthy man, for everybody knew him as a poor baker. If the local authorities would get wind of his wealth, it would be the end of it for him. So he thought of a plan.

He began to drop a word here and there among his friends and neighbors that he had received word from his uncle in Istanbul, who had no children, and was getting old, asking him to come to live with him and help him in his business. This gave him an excuse to make several trips to Istanbul and transfer his entire fortune there.

The former baker bought a beautiful, home in the center of the city and presented himself as a prosperous diamond merchant. He set up a large business, and soon became very influential in government circles. Never did he forget, however, that all his good fortune came to him because of the rabbi’s blessing, and he hoped that he would some day be able to repay him as he richly deserved.

Many years passed since that night when the rabbi troubled his Arab neighbor, the baker, to light his lamp for him. The aged rabbi, whose lifelong yearning was to be reunited with the Divine Presence at the sacred Western Wall in the Holy City of Jerusalem, now decided to spend his last days in the Holy Land.

When the leaders of the Jewish community in Tunisia learned of their beloved rabbi’s decision, they provided him with all the necessary expenses, as well as with a companion to care for him on the long, difficult journey. They also sent out letters to the heads of the Jewish communities in the various cities where the rabbi would be stopping on his way to the Holy Land, so that they would be prepared to receive the holy rabbi with the honor and respect due to him.

The rabbi arrived in Istanbul where he was duly received with honor and affection. The head of the Jewish community invited him to be his guest for as long as he would care to stay.

While questioning about the needs and concerns of the Jewish community, the rabbi asked his host if there was anything he could do help the community while he was in Istanbul. The head of the community heaved a deep sigh and replied:

“As it happens, our Jewish community is in serious difficulties at present, due to certain decrees that the government has imposed. The only person who can help us is a rich effendi who had great influence at the royal court. A delegation of our com¬munity leaders is going to meet with him tomorrow. However, we are quite concerned about the outcome, as we have never approached him before, and we have no idea how he will react to our request. Would the holy rabbi care to join our delegation? With the help of the Holy One, blessed be He, and in your merits, the chances of success would surely be increased.”

The rabbi readily agreed to go along with the delegation.

As soon as the delegation was ushered into the room where the effendi awaited it, everyone was startled and astonished to see the effendi spring up from his seat and rush to the rabbi to welcome him. The effendi grasped the rabbi’s hands and kissed them reverently. “I am so happy and honored to see you, rabbi,” he said excitedly.

The rabbi looked as much surprised as eve-ryone present.

Returning to his seat, the effendi asked everyone to be seated, and said, “I am now ready to hear your request.”

The head of the Jewish community then told the effendi about the difficult situation the community faced if the harsh decrees were put into effect. He begged the effendi to use his influence at the royal court to persuade the Sultan to rescind them.

“I give you my word,” the effendi promised, “that I shall not rest until I carry out your request.” Then he added, “Now, honorable representatives, please excuse me while I speak for a while to the distinguished guest from Tunisia.”

Thereupon the effendi led the rabbi to a private room, and when they were both seated, began at once:

A happy smile appeared on the rabbi’s face. Of course he remembered that night, and he now realized that the baker and the effendi were one and the same person.

“As you see, holy Rabbi, your blessing came true, beyond my wildest expectations.”

The effendi then confided to the Rabbi how, in a very strange and wondrous way, he had come to his great wealth, and had never forgotten for a moment that it was due only to the rabbi’s blessing. He further told the rabbi how he cherished the hope to see him again and repay in some small measure for the good fortune he had brought him. This is why he was so excited to see him and so eager to fulfill the request of the Jewish community.

Having told his story to the rabbi, the effendi produced a purse filled with golden coins and said, “I would consider it a privilege if the rabbi would accept this as a personal gift.”

The rabbi declined it with thanks, assuring the effendi that all his needs have been provided for.

Before parting, the effendi begged the rabbi to bless him again that his good fortune should con¬tinue to shine on him.

“You see, my friend,” the rabbi replied, “The Almighty pays his debts. In the merit of the good deed you performed to bring light into my home, so that I could study the holy writings, the Almighty bright¬ened your life with good fortune. Be good to the Jewish people, and be generous with your wealth to help anyone in need, then The Holy One, blessed be He will continue to bless you with good health and prosperity.”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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The Baker’s Reward

Posted on Sunday, 23, August, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

Part I – A Lamp and a Blessing

Many years ago there lived in Tunisia a holy rabbi, who was highly respected by all the people in his community. He spent most of his time studying the Torah. After a few hours of sleep, he would to get up in the middle of the night to recite Tikkun Chatzot a Jewish prayer recited as an expression of mourning and lamentation over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. He would then joyfully return to study Torah and other holy writings until the early hours of the morning.

One night, he was distressed to find that he had no way to light his oil lamp. Then he remembered that his Arab neighbor, the baker, probably still had a fire in his oven. So the Rabbi went across the street and knocked on the baker’s door, hoping he might still be awake.

The baker had already gone to bed and was fast asleep. The Rabbi kept on knocking until the baker finally opened the door and demanded, sleepily, to know why he was being disturbed in the middle of the night.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” answered the rabbi apologetically, “but I need a light for my lamp.”

There were still some flickering coals in the oven, so the baker kindled a firebrand and gave it to the rabbi.

The rabbi thanked the baker and left. He had hardly crossed the street when the wind blew out the firebrand. As much as he hated to bother the baker again, the rabbi made his way back to the bakery and knocked again on the door.

The sleepy baker got out of bed again and opened the door, looking surprised and annoyed.

“Please forgive me for troubling you again, but the wind blew out the light. I am very sorry…”

Muttering to himself, the baker went to fetch a freshly lit kindling stick, and gave it to the Rabbi without a word. The rabbi thanked him very much, wished him a very good night, and left.

This time he reached his door successfully, but just as he was about to open it, a gust of wind blew out the light again.

“Enough is enough,” a voice inside of him said, “give up and go to bed!”

“Oh no!” The rabbi heard himself say, determined that he would not let anything keep him from his holy studies. He turned around and went to his Arab neighbor for the third time.

Not surprisingly, the baker was frustrated this time, and he opened his door to the rabbi saying:

“Believe me, I am truly sorry to cause you so much trouble, but it is most important that I can light my lamp to study G-d’s holy word. The Holy One, blessed be He will surely reward you for your good deed with so much gold that would outweigh by far that heavy iron bar!”

The Arab baker had a great respect for the holy rabbi’s blessing. His frustration disappeared and, he observed, “I see you are not used to handling firebrands; this time I’ll take it across for you and make sure that your lamp is lit.”

Saying this, the baker put on his coat, took a burning kindling stick and sheltering it with his coat, successfully brought it into the Rabbi’s house and lit his lamp.

Happy to have received such a wonderful bless¬ing from the holy rabbi, the baker returned home, while the rabbi sat down with a grateful heart and immersed himself in his holy study.

The baker had no doubt that the rabbi’s bless¬ing would be fulfilled. But day followed day and nothing happened. He continued to sweat at his oven, scraping coal, but not gold.

“I guess I am not worthy of the rabbi’s blessing; I’d better forget all about it,” the baker concluded sadly.

One day, as he took a stroll towards the bazaar to cool off and catch a breath of fresh air, a stranger approached him and asked him if he was looking for work.

“I have a job. I’m a baker, and while it brings me no riches, I make a living, thanks to the Holy One, blessed be He.”

“I see you’re an honest man,” said the stranger. “I need a man like you for my business. What if I offered you five times the amount you earn from your bakery; would you be interested to work for me for a few months?”

“If it’s just for a few months, I’d first have to find someone to take over my bakery for that period of time.”

“Good,” said the stranger. “Let’s meet here tomorrow at the same time.”

The following day, when the baker arrived at the arranged meeting place, the stranger was already there waiting for him.

“I’m ready to start working for you,” the baker announced.

“Very good, come with me.”

The stranger led the baker through a maze of unfamiliar winding streets, uphill and downhill, turning now right now left, until he finally stopped in a side alley.

“I hope you’ll not mind being blindfolded,” the stranger said to the baker. “No one, not even you, must know where you are working; and you must not breathe a word to anyone about the kind of work you’re doing for me.”

The stranger took out a long kerchief and blindfolded the baker. They continued walking for a short distance, then stopped again. Here the stranger led the baker down some steps, took out a large key and opened a creaking door.

“Here we are,” said the stranger, removing the blindfold from the baker’s eyes.

The baker found himself in a windowless cellar, where, by the light of a lamp that the stranger had lit, he saw a long table, with a couple of chairs. On the table lay many small bags, bulging with golden coins and jewels, worthy of a royal treasury.

“Your job,” said the stranger “is to help me separate the coins and jewels and sort them out in heaps according to their size. Then you will have to count them, record the totals, and put them into bags.”

They got busy without further talk except for the instructions the baker received. He liked the work very much, and the time passed quickly.

“That’s enough for today,” said the stranger finally. He gave the baker his day’s wages, five times the amount he would have earned from his bakery. He then put aside a golden coin, saying, “Each day, in addition to your wages, I shall put aside a golden coin for you, and when the entire job is finished I shall give you all the accumulated coins as a parting gift.”

The stranger again blindfolded the baker, unlocked the cellar door, and led him out, carefully locking the door after them. Up the steps, they went and after some distance, he removed the blindfold. They continued by a different way and finally came to the place where they had met for the first time.

“Until tomorrow morning, same time, same place,” the stranger said, and went his way.

They met every morning and spent the day working together in that secret cellar, until one morning, several weeks later, the stranger did not turn up. The baker waited for him for a long time in vain, so he went home. The same thing happened the following day. When the stranger didn’t turn up on the third day either, the baker concluded that something must have happened to him, for they had not fin¬ished their work. “Where can I look for him? I don’t know his name, or where he lives; so that’s the end of that.” There was nothing left for him to do but to return to his work at the bakery.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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

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A Generous Wife

Posted on Tuesday, 18, August, 2020Tuesday, 20, September, 2022 by Rabbi

There was a very wealthy merchant who was very learned in Torah. He had a beautiful daughter named Adina. She was like her father, intelligent and wise. She was very quiet, but above all else, she loved to help the poor. She welcomed every beggar or person in need who came to the door and sat them down to a fine table filled with good food, and as they left, she gave them a generous donation of money to help them on their way.

A beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant always attracts young men who want her hand in marriage. Among Adina’s suitors was a certain wealthy man who owned many flocks and herds. Adina agreed to marry him, and the wedding celebrations lasted the customary seven days. What Adina did not know was that as kind, generous, and charitable as she was, her new husband was mean, miserly, and selfish. In his whole life, he had never once given even a dry crumb of bread to a poor person.

One day, a ragged beggar appeared at their door. He had not eaten in two days and was very hungry and tired. Adina received him warmly, as was her way. “Welcome to our home,” she said. “Come sit at our table and eat with us!”

The moment her husband saw the man, he shouted, “Don’t you dare enter this room! Get out of my house this minute. No dirty beggar eats at the table with me!”

Adina was shocked and very hurt. Much to her shame she now knew what her husband was like. So she left him, went back to her father’s house, and was divorced from him.

After that, other suitors came to ask for Adina’s hand. But as soon as they heard about how charitable she was, they left. “She’ll give away all my money.” one cried, “Should I eat at the same table with beggars? Never” others would say. No one wanted to marry her.

One day a man came and when he was told how Adina was so charitable, he said, “What could be better than a charitable woman with a good heart?” So the two of them were married.

One evening, they were sitting at the table, dining, and there was a knock at the door. When Adina got up from the table and opened the door, she saw in front of her a beggar—weak, tired, and hungry from much walking. As she looked closer at his face, she gave out a cry and fainted. She had recognized him: It was her first husband, the miser, who had lost all his money and was now begging from door to door!

When she recovered, her new husband revealed to her why he loved her generous nature. He said, “I was the beggar whom your first husband threw out of the house.” He had received a new start in life and had become wealthy.

Reflecting on what had happened, Adina replied, “Great are the deeds of the Holy One, blessed be He. Who raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the needy out of the dunghill” (Psalms 113:7).

“To him who has the means and refuses the needy, the Holy One says: Bear in mind fortune is a wheel.” (Tanchuma Mishpatim #8) A husband who complains about a holy woman’s excessive charity might not realize that he too may one day be in need.

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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Charity must be given in secret (Shabbos 104a)

It is taught that tzedakah (charity) be given secretly, so as not to embarrass the poor person. The giving of tzedakah is so important and special that the rabbis of old taught that “charity equals all the other commandments (Bava Basra 9a)

In a small village there lived a man who was experiencing great poverty. Shabbos was approaching, and he was at a loss for what to do; he had absolutely no money and had made no preparations for Shabbos.

The wealthy man knew that a person should “give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of G-d will not be turned away from you. (Tobit 4:7)

When the poor man put on his coat after the services and found the gold coins in his pocket, he lifted his eyes to heaven to thank the Holy One, blessed be He for sending a messenger to save him from his desperate situation.

The man was thankful not only for the money but also for the way it was given and his having been spared embarrassment. Undoubtedly, the wealthy merchant’s sensitive and thoughtful act also inspired him, renewing his will to live and giving him strength to face his difficulties.

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 girl took the pot home to her mother, and now they were freed from their poverty and hunger, and ate the savoury soup as often as they chose.

Hearty Mushroom Barley Soup (Pareve or Meat)

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups water

1 large clove garlic (peeled and finely chopped)

1/2 cup pearl barley

1 pound fresh mushrooms (cleaned, trimmed, and sliced)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

6 cups vegetable broth or chicken stock (storebought or homemade)

1 medium onion (peeled, trimmed, and finely chopped)

1 carrot (peeled, trimmed, and chopped into small dice)

1 celery stalk (trimmed and finely chopped)

Kosher or sea salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Add water to the sautéed vegetables (or chicken stock to the pot) raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the barley to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for about 60 t0 90 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

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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“If you will do what I ask you, you shall have challahs and two whole chickens,” the wealthy brother said. The poor brother immediately thanked him, and promised to do as his bother asked.

“Well, here are the challahs and the chickens, and now you must go straight to the ancient cave in the hills known as Black Hole Cave,” instructed the rich brother, throwing the food to him.

“Well, I will do what I have promised,” said the poor brother, and he took the food and set off. He traveled the narrow path for many hours.

Outside the ancient cave was an old man with a long white beard chopping wood.

“Shalom Aleichem, (Peace be unto you)” said the poor brother.

“Aleichem shalom (Ubto you, Peace). Where are you going at this late hour, Shabbos is coming very soon?” asked the old man.

“I am going to Black Hole Cave, if only I am on the right track,” answered the poor man.

So the man with the chickens thanked the other for his good advice, and rapped at the door.

When he got in, everything happened just as the old man had said it would: all the people, great and small, came round him like ants on an ant-hill, and each tried to outbid the other for the chicken.

“By rights my wife and I should have these chickens for Shabbos dinner, but, since you have set your hearts upon it, I will sell my chickens to you for the hand-mill which is standing there behind the door.”

“Where in the world have you been?” asked his wife. “I have been waiting for you all day and have nothing to prepare for Shabbos dinner.”

“Don’t worry yourself about this blessing from Heaven” he told her as he invited everyone to enjoy the food throughout Shabbos.

It was evening when the rich man got the mill home, and in the morning he told his wife to go into the market, and he would attend to the house himself.

So, when dinner-time drew near, he set the mill on the kitchen-table, and said: “Grind boiled potatoes and sour cream, and do it both quickly and well.”

They were blessed for the rest of their years with happiness and plenty.

Bukharan Chicken and Rice Plov

Plov is a signature dish of the Bukharan Jewish community of Central Asia. Often slow cooked in a wood-burning oven, it is served to guests as a symbol of hospitality for Shabbat, holidays and at special life events, including weddings.

INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons oil (enough to cover bottom of pot)

2 to 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken (cut into small bite-size squares)

3 onions (peeled, trimmed and chopped)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt (divided)

6 carrots (peeled and grated thick)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon sugar

2 1/2 cups medium grain rice (such as Basmati)

1-3 teaspoons Cumin

½ – 1 ½ teaspoon(s) cinnamon

3 1/2 cups boiling water (enough to cover the rice by 1/2 inch)

DIRECTIONS

In a Dutch oven or large pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, and then the carrots. Stir in the sugar. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Lay the chicken on top of the onions and carrots. Don’t stir to maintain a layer of vegetables and a distinct layer of meat. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and pepper on the chicken. Cook the chicken, gently turning the pieces over in the middle, until the chicken turns white.

Add rice on top of the chicken. Don’t stir because the layers of vegetables and chicken should remain undisturbed, but distribute the rice evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add boiling water. Turn the heat down to low and cover.

After about 15 minutes, scrape down the sides and poke 6 or 7 holes through the rice to the bottom of the pot with the handle of a wooden spoon. Cover and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

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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In the village, there was a miser. He never gave any tzedakah (charity) to anyone or any cause. One day he walked by a bakery and smelled the most wonderful mandelbroit (mandel bread – Almond Toast) and wanted some. He bought a bag of mandelbroit and took a piece out of the bag to eat.

He enjoyed the delicate flavor of the mandelbroit and was not watching where he was going and tripped. His bag of delicious mandelbroit fell and broke open in the road. He was so sad and angry.

A beggar came up to the miser and asked for a few coins so he can buy food for his family. The miser gave the bag of mandelbroit he just picked up out of the roadto the beggar. The miser hurried along his way.

That night, the miser had a dream that he was at an inn where the most delicious-looking cake was being served to everyone, but him. At last, he catches the inn keeper who brings him a piece of dirty pastry. In this place, the World to Come, all he is allowed is what he gave on earth.

Mandelbroit – Mandel Bread

Ingredients