The holy rabbi was always collecting donations to help those less fortunate. In one village there was a very wealthy merchant who was a collector of rare and precious religious objects. The merchant was so wealthy that he even owned his own scroll of the Torah, which was prominently displayed in an Ark that had been built into a wall of his living room. The wealthy merchant’s name was Avram Moshe

Once the holy rabbi came to pay the wealthy merchant a visit, and Avram Moshe was beside himself with joy, proudly showing off his precious objects to the holy rabbi. Each time the holy rabbi seemed pleased by a particular object, Avram Moshe had it wrapped and placed in a crate for the rabbi to take back with him.

Before long the crate was almost filled with silver goblets, embroidered matzah and challah covers, and other precious treasures of Avram Moshe, and at last the rabbi rose to take his leave, thanking Avram Moshe for his generosity. At that moment the rabbi’s eye fell on a beautiful antique silver menorah, one of Avram Moshe’s most prized possessions. For a long time the rabbi stared at that menorah, and Avram Moshe and everyone else clearly saw that he desired it, yet Avram Moshe could not bring himself to offer it, for it was a priceless heirloom.

Finally the holy rabbi broke the silence, asking, as a special favor, for the silver menorah. Everyone watched Avram Moshe closely, for they knew how much he prized that menorah, and they saw that he was struggling with himself. At last Avram Moshe ordered his servant to wrap the menorah, place it with the other gifts, and carry the crate to the rabbi’s carriage.

When they returned home, the rabbi had the crate opened, and displayed all of the gifts he had received from Avram Moshe except for the silver menorah, which was put in a closet unopened. No one understood why the holy rabbi had asked for the silver menorah or why he did not display or use it, No one dared to question the holy rabbi.

Many years passed, and Avram Moshe left for the world of truth, and as it is with matters of time, eventually silver menorah in the closet was forgotten. Ten years went by and on the first night Chanukah, the holy rabbi had the menorah brought out of storage and prepared for lighting. As the flames burned brightly, reflected in the polished silver of the menorah, the holy rabbi shared a story:

“This menorah once belonged to a Jewish tailor, Chaim Tzvi, who was a rich man for most of his life but then fell upon hard times. Avram Moshe had de­sired this menorah for many years and often tried to purchase it, but no matter how much he offered, Chaim Tzvi refused to sell it, for this menorah had been in his family for many generations. However, when his situation grew desperate, Chaim Tzvi went to Avram Moshe for a loan. Avram Moshe agreed to give him a generous loan, with the silver menorah to serve as security. Sadly, when the loan was due, Chaim Tzvi could not repay it, and accordingly he had to abandon the menorah to Avram Moshe.

“Now, as we know, every good deed creates an angel, but if a deed is imperfect, it produces an imperfect angel. In giving Chaim Tzvi a loan, Avram Moshe did a good deed, and therefore an angel came into being. However, because his intentions were not completely pure, Avram Moshe’s angel was blind.

“After his death, Avram Moshe was brought before the Heavenly Court. His good deeds and bad deeds were weighed, and they balanced exactly. All at once the blind angel took its place on the right side of the scale, and it tipped in Avram Moshe’s favor. Seeing this, the Heavenly Court ruled that Avram Moshe might be permitted to enter Gan Eden (Paradise), but since his margin was so narrow, he would have to be led there by the blind angel.

“Ever since then, Avram Moshe and the blind angel have wandered, and his soul has found no rest. For the blind angel could not find the way to Gan Eden. Without some special merit, his soul would have continued to wander for many years to come. But tonight the light of this menorah reached all the way to the highest heavens, restoring the angel’s sight, and making it possible for the angel to lead Avram Moshe’s soul to its resting place in Gan Eden.

“Now you know why, long ago, I asked Avram Moshe for his menorah. For it was the merit of this gift that he needed in order to repair the eyesight of the angel. I never used it until now, as I was waiting for the right moment. Last night, I saw Avram Moshe, led by the blind angel, in a dream. From this I knew that they were close, and tonight, as the holy light from the menorah ascended, that they were passing over. Now Avram Moshe is basking in the sacred light of Gan Eden.”

May your Chanukah lights shine bright

and

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Click here for more storytelling resources

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

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

 

Most people in the Jewish communities throughout the world can rattle off a list of Chanukah traditions such as lighting the menorah each night; playing dreidel games; eating foods cooked in oil (latkes and Sufganiot); and exchanging gifts.

An age old tradition is telling stories in the glow of the Chanukah menorah. The stories tell of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.

The very backdrop to the spiritual stories is attractive to its rMeaders allowing one to peek into the beliefs, and lifestyles of a vanishing age of a faraway world and reminding them that the messages are eternal – just as strong today as they were yesterday.

The book, Story Tour: The Journey Begins will remind readers of forgotten stories of faith that strengthen and reaffirm hope for a better world.

Buy a copy of Story Tour: The Journey Begins as a gift for someone special today. Story Tour: The Journey Begins is available from the publisher, Xlibris, Booksamillion, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon