There was a Jewish merchant in Cordova named Yaakov haJoyero, and he was honest and good to all he met. He studied the Holy Books and made time for prayer every day. One day there was entrusted to him a necklace of fine gemstones and precious pearls to be sold for five hundred pieces of gold.

He was walking by the way, carrying the chain in his hand, when he was met by a nobleman, one of the king’s favorites, who called to him: “Yaakov, what type of chain is that?” He answered, “My lord, it is entrusted to my hand to be sold.”

“And for how much will you sell it for?” “The price is five hundred pieces of gold,” Yaakov replied.

The nobleman asked, “Will you sell it for four?” Yaakov answered, “I cannot, for its owner instructed me not to accept less than five hundred pieces of gold.”

The nobleman thought for a moment and then said, “Take it then to my house, and if it please my lady I will buy it.” So, Yaakov haJoyero went with the nobleman until they reached the gate of his house, where the noble instructed, “Stand here until I bring out to you either the money or the necklace. The nobleman entered his house and shut the door behind him. Yaakov haJoyero waited until evening, but no one came out of the door of the house.

“When the sun set, Yaakov left the nobleman’s house went to his home full of sadness and anger. Sorrow oppressed his heart and wounded it. He laid down on the ground and did not eat. No one in his family ate that night. He did not change his clothes, nor did he close his weary eyes, He tossed and turned all night.

In the morning, he arose and went to the house of the nobleman, but he had left his house for the day. He wandered the market and saw the nobleman, and ran to meet him.

Yaakov haJoyero confronted him and demanded, “My lord, buy the necklace if you will, or else return it, and I will sell it to another.” The nobleman answered, “Of what necklace do you speak? Have you by chance dreamt of such a necklace?” Yaakov said, “The necklace of fine gemstones and pearls which you took from my hand yesterday.”

“You are mad, afflicted with some evil spirit” said the nobleman. “By my life and the life of the king, were I not noble born, I would take your head from your shoulders, and then I would trample in your blood.” When Yaakov heard the anger and hardness of the nobleman’s words, he became so fearful that he turned and ran away. The nobleman glared at him with anger and hatred until he disappeared from sight.

“He went to the house of the dayan (the judge), and when the dayan looked at him saw that sorrow had bitten into him with its fangs. He saw that his appearance and his face was dark because of his sadness.

The dayan addressed him, “What bothers you so much that you are so downcast? Have you been badly abused?” Yaakov replied, “My lord, I am in a very bad way. I am afraid to tell you about it out of fear that you might not believe what I have to tell.” The judge gently answered, “Take a deep breath and tell me what is bothering you. Your words are true in my sight as I know you to be honest and faithful in all you do.”

So Yaakov told the judge everything that had happened to him related to the matter of the necklace and asked that the judge be lenient with him. The judge reassured Yaakov, “Remove anger from your heart and put away your sadness, don’t tremble nor groan from your pain, for I will restore the necklace to you.”

“And it came to pass on the next day that he summoned all the great men of the city, its elders, and wise men, and sages, to come to the place of judgment, for so was it his practice occasionally to gather the wise men and to speak with them of justice. So they all came to his house, to listen to the words of his understanding and his wisdom. But as they came the judge said to his servant: “When the nobleman comes, take his shoe and go to his house and say to his wife, ‘My lord, your husband sent me to you to retrieve the necklace which he bought yester¬day or the day before because he would like to show others its great beauty. As a sign that this is his wish, he has given me his shoe to show you.’ “

When the woman saw her husband’s shoe she gave the necklace to the servant of the judge. He quickly brought it to his master and hid it in his coat until that the wise men left the place of judgment. When they left, his master asked him, “Have you brought the necklace?” “’I have it in my coat,” he answered and gave it to the judge. Then the judge sent for Yaakov haJoyero, and said to him, “Be calmed, and do not worry any longer, for I have returned to you the necklace. I have removed it from the nobleman’s house that which he had stolen.” When the merchant saw the necklace he kissed the judge’s hand and blessed him and carried it to his house joyful and glad at heart.

Sefer Sha’ashu’im – 12th Century Spain

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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