Stories We Tell

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The Three Sticks Aug 23, 2018

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Three friends, each with their own special skill, make Shabbat together every week—that is, until they get lost in the woods without time to find their way out before Shabbat begins. Luckily, they find a cottage inhabited by an old woman who magically sets up for Shabbat in an instant. The woman tells the three friends that they, too, can magically prepare for Shabbat, but only if they find and bring her back the exact right apple. Can they do it? Rabbi Phyllis Sommer, Director of Congregational Learning at Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL retells the story. For a written version of the story, see [italics: The Sabbath Walking Stick] in "A Coat for the Moon and Other Jewish Tales," selected and retold by Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush.

An Unforgettable Trip Aug 16, 2018

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Two students of the Baal Shem Tov were preparing for a trip Israel, and asked for his blessing, which he gave them with one caveat: if they were to meet anyone who asked them a specific question, they must answer the question sincerely. The students didn't think much of this until they returned home and detailed their trip to the Baal Shem Tov. Did they meet his request? Rabbi Josh Weinberg retells the classic story, which was told to him by Baruch Kraus.

The Sultan's Horns Aug 09, 2018

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The sultan hated getting haircuts because of his big secret: he had horns on top of his head. He was so afraid that people would find out, that he threw every barber who cut his hair in prison. Finally, the only barber left in town was summoned to the sultan. Was he thrown in prison like the barbers before him? Rabbi Mark Kaiserman retells the story. For a written version, see The Sultan's Horns in "The Jewish Story Finder" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

The Fur Coats and The Fireplaces Aug 02, 2018

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There was a town full of all kinds of people – some who were wealthy with money, some who were wealthy with relationships, and some who were wealthy with both. When a particularly bitter and brutal winter strikes the town, everybody does what they can to keep warm—but it's not enough. What does one family, wealthy in both money and relationships, do to keep warm? Rabbi Leora Kaye tells the story, which she created based on a teaching from Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk.

The Magic Slippers Jul 26, 2018

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Abu Kasim was a seller of rags, and day after day he would drudge through the streets begging people to buy something. One day, after sharing some bread with a beggar on the street, a beautiful woman gave him a gorgeous pair of slippers that just happened to fit him perfectly! Suddenly, Abu Kasim is selling his rags faster than ever before, and he is even able to open a shop and buy himself a new pair of slippers. What happens next? Michelle Shapiro Abraham tells the story, which is adapted from [italics: The Magic Sandals of Ibn David] from "The Diamond Tree," selected and retold by Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush.

One Swing Too Many Jul 19, 2018

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Yankel is hurrying home through the forest, carrying all of the earnings from the big sale he just made. When a robber jumps out from behind a tree and demands Yankel's money, he comes up with a clever plan to escape the robber and keep his earnings – does it work? Rabbi Mark Kaiserman retells the story. For a written version of this story, see One Shot Too Many in "The Jewish Story Finder" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

How We Grow Jul 12, 2018

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Two villagers were engaged in a friendly argument: do people grow from the feet up or the head down? After days of being unable to come to an agreement, they take their question to the rabbi. How do people grow? Lisa Langer, Associate Director of Congregational Innovation at the Union for Reform Judaism retells the classic story. For a written version of the story, see How We Grow in "The Jewish Story Finder."

The Greatest Gift Jul 05, 2018

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It's time for the princess to get married, and the king and queen want to make sure that she marries her best match. There are three brothers in the running, and in order to decide which one will marry the princess, the king and queen set up a contest: the brother who gives the princess the greatest gift will become her husband. The brothers travel far and wide, and the oldest finds a magic carpet, the middle brother finds a magic mirror, and the youngest finds a special apple. Which gift is best? Rabbi Matt Gewirtz retells the story, which is adapted from The Magic Pomegranate: A Jewish Folktale by Peninnah Schram.

Miriam The Wise Jun 28, 2018

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The tailor and the innkeeper were great friends even though they often argued, and one day, they couldn't come to an agreement about which one of them knew more about life. Luckily, the prince, who was known for his wisdom, overheard, and gave them a riddle to help solve the argument. Whichever one of them could solve the riddle would be the one that knew more about life. Who figures it out?, who helps them, and what does the prince learn himself? Michelle Shapiro Abraham retells the story, adapted from [italics: The Innkeeper's Wise Daughter], which can be found in "Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World" by Kathleen Ragan.

Where is your target? Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

The prince goes to study with a master archer to become the best in the land. When he finishes his studies and heads back home, he stops at an inn and sees a barn covered with arrows stuck perfectly in the middle of targets, clearly the work of another excellent archer. The prince sets out to find this archer—who are they and how do they do it? Rabbi Leora Kaye retells the story. For a written version, see The Perfect Story in The Essential Jewish Stories, collected, annotated, and retold by Seymour Rossel.

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