Stories We Tell

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The Princess and The Pearl Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

The King isn't sure which of his daughters he will name queen, so he gives them a test: each gets a special pearl, and whoever makes the most impressive choice about what to do with it will become queen. While two of his daughters hide the pearl away for safekeeping, the third sells her pearl for food and medicine for a family in need. Which one becomes queen? Marissa Solomon, the Digital Communications Producer at the URJ tells the story. For a written version of this story, see The King's Three Daughters in "The Jewish Story Finder" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

Only One Thing Oct 25, 2018

Show notes

A child asks her rabbi, "What are Jewish people supposed to do when we get together?" The rabbi responds, "Jewish people should study Talmud." But what if not every Jewish person knows Talmud? Shira Kline answers the question and retells the story.

Yankele and the Shabbat Treasure Oct 18, 2018

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One night, Yankele has the most amazing dream about finding buried treasure in the corner of his yard. He doesn't think it means anything until he has the dream again, and again, and again. Finally, one Shabbat Yankele goes to the corner of his yard and digs, and sure enough, he finds the most magnificent treasure—but it disappears after 24 hours! Listen to the story to find out what happened and why. Rabbi Josh Weinberg tells his original story.

Turn your Shoes Around (Paradise) Oct 11, 2018

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A man has become so unhappy with his life that he decides to leave everything behind and live the rest of his days in paradise. It's a two day journey, so when he stops for the night he points his shoes in the direction he needs to continue on in the morning. Somehow, the shoes get turned around overnight! Does he ever make it to paradise? Cantor Rosalie Boxt retells the story. For a similar version of this story, see When Shelmiel Went to Warsaw in "The Jewish Story Finder: A Guide to 668 Tales Listing Subjects and Sources" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

Who Are You? Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Reb Zusya was especially beloved by his students. He was known for his kind heart, gentle voice, and his famous teaching: Listen to the still small voice inside you. One day, Reb Zusya didn't show up for class. His students went to his home and found him ill, huddled under his covers, unable to get up. But, he was not too ill to leave them with one final lesson. Shira Kline retells the story. A written version of the story can be found in Partners with God by Gila Gevirtz.

Etrog As Big As A Horse Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

Isaac's favorite holiday was Sukkot, and his favorite part of Sukkot was the etrog. He always bought the biggest etrog he could afford, and he dreamed of even bigger ones. One year he had saved up for the biggest and most beautiful etrog, and on his way to buy it, he saw a man crying on the side of the road. What happened next? Rabbi Mark Kaiserman retells the story. For a similar version of this story, see So What? in "The Jewish Story Finder: A Guide to 668 Tales Listing Subjects and Sources" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

Knowing What Is Being Said. Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

There was a rabbi who had been with his community for a long time. The community loved learning from him, and he loved teaching them. But one Shabbat, the rabbi could not figure out what he wanted to teach. So, he asked his community: "After this week of so many things happening, I'm sure you all know what I planned to tell you, right?" Rabbi Leora Kaye retells the story. For a written version, see Three Sabbaths in "The Essential Jewish Stories," collected, annotated, and retold by Seymour Rossel.

Lift Up Your Eyes Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Rivka and Samuel were two of the Israelites who left Egypt after being freed from bondage, and because they grew up as slaves, they only knew how to look down. Many of the slaves who left Egypt looked up in wonder during their journey, but not Rivka and Samuel. Do they ever learn to look up, or do they continue on, missing miracles? Cantor Rosalie Boxt retells the classic story. You can find a written version of the story in [italics: Capturing the Moon - Classic and Modern Jewish Tales] retold by Rabbi Edward M. Feinstein.

Happiness Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

Once upon a time a king fell seriously ill, and nobody could figure out how to cure his ailment. Finally, a healer suggested a remedy: if the king could wear the shirt of a person who was absolutely happy, he would be healed. So, a team set out to find a person who was absolutely happy. Did they succeed? Shira Kline, performance and ritual artist and director of worship at Lab/Shul retells the story.

The Silent Duel Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

There was a sultan who thought he was the smartest man in the entire kingdom, but one day he heard talk of how smart the Jewish people were. The sultan still didn't buy it. He knew that the Jewish people were smart when it came to words, but how would they fare in a silent duel? Rabbi Mark Kaiserman retells the story. For a written version, see [italics: The Language of Signs] in "The Jewish Story Finder" by Sharon Barcan Elswit.

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