Jewish stories for children of all ages

Chacham Moshe and the Sultan's signet ring

Chacham Moshe is one of the Sultan's closest advisors, along with Achmed. When Achmed's jealous scheme backfires, Chacham Moshe becomes even closer to the Sultan, which drives Achmed to plot against him with even more cunning. Finally, deliverance comes when the Sultan's missing signet ring is miraculously found and Achmed gets his just reward.

Shoshanas Yaakov

The holy Baal Shem Tov is escorting young Shaul Margolis back to his father in Lemberg shortly after Purim, when they stop at an inn and the Baal Shem Tov asks young Shaul to sing "Shoshanas Yaakov" for the assembled non-Jewish peasants. Before they resume their journey, the Baal Shem Tov introduces Shaul to three young peasant boys about his age. Many years later, the reason for this strange occurrence becomes clear.

Purim Burgel

For the Jews of Tripoli, times were good because the ruler's favorite advisor was a Jewess, known as "Queen Esther". Her husband Mordechai was the Pasha's Finance Minister. But when Crown Prince Burgel rebels against his father, Ali Pasha, the situation becomes grim until the Jews remember that it's best to trust only in Hashem.

Purim Constantinople

When Chief Rabbi Moshe Hammun, personal physician to the Sultan of Constantinople, is called urgently to the palace, he is surprised to hear that the Sultan has had a dream ordering that all Jews in Turkey must either convert or be exiled. Rabbi Moshe is unsure of how to help the Jews until a stranger tells him a secret that turns the situation around very quickly.

The harpist of Granada

When the Berbers sack the Spanish city of Cordoba and destroy the Jewish community, young Shmuel Abinoam is orphaned and only escapes with the help of kindly neighbors to Granada. There, he finds new hope with the help of Dona Ezra, who teaches him to play the harp. Eventually young Shmuel Abinoam is reunited with his uncle Shmuel HaNagid and together they use Shmuel's musical skill to restore peace to the Jews of Granada.

The Haman of the shtetl

When the sheriff outlaws the delivering of shalach-mones without a special license, which must be bought from him, the Jews gragger Haman extra hard that year and the situation quickly turns over just as in the days of Mordechai and Esther.

The Baal Shem Tov and the melamed

A melamed in Medzibuzh desires greatly to visit the Baal Shem Tov, but the melamed's employer has forbidden it. One Friday night, the melamed's desire is fulfilled in his dream, and when he awakes he can think of nothing else until finally his dream becomes a reality.

The MaHaRaL finds a wife

Shmuel HaKatzin finds a most excellent bride for his dear daughter Perel, until the wheel of fortune changes and the wedding is postponed for ten years. But a passing officer leaves an old saddlebag in payment for a loaf of Perel's bread, and the wheel of fortune turns again and they finally marry.

A dowry for a poor kallah

When the Rabbi goes to collect funds for a poor kallah, his very first stop provides him with all of the expenses as well as a very special story.

Matzliach's special mitzvah

Matzliach's promise to his late father is to choose one mitzvah that he will keep no matter what the cost, and Matzliach soon discovers that his dedication to negel vasser brings him great success indeed, both physically and spiritually.