Jewish stories for children of all ages

Rabbi Galanti visits Kushta

When Rabbi Galanti is sent to raise funds in Kushta (Constantinople), he arrives in the middle of a civic crisis as two of the Sultan's pet lions have escaped and are terrorizing the city. Rabbi Galanti's self-control saves the day, and the Sultan's gratitude means that Rabbi Galanti's mission is a success.

The bees gave more than honey

Meir's reputation for honest business pays off when he buys a tree stump with more than just honey inside!

Naftoli’s pears

Naftoli isn't as young as he once was and has a hard time earning a few coins, so he walks in the forest to console himself and meets an elderly farmer who hires Naftoli for the day and pays him with a basket of delicious pears. These pears command a huge price in the market as they have the taste of Gan Eden, and Naftoli's pears are there for the poor and needy long after he is gone.

New Year for the trees

Abiasar ibn Crescas is a famous physician in Spain, until the Inquisition forced him to abandon his profession if he would not abandon his faith. When he defies the Inquisition to help the Duke, trouble soon finds him and his son Avraham, but they remain strong and are eventually reunited.

Reb Michel Zlotchover

Reb Michel is a fine young man, dedicated to learning Torah and serving Hashem privately, but when some other young men decide to play a trick on him, his true greatness becomes revealed and he chooses to move to a new city to maintain his humble lifestyle.

The Jewish contractor and the Czar

When Reb Leib Batlan's son is imprisoned on the whim of the cruel Czar Nikolai, Reb Leib dismisses the danger and indeed the Czar soon releases Reb Leib's son and reflects on this strange turn of events.

The poor tailor

Two talmidim of the holy Baal Shem Tov meet a poor tailor in Vilna who has a local reputation for being able to bestow blessings that come true. They bring the tailor to the Baal Shem Tov and hear an amazing story that is the source of the poor tailor's ability.

Purim of the curtains

Emperor Ferdinand of the Hapsburg empire has entrusted his ceremonial gold curtains to the governor of Prague, Rudolf, who has in turn entrusted them to his chamberlain Hradek. When the curtains go missing, the blame falls quickly on the Jews, who have entrusted everything to Hashem and are miraculously saved through the intercession of the famous MaHaRal of Prague

Shimon’s good heart

When the Chacham says that Hashem desires nothing more than a good heart, Shimon takes him literally, to the great delight of the shamash. Eventually, Shimon teaches the Chacham the true meaning of a good heart.

The two merchants and the little judge

The governor has a very difficult case to judge when a spice merchant accuses his neighbor the oil merchant of stealing his fortune, but a chance encounter with some Jewish children at play gives the governor a just and wise solution.