Money In The Honey

In honor of the anniversary of the passing of King David on Shavuot, we present this story from his youth.
Once there lived in the Land of Israel a very wealthy Jew. Upon his death, he passed on to his wife all of his great wealth. The widow decided to leave her city in search of a place with less memories. Her main concern before going on her journey, was to find a place where she could safely leave her vast inheritance.
She came upon the idea of hiding her gold coins in earthen containers, which she filled with honey. She then asked one of her late husband's close friends if he would watch over her jars of honey while she was away. The friend was happy to oblige.
Months passed. One day, the friend was preparing a festive meal for his son's forthcoming marriage and they had run out of honey. The friend remembered the honey which had been left in his safekeeping by the widow. "Certainly there can be no harm in my borrowing some of the honey," the friend conjectured. "I will replace it tomorrow," he assured himself.
Imagine the friend's surprise when he dipped a large spoon deep into the honey and it came out with two gold coins stuck to it. Again and again the friend dipped the spoon into the honey, and each time it came up with a small fortune. "No one but the widow and myself know that there is money in these earthen jars," thought the friend. And with that, he emptied the jars of all the gold. The next day he quickly refilled the jars to the very top with the sweet, golden syrup.
A few weeks passed and the widow returned to her home-town. She had found a suitable home in a different village where she was certain she would be able to start a new life for herself. When she asked her husband's friend for the honey jars back he was only too happy to return them to her. She thanked him for having 'guarded' them for her all this time.
The widow hurried home with the jars and, once inside, set out to retrieve the gold coins she had placed there months before. At first, she did not become alarmed when the spoon came up empty. But as the minutes passed, and she did not come up with one gold coin, she became hysterical. She took each jar to the back of the house and poured out the honey. She searched inside the jars but found nothing.
Beside herself with grief, the widow ran to the "friend's" house, only to find that he denied any knowledge of the gold coins. "You left jars of honey in my care and I have returned the exact jars of honey that you gave me."
The widow had no choice but to take him to court. The judge, however, noting that there had been no witnesses to the widow's claims that she had put gold in the jars, could not come to a verdict. He sent the case to a higher court, which eventually referred it to King Saul, himself. King Saul, however, also had no clue as to how to decide the case.
While on a walk in the countryside, the widow began to sob bitterly. A young shepherd noticed her bent and broken figure, and approached to offer his assistance. The widow smiled at this innocent lad, and told him her sad story.
"I have an idea that might help prove that the jars were filled with gold," said young David. 'Go to King Saul, and tell him that David, son of Jesse, would like to come to his court and to help settle this matter.'
The widow was touched at the young boy's sincerity. "My dear child," she said, "I have been sent to the King by the highest court in Israel, for they could not reach a decision. How, then, do you think that you will be able to help me?"
"Certainly G-d will help you. Just maybe, that help is meant to come through a young, simple shepherd such as I," David replied. The woman went to King Saul with David's request.
King Saul was intrigued with the young boy's offer and invited him to come to the court. The "friend" was also summoned to the court. Over and over, the thief swore on all that was holy that he had returned the exact same jars that he had been given.
"What do you say about this, my son?" asked King Saul to the young shepherd.
David asked that one of the jars be brought to him and in this way he would be able to prove the truth in the widow's words. David lifted the jar above his head and smashed it against the floor. He then carefully inspected the shards of pottery that were at his feet. Triumphantly, he help up one piece of the jar and waved it in the air. Stuck to the pottery was a gold coin that had been overlooked by the thief, and the widow.
The thief's evil deed had now been proven. All of Israel heard of the wisdom of the young shepherd, David, who later became one of the greatest kings of the Jewish people and from whom Moshiach is descended.

King David And The Madman

Shavuot is the anniversary of the passing of King David. The following is a famous story of King David from his youth
Before King David was anointed king, he was a shepherd and he spent his time tending his flocks in the hills, fields and forests of the land of Israel. His brilliant mind delved into all that he saw, and he tried to understand G-d's world. Many of G-d's creatures were beautiful, others were useful to man.
One day David saw a madman wandering through the fields. His clothing was torn, and the distracted look in his eyes bespoke a total loss of reason. David began to reflect on the man's condition. "G-d, you have created a world filled with beauty and perfection. Your creatures are wondrous to behold, but this I do not understand. Why did You create madness, which is good for nothing. Here I have seen a poor, destitute man who wanders completely bereft of reason. What purpose could insanity serve in Your world?"
G-d replied to David, saying, "David, do you really believe that I have created insanity in vain? One day you will see what it is for. One day you, yourself will be in need of madness and you will pray that I grant it to you."
When David was anointed by the prophet Samuel he was force to flee from King Saul who sought to kill him. David fled to the land of the Philistines, where King Achish gave him refuge. Achish didn't know that David was the new king, and he had hoped that David would help him defeat Saul.
Others in the king's court, namely the brothers of Goliath, whom David had slain, recognized him. They bided their time until they felt that the king would give David over to them, and said, "This is the very same man who killed our brother. Let us have our revenge on him."
But the king was unwilling to have his guest murdered. After all, it was likely that the young warrior would help in the war to defeat the Jewish king. He responded to them by denying their identification of young David. "It couldn't be David. He would never come to us for help. Besides, even if it was him, he killed your brother fairly, in battle."
The two brothers were angrier than ever and determined to get their revenge. They stirred up discontent among the other members of the king's royal guard, and taunted the king, saying, "Since one of the conditions of David's battle with my brother was that the winner would rule over the loser. Are you willing to become David's vassal?"
The king began to fear for his crown. He called David into his private chamber and cross-examined him about the death of Goliath. David saw that the king was no longer his ally, and he was frightened. He turned to G-d and prayed, "Please, Master of the Universe, help me now."
"What are you asking of Me; what kind of help do you require?" G-d responded.
"Let me become truly mad so that the king will not want to kill me."
"Do you remember when you asked Me why I created insanity? I told you that one day you would ask me to make you insane. Now, that has happened and you understand very well."
Immediately, David became obviously insane. The brothers of Goliath tried to bind him and bring him before the king, but he whirled and spun in circles. He spit and screamed and tore at his hair. He took a piece of charcoal and scribbled all over the palace doors, "Achish owes me a hundred times ten thousand pieces of silver. His wife, the queen, owes me fifty."
David ran through the palace from end to end. Achish had a daughter who was insane. She was kept in a locked room in the palace. When she heard David scream, she would scream back, and when she would scream, David would answer. The ruckus was unbearable to the king.
"Aren't I surrounded by enough insanity? Do I have to have this madman here as well? Get him out of here! It is obvious that this can't be David. David is a brilliant scholar and soldier; this man is completely insane."
Everyone at court agreed with him. Even Goliath's brothers saw that this was the wrong man. David was forcibly expelled from the palace. When he found himself free and no longer threatened his sanity returned to him. And he understood that everything that G-d does is good and has its purpose in the world.

How The First Temple Was Built

When his many wars were finally successfully concluded, King David devoted himself to the building of the Holy Temple of G-d in Jerusalem. Unequalled in holiness, wondrous in its construction, it was supremely unique in that the Presence of G-d was revealed there for all to see.

Although the task of its final construction was given to his son Solomon, King David, who laid the foundations in every sense, is credited with its building. It is written that Hashem did not allow David to build the Temple because he had shed so much blood on the battlefield, while the Temple was dedicated to peace. But another, perhaps more telling explanation, is also stated, namely, that had David built the Holy Temple, it would have been imbued with such holiness that it would have lasted into eternity. Would this not be a wonderful thing? it was asked. And Hashem replied: "It is known to Me that Israel will sin in the future, but I will vent my anger on the stones and spare the people from destruction."

King David's preparations stemmed from his inspired commitment, as he stated in his Psalms: "I will not take shelter in my house, nor mount my bed, nor give sleep to my eyes... until I find a place for the L-rd...." Together with the prophet Samuel, the King was able to discover the plans of the Temple which had been passed down from Sinai. It was to be built in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, on high ground, on the exact spot which is called the Foundation of the World. King David went to the owner of the land, a man named Aravnah, and purchased from him a threshing area located on Mount Moriah. There, King David built an altar and offered sacrifices to the L-rd.

Then, the King set about collecting the vast supplies needed for building. There were stockpiles of the famous cedars of Lebanon, more brass than could be measured, treasures of gold and silver, all materials consecrated by David for the holy purpose of building the Sanctuary.

After the death of King David, he was succeeded by his son Solomon, under whose rule the kingdom was firmly established. Peace and economic independence marked his rule. And Solomon, the wisest of all men, gained fame throughout the known world. When, in the fourth year of his reign, he began construction of the Holy Temple, he was able to assemble the finest artisans and craftsman of his time. When King Solomon sent to Pharaoh wishing to hire Egyptian craftsmen, it is related that Pharaoh gathered his astrologers to discern which of his workers were destined to die in that year; those, he chose for Solomon's project. When they arrived, the King, through divine inspiration, saw that they wouldn't live out the year. He dressed them in shrouds and sent them back to Egypt with the message to Pharaoh: "It seems you don't have enough shrouds in which to bury your people, so I have sent them to you."

Many miracles occurred in conjunction with the Temple's construction. Because it was prohibited to use metal implements to cut the stones, our Sages have related that there was a creature called a shamir, a kind of worm which existed for the sole purpose of cutting them. Also, during the construction, the stones rose into place spontaneously; none of the workers died or became ill; no tool was broken. The work of building was pursued unceasingly for seven years; tens of thousands of workers were employed in this gigantic effort, and when it reached completion, the joy of the people was indescribable.

The Temple was consecrated in the month of Tishrei (chosen because it was the birthday of the Patriarch Abraham). Huge crowds gathered from every corner of the kingdom and beyond to join in the magnificent celebration. The third day of the consecration ceremonies fell on the Day of Atonement, but in that special year fasting was suspended. The highlight of the proceedings was the transfer of the Holy Ark of the Covenant into the Inner Sanctuary, a witness to the continuity of the worship of Hashem by the Jewish nation. Our Sages tell us that when Solomon tried to bring the Ark into the Sanctuary, the gates stuck closed, whereupon he recited 24 different prayers; it was only when he invoked the name of his father, saying, "...remember Your servant David's loving kindness..." that the doors opened at once.

The King led the week-long celebration with his prayers and burnt offerings. Many pilgrims made the long journey to Jerusalem to participate in the glorious event, coming from as far as Syria and even Egypt. At the conclusion of the celebration, the people made their way home after having been blessed by the King. They had reached a joyous spiritual height which surpassed in holiness and purity even that of the Day of Atonement.

The Story Of Chana (Rosh Hashana)

The story of Chana, the Haftorah of Rosh Hashana, is a story of devotion and of love, of service and of sacrifice. It is the story of the woman who taught the world what it means to pray--that one prays not with one's lips, but from one's heart.
"Marry another woman that you may have children," Chana said to her husband, Elkana. "And when G-d sees my pain, perhaps I, too will be given a child." So, Elkana took a second wife, Penina. And she bore many children, but Chana had none.

With time, Chana might have resigned herself to her state, and found solace in her loving husband and her service of G-d. But Penina knew of the longing that burned deep within Chana and resolved that longing not be extinguished. And so, Penina tormented her endlessly.

In the morning, Penina rose early to prepare her children for school. "Chana," she called, "Why are you not up yet? Don't you have to wash and dress your children?"

At noon, Penina stood at the door, awaiting her children's return. "Chana, aren't you going to come too, to welcome your children home?"

At dinner, when Elkana served the main course, Penina once again called attention to her young.

There was not a day that Chana was not confronted with her barrenness. She sat silently at the table, the tears welling in her eyes, observing the lively tumult about her and the obvious pleasure Penina took in tending to her children, and she could not eat. Elkana, sensing her agony, served her the choicest portion, handing it to her lovingly, but it remained untouched.

Each year, Elkana and his family traveled to Shilo. Along the way, they stopped, and Chana and Elkana encouraged others to join them in their pilgrimage. Each year they took a different route, exhorting everyone they met to come along, until eventually, entire villages from all over the land of Israel journeyed with them to sacrifice and give thanks to G-d in Shilo.

It was autumn, they were in Shilo again. Elkana called his family together to share with them the sacrifice. As always, the best went to Chana. And she alone took no part in the joyous celebration. Gently, Elkana said to her: "Chana, why do you cry? Why is your heart saddened today? Does not my love mean more to you than the love of ten children?"

But the days when that love could have contented her were long past. In her mind, she saw only Penina, who made even the most mundane aspects of motherhood seem sublime. So, when everyone had finished the meal, she returned to the House of G-d, and standing before the Ark, she prayed.

"G-d, you have created everything in this world for a reason. You have given me eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak. Why have You given me a womb, if not to carry a child?

"Look at all the hundreds of people I have gathered to stand before you here. Shall I not have even one to call my own? Look at my despair, and give me a child, like other children, a happy child, a healthy child. No more do I ask for myself. But if it be Your will, then send me a child who will be a great leader, a sage and a holy man, as were Moses and Aaron, and I will dedicate his life to You."

For what seemed like an eternity, she stood before the wall, her body shaking and racked with tears, her lips moving but her voice hardly more than a whisper. In those days, prayers and supplications were said aloud, and Eli, the high priest, was suspicious of her behavior.

"Woman, are you drunk?" he called. "Go away from here, for it is improper to stand before G-d in a state of intoxication."

"No," she answered, "I have poured myself no wine today. It is my heart that I have poured out before G-d in my anguish."

"Then go in peace," Eli replied, "and may G-d grant you your prayer."

So they returned home. That year, Chana bore a son, and she named him Shmuel. When Shmuel was two, she took him with her to Shilo. She stood before Eli and said, "I am the woman who prayed to G-d in my sorrow. Beside me is my son, the answer to that prayer. And now may he be given into the service of G-d for the rest of his life."

And she sang a song of thanks to G-d, she returned home, and Shmuel remained with Eli in the House of G-d. Though she visited him again each year, from that day on he was no longer only hers. She sacrificed her son to G-d, as Abraham had done before her. She sacrificed him not on an altar of stone, but on the altar of her heart, and her sacrifice was forever.

She had other children later, two more sons and two daughters, but we know her only as the mother of Shmuel the Prophet, the son she gave away.