Stories We Tell

How to Give a Blessing


Listen Later

A man wandering the desert grows thirsty, tired, and hungry, but for miles, all he sees around him is sand. Finally, he comes upon an oasis: a puddle right next to a big, lush tree. After relaxing for a bit, he gathers some branches for building fires and fruit to sustain him for the rest of his journey. Before he leaves, he wants to offer the tree a blessing in return for what the tree has given him. What kind of blessing can he leave for a tree that is already tall, grounded, and lush? Rabbi Marc Katz of Congregation Beth Elohim retells the classic story. For a written version, see "How Shall I Bless You?" in The Essential Jewish Stories collected, annotated, and retold by Seymour Rossel.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Stories We TellBy Union for Reform Judaism

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

98 ratings


More shows like Stories We Tell

View all
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah by ReformJudaism.org

On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

258 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,360 Listeners

Wholly Jewish by ReformJudaism.org

Wholly Jewish

69 Listeners