Stories From the Heart

Most of the stories in this collection are from the Hasidic tradition. Hasidism was a revival movement within Judaism that arose in 18thcentury and was a reaction to the secularization of modern life and loss of religious values. A few of the stories are based on Bible stories, Sufi stories, and other traditional folk tales common to many countries and cultures. The stories are simple and easy to understand and cover many aspects of the human condition which we face living in the world. It is expected that the readers will find their own meaning in the stories and perhaps see reflections of their own lives as well.

There is also plenty of humour and shrewd cleverness. Jewish humour is diverse, employing irony and satire, and often pokes fun at those in authority, in both religious and secular life. But probably the main characteristic of Jewish humour is its highly developed ability to mock and laugh at oneself. It was a means of self-introspection and self-criticism. The poor and lower classes were often elevated and came out on top, while the rich and powerful were made fun of. Even rabbis were not spared. Humour provided a means to release tension within the society. These tales portray spiritual joy, offer lessons for leading an ethical and spiritual life, and remind us that the divine is present in our everyday activities if we look for it.