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A Year of Stories #5: King Solomon's Daughter

8/14/2014

2 Comments

 
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My late rebbe, R' Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, zt"l, (זכר צדיק לברכה) was a master storyteller. He taught: "a good story is one where the mind surprises the heart". "A Year of Stories" is dedicated to his memory. I invite you to forward the link to these stories so that they find their way into the hearts of other tellers and listeners. 

Tu b'Av was on Monday, and inspired me to post a love story - this time one for you to listen to. It is told by me and my b'shert, Renée Brachfeld, on our CD King Solomon's Daughter. I can tell you excactly where we heard it for the first time - under the chuppah at our wedding in 1993. It was translated from Sefer Tanchuma by Rabbi Jack Moline, and he spun the tale while inviting all of our family and friends to sing Od Yishama, which he wove throughout the story. So sit back for the next 11 minutes and enjoy this sweet tale of a love that was meant to be.. 

A variant written version of the story can be found here.

Next week we'll return to a written story, but stay tuned for more stories in audio form.

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If you would like to be added to the growing list of 
"Year of Stories" followers, let me know at [email protected], 
with "Year of Stories" in the subject line.  

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A personal note: When a storyteller follows up a story by telling the listener what it means, my heart sinks and my mind withdraws. I leave it to you, gentle reader, to place these stories into the context of your personal journey, gleaning whatever meaning or interpretation resonates within. 
2 Comments
ellen weaver
8/14/2014 10:11:28 am

I love this story so much and have listened to it many times on your CD--as well as seeing you and Renee in my mind's eye telling it at a Kallah. Thanks so much for sending this--it was definitely time for me to hear it again

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Mark Novak link
8/14/2014 01:00:48 pm

Ellen, thanks so much for your lovely note. I had completely forgotten that we told it one year at Kallah, but now that you've reminded me, I remember how lovingly we were received, and that people laughed in a lot more places in the story than we had been used to!
Many blessings, and. Shabbat shalom.

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    Mark Novak is a "free-range" rabbi who lives in Washington DC and works, well, just about everywhere. In 2012 he founded Minyan Oneg Shabbat, home to MOSH (Minyan Oneg Shabbat), MindfulMOSH (Jewish mindfulness gathering), and
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    a weekly online gathering

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  • Home
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  • Hashpa'ah: Spiritual Direction
    • What is Hashpa'ah?
    • Individual and Group Sessions
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