Basya Tsybukmakher
In a certain city by the sea, there once lived a Jew. He was not very wealthy — his greatest treasures were his family and his kind heart. His name was Yosef, but everyone called him “Yosef Mokir Shabbat,” Yosef Who Honored Shabbat, because he showed special respect for this holy day.
Not far away lived a wealthy and miserly man who was very jealous of Yosef. He was jealous that, despite his poverty, Yosef was always cheerful, and that the people of the city respected him. Perhaps he was jealous of other things as well. In any case, he did not like Yosef.
One quiet summer night, the wealthy man dreamed that Yosef was taking away all his wealth! He jumped up from his bed, covered in sweat, and could not fall asleep again.
The wealthy man went out into his garden. It seemed that he had already forgotten about the terrible dream, but then a frightening thought crept into his mind: What if, in reality, all his wealth ended up belonging to Yosef?!
The thought would not leave him alone. He paced back and forth until he finally came up with a brilliant plan!
In the morning, the wealthy man sold all his possessions — his gardens and his fields — and with the money he received, he bought a large diamond. He sewed the precious stone into the lining of his hat and, pleased with himself, went out for a walk.
The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing. Happy with himself and his brilliant plan, the wealthy man strolled through the city.
Suddenly, a strong wind began to blow, and a storm broke out.
The wind snatched his hat and carried it toward the sea. The wealthy man ran for a long time after his precious hat. Then he stood for a long time on the seashore, waiting for his lost treasure to return.
Tired, soaked, and heartbroken, he finally went home.
In a single moment, he had become a poor man.
But what happened to the hat?
It sank to the bottom of the sea. Little by little, the threads came apart, and the precious diamond fell out. It might have lain on the seabed for a very long time, if not for a large fish. The fish swallowed the wealthy man’s diamond and swam away.
The diamond would have been lost forever, but the fishermen cast their nets into the sea and caught the fish. That day, they had a wonderful catch.
At the end of the week, Jewish shoppers would gather in the marketplace, and many of them would want to buy fish. After all, who can imagine a Shabbat table without a traditional fish dish?
On Friday morning, the fish was given a place of honor on the market stall. Many shoppers came over and admired it.
But who would buy such a large fish?
Of course — Yosef Mokir Shabbat, and no one else! He would be delighted to buy the biggest fish in honor of holy Shabbat!
The fishermen knew Yosef well. He was one of their regular customers.
And they were not mistaken. The moment Yosef saw the fish, he almost danced for joy. It was not the first time that the Almighty had given him the privilege of honoring holy Shabbat. But he had never seen such a large and beautiful fish before.
Yosef counted his meager savings. He barely had enough money.
He thought for a moment, and in his imagination he could already see the Shabbat table, covered with a white tablecloth, with his children and beloved wife sitting around it. What delicious dishes she prepared, despite their poverty! This Shabbat, their table would be adorned with a large, beautiful fish.
The narrow streets rushed past him one after another. Out of breath, he ran into his house and took out the little pouch containing all their modest savings.
But for the sake of holy Shabbat, no money was too precious!
The journey back to the market seemed much shorter. If you had met Yosef that day, you would have immediately understood that he had bought something special in honor of holy Shabbat. His face was shining with happiness. He was not walking — he was practically flying!
There was still plenty of time before Shabbat began, and Yosef’s wife, Yosef Mokir Shabbat’s wife, would have enough time to prepare the fish for the meal.
Yosef burst into the house. The kitchen was filled with the wonderful aromas of Shabbat dishes. With great pride, Yosef carried the fish into the kitchen.
The whole family was amazed to see such a large fish. Its scales shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow in the sunlight.
A few minutes later, the hardworking hands of the woman of the house began to clean the fish and remove its insides.
Amazingly, the fish was shining not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.
A cry of amazement escaped the woman’s lips. Within moments, the whole family gathered around the fish lying on the table.
The children’s eyes widened in wonder as they gazed at the sparkle of the precious diamond that had been taken from the fish’s belly.
How had it gotten there?
Yosef’s eyes met his wife’s, and together they exclaimed:
“L’khvod Shabbat Kodesh!” — “In honor of holy Shabbat!”
They understood that the Master of the Universe had seen their efforts, their love, and the honor they gave to the holiest day of the week — Shabbat.
It was no coincidence that their Yosef was called “Yosef Mokir Shabbat” — Yosef Who Honored Shabbat.
Not far away lived a wealthy and miserly man who was very jealous of Yosef. He was jealous that, despite his poverty, Yosef was always cheerful, and that the people of the city respected him. Perhaps he was jealous of other things as well. In any case, he did not like Yosef.
One quiet summer night, the wealthy man dreamed that Yosef was taking away all his wealth! He jumped up from his bed, covered in sweat, and could not fall asleep again.
The wealthy man went out into his garden. It seemed that he had already forgotten about the terrible dream, but then a frightening thought crept into his mind: What if, in reality, all his wealth ended up belonging to Yosef?!
The thought would not leave him alone. He paced back and forth until he finally came up with a brilliant plan!
In the morning, the wealthy man sold all his possessions — his gardens and his fields — and with the money he received, he bought a large diamond. He sewed the precious stone into the lining of his hat and, pleased with himself, went out for a walk.
The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing. Happy with himself and his brilliant plan, the wealthy man strolled through the city.
Suddenly, a strong wind began to blow, and a storm broke out.
The wind snatched his hat and carried it toward the sea. The wealthy man ran for a long time after his precious hat. Then he stood for a long time on the seashore, waiting for his lost treasure to return.
Tired, soaked, and heartbroken, he finally went home.
In a single moment, he had become a poor man.
But what happened to the hat?
It sank to the bottom of the sea. Little by little, the threads came apart, and the precious diamond fell out. It might have lain on the seabed for a very long time, if not for a large fish. The fish swallowed the wealthy man’s diamond and swam away.
The diamond would have been lost forever, but the fishermen cast their nets into the sea and caught the fish. That day, they had a wonderful catch.
At the end of the week, Jewish shoppers would gather in the marketplace, and many of them would want to buy fish. After all, who can imagine a Shabbat table without a traditional fish dish?
On Friday morning, the fish was given a place of honor on the market stall. Many shoppers came over and admired it.
But who would buy such a large fish?
Of course — Yosef Mokir Shabbat, and no one else! He would be delighted to buy the biggest fish in honor of holy Shabbat!
The fishermen knew Yosef well. He was one of their regular customers.
And they were not mistaken. The moment Yosef saw the fish, he almost danced for joy. It was not the first time that the Almighty had given him the privilege of honoring holy Shabbat. But he had never seen such a large and beautiful fish before.
Yosef counted his meager savings. He barely had enough money.
He thought for a moment, and in his imagination he could already see the Shabbat table, covered with a white tablecloth, with his children and beloved wife sitting around it. What delicious dishes she prepared, despite their poverty! This Shabbat, their table would be adorned with a large, beautiful fish.
The narrow streets rushed past him one after another. Out of breath, he ran into his house and took out the little pouch containing all their modest savings.
But for the sake of holy Shabbat, no money was too precious!
The journey back to the market seemed much shorter. If you had met Yosef that day, you would have immediately understood that he had bought something special in honor of holy Shabbat. His face was shining with happiness. He was not walking — he was practically flying!
There was still plenty of time before Shabbat began, and Yosef’s wife, Yosef Mokir Shabbat’s wife, would have enough time to prepare the fish for the meal.
Yosef burst into the house. The kitchen was filled with the wonderful aromas of Shabbat dishes. With great pride, Yosef carried the fish into the kitchen.
The whole family was amazed to see such a large fish. Its scales shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow in the sunlight.
A few minutes later, the hardworking hands of the woman of the house began to clean the fish and remove its insides.
Amazingly, the fish was shining not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.
A cry of amazement escaped the woman’s lips. Within moments, the whole family gathered around the fish lying on the table.
The children’s eyes widened in wonder as they gazed at the sparkle of the precious diamond that had been taken from the fish’s belly.
How had it gotten there?
Yosef’s eyes met his wife’s, and together they exclaimed:
“L’khvod Shabbat Kodesh!” — “In honor of holy Shabbat!”
They understood that the Master of the Universe had seen their efforts, their love, and the honor they gave to the holiest day of the week — Shabbat.
It was no coincidence that their Yosef was called “Yosef Mokir Shabbat” — Yosef Who Honored Shabbat.