Stories We Tell: The Thief who Ran Away

Judaism has a deep and rich tradition of storytelling, of passing down stories from one generation to the next. To carry on that tradition, Stories We Tell, from ReformJudaism.org, will share a new story with you every Thursday. Whether you listen while driving to work, preparing Shabbat dinner, or taking your kids to school, each episode will give you a new story to reflect on and discuss with the people in your life. Stories We Tell is a project of the Union for Reform Judaism, a leading voice in the discussion of modern Jewish life. 


When a student of the Hafetz Hayim, a famous nineteenth century rabbi, is arrested on a false accusation, his lawyer asks the judge if the Hafetz Hayim can testify on his behalf. The judge is unsure, until the lawyer tells him a story about the Hafetz Hayim that makes his answer easy. Listen to Rabbi Leora Kaye, URJ Director of Program, retell this story.