When two brothers meet on a path, each holding a gift for the other, strong feelings of love fill their hearts. Prize-winning Israeli author Dvora Omer wrote this children's rendition of a classical story about brotherly love and concern for others, and about the site selected for the Temple in Jerusalem.
Age Group: PRESCHOOL
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generalVersions of this tale can be found in various Jewish and Arab sources, starting in the 19th century. One of the early known sources is a collection of Jewish folktales called ‘The Act of Miracle’ (Maaseh Nissim), published in Bagdad in 1890. Jews of Iraq and Morocco would tell the story in Hebrew or in Ladino. The tale is one of many traditions that set out to explain how Jerusalem and the site of the Temple were chosen, and expresses the aspiration that the city and the Temple will be places of peace, unity and brotherly love.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Hineh ma tov u’ma na’im shevet achim gam yachad) – Psalms 133
The tale of the site of the Temple is a story of brotherly friendship and love. Although their father the farmer proposed dividing his field among his sons, the sons recognized the value and pleasure of working together. Each brother is considerate of the other and, without being asked, gives up part of his share so his brother can have more. The brothers’ concern for one another is testimony to brotherly love and unity.
“Those who work their land will have abundant food” (Proverbs 12, 11)
Today’s farmers, like the brothers in the story, are keenly aware of the changing seasons, rainfall and sunlight. The story invites readers to become better acquainted with agriculture and the work of the land, and serves as a reminder of its importance in bringing food to our tables.
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Copies Distributed:
110,000
Publishing:
מודן
Year of Distribution:
2013 2012-2013
