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A Tale of Two Brothers
by Aish.com Staff

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Once there were two brothers who inherited a farm. They worked the farm together for years in brotherly love. After a time, one of them found a wife, so the brothers divided up the farm. The married one built a new house and lived with his wife, while the single brother lived by himself in the old building. The brothers continued to work their farms and they flourished and made a lot of money.

The one who had a wife eventually had some children. A large family, ten children. And the other brother was still looking for a wife; he was alone.

One day, the brother who was alone thought to himself: "I've got this whole farm and all this money, but I only have myself to take care of. My brother has the same amount as me, but he has twelve mouths to feed." So in the middle of the night he took some bundles of wheat, climbed up the hill that separated the two farms, then over into his brother's farm - putting the wheat in his brother's silo.

Brotherhood One night the married brother was thinking to himself, "You know, I've got ten kids, I've got a wife. My world is rich. But my brother, he's all alone. What does he have? All he has is his wheat." So, in the middle of the night, he took a bundle of wheat, climbed the hill, and carried it over to his brother's silo.

Back and forth each of the brothers went. Every night each one would climb the hill, pass over to the other side and put wheat in the other's silo. And the next morning each one always wondered, how come I have the same amount of wheat?

One night, while they were passing over to bring the other their bundles of wheat, the two brothers met at the top of the hill. And immediately they understood what had been happening. They fell into each other's arms, hugging and kissing.

It is on this site that the Almighty chose to build the Holy Temple.

Because when a human being loves another human being, the Almighty is with us. Wherever we are. Because that is what living is really about.


This story has become popular Jewish lore in recent years; it is not sourced in the Talmud or Midrash.


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VISITORS COMMENTS: 1

(1) Anonymous, 26/7/2004
2 Brothers
I just read your story called A tale of 2 bothers. Your waiver at the bottom stating "This story has become popular Jewish lore in recent years; it is not sourced in the Talmud or Midrash" is indeed true. This story comes from Arab culture. I will send the source if you would like.





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