Advanced Search

Tell Me a Story


Question:

We like to read stories to our young children at bedtime. Are there traditional Jewish “fairy tales” to read to them? We grew up on the classic secular tales but much prefer to read to them stories from our Jewish heritage if they exist. Do they? Thank you.



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

Yes! There is a vast wealth of fascinating literature that has been handed down to us through the generations which is appropriate to read to children at bedtime. These stories are generally collected from classical Jewish texts such as the Midrash and Talmud, but are also found in more modern sources as well.

Many renowned rabbis, educators and parents strongly recommend these “Jewish bedtime stories” for our children in place of the classic secular stories. I laud you for wanting to read your children stories from their own heritage. You will find that the “Jewish bedtime stories” have wholesome and positive content and messages, unlike the vast majority of the “secular classics”.

I personally grew up on a collection called “Our Sages Showed the Way” and continued to read them throughout childhood as well. Today there’s a plethora of wonderful bedtime stories for children, such as “The Midrash Says” series and the “The Little Midrash Says” series, in addition to countless other selections, with new ones being published all the time. You can easily find something appropriate for your family at your local Jewish bookstore or at eichlers.com and other reliable online sources.

May you have much happiness and success in raising your children in good health to have outstanding character traits they can learn from your readings, teachings and from the general environment you create for them.


 
Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team