Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Dima ben Netina and the Ruby: A Story of Kibbud Av v’ Em (honoring father and
mother)
One summer morning, Dima ben Netina was working in
his jewelry store. As he worked he whistled happily but
very softly, because he did not want to wake his father,
who had fallen fast asleep on a large chest-like box in a
corner of the store.
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Just before noon, three rabbis entered the shop.
“Welcome,” said Dima. “Would you like to see a silver ring? Or perhaps a lovely
diamond?”
“Thank you,” said one of the rabbis, “but we are
here on far more important business. We have
heard that you own the largest and most
magnificent ruby in the land. We wish to buy it for
the crown of our Torah. We are willing to give you
three hundred gold coins.”
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Dima looked at the chest in the corner of the store, and then he looked back at his
customers. “I am sorry,” he said, “but that is impossible.”
“All right, then,” said the rabbi. “We will give you four hundred.”
Dima ben Netina only smiled sadly, and shook his head.
At this his customers began to frown. “I see that you are a man who likes to bargain,”
said the rabbi, “so we will offer you five hundred, but we will go no higher.”
“I cannot sell it,” said the jeweler.
Then the rabbis began to whisper angrily among themselves. “This jeweler wants too
much money for the ruby,” they muttered. “He wants an outrageous price. Let us offer
him six hundred and let’s hope that is enough.”
When Dima refused to sell the ruby for six hundred, the rabbis grew furious, and began to
shout at him.
“You are trying to rob us!” they cried. “How can we pay more than six hundred?”
Just about that time, Dima’s father awoke from his nap. He got up from the chest where
he was resting, and walked towards the front of the store. “What is the trouble?” He
mumbled sleepily.
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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