Storytelling is an integral part of Jewish living. In this week’s parsha we learn how Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law traveled away from the comforts of his exalted position as noble in Midian to join the Israelites in the desert in pursuit of truth. Instead of launching into a deep philosophical discussion about monotheism, Moshe utilized their first conversation after their ceremonious reunion to share with him stories about the recent redemption from Egypt, the splitting of the sea and the epic battle with Amalek. My children often ask me to tell them stories and when I’m unable to share lengthy dramatic tales I share short anecdotes that may be boring to their young ears, but contain essential life lessons. This Monday, the 22nd of Shevat, will mark 35 years since the passing of the saintly Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah Schneerson, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. She was an incredibly brilliant woman who remained out of the limelight while supporting the spiritual revolution the Rebbe coordinated throughout the world. The few stories we know about her from those who merited to interact with her bear testimony to her tremendous care and sensitivity to every individual. The Rebbetzin’s Yartzeit is an opportune time for us to learn from her behavior to be better people and here are two short stories I recently shared with my children. When the Germans invaded France in 1941 the roads were clogged with refugees escaping Paris. Nazi pilots routinely dropped bombs on the defenseless civilians and strafed them with bullets; the journey was an absolute nightmare. Once, during an air attack, the Rebbetzin noticed a man standing on the road, oblivious to the oncoming danger. She pushed him into a nearby ditch and shrapnel and bullets hit the spot he had been standing moments earlier. When the Rebbetzin related this story forty years later, the home attendant was surprised that she grimaced when she said that she had pushed the man into the ditch. “But you saved his life? Why are you pained by that?” he asked. “Because pushing someone is inappropriate,” she explained. Even when it was necessary, pushing someone and causing them some discomfort upset her. In the early 1960s a family who enjoyed a unique relationship with the Rebbetzin was celebrating their daughter’s engagement. They visited the Rebbetzin in her home together with the new bride and groom in honor of the occasion. When she served them glasses of red fruit punch the nervous groom inadvertently tipped his glass on the pristine, white tablecloth. The Rebbetzin joyously exclaimed the spill was certainly a good omen for the upcoming marriage and completely dispelled the groom’s justified mortification. In fact, the soon-to-be father-in-law later commented that she so craftily transformed the faux pas into a joyful moment that he was tempted to spill his own glass after seeing how happy she was. These two episodes illustrate how Judaism expects us to care for one another. Ensuring another’s material or spiritual well-being is not enough. We ought to be sensitive to each other’s feelings and strive to enable everyone to achieve true inner peace and happiness.