Hardcover

8" x 10"

408 Pages

Published by: The Jewish Learning Group

FROM THE INTRODUCTION

Had this book been published in the legendary town of Chelm, it probably wouldn’t have an introduction. Doubtless, the wise Sage of Chelm would have advised Yankel, the Printer, to spare valuable ink, “…because the buyer already knows from the cover what’s inside the book!” After which, he would immediately turn to Berel, the Scribe, and order him to write a long essay for printing at the beginning of the book, explaining why introductions are unnecessary. Such was the brilliantly obtuse logic commonly employed in the fabled city of Chelm, where solving life’s practical problems was never a straightforward affair, but rather a rollicking journey into the inane. 

It isn’t clear how, or why, the town of Chelm — which was, in fact, a real town near Lublin, Poland — became the setting for so many silly folktales, but that doesn’t make them any less fun to read, enjoy, and retell. 

And it was through retelling, that this book came to be. It all began one sunny Shabbos morning a few months ago, while walking to shul with my children. My ten-year old daughter, Hindy, asked if I knew any Chelm stories. Her question sent me on a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane, as I recalled the savored moments when my mother would read to me the latest Chelm installment from the popular Jewish Press weekly newspaper. 

I told my children the first Chelm story that came back to me, which was “The Tzedakah Box,” (p. 370). Their pressing for more, set in motion a chain of events that resulted in this definitive collection of Chelm stories. Thank you, Hindy! 

A huge thanks to the Klass family, founders of The Jewish Press weekly newspaper, for tending and running the decades-spanning column, The Silly World of Chelm, and for permitting them to be reprinted here for your delight. 

Thanks also to “Avraham” (Arnold Fine) and “Shepsel” (Howard S. Spielman), distinguished author and illustrator of the original series. Jerry Greenwald and Chumi Friedman, went out of their way to assist with mining The Jewish Press archives. Thanks to their efforts, the ageless wit of the Chelmites will endure.

Lastly, special thanks to Ginny Westcott and Aryeh Friedman for creative support; and to Tony Burnett and my children for proof-reading. 

I hope you all enjoy! 

Zalman Goldstein

LIST OF INCLUDED CHELM STORIES

EDITORIALS/REVIEWS

"Beloved 'Town of Chelm' Returns in Ultimate Collection of Chelm Stories" 
After enjoying decades of acclaim in the pages of The Jewish Press, the lovable, side-splitting tales from the legendary town of Chelm have recently been collected in the world’s first encyclopedia of Chelm stories.

In time for this year’s Chanukah gift-giving season, “The Silly World of Chelm,” has been published by Zalman Goldstein, of The Jewish Learning Group. The treasury of Jewish wit and whimsy brims with over 150 stories straight out of the fabled town of Chelm — the place where solving life’s practical problems was never a straightforward affair, but rather a rollicking journey into the inane. 

The world’s first 408-page encyclopedia of Chelm stories re-acquaints readers with the unforgettable characters that everyone’s come to know and love, including, “The Wise Sage of Chelm,” and of course, humble “Shepsil.” The simple-minded, “Mottel the Tailor,” and riotous, “Berel the Terrible.” In all, original writer and creator, Arnold Fine’s, recipe for simple and clean Jewish humor still delivers, and with so many stories gathered together in one book, “The Silly World of Chelm,”is guaranteed to provide hours of fun and enjoyment for the whole family.

In the new 8x10 large-format book, with a uniquely decorated padded cover, you’ll read about the, “Green-Eyed Monster,” and “The Adventures of Kunkle and Munkle.” You’ll enjoy the hilarious tale of “The Mayor’s Shoes,” and learn about the formation of the “Worriers of Chelm,” plus dozens and dozens of more, ever-popular tales.

“The brilliantly conceived, eccentric scenarios have, for decades, left readers of all ages in stitches with helpless laughter, all the while leaving them scratching their heads in wonderment,” explains Zalman Goldstein, “And being able to provide good, kosher humor to everyone is a privilege that is difficult to pass up. In this regard, The Silly World of Chelm really delivers.”

Special thanks goes to Jerry Greenwald and Chumie Friedman, of The Jewish Press, who went out of their way to assist with mining The Jewish Press archives. Thanks to their efforts, the ageless wit of the Chelmites will endure.

For those new to the "World of Chelm," here's a typical Chelm story:

Moshe and Oizer decided to go into business together. So, they set out for the next village to purchase a barrel of wine. They placed the barrel carefully on their little donkey cart and headed back. As they rode home, Moshe turned to Oizer and asked, “Maybe I could have just a little wine, since the road is so dusty?”

“No, we can’t do that!” Oizer replied. “We invested all our savings in this barrel of wine. Anyone who gets a drink from the barrel must pay for it. We will charge ten kopecks per drink!”

Moshe reached into his pocket. “Here, I still have ten kopecks left.” He handed the coins to his friend and drew a cup of wine.

In a few minutes Oizer turned to Moshe. “You know, the road is dusty and I’m also parched. I think I, too, will purchase a drink from our stock. Here’s your ten kopecks back.” Oizer, too, drew a drink from the barrel, and they continued down the road. And so it went, back and forth, until they finished the barrel of wine.

When they reached the town of Chelm and saw their empty barrel, Oizer turned to Moshe and exclaimed, “What a remarkable world we live in! We purchased a barrel of wine for 100 kopecks. Sold only to each other. Each of us had our fill. And you still have your ten kopecks left. What an amazing world we live in!”

Here’s another: One day the people of Chelm gathered to build a new shul for the growing village. “But,” one of the elders called out. “If we dig the foundation for the new shul, where will we put the earth that will be taken out of the ground?” They all turned to the Sage and waited for his answer. “All we have to do is dig another hole to put the earth in!” The Sage explained quite innocently. “But,” persisted the elder, “Where will we put the earth we remove from the second hole that we will be digging?” The Sage smiled warmly. “That too, has a simple solution! We will dig a third hole, twice as big as the first, and place the earth from the second hole in that hole!”

Oh, the profundity!