Kids & Torah
The Servant Who Felt Like Family
A king. A young servant. A love that grows through the little things we practice.
ByRabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper· From the Rosh Hashanah print edition
A place at the king’s table
A long time ago, there was a mighty king who was loved by everyone. He was so kind and so wise that even the kings of other countries respected him.
In the king’s palace lived a young servant boy. But really, he didn’t feel like a servant at all—he felt like family.
When he brought breakfast, the king would smile and say,
“Sit with us! Eat with us!”
When he cleaned the rooms, the king’s children would laugh and help him sweep.
Every day he was treated with kindness. Every day he felt more and more like one of the king’s own children. And slowly, he began to act that way too. Sometimes he didn’t wear his servant uniform. Sometimes he forgot to bow. He felt so close to the king that he didn’t think about those things anymore.
And the king didn’t mind. In fact, the king loved it. He enjoyed having the boy join family meals, games, and celebrations.
Practicing for the great day
One afternoon, the king called the boy into his private room. His face was serious but gentle.
“My dear boy,” said the king, “soon the kings of many countries will come to my palace. On that day, I want you to stand with me in the great hall. I want you to wear your uniform, bow before me, and show all the guests how a servant of the king honors his master.”
The boy’s eyes grew wide.
“But Your Majesty,” he whispered, “I don’t remember how! I don’t act like a servant anymore. Although I have so much respect for you, I’ve forgotten some of the rules.”
The king smiled kindly.
“That is why I am telling you now. For the next month, wear your uniform again. Come a little earlier. Practice bowing and standing tall. And one more thing—practice with the sounding of the trumpet. Each day, sound it once so that when the royal trumpets blast on the great day, you will be ready.”
So the boy practiced. Every morning he put on his servant clothes. He stood straight, bowed deeply, and spoke with respect, and proudly declared the king his master. And each day, he lifted a small trumpet to his lips and blew one clear note. At first it felt strange. But little by little, he grew more confident. He began to remember what it meant to be a servant in the king’s palace.
A little wink
Finally, the great day came. The throne room was filled with noble guests. The boy’s heart pounded as he stepped inside.
Suddenly, the royal trumpets sounded—again and again, a hundred times! Each note shook the walls, filling the room with the greatness of the king.
The boy took a deep breath. The blasts were no surprise to him now. He had practiced for this moment.
There sat the king, dressed in shining royal robes, his crown glittering with jewels. The boy walked slowly, bowed low, and declared with a steady voice:
“This is my king. He is mighty and he is great.”
The room went silent. The boy held his breath.
Did he do it right? Did he honor the king enough?
Then he looked up.
The king gave him a small smile. And then—just for him—a little wink.
In that moment, the boy knew: I made my king proud.
You will always be loved
After all the guests left, the king called the boy back. His voice was warm again.
“You were wonderful. Now, come back to the table. Sit with us as family. You will always be loved.”
But as the boy walked back, he realized something important. Yes, he was like family. Yes, the king loved him no matter what. But to truly honor the king meant more than just feeling close. It meant remembering to follow the king’s rules—even in private, even when no one else was watching.
From that day on, he still laughed with the royal children, he still ate at the king’s table, but he also wore his uniform with pride. Because now he understood: wearing the uniform showed his love and respect for the king, both in public and in private.
Even as a “child” of the king, showing respect and honor has a right way, a proud way, a way that exalts the king. And the king loved him even more for it.
Not the End, it continues all year long.
Bring the story home
Wrap-Up for Kids
This story is a mashul (a parable) about our special days from Elul through Sukkos. All year long, we work to maintain a closeness with Hashem, but during this time we give our relationship extra care. Just like the boy had to put on his uniform again, practice with the trumpet, and prepare to honor the king, we also get ready to honor Hashem during the Yamim Noraim. These are also positive habits to try and maintain all year long that are outlined in Torah and Halacha.
Now it’s our turn to think
Read the story again and match up as many lessons as you can that relate to us and our relationship with Hashem and the Yamim No’raim. What can we learn from the boy and the king that will help us prepare for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkos?
Read together. Think together.
Discussion Questions
The King’s Kindness
In the story, the king treated the boy like family, not just a servant. What does this show us about the way Hashem relates to us?
Can you think of ways that you can feel Hashem’s kindness in our own lives?
The Uniform
Why was it important for the boy to wear his uniform when serving the king?
What do you think the “uniform” represents in our relationship with Hashem?
How can we “put on our uniform” to show honor to Hashem in Elul and Tishrei?
The Trumpet Practice
The boy practiced with the trumpet every day to prepare. Why?
What do the shofar blasts remind us of during Elul?
Day of Judgment
The boy stood nervously before the king but was comforted by the king’s wink.
What does this part of the story teach us about standing before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
How does Hashem let us know He believes in us and loves us, even when we are nervous about being judged?
After the Ceremony
Even after the king’s big event, the boy realized he should still honor the king in private by wearing his uniform. What lesson does this give us for after Yom Kippur, when we go back to our “regular” lives?
How does Sukkos remind us to stay close to Hashem even after the Yamim Noraim are over?
Personal Reflection
If you were the boy in the story, how would you feel serving the king?
What’s one thing you would like to “practice” this Elul to prepare yourself to stand before Hashem?
What’s a small change, “wearing the uniform”, you can keep with you all year to show Hashem honor and love?
About the author
Rabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper
Rabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper is a Silver Spring educator with more than 25 years of experience in Jewish education and community development. His work includes educational support at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, teaching at Berman Hebrew Academy and adjunct teaching at Woodmont College. A graduate of the New England Rabbinical College, he holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, a master’s in Educational Leadership from Bellevue University and a master’s in Counseling from Liberty University. His teaching and coaching focus on supportive school culture, student growth and the relationships that help children thrive.
More from Rabbi PepperProfessional biographyAbout the contributors
Rabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper
Rabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper is a Silver Spring educator with more than 25 years of experience in Jewish education and community development. His work includes educational support at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, teaching at Berman Hebrew Academy and adjunct teaching at Woodmont College. A graduate of the New England Rabbinical College, he holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, a master’s in Educational Leadership from Bellevue University and a master’s in Counseling from Liberty University. His teaching and coaching focus on supportive school culture, student growth and the relationships that help children thrive.
More by and about Rabbi Dr. Avichai Pepper
