The Brothers' Promise

by Frances Harber, Thor Wickstrom

Drawn from the Talmud, a book of Jewish teachings, two brothers put their differences aside to help each other during a drought, and their love and benevolence cause a miracle to occur, in a wonderful story illustrated with beautiful oil paintings.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Margaret Klein]

This is another version of a classic tale. The origins are uncertain. I learned it as a children's book, citing the Talmud, the Brother's Legend. It appears in Legends of the Jews. Another version cites it as an old Muslim tale from the market place, One version uses it as the basis to teach Hiney Ma Tov, How good it is when brothers (and I might add( sisters) dwell together. Another says that this spot is exactly where the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was built. It is very much a peace story.

This version says it is from the Talmud, but the characters are not ancient Israelites. They seem like Eastern European Jews. The brothers promise their father on his death bed that they will take care of each other. Each of them chooses a different life path. One is alone and studies a lot of Talmud and Torah. One has a wife and a bunch of kids. A drought hits. How will they survive with little food? Their promise and their unselfish love is a delight.

The telling by Harber is good and takes the origin of the story out of the equation making it appropriate for lots of audiences. What especially makes this book for me is Wickstrom's illustrations that remind me of a whimsical Chagall. As PJ Library's additions, like the idea of a garden to share as the inside flap.

[Sarah]

Two brothers promise their father that they will always look out for each other. When a time of famine strikes Yankel sneaks extra food to his brother Joseph since he is a bachelor all alone. Josef wonders if Yankel's family has enough food for his family and sneaks some into his cellar. Highlights brotherly love, generosity, and sacrifice.

[Mary]

Another sweet story with a good lesson, but illustrations that didn't do it for me. Again, the colors are fantastic, but the people are a little too cartoony for me. Mostly I was just glad to find a Jewish story about siblings.

[David Slater]

An all-time favorite!

[Kate DW]

Few books have ever brought tears to my eyes, by this was one. Sweet tears of joy would be any parent's, who's children care about each other so much!

[Alisa Raty]

This is a wonderful story! I love the interesting culture here, as well as the wonderful message about taking care of each other in our family.