Stories Archive:
#154-204 (5761)


Original translations/adaptations by Yrachmiel Tilles - co-founder of Ascent of Safed, creator of  Ascent's seminars,  editor of Ascent Quarterly, director of Kabbala Online and maintainer of this internet site and its e-mail lists.
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story #204 (s5761-51 / 24 Elul 5761)

THROUGH THE WINDOW

The Rebbe, R. Shalom of Belz, tiptoed alone up to the window and peeked in.


story #203 (s5761-50 / 17 Elul 5761)

THE VERY YOUNG RABBI

Pressed for an explanation, the Baal Shem Tov replied that he would first have to tell a story.


story #202 (s5761-49 /9 Elul 5761)

THANK THE CAT

Rabbi Pinchas Horowitz, the Ba'al Hafla'ah, received letters of appeal for support from both sides.


story #201 (s5761-48 / 3 Elul 5761)

The Black Shofar of Shechem

Among the holy objects in use at Yosef's Tomb was a black shofar that issued strikingly clear, sharp notes.


story #200 (s5761-47 /26 Menachem Av 5761)

"COME BACK NEXT WEEK"

He told the rabbi about life with the Indians on the reservation.


story #199 (s5761-46 /18 Menachem Av 5761)

KABBALAH VS. THE DRAFT BOARD

The frightened chassid came to R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, chief rabbi of Yekaterinoslav, to ask for his blessing that he should secure a deferment from the brutally anti-semitic Communist Russian army.


story #198 (s5761-45 /11 Menachem Av 5761)

WHEN A REBBE GOES SHOPPING

Because of his weakened condition, the doctors told Rabbi Sholom-Dovber Schneersohn, known as the Rebbe Reshab, not to engage in any strenuous physical activity, and even not to over-exert himself mentally.
story #197 (s5761-44 /4 Menachem Av 5761)

THE HOLY ARI HONORS A YOUNGER MAN

"What are you saying!" replied Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the holy ARI. "What really happened was this."


story #196 (s5761-43/ 27 Tammuz 5761)

WEIGHT WATCHERS

"Is Shaul also one of the prophets?! Does our Reb Zvi Hirsch of Rimanov also lay down the Law?"


story #195 (s5761-42 / 19 Tammuz 5761)

A PILLAR OF KINDNESS

The Tsemech Tsedek asked him to describe a typical day in his life.


story #194 (s5761-41 / 13 Tammuz 5761)

AN INSPIRED MATCHMAKER

The Rebbe of Rimminov, R. Zvi Hirsh rested his head in his hands, appearing to be lost in deep thought.

story #193 (s5761-40 / 6 Tammuz 5761)

A LONG DISTANCE CALL

The voice said: "Go outside and follow the bier of the Rebbe of Apta!"


story #192 (s5761-39 / 29 Sivan 5761)

THE TENTH MAN

Shortly before she was due to give birth, she received from the Lubavitcher Rebbe a most remarkable letter.


story #191 (s5761-38 / 22 Sivan 5761)

PRIORITIES

"Even though you are not one of our chassidic brotherhood, I would still ask you to visit the grave of the renowned tzadik, Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch.


story #190 (s5761-37/14 Sivan 5761)

"RABBI BASKETBALL"

Many Jewish parents in sports-minded Dallas did not have their youngsters attend the Jewish day school solely due to the lack of a sophisticated sports program.


story #189 (s5761-36/9 Sivan 5761)

DON'T BE SURPRISED

At the wedding he had the opportunity to meet Rabbi Aharon Yechiel Leifer, the Nadvorner-Bania Rebbe of Zefat. He was very impressed.


story #188 (s5761-35/1 Sivan 5761)

A DRUNKARD'S LAST REQUEST

In 1954, an important wedding took place in Jerusalem. Rabbi Chaim Chaikl Miletzky, head of the famous Chayei Olam Yeshiva, married his son to...


story #187 (s5761-34/23 Iyar 5761)

HAMENTASCHEN AFTER PESACH

At the outbreak of the Six-Day War, the Lubavitcher Rebbe inaugurated the campaign to arouse all Jewish males to perform the mitzvah of tefillin.


story #186 (s5761-33/16 Iyar 5761)

The Baal Shem Tov's Lag B'Omer Parade

They protested, whereupon the Baal Shem Tov explained to them that it was the holy day of Lag b'Omer


story #185 (s5761-32/9 Iyar 5761)

KEEP THE CHANGE!

The non-Jews that used to do business with Rabbi Meir "the Elder" of Primishlan called him "Meirke sparvidliwy"-"honest Meir."


story #184 (s5761-31 / 2 Iyar 5761)

A Doctor in Zefat

"You will save many lives," said the holy Rebbe of Ruzhin.


story #183 (s5761-30/25 Nissan 5761)

The Price of Prophecy

"I am not interested in contracts or secrets," said Rebbe Meirl of Premishlan.


story #182 (s5761-29/16 Nissan 5761) go instead to #767, a more authenticated version

The Mezuza Caper

I arrived back to my dorm room at UCLA, and found that the mezuza on my door was missing.


story #181 (s5761-28/10 Nissan 5761)

THE GENEROUS TEACHER

The Bnei Yissascher ran to his father and begged him to come home.


story #180 (s5761-27/3 Nissan 5761)

SURPRISE GUESTS

The Lubavitcher Rebbe turned to me and said, 'Now it is up to you to fulfill your part of the agreement.'


story #179 (s5761-26/26 Adar 5761)

CROSSROAD PUZZLE

Instructed the Seer of Lublin: "Don't reveal my identity here or tell anyone that I am a Rebbe."


story #178 (s5761-25/19 Adar 5761)

REBBE'S REBBE

"Really, I'm not a tzaddik at all," Rebbe Zusha of Anipoli insisted.


story #177 (s5761-24/12 Adar 5761)

A HIGH POWERED LAWYER

The Shpoler Zeide told him to arrange that the trial take place on Purim.


story #176 (s5761-23/5 Adar 5761)

NOT EVEN THE BAAL SHEM TOV

The Baal Shem Tov realized that if he was drawn to this particular passage, it was no coincidence.


story #175 (s5761-22/28 Shvat 5761)

PLAYING WITH FIRE

Some of the greatest chassidim of the Alter Rebbe said of his oldest son, Rabbi DovBer, that when he was eighteen, he already had amazing powers.


story #174 (s5761-21 /21 Shvat 5761)

LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda ("J.J.") Hecht immediately called 770, and arranged for them to meet privately with the Lubavitcher Rebbe that night. He also hired a private detective.


story #173 (s5761-20 /14 Shvat 5761)

THE IDENTIFYING FRUIT

He found himself in the doorway of Rabbi Yisroel of Vizhnitz, the brother of the tsaddik, Rabbi Chaim of Altunia


story #172 (s5761-19/ 7 Shvat 5761) /now revised--See #188

A DRUNKARD'S LAST REQUEST

In 1954, an important wedding took place in Jerusalem. Rabbi Chaim Chaikl Miletzky, head of the famous Chayei Olam Yeshiva, married his son to...


story #171 (s5761-18/29 Tevet 5761)

RABBINICAL DISPENSATION

"Don't leave,"said Baba Sali to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu; "With whom will I discuss Torah?"


story #170 (s5761-17 /22 Tevet 5761)

THREE REBBES AND A MISER

Rabbi Shneur Zalman (The Chabad-Rebbe-to-be) agreed to join Rabbi Levi Yitzchak (the Berditchiver-Rebbe-to-be) and Rabbi Menachem Mendel (the Rimonover-Rebbe-to-be) . "But only if I am to be in charge."


story #169 (s5761-16 /15 Tevet 5761)

SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

Although Rabbi Yosef's main interest and joy in life was the study of Torah, he insisted on supporting his family through the sweat of his own labor.


story #168 (s5761-15 /8 Tevet 5761)

POOR SEED

5711, the 2nd year of Moshav Komamiyut, was a Shmitah year.


story #167(s5761-14 /1 Tevet 5761)

HARD TO SWALLOW

"Go to the Rebbe, R. Moshe of Kovrin, and ask his help. And don't come back from there until..."


story #166 (s5761-13 /23 Kislev 5761)

THE DISAPPEARING CANDLE

It was the first night of Chanukah. The Rebbe Reb Boruch of Mezhibuz (grandson of the Baal Shem Tov) stood in front of the menorah.
story #165 (s5761-12 /16 Kislev 5761)

THE BLACK CARRIAGE

When the armed policeman reappeared on the day after Simchat Torah, the Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, did not hide.


story #164(s5761-11 /9 Kislev 5761)

A DEEP SLUMBER

They said it was impossible that the Baal Shem Tov would not capture my soul.


story #163 (s5760-10 /2 Kislev)

A RABBI, A MAN AND A GOAT

Rabbi Yaakov Mendel Zirkind was confident he could reach their Jewish souls, despite the iron bars between them.
story #162 (s5761-09 /24 Mar-Cheshvan 5761)

THE REBBE REPAYS A FAVOR

When he heard the Rebbe Rashab was in Petersburg, he immediately decided to ask his advice.
story #161 (s5761-08 /17 Mar-Cheshvan 5761)

HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS

Rabbi Chaim Toledano, who was known for his piety and holiness, was careful to host guests for every Holiday meal.


story #160 (s5761-07 /10 Mar Chesvan 5761)

BLESSER FOR A DAY

The Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lyszhinsk walked on, overjoyed at his gift.
story #159 (s5761-06 /3 Mar Chesvan 5761)

"WE AGREE"

The 'Tzemach Tzedek' remarked: 'When the tzaddik, the holy saint Rabbi Yisroel of Ruzhin says Tehillim/Psalms, all of Creation is revealed to him.


story #158 (s5761-05 /26 Tishrei 5761)

TIMELESS TORAH EXACTLY ON TIME

The high-ranking gentile official was very impressed by his prisoner, Rabbi Shneur Zalman.


story #157 (s5760-04 /19 Tishrei)

A COSTLY MITZVAH

The tzaddik, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, promised him the blessings of wealth and children, but even this did not help.


story #156 (s5761-03 / 11 Tishrei 5761)

THE UNPOPULAR TZADDIK

The word began to spread that Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz was very, very special.


story #155 (s5761-02 /5 Tishrei 5761)

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART

The tempest could not prevent Rabbi Leib Sarah's from reaching the village, only several hours before the beginning of Yom Kippur.


story #154 (s5761-01 / 27 Elul 5760)

THE SAGA OF DEVORAH LEAH

Said Rebbe Shneur Zalman: "All is at stake. What is to be done? I feel I must unburden myself to my first-born, Devorah Leah."

 


Archived Stories (click on the desired year):
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#101-153 (5760)
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