Stories Archive: #1399 - present (5785)

1450 (5785-01) 29 Elul 5785 (Sep. 22, 2025) (This Week)

"A Well Timed Thought For Shofar Blowing"

The Lubavitcher Rebbe switched from shofar after shofar, attempting to blow each one, but no sound came out of any of them.

Why this week? Tonight starts Rosh Hashana, year 5786.

1449 (5785-51) 22 Elul 5785 (Sep. 15, 2025) (This Week)

A Rosh Hashana Dream

Once the Yeitev Lev Rebbe went over to a student in his yeshiva who wasn't doing very well, and whispered something into his ear. Everyone was so curious to find out what.

Why this week? A week from tonight starts Rosh Hashana, year 5786.

"Exposing the Young Genius"

The future founder of Chabad, then 16 years old, arrived in Mezritch for the first time on a Friday, Erev Shabbos. Although the son-in-law of a wealthy businessman, he was wearing the clothes of a pauper so that no-one would recognize him.

Why This Week? Thursday, Elul 18, is the date of the birth of the AlterRebbe in 1745 (and of the Baal Shem Tov in1698).

"A Lesson for Jewish War Combatants from the Sikh"

During the Yom Kippur War (1973), a bulletin came in from the Chief of Staff: “The Egyptians might attack with chemical weapons,...[Therefore] any soldiers with beards must shave, so that the gas mask fits tightly over the face.”

Why This Week? The first verse in this week’s Torah reading is: “When you go out [Ki Teitzei] to wage war against your enemies,…

“In the Month of Elul, The Mouth Should Never be Empty!”

“When I was young, I studied in the yeshiva of the tzadik, the Damesek Eliezer of Vizhnitz. There was not much to eat in the yeshiva and I was hungry.”

Why This Week? 1) The story emphasizes the specialness of the month of Elul, which started on the first day of this week. 2) Monday night – Tuesday, 2 Elul, is the yahrzeit of the Damesek Eliezer (which I did not know until I did research for the paragraphs below!)

1445 (5785-47) 24 Menachem Av 5785 (Aug.18, 2025)

"Creative Compassion"

When the Tosher Rebbe, Rabbi Meshulam-Feivish Segal-Lowy, heard about his chasid’s intention to move away from the chasidic community in Montreal to an remote part of Canada, he tried hard to understand his reasons for such a drastic decision.

Why This Week: Wednesday night-Thursday, 27th day of the Jewish month of Menachem-Av (2025: Aug21), is the tenth yahrzeit of the Tosher Rebbe.

"Three Doctors; Three Mezuzot"

As soon as he arrived in California, he drove to visit three former colleagues, who conveniently all lived on the same street.

Why This Week: This week's Torah reading, Ekev [and last week's -- Vaet'chanan] contain the only two places in the Torah where the mitzvah of mezuza is mentioned.

"The Missing Pen"

He knocked on the Ramash’s office door, and entered—as was the custom then in 5710—and explained his problem. The Rebbe listened carefully, then said, "With us it is customary to write our requests. Give me a pen, and I will write yours for you."

Why this Week? Shabbos is also the holiday of Chamisha Asar (15th) b'Av, when unmarried daughters would go out to the fields and join in large circle dances, and unmarried men would go to see and to seek an appropriate match.

"The Desperate Sister of The Holy Ari"

She said, “Why is it that you can help everyone else but not your own sister?” The Arizal answered her that he tries as much as possible, but he sees that the gates of Heaven are closed.

Why this Week? The 5th of the Jewish month of Menachem-AV [this year: Tuesday sunset - Wednesday nightfall, July 29-30] is the Hilulah/yahrzeit of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the "Holy Ari" of Tsfat.

"Stop That Bus"

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to ride the Israeli bus system, you’ve probably discovered the unique “Sabra” flavor that sets it apart from the transport systems in practically any other country.

Why This Week? The second part of this week's doubled portion records at length the long journeys and the 42 stops of the Jewish people during our forty years spent from leaving Egypt until arriving at the border to the Land promised us by G-D.

1440 (5785-42) 18 Tammuz 5785 (July 14, 2025)

"The Lottery Test"

A Jew, whom Rebbe Shayeleh of Kerestir had advised and blessed for a business endeavor, now faced a new problem. Along with success came a steady stream of requests for help, from distant relatives and old friends who were appearing on his doorstep, eager to reignite their relationships. The expense of satisfying their expectations was mounting.

Why This Week? In this week's Torah reading, Pinchas, a major lottery is employed to determine the division of the Holy Land among the Twelve Tribes.

"The Telegram That Saved a Life"

Suddenly, a banana boat slammed into the ferry’s raft that Rabbi Berel Baumgarten’s car was parked upon. His car began sliding speedily towards the water until it crashed into the waves and started to sink....And Rabbi Baumgarten had never learned to swim!

Why this Week? Yud-Beis (12th) Tammuz, the celebration of the release from prison in Stalinist Russia of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef-Yitzchak (‘HaRayatz’) Schneersohn, will start this year on Monday July 7, sunset, until Wednesday nightfall, July 9.

"Drama on The Roof of a Tel Aviv Skyscraper"

He was alone, on the top floor of one of the Azrieli towers. It was quiet, with only soft recorded music coming through the ceiling. He thought about the irony of it; this whole 49th floor could have been his!

Why This Week?
The ‘drama’ of the story connects nicely to verses in this week’s Torah reading, Chukat.

"The “Still Small Voice” in Political Activism"

The Lubavitcher Rebbe said to Senator Jacob Hecht, “Your top priority should be to get the Jews out of Russia.” Then the Rebbe emphasized: “The key is 'quiet diplomacy.'”

Why This Week? Sunday, June 29, is Gimmel Tammuz, the 31st yahrzeit of the Lubvitcher Rebbe.

"The Jew on The Damascus Pharmacies Football Team"

Even though I am not Chabad like you are, I once did a very big favor for the Lubavitcher Rebbe. I bet you would love to hear the story, wouldn’t you?”

Why This Week?
Moshe selecting and sending twelve men to spy the Land of Israel is the opening topic of this week’s Torah reading, Shelach; this week’s story opens with a Jew who was a successful spy for Israel outside the Land.

"Preserving Heavenly Protection"

“I summon you to a Torah trial before the Heavenly Court, for you shamed me.”

Why This week? In the final episode in this week’s Torah reading, Baha’lote’cha, Miriam speaks words to shame her younger brother, Moshe (although solely to her older brother Aharon, not publicly like in the above story.

"Three Friday Nights Dances and Three Saturday Night Blessings"

"I don't need any of your money," replied the Baal Shem Tov. "But please, can you host a melaveh malkah [Saturday night sit-down meal] for me?"

Why this week?
1) The first day of Shavuot is just a few days past, which is also the anniversary of the passing of the Baal Shem Tov.
2) The Malaveh Malka meal on Saturday night is considered the ideal time to tell stories of the Baal Shem Tov

The Torah Scholar Who Had Doubts About G*D

"Whomever I asked replied either that those are dangerous questions that must not ask, or gave such weak answers and explanations that they themselves admitted weren't satisfactory. So now I have my doubts about many things."

Why This Week? [The first day of] Shavuot is also the anniversary of the passing of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chasidic movement.

"The Astonishing Trade"

"Since your Belzer Rebbes often performed special miracles in the miraculous fashion of the Ba'al Shem Tov," said the Rebbe. “I will also behave with you in that manner!

Why this week? The Torah section of Behukotai discusses at length about the "holy exchanges" that would take place in the sanctuary and the Holy Temples.

"Life Threatening Danger at the Tombsite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai"

"My dear grandson: I want to share with you an extraordinary episode that until now I've kept secret. But my end is near, so I want to pass it on to you, so that you can share it with future generations."

Why This Week? Clearly there is a connection to Meron (and Lag B'Omer), which falls towards the end of next week [so save it!], but the connection to this week and this month is also strong, as the Jewish month of IYAR as known as the "Month of Healing" (for several reasons).

"The Perpetually Burning Flame For Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai"

The Rebbe of Chortkov would send money from Eastern Europe to his followers in the holy city of Safed, to be distributed to the poor and to purchase oil for the ner tamid fire that burned continuously at the tombsite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Why This Week? Clearly there is a connection to Meron (and Lag B'Omer), which falls towards the end of next week [so save it!], but the connection to this week and this month is also strong, as the Jewish month of IYAR as known as the "Month of Healing" (for several reasons).

'Over the Chin it is Also Sufficient'

After much planning and deliberation with his colleagues, he wrote all of his anti-rabbis proposal on paper in detail. They then arranged an audience with the Czar's Minister of Education for a formal presentation.

Why This Week? This Tuesday, the 2nd of the Jewish month of Iyar, is the anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe Maharash.

"Passover Seder in the Safed Prison"

Must he agree? In his mind he pictured it: sitting at a Seder table while locked in prison with detained immigrants at the Safed police station. The very idea jarred him. Suddenly, a thought lit up his mind. "Wait a moment… I'm a religious Jew. Passover is about freedom. How can I voluntarily celebrate that behind bars? No way!"

Why This Week? 1) A main theme in this week's Torah reading, Shemini, is the Kosher Dietary Laws; 2) Last week was the festival of the Seventh Day of Pesach, while next week (on Nisan 30) is our annual celebration here, "Tsfat Liberation Day"; 3) Next week is the Shaloshim (30 days since the departure to Heaven) of a special member of the Tsfat Chabad community, who shares the same first name as the hero of the above story. So this story is dedicated for the soul elevation of YITZCHAK-MOSHE BEN YOSEF-CHAYIM Kadosh. a"h

1427 (5785-29) 16 Nissan 5785 (April 14, 2025)

"Drowning in The Sea"

When I was six years old, at the beach, sitting on a sandbar, I was pulled into and submerged in the water. I wasn't afraid, though. I saw in my mind's eye a farmer, chasing after animals. Looking back, I realize that I had been in danger of drowning, but at the time, I was not afraid. I was watching cartoons!

Why this week? The festival of the Seventh Day of Passover celebrates the Crossing of the Reed Sea by hundreds of thousands of Jews [who survived…and tens of thousands of Egyptians who didn't.]

1426 (5785-28) 9 Nissan 5785 (April 7, 2025)

"The First Passover Seder Ever in Ho Chi Minh City"

The young couple arrived in Vietnam in April 2005, with no language skills and almost no Passover provisions, due to strict baggage allowances. They had five days to find a venue, set up a kosher-for-Passover kitchen and prepare a festive meal for 75 people.

Why this YEAR? First Seder on Saturday night, as in this year as well as that year, happens relatively rarely in the Jewish cycle of holidays.

"TESTING THE RABBIS IN SECULAR SUBJECTS"

The Czar's Minister of the Interior was an evil, sadistic despot who was always making new oppressive laws to terrify the people, secure his own power and, whenever possible, torture the Jews.

Why this week? Sunday night begins the 105th yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rashab.

"Raincoats and Umbrellas on a Sunny Dry Day in Tiberias"

The Turkish ruler of the city of Tiberias, who was always scheming against the Jewish residents, issued an appalling threat of expulsion.

Why this week: Israel needs rain and for a week the weather has been hot, dry and sunny

"Shabbat by Halves"

"After a lot of thought, I decided to close my store on Saturday, even though I had calculated that I would lose $30,000 a month. However, I still planned to work until late Friday night."

Why this week? In the Torah reading, Ki Tisa (Ex. 31:12-17), some benefits of observing Shabbat are described.

1422 (5785-24) 10 Adar 5785 (March 10, 2025)

"Another Purim 26 Days Before Purim"

This royal reception could have continued successfully for many years had it not been for one of the king's ministers, who hated the Jews and was deeply disturbed by the king's fondness for them.

Why this week? This Friday is the general Festival of Purim.

1421 (5785-23) 3 Adar 5785 (March 3, 2025)

"Mistaken Burial"

The Chevra Kaddisha/'Jewish Burial Society' had very little time to decide what to do. The law required plague victims to be buried within the hour.

Why This Week? This Friday is the 7th day of the Jewish month of Adar, which is also the date of Moshe's death, 40 years after the exodus from Egypt. It states that he was buried but no man knows where (Deut. 34: 5-6), from which we deduce that no man was involved in his burial (either he buried himself or G-d arranged it). Therefore, Adar 7 is a day of no work for the chevrah kaddishah! Some of the members fast, many join discussions about how to improve their holy work.

"The Spiritual Power of Twelve Gold Coins"

Rabbi Tzvi-Hirsch of Rimanov had a unique approach for collecting tzedakah. When a person stood before him, he would determine the amount they should give. Sometimes, he would assign a wealthy man a small sum, while asking a poor man to contribute a significant amount. This was a wonder to many.

Why This Week: The Torah section Trumah opens with a listing of the thirteen types of offerings that G- d declared to be required for building the desert Sanctuary. Gold is the first.

"The Half Million Shekel Deal with a Mosque"

His rabbi said, "I don't know but I can get an answer from Rabbi Michil- Yehuda Lefkowitz. His driver is my friend who can go right in and ask him."

Why This Week: The basic principles for most of Torah financial law is to be found in this week's Torah reading, Mishpatim.

"How to Elevate the Heavens"

The Kotzker Rebbe craved followers who were interested not only in themselves and their families, but chasidim who would strive for a life of meaning and fulfillment through the practice of Jewish ethical teachings and delving into the innermost layers of the Jewish scholarly tradition.

Why this week?
The weekly Torah reading, Yitro, features the Ten Commandments, of which the fourth is "Honor your father and mother."
[This story is also good for next week, for Sh'vat 22 is the yahrzeit of the Kotsker.]

"The Eavesdropper in the Rebbe's Room"

The man pointed out that there was one more question in the letter. "I am not blind," the Rebbe replied. When the man tried again, the Rebbe said, "I am not deaf." When he persisted, the Rebbe signaled that the meeting had ended.

Why this week? This Shabbat, tenth day of the Jewish month of Sh'vat, is the 75th yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rayatz.

"Sharing the Same Sins"

Why did Rabbi Levi-Yitzchak of Berditchev insist upon a specific pair of nondescript second-hand tefilin from among the dozens in the possession of the town's 'Burial Society?'

Why this week? The second day of the Jewish month of Sh'vat (2025: Friday, Jan. 31) is the yahrzeit of Rebbe Zusha.

"A Questionable Piece of Meat"

When as a young married man Rabbi Shneur Zalman returned from the Maggid of Mezeritch and lived publicly as a chasid, his in-laws' feelings towards him turned from endearment and respect to anger and hostility.

Why This Week?
Friday, the 24th of Tevet, is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe.

"The Mysterious Aroma of the Garden of Eden"

The Rebbetzin Shterna-Sarah Schneersohn was aware that her son, the Rebbe Rayatz, knew the [2nd] Munkatcher Rebbe very well. She informed him of her desire that she be able to gaze upon his holy face.

Why this Week? The 15th of the Jewish month of Tevet (2025: Jan. 15) is the anniversary of the birth of the Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah.

1413 (5785-15) 6 Tevet 5785 (Jan. 6, 2025)

"Nazi Executioner Meets his Jewish Grandchildren"

"My father was an officer in the SS killing squad, the Einsatzgruppe.. His crimes were so heinous that years later the West German Republic continued to pursue him."

Why this week? This Friday is the "Fast of the Tenth of 10 Tevet." It commemorates the onset of the siege outside the walls of Jerusalem that led to the destruction of the Holy Temple on the Ninth of Av. In addition, in our times it has become the date to say Kaddish for those martyrs of the Holocaust (and all the others through the centuries) whose date of death is unknown.

"The 8th Light is The Last - and The Best!"

Light your old Menorah for the first seven days of Chanukah as usual. On the eighth, however,…

WHY THIS WEEK? The Eighth Night of the 'Festival of Lights' starts on Wednesday of this week at sunset. Happy Chanukah!

"A Keeper of The Eternal Flame"

He looked cautiously over his shoulder. Only when he was sure that nobody was watching, he took a small jar from his coat pocket.

Why this week? The first three Chanukah lightings are this week, on Wednesday and Thursday after sunset, and Friday before sunset.

" Yokel at the Theater"

"Thank you; it's quite nice,"said Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Chabad. "but it is not the present I was looking forward to."

Why this week: Yud-Tes Kislev, the yahrzeit of the Maggid of Mezritch [and the anniversary of the publication of Tanya in 1797, and in 1798 the miraculous release from Czarist prison of its author, Rabbi Shneur-Zalman, founder of the Chabad dynasty], this year falls on Thursday night-Friday, Dec. 20.

The Chabad chasid's face turned pale. The flow of his enthusiastically received words in the study hall of the Apter Rebbe was cut off as if with a knife. All those present looked up in shocked astonishment.

Why this week?
Monday night - Wednesday, 9-10 Kislev, is the birth date, miraculous liberation date, and date of passing of the Mitteler Rebbe of Chabad.

"The Disheartening Response of The Lubavitcher Rebbe"

"Although the [Lubavitcher] Rebbe was known to respond quickly, he stared silently at my wife for at least 20 seconds, paying no attention to me. His secretary thought something was wrong and started to pull my wife away!"

Why this week? In this week'S Torah reading, Vayeitzei, both Rachel and Leah utilize surrogate mothers to provide them children to raise.

"Three Stips Before the Front Door"

The water from our well is not good. We only use it to water the horses and the garden.'

Connection:
Wells play an important role in this week's Torah reading (Gen. 26:17-32).

"Feeling Exceptional Happiness"

The Rebbe would pay special attention to the organized groups of 50-100 young Jews that would arrive twice a year from France for the Autumn and Spring holidays.

Why this week?
The weekly reading, Chaye Sarah, begins with Father Avraham buying a plot of land in Hebron and continues with his efforts to find a suitable wife for his son and future successor, Yitzchak.

"Two Rebbes With The Same Frustration"

In the midst of a bitter winter, in a town three miles from Lublin, a woman was in such straits during birthing time that her family hired someone to make haste to Lublin, three miles away, to ask the 'Seer' of Lublin to intercede in Heaven on her behalf.

Why this week? The Torah portion, Vayera, shows how our patriarch Avraham majored in hospitality

"Two Rebbes, Two Prisoners…and an Angel"

Rabbi Ze'ev-Wolf of Zhitomir, who was a colleague of Rabbi Menachem-Nachum of Chernobyl - they were both close disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch -- was very upset by his friend's suffering and sought means to alleviate the difficulty of his friend's imprisonment.

Why this week?
1) In this week's Torah reading, Lech Lecha, Avraham went to war against great odds in order to rescue Lot. His nephew and brother-in-law, Lot from captivity. (Gen: 14:11-16)
2) The 11th of the Jewish month of Cheshvan (Monday night - Tuesday) is the yahrzeit of Rebbe-Nachum of Chernobyl.

"Twin Calves From/For a Blessing"

I spent weeks looking for a suitable home to live in the small city of Sumy, Ukraine; half of the buildings didn't even have running water or a bathroom."

Why this week? All the animals came to Noah's Arik in pairs

"A Couragious Outrageous Tipsy Simchat Torah Blessing"

"The lightning bolt of the realization that they never had children struck me. How is it possible to run a Chabad house, to conduct classes and deliver lectures, to help Jews with the daily mitzvos and other good deeds, and then return to a childless home?"

Why this week? Simchat Torah

1401 (5785-03 ) 12 Tishrei 5785 (Oct..14, 2024)

"The Bamboo Roof Test"

It's a test of faith when it rains on the first night of the seven-day Sukkot holiday. Some people take it as a sign of G~d's displeasure. G~d invites every Jew to sit in His holy booth and then He dumps water on us!

Why this week? The festival of SUKKOT starts this Wednesday night.

"Prison + Yom Kippur + Talmud = Freedom"

"To be quite honest," he explained, "I chose Shabbos as my mitzvah because I know nothing about any of the other Commandments, but I do remember once hearing that G-d set up Shabbos as a day of rest"

Why this week? YOM KIPPUR

1399 (5785-01 ) 27 Elul 5784 (Sep.30, 2024)

"A Near-Fatal Roah Hashana Faint"

One bar before my solo, a massive headache struck me and I fell to the ground-they had to carry me from the synagogue to the hospital in the middle of Rosh Hashana

Why this Week: The story begins on Rosh Hashana (1981)

"The Wet Nurse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe"

When the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Rebbe in the Chabad dynasty, was born, his mother was unable to nurse him. Her father, the first Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur-Zalman, summoned the hired wet nurse to hear from him specific guidelines about the nursing.

Why this week? Erev Rosh Hashana, which is next week on Wednesday, is the anniversary of the birth of the Tzemach Tzedek, which is the start of the above story. [So why not next week instead? Because next week must feature a story for Rosh Hashana itself.]