tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81008267874843269872011-10-06T14:44:37.272-04:00<p> SIPPUREI TZADDIKIM: STORIES OF REBBES (AND A FEW OTHER TZADDIKIM). FROM ALEXANDER AND APTA TO VIZHNITZ AND ZUTCHKA. NOTE: INTERNET EXPLORER AND OTHER BROWSERS DO NOT SUPPORT THIS SITE CORRECTLY. TO VIEW THE SITE WITH THE SIDEBAR AND ALL OF ITS VARIOUS AND INTERESTING FEATURES PLEASE TAKE ONE MINUTE TO DOWNLOAD MOZILLA FIREFOX AT:</p> <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox"> http://www.mozilla.com/en-us/firefox </a>Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.comBlogger691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-61839688491603425592011-07-06T17:53:00.001-04:002011-07-06T17:53:40.234-04:00

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Bnei Brak: The city who's chol is kadosh, and who's kadosh is kadosh kadashim.   The Steipler Gaon (1899-1985) was in part responsible for making the Torah city of Bnei Brak the Torah beacon that it is today. Along with the Chazon Ish they settled into Bnei Brak before it was the famed city, and the rays of their Torah and tziddkus (righteousness), in time, attracted the multitudes. The

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Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-80946728701459828232011-04-13T22:14:00.000-04:002011-04-13T22:14:10.437-04:00

The Bluzhever Rebbe, Reb Yisrael Spiro, was one of the great chassidic leaders of the last century. His wife and children were slaughtered in the Holocaust. High on the Nazis' most-wanted list, the Rebbe himself had been interned in labor camps, and at some point was shipped to Bergen-Belsen. As Pesach approached that first year there was talk among the inmates about obtaining matzah. Needless

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One Erev Pesach, the wife of Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, Apter Rebbe and author of Ohev Yisrael (the lover of fellow Jews), was busy in the kitchen taking care of last minute preparations for the impending seder. She was bustling and in the midst of great activity when she heard a knock at the door. Too engrossed in her work, she let someone else in the house welcome the visitor. Two town

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The Klausenberger Rebbe used to tell a story on Pesach: There was a tzaddik (righteous person) who decided one year that he was going to out-due all of his work in previous years in regard to the mitzvah of clearing the house of chometz (leavened bread, which is prohibited on the Passover holiday). His soul was on fire as the month of Adar came to a close and the month of Nissan began. This year

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Bobover Rebbe, Reb Shlomo zt"l in the matzah factory on erev Pesach. In the background the chassidim are singing "ani yeshaina v'libi er."

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-88577520958080254832011-04-12T01:16:00.000-04:002011-04-12T01:16:02.423-04:00

The year was 1946. The Skulener Rebbe had been living in Czernowitz, which was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. It later fell into German and Romanian hands until the Soviet forces liberated the city in 1944. Czernowitz is currently divided between Romania and Ukraine. A number of Rebbes and other tzaddidim arrived in Czernowitz after the war to regroup and decide where to settle. But nobody

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The Sadigura Rebbe had a minhag (custom) of telling the following story after bedikas chometz (the search for leavened bread before Passover). There was a poor Jew who lived on the outskirts of the city of Kolbanov. He ran an old, dilapidated tavern and inn, which had been on lease from the local squire. Business had always been slow and, month after month, year after year, he failed to make

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Just a quick mai'sah in honor of shabbos hagadol. The Liska Rebbe, Reb Tzvi Hirsch Friedlander, talks of the minhag (custom) in those times, in which the Rav, in his grand shabbos hagadol drasha (sermon), would take two seemingly contradictory statements by the Rambam (Maimonidies), and over the course of his long drasha, try to resolve the apparent contradiction between the two statements. The

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Once, Reb Chaim Halberstam, the Divrei Chaim, traveled to see Reb Eliezer of D'zikov. On the way, as he was passing through a certain village, he was recognized, and called into a house to be sandak (G-d-father) at a bris, right there on the spot. He accepted, and was led into the house. The father was very excited by his guest, and during the course of the seudah (celebratory meal), he went down

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-74426317523391941092011-03-22T01:19:00.003-04:002011-03-22T01:22:53.657-04:00

I taped this on Purim night at Bobov. The tish during the day is about ten times as big as this.

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-7917796077568954032011-03-15T01:20:00.000-04:002011-03-15T01:20:51.531-04:00

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-45668127229301017892011-03-10T22:15:00.002-05:002011-03-10T22:15:28.062-05:00

The story takes place in the year of 1932. Others say It was 1933. Some say it took place in Berlin, others in Paris. Rabbi Shmuel Buttman has told the story twice in recent years. On one occasion he spoke of Berlin, and on another occasion he spoke of Paris. But it has been confirmed by Rabbi Chaim Ciment, who heard the story directly from Rav Yosef Ber Soloveitchik, who was present at the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-14705571766968161622011-03-10T14:02:00.001-05:002011-03-10T14:16:17.272-05:00

This is a re-post for Purim from 2010. This isn't quite a story, but a short mashal (parable) about Purim and drinking from the Chuddushei Harim, Reb Yitchak Meir Alter, first Gerrer Rebbe. Just as a matter of interest, the name Alter was not the original family name, but had been changed when Reb Yitchak was Rebbe. Reb Yitzchak, believe it or not, was a Polish national, and supported the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-29509371671979179242011-03-03T22:42:00.005-05:002011-03-10T14:00:13.516-05:00

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Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-24076138474434659822011-02-27T02:58:00.001-05:002011-03-10T12:08:40.584-05:00

This morning we read: "Lo seva'aru eish b'chol moshvoseichem b'yom haShabbas. You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath (Vayikra 35:3)." And so, the following mai'sah of Reb Nachum of Chernobyl. Reb Nachum was a guest of the father of Reb Moshe of Savran for shabbos. It was the custom of the household to light a long candle before sunset so that if anyone wanted to

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-64354841456975209832011-02-22T00:22:00.003-05:002011-02-23T02:17:39.323-05:00

Rav Shimon Shkop (1860-1939) was the outstanding Rosh Yeshiva of yeshivos Telz and Grodno. Based on the talmudic methods of his mentors, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik and the Netziv, he synthesized his own method resulting in the deep and penetrating analysis of Rav Chaim with the straightforwardness and clarity of the Netziv. He embarked on fund-raising assignments for the yeshivos in England, Canada

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-41486504871286535082011-02-14T00:19:00.003-05:002011-03-01T01:48:38.173-05:00

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-35172201375438174272011-02-09T04:18:00.001-05:002011-02-09T04:18:27.412-05:00

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-80918096446646740902011-01-29T18:12:00.009-05:002011-02-18T01:24:50.940-05:00

Rav Moshe Feinstein Rav Moshe Feinstein, the great gaon and posek of the 20th Century, was the decider of many sheilos (questions regarding Jewish law), many being questions warranted by the new technology as it emerged in modern times, and others relating to modern issues in American life. On one occasion, a not-too-religious father approached him at home regarding his son's possible college

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-11014234219933250002011-01-27T17:06:00.003-05:002011-02-28T16:54:04.529-05:00

The story of the birth of the Ba'al Shem Tov is taken from an earlier post on the subject of hachnasas orchim (hospitality to guests). Reb Eliezer, father of the Ba'al Shem Tov, was known for the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim. He would go so far as to send out emissaries to the town's crossroads, in order to see if anybody passing through might need a meal or refreshments, or even a place to stay

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-22994340455170486642011-01-08T23:58:00.011-05:002011-01-27T17:20:30.353-05:00

Reb Nachum of Chernobyl, founding Chernobyler Rebbe, was a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch. Early on, the Maggid told Reb Nachum to become a maggid himself (preacher; someone who goes around rousing people to repentance), and travel to off-the-beaten-path communities to provide inspiration and hope to downtrodden Jews. During his travels, Reb Nachum happened upon a small community in an even

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-44806822246006296332010-12-20T19:06:00.007-05:002011-01-05T00:35:57.811-05:00

This week we begin the book of Shemos (Exodus). We learn that Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) was hidden among the reeds in the swamp by the Nile after a decree had been issued by Pharaoh, saying that all male children should be thrown into the river. Pharaoh's daughter, Basya, finds the boy, and attempts to nurse him. She does not succeed, and neither do any of the other Egyptian woman. G-d said, "should

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-62107679562189484172010-12-15T17:13:00.003-05:002010-12-15T18:06:06.802-05:00

"Ke'Reuven v'Shimon yihiyu li, as Reuven and Shimon they shall be mine (Bereishis 48:5)." As Jacob's life comes to an end in this week's parsah, parshas vayechi, he gives the famous birchos Yaakov, "blessings of Jacob," to his children. Before doing so he calls in his two grandsons from Yosef. Yosef has become viceroy over all of Egypt, and while there he gives birth to two sons, Ephraim and

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-48875499406688876902010-11-14T20:39:00.013-05:002011-03-31T23:26:00.613-04:00

The Chiddushei HaRim, first Gerrer Rebbe, was known as an iluy (young genius). His father brought him to the Maggid of Kozhnitz for an assessment. The Maggid said to the young Yitzchak Meir, "I'll give you a gold coin if you could show me where G-d is." Young Yitzchak replied, "I'll give you two gold coins if you could show me where G-d isn't!" As a child, Reb Yitzchak Meir learned with the son

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-85223825295693653972010-11-02T12:14:00.005-04:002010-11-03T01:45:17.855-04:00

Let's look at a beautiful Kehillas Yitzchak from last week's parsha, parshas Chayei Sarah, and then a story of Reb Zusya and Reb Pinchas Koretzer that is loosely related, and then one involving Reb Dovid of Lelov. "Vayavo Avraham lispod l'Sarah v'livkosah - And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to cry over her." The word "v'livkosah," he cried over her, is written with a small letter "caf,"

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-76153888519260559522010-10-20T20:35:00.003-04:002011-01-23T00:12:47.792-05:00

For this week's parsha, parshas vayeira, a couple of stories on the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim; hospitality and opening one's house to others. The parsha starts off by saying that G-d appeared to Avraham (to visit him on the third day after his circumcision), and almost immediately goes on to talk about three visitors that were passing by Avraham's tent. And from this we derive the rule "gadol

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-20151826279198330582010-09-25T21:46:00.013-04:002011-01-29T19:15:02.093-05:00

Reb Pinchas of Koretz, who was known by the Ba'al Shem Tov and his contemporaries as "the sage," was visited by hundreds, in not thousands, of those seeking berachos (blessings) and advice. So many were his visitors on a daily basis that at some point he became frustrated that he did not have much time left for himself. He worried about his learning and his personal relationship with G-d. He

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-55932509657392304942010-09-22T01:05:00.008-04:002011-02-28T16:48:28.278-05:00

dIt was the first morning of Sukkos in Lizhensk, and something was bothering Reb Elimelech. There was something in the air; something that just didn't seem right. He paused in the middle of hallel, and began to walk around the shul with his nose in the air, trying desperately to find the source of his disturbance. After davening he made his way, once again, around the shul, but before he walked

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All of Berditchev was in a panic just before Sukkos, because there was no esrog to be found in the vicinity. Reb Levi Yitzchak had one last hope, and that was to send a few of his chassidim to the crossroads in the hope of finding a passer-by who owned an esrog for Yom Tov. And, indeed, the chassidim came across a Jew who was carrying a big, beautiful esrog, but he lived in a far-off town, and

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-26664966265382754252010-09-15T00:28:00.006-04:002010-09-15T02:01:05.165-04:00

A few vignettes for Yom Kippur. One year during davening (prayers) on Yom Kippur, the Alter Rebbe, Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi (one of the early chassidic masters), was seen taking off his tallis (prayer shawl) in the middle of the service. It was just before musaf when he put his tallis aside, and hastily made his way for the door of the shul. The chassidim were flabergasted. Came the beginning

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-38727394396281031942010-09-14T02:10:00.012-04:002010-09-14T16:44:10.256-04:00

A story of teshuva (repentance) for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), which may be a little bit difficult to interpret. It was the custom in Berditchev that when someone in the town passed away, his tefillin would go to the chevra kaddisha (burial society), which would then sell off the tefillin to raise funds. Reb Levi Yitchak once visited the chevra kaddisha looking to purchase a new pair of

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-63992741772376211312010-09-01T21:09:00.003-04:002010-09-01T21:46:01.295-04:00

In a town not far from Premishlan, there lived a wealthy man, who one day decided that he was going to be the chazzan (cantor) for the Yomim Noraim (high holidays) that year. Now this man had an explosive and violent temper, and all in the town were afraid of confronting him and attempting to dissuade him from this unusual decision of his. A delegation was set up, and it was decided that the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-85281025309557556632010-08-29T22:53:00.005-04:002010-08-30T00:01:25.782-04:00

I read this story recently, and found it VERY, VERY significant. With Spinka Rebbes running around, and with Lakewood roshei yeshiva accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in dirty money, and so on, and so on, and so on, the common belief is that if the money comes from a non-Jew, then it is mutar (permissible). Yes, this is what many in our community believe: that it is permissible to steal

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-50736502430684431642010-08-26T22:03:00.004-04:002010-08-30T00:02:15.697-04:00

The Dubno Maggid gives a mashal (parable) on the month of Elul, the penitential Hebrew month leading into Rosh Hashana, the New Year. Elul is a time of teshuvah (repentance), introspection, and the recounting one's deeds from the past year. Because when Rosh Hashanah is upon us we are already asking to be inscribed in the book of life for the coming year. There are many stories of tzaddikim from

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-69921840896852847962010-08-21T23:04:00.005-04:002010-12-15T18:07:31.694-05:00

The following story relates to this week's parsha, parshas Ki Seitzei, concerning the returning of lost items. Reb Aharon Chernobyler was one of the eight sons of the Maggid of Chernobyl, Reb Mordechai, who was the son of Reb Menachem Nachum Twersky, the Meor Einayim. Reb Mordechai's eight sons all became Rebbes in their own right. Skver, Tolna, Hornsteipel and Rachmestrivka are a few of the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-57346715847464331002010-08-21T16:47:00.005-04:002010-08-21T23:03:38.238-04:00

Just a bit of an explanation is due. For all of you who read the last article, you may have surmised that I had become lost to Yiddishket all together. I was frustrated by scandal and corruption. People said "you're looking for the bad, that's you're problem." But that was not the case. It was rushing toward me like a tidal wave, and I became submerged below sea level, and could no longer breath.

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-54818296128589242012010-04-25T20:03:00.009-04:002010-09-01T04:03:16.110-04:00

Available upon request.

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-15461652963954198612010-04-22T15:39:00.004-04:002010-08-21T23:58:46.072-04:00

"Lo sa'asu avel bamishpat; bamidah bamishkal, uvamesurah. Moznei tzedek avnei tzeddek aivas tzeddek v'hin tzeddek y'hiyeh lachem..."This week's double parsha, parshas acharei-kedoshim, deals with the commandment of having correct scales, measures and weights in one's business dealings. "You shall not commit a perversion of justice" in this regard. And this is the parsha of the Chofetz Chaim. The

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-71460441233147723282010-04-12T00:50:00.008-04:002010-09-01T04:05:57.959-04:00

Available upon request.

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-56739428514341328092010-04-08T00:05:00.008-04:002010-04-08T02:54:11.499-04:00

The following is a shocking and somewhat disturbing story. When I read this story in the Pshevorsker Rebbe's sefer, Shelosh Esrei Oros - Sippurei Kodesh, I wrote to Rabbi Tal Zwecker for some more information on the asceticism of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech and some of his disciples. The Pshevorsker Rebbe heard this from the mouth of Rav Ephraim Dovid Halberstam and others. But just for some

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-34181039628198593282010-03-23T03:21:00.019-04:002011-02-23T02:15:43.014-05:00

The Bluzhever Rebbe, Reb Yisrael Spiro, was one of the great chassidic leaders of the last century. His wife and children were slaughtered in the Holocaust. High on the Nazis' most-wanted list, the Rebbe himself had been interned in labor camps, and at some point was shipped to Bergen-Belsen. As Pesach approached that first year there was talk among the inmates about obtaining matzah. Needless

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-4413893098796211942010-03-18T01:38:00.007-04:002010-09-01T03:59:06.912-04:00

The following is a letter I sent to one of the Jewish papers regarding the execution of Martin Gross, and to my surprise, it was printed. Communal PrioritiesAs a ba'al teshuva I am bothered by a number of phenomena I have encountered in the frum world to this point. The latest issue involves the appeals being made on behalf of death-row inmate Martin Grossman, the 19-year-old who brutally beat up

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-85433526997344018262010-03-15T00:06:00.009-04:002011-03-03T22:50:32.918-05:00

For Yom Kippur Katan, a story of the Chofetz Chaim. The day before rosh chodesh, the new month, some have the custom of davening Yom Kippur Katan (a "mini" Yom Kippur - the day of atonement - service). Yom Kippur Katan is not mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch (code of Jewish Law). The minhag (custom) began in the 16th Century in the mystical city of Tzfas. The hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar,

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-6851479662205423982010-03-13T23:58:00.015-05:002010-10-06T23:40:33.488-04:00

Available upon request.

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-80209626605054153282010-03-04T22:39:00.007-05:002011-02-18T01:06:42.007-05:00

The Koidenover Rebbe of Bnei Brak came to New York last year, and told a story. The Rebbe has revived Koidenover chassidus over the past number of years, and has established a prestigious yeshiva ketana (elementary school), which is already highly sought after. In his lecture, the Rebbe was discussing the state of affairs in today's broken world. He spoke of gashmius (materialism), and the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-41288238517312053502010-03-01T22:45:00.005-05:002010-03-02T03:52:49.951-05:00

It was a wonderful Purim this year at Bobov, so why not a story about founding Bobover Rebbe, Reb Shlomo Halberstam. When I read this story in the Pshevorsker Rebbe's sefer, Shelosh Esrei Oros-Sipurei Kadosh, I really got a good laugh. In actuallity though it's a very sad story, but it tells of Reb Shlomo Halberstam's nevuah (prophesy). Of course that's a bit of a joke too. Reb Shlomo Halberstam

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-18189537655523117672010-02-23T23:30:00.012-05:002011-03-10T13:56:18.379-05:00

This isn't quite a story, but a short mashal (parable) about Purim and drinking from the Chuddushei Harim, Reb Yitchak Meir Alter, first Gerrer Rebbe. Just as a matter of interest, the name Alter was not the original family name, but had been changed when Reb Yitchak was Rebbe. Reb Yitzchak, believe it or not, was a Polish national, and supported the Polish nationalist movement, as did a number

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-74833651075167305762010-02-12T07:04:00.014-05:002011-01-29T19:17:47.869-05:00

The holy Ba'al Shem Tov (1698-1760) used to tell a story. The lion, the king of beasts, was angry with all of the animals of the jungle. The animals, fearing for their lives, got together, and appointed the sly fox to go and appease the angry lion. The fox was reluctant, but finally agreed, and he came up with three hundred parables to relate to the lion. He set out on his journey, but soon into

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-29667649658188001982010-01-14T04:52:00.014-05:002010-12-16T01:20:28.112-05:00

The 28th of the month of teves is a day of thanksgiving in Skverer communities worldwide. It was on this date that the second Skverer Rebbe, Reb Dovid'l (1848-1919), as he was affectionately known, survived a great fall and a number of serious bodily injuries. A seudah hoda'ah (meal of thanksgiving) is held by Skverer chassidim on this date. The Rebbe made his residence in Skvira, and later in

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-9477540194796553972009-12-23T05:44:00.016-05:002011-02-14T00:35:42.910-05:00

This is the very famous story of the "ezkarah gedolah" by the first Modzitzer Rebbe, Reb Yisroel Taub zt'l. The Modzitzer dynasty has its roots in Kuzmir and Zvolin. Reb Yechezkal of Kuzmir had at least one new niggun composed weekly for his shabbos table. His son, the Zvoliner Rebbe, Reb Shmuel Eliyahu, was known as a musical wonder. When he davened for the amud in his father's beis midrash

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-21034290254177186152009-12-22T01:27:00.004-05:002011-01-05T00:27:31.461-05:00

In this week's parsha, parshas vayigash, Yehuda tries desperately to get Binyamin back from the viceroy of Egypt, Yosef, and tells how his father Yaakov will die of grief if he sees that Binyamin is not with the brothers upon their return to Eretz Cana'an. "Yaakov's soul is bound up with his soul," he tells Yosef. With all of his pleading on behalf of his father the mefarshim (commentators) ask:

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-24977481473036651312009-12-07T04:41:00.009-05:002010-02-19T01:24:51.674-05:00

Also in honor of yud tes Kislev a story of Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi, first Rebbe of Lubavitch. In the town of Liozna a chosid came the Rebbe with a question. His had faced difficult times, financially. He had struggled and failed in an array of ventures, and came to ask the Rebbe's advice concerning parnassah (making a living). The Alter Rebbe thought for a minute, and told this chosid that he

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-54204477537802697742009-12-06T07:12:00.010-05:002010-10-02T23:32:37.408-04:00

For the Yahretzeit of the Maggid of Mezeritch, yud tes Kislev, a most unusual story. It was shabbos, and disciples of the Maggid sat around the table, while followers stood forming a small crowd to the end of the room. It was leil shabbos, and the Maggid was giving over words of Torah. When he completed his thoughts he paused. He then stated, "if there is anyone here in the this room who could

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-32335921770973620312009-11-12T03:19:00.005-05:002009-11-13T08:09:38.788-05:00

We are told in Bereishis Rabbah concerning this week's parsha, parshas Chayei Sara, that while Sara Imeinu was alive three things occurred in her house: a candle was alight from one erev shabbos to the next, a blessing was found in her dough, and a cloud was stationed over her home. In Imrei Pinchas, Reb Pinchas Koretzer comments that concerning the bracha in the dough this does not mean that a

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-38362801630464966552009-11-11T05:37:00.013-05:002010-03-16T00:47:25.032-04:00

We are all familiar with the kedusha of the first Satmar Rebbe, and even if we oppose some of his more controversial views, we are still in awe of his saintliness. The following two stories illustrate how he was viewed and held in esteem by other gedolim of the time. In the Skulener Rebbe's later years he was very sick. At one point he was advised to see a doctor not far from Kiryas Yoel, the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-16802513200404439462009-11-04T07:15:00.012-05:002011-03-18T01:29:53.184-04:00

I've been neglecting this site, but plan on writing again. As I was reviewing this week's parsha this incredible story came to mind. But just some background. The Skolya Rebbe, Rabbi Dovid Yitzchok Isaac Rabinowitz, was known for his great genius and depth in Torah learning, among other things. He had a certain custom at his tishen. Somebody present was chosen to say a pasuk (verse), any pasuk,

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-80449784694137462142009-09-29T02:33:00.007-04:002011-03-01T01:49:33.549-05:00

A wonderful video of the Lelover Rebbe zt"l, Rav Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman, who just passed away on Yom Kippur. The Rebbe recited Tehillim (Psalms) up to three times a day. He davened Kol Nidrei for the amud, and felt weak after from all of the energy he expounded. He went to his room to lie down, and didn't tell his gabbai to prepare neggel vasser for the morning (for washing of the hands

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-52373959637938585432009-09-08T19:55:00.010-04:002010-09-01T04:11:02.860-04:00

The residents of the city of Marmarosh, Romania, suffered from abject poverty. The Imrei Yosef, Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss, first Spinka Rebbe, was no exception. He lived in Marmarosh just before moving to Spinka, where he established his dynasty. In Marmarosh he didn’t even have enough money to buy wood to heat his home in the winter. One wealthy follower of the Rebbe owned several forests, and he

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-73804022520297171502009-09-07T20:44:00.011-04:002011-01-26T00:25:12.934-05:00

Reb Arele Roth, founder of chassidus Shomrei Emunim came to Jerusalem in 1925. He was known for his fervent and emotional style of prayer and worship. In Satu Mare (Satmar), Hungary, at the time, he was viewed as being inordinately intense, and became somewhat of a curiosity. Such was his manner of conducting himself that the students from the Satmar yeshiva were banned from visiting or even

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-52044398460889012502009-08-01T22:26:00.022-04:002011-01-25T02:04:46.103-05:00

In light of all the rioting and kana'us (zealotry) in Jerusalem against the desecration of shabbos over the past month I think it would be nice to take account of the following two stories, one involving the Gerrer Rebbe.When the forth Gerrer Rebbe, the Beis Yisroel, lived in Haifa, his chassidim would gather under the balcony to his house every seudas shlishis (third meal on shabbos), and the

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-76851583425771217812009-07-27T22:15:00.001-04:002009-08-01T01:37:33.976-04:00

Reb Pinchas of Koretz was known for his great humility, among other things. Even as an older man he continued to daven by the stove in the shul, the most undesirable spot. He once said, "everything I learned, I learned sitting quietly in the back row, in the last seat. Now that I'm in a position of prestige I don't understand." When the Ba'al Shem Tov, the founder of chassidus, was asked on his

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-78962884533791093262009-07-27T19:16:00.001-04:002010-08-22T17:39:24.493-04:00

OK, this one isn't about the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself, but rather one of his astute chassidim.A magid once came to the town of Lubavitch. Now there were two types of maggidim in those days: those that spoke down to the people, and those that preached with love. Let's just say that the maggid in this story was no Maggid of Kohznitz. In other words, even if the trait of love did exist hidden

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-77181286691795999632009-07-24T04:58:00.003-04:002010-02-21T23:14:41.669-05:00

The Tzemach Tzaddik was the son-in-law of the holy Rizhiner Rebbe. The Rizhiner was known for his riches and malchus (royalty), but for all of his material wealth, he was on a very high, exalted level. When it came to physical matters such as eating he took after the tradition of his grandfather, Reb Avrohom the Maloch (the angel), given this title for his reluctance to partake in earthly

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-37954926982902297132009-07-24T03:04:00.011-04:002010-10-09T22:10:26.773-04:00

One motzei shabbos, after a fiery afternoon of zemiros and Torah, Reb Mordechai of Kuzmir, son of the Maggid of Trisk, decided to go for a sleigh ride through the forest with some of his chassidim. As they were pulled, swiftly but gently, across a wintery landscape, Reb Mordechai closed his eyes, and became engrossed in his holy and otherworldly thoughts. Oblivious to the night scenes, but

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-71277020908733302682009-07-22T02:16:00.003-04:002010-08-22T20:58:43.767-04:00

I wanted to begin by telling a story of an encounter a friend had with a semi-prominent Rabbi, and then juxtapose it with a story describing how the Zutchka Rebbe reacted in a similar situation.My friend had been married a few years, but things were not going well. The couple had decided on divorce, and they were on their way to the Rav to finalize the arrangement. But before they went inside

Chazzan805http://www.blogger.com/profile/01793574089409143023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8100826787484326987.post-59249103491541635672009-07-22T01:40:00.001-04:002010-08-22T20:46:01.706-04:00

Just to introduce myself, I'm a ba'al teshuva who stumbled upon chassidus a few years ago while visiting Lakewood. Yes, a funny place, although many groups seem to have representation there these days. I had made a new friend, and he took out time to learn with me once a week. This had been my first time learning since yeshiva, which I attended up until eighth grade. He invited me to Lakewood for

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