The Stories Of Rabba Bar Bar Chana
Rabba Bar Bar Chana related the following, “Sailors told me that once they were threatened with gigantic waves that could have sunk their ships. These waves appeared with a ray of whitish light at their crest and when they struck it with clubs engraved with the words ‘I will be what I will be, L-rd G-d, King of Hosts, Amen, Amen, Selah,’ the waves subsided.”
The Man Who Would Not Swear
“You shall not swear in the name of the Lord,” says the Torah. This is true even if what one is saying is the truth.
Rashi – Rav Shlomo Yitzchaki
By means of a clever pretext, they succeeded in getting Rabi Yitzhak aboard a ship and sailed it down the river.
The Cow
Rav Chaim Soloveichik, the Torah luminary of the city of Brisk, was a legendary figure when it came to charity and good deeds.
The Shaagas Aryeh
Reb Aryeh Leib, the author of the Shaagas Aryeh, was one of the great minds of all times. His genius led him to be very impatient with people, especially with communal leaders who were not worthy of their exalted positions. Because of this he was seldom able to remain as rav in one town for very long, and spent much of his life wandering from city to city, in great poverty.
Deserting His Classification
Now let me ask you, what would happen to an infantryman if he deserted his regiment and went to serve in the cavalry? He would be court-martialed, wouldn’t he?”
A Torah-Sharpened Mind
No, it is not so, I am an honest and God-fearing Jew. Because of this I returned your lost wallet to you. If you do not wish to give me the reward I gladly waive all right to it. I only ask that you do not accuse me falsely.
An Expensive Agreement (Continued from last week)
It was only worth a few marks, but you had no money for it and you said that if I gave it to you, you would give me all the money you would eventually have over 10,000 marks.
Rabi Akiva Clarifies
The Strength Of Suffering
Man does not have it easy in this world. Sufferings are often visited upon him tempting him to curse his fate...
The Convert
He lacked for nothing materialistic and could have lived the rest of his life, had he chosen to, in the luxury and laziness that dominated the Roman upper class life.
Short Subjects On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
If the earthly court decreed that today is Rosh Hashanah, Hashem commands the angels to call the heavenly court into session.
The Wonderful Diamond
Going to the Bais HaMikdash, Yosef Ben Yoezer’s son showed the magnificent diamond to the Kohanim. They were stunned by its brilliance and beauty and could hardly speak.
The Earthquake (Part One)
Yonadav was greatly impressed at the vast sums of money the young man had in his possessions.
Neglecting The Shul
Now I know why Hashem punished us with the confiscation of our shul.
Destruction
And so the enemy burst into the Sanctuary and set up a stand on the Temple Mount.
Not The Correct Charity
With that type of charity you shouldn’t come unto G-d. It is not sufficient; you must also try to help other poor people.
Honor Your Father And Mother
Making sure he did not awaken his father, he returned to the room where the sages sat and said, I am afraid that I cannot sell you the gem.
The Family Satan
When word reached the Jewish community they began to tremble. They knew only too well the meaning of the king’s threat.
Torah Is The Greatest Treasure
The inhabitants of Simonia once came to Rav Yehuda HaNasi (also known as Rebbe) and asked him to recommend a scholar to serve as their rav, dayan, teacher and sofer. Rebbe sent them Levi ben Sisi.
Outwitting The Dishonest Innkeeper
He walked out of the room, making sure to leave the door ajar so that the two litigants could hear his voice.
The Prayers Of A Saint
The piety of the saint Rabi Chanina ben Dosa was so great that people would often request that he daven on their behalf. Once, the son of Rabban Gamliel became dangerously sick. He sent two talmidim to the home of Rabi Chanina with the message: “Pray to God that my son will get well."
