The Long Sleep
One day, the great sage Choni HaMagel pondered the meaning of Tehillim 26, “A song of ascent, when Hashem returned the captives of Tzyon, we were like them in that dream.”
Rav Heshel Of Krakow
What is so great about being able to fill a kiddush cup from a bottle of wine? Let us see if you can use your wisdom to fill the kiddush cup from an empty bottle.
Stories For Rosh Hashanah
The people looked at each other in amazement. What did he mean? Why was this Rosh Hashanah so special?
Always Give A Person The Benefit Of The Doubt
Chazal taught: He who judges his associates (in questionable acts) with favor will be judged with favor from Above.
Midrash and Talmud
Man is seldom satisfied with his life. Even when he has done great things, amassed vast amounts of wealth and achieved great fame, he still yearns for more and his soul is not fulfilled. "No man dies with even half of his ambition fulfilled," say Chazal.
Fulfilling Their Wishes
Our sages have advised us that we should repent one day before we die. Inasmuch as no persons knows when he is to die, he should therefore consider every day his last day.
Shmuel Hakatan
All day they prayed; all day they fasted. It was to no avail. The skies remained as before, the rain locked in and the land still thirsty.
Reb Aryeh Leib
When Reb Aryeh Leib heard this he said, “Congratulations, you have succeeded in hitting upon the same answer as the Vilna Gaon.”
The Righteous And The Wicked
But what did the foolish servants do? They put on the royal robes and went about their work. Being very busy with their work, they forgot that they were wearing the king’s garments.
Daniel And The Idol
Although Daniel was the chief minister in Bavel, he could not eradicate the custom practiced in many provinces of worshipping idols. In the capital city there was a statue of Baal and more and more people began to worship it. Even the king was beginning to believe in its power.
The Chozeh Of Lublin
One of the most remarkable men in chassidic lore was Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, known as the Chozeh of Lublin.
Rav Yaakov Yitzchak was responsible...
The Civil War Against The Maccabees
Every day a casket filled with gold would be lowered from the walls of Jerusalem and in return the army of Aristobulos would send up cattle for the korbanos.
Rav Avraham Abush (Part II)
“It must be that beggar,” he exclaimed. “He probably stole my cane.”
Mordechai And The Mute
Soon it was time for the cutting of the omer. However, to the great dismay of the people, there was not one among the Kohanim who knew where a barley field could be found.
The Power Of Prayer
Why does one escape death and the other does not? Because one prayed and was answered and the other prayed and was not answered. Why was one answered and the other not?
No Evil For Good
Every night he would go out in the darkness and dig for hours until the waters began to rise, and watering places for the weary and thirsty came into being.
Great In Piety
“This way I am purchasing Olam Habah with the mitzvah of building a mikvah,” the rich man explained.
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.
The Thirst For Torah
“Hoy! Kol tzmaei l’chu lamaim – All who thirst, go to water” (Yeshayahu 50:1). The words of the navi refer to the concept of...
Alexander In India
“Very well,” answered Purus, “you may join my armies and watch as we destroy Alexander with our animals.”
Thrown Into The Fire
Through the influence of Daniel, one of Nevuchadnezar’s ministers, his three companions, Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah were appointed as governors over various provinces in Bavel.
The Wedding of the Maharal of Prague and His Wife Pearl
Rabi Yehuda ben Bezalel Lowe, known as the Maharal of Prague, was born in 1525, in Posen. He married Pearl, the only daughter of the wealthy and prominent Reb Shmuel ben Reb Yaakov, but not without the help an anonymous soldier.
The Bashert
When the young man awoke, he did not know where he was. As he looked around, the princess looked out and saw him.