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.”
A Jester Saved The Jews
When Catherine annexed the city of Shklob, she appointed a general to govern as a reward for the many heroic campaigns he fought on her behalf.
The Convert
Onkelos, however, was unhappy. Something within his soul told him that his life was empty and lacking in the important things that make one’s existence meaningful.
Too Long Without A Rav
The Gaon Yosef Ber Solovetichik, while chief rabbi of Slutsk, was in poor financial straits. It was a poor community, and there was very little money for the rabbi. Once, a delegation from Mohlev arrived to offer the gaon the position of chief rabbi of Mohlev, which was a larger and wealthier town. The gaon, however, refused the offer.
Celebrate Purim With Your Kids
Here are some fun ways to dress up, make some noise and have a raucous good time at your next Purim party.
The Downtrodden People
“Don’t worry,” said the king, “what could it be worth, two or three talents of gold? I’ll give you ten talents of gold, so you can forget about it.”
The Beginning Of Anti-Semitism
The story of Bnei Yisrael in the land of Mitzrayim is a tale that has become tragically repetitive in the history of our people. It is the story of a land which allows Jews to enter, and devote their talents and energies to building it up land and making it strong, only to have the ungrateful inhabitants turn on them through jealousy and greed.
The Life Of A Jester
“And what was your grandfather’s name?” asked the visitor. “The same as my name,” replied the child.
The Esrogim
When the soldiers heard this they exclaimed happily: “You mean this is the sacred Jewish fruit? Hurry, get on the horse. You are coming with us to the palace.”
The Exile Of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai
Rabi Yosi heard all this in silence but Rabi Shimon was constrained to answer.
Stories For Rosh Hashanah
The people looked at each other in amazement. What did he mean? Why was this Rosh Hashanah so special?
Stories of Yom Kippur
On Erev Yom Kippur, the Gaon Rav Atshal of Frankfurt (Tifereth Avraham) would usually permit the eating of every doubtful fowl, which was brought before him to decide. He would make all the doubtful cases kosher.
Rav Avraham Abush Of Frankfurt
Even on the coldest and snowiest days one could see Rav Avraham Abush standing at someone’s front door, asking for help for a needy person.
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.
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...
Answering The Doubters
The fact is that people create idols out of many things and it is literally impossible to destroy them without destroying the whole world.
An Expensive Agreement (Continued from last week)
What you have given me is not really mine. At any moment you can grow angry with me and take it back. How can I list it then as my own?
Rav Nasan Adler
And as he shouted, he began running toward the startled thief, who stood petrified and uncomprehending.
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.
How To Reprimand
But the words would penetrate their hearts and each would say to himself: “But I, too, am doing this terrible thing.” In this way Reb Elimelech would inspire the people to teshuvah.
The Redemption
In the land of Midyan there lived a pagan priest, Yisro, who was greatly respected by his people. He worshiped idols of stone and wood and so did his countrymen.