Stories of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev

Finally, in a dramatic denouement, Levi Yitzchak placed the tallit firmly back in its place, and announced; "If you're a chassid and a scholar, then you lead the prayers!" and stalked back to his seat near the side wall of the synagogue...

It was the afternoon before Passover, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was wandering through the streets of the Jewish quarter seeking out local smugglers...

"He's qualified to pass judgement," said the Chassidic master. "He has a personal interest in the matter. He is preaching only because he is in need of funds to marry off his daughter..."

None would buy the great soul of R. Levi Yitzchak on Rosh Hashanah.

"The Rebbe must know something we do not," whispered disciples of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. "Perhaps he sees a terrible calamity decreed for the coming year, G-d forbid"

The entire town would be paying attention to the new rabbi's first ruling. Everyone was sure to wonder: Why is the law of the Torah so opposite to common sense?

Suddenly the Rebbe turned to the melamed: "If you wish, I will tell you three words of advice. But for each you must pay me in full. For the first, you must give me three hundred rubles..."

The Rebbe looked around him. It was obvious that only he had heard the heavenly announcement. "Has anyone heard of a tzaddik called Shmerl the Tailor?" he asked. No one had

The mounting trepidation electrified the air as the Yom Kippur service was nearing its end in the Barditchev synagogue...

The occasion was the famous "Zhlobener wedding" in which a granddaughter of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi wed a grandson of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchov...

No one loved his fellow Jews more than R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. This story paints a picture of life in Berditchev of old.

This story helps us appreciate the difference in style and philosophy between Chabad and general Chassidus.