Stories

The warmth and the songs uplifted Marilyn in a way she hadn't expected -- creating a sense of openness inside her to whatever destiny had to offer

"Go in peace," said the Maggid to the destitute young scholar. "And remember: you must accept the very first marriage proposal that is suggested to you."

The Baal Shem Tov passed his handkerchief over the boy's face and commanded, "Give us a words of Torah..."

Just as they celebrated with joy their mutual bond when they got married -- Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said to the couple -- so should their divorce be celebrated in joy

Rabbi Hodakov, the Rebbe's secretary, was on the line. "The Rebbe says to tell the young woman that there is a Jew in Brooklyn who cannot sleep at night because she intends to marry a non-Jew."

The doctor may have been taken aback... But actually, he wasn't mistaken.

"Why did your husband leave you?" asked Rabbi Israel.
"He says that I'm ugly," said the deserted wife.
"And what do you say to that?" asked the Chassidic master.

Poor brides lacking the requisite necklace had been known to weep for shame on their wedding days; some even ran away so as to avoid the embarrassment

Gila grew up in an observant home, Ben's family was less observant. Gila didn't know why Yosef thought to put them together...