Chassidic Stories

“Fire consumes fire,” said the Rebbe. “The ‘fiery law’ of Torah will consume the fever induced by the frost . . .”

Whenever a very difficult question arose, the “Holy Jew” would concentrate very deeply, often remaining steeped in his thoughts for half an hour or more, until the answer came to him . . .

There once lived a certain pious, young scholar, G‑d-fearing and pure of heart, who invested all his time and energy in Torah learning . . .

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

"If you are truly a Rebbe," said the chassid, "then no harm will befall you. And if you are not--you deserve it!"

“So they’ll say that Avrohom Yehoshua is not a real rebbe, Avrohom Yehoshua is a liar. But at least for a week I succeeded in bringing some peace into a broken Jew’s life . . .”

"I've been running away from greatness all my life," the man insisted, "yet greatness is not running after me!"

She scoured and polished the coins till they sparkled, and with a heartfelt prayer that their fortune should also begin to shine, she packed up the coins and gave them to Gavriel to bring to the Rebbe...

"Sixty-two years have now passed," related Reb Pesach, "since I was privileged to hear from the Rebbe, your grandfather, that Shema is Yisrael..."

"No matter how lofty your involvements," Rabbi Schneur Zalman admonished his son, "you must never fail to hear the cry of a child"

"In Vilna one was taught how to study," recalled the Rebbe. "In Mezeritch one could learn how to pray..."

"I am very impressed with your chassidim. However, I see your chassidim spending so much time learning chassidic texts. Doesn't this go against a Talmudic directive?..."

The two brothers, the famed Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk and Rabbi Zushe of Anipoli, often wandered about together, posing as simple beggars . . .

As I touched the holy casket, I whispered "Rebbe, parnasah (livelihood)." I even managed to carry the coffin a few steps, all the time whispering "Rebbe, parnasah..."

"Tell us Rebbe! If you have the ability to stir such a Jew to repentance, why don't we, who spend so much time with you and try so hard to improve, find it easier to repent?"

Many of the Baal Shem Tov's ways seemed strange to an outsider, but his disciples knew that in the end -- even if it took years -- all would be understood

He schemed to denounce Reb Sender's supplier to the authorities. The tea would then be confiscated and Reb Sender would have to bear the loss...

"I know he is critically ill and the doctors have just about despaired of his life. For every Jewish family he helps, I promise him one month of life and health."

Reb Shabse arranged with the caretaker that when Yisrolik came to study at night, he should give him one small candle, which should burn not more than one hour

Someone lit a lamp. People squinted at each other in the sudden light, and then, to their shock and surprise, they noticed a new face among them . . .

Severe Siberian cold waves swept across the remote forest region with a vengeance, as the bitter temperature plummeted further. It was week two of his treacherous trek . . .

“Rebbe, I can prove that the Torah is false . . . I have broken every available precept for decades now, and I have a wonderful life, blessed with financial success, good health and a happy family . . .”

The door swung open and Rabbi Shlomo walked out and began to pace in the waiting room. Suddenly, he loudly exclaimed: "Young man, young man, what will be if indeed there is a G‑d in this world?"

"I hereby give you as an absolute gift, for now until eternity, my complete portion in the world to come. If I have any reward waiting for me in paradise, it's yours."

“I accept that my business failure is punishment for deserting you,” he cried to Reb Zushe, “but why? What was wrong with my logic?”

At one point during the trip, the horse suddenly changed course and took her own route, going back in the direction from where they had come.

It was necessary to get people that could be relied upon to keep a secret. Within half an hour, the room held nine men. Only one was missing, a tenth man for the minyan. What did the rabbi do?

"Today is the day before Rosh Hashanah," his Zeide explained. "Today we do not blow Shofar. Tomorrow morning, we will blow the shofar in shul." The child did not comprehend the reasons. He kicked and screamed, telling his Zeide, "One more blast! One more blast!"

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 . . .

As she was washing, a known local robber and swindler swiped the ring and ran off... She shrieked that the robber just made off with her ring. "It is worth 100 coins!"

The chassid hurried through the streets of Karlin, heading to the home of Rabbi Aharon. Suddenly a Russian policeman stood before him, blocking his path. Immediately the chassid’s hands were bound . . .

"A rabbi!" the landowner exclaimed. "I, too, am the grandson of a rabbi!" This astonishing statement, uttered loudly to the shock of all the passengers, had reached the ears of the rabbi himself...

One day, it was revealed to Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov that he had merited that a great soul would be his "roommate" and partner in the World To Come...

One Friday, a beggar came and asked for a piece of bread. But the Rebbe's wife had only whole challahs in the house – challah that she had just baked in honor of the Shabbat...

Quiet reigned in the little cottage; all the household members had long since retired for the night. Joyfully the host rushed about, serving his guest a glass of warm tea and pastry...

"Please Rebbe," sobbed the man, "tell me how to repent. Give me a remedy. Save me from this unbearable affliction!"

The newspaper of the Nazi party, "Der Sturmer," portrayed Rabbi Wiedenfeld as "the greatest Talmudist in the world," and placed him high on their black list. Thus the rabbi was forced to flee...

The door creaked on its hinges as Rabbi Lippman hurried to open it for the band of strangers. The men were dressed in rags and tatters, their beards had grown wild...

Silently, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak studied the expectant faces. "My brothers!" he said in a respectful tone of voice. "Did we not agree that I was not to be burdened with discussions of old policies?"

Rabbi Mendel went to his window and sniffed the air. "No," he said, "unfortunately, the redeemer has not yet arrived"

"Lubavitcher Rebbe," he asked, "why do you cry? After all, we did all that we could..."

The wealthy fellow politely explained how he would love to give but can’t, because he already gave his share of charity for the year . . .

From a group of skilled pickpockets in a Soviet Gulag, Reb Mendel Futerfas learned a powerful lesson in self-examination.

The infants were barely feeding and his wife was sickly. The frantic father was willing to brave any threat.

Full of regrets about his waste of time and expense, he journeyed the long way back to Neshchiz.

Reb Avigdor caught a whiff of the cholent, tasted it, then tasted it again, and again—until he finished it all.

A Jew traveling about from town to town arrived in the middle of a winter’s night . . .