Elchonon Isaacs

Our small flames only burned for a few short minutes each night, but at least we fulfilled the mitzvah to publicize the miracle of Chanukah, feeling deep in our hearts that miracles could still happen to us and that all was not lost

"That night I could not sleep. Early in the morning, I returned to the store to witness with my own eyes how G-d would help."

“I came to honor the holy rabbi, to tell this story and express my gratitude,” continued the rich businessman who had traveled all the way to Fez to see Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Attar. “I am certain the ruin of my ex-partner is because he used your name to swear ...

“You are young and agile; run after the thief and tell him that he can have the ring as a gift.”

As the visit wore on, a sense of unexplained anxiety seemed to overcome the groom.

Rabbi Yosef came to work in the very late afternoon. He was met by a furious partner who shouted, "That’s it! I have no choice but to dissolve our partnership."

The time came when Pinchas no longer felt comfortable living in the Jewish community, and he moved to the other side of town where he built himself a large, well-guarded mansion.

"I am a water carrier," he said. "My barrel has broken beyond repair, and my children are starving. . ."

They were burning with an urge for revenge. “Let us ambush the new rabbi at night and beat him to a pulp,” one suggested.

“The community is too poor, and cannot shoulder the financial burden of this endeavor. And as for the local gevir, it is a waste of time even to approach him . . .”