The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh used to spend a lot of time in the fields and forests. Alone with his thoughts and the beautiful scenery surrounding him, he would pour out his heart to Hashem. There were so many challenges and difficulties in the world, so many people who desperately needed salvation, and he would beseech …
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Kindling The Flame
Throughout the long and painful galus, there have been many sources of tragedy and suffering to individuals and to klal Yisrael as a whole. While some periods were easier and others were harder, throughout it all, the gentiles utilized their power to torture the Yidden and cause them all the more suffering. In the era …
Defying Death
This story is written in the sefer Zekan Ahron. Approximately four hundred years ago, the city of Ragusa was home to a small Jewish community of about twenty families. While their lives were relatively peaceful, the Jews were constantly aware of the rampant anti-Semitism of the era and strove to keep as low a profile …
Safe Separation
When the king of Galicia died without leaving any heirs or wills behind, it was up to the nobles of the land to choose a new king. They sought a king who would project strength and benevolence simultaneously so that the country could flourish in peace and prosperity. After long and careful deliberations, King Paul …
Deceased Defendant
Ahron was a wealthy businessman who saw success in everything he touched. He was involved in all sorts of business ventures, ranging from diamonds to imported rugs, and managed to increase his bottom line exponentially with each deal he closed. As his business grew and his wealth increased, Ahron built up a large corporate empire, …
A Piece about Peace
Someone once asked Rav Meir Premishlan, “I have an enemy who looks for ways to make my life difficult. He taunts me, he robs me, he bothers my children. He creates opportunities to shame me and destroy me. What can I do about him?” “Go over to your enemy and make peace with him,” Rav …
Forever Cow
Rav Meir Premishlan was a tremendous tzaddik and an unusually giving person. At his levayah, Rav Shlomo Kluger said in his eulogy that he never saw another human who gave as much of himself away as Rav Meir Premishlan. Rav Meir would give everything he owned away to others. His pockets were a train station; …
Al Kiddush Hashem
Harav Alexander Ziskind, known as the Yesod V’Shoresh HaAvodah, was a great tzaddik and yarei shamayim who lived in the city of Horodna during the era of the Vilna Gaon. During his time, a vicious blood libel was instigated against Eliezer ben Shlomo , an unassuming Jew in his city. The story began when Eliezer …
The Lost Son
In the days of yore, there were maggidim who traveled from village to village, imparting words of wisdom and rebuke through interesting stories and parables. These maggidim were blessed with the ability to fire the souls of their audience, to awaken the blatant spark lying dormant in the hearts of the Jewish villagers. Through their …
Precise Judgement
The Rizhiner Rebbe was a great gaon and tzaddik, and he was from the leaders of all Chassidic rebbes in his time. He had a warm, accepting personality, one that drew others like a magnet. Jews from all walks of life were attracted by his kindness and caring, and he was able to bring many …