Jewish Stories Podcast

One year, someone in Likova came up with a novel idea: what if they all refused to buy the Jew's vodka before Passover? In that case he would have to get rid of it... and they could have it all!

Word resounded throughout the supernal worlds: "Because Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov has forced the hand of heaven to overturn the laws of nature, he has forfeited his portion in the World to Come"

Over time, successive economic downturns diminished the couple’s wealth, and they had to resort to selling their possessions to buy food.

"What is it?" he snapped. In the Bronx, it's proper etiquette to snap when greeting someone. I noticed the loaf of rye bread sitting on the table, definitely not a traditional Seder food. I said, "The Rebbe sent me."

"I know that you sent word that you could give only three matzahs, but nonetheless my father, the Seret-Vizhnitzer Rebbe, told me to tell you that he must have six matzahs."

First we drank a glass of wine. Then we ate a bit of parsley. Then they started talking, and talking, and talking. The smell of the food from the kitchen is making me insane, but they don't bring it out!

The door of the decorated coach opened, and an elegantly dressed gentleman stepped out.

It was Passover eve of 1910. In the town of Lubavitch, every Jewish home was freshly scrubbed. The tables were bedecked with threadbare but meticulously cleaned white linen, surrounded by families about to begin their Seder celebrations...

“I suggest you approach your captain with an alternative route for the journey,” said the rebbe. “Explain that the route he has planned has many disadvantages . . .”

“I will perform a miracle akin to those which Moses himself did. Before your very eyes, I will cut off a man’s head with a sword, and then put him back together and make him live!”

The produce continued to dry up, animals were dying, and still, not a single cloud could be spotted in the sky.

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

"If I don’t open my eyes after the operation’s over, don’t disturb me. I may lie on the operating table for a few more hours. But promise me that you won’t disturb me.”

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

Noticing his father’s return to a life of wealth, Zalman’s son revived their kinship and stopped by to talk more often.

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

“My son, swear to me that no matter what happens, you will never work on Shabbat.”

The story is told of how the Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer, was shown three paintings.

Stories are the best way to make a point and impart a message deep into the heart. Sit back and listen to inspiring Jewish stories and Chassidic tales.

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 . . .

Stories are the best way to make a point and impart a message deep into the heart. Sit back and listen to inspiring Jewish stories and Chassidic tales.

Stories are the best way to make a point and impart a message deep into the heart. Sit back and listen to inspiring Jewish stories and Chassidic tales.

The Berditchever Rebbe calmed him and asked, "Is there anyone you suspect in the theft?"

With time, the tailor turned gray and decided to travel to visit his daughter…

It did not take long until they had dragged me before the town rabbi, demanding that I divorce my “wife.”

As the Siberian winter deepened, Chanukah came, and a group of young Jewish prisoners convened for a short meeting.

Although the villager was a simple Jew, he hoped that his children would one day surpass his meager knowledge of Torah.

“And what are you going to claim on Judgement Day, eh, Zusha? Your soul will know no peace when that time comes!”

The husband laughed bitterly. “See?” he said, “You spent all that time and money to visit your rebbe, and he gave you the most useless advice. How are leeches going to bring us the funds we so desperately need?”

“Look outside. You see this wagon loaded with straw rolling down the road? Walking behind it is a Jew . . ."

Wordlessly, the Rebbe curled his arm around Shloyme’s elbow, and together they strode through the crowded sanctuary.

With no destination to guide him, he slowly traversed sprawling forests and small towns, hoping to finally encounter what his rebbe had in mind.

“The boy isn’t at all what he seems. Don’t be fooled by superficiality."

Baila, an orphan adopted by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and his wife, was marrying an exceptional young man who was also parentless.

“I will not travel with you,” stipulated Rabbi Menachem Mendel, “unless you give me twenty silver coins.”

Creeping through the brush to investigate, they discovered, to their surprise, a lone candle in a clearing, burning atop a small headstone.

It was an unusual job for a religious Jew, and his success aroused jealousy, even among his own artisans.

Living as a downtrodden shell of her former self, Leah's blank eyes reflected the agony that gripped her heart.

The driver’s mother didn’t say much, but half an hour before sunset she placed two candles on the table and lit them.

“Please, forgive me,” muttered the wagon driver. “I had no idea who you were, and I request forgiveness for wronging you.”

Trouble was brewing in St. Petersburg, and the Tzemach Tzedek immediately set to work to have the decree abolished.

A king once had a prized jewel, the crown jewel in his magnificent diadem. But one morning, to his dismay, he discovered a single thin crack descending down its face.

A chassid came to see the Karliner Rebbe because he was depressed. “I’m not a good Jew,” he said. “I don’t study enough, I don’t know enough; all I do is work, work, work.”

“Will I be able to do my job?” the Evil Side asked. “Will people really listen to me?”

They heard it before they saw it, an unearthly sound of crashing metal and a thousand charging bulls. And then, in a huge cloud of black smoke, it appeared . . .

It was a cold and miserable night; snow and sleet blew through the deserted streets. The miser asked the rabbi in, as usual. But the rabbi refused. “No,” he said, “I won’t be long . . .”

He built them a house and put straw on the benches and brought her tomatoes from the garden. He was so happy and she was devastated. But this was the situation

There was a rabbi, a very good and pious man, who wanted to see justice in the world . . .

Initially, the king and queen thought he was kidding. However, when the prince began to spend his days and nights in the chicken coop, his parents knew that serious trouble was afoot...

The merchant learned the value of acknowledging who really makes things happen…