tzadikim – Melava Malka Stories

The Healing Herbs

The Chassidim gathered with Rabbi Yitzchak Meir of Ger (1799-1866) to partake in the festive mitzvah meal following a brit milah (circumcision). At the meal, the Rebbe turned to a certain Chasid and asked him to relate a story about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.*

The Miraculous Salvation of the Jews of Yemen

Once upon a time* there reigned in Sana, the capital of Yemen, a mighty ruler, the Great Imam. He had a young son, whom he loved dearly. The young prince was as wise as he was handsome. When he rode on his white Arab steed, he looked lovelier than any Arab prince in the world, and all the Arab mothers peered from their veils and wished that their sons would be even a little like the crown prince.

Zelig’s Return to the Jewish Tree

Zelig was a simple, unlearned Jew, who lived in a small, isolated village and earned his livelihood by running an inn. Now and then, he would travel to the Tzadik, Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz (Niesuchojeże), one of the leading Chassidic rebbes in Volhynia.

Reb DovBer of Harki

Our knowledge of our great grandfather comes primarily from his son Reb Yaakov Yosef Raskin (1901- 1986), brother of the famous Bobba Sara, Hy’d, our grandmother, and after leaving Russia, lived in Israel.

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The benefit of Tzedakah

Reb Menachem Mendel of Kosovo* decided to go visit his Rebbe, Reb Feivish of Zabrze, who was spending Shabbat in the city of Skole. Being poor, he traveled by foot, walking slowly along the way. By Thursday evening, he came upon an inn in a village close by and decided to remain there for the night. All day not a morsel of food entered his mouth, and in addition he was tired and weary from traveling.

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The life of Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky

Reb Menachem Nochum* was orphaned from his father and mother at a young age. He had a traumatic childhood and continued to suffer many hardships throughout his life.

The Humbling of Avigdor

Some 300 years ago, there lived an affluent man named Avigdor. He brought a large sum of money to Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, to be distributed to the poor on his behalf.

The Sealed Note

In the city of Uman, Ukraine there lived a well-respected Jew. As he was getting on in years, he sold all of his belongings and decided to settle in the holy Land of Israel. His desire was to spend the remainder of his days there and be buried there.

Chacham Yosef Chaim (Part 2)

Chacham Yosef Chaim, the great Torah sage of Baghdad, was commonly referred to by the name of his most popular book, “Ben Ish Chai.” Even though he was not the Chief Rabbi of the city, he served as a leading Rabbi there for 50 years until his passing in 1909. He was highly respected by all. His sermons attracted thousands, for he was followed by the great and the simple. What’s more, his house was always wide open to the needy and any petitioner.
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Chacham Yosef Chaim

Chacham Yosef Chaim (1832-1909), known as the Ben Ish Chai, was a highly revered Torah scholar and master of Kabbalah. Based in Baghdad, Iraq, he was recognized by the Sephardic community both locally and abroad as an eminent Halachic authority.

Yosef Chaim was born on the 27^th of Av, 1832, into a long chain of rabbinic figures renowned for their spiritual influence on the Baghdad Jewish community over the centuries. His father, Chacham Eliyahu Chaim, the son of Chacham Moshe Chaim, was the head rabbi and leader of Baghdad’s Jewish community.