Purim 5721

The Rebbe once related about Reb Hillel Paritsher.

We find written in Seforim that when crossing a bridge

you should go by foot not on a carriage, -this most

probably does not apply by today’s bridges- it’s

something to do with watching your health. He would

travel then with a carriage, approaching a bridge one time

he was sleeping but as the carriage got closer he awoke

from his sleep and saw where he was, got off of the

carriage and walked across.

Which at first glance this is not something which is a

Mitzvah Doraysah nor Mi’Dirabanun, its just to be careful

and it’s not like someone woke him up either, but rather

because it was his nature to live like it says in Seforim,

no matter what type of commandment, then custom

becomes nature, in his body this happens automatically.

That when he approached the bridge his body awoke.

Regarding what did the Rebbe say this -it wasn’t

simply to tell over nice stories- rather this is something

which we all some are what capable of by every Yid.

Rather by one person he has to be yelled at in order for it

to come to being, and the other one worked on himself so

much so that his Soul cries out because it means

something to him.

(Maaseh Rav 4 Side 2 the seventh Sicha)

15 Tammuz 5720

When the Baal Shem Tov would learn with children, he

used to bring them to the Cheder, and teach them (on the

way) Modeh Ani and Shema Yisroel and to sit (in shul)

and answer Baruch Hu U’Varuch Shmoy and Amen and

Amen Yehay Shmay Rabah.

He latter told over that his most enjoyable years were

those years when he would learn with the children and

bring them back and forth to and from the Cheder.

Now the reason we were told this story is in order that all

children know that when they answer Amen Yehay Shmay

Raba, there is a holy G-dly power which helps them to and

from Cheder, and gives them power to be successful in

their studies while in the Cheder.

(Maaseh Rav Tape #4 Side 1 the fifth Sicha)

29 Tishrei 5722

As it’s known the cute story which is told over,

how a big rabbi once asked, “Why is it, when

someone comes and asks me a Halachik question

regarding a big ox, which is worth a lot of money, and

I tell him that it is not kosher, he doesn’t put up a fuse

about it to investigate again perhaps I can find it to be

kosher. On the other hand, when two people come to

me with a dispute regarding a small sum of money

and the ruling is in favor of one of them. In most

cases the second one would start a whole

commotion, why did I rule in favor of the other if there

is this and this reason for me to get the

money…..etc.”

The answer was also answered is a cute way but

having to do with the way our Nefesh works. When

the ruling is done and there is no second party, then

the Yaitzer Harah can get over it easily. On the other

hand when not only are you taking something away

from one person, but you give it to someone else that

already is too much for the Yetzer Harah.

(Maaseh Rav Tape #4 Side 2 the tenth Sicha)

Simchas Beis Hashueva 5722

19 Kislev 5722 (1)

19 Kislev 5722 (2)

19 Kislev 5720 (probaly a different version)

The story is told about when the Baal Hageulah

V’hasimcha, the Alter Rebbe, went to be interrogated

by the government, in the place where people would be

taken afraid for their lives, so that they could decide if

he is going to be killed or be given a different

punishment.

He went in with his Tefillin on - as the story is told by

my father-in-law, the Rebbe, - to this interrogation

room, inside were the people that would interrogate

him. When he entered, the people that were sitting

were not able to stand up, and the ones that were

standing were not able to sit down, due to the fear that

fell upon them when they gazed at the Alter Rebbe.

Later, when the Alter Rebbe was asked to explain why

he this happened, he answered, “it says clearly in the

Possuk about Tefillin Shel Rosh ‘And all the nations of

the world will see that the name of Hashem is upon

you,’ –and therefore – ‘they will be afraid of you!’”

(Maaseh Rav Tape #5 Side 2 the fifth Sicha)

Simchas Beis Hashoeiva 5716

The Rebbe my father in-law once related: When the Ruzhiner was a child and started to learn Chumish it was

already noticeable that he would grow to be a brilliant

scholar. Even before he was of age to learn Chumish and

Rashi in Cheder when learning Chumish with his teacher

he would ask all the questions that Rashi asked. When

learning the episode of Yaakov and his dream of the

angels ascending and descending. His teacher asked him

if he had any questions. He answered “No” Are you sure

his teacher asked, the Ruzhiner replied “No, but what

does Rashi ask on this episode?” The teacher told him

that Rashi’s question is that if angels live in the heavens

then why is it that it says ascending before it says

descending? Rashi answers that first the angels of Chutz

La’Aretz ascended then the angels of Eretz Yisroel where

Yaakov was about to enter descended to escort him. The

Ruzhiner answered that it’s not a question because a

dream is one thing you don’t ask questions on! For if

Yaakov was awake no one would say Yaakov dreamt of

angels ascending and descending, it’s not even a

question.

(Maaseh Rav Tape#2 Side 1 the fifth Sicha)

13 Tamuz 5715

The previous Rebbe once told a lengthily story about two brothers. One was poor but religious, and the other one was wealthy but not religious. The poor brother had many daughters, but in order to marry off a daughter in those days, you had to present a large dowry. As the poor man’s daughters were coming of marriageable age, he had to raise a large sum of money. He had no choice but to travel to his wealthy brother and ask him to help.

The rich brother was more than happy to help for he respected his brother greatly. When the poor brother arrived, the wealthy brother wanted to at least show him the “Beauty of wealth,” and began giving him a tour of his beautiful estate, to all the wings of the “palace” and of all the other thing he had there. Realizing that his brother had no interest, and wasn’t paying much attention to what he was showing him, he turned to his brother and asked: “NU!?! What do you have to say to all of this?!” His brother replied “if you’re going to give me the dowry, good. If you’re not, then let me go home right now for this a waste of time!” the poor brother continued “There is an animal (I’d rather not say its name) that rolls in mud, and all day she eats, and drinks mud. But there is one problem, why is it that the mud only goes up to her nose and not her whole body? If only the mud would cover her completely, how enjoyable it would be!”

(Maaseh Rav Tape #2 side 1 first sicha)

12 Tamuz 5717