Stories for the Soul

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A yeshiva boy faces peer pressure to break Shabbos, and his quiet courage catches the attention of an important visiting Rav. Featuring Yossi, a 15-year-old yeshiva boy. Middah: Kedushat Shabbos (honouring Shabbat) and courage to resist peer pressure. Recommended ages 8-13. Parents please note: mild peer pressure and teasing; nothing violent or frightening.

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A poor man spends a year saving for a beautiful esrog, only to see it destroyed - but his calm, humble response becomes the true miracle. Featuring Reb Dovid and the Baal Shem Tov. Middah: Anavah (humility) and self-control in the face of hardship. Recommended ages 7-12. Parents please note: a spouse's angry outburst destroys a cherished item (mild family conflict, no violence toward a person).

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A wise rabbi settles a furious property dispute between two neighbours with a surprising method - putting his ear to the ground to listen to the land. Featuring Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin and two feuding neighbours. Middah: Shalom (peace) and humility - letting go of pride over possessions. Recommended for all ages (6+).

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A holy rabbi insists on restoring a town's abandoned ritual bath and prays for miraculous rain twice, refusing to settle for water that isn't fully kosher. Featuring Rabbi Yisroel Abuchasera (the Baba Sali). Middah: doing one's own effort alongside faith, and upholding halachic standards (Hidur Mitzvah). Recommended ages 8-13.

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A skeptical army doctor is sent by his mother to the Rebbe before a mysterious illness outbreak, and the Rebbe's precise instructions solve the medical mystery. Featuring the Lubavitcher Rebbe and an army doctor. Middah: trusting wise and righteous guidance (Emunat Chachamim). Recommended ages 9-14. Parents please note: mentions hundreds of soldiers becoming seriously ill; no graphic detail.

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A revered sage insults a stranger's looks and must chase him across the countryside to beg forgiveness, revealing a deeper lesson about every person's inner worth. Featuring Rabbi Elazar ben Shimon and an unnamed stranger. Middah: Ahavat Yisrael (love of a fellow Jew) - not judging others by appearance and helping them see their own worth. Recommended ages 8-13.

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A secular French politician who barely thinks about being Jewish has a brief, puzzling encounter with the Lubavitcher Rebbe that reshapes the rest of his life. Featuring Michel Weiss (later Menachem Mendel) and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Middah: Teshuva (return to one's Jewish roots) and commitment to mitzvot despite challenges. Recommended ages 8-13.

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The great sage Maimonides uses his wisdom, a famous letter, and his influence with a king to rescue Yemen's persecuted Jewish community from a cruel ruler and a false messiah. Featuring Maimonides (Rambam), with Rabbi Jacob and King Saladin. Middah: Emunah (Faith in Hashem) and steadfastness under persecution. Recommended ages 9-14. Parents please note: religious persecution, forced conversion, and a military campaign to liberate a community (no graphic violence described).

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A self-made millionaire loses everything and finds himself trapped on a skyscraper roof, where desperation finally teaches him to look upward instead of down. Featuring David, a wealthy Israeli businessman. Middah: Anavah (Humility) and gratitude toward Hashem. Recommended ages 7-12. Parents please note: a scary scene of being trapped and stranded on a rooftop; no lasting harm.

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A poor but generous antique dealer gives away his last Shavuot funds to charity and finds Hashem repaying him many times over through a royal commission. Featuring Matzliach (the Antique Dealer) and his wife Mazal. Middah: Tzedakah (Generosity) and Bitachon (Trust in Hashem). Recommended ages: all ages (5+).