Category Archives: Stories of Tzaddikim

When the Chofetz Chaim’s classic halacha masterpiece, Mishna Berurah, was published, Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk said of its author, “His greatness as a tzaddik obscures his even greater stature as a Torah genius.” ~ The Torah Personality

One of his Chasidim asked the Kotzker Rebbe for a beracha that he merit that his sons study Torah with devotion.  The Rebbe replied that the Chassid himself had the key to ensure that this blessing could materialize.  The Rebbe … Continue reading →

For fifteen years, R’ Yisroel Salanter was heard confessing: “My sin is before my eyes always” for having once forgotten to check his pockets before Shabbos, and for having once forgotten to check for chometz before Pesach in the place … Continue reading →

Rabbi Akiva Eiger watched in dismay as his wagon driver struggled through mud and snow to get his sidetracked horses back on the road.  As the fellow climbed back to his seat, Rabbi Eiger handed him a pair of dry … Continue reading →

When Rabbi Zariah was exhausted from his Torah studies, he would sit by the door of Rabbi Nosson bar Tuvi’s yeshiva.  He said, “when the rabbis walk by, I will stand up before them and I will receive reward.” ~ … Continue reading →

The Nachlas Avos tells that the Tana Yochai (Reb Shimon’s father) was married for many years, and didn’t have any children. Yochai told his wife that he wants to divorce and marry someone else, so he can keep the mitzvah … Continue reading →

When the Chofetz Chayim was a young boy, a group of mischievous children in his neighborhood would fill up the water-carrier’s pails with water and leave them outside overnight to freeze.  When the unfortunate man awoke in the morning, he … Continue reading →

The Ponevezhher Rav, R’ Yosef Kahaneman, escaped from the impending Nazi inferno and later went to Israel, where he immediately began planning to rebuild the Torah glory of his town.  Standing on a hill in Bnei Brak (present-day sight of … Continue reading →

A man came to the Brisker Rav, Yitzchak Zev Soleveitchik, before Pesach and asked, “Is it permitted to use milk instead of wine for the Four Cups” that are drunk at the Seider?  The rabbi took 5 rubles from his pocket … Continue reading →

The Talmud (Eiruvin 54b) tells the story of Rabbi Prayda, who had a very slow-to-learn student. So much so that Rabbi Prayda would have to review each lesson four hundred times before the boy understood it. One day, when the … Continue reading →