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The Yahrzeit of Reb Tzvi Hirsch of Zidichov (1763-1831) is commemorated on the 11th of Tammuz. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

What His Student Heard

(The following was related by the Rav Rabbi Mordechai Letner, z’l, author of the holy book “Essay of Mordechai”):

Once, Rabbi Mordechai happened to be sleeping next door to the room of Rabbi Tzvi Hersch, his master. All that stood between them was a thin partition.

In the middle of the night, from the other side of the partition, a voice was heard speaking to Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch (yet, Rabbi Mordechai knew that his master was all alone).

Rabbi Mordechai washed his hands, taking care not to make too much noise, and he stood near the partition and heard the voice speaking to his master. It was explaining a section from the holy Zohar but, he could see no one there; just heard a voice speaking. It was a mystery for him.

The following Shabbos, at the third meal, the aforementioned Rabbi Mordechai heard his master, our teacher, the Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch give over the very same teaching. Rabbi Mordechai recognized it as the teaching he had overheard that night.

When his master finished the teaching, he announced:

“Thus did I hear from the mouth of Yitzchak Lurie, the Ari z’l.”

Thus Reb Mordechai realized whose voice he had heard that night.

(Ten Levels of Holiness)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir Margolius (d. 1790) is commemorated on the 10th of Tammuz. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

The Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Meir

Before he became a person of celebrity, the Baal Shem Tov (Besht) already knew and cherished Reb Meir.

On a certain occasion after the Besht was well-known, he said to him:

“Meirl, do you remember that Shabbos when you were a boy and had just begun to study chumash, how you gave the Torah teaching and your father’s house was filled with discussion about it? And do you remember what happened then?”

He answered:

“Yes. I remember well.

“My mother came suddenly into the house and pulled me out of the gathering right in the middle of the teaching!

“And my father said to her:

‘Why are you pulling the boy out in the middle of his teaching?’

“She answered him:

‘I see a certain man dressed with pelts standing there and staring intensively on the boy.’

“And it had made her anxious and fearful because his appearance was pleasant and he had some strange and powerful charismatic draw.”

The Besht told him:

“I was that man.

“Through my gazing on you at that occasion, I poured into you a great and mighty light.

“I know the infinite degree of goodness that might have been yours had your mother not interrupted.”

(The Yaakov-folk)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz (1731-1805) is commemorated on the 2nd of Tammuz. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

The Maggid of Mezritch Decides Between the Brothers

The holy Rav, Rabbi Shmelke and his brother, the Rav, our teacher Pinchas, (their souls in supernal concealment), were extended offers together to two positions, the Rabbinic chair position for the holy congregation of Frankfurt-on-the-Main and the same for the holy congregation of Nikolsburg.

The holy congregation of Frankfurt-on-the-Main was a large community and more prestigious than the holy congregation of Nikolsburg, and since the people of the communities couldn’t decide between the two brothers as to which should take the Rabbinic chair of Frankfurt-on-the-Main and which should take the position for the holy congregation of Nikolsburg, the leaders of the two communities said that the two brothers should decide between themselves.

Although the Rav, our teacher Shmelke z’l was older than his brother, nonetheless, being a man of great humility, he said that his brother the Rav Reb Pinchas was the one particularly suited for the Rabbinate of the holy community of Frankfurt-on-the-Main but, at the same time, his brother, Reb Pinchas, felt the opposite, that the greater position should go to his brother who was older than he.

They both agreed that, since they would soon take their leaves of the great Rabbeinu, the Maggid of Mezritch of the holy community of Mezritch, they should ask his opinion, and as his words decreed, so would they do.

Furthermore they were going to ask him about a section of the Zohar that neither could make sense of.

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Halevi of Krakow (“Maor V’Shemesh“) (d 1827) is commemorated on the 1st of Tammuz. The following praise of his works appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

From the Words of the Gaon Rabbi Dov Berisz Meisels On Reb Kalonymus’ Book

There are many authors with keen insights whose works have inspired me.

But here’s a set of criteria I have come up with to exert discretion in selecting which ones to endorse:

1) When through faith an author’s thought has given rise to sweet fruits, instilling wisdom and when his words can be used to raise up those who have stumbled along the way.

2) When I can see, at least, that the words have been arisen in the mind of a man who belongs to a community of those who fear Hashem and who ponder His name, who have found refuge in our town, may his Rock preserve and sustain him: For Hashem is close to him to redeem.

And behold in the case of this author, these two criteria come together.

For, a righteous luminary is the Rav, distinguished in Torah and in awe and kindness, with saintly insights into divine ways.

He has earned an esteemed name in Israel, our teacher the Rav Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi (may his memory be for the life of the world to come). His light has shined in the gates of our town.

His distinguished, well-educated son, the lover of God, Hasid, and fearing God, his father’s pride and joy, our teacher the Rav Aaron Halevi, a luminary in Israel, published the book Maor V’Shemesh in order to provide light also to those counted as Hasidim in our town.

And about the essence of what the book says, behold I have set my eyes upon it and found in it pure, refined sayings. From his mouth, flames come forth that light up the reader’s heart with fear of Hashem and love for Him.

And although I am not of the Hasidic community and I am not usually occupied with mystery teachings, nonetheless, I will not hesitate to say what’s true. For I have thought deeply about what I have read in this book, and behold, his words have intensified in me a love of Hashem and I have been touched by his precious and pleasant ideas.

(From the beginning of the book “Maor v‘Shemesh“)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Nadvorna (d. 1801) is commemorated on the 20th of Sivan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

His Tale Of Pride

In the last year in the life of the Tzaddik, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh, Preacher of Righteousness of Nadverno, my father, z’l, traveled to be with him for Shabbat Shuvah. (At that time, the Rav, Rabbi Mendele z’l was davvening at the shul for the days of Awe.)

The holy Rabbi was insistent for my father z’l to eat at his house on Shabbat instead of his sister’s, and, he added, that she too was invited.

That Shabbat afternoon, the Rav became very weak; he wasn’t able to join the company at the table and he went to his room to lie down.

The servants came to bring in my father, z’l, plus one other person hand-picked to receive a special word from the Rav.

He began with the passuk from the Torah portion (they were reading Vayelech that Shabbat):

“And it will be that many evils and troubles will befall a person and he will ask, ‘Haven’t these evils befallen me because my God is no longer with me?’ God said, ‘I will surely hide My face on that day when the person turned to other deities!'”

And the Rav said:

“I will tell you a thing that happened to which this text speaks:

“There was a young man who was soon to be married.

“He made an oath to himself to undertake a separation and a distancing from the world.

“He engaged himself in Torah study and in Avodah / service / prayer all the time and he remained apart and alone. And he dedicated himself to these activities.

“He would sit there the whole week in fasting from Shabbat to Shabbat, studying torah and praying.

“After some time passed in this way, he said to himself:

‘Be joyful in the deepest places that in such and such ways I have served Hashem with an Avodah as great as this!’

“But he was trapped in a web of false pride and confusion which was not what he had intended.

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Aaron II of Karlin (1802-1872) is commemorated on the 17th of Sivan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

In His View, The Purpose Of Dance

Some people asked Rabbi Aaron of Karlin:

“It seems that Hasidim are usually on the verge of a dance.

“Dear Rabbeinu, please teach us what this is about?”

Rabbi Aaron answered them:

“Yes, it’s true and here’s why.

“At the time of dancing, a person rises up some inches above ground level.”

(From Time Immemorial)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim Yisrael Morgenstern (“Pilover”) (1840-1906) is commemorated on the 12th of Sivan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

One of Kotzk’s Most Important Rebbes

Once, a wealthy person, who was a big-shot in Warsaw, came to ask for advice of the well-respected Gaon and Tzaddik of Pilov as to whether or not he should travel to Vienna to pursue some business.

The Tzaddik gave him the answer:

“You should not do the trip.”

The rich man went from there to Gostynin for a second opinion, asking the advice of the esteemed Rabbi of that place.

The Tzaddik of Gostynin answered him with a simple question:

“And what was the answer from the Rav of Pilov? Whatever he told you is what you should do. I, too, am in agreement with whatever he said. For he is a very great and holy person, held in high esteem by Hashem. He is one of the great Hasidim and, he is one of Kotzk’s most important Rebbes.

“Please! Listen to his words!”

Later, we heard that the wealthy Warsaw person traveled to Vienna dismissing the advice he had received. And sure enough, the matter didn’t go the way he wanted and, he was unsuccessful.

For there is one thing that is quite apparent and well-known to everyone: When the holy Rabbi of Pilov says something, you can count on it.

As when in Temple times the Kohen Gadol / High Priest used to ask a question of the Urim V’Thummim to get back an answer in accord with God’s will, so it is with the Rabbi of Pilov.

(From the Lips of Tzaddikim)

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The Yahrzeit of Reb Yisrael (“Baal Shem Tov” “Besh’t”) (d. 1760) is commemorated on Shavuot. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

The Baal Shem Tov’s Movements

The following was related by the holy Rav Rabbi Zusha of Hanipoli who heard it from his brother the Rav Rabbi Elimelech (the Tzaddik, may his memory be a blessing):

One time, the Baal Shem Tov (Besh’t) arose into supernal realms.

There, he came into contact with the Kabbalist Rav Avraham Azulai, (author of the book Chesed L’Avraham).

He asked him:

“Rabbi! Behold! With God’s help, I brought about ten sacred connections, each very important in Gan Eden / heavenly realms.

“Tell me: For what reason are all the worlds making such a tumult in response to your actions during your descents into lower realms? Tell me, so that I can assist.

“For we of the lower realms haven’t been able to endure your actions for their awesome depth. But I am there and, I can help give greater access and make the needed connections.”

(Shivchei haBesht 54)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetovka (d. 1801) is commemorated on the 3rd of Sivan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Rabbi Yaakov Shimshon in Eastern Lands

In 1799, when he went up to the Holy Land and saw first-hand the oppression and poverty of the Polish Jews who lived there and saw how nearly famished they were, he took his life in his hands and traveled to far-away countries such as Babylon (Iraq) and Egypt to try to raise funds for their relief.

Along the way, he came to a town in lands which were part of Arabia and he entered into the house of an old man, a sage who lived there.

The old man greeted him and, when he heard that the Rabbi was from Poland, he asked if he could tell him something of Rabbi Baruch of Medzhibozh [grandson of the Baal Shem Tov].

When the holy gaon Reb Shimshon, heard this question, he perceived that he had chanced upon a holy man through some not-by-accident, divinely-inspired, blessed happenstance for he had come to a place and found a person there who was acquainted with our Rabbi, Reb Baruch.

He answered the man and said:

“I do, indeed, know Rabbi Baruch.”

And then the Rabbi bowed to the man with deep respect, as one of his servants.

The old man said:

“Would you relate some teaching in his name?”

All at once, in an instant, Rabbi Shimshon drew a blank; nothing came to him; all he had ever heard from our Rabbi could not be found, (which was all the more remarkable since all his life, Rabbi Shimshon had had perfect recall of whatever he had studied).

This grieved him greatly and, it was also very sad for the old sage, since it looked as though he wouldn’t be able to avail himself of this opportunity to hear, as hoped, some relevant teaching of the Rav Rabbi Baruch.

“Might you, at some later time perhaps, recall even one small thing you could mention?”

Thankfully, with this question, the veil lifted from his memory and, with a great sense of relief, he could tell the old man:

“Guess what! I’ve just remembered a small teaching I heard from him and here it is:

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir (Meirl) of Premishlan  (1783-1850) is commemorated on the 29th of Iyar. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

His Meeting with the Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson

Once, the great teacher, the famous Gaon, the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Shaul Nathanson (z’tz’l) was traveling toward Premishlan.

It was back when he was a young man and, he had come from Lvov where he had just been married (lit. near the table of his nuptials). He was traveling toward Premishlan with an ultimate destination of Berezhany so he could fulfill the mitzvah of honoring his father, the Gaon Rabbi Aryeh Leibush Nathanson ztz’l (author of the book “Beth El”) who lived in Berezhany.

Since the Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Shaul (z’tz’l) had already heard of our holy Rabbi’s reputation, because serious-minded Jews (lit. people of faith) had told him of the Ruach HaKodesh (spirit of holiness) that would always appear when they were with him, he desired to make time to go to him and check him out himself.

When he came into his room, he found our holy Rabbi sitting by his table but no book lay open before him.

Right away, the Gaon Reb Yosef Shaul ztz’l felt critical, for on his part, he was a great perseverer in his studies, did not allow himself to deviate one iota from studies of Torah (lit. did not walk four cubits without Torah).”How was it possible,” he asked himself, “that a person sitting idly, not engaged with torah, could merit for the spirit of holiness (Ruach Hakodesh)?”

When he aproached him and greeted him, the holy Rabbi Meirl said to him:

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