At the age when bachurim today are just entering beis midrash, the Chassid, R’ Henoch Rappaport, was sent to serve as a rosh yeshiva. * He was caught after a year, sent to a protracted exile in Siberia, survived, and then made aliya. * To commemorate the day of his passing on 25 Teves
Moshe killed an Egyptian taskmaster, fled the wrath of Pharaoh and ended up in Midyan, where he saved the daughters of Yisro from some shepherds who harassed them.
The worst and most destructive temperament to Bitachon is fear. One who is fearful of what the future holds is clearly not practicing Bitachon in Hashem. When exercising trust and reliance in Hashem, one’s entire attention is focused on Hashem’s omnipotence, to the exclusion of any other existence, and when doing so there is no existing factor that can cause fear.
It was in the winter of 5763 when R’ Avrohom Hershkop of Kiryat Malachi and a group of Chabad Chassidim, as well as a distinguished delegation from the Kiryat Malachi municipality led by the mayor, Lior Katzav, decided to visit the gravesites of the Rebbeim in Ukraine and Russia. They excitedly made their preparations for the trip, both material and spiritual preparations, as a Chassid does.
R’ Shlomo, the rosh yeshiva, paced his room. He was wracking his brains, trying to find a solution to a serious problem.
The mysterious genius who knew all of Torah was born in Europe, immigrated to Yerushalayim, and returned to life in exile at a young age. He lived a bizarre homeless lifestyle and chose to live under a veil of mystery. * In 5707 he met the Rebbe in Paris for deep discussions in learning and at the end of his life he met the Rebbe’s secretary and indicated that he knew the Rebbe from up close. * Who was this man, Monsieur Chouchani – Chacham Shushani
If you wanted to find R’ Itay Gabay, you would probably have a hard time finding him. He is constantly on the move while spreading the wellsprings in Tel Aviv and its environs. In one place he gives a shiur, in another he farbrengs, in yet another he leads a lively conversation with a group of mekuravim, and in another place he sits in front of a computer and prepares an article that he will post on the site for those who are getting involved in Judaism. He looks like a bearded Chassid who has been in the world of Chassidus for years, but the truth is that until a decade ago R’ Gabay’s life looked completely different
Toward the end of Parshas VaYechi a very intriguing discussion is recorded between Yosef and some of his brothers. Following their return to Mitzrayim from interring their father Yaakov, Yosef’s brothers were gripped by a sudden fear.
Four women from Yitzhar who live out in the Shomron with daily mesirus nefesh, share some personal miracles they experienced recently
This week was the fast day of the tenth of Teves. On that day, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nevuchadnetzar laid siege to Yerushalayim. Later, the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that year the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
As Yaakov lay “dying,” he gathered all of his sons to his bedside and blessed them. In truth, three of his sons, Reuven, Shimon and Levi, were actually censured for their temperament. Rueven was criticized for his impulsiveness and Shimon and Levi for their anger.
Rabbi Shaya Aharon Lee of Beitar Ilit experienced a most awe-inspiring miracle after receiving a puzzling bracha from the Rebbe during a private audience at the end of Tishrei 5739. “As I went through the yechidus in my mind, I recalled those moments when the Rebbe was immersed in his thoughts, speaking to himself as it were. I realized that the Rebbe was in another world, and he did what he did in order to nullify the Heavenly decree that hung over me.”
A deafening noise broke the silence. Mendy who had been sleeping peacefully in his bed opened his eyes in a fright. Without thinking twice he put his hands together and mumbled, “Modeh Ani.”
December 29, 2015