Jewish stories for children of all ages

The Baal Shem Tov’s visitor

A wealthy man visits the Baal Shem Tov as he has heard of the reputation of the Tzadik, but what he doesn't know is that the Baal Shem Tov knows quite a bit about the wealthy man also.

The rusty coin

A wealthy miser was well known for only giving a "polushka", a quarter kopek coin as a donation, which everyone threw back in his face until the Alter Rebbe accepted it graciously and unlocked the miser's heart.

The Lion and the Eagle

The famous Rabbi Aryeh Leib ben Osher, author of the sefer Shaagas Aryeh (the roar of the lion), spent a number of years wandering with his wife through the communities of Lita and Poland, until he was discovered by Rabbi Nosson Adler (known as the Eagle) and offered a position as the Rov of Metz.

The Bear Dance

The Shpoler Zeide wandered through townlets and villages for seven years, helping the Yidden in any way he could, even if it meant dancing a kazatzka for the poretz and his guests.

The tzadik Reb Naftoli wanted a silver snuff box

Moshe the innkeeper is delighted to host his Rebbe, Reb Naftoli on a cold rainy night in Cheshvan, and equally surprised when the Rebbe asks him to venture out to buy a silver snuff box.

Hershel sells his cow

Hershel and his wife Gittel rely on their cow for their income, so it's a surprise when the tzaddik Reb Moshe Leib of Sassov advises them to sell the cow and engage in business with the profits, but the tzaddik's advice proves to be wise indeed.

The poor woodchopper was poor no more

When a thief in the night steals the woodchopper's horse and cart, his family worries about how they will earn their living, but the woodchopper knows that Hashem has many ways to provide for us all.

Naftoli’s inheritance

Zevulun sends his son Naftoli to faraway Yerushalayim to learn, which unfortunately is too much for Zevulun to bear. His will seems to favor his faithful servant Samura, but Naftoli's teacher helps Zevulun's true intent come to pass.

The two silver coins

Avraham is wealthy in Torah and good deeds but not in anything else, so when a stranger offers him a loan of two silver coins he gladly accepts and soon learns that the test of wealth is harder than the test of poverty r"l. 

A message from the governor

The governor sends DovBer an urgent request for merchandise on Shabbos, and when DovBer declines he gets a big surprise after Shabbos ends.