Jewish stories for children of all ages

The long Baal Shem Tov story, part 3

Several weeks later, in Elul, R. Chaim Rappaport visits the Baal Shem Tov in Medzibuzh and hears the underlying story behind his mission to the abandoned estate. 160 years previously, a talmid chacham from Prague moved to Lvov. Known as “R. ShmuelTzadok, the opponent of Kabbalah and Mussar", his hostility to Mussar, and toKabbalah in which he had no faith, he implanted in his sons R. Moshe and R. Yehudah Arye.

The long Baal Shem Tov story, part 2

Meanwhile, R. Chaim Rappaport must travel to an abandoned estate outside Lvov to learn the first four chapters of Hilchos Brochos. A torrential rain almost prevents the journey, but as soon as the Rov begins to learn, the clouds part and the sun shines forth. He drinks a cup of water from a nearby spring before returning to Lvov.

The long Baal Shem Tov story, part 1

The Baal Shem Tov sends his talmid Moshe Meshel to deliver two letters, both to residents of Lvov. The first, to the Av Beis Din R. Chaim Rappaport, contains mysterious instructions for an upcoming journey. The second, to R. Chaim Yisroel the Potter, is delivered in silence. Unbeknownst to anyone, Chaim Yisroel is a hidden tzaddik who must act soon to prevent a calamity.

Hershel the fool

When the Count makes a rash threat against the Jews, he soon regrets it and wishes to take back what he said. The local priest offers to help out, as long as he can debate one of the Jews. Hershel the fool soon makes a fool of the priest.

A letter from the Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov offers a brocho to a confident businessman, who turns it down. When the businessman loses his fortune 16 years later, he has a second chance thanks to the Baal Shem Tov's ruach haKodesh.

The Baal Shem Tov's mirror

When a fire threatens to destroy a small town, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi extinguishes the fierce flames with a glance. Later, a Russian Army captain who had sent soldiers to unsuccessfully fight the fire shares a story about the holy Baal Shem Tov with the Rebbe.

The power of Tehillim

The Rav of Ehrfurt has a dream in which a man dressed in white appears, holding a sefer tehillim and carrying an important message. 

A Polish nobleman returns to his people

Count Vladek is no friend to the Jews, so his fellow nobles are surprised to hear him vote against a new decree. They would be even more surprised to hear that his name was once Velvel, and would be again soon.

The Czar sends a spy to the Ruzhiner Rebbe

When the Czar hears that the Ruzhiner Rebbe might not be a loyal subject, he sends a spy to Ruzhin in the hopes of ensnaring the Rebbe into slandering the Czar. But the Rebbe sees through the disguise and sets the spy straight.

A father's gift is recovered by the Baal Shem Tov

Yaakov Leib is a silversmith, a master craftsman whose works are very valuable. His most precious work is a silver seder plate, intended for his young daughter Miriam's eventual wedding. When cruel robbers steal the plate, Miriam is heartbroken to lose her father and vows not to marry until the plate is recovered. The holy Baal Shem Tov makes sure that every last piece of the silver seder plate is brought back to Miriam.