Jewish stories for children of all ages

Yisrolik's candle

Yisrolik loves to stay late in the beis medrash learning Torah, but his father wants to make sure that Yisrolik gets enough rest. The shamash agrees to make sure that Yisrolik has only one small candle, enough to last for just one hour of learning. But Yisrolik is special, and the candle wants to keep burning.

The healing look

The Chernobler Rebbe stops at a wayside inn for some refreshments, and discovers that the innkeeper's daughter is unwell. With a simple glance, the Rebbe soon sets things right but explains that it was no miracle after all. 

The message of the clock

When Rabbi Yosef of Tulchin becomes unexpectedly stranded at a roadside inn for several days due to heavy rains, he offers the innkeeper a clock in lieu of payment. The clock hangs on the wall for several years until a visitor recognizes the chime and shares the message of the clock.

Everything has a purpose

When Hilke the innkeeper is falsely accused, he visits the Rebbe for advice and a brocho, but when the Rebbe mentions that "even mice have a purpose", Hilke is confused. As the case goes to trial, Hilke sees that the Rebbe's words were actually profound.

Chagigah, the Blacksmith's loyal companion

When Yaakov was orphaned, a kindly blacksmith took him in and taught him the trade. Yaakov lived a solitary life, alone except for Chagigah, his beloved volume of the Talmud. Yaakov's devotion to Chagigah is rewarded when he needs it the most.

The Baal Shem Tov and the professor

The holy Baal Shem Tov takes his talmidim on a journey. They stop at a spring on the way and then visit an old man who greets the Baal Shem Tov like a long-lost brother. Later, they travel to a city and spend Shabbos with a Jewish tailor and a local anti-semite. Many years later, the talmidim learn of the purpose of their journey.

Rabbi Eliyahu Baal Shem of Wurms

When the "Sefardishe Yid" of Cracow (Kroke) offers to marry a young chalitza at the age of 80, the townspeople knew that something special was happening, but 13 years later, the child of this union shows that he is very special indeed, and later becomes the famous Baal Mofes, Rabbi Eliyahu the Baal Shem of Wurms.

Pesach lasts for eight days

When the Poretz's Jewish business manager loses his good position after being slandered by someone he had helped, he appeals to his Rebbe, Rabbi Meir Premishlaner, who in turn speaks with Rabbi Naftoli, the Lizhensker Rebbe's einikel. Rabbi Naftoli reminds the Jewish business manager that "Pesach lasts for eight days" and the business manager soon regains his position.

The Lelover Rebbe and the wealthy Jew

Before Rabbi Dovid became known as the Lelover Rebbe, he was a talmid of Rabbi Elimelech and once received a ride to Lizhensk from a wealthy Jew. Since Rabbi Dovid appeared to be a poor beggar, the wealthy Jew made fun of Rabbi Dovid's appearance. Soon afterwards, the wealthy Jew realized that he had made a big mistake.

The Baal Shem Tov's Seder in Constantinople

The holy Baal Shem Tov is traveling to the Holy Land when he must stop in Constantinople with his daughter Udel for Pesach. During the seder, the Baal Shem Tov recites the verse "To He Alone who performs great miracles" with tremendous feeling. Later, their host asks the reason for this and discovers that a miracle had indeed happened at that moment, saving the Jews of the city from a calamity.