Jewish stories for children of all ages

Saved by the Zidichover Rebbe

Sholom Mordechai Schwadron, known as the Maharsham, once fell ill as a young man. When he recovered, he told an incredible story of his encounter with a Yid named Eichenstein who advocated for him in Shomayim.

The boy who saved Purim with his gragger

When the Crown Prince falls ill while on a tour through Russia, he is taken to a little town named Vardik and lodged next to the shul. Due to his condition, the doctors order complete silence, but it's Purim and one little boy saves the Jews with his simple joy.

Purim with the Shpoler Zeide

When a Jew named Mendel is falsely accused of theft, he appeals to the Shpoler Zeide, Reb Aryeh Leib, for help. The Rebbe arranges for a lawyer after Mendel gives 300 rubles to help an orphaned bride get married and tells Mendel to make sure the trial will be held on Purim. While the townspeople of Shpole enjoy the Rebbe's Purim shpiel, Mendel sees a Purim miracle unfold before his eyes in court.

Purim of the invisible ink

The Sheikh of Sana, capital city of Yemen, enjoys a drop of wine from time to time. The Imam does not approve and schemes to be rid of the Sheikh and his new advisor, Mordechai ben Yair, whose skill with the properties of ink brings a most surprising and satisfactory conclusion to a very dangerous situation for the Jews of Sana.

Leib and the greedy guest

Leib is an excellent host, and when he takes pride in his performance of the mitzvah of hachnosas orchim, welcoming guests, it is decreed that his boasting must be atoned for. A greedy guest sets in motion a long journey of wandering for Leib, until one Shabbos when he stays with a familiar face.

The Miracle of the Bomb

When French forces under Napoleon besiege the Italian city of Fossano, in the picturesque Alps, the non-Jewish inhabitants use it as an excuse to victimize the Jews during Chol Hamoed Pesach, but the simcha of the sedorim and their pure faith intercede and they are miraculously saved.

Rabbi Nochum’ke and the lawyer

Rabbi Nochum'ke collects money from everybody for the poor, except for a wealthy lawyer who never gives kopek. When the lawyer falls afoul of the law and is imprisoned for two years, Rabbi Nochum'ke makes sure his wife and children are cared for.

Purim Beirut

The cruel Pasha of Beirut finds out that he is a direct descendent of the wicked Haman, and demands ten thousand silver kikars be repaid to him by the Jews of Beirut. The tzadik Rabbi Yitzchak, sitting in Tzefas, hears their prayers and joins in with them, and the cruel Pasha soon changes his attitude.

Wine goes in, secrets come out

At Boruch Mordechai's bris, which was on Purim, the Chasam Sofer quoted the famous line "Nichnas Yayin, yotzo sod"- when wine goes in, secrets come out. Seventy years later, after a lifetime of humility and kindness, Boruch Mordechai drank wine at a Purim seudah and revealed secrets of Torah.

A yishuvnik visits the Alter Rebbe

A yishuvnik (Jewish farmer) hires a melamed to teach his sons, and when the melamed tells the yishuvnik that he will be leaving to spend yomtov with his Rebbe, the yishuvnik decides to go as well. He becomes a changed person when he has yechidus (private audience) with the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad chassidus.