R. Yekusiel Deitsch of Dokshitz, affectionately known as “Kushe Dokshitzer,” was an Alef Beis melamed who taught the Frierdiker Rebbe. At first, his father-in-law implored the Tzemach Tzedek to allow him to do business, but when a wagonload fell over him, he realized that he wasn’t doing what the Rebbe really wanted.
“I’m on My Way to Lubavitch!”
Reb Yosef, the son of R. Yissochor Ber the rov of Lubavitch, was married to the Tzemach Tzedek’s aunt, and was affectionately known as “Der Feter Yossele” (Uncle Yossele). When chassidim found him sitting in the snow deep in thought, his answer surprised them.
She Pulled His Sleeve Out of a Pail of Water
Reb Yisroel Hofshtein, the Kozhnitzer Maggid, was a talmid of the Mezritcher Maggid and Reb Elimelech of Lizensk, and a great admirer of the Alter Rebbe. When a husband ran away and left his wife an aguna, the Kozhnitzer Maggid reunited them through a series of wondrous miracles.
He Sent His Shamash to Take Stones from the Graves
R. Ziskind Kurnitzer was an outstanding chossid of the Alter Rebbe who was said to have ruach hakodesh. When a plague broke out in his town, he directed his shamash to take two stones from the cemetery and expose the sinners who were causing the plague.
The Modern ‘Educational Philosophy’ Has Caused a Disaster
Following on the discussion of leadership in chinuch, we bring you the Rebbe’s words on the subject. In this Yud Tes Kislev address, the Rebbe decries the new “educational philosophy” that parents should give children choices. The Rebbe blames this for the problems with the youth, and insists that sincere words of truth is the answer.
Why Didn’t You Tell Us the Truth?!
Following the article by Mrs. Gillie Shanowitz on our teen’s thirst for strong values and the truth, we share with you a pertinent letter from the Frierdiker Rebbe to American educators, urging them to rethink their attitude in education and what will happen if they don’t.
What I Learned from Spending a Month with Teens
From the Anash.org Inbox: This past summer I was hired to run a teen camp for girls entering 9th and 10th grade. Here’s something I learned: Our girls haven’t changed and they have a strong desire to know and do what’s right. It is those who are raising and educating them who have changed.
‘You Came to Leningrad to the Rebbe or to the Rebbe in Leningrad?’
Reb Yosef Rozin, the Rogatchover Gaon, was the Rov for the chassidim in Dvinsk and was renowned for his incredible memory and depth in Torah. The Rebbe called his most amazing mind ‘a special gift given in the times before Moshiach.’
They Thought the Elder Chossid Was a Thief
The chossid Reb Nateh, the Rov of Malastirzineh, was a prominent chossid of the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek, and was known for his exceptional bittul. When young chassidim in Lubavitch tried throwing out of the Rebbe’s shul, Reb Nateh was not offended – and even defended them.
The Rebbe Sent Me a Message About Shlichus Standards
Shliach Rabbi Gershon Sandler, who heads camp CGI in the Poconos for non-frum girls, brought a campaign brochure to the Ohel, when suddenly one of the pieces of paper flew out over the walls. When he picked it up, he got a shock – and a clear message.
Shlichus Is All About Mesiras Nefesh
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: This past week we were shaken to the core by the murder of Rabbi Zvi HaKohen Kogan Hy”d, murdered shortly before the Kinus Hashluchim. Certainly, this is not by chance. Zvi is a testament to the dedication that exists by all Chabad Shluchim and their families.
The Mashpia Who Faithfully Followed Every Word
Reb Yehoshua Aizik Baruch, a mashpia in Kovno and Vilna, stood out in his genuine sincerity. When the Rebbe asked him to deliver regards to Anash, he made sure to relay it to every person he met, and when he missed the special Tehillim on Rosh Hashana, he said them on Rosh Hashana l’Chassidus.
Islamic Terrorism: What’s Really Behind It?
Anash Magazine: 15 years ago, the world stood shocked when Islamic terrorists entered Chabad of Mumbai and murdered shluchim Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg. A talk by Harav Yosef Heller shed light on “Galus Yishmoel” according to Chassidus and what it means today.
How AI Failed Me
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: With all the automation around us, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to be personally invested in things. Yiddishkeit is not about the outcome but the output. If I use AI to write a thank-you speech, I may gain automatic entry through my listeners’ hearts, but the door to my heart will remain closed.
He Stood with One Foot on the Mantel Throughout the Maamar
Reb Boruch Sholom, the eldest son of the Tzemach Tzedek, had a special relationship with the Alter Rebbe. Once during a packed maamar, he tried climbing onto the fireplace, but unable to move, he remained with just one foot on the mantel for the duration of the maamar.
The Shochet Who Was Afraid of Hashem
One of the first talmidim in Tomchei Temimim, Reb Avraham Dovid Poizner was an outstanding tomim who was removed from worldly matters. When someone mocked his hafshata, saying that he left shechita since he was “too afraid of the animal,” the Rebbe Rashab retorted that it was Hashem who he was afraid of.
He Took the Entire Blame on Himself
The rov of Starodub, R’ Meshulam Zalman Neimark was arrested with 80 community members, accused of helping Yidden evade the draft with guidance from the Rebbe Maharash. Not wanting the Rebbe to suffer, he took full blame and spent two years in prison, where he learned and davened ba’avoda.
A Radiogram in Middle of the Atlantic Ocean
While on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic, two bochurim were brought a Radiogram from the Rebbe. And not a moment too soon, because over the next few days, there were very strong storms at sea and the travelers were scared. The boys gathered the Yidden as the Rebbe had instructed and the results were powerful.
‘It Seems That Someone Else Is in the Room’
Rebbetzin Fraida, the Alter Rebbe‘s daughter, was an illustrious woman and was very dear to her father, who would recite Chassidus privately for her. Her brother, the Mitteler Rebbe, would give her a question in Chassidus to ask their father, and then hide in the room to listen to the answer.
They Wouldn’t Let Him Browse the Seforim
Reb Shneur Zalman Fradkin, known as the “Gaon of Lublin” or by his sefer “Toras Chesed”, was a chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek and an exceptional genius. The seforim seller only allowed him to look at the cover pages, since once he flipped through a sefer, he knew it by heart.