WHEN THE REBBE LEARNED TANYA WITH A STUDENT

Every year, the mashpia R’ Mendel Futerfas would go to the Rebbe for the month of Tishrei. R’ Mendel’s trip on the plane was unlike that of anyone else, for he spent the many hours putting tefillin on with Jewish passengers or in conversations of kiruv and strengthening of Judaism. It did not bother R’ Mendel that his English (and Hebrew) was broken at best. He spoke in the language of the heart and the neshama and in speaking that way, he was able to bridge all chasms

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THE INSPIRED THIEF

Like thousands of other young tourists who travel to distant Melbourne, Miki Mamon and Rafi Toledano also went to Australia to tour its length and breadth. Rafi and Miki had just finished their military service and they wanted to “clear their heads.”

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A DECISIVE MOVE

One day, my mother asked me and my twin brothers, Mendy and Yossi, to do some shopping in the neighborhood fruit and vegetable store owned by Kalman.

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HOLY GUESTS IN THE SUKKA

The year this story took place, the Baal Shem Tov changed his usual routine and right after Havdala on Motzaei Yom Kippur he went to the beis midrash to conduct a tish. After all, it was a festive day and it was a mitzva to eat and rejoice.

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THE REBBE’S SHOFARS

“The black one is too hoarse,” said Feivish, sounding worried. “On the other hand, the yellowish one is too old and is no longer like the old days,” rejoined Simcha.

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THE REBBE’S RESPONSE

How surprising can it be to open an envelope of letters collected over the years? It’s nice to go down memory lane and recall special moments, to reread blessings from the Rebbe, to relive the events in diaries describing years of learning in the Rebbe’s mosdos.

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THE PRAYER OF AN ASSIMILATED JEW

Presented for Chai Elul, birthday of the Baal Shem Tov

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SHABBOS PREPARATIONS WITH THE BAAL SHEM TOV

Presented for Shabbos Parshas VaEschanan, when we read the Aseres HaDibros

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“ON THE WAY TO AUSTRALIA, STOP IN INDIA”

Around forty-three years have passed since the following Heavenly story happened. Apparently it has never been told until now.

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WHEN ANGELS SUDDENLY VISITED THE RAV AND REBBETZIN’S HUT

A story for Chaf Av

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SPOOKY ENCOUNTER

We will call him Leibel. When I interviewed him twenty years ago, he was in his seventies and had a long white beard. His broad shoulders testified to his strength, and his direct eye contact lent him an aura of seriousness and forcefulness. Still, as we spoke about incidents in his life, he occasionally had a mischievous look in his eyes.

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VISIONS FROM THE OTHER SIDE

I met the shliach and his wife in the departure terminal at the airport in Lud, shortly before they boarded their flight and headed back to their place of shlichus, in some city in the CIS. For many years, they and their family have been putting all their energy into preparing their city to greet Moshiach.

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THE AMAZING JOURNEY OF THE TORAH SCROLL

The Chassid R’ Pinchas Sudak and his wife Mrs. Basya maintained a home that was Chassidishe and G-d-fearing in every respect, despite the communist persecution against anything Jewish.

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