I was born in the village of Okup in the year 5458. When I was five years old I was orphaned from my father and mother, of blessed memory. The community...
Rabbi Cohn - Stories from the Baal Shem Tov
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In any case, the Baal Shem Tov arrived a few days before Shabbat. He immediately met with Rabbi Yaakov Yosef (whom he affectionately called Yossele) and they...
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Vayakhel: Iyov’s Penny
A line of people wound its way from the door of the holy Baal Shem Tov’s office. Many stood in line to seek advice and blessings from the holy tzaddik...
Tetzaveh: The Man Who Thought He Was God
Later, when Lord Elokim, the master of the castle, returned, his servants ran to him and said, "Lord Elokim, a Rabbi has come to visit. He is waiting for you in the library."
Tetzaveh: Eating for Atonement
The women rushed to prepare the meat broth while the men stood around the sick man’s bed saying Tehillim (Psalms). Almost everyone, except for the doctor, felt relieved because...
Terumah: A Pinch of Snuff
Once, a poor man came with a group of beggars to collect charity at the shul of the Baal Shem Tov. The shammos (caretaker) of the shul gave each beggar a few coins...
Mishpatim: Reincarnation
Suddenly, in a dream-like vision, Rabbi Dov Ber saw a handsome prince and a female friend come to a river for a picnic and a swim. The only other person there was a border guard...
Yitro: The Stocking Maker
The host looked out the window at the man as he continued walking down the road. "Oh, that's just Reb Dovid, the stocking maker...
Beshalach: 100 Questions
I asked myself; perhaps this man is not human? How could a person achieve such holy power? Had he perhaps fallen from Heaven?
Bo: The First Revelation
The Rabbi took the Baal Shem Tov aside and asked him, “Who are you? Please tell me the truth.” The Baal Shem Tov disclosed to the Rav that in fact he was a holy man...
Vayera: The Inhospitable Rabbi
The rabbi prided himself on his meticulous attention to religious law and painstaking efforts to avoid mistakes. Yet, he was a fierce opponent of the Baal Shem Tov…
Devarim: A Speedy Journey
“Why are you so worried about time? Time is a creation like anything else. If the Almighty has created it for us, then it is to be used to serve Him...
Vayeitzei: The Wedding Blessing
After about three weeks of traveling in the freezing Ukrainian countryside, with no food or money left, they had no idea where to go next. They were cold...
Vayikra: Stealing From a Widow
Once, a widow had assumed the “arrendeh” for an inn that was managed by her late husband. She was a capable woman, and able to successfully manage the business...
Nasso: The Tavern Keeper
The Baal Shem Tov listened intently and then responded, "Reb Berel, don't worry. Everything will work out just fine and you won’t lose your tavern." Then the Baal Shem Tov wrote…
Va’etchanan: The Book of Adam
“My beloved friend, no matter how high a man climbs, it is still nothing. We are limited by our finite minds. The purpose of our lives, is to strive, not to know...
Vayishlach: The Werewolf
Everyone was afraid of the charcoal burner because rumors had spread that he was a sorcerer. In fact, people said, at night, evil spirits would creep into him...
Vayikra: The Humble Healer
The couple quickly turned around and rushed down the stairs yelling to each other, "let's get out of here before the Holy Rabbi actually thinks he healed her."