A Russian Jew once struck up a conversation with his seatmate on a bus in Eretz Yisrael, and in the course of the conversation, described himself as a Yom Kippur Jew. His seatmate immediately thought that he meant that he went to shul only once a year on Yom Kippur. However, the Russian Jew explained to his new friend that he was referring to something else.

He was a soldier in the Russian army following WWII. In order to avoid serving on Yom Kippur, every year he would feign illness. Each Yom Kippur, he would show up at the army doctor and moan over his "toothache" and beg to have his tooth pulled. After his tooth was pulled, he was freed from his duties for the rest of the day. The Russian Jew flashed a toothless smile to his seatmate, and said, "I was in the army for six years and I lost six teeth this way, but at least I never worked on Yom Kippur." (Meoros Daf Yomi)

One year, more visitors arrived than usual, and even the huge amount of fruit which had been prepared was not enough to be distributed to everyone surrounding the table. 

The Rebbe looked up and discerned what had happened.  He then said, “Is it fruit that you want?  Come close and I’ll tell you where you can find them.  ‘These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in this world, but whose principal remains intact for him in Olam Haba…and Talmud Torah is equal to all of them.’ Go and occupy yourselves with Torah, and you will find numerous fruits without any crowding, besides for the principal which will remain for you in Olam Haba.      (Chayim Sheyash Bahem)

One day, a fire began on the street where the home of the Chofetz Chaim was located. The fire was spreading quickly, and all the houses in its path were in danger of being burned down. All of the houses' residents began frantically gathering their most valuable possessions, and prepared to vacate their houses. The Chofetz Chaim, who was already an elderly man, sat in his chair amidst the turmoil, deep in thought. His family was puzzled by his behavior, but the Chofetz Chaim continued to sit and think with an anxious expression on his face, ignoring the tumult around him.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the Chofetz Chaim suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly arose from his chair, and walked toward the corner of his house, where a high shelf was situated. He stood on a chair to reach it, and took down a small watch. He then gathered his other possessions, and joined his family in vacating the house.

When his family questioned him, he clarified the reason for his mysterious behavior. "A yeshivah bochur had asked me to keep his watch in my house. Baruch Hashem, I found it; there's a specific mitzvah to guard anything given to one for safekeeping."

His family and students were astounded at his answer. During a time of crisis, when most people react with fear and panic, the Chofetz Chaim's first instinct was to save a yeshivah bochur's watch! (Stories My Grandfather Told Me)

After the wedding, Rav Shlomo Zalman informed the family that he wished to spend the night in Tel Aviv.  All the relatives were shocked since they were sure that Rav Shlomo Zalman would return directly to his house in Yerushalayaim after the wedding. Whoever was familiar with Reb Shlomo Zalman's tight schedule of learning and davening, knew that it was very rare that he spent a night away from his home, if at all.         

For many years, Rav Shlomo Zalman's nephew was unaware of the reason his uncle decided to stay the night in Tel Aviv.  He eventually discovered the reason when he merited to also tend to the needs of an orphan, including accompanying him to the chupah.  Rav Shlomo Zalman called him before the wedding and said, "I hope that you do for the orphaned chassan what I did for you."  His nephew didn't understand what Rav Shlomo Zalman was referring to, until he reminded about the night after his wedding when he stayed the night in Tel Aviv.

Rav Shlomo Zalman explained, "Every chassan and kallah receives many gifts on the day of their wedding.  One of the happiest moments after the chasunah is when the young couple opens their presents, and afterwards they show them off to their parents.  You had no parents, and I knew you wouldn't be able to enjoy these happy moments.  Therefore, despite the difficulties it involved for me, I stayed in Tel Aviv the night after the wedding so that you could show me your presents the next day."      (Aleinu Leshabeach) 

A couple that had been married for fifteen years without being blessed by children, decided to divorce, despite their harmonious marriage. Shortly after the get was completed, the woman discovered she was pregnant. The joyous news had a very sad side; the husband was a Kohen and was forbidden to remarry his former wife. Their pain and heartbreak knew no bounds.

The husband poured out his pain to Rav Chaim Kanievesky, who told him that he couldn't see any way that he could remarry his former wife, but he suggested that he should consult with his father in-law, Hagaon, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.

The man went to R' Elyashiv and repeated his tale of woe. R' Elyashiv told him with great pain that it's definitely forbidden for a kohain to remarry his former wife. "The only thing I can tell you is that you should go to the Kosel Hamaravi, and daven to Hashem that he should save you."

The kohain regarded R' Elyashiv's words as a direct instruction, and immediately upon leaving R' Elyashiv's house, went straight to the Kosel. When he reached the Kosel, he approached the stones and poured out his heart without restraint. After davening for a lengthy period of time, the kohein felt a hand on his back. He turned around and saw an avreich talmid chacham, who inquired what had happened to him. The kohen repeated his painful story, and the stranger asked him, "Do you have a father?" The kohen didn't understand the point of the question, but he answered that of course he had a father. His father was very old and was living in a nursing home in America, and barely communicated with those around him.

"In my opinion, you should fly to America, and tell your father what happened to you," said the man and he turned to leave. The kohein tried to explain to him again that his father's condition made it almost impossible to communicate with him at all. There was no reason that he should make such a great effort to fly to the States to tell his elderly father the story. However, the stranger brushed off his words and turned to go.

The kohein eventually decided to heed this man's words. He reasoned that if Rav Elyashiv told him to go to the Kosel to daven, and if this stranger approached him while he was davening and advised him to fly to America, maybe it was worthwhile for him to go. He arranged a flight, and a day and half later, he was already at his father's side, in the nursing home.

The medical staff had informed the son when he first arrived that his father had not uttered a word for many months, and that he shouldn't expect his father to speak to him. The kohein began his story, and his father didn't respond, but he seemed to be listening to what his son was saying. As the son continued his story, he began crying, and couldn't stop. The unbelievable then occurred; his father began speaking and said clearly that he was not his biological son, but was adopted after the Holocaust; he did not have the status of a kohen, and there was no reason that he couldn't remarry his former wife. (Barchi Nafshi)

The tailor answered, “Forgive me, Kavod HaRav, but I have not yet lit the Chanukah candles.  If you wish, you can wait until I light, and after a half an hour, I’ll sew your suit.”

While Rav Chaim Ozer waited, he noticed how this simple tailor prepared himself for the mitzvah.  He removed his weekday clothing, and donned Shabbos clothing.  He washed his hands and joyously prepared to light the candles.

Rav Chaim Ozer was astounded by the temimus of this man and he said, “Now I understand how the city Cracow produces such Gedolai Torah and giants of spirits, if this is what the simple tailors are like!”   (Chaim Sheyash Bahem)

One day, a man who appeared obviously distraught and worn down, knocked at the door of the Chazon Ish. He told the Chazon Ish that he had felt ill for a few days, and eventually he had felt so ill that he was hospitalized. The doctors performed a battery of tests, and they found a virulent infection which had invaded his body. They sadly informed the man that he had only fours day to live; they did not have any medication that would be effective for this infection.

The man broke down sobbing as he finished his story, and the Chazon Ish soothed him and calmed him down. The Chazon Ish opened a Chumash Bereishis, and turned to the first pages of the parsha. He said to the man, "Look what Hashem created on the first day," and the Chazon Ish began to recite all the things which Hashem created on the first day of creation. "Look what Hashem created on the second day," and again the Chazon Ish read the pasukim, and listed one by one the things which were created on the second day. He continued with the third day, and the fourth day. "So, if the Creator of the World was able to create so many things in four days, don't you believe that in four days He can create a medicine for you which will heal you completely?" The Chazon Ish encouraged the man not to give up hope, but rather he should daven for himself, and plead with Hashem that He heal him from his infection. He reminded him that the gates of Tefila are never locked, especially before the tefila of a sick person, which is tefila at a time of tzara.

The eyes of the man lit up at the Chazon Ish's words. He began to daven fervently for himself, and since he was following the instructions of a holy man, a unbelievable miracle occurred. A new medicine was imported to Eretz Yisroel from America in the following days. This sick man was one of the first people that the medicine was tested on, and it became clear that the medicine was effective for the infection which was ravaging his body. Within a short time, the man was healed completely. (Barchi Nafshi)

Rav Chaim Soloveitchik made a Seudas Mitzva in his house. The table was set with his finest glass and china in honor of the occasion. One of the the participants got up from the table and accidentally took the tablecloth with him as he got caught on it. The tablecloth crashed to the floor with all its expensive and delicate contents falling to the ground.

Everyone was horrified and turned to look at Rav Chaim, waiting for his reaction. Rav Chaim told everyone not to worry and assured them that nothing broke. They slowly approached the wreckage and unraveled the tablecloth. Sure enough every single piece was intact and nothing was damaged.

All eyes turned to Rav Chaim for an explanation. Rav Chaim explained that he is not a Navi or a miracle worker. He only knows the kabala that he had from Rav Chaim Volozhin. Rav Chaim Volozhin said that no harm will ever come to something bought from money earned honestly and fairly. Rav Chaim said that since all his money was earned fairly he was sure that nothing could have broken. And so it was.

When they asked the Brisker Rov, he answered, "Retzon Yerie'av Yaaseh".   Rav Aharon explained these words, saying that apparently the Chofetz Chaim davened to Hashem, begging him to keep his Gadlus BaTorah hidden from the world.  "If so" asked the grandson, "then why was his tzidkus not hidden?"  To that Rav Aharon had a very simple answer.  The Chofetz Chaim clearly understood his breadth and depth of Torah were astounding and far beyond the rest of the generation.  However when it came to tzidkus, the Chofetz Chaim did not see himself as any more special than any Jew trying to serve his creator to the best of his abilities.  Therefore he didn't think he had any notoriety in this area, and had no need to daven!

When the family of R' Elyahsiv was sitting shiva for Rebbitzen Elyashiv, a Canadian Jew came to be menachem avel. He told them he came especially to be menachem avel as a sign of gratitude to Rebbetzin Elyashiv for helping his family during a painful and distressing period.

The man related that one of his daughters had veered from the path of Yiddishkeit, and abandoned every vestige of Jewish life. Eventually, she did the worst possible thing, and actually married a non-Jew. "Every effort we made to convince her that she shouldn't do this horrible thing fell on deaf ears," said the father. He added that he felt responsible for her descent, since it happened after he decided to leave Eretz Yisrael and move to Canada because of his difficulty in earning a living.

His daughter left Canada, and moved with her husband to Switzerland. Eventually, their marriage soured, and she and her husband separated. This took place at the beginning of Chodesh Elul. Immediately after Yom Kippur, the daughter suddenly died. The Rabbanim in Switzerland refused to bury his daughter in a Jewish cemetery since for years she had lived as a non-Jew in all respects.

The father continued his story in a broken voice, "I called Rebbetzin Elyashiv and requested that she ask R' Elyahsiv his opinion on the matter. R' Elyashiv asked what my daughter did on the last Yom Kippur of her life. I asked around the community in Switzerland, and I found out that she spent a half hour in shul that Yom Kippur. When R' Elyashiv heard this, he paskened that she could be brought to kever Yisrael. The fact that she was in shul on Yom Kippur proved that her neshama was connected to the Jewish nation, and identified with the yearning for teshuva which Yom Kippur represents. (Aleinu Leshabeach)

Mazal Tov! Shmuel was finally a chassan. His friends and relatives were joyous and relieved at the same time. Shmuel had been dating for years and he was well over thirty. However, his story was not the typical story of an older single. Biting words that were uttered many years before still lingered in his memory. In fact, he felt goose bumps every time he thought of them. He was sure that these words, so carelessly said, had something to do with his years of suffering and waiting.

Many years before, Shmuel had been a young yeshivah bochur. He was a very serious and orderly person. He seldom participated in the socializing and good-natured bantering that took place in the dorm until the wee hours of the night. He made sure to be in bed every night by 10:00 P.M. so he would be well rested for his learning the next day. This wasn't easy in a dorm full of boisterous yeshivah bochurim. One night, the fifth night of Chanukah, the dorm was particularly noisy. Shmuel tried to fall asleep, but a group of boys had gathered right outside his door and were talking loudly. Shmuel got up and asked the group to relocate themselves, but they laughed and ignored him. Shmuel resignedly returned to bed and lay there, becoming more and more frustrated as time passed. Finally, his anger propelled him to the door once again, where he heard the boys discussing the engagement of one bochur's sister to another bochur who learned in the yeshivah. "My parents were thrilled to hear that not only is he excellent in learning, but he shines in his midos as well," said the brother of the kallah. "And what about your middos? Maybe if you would have better middos, you wouldn't be disturbing my sleep," Shmuel blurted out.

Shmuel was normally even-tempered, but his frustration had caused him to lash out. He calmed down and was about to enter his room and close the door when he heard Leibel's voice. Leibel was known as the class clown and frequently made sarcastic comments. "What about you? Who would ever want you as a son-in-law with your strict rules and orders? Why, you won't get engaged until the Twin Towers fall!

The boys laughed a little, but realized that this comment had been uncalled for. They felt badly and they moved away from Shmuel's room. Shmuel himself felt embarrassed and hurt. He finally had quiet but the price he paid had been too high.

Years later, Shmuel got engaged on September 13, 2001, two days after the Twin Towers collapsed. (Making a Difference)

On one occasion, Rav Lopian came to visit R’ Kook, and the Rebbitzen answered the door and apologized that Rav Kook was not at home.  Despite this, Rav Lopian entered the house and engaged the Rebbetzin in a lengthy conversation about the Asara Harugei Malchus.  The Rebbetzin was quite surprised that Rav Lopian was sitting and talking with her, and could not understand why he was specifically discussing the Asara Harugei Malchus. 

A short time later, her husband, Rav Rafael passed away, and the Rebbitzen became an almanah.  Sadly, her mourning was compounded shortly later when her son and his family were involved in a terrible car accident.  Her son, Rav Shlomo, his wife, and three of their children were killed in this horrible tragedy.

During the shiva, the Rebbitzen suddenly remembered the conversation with Rav Lopian on the Asara Harugei Malchus.  Unfortunately, she now understood the reason for this topic, but she also gleaned strength from Rav Lopian’s words  to overcome her great sorrow.  She sadly murmured, “You have comforted me, Rav Eliyahu, you have comforted me.”    (Shaal Avicha Veyegadcha)

Rav Nota Fraind heard this story from Rav Eliyahu Solomon who heard it from Rav Moshe Yalis who was the gabbai of Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin.

Rav Yehoshua Leib told his gabbai Rav Moshe that he wants to pay him for his services.  Rav Moshe said he did not want monetary compensation.  Instead his only request is that whenever he asks Rav Yehoshua Leib the reason for something he will answer him.  Rav Yehoshua Leib agreed.

One morning Rav Moshe saw that Rav Yehoshua Leib was particularly happy, and he asked him why.  Rav Yehoshua Leib said since I promised to answer you I am forced to keep my promise.

"I was learning Zohar", said Rav Yehoshua Leib, "and I came across a very difficult sections that I could not understand.  I began to cry.  I then saw my deceased father before me and another man with him.  My father asked me why am I crying?  I told him that I do not understand a passage in the Zohar.  My father turned to the man with him and said that he is Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai and he will tell you the pshat, and he did so."  This, said Rav Yehoshua Leib is the reason why I look so happy.  (Chayei Olam Nota)

Years ago, there was a boy learning in a Talmud Torah whose behavior was wild and undisciplined; not a day passed without another infraction. Eventually the staff of the Talmud Torah was close to expelling him; they were worried about his negative influence on the boys in his class, and on the entire cheder. The melamdim were complaining that they were unable to continue dealing with his behavior, and the principal had also lost his patience.

One day, one of the melamdim entered the shul, which was in the building of the cheder, and to his astonishment, heard strange noise coming from the Aron Kodesh. He opened the doors, and was shocked to find a goat inside. It was obvious who the culprit was. The boy was brought to the principal and he confessed, and the principal decided to finally expel him.

However, the boy refused to leave the building. When they asked him what he wanted to do, he answered, "Bring me to the Rav and Av Beis Din of the city." The staff was aware of how stubborn this boy was, and decided they had no choice but to fulfill his request. They brought him to the Rav, and the boy said to him, "Expelling me from the cheder is not only going to affect me. It will also affect the children that will be born to me in several years when I marry and set up a home. Did you consult with my children before you decided to expel me from the cheder?"

The staff of was shocked into silence. They had never heard such a question from anybody, much less from a young boy, and they actually did not have an answer to his question. In light of this, the Av Beis Din ruled that the boy should remain in cheder.

The above story was retold a few years ago at the engagement of an outstanding Ben Torah. His father, who was a known Talmid Chacham and mechanech, stood up to speak before the crowd, and told this story. He then continued, "I am the grandson of that wild boy who was spared from being expelled at the last minute! Look what came of him! (Aleinu Leshabeach)

The father began to speak and said to Rav Moshe that the gemara says there are 3 partners that help create every child and therefore those three should decide the child's fate. Those three being the father, the mother, and Hashem. "I am the father here is the mother" said the father "and you as the boy's Rosh Yeshiva can act as the representative of Hashem." With that being said the father began to make his argument. "I and the mother both vote for the boy to leave the yeshiva. Therefore even if you vote that he remain you are outvoted 2 against 1 and the boy must leave."

Then with a big smile on his face the father turned to Rav Moshe and asked if he has any objections to his argument. Rav Moshe in his infinite wisdom replied that while that being the case, each one of them, the father, the mother, and Rav Moshe are also the product of three partners. Their two parents and Hashem. Therefore since Rav Moshe's three partners as well as 1/3 of each of the two parents three partners vote that the boy should stay in yeshiva that would make it 5 to 4 in favor of him staying....and stay he did!

In Teves 1923, there was a meeting of the Central Council of the World Agudas Israel in Breslau, Germany. Important rabbanim and community leaders of many countries attended the meeting. Among those present was R' Elchonon Wasserman, a talmid muvhak of the Chofetz Chaim and the Rosh Yeshivah of Baranovich, who was famed for his purity and tzidkus. Crowds of people surrounded the rabbanim, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous Gedolim. R' Elchonon, whose countenance radiated kedusha was particularly sought out by the crowd.

In the course of the conference, a highly secret matter was brought up for discussion. The chairman of the conference, Rabbi Jacob Rosenheim, requested that anyone present who had not been specifically invited to the meeting should leave the room for a short while. Almost everybody complied with the request, but a few remained. The chairman stood up again and announced that he is ready to call in ushers to forcible remove those who were not invited.

Silence reigned in the hall, but no one moved. The chairman repeated his request for a third time. Suddenly, R' Elchonon stood up and quietly began leaving the room. Others followed, and soon only the invited participants remained. R' Elchonon then returned to his seat. Those present at the meeting could not hide their awe of R' Elchonon's humility.

A yeshivah bochur in Bnei Brak was once found with inappropriate reading material. His Roshei Yeshivah wanted to expel him, but before taking this drastic step, they decided to consult with Rav Shach, the Gadol Hador and Rosh Yeshivah of Ponevezh. Rav Shach requested to meet the bachur before he offered his opinion. Rav Shach met with the bachur and realized that the bachur was having doubts in emunah. Rav Shach spoke with him at length, and tried to strengthen his emunah. This meeting took place at the end of the winter zeman. Rav Shach asked the bachur, who lived in Tel Aviv, to meet with him again over the Pesach break.

After Pesach, the boy's Rebbi asked Rav Shach if the boy had actually made the effort to travel to Bnei Brak to see him. Rav Shach said that they boy did not have to come to him because he himself traveled to Tel Aviv twice to see him over the Pesach break.

At the beginning of the new zeman, the bochur returned to yeshivah and reported to his rebbe that his emnuah was now strong and steadfast. He said, "If Klal Yisrael includes a person who is so caring that he traveled twice to Tel Aviv to see me, I have no more questions in emunah."

One day, Rav Ezra Attia, the Great Rosh Yeshivah of Porat Yosef (1885-1970), was giving over his daily shiur in Gemara to a group of talmidei chachamim and balabattim. The shiur that day was on Masectas Chulin, and the discussion was on the mitzvah of shiluach haken -sending the mother bird away before taking her eggs. Rav Ezra quoted the Gemara in Chulin which questions what procedure to use if one finds a nest on the head of a person. One of the participants commented in a scornful voice, "What kind of Gemara is this? Why does the Gemara discuss such an implausible scenario?"

R' Ezra answered firmly, "Whatever is written in the Gemara is kodesh, and we are forbidden to doubt any of it, chalila." The man remained silent, but it was apparent to the others that he was not satisfied and was skeptical of the relevance of this Gemara.

Suddenly, one of the rav's talmidim, who had been absent for an extended time, entered the room. Rav Ezra greeted him warmly, "Sholom Aleichem! Where have you been? We missed you!" The talmid answered, "I was traveling for business reasons. Actually, I was in India - which is quite an interesting country."

Rav Ezra queried, "What's so interesting about it?" The talmid replied, "I saw strange things there that I've never seen anywhere else. Once, I actually saw a man sitting completely still under a tree with his arms folded. He sat in that position for three days, and on the third day, a bird landed on his head and started to construct a nest in his hair."

"He didn't send the bird away?"

"No. He continued sitting in the same position without moving."

Rav Ezra smiled broadly. "That is quite interesting. We can clearly see that the Gemara does not ask about "implausible scenarios" and that ‘Moshe emes v'soraso emes.'"

It was a long week of Shiva for the family of one of the great Tzaddikim of our generation that had just passed away. Although he wasn't young, losing a husband, a father, grandfather is never easy especially when his kind ways and angelic disposition lit up the atmosphere whenever he was present. His exemplary tziddkus provided a shining example for his children, grandchildren, talmidim, and the entire community.  The loss was hard.

During the Shiva many gedolim and ordinary people came by to pay tribute to this great tzaddik. They told of personal stories that no one even knew before. Gedolim tzaddikim b'misasam yoser mi'chayeyhem." Tzaddikim are even greater in their death than in their lifetime. The stories were new, but yet they came as no surprise to all those who understood that in his humbleness he was far greater than he ever revealed.

The Shiva was over and it was time to move on. It was time to face the future; time to follow in his footsteps and fill the great void of his absence. Time for all but his wife, the widowed Rebbetzin. Fearing loneliness at here advanced age, she just couldn't come to terms with the fact that her husband, her friend, her support system, her personal tzaddik was no longer there for her. Her children of course tended to her every need and tried to console her and help her stay focused on the present.

Not only were they not successful but her frame of mind was rapidly deteriorating. One day her son came into the house and found her looking around the house and searching every room calling out for her husband. That day a family meeting was called to discuss this troubling event. All the children decided that they will create a schedule where one of them will always be with their mother until the situation improves. Over the next few weeks each one spent many hours with their mother constantly trying to help her face reality to no avail. Her walking around the house calling for her husband became more and more frequent.

One day when her son came in to take his turn staying with her, he found her in midst of her now regular routine of checking the rooms to see if her husband returned from wherever he had gone. Feeling very frustrated he turned to his mother and said, "Mother, remember how when Tatty was alive his holy spirit made him constantly yearn to be with Hashem?" "Of course" replied his mother. "Tatty was a tzaddik. His whole life was dedicated to serving Hashem and getting as close to him as humanly possible." "Well" said the son "You know that a few weeks ago Tatty was invited by Hashem to come to Shamayim. Now that he is with Hashem do you think he really plans on coming back?"

"You are absolutely right" replied the Rebbetzin as she burst out in tears and started crying on her son's shoulder. Boruch Hashem she lived happy years after that and had much nachas from all her grandchildren and... from the memory of her holy husband.

One day in Yeshivas Kfar Chassidim, the almanah of the late Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Noach Shimanovich, went down to the storage room together with one of the bochurim to bring up some supplies for the kitchen.  While they were in the storage room, they heard suspicious noises.  When Rebbetzin Shimanovich asked the bochur what the source of the scurrying noises were, he told her that the bochurim had spotted mice on several occasions.  Rebbetzin Shimanovich was aghast at this news, and asked the bochurim to find a solution to the problem.  The bochurim located a cat that would hopefully take care of the burgeoning mice population in the yeshivah.

A few weeks late, the Gaon Rav Eliyahu Lopian was walking around the yeshivah building on his daily walk accompanied by a bachur.  They were discussing words of Torah when they suddenly ran into the yeshivah cat.  Rav Eliyahu was surprised – this was the first time he had seen a cat on the yeshivah grounds.   

“Whose cat is this?” inquired Rav Lopian.  The bochur explained that the cat had been brought to the yeshivah to curtail the mice problem.   

Rav Lopian inquired further, “And who feeds her?”

The bochur answered, “What do you mean?  She has plenty of food –she eats the mice.  We don’t need to bring her food.”
Rav Lopian answered, “I don’t understand.  If she does her job well, and scares off the mice, she won’t have anything left to eat!  We surely have to provide her with food.”

Rav Lopian then entered his apartment and brought out a bowl of milk.  He said to the bochur, “When you want one of Hashem’s creations to serve you and work for you, you need to provide it with food.  This is an explicit mitzvah in the Torah, “And I will put grass in your fields for your cattle –and you will eat...”   (Leorum Neilech)

In honor of the Yahrtzeit of Rav Simcha Bunim Alter Lev Simcha MiGur, let me share with you a story I heard last week about the Gerrer Rebbe ZYA. from Harav Yitzchok Zilberstein Shlita.

A family with six growing children lived in a tiny 2-bedroomed apartment and they desperately needed to build an extension. The neighbors were all fully understanding and raised no objection. Only the city council adamantly refused to grant planning permission.

The father went to the Gerrer Rebbe and poured out his heart. Instead of the anticipated bracha, the Rebbe went to the next room and returned with an apple which he gave to the young man.

The man took the apple home, and gathered his family to celebrate the Shirayim he was given. With all his children looking on in anticipation, he carefully cut the precious fruit into eight even slices, so that everyone could have a share. Just at that moment, the government inspector arrived, and was shocked at what he saw. "I never realized what extreme poverty this poor family are enduring - they even have to share a single apple equally!!" He immediately returned to his office and arranged for full permission to be granted.

Thank you to our dear friend in Gateshead for this story!

There was a man in Russia who supported Torah and talmidei chachamim, as well as several yeshivohs.  His name was Rabbi Yitzchak Dinas.  Rav Yitzchak had two daughters who eventually married men who both became gedolim -the Gaon Rav Avraham Yitzchak Bloch, the Rosh Yeshivah of Telz, and his brother, who served as the Rosh Mesivta in Telz.   

How did Rav Yitzchak merit such illustrious son-in-laws?  A story is told about him which illustrated his approach to the chinuch of his daughters. One winter day, the Gaon Rav Elchonon Wasserman of Baranovitch knocked on Rav Yitzchak's door on his quest to collect money for his yeshivah.  However, since his boots were wet and muddy from the melting snow, Rav Elchonon knocked on the back door to avoid tracking mud inside the house. 

However, when Rav Yitzchak saw that R' Elchonon had entered the house through the kitchen, he became agitated and upset.  He said, "You're ruining the chinuch of my daughters!  All the chinuch that I invested in them will be lost in one minute!"   
Rav Elchonon responded in surprise, "What did I do to ruin your daughters' chinuch?"  

R' Yitzchak answered in a pained voice, "For years, I've tried to emphasize to my daughters that all the wealth in the world is not worth anything without Torah. And now a Rosh Yeshivah enters my house and my daughters see exactly the opposite - as if the beauty of the house is worth more than Kavod Hatorah!" 

Rav Yitzchak then insisted that R' Elchonon accompany him to the beautifully furnished living room, and seated him on a fancy chair, which was soon stained with mud from R' Elchonon's boots.  R' Yitzchak then finally felt at ease and gave R' Elchonon a generous contribution.   (Mishel HaAvos) 

"I'll give you an eitzah" said the Rav. "Send the money to Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, the Rav of Yerushalayim. He's a great tzaddik, and Hashem will surely listen to his tefillah and you'll merit zera shel kayama."

The woman agreed to the Rav's suggestion, and she sent the money to the Rav of Yerushalayim. A few weeks passed and the husband of the woman came to the Rav, and complained bitterly to him, "Why did you send the money without my knowledge?! I demand that you send a letter immediately to the Rav of Yerushalayim requesting that he return the money."

The Rav was very upset by the husband's demand and said, "I'll give you the whole amount from my pocket, as long as you don't demand the money back from the Rav of Yerushalayim."

While they were still discussing the details of getting the money back, the postman arrived with an envelope for the Rav. The Rav opened the envelope and was astounded to find a letter in it from the Rav of Yerushalayim accompanied by the full amount of money the man's wife had sent to him.

The Rav had written, "I received the letter with the money enclosed. However, since the Rav wrote that the woman gave him the money, I suspected that she might have done this without the permission of her husband. Because of this, I am sending back the money, and I request from the Rav that he return the money to the woman as quickly as possible. It should be understood that I didn't refrain from the fulfilling the woman's request because of this. I davened fervently for her, and may my tefillohs be accepted before Avinu Beshamayim."

(Ukarasa Leshabos Oneg)

Rebbi Akiva Eiger was renowned for his modesty.  His totally unassuming character is the subject of many stories.  One time Rebbi Akiva Eiger And Rebbi Yaakov MiLissa, the author of the Chavas Da'as and Nesivos HaMishpat, traveled together to Warsaw for a gathering of Rabbonim.  Eagerly awaiting the arrival of these two great gedolim whom they had never seen, the people of Warsaw waited for them at the outskirts of the city. 

When they arrived, the horses were immediately unhitched from the wagon so that the people could have the honor of pulling the chariot of these twogedolim by hand.  Upon seeing this, Rebbi Akiva Eiger jumped out of the wagon and joined the crowd pulling assuming that this great honor was done for the great Rav of Lissa.  Unbeknownst to him the Chavas Da'as assumed that this great honor was for Rebbi Akiva Eiger and had jumped out of the wagon from his side.

Rav Avigdor Miller was known for his emphasis on appreciating the wonder and beauty of nature and the vast wisdom of the world that Hashem created among a multitude of other qualities from which we can learn so much. This classic story epitomizes his constant focus on appreciation for Hashem.

Once, a grandchild visited Rav Miller at home and was puzzled to see his grandfather with his face in the sink. After a few minutes, Rav Miller stood up, and breathed deeply. "The air is so wonderful," he said.

His grandchild said, "Why was your face in the water for so long that you couldn't even breathe properly?" Rav Miller said, "On my way home, someone started talking to me and commented that lately, the air has been polluted. I didn't want my appreciation of Hashem's air to lessen, so I decided to deepen my appreciation of air. After depriving myself of air for just a short while, I now am even more thankful to Hashem for providing us with such wonderful air. (Rabbi Shmuel Brog)