Popular Shows by Thank You Hashem

1

Learning to Lead

Mar 14, 2026

56:35

In this episode, we sat down with Sara Rivkah Kohn, founder of Links Family Services, to talk about real leadership. She was just a girl in a tiny elementary school class of nine where everyone ended up with multiple jobs. Yearbook, G.O., choir, whatever needed doing. And it turns out those early experiences of figuring things out, making mistakes, and learning from people further along shaped everything that came after. We talk about the tension of being confident enough to lead while staying humble enough to listen. About choosing between two good things when you can't do both. About why she refuses to write "go-to guides" for grief because every person needs something different. And how studying Navi as an adult completely changed her understanding of what it actually means to protect the people you're responsible for. This conversation is about growth, hard choices, and becoming the kind of leader you'd actually want to follow. Not because you have it all figured out, but because you're willing to keep learning.

2

Nikanors Amazing Doors

Aug 3, 2025

5:52

One man’s sacrifice to bring honor to the Bais Hamikdash and the amazing miraculous doors that endured the test of time!Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

3

The Old Man is Snoring

Aug 3, 2025

3:34

The extent one must honor his parents and the extent of the reward for this amazing mitzvah!Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

4

The Queens lost Treasure

Aug 3, 2025

3:24

The wonderful story of a lost gem and the real reward for doing what’s right !Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

5

The Day the Sun stood Still

Aug 3, 2025

5:40

Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

6

Secret Tunnels

Aug 3, 2025

4:31

The Kings secret visits to the Great Rebbe Yehuda Hansi, and the friendship that helped shape history. Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

7

You'll Never Regret Being Kind

Mar 4, 2026

59:49

In this powerful episode, we sit down with singer and songwriter Shaindy Plotzker for a conversation that goes way beyond music. Shaindy shares about the home she grew up in, the values that shaped her, and the message she’s passionate about spreading: you will never regret being kind. From school social dynamics, to what it really means to give, to unforgettable moments she’s experienced in hospitals and community events, this episode is packed with inspiration, real stories, and practical takeaways for anyone trying to live with more purpose.

8

Frozen with Hillel Hazaken

Sep 2, 2024

3:15

The amazing story of how Hillel risked his life to catch some precious words of Torah. Teaching us that when we really want something, nothing can stand in our Way!! This story can be found in Talmud Bavli, Yuma 35b. Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world-famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine Graphics by Flash of Design, and Tzivya Kravitz

9

Tzedaka Saves Lives with Rebbi Akiva

Aug 19, 2024

2:59

Talmud Bavli, Shabbos 156b This dramatic story of Reb Akiva’s daughter escaping certain death because she showed kindness and gave charity to the needy teaches us the wonderful lesson of how we should treat each and every Jew in need. Tzedaka Tatzil Mimaves - doing kindness could save your life! Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine Graphics by Flash of Design, and Tzivya Kravitz

10

Keep Calm and Carry On with Hillel Hazaken

Aug 26, 2024

5:02

Talmud Bavli, ⁠Shabbos 30b We all have times that our patience is tested and times we lose our cool. Come along on this amazing story of how Hillel remained calm despite the efforts of a man trying to make him angry, as we learn the great lesson that losing a fortune of money is better than losing yourself. Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. NEW EPISODES MONDAYS NOON EST Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine Graphics by Flash of Design, and Tzivya Kravitz

11

The Tragic Tale of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza

Aug 13, 2024

5:41

The Tragic Tale of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza Talmud Bavli, Gitten 55b The Talmud recounts this sad story to show us how much is at stake when two people can’t learn to forgive each other. Follow along as we explore the story of Kamtza & Bar Kamtza as the story comes to life with the clear message of bringing the Geula with Ahavas Chinam, simple love for each and every Jew. Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine Graphics by Flash of Design, and Tzivya Kravitz

12

Miracle Dirt with Nachum Ish Gamzu

Aug 5, 2024

7:14

Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. Miracle Dirt with Nachum Ish Gamzu Talmud Bavli, ⁠Taanis 21a CREDITS Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine Graphics by Flash of Design, and TYH Nation

13

You Write Your Own Story

Mar 7, 2026

39:33

Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, acclaimed author, lecturer, and daughter of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, shares a powerful Torah perspective on building authentic self-esteem in a world obsessed with external validation.In this conversation, she reveals why real identity comes not from what we wear or own, but from discovering our unique "spiritual fingerprint"—the singular gift each person brings to the world. She shares the counterintuitive truth that self-worth grows when we shift focus from ourselves to making others' eyes shine.Through personal stories, timeless Torah insights, and the legacy of her mother, this episode is a reminder that your light is not accidental. It is intentional. And the world is waiting for you to use it.

14

The Story of Rebbi Akiva

Aug 3, 2025

5:09

The amazing story of how, through consistency and sacrifice a simple 40yr old shepherd became the great Rebbe Akiva!Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal.Listen on 24Six https://24six.app/app/video/content/1...Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/27rE1Ew...Listen on Amazon Podcast https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/598...Listen on Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...TYH Nation PresentsONCE UPON A DAFwith Mendy Worchhttp://TYHnation.com/DAFCREDITSHosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari SilmanAI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz

15

Camping in the Dark with Rebbi Akiva

Jul 31, 2024

3:32

Talmud Bavli, Berochos 60b Rebbi Nachman teaches us that some people use stories to help them fall asleep, but Yidden know that holy stories actually help us wake up! Join TYH Nation and world famous singer and storyteller, Mendy Worch, on a journey through the stories of the Gemara, meeting some of our greatest sages as they teach us the lessons of our Rabbis. The visual effects will enhance your appreciation of the valuable life lessons contained in the words of Chazal. CREDITS Hosted by Mendy Worch Produced by Ari Silman AI Illustrations and edited by Mendel Katz Music and SFX by Yehudah Pinsker Filmed by Mendel Laine

16

Aryeh Blumstein - Powered by Faith

May 27, 2022

33:36

Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation ------------------------ Laibel's Take on episode 1: In this first episode, I approached the interview with equal parts excitement and trepidation. Any time you embark on a new endeavor, you rely on your emunah and raise your eyes heavenward saying “Thank You Hashem” for this opportunity. How much more so when you set out to be a vessel for spreading emunah among our community of Baalei Batim. Speaking with Aryeh was eye-opening in that his emunah and connection to HKB”H shone through not only during those portions where we were discussing emunah, but even while conversing about the daily work grind. The lens through which he sees Hashem’s involvement in his work is inspiring and carries relevant lessons for all of us. Enjoy! ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emunah-at-work/id1626505346 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4n9e549k8I1akXJVH4czY8?si=76f55f66827e411c Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team for making this project happen!

17

Raphael Mandelbaum - Greater than just business

Jun 17, 2022

22:58

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Raphael Mandelbaum www.LanTreebuild.com Laibel's Take on episode 2: This episode went in a direction that is quite different from what one would expect of an individual in the high-stress world of real estate development. Raphael’s approach transcends beyond the understanding that Hashem has a plan, even when things seem bleak. Instead, he sees our task of living with emunah as an elevated mindset that applies to all we do. Raphael’s message, seeped in the timeless lessons of Chasidus and machshava, is that we are to take life as a whole, both the holy and the mundane, as part of a greater mission to live in a world where mind matters over matter. It wouldn’t make sense, according to our guest, that all the waking hours we dedicate to work and the material world should not be part of our spiritual journey. Emunah at work is part of emunah and kvod Hashem everywhere. ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://l.tyhnation.com/3b2jBxH Listen on Spotify: https://l.tyhnation.com/3Qsjvja ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team for making this project happen!

18

What’s the Avodah of the Iran war?

Jun 23, 2025

50:14

Episode 6: What’s the Avodah of the Iran War?In this timely and thought-provoking episode of “Tachlis, What’s My Avodah”, we hear from Reb Yussie Zakutinsky as he addresses the unfolding situation with Iran and the growing concerns about war.As the headlines grow more intense, many of us are left wondering what we, living far from the front lines, are supposed to do. Are we just spectators? Is watching and worrying all that’s expected from us?Reb Yussie gives clarity, perspective, and direction, helping us navigate this heavy time with purpose.We discuss:•⁠ ⁠What is the inner avodah during a time of war?•⁠ ⁠Is there something specific that Jews in America are meant to be doing?•⁠ ⁠How do we channel our concern into action that actually helps?We hope this episode brings guidance, grounding, and a sense of responsibility to all who listen.Tachlis, What's My Avoda? Harav Yussie Zakutinsky Shlita | R' Yakov Wohlgelernter

19

Having faith in Hashem

Nov 19, 2022

3:44

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- Gut Voch everybody, I’ll tell you a mayseh. One of the Baal Hatanya’s sons, Reb DovBer (who later became the Mitteler Rebbe) was known as not just a genius but a huge eved Hashem. Someone who davened with intense dveykus. The mayseh goes when the future Mitteler Rebbe was young, when he was married he went to his in-laws in a different town for a shabbos. He noticed at shul when he was davening there was a particular yid wasn’t davening with as much kavannah and hislahavus that this jew could have. The Rebbe saw it as part of his avodah to help other yidden so he went over and told this yid we can all work on our tefillah and you too. This yid said I know, I need to work on it and maybe I'll get to the point where I'm doing as good as I can do and maybe even as good as you. Let me tell you why we are different. My parents are simple people. When my parents were having a kid Hashem saw that my parents were trying, simple yidden. So Hashem gave simple parents a simple child. I’m a simple neshama. Not only am I simple, I was raised in a home that was g-d feeling. I went to yeshiva but when I was 14-15 years old I had to go help my father make a parnassah. The years went on, I daven 3 times a day, go to the mikvah I learn whenever I can but that’s as far as my education goes. When it was time to have my own parnassah, my mazal was that I work in the shuk, I sell merchandise. So what do you think I do in my store all day? I’m talking to people and hondling all day, constantly. The truth is, most of my clients are non-jewish farmers. I sell farming equipment and most of the clients are non-jews. When they come and they hondle enough they’re finally ready to pay but they don’t have the money on the. So I have to keep track, write down they’re name and address and it’s a whole process to get the money. These are farmers, they work very early in the morning so I have to get there very early, before sunrise to get to their house. Then when I get there they see me and they know I’m here to collect money so they try to push it off, have me sit down, meet their family and then maybe I’ll get their money. That’s my life. When I come home, I’m already tired and I shlep myself to mincha and Maariv. I will try to open a sefer a mishna. Is my kavannah perfect? No. But it’s the best I can do this is the pekelach I was dealt with. And now he says, let’s turn to you. What about you? Your parents, your father, your mother are the tzadikim of the generation and have big big neshamos. What kind of neshmos did Hashem give them? A big neshama, so you have one too. Now that you have a big neshama, you were raised in the house of the Baal Hatanya. Raised in the house of Tzadikim, to people who are devoting their lives to Avodas Hashem. You don’t have to do anything but sit and learn and devote yourself to avodas Hashem. You have to appreciate where you come from and where I come from. That was the end of the conversation. The Rebbe never ever had a conversation like that. No one ever spoke to him like that. He was mamash shaken up. At the end of the day this yid’s right. What is my entire Avodah’s worth? Everything that I’m committing all my Avodas Hashem maybe is nothing compared to them. It’s true that my davening is greater than his, but based on the background that I have he’s right. He laid out the situation very well. Who knows what my avodah’s worth, maybe it’s worth much less than this yid. He was mamash shaken up to the core like this. He decided after Shabbos was over he’ll go back home to his father, he’s going into yechidus by the Baal Hatanya to work this out. As a side note, by these tzadikim obviously the Baal Hatanya was his father, but he was also his Rebbe. It’s a funny,...

20

Bracha Jaffe - Connection to G-d, Childhood dreams and the Art of Juggling

Feb 12, 2024

34:13

About the Guest: Bracha Jaffe has attracted massive audiences across the world, bringing high end, professional Kosher entertainment to multitudes of Jewish women. Bracha recently sold out performances in London, New Jersey, Miami and Jerusalem where audiences were enraptured by her passionate singing accompanied by the all-female, exclusive all star Zahav band. Bracha is renown for connecting all Jewish sisters through her uplifting music. Being part of her audience is getting swept up into the magic and beauty that is Bracha Jaffe and Zahav. To Listen to Brachas Music, tickets to shows and find out more: https://linktr.ee/brachajaffe About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music.

21

Hashem has many messengers

Dec 13, 2025

7:49

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

22

Mendy Hershkowitz - Living with balance

Apr 8, 2024

1:17:54

About the Guest: According to his website, Mendy Hershkowitz hates bios! That’s understandable because as an arranger, band leader, producer, and music business mogul, it’s difficult to capture all that Mendy is and does. If you are in the loop with Jewish music, you have likely heard Mendy’s productions on popular Jewish albums, or seen him perform with the Mendy Hershkowitz Band onstage. Mendy has learned how to not only tap into the artistic side of music but also the business element. He runs “Sonic Duo,” a music studio equipped with a recording/ production/post-production facility. In addition to this, he has founded websites to make Jewish music and sheet music accessible to everyone. About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music. Chapters: 00:00 who is Mendy Hershkowitz 01:14 Early exposure to music 04:18 Growth in the Monroe community 05:05 rules and restrictions 07:34 “aha moment” listening to a Mona production 11:06 getting starstruck 13:51 Maintaining balance in life 15:35 Music as a career and as a passion 17:17 supportive partners 18:16 Spending time with your children 25:47 importance of melody 28:38 studying music in Monroe 36:06 Who is Marty Laskin 40:03 Importance of learning music with a professional teacher 42:06 Do I need to know sheet music? 45:57 Music is a language 47:57 Being a music innovator vs an imitator 49:36 creating Freilach band 57:09 Respecting who came before you and who will come after 58:01 Sitting in the back of the stage 1:00:54 leaving Freilach band 1:03:19 Moving the keyboard to the front of the stage (metaphorically) 1:04:34 What is Jewish Music? 1:07:54 Who is your clientele 1:09:30 juggling everything 1:13:40 What advice would you give to aspiring musicians? 1:14:58 What is coming up for Mendy Hershkowitz

23

Hearing Your Story

Jan 12, 2022

10:34

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------ A gut voch everybody, a gut voch, there’s a very holy minhag by many yidden on motzei Shabbos, when Shabbos ends jews sit down for melave malka, they gather together and say stories of tzadikim. It’s a very beautiful and holy minhag, so that’s what we’re gonna do, we’ll get together virtually and say stories of tzaddikim. So for tonight I wanted to share with you a thought. What’s the significance of saying stories of tzadikim? Why is it so powerful, and what exactly is the avodah? What’s the mindset that a person should be in when you relate a story and hear a story? So to explain that, I’m going to tell you a maaseh I’ll tell you a story that explains that a little bit. The story goes like this, when the baal Shem Tov was on his deathbed, so he gathered together a number of his great students and he told each one what their shlichus, what their mission is going to be for the rest of their lives in terms of spreading the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings. For example one student he said your mission is going to be to teach my Torah to as many people as possible. To one student the Baal Shem Tov said you’re avodah is going to do kindness to other jews in my name as much as possible, and so on and so forth. To one particular jew the Baal Shem Tov said, your Avodah, your job is to say stories about me for the rest of your life. Whenever you have the opportunity to say a maaseh about me the Baal Shem, you say the maaseh. This particular Chassid, who was the storyteller of the baal Shem Tov, not only was that his spiritual mission, that was also his parnassah. He would go around from place to place, people would hire him for you know parties, shabbatons, to be the story-teller, to be the entertainment to say maasim. So there was one particular story, one event where he got a letter in the mail from a particularly wealthy elderly man, this person was having a 90th birthday, he was gathering his whole family and so on, he wanted to make a whole thing of it, so in this letter he invites this storyteller to come for the weekend, to regale everyone with maasim of the baal shem, it’ll be a very nice birthday week. So fine, 100% that’s what the story-teller does. So he travels already Thursday afternoon Thursday evening to where the weekend is going to be, and he comes off the wagon and the birthday boy comes with his whole family to go greet him everyone’s excited, they have a whole tish setup, a whole party set up and the entertainment is going to begin, he’s going to say a maaseh. The storyteller comes and everyone is looking at him, everyone’s watching for the first story of the weekend, and he says let me tell you a maaseh and he completely goes blank. This is someone you have to appreciate it, he spent years and years amassing hundreds and hundreds of stories and he knew them off by heart, this was his life, and all of a sudden he’s there and he can’t think of one story. It’s a little embarrassing, the family says listen you just traveled today, it’s been a long journey, you’re a little tired, rest up, tomorrow we’ll pick up. So he goes to bed, he wakes up the next day all refreshed and he has a whole bunch of stories he’s gonna say....

24

What's the avoda of falling off a scooter?

Aug 4, 2022

48:37

TYH Nation Presents Tachlis, What's My Avoda? with HaRav Yussie Zakutinsky Shlita & Yakov Wohlgelernter Episode 1: What's the avoda of falling off a scooter? Listen in as Reb Yussie explores how we are meant to think when bad things happen. Even if we can get over the first hurdle and we know that it happened from Hashem, now we have to process what does it mean for me? Is it a punishment? A message? What is it? The first of our free flowing conversations also got into superstition, and why it is a prohibition in the Torah. As the conversation progresses, Reb Yussie shares an incredible insight about one minute divrei chizzuk style ideas and explains two different approaches to connecting to ones Rebbi, The Tzaddik, a teacher, or a mentor. ---------- HaRav Rabbi Yussie Zakutinsky Shlita is the Rav of Khal Mevakshei Hashem, in Lawrence NY and a major Mashpia on the lives of all who know him and learn from him. He always encourages his talmidim to recognize the deeper and hidden element of life. He teaches that all of our experiences are lessons in Avodas Hashem, and that even in the regular everyday moments, we have to constantly be asking what’s my avoda? What does HASHEM require from me? Listen in as Yakov Wohlgelernter and Reb Yussie explore various areas of life through this perspective. Each episode will examine different aspects of everyday life and help us uncover the meaning and beauty within them. Farbrengable Studios

25

Shmili Barmi Indig - Don’t just believe; manifest.

Jul 9, 2022

17:38

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Shmili Barmi Indig Laibel's take on episode 3 Sitting with Shmili was not only an illuminating experience but also personally inspiring and motivating. You may have noticed that I was asking some pointed questions and not just carrying the conversation, and that was because I was asking our guest the questions that were actually on my mind after a challenging week. Shmili has taken emunah from a place of believing — even trusting — that it’ll be good, and elevated it to a state of conviction where what he needs and wishes for is already here. This thinking, according to various teachings, brings about the required shefa that is inherent to our world, or as the famous adage goes: “Tracht gut vet zeyn gut.” In sales we have a term, ‘Assume the sale.’ We are most successful when we already envision the end-goal and consider it real in the here and now. Shmili has brought this understanding to the world of emunah — and it has had a remarkable impact. ------------------------ Ohr shlomo chassidic center [email protected] https://g.co/kgs/bVNWYx ------------------------ ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: Listen on Spotify: ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team for making this project happen!

26

Working on our Tefila

Nov 5, 2022

7:38

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- Gut Voch everybody, I’ll tell you a mayseh. One of the Baal Hatanya’s sons, Reb DovBer (who later became the Mitteler Rebbe) was known as not just a genius but a huge eved Hashem. Someone who davened with intense dveykus. The mayseh goes when the future Mitteler Rebbe was young, when he was married he went to his in-laws in a different town for a shabbos. He noticed at shul when he was davening there was a particular yid wasn’t davening with as much kavannah and hislahavus that this jew could have. The Rebbe saw it as part of his avodah to help other yidden so he went over and told this yid we can all work on our tefillah and you too. This yid said I know, I need to work on it and maybe I'll get to the point where I'm doing as good as I can do and maybe even as good as you. Let me tell you why we are different. My parents are simple people. When my parents were having a kid Hashem saw that my parents were trying, simple yidden. So Hashem gave simple parents a simple child. I’m a simple neshama. Not only am I simple, I was raised in a home that was g-d feeling. I went to yeshiva but when I was 14-15 years old I had to go help my father make a parnassah. The years went on, I daven 3 times a day, go to the mikvah I learn whenever I can but that’s as far as my education goes. When it was time to have my own parnassah, my mazal was that I work in the shuk, I sell merchandise. So what do you think I do in my store all day? I’m talking to people and hondling all day, constantly. The truth is, most of my clients are non-jewish farmers. I sell farming equipment and most of the clients are non-jews. When they come and they hondle enough they’re finally ready to pay but they don’t have the money on the. So I have to keep track, write down they’re name and address and it’s a whole process to get the money. These are farmers, they work very early in the morning so I have to get there very early, before sunrise to get to their house. Then when I get there they see me and they know I’m here to collect money so they try to push it off, have me sit down, meet their family and then maybe I’ll get their money. That’s my life. When I come home, I’m already tired and I shlep myself to mincha and Maariv. I will try to open a sefer a mishna. Is my kavannah perfect? No. But it’s the best I can do this is the pekelach I was dealt with. And now he says, let’s turn to you. What about you? Your parents, your father, your mother are the tzadikim of the generation and have big big neshamos. What kind of neshmos did Hashem give them? A big neshama, so you have one too. Now that you have a big neshama, you were raised in the house of the Baal Hatanya. Raised in the house of Tzadikim, to people who are devoting their lives to Avodas Hashem. You don’t have to do anything but sit and learn and devote yourself to avodas Hashem. You have to appreciate where you come from and where I come from. That was the end of the conversation. The Rebbe never ever had a conversation like that. No one ever spoke to him like that. He was mamash shaken up. At the end of the day this yid’s right. What is my entire Avodah’s worth? Everything that I’m committing all my Avodas Hashem maybe is nothing compared to them. It’s true that my davening is greater than his, but based on the background that I have he’s right. He laid out the situation very well. Who knows what my avodah’s worth, maybe it’s worth much less than this yid. He was mamash shaken up to the core like this. He decided after Shabbos was over he’ll go back home to his father, he’s going into yechidus by the Baal Hatanya to work this out. As a side note, by these tzadikim obviously the Baal Hatanya was his father, but he was also his Rebbe. It’s a funny,...

27

Express Emunah in your own way

Feb 12, 2023

4:22

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Watch on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa0-NXTiGxS 1Ygf8 Vpvz seEDpU1dF4 Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

28

Eli Schwebel - Thank You for the Music

Aug 11, 2024

1:13:52

About the Guest: Eli Schwebel is a Brooklyn-based recording artist and producer with deep roots in Jewish music. He played a key role in revitalizing Jewish Acappella and introduced a pop-rock sound that redefined traditional Jewish music. His solo album, Hearts Mind, is considered groundbreaking in the genre. Eli has performed at prestigious venues like Avery Fisher Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Jerusalem Theater, and recently had sold-out shows at Joe's Pub and David Geffen Hall. He has shared the stage with prominent artists such as Mordechai Ben David, Matisyahu, and Avraham Fried, and has performed with D'veykus and The Rabbi's Sons. Coming from a rich musical lineage, Eli is the son of renowned tenor Rivie Schwebel and the grandson of celebrated Chazan Aaron Schwebel and mezzo-soprano Florence Wassner. About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music. Follow WIJM on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/whatisjewishmusic?utm source=ig web button share sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Eli Schwebel on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elischwebel?utm source=ig web button share sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Eli Schwebel - Original Music https://www.elischwebel.com/music

29

Alex Claire - Authentic Expression in Jewish Music

Aug 13, 2024

40:08

About the Guest: Alex Clare, a British singer-songwriter, first gained widespread recognition with his breakout single "Too Close" in 2011. Born and raised in Southwark London, Clare's musical journey was shaped by the iconic music scene flourishing around him. After parting ways with his record label and embracing Judaism, Clare moved to Israel to Study in Yeshiva. This marked a profound evolution in his life and artistry, as he began infusing his songs with themes of faith, identity, and heritage. Alex is currently working on releasing his first Jewish album with 'Thank You Hashem' and Mendy Portnoy. He aims to infuse a sense of authenticity into the world of Jewish music. About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music. Chapters: 00:00 growing up 01:23 early music influences 02:14 starting to play music 03:08 what is a publishing deal? 07:24 strong London music scene 11:45 becoming religious 13:14 first interaction with Jewish music 15:12 listening to MBD 15:57 authenticity 19:15 Jewish music has gotten better 22:00 group writing sessions 23:32 living in Israel 24:31 what is Jewish music? 31:50 what will the music sound like in the beis hamikdosh? 33:50 what's coming up for Alex Clare 34:22 live music session

30

Who is this person

Nov 22, 2025

5:44

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

31

General of the Polish Army

Aug 16, 2025

10:19

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

32

Pockets full of Faith

Jan 29, 2022

3:13

A Gut Voch everybody. There’s a story that the Mezrithcer Maggid, Rav Dov Ber of Mezritch who took over Chassidus after the Baal Shemn Tov passed away said the following Maiseh. He was by the Baal Shem, it was mamash right after havdalah, there’s a knock on the door and it’s an old woman collecting money for tzedakah. Everyone is still wearing their Shabbos clothes and the Baal Shem Tov turns to his Chassidim and says this lady needs x amount of money. Everyone reach into your pockets, pull out whatever you have and we’ll pool it together to see what we have. Everyone reached in and miraculously everyone had some money. When they counted it up it was exactly what this lady needed. This was the story the Mezritcher Maggid told the chassidim. Now the Mezeritcher Maggid turned to the chassidim and asked What’s the Moifes, the miracle of this story? What’s the great lesson to learn from this story. One person said well, we see that the miracle was that they had money in their pockets even though it was just Shabbos. Another chassid said even more than that, not only did they have the money but it was exactly the amount this lady needed. The Mezritcher Maggid said it’s true these are miracles but there are countless stories of the Baal Shem that are miraculous like that. The chassidim told the Maggid, Rebbe, now you tell us what you think the amazing part of the story is. The Mezritcher Maggid said I think it’s when the Baal Shem said to reach in your pockets to see how much money you have, without doubting at all they put their hands in. Even though they knew they doidn’t have their wallets on them it was just shabbos. Their Emunah in the tzaddik was so strong that without batting an eye they put their hands in. Of course miraculously there was money there but that’s not a chiddush. The chiddush is the faith of the students. That’s what we have to learn from these stories, not just about how amazing the tzadikim are but to have faith in them. To believe in the teachings of tzadikim and their lessons. Emunas Chachomim is of vital importance for ourselves, for our generation, for our children. Hashem should bless us that this week should be filled with EMunah, emunah in Hashem, Emunah in ourselves, Emunas Chachomim, Emunah in ourselves, Emunah in Torah and in Yiddishekeit. We should be zocheh to have a Gitteh Vuch, a Lichtig Voch and a blessed Voch.

33

Aaron Gordon - Emunah as a Tool for Growth

Jul 30, 2022

16:55

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Aaron Gordon ------------------------ Laibel's Take on episode 4: Being a Yid is about responsibilities. Responsibilities towards Hashem. Responsibilities towards a fellow Yid. And responsibilities towards our children, including the heavy burden of instilling emunah into their hearts — like our parents did to us. All our experiences help sharpen this emunah and bring it into brighter focus so that it can be passed forward to the next generation. Adam HaRishon was told that “by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread.” While this may exclusively seem like a curse, our conversation with Aaron helped me realize that it carries with it a tremendous blessing. We all embrace perceptions in our youth of what our emunah and relationship with HKB”H is supposed to look like. But as we face new challenges and go through our personal and professional journeys, we gain clarity and find our own path, one that can then be imbued in those who come after us. ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify: https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp Listen to more episodes https://tyhnation.com/pages/emunah-at-work ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team for making this project happen!

34

Jeff Weinberg - Faith & Work

Nov 21, 2022

17:08

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Work & Faith Jeff Weinberg "As I was working, and as I was trying my best, if I would not be successful in a deal… I would get upset. I would come home, take it with me…. And I heard my Rabbi speak: This isn't how we're supposed to act if we're Orthodox Jews!" Work. Life. Work-life. Work-life-family and work-life-family-balance. Not once is Hashem mentioned here. But of course He's in the picture! But do we let him into our day to day lives? Do we really, seriously, live with the belief that Hashem controls the world, down to every great success, to failed business deal? Is our perception of the world shaped from our narrow focus—our personal understanding of the "ways of the world," really, like most humans, or is it shaped by true Ahavas Hashem and Yiras Shomayim? In this week's episode, we explore one extraordinary man's quest to find out for himself. And later on—his insights illuminating the lives of countless others as well. Enjoy this special episode. In this week's episode, we sit down and host one our most unusual guests on this platform. Ever since the inception of this series, we've been inundated with requests to talk to Jeff, a man who lives with the core values of Emunah at Work, and inspires others every day. Who is Jeff? Jeff is the author of Faith at Work, a book infused with spirituality in work, inspired by his own journey as a mortgage broker. But where does his story begin? Straight from a businessman and entrepreneur, Jeff's quest for truth and discovery, compiling the teachings of Torah giants such as Rav Moshe Weinberger, and lending his own insights and personal experiences, struck a chord around the hearts of Klal Yisroel, and resonates and inspires Yidden around the world. In today's episode, we get an inside look into Jeff's background, what spurred him on, as well as other topics, including the Rabbanim's understanding of the workplace (preview: "When you read his divrei Torah, it's like he's at the office every day!") Powerful vignettes strike a chord with Jews everywhere. We hope you enjoy this powerful episode—and may it guide your future, too. "A Jew's gloom should not go up and down with the stock market!" — Jeff Weinberg. Faith at work by Jeff can be purchased at Mosaica Press https://mosaicapress.com/product/faith-at-work/ ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://l.tyhnation.com/3N2Npby Listen on Spotify: https://l.tyhnation.com/3O1wQg8 Listen to more episodes https://tyhnation.com/pages/emunah-at-work ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team, for making this project happen! MB014ILZVJSDFEQ

35

Moshe Shindler - When do we really live

Oct 26, 2022

18:55

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Moshe Shindler ------------------------ He was in yeshiva, about to join the workforce: "I had friends going into real estate, I had friends going into nursing homes, and these guys… they would make in 15 minutes what I would make schlepping tripods for a year! But I said: it makes no difference. It has nothing do with the industry. Do what you love, and the rest is up to the Ribono Shel Olam." The world at large values "hustle culture," emphasizing that long, hard work with extreme sacrifice sees ultimate results. But does Yiddishkeit agree with this concept? Do we pick up that phone call when we're with our family? Today, Moshe takes us through his own journey, that elusive balance between work-related affairs and ruchnius, and together, we'll find the answer to these questions. In this week's episode, we sat down with Moshe Schindler, Director of Productions at Mint Media, and dive into questions that many find perplexing, and a hard-won balance. What is bitachon and hishtadlus? Where do they intersect and how much of both do we need? Is there ever too much hishtadlus, and how do we manage to stay fully present, without the lure of work in the background? Inside, Moshe tells over a fantastic comparison, and shares with us why he feels so blessed with success. But there never is an end, and even when we achieve our dreams, there needs to be a balance. "By nature, we can't stay still. Because if we do, we'll go backwards," Moshe says. The hard part is the balancing act. This masterful episode will take you through Moshe's own life-transforming techniques, and perhaps, take you on a journey of self-discovery, too. As Laibel says, "space allows us to stop, and see where we're going" "This is when I live! Everything else will dance around it." —Moshe Schindler ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://l.tyhnation.com/3N2Npby Listen on Spotify: https://l.tyhnation.com/3O1wQg8 Listen to more episodes https://tyhnation.com/pages/emunah-at-work ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team, for making this project happen!

36

Saved by the Challah

Mar 11, 2023

6:39

Gut voch everybody, I’ll tell you a mayseh. One of the great tzadikim, was Reb Yitzchak Vorker. He was known for his Ahavas Yisroel, he was known for his overflowing kind heart. It was once an erev shabbos, he was getting ready with his rebbetzin. There was a knock on the door, and it’s a beggar. It’s not a jewish poor person, it’s a non jew who’s begging. Usually when a poor person comes they ask for money, or don’t ask for anything specific. But this beggar asked for something specific, he said that he wants some challah. He said he was hungry and he knew it was before shabbos and every jewish home has challah so he asks specifically for challah. The Rebbetzin is thinking to herself, if it was a jewish beggar it wouldn’t be a question but for a non-jew it’s different. She goes to check what she has and she sees that all she has is the 2 challahs for lechem mishna for them. They were going to have the tish so they only needed 2 challahs at home for 1 meal Friday night. The halacha is even if the Rebbetzin decided to cut a piece the halacha is you need 2 whole loaves in order to fulfill the mitzvah of Lechem Mishna. She says listen, I apologize we don’t have any challahs here and she’ll give some money instead. Reb Yitzchak of Vorke is in the other room and he hears what’s happening he comes over to the rebbetzin and says it’s okay we’ll cut a piece and give him half the challah it’s not going to bleed, no blood will come from it. Okay that’s what the Rebbe said that’s what the Rebbetzin did and that’s it, that was this part of the story. Months go by, years go by and one day Reb Yitzchak Vorke was traveling with a small group of chassidim. In those days, especially in that part of the world, traveling was extremely dangerous and you’d have gangsters going after people and ransoming them to their communities for money. So this is what happened, Reb Yitzchak Vorke is traveling and they’re attacked by a group of bandits. They’re all tied up and brought to the leader of the gand to then be sold for ransom from the Jewish community. They knew the yidden would pay so much money for any yid, especially someone who looks like a rabbinic figure. Once the head gangster is standing there and sees the Rebbe he immediately says let them go. What happened? Reb Yitzchak of Vorke notices this head gangster and after looking at him for a second he realizes he was that poor beggar that years ago came and asked for challah. Eventually he became the head of this gang, when he saw the rebbe, he said this jew saved my life when I needed saving so we’re going to let him go as well. Reb Yitzchak Vorker and the chassidim go on their way and by the time they get home the Rebbe tells his rebbetzin what happened. He says to his rebbetzin, remember years ago there was a situation where a non-jew came on erev shabbos with a funny request and I said cut the challah no blood will come from it. Even when I said that I meant it as a joke, I didn't even know what it meant. It turns out that what I said was true, because we cut the challah and gave it to that poor person, no blood, no damage, no danger is going to come because of that particular mayseh. There’s so many things we can take from that, just the kindness not just to a poor yid, but to a poor goy. To the extent that he sacrificed his lechem mishna for that. We see that the Ribbono shel olam always plants seeds. You never know what yeshua you need years later. The ribono shel olam gives us a mitzvah right now, and we don’t see the immediate schar or how it might change our lives. We have emunah, we plant seeds, we plant chesed then yeshuos come. It might be years later, we might realize it or not but every single act of chesed is planting a seed that produces peros of a...

37

Focusing on the individual

Mar 19, 2023

6:39

Gut voch everybody. I’ll tell you a mayseh, the Frierdike Lubavitcher Rebbe, Reb Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, we know that he was moser nefesh. Literally put his life in danger constantly to spread yiddishkeit under the weight of the soviet union. To the point that it only was he always being watched by the soviets and the communists, but he was imprisoned, he was put on death row, his life was literally in danger for weeks until eventually his sentence became lessen and eventually he was just exiled and kicked out of the soviet Union and came to America. We can only imagine, someone who was imprisoned, what their mind would be focusing on. That’s the difference between us and tzadikim. It was well known that the Rebbe Rayatz’s house was being watched and monitored by the communists. Whenever a jew were to go visit the Frierdiker Rebbe it was putting their own life in danger as well, even just to associate with the Rebbe. This was a story that happened the night before the Frierdiker Rebbe was arrested, his life was in the balance for mamash a month. The night before a yid comes, knocks on the Rebbe's door. He says Rebb, my problem is that Boruch Hashg=em my wife just gave birth to twins. But I need a bracha, it was a difficult pregnancy, a difficult labor she needs a refuah. The twins are healthy but they’re not nursing properly, they have some problems with the Doctors. Okay, for this yid to even come knock on the door, it’s clear that it’s a severe situation. The Rebbe gave a bracha, took down the names okay. The next day the communists break into his house, he’s arrested for a month and his sentence is reduced from death to exile and eventually he leaves. Once he’s on his way out, he stops by the house to gather his belongings to leave the country. The first thing he said when he came in the door, and seeing his family after a month he asked how’s the mother and the twins doing? With his own personal life being in danger, all the mosdos, inyanim that were dependent on him as well, what was also on the top of his mind and the first words that come out when he comes home are how are they doing. That’s what a tzadik is, they can somehow think about the individual person even when things are so overwhelming. Hashem should help us. We should be zocheh to connect to tzadikim like that, to become tzadikim like that in our own light. This week should be a mazaldik, simchadig voch, a nachasdik voch filled with Brachos ad bli dai, shefa ad bli dai b’vias goel tzedek, amen.

38

The Way of the Baal Shem

Mar 25, 2023

7:09

A gut voch everybody, so I’ll tell you a mayseh. Back in the earlier years of the movement of chassidus, of the Baal Shem there was a large opposition to it with the misnagdim. Unfortunately it’s a historical fact that families were broken because of it, let’s say you’d have one family member who became a chassid and the rest of the family were misnagdim and families fell apart because of it. The story goes that there was a young man who was attracted to the world of the Baal Shem and became a chassid. At the same time his father in law wasn’t a chassid, wasn’t a misnaged either but was certainly cautious. He was willing to give a proper investigation of the way of the Baal Shem, to see if it’s okay or if drastic measures should be taken for his daughter and the marriage but he wanted to investigate. He figures the way to test the Baal Shem’s way of life, if it’s too extreme or will take his son off the derech so he decided he would go to the Baal Hatanya. The town wasn’t too far from the father in law so he figured he would go there for a shabbos, see what’s going on and make a decision after that Shabbos. So he goes there, it happens to be that shabbos by the Baal Hatanya nothing strange was going on. Regular davening, learning it was very nice. After shabbos was over this guy was very impressed and the result of the investigation was he was more than happy for his son in law to be a chassid. But there was one thing that bothered him, not enough to make a big stink in the family but it was bothering him. He saw that the students of the Baal Hatanya spent a lot of time over Shabos learning Chassidus, learning Pnimiyus hatorah and this bothered him that they were sacrificing learning gemara and halacha. He saw everyone was happy and healthy so he was happy for this son in law but this bothered him. He saw people going to yechidus with the Baal Hatanya so I’ll give shalom on my way out and I’ll raise this issue. So he goes, he says it was beautiful. I'm coming from a different world, but I have one question. Why do you and your chassidim spend so much more time, maybe it’s only shabbos but you spend more time on chassidus than other things? Shouldn't the main learning be Gemara and halacha? The Baal Hatanya appreciated the question. He asked how do you make a parnassah? The man answered I have a business. And how much funds are in the business? He gave a certain number. The baal hatanya responded, how much of that was your funding, and how much was money from other people to start the business and maintain the business? The man said I put all my money into the business then I had to borrow some as well, but now it’s profitable boruch hashem. The Baal Hatanya said but I don’t understand, you're a learned person. The gemara said that the way a person should divide up your money should be a third in real estate, a third in business and a third should be in cash. That’s the way it’s supposed to be split up, why didn’t you follow that model? The man said okay it’s a good question, I’d say that the gemara is suggesting this model probably when the business environment is stable and everything is fine and it’s a matter of how to divide up your funds. But if the business environment is shaky to begin with then a person has no choice but to take big risks. It is risky but what can I tell you, without putting in all my money it never would take off! If everything was mesudar and there was enough money then you can follow the gemara. But sometimes you have to take extreme risks. There can be extreme rewards. The Baal Hatanya said that’s exactly why I tell my chassidim to learn a lot of chassidus. When everything is good, normal and healthy in Emunah the gemara says you split your time evenly and there’ll be time for chassidus. But in a time where

39

Keeping Shabbos to the fullest

May 27, 2023

9:32

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

40

House of Lev on Finding Orthodox Judaism, Conversion, & Building A Family

Aug 13, 2023

46:58

LaDerryl & Danielle Hart, AKA House of Lev, have become social media sensations. With over half a million views on YouTube, they’re going viral simply by giving an intimate look inside their marriage, family, & conversion to Orthodox Judaism. They talk to Nissim about struggles with Christianity, the conversion process, and finding G-d. Check out their YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@houseoflev

41

Shloime Zionce on Traveling, Chassidus & Connecting with Jews Around the World

Sep 3, 2023

33:25

Shloime Zionce, a 29-year-old Hasidic Filmmaker, podcaster, and writer, has racked up over ten million views and over 50,000 subscribers on his popular YouTube channel where he travels the world, including Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Dubai, & much more. He talks to Nissim about traveling, growing up Chassidish, and connecting with Azerbaijani Jews.

42

C Lanzbom - Embracing mistakes, Shlomo Carlebach and The Grammys

Feb 3, 2024

44:21

Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music.

43

Delve into the text 68

Mar 17, 2026

55:18

Faigy Blumstein

44

Chusid- Seeing & Believing

Dec 24, 2024

7:09

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios

45

Inviting Guests

Dec 24, 2024

4:34

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

46

Connection between Rebbe & Chusid

Jan 11, 2025

4:17

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

47

Getting across the lake

May 4, 2025

7:09

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

48

Rabbi Blumstien - Infusing Life with Joy

Aug 18, 2024

33:20

Rabbi Heshy Blumstein is a dedicated educator and spiritual leader, known for his passion in mentoring young adults and guiding Jews of all ages. He serves as the Rabbi of Yismach Moshe in Woodmere and directs the Executive Learning Program at the Jewish Enrichment Center in NYC. As a teacher at Shulamith School for Girls and the father of the Blumstein brothers, founders of the TYH (Thank You Hashem) movement, his teachings have profoundly influenced the TYH music and its message of faith and gratitude. About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music. Let us know what you think at [email protected]!

49

Bringing light into the world

Jun 7, 2025

6:06

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

50

Chana Raskin - The Power of a Nigun - A different perspective

Feb 24, 2024

55:44

CHANA RASKIN, the founder and facilitator of RAZA, is an untrained vocalist who grew up entrenched in the world of Chabad Hasidut and its stirringly complex melodies. These nigunim have carried her at every point on her journey. Her debut album KAPELYA was released by Rising Song Records in February 2023, followed by sold-out concerts in NYC and Jerusalem. Chana leads RAZA circles—meditative nigun deep dives—for diverse communities around the world. Both in her music and song circles, and especially in her one-on-one sessions, Chana strives to hold a space with others recovering from illness or traumatic injury, or simply seeking Home. She revels in the healing powers of quiet, laughter, humming, singing and movement, and lives in the mountains of the Upper Galilee in Israel. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DCnH... Instagram: instagram.com/razacircle YouTube: / @razacircle For bookings and info: [email protected] About the podcast: Dive into the Heart of Jewish Music with Mendy Portnoy: Where Music and Soul Collide. Imagine a young boy, one of nine children, captivated by the melodies of Shabbat prayers. In his mind, the cantor's voice wasn't alone; it soared alongside a full orchestra, transforming the synagogue into a concert hall. That boy, Mendy Portnoy, grew up to become a world-class producer, shaping the very soundscape of Jewish music with TYH Music and Farbrengable Studios. Now, Mendy invites you on a unique journey – not just through hit songs, but into the lives and minds of the people who create them. Join Mendy as he sits down with iconic voices, from soulful singers to talented songwriters and industry insiders. Each episode unveils the stories behind the music, delving into the joys and challenges of the music world, and the individual spark each guest brings to their craft. Peek behind the curtain and discover the fascinating people who shape the music that moves our Jewish community. But Mendy's podcast goes beyond celebrity interviews. Growing up in a vibrant family led by an orchestra conductor-turned-Rabbi, music was always woven into Mendy's experience of Judaism. This podcast is his quest to understand the very essence of "Jewish music" – its origins, influences, and what it means to those who create and embrace it. Whether you're a music aficionado, curious about the industry, or seeking a deeper connection to the melodies that touch your soul, Mendy Portnoy's podcast is your invitation to listen, learn, and be inspired. Join him on this exploration of where music and soul collide, and discover the vibrant heart of Jewish music.

51

Whats the Avoda of Tisha B'Av?

Aug 11, 2024

50:14

Episode 5: What's the Avoda of Tisha B’av?In this Special Edition episode of “Tachlis, What’s my Avodah”, we get to hear from Reb Yussie Zakutinsky about Tisha B’av.It is a time of many questions and confusing practices and Reb Yussie is insightful and practical in talking about the themes of this very important day.We discuss the following topics:•⁠ ⁠Practically, how can we rebuild the Beis Hamikdash?•⁠ ⁠What is the meaning behind all the mourning and unique practices of this day?•⁠ ⁠Why do we start lightening up on our mourning at exactly the moment when historically the Beis Hamikdash began to burn?We hope you enjoy and gain from these ideas.------------- HaRav Rabbi Yussie Zakutinsky Shlita is the Rav of Khal Mevakshei Hashem, in Lawrence NY and a major Mashpia on the lives of all who know him and learn from him. He always encourages his talmidim to recognize the deeper and hidden element of life. He teaches that all of our experiences are lessons in Avodas Hashem, and that even in the regular everyday moments, we have to constantly be asking what’s my avoda? What does HASHEM require from me? Listen in as Yakov Wohlgelernter and Reb Yussie explore various areas of life through this perspective. Each episode will examine different aspects of everyday life and help us uncover the meaning and beauty within them. Lisen on Apple Podcast - https://l.tyhnation.com/3BBSZit Listen on Spotify - https://l.tyhnation.com/3oTkL29 #thankyouhashem #tyhnation

52

Delve into the text 62

Dec 9, 2025

46:02

Faigy Blumstein

53

Hearing Your Story

Jan 12, 2022

10:34

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------ A gut voch everybody, a gut voch, there’s a very holy minhag by many yidden on motzei Shabbos, when Shabbos ends jews sit down for melave malka, they gather together and say stories of tzadikim. It’s a very beautiful and holy minhag, so that’s what we’re gonna do, we’ll get together virtually and say stories of tzaddikim. So for tonight I wanted to share with you a thought. What’s the significance of saying stories of tzadikim? Why is it so powerful, and what exactly is the avodah? What’s the mindset that a person should be in when you relate a story and hear a story? So to explain that, I’m going to tell you a maaseh I’ll tell you a story that explains that a little bit. The story goes like this, when the baal Shem Tov was on his deathbed, so he gathered together a number of his great students and he told each one what their shlichus, what their mission is going to be for the rest of their lives in terms of spreading the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings. For example one student he said your mission is going to be to teach my Torah to as many people as possible. To one student the Baal Shem Tov said you’re avodah is going to do kindness to other jews in my name as much as possible, and so on and so forth. To one particular jew the Baal Shem Tov said, your Avodah, your job is to say stories about me for the rest of your life. Whenever you have the opportunity to say a maaseh about me the Baal Shem, you say the maaseh. This particular Chassid, who was the storyteller of the baal Shem Tov, not only was that his spiritual mission, that was also his parnassah. He would go around from place to place, people would hire him for you know parties, shabbatons, to be the story-teller, to be the entertainment to say maasim. So there was one particular story, one event where he got a letter in the mail from a particularly wealthy elderly man, this person was having a 90th birthday, he was gathering his whole family and so on, he wanted to make a whole thing of it, so in this letter he invites this storyteller to come for the weekend, to regale everyone with maasim of the baal shem, it’ll be a very nice birthday week. So fine, 100% that’s what the story-teller does. So he travels already Thursday afternoon Thursday evening to where the weekend is going to be, and he comes off the wagon and the birthday boy comes with his whole family to go greet him everyone’s excited, they have a whole tish setup, a whole party set up and the entertainment is going to begin, he’s going to say a maaseh. The storyteller comes and everyone is looking at him, everyone’s watching for the first story of the weekend, and he says let me tell you a maaseh and he completely goes blank. This is someone you have to appreciate it, he spent years and years amassing hundreds and hundreds of stories and he knew them off by heart, this was his life, and all of a sudden he’s there and he can’t think of one story. It’s a little embarrassing, the family says listen you just traveled today, it’s been a long journey, you’re a little tired, rest up, tomorrow we’ll pick up. So he goes to bed, he wakes up the next day all refreshed and he has a whole bunch of stories he’s gonna say....

54

Our Physical Presence

Feb 25, 2023

6:52

A gut voch everybody, I’ll tell you a mayseh. You know, tzadikim look like they’re operating on the same plane as we are, they walk through a doorway, they breathe air like we do. But the truth is, Tzadikim and tzidkanios are operating on a different space altogether so i’ll tell you a mayseh about that. Everyone’s heard of the tzadik reb Mendel Rimanover, when he was younger he spent time by Reb Meilech of Lizhensk. One Friday night they were by the tish, with many chassidim and they get up to the soup. The waiter comes out with the soup, takes a bowl and puts it in front of Reb Meilech. Reb Meilech looks at the soup, he takes a bowl and spills it on the floor. As the rebbe spills it on the floor, Reb Mendel Rimanover says rebbe we’re going to go to jail, and Reb Meilech says no no no, we’re here. The whole thing makes no sense, what is he doing spilling the soup, what does the response mean that we’re here? After things calmed down, the chassidim asked the rebbe what happened. So this is the mayseh. Back then the yidden were controlled and somewhat owned by the Porutz, the land-owner. And for the most part the Porutz can do what he wants and it would give tzaros. But there are some things that even the Porutz can’t do and would need permission from the prince or the King. The porutz who owned the shtetl that Reb Meilech was a part of, was a big anti-semite and was always looking for excuses to get rid of yidden. He wasn’t able to fully expel Yidden, he needed permission from the higher-ups, he had to submit an official complaint against the jewish people to his higher-ups and then g-d forbid his plan would be fulfilled to expel the yidden. But in order for this claim to be made it had to be done in a proper way, with documentation and paperwork etc. The story was that Friday night, the porutz was sitting in his office with an official paper and reservoir of ink while the tish is happening. He’s about to fill out this paperwork to file his official complaint and submit it to his higher-ups and it would result in the yidden being expelled. It happens to be that porutz, his personality was an extremely superstitious person. And it happens to be that Reb Meilech knew, that if at that moment while he was filling out the paperwork if something happened that if the porutz saw something happen that was a bad sign he would stop writing the document and drop the idea. So what Reb Meilech was doing was that while he’s by his tish, that’s where his body is. Where his mind is is at the office with the porutz. When Reb meilech picked up the soup and poured ito n the floor, what he was doing in his mind in the room with the porutz was he was taking the ink and poured it on all the papers, and the Porutz stopped it all. Reb Mendel of Rimanover was on the same wavelength, he was by the porutz also, so when he sees reb meilech spilling the ink he says rebbe we’re going to go to jail for this, and Reb meilech says no were here, physically we’re actually here no one sees us there. Tzadikim are operating in a different space. What’s amazing here is you see the different levels of tzadikim, Reb Mendel Rimanover was a tzadik in his own right, he couldn’t identify a part of himself in this world. Reb Meilech was able to be with his mind in one place and to also be down in this world, with the chassidim at the tish. He was able to recognize that and sort of come to terms with that split, being in one place spiritually and one place physically. This is one of the biggest qualities of tzadikim, of being in 2 places at one time. Of being able to identify being involved with physical thing, being involved with people, being fully there but at the same time being fully elsewhere as well. That’s a big...

55

Where is your mishloach monos?

Mar 4, 2023

5:50

A gut Voch everybody, it’s almost Purim so I’ll tell you a Purimdik mayseh. The minhag of the Chozh was, on Purim everyone would come to theRebb, there was a big tish and there was a certain section off to the side where people would leave mishloach manos. No one ever thought that the Rebbe was paying attention to who gives shaloach manos or not. There was a particular year that Moishele came to the Tish, this guy was a little bit of a schlepper, a shlamazel. Never really had hatzlacha, never was matzliach in business he was always a little tzebruchen. With a complaint, things could be better. Moishele comes to the tish, the rebbe looks at him and says where’s the Shaloach manos? Everyone’s surprised the rebbe realized and Moishe shrugs his shoulders, why should I give shaloach manos? I can’t afford anything. The Rebbe says it’s Purim, you have to give. Now the Rebbe is personally asking for shaloach manos. I can’t give a can of corn, a can of peas. I have to do something nice. But he doesn’t have money to get it. So Moshe goes into the store, one of the nicer grocery stores in the area and he says I need the best packaged mishloach manos. The guy looks at him and he’s indicating, you Moishele want the nicest shaloach manos, how will you pay for it? He says today is Purim, give me what I need and I'll pay tomorrow. This was the first time the store-owner saw Moshe had a bit of an edge, a back-bone. He gives and he goes to the rebbe, he says yasher koach, you should have a freilichen Purim. Moshe leaves, he says to himself, you know I just gave the rebbe such a nice shaloach manos, my wife and kids are gonna have a shvach meal at home. So he goes back to the store, takes a whole meal, chicken, meat and the owner says how will you pay for it? He says it’s purim, i’ll deal with it tomorrow. Then he says look at how i’m dressed, how my wife and kids are dressed he goes into the clothing store with the same spiel and asks for the best stuff and we’ll work it out tomorrow. With every addition he’s standing taller, a little more confident, becoming more of a respectable person within himself. Slowly but surely, he gets home and his rebbetzin asks where’d you get all this stuff? He says it’s Purim today we’ll talk about it tomorrow. Slowly but surely the confidence that Moishy built on Purim itself, even after Purim he felt why can’t I start my own business? He goes to a friend of his and he asks for a loan in order to start this new business. His friend is a little confused and he says listen we’ll make it work and he sells the idea. Slowly but surely he builds his business and he becomes one of the wealthier people in the are, all because of the Rebbe’s Mishloach Manos. Sometimes we define ourselves as shlemazals and it’s a self-fulfilling promise. What the rebbe was saying is that you're a somebody, and you have a responsibility to live up as somebody. You have the responsibility and the right to give me mishloach manos, and through that he pulled him out of being a schlemazel. To give him the confidence to become the person he was supposed to become. Hashem should bless us, that we should walk taller with confidence, and strength. To recognize what we have to offer for the world, not to be entitled by that but to be filled with a sense of responsibility, mission and drive in order to accomplish what he has to accomplish. We should have a mazaldik voch, a simchadik voch. We should have a week filled with simcha, b’vias goel tzedek, amen.

56

Hashem is Always Saving Us!

Apr 1, 2023

9:24

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

57

Episode 47

Apr 8, 2023

3:30

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

58

The Middle Matzah

Apr 15, 2023

4:05

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

59

Talking as old friends

Apr 29, 2023

11:25

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios --- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

60

Lag Ba'Omer Story

May 6, 2023

4:41

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Harav Yussie Zakutinsky / Farbrengable Studios ---- There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ---- Listen on Apple Podcast https://l.tyhnation.com/3nLiuWq Listen on Spotify https://l.tyhnation.com/3PaVGLp

61

Gifts that Shabbos gives us

May 20, 2023

6:48

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

62

Doing something good

Jun 3, 2023

7:45

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

63

Seeing the Value of Our Mitzvos

Jun 10, 2023

12:31

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

64

Sometimes We Are Afraid

Jun 17, 2023

7:06

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

65

Bnei Yissachar's Lasts Words

Jun 24, 2023

6:06

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

66

Hashem Keeps a Record of Everything

Jul 1, 2023

10:11

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

67

A Memory From My Childhood

Jul 8, 2023

7:57

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

68

Give Hashem our heart

Aug 5, 2023

8:43

There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound effect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos….

69

David Zedner - Blending In

Nov 7, 2022

36:37

TYH Nation Presents GRATEFUL WARRIORS Hosted by Yossi Hecht ---------------------- Challenges. We can't run away from them, can't escape them, and they seem to follow us wherever we go. Sometimes, these challenges turn into something more. They leave us with questions. "Why was I given this challenge, Hashem?! I can't handle this!" They leave us emotionally drained. "If it weren't for [this challenge], I would be so much happier…!" Most of all, they leave us searching. For answers, for truth, and for something inside ourselves to draw inspiration from. In this new series brought to you by TYH Nation, and hosted by Yossi Hecht, we're on a mission: to find the most remarkable people we can, and interview them to bring you their insights, share their remarkable stories and learn from their simcha. Our hope is that you're inspired to live your most grateful life, and to see the beauty throughout "challenges". Yes, sometimes it's HARD! But you have the power within you. You're also a #GratefulWarrior, just by being here. Welcome to the Grateful Warriors series, where we interview "Grateful Warriors" from around the world. This series is hosted by the one and only Yossi Hecht. Who is Yossi? Yossi Hecht is extraordinary himself, spearheading the Asher to the Yatzar movement after what others would see as devastating challenges to his health. The Asher to the Yatzar movement picked up steam, and is now a viral phenomenon. "It's the reaction of how we respond to challenges that make all the difference." — Y.H. Thank you for listening! We love feedback, so feel free to drop us a comment and let us know how you enjoyed this episode :) Episode 1 In this week's episode, we sat down with David Zedner. From a young age, David was placed in the foster care system, never staying longer than 2 years at any of the homes he lived in. He comes from a line of courageous people, from his mother who, in David's words was "Mosser Nefesh" to send him to Yeshivah, and from his grandmother, who would pretend to be sick in order that she wouldn't violate the Shabbat. This rich stream of courage and resilience runs through David, but still it wasn't easy. Join us as we discover David's life; what got him through his best and and most challenging days (and homes!); where he is now, and where he's going in the future. ---------------------- To learn more about Yossi Hecht and his incredible journey & mission: https://www.ashertotheyatzar.org/

70

Delivering a package

Nov 3, 2022

7:43

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky ---- A gut voch everybody. It once happened that there was a group of chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek, the 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe. They were sitting amongst themselves and they were talking about stories of mesirus nefesh. Stories about how jews sacrificed their lives, if need be sacrifice their time, their money to help other yidden with mesirus nefesh. So the Tzemach Tzedek was there and he heard what they were talking about and he said obviously any level of self-sacrifice that a jewish person offers, is of great value. But the Rebbe said the truth is, sacrificing your money or your body for Hashem’s sake or for the Jewish people’s sake it’s a big deal but that's not how far reaching mesirus nefesh can be. You want to kn ow what mesirus nefesh really is? I’ll tell you a story about Reb Boruch of Medzbyzh. He was a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. He was known to be very fiery. It was well-known that it wasn’t so simple to be in his presence; he was very very strong. Only a select few were able to claim the title of being his chassidim. It was a particular shabbos that he was in town leading Tish and there was a guest in the neighborhood for that shabbos. A chossid, but no one knew who he was, he came for shabbos. All of a sudden when this guest walked in Friday night for the Tish, Reb Brouch’l looked at him for a few seconds and saw something. The rest of the night at the Tish he was just making fun of this guy. Talking about his chesronos, his deficiencies, his aveiros, mamash embarrassing him in front of everyone. He was mamash a guest. So that was very odd, chassidim were used to strange things with Reb Boruch’l and his fire but this was something very difficult to hear. To be a part of, And the next day, the same thing repeated itself by shalosh seudos and the whole shabbos Reb Boruch’l is making fun of this yid. Really being mevazeh him. To thi schossid’s credit he didn’t leave, he just stood there and took it but it was very very strange. That shabbos, besides this particular guest that was there there was also a visiting tzaddik that was with Reb Boruch’l the whole time as well and he was also taken aback by this experience until after shabbos was over. This tzaddik went over to Reb Boruch’l, Rebbe if you don’t mind me asking, doesn’t the mishna say that if a person embarrasses another jew in public you lose your portion in the world to come? Reb Boruch’l said I know the mishna. But let me explain. This jew, I never saw him before I don’t know who he is. But when he came, I looked at him and I saw something. What he does for a living, for his parnassah is that he’s a courrier. If a person has to take a product, something of value that has to get to a particular place, they hire this jew as a courier to bring the object or the money whatever it is from point A to point B. This jew he says as a courier right before shabbos he was given a package by a jew to deliver to a particular place. The problem was, he planned on being able to get to the town of Medzbyzh where Reb Boruch’l was with enough time before shabbos to make the proper arrangements to have this package with product was sent and protected in a particular way. The problem was there was traffic, the weather was not good and they ended up coming to town extremely late. They had no time to set up arrangements to make sure this package that was given to him by this yid was going to be safe. So what did he do, he wanted to come to the tish. He was a little bit negligent. He went to the first place he saw, the first inn that he found which was owned and run by a goy. He takes this particular object that this yid gave him to bring to another place, it was of great value and he went to the owner of the hotel, i’m here for the weekend, if you don’t mind keeping...

71

That Special Esrog

Oct 8, 2022

9:44

TYH Nation Presents Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky ---- A gut voch everybody. You know, bezras Hashem, we’re all getting ready making hachanos for the yuntif of sukkos. One of the biggest hachanos that a person does in this time is to get the nicest lulav and esrog they possibly can. I’ll tell you maaseh about a yid who also cared very much about these mitzvos. There was a yid from a particular shtiebel. Every yid has their itzvah that they make a particular inyan out of. And this yid, wasn’t a rich person but his inyan was to buy the nicest esrog. It was known in the town that he would travel to other towns, to Yaniv and he would spend a fortune on his Esrog and it was known that on sukkos you go to that shul and you get to see Yankel’s esrog. It was one of the social events of the year for him where he gets to show off his esrog. One year he was saving up, he saved 50 Rubles, and he was traveling before Yom kippur, he goes to Yaniv, whatever the location was that he gets his esrogim. On his travels he happens to stop by an inn, a hotel to stay the night. He’s sitting by the bar having supper and he overhears that there’s a yid next to him mamash moaning, crying and kvetching there’s something bothering him. So there’s the bartender there, he asks him what’s on his mind. This yankel is over-hearing this. This yid says what he does for a living, he’s a wagon-driver. People hire him to go from place to place so his whole parnassah depends on his horses. My mazal is one of my horses died. What am I supposed to do? I have no money to buy a horse and I don’t know what to do. This bartender is like a shadchan, he knows everyone's inyan. He wasn’t necessarily the greatest person in the world but he says you know what? I can get you a horse. It’ll cost you 50 Rubles. 50 Rubles? I don’t have that kind of money. The bartender says I’m barely breaking even! It was Hashgacha that this Yankel saved 50 rubles. Yankel overhears this and he says what am I going to do, travel to Yaniv to buy an esrog knowing this yid doesn’t have a parnassah? He goes to the bartender and says listen. Between me and you, what’s the lowest you can do for this horse? He says between me and you 45, but I’m basically losing money. He pulls out 45 rubles, gives it to him, this bartender says to this other yid find this yid over here you’ll get your horse. Thanks so much you mamash saved life. Don’t thank me, thank the ribbono shel olam Yankel says. Meanwhile he’s traveling to Yaniv where the nicest esrogim are but he won’t be able to buy anything there. 5 Rubles can barely get him an esrog in the regular market with that money. Everyone is expecting a huge esrog. He heads back home and on the way he sees someone selling a shvach lulav and esrog and goes back. His wife is expecting to see him all happy, it’s the highlight of his year and he’s all dejected. He tells her the whole story and says maybe for davening i’ll go to the neighboring town to Lizhensk so everyone won’t see my shvach esrog. She says fine, so that’s what he does. Sukkos morning that’s what he does. He's a new person in the shul and he’s in the back shaking his lulav and esrog. Even there he doesn’t want people to see him. Reb Meilech starts davening for the amud, they’re about to bench hallel and all of a sudden Reb Meilech stops and turns around smelling for something. There’s a sniff in his face, it seems like he smells something beautiful and at some point he stops and goes back to his tefillah. Reb Meilech runs over to his brother Reb Zusha, and says did you smell what I smell? HE says of course! We need to find this esrog. Meanwhile they’re trying to find this smell and they get to Yankel. They say we don’t know who you are, you’re new to the shul but tell us the story of your esrog. Because your esrog smells of Gan Eden. He says

72

Richie Taylor - NYPD Inspector - Commanding Officer

Sep 15, 2022

15:56

TYH Nation Presents EMUNAH AT WORK Richie Taylor NYPD Inspector Commanding Officer ------------------------ "When you wear a garment—a police garment or a religious item—yarmulke or something else... You're representing G-d in a very specific way. You're also representing your community, and that's a tremendous responsibility." This is an excerpt from today's episode of Emunah at Work with Richie Taylor, a frum Jew, and Inspector at the NYPD. Richie takes us through his career, what it's like to be the "Jew in the room," and what that responsibility feels like. But really, any of us who looks outwardly "Jewish" in the manner of dress shares this responsibility—we're carrying G-d on our shoulders! In today's episode, we had this remarkable opportunity to talk to this distinguished, fascinating, and very special guest: Richie Taylor, Commanding officer, and Inspector at the NYPD. An Inspector is one of the highest levels within the police structure, and as noticeably religious Jew, we didn't shy away from the questions that were on our minds. And he didn't shy away from answering them. Inside this episode, Richie reveals what he believes has made him well-received, and what's like to be noticeably distinguishable as a religious Jew. He also takes us through his memories, and reveals to us how Hatzolah, the Shalom Task Force, and the NYPD work together! After all, it's not for themselves, and their own kavod, but for the communities, they're protecting. And then, came a text that could potentially change Leibel's business career. And the story that Richie shared was deeply heartfelt and moving. ------------------------ Listen on Apple Podcast: https://l.tyhnation.com/3N2Npby Listen on Spotify: https://l.tyhnation.com/3O1wQg8 Listen to more episodes https://tyhnation.com/pages/emunah-at-work ------------------------ Emunah is the core of our identity as a nation with 3,000+ years of putting our complete faith in One Above, but nowhere are its inherent challenges and apparent impediments more pertinent than in the realm of parnassah. The role of hishtadlus; coping with failure; the lucky and unlucky breaks; powering through those difficult periods––if you live with emunah, you will truly see emunah at work at your workplace. In this conversation series, Laibel Schwartz and TYH Nation sits down with business leaders and prominent members of the community to hear how they apply emunah at work and the impact emunah has on their business and personal lives. Join us on this journey of emunah and success. Laibel Schwartz x TYH Nation #EmunahAtWork #Faith #TYHnation #thankyouhashem Laibel can be reached on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/ or by calling his office at 845-418-2527 Thank you Avraham Kohn and the entire Laibel Schwarz team, for making this project happen! MB01JEIAXGWPI2V

73

Shlomo Friedman - Asking Questions

Aug 17, 2022

28:04

Questions, questions, questions. Our generation seems to have so many questions. Yet some people, and especially parents, are afraid of questions, part of which because we're trained that way — to be afraid. But once upon a dor, there was a time for questions! They were asked in the right way and answered with clarity. But is there a reason WHY this generation has so many questions? Perhaps a better way to look at this is a restructuring of mindset. Because what are questions if not a neshamah yearning for something so tangible, and authentic? Questions have a clear call to action. They say: "We don't WANT to live a fake existence! Give me something REAL!" In today's episode, we dive straight into the tough questions with Shlomo Friedman, CEO of Imperial Real Estate, a real estate brokerage that has overseen Lakewood's biggest residential developments of the past decades. One topic was Sales, and what started off with "questions," pivoted, and spun around again. Because: as a salesman, when do tactics become harmful? Shlomo takes us through the one factor that determines the ישרות of a sale, reveals how he "became close to Hashem through my business," and the Rav's surprising answer to a question that changed his life. Hint: the physical and spiritual worlds aren't so different, and our questions and searches that wind down alternative paths may just be two sides of the same coin, that have the same goal at heart. And while the beginning may capture your mind, the end will enthrall your heart, with a powerful message for business, life, for all ages, to fuel our everyday search and "reconnection" to Hashem. Laibel's take: It's not every day you get to spend time with someone who you feel comfortable diving deep with; but Shlomo Friedman is a special person, with a unique ability, passion, and perspective. Getting to the heart of what he does was meaningful for both of us. As the owner of Imperial Realty, Shlomo is responsible for the many changing faces of Lakewood, helping it develop into the thriving Jewish center we know it as today, and here, we dive into his journey, to see how his quest began with a question, the challenges that he faces, and what it takes to be authentic truly. We focus on business, life, and the series of challenges that so many of us as parents and children "clash" with throughout our lives. This particular meeting with Shlomo changed my life. And if you take the time to digest it, it might just change yours, too

74

Staying Unfrozen

Jan 20, 2022

5:58

A Gut Voch Chevra, let me tell you a Maaiseh. The story goes, that the Baal Shem Tov once went to a number of his students in the bais medrash and he said, let’s go on a trip together. This is something he did very often; he would go on these mysterious trips and he would hand-pick particular chassidim for particular trips. One time he comes to a group of them and said we’re going on a trip together. They all get into the wagon, the Baal Shem Tov whispers the destination in the ears of the horse, he sits back and continue on. After a number of hours they find themselves in front of a frozen lake. Now, just to appreciate the scene, this was, the dead of winter in Russia by a frozen lake. The custom was in those days, a particular religious custom that the non-jews had, that in the middle of the winter during the time when they had their holidays in December and January the whole community would come out to the frozen lake, the children would ice-skate and so on. The children would also take sticks and carve crucifixes in the ice, that’s what they would do. then the priests would come, they would have ceremonies there, they’d have Mas there and it was a whole thing. Obviously not the place for a jew, not a place for the Baal Shem Tov, but this is where the wagon ends up in front of the frozen lake while all of this is going on. This is very strange, the students look at the Baal Shem Tov, and say “Maybe we took a wrong turn somewhere.” The Baal Shem Tov sees where they are and all of a sudden he becomes very excited. He jumps out of the wagon, he sees what’s going on, all the children making crucifixes, he sees the priests doing their services over there and the Baal Shem Tov gets even more excited. He puts on his gartel, straightens his shtreimel and walks over there. All the non-jews see this rabbi coming, they’re so shocked by the scene. They’re frozen solid and they didn’t know what to do. The Baal Shem Tov begins to close his eyes, daven and shuckle it’s mamash a whole Avoidah. The students don’t know what is going on over here, first they try to tell him, “Rebbe, this is maybe not the right place for us” but the Baal Shem Tov is completely fixated on this scene, completely in a state of Dveykus. After about half an hour or so, of being in that dimension he would go to and doing his avodah. The Baal Shem Tov says okay, “Ois Gepolt” mission accomplished. He takes off his gartel and they go back to their hometown back to the Beis Medrash. After all this the students go over to the Baal Shem Tov and ask him what in the world was going on?'' The Baal shem Tov says, there’s something in reality, the Ribono Shel Olam created the world in such a way that water is the source of all life. All good things, all delicious things, all holy things come from water. Water can be a mikvah, water sustains vegetation. Life comes from water, it’s unbelievable. But look at this, that lake that we visited is the same water. You see what happens when water freezes over, it can become an avodah zara mamash, it becomes an idol. A crucifix can be etched on the ice. There is such a phenomenon. The Baal shem Tov says I came to the world to try to fix that. There shouldn’t be such a thing that water should turn into a crucifix. What’s the eitzah, how does a person stop this from happening? The Baal Shem Tov says that such a thing could happen, when it’s extremely cold the water turns to ice and it can become mamash a crucifix. What’s the eitzah? Very often the world is cold outside, you can’t snap your fingers and make it summer time. So what can you do? The Baal Shem Tov said even if it’s cold the only reason the water froze is because the water was still, it wasn’t moving. If water is moving then no matter how cold it is outside, moving waters are not going to freeze. The Baal Shem Tov said the eitzah for a jew is you try to stay warm. You try as hard as you can, but sometimes it’s the

75

Waiting in the mail for 16 years

Feb 5, 2022

7:00

A Gut Voch everybody. There’s a Maiseh that a yid once came to the Baal Shem to give a donation for the Beis Medrash and for any poor people that the Baal shem Tov was involved with. So he gives him the envelope full of money and the Baal shem Tov says it’s so beautiful to donate such an amount, it’ll go to a good cause bezras Hashem, is there anything I can give you in return, do you want a Bracha for anything? The yid says Boruch Hashem I’m good, I don’t really need a bracha for anything, I have everything I need. The Baal Shem Tov says, what about your family, do you want a bracha for nachas from your children and health? The yid answers. “Everyone’s fine, I’m good to go.” The Baal Shem Tov says “You know what, if I can’t give you a bracha, if you don’t need anything like that then maybe you can do me a favor. There’s a letter, if you don’t mind delivering it for me. He says sure. The Baal Shem Tov goes into the other room, he writes a letter, puts it in an envelope and gives it to this yid. He says I want this to be delivered to Mr. Tzadok, who’s the gabbai tzedakah the head of the charity fund in the city of Brodt, one of the neighboring cities. The person doesn’t think twice about it and puts it in his coat pocket. Meanwhile the guy goes back home, forgets about the letter, days, weeks, months even a couple of years go by. Slowly but surely his business takes a turn unfortunately. He begins to lose money to the point where he’s mamash broke. He can’t explain why but things began to unravel. Things are deteriorating more to the point that he has to sell the assets, his home, his silverware he has no choice. To the point where he was literally selling his own clothes. One day he looked in the closet to see if there was anything he could possibly sell. He finds this old coat that was tucked away in the closet. He figures it’ll be worth something, he takes it out to take a look, empties out the pockets and he finds the letter. It hits him like a ton of bricks, remembering what happened 16 years ago when he was by the Baal shem and everything was going amazing. He remembers vividly that moment where the Baal Shem tov offered to give a bracha and this person is thinking about himself that he was so confident in everything he has,m that everything is set in stone that he wouldn’t even take the bracha from the Baal Shem and he’s kicking himself. At the time he didn’t think he needed it but we’re always hanging by a thread with Hashem fully in control. He remembered this letter and decided to try to do it now. He hitchhikes to the city of Brodt, now a beggar he asks around for a Mr. Tzadok, the gabbai tzedakah. People are looking around at each other and saying Really? This Mr. Tzadok was just appointed today as the Gabbai Tzedakah. This yid thinks it’s a coincidence and he asks more about Mr. Tzadok. They tell him that throughout his whole life he was a tailor in the city, nothing major, not wealthy at all but just recently his business began to take a turn in the upside and he became very wealthy and powerful in the city, and just today he was appointed the gabbai tzedakah. This yid goes to Mr. Tzadok and he tells him, you’ll think I’m crazy but 16 years ago the Baal Shem Tov gave me this letter to give to a Mr. Tzadok who is the Gabbai Tzedakah in th city of Brodt. I forgot about it, over the years my mazal turned a lot but now I just remembered this letter and now i'm here. I was told that literally today you became the gabbai tzedakah, here’s the letter. Mr. Tzadok is taken aback, he takes this letter and reads it. This is what was written. I, yisroel Baal Shem Tov am writing to you Mr. Tzadok, and the person I sent as a messenger to deliver this to you is someone who right now is very successful in his business but I’m seeing his mazel is going to turn and he’s going to be in desperate need of help. At the time when he delivers this letter you are

76

On the shoulders of ordinary people

Feb 12, 2022

4:36

A Gut Voch everybody. They say that when the Baal Shem Tov davened shachris Mincha or Maariv he had a very long Shmonei Esreh. One particular davening everyone was finished and people were standing around in the back waiting for the Baal shem tov to finish on Shabbos morning. Some of the chevra got together and said, usually we know how long the Baal Shem Tov’s Shemonei Esreh is and we figure, we’ll have a little bit of time right now. Let’s go home, we’ll learn a little bit, make Kiddush and by the time we’re done we’ll come back and the Baal Shem Tov will be done. So they went home, they made kiddush and learned a little bit. They came back, and the Baal shem Tov was sitting there waiting for them. He asks what happened? They say “Rebbe we’re so sorry usually the Shmonei Esrei is much longer and we expected to have a little more time but I guess it went quickly today.” The Baal Shem tov says “Let me tell you a story.” There was once a group of yidden and they were walking through a forest. One of the people noticed a rare and magnificent bird on top of the tree. One of them decided that it would be worth it to try to get the bird, it’s worth a lot of money and it would be a good thing to have. The problem is, none of the people were capable of climbing the tree all the way to the top. So they all decide that what they’re going to do is build a human pyramid. Then there’ll be one person to climb up the entire pyramid to get the bird. So everyone stacks on top of each other and one person is designated to climb all the way up. As he’s climbing up all the way to the top, the Baal Shem Tov says one of the guys on the bottom started thinking to themselves the following. “Listen, what do you need me for? There’s this whole pyramid, I’m not even on top, what am I needed for? I’m unnecessary so let me just leave and everyone else will take care of it.” So that’s what he did, he climbs out of the bottom row, stands up and starts walking out. Obviously what begins to happen is everyone begins to fall on each other because he was on the bottom row, and they needed every single member to make a stable pyramid for the person to climb up to the top to grab the bird. The Baal Shem Tov said “Listen, I go to very high places in my Shmonei Esrei, but you know how or why I’m able to? It’s because of you! We’re building something together. It looks like my Shmonei Esrei is private and yours is private as well but we’re all making this pyramid together. I’m climbing up and building upon all of your avodah in order to get that bird on top of the tree. But if you think that you could leave in the middle then guess what? The whole thing collapses then I can’t reach where I usually go to. When you guys leave the room, of course my Tefillah is shorter, I can’t reach that high without you being there!” There’s a big lesson for us to learn. We see tzadikim who accomplish big things and what are we? They build on us. Every single member of Klal Yisroel is a nuclear plant of divine energy. When we come together, that’s what creates the infrastructure to allow tzadikim to reach high places. We can’t ever think “What am I worth? What’s the significance of my Avodah? Who cares about me?” The greatest of the great are only able to accomplish what they can, because of all of Klal Yisroel who created the pyramid for them to climb on. When they eventually reach that bird and accomplish whatever they can accomplish it’s because of every single one of us. We should remember that and be mechazek our avodah. Even if it feels like we’re not accomplishing much, we're a part of that bigger pyramid and it’s because of us that great things are being accomplished by very special people. Haahem should bless us with that confidence, with emunah within ourselves, emunah in tzadikim. It should be a Gezunte Voch, a Lichtogeh Voch, a week of emunah, of madraigos of Avodah. We should be zocheh to see...

77

Between me and Hashem

Feb 26, 2022

3:44

Gut Voch everybody, they say a maaseh that the Baal Shem Tov once said the following story. He said there was once a yid going back a few hundred years before the Baal Shem. This yid lived in Eretz Yisroel, a very simple jew. G-d fearing, good jew, and the Baal shem Tov said that in shamayim there was a huge commotion going on around this person. What was the issue? When this person became bar mitzvah, he did a particular mitzvah that mamash shook up shamayim. And in shamayim the malachim were talking about it for years. As years went on it was forgotten what the mitzvah was, but the residual effect and impact of the fact that this guy was mamash shining with this light he was the talk of the town for years in shamayim, even though they didn’t know exactly what the inyan was. The Baal Shem Tov said Eliyahu Hanavi is in shamayim also and he hears this commotion and sees that this person is mamash the center of the universe. Eliyahu Hanavi tries to do some investigation to figure out what this mitzvah was, what did this person do that he became such an amazing radiant neshama? No one really knows, until Eliyahu Hanavi decides that he’s going to pay this guy a visit and find out for himself. Eliyahu Hanavi shows up to this guy’s house, knocks on the door and introduces himself and proves he’s actually Eliyahu hanavi. He says to this yid that in shamayim they’re mamash talking about you all day, because there’s something you did when you became bar mitzvah and no one knows what it is. “Can you please tell me what it is?” The person answers that he’d rather not say, “it’s between me and the ribono shel olam.” Eliyahu says “listen, I understand and appreciate that, but you know, if you tell me I promise I'll give you brachos, shefa. Hatzlachah and all good things.” The person looks at Eliyahu Hanavi in the eyes and say “listen to me, what I did was between me and the ribono shel olam, you can offer me all things of this world, it doesn’t make a difference to me, things of this world and the next. What I did was for G-d and for Hashem Himself, nobody else.” We live in a generation where everyone is in everyone’s business, we see what everyone else is doing. Sometimes that’s good but very often it’s not. Even if it’s good things, it’s important to have that private relationship with G-d and once in a while do something that is just for Him. Not for anyone else, no one has to know about it, just between me and the Ribono Shel Olam. That’s how the Baal Shem Tov develops, that’s how a big tzadik develops, by having that personal, intimate, privacy between you and the Ribono Shel Olam. You do a mitzvah, no one has to know about it. You have a good thought, say a good word, no one has to know about it except for you and G-d. That’s how you build that relationship. Hashem should bless us with a week that’s full of that, that deep Hiskashrus, personal attachment between us and G-d that comes with being modest and internally pnimiyusdik. Hashem should bless us with a week of Pnimiyus, a week of bracha and hatzlachah, on all madreigos, b’gashmius and b’ruchniyus ad bli dai.

78

The Race Horse

Jun 11, 2022

5:41

A gut voch everybody. I’ll tell you a maaseh. Nowadays if kids want to get in trouble there’s plenty of opportunities unfortunately. But if you go back a few hundred years in the shtetlich of Europe you have to go find trouble it won’t find you as much. If you have a teenager 200 years ago in the town of Lubavitch, if he’s looking for trouble what can he possibly do? There’s a story of a kid like that who is working and saves some of his money . He’s not in yeshuva, he’s barely frum at this point. He saves up money to buy a race-horse. It’s the equivalent of a motorcycle today. So what does this kid do? He spends his afternoons and nights racing kozaks, racing goyim with his race-horse. And he’s pretty good. But everyone in the city is looking at this kid as a nebuch, it’s a shame on his whole family. The kid feels the eyes of the city looking at him and judging him and he’s being pushed further and further away because of that. There was one Shabbos morning where this kid was feeling extra rebellious and he happened to take a ride outside the shul on shabbos. The halacha is that you’re not allowed to ride a horse on Shabbos and he’s doing it just to spite the people.In a few minutes everyone is going to come out of shul including the Rebbe who at the time was the Tzemach Tzedek. When everyone sees this kid trodding up and down on the street in front of the shul people are getting angry saying what are you doing! You’re going to make the Rebbe see chilul Shabbos. Finally the Tzemach Tzedek comes out and sees the kid. He knows what's going on with him and comes directly to him. Let's call this kid Moishy. He immediately gets defensive and assumed to be upset by this conversation. The Tzemach Tzedek goes “That’s such a beautiful horse, where did you get it?” Moishy answers I saved up some money and I bought it. “Wow what a gevaldig horse. It’s probably fast right?” asks the Tzemach Tzedek. By now Moishy is proud and answers Yes it’s very fast! “And do you race the kozaks with it, do you win?” Moishy answers yes, it’s great. I win all the time. It's a very good horse! “Gevaldik I’m so happy you win. The Tzemach tzedek adds but i’m just nervous about one thing. If the horse is so fast and it’s used to racing, I’m afraid what’s going to happen if you’re trodding down the street and the horse thinks it’s a race. It could use its speed to get lost and it’ll travel very quickly. If you look for it you can get lost in the woods very quickly. Moishy says it’s not really concerning, the horses don’t act like that they know i’m in control. The Rebbe answers but it still could happen, what’s going to be if it does? Moishy says you know what it’s actually a good point I guess it could happen. The Rebbe explains but you know what? I’m not really that worried. Because the same speed that the horse has to get so lost so quickly, the horse could use that same speed to find his way back so quickly. There’s no such thing as a character trait in a yid that’s bad. It’s just a matter of harnessing it the right way. If we have a part of ourselves that’s a little wild, untamed or out of control that got a jew lost very quickly. That same exact energy can get a jew to become an even greater person back on the path in a stronger way quickly as well. Hashem should bless each and every one of us to be able harness our kochos in the right way in the same zerizus and hislahavus that sometimes the yetzer hara uses. That fire is not in the yetzer hara’s jurisdiction; it's for the neshama’s sake. To use that fire for excitement for avodas hashem and to grow. It should be a mazaldik voch, a Geuladik Voch, a simchadik voch, Amen.

79

Waiting in the mail for 16 years

Feb 5, 2022

7:00

A Gut Voch everybody. There’s a Maiseh that a yid once came to the Baal Shem to give a donation for the Beis Medrash and for any poor people that the Baal shem Tov was involved with. So he gives him the envelope full of money and the Baal shem Tov says it’s so beautiful to donate such an amount, it’ll go to a good cause bezras Hashem, is there anything I can give you in return, do you want a Bracha for anything? The yid says Boruch Hashem I’m good, I don’t really need a bracha for anything, I have everything I need. The Baal Shem Tov says, what about your family, do you want a bracha for nachas from your children and health? The yid answers. “Everyone’s fine, I’m good to go.” The Baal Shem Tov says “You know what, if I can’t give you a bracha, if you don’t need anything like that then maybe you can do me a favor. There’s a letter, if you don’t mind delivering it for me. He says sure. The Baal Shem Tov goes into the other room, he writes a letter, puts it in an envelope and gives it to this yid. He says I want this to be delivered to Mr. Tzadok, who’s the gabbai tzedakah the head of the charity fund in the city of Brodt, one of the neighboring cities. The person doesn’t think twice about it and puts it in his coat pocket. Meanwhile the guy goes back home, forgets about the letter, days, weeks, months even a couple of years go by. Slowly but surely his business takes a turn unfortunately. He begins to lose money to the point where he’s mamash broke. He can’t explain why but things began to unravel. Things are deteriorating more to the point that he has to sell the assets, his home, his silverware he has no choice. To the point where he was literally selling his own clothes. One day he looked in the closet to see if there was anything he could possibly sell. He finds this old coat that was tucked away in the closet. He figures it’ll be worth something, he takes it out to take a look, empties out the pockets and he finds the letter. It hits him like a ton of bricks, remembering what happened 16 years ago when he was by the Baal shem and everything was going amazing. He remembers vividly that moment where the Baal Shem tov offered to give a bracha and this person is thinking about himself that he was so confident in everything he has,m that everything is set in stone that he wouldn’t even take the bracha from the Baal Shem and he’s kicking himself. At the time he didn’t think he needed it but we’re always hanging by a thread with Hashem fully in control. He remembered this letter and decided to try to do it now. He hitchhikes to the city of Brodt, now a beggar he asks around for a Mr. Tzadok, the gabbai tzedakah. People are looking around at each other and saying Really? This Mr. Tzadok was just appointed today as the Gabbai Tzedakah. This yid thinks it’s a coincidence and he asks more about Mr. Tzadok. They tell him that throughout his whole life he was a tailor in the city, nothing major, not wealthy at all but just recently his business began to take a turn in the upside and he became very wealthy and powerful in the city, and just today he was appointed the gabbai tzedakah. This yid goes to Mr. Tzadok and he tells him, you’ll think I’m crazy but 16 years ago the Baal Shem Tov gave me this letter to give to a Mr. Tzadok who is the Gabbai Tzedakah in th city of Brodt. I forgot about it, over the years my mazal turned a lot but now I just remembered this letter and now i'm here. I was told that literally today you became the gabbai tzedakah, here’s the letter. Mr. Tzadok is taken aback, he takes this letter and reads it. This is what was written. I, yisroel Baal Shem Tov am writing to you Mr. Tzadok, and the person I sent as a messenger to deliver this to you is someone who right now is very successful in his business but I’m seeing his mazel is going to turn and he’s going to be in desperate need of help. At the time when he delivers this letter you are

80

On the shoulders of ordinary people

Feb 12, 2022

4:36

A Gut Voch everybody. They say that when the Baal Shem Tov davened shachris Mincha or Maariv he had a very long Shmonei Esreh. One particular davening everyone was finished and people were standing around in the back waiting for the Baal shem tov to finish on Shabbos morning. Some of the chevra got together and said, usually we know how long the Baal Shem Tov’s Shemonei Esreh is and we figure, we’ll have a little bit of time right now. Let’s go home, we’ll learn a little bit, make Kiddush and by the time we’re done we’ll come back and the Baal Shem Tov will be done. So they went home, they made kiddush and learned a little bit. They came back, and the Baal shem Tov was sitting there waiting for them. He asks what happened? They say “Rebbe we’re so sorry usually the Shmonei Esrei is much longer and we expected to have a little more time but I guess it went quickly today.” The Baal Shem tov says “Let me tell you a story.” There was once a group of yidden and they were walking through a forest. One of the people noticed a rare and magnificent bird on top of the tree. One of them decided that it would be worth it to try to get the bird, it’s worth a lot of money and it would be a good thing to have. The problem is, none of the people were capable of climbing the tree all the way to the top. So they all decide that what they’re going to do is build a human pyramid. Then there’ll be one person to climb up the entire pyramid to get the bird. So everyone stacks on top of each other and one person is designated to climb all the way up. As he’s climbing up all the way to the top, the Baal Shem Tov says one of the guys on the bottom started thinking to themselves the following. “Listen, what do you need me for? There’s this whole pyramid, I’m not even on top, what am I needed for? I’m unnecessary so let me just leave and everyone else will take care of it.” So that’s what he did, he climbs out of the bottom row, stands up and starts walking out. Obviously what begins to happen is everyone begins to fall on each other because he was on the bottom row, and they needed every single member to make a stable pyramid for the person to climb up to the top to grab the bird. The Baal Shem Tov said “Listen, I go to very high places in my Shmonei Esrei, but you know how or why I’m able to? It’s because of you! We’re building something together. It looks like my Shmonei Esrei is private and yours is private as well but we’re all making this pyramid together. I’m climbing up and building upon all of your avodah in order to get that bird on top of the tree. But if you think that you could leave in the middle then guess what? The whole thing collapses then I can’t reach where I usually go to. When you guys leave the room, of course my Tefillah is shorter, I can’t reach that high without you being there!” There’s a big lesson for us to learn. We see tzadikim who accomplish big things and what are we? They build on us. Every single member of Klal Yisroel is a nuclear plant of divine energy. When we come together, that’s what creates the infrastructure to allow tzadikim to reach high places. We can’t ever think “What am I worth? What’s the significance of my Avodah? Who cares about me?” The greatest of the great are only able to accomplish what they can, because of all of Klal Yisroel who created the pyramid for them to climb on. When they eventually reach that bird and accomplish whatever they can accomplish it’s because of every single one of us. We should remember that and be mechazek our avodah. Even if it feels like we’re not accomplishing much, we're a part of that bigger pyramid and it’s because of us that great things are being accomplished by very special people. Haahem should bless us with that confidence, with emunah within ourselves, emunah in tzadikim. It should be a Gezunte Voch, a Lichtogeh Voch, a week of emunah, of madraigos of Avodah. We should be zocheh to see...

81

Drink a Bottle of Vinegar

Feb 19, 2022

3:11

A gut voch everybody. They say a Maaseh from the Divrei Chaim, the Sanzer Rov. There was once a yid in one of the neighboring towns and he had a very bad ulcer. He was going from Doctor to Doctor to try to find a remedy and it kept on getting worse and painful. Someone told him, the Sanzer Rov is not too far away you should go get a bracha. This man wasn’t particularly a follower of the Divrei Chaim but he believed in tzadikim so he said okay fine It’s a good idea to try. So he goes, travels to the Divrei Chaim. The Rov asks what the problem is, he says he has a bad ulcer. The Divrei Chaim closes his eyes and he says I think it would be a good eitzah if you walk down the block to the supermarket and buy a bottle of vinegar. If you drink the bottle you’ll have a refuah sheleima. Vinegar is never good to drink straight, and certainly not if you have an ulcer but that’s what the Divrei Chaim said and that’s what he does. He goes to the store, buys a bottle of vinegar, drinks and he was miraculously healed. A couple of years later this person has a friend who also develops an ulcer, also tried going from Doctor to Doctor trying to get advice but nothing’s working. The friend tells him I have the perfect advice for you. Go to the store, buy a bottle of vinegar and drink it. You'll feel better, that's what happened to me. He goes to the store, gets a bottle of vinegar and drinks it and he’s platzing, mamash dying from it. Quickly they don’t know what to do so they rush him to the Divrei Chaim. He was pale and white almost on his deathbed and he asked what happened? The man answers that I have a bad ulcer and I drank a bottle of vinegar. The Divrei Chaim asked, What are you doing drinking vinegar when you have an ulcer? It's the worst thing you can do. The man begs, Rebne. Please help me, give me some advice, I'm dying. The Rebbe closes his eyes and he says you know what, go to the store, buy a bottle of vinegar and you’ll be healed. He goes, buys it and has a refuah sheleima. It’s not the vinegar that cures, it’s the emunas chachamim, it’s a blessing from the tzadikim. Sometimes they have to bring us to have faith in them, they make us do strange things sometimes. It’s not the vinegar, it’s the tzadik and following their advice. Hashem should bless us, we should be zocheh to always know what the truth is. To never attribute our success to the bottles of vinegar, always attribute our success to our Emunah, Bitachon, davening, mitzvos and tzadikim of our generation. We should be zocheh to have a blessed week, a lichtigeh voch, a kavodik voch, a voch filled with geulah, simcha and nachas ad bli dai.

82

Between me and Hashem

Feb 26, 2022

3:44

Gut Voch everybody, they say a maaseh that the Baal Shem Tov once said the following story. He said there was once a yid going back a few hundred years before the Baal Shem. This yid lived in Eretz Yisroel, a very simple jew. G-d fearing, good jew, and the Baal shem Tov said that in shamayim there was a huge commotion going on around this person. What was the issue? When this person became bar mitzvah, he did a particular mitzvah that mamash shook up shamayim. And in shamayim the malachim were talking about it for years. As years went on it was forgotten what the mitzvah was, but the residual effect and impact of the fact that this guy was mamash shining with this light he was the talk of the town for years in shamayim, even though they didn’t know exactly what the inyan was. The Baal Shem Tov said Eliyahu Hanavi is in shamayim also and he hears this commotion and sees that this person is mamash the center of the universe. Eliyahu Hanavi tries to do some investigation to figure out what this mitzvah was, what did this person do that he became such an amazing radiant neshama? No one really knows, until Eliyahu Hanavi decides that he’s going to pay this guy a visit and find out for himself. Eliyahu Hanavi shows up to this guy’s house, knocks on the door and introduces himself and proves he’s actually Eliyahu hanavi. He says to this yid that in shamayim they’re mamash talking about you all day, because there’s something you did when you became bar mitzvah and no one knows what it is. “Can you please tell me what it is?” The person answers that he’d rather not say, “it’s between me and the ribono shel olam.” Eliyahu says “listen, I understand and appreciate that, but you know, if you tell me I promise I'll give you brachos, shefa. Hatzlachah and all good things.” The person looks at Eliyahu Hanavi in the eyes and say “listen to me, what I did was between me and the ribono shel olam, you can offer me all things of this world, it doesn’t make a difference to me, things of this world and the next. What I did was for G-d and for Hashem Himself, nobody else.” We live in a generation where everyone is in everyone’s business, we see what everyone else is doing. Sometimes that’s good but very often it’s not. Even if it’s good things, it’s important to have that private relationship with G-d and once in a while do something that is just for Him. Not for anyone else, no one has to know about it, just between me and the Ribono Shel Olam. That’s how the Baal Shem Tov develops, that’s how a big tzadik develops, by having that personal, intimate, privacy between you and the Ribono Shel Olam. You do a mitzvah, no one has to know about it. You have a good thought, say a good word, no one has to know about it except for you and G-d. That’s how you build that relationship. Hashem should bless us with a week that’s full of that, that deep Hiskashrus, personal attachment between us and G-d that comes with being modest and internally pnimiyusdik. Hashem should bless us with a week of Pnimiyus, a week of bracha and hatzlachah, on all madreigos, b’gashmius and b’ruchniyus ad bli dai.

83

A few candles to fix a soul

Mar 5, 2022

5:57

Gut Voch everybody, they say a Maaseh that there was was once a yid that came mamash panic stricken, completely tzebruchen to a particular Rov of his town. And he knocks on the door frantically. The Rov opens and asks What’s the problem? He says I need a tikkun. Can you help me out? So the Rov asks again What’s the problem? He says that this past Shabbos I was away, and I was traveling to a neighboring village for Shabbos. I’ll tell you the truth, maybe it was my fault, I got a late start Friday afternoon. The weather wasn’t good, traffic or whatever and I got stuck on the road in my horse and wagon on erev Shabbos. I drove and broke Shabbos for the first time in my life, I was stuck in a position where I felt it was too dangerous to just stop in the middle of the woods. I had no choice but to move and continue riding. But I still felt like I broke Shabbos, what do I do? How do I fix myself? The Rov looked at him and said I'll tell you the truth. It’s a big problem to desecrate Shabbos, even though you were in a position where you had no choice and your life would be in danger spending Shabbos in the woods like that. But putting yourself in a situation like that is a serious thing you know? I think you should begin to fast Monday and Thursday, say sefer Tehillim everyday, commit yourself to learn more. A whole regiment. The guy is listening to this and he’s thinking to himself, okay you know maybe a second opinion could be helpful. He says thank you very much. Meanwhile this person is looking for a second opinion and a week or two later he finds himself in the audience by the Baal Shem. So he goes to the Baal Shem Tov and doesn’t tell him that he had this whole regiment from the Rov and just tells him the story how he was stuck in the road before Shabbos, and he feels terrible, what can he do now to fix his neshama. The Baal Shem Tov looks at him and he says, you know Shabbos is a very serious thing, it’s a very serious aveirah of having to drive on Shabbos. This guy is thinking to himself, now he’s going to have double the regiment, to say Tehillim twice every day. So the Baal Shem says maybe this Shabbos you could donate the candles for the shul. The guy is like just that? Nothing else? The Baal Shem Tov said if you do that you'll be okay. So this guy goes home, he tells the guy in the shul he wants to donate, he asks how much money it is and gives the money. Meanwhile before he leaves, the Baal Shem Tov says, do me a favor, when you go home tell your Rov that I want him to be my personal guest this Shabbos, he should come to me. The Rov is happy because he’s invited to the Baal Shem Tov’s house for shabbos. The Rov gets on the horse and wagon on Friday, all of a sudden the weather turns, there’s traffic and the Rov is stuck on the road. He has no choice but to drive because it’s dangerous to be in the woods all Shabbos. When he comes to the Baal Shem Tov Friday night he’s mamash beside himself. The first time in his life to break shabbos like that? He comes to the Baal Shem Tov and says “Rebbe, what am I going to do, I broke Shabbos, I can’t sleep, I can’t face myself. The Baal Shem Tov says, I caused you to break Shabbos, I changed the weather, I put the traffic there. Why? Because when that yid came to you a few weeks ago, complaining and bemoaning the fact that he broke Shabbos, you never tasted the bitterness and the guilt, that that jew was feeling over the fact that he broke Shabbos. So to you, you had to give him this big Avodah, davening, Tehillim, Mikvas, fasting, a whole thing. But if you appreciated what he was going through in his own mind, the guilt that he was feeling, then you would’ve realized the guilt itself that he was feeling wiped away four fifths of the aveirah. All that was left was a little inyan that he has to be mistaken, so I told him just to light candles and that will be enough. The truth is even that

84

It's not too late

Mar 12, 2022

12:38

A Gut Voch everybody, they say a story that there was a particular wedding that was going to take place and everyone was super excited about it. For the usual reason, but this wedding in particular because the Baal Shem Tov was going to be mesader Kiddushin. The Baal Shem Tov knew the family and he was going to be mesader kiddushin. The way chasunas would work in the old country is that they were usually done outside, by the river and the whole town was invited. The day of the chasuna came the whole town was there, everyone was super excited. They waited in anticipation for the Baal Shem Tov and his people to come with the Chassidim. Finally the Baal Shem Tov arrives, the music playing and the chuppah is beginning. It was an unbelievable sight. Meanwhile the Baal Shem Tov is standing under the chuppah going through the process of the chasuna. All of a sudden there’s a wagon that was passing by, because it was outside by the river. All of a sudden a person in that wagon sticks his head out to see what’s going on to see the chasuna a little. The Baal Shem Tov takes notice of that person in the wagon, the Baal Shem Tov turns to the chosson and kallah and says excuse me I have to to take care of something I’ll be one minute. They stop the chasuna and he runs to the wagon, says something to the person in the wagon for 30 seconds. The wagon goes on, the Baal Shem Tov comes back and they continue with the wedding. All the Talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov were confused by this, to interrupt a chasuna it must be that the person in the wagon was one of the 36 hidden tzadikim. The chassidim decide that they want to find this person to get a bracha and hadracha, to connect to another tzaddik. They wait until after the chasuna is over, they start going around the town trying to find that wagon. They can’t find it at all, one day goes by, then another and they keep circling the area. They keep taking walks and rides around the area they can’t find it. About a week or 2 later these chassidim happen to be traveling to a neighboring town and they see that wagon that was by the chasuna in the driveway of a particular house. They get out, they knock on the door and a regular looking jew opens the door. The Chassidim asked him, sorry to bother you, but is that your wagon outside? He says yes, They say let me ask you a question. Were you in that town for a chasuna about a week or 2 ago? The man tries to think but doesn’t recall. They specify that there was a chasuna, maybe you passed by and the Baal Shem Tov came to talk to you? He jogged his memory and he remembers, “Yes, that was actually me.” The chassidim ask “Please give us a Bracha!” He answers, “I’m just a normal guy you don't want my bracha” If the Baal Shem Tov was willing to stop the chasuna and speak to you,clearly you're not just a regular yid. “I’m telling you I'm a nobody and am just a regular guy you don’t want a bracha from me.” “So then if you’re a regular person what’s your story, why would the Baal Shem Tov stop the chasuna what did he tell you?” He begins to blush a little and says he’d rather not talk about it. The chassidim say “We were looking for over a week, we're not leaving until we hear this story. Who are you, what did the Baal Shem Tov say to you?” He says okay if you need to know here’s the story. I have a neighbor across the street. We get along nicely but aren’t the best of friends. The way his business runs is that he’s out for business for 3 to 4 months a year and whatever he brings back in that time is how he supports his family for the rest of the year. It happens to be that a couple of weeks ago I was at home, a day just like today. And it happens to be the day that my neighbor came home from his business trip. I see from my window that this man came back with a big sack with all the money he made on this trip. I see that he puts this bag on the front porch and walks into his house. I assumed that he was

85

a Jewish game

Apr 30, 2022

3:37

Gut voch everybody. Let me tell you a Maiseh. One of the great tzadikim was the holy Ruzhyner. Reb Yisroel of Ruzhyn. He was a unique tzadik even since he was a child, the truth even from before he was born. Tzadikim say that when his mother was pregnant with him whenever she would go to a chashuv tzadik, they would stand up for her. The tzadik would say I don’t know who it is that you’re carrying, but whoever you’re carrying is a big neshama. From the time he came to the world he was mamash Kulo Ohr. There’s a Maiseh we have from the Ruzyner from when he was 7 or 8 years old. His father took little Yisroel to the side, and told bhim you’re already 8 years old and very smart. I want to teach you something. He asks what is it? His father says I want to teach you how to play chess. Listen, it’s a really interesting game, it challenges the mind, many tzadikim would play so he wanted to teach his son. Yisroel the little Ruzhyner is sitting next to his father who’s going through the chess-board introducing all the pieces. After Yisroel gets a handle of all the pieces and how they move around, what the objective of the game is, he asks his father a very innocent question. What happens if we’re playing, I make a move and then I pull back and I realize that it was a mistake. Can I go back and undo the move? His father says, Yisroel’ke that’s not how this game works. If your finger is still on the piece you can put it back. But if you took it off then you can’t take it back. Yisroel’ke then says, Tatte with all the respect, I never want to play chess for the rest of my life. Chess is not a jewish game. Such a thing that when a mistake is made you can’t undo it, that’s not a jewish game. A yid shouldn’t be playing such a game. That’s what little Yisroel’ke said. Listen, chess is an okay game to play. But the lesson to learn from that, that a game where we can’t undo a mistake isn’t jewish. The whole tachlis of yiddishkeit is to fix. Moshe Rabbeinu gave us a Torah that was taken from the Malachim. How was he able to take it? BEcause we have challenges, we have taivos, the whole essence of Torah is fixing. If a person realizes he has what to fix then that’s good, that’s exactly why we're alive. As long as we’re alive we’re here to fix something. To think that we can’t fix, it’s the opposite of what it means to be a yid. This week Hashem should bless us that we have a week of fixing, of Tikkunim. As long as we’re here there’s what to fix. We should grow, with tikkunim, shefa bracha Ve’Hatzlachah.

86

The Hidden Talmid Chacham

May 7, 2022

5:57

A gut voch everybody. The Baal Shem Tov had many students, there were 2 particular brothers who were absolutely brilliant people, huge talmidei chachamim. Not only that, they also came from a family of rabbis, judges, dayanim, a very illustrious family of torah and they got connected to the Baal Shem. These 2 brothers had a younger sister and she was getting to the age where she could get married. They figured they’d go to the Baal Shem for a bracha for shidduchim that their sister should get married without any problems. So they go and ask for a bracha, the Baal Shem says you know what? I’ll do something even better, instead of just giving a bracha I'll tell you who the chosson is and where to find him. The Baal Shem takes a paper and writes down the name and the shtetl where he could be found. In those days things were a little different, when these brothers told their sister that the Baal Shem Tov has a chosson she said okay gevaldik let’s get married. The 3 siblings travel to the shtetl, they’ve never been there before and start asking around. Let’s call him Moishe so they begin asking around for Reb Moishe. People are thinking Reb Moishe? I’m not sure. Finally people say you mean Moishe the peasant? So they meet this Moishe, he’s a sweet guy, delightful middos and is a complete am ha’aretz. Doesn’t know the alef beis, his family is all the same way as well. It seems like it’s not a good shidduch for this illustrious family of talmidei chachamim but the Baal Shem Tov said it’s a shidduch so they listen. The chasuna was held back by the girl's family where the Baal Shem Tov was. By the sheva brachos the chosson is sitting next to the Baal Shem Tov. The minhag was that the chosson says a deep torah by the sheva brachos. The Baal Shem Tov turns to the chosson and says nu, say a vort a torah. The chosson answers I don’t know anything, not even the alef beis. The Baal Shem Tov took his handkerchief and waved it over the face of the chosson, all of a sudden the chosson’s eyes lit up and he began saying the most beautiful and deep torah for half an hour. Once he finishes his eyes go back to normal and he asks what just happened? The sheva brachos the next day the Baal Shem Tov asks again, nu, share a torah? The chosson has the same answer and says he doesn’t know anything. The Baal Shem Tov waves his handkerchief, the chosson lights up and shares incredibly beautiful and profound torah for a long time. Once the shiur is over he’s back to being the same ignoramus. This follows itself every single day of the sheva brachos. After the week is over the Baal shem Tov brings the chosson into his office and says I’m not stupid, I understand that the family you married into has a different background than you. I understand that you’re not as learned and you probably think that the miracles that took place over the week with the handkerchief is just a miracle that I caused. You should know that you are a talmid chochom, you have the soul of a talmid chochom, you have lots of Torah inside of you. It happens to be that the Torah is covered by years of ignorance. All I did in those times was uncover the Torah you already have. Now after sheva brachos, that you now know what kochos you have inside of you, go to yeshiva, go learn and discover the words of Torah that are beneath your surface. That Maaseh is not only true for that chossid, it’s true for every single one of us. A yid is overflowing with torah and kedusha. A person doesn’t have to acquire Torah or Madregos from the outside. You have a neshama, a chelek eloka mima’al mamash it means you are a lebedig, living piece of dvar Hashem. Avodas Hashem is about uncovering that, the chosson was able to realize that with the handkerchief of the Baal shem. We have to realize that from the story of the handkerchief of the Baal Shem Tov to remember who we are and the kochos we have. Bezras Hashem to uncover...

87

A high pain tolerance

May 14, 2022

3:34

A Gut Voch everybody, I’ll tell you a Maaseh. There was a great tzaddik from the town of Hornosteipel. There was one time when the tzaddik was very ill and he needed a procedure done, what doctors would call a minor surgery. The problem was he was at an old age, his medical situation wasn’t great so Anesthesia wasn’t an option for him. The Doctor’s don’t want to operate on him without it, it would be extremely painful but the Rebbe is in danger if he doesn’t get it. The rebbe says it’s okay, I’m used to pain just do what you have to do. They're saying well, a person can’t really tolerate this but the tzadik insists, no I can handle it. The Doctors begin and want to test out if he’ll be able to handle it. First they take a metal rod, they heat it up a little to see his tolerance and the Rebbe doesn’t make a sound. They go a little more painful, still no reaction. Finally they’re confident enough to actually go through the procedure. They do it, and the whole time he was learning, davening without a krechtz, a moan or a cry. After this, the goyish Doctors were very shocked and awed that this person was able to experience such pain. They said, Rabbi, we have determined that it can’t be that you’re a regular human, you must be an angel of some sort. The Rebbe answers, no not at all. I just developed a high-tolerance for pain. How is that possible? What suffering do you have in life that makes you equipped to handle a surgery like this? The tzaddik explains, when Jews come to me everyday with their tzaros, oftentimes I look at the kvittel and there’s nothing I can do. I have to hold in the pain that I’m feeling and give a bracha that Hashem should help, give some kind words and hope because I know that there’s nothing I can do to help. That’s how I learned to withstand pain. That’s the highest madreigah of a tzaddik. Caring so much for other yidden, that seeing their pain and being unable to help hurts them more than having an intense surgery. Hashem should bless us, we shouldn’t have any pain at all, but to feel the life of another yid, feel their pain, feel the simcha of another yid, like it’s mamash ourselves, it’s the biggest madreigah in the world. Hashem should bless us with such a jewish heart. We should be zocheh to have a lichtigeh Voch, a mazal’dik Voch, a Geulahdik Voch.

88

Seeing beyond the smack

May 21, 2022

5:58

A gut voch everybody, let me tell you a maaseh. There was once a yid who was a chassid of the great Chozeh of Lublin. A custom amongst the chassidm was, that before you undertook any business proposition you would get a bracha from the Rebbe. Not every tzaddik would be willing to give advice when it came to business, some tzadikim were purely focused on ruchniyus of their chassidim. The Chozeh and the entire Shalsheles were comfortable giving eitzahs about gashmiyus as well. So someone goes to the Chozeh about a business deal with a particular on-jewish person and it looks like it should be successful. The chassid is telling me to do it, but I wanted to come to the Rebbe first. The Chozeh looks at him, looks at the Kvittel and says I don’t think you’ll be matzliach. I don't think you should do it? The chassid says really? I’m shocked because it seems like it’s a perfect opportunity and all signs point to hatzlacha. The Chozeh says ya, I don’t see it as being matzliach. But you know, like things in medicine sometimes we need to get a second opinion. The Chozeh was a talmid of the great Noam Elimelech, Reb Meilech of Lizhensk. It happened to be that this chassid was going to Lizhensk soon anyways, so he figured he’ll push off this business venture until he sees Reb Meilech. So the time comes and he goes, he doesn’t tell him about the interaction with the Chozeh. He tells Reb Meilech that he has this opportunity that he thinks will be successful but he wants a bracha from the tzadik and the Rebbe says Bracha Vehatzlacha. He got his heter, finally. After a few months of being involved with this non-jew he saw real signs of how difficult of a person his new business partner was. Not only was his personality overbearing but he wasn’t as honest as he thought he was. Not only that, the business began feeling apart. There weren’t any profits and even many losses. He also began having a lack of hatzlacha in his other business dealings as well. It seemed like the Chozeh of Lublin’s eyes saw the truth and his prediction was correct. This was going on for a couple of months, and this chassid’s whole life was beginning to be affected. Until finally after about half a year, slowly but surely the tide begins to turn and things begin to pick up. After another few months everything goes back to the way it was. He even begins to make greater profits than ever before. There’s a change in personality with this non-jew and that business begins to turn-around as well. Then it seems that Reb Meilech was actually correct, it’s a funny thing. About a year or so later, there was a chasuna where the Noam Elimelech and the Chozeh were at a wedding together and this chassid was invited as well. He was a little bit awkward because he asked both of them for eitzah on the same thing, but to his knowledge they both didn't know that he spoke to the other one. He goes to say hi to both of them. When the tzadikim both look at the yid, they understand what actually happened. The Noam Elimech turns to the Chozeh and tells him that he has very good eyes. But you only saw the difficulty. I saw further, until after the difficult patch. That’s how we have to think about the Ribbono Shel Olam towards us. It’s one thing to see until the difficulty, but we have to work to see beyond it. B’ezras Hashem we should be blessed with no difficulties at all. But if there is, even on any level b’ruchniyus or b’gasgmiyus we should be zocheh to have the eyes of Reb Meilech. To see, to hope and to wait for the menucha and the nechamah that will come after the difficulty. Hashem should bless us to have a mazaldik voch, a geulahdik voch, we should be zoche to celebrate this week with mashiach tzidkeinu bimherah beyamenu amen.

89

a Jew eventually comes home

May 28, 2022

6:48

A gut voch everybody, I’ll tell you a maaseh, I think it was in the early 1920’s. The 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe, the rebbe Rayatz made a short trip to Eretz yisroel. There’s an interesting story that took place when he was there. When he was staying in Yerushalayim for about a week or so, he stayed at a particular hotel and that was his home base while there. It happens to be that there was a yid who was living in Yerushalayim in that time who knew the Frierdiker Rebbe. This yid, let’s call him Yankel knew the Rebbe, he grew up in Chabad going to the Tomchei Temimim Yeshivos and at some point something happened in this guy’s life, he took a turn and he was no longer connected at least in an outer way from Torah and Mitzvos. Very far from Yiddishkeit, being a Chassid. But he was in Yerushalayim and he heard that his old Rebbe the Rebbe Rayatz was in town. He had fond memories of him and didn’t have personal issues with him. This jew didn’t want to go visit him, to bring that up again. He was comfortable in his life, just wanting to close the chapter of his old life in Europe and continue on. His mazal was that the street he had to travel by to get to work he would pass by that hotel. He was always concerned that as he passed by, maybe the Gabbaim or the chassidim might recognize him. Or even if they don’t they’d invite him in. What this Yankel does is he dresses in the opposite of his finest. Wearing short shorts, sandals, a tank top trying to be as opposite of a chassidishe yid as possible. To the point that all the chassidim would assume that he doesn’t want to visit the Rebbe. The first day he passed by, went unnoticed and it was great. The second day the same thing happens but he thinks to himself maybe he should go say hi to the Rebbe. The days go by and no one is inviting him in, but he himself is finding a part within him to go to the hotel and say hi to the Rebbe and that’s what he’s fighting, himself. On the last day that the Rebbe is in Eretz Yisroel, as he’s passing by the hotel in his non-chassidish clothes. He knows that since it’s the last day he can’t hold himself back anymore and decides to go see his Rebbe. He goes in, opens the door and all the chassidim see this guy come in without a head-covering or anything pushing to go see the Rebbe. The Rebbe is in the room by himself, despite the gabbaim’s best efforts to hold him back he opens the door and goes in. He sees the Rebbe Rayatz in all his glory. The Rebbe looks at him and has a big smile on his face. He says Ah, Yankel he recognized him. The chassid looks at him and says yes Rebbe, I’m here. The Rebbe looks at him and begins to cry. He says that sometimes we go in circles and circles but eventually we come home. A few years later the Rebbe Rayatz passed away and throughout Eretz Yisroel they all made gatherings to share divrei hesped. There was one particular gathering in Yerushalayim where chassidim got together and out of nowhere this chassid comes out with a beard, a kapote is pushing his way up to the front. He takes the mic, begins to talk and says this story about the israeli guy who passed by the hotel, and saw the Rebbe. He told him we go in circles and circles, but eventually we come home. And that was me. The moment the Rebbe said that sentence, that alone completely changed my life around. That’s why I am who I am now, because of that story. That’s the story of yidden, the story of klal yisroel in Galus, we go around in circles, go like this, go like that and eventually we come home. It’s true for klal yisroel and it’s true for each and every one of us. We know what we're supposed to do, we know who we’re supposed to become, it's a matter of getting there. Of going home to the place we’re supposed to go. Hashem should bless us with a mazaldik voch, a lichtigeh voch a geztuntike voch.

90

Hearing Your Story

Jan 12, 2022

10:34

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------ A gut voch everybody, a gut voch, there’s a very holy minhag by many yidden on motzei Shabbos, when Shabbos ends jews sit down for melave malka, they gather together and say stories of tzadikim. It’s a very beautiful and holy minhag, so that’s what we’re gonna do, we’ll get together virtually and say stories of tzaddikim. So for tonight I wanted to share with you a thought. What’s the significance of saying stories of tzadikim? Why is it so powerful, and what exactly is the avodah? What’s the mindset that a person should be in when you relate a story and hear a story? So to explain that, I’m going to tell you a maaseh I’ll tell you a story that explains that a little bit. The story goes like this, when the baal Shem Tov was on his deathbed, so he gathered together a number of his great students and he told each one what their shlichus, what their mission is going to be for the rest of their lives in terms of spreading the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings. For example one student he said your mission is going to be to teach my Torah to as many people as possible. To one student the Baal Shem Tov said you’re avodah is going to do kindness to other jews in my name as much as possible, and so on and so forth. To one particular jew the Baal Shem Tov said, your Avodah, your job is to say stories about me for the rest of your life. Whenever you have the opportunity to say a maaseh about me the Baal Shem, you say the maaseh. This particular Chassid, who was the storyteller of the baal Shem Tov, not only was that his spiritual mission, that was also his parnassah. He would go around from place to place, people would hire him for you know parties, shabbatons, to be the story-teller, to be the entertainment to say maasim. So there was one particular story, one event where he got a letter in the mail from a particularly wealthy elderly man, this person was having a 90th birthday, he was gathering his whole family and so on, he wanted to make a whole thing of it, so in this letter he invites this storyteller to come for the weekend, to regale everyone with maasim of the baal shem, it’ll be a very nice birthday week. So fine, 100% that’s what the story-teller does. So he travels already Thursday afternoon Thursday evening to where the weekend is going to be, and he comes off the wagon and the birthday boy comes with his whole family to go greet him everyone’s excited, they have a whole tish setup, a whole party set up and the entertainment is going to begin, he’s going to say a maaseh. The storyteller comes and everyone is looking at him, everyone’s watching for the first story of the weekend, and he says let me tell you a maaseh and he completely goes blank. This is someone you have to appreciate it, he spent years and years amassing hundreds and hundreds of stories and he knew them off by heart, this was his life, and all of a sudden he’s there and he can’t think of one story. It’s a little embarrassing, the family says listen you just traveled today, it’s been a long journey, you’re a little tired, rest up, tomorrow we’ll pick up. So he goes to bed, he wakes up the next day all refreshed and he has a whole bunch of stories he’s gonna say....

91

What the Baal HaTanya learned by the Maggid

Jun 16, 2022

7:11

A Gut Voch everybody. The Baal Hatanya the first Lubavitcher Rebbe was a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch.The maaseh goes that it was during sukkos one year, on Chol Hamoed and the Baal Hatanya found himself traveling for a particular issue was traveling to a certain town. On his way he happened to stop off in a certain shtetel. In those days it wasn’t like his face was so well known like it would be today and he looks like a normal yid. So he goes to shul like everyone else and it happens to be a Friday, about to be Shabbos Chol Hamoed. He finishes, he doesn’t really know where he’s going to stay. The minyan in those days was that there was a corner where people who needed a place would stand and after davening people would come and invite them. So that’s what the Baal Hatanya did. Someone comes up to him and says Reb Yid, do you need a place to stay? So he brings the Baal hatanya home, they bring him into the sukkah and right away this host can tell that this guest is a very special person. The way he davened, the way he just held himself. Then something stranger takes place. They’re in the sukkah and all of a sudden they hear strong thunder, lightning in the entire sky. In a moment they heard the sound of an intense downpour. Despite the fact that it was pouring, there was thunder and lightning and their sukkah was completely dry. The Baal Hatanya wasn’t surprised by this, but the host was mamash shocked. He walks outside and he’s soaking in the rain. A step into the sukkah and he’s completely dry. He knows that it’s not because of him and it’s because of his guest. So what does he do? Nowadays he would take a selfie or something and post it online. He decides to run to tell the Rov, and what type of thing I have here and that he should come over and eat in my sukkah. So he runs over and he tells the Rov what’s going on, that he has this guest who must be a tzadik nistar and it’s not raining in my sukkah. The Rov says come on, it’s not possible. The hose says no I’m telling you, come and see. So the Rov says fine, if you’re telling me you didn’t lose your mind. So he puts on his coat and they head back and he sees no rain in the sukkah. The Rov has an eye for these things and can see that the guest is really a special yid. Yankel (the host) moves to the side and lets the Baal Hatanya and the Rov talk on the side. They’re talking in learning and the Rov is beyond shocked to have such a great person in his midst. In the middle of the conversation the Rov asked why he was traveling. The Baal Hatanya said I was doing something for my Rebbe. The Rov asks, do you have a Rebbe? You’re such an impressive and talented yid! You could be the Rebbe of all of us. The Baal Hatanya answers yes I have a rebbe, The Mezritcher Maggid. The Rov asks, you already know kol hatorah kula, you’re obviously a really big tzaddik. What can you possibly be learning from the Mezritcher Maggid that you don’t already know? The Baal Hatanya doesn’t answer. They continue schmoozing and in passing the Rov says that he has a daughter who’s looking for a shidduch. At that moment the Baal Hatanya notices a jew passing by outside the sukkah, and the Baal Hatanya says, nu how about that yid? Does he have a son? The Rov looks at him and he says he actually does have a son. This Rebbe also has ruach hakodesh. The Baal Hatanya asks, what about him for your daughter? The Rov answers that he doesn’t think it’s shayach. So why not? If you must know, I’m the Rov, and he’s a bagel salesman. He has a push-cart and he walks around selling bagels to the townspeople. It’s not a shidduch. The Rov’s daughter and bagel salesman’s son it’s not kavodik. The Baal Hatanya was taken aback by that. He said, you asked me what I learned from the Mezritcher Maggid. I can’t tell you what I learn from the Maggid. But I could tell you that I learned that I could never say such words about another jew. What I learned is what...

92

Real Mesirus Nefesh

Jun 25, 2022

5:53

A gut voch everybody. I’ll tell you a maaseh. The tzemach Tzedek, the third Lubavitcher Rebbe was a tzadik yesod olam, a genius of geniuses in Torah, Nigleh and Nistar on of the gedolei hador on all levels. He was raised in the house of the Baal Hatanya. So the maaseh goes that after the Baal Hatanya passed away, every once in a while the Baal Hatanya would visit his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek in a dream at night. Some questions that the Tzemach Tzedek would have in learning the Baal Hatanya would give answers to. Sometimes they were clear and sometimes not so much. There was a time when Tzemach Tzedek was learning a hard topic and he had many kashyas on it. He davened very much that his grandfather should visit him, no anwer. No one’s answering him, the Baal Hatanya doesn’t answer. It goes on for weeks like this and it’s eating him up inside that for whatever reason the Baal Hatanya isn’t coming anymore. He’s staying with these questions: it is what it is. It happens to be one particular morning the Tzemach Tzedek was walking to shul and it was the shuk. The fair in Lubavitch where businessmen would come and do business. The Tzemach Tzedek is traveling to shul and there was a yid who the Tzemach Tzedek knew. Clearly it seemed like he was preparing himself to get involved with the shuk that day. He comes to the Tzemach Tzedek with an innocent question. I’m sorry to bother. I know you’re very busy, but is there any chance I can borrow 15 Rubles? It would be a huge help. There’s something I’m trying to purchase today. The Tzemach Tzedek said yes sure I’d love to lend it to you, I just don’t have it with me. I’m on my way to shul for shachris after davening I’ll stop at my house and we can meet there and I’ll give you the money. Okay fine, thank you very much and he goes on. The Tzemach Tzedek goes to shul, puts his talis over his shoulder, he's checking his tzitzis and he has this nagging feeling that maybe he did something wrong. This yid who needs the money, he’s trying to make a parnassah and working hard. Maybe by the time I finish davening and meet him, the deals will be missed. Maybe I should’ve taken care of it right away. He says you know what it’s not too late I’ll take care of it now. He takes off his tefillin and runs home, gets the money but he doesn’t know where this yid is. Because they were going to only meet later. But he says, this is the Yetzer Hora trying to prevent me from doing the right thing. And that’s what he does, he takes the money and runs to the shuk. He looks for this yid, and finally after some time he finds him. The yid is so thankful and says, thank you so much you could’ve waited from later. But I very much appreciate having the money now, like the Rebbe thought of and was concerned about. Thank you. The Tzemach Tzedek runs back to go daven, puts his talis on his shoulder, wraps himself with Tallis and tefillin. All of a sudden he has a vision with his grandfather. But this time it’s not when he’s asleep it’s when he is wide awake and he sees clearly. The Baal Hatanya answers all the questions with complete clarity, and gives advice for questions that will arise in the future. It’s mamash one of the greatest visions in his whole life. The Tzemach Tzedek was bothered, why did I merit this extreme nevuah right now? A person can do many mitzvos to open certain gates in shamayim. But the biggest key to open the biggest gates, is doing a Toivah for another yid. Doing a toivah with mesirus nefesh and l’shem shamayim, it opens the biggest doors in shamayim. That key that’s called ahavas yisroel, gemilus chassadim with mesirus nefesh. The Alter Rebbe says, I know how much davening with Kavannah and with a minyan means to you. For you to go out to help this yid and give him the money, was exxtreme mesirus nefesh and opens all the gates. We should be zocheh to be gomlei chassadim like that, we have it in our...

93

Why don't you like Jews?

Jul 2, 2022

4:10

Gut voch everybody, I’ll tell you a maaseh. Until the Baal Shem Tov was 36 years old he was very hidden, he didn’t publicize himself as a Tzadik yesod olam. But this Maaseh we have is one of the rare stories from before that point. Before his public display of greatness that is attributed to him. There was a big city that was experiencing a drought, and especially back in those days it caused great difficulty. These were frum holy jews, and they were trying to figure out what to do. Maybe we’ll make an asifa, everyone will get together one day we’ll make a taanis, daven slichos. What we’ll do is we’ll gather funds to hire one of the biggest maggidim to shmooze and to get everyone to do Teshuva. Back in that day they had Rabbonim and Maggidim. Maggidim were traveling darshanim, very often they were big talmidei chachamim and tzadikim. They would travel from place to place giving shmuezen and that’s how they made a parnassah. There was a stereotype about maggidim, not all of them were like this but stereotypes have truth to them somewhat. That the Maggidim were the opposite of the philosophy of the Baal Shem. The Baal Shem Tov felt that the way to bring yidden closer to Hashem was with love, telling them how great they are and showing them the power they possess. The Maggidim of old were the opposite, talking about punishments, Schar Ve’Onesh. So the city gets together to hire one of the biggest Maggidim, the whole city is there. The opening line the Maggid opens up with is “You guys are all Reshaim!” Why do you think this is all happening! The reason it’s not raining is because you guys are always sinning. You deserve this! Halevai you should suffer and die in this world, to take away the pain and suffering you’ll have in the next world. It happens to be the Baal shem Tov is in the crowd and he’s jumping out of his skin to hear this. At some point he can’t take it anymore, he jumps out and in front of the whole city he asks, why do you hate yidden so much? What did they do? They give you parnassah! The maggid says what are you talking about? I don't hate yidden. The Baal Shem Tov answers yes you do, that’s why you’re talking like this. You think that’s what’s going to bring the rain? I’ll show you how to do it! He takes the yidden on both sides of him, they make a little rikud, a few minutes later a storm comes, thunder and lightning and it begins to rain. There was a time in jewish history where the way to bring jews close to Hashem was with a stick. But the Baal Shem Tov revealed to us that there has been a change, that the way to bring geula and yeshua is with simcha, talking up to yidden, showing how much power they possess. To show them how unbecoming it is if they don’t live up to who they are, B'etzem. We should be zocheh to have a geulah in that way. A geulah b’rachamim, b’chassadim. A geulah where all the shefa comes not g-d forbid with the way of the old maggidim, but with simcha and the way of the Baal Shem tov.

94

As long as you live

Jul 9, 2022

4:21

Gut voch everybody. The great Rebbe of Radzin, Reb Gershon Henoch was a grandson of the Izhbitzer, Reb Mordechai Yosef of Izhbitz. The story goes like this. Reb Gershon Henoch, even as a tzaddik, an adult was a very fiery, confident, creative personality. People that are like that as adults usually start off like that as children as well. So when you have a child who has a big neshama like Reb Gershon Henoch coupled with that creative, energetic, confident changing the world type of personality it could sometimes become a difficult thing to manage. Reb Gershon Henoch was a little kid and he was walking in the city. In Izhbitz at the time, there was a stream, a river and there was a narrow foot-bridge to cross that stream. The width of the bridge was only wide enough for one person to walk at a time. It happens to be that Reb Gershon Henoch’l as a kid is trying to cross and to his mazel there’s a person walking in front of him. This was an elderly chassid who was walking very slowly. Reb Gershon Henoch’l is getting a little bit antsy so he starts pushing to try to get through. The older chassid turns around and says how dare you push me, do you know how I am? I’m an einekel of the chozeh of Lublin. Reb Gershob Henoch’l on the spot without flinching says so what, the Chozeh is dead. My grandfather is the Rebbe and he’s alive. The old man hears this and is shocked to hear such a thing so disrespectful about the Chozeh. After crossing the bridge the old man goes to tell on the little boy so he goes to the Izhibtzer. He knocks on the door, he goes in and tells the Rebbe what happened, he tried to cut me off and I told him I’m the einekel of the Chozeh and he says who cares the Chozeh is dead and my grandfather is the Rebbe he’s alive. The Izhbitzer was shaken up to hear that, he calls in his grandson and he says, nu is it true that you said that? The kid answers, yes I said it. The Izhbitzer begins to shake, to say such a thing and talk like that about the Chozeh? Who am I compared to the Chozeh. Reb Gershon Henoch’l as a kid begins to get nervous, feels a little bit bad and begins to cry a little. The Izhbitzer then says, but the truth is, the Chozeh is dead and I’m alive. And as long as I’m alive, I can be as great as Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai. That’s what he said to his grandson. That’s an amazing thing. Of course it goes without saying to respect gedolei hador. But as long as you’re alive, it means that you have a spark of the divine within you and the sky's the limit. Why limit yourself to the Chozeh, you can be as great as Rebbe shimon Bar Yochai. As long as you’re alive. The Chozeh was niftar, the Izhbitzer was niftar. Tzadikim of past generations are no longer here but we’re alive. As long as we’re alive we have to dream and aspire to be great people, if we aspire to be bigger then maybe we’ll become the people that we have to become. Hashem should help us that this week should be filled with Brachos, yeshuos and potential to be actualized. B’vias G’oel Tzedek B’mheirah B’yamenu amen.

95

My goy is bigger than yours

Jul 16, 2022

4:22

Gut Voch everybody. Let me tell you a maaseh. One of the great chassidim of the Baal Hatanya was a chassid, a tzadik by the name of Reb Shmuel Munkis. This Chossid Reb Shmuel was a huge eved Hashem, a huge tzadik, but he was a little mischievous and would do things in a funny way. He was a famous chassid, this is a maaseh that they say about how he originally became a chassid of the Baal Hatanya. He had heard about the greatness of the Baal Hatanya and he wanted to come visit him. He traveled to the Baal Hatanya’s city of Liadi. But in those days, he didn’t know what the Baal Hatanya looked like he didn’t have an address. He shows up at 3 o’clock in the morning and he’s planning to find the Rebbe. He looks throughout the city and sees there’s only one house where the light is still on. So he assumed that’s got to be the Baal Hatanya sitting and learning. He knocks on the door, the Baal Hatanya comes and Reb Shmuel falls on the floor. He says Rebbe i’m here, take me in, turn me into a chassid. So the Baal Hatanya stands up and says, how do you know that I’m the Rebbe. Reb Shmuel is taken aback by the question, and says you’re the only house still lit. The Rebbe says how do you know that the Rebbe’s house is filled with light? Reb Shmuel doesn’t know how to answer. After a minute, the Baal Hatanya says this place isn’t for you, get out. Reb Shmuel says no, I’m here. I want to be a chassid, I want to come in. The Baal Hatanya says no, this isn’t for you, I don’t know why you came here, go find some other Rabbi. Reb Shmuel says no, I’m staying, I'm going to learn by you, I’m not moving. So the Baal Hatanya says you’re not leaving from my house? This is trespassing, I’m going to get the goy and he’s going to pick you up and throw you out. At that moment, Reb Shmuel begins to cry and says, Rebbe, my goy is stronger than your goy. The Baal Hatanya smiles and says ahhh, then come in. What does that mean? What’s the Maaseh? What the Baal Hatanya was trying to say was you came trying to find me because my house was lit up. In other words, You came with the assumption that by a tzadik everything is light. And a tzadik doesn’t have a goy. Doesn’t have a yetzer hara, everything is perfect and fine. By you connecting to a tzadik and trying to become one you’re goal is to become a person that’s full of light, and light alone. But when Reb Shmuel said my goy is stronger, ah, now you have a goy inside, now you can serve Hashem. Without the fake face, pretending as if there’s just light. There’s choshech in the world, there’s choshech inside of us. And aderaba, with our choshech, with our darkness, with our goy inside of us that’s how we come to serve Hashem. We serve Hashem with everything we have, especially with honesty. That’s the ikkar avodah to become a chossid, to become a tzadik you come with you go, with everything you have that’s how you serve Hashem. Hashem should help us that this week should be a week of light, of Ohr. But if we have choshech within ourselves, in those situations we serve Hashem with that choshech as well. We’re honest with ourselves, we admit it and we do our best with that choshech. Hashem should bless us that it should be a lichtigeh voch, a mazaldik voch, a simchadik voch and with that we should be zoche to the great light of all lights b’vias goel tzedek, amen.

96

A thought of teshuva

Jul 23, 2022

4:07

Gut Voch everybody. In the summer months, I can’t call it a minhag but very often what happens in camp late night motzei shabbos whatever it is they tell ghost stories and try to scare each other. Let me tell you a holy ghost story, the intention isn’t to scare anyone, hopefully we'll get some chizzuk. The story goes like this, don’t ask me to explain it, this is the maaseh. The Kotzker Rebbe was once walking with one of his chassidim and as they were passing by a particular area there was a bunch of hoodlums, of goyim. They were standing there, they saw the Kotzker and his talmid and they began to throw rocks at them. Saying anti-semetic things. Immediately the chassid, see these rocks coming so he ducks down behind the bush. But the Rebbe just stands there and continues walking. The chossid turns up and says Rebbe you have to hide, they’re throwing rocks. The Rebbe says Meh, there’s no goyim, there’s no rocks. Let me tell you something, those guys over there they’re not from the living. They’ve already passed on. They don’t realize it yet. They think they’re part of the world, but they’re not really. I’ll prove it to you. Stand up, you’ll see that all these rocks coming your way they’re not going to hit you. They’re not real. When you go close to them you’ll see that they’re wearing clothes of the dead. They go closer and that’s what they're wearing. The Chossid after this experience turns to the Kotzer with an amazing question and says Rebbe, how do I know that I’m alive? Maybe I’m also stuck thinking I’m alive but am not really. The Kotzker says if at any point in your life, you ever had a hirhur Teshuva, you ever had a real thought to becoming a better person that’s a siman that you’re alive. But if a person goes through life without even a moment of thinking or wanting to become better, then it could be that they’re not alive. That’s the siman of life. The siman of life doesn’t mean to be a tzaddik, or to be the person we want to become. But it’s the wanting to be that person. Having a thought of Teshuva of becoming better, that’s called being alive. When Hashem says I’ve placed before you good and bad, life and death choose life He doesn’t say choose good he says choose life. Good is something that comes after you choose life. Life is to want to do good. Now that you’ve chosen life you’ll be good. You have to choose life, and that means to have thoughts of Teshuva and become better people. That itself is making us alive, it’s injecting us with life-force itself. Hashem should help us, this week should be a week of Chayim, chayim amiti’im. True life, of growth, of Cheshek, desire, Hirhur Teshuva. We should be zoche that not just as individuals, all of klal yisroel should have that hirhur teshuva and choose that life and connect to life in a real way, in a pnimiyusdik way. With that be zocheh to the CHay Hachayim B’vias goel tzedek bimherah byamenu amen.

97

A tea party with the Vizvitzer Rebbe

Aug 13, 2022

8:25

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------

98

Carl the janitor says hello

Aug 20, 2022

8:32

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------

99

The Badichever's letter

Aug 27, 2022

5:10

Hold on to Shabbos with Stories of Tzadikim with Rav Yussie Zakutinsky There is a tradition amongst Jews, that on Motzei Shabbos, we get together and share stories of Tzadikim. These tales of holy people, from times long ago, can have a profound affect on our week. On Shabbos we rest from our weekday activities, and we have an opportunity to reconnect with who we really are. The energy and spirit of Shabbos enables the ultimate rendezvous with our true selves and deep moments with our Father in Heaven. And then, right before we re-enter the world of action, we sit together and recall the lives of our exalted Tzadikim, gleaning lessons, morals, and values to carry this spirit of unity forward with us…Until next Shabbos…. ------

100

Staying warm through the winter

Sep 20, 2022

4:39

Gut voch everybody, I’ll tell you a maaseh. One of the great chassidim of the Tzamach Tzedek named Reb Hillel PAritcher and he would repeat this story that happened to him, in this time of Elul. And to him, this brought out what Teshuva and Elul is all about. He was walking on a late winter night in Russia somewhere. Those days, the Czar had a palace that he lived in, but the Czar had many different palaces. Even though the Czar was only in one palace at a time, every palace had to be guarded and respected because it’s still his palace and he coukld theoretically be there. One time, Reb hillel Parithcer was walking by one of these palaces, and he heard a lot of screaming and moaning, it wasn’t normal. He goes in to see what’s going on, he sees a young soldier who’s being beaten mercilessly by his higher ranking officer. It was a strange sight, he goes over and there’s a whole commotion over there. This young soldier was charged with standing guard and watching the place of the Czar. Most likely the Czar wasn’t even there, and unfortunately this young boy fell asleep and his officer cae around to check on him and caught him slacking off from his job. The proper mode of conduct is when the higher ranking officer walks by, he’s supposed to stand up. This young guy fell asleep and his boots froze to the ground, and this is why this kid is being beaten up. While this is happening this kid is begging for his life, please just have compassion on me. It’s so cold, I fell asleep for one minute and my boots froze. It’s so cold and i’m so tired it’s not my fault. The office said I was there 10 years ago when you took an oath to serve the Czar. That oath should keep you warm to this day. Reb Hillel Paritcher said nu, in the Tanya it says every single one of us before we come to the world we take an oath that we will be a tzaddik not a rasha. And even if the whole world is telling you you’re a tzaddik, don’t think your work is done. We take this oath then get sent to the world with all the coldness of the inter, the tough times, our oath has to keep us warm, an inner desire to be able to make sure our boots don’t freeze to the ground. Reb Hillel Paritcher says the avodah of Elul is to remember that oath that we took, Elul will help us dance, to go vaiter and fulfill that oath today, keeping us warm in the cold winter. Hashem should help us, this week as we get closer to the Yomim Noraim we should be zocheh to remember that oath, this is ultimately the secret of Teshuva, to keep us warm with this oath. We should be zocheh to have a week of yeshua and nechamos b’vias goel tzedek b’heirah b’yamenu amen.

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