Footsteps of Greatness
Footsteps of Greatness
Don Jarashow • 17 episodes
Don Jarashow
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Which King do you Want to Be?
Which King do you Want to Be?
Feb 4, 2026
3:40
A king sent his servants to distant provinces and warned them: You’ll have power, pleasure, and endless distractions—but remember, you’re coming back. Each place was filled with treasure, and whatever they shipped home would be theirs forever.One king worked immediately, sending gems back each day. Another said, “Later,” and lost himself in entertainment. A third filled crates with souvenirs—beautiful, but worthless.One king understood. I wasn’t sent here to enjoy myself, but to prepare. He lived simply and shipped treasure nonstop.When they returned, only one was truly rich.The nimshal is obvious. This world is temporary. What we send ahead is what remains. As we head toward Rosh Hashanah, the question isn’t what we enjoyed—but what we shipped home.
2
A Pinch of Snuff
A Pinch of Snuff
Feb 1, 2026
3:14
The Chafetz Chaim once saw people laughing in shul. They told him about the “meshugeneh of Raden” who had walked 24 miles to a fair and came back proudly holding one prize—a free pinch of snuff.“Don’t laugh,” said the Chafetz Chaim. “It’s not so far from you.”A neshamah travels from the Kisai HaKavod down to this world for one reason: to acquire eternity. If we go through a lifetime of struggle and return with nothing but a pinch of snuff—empty gains—who’s really the fool?Make sure what you bring back after 120 is worth the journey.
3
The Great Power of Tefillah
The Great Power of Tefillah
Jan 24, 2026
3:33
They once asked the Lelover Rebbetzin how she was zocheh to a son like the Lelover Rebbe—a kadosh mei’rechem, overflowing with yiras Shamayim. She said nothing special came to mind.Then she paused.There were moments when her husband would lock himself in a room and cry out “Yizku li banim u’vnei banim oskim baTorah u’vmitzvos”—with such raw desperation that he would bang his head against the wall and collapse from the tefillah.“Maybe,” she said quietly, “that was the zechus.”A haunting reminder of the koach of tefillah when it comes from the edge of the soul.
4
Once in a Lifetime
Once in a Lifetime
Jan 24, 2026
2:27
A famous ma’aseh from the Mir: in 1949, as the bochurim arrived in San Francisco after years of war, they rushed to see the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge. One bochur stayed below deck, absorbed in learning. When told he was missing a once-in-a-lifetime sight, Rav Shmuel Birnbaum replied, “I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to see it—to stay immersed in the sugya.”For him, the real rarity wasn’t the bridge, but uninterrupted dveikus in Torah.
5
The Miraculous Sprinkler Park | R' Don Jarashow
The Miraculous Sprinkler Park | R' Don Jarashow
Nov 10, 2025
4:36
6
From Spills to Steps
From Spills to Steps
May 8, 2025
3:23
A father buys a beautiful new Haggadah. His daughter spills wine all over it. Instead of reacting with anger or frustration, something deeper emerges. This episode explores how life’s unexpected “spills” can become powerful steps forward—if we let them.Music from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/the-story-begins
7
The Secret to Greatness
The Secret to Greatness
Mar 13, 2025
2:34
8
In the Footsteps of the Chofetz Chaim
In the Footsteps of the Chofetz Chaim
Mar 4, 2025
2:42
A baker was disheartened—before the war, people scrutinized every loaf, but now, in the midst of war, his business was thriving in a way he had never seen. Confused, he turned to the Chofetz Chaim, who revealed a powerful truth about human nature and the way we view our blessings.
9
In the Footsteps of Rav Shach
In the Footsteps of Rav Shach
Feb 23, 2025
2:36
Criticism can feel like arrows, but Rav Shach saw it as a badge of honor. When a young rabbi complained about backlash, Rav Shach showed him a drawer full of attacks—letters he cherished, not discarded. “Some want their graves covered with books—I want mine covered with these.” A lesson in sacrifice, legacy, and the true battle for Torah.
10
In the Footsteps of Rav Shmuel Berenbaum
In the Footsteps of Rav Shmuel Berenbaum
Jan 30, 2025
2:02
A ship of survivors nears freedom, but one bachur chooses learning over the greatest sight of his life. Why? Tune in to discover a lesson in focus and what truly matters.
11
In the Footsteps of Rav Chatzkel Abramsky
In the Footsteps of Rav Chatzkel Abramsky
Jan 25, 2025
2:17
Barefoot in the icy wilderness of Siberia, Rav Chatzkel Abramsky faced impossible odds. Deprived of warmth and strength, he turned to Hashem with unwavering faith—and defied the limits of human endurance.
12
In the Footsteps of Rav Moshe Feinstein
In the Footsteps of Rav Moshe Feinstein
Jan 18, 2025
2:32
The Bobover Rebbe saw greatness in Moshe, even when Moshe seemed far removed from holiness. He looked past the struggles and external failings, recognizing the pure, untarnished soul within. In this time of Shovavim, we’re reminded that no matter where we stand or how far we’ve strayed, the ground beneath us is holy. Remove the barriers, reconnect to your essence, and take the next step toward becoming the real you.
13
In the Footsteps of the Sanzer Rav
In the Footsteps of the Sanzer Rav
Jan 15, 2025
3:10
Harav Chaim Halberstam, the Sanzer Rav, endured the devastating loss of his young son and made the unusual decision to hold the levaya before Shacharis. What profound message did he reveal through this choice? Discover how the Divrei Chaim found gratitude and faith in the face of unimaginable pain.
14
In the Footsteps of Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz
In the Footsteps of Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz
Jan 8, 2025
3:51
Arrested by Soviet police and exiled to Siberia, Rav Baruch Ber’s talmidim sang with unwavering faith, unaware their deportation would become their salvation. Discover their inspiring story of bitachon and hidden miracles. Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/no-time-to-die
15
In the Footsteps of Rav Simcha Zissel of Kelm
In the Footsteps of Rav Simcha Zissel of Kelm
Dec 29, 2024
3:33
The Kelm Yeshiva taught that greatness lies in every step of a mitzvah, not just the final result. Rav Simcha Zissel Brodie demonstrated this through his humble dedication to even the smallest tasks. This Chanukah, the menorah’s lights remind us that the preparation, effort, and process are just as holy as the glowing flames. Music: Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
16
In the Footsteps of the Tolner Rebbe
In the Footsteps of the Tolner Rebbe
Dec 25, 2024
3:52
When a young boy accidentally extinguished the Tolner Rebbe’s menorah, the room went silent. But the Rebbe’s response was unexpected. Instead of scolding, he thanked the boy, turning the moment into a lesson about effort and Hashem’s will. This Chanukah, we learn that the process—our efforts and kindness—matter more than the results.
17
In the Footsteps of Rav Zusha of Anipoli
In the Footsteps of Rav Zusha of Anipoli
Dec 19, 2024
2:55
Welcome to the In the Footsteps of Greatness podcast! In this first episode, we share the story of Reb Zusha of Anipoli, setting the tone for the journey ahead. His life reminds us that true greatness isn’t about imitating others but about discovering and embracing the greatness within ourselves. Join us as we explore inspiring stories of remarkable individuals, uncovering lessons on humility, faith, and personal growth to help you unlock your unique potential and walk your own path to greatness. Start your journey now.