Maaseh Rav

by Maaseh Rav

Season 3

Purim 5718

Purim 5718 The Rebbe my father in-law on Purim once relayed: there was once a Jew who wasn’t so intellectual at all, a simple Jew which the harder words in Davening it was doubtful that he understood them. None the less he would Daven for many hours at a time, not just on Shabbas or Yom Tov, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, but every single day during the week too. -It seemed from the Sicha- That he’d Daven like this not just Shacharis but Mincha and Mairiv as well, and he was a Chassid from the Alter Rebbe’s times. People wondered how does it come to be that he Davens for such lengthy hours. So he responded that he’s not really sure but he once heard from his Rebbe -the Alter Rebbe- “Zachar V’Shamor Bi’Dibur Echad” (Zachar and Shamor in one statement) meaning to say you should remember and guard that every speech and in general everything has its Echad. With this in mind he Davened like that every day Sunday Monday Tuesday etc. for forty years. On this story Chassidim say that a Saying by Chassidim is not taken lightly. (Maaseh Rav Tape #3 Side 1 the fifth Sicha)

15 Tamuz 5717

12 Tamuz 5717

Season 2

19 Kislev 5716

The Rebbe once related a story about Reb Izek Humlor (from his Sefarim is printed the Safer Pelach Harimon and there are others just not printed.) He was a Bechur (first born) a Bechur must make a Siyum every Erev Peasach. I’m not sure it could be that he fasted too. The way it was by the Rebbe my father in-law was that he would make a Siyum and then all those who would also make a Siyum on that day he’d call them into his office, have them make the siyum in front of him. Then he would fast the whole day. How Reb Izek conducted himself if he fasted or not, I don’t know. But he would make a Siyum on the whole Shas aside for all his learning he’d do, this is one thing he would do special for Erev Peasach. After he had run away to the Alter Rebbe, the custom in those days was that the father would rip Kriah R”L and sit Shiva etc. For Peasach Reb Aizik went home, when Erev Peasach came around and he made a Siyum on the whole Shas, “OY” his father said he ran away and is still making a Siyum on the whole Shas I regret all that I have done and they reunited in peace. (Maaseh Rav Tape #2 Side 1 the seventh sicha)

Simchas Beis Hashoeiva 5716

Simchas Beis Hashoeiva 5716 The Rebbe my father in-law once related: When the Ruzhiner was a child and started to learn Chumish it was already noticeable that he would grow to be a brilliant scholar. Even before he was of age to learn Chumish and Rashi in Cheder when learning Chumish with his teacher he would ask all the questions that Rashi asked. When learning the episode of Yaakov and his dream of the angels ascending and descending. His teacher asked him if he had any questions. He answered “No” Are you sure his teacher asked, the Ruzhiner replied “No, but what does Rashi ask on this episode?” The teacher told him that Rashi’s question is that if angels live in the heavens then why is it that it says ascending before it says descending? Rashi answers that first the angels of Chutz La’Aretz ascended then the angels of Eretz Yisroel where Yaakov was about to enter descended to escort him. The Ruzhiner answered that it’s not a question because a dream is one thing you don’t ask questions on! For if Yaakov was awake no one would say Yaakov dreamt of angels ascending and descending, it’s not even a question. (Maaseh Rav Tape#2 Side 1 the fifth Sicha)

13 Tamuz 5715

13 Tamuz 5715 The previous Rebbe once told a lengthily story about two brothers. One was poor but religious, and the other one was wealthy but not religious. The poor brother had many daughters, but in order to marry off a daughter in those days, you had to present a large dowry. As the poor man’s daughters were coming of marriageable age, he had to raise a large sum of money. He had no choice but to travel to his wealthy brother and ask him to help. The rich brother was more than happy to help for he respected his brother greatly. When the poor brother arrived, the wealthy brother wanted to at least show him the “Beauty of wealth,” and began giving him a tour of his beautiful estate, to all the wings of the “palace” and of all the other thing he had there. Realizing that his brother had no interest, and wasn’t paying much attention to what he was showing him, he turned to his brother and asked: “NU!?! What do you have to say to all of this?!” His brother replied “if you’re going to give me the dowry, good. If you’re not, then let me go home right now for this a waste of time!” the poor brother continued “There is an animal (I’d rather not say its name) that rolls in mud, and all day she eats, and drinks mud. But there is one problem, why is it that the mud only goes up to her nose and not her whole body? If only the mud would cover her completely, how enjoyable it would be!” (Maaseh Rav Tape #2 side 1 first sicha)

Season 1

Purim 5715

12 Tammuz 5714

19 Kislev 5714

10 Shevat 5712

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