As Shabbos nears, something in Radzyn is very, very wrong.

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html)

Tallis 
(n) A large white shawl, with eight strings hanging from each of its four corners. Worn during the morning prayers, and transported to and from shul in a dedicated bag.
Shul 
(n) The most important building in Radzyn. It's where every man, woman, and child goes to pray. Also where the whiskey and Torah scrolls are housed.
Shabbos
(n) The Sabbath. All work is forbidden, and so perfectly refelcts the work done throughout the preceding week.
Minyan
(n) A quorum of ten or more Jewish men; required for communal prayer. A special force is created when one minyan gathers, and very often leads to arguments with the minyan closest by.
Maa'riv
(n) The evening prayer. Many Radzyners mutter it with droopy eyes before bed, but some make sure not to say it until the sun is about to rise.
Erev Shabbos
(n) Friday, the eve of Shabbos. Anxieties run high, as do prices.
Yidden
(n) Plural of "yid," the pious, striving, and caring members of the Chosen Nation. While not everybody can be a Jew, anybody can be a yid.
Shaloshshudes
(n) The third meal of shabbos, coinciding with the setting sun. Typical delicacies specific to this meal include, but are not limited to: egg salad.

Mottel's Fiddle: Part 1

The Rebbe of Radzyn cannot sleep. Something in his shtetl must be missing...

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html)

Sefer
(n) A book containing the secrets of Torah study. Held first in the hands, then in the mind.

Yidden
(n) The pious, striving, and caring members of the Chosen Nation. Whether they know it or not, every Jew is a yid.

Beis midrash
(n) A room of study, filled with many leatherbound books and voices.

Shtetl
(n) A small town or province of Jews. Fondly remembered by the elderly, and fondly escaped by the young.

Mottel's Fiddle: Part 2

Radzyn's richest man has one too many possessions, and the Rebbe's gabbai pays him a visit to let him know.

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html

Shtetl
(n) A small town or province of Jews. Fondly remembered by the elderly, and fondly escaped by the young.

Shabbos
(n) The Sabbath. All work is forbidden, and so perfectly reflects the work done throughout the preceding week.

Hamotsi
(n) Blessing over bread; anything from challah to french toast.

Chossid
(n) A Jew who has taken upon themself the heartbreaking and triumphant process of deepening their relationship with their Creator. Typically travel in groups.
Gabbai

Chutzpah
(n) The proprietary audacity of a Jew.

Mottel's Fiddle: Part 3

Mottel take his place in line to see The Rebbe of Radzyn. How much more can he take?

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html

EREV SHABBOS
/ehR-ev Shah-Buss/
(n) Friday, the eve of Shabbos. Anxieties run high, as do prices.

PAYYIS
/Pay-iss/
(n) Sidelocks. Typically curled for appearance's sake, and tucked behind the ear.

TEHILIM
/te-Hill-im/
(n) The Book of Psalms composed by King David, often recited in times of need or satisfaction. Different people prefer different tunes, but the lyrics stay the same.

YICHIDIS
/yih-KHihd-is/
(n) The precious connection between two people; a space where true conversation is allowed. A privilage, and sometimes quite expensive.

SHABBOS
/Shah-buss/
(n) The Sabbath. All work is forbidden, and so perfectly reflects the work done throughout the preceding week.

GABBAI
/Gah-By/
(n) The Rebbe's right-hand man. A position promising prominence, and very little sleep.

KOACH
/Koy-aKH/
(n) Strength. Even just a little koach, is a lot.

Mottel's Fiddle, Part 4

Mottel and Issur finally stand together before the Rebbe.  Mottel makes a disastrous choice that will haunt him for generations...

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html

TZADDIK
/TSah-dik/
(n) A complete person. Makes big people feel small, and small people feel big. Pay attention to their eyes.

SHABBOS
/Shah-buss/
(n) The Sabbath. All work is forbidden, and so perfectly reflects the work done throughout the preceding week.

Mottel's Fiddle, Part 5

In the final part of "Mottel's Fiddle," Mottel must face the consequences of his actions. Not everybody can stay in Radzyn...

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html

 SHABBOS
/Shah-buss/
(n) The Sabbath. All work is forbidden, and so perfectly reflects the work done throughout the preceding week.

GABBAI
/Gah-By/
(n) The Rebbe's right-hand man. A position promising prominence, and very little sleep.

ZEY GEZUNT
/Z-eye Geh-zunt/
A colloquial phrase used to express good wishes upon departure. Roughly translates into "zey gezunt."

SEFARIM
/S-fah-rim/
(n) Plural of "sefer."

TEFFILIN
/T-fill-in/
(n) Literally, phylactaries, worn on the head and left arm during weekday prayer. Comprised of black boxes housing sacred passages, and leather straps. Can make international travel difficult.

TIKKUN
/tee-Kun/
(n) A fix, or repair, of divine importance.

KIDDUSH
/ki-dish/
(n) Ceremonial blessing over wine, used on Shabbos and holidays. Lets your Creator know that, sometimes, you drink wine just for Him.

Mottel's Fiddle, Part 6

Mottel's Fiddle: Part 6

Radzyn, Poland: August, 1939. 
Deep inside the thick forest, hundreds of men gather for an address from the Rebbe of Radzyn. However, he refuses to speak.

Read more Radzyn stories at http://www.RadzynStories.com.
Musical composition by Casey O'Neil: https://soundcloud.com/casey-oneil-3

Glossary of terms used in this episode:
(For a complete list along with illustrations, visit http://radzynstories.com/glossary/index.html)

Chossidim
(n) Plural of "chossid." An Israelite who has taken upon themselves the heartbreaking and triumphant process of deepening their relationship with their Creator. Typically travel in groups.

Bekeshe
(n) A long overcoat worn by chassidic men on shabbos and holidays. Special ones are designated for special occasions, and can say a great deal about who's wearing it.

Tisch
(n) A gathering of men around a table. Some tisches are larger, others smaller, but all require song, words of Torah, and shot glasses.

Mottel's Fiddle: Prologue

Prologue

Radzyn is the legendary village where those who remain authentic to their personal truths have prospered in secret for centuries. As WWII approaches, and Europe enters her darkest years, each man, woman and child will be tested to see who can stay, and who cannot.

Radzyn Mystical Stories

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