Chesed and Salvation: Inspiring Stories about Rav Yochanan Perlow z"l

We provide these two inspiring stories about the Rebbe, ZTK"L, Rav Yochanan Perlow, on the occasion of his Yartzeit 21 of Kisleif.

Chesed  Above All Stringency: The Rebbe Reb Yochanan of Stolin's Act of Pure Chesed 

Some Novardok bochurim who learned in the local Novardok yeshiva once slept in the home of the Rebbe, Reb Yochanan ZTVK"L, in Lutzk.

When the Rebbe entered, he noticed that one of the bochurim was cold, so he removed his own new coat and covered him with it.

This act was especially remarkable because the Rebbe was known to be very particular never to wear a garment after someone else had worn it—meaning that once he placed his coat on another person, he would no longer wear it again himself.

Saved by the Rebbe’s Guidance: The Story of Reb Yitzchak Lederman, a”h

One of the Rebbe’s chassidim in Eretz Yisroel was Reb Yitzchak Ledderman, a”h. His personal plans had been to become a fabric embroiderer. But the Rebbe, z”l, instructed him instead to learn the trade of a plumber. Reb Yitzchak hesitated and did not follow through.

Some time later, the Rebbe asked him again whether he had already learned to be a plumber. This time, Reb Yitzchak took the Rebbe’s words to heart and went to train as a plumber. Not long after, he was drafted into the army. During his service, a general once asked if anyone knew how to repair a certain problem—something that required plumbing skills. Reb Yitzchak stepped forward and said he could fix it.

When the general saw that he truly had expertise, he appointed him to serve as the “repair man” on the army bases. That position kept him away from the front lines. Tragically, his entire platoon—those who were sent to the front—were all killed in an attack, Rachmana litzlan.

Reb Yitzchak’s life was spared solely because he had learned the trade the Rebbe told him to pursue. May the merit of the tzaddik protect us and all of Klal Yisroel. Amen.

More Inspiring Stories About Rav Yochanan Perlow?

We hope to provide more soon!