At his second lecture of the year at Boston University, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel last night told stories of a biblical miracle worker and shared how they comforted him when he was a child.

Admiring the tales of the biblical Rebbe Leib Soreh, last night’s “guest of honor,” Wiesel told the 1,400 people who crammed into Metcalf Hall that the world needs to hear Soreh’s stories because the man performed miracles at a time when Jews needed hope and inspiration. Jews, persecuted in the 17th and 18th Centuries as well as during the Holocaust, found hope in the stories of Soreh.

“As a child I believed in miracles,” said Wiesel, a Nobel Laureate and BU professor. “It made me happy, someone could correct justice. Everything would be fine.”

In his second of three lectures, “In Hasidism: Rebbe Leib Soreh’s and His Mysterious Powers,” Wiesel said Soreh is a master in Hasidic movement, a sect of orthodox Jews who lean toward conservative views of their religion.

“I love Hasidism for its warmth,” Wiesel said. “It is not just a collection of miracles, but also part of it.”

Stories, such as those told about Soreh, speak to people in intimate ways, said Florence ‘ Chafetz Hillel House Director Rabbi Joseph Polak.

“They speak very directly without a lot of barrier and distractions,” he said.

Wiesel’s executive assistant, Jennifer Hoberer, said Wiesel’s lectures draw more people every year. She said the Jewish tales are still important today because of their timeless messages.

“[Wiesel’s] experiences of the past are relevant today,” Hoberer said. “He makes sure tragedies aren’t repeated. He is a brilliant mind of the literature based on his experience of the past and he strives to make sure that people aren’t indifferent to the suffering of others.”

Wiesel’s discussions always make an effort to tie morals into modern life, said psychology associate professor Hilda Perlitsh.

“[Wiesel] is a tireless ambassador for social justice,” Perlitsh said. “He translates moral purpose in Judaism into behavior that affects the lives of other people.”

School of Hospitality Administration sophomore Jack Fischl said Wiesel’s lecture was tough to follow because he did not know much about Kabbalah, a Jewish tradition focusing on the mystical aspects of life and God.

However, Fischl said he understood the lecture was a testament to Wiesel’s intelligence because he could make a complex topic accessible to the common student.

“He’s had amazing experiences,” said Julia Gefter, a 2004 College of Arts and Sciences graduate.