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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Feb. 13, 2004
/21Shevat, 5764
Destiny: A Chassidic love story
By
Binyamin L. Jolkovsky
A true tale of selflessness — and faith
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
The match was perfect.
A promising rabbinical student became engaged to an idealistic young lady who was about to graduate a teacher's seminary. A wedding date was picked, a reception hall was reserved — and then tragedy struck.
The groom began to be afflicted with pains. At first, they were dismissed as "jitters". But when they continued and, in fact, became more intense, his doctor ordered a full battery of tests. The results eventually revealed that the young man had a life-threatening disease. Worse, even if he were to undergo painful and long-term treatments, there was no guarantee he would live.
"I need to break the engagement," he told his fiancé. "It would be selfish of me to ask you to face an uncertain future. There is no need for both of us to suffer. You are healthy. Please, PLEASE do yourself a favor — don't do this to yourself."
But the bride would not hear of it.
"Why should I suffer? No, why should I be the one to cause suffering? How can I break our shidduch [match]? That will cause you much more suffering than you are already enduring. I want to give you happiness," she responded, adding: "If we were still dating and we found out this news, of course I would not proceed. But it was, obviously, decreed from Heaven that we should meet and decide to marry … well, I don't want to break it off. I want to accept my groom as he is and build a home with you. No matter what!" She repeated the last sentence. "No matter what!"
While both sets of parents admired the couple's altruism, and were astonished at their respective children's selflessness, neither were certain that their child was acting properly. Together, they sought the counsel of a revered sage, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky of Bnei Brak, Israel, where the incident occurred.
After the prospective in-laws detailed the situation, Rabbi Kanievsky thought for a few minutes and said he agreed with the young couple. "Let them get married!," he proclaimed. "This is their proper shidduch!"
The relieved parents thanked the sage profusely and left.
But extended family on both sides wondered about the rational behind the sage's decision. They went so far as to approach a member of Rabbi Kanievsky's household and, ever so tactfully, asked if he could explain his reasoning.
The sage, who is known for his encyclopedic knowledge and penetrating analysis, requested that he be brought a copy of the Hebrew-language work, Midrash Rabbah. He began to read aloud from the Matnos
Kehunah commentary to the Torah portion of Noah. The passage dealt with a sudden visit of Alexander of Macedonia to the king of Katzia, who enjoyed a reputation as a fair dispenser of justice.
Alexander, who came to witness the king in action, watched a case that was unfolding.
A man sold below market value an empty lot covered with ruins. While cleaning the property, the new owner discovered a treasure trove of coins and pearls. He immediately went to return the valuables. He felt he was not entiltled to them. There was, after all, no way the seller would have sold the land at the price he did if it was known that the stash was there.
But when informed of the discovery, the original owner congratulated his associate, saying: "A sale is a sale" and refused to take the loot back.
The king of Katzia asked Alexander how he would rule in such a case. Alexander, records the holy book, answered haughtily: "I would kill both the seller and buyer, and take the treasure for myself."
The king of Katzia ruled differently. He asked one of the men, "Do you have a son?"
"Yes," came the reply
He then turned to the other man, "Do you have a daughter?"
"Yes," was his answer.
"So the solution is simple. Let them marry each other and give the treasure to the young couple."
Rabbi Kanievsky closed the tome and placed it on his desk.
"When I heard the altruistic claims of the groom and the bride — who thought only of the other's needs — I sought an example of similar behavior in our heritage," he began to explain. "Then I remembered this midrash and thought: 'What's the purpose of this case being recorded posterity? What lesson are the sages trying to teach us?'
"And do you know what that lesson is? It wasn't just a clever solution to evade the problem and leave the treasure in the hands of both of the litigants. It was something profoundly deeper.
"If the only problem was the treasure, this is no reason to marry. But the Sages were instructing us that the king of Katzia had an important and correct basis for his decision: When two sides think only of the other, and not themselves, it is proper to make a match between such people.
"Even though he only had just met the plaintiff and defendant, the king of Katzia immediately realized that the match between two such families was suitable. He assumed that if the fathers were so untainted of selfish thought, the children had likely absorbed to some degree similar qualities from them and were worthy partners for each other."
Rabbi Kanievsky concluded: "Since here we see this wonderful trait in the groom and bride themselves, it certainly is a proper, fitting match."
Despite not being previously acquainted with the families, Rabbi Kanievsky took time out of his hectic schedule to attend the wedding. He joined in the celebration, blessing the couple.
Presently, reports Yated Ne'eman, the groom is undergoing difficult treatments, and many are praying for his complete recovery.
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Binyamin L. Jolkovsky is editor in chief of JewishWorldReview.com Comment by clicking here.
© 2004, JWR
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