The Human Side of the Story

For the week ending 13 March 2010 / 26 Adar I 5770

In Place of a Gift

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
Become a Supporter Library Library

Many wonder stories are told about the "Jerusalem Tzaddik", Rabbi Aryeh Levin, of blessed memory.

His renowned son-in-law, the generation's foremost halachic authority, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv, is reported to have told the story of how this saintly man and his wife merited raising such an outstanding family.

It is a widespread custom in Eretz Yisrael for a chatan to give his kallah a gift when they enter the privacy of the yichud room following the chupah. But Rabbi Levine was so poor that he could not afford to buy a present. Instead he informed his new wife that in place of a gift he would present her with a promise that whenever they would have a discussion in their married life he would concede that she is right. Her response was that she was reciprocating with a promise that she would always concede that he was right.

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at [email protected] and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to The Human Side of the Story

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.