Monday, January 10, 2011

Mai'seh she-haya:

A very chashuv bachur from Yeshivas Lakewood got engaged to the daughter of one of the Roshei Yeshiva. Many of the great Talmidei Chachomim of Lakewood attend the vort. At the head table sat one person who looked completely out of place. He was the grandfather of the Chosson and even though he didn't have the external appearance of a Talmid Chochom, nevertheless he was placed at the head table. At one point he asked to speak and was granted permission.

He related the following: About a hundred years ago in a small town in Poland there was a little boy who was quite a troublemaker. One time he did something which disgraced the Aron Kodesh. The head of his cheder said "Enough is enough! Arois! You're out". The boy insisted that they first go to the Rov of the town and let him pasken. When they appeared before the Rov the boy said as follows "You can kick ME out, but what about my children and grandchildren? Did you ask them? If I leave I will probably end up marrying a non-jewish woman!! I promise never to do anything like that again!"

They were convinced and let the boy stay. He later became a Rov himself and moved to America. As it happened he wasn't successful in the education of his own child. His son announced one day that he was planning on marrying a non-jewish woman. The father cried "How can you do that? I promised in your name and the name of all the future generations that you wouldn't intermarry?!" In the end the son listened and married a Jewish woman.

Our chosson is the grandson of that son.

Sweetest most beloved friends! Before you make decisions in life, think about how they will impact future generations.