The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

I stared at the text message.

 It was from R' Yonah Shain, owner of the Linen Shop, a local store in Passic which supplies the neighborhood with much more than linen.

One finds beautiful gifts for Shabbos and Jewish-themed necessities in the store.

R' Yonah and his wife are always there with a smile to help choose the perfect gift.

The text asked if the Shul would like Shabbos tablecloths for the Beis HaKeneses.

An anonymous donor was interested in donating beautiful white tablecloths for the over forty tables in the Shul.

For years I had yearned for white tablecloths to bedeck the Shul and elevate the ambiance and décor of our Mikdash- M'at.

However, as with many dreams, practical considerations, mainly money, played a part in placing the idea on the back burner.

Yet, as I stared at the text, I did a double take.

Could it be my dream was coming true?

I embraced the hope.

Often, I am the dreamer, the romanticist of the Shul.

The lay leadership generally supports my plans.

However, sometimes they bring me back to earth by gently suggesting I am bordering on delusional.

Here as well, there were skeptics, and perhaps for a good reason.

"Who will volunteer to put out the tablecloths every Friday?"

"Who will guarantee they are properly stored and neatly put away after Shabbos?"

I was beginning to concede that it was properly prudent to look a gift horse in the mouth and admit the tablecloths needed to be shelved.

Yet, my heart still pined for the elegant and dignified Shabbos napery. I was not ready to wave the white flag and admit defeat on the white finery.

Hashem has His way of transmitting His messages; we must keep our eyes open to see them.

On Friday, Tu B'Av, I visited my daughter in Monmouth Hospital near Lakewood after she gave birth to a baby boy.

Because of Covid restrictions, only one visitor was allowed at a time, so my wife and I took turns.

I told my wife to go up first while I waited in the lobby.

During the forty-five minutes I sat downstairs, I was mesmerized as I watched at least five Jewish women being escorted out of the hospital with their newborns.

The serendipitous series of newborns streaming from the hospital on Tu B'Av, a date on the Jewish calendar when we celebrate potential brides and grooms, was not lost on me.

I realized I was privileged to bear witness to Hashem's compassionate Hand as He continues to replenish our world with future Jewish Chossonim and Kallahs.

Finally, it was my turn to see my daughter and the new baby.

As I held my new grandson, one of the hospital aides arrived to neaten the room.

Margaret, a woman of color, began to walk around the room, carefully removing all items from the bedside tables and covering the table tops with white towels or pillowcases.

I was mesmerized by Margaret's actions.

Margaret noticed my amazement and cheerfully explained,

"I recall when I first found out about Shabbos. When I heard about the practice of covering the tabletops with white cloths, I was moved with admiration for this simple yet, elegant activity.

Since then, I have taken it upon myself to ensure every Jewish room is properly enhanced for Shabbos.

I know I must cover all the tables before the sun sets."

"Margaret," I asked, "Do you do this every Friday?

With the Simcha of a faithful servant of Hashem, Margaret asked, "What do you mean do I do it every Friday?

Of course, I do! The wonderful women of Lakewood have taught me about the holiness of Shabbos. And part of it is making sure we have white covers on all the table tops. That's my personal Mitzvah. I ensure all of the rooms with Jewish patients are,  how do you say? "Shabbosdig?" This is my special way of serving Him!"

I looked at this woman whose job description contained no clause about covering the tables for Shabbos.

I stared in amazement at this special human being who sensed the Kedushas Shabbos.

And as I watched Margaret cover one more tabletop, It became clear what Hashem wanted from me.

I called R' Yonah Shain and accepted delivery of the tablecloths that week.

Shabbos never looked so elegant and divine as it does now in our Shul.

All over the Shul, the pristine white tablecloths beautify and sanctify the entire Beis HaKeneses.

And to think what would have been had Hashem not sent me Margaret?