The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Yesterday, I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when surprisingly, a woman - who had to be in her sixties- says to me, “What a nice beard you have.”

I was taken a back.

Although I was surprised, this was clearly a step up from the question a man -years ago- in Reading, Pennsylvania asked me, “How long did it take you to grow that?”

To him, my answer was easy.

I simply said, “It took me a lot shorter time to grow “it” - than it takes you NOT to grow yours!”

However, here was someone who was genuinely sincere in her complimentary words.

After I regained my composure, I said, “Thank you so much!”

I was unsure how I should proceed.

I did not know if I should offer her a return compliment on her gray hair.

I decided that a “no-return-compliment-approach” was safer.

After thanking her, she further commented, “It’s rare to see such a fine beard.”

She was clearly not Jewish, nor from the New York area.

While at first I was surprised at her unsolicited compliment, as I noticed her smile, I realized she was sincerely doing her best to make a fellow human being feel good.

And for that I was grateful.

She reminded me how simple and easy and inexpensive it is to make another human being feel good about themselves.

It didn’t cost her a nickel and although there was a slight awkwardness in her straightforwardness, nevertheless, it was appreciated.

Perhaps she was sent by HaShem as a friendly reminder to me to remember how a good word, which costs nothing, can make all the difference in one’s day?

After all, it is nice knowing I have a nice beard 😊.