The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

As Rivka and her husband Zev pulled into the parking lot in Monsey, they breathed a sigh of relief.

They had traveled over four hours from Baltimore and were relieved to arrive in time for the Chupah.

The Chosson was her husband’s former Chavrusa, and he had waited a long time to finally find his Bashert.

Initially, Rivka was not planning on making the trek from Baltimore to Monsey.

And she had compelling reasons not to attend.

She had to be back in the classroom early the next morning.

Coupled with that, Rivka did not anticipate knowing any of the women at the Chasunah.

However, she knew her husband did not like to drive alone, so she joined him for the trip.

After checking their coats, Zev joined his old yeshiva buddies by the Chosson Tisch, and Rivka somewhat nervously and  timidly made her way into the women’s section.

The Kallah was already seated in her place of honor, surrounded by her close relatives.

Rivka stood to the side, taking in the Simcha with joy and a tinge of feeling like an outsider.

She did not recognize even one woman among the crowd.

Rivka began to question her decision to make the long trip.

Suddenly, as she scanned the room, she noticed Leah Fineberg*, who she vaguely recalled from Sem twenty years before.

Rivka hesitantly made her way toward Leah.

Yet, as she moved closer, she noticed something was amiss.

Standing with her back towards Rivka, yet focusing head-on toward Leah, was a woman who was quite agitated.

As Rivka neared the pair, she could hear quite clearly, along with many other women in proximity, horrible and hurtful invectives directed towards Leah.

The woman was engaged in a furious tirade filled with hurtful and humiliating accusations aimed at the hapless Leah.

The situation was not only humiliating to the target of the women’s rant, it was embarrassing to all those gathered for the Simcha.

Finally, another woman deftly and delicately persuaded the fury-filled woman to leave the hall, slightly defusing the embarrassing situation.

As the enraged woman departed, everyone was frozen in silence.

The entire room was permeated by the embarrassing scene all had witnessed.

A feeling of social awkwardness threatened to squash the Simcha of the Chasunah.

All were looking at Leah, who remained calm yet blushed; however, she never responded to her assailant’s verbal onslaught.

Suddenly, an idea entered Rivka’s mind.

On the way to the Chasuna, Rivka and Zev listened to a Shiur by Rav Fischel Schachter Shlita.

Rav Fischel had related, in the name of many Gedolim, that if you see someone humiliated, that is an opportunity to receive a most potent Brocha from them.

An individual who has been publicly embarrassed yet chooses to receive the humiliation in silence and does not retort such a person is the address to obtain a powerful and meaningful Brocha.

Suddenly, it all became clear to Rivka.

She knew why she had to travel four hours to attend a wedding where she knew not a soul.

Suddenly, Hashem’s plan was obvious to her.

She realized she could turn Leah’s blushing into Leah’s Brochus.

With trepidation, Rivka approached Leah and, with a clear yet humble tone, asked her to Bench her.

With a sense of relief and with a clear recognition of being saved from a humiliating situation, Leah offered a heartfelt  Brocha to Rivka.

And then the most amazing scene unfolded.

Dozens of women began to line up and request a Brocha from Leah.

One woman asked for a Shidduch for her son.

Another needed Parnossa.

And a third asked for a Refuah Sheleima.

In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire hall was transformed from utter silence to a room filled with Brochus, Tefillos, and Simcha.

As Rivka observed the line of women in front of Leah, she could not help but ponder, “and to think she almost did not make the trip to the Chasunah…”

Good Shabbos

I am away this Shabbos, I will miss you!