Previously we read how Reb Daniel Yaffee, a leader in the Berlin Jewish community, was a handler of horses in his youth. One day his good friend David showed him a beautiful penknife and Daniel begged him to sell it to him even though he had no money. He promised David that if he sold him the knife, he would give him all the money that he would have one day over 10,000 marks. David laughed at his ridiculous bargain but gave Daniel the knife. Daniel then left for Berlin where, after hard work, he became an immensely wealthy man. Both he and David – who grew to be a desperately poor man and lost his children through illness except for one daughter – forgot about the bargain.
A Shabbos Day
Shabbos was the only day during which David could forget his troubles and problems. On the holy day he would push away all disturbing thoughts and rest with his family in their humble home. He would sit at the Shabbos meal and pray that the angels which come to the home of every Jew each Shabbos would help his beloved daughter Sarah find a worthy husband with whom to build a Jewish family and life.
One particular Shabbos, after David had awakened from his nap, he was about to sit at the table and study Pirkei Avos when a knock was heard at the door.
“Come in,” he called.
In walked a neighbor, Reb Dov Kutner, who had just returned from a trip to Berlin.
“Reb Dov, welcome home,” said David, as he called to his wife and daughter to come and welcome their guest.
Dov and David exchanged pleasantries and Dov told them of his adventures in the German capital. After a while, however, he got down to the real reason for his visit.
“You know, David, that I have a wonderful son, Avraham, who is a scholar and a fine boy. He has fallen in love with your daughter, Sarah, and I am very pleased for she is truly a wonderful Jewish girl.
“I have come to ask if you are willing to arrange a marriage between the two.”
“I know your son, Avraham, and he is truly a fine lad,” answered David. “If Sarah desires to marry him we would be more than happy to have him for a son-in-law.”
“Wonderful,” exclaimed Dov. “But you know that many people have wanted Avraham for their daughters and they have offered substantial dowries. Since, however, he prefers Sarah, I will be willing to reject all the others in favor of your daughter if you will pay a dowry of 1,000 marks.”
David’s face fell and he said: “Dov, you know my financial position. I am a poor man. How can I get 1,000 marks?”
“I know that you don’t have the money,” said Dov. “I have a good idea, however. When I was in Berlin I heard about a very wealthy Jew by the name of Daniel Yaffee.
“I heard that in his youth he had been a handler of horses in the employ of Mendel Raskes in Dasau. I know that you worked for the same man when you were young and I thought that you might know this wealthy Jew.”
“Of course,” shouted David, in an excited voice. “We were very good friends for many years. You say that Daniel is now a wealthy man? That is wonderful.”
“It is more than that,” stated Dov. “Don’t you see that there is a way for you to get your daughter married to my son?
“I don’t understand.”
“It is very simple. Since you were such good friends with Reb Daniel, you can go to Berlin immediately and ask him – for old time’s sake – to let you have the money for your child’s dowry.”
David shook his head slowly and said: “You are asking me to do something I have never done in my life. All these years I have supported my family through the work of my own hands. It has been a very difficult life, to be sure, but I have never had to go to people and ask them to give me money. I cannot begin now.”
“Very well,” said Dov, angrily. “If that is how you feel we will forget the whole thing. I had offers of much more than 1,000 marks and I reluctantly turned them down because Avraham prefers your daughter. But if you are so proud, you will have no one but yourself to blame. Unless you get the 1,000 marks there will be no marriage.”
David Decides
Dov left the house and the couple sat in silence. David looked at his wife and thought of his daughter and his heart was torn by conflict. By the time Shabbos was over he had decided what to do. He would, indeed, go to Berlin and ask his old friend to help him in his hour of need. The bargain that had been made so many years before still remained forgotten, however.
It was a beautiful summer morning and Reb Daniel Yaffee sat in his garden eating his breakfast before leaving for his office. He was in a happy frame of mind as he contemplated the blessings that the Almighty had given him. As he mused happily, a thin, ragged Jew approached him.
“Reb Daniel,” he said.
“Yes, what do you want?”
“Don’t you remember me, Reb Daniel?”
“No. I cannot say that I do. You probably want some money. Here is a mark for you.”
“I have not come for a mark, Reb Daniel. I have come to ask you to help me marry off my daughter for whom I need 1,000 marks.”
Reb Daniel looked at the man in astonishment.
“Are you joking? Do you think I have 1,000 marks for every stranger who comes by?”
“But I am not a stranger, Reb Daniel. Do you not remember me, David Verishner, your old friend of many years ago? We handled horses together a long time ago.”
Reb Daniel stopped short. “David, is it really you? Come, my friend, and sit down. I will get you breakfast. This is a wonderful surprise!”
(To be continued)