Long, long ago, there lived in an old town a happy couple named Avraham and Sarah. Although they loved one another very much, their happiness was not complete. They had been married for nearly ten years, but they had not been blessed with a child.

Sarah would often sit in her room and cry. She prayed every day to Hashem to grant her the blessing of having a son or a daughter. Avraham did his best to comfort her by telling her that Hashem heard her heart felt prayer and would answer them at the right time.

At the same time, he felt very sad when he came home and thought of Sarah’s pain. He would have given anything to have had a little son who might be taught the holy Torah which he loved so well.

The neighbours on their street were not too kind and they hurt Sarah. This made her sadness more bitter. people often said, in Avraham’s hearing, that children are a sign of Hashem’s blessing . Was it not true that the house which lacked the merry laughter of little children was under a curse or spell? Did not the holy Torah teach that it was a mitzvah to marry and have children? Would it not be better, he argued with himself, to divorce his wife, if, after being married for ten years, she had no child? She might marry another man and have children and so find her happiness. All these thoughts flashed again and again through his mind.

At last when the anniversary of their tenth marriage day arrived, Avraham said to his wife, ” Let us visit today our true friend and guide the holy rabbi to ask his advice on what we should do.”

When they came before the holy rabbi, Avraham, with tears in his eyes, said,  “Holy Rabbi, my dear wife has been faithful and loving to me during the past ten years. It has pleased Holy One, blessed be He to hold back from us the blessing of children. I fear this is on account of my many sins. It seems to me that our home from now on will not be as happy as it should be; my wife cries everyday and I am sad because she is so unhappy. Is it not my duty to set her free?”

While Avraham was speaking, his wife wept. She knew that if he sent her away from his heart and home, her life would be really sad and lonely. Her deep sorrow touched the heart of her husband, who turned to her and cried, “My dear, sweet, beloved wife do not cry and grieve, for we must submit to the will of the Holy One, blessed be He. Do not think that I am not often sad, because we have no child to bring happiness to your long days. If I could only take away your sorrow and pain, I would most gladly do so. Listen, dearest, I faithfully promise to allow you to choose whatever you like best in our home and you may take it with you to your father’s house as a keepsake when you leave me for good. This will always be a visible token of the deep affection and true love which united us during the past ten years.”

The holy rabbi watched Avraham and Sarah understanding their sorrow. He knew that Avraham had made up his mind to divorce his worthy wife. Nothing would make him change his mind. With a mystical wisdom he spoke to them,  “My dear children, I can only pity you, for I am deeply sorry to see how you are about to lose one another. Before you finally part, however, let me advise you to invite all your family and friends to a special seudah (meal), just as they gathered around you ten years ago at your marriage feast. Love united you and in love prepare to separate, if it must be.” Avraham and Sarah promised to follow the advice of the Rabbi and they returned home.

Sarah at once sent to all their friends and provided a most generous meal with music and wine. Her husband sat beside her as usual, and she took care that his wineglass was constantly filled. Good cheer made everyone very happy, and Avraham was determined to spend a jolly evening for the last time in the company of his wife, whom he really loved.

Sarah had carefully prepared her plans. Her husband had spoken to each of his guests, and soon all the excitement made him very tired and he fell deeply asleep. Without a moment’s delay, Sarah called her servants. She told them to lift up the armchair in which her husband sat asleep and to carry it at once to her father’s house in a neighbouring street.

Meanwhile Avraham, fast asleep, had been carried to his new quarters. He was put in a beautiful room, with Sarah at his side waiting for him to awaken. At dawn he woke up. Looking around with great surprise, he exclaimed, ­ Where am I? “

Sarah took his hand and stroking it gently, she said to him,­ My  beloved, you are in my father’s house.”  “What am I doing here? “He cried.

“You are just waking up,” she answered, “you remember when we yesterday visited the holy rabbi, you faithfully promised me that I might choose anything I liked best in our home and take it with me when I left your roof. Last night I left your house and I took you with me, as there was nothing in your home, or, for the matter of that, in all the world so precious to me as your dear self. You were the choicest possession in our old home, and you are mine now and forever. You have, by your promise to me, given yourself over to me. Divorce or no divorce, you are my property, for I know very well you always keep your promise.”

Avraham saw the humour of the situation in which he found himself, and laughed again and again at the wisdom and love of his clever wife. “Well done,” he exclaimed, “we are now agreed that the question of divorce is solved. Once again are we united and this time forever. Nothing shall part us as long as we live.”

Like all good people they lived a very happy life. In time a son was born and later on a daughter was given to them, and they all rejoiced in one another’s happiness.

Based on Song of Songs Rabbah 1:4

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

Excerpted from, A Time to Separate, A Time to Come Together, abook written by Rabbi Rachmiel Tobesman that teaches children important skills to cope with the trauma and confusion so common when parents separate and divorce.

The book is available from the publisher at xlibris or on most book sites (Barnes and Noble, Booksamillion, etc) Just search “Tobesman”

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