A man who was known to be a miser pleaded with his rabbi for help. His wife had been tormenting him for years, and he simply could not tolerate living with her any longer. However, she refused to accept a divorce.
The rabbi reminded the miser, “you know a woman may not be divorced except by her own consent.” (Takkana of Rabbeinu Gershom c.1000) The miser answered, “I don’t want to be married to her any longer. She constantly annoys me and I don’t even like her.”
“I think have a solution for you,” the rabbi advised. “The Talmud warns that it a person fails to honor his promises, he will be punished with the death of his wife (Shabbos 32b). So the next time the tzedakah (charity) collectors come to you, make a commitment and then refuse to pay it.”
The man followed the rabbi’s instructions, and pledged a huge sum, but then threw the collectors out the door. Weeks later he complained to the rabbi that his advice was not working, because his wife was as healthy as ever.
The rabbi thought for a few moments and then smiled, saying, “this is supposed to be a punishment, not a reward. Listen to me and do this. Buy your wife a gift each day, speak lovingly to her, try to soothe her, and then when she becomes compatible, the curse will certainly take effect.”
The miser went and did as he was told. Slowly things changed in his home, his wife began to be kind and caring, and their relationship improved day by day. Weeks later the man came to the rabbi and said, “Rabbi, it is a miracle! We are in love now as though we were newlyweds.”
The rabbi responded, “we are taught that ‘A person must always be careful about sustaining the honor of his wife, as blessing is found in a person’s house only because of his wife’ (Bava Metzia 59a) as it is written ‘He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the L-rd.’ (Proverbs 18:22)”
The rabbi frowned and a look of deep concern came over him as he ordered. “Hurry then and fulfill your promise because the punishment can now take effect any moment!”
Some days later, the rabbi met the miser and his wife and blessed them. He told them that they would live long. “Can you bless my husband with long life?” asked the wife. “It is already done,” answered the rabbi “as it is written, ‘Enjoy happiness with a woman you love all the fleeting days of life that have been granted to you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For that alone is what you can get out of life and out of the means you acquire under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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