The Proper Match and the Right Question

Everyone respected the village rabbi, and his wisdom was known throughout the world. He had a daughter who was quite beautiful and she was wise like her father and also kind. Of her, it was said, “She opens her mouth in wisdom, and a lesson of lovingkindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26) The rabbi wanted to see his daughter married to a worthy young man. He traveled to the city where there was a great school where the Torah (Scriptures) was studied. He hoped to find a suitable husband for his daughter. Upon arriving in the city, he got the word out that the one who showed the most out­standing Torah scholarship would be the one chosen for his daughter.

The village rabbi posed a question to the potential suitors, and one by one, each tried to answer it. However, the village rabbi rejected every single answer. Not one student could find a solution to the question. With a heavy heart, he asked, “Where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12)

Sadly, it came time for the rabbi to return to his village. The city and the school were embarrassed that he would be leaving without a match for his daughter. Suddenly, as the community members were saying their goodbyes, one young student came to the village rabbi and said, “To leave without finding a suitable match for your wonderful daughter is very heartbreaking, but are we not taught, ‘My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.’ (Psalm 49:3) Please tell us what the answer to the question is?”

The village rabbi looked at the young man in amazement and then replied, “You, young man, are the one I want for my daughter. Any person who is interested in learning Torah for its own sake and not for any other reason is the one I want for my daughter.”

The village rabbi spoke and reminded those surrounding him, “For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.’ (Proverbs 2:10), and he continued, ‘Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,’ “ (Proverbs 3:13)

The village rabbi blessed the match between the young man and his daughter, saying”

“Learn where there is wisdom, where there is strength, where there is understanding, so that you may at the same time discern where there is length of days, and life, where there is light for the eyes and peace.” (Baruch 3:14)

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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