נתון תתן לו ולא ירע לבבך בתתך לו ... (טו-י)
MASHAL: Two families, the Horowitzs and Itzkowitzs, made a shidduch with their children and the local townspeople could hardly wait for the wedding. As the two wealthiest families in town, this was sure to be an event you didn’t want to miss!
Two weeks before the wedding, Mr. Horowitz receives an urgent message that Mr. Itzkowitz’s factory just burned down, and all his money was gone. Now he is not exactly the richest man in town anymore - to say the least. Shocked, Mr. Horowitz didn’t waste a moment and hurried to the Rabbi’s home. “The wedding is off,” he cried, “If Mr. Itzkowitz can’t pay his share of the deal, I can’t do such a shidduch!”
The Rabbi thought for a moment. “Okay, not a problem,” he replied, “but now is erev Shabbos. Come back after Shabbos and we’ll discuss.” Well, if the Rabbi said it’s not a problem, then he has nothing to worry about. Shabbos was relaxed.
Immediately after Shabbos, Mr. Horowitz hurried to the Rabbi’s home together with Mr. Itzkowitz to discuss the details. After hearing both sides, the Rabbi declared: “Mr. Horowitz should pay for both sides of the wedding!” Mr. Horowitz was stumped. What kind of deal was this?
“Yes,” explained the Rabbi, with a great deal of patience. “You have good luck - your factory didn’t burn down. Now you should show some gratitude to Hashem that you can afford the expenses and pay for the entire wedding!”
NIMSHAL: The world is a cycle, explains the Kli Yakar. Some people get rich while others remain poor; and then the tide turns. Money disappears from wealthy families while the more needy get rich. This is to stand as a constant reminder for us that this world is only temporary - nothing lasts forever. For this reason the Torah tells us that one should give readily to charity and in return, Hashem will bless him and his children. The tide will keep turning in his benefit.
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