“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Shaya shook his head. “But I see you will not change your mind”

L

ife was never better for Naftali and Chaim. Only a short period of time after Naftali had blessed Chaim that his daughter should find her true zivug, the brachah materialized. Soon after that, Naftali merited to find his own soul mate. There was tremendous simchah at both weddings, a culmination of an incredible story and a wonderful relationship that had started between the kind innkeeper and the scholarly boy years before.

But stories do not always have happy endings. In real life, the future is always uncertain. There were still dark clouds on the horizon.

Naftali eventually settled in Posen, taking on the esteemed position of chief rav.

But as happens sometimes in even the best Jewish homes, marital strife broke out in the home of Yocheved and her husband, Shaya. Poor Chaim was aware of the conflict, and it broke his heart to see two good people suffering so much. He tried his best to restore shalom, but despite his best efforts, the situation continued for a few years.

One day Yocheved told her husband that she was going to join a group of Jewish travelers who were leaving the village and heading to distant cities to visit the kevarim of great rabbanim. Perhaps after crying and davening at the gravesites of these giant souls, they would have more Heavenly assistance as they tried to bring peace and harmony into their home.