“Please, don’t be afraid. Whatever it is, I want to help you.”

“Your son’s wedding….”

“Don’t worry about that. Just because I am the groom’s father does not mean I don’t care about the pain of another Jew. Please, tell me how I can help you.”

“You don’t understand. The reason why I am crying is because of the wedding.”

The butcher blinked, confused. “You’re right, I don’t understand why that should make you cry. But we have a few moments before the chuppah is set to begin. Explain it to me.”

“Not here. Not in front of everyone.”

“Of course. Come, let’s quickly go to a place where we can talk in private.”

The other beggars looked on in astonishment as the butcher walked with the young man to an adjacent room.

“It’s true, by the way!” one of the beggars called out. “Many of us here tonight can verify what he’s about to tell you. We know the full story.”

A few of the other beggars nodded solemnly.

Now the butcher was beginning to get nervous. He felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach as he shut the door to the room and turned to face the beggar.

“Many years ago, when I was just a boy, I was engaged to be married to a certain girl….” the beggar began.

“Yes, yes, go on. I’m listening.”

The beggar raised his eyes to meet the butcher’s.

“The bride was engaged to me. She was set aside al pi kiddushin to be my wife!”

The butcher fell backward, almost hitting his head against the wall.

Stumbling out of the room like a man wandering in the dark, the butcher made his way back to the table of beggars. It did not take long for the truth to emerge. The beggar and his adopted daughter had been betrothed to one another. The beggar, the butcher was told, was an extremely refined and special person, but of course, this did not make the butcher feel much better.

He rushed to speak to the bride, and when he told her what had occurred, her face turned ghostly white. It was true. All of it. She had completely forgotten, but now the memory from so long ago came flashing back into her mind, as vivid as if it had happened the other day.

“I am so, so sorry…” the bride cried to the butcher. “I remember everything now so clearly.… That man is telling the truth.”

Now the butcher hurried to speak to his son about his bride, who had been betrothed to another man long ago. It was a dramatic scene. The weeping of the beggar man provided the backdrop, as the wedding celebrations were temporarily put on hold.

The butcher and his son were silent for a long time, each deep in thought, trying to calm their racing hearts so they could think clearly.

“My son….” The butcher reached out and grasped his son’s hands in his own. “All my life I have tried to instill within you a sense of achrayus, to feel and truly care about another Jew. I ask you this, knowing full well how difficult it is, for you to be mevater — to allow the beggar to get married tonight. Hashem will surely repay your act of selflessness, courage, and kindness, and you will soon find your true zivug. And then, we will celebrate your wedding in simchah, without causing pain and lifelong anguish to another Jew.”

The son stared at his father, trying to draw upon his father’s kindness, the lofty koach of his father’s deep soul. And then, he nodded. There was nothing more to be said. The butcher knew what would now take place.

“The wedding will take place as planned!” the butcher announced to the organizers. “Just give us a few moments for the groom to prepare himself.”

The young beggar was elated to hear the news, but he was terrified at the same time.

“How can I get married when I don’t have a home? I can’t provide for anyone!”

“I will help you, and I will ensure you get a job,” the butcher spoke softly, but with conviction. “Don’t fear. I will treat you as though you were my own son.”

The young beggar was given beautiful new clothing, donning the fancy suit and shoes the butcher’s son had been wearing. With shining faces, the bride and groom walked to the chuppah, as the wedding celebrations kicked off in grand fashion and incredible simchah. It must have been one of the most unique, joyous, and holy weddings to have ever taken place.

The butcher concluded his story, taking a breath to steady himself as the memories washed over him.

“Like I said,” the butcher said softly to the chassid, his eyes on the counter. “Besides that story, I’ve really just lived an ordinary life.”

The chassid smiled through his tears. Yes, it would be an honor having the butcher as his “neighbor” in the World to Come.

This was a man who lived his life the way we should all strive to live our lives. A life of caring for other Jews. Putting others before ourselves. A life of kindness. Just as Hashem created his world with kindness, so too, we should continue emulating that beautiful middah every day of our lives.

Olam chesed yibaneh.

THE END

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 949)