The Jewish people are all jewels

“And Yisro, the father-in-law of Moshe, took Tzippora….” (Shemos 18:2)

Yisro had been crowned with several titles of honor throughout his lifetime. Yet as Yisro approached to meet Moshe and join the ranks of the Jewish people, he dropped the other names by which he was known and took only the title associated with being Moshe’s father-in-law. (Rabbi Ben-Zion Rand, Likutei Peshatim)

T

he last place you want to spend a Chanukah morning is in your local frum toy store. I came early in the morning hoping to beat the rush, but it seemed plenty of other people had the same idea. Still, I only was buying one item, not browsing, and I was thrilled when I found myself second in line for the cashier.

Rebbe Simcha Bunim of Peshis’cha was once visited by one of his chassidim, a wealthy merchant who dealt with precious stones. The conversation turned to some necessary arrangements regarding some of the “simpler” people of the community, whom the Rebbe praised highly for their various abilities. The businessman couldn’t contain himself and inquired, “What does the Rebbe find so commendable about these people? I don’t think they’re so deserving of your compliments.” The Rebbe brought the conversation to a halt.

The problem was with the person in front of me, number one on line. He was a tall man, with a beard and suspenders, and he wanted to make a return. (They should make returns illegal during Chanukah itself. Just buying allowed.)

Within 30 seconds of listening to the conversation, I realized he had certain limitations.

“This Game Boy is broken. I have to return it. The games are all terrible,” he announced emphatically.

“Have you opened the item?” inquired the cashier.

“Of course. I played with it for a week. That’s how I know the games are terrible. I want a refund!” he demanded.

The cashier was flustered. “We don’t allow returns on used opened packages,” she said, trying to sound as emphatic as the customer.

“I need a refund now!” The man was getting more agitated. “I need to return it now.”

“Okay.” The clerk made a quick decision, deciding that under the circumstances, the store policy had to go. “I’ll take back the item, but we don’t give refunds. We only give store credit.

“No!” the man almost wailed. “I need my cash back now!”

After a few minutes, the Rebbe turned to the merchant and asked to see his wares. The man proudly displayed several rows of shiny gems. “This one,” he gestured with delight, “is simply magnificent!”

The Rebbe frowned, “I don’t think it’s anything worth looking at!” he said.

“I’m sorry,” said the man, “but one has to be an expert in order to appreciate the true beauty of these stones.”

The Rebbe then looked him in the eye and explained, “The Jewish People are all jewels. One has to be trained to look at people in order to properly evaluate the strengths of each one.”

Now what? None of these mom-and-pop stores offered cash back. But the man wasn’t backing down. “I need 439.90 shekels right now!” His voice was rising.

“Excuse me a moment,” the clerk said. She left her place and went to the back of the store. After a moment she came back and said to the man, “Why don’t you come with me and speak to the manager? He wants to discuss with you why this Game Boy is so bad,”

“Sure,” he agreed. A smile lit up his face.

I breathed a sigh of relief — it was my turn next — but wondered how the manager found time on this busy morning to discuss Game Boys with a random customer.

Soon, I saw the man exiting the back office. He was smiling, sans Game Boy, and his body language exuded cheer.

Had the manager given him cash? I wondered. I had no way of finding out, but it was clear that the manager had been able to restore his spirits.

I left the store impressed with both the clerk and the manager for taking the time and effort to give this one customer the time and special care he clearly needed.

With what I’d witnessed, I’d definitely gotten more than I paid for.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 980)