When they arrived at the home of the first young man, they were very favorably impressed. He was an affable young man and very well-versed in Torah. To round off his admirable qualities, he was the son of a wealthy family. What could be better?
"This young man would be a wonderful match for Reb David's daughter," they remarked to one another. "Let's finalize the match now!"
It would have been done on the spot, but one Chasid noted, "Our Rebbe clearly told us to check out both young men, and that is what we must do." The following day, after spending more time conversing with the young man and observing his behavior, they were even more certain that he was the right choice. However, just as they were about to depart, they mistakenly entered one of the rooms of the spacious mansion. To their horror, they saw the young scholar holding a cross.
The Chasidim thanked G-d for having shown them the hidden side of their chosen groom. "How could we have doubted the words of our Rebbe when he told us to meet both prospective grooms!" they concurred.
In the city of Novy Kasnitin they found the second candidate, and he was a fine young man. They concluded the engagement agreement, and the boy's parents sent a costly gift for the intended bride. Of course, custom dictated that a gift of similar value be sent to the groom as well.
Reb David and his daughter were pleased with the reports of the young groom, but as the weeks passed, Reb David could not manage to amass enough money to buy a respectable gift for the future groom.
Soon a letter arrived from the groom's father questioning the silence of the bride's family. No gift, not even a mazal tov, and the wedding date was fast approaching. Poor Reb David was at a complete loss. There seemed to be no way for him to raise the money.
With no solution in sight, he made the trip to Mezibuz to consult the Baal Shem Tov. When the Baal Shem Tov heard his tale of woe he responded, "Just go home and don't worry. It will all turn out very well."
Reb David returned home, and tried to be optimistic, even when a second letter arrived. But when a third letter came from his future in-law announcing his imminent arrival together with the entire wedding party, Reb David fell apart. What could he do, but to travel once again to the Baal Shem Tov?
As Reb David was about to enter the town, he and his travelling companions saw a heavily loaded wagon ahead of them. "There is your salvation!" joked one of the travellers, pointing to the wagon. Little did he suspect the truth of the words he had uttered in jest, for the occupant of the wagon had entered the Besht's room just a moment before Reb David.
Addressing Reb David, the Besht said: "Here is an interesting story: Once in Danzig there was a wealthy merchant named Reuven, who dealt in lumber. As did many other lumber dealers, he shipped his merchandise by sea. Once there was a terrible storm and the merchandise of all of the other merchants was destroyed. Only Reuven's was saved. Now lumber was scarce and Reuven realized a huge profit.
"His troubles, however, had just begun. For his workers became exceedingly jealous of his new-found wealth and went so far as to plot his death. They killed his driver and were about to murder him as well. He begged and pleaded for his life, but they were not swayed. They agreed only to allow him to pray for a few moments. It was during those seconds that Reuven vowed to give half of his fortune to the poor if G-d granted him his life.
"At that moment a nobleman and his retainers approached at a gallop. The would-be murderers fled and a shaken Reuven was rescued.
"Soon, he began to regret his vow. How could he give away such a fortune of money all at once? Instead he would give a little each year until he had paid his pledge. G-d, however, was not satisfied with this plan, and decided that Reuven's fortune would be dispensed of otherwise. Soon his wife took ill, and although great sums were meted out to many doctors, a cure was not found.
" 'Reuven,' said his wife, 'the doctors cannot cure me. Please go to the Baal Shem Tov, and see if he can help.' And here is Reuven, in this room!"
The man had realized that he was the subject of the Baal Shem Tov's story, and he stood in amazement at the accuracy of the details.
"How much money did you spend on doctors?" the Baal Shem Tov inquired. "Was it not more than the sum you had promised to the poor? Now, redeem your pledge and your wife will soon recover."
At that, Reuven poured all his money on the table. It contained the entire sum Reb David had promised as a dowry and more. True to the words of the Baal Shem Tov, the wedding was celebrated joyfully, and the young couple lived happy and content.
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