"Bye, bye, Pinchos, " I waved to my seven-year-old, the last
of the chicks to leave home. "Have a good day, I'll see you
at lunch time." I watched him out of the window as he got
onto the yellow school bus, gazed a little longer at the blue
skies and enjoyed the fresh morning breeze for a few
moments.
Right, to work, no more time for dreaming. I manage a
jewellery shop which is conveniently close to my house. As I
open up at eight in the morning, I know that I have plenty of
time before the rush begins. People do not usually go
shopping for jewellery this early in the morning.
I took the morning paper out of my bag, opening it as usual
at the 'engagements' column. Frequently a happy young bride
or her shvigger come in to choose a watch and a ring.
Who got engaged last night, I think to myself. As I was
perusing the page, there was a knock, and a young girl came
in; she was a picture of happiness. "You get a mazal
tov, don't you?" I said confidently.
"Oh yes," she gushed, rather startled at my clairvoiyance.
I glanced down at the paper and hazarded, "You must be
Shoshanna Silberberg." The bemused girl just nodded. I could
not help but rejoice with her; a girl doesn't get engaged
every day.
After years of experience, I have come to expect different
ways of buying jewellery. Some future mothers-in-law insist
on helping the girl with her choice. Others come together
with her and just stand by as the girl chooses. There are
those who prefer to take a few samples to the girl's house
and let her pick from those. Finally, there are some women
who send the young girl to decide on her own, and they just
pick up the bill. It seems that Shoshanna fitted into the
last category.
"Wait, you must be wanting to pick out a watch. What can I
show you?" I asked turning to take out the most popular
range. "Pardon?" she said, puzzled. I repeated the question.
Had the excitement affected her hearing? The girl shook her
head and with a demure smile she said "My future mother-in-
law is coming to meet me here at lunch time, when I come from
school. We agreed to choose the watch together."
"So now you just want to see what there is?" I suggested.
"Oh no, not at all" explained the girl patiently. She took a
deep breath and continued "I just wanted to say that when my
chosson's mother comes in, I would like you to show
her just the plainest, cheapest items that you have."
I had never heard anything like it; had the excitement gone
to her head? "But why?" I burst out.
"Look," she said in a determined voice, "I really only want
simple, inexpensive jewellery." She must have seen my
confusion as she leaned on the counter, and added in a more
sensitive tone, "I really like my future mother-in-law and I
know she is not made of money. I cannot bear to think of her
spending so much on me, and came specifically this morning to
ask you to show only the less expensive stuff."
I was astounded and suddenly heard myself saying, "Why not?
Not to worry, just leave it up to me."
The girl breathed a sigh of relief and added, as she squeezed
my hand, "Please forget about this conversation after
today."
Shoshanna left the shop and my mind was in a turmoil. I had
seen dozens, maybe even hundreds of girls through the years
and never met anyone like this. I glanced at the bold
lettering of her name in the announcement and knew that that
name would remain as clearly imprinted on my mind as in the
paper. I had not quite recovered from the encounter, when a
woman asked to be let in.
After the good morning, she looked down at the paper on the
counter and declared cheerfully, "My son's name is in the
paper this morning. See," she said pointing down at the
column, "that's his kalla, Shoshanna Silberberg". The
woman leaned forward. "I am not planning on buying anything
just now; I am meeting Shoshanna here after school today."
Then she looked me in the eye.
"I just came in to tell you, that when we come in together,
and please do not mention this at all, I only want you to
show her the very best, never mind the price. She is such an
exceptional girl, only the very best will do; we can discuss
the price after she has chosen."
I suddenly thought of the two brothers who had each taken the
produce from their barn, night after night, and tipped it
into each other's barns. My eyes filled with tears as I
thought of these two wonderful women and a resonance
whispered through my head, "`In houses like these, the Beis
Hamikdosh will be rebuilt."
