Sholom Ber came to the house, and she said to him, “In Poland I lost both of my parents and I felt like a nobody, a shmatte (a rag). Finally, my uncle was able to contact me and took me into his house, and I was looking forward to the day that I would be independent and have my own dignity, and not be a burden to anyone. Now that you are disappointed that the Rebbe won't be mesader kiddushin, and the shidduch will be broken, I will lose my chance for my own dignity and will be a rag once again.
“Why are you saying that?” asked Reb Sholom Ber, “I am not thinking of breaking the engagement; I will marry you.”
She look at him in disbelief, unable to verbalize her thoughts; why will he marry me if I am letting him down by causing that his Rebbe will not officiate at his wedding?
Sensing her thoughts, he said, “I am not considering that because I am a student and a chossid of the Rebbe.” Seeing her total bewilderment, he said, “I once mentioned to you the guidance the Rebbe gave me personally - that Ahavas Yisroel is giving a Jewish man or woman what they need.
“We Will Get Married and You Will Have Your Dignity”
“You said that you need your dignity, and that would come to you when you will be married, and if I don’t marry you, you will be a shmatte. So, being that I am a student of the Rebbe, I will listen to his guidance and give you what you so dearly desire. We will get married, and you will have your dignity.
The girl was overwhelmed with gratitude and couldn't believe it. To make her happy, he is willing to forgo the biggest honor of his life of the Rebbe officiating at his wedding.
After a moment she said, and I also wish to be a student and follower of the Rebbe, in order to make you happy, I will gladly purchase a wig and wear it.
Photo of the chasanah (wedding) of Rabbi Sholom DovBer and Rivka (Rita) Goldshmid of blessed memories with the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l serving as the mesader kedushin on 10 Elul 5711/1951.
Reprinted from the Parshas Devorim 5784 email of The Weekly Story by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon.
