Collecting money — even for his own yeshivah — was not something R’ Shmuel [Berenbaum] relished, yet he was remarkably successful, thanks to his highly unconventional approach. He would approach wealthy individuals directly and ask for often startling sums.
He once appeared unannounced at a gvir’s palatial home, briefly introduced himself, and immediately requested half a million dollars for a project. When the stunned man protested that he couldn’t afford it, R’ Shmuel asked how many cars he owned and what his house was worth, remarking that his money would be better spent on tzedakah than on “toys.”
He then shifted gears and suggested a nightly learning session in Shaarei Teshuvah. Still in shock, the man agreed. For three nights they learned briefly by phone; on the fourth night, when the call came late, R’ Shmuel sharply reprimanded him before learning.
The man then bowed out, promising instead to send $18,000. And how could R’ Shmuel have asked a stranger for half a million dollars? R’ Shmuel explained that asking for money is like asking for a bucket of sand — it’s insignificant. And he wasn’t taking it, but offering to turn it into gold. “So why,” he concluded, “should I shy away from making that offer?”
Reprinted from the Parshas Beshalach 5786 email of The Weekly Vort.
