There is a theory that dates back long ago, that the origin of the word, “lullaby” comes from the Yiddish words - “Lilith Abi” – Lilith go away. Adam HaRishon’s first wife, Lilith, was attached to Adam before Hashem separated them. She later became a Shaid, a damaging demon (see Shabbos 151b). Regardless of the etymological origin, there is an old Yiddish lullaby that contains the words, “Sleep, sleep, my girl, and I shall find you a suitable Chosson (groom).”
The following inspiring story regarding the Vilna Gaon is found in the biographical work “HaGaon” on page 49.
In the 1740s, the Vilna Gaon took upon himself a period of voluntary exile. During his exile, he stayed in a home where there was a baby girl who was crying in the middle of the night. The Vilna Gaon picked up the baby girl, and yes, sang her the soothing old Yiddish lullaby to get her back to sleep.
Years passed. When the girl was of marriageable age, the Vilna Gaon sent a young man to her parent’s home with a letter signed by the Vilna Gaon himself. It said:
“Years ago, your daughter was crying and I soothed her with the old Yiddish lullaby that ended with the words. ‘... and I shall find you a suitable Chosson.’
The young man who bears this letter is a suitable Chosson. I am not saying that they should marry, but in the lullaby that I sang to her, I said that I would find her a suitable Chosson – I have kept my word.”
Such was the Vilna Gaon’s commitment to Everyday Emes – always speaking the truth, even if it meant fulfilling a commitment made in a Yiddish lullaby! And by the way, they did end up marrying. The story was repeated by none other than Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk ZT”L.
