As everyone knows, one of the ways of acquiring something is by making a trade, I will give you one of my belongings and in turn you will give me one of yours. The more valuable the item that you desire is, the more you will give up.
In my youth I heard or read the following story. After the histalkus of a certain tzaddik, his children sat down to divide his personal items. Before they began they all agreed that it must be done in the spirit of their father, without any friction or hard feelings. For example, they put all of his seforim in a manner that they could all be seen and they all received an equal amount, allowing everyone to state their preferences etc.
After that they divided a second category, let us say his personal items, such as his kiddish bechers (cups) the seder plate, menorah etc.
The final item that had to be received was his tefillin, but how could that be divided, and especially as everyone truly desired to obtain it?
After much thought they decided that each one would write what they are willing to give up to obtain it. One son wrote, “I will give up ta certain item from each category we divided”. Another wrote, “I am willing to allow you to choose any item from each category”, and so on. Finally, they opened the last note, in which it was written, I will give away everything I received for the tefillin.
All of the sons saw that he treasured it more than they did and said unanimously that he deserves to receive it.
Reprinted from the Parshas Beshalach 5786 email of Rabbi Avtzon’s Weekly Story.
