A couple had been married for many years, and still had not been blessed with children. They decided to do a cheshbon hanefesh, and the husband, Aryeh, remembered an incident he had been involved in while still a bochur. He had been one of the outstanding students in the yeshivah, and the Rosh Yeshivah had appointed him as the gabbai. When he accepted the position, the previous gabbai told him about a bochur, Eli, who had requested not to be called up to the Torah due to his stutter. All the gabbaim over the years had honored his request, and Aryeh honored it as well. However, one year on Purim, Aryeh let the Purim spirit affect his judgment, and he decided that since Purim is “venahafoch hu”, he would call Eli to the Torah. Once Eli was called to the Torah, he had no choice but to approach the bimah and attempt to say the brachos. He stuttered over the brachos for several long moments, and his humiliation was excruciating. Following this incident, Eli left the yeshivah, and tried making his way in the working world. However, he was unsuccessful in maintaining a steady job, and he was constantly moving from one low end job to another.
When Aryeh recalled this incident, he realized how serious it was and understood that it may be the reason for his lack of children. He sought out Eli and tearfully requested his forgiveness for his great sin. Eli began shouting and said, “ I am not prepared to forgive you! The trauma continues to affect me until today, and I’m unable to earn a proper living because of it.” Aryeh saw that Eli would not be appeased, and he left the house. A few days later, he returned, and fell at Eli’s feet, crying bitterly. He pleaded with him to forgive him for the terrible humiliation he had caused him. He also promised that for the rest of Eli’s life, he would give him five hundred dollars every month to make up for his lack of parnassah. Aryeh’s promise made an impression on Eli. He realized that Aryeh understood the gravity of his actions so many years ago. He told Aryeh, “I forgive you completely, for the humiliation you caused me, and there is no need to give me money.” Nine months later, Aryeh and his wife were blessed with a baby boy. [source: sefer Barchi Nafshi]
