By Rabbi Elimelech Biderman
A chassid of Rebbe Yissacher Dov of Belz zy’a had an only child, who they loved dearly. This son didn’t grow up with fear of heaven, and he became engaged to a gentile woman. When the parents told Rebbe Yissacher Dov of Belz, the Rebbe requested that they bring their son to him. Being that he was brought up in a Chasidic home the son believed in Chasidic Rebbes, so he agreed to go. But he made it clear to his parents and later when he spoke with the Rebbe that he wouldn’t drop his plans.
The Rebbe spoke with the young man for a while, and then the Rebbe said, “All I ask is that when you get dressed for the wedding, wear a talis kattan under your clothing.” To the father, the Rebbe said, “And all I want from you, is for you to go to the wedding.”
The young man agreed to the condition. It was a tiny sacrifice, and as a bonus, his father would be at the wedding.
