Many years ago in the village of Aziz in Israel there lived a poor family with a daughter named Rachel. The girlish happiness of a new dress was far out of Rachel's reach, but she had a fine character and a sharp mind which she used to help her beleaguered family.
One day Rachel and her siblings were outside when Rachel reached up to get a pot down from the top of the roof. Suddenly she lost her footing and slipped from the shaky wooden ladder. She came toppling down onto the stone pavement and struck her mouth on a rock. Her little siblings fluttered around her, but she calmly brushed them away and went into the house. Her mother heard the commotion and approached her daughter in alarm. After wiping away the blood, they found to their horror, that one of Rachel's front teeth had been knocked out.
This seemingly insignificant event caused her life to take an unhappy turn. Always a sensitive girl, Rachel suffered terribly from the teasing of her friends who giggled at the wide gap in her mouth. She no longer wanted to join with the other girls in their activities. Her despair deepened as time went on, and her distraught parents were at a loss of what to do.
Although they had barely enough money for food, Rachel's parents managed to gather enough money to make a false tooth. But the craftsman they hired was not very skilled, and the tooth didn't fit properly and was a dark color. Instead of improving her appearance, it made her look much worse. In her attempt to hide the tooth, she kept her mouth closed most of the time. She soon looked like a bitter, dejected old woman.
Time went by. All of her old friends married one by one; only Rachel was left without a suitor, for no one was interested in the sad, withdrawn, unsmiling girl. Her heartbroken parents knew that they must do something, but a dowry was far beyond their means and besides, no one wanted her.
Finally they came up with an idea. The girl's mother had a younger brother who lived in a village outside of Jerusalem. He was also poor and worked hard for a living, but he was a fine man and would make a good husband for his niece. Pleased with their idea, the parents sent a messenger to their relative, and he agreed to the suggestion. Although he hadn't seen his niece in many years he remembered her as a sunny, cheerful little girl.
He travelled to their home and stood expectantly at the door as he waited for someone to answer his knock. The door opened and a dishevelled, worn-looking woman stood on the other side. He was shocked to learn that this was his betrothed, and he flatly refused to honor his promise and left the town at once.
Finally word of the debacle came to the ears of Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha. This tzadik loved his fellow Jews, and was especially attached to the mitzva of helping poor Jewish girls get married. And when poverty was an obstacle he expended tremendous effort in helping them. His warm heart was touched by the tragic story and he summoned the girl's parents, offering to take Rachel into his home. "Bring your daughter to us, and my wife will take good care of her. I promise you that before long that young man will sorely regret having refused her."
So, Rachel went to live with this kind family who spared no effort to make her comfortable. For the first time in her life she ate nourishing meals each day, and was pampered with fine soaps and ointments. Her hair was groomed and festooned with stylish ribbons. Soon, her cheeks glowed with health and her newfound happiness radiated outward. Still, there was the problem of the tooth. Rabbi Yishmael ordered an expert craftsman to make her a new tooth, this time of gold. Rachel was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. In those days gold teeth were a mark of beauty as well as high station. Rachel couldn't help but stare at her reflection in the mirror, but it was hard to recognize the beautiful young woman who stared back at her.
The following week Rabbi Yishmael sent for the young man who recently had refused to marry her, saying, "There is a lovely young woman I would like you to meet. I think she would be a fine wife for you. Why don't you come and meet her and see what you think."
He was pleased to accept the proposal and lost no time in showing up at Rabbi Yishmael's house. When he entered the room and saw the attractive woman who sat next to Rabbi Yishmael's wife, a smile crept across his face, for he immediately recognized his niece, but she was completely changed. How could it be that the girl who had seemed so ugly and repulsive had now become so beautiful? His thoughts were interrupted by Rabbi Yishmael's voice saying, "Isn't this the same young woman you vowed not to marry?"
The man was caught off guard and protested, "I, I made a mistake. I would really like very much to marry her."
Rabbi Yishmael felt a sudden pang of sorrow, sorrow for all the other Rachels he was unable to help, and he responded softly, "I absolve you of the vow which you made by mistake. You may marry, and G-d grant that your years be filled with happiness and peace." And so it was.
