Shortly after his chasuna, Yechezkel’s new wife suggested that he buy flowers l’chvod Shabbos. Although he was a Kollel yungerman, and thus didn’t spend money on luxuries, he decided that if it meant so much to her, he would treat her to it. So, for every week that they were home — 2 to 3 weeks a month — he would bring home a fresh bouquet of flowers in honor of Shabbos.
Five months into their marriage, Yechezkel received a call from his wife’s grandfather, Mr. Yisroel Helprin, inquiring about their credit card approval. Getting approved for the first one can be rather challenging; once you get approved for the first one, the other offers come in a dime a dozen, but the first is a hassle. They’d already gone to their bank to apply but were declined.
Mr. Helprin was therefore informing them that Capital One, a different bank, was relatively easier to get approval from and that they should give it a shot. They went ahead with it, and B”H got approved.
After hearing that, her grandfather then told them about setting up an autopay to cover the minimal payment. If the minimal payment is not received at the right day of the month, they’d get charged a $40 penalty — something no one wants. “And as a chasuna gift we, Zaidy and Bubby, want to treat you to this. So, from today and on, we will set up a $30 autopay from monthly bill!”
Yechezkel thanked his grandfather profusely and gave him the details to set up the autopay. Though the minimum was really $25, his grandfather said that paying only the bare minimum was skimpy-looking, so he gave them an allowance of $30. With that, they continued buying Shabbos flowers to enhance their Shabbos, and each month had the money cover that cost.
Why is $30 significant? Every week, Yechezkel bought flowers costing him between $10-$15, and multiplying that by the number of weeks they were home (2-3 weeks) comes out to roughly $30 a month.
Yechezkel then remembered what the Chofetz Chaim writes that money ones spends on mitzvos are repaid double (see Ahavas Chesed, Chelek Beis, Perek Yud Gimmel, in the footnote). “If so,” Yechezkel thought, “let me see how Hashem will bring the second half.”
Four weeks later, he received a call from...again, his grandfather. “I think that it would be beneficial to set up a credit card under your wife’s name, as well,” he told Yechezkel. “She, too, might need the points, and it can’t hurt.”
“OK,” replied the grandson. “I’m in.”
Yechezkel once again applied for a card in his wife’s name, and sure enough, she was approved. The day after she got approved and received her new card in the mail, Mr. Helprin once again informed them to setup the autopay and covered the $30 leaver fee each month, leaving him with double.
