After being childless for twenty years, the Shamni couple reached out to an adoption agency with the hope of adopting a child. There was a list of questions that they had to answer to determine their suitability. One of the questions was: “State, in order of preference, the five things you love most.” Reb Eliyahu Shamni wrote on top of the list “Hashem” and then filled out the other four.
They asked Reb Shamni, “If you adopt a child, will you love that child more than the five items you listed here?”
Reb Shamni answered, “I will never love anyone or anything more than Hakadosh Baruch Hu! I can’t sign this!”
There was another religious couple in the agency at that time. They were also applying for adoption. They told Reb Shamni, “It’s just a procedure. Tell them what they want to hear. You don’t have to tell them the truth.”
Reb Shamni replied emphatically, “I love Hashem more than everything in the world, and I refuse to say differently.” The Shamnis were thus disqualified and left empty-handed.
Nine months later, the Shamni’s had twins. The other couple they met at the agency was approved, but after nine months, they were still waiting for their opportunity to adopt. By this time, Reb Shamni and his wife were bentched with their own set of children.
Reb Shamni told over, “When one doesn’t give up on the One (Hashem), he ends up with two (children).”
