By Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
R’ Shmuel Strashun, known as the Rashash (whose commentary on the Gemara is printed in most editions), spent many hours immersed in Torah study, while also spending time engaged in business and administering a free-loan fund. A tailor named Zalman approached the Rashash to borrow money, and was granted a loan of 300 rubles to be repaid in one year. The transaction was recorded in the Rashash’s ledger.
Exactly one year later, Zalman appeared at the Rashash’s home to repay the loan. Deeply involved in his studies, the Rashash took the money, tucked it into the back-cover flap of the sefer he was using, and continued with his studies. Many hours later, he returned the sefer to the shelf, forgetting to remove the money. When the Rashash reviewed his ledgers a few weeks later, he noted that the loan to Zalman had not been crossed out and was apparently overdue.
When he summoned Zalman, the latter claimed that he had returned the loan on the very day it had been due. Yet there were no witnesses, nothing had been recorded and the Rashash had no recollection of the matter. It was decided that both parties would go to a din Torah where the matter would be decided.
The news spread around town like wildfire – the simple tailor, Zalman, had the audacity to be involved in a din Torah with the revered Rashash! The Beis Din ruled that Zalman would have to swear that he had indeed repaid the loan. The Rashash did not want to chance that a Jew would perhaps swear falsely, so he relented and dropped the case.
People Stopped Patronizing Zalman the Tailor
Anger and bitterness were cast upon the tailor. People stopped patronizing him, and soon Zalman and his family became the objects of mockery and degradation. He gave up his business and moved to a distant hamlet, a broken man.
A year later, the Rashash found the 300 rubles Zalman had given him, when he once again referenced that same sefer. The Rashash immediately sought out Zalman to make amends. He finally found him living in a dilapidated shanty in a desolate area. He begged Zalman’s forgiveness.
“What good is forgiveness?” said Zalman bitterly. “My business is gone, my money is lost, and I have nothing. I am the laughing stock of the community.”
The Rashash promised to return his money and to announce in every shul that it was his mistake and that people should restore their respect to Zalman. Zalman shook his head, “No, people will only say that the Rashash is a tzaddik, and his compassion compels him to act such. They will never believe that I was really right.”
The Rashash Thinks of a Way to Rectify His Mistake
The Rashash understood human nature and knew Zalman was right. Then he thought of a way to rectify the situation. “Zalman, I have a daughter. If I take your son as a son-in-law, then no one would doubt that you are indeed a respectable man.”
Zalman agreed to this proposal. The young couple agreed as well. Soon a marriage was arranged between Zalman’s son and the Rashash’s daughter, and Zalman regained his former status in the community.
When R’ Sholom Schwadron recounts this story, he explains that under normal circumstances, it would not seem even remotely possible for such a shidduch to come about. Hashem put into motion an entire sequence of events – the Rashash becoming very wealthy, lending the money to Zalman, forgetting about the return of the loan, the lapsed time, the obstinacy of Zalman, the Rashash’s desire to make amends – all so that the shidduch that was proclaimed in Heaven should come to fruition. (Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “The Maggid Speaks”)
Reprinted from the Parshas Bo 5784 email of The Weekly Vort.
