Wows and Woes

The two families had so much in common: they had both come to Israel from the USA. Danny's mother was an Orthodox convert and so was Racheli's mother. Both families had children who were still living secular lifestyles in the States. Both Danny and Racheli were intelligent and attractive. Danny, after serving for three years in a top-notch IDF fighting unit, had now started learning in a yeshiva forBaalei Teshuva (newly observant Jews). Naturally, when the two respective families asked me about the prospects of a match between Danny and Racheli, I enthusiastically gave them my wholehearted blessing. It seemed to be a match made in Heaven.

Danny and Racheli went out on their first date, spending a pleasant evening talking and sipping coffee in a local café. The meeting lasted for three hours. Their conversation flowed so effortlessly that they didn't realize how the time flied…

That same evening, Danny's family called the shadchan, the matchmaker who so adeptly arranged what looked like a perfect match, and happily informed him that Danny is more than interested in meeting Racheli again. He had stars in his eyes, convinced that he had found his perfect soulmate. They asked the shadchan to arrange a second date.

One day passed without the shadchan hearing anything from Racheli's family. The next day, the shadchan took the initiative and called Racheli's parents. Racheli's mother answered the phone. The shadchan asked how she liked Danny.

"Believe me," Racheli's mother told the shadchan, "if it were up to me, I'd seal the deal right now. Danny is just the type of boy I want for my daughter. I'm sorry for not getting back with you until now, but Racheli has her reservations…"

"What's the matter?" probed the shadchan. "What could she possibly find wrong with Danny?"

"She admits that he's intelligent, nice looking and very polite. She said that his manners were perfect and his middot seemed impeccable. He was a great listener and pleasant to be with…"

"So what's the matter? Why not arrange a second date already?" asked the shadchan, with a tinge of impatience.

Racheli's mother cleared her throat, hesitating and trying to swallow her embarrassment. "R-racheli said that he didn't ignite a spark. He lacks the "WOW" factor…"

Continue reading Wows and Woes on this week's exciting issue of Breslev Israel web magazine.

Also featured this week:

Please Don't Push: The Breslev view of manners and derech eretz by Rabbi Shalom Arush

Kabbala and Witchcraft: The fine line between the holy and the unholy, by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Kivak

Fuggetaboutit: Making a new start, by Racheli Reckles

Return to Fantasy World: The dangers of Diaspora by Rivka Levy

Gullible but Secure: The advantages of being naive by Zev Ballen

Pay to Pray: Synagogue can be a thrill by Rivka Levy

Using Your Toolbox: Making the most out of yourself, by Cindy Schwartz

Why Evil Comes Easy: It's a cinch to sin, by Dovber Halevi

Parshat Toldot: This week's Torah portion with Rabbi Avraham HaCohen Kook

Big Beam blessings for a continued successful week.