A Shabbat Story: The Donation That Was Returned And Then Doubled

“Rabbi, here are 400 rubles,” said one of the wealthy women of Warsaw, placing a bundle of money on the Rabbi’s desk about a hundred years ago. “I’ve been married for many years and haven’t yet been blessed with children. I ask the Rabbi to send this money to one of the holy sages in Jerusalem, so he can pray for me at the Western Wall. May I be blessed with children.” She also handed over a note with her name, her husband’s name, and their mothers’ names, and then quietly left.

The Rabbi of Warsaw honored her request. He sent the money by mail to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, the great Rabbi of Jerusalem. Along with the money, he included a short letter explaining the woman’s request and listing the names for prayer. His part in the mission was done.

The money arrived safely in the holy city of Jerusalem. For Rabbi Sonnenfeld’s students who were used to living with great simplicity and often real poverty, it was uplifting to see Hashem sending help in such a respectful and generous way.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim put on his hat and made his way to the Western Wall, the Kotel, to pray for the woman. When he returned, he turned to one of his students and said, “Please take this money to the post office and return it to the woman who sent it. Here is also money for the mailing cost.”

The students were stunned. They looked at each other, confused, but no one dared question their beloved rabbi. Rabbi Yosef Chaim noticed their puzzled expressions and gently explained:

“In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayakhel, we read about the donations that the Jewish people gave for the building of the Mishkan, the holy Tabernacle. The Torah says, ‘The men came with the women.’ Why does it emphasize that?

“There are many explanations, but the commentary of the Sforno says that the women needed their husbands’ consent to give significant donations. That was the halachah, Jewish law. We can’t accept a large gift from a married woman unless her husband knows about it.”

Rabbi Yosef Chaim continued, “This woman sent the money through the Rabbi of Warsaw, but there’s no mention that her husband agreed or even knew about it. Since the money likely belongs to both of them, I cannot accept it without his permission. I’ve prayed at the Kotel for their salvation, and I’ll continue to pray, but the money, we must return.”

The money was sent back to Warsaw. Time passed, and the matter was forgotten until the Rabbi of Warsaw received another unexpected visitor.

It was the woman’s husband.

“Rabbi,” he asked, “has my wife come to see you recently?”

The Rabbi nodded.

“Did she give you a large amount of money to send to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel)?”

Again, the Rabbi nodded.

“Why was this money taken from her without my knowledge?” the husband asked. “It’s such a large sum. I want the money returned.”

The Rabbi was caught off guard. He had only wanted to help. He asked the man for two days to think over the situation and promised to respond soon.

That very evening, a letter arrived from Jerusalem. It was from Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. “I have prayed for the couple,” the letter read, “but according to halachah, we cannot accept a donation from a woman without her husband’s knowledge. Enclosed is the full amount.”

The Rabbi of Warsaw was amazed by this clear example of divine timing. He immediately sent for the husband.

When the man arrived, he was in tears.

More than three months had passed since his wife had brought the money. And now, thank G-d, they had just learned that they were expecting a child.

Overcome with emotion, the man doubled the original donation, 400 rubles became 800. He added a personal, handwritten letter to Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, expressing his deep thanks and appreciation.

A gift sent in hope had returned not only with prayers, but with a greater blessing than anyone could have imagined.