Mommy, we’re ready to get engaged, but I’m so scared because Tattie is so very sick. How will you ever be able to make our wedding? He wouldn’t even be able to come to the Ohel for our engagement…what should I do?”
“My dearest daughter, your older sister and her husband will take you to the Ohel to get the Rebbe’s bracha to get engaged. I will call Devorah Benjamin and everything will work out fine, b’ezras Hashem!”
The couple got engaged– “Mazel tov!” – and Devorah Benjamin went into action. Due to the kallah’s father’s precarious medical situation, he would not be able to travel to Crown Heights, Devorah Benjamin’s “home turf” – the place where she regularly puts together these types of weddings for over 25 years was not an option. The only feasible plan involved Devorah Benjamin traveling to the out of town location, where he was living. Not only that, time was of the essence, since this man’s medical situation was so very severe.
With limited time, very limited funds (that medical situation had drained the family’s meager savings, and the chosson had his own “situation” concerning money) AND in an unfamiliar town, you could imagine there would be “a bit” of craziness along with cutting corners on every aspect of this simcha……but NO! Everything was elegant, not just “respectable” – and there were relaxed smiles all around.
Music, photography (even a video!) elegant food and decor…Even the father of the bride, miraculously was able to get out of his sick bed and walk his daughter to the chuppah, circling her chosson seven times. And no one would have ever imagined that the woman on the sidelines was no one other than perhaps a caring family member, an aunt perhaps, helping the family members be organized, on time, and most importantly….HAPPY!!
Stories like these are made possible by partners like you.
And whoever can should donate! Just a thought about the Ohel. Many couples – yes, regular Lubavitcher (gezhe) from Eretz Yisrael DO NOT go to the Ohel in order to get engaged. The costs can be prohibitive for some,others it’s just not possible timing wise for the parents to fly in. They write in, they might go to the kotel or one of the many holy kivrei tzaddikim, etc. THERE IS NO MITZVAH to go to the Ohel if it puts a strain on any family. The Rebbe is not bound by time or space. Mazal Tov. Binyan adei ad… Read more »