DVAR TORAH: Benefit of the Doubt

In Ashdod lives the Feingold family. The father needed to raise funds to pay for his daughter's wedding and their share of an apartment for the new couple. In Israel there are no blocks of rental apartments; the custom is for the bride and groom's family to provide a modest place for the couple to begin their new life. He traveled around Ashdod, Israel and even to the United States. Friends and neighbors also helped to raise funds.

When the guests arrived at the wedding hall, they were surprised. The wedding was in the largest ballroom. When they entered the ballroom they were shocked - the floral arrangements were stunning, the tableware was elegant and a seven-piece band was playing. The meal was a seven-course dinner with huge portions.  Photographers were everywhere. People were highly offended! The Feingolds had always portrayed themselves as poor people, and now they were spending not only beyond their means, but enough to pay for three weddings!

The matter was so distasteful that it was all people talked about at the wedding. Of course, no one had the audacity to say anything directly to the Feingolds, but the bride's parents couldn't help but sense a touch of resentment and disfavor in the air. After the wedding the situation worsened as with each passing day eyes were raised and noses were turned up as the comments of jealousy and distrust became more obvious.

Not being able to take the resentment any longer, Mr. Feingold went to speak with the community Rav, Rabbi Elya Weiss, to explain the situation. "When I first came with my wife and daughter to the hall to discuss prices and fix a date, we spoke with the owner's wife. We got into a discussion and suddenly she looked up at me and asked, 'Do you by any chance have any Feingold relatives that lived in Germany?' I was taken aback by the question, because I didn't think anyone knew us from the small town we were from. 'Yes," I told her, 'we do come from Germany.' "She asked if we knew a Leo Feingold and when I told her he was my father her face paled.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she exclaimed, 'I am alive today only because of your father! He hid my family and me and saved us from the Nazis. My whole family owes their lives to your father!' She had always wanted to meet her saviors, but never found them.

"She insisted on making us a beautiful wedding to express her gratitude. We tried to talk her out of it. When we came to the wedding hall that night, we were as shocked as everyone else. I couldn't say anything to anyone because our benefactor has asked that her present remain a secret. When I realized the worsening attitudes of many of our friends, I requested her permission to reveal the truth and now I ask you to let people know the truth."