A Jew Reformed
I once participated in the wedding ceremony of the daughter of a prominent man from Argentina. This man had been a Reform Jew and, with Hashem’s kindness, had found his way back to his heritage. The wedding strengthened my level of faith in Hashem. This is what happened:
This daughter, who now married according to Jewish law, originally had planned on marrying a gentile man from France. But her father, in spite of his Reform affiliations and lack of Torah observance, would not hear of it. That his only daughter would intermarry? Nothing doing! He made mighty attempts to have her break off all ties with this gentile, but did not meet with success.
The man did not give up. On the contrary, the more stubborn the girl was, the more prayers he offered heavenward for Hashem to save her from such a dreadful decision. Likewise, he increased his charity to various organizations and destitute individuals. He fasted and prayed that his daughter should cancel her upcoming marriage of her own accord, and return to her heritage.
After some time, it was noticeable that the man’s heartfelt request was actualized. The girl’s gentile fiancée began to beat her for no reason. She was filled with hatred toward him and escaped his clutches. She had finally come home to her family and Father in Heaven. Within a relatively short time, she met a fine Jewish boy, whom she was now marrying.
In an amazing twist of fate, her father made sure that there was complete separation between the men and women at the wedding, thus ensuring perfect modesty. Women who arrived immodestly dressed were offered scarves to cover themselves.
At the festive meal, the father opened his words with praise to Hashem for bringing his daughter back to the bosom of Judaism and allowing her to marry a kosher Jew. He added that his entire extended family had become spiritually strengthened by this episode.
I was truly impressed by this man, who had always been a Reform Jew. When he perceived the tremendous responsibility he had toward his daughter, as well as toward his own neshamah, he returned to Hashem with perfect faith, thus averting a case of intermarriage.
