Taking the Time to Save a Marriage
Taking the Time to Save a Marriage One winter Friday, when the day is short and the work is great, a woman called me up for advice. I preempted her by stating that there was hardly any time before the onset of Shabbat. I could not afford to hear her out patiently and offer her […]
Smacking of Senselessness
Smacking of Senselessness When couples come to me to help bring peace into their marriage, I ask them what caused the friction, in order to discover the area in need of improvement. Regrettably, a majority of quarrels which lead to divorce are caused by absurd and irrational reasons. The following is a case in point. […]
Peace Draws Down the Shechinah
Peace Draws Down the Shechinah A man once asked me, “How can I know if the Shechinah is resting in my home?” “It all depends on your relationship with your wife,” I replied. “When one lives peacefully and lovingly with his wife, concerning himself for her needs, the Shechinah rests among them. But if the […]
Opposing Negativity
Opposing Negativity A couple once came to me with genuine interest in restoring their shalom bayit. After I helped them iron out their differences, they got up to leave. Seconds before they left my office, I heard the wife tell her husband, “Besides for everything, I really wish you would get rid of the computer.” […]
Practice What You Preach
Practice What You Preach A man once crowed about his successes in restoring shalom bayit to couples who were not living in peace. I had a strange feeling that this man himself could use a boost to his own shalom bayit. I therefore asked him, “Do you and your wife have shalom bayit?” Shamefacedly, he […]
Summoning Sanctity into the Home
Summoning Sanctity into the Home A couple once came to me, claiming that they had no shalom bayit. I turned to the woman and asked her, “How do you see your husband?” “My husband is a wonderful man.” Then I turned to the husband and asked what he thought of his wife. “She is fantastic,” […]
Never Give Up
Never Give Up A man came to me complaining of various problems with his wife and children. He asked for my blessing that he should die. When he saw my shocked look, he hurried to explain. He had already tried all the tricks to save his home. He made every attempt suggested to him, but […]
A Happy Wife – A Happy Life
A Happy Wife – A Happy Life A man morosely related that he did not find enjoyment in Torah study. It had unfortunately become a burden on him, rachmana litzlan. When I heard this, I asked, “Do you respect your wife? Do you buy her presents occasionally? Do you offer assistance on Erev Shabbat? Do […]
The Partnership of Peace
The Partnership of Peace A man once came to me, bewailing his lot. He related that his son-in-law beat his wife, this man’s daughter, and treated her with scorn. His daughter suffered incessantly from her despotic husband. Shalom bayit was a rarity in their home. The man added that when he had chosen this young […]
Subject to Change
Subject to Change A couple once asked that I arbitrate between them in their marital issues. The man contended that his wife did not treat him fittingly. She, on the other hand, countered that he annoyed her for no reason. She suffered in silence and never rebuked him for this. “Is your wife telling the […]
The Positive Fallouts of a Fall
The Positive Fallouts of a Fall On a trip abroad, a couple came to me, on the brink of divorce. They were entrenched in conflict and contention. I tried my best to negotiate some sort of compromise, but in spite of my efforts, I did not succeed. This couple owned an enormous factory. They had […]
Divorced from Thoughts of Separation
Divorced from Thoughts of Separation A man once told me that he wanted to get divorced. His wife just made his life miserable, and he had no pleasure in their shared life. He asked for my opinion. I advised him to postpone making a decision. In the meantime, he should focus on reinforcing two mitzvot, […]
