The Ring

On the way to visiting their parents, Chaim and Yankle walked briskly down Delancy Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on a 1920 spring day, when suddenly they simultaneously called out “Look!” They had both noticed a beautiful large diamond ring lying on the side walk.  They pounced on it, and as they emerged from the scuffle, both Chaim and Yankle held onto a part of the ring, each trying to establish dominion over their new find.

 

Mr. Levy, the butcher, ran over to the brothers and said “Gentlemen!  We do not live according to the might of our hand, but according to the Torah’s mitzvot.  Please let me escort you both to Beit Din (Jewish court) and they will determine which one of you, if any, is the rightful owner.”

 

“No, thank you!” said Chaim. “I have no intention of sharing the proceeds of this ring.  I saw it first!  It is rightfully mine, and I wish to give it to my wonderful wife as a gift!”  

 

“Rasha (wicked man)!”  Roared Yankle.  “You know that I struggle to feed my family!  You would take food out of the mouths of my children to give your wife a gift?!”

 

Suddenly, to the astonishment of everyone, a strong sturdy hand grabbed the ring and pulled it away.  

 

“Papa!” Gasped the brothers in unison.  

 

“Boys!  What are you doing?!  You are embarrassing me fighting in the middle of the street like a couple of animals!”

 

“We are sorry, Papa,” said Chaim sheepishly, “But . . .”

 

“I heard everything and there is no excuse for your behavior!” said Papa.  “I will take the ring and think about what to do with it.”

 

Chaim and Yankle were very close brothers, but as they walked away, each gave the other a nasty look.  Chaim came home and told his wife his rendition of the events. Of course, Chaim’s wife wanted to have that ring.  Although she knew that the Torah commands us not to take revenge or hold a grudge, the test was too difficult and she told Chaim he could forget about going to the bar mitzvah of Yisroel, Yankle’s son, on Shabbat.

  

Yankle likewise told his wife “what happened” and she could not believe that Chaim would not give Yankle the ring knowing their dire money situation.  “I’m sure you saw it first!” She argued. Holding the same feelings as Chaim’s wife in return.

 

Emotions escalated into the early morning hours.

 

Mama and Papa spoke that evening about the unfortunate incident.  “Papa,” said Mama “Please take the ring to Shmuli the jeweler to see how much it is worth and we’ll figure it out from there.”

 

“My dear wife, you are always so insightful!  I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.  I will show it to Shmuli first thing after morning prayers.” Said Papa.

 

The next morning, however, Papa found out that Shmuli the jeweler would be away for two weeks.  “I know my boys, they are close through thick and thin.  I am sure this can wait until Shmuli returns.” thought Papa.  Unfortunately, however, that was not the case.  Chaim did not show up to Yisroel’s bar mitzvah.  Yankle and his wife were extremely offended and promised not to attend the wedding of Chaim’s daughter the next month, and forget about letting their the children play together anymore.  The brothers ignored each other in Synagogue, and their wives snubbed each other in the supermarket.  The situation progressed from bad to worse.

 

Finally, Shmuli the jeweler returned to the Lower East Side and Papa made sure see him that day. “Shmuli, my dear friend, my boys found this ring on the street two weeks ago.”

 

“Yes, yes, I saw what happened as I was on my way to leaving town.” Said the jeweler.  “Let me see it.  Ah . . . Avraham!  You are not going to believe this, but this ring is nothing more than . . . a piece of glass, worth no more than a couple of pennies, at most!”  

 

“Oy vey?!?!” screeched Papa.

 

Papa came home and told Mama the news.  “When you see the boys at Maariv (the evening service), invite them to come discuss the ring at our apartment tomorrow morning after Shacharis (morning prayers)”, said Mama.  The next morning Chaim and Yankle came to the apartment building at the same time.  There was an icy cold silence as they embarked up the stairs.  They entered the apartment and saw Mama. “Boys!  It is so nice to see you.   Sit! Sit!  I made you fresh cake.  Listen to Papa, he has something to tell you.”

 

“Boys, I decided to give each of you the whole ring.” said Papa.

  

“What?! How can you possibly afford to do that?” asked Yankle.

  

“Chaim, here is the ring for your wife and Yankle, here are two pennies for you.”  

 

“TWO PENNIES???” exclaimed the boys at once.

 

“Yes, two pennies is what Shmuli the jeweler said this glass ring is worth.”

 

The boys were beside themselves, they could not believe that a feud raged between their families over a couple of pennies.  They asked each other for forgiveness and promised to try to patch things up.

 

My dear friends, isn’t it always the case that when we fight over matters of this world, we really are fighting over a finite futile item?  Now is the time to come to that realization and make amends with your fellow Jew.  We are all brothers and sisters, let’s make our Father in Heaven happy to see how we can put futile arguments aside and come together as one family.