The Shiyur of Teasing

At one Pesach Seder a guest sat near the Rebbe, a graduate of a Lithuanian-style yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe was amused to see how carefully he measured out the portions of food and drink needed for the mitzvos, though the Rebbe himself was no less careful. As the guest prepared his matzah, the Rebbe asked him with a smile whether he was sure it was the right shiyur. He asked the same again after the guest ate the maror, and again when the guest studied his afikoman before eating it.

At last the man put down the matzah and said, “Rebbe, I am not sure. But perhaps it is the shiyur of tcheppen, of teasing.”

The Rebbe was very upset to learn that he had hurt the guest with words he had meant only as friendly banter. As was his way whenever he felt he had wronged someone, he asked forgiveness again and again. Finally he said, “Please come to see me right after Yom Tov.”

When the man came, the Rebbe asked why he had come to America. The man explained that he had come to raise five or six thousand dollars to marry off his daughter. “I will get the money for you,” said the Rebbe. “And any children you marry off in the future, come to me and I will take care of your needs.” The Rebbe was not at ease until he had paid for the weddings of all four of the man's daughters.