R. Mendel Linsker (d. 1803) was the son-in-law of R. Izikel of Hamburg (d. 1767) and they promised 5000 rendlach as a dowry. When it came time for the wedding he came to Hamburg with his father ______. But when his mother saw the bride she was appalled – she was thin and ugly. She ran to her husband to tell him the sad news. “What can I do” he said to her. “Ask the groom.” The groom was engaged in studying and replied that he didn’t mind if the bride was not “such a beauty.”
As regards the dowry, it turned out that R. Izikel Hamburger did not have any dowry to give. His mother was now truly angry – “no bride and no dowry?” she argued. The Rebbe again sent her to their son R. Mendel and again he agreed – he didn’t mind and they should proceed with the wedding.
After the hupa ceremony, R. Izikel Hamburger took out his purse and gave the groom a double dowry. He said: “It is written ‘one who married a woman for money or for na [beauty] {?}1 When I saw that he was serious about the marriage and was not looking for beauty or money he pleased me and that is why I am giving him a double dowry.
I.F.
R. Moses Cohen
