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At the end of our daughter’s chasunah a few weeks ago, our family met downstairs in the kallah’s room. After gathering their things, we said goodbye to the chasan and kallah, and they left. Our older son and other family members took our younger children home, as well.

Last week, my wife and I were blessed to marry off our daughter, Aviva. Aviva is our second child, but the first from our family to get married. I wanted to share some personal reflections along with some sage advice that we received, which I hope can be helpful for others as well.

I once heard the following observation: If someone tells you “A penny for your thoughts” and you stick in your two cents, do you get a penny back?

The following thoughts are adapted from the speech I delivered at the aufruf of our new son-in-law, Shloime Stern, Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Shemini 5785:

I was fortunate to spend a few summers together with Rabbi Yechiel Weberman when he was a rebbi at Camp Dora Golding. Rabbi Weberman is a dynamic and beloved rebbi, the type of rebbi who leaves an impression on you. He is also an overflowing wellspring of Torah thoughts on every topic, and he excitedly shares them with machine-gun-like rapidity.

As I have done during the last few winters, this past January I had the great fortune to visit Eretz Yisrael for a few days. Being there is always invigorating. The fact that I was able to spend that time with our son Shalom, who is learning in Yeshivas Mir, and enjoy a Shabbos with my brother Yaakov and his family made it all the more special.