How the Alter Rebbe Gave Away His Dowry to Jewish Farmers

When the match was proposed between the Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad Lubavitch, and Shterna, the daughter of one of the wealthiest Jews of his day, the Alter Rebbe set a tough precondition: His dowry was to be used to help settle poor Jews on the land, and help them earn a livelihood.

In the Rebbe’s telling of this story, the Alter Rebbe’s generosity is almost beside the point – but the way he took up the matter with his bride is a living lesson.