distraught young woman came to Rabbi Israel, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. “Rebbe, help me,” she said. “My husband has deserted me!”
“Why did he leave you?” asked Rabbi Israel.
“He says that I’m ugly,” said the woman.
“And what do you say to that?” asked Rabbi Israel.
“Rebbe!” cried the woman. “Under the wedding canopy I was beautiful in his eyes. Suddenly I’m ugly?”
Rabbi Israel lifted his eyes to the heavens: “Master of the Universe! When you wed us at Mount Sinai we were beautiful in Your eyes. So what happened? Why have You turned Your face from us?”
