R’ Moshe Wolfson, of the renowned Wolfson family in the United States, went with a group of investors from the United States to Singapore, a small country in the Far East, to check out the potential of a huge transaction. Even before they left, the delegation members were prepared by a special “coordinator” concerning how to avoid a criminal conviction at their destination, because in Singapore, criminals aren’t only robbers and murderers but also those who throw litter in the street. The punishment for throwing litter in the street for the first time is a fine in the amount of SGD $1,000 (about US $750!), And if, G-d forbid, you dare to repeat such an infraction, you will be penalized by having to work as a street cleaner for three months.
After landing in the country, the members of the group headed by Wolfson participated in countless marathon meetings and discussions from morning to night.With every passing day, the deal’s details were hammered out until by the last day, all that remained was to tie up the loose ends, and finalize everything in a meeting with the wealthiest man in Singapore. This would be a decisive meeting, that would see the deal go through or be scrapped. Before the meeting, the American delegation studied the required rules of protocol. In Singapore, as in most countries in the Far East, there is a deeply ingrained culture of rituals which are performed no matter what, including when the other party are American freethinkers.
On the ground floor near the row of elevators, the delegation members met one of the local coordinators. He went to R’ Moshe Wolfson and asked him in a polite but unequivocal tone to remove the yarmulkeh, “This covering,” the broker explained, “might be misunderstood; I am not asking you to throw away the yarmulkeh, just keep it in your pocket.” “I’m staying with the yarmulkeh on,” R’ Moshe declared, “and with G-d’s help it will be okay.” The coordinator pressed him, “Have pity on yourself! Your insistence may ruin the whole transaction!” He tried to appeal to his honor (and especially his money), “Please remove the yarmulkeh from your head! We are talking about a very big deal; why let little things ruin it?!” R’ Moshe made it clear once again in a clear and unequivocal voice: “I’m not taking off the yarmulkeh!” The people who squeezed into the elevator frowned, but there was nothing they could do to change the reality.
The floor where the elevator stopped was stunning in its splendor. Each businessman who walked out received a warm welcome from a steward, who stood in the doorway and knew his name. From there they were led to the fancy meeting room, where the decisive meeting would be held. About a hundred people gathered around the long table. They were seated in a specific order so as to be able to form discussion groups. At the head of the table was a royal chair which cost tens of thousands of dollars, which had been specially constructed for the illustrious millionaire who would soon enter the hall. They tensely awaited the man’s entry for the purpose of closing the huge transaction.
Meanwhile, the meeting began, the teams discussed the final details, and suddenly there was a hush in the room. Everyone stood up in awe, as the Singaporean billionaire walked in, all dignity and majesty. He sat down and motioned to continue the talks. After a few minutes, the billionaire suddenly raised his hand and the hall became quiet. He turned to R’ Moshe Wolfson, and to his considerable surprise, asked him to “take a drink and recite a blessing!” Wolfson was stunned at the surprising request. He poured a cup of water, and deliberately and loudly recited “Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe that everything came into existence at His word.” The billionaire answered out loud “Amen!”
Instead of swallowing the water, our acquaintance almost swallowed his tongue. What’s going on here? he wondered to himself. But the billionaire kept surprising him. He asked him: “Tell me, were you in the synagogue this morning?” R’ Moshe replied in the affirmative, and the billionaire continued: “Did you notice the curious fact that the rabbi of the synagogue is of Ashkenazi descent, but the worshipers all use a Sephardic siddur version? There are a few other anomalies in our community…” This time the water almost spilled out of R’ Moshe’s hands. The billionaire noticed the bewilderment on the faces of all those present, and he explained, “I was orphaned as a small child, and a rich Jew generously decided to adopt me. I never converted, but because I grew up in a Jew’s home, I would sometimes accompany him to the synagogue. Since then, I’ve always had a special affection for Jews!”
Thereafter, the meeting progressed favorably, with the billionaire unusually deferent and congenial to R’ Moshe, until the huge deal was closed to the satisfaction of all parties. R’ Moshe concluded and said: “Just think that the coordinator was worried that the billionaire would see me with a yarmulkeh… As Torah observant Jews, it is our duty to keep Yiddishkeit in all circumstances and not be afraid that we will lose out because of it. In fact, I only gained from it!”
