NOV. 26, ‘25 // Questions & Answers from Rabbi Avigdor Miller zt”l’s Thursday Night Lecture Evolution of the Flu Q. Are new strains of flu virus considered a new creation? Is it a form of evolution? Shadchan’s Fee Q. Up to how much can a shadchan (matchmaker) ethically charge for shadchanus? A. Oy Ribono Shel Olam! How people are looking for ways and means to fall into error! Look; there are certain foxes that when you run after them with dogs they have learned certain tricks to elude the dogs. They can go back in the same tracks to escape. Or they know how to cross rivers where there are no footsteps to smell. But suppose you go into a virgin territory where the fox never was hunted. At the beginning you’ll catch fox because they don’t know. They’re not experienced yet. Hakodosh Boruch Hu has given animals a certain wisdom where they can learn – they become conditioned. You have to know Hakodosh Boruch Hu put wisdom even into viruses and bacteria and they learn after a while how to react. Just like the fox. And just like a person. A person had an illness. He becomes immunized to some extent against that illness. It’s a reaction that the Borei put into him to protect him. But just as He protects you, He protects the viruses and bacteria too and the germs react in certain ways to protect themselves. So now you need different antibiotics; not the same old ones. The same old ones won’t help. And therefore it’s not a matter of new strains, new creations. They’re being conditioned to new conditions according to the original creation of Hakodosh Boruch Hu. And therefore it has nothing to do with this idea of new types of creations developing. A. Now that’s a good question, because shadchanim are valuable and they deserve a certain amount of compensation. I cannot tell you right now, but there is a certain general attitude as to how much a shidduch is worth. I am not in the business, but I know that dinei Torah do decide such questions. It’s a service, no less than buying a house. The salesman sells you a house, he deserves some money; so also a shadchan certainly deserves money. A good shidduch is worth money! Don’t be lazy, don’t be stingy; it pays. Of course, if you’re such a desirable person that everybody is running after you, then you don’t have to pay any money, the other one who wants to get you should pay the money. But in most cases, both people should pay something because each one has reasons why he wants to cover up certain things. When you get married, don’t tell the truth. You should continue deceiving your mate all his or her life and make them think that they got the very best in the world. Reprinted with permission from “Ask Rabbi Miller”, compiled by Avrohom Tikotzky. Copyright 2019, Simchas Hachaim Publishing 718-258-7400 x103 To receive Mr. Tikotsky’s weekly email: tikotzky@gmail.com or www.rmillerqa.com Ask Rabbi Miller 102
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