Joint Forces 

Illustrations by Esti Saposh

A look at the relationships of some of our greatest couples — unions with different dynamics, different breakdown of roles, different flavors — but with deep respect and affection we can all learn from

The Most Privileged

Rav Moshe and Rebbetzin Sima Feinstein

Rebbetzin Sima, wife of American Jewry’s ultimate posek, Rav Moshe Feinstein, demonstrated utmost respect for her husband. Family members recount that not only was the respect mutual, it was accompanied by deep gratitude and genuine affection

ITwas 1922, time for Sima Kustanovich, the “princess” of her town of Luban, Belarus, to get married. Shadchanim suggested the cream of the crop, the top boys in the area. The name Moshe Feinstein, the young rav of Luban, was the most illustrious one, but she just had one issue with the idea: “He’s a head shorter than me,” she said doubtfully to her father, Rav Yaakov Moshe, who was rosh hakahal of the town.

He reassured her she needn’t meet the short illui. “It’s fine,” he said. “Don’t meet with him. But just know, I will die if you don’t.”

She met him.

And the short man, with his loyal wife at his side, very soon became greater than them all.