Rav Chaim Kanievsky on Shidduchim

“When I was 17 years old, my parents and my uncle the Chazon Ish worked very hard to find a shidduch for me. Yet, shidduch after shidduch did not come to be ... Now, consider this. When the search for my zivug began, my future wife Batsheva was not yet bas mitzvah! She was certainly not ready to begin shidduchim, but since she was my “basherteh,” Hashem caused those who were suggested for me to not want to proceed...”

--Heard from Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita

Shidduchim. Whether we are “in the parashah” ourselves, or it is our children, grandchildren, friends, or neighbors -- we all know people searching for their zivug, awaiting the “Kriyas Yam Suf” that will bring them to their bashert. In this unique sefer, we look at the topic of shidduchim through the wise and far-seeing eyes of some of our greatest sages.

What are the most important traits to look for in a shidduch? What is the proper balance between hishtadlus and emunah? How important is physical appearance? Financial and health issues, the role and efficacy of segulos, the power of tefillah -- through Torah insights of our gedolim, as well as dozens of stories, we gain a greater understanding of the process of shidduchim and receive badly-need chizuk and guidance as we face today’s challenges. The sefer also includes 250 teshuvos of Rav Chaim, in their original Hebrew with English-language summaries, answering shaylos he’d received about shidduchim.

HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Talmud tells us, spends His time making shidduchim. But we have to do our part -- and this sefer will guide us to do it correctly, so we can together celebrate the joy of creating beautiful new Jewish families.