One bochur, a tremendous masmid who used to learn day and night, seemed troubled by something and his learning was not as it usually was. Reb Yeruchom Levovitz (Mashgiach at Mir, prior to the war) approached him and tried to engage him in conversation to find out what was bothering him.
“The bochur told him that his sister had become engaged and that his father had promised a sum as a dowry but something had happened and the money had been lost and as a result, the chosson wanted to cancel the shidduch. Nu, how can one immerse oneself in learning with such a sad story gnawing away at one’s peace of mind?
“Reb Yeruchom asked him, `How much was the dowry?’
“The bochur replied, Five hundred dollars.' In those days, such a sum was equal in worth to fifty thousand dollars today. Three days later, Reb Yeruchom presented him with five hundred dollars. Then he added approximately the following,Hachnosas kallah is certainly a very great mitzvoh. In general, to see that a Jew doesn’t go hungry is definitely a great mitzvoh. What concerned me though, was that you should sit and learn!’