By: Aaron Joseph. My initial reaction to being approached about an investment by someone whom has not spent an extra minute out of the Bais Medresh during the last twenty-something years, was skepticism. You cannot blame me. After all, with the amount of various financial schemes going on of late I would be considered polite for even listening.
 
He showed me some basic paraphernalia for this proposition and assured me that my money would be immediately insured for the full amount. Of course, I would start amassing the promised returns immediately.
 
I blinked. This guy was better then Bernie Madoff; though he had a longish beard, and up to this point had an exact-opposite reputation.
                                                                                                                       
My friend, core Lakewood, is a Masmid with a Keser Shem Tov. He wouldn’t pull a fast one on anyone; surely not on purpose; he didn’t know how! And if he would, he would be the first to admit it and reimburse you. I trusted him, and let him do the talking.
 
His proposition was along the lines of an initial investment of any amount, although the more significant, the higher up the chain I would start, and the greater the return. The company was relatively new, only a few years old without solid returns to show thus far.
 
However, my investment at this time would promote my status into the preferred initial IPO offering, and solidify my standing for the entire future of the operation. In essence, what he was telling me or selling me was this- you are getting in early.
 
There was one catch: the money could not be pulled back.
 
I knew this fellow could concisely explain a Marsha, but this business angle was refreshing. He was good. Very good…
 
So on the spur of the moment, I pulled out my checkbook and wrote out a check for $360. I told him that when I had more, I’d be back to grow my investment.
 
I wished him Hatzlocha with his new Yeshiva and gave him my number in case he needed me.
 
My money was in the best place, returns immeasurable, with the utmost powerful insurer smiling down on my deed.
 
I smiled back, for the opportunity, and for the safety of my cash, which was now invested in the best possible MLM.
 
Just a thought.