My memoirs. Volume second. Chapter 18-21.

Chapter 18
Kiev Jews. - Hasidim. - Gipsies, fortunetellers and small sheygets. - History with the rabbi. - Hasidic Rebbes and jewelry. - Reb Duvidl Talner. - Long live David, tsar of Israel. - Reb Asher Karliner. - A magnificent wedding at reb Asher Karlinera and the rabbi from Trisk. - Hasidim. - Cossacks. - Cossack march reb Isroel. - A legend with a happy-end. - Zhitny market. - Jewish hopes. - Freedom winds. - Police officer Mikhaylov and young revolutionary. - Famous tragedy of the Jewish parents.
In Kiev at that time there were many Hasidim, but without community, without the collective.
Most of the Kiev Hasidim were far from Hasidic Judaism, had no concept what is the Hasid and what is Hasidic Judaism, and to the Rebbe did not go as here, in Poland, under the influence of ecstasy, from big belief, from love to Hasidic society
The only thing that tied the Kiev Hasidim to Hasidic Judaism - was a miracle in which they trusted.
The Rebbe, for example, could cure patients, release arrested and send fruitless children.
It is clear, that so far as their Hasidic Judaism was connected with miracles, already believed both in magic, and in evil spirit, in throwers of cards and Gipsies and other, able to read on a hand, etc., etc.
Really, on the Kiev streets Gipsies often met. They stopped the Jew more richly, usually the Hasid, and suggested to show a hand that that without hesitation right there did. Gipsies looked at a hand and said what happens to the Hasid.
There lived in the Kiev suburb a certain sick sheygets, the magician and the magician, and Jews came to sheygeets, asking to cure the wife or children or to tell where stolen is hidden …
The father of sheygeets stood in the doorway of the apartment and took with everyone fifteen-twenty kopeks or a bottle of vodka - and to the people there was much.
Needless to say that this sheygets in Kiev was known that his not one Jews visited. The street where he lived, was filled with carriages and crews, and people turned there as ants in an ant hill. Miracles which it showed were tremendous …
I, being already big expert in miracles and naslyshanny wonderful stories from Leybke's shames, has to admit that I about such did not hear yet. Even the most wonderful stories about Hasidic Rebbes - not a row be are remembered - were weak in comparison with miracles of sick sheygeets.
I will mention only, for example, as Hasidim told at the father at a table about a "true" case with the Rebbe: to the Hasidic Rebbe the supreme court sent two souls which made one offense in mortal life. The Rebbe had to judge them. He thought, thought and decided such sentence: one soul angels destroyers will long torment, and then will send to hell, and another has to enter paradise and there report at the top of the voice to scientific righteous persons about all the offenses made throughout life.
The second soul began to cry and ask bitterly from the Rebbe for mercy - let better he will condemn her that court that judged the first - so it is a shame to it to shout of the offenses to all righteous persons in paradise.
The Rebbe told:
"There's nothing to be done! Such is my sentence!"
There was a soul with such groans and cry that heard all city and too cried.
The Rebbe's heart, however, was not softened, and the second soul with a big shame went to paradise.
But what there was a trial of the Rebbe of two souls against great miracles of the little peasant?
Told that the Kiev governor came to him to ask who will win the Russian-Turkish war. It was just during war. Sheygets assured the governor that will be won by ours, and the governor left happy.
From the very beginning struck me in the Kiev Jews dissoluteness which quite quietly got on with superstition. I somehow could not comprehend it.
My neighbor, the rich Jew - the Hasid, sat somehow on Saturday with the Hasidic guests on a terrace and smoked cigarettes. I just passed by; called to me. I approached and heard their conversation.
Spoke about different Rebbes and wonder-workers. By there was a Gipsy, and they gave her hands and asked to predict future.
Hasidim, as it was already told, in Kiev there was much, but - it is not enough Hasidic synagogues. And I therefore was convinced that the Hasidic Judaism is such thing which will not die away as we thought earlier.
I thought earlier that Hasidim gradually will be less and less that the Hasidic spirit will disappear with Haskala's era, etc. of things. But now saw that Haskala - in itself, and Hasidic Judaism - in itself.
And Haskala cannot extinguish a live spark of Hasidic Judaism …
I had a good acquaintance, the director of big boutique. He told me that from the house makarovskogo1 they gain the Rebbe for luxury goods - brooches, pins, strings of pearls, a fastener to ladies' dresses - kind several thousands of rubles a year. The Rebbe has to them one thousand five hundred rubles now, and a little before his daughter-in-law bought jewelry to one dress for hundred fifty rubles.
"To tell the truth, - the director told, - the goods did not cost more than forty rubles. How many asked, it is so much and received … On such not a sin to earn … They hate bargaining - and do not bargain".
He darted a glance at me and significantly burst out laughing.
As there lived Talninskiy2 of the Rebbe reb Duvidl - it is known. In the house he sat on a silver chair on which the name David was cut out, and went in expensive carriage harnessed by thoroughbred horses.
Once it arrived to Kiev. All city raged. Jews ran together to look at the great Rebbe. When it went down the street in expensive carriage, Jews ran afterwards and shouted:
"David - banks Israel, find fault ve to Kai" 3.
There was one Jew who informed - on it there is always a Jew, - which reported where it is necessary:
"Jews shout and the street: "Long live David, tsar of Israel".
To the Rebbe the police came and arrested him, at the same time was written down in the protocol that Jews call the rabbi the tsar David. Rebbes put in the Kiev prison.
History did from Jews of awful noise and cost many tens of thousands of rubles. The banker Kupernik, the lawyer's father, very much tried to release reb Duvidl. The Znamenty Talninsky Rebbe was released. Since then, however, it ceased to leave.
Reb Duvidl from Talny reminded me of the Karlinsky rabbi reb Asher and of an imperial wedding of the daughter reb Asher with the son of the Trisky rabbi now.
I then was still a boy and knew all details about a wedding which shook the world.
Invited rabbis, kleyzmer and badkhan from all pale of settlement, and about ordinary Hasidim needless to say.
In total there were about ten of thousands of people. In Carlin it was full to the people. All houses and even streets were filled by Hasidim.
On streets there were big jugs with vodka, cookies and any snack. In different places different kleyzmer played. And in different places told badkhana and amused guests.
Went in silk and satin cowls and shtreymla.
In the wedding day Hasidim stood lanes on sides of the street where the groom with the bride had to go to a hupa.
Had to pass two carriages: in one - the groom, in another - the bride. In the carriage of the groom thirteen horses on number of thirteen divine properties were harnessed, maybe. Gold and silver shone from all directions. Said that horses - transformation of great people. I already forgot names of all great souls which are voluntarily installed in horses …
Pinsky and Minsk rich men achieved permission from the governor - for a while to turn Hasidim into "Cossacks" to have the Cossacks. The whole squadron of the Hasidim dressed as the "real" Cossacks, with long checkers and lashes jumped the groom's carriages on each side.
In those old kind times of it it was succeeded to achieve, and Hasidim had Cossacks.
Our warm reb Isroel adapted the Cossack march, and Simkh, the son of the kamenetsky rabbi, before a wedding once again went with music to Carleen, flooding it with future "Cossacks" …
Of course, this march as every time during Simkhas-Toyra when Hasidim went down the street from a Hasidic shtiblya to my father, they sang songs on motive of this most Cossack marsha4 is still memorable to me.
These "Cossacks" observed an order that did not reach, God forbid, before any accidents - in what, of course, there was a need at such narrowness.
After a hupa kleyzmer played on all streets; Hasidim danced what kleyzmer played, and in the town the earth from shouts and dancing literally shivered.
Ten thousand of people danced - all Carlin, from the end in the end, danced. Drums and plates rended the air. And on all faces the pleasure was poured. And so proceeded all three days.
Just there was good weather that was apprehended as a miracle. Then Hasidim with the tsadika gradually parted, but much they remained for all seven convivial days.
But I meanwhile so plunged in expensive to me and cheerful stories about life of tsadik of former times that absolutely receded from a subject. I stopped on sheygeets with his miracles. But let's it leave. I think that the reader will forgive me for it. Let's return back to Kiev.
As there lived once Jews in Kiev, the legend which was at that time very widespread among local Jews can show. In this legend it is already felt, though it is weak, freedom breezes which slightly blew at the time of Alexander the Second and it is possible that some truth is hidden in them, in these legends, …
Naturally, large Russian merchants did not like progress of the Kiev Jews in trade. Jews just recovered Kiev. Trade prospered, and thanks to the Jewish activity a lot of Jewish money fell into the Russian merchant red hands. The Jewish money was loved, but Jews were would like to be dug. Old story.
The modern legend tells how thirty nine merchants gathered and sent to the tsar paper: "As Kiev - the sacred city, and all tsars did not allow to live to Jews there, and to the tsar Nikolay the First of Jews on streets of Kiev it was not visible at all - we ask, mister tsar to renew the old sacred decree and to move away the Jews who ran together here from the North and from the South, from the East and the West".
All thirty nine merchants signed paper. But there was also the fortieth signature. The Kiev mayor Demidov, the big millionaire possessed it. In response to this paper the head right there received the dispatch of the minister on behalf of the tsar: "Still I considered that in Kiev in my possession there are thirty nine fools, but now I see that I have forty real, true fools there" …
This Demidov apprehended the dispatch very hard. The tsar calls him the fool - the biggest blow which the person can receive. It is a shame to seem on the street. It is necessary to flee Russia. Demidov's wife, the intelligent lady, absolutely was upset:
"To run! - she exclaimed, - simply from here it is simple to run!".
Demidov sold all the sugar plants together with houses and possession, turned everything into money and went abroad together with a family.
Here the legend receives the true-Jewish end. Already being with the wife abroad, Demidov re-read the awful dispatch and came to a conclusion that, perhaps, they really fools …
"To us to learn the Jewish people, its history and literature", - they cried.
And it, having sobbed, added:
"In the telegram it is accurately told that we are fools-... we are also fools".
Well, it is clear that since then they began to be interested very much in Jews and their history and right there became great friends of Jews, hot supporters of the Israeli people. And Demidov's wife wrote and published very important book about Jews and sent across all Europe to all important people: that knew who such Jews. Traces of their legs should be kissed! …
Here and tale end … 5
In cold and heavy conditions of the Jewish life these legends gave a lot of pleasure and joy. When to the person it is bad, he loves legends.
When Chertkov became in Kiev governor general, round-ups of Jews stopped, and so it also proceeds until now. On the contrary - Jews in Kiev become more and more …
This Chertkov was a kind and strange person. Once, for example, he met on the Hem impressive "procession" of Jews accompanied by police officers … There were old there, young people, women and children.
The governor general stopped police officers and asked:
"Who these prisoners?"
"Taken in a round-up, your excellency", - he received the answer.
Distorted Chertkov:
"The round-up is done on animals", - he told with disgust. And since then round-ups forbade.
The message about it in one day was carried across all Volhynia and Malorossiya, and Jews - let they will be healthy - literally rushed from all directions.
Without exaggeration it is possible to tell that in a year, maybe, thirty thousand Jews arrived in Kiyev6. Jews traded, mediated, opened shops, bought and sold.
With Christians Jews very well lived as happened always when did not set on from outside. Amicably traded, - it is no more, it is not less - the Jew set on the Christian, developed in him more energy to deal, it is more than mind in trade.
On "Zhitnevy" a market there was a big trade in groceries as in "Number" of Brisk or from Iron gate in Warsaw - and I bought both from Jews, and from Christians - where it was more favorable. I was well familiar with one Russian grocer and even with him made friends. In the summer days I conducted, on the custom, discussion with Christians about Jews.
One shortcoming was attributed then to Jews: that they do not observe purity. In Kiev it was pure, and Jews are incapable of accuracy. To me cited as an example the Jew with a semi-million state at which mountains of garbage lie in the yard. Ladders of a zamyzgana and air - heavy. It was already from a distance possible to learn that there lives a Jew.
Mostly I did not know that to answer it. But having arrived to Warsaw, I was consoled, having noticed that poor Warsaw Jews support themselves more accurately than poor Poles. The last about purity have no concept.
At that time the Jewish public figures tried to obtain from the authorities across all Russia opening of vocational schools and the organization of the Jewish settlements. For this purpose a lot of money was raised then. For opening of vocational schools of Polyakov7 charged reb to Isroel to Brodskomu8 to create fund and drew for this purpose the check for forty thousand rubles. Brodsky charged reb to Shmuel Levin to arrange congress of the Kiev rich men.
Congress right there took place, and at it Brodsky the first gave ten thousand rubles. And so collected about fifty thousand more rubles that together with polyakovsky reached hundred thousand.
In general began to seethe in all Jewish corners, and the Jewish dreams were big …
Thanks at least for these hopes which for a while wakened because then it became worse …
Those years began to ripen in society revolutionary moods. The rich youth went "to the people", sacrificed life, wished arrival of the Messiah. And arrests rained down …
I was called by the rich neighbor. Business, apparently, was simple, but for those times unusual. His son, the fifteen-year-old grammar-school boy of the fifth class, wants to save Russia and to promote arrival of the Messiah. I could not dissuade, keep him from such feats?
I went and found the police officer Mikhaylov behind dispute with this boy. The police officer asked to tell it in gendarme office where it will bring him now that he does not know about any nonsenses and that he at himself holds nothing, and the boy refused. Said that will openly tell: it does not accept orders, etc. ….
The police officer Mikhaylov received five hundred rubles from the boy's father for a long time, and his task was - to rescue him from gendarmes. But what to do if that puts a throat under a knife …
Here I had to succeed Mikhaylov whose mission failed on what Mikhaylov gave two hours of time as had to bring the boy to gendarme office urgently.
I admit that I managed nothing too though the boy was always respectful to me. My words did not touch it. He held the ground - the people are more important than the certain person, and let it will be burned or broken off on pieces - it is to it nothing if only from it there was an advantage to the people.
Mothers it became bad; she was brought round. Having fallen before it on knees, she asked it to regret with tears. And he - fatally pale, is not able to see it a faint and tears, held the ground, however. And I, to big chagrin, returned to myself with anything. Literally with anything. Could not dissuade him.
This boy had an iron character that directly struck.
Of course, he was arrested and sent to Moscow. The father went behind him. Dared to spend one thousand, in hope to have an opportunity to meet it from time to time. But also it was impossible. Mother soon died.
The young man stayed decent time. Then, in court, it as minor, returned to Kiev, under supervision of police.
Home it arrived shaken, injured, and without having found mother, fell into a heavy depression and and remained.
The Jewish community, however, went forward. There were rich Jews sparing no expense for the big Russian-Jewish newspaper which was at war with anti-Semitic "Kiev resident" - the newspaper which, as all dirty anti-Semitic leaves, vomited pitch and sulfur on Jews day by day.
The new Jewish newspaper which was called "Dawn" 9 appeared in quite big format. This newspaper perfectly coped with the task and had a wide range of readers. People read, rejoiced to courageous articles - hot dishes which got to anti-semites. And the Jewish heart hoped again …
Besides: thanks for hopes. Though for a minute and recovered.

Chapter 19
Isroel Brodsky's managing director. - Non Jewish shortcoming. - Business. - Rice with raisin. - Obstinacy. - The spent on drink goods. - Oil down. - I pass into other shop. - Lodgers. - Lipsky. - The catcalled play. - Old wounds. - "The Harodsky preacher". - Its influence on people. - Its sermon. - Harodsky preacher and Lipsky. - Sad end.
We in the yard had a new neighbor who had big communications. He was a managing director reb Isroel Brodsky at the Cherkassk sugar plant.
Received twelve hundred rubles a year and lived with a family in the estate near Cherkass. His wife was a close relative of Brodsky, and he lived as the count. It is clear, that in such big estate as it, had all much, and in horses with carriages too the shortcoming was not.
The managing director was very capable person and directed the estate and plant perfectly. Brodsky was very happy with it. It had, however, one serious, purely goysky shortcoming - alcoholism. This shortcoming is shown gradually, and than further, that becomes stronger, and the person comes very to a bad end.
The managing director of such end did not avoid - because of alcoholism he lost business.
Reb Iroel Brodsky was forced to dismiss him. But as his wife was Brodsky's relative and for the sake of them already big and very successful children, the son and the daughter, reb Isroel granted him annual pension of five thousand rubles.
And though he was dismissed, but Brodsky's family often visited him. Despite weakness of the host to vodka, it was very beautiful and decent house.
I made friends with the managing director's family at once. I was attracted by his mind, free language, the lovely address. It, unfortunately, could not overcome the shortcoming. Continually came into the next shanks and drank a glass of vodka, sometimes - to sixteen glasses a day.
For the sake of the friend he was capable and to behave in a state of intoxication frostily, but after all it was more pleasant to communicate with it on the sober head. And therefore I specially came to it before it went in shanks. And he understood that I prefer it sober …
Sometimes, going to a tavern, he purposely came to me earlier if I at it did not visit yet, and talked to me sober language …
We very each other sympathized, and once he offered me the salesman's position. I asked that at it for good reason, he answered that it from Odessa will be sent by groceries: rice, raisin, almonds, nuts - all for hundred thousand rubles - for sale to local groceries and sending to other cities.
It was not empty chatter as it was possible to expect. Right there he transferred me frakhtovochny documents, and I employed the big yard with warehouses for goods.
But as always, business was prevented by its alcoholism: I had to get up absolutely early - the same history: in business matters very much stirred its alcoholism, and I was forced to get up early absolutely, actually from the dawn to capture him still sober and to discuss that to do to me.
Has to tell again that it was exclusively clever person. Each his word was a pearl, and it had on me a great influence. It on many things opened for me eyes, having enriched with the experience necessary for the young provincial which I then was.
He also was sometimes stubborn. I remember a case when this obstinacy was shown it is especially characteristic. Business was so.
It was going to send to Ekaterinoslav raisin with rice for thirty thousand rubles for what I had to employ the barge. After big efforts I, at last, looked after the good barge and agreed with the owner about transportation of goods for two hundred rubles. I came and told the managing director that I found very good barge, employed it and gave twenty five rubles of an earnest and that tonight the owner will come to sign the contract. He very much was delighted.
But in the evening when I together with the owner of the barge came to conclude the contract, he suddenly declared that he employed other barge for hundred fifty rubles an hour ago - and only that will transport its goods.
To me was annoyingly because yaznat that the good barge cannot be received cheap and that mine - very good. All right, there's nothing to be done. But later I found out that the barge employed by it was old and unreliable the barge - old and nenadyozhnya and what to transport on it such heavy freight - dangerously.
When I told it to it, it, without having listened to the end, ordered to load goods. I, however, did not want to risk such expensive freight and flatly refused to participate in it. He became angry and took other person. I remember how on Wednesday night it loaded the barge with rice with raisin, and in night she sat down in water.
Having heard about it, it, choking, came running. It is visible that when it is necessary, he was able to be sober.
"For God's sake, rescue, I was gone! Forgive, now I see that you were right. Receive two hundred rubles of "award" and rescue the sunk goods. It can be dried up and to receive something for it. These are thirty thousand rubles!" …
It at the same time was absolutely sober …
But I hesitated. It very much angered me the obstinacy. Then, however, when on me his wife and children snatched, asking to rescue goods (as if I one could rescue it), nothing remained to me how to undertake rescue of rice and raisin from the barge which sat down in water. I removed the big yard, bought big pieces of tarpaulin, pulled out wet goods, spread out it on tarpaulin and dried up.
I for this purpose needed many people. But when I am goods thus, with great difficulty and tortures dried up, gained for all five thousand rubles - instead of thirty …
Its this case strongly shook, and he drank even more.
Brodsky's family, from sympathy for the wife and children, still visited the house of the former managing director. But once, when it just had Brodsky on a visit, it came fatally drunk and fell down a floor. It made very painful impression on Brodsky, and more they did not come any more. And it half a year more is strong saws, and then died.
Ah, what clever, what darling it was a person! Yes, ruined its non Jewish defect - alcoholism!
At me, as they say, business went so-so. Promuchivshis two years on Andreevsky descent I moved on other street which name I do not remember any more, I remember only that I opened a small grocery shop there.
First, I already had not enough money. Secondly, it was not such place where it was possible to process case widely and vigorously: there just were not enough buyers. There lived the poor.
As it is accepted at Jews in a difficult situation, I employed the apartment with two excess rooms counting on residents. And right there one young man rented at me the room with a separate entrance. It prepared for examinations in university. Having looked narrowly, I was drawn to it. First, he well knew the Talmud and could give out beautiful to a tolkovanyitsa. Secondly, it was touching, delicate creation.
He told me that he is a son of the vilensky rabbinic judge and was considered ilyuy, but wanted to get an education and ran to Zhytomyr where he arrived in rabbinic shkolu1. Haim-Selig Slonmski was the director there then reb.
The school was closed, it arrived to Kiev - to go to the university. The further way was clear to it - to graduate from the university at any cost.
But to live to it there was nothing …
Being a healthy and dexterous young man, he came to Brodsky's mill which was situated on the bank of the river and asked to drag bags with flour from a mill in shop for a usual payment of the day worker in sixty kopeks a day. It was taken, and he dragged the whole day bags with flour. In the evening washed, changed clothes and, having got acquainted with students, asked them about lessons. Having gathered for the whole sixty rubles a month, refused work on a mill and began to prepare for examinations.
Surprisingly: for everything it had enough time, and at night we often saw off hour two in talk.
At that time there arrived to Kiev the anti-Semitic troupe and put on the play in Summer theater, very offensive for Jews. Lipsky - so called my neighbor - knew already contents of the play and specially went with the companions for representation to listen as Jews are offended from a scene.
It from theater sick returned and all boiled. Offended Jews from a scene roughly and disgustingly offended Jews. Non Jews had pleasure: they filled theater, clapped and shouted "Bravo!". Also there was nobody who would whistle. Several Jews who were lonely huddling in theater were afraid to whistle.
It was sick to look at my young man.
And the anti-Semitic play continued to be put.
What to do? How to make so that all Jewish students and just young people, came and catcalled this dirty play filled with silly and rough anti-Semitism?
I asked the young man whether Eliezer of Brodskiy2 knows him, whether he saw it sometime at himself on a mill. What he answered me that Eliezer Brodsky came to a mill once and saw how it bears on shoulders a bag with flour.
"He learned that I am Jew, and very much was surprised: as it is the Jewish young man is not afraid to drag bags together with tramps! He called up me and asked from where I and unless am not present at me better and easier than a way to earn a living, than to drag bags with flour? Jew person of no character.
"I to it, clear, told, - it continued on one breath, - that came here to prepare to university, but I have no yet what to live with. In the afternoon I work for it, I look for acquaintances in the evening, and I am engaged at night. It took out fifty rubles and gave me. But I did not take, having told that I do not accept alms. I wish to earn only by the work. I hate rich men, - he made a sour and energetic grimace - and I do not want from them any favors".
But the idea came to my mind.
"Listen, Lipsky, - and for the sake of the Israeli people you would address rich men?"
"For the sake of it is yes".
I advised:
"Go to Lazar, tell all story with anti-Semitic troupe and suggest it to buy several honeycombs of tickets that they were distributed among the Jewish young men. Will be then to whom to catcall" …
"Idea that I so lived!" … - it grasped at my words.
And it turned out. Lipsky went to Lazar and returned from him joyful - that agreed to buy two thirds of tickets and to send the salesmen to distribute them among Jews. That only the one who will agree to whistle will receive the ticket.
Everything passed, like clockwork.
For the next day young people went and free of charge distributed theater tickets. Lipsky tried with might and main. His pleasure was not borders.
And in the evening, only the troupe played the dirty playlet - all Jews whistled and zatopat legs. Whistle turned out such that keep God.
The chief of police was in theater too. He was frightened of big scandal and ordered to stop game. Twenty people of students and other Jews, including Lipsky, were arrested.
For the next day, as it is necessary, Lazar Brodsky and two more millionaires went to the governor general and told that the troupe sows hatred between the people, inciting one people against another, etc. the Governor sent for the director of troupe and ordered to leave Kiev and its district at twenty four o'clock. Arrested were released.
It is clear, that the incident was not such the considerable fact, but nothing could be compared to our pleasure. We achieved the, and it already was much …
Lipsky awakened in me old wounds in sense of education and, speaking with it, I terribly regretted for my gone youth, my energy and cheerfulness, for desire to become the state rabbi, about a lot of work on advantage of society, about my dreams and hopes.
This young man was free and healthy. Envy was caused by its fortress and force, its heat and heat. Of course, he in life will achieve something. And I? I - connected, I am a captive, the poor seeker of earnings, the person, prishiblenny in thoughts and dreams. And I to it it is deep, deep, to big pain, envied.
This - energy, I thought with bitterness. The person drags bags, gives lessons and prepares in university! This - character! To drag bags and to study! To study and drag bags … And I was weak and remained to stand in the middle of the road - there, and here.
But sometimes, such heavy minutes, I found to myself as well a justification: I have a wife and the child … too early married … In the wife - big force … but in it and a hindrance … But from such justifications it was not easier - it there was only an excuse.
With Lipsky we very much made friends. Sometimes talked until late at night. He was one of the first socialists who flooded then, from nowhere, the Jewish street and of sixty rubles which it had in a month, gave to the poor companions of rubles thirty-forty.
It ate simple soldier's bread with a piece of herring and washed down with tea; and spent for a lunch some five kopeks. He was engaged much and knew much and became popular with local youth soon.
From his mouth pearls, the head - fire, mood - clear as spring day poured.
It also had very warm Jewish heart, and this warmth also won to it friends. Christian students looked at it with big respect.
If my first lodger was such successful, then my the second was even more successful … I mean the famous Grodno rabbi living in Minsk. At this time it just arrived to Kiev. Naturally, he was visited right there reb by Labe Shapiro and asked to remain in Kiev for two weeks.
Magida, and in particular, Grodno, a lot of people visited for what it was required to have the decent house where he could live and receive guests.
And reb Labe decided that the magid should lodge at me. Rab Labe knew that I the resident. And when he suddenly offered it to me, I agreed with pleasure.
And magid got over to me.
Needless to say - magid there was a big person and the big expert, scary clever and widely-read, and language had - I still did not hear it in life. Language was its weapon, its artillery, its gun, to them it could light people. Hearing his speeches, everyone was animated, trembled, and its influence on people was scary big.
As very devout Jew it was - continuous spirituality: lived in poverty and simply and all week ate one black bread with sour cucumbers. Only in the Sabbath and holidays dared to eat better as the law - meat orders, fish and all delicacies.
Poor "lunch" - bread with cucumbers - he ate twice a day, at twelve in the afternoon and at six in the evening.
In my apartment happened fully to the people. Having eaten bread with cucumbers, magid before them spoke. But, My God mercy what the speech was! As if gold streamed … I stood, struck, both listened, and listened …
I, apparently, did not stick to anything what he spoke about - beliefs, pieties, Lord's service, God, God, God … But how he spoke? And I felt how my heart knocks.
It is clear, that reb Shapiro at it already spent the day and spent the night and served it directly as the servant.
Then it was asked to say the sermon in big kopukhinsky bet-midrashe3. Magid agreed. Then decided to develop the plan - how to arrange such order during the sermon that one thousand people could gather. Simply were afraid of accident. Devout young people took the trouble to provide an order.
It is natural that Lipsky as apikoyres and the socialist, treated a magid suspiciously and never appeared at that in the room. But I wanted that they met. Two generations … - as it will look?
But Lipsky was thrown up:
"I speak to you - he is a swindler. Why it is necessary?. The swindler is also the swindler..."
Also did not wish to go to get acquainted.
In evening of the sermon shul it was filled by the best Jews of the city. Send Magid to listen even students and similar intelligent young people.
It stood on an eminence, and I and reb Labe - on both sides. He spoke an hour and a half. It was its typical sermon in which bright words and different oppositions, both astronomy, and the universe, and physiology, and ethics, etc., etc. were thrown.
Successful, me it is thought, its sermon was not this time. The youth remained is cold. Perhaps he felt bad? Or perhaps the mood of youth opposed and did not allow to win against itself to words of a magid?
Apparently, the great master of the word himself was not happy with the sermon too. The grief captured it, and, having had a snack on a lip, he dismissed shul. And devout Jews, opposite - were very happy with the sermon.
Magid was angry. And somehow at the moment of disappointment expressed that could argue with the greatest apikoyresa of the time and to win against them.
It touched me too. Why such confidence? And I told what is here, at me, in the neighboring room, there lives one young man by the name of Lipsky who was ilyuy, and now became - not be told about us - a big apikoyres. Here I will call him from interest, and let magid will carry out with it discussion.
"I very much would like, - I told, - that magid won against it that it rejected the godlessness and would undertake better the doctrine. There would be more advantage … I told with the hidden irony. - But as I with it suffered, everything is vain. He kept the own opinion. Strong guy, like mad will".
Magid thought and agreed. I called Lipsky who with pleasure agreed to come this time. In it his vanity leaped: old magid wanted to win against it … I made to it room, directly opposite to a magid, and together with the people who were at this moment in the house opened a mouth and pricked up ears.
Ardent Lipsky did not begin to wait that he magid began, and the first got out with the language.
But here I bethought that all history, all this for my part - nonsense. Two generations with each other will not agree. Two generations can speak with each other only on mute pages of history, but not as two living representatives of these generations.
Sticky right there began to start to boil, rush, to shout and even to mock at a magid. With true impudence of the proud, capable and hot-tempered young man it did not let him speak.
Magid turned pale and did not find words …. Lipsky took an opportunity and ground as a windmill ….
The end was absolutely disgusting. Once the magida started talking about miracles, Lipsky jumped, spitted out and impudently blurted out:
"Old cattle!" … - also ran out from the room.
It was absolutely unexpected and incredible ugly and rough, it was a shame to raise eyes, to look at a magid. But he suddenly got up and told:
"Tomorrow I leave".
It is clear, that he did not want to talk to me any more, and I lost the true, kind friend, reb Labe Shapiro. Rab Labe Shapiro considered that I am completely guilty of this ugly scandal that such unbridled small as Lipsky, I should not keep at myself in the house the lodger …. My justifications did not help.
For the next day magid left, without talking to me. Still I am really afflicted what because of me magid in Kiev endured several heavy minutes.
Practical conclusion: old it is not necessary to argue with young people is two different generations.

Chapter 20
Russian-Turkish war. - Patriotic sentiments among Jews. - "We will win!" - Alexander the Second. - Hopes for the best. - Badly without earnings. - Regiments become empty. - Storitsky. - Business with a bakery. - Theft. - Too honest. - Victory of Russia. - Jews rejoice. - What to do? - Again regrets. - Again at way. - Kharkiv.
The Russian-Turkish war began. The authorities looked for contractors, without doing any distinctions between Jews and non Jews. For Jews the hope for earnings began to dawn. Ten Jews in Kiev won contracts, both big, and small.
Contractors went together with army everywhere where it moved. In Chisinau there was a general staff. In the same place there was also a tsar.
It is interesting how Jews of that time treated war. They were ready extremely patriotically. Also will not be exaggeration to tell that almost all Jews were ready to go to fire and water for the sake of a homeland victory as though it was the Jewish war with the Jewish generals and ministers, and Jews would have all freedoms in the country. These moods, of course, were born because that at the time of Alexander the Second the attitude of the government towards Jews was softened, improved a little, it became kinder.
It seemed that the heavy burden of a galut, with round-ups, with "line", with all disasters - disappeared, and it became easier for Jews to breathe. The Jew dreamed of a victory of Russia, directly shivered because of each plot of land which Turks could take.
Many Jewish girls registered in merciful sisters, and intelligent young people voluntarily and with enthusiasm went for war.
Also I remember that when the Russian army easily, without bloodshed, crossed the river Danube, many Jews so rejoiced that people danced on streets where the pleasure and fun reigned. Among themselves lyudigovorit:
"We will take, we will win!"
On the Khreshchatyk, at the Jewish exchange, on sidewalks of the recovered streets, the anxious Jews - merchants, brokers and manufacturers, small traders, workers and beggars ran, and spoke in big nervousness about war. At the same time were proud of the tsar, out of themselves from his kindness, his gentle heart, eulogized it and with delight argued on all reforms which he carried out and still will carry out.
And with special pleasure listed all those good things which the tsar carried out during the stay on a throne: reduced military service since twenty five years to fifteen, forbade corporal punishments of soldiers, released peasants from a bondage, reformed courts, made some concessions to Jews and other people, etc. It was such time which the one who endured it will not forget any more.
Until then I about earnings did not worry about earnings yet, but here began to look for a way how in this regard to settle.
The revenue in shop became weaker and weaker. And I had extensive and influential acquaintances - among the rich people ready to help me with revenue, but for this purpose I had to have more goods, the shop is more spacious - and for it I lacked money.
I already said that I was not able to swindle, turn, be enough, to combine as all business people. For the same reason I could not become the real tenant as all in my family who received estates more expensively than the cost of their capital and then turned and lived to myself with the world.
I was not able to turn. I also did not want to overstrain. To live quietly - here everything that I wanted. Quietly, modestly, without excess wealth, - to dare to read the book, to make something on advantage of society, to deal with spiritual issues. Moreover: I always hated the people shipped by soul and heart in affairs - who saves, pulls, tears money and does not worry about anything, except the deal, except the benefit.
And secretly I admit (that my wife did not hear) that in the depth of heart I laugh at the big millionaire reb Israel Brodsky with his sugar plant, with its big affairs, with its unprecedented noise and vanity. For what wealth and noise around wealth? Unless it is not better - modest life, good and necessary work on advantage for society, the quiet house and the sincere company of dear and kind friends? For what money is necessary? For what all this hullabaloo killing soul and heart? But it is necessary to live - and everything that I wished as it is told, it to have some reliable income.
But it was also not. Regiments became empty more and more, money began not to be enough - there is nothing was to buy goods, and with a rent - trouble.
It happened so that one Russian by the name of Storitsky tendered for delivery to a floor - one million poods of crackers for army. Flour, a bakery, and the person who will bake from the flour delivered from Bila Tserkva was required. I was recommended for this purpose, and I was taken.
There arrived the first transport with two thousand poods of flour. I weighed flour in a bakery, it appeared - two thousand twenty poods. Having received the receipt from the one who delivered flour in a bakery, I found out that in the receipt not two thousand twenty poods, but two thousand two hundred twenty are written down.
I told it to the fact that here a mistake that there are no more than two thousand twenty poods. He answered that I was mistaken, and began to reproach me that I do not suit for this work if I allow such big mistake with the first transport right there. I declared:
"No, weight such. Weigh".
But that did not want to talk to me more.
"What your business?" - he cried at last angrily, having seen that it can do nothing with me. - Do not interfere with it. Let the owner worry".
In two days there arrived the flour contractor, the Christian, I pretended that I understand nothing, and told him a story with "mistake", that is that in the receipt received by me weight is overestimated by two hundred poods. I argued, I told, but I was told that not my care - the fact that is written down more.
The flour contractor listened to me and … dismissed from a position as not able to consider …
I told a story to the one who recommended me to the contractor. That to me on it noticed at once that the flour contractor strongly complained to him that the Jew, the Cat, arrived somehow not properly and that he did not imagine it in advance. He considered that with Jews it is possible to do the real things … There was too kosher Jew, naive and - when to him write to receipts bigger flour weight - acts against and does not take the receipt. Wants that the real weight … faugh was specified!
So I was also left without position, the flour contractor took on my place the German, "according to the recommendation too", and work went. Sent the mass of flour, and theft was terrible. Receipts went on very large sums, almost twice big, than there were torments.
In several weeks the contractor Storitsky bethought what big theft the owner over everything, the flour contractor arranged. Storitsky did not start any process, but dismissed the flour contractor from a position.
This Storitsky properly studied business and at the same time found out that the first person who put flour was the Jew who very honestly proved - did not want to take the first receipt in which there was already a falsification. And he for it was dismissed.
Storitsky right there found for me and, having submitted all case under my supervision, appointed to me a decent salary. Storitsky, besides, strongly encouraged me - that then when war comes to an end, he will take me to himself in business that I, in a word, will begin to live.
But weeks through four Storitsky went bankrupt - apparently, because of big theft of the flour contractor. To bankruptcy the bakery burned down. Obviously, it was the prelude to bankruptcy and the end of a position.
Storitsky received insurance money sixty thousand rubles and left for ever Kiev. And I remained the poor dealer with empty shelves again.
War, as we know, ended with a victory of Russia. Plevna fell, and news so pleased all that Jews drank "le-haim", as on very cheerful, with participation of reputable families, a trimming ceremony.
At the exchange where the delight was especially strong, spoke about sending to the tsar of the welcome telegram in which it will be called, except as "the mercy tsar", also Alexander the Great.
The word "Great" very much was pleasant to the Kiev Jews and right there extended on all Jewish houses and houses.
For a number of reasons the dispatch was sent not on behalf of the Kiev Jewish community, and from the circles mentioned in it, and was left without answer. The mood was raised as if in veins poured in fresh blood, and long, long, even after war, people could not calm down.
While society worried, I forgot to think on what I light. But when it became quieter, I saw that I was left absolutely without bread. What to do?
In Kharkiv there lived my relative, reb Hilel Fried. His father and my grandma, Rivka-Henya, the Grodno ravvinsha, - were a brother and the sister. The relative is this as I knew, - very rich contractor by the railroads and bridges, and he keeps, maybe, forty salesmen.
And in the presence of such uncle, such as I, shlimazl - have to go to him.
And what else was to do? Other exit was not.
To leave Kiev, however, it appeared so difficult, so difficult, was so many sincere friends, good, close people to whom I got used. And here - take and throw everything and go to searches of earnings to the unfamiliar rich relative.
Who knows how it will accept me? Who knows whether there will be for me an occupation?
I should go, however: to remain - just smells of hunger … And I get on the steamship going through Dnieper and - march to Kharkiv.
All road I was gloomy and thoughtful. Heart hurt across Kiev. By steamship it was close. There is a Jew, there the Jew. Speak, laugh, joke. But I was silent.
I often thought that my parents lived better. Sat in one place, raised children, lived quietly, were not wound, did not wander, did not know the heavy experiences overflowing my heart by steamship.
I so exhausted myself with thoughts that did not distinguish all these days whether I go by steamship or I stay at home somewhere. I, besides, did not eat.
I, however, arrived to Kharkiv. It was in amusing-be-av in the afternoon. Went to Fried at once and at once got on a funeral: the accountant died - the meeting is good! All were anxious the whole day and only by the evening it was succeeded with someone to talk. At me on a back goosebumps ran …
Chapter 21
My relative, reb Gilel Fried. - Bad examination. - Gloomy thoughts. - My childhood. - War between "Russians" and "Turks". - I am a tsar. - A hole in the head. - It is paid. - Fried's affairs. - Poles. - Fried's house. - I am hired. - Old governor. - Daughter Frida. - Philanthropist. - Lifshits. - History with the letter.
As it is told, I could meet the relative only by the evening, after a funeral. Already let it know that there arrived a guest - the young relative.
He entered the room, greeted and asked how it was accepted who I am such. When I told it who I am such, he once again friendly shook hands with me and right there the direct and sharp question sounded: what I do in Kharkiv.
I told it about the troubles and wanderings, that I still am not arranged. Was a tenant, the seller, even melamedy, and all I will not get a sensible answer in any way. There are a wife and children - let will be healthy - but pockets are empty. I need a position. I could not receive it at it? Does it have for me any place?
"Place?" - my relative Pulled a nose. - Here just my accountant died. Received two thousand rubles a year. Would you like on this place?"
In his last words I felt irony.
"I - not the accountant"
"And what you are able?" - he darted a sharp look at me.
I did not know what to answer.
It continued:
"I have construction contracts of the railway station and more than thirty salesmen. They sit everyone on a certain piece of the road. But you in all this business obviously the beginner. I suit the single person. Having begun with a modest position and having worked something about a year, it, having abilities, gradually moves ahead up. But the person with the wife and children and at the same time unfamiliar with my affairs - what he suits me for?"
Fried was obviously right. Really - what I suit it for?
Seeing that I sit absolutely killed, he called me to tea.
In the evening different people came on business. He with all spoke, in the apartment there was a noise, as always at big businessmen.
Ah, as this noise is familiar to me!
Having finished affairs, Fried invited me to himself in an office. We there long talked. In the end he told me that I was not upset, did not long - can, he will find for me some work later. Native wives occupied all places …
At the governor in the house big repair is necessary. Maybe there to me there will be a work.
"For now - live at us and have a good time".
Fried, it seems, calmed me, but before going to bed in a bed I was overcome by gloomy thoughts. What for work Fried can have for me? Well - I will let out two months at the governor - what's next? Further - winter, and in the winter at him - any work, and to pay he does not pay and what then will be with me? What will I do? To sit at it and is?
And me it was thought in the big rich room where I lay and could not fall asleep that I reached the coast, the big desert coast where I will find the end …
To me it became scary lonely, and the different moments of my youth - light, joyful, carefree when heart did not know cares of earnings were involuntarily remembered. Here - a holiday Lag-ba-omer1, I arranged war between boys. Startled all city. Each boy was on war with iron sabelky which I ordered from the tinman on thirty three kopeks apiece, and for myself. - a special sabelka, for sixty kopeks. Boys were divided into two hostile people, into two camps, into two kingdoms, Turkey and Russia. I was crowned the Russian tsar, in my army was thirty three boys, on number "Log"; the same and at "Turks". Both military camps went to mountains, far off from Kaments. There I with the army occupied one mountain; "the Turkish tsar" Avreymele, Leyby Polyakovich's son, got up with the army on other mountain and is proud looked at our camp.
Then ran away to the valley. To fight, God forbid, with each other, did not enter our strategic objectives. The purpose was - only quickly to vzbezhat back on the mountain, and whose army it will make of the valley faster - that will win
I will tell without bragging that my army reached top the first. But "the Turkish tsar" did not want it to recognize and shouted that I deceived him: climbed up not such high mountain as it - and only therefore appeared there earlier.
It is clear, that we apprehended it from Turks as an insult, and war began. Having army at the order - who will suffer insults, and both camps began to throw each other sand and the earth from one mountain on another with such energy and speed that even the sky turned black. But sand and the earth are such goods that cannot strongly damage - as a last resort dust will be hammered into noses.
But it was bad when the Turkish soldier lifted a stone and personally to me made the real hole in the head, and blood went …
At the sight of blood soldiers of both camps were frightened ran up on houses. Happiness still that no sheygeets with dogs attacked us on the road as tragicly ended, log-oh-omerovskaya history of our expensive Sholom-Aleykhema2.
The father learned a saza about everything and sent a note to a melamed that that me flogged. Rabi did not force itself to ask and right there the sentence executed. It was the only time when I received flogging, probably, for the fact that I wanted to become a tsar …
I remembered such stories, lying in others rich house, and they amused me … At heart it was bitter and turned sour.
In several days I began to notice what occurs in the apartment. Fried had capable children. Two sons went to university, and from three daughters one was famous for the beauty. She was called the young beauty of the South. She was also a singer, gave concerts with great success and in general was very much, very capable.
Affairs at Fried went brilliantly, and tens of his salesmen moved affairs, is vigorous and methodical - precisely as wheels the car.
And those weeks when no work existed as I noticed then, salesmen filled the apartment with cheerful noise, everything raged and boiled, and everyone could envy then this house - to its big, rich affairs and capable children.
Fried once studied in Volozhin where he carried out the whole six years, was known as the big expert. His father, reb Simkha-Zalman, the grandson reb Haim Volozhiner, was a scientific and rich Jew too and had glory of the wise man.
Later Fried became the Mogilev Tseitlin's son-in-law. Tseitlin was from big contractors and gave a dowry for the daughter five thousand rubles. Rab Simkha-Zalman, in return, laid out one thousand rubles.
Young Fried got acquainted with contracts at the father-in-law Tseitlin. But the father-in-law went bankrupt over time, and Fried was left almost without money too. Having at itself five hundred rubles, went with them to Kharkiv to one engineer who worked with his father-in-law Tseitlin in good old days.
In Kharkiv the engineer gave it "in a row" on delivery metyol for cleaning of snow from a railway line, and Fried earned one and a half thousand rubles in two weeks.
The engineer estimated Fried's talents, was very much with him satisfied and right there charged him delivery of crushed stone for the line. Fried then earned sixty thousand rubles for half a year!
Having such sum, it now moved forward easily and quickly. He won a contract behind the contract and in one year collected the sum of two hundred thousand rubles and first of all the house of Polyakov in which that lived before the departure to Moscow bought. It was the big house surrounded with the blossoming garden in style of ancient Russian estates: with rare species of trees and flowers, with avenues and picturesque streamlets.
At it the swimming bath was especially beautiful. Flowers blossomed there, walls were ornamented, water - transparent, and special cheerfulness looked through in everything. The poster hung on a wall: in such and such hour the governor, in such and such hour - Fried's family, and in even in some - a certain count - etc. bathes.
Fried, as I learned through some time, was very wide person and lived in a year a lot of money. Said that expenses at it - forty thousand rubles a year.
It kept, however, quite on the Jewish harmony: in the mornings prayed, then was engaged and strictly observed Saturday. It had even very beautiful tent for a feast of Tabernacles ornamented and decorated as the small palace, with two high wings.
At last, being put to "work", that is, to repair of the governor's house, I very much suffered from the fridovsky supervisor - the fat, wild, loud and angry Jew. I remember how I could not take out it rough shouts and just cried because of it. However could do nothing as this supervisor was a big expert, only understood what should be done, and Fried was very happy with him.
All suffered from his behavior, but it was necessary to be silent. Under his sharp-sighted look huge affairs of Fried to whose wife whom this supervisor often touched with rough expressions and shouts, it was necessary to be silent too rotated.
I had to bite lips too and to be silent. Who could go against the almighty supervisor? But I strongly was interested in the governor, very capable and liberal person. His wife and children were abroad, and he one good-natured tranquility watched to bungling repair:
"Here - a chain … here - … it is better to smear a hook here", - he asked as the child. And then heat approved everyone:
"Here so, so, good fellow …"
The special impression on me was made by his bedroom. It was extremely beautiful bedroom. The wall near its bed was tightened by expensive carpet, on a carpet - any weapon: swords, sabers, daggers, guns, guns, etc. Many daggers and swords belonged to different tsars earlier. The weapon it sparkled gold, silver, pearls and diamonds which decorated their handles.
In a bedroom I worked the whole day. The governor everything showed me that I had to do, and listening to him, I at the same time looked at a carpet with the weapon. And pulled to look at it.
I lived at Frida in hotel. To me it was not really cheerful, but they lived well. The daughter Frida, the famous beauty, went to Yalta. Not that, God forbid, it lacked something, - she went in search of big or more carnal pleasures …
She was a good equestrian, and in the Crimea daily came out to the high coast in the company of representatives of the Russian high society. This its Crimea cost to many daddy.
Having returned from Yalta, it went with the father to St. Petersburg. It went for obtaining contracts and stayed month there. Money spent much there. Threw them extensively and lived happily. When you go behind contracts, it is possible to dare not to stint.
Upon termination of my work at the governor Fried transferred me to office of the Kharkiv station where usually there was a supervisor. It very much was not pleasant to me - to the governor this supervisor Gnodman came to a quarter of hour only in the mornings to give me work per day and to check night. But here to me the whole day under his baleful look and vile language was necessary to be, and from time to time I was covered by horror. But what to do - it is necessary to suffer silently: houses wife and children.
Gnodman was irritated most of all that I was more delicate than his salesmen, my impracticality, my white hands irritated for what he made the life of me miserable even more.
Us, the workers, it harassed to the fact that we had one subject: Gnodman. As soon as it left, we right there, taking breath, began:
"Gnodman is the robber!"
"Gnodman is the torturer!"
"The person without heart!"
"Awful type!" and further something like that, as slaves when they are not threatened one minute by a scourge.
I spent evenings at Fried where it was cheerful. Rich young people came, and the ball began. In the dining room placed long tables with plentiful snack. The beauty Berta perfectly played grand piano, and her younger syostra imitated Sara Bernhardt whose game she probably somewhere saw.
If around Berta sat in enthusiastic silence, then around younger cheerfully laughed. I remember how once it parodied slowly dying lady: reduced in a lamp fire, and, pale as death and mute, it slowly trudged to a couch … Here her eyes grew dull, the hand last time moved, eyebrows shuddered and remained are not mobile - the end. Too, of course, sliznut at Sara Bernhardt, but made strong impression on public.
So there passed evenings.
But me in a throat no pleasure climbed, and I only loved Berta's playing a grand piano which cast melancholy, surprisingly being in harmony with my gloomy thoughts. At the same time I was occasionally forgotten as if filling in itself with sounds.
If Berta did not play, I preferred in a corner to communicate with somebody. With me together there lived very original Jew by the name of Lifshits. The glib tongue it was capable to get to the person into a liver. Once he wrote to the Kharkiv governor general, famous Loris-Melikov, the letter. He wrote that he is Jew that absolutely dies, and asked from the governor general no more and not less as he a state position as it, Lifshits, is living only a God's pleasure, literally has no that is.
Loris-Melikov answered it, having suggested to be to it in such time and to receive a position. But, having been in due time, it was not accepted: He began to swear and shout at the official:
"What is it where it slykhano that the governor general did not keep the word! Only little people act this way. This disgrace! His word has to be pure as a ducat! …
Better than comparison he could not think up.
On its shouts the order followed from a general governor's office to the official - to arrest him for two days.
It is clear, that the young man was taken by arms and put.
After release it became even more irritable and dashed off the column the long letter in the Jewish style. Tone of the letter was the truth quiet, but very sublime, with jokes and humourous catchphrases as it was accepted in good old days. The letter was read to them to the whole campaign of students among whom there were also I, and our eyes it is necessary in an envelope, is stuck and zaadresovano.
Students are living, carefree people, threw it up and clapped on shoulders.
In several days the officer with paper from the governor general was. I sat at Lifshits in the room at this time. Appeared in the letter, in response to his letter the count sends hundred rubles, but cannot offer any position.
Lifshits politely thanked him, and did not take money. The last especially touched the officer.
"You do not take money, but I ask you - the officer softly addressed Lifshitsu, - do not write more column of letters. With governor generals do not joke …"
"Well - any more I will not write", - Lifshits promised it, and kept the word …
This history as good joke, was very popular among my acquaintances of that time, and Lifshits not without pride sometimes spoke:
"It is possible to be the Jew and to get into a throat to the governor general …"

Chapter 18
1 Makarov during that era - the town of the Kiev province and the county, the residence of makarovsky tsadik.
2 Talnoye - at that time - the town Kiev lips., Umansky County.
3 That is: "Long live David, tsar of Israel!" According to tradition, the Messiah has to be from David's house. Popular this exclamation is for the first time mentioned in the talmudical treatise "Rosh — Ha — Shana", 25,1. In this case the denunciation meant not messianic, but political expectations of Jews.
4 On page 198-199 of the book notes of the Cossack march reb Isroel, specially adapted for "Cossacks" of the Karlinsky Rebbe at the time of their departure towards to the groom and the bride [the Comment of the author] are given.
5 The given legend reflects the real attitudes towards Jews of the famous industrialist P.P. Demidov (1839-1885) occupying at the beginning of the 70th a post of the Kiev mayor, and his wife with a big share of the imagination. See Demidov's book, but not his wives, "A Jewish problem in Russia" (St.-Petersburg: Type. Stasyulevich, 1883. VII, 91 pages)
6 D. Asaph consider that this figure is exaggerated that the Jewish population of Kiev reached 30 thousand only by the end of 19 century.
7 Polyakov Samuil (1837-1888), one of brothers, railway contractors, businessmen and bankers of the Russian Empire. Donated big bags for the all-Russian and Jewish education. The initiator of creation of ORTA - Societies of craft and agricultural work among Jews in Russia.
8 Brodsky Israel (1823-1888), from a family of industrialists and philanthropists of the Russian Empire. Played an important role in development of sugar industry in Ukraine. One of heads of the Jewish community of Kiev.
Left 9 in 1880-1886.
Chapter 19
1 Rabbinic seminaries exist since the beginning of the 19th century up to now. Along with religious knowledge, get also the general education there that allows stopped a course to come to gymnasiums and universities, and explains their appeal to Haskala's supporters.
2 Brodsky Eliezer (Lazar), 1848-1904, I. Brodsky's son, also, as well as his father - a sakharozavodchik and the philanthropist.
3 D. Asaph consider that it is about the Karpukhinsky Hasidic bet-midrash opened on the Hem v1866.
Chapter 21
1 "Log" - i.e., lamed-gimel - in the alphabetic expression accepted in the Jewish tradition means number 33. The log oh-omer which was followed in the ancient time by thanksgiving gifts in the Temple of the first ripened sheaves is noted for the 33rd day Omer, the period between holidays Pesakh and Shavuot proceeding 7 weeks.
2 Story "Log — Oh — Omer" (1901).
 



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