Ekhezkel Kotik

Chapter 2
Great-grandfather reb Velvel. – My grandfather Aron-Leyzer. – reb Yodl. – Youth Aron-Leyzera. – Wedding. – Grandmother Bale Russia. – Change which happened to Aron-Leyzer. – Death of the great-grandfather. – District police officer. – Its relations with the grandfather. – Grandfather as monthly head. – Councils of the grandmother. – The grandfather is a collector of taxes. – Clerk. – Disputes because of the clerk. – Influence of the grandfather. – Grandfather and landowners. – Auditor. – New collector of taxes. – Disputes in the city. – New district police officer. – My grandfather – again the collector of taxes.
My grandfather reb Aron-Leyzer was a clever and successful Jew. It had huge influence in the town. He was born in 5559, i.e. in 1798. His father, reb Velvel Aron's son, was in Kamentsa a monthly head. Time in three years in those days Jews in each city was chosen the head of a community who was approved at first by the district police officer, and then the governor.
The monthly head was in the city a full owner, as in sense of actually Jewish interests, and the concerning city relationship with the administration.
The monthly head had to distribute and collect taxes and other requisitions imposed on a community and through him the district police officer carried out all the requirements. From this it is already possible to understand what large role the monthly head played in the city. It is enough to tell that he had the right to arrest for a period of up to three days and if it was required on longer – sent for the district police officer to Brisk and at the same time wrote that, in his opinion, the person the month of imprisonment is due. The district police officer at the same time carried out a sentence of the monthly head which could even flog also the Jew though, of course, he had no formal right to it. But each district police officer meant more at himself in the county in those days, than now the governor, and constantly gave to the monthly head the big power. The district police officer everything claimed what was done by the monthly head.
In the Vilensky province there was a history when the monthly head misnagid flogged the Hasidic Rebbe who arrived to Hasidim and Hasidic entreaties and tears did not help.
Though under the law the monthly head has to be re-elected each three years, but the district police officer did not look at it and from the very beginning ordered to choose the one whom he wanted, and then already that remained for so many time on how many the district police officer wanted.
The great-grandfather reb Velvel was all life in the city a monthly head and the rich Jew: the fortune it was estimated in three thousand rubles. He lived very in grand style. It had the distillery. Then there was no excise tax yet, and it gained twelve pennies for a vodka pot, and in the latest years – to eighteen. But as the distillery makes home brew, it is natural, at it there was a cattle - ten-twelve cows eating the remains from production of home brew, and each cattle gave milk four pots a day. Milk, cottage cheese and oil simply did not know where to put. Still he traded in the wood, forest wardens brought honey from beehives. It also kept "box" [1] in the city, and at it truly ate milk and honey, as well as meat. In the house there was such zhrachka what you will seldom meet.
The great-grandfather was at heart much softer than the grandfather, and to people of a poor class, such as handicraftsmen and melameda, was indulgent both all taxes and payment loaded on big owners, and imposed the heaviest requisitions on the most powerful.
Its power stretched everywhere. If someone did not want to go to rabbinic court, it behind it sent and at the same time spoke: "I give you three days that to be together with an adverse party in rabbinic court". And that already had to go.
There was a case with a certain R.M., the rich man and the big scientist, but only very bad person who treated unfair those who with it traded. He with anybody did not want to go to rabbinic court, and to the monthly head, that is my great-grandfather, often complained of it. He called with complainants and told them:
"Call him all in rabbinic court, and not only for this year. Disputes which you with it ever conducted and he refused rabbinic court, can resolve now. In a word, now you will be able to demand from it - it at me will be in rabbinic court".
The great-grandfather right there called him, but that pretended that he knows nothing. The grandfather then sent the desyatsky, three Jews – Hatskelya, Moshku and Aron-Labe, and directly in his apartment to him connected by a rope of a hand and leg, and nobody dared to interfere. Knew that in case of resistance in the house there will be all police. The connected R.M. the monthly head sent to the district police officer with the letter that that has to put and hold it until he does not ask in the letter to the grandfather that it was let out.
It is possible to imagine how such dear, rich and scientific Jew from a good family is carried connected from Zastavya through all city on Briskskaya Street. All his relatives gathered, and there was a lot of noise. It is natural that all this was quite rough, but for those times quite typically. The city, clear, was indignant, rustled and rustled, but by force nobody dared to free it. It was brought to Brisk and strongly put.
All Jews of Zastavya rose and wrote to the district police officer the complaint to the monthly head, what it does in the city that wants and that with it it is impossible to live. But they were not limited to paper. Five types went with voluble tongues to the district police officer. That accepted them cold and told:
"Nothing will help you even if you address the governor. He will ask me, and I will tell that the monthly head – the brave Jew. And you – for impudence, for the fact that came to complain – I will teach a good lesson". And at them in the eyes tore paper.
Two weeks R.M. sat so, did not ask yet the district police officer that that allowed it to write to the monthly head the letter with a request about forgiveness. He wrote that he will go with all to rabbinic court, even for last disputes. And in general – from now on it with all will go to rabbinic court. Then the monthly head sent the letter to the district police officer that that released R. M. Osvobozhdyonny directly from Brisk arrived to the great-grandfather and promised it to execute everything that is written in the letter in the presence of ten people.
And with five too courageous inhabitants of Zastavya he settled scores too: put to everyone to pay seventy five rubles of a tax instead of ruble or two. At once in those days nobody could lay out such large sum of money, nobody, by the way, would like to spread.
And within an hour there were all their belongings, together with house utensils in the communal house. After long requests and tears everyone gave twenty five rubles, and he on this money bought books of the Talmud for big bet-ha-midrasha.
In all disputes between the husband and the wife, the father and children, brothers and sisters addressed it. In these cases he always called clever owners and took their advice. And once, in especially hard case, addressed the rabbi. The decision of the great-grandfather was all the same that governor.
Especially it the destiny of orphans worried. He watched that they were not offended by stepmothers, and especially harmful ordered to put, and after release not to let in bet-ha-midrash. It worked: the stepmother came with crying, swore to be kinder to children who forgave her and there came the world.
He was the scientific Jew and every day read houses Gemara's leaf. Midrash could quote by heart, and at the beginning of every month fasted and at midnight prayed.
It also preserved all Jews against landowners that nobody was offended. In case of offense from the landowner, the Jew went to the monthly head and that transferred his complaint to the district police officer. And as if it was, for obvious reasons, difficult, but everything became that to achieve something from the landowner. Because, what the great-grandfather was appreciated by the administration, he and at landowners had a certain influence. It had with them few contacts, with them did not run any special business, except cases when it was necessary to ask about something the landowner for Jews. Then it went to the landowner, and it usually helped.
In the house it had a noise from people, mostly poor people. Vodka then cost eighteen pennies for a pot, and fried and smoked veal meat on snack after schnapps always hung in the storeroom so at it it was worth sitting. These people to it were entirely betrayed.
But big owners fatally hated it – for its sharpness and for the fact that tore up from them so much money how many wanted.
The city rabbi was the wise Jew, besides the great-grandfather to him gave on life enough. And he consulted only on the rabbi who was constantly coming to it on tea. Also it is possible to tell that during this period there was in Kamentsa an order and Jews lived more or less peacefully. The monthly head reb Velvel, Aron's son, was probably the best and the most honest.
Children at reb Velvelya there were two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Aron-Leyzer, my grandfather - actually main character of my memoirs - proved very capable boy. He did not want to study and was able to afford not to want it: the father very much indulged him, melameda were afraid of it and as he did not want to study, they too not really worried about it. The grandfather Aron-Leyzer did not become the scientific Jew though the head had gold. Absolutely did not even know Gemara – so did not want to study, and so submitted to him and so indulged him. He liked to learn the Tanakh though in those days it was considered as heresy, and looked sometimes in the Talmud or in "Eyn-Yakov".
In eleven years he married the daughter reb Yudla from the town Semyatichi of the Grodno province.
Reb Yudl was very scientific, knew by heart several honeycombs of sheets of Gemara from the section "Damages", besides had interest in science and well, for those times, knew astronomy. By the profession he was the Leipzig dealer and twice a year went to Leipzig in own carriage harnessed by the three of horses and with the driver. Took with itself a big box with silver money and small – with gold coins, and also Gemara's books and different scientific books, and on the road read. It had a weakness to a musical instrument under the name a clarinet which he liked to play that it seemed strange.
Then ceased to trade with Leipzig and became the military contractor. During this period he often was in St. Petersburg and constantly told a story about this place, about the tsar and about an imperial family. I was twelve years old when he died. I remember that at it found the letter from contractors of all Vilensky district in a box. In other letter contractors stated the claims to treasury and charged to it to go to St. Petersburg that there to summon it. Still were the letter from the different cities in which it was asked to run over to them and promised all to it respect. He already was an old person by then.
To young couple, that is mine to the grandfather and the grandmother, was on eleven-twelve years and they lived on bread at the great-grandfather in Kamentsa.
Ded Aron-Leyzer, being a big rascal, liked to play in houses under construction, being shaken on the boards piled there. The grandmother preserved it, worried for it and did not allow it to be shaken. He from it hid, left somewhere far away where it could not find it. Once – the grandmother told, – she long looked for it and with great difficulty found. He at this moment sat highly on a board and was shaken. Having seen it, he was frightened and jumped off. From a jump fell and strongly hit. "Wife" burst into tears, and he to her then swore that will not shake any more.
To years to twelve-thirteen there was it very dismissed and wild guy. And the grandmother was not on age clever and gradually and carefully disaccustomed it to a set of pranks and overindulgence. When after a wedding they became the father and mother, it told it that now he has to begin to behave seriously as it befits the father of family and as to his father weight to the people among which there are many dear people comes, and in the house discuss important city issues, it has to as the adult to begin to enter fatherly affairs. He obeyed her. And thanks to it became the person, began to enter fatherly affairs and city affairs, and according to the beginnings it to be pleasant to all.
The father, of course, was very glad that his son Aron-Leyzer began to behave as it is necessary that is to whom to talk and with whom to share cares of the city that usually demands a lot of time. It had still own affairs. And he gradually began to submit the son the city cases. He saw that the son matured and that are respectful to the young owner. Once he even spoke publicly:
"I see that I can give it the city" (as if the city together with people was its property).
So the grandfather Aron-Leyzer began to be engaged in all city affairs, became the person of the city that formed the basis of his future career.
The grandmother Bale Russia was as then spoke, wise, kind and noble. She, the very young wife, watched how her husband behaves, but did not show at people if that she not so, did not do remarks when he as the boy, was going to do some big stupid thing. Only having remained with it alone in the room, pointed to all mistakes made by it in a day. But at first apologized to it, asking not to take offense at the fact that it, the simple Jew, teaches it, the man what to do and how to behave. "You are a person, - she convinced him quietly, - besides young. Everyone can do a stupid thing. It is good that your behavior is watched by me, eyes full of love. I do not want to say any more that you made good, and that bad". Further something like that, quietly and peaceful convinced him.
Her kind, clever speech so worked on young a hozyaychik that it often began to cry. She then spoke: "Well, sha, do not cry, my dear husband. I hope that you will make good a lot. And I with you will speak how the kind, devoted wife".
As a result it turned out that the grandfather did nothing, without having consulted to the wife. Spoke everything that has to think till the morning. Discussed everything with Bale Russia at night and as with it decided, so he also arrived. In the city already knew that it consults with wise Bale Russia, it to it added respect: the husband has to live with the wife in a consent.
Over time, having matured and already having several kids, Aron-Leyzer began to look for some earnings. To earn from city affairs, at cheap owners of that time, it was difficult. By the way, he also did not want to earn from city affairs which began to bother it. As well fatherly business with the wood which it ran in small scale was not pleasant to it, and distillery with cattle – is simply opposite.
Seeing as landowners around the town live in grand style, he thought: why with these people not to make deal? To landowners the son of the monthly head a was sign, were respectful to it, something from this could turn out. Around there are a lot of Jews living with landowners and on it growing rich, than it is worse?
In the city spoke, as this idea arose in the head Bale Russia.
Well, the young man asked three hundred rubles for the father and began to go to landowners – at first, of course, to better known and living close from the city. Accepted the young man quite politely, he was even pleasant, and gradually, quickly enough, he began to do with them things. But he earned a little – had patience and did not want that the landowner, God forbid, told about it that he cheated him. Another on its place, was told, could go in gold. Somehow he answered it:
"On my place landowners on a threshold would not let another. Nothing, I will get acquainted with them gradually. Is a lot places where it is possible to earn. So far much is not necessary to me".
And gradually it became popular with landowners. It kept with them tactfully, quietly and seriously.
The grandfather had Aron-Leyzera a brother, is younger than him for six years. But that was held for a shlimazl, he did not interpose in the city matter at all, sat at the father and there ate, sometimes helping it. The great-grandfather did not love it, only one Aron-Leyzer was all his life, he also loved the daughter-in-law, the wife Aron-Leyzera, and often called her the righteous woman.
He had two daughters and took them in marriage big scientists. These scientists cost to it a lot of money. In those days it was able to afford to give to daughters one thousand rubles of a dowry and to take in sons-in-law ilyuev whom he fed and they sat day and night and studied.
Ded Aron-Leyzer already then did not want to live at the father and to eat with all sisters and sons-in-law. Having entirely gone about the own business with landowners, he began to live independently. At heart he was very wide person, and his only desire was that at it from a pocket money like water was spended, and others that selected them. It already had several children, and in the city would like that it was engaged in city affairs. Ded on the appearance and on the width very much approached to be a city figure.
The great-grandfather reb Velvel died in sixty years. When he got sick, the district police officer learned about it and did not leave the city any more. He very much felt sorry for the patient whose state was dangerous. Before death reb Velvel sent for the district police officer and asked that that took the monthly head on his place the clever and honest person who will be able to conduct the city, and called at the same time several clever owners. The district police officer who, apparently, already paid attention to the grandfather, told:
"I would like to make the monthly head of your son, Aron-Leyzera though he also is very young. It is pleasant to me".
"Leave alone my dear son. Position this difficult. How many the person tries, nothing leaves. All hate it".
The district police officer said goodbye and left. In several days the monthly head died. Then the asessor sent the courier to the district police officer, to report about his death. That arrived with the solicitor, and both of them, together with an asessor, saw off it on a cemetery. Next morning the district police officer sent for the grandfather Aron-Leyzer who at that time was twenty eight years old, and offered him the fatherly place. The grandfather refused flatly, having explained to the district police officer that he is still too young for such responsible position.
"I have affairs, - he told the district police officer, - I sleep peacefully, I eat quietly, and for me it is too a lot of work".
But the district police officer insisted on the:
"Listen, - he explained to the grandfather, - I have nobody else, except M., your deadly enemy. If he becomes the monthly head, your family will suffer from it", - the district police officer knew how it is necessary to speak with Jews. "And as I loved your father, - he continued, - and I know that you are a brave guy and the successful fellow therefore do not refuse. If M. becomes the monthly head, you precisely will have problems. – it intimidated friendly.
It already was not pleasant to the grandfather at all. The m was an awful hater of the great-grandfather and all family. It was that M. which reb Velvel arrested for unwillingness to go to rabbinic court. The grandfather it absolutely deprived of courage and he promised the district police officer to give the answer today.
He long conferred with the Bale Russia and could not come to any decision. To take a position it was fatally bitter, not to take – too badly. Long thought and discussed, at last decided what should be taken. It is clear, that if not the candidacy of M., the grandfather precisely would refuse. At the same time it was decided that the grandfather, taking a position, has to keep in the relations with the city quietly, coolly, honestly and carefully. And Aron-Leyzer declared to the district police officer that he takes a position. The district police officer, with geniality usual for those times kissed him on the head and wished success in a new position. Right there ordered to call meeting in the city and … to choose Aron-Leyzera, the son of the former monthly head.
The city "chose" it and even with big pleasure. It was pleasant to people for mind and energy.
Aron-Leyzera the district police officer took the new monthly head to himself in the carriage and carried to Brisk where kept several days, reporting all concerning cities of business. And judgments of the young man directly inspired him.
Aron-Leyzer returned to Kamenets and began to operate the city as his father. It, however, was cleverer and more vigorous than the father, and the representatives of a city top spending the whole evenings for disputes on communal affairs felt superfluous now.
Aron-Leyzer conducted city work so perfectly that in meetings which the former monthly head so needed there was no need at all. Gradually he got rid of a city top and ceased to call absolutely them, even for council. Unless had to resolve very difficult question. Then it was already necessary to call them.
"Do you have better no offers, - he asked them, - my opinion such and such …"
But his wife Bale Russia was his main adviser. In the evenings he with it discussed everything confidentially – and strange business – he was a resolute, masterful man and the big despot, but surprisingly obeyed the wife, and all life for it what was told or advised by the wife was sacred. He was a monthly head two and a half years until this absolute power was cancelled [2] Monthly head was not the person, already responsible for all city, and received a new name – the collector who had to collect all taxes for treasury, and too not it was responsible for it, and the city.
Aron-Leyzer did not want to be any collector. Again it was strongly asked by the district police officer and even promised that his power will remain former further. The position of the collector was still unfamiliar to the city, they did not know yet what with it to do and as, for example, the collector has to behave, and citizens readily chose it.
Aron-Leyzer became a collector, but operated all city as before, on a hair it is not less, and I do not know whether still some collector in Lithuania had such power as it. Other owners began to glance at it angrily. They knew that any other collector has no power which was taken away to himself by Aron-Leyzer. Therefore it began to get enemies.
Aron-Leyzer did not look at it. For it they did not play any role at all. For it there was a district police officer – and enough! And nevertheless it gnawed it, and somebody to whom it could give a position, it did not find. What, by the way, also the district police officer would not be glad to. This district police officer knew too that Aron-Leyzer is the big successful fellow in collection of taxes what another on its place, perhaps, will be incapable of, and it was especially important for it.
Aron-Leyzer decided to take the vigorous clerk that that ran city business. Then it, Aron-Leyzer, will be able to be released and quietly to go about the own business with landowners. It is necessary to have some income from outside, heavy expenses.
He went to Brisk to the district police officer, shared with it the plan – that he looks for the vigorous, clever person. Perhaps that has someone in Brisk? The district police officer gave it one young man – Y.X.P., – the private lawyer who wrote applications and ran business. It was pleasant to the grandfather and it brought it to Kamenets. He dismissed the former clerk, the simple Jew making seven mistakes [3] in the word "Russian", bought it the house for two hundred rubles, arranged shanks and told:
"You do not understand patents, but the income at you will be more former".
The new clerk was in Kamenets as the aristocrat: in a short jacket, with a ring on a finger and in the public place sat without hat. The city was excited. Became angry, clear, about the grandfather. Became angry so strongly that someone said that such as Aron-Leyzer permissibly to kill even to Yom Kippur. But there's nothing to be done with the district police officer?
As usual, the grandfather pretended that he knows nothing, and gave the Y.X.P team. The last was clever small and capable in Uchenye – could understand Gemara's leaf, but having got an education and having become "lawyer", turned into "apikoyres".
The clerk arrived, and the grandfather was accepted to affairs with landowners again. Three days a week went round landowners, and the rest of the time was engaged with the clerk. To the enemies he asked the copyist to appoint a tax ten times higher, than they still paid. It was something like revenge, and here the real storm rose. The flame of disputes extended on all city, and there was a shout: "It that it?! Aron-Leyzer took the secretary of Goya!"
Bale Russia, the grandfather's wife, took it very much to heart. She did not wish to listen for anything to these charges with shouts and damnations and with crying demanded that he refused a position of the collector.
"The city – not for you, - she cried, - and Jews of the city – too not for you. And you – not for them. Do not worry, they will do and without you. I cannot see what you turned into. What misfortune!"
Aron-Leyzer went to the district police officer and stated to him as the situation is, having resolutely declared that he wants to be dismissed. The city is dissatisfied, the wife cries, it cannot any more. Cannot forgive it the clerk.
The district police officer agreed. "Only look, - he told, - as if I did not appoint you the collector again. There is nobody else on your place".
The district police officer right there went to Kamenets, called a city top and ordered them to choose by the morning other collector instead of Aron-Leyzera. But the clerk has to remain the same. And there was just a hitch.
"That means!? – the city flared up. – We do not want the clerk! Let's give it two hundred rubles, and let leaves!"
The district police officer sent for the clerk and quietly asked him that he wants: to remain the clerk or to take two hundred rubles and to leave. The clerk answered it, as one would expect:
"Even if to me nothing will be paid, I want to be the clerk at such cattle!" - what to take from an apikoyres …
In the city the pleasure and fun began: the new collector, the new clerk – and Kamenets calmed down.
The grandfather began a thicket to go to landowners, to do with them things, and than further, he among them became more and more known to those – and so that sometimes they threw to it some earnings and advised each other to run business only with it.
Over time he became at landowners of three counties the real Rebbe: gave them advice, helped to muzz (landowners too sometimes muzz), and will not be exaggeration to tell that other of them – got into scrape, lost in cards - he put on legs again. The fact that distilleries appeared at them in manors maslodaviln, saw-mills and water-mills with cylinders – it got into all this the head.
The grandfather had one inexplicable defect: for himself he looked for nothing – as though his only desire was – to make of landowners of people. He explained it wildly and unclear: if landowners are rich, then Jews will have earnings and. Because – where there is their money? To Jews also go. And now it is clear that when two landowners argue, they need Aron-Leyzer that to judge them. And if the landowner is at war with the wife, then he, the grandfather, serves as a peacekeeper.
Well, it, clear, had the decent income, but he also lived much. But the main thing that they with Bale Russia were very happy that they at last got rid of city affairs. It is not necessary to worry whether there is someone to rabbinic court or does not go whether rich men pay taxes or not. And so there passed three years.
At landowners he was every day. Came on the britska harnessed by couple of horses with the Jewish driver. Came back home usually at night. Drank tea. In the house it was always full to the people – came to talk, ask council, to intercept something. And gradually its relations with the city were again strengthened. The landowner to the Jew will make some falsehood – without Aron-Leyzera will not manage. Besides – one thing with which nobody in the city, except it, could cope it was the auditor coming to check revizsky fairy tales – whether really in Kamentsa there are no more, than four hundred fifty souls which are written down in "fairy tales"? "To speak" with the auditor – on it already the grandfather was as nobody a master. Such "conversation" always came to an end two hundred rubles which the auditor lowered in a pocket. In day of audit many houses were closed, the people left the city, up hill and down dale, and the city looked the dead as a cemetery. Almost live soul on streets was not visible, the auditor went with all city police and considered souls. Always there were about four hundred. Did not get fifty. It was said about them that they left on affairs. And every year the auditor left, having noted in the protocol that everything is all right.
And this traditional "conversation" with the auditor was carried out as it is told, by the grandfather, even at other collector. There were even times when he, becoming angry about the city, refused this work, but eventually conceded. Not to leave the city to sink.
The new collector with the new clerk took to themselves all books, papers and the press and began to work. The collector called deputies, that is that from the city nobility who was chosen to run city business – and organized a meeting. First of all undertook to look through the register of taxes – only from the rich. From the people the grandfather did not take anything. Was decided to begin to take from representatives of average and poor classes, and to important owners to make simplification. Began to send requirements about payment of a tax to poor people, handicraftsmen, without having passed any poor. Again in the city noise was made. Began to run daily to the communal house, to shout and row; and women came with crying and damnations: that it – at them is not present some bread, and unless it is not enough here rich men who can pay! Everything boiled.
But nothing helped. On the contrary – began to pull out good of poor people: frying pans, candlesticks, ware, etc. household things, and shout stood to the sky. There did not arrive the asessor yet and did not arrest several beggars (the asessor had two sheds – one served for horses, and the second was something like an arestny log hut). It became silent. Poor people pokryakhtel and gritting the teeth paid. It is clear, that rich men and owners were happy with the new collector.
But good life of rich men with the collector proceeded not for long. They wanted to push aside it absolutely. They rich and notable, so why don't it be just the tool in their hands that he in everything agreed with them. It is clear, that the collector, as if he was weak, did not want that he was absolutely swallowed. Also there was no such meeting at which there would be no fight. All always tore and threw. And the asessor which knew about everything wrote to the district police officer about what occurs – that constantly there is a war.
Came to an end in the fact that the city top was divided into two camps: on those who considered what should not be taken from the poor, and on those who considered what should be taken. Everyone tried to help the camp and therefore in the city grandiose dispute, something like war ran high.
This dispute ran high more and stronger, and the district police officer was here. Arrested three from the city nobility and five of bottoms, sent to Brisk where they stayed month. In the city it became quieter – if not actually then in appearance.
The district police officer was replaced, went to the Slonimsky County, and local arrived to Brisk. It is clear, that warned one another that is represented by city Jews, and also landowners. The Brisksy district police officer, naturally, spoke badly of kamenetsky Jews, and about Aron-Leyzera told that it is the Jew who knows business and therefore when the new district police officer was for the first time in Kamenets, he first of all ordered to call the collector and the city nobility, read them morals and told that the previous district police officer spoke of them badly. He also sent for Aron-Leyzer and offered it a position of the collector. The grandfather turned obstinate and refused. The district police officer to it then noticed:
"You will be in Brisk, come to me".
At the same time new elections of the new collector with deputies took place. Chose a certain A.B. The new collector, the person more vigorous, at first behaved with a city top peacefully. But did not pass also half a year as disputes began. Same song. And when reached a set when it was necessary to hand over in soldiers, the real fire ran high here. Took one tailor with three small children, and the service of that time was twenty five years. It is clear, what it was misfortune for the person with children. Big hubbub rose, in the communal house beat out all glasses, nadaval of slaps in the face to the collector and deputies. A terrible fight burst, and the asessor right there sent the letter with the courier to the district police officer that that arrived. The district police officer arrived, made the protocol on thirty people, the richest people in the city, and arrested them. He was going to send all of them to Brisk and at the same time threatened that if they refuse Aron-Leyzera the collector will appoint, then it will transfer control of the city to an asessor and its assistant.
The district police officer was asked to wait one day to arrange big meeting and then to solve. At meeting, after big shouts decided that since Aron-Leyzer left a position, the city became as the boat without oars and is not present in anything sense. And – not a row be remembered by Beth-ha-midrash – a bath are absolutely started. People live and work in continuous fights, and Aron-Leyzer is the good owner, at him will not be the camps conflicting with each other. It, by the way, in good relations with the district police officer that, of course, is important.
The district police officer received the answer that they want Aron-Leyzera.
"Well so go and ask it, the district police officer ordered them, - because he does not want".
The city top, important owners headed by the rabbi, were to ask Aron-Leyzera that he took back reins in hand. That did not agree. And only after the district police officer threatened to transfer control of the city to an asessor and to take one of members of the family of the grandfather in soldiers, it had to obey. Conferred at night with the Bale Russia and between them it was decided that he has to return to a position of the collector.
"But only I know, - she complained, - that it is God's punishment".
He ordered to cast lots, and was chosen unanimously. So he became a collector again. At once sent for the same clerk to Brisk where that went in for private legal profession. His wife and children lived in Kamentsa. The grandfather began to run city business a firm hand again as before, everything went, properly, and the city calmed down.
As the person, accustomed to the power, he continued to operate as earlier, in stay by the monthly head what the city forgot for a long time about. Only for the sake of appearances he invited sometimes a city top to meetings. Sat and were silent, were afraid of companies to open, tell something against. Just were afraid of his mind, its power. Everything, besides, knew that it from the city does not take any money that earns by the affairs enough that for it money does not play any role that in general it is possible to rely on it – if he tells something, then and will make.
The grandfather already had such people who reported on him on everything that they tell in the city. And if someone expressed about it a low opinion, then got to "black list" and had to pay ten times more taxes, than before, and the people betrayed to it, that is his true friends, were almost free from all city payments and from military service.
It did not throw affairs with landowners, and city business was run by the clerk. So there passed several years almost without collisions.
I already told that Aron-Leyzer lived in grand style. Having profit on box collecting, he received meat for nothing. Being going to celebrate the daughter's wedding, it sent to all neighboring cities to report in synagogues that all poor people came to it to Kamenets to a feast in honor of the daughter's wedding, and three days proceeded feasts. It pinned up bulls, and poor people ate the whole mountain of meat.
On two mountains – on the Tower mountain and on Adolina for poor people coppers as though for soldiers, and them crowds came boiled. The city was similar to camp of beggars.
At a wedding kleyzmer from Kobrin played and from lunches during all seven holidays none of city owners dared to evade.
Chapter 3
"Panic". – Ayzikl-myasnik.
He celebrated a wedding of one of daughters during "panic". The rumor about the new decree forbidding to girls and young men to marry till 20 years was suddenly spread. And this decree which appeared in a year 5592 (1842) caused the well-known panic across all Lithuania and Volhynia. Where there were only eight-year age a daughter or the son – organized weddings and that the police did not learn, arranged quietly, secretly, without excess ceremonies.
Parents met, brought the boy and the girl into the house of one of couples of parents, put in the room a hupa with the participation of a minyan of Jews, drank wines, had a snack on a piece of pie – and enough. Then the father took the boy, bought to him a talliet, and already for the next day he prayed in talese1, but without tfillin2. As well the bride's father – took "wife", shaved with her head hair, put on a cap with tapes, and "wife" with "hubby" also did not know that they now the husband and the wife.
Parents often brought together children together that they got acquainted with each other better. And as they played earlier and plaid pranks as it is peculiar to children, so continued further. Often in a fight "hubby" broke from the head of "wife" a cap with tapes and laughed at the fact that it goes with the shaven head and shouted that it has a scab. And she came back home with crying, and said to her that it should not go bare-headed, again put on it a cap with tapes, keeping saying that if she once again comes back home bare-headed, she will be spanked. In twelve years they were told that they the husband and the wife also wished to bring forth good offspring. The wife was trained in any female laws, then they were left together, having taught how to behave.
In a year of panic to all small children in Kamentsa celebrated weddings. Several owners gathered in the evening, agreed in the same night to become related, and at ten o'clock evenings of children already awoke:
"Get up and go to a hupa", - said to the sleepy child. I remember the story Ayzika-myasnika about how he married:
"I was eight years old, I lay in a bed dressed and slept. Mother awakes me:
"Ayzikl, Ayzikl, get up, go to a hupa!".
That the hup where a hupa, – I nothing do not know and do not want to rise. Mother calls the father that he lifted me. He in a fatherly way shouts:
"Get up, Ayzik, you will go to a hupa!"
I speak: "I do not want to go anywhere, I want to sleep".
The father speaks: "Get up, I speak to you".
"I do not want". The father gives me slap in the face, keeping saying: "Get up!".
I pay, otyots takes a lash and whips me. Here I, clear, absolutely woke up, got up with tear-stained and sleepy eyes and I ask:
"Where to go?" He speaks:
"To a hupa".
"Where hupa?"
"We go to the matchmaker, there will be a hupa".
I understood nothing from this yet what with me the father speaks about: what matchmakers, what hupa? And again I speak:
"I will not go".
But the father takes a lash in a hand again, and I become silent. Mother washes me, puts on a coat, buttons trousers and orders to put on a cap. The cap was not, I put it somewhere when played before going to bed. History with a cap began, and the father told:
"If to you not to go to a hupa, I would set to you for a cap".
Meanwhile already came to ask from the matchmaker why a delay. All looked for and did not find a cap, and there was an alarm. What to do? Was already around twelve. The father with mother very much were afraid what the matchmaker will change the mind meanwhile, and at them it became bad with heart. Began to think whom to wake to get to the boy a cap till the morning. Thought, thought and thought up nothing. Meanwhile became late.
Badly business, there is no cap. The father with mother just could not take out such trouble. But there is nothing to do – you will not go to a hupa without cap. The father went to the matchmaker and asked to postpone a wedding until morning as the wife is unhealthy. The father was late there, and mother could not sit quietly. Thank God – the father returned and told that the hupa will take place tomorrow, at ten o'clock in the evening.
For the next day bought me a cap. In the morning I was in a heder in a fatherly skullcap and told boys that the father wanted to take me to a hupa, but I had no cap, and I did not go. Today the father will buy me a cap, and I will go to a hupa.
Beynish, the tinman's son, told that in the evening he stood under hupy with Dvoyra, Baruch joiner's daughter. Around them were twisted, told something, gave a ring which he put on Dvoyre a finger. The father told together with him a prayer, and then danced, ate gingerbreads and flat cakes with herring, and it was very tasty.
I came from a heder, and mother to me put on a new hat with a border. I asked:
"Well, when I will go to a hupa?" Mother told:
"It is not necessary to sleep so tight today. You were lifted hardly". I told:
"Today I will not go to sleep to a hupa any more".
But at nine o'clock I fell asleep again, and I was lifted hardly. I went with the father and mother to a hupa. Zisl, the girl with whom last Saturday in the house of her uncle we fought came and saw. It is bad, we with it are not found.
Then delivered to a hup, brought me under it and approximately in a minute brought Zisl and put nearby. I ran off and shouted:
"I do not want to stand with Zisl under hupy, I do not potter with her". Mother speaks:
"Ayzikl, it your bride". I speak:
"I do not want Zisl in the bride, give other bride!" Also did not wish to stand together with Zisl under hupy.
The father already began to speak, as usual, with me angrily, but I did not agree, and he told:
"Here I will send somebody home behind a lash and properly to you I will pour – only try not to get up under a hupa. And well give couple rozog here, and I right there will teach a good lesson this groom". Zisl speaks:
"Very well - it is for the fact that he on Saturday dragged me for hair. I with it will not become under a hupa too". The same history began with the bride – at first – mother's requests, then threats of the father of a lash.
Well, there pass two hours, and "the groom and the bride" do not want to stand under hupy. The guests invited for a minyan already want to leave. Already took a broom and began to pull out rods for us with Zisl. We started howling and so, crying, stood under hupy.
Ordered to take me her finger and to put on it a ring. I did not want to take her finger. The father gave me slap in the face and threatened with a lash. I took her finger, becoming angry that I am forced to take her finger. I pinched her. She began to cry. The father Zisl gave it two zloties, and mine gave me two zloties that we reconciled. I already took her finger and said blessing after the grandfather, told "mazl-t" and began to dance. Then I was seat at the table together with Zisl and fed with cookies and jam. Zisl suddenly began to cry. Her mother asked:
"What do you cry, Zisele?"
"I want pi …"
She was brought.
I told:
"I want too".
I was brought too, and then we sat next. Then we dozed off, and my sister Haya led me home, and Zisl put to bed too.
If there was to me any pleasure, then because that I did not go two weeks in a heder from Tuesday to Sunday. For the next day to us the matchmaker, svatya and Zisl with the shaven head and in a cap to the eyes came for a lunch. Mother cooked chicken for lunch. On weekdays of meat did not eat unless there was some holiday. Then the one who celebrates gave money to the butcher for a cow or a calf and agreed with him how many he will cost meat pound. There was one butcher who was pinning up for all week of a calf. It delivered meat to such misters as an asessor, the clerk, several rich citizens. And that remained from this ordered calf, sold to landowner house-keepers.
After food Zisl remained with us. But it with the cap was not pleasant to me. Only we began to play as I from it pulled off a cap, saw the white shaven head and cried:
"Fe, parkh, parkh!"
It became a shame to it and she began to cry. The father became angry about me and flogged in the face of Zisl (he flogged me often), listing my sins during flogging:
"Do not break a cap Zisl, be not teased "парх"!".
And I shouted and cried under a birch:
"I will not be any more, the daddy!".
I was flogged, and Zisl at this moment ceased to cry and began to laugh. Then it was taken away home and we quarreled again: it – from a shame which I caused it, and I – because of flogging I because of it got which.
For the next day the father with mother went to the matchmaker to a lunch, and I refused. Only matchmakers with each other celebrated, and we did not meet Zisl. On Saturday the matchmaker collected at himself minyan and the father took me on a prayer. I was called to the Torah the sixth as it befits the newlywed after a wedding. Put a small bench at a lectern for reading, and the father with me together said blessing. Even earlier it to me ordered a small talliet through Dovida-balagula that that brought from Brisk, and after a prayer gave lekekh with wine. I was seated at the table, but Zisl with me refused to sit.
So month we were two at odds. Pesakh came, and mother invited Zisl on a visit to a holiday. All wanted that we already reconciled. Mother gave us nuts and the mother-in-law gave too nuts that we played. I was the only son and asked four questions 3, and Zisl apparently it was pleasant how I ask questions. Then we played both holidays in nuts. For other days of easter week I was called to the house of the father-in-law where I was taken away by mother. I spent the whole day at the father-in-law, played with Zisl, and mother came in the evening, took away me home, and next morning took away to the father-in-law again.
Pesakh I entirely spent the last day with Zisl, played nuts. She so well learned that she played nearly better me. I became angry, again broke at it from the head a cap and at me involuntarily escaped:
"Parkh!"
It I to myself said a sentence. Zisl with loud crying rushed to the mother, and that with big rage to me gave slap in the face, and the father told that he will take care of that Rabi me in a heder flogged. I escaped home, and the father-in-law with the complaint to me right there appeared: such dismissed boy, it is necessary to flog him that he time forever remembered.
Reported Rabi that for deleting of a cap from the head Zisl and shouts: "парх" I was cut properly. Rabi with big severity executed a sentence, and any more I never broke from it a cap and did not call the bad word. We were at odds the whole year, to the following Pesakh.
On Pesakh the mother-in-law took to us Zisl again, and both mothers literally gave all the best to reconcile "young couple".
We reconciled and were not at war any more. Hair at it grew meanwhile, she constantly removed a cap and we used it for game in nuts as before used my skullcap for this purpose.
When to us it was executed on twelve years, my father to me revealed secret that we are the husband and the wife. The same Zisl was told by her mother, and then we were brought together together.
Mother taught Zisl how to behave with the husband, and I was taught by the father as I have to behave. We became the husband and the wife, and and we live, thank God, till today.
Sometimes she even swears, but I already got used and I do not answer. Now, thank God, we marry the daughter, let she will be happy".
This true story which I specially gave in detail is very characteristic for those times.
So all young couples behaved. The boy was taken away home by his parents, and the girl – her. And often reduced together that they played and if they were neighbors, then continued to play as before. They often fought, it broke from it a cap, and the father punished him birches, as well as before.
To beat children was a commonplace. Because of the slightest fault beat at once. Beat boys, young owners – that is 14-15-tiletnikh, already having children, and beat mothers having the children.
But it should be noted that as it is strange, the majority thus marrying, having matured, lived then well. The husband with the wife of each other respected and loved. Only small part continued to row and had to disperse.
Panic as it is told, continued no more than a year.
When the hearing about the decree reached Kaments, the city top addressed the grandfather for explanations. As business it was for those times very important, Aron-Leyzer went to Brisk and asked the district police officer. That answered that something similar really arrived from the minister. Paper with inquiry, for example, came from St. Petersburg to the governor: the district police officer assumed to report at what age Jews as it is known that Jewish soldiers almost all have on several children marry, and that the minister probably will issue the decree that till twenty years to young people not to marry, as well as to girls. And upon return Aron-Leyzera in Kamenets panic began.
In Brisk panic began earlier, and kamenetsky inhabitants undertook nothing yet. They looked on Aron-Leyzera. And he did not want to differ from all Jews and married the daughter in eleven years.
Chapter 4
My father Moyshe. – Its inclination to Hasidic Judaism. – Shidukh1. – The rabbi reb Leyzer from Grodno. – My mother. – My father as ardent Hasid. – Its escapes to the Rebbe. – Its fight against the grandfather. – Rent. – Auditor. – Kamenetsky Hasidim.
At Aron-Leyzera there was a son Moyshe, the capable young man. By twelve years the grandfather began to dispatch matchmakers to whom declared that the daughter of the rabbi – and the big rabbi wants for the son Moyshe.
Shadkhan2, reb Burl-Michel, told him that the local rabbi has a brother, the Grodno rabbi, reb Leyzer, the son-in-law reb Gilelya. And reb Gilel is the son-in-law reb Haim Volozhiner. That is – full ikhus. And it reb Leyzera has a marriageable daughter, but the matchmaker doubts whether there is a sense to speak about a shidukha with the son of the collector.
"Try to arrange it through our rabbi, - advised shadkhan. – If he agrees, it will help a shidukh".
Aron-Leyzera the idea was pleasant, he sent a shadkhan to the rabbi, but that banished it.
"Quite impudently, - the rabbi angrily told, - to offer my brother-gaonu shidukh with the kamenetsky collector".
Aron-Leyzer, long without thinking, itself went to the rabbi and told him so:
"You know, Rabi, I have very good young man of twelve years. You, of course, heard about it …"
: "I heard that your boy has a good head", - the rabbi courteous answered.
"And I heard that your brother reb Leyzera, the Grodno rabbi, has a marriageable girl, and I would like to become related with him. Money how many it is required, I will give. And you I will ask to be shadkhany: I know that if you advise the brother, he will listen to you. Shadkhan Burl-Mikhl even warned me that you strongly became angry about him, - the grandfather continued, - as it he came to offer your brother-gaonu of the collector? But I to you, the Rebbe, will tell briefly: I offer two options – or you undertake this shidukh, or look for other city. I give time till later Saturday. You will refuse to me a shidukha – on the same day you will leave Kamenets".
It is clear, that here all despotism and wild temper of the grandfather was shown.
The rabbi fatally turned pale. He knew that as Aron-Leyzer will tell, and will make. And who will prevent it? The rabbi asked to wait with the answer two weeks. Aron-Leyzer agreed.
The rabbi called several important owners, told all story and asked council. Owners were surprised cruelty of the grandfather as it was terrible – to be forced to become related with the collector of such gaon which is comprehensively connected with the greatest gaona: great gaon reb Labe-Ich is the brother of a ravvinsha, reb Gilel is her father, reb Haim from Volozhin is the grandfather, reb Itsele from Volozhin is the uncle. Great gaon reb Ekhezkel, the son-in-law of the Vilensky gaon - the father reb Leyzera; reb Shmuel, the district rabbi in Minsk – his grandfather; reb Simkh, the former Grodno rabbi – the second grandfather, and three more brothers – gaona and rabbis in big cities.
But if Aron-Leyzer told – a gone case, he will achieve the. What he only tried to obtain! And they could advise nothing.
It was decided that he will write to the brother, reb Leyzera from Grodno and as that will answer, so he also will make. Sent the letter and received absolutely unexpected answer, such, about, contents:
"I see, the brother that it is so fated God. Such is, it is visible, his desire and its sentence should rejoice. At least the groom – the good boy? If from it the real expert can turn out – let ask in marriage".
The rabbi carried the letter Aron-Leyzera and showed it. That, of course, very much was delighted.
"You, Rabi, receive from me in addition salary a ruble more a week now, - it rubbed hands delighted. – It is necessary to go to Grodno, to look at the girl. Suddenly she is, God forbid, a cripple or ugly? I very much love the Moyshik and I want for him the suitable wife, except an ikhus".
He went to Grodno together with the rabbi, and the girl was pleasant to it. Made conditions and stipulated a dowry in one thousand rubles. It provided them three years of keeping at itself(himself) in Kamentsa, took the son of a melamed, then sent them to Grodno where the son-in-law will study at the father-in-law, and it will send money for contents.
The groom Moyshe was at the time of drawing up conditions thirteen years old, and to the bride Sara – eighteen or nineteen years. It is no wonder that her father so quickly agreed.
On a wedding rabbis of all family gathered, and the wedding really was big, eight days the city boozed, wine was delivered barrels, and the people drank like a sailor.
Parents with rabbis left happy: weddings of such scope that all city had fun – they did not see. However, they did not know that the majority who came to be treated it was made not from love, and for fear.
For Moyshe Aron-Leyzer looked for some big expert for a role of a melamed. He wanted that his son became a rabbi too. Whether a joke – it now among rabbis and gaon! It brought from Brisk certain reb Aurèle, the rare expert, collected around the son of three more boys from rich and scientific families, reb Aurèle gave hundred rubles for one term for training of all four boys who were already grooms. And in those days twenty five rubles for term – were considered as a good salary.
Aron-Leyzer, however, completely miscalculated. He did not know that reb Aurèle – the big Hasid who will inspire in the pupils Hasidic Judaism will make of them ardent Hasidim, but not rabbis and that after a wedding they right there will run away to Moyshe Kobriner who was for reb Aurèle a Rebbe.
It is clear, that Aron-Leyzer was a zealous misnagid, and the rabbi - especially and when to it time the Jew came from Zastavya somehow and complained that her son became a Hasid, he to it ordered "to tear clothes" and to sit shivu3. And his brother, reb Leyzerke, the Grodno rabbi, of course was hot misnagidy – after all – from children reb Haim Volozhiner!
And right after Moyshe's wedding escaped from the house and went to Kobrin to the Rebbe. Moyshe understood what war is necessary to him with the father, he well knew it. He also knew that he destroys a family of the father-in-law, gaon from mignagid that he literally strikes blow to the righteous person father-in-law wishing that his son-in-law became a rabbi that is absolutely impossible for the Hasid.
He, however, did not look at anything and did in own way. It was not similar to the father, was his contrast rather – the ideal child, silent and very pious. But even knowing what causes relatives a great grief the commitment to Hasidic Judaism, he did not look at it. So it was attracted by heart, and it had to it follow.
There is nothing to say what it was blow for Aron-Leyzera. Here to it the son mixed all his plans. He so tried to obtain to receive the matchmaker of a gaon, and the son – the rabbi: what can be better? And here – on you!
He also could not imagine that it happens to his son. For it it was awful surprise. Rab Aurèle-melamed knew that as soon as Moyshe leaves to the Rebbe, Aron-Leyzer will break off him on part, and right there got away. His Aron-Leyzer did not know about escape, it sent behind it two desyatsky, but having heard about escape, sent to an asessor, asking six desyatsky which that he will tell, those and made. Asessor of it should not have to done, but considering good relations of the grandfather with the district police officer, satisfied a request.
Aron-Leyzer sent desyatsky to break a roof from the house reb Aurèle, bought soon after arrival to Kamenets. But the brother Aron-Leyzera Mordkhe-Labe of it did not allow: Jews do not act this way. It is clear, that be late Mordkhe-Labe for an hour, the house Aurèle would be already destroyed.
After that Aron-Leyzer sent the courier, one of prominent owners, to Kobrin, to tell the Rebbe that if that wants to sit in Kobrin quietly and to conduct there the teaching that in a minute sent the son and swore it more to himself not to entice.
But the Rebbe, the poor creature, could help nothing with it. Young fourteen-year-old Moyshe became the ardent Hasid and declared:
"The Rebbe, my soul is connected with yours, I will not abandon you to death".
Nothing remained to the courier how to tell Moyshe on behalf of the father that if he right there does not come back home and will not swear that will not be a Hasid, then the leg it will not cross a fatherly threshold any more.
Having lived several weeks at the Rebbe, Moyshe became even more zealous Hasid. He knew that he cannot come back home and began to write the fatherly matchmaker, reb to Selig Andarkesu4, asking whether it can, Moyshe to arrive to them and whether will undertake to protect that it from fatherly anger. Selig wrote that he undertakes this mission – he can arrive to it to Kamenets. Moyshe lived several months at Selig and at the Kobrin Rebbe. His father-in-law, river Leyzer from Grodno, at the same time knew nothing: he was not wanted to be afflicted.
Meanwhile Sara, Moyshe's wife, gave birth to the boy, and reported about it to ruble Leyzera. It arrived to trimming and stopped at the brother rabbi. There he learned all history that a lot of health costed to it. It is necessary – what failure with the daughter: the matchmaker the collector, and the son-in-law the Hasid that worst of all on light. And it is clear how put that time someone the Hasid, his children, grandsons, etc. will be Hasidim too. And so generations will leave to Hasidim. He decided that if the daughter of it wants to dissolve her, and went to Aron-Leyzera that to see her. That accepted it with big honor. The Grodno rabbi tried to talk to the daughter and to find out her opinion, but right there understood that the daughter Sara terribly loves the husband. She regrets that it stays in others place and that the father-in-law does not let it on a threshold and did not let even now, on trimming of the son.
Here river Leyzer clearly saw that everything was gone, and considering that it is the God's penalty and that God does, so to that and to be – and it, big misnagid, undertook to reconcile the matchmaker with the son. And after big works he managed to convince that to ask the son.
And then the rabbi from river Leyzer came together with Moyshe to Aron-Leyzera. Moyshe rushed to that as happened, to crying, asking to remain for it the father. As for Hasidic Judaism, there's nothing to be done: it is such thing of which not to get rid even at the price of death. The father of allowed to persuade, and the world came.
It is clear, that Aron-Leyzer arranged trimming with exclusive generosity, royally, but when reached before to name the boy, river Leyzer wanted that it was called by the name of his father, river of Ekhezkel, the son-in-law of the Vilensky gaon, and Aron-Leyzer wanted that named it his father, the monthly head, reb Velvel. In the end agreed on a double name – Ekhezkel-Zeev. The boy because of whom there was a fight was I, and my father was fourteen and a half years more senior than me.
The grandfather fell in love with the father again, and the father openly and freely indulged in the Hasidic Judaism. Every day, even in the winter, it went, going down on eight steps covered with a thick ice layer in a mikva, with rough, in big holes, walls. And even went to the Rebbe to Kobrin, asking it to go specially to the father to Kamenets that that allowed reb to return Aurèle to the city and to teach there children. Rab Moyshele, the Rebbe, and made: went to Kamenets and arrived directly to Aron-Leyzera and to his son. Rebbes courteous accepted and even accepted his request. The Kobrin Rebbe, reb Moyshele, played very large role among Hasidic tsadik. Wrote reb Aurèle that he can return, and that did not force itself to ask long. Arrived and again began to teach master's children from whom slowly but surely "made" twelve Hasidim, among them – Ekhezkelya – very capable, outstanding son of the kamenetsky rabbi, outstanding, really wise head.
Newly made young Hasidim removed then for a prayer separate shtibl5. My father tried at the father that that allowed Hasidim to pray in the separate shtibl. He already terminated to teach Gemara, was engaged in Zogar and midrashy more and comprehended Hasidic Judaism by means of immersions in a mikva and chants. So he spent days and nights, and becoming the rabbi, there was no speech any more.
The grandfather wanted that he began to go with him to landowners. But the son did not want to talk to landowners, especially, with landowners. The grandfather had to find to him some small business.
The grandfather married the second son, Yosele meanwhile. Here he chose to himself as the aristocrat's matchmaker from Bialystok. Nicknamed him reb Shimon Deych as it already then conducted the aristocrat's life. It had beautiful daughters. His oldest daughter Yokheved was the famous beauty and while the first daughter-in-law of my grandfather, the daughter of the rabbi whom he did not love was not beautiful at all, to him advised to woo a family absolutely of other sort where carry on hands diamonds and a string of good pearls on a neck.
Yosl became a Hasid too, for both had to find some business, and the grandfather planned in this respect the extensive plan.
In Kamentsa it was impossible to buy alcohol differently, as from Oserevsky, the local landowner. Also relied it as it is described above, duty on salt, tobacco, candles, etc., on five kopeks from each horse who drove to the city during a Sunday fair and also for use tryomya water-mills. All this belonged to Oserevsky, and it is necessary to all there was a managing director. But the managing director so operated everything that little reached the landowner: deceiving on Oserevsky's custom, the managing director retained the most part in a pocket.
Somehow at visit Oserevsky its estates of Pruski the grandfather addressed it and offered that that gave it rent to all those things. For rent it gives it twelve hundred rubles a year while now it for them has shish. It was pleasant to Oserevsky, and the contract was concluded for three years.
The grandfather received rent that for the city was an innovation. In total therefore were surprised to his courage. Who can quarrel with all city? And what if import smuggling wine and will not want to pay? Who has forces for such heavy business - to guard the whole city that precisely paid that they did not steal when they steal always?
Having received the contract, the grandfather charged to a shames old to call bet-ha-midrasha all on Monday evening on meeting. Of course all city was. When Aron-Leyzer arranges meeting, it is necessary to come, otherwise will pay more expensively. He called the clerk, Y.H. that that declared from a stage that from now on nobody has to buy wine, otherwise, as at reb Aron-Leyzera, paying duty from each pot - 27 pennies of a shinkara and 18 – other. The same is also concerning beer and all what still paid the managing director for. Rent passes to it now. At the same time he endows in favor of the city three hundred rubles – the sum which it is ready to pay annually.
Noise was made. But in eyes there was a fear and people gradually dispersed. Then he ordered to call to himself all shinkary and told them that sale of alcohol should be organized in a different way. Still everyone who only had a house, could sell alcohol to peasants. It harmed trade – took for a shot glass a penny four. But now, when it took rent, the alcohol will be taken from it, and it will total pennies twenty seven for a pot. They have to be careful to trade in illicit wine, and then these twenty seven pennies will be easy to be received.
And still warned:
"Before, when the managing director Pochesha caught you, he beat you. I you, My God keep, I do not order to beat, but the one who will be engaged in smuggling will lose the shank. You have to gain three kopeks for a shot glass. I to you brought shot glasses which seem big from Brisk, but holds in everyone very little. You have to hold only these shot glasses, and any others. Shot glasses are all identical, and there will be to you a profit. It is especially important to compete as little as possible with each other in sense of profit".
Shinkari gathered at the grandfather and defined quantity occupied with this business the next three years which should not have been exceeded. Everyone shinkar had to take the patent to buy openly and freely. At the same time the grandfather undertook to lend money to those shinkaryam who could not pay the patent. He knew how to organize business.
When everything was arranged, the grandfather gave rent to the father and gave him in partners of the brother, Mordkhe-Labe. With the landowner it was discussed about delivery of that quantity of alcohol to that what was required to it.
The excise for vodka was carried out so. At the owner of distillery the representative of an excise sat (inspector) who had to watch how many he is on sale alcohol. As came to buy by barrels, the inspector measured how many buckets the barrel contains, sealed the excise press and granted to the owner the certificate that its barrel contains so much and so many buckets. Then noted that so many buckets are sold. The owner of distillery had to bring excise duty monthly to Brisk, to excise chamber.
In the city there was such inspector watching that shinkar correctly sold vodka from the sealed barrel too. The barrel without the excise press meant illicit vodka.
In Kamentsa the grandfather opened shanks, and there brought up to fifty buckets of alcohol, that is, to two hundred pots. The landowner at such big sale did not want to potter with tax accounting, and the grandfather undertook it. Every month sent excise money to Brisk, and the barn had bags with copper and silver coins which transportation required several horses.
On Friday all city came for wine for Saturday. This day all family helped with trade, pouring from barrels in bottles.
Now, when the grandfather began to operate excise accounts, at us the inspector sat and sealed bought by the excise press. And when shinkar, everyone with the keg came, the inspector sealed kegs, watching that shinkar did not avoid the excise account. The father set the seal that shinkar traded in vodka not differently, as within his rent. So, on each keg there were two press on the long tongue, with the instruction how many buckets the keg contains.
The father with the inspector two times a week, at will, arranged check on all city. Came to shinkaryam, broke from barrels of the press and checked the tongue how many there was a fault.
So did regularly. Sometimes arranged sudden check, sending the person, Hatskel, with several - how many it was necessary - goyam from the village constable. In desyatsky there was never a shortcoming: through the district police officer the grandfather received so much desyatsky how many it is necessary – never refused to him. But first, shinkar were careful, secondly, they often sizhivat at us in office, trying to behave as the people, as kind friends that prevented to carry out audit.
Shinkari sat at us, the alcohol was available, served also roast gooses, and there was always a fun. It should be noted that everything shinkaryam at the grandfather it was good, and others also grew rich.
As for other taxes – on salt, candles, tobacco, etc. – it interested it a little. But everything went well.

Somehow the grandfather the district police officer had time in Brisk. That told it that from the governor the special auditor with special powers for verification of revizsky fairy tales on all province as many messages that more than two thirds of the population are deliberately not written down are received is sent. And he, the district police officer, is afraid that in the county the auditor will find especially large fraud because of what he can lose a position in it.
The grandfather asked whether he knows this person. The district police officer answered that he knows well. This is the big arrogant man, he is not clever at all, takes offense from each trifle, but people honest and direct.
"Well, if so, - the grandfather told, then you have to try that he carried out the first audit in the Brisksy county in Kamentsa, and everything will be as it should be".
Day came, the auditor began a province detour, there were already rumors that in many cities false fairy tales are found, and was it seems that heads of communities in the cities are threatened by Siberia.
It is clear, that the province was attacked by fear and horror: said that the auditor repairs uniform defeat. The district police officer, though hoped for the grandfather, was strongly frightened: whether a joke, it is possible to lose a position if fairy tales are incorrect. He wrote to a kamenetsky asessor that when the auditor arrives to Kamenets, that has to suit housing at Trinkovsky's Yoni, but not at himself as became always. Asessor let keeps aside, does not put at doors of the auditor of desyatsky – well, does not show that he knows something. All this is on the advice of the grandfather.
The auditor, at last, arrived. Asessor right there accepted it and delivered to the apartment to Trinkovsky, in a decent rooming house, with silver tableware for landowners. The grandfather knew about his arrival in two days. Called heads of a community, having offered that all not written down in fairy tales left a day before that the city, even mothers with small children. Any not written down in fairy tales should not be, and unlike two hundred rubles which usually give to the auditor, he, the grandfather, will give it three hundred this time and hopes that everything will come to an end well.
Council was accepted, and the management of a community sent from the city of all not registered in fairy tales. The auditor arrived in the carriage harnessed by the three to ten o'clock in the morning. In twelve the grandfather already sent the Jewish footman to him to an office to report that the collector was and wants to talk to it. The auditor suggested to enter.
The grandfather who asked Trinkovsky, the owner of hotel in advance to take care that during his conversation with the auditor in the neighboring rooms was nobody, entered number and closed behind himself a door.
There began the grandfather, as usual, very safely and originally:
"The barin, fairy tales at Jews really incorrect, and it knows even the tsar that there is the best proof that here you will do nothing. So was always. Only all auditors coming for verification of fairy tales all years took two hundred rubles, undersigned that everything is all right and with the world left, and you – are a little stubborn. I give you three hundred, and leave us alone because – it is clear how the fact that I am the Jew – nothing you will achieve here. And, perhaps, it will be unfair if you make defeat here and you will send someone to prison".
The auditor boiled:
"I all of you, swindlers, to Siberia will banish, - he cried, - and you – the first!". The grandfather without hesitation released to him two hot slaps in the face and, as if by the way, maliciously and quietly noticed:
"Know – the door has on call my people, you will be carried away on a sheet, to you the end actually came … But if you want to escape – I from you need one: swear that now you will leave and you will forever refuse such gangster position". And that to frighten that stronger, cried:
"A nod, Hatskel, Burke – rather here!"
The auditor completely shaken by the received slap in the face got up on the shivering legs and having stooped, fatally pale, promised is slightly heard to the grandfather immediately to leave. Having slightly made toilet, he left together with the grandfather number and ordered to harness horses. Approximately in its half an hour was not in Kamentsa any more.
In couple of days the district police officer sent to the grandfather the letter of thanks with a set of compliments and with the invitation to arrive to Brisk. There he told that the auditor to it came and reported about the impressions of a trip. Did not tell about slap in the face. His opinion was that fairy tales are false everywhere and to put them in order, other means are necessary absolutely: to change radically a record order in them. Nothing once a year allows to arrive –. And even one Jew – the collector from Kaments - definitely claimed that fairy tales are false from time immemorial …
Here already the grandfather told it all story, with slap in the face and threats from what the district police officer came to such delight that right there, shivering with laughter, put in the grandfather in the head several kisses.
"To what he is clever! – He continued to admire. – It is matchless! But tell me after all – as you decided on such dangerous act?"
The grandfather answered it it that he relied on words of the district police officer who told that the auditor is not really clever, but the arrogant man, and such small well is to beat and scare. And the easiest – to give confidentially slap in the face – will be ashamed to admit such it.
The district police officer was delighted.
In several months there arrived other auditor. The grandfather gave it two hundred rubles, and that with the world left. The grandfather supported rent on vodka, and – handed over other payments which are due for mills, etc. to a thing for nine hundred rubles. So at it remained for only three hundred rubles of rent.
The grandfather held shanks, and the brother held him shanks, and both did not hold patents … Traded freely and openly. And for the help, in case of need, the grandfather paid for this freedom to an asessor five rubles a month.
Purchase of a large number of alcohol demands large sums of excise money, and often it can be difficult. The grandfather bought a lot of alcohol in Poland where there was no excise. Poured in a barrel alcohol at night, and the press took from inspectors, allegedly, that not to trouble those. Prepared many seals on leaves which were attached on tongues. Thus barrels were sealed by the excise press. Sometimes the inspector, before departure home, left the press for the night: why it to drag home! For what received from the grandfather fifteen rubles, except a usual salary.
So brought alcohol from Poland and sold together with vodka for which paid a tax.
At the Polish alcohol the smell was better what was even a shortcoming, giving its presence. That to secure itself, spread rumor that add such fragrant drops to alcohol from what it was wanted to be drunk even more.
Each two weeks other auditor was, but they were such big bribe takers that having received on a paw, wrote that everything is all right.
The grandfather connected all children to rent. Lived really well. My father Moyshe was the head of all business and the accountant. The grandfather participated in business protection more, than in the management.
During this period it dealt with city problems more. Even threw the affairs with landowners. There were only certain landowners who held only it.
Evenings he spent at home now. The house was full the people coming for council. At one – a personal record, at another – connected with affairs of the city, at the third – the complaint, the fourth needed council. And in the house there was a noise and din.
The father played in the city absolutely other role. He was silent, soft, extremely honest person. Said a little – just only a few words. But to what told it was always worth listening. And in case of important trial, the father always invited to be the arbitration judge. With its tranquility, judiciousness and the soft speech he always found out who is guilty also always tried to obtain that are happy there were both: both guilty, and accuser. Because of this ability he became so famous that came to it for analysis of affairs from Brisk and even from Bialystok remote from Kaments for 13 versts.
The father on a face always had some lovely smile, and all involuntarily loved it. When he told something, all listened, weighed each his word.
The rules which it established in the house were Hasidic. He prayed in the Hasidic shtibl, and on Friday at night to a table it came on some minyan of people – and all Hasidim. Sang, ate and danced till later midnight. On Saturday by a lunch, a fir-tree any kugel came again, drank vodka, sang and danced before twilight. Then went in shtibl on an after-dinner prayer, and after a prayer, already in the shtibl, ate a dinner. From the house of the father brought big challah with herring, several bottles of vodka, and after that still sang in the shtibl, to an evening prayer. After a prayer again the father had all Hasidim, prepared a krupnik with meat, drink was though be filled in, from it sang again and danced all night long, and at dawn, going home, awoke on the road of inhabitants from a dream.
I remember how the boy I behind them ran. Very much it was pleasant to me, how exactly awake from a dream: it was known what landowner with what owner runs business. The representative and rich Jew reb Leyzer, for example, was awoken so:
"Rab Leyzer, asks you Dimansky", - and knocked to him on a shutter.
It is clear, that reb Leyzer jumped it is live dead and opened a door. The loud laughter of the Hasidim recommending reb to Leyzer to make something that it is not accepted to call aloud was distributed.
So awoke the most dear inhabitants, and nobody usually complained. All laughed including woken.
On Friday evening at the father the mass of candles burned; it is difficult to describe the fun and pleasure reigning at it all Saturday. I do not represent that somewhere else happened as cheerfully, as at us on Saturdays.
To Kamenets there came on a visit Hasidim from the best-known, on six-eight people a year and all, of course, stopped at the father. Everyone – for a week, and in the house then happened, as during a holiday. One left, and in several weeks the second was. Again the same. And once a year came the Rebbe. Prepared for his arrival in three weeks as Hasidim gathered from Brisk and surrounding places. His arrival gave the shakes as if it was the tsar. Several hundreds of people ran towards to a van in which the Rebbe went, in the city he drove about with a big pomp, and each Hasid trembled before it, as before the monarch. It stopped at the father to whom it cost several honeycomb rubles. Pinned up bulls, geese, turkey-cocks and arranged a feast on the whole three hundred persons. Ate, there were enough pieces left to the Rebbe and sang.
All days spent by the Rebbe in the city none of Hasidim went about the own business. The father, usually such reasonable person, was excited in these cases by society of dear visitor, and in general – it is difficult to describe pleasure and enthusiasm of Hasidim. Each of them imagined that around the Rebbe angels and seraphs are turned. Hands and legs shivered from love to it, and looked at it, as at God.
When the Rebbe left, with him together there left all Hasidim, and the father died of fatigue. Whether – fulfilled comic business eight days, day and night. The number of Hasidim grew in Kamentsa, three minyan of Hasidim, generally slonimsky, three – from Kotsk, four – from Carlin and several sukhovolsky gradually gathered [see for page 114 of the text, the lane of page 180].
Always at them something happened that should be noted - anniversary of death of one Rebbe, another, Moshe rabeynu6, the Hanukkah, the beginning of month, the tenth date of a tevet, Tu-bishvat, Purim, Shushan-Purim, Pesakh, the Log - oh - Omer, Shavuyes. the 9th Ava 7lili by buckets water under legs, was trained by prickles which if get stuck in a beard, will be difficult to be taken out. Riding with laughter, threw each other into a beard such prickles. Then went on a cemetery where prickles grew, and again threw them into a beard. So the ninth Aba turned into April Fools' Day and pranks; the fifteenth Ava – again trapezy8 and slikhot9 prepared a special meal for the first – a krupnik.
In Rosh - ha - Shana those who went to the Rebbe drank all day wine – from the end of a prayer and till midnight. To Yom Kippur sang at night, in Sukkot saw and sang. And all this happened in the house of the father.
The father smoked a pipe, without letting out it from a mouth for days on end. On his face it was poured and never the smile – neither in pleasure, nor in a great grief disappeared. Never saw crying it. It is clear, that regretting for something, it was sad, and even very much, but never showed it. It was present, deeply convinced Hasid. In one hour in the company of the Rebbe it was ready to refuse everything on light. Angry it was never seen. With the tube in a mouth he went and smiled, kind and warm. He was not a hypocrite – with women, lonely and married, was kind, awarded with compliments and was able to laugh with them.
He did not worry about earnings, that is – did not allow to overcome himself to cares as at heart considered that the world is prikhozhaya10, and troubles which happen to the person in this world, as well as good luck - all this only vanity of vanities. Even in affairs he did not forget it and never behaved as the businessman.
Chapter 5
Reb Isroel. – His singing. – Its compositions. – Its situation among Hasidim. – Reb Isroel as mathematician. – Bet. – Its Polish patriotism. – Its march in honor of a victory of Poles. – Contract with the Hasid. – Prize. – Death reb Isroel.
One of the most interesting Hasidim in Kamentsa was reb Isroel. He lived with the wife and the daughter at the grandfather. Rab Isroel had the wise head, being considered from the youth ilyuy. He received once two thousand rubles of a dowry and contents for five years from the father-in-law, the big rich man who wanted to have the son-in-law of the rabbi. Isroel – so solved the father-in-law – will be the rabbi in the big city, and it from the only daughter will have a consolation.
But Isroel became kotsky hasidom1, he threw the doctrine, went to the Rebbe and spent near it the whole year. Thanks to its big advantages and learning, a precise mind and unusual abilities, he at the Rebbe became the Hasidic leader. Singing, music, composition was one of its abilities. He was able to compose a melody. At the request of the Rebbe he prepared three melodies on Saturday, and each of them was integral, independent and unique. He did not know any notes, and still each melody was finished and charming.
While the ruble Eliezer, his father-in-law, was live, reb Isroel sat at the Rebbe more, than at home, but after death of river of Eliezer his wife Sara-Bale inherited six thousand rubles. Two of her brothers received more – to fifteen thousand. In Lithuania then nobody left inheritances to daughters, but her father did not deprive.
Having come into a fortune, she went to the Rebbe, asking that that ordered to come back home and be engaged to Isroel in some business. They organized some manufactory business, but as reb Isroel spent the whole week in the Hasidic shtibl, and Saturday – at my father, and wanted to know nothing about business, they were left without money soon. They had a rough time, and partially they appeared on contents at relatives.
To the Rebbe it went only twice a year now – to Rosh - ha - Shana and to Shavuot. Went in for Hasidic Judaism at home.
Sara-Bale was very devout, observed all posts with breaks, i.e. fasted on Monday and on Thursday every week when read fragments from the Torah: "And here names …", "One person also went …", "And Moshe grazed cattle …", "And Moshe … answered", "And then Moshe with Aaron … came", "And the Lord told, addressing Moshe" 2. Besides, prayed in the evening and at night in bet-ha-midrashe, and reckoned, with blessings after an evening prayer, to days of the second day Pesakh till a holiday of Shavuot, read slikhot, without passing any after-dinner and evening molitvy3 and often cried over psalms, taych-Toroy4 and over the book "Tseena at a Reen" 5. And he, reb Isroel, prayed in the shtibl. Incomplete ten minutes managed to pray, and all waited and when it finished, began to drink "le-haim" – in health, and reb Isroel amused all Hasidim: sang the tunes - you will lick fingers. He was able to speak also beautifully – and on everyday subjects, and about the Torah. And Hasidim crowded around and listened as it it is beautiful, on Hasidic manners, states the Torah.
Among city experts on the Torah it played a special role. Whether the difficult place occurred at Makharsh, in the Talmud or in galakhichesky decisions, came to reb to Isroel. With the wise head, he explained on the of manners, with skillful tolkovanyitsa and zaostrenyitsa, taking away so highly that it was hardly possible to understand his high thoughts and assumptions. And in each judgment big wisdom and erudition was visible.
Experts derived a lot of pleasure from its interpretation, but did not know what with it to do. Their problem remained a problem, it is even more difficult, than before and as neither explain and nor turn with ingenious assumptions, never yielded nothing result, and experts left from it with feeling of humiliation: they have no explanations.
Reb Isroel was from the city of Sedltsa, that is, the Jew from Poland, he well read in Polish and regularly received the Warsaw Polish newspapers. But having appeared in Lithuania, soon began to understand well Russian and to read the Russian newspaper. In policy it was a big expert and really knew that it is created in world diplomacy. Besides, he knew how many each government has troops and what: how many artillery, guard and infantry, and all generals who caused a stir in war, etc.
It had a card, and he understood geography. When it was asked where there is this or that city, he right there pointed a finger the place. Besides, he was an ingenious mathematician. He solved the most difficult calculations, the most difficult tasks and measurements in mind and in one second. It was excessive to take in a hand a feather for it.
Especially he liked to sit in the house at the grandfather when there a lot of people gathered. The grandfather paid it great attention and liked to discuss with it political affairs: two clever persons interested each other.
He listened to what it was told in the house about, and on his face the smile wandered. Aron-Leyzer understood what was meant by this smile. It meant: as people and as their affairs and speeches are insignificant are insignificant.
I remember once, the grandfather had a full house to the people, including – all city nobility and kamenetsky clever brains. The speech about calculations came. Rab Isroel noticed that he is ready to bet that right there, on the place, will make the most difficult calculation one minute.
I remember how it was asked how many Rothschild will draw interest in a month, having given one million and sixty thousand rubles under two and a half annual interest rates?
Isroel for a minute reflected and gave number. Took handles, sweated, solved, wrinkled foreheads and came to a conclusion that the answer is right. Set still a task:
There are one thousand poods of a saffron on four hundred twenty rubles for pood. Gained for half of ounces on thirty seven and a half, thirty eight and a half and thirty nine and a half. How much it was obtained? 6.
Reb Isroel thought, maybe, and answered minute immediately.
At the father he was nearly an every evening, going in with it for Hasidic Judaism till later midnight. Since Friday at night till morning of Sunday almost all the time the father had it. He sang only own tunes which were sung by all society. Others, not Hasidic melodies he as it is accepted at people of art, did not adhere.
Singing the melodies with Hasidim, it, attentively listening, a hand let know to singers and if someone sang a false note, angrily stamped a leg. Its melodies were difficult, flew up and down and got into all joints.
When the father asked to compose it a melody by Saturday night or by a holiday, it did it, and sometimes happened that the father asked when many Hasidim together sat, to compose it an impromptu some beautiful melody to sing at the same night. He began to walk up and down on the room backwards-forward, twisting fingers, and untwisted a fine melody which literally captivated all in half an hour.
During the Polish revolt of the sixty third year reb Isroel all was captured by revolt, having turned into the ardent Pole, the awful Polish patriot. In all that concerned Poland, it was extremely optimistic. It was sure that Poland will become even more, than was before. He laid all hopes on Napoléon III. If as he hoped, Poles exhaust Russians, then Napoleon will come with the troops and will help them to return the earth. And Russia at the same time will lose a fair piece and the earth …
At Poles, Isroel considered reb, there are money billions. They already gave to Napoleon three hundred million francs, and they will achieve the. He knew where there is the Russian army and where – Polish and how many is available on each party. The Russian army – primitive, incapable to any military tricks, and Napoleon already sent the officers to Poles, and Poles of the will achieve. In the opinion he was strongly approved, having read in the newspaper about success of Poles in separate battles, and so rejoiced as if freed Jerusalem, and having read – grieved that Poles somewhere got beaten, but did not lose hope. He all repeated that for it is clear as clear as a day that Poland will win war. And already prepared three marches in honor of a victory of Poles. The first – devoted to volume as the tsar will sign that he refuses Poland, and the Polish army will enter with a victory Warsaw; the second – for support of the French army at return from Warsaw to France, and the third march – on the occasion of celebration by the Polish king of the new constitution.
And he already assured all that in Poland there will be very liberal constitution, and Poles – the first constitutionalists in the world.
In ten versts from Kaments, in the Chemerinsky wood, there was a small battle between Russians and Poles, and remember that rifle-shots were heard at us in the town.
In Lithuania the Polish head of revolt of Oginskiy7 – the big military expert inspiring fear in the Russian army was allocated.
In the wood there were two Russian regiments with artillery which faced this most Oginsky. It, apparently, had only three thousand soldiers without artillery. It was broken and ran astride a horse. Three Cossacks pursued it. Sitting on a horse, he turned back and shot all three. He ran to Pinsk.
Russians took all big counts battling together with Oginsky prisoner. Soldiers of all were interrupted, and captured Polish officers were brought to Kamenets. I remember that brought them fine Saturday day, and they sat on the earth in the middle of the market, the person seventy, with the connected hands, and around stood the Russian soldiers.
When two regiments of Russians together with artillery entered Kamenets, the city was overflowed. And reb Isroel, seeing with own eyes defeat of Poles, cried as the child.
I remember how on Friday night the grandfather had many people, and reb Isroel at a table counted chalk the number of the Russian and Polish troops in places of revolt.
"It - only the beginning. Chemerinsky current defeat is nothing, landowners of Muravyyova will hang up, but not in it business. Against the bigger strength and correctness of Poles, - he said, crossing out gesture of a hand the Russian troops which are earlier designated by chalk - the Russian troops – nothing.
At this moment soldiers were and knocked at a door. They wanted to drink, and here – shanks. Doors were closed on a bolt, and were afraid to open them: whether a joke – soldiers! Rab Isroel became at doors and did not give them to open to let in the Russian soldiers. Soldiers right there broke a door and it is clear that the first whom they faced, was reb Isroel. Therefore he received from them two boxes on the ear so from teeth blood began to flow.
After departure of soldiers someone asked reb Isroel:
"Well, reb Isroel, you just considered that Russians – nothing that they are absent. Well so – the Russian soldiers do not exist?"
"Unless it is soldiers? These are robbers!" – With anger and bitterness Isroel objected reb.
From all compositions reb Isroel, remained at me in memory, I give notes of two of his marches devoted to Poland here. In what occasion marches were written – the reader will find the answer to this question above. We consider a duty to thank the Mr. Pesakh Kaplan who did not regret efforts and wrote notes to these marches which I to him sang on memory 8.
When Poles began to suffer one defeat behind another and it became clear that there is no hope, reb Isroel took it very very much to heart. He strongly washed down, escaping thus from melancholy. It damaged its health, and he went to the Rebbe from whom joyful returned, having got advice - to drink vodka with vegetable oil that will be medicine and as a hobby as will feel pleasure, and for a body as vegetable oil treats heart. Rab Isroel began to bring often with himself to the father a bottle of vegetable oil and exclaiming together with Hasidim: "Le-haim!", added to itself to a glass a portion of oil. Why drank even more and composed new melodies.
Once, being in Kotske at the Rebbe, he got to talking behind a glass of wine with the boon companion from one town by the name of Baruch. As it is accepted at Jews, reb Isroel told that he has a girl, the only daughter of three years. And as from the Lord he is not fated to have the son who would read over it you incense, he would like that the daughter when he grows up, there was a prosvatana with the suitable, honest Jew. That answered that it has a three-year-old boy with very good head They can already agree about courtship, and will make the real Hasid of the boy.
The idea was pleasant to Reb Isroel. They hit on hands, the son of one and the daughter of another became the groom and the bride, and conditions have to be signed when to children it is executed on twelve years. And when the groom Dovid will enter age of bars-mitsvy9, will celebrate a wedding. About it it was agreed and washed down with several shot glasses of kind wine. Then went to the Rebbe, to receive blessing on courtship. Rab Isroel with Baruch were from the first Hasidim of kotsky Rabi and regularly sat at it at a table. The Rebbe poured three glasses of wine, drank "le-haim" that the wedding was successful and that the boy Dovid became the honest Jew and that from them the generation of the real Hasidim and tsadik went.
Reb Isroel returned to Kamenets from the Rebbe and congratulated the wife with shidukhy which blessed the slave. Sara-Bale, his wife, the sober woman, became angry and for big nervousness began to wear it:
"A gloomy dream on your mad head! You take the three-year-old children who did not have neither measles, nor chicken pox, and you marry off!" Reb Isroel lost patience too and for the first time in life told it:
"Shameless person! Where your belief: the Rebbe blessed us!"
They quarreled, reb Isroel turned and went to my father and told all story. It is clear, that the father condemned Sara-Bale for a lack of trust to the Rebbe too. He wanted that there came the world, but it did not manage it at all, and reb Isroel told that he will go to the Rebbe and will remain at it until children grow up. Then he will reconcile with the wife and will marry children.
The father feeding for him surprising love understood that if reb Isroel goes to the Rebbe, then it will not return back any more. Because there to it it will be good - he will sit at a table at the Rebbe, to eat and drink, compose melodies and to dance and will not need anything.
The father to it suggested to live at it: it will give it the room, and they will be still together. Rab Isroelyu this thought was pleasant, he loved the father too, besides vodka at us was though be filled in, and in Hasidim too the shortcoming was not so it remained with the father.
The father also did not give up hope though over time to reconcile them as Sara-Bale, the wife reb Isroel, was the rare Jew, clever and devout, and earlier very well lived with the husband though in youth and hoped as the daughter of the rich man to become ravvinshy that to it the poor creature, it was tragicly not fated.
But God helped, and before New year, in a month tevt, the matchmaker Baruch won fifty thousand in the Polish lottery what he right there reported to them about. Sara-Bale about everything forgot and joyfully came running to the husband, to the house of my father, and having reconciled with reb Isroel, reported news and added:
"Now I believe in your Rebbe …" Here the full world came.
The matchmaker sent to the bride a gold chain, a ringlet, pearls and silk fabric to a dress. And the three-year-old girl Zisl was dressed up as the princess.
Reb Isroel went to Mezhirich to Baruch, and from there both went to Rabi to Kotsk. There they renewed the contract at the Rebbe to whom Baruch presented twelve thousand.
Reb Isroel came back home joyful, and Sara-Bale, clear, too was glad.
When Zisl was twelve years old, reb Isroel with Sara-Bale and the bride went to sign "conditions", but the matchmaker to that Rab Isroel came back home joyful, and Sara-Bale, clear, too was glad.
When Zisl was twelve years old, reb Isroel with Sara-Bale and the bride went to sign "conditions", but the matchmaker was not rich by then any more; a dowry it gave one thousand rubles. And when by it it was executed on thirteen, in Mezhirich the wedding took place, and Zisele remained with the father-in-law on bread. Rab Isroel with Sara-Bale came back home in Kamenets. Now he became absolutely free and spent days and nights at my father with Hasidim, drank vodka with vegetable oil and composed melodies.
After Sara-Bale's death reb Isroel abandoned Hasidim with vodka and melodies and began to write the book "Interpretation on the treatise "Pesakhim" 10. He went with the book to big rabbis that those made written recommendations for future readers. He, however, did not receive the recommendation as six interpretation were the share of ninety pages. Any rabbi had no patience to read interpretation with high, deep and intricate reasonings. Rab Ayzik, the slonimsky Rebbe, the wittiest of all, told reb to Isroel that his book – for angels, but not for people. He took it very much to heart and from big intellectual tension got sick, being in Warsaw, and soon died. The Rebbe from Kotsk arrived on the occasion of his death with a large number of Hasidim as well there were enough Warsaw Hasidim on a funeral.

Chapter 2:
[1] I.e. was an intermediary at collection of box collecting – an intra communal tax, mainly, for sale of kosher meat.
[2] Together with cancellation in 1844 in the Russian Empire other kagalny (from the Jewish word "kakhal" – a community) positions by means of which mediation between the Jewish community and the authorities was carried out.
[3] Into Yiddish in this word ("rusish") only five letters.

Chapter 3:
1 In a Sephardic pronunciation talit - the Jewish prayful vestments representing a rectangular cover from woolen, cotton or silk fabric.
2 The prayful accessories consisting of two leather boxes with sacred texts.
3 Indispensable part of an easter ceremony.

Chapter 4:
1 Courtship, "party".
2 Matchmaker.
3 Shiva – seven days of mourning. A symbolical cut on clothes – part of mourning ritual.
4 Selig Andarkes was a father Burl-Bendeta (about him below), the daughter's husband Aron-Leyzera).
5 Literally – "lodge", i.e. a house of worship, a Hasidic synagogue.
6 of "Moisey, our teacher".
7 After other festive dates the 9th date Ava, a traditional day of mourning and a post in memory of a number of the tragic events which comprehended the Jewish people this day, from which main is mentioned: destruction of the Pervvy Jerusalem temple by the Babylon tsar Nebuchadnezzar in 586 g BC and the Roman emperor Titus – the Second temple in 70 g. The behavior of Hasidim described by the author further contradicts the behavior accepted in Orthodox Judaism this day.
8 In the ancient time this day the beginning of vintage was noted that some scientists consider as continuation of the pagan celebrations connected with day of a summer solstice.
9 Prayers said within a month before approach of New year.
10 V that sense as it is told in "Lectures of fathers": "This world – as a lobby before the future (4,16).

Chapter 5:
1 Especially extreme branch of the Hasidic movement which arose in of Kotske of the Lublin voivodeship around the Rebbe Menakhem-Mendel Morgenstern, 1787-1859. His followers left families and lived long near the Rebbe.
2 the first fragments from the book of Shmot Are listed (in Christian tradition the Outcome).
3 I.e., observed more religious instructions, than it is necessary across Galakhe which exempts women from their strict observance,
4 The Pentateuch with the parallel text in Hebrew and Yiddish intended generally for women.
5 It is called on a line from a bible Song of songs: "You leave and have a look, daughters of Zion …" (3,11) – the popular statement into Yiddish of the Torah and its interpretation made by Yakov bin-Yitzhak Ashkenazi of Yanov in 16 century. Thanks to the success in wide circles, especially among women, the book sustained more than 200 prod.
6 David Asaph, the translator of the book into Hebrew, considers that the task is deprived of sense.
7 I. K. Oginsky, the Polish nobleman from the Vilensky province treating Jews the Statement of the Cat that Oginsky was one of heads of the Polish revolt, apparently, incorrectly kindly – a comment of the translator of the book in Hebrew D. Asaph Means, apparently.
8 Kaplan, the Item (1870-1943) – the writer and the journalist writing in Hebrew and Yiddish.
9 Thirteen years, majority at Jews, from this age the boy is obliged to keep the commandments.
10 One of treatises of the Talmud devoted to the rules connected with a holiday Pesakh, the plural Pesakhim: it is about the two first holidays which note in diaspora, unlike one day – in Erets Israel.
 

 

• From the translator
• Dov's preface
• Instead of the preface
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2-5
• Chapter 6-8
• Chapter 9-12
• Chapter 13-17
• Chapter 18-21
• Chapter 22-26
• Chapter 27-29



• Chapter 1-2
• Chapter 3-4
• Chapter 5-8
• Chapter 9-11
• Chapter 12-13
• Chapter 14-15
• Chapter 16-17
• Chapter 18-21
• Chapter 22-25
• To return back