My memoirs. Volume first. Chapter 13-17.
Chapter 13
Life Burl-Bendeta. – Wedding of his daughter. – Polish revolt. – Desire to flog the landowner. – Burl-Bendet rescues it. – Shmuel.
The uncle had four daughters and one son. The father with mother were more senior than the oldest daughter Brakhi for twelve and a half years. They gave birth to five children in five years and more children had no. They lived in Chekhchov princely, and history with slander came to an end for them so well, as it, and it so appreciated and so respected the uncle as loved one, having entrusted keys from all the property.
In an office at Burl-Bendeta – or Berko is shorter - there were a big oak case and a dresser and there landowner values in which there was no constant need lay. Even it stored money at Berko.
Burl-Bendet of the landowner dressed. The landowner never knew when he has to buy clothes – Burl-Bendet himself went to Brisk and chose for it material on a dress. Sometimes bought clothes and it.
Burl-Bendet very richly dressed the landowner with the landowner, is the richest than surrounding landowners. And when went to Brisk, usually brought to the landowner of jewelry approximately for hundred rubles, and time brought a bracelet for one thousand five hundred rubles, another time – kurlyandsky pearls for two thousand, and all this lay at Berko in a dresser.
Therefore also the landowner with the landowner dressed Burl-Bendeta and when there came the tailor, ordered a dress and for it with all its family.
When the daughter Burl-Bendeta Brakhe was fifteen years old, the landowner told: "The daughter should arrange shidukh. And I will give one thousand rubles of a dowry". (In those days one thousand rubles was considered from the richest given). As well clothes with all wedding expenses have to be at his expense.
Burl-Bendet charged to matchmakers to find to him suitable shidukh. Business went quickly, and right there in Chekhchov concluded "conditions". The landowner advised to place one thousand rubles in Brisk in reliable hands and disposed to buy at own expense a gold watch with a gold chain for hundred fifty rubles.
Sent to the signature of "conditions" for guests two carriages and three trucks. And at the time of the signature the landowner with the landowner sat at a little table and took part generally fun. For the next day the landowner invited to himself to a lunch. Brought all food, prepared dishes at the uncle and from him brought to the landowner.
The wedding was appointed to the first date of Nissan [1] – time when the distillery as it is impossible to produce alcohol in the summer does not work.
I arrived to a wedding I together with all family going by the trucks and carriages sent by Burl-Bendet too. I remember that all there were sixteen couples of horses, britskas, carriages and different trucks. Tens of dealers arrived to a wedding, and Burl-Bendet prepared for all places for spending the night. There arrived also Kobrin kleyzmer led by Shebsel and Todros-badkhan.
Our family began to gather three days before a wedding as soon as the plant stopped. Put big wash-tubs with warm water, and we with the uncle's son Shmuel and with the father's brother Isroel were redeemed in such wash-tubs. The wash-tub stood cold water near, and one of sheygets [2] sprinkled us cold water. We laughed, only Shmuel, the only son of the uncle Burl-Bendeta, it angered, and he told that he will complain to the father and sheygets will receive birches.
The peasant decided that Shmuel jokes, and continued the. But it was not a joke at all. Shmuel-edinstvenny the son came home and was cried before the father on the fact that sheygets Andrey sprinkled us cold water when we sat in a warm wash-tub, and of course could chill us. The uncle, without hesitation, sent for the volost foreman and ordered to give to sheygeets fifteen rozog. The sentence was executed without batting an eyelid, Andrey entreated Shmulik, apologizing. The show was ugly, but the power of the uncle shook us.
The wedding was magnificent, with the most expensive dishes. There was, of course, no lack and of various meat food. The landowner ordered for the sake of a wedding, for decoration of a holiday, to lay out all silver.
The landowner with the landowner stood near a hupa, and the holiday lasted from six in the evening till six in the morning. And for the next day the landowner invited to himself all to a lunch with kleyzmer. Shebsl with the game shook him, he told that he in life did not hear such fine game. Guests feasted at the landowner all night long; he also danced with Berko and with the merchant reb Isroel-Shmuel from Brisk, the big funnyman and the excellent story-teller; he all joked with the landowner, and the landowner laughed with all guests.
For the third day after a wedding all dealers and distant relatives parted. And we, the next, several tens people – remained for all wedding week with Shebsel and his chapel.
The landowner with the landowner were not tired of a holiday yet and the landowner admitted that she did not know earlier Jews at all, only heard from the cradle: "Zyd wezmie do torby" – "The kike will take away in a bag". All the time heard: "Kike, kike", and its this scarecrow. But now she knows that Jews – the pleasant people and that with them it is cheerful.
After wedding week all of us left, and Shebsl received from the landowner one hundred and a ring with diamond for hundred fifty rubles. Besides, they agreed that when the landowner behind him sends, he right there will arrive. And Shebsl with two kleyzmer came to Sikhovsky four times a year on its balls and received one hundred rubles for time. They ate at Burl-Bendeta.
Shebsl became very famous, and many landowners invited him to themselves to play. Often he refused, referring to what cannot leave the Jewish weddings without kleyzmer. But for Sikovsky did an exception for his kindness.
He did not drink alcohol – only a small glass of sweet vodka as the woman, and only one glass of wine. It had a pleasant appearance, he was very silent - said only only a few words; never heard that he laughed, even from jokes reb Abel actor with which all choked with laughter. On his lips then saw a faint smile – as at my father
So there lived in Chekhchov at Sikhovsky the uncle Burl-Bendet. But there is more to come. He served true service to the landowner the fact that he rescued it during the known Polish revolt when so many landowners were hung up and shot. In hours of revolt it saved the landowner from that he went to the wood, having paid for it with life.
To each county of the Vilensky district famous Muravyyov appointed two military chiefs with Cossacks who would drive about on estates of all county, finding out which of landowners stays at home, but is not together with revolutionary gangs in the woods. To military chiefs Muravyyov granted the right to flog landowners, landowners and even landowner children, trying to obtain with the help rozog where there are landowners who did not appear at home. And Cossacks of a sekla lashes of landowners, landowners and children, since ten-year age.
The military chief arrived in Chekhchov from Shereshev accompanied by fifty Cossacks and did not find the Sikhovsky house. That just somewhere left. The military chief angrily asked the landowner where her husband-myatyazhnik. She was frightened, turned pale and answered that it is absent, but that it will return now. He right there shouted to Cossacks:
"To flog - and until she does not tell where her husband".
Cossacks already prepared for flogging – good there was a scene! – already were going to consider blows as Burl-Bendet suddenly ran in and told the chief that the landowner just left from the house and in a minute will return.
"Take me the hostage, - he declared heroically, - and if through a quarter of hour it does not return, flog me or though shoot". Also sent servants, to give that as soon as possible. He knew where there is a landowner. That liked to walk on the avenue behind the estate.
The chief darted a glance at Burl-Bendeta which was pleasant to it at once - high, healthy, beautiful, well dressed, besides well speaks Russian that very few people from landowners were able - and asked:
"Who are you such?"
"I am a commissioner in the estate".
On a question whether the Pole it, Burl-Bendet answered that he is Jew. It was pleasant to the chief too, and he ordered to Cossacks not to touch the landowner yet, got to talking with the Jewish commissioner, and the landowner came meanwhile.
"Tell thanks to the Jew, - the officer addressed Sikhovsky, - if not he, long ago your wife would flog".
Also added that that dared to leave houses after its departure. It can unexpectedly return and if the landowner does not appear, he will not wait even for ten minutes and the landowner with children properly will flog.
"I will not regret you, rebels!"
Having gorged on and having got drunk together with the horses and having taken an alcohol keg in ten buckets, went to the following estate.
The landowner got sick with shame and fear and was in a dangerous state. And Burl-Bendet hard worked, sending every day the carriage to Brisk for doctors. Having lain several months, she recovered.
Sikhovsky told it in the presence of the commissioner:
"You see – your happiness that the slander on Berko was not successful. You of course then thought that Berko will be cut and banished. And today Berko just rescued us. What with you would be made by Cossacks with the Nogais of a wire if not Berko?"
Sikhovsky continued to stay at home and did not leave in all the time of revolt any more. Berko conducted economy by means of hired peasants and they treated only it kindly and only to it came to work in the field, naturally, asking an awful payment for work. In other estates nothing was seeded and where it was seeded, from ears grains poured out, but reapers could not be found even for money. Out of hatred to landowners, they in all the district came to estates, connected the landowners and returned the birches given them before.
During revolt Burl-Bendeta had, maybe, more work, than always. Except peasants who should be calmed it was necessary to watch that landowners did not take away Sikhovsky in the wood. Instead of real actions which landowners demanded from Sikhovsky he, under the influence of Burl-Bendeta, supported them by money, paying to ten thousand rubles every time and to these himself, more or less, from two parties insuring. It is not difficult to present how Burl-Bendet became dear to them, and after revolt when Sikhovsky already went in the open carriage harnessed by couple of horses there went also Berko. So he lived more than thirty years. Sikhovsky celebrated weddings to his five to children, but a dowry already gave five hundred rubles as after revolt grew poor.
Berko died at the age of fifty with something years. It left children not such to take its place. The son his Shmuel was an honest person, but to him did not get fatherly mind and energy. Sikhovsky put it to the second estate, smaller, than Chekhchov, than he provided all family. But it was not that life, as at the father any more.
After Sikhovsky and Shmuel's death (Shmuel died very young), the landowner with the son gave to the wife Burl-Bendeta Dvore five hundred rubles, and she went to Kamenets. Still she inherited the big house from the father-in-law and lodged there forever.
Chapter 14
Rosh - ha - Shana and Yom Kippur. — God's fear. - Flogging. - Blessing of children. - Fear at schools. - At Hasidim. - Sukot. – Simkhat-Tora. – Holidays in general. – As at us there took place the holiday.
As all "eshuvnik", Burl-Bendet with all family came to Rosh - ha - Shana and Yom Kippur to Kamenets and stopped at the grandfather. There for them prepared three rooms, and they carried the whole cart of kitchen accessories and ware with themselves. And so spent together three days, with Rosh - ha - Shana to Yom Kippur. The family of the grandfather consisted of five daughters - from them three married with children - and three sons from which two married with children, and it was cheerful.
Having returned to Rosh - ha - Shana from a prayer, Burl-Bendet who liked to eat together with the family separately, had to be present also at a prayer of thanksgiving at the house of the grandfather. On a table different cakes and pies, cookies on eggs with an almond crumb and donuts with sugar which were baked by the grandmother and who were famous on all city for the remarkable taste lay. The house was full of people – all the family.
On the eve of Rosh - ha - Shana, at three o'clock in the morning, all children and grandsons, even seven-eight-year-old, as well as a family of a dedov of the brother gathered in the house of the grandfather. Gave tea with cookies, jam and with sweet wine, all fir-trees also drank, and then went in bet-ha-midrashi on the sinagogalny yard, to read slikhot. At first there were men with young men, then – wives, daughters, daughters-in-law and grandsons. I remember still as once I considered the members of our family going to read slikhot:
"Not one, not two, not three" and so – to "not forty" 1 …
So ridiculously went to read slikhot – as though there were soldiers. In the city and spoke: "Already imperial regiment went", - because in bet-ha-midrashakh on the sinagogalny yard did not dare to read slikhot, "the imperial regiment" will not come yet. In the yard the family was divided: someone read slikhot in one bet-ha-midrashe, and someone in another.
The grandfather read slikhot on the eve of Rosh - ha - Shana and on the eve of Yom Kippur in old, big bet-ha-midrashe. Its place was – near the rabbi in "East" its 2, second place was – in a corner, from above, at east wall, and the third – from South side, at the first window.
In Rosh - ha - Shana and Yom Kippur the grandfather prayed in the shul. There it took three place on East side: for, for the brother Mordkhe-Labe and for his only son.
Burl-Bendet prayed in new bet-ha-midrashe. There the grandfather had two places too: one at East side, and another – at southern, too a place of honor. Only did not get my father: Rosh - ha - Shana he saw off at the Rebbe.
At night on the eve of Yom Kippur none of a family went to sleep. All gathered at the grandfather for a ceremony "капойрес" 3, and the grandmother already bought several dozens of hens and roosters. And even among foreign, dear owners it was accepted to send the kapoyres in the evening to the grandfather as the reznik who all night long went on different dear owners and cut hens first of all came to the grandfather; for what the big shed was already prepared. And a great number of owners sent the kapoyres to the grandfather, clear, with his permission.
In the evening the table with sweet wine, cookies and jam was prepared and all began to twist kapoyres. Some – for, and others – and for small children.
Then saw "lekhay" together with a reznik and had a snack, and the reznik went to cut hens. Torsion kapoyres took several hours, and at four o'clock all went again to read slikhot, and girls and children went to sleep.
At my persistent request the grandfather began to take me on reading slikhot seven-year age. It did not take the own son Isroel who was one with me age. That never wanted to go to reading slikhot that to me it was very expensive.
And when the grandfather together with me on the eve of Rosh - ha - Shana read "big slikhot" 4, he awfully cried, and I, without having other exit, too cried together with the grandfather. From me the river tears flew, and the grandfather was happy that his grandson cries: can, thanks to me, all of us will be helped by the Lord.
But the grandfather so strongly cried in time slikhot that at it legs shivered. Having felt that at the grandfather knees shiver, I with a force pressed the knees to him to awaken the same shiver and in itself. I think that it too awfully affected me, and my crying reached the highest point. It, of course, especially was pleasant to the grandfather, and he took me always with himself on slikhot, even when I did not ask.
The grandfather who was a big crybaby apparently transmitted me to inheritance this property, and even today, having heard someone's crying, at least because of a trifle, I cannot constrain tears.
On the eve of Yom Kippur, at twelve o'clock in the afternoon, the grandfather went on a day prayer with all family. Then he distributed on fifty rubles, his brother – on thirty, and the others – on fifteen-twenty, wives – especially, and so from our family the large sum was distributed to persons in need.
Paule Choulia it was covered with hay, and near doors there was a heap of hay on which important owners lay, and main shames, dressed in kitl, with a big lash in hands, stood and counted them forty blows. He considered in sacred language: to gasp, shtay – and so to forty. The Jew lay having extended, in outerwear, and shames sec. – one blow is lower, another – is higher, on shoulders, and sekomy, lying, at the same time repented of sins. Poor people had no privilege in sense of flogging as the shames and as owners were much had to pay for execution well, poor people had to stand and wait. The most important sekl a bit earlier. When the grandfather came in shul, he right there laid down, and shames began to consider. And strongly afflicted me that the grandfather lays down, and shames sechyot … About a half of the second we came back. Right there began to eat chicken meat with noodles. Having quickly eaten and blagoslovyas, the grandfather began to bless children on the one hand at home, and the grandmother – with another.
It began to call all children, everyone by name, one behind another, at first seniors, the daughter and the daughter-in-law, then – the daughter of the daughter and the daughter-in-law of the daughter-in-law. Even tiny babies, at the age of, maybe, two weeks, were brought for blessing. At first he blessed males, from the most senior to the two-week baby whom mother held on a small pillow, and the grandfather put a hand on a head of the child and blessed; and then, in the same order, women.
Blessing, he so cried, so bitterly groaned that the stone could thaw. It is natural that all began to cry too, both big, and small, and some mix from the different crying voices was created: low and high, and absolutely squeaky. It was from outside possible to think that the city is destroyed.
After blessings of the grandfather went to the grandmother at once. She only shed tears, but nobody ever from her heard a sound. Only will put the thin handle on a head, and tears are shed quietly, quietly, quietly … The ceremony of blessings continued thus more than two hours. And the grandfather constantly was late, constantly came in shul when there it was already full to the people, expecting it about "A stake to Nitra" 5.
Yom-Kippura former times … My God what then was created! In the shul, in time "A stake to Nitra", it was visible how all community captured by great fear is ready to go to the best world. All are dressed in white clothes with the belts embroidered by silver and gold in talliets, skullcaps which are also embroidered by silver and gold. The skullcap and a belt of my grandfather cost many tens rubles. And were and it is even more beautiful. And even poor people were in the white skullcaps embroidered by color silk.
And a set of the candles burning in all candlesticks which are going down on cords from all ceiling and standing on tables in banks with sand! Each Jew wants that the candle burned in memory of his parents – from "A stake to Nitra" to a final prayer tomorrow evening. Bright reflections of light play on gold, silver and silk skullcaps both white kitlyakh and talliets, on all faces - some sanctity. Anybody has in thoughts nothing carnal, terrestrial, everyday.
All cry, asking the Lord to forgive to all sins, to send safe year and health, everyone pours from the heart the rivers of tears, appealing to God.
Loud crying and groans of women, getting into man's part shulya, break off hearts of men, and they cry again as women.
It is difficult to imagine now when all Yom Kippur lost the force and the awe caused by it lost over us the power, those nights in shulyakh in days of old and bet-ha-midrashakh when sang "A stake to Nitra"!
Walls cried, stones on streets groaned, fish in water shivered. And as those Jews prayed that the whole year overstrained for the sake of cheap earnings!
Neither rage and nor envy, nor greed and neither deception, nor malignant gossip, nor it is weaved, nor food, nor drink. All hearts and eyes are directed to the sky, and there is only a spirituality, one souls without body.
And from a lectern of a hazan sincere tunes flow, filling in all hearts.
Since twelve years I began to go with the father to "A stake to Nitra" to a Hasidic shtibl). There already was another "A stake to Nitra", and at them I liked prayers of Yom Kippur more, than at misnagd.
In the Hasidic shtibl neither crying, nor groans, nor whimpers is heard. The person only prays with a big heat. Who has a good voice, that prays loudly and joyfully and at whom is not present – prays quietly, but with taste, and all sing with soul. Also there are no hazan. The reader pronounces words with a sincere tune, and all repeat after it.
After "A stake to Nitra" many Hasidim, young and old, spent the night in the shtibl. Kept within on the hay which is spread out on a floor there was in it something unusual. And I very much liked to spend the night after "A stake to Nitra" in the shtibl on hay. Lying, sang all night long different sincere tunes, and under them somehow it was with pleasure fallen down.
In ears these sweet, silent tunes sounded, and the dream was easy as a sleepiness. Happened, you will wake up for a couple of minutes and you will fall asleep again. And around, and around – sounds, sounds, very quietly.
To Yom Kippur, at ten o'clock in the morning, became again to pray, and with such noise, precisely military on parade, and prayed in good style. And having begun everything together with shout, stood so to twelve.
Then began to sell "ascension to the Torah", as well as misnagda. But bought with taste too. Those from Hasidim who were able to sing and also elderly, kept within on hay again and again is slightly heard sang, but not one tune, and a little: in one corner one, and in another – another, precisely depending on what Rebbe at whom: at karlinsky the tunes, at slonimsky – the; and the one and only Hasid, the follower of the Lyubavichesky Rebbe, sang his tunes. All these melodiyka – tikhonky and sincere, merged together and spread on all body.
And then the prayer "Musaf" 6 began. Many Hasidim did not recognize any sacred texts stated in a poetic form. They stuck only to simple religious singing or prayers. And those sang only slowly.
Yom Kippur at Hasidim so was pleasant to me that I and - ha - Shana went to Rosh in shtibl too, though without father (he usually left to the Rebbe).
On an outcome of Yom Kippur, after an evening prayer, all children and grandsons needed to go to the grandfather. Again cookies with sweet wine and with jam, and were eaten then kapoyres. After that the grandfather's brother with all family came, and fun proceeded to the middle of night. But only the father as I already noticed, in Rosh - ha - Shana was not – it was at the Rebbe, at first – in Kobrin, and later – in Slonim. On the eve of Yom Kippur it even came to blessing – and all. To Yom Kippur he prayed in the Hasidic shtibl. Therefore the outcome of Yom Kippur was for the father still big fun. Hours in eight to it Hasidim already began to gather, got drunk and danced all night long.
I had usually fun in two ways: at the grandfather and at the father. Where it was more cheerful, there I also went. And usually happened in both places.
Next morning after Yom Kippur already there came the carriage from Chekhchov for Burl-Bendet with the wife, britskas for children and servants and a van behind all things and kitchen accessories. All family came to say goodbye, and again there was a fun.
In general during a holiday all had to be at the grandfather in the house. Adults ate two meals at themselves, but small all fir-trees at the grandfather. All holiday the big house of the grandfather was full small and big, people ate and drank, and was so cheerful that the grandfather did not want to go to sleep in the afternoon. He sat all day at a table, deriving pleasure from all the children; he loved that children rustled as much as possible, plaid pranks as much as possible. It seems that it was possible to become deaf from shouts, from laughter and pranks – both small, and big – and to it it was pleasant. Often he changed because of one table for another, getting closer to one, to other group of children, looked – and derived pleasure.
The grandmother bought every holiday bags of nuts, and their all the time was allowed children to play. Played nuts, pricked them nippers, put in glasses with wine. In a word, it was noisy.
But the father had purely Hasidic fun. During Sukot at the father in the house day and night danced and sang. Having prayed in the shtibl and hastily having eaten houses, right there came to the father, and songs and dancings began.
And Simkhat-Tora was carried out so for a long time that two kotsky Hasidim, Yankel and Shebsl-perepischik, with couple of tens boys, went on all city and took out from all furnaces food including tsimmes, roast gooses, a pechyonost – and were brought to us where overturned everything upside down.
I admit that among the youths helping Hasidim to arrange disorder of furnaces with capture of food was as well I. I remember how we ran in the house, snatching on the furnace and being enough I go. Hostesses did not allow to take everything, but who listened to them? Were enough how many wanted, and ran further. "Stolen" the boy brought directly to us.
Several weeks prior to the Hanukkah the card play began. But that there was not such game which, for our sins, play presently: maliciously and scandal. At us, happened, all family to the grandfather came, and everyone began to play to the child from a family. Everyone chose to himself the child that for him to play, and all prize gave to the child. Seldom-seldom who won to ten zloties, the usual prize was from thirty to seventy five kopeks.
So the family spent to the Hanukkah of hour on two every evening, and played the Hanukkah, maybe, to twelve. And so played all evenings, till Christmas when God ordered to play cards and when on custom did not read the Torah. But after Christmas absolutely stopped gambling.
I remember how there was a wish to ask someone from a family that for me played. But the father of it did not allow and always signed the contract with me. He asked:
"How many you can win, Hatskel – well, thirty kopeks, fifty, and sometimes – nothing. And so to you fifty kopeks that there was no wish to play".
But it did not give any money. Instead he to me bought some thing for the next day – like a knife, a koshelyochka, etc., suitable for the eight-year-old boy.
Girls played the whole day with each other "point".
The father constantly kept me from a card play and paid for it good money, in the form of purchase of different objects. And so it accustomed me that until now I do not know what is a card play, without feeling to them any inclination.
At the age of seven-eight years I became famous as the big mathematician. What did it mean? I could make quickly in the head such calculations as six six, fourteen seventeen, eighteen twenty nine, etc., and right there were given by result.
I remember how once, during the Hanukkah instead of playing cards, the family tested me in "mathematics". All family sat at the grandfather in the room around me, and everyone suggested to count something. I right there answered all. At that moment I was the focus of attention. Everyone pinched me for a cheek and gave a silver coin. I was asked how many seconds contain in a year, and I for half an hour found the answer. But the grandfather reb Yudl asked me how many he will be one and a half to increase by one and a half, and here I as tried, could not understand how to undertake it. It was very a shame to me that I could not make such simple calculation. The father felt to me pity and consoled, saying that greater mathematicians could not solve it, but after all showed me how to multiply three halves, and I calmed down.
In Purim it was accepted that the grandfather invites on a visit seven-eight minyan of men from kamenetsky owners. It is clear, that at the same time there could not but be also all family of the grandfather, with sisters, fathers-in-law, mothers-in-law, etc. To a table served wines, any alcohol and different snack, and it was so cheerful that it is difficult for modern person to present it.
Among guests was as well city hazan with choristers. Purim-shpilery7 showed the performing arts, kleyzmer played the instruments – and people listened, ate, drank and had fun all night long.
At the beginning of a month of Nissan the grandmother began to prepare for all family for a holiday Pesakh. It made Shmalts since winter. It "put" geese on vykorm and fried the whole winter for all shmalts, and right after Purima began to prepare honey and wine for "an imperial regiment". Its honey as everything that left her hands, was well-known.
Eight days before Pesakh the grandmother baked matzo for all family. "Ordered" from the baker all day, since dawn till the evening, and employed assistants. Worked thirty with something the person, but any of family members – neither sons, nor sons-in-law – knew nothing about what is required to the person for Pesakh. The grandmother sent everyone everything that it is necessary.
Before baking of matzo washed the floor in the big dining room and in two big rooms and dimmed straw which remained till the eve Pesakh, and hamets8 ate in other rooms. And here, all children lay on straw, in the big room. Three days before Pesakh dismissed for a holiday of boys. Ah, as we there, on straw, somersaulted! For the whole year it was best of all played on that straw.
And all Pesakh the grandfather had all family, all children, from small to great – only also did that was eaten latkes9 and drank honey with nuts.
Family members were with each other in a big harmony, closely are with each other connected not that nowadays. All were as one person with uniform soul. If someone got sick, all family fussed, spending at it days and nights. Two-three persons sat near the patient, other slept on a floor in other rooms. Once something was necessary for the patient, right there ten ran to bring.
And when position of the patient became dangerous, all sobbed; and if he died – whether the child, or the adult – that all family uplifted cries to the sky. Seven mourning days in the house were close from relatives. Specially slept at the one who was in mourning, lying on a floor, on hay. All this became that grieving it was not so sad.
And on the contrary if there was a holiday – when trimming, at the birth of the daughter or by drawing up wedding "conditions", not to mention a wedding - waiting for the groom or the bride – the pleasure was so big that it is difficult to imagine now. All were together and delirious with delight.
The grandfather in the house had a big room serving as something it seems halls where brought guests of honor – rich men, matchmakers or just representative Jews above. The room was always well arranged and decorated, and young family members learned to dance there.
In three months prior to a wedding someone from family members learned to dance. I remember that in youth I absolutely not bad danced. Holidays at us happened often: at that trimming, at another the daughter was born – and everyone felt so as if personally the holiday is necessary to it.
And the grandfather as it was already told, loved when children overturned everything in the room – it was for him pleasure.
And if he in the Sabbath or a holiday, having felt fatigue among day, wanted to lie down, then did not go to himself to a bedroom upward where it had a quiet bed, and kept within in other room, at children, near the big room where it was full of children and adults, and specially left open a door to hear shout, laughter and pranks of all.
The big love of the grandfather to a family spoke, as well as all other, in many respects influence of the grandmother. It it, the wise, beautiful and warm-hearted Jew, tried that our big family did not collapse that all were faithful each other and that the grandfather stood it is necessary everything as the loving father.
And after death of the grandmother this fidelity, this family heat, it was partially broken, and in many things "the imperial regiment" could not already be learned.
Celebrating the daughter or the son a wedding, he ordered to my father Moyshe and the only son of the brother, Arya-Labe, to make the list of the dresses necessary for the groom, bride, as well as for all family. Again all children and grandsons came, young and old, and everyone said what clothes he wants.
Shouts from all children: "The grandfather, I want it!" And voices of teenagers: "I want these clothes!" together with voices of women and girls: "To me – these clothes!" – were distributed in the room. And one shout muffled everything:
"Grandfather, grandfather, grandfather!"
It was impossible to bring any order there and it was necessary to rewrite on a leaf of all males to the most small two-year-old children, and then all women, from the most senior to the most little girls, and according to the list as during an appeal, to call everyone and to ask:
"What you want a dress?"
It is natural that everyone asked more, than it was possible to receive, and trade began:
"There is no such quantity, after you will make!"
"I want now!"
The atmosphere was heated. Other of the most bright children resorted to the only son who had a great influence on the uncle Aron-Leyzera and often trying to obtain the desirable even contrary to opinion of the uncle even earlier. It is clear, as in this case it could help us.
Usually behind purchases went my father and Arya-Labe. Went for this purpose to Brisk the Spent sum often reached six-seven hundred rubles, apart from what was bought in Kamentsa.
It is necessary to consider that in those days the goods were slightly cheaper, than today. The best wool cost thirty-forty kopeks for yard10, the best velvet – on three rubles for yard, the best silk – from ruble to ruble of fifty.
The uncle Mordkhe-Labe wished that for everything that becomes for all family, he gave a half, and the brother Aron-Leyzer – a half, and so it also was. And when the grandfather organized a wedding to someone from children, the uncle suited a seven-day feast every other time – one day the grandfather and other day – the uncle.
Chapter 15
My father and his Hasidic Judaism. – My melameda. – The Rebbe died! – Denunciation. – Tversky. – Reb Labe. – Penalties.
For my father all family holidays and all pleasures in the world were nothing in comparison with his Hasidic pleasures. The greatest pleasure for it was to sit at a table with Hasidim and to sing sincere Hasidic chants – then it was inspired. With all thoughts the Rebbe had his head, reb Moyshe Kobrinera, and then - at reb Avreymla Slonimera on which, in his opinion, divine presence with all sacred angels stayed.
The main thing for the father there was a Hasidic Judaism. Therefore for it it was unimportant that I studied well – enough that I became the devout young man, and he did not try to transfer me after each semester to the best melamed.
I had as it was told, absolutely quite good head and, having studied a semester at one melamed, had to have in the second semester of a melamed of the following level, and the father held me at each melamed for two years therefore I almost stood on one place and did not progress in the doctrine as could by the opportunities that it was even convenient for me: without troubling itself, I was always the best pupil.
At Motya-melameda I studied two years. I could already read independently at it Gemara's page with Additions. Only he with us was engaged a little – he and itself was not really svedushch.
I very much wanted to begin to teach Additions, but when I told about it to the father, he answered it:
"Why to you Additions? You teach Gemara, be only an honest Jew – it enough".
But I at Motya-melameda learned everything about hell with its architecture as the real architect, and about all prashcha which throw sinners since one end of hell to another, both about all death angels and about all terrible torments to which sinners are doomed in the next world.
About paradise as the perfect device, Motya-melamed had the minimum idea. I learned about it from a porush known as "chulochnik" who described every Saturday paradise in the house at my uncle Mordkhe-Labe: diamond chairs, expensive palaces from pure gold and food, food, food of which not in forces to tell language! And about the goose of Rabby expiring a pure shmalets bar-bar-Hany1, both about vegetable oil and about old wine, and about wine clusters of which – from everyone - it is possible to squeeze out such wine what you will want!
About demons, water and sorcerers I knew about devils from the grandmother and from Leybke's shames and was in all these things a big expert, extremely experienced in all these awful and cruel things, and also in stories about an evil eye. In the town there were two persons who were starting talking from an evil eye. One – the moving man Dovid bringing flour from a mill to shops. He started talking from an evil eye by means of bones of the dead person. Where it took these bones, I do not know hitherto. If at someone the shchyoka from tooth abscess as it is called, or a throat swelled, went to Dovid, that already took stones, twisted them near a tumor, slowly whispered something, and the patient believed that if not today, then tomorrow, in eight days, in two-three weeks – the tumor passes. In the city it was "clear" to all that the tumor reason – an evil eye.
Still Golda-magidikha, the wife of a magid started talking from an evil eye. He was the big scientist famous in the Jewish world, the expert on the Talmud, and the wife as people spoke, was capable to teach Gemara too.
From a malefice she started talking to the help of two eggs. Bypassed, holding in each hand on egg, swelled from a face and a throat and too quietly whispered.
These "doctors" cost little: ten, and for poor people six pennies. I remember how at me from teeth the person several times swelled up, and I was taken away to the moving man Dovid who was appreciated above. Twisting at me in the face of bones, he ran around and so scratched me these prickly, not polished bones that I nearly fainted from pain and began to ask that I was taken away to the wife of a magid: she starts talking to the help of eggs, and they such smooth that it is impossible to wound with them.
"Foolish, - he told me, - I hurt you a little bit, but it quickly passes, and at a magidikha everything proceeds very long".
Somehow time "was lucky" me – Dovid did not appear at home – he went behind flour with the cart on a mill or to Brisk, and I was taken away to a magidikha. I was out of myself with happiness: whether a joke – when run with prickly bones around a tumor!
By nine years the father me together with Izroel, the brother, took away at Hanks and gave a melameda to Benush-Labe. That even was a scientific Jew, but big the sleepyhead. Sitting at a table with pupils, he slept the whole day and snored. There were us six. He with us taught Gemara and Additions, learned very well, but in the middle of a lesson fell asleep. Still it had one shortcoming: he with us learned interpretation of Russia to each line of Gemara and an explanation of reductions and difficult words of the Talmud not together with the text, and separately: at first whole leaf of Gemara, and then whole leaf of Russia. We because of it could not understand properly interpretation of all problems discussed on Gemara's leaf. Tanna with amorayami2 argued, Russia explained their disputes, and Rabi did not study with us the appropriate place.
Nevertheless we benefited from the fact that he fell asleep at a table in the middle of occupations. Though we needed to sit at a table at this time and if he woke up and did not find the boy over open Gemara, that received slap in the face or even a birch – but after all we felt then more freely, were not under such pressure.
To Kamenets there came every year a messenger from Volozhinskaya eshivy3, scary well-known studying there young capable people. Volozhin is also until now very popular among Jews.
I remember how the volozhinsky messenger heard that Sara (my mother) has a capable son and asked it to send me to Volozhin where I will be supported royally. But the father wanted neither to listen nothing, nor to know about Volozhin as river Haim had such influence on the pupils that from them from all the largest opponents of Hasidic Judaism turned out, and for the father such opponent, be it even the rabbi, was considered worse than the atheist. He specially held me near itself(himself), that is near Hasidim, and rejoiced that I am attached to them, always to them I listen, and the question of my doctrine did not disturb him at all. He looked for for me a Hasidic melamed all the time, but, on my happiness, such in Kamentsa was not, except a melamed for beginners, Shai Biecalielia.
I remember once, I heard in a heder that reb Moyshele Kobriner, the father's Rebbe, died. I thought that the father's Rebbe – same as mine rabi4, and quickly ran to tell the father good news. I ran in in office and with big delight cried out:
"The father, your Rebbe died!"
But action was opposite: the father turned pale and nearly fainted. He right there went to Kobrin where at that time all Kobrin community gathered again. Chose from members of a community, total number in six thousand Hasidim, six people who had to elect the Rebbe. Among six there was also my father. Five weeks he sat there. Chose river of Avrum Slonimer, the former melamed and the big scientist from eight candidates though it is a little - yes he will forgive me – silly.
But Kobrin and brisksky, "easier" as they were called, Hasidim as they were Hasidim only for the sake of appearances, wanted the Rebbe closer. To go even to Slonim for them it was too far, and they invented that the late Rebbe before death told that his grandson Noakh is worthy to become a Rebbe; and it was uniform lie. And in spite of the fact that it was the lie that this small was only eighteen years old that about it not too beautiful rumors went, nevertheless one hundred Hasidim topped it with the Rebbe's rank.
Having returned from Slonim, from "coronation" of the Rebbe, the father on Friday evening at a table, having begun, as usual, still before Hasidim came, told, addressing mother so I could hear it:
"What you will tell, Sara, - these impudent persons made the Rebbe of him, is blessed his memory, the grandson, Noakh, the eighteen-year-old boy, and better than which, in my opinion, our Hatskel can be engaged. Invented such lie as if it, his memory is blessed, itself told that that was made by Rebbes. You know what this pettiness? Of course, that he orders, his memory is blessed, to choose as the bathhouse attendant's Rebbe – not a row be are remembered – so and was, but he it did not order!"
The father did not know that the words of steel for me pronounced by him something in a sort of a seed from which the protest in relation to Hasidic Judaism and to the Rebbe will ripen later. But in eight-nine years I was a ready Hasid. As the famous Hasidim going from the Rebbe on the road stopped at the father, I in time, free from a heder, did not depart from them; and the father sent to my melamed a note that for that time while important guests at us were, that released me. Approximately in half a year after "coronation" reb Avreymele he went to raise to the Hasidim money for Erets-Isroel5 and stopped at us on the Sabbath. I already did not depart from it, stood nearby and faithfully looked to it in the face.
And when I so at breakfast stood and looked at it, he suddenly asked me:
"Tell, Hatskel, you are able to study?".
"yes", - I answered ingenuously.
"You are an honest Jew?"
"Yes …"
And what he asked about, I answered everything simply and distinctly: yes.
Hasidim right there told the father watching in other room how they gave food that I answered questions of the Rebbe simply as answer the ordinary Jew: yes, yes, yes … And the boy has to know that before the Rebbe it is necessary to experience awe. And after a breakfast when I came to the father into the neighboring room, he to me read morals:
"Hatskel, you face the Rebbe and look to him in the face as look at all people … You know that when the Rebbe looks at me, my hair bristle and nails are overwound. Whether a joke – the Rebbe! Besides, when he asks you, you answer: "Yes, yes, yes" … - a disgrace! You the Rebbe answer that you are the honest Jew. You know that it for the Rebbe "the honest Jew"? You have about it no concept yet. Such boy, as you, have to think already more".
These words on me strongly worked, I felt the sinner as if I made the greatest offense. Seized me by heart and tears poured down from eyes.
"I will go to apologize at the Rebbe", - with tears with tears I in the eyes told the father.
"It is not necessary to apologize at the Rebbe, - the father told, - he already knows, sitting in the third room that you cry and regret, he will regret you. Remember that the Rebbe is not a joke, will become more senior, learn what is the Rebbe!"
Hasidim told the Rebbe as the father me edified, and I cried as I regretted the great sin, and he ordered to call me to himself. When I came, he told:
"Do not worry, my child, I see that you will be an honest Jew …".
Since then I became the ardent Hasid. Having abilities to dispute, I regularly argued with opponents of Hasidim among young people, proving to them that their knowledge costs nothing that their prayers cost nothing and that one groan of the Hasid is more expensive than prayers and posts of the opponent of Hasidic Judaism.
I remember that once in the Sabbath we had on a visit Avrum-Itskhok from supporters of the Slonimsky Rebbe. In the house it was full of city Hasidim. In the morning at a table the guest spoke with them about any pious things, and I listened.
"And tsadik6 from Ruzhin told, - he told, - that if he wanted to be gaony, then would be it, but only you should not tear off yourself from God, even for one hour".
… "And tsadik from Lyakhovichey told that if Rabi Shimon of Bar-Yokhay7 did not make the book Zokhar, then he would make it …".
And so on, and so on. These stories then strongly affected me. But as I, apparently, was not given birth by the Hasid, from these stories gathered anti-Hasidic moods and beliefs …
In youth, however, I was a hot Hasid, knew all Hasidic tunes – to 200 fragments, jumped and danced with together with Hasidim, enjoying very much from it, and the father derived pleasure from me. He, the poor creature, considered that I and will remain the ardent Hasid.
The next year the Slonimsky Rebbe stayed with the father in the Sabbath. In total there arrived more than three hundred Hasidim. For all organized the magnificent Sabbath. The Rebbe, I remember, was evening on Thursday and remained till Tuesday. What at us this day occurred – difficultly to describe. Hasidim brought with themselves wines, in vodka the father had no shortcoming, and people raged a little!
On Tuesday all illocal Hasidim left, and Rebbes with kamenetsky Hasidim went to a rich eshuvnik to the Label to Krukhel from Krukhel, to the ardent Hasid and the philanthropist.
The village of Krukhel was versts in two from the city. It is clear, that for the Rebbe with Hasidim Krukhel suited a big feast. Sat at a table, ate, saw and sang, the gendarme officer in about ten soldiers and with a kamenetsky asessor at the head suddenly enters and surrounds all tavern. The officer asks:
"Who here rabbi?"
All were attacked by fear. Without effort learned who the Rebbe, and put to him guards. Arranged check in the Rebbe's things, in his suitcases and caskets where two thousand five hundred rubles of money for Erets-Isroel together with books, accounts, with the letter from Erets-Isroel, etc. lay. All rewrote, and ordered to bring the rabbi to Brisk in prison.
The father asked not to bring an asessor of the Rebbe to Brisk, and to leave there with soldiers who behind it would look. Asessor talked over with the officer, was hit fifty rubles in a fist, and business was settled.
The grandfather, only who could help here was just not at home, and to Brisk there went the father's brother Yosl. It is clear, that it was to the district police officer and asked it to hush up business and to release the Rebbe for what gave that in a hand two hundred rubles and right there received paper with the order on release.
Yosl asked the district police officer from where all this noise with arrest undertook on what the district police officer told it what on the rabbi Jews informed of that it, the district police officer, received the paper signed by the Jew that in Kamentsa there is a rabbi raising money for Palestine. It smells of prison and confiscation of money.
"And if not your father, - he told, – for anything I would not release it".
Yosl brought paper, and Rebbes released. Since then it did not go itself for a whip-round for Erets Isroel any more – instead of it there went messengers.
This history strongly upset Hasidim, in particular, of my father; first – because of the endured Rebbe of fear, and secondly – from the fact that the Rebbe will annually not come to Kamenets any more what became already tradition. And it is not a trifle at all, and for the father – just a life question.
Hasidim decided that the informer should be found and properly to pay off with him. It was found, but it was very special informer.
There lived in Kamentsa the clerk by the name of Tversky. If the reader remembers, the grandfather brought him with himself from Brisk during this period when the city rebelled against rent. The grandfather then needed the clerk who was daily making protocols on the rebels importing duty-free vodka, etc. Then, after conclusion of peace, Tversky remained in Kamentsa, being engaged in the fact that made applications for kamenetsky Jews, and is frequent also for landowners when those quarreled because of cards or the girl.
Tversky was once Gemara's expert, had the gold head, understood the Talmud and all interpretation, but then "went astray", became apikoyresy, like of that time maskily, 8zanyalsya systematic education, but to study it was late. It was already for this purpose old and remained halfway. Now it had no other choice how to make to itself of the writing of applications a profession and to live with it.
Business went well. In Wag its steel to use for the most important issues, and his name became known in all the Vilensky district – so that if someone had any difficult business, then it brought Tver to itself(himself) to the city to write the application and to put all papers in order.
It he to himself however could not create a state. First, it was at heart very honest, character had noble and was not able to bargain with the clients. How many it was given, it is so much and took – quietly, without any arguments; and secondly, he liked to spend earned, hated leaving for tomorrow, preferring everything to live today and if after all had no where to put earned, then distributed to persons in need.
It could give the last kopek – but not to keep even on food. Having received money, he liked to eat a quarter of a goose, a navel, to drink a glass of beer and when there was no money left any more, could eat bread and butter and with tea and if there was no oil – that without and if there was no tea – that with water. Could give to the kind friend or a minute ago just needing three rubles or five – and to him it was all the same.
As all of that time maskily, he very much wanted to extend among Jews education, education, weakening of "fanaticism" and an exit of Jews to the wide world.
Well knowing the Tanakh and Midrash read in educational literature in Hebrew and in the Russian literature, besides being able to speak, he everywhere where it only happened, told fine, interesting stories for brainy Jews so all fingers were licked. But having begun to tell, it never finished the stories in one day, and sometimes even held the audience for three days. The end of its stories was always unexpected: slowly, it by easy stages came with the story to heresy … And here it just denied everything that concerned religion, defamed all tannayev and amorayev and of course rabbis, and listeners ran up, closing ears … Only those who are younger and more curious remained up to the end and listened, and listened …
In the big war against religion he respected only two, though very different, religious figures – Rabi Gillelya-Stareyshinu9 and Vilensky Gaon. It turned all others into ashes.
About his dexterity and ability it is possible to judge by the fact that the head of a brisksky community Yudl Ha - Qadeer brought him from Vilna to Brisk for the sake of a big and high-profile case which was processed by the city. It was quite gruesome story with false passports, respectable Jews and denunciations. But Tversky, with the clever brain and knowledge of the law, nullified all business of which the city so was afraid.
For this process he cost several thousand, but gave it three hundred rubles which he too right there distributed to good friends, having kept only twenty five rubles and those lived in a week. In a week he already suffered hunger, and so before the following casual earnings.
He usually told the stories at the uncle Mordkhe-Labe in the house, "spacious as the field". There gathered to many people, it began to tell at three o'clock in the afternoon, finishing at 7-8 o'clock in the evening. Others got up, for a while left and came back again if did not reach heresy yet...
A story about the French revolution was the most interesting …
And once, I remember, he began to speak about all our Saints, having begun with the forefather Abraham … All ran up, only my father remained. Heretical speeches never concerned him. Did not touch it even then when Tversky defamed his Rebbe Avreymele. It just liked apikoyres Tversky who had kind heart, distributed to poor people much, was an honest person, besides and clever. Tversky loved my father too – for his tactfulness, for tolerance to not really pious people and for geniality.
But the father suspected this time that the denunciation of the Rebbe has to proceed from Tver though he also did not believe that Tversky could be an informer. In any case, the father decided that Tversky has to know from where the denunciation proceeds. He remembered how once when several hundreds of Hasidim gathered together with the Rebbe, he heard how Tversky told that several honeycombs of cattle gathered, to treat with respect to such fool. Then it made very painful impression on the father.
After some fluctuations he called to himself Tver and asked it to tell the truth – who gave the Rebbe? If he made it, let admits to it.
"Well, I made it … - Tversky quietly told.
The father was struck: "How you could make such base act? - He asked, shivering, - you the decent person". And how to doing another what is hated to you?"
Tversky answered simply:
"Avreymele is worthy good flogging that he did not tempt thousands of people, did not entice at them the last pennies. But I admit that I though it and "mitsva" did not want to do it. Very decent person whom the Rebbe made unfortunate pushed me on it. I met him in Dovida-Itskhok's shank once and he told that he would give twenty five rubles to the one who will give the Rebbe twenty five rozog, and from here everything went …"
The father understood that it is Labe Meerov's work, and called about it meeting. Rab Aurèle, the Hasidic leader, was then the rabbinic judge in the city, and it was present at meeting too. It was decided to give out to "it", let it will be healthy, Labe Meerov to whom it will be a mitsv to cause any trouble. What made him the unfortunate Rebbe, we will hear further.
This most reb Labe Meerov was inhabitant Zastavya. His father, reb Meer, was the big person famous for the Jew, with a fortune in twenty thousand rubles. The son his Labe, the scientist and the expert on Hebrew, clever and too the rich Jew, became the ardent opponent of Hasidic Judaism. It had a son Hershl capable to occupations and the pleasant young man. And this Hershl became the Slonimsky Hasid. Right after the wedding went to the Rebbe to Slonim, stayed two months there and came back home the ardent Hasid.
It from Slonim home arrived at night and it was knocked at a door. When in the house heard knock at a door, the father did not want to let in it, and the door for him was opened by the wife against desire of the father-in-law. Going to bed to itself in a bed, he felt that a feather-bed warm. And when asked who slept here earlier, the wife answered that she slept. He right there grabbed a feather-bed, pulled out it on the street and dropped it in snow to destroy heat of the feather-bed warmed by the wife's body.
The wife began to cry with such act. Crying was heard by the father and when he, having entered the room, asked why she cries, told about how his Hasidic sonny arrived. This time the father properly flogged him, and he ran away to the Rebbe to Slonim again.
The wife, however, loved it and of course regretted the crying of that time which led to the fact that the father beat it. And who knows now when it returns. She went to Slonim and asked the Rebbe that he ordered to her husband to go with it home. The Rebbe ordered, he went home and even reconciled with the father.
But Hershl was very ardent Hasid. In the winter he went, chilled, every day in a cold mikva and ardently prayed. Praying, loudly screamed, having got sick with heart and a throat from cold mikv and from all shouts during a prayer. Day and night he saw off in Hasidic affairs, left the wife, flitted between heaven and earth and from such excitement, at last, went crazy. The illness cost it to the father a lot of money, and he died.
The same reb Labe had the son-in-law, the son of the opponent of Hasidic Judaism, and that became a Hasid too. He abandoned the wife and saw off time at the Rebbe more, than at home.
Seeing destruction of all the family, reb Labe felt desire to bring down on the Rebbe who as he considered, ruined his children, all the anger. He, of course, did not appreciate the Rebbe at all, and besides his desire the anger led it to such contemptible and mean business as a denunciation.
But Hasidim, having decided at meeting that it is allowed to do any harm, arrived very simply. This most reb Labe who was the wholesale merchant flour and the intermediary of the largest millers delivered flour to Kamenets and Brisk including on credit. By tradition it gave free of charge, and then, paying off, people took still goods. Big trouble reb to Labe could be caused to instigate all dealers to him not to pay why reb Labe will become a bankrupt, here to it the bitter end will come. And they, sellers, will always have goods – where flour, there and intermediaries.
To execute conceived, to Hasidim from Brisk, a community from more than two hundred people, there went a Hasid from Kaments. Conceived it was executed perfectly – when reb Labe right after their visit was to Brisk and went to sellers to receive money and to continue orders, nobody gave it not a stiver, and instead still shouted:
"The informer, away from a bench! The Jew that informed on the Rebbe!"
And if it not quickly enough left shop, right there were all Hasidic boys, throwing at it stones and dirt and ran behind it on all streets on what it passed so he had to flee Brisk. From this game it suffered a loss six thousand rubles!
It had money, he did not want to appear the bankrupt, and paid on a mill how many it was necessary. But as because of "boycott" he could not sell flour any more, absolutely lost mediation selling flour and became the poor. Frightened to death, he dared to be to Brisk.
Through some time he wrote the big letter to my father in sacred language. The letter calculated on making impression was made intelligently, and it was told in it about the world in what it, reb Labe, relied on my father and on the river Aurèle and as they will solve, so it also will arrive.
The father called to himself clever Hasidim led by river Aurèle for council. Between Hasidim it was decided that reb Labe will go to the Rebbe to Slonim, having taken with itself three boys aged from ten till fifteen years, will be to the Rebbe in stockings and will ask forgiveness, having brought with itself four hundred rubles which were cost by a bribe together with all expenses, and five hundred rubles of a penalty for Erets-Isroel – only nine hundred rubles, and will swear with all sincerity that the whole year will go to Slonim to the Rebbe, having taken with itself boys, to their wedding. Then they already will go to the Rebbe … And he has to present to kamenetsky Hasidim a new Torah for shtiblya and come every Saturday there to pray. What means: he has to become a Hasid! All the same that to force the person to refuse the belief …
In sense of money it would agree though it did not have them any more. He would sell jewelry of the wife, the daughter-in-law and the daughter, but to go to Slonim every year - he could not agree to it in any way.
And he with tears came running to my father that before it to be uttered. "Moyshe, - he told, - you are a clever person. You understand something in people, and heart at you kind. Tell me, I ask you, between us – after all my misfortunes and tsores, to become the Hasid necessarily? Whether the person in general suddenly someone can become violently? Especially after I never a Hasid was. I do not have it in blood. I with you was frank – and you know that with Tver I only talked. But to speak is not that to do. Whether it is not enough of fact that you ruined me, having deprived of earnings – you still want to take away my disagreement with Hasidic Judaism that to me it is as expensive, as for you – Hasidic Judaism. I will give money, though the last, and to the Rebbe to apologize I will go too – but it let will be all: what else it is necessary to people? Moyshe, you have a kind heart, you have to understand me, I ask you, help me with it.
The father who felt to him the true pity, promised to transfer to Hasidim his desire.
After long and strenuous efforts, at last, it was decided, thanks to my father that there will be to him a simplification, but to the Rebbe he nevertheless has to go, at least once: to Rosh - ha - Shana.
Chapter 16
My occupations. – Booksellers of former times. – My first society. – Isroel Vishnyak. – The examination arranged to it. – Isroel's career. – That prevented it.
In twelve years I loved in the summer evenings, osvobodyas from a heder, to come in bet-ha-midrash and between an after-dinner and evening prayer to communicate with different pupils bet-ha-midrasha, to get acquainted with new porusha, as well as with recently marrying master's sons and to speak with them on any Jewish subjects and about other everyday affairs. I opened for Gemar – and all the time between an after-dinner and evening prayer talked to pleasure, one evening – at one table; for other evening – behind another.
Here I often argued on Hasidic Judaism. By the nature I had tendency to be stuck to seniors, to try to be on friendly terms with them. I was not confused that I for them - the kid, deriving pleasure that could grow at adults wise, this my line emboldened to me to argue with them on Hasidic Judaism, and thanks to ability to dispute, I often won.
In bet-ha-midrashe there were many copies of the Talmud, but only fragmentary, and remember that it was then a hot question: young people also porushizhalovatsya that because that all books fragmentary, it prevents to be engaged in it.
In former times over the country there went book sellers, everyone with the horse – the real jade Mendel of Moykher-Sforima1. In the vehicle different books, as well as books with any stories lay. Stopped by in the yard bet-ha-midrasha, and for the night - in some cheap tavern; in the morning before a prayer such moykher-sforimnik already stood "with a horse and the vehicle" on the sinagogalny yard. Sometimes knigogotorgovets rented for couple of rubles in big bet-ha-midrashe a table at doors and was arranged with books there, and his partner (it sometimes had a partner) went round with part of books of the village.
Book sellers often brought with themselves announcements about a release of different editions of the Talmud with different comments on paper of a big format. Once the book seller brought the announcement of the publisher from Slavuta 2o the forthcoming magnificent edition of the Talmud with all interpretation on very good paper and the fine press. The price for a copy – seventy two rubles with payment within a year on six rubles a month.
Came to my mind to create society together with other boys: everyone will give four kopeks a week, and we on it will buy for big bet-ha-midrasha. slavutsky Talmud. The book seller showed us one treatise – it was beauty!
Created society, and Yosele, the rich man's son, became a cashier, I am a treasurer, on each ten boys we put on one "foreman" - he had to focus at himself every week money and transfer them to Yosele. All regularly paid, and one of us wrote down all in the special book. Then gave money to the son of a magid Moyshe-Arona, and already that sent them to Slavuta then right there received the treatise which was bound in beautiful cover. And thus already received six volumes.
It was the first society created by me in life, and I will tell frankly and without modesty that without me it long did not exist. Only I got sick – and my society right there collapsed. Yosl with Avreymele-pistsom were not capable to direct, and in bet-ha-midrashe there were for memory six volumes – more we did not write out.
Ilyuy Isroel of Vishnyak3 who all of us, boys, flogged for inability to study as it in Lublin in four years became very famous. He at the Lublin rabbi, reb studied Hershele who in the "Questions and answers" wrote about it: "my pupil, wise man reb Isroel". Rab Isroelyu there were then 12 years. He conceived to make a trip to Kamenets to the grandfather, reb to Selig Andarkes. It went on the carrier, leaving on the way to each big city to rabbis, talking to them about the Torah and asking them such questions that they could not answer them.
He visited and Brisk at the rabbi, reb Hershele Lembergsky, also big wise man. Isroel kept it three hours in talk on the Torah; struck with sharpness of the mind. After his arrival to Kamenets there already everything boiled news of the young wise man.
To speak with simple kamenetsky boys to it did not stick, and it collected around itself(himself) several best among which there were also I. I fed big respect for it, was very flattered that it plays with us. In the middle of games to it scientists often were to talk about the Doctrine, and it abandoned them questions from Gemara, and they did not know what to answer.
As always, he visited also kamenetsky ravvvin and asked it some question. That answered not so quickly, and being small growth, Israel got to the rabbi on knees, took a big white beard of the rabbi two handles and having pulled up and down, told:
"The rabbi is good if the twelve-year-old boy asks a question, and you can answer nothing …"
It became known in the city at once, and Isroel's impudence in relation to the old man rabbi famous to the expert on the Talmud, revolted all kamenetsky big scientists. They gathered led by reb Moyshe Katz, reb Yosele, the brother of karlinsky, very outstanding rabbi, and reb Labe Ben-Meirom, and solved: to set to it, to Isroel, especially big questions from Gemara and if he right there does not answer them – to flog.
As the place for examination chose big bet-ha-midrash. To come appointed for tomorrow at two o'clock in the afternoon. Self-confidence in it was very developed, and to similar questions he was the big hunter. It was sure that will easily cope with any, most difficult question. But at heart felt some fear – and suddenly will stumble and will receive good flogging? …
Such minute he came running to me and asked to help – not to give it to flog. I, naturally, did not refuse and brought with myself in old bet-ha-midrash into one o'clock in the afternoon eight healthy guys …
I remember how today that in all kamenetsky scientists bet-ha-midrashe gathered, prushy and master's children who, studying in bet-ha-midrashe, were fed in turn in different houses. The big crowd gathered. Isroel, the little boy, stood apart with us. Then, when came reb Moyshe Katz and reb Yosele, took him on examination. They mixed the treatise "Pesakhim" from Gemara, is remembered, sheet 66, page 2, ordered to check to it Gemara's page with Additions and began to ask questions. Isroel got absolutely on a table and began to drive very quickly across Gemara the small finger from top to down, and then – on Addition. Did not pass also five minutes as he answered a question, scientists were struck and shocked by the boy, and instead of flogging began to kiss it.
"But as you can check so quickly the whole page of Gemara with Additions!" - all were surprised.
"Give me the most difficult "Questions and answers", - he answered, - and I here will also run a finger according to the page and right there I will tell by heart". It was given "Stubs of Ioshua" 4, and he also quickly walked a finger according to the page and right there repeated by heart. Then already all city before it felt fear, and his pride did not know when to stop. He watched at all how on the ignoramuses incapable nothing deeply and properly to learn.
He lived in Kamentsa several weeks, and the city because of it boiled all the time, all only and said that about the boy Isroele, such genius! Then he returned to the father to Lublin and was engaged in studying of the Cabbala. The Talmud and galakhichesky authorities already for it were too easy, it undertook the Cabbala, and it was his misfortune. He farther would learn the Talmud, authorities, Questions and answers as the increasing experts, would become, perhaps, the second Vilensky Gaon, only in the generation.
But unfortunately, it since early years undertook the Cabbala. Approximately in a year I received the book of the Cabbala made by it which appeared to its thirteen-anniversary. Began to read and did not understand words. The Cabbala in general was absolutely alien to me, and it was the typical and Kabbalistichesky book.
In Semyatichakh, the Grodno province, there lived a rich man, Dovid Shiroky in those days. He received the name "Wide" because of generous nature. He lived as the count. There was a wish to take it the daughter the groom-ilyuya. He heard about an ilyua Isroel and sent the matchmaker to the father Isroel, reb to Yozl Vishnyak, the scientific Jew, dear person, with the offer to take his son Isroel to itself(himself) in sons-in-law. Gave five thousand of a dowry and undertook to feed young people ten years.
Reb Yozl questioned, and shidukh took place. Rab Dovid Shiroky offered day for signing of "conditions", asking the most great rabbis and scientists to be from all Lithuania on a ceremony at his expense. Here it showed all the width: wishing that all rabbis knew what it takes the son-in-law.
To signing of "conditions" there arrived several minyan of important rabbis, and the groom Isroel was let with rabbis in difficult polemic, striking them with the ingenious head. There were they delirious with delight: it was succeeded to meet such sharpness of mind in the fourteen-year-old boy! "Conditions" passed princely, and the pleasure reb Dovid Shiroky was not borders.
The bride was still very young, fourteen years too, and reb Dovid asked to postpone a wedding for two years. Only it was important to it "to snip off" big ilyuya, and now it was possible and to wait. There was no wish to give the daughter in marriage till sixteen years to it.
Meanwhile the Polish revolt broke out. Semyatichi was entered by Poles to occupy the city. Right there the Russian troops were, firing in which Dovid Shiroky was killed began. All its state, together with all business which it ran with landowners during revolt, were almost gone. Remained to all property of thousands on thirty. But children – sons with daughters - there was much, and between them it was necessary to divide money. Successors celebrated a wedding to the sister, gave five thousand rubles of a dowry, but already without feeding.
Isroel married and went to live to Belsk, the district city of the Grodno province, near the uncle, reb Leyzer Vishnyak, the rich man and the big scientist. But of any affairs he did not think, even did not give money to growth. Only rented big apartment and ate money. And did not think at all that they eventually will come to an end. Meanwhile in the city he began to behave as the Rebbe, uchyoneyshy young people came to listen to his doctrine, its sharp interpretation, and in the city it passed for the Saint. Even his uncle, reb Leyzer, called him the Rebbe too.
Every day he became more known as the big wise man, the righteous person and the kabbalist. It laid a new way in the Cabbala and was going to base an eshiva for its studying. Day and night at it in the house it was full of scientists, the youth "stood on the head" if only to hear its doctrine, its Cabbala.
And he lived for ready rubles, and his wife even began to worry that money here will leave - and what's next? But it became absolutely sacred, and with it the word was hard to say. Anything everyday he did not want to speak about, and sometimes at itself(himself) in the room it happened to it to cry.
As it is he was shipped in the Cabbala that began to carry on the head twelve couples tfillin to please different opinions - made small tfilinchik, tied all twelve couples on the head and so walked down the street. And young people dogged steps and watched that they did not laugh at it.
In the city as it was already told, he was considered as the Saint. Began to come to it as to the Rebbe, asking blessings, but it such banished, without wishing anything to answer.
And the pocket every day all became empty, and because of it his life with the wife all worsened. Absolutely did not remain any more on what to live, and it did not manage to talk to it everything. He wanted to hear nothing about such things, and once she started talking to a post-ugly face, he called her "smart aleck" and sent for the rabbi to write it the adjustable letter. The wife began to cry and at the time of receiving divorce fainted. Then went to Semyatichi to the brothers and that with it became then, I do not know.
It broke Isroel. It could not orient who is he: not the rabbi, not Hasidic tsadik, not the dealer – so who? It fell into melancholy and after long reflections decided to prepare in university, to become professor – for it it is a trifle. In one year it will pass all classes of high school. Bought the Russian dictionary and literally in a month knew all Russian words by heart.
His uncle, reb Leyzer Vishnyak, saw that Isroel stepped into a dangerous way and cabled the father. The father arrived and took away him exhausted and upset, to himself to Lublin, took it to the Rebbe, reb to Leybele Eyger, and made the Hasid. The Rebbe, reb Leybele, to him rejoiced, and he became a Hasid.
Here he entirely indulged in Hasidic Judaism, again married. The wife opened shop, they began to live simply as all Jews, and so from the ingenious boy the ordinary Jew turned out.
Chapter 17
Subsequent melameda. – Reb Efroim-melamed. – Its "new" stories. – Former clothes. – The expelled rabbis. – Our love to the rabbi.
From a melamed of Beynush-Labe at whom I almost stood still I passed to curve Dovidu who grew blind on one eye. This was a torturer on the second place the ambassador Dovida-Lokhmatogo.
I at it studied three terms and very much promoted in the doctrine. He was the big scientist and learned thoroughly, and I from it left with reputation of the good pupil. From it I passed to my uncle, reb to Efroim, the outstanding expert and the wise man who extremely well wrote in Hebrew.
In trade he was not lucky, with landowners he did not suit for affairs, without being able to flatter them so, the poor creature, very much needed. The grandfather Aron-Leyzer helped it, but how many it is possible to live a handout? At the same time it had five adult daughters, and it was necessary to become it as all beggars, melamedy. There was it however, from the best melamed. We at it studied four together and were considered the best in the city.
I at it learned two terms from Gemara "Week" with Additions, with interpretation of Makharsh and other authorities – "Magen-Abraham" 1 and "Shita mekubetst" 2
For all the time of my doctrine in heder, I did not derive such pleasure, as at the uncle anywhere. First, he taught Gemara with us clear, with caress, with the soft, kind speech and if we could not understand sophisticated systems in any way, he did not show any irritation. He tried to achieve our understanding a trenchant speech, comparisons and examples.
It was surprisingly delightful and pleasant to study at it. After heavy efforts on studying of Gemara and authorities, we had a rest, and it with us was put on wordly use. He was very widely-read, knew about natural phenomena much, also sometimes read the Russian book, but in Russian he was disturbed by his wife who was and will say goodbye to me, very silly Jew.
Actually, he was afraid not of it, and its nonsense. Having seen at the husband, reb Efroim, some thing which was not pleasant to it, she right there told all family and all women. And as to read the Russian books was considered then as a sin, it abstained from it.
But, on the time, he knew much, and having a rest from Gemara, explained us different scientific things and often told stories from life of the previous generations, but all – true, real stories.
He received ninety rubles for term from pupils. From two - on twenty, and from us with Isroel – fifty. It is natural that he, unfortunate, was the big poor and complained to us of present high cost, remembering with admiration the childhood when the bull cost six rubles, a cow – three, eighteen pennies a goose, six-eight pennies chicken, a penny – five eggs, six pennies a pound of butter and two pennies a milk pot … Each Jew then could, having at least several kopeks, to arrange to itself small zavodik for production of alcohol with couple of cows who are brought up on a mash, and milk happened – though in it bathe.
And the clothes happened before from such strong material that the thing devolved from the father to the son. There was such grade which was called "a stone rain" - matter strong as a stone, both strong and dense, almost like a tin. If there was someone in a caftan or to a coat from "a stone rain", each fold in it cracked so it was heard far off that someone goes.
"The stone rain" was different flowers and the different price; the cheapest was in old times sixty kopeks for yard, but fortress was the same is it was impossible to tear clothes. Perhaps years through fifty will a little wear out, will fade, will devolve to the son, and will carry especially respectably such faded caftan in memory of the dead. Then, in several decades, it will already strongly fade, it is necessary to carry it every day for work and in bad weather. But fragmentary and full of holes it will never be.
I remember still caftans from "a stone rain" which were carried by old Jews. I at most had such caftan at eight-year age. To me it was changed from grandfather's, and that inherited it from the father.
There was also a material which was called "eraser". Today it is called a semi-eraser, but present it is not similar on prezhny at all. The eraser was already carried by rich men. Matter for men was: four grades of "a stone rain", two grades of an eraser, three grades of a velvet, Four grades of a velvet and several grades of silk.
Women carried a chintz on 7-8 kopeks for yard, and the most expensive grade of wool - on 30 kopeks for yard. Wool was already carried with what is richer.
From bellows carried - the most expensive a muskrat, the Siberian squirrel, a muskrat and a beaver. Women carried a fox, a sable and a marten. Jewelry consisted only of pearls. Almost the simplest carried on a pearls neck somewhere for thirty rubles. Rings, gold brooches by size about ruble which carried on a neck were accepted.
My uncle melamed told us a story about our great wise men, but without exaggerations and without unnatural things, only real stories clear and truthful. He knew how many before rabbis and great wise men received that made about eighty pennies a week. So much the Minsk rabbi, and as much - Vilensky gaon took, and at increase of a salary added ten more pennies a week.
He told how monthly heads dominated over rabbis, and happened that the great wise man was expelled from the city where he was a rabbi, because of any trifle. The monthly head just called the supporters from among the city nobility and imposed punishment on the rabbi. Decided that the rabbi should be banished, and banished.
In Minsk, for example, banished the author "Shagat Arye" 3. Jews had it almost the biggest gaon after Vilensky. Banished it in the summer, on Friday at twelve o'clock, with a big shame, namely: harnessed couple of bulls in the cart and so took out from the city. The uncle told that one Jew left the city to the rabbi and brought it three challahs on the Sabbath. He asked it whether the husband knows it about challahs, and she answered:
"No".
He told:
"So I cannot take".
Then it was taken away in the Jewish tavern. The expelled Jew did not want that the eshuvnik knew that he is the Minsk rabbi. The vigorous Jew, however, ran on foot to the village and told that it is our rabbi, big gaon, and the monthly head also will be wiped his name, banished it.
In Brisk banished a gaon, the author of the big comment to the Talmud under the name of "B. x. "4 It were the rabbi there. Once there was a history. At night on an end of Saturday the monthly head with representatives of the city nobility in the communal house sat. At twelve o'clock the candle went out. In all Brisk there was no fire. All already slept. The monthly head sent shames to a ravvvin to light there a lamp and to bring. Came to the rabbi. But as they were surprised, having found out what is dark also at the rabbi. He already too slept. They told about it to meeting, and the monthly head with representatives of the city nobility decided that if the rabbi at twelve o'clock in the morning sleeps, it is necessary to banish it. And it was banished from Brisk.
Chapter 13:
[1] The seventh month of the Jewish calendar, falls on March-April.
[2] Sheygets is the non Jewish boy.
Chapter 14:
1 Because of a ban to consider sons of Israel – interpretation of Russia, warning against "malefice", on a fragment from Knigi Shmot (In Christian tradition the Outcome), 30,12: "When you will carry out general calculation of sons of Israel for definition of their number, before their calculation let everyone will bring to God expiatory gift for the soul, and they will not be struck with a pestilence at their calculation" - it was accepted to use similar tricks at calculation of people.
2 "East" - the first and most honourable number of chairs at east wall of a synagogue which is allegedly turned to Jerusalem where there is also a case for storage of rolls of the Torah – the Ark of the Covenant.
3 "Kappara", the plural of "kappacompanies", in an ashenaziysky pronunciation "капойрес" - atonement – a folk custom on which on the eve of Yom Kippur rotate over the head poultry three times with the purpose to transfer to it sins of the person, at the same time sentencing: "It is my replacement, this my compensation, this my atonement. This rooster (or chicken) is doomed to death, and I – to kind, long life and rest". The bird is given sometimes to the poor, sometimes all ritual is replaced with monetary donations.
4 Especially long prayers which are said on the eve of New year.
5 "All vows" – the first words of an evening liturgy of the Doomsday.
6 The additional prayer said on holidays.
7 Actors participating in Purim-shpil – purimsky representation which plot are different bible stories, mainly - the events described in Meghilat Esther – Esfir's Book.
8 Kvass which is not eaten during the whole easter week in memory of unleavened cakes with which sons of Israel had to be content after an outcome from Egypt since they had no time to ferment dough to make bread.
9 Fritters from a matseva of flour or grated potato.
10 A linear measure, approximately in one meter.
Chapter 15:
1 The talmudist of the end of the 3rd century, lived in Babylonia and in Erets Israel. Traveled much, his stories about what was seen, sometimes with a fantastic shade, in particular, and the story about allegedly met by it the goose expiring fat are well-known about what it is possible to read in H.'s book - N-Byalika and I.Kh.Ravnitskogo "Agada: legends, parables, sayings of the Talmud and Midrasha.
2 That and others – religious teachers, spiritual leaders of the people and creators of the Talmud in Erets Israel and in Babylonia in 1-5 centuries of Amorai were engaged in interpretation of the doctrine tannayev and those came sometimes to others, than, to galakhichesky conclusions.
3 The largest center of talmudical learning created by the pupil of the Vilensky gaon, river Haim Volozhinsky in 1803 in the town of Volozhin Vilenska of the province, nowadays – Volozhinsky the district of the Minsk Region.
4 I.e. melamed.
5 Since ancient times it was accepted to give help to the poor compatriots living for religious motives in Erets-Israel among Jews of dispersion. Since the end of the 18th century collecting and distribution including among Hasidim, this help - so-called "halukk" - accepted organized character.
6 The righteous person - a title of the Hasidic Rebbe.
7 The largest talmudical authority of the 2nd century.
8 From the word "maskil" - the "educated", European educated, liberal person, the follower of "Haskala" - "Education", the Jewish cultural social movement which arose in the 2nd half of the 18th century.
9 Veins in Babylonia at the end of 1 century BC – the beginning 1 in AD, largest Jewish religious teacher famous for big humility and less rigid, than his contemporary Shammay, interpretation of religious establishments. It is well-known for the answer to the pagan asking to teach him to the Torah while it costs on one leg: "Do not do another what is hated to you. In it all Torah, the rest – comments".
Chapter 16:
1 Pseudonym of the Jewish writer Sholoma-Yakov Abramovich, 1835-1917. "Jade" – one of his stories.
2 The town on Volhynia, known for the printing house founded there in 1791 printing books in Hebrew.
3 About I. Vishnyak see above, hl. 8.
4 The collection of galakhichesky solutions of large talmudical authority, Ioshua Heshel bin-Yosefa from Krakow, okolo1578-1648. It is for the first time published in Lviv in 1860.
Chapter 17:
1 "Abraham's Board" - the comment of the Polish talmudist of 17 century Abraham-Abel Gombiner, to I. Caro's composition "Shulkhan-arukh" regulating all religious life of Jews.
2 "Assembled interpretation" - the composition of the outstanding talmudist and rabbi Betsalel Ashkenazi living in the end 16 beginning of 17 century in Egypt and Erets Israel. Contains interpretation on the most part of treatises of the Talmud with extraction from different talmudical comments, only thanks to it remained.
3 "Growl of a lion" - the collection of galakhichesky decisions of the famous rabbi and head of an eshiva and a talmudicheskogotolkovatel of 18 century Arié-eyba Guintsbourga. It is known for the neuzhichivost.
4 I.e., "Bait hadash" - "The new house, Yoel Syrkes's composition, vydayushchegoya the representative of the polko-Lithuanian ravvinizm of the second half 16 - the first half of 17 century. The specified composition, actually, is the comment to the composition "A bullock cart tury" - "Four periods" of Yakov bin-Asher, "the father of ashkenaziysky ritual", the known codifier of the galakhichesky material which is contained in the Talmud (the end 13 - a pervayapolovina of 14 century)
My memoirs. Volume I
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