From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 21
It is worth writing a separate chapter about Reb. Lazer
In Zlotopolia's large synagogue, there was on old sexton, Reb Joseph the sexton. He had a wife and two daughters. Since he had no sons, he wanted to ensure that someone would eventually say Kaddish for him. So he traveled to Kovel, a town in Vohlin, and brought back from there a young man, a potential husband for his elder daughter. They got married. Reb Joseph supported the young couple so his son-in-law could sit and learn Torah. When the couple had a few children and the old father-in-law could no longer work as sexton, the son-in-law became a teacher and a cantor and a bal koreh (Torah reader), the best in the world.
He was known throughout town as Reb. Lazer from Kovel. He was tall and thin, with a long face and a small, pointed beard. He had a big nose with a dent in it to hold his glasses. When Reb Lazer led the services in the synagogue Shabbos morning, he could be heard for three blocks around. And when he read the Torah, one could only marvel. In my entire life I never heard such a beautiful reading of the Torah. His voice, his Hebrew, his melody, his swaying back and forth while reading, no one has seen comparable. He lived with his father-in-law and when his mother-in-law passed away, Reb Lazer was the one who said Kaddish.
The second daughter sat and waited for when G-d would send her a husband. She had no dowry and no clothes. In the home she was the one who took care of the whole family. She waited for a miracle and a miracle must come. G-d helped and the old Reb Joseph was leaving the synagogue after services. He crossed the street when Count Babrinsky in his coach drawn by four horses ran him over. People came running from every street. His children came running and carried him into the house. His children stood over him crying. He was able to say only these few words: "Children, you must not cry. You saw that G-d sent me the Angel of Death with a carriage and four horses." With these words, he died. The Count gave the daughter $500 with which to make a wedding. When there was money, all of sudden there was a suitor. She chose a fine young man and they lived happily ever after.
Reb Lazer said Kaddish for Reb Joseph and he inherited the house. His children were already grown and from all his activities, he made a living. He also became a matchmaker. Whoever needed someone to officiate at a wedding or a briss or even to make sheva brochos (the festive meal held each of the seven days after a wedding at which seven blessings are given to the new couple) immediately called Reb Lazer and he immediately went. Whether there was money or not, he always went.
Now that he heard that I had come back, he smelled the possibility of a match. He came and told me that he had the perfect girl for me. I asked him, "Who is she?" He answered me, "This one." I replied, "She I know alone. Why do I need a matchmaker for her?" He responded, "What does it hurt you if I make a few rubles?" I said, "You can go. And if you can arrange that they give me a few hundred rubles, you will be a good matchmaker." He went and we became engaged. They gave me 100 rubles. I went with my fiancee to the fair and bought her presents and a little silver and half the dowry was gone. I sat and worked. We got married on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5641 (January 15, 1880).
(End of the First Part)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 20
From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 20
I am with my mother in the house. A match is proposed to me and I humor them.
No name rings as sweet as the name, "Mama". No word appeals to the heart as the word "home". If one were to gain an appreciation of the home, one should, at least for a short while, leave home and wander in a strange place, then return home to his own nest. Then everything appears different and has a new charm. Everything becomes twice as precious. One feels like a changed person; a newborn in the world.
That is how it was when I came home. First I toured the whole town. I walked through every street and looked at every house and store. The folks that I greeted had aged a little. They gave me a friendly welcome. Some were overjoyed. I was also very friendly to everyone. The young children that I had left behind had grown. And I was assured that I had also matured and filled out. And everyone marveled at my German clothes.
Women and men approached me to become my matchmaker and I humored them. I told them that this one I don't need, and that one is not attractive (in Germany I had seen much prettier) and the other one had no money. I was the "good catch" since I had a white card.
When I realized that I could not free myself from them, I told them that their task was an impossible one, as I already had a wife chosen. She was my pre-destined wife since we were children. She had waited for me the entire time. The truth was that she had not waited for me. We had not been in love and, in the past year when I was away, she had met several suitors. However, none of them had been suitable. Her father had hoped and convinced her that I would return. From the time we were children -- our parents houses were attached, and they were very close friends, like brothers and sisters -- they always said that we were a match. They had waited. So, one fine morning, Reb Lazer, from Kovel , came to my house. ...
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 20
I am with my mother in the house. A match is proposed to me and I humor them.
No name rings as sweet as the name, "Mama". No word appeals to the heart as the word "home". If one were to gain an appreciation of the home, one should, at least for a short while, leave home and wander in a strange place, then return home to his own nest. Then everything appears different and has a new charm. Everything becomes twice as precious. One feels like a changed person; a newborn in the world.
That is how it was when I came home. First I toured the whole town. I walked through every street and looked at every house and store. The folks that I greeted had aged a little. They gave me a friendly welcome. Some were overjoyed. I was also very friendly to everyone. The young children that I had left behind had grown. And I was assured that I had also matured and filled out. And everyone marveled at my German clothes.
Women and men approached me to become my matchmaker and I humored them. I told them that this one I don't need, and that one is not attractive (in Germany I had seen much prettier) and the other one had no money. I was the "good catch" since I had a white card.
When I realized that I could not free myself from them, I told them that their task was an impossible one, as I already had a wife chosen. She was my pre-destined wife since we were children. She had waited for me the entire time. The truth was that she had not waited for me. We had not been in love and, in the past year when I was away, she had met several suitors. However, none of them had been suitable. Her father had hoped and convinced her that I would return. From the time we were children -- our parents houses were attached, and they were very close friends, like brothers and sisters -- they always said that we were a match. They had waited. So, one fine morning, Reb Lazer, from Kovel , came to my house. ...
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 19
From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 19
I am freed from the draft. I travel to Grodna and apply for a passport in Duma and travel to my mother.
Imagine, I, the lone stranger, the person everyone felt would most certainly end up in the army and, in the end, I am the one to have been exempted from service first! Not only was I first to get off, but with a white card yet! All the locals were assigned numbers and had to appear for possible service, and, in fact, many did serve.
Do you think that after the experience with the draft board my application with the local townsfolk to obtain a passport was easy? I tell you it was a song and a dance until I was able to get anywhere! It took weeks and even months with begging and pleading and lots of money until they gave me a receipt and I then traveled (alone) to city hall and received an ID card for a year's time.
By the time I left the building it was nearly night. I immediately went to the station and traveled to Brest-Litovsk. When I arrived it was late Friday afternoon (nearly Shabbos). I stayed there for Shabbos. On Sunday, I continued my travels and went to Berditchev and from there to Kazatin.
I traveled to Zlotipolia to see my mother - my mother, however, was unaware of my arrival. She was totally unaware of my whereabouts. She knew to write me every Monday and Thursday and prayed to G-d that she live to see me soon.
Now my dear readers we will trouble you to return to the time before I departed from Zlotipolia..... The town is still the same. The puddles, the same. The huts with the straw roofs that the goats pull at the entire winter, the same. The "cold" tall shul, the same- the same pool of water. The water carrying horse and wagon attempting to deliver the water uphill - never quite succeeding in getting the water delivered as it is uphill and ends up mostly spilled before its intended destination-this too is still the same.
The town "Yentas", the women who do not have much else to do but to gossip about one another, they too stayed the same. Alas, now G-d had sent them something to gossip about! In the years that I was not at home in Zlotipolia rumor had it that I was in Petersburg, that I had converted (G-d forbid)
and married a "shiksa" (non-Jew). Others, who heard that I wrote from Germany, had it rumored that I married a German and would never be allowed back in Russia.
Others, less inhibited, brazenly asked my mother if it was true that I was in America, married and owner of a factory with workers and twenty machines. My mother, not knowing what to answer, nullified all their silly dreamt up stories and lectured them. She then prayed to G-d that all her enemies' mouths would shut up and stop the wicked gossiping.
G-d listened to her plea and sent me to her at precisely the right time.
Just as I got off the train I saw a Zlotipolia wagon-driver who seated me in his covered wagon. I dozed and dreamed, nice dreams. I dreamed that I would soon be home and start searching for a bride. The girl turns out to be none other than the girl next door.
I continued to dream until I was nearing my home and my dear mother and sisters... I am a half hour away and then a quarter hour away and now I am passing the familiar cemetery, the windmill and here, finally, I arrive at the main street. I pass another familiar site or two and finally the street of my mother's home. It was evening by that time.
I asked the wagon driver to tap on my mother's window. He called out to my mother "Rachel, your Yossel is home!!" She, of course, could not believe him- just like when the
biblical Joseph's brothers came to their father, Jacob, and told him that Joseph was alive- he too did not find it believable... so too did my mother think she was dreaming.
Only when I came forth and said "Mamma, open the door" did she then start dancing and singing with utter joy! She ran from house to house knocking on all the doors, rejoicing and exclaiming to all "Yosef is alive!" Most of the townsfolk thought she had lost her mind - even my former Rebbe (cheder {school} teacher) Reb Elinke exclaimed to his wife Sarah "Poor Rachel, it seems she has gone off her rocker".
When they actually came to my mother's home and saw me for themselves, they finally all shut their mouths. By the next day the whole town was in an uproar and they all came to see me. Some did not recognize me since I had grown and filled out in the few years that I was gone from home. Others did not recognize me because I had now grown a beard. Yet others did not recognize me because I was wearing a modern suit and a expensive coat that I bought while I was in Germany. It made me look like a regular German.
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 19
I am freed from the draft. I travel to Grodna and apply for a passport in Duma and travel to my mother.
Imagine, I, the lone stranger, the person everyone felt would most certainly end up in the army and, in the end, I am the one to have been exempted from service first! Not only was I first to get off, but with a white card yet! All the locals were assigned numbers and had to appear for possible service, and, in fact, many did serve.
Do you think that after the experience with the draft board my application with the local townsfolk to obtain a passport was easy? I tell you it was a song and a dance until I was able to get anywhere! It took weeks and even months with begging and pleading and lots of money until they gave me a receipt and I then traveled (alone) to city hall and received an ID card for a year's time.
By the time I left the building it was nearly night. I immediately went to the station and traveled to Brest-Litovsk. When I arrived it was late Friday afternoon (nearly Shabbos). I stayed there for Shabbos. On Sunday, I continued my travels and went to Berditchev and from there to Kazatin.
I traveled to Zlotipolia to see my mother - my mother, however, was unaware of my arrival. She was totally unaware of my whereabouts. She knew to write me every Monday and Thursday and prayed to G-d that she live to see me soon.
Now my dear readers we will trouble you to return to the time before I departed from Zlotipolia..... The town is still the same. The puddles, the same. The huts with the straw roofs that the goats pull at the entire winter, the same. The "cold" tall shul, the same- the same pool of water. The water carrying horse and wagon attempting to deliver the water uphill - never quite succeeding in getting the water delivered as it is uphill and ends up mostly spilled before its intended destination-this too is still the same.
The town "Yentas", the women who do not have much else to do but to gossip about one another, they too stayed the same. Alas, now G-d had sent them something to gossip about! In the years that I was not at home in Zlotipolia rumor had it that I was in Petersburg, that I had converted (G-d forbid)
and married a "shiksa" (non-Jew). Others, who heard that I wrote from Germany, had it rumored that I married a German and would never be allowed back in Russia.
Others, less inhibited, brazenly asked my mother if it was true that I was in America, married and owner of a factory with workers and twenty machines. My mother, not knowing what to answer, nullified all their silly dreamt up stories and lectured them. She then prayed to G-d that all her enemies' mouths would shut up and stop the wicked gossiping.
G-d listened to her plea and sent me to her at precisely the right time.
Just as I got off the train I saw a Zlotipolia wagon-driver who seated me in his covered wagon. I dozed and dreamed, nice dreams. I dreamed that I would soon be home and start searching for a bride. The girl turns out to be none other than the girl next door.
I continued to dream until I was nearing my home and my dear mother and sisters... I am a half hour away and then a quarter hour away and now I am passing the familiar cemetery, the windmill and here, finally, I arrive at the main street. I pass another familiar site or two and finally the street of my mother's home. It was evening by that time.
I asked the wagon driver to tap on my mother's window. He called out to my mother "Rachel, your Yossel is home!!" She, of course, could not believe him- just like when the
biblical Joseph's brothers came to their father, Jacob, and told him that Joseph was alive- he too did not find it believable... so too did my mother think she was dreaming.
Only when I came forth and said "Mamma, open the door" did she then start dancing and singing with utter joy! She ran from house to house knocking on all the doors, rejoicing and exclaiming to all "Yosef is alive!" Most of the townsfolk thought she had lost her mind - even my former Rebbe (cheder {school} teacher) Reb Elinke exclaimed to his wife Sarah "Poor Rachel, it seems she has gone off her rocker".
When they actually came to my mother's home and saw me for themselves, they finally all shut their mouths. By the next day the whole town was in an uproar and they all came to see me. Some did not recognize me since I had grown and filled out in the few years that I was gone from home. Others did not recognize me because I had now grown a beard. Yet others did not recognize me because I was wearing a modern suit and a expensive coat that I bought while I was in Germany. It made me look like a regular German.
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 18
Chapter 18
From the wedding
I leave Germany for Russia to register with the draft board.I am detained en route to Russia and mistaken for a Yankel.
I arrived at the train station and purchased a ticket forAustegara. The trip lasted a few days. As I left the train stationI was approached by a man who asked me if I wanted to cross theborder. I answered yes. He took me to his home and transportedme across the border. To travel to Kalish the price was one rubeland 50 kapicks. From Kalish till Lodz one needed to travel with awagon driver that drives an enclosed wagon. They accepted manypassengers which resulted in standing room only. The roof wasoverloaded with packages. We left at dusk in the hope of arrivingin Lodz by dawn. Exactly half way we arrived at an inn with atavern where we all washed, warmed ourselves and ate.
I too entered the inn. A maitre d' (an old man) was standingat the entrance assisting customers. He immediately noticed me andshouted to his daughter "Saraka! (Sarah) Look! Yankel hasarrived!" Sarah, her mother and everyone present all shouted inunison that "Yankel is here!". Yankel was Sarah's husband. WhenSarah and her family left their previous town to come here Yankeland Sarah got separated. Since everyone established that I wasYankel, they immediately removed my bags from the wagon, paid thedriver and I was left in the town while all the other passengerscontinued on to their destination.
What I experienced in the next few days is terrible todescribe. I was caught between and betwixt: If I remain here Imust become Sarah's husband, and this could have a pretty bad end;also I will forfeit the draft. Additionally I do not have apassport to show the police. Then they will send me with the"Jewish community tax" and I will end up in jail. It would take along time. So.. this was my big dilemma. But G-d helped me and Iescaped to Lodz. From Lodz I went to Warsaw. From Warsaw toGrodna and immediately traveled by wagon to Amdur. As I arrived intown in the early evening I heard that the authorities had alreadyarrived and that the following day the draft would begin.
Now I first did not know what to do: Should I go see aDoctor? For that I would have to pay right away. To go alone -- Icannot. To take an intermediary to the doctor also costs money.Too much money I did not have. So I figured the only way is torely on G-d. Whatever the time would bring. I reckoned that in themerit of my father I would not have to become a soldier.
I already saw clearly the miracle that G-d did for me - Hegave me the idea to immediately leave Germany for the draft, beingtotally unaware whether I was early or late - and the woman'sdetaining me thinking I was her husband and I knowing that I am nother husband, it took several days -- I had time to become familiarwhile waiting to see what time would bring. I waited until Sundaywhen she left with her mother to go to town until evening -- herfather was busy with his customers in the inn. I had the chance totake my packages and hire a horse and driver to take me to Lodzand thus arrived Tuesday early evening in Amdur at exactly theright time. Had I arrived even one day later I would have missedthe draft and I would be "given up". It was obvious G-d helped mearrive at precisely the right time and G-d would further help.Whatever happens would be the way G-d wants it. If they let me off- then good, however, if they draft me to be a soldier, then Ialready learned the way back to Germany and from there to America.
And so it was. The following morning the draft board wassitting around a large table awaiting their chairman while we allstood around. At this point they were not allowing any of the boysout. I however was dressed in a good coat from Germany and wasmistaken for a writer from the commission. I went outside untilthe chairman hastily arrived and rushed to his seat at the table -he opened the large book and called out "Levine - is he here?" Iwas terrified and could not say a word. The chairman said to me"do not fear - what is your name?". I answered fearfully "I amJoseph Leibowitz** Levine." "But why do I have to be drafted as Iam much older than your records show?" I further stated "Since Ilive in Odessa I was unable to apply for my proper papers whichwould state my age".
The chairman suggested that since I did not have my agedetermined in the past it would be done here on the spot by a groupof attending physicians. The doctors examined my eyes and teethand were quiet, the clerk then announced "he appears to be 23 yearsold", so the chairman said that if I am 23 years old then I must bedrafted. I stood and shivered. Another official mixed in andannounced - "he looks to me to be older than 23 years" My heartimmediately felt lighter. The chairman then asked "and you,doctors, what do you say?" They both answered, "This man isdefinitely passed 25 years of age." The recording clerk then tookthe record book and entered that Joseph Levine was determined to be26 years old and he instructed me to wait. He noticed that Istarted to stand on the side and told me to get the clerk to comeover. He prepared my papers, affixed the official stamp and handedall to me happily, saying "Here are your official papers. You arefree!"
------------------------------
**If anyone in the family knows anything about the name Leibowitz, please let me know. Was Leibowitz possibly Joseph Levine's mother's maiden name?
From the wedding
I leave Germany for Russia to register with the draft board.I am detained en route to Russia and mistaken for a Yankel.
I arrived at the train station and purchased a ticket forAustegara. The trip lasted a few days. As I left the train stationI was approached by a man who asked me if I wanted to cross theborder. I answered yes. He took me to his home and transportedme across the border. To travel to Kalish the price was one rubeland 50 kapicks. From Kalish till Lodz one needed to travel with awagon driver that drives an enclosed wagon. They accepted manypassengers which resulted in standing room only. The roof wasoverloaded with packages. We left at dusk in the hope of arrivingin Lodz by dawn. Exactly half way we arrived at an inn with atavern where we all washed, warmed ourselves and ate.
I too entered the inn. A maitre d' (an old man) was standingat the entrance assisting customers. He immediately noticed me andshouted to his daughter "Saraka! (Sarah) Look! Yankel hasarrived!" Sarah, her mother and everyone present all shouted inunison that "Yankel is here!". Yankel was Sarah's husband. WhenSarah and her family left their previous town to come here Yankeland Sarah got separated. Since everyone established that I wasYankel, they immediately removed my bags from the wagon, paid thedriver and I was left in the town while all the other passengerscontinued on to their destination.
What I experienced in the next few days is terrible todescribe. I was caught between and betwixt: If I remain here Imust become Sarah's husband, and this could have a pretty bad end;also I will forfeit the draft. Additionally I do not have apassport to show the police. Then they will send me with the"Jewish community tax" and I will end up in jail. It would take along time. So.. this was my big dilemma. But G-d helped me and Iescaped to Lodz. From Lodz I went to Warsaw. From Warsaw toGrodna and immediately traveled by wagon to Amdur. As I arrived intown in the early evening I heard that the authorities had alreadyarrived and that the following day the draft would begin.
Now I first did not know what to do: Should I go see aDoctor? For that I would have to pay right away. To go alone -- Icannot. To take an intermediary to the doctor also costs money.Too much money I did not have. So I figured the only way is torely on G-d. Whatever the time would bring. I reckoned that in themerit of my father I would not have to become a soldier.
I already saw clearly the miracle that G-d did for me - Hegave me the idea to immediately leave Germany for the draft, beingtotally unaware whether I was early or late - and the woman'sdetaining me thinking I was her husband and I knowing that I am nother husband, it took several days -- I had time to become familiarwhile waiting to see what time would bring. I waited until Sundaywhen she left with her mother to go to town until evening -- herfather was busy with his customers in the inn. I had the chance totake my packages and hire a horse and driver to take me to Lodzand thus arrived Tuesday early evening in Amdur at exactly theright time. Had I arrived even one day later I would have missedthe draft and I would be "given up". It was obvious G-d helped mearrive at precisely the right time and G-d would further help.Whatever happens would be the way G-d wants it. If they let me off- then good, however, if they draft me to be a soldier, then Ialready learned the way back to Germany and from there to America.
And so it was. The following morning the draft board wassitting around a large table awaiting their chairman while we allstood around. At this point they were not allowing any of the boysout. I however was dressed in a good coat from Germany and wasmistaken for a writer from the commission. I went outside untilthe chairman hastily arrived and rushed to his seat at the table -he opened the large book and called out "Levine - is he here?" Iwas terrified and could not say a word. The chairman said to me"do not fear - what is your name?". I answered fearfully "I amJoseph Leibowitz** Levine." "But why do I have to be drafted as Iam much older than your records show?" I further stated "Since Ilive in Odessa I was unable to apply for my proper papers whichwould state my age".
The chairman suggested that since I did not have my agedetermined in the past it would be done here on the spot by a groupof attending physicians. The doctors examined my eyes and teethand were quiet, the clerk then announced "he appears to be 23 yearsold", so the chairman said that if I am 23 years old then I must bedrafted. I stood and shivered. Another official mixed in andannounced - "he looks to me to be older than 23 years" My heartimmediately felt lighter. The chairman then asked "and you,doctors, what do you say?" They both answered, "This man isdefinitely passed 25 years of age." The recording clerk then tookthe record book and entered that Joseph Levine was determined to be26 years old and he instructed me to wait. He noticed that Istarted to stand on the side and told me to get the clerk to comeover. He prepared my papers, affixed the official stamp and handedall to me happily, saying "Here are your official papers. You arefree!"
------------------------------
**If anyone in the family knows anything about the name Leibowitz, please let me know. Was Leibowitz possibly Joseph Levine's mother's maiden name?
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 17
From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 17
An angel disguised as a person -- sent me straight to Yaffa's house, a Grodner and a friend.
A Jewish man passed. Usually one cannot detect who is Jewish because everyone dresses alike. But this man noticed that I was looking around so he understood that I was a stranger. He approached me and asked in a proper Yiddish, "who are you looking for?" I answered, "A tailor." He laughed and said, "Don't be a greenhorn. First you look for
an apartment and then you search for a tailor." I asked him where I could find an apartment. He sent me down three blocks to the corner of Clausen Street. Continue straight until number 15. You'll see a sign with the name, "Yaffa". Proceed to the second floor and you'll find an apartment.
I thanked the man profusely and thanked G-d for sending me this angel disguised as a man who asked me who I was looking for. This reminded me of the story of Joseph in the Bible. He was sent by his father, Jacob, to find his brothers who were tending the flocks. He met a man who gave him directions. According to tradition, this was really an
angel disguised as a man. The angel had asked Joseph where he was going. Joseph had answered, "I'm searching for my brothers." The angel told him to go to Dosan. Similarly
this man had directed me to Yaffa's house.
Later I began to understand the unbelievable good fortune I had had. I found out that in Berlin there were very many rooming houses and restaurants, but I had been sent directly
to Mr. Yaffa. He happened to be a Grodner and a friend of my father's as I later found out. The man definitely was not aware of this but Divine providence was on my side.
I arrived at number 15 and proceeded to the second floor. As soon as I entered, I was approached by a tall, bewigged, handsome woman. She had an intelligent, happy face. She thought her husband sent me here from the bus station. I told her that I did not know her husband, that I had arrived much earlier that day and had wandered around searching for a rooming house. Then I had met a man who asked me where I was going. She asked me where are you from and I told her Grodna.
She then asked me if I knew Avremel Jaffa. I answered yes, I knew him and that he had died. She was shocked and asked me not to tell her husband because he was her husband's brother. When her husband arrived home and began talking we realized that we were close friends. I told him how my father had drowned and the people in Amdur wanted to give me over to the draft so it was better for me to run to Berlin and let them search for me.
I slept over and the following morning he placed an ad for me in the paper saying "tailor available." The ad was answered by a tailor and I went to him. The work that he
gave me was familiar to me. He gave me coats to enlarge. The tailor also had an empty room so I slept there. Within the first week, Mr. Jaffa came to me and told me that a man
had come from Frankfurt looking to hire and train a worker. I can stay with him as long as I want. He will support me and train me. He accepted me immediately and we left. I
never saw Mr. Jaffa again.
When I had come to Mr. Jaffa's house, he had asked me for a loan. I had given him a loan of 5 rubles. I thought that I would get the money back, but since he sent me off, the 5 rubles remained behind. "Let him enjoy."
The tailor and I went to the bus stop. He bought tickets. It took several hours until we arrived in Frankfurt. He brought me to his store where the completed work was. His wife was a native German, a pretty woman, the mother of two children. She was the salesman.
She prepared a meal for us and we went to their home. He gave me a room in which to sleep. He prepared work for me and we both worked in their home. His wife and two children stayed in the showroom during the day. Her mother would relieve the wife for a while during the day to go home to prepare food. Then she would return to the showroom until evening.
When Shabbos was over and work was again permitted, he would travel to the surrounding cities to sell at fairs. I remained in the house and cut pants and jackets. I would sew them on the machine.
Once, when he took me along to the fair, I helped him sell to some Poles. I sold them pants and jackets made of cheap material. My boss was pleased with me. Shabbos and
Yontov we did not work. I would take long walks and go to the port and watch ships coming and going. I also frequented the nice parks and visited the other nice synagogues. So past the time and several years went by.
I did not see a future. I thought of becoming a German citizen but that meant serving in the German Army which I did not want to do. But to travel to America one needs a lot of money. This was the last year in which I could be drafted into the army which meant that I would not be able to enter Russia ever again.
I remembered my loving Mother who was crying her poor old eyes out not knowing where her only son is and my six sisters who miss their only brother not knowing if they will ever see him again.
When I came to Frankfurt, I wrote several times that I was in Germany and working. Where I was headed I still did not know. Maybe in time I would go to America. When my mother received the letter and took it to be read by Reb Ellinke and Sara, she cried and bemoaned why she ever let me leave to Germany. Because I would never be able to return to Russia -- especially if I would not serve in the army. Staying in Germany was not what I wanted.
I packed my bags and bid farewell to the tailor. He was not pleased that I was leaving, but what could I do. I had to go to the army. I went to the train station.
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 17
An angel disguised as a person -- sent me straight to Yaffa's house, a Grodner and a friend.
A Jewish man passed. Usually one cannot detect who is Jewish because everyone dresses alike. But this man noticed that I was looking around so he understood that I was a stranger. He approached me and asked in a proper Yiddish, "who are you looking for?" I answered, "A tailor." He laughed and said, "Don't be a greenhorn. First you look for
an apartment and then you search for a tailor." I asked him where I could find an apartment. He sent me down three blocks to the corner of Clausen Street. Continue straight until number 15. You'll see a sign with the name, "Yaffa". Proceed to the second floor and you'll find an apartment.
I thanked the man profusely and thanked G-d for sending me this angel disguised as a man who asked me who I was looking for. This reminded me of the story of Joseph in the Bible. He was sent by his father, Jacob, to find his brothers who were tending the flocks. He met a man who gave him directions. According to tradition, this was really an
angel disguised as a man. The angel had asked Joseph where he was going. Joseph had answered, "I'm searching for my brothers." The angel told him to go to Dosan. Similarly
this man had directed me to Yaffa's house.
Later I began to understand the unbelievable good fortune I had had. I found out that in Berlin there were very many rooming houses and restaurants, but I had been sent directly
to Mr. Yaffa. He happened to be a Grodner and a friend of my father's as I later found out. The man definitely was not aware of this but Divine providence was on my side.
I arrived at number 15 and proceeded to the second floor. As soon as I entered, I was approached by a tall, bewigged, handsome woman. She had an intelligent, happy face. She thought her husband sent me here from the bus station. I told her that I did not know her husband, that I had arrived much earlier that day and had wandered around searching for a rooming house. Then I had met a man who asked me where I was going. She asked me where are you from and I told her Grodna.
She then asked me if I knew Avremel Jaffa. I answered yes, I knew him and that he had died. She was shocked and asked me not to tell her husband because he was her husband's brother. When her husband arrived home and began talking we realized that we were close friends. I told him how my father had drowned and the people in Amdur wanted to give me over to the draft so it was better for me to run to Berlin and let them search for me.
I slept over and the following morning he placed an ad for me in the paper saying "tailor available." The ad was answered by a tailor and I went to him. The work that he
gave me was familiar to me. He gave me coats to enlarge. The tailor also had an empty room so I slept there. Within the first week, Mr. Jaffa came to me and told me that a man
had come from Frankfurt looking to hire and train a worker. I can stay with him as long as I want. He will support me and train me. He accepted me immediately and we left. I
never saw Mr. Jaffa again.
When I had come to Mr. Jaffa's house, he had asked me for a loan. I had given him a loan of 5 rubles. I thought that I would get the money back, but since he sent me off, the 5 rubles remained behind. "Let him enjoy."
The tailor and I went to the bus stop. He bought tickets. It took several hours until we arrived in Frankfurt. He brought me to his store where the completed work was. His wife was a native German, a pretty woman, the mother of two children. She was the salesman.
She prepared a meal for us and we went to their home. He gave me a room in which to sleep. He prepared work for me and we both worked in their home. His wife and two children stayed in the showroom during the day. Her mother would relieve the wife for a while during the day to go home to prepare food. Then she would return to the showroom until evening.
When Shabbos was over and work was again permitted, he would travel to the surrounding cities to sell at fairs. I remained in the house and cut pants and jackets. I would sew them on the machine.
Once, when he took me along to the fair, I helped him sell to some Poles. I sold them pants and jackets made of cheap material. My boss was pleased with me. Shabbos and
Yontov we did not work. I would take long walks and go to the port and watch ships coming and going. I also frequented the nice parks and visited the other nice synagogues. So past the time and several years went by.
I did not see a future. I thought of becoming a German citizen but that meant serving in the German Army which I did not want to do. But to travel to America one needs a lot of money. This was the last year in which I could be drafted into the army which meant that I would not be able to enter Russia ever again.
I remembered my loving Mother who was crying her poor old eyes out not knowing where her only son is and my six sisters who miss their only brother not knowing if they will ever see him again.
When I came to Frankfurt, I wrote several times that I was in Germany and working. Where I was headed I still did not know. Maybe in time I would go to America. When my mother received the letter and took it to be read by Reb Ellinke and Sara, she cried and bemoaned why she ever let me leave to Germany. Because I would never be able to return to Russia -- especially if I would not serve in the army. Staying in Germany was not what I wanted.
I packed my bags and bid farewell to the tailor. He was not pleased that I was leaving, but what could I do. I had to go to the army. I went to the train station.
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 16
From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 16
I travel to Berlin. I send for my mother in the hope that they would take pity on her and give me a passport.
That winter passed and they still had not given me a passport. So I sent a letter to my mother asking her to come. Perhaps if she would ask, they would give me a passport. She came, but that also did not help. I realized that they wanted to delay me until the next draft board meeting and then force me to become a soldier! My mother and I conferred and decided that the best plan would be for me to travel to Germany where I could quickly learn a trade. Since I would be earning money, I could always go from there to America.
We immediately put the plan into effect. We left Grodna and traveled to Bialystok where we stayed for Shabbos. After Shabbos, by eight o'clock at night we were already by the train station waiting for the train. My mother had to catch the ten o'clock train to Brest Litovsk. The whole time we were standing with our arms around each other crying. So much was our crying that the heavens should have split. My mother assumed that this would be the last time she would ever see me. She would never see me again. The other passengers waiting for the train all cried along with us until finally the train pulled in. My mother climbed aboard still crying and with a heavy heart.
I watched the train pull out with my mother aboard. I looked around and realized how alone I was... alone like a stone. Just a moment ago I was standing with my loving mother, my devoted mother, and now she is flying away. I stood there totally undecided and confused, unaware of what my next move should be.
One of the men who was in the crowd of people who witnessed how my mother and I cried and held one another before she departed, came up to me and asked where I was traveling. I told him that I wanted to go to Graeva. He replied, "If so then we are traveling together." He told me that a train was leaving for Graeva in a couple of hours. Sure enough, the train came and by Sunday morning I had reached my destination. At the station, a man approached me and asked if I planned to cross the border. I told him, "Yes." He told me to jump onto his wagon and took me to his home. We davened (prayed the morning service) and I ate the food that my mother had given me. After that we got back in the wagon and drove to the border crossing. I was instructed to walk right across the border. I passed the border guard who said nothing to me. I walked to the German side and waited for the man. I paid him one ruble and 50 kopecks. Then I took the train to Berlin.
The trip to Berlin lasted until Tuesday, 8 o'clock in the morning. The train pulled into a huge station with many, many doors. By the time I looked around, all the passengers had left the terminal and another train pulled in. I was standing there thinking, "What do I do next? Where do I go?" There was no one to ask. Train after train kept coming. The trains would pull into a long, wide, glass enclosed area. People were running around like flies. They would jump off the train and meet family or friends, kiss and embrace. They would hire a cab and go home or to a hotel. But I had no clue where to go. Just standing there was also not a solution. So I finally picked up my packages and took off, in no particular direction. I walked several blocks then turned down another street. Everything looked the same to me. There were large stores with pretty windows. I entered a clothing store and asked if they needed a tailor. They did not understand my language and I did not understand their language. That is how I wandered around until two o'clock in the afternoon. I had hit a brick wall. I stood pondering which way to turn but I just did not know.
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 16
I travel to Berlin. I send for my mother in the hope that they would take pity on her and give me a passport.
That winter passed and they still had not given me a passport. So I sent a letter to my mother asking her to come. Perhaps if she would ask, they would give me a passport. She came, but that also did not help. I realized that they wanted to delay me until the next draft board meeting and then force me to become a soldier! My mother and I conferred and decided that the best plan would be for me to travel to Germany where I could quickly learn a trade. Since I would be earning money, I could always go from there to America.
We immediately put the plan into effect. We left Grodna and traveled to Bialystok where we stayed for Shabbos. After Shabbos, by eight o'clock at night we were already by the train station waiting for the train. My mother had to catch the ten o'clock train to Brest Litovsk. The whole time we were standing with our arms around each other crying. So much was our crying that the heavens should have split. My mother assumed that this would be the last time she would ever see me. She would never see me again. The other passengers waiting for the train all cried along with us until finally the train pulled in. My mother climbed aboard still crying and with a heavy heart.
I watched the train pull out with my mother aboard. I looked around and realized how alone I was... alone like a stone. Just a moment ago I was standing with my loving mother, my devoted mother, and now she is flying away. I stood there totally undecided and confused, unaware of what my next move should be.
One of the men who was in the crowd of people who witnessed how my mother and I cried and held one another before she departed, came up to me and asked where I was traveling. I told him that I wanted to go to Graeva. He replied, "If so then we are traveling together." He told me that a train was leaving for Graeva in a couple of hours. Sure enough, the train came and by Sunday morning I had reached my destination. At the station, a man approached me and asked if I planned to cross the border. I told him, "Yes." He told me to jump onto his wagon and took me to his home. We davened (prayed the morning service) and I ate the food that my mother had given me. After that we got back in the wagon and drove to the border crossing. I was instructed to walk right across the border. I passed the border guard who said nothing to me. I walked to the German side and waited for the man. I paid him one ruble and 50 kopecks. Then I took the train to Berlin.
The trip to Berlin lasted until Tuesday, 8 o'clock in the morning. The train pulled into a huge station with many, many doors. By the time I looked around, all the passengers had left the terminal and another train pulled in. I was standing there thinking, "What do I do next? Where do I go?" There was no one to ask. Train after train kept coming. The trains would pull into a long, wide, glass enclosed area. People were running around like flies. They would jump off the train and meet family or friends, kiss and embrace. They would hire a cab and go home or to a hotel. But I had no clue where to go. Just standing there was also not a solution. So I finally picked up my packages and took off, in no particular direction. I walked several blocks then turned down another street. Everything looked the same to me. There were large stores with pretty windows. I entered a clothing store and asked if they needed a tailor. They did not understand my language and I did not understand their language. That is how I wandered around until two o'clock in the afternoon. I had hit a brick wall. I stood pondering which way to turn but I just did not know.
From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 15
From the Wedding
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 15
Two soldiers steal 5000 rubles, a sled and two good horses.
They arrive in their hometown.
Let us now see what the Russian Commander did. As soon as he was informed of the situation, he immediately notified all the neighboring towns. When he did not get a response, he ordered a Police Colonel to investigate every town in civilian clothes to find out where the thieves escaped. He figured that traveling in civilian clothes would enable him to find a clue as to their whereabouts or at least which route they had taken.
So the Police Colonel traveled from town to town until he arrived in the town in which the two soldiers who stole the money had originally been kidnapped.
The Police Colonel went to the local Police Commissioner and told him that he was looking for two men who originated from this town and had gone to serve in the army. The Police Colonel gave the Police Commissioner the names of the two men. The Police Commissioner sent for the passport official and asked him if these two men had arrived in town. The official knew the two men had arrived because they had come to him for passports, but he answered that he did not know. Then the Police Colonel asked the official if he knew where the families of these two men lived. To this question, the official had no choice but to tell that he did know. He was ordered to take the Police to the homes of the two men.
They waited until the middle of the night and knocked on the door of the man who was married. The man himself answered the door and was told to get dressed and come along. Then they went to the home of the sister of the coachman where they found him and ordered him to get dressed and come along. All of this was done in the still of the night.
The two men were locked in a holding cell. The Police Colonel ordered a watchman to keep the cell locked and instructed him not to allow anyone near them.
The Police Commissioner took the Colonel to his home and they celebrated. They drank and rejoiced over the swift and relatively easy arrest of these two law breakers. They were so happy! They drank and drank until they drank themselves to sleep. They slept very well indeed.
But the people from the town did not sleep, especially the official who had helped arrest the runaway soldiers. He could not believe that the two had actually gone to their homes! The whole town was upset but they did not know what to do. They were most concerned about the furrier. They felt that he was the one in the most danger. The coachman, they felt, would receive a light punishment. But the furrier would certainly be shot.
The synagogue was filled with people who gathered together to try to come up with a solution. It was decided that they would try to find a young man to take the place of the furrier. But where do you find such a person? Who in the world would want to place himself in such danger?
One man was frightened. Another's wife would not allow it. Another's parents would not allow it. Until finally they came to a dead end.
The arrangement with the guard was already settled. He would allow the switch in return for a payment of 25 rubles. But where could one find such a man?
The official suddenly had an idea. Since the young man from Odessa was still in town, possibly he would be willing to go. They came to my uncle's house and woke him up. They asked me if I would be willing to sleep in the jail overnight. First thing in the morning they would get me free. I jokingly responded,
"If you pay me 50 rubles, I'll do it."
They laughed and said,
"For just a couple of hours, you want 50 rubles? Would you settle for 10 or 15 rubles?"
I answered,
"Don't be foolish. This is worth 50 rubles -- and in advance."
When they saw that further bargaining was of no use, they plunked down 50 rubles and took me to the jail where I switched places with the furrier. They immediately gave him a passport and he took off that very night. I remained with the coachman. We ate together and drank some schnapps together. I briefed him on what he should say when they would interrogate him. The others went home to sleep peacefully.
The following morning, the Police Colonel and Police Commissioner awoke. They ate and drank then went to the Commissioner's office dressed in full uniform. There was a formal protocol to follow. Two police officers brought in the two prisoners. They called the passport official as a witness and asked him to identify the two prisoners. The official testified,
"This one I know. That one I do not know."
The Police Colonel became very angry. He asked the official,
"Why don't you know him?"
The official answered,
"He is a Russian citizen, but not one of ours. There is no reason why I should know him."
The Police Colonel became even more angry. He asked the official,
"You mean, he is not even a soldier?"
The official confirmed,
"He has never been a soldier."
The Police Colonel was enraged and screamed,
"Is he the one who was in the house with the woman last night?"
"Yes." he said. "He is a friend of hers and was spending the night with her."
The Police Colonel saw that he had been taken for a fool, but he did not want to give in. In an angry voice, he screamed,
"Put them in chains and take them to Grodna!"
We were all thinking,
"Fool that you are! Had you made the hearing last night and put them in chains then you would not look the fool that you are now. The yiddelach (a term of endearment, literally little Jews) outsmarted you and made you look foolish.
But from where does one get chains? In such a small town as ours, we did not have prisoners that warranted our having chains. After looking around a bit, they found a small piece of chain and tied one of my hands to one hand of the other prisoner. They brought us both to Grodna. Due to his anger and shame, the Police Colonel did not even hold a hearing.
When we came to the Grodna police station, they took us to the District Attorney. I explained to him who I was and how I had just come this Shabbos to Amdur because the Commission was there and they had declared me to be 23 years old. Since it was raining very hard on Sunday, I was unable to leave town. I stayed overnight at the home of a friend. In the middle of the night, they came and arrested me. I was unable to say anything. They told me that I would find out what was going on in the morning.
The coachman testified that he did not know me and the official was also there and corroborated my story. So they told me to go home. The official also left. After we left, the District Attorney interrogated the coachman. I do not know what he said, but they sent him to prison.
Those 50 rubles were the first I had ever earned. And the mitzvah was also valuable. Had I not exchanged places with the furrier, they certainly would have both been shot!
by Joseph Levine
Chapter 15
Two soldiers steal 5000 rubles, a sled and two good horses.
They arrive in their hometown.
Let us now see what the Russian Commander did. As soon as he was informed of the situation, he immediately notified all the neighboring towns. When he did not get a response, he ordered a Police Colonel to investigate every town in civilian clothes to find out where the thieves escaped. He figured that traveling in civilian clothes would enable him to find a clue as to their whereabouts or at least which route they had taken.
So the Police Colonel traveled from town to town until he arrived in the town in which the two soldiers who stole the money had originally been kidnapped.
The Police Colonel went to the local Police Commissioner and told him that he was looking for two men who originated from this town and had gone to serve in the army. The Police Colonel gave the Police Commissioner the names of the two men. The Police Commissioner sent for the passport official and asked him if these two men had arrived in town. The official knew the two men had arrived because they had come to him for passports, but he answered that he did not know. Then the Police Colonel asked the official if he knew where the families of these two men lived. To this question, the official had no choice but to tell that he did know. He was ordered to take the Police to the homes of the two men.
They waited until the middle of the night and knocked on the door of the man who was married. The man himself answered the door and was told to get dressed and come along. Then they went to the home of the sister of the coachman where they found him and ordered him to get dressed and come along. All of this was done in the still of the night.
The two men were locked in a holding cell. The Police Colonel ordered a watchman to keep the cell locked and instructed him not to allow anyone near them.
The Police Commissioner took the Colonel to his home and they celebrated. They drank and rejoiced over the swift and relatively easy arrest of these two law breakers. They were so happy! They drank and drank until they drank themselves to sleep. They slept very well indeed.
But the people from the town did not sleep, especially the official who had helped arrest the runaway soldiers. He could not believe that the two had actually gone to their homes! The whole town was upset but they did not know what to do. They were most concerned about the furrier. They felt that he was the one in the most danger. The coachman, they felt, would receive a light punishment. But the furrier would certainly be shot.
The synagogue was filled with people who gathered together to try to come up with a solution. It was decided that they would try to find a young man to take the place of the furrier. But where do you find such a person? Who in the world would want to place himself in such danger?
One man was frightened. Another's wife would not allow it. Another's parents would not allow it. Until finally they came to a dead end.
The arrangement with the guard was already settled. He would allow the switch in return for a payment of 25 rubles. But where could one find such a man?
The official suddenly had an idea. Since the young man from Odessa was still in town, possibly he would be willing to go. They came to my uncle's house and woke him up. They asked me if I would be willing to sleep in the jail overnight. First thing in the morning they would get me free. I jokingly responded,
"If you pay me 50 rubles, I'll do it."
They laughed and said,
"For just a couple of hours, you want 50 rubles? Would you settle for 10 or 15 rubles?"
I answered,
"Don't be foolish. This is worth 50 rubles -- and in advance."
When they saw that further bargaining was of no use, they plunked down 50 rubles and took me to the jail where I switched places with the furrier. They immediately gave him a passport and he took off that very night. I remained with the coachman. We ate together and drank some schnapps together. I briefed him on what he should say when they would interrogate him. The others went home to sleep peacefully.
The following morning, the Police Colonel and Police Commissioner awoke. They ate and drank then went to the Commissioner's office dressed in full uniform. There was a formal protocol to follow. Two police officers brought in the two prisoners. They called the passport official as a witness and asked him to identify the two prisoners. The official testified,
"This one I know. That one I do not know."
The Police Colonel became very angry. He asked the official,
"Why don't you know him?"
The official answered,
"He is a Russian citizen, but not one of ours. There is no reason why I should know him."
The Police Colonel became even more angry. He asked the official,
"You mean, he is not even a soldier?"
The official confirmed,
"He has never been a soldier."
The Police Colonel was enraged and screamed,
"Is he the one who was in the house with the woman last night?"
"Yes." he said. "He is a friend of hers and was spending the night with her."
The Police Colonel saw that he had been taken for a fool, but he did not want to give in. In an angry voice, he screamed,
"Put them in chains and take them to Grodna!"
We were all thinking,
"Fool that you are! Had you made the hearing last night and put them in chains then you would not look the fool that you are now. The yiddelach (a term of endearment, literally little Jews) outsmarted you and made you look foolish.
But from where does one get chains? In such a small town as ours, we did not have prisoners that warranted our having chains. After looking around a bit, they found a small piece of chain and tied one of my hands to one hand of the other prisoner. They brought us both to Grodna. Due to his anger and shame, the Police Colonel did not even hold a hearing.
When we came to the Grodna police station, they took us to the District Attorney. I explained to him who I was and how I had just come this Shabbos to Amdur because the Commission was there and they had declared me to be 23 years old. Since it was raining very hard on Sunday, I was unable to leave town. I stayed overnight at the home of a friend. In the middle of the night, they came and arrested me. I was unable to say anything. They told me that I would find out what was going on in the morning.
The coachman testified that he did not know me and the official was also there and corroborated my story. So they told me to go home. The official also left. After we left, the District Attorney interrogated the coachman. I do not know what he said, but they sent him to prison.
Those 50 rubles were the first I had ever earned. And the mitzvah was also valuable. Had I not exchanged places with the furrier, they certainly would have both been shot!
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