From The Wedding by Joseph Levine Chapter 21

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)