[Page 17]

The Appearance of Koydanov

by Avrohom Evans (Avremel Evenchik)

Translated by Pamela Russ

The houses in the marketplace belonged to the successful Jewish businessmen in the town. The Russian church was also there (a brick building), with five domes and an iron gate around it. Six streets stretched out from the market. Two were parallel, called New Minsk and Old Minsk, and another two parallel that were called Slutsk and Rubizewycz, then one street called Vilna, and another called Parabotsk (or Stankov). I just want to remark that at every corner in the market where there was a street, there was a building (actually a large storehouse), that had a very characteristic structure and served as a designated place for the aristocracy and wealthier peasants to park their wagons and coaches. There were a few of these structures in the middle of the streets.

[Page 18]

The shul's courtyard had a prominent place in the town. It started on the corner of Slutsk Street in the market. That's where all the shuls in the town were located – the brick building of the Beis Medrash (place of learning) that held the new Beis Medrash, the tailor's Beis Medrash, and also the small Beis Medrash. They were all in the same building as the brick Beis Medrash. At the edge of the shul's courtyard was the khassidic shul with the Rebbe's courtyard. In that same place was the town's bathhouse, with the famous flowing waters all around that was called the “metzula” (“deep waters”). Also, this was a place of recreation for the children during the winter, for those who would go skating, particularly on Shabbos, when they were free from school, and the Rebbe and their fathers would not see them, because the skating was behind the khassidic little shteibel (small house of prayer).

Other than the few main streets, there were also a few smaller streets, which were called the “humnes” (or the barns), that were parallel to Slutsk Street. Also Sadowa Street (Orchard Street) near Rubizewycz Street. Also there was a small street between the new and old Minsk streets that was called the Tatar Mountain Street, which had an old cemetery from a long, long time ago, when the war befell the entire Russia.

The judicial district held a real prominent place at the edge of the town, where there was the Polish church with its famous “tall mountains” (spires) with the Calvinist seminary, and the match factory that was called Stronginz factory. There were also some small streets that had no name and that were populated with Jewish residents. One such street was between the shul court and Parabotzk Street, and also between New Minsk and Old Minsk streets, and also between Slutsk and Rubizewycz streets. This last one was called Model Street.

At the end of New Minsk Street, there was a bridge that stretched to the train station. Here the Koydanov Jews would stroll on a Shabbos afternoon to watch the arrival of the express train as it passed through without stopping. At the end of Vilna Street, a village became visible that stretched for a few versta (a little more than one kilometer), and there only farmers lived, because Jews were not permitted to live there.

[Page 19]

This village was called Makoitchitz. Two Jewish brothers inherited the rights to live there from their parents. Their names were Shloime and Beryl Kahan, and they were really called by the name Makoitchitzer. The villages and courts need also be remembered, that is those that belonged to the Koydanov volost (Soviet rural administrative division), with a population of about 35,000 souls.

A very prestigious place was held by Stankov that belonged to the famous Count Chapski, the governor of Minsk. He owned many courts, but the one that made the greatest impression over us was the small court of Halinka, because that had the closest river for us to bathe in, or float on a raft. Or Krisow Novisyolok – the big one and the little one, Useh and Dzalnje. We also have to remember the Kaider forest where the older Jews used to say that Napoleon's wars took place.

Koydanov was a very old town. All the houses were made of wood. There wasn't even one brick house other than the Beis Medrash building. And amongst us, the youth, this question always came up: Why, in many towns such as Styopecz and Mir, there were many fires, but never here in Koydanov. The older Jews would say that that was because of the blessing (bracha) given by the Rav of Minsk, the Shagat Aryeh, to the town of Koydanov as he went through here. The blessing actually remained until the end of the World War One when the Polish bandits set fire to the stores in the marketplace and the main streets.

* * * *

The destruction of the city began at the time of the first World War, on Tisha b'Av, 1914. Suddenly, all of the men aged 20 to 45 were drafted, and all left for military service, in Rennenkampf's army. (Rennenkampf was a Russian general who served in the Imperial Russian army for 40 years, including during WWI.) Almost all of the soldiers were taken prisoner by the Germans in East Prussia. The war went on for two years far from Koydanov.

[Page 20]

We saw many soldiers pass through the Koydanov station, and many of them wounded from the front. But the Germans started marching closer to Koydanov, and many Koydanov Jews began to evacuate. The fright was really for nought, because the front stopped at the banks of the Nieman River, and Koydanov remained under Russian rule as a strategic point for providing military support and provisions to the front. Tens of thousands of soldiers from all corners of Russia arrived in Koydanov, and were placed on the echelon trains and sent to the front.

In February 1917, the Revolution broke out, and a provisionary government was established. The Russian army on the front became very demoralized, and the Bolsheviks used this as an opportunity to capture the power from the government. The soldiers began to leave the front, and many hooligans began to rob the Jews of their goods and belongings. Our organized group for self defense, which we had established at the time, didn't help at all. It was then that our first victims fell. These were Leizer Romanover, Feigel Rein's daughter, and Akiva Heshel's daughter.

[Page 21]

Koydanov

by Moyshe Khaim Einbinder

Translated by Pamela Russ

Koydanov was the most aristocratic town of all other surrounding towns like Rebzewycz, Rakow, Ivenetz, Uzde, and even Styopecz. Forget about Swerznje or Wohlme, and we would say half in jest but with some truth, that we could hardly be called a town!

We were proud of our large marketplace and the “in between stores” with the six streets and roads, with the rows of trees, the three Batei Medrashim (places of learning), a shteibel (small shul), a total court! An entire kingdom!

Many of our fellow townsmen remember the melodies, especially Mikhele's melody, when he would raise his head, place his thumb under his chin, and wait for the Rebbe's wink to begin singing his melody, without words. And the melody has gone into the Jewish folk music under the name of “the Koydanov melody.”

And, on the other hand (le'havdil, not to compare Jewish to non-Jewish), the Russian Orthodox Church with the Polish Church and the Calvinist seminary with the organ. And a few times, in all honesty, we heard fine music. The elders and religious people said that we weren't allowed to listen because ….

[Page 23]

My Hometown, Koydenov
(Memories)

by Rabbi Israel Kravitz

Translated by Lillian Leavitt

The memories of my childhood in my birth city left a fierce impression on me as well. It's true that various episodes occasionally feel like far away dreams in a very far away past. Nonetheless, they are engraved deeply enough in my memory so that I can still describe them as if they had occurred yesterday….

My earliest memory takes place as I lay in my crib in our apartment at Leyke Ahron Leyb's on New Minsk St. I'm lying there and crying and am inconsolable. I hear rapid footsteps from afar. It's Father coming home from “Tiferat Bakhorim”, after evening services. He runs toward me quickly singing “Sleep my Flower, my Sweet Child, Because I Created You”. He rocks me and sings so tenderly that the song becomes permanently imprinted in my soul. To this very day, I remember all the verses of that Hebrew lullaby, filled with love for Israel and her land. Today when I think about that song, I think why in the world did my father (a strictly orthodox Jew) sing that particular song? It was such a fervently Zionistic song. But I do recall that it was not the only song my father sang.

I see before my eyes a cold, winter night; snow falling, shutters on the double boarded windows waving and heaving fearlessly. We children are huddled in front of the oven trying to keep warm despite the frozen tiled walls. On the other side of the room the old fashioned clock with its weighty pendulum creaks hoarsely. Our spirits are heavy and forlorn. Suddenly, Father, who has been lost in a big book of Gemora jumps up and starts to sing. “The moon is out and shining, the stars sparkle….my old book is open before me…a voice is heard and promises my people that they will be as numerous as the stars in the sky…” A delicious sense of comfort and sweetness begins to flow through my body and limbs, and awakens a longing in my soul as all of us dreamily sing along.

And will I ever be able to forget Friday nights at our house? What a spiritual atmosphere- the house clean and sparkling, the table covered with a clear white tablecloth, Father making Kiddush with his rich voice, Mother, may she rest in peace, and all of us children with our glowing faces, standing around the richly laden Sabbath table, responding “Amen”. Mother's gefilte fish had the taste of paradise, her own baked khale, the soup, everything – so delicious – and the Sabbath songs? Father sang and we, his orchestra, supported him.

Outside, a crowd of people who'd gone out for a walk, stopped in front of our window, mesmerized by the Friday night songs. Saturday morning, after a cup of chickory and a bite of honey biscuit, we'd be off for prayers at “Tefirast Bakhorim”, a sort of Young Israel which was organized by the youth of Koydenov, with my Father as the spiritual leader. The supplicants, mostly young men, would get together at Reb Avrohom Itche Rosevitziki's home. The atmosphere was joyous. Noakh Rozevitzki would read the Torah, his reading beautiful, in the homiest fashion. I can still hear it as if it were yesterday. My Father prayed the Musaf service in his unique way, everyone shook hands heartily – Good Shabbes! Good Shabbes! And we'd be off for home. I can practically see Rebzevitz Street, Farabotzk Street, Vilna Street, Old and New Minsk Streets, the broad market place and its shops. We'd pass the shul yard and see people leaving various shuls – the big Shul, the new Shul, the “shtibl”, people running by, Taleysim under their arms, or still wearing them; everyone greeting one another, rushing home to enjoy the delicious Sabbath foods…

Shabbes afternoon, a beautiful summery afternoon, people would walk to the enchanted looking hills on the outskirts of town. The old castle with its walls cast a fright on my childish mind. They somehow looked as if they had ancient secrets to tell. We would spend many happy hours surrounded by nature and return home happy with the world.

And do I ever remember Simkhas-Torah in our town? Not completely, but I well remember the way the crowd would gather at our house on Shmini Atzeret. It was sort of a community feast. Right before the holiday, various delicacies would be brought to our house. My mother, may she rest in peace, loved people and she would beamingly greet everyone who came in. Right after Musaf on Shmini Atzeret, people would start coming to our house. Everyone sat quite democratically at the table in the living room which was kept for special occasions. There were no status seekers among the men of Tiferet Bakhorim. Everyone ate and drank together, singing Simkhas Torah songs. Father's “From God's Mouth Israel will be Blessed” and “May God be Great” were especially popular, with special Sephardic melodies that Father allowed himself to sing just that one time a year.

We ate, drank, sang, danced, and jumped around until we didn't know if it were Shmini Atzeret or Simkhas Torah! At that point we would get ready to go to Shul for Simkhas Torah “Hakufot” (Ed: 7 Circular ceremonial dances with the Torah). The strongest men in the crowd would link hands, creating a chair of sorts, and cart my Father off to Shul….

Yes, whenever I think about the beautiful brotherhood of Tiferet Bakhorim, I think that even today's modern Young Israels could learn a thing or two from us. It seems to me that the young people of Koydenov were not that culturally deprived at all.

Furthermore, I want to say that Father's Khumash and TaNaKH classes, under the auspices of Tiferet Bakhorim, were very well attended. Not only did the young men stream in to hear a Dvar Torah at night after work, but the older gentlemen and even the rabbi, Reb Shmuel Nakhum, of blessed memory, used to come hear and observe with the greatest pleasure as the young people practically inhaled a chapter of TaNaKH or Khumash, as only my father (The Rov Yitzkhak Kravitz) could deliver……

[Page 33]

My Return Home

by Avraham Reisen

Translated by Lillian Leavitt

Wandering, roaming My alienated life was spent, Weary and downhearted, The many years went… Oh, those great cities With their avenues and broad streets Their gigantic looming buildings Made me yearn for my shtetl, insignificant and sweet. My beloved shtetl, Her narrow streets, struggling to survive, Tiny houses, poor and precious Crooked graves, wonderfully alive. Yes, graves! Tugging and beckoning My heart to the old cemetery, Oh how many memories Lay hidden there for me. Deeply buried, yet I will unearth them and sing. Reconnect with the dead And revel in the joy they bring. So, I left that great world Speedily, as if on wings To my shtetl where I would find My cradle and other childhood things. 2. I knew you at once, dearest shtetl. You hadn't changed very much. I recognized your streets, The market stalls that I'd touched. Oh, how sad you looked now: Houses grown quite old Dust filled window panes, Dark, forlorn and cold. Khayim Leyzer's house- where is it? With its balcony wrapping around Good times, friends, family singing, Happy laughter, joyous sound. Ever so rich was Khayim Leyzer, A true master of his home, A home well appointed, Two young daughters of his own. I recall the oldest, Bayle, With her large dark eyes. They emanated laughter, Always took me by surprise. I'd often go to that balcony To sit on a summer's night With those girls, the beauties, Mocking, joking, left and right. Their laughter used to ring out Like the song of the evening bird, Oh where are you dear daughters? Why isn't your laughter heard? Bad times! Khayim Leyzer Fell into poverty. He had to send his daughters To America, across the sea. This is what my mother recalled, Her eyes, red and teary: “My two happy birdies Went on a journey, long and weary.” Wringing her hands, she slowly spoke, “See what's happened to their home, To that balcony; it all has broke.” 3. Nor did I forget the schoolyard Where we learned and prayed. I gazed at it from afar Because up close I was too afraid… I recognized the poor children, Barefoot, ragged, downcast. Touched by their alienation My heart spoke out fast: “Oh you Torah learning children, I see you through damp eyes spent. You're not carrying books in wooden yokes Why are your backs so bent?” “Which difficult burdens twist Your backbones which are young still? Is the Torah too much for you? Or is it the lack of food that slowly does kill?” But they never did respond, Not understanding amidst the humdrum, Simply staring, eyes wondering: Where did this stranger's concern come from? Oh, the poor and orphaned Have never known anything mild, Only screams, blows, and beatings, Not tenderness for a child. 4. I wanted to see our old shul, So I entered that special site. Oh, how warm and friendly Everyone greeted me that night. Both the friend and the stranger Extended his right hand to me The “Sholem Aleykhem” in his eyes Was evident and clear to see. I recognized my poor brethren, Among them Khayim Bern; He was my former teacher With whom I used to learn. Seeing his deeply wrinkled brow I asked “How are you, dear Rebbe? What are you doing these days in shul? Do you still teach students like me?” I saw that something was amiss; My senses felt his message reaching. Had he become very rich? Was he, therefore, no longer teaching? “Dearest Son!” He replied at once “No, I'm not rich at all, But yes, I'm no longer teaching, Our town has taken a fall.” Dearest Son, our fellow Jews Have had troubles more and more It's no longer like it used to be No one cares to study as before. Nowadays boys just learn Simple prayers, a few blessings made. By the time they reach bar mitzvah They're off to learn a trade. “So what are you doing dearest Rebbe How do you earn a living?” My son, I've sold my little house And to marriage, my daughter I'm giving. You recall my little house, Rundown and a rebuild it did need Nonetheless my heart aches as I remember All that happened there, in mind and deed. Foolish recollections! Yes, I had to sell… Do you remember my young bride? Although so many years have passed Our talk awakens old memories inside… She really was quite a substantial girl, But that didn't take care of the table. Beauty without money Doesn't make life stable. Well, for a tradesman, maybe… “So what do you do daily, dear Rebbe?” Afternoons, I sip on Kabala… “No - I mean to make ends meet…” “Don't ask my son, Don't worry, fret or rue. With God's help, I manage Just as all the others do.” 5. Further into the shul, off in a corner A boy managed to seclude himself. With great feeling and great passion He stood and wrote, as if in stealth. I looked him over, skin and bones His cheeks sunken and drawn Features barely present, Only eyes sparkling like a fawn I eased over to him, Asked, “What are you writing, dear?” He was embarrassed and frightened And trembled as I stood near. “Nothing,” he barely answered “I simply like to draft, So I make pictures of the great ones.” I pray and do my craft. At home, it's dark and crowded Crying babies make drawing unstable, So I stand here in the shul And sketch “Cain kills Able”. The doctor saw my work And on my behalf pled my case To have me study and learn, My talent not to waste. My father simply laughed At what the good doctor said. “Send my son to school? Maybe I should learn to dance instead.” 6. I left the shul sadly. Grieved, I walked out the door. Full of heartache, full of worry, Filled with foolish wishes my heart bore. I took to walking On and on… to try to forget The depth of pain That into my soul had set. Profoundly lost in sadness, I came to the river bank. Wrapped in an old time shiver Onto my knees I sank. “Greetings, Dearest River, Oh how I've longed for you; I've stood before mightier waters But I knew where my heart was true.” Peaceful and quiet is your flow; There are no waves breaking rounds. Your ships are rags floating, Signs of poverty that abounds. In the summer, in your waters Anyone can find deep pleasure. Were you to dry up completely, Heaven forbid, we'd lose this treasure… In winter, your waters become icy Covered with snow are your banks But I will always love you Dearest River, Never cease bestowing thanks. True, I've seen rivers Where waves toss and heave Where waters are tough and mighty But you, I can never leave. Yes, to you I've always been drawn. I've stood on your shores with my pain I've watched the mothers from town Wash family clothes, and hum a sad refrain. As I think of my mother, My eyes fill with tears. Take them and use them, Dearest River And you'll stay filled throughout the years… 7. Coming home to grandfather's Which was where I laid my head, Where grandma wanted to greet me But lectured me instead: “Where in the world have you been? Did you totally forget about us? Did you come back only To eat, thinking that I wouldn't fuss…?” “Well, of course I forgive you.” She lovingly added to say: “A young man wants to roam To find life in his own way. I was also young once And I also loved to play Oh, the hours I spent walking, Never tired at the end of a day.” Now… it's over, existing only in memory, But see, I've over spoken, totally lost in thought While you stand here starving, About your hunger I forgot! How I loved the flavors Of Grandma's simple meal. Her schmaltz and radish were quite delicious No better could I feel. Laugh if you will, friends About this very simple fare, I stand by my taste: Schmaltz and radish, I do swear! “A bit of meat…” - grandma added softly, “Don't worry, don't be concerned. You'll never find anything so delicious No matter how much you might have earned.” The butchers complain and argue, Try to play it safe. The meat they've prepared for Sabbath The rabbi has deemed “treyf”. The butchers grumble, common and coarse; They don't know the laws; they've little schooling. How can they pretend to be pious And want to ignore the rabbi's ruling? 8. Shabbes morning I was off With my grandfather to shul To the very same place Where once with my heart full, I prayed as a child standing Next to my father and his prayerbook. I remember those days with joy And my heart rejoices as I look And feel as if God's angels Were stroking and kissing my face In this very same shul In this very same place. I look up ahead and see the altar Where the cantor stood and sang, His woefully sweet voice Full of prayer to the Almighty rang. Oh how passionately did that cantor sing, Assisted simply by one young fellow. So why is the cantor mournful? Does he find his assistant too mellow? Why are his tenor tones straining In his prayers and devotions? Perhaps his schnapps was hard to come by Or did the gabbi short his quotient? Why does he spread his arms, As if entreating all who pray and sing? Perhaps he's lamenting because he knows The cemetery is what Elul will bring. Once the cantor ended Singing his heart out completely The gabbi started selling Aliyas fast and sweetly. Just as always… Moshe's Torah is being sold From the high altar For a ruble, or a little gold. The sixth Aliya still gets the most With its sky-high price. While the Fourth and the Fifth Take bids that really don't suffice. And yes, Reb Ber still takes a fancy To the Sixth, even today As he walks from the alter Pompously leading the way, Patting his round belly Putting on airs before he takes his seat As if he were saying: “Gentlemen, the Sixth Aliya is quite a treat For me, a man of means. I am, after all, Reb Ber And I am all that I seem.” The cobblers and tailors, Watch him and envy his status and money Wondering when their time Will come to also taste a bit of honey. Why are they fated To spend their lives in need? Even the sweetest part of Torah Can't be theirs to read. 9. Sunday morning, off I went To the market, here and there To look around and observe How life for my people was unfair. Yes, that market full of mud Was what we had been given. Yet were that muddy market to be lost To our end, we'd be driven… Among the many merchants There was only one I could recognize Could it really be Rokhel Who had been both beautiful and wise? Rokhel, Rokhel, on my word! I immediately recognized her face. Although she'd changed quite a bit It was surely her… without her lace. I remembered those perfect eyes Their glances sharp as arrows. Could this be she standing here? Those eyes now full of sorrows! Rokhel - a shopkeeper - tell me how Did this all happen to you? You used to read so many books, Believed good things would come true. I remember the dreams you entrusted to me When I walked with you as a boy, You dreamt of a world full of flowers, Of a future filled with joy. How did you come to be here? Your free, lithe soul covered in armor As you sit in this dark crowded shop, Your beautiful eyes, awaiting your farmer… Your tender voice that used to sing A sweet romantic song Is now hoarse and tired Haggling with customers all day long. She responded terribly sadly “The past is gone, as well as the time. I once was foolish, hoped and believed, That all I imagined would truly be mine.” My spirit was full, my dreams vast My heart knew there was nothing I couldn't do What I didn't know was how The limits were drawn for me as a Jew… So the years went quickly by As I grew older and older And the passions of a bold girl Grew steadily colder and colder. I heard the women in town whispering About my aging, about my fate. I felt myself wither more each day. My heart feared it would soon be late… I heard it all and silently wept Vowing to marry quickly before My youth was completely gone, Before I had lost it all and more. Yes, I had to -my good mother Needed to see the fruits of her life “To spite our enemies, my darling child, Become a mother and a wife.” Mother lived to reap the pride and joy She had waited for so very long Now, he - works in town by the hour, And I - keep the shop, Sweep the flour and sell the flour. Very little joy, my dearest shtetl, Did I find in my return. The little charm you once held for me Has long ago waned and worn. I ached and longed for you, from afar. Finally I returned to see you again, I found you so much poorer now Than you were, for me then. ones scream, So I sit here with this work I hold.

[Pages 54-63]

The Koidanover Rebbe, Reb Areleh

by M. Ivenski

Translated by Pamela Russ

I am not from Koidanov, but I was there many times. In Koidanov, there lived the very prominent rebbe, Rebbe Areleh. Yes, he was great in prominence, but small in physical stature. His influence on his khassidim was tremendous. Even though it's been at least fifty-four years since I have been with him, still his influence has not yet completely worn off. Once a khassid, always a khassid.

The khassidim would not say that they were going to see the Rebbe; they would say that they were going to Koidanov. The town of Koidanov in itself held a piece of holiness. That which Jerusalem once was to all the Jews, Koidanov was to all the khassidim who took to the roads to see their rebbes who had settled in Koidanov. And if the number of khassidim in Koidanov was not really large - since the numbers couldn't really grow in Lithuania - they were certainly huge in quality. Koidanov khassidus was a new direction, even in the intellectual Lithuanian khassidus.

I remember Koidanov very well. Naturally, in the merit of the Rebbe, I was in Koidanov as a young boy, when the “light of God” still lit up my soul, and the impressions were still fresh in my mind. My father, may he rest in peace, a fiery Koidanov khassid…

[Page 55]

… would go to the Rebbe and would take along his children, the boys, even before bar mitzvah age, to celebrate the first time they would put on tefillin, and to entice them into the world of doing mitzvos. And the mitzvah of greeting the Rebbe himself, was the biggest one of all. By doing this mitzvah, my father wanted to implant the spirit into his children's hearts, and give them something that would protect them from evil winds. And maybe he wasn't so wrong in his thinking.

I was in Koidanov several times, and even once after I had been reading non-kosher (non-Jewish, popular, fiction) books. The Rebbe forbade the reading of these books, but he wasn't alone with this - also the Russian police forbade reading these types of books. Once, I even had a disagreement with the Rebbe. At the time, I didn't realize it, but now I think the Rebbe won the dispute…

I see Koidanov before my eyes. The city, or the town, had a unique charm. In America, the cities seem to be molded from one form, as the saying goes: “All the Greeks have one face.” (Alle Yevonim hobn eyn ponim.) But the old Jewish cities and towns that are - woe is to us - no longer here, each had an individual face. Each city had its own physiognomy, a face filled with its own distinctions.

Maybe Koidanov looks so charming to me now because we would go to the Rebbe to lift our souls. As far as I can remember, there was no train station in Koidanov, only a stop over (polstanok). The train would stop there for only one minute. For Rosh Hashannah a few hundred khassidim would take advantage of this train. From the stop over place to the town was a few viorst (slightly longer than a kilometer), and on a few trips there were many minyanim (quorums of ten men). Some would go on foot. The road to the town would be filled with khassidic songs - old songs, new songs, songs such as the Koidanov “Yismekhu be'malkhuskho,” and other songs. And so, we are what we are, and we are khassidim. In such as state of exaltation, probably each tree looks like the aishel Avrohom (lit: Abraham's orchard, referring to the tree under which Abraham the Patriarch sat and learned); each hut as ohel Yitzkhak (Isaac's tent); and every structure as Jacob's ladder that goes straight to heaven. This was the road to the Rebbe. But even without this, I do remember that Koidanov had its own charm, and is a city that has left strong impressions.

The city itself, with the few winding streets, with the market, with …

[Page 56]

… the batei medrashim (houses of study), and (to separate, le'havdil) the tall, white church, no matter how interesting she was, was only the “corridor” to the “heavenly palace.” And in those years, the Rebbe's court was a lot more important than the most beautiful palace.

In the center of the Rebbe's court, was the little khassidic synagogue (shteibel), the Rebbe's shul. Near to that was the residence of the honored Rebbe himself. In the Rebbe's court, the Rebbetzen (his wife), a heavy-set, attractive, respected woman, would distribute honey cake after the prayers were completed. Around the residence of the Rebbe lived his married children, three sons and two daughters. In those years that I was in Koidanov, the sons lived in separate houses: Reb Yoisef'ke, who later became a Rav, Reb Nekhemiah'le, and Reb Berele. I don't exactly remember the names of Reb Areleh's two sons-in-law. I do remember that one had a handsome black beard, and the other was still a young man, too young to even have sprouted a beard. He had long, wavy side curls (peyos) that reached his shoulders. He had come from Poland, and I think his name was Reb Zalman'ke. Reb Areleh also had another son, an unusual one, Reb Shlomo Khaim'ke, still a young boy. The khassidim used to say that this boy's soul came from the same well as that of the Baal Shem Tov (the founder of the khassidic movement). This boy, Reb Shlomo Khaim'ke, died young, while Reb Areleh was still alive.

Yes, I remember Koidanov very well, and I confess that it is imprinted in my heart. When I found out that a book was to be published about the history of Koidanov, the spirit of the Koidanov khassidim in general awakened in me, and more specifically, the spirit of Reb Areleh himself. And a deep wish befell me to write about Reb Areleh of Koidanov on my own level. So I approached the prominent residents of Koidanov, such as Avrom Reisen, with the intention of writing about Reb Areleh from my own perspective. Reisen approved of my plan, so I will attempt to give a description of the famous Rebbe according to the description of someone who lost himself in another route in life, but who remembers the Rebbe's gatherings very clearly.

In relation to this plan …

[Page 57]

… I received a letter from Rav Naftoli Tzvi Glikman, may he live long, a son-in-law of Reb Nekhemia, of blessed memory. Rav Glikman holds the esteemed position of being the chief Rav of Koidanov, and is referred to as the Sosnowice-Koidanov Rebbe.

I tremble from this letter that is, by the way, written in a beautiful, rich Yiddish. Here are a few lines.

“… On the recommendation of our prominent fellow countryman Reb Avrohom Reisen, … I would like to introduce myself. I understand that our friend and khassid Reb Zalman Leyb Ivenski from Slonim is from your family, and because you are undertaking to write about my great father-in-law, Rav Aharon of Koidanov, we can supply you with all kinds of details which his close friend, without me even knowing him, Naftoli Tzvi Glikman, knows as well.

Yes, Reb Zalman Leyb Ivenski, who was head of the community in Slonim, was my older brother. I did not attain the level of khassidus (piety) that my brother did, the one who had the dream that Reb Aharon had passed on. I was raised in a khassidic atmosphere and remember many details about Reb Aharon, may his memory be blessed. I thank the leader Rav Naftali Tzvi Glikman very much for his wish to meet me, and very soon I will make use of this very friendly invitation. But I would like to write about the great Reb Aharon without the influence of the sons of the holy one. I would like to describe the Rebbe, as an ordinary person, of flesh and blood, as I understood him.

****

Reb Areleh of Koidanov actually descends from the holy Baal Shem Tov (the founder of the khassidic movement in the 1700s). The golden chain for the Koidanov Jews began with Reb Mordekhai Lekhewiczer, who died in the year 5571 (1811). The dates may not be completely reliable.

Reb Mordekhai Lekhewiczer, of blessed memory, is a descendent of Lithuanian khassidim. Reb Shloime Karliner had a great influence on Reb Lekhwiczer, whose disciples were Reb Uri Strelisker, whom they called the Seraf (holy angel), Reb Yehuda Tzvi Strettiner, and Reb Mordekhai Lekhwiczer.

[Page 58]

Rebbe Mordekhai Lekhwiczer didn't only make the system of Reb Shloime Karliner accessible to the people, but he also mixed in a new system: The most important thing for him was self-sacrifice and prayer. He told the story about a legendary bird that sang so beautifully, it lost its own soul through the music. “That's the type of self-sacrifice that we must have when we pray,” Reb Mordekhai would say.

Reb Mordekhai's son was Reb Noakh Lekhwiczer (according to the information in the archives, he died in the year 5594 [1834]). Reb Noakh started yet another road in khassidus. When someone close to him asked him why he doesn't follow his father's ways, he replied: “Of course I'm following my father's ways! He chose a new direction in khassidus, and that's what I am doing.” A thought that Reb Noakh used to love to repeat was: “You're not allowed to fool anyone. You can't fool God, and the one who fools others, himself remains a fool.”

A nephew of Reb Noakh was Reb Shloime Khaim. He is the first in the Koidanov golden chain. Reb Shloime Khaim used to say to his children: “Don't think that your father was a zaddik (righteous man) or a benevolent Jew; but I was never a liar. The only thing that I did want to be was an honest Jew, and that is what I strove for.”

The Rebbes of Koidanov also had a new direction in khassidus. The main thing for them was love for God, and love for fellow man. Love to God, and love to Jews. The Koidanov khassidim used to say: “The Rebbe's miracles were not the greatest things for us; it was especially when the miracles did not occur, that we first understand the greatness of the Rebbe.” About miracles they would say: “Only the children of Kham (Adam's son) look for miracles.”

The Koidanov khassidim may not have looked for miracles, but Reb Shloim'ke, the grandson of Reb Shloime Khaim, said in his book Divrei Shalom, that his grandfather talked down an angel. So the question arises, how can you beat an angel? So a miracle like that, it turns out, is actually very strange…

[Page 59]

…but there must be some truth in that since even angels are punished for bothering the Jews.

Reb Shloime Khaim's son was Reb Borukh Mordekhai. The Koidanov khassidim would call Reb Shloime Khaim the “Senior (Alter) Rebbe,” and Reb Borukh Mordekhai, the Middle Rebbe. The ruling Rebbe in those days as far as I can remember was Reb Areleh. In those years, he was called the Rebbe Shlit'a (may he have long years), meaning he was alive then. As far as I can remember, they would say “Reb Areleh, may he live.”

Rebbe Areleh had a brother, Reb Shloime'ke who lived in Lida. His book (sefer) mentioned above “Divrei Shalom” (words of peace) had the accreditation from the great Rebbe of Lida, the one who was revered by the other rabbis, the genius (Hagaon) Reb Mordekhai Meltzer. Reb Shloim'ke, a man of integrity, and was the rabbi in several cities in Volyn. For the teachers who were under Reb Mordekhai Lekhwiczer, the most important thing was praying, but learning Torah was also a great thing. Reb Shloim'ke was a rabbi of many cities. The Koidanov Rebbe, Reb Areleh was a genius in reading. Even the non-khassidic rabbis acknowledged this. The main thing was that he was smart … a world scholar.

My goal is not to tell of the miracles that the khassidim would tell of Reb Areleh. As Y.L. Peretz (a Yiddish writer and storyteller) titled one of his stories, “Oyb Nisht Nokh Hekher” (If Not Even Higher), the truth is that the stories I know from the Rebbe are much higher than any supernatural miracle. The Koidanov khassidim used to say that if the Rebbe would not have preformed any miracles, one would know even more so how great he was.

Reb Areleh had to have an operation on, as his khassidim said, a “fist” (growth) on his cheek. The growth had to be removed by a surgeon. The Rebbe took no anesthesia. For the entire duration of the operation, the Rebbe did not utter a single groan. The surgeon was amazed. “This is not a human being; this is an angel!” the surgeon cried.

When they told the Rebbe the tragic news that his youngest son, Reb Shloime Khaim, whom he loved the most of all his children, had died. It was actually on a Shabbos.

[Page 60]

At that time, the Rebbe was conducting a tisch (a gathering with his khassidim at a “table” [tisch]), he became angry at the khassid who brought him the news. He said: “Nu, nu, it's Shabbos!” (One is not permitted to bear bad tidings on Shabbos, nor is one permitted to mourn or show any signs of mourning.) The Rebbe continued to conduct his gathering. The death of his son most likely brought his own death closer, but Shabbos is a day when one is not permitted to be sad. [So he carried on.]

The Koidanov khassidim had their own special Yom Tov (holiday), the 27^th day of Shevat. On that day, Reb Areleh was freed from a conspiracy of being handed over to the police, just as the Lubavitcher Reb Shloime (Schneur) Zalman. They said of Reb Areleh that he was a rebel (traitor to the government). It cost the khassidim a lot of many to get the best lawyers. One khassid, by the name of Moishe Kiever, brought in the then famous lawyer Kupernik. But it wasn't necessary. The Rebbe himself, with poise and intelligent responses through an interpreter, made a powerful impression in the judge and jury. After little deliberation, the Rebbe was freed even before the lawyers had the opportunity to speak.

Among the Koidanov khassidim and during Reb Areleh's times, there were some colorful khassidim. There was a tallis (prayer shawl) -maker from Vilna, Reb Mikhel Friedman, as holy as a Kabbalist, who was an expert on all religious philosophy books, and knew the Kuzari [one of most famous works of the medieval Spanish Jewish philosopher Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, completed around 1140; presents a dialogue between King Bulan of the Khazars and a rabbi] by heart, along with Khovos Halevovos [Duties of the Heart, the primary work of the Jewish philosopher and rabbi Bahya ibn Paquda, who lived in Spain in the first half of the eleventh century]. Aside from that, he also learned the Shaar Hayikhud [Gate of Unity, written by Rebbe Dov Ber, the middle Lubavitch Rebbe, late 1700s], something which the khassidim no longer learned (it was destroyed in Minsk by the Bolsheviks as a book that discussed plots and conspiracies). Reb Meyer Smorganer, the brother of Vernik the editor of the Morgen Zhurnal (newspaper) - Vernik remained a Koidanov khassid - was also a great scholar and Kabbalist. But, he was more of a politician than scholar. Reb Zalman Kiever, a wealthy man, would give much money to the Rebbe. The most interesting khassid was Reb Aron Kasyoiker. This was a Jew who was a genius in all branches of science and philosophy and was nonetheless a fiery Koidanov khassid. He was a type like Dr. Aron Marcus of Hamburg (early 1900s, fervent Zionist who tried to encourage the Orthodox to move to Israel). Reb Areleh would say of him that he extracted the fine from the coarse. This Reb Kasyoiker was a heretic as a young man and that the Rebbe brought him back to a good mindset is a fact. I don't know what happened to this interesting individual.

[Page 61]

If Reb Areleh would have this type of khassidim today, one can imagine from “which dough these khassidim would have been kneaded.” The Rebbe was a small, thin man, with eyes that would see right through to the soul. He had a magnetic capacity to hypnotize his khassidim.

The traditions of Reb Mordekhai were very dear. First, he was very devout in his prayers, which actually penetrated you. He would say Petach Eliyahu (a kabbalistic prayer said primarily by Sefardim) the philosophical piece of the Zohar (the central book of Kabbalah), with an extraordinary sweetness. “You, God, are One, but not according to mathematical calculations; You are the reason for all reasons, and the most mysterious of all mystical ways, and with all our thoughts, we can't even begin to comprehend you. Today, the piece of the Zohar, “ke'gavno”and how sweet were the words: “…as the Shabbos arrives” (kad ayil shabbato), “…and the faces are illuminated with a higher light” (ve'anpeho nehirin be'zehiru ayil ponai). All the khassidim were illuminated with this type of light when the Rebbe took Shabbos upon himself.

The Rosh Hashanah prayers were another thing entirely. The khassidim would sell their goats to be able to go to the Koidanov Rebbe. Forget about how many of the khassidim came on foot!

On Rosh Hashanah there were several hundred khassidim. The little shul (shteibel) in Koidanov, as far as I remember, was not that big, but people managed and crowded in. khassidim used to say that in the Koidanov shteibel, the same miracle happened as did in the Temple - there was very little space to move, but when the people had to bow down in prayer, there was enough space to prostrate oneself completely.

After maariv (evening prayers) on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, Reb Areleh would pass through each row of khassidim and in a quiet voice, he would strongly say a few times: “Jews, a happy and sweet year, and a peaceful and long life.” And all the khassidim would respond in one voice: “To you too!”

[Page 62]

This resonated incredibly in my young ears, just as soldiers would answer to their commander: “Pleased to take orders from you!”

The first night of Rosh Hashanah, Reb Areleh would not have his tisch (gathering with his khassidim). There were long tables, there was food, and the khassidim would grab the leftover foods (shirayim) from one another, not from the Rebbe (as is done at all other gatherings of rebbes and their khassidim). This “grabbing” stays with my in my stomach. In general, I'm not one who grabs anything, and the first time on Rosh Hashanah in Koidanov, I walked away hungry. The organizer of this event found a piece of cold fish and a glass of milk for me. I remembered the holiday foods back home, and my heart constricted. But, I didn't cry. After all, I'm in Koidanov!

The Rebbe prayed mussaf, the afternoon services. It was all tears and pleas, and in the middle of this, the khassidim would burst into song: “…and we will all come to serve you, God.” The Rebbe would sit down, and the khassidim would do a dance (hupka), so in our towns we called the khassidim “skokunkes” (race horses, gallopers).

Reb Areleh had an incredible influence on his khassidim. There sits a khassid and is crying. He has come to the Rebbe with a heavy heart. He is sick, and weighed down by poverty and other problems. He is crying and cannot eat even one bite. The Rebbe approaches the khassid and says: “Eli asked of Khana, 'Why are you crying and why are you not eating?' A problem can be broken either with tears or with food. Why have you chosen the means of crying? Go eat something.” The khassid went to eat something and his depression left him.

Rebbe Areleh of Koidanov did not allow any depression near him. He was always joyous and light with his words, even though he had many problems. Generally, Reb Areleh loved a spicy joke, a joke that would burn like fire.

When a Rav asked him why no tachanun (mournful prayer of supplication said regularly except on holidays and festive events) is said when the Rebbe comes, the Rebbe replied because when the Rebbe comes to town, it's like a circumcision with the Rebbe “cutting up” his khassidim [with his words and presence]. Then it becomes an issue of loss of monies. After that joke, he became serious…

[Page 63]

… and said that according to kabbalistic interpretations, nowadays one doesn't have to recite takhanun at all. Because it is “Friday night” (figuratively), the end of the 6000 years [according to kabbala, that is the length of the world's intended existence], soon the ultimate Shabbos will be here. We are now in the times of the Messiah (Moshiakh).

Reb Yoisef'ke, his son, told the following joke in his father's name: When [Theodore] Herzl introduced Zionism, Reb Areleh was still alive. Reb Areleh listened to one of Herzl's followers. He sighed and said: “Yes, the times of the Messiah have definitely arrived. When a groom is going under the canopy (chuppa), the white doves go ahead of him. If the good-for-nothings run away, it's a sign that they are already taking the groom to the ultimate wedding ceremony (metaphor for the final redemption of the Jews by the Messiah). The groom is on his way, one can already hear the Messiah's steps.

Reb Areleh was very sharp with this humor. Once, a Rav was telling over some dialectics of Torah. The khassidim weren't impressed and didn't want to hear this. So, the Rebbe said: “Let him finish. He doesn't want to transgress on the law of 'one is not permitted to hold oneself back [one must go to the bathroom if one feels the urge].”

This witty, warm Reb Areleh was one of the greatest khassidic Rebbes. Koidanov khassidus established a new direction. It is a fine blend of Torah and religious practice. Reb Areleh of Koidanov breathed a new spirit of life into Lithuanian khassidus.

[Page 81]

This poem and song is made for singing Friday nights. a. We want the holy Sabbath To begin with joy and respect, To dress him in splendor We will not neglect. Good food, good drink, that God has bestowed Neither pain nor anger to be heard or shown, Only Torah study to honor our loving God. b. This is how our people should rejoice: Engaging the Sabbath with the very best, Being happy and joyful on this day As God gives us bounty and rest. Good beer, fine wine we will put out Good meat, tasty fish prepared on time, And beautiful candles lit throughout. *************************** Sing this song Shabbes morning with no worries in mind. The Sabbath day is a splendid bride Therefore gather together All of our people, old and young Give praise to and greet our God. The Sabbath day is queen of the land, Dearest God of mine, Everything of yours is at hand. There is only one light that shines on All we own and possess. *************************** Sing this song as the Sabbath departs The holy Sabbath is a wonderful repose When man receives a second elevated soul Which a righteous man can feel, And then, after Sabbath leaves him again. Dear God, you honor the whole world. Because of you we are secure Knowing our daily bread will be provided. We ask only that our sustenance From your hand be guided And not from the hand of mortals As that would embarrass and shame us.

[Pages 86-89]

My Father

by Avraham Reisen

Translated by Lillian Leavitt

I wrote about that event many years later in my story “Flax”, adding some imaginary details. As a Socialist, of course, I took up the cause of the weaker side – my father – and exaggerated, as you might expect, the capriciousness of the rich merchant, Moteh Singer.

I remember my father's, may he rest in peace, unsuccessful business ventures – first, flax, then linseed, then oats, which in the beginning did rise, become more expensive and in my father's further opinion would rise still more to even a ruble a pood (ED: Russian measure of weight). In any case, that's how he interpreted the daily trajectory in the Hebrew newspaper “HaMelitz” – and coincidently, it actually rose that high. But my father believed that it would rise even more, until the price of oats – it being right before Passover- started to fall, lower and lower, until it fell back to its original price of the previous year.….

I still remember those times when my father used to sigh at night, and in his anquish, not be able to fall asleep. He would eventually get up in the middle of the night and so, as to not wake up the family which was still sleeping, write by the light of the small lamp – write poems in Yiddish.… In the morning, not well rested but very happy with his creations, he'd read them aloud to Mother and to us older children. Mother would beam at every poem; her critique was very mild. Furthermore, she wanted to soothe the great stress he was going through because of his financial losses in the oats deal, which she also felt terrible about. It was, actually, no small matter. They had simply been trying to eke out a livelihood and ended up losing over 500 rubles – an entire dowry for their then already grown, although only 16 year old daughter, Rivke.

Of all the Yiddish poems that he wrote in those sleepless nights around 1886, I, a boy of about 9 or 10, later remembered and do to this day, the poem “Hamavdil Ben Kodesh Lkhavel”. I remembered those poems even when I got to Kovno. There in Kovno , as a soldier and a musician, I collected Yiddish folksongs. Wanting to do my father a favor, I included among my collected songs, my father's “Hamavdil”, with his signature, in Russian, alongside the name of the collector. Otherwise it would not have been a folksong, but rather the poem of an individual.

As I recall it, my father, may he rest in peace, was very pleased with that. He saw one of his songs, yes, true that it was in Yiddish, i.e,, jargon, which in his time, being a Hebraist, was no great honor - but nonetheless, published! My father was a wise man, very wise, with very sharp refined sensibilities, but the strong desire to be published was there for him. And he had been published – in Hebrew. He had had a great number of poems published which were excellent by any standards.

Photo
Kalman Reyzen

[Pages 125-128]

Homey Songs

by S. Chester*

Translated by Lillian Leavitt

“The New Land” (America) I don't know who I am… Not brought here by the Mayflower. Nor did my ancestral seed Take root in this soil. The long chain of heritage Snapped apart stretching Somewhere in a far off land With a name I do not know. So here I am - a link in a chain That flew with mighty force And landed on your shore. As fresh and succulent As your earth am I, Watching my children rise To heaven like pine trees to the sky, I unroll fresh new links, strong and able. My grandfather sat in his tiny shul; I wander among the hills Chasing deer and sparrow hawk. Like a spring in a knoll, I amble across valleys Picking and pitching colored rocks, Catching tiny fish in a stream. While feathers of the eagle I weave into my hair. And to the hills and valleys I pay the debt of generations.

Picture on pg. 128 is captioned “S. Chester”.

[Pages 147-150]

To Koydenov, my dear hometown I still keep a cord tied Attached to a cradle there Standing peacefully by a side. Pictures of childhood long ago Deep in my memory remain Sounds of your lake, your hills, your valley Ring a constant refrain. I see the market with the church in place Shops planted as if a garden. I see the schoolyard with its water well I see the public bathhouse, if I may beg your pardon. Ordinary people walk your streets Not to buy or sell anything. They're off to shul to pray and bow To bless God, to joyously sing. Now autumn has arrived, With hard work and worry at every morrow. We strive to earn our bread, More easily, without loans to borrow. Along with autumn comes the mud, When fields lay barren and unsown The weighty footsteps of water carriers Can be heard beneath the carriers' groan. Yes, I see you clearly, little town You're still my dream, you're not alone. Although vile depraved hands Ravaged you, leaving barely bone. I am pained to have been far away. And not have protected you. My mind is aflame, my heart ablaze, My soul demands its due. My hand can't shorten the distance Nor seize the cursed enemy. Nothing on earth I would not do To ease your pain and set you free. Once I walked in that place With childlike love and trust Now it calls, “Brother help me. Rebuild me, you must. ” Far gone is now the beastly enemy That tore my limbs apart. But help has come to cloak me And banish pain from my heart. Let life pull us up again, Feed troubled children from above Enmeshed in my being, Entwined in my love. Yes, everyone - without exception Will build life anew. Time will strengthen our souls Because nature has designed that too. The stream will flow again D reams I will weave once more For people and my children To live life as before.

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