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This section is an attempt to portray life in Horodlo through descriptions of some residents, their appearance and personalities, and some events of bygone days. These details can provide an idea of Jewish customs and social life in the town.

The people portrayed were not unusual. On the contrary, in their personalities and qualities they embody the Jews of Horodlo and their different classes and positions. Each person described below is typical of people in the same social position.

There was no one in Horodlo who could create an artistic depiction of the town and its residents. Similarly, those who contributed to this section are not professional writers, but wanted to follow the instructions in the Sayings of the Fathers: “In the place where there are no men, strive to be a man.”^[1] True to this maxim, these writers made efforts to recount and describe according to their storytelling abilities, and portray the figures of men and women who were characteristic of our beloved residents of Horodlo.

Thus, the descriptions in this section were written not only to represent particular persons, but to provide an idea of the entire community as well.

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1. Aryeh (Leybl) Zavidovich (may his memory be for a blessing) and his wife Zissele (may her memory be for a blessing), may God avenge their blood.

Leybl Zavidovich and his wife Zissele were considered to be some of the most interesting and central figures in Horodlo. Leybl was a rabbi's son-in-law, and his wife Zissele was the daughter of the local rabbi, Rabbi Yekutiel Gelernter, himself a descendant of great rabbis and a link in the golden chain of rabbis over 24 generations. These facts alone guaranteed their honored standing in the life of the town.

In addition to his family lineage, Leybl Zavidovich was remarkable for his personal aristocratic appearance. His face, that of a Torah scholar, was adorned with a long beard. He was distinguished for several noble qualities: handsomeness, wisdom, knowledge, kindness, and discernment. His righteous wife, Zissele, was renowned for her honesty and modesty, and was also exceptionally intelligent. She was considered a woman of refinement. It is therefore not surprising that their home was a gathering place for the local notables. People who sought good advice and instruction consulted the couple.

My grandfather and grandmother (may their memory be for a blessing) had a large, ramified family. They were deeply and extensively rooted in the past, and active in many different areas.

They themselves had eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom were gifted and who possessed fine character and qualities. The oldest was Levi-Yitzchak (may his memory be for a blessing), my father, who married Perl

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Arye (Leybl) Zavidovich and his wife Zissele

Biderman, my mother (may her memory be for a blessing). Second was Yosef, who moved to Ludmir after his marriage to Rokhl Fishl, a member of an important Ludmir family, whose father, Yeshayahu Fishl was a distinguished person. The third son, Yekutiel, moved to Warsaw after marriage. The fourth son, Fishl, also moved to Warsaw after marriage. The fifth son, Mordkhe (known as Motl Zavidovich), moved first to Lutsk following his marriage, and then to Lemberg.^[2] The daughters were Khaye, who married Note Perlmuter; Malke, who married Avner Tzuker and moved to Ludmir; and Khane, who married Moyshe Tenenboym.

My grandfather (may his memory be for a blessing) was an expert assessor of forests and classifier of wood – a very respectable profession in those days – and was permanently employed by the Heller brothers in Warsaw, who were forest owners and timber merchants. The Heller brothers valued my grandfather's knowledge and professionalism, and agreed to pay him his high salary in foreign currency (dollars).

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Because of his work, Grandfather spent long periods of time in Warsaw and other large cities, and would usually return home for longer vacations around the High Holidays. The time he spent in large cities, and his many other trips, to various cities, taught him urban mannerisms and gave him much experience in world affairs.

Naturally, whenever he appeared in Horodlo after many months in the world outside of the town, he made a great impression on the town, and caused much excitement in our household.

I remember the major preparations in Grandfather's house, in our house, and my uncles' houses, before his arrival. The day he arrived, we grandchildren were dressed in festive clothing, and ran towards him to greet him. With bated breath, we awaited Hershele Fraynd's cart, which had taken a special trip to the railroad station to bring Grandfather back home. He never returned empty-handed. We watched with curiosity as the large, heavy valises were heaved off the cart, and tried to guess which presents he had brought us.

The Hasids of his synagogue received him with deep respect. After greetings, they invited him to sit in a seat reserved for dignitaries, crowding around to hear the latest world news, as well as news from the Radzin Hasidic court. During the High Holidays, Grandfather was honored by chanting the prayers for dew and rain, as an expression of their respect and esteem.^[3]

The family customs in Grandfather's home were those of a refined, observant family of great lineage. I will never forget the mutual understanding, respect, and love between Grandfather and Grandmother. Their family life, calm and genteel, provided a paradigm and an example for the entire family.

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Grandfather and Grandmother were the undisputed authorities in the family, and their opinion was accepted without argument. As noted above, Grandfather's work caused him to spend months away from town. In his absence, we considered Grandmother, who was exceptionally intelligent and practical, to be the family's guide. They all had full confidence in her words and advice, which was always level-headed and prudent. Her home continued to serve as the gathering place for the entire family.

Even after the death of Grandfather (may his memory be for a blessing), the home continued to be revered in the same way; there was no change of attitude. We considered Grandmother the keeper of the beautiful family tradition, as well as someone gifted with high morals and refined qualities.

The children and grandchildren who moved to other towns, as well as those who moved far away, also stayed in touch with Grandmother by letters, and thought it appropriate to write about their lives and hear her opinion about various matters. And indeed, Grandmother was able to write everyone, give detailed answers, and express her opinions and provide guidance in matters as required.

Grandmother was quite elderly when World War II broke out. She was forced to leave her home and the town in which she had spent her entire life, and where she had founded a large, fine family. She moved to Ludmir, to be close to her son and daughter and their families.

Woe is us! She could not avoid the destruction of Ludmir. She, as well as many family members, was murdered by the Nazi killers and their accomplices.

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2. My beloved parents: My father, Levi-Yitzchok Zavidovich, and my mother, Perl Zavidovich (may their memory be for a blessing).

When I was very young, not yet Bar Mitzvah age, my father (may his memory be for a blessing), died, and left my mother with small children; all of us lost our teacher and guide.

I was a small child at his death, but his beloved image is before my eyes. I remember his height, his powerful figure, his broad face and the blond beard that surrounded it, his high, imposing forehead, and his kind, gentle expression.

My father (may his memory be for a blessing) was boundlessly devoted to his family–his wife (my mother) and children. His love for us was fatherly and steadfast, and simultaneously that of an educator and guide. We, his children, were attached to him like eagle nestlings to their eagle mother, and treated him with obedience and love. He was a hero figure to us, and we felt safe in his care.

Father (may his memory be for a blessing) was beloved and respected by the Jews of Horodlo. He was a member of the Radzin Hasids, who prayed in the small synagogue, and was the regular Torah reader. He raised his children to follow the rules of the Torah and be pious. Even when times were hard, we were poor, and he had to work hard to feed his wife and five children, he wouldn't allow my oldest brother Moyshe (may God avenge his blood) help to make a living. “The children must study and become religious scholars,” he would say. He therefore included among his duties regular tuition payments to the melamed.^[4] Even in the most difficult periods, when he himself did not make enough for a living, he made sure that the melamed would get his wages on time.

Father had profound faith in God, and did not

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turn to other people for help. He believed in hard work and initiative, and wanted to raise his children in the same spirit. He wanted to see us become Torah scholars, as well as people who were familiar with worldly things, and believed that the sages' proverb “Excellent is the study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation, for toil in them both keeps sin out of one's mind” was the best course in life.^[5] However, he also thought that general subjects should also be learned in a context and under conditions that would not adversely affect an observant education. He therefore ruled out any chance that we would go to a Polish school.

All week long, Father was busy with his livelihood, while we children spent all day in cheder under the watchful eye of the melamed. However, when Shabbat came around, he devoted much attention to us, and would quiz us on our studies of the past week.^[6] We stood before him respectfully and listened to his questions. Often, these were not easy, and the responses required much effort.

When Father died, we felt that the entire order of the world had changed. Mother was confronted with the bitter problem of making a living. “How will I be able to sustain my children?” she asked herself. We children, young as we were, very much wanted to help her. Our living was derived from a haberdashery shop, and we wanted to help her there. However, Mother was firmly opposed to anything that would disrupt our cheder schooling, and she took on the entire burden. She worked in the shop from early morning until late at night, and travelled to nearby towns to buy merchandise. She continued to bring us up, as Father would have wished. She was happiest when the melamed reported that we were making progress. Her greatest desire was that we should grow up to be Torah scholars.

On Saturday mornings, Mother would rise at the crack of dawn

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to pray in the House of Study. However, it was still early. We, the boys who studied in the House of Study, were used to rising very early and studying for several hours before the morning prayers. Mother (may her memory be for a blessing) would listen in from the women's section, and was happy to hear her sons chanting the Talmud. This was her greatest reward for all her labor.

Perl Zavidovich with her sons Yekutiel and Yehoshua, Chaya Zisberg, and Moyshe Tenenboym's son

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the exhausting journeys, and showed an aptitude for business. Our livelihood grew a bit less precarious.

When I was older, I replaced my brother Moyshe in the shop. He wanted to become independent, and I wanted to support Mother's work and efforts. I was young and energetic, and stepped into the business world enthusiastically.

Moyshe Zavidovich and his daughter

Mother had a gentle nature. For us as well as for others, she was a model of modesty and honesty. She was a righteous woman, who would save her own money to give to charity and aid to the poor. She made do with little, and raised her children to be honest and unpretentious.

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1934 – 1935. Conditions for Polish Jews grow worse, politically and economically. Anti-Semitism surges, and daily life is more restricted each day.

I decided to leave the world of business and start training for emigration and settlement in the Land of Israel, at one of the training centers run by HeChalutz HaMizrachi.^[7] I consulted with my mother, and asked for her opinion. Without saying a word, she clearly approved of my decision. On the one hand, she, too, grasped the hopeless situation in Poland, and understood that I, like all the young people, needed to think of a safer shore; on the other hand, my departure greatly distressed her.

In 1939, Hitler (may his name be blotted out) invades Poland.^[8] His armies stream through the country and reach Horodlo in about three weeks. Survivors told me that my brothers helped Mother load the shop's merchandise onto a cart that she had rented, and she fled to Ludmir. In that city, which was still in Russian hands, she joined our relatives. Like many other Jewish refugees, she and my brothers thought that the enemy would not advance further and they would be able to evade the war by staying in Ludmir.

Alas! The monstrous foe was allowed to continue his murderous advance of conquest and occupation. He attacked the Russians in June 1941, and within a few hours reached Ludmir, with its large Jewish population. The city was now full of displaced Jews. The German butchers and their allies killed and murdered the Jews of Ludmir gruesomely. Among them were my mother, brothers, elderly grandmother, and members of my large and ramified family. These innocents were slaughtered for no reason at all.

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3. My uncle (Mother's brother) Shmuel Biderman (may his memory be for a blessing).

Shmuel Biderman was one of the most respected Jews of Horodlo. He was held in high regard by the entire town, and was one of the local notables.

He had achieved this position thanks to certain qualities. First, his Hasidic appearance: he had a pious, scholarly face, surrounded by a long beard. He had a secure livelihood (an important factor in a town where making a living was difficult), his daughters were admired and important, and his sons-in-law were considered great scholars. He brought up his only son, Moyshe Biderman (now living in the United States) to be just as pious and scholarly as himself. In spite of his preoccupations, he devoted many hours a day to studying Torah at home, in the small synagogue, and in the House of Study.

I still remember the delightful melody of his Talmud study in the early mornings as it penetrated the wall of our house, which adjoined his. We would hear his chanting in the morning and at night. The melody gave us pleasure and a sense of security as we slept. We always asked, “How is he able to do with so little sleep, with all his concerns and businesses?”

My uncle Shmuel had a tavern. During the day, he did business with drunken Gentiles who expressed themselves crudely. He felt that his studies lifted him up from his everyday life: his Torah and Talmud studies during every spare moment in the evenings enhanced his spiritual life.

Shmuel was considered one of the important Radzin Hasids, and was esteemed by the local Jews. Following is an example of their high regard for him. When I was still a cheder student, we learned about permitted actions that an important person had to be strict about: “Even more so for an important person”

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(Mishna Berachot, 19b; Bava Metzia 73). When the rabbi was teaching, and wanted an example of an important person, he would say, “Take Shmuel Biderman, for example.” This example would be understandable and persuasive.

Shmuel was strict, and held his family (including us young people) to high standards of education and upbringing. This was because he himself was careful about every detail, small or large. The death of our father while we were still young children, which placed the entire burden of livelihood on our mother, caused him great concern. He was deeply affected by our family's difficult situation and by Mother's hard work, and sought ways to ease her load and living conditions in our home.

We obeyed him and loved him, despite his strictness. We obeyed him because of his righteous and observant way of life, which served as a shining example.

5. Yosef (Yosele) Bergman (may his memory be for a blessing).^[9]

Broad-shouldered, short, his face round and cheerful, rimmed by a long blond beard, with clever, laughing eyes and a penetrating look mixed with kindness – that was Yosef Bergman as he appeared in Horodlo. Yosele, as he was known, was pious, a Radzin Hasid, quick and cunning, active, and rich in original thoughts about improving the Horodlo economy. His vision called for developing the town into a large city, which would afford economic possibilities.

Yosef Bergman had many economic plans, which he presented to the town institutions. Although some of these plans were clearly impractical, he never stopped believing that they could be realized. He would propose holding “fairs” and convince the town

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council to assume responsibility for organizing these events. He believed that these occasions would be great opportunities for providing the residents with more means of making a living.

By nature an activist, he would devote time to community affairs, while at the same time he himself had no means of making a living, and struggled to provide for his large family.

In spite of his own concerns regarding a livelihood, Yossele was quick to help others, as he had influence with the town institutions and with the Polish authorities. He also knew the county officials, and was able to do much to achieve results. Many residents turned to him at times of trouble, and he helped them as best he could. Everyone in town loved him. People consulted with him, and he was unparalleled at finding solutions to complicated situations. He was an unofficial “institution” in Horodlo, recognized and liked by all.

6. Aaron-Khayim Feder (may his memory be for a blessing).

Aaron-Khayim Feder was a respectable Hasid, very learned, intelligent and sensible, clever and discerning.

He was one of the important members of his Hasidic small synagogue, and was highly esteemed in the community. His shrewdness and vast Talmudic knowledge gained him the admiration and respect of the young students in the synagogue. Few could match his keen mind and good sense.

After the death of Levi-Yitzchok Zavidovich, who had been the Torah reader for many years, Aaron-Khayim assumed that significant position. He liked to study with others of his caliber. His best friend was Mendl Lerner, who was just as shrewd and knowledgeable,

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with a quick intelligence – qualities much prized by Aaron-Khayim.

Aaron-Khayim was the official leader of the community for a long time, and the title suited him perfectly. He possessed several rare qualities: cleverness, good sense, moderation, authority when needed, and a practical way of thinking. He fulfilled his community role with great honesty and devotion. He was highly respected by the town residents, who valued his opinions and his pronouncements.

7. Mendl Lerner (may his memory be for a blessing).

Mendl Lerner was a great scholar, astute, and well versed in the Talmud and later commentaries. He enjoyed high status in his small synagogue, fought for his opinions and was knowledgeable in many general areas.

It was hard to challenge him and win a discussion, because he was unusually quick-witted and logical.

At that time, new ideas were penetrating the Jewish community, with the notion of a modern “return to Zion” chief among them.^[10] This ideology of Jewish revival, which captivated most Jewish young people, was opposed by Mendl and the Radzin Hasidic community; they considered Zionism a deviation from accepted Judaism. His weapons, however, were words, and his arguments were firmly grounded. It was therefore very difficult to have discussions with him.

His teaching method was lofty and profound. When we young synagogue students came to him with a question about a complicated Talmudic question, he was never satisfied with a simple answer, but helped us to find the solution by explaining and clarifying the issue at hand.

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We soon found the answer, thanks to debating with him. He would present parallels, references, and justifications from other sources. A clear, understandable answer would emerge.

As mentioned above, Mendl was opposed to Zionist ideology, and believed in the continued existence of Jews in the diaspora, especially in Poland. It seemed that he would never change his mind.

Before I left for Palestine, Mendl sought a chance to have a talk with me. I was extremely surprised at the nature of his talk, and his conversation, which was rich in new ideas.

Anti-Jewish politics was widespread at the time. Members of the Polish government began to implement policies of discrimination and publish edicts against Jews. People were saying that the Jews were alien elements in the Polish economy. Mendl began to acknowledge the situation of the Jews, and their unclear future. He wanted to talk with me about his son Dovid's chances of settling in Palestine.

Mendl was not well off. I therefore suggested that he investigate possibilities in the religious Zionist movement. Though this route would be long and hard, it was less costly. I knew no other ways to achieve this goal, and could offer him no other suggestions.

Woe is us! The tragic catastrophe came, and put an end to the Jews of Horodlo, with Mendl's family among them.

8. Ayzik Arnshteyn (Ayzik the Tailor).

Ayzik was a simple Jew, observant and God-fearing. Yet despite his simplicity, he was smart, and possessed natural and practical wisdom.

Ayzik made his living at tailoring.

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Like all tailors of the time, his home also served as his workshop. He was renowned in the vicinity as a good tailor. Anyone who wanted a well-made kapote, coat, or suit turned to Ayzik.^[11] As he was busy with many orders, it was difficult to set a date for the finished product. We therefore spent many days at his house, to encourage quick completion of the piece. In the process, we marveled at his professionalism and speed. He lived a modest life, despite his intensive work – a life without special conveniences or luxuries. “I always have much work and a poor livelihood,” was his motto.

Ayzik raised a generation of tailors. His sons helped him, once they were old enough. Over time, they themselves became professional tailors. After they married and started their own business, they wanted to learn from their father's experience, and Ayzik hurried from one son to the other with fatherly advice.

He worked two shifts a day, and considered that normal. He would rise very early, rush to the House of Study for early prayers, after which he would return home and sit down at his sewing machine. He worked with no breaks, except for the meals (breakfast and lunch) that his wife Royze prepared. After lunch, he continued working until it was time for afternoon prayers. He would then stop work and rush to the House of Study, pray, and stay for evening prayers.

He loved sitting in on the sessions of groups studying Talmud, Mishna or Ein Ya'akov, and especially enjoyed the wonderful legends in the texts.^[12] When a text praising a profession or handicraft came up, or references to people who earned their own living, his face would radiate joy.

After he returned from the House of Study, Ayzik would begin his

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night shift with fresh energy. After supper, he would fill the lamp's bowl with kerosene, carefully clean the glass chimney, light the wick, and continue working until late into the night.

Ayzik enjoyed complete Shabbat rest starting on Friday afternoons. “Nothing compares to Shabbat,” he would say. “The only person who fully appreciates Shabbat is one who works with his hands.” He would spend long hours in the House of Study, and listen to the studies in a calm, elevated mood. His face, with its clever black eyes and black, well cared for beard, shone with bliss on that day.

9. Yosef Hecht, the Carpenter (may his memory be for a blessing).

He was tall and broad-boned, with the strong hands of a carpenter a kind, gentle face, and innocent, laughing eyes, framed by a wispy blond beard. Yosef was typical of his carpenter comrades. We children considered every carpenter a hero with strong hands and iron muscles. Yosef, with his athletic form, symbolized wonderful craftsmanship.

In those days, Horodlo was still unfamiliar with carpentry machines, and all the heavy work was carried out by hand, requiring much laborious effort. We loved to watch Yosef working, his powerful hands maneuvering a manual plane that was over a meter long. Yosef ran the plane back and forth and raised it energetically. Wide curly shavings sprang out through the opening, and the heavy piece of wood gradually metamorphosed into something new. Yosef Hecht's swift, agile motions left us stunned. How powerful and capable he was!

On weekdays, he was characteristic of his social group – that of a hardworking Jewish artisan who lived by his talents. On Fridays, though, he shook off his toil and

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readied himself for Shabbat. The next day, he left all his cares behind and took on a princely appearance. He would sit at a table in the House of Study and quietly listen to the voices of people studying or telling a lovely legend, enjoying himself. It was fascinating to watch the transformation of this man, a hard worker all week long, as he relaxed completely on the sacred Shabbat.

Yosef Hecht was different from the other carpenters. He had an additional specialty, which he took up at a certain time of year,

Yosef Hecht

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The long tables were surrounded by women and girls of the town wanting to augment their family's income, as well as the members of Yosef's family. Production went on in two daily shifts, while Yosef himself was responsible for the most important task. Like a ship's captain, he stood at the blazing oven holding long-handled paddles. With amazing speed, he filled one side of the oven with matza dough, and lifted baked matzos out of the other side, placing them in the large basket that stood ready alongside.

Before Pesach, at matza-baking time, we would go to Yosef Hecht's home and watch the agility of the men and women

Leybl Hecht

Preparing matza for the Horodlo Jews was the responsibility of two men: Yitzchok (Melech's son) and Yosef Hecht. Both carried out their sacred task faithfully, and never disappointed those who relied on them.

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Yosef Hecht, and the other artisans, were closely connected to Jewish life in Horodlo, and were distinguished by their Jewish simplicity and modesty.

10. Cart Drivers.

Almost all areas of commerce in Horodlo were run by Jews. The shopkeepers bought their merchandise in three neighboring towns: Hrubieszow (14 kilometers to the west), Ustyluh (across the Bug River), and Ludmir (18 kilometers away, on the eastern bank of the Bug). They made small, urgent purchases in Ustyluh, whereas larger and more important purchases were made in Hrubieszow and Ludmir.

Four cart-drivers supervised the traffic between Horodlo and its nearby supply sources: Hershele Fraynd, Notele Shruver, Moyshe-Mikhoel (commonly known as Moyshe-Mekhl), and Moyshe Hak. At that time the small towns had no buses or other means of transportation; the roads were dominated by four-wheeled carts harnessed to horses, driven by experienced cart-drivers. Thanks to them, people could go where they pleased.

Communications were handled by the same four cart-drivers. However, whereas Hershele Fraynd and Notele had good horses and sturdy carts with broad, long ladders along their sides that enabled the proper loading of packages for transport over long distances, Moyshe-Mechl and Moyshe Haks' carts were rickety and creaked, with squeaky, wobbling wheels, pulled by a single weak, undernourished horse. Obviously, the latter two men knew that they could only

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undertake short trips to nearby destinations, such as Ustyluh. This route thus became their monopoly. They often walked alongside the cart. The Hrubieszow-Ludmir connection, on the other hand, remained in the capable, experienced hands of Hershele Fraynd and Notele.

Almost every day, two carts set off in the directions of Hrubieszow and Ludmir, driven by these expert drivers, each cart carrying four or six shopkeepers; they returned laden with merchandise. The trip was slow and patient.

As soon as the morning star became visible, but while it was still dark, the carts would appear in the middle of the marketplace, ready for the journey. The coachmen yelled loudly to inform the shopkeepers of their “imminent” departure. It was rare for a cart to start moving before ten a.m. or even later, and to return as late as ten p.m. or midnight. Obviously, these trips were quite traumatic, despite the short distances.

There were still no paved roads at the time, only muddy tracks, and the cart dawdled along: it took three hours to arrive in Hrubieszow, and even longer than that – to Ludmir. If you traveled the day after it had rained, or on a snowy day in winter, the trip seemed interminable and you thought you would never arrive at your destination. On such arduous journeys, everything depended on the driver, whose behavior and confidence calmed the passengers.

The drivers differed in character; these differences dictated their driving style and habits. When you traveled with Notele, he immediately began telling his jokes, as well as his experiences on the road. Your mood would lift instantly, and you would forget the mud and the exhausting trip. Incidentally,

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Note would teach his passengers the craft of the road. At each stage of the difficult trip, especially on inclines, he would take pity on his horses, jump off the cart, put his shoulder to the cart, and push it and its passengers. Who could stay seated and feel his face growing red?! The passengers would immediately disembark and add their shoulders to his, helping the cart to go along.

Hershele was quite different in nature and character. He did not say much, but was often immersed in thought. Once his passengers were in the cart, and the horses began moving, Hershele became immersed in thought. His eyes gazed at the horizon, and his lips murmured entire psalms from memory. Hershele was renowned for his honesty and his modest nature. A shopkeeper who had asked him to bring merchandise could be certain that his property would be taken care of. Hershele went to great lengths to pack merchandise properly in his cart and make sure it would not be affected by rain or be otherwise damaged.

When the cart and its riders arrived at their destination – the big city – the driver went to his regular inn, and the shopkeepers left for various large shops to buy their merchandise. The driver immediately started preparing his cart and horses for the return journey. He unhitched the horses and set them in front of a trough full of barley. While they ate, he performed maintenance on the cart, removing its wheels for re-greasing, and tightening various parts where necessary. After taking care of the cart, he went into the inn for a hot meal.

The shopkeepers began returning in the late afternoon, carrying large packages of merchandise and accompanied by a porter who carried the largest packages. They would hand the packages to the driver, who placed them in the cart so as to protect them from any kind of damage. During this time, the shopkeepers would say their evening prayers and eat supper. In the meantime,

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the driver would hitch up his horses, make a last survey of the cart, and urge the shopkeepers to take their seats, as it was time to start the return trip. He mounted, picked up the reins, and the horses started moving.

The loaded cart made slow progress. It started out at twilight, and kept rolling, as the evening grew darker, going through several villages, where impudent dogs greeted them with loud, terrifying barks. The dogs continued running alongside the cart with its passengers even after they had left the village. Somewhere, a drunken Gentile would let loose a hoarse song. The travelers sat sunken in their own thoughts, not talking to each other, while the driver constantly urged the horses on, with calls they knew. The passengers wanted only to be back at home as soon as possible.

After three or four hours on the road, the first houses of Horodlo came into view. The passengers woke from their doze, and their mood lifted. The lights were on in several houses – these belonged to the passengers, whose families were eagerly awaiting their return. A cheerful “giddyup” resounded through the stillness in the spacious marketplace, announcing a safe return. The merchandise was quickly unloaded, and the cart-driver hurried home for a few hours of sleep. After all, he had to be at the marketplace early, to take other shopkeepers to town. He couldn't disappoint them!

A cart driver could enjoy some rest on Friday, when traveling long distances was out of the question, for fear of desecrating Shabbat. On Friday, he would busy himself with cart repairs and taking orders from shopkeepers for the following week; he would also help with Shabbat preparations at home. He enjoyed total rest on Shabbat. On that holy day, he would rest from his hard labor of the past week

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on the roads. He was pleased with his conscientious service, and thanked God for protecting him and his passengers from all dangers and harm on their trips back and forth.

11. Borech Shmid (may his memory be for a blessing).

He was powerfully built, of medium height, with a broad, olive-skinned face, a long beard, and a high, wide forehead that radiated seriousness and scholarship, but his black smiling eyes were those of a friendly person who loved long conversations.

He was a frequent visitor at the House of Study, where he spent every free moment studying Torah and Talmud, Mishna, Ein Ya'akov, Midrash, etc. “Studying Torah is the best,” he would say, and he practiced what he preached.

His home was far from the town center, on the road to Dubienka, almost at the edge of town. Yet he was not too lazy to walk the long route, through the Gentile neighborhood, to the House of Study. On most days he went home alone. He was respected in the town, by the Gentiles as well. Even the most unruly Gentile children did not dare to bother him as he walked their streets, even on his way home at night.

Jews who had to walk along the lengthy streets where Gentiles lived, because of work, would see two non-adjoining Jewish houses, which belonged to Moyshe Babes and Borech Shmid. Jewish passers-by by treated these homes as rest stops, where one could catch one's breath. They would stop for water, or a glass of tea, and refresh themselves so as to continue their journey.

Borech Shmid, too, had once been a melamed, but his methodology was different. Teaching, in his opinion, was not only a means to make a living, but a mission. He taught Torah for its own sake. No one knew how,

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but he made a success of it. Learning did not come easy to the boys who studied with him, yet he taught them very patiently. His relationship with the students was very proper and direct; he did not respect the disobedient students, though some of them came from rich families. It is worth noting that most of the Jews of Horodlo did not think much of rich people; on the contrary, they had high opinions of scholars and Torah experts.

Borech was completely unable to understand why the young people were eager and impatient to leave Poland. He would not even admit that the decrees and discrimination were factors. “The Gentiles will never attain our lofty status, because the Jewish people are the people of God. Our power lies in the spirit,” he explained. “A Jew must take up his spiritual armor, so as not to feel the harassment by the Gentiles.” He himself would provide a practical example of his view, which was shared by most of the Jews of Horodlo.

12. Dovid Yosef Zuberman (may his memory be for a blessing).

The Zuberman family was extended, and its members were scattered. Most of them lived in Horodlo, though some moved away after marriage. They were interesting people, and played a significant role in Horodlo social life. Their leaders were important among the scholars of Horodlo, and headed the community of the House of Study and the small synagogue.

Members of the second generation of Zubermans followed in their fathers' footsteps. In the House of Study, they were distinguished by their scholarship. Later, when they were no longer students and began to be occupied with worldly affairs, they were at the forefront of social and community activity in Horodlo, and were responsible for Zionist activities.

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The family was headed by five brothers: Dovid Yosef, Yaakov, Tzvi, Moyshe, and Aharon. Each had his own particular position in Horodlo. However, all five shared their scholarship, decency, and general knowledge. They had acquired their spiritual values thanks to their impetus toward learning and knowledge.

First and foremost was Dovid Yosef, with his imposing presence and personality. He was a great scholar, who was interested in many things and an expert in many fields. No one knew how and when he had gained all his knowledge. He was unassuming; his modesty and simplicity concealed his knowledge.

He was always in the House of Study, and had his own spot, where he would study for long hours. He was the regular Torah reader there, and chanted like an experienced reader. He never wasted time: even in his shop, when there were no customers (a common occurrence in the economic circumstances of Horodlo), he would open one of the scholarly books he always kept close by – Torah, Talmud, Mishna, etc. -- and immerse himself in that spiritual world.

Dovid Yosef loved the Hebrew language and its riches, and liked to delve into scientific matters and books. When Ha-Tsfira resumed publication, under the editorship of Yosef Heftman (may his memory be for a blessing), Dovid Yosef read its important, erudite articles with great interest and pleasure.^[14]

Along with his love of books, he loved physical labor. He preferred work that required effort, and undertook such projects in his yard and home.

[Page 235]

He lived his life with simplicity and honesty, and approached the world with the same qualities, which he recommended to others as well. It is therefore not surprising that he was beloved by everyone and had no enemies. He respected everyone and was himself respected in turn.

Translator's Footnotes

1. “Sayings of the Fathers,” 2:5. Return
2. Lemberg is now known as Lviv. Return
3. These special prayers, which follow the seasons in the Land of Israel, are said at the appropriate times of the year. Chanting them is an honor. Return
4. Melamed is the term for the teacher of boys under 18. Return
5. Sayings of the Fathers, 2,2. Return
6. This was a common practice in observant families. Return
7. One of the religious Zionist youth movements oriented towards settlement in Palestine. Return
8. Germany attacked Poland on September 1, 1939. Return
9. The system of numbering used for the description of personalities omits number four in the original text. Return
10. This term appears in the biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which depict the return of the Jews of the Kingdom of Judah, subjugated by the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 589 BCE and freed from Babylonian captivity following the Persian conquest of Babylon (539 BCE). Return
11. The kapote is a long coat that was worn chiefly by Jewish men in Eastern Europe, and is now used by ultra-orthodox men of that origin. Return
12. Ein Ya'akov is a compilation of Aggadic texts in the Talmud Return
13. Tradition requires the matza to be made and baked within eighteen minutes, as grain begins to ferment after that length of time. Return
14. Ha-Tsfira was the first Hebrew-language newspaper to appear in Poland under Russian rule (1862), and emphasized the sciences. It closed down that year, and re-opened in 1874, becoming a daily in 1886; it ceased to appear in 1931. Return

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