I - Pages from My Life

Summary

I was born in kraków, in Tamuz 5643 [July 1883]. My father, of blessed memory, was Rabbi Bezalel Hakohen of Turna [Tarnow], and he was a descendant of the Shakh, whose family were later among the first followers of the Sanzer Rebbe. My father's mother, Sheina Feigl, of blessed memory, was truly a great saint. People still have many things to say about her piety, goodness, and modesty. On the frostiest days, she would carry warm tea to the yeshiva boys sitting in the study house. She would spare no expense to serve the holy Sanzer Rebbe, and all in all had the finest character. My mother, long may she live, is from Kraków, a granddaughter of Rabbi Abraham Lock of blessed memory, whose wife, my grandmother Chaya, came from the Carmel family and was a direct descendant of the Bach.

People tell many admiring stories about my parents. They owned a large drygoods store, and would distribute lots of goods among the poor. My grandmother would have new linen made every month, and she would give away the old linen to people who needed it. My father put all his energy into raising his children, educating them to be pious Jews. He was a fervent Belzer hasid, indeed a regular in the previous Belzer Rebbe's court.

I went to public school for eight years, a school with non-Jewish pupils too. By remember that in school I did especially well in the religion class. When the teacher called on students many of them couldn't answer, and the teacher would always praise me: ‘Why does she know the answer?’ ‘Children,’ she would add, ‘you should be a little more industrious in religion, because religion is a holy thing.’

I had quite a talent for learning and, in addition, I worked hard. I passed every year with good grades, but I excelled at embroidery and sewing. Just as I was about to start seventh grade my family wanted to take me out of school so I could start working for a living, but I begged them to let me stay and finish seventh grade, and I graduated from elementary school successfully.