1. Early Training Steeped in Ancient Traditions (Fragment)

Self‑respect

Leon’s father, Eleazar, was very strict and austere. This, among the Jews, was considered characteristic of the very pious priests. He took everything most seriously. He would not tolerate omissions in the life of his firstborn son which other parents might overlook. He always stressed the importance of self‑respect, saying “Never forget whose son you are or the high calling to which you were assigned and dedicated.” Such repeated admonitions were not always pleasant, yet they served as a real preventative, and in later years Leon expressed his appreciation to his father for this strictness.

His mother, Gali, on the contrary, was lenient and sweet, and balanced the strictness of her husband with regard to her darling. She acted as a “guardian angel” with great tactfulness whenever father’s severity was too much for the little boy. This was most comforting to Leon. The maternal influence was very great in Leon’s life, his mother helping him in every way, so that his mind might be thoroughly imbued with the sacred things related to the Holy Scriptures.

Five other children were born into the family — three boys and two girls. One of the boys died early.

The first and the last cigarette

Smoking is contagious among youngsters, especially among Jewish boys of all classes. They learned from their fathers and grandfathers even from their teachers and rabbis — who smoked at home as well as at the places of worship. In the rabbinical seminaries students could also see their dean and all the supervisors smoking their pipes. Even the famous “Tzaddikim” did the same. No wonder that the Jewish people became slaves to this vice early in life. Leon too was tempted, because he wanted to become a big man. He envied those of his pals who soon learned to inhale the cigarette smoke and then exhale it from their nostrils and mouths. However when Leon tried it for the first time, he turned green and became nauseated, so he never touched tobacco again as long as he lived.