2. Greater Responsibilities: Fears and Quests (Fragment)

A Storm of Persecution

Soon rumors spread with lightning rapidity throughout the town, that the most dangerous book of the “Toli” was circulating among the rabbinical youth. An order was issued by the chief Rabbi S. to announce from pulpits of various synagogues, as well as in the Talmudic Schools, demanding that the book, which he called “Treife Possul,” be delivered to him immediately. Leon suspected that the warning was against his book and wondered: how did the rabbis find out about it?

Since the title of the book was not mentioned, and no further reference to the matter was made, he waited to see how things would develop. However, when days passed by and no one had responded to the rabbi’s demand, he repeated it with more earnestness and said, it was certain that those who read this book will fall into the “shmad,” (a description used for becoming an impostor or a heathen).

The entire population was panic‑stricken. The rabbi demanded to bring to him all “Sfurim Kitzonim” (books which have no rabbinical application). Some of the parents, not knowing the difference, brought rabbinical and other school books to him. However, the book he wanted was not found.

When questioned as to where he got his information, the rabbi said, he received a letter, informing him, that the most dangerous book, used by the “Meshamudim,” was sent to one of the young people of the congregation, but he did not know exactly the name of the book, nor to whom it was sent.

By that time Leon and his colleague B. had learned unmistakably, that the book wanted, was the one in their possession. They did not know what to do about it. It was not a simple matter to hand it to the rabbi, as this would mean exposing oneself to the pillory. To destroy the book would mean that the terror of panic, which affected many innocent people, would increase, and to send it to the rabbi, would extend the suspicion to others, not guilty of having it, and would also be cowardly.

The rabbi threatened that if the accursed book were not delivered to him, the wrath of God would visit the whole congregation; expectant young mothers and innocent children would perish. “I will not rest,” he said, “until the book is destroyed in my presence.”

Nothing else could be done toward appeasement of weeping mothers, embarrassed fathers, the indignant, zealous rabbi and the elders of the congregation, so Leon and his colleague decided to deliver the book and tell how it came into their possession — that the content was still strange to them even though they read a little here and there.

Pursuing this course, Leon and his colleague ran into great trouble. No chance was given for explanation and vindication. In his fury, the rabbi ordered a fire to be kindled immediately, not permitting anyone to touch the book, lest he become defiled. He demanded that the book be thrown into the blaze, while he solemnly recited the words of Deut. 15:5: “…so shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”

B. wished to save the nice cover of the book, endeavoring to rip it from the pages, but was slapped in the face by the valet of the rabbi, and so the entire book was destroyed in the blaze. This triumph over the book was announced to all the synagogues without delay. However, the excitement continued, because those who had had this forbidden, dangerous book were still part of the congregation, and a storm of persecution broke over the heads of Leon and B.