2. Greater Responsibilities: Fears and Quests (Fragment)

New Paths

By and by, a new light began to break through in Leon’s life. From the correspondence with his friend B. he learned a little more of the reasons why he had decided to give up his rabbinical career. They became of great concern to Leon, but he continued in his own rabbinical studies, although in his new environment he found that more than one of his colleagues were disappointed and regretted spending so much time in that kind of study.

Through his colleague Samuel, Leon was introduced to a group of friends who were “Maskilim” (progressive intellectuals) and “Chovevei Tziyon” (lovers of Zion). As harmless as their activities were, since they were only educational, endeavoring to revive the Hebrew language and the repatriation of Jewish people to the Holy Land of the fathers, the opposition on the part of the zealous rabbinical fanatics was very strong everywhere. They tried everything to uproot this young movement.

The President of the Society was a certain P., a medical doctor and a great scholar; so also was Dr. B., the Secretary. The members were a select group of earnest intelligent people really devoted to the cause. One of the aims was to maintain an educational center with free college courses for Jewish students, to prepare them for the university. In Russia such an effort was of immeasurable importance for assiduous young men, who were handicapped because of restrictions.

Leon’s linguistic preparation with a good knowledge of Hebrew was welcome in this society, and he soon became one of the staff in editing an hectographed local Hebrew paper, “THE DAWN.”

Encouraged by Dr. P., the President, and other members of the Society, Leon began to prepare himself for pharmacology. He too became convinced that he should give up the rabbinical career, although it was very promising for him. This decision caused great dismay and disappointment to his parents, relatives and friends. After some unpleasant arguments at home, it became necessary for him to leave his parental home.

The most promising place to reach the new goal before him was the city of Warsaw, formerly Poland (and now again Poland), but then the capital of the general government, included in the empire of the Russian Czar. Although under the domination of Russia, it had some autonomic privileges, with less restrictions for Jews. This was the only part of Russia where Jews were permitted to settle in large numbers. There also was more opportunity for Jews, at least, to study some free professions at the local university.

Leaving the cozy atmosphere of home, being without cares and responsibilities to anyone, proved not easy for Leon, but the foresight and friendly advice of his friends helped him to handle this new phase in his life. He was advised to take a course in bookkeeping in a business college, which enabled him, after obtaining some of the skills, to earn enough money to take care of himself. Still, the conditions and strange environment demanded of him new adjustments. Regulations and restrictions in this place proved also a great handicap for him. The struggle was much harder than he had anticipated.

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