warmly and hospitably and consoled us, saying that we would yet be able to
return to our homes. In the meantime, however, we had found a place of refuge
where we could stay, out of their murderous hands. From there many
people dispersed into the surrounding area, some stayed, and some went to
W[arsaw]. We too left for W[arsaw]. The journey was a frightening and terrible
experience, because whenever the yevonim found a Jew on the train, they
beat him, threw him off, and stole everything he had. By chance, we found
ourselves in a carriage where there were only Christians and we hid ourselves
among them so that we would not be recognised. I was still bandaged from
my earlier wounds, so people did not recognise us. Suddenly, several yevonim
got on and immediately identified a number of Jews whom we had taken
for Christians. The yevonim beat them thoroughly, dealing them fierce blows
across the shoulders. We were seized with pity and compassion [68] for them,
but what could we do to help? Watch and keep silent. See and suffer. And so
it happened that we were spared.
We arrived in W[arsaw] after a night’s arduous journey. And after us,
other people from our town also arrived. In the meantime, an institution
had been set up which concerned itself with the fate of the poor refugees
and provided them with food and a place to sleep, as well as some clothing.
Sometimes more, sometimes less, but in any event people had found a little
support. As I contemplated this, the following came to mind: Netzach Yisrael
lo yeshaker.¹⁷⁸⁵ Od lo almon Yisrael.¹⁷⁸⁶ A better tomorrow will come when the
sun will yet shine for us, and we shall be freed from our pain and suffering,
and all our afflictions will be forgotten. And we shall yet obtain our portion
of the world, that is to say, we shall live to have our own country, a Hebrew
state on both sides of the Jordan, and it will come to pass that ve-yashvu ish
tachat gafno ve-tachat te’eynato ve-eyn ma’acharid.¹⁷⁸⁷
Be-hagia dor hofshi, z.o. be-dori, egmor reshimotai ha’akhronot
ve-od hosif aleihem.
Mimeni hapolet. ¹⁷⁸⁸
1785 (Hebrew) The Eternal God of Israel does not lie (I Samuel, 15:29).
1786 (Hebrew) Israel is not a widow yet (Jeremiah 51:5).
1787 (Hebrew) And they shall sit each man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid (Micah 4:4).
1788 (Hebrew) When the generation of freedom comes, i.e. in my generation, I will complete my last chronicles and even add to them. From me, the refugee.
