Chapter 3

We tried once more to speak with the shamash, but he remained adamant: they must give him one pound, or at any rate no less than three-quarters of a pound, and on the conditions stated above - government permission and policemen. This was impossible for us. He himself had done all he could and achieved nothing; how could we achieve it? He also said that he would not believe our verbal assurances. Only if the district officer, Mr. Kisilov, sent him a letter granting permission (and policemen), or at least some sign, etc., would he agree. We regarded this as beyond hope.

We therefore resolved to proceed as follows: we would travel outside the city, approach some Jewish or Arab automobile whose driver might agree to take us, and stand outside as described above, despite the great danger, etc. But money also had to be prepared, and everyone went to see what funds he could obtain. In all, there were five or six men who wished to undertake this. I had no money, but one member of our fellowship promised to pay for me, and I would repay him later.

I went home and told my wife to take our son in the afternoon and bring him to the new teacher. I took Likutay Tefillos [Collected Prayers] and went to the place where we had agreed to meet. Together we traveled outside the city until we reached the Nachalas Shivah neighborhood. We stood there deliberating about what to do. I told them that, so long as there remained any possibility that we might secure protection and enter inside, we were obligated to pursue it. We therefore had to enter the government office and speak with Mr. Kisilov about the matter.

In the end I prevailed upon them, and my friend Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh and one other man entered the governor's office. By then it was already too late for them to be admitted to speak with Mr. Kisilov, and the staff would not allow them in. Meanwhile, however, the doorkeeper went on an errand, and they pushed their way inside without permission. He did not wish to speak with them, but they pressed him and explained that this was the anniversary of our Matriarch Rachel's passing, etc. He replied: "Why did you wait until now? Had you come yesterday, perhaps something could have been arranged. Now there is nothing to discuss, especially since all the additional policemen have already returned to their stations, and I have no officers to provide." They asked at least for his consent and for some sign to give the shamash. He answered that, on the contrary, he advised them not to travel. He said that there were policemen on the road, but nevertheless counseled them not to do this and would not consent to it. They continued pressing him until he rebuked them, saying that he had no time to waste with them. They departed crestfallen.

We waited for them in the market. When they returned and told us what had occurred, opinions among us differed as to what we should do. Almost everyone said that we should travel with the intention of standing outside. I, however, remained adamant that we must still investigate whether we might actually travel with the shamash. My friend Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh likewise said that we should try once more; perhaps the shamash would agree if they deceived him by saying that Mr. Kisilov had consented, etc. In truth, the idea seemed laughable to us. Meanwhile, however, we had to return to the city to obtain identity papers, lest we be detained on the road for lacking them. In particular, we had spoken with a policeman who told us that identification was required. My friend Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh and another man therefore returned to obtain identity papers for all of us, and also to make one further attempt to speak with the shamash.

We entered the synagogue in Nachalas Shivah. I rested my head upon the table, pondering what to do and how to withstand this trial. In bitterness and supplication to Hashem I threw my head backward, and in thought I surrendered myself to Hashem: He should do as He willed, for I knew nothing at all, only how He would lead us. I remained seated in this way, my head upon the table, for about an hour, waiting to see how the matter would fall; my head was heavy upon me with suffering, etc. Meanwhile my friend Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh returned with the other man and told us that he had persuaded the shamash to accept half a pound from us. They had also deceived him by saying that Mr. Kisilov had declared there was no danger, because the road was filled with policemen, etc.

The shamash's wife ran after him, insisting that under no circumstances should he travel without an escort. Nevertheless, they persuaded him to go with them outside the city, and his brother accompanied him as well. On the way they encountered Rabbi Grossman, with whom I had printed Likutay Moharan. He had arrived from America only recently and said that he too wished to travel with us. We went together to the manager of the Nesher bus company and waited in a certain courtyard, so that no commotion would arise and prevent us from proceeding. They hired two taxis, and, including the shamash and his brother, our party numbered a minyan. The assessment for each of us was three shillings. We had no money, however, and two of our party borrowed the funds miraculously. We waited for the two drivers, both of whom carried licensed weapons, and then set out at an auspicious and successful hour.

Midway along the road British policemen stopped and detained us. They asked where we were going. We answered: "To Rachel's Tomb." They asked for our identity papers, which we showed them, and we continued until we reached Rachel's Tomb. There too British policemen stood along the road and questioned us as above. We entered with fervor and tears, and recited the ten Psalms of the Tikkun Haklali [General Remedy] together with its accompanying prayer and other prayers. We also prayed Minchah, recited Avinu Malkeinu, sounded the shofar, and pleaded on behalf of Klal Yisrael with tears and fervor.

The time agreed upon with the drivers had already passed; they had been urging us, and we were late. Afterward they refused to drive until we paid them another two shillings, and we returned to the city. We were filled with joy that Hashem had helped us bring such a matter to completion, break through such obstacles, and merit being at her holy grave. The Zohar HaKadosh states that one can accomplish more in prayer at her tomb than with the Patriarchs in the Cave of Machpelah, especially on the anniversary of her passing, of blessed memory. No one had been there for several years, yet we merited being there as a minyan and pleading on behalf of Klal Yisrael. May Hashem help us, so that in her merit our righteous Mashiach will come speedily in our days. Amen.