נז

But it was from Hashem that the man mentioned above remained at my house until close to Erev Rosh Chodesh Shvat. And I had wanted to take him with me to Uman. But because of the ruined road conditions — since I was compelled to hire a wagon only as far as Haysin — I therefore did not take any person with me except Rabbi Mendil from Tultchin alone — who traveled with me the entire journey as far as the holy community of Odessa. And from there he returned home. Therefore the widower Rabbi Chaim Nachum stayed at my house until after Shabbas. At that time my son may he live and other anshei sh'lomaynu traveled and received Rabbi Chaim Nachum — as I had commanded before my departure from home — that they should receive him for Uman at my expense. And so it was — that they brought him with them. And I settled for them the expenses. And after we came from the holy grave and ate the midday meal — we began to speak about matches — perhaps some fitting match would be found for him there. And blessed be Hashem who sits and makes matches — in the meantime a very fitting match came about for him with one of the distinguished men of our anshei sh'lomaynu — the veteran rabbinic Rabbi Zalman of Uman and Rabbi Yoske may his light shine. And the local rav may his light shine were already prepared to travel home. And I wished to detain them until the match was concluded. And they did not wish to. But immediately Rabbi Yoske of his own accord — with great joy — agreed and accepted upon himself with an act of acquisition with a sudar all the obligations of clothing for the widower. And I obligated myself only for fifty gold coins — to be collected in Tcheirin. And they traveled home in peace. And the widower mentioned above — together with my son may he live and other anshei sh'lomaynu who were on that same wagon — all stayed in Uman with me. And that night the match was concluded with good fortune. And this too strengthened and gladdened me — that I merited to complete such a mitzvah — to give in marriage such a distinguished Torah scholar — a son of a very upright and honored man from among our precious anshei sh'lomaynu. On that Erev Rosh Chodesh mentioned above — toward evening — the veteran rabbinic teacher Rabbi Shmuel Aizik may his light shine arrived — who had been delayed on the road and had not been with us at the holy grave in the morning. And he had not come until close to Mincha. And he had not yet eaten anything. And he intended to go immediately to the cemetery. But I saw it was a great trouble for him — since he had come from great cold and had been wearied by the journey. And the day had greatly declined. And I detained him somewhat. And he immediately agreed readily to say: good — I will go tomorrow on Rosh Chodesh. And he sat down to eat. And that night he was with us at the engagement ceremony. And in the morning he went to the holy grave. And when he returned from there — a yearning was aroused in me to go also — even though the previous day I had intended not to go on Rosh Chodesh — since I had intended to stay several more days in Uman. But now since Rabbi Shmuel Aizik went with some of our anshei sh'lomaynu — a yearning was aroused in me. Therefore I went and prayed there. And I laid out my heart somewhat there. And through this I was further strengthened in the matter of my journey.

Afterward I ate the midday meal at my inn at Rabbi Avraham's house. Afterward I went to transfer all my belongings from Rabbi Naftali's house to Rabbi Avraham's house. For all my belongings were still lying at Rabbi Naftali's from Tuesday night until now. And I hired a wagon and transferred them to Rabbi Avraham's house — to my inn. Afterward we went to Rabbi Moshe's house — where we had prayed the previous Rosh Hashonah.