סט

And behold — at that time there was some dispute between the partners Rabbi Ber and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef — about the government contract (called atkap) — for which Rabbi Yaakov Yosef was prepared to travel to Petersburg to secure. And they had still not reached agreement. And at first I did not wish to express my opinion about this at all. Afterward on Tuesday — I bent my ear somewhat to hear the nature of the disputes between them. And blessed be Hashem — Rabbi Tzvi may his light shine made peace and a settlement between them. And I also helped him somewhat. And then Rabbi Ber made a feast for me that night — the night belonging to Wednesday — which was the night of 15 Shvat — which was the time of my birth. And he invited all our important anshei sh'lomaynu — and also Rabbi Yaakov Yosef and his son. And we all reclined at his table. Also on Tuesday after midday — our friend the honored Rabbi Yudil may his light shine arrived. And we spoke together with great love. And then that night we were all at the feast. And we spoke at the table much from Rabbainu zichrono livracha. And we told of the wonders of the awesome book that he commanded to be burned — with our many sins. And other wondrous matters from our awesome Rabbainu zichrono livracha. And I also rebuked one person about certain things that were not pleasing in our eyes. And all these things and similar ones — all of them had a connection for me to the matter of my journey to Eretz Yisroel. Therefore I write everything for remembrance. But it is impossible to explain how every single matter had a connection to my journey to Eretz Yisroel. Afterward young men came from our anshei sh'lomaynu who had not been at the feast. And they played several niggunim. And we were with some joy. And the feast was prolonged until after midnight.