ד

I saw fit and took it to heart to record — without a vow — briefly, each time, certain events that come to pass with me at every occasion. May it be G-d's will that all of it be for the good.

In the year 5540 [1780], I was born in the holy community of Nemirov, on the fifteenth of Shvat. In the year 5552 [1792], my father zichrono livracha arranged my betrothal [shidduch] with my father-in-law, the renowned Gaon and Tzaddik, our teacher the Rav Rabbi Dovid Tzvi, zichrono livracha. And in the year 5553 [1793], on Shabbas Nachamu, my wedding took place in the holy community of Sharigrod, and I was supported at my father-in-law's table for two years.

At that time I was a great misnaged [opponent of Chassidus] — because my father-in-law was very much opposed to the Chassidim, and he spoke much against them before me, and before his other sons-in-law and household members. He declared that his entire intent in these words was to distance them from the Chassidim. Afterward I left Sharigrod at the beginning of the year 5556 [1795], on the festival of Sukkos, and came to the holy community of Nemirov with my wife — may she live — and I was supported at my father's table zichrono livracha.

I joined in study during that winter with my friend zichrono livracha. He had been raised from his youth among the Chassidim, and had been with several Tzadikim. He spoke with me a great deal and argued with me that the Chassidim are G-d-fearing, and that the renowned Tzadikim among them are on a very great level and truly serve Hashem Blessed be He — as indeed is truly the case. And other people as well argued with me about this. Yet despite all this, I remained very strong in my opinion of opposition — because of the poisonous words of my father-in-law zichrono livracha which he had deeply implanted within me. For even though he was a Tzaddik and G-d-fearing, he had not merited to know the light and holiness of the truth of the renowned great Tzadikim of the Chassidim, and he was very strongly opposed to them, as mentioned above. And because of this, throughout that entire winter mentioned above during which I was in Nemirov, I was still in opposition to them.

Afterward, through the abundance of words from my friend mentioned above, and from other people, I discerned the truth. I merited to enter into emunah [faith] in the sages, and my mind agreed with the Chassidim — that it is good to draw close to the renowned great Tzadikim of the Chassidim, for they are men of truth and Hashem is with them. Then a certain measure of yirah [awe of Heaven] descended upon me, and I changed for the better in several matters known to me.