ז

And the manner of my writing before him was as follows: the Torah that he said at that time — such as on Shabbas Chanukah — he would then return to it during the time of writing, and say it before me section by section [piska piska]. He would say before me a number of words in the Ashkenazic [Yiddish] tongue, and I would sit before him and write the words in the holy [Hebrew] language — until I finished writing the entire Torah. And in most cases I would then read it back before him after I had finished writing it. Now, the sheer magnitude of the obstacles and sufferings that I had in that year — the year 5563 — is impossible to estimate. For all of them were in opposition to me: both my wife, and my father — may his light shine — and all his household, and all the household of my grandfather zichrono livracha. And there is much to tell regarding the sheer extent of the obstacles I had — without measure — regarding every single journey and every single movement and every single act [uvda] relating to the holy practices of Rabbainu zichrono livracha which he commanded me. And to this day I do not know from where I drew the strength to stand against such obstacles, which were almost unbearable.