Dorothy Kraus Memoir - The Sabbath

Table of Contents (?)

Site Page Counts
Public: 589
Restricted: 22

Dorothy Kraus Memoir

The Sabbath
Saturday was the day of rest for the Jews. On the Sabbath, they awoke somewhat later, went to the synagogue, came home for a good meal, then took a nap. After that there was a glass of tea with a little cake.

Later in the afternoon, there would be a promenade, sometimes into the woods. Groups of men went together, discussing affairs. The older boys would walk behind their papas. Often fights would break out and a father would intervene by administering a smack on the head, accompanied by an appropriate curse.

After the promenade, it was time to return to the synagogue for meref (the evening prayer), which ended in singing, with the rabbi or without him. Getting home, after sundown, the house smelling good, the peaceful mood continued. This was the Jews' happiest momement. They managed, they had parnosse (business). They lived like Yiddin, always adding: “God willing, next year in Jerusalem!” If only they were left in peace, without pogroms, without pogroms...

Editor's Notes: It seems likely that the Jews walked in the forested area of the ruins of the Sapiega Castle, directly across the river from the Jewish town and easily accessible. Parnosse: Translated by Dorothy as business, but probably more accurately rendered as making a living. Pogroms: Thus far, there is no evidence that any pogroms occurred in Wysokie Litewskie, but the Jews of the town knew about pograms elsewhere. (As Dorothy discusses with respect to the Zionist cause, here.) Their prayers for peace were on behalf of their people as a whole.

This material is from Original Page 1 and Original Page 2.

Page Last Updated: 07-Nov-2012