Basic HTML Version
MEHLMAN/FROM A BIBLIOPHILES MEMOIRS
1 8 9
As a bibliophile and collector I benefited from his wide-
ranging knowledge and excellent memory. During one period I
attempted to gather in my library the polemical works against
Hasidism, and particularly the writings o f the disciples o f the
Gaon o f Vilna. Once I told Yehonatan Lapin that I wanted very
much to obtain a copy o f
Sefer Ha-Vikuah
by Israel Liebel, o f
Navoredok, a book which had been almost completely destroyed
by the Hasidim. Yehonatan Lapin wrinkled his brow, thought a
moment and then remarked: “Some decades ago I saw the book
in the home o f an old Jew, but it is doubtful i f he is still alive. His
family name is too common to be o f help, and his address is
unknown to me.” And with this scanty information I began my
search. By chance I learned from an old Jew on Meah Shearim
Street that the man in question, “whose years are those o f
Methusaleh,” was living with his family in a nearby lane. My
hopes were aroused.
In early Spring, after Purim, I visited the venerable old man.
Upon entering the apartment I saw a large patriarchal family o f
elderly people, adults and children, partly seated and partly
standing, deep in conversation. At the head o f the table there sat
a small, weazened Jew with a face like wrinkled parchment. My
sudden entrance took the gathering by surprise. A young girl
asked as to my purpose, and I explained that I wished to see an
old book,
Sefer Ha-Vikuah,
which I described to her. The girl told
someone o f my desire and he approached the family head, who
was practically deaf, and shouted into his ear. I was taken aback at
his reaction. The small, weak figure repeated in a loud and disso
nant voice a few words with some variations; again quarrels, again
battles, again bloodshed. I took it that he had recalled childhood
memories o f the sharp polemics between the Hasidim and the
Mitnaggedim. I explained with difficulty that I had no intention
o f reviving an old quarrel or o f reprinting the book, but merely
wished to see it.
Witnessing my perplexity, the young girl promised to search
for the book on Passover Eve, when the apartment would be thor
oughly cleaned. She also suggested that I come during the Inter
mediate Days o f the holiday. I waited impatiently for the
appointed time and when I arrived I again found the place full o f
people. The polite young girl immediately told me that she had
searched high and low for the book, but to no avail. I was disap
pointed but did not lose hope. I looked around the apartment