Rebbetzin Chana’s Memoirs: Reunion in Chi’ili

In this 6th installment of the series, Rebbetzin Chanah describes her perilous travels to, and reunion with, her husband Reb Levik in the wretched little village he was exiled to. The joy of reunion was dampened only by the heartbreak she felt over the morbid conditions her husband was forced to endure. The total change in her husband’s dress, face and even personality ‘bore a hole’ in her heart:

A trial over a piece of bread

Soon, however, my husband’s need to eat became pressing. The deportees were not provided with bread, nor could it be bought even with money. Once, when he was at the train station, he saw bread being sold to those entitled to receive it. He noticed a Communist party member who, due to his high position, was entitled to a double food ration. My husband asked if he would sell him a piece of bread, while letting him keep the soup and meat portion of the ration. The Communist agreed, and for a sum of money sold him a piece of bread.

An official observed the criminal activity of doing business with food rations. He immediately called over the buyer and seller, and wrote down their names for the purpose of issuing them a summons to face trial.

The fear my husband experienced was very understandable for, so soon after arriving at a new place of residence, he had now committed a new “crime.”

He awaited the day of his court appearance with great trepidation. Although I don’t remember all the details of the trial, it proceeded, relatively speaking, quite leniently, for they couldn’t accuse the seller too severely.

This happened before my arrival.

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