Two Scholars Who Were in Our Town and Other Novellas by S. Y. Agnon

advisor’s advice. When some time had passed and he had said nothing, all the dignitaries said as one, “Rabbi, what will you reply to us?” The rabbi opened his eyes and said, “You know that I am not a man of conflict and I am neither obstinate nor fond of polemics, neither am I dependent on rabbinical compensation. But what shall those rabbis do whose wives did not bring them a dowry and whose fathers-in-law did not bequeath them wealth and assets? Heaven forbid that they should make the Torah a doormat to be trampled by all. If a rabbi is poor and dependent on people, he is not given enough to make a living and not only that but he is also insulted and derided. And if he is rich, they come to him with complaints because of his wealth. The edges of the robe of the sage Rabbi Gabriel Reinush were worn out from age and he had to shorten it and the entire town raised a hue and cry that he was wearing short clothing, German-style. The sage Rabbi AbrahamTeomim who was very wealthy and would allocate all of his earnings towards the needs of the town, was forced from his hometown because the town’s bigwigs claimed that he was depriving them of their livelihood because they were lending money to the local nobility at an interest rate of twenty percent, while he was satisfied with only eight percent. And did they not gripe about me that I was lending my money with interest and cutting into their livelihood? And surely you know that I entrusted the funds left to me by my father-in-law, may he rest in peace, to reliable people so that they would give loans from the earned interest to marketplace merchants, from whom the lenders take twenty to twenty-five percent from the principal and deduct the interest up front, then charging them as if they had loaned them the full amount. And I tell you further, my dear friends, that I have spent the majority of my days tranquilly; now that they have sent some troubles my way should I be more demanding and issue a challenge? I am a decent man and deserve to live my life in peace. I am reminded that there was a great scholar in your town who practically killed himself for the sake of Torah study and when he died he didn’t leave his wife and children even enough for one meal. And I, Blessed be God – my livelihood is assured and my burial clothes are ready for me. Therefore, what do I need to worry about? They will not carry me out in a garbage wagon like the people of Belz did to their rabbi, theBach of blessed memory, who was ushered out of the town on the eve of the Sabbath after noon. I beseech you, my brothers, please do not wound me; rather take for yourselves a rabbi.” The dignitaries said to him, “We already have a rabbi.” “Who is it?” asked Reb Shlomo. The dignitaries smiled and answered coyly, “Why, of course, it is you Reb Shlomo, may you live long!” Reb Shlomo rose from his chair and said to them, “Take note, gentlemen, I have already told you that I will not accept the rabbinate in your town, and I am not changing what I have said.” Reb Shimon, his brother-in-law, said, “We’ve already been assured by your grandfather, the great Rabbi Pinchas – may his merit protect us– that one of his descendants is destined to reside in our town.” Reb Shlomo responded, “Rabbi Pinchas, my grandfather, was a great and righteous man. And when a righteous man says something, it is bound to come true. But after all, my grandfather, of blessed memory, left many children who also have borne children devoted to Torah. Since they are my kinsfolk, it is not proper for me to recommend them. And you, if it is your desire to fulfill my grandfather’s words, chose for yourselves from among his progeny one who is worthy of that responsibility.” All the dignitaries responded in unison, “That righteous man clearly said, ‘a singularly special one from among my seed.’ And there is no one in this generation greater than our rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo, may he live long.” Reb