Yeshiva University High School For Boys - Elchanite Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 78 text:

Efglzty THE ELCHJNITE Recalled JOSEPH FRHMAN. '::. HE train on whieh Morris Perlman was eoming to the Yeshiva. was drawn into the Grand Central Terminal. Morris immediately jumped from the ear and stood looking' about him wondering' at the scene of bustle and commotion. At last! He was finally in New York! It now re- mained for him to make his way to the haven of his hopes and dreams. the Yeshiva. There was a mixture of joy and sorrow in his breast: joy at his finally arrivine' at his hoped-for destination. and sorrow at the events whieh led to his coming. Morris had not yet finished saying Kaddish for his dear father. the late respect- ed Rabbi Solomon Perlman of India- napolis. He remembered vividly how his father had been brought into the house unconscious after having' been mortally injured by a speeding' auto- mobile. He was expected to die with- out regaining' consciousness. The candles were already being' lighted when he suddenly opened his eyes and called for little Morris. In a hoarse whisper he said. Ah, Morris, my child! You are about to beeome an orphan. I am dying. But there is one thing I must tell you before I die. All my life have I cherished the desire that you, my only son, should take my plaee here and be- come a leader in Israel. It is true. my son, that you are only twelve. but I want you to go to the Yeshiva upon your being graduated from the public sehool and there do I expect you to apply yourself assiduously to your Hebrew studies. XVhat you know now. of Hebrew and Talmud, is nothing eompared to what you have yet to learn. And may the Lord that watehes over widows and orphans protect you. tor your are about to become...' A tremor shook his frame and little Morris had be- come.-an orphan. Ah! NVhat a blow that had been to him... He then reviewed his interview with his mother on the eve of his departure. My son, she had then said. were it not that I want to fulfill your fatherls dying' wish. I never would be sending' you so far away from home. You have no father, now. you will be far away from your mother too. May the Lord be both father and mother to you. Study. my son. study and know all the Hebrew laws, traditions and writings: so that your father's last wish may be realized, that you may become a rabbi. Then will I be happy in seeing' you. with my own eyes. occupying' the position of your father. olov hasholomf' He. also. will rejoice in heaven with the knowledege of the occupancy of his position by his son. Hut, my son, do not even for one instant forget the purpose for which you are about to leave for New York. I will not be there to watch over you, to guide your steps in the right path, to minister to you in time of siekness,

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Tfllf IJLCHAINI TE Efglz ty- One to comfort you in time of depression. You. with tlod's help. will have to take care of yourself as well as you can. Go then. my son. and return as we would have you returnf' XVith tears in her eyes and a smile on her face did she bid him good-bye. So musing. he tinally arrived at, the Yeshiva. He entered the spacious office and. upon making known his name and address, was ushered into an i11ner office. There, at a table. sat an old man with alwhite, flowing, beard, studying the Talmud. It must have been a knotty 'problem that he was trying to solve. for his brows were knitted together and he had a very perplexed look on his otherwise cheerful countenance. This look, eoupled with his manifestly impress- ive personality, and with the know- ledge that he was the principal of the only Yeshiva in America: a Yeshiva that could compare very favorably with those of Slobodka and Volozhin, made little Morris feel as if he were standing in the presence of a superman. one of the Maloeh- im of whom his mother told him very many stories. He waited for about ten minutes until the rabbi settled to his satisfaction the quest- ion that had been bothering him. hardly even daring to breathe lest he disturb this great man. The Rabbi then closed his t'Gemorah and looked up at. Morris. VW-ll. my child. said he. rising and patting Morris upon the back. what do you wiSh?', Please, sir.', answered Morris falteringly. please, sir, my name is Morris Perlman... Ah, yesli' the rabbi answered. 'tfrom Indianapolis'?'y Morris nodded. 'for he was too awe- stricken to find his voice. It is all right. my child. I know your whole story. I have just re- ceived a letter from Rabbi Hirsch- field, your father's successor. he said. indicating a letter on his desk. now, I will just ask you several questions to determine into what class I shall place you. He asked Morris a few questions and the replies must have been very satisfactory. for he nodded his head in a. pleased manner quite a few times. Morris was given a 'tGemo- rah H and plaeed in one of the classes. NYithin a short time Morris became the brightest boy in the Yeshiva. so zealously did he apply himself to his studies. Xvords of praise for him were heard on all sides. Even in his secular studies .which were to him of minor import. did he reeeive the highest honors. And so it continued for three yea.rs. llut it seemed that Fate had an entirely ditiierent role for him to play. lt had been cheated long enough. It would not. be cheated any longer. And fate had its oppor- tunity when Morris. new sixteen. inet John Kayne this name was original- ly Joseph Kanowitzl. a boy of about eighteen. one of the worst characters on the East Side. He was a pleasant talker and a fine fellow. at least so he seemed to Morris. for how was he to know that this fine fellown had served time for stealing and that he was looking for a partner, his former partner having been arrested the pre- vious week. Upon seeing Morris, John decided that he could make a iine assistant of him. but that it would take time and labor. .Xt any