The Rabbi headed to the railway station early in the morning, after a shortened prayer. He climbed quickly the stairs of a long train, that outside its cabin there was a placard, stating: ‘Minsk- Smolensk- Moscow’ in Kyril-Russian & Latin letters.
Aaron Hittin had a black leather bag in his hand, and was wearing his new nice brown 'capshaded hat'(“kasket”)- common in these days. His trousers and long black coat were old, but his black shoes, though not new - were looking polished and shining.
He entered the train’s cabin door with some doubts, if that was the proper train for Moscow’s direction. But this fact should not make the reader to conclude, that his hesitation was due to the awful regime’s plots. Even today, in a democratic surrounding, it may happen that you climb a train’s steps, and you hesitate if that one will lead you wherever you need.
So, Rabbi Aaron was looking around. Half of the ‘bench-seats’ were empty. He easily found a seat, and began reading the newspaper “Pravda”. He bought it now, though he was not used to. His boss in the Gallery had registered a long time before to that ‘truth telling’(PRAVDA in Russian)newspaper.
The train moved on after half an hour of waiting. Rabbi Aaron saw people hanging on the cabins’ steps even after it had begun to move slowly. Railway lines were crossing each other, and many trains were moving to and fro - while travellers seated inside were waving their hands out of the windows to their beloved ones. He had no one to wave to.
When the wheels began rumbling, there appeared a smile on Rabbi’s lips. Very easily he fell asleep, covering his eyes with the newspaper. He was a ‘light sleeper’, knowing that if the train stops somewhere he would soon wake up. There was no fear in his heart, that he would be directly taken to a far place like Siberia..
Rabbi woke up as the train arrived at the first station, and stopped with a screech. Then there was a whistle, and the long vehicle continued its way toward Moscow through Smolensk. But Rabbi Aaron could not sleep any more. Maybe because he was thinking then on poor ‘made mad’ Mogid, to whom he had travelled on the same railway, not many years ago…
Rabbi Aaron got down from the train in the central station of Moscow, and took an bad shaped grey bus to the Kremlin square. He approached the Kremlin's Wall, holding his small Khaki bag, that contained some bread and cheese, and two green apples. He was looking at the Domes of the Pravoslav churches, and paid attention to the Soviet red stars on the towers and caps. On The Kremlin’s Wall- as well as on other buildings – were waving red flags, with the golden scythe & hammer symbols. He approached the entry, in the middle of the wall. The Guard Squad at the main gate included six armed men, standing at the two sides of the gate.
Tens of people were waiting nearby, in the square close to the gate. A Guard officer came out from inside the gate, and was facing them. He was escorted by three men dressed in civil grey coats. They ordered the crowd to make a ‘waiting line, without quarrelling about priority’.
“Citizens invited to First Secretary Stalin,” declared a citizen who joined the officer, and surely had been a Gepau man, “please stay and wait for our further instructions. All others- will walk toward me, and make another row. We will pass along your two lines, check your details and inspect your matters carefully. Remember, comrades: Patience and order - are our slogans.”
Rabbi Aaron rushed to the waiting line of those invited to see the ‘so called General Secretary, but practically is the Red Tsar’- so he thought. Soon there were seen new guards, who came out also from the inner side of the Kremlin’s wall. They hurried to the waiters’ line, and began questioning and cheking documents. One of them held Rabbi Aaron by his elbow, and requested: ‘documents, letters, notes, photographs, money notes, – empty out all your pockets- and baggages, if you have. Put them on the ground and answer my questions clearly.’
Rabbi handed him two documents, taken out from his coat’s pocket. The guard looked at the Identity Card and at the Traveling Special Visa. He checked Rabbi’s parcel. His fingers were searching the Rabbi from feet to head, jerking, touching and pressing some places. At last he returned the documents to the Rabbi and indicated him to remain staying on his place.
Then an army Officer came in front of the line. He was holding a list of names, and Rabbi heard his name included in it. The officer indicated him to join the line of those allowed to enter. They were surrounded by ten booted Gepau men, each having a pistol in his holster.
But they had still to wait. Rabbi was standing at the center of the line, not far from the gate. His feet were on the stoned square’s pavement, and he wondered what would happen next. Will the Kremlin gate be opened to all those waiting, or will they be allowed to enter one by one and get to Stalin’s office?...
Suddenly he saw two black ‘private cars’ driving on the square.
They raised their speed - while approaching the waiting row, that included men and women. Some of them withdrew a step, breaking the line, being frightened - as the cars slowed down and stopped almost at the Kremlin’s Gate.
These were Russian Model “Zis” cars- of those years (late 20-ies’). One of the cars, who had passed already over the Rabbi, suddenly stopped, withdrew a few steps and became close to Rabbi Aaron’s place. He paid attention that the side-windows of that car were covered by dark curtains. Its motor was still active- but soon hushed. The right side front window curtain of the car was opened. A man who was sitting to the right of the driver- was waving his hand outside, but his face had not been seen yet. His head was turned down, covered by a cap-shaded hat, with a red stern on its front.
Suddenly the man raised his head. Aaron identified him as the dictator himself. Joseph Visaryonovitch Stalin in his natural size, natural moustache and smoking pipe, wearing his special Khaki uniform.
Many of the waiting crowd at that side - suddenly recognized their ruler, and the outcome was sporadic applauds. A hand move of the Ruler indicated the Gate Guard’s Officer to come closer. Stalin surveyed some waiting people nearby – and pointed on Rabbi.
Astonished Rabbi Aaron drew forward, and Stalin smiled to him, his pipe still held between his teeth. He turned to the officer, who was standing at the car’s door, and whispered, pointing on Rabbi:
“Take this man in.”
The officer elbowed Rabbi’s and led him around the car’s back and opened for him the back left door. He indicated him to get in.
There was a guard, sitting inside at the back right side. He was looking at the Rabbi in silence, while his lips expressed an artificial smile. Stalin, who was at the front right seat – beside the driver- turned his head backwards, and was facing Rabbi.
“Comrade! What is your name?” he asked.
“Aaron Hittin, comrade Sta...ta ta...lin.”
“Where do you come from?”
“Minsk, Belarus,” answered Rabbi Aaron.
On the car’s front left seat, Rabbi Aaron discerned the Russian Gepau’s Head, Menzhinsky. He began driving the car into the walled Kremlin; its old buildings were not seen, due to the dark curtains inside.
“What do they say in Minsk,”- Stalin continued to ask Rabbi Aaron, “about our Five Years Plan?”
“The Russian people shall perform their tasks,” said the Rabbi, “even within three years, not five! We all pray for that.”
“M...m...Don’t pray. Work!… And- what has brought you here? what is your case?”
“I am a Jewish Rabbin, comrade Stalin. I have a trouble, living here.”
The car stopped at a grey one story building. It was Stalin’s office.
The guards at the front door there saw their boss arriving, and they had jumped to a “stand up” position, when Stalin passed by. Menzhinsky and Rabbi Aaron followed the dictator in a quick walk. They soon entered a simple small corridor, and Rabbi Aaron found himself in the dictator’s office. Only Lenin’s portray was hanging on the wall. A man-secretary talked with Stalin for a few moments, and then indicated Rabbi Hitti
n to enter with him to the dictator’s room.
Stalin was already seated on an ornamented high chair, that had smoothed side-supports. Menzhinsky was seated beside his desk on a wooden low chair, and the Rabbi – who was standing, was quite shaking from fear of what would be the end of all that. Stalin saw his nerved trembling beard, and winked to Menzhinsky, (who was less famous than other Gepau or Cheka Heads like Dzherzhzinsky or Yagouda or Berya, but ruthless like them all).
“Yakov!” Stalin suddenly said to his male secretary, “I’d ended my pipe’s tobbaco. Bring a new packet, of the Turkish one. Kazakhstan’s is still lacking a tasty aroma.” His cunning eyes looked again at the Rabbi.
“So, Rabbi Yevrey(Jew): What makes your feeling so unpleasant in our Bolshevik State?”
“Firstly- I have an invalid child, who must be nursed all the time. I want to hold him with me, due to my religious belief. . .Secondly, I suffer much humiliation as a Rabbi. For example, our Kosher butchery had been confiscated.”
“It’s natural: Russia is communistic, atheistic...I replace God, so to say! Ha ha!” He burst in laughter, which was joined by his Secret police Head.
“I have a sister abroad.” said the Rabbi, “She will help me. Please allow me to leave Russia, and join my family in America...”
Stalin waved his hand in impatience, as to drive off a noisy fly.
“I see it’s a hard issue,” He told Menzhinsky, “that would involve the Foreign Ministry, and Gepau! So, take it under your control.”
“Your reward for my deportation from Russia…” Rabbi Aaron tried to murmur, knowing it was his last chance with the strongest man, “Your reward will be enormously worthwhile.”
“Worthwhile!” repeated Stalin and laughed with his Minister, “You –offer me a deal! Ha Ha!”
“Please, my sister is in America.Your enemy- Trotsky, intends to go there! I’ll trace him for you!”
“Bravo!” shouted the two , and gave a short applaud.
“ Comrade Menzhinsky will talk with you about all,” Said Stalin.
“I have one more little request, “ said Rabbi.
Gepau Head rose from his seat and threatened Rabbi by his hand move.
“Enough is enough, citizen! Our leader is busy!”
Menzhinsky and the male-secretary pulled Rabbi out of Stalin’s room. Menzhinsky remained for a while with the leader. Rabbi waited for him in the corridor, and the secretary offered him a seat. After ten minutes Gepau Head’s assistant came, and took Rabbi Aaron to the secret police Head Office, that was as non-impressive like the dictator’s office. Rabbi Aaron waited an hour in the Gepau building - for being interviewed by the atrocious Secret Police Head. When he was allowed at last to enter his room, he discerned there only two pictures - of Stalin and of white bears in a forest.
The Gepau Head was seated at his desk, pulling a pistol out of his desk’s drawer. Rabbi was standing nearby, looking at the pistol. He was mumbling a prayer in his heart, being appalled. He tried to restrain his pounding heart and trembling legs. No one discerned also the sweat of panic creeping on his skin, under his heavy dress.
The Gepau Head began playing with the pistol’s rounds. He was putting them into their cartridge, and getting them back out, except one, that he put into the pistol.
“Did you have an additional wish,” he asked the Rabbi, “except your request to leave our country?...”
“There is a woman- who I am in love with,” said Rabbi Aaron, “She was sentenced - four years in Siberia!”
“Not much.” said Menzhinsky.
“A man, with whom she had been in love before, testified against her. He claimed she was an anti-Stalinist. Because they quarrelled.”
“That’s very good.”
“Her lover had been afraid of her: that she would accuse h i m for treason. So he wanted to be the first, who‘ll get rid of her.”
“And was he a true Stalinist- or...also a Trotskist?”
“He was - and is- a true Stalinist, to say the truth! But...now my poor Natalya is a Prisoner in Siberia. I fell in love with her while they were still living together- but hearts apart. . .”
“Hah! Clever epigram!” smiled Menzhinsky and directed his pistol’s barrel toward a bear on the wall’s picture, “living together- hearts apart!” He repeated, and dropped the pistol noisily on his desk.
“I am sure that she’s innocent,” said the Rabbi, feeling he had been filled with a sudden courage, “and not a real Trotskist. And now Trotsky is already out of the Soviet land. So, I beg you...comrade... ”
“You would like her to be released,” said Menzhinsky, “and you want also to leave Russia- with her and with your son.” He looked at the written request of Rabbi Aaron, that had been on his desk.
“Exactly,” said Aaron Hittin.
The Gepau Head took the pistol again in his hand. He was gazing at Rabbi’s lips, that began to quiver, and at his shaking hands.
Menzhinsky re-targeted the pistol to the bears in the wall’s picture, but again dropped it on his desk.
“What’s the young woman’s name?” he asked.
“Natalya Besarobina. She is in a re-education camp in Tomsk.”
Gepau Head wrote the name and location in his small booklet. He laid the pen on it, and got up, grabbing his pistol again.
“Comrade Stalin told me,” he said, “to fulfill, at least, one of your requests. . .So, I shall release the young woman.”
“But. . . what about. . . my … my appeal - to.. ..to leave Russia ?”
Menzhinsky disregarded Rabbi Aaron’s question. A shooting was heard from his pistol. His bullet hit the bears’ picture on the wall. The shot made all the the Rabbi’s limbs shudder. Gepau Head’s voice roared from satisfaction.
“I won!” he shouted.
His uniformed Assistant rushed into the room. He was indicated by his boss to chang the damaged picture by an idendical copy. Then he suddenly attacked Rabbi Aaron. While shouting ”Out! Out!”- he boxed his belly, and slapped his beard three times.
Rabbi shouted from pain, and ran out of the room. The assistant followed him. Closing his boss’ door, he remained with Rabbi in the small ‘secretaryat’. While Rabbi’s lips were thanking God again for his rescue from the terrible human beast, he saw that the secretary opened the entry door, indicating him to go outside. There- a guard showed Rabbi Aaron how to find the way to the Kremlin’s gate. As he walked forward, a guard riding a bicycle followed his steps to the gate.
While he was out, he was reflecting about the results of his voyage. He had a partial success: Natalya would be released. On one hand- don’t rejoice about the bear’s fur before you’ve hunted it. On the other hand - there is some hope in the fact, that the regime is not so stubborn...Though there are dangers too. ‘Her re-appearance in my horizon,’ thought the Rabbi, ‘sets a problem for me. She would certainly like me to marry her. However, I am a hesitating kind of person. Maybe most men in love are like that, Jewish or Gentiles. But really - it won’t change much the scope of the problem that I’m facing: I wanted to get rid of this regime- and failed in my attempt to realize that…’
CHAPTER 27