(going) The Extra Yad: Letters from Levi Yitzkhak Lederman, 21 February 1911

This post continues translation from Yiddish and analysis of letters sent by Levi Yitzkhak Liderman to his son, Morris, who was settled, initially, in New York City in 1910. For further background, see the first post in this series.

For links to other posts in this series, scroll to the bottom.

As noted previously, translation is an art. Any comments or clarifications by Yiddish speakers/translators are welcome.

As an aid in understanding, I have included a family tree at the bottom of this post.

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21 February 1911 [1]

Polonnoe, Volin. Guv. [Volhynia Gubernia]

Addressed to:

Mr. J. Simberg

134-36 Connor Street

New York City, America

Translation

Translated by Esther Chanie Dushinsky
[footnotes are mine]
To my honorable son, whom I love like my own soul, Mr. Moshe'leh, should live. The letter you wrote on Monday, Parshas Yisro, I received on Parshas Terumah [that's two weeks later], on the 13th day.[2] They sent me from home, the letter that you wrote in red ink. I was simply revived, and I wish you, my child, a long life with health and good, for the mitzvah that you had. I am also thanking and praising God, blessed be He for your health and God should indeed help I should be able to see you healthy, strong and happy.
You write to me that "I am going to take a new ____ [it says costume, but could be a suit] for $12 this week." I am wishing you that you should wear it in health and I truly agree should dress well. God forbid you shouldn't dress badly. My child, my child, I wish I would have in my hand to make you happy. God knows the real truth. Meaning - I'd rather give to you than to myself.
But for the while that I didn't have a letter from you, as usual, I was worried. I didn't know what to do. I was very surprised. I wrote to Faig'n already - home.[3] To Avraham Abba whether they received anything from you.[4] Bottom line, you revived me with your card. And for the future, I ask that, for the sake of God, send at least once a week, because it's hard to worry, and I don't know what to think.
Your father who wishes you good luck, and wishes your good _____
[sideways]
Moshe'leh, this Shabbos - _____ was the same _____, meaning the 19th and 20th February[?]. God should do miracles with us already, amen.
[upside down]
It could be that the coming week I will travel home and be there for Purim most likely. If I will be able to stay home, I will write to you from there. Most likely I will find a letter from you there as well, and I will respond to everything. But I am not sure that I will travel because the route is very bad now. The _____ is hard to go and they are very strict. Who knows if I get there on Friday to Slavuta, it might be hard to get a wagon.[5]
Aside from that, there is no news here. How is Hershel your uncle's? You wrote that he wasn't well. What happened to him? What's the story, why doesn't the uncle write anything?
Notes:
1. 21 February 1911 in the Julian (Russian Empire) calendar would have been 6 March 1911 in the Gregorian calendar (the one in the United State).
2. Parshas Terumah would have been 4 Adar 5671 in the Hebrew calendar; 19 February in the Julian (Russian Empire) calendar; 4 March in the Gregorian calendar (the one used in the USA). So, it had taken 2 weeks for the letter to get from New York to Levi Yitzkhahk's hands in Polonnoe.
3. Faiga was Moshe's sister (Levi Yitzkhak's eldest child).
4. Avraham Abba was Moshe's uncle (Levi Yitzkhak's brother) - and my great grandfather.
5. Levi Yitzkhak observed the sabbath and it would have been critical for him to get from Polonnoe to his home in Annopol before sundown Friday evening. Slavuta was a town on the route where, apparently, he would have needed to change his mode of transportation to get to Annopol (a smaller community).