The rigid scheme of orthodox Jewish life in the Pale offered no opening to any other mode of life.

But in the large cities in the east and south he discovered a new world, and found himself at home in it.

The Jews among whom he lived in those parts were faithful to the essence of the religion, but they allowed themselves more latitude in practice and observance than the people in Polotzk.

Instead of bribing government officials to relax the law of compulsory education for boys, these people pushed in numbers at every open door of culture and enlightenment.

Even the girls were given books in Odessa and Kherson, as the rock to build their lives on, and not as an ornament for idleness.