Shikah was raised by a widowed mother. His father, Bentsi, died when Shikah was still a young child. His widowed mother, Bentsicha, began to sell fruit in a stall at the market place. Being busy all day, making a living, she couldn't watch over her son, so he grew up like a free bird - hardly knowing anything about Cheder (religious school). At the beginning, Bentsicha, tried to keep him in Cheder. Shikah, however, was not interested, and as money was scarce to pay the teacher, that was the end of Cheder.
Each summer, with the help of one of the important towns-people, Bentsicha would rent a large orchard and can both fruits and preserves. She sold these directly to the towns people and, whatever was left, through her market stall.
It was Shikah's task to guard the orchard from thieves and rowdies who came to steal the fruit. As a result of being out in the fresh air, most of the time, and eating as much fruit as he wanted, Shikah grew to be a strong, handsome young man. He was tall, broad shouldered, with a full head of hair and a rosy complexion that looked like it would start bleeding with the smallest prick of a needle.
You should understand, that by growing up under these circumstances, Shikah could not read or write, not even in Hebrew. He knew nothing of Jewishness other than when it was Sabbath or a Holiday. Sabbath and Holidays were observed by the whole village. When a Jewish holiday came on the Thursday, which was market day, even the people from smaller, outlying villages knew there would be no market on that day. Because he knew nothing of Jewishness, the towns people called him "Shikah Goy". This embittered Shikah and estranged him from the Jews and Jewishness.
Besides the large shul in our town, there were several small shuls for various working groups. There was one for blacksmiths, one for tailors, one for shoemakers and one for musicians. One time, on Simchas Torah, when Shikah was seventeen or eighteen, he went by the musicians shul. One of the musicians, who was standing outside, called out to him. "Shikah, what will you donate if you are called up to the Torah for a special prayer?" Shikah answered that he would donate a duck worth two guilders. The musician went into the shul and told them to call Shikah up to the Torah for a blessing, for which he would donate a duck worth two guilders.
Next morning the whole town was buzzing with what had occurred. Shikah's mother, Bentsicha, uttered deadly curses. For a long time thereafter, the musicians avoided running into Shikah in a secluded street. On the second Sabbath, the Rabbi went to the musicians shul and said a prayer to turn the curses into blessings.
After this episode, Shikah gave up all contact with the Jews and Jewishness. He moved in with a gentile family and began hauling eggs to Warsaw. He began eating non-kosher food and smoking on the Sabbath. He even severed his relationship with his mother.
That's how Shikah lived until he was twenty one years old and had to register for the army. As he was a strong, physical person, he was inducted into the army and hardly any of the Jewish residents grieved for him, except perhaps his mother - still a mother.
In the army, Shikah was not to happy until he finished his basic training and began to enjoy his new life. He liked horses and was put into the Cavalry. He also learned to speak the Russian language by living with Christians. This is how Shikah served the Czar for three and a half years. Just as he was about to be discharged, the first world war broke out.
Shikah's regiment was among the first to see action and he threw himself into the fray with all his heart and soul. There was no mission for which Shikah didn't volunteer. Having grown up in an orchard, which he guarded at night, he was used to the darkness and always distinguished himself in his service.
For his bravery, Shikah was awarded four medals and four crosses. They promoted him to a higher rank in the Cavalry, which very few others had achieved. He was even honored by a General. Shikah received twenty one wounds, mostly light ones.
Any of the Czars soldiers with such a record would be promoted and, even though he couldn't read or write, he was sent to military schools to learn a trade.
One time, Shikah was called into an office. When Shikah entered the large room, he was greeted by an officer who saluted him and escorted him to the Chief Officer. The Chief shook hands with Shikah, returned his salute and offered him a seat to become acquainted. He complimented Shikah with warm words of praise. For a while the Chief busied himself with some papers and took out a couple of printed sheets. He then told Shikah how lucky he was to be the top candidate for the higher military school.
"The Czar will pay off your debts and also your mother's and she will receive a nice income. You will become an officer with a steady income in the military, with a pension when you are old. All these good things would be yours as a Cavalry officer. However, as a Jew, you are only entitled to a salute, nothing more. My advice to you is that you should convert to Christianity as a smart, brave young man. I hope you will take my advice. What do you say?"
"Absolutely not", was Shikah's quick reply to the Chief. And that is how it ended. Shikah did not become an officer because he would not convert.
When the town heard of this, it was the talk of the town. The town philosophers shook their heads and said, "A Jewish soul cannot be valued". Shikah would not give up his Judaism.