Szmul Zbytkower loved doing business above all. Paying little attention who he was trading with, he always wanted to make a profit. However, when the Russians looted Warsaw and began the massacre of civilians, he put human life first.
In 1794, the Poles started an uprising against Russia, which had occupied Poland province by province, incorporating them into its Empire. This historical event was called the Kościuszko Insurrection – after the name of the Polish and American national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko, who led the revolt.
The Massacre of Prague
The battles, however, did not go well for the Poles. The overwhelming power of tsarist Russia pushed the insurgents back to Warsaw. On its foregrounds, in the town of Praga (now a district of Warsaw), on November 4, 1794, the last battle, called the defense of Praga, took place.
The Jews joined the Polish side in the battle, including Berek Joselewicz, a Polish patriot and officer with his regiment. Unfortunately, the Russian troops broke the defense and the massacre of Praga started. The Cossacks, fighting for the Russians, burned, robbed and murdered the whole population. The anger of the Russians also affected the Jews for having shown their loyalty to Poland. However, there was someone who decided to take a risk and save some lives, although he knew that he would not rescue everyone.
A businessman
Szmul Zbytkower traded with anyone who was solvent. Providing food to hostile armies and selling weapons, he was a leader in the trade in cattle and skins in Central Europe. He owned distilleries, sawmills, breweries, slaughterhouses, tanneries and meat warehouses and owned trade and crafts in Praga.
He was not popular and liked. On the contrary: Poles and Jews hated him but Szmul did not care about that. What mattered to him was profit and his business.
Life above money
When Russian troops and Cossack henchmen massacred civilians in Polish Praga, Szmul changed his priorities. He announced that he would pay anyone who brings the wounded to him or buries the dead. He helped the inhabitants seeking shelter and bought their children from the hands of cruel Cossacks. He helped everyone regardless of their faith.
Szmul Zbytkower saved many Christians and Jews from death.