According to Judah's great-great grandson, Judah (Jack) Asimov (1896-1969):
Judah was a great scholar. The name Asimov came to his predecessors whenever last names were given to the Jewish people because he, like everyone in the family, were dealers in rye planted in the fall and kept warm under the snow all winter. The rye is known as "asimy chleb." So the the first dealer was given the name Asimy, and his sons, Asimov.
Judah lived in Petrovichi and, like all the town's people, paid taxes to the land owner. Each person had the right to sell it or transfer it, subject to a tax by the land owner.
Judah exchanged his great piece of land in the middle of town for a "third of land" at the west end of town.
With the money he received, he became a traveling Jewish preacher, walking everywhere. He had written a book advising piety and moral behavior. He gave out this book wherever he went.
