<b>Takanos Ledger of the F&uuml;rth Jewish Community </b> <div> <b>F&uuml;rth, 1786.</b> </div> <div> <b>500 Takanos! <br />*</b> </div> <div> <b><br /></b> </div> <div> <b><br /></b> </div> <div> Takanos ledger of the Jewish Community of F&uuml;rth, one of the most prominent Jewish communities in Germany. The ledger contains 500 (!) regulations and policies, constituting a fascinating historical glimpse into the lives and times of 18th-century Ashkenazic Jews. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> The 500 regulations are presented in astounding detail, spanning the spectrum of Jewish life in F&uuml;rth and regarding all realms of life both for the community and individual. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> Among the many topics included in this community policy are the appointment of the Rav; policies of synagogues and prayers; roles of the shamash and chazzanim; the acclaimed Yeshiva of F&uuml;rth; and supervision of the local Hebrew press. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> It also includes policies regarding the collection of charity and funds for the poor of Eretz Yisrael; arrangements for guests and the poor in the community; community welfare and charity institutions, including the Hekdesh Hospital; Maos Chittim for Pesach; and supervision on financial transactions to ensure a proper Heter Iska and forestall interest-bearing loans. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> It also includes policies of shidduchim and marriage; tznius policies of women’s attire; mishloach manos on Purim; erecting matzeivos; and hiring community midwives who were required to pass an official test and receive certification from a professor in the community. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> Also included in this ledger are policies regarding the appointment of roshei kahal, leaders and gabbaim (collectors); supervision and administration of the local population; welfare institutions; tax collection and virtually every other imaginable topic, to the point that there is nary a community issue not covered in this ledger. </div> <div> <b><br />The ledger regulated the existence and proper administration of the great community of Furth, one of the most prominent Jewish communities in Germany, hence its tremendous historic importance. <br /><br /></b> </div> <div> The ledger was written in German script by a noted community scribe. The majority of the ledger is written in German Yiddish, interspersed with words in Lashon Hakodesh. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> The ledger opens with a poetic introduction in Lashon Hakodesh regarding the purpose of community takanos and the obligation of each and every Jewish resident to uphold them for his personal benefit and the benefit of the community at large. The preface also notes that although Jews are permitted to uphold justice as per the Torah law, the community is still bound to respect the law of the land and not violate it in any way. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> The document is dated 5546 (1785) at the close of the preface and at the end of the takanos (leaf 83b). <br /> <br />The last 12 leaves (84b-95b) comprise an index of the policies arranged by topic. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> <b>The F&uuml;rth Jewish Community <br /></b> <br /> </div> <div> The Jewish community of F&uuml;rth, which is located in south Germany (Middle Franconia) was founded in the early 16th century by the exiled Jews of Nuremberg (see the preface to Customs of the Holy Community of F&uuml;rth, F&uuml;rth, 1767). It swiftly blossomed into the most prominent community in Bavaria and one of the largest Jewish communities in Germany as a whole. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> Many acclaimed Gedolei Yisrael stood at the helm of this community, and the F&uuml;rth Yeshiva gained renown as the largest and most exclusive yeshiva after the Frankfurt Yeshiva. The community was also known for its Hebrew press which produced many sifrei kodesh. </div> <div> <br />F&uuml;rth, 1786. Decorative and unique handwriting of the community scribe, written in the language customary in the community: Yiddish-German and Hebrew. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> <b>Page Count: </b>95 leaves. Thick, quality paper. Leaves 84–95: Index to takanos. <b>Size:</b> 35 cm. Bound at the end are two accounting leaves from 1806, sized 23.5 cm. <b>Condition:</b> Good. A few stains and a few tears. Old binding with spine and corners of leather; the spine is embossed in gold letters with: “Community Ledger.” </div> <div> <br /> Provenance: Collection of Rabbi Isaac Wallach - Jerusalem&nbsp;&nbsp; </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> Attached to the ledger is a comprehensive study by Mr. Shlomo Zucker of the Israel National Library. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uvHRv_UGEj8rs0MtV8SXrb7BkwMTrz85/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> please see link</a>&nbsp; </div> <div> </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> <b><br /></b> </div> <div> <b><br /></b> </div> <div> <b><br /></b> </div> <div> <br /> </div>