Auction 70
Lot 349:
Laws of the congregation of the Great Synagogue, Duke’s Place, London – The content appears on both sides of the book: in Hebrew and on the other side, in English. This is the first, if at all, Hebrew document of this important community – London, 1827. XII, 81, 7, 82, XVI pp. In the National Library, the book appears, of course, in the Rare Book Collection.
Fascinating and intriguing!
The book contains 320 varied laws of the congregation. Their content indicates an established community with an active social life and many circles of charity. The laws concern all aspects of community and Jewish life including the behavior of the position holders and prayer leaders, the collection of funds from community members to support the synagogue, its charities and the poor of the community as well as the decision-making process of the community leaders – "כל עסקי הקהלה יונהגו על ידי: שלשה פרנסים, גובה, גבאי צדקה, שבעה טובי העיר ופקודי העדה". Alongside the famed Jewish benevolence, the laws manifest the famed British strictness.
New binding. Stains. Minor deliberate perforation to a gathering. Pencil scribbles in some places. Good overall condition.
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