Eye-opening peek into Ashkenazic life in Amsterdam!

Museum piece!

Rare 12-Volume ...

Eye-opening peek into Ashkenazic life in Amsterdam!

Museum piece!

Rare 12-Volume Anthology of Ashkenazic Community Codes & Shul Policies in Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1737-1772

Captivating collection of 12 books and booklets presenting community codes and shul policies of Ashkenazic communities in Amsterdam. This anthology, still in its original ornate leather binding, belonged to R’ Zelig Yuklesh, gabbai of one of the local shuls.

These booklets, printed on high quality paper with only several copies per booklet, are rare finds since they were each printed internally for the community. The collection is maximally preserved, to the extent that it is rare to find such a vast, historic collection of this scope.

The collection encompasses the Fundamental Code of the Kehillah, 1737; Book of Customs of the Beis Haknesses of the Kehillah, 1759; and another ten booklets with amendments to the policies and code.

The Ashkenazic community in Amsterdam was founded in the early 17th century and functioned in strict accordance with community policies, following a detailed Community Code. This code vividly portrays Jewish community life in general and the policies and orders of the shul specifically.

In 1737, the Amsterdam Kehillah printed a detailed Code encompassing 102 regulations. The final regulation stated that the code and its policies could be revised, modified or revoked based on the needs of the time; and indeed, community gabbaim and philanthropists assembled occasionally to review and amend the Code based on need. These amendments were then published in smaller booklets which were attached to the original Code.

This anthology was the personal collection of community gabbai tzedakah R’ Zelig Yuklesh who had the booklets bound together in an ornate leather jacket with a metal clasp. The Kehillah’s name and emblem are impressively engraved onto the cover with gilded letters, and decorated with images of angels, crowns and decorative swirls.

The following is the list of booklets in order of their appearance:

1. Takanos Hakehillah D’Khal Kodesh Ashkenazim Asher B’Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1737. [4], 33 leaves. Printed at the behest of community leaders, officers, patrons and gabbaim.

2. Seder Hanhagas Beis Kankesses Mikol Haminhagim shel Beis Haknesses Mikol Hashanah. Amsterdam, 1759. 6, [1] leaf. Title page printed partially in red ink.

3. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1759. 4 leaves.

4. Regulations and Amendments on Amendment 35. Amsterdam, 1752. [3] leaves.

5. Regulations. Amsterdam, 1759. Single folded page; likely unknown.

6. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1765. [4] leaves.

7. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1768. [2] leaves.

8. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [2] leaves.

9. Amendment to Appointment. Amsterdam, 1771. [4] leaves.

10. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 5 leaves.

11. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 7-9 leaves (page numbers are continuation to previous booklet).

12. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 11-16 leaves (page numbers are continuation to booklets 10-11).

The booklets feature the Kehillah’s emblem in several variations: A Star of David surrounded by a border with a crown on top and musical instruments with the letters .ק.א.א — Kehillas Ashkenazim Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, 1737-1772. Total 86 leaves. Page size: 15.3 cm. The booklets were printed in German Yiddish interspersed with Hebrew words and phrases. Several pages in #1 cropped at edges until text. Preserved in case.

Provenance: William L. Gross Collection

Item description from the 'William L. Gross Collection'

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