Book of Regulations. Amsterdam. 18th Century. Museum Item

Book of Regulations. Amsterdam. 18th Century. Museum Item

A magnificent book of regulations of the Ashkenazi congregation in Amsterdam which was used by one of the community's charity collectors. Contains ten printed publications, beginning with the community's first detailed book of regulations, with booklets of other regulations and changes made to the regulations. First half of the 18th century. 

Specifications: Contains (as appears in the book):

* Community regulations of the holy Ashkenazi congregation in Amsterdam. Amsterdam, in the Attias printing press, 1737.
[4] 2-33 leaves, 15.5 cm. Yiddish in Tzeina Ure'eina script. Contains 102 clauses, with indexes. On pages 26, 2-27 are the names of 21 important members of the community who authorize the regulations. The regulations are also authorized by the secular authorities. To the best of our knowledge, before us are the first regulations of the Ashkenazi congregation in Amsterdam. Does not appear in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book.

* The order of the Synagogue according to all customs... Amsterdam, in the Proops printing press, 1759.

9[1] leaves, 15.5 cm. Especially thick paper. Part of the title page was printed in red ink. Contains 54 regulations, with indexes. Listed in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book according to a copy in the municipal library of New York.

* Ordinatatzia Fun Eli Shtarot V'Ktavim 1708, a folded leaf.

* Regulations for Festive Meals, 1709. For restriction of the expenses of weddings and feasts. A folded leaf.

* Regulations for Festive Meals, 1717. For restriction of the expenses of weddings and feasts. A folded leaf.

* Regulations for Festive Meals, 1722. For restriction of the expenses of weddings and feasts. A folded leaf. 

* Ordinatatzia Fun Eli Shtarot V'Ktavim 1731, a folded leaf.

* Ampliatzia on the manner of choosing the Parnasim and Gabbaim. 1737. A single leaf. 

* Ampliatzia on the regulations of our community... 1747. Amsterdam in the Proops printing press, 1759.
4 leaves, 15.5 cm. Especially thick paper. 

* Ampliatzia Oif Tikkun 43 Mitikkunei Kehilateinu... (Regulations about burial). Amsterdam, in the Proops printing press, 1758.
[2] leaves. 15.5 cm. Thick paper. 

Unique Features: The Ashkenazi congregation in Amsterdam was known as an especially orderly and organized congregation. The book of regulations contains 102 detailed regulations. The last regulation [102] contains details of how exactly the regulations can be changed, and indeed, in the changes which appear in the booklets printed after it is mentioned that they were made according to the method established in regulation 102. The regulation booklets were printed for the use of the members of the congregation, and they were printed in a small number of copies, and are therefore rare. Especially uncommon are the single leaves, which contain many regulations.
Original leather binding with magnificent gold embossing. With the name of the 'Charity Collector Reb Yuspa Cohen'. In the center of the front binding is the symbol of the Ashkenazi congregation of Amsterdam, with the depiction of two angels bearing a crown above it. On the back of the binding is the symbol of the Proops the printer, with figures of angels and the crown above it. Blank leaves at the beginning and end of the volume. Gilded page cuts. 

Condition: The book's leaves are in very fine condition with slight aging stains. The binding was preserved in the same condition, with the exception of a crack along the entire length of the spine.