Large, Impressive Ledger of the Usov Community in Moravia. Rare, Unique Manuscript. Usov [Czech Republic] 18th Century

Large, Impressive Ledger of the Usov Community in Moravia. Rare, Unique Manuscript. Usov [Czech Republic] 18th Century

Ledger of the Usov community. Usov, 18th century.

Specifications: [223] leaves (most are numbered) and another 100 blank leaves. Size: 19.5x30.5 cm. The large majority is in Yiddish, with the rest in Hebrew. Solitary leaves are in a foreign language. In the margins of one decision, there is a an original wax stamp of the community, in its entirety.

Usov was a small but significant community in Moravia, today the Czech Republic. Jews apparently first settled there in the 16th century. Though we do not know the number of Jewish residents, Usov was significant because of the city's rulers. During the Thirty-Year-War, in the first half of the 17th century, it underwent a crisis when the Swedes invaded its borders. The Jews of Moravia underwent an even more difficult period in the 18th century, during the reign of Emperor Charles VI and that of his daughter Maria Theresa. These events negatively affected all the Moravian communities, however Usov waged its own private battle for survival due to the decree against its synagogue.

The government and the local priest ordered its destruction after a priest entered the synagogue on Kol Nidrei night in [1721]. He went up to the chazan, struck his machzor with his stick and started cursing the Jewish religion. All peaceful attempts to calm him did not succeed and he was finally forcefully ejected. The gentile maid who lit the synagogue candles witnessed the event and called the city gentiles, who came armed with axes and scythes ready for a pogrom. If not for the priest's last-minute regaining his composure and calming the raging mob, not one Jew would have been left in the city. The gentiles then complained to the authorities about the Jews who assaulted a priest and the entire Christian religion. This led to a protracted, thirty-year battle, during which the community was forced to approach the government, even the royal court in Vienna, to nullify various decrees, including the destruction of the synagogue and the prohibition against building new places of worship. Much effort and tremendous amounts of money were invested in these attempts.  

This rare ledger was written during this thirty-year period and the background story lends insight into the reason why the community trustees bemoan the difficult financial situation which interesting phrases such as "since our community is at its lowest level" (18,2). One document describes a meeting of community leaders to discuss the debts and payment of taxes "to our master, his majesty, the righteous Duke"

The community leader who was very active in this issue is the first person mentioned in this ledger - Rabbi Avraham Broyde, author of the Megillat Sedarim (Berlin, 1895), which describes this episode in length.

This historic ledger was used by the Jewish community in Usov between 1732-1821. It is an invaluable contribution to the study of the history of the Jews of Moravia, since it is an authentic, first-hand source about the lifestyle of the Jewish community in this area in the 18th-early 19th centuries. It commands a comprehensive view of all public matters that related to the Jews of the city.

Following is a number of examples: A large part of the ledger discusses contracts between community leaders and of religious service providers. For instance, it features contracts with flour suppliers for the city's kimcha d'pischa - Passover charitable distribution. The contract details the way that the flour would be ground, stored, the price, etc. to all detail.

Agreement with a couple to maintain and operate the mikvah. The husband was responsible for the men's mikvah and the wife for the women's mikvah and their halachic immersion. Includes a price list for immersion (differentiating between community members and non-community members, brides and women after birth). Detailed agreements with butchers and tax on meat, tax on wine (the tax collector must inspect the merchandise before unloading it from the wagon 21b), contract for a midwife (15b of the second pagination). 

In addition: Appointment of synagogue trustees, tax collectors, acceptance policy for members and conditions, interesting decision from 1875 regarding the maximum permitted to pay musicians to play at weddings, signed by the city rabbi (86a).

Forgiveness letter between the rabbi and community leader "regarding a scandal that arose between ... HaRav HaGaon ... Shmuel ... and ... Itzik ... Whatever occurred is now completely forgiven by both."

A separate section at the conclusion of the ledger lists reports regarding funds and assets belonging to orphans in the community, which depicts the extent that they were cared for by the community. 

The following rabbis are mentioned or signed in the ledger:

Rabbi David Tevel Av Beit Din of Usov and Giwitsch, author of Beit David (Wilhermsdorf, 1734), notes that refer to him appear at the beginning of the ledger (3a).

Rabbi Avraham Avril Prostiz (128a), author of Kapot HaMan'ul (Vienna, 1818). He was a disciple of Rabbi Yehonatan Eibshitz, who signed in Luchot HaEidut. He served as dayan in Holesov, and then Av Beit Din in Gaya, Usov Boskowitz, Krezmir and Uhersky Brod.
Rabbi Itzik Wolf Av Beit Din of Usov signed a number of times (refer to 86a; 90b;92b;2b; and 3b in the second pagination). This is apparently Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Dukas, who was later rabbi of Galanta (refer to Shem HaGedolim MeiEretz Hager).
Rabbi Shmuel Av Beit Din of NR"U (mentioned on leaf 93b).
Rabbi Yisrael Reich in 1817 (signed on leaf 159a).

Condition: Fine-Very fine condition. Stains in the margins, the leaves' edges are slightly chafed, with almost no blemish to the text. New, half-leather binding.