Bidspirit auction | Seder Ha-Ha’arakhah. Mantua, [1732]. A

Seder Ha-Ha’arakhah. Mantua, [1732]. A rare copy with uncut leaves - An official booklet of communal regulations of the Jewish community of Mantua, entitled “Seder Ha-Ha’arakhah”, containing the tax ordinances and property assessments of the members of the community for the years 5492–5495. This booklet belongs to a long series of communal tax regulations printed in Mantua from time to time, from the late 16th century until the late 18th century. “Seder Ha-Ha’arakhah” was the name given to these sets of regulations, which were prepared by elected communal officials known as the “Arrangers of the Assessment, ” appointed by the institutions of the community. Their role was to determine the rules for the valuation of property, the distribution of the tax burden, methods of collection, and the financial obligations of individuals toward the community, as well as various aspects of the communal constitution and administration. The regulations were generally enacted for a period of three years, at the end of which a new booklet was printed containing the updated regulations for the subsequent term. These booklets constitute a first-rate historical source for the study of Jewish communal life in Mantua in the 17th and 18th centuries. They contain valuable information on social structure, occupations of community members, types of goods and property, distribution of wealth, patterns of trade and economic relations, and they reflect the manner in which the community managed its internal affairs during a period of relative stability alongside economic and social challenges. 8 leaves. 27 cm. Condition: very good. The leaves are uncut. Thick, high-quality paper. Wide margins. Worn half-leather binding with marbled paper. Held in the Rare Books Collection of the National Library. A rare and important booklet, of great historical and communal value, for understanding the history of the Jewish community of Mantua in Italy and for the study of the economy and social organization of Italian Jewish communities in the early modern period.