Title

Description

The illustrated title page of the ledger features a drawing of an eagle, a deer, a leopard, and a lion with the quote from the Mishna (Pirke Avot, 5:20): “Be as bold as a leopard, as fast as an eagle, quick as deer, and strong as a lion to fulfill the will of your Father in Heaven.” It includes the name of the society “Talmud Society of the Bet Midrash [Study Hall] of the Wealthy R’ Y. D. Volkoviski – Bialystok,” and the year the ledger was begun, which was 5625, i.e., 1865 [Image 7]. Nonetheless, the first entry in the ledger is dated the summer of 1864; the title page was likely made several months after the first entry was made. [Image 16]

The ledger opens with a philosophical discourse on the importance of man, who stands between heaven and earth and unites them particularly through the holy Torah.  The discourse concludes by pointing out that since there are many obstacles that stand in the way of those who would like to study, it is customary to establish groups for the study of Torah. Hence, the undersigned members who attend this bet midrash have organized themselves into a society according to the statutes that will be recorded further in this ledger. At this point, after nine years of study, they have, with G‑d’s help, studied from the beginning of the Talmud until the completion of the Talmudic order of Kodashim and are hopeful that they will soon complete the entire Talmud. The section is signed by eighteen members of the society, including R’ Yeḥiel Dov-Ber Volkoviski, on the 15^th of Av, 5624 (August 17, 1864). [Images 13-16]

On Tuesday, the 16^th of Ḥeshvan, 5625 (November 15, 1864) the members of the society completed the entire Talmud and celebrated the occasion with great joy. [Image 17]

There are several entries recording the acceptance of new members into the society. Other entries record the election of officials of the society. [Images 17-21, 27]

The 19 statutes of the society are enumerated in 19 paragraphs, with the first word of the paragraphs beginning with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The statutes contain the conditions for membership in the society, rules for the elections of officers, and additional material. [Images 21-23]  

The following are some of the statutes:

1) The members accept upon themselves to study one daf (folio) of Talmud a day with Rashi’s commentary. Shabat is excluded, for Shabat is designated to allow those who are busy during the week to catch up on their studies. Jewish holidays, the Eve of Passover, and the Ninth of Av are also excluded according to the custom and law.

2) Study sessions are to be held in the bet midrash following the morning services, and those who are unable to attend shall see to complete the tractates at the same time as the study sessions.

3) Those who fail to attend the study sessions without a valid excuse will be fined, and if someone is absent for a month without a valid excuse he will be dismissed from the society.

4) At the time of the completion of each tractate, we will rejoice in its honor and eat sweets and drink local liquor. At the completion of an order of the Talmud, the rejoicing shall be even greater. When we will complete studying the entire Talmud, we will rejoice for three days: on the day of its completion, on the following day when we begin anew, and on a third day (it is not clear if the third day was the third day after its completion or an unspecified third day). On the day of the completion the penitential Taḥanun prayers will not be recited, and everyone shall wear their Shabat finery.  

Thanks to the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, NY for providing scans of this pinkas, MS 3968. This summary and the accompanying annotated transcription were written by Rabbi Yitzchok Stroh of Brooklyn, New York, in 2022.

Category

Year of Publication/Creation

1865

Language(s)

Hebrew

Geographic Places

• Bialystok (Belostok), Poland (read online)