Title

Description

The ledger begins with a copy of the original agreement of the formation of the society, which occurred on the 10^th of Av, 5537 (August 13, 1777). The society was formed after the fire which destroyed the community, the synagogue, and the Beit Midrash (study hall) in Av of 5534 (Summer 1774). Since the fire caused the diminishing of Torah study, which had been plentiful, the society wished to revive the study of Torah by day and by night. The members of the society agreed that the night be divided in to three shifts of three hours each, and  two individuals, chosen by lots, would spend their shifts in studying Torah. If anyone was unable to attend, he could send someone else in his stead. The agreement was signed by the rabbi of the community, Rabbi Tsvi Hirsh Cohn, the son of Rabbi Refael Cohn, and 20 additional members. It states that Rabbi Rafael Cohn is the well-known rabbi of Hamburg. [Image 5]

The second entry is a copy of the agreement of additional members accepting the rules of the society. It includes a stipulation that if one is unable to attend the study sessions, he is obligated to pay six large Polish coins (gedolim Polish) which will be used to pay for his substitute. The agreement was signed by 22 members on Tuesday, 27 Heshvan, 5539 (November 17, 1778). [Image 6]

This is followed by a copy of an entry reaffirming the above and another entry signed on 10 Tevet, 5541 (January 17, 1781). [Image 7]

Two entries recording donations to the society. [Images 7-8]

Twelve statutes of the society written on Thursday, 4 Iyar, 5562 (May 6, 1802). Statutes 1-9 discuss membership fees and obligations of the members, the gabbaim (officers), etc. Statute 10 describes the celebration for the members of the society on the holiday of Shmini Atseret and Simḥat Torah, “And the money will be given to the gabbai (officer of the society) to purchase cakes and mead on Shemini Atseret and on Simḥat Torah. The gabbai is also obligated to provide brandy and various types of pastries to all the members immediately following the services….” Statute 10 discusses the rules when a member has his son circumcised. Statute 12 discusses the uses of the copper tables used to prepare Matzot for Pesach and the copper pots used for cooking fish donated by the certain members of the society. [Images 8-10]

A list of the approximately 80 members of the society. The names of the members who have passed were circled; they have been noted in the footnotes. [Image 11]

The end of the manuscripts contains about 200 blank, unnumbered pages, which have not been digitized.

Thanks to the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, NY for providing scans of this pinkas, MS 30861. This summary and the accompanying annotated transcription were written by Rabbi Yitzchok Stroh of Brooklyn, New York, in 2022.

Category

Year of Publication/Creation

1837

Language(s)

Hebrew

Geographic Places

• Krotoszyn (Krotoschin, Krotshin), Poland (read online)