Title

Description

Autograph letter of recommendation for the society by Rabbi Yitsḥak Elḥanan Spektor [1817-1896], rabbi of the community (and later the renowned rabbi of Kovno), in which he commends the founders of the society, in particular Gershon Harkavy for his efforts on behalf of their poor and starving brethren. [Image 8]

The aims and 13 statutes of the society are followed by the signatures of its members. [Images 9-13]

A list of the names of the founding members of the society, with the Rabbi Yitzḥok Elḥanan Spektor being the first member mentioned. A number of members of the Harkavy family are among the founding members. [Image 19]

A list of members who were accepted into the society. [Image 20- 21]

On the 10^th of Adar, 5625 (1865), Rabbi Barukh Mordekhai Libshits [a.k.a., Lipshits], who had recently been appointed the rabbi of Navaredok, was accepted into the society. [Image 25]

In Shvat 5626 (1866), a raffle was initiated to raise funds for the poor. Five hundred tickets were sold at 30 kopeks each, and the money was divided between the winners and the poor. The tickets were all sold within seven days, and the raffle took place in the house of the rabbi of the community. [Image 33]

In 5675 (1914), Rabbi Yeḥiel Mikhl Epshteyn, author of Arukh Ha-Shulḥan, was accepted as a member of the society upon his becoming rabbi of the town. [Image 87]

In honor of the 25^th anniversary of the society in 1887, special Shabat services were held in the synagogue of Reb Mosheh Shlomoh Harkavy to honor the deceased members of the society. The society was founded in that synagogue. [Image 109]

In 5649 (1889), Rabbi Yeḥiel Mikhl Epshteyn penned an entry relating to the will of a member of the society. [ Image 119]

Under the title “For Shame,” the following entry is written: “Mr. A.M. is one of the magnates of our city who, according to our records, has contributed poorly and miserly to our society … After all of the above, it was decided to record all of this into the ledger of our society…” This entry is signed by the members of the society and bears the stamp of the society. It the only instance in the pinkas where the stamp of the society was used. [Image 123]

A list of the members who made the rounds with pushkes [charity boxes] to solicit donations for the society. [Image 367]

Eitam Henkin, who wrote Ta’arokh le-fanai shulḥan (Jerusalem, 2018) about the life and work of the author of Arukh ha-Shulhan, Navaredok’s Rabbi Yehiel Mikhl Epshtein (1829-1908), was unaware of this pinkas.

A product of a cooperative agreement between the Russian National Library and Touro University’s Project Zikaron in 2019. This pinkas is part of the Günzburg Manuscript Collection at the Russian National Library in Moscow.This overview and the accompanying annotated transcription were made by Rabbi Yitzchok Stroh of Brooklyn, New York, in 2020.

Category

Year of Publication/Creation

1862 - c. 1914

Language(s)

Hebrew

Geographic Places

• Navahrudak (Novogrudok, Nowogrodek, Navaredok), Belarus (read online)