A peek into Ashkenazic life in Amsterdam!
Takanos Hakehillah
1737-1772
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Important collection of 12 booklets presenting the codes and shul policies of the Ashkenazic community in Amsterdam.
These booklets are a rare find. Only a few copies of each of the booklets were printed since they were intended specifically for use by the local Ashekanzic community.
The collection encompasses the Fundamental Code of the Kehillah, 1737; Book of Customs of the Beis Haknesses of the Kehillah, 1759; and ten other booklets with amendments to the policies and code.
The Ashkenazic community in Amsterdam was founded in the early 17th century and functioned in strict accordance with community policies and codes. These codes vividly portray Jewish community life in general and the policies and orders of the shul specifically.
This anthology was the personal collection of community gabbai tzedakah R’ Zelig Yuklesh who had the booklets bound together in an ornate leather jacket with a metal clasp. The Kehillah’s name and emblem are impressively engraved onto the cover with gilded letters, and decorated with images of angels, crowns and decorative swirls.
The following is the list of booklets in order of their appearance:
1. Takanos Hakehillah D’Khal Kodesh Ashkenazim Asher B’Amsterdam. Amsterdam, 1737. [4], 33 leaves. Printed at the behest of community leaders, officers, patrons and gabbaim.
2. Seder Hanhagas Beis Kankesses Mikol Haminhagim shel Beis Haknesses Mikol Hashanah. Amsterdam, 1759. 6, [1] leaf. Title page printed partially in red ink.
3. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1759. 4 leaves.
4. Regulations and Amendments on Amendment 35. Amsterdam, 1752. [3] leaves.
5. Regulations. Amsterdam, 1759. Single folded page; likely unknown.
6. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1765. [4] leaves.
7. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1768. [2] leaves.
8. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [2] leaves.
9. Amendment to Appointment. Amsterdam, 1771. [4] leaves.
10. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 5 leaves.
11. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 7-9 leaves (page numbers are continuation to previous booklet).
12. Amendment to Community Regulations. Amsterdam, 1772. [1] 11-16 leaves (page numbers are continuation to booklets 10-11).
The booklets feature the Kehillah’s emblem in several variations: A Star of David surrounded by a border with a crown on top and musical instruments with the letters .ק.א.א — Kehillas Ashkenazim Amsterdam.
Amsterdam, 1737-1772. Total 86 leaves. Page size: 15.3 cm. The booklets were printed in German Yiddish interspersed with Hebrew words and phrases. Several pages in #1 cropped at edges until text. Preserved in case.
Provenance: William L. Gross Collection
Item description from the ‘William L. Gross Collection’
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