Educational qualification or level of scholarship Brest for this second period already set out by us in an earlier chapter in the main outlines.

Here are a few more.

During the rule of Poland, as in the previous and subsequent periods, Brest as big and the central city, not only different, but far inferior to other Polish and Lithuanian cities, even some in the scholarship. While standing (second epoch) in this regard incomparably superior to any Russian city (excluding capital), where reigned absolute darkness and all slept the sweet sleep (not counting purchased political practice).

However Brest divide the total school and specifically Jewish. Talk about each separately.

Brest can not put any outstanding scientist, not only Russian or reform, but even Polish. Nobility, claiming the policy practiced administrative housekeeping, based only on local practice more than theory, and therefore without a system. Brest was no Academy of Sciences, no high school, but only elementary. There was also libraries even after printing of the invention. Were really private, insignificant. We must assume that the majority of townspeople were illiterate. In the former printing house in Brest (in a short time of their existence) published some prayer.

During the period from 1525 to 1800 printed books of the Orthodox and Uniate authors in Vilna 146, among them: a few grammar and history, and other church books content; Lutsk 4; Kremenets 3, 514 in Kiev; Grodno 24 (all church), even unto Warsaw and Poznan 9 2, and nothing in Brest (write out in Russian. antiquity v. VI 1872). There are several works of ecclesiastical content compiled Bishop of Brest. Leontiem Karpovich; There are several books "complaints {83} and laments "over the death of the same Bishop (1620), all published not in Brest. Many books talking about Hypatia Pote, Brest bishop and letters to him, there is one book" Philosophy of Aristotle ", there is one book," The Gospel conversations "from the Greek translation into Slovenian (Slavic) Duchesses Sophia Czartoryski (printed in 1619 Rohmanove. Michael Romanovic King ordered to burn the book.)

Yes, and there was no such need in knowledge, as it is now, for example. Could quietly live his life knowing only practical course of his occupation. Not philosophized then neither body nor soul (1).

In higher education, where he taught philology, astronomy, medicine, etc. come only rich nobility. And abroad in Italy or Belgium went only rare gentleman. And in vain for between more or less well-known authors of any name Brest. No inventor or writer, historian, philosopher, poet, novelist, nothing like that. This startling fact that in such a relatively large city, with nobles and commoners separately, with so many social, spiritual, economic, political leaders, that no one took up the pen does not leave the mental legacy. Other, much less city Poland and even Lithuania, and far superior in Brest. Maybe Brest as a political cauldron, where at that time always cooked tribes, only one policy absorbed all their mental activity, not having the freedom to do other issues.

Brest of scientists known to us only one Prince Radziwill, who was in Padua, and which nothing important but does not leave.

But not Brest soil obscures mental ability and not her fault futility teaching and learning, for truly politically enthusiasm in Brest, took away every other ability.

This assumption is supported by the fact that the Brest Jews to engage in politics are much less, stood in the teaching of literacy and incomparably higher. Of course, if only called education, which is not taught in Jewish schools, and that between them was not educated. But Jews teaching

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(1) Were there any school district. In Lithuania, the four Lithuanian - Grodno, Russian - in Navagrudak Polessky - Brest (Brest school) and Zhmudsky - in Krozhah. Higher education institutions were in Krakow (Academy) in Vilna and Nyasvizh (Jesuit). Also had a lot of seminaries, Collegium, and pioneer schools. (Schools in the Russian regions of Poland, Kiev old 1882 page 275).

{84}have their Jewish books which at that time could satisfy all eager different initial knowledge.

[Hebrew Text]

Books of the Talmud, Maimonides, Kuzri, Ikrimah, Abravanel, etc. There are books of which, almost without exception Jews drew different knowledge. First of all, the Jews have always been required (by the laws of religion) that the teachings of the Talmud; more or less involved in almost all the Jews, except for Jewish women ( though for the most part already studied the letter ) . Of course, most engaged in theological removing one from the Talmud, so to speak , study , practice and their severity, as well as justice . And each capable could reach this knowledge to the extent rabbi ( scientist ) , having learned before in elementary heders, which was very much in every city and town , and seized all the male children (though I studied and read all girls ), and then , desiring to perfect continued scientists in Eshibote; is also not in every small town , and what are the different Brest, known as Eshibots themselves and their good device, good order therein are not scarce and not a boring life and glorious rectors

[Hebrew Text]

According to Maimonides, some went to the teaching of philosophy to Aristotle himself. Also engaged in philosophy from books Ikrimah, Kuzry etc.

Illiterates between Jews almost was not. And so it was available to the poorest climb to the highest level, since it was not required, special facilities for free and there were books and a table (for the poor) and the doctrine itself in Eshibots was free and required only the ability and diligence, so rabbinate was not domain what some of the privileged class.

Jewish rabbi and especially Rector, was a scholar of the priests, especially the Orthodox do not have any education.

Mandatory when the rabbinical dissertation stage was not, was not required as oratory of art and preaching. Were only oral exams. But as the preaching and the dissertation or even a work of literature; gave a huge honor and popularity, so this kind of activity had many adherents.

These writers Brest was not poor. And if teaching was conducted in the vernacular, in Hebrew slang, and not on the ancient Hebrew language, the former property is not all Jews, the number of works would be much greater. But many have fallen behind and have not reached on the surface of lung knowledge {85} mindset of many bright, and perhaps logical and often clear. Other dominated scholasticism. There akseomy on chicken legs, and these idée fixe and these are built on the entire building, and God knows what attributes. This is true, but not our life, and now does not consist of many such false idée fixe.

Brest has many works (Talmudic - religious jurisprudence, scholasticism comment preach morals and ethical ) composed Brest rabbis , rectors or other scientists the Brest Jewish townsfolk. Between these writings there are many truly glorious and grand, like BAIS - Khodosh [Hebrew Text] Brest Rabbi Joel Sirkis, conclusions and final conclusions are clear. Solutions, which encouraged not guided in all branches of Jewish religious life. This interpretation into four huge volumes turim, deep study , comparison and logical conclusions books embracing many, many years of work, maybe decades. Bais - Khodosh; serves as a guide until now and will serve until the Talmudic teaching change as required rites and laws of the Jews. Throughout the BAIS Khodosh reigns deep mind, pure logic and laid everywhere, one way.

Among the other works of Brest Jews we know: Yuda Levin [Hebrew Text] Moshe Lifshitz ; Zalmen Ephraim [Hebrew Text] Shore [Hebrew Text] ; Joseph Iosefovich [Hebrew Text] ; Moishe Yudichev Loew, Leymah [Hebrew Text] ; Aron Shmuel Kaydenover [Hebrew Text] ; Joshua Heschel, Eshel [Hebrew Text] ; Yudi Leyba, grandson Sirkis [Hebrew Text] ; Abram Binyaminovich from Vienna [Hebrew Text] ; Eli Shmulevich of Lublin [Hebrew Text] ; Jacob Ioelevich [Hebrew Text] ; Moshe Yitzchak [Hebrew Text] ; Jacob Levy ; Mordka Gyoen ; [Hebrew Text] Aaron Gyoen [Hebrew Text] ; Yitzchak Abram Iosefovich [Hebrew Text] ; Abram Yitzchak etc.

[Hebrew Text]

In this regard, Brest surpassed other Lithuanian cities, and even the first Vilna which was considered subsequently center of Jewish learning. Superior to many Polish cities and alone Krakow, Lviv, Poznan and Lublin competed with Brest.

You can not however say that the rabbis left Brest on their own some huge scientific work. They are not even engaged in the development while teaching bondage, or engaged, but did not write anything about it. Hasidism and the mysteries of the spirit was then a stranger to the Jews of Brest.

I must add that Lithuania differed in that time some brilliant scientists and Jews. For example Isak


{86} Trakai (1594 ); Taz [hebrew text] Rabbi Pruzhanskiy famous Gaon Elijah of Vilna, Zalman Lady and many others. etc. In Brest, as in any other Jewish town was also Talmud Torah (seminary). It differs from the header that it takes like eshibot large public building, teaching free, public, teachers are chosen by society, and so they are more prominent and more educated people than the private Melamed (teacher) Header, often little knowing often not clean, on the occasion of the terrible poverty and cramped flats. Students Talmud Torah contains part of public funds. Eshibot is much higher than the Talmud Torah.

How much of this kind of teaching was not associated with life, so however did not prevent most know life.

Polish knew not a large number of Jews from Brest, and then only those who have had frequent trade relations with the Poles. Although understood in Polish, but spoke little, much less write. So many acts of Brest, have Jewish signature part in Hebrew, but in Polish signatories were representatives and learned.

In wealthy homes hired Polish Jewish teachers and children received an initial teaching (1).

But a more thorough knowledge of Polish Jews, both closed with a special science, their two languages, and not come in large centers of Polish (2).

It is known however, that in Belz Jew Jacob Nachman wrote a book in Polish:
[polish text], (3) which protects against the Jewish rites rise up against them. He must have had one. However, lately (second period, especially after the reform of Polish schools 1760-1770) intelligent Jews have devoted much time to the study of the Polish-language, then German, French and others, to the extent that, as the Poles; engaged in more teaching and science.

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(1) [Hebrew text] Tradition tells us that children Jew Yakov Kopel Elek from Lukov, taught Polish teacher; one poor Christian asked Kopel to allow his sexennial son to learn free from the same teacher. Kopel willingly allowed and Christian boy excellent student and eventually became Pope Benedict XIV, who was grateful Kopel and helped Jews during charges

(2) It is known that during the discussions Franco (in Kamenetz-Podolsk) with Talmudic in the 18th century, Jews were explained in Polish, through an interpreter, although discus not required, of course, the rabbis could be secular figures. It is also remarkable that from Brest nobody was there to protect the Talmud.

(3) Dubnov, History of the Jews.

{87} Understood that all Jews in Polish, and shows that Poles could not in Hebrew, and yet explained. Polish State was, therefore the Jews were acquainted ting him earlier than the Poles could get acquainted with the Jewish. Then read the Hebrew slang was nothing. However, the Poles and the single spoke in Hebrew, often coming to the Jews.

Brest Jews had information on the history, familiar with her at least from the Jewish religious books. And in this respect superior to other population of the city. How dimly saw no boundaries of time and space, yet it seemed much more past, reaching to Moses, Abraham and even before. Past been associated with the present, not only knowing well: Middle Ages; knew space embracing and Germany, Spain and Italy, then Palestine, where Heritage of Germany, many of his old left, so to speak, to cleanse; and finally fabulous Babylon, Assyria, Sambation often flashed before their eyes. Not only knew the intermediate space between vision and reading country. This is what we are talking about weight, and they knew that more Christian mass, and it was one of the many reasons why the Jews were more able to trade. Other people knew about the time, maybe just his age, but age of the parents; Yes children, perhaps, but from the place knew his city and the

Many of Brest jews (nobles and non-Jews) knew foreign languages: Italian, Spanish and Latin. About German, nothing to say, its resemblance to the Jewish knew almost all the Jews. Jews often had to be in Germany and Holland for trade. Rabbis and their disciples, too often (changed places) come from Italy, France, Holland, Germany. Were Spanish and Portuguese immigrants. All these brought with them the languages of their countries.

Do not fight their way in the south-eastern part of Poland revival could not reform the life of Brest on the critical-utilitarian way and link it with the teaching. Jews, however, measured the old religion with life, or rather distort a little bit of religion and life. They, and different mixed life, lived several lives.

Lack of common schools, yes, later, scientists on Saturdays, as well as the absence of the urgent need to distract the Jews from higher education. It is not known what were the doctors of medicine in Brest. In all likelihood, if there were Jews


{88}
Brest natives do not (1) and foreigners. And about doctors use less material and less career and say nothing. And when it was necessary, to find some Tsimerman’s with astrolabes for German settlement (2).

And we must not forget that in addition to trade, the nobles did not live with Jews.

But Jews are not inferior to others in knowledge.

Due to the papal censorship established in Italy in 1564 the Jewish press in Krakow and Lublin, successfully competed with Venice and Prague printers. In Brest, but there was no Jewish Publishing (3). But Krakow and Lublin were large teaching centers than Brest; there were some Polish typography and long time.

Prose writings, Brest Jews (and poems) are local character. Jews have always tried to rise to the level edge. Everywhere in the writings of scholasticism, pedantry, all with a dash (because of the high cost of printing) grammatical rules, and other family memories, etc.

However, in the Brest Jews to XIX, and especially to the XVIII century, lying mark not humiliated slaves, what later turned the entire population of (4). They were shaped by a noble pride, consciousness of their dignity, their merit and excellence in a decent life and a willingness to do good.

It lasted as long as the king himself had power. When his power is weakened when the gentry for various previous chapters told reasons begun to undermine the peaceful life of the Jews, when they began to enslave

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(1) Although there was a doctor in Brest Joseph, of the house Juzefovicha, but do not know where he was born, the doctor finally this title means master's degree.

(2) Lithuania is bigger and better produced all kinds of technical work shows though because the car Ioann ordered in Vilnius, for Moscow, a large number of bells.

(3) However, believe that some time existed in Brest Jewish printing house of David Drucker (Drucker means printmaker, owner of a printing). But Drucker, perhaps, only the name, not the printer itself. And can a life that he was printing, but not Jewish. No known Jewish book printed in Brest. And still no printing in Brest Jewish books. And not only rare Jewish books and insignificant still printed, advertising and other this kind, but there is what is called literature.

(4) It is known that the most notable people had to kiss the feet dad and rush to his knees had everyone coming to Pan. This humiliation lasted long, Russ could not for a long time to conclude an alliance with Rome, because that is not resolved by kiss the feet of the Pope, but otherwise did not want tot. Roman Catholicism in Russia.

{89}them without obeying all kings, when Jews began to be a game of political opponents by denying them, in case of disobedience, a piece of bread, when both players started furiously to pit and Jews left between a rock and a hard place when both the clergy began to throw mud at the Jews, blame and denigrate them in the eyes of the people, when the Jews learned Khmelnytsky, Gaunt and others all around rebelling against them, they all change, (1) Jews began to lose heart, become humiliated cowards, fearful asylum in a small need, many flattering poor; closed, not daring to wish anything, what we also see them in Brest, Brest move to the top and all of Lithuania in Russian hands. People are pathetic without his own will and freedom, frightened, trembling for tomorrow, limited and barely living Jews.

And for a long time after this situation has not changed for the better, but a lot of time going to the worst. The game began the ceremony: a man a Jew or not, and what kind of person and place where he was and how he should live, and so on. and so on. And the light, or only its rays, and the darkness changing and mixed, and the heart tremble and lose hope and life is not a life, and nothing ought not, and are not interested in teaching, and in the darkness of the night quietly and silently poured blood, and then, after attached and open eyes again and reappears ability and desire to live life to achieve.

* * *

This chapter can add that Brest, as the center of trade and travel led (and still is) only served as the main transport and stowage supplying various goods every district of the city and town. Factories and industry was not in it. And if it was, it was expressed in a very small and insignificant plants that are running on the basis of the Stone Age, without using or knowing use new inventions. Products out rude and formless.

In this industry had nothing Brest "Brest", unless baked bread is not bad.

It is not known how many plants and what were in Brest. We only know that they were in Brest shop enjoying different special rights and privileges.

Workshops were many: shoemakers, barmen, tailors and many others. These were small artisans with small workshops with one or more apprentices

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(1) It is now well describes Zalmen Maimon.


{90} or no such so it was all non-factory towns.

Such craftsmen were many Jews and non-Jews. Shop was common for them.

City burgomasters who ruled as was evident in Brest two, and advisors (radtsami). Documents written in Polish, but also in Russian, and of course, looking at the spirit and power of the government.

Legally adopted and Jewish signature. And, it can be assumed if there was a lot of Christians who know Hebrew, admitted to the documents and the Hebrew language.

Many documents in Brest often disappeared. It happened during a disaster befell the city, fire or enemy attack, documents (1) or burned or missing, or captured enemy for their destruction, alteration and conservation for strategic, political or other purposes.

So missing documents in Brest after each conquest.

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1) This happened and used to deceive the locals, they said that their privileges and burned, or that paid taxes but slips burned, and others wanting to usurp the nobility, said that they were written by the nobles, only books burned (Krauzgaar, Jacob Frank ).

Notes: