Since that time, the history of Brest can formulate more accurate and related information about the events of that time. Urban population is numerous and variegated. The same county population: rural and urban. Rural peasant population is the largest and has its own interests exclusively in the village, almost without meeting or only rarely met (for buying, selling coming, etc.) with the city. Above this population rises gentry leading economy (itself or through the Jews) and the administration of the city and has very close relations. Urban population constitute traders, small manufacturers (almost all Jews), artisans (guilds) Christians and Jews equally, and employees (servants).

Brest engines ordinary city life (stories) , bearers of culture and productive activities were only Jews. Only occasionally acts nobility or clergy with suggestions or claims of political and religious , as well as attacks on Jews, the latest accusations of various crimes. With these were also tradesmen after Christians, enviously gazing at a comparatively flourishing condition of the Jews of Brest. But it was, you can tell if no accident, then, at least, uncommon when {22}instigated what some political intrigue ripe when with secret plans, long structure could already speak and when people are naturally evil came out of the rut of Economic and financial reasons. Jews, almost daily, among them form one cohesive story events Brest. They did not sleep like peasants, and therefore their lives did not respond passively and actively, though not participate in political combinations and combinations. They only tried especially local communities and their need of the device it is not forgetting, of course, compassion in relationship to the Christian residents. Therefore, Brest and Brest Jews from the second story of the era are the same concept.

Political and national intrigue, religious persecution and attacks between the Polish, Lithuanian and Russian nations or between Catholicism, Orthodoxy, uniatism, the Reformation and the Jews, so that there are various adventures, finally, fire, Tatars, ulcers, all of this happens, but passes revoked, for a short time, but then soon forgotten. In this regard, a specially Brest: the machine went great, but rare cloth. Case passes, and the population, except for the leaders, asleep again. The Jews of Brest as associate story threads from the beginning to the end of the era.

Brest Jews were representatives of all Lithuanian, Volyn (though not formally, but in practice) and partly Jews Mazovia (Polish). Energetic, adventurous, developed, knowing languages ​​and even formed at that time and place, Brest Jews were venerable and enjoyed fame and glorious name from other Jews, Polish kings and princes of Lithuania. The Christian population lived with them at first even very friendly, but there were hired after enemies – schemers who upset the life of Jews and tried to undermine the world to increase the difference, hatred, and the gap between Jews and Christians. But these were single. Judging by the rule (Brest Jews) and his administration, not without reason, it can be assumed that the Jews culturally and educational qualification stood first , if not higher nobility, at least not below. However, after the gentry sent their children in Krakow, Vilenskuyu and other academies, schools were also, though few (Pinsk , Brest , etc.), some send their children to better then Padua (Italy) Academy of Sciences or in Belgium, but most received little education. It was not much literate. Generally, the closer to the Lithuanian and Russian possessions, more Poles prosteli, from Brest gentry left {23} no known other than, except two, three politicians. Is it just some sort of Radziwill. And it does not take an important place among the truly great other places closer to the west. Much more famous Jews left (except for political combinations and connections).

Of course, if you look a little further , we find that, in general, this area with its population, both Christian and Jewish science, was no different. Her whole science was reduced to zero, comparing it with such in other European countries. It was that time of the Renaissance. New discoveries in Italy and Germany and partly in England, showed a new world, are almost never spoke . And in Poland was a genius in the face of a monumental Copernicus, but not here. Here, in this respect, all slept the sweet sleep. Slept in this regard and the Jews (who had in other countries such phenomena as Spinoza, Abravanel, and more. Etc.) and including Brest Jews.

The local Jewish culture, spiritual food expressed in their religious rulings, in the introduction of economic and administrative improvements in the apparatus and charitable institutions and commissions.

Unfortunately, they could not for a long time to work quietly. Hired attackers and gentry, with frequent lack of money, seek to those Jews who have always been the coin for trade (almost the only, Jewish property instead of land, houses and other profitable assets). Jews gave them a loan. But we must pay debt during and immediately begins a tragedy. It's an old story. Gentry had a real estate and general were provided, but needed in specie. Jews left or give their money or live in danger, to protect herself only protection kings. German margraves graphs and gave a bad example to the Polish gentry. Frequent expulsion of Jews from some localities and German Jews permission to return there for the money and filed apetit Polish gentry. They also wanted to get used to the idea that they let evreev that they (the Jews) live only by their mercy, and you can pay for it.

That is why the Jews so often appealed to the king for protection and legal certificates. Kings, who had no personal interest with the residents of Brest, and only nation-wide, Jews always supplied protective diplomas. But it is even more enraged troubled part of the nobility and other Brest Christians seeing here weakness. On the other hand, {24} gentry, for the same money reasons, I bought all the Jews, and through them. Jews recommended gentry artisans Jews, which increased the hatred of Jews among the shop. Seeded revenge. But as legal and legitimate way nothing can be done, especially in the protection of kings, they start blaming Jews in various fictional crimes, and although the court proves the innocence and honesty of the latter, but the whole procedure had a detrimental effect on the people, and he gets used to the thought evil and often clashes. In addition, the power of kings was limited, because the army was in the hands of the nobility, and, almost at their disposal. The peasantry was also in their hands. However honesty Jews prevailed everywhere finally emerging. In a moment of such savagery and nobility of temper, crowned last name decrying[Word in Hebrew]that in ancient Hebrew means “bitter” is a wild animal and a symbol of honor despot.

In 1388 the Brest Jews was given the privilege of Witold Luzkaya  /1/ Feinstein in his translated this document from Polish, here we transferred from the ancient Hebrew [Hebrew Text] as found in the same – comprising in itself between the other and the following:

1) Drawing Jew to justice, not only to take testimony of one witness of a Christian, but only two Christians and one Jew.

2) Jews swearing in of non-receipt of the collateral shall be exempt from issuing such a Christian.

3) Christian Jew denies loan bail, swears or pays.

4,5,6) Speaks about loans and secured loans from the Jews, about the theft of bail and on remuneration.

7) All litigation between the Jews did not have jurisdiction over the city judge, and shall be submitted, if necessary, to the king or royal judge.

8, 9) Christian pays a penalty for beating Jew, except for the injury he penalty should be treated according to local law. For murder as a crime punishable by and the property confiscated.

10) for insulting Jews equally punished for contempt as a nobleman.

11, 12, 13, 14, 16) On the inviolability of the individual Jew, his move on free, free trade on freedom of conscience, tolerance (attacking Jewish prayer house pays judge our two pounds of pepper).

{25}15) The Jews are not exempt from a fine Handel-Wandel   /1/ It must be added that the Lithuanian rulers were more wild, and not so humane as Polish. if one is imposed on them by the judge.

22) Jewish courts sit in the synagogue, or where it is more profitable.

23, 25, 27, 28, 29) of the Loan Liens and outposts of the scandals and violence (Christian can not claim your deposit Jewish holidays, if a Christian seized collateral or did scandal in the house of a Jew, the treasury pays a big fine and many others, etc.).

30) No court may cause a Jew to an analysis of the case, only one Jewish synagogue in court or elsewhere, we or our judge can call a Jew.

31) It is forbidden, according to the papal bull, blaming Jews in the murder of Christian children for ritual purposes. If there are witnesses, namely, three Jews and three Christians guilty shall be punished by law. If you do not give the number of witnesses said, Jews and Christians, prosecutors are subject to the same penalty (subject to what would others).

33) Officials at the mints can not accuse the Jews of forgery and falsification of coins.

34) On loans and deposits.

35) On the inviolability of the individual Jew. When a Christian Jew attacks at night, and ordered that all the neighbors come out to defend a Jew, otherwise subject to a fine of 30 shillings silver.

36) Jews are allowed to buy all existing products and their trade and can touch the bread and other edibles (not to defile them by his touch).

All these protective statutes show all of us charges, attacks and in general all fault-finding of Christians and their reasons, economic (loans) and others, political.

The said Witold was the first who allowed the Jews to establish community administration (self-government), allowed the Brest Jews to build a synagogue and allowed to allocate a plot for the Jewish cemetery. To build the said synagogue, Vitold ordered by his decree of 25th September 1411 to provide free of charge clay and bricks for the Brest Jews. A wonderful synagogue was built, which was famous throughout Europe   /2/ Georg Gustav in Lehr-Buch, Berlin 1766, in part says von der Geographie says of Brest: Brest mit einem Bisthume und berühmten synagoge der Juden. (Brest, with a bishopric and famous synagogue of the Jews.) . Its architecture and graceful furnish aroused admiration among all experts and  envy among Poles even in XVI century, that King Jan Kazimir allowed {26} Jews to build a boznica (synagogue) in Kamenetz with the only condition that its (the boznica’s)  height and splendor should not outshine Catholic and Orthodox churches. That was a hint at the Brest synagogue.
Resolution on the Jewish community management Witold: gave the city of Grodno in 1389, and then other Lithuanian Jews and Volyn.

In 1408 or so years, Witold gave full freedom Brest Lithuanians take Russian (Orthodox) faith, and freed from the Orthodox Magdeburgskago law that Brest received from him in 1390

In addition, the current time is mentioned in Brest Orthodox Church.

Some Lithuanian princes (inherited) lived in the castle in Brest. For example, lived here Kestuty, Vytautas and his mother Biruta, who lost her land belonged to the Augustinian church, which later occurred Sejm's (Brest).

These local rulers but still got a tribute from the people of Brest. For example, the wife of Vytautas got to smoke (at home) by marten, in the kitchen chickens and e ten eggs and polugroshu   /1/ Acts . «money - my comment»

As a prominent Lithuanian princes, like all Lithuanian and Polish residents preferred to Catholic orthodoxy, and the weakening of Catholicism, Protestantism chosen better. Orthodox thought something Asian, wild.

In 1436 in the city of Brest was signed between Poland and the Teutonic (German) Order of the peace treaty.

At the end of the XV century Crimean Khan Mengli Giray burned the town, the castle survived only   /2/ There must be an exaggeration and contradiction to other historical data on which it is clear that the Jewish synagogue-miracle was not destroyed, and a long long time then existed. And there should be a passion, happiness for someone would be if one or the other remains as a sign of something. It is a pity that now there is no one that remained then , but the city soon recovered again.