A Jewish History of Brest, 1016 to 1907

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Chapter 5: [Untitled]
{27}[Chapter Keywords:] Charges. Trade in slaves. St. Guest. The situation in Poland and Lithuania. Fears Brest Jews and their application privileges. Casimir. Brest street. Brest life. Nishevsky statute. New confirmation of privileges. Kings and Brest Jews. Private benefits. Brest district boundaries. Polish citizenship. Expulsion of Jews from Brest, the confiscation of their property. Jewish return to Brest and return their property. View of the city after the expulsion. Synagogue. The obligation of the Jews. Litigation.

Jews in Brest was accused of the same, why they accused them at other places.

First the phenomenon of contempt and hatred of Jews in Poland began in the early XV century.

If idolaters to Christianity and the then served in the eyes of the Gentiles monotheists Unholy symbol, then Christianity has enriched the world with fresh (although not new ) concepts of Morality arising from them commandments, created the class of non-believers in the face of old monotheists, which also saw one of the wicked. However good Christians tolerated them as before good, monotheists, suffered idolaters, not good Christians also tried the brunt of the commandments and morals, all oppression of religion and conscience, all the anguish of the human senses, and shoulder the blame not Christians.

Trading in slaves was very common. Jews participated in this trade for only one bargaining process and only as intermediaries. Captured or stolen people Christians alone, selling among other Jews and betrayed mainly Christina, in general, not the Jews, who have always worked, they were attached, or sold as a thing more. Same concern raised by the Jews alone or helpless living protection mercy (1).

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(1) In Poland, Jews in large numbers came from Germany in the IX-X centuries, which were mainly engaged in trade, and in particular - the trade in slaves. We know from history, that Judita, wife of King Wladyslaw Herman, bathed slaves of the Jews. - [my translation from the Polish language].

{28}It would be only through legislative ban enslave people, then the slave trade and would lose the right to the very existence of their own. But then cannibals would have suffered large losses. Slavery was a source of wealth. It gave bread and force and army, and the glory, and perhaps the crown. Difficult to refuse such a lion's share. If, as a Christian sense, if the conscience can not rest, then you can cast the blame on the Jews resellers. Even more. Jews should not be allowed to keep most of slaves and servants of Christians. So we decided, sealed and Christian sense of calm. And so it remains an unavoidable evil, just as the battle for the use of cattle meat, contrary to all the feelings of pity and regret, but would not incur large losses.

Besides charges byl a number of other strange charges. In 1399. was denounced Jews in Poznan, if bribed poor Christian woman to steal the holy bread. Because of this, she, along with the rabbi and 13 elders of the community were burned. For the same in such an accusation Glagove in 1401 was burned on the market a few Jews.

In 1407 denounced Jews in Krakow, for the Christian child killed, and that threw a stone in the rectory, buyout with a cross in his hands went to the patient. People crowd rushed to the Jews and turned them into the sea feathers quarter (1).

In 1420 the clergy in the province of Gniezno announced restriction of Jews in dealing with Christians, namely, Christians must not allow the Jews to their conversation; Jews can not buy meat and other edibles; Jews, to distinguish, Christians should wear clothes shameful with a red spot on the coat, live in remote areas in towns and villages; Jews forbidden to keep Christian slaves and servants, can not hold office as Jews.

In 1423 Jagiello issued an order strictly forbidding Jews to lend money under a written commitment or the mortgage, but only exclusively under pledge. It is not confirmed as the Casimir privileges given to them by the Jews.

All this happened in Poland. The main reasons were to the aforementioned. Responded much more in Poland by the inspiration of Rome and the Jesuits, and also because not a good attitude to the Jews in the neighboring German Margrave.

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(1) Badania z historyozofii,Chrzanowski

{29}Bad about jews left deep roots among the people, which belonged to the Jews at the first meeting with them.

This - prejudices. Legal views or pretext served strengthening Catholicism, gussitov destruction and other heretical faiths. On Lithuania and Volhynia Jews still lived relatively peacefully. Collision and the charges were a rare phenomenon, although in the project in the bud, in the soul of the gentry have lived evil intentions, and at times even acted out. And so lived in Brest at the time.

After all this is not surprising that the Brest Jews began to seriously fear for the future, and wanting him to ensure correct and assure yourself and present, turned to the king kindly asked to confirm their privileges. And, if they have received from former kings letters served to them confirming the rights enjoyed by practice, it is now such a charter could serve them document protection, defending the rights of those who want to take away from them.

Reigned in Lithuania in 1444 Casimir IV Yagellovich, and as King of Poland and Lithuania was crowned in 1447 and at that time Brest, Poznan, Kalish, Seradz and Vladimir went to the King of the Jews in Krakow and asked to confirm their privileges. King agreed and 14s erpnya (June) 1447 they signed the following privileges:

We are God's help, Casimir, King of Poland and Krakow, Sieradz, Sandomierz, Leczyca, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and Russia Pomerania clear this document declare that introduced us to our loyal subjects, the Jews of the Polish lands, namely: Poznan, Kalisz, Sieradz, Brest, Vladislav and other counties belonging to them and offered us that still use protective diploma issued to them by the Polish king Casimir the Great, which confirmed and sealed following him kings, but during a recent fire burned in Poznan (1) all of their letters and protection. We humbly beg here to update these privileges and give them the power of the royal punishment. They showed us a copy that we: read at a meeting of the nobles and advisers and well delved into its meaning, in all its subtle details and terms and wanting to Jews and Grace Our loyal subjects enjoy all the benefits of our happy reign, for the benefit of us and Our state treasury. We reaffirm and fasten these privileges and unsubscribe to remain in storage, and pursuant to the ages of ages.
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(1) Perhaps it was just an excuse that the Jews had no evidence on privileges from Jagiello get. Similarly, the pretext used for some time after-(see below). But then suffered a fiasco showed deception. It always increases bad when abnormal management. What do subordinates who wish to have a better chance.

{30} This delegation also shows superiority over other Jews of Brest Jews of Lithuania and Volhynia. Fearing the coming dark days for Jews all over Lithuania and Volhynia, seeing part of their persecution in Poland, they are one of Lithuania, while not yet officially representatives of Lithuanian Jews, united now with Polish Jews and jointly requested credentials than deserved honor from kings themselves, and then, perhaps, was the germ of thought issued by it after this mission.

By that time, later or not at all, was Bresge street called “Russian street” (1). Some Russian Orthodox Church, after the expulsion of the priest was sold out enemies, enemies of the Holy Cross (2) (the Jews), and this priest expelled (Nathanael Falaleevich) bequeaths to his sons return to this church.

Catholic clergy and other enemies of the Jews of the gentry did not sleep and brought before that. 1454 King of the Jews destroyed given them the privilege in 1447 (Statute - Nishevsky). But in 1455 after the death of two sworn enemies of the Jews, Kopustron and Zbigniew who enjoyed enormous influence on the king, the king again confirmed privileges.

Despite the intrigue and anti-Semites on the natural oscillations in relation to the privileges for jews in Poland (there were already Jesuits), the king treated very favorably to the Jews of Lithuania and Volhynia, and especially to Brest.

In 1463, King gave Leib Shulimovich from Brest three plots of land (3), near Brest (of which one portion with two peasants), also gave him various privileges and benefits.

Prince of Prussia Heinrich Rihtenberg confiscated goods in 1472 Brest Jew Itzik (contractor), but through the intercession of many statesmen, was to procure the return of these goods Itzik. These statesmen were Vilensky bishop and six royal advisers in tlave which was famous Narbut (4).

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(1) There were also “German Street”. Polish and Jewish streets were not.
(2) And I, the servant of God, to her mouthfuls, but now is not the law of our vedle Greek and rules of the Holy Father, mene otgnal from it, and the enemy of the Holy Cross zaprodal etc. Acts.
(3) Doronovo, Pikov, Bliviinch, 48 עיך תהלה
(4) עיך תהלה

{31} In 1489, 1490 Kazimir gave different Brest Jews different contracts and leases, such as levying taxes, weight, and other customs. Tax collectors were Jews from Brest: Galvash Aaronovitch, Igadi Rabaj, Mison Imshic and others.

While Casimir, redid the border between Lithuania and Poland, found it possible among other things, cut off from the land Parchevsky Lomazov and Polyubichi (Belsky County, Siedlce province)

(1) with their land and attach them to Brest (2). He Casimir, planted in Lithuania and Russia Polish citizenship (3).

Casimir died in 1492 his receiver Alexander was first Grand Duke of Lithuania. At the insistence of Lithuanians, molested her termination from Poland border takeovers and resentment, especially in Volhynia and land Drogychin and Brest, and to border disputes decided authorized on both sides (4).

Alexander became king of Poland and then leaned over and merger and consolidation of Lithuania and Russia with Poland, which was accomplished in 1501 Some Lithuanian ranks, however, did not agree, but they were few in number.

About 1495 on the orders. Alexander expelled Jews from Lithuania, including from Brest. Community destroyed. The synagogue was given to Christians by the hospital and the church of St. Spirit. Christian debt on loans not subject to foreclosure. Destroyed documents including all liabilities, contracts, leases.

According to historians, the expulsion was not anger Alexander, not from his religious intolerance, or for economic reasons, but for some reason completely ridiculous and bizarre whim . Accused the Jews that they are bewitched queen, and she gave birth. The Queen, as the daughter of the Moscow Tsar Ivan III, which Alexander was very afraid, was able to persuade her husband to expel the hated Jews from outside the state. Ivan (John) is strictly required by -law not to pursue the Orthodox faith in their bids. Alexander gave the Orthodox freedom. Not surprisingly, if imbued with and impregnated with the spirit of wild isolation and hatred of strangers, stubborn spirit of intolerance, daughter

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(1) Kholmskaya Russia and other sources.

2) Surprisingly however, this fact escaped the eye of dr. Garkali, and though, as L. Feinstein (See 202 ההלה עיה )

(3) First, citizenship can be varied in a state of transition. But this is only administratively, but not in the spirit of the population, who did not hesitate.

(4) Alexander and his wife was the daughter of the governor of Moscow. She tilted her husband to Moscow politics, see further in the text.

{32} Moskovskago ruler, hated the Jews and tried to clean up the country politically, why and insisted on the expulsion of Jews. Alexander himself hesitated. He was afraid, but obeyed her father's policy.

But exile was not strictly enforced.

In 1503 (1) allowed the Jews to return to Lithuania. Also returned Brest Jews. Returned them to the synagogue and the whole property has been taken away. Jews committed for that (2) pay 1,000 horses with a harness and with armed horsemen.

Especially for the Alexander Brest Jews appealed to the following manifesto. During his exile from Brest jews their waterfront homes and a synagogue were given at the hospital and the church of St. Spirit, now allowing them to return, I order them to return their property. Hospital move out to a spacious place. Ibid build a hospital and a bath with a platform for Jews near the breech of the mill.

It is said that Alexander, wavering all the time, finally took a decision in favor of the Jews, when they themselves Christian residents drew his attention and he himself was convinced that it is difficult to do without Jews in cities with such a device and caste division in Poland and Lithuania ; that blossoming, thanks to the Jews alone, trade and welfare mercilessly and irrevocably fall . In fact, one can imagine the situation of cities left suddenly without Jews, when all trade stopped and the need for the most necessary things forced the inhabitants to look back, to look back and ask the Jews . Cities presented ruins, and no doubt would have become deserted ruins, if not hastened Alexander again to allow Jews to return, do not forget, however, to request remuneration in 1000 of harness horses, and horsemen with guns.

Brest, in all probability, too, would turn into nothing if not for the Jews returned.

Whatever it was, but the Jews, came back and they returned to pick up the real and personal property, which is expressed in the fact that the old debt again got its former force.

Of course, many of the Christians appropriated the real estate itself, before the Jews were expelled especially those who gave it to the king, on return of the Jews did not want to (Christians) to return the last of their possessions. Had to complain and sue. Thus, for example
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(1) Historians argue about the year of exile and return, there is a difference between them at all years (see Chrzanowski, Historyofii)

(2) German custom.

{33} least, was presented to the King case brothers Don, Passover and Loeser Ionovich with Paul Brest Voight. Royal Judge Castellan, Prince Vasili, showed that house (subject of litigation) and appropriation of property ownership were really tell the brothers and the king decided to return the property and the house his former owners.

All previous debt got back force, the same was the case with loans and grants. But how many Jews used this legitimate force is not known. Generally, one can imagine a delicate and extremely unpleasant situation for Jews who know that they are not expensive here, guests sit at the king's mercy known to be derived from them. One can imagine the relationship of Christians to Jews after such grace, the impact of the bad Christians, we learn that the expulsion of the Jews, you can get rid of all your debts, you only bother about it.

Unknown fate, estates Kurnitsy all serfs, who were the property of the Jews of Brest, and during his exile given to Alexander Brest foreman (Voight). Alexander also gave part of the river and the mill and land belonging Ionevicham brothers, one of the nobles, Nemiroff Grimlovichu and then again Fedka Yanishkevichu, his friend. The latter also gave the village belonged Kurnitsu Leib Shulimovich.

Notes:

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