Several years later, when, after Alexander reigned his brother Zigmund (Sigismund) I, introduced him to Zigmund, in Melnik, Brest, Trakai, Hrodna, Lutsk and Vladimir (Lithuanian and Volyn together, in previous times Brest introduced together with Polish Jews) Jews, to congratulate him and ask for confirmation of their rights and privileges. Zigmund fulfilled their request

King of this distinguished honesty and complacency by the favor of the Jews. Special grace enjoyed Brest Jews who supplied the various privileges and rights, gave them a lease on miscellaneous fees and income. At the Royal meeting in Brest in 1511 the king confirmed the old and added new rights and privileges to Jews in general, and especially of Brest, allowing all trade, updating and decorating the synagogue   /1/ For construction, renovation and decoration of a house of worship (synagogue), as in Polshi and subsequently at Russian rule, it was necessary to petition for royal or royal resolution (A. Kraushaar, Jakob Frank, see also on Ch. 12 of this book). Were meant purely religious considerations to the synagogue was not above and sleeker any church, or any church.

In 1508 he commissioned Michal Ruvinovicha collect from tenants income from fees wax and salt in Brest, Lutsk, Ludmiru (Vladimir) and Drahichhyn, and at its sole discretion to spend their military needs. He relied for work half obestkovyh (my comment - the word is not clear) fees. Michal Ruvinovich Brest was a Jew.

In 1513, King officially announced that the tax collectors and Michal Ruvinovich and Don (also a Jew Brest) showed him the bill for the collection of taxes from the wax and salt in the city of Brest for two years. The same score Michal presented by city: Lutsk, Vladimir, and Drogichin. {35}

In 1514, King introduced authorized by communities: Trakai, Grodno, Brest, Lutsk, Vladimir, Pinsk, Kobrin and other communities, begging him to stay with them a heavy yoke imposed on them by Alexander, while allowing them to return to Lithuania, obliging them deliver 1,000 horses with riders and weapons for military purposes. King readily agreed. And not only the dismissal of this tax, but still gave different benefits.

Brest Jew tax collector Don King set an example to others, his prudent conduct of their affairs.

Respected as Brest Jews Moshe Morduhovich, Mikhail Yuzefovich and many others.

Especially Michael Yuzefovich rose in establishing autonomy for the king of the Jews. Sigmund decided in the end to give autonomy to the Jews . He could not be satisfied with their private endowment random benefits and privileges, without any system, conductive thread, embracing life, resulting in the order of their affairs, legal units and defining characteristic of the laws relating to the Jews, to determine their borders. And if, under then a caste device Jews, as a class of merchants, in the interests of assimilation and compilation of one government unit together with other citizens could not be joined to itself, and because of the assimilation could not think, though, their basis of religion, so removed, their public life from other Christians that, at least, should benefit as a class (legal ) unit, complete autonomy, self-government in the internal affairs of his . But if the misfortune of Poland consisted precisely in the fact that political freedom has expanded almost not to anarchism ; freedom that can hardly be ; was theoretically justified, and with the practice were no circumstances to overcut: to take them was not prepared himself Polish people and least of all could fit in with the policy of conquest of the surrounding nations, not knowing any liberties and the government, which sought to take advantage of Polish freedom, Polish weak discipline in the public parts of the body, tried to destroy Poland and really easy to destroy it if, say, premature broad freedom only ruined Poland, then the Jews autonomy, without a general rise in education, also harmed the Jews in particular, finally separating their interests from the interests of other people, the interests of the neighbors, under one roof, {36} Christians. Despite the religious and racial hatred between them, but could eventually converge, giving everyone at the hostel by a few of their traditions and customs. However, freedom could be expressed not in office, but in a message: equal rights, the destruction of class.

Closed. Jewish life began to be more unknown to Christians. Also vice versa. Jews knew little of the Christian life. Intercourse decreased, increased tearing and general antagonism that stood out as a class already.

Appointed one of the Jewish media to represent them and their interests in the defense of the Kings, the Diet and representative of all communities from all over Lithuania . At the very autonomy of Poland the Jews has not spread. Maybe proud nobility, humane to allow Jews to inhabit the city, along with the expected benefits of those Jews favor of settling the wastelands, trade development, but did not want to give the Jews more than a piece of bread, you say, the person hired, you trade, there is a benefit, bear bread, but then do not go, you can not be the host, do not judge and do not cooperate for, us masters, masters, do not sit properly with midges and consult with them on political issues . Gentry looked down on Jews, haughtily with some contempt and humiliation. We must assume that it was a struggle between the mind and the senses, between theory and practice, the first proves humanity, equality, fraternity, but is faced with her practice, its use, contempt, pride, etc.

Gentry knew German humiliated, enslaved Jews Itzik, falling 20 times at the feet of his master, flattering him, and how to prevent this and Itzik Moshko though honest tenant, smart dealer and economy, agile owned 'Tavern and sacristan, sometimes even a skilled chess player and a great accountant, but still are fluid Mote, Moshechkov and Itsuki and uneducated, poseur, without any external forms and no systematic education system or even without, they whether to participate in the Sejm, together with nobility, which finished Cracow Academy esline all, at least, a part of them, those who are far away in Poland lived, though with political education, exercise, sitting abroad in backyards of the European powers, etc., yes unless the Sejm this folk, ordinary people meeting where all are allowed? Whether, however, the gentry thoroughly educated and though more conscientious, it would take some time to consider how and why the Jews have received this kind, but the then drowned gentry thought gave way to a sense of light. This outrageously-wildly proud nobility [Hebrew text], gentry took pity and mocked Moszko {37} as a boy over a cat, dog or beauty spot, and felt the same denomination.

Lithuania on this pride was not yet: there did not know the importance of the past, nor the prominent role of any formed or political education, or even a respectable appearance: There's a Jew was considered above. There could be a despotism, but not politically deliberate oppression.

Autonomy is one of the Jews confined Lithuania   /1/ However, according to Dr. Harkavy in Poland was also selected as the chief rabbi of the Polish Jews. It was Abram from Bohemia. But in Poland, in any case it lasted chief rabbinate. . The representative of the Lithuanian Jews called the chief rabbi of all of Lithuania. This innovation Sigmund also thought to attract a greater number of Lithuanian Jewish merchants, in order to increase the wealth of the country   /2/ It was the only goal in each allowing the Jews to settle where either. Jews lived relatively bad until pulled this good, then not needing more in them, hampered them. No one, however, did not give Jews a place of some humanitarian reasons. And this Russian were partly right: I do not want to use and the most that after not repent (sic!).

King was appointed chief rabbi and a representative of the Lithuanian Jews manage the internal affairs of the Jews all over Lithuania, intelligent, energetic and honest Michael Yuzefovich from Brest. King addressed a common to all Jews of Lithuania and separate each community appeal follows:

Note repeatedly integrity, dedication, energy and blameless Michael Juzefovicha we chose it to be representative for all your requests and your troubles in front of me   /3/ There may be an allusion to the fact that so many kings tired of messing with such frequent appeals and requests for Jews from all sides. Do not have the patience to disassemble. Between the calls had a lot of unimportant and frivolous claims. Having one representative it is easier to understand. . You must listen to it and will carry it out. The man he chooses to accompany him on his journey to us for the common good of your obliged to go with him. We are also authorized to fix it you court under the laws of your teaching: to punish criminals and Indomitable on a par with those who rise up against the government of ours. All duties and taxes Lithuanian Jews, including your community pass through his hands We, hereby wish you to take him for his Chief and through him we will fulfill your request. It can, to appoint a senior assistant rabbi judge to punish the disobedient. {38}

We gave it all to him at the mercy of our entire life. For it to be  /1/ Translation from the ancient Hebrew. .

In Brest reliability Jew Michael Yuzefovich Sigmund convinced most in 1508 when one of the nobles who owned nearly half of Lithuania, Glinski for revenge king in alliance with the Prince of Moscow from Poland wanted to tear some of the controversial land and has led to the Vilna Russian army. Under his banner were a lot of supporters, volonterov   /2/ Policy was Moscow government decided to take that land disputes. bribed. Among the latter were two of Brest Jews, traitors issued Glinsky all he needed secret information. Yuzefovich learned about this and immediately announced their vile traitors to God and the King and strictly punish them.

It would seem that the Jews should have seen this autonomy, raising the level of their political importance in the state, ordering and regulation of their affairs, strengthening their influence and representation than they should be happy. However, this was not. Jews were not satisfied. Especially Brest. They had relatively more will and freedom than other Polish Jews saw in this new device despotism and a new slavery. Brest Jews, despite some troubles and restrictions evolved freely, they lived political force, although the Diet has not yet been, lived consciousness of their dignity, lived citizenship. And, as such people wanted to have their own choice, could not be satisfied with the imposition of a host is not by choice but by royal appointment. And who, if they could know that his appointment as general purpose, you can get to the unworthy.

We must add that the chief rabbi with Judge and Executioner were in levying taxes. Michael himself is not deemed worthy to be a rabbi. It is far less knowledge of other distinguished Talmudic rabbi certainly need a high degree. Finally, Michael's brother, Abram Yuzefovich (also Brest), the Minister of Finance under the same king, who changed his Jewish religion and convert to Christianity, threw a lot of shade and Michael. Tem more, which is believed this is why the choice fell on King Michael, as his brother beloved minister.

Minister has the following story:

His father, Iosel Hannes, reputed in Brest and around a rich man gave her three sons: Abraham, Isaac and Michael on his hands, the best Melamed’s (Jewish {39} scribes). Michael has a remarkable ability, but even better had Abram, which (after the then gave arms Brest Rabbi Rabbi Moshe Landau (Raskovic?) For higher teachings and interpretations of Talmudic books. Landau was struck by the genius of his pupil, and prepared to give him a certificate of Rabbi ( םמיכה ).

Among other things Ioselev Hanes, he had in Brest also cellar wines. Gentry there came a glass of wine. Come between other single educated gentleman who asked convincingly Iosel give his son Abram at his hands. He will teach him the new sciences. After many works Ioselev agreed. Abram, past the custom of the Jews learned the Latin language, mathematics and geography. And studied the Polish language, which was also a rarity among the Jews. Studied for two years and has made tremendous progress.

Fifteen years he was married to the beautiful Hana Volfovna Veyn of Grodno. He continued to study and after the wedding, living with his father's wife. He further studied in Landau and received rabbinical certificate. Also studied languages at his teacher. Soon reputed educated Jew. Acquainted with him and respected him and loved nobles come in their cellar. Between them were magnates. Word started to know about him.

But after the fire parents splurged and Abram had to think over his position. Rabbi be something, would not like it, and did not seek to engage in any position that it would not hard to find in this formation, the name and abilities such.

He became interested in trade: But something in Brest failed him and moved to Kovno, where he had better luck. He met with all the nobility, knew about it himself King Alexander Jagiello. All appreciated his rare mind. Alexander gave him rent miscellaneous fees, almost all taxes, in short, was already small deliveryman finansov   /1/ This prompted after the Kings to give all financial affairs in Jewish hands, as this contract was way more profitable than a bleed through corrupt bosses, leaving only a few for the Treasury. . Abram won more then the nobility, in contrast, got a stamp with excision stork. Replaced by the name Ioseles on Iezofovich and Abram lived from this time on the Nobility.

But when (in 1495?) Alexander expelled all Jews from Lithuania (especially the rich) and Abram had to look for a new home. He went to Rome, traveled to other places, where it is still more acquainted with different {40}branches of knowledge. Italy then served as a source of knowledge for all of Europe.

Soon was canceled in Poland ordered the expulsion of the Jews from Lithuania. Jews returned to their nest. Abram returned and, after ten years of wandering, armed, all kinds of knowledge at that time. During exile Abram devoted all the time, attention to these sciences, and was removed from Judaism. It could not operate a chasm which was then between dark enslaved peasant or even bourgeois class and educated, full gloss, nobility. Two worlds. Light and darkness. Ignorance and science, dirt and gloss, superstition and consciousness, marsh life and ward, managed and operated. It was hard then who studied the secular sciences, the former in the world for people to stay in the old, dark, closed. Too big difference was between the classes. And Abram became interested in a new life, secular, he was bored in the dark circle negligent.

He settled in Vilna. Rotated between nobles. He did not escape from the eyes of the king and Sigmund I, newly enthroned.

Then expected war. Glinski joined the Russian army. Suspected Helen, the wife of the late King Alexander Jagiello and the daughter of a Russian prince, that she was still living in Poland is intriguing and helps his father, a Russian prince. Worried land. To the needs of the military needed the money and then the king remembered how useful and profitable to give Jews rental fees taxes and how the money will disappear in the hands of various other authorities, so that all a bribe and theft, but not the money for the treasury. Remembered King as well Abram led economy. Remembered and thought: And why would not it be Abram finance minister in place Bogovitonovicha?

And the king inviting Abram, in your yard, offered him a briefcase. Only one small requirement: convert to Christianity.

It is difficult to know - how much hesitated Abram. On the one hand so climb on the other side away from the Jews, but that's nothing! Jewishness? But that's nonsense! Selflessness, self-abasement, humiliation, other consciousness of superiority? This is also nothing! Only hard to hurt my parents, brothers, former teacher Brest’s Rabbi Landau, people though not of prime importance, but still felt something...

And yet decided. Baptized, and became a minister.

{41} Decided and his wife, lovely Khan, Minister and his wife have also moved to Christianity.

Baptism took place in the Cathedral of St.. Jana in Vilna in the presence of nobles, of which, one was the godfather.

During the baptism smashed Jewish quarter, as rumors spread that the Jews in Vilna preparing for unrest in the day of baptism.

There were plenty of those baptized, but baptism Abram thought Jews that have lost a lot and they were sorry for him more than others.

But Abram patronized Jews after baptism. He found solace in a new life.

A treasury he always delivered enough money. The war between Poland and Russia, ended in victory for Poland. The king was so very pleased with Abram. He gave him imnie “Veydonya”, near the village of Rokachinskoy in Vilna province on an everlasting possession.

They say that in this quiet backwater estate Abram secretly Jewish rites performed.

Queen Bona, Zygmunt mother was, with Abram in the best friendship.

Tidying up all the affairs of the state, finding always enough money in the treasury for doing all of this, as well as power to wage war, the king could start compiling a Lithuanian Statutes, served a set of laws of Lithuania, including Brest to the last century. These laws are, for the time were with some of the best.

During this outstanding Brest Jewish minister, does a lot for the country, the kingdom prospered and had a golden time for trade and industry. It was a time of greatness and prosperity, growth and consolidation. Country grew rich. Were chic and luxury. Nobility and Jewish merchants shine. Not surprisingly, therefore, that a good king valued his minister, for which rose, and maybe Michael.

Then remembered about Michael in Brest. In all likelihood, he got on the influence or even directed Abram. On, it can also be concluded that Abram did not forget Jews or Judaism, but primarily remembered his family and the city of Brest.

Abram influenced education and future prince, heir to the throne, Sigismund Augustus, and, at the same time on the future of Poland and the Jews in Poland. The prince, on the advice of Abram was given for education on hand Opalinskogo Gnieznenskogo.

However, at the insistence of the nobility, Abram and then the king were sometimes forced to rob the Jews certain privileges {42} but, calm nobility, they returned again snatched privileges.

It is not known how much time he served Abram finance minister. Eventually he resigned. And then he moved with his family in Brest, old weak and desperate.

Before his death, he invited then stationed in Brest their buddies, Troki governor, Alberta Gastolda and military adviser Yuri Ilyich, who read his will, asking them to write one.

Eldest son Jan he leaves his two estates: Zheroslavku and Gladkovich, one house in Vilna and 10,000 ducats, the second son of Constantine - estate namely the “New yard” and “Glinkovschinu”, house in Vilna, farm near Vilna and seven chests Lithuanian coins. Wife Hana - 1000 chests of coins, all in gold, silver and their home and the income from the estate of Constantine. Daughter Marina, a large dowry and income from the estate of Jan. Guardians were Gastold and Ilyich.

Jan married Jadwiga, daughter of Ilyich. Children of Abraham did not differ. But their descendants, wore name   /1/ According to the words of a story Orzeszkowej «Meir Ezofowicz» surname Michael ”Ezofowicz“ Lithuania has been known for a long time. But maybe Abram renamed their children in famliyu ”Abramovich". Yuzefovich same descendants of Michael and Isaac were a long time Jews, but appeared after baptized hits. Abramovich after a long time, until recently it had been notable officials, military and civilian, to the end of political life in Poland, and later in the Russian government. Before, still exists in Russia surname Catholic nobles Abramovich. Their coat of arms and seal Stork. All members of this family occupy honorary positions.

Khan left a widow remarried for Sventitsky.

Here it is necessary to add that, Abram was finance minister only for Lithuania. In addition, he had the title of “elder (or governors) Kovenskago Soletskogo and   /2/ Żyd ministrem Króla Zygmuta, p. Wolfa, Kraków 1883. --> Jew King Zygmuta Minister, Mr Wolf, Kraków 1883. Levandi Abram Yuzvfovich, Sunrise in 1887, the (Translation Citron) in כנםה ישךאל Rabinovich 1887. .עיך ההלה,פ׳ינשטייו. .

But back to Michael.

{43} It was in 1514 Place Board chief rabbinate was in Brest, as the center. Michael was there with assistant and with the office. There, in Brest, flocked all taxes, there came all belong to the chief rabbi of the reports, orders, manifests and other documents. Brest alive. Life boil. Accumulation of money (before sending) increased wealth and trade, and gloss, and the population itself. All is well. But Michael himself did not like (here, of course, and was a great dose of envy, and, incidentally, revenge for execution). Finally they told   /1/ Was told, probably Brest Jews, in any case, they were the initiators of denunciation. King on Michael for what he does not know the laws and therefore can not judge.

King demanded an explanation from Michael. He explained. Certainly Jewish laws have no precise definition, so please nominate scientists for their determination.

King, Michael left his post. But when he wanted to spread his orders as the Karaites (Jewish Mosaic Law, but antitalmudisty) living in Lithuania, introduced last Voevode Gastoldu in Vilna. He found them right and then, by order of the King, Michael released them (Karaites) from their orders.

Michael, despite his shortcomings, worked hard and did a lot. The archive has the edge bolie royal circulars to 60 hits. King personally gave him out, except collecting taxes, many other commercial and industrial taxes, such as the salt, wax, vodka and weight. Michael House, as the home of Abraham, was very close to the heart of the king. This is evident even from the fact that the daughter of Michael, Maria complained to the King for his wife's mother (wife of Michael) that she stole from the trunk of her silk dress. King acquitted Michael and his wife. Brother Michael, Isaac, King also gave a lot of benefits. In 1525 the King granted Michael and his descendants, the nobility and the earldom on par with the Polish and Lithuanian nobles ; bestowed him emblem, depicting the arch of the sky with a full moon with a bright green rays and shiny star on top. This emblem could use it and its offspring. King had to take Michael as a participant in the meetings of the nobility, regional councils and gatherings. Nobody dares to insult him, or deprive him of any right or property.

Prior to 1514 Brest was Rabbi Moishe Raskovskaya, but in 1514 he retired, and Michael took his place. Raskovic, according to some reports, did not like the king.

And Brest received their rabbis diversion {44} kings, that justice could not be in the spirit of Jews and their extremely upset them. In fact, a rabbi, as the executor of the Jewish rites, decisive questions of Jewish teaching must be different in this field, and all sorts of personal or political considerations have nothing to do. For the latter purposes, it may be chosen another, but not a rabbi. But Rabbi have a big impact on people. It is understood the King   /1/ Eliza Orzeszkowa in his novel "Meіg Ezofowicz" says Michael, as a man who devoted his entire life for the good of Israel, in every way trying to bring it closer to the indigenous population in the spirit of assimilation, but met with strong resistance from the side of devout Jews, headed by the Todros-Abulafia of Spanish immigrants. Political appetite was stronger religious hunger. After all, members of the clergy and spiritual leaders of the masses.