{52}Sigmund died in 1547 his receiver, Sigmund August did not differ by the favor of the Lithuanian and also to the Jews of Brest as Sigmund I. Many of Brest, trading companies, contracts and income from miscellaneous charges passed on Polish Jews ; so he gave the bridge and restaurant in Brest Poznanski Jew Uher and many others. etc. But even in 1547 it ceased to govern the state which was run by his mother, kind of Beaune. She's like her late husband patronized Jews and did much for them. It settles disputes between Christians and Jews ( Grodno); freed from the last hard work on state brickworks.

Sigmund August gave a general confirmation of privileges Lithuanian Jews. However, private cities fussed about themselves; every time he confirmed separately. Such evidence was first obtained Brest.

To some Jews, he often was even merciful   /1/ In general, as now, and then, with a ruler and changed the form of government, not even looking at the personal character of the ruler, and often by the onslaught of people dissatisfied with the old form, now had time to grow stronger through intrigue. They make the new king to choose a new path. Then, of course, you can not think about what Iezofovicha something about politics and raise such, and even about the benefits brought by them. Did not like Bona enjoy the glory, for such saying foreigner selling the interests of the state. So attack Bona some Polish historians. , especially Brest. Some he released on the occasion of {53}former fire from taxes for 6 years, other authorized Christians to lend money to give bail (which required permission of the king); third gave contracts and income from the sale of salt, wax, border and customs revenues (1558) on different boundaries.

David Shmerkovichu, Joseph Sholimovichu, Abram Dlugach and Yitzchak Brodavskomu, Brest Jews gave coinage (1560-1563), the brewery, mill, distillery, drinking, shopping and weight income.

In 1562 the king was tried the case on the claim Pinsk Christian inhabitants brought against the Brest Jewish contractors who gave the king proceeds from the sale of fine salt in Pinsk (Pinsk served stowage fine salt) and that illegally detained contraband salt. Contractors accused leader of the nobility (nobility), that he had taken from them prematurely in a row. King decided to leave Brest Jews contract; punish the leader and one of salt impact Jews have to pay.

In 1563 Lithuanian landowners asked the King to oblige the Jews to deliver 2,000 troops and pay a large sum of musketeers, but the king contrary, announced the Lithuanian Jewish communities following: Learning from the city elders that entrusted to the vas 12,000 tax cop. pennies (pennies cop = 2.5 PLN ) heavy burden for you, We hold you only 4000 cop. divided as follows: 140 Kremenets Jews, Ostrovsk 600, Luck 500, Vladimir 500, Kliotsk 15, Dworeck 60, Novogrudskaya 30, Lohvichskie 30, Pinsk 600, Tiktinsky 100, Grodno 200, Trakai 376 (collectors everywhere Christians ), Brest 264 ( collectors : Pejsach Aizikovich and Moshe Lifshitz), total 3465 cop. According Bershadski 536 kop. to have an even number 4000 Brest Jews even before, as the main and richest Jewish city in Lithuania. Thus Brest gave 264 +535 = 799 kop., more than any other city, even more rich Pinsk 199 kopecks.

In 1566 by royal command census was home. Brest were only 106 Jewish homes. (In the county: 1 house in Davin, in Pischatse 4). Relatively small number of Jewish homes due to the fact that the Jews did not build many houses as house fires and other exposed ruin, from which impoverished, so the number of Jewish homes has not increased (as the first foundation of the city) and lived in Christian homes that are for the most part belonged to the clergy and the church. At that time it was after the fire and had not yet settle.

Maybe that {54} Jews encountered difficulties in buying land. Though may also be that the number was deliberately reduced in order to avoid paying taxes on the home.   /1/ The fact is repeated in history many times. For example, Peter the Great as a result of fraud by the Russian payers of taxes from the court established a poll tax and accept the metric. Soloviev.: History of Russia. . Tak.v Grodno Jewish homes by census remarkably small, only 58, still less in Pinsk only 24 (this number is compared to the tax-paying, say the numbers above 600 kop. corresponding not those numbers in other cities), in Tiktin 37, in Lutsk Karaim 26 and 31 rabbinic (Talmudic), etc.

By the time he lived in Brest Duke of Lithuania, Vilna governor Nikolai Radzivil (black or red). He patronized then spread in Lithuania and Poland, including in Brest, Protestantism (Calvinism, Arianism, dissent); he arranged for the printing house in Brest, which in 1563 published in Polish Calvinist (Brest) bible, also called "Radzyvylovskaja", now very rare.

There was then a struggle for and against popery. Lutheranism (in its various shades, as Gussitizm, Calvinism, Arianism, all dissent) the power of persuasion and a sword pierced its way in many states that have transgressed against popes and still form the Protestant powers such as Germany , England and other , transform the look of Europe. What would be the course of history of ages past, and what would be the fate of Poland and Lithuania, if Protestantism would have won here, as in Germany, we certainly do not judge now. Initially, all of the Lutheran movement favorites Society of Poland and Lithuania in particular moved to his side. Lithuania on faith, in general, still wavering . Idolatry still lived. Orthodox poorly acted. Orthodox clergy represented the herd, dark, no education have not received  /2/ Count Dm. A. Tolstoy, Roman Catholicism in Russia, Volume One, page 206. and people were a joke. Catholicism reprehensible in the eyes of everyone who heard about the teachings of Luther. Did not particularly like the Catholic Church intellectuals, while looking at fighting faiths naborbu as light and darkness, knowledge and ignorance, fetishism and reform, pro and regresivnyh, there must be an intellectual progressives at the fashion to imitate himself. It got to the point that the entire royal court   /3/ Ibid. , all the aristocracy became Calvinists.

When the Jesuits came, everything changed. They were {55} as intelligent people, scientists, good preachers, and all are secular and tasteful. They renewed the church, and organized schools, educate the people, and not looking at the old distrust of Popery, Jesuits on greed, but because they acted on the minds; that very soon became masters of the country, displacing and Protestantism and Orthodoxy in part. Protestantism was expelled from Brest, in addition to the efforts of all the hassle and Nobles German streets in Brest (where, as it should be assumed lived most Protestants, just like on the German street in Vilnius  /1/ Batyushkov: Russian monuments of antiquity. for example). Brest, not counting the Jews and a small part of Russian Orthodox   /2/ For the Orthodox Church worked a lot Elena, wife of Alexander Jagiello, the daughter of a Russian prince John, we know from the history of the expulsion of Jews from Lithuania and other political intrigue. stayed with Catholicism.

In 1567, consideration of emergency, the king ordered the Jews of Brest in 1300 cop make pennies Lithuanian. King wrote:

Jacob and loselevich Ruvin Aaronovitch from Brest introduced king, asking to decrease the tax. King accepted the request of the Brest Jewish deputies, especially noticing poverty, a growing number of arrears and manifesto (Knishin 10th September 1567) decided during the war with Moscow prince to recover from Jewish the 3000 cop in peacetime same time Jews only pay dukatnyh, in other matters, to the privileges given to them by our ancestors and our people.

And from Moscow preparing war. Preparing and backwater in the face of the Orthodox clergy. Began to try to increase more in this area by the Orthodox. On the other hand, the Polish government , foreseeing the danger , began to develop the idea of Florence Cathedral , the idea of the union of Orthodox and Catholic churches , the idea of which was held in Brest after Polish government has helped the Catholic clergy, in this eternal wage policy matters, acting on behalf of God and religion. Dad worked and especially the Jesuits. I must add that, despite the fact that the Polish government or rather Pope and the Jesuits, contributed to by the imposition of Catholicism to the country not less than

{56} Moscow to the country's transition to Orthodoxy, but first shown an over tolerance. It agreed to allow Elena Ioannovna, wife of Alexander Jagiello remain Orthodox, Orthodox Church have here; (and Orthodox churches were a lot), and have other priests. Orthodox clergy enjoyed various privileges, as we shall see later. Conversely Moscow government did not allow anything like that: in its territory was neither Catholics nor Jews, no churches, no priests   /1/ Roman Catholicism in Russia. . Russian prince could not agree to marrying a Catholic, she has continued to remain a Catholic, wanted to get to Orthodoxy even before crossing the threshold of Moscow   /2/ Ibid . Could find a reason that Russia was more afraid of the Polish and Roman force than feared Russian Poland and an Orthodox spirit. Russian but not better get along with Jews and with other foreigners, which had nothing to fear.

When in 1567 a part of Brest was wiped out by fire, the king freed residents from taxes.

But Zigmundovy orders are not always the nature of grace. They fluctuate between good and evil, not in them constancy: They shows two dominant spirit in relation to the Jews.

This king forbids Jews to wear beautiful clothes, (the Jews learned that from a distance, can, in order not to arouse envy), the Jews did not take the civil service (after Juzefovicha tried prohibiting again); forbade Jews to keep Christian slaves (serfs, servants, prisoners), and nurses; buying a Christian slave, Jew loses   /3/ Prohibition of the Roman Empire still. Afraid of proselytism. But it was not without reason. Daylight Romans to Judaism known.. [hebrew text here] their money; Jew can not sue the Christian does not have the books; in civil cases are not accepted testimony Jew.

But Sigmund August categorically denied the accusations of the Jews in their use of Christian blood for ritual purposes. And such accusations abounded that time. The reason for this phenomenon, as we have said before, was the impossibility of the Jews' enemies to fight them on the legal field, for kings protect them legally. Enemies vented anger in fictions.

Agent Brest’s contractor Itshok Brodavskago accused {57} the ritual murder of a Christian child to them. Jews went agonizing share. But the 9th August 1564 King strictly forbade Jews to blame in such, as well as the desecration of holy guest. If the three Christians and three Jews, trustworthy homeowners confirm the accusation, versed in the matter of the king in the courts on a Sejm in the presence of members of the Sejm.

Agent the same Brest’s Brodavko, Brest’s Nuhima Jew accused that he killed a Christian girl for ritual purposes in Roshoshe (where charged travel). But, despite the identity of the witnesses King made sure that everything - slander, and in 1566 May 16th day again forbade such a charge.

Manifesto of the 9th of August 1564 Parczew king declares: Jews have presented us with their oppressed position as guards over them darn court did not accord with the Law ( Jurisdiction ), rob and beat them, in particular accuse them of ritual murder and desecration of holy bread (the host); verify the validity of the words of the Jews, We protect them and resolve: to anyone Sejm can not judge on these charges, because I personally, along with the Sejm will analyze these cases and only when cash pious witnesses 3 x 3 Jews and Christians. Each prosecutor has no such witnesses undergoes death and confiscation of property. Only this present any other valid manifesto on my behalf in the opposite spirit is not valid, etc. Indomitable pay a fine of 10,000 cop. pennies.

By order of the king, this manifesto has been brought royal clerk in Brest in a book of laws, and issued him with a copy of the signature of the Jews of Brest Clerk Basil Grigorevicz.

Interesting details Roshoshskago charges (then Vilna province of Brest district). The matter lay at Brest headman Volovich, orally and in writing that the king gave all the material allegations as released from prison on bail Roshoshskih and Brest Jews Nuhim fled. Warden Roshosh sent to investigate the matter. Many of there the peasants   /1/ Probably on the order of the manor. Gentlemen must be too jealous Jew Brodavko contractor, who served as clerk Nuhim. said that when Nuhim came from Gorodiche, caught on the field, the boy and took him to his home and one Jewish girl told them that came in standing near the river brewery warm, and there stood the Christians said that Nuhim brought the baby , three months {58} fed him behind the stove, and then he and his fellow Rabbi grabbed the child by her brother held the baby's hands. Child killed. She was stunned, thinking that stabbed her brother Zelig. Then cut out the heart of a child, and it sucked.

Investigate the matter, it turned out in the testimony of witnesses nonsense and nonsense. The whole thing together with the corpse of the girl and witnesses moved to Brest. In secondary examination of witnesses came more refutations previous testimony  /1/ The consequence of this was the prohibition manifestos this accusation: Siegmund, Stefan Batory Foundation in Warsaw in 1576, and later the Russian Emperor Alexander I, March 6, 1817.

In 1567, he was a big fire in Brest, and the following year Brest Jews asked King to release them from taxes, because of poverty and the desire to be rebuilt with new stone houses, in order to give the city a beautiful view. King freed them from tax 700 kop. (1/3 tax Lithuanian Jews) from dukatnyh (paid specifically Lithuanian Jews), and other taxes, except for cargo-freight, all of 9 years, if you build a beautiful city. Who is building for 6 years, will start after paying taxes. Wooden house should not be higher than one floor.

Described here is a picture of Brest life in which, already played a prominent role for the Christian population of the hatred towards the Jews, would be far from complete, if you do not add that this hatred is not only applied to the Jews alone; hated each other all the different elements that make up the population: Jews, Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants. Between the German, Russian and philistine streets lay the abyss of hatred. But if the main factor of hatred towards Jews were loans just economic reasons, besides local: money Jews not allowed to sleep the enemy, same religion and politics were only a pretext, a cover for the legal form; you hate other parts wore a purely political nature. On aid policy were different combinations of religion to ignite hearts. Each part was looking for supporters suit blocks. Support the Jews asked Catholics, the Orthodox, the Protestants, of course, only when needed their help, but at other times avoided the Jews and turned the other way. For such assistance Jews paid dearly: the opposing party avenged them. Fortunately, the Jews usually only assisted radical {59}> dominant element. Exceptions occur occasionally and that upstarts.

And so intensified hostility and hatred for one population to another. Life was stretched and were always ready to rebel against each other and swallow.

But were the main instigators of the clergy, priests, or rather to: main misiya was entrusted to them. They, as musicians played on Easten hearts black mass noisy, frenzied music that brought to tears, to tears of red.

There was the same for all law. Every social, religious, commercial and industrial layer, almost every house had its own laws, manifestos, privileges, benefits, freedom and security credentials that are different from others.

This allowed Magdeburg law and statute Lithuanian Sigmund I compiled and acting before the last century.

There were plenty of individual freedoms, but not one for all; had lost a lot of different and not systematic autonomies. That is the reason all disharmonies all iniquity in the law; then comes envy, anger and fighting, the gap, the political destruction and degeneration, which is still despots good reproach Poland, which gave freedom at a time when they could not be more systematic when all the powers surrounding freedoms did not know when they interfere and would benefit from the Polish troubles, freedom to capture not our brother, spoiling interests. In Poland, found good soil and get.

after the union of Lithuania with Poland, founded in Brest province, which included counties: Berestsky, Kobrin, Pruzhanskiy, Pinsky and Belsky (beyond the Bug River, at what Lomazov etc.). Brest, became permanent residence Radyvyliv princes who were successively elders Brest   /1/ Preface to the Acts . Protestantism could spread in Brest, when Nicholas Radyvyliv, zealous Calvinist. Sigmund Augustus was indifferent to Catholicism.

At the time there was a school in Brest heterodox (Reformed, Calvinist) and typography.

In 1574 he began to reign, and he reigned Henry of Anjou all-skid months, during which the Jews and also between them and Brest, had to introduce him. He confirmed their privileges.

Conductivity policy clergy increasingly wandered in the mud. Suffice it to cite the following fact that, {60 }though as some imagine to what extent their vulgarity reached at that time.

Moses Isaacovich priest Brest, Cosmo Demyansk church for its dedication to being the Bishop of VladimirBrest Theodosius in Bistove, asked him for a ticket to travel; but since this place was not under Bishop scribe and servant, he took off the ring and gave it to the priest Isaakovich in order to relate it to the scribe to the ticket printing applications. Meanwhile Isaacovich before one scribe to bring printing, pinned her five parchment forms, though, would be for different occasions, which could meet him on the road. Meanwhile, a year later, came to the attention of the bishop that the priest has forms on parchment and between them is the receipt of the bishop if he borrowed from Isaakovich one hundred cop groshi, that if he fails to pay his relatives are obliged to pay.

Isaacovich priest confessing that he had parchment forms, positively denies that the bishop never took money from him, and if the receipts of this kind, it is subjected to the full extent of the court  /1/ Acts for 1574 .

And these priests were often accused Jews. It is difficult to conceive that such a priest Isaacovich, greedy for money gentlemen, do not also sought to Jewish money and a lot of them for mischief is not done. And if it fails immediately for a charge. What a pity it was such a gentlemen that are not able to directly attack and smash or even kill. Royal letters! What a disaster! Punished even riots! Need to invent stories, tidy and blame, in short, not a fist thought thought, well, they go to hell! But why Kings enclose and protect the Jews? Judaic kings!

Their relationship to the king became more former aversions more insolent and defiant.

During the Stefan Batory Foundation, enthroned in 1576, was the center of Brest also levy taxes. Brest Jews also, incidentally, introduced Bathory and tried to secure confirmation of their privileges that had been done.

A squabbles among all the inhabitants of Brest and their quarrel reached a high level. The atmosphere was filled with volcanic sediments. Spanned the situation is terrible. Between the various Christian clergy some hands woven trap for political purposes. Some Orthodox Nepokoichitskii brings in Brest on the complaint of some Catholic that he was attacked on the road priest Damian Semenovich {61} only just emerging from the church after the morning service, beat and wounded him, what should testified Vozniy   /1/ Acts .

Not a little different such attacks and Kobrin priests  /2/ There .

Kaspar Valentinovich Dembinski plunders property Apollonia Kopteva in Brest   /3/ There are 1577 .

In 1580, King wrote a letter Batory Brest and Kobrin headman Volovich to watch: that of hydrochloric duties should belong to the treasury, and that the Jews tenants. (Acts).

Hydrochloric duty in Brest province then kept for rent Brest Jews renters Lazar Abramovich and Lipman Shmerlovich. The king gave them this duty. Merchants brought salt in Brest province of Russian zhup, had to pay a royal order said tenants. From each of the of thousands great tolps to two grosz’s and of thousands small tolps at a grosz.

But other tenants brought in Brest ice salt lumps of stone zhup Bochnia and Wieliczka   /4/ Do not Novovelichki current Ekaterinoslavskaya province, where salt is mined now and get this name from the Polish Velichek. near Krakow (mean of Poland). This salt was brought in the first Kododen (then 18 viorst’s from the city of Brest, in Siedlce province), where in there the zhupa digested. Importation of salt in Lithuanian limits paying customs tariff with each cart. Of salt in the same digestible Kodne king forbade taking toll at transported from Krakow.

For this reason, salt digested in Kodne and then transported to Brest could compete with any other salt, and the first Brest Jewish tenants had to be at a loss. But soon Kodenskie renters, already known to us and Volovich Kodensky owner and Chancellor Lithuanian Sapieha partners took in Brest Jews: Tobias Bogdanovich and said Lazarus Abramovich and Lipman Shmerlovicha (Acts).

Conditions are as follows: 1) They are partners in the third portion and administrators as part of the procurement for salt in Krakow, its delivery in Kohden and digestion in place, and in parts sales, 2) participate in the third part of the costs and losses and profits. Impose reports every three months, etc. In the absence of Jewish money now, and Volovich Sapieha posted and given for the purchase of salt to 2,000 zlotys.

Year 1587 was a year interregnum.