Creator Bio
The Council of the Four Lands
The Council of the Four Lands was a unique phenomenon in Jewish intercommunal organization. It operated in Poland between roughly 1580 and 1764 and met twice a year, in the fall and in the spring, during the large trade fairs. The Council of the Four Lands was composed of Jewish leaders drawn from four regions and oversaw various institutions, including a court of justice. It was recognized by Polish authorities as the representative body of Jews, responsible for collecting taxes. With respect to the Jewish community it had many functions, such as approving the publication of books, dealing with debtors, and allocating fines and punishments. It was specifically instrumental during crises such as the time of the pogroms of 1648 and 1649.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
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Records
Slaughterers and examiners of the meat must be God-fearing individuals who will examine the knife very thoroughly. In any event, trusted men should be appointed to examine the slaughtering knife…
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Approbation for a Prayer Book
The great value of prayer is well known. It is formulated in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings, and explained further in the words of our rabbis of blessed memory. It is called the service of…
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Approbation for a Printing House
“That which is well known needs no proof,” and the root cause is the skilled operating of the printing shop in the holy community of Żółkiew [Zhovkva], may the Rock preserve it, which was established…