PRUZHANY YZKOR
BOOK
1958
Chapter 6
By M.
Volansky
(Translator's
warnings: This chapter deals also with burial rites of Jewish Community at
beginning of 1700's; readers sensible to death and to burial rites are
recommended to skip cases who describe them, which are mentioned as "Case
No….". It also has references to prayers of year 1450 (which is the oldest
reference to Jewish life in Pruzhany), to Jewish relations with then Saxon
authorities, and describes how was opened Jewish new cemetery at beginning of
1800's, being this one the cemetery surviving now).
A small, thick book, with leather covering, old and blurred pages,
sometimes written with trembling old man's hands, faded yellowish ink,
sometimes with rounded calligraphic letters, written with black ink scribes
used. Paper was mostly gray yellowish.
Other times, was blue, all manuscript. Last pages that were approximately one
fifth of a thick book was bound in modern form. The format of Pinkas, is 14 x
18 cm., height - including covers - is 11 cm. Cover format is a hall door, of
one lateral is "Moshe Rabeinu" (our teacher Moses) and of other
lateral is Aaron Ha'Cohen (the "priest" Aaron, with his priestly
gear). In it means figures the inscription: "This it is
the Pinkas of Chevra Kadisha and Loan Fund of the Pruzana Saint Community, year
1785."
We cannot determine how old the Pinkas is according to this date,
because protocols that were registered in first pages show dates previous to
this year. The oldest date found in general in
Pinkas is year 1701. Considering what is registered in protocols, and
news of first pages, is seen they had dates without chronological order.
Therefore, we get the conclusion that date 1785 written in cover, refers
to the year during which re bounding was carried out. Pages are numbered, but
certainly this numbering was carried out after re bounding, together with cover
drawing. (See section "Pictures and documents/Pruzhany" in this web).
It is an error to think that beginning of registrations is year
1701. In second page we find following
news:
I saw registered in Pinkas that one of first
inhabitants wrote " Selichot " (prayers to G-d requesting pardon for
sins ) for the Chevra Kadisha, and they were read in fast day, Cheshvan 19 1450. But they got lost, and
they don't appear in Pinkas. For that reason, other " Selichot "
appear so that they are remembered through generations..
"Selichot" and when they have to be prayed are detailed in
footnote.[i][ii].
Chevra Kadisha existed in 1450, and Pinkas was also then instituted.
Regrettably Pinkas that covers about 250 years didn't come to our hands, and we
deduce that was destroyed as years passed, and only some pages were saved and appear in this Pinkas. Pages saved
include registers from year 1701 to 1785, being this last one the year of the
cover.
This evaluation is justified because were not present conditions to
loose these pages. In certain opportunities, the Chevra Kadisha decided which
event should be registered, for example: to seal commercial agreements with
privates, and these one tried to eliminate pages which could danger them. For
this reason, we find in the Pinkas - in different times -, amendments by which was prohibited to extract or pull
off pages; in general nobody had access to the Pinkas. This was the cause which
for was designated a person responsible of keeping access to the Pinkas.
In Pinkas were registered issues that had direct relationship with
society. Most pages were full with news about community new members. The style
was the same whole time, and it was this way: "Day ...received ..from Mr. ...as any of us that
who paid in advance... the debt...."
An important part was full with corrections made after a certain time,
which dealt with election of community treasurers or other who were called "distinguished community members
". Community Treasurers elections were frequently carried out, and the
list of candidates was registered in the Pinkas. General interest issues or non
important facts were not registered. Here
or there are registered with lot of detail, stories about deaths, funerals,
etc.
Burial Case No 1
This way was registered a terrible fact that happened in the city during
1714. It was the time in which dominated Poland Saxon Kings. This is the text of news (we try not to change style of news in
Pinkas, in spite of errors).
Be remembered happenings by blame of our sins. Once,
during Friday, Saturday eves, first day
of month of Yiar, year 1714, was a man
of our community called YTZIK BEN R' MOISHE KATZ, nicknamed ITZIK THE YELLOW
who serviced our community during all his life. In that time were in our
community King soldiers, and one of them inhabited the house of mentioned
YTZHAK. He hit his wife while YTZHAK
was outside his house in the market, because it was fair day.
When he was told that his wife was hit, he went to
soldiers Chief, to request him to begin a trial because his wife was hit.
Meanwhile, YTZIK found accidentally the Saxon in market, and he began to talk
about this issue. The Saxon got anger, pushed him, and YTZIK fell to floor
which was covered with ice. Me, the one that writes these lines, and "distinguished" Reb MOISHE
son-in-law of Reb NOTE, who were far from that place, saw Reb YTZHOK in floor,
his mouth was bleeding, as were his eyes and nose. But we didn't see when and
who pushed him. Other members of the community saw the case from the beginning
until the end.
On this fact was informed Reb YACOV son-in-law of Reb
ISROEL, and he went to that of
"distinguished" Reb MOISHE, and with me, who writes these lines, went to that of Saxons Chief.. Rich
Reb ISROEL was there. Mentioned Reb YTZHOK was also in the yard, and they asked
him who of Saxons was responsible of the facts, and he answered. He continued
bleeding, and on Saturday midnight died. On same Saturday was informed Saxons
Chief about death of mentioned Reb YTZHOK.
Immediately was ordered to arrest the Saxon, and was
sent a doctor to cut skull skin, to verify if it was complete, or maybe was
already sick before he was hit. "Distinguished" community men
requested this order was not executed because it was Saturday, but was shaved
his head and laid down on the bank were
he had died. They asked to Community Rabbi if they could lay him down on the
floor, since died in Saturday. They decided not to move it. The martyr was
spread down there three days, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Distinguished Reb ISROEL ordered to bury him, and we
did it according to laws corresponding to a murdered. We did not purify him,
but we put him pants and a tunic. The Saxon that made this fact was sent to
Brest, because there resided Mayor Lieutenant.
After six days of being buried, Brest Mayor Liutenat
sends another Regiment doctor, the cadaver was exhumed, and was trepanned the
skull to verify that death had not taken place harming without justice the
Saxon. Authorities of Kingdom pressed us, and we had to exhume the martyr. We
requested the deceased to forgive
us.
The cadaver was complete. Saxon doctor together with
another Jewish doctor that visited us
(who was of the town Tiktin), accompanied us to the cemetery. Saxon doctor
opened up with a knife the skull skin
in four parts, as a cap is made. Then cut around the skull, and
determined it was broken as consequence of the fall.
This doctor requested to doctor of our community, that sutured with silk thread the skin
around the skull. Then we buried him in same previous place. The martyr's blood
was placed under the cadaver.
All this was registered for future generations, and
G-d saves us of these laws, have pity of us, say ENOUGH! and avenges us of our
enemies. Send us soon our redeemer. Amen
All this was registered by order of Chevra Kadisha
authorities, and should be swallowed
forever year 1714. Signed by TZVI HIRSH
Ben Reb MORDECHAI DOV called Rav MORDECHAI DOV Ben Reb LEIBESH.
Relation with Saxons
Certainly if it was not have been this fact, we had not found any signs
of Saxon times. Accidentally we find another important news that is related
with same time:
"We register that us, "distinguished" people of the Chevra Kadisha,
gravediggers, had to give "distinguished" MENACHEM MENDL Ben Reb
YOSEF money to pay debts to Saxon soldiers."
Of this we deduce that Pruzhany society paid taxes to Saxon military
authorities military, and if it was not for the loan given by the community,
the Pinkas had not registered it. In this text I don't mention the date, but
according to texts close to it , this happened - we imagine - among years 1704
to 1707.
Burial case No. 2
Are not absent facts about murdered that were found outside the city who
were brought and buried by the Chevra Kadisha, chord to Jewish laws. There are
also references about deaths due to
accidents "(in a mill due of a thunder, the horses got excited
...etc.)". Given the concept that characterizes suicide in Jewish society,
and nonexistence of a similar fact in that time, we brings next following
description:
"Was a fact that happened in our community . All
person that listens to it will sound hearings". Was a Sunday, Yiar 21
1738. An individual named DOVID son of ARON HA' COHEN, called DOVID PEISACH,
was found hung of a new rope in
threshold of his house.
It was clarified that the rope that we call "
reins ", he bought them Friday, and just as their relatives they tell it,
on Saturday night was awake thinking, checking the bills in bulletins that were
sent him, and he should pay. After half night, he left their and his relatives thought that he went to "make his personal needs". To
dawn, his grandson left house and found
him hanging. Immediately widespread the news in the city. Was cut the rope and
he fell on floor on house threshold.
He laid down dressed with leather pants and a shirt.
All person that passed through, were surprised, about how an individual could
happened to do such a cruelty. Studious people met to consult in sacred books how should be funeral proceeding..
They decided to bury him in a place far from other
deceased. The Chevra Kadisha did not take care of the case. Other people dug the
grave. At evening they took him to cemetery through a lateral road, and not
through cemetery entrances. They covered him as the rest of deceased, with only
a robe, a ritual mantel ("talit"), they covered him with a sheet, and
they threw him to a grave that was near the fence, together with the rope.
Whole community, women and children,
accompanied him so that each one conserves clear in his memory this
shameful fact, and that they can tell it to future generations. His tomb was
next to a sallow, and this was a sign for cohanim"[iii]. We remained moved and we prayed asking for
forgiveness: "Our eyes didn't see and our hands didn't spill this blood.
G-d forgive your people".
"This fact was registered so that it is remembered, and all
sufferings of our town are avoided forever."
This was in that time the terrible concept regarding suicide.
Burial case No. 3
On the contrary all those that were exterminated, or perished in
accidents, were considered " martyrs " and were buried in a special
place of the cemetery, among martyrs. As an example we bring next the case of
an individual who was murdered:
"Should be remembered this fact,
because young Reb ITZHOK son of Rev DOVID was murdered near the village
of Dobuchin, on Thursday Sivan 14 1740,
and buried in our community Sivan 18.
His remains rest next to the martyrs, and they found elements that he left: a
velvet cup appraised in 3,5 guilden, an old coat valued in 5 guilden, and three
leathers valued in 2 guilden. This money was good for sepulcher expense, and it
was given to ARON 8 guilden."
"This good man donated the sum 4 guilden as gift
on behalf of the martyr to light in his memory a candle in Bet Medresh. The
rest of money was given to me, the below signatory, because I had with him a
family link, since I was his aunt's husband. I categorically confirm that the
money obtained by the sale of the cap and the coat, I gave it to community, and
according to this, I sign, Monday 18 1740, BINYAMIN..."
Burial case No. 4
This is a good illustration of the Jewish population's cultural
situation 200 years ago, and the description of cases of parturient death. We
bring next following description:
"A fact happened in our community on Sunday Kislev 21 1737. The woman ZISL wife of Reb
ELIOHU, had difficult childbirth work and she died. According to women's comments, she was pregnant of twins.
Was treated by all possible means to take out the baby of her mother's but it
was not possible".
"Chevra Kadisha named some of its men, so that
they go to died woman's house, with an energetic warning; "that the woman
should give birth" (!!!!), but
this was not good for anything. Then met specialists of the city, but this
neither had a result. They looked for it in sacred books, and didn't find any similar case, about how to
behave about the sepulcher, because it was terrible to bury the woman with the
children in her ...Afterwards gravediggers covered her with a sheet and
childbirth clothes ...All this fact was registered to be remembered and that
G-d avoids all suffering to our siblings."
Of fact up mentioned we are informed of customs and habits that
dominated population. The scribe of text admits that was not find a similar
case in sacred books. The discussion, about how the funeral should be
made, took place because they listened
about the terrible concept of burying a parturient with her baby within
her. The description about sending
community representatives and of the specialists, was absurd because from the
beginning could not be waited any answer.
New cemetery is sanctified
Another description tells about life system, and it shows how were
buried first deceased in new cemetery.
"In 1839 was communicated a governor City Decree,
which ordered to distance the cemetery of the city, and that the Chevra Kadisha
doesn't dare to dig a grave in the cemetery that was near the city. When
community "distinguished" persons were convinced that the order was
strict and there was not bribe possibility, they were forced to fulfill the
order and they had to sanctify a new field. Anyway, they invested many efforts
to bury those most religious deceased
in old cemetery. When Governor knew that the order was disobeyed several times,
he was anger and destroyed stone fence
around old cemetery, and Jews didn't
dare to rebel. Then city
"distinguished" men met to
look for a solution, and decided to sanctify a new field. In several opportunities, the Chevra Kadisha
tried o bury illustrious deceased in the old cemetery, and achieved it."
One day, died a certain Reb YTZHOK Ben YEHUDA, and the
Chevra Kadisha to honor the deceased,
wanted to bury him in same places as pious Jews in old cemetery. They
dug the grave, the cadaver was laid down next to the grave. In that moment
arrived City Chief and his soldiers, they covered the grave, and when the
community Chief saw that there was not alternative, they entered the cadaver in
another place, for not leaving it exposed in the sun, because that day was very
hot. At dusk Jewish tribunal decided to gather population, to close business in
honor of deceased, to join the retinue,
and to sanctify the new field with Bible songs and prayers.
Men of Chevra Kadisha said that this one would be last
funeral in the cemetery, but local
authorities didn't consent. They were forced to take the deceased to new field,
they offered him honors with biblical songs and prayers, and almost all
inhabitants of the city accompanied him. The town recited chapters of Psalms,
and distributed gifts. The Chevra Kadisha named ten men that remained the whole
day and the whole night for Torah studies and to recite Psalms. They also decided to put watchmen, according
to instructions of Tribunal, until were three additional death.. Our eyes looked hopeful to Merciful so that he accelerates Redeemer's
arrival, death disappears , and G-d dries tears of each face. Amen"
As we commented, we observe that were registered in Pinkas with same
consideration all facts that happened in the city, in the country, or any
aggression to Jewish community. They didn't register for example, Napoleon's
times, the years of famine, or lost produced by malaria that was catastrophic
for Pruzhany population. Neither would be remembered the great fire happened in
year 1801, if it was not because of it, almost whole city was destroyed, all
buildings and houses, nothing stayed on it's foot It neither had been a house where annual meeting of Chevra
Kadisha. For this cause they should postpone it for another date, and this
issue was registered in the Pinkas
Language used in Pinkas.
Pinkas registrations were made in Hebrew language, there are many
errors, and very few times sentences and expressions were inserted in Yddish.
When this happened, it was because the scribe didn't find the expression of the
concept in Hebrew. This happened when it was tried to avoid lack of accuracy
and errors, when it was the case of guarantees for monetary reasons.. Then they
were registered in Yddish.
Here we bring some example:
"Guarantee by Reb DOVID for his wife (1) ykatnsh
(word of unknown origin that means masculine clothes), (2) karmezin (word to
identify the cloth of crimson color) (3) vrak ( word to denominate a good
tuxedo) with threads of gold and (4) saie (word of unknown meaning that is
possibly a mantel covered in leather), (4) velaichter (it combines the
copulates "ve" which means "and" in Hebrew with the word
" laichter " in Yiddish that means chandelier), (5) vefan (mixes the
same "ve" in Hebrew with
" fan "t which means a "source" in Yiddish ). (TN
That it to say same word had combination of Hebrew and Yiddish )
The texts in Yiddish in the Pinkas are two.
Starting from last years we don't find in Pinkas any registration, only
names of treasurers, and of community new members. No any sign about events of
WWI, German occupation, establishment again of Poland, or of Pole-Soviet war,
although war operations were carried out in the city.
[ii] "G-d
answered" to be read during Yom Kippur morning prayers
"I will implore G-d" to be read during even of Rosh Ha'shana.
"G-d, there is not any other" to be read
during days between Rosh Ha'shana and Yom Kippur. "Long life" to be read in Rosh Ha'shana eves.
"The
tie" to be read during days between Rosha Ha'shana and Yom Kippur, and
with "Liberated Israel." music
"Please cure us D-s" .
[iii] TN : Aaron descendants,
brother to Moshe, called "cohanim" are not allowed to e cemetery
according to Jewish Laws..