<<(Lunéville, France).>> Kenasoth BeChevra Kadisha Me’Lunéville [ledger of fines levied on members of the Chevra Kadisha.]

Auction 92 | Thursday, February 18th, 2021 at 1:00pm
Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Arts

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Lot 27
(PINKAS).

<<(Lunéville, France).>> Kenasoth BeChevra Kadisha Me’Lunéville [ledger of fines levied on members of the Chevra Kadisha.]

Manuscript written in Hebrew and French in square and cursive hands on paper. pp. 31. Lightly stained and worn. Original full vellum, rubbed. Tall narrow folio.

Lunéville, Lorraine: 1st Sivan 1838-

Est: $700 - $1,000
PRICE REALIZED $1,600
The ledger opens with a comprehensive listing, in Hebrew and French, of names of all the members of the Burial Society. Each subsequent page bears a member name, along the side of which, are tabs cut into the paper, labeled with an Aleph or a Bet, indicating the francs that a member might be fined for violating a rule of the Chevra. This appears to be purely ceremonial, or perhaps a proper inducement to correct behavior, as none are used. On the final few pages are entries from the late 1860’s, where dues by members are recorded. The capital of Lorraine, Lunéville is a small town located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of north-eastern France. Lunéville has a Jewish history dating to the 15th-century, just prior to the expulsion of the Jews from the Duchy of Lorraine. By the mid-18th century there re-arose a small community, that grew in number until there were about 400 by the middle of the 19th century. Although a cemetery was not consecrated until 1791, remarkably there were two Jewish presses, that of Abraham Brisach and that of Abraham Frisecque. See EJ, Vol. XI, cols. 567-8.